Portable helmet

Abstract

A portable helmet is disclosed that provides a level of protection at least comparable to conventional non-portable helmets, with the added function of being quickly portable for storage and transport. The helmet includes a series of interlocking curved wedges that can be rotated along pivot-points located on a center support. Wedges to the front of the center support rotate along a front pivot-point, while wedges to the rear of the center support rotate along a rear pivot-point. The curved wedges rotate to nest under the center support when in the closed position and form a wearable helmet when rotated into the extended position.

1 . A portable helmet, comprising:
 (a) a center support defining a forward pivot axis and a rearward pivot axis;   (b) a plurality of front curved wedges attached to the center support to pivot about the forward pivot axis such that the front curved wedges are pivotable between an extended position wherein the front curved wedges define a front portion of the helmet and a closed position wherein the front curved wedges nest under the central support;   (c) a plurality of rear curved wedges attached to the center support to pivot about the rearward pivot axis such that the rear curved wedges are pivotable between an extended position wherein the rear curved wedges define a rear portion of the helmet and a closed position wherein the rear curved wedges nest under the central support; and   (d) means for locking the front and rear curved wedges in the extended position.   
   
   
       2 . The portable helmet of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of front curved wedges includes a ridge, and wherein the ridges are aligned to engage the ridges on adjacent front curved wedges. 
   
   
       3 . The portable helmet of  claim 1 , where the front and rear curved wedges are sufficiently hard to protect a wearer from above impacts. 
   
   
       4 . The portable helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the front and rear curved wedges are not electrically conductive. 
   
   
       5 . The portable helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the front and rear curved wedges are plastic. 
   
   
       6 . The portable helmet of  claim 5 , wherein the plastic comprises a polycarbonate. 
   
   
       7 . The portable helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the front and rear curved wedges are fiberglass. 
   
   
       8 . The portable helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the center support defines the front pivot axis with a first pair of oppositely disposed pivots and defines the rear pivot axis with a second pair of oppositely disposed pivots, wherein the front curved wedges are attached to the center support at the first pair of pivots and the rear curved wedges are attached to the center support at the second pair of pivots. 
   
   
       9 . The portable helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the center support comprises a first center support and a second center support, each with at least one pair of pivot points. 
   
   
       10 . The portable helmet of  claim 1  further comprising a portable inner headgear attached to the helmet, the inner headgear being sized and configured to directly engage a user's head. 
   
   
       11 . The portable helmet of  claim 10 , wherein the inner headgear comprises means for locking the front and rear curved wedges in the closed position. 
   
   
       12 . The portable helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the means for locking the front and rear curved wedges in the extended position is friction between adjacent front and rear curved wedges. 
   
   
       13 . The portable helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the means for locking the front and rear curved wedges in the extended position is a clasp formed between adjacent wedges. 
   
   
       14 . The portable helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the means for locking the front and rear curved wedges in the extended position is a fastener tab attached to the center support and fastener holes on each individual front and rear curved wedge to accommodate insertion of the fastener tab only when all wedges are fully extended or fully closed. 
   
   
       15 . The portable helmet of  claim 1 , wherein when the front and rear curved wedges are all in the closed position the helmet has a smallest dimension that is equal to the smallest dimension of the central support. 
   
   
       16 . A portable helmet, comprising:
 (a) a center support defining a forward pivot axis and a rearward pivot axis;   (b) a plurality of front curved wedges attached to the center support to pivot about the forward pivot axis such that the front curved wedges are pivotable between an extended position wherein the front curved wedges define a front portion of the helmet and a closed position wherein the front curved wedges nest under the central support;   (c) a plurality of rear curved wedges attached to the center support to pivot about the rearward pivot axis such that the rear curved wedges are pivotable between an extended position wherein the rear curved wedges define a rear portion of the helmet and a closed position wherein the rear curved wedges nest under the central support; and   (d) a clasp for locking the front and rear curved wedges in the extended position, formed between adjacent wedges.   
   
   
       17 . The portable helmet of  claim 16 , wherein the clasp is a clasp selected from the group consisting of a Z clasp, an interlocking clasp, and an interlocking Z clasp. 
   
   
       18 . A portable helmet, comprising:
 (a) a center support defining a forward pivot axis and a rearward pivot axis;   (b) a plurality of front curved wedges attached to the center support to pivot about the forward pivot axis such that the front curved wedges are pivotable between an extended position wherein the front curved wedges define a front portion of the helmet and a closed position wherein the front curved wedges nest under the central support;   (c) a plurality of rear curved wedges attached to the center support to pivot about the rearward pivot axis such that the rear curved wedges are pivotable between an extended position wherein the rear curved wedges define a rear portion of the helmet and a closed position wherein the rear curved wedges nest under the central support; and   (d) a fastener tab attached to the center support and fastener holes on each individual front and rear curved wedge to accommodate insertion of the fastener tab only when all wedges are fully extended or closed.   
   
   
       19 . The helmet as in  claim 18  wherein the fastener tabs are tapered to fit progressively smaller fastener-holes in the curved wedges.