Height-Adjustable Fit System

Abstract

A helmet includes, a body, a retention system, and a fit system. The fit system includes a hanger extending from the body and a base configured to be coupled to the hanger at one of a plurality of attachment points on the hanger to adjust the position of the base relative to the body. The fit system also includes a plurality of arms extending from the base and an adjustment mechanism operable to regulate the position of the base relative to a front portion of the body.

1 . A helmet comprising:
 a body;   a retention system comprising a plurality of straps;   a fit system comprising:
 a hanger extending from the body; 
 a base, wherein the base is configured to be coupled to the hanger at one of a plurality of attachment points on the hanger to adjust the position of the base relative to the body; 
 a plurality of arms extending from the base and connected to the body; 
 an adjustment mechanism operable to regulate the position of the base relative to a front portion of the body. 
   
     
     
         2 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein an adjustment mechanism operable to regulate the position of the base relative to a front portion of the body comprises an adjustment mechanism operable to retract one or more of the plurality of arms. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the plurality of arms are rotatably connected to the body; and   adjusting the base relative to the body rotates the plurality of arms relative to the body.   
     
     
         4 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the retention system comprising a plurality of retention straps comprises:
 a first retention strap having a front strap, the front strap of the first retention strap coupled to the body proximate a front portion of the body;   a second retention strap having a front strap, the front strap of the second retention strap coupled to the body proximate a front portion of the body;   a rear strap connecting the first retention strap, the second retention strap, and the hanger;   a chin strap; and   a strap separator operable to adjust the length of the chin strap.   
     
     
         5 . The helmet of  claim 4 , wherein the retention system may be adjusted independently of the fit system. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet of  claim 4 , further comprising an anchor point proximate a rear portion of the helmet body, the anchor point associated with the body and connecting the hanger, the base, and the rear retention strap to the helmet body. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the hanger comprises a track having a plurality of recesses, the recesses comprising the attachment points;   the base comprises a tab, wherein the tab is configured to be positioned in at least one of the plurality of recesses.   
     
     
         8 . The helmet of  claim 7 , wherein the tab is configured such that it is in a low stress state when positioned in a recess and such that it is in a high stress state when position Ned in the track and not in a recess. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the base comprises a track having a plurality of recesses; and   the hanger comprises a tab configured to be positioned in at least one of the plurality of recesses.   
     
     
         10 . A height adjustable fit system for a helmet comprising:
 a hanger coupled to a body of the helmet;   a base connected to the hanger;   a plurality of arms extending from the base and connected to the body;   an adjustment mechanism operable to regulate the position of the base relative to a front portion of the body; and   wherein the position of the base relative to the body of the helmet may be adjusted without adjusting the circumference of the fit system.   
     
     
         11 . The height adjustable fit system of  claim 10 , further comprising an adjustable retention system having a plurality of straps, wherein adjusting the retention system comprises adjusting the length of one or more of the plurality of straps. 
     
     
         12 . The height adjustable fit system of  claim 11 , wherein the circumference of the fit system may be adjusted without adjusting the retention system. 
     
     
         13 . The height adjustable fit system of  claim 11 , wherein the position of the base relative to the body may be adjusted without adjusting the retention system. 
     
     
         14 . The height adjustable fit system of  claim 11 , wherein the retention system comprises a rear strap, the rear strap connected to the hanger. 
     
     
         15 . The height adjustable fit system of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the base comprises a track having a plurality of recesses; and   the hanger comprises a tab configured to be positioned in at least one of the plurality of recesses.   
     
     
         16 . The height adjustable fit system of  claim 15 , wherein:
 adjusting the position of the base relative to the body comprises moving the tab to a second recess of the plurality of recesses.   
     
     
         17 . The height adjustable fit system of  claim 15 , wherein the tab is predisposed to be positioned in one or more of the plurality of recesses. 
     
     
         18 . The height adjustable fit system of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the hanger comprises a track having a plurality of recesses, the recesses comprising the attachment points;   the base comprises a tab, wherein the tab is configured to be positioned in at least one of the plurality of recesses.   
     
     
         19 . The height adjustable fit system of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of arms rotate about a connection point with the body in response to adjusting the position of the base relative to the body. 
     
     
         20 . The height adjustable fit system of  claim 10 , wherein the hanger is pivotally coupled to the body. 
     
     
         21 . The height adjustable fit system of  claim 10 , wherein the base is configured to slide relative to the hanger. 
     
     
         22 . The height adjustable fit system of  claim 10 , wherein the base is configured to be disengaged from the hanger. 
     
     
         23 . A helmet comprising:
 a body;   a retention system comprising a first retention strap and a second retention strap;   means for adjusting the length of the first strap retention strap; and   a fit system comprising:
 a hanger coupled to the body; 
 a base connected to the hanger; 
 means for adjusting the position of the base relative to a front portion of the body; and 
 means for adjusting the position of the base relative to the body.