Helmet skin

Abstract

A non-protective skin covering a helmet and capable of fitting a variety of helmet shapes, sizes and types. In a preferred embodiment, the skin includes an upper curved surface having an opening, and a narrowing base portion. Each of the upper curved surface and the narrowing base portion are preferably stretchable. The base portion also preferably has a substantially symmetrical shape such that a vertical axis extending in a substantially perpendicular direction to the base portion and through a center of the base portion divides the base portion into substantially symmetrical halves. The upper curved surface preferably has a substantially asymmetrical shape such that the vertical axis divides the upper curved surface into asymmetrical front and rear portions. An opening may be provided, in the skin, for use in attaching goggles, straps or other accessories associated with the helmet. Preferably, the helmet skin is capable of fitting a variety of helmet shapes, types and sizes.

1 . An asymmetrically-shaped, non-protective skin covering a helmet and capable of fitting a variety of helmet shapes, sizes and types, comprising:
 an upper curved surface having an opening, and a narrowing base portion, wherein each of the upper curved surface and the narrowing base portion are stretchable;   the base portion having a substantially symmetrical shape such that a vertical axis extending in a substantially perpendicular direction to the base portion and through a center of the base portion divides the base portion into substantially symmetrical halves; and   the upper curved surface having a substantially asymmetrical shape such that the vertical axis divides the upper curved surface into asymmetrical front and rear portions.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet skin of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion includes an elastic cord. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet skin of  claim 1 , wherein the upper curved surface is substantially devoid of concavities. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet skin of  claim 1 , wherein the skin has a stretch range of between about 30-60 percent. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet skin of  claim 4 , wherein the stretch range is between about 40-50 percent. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet skin of  claim 1 , wherein the rear portion of the skin has a surface area which is substantially larger than the surface area of the front portion of the skin. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet skin of  claim 1 , wherein the skin comprises at least one or more of the following materials: acrylic, nylon, polyester and spandex. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet skin of  claim 1 , wherein the skin comprises greater than 80% polyester and greater than 10% spandex. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet skin of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion comprises at least one of the following: elastic; cord; buttons; Velcro®; or zipper. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet skin of  claim 1 , wherein the base portion may be tightened or closed using one or more of the following: elastic strap or drawstring; cord; zipper; zip-lock closure; magnet; button; clip; snap; buckle; Velcro®; or lace. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet skin of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the base portion is substantially less than the diameter of the widest portion of the upper curved surface. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet skin of  claim 1 , wherein the material comprising the upper curved surface of the skin is water repellant. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet skin of  claim 1 , wherein the material comprising the upper curved surface of the skin is reflective. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet skin of  claim 1 , wherein the material comprising the upper curved surface of the skin is breathable. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet skin of  claim 1 , wherein the skin has a height in the range of about 15-20 centimeters, and a length in the range of about 30-35 centimeters. 
     
     
         16 . The helmet skin of  claim 1 , wherein the opening includes an attachment mechanism suitably shaped and sized for connection to at least one of the following: goggles or sunglasses. 
     
     
         17 . The helmet skin of  claim 1 , wherein the skin is suitably shaped and sized to cover at least a reasonable size range of each of the following helmet types: bicycle; motorcycle; snowboarding; skiing; skateboarding; and rollerblading. 
     
     
         18 . The helmet skin of  claim 1 , wherein the skin is provided with a reflective print using a heat transfer method. 
     
     
         19 . The helmet skin of  claim 1 , wherein the skin includes at least one of the following: decorations; or information relating to advertising or sponsorship. 
     
     
         20 . An asymmetrically-shaped, non-protective skin covering a helmet and capable of fitting a variety of helmet shapes, sizes and types, comprising:
 an upper curved surface and a narrowing base portion, wherein each of the upper curved surface and the narrowing base portion are stretchable;   the base portion having a substantially symmetrical shape such that a vertical axis extending in a substantially perpendicular direction to the base portion and through a center of the base portion divides the base portion into substantially symmetrical halves; and   the upper curved surface having a substantially asymmetrical shape such that the vertical axis divides the upper curved surface into asymmetrical front and rear portions;   wherein the skin is capable of covering a wide variety of helmet types, shapes and sizes, and has a height in the range of about 15-20 centimeters, and a width in the range of about 30-35 centimeters.   
     
     
         21 . An asymmetrically-shaped, non-protective skin covering a helmet and capable of fitting a variety of helmet shapes, sizes and types, comprising:
 an upper curved surface and a narrowing base portion, wherein each of the upper curved surface and the narrowing base portion are stretchable;   the base portion having a substantially symmetrical shape such that a vertical axis extending in a substantially perpendicular direction to the base portion and through a center of the base portion divides the base portion into substantially symmetrical halves; and   the upper curved surface having a substantially asymmetrical shape such that the vertical axis divides the upper curved surface into asymmetrical front and rear portions;   wherein the skin is capable of covering a wide variety of helmet types, shapes and sizes.