Detachable helmet visor

Abstract

A visor for use with a helmet. The visor includes a front panel and an elastic strap which form an internal perimeter configured to engage with the exterior of the helmet. The front panel includes an interior grip surface formed of a non-cloth material such as rubber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A visor for use with a helmet having a brim, comprising:
 a front panel having an exterior surface, an opposite interior grip surface, first and second ends, and a base, said interior grip surface comprising a non-slip material configured to provide friction against a surface of the helmet to prevent sliding of the visor relative to the helmet;   a bill extending from a portion of said base, said bill being configured to receive at least a portion of the brim of the helmet; and   an elastic strap fixed to each end of said front panel.   
     
     
         2 . The visor of  claim 1 , wherein said interior surface of said front panel includes a plurality of surface roughenings. 
     
     
         3 . The visor of  claim 1 , wherein said interior surface of said front panel is smooth. 
     
     
         4 . The visor of  claim 1 , further comprising a lip extending from said base, said lip being adapted to engage a rim of the helmet when said visor is applied to the helmet. 
     
     
         5 . The visor of  claim 1 , wherein said elastic strap has an interior surface with a length that includes hook and loop fasteners along at least a portion thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The visor of  claim 1 , in combination with a helmet. 
     
     
         7 . The visor of  claim 1 , wherein said bill includes an elastic brim retaining portion attached to opposite sides of said bill, said bill having a front and a length from said base to said front, said brim retaining portion being configured to receive the brim of the helmet. 
     
     
         8 . The visor of  claim 7 , wherein said brim retaining portion has a width along the length of said bill, the width of said brim retaining portion being less than a height of said front panel. 
     
     
         9 . A visor for use with a helmet having a brim, comprising:
 a front panel having an exterior surface, an opposite interior surface, first and second ends, and a base;   a bill extending from a portion of said base, said bill being configured to receive at least a portion of the brim of the helmet; and   a single elastic strap fixed to said first and second ends of said front panel, said front panel and said elastic strap forming a generally circular perimeter with a minimum diameter of at least 22 cm in an unstretched state, said strap being stretchable to be placed around at least a portion of a circumference of the helmet.   
     
     
         10 . The visor of  claim 9 , wherein said interior surface of said front panel is made of a rubber material. 
     
     
         11 . The visor of  claim 9 , wherein said interior surface of said front panel includes a plurality of surface roughenings. 
     
     
         12 . The visor of  claim 9 , wherein said interior surface of said front panel is smooth. 
     
     
         13 . The visor of  claim 9 , further comprising a lip extending from said base, said lip being adapted to engage a rim of the helmet when said visor is applied to the helmet. 
     
     
         14 . The visor of  claim 9 , wherein said elastic strap has an interior surface with a length that includes hook and loop fasteners along at least a portion thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The visor of  claim 9 , in combination with a helmet. 
     
     
         16 . The visor of  claim 9 , wherein said bill includes an elastic brim retaining portion attached to opposite sides of said bill, said bill having a front and a length from said base to said front, said brim retaining portion being configured to receive the brim of the helmet. 
     
     
         17 . The visor of  claim 16 , wherein said brim retaining portion has a width along the length of said bill, the width of said brim retaining portion being less than a height of said front panel. 
     
     
         18 . A method for engaging a visor to a helmet of a user, the helmet having an external circumference with a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion including a brim, the rear portion including a hook, the visor having a front panel, a bill and an elastic strap, the method comprising:
 expanding the elastic strap of the visor around the circumference of the helmet;   engaging the brim of the helmet with a brim retaining portion attached to the bill;   positioning the front panel across the front portion of the helmet; and   maintaining the front panel in a fixed position relative to the front portion of the helmet.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the maintaining of the front panel in a fixed position includes maintaining the front panel without sliding the front panel relative to the front portion of the helmet when encountering wind resistance while the user is in motion. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising securing the strap to the helmet with the hook.