Protective Helmet Cover

Abstract

Disclosed is a helmet cover that provides a decorative and functional outer appearance while concealing the underlying protective helmet. The device comprises an outer covering having an upstanding body or crown portion and a brim region, the body portion providing coverage for the underlying helmet and the brim region providing eye protection from the sun. The interior of the cover connects to the outer shell of a helmet in a plurality of locations using connectors, which are attached to the helmet or are provided along the periphery of a helmet-surrounding attachment strap about the helmet perimeter. It is preferred to provide a horseback riding helmet cover that provides an outward look of a cowboy hat or other fashionably styled cover while concealing the presence of the helmet. The cover may comprise a unitary structure or a segmented assembly having joinable body region and brim region over the given helmet.

1 ) A covering for a protective helmet, comprising:
 a rounded and upstanding crown portion having an interior surface, an enclosed upper region, and an open lower region adapted to accept a helmet therethrough;   a brim extending outward from said crown portion base lower region;   said crown portion interior surface having a connector means adapted to removably affix to corresponding connector means attached to protective helmet exterior surface.   
     
     
         2 ) The device of  claim 1 , wherein said rounded crown portion and brim comprise a wide brimmed, cowboy hat exterior appearance. 
     
     
         3 ) The device of  claim 1 , wherein said crown portion and helmet outer surface connector means comprise corresponding strips of hook and loop fasteners. 
     
     
         4 ) The device of  claim 1 , wherein said crown portion and helmet outer surface connector means comprise corresponding snap connectors. 
     
     
         5 ) The device of  claim 1 , wherein said crown portion lower region comprises an adjustable band to conform to said helmet exterior surface. 
     
     
         6 ) The device of  claim 5 , wherein said adjustable band further comprises an elastic band material. 
     
     
         7 ) The device of  claim 5 , wherein said adjustable band further comprises a strap adjuster element. 
     
     
         8 ) The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said crown portion lower region comprises an adjustable band to conform to said helmet exterior surface;   said connector means comprises a high friction interior surface of said adjustable band.   
     
     
         9 ) The device of  claim 1 , wherein said crown portion and helmet connector means comprise:
 an elongated strap having length adjustment means for securing around said protective helmet shell;   said strap having outward connector means adapted to connect to said crown portion connector means for securement said cover to said strap.   
     
     
         10 ) The device of  claim 9 , wherein said adjustable band further comprises an elastic band material. 
     
     
         11 ) The device of  claim 9 , wherein said adjustable band further comprises a strap adjuster element. 
     
     
         12 ) The device of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said crown portion and said brim are separable elements independently affixable to said helmet exterior   said brim and said crown portion having connector elements.