Sports helmet including a reinforced jaw protector

Abstract

A protective sports helmet includes features that promote efficient fit adjustment and efficient donning and removal of the helmet. The helmet optionally includes a front shell portion pivotably connected to a rear shell portion to promote easy donning and removal of the helmet. Further, the upper region of the front shell optionally is longitudinally adjustable relative to the upper region of the rear shell. Cam mechanisms optionally are provided on the helmet shell for securing straps of a chin cup at desired lengths. The cam mechanisms optionally each include a self-energizing grip member that increasingly engages the strap when the strap is pulled taut while the cam mechanism is in the locked position. A face guard optionally is attached within the helmet shell structure, or within padding inside the shell, which provides a smooth helmet exterior and promotes distributed energy transfer from the face guard to the helmet shell.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sports helmet, comprising:
 a shell;   a jaw protector attached to the shell including an inner surface configured to face the jaw of a wearer; and   a face guard including a first portion secured to the shell and a second portion secured to the inner surface of the jaw protector, the second portion of the face guard extending along substantially the entire length of the inner surface of the jaw protector.   
     
     
         2 . The sports helmet of  claim 1  wherein the jaw protector comprises a portion of a cover assembly that is attached to the shell, wherein the second portion of the face guard extends along substantially the entire length of an inner surface of the cover assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The sports helmet of  claim 2  wherein the cover assembly comprises two upwardly extending portions that are integral with the jaw protector. 
     
     
         4 . The sports helmet of  claim 1  wherein the face guard comprises a mask including a plurality of intersecting wires or bars. 
     
     
         5 . The sports helmet of  claim 4  wherein at least one of the wires or bars is secured to the inner surface of the jaw protector via at least one clip or strap. 
     
     
         6 . The sports helmet of  claim 4  wherein at least one of the wires or bars includes an integral tab that is secured to the inner surface of the jaw protector. 
     
     
         7 . The sports helmet of  claim 1  further comprising padding attached to or molded with an interior surface of the shell. 
     
     
         8 . The sports helmet of  claim 7  further comprising a channel in the padding, wherein the first portion of the face guard is positioned in the channel. 
     
     
         9 . The sports helmet of  claim 8  further comprising a basket or liner located in the channel, wherein the first portion of the face guard is positioned within the basket or liner. 
     
     
         10 . The sports helmet of  claim 8  wherein the first portion of the face guard includes a curved portion secured within the channel, wherein the curved portion is removable from the channel when a lower section of the face guard is rotated away from a front portion of the shell. 
     
     
         11 . A sports helmet, comprising:
 a shell;   a cover assembly, comprising:
 a plurality of side portions attached to the shell; 
 a jaw protector attached to the side portions and including an inner surface configured to face the jaw of a wearer; and 
   a face guard including a first portion secured to the inner surface of the jaw protector.   
     
     
         12 . The sports helmet of  claim 11  wherein the first portion of the face guard extends along substantially the entire length of the inner surface of the jaw protector. 
     
     
         13 . The sports helmet of  claim 12  wherein the first portion of the face guard further extends along substantially the entire length of an inner surface of each of the side portions. 
     
     
         14 . The sports helmet of  claim 13  wherein the side portions are arranged in a substantially vertical orientation, and the jaw protector projects forwardly from the side portions. 
     
     
         15 . The sports helmet of  claim 11  wherein the jaw protector is integral with the side portions. 
     
     
         16 . The sports helmet of  claim 11  wherein the faceguard further comprises a second portion secured to the shell. 
     
     
         17 . A sports helmet, comprising:
 a shell;   a jaw protector attached to the shell including an inner surface configured to face the jaw of a wearer; and   means for reinforcing the jaw protector attached to the inner surface of the jaw protector.   
     
     
         18 . The sports helmet of  claim 17  wherein the reinforcing means extends along substantially the entire length of the inner surface of the jaw protector. 
     
     
         19 . The sports helmet of  claim 17  wherein the reinforcing means is also attached to the shell. 
     
     
         20 . The sports helmet of  claim 17  wherein the jaw protector comprises a portion of a cover assembly that is attached to the shell, wherein the reinforcing means extends along substantially the entire length of an inner surface of the cover assembly.