Fit systems for helmets

Abstract

A helmet includes a fit adjustment system that is operable to adjust a fit of the helmet about a user's head. The fit adjustment system includes a base member, a tightening mechanism, a tension member, and a plurality of guide members that are attached to an interior of the helmet. The guide members guide the tension member about a path within the interior of the helmet and define a gap within which the user's head is positioned when the helmet is positioned about the user's head. Operation of the tightening mechanism tensions the tension member, which reduces the gap defined by the tension member's path and causes one or more components of the fit adjustment system's components to constrict about the user's head.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for adjusting a fit of a helmet about a user's head comprising:
 a base member coupleable to a rear portion of the helmet;   a tightening mechanism coupled to the base member so as to be accessible to a user while the helmet is fit about the user's head;   a tension member operably coupled with the tightening mechanism such that operation of the tightening mechanism tensions the tension member; and   a plurality of guide members coupled with an interior of the helmet, the plurality of guide members being arranged within the interior of the helmet so as to guide the tension member about a path within the interior of the helmet; wherein:
 the path of the tension member within the interior of the helmet extends circumferentially around at least a portion of the user's head and defines a gap within the interior of the helmet within which the head is positioned when the helmet is positioned about the user's head; and 
 tensioning of the tension member further causes at least one of the base member or the tension member to move inward toward the user's head so as to adjust a fit of the helmet about user's head by reducing the gap within the interior of the helmet that is defined by the path of the tension member. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the tightening mechanism comprises a rotatable knob, and wherein rotation of the rotatable knob in a tightening direction tensions the tension member. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein one of the plurality of guide members is coupled to a side of the helmet opposite the base member. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a first elongated member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a longitudinal portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, the first elongated member being disposed within the interior of the helmet, wherein:
 the tension member is operably coupled with the first elongated member such that tensioning of the tension member effects tensioning of the first elongated member and causes the elongated member to move inward toward and into contact with the user's head.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising a second elongated member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a longitudinal portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein:
 the second elongated member is positioned within the interior of the helmet on an opposite side of the first elongated member such that the first elongated member, the second elongated, and the path of the tension member extend entirely around the circumference of the user's head; and   the tension member is operably coupled with the second elongated member such that tensioning of the tension member causes the first elongated member and the second elongated member to move inward toward and into contact with the user's head.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the second elongate member is coupled to the base member. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the tension member is positioned about a crown of the user's head, and wherein tensioning of the tension member causes the tension member to move inward toward the crown of the user's head. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5 , further comprising a padding member positioned between the user's head and the tension member. 
     
     
         9 . A helmet that is positionable about a user's head, the helmet comprising:
 a fit adjustment system coupled to an interior of the helmet for adjusting a fit of the helmet about the user's head, the fit adjustment system comprising:
 a base member; 
 a tightening mechanism coupled to the base member; 
 a tension member operably coupled with the tightening mechanism such that operation of the tightening mechanism tensions the tension member; and 
 a plurality of guide members operably coupled with the tension member and with the interior of the helmet, the plurality of guide members being configured to guide the tension member about a path within the interior of the helmet, the path of the tension member extending circumferentially around at least a portion of the user's head so as to define a gap within the interior of the helmet within which the user's head is positioned when the helmet is positioned about the user's head; wherein:
 tensioning of the tension member reduces the gap within the interior of the helmet that is defined by the path of the tension member such that one or more components of the fit adjustment system constrict about the user's head. 
 
   
     
     
         10 . The helmet of  claim 9 , wherein the base member is coupled to a rear portion of the helmet and wherein the fit adjustment system comprises a strap that is coupled to a front portion of the helmet. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet of  claim 9 , further comprising a first elongated member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a longitudinal portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein:
 the tension member is operably coupled with the first elongated member such that tensioning of the tension member effects tensioning of the first elongated member and causes the first elongated member to move inward toward and into contact with the user's head.   
     
     
         12 . The helmet of  claim 11 , further comprising a second elongated member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a longitudinal portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein:
 the second elongated member is positioned within the interior of the helmet on an opposite side of the first elongated member such that the first elongated member, the second elongated, and the path of the tension member extend entirely around the circumference of the user's head; and   the tension member is operably coupled with the second elongated member such that tensioning of the tension member causes the first elongated member and the second elongated member to move inward toward and into contact with the user's head.   
     
     
         13 . The helmet of  claim 9 , wherein the tightening mechanism comprises a rotatable knob, and wherein rotation of the rotatable knob in a tightening direction tensions the tension member. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet of  claim 9 , further comprising a padding member that is positioned between the user's head and the tension member. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet of  claim 9 , wherein the tension member is positioned about a crown of the user's head, and wherein tensioning of the tension member causes the tension member to move inward toward the crown of the user's head. 
     
     
         16 . A method of attaching a fit adjustment system to a helmet, the fit adjustment system being configured for adjusting a fit of the helmet about a user's head, the method comprising:
 providing a base member;   coupling a tightening mechanism to the base member;   operably coupling a tension member with the tightening mechanism so that operation of the tightening mechanism effects tensioning of the tension member;   attaching a plurality of guide members within an interior of the helmet; and   coupling the tension member with the plurality of guide members such that the tension member is guided about a path within the interior of the helmet that extends circumferentially around at least a portion of the user's head and that defines a gap within which the user's head is positioned when the helmet is positioned about the user's head, the path and tension member being arranged so that tensioning of the tension member reduces the gap within the interior of the helmet and causes one or more components of the fit adjustment system to constrict about the user's head.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the fit adjustment system further comprises a first elongated member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a longitudinal portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein:
 the tension member is operably coupled with the first elongated member such that tensioning of the tension member effects tensioning of the first elongated member and causes the first elongated member to move inward toward and into contact with the user's head.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the fit adjustment system further comprises a second elongated member having a first end portion, a second end portion, and a longitudinal portion extending between the first end portion and the second end portion, wherein:
 the second elongated member is positioned within the interior of the helmet on an opposite side of the first elongated member such that the first elongated member, the second elongated, and the path of the tension member extend entirely around the circumference of the user's head; and   the tension member is operably coupled with the second elongated member such that tensioning of the tension member causes the first elongated member and the second elongated member to move inward toward and into contact with the user's head.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising positioning a padding member between the user's head and the tension member. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising positioning the tension member about a crown of the user's head such that tensioning of the tension member causes the tension member to move inward toward the crown of the user's head.