Baseball helmet accessory

Abstract

A baseball helmet accessory is provided that is engageable to a baseball helmet having an outer surface defining a front surface, a top surface and side surfaces and a front brim, for protecting a hitter from head injuries in response to baseball or other object impacting upon the helmet. The accessory comprises an accessory body disposed adjacent the helmet front surface intermediate the brim and the helmet top surface, the accessory body defining an accessory body front surface extending intermediate the brim and the helmet top surface at a first acute angle relative to the brim, to deflect the baseball impacting upon the accessory body front surface at a second acute angle relative to the brim, wherein the second acute angle is greater than the first acute angle.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A baseball helmet accessory, engageable to a baseball helmet having an outer surface defining a front surface, a top surface, side surfaces and a front brim, for protecting a hitter from head injuries in response to a baseball or other object impacting upon the helmet, the accessory comprising:
 an accessory body engageable to the helmet, the accessory body disposed adjacent the helmet front surface intermediate the brim and the helmet top surface, the accessory body defining an accessory body front surface extending intermediate the brim and the helmet top surface at a first acute angle relative to the brim, to deflect the baseball impacting on the accessory body front surface at a second acute angle relative to the brim, wherein the second acute angle is greater than the first acute angle.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet accessory as recited in  claim 1  wherein upon a horizontal force impacting the accessory body front surface, a portion of the horizontal impact force is deflected in a direction above and rearward of the accessory body. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet accessory as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first acute angle is selected to deflect the baseball in the direction above and rearward of the accessory body front surface. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet accessory as recited in  claim 1  wherein accessory body is configured to blend into the helmet outer surface. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet accessory as recited in  claim 1  wherein accessory body is configured to blend into the helmet side surfaces. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet accessory as recited in  claim 1  wherein accessory body front surface is configured to blend into the helmet top surface. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet accessory as recited in  claim 1  wherein the accessory body comprises a rigid composite material. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet accessory as recited in  claim 1  wherein the accessory body comprises a resilient material. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet accessory as recited in  claim 1  wherein the accessory body defines a brim receiving channel extending substantially thereabout, the helmet brim being insertable into the brim receiving channel for manually detachable engagement therewith. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet accessory as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a band engaged to the accessory body and extendable about the helmet, to secure the accessory body in place on the helmet. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet accessory as recited in  claim 10  wherein the band is formed of elastic material. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet accessory body as recited in  claim 10  wherein the band defines first and second ends, and wherein the first and second ends are provided with mating strips of hook and loop material. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet accessory as recited in  claim 1  wherein the accessory body further comprises at least one brim receiving clip, configured to extend about the helmet brim, the clip being configured to engage the accessory body to the helmet. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet accessory as recited in  claim 1  wherein the accessory body further comprises at least one brim receiving recess extending through at least a portion of the accessory body, the recess being configured to receive and engage the accessory body to the brim. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet accessory as recited in  claim 1  wherein the accessory body further defines at least one brim receiving slot extending completely through the accessory body, the slot being configured to receive and engage the accessory body to the brim. 
     
     
         16 . The helmet accessory as recited in  claim 1  wherein the accessory body further defines an accessory body lower surface, the lower surface defining at least one downwardly extending connecting flange, the flange being configured to engage the accessory body to the brim. 
     
     
         17 . The helmet accessory as recited in  claim 1  wherein the accessory body further defines an accessory body lower surface, the lower surface defining a plurality of downwardly extending connecting flanges, arrayed along the accessory body lower surface, for engaging the accessory body to the brim. 
     
     
         18 . The helmet accessory as recited in  claim 1  wherein the accessory body defines an upper surface configured to extend along the helmet front surface, a lower surface configured to extend along the brim, and wherein the accessory body front surface extends intermediate the upper surface and the lower surface. 
     
     
         19 . The helmet accessory as recited in  claim 18  wherein the brim defines and upper surface and the accessory body lower surface is configured to conform to a contour of the brim upper surface.