Helmet Retention System

Abstract

A retention system for a helmet includes a horizontal chin strap and a vertical chin strap, wherein the vertical chin strap is secured to the horizontal chin strap at two points of intersection. The horizontal chin strap may include a first horizontal chin strap portion, a second horizontal chin strap portion, a first fastener for reversibly coupling the first chin strap and the second chin strap, and at least one mounting strap for affixing the mounting strap to a helmet. The vertical chin strap may include a second fastener for reversibly coupling a first end of the vertical chin strap to a body of the vertical chin strap, a loop through which the vertical chin strap passes through, and at least one forward strap for affixing the forward strap to a helmet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A retention system for a helmet comprising:
 a horizontal chin strap comprising:
 a center horizontal chin strap portion comprising a first center horizontal chin strap portion and a second center horizontal chin strap portion, 
 a first fastener for reversibly coupling the first center horizontal chin strap portion and the second center horizontal chin strap portion, and 
 at least one mounting strap for affixing the horizontal chin strap to a helmet; and 
   a vertical chin strap comprising:
 a center vertical chin strap portion, 
 a second fastener for reversibly coupling a first end of the center vertical chin strap portion to a body of the center vertical chin strap portion, 
 a loop through which the center vertical chin strap portion passes through, and 
 at least one forward strap configured to affix the vertical chin strap to the helmet, 
   wherein the vertical chin strap is secured to the horizontal chin strap at two or more points of intersection.   
     
     
         2 . The retention system according to  claim 1 , wherein the vertical chin strap further comprises a buckle configured to adjust the length of the vertical chin strap between the two or points of intersection with the horizontal chin strap. 
     
     
         3 . The retention system according to  claim 2 , wherein the buckle is a double D-ring. 
     
     
         4 . The retention system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first fastener comprises a first fastener pile mounted to a surface of the first center horizontal chin strap and a second fastener pile mounted to a surface of the second center horizontal chin strap, wherein the fastener piles are configured to provide a separable interconnection when pressed together. 
     
     
         5 . The retention system according to  claim 4 , wherein one of the first fastener pile and the second fastener pile comprises a plurality of hooks and the other of the first fastener pile and the second fastener pile comprises a plurality of loops. 
     
     
         6 . The retention system according to  claim 1 , wherein the forward strap and center vertical chin strap portion are coupled to the loop such that the vertical chin strap is substantially linear. 
     
     
         7 . The retention system according to  claim 1 , wherein the forward strap is coupled to the loop such that the at least one forward strap and the at least one mounting strap are substantially perpendicular. 
     
     
         8 . The retention system according to  claim 1 , the at least one mounting strap having at least one hole by which the at least one mounting strap is configured to be affixed to the helmet. 
     
     
         9 . The retention system according to  claim 1 , the at least one forward strap having at least one hole by which the at least one forward strap is configured to be affixed to the helmet. 
     
     
         10 . A retention system for a helmet comprising:
 an adjustable nape assembly comprising:
 a semi-rigid shell sized and configured to fit within an interior of a helmet and around a portion of a wearer's head, the semi-rigid shell comprising a semi-rigid shell body and two semi-rigid shell legs and having an outer surface and an inner surface, 
 a pad comprising a pad body and two pad legs attached to the interior surface of the semi-rigid shell so that the pad body and pad legs are generally aligned with the semi-rigid shell body and semi-rigid shell legs, 
 an adjustment strap having a first end attached to one of the semi-rigid shell legs and a second end portion having a mount point for attaching the adjustment strap to an interior of a helmet; and 
 a buckle capable of adjusting the length of the adjustment strap between the pad leg and mount point. 
   
     
     
         11 . The retention system according to  claim 10 , wherein an upper portion of the semi-rigid shell extends beyond the pad body and has a mount point for mounting the semi-rigid shell to a helmet. 
     
     
         12 . The retention system according to  claim 10 , wherein the semi-rigid shell comprises expanded polypropylene. 
     
     
         13 . The retention system according to  claim 10 , wherein the pad comprises a foam material enclosed in fabric. 
     
     
         14 . The retention system according to  claim 10 , wherein the semi-rigid shell comprises a flexible joint between each of the semi-rigid shell legs and the semi-rigid shell body. 
     
     
         15 . The retention system according to  claim 10  further comprising:
 a horizontal chin strap comprising:
 a center horizontal chin strap portion comprising a first center horizontal chin strap portion and a second center horizontal chin strap portion, 
 a first fastener for reversibly coupling the first center horizontal chin strap portion and the second center horizontal chin strap portion, and 
 at least one mounting strap for affixing the horizontal chin strap to a helmet; and 
 
 a vertical chin strap comprising:
 a second fastener for reversibly coupling a first end of the vertical chin strap to a body of the vertical chin strap, 
 a loop through which the vertical chin strap passes through, and 
 at least one forward strap for affixing the vertical chin strap to a helmet, 
 
 wherein the vertical chin strap is secured to the horizontal chin strap at two points of intersection.