Soft shell helmet

Abstract

A helmet includes a shell having an inner surface and an outer surface. The inner surface defines a cavity sized to receive a head of a user. The shell is formed from a resilient material. The helmet additionally includes at least two slots formed in the shell and located at respective lateral portions of the shell, with each slot extending from the outer surface toward the inner surface. The helmet further comprises a chin strap having at least two mounting segments. Each mounting segment is advanceable through a respective one of the at least two slots for connecting the chin strap to the shell.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A helmet comprising:
 a shell having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a cavity sized to receive a head of a user, the shell being formed from a resilient material;   at least two slots formed in the shell and located at respective lateral portions of the shell, each slot extending from the outer surface toward the inner surface; and   a chin strap having at least two mounting segments, each mounting segment being advanceable through a respective one of the at least two slots for connecting the chin strap to the shell.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet recited in  claim 1 , wherein the resilient material is expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of lateral pads connected to respective sides of the chin strap. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet recited in  claim 3 , wherein each lateral pad is formed from Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet recited in  claim 3 , wherein each lateral pad includes a central opening formed therein. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet recited in  claim 3 , wherein each lateral pad includes a peripheral sidewall, a portion of which is complementary in shape to a surface contour defined by the shell. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet recited in  claim 1 , wherein the resilient material is of a density between 1.5-2.5 pound-force per cubic foot (pcf). 
     
     
         8 . The helmet recited in  claim 1 , wherein each mounting segment includes a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion being advanceable through the slot and engageable with the proximal portion to connect the chin strap to the shell. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet recited in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one vent opening formed in the shell. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet recited in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one inner pad connectable to the inner surface of the shell. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the shell is exposed and formed from expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet recited in  claim 1 , wherein each slot extends from the outer surface to the inner surface. 
     
     
         13 . A helmet comprising:
 a shell formed of a resilient material, the shell having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a pair of lateral edges, each defining a lateral contour;   a chin strap connectable to the shell; and   a pair of lateral pads connected to the chin strap in opposed relation to each other, each lateral pad having a mating edge that is complementary in shape to the lateral contour of a respective one of the pair of lateral edges.   
     
     
         14 . The helmet recited in  claim 13 , wherein the lateral contour of the shell is of a concave configuration, and the mating edge of each lateral pad is of a convex configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet recited in  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the outer surface of the shell is exposed and formed from expanded polypropylene (EPP) foam. 
     
     
         16 . The helmet recited in  claim 13 , wherein each lateral pad is formed from Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam. 
     
     
         17 . The helmet recited in  claim 16 , wherein each lateral pad includes a central opening formed therein. 
     
     
         18 . The helmet recited in  claim 13 , wherein the chin strap includes a pair of mounting segments, each mounting segment including a distal portion and a proximal portion, the distal portion being advanceable through the slot and engageable with the proximal portion to connect the chin strap to the shell. 
     
     
         19 . The helmet recited in  claim 13 , further comprising at least one inner pad connectable to the inner surface of the shell. 
     
     
         20 . A helmet comprising:
 a resilient shell having an inner surface, an outer surface, a first lateral portion, and a second lateral portion, the inner surface defining a cavity sized to receive a head of a user; and   a chin strap assembly connectable to the resilient shell, the chin strap assembly including:
 a first strap body connectable to the first lateral portion of the resilient shell; 
 a second strap body connectable to the second lateral portion of the resilient shell, the second strap body being selectively engageable with the first strap body; 
 a first lateral pad connected to the first strap body such that connection of the first strap body to the first lateral portion of the resilient shell positions the first lateral pad adjacent the first lateral portion of the resilient shell; and 
 a second lateral pad connected to the second strap body, such that connection of the second strap body to the second lateral portion of the resilient shell positions the second lateral pad adjacent the second lateral portion of the resilient shell.