Helmet With Panel Ventilation System

Abstract

A helmet (10) is provided including an outer shell (12) defining a first plurality of vents (23); energy dissipating padding (16) located in an interior of the outer shell, the padding defining a plurality of openings (27); the energy dissipating padding assembly and the outer shell defining a space therebetween, a first slider (28) actuatable by the wearer to slide along a first direction that extends substantially parallel to the surface of the outer shell, the first slider defining first cooperating members (60); and a second slider (26) comprising a plurality of panels (40, 42, 44) configured to cover the first plurality of vents and second cooperating surfaces (54, 56), such that movement of the first slider along the first direction generates movement of the second slider along a second direction substantially normal to the surface of the helmet shell, thereby selectively moving the panels to cover and uncover the first plurality of vents.

1 . A helmet for protecting the head of a wearer comprising:
 an outer shell defining a first plurality of vents;   an energy dissipating padding assembly located in an interior of the outer shell, the padding assembly defining a plurality of openings; the energy dissipating padding assembly and the outer shell defining a space therebetween;   a first slider that can be actuated by the wearer to slide along a first direction that extends substantially parallel to the surface of the outer shell, the first slider defining first cooperating members; and   a second slider comprising a plurality of panels configured to cover the first plurality of vents and second cooperating surfaces cooperating with the first cooperating members such that movement of the first slider along the first direction generates movement of the second slider along a second direction substantially normal to the surface of the outer shell, thereby selectively moving the panels to cover and uncover the first plurality of vents.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising a slider button fixed to the first slider and accessible to the wearer to move the first slider in the first direction. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the first cooperating members comprise one or more angled slots. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet of  claim 3 , wherein the second cooperating members comprise one or more transverse pins slidable in the angled slots. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet of  claim 4 , wherein the angled slots are configured such that when the first slider moves in the first direction, the transverse pins are moved in the second direction. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of the outer shell comprises first guiding surfaces and the second slider comprises second guiding surfaces. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet of  claim 6 , wherein the first guiding surfaces are posts, and wherein the second guiding surfaces are apertures slidable over the posts. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the helmet further comprises a panel defining a second plurality of vents. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet of  claim 8 , wherein the first slider comprises a plurality of fingers configured to selectively cover and uncover the second plurality of vents. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet of  claim 9 , wherein the first slider is configured to slide the plurality of fingers in the first direction when the first slider is moved in the first direction. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell further comprises a brow component defining a third plurality of vents. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the panels of the second slider is pivotally mounted to the outer shell. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell is fabricated from the group consisting of ABS plastic, polycarbonate or composite material 
     
     
         14 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the energy dissipating padding assembly is fabricated form expanded polystyrene or polypropylene. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second sliders are fabricated from nylon.