Collapsible aerodynamic helmet

Abstract

A collapsible aerodynamic helmet for a rider of a bicycle or vehicle is provided. The collapsible aerodynamic helmet includes a body member wearable by the rider. The collapsible aerodynamic helmet also includes a tail support member outwardly extending laterally towards the back of the body member. The tail support member incudes a cut-out side portion on each side of the body member that extends in a specified shape to accommodate the shoulders of the rider. The tail support member also includes a back support member coupled to the cut-out side portion to complement the shape of the rider's shoulders and back. The collapsible aerodynamic helmet further includes a securing means for compactly securing the tail member for coupling with conventional helmets.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A collapsible aerodynamic helmet for a rider of a bicycle or a vehicle comprising:
 a body portion configured to be worn by the rider of the bicycle or the vehicle, the body portion having a front portion and a back portion;   a tail portion coupled to the body portion, outwardly extending laterally from the body portion to be folded upon falling of the rider from the bicycle or the vehicle, the tail portion comprises a front part and a rear part,   wherein the front part of the tail portion is coupled to the back portion of the body portion,   wherein the rear part of the tail portion comprises:
 cut-out side portions extending in a predetermined shape to accommodate shoulders of the rider; and 
 a back support member attached between the cut-out side portions to complement shape of the rider's shoulders and back. 
   
     
     
         2 . The collapsible aerodynamic helmet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the body portion is of a hard material. 
     
     
         3 . The collapsible aerodynamic helmet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tail portion is of a soft flexible material having just enough rigidity to hold its aerodynamic shape by itself. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible aerodynamic helmet as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a protective layer beneath the tail portion to safeguard the rider's neck. 
     
     
         5 . The collapsible aerodynamic helmet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each of the cut-out side portions comprises a L-shaped cut-out side portion. 
     
     
         6 . The collapsible aerodynamic helmet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the predetermined shape comprises one of a rectilinear shape or an arc. 
     
     
         7 . The collapsible aerodynamic helmet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tail portion extends from the body portion as a unitary part of the body portion. 
     
     
         8 . The collapsible aerodynamic helmet as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one first securing means to couple the front part of the tail portion to the back portion of the body portion, wherein the at least one first securing means comprises one of a Velcro tape attachment, hook and loop attachments, snap button attachments, buckles attachments and hook and eye attachments. 
     
     
         9 . The collapsible aerodynamic helmet as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one second securing means to foldably secure the cut-out side portions with the back support member, when folded along a fold pattern formed on the tail portion. 
     
     
         10 . A tail portion for a protective headgear, the tail portion adapted to be coupled to the protective headgear, the tail portion comprising:
 cut-out side portions extending longitudinally in a predetermined shape to accommodate shoulders of the rider; and   a back support member attached between the cut-out side portions to complement the shape of the rider's shoulders and back.   
     
     
         11 . The tail portion as claimed in  claim 10  further comprising at least one first securing means configured to secure the cut-out side portions and the back support member to the protective headgear. 
     
     
         12 . The tail portion as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the at least one first securing means comprises one of Velcro tape attachments, hook and loop attachments, snap button attachments, buckles attachments and hook and eye attachments. 
     
     
         13 . The tail portion as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the tail portion is of a soft flexible material having just enough rigidity to hold its aerodynamic shape by itself. 
     
     
         14 . The tail portion as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising a protective layer beneath the tail portion to safeguard the rider's neck. 
     
     
         15 . The tail portion as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein each of the cut-out side portions comprises a L-shaped cut-out side portion. 
     
     
         16 . The tail portion as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the predetermined shape comprises one of a rectilinear shape or an arc. 
     
     
         17 . The tail portion as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the tail portion adapted to extend as a unitary part of the protective headgear. 
     
     
         18 . The tail portion as claimed in  claim 10 , further comprising at least one second securing means to foldably secure the cut-out side portions with the back support member  108 , when folded along a fold pattern formed on the tail portion, 
     
     
         19 . The tail portion as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein the at least one second securing means comprises one of Velcro tape attachments, hook and loop attachments, snap button attachments, buckles attachments and hook and eye attachments.