Hard Hat Attachment System and Sun Visor

Abstract

A universal mounting system for a hard hat is provided that includes front and rear mounting locations and auxiliary ridges on either side. A visor is coupled to the hard hat mounting system in such a way as to provide access with minimal interference from the visor to the equipment attached to the mounting locations and ports in the auxiliary ridges. Various embodiments of visors enable modular designs that incorporate different materials and features of the visor. Parallel stretch zones enable folding and holding opposite brims of the visor. Enclosed elastic areas along the inner sides of visor provide user access to auxiliary ridges. Combinations of various accessories on hard hat and how the accessories work together on the universal mounting system are discussed: such as the interaction between visors, earmuffs, face shields, and lamps.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hard hat system comprising:
 a hard hat comprising:
 a shell; and 
 an accessory mounting ridge positioned on an exterior surface of the shell; 
   a frame supported by the hard hat;   a visor coupled to the hard hat via the frame, the visor comprising:
 a first portion extending circumferentially around a rear portion of the shell and extending radially outward from the shell; 
 a second portion coupled to the first portion and positioned adjacent to the accessory mounting ridge; and 
 a third portion extending from the second portion circumferentially around a front portion of the shell and extending radially outward from the shell. 
   
     
     
         2 . The hard hat system of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion of the visor includes a flap, and wherein the flap is configured to receive an accessory. 
     
     
         3 . The hard hat system of  claim 1 , the second portion comprising a first section on a first lateral side of the shell and a second section on a second lateral side of the shell opposite the first lateral side. 
     
     
         4 . The hard hat system of  claim 3 , wherein the frame extends around the rear portion of the shell, and wherein the rear portion of the shell is positioned between the first lateral side of the shell and the second lateral side of the shell. 
     
     
         5 . The hard hat system of  claim 1 , wherein the accessory mounting ridge of the hard hat further comprises a port and wherein the frame is coupled to the port. 
     
     
         6 . The hard hat system of  claim 5 , wherein the frame further comprises a clip and wherein the clip is positioned within the port. 
     
     
         7 . The hard hat system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame has a U-shape. 
     
     
         8 . A hard hat system comprising:
 a hard hat comprising:
 a shell; and 
 an auxiliary mounting ridge located on a lateral, exterior surface of the shell; 
   a frame supported by the hard hat;   a visor coupled to the hard hat via the frame, the visor comprising:
 a first portion extending circumferentially around a portion of the shell and extending radially outward from the shell; and 
 a second portion coupled to the first portion and positioned adjacent to the auxiliary mounting ridge, the second portion comprising a first relief portion; and 
 a third portion extending from the second portion circumferentially around another portion of the shell and extending radially outward from the shell. 
   
     
     
         9 . The hard hat system of  claim 8 , wherein the first relief portion is a flap. 
     
     
         10 . The hard hat system of  claim 8 , wherein the first relief portion is a first flap and wherein the second portion of the visor further comprises a second flap. 
     
     
         11 . The hard hat system of  claim 10 , wherein the first flap is positioned between the third portion of the visor and the second flap. 
     
     
         12 . The hard hat system of  claim 8 , wherein the first relief portion is positioned along an interior edge of the visor and adjacent to the hard hat. 
     
     
         13 . The hard hat system of  claim 8 , the visor comprising a first folding location on a first side of the visor and a second folding location on a second side of the visor opposite the first side. 
     
     
         14 . The hard hat system of  claim 8 , wherein the visor further comprises a flex point positioned between the first relief portion and the first portion of the visor. 
     
     
         15 . A hard hat system comprising:
 a hard hat comprising:
 a shell; and 
 an auxiliary mounting ridge located on an exterior surface of the shell; 
   a visor coupled to the hard hat, the visor comprising:
 a brim extending circumferentially around the exterior surface of the shell and radially outward from the exterior surface; and 
 an enclosed elastic area within the brim, the enclosed elastic area positioned adjacent to the auxiliary mounting ridge. 
   
     
     
         16 . The hard hat system of  claim 15 , wherein the enclosed elastic area extends outward from an inner diameter of the brim. 
     
     
         17 . The hard hat system of  claim 16 , wherein an outermost portion of the enclosed elastic area is spaced from an outer diameter of the brim. 
     
     
         18 . The hard hat system of  claim 15 , wherein the brim comprises a non-elastic region that surrounds the enclosed elastic area such that an outer diameter of the brim is rigid. 
     
     
         19 . The hard hat system of  claim 15 , wherein the brim is couplable to a port of the auxiliary mounting ridge. 
     
     
         20 . The hard hat system of  claim 15 . wherein the enclosed clastic area is configured to allow insertion of an accessory through the brim for coupling to the auxiliary mounting ridge.