Adaptable helmet system

Abstract

A helmet system comprises a helmet shell having a front portion, a pair of side portions, a rear portion, a crown portion and a lower edge extending along the front portion, the pair of side portions and the rear portion. A universal attachment body is coupled to the helmet shell at one of the side portions and includes an attachment portion. A first accessory includes a first connector adapted to cooperatively engage with the attachment portion of the universal attachment body, with the first accessory being associated with a first functionality. A second accessory includes a second connector adapted to cooperatively engage with the attachment portion of the universal attachment body, with the second accessory being associate with a second functionality. The first accessory and the second accessory are interchangeable with each other as to engagement with the attachment portion of the universal attachment body.

Amendments to the Claims: 
     
         1 . A helmet system selectively configurable to implement a desired functionality, the helmet system comprising: 
 a helmet shell having a front portion, a pair of side portions, a rear portion, a crown portion and a lower edge extending along the front portion, the pair of side portions and the rear portion;   a universal attachment body coupled to the helmet shell at one of the pair of side portions, the universal attachment body having an attachment portion;   a first accessory having a first connector adapted to cooperatively engage with the attachment portion of the universal attachment body, the first accessory being associated with a first functionality;   a second accessory having a second connector adapted to cooperatively engage with the attachment portion of the universal attachment body, the second accessory being associate with a second functionality;   the first accessory and the second accessory being interchangeable with each other as to engagement with the attachment portion of the universal attachment body, such that when the first accessory is attached to the universal attachment body, the second accessory is detached from the universal attachment body and the helmet system integrates the first functionality, and when the second accessory is attached to the universal attachment body, the first accessory is detached from the universal attachment body and the helmet system integrates the second functionality.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet system recited in  claim 1 , wherein the attachment portion of the universal attachment body includes a groove. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet system recited in  claim 2 , wherein the first connector includes a first tongue insertable into the groove, and the second connector includes a second tongue insertable into the groove when the first tongue is removed from the groove. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet system recited in  claim 1 , wherein attachment portion is a forward attachment portion, the universal attachment body additionally including a rearward attachment portion. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet system recited in  claim 4 , wherein the first and second accessories are configured for interchangeable engagement with the forward attachment portion, the helmet system additionally including third and fourth accessories configured to be interchangeably engageable with the rearward attachment portion. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet system recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a mount integrated into the shell and configured to be detachably engageable with a helmet mounted accessory. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet system recited in  claim 1 , wherein the universal attachment body is coupled to shell via a mechanical fastener. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet system recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first accessory and the second accessory are selected from the group including a brim, an eye guard, and a chin strap connector. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet system recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an inner pad coupled to the helmet shell and extendable over at least a portion of an inner surface of the helmet shell. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet system recited in  claim 9 , wherein the inner pad is formed of at least two different densities. 
     
     
         11 . A helmet system selectively configurable to implement a desired functionality, the helmet system comprising: 
 a helmet shell having a front portion, a pair of side portions, a rear portion, a crown portion and a lower edge extending along the front portion, the pair of side portions and the rear portion;a universal attachment body coupled to the helmet shell at one of the pair of side portions, the universal attachment body having an attachment portion; anda first accessory having a first connector adapted to be detachably engageable with the attachment portion of the universal attachment body, the first accessory being associated with a first functionality.   
     
     
         12 . The helmet system recited in  claim 11 , wherein the attachment portion of the universal attachment body includes a groove. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet system recited in  claim 12 , wherein the first connector includes a first tongue insertable into the groove. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet system recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a mount integrated into the shell and configured to be detachably engageable with a helmet mounted accessory. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet system recited in  claim 11 , wherein the universal attachment body is coupled to shell via a mechanical fastener. 
     
     
         16 . The helmet system recited in  claim 11 , wherein the first accessory is selected from the group including a brim, an eye guard, and a chin strap connector. 
     
     
         17 . The helmet system recited in  claim 11 , further comprising an inner pad coupled to the helmet shell and extendable over at least a portion of an inner surface of the helmet shell. 
     
     
         18 . The helmet system recited in  claim 17 , wherein the inner pad is formed of at least two different densities. 
     
     
         19 . A helmet system adapted for use with a first accessory having a first connector and associated with a first functionality and a second accessory having a second connector and associated with a second functionality, the helmet system comprising:a helmet shell having a front portion, a pair of side portions, a rear portion, a crown portion and a lower edge extending along the front portion, the pair of side portions and the rear portion;a universal attachment body coupled to the helmet shell at one of the pair of side portions, the universal attachment body having an attachment portion;the universal attachment body being configured to be interchangeably engageable with the first accessory and the second accessory, such that when the first accessory is attached to the universal attachment body, the second accessory is detached from the universal attachment body and the helmet system integrates the first functionality, and when the second accessory is attached to the universal attachment body, the first accessory is detached from the universal attachment body and the helmet system integrates the second functionality. 
     
     
         20 . The helmet system recited in  claim 19 , further comprising a mount integrated into the shell and configured to be detachably engageable with a helmet mounted accessory.