Helmet

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 18/440,240, filed Feb. 13, 2024; U.S. Utility Pat. No. 11,930,877, filed Apr. 27, 2021; PCT Application No. PCT/US2019/058941, filed Oct. 30, 2019; and, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/752,808 filed Oct. 30, 2018 entitled “Helmet”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The present invention generally relates to protective headgear and, more particularly, to a football helmet.

In one embodiment, a helmet includes a shell defining a cavity to receive a user's head. The shell may include an exterior shell surface and a receiving area recessed into the exterior shell surface. A liner may be within the cavity and detachably coupled to the shell. A facemask may be coupled to the shell. A front bumper may be coupled to the shell and the liner. The front bumper may be coupled to an exterior of the shell. The front bumper may extend from within the cavity to an exterior of the shell. The front bumper may be positioned at least partially within the receiving area of the shell.

The shell may include a first ridge and a second ridge extending away from a rear surface of the shell. A rearmost point of the first ridge and a rearmost point the second ridge may lie within a reference plane that is rearwardly spaced from the rear surface of the shell when the helmet is resting on a horizontal surface. Each end of the first ridge may be curved upwardly toward a top of the shell and each end of the second ridge may be curved downward toward a bottom of the shell. The shell may include a first opening proximate each end of the first ridge and a second opening proximate each end of the second ridge. The first openings and the second openings may be arranged to form a generally X-shaped pattern. The front bumper may be positioned within the receiving area such that an outer surface of the front bumper is generally flush with the exterior shell surface.

The front bumper may be positioned within the receiving area such that an outer surface of the front bumper is recessed toward a center of the shell relative to the exterior shell surface. The front bumper may include a recess configured to receive at least a portion of the facemask. The front bumper may be positioned within the receiving area such that a top edge of an outer surface of the front bumper is flush with a top edge of the receiving area. The front bumper abuts an edge of the receiving area. The front bumper may be spaced from an edge of the receiving area. The front bumper may be detachably coupled to each of the shell and the liner.

The exterior shell surface may include a first side portion, a second side portion and a central portion extending between the first side portion and the second side portion. The exterior shell surface going from the first side portion to the central portion may be recessed and the exterior shell surface going from the second side portion to the central portion may be recessed. An apex of the central portion may be the top most element of the shell when the helmet is resting on a horizontal surface.

The exterior shell surface may include a rear portion, a front portion, a first side portion, a second side portion and a central portion extending from the front portion to the rear portion and between the first side portion and the second side portion. A perimeter of the central portion may be recessed relative to the first side portion and the second side portion proximate the front portion and protrudes relative to the first side portion and the second side portion proximate the rear portion.

In a further embodiment, each side portion of the shell includes a recessed area and the helmet includes a chin protector coupled to the recessed area of the shell by a chin protector fastener. The liner may be detachably coupled to each of the shell and the front bumper such that the liner can be detached from the shell and the front bumper while the front bumper remains coupled to the shell. The liner may be detachably coupled to the shell. The shell may be comprised of nylon.

In a further embodiment, a football helmet includes a shell, four openings in the rear of the shell, a liner, a facemask, a chin protector, two rear ridges, and a front bumper. The shell may define a cavity configured to receive a user's head. The shell may include a shell outer surface and a receiving area recessed into the shell outer surface. The four openings in the rear of the shell may allow the shell to flex when impacted. The liner may be within the cavity and coupled to the shell. The facemask may be coupled to the shell. The chin protector may include a strap coupled to a recessed area of the shell. The two rear ridges may protrude from a rear surface of the shell, the two rear ridges may be the rearmost element of the helmet. The front bumper may be detachably coupled to the shell and the liner. The front bumper may extend from within the cavity to an exterior of the shell and the front bumper may be positioned at least partially within the receiving area of the shell.

In a further embodiment, a football helmet includes a shell defining a cavity configured to receive a user's head. The shell may include an exterior shell surface and a receiving area recessed into an outer surface of the shell. The football helmet may include four openings in the rear of the shell that allow the shell to flex when impacted. A liner may be within the cavity and coupled to the shell. A facemask may be coupled to the shell. A chin protector may include a strap coupled to a recessed area of the shell. Two rear ridges may protrude from a rear surface of the shell, the two rear ridges being the rearmost element of the helmet. A front bumper may be detachably coupled to the shell and the liner, the front bumper extending from within the cavity to an exterior of the shell. The front bumper may be positioned at least partially within the receiving area of the shell such that an outer surface of the front bumper is generally flush with the exterior shell surface and the front bumper abuts an edge of the receiving area. The front bumper may include a recess that receives at least a portion of the facemask.

The exterior shell surface may include a rear portion, a front portion, a first side portion, a second side portion and a central portion extending from the front portion to the rear portion and between the first side portion and the second side portion. A perimeter of the central portion may be recessed relative to the first side portion and the second side portion proximate the front portion and protrudes relative to the first side portion and the second side portion proximate the rear portion. The liner may be detachably coupled to each of the shell and the front bumper such that the liner can be detached from the shell and the front bumper while the front bumper remains coupled to the shell.

Protective helmets are used for contact sports, such as football, hockey, and lacrosse, and are also worn by people in military, construction, police, and firefighters. Protective helmets typically include a rigid outer shell, a pad assembly within the shell, a face guard or facemask, and a chin protector or strap that removably secures the helmet on the wearer's head. Helmets are designed to reduce the force of impact felt by a user when the helmet contacts another object such as the ground or another player. Increasing the thickness of the pad assembly or shell may help to reduce the force of impact felt by the user but may also increase the weight of the helmet leading to fatigue when the helmet is worn for an extended period.

The helmet described herein may decrease the force of impact felt by the user. Some portions of the helmet may be closer to the center of the helmet to lower the center of gravity of the helmet, thereby reducing user fatigue when wearing the helmet. The helmet may include a pad assembly with pads detachably coupled to a liner within the helmet. The pad assembly may include pads having a different design, thickness, or performance characteristic from other pads in the pad assembly. The shell may have recessed areas where the chin strap, front bumper, or facemask are coupled to the shell to reduce or eliminate points that could snag on other players or equipment.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout, there is shown ina helmet, generally designated, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the helmetis a football helmet.

The helmetmay meet or exceed selected National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (“NOCSAE”) certification standards for helmets (e.g., NOCSAE ND002). The facemaskmay meet or exceed selected certification standards for facemasks (e.g., NOCSAE ND087). The helmetmay perform better than existing helmets when subjected to one or more of Virginia Tech Adult Football STAR Methodology, Virginia Tech Youth Football Helmet STAR Methodology, or NFL Linear Impactor Helmet Test Protocol. The helmetmay meet or exceed requirements for pneumatic ram testing. Pneumatic ram testing may include measuring rotational forces and linear forces as measure by a headform within the helmet. Pneumatic ram testing may include placing helmeton a headform mounted onto a linear bearing table and impacting the helmetwith a pneumatic ram at a selected velocity (e.g., 19.6 meters per second) on six different locations, including one random location in accordance with NOCSAE standards.

The helmetmay include a shellconfigured to resist impacts. The shellmay be manufactured from polycarbonate, ABS, PC-ABS, nylon, or polyethylene. In some embodiments, the shellis configured to flex when impacted to absorb some or all of the force of the impact, thereby reducing the force felt by the user. In other embodiments, the shellis rigid. The shellmay define a cavityconfigured to receive a user's head (not shown).

Referring to, the shellmay include a central portionconfigured to be positioned adjacent a top and/or forehead of a user's head when the user's head is in the cavity. At least part of the central portion may have an arcuate shape with a central portion radius R() measured from a radial center point. The shellmay include a side portionconfigured to be positioned adjacent a side of the user's head and a rear portionconfigured to be positioned adjacent a rear of the user's head. The shellmay be manufactured from a rigid material such that the splines defining the shape of the central portionand the side portionretain their shape when a force is applied to the shell. At least part of the side portion(e.g., the part of the side portion adjacent the central portion) may have an arcuate shape with a side portion radius R() measured from central point.

In some embodiments, the side portionis defined by a single side portion radius R. In other embodiments, the side portionis defined by a first arcuate portion having a first radius and transitions to a second arcuate portion having a second radius. The first radius may be different than the second radius. In some embodiments, the first arcuate portion is directly adjacent the second arcuate portion. In other embodiments, a transition area is between the first arcuate portion and the second arcuate portion. The transition area between the first arcuate portion and the second arcuate portion may be a straight portion, an angled portion, or a stepped portion.

In some embodiments, the side portion radius Ris greater than the central portion radius R. In other embodiments, the side portion radius Ris less than the central portion radius R. In still other embodiments, the side portion radius Ris equal to the central portion radius R.

Referring to, an outer surface of the side portionmay be further from a center of the helmetthan an outer surface of the central portion. The average distance of the central portionto the center of the helmetmay be smaller than the average distance of the side portionto the center of the helmet. The central portionbeing closer to the center of the helmetmay help to lower the center of gravity of the helmet. The outer surface of the central portionat the frontof the helmetmay be closer to the center of the helmetthan the outer surface of the side portionat the frontof the helmet. The outer surface of the top of the central portionand the outer surface of the top of the side portionmay be coplanar. The outer surface of the side of the central portionand the outer surface of the top of the side portionmay be coplanar.

The outer surface of the top of the central portionmay extend upwardly further than the outer surface of the top of the side portion. The outer surface of the top of the side portionmay extend upwardly further than the outer surface of a side of the central portion. The outer surface of the top of the central portionmay extend upwardly further than the outer surface of the top of the side portioneven when a side of the central portiondoes not extend upwardly further than the outer surface of the top of the side portion. Extending upwardly may refer to when the helmetis held with a crown of the helmet facing upwardly.

The shellmay include one or more first openingsin at least one of the side portionand the central portion. The first openingmay extend through the shellsuch that air or heat can vent through the opening. The first openingmay reduce the rigidity of the shellin localized areas such that some portions of the shellflex while other areas remain rigid. Allowing some portions of the shellto flex may help to absorb some force of impact or reduce the force felt by the user. The first openingmay have a triangular shape. A triangular shaped first openingmay provide benefits over an opening having a different shape. In some embodiments, a triangular shaped first openingmay allow a larger opening to be adopted while reducing or minimizing the chance of a hand or finger entering the opening compared to openings of other shapes. A triangular shaped first openingmay include a major axis and a minor axis. The minor axis of the first openingmay limit the size of the opening at any particular cross-section along its length. The shellmay include at least two first openingssymmetrically positioned about a centerline of the shell.

Referring to, the central portionmay extend from a frontof the helmettoward a rearof the helmet. The rear part of the central portionmay extend rearwardly further than the rear portionof the shell. A first ridgemay be located where the central portionmeets the rear portion. The first ridgemay have a height Hi that is the distance that the first ridgeextends away from an outer surface of the rear portion. Height Hi may be about 2 millimeters to about 30 millimeters, about 1 millimeter to about 5 millimeters, about 5 millimeters to about 10 millimeters, about 10 millimeters to about 15 millimeters, about 15 millimeters to about 20 millimeters, about 20 millimeters to about 25 millimeters, or about 25 millimeters to about 30 millimeters. The first ridgemay at least partially define a border between the central portionand the rear portionof the shell.

Referring to, a second ridgemay protrude from the outer surface of the rear portion. The second ridgemay have a height Hthat is the distance that the second ridgeextends away from the outer surface of the rear portion. Height Hmay be about 2 millimeters to about 30 millimeters, about 1 millimeter to about 5 millimeters, about 5 millimeters to about 10 millimeters, about 10 millimeters to about 15 millimeters, about 15 millimeters to about 20 millimeters, about 20 millimeters to about 25 millimeters, or about 25 millimeters to about 30 millimeters. The second ridgemay extend from the rear portiononto the side portion. The second ridgemay be closer to a bottom edgeof the shellthan the first ridge. The distance between the second ridgeand the first ridgemay be greater than the distance between the second ridgeand the bottom edgeof the shell.

In some embodiments, the height Hof the second ridgeis greater than the height Hi of the first ridge. In other embodiments, the height Hof the second ridgeis less than the height Hi of the first ridge. In still other embodiments, the height Hof the second ridgeis equal to or within 10% of the height Hi of the first ridge. One of the first ridgeand the second ridgemay be the most rearward element of the helmet. The first ridgeand second ridgemay be the only elements that contact a surface (e.g., the ground) when the rearof the helmetis place in contact with the surface. The second ridgemay be the rearmost element of the shelleven when height Hi is greater than height H. At least one of the first ridgeand the second ridgemay flex when contacted by an external object (e.g., another player or the ground) to absorb the force of impact.

Referring to, a portion of the first ridge(e.g., the peak of the first ridge) and a portion of the second ridge(e.g., the peak of the second ridge) may lie within a plane Pi. The plane Pi may be the rear most portion of the helmet. Plane Pi may be rearwardly spaced from the rear of the shell.

Referring to, one or more second openingsmay be formed in one or more of the rear portionand the central portion. The second openingsmay allow portions of the shellto flex when contacted, thereby absorbing some or all of the force of an impact. The second openingsmay isolate flexing of the shellto certain areas of the shellwhen impacted. At least a portion of one or more of the first openingsand second openingsmay be positioned between the first ridgeand the second ridge. The first ridge, the second ridge, and the second openingsmay help lower the center of gravity of the helmet, thereby increasing user comfort and reducing fatigue when wearing the helmet.

Still referring to, the second openingsmay be oriented in an overall X shaped pattern. The second openingsmay have a triangular shape and the hypotenuse of the second openingsmay define an X shaped pattern. The second openings may have a triangular shape and the hypotenuse of the second openingsmay be closer to a vertical centerline of the shellthan the legs of the triangular second openings. The top second openingsmay widen as they extend from front to back. A sidewall of the top second openingsmay slant toward a centerline (e.g., a front to back centerline) of the shellas the top second openingsextend from front to back. The bottom second openingsmay widen as they extend from back to front. A sidewall of the bottom second openingsmay slant toward the centerline of the shellas the bottom second openingsextend from back to front. The first ridgeand second ridgemay have opposing U-shapes. The second openingsmay define partial vents on each side of the U shaped ridges.

Referring to, a recessed areamay be positioned between the bottom edgeand the side portionof the shell. The recessed areamay be closer to a center of the helmetthan at least one of the bottom edgeand the side portion. In some embodiments, the recessed area extends around the helmetalong the bottom edge. The recessed areamay be closer to the center of the helmetthan the bottom edgeor the side portion. A rimmay extend along the bottom edgeof the shell. The recessed areamay be closer to the center of the helmetthan the rimof the side portion. A ridge() may separate the recessed areafrom the side portion. The ridgemay form a ledge that overhangs the recessed area. The ridgemay have a ridge height that is the distance that the ridge extends away from the recessed area. The ridgemay be positioned between the bottom edgeof the shelland an ear opening.

Referring to, the helmetmay include a linerconfigured to reduce the force felt by a user when the shellis impacted. The liner may also be referred to as a bonnet or matrix. One or more central padsmay be coupled to the liner. The central padmay be coupled to or adjacent the central portion. Examples of pads that are contemplated for use with the helmetis described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,895,618, 8,814,150, 8,950,735, and 7,774,866. The helmetmay include a central thickness Tc () as measured from an inner surfaceof the central padto an outer surface of the central portion.

Referring to, one or more side padsmay be coupled to the liner. The side padmay be coupled to the side portion. The helmetmay include a side thickness Ts as measured from an inner surfaceof the side padto an outer surface of the side portion. One or more rear padsmay be coupled to the liner. The rear padmay be coupled to the rear portion. The helmetmay include a rear thickness TR as measured from an inner surfaceof the rear padto an outer surface of the rear portion(). In some embodiments, the central thickness Tc is less than the side thickness Ts. In some embodiments, the central thickness Tc is less than the rear thickness TR. In some embodiments, the central thickness Tc is less than each of the side thickness Ts and the rear thickness TR. The central thickness Tc may be about 10 millimeters to about 60 millimeters, about 10 millimeter to about 15 millimeters, about 15 millimeters to about 20 millimeters, about 20 millimeters to about 25 millimeters, about 25 millimeters to about 30 millimeters, about 30 millimeters to about 35 millimeters, about 35 millimeters to about 40 millimeters, about 40 millimeters to about 45 millimeters, about 45 millimeters to about 50 millimeters, about 50 millimeters to about 55 millimeters, or about 55 millimeters to about 60 millimeters. The side thickness Ts may be about 10 millimeters to about 60 millimeters, about 10 millimeter to about 15 millimeters, about 15 millimeters to about 20 millimeters, about 20 millimeters to about 25 millimeters, about 25 millimeters to about 30 millimeters, about 30 millimeters to about 35 millimeters, about 35 millimeters to about 40 millimeters, about 40 millimeters to about 45 millimeters, about 45 millimeters to about 50 millimeters, about 50 millimeters to about 55 millimeters, or about 55 millimeters to about 60 millimeters. The rear thickness TR may be about 10 millimeters to about 60 millimeters, about 10 millimeter to about 15 millimeters, about 15 millimeters to about 20 millimeters, about 20 millimeters to about 25 millimeters, about 25 millimeters to about 30 millimeters, about 30 millimeters to about 35 millimeters, about 35 millimeters to about 40 millimeters, about 40 millimeters to about 45 millimeters, about 45 millimeters to about 50 millimeters, about 50 millimeters to about 55 millimeters, or about 55 millimeters to about 60 millimeters.

In some embodiments, the helmetincludes a single linerand each of the central pad, side pad, and rear padare coupled to the liner. In other embodiments, the helmetincludes more than one linerand one or more of the central pad, side pad, and rear padare coupled to each liner. In some embodiments, the central pad, side pad, and rear padare fixed to the liner. In other embodiments, at least one of the central pad, side pad, and rear padare detachably coupled to the liner. The linermay be coupled to the shell(e.g., via adhesive, ultrasonic weld, or fastener). The linermay include a strap() having a fastenerconfigured to be coupled to the shell. In some embodiments, the fasteneris coupled to the shellusing existing holes in the shellfor a chin protector, as explained in greater detail below.

Referring to, the helmetmay include a plateconfigured to prevent the bottom edgeof the shellfrom contacting a user's neck when the user's neck is arched back. The platemay extend below the bottom edgeof the shell. The platemay be padded. An inner surfaceof the platemay be curved to generally follow the contour of a user's neck (). The inner surfacemay include a first curve, a second curve, and a third curve. The first curvemay be selected such that portions of the platecontact a user's neck but the platedoes not contact a user's spine. The second curve may be selected such that the plategenerally follows the contours of a user's neck next to the spine. The third curvemay be selected such that the ends of the plateare flared to prevent undesired contact between the end of the plate and the user's neck. A rear surfaceof the platemay be curved to generally follow the contour of the cavitydefined by the shell.

The platemay be coupled to the liner. The platemay include a receiver() configured to be coupled to a suspension system, as explained in greater detail below. The receivermay be a loop configured to receive a strap or belt. The platemay be positioned between the user's head and the rear pad. The platemay include a receiving areahaving a shape generally similar to the rear padsuch that the plateoverlaps the rear padand the rear padhelps secure the position of the plate. The platemay be configured to protect the base of the skull and the neck. The bottomof the platemay be the thickest portion of the plateas measured between the inner surfaceand rear surface. The platemay be tapered such that the bottomof the plate is the thickest portion and the top 80 of the plate is the thinnest portion. The top of the platemay have a thickness of about 1 millimeter to about 25 millimeters, about 1 millimeter to about 5 millimeters, about 5 millimeters to about 10 millimeters, about 10 millimeters to about 15 millimeters, about 15 millimeters to about 20 millimeters, about 20 millimeters to about 25 millimeters, or about 25 millimeters to about 30 millimeters. The bottom of the platemay have a thickness of about 5 millimeters to about 35 millimeters, about 1 millimeter to about 5 millimeters, about 5 millimeters to about 10 millimeters, about 10 millimeters to about 15 millimeters, about 15 millimeters to about 20 millimeters, about 20 millimeters to about 25 millimeters, about 25 millimeters to about 30 millimeters, or about 30 millimeters to about 35 millimeters.

Referring to, the helmetmay include a jaw padconfigured to be adjacent a user's jaw (e.g., upper jaw, lower jaw, or both upper and lower jaws) when the helmetis on the user's head. In some embodiments, the jaw padis coupled to the shell. In other embodiments, the jaw padis coupled to the liner. The jaw padmay be the thickest pad of the helmet. The jaw padmay be detachably coupled to the lineror shell. A kit may include a plurality of jaw padshaving different thickness to provide a snug fit between the shelland the user's jaw.

Referring to, the helmetmay include a suspension systemconfigured to secure the helmeton a user's head in a desired position and orientation. The suspension systemmay include one or more of a chin protector, the liner, and the plate. The chin protectormay be configured to protect a user's chin from impact. The chin protectormay include a rigid outer surface and a padded inner surface. The chin protectormay be coupled to the shellby a first connectorand a second connector. The first connectorand/or the second connectormay be a strap. Each of the first connectorand the second connectormay include a fastenerconfigured to be coupled to the shell. The fasteneron the first connectormay be coupled to the shellvia the same opening used to couple the fastenerof the liner. The fasteneron the second connectormay be coupled to the shellin the recessed area. The fastenerand strapmay extend away from the recessed areaby a fastener distance. The ridge distance that the ridgeextends away from the recessed areamay be at least about 1% to about 10%, about 10% to about 20%, about 20% to about 30%, about 30% to about 40%, about 40% to about 50%, about 50% to about 60%, about 60% to about 70%, about 70% to about 80%, about 80% to about 90%, or about 90% to about 100% of the fastener distance. The fastenercoupled to the recessed areamay reduce the chance of the fastenersnagging on other players or equipment. The linermay include a second fastener that is coupled to the shellin the same opening as the fastenerof the second connector.

Referring to, the suspension systemmay include a base strapconfigured to extend around at least a portion of the helmet. The base strapmay be coupled to each of the chin protectorand the plate. The base strapmay be configured to be positioned in the receiverof the plate(). The second connectorand the base strapmay be a unitary construct such that as the second connectoris tightened, the base strapis cinched, thereby securing the chin protectorand the plateon the user's neck and chin. The chin protectorand the base strapmay at least partially encircle a user's head or neck when the helmetis worn. The linermay be coupled to the shellvia strapsuch that the pads (e.g., central pad, side pad, or rear pad) are in contact with an interior of the shell. One or more pads (e.g., central pad, side pad, or rear pad) may move out of contact with the interior of the shellas the base strapis tightened while strapremains coupled to the shell. A portion of the base strapmay be positioned between the jaw padand the shell.

Referring to, the helmetmay include a front bumper. The front bumpermay wrap around an edge (e.g. a front edge) of the shell. The front bumpermay extend from within the cavityof the shelland onto an outer surface of the shell. The shellmay include a receiving areafor the front bumper(). The receiving areamay be recessed compared to an adjacent portion or portions of the shell. At least a portion of the front bumpermay be flush with an outer surface of the shellwhen the front bumperis within the receiving areaas explained in greater detail below.

Referring to, the front bumpermay include a baseconfigured to be positioned on or adjacent the frontof the shell. The basemay include openingsconfigured to receive a fastener(e.g., threaded connector, hook and loop fastener, or rivet) to couple the front bumperto the shell. Assembling the helmetmay include coupling the front bumperto the shellbefore coupling the linerto the shell. Coupling the front bumperto the shellbefore the linermay allow a user to access the inner portion of fastener() without the fastenerbeing obstructed by the liner. A bodymay protrude from the base. The basemay be positioned against the shellbut the bodymay be spaced from the shellsuch that the bodymay resiliently deform when impacted, thereby reducing the force of impact felt by the user. The transition between the baseand the bodymay be defined by an arc().

Referring to, the front bumpermay be coupled to the liner. In some embodiments, the front bumperis detachably coupled (e.g., via snap fit or hook and loop fastener) to the liner. The front bumpermay include an apertureconfigured to receive a connector() to couple the front bumperto the liner. The front bumpermay include a flange. Aperturemay extend through the flange. The linermay include a liner plate() that includes an aperture to receive fastener. The front bumpermay be fixed to the linerwith fastener. The linermay be coupled to the front bumperafter the front bumperis coupled to the shell. The linermay be detachable from the front bumperand the shellwhile the front bumperis coupled to the shell. The front bumpermay be coupled directly to the shell. The front bumpermay be a different color than the shell. The color of the front bumperand shellmay be selected to follow a desired color scheme. The front bumpermay be commercially available separately from the shell.

Referring to, the shellmay include an extension. The extensionmay define at least a portion of the receiving areafor the front bumper. The receiving areamay be positioned between the central portionand a lower rim of the front of the helmet. The baseof the front bumpermay be positioned adjacent or in contact with the outer surface of the receiving area. The extensionmay be positioned closer to the center of the helmetthan other portions of the shell(e.g., central portion). An outer surface of the receiving areamay be recessed compared to an outer surfaceof the shell. A shouldermay be formed where the shellmeets the extension. The shouldermay have a thickness similar to, or the same as, the body. The shouldermay be sized such that an outer surfaceof the bodyis flush with, or recessed compared to, the outer surface(e.g., front surface) of the shellwhen the front bumperis coupled to the shell. The front bumpermay be positioned within the receiving areasuch that an outer surfaceof the front bumpermay be recessed toward a center of the shellcompared to an outer surface of the receiving area. A bodythat is flush with the outer surfaceof the shellmay reduce the likelihood of the front bumpersnagging on another player or equipment. A top edge of the front bumpermay abut an edge of the receiving area. The top edge of the front bumpermay be spaced from the edge of the receiving area.

The helmetmay include a facemaskcoupled to the shell. Referring to, the helmetmay include a coupler(e.g., a clip) configured to secure the facemaskto the shell. The couplermay be coupled positioned on the baseof the front bumperadjacent the body. The front surface of the bodyprotruding away from the basemay provide a recess configured to receive the coupler. The recess may reduce or eliminate unwanted snagging or contact of the coupleron other players or equipment. The couplermay be coupled to the shellby fastener. The facemaskand front bumpermay be coupled to the shellwith fastenerbefore the lineris coupled to the shell.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could be made to the exemplary embodiments shown and described above without departing from the broad inventive concepts thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments shown and described, but it is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the claims. For example, specific features of the exemplary embodiments may or may not be part of the claimed invention and various features of the disclosed embodiments may be combined. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms “a”, “an” and “the” are not limited to one element but instead should be read as meaning “at least one”.

It is to be understood that at least some of the figures and descriptions of the invention have been simplified to focus on elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, other elements that those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate may also comprise a portion of the invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not necessarily facilitate a better understanding of the invention, a description of such elements is not provided herein.

Further, to the extent that the methods of the present invention do not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the particular order of the steps should not be construed as limitation on the claims. Any claims directed to the methods of the present invention should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the steps may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.