Riddell v. Rawlings - Complaint

8/10/2019 Riddell v. Rawlings - Complaint

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115001-0004/LEGAL124483347.1

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOIS

EASTERN DIVISION

RIDDELL, INC.,

Plaintiff,

v.

RAWLINGS SPORTING GOODS

COMPANY, INC.,

Defendant.

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Civil Action No.:

Jury Trial Demanded

COMPLAINT

Plaintiff Riddell, Inc. (Riddell or Plaintiff) alleges the following claims against

Defendant Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. (Rawlings or Defendant):

THE PARTIES

1. Plaintiff Riddell is an Illinois corporation, with its principal place of business

located at 9801 West Higgins Road, Suite 800, Rosemont, Illinois, 60018.

2. Riddell is a leading supplier of protective sports equipment, including sports

helmets and shoulder pads.

3. Upon information and belief, Defendant Rawlings is a Delaware corporation, with

its principal place of business located at 510 Maryville University Dr., Suite 110, St. Louis,

Missouri, 63141.

4. Upon information and belief, Defendant makes, sells, offers for sale in the United

States, and/or imports into the United States, sports equipment, including sports helmets and

shoulder pads.

Case: 1:15-cv-00071 Document #: 1 Filed: 01/07/15 Page 1 of 8 PageID #:1


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JURISDICTION AND VENUE

5. This is a civil action for patent infringement arising under the patent laws of the

United States, 35 U.S.C. 1 et seq. This Court has subject matter jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C.

1331 and 1338(a).

6. This Court has personal jurisdiction over Defendant because Defendant engages

in business within this district, and has placed infringing products into the stream of commerce

by shipping products into this district (and/or knowing that the products would be shipped into

this judicial district), and such infringing products have been sold and used in this district.

7. Venue is proper in this district under 28 U.S.C. 1391 and 1400(b), because,

among other reasons, Defendant is subject to personal jurisdiction in this district and has

committed acts of infringement in this district.

COUNT I

Patent Infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,934,971

8. Plaintiff repeats and re-alleges each and every allegation of the foregoing

paragraphs as though fully set forth herein.

9. Plaintiff is the owner by assignment of U.S. Patent No. 6,934,971, which was

duly and lawfully issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on August 30, 2005,

entitled Football Helmet (the 971 patent). A true and correct copy of the 971 patent is

attached as Exhibit A and made a part hereof.

10. Regarding the 971 patent, Plaintiff has complied with the statutory notice

provisions of 35 U.S.C. 287.

11. Defendant has knowledge of the 971 patent. For example, the 971 patent is a

cited reference on Rawlings United States Patent No. D699,895.

12. Defendant has at no time been licensed under the 971 patent.



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13. Defendant has infringed, and is currently infringing, literally and/or under the

doctrine of equivalents, one or more claims of the 971 patent, in violation of 35 U.S.C. 271 et

seq., directly, indirectly, contributorily, and by inducement of and action with others, by making,

using, selling, offering to sell in the United States, and/or importing into the United States

products that embody one or more claims of the 971 patent, including without limitation

football helmets identified with the Tachyon, Impulse, Quantum, Momentum, and Force model

names.

14. Defendant has contributorily infringed and has induced infringement of the 971

patent by offering to sell and selling the Tachyon, Impulse, Quantum, Momentum, and Force

helmets to customers, buyers, users and others who directly infringe the 971 patent.

Infringement of the 971 patent can be found through use of the accused helmets, which are not

staple articles or commodities of commerce suitable for substantial non-infringing use in an

ordinary and intended manner. Defendant contributes to and induces infringement of the 971

patent by inducing its customers to use the Tachyon, Impulse, Quantum, Momentum, and Force

helmets in the United States, with knowledge of the 971 patent.

15. Defendants infringement of the 971 patent has been and continues to be willful.

16. Plaintiff has been injured and damaged by Defendants infringement of the 971

patent. Defendants infringement has caused, and will continue to cause, irreparable harm to

Plaintiff, for which Plaintiff has no adequate remedies at law, unless and until enjoined by this

Court.

COUNT II






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duly and lawfully issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on September 10,

2013, entitled Sports Helmet (the 118 patent). A true and correct copy of the 118 patent is

attached as Exhibit B and made a part hereof.

19. An Ex Parte Reexamination Certificate for the 118 patent issued on September 9,

2014. A true and correct copy of the Ex Parte Reexamination Certificate for the 118 patent is

attached as Exhibit C and made a part hereof.



21. Defendant has knowledge of the 118 patent at least as of the date of the filing of

this Complaint.




seq., directly, indirectly, contributorily, and by inducement of and action with others, by making,

using, selling, offering to sell in the United States, and/or importing into the United States

products that embody one or more claims of the 118 patent, including without limitation

football helmets identified with the Tachyon, Impulse, Quantum, Momentum, and Force model

names.

24. Defendant has contributorily infringed and has induced infringement of the 118

patent by offering to sell and selling the Tachyon, Impulse, Quantum, Momentum, and Force

helmets to customers, buyers, users and others who directly infringe the 118 patent.

Infringement of the 118 patent can be found through use of the accused helmets, which are not



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staple articles or commodities of commerce suitable for substantial non-infringing use in an

ordinary and intended manner. Defendant contributes to and induces infringement of the 118

patent by inducing its customers to use the Tachyon, Impulse, Quantum, Momentum, and Force

helmets in the United States, with knowledge of the 118 patent.

25. Defendants infringement of the 118 patent is willful.




Court.

COUNT III

Patent Infringement of U.S. Patent No. D603,100



28. Plaintiff is the owner by assignment of U.S. Patent No. D603,100, which was duly

and lawfully issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on October 27, 2009,

entitled Sports Helmet (the 100 patent). A true and correct copy of the 100 patent is

attached as Exhibit D and made a part hereof.



30. Defendant has knowledge of the 100 patent. For example, the 100 patent is a

cited reference on Rawlings United States Patent No. D699,895.


32. Defendant has infringed, and is currently infringing the claim of the 100 patent,

in violation of 35 U.S.C. 271 et seq., by making, using, selling, offering to sell in the United



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States, and/or importing into the United States products that embody the claim of the 100 patent,

including without limitation football helmets identified with the Tachyon, Impulse, Quantum,

Momentum, and Force model names and baseball helmets identified with the S100, S90, S80 and

S70 series names.

33. Defendants infringement of the 100 patent has been and continues to be willful.




Court.

COUNT IV





duly and lawfully issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office on August 26, 2014,

entitled Shoulder Pads (the 271 patent). A true and correct copy of the 271 patent is

attached as Exhibit E and made a part hereof.



38. Defendant has knowledge of the 271 patent at least as of the date of the filing of

this Complaint.






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seq., by making, using, selling, offering to sell in the United States, and/or importing into the

United States products that embody one or more claims of the 271 patent, including without

limitation the Titan and Spartan lines of shoulder pads.

41. Defendants infringement of the 271 patent is willful.




Court.

PRAYER FOR RELIEF

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff prays for a judgment that:

A. Defendant has willfully infringed one or more claims of the 971 patent, 118

patent, 100 patent and 271 patent;

B. Defendant, its officers, directors, employees, agents, subsidiaries, licensees,

servants, successors and assigns, and any and all persons acting in privity or in concert or

participation with Defendant, be enjoined from infringement of the 971 patent, 118 patent, 100

patent and 271 patent under 35 U.S.C. 283;

C. Plaintiff be awarded all damages adequate to compensate Plaintiff for Defendants

infringement of the 971 patent, 118 patent, 100 patent and 271 patent, and such damages be

trebled under 35 U.S.C. 284 and awarded to Plaintiff, with interest;

D. This case be adjudged an exceptional case under 35 U.S.C. 285, and Plaintiff be

awarded attorneys fees, costs, and all expenses incurred in this action;

E. Plaintiff be awarded all actual and compensatory damages;

F. Plaintiff be awarded Defendants profits; and



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G. Plaintiff be awarded such other and further relief as the Court deems just and

proper.

JURY DEMAND

Pursuant to Rule 38 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Plaintiff demands a trial by

jury on all issues triable by jury.

Dated: January 7, 2015 PERKINS COIE LLP

By /s/ Rodger K. Carreyn

Rodger K. Carreyn

[email protected] G. Hanewicz

[email protected]

Gabrielle E. [email protected]

1 East Main Street, Suite 201

Madison, WI 53703

(608) 663-7460 (Phone)(608) 663-7499 (Facsimile)

Douglas L. Sawyer (ARDC#6275849)[email protected]

131 South Dearborn Street, Suite 1700Chicago, IL 60603-5559

(312) 324-8400 (Phone)

(312) 324-9400 (Facsimile)

Attorneys for Plaintiff,

Riddell, Inc.



9/86

Exhibit

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Case: 1:15-cv-00071 Document #: 1-1 Filed: 01/07/15 Page 1 of 24 PageID #:9


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FOOTBALL

HELMET

RELATED APPLICATION

T h i s a p p l i c a t i o n c l a i m s t h e b e n e ? t o f

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A p p l i c a t i o n S e r .

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t h e

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t o

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o f t h e R e l a t e d

A r t

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a c t i v i t i e s ,

s u c h

a s

c o n t a c t

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t h e s p o r t o f f o o t b a l l ,

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t h e u s e o f h e l m e t s t o a t t e m p t t o

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t o

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t y p e s o f h e l m e t s h a v e b e e n

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n e c e s s a r y

t o

p u l l t h e s i d e s ,

o r e a r ? a p s , o f

t h e

h e l m e t

o u t W a r d l y

s o t h a t t h e

h e l m e t may

c l e a r t h e p l a y e r s e a r s .

F u r t h e r

i n

t h i s

r e g a r d ,

c o n v e n t i o n a l h e l m e t s

may

a l s o

i n c l u d e p a d s a d j a c e n t t h e p l a y e r s e a r a n d t h e s e p a d s g e n

e r a l l y a r e l o c a t e d

a l o n g

t h e

l o W e r

a n d f r o n t

e d g e o f

t h e e a r

? a p . T h e s e p a d s

m u s t

a l s o b e p u l l e d

aWay

f r o m t h e e a r s

o f

t h e

p l a y e r

When r e m o v i n g a c o n v e n t i o n a l

h e l m e t . The

r e p e a t e d

p u t t i n g

o n , a n d

t a k i n g

o f f , a f o o t b a l l h e l m e t may

c a u s e i r r i t a t i o n

t o t h e

p l a y e r s

e a r .

I t

Would

be d e s i r a b l e

i f

t h e p u t t i n g o n , and

removal

o f , a

f o o t b a l l

h e l m e t d i d n o t

c a u s e

r e p e a t e d

s l i d i n g

f r i c t i o n a l c o n t a c t

W i t h a p l a y e r s e a r s ,

t o

p r e v e n t p o t e n t i a l i r r i t a t i o n t o t h e p l a y e r s e a r .

C o n v e n t i o n a l

f o o t b a l l

h e l m e t s u t i l i Z e f a c e g u a r d s Which

a r e

g e n e r a l l y

made o f e i t h e r a m e t a l l i c

o r

t h e r m o p l a s t i c

m a t e r i a l . Since a player Wears a helmet f o r a considerable

p e r i o d o f t i m e d u r i n g

p r a c t i c e s

a n d

g a m e s ,

i t

W o u l d

b e

d e s i r a b l e t o m i n i m i Z e t h e W e i g h t

o f

t h e

h e l m e t , W h i l e n o t

s a c r i ? c i n g

p r o t e c t i o n .

T h e

f a c e

g u a r d s

o f c o n v e n t i o n a l

h e l

mets a r e t y p i c a l l y

a t t a c h e d

t o t h e s i d e s

o f

t h e h e l m e t , a s

W e l l

a s upon t h e

f r o n t o f

t h e h e l m e t .

T h u s ,

t h e

f a c e g u a r d

must

e x t e n d

r e a r W a r d l y i n o r d e r t o b e

a t t a c h e d

t o t h e s i d e o f t h e

h e l m e t .

I t

Would b e d e s i r a b l e

i f

t h e

s i Z e o f

t h e f a c e

g u a r d

c o u l d b e r e d u c e d ,

t h e r e b y r e d u c i n g

t h e W e i g h t

o f

t h e

f a c e

g u a r d

u s e d

i n t h e

h e l m e t .

1O

1 5

25

35

40

45

55

6 5

2

While t

i s

t h e d e s i r e a n d

g o a l

t h a t a f o o t b a l l h e l m e t ,

a n d

o t h e r

t y p e s

o f p r o t e c t i v e

h e l m e t s ,

p r e v e n t

i n j u r i e s

f r o m

o c c u r r i n g ,

i t s h o u l d b e n o t e d t h a t a s t o t h e h e l m e t

o f t h e

p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n , a s W e l l a s p r i o r a r t h e l m e t s ,

due

t o t h e

n a t u r e o f t h e

s p o r t

o f f o o t b a l l i n p a r t i c u l a r ,

n o p r o t e c t i v e

e q u i p m e n t

o r h e l m e t c a n c o m p l e t e l y , t o t a l l y p r e v e n t i n j u r i e s

t o

t h o s e i n d i v i d u a l s

p l a y i n g

t h e

s p o r t

o f

f o o t b a l l . I t s h o u l d

be f u r t h e r

n o t e d

t h a t no p r o t e c t i v e equipment can com

p l e t e l y p r e v e n t i n j u r i e s t o a

p l a y e r ,

i f

t h e f o o t b a l l

p l a y e r

u s e s

h i s

f o o t b a l l helmet

i n

a n

improper manner,

such

a s t o b u t t ,

r a m ,

o r

s p e a r

a n opposing

p l a y e r , Which

s

i n

v i o l a t i o n

o f

t h e

r u l e s o f f o o t b a l l . Improper u s e o f

a

helmet

t o b u t t , ram, o r

s p e a r a n

opposing

p l a y e r

can

r e s u l t i n s e v e r e

head

a n d / o r

neck

i n j u r i e s ,

p a r a l y s i s ,

o r

d e a t h t o t h e f o o t b a l l p l a y e r , a s

W e l l a s p o s s i b l e

i n j u r y t o t h e f o o t b a l l

p l a y e r s o p p o n e n t .

No

f o o t b a l l h e l m e t ,

o r

p r o t e c t i v e h e l m e t , s u c h a s t h a t o f t h e

p r e s e n t

i n v e n t i o n ,

c a n p r e v e n t h e a d , c h i n ,

o r

n e c k

i n j u r i e s a

f o o t b a l l p l a y e r

m i g h t r e c e i v e W h i l e

p a r t i c i p a t i n g

i n

t h e s p o r t

o f f o o t b a l l . The h e l m e t o f t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n i s b e l i e v e d

t o o f f e r

p r o t e c t i o n t o f o o t b a l l

p l a y e r s ,

b u t i t i s b e l i e v e d

t h a t

no h e l m e t

c a n , o r W i l l e v e r ,

t o t a l l y a n d

c o m p l e t e l y p r e v e n t

h e a d

i n j u r i e s

t o

f o o t b a l l p l a y e r s .

The

f o o t b a l l h e l m e t o f t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n ,

When

com

p a r e d

t o p r e v i o u s l y p r o p o s e d c o n v e n t i o n a l f o o t b a l l h e l m e t s ,

h a s

t h e a d v a n t a g e s

o f :

b e i n g d e s i g n e d

t o

a t t e m p t

t o p r o t e c t

a Wearer o f

t h e

helmet from i n j u r i e s caused upon a n impact

f o r c e s t r i k i n g

t h e

h e l m e t ;

p r e v e n t i n g

i r r i t a t i o n

t o a

p l a y e r s

e a r ; a f f o r d i n g more p r o t e c t i o n t o t h e jaW o f t h e W e a r e r ;

a n d

p r o v i d i n g f o r

t h e

u s e o f a l i g h t e r W e i g h t f a c e g u a r d .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

I n a c c o r d a n c e W i t h

t h e

i n v e n t i o n , t h e

f o r e g o i n g

a d v a n

t a g e s a r e b e l i e v e d t o h a v e been a c h i e v e d

by

t h e

f o o t b a l l

h e l m e t o f t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n . The f o o t b a l l h e l m e t o f t h e

p r e s e n t

i n v e n t i o n may

i n c l u d e :

a n o u t e r s h e l l having a n

i n n e r W a l l s u r f a c e

and

a n o u t e r W a l l s u r f a c e , t h e

s h e l l

i n c l u d i n g a

c r o W n ,

a b a c k , a f r o n t , a

l o W e r e d g e s u r f a c e , a n d

t W o

s i d e s ,

t h e

s h e l l

b e i n g

a d a p t e d

t o

r e c e i v e t h e

h e a d

o f

W e a r e r o f

t h e

h e l m e t ,

t h e

W e a r e r h a v i n g a l o W e r jaW h a v i n g

tWo s i d e p o r t i o n s ;

e a c h

s i d e

o f t h e s h e l l i n c l u d e s a n

e a r ?ap

a d a p t e d

t o g e n e r a l l y o v e r l i e

an

e a r and a p o r t i o n o f a cheek

o f t h e W e a r e r ; e a c h

e a r ? a p

g e n e r a l l y e x t e n d i n g d o W n W a r d l y

f r o m i t s

r e s p e c t i v e s i d e ;

e a c h

e a r ? a p

i n c l u d i n g a j a W ? a p

a t t a c h e d t o t h e

e a r ? a p , e a c h

jaW

? a p

e x t e n d i n g

f r o m

t h e

e a r

? a p

f o r W a r d l y t o W a r d

t h e f r o n t o f t h e s h e l l

a n d a d a p t e d

t o

g e n e r a l l y e x t e n d

t o o v e r l i e a s i d e

p o r t i o n o f

t h e

loWerjaW

o f

t h e

W e a r e r o f

t h e h e l m e t ;

e a c h

s i d e h a v i n g

a c h i n p r o t e c t o r

c o n n e c t o r , a d a p t e d t o c o n n e c t a

p o r t i o n o f

a

c h i n

p r o t e c t o r

t o

t h e

s h e l l ;

e a c h s i d e h a v i n g a

f a c e

g u a r d

c o n n e c t o r , a d a p t e d

t o c o n n e c t a

p o r t i o n

o f a f a c e guard t o

t h e

s h e l l ; and a

l i n e r

c o n n e c t o r ,

a d a p t e d

t o

c o n n e c t

a shock

a b s o r b i n g

l i n e r t o a

p o r t i o n

o f

t h e i n n e r

W a l l

s u r f a c e

o f

t h e s h e l l .

A n o t h e r

f e a t u r e

o f

t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n

i s

t h a t t h e r e

may b e a

f a c e g u a r d

c o n n e c t e d

t o

a t

l e a s t b o t h s i d e s o f t h e

h e l m e t

by

t h e f a c e

g u a r d c o n n e c t o r s ,

e a c h f a c e

g u a r d c o n n e c t o r i n c l u d i n g a

s h o c k

a b s o r b e r

member a d a p t e d

t o

s u b s t a n t i a l l y

omni

d i r e c t i o n a l l y d i s t r i b u t e a n i m p a c t f o r c e , e x e r t e d upon t h e

f a c e g u a r d ,

t h r o u g h o u t t h e

s h e l l .

A u r t h e r f e a t u r e o f

t h i s

a s p e c t o f t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n i s

t h a t e a c h

s h o c k

a b s o r b e r

member

may

b e a grommet d i s p o s e d

i n

a n o p e n i n g

formed

i n a s i d e o f t h e

s h e l l .

I n a c c o r d a n c e

W i t h

a n o t h e r

a s p e c t

o f

t h e

p r e s e n t

i n v e n t i o n , t h e f o o t b a l l h e l m e t may i n c l u d e

a

c h i n

p r o t e c t o r

h a v i n g tWo s i d e s

and a t l e a s t tWo ? e x i b l e members a s s o c i

a t e d W i t h e a c h s i d e o f t h e

c h i n

p r o t e c t o r , t h e a t l e a s t tWo

? e x i b l e members a d a p t e d t o

engage

W i t h

one

o f t h e c h i n

p r o t e c t o r

c o n n e c t o r s

on t h e

s i d e s o f

t h e s h e l l . Another



23/86

US 6 , 9 3 4 , 9 7 1 B2

3

f e a t u r e o f

t h i s a s p e c t

o f

t h e

i n v e n t i o n i s t h a t

t h e

c h i n

p r o t e c t o r

c o n n e c t o r

may

n c l u d e

a t l e a s t

tWo n o t c h e s

formed

i n t h e

l o W e r e d g e

s u r f a c e

o f

t h e

s h e l l , W i t h

a t

l e a s t o n e n o t c h

b e i n g d i s p o s e d on e a c h

s i d e

o f

t h e

s h e l l , and a t

l e a s t

o n e o f

t h e

? e x i b l e

members on

e a c h

s i d e o f

t h e

c h i n p r o t e c t o r

p a s s e s t h r o u g h a t

l e a s t

one o f

t h e

n o t c h e s

on each s i d e o f

t h e

s h e l l . A f u r t h e r

a s p e c t o f t h e i n v e n t i o n

i s t h a t

t h e a t

l e a s t

tWo

n o t c h e s

may

b e

d i s p o s e d

i n

t h e

l o W e r

e d g e

s u r f a c e

o f

t h e

s h e l l a d j a c e n t e a c h

e a r

? a p

o f

t h e s h e l l . A n

d d i t i o n a l

f e a t u r e

o f

t h i s

a s p e c t o f t h e i n v e n t i o n

i s t h a t

t h e c h i n

p r o t e c t o r

c o n n e c t o r

may n c l u d e a t l e a s t

one s l o t

formed i n

each

s i d e

o f t h e

s h e l l ,

and

t

l e a s t one o f t h e

? e x i b l e

members on

each

s i d e o f t h e c h i n p r o t e c t o r p a s s e s t h r o u g h t h e a t l e a s t o n e s l o t .

I n

a c c o r d a n c e

W i t h

a n o t h e r

a s p e c t

o f

t h e

p r e s e n t

i n v e n t i o n , t h e

f o o t b a l l h e l m e t may i n c l u d e a shock a b s o r b

i n g l i n e r a s s o c i a t e d W i t h t h e i n n e r

W a l l

s u r f a c e

o f

t h e s h e l l

by t h e l i n e r

c o n n e c t o r .

A n

a d d i t i o n a l

f e a t u r e o f

t h i s a s p e c t

o f

t h e

p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n i s t h a t

t h e s h o c k

a b s o r b i n g l i n e r may

i n c l u d e a p l u r a l i t y

o f

r e s i l i e n t

members a d a p t e d t o a b s o r b

s h o c k

f o r c e s e x e r t e d

upon

t h e

s h e l l ,

a n d t h e

p l u r a l i t y o f

r e s i l i e n t members may b e d i s p o s e d a l o n g t h e i n n e r W a l l

s u r f a c e o f t h e b a c k a n d s i d e s o f t h e s h e l l , i n c l u d i n g a t l e a s t

o n e

r e s i l i e n t

pad

member

d i s p o s e d

upon

t h e

i n n e r W a l l

s u r f a c e o f a p o r t i o n o f e a c h o f

t h e

jaW ? a p s o f

t h e s h e l l . A

f u r t h e r f e a t u r e o f

t h i s a s p e c t

o f t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n

i s t h a t

e a c h o f t h e a t l e a s t one r e s i l i e n t pad members may

be

formed

i n t e g r a l W i t h

t h e

p l u r a l i t y o f r e s i l i e n t

members,

o r a t l e a s t

o n e r e s i l i e n t pad

member

may b e r e l e a s e a b l y

s e c u r e d

t o t h e

p l u r a l i t y o f

r e s i l i e n t

members.

A n

a d d i t i o n a l f e a t u r e o f

t h i s

a s p e c t

o f t h e

p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n

i s t h a t on e a c h s i d e o f t h e

i n n e r

W a l l

s u r f a c e

o f

t h e s h e l l ,

a n e a r c h a n n e l

may be formed

betWeen a t l e a s t o n e o f t h e r e s i l i e n t members o f t h e shock

a b s o r b i n g

l i n e r a n d

t h e

a t l e a s t

o n e

r e s i l i e n t

pad member

d i s p o s e d upon

t h e

i n n e r W a l l s u r f a c e o f a p o r t i o n o f

t h e

jaW

? a p , a n d

e a c h

e a r

c h a n n e l

may

b e d i s p o s e d a d j a c e n t a n

e a r

o p e n i n g f o r m e d i n e a c h ? a p .

A n o t h e r a s p e c t

o f

t h e p r e s e n t

i n v e n t i o n i s t h a t

t h e o u t e r

s h e l l may h a v e a

v e r t i c a l ,

l o n g i t u d i n a l a x i s e x t e n d i n g doWn

W a r d l y from t h e croWn o f t h e h e l m e t , a n d e a c h e a r ?ap may

g e n e r a l l y l i e i n a p l a n e

W h i c h

i s s u b s t a n t i a l l y p a r a l l e l t o t h e

l o n g i t u d i n a l a x i s

o f

t h e o u t e r

s h e l l .

A n o t h e r

f e a t u r e o f

t h i s

a s p e c t

o f

t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n i s t h a t t h e o u t e r s h e l l

o f

t h e

h e l m e t

may

h a v e a v e r t i c a l ,

l o n g i t u d i n a l

a x i s e x t e n d i n g

d o W n W a r d l y f r o m

t h e c r o W n ,

a n d e a c h jaW

? a p

may g e n

e r a l l y l i e i n a p l a n e W h i c h i s s u b s t a n t i a l l y p a r a l l e l t o t h e

l o n g i t u d i n a l

a x i s

o f

t h e o u t e r

s h e l l .

The

f o o t b a l l h e l m e t o f t h e

p r e s e n t

i n v e n t i o n , When com

p a r e d W i t h p r e v i o u s l y p r o p o s e d c o n v e n t i o n a l

f o o t b a l l

h e l m e t s , i s

b e l i e v e d

t o h a v e

t h e

a d v a n t a g e s o f : o f f e r i n g

p r o t e c t i o n t o f o o t b a l l p l a y e r s a g a i n s t

i n j u r i e s c a u s e d

b y

i m p a c t

f o r c e s

e x e r t e d upon t h e f o o t b a l l h e l m e t

d u r i n g

t h e

p l a y i n g o f

t h e game

o f

f o o t b a l l ;

p r o v i d i n g a

f o o t b a l l h e l m e t

Which

i s

e a s i e r f o r t h e Wearer o f t h e

helmet

t o

p u t

on and

t a k e

o f f ,

and

may

minimiZe

i r r i t a t i o n t o

a

p l a y e r s

e a r ;

p r o v i d i n g p r o t e c t i o n

f o r t h e j a W

o f

t h e W e a r e r ; a n d

p r o v i d i n g

a

s m a l l e r , t h u s

l i g h t e r

i n W e i g h t , f a c e g u a r d .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE

DRAWING

I n t h e D r a W i n g :

FIG.

1

i s

a

p e r s p e c t i v e vieW o f an

embodiment

o f

a


i n

a c c o r d a n c e

W i t h

t h e

p r e s e n t

i n v e n t i o n ;

F I G . 1A s

p e r s p e c t i v e

vieW

o f a n o t h e r embodiment o f a

f o o t b a l l h e l m e t i n a c c o r d a n c e W i t h t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n ;

F I G . 1B i s a n e x p l o d e d vieW o f

t h e

p o r t i o n o f

t h e

h e l m e t

o f

F I G . 1 A

shoWn W i t h i n

d o t t e d l i n e s

1 B ;

F I G . 2 i s

a

p a r t i a l e x p l o d e d

vieW

o f t h e f o o t b a l l h e l m e t o f

F I G . 1 ;

1O

25

35

40

45

55

6 5

4

F I G .

3

i s

a c r o s s - s e c t i o n a l vieW t a k e n a l o n g l i n e 33 f

F I G . 2 , a n d i l l u s t r a t i n g o n e embodiment o f a

f a c e

g u a r d

c o n n e c t o r

i n a c c o r d a n c e W i t h

t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n ;

F I G .

4 i s a n

e x p l o d e d

s i d e vieW

o f

t h e f a c e g u a r d

c o n n e c t o r o f

F I G .

3 ;

F I G . 5

i s

a

p e r s p e c t i v e vieW

f a f a c e g u a r d m o u n t i n g c l i p ;

F I G .

6

i s

a c r o s s - s e c t i o n a l

vieW

o f

t h e

f a c e

g u a r d

mount

i n g c l i p o f F I G . 5 , t a k e n a l o n g l i n e 66

o f

F I G . 5 ;

F I G . 7 i s

a

p a r t i a l

c r o s s - s e c t i o n a l vieW

o f p o r t i o n o f t h e


o f

F I G S .

1 a n d 2 , t a k e n a l o n g l i n e 77 f

F I G . 2 ;

F I G .

8 i s a p a r t i a l

e x p l o d e d

p e r s p e c t i v e vieW o f a p o r t i o n

o f


h e l m e t o f FIGS.

1 a n d 2 , i l l u s t r a t i n g

o n e

embodiment o f

a

r e s i l i e n t

p a d

member,

o r

jaW p a d ,

a s s o c i

a t e d

W i t h t h e jaW ? a p

o f a

h e l m e t o f t h e

p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n ;

F I G .

9

i s

a c r o s s - s e c t i o n a l

vieW

o f

t h e

r e s i l i e n t pad

member

o f F I G . 8 , t a k e n a l o n g l i n e 99 o f F I G . 8 ;

F I G . 10 s

a

p a r t i a l

c r o s s - s e c t i o n a l

vieW

o f a p o r t i o n o f t h e

r e s i l i e n t p a d member o f

F I G S .

8 a n d 9 t a k e n a l o n g

l i n e

1010 o f F I G .

9 ;

F I G . 1 1

i s

a n o t h e r s i d e v i e W

o f

t h e

r e s i l i e n t

p a d

member,

o r jaW p a d , o f F I G S . 8 1 0 ;

FIG.

1 2 i s

a

bottom vieW o f t h e f o o t b a l l h e l m e t o f

FIGS.

1 a n d

8 ;

F I G .

1 3 i s

a p a r t i a l e x p l o d e d p e r s p e c t i v e v i e W

o f

t h e

croWn

o f

t h e f o o t b a l l h e l m e t

o f

FIGS.

1

a n d 1A,

shoWing a

croWn

p a d

i n

a c c o r d a n c e

W i t h

t h e


F I G . 1 4 i s

a

p a r t i a l e x p l o d e d p e r s p e c t i v e vieW o f

a

s h o c k

a b s o r b i n g l i n e r i n a c c o r d a n c e W i t h t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n ,

c o r r e s p o n d i n g t o t h e s h o c k a b s o r b i n g l i n e r shoWn n F I G S .

8 a n d

1 2 ;

F I G . 1 5 i s

a

p a r t i a l

e x p l o d e d p e r s p e c t i v e v i e W

o f t h e

h e l m e t o f F I G . 1 A , i l l u s t r a t i n g a n o t h e r embodiment o f a

r e s i l i e n t

p a d

m e m b e r , o r j a W p a d , a n d f a c e g u a r d

c o n n e c t o r

i n a c c o r d a n c e W i t h

t h e


F I G . 1 6

i s

a p a r t i a l

e x p l o d e d


v i e W

o f a n o t h e r

s h o c k a b s o r b i n g l i n e r p r o v i d e d W i t h a n o t h e r e m b o d i m e n t o f

t h e r e s i l i e n t p a d

m e m b e r ,

o r j a W p a d , o f t h e p r e s e n t

i n v e n t i o n ,

a s

i s shoWn i n

F I G . 1 5 ;

F I G . 1 7

i s

a n o t h e r

p a r t i a l

e x p l o d e d


v i e W o f

t h e h e l m e t shoWn i n F I G . 1 5 ;

F I G .

1 8

i s

a

p a r t i a l

c r o s s - s e c t i o n a l vieW o f a

p o r t i o n

o f t h e

r e s i l i e n t p a d m e m b e r , o r

j a W p a d , o f F I G .

1 5 t a k e n a l o n g

l i n e

1818

o f F I G . 1 5 ;

F I G . 1 9 i s

a

s i d e

vieW o f t h e

h e l m e t

o f t h e p r e s e n t

i n v e n t i o n , i l l u s t r a t i n g t h e c h i n

p r o t e c t o r

c o n n e c t e r o f t h e


o f

F I G . 1A,

i n c l u d i n g a

W e a r e r

o f

t h e h e l m e t

b e i n g

p a r t i a l l y

s h o W n

i n p h a n t o m l i n e s , i n c l u d i n g a g e n e r a l

o u t l i n e

o f a c o n v e n t i o n a l e a r ?ap

b e i n g

a l s o shoWn

i n

p h a n t o m

l i n e s ;

a n d

F I G .

20

i s

a

f r o n t

vieW

o f


h e l m e t

o f

t h e

p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n o f b o t h F I G S .

1

a n d 1 A .

While t h e i n v e n t i o n W i l l b e d e s c r i b e d i n c o n n e c t i o n

W i t h

t h e

p r e f e r r e d e m b o d i m e n t s shoWn

h e r e i n ,

i t

W i l l b e u n d e r

s t o o d t h a t i t

i s

n o t i n t e n d e d t o l i m i t

t h e

i n v e n t i o n t o t h o s e

embodiments.

On

t h e c o n t r a r y ,

i t i s i n t e n d e d

t o

c o v e r a l l

a l t e r n a t i v e s ,

m o d i ? c a t i o n s ,

a n d e q u i v a l e n t s , a s

may

b e

i n c l u d e d W i t h i n t h e s p i r i t and s c o p e

o f

t h e

i n v e n t i o n a s

d e ? n e d b y t h e a p p e n d e d

c l a i m s .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

OF THE

INVENTION

I n

F I G S . 1 ,

1 A , a n d

1 9 ,

a


30

n a c c o r d a n c e

W i t h

t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n

i s shoWn

o g e n e r a l l y i n c l u d e : a n



24/86

US 6 , 9 3 4 , 9 7 1 B2

5

o u t e r s h e l l 3 1 , e a r ?ap 3 2 , e a c h e a r ? a p 32

i n c l u d i n g

a

jaW

?ap 3 3 , a c h i n

p r o t e c t o r

c o n n e c t o r

3 4 ,

a

f a c e

g u a r d

c o n n e c

t o r

3 5 , a n d a

l i n e r c o n n e c t o r

( n o t

s h o W n ) . O u t e r

s h e l l 31

i s

p r e f e r a b l y made o f

a n y

s u i t a b l e p l a s t i c

m a t e r i a l

h a v i n g t h e

r e q u i s i t e s t r e n g t h a n d

d u r a b i l i t y

c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s t o f u n c t i o n

a s a f o o t b a l l h e l m e t , o r o t h e r

t y p e

o f p r o t e c t i v e

h e l m e t ,

s u c h

a s p o l y c a r b o n a t e

p l a s t i c

m a t e r i a l s , one o f Which s

knoWn

a s

LEXAN.RTM. s

i s knoWn

i n t h e a r t .

Outer s h e l l

31

h a s an

i n n e r W a l l

s u r f a c e

37 ( F I G . 1 2 )

a n d

a n

o u t e r

W a l l

s u r f a c e 3 8 .

S h e l l

31

f u r t h e r i n c l u d e s

a

croWn 3 9 ,

a

back 4 0 ,

a

f r o n t

4 1 ,

a l o W e r e d g e

s u r f a c e

4 2 , a n d t W o s i d e s 4 3 ( F I G S .

1

a n d

1 A )

a n d 44

( F I G . 1 9 ) . A s

i s knoWn i n t h e a r t , a n d a s W i l l b e

h e r e i n a f t e r d e s c r i b e d

i n

g r e a t e r d e t a i l ,

s h e l l

3 1 i s a d a p t e d t o

r e c e i v e t h e

head

45 o f

a

Wearer 46 o f t h e helmet

3 0 ,

t h e

W e a r e r

4 6 h a v i n g a

l o W e r

jaW 4 7 ( F I G . 1 9 )

h a v i n g

t W o s i d e

p o r t i o n s 4 8 ( F I G . 1 9 ) , o n l y t h e r i g h t s i d e p o r t i o n 4 8 o f j a W

4 7 b e i n g i l l u s t r a t e d . A s shoWn n F I G . 1 9 , t h e l o W e r jaW 4 7

t e r m i n a t e s g e n e r a l ly a d j a c e n t t o

t h e

c h i n

4 9

o f

t h e

W e a r e r s

h e a d

4 5

t o W a r d

t h e f r o n t

o f

t h e

h e a d 4 5 , a n d

t h e l o W e r

j a W ,

o r

m a n d i b l e

4 7 ,

g e n e r a l l y e n d s i t s

c o n n e c t i o n

W i t h t h e u p p e r

l a W

g e n e r a l l y

a d j a c e n t ,

a n d f o r W a r d l y o f e a r s 50

o f W e a r e r

S t i l l

W i t h

r e f e r e n c e

t o

F I G S .

1 , 1 A

n d

1 9 ,

e a c h

s i d e 4 3 ,

44 o f t h e s h e l l 31

i n c l u d e s

a n e a r

?ap

3 2 , t h e l e f t e a r ?ap 32

b e i n g shoWn

i n

F I G S . 1 a n d

1A

a n d t h e r i g h t e a r ? a p 3 2

b e i n g i l l u s t r a t e d i n F I G . 1 9 ,

a n d e a r ? a p s

3 2

a r e

a d a p t e d t o

g e n e r a l l y

o v e r l i e

a n

e a r 50

( F I G . 1 9 )

a n d

p o r t i o n o f

a

c h e e k

52

o f t h e W e a r e r 4 6 . Each e a r ?ap

32

g e n e r a l l y e x t e n d s

d o W n W a r d l y

f r o m i t s

r e s p e c t i v e

s i d e

4 3 ,

4 4 ,

a n d

i n

g e n e r a l

e x t e n d s i n a

d i r e c t i o n

e x t e n d i n g

from

croWn 39

doWnWardly

t o W a r d t h e l o W e r e d g e s u r f a c e 4 2 o f s h e l l

3 1 .

Each e a r ?ap

3 2 i n c l u d e s a j a W ? a p 3 3 ,

t h e

l e f t h a n d j a W

? a p s

3 3

b e i n g

i l l u s t r a t e d

i n F I G S .

1 a n d 1 A , a n d t h e

r i g h t j a W ? a p

3 3

b e i n g

i l l u s t r a t e d i n F I G . 1 9 .

Each j aW

? a p 3 3

e x t e n d s

f r o m

i t

c o r r e s p o n d i n g e a r

? a p 3 2

f o r W a r d l y t o W a r d t h e f r o n t 4 1

o f

t h e s h e l l 3 1 , and a s s e e n i n F I G . 19 a s

a d a p t e d

t o g e n e r a l l y

e x t e n d t o

o v e r l i e

a

s i d e p o r t i o n 48

o f

t h e

l o W e r

jaW 47 o f t h e

Wearer 46

o f

t h e

h e l m e t .

A s shoWn i n F I G . 1 9 ,

jaW

? a p 3 3 i s shoWn t o e x t e n d

f o r W a r d l y t o

o v e r l i e a

f o r W a r d l y d i s p o s e d

p o r t i o n

5 5 o f

l o W e r

jaW 47 d i s p o s e d

t o W a r d

t h e c h i n 4 9

o f W e a r e r

4 6 . A s

i l l u s t r a t e d i n F I G . 1 9 , j a W ? a p 3 3 e x t e n d s

f o r W a r d l y

e n o u g h

t o

o v e r li e t h e s i d e o f t h e c h i n 49 o f

W e a r e r

4 6 . I n

t h i s

r e g a r d ,

i t

s h o u l d

b e

n o t e d

t h a t h e l m e t s 30 o f t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n

a r e

g e n e r a l l y made W i t h o u t e r

s h e l l s 31 o f

v a r y i n g s i Z e s ,

d e p e n d e n t

upon t h e s i Z e

o f

t h e h e a d

o f

t h e p a r t i c u l a r W e a r e r

o f

t h e

h e l m e t . I n F I G . 1 9 , h e l m e t 3 0 i s shoWn s u p e r i m p o s e d

upon What s

believed t o

be

an

average s i Z e

head

of a Wearer

o f

t h e h e l m e t 3 0 ,

W h e r e b y j a W ? a p 3 3 i s s h o W n t o g e n e r a l l y

o v e r l i e t h e

e n t i r e

s i d e

p o r t i o n

4 8

o f

l o W e r j a W 4 7 ,

i n c l u d i n g

t h e f o W a r d l y d i s p o s e d

p o r t i o n 5 5 o f

l o W e r j a W 4 7

a d j a c e n t

t h e c h i n 4 9 o f W e a r e r 4 6 ,

i n c l u d i n g

o v e r l y i n g t h e s i d e o f t h e

c h i n

49

o f Wearer 4 6 . S i n c e FIG. 19 i s n o t a r e p r e s e n t a t i o n

o f a l l s i Z e s o f h e a d s a n d a l l

t y p e s

o f c h i n s t r u c t u r e s , s u c h

a s

c h i n s W h i c h

may

g r e a t l y e x t e n d o u t W a r d l y aWay f r o m t h e

h e a d

o f

t h e W e a r e r ,

i t

s h o u l d b e u n d e r s t o o d t h a t

i t i s

p e r h a p s

p o s s i b l e

t h a t someone

W e a r i n g a h e l m e t

30

i n a c c o r d a n c e

W i t h

t h e

p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n

may

h a v e a s l i g h t

s i d e

p o r t i o n o f

h i s o r h e r c h i n e x t e n d i n g o u t W a r d l y beyond

t h e

o u t e r

p e r i p h e r y o f j a W

? a p

3 3 . I t i s

b e l i e v e d

t h a t j a W ? a p

3 3 W i l l

o v e r l i e a t l e a s t

t h e

f o r W a r d l y d i s p o s e d p o r t i o n 5 5 o f

t h e

l o W e r

jaW 47

o f

v i r t u a l l y a l l W e a r e r s

o f

h e l m e t s

3 0 .

I n t h i s

r e g a r d , t h e o u t e r p e r i p h e r y 6 0 ,

shoWn

i n p h a n t o m l i n e s i n

F I G .

1 9 ,

o f

a c o n v e n t i o n a l e a r

? a p , W i t h o u t

t h e

jaW

? a p 33

o f t h e

p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n g e n e r a l l y d o e s n o t o v e r l i e

a f o r

W a r d l y

d i s p o s e d p o r t i o n

5 5 o f t h e

l o W e r

j a W , o r

m a n d i b l e ,

4 7

o f

a

Wearer of

a

conventional helmet.

Furthermore,

t h e e a r

1 5

25

35

40

45

55

6 5

6

?ap o f a c o n v e n t i o n a l f o o t b a l l helmet v i r t u a l l y

n e v e r o v e r

l i e s

t h e c h i n

49

of a

Wearer

of a conventional h e l m e t .

With r e f e r e n c e t o F I G S .

1 2 , 1 9 ,

a n d 2 0 , t h e o u t e r s h e l l 3 1

h a s a v e r t i c a l ,

l o n g i t u d i n a l a x i s

6 1 g e n e r a l l y e x t e n d i n g

doWnWardly

f r o m

croWn

3 9 , a n d e a c h e a r ? a p 3 2

g e n e r a l l y

l i e s i n a p l a n e

W h i c h

i s s u b s t a n t i a l l y p a r a l l e l t o t h e

l o n g i

t u d i n a l a x i s 6 1 o f s h e l l 3 1 . S i m i l a r l y , e a c h jaW

? a p 3 3

a l s o

g e n e r a l l y

l i e s

i n

a

p l a n e

W h i c h

i s


p a r a l l e l

t o

t h e

l o n g i t u d i n a l a x i s 6 1

o f

t h e o u t e r

s h e l l

3 1 .

The croWn 39 o f

s h e l l 31 may

b e p r o v i d e d W i t h a t l e a s t

o n e , a n d p r e f e r a b l y

a p l u r a l i t y

o f v e n t i l a t i o n o p e n i n g s , o r

a i r

v e n t s ,

6 2 , Which

p e r m i t s t h e

p a s s a g e

o f

a i r t h r o u g h s h e l l

3 1 .

V e n t s

6 2

p e r m i t

a i r a d j a c e n t t h e h e a d

4 5 o f

W e a r e r 4 6 , Which h a s b e e n h e a t e d

b y b e i n g i n c o n t a c t W i t h h e a d 4 5 ,

t o

b e

v e n t e d

a n d

p a s s e d

o u t W a r d l y t h r o u g h o p e n i n g s

6 2 ,

W h i c h

may

c o n t r i b u t e t o

g r e a t e r c o m f o r t b e i n g a f f o r d e d t h e W e a r e r 4 6 o f h e l m e t

3 0 .

A s shoWn i n F I G .

1 2 , t h e

l o W e r e d g e 4 2 o f

t h e

s h e l l

3 1

d e ? n e s a c i r c u m f e r e n c e ,

a n d

t h e

s h e l l

31 i s con?gured s u c h

t h a t

t h e t e r m i n a l

e n d s o f

t h e

jaW

? a p s 3 3 r e s i d e i n t h e same

o r

s i n g l e

q u a d r a n t

o f

a n

X-Y c o o r d i n a t e s y s t e m .

W i t h r e f e r e n c e t o F I G S . 1 , 1 A , 8 , a n d

1 5 , t h e

f a c e

g u a r d

c o n n e c t o r 35

o f t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n W i l l

b e d e s c r i b e d

i n

g r e a t e r

d e t a i l .

F a c e g u a r d

6 5

i s

f o r m e d

o f

a p l u r a l i t y

o f W i r e

members

6 6 ,

Which

may b e formed o f a n y

s u i t a b l e m a t e r i a l

h a v i n g t h e

r e q u i s i t e

s t r e n g t h a n d d u r a b i l i t y


t o

f u n c t i o n a s a f o o t b a l l

helmet f a c e

g u a r d , a s i s

knoWn

i n t h e

a r t . The W i r e members 6 6

may

b e p r e f e r a b l y formed o f a

m e t a l l i c

m a t e r i a l , s u c h a s

any s u i t a b l e s t e e l , and

a s i s knoWn

i n t h e

a r t ,

t h e W i r e

members 6 6

may

b e p r o v i d e d W i t h

a

s u i t a b l e p l a s t i c c o a t i n g .

A d d i t i o n a l l y ,

t h e

W i r e m e m b e r s

6 6

may

be o f a s o l i d o r t u b u l a r

c r o s s - s e c t i o n a l c o n ? g u r a t i o n .

A l t e r n a t i v e l y , W i r e members 6 6 may b e f o r m e d

o f

a n y

s u i t a b l e p l a s t i c m a t e r i a l ,

t h i s

m a t e r i a l

a l s o

h a v i n g t h e r e q

u i s i t e

s t r e n g t h a n d d u r a b i l i t y


t o p e r f o r m t h e

f u n c t i o n s o f

a


f a c e

g u a r d . The

f a c e

g u a r d

c o n n e c t o r s 35 a r e

a d a p t e d

t o

c o n n e c t

a p o r t i o n o f t h e

f a c e

g u a r d 6 5 t o s h e l l 3 1 . A a c e g u a r d

c o n n e c t o r

3 5 i s

d i s p o s e d

on

e a c h

s i d e

4 3 ,

44

o f

s h e l l

3 1 .

One embodiment

o f

f a c e

g u a r d c o n n e c t o r

3 5

i s shoWn i n

F I G S . 1 ,

1A a n d 8 , W h i l e

a n o t h e r

embodiment

o f

f a c e

g u a r d c o n n e c t o r i s

i l l u s t r a t e d i n

F I G S .

1 5 a n d

1 7 . I n g e n e r a l , t h e

tWo

embodiments

o f

f a c e


3 5

a r e s u b s t a n t i a l l y s i m i l a r , W h e r e b y

t h e

same components W i l l be

d e s c r i b e d

W i t h i d e n t i c a l r e f e r e n c e

n u m e r a l s ,

a n d

p r i m e d

r e f e r e n c e

n u m e r a l s W i l l

b e u s e d

i n

c o n n e c t i o n

W i t h

components h a v i n g t h e s a m e , o r s i m i l a r

f u n c t i o n s , b u t

d i f f e r e n t

s t r u c t u r e s o r

c o n ? g u r a t i o n s .

The d e t a i l s o f t h e

f a c e


35

u s e d i n

c o n n e c t i o n

W i t h t h e h e l m e t 30 o f F I G S .

1 , 1 A , 2 a n d 8 ,

a r e

i l l u s t r a t e d i n FIGS.

3 a n d 4 ,

Whereas t h e d e t a i l s o f c o n s t r u c

t i o n o f

t h e f a c e

g u a r d c o n n e c t o r 35 o f F I G .

1 5

i s

i l l u s t r a t e d

i n F I G S . 1 5 a n d 1 7 . W i t h r e f e r e n c e t o F I G S . 3 , 4 , 8 , a n d 1 5 ,

f a c e

g u a r d

c o n n e c t o r

35

o f t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n i s shoWn o

i n c l u d e

a

s h o c k a b s o r b e r member 6 7

a d a p t e d

t o s u b s t a n t i a l l y

o m n i - d i r e c t i o n a l l y d i s t r i b u t e a n

i m p a c t

f o r c e , e x e r t e d upon

t h e

f a c e g u a r d 6 5 , t h r o u g h s h e l l 3 1 .

P r e f e r a b l y ,

e a c h

s h o c k

a b s o r b e r member 67 s a grommet 6 8 d i s p o s e d i n

a n

o p e n i n g

6 9 formed i n a s i d e 4 3 , 44 o f s h e l l 3 1 .

Grommet

6 8 may b e

formed

o f r u b b e r ,

o r a n y

o t h e r s u i t a b l e e l a s t o m e r i c m a t e r i a l

Which W i l l f u n c t i o n s o

a s

t o p e r m i t s u b s t a n t i a l l y omni

d i r e c t i o n a l l y d i s t r i b u t i o n

o f a n i m p a c t

f o r c e ,

e x e r t e d upon

t h e f a c e g u a r d 6 5 , t h r o u g h o u t

s h e l l

3 1 o f h e l m e t 3 0 .


grommet 6 8 i s

f o r m e d

o f

s y n t h e t i c r u b b e r. I n t h i s

r e g a r d ,

f a c e

g u a r d

6 5

c a n

i n c u r

i m p a c t

f o r c e s i n a v a r i e t y o f

d i r e c t i o n s d u r i n g a game o f

f o o t b a l l .

For example,

a s

a

p l a y e r

s t r i k e s

t h e g r o u n d u p o n b e i n g t a c k l e d , h i s o r h e r f a c e

g u a r d

m i g h t s t r i k e

t h e g r o u n d a t t h e l o W e r

m o s t c e n t e r

7 0

( F I G .

1 ) o f

f a c e

g u a r d 6 5 ,

W h i c h

W o u l d b e a n u p W a r d l y



25/86

US 6 , 9 3 4 , 9 7 1 B2

7

e x e r t e d f o r c e u p o n f a c e g u a r d 6 5 . S i m i l a r l y , a n o t h e r p l a y e r s

h e l m e t ,

o r h a n d ,

m i g h t

p u s h d o w n w a r d l y u p o n

t h e

W i r e

member 7 1

( F I G .

1 ) o f f a c e

g u a r d 6 5 ,

t h u s e x e r t i n g

a

d o W n W a r d l y

e x t e n d i n g i m p a c t f o r c e

u p o n

f a c e g u a r d 6 5 .

A d d i t i o n a l l y , a p l a y e r s f a c e g u a r d

c o u l d b e

s t r u c k i n t h e

d i r e c t i o n from o n e o f t h e s i d e s

4 3 ,

44 o f h e l m e t 3 0 ,

Which

Would

b e a s i d e o r l a t e r a l i m p a c t

f o r c e

b e i n g

e x e r t e d upon

f a c e

g u a r d

6 5 .

O f

o u r s e ,

i t

Would

b e

r e a d i l y

a p p a r e n t

t o

o n e

o f o r d i n a r y s k i l l

i n

t h e a r t t h a t a n i m p a c t f o r c e

c o u l d

b e

e x e r t e d upon f a c e

g u a r d

6 5

from

a n y d i r e c t i o n i n Which t

i s

p o s s i b l e t o s t r i k e , o r i m p a c t

a g a i n s t ,

f a c e g u a r d 6 5 .

A s

W i l l

b e h e r e i n a f t e r d e s c r i b e d i n g r e a t e r d e t a i l , a s

a n

i m p a c t f o r c e

i s

e x e r t e d

upon f a c e

g u a r d

6 5 ,

t h e s h o c k

a b s o r b e r member

6 7 ,

o r

grommet

6 8 , f u n c t i o n s

t o

a b s o r b , o r

a t t e n u a t e ,

t h e

i m p a c t f o r c e e x e r t e d upon

t h e

f a c e g u a r d , a n d t o

s u b s t a n

t i a l l y

o m n i - d i r e c t i o n a l l y d i s t r i b u t e

t h e

i m p a c t f o r c e

t h r o u g h

t h e

s h e l l 3 1 .

Grommet 68 may be a c i r c u l a r shaped member 72 W i t h a n

o p e n i n g 7 3 p a s s i n g t h e r e t h r o u g h . A s s e e n

i n

F I G . 3 , e a c h

c i r c u l a r s h a p e d member 7 2 may n c l u d e

a n

i n n e r , a n n u l a r ,

o r

c i r c u l a r

s h a p e d

l i p

7 4 t h a t a b u t s t h e i n n e r W a l l s u r f a c e

37

o f

t h e s h e l l

3 1 ,

a n d o u t e r , a n n u l a r s h a p e d l i p 7 5 t h a t a b u t s

t h e

o u t e r W a l l s u r f a c e

38

o f

t h e

s h e l l

3 1 .

Each

o f

t h e

f a c e

g u a r d

c o n n e c t o r s

35

h a s

a r e c e s s 76 ( F I G . 4 ) Which r e c e i v e s a

p o r t i o n o f t h e

grommet 6 8 i n

a

c l o s e

? t t i n g ,

a b u t t i n g

r e l a t i o n s h i p a s s e e n

i n

F I G . 3 . P r e f e r a b l y , t h e o u t e r , a n n u l a r

s h a p e d l i p

7 5

i s

r e c e i v e d i n t h e r e c e s s 7 6 . A s

shoWn

n F I G S .

3 , 8 , a n d 1 5 , a b u s h i n g

7 7

may

b e d i s p o s e d W i t h i n t h e

o p e n i n g

7 3 W h i c h

p a s s e s

t h r o u g h g r o m m e t 6 8 . P r e f e r a b l y ,

t h e

b u s h i n g i s

made o f

a

s u i t a b l e

p l a s t i c m a t e r i a l h a v i n g

t h e

r e q u i s i t e s t r e n g t h a n d d u r a b i l i t y c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s

t o f u n c t i o n

a s p a r t

o f a f o o t b a l l h e l m e t f a c e

g u a r d

c o n n e c t o r .


b u s h i n g 7 7 i s formed o f a t h e r m o p l a s t i c m a t e r i a l , s u c h a s

SURLYN. Bushing

77

may

i n c l u d e a c a p

member

78

h a v i n g a n u p p e r

W a l l

s u r f a c e 7 9 ( F I G .

3 )

a n d a l o W e r

W a l l

s u r f a c e

8 0 ( F I G S .

8

a n d 1 5 ) , W i t h t h e l o W e r

W a l l s u r f a c e

8 0

b e i n g d i s p o s e d a d j a c e n t t h e i n n e r W a l l s u r f a c e 3 7 o f t h e s h e l l

3 1 .

A o l t

8 2

h a v i n g

? r s t a n d s e c o n d

e n d s 8 3 , 84 may

b e

p a s s e d t h r o u gh e a c h b u s h i n g a n d

t h e

f a c e g u a r d c o n n e c t o r

b o d y

m e m b e r s ,

o r c l i p s , 8 5 , 8 5 o f

e a c h

f a c e

g u a r d

c o n n e c t o r

3 5 .

A u t 86

r e c e i v e s

t h e

s e c o n d

end

84 o f

t h e b o l t

8 2 .

By b o l t

8 2

b e i n g r o t a t a b l y t h r e a d e d a n d r o t a t e d W i t h

r e s p e c t

t o n u t 8 6 ,

f a c e

g u a r d 6 5 may b e s e c u r e d

t o

e a c h s i d e

4 3 , 4 4 o f s h e l l 3 1 . I t

s h o u l d

b e

n o t e d

t h a t a l t h o u g h b o l t 8 2

i s

i n s e r t e d f r o m t h e

o u t s i d e o f s h e l l 3 1 ,

i t s d i s p o s i t i o n c o u l d

b e

r e v e r s e d ,

a l t h o u g h

i t

i s

p r e f e r r e d t o

b e

i n s e r t e d f r o m

o u t s i d e t h e

s h e l l ,

f o r e a s e

o f

removal s h o u l d a

p l a y e r b e

i n j u r e d a n d i t

becomes

n e c e s s a r y t o

remove

f a c e g u a r d 6 5 .

The u p p e r W a l l s u r f a c e

79

o f

e a c h c a p

member 7 8 may

i n c l u d e a r e c e s s

87 Which

r e c e i v e s a

corresponding n u t

8 6 .

The

r e c e s s 87

o f t h e c a p

member

7 8 p r e f e r a b l y m a t i n g l y

r e c e i v e s t h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g n u t 86

and t h e

r e c e s s 87 e s t r i c t s

r o t a t i o n a l movement o f t h e n u t W i t h r e s p e c t

t o

t h e s h e l l 3 1 .

P r e f e r a b l y, t h e n u t 86

s

a T - n u t

8 8 , Which

i n c l u d e s

a n

upper

r e c t a n g u l a r s h a p e d member 8 9 a n d a t h r e a d e d

c y l i n d r i c a l

member 9 0

W h i c h

i s

r e c e i v e d a n d

d i s p o s e d

W i t h i n

b u s h i n g

7 7 .

Each o f t h e f a c e g u a r d c o n n e c t o r s 35 o f t h e

p r e s e n t

i n v e n t i o n i n c l u de a f a c e g u a r d c o n n e c t o r body member 8 5 ,

8 5 . With

r e f e r e n c e t o

F I G S .

3 ,

4 , a n d 8 , f a c e g u a r d

c o n

n e c t o r body member

8 5 W i l l b e d e s c r i b e d . F a c e g u a r d

c o n n e c t o r 85 h a s a n i n n e r s u r f a c e , o r i n n e r W a l l s u r f a c e ,

9 1 ,

a n d o u t e r s u r f a c e , o r o u t e r

W a l l

s u r f a c e ,

9 2 .

Each f a c e g u a r d

c o n n e c t o r body member 8 5 h a s a t l e a s t t W o c h a n n e l s 9 3 , 9 4 ,

d i s p o s e d i n a s u b s t a n t i a l l y p a r a l l e l ,


n o n

c o l l i n e a r r e l a t i o n s h i p , e a c h c h a n n e l 9 3 , 9 4 r e c e i v i n g a

p o r t i o n

o f

t h e f a c e g u a r d 6 5 .

P r e f e r a b ly , f a c e

g u a r d 6 5

o n

10

1 5

25

35

40

45

55

6 5

8

b o t h o f i t s

s i d e s

i n c l u d e s

a p l u r a l i t y

o f W i r e

members

h a v i n g

a

s u b s t a n t i a l

r e c t a n g u l a r s h a p e d

o p e n i n g , s u c h

a s

i s f o r m e d

by W i r e members 6 6 a , 6 6 b , 6 6 c a n d 66d a s shoWn i n F I G .

8 , W i t h W i r e members 6 6 b

a n d

6 6 d b e i n g r e c e i v e d W i t h i n

c h a n n e l s 9 3 , 9 4 ,

r e s p e c t i v e l y .

P r e f e r a b l y , a t l e a s t

o n e

o f t h e

c h a n n e l s

9 3 , 9 4 ,

i s

f o r m e d

i n

t h e

i n n e r s u r f a c e 9 1 o f

t h e

f a c e

g u a r d

c o n n e c t o r

b o d y

member

8 5

a n d

t h e

W i r e member

6 6 b ,

66d

s

r e c e i v e d W i t h i n

t h e

a t

l e a s t

o n e

c h a n n e l ,

Whereby

t h e

W i r e

member

6 6 b , 6 6 d ,

i s

d i s p o s e d b e t W e e n

t h e i n n e r

s u r f a c e

9 1

o f

t h e

f a c e

g u a r d c o n n e c t o r body member 5 , a n d

t h e o u t e r W a l l s u r f a c e 38 o f s h e l l

3 1 . P r e f e r a b l y ,

a s shoWn i n

F I G S . 3 a n d 8 , b o t h c h a n n e l s , 9 3 , 9 4 a r e

f o r m e d

i n t h e i n n e r

s u r f a c e 9 1 o f

t h e

f a c e g u a r d c o n n e c t o r body member

8 5 .

F a c e g u a r d c o n n e c t o r body member

5 ,

a s

W e l l

a s f a c e g u a r d

c o n n e c t o r

body

member

8 5 , t o b e h e r e i n a f t e r d e s c r i b e d ,

may b e

made o f

a n y

s u i t a b l e

m a t e r i a l

h a v i n g t h e r e q u i si t e

s t r e n g t h and d u r a b i l i t y c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t o

f u n c t i o n

a s

p a r t o f

a

f a c e g u a r d c o n n e c t o r ,

s u c h a s

a t h e r m o p l a s t i c m a t e r i a l b e i n g

p r e f e r r e d

A n

o p e n i n g

9 5

may b e

f o r m e d i n

t h e

f a c e

g u a r d

c o n n e c t o r b o d y member 8 5 t o p r o v i d e

? e x i b i l i t y

t o b o d y

member 85 s o t h a t i t can

more

r e a d i l y conform t o

t h e o u t e r

c o n t o u r o f t h e

s h e l l

3 1 .

With

r e f e r e n c e

t o

FIGS.

1 5

and

1 7 ,

i t

i s

s e e n

t h a t

f a c e

g u a r d b o d y

member

8 5 i s s i m i l a r i n d e s i g n

t o t h a t

o f

b o d y

member

8 5 . Body

member

8 5 d i f f e r s f r o m t h a t o f

body

member

8 5 , i n

t h a t

body

member 8 5

i n c l u d e s a n

a c c e s s

passageWay

9 6

formed i n t h e o u t e r s u r f a c e 9 2

o f

body

member 8 5 .

Access

passageWay 9 6 i s a l i g n e d W i t h a n

i n ? a t i o n p o r t 9 7 d i s p o s e d i n s h e l l 3 1 , a n d i s a d a p t e d t o

p r o v i d e

a c c e s s

t o

i n ? a t i o n

p o r t

9 7

a n d

p e r m i t t h e s h o c k

a b s o r b i n g

l i n e r ,

t o b e h e r e i n a f t e r d e s c r i b e d , t o b e i n ? a t e d .

A c c e s s passageWay may b e a s e m i - c i r c u l a r s h a p e d n o t c h 9 8

formed

a t one

end o f

body member 8 5 .

Helmet

30

a s

s e e n

i n FIGS. 1 and

1A

may be

p r o v i d e d

W i t h c o n v e n t i o n a l

f a c e

g u a r d c l i p s 9 9 , o n l y o n e o f

W h i c h

i s

i l l u s t ra t e d i n FIGS.

1

and

1A,

Which

a r e used t o s e c u r e

t h e

u p p e r p o r t i o n o f f a c e g u a r d 6 5 t o t h e

f r o n t

4 1 o f s h e l l 3 1 . The

d e t a i l s o f c o n s t r u c t i o n o f

f a c e

g u a r d

c l i p s

9 9

a r e

shoWn i n

F I G S . 5 a n d 6 .

Upon

h e

r e m o v a l

o f b o l t s 8 2 f r o m f a c e g u a r d

c o n n e c t o r s 35

a n d t h e

r e m o v a l

o f

f a c e

g u a r d

c o n n e c t o r

body

members

8 5 , 8 5 , f a c e

g u a r d 6 5 may b e

r o t a t e d u p W a r d l y

a b o u t f a c e

g u a r d c l i p s 9 9 ,

i n

t h e

e v e n t

t h a t

i t i s n e c e s s a r y

t o

g a i n

a c c e s s

t o t h e f a c e o f a p l a y e r , o r t o b e t t e r a s s i s t

i n

r e m o v i n g t h e h e l m e t

30

o f a p l a y e r . I n

t h i s

r e g a r d , n o

t o o l s ,

other

than

a screW d r i v e r a r e necessary t o remove b o l t s 82

a n d f a c e g u a r d c o n n e c t o r b o d y members 8 5 , 8 5 . T h e f r i c

t i o n a l f o r c e s betWeen

b u s h i n g

77 and

n u t

86 r e s t r a i n n u t 8 6

f r o m

r o t a t i o n

W h i l e

b o l t 8 2

i s b e i n g u n t h r e a d e d t h e r e f r o m .

A l t h o u g h t h e f a c e

g u a r d

c o n n e c t o r 3 5

o f

t h e p r e s e n t

i n v e n t i o n h a s b e e n

d e s c r i b e d

i n p a r t i c u l a r W i t h r e s p e c t t o

i t s

u s e

W i t h a f o o t b a l l helmet 3 0 ,

i t

s h o u l d be

n o t e d

t h a t

f a c e

g u a r d

c o n n e c t o r 3 5

c o u l d , a n d

i n

p a r t i c u l a r ,

i t s s h o c k

a b s o r b e r

member

67

c o u l d b e u t i l i Z e d

i n

c o n n e c t i o n W i t h

o t h e r

t y p e s o f

p r o t e c t i v e h e l m e t s .

F o r e x a m p l e ,

o t h e r

t y p e s

o f

h e l m e t s , W i t h Which a f a c e g u a r d

o f some

t y p e i s u s e d ,

i n c l u d e

f o r e x a m p l e , l a c r o s s e

h e l m e t s , h o c k e y h e l m e t s , a n d

b a s e b a l l b a t t e r s h e l m e t s , among o t h e r s .

With r e f e r e n c e t o FIGS. 1

a n d 1 A ,

e a c h h e l m e t i n c l u d e s

a c h i n p r o t e c t o r

c o n n e c t o r 34

f o r

c o n n e c t i n g

a

p o r t i o n o f

a

c h i n p r o t e c t o r 100 t o

s h e l l

3 1 . Chin p r o t e c t o r 100

may b e o f

c o n v e n t i o n a l d e s i g n

a n d

h a s

tWo s i d e s

1 0 1 ,

1 0 2 a n d a t

l e a s t

tWo ? e x i b l e members 1 0 3 , 104

a s s o c i a t e d

W i t h e a c h s i d e

1 0 1 , 1 0 2 o f t h e c h i n p r o t e c t o r . O n l y ? e x i b l e

members

1 0 3 ,

1 0 4 ,

a s s o c i a t e d

W i t h s i d e 1 0 2 o f c h i n

p r o t e c t o r

100

a r e

i l l u s t r a t e d . The a t l e a s t tWo ? e x i b l e members,

o r

s t r a p

members, 1 0 3 ,

104

a r e a d a p t e d t o engage

W i t h

one o f t h e

c h i n p r o t e c t o r c o n n e c t o r s

34

on t h e s i d e s 4 3 , 44

o f

s h e l l 3 1 .



26/86

US 6 , 9 3 4 , 9 7 1 B2

9

Chin

p r o t e c t o r

100 may n c l u d e a

c o n v e n t i o n a l c h i n

cup 105

a s i s known i n t h e a r t . T W o embodiments

o f

c h i n p r o t e c t o r

c o n n e c t o r s

3 4 ,

i n a c c o r d a n c e W i t h t h e p r e s e n t

i n v e n t i o n , a r e

shoWn i n

FIGS.

1 a n d 1 A .

W i t h r e s p e c t t o F I G S . 1 A ,

1 B ,

1 5 , a n d 1 9 , c h i n p r o t e c t o r

c o n n e c t o r

34

i n c l u d e s

a t l e a s t tWo

n o t c h e s 1 0 7 ,

1 0 8

( F I G .

1 9 ) f o r m e d i n t h e l o W e r

e d g e

s u r f a c e 4 2 o f s h e l l 3 1 ,

W i t h

a t

l e a s t

o n e n o t c h b e i n g

d i s p o s e d

o n

e a c h

s i d e

4 3 ,

44

o f t h e

s h e l l

3 1 .

A s

shoWn

i n FIGS. 1 A . and 1 B , a t l e a s t one

o f

t h e

? e x i b l e members 1 0 3 , 104 on e a c h

s i d e

o f

t h e

c h i n

p r o t e c t o r

100 p a s s e s

t h r o u g h a t l e a s t one

107 o f t h e

n o t c h e s

1 0 7 , 108

on

e a c h s i d e 4 3 ,

44

o f t h e s h e l l 3 1 . P r e f e r a b l y ,

o n l y

o n e

n o t c h i s

formed

i n t h e

s h e l l 31

on e a c h

s i d e 4 3 , 44 o f t h e

s h e l l ;

h o W e v e r , i f d e s i r e d ,

c o n d i t i o n a l

n o t c h e s

c o u l d

b e

formed

on

h e

s i d e s

o f t h e s h e l l . P r e f e r a b l y , n o t c h e s 1 0 7 , 108

a r e g e n e r a l l y V - s h a p e d n o t c h e s ; h o W e v e r ,

o t h e r

s h a p e s

o f

n o t c h e s ,

i f d e s i r e d ,

c o u l d b e u t i l i Z e d . A s shoWn

i n

F I G S .

1 A

a n d

1 B , ? e x i b l e member,

o r

? e x i b l e

s t r a p member 104

p a s s e s t h r o u g h n o t c h 1 0 7 . A s i s knoWn i n t h e a r t , c h i n

p r o t e c t o r 1 0 0 h a s u p p e r a n d l o W e r

? e x i b l e

members

1 0 3 ,

1 0 4 , on e a c h s i d e , a n d t h e u p p e r ? e x i b l e

members, o r

? e x i b l e

s t r a p members

103

a r e

r e l e a s e a b l y

s e c u r e d

t o

t h e

s h e l l

31

a s

by

a

c o n v e n t i o n a l s n a p

c o n n e c t o r ,

t h e

male

p o r t i o n o f

t h e

s n a p 1 0 9 ( F I G S . 1 5 a n d 1 9 ) , c o o p e r a t i n g W i t h

a female snap c o n n e c t o r 110

c a r r i e d b y

a b r a c k e t 111

m o u n t e d o n u p p e r s t r a p

1 0 3

( F I G . 1 A ) .

Helmets 30

a r e

each p r o v i d e d W i t h a

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