CHINBAR ATTACHMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS

Abstract

A helmet assembly may include a helmet and an integrated chinbar. The chinbar may include an attachment portion and the helmet may include a docking frame. Coupling together of the attachment portion to the docking frame may couple the chinbar to the helmet. The attachment portion may then be secured to docking frame to secure the chinbar to the helmet. In certain embodiments, the attachment portion may be coupled to the docking frame of an interior side of the liner. Thus, the attachment portion may accordingly be disposed on the side of the liner closer to a wearer's face.

Claims

1-10. (canceled)

11. A helmet assembly comprising: a chinbar comprising an attachment portion; and a helmet, the helmet comprising: an outer shell; a liner coupled to an interior of the outer shell, wherein the liner has a first side and a second side opposite the first side; and a docking frame disposed on the first side of the liner and configured to receive the attachment portion of the chinbar to couple the chinbar to the helmet.

12. The helmet assembly of claim 11, wherein the first side of the liner faces the outer shell, such that the docking frame is adjacent the outer shell.

13. The helmet assembly of claim 11, wherein the attachment portion comprises a finger configured to be coupled to the docking frame.

14. The helmet assembly of claim 3, wherein the docking frame comprises a channel configured to receive the finger to couple the chinbar to the docking frame.

15. The helmet assembly of claim 11, wherein the attachment portion of the chinbar comprises a post and the docking frame comprises an aperture configured to receive the post to couple the chinbar to the helmet.

16. The helmet assembly of claim 11, wherein the docking frame comprises a single injection-molded part.

17. The helmet assembly of claim 11, wherein the chinbar is coupled to the helmet, and the helmet assembly further comprises a rivet securing the attachment portion of the chinbar to the docking frame.

18. The helmet assembly of claim 11, further comprising padding disposed over at least a portion of the chinbar.

19. The helmet assembly of claim 11, wherein the docking frame comprises a flexible material.

20. The helmet assembly of claim 11, wherein the attachment portion is disposed on the first side of the liner when the attachment portion is coupled to the docking frame.

21. The helmet assembly of claim 11, wherein the docking frame comprises a material having a hardness greater than the liner.

22. The helmet assembly of claim 11, wherein a portion of the docking frame remains exposed to an exterior environment when the chinbar is attached to the helmet.

23. A helmet assembly comprising: a helmet having an outer shell and a liner coupled to an interior of the outer shell, wherein the liner has a first side and a second side opposite the first side; a chinbar coupled to the helmet; wherein the helmet includes a docking frame disposed on the first side of the liner, and an attachment portion of the chinbar is received by the docking frame.

24. The helmet assembly of claim 23, wherein the first side of the liner faces the outer shell, such that the docking frame is adjacent the outer shell.

25. The helmet assembly of claim 23, wherein the attachment portion of the chinbar comprises a first finger coupled to the docking frame on a first lateral side of the helmet and a second finger coupled to the docking frame on a second lateral side of the helmet.

26. The helmet assembly of claim 25, wherein the first and second fingers of the attachment portion are disposed in respective channels of the docking frame.

27. The helmet assembly of claim 23, the attachment portion of the chinbar comprising a plurality of posts mated with respective apertures of the docking frame.

28. The helmet assembly of claim 23, wherein the attachment portion of the chinbar is disposed on the first side of the liner.

29. The helmet assembly of claim 23, wherein the docking frame comprises a material having a hardness greater than the liner.

30. The helmet assembly of claim 23, further comprising a rivet securing the attachment portion of the chinbar to the docking frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1A shows a side view of a helmet assembly, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0021] FIG. 1B shows a front view of a helmet assembly, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0022] FIG. 1C shows a perspective side view of the helmet assembly of FIGS. 1A and 1B, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 1D shows another perspective side view of the helmet assembly of FIGS. 1A and 1B, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the helmet assembly of FIGS. 1A and 1B along section A-A, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows another perspective cross-sectional view of the helmet assembly of FIGS. 1A and 1B along section A-A, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a further perspective cross-sectional view of the helmet assembly of FIGS. 1A and 1B along section A-A, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0027] FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a chinbar and docking cage, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0028] FIG. 5B shows a view of a helmet, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0029] FIG. 5C shows a perspective view of the helmet assembly of FIG. 1A with the chinbar decoupled, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0030] FIG. 5D shows a top view of the helmet assembly of FIGS. 1A and 1B, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0031] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart detailing a process for attaching a chinbar to a helmet, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0032] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart detailing a process for manufacturing of the helmet assembly of FIGS. 1A and 1B, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0033] FIGS. 8-9 show perspective cross-sectional views of helmet assemblies along section A-A, in accordance with certain embodiments.

[0034] Embodiments of the invention and their advantages are best understood by referring to the detailed description that follows. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Helmet assemblies that include an integrated chinbar, as well as components of the helmet assembly, are described herein. “Helmet assembly” may refer to a helmet and a chinbar, either separately or in combination. The systems and techniques described herein may allow for easy assembly of the chinbar to the helmet during manufacture and improve the manufacturing process for helmets with integrated chinbars.

[0036] The helmet assemblies described herein may include a helmet and a chinbar. The chinbar may include an attachment portion for coupling the chinbar to the helmet. The helmet may include an outer shell, a liner, and a docking frame. The liner may be coupled to the outer shell on a first side and configured to receive a wearer's head on a second side. The docking frame may be coupled to the liner and configured to receive the attachment portion of the chinbar to couple the helmet to the chinbar. Various structures and techniques described herein may couple the chinbar to the helmet.

[0037] FIG. 1A shows a side view of a helmet assembly, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 1A illustrates a helmet assembly 100. Helmet assembly 100 may include a helmet 102 and a chinbar 104. When chinbar 104 is coupled to helmet 102, chinbar 104 may cover a lower part of a wearer's face (e.g., the wearer's mouth, chin, jaw, nose, or a portion thereof of one or more of the mouth, chin, jaw, and nose).

[0038] FIG. 1B shows a front view of a helmet assembly, in accordance with an embodiment. Similar to FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B shows helmet assembly 100 including helmet 102 and chinbar 104. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, chinbar 104 is coupled to helmet 102. Additionally, FIGS. 1A and 1B show reference directions. Directions 210 and 212 are right and left directions, respectively (right and left sides from the perspective of a wearer of helmet assembly 100). Directions 214 and 216 are top and bottom directions, respectively. Directions 218 and 220 are forward and rearward directions, respectively. FIG. 1B also shows a cutting plane for section A-A. FIGS. 2-4 illustrate various features of helmet assembly 100 through cross-sectional views along section A-A.

[0039] FIG. 10 shows a perspective side view of the helmet assembly of FIGS. 1A and 1B, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 1D shows another perspective side view of the helmet assembly of FIGS. 1A and 1B, in accordance with an embodiment. FIGS. 10 and 1D show helmet assembly 100 that includes helmet 102 and chinbar 104. Helmet 102 includes outer shell 108, liner 110, and docking cage 112. Chinbar 104 may include outer portion 142 and an attachment portion that includes fingers 140. Chinbar 104 may be coupled to docking cage 112 via rivet 160. A portion of docking cage 112 may be disposed on an exterior side of helmet 102 and/or outer shell 108. Furthermore, another portion of docking cage 112 may be disposed on an interior side of helmet 102 and/or outer shell 108. Chinbar 104 may be coupled to docking cage 112 through one or more of the features described herein.

[0040] FIG. 2 shows a perspective cross-sectional view of the helmet assembly of FIGS. 1A and 1B along section A-A, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of helmet assembly 100 that includes helmet 102 and chinbar 104.

[0041] As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, helmet 102 includes outer shell 108, liner 110, and docking cage 112. Outer shell 108 may be disposed on a first side 200 of liner 110 away from the side of liner 110 that receives a wearer's head. A second side 202 of liner 110 is configured to receive the wearer's head when helmet 102 is worn by the wearer. The second side 202 may be opposite that of the first side 200.

[0042] Docking cage 112 may be made from a material different from the material of liner 110. Thus, liner 110 may be made from a softer material configured primarily to absorb forces while docking cage 112 may be made from a material suitable for coupling to chinbar 104. In certain embodiments, the material of docking cage 112 may also be configured to absorb forces and provide cushion to the user. Docking cage 112 may be formed separately from liner 110 and assembled to liner 110, or may be formed together (e.g., co-molded) with liner 110.

[0043] Docking cage 112 may be coupled to liner 110. Docking cage 112 may be cage shaped and, in certain embodiments, all or at least a portion of docking cage 112 may be disposed on the second side 202 of liner 110 (e.g., posts 116A and 116B may be disposed on the second side 202 of liner 110 and in certain such embodiments, other portions of docking cage 112 may be disposed within liner 110 or on the first side 200 between liner 110 and outer shell 108). Additionally, in certain embodiments, docking cage 112 may be coupled (e.g., attached via mechanical fasteners such as snaps, rivets, bolts, posts, and/or interference fits or with adhesives or other techniques) to liner 110, such as on the second side 202 of liner 110. Additionally or alternatively, docking cage 112 may be coupled to outer shell 108 and/or another portion of helmet 102. Accordingly, in certain embodiments, all or portions of docking cage 112 may be disposed on the first side 200 of liner 110, second side 202 of liner 110, or within liner 110. Such embodiments may position portions of chinbar 104 (e.g., portions of chinbar 104 configured to couple to docking cage 112) on the first side 200 and/or second side 202 of liner 110 when chinbar 104 is coupled to docking cage 112.

[0044] Certain features of docking cage 112 (e.g., posts) may protrude through liner 110 to interact with chinbar 104. Such posts may interact with chinbar 104 to, for example, control the spatial relationship (e.g., distance between) of docking cage 112 to chinbar 104 and/or hold chinbar 104 relative to docking cage 112 and also, in certain embodiments, control spatial relationship of docking cage 112 relative to liner 110 and/or hold liner 110 to docking cage 112. Thus, the spatial relationship of chinbar 104 to liner 110 may be better controlled, improving helmet fit and increasing wearer comfort.

[0045] Disposing at least a portion of docking cage 112 on the second side 202 may allow for an attachment portion of chinbar 104, configured to couple to docking cage 112, to be also disposed on the second side 202 of liner 110 and thus within the interior of liner 110. Disposing the attachment portion of chinbar 104 on the second side 202 may allow for easier connection and disconnection of chinbar 104 to and from helmet 102.

[0046] Docking cage 112 may include docking frame 114, posts 116A and 116B, rivet holes 118A and 118B, docking frame datum 120, and posts 122A-D. All or some of docking cage 112 may be molded (e.g., injection molded separately or with liner 110) or formed through another such technique (cast, machined, etc.). All or some of docking cage 112 may be formed from a flexible material that may be configured to deflect when subjected to force typical of that of an impact experienced by helmet assembly 100 or configured to deflect in response to deflection of liner 110. As some or all of docking cage 112 may be disposed on the second side 202 of liner 110, a flexible docking cage 112 may increase wearer comfort or allow for greater protection for the wearer.

[0047] Docking frame 114 may be cage shaped or shaped in another manner and configured to substantially conform to a portion of the second side of liner 110. Docking frame 114 may be a thin thickness to allow for a less bulky helmet and/or a thicker liner 110 to improve user protection. Docking frame 114 may be formed separate from other features of docking cage 112 (and such features may be added after forming of docking frame 114) or may be formed in the same process as that of other features of docking cage 112 (e.g., all features of docking cage 112 may be formed as one injection molded part).

[0048] Posts 116A, 116B, and/or 112A-D may be configured to receive corresponding openings of chinbar 104 to position chinbar 104 relative to docking cage 112. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, posts 116A and 116B may position chinbar 104 substantially along one direction (e.g., substantially along directions 218/220 and/or directions 214/216) while posts 122A-D may position chinbar 104 substantially along another direction (e.g., substantially along directions 210/212).

[0049] Furthermore, docking frame datum 120 may also position chinbar 104 substantially along a direction (e.g., substantially along directions 218/220) to further position chinbar 104 relative to docking cage 112. Chinbar 104 may be positioned on side 204 of docking frame datum 120 by, for example, resting chinbar 104 against side 204 of docking frame datum 120. All or the majority of a wearer's head may be positioned on side 206 of docking frame datum 120 when helmet 102 is worn by the wearer.

[0050] Rivet holes 118A and 118B are configured to receive a rivet. Rivets may pass through corresponding openings in chinbar 104 and, thus, couple chinbar 104 to docking cage 112. Such rivets may include permanent or removable plastic and/or metal rivets and/or other fasteners such as posts, snaps, threaded fasteners, Velcro, adhesives, press fits, and/or other techniques to couple chinbar 104 to docking cage 112.

[0051] FIG. 3 shows another perspective cross-sectional view of the helmet assembly of FIGS. 1A and 1B along section A-A, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 3 may illustrate features of liner 110 of helmet 102. Liner 110 may include channels 130. Channels 130 may be configured to receive a portion of chinbar 104.

[0052] Channels 130 may be configured to further position chinbar 104 relative to helmet 102. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, chinbar 104 may include fingers 140 configured to extend into channels 130. Additionally, at least a portion of docking cage 112 may also be disposed within channels 130. Thus, for example, posts 116A and 116B may be disposed within channels 130. Disposing posts 116A and 116B (and/or other parts of docking cage 112 and/or chinbar 104 such as rivets) within channels 130 may increase wearer comfort as the raised posts and/or other components may be positioned within channels 130 to not contact the wearer when helmet 102 is worn by the wearer.

[0053] FIG. 4 shows a further perspective cross-sectional view of the helmet assembly of FIGS. 1A and 1B along section A-A, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 4 may better illustrate features of chinbar 104. Chinbar 104 may include outer portion 142 and an attachment portion that includes fingers 140 and chinbar datum 148.

[0054] Outer portion 142 may be a portion of chinbar 104 substantially forward of datum 148 (e.g., may extend forward substantially in direction 218). Outer portion 142 may, when chinbar 104 is coupled to helmet 102, provide protection to a lower portion of a wearer's face (e.g., the wearer's mouth, chin, jaw, nose, or a portion thereof of one or more of the mouth, chin, jaw, and nose). In certain embodiments, in contrast to the attachment portion, outer portion 142 may not be disposed within helmet 102 when chinbar 104 is coupled to helmet 102.

[0055] When chinbar 104 is coupled to helmet 102, the attachment portion may be disposed within helmet 102. As such, when attachment portion is coupled to helmet 102, as shown in FIG. 4, the attachment portion may be disposed, fully or partially, on second side 202 of the liner 110.

[0056] The attachment portion may include fingers 140 and may position chinbar 104 relative to docking cage 112 as well as couple to docking cage 112. Fingers 140 may be configured to couple to docking cage 112. For example, one or more fingers 140 may be configured to be inserted into one or more channels 130. As such, fingers 140 may be shaped to be inserted into channels 130 (e.g., may be a shape that substantially conforms or may be received within channel 130). In certain embodiments, fingers 140 may be shaped to contact or more or walls of channels 130 to further position chinbar 104 relative to helmet 102. Furthermore, fingers 140 and/or channels 130 may be shaped to guide insertion of fingers 140 into channels 130 along a certain path. While embodiments described herein include fingers 140 as part of the attachment portion of chinbar 104, other embodiments may not include fingers and may, for example, include a continuous flange of material extending from chinbar 104 as the attachment portion.

[0057] Referring back to fingers 140, fingers 140 may include openings 144A and 144B and rivet holes 146. When chinbar 104 is coupled to docking cage 112, rivet holes 146 may be positioned proximate to rivet holes 118A and 1186. A rivet and/or other fastener may be inserted through rivet holes 118A and 1186 and the respective rivet holes 146 to hold chinbar 104 to docking cage 112. In certain embodiments, a wearer may thus position chinbar 104 proximate to docking cage 112 and may then insert rivets and/or other fasteners through rivet holes 118A and 1186 and the respective rivet holes 146 to couple chinbar 104 to docking cage 112.

[0058] In certain other embodiments, the fastener may be disposed or coupled to one or the other of docking cage 112 or the attachment portion. Thus, docking cage 112 or the attachment portion may, for example, include one or more snap features that can be inserted through a corresponding opening on the other of docking cage 112 or the attachment portion to couple chinbar 104 to docking cage 112.

[0059] Openings 144A and 144B may be configured to receive posts 116A and 1166 (e.g., posts 116A and 116B may be inserted into openings 144A and 144B, respectively) of docking cage 112 to hold chinbar 104 relative to docking cage 112. Furthermore, chinbar datum 148 may include openings 150A-D. Openings 150A-D may be configured to receive posts 122A-D, respectively (e.g., posts 122A-D may be inserted into openings 150A-D). Chinbar datum 148 may be configured to abut side 204 of docking frame datum 120. When chinbar datum 148 abuts side 204 docking frame datum 120, posts 122A-D are inserted into openings 150A-D, and posts 116A and 116B are inserted into openings 144A and 144B. Chinbar 104 may then accordingly be positioned relative to docking cage 112 so that rivets may be inserted through rivet holes 118A and 118B and respective rivet holes 146 to secure chinbar 104 to docking cage 112.

[0060] In other embodiments, chinbar 104 may include any number of openings, posts, datums, and/or other features to position chinbar 104 to docking cage 112. In the embodiment shown, fingers 140 may first be inserted into channels 130 to broadly position chinbar 104 to docking cage 112 while the openings, posts, and datums may then more precisely position chinbar 104 relative to docking cage 112.

[0061] FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a chinbar and docking cage, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 5A shows chinbar 104 coupled to docking cage 112. As shown in FIG. 5A, posts 116A and 116B of docking cage 112 are inserted into openings 144A and 144B and posts 122A-D are inserted into openings 150A-D (not shown in FIG. 5A for the sake of clarity, but shown in FIG. 4). Datum 148 of chinbar 104 may contact datum 120 of docking cage 112. Insertion of posts into corresponding openings, as well as positioning of datums relative to one another allows for positioning of chinbar 104 to docking cage 112. Chinbar 104 may then be coupled to docking cage 112 via rivets 160.

[0062] FIG. 5B shows a view of a helmet, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 5B further illustrates posts 116A and 116B, openings 162A-D, and datums 120 of docking cage 112. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5B, docking cage 112 may include openings 162A-D instead of posts 122A-D. Thus, the chinbar configured to couple to docking cage 112 may instead include posts for insertion into openings 162A-D. Outer shell 108 may also include openings that correspond to openings 162A-D so that a post of the chinbar can extend into an opening of the docking cage and then further into an opening of the outer cage. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, portions of docking cage 112, such as posts 116A and 116B, may be disposed within channels 130. Portions of the chinbar may also be disposed within channels 130.

[0063] While portions of docking cage 112 may be disposed within channels 130 interior of outer shell 108, other portions of docking cage 112 may be disposed exterior to docking cage 112. Such a configuration allows for docking cage 112 to be more securely and accurately positioned relative to outer shell 108. A docking cage 112 separate from outer shell 108 may allow for better positioning of chinbar 104 and better distribution of forces (e.g., impact forces) experienced by chinbar 104. Furthermore, docking cage 112 can allow for tighter tolerances for features that interact with chinbar 104, improving fit of finish of the helmet assembly. In certain embodiments, chinbar 104 may couple to both docking cage 112 and outer shell 108. Such a configuration may allow for more secure mounting of chinbar 104 to outer shell and better positioning of chinbar 104 and/or docking cage 112 relative to outer shell 108.

[0064] FIG. 5C shows a perspective view of the helmet assembly of FIG. 1A with the chinbar decoupled, in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5C, chinbar 104 may be in the process of assembling with helmet 102. Fingers 140 of chinbar 104 may thus be disposed within channels 130. Channels 130 may thus aid in positioning of chinbar 104 relative to docking cage 112, outer shell 108, and/or helmet 102. Thus, certain features of one component (e.g., liner 110) of the helmet assembly may aid in positioning another component (e.g., chinbar 104) relative to a further component (e.g., docking cage 112) and, accordingly, increase fit and finish, increase ease of assembly, or decrease parts count.

[0065] FIG. 5D shows a top cross-sectional view of the helmet assembly of FIGS. 1A and 1B along section A-A, in accordance with an embodiment. FIG. 5D may show chinbar 104 disposed relative to liner 110 and docking cage 112 (not clearly shown) so that chinbar 104 may be coupled to docking cage 112. Chinbar 104 may further include flange 164 configured to be disposed on the first side 200 of liner 110, in contrast to the majority of chinbar 104 which may be disposed on the second side 202 of liner 110, when chinbar 104 is coupled to docking cage 112. Flange 164 may aid in positioning of chinbar 104 relative to docking cage 112 and/or liner 110.

[0066] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart detailing a process for attaching a chinbar to a helmet, in accordance with an embodiment. Prior to block 602, the chinbar and the helmet may be separate (e.g., not coupled or attached). In block 602, the chinbar may be disposed proximate to the helmet. That is, the attachment portion may be inserted within the helmet. In block 602, one or more fingers may be inserted into one or more channels. The channels may guide further insertion of the fingers and thus may help position the chinbar relative to the helmet.

[0067] In block 604, the attachment portion may be coupled to the docking frame. The attachment portion and the docking frame may include formed shapes and corresponding openings, respectively (e.g., posts and corresponding holes as well as forms of other geometric shapes such as depressions and forms configured to interface with the depressions that are configured to position the chinbar relative to the helmet), datums, attachment mechanisms (e.g., snaps or clips or other features that may, when the chinbar is positioned proximate to the helmet, pull the chinbar towards the helmet), and/or other features that may couple to each other.

[0068] Once the attachment portion is coupled to the docking frame, the chinbar may be secured to the helmet in block 606. Thus, one or more of mechanical fasteners (e.g., through rivets, bolts, Velcro, or other mechanical fasteners), adhesives, friction fits, or other techniques may couple the chinbar to the helmet. Accordingly, the chinbar may then be coupled to the helmet.

[0069] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart detailing a process for manufacturing of the helmet assembly of FIGS. 1A and 1B, in accordance with an embodiment. In block 702, various components of the helmet assembly (e.g., outer shell, liner, docking frame, chinbar, and/or other components) may be formed through one or more manufacturing techniques such as molding (e.g., injection molding), machining, casting, lay-up, or other manufacturing techniques.

[0070] In block 704, the various components may be assembled into the helmet and the chinbar. As such, for example, the outer shell, liner, and docking frame, as well as possibly other components, may be assembled together to form the helmet. Components of the chinbar may also be assembled together to form the complete chinbar.

[0071] In block 706, the chinbar may be coupled to the docking frame. Coupling of the chinbar to the docking frame in block 706 may be similar to that described in blocks 602 and 604 of FIG. 6. In block 708, the chinbar may then be secured to the helmet, through techniques similar to that described in block 606.

[0072] FIGS. 8-9 show perspective cross-sectional views of helmet assemblies along section A-A, in accordance with certain embodiments. In FIGS. 8-9, helmet assembly 100 includes chinbar 104 and liner 110. In certain embodiments, chinbar 104 may be coupled to docking frame 114 (not shown in FIGS. 8 and 9) via, for example, fasteners disposed through openings 144 of fingers 140 and/or fasteners disposed through rivet hole 146. Further, chinbar datum 148 of chinbar 104 may abut side 204 of docking frame datum 120 of docking frame 114 (not shown).

[0073] In FIG. 8, padding 170 may be coupled to chinbar 104. In certain embodiments, padding 170 may be, for example, molded to chinbar 104 or may be separate padding coupled to chinbar 104. In certain such embodiments, the chinbar 104 may be coupled to the docking frame 114 and the padding 170 may then be molded over the chinbar 104. In other embodiments, the chinbar 104 may be coupled to the docking frame 114 and the padding 170 then accordingly disposed over the chinbar 104. In certain embodiments, the padding 170 may be removable to allow access to fasteners coupling the chinbar 104 to the docking frame 114, but other embodiments may permanently or semi-permanently couple the padding 170 to the chinbar 104.

[0074] While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.