UNIVERSAL HELMET PUMPER SKIRT

Abstract

There is disclosed universal pumper skirt for use with a helmet. The universal pumper skirt is composed of a coif wrapping around a wearer's neck and connected to a helmet. The coif includes an air connection input port on the coif. A wearer can use an air flow unit to pump air through the input port, creating positive air pressure in the coif and helmet that cool the wearer and reduce the intrusion of dust into the helmet. The coif may be removably attached to a motorcycle or motorsport helmet, therefore, a wearer can remove the universal pumper skirt from a helmet or transfer it to a different helmet.

Claims

1. A pumper skirt for use with a helmet, comprising: a coif of a flexible material for encircling the neck of a wearer, the coif attached to the helmet; and an input port, integrated into the coif, for connecting the coif to an air flow unit.

2. The pumper skirt of claim 1 wherein the coif is removably attached to the helmet.

3. The pumper skirt of claim 2 wherein the coif is removably attached to the helmet using a selected one of, Velcro®, at least one zipper, buttons, snaps, clips, a compression clamp, or other integrated removable connection.

4. The pumper skirt of claim 1 wherein the input port is comprised of a material selected from the group plastic or metal.

5. The pumper skirt of claim 4 wherein the input port includes a circular, exterior input and a flattened interior flange, the flattened interior flange substantially coplanar with the interior of the coif.

6. The pumper skirt of claim 5 wherein the flattened interior flange is affixed to the coif by at least one of sewing, snaps, buttons, clips, Velcro® or at least one zipper.

7. The pumper skirt of claim 1 wherein the coif is manufactured of a selected one of semi-air-permeable material or a non-air-permeable material.

8. The pumper skirt of claim 1 wherein the input port is connected to the air flow unit.

9. The pumper skirt of claim 8 wherein the air flow unit includes an air conditioner system.

10. The pumper skirt of claim 8 wherein the air flow unit is connected to the input port by a hose and the hose is connected to the input port using a snap-and-lock style connector.

11. The pumper skirt of claim 8 wherein the air flow unit is connected to the input port by a hose and the hose is connected to the input port using a selected one of, air chuck, locking air chuck, o-ring tighten fitting, clamp, clip, push-to-connect, barb, or friction fitting.

12. A pumper skirt for use with a helmet, comprising: a replacement liner for a helmet, the replacement liner having a coif of a flexible material for encircling the neck of a wearer; and an input port, integrated into the coif, for connecting the coif to an air flow unit.

13. The pumper skirt of claim 12 wherein the replacement liner is removably attached to the helmet using a selected one of, Velcro®, at least one zipper, buttons, snaps, clips, a compression clamp, or other integrated removable connection.

14. The pumper skirt of claim 12 wherein the coif is manufactured of a selected one of semi-air-permeable material or a non-air-permeable material.

15. The pumper skirt of claim 12 wherein the input port is comprised of a material selected from the group of plastic or metal.

16. The pumper skirt of claim 12 wherein the input port is connected to the air flow unit by a hose; and wherein the hose is connected to the input port using a selected one of, snap-and-lock style connector, air chuck, locking air chuck, o-ring tighten fitting, clamp, clip, push-to-connect, barb, or friction fitting.

17. The pumper skirt of claim 16 wherein the air flow unit includes an air conditioner system.

18. A pumper skirt for use with a helmet, comprising: a cloth coif having at least two layers for encircling the neck of a wearer, the cloth coif removably attached to the helmet by at least one of sewing, snaps, buttons, clips, Velcro® or at least one zipper; and a plastic input port, integrated into the side of the coif, having a circular, exterior input and a flattened interior flange, the circular, exterior input adapted to receive a hose using one of, a snap-and-lock-style connector, air chuck, locking air chuck, o-ring tighten fitting, clamp, clip, push-to-connect, barb, or friction fitting, and the flattened interior flange substantially coplanar with the interior of the coif and sewn in between the at least two layers of cloth coif, for connecting the cloth coif to an air flow unit.

19. The pumper skirt of claim 18 wherein the pumper skirt is connected to an air flow unit.

20. The pumper skirt of claim 19 wherein the air flow unit includes an air conditioner system.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is a profile view of the invention attached to a full-face helmet.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a front view of the invention attached to a full-face helmet and air flow unit.

[0014] Throughout this description, elements appearing in figures are assigned three-digit reference designators, where the most significant digit is the figure number and the two least significant digits are specific to the element. An element that is not described in conjunction with a figure may be presumed to have the same characteristics and function as a previously-described element having a reference designator with the same least significant digits.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Description of Apparatus

[0016] In response to the costs, custom helmets with electronics, and other factors, the inventors have created a universal helmet pumper skirt for use with virtually any helmet. The universal skirt moves the air input port from the helmet to the skirt itself. This ensures that any helmet may be used with the skirt. Cloth skirts are substantially less-expensive to manufacture while including the input air input port and, in general, can be virtually universal in size. Helmets come in sizes and must be fit to a user. Although some skirts may be cloth, virtually any semi-air-permeable or non-air-permeable material may be used for the skirt.

[0017] The custom skirt can accept the air through an air input port in the skirt itself. The input port itself may preferably be mounted near the base of the helmet (top of the skirt) or near the middle. In this way, the air is provided to the helmet and skirt. The same positive air pressure is introduced to the full-face helmet at the neck, rather than the head itself. Dust is still pushed outward from the helmet, air-conditioning still cools the user's head. Most importantly, the skirt may be moved from helmet to helmet, and will be usable with any helmet virtually without modification.

[0018] In some cases, the skirt may incorporate a system for ensuring that it stays in place, relative to the helmets. For example, a Velcro® edging may be used along the base of the helmet to which a counter-part Velcro® is employed along the top of the skirt. In other cases, snaps, clips, zippers, elastic, zip-ties, or other systems may be used. The counterpart portion that affixes to the helmet may use adhesive (permanent or removable) to attach the counterpart (e.g. one side of the Velcro®) to the helmet. Or, helmets may be designed in such a way so as to accept a universal attachment system (e.g. with a lip, or built-in snaps or Velcro®). In other cases, the skirt may be integrated into a helmet replacement liner such that the skirt hangs down into position. The helmet replacement liner and skirt may be removed from a helmet and re-attached to a helmet in the same manner helmet replacement liners are.

[0019] With a universal skirt, riders may purchase new helmets, or have a broader selection of potential helmets, none of which includes an air input port, while still having the benefits of the pumper helmet's dust avoidance and air conditioning. Furthermore, drivers and riders may upgrade helmets at lower cost, and more often, if there is any desire to do so. Likewise, the universal pumper skirt remains easily removable, washable, and may be reaffixed to any helmet (or to another helmet) as desired by a driver or rider.

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 1, a profile view of the invention attached to a full-face helmet is shown. Although the helmet is shown, it is not part of the invention, and is illustrated only to aid understanding of the invention.

[0021] The relative position of various parts of the pumper skirt 100 will be described based upon this view. For example, terms such as top, bottom, left and right are used. Thus, some descriptive terms are used in relative terms and not absolute terms.

[0022] Within this description, the term “coif” means a covering that encircles the neck of a wearer. The term “input port” means a connection fitting suitable for connecting a hose 204 (see FIG. 2) to the coif such that air flowing through the hose 204 will be directed through the connection fitting and into the interior of the coif 101.

[0023] The coif 101 may be any length or tightness sufficient to direct air from the hose 204 into the interior of the coif 101. Although any material may be used, preferably the coif 101 is made of a flexible material. The coif 101 may be one tubular piece of material or it may be a flat piece of material that can be wrapped around the neck of a wearer and connected into a tube using fasteners, including, but not limited to, zippers, buttons, snaps, clips, or Velcro®.

[0024] In some cases, the coif 101 may be integrated with a helmet replacement liner commonly known in the art. When the helmet replacement liner is inserted into the helmet the integrated coif hangs down into position around the neck of the wearer.

[0025] Preferably, the coif is made of a cloth or cloth-integral material, but other materials may be used.

[0026] The input port 102 may be any connection fitting that connects to a hose 204 and allows air from that hose 204 to flow into the interior of the coif 101. The air flow creates positive air pressure in the coif 101 that flows up into the helmet, cooling the wearer and reducing the intrusion of dust into the helmet. Preferably, the input port 102 connects to the hose 204 using a standard size hose fitting associated with air flow units—like the MAC Air unit sold by Rugged Radios. However, any of the standard air hose connections may be used instead.

[0027] The input port 102 may be made of the same material as the coif (e.g. a molded or sewn portion of the cloth or cloth-integral material). Alternatively, the input port may be formed from a solid material such as injection molded plastic, steel, aluminum or other metal such that a counterpart hose fitting may “snap,” “twist,” “screw,” snap-in magnet, or otherwise lock into place relatively easily for riders wearing gloves and a full-face helmet who may be unable to engage in intricate or delicate joining maneuvers to link the air hose 204 to the input port 102.

[0028] The fitting on the exterior of the input port 102 may be designed to “break away” easily for the safety of the rider to thereby terminate the connection in the event that sufficient force is applied to the corresponding hose 204 while a rider is riding. In this way, the air hose cannot act to choke or to wrench a rider's head in the event of a crash or if the hose 204 snags on passing branches.

[0029] The input port 102 may be connected to the coif 101 at any location on the coif 101. Similarly, the input port 102 may be composed of virtually any material sufficient to direct air from the hose 204 into the interior of the coif 101. However, in a preferred embodiment the input port 102 is composed of a lightweight plastic or metal. Preferably, the input port 102 includes a circular, exterior input and a flattened interior flange, the flattened interior flange substantially coplanar with the interior of the coif 101. The input port 102 may be attached to the coif 101 in any method that creates a seal between the coif 101 and input port 102 sufficient to direct air from the hose 204 into the interior of the coif 101. But, the seal need not be particularly airtight as air movement is the intent of the coif 101. However, preferably, the input port 102 is attached to the coif 101 in a manner commonly used in the art, including, but not limited to, sewing, snaps, buttons, clips, Velcro® or at least one zipper.

[0030] The join 103 allow the coif 101 to be removed and reattached to the same or a different helmet. Although illustrated as Velcro® in FIG. 1, the illustration is an example only, and the invention is not so limited. The join 103 are preferably composed of one of Velcro®, at least one zipper, buttons, snaps, clips, or a compression clamp, but may be any integrated removable connection. Join 103 is preferably located near the top of the coif 101 in order to minimize the coif material that is required to be folded down. However, the join 103 may be located anywhere on the coif 101 that allows the coif 101 to direct air flow from the input port 102 into the interior of the coif 101, and from there into the helmet. As described above, the join 103 may not exist at all in cases where the coif 101 is integrated into a helmet liner. The join 103 may be exterior to the helmet (e.g. attaching the plastic or other exterior of helmet itself) or may join to interior liners of the helmet.

[0031] Referring now to FIG. 2, additional elements 204 and 205 are illustrated. The hose 204 connects the input port 202 with the air flow unit 205.

[0032] The hose 204 may be any flexible hollow connection capable of directing air flow from the air flow unit 205 to the input port 202. The air flow unit 205 may be any unit capable of producing positive air flow. The air flow unit 205 may be carried by the wearer, attached to the wearer on a belt, harness, or another device, mounted on the wearer or on a wearer's motorized vehicle. The air flow unit 205 may also include air conditioning capabilities.

[0033] The hose 204 may be abs plastic circular links joined together to form a semi-flexible hose, soft-sided rubber, any of the standard air hose materials, or any other material that forms a semi-flexible hose.

[0034] Closing Comments

[0035] Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus and procedures disclosed or claimed. Although many of the examples presented herein involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should be understood that those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways to accomplish the same objectives. With regard to flowcharts, additional and fewer steps may be taken, and the steps as shown may be combined or further refined to achieve the methods described herein. Acts, elements and features discussed only in connection with one embodiment are not intended to be excluded from a similar role in other embodiments.

[0036] As used herein, “plurality” means two or more. As used herein, a “set” of items may include one or more of such items. As used herein, whether in the written description or the claims, the terms “comprising”, “including”, “carrying”, “having”, “containing”, “involving”, and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of”, respectively, are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases with respect to claims. Use of ordinal terms such as “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish the claim elements. As used herein, “and/or” means that the listed items are alternatives, but the alternatives also include any combination of the listed items.