US20140259254A1

US20140259254A1 - Rotatable and Removable Visor for Use with Helmets

Info

Publication number: US20140259254A1
Application number: US14/204,179
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert William King
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-15
Filing date: 2014-03-11
Publication date: 2014-09-18

Abstract

A visor for use in combination with a helmet comprising a shield and locking elements, such as snaps. The shield and locking elements are secured to an elongated rod or bar. The locking elements secure the visor to a helmet such that the visor can prevent sunlight from entering the helmet wearer's field of vision when the visor shield is in the down position. The shield can be easily lifted by the user to pivot the shield into a raised position that brings the shield out of the helmet wearer's field of vision.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/851,881 filed on Mar. 15, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a visor for use with motorcycle, bicycle or general purpose helmets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Visors are frequently used with helmets, such as motorcycle, bicycle or general purpose helmets, to protect the helmet wearer's field of vision from sun light. However, these visors, including those shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, are often fixed into place, which means the visors become an impediment to the wearer's vision. In the example in FIG. 1A, the visor is secured to the helmet and cannot be raised or lowered. The example visor shown in FIG. 1B is also secured to the helmet, covering much of the wearer's face without being movable by the wearer. Such visors are also not easy to adjust while wearing and cannot be removed from the wearer's field of vision. As a result, these visors are likely to be unsuitable when the sun is at a low, oncoming angle such as during early morning or late afternoon. An improved visor is needed to solve these issues in the current visor technology.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new, improved visor for use with motorcycle helmets, bicycle helmets or other types of helmets. The opaque or shaded visor is configured to be flexible and removable, and is configured to be rotated up or down to be in or out of the field of vision of the helmet wearer. The visor is also configured for lateral movement in order to block sunlight coming towards the helmet wearer from a particular angle.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the visor comprises a shield with a plurality of openings, a plurality of locking elements, such as snaps, each locking element with a plurality of openings, and a bar or rod inserted through the openings in the shield and the openings in the locking elements to secure the bar to each of the shield and the locking elements. The visor is secured to a helmet by the locking elements, which may correspond to a set of locking elements present on the helmet. The shield and locking elements may be further secured to the bar by adding end caps to each end of the bar that have a circumference greater than the openings of the shield or locking elements, or by modifying the curvature of the bar at the ends of the bar, such that the shield and locking elements cannot be easily slid off of the bar without bending the bar into a consistent curvature.
In this embodiment, the visor shield is configured to be pivoted or flipped into and out of a lowered and raised position, depending on whether the helmet wearer requires the visor to block sunlight from the wearer's field of vision. The shield can also be shifted along the bar laterally to block sunlight coming from a particular direction.
According to a first embodiment of the invention, there is a visor comprising a bar, at least one locking member having an attachment portion with an opening formed therein configured to receive the bar and a locking element configured to be secured to a corresponding locking element on a motorcycle helmet, and a shield having corresponding attachment portions with corresponding openings formed therein also configured to receive the bar, so that the shield pivots about the axis of the bar for flipping or rotating up and down by a motorcyclist in order to protect a motorcyclist's eyes from the sun, and also so the shield slides laterally along the axis of the bar for adjusting from side-to-side by the motorcyclist depending on the relationship between the direction the motorcyclist is traveling and the angle of the sun.
The at least one locking member according to the first embodiment of the invention comprises three locking members, each having a respective attachment portion with a respective opening formed therein configured to receive the bar. Each locking member has a respective locking element configured to be secured to a respective locking element on a motorcycle helmet. The at least one locking member according to the first embodiment of the invention may comprise a female locking member configured to be secured to a respective male locking element on the motorcycle helmet. Alternatively, the at least one locking member may comprise a male locking member configured to be secured to a respective female locking element on the motorcycle helmet.
The shield according to the first embodiment of the invention has two corresponding attachment portions, each corresponding attachment portion having a respective corresponding opening formed therein configured to receive the bar, so that the shield can pivot about the axis of the bar for flipping or rotating the shield up and down in order to protect a motorcyclist's eyes from the sun, and also so the shield can slide laterally along the axis of the bar for adjusting the shield from side-to-side depending on the relationship between the direction the motorcyclist is traveling and the angle of the sun. The opening in the attachment portion of the shield may contain within the opening a bushing to facilitate sliding of the shield along the bar.
The shield according to the first embodiment of the invention is configured from an opaque or see-through sunglass-like material so that the shield forms a sunglass to protect a motorcyclist's eyes from the sun.
The bar according to the first embodiment of the invention is configured to flex so that the visor can be adapted and affixed to the motorcycle helmet. The bar is configured to have a curvature that corresponds to a curvature of the motorcycle helmet so the visor can be adapted and affixed to the motorcycle helmet. The bar comprises ends, each end configured with a respective bend to prevent the at least one locking member and the shield from sliding off the bar.
The visor according to the first embodiment of the invention comprises end caps configured to be received on and glued or frictionally engage ends of the bar to prevent the at least one locking member and the shield from sliding off the bar.
According to a second embodiment of the invention, there is a visor kit having components for assembling together so as to form a helmet visor, comprising: a bar, at least one locking member having an attachment portion with an opening formed therein configured so as to receive the bar, and also having a locking element configured so as to be secured to a corresponding locking element on a helmet, and a shield having a corresponding attachment portion with a corresponding opening formed therein also configured so as to receive the bar, so the shield pivots about the axis of the bar for flipping or rotating up and down by a user in order to protect the user's eyes from the sun, and also so the shield slides laterally along the axis of the bar for adjusting from side-to-side by the user depending on the relationship between the direction the user is traveling and the angle of the sun. The bar, the at least one locking member and the shield are easily assembled together so as to form a helmet visor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B show two visors according to the prior art.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the visor according to an embodiment of the present invention in the down position.

FIG. 3 shows an overhead view of the visor according to an embodiment of the present invention in the down position.

FIG. 4 shows a rear view of the visor according to an embodiment of the present invention in the down position.

FIG. 5 shows a front view of the visor according to an embodiment of the present invention in the raised position.

FIG. 6 shows an attachment portion of the shield of the visor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows a front view of the visor according to an embodiment of the present invention where the shield is placed in the down position and to the left of a user of the visor.

FIG. 8 shows a front view of the visor according to an embodiment of the present invention where the shield is placed in the down position and to the right of a user of the visor.

FIG. 9 shows a front view of the visor according to an alternative embodiment of present invention comprising an alternative arrangement of the shield relative to the snaps.

FIG. 10 shows a front view of the visor according to an embodiment of the present invention in the raised position and secured to a motorcycle helmet.

FIG. 11 shows a front view of the visor according to an embodiment of the present invention in the down position and secured to a motorcycle helmet, when the visor shield is placed to the left of a user of the visor.

FIG. 12 shows a front view of the visor according to an embodiment of the present invention in the down position and secured to a motorcycle helmet, when the visor shield is placed to the right of a user of the visor.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The visor 100 according to the present invention is configured for use with a helmet 200. In the particular embodiments referenced herein and seen in FIGS. 10-12, the helmet 200 is a motorcycle helmet or a bicycle helmet, however the visor 100 is not limited to use with such a helmet and can be used with any number of types of helmet.
As seen in FIGS. 2-9, the visor 100 comprises a snap bar 102, and placed along the snap bar 102 are a shield 104 and a plurality of snaps 106, 108, 110. In a preferred embodiment, the snap bar 102 has a curved shape, substantially corresponding to the curve in the circumference of the helmet 200. Each end of the snap bar 102 may be flattened and tapered or bent inward (towards the helmet 200) and each end may comprise a respective end cap 112 and 114. The bent ends of the snap bar 102 and the end caps 112 and 114 are both configured to prevent the shield 104 and the snaps 106, 108, 110 from being inadvertently slid off of the snap bar 102 by the user of the visor 100. The snap bar 102 can be made of a metal material, such as stainless steel, or any other appropriate material that is within the ordinary skill in the art.
In the embodiment shown in the Figures, the shield 104 is substantially rectangular in shape and is flexible so as to curve during assembly into the form required by the curve of the snap bar 102 and/or helmet 200. The shield 104 can be opaque or tinted in order to protect the wearer's eye line from sunlight, while allowing the wearer to see through the shield 104. Although the shield 104 can be configured with any particular set of dimensions, in the preferred embodiment shown in the Figures, the shield 104 has a height that is sufficient to protect the wearer's eyes from sunlight without requiring a full face mask and has a width that is sufficient to protect the wearer's eyes from sunlight coming from a particular direction, such as the left, right or center of the user, without requiring the shield 104 to span the entire length of the snap bar 102. For example, the dimensions of the shield 104 shown in the Figures are approximately 2.5 inches by 5.25 inches. The shield 104 may be made of any flexible and pliable material.
The shield 104 is configured with a plurality of openings 116, 122 which are substantially tubular and are configured to secure the openings 116, 122 on the snap rod 102. The snap rod 102 and shield 104 are dimensioned such that the snap rod 102 can be inserted through the openings 116, 122 found on attachment portions 120, 126, respectively, during the assembly of the visor 100, or by the user of the visor 100. In alternative embodiments, the shield 104 may be secured on the snap rod 102 by only one such opening, or by more than the openings 116, 122. Each of the openings 116, 122 may comprise a bushing 118, 124. As seen in FIG. 6, a bushing 124 is positioned inside and around the circumference of the opening 122 and surrounds the snap rod 102. The bushings 118, 124 further facilitate the sliding of the shield 104 along the snap bar 102.
The visor 100 comprises a plurality of snaps 106, 108, 110 configured to secure or lock the visor 100 to the helmet 200. In a preferred embodiment, the snaps 106, 108 110 are female snaps that are configured to mate with male snaps (not shown) that are present on the helmet 200. As a result of the snaps 106, 108, 110, the visor 100 can be removed from the helmet 200 when not in use or to be used with other helmets. In alternative embodiments, the visor 100 may use an alternative element or set of elements to lock the visor 100 in place on the helmet 200. Additionally, the visor 100 may comprise a variable number of such elements depending on the particular helmet. For example, if the helmet comprised only two male or female snaps for mating to the visor 100, the one of the snaps 106, 108, 110 can be removed from the visor 100 by either the user or during the manufacture of the visor 100 so that the visor 100 can be adaptable for use with different kinds of helmets.
Each of the snaps 106, 108, 110 comprises a snap body 128, 134, 140 comprising the snap or other attachment means, and an attachment portion 130, 136, 142 with an opening 132, 138, 144. The openings 132, 138, 144 are substantially tubular and are configured to secure the each of the snaps 106, 108, 110 on the snap rod 102. The snap rod 102 and openings 132, 138, 144 are dimensioned such that the snap rod 102 can be inserted through the openings 132, 138, 144 during the assembly of the visor 100. Each of the openings 132, 138, 144 may comprise a bushing (not shown), similar to bushings 118, 124 to further facilitate the sliding of the snaps 106, 108, 110 along the snap bar 102.
The visor 100 is configured such that when the snap bar 102 is secured to the helmet 200, it provides a static point around which the shield 104 can pivot. When the user of the visor 100 desires to have the shield 104 lowered to block sun light, the user can easily flip the shield 104 into the down position, shown for example in FIGS. 2, 9, 11 and 11. Conversely, if the user no longer requires the shield 104 to block sunlight, the user can flip the shield 104 into the up position as shown in FIGS. 5 and 10.
The visor 100 is further configured such that the shield 104 and snaps 106, 108, 110 can be moved along the snap bar 102 as necessary. For example, if the user of the visor 100 has the sun on one particular side of the user, the shield 104 can be slid to that side of the snap bar 102 to block the sunlight coming from that direction, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11 or FIGS. 8 and 12. Additionally, the relative locations of the snaps 106, 108, 110 can be adjusted along the snap bar 102 for use with different helmets having different dimensions of the corresponding locking mechanisms.
As shown in the Figures, the orientation of the snaps 106, 108, 110 relative to the shield 104 can also be adjustable depending on the relative height of the shield 104 desired by the user of the visor 100. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the bodies 128, 134, 140 of the snaps 106, 108, 110 are positioned above the snap bar 102, such that the snap bar 102 is substantially between the snap bodies 128, 134, 140 and the shield 104. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the bodies 128, 134, 140 of the snaps 106, 108, 110 are positioned below the snap bar 102, such that the snap bar 102 is substantially above the snap bodies 128, 134, 140 and the shield 104. By positioning the snap bar 102 beneath the snap bodies 128, 134, 140, the position of the shield 104 is lower relative to the helmet 200 than it is when the snap bar 102 is positioned above the snap bodies 128, 134, 140.
While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto. Furthermore, in the claims means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. Thus although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.

Claims

What is claimed:

1. A visor comprising:

a shield comprising a plurality of openings;

a plurality of locking elements, each locking element comprising a plurality of openings; and

a bar inserted through said plurality of openings in the shield and the plurality of openings in the plurality of locking elements to secure the bar to each of the shield and the plurality of locking elements.

2. The visor according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of locking elements are configured to secure the visor to a helmet.

3. The visor according to claim 2, wherein the shield is configured to pivot about the bar between a first, lowered configuration in the field of vision of a user of the helmet, and a second, raised configuration not in the field of vision of the user of the helmet.

4. The visor according to claim 2, wherein the shield is configured to be movable laterally along the bar.

5. The visor according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of locking elements are configured to be secured to a corresponding plurality of locking elements on the helmet.

6. The visor according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of locking elements of the visor comprise a plurality of female snaps and the plurality of locking elements on the helmet comprise a plurality of corresponding male snaps.

7. The visor according to claim 1 further comprising an end cap secured to each of two ends of the bar.

8. The visor according to claim 2, wherein the bar is configured to have a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the helmet.

9. The visor according to claim 8, wherein each of two ends are flattened or bent relative to the curvature to prevent the plurality of locking elements and the shield from sliding off of the bar.

10. A visor comprising:

a bar;

at least one locking member having an attachment portion with an opening formed therein configured to receive the bar, and also having a locking element configured to be secured to a corresponding locking element on a motorcycle helmet; and

a shield having corresponding attachment portions with corresponding openings formed therein also configured to receive the bar, so the shield pivots about the axis of the bar for flipping or rotating up and down by a motorcyclist in order to protect the motorcyclist's eyes from the sun, and also so the shield slides laterally along the axis of the bar for adjusting from side-to-side by the motorcyclist depending on the relationship between the direction the motorcycle is traveling and the angle of the sun.

11. A visor according to claim 9, wherein the at least one locking member comprises two locking members, each having a respective attachment portion with a respective opening formed therein configured to receive the bar, and each having a respective locking element configured to be secured to a respective locking element on the motorcycle helmet.

12. A visor according to claim 9, wherein the shield has two corresponding attachment portions, each having a respective corresponding opening formed therein and comprising a bushing, wherein the two corresponding attachment portions are each configured to receive the bar so the shield can pivot about the axis of the bar for flipping or rotating the shield up and down in order to protect a motorcyclist's eyes from the sun, and also so the shield can slide laterally along the axis of the bar for adjusting the shield from side-to-side depending on the relationship between the direction the motorcycle is traveling and the angle of the sun.

13. A visor according to claim 9, wherein the at least one locking member comprises a female locking member, each female locking member configured to be secured to a respective male locking element on the motorcycle helmet.

14. A visor according to claim 9, wherein the at least one locking member comprises a male locking member, each male locking member configured to be secured to a respective female locking element on the motorcycle helmet.

15. A visor according to claim 9, wherein the shield is configured from an opaque or see-through sunglass-like material so that the shield forms a sunglass to protect a motorcyclist's eyes from the sun.

16. A visor according to claim 9, wherein the bar is configured to flex so that the visor can be adapted and affixed to the motorcycle helmet.

17. A visor according to claim 9, wherein the bar is configured to have a curvature that corresponds to a curvature of the motorcycle helmet so the visor can be adapted and affixed to the motorcycle helmet.

18. A visor according to claim 9, wherein the bar comprises ends, each end configured with a respective bend to prevent the at least one locking member and the shield from sliding off the bar.

19. A visor according to claim 9, wherein the visor comprises end caps configured to be received on and frictionally engage or glued to ends of the bar to prevent the at least one locking member and the shield from sliding off the bar.

20. A visor kit having components for assembling together so as to form a helmet visor, comprising:

a bar;

at least one locking member having an attachment portion with an opening formed therein configured so as to receive the bar, and also having a locking element configured so as to be secured to a corresponding locking element on a helmet; and

a shield having a corresponding attachment portion with a corresponding opening formed therein also configured so as to receive the bar, so the shield pivots about the axis of the bar for flipping or rotating up and down by a user of the helmet in order to protect the user's eyes from the sun, and also so the shield slides laterally along the axis of the bar for adjusting from side-to-side by the user depending on the relationship between the direction the user is traveling and the angle of the sun;

the bar, at least one locking member and the shield being easily assembled together so as to form a helmet visor.