(19)
(11) EP 4 559 342 A1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
28.05.2025 Bulletin 2025/22

(21) Application number: 24213117.5

(22) Date of filing: 14.11.2024
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
A42B 3/04(2006.01)
(52) Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC):
A42B 3/283
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC ME MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
Designated Extension States:
BA
Designated Validation States:
GE KH MA MD TN

(30) Priority: 22.11.2023 US 202363602045 P

(71) Applicant: Bell Sports, Inc.
Scotts Valley, CA 95066-3438 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • THOMPSON, David M.
    Scotts Valley, 95066 (US)
  • BUSSE, Mark A.
    Scotts Valley, 95066 (US)
  • TOLLETTE, Garrett J.
    Scotts Valley, 95066 (US)

(74) Representative: Murgitroyd & Company 
165-169 Scotland Street
Glasgow G5 8PL
Glasgow G5 8PL (GB)

   


(54) HELMET COMPRISING A VENTILATION SYSTEM


(57) A helmet is provided. The helmet can include an outer shell and an inner liner in-molded to the outer shell, where the outer shell is oriented away from an interior of the helmet and the inner liner is oriented toward the interior of the helmet. The helmet can include one or more vents and a ventilation system to open and close the one or more vents. The ventilation system can be user-actuated from the interior of the helmet.


Description

FIELD



[0001] The present invention relates to a helmet, and particularly helmets with ventilation systems.

BACKGROUND



[0002] Helmets can protect a wearer's head during participation in a variety of sporting activities, including skiing, snowboarding, and biking. Helmets can include impact-attenuating features to support the wearer's head, and other features to support additional functions. For example, some helmets can include ventilation systems that allow airflow through the helmet, between the ambient environment and the interior of the helmet. Ventilation systems can include actuators that allow users to vent their helmets when desired. With developments in sporting equipment, users, who may be professional athletes or amateurs that frequently partake in sporting activities, require advanced helmets that achieve a variety of functions. In addition, users desire sporting equipment that fits their preferences for aesthetics that, for helmets, can include being light-weight, sleek in appearance. Accordingly, a need exists for improved helmets that meet functional and aesthetic targets of users.

SUMMARY



[0003] Embodiments provide a helmet. The helmet can include an outer shell oriented away from an interior of the helmet. The outer shell can include one or more vents configured to allow airflow through the helmet. The helmet can also include an inner liner in-molded to the outer shell and oriented toward the interior of the helmet and a vent slider anchor disposed within the inner liner. The vent slider anchor can include one or more snap rivet anchors and a projection. The helmet can also include a vent slider disposed within the inner liner and configured to close the one or more vents, the vent slider including one or more slots configured to receive the one or more snap rivet anchors and a plurality of detents configured to alternately receive the projection.

[0004] In some embodiments, the helmet can include one or more snap rivets configured to couple to the one or more snap rivet anchors such that the vent slider is disposed between the one or more snap rivets and the one or more snap rivet anchors.

[0005] In some embodiments, the one or more snap rivet anchors can include four snap rivet anchors.

[0006] In some embodiments, the vent slider anchor can be in-molded to the outer shell.

[0007] In some embodiments, the helmet can include a button configured to move the vent slider, the button being disposed on the vent slider such that the button is accessible from the interior of the helmet. In some embodiments, the plurality of detents can include an open detent and a closed detent. The button can be configured to move the vent slider such that the projection moves between the open detent and the closed detent. The one or more vents can be revealed when the projection is received by the open detent. The one or more vents can be closed when the projection is received by the closed detent.

[0008] In some embodiments, the button cannot accessible from the outer shell.

[0009] In some embodiments, the vent slide anchor can be generally L-shaped.

[0010] Embodiments provide a helmet. The helmet can include an outer shell oriented away from an interior of the helmet. The outer shell can include one or more vents configured to allow airflow through the helmet. The helmet can also include an inner liner in-molded to the outer shell and oriented toward the interior of the helmet and a vent slider disposed within the inner liner. The vent slider can be configured to close the one or more vents. The helmet can also include a button configured to move the vent slider. The button can be disposed on the vent slider such that the button is accessible from the interior of the helmet.

[0011] In some embodiments, the helmet can include a vent slider anchor disposed within the inner liner, the vent slider configured to couple to the vent slider anchor. In some embodiments, the vent slider anchor can include one or more snap rivet anchors. The vent slider can include one or more slots configured to receive the one or more snap rivet anchors. In some embodiments, the vent slider anchor can include a projection. The vent slider can include a plurality of detents configured to alternately receive the projection.

[0012] In some embodiments, the plurality of detents can include an open detent and a closed detent. The button can be configured to move the vent slider such that the projection moves between the open detent and the closed detent. The one or more vents can be revealed when the projection is received by the open detent. The one or more vents can be closed when the projection is received by the closed detent.

[0013] In some embodiments, the vent slider can include one or more vent slider openings corresponding to the one or more vents. The one or more vent slider openings can be adjacent one or more vent slider shields. The button can be configured to move the vent slider such that the one or more vent slider openings coincide with the one or more vent openings such that the one or more vents are open, and the one or more vent slider shields coincide with the one or more vent openings such that the one or more vents are closed. In some embodiments, the button cannot accessible from the outer shell.

[0014] A ventilation system for a helmet is provided. The ventilation system can include a vent slider including a first side and a second side opposing the first side. The vent slider can include one or more vent slider openings and one or more vent slider shields adjacent the one or more vent slider openings, the one or more vent slider shields configured to close one or more vents of the helmet. The ventilation system can also include a vent slider anchor coupled to a shell of the helmet, the vent slider anchor configured to couple to a first side of the vent slider. The ventilation system can also include a button configured to move the vent slider such that the one or more vents alternately coincides with the one or more vent slider openings or the one or more vent slider shields, the button disposed on the vent slider and accessible to a user from the second side of the vent slider.

[0015] In some embodiments, the vent slider can include a central portion and a plurality of wings adjacent the central portion, the plurality of wings including the one or more vent slider openings and the one or more vent shields. In some embodiments, the vent slider anchor can be coupled to the vent slider at the central portion of the vent slider. In some embodiments, the vent slider anchor can be coupled to the vent slider at one of the plurality of wings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS



[0016] The disclosed embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and not to limit the disclosed embodiments, wherein like designations denote like elements.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a helmet according to various embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the helmet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section view along 3-3 of the helmet of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the helmet of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the helmet of FIG. 1 with the outer shell and inner liner of the helmet removed.

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a vent slider anchor according to various embodiments.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the vent slider of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 shows a top view of a vent slider according to various embodiments.

FIG. 9 shows an assembly view of a ventilation system according to various embodiments.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of the ventilation system of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 shows a cross-section view along 11-11 of the helmet of FIG. 5.

FIG. 12 shows a cross-section view along 12-12 of the helmet of FIG. 5.


DETAILED DESCRIPTION



[0017] Various embodiments of the novel systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein are described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosure can, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to any specific structure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. Based on the teachings herein, one skilled in the art would appreciate that the scope of the disclosure can be intended to cover any embodiment of the novel systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein, whether implemented independently of, or combined with, any other embodiment of the disclosure. For example, an apparatus can be implemented or a method can be practiced using any number or combination of the embodiments set forth herein. In addition, the scope of the disclosure can be intended to cover such an apparatus or method that can be practiced using other structure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or other than the various embodiments of the disclosure set forth herein. It should be understood that any embodiment disclosed herein can be implemented by one or more elements of a claim.

[0018] Although particular embodiments are described herein, many variations and permutations of these embodiments fall within the scope of the disclosure. Although some benefits and advantages of the preferred embodiments are mentioned, the scope of the disclosure can be not intended to be limited to particular benefits, uses, and/or objectives. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the disclosure rather than limiting, the scope of the disclosure being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

[0019] It will be recognized that while certain embodiments of the disclosure are described in terms of a specific sequence of steps of a method, these descriptions are only illustrative of the broader methods of the disclosure, and can be modified as required by the particular application. Certain steps can be rendered unnecessary or optional under certain circumstances. Additionally, certain steps or functionality can be added to the disclosed embodiments, or the order of performance of two or more steps permuted. All such variations are considered to be encompassed within the disclosure disclosed and claimed herein.

[0020] While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments and/or implementations can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.

[0021] Helmets with ventilation systems function to allow airflow through the helmet, between the ambient environment and the interior of the helmet. A helmet can include one or more vents extending through the shell of the helmet. Some helmets include a plurality of vents, each vent configured to facilitate intake of ambient air and/or exhaust of air from the interior of the helmet. Some helmets provide an actuator controllable by a user of the helmet to adjust a ventilation system to select when the vents are opened or closed depending on their preference. For example, in sporting activities conducted in colder weather, a user may wish to close the vents to retain heat. Alternatively, the user may wish to vent the helmet and allow airflow to cool the user. Some helmets have ventilation systems that are only accessible to the user from an exterior of the helmet. However, these helmets may not meet the aesthetic needs of users while providing improved ventilation function. Users may instead desire for ventilation systems to be hidden from view. Containing ventilation systems, including actuators for opening and closing vents, within the helmet such that the systems and components thereof are not visible from outside the helmet can be difficult to achieve.

[0022] Systems and methods described herein provide a helmet that includes a ventilation system contained within the helmet such that the system and components thereof are not visible from outside the helmet. As discussed herein, the helmet can include one or more vents extending through the shell of the helmet to allow airflow through the helmet. The helmet can be in-molded such that the outer liner and inner are joined together when being manufactured. Components of the ventilation system can also be in-molded. A vent slider anchor can be in-molded with the inner liner and oriented toward the interior of the helmet. A vent slider can be coupled to the vent slider within the helmet. The vent slider can include vent slider shields to close the vents of the helmet. When a user desires to open the vents to facilitate airflow through the helmet, the user can actuate a button on the vent slider, thereby moving the vent slider to reveal the vents. The button, being on the vent slider, can be within the interior of the helmet. In this way, the ventilation system, including the user-actuated portion can be within the helmet. While providing an improved ventilation system, the user experience can be advanced by providing an aesthetically pleasing helmet that does contains the ventilation system such that the system and components thereof are not visible from outside the helmet.

[0023] Systems and methods will now be described with reference to the figures. FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a helmet 100, according to an exemplary embodiment. Helmet 100 can include a front side 102 and an opposing rear side 104. A strap assembly 120 connected to a fit system of helmet 100 can facilitate securing helmet 100 to a user.

[0024] As shown, helmet 100 can include one or more vents 116 positioned at front side 102 or rear side 104. As shown, one or more vents 116 can be positioned at rear side 104. An interior 116 of helmet 100 can be surrounded by a shell 106. Vents 116 can extend through shell 106 to facilitate airflow through helmet 100, between the ambient environment and interior 116. Vents 116 can be open such that airflow can occur. Alternatively, vents 116 can be closed to prevent airflow. Vents 116 can be closed by shielding, or blocking vents 116, as will be discussed herein.

[0025] Helmet 100 described herein can be in-molded. Accordingly, components of helmet 100 can be manufactured in an in-molding process, in which the components are joined by molding or bonding while being manufactured, rather than being individually manufactured and later assembled. With reference to FIG. 3, according to an exemplary embodiment, shell 106 can include an outer shell 108 and an inner liner 110 in-molded to outer shell 108. Inner liner 110 can be an EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) layer. Outer shell 108 can be oriented away from interior 116 of helmet 100 and inner liner 110 can be oriented toward interior 116. Also as shown, a layer 111 can be disposed within inner liner 110. Layer 111 can be an EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) layer. One or more vents 116 of helmet 100 can extend through inner liner 110 and layer 111 to facilitate airflow through helmet 100, between the ambient environment and interior 116.

[0026] An outer surface 112 of outer shell 108 can be seen in FIGS. 1-3. One or more vents 116 can extend through outer surface 112. However, no ventilation system components can be visible on outer surface 112. In this way, helmet 100 can provide ventilation while being aesthetically pleasing. Instead of ventilation system components being visible via the exterior of shell 106 on outer surface 112, ventilation system components can be visible via an interior surface 114, shown in FIG. 4, according to an exemplary embodiment. A button, or actuator, 164 is shown, which can be accessible from interior 116 of helmet 100. Button 164 can be user-actuated to open or close one or more vents 116. Button 164 cannot be accessible from outer shell 108, and outer surface 112 of outer shell 108. Button 164 can be a tab, a projection, a hook, or any other user actuatable element.

[0027] The ventilation system can be contained within helmet 100 such that the system and components thereof are not visible from outside helmet 100. At least some components of the ventilation system can be in-molded with shell 106. Helmet 100 without shell 106 can be seen in FIG. 5, according to an exemplary embodiment. A ventilation system 140 is visible with shell 106 removed. Ventilation system 140 can include one or more movable components that can be moved by button 164 (FIG. 4) to open or close one or more vents 116. The movable components can be shifted along a button track 118 formed in layer 111.

[0028] Ventilation system 140 can include a vent slider anchor 130. Vent slider anchor 130 can be disposed within shell 106 (FIGS. 1-2), such as within inner liner 110 (FIG. 3). In addition, vent slider anchor 130 can be in-molded to inner liner 110. Accordingly, vent slider anchor 130 can be disposed above layer 111, such as between inner liner 110 and layer 111.

[0029] Vent slider anchor 130 can receive a vent slider 150, which can include button 164 (FIG. 4). Vent slider 150 can couple to vent slider anchor 130 such that vent slider 150 is disposed within interior 116 of helmet 100. Vent slider 150 coupling to vent slider anchor 130 can facilitate coupling to inner liner 110. As vent slider 150 can include button 164, vent slider can open or close one or more vents 116 (FIGS. 1-2). As will be discussed, button 164 can facilitate moving vent slider 150 relative to vent slider anchor 130, and therefore inner liner 110 and shell 106. Vent slider 150 can shift along button track 118 formed in layer 111.

[0030] Vent slider anchor 130 can be seen in FIGS. 6-7, according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown, vent slider anchor 130 can be generally L-shaped. However, vent slider anchor 130 can be formed in any other shape, e.g., circular, rectangular, T-shaped, etc. Vent slider anchor 130 can include one or more snap rivet anchors 132, such as between about one snap rivet anchor 132 and about seven snap rivet anchors 132, such as between about three snap rivet anchors 132 and about five snap rivet anchors 132, such as about four snap rivet anchors 132. Snap rivet anchors 132 can be attachment points for snap rivets. However, snap rivet anchors 132 can receive any other type of fastener. Vent slider anchor 130 can be attached to, such as in-molded to outer shell 108 (FIGS. 1-2), such as to inner liner 110 (FIG. 3). Vent slider anchor 130 can be generally L-shaped such that vent slider anchor 130 can include multiple points of contact for attachment with outer shell 108 and inner liner 110. For example, slider anchor 140 can include at least three snap rivet anchors 132, each snap rivet anchor 132 positioned at an end of generally L-shaped vent slider anchor 130 having three ends. In this way, vent slider anchor 130 can be secured along outer shell 108 and inner liner 130, with minimal or no lateral deflection.

[0031] Vent slider anchor 130 can also receive one or more components of ventilation system 140 (FIG. 5) via snap rivet anchors 132. In this way, vent slider anchor 130 can couple ventilation system 140 components to outer shell 108 and inner liner 110. As will be discussed, vent slider anchor 130 can couple to vent slider 150 (FIG. 5) via snap rivet anchors 132. Vent slider anchor 130 can also include a projection 134 that can be received by vent slider 150. Vent slider anchor 130 can be formed as a basket. In this way, vent slider anchor 130 can include elasticity for receiving one or more movable components of ventilation system 140 while remaining coupled to outer shell 108 and inner liner 130.

[0032] Vent slider 150 can be seen in FIG. 8, according to an exemplary embodiment. vent slider 150 can include a first side 152 and a second side 154 opposing first side 152. First side 152 can face shell 106 (FIGS. 1-2) and be adjacent vent slider anchor 130 (FIGS. 6-7) when vent slider 150 is coupled to vent slider anchor 130. Second side 154 can face interior 116 (FIG. 1) when vent slider 150 is coupled to vent slider anchor 130. In this way, button 164 disposed on vent slider 150 can be accessible from interior 116 (FIG. 1) of helmet 100 (FIG. 1).

[0033] As shown, vent slider 150 can include a central portion 156. Central portion 156 can be adjacent one or more wings 158 of vent slider 150, such as a plurality of wings 158. Each of central portion 156 and one or more wings 158 can include components to facilitate coupling vent slider 150 to vent slider anchor 130. Central portion 156 can include one or more slots 166 to receive snap rivet anchors 132 (FIGS. 6-7) of vent slider anchor 130 (FIGS. 6-7). At least one wing 158 can include one or more slots 166. Slots 166 can support alignment, and prevent or limit shifting, of vent slider 150 with vent slider anchor 130.

[0034] Central portion 156 can also include detents 168 to alternately receive projection 134 (FIGS. 6-7) of vent slider anchor 130 (FIGS. 6-7). Detents 168 can include an open detent 170 and a closed detent 172. Open detent 170 can correspond to one or more vents 116 (FIGS. 1-2) being open, and closed detent 172 can correspond to one or more vents 116 being closed. Projection 134 can be received by open detent 170 to coincide openings 160 with one or more vents 116.

[0035] Vent slider 150 can include one or more vent slider openings 160 corresponding to one or more vents 116 (FIGS. 1-2). For example, wings 158 of vent slider 150 can include one or more vent slider openings 160. Wings 158 can include vent slider openings 160 that can coincide with one or more vents 116 such that one or more vents 116 are open, or revealed. As discussed, button 164 can be disposed on vent slider 150, such as second side 154 of vent slider 150, and can be moved to open or close one or more vents 116. Button 164 can be disposed on vent slider 150 such that moving button 164 can move the entire vent slider 150 to open or close one or more vents 116. In addition, button 164 can be disposed on vent slider 150 such that button 164 can be moved to move projection 134 between open detent 170 and closed detent 172. Moving button 164 such that projection 134 is received by closed detent 172 can close one or more vents 116.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 8, vent slider 150, such as wings 158, can include one or more vent slider openings 160 and one or more vent slider shields 162. One or more vent slider shields 162 can be adjacent one or more vent slider openings 160. One or more vent slider shields 160 can close one or more vents 116 (FIGS. 1-2). Instead of vent slider openings 160, one or more vent slider shields 162 can coincide with one or more vents 116 such that one or more vents 116 are closed. Moving button 164 such that projection 134 is received by open detent 170 again can open, or reveal, one or more vents 116. In this way, button 164 can move vent slider 150 such that one or more vents 116 can alternately coincide with one or more vent slider openings 160 or one or more vent slider shields 162.

[0037] Ventilation system 140 is shown in FIGS. 9-10, according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown, vent slider anchor 130 can couple to vent slider 150, such as to first side 152 of vent slider 150. Vent slider anchor 130 can be generally L-shaped such that vent slider anchor 130 can include multiple points of contact for attachment with vent slider 150. For example, slider anchor 140 can include at least three snap rivet anchors 132, each snap rivet anchor 132 positioned at an end of generally L-shaped vent slider anchor 130 having three ends. In this way, vent slider anchor 130 can be secured along outer shell 108 and inner liner 130, with minimal or no lateral deflection. Vent slider 150 can then move along vent slider anchor 130 by moving button 164 disposed on vent slider 150 without causing lateral deflection of vent slider anchor 130.

[0038] Vent slider anchor 130 can couple to one or more portions of vent slider 150. As shown, vent slider anchor 130 can couple to vent slider 150 at central portion 156. Also, vent slider anchor 130 can couple to one or more wings 158 of vent slider 150. In other words, vent slider 150 can include one or more slots 166 to receive one or more snap rivet anchors 132 of vent slider anchor 130. Central portion 156 and at least one wing 158 can include slots 166. One or more snap rivets 190 can couple to the one or more snap rivet anchors 132 to couple vent slider 150 to vent slider anchor 130. Ventilation system 140 can receive between about one snap rivet 190 and about seven snap rivets 190, such as between about three snap rivets 190 and about five snap rivets 190, such as about four snap rivets 190. In addition, vent slider 150 can include a plurality of detents 168 to alternately receive projection 134 of vent slider anchor 130.

[0039] Ventilation system 140 in helmet 100 is shown in FIGS. 11-12, according to an exemplary embodiment. As discussed, vent slider anchor 130 can be in-molded to outer shell 108 (FIGS. 1-2), such as to inner liner 110 (FIG. 3). Vent slider 150 can couple to vent slider anchor 130 such that vent slider 150 is couped to inner liner 110. Like vent slider anchor 130, vent slider 150 can be disposed above layer 111 (FIG. 3). First side 152 of vent slider 150 can couple to vent slider anchor 130. Second side 154 can face interior 116 of helmet 100. In this way, button 164 disposed on vent slider 150, such as second side 154 of vent slider 150, can face and be accessible from interior 116. As button 164 is accessible from interior 116, button 164 can be inaccessible from an exterior of helmet 100.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 11, snap rivet anchors 132 of vent slider anchor 130 can be received by slots 166 of vent slider 150. Snap rivets 190 can act as guides for vent slider anchor 130 via snap rivet anchors 132 along slots 166. Snap rivets 190 can also couple to snap rivet anchors 132 to retain vent slider 150 with vent slider anchor 132. In other words, snap rivets 190 can hold vent slider 150 to inner liner 110. Accordingly, vent slider 150 can be disposed between one or more snap rivets 190 and one or more snap rivet anchors 132. As shown in FIG. 12, projection 134 of vent slider anchor 130 can be received by detents 168, such as open detent 170 or closed detent 172. This coupling as well can facilitate retaining vent slider 150 with vent slider anchor 130.

[0041] It should be noted that the use of particular terminology when describing certain features or embodiments of the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to be restricted to include any specific characteristics of the features or embodiments of the disclosure with which that terminology is associated. Terms and phrases used in this application, and variations thereof, especially in the appended claims, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing, the term "including" should be read to mean "including, without limitation," "including but not limited to," or the like; the term "comprising" as used herein is synonymous with "including," "containing," or "characterized by," and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps; the term "having" should be interpreted as "having at least"; the term "such as" should be interpreted as "such as, without limitation"; the term "includes" should be interpreted as "includes but is not limited to"; the term "example" is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, and should be interpreted as "example, but without limitation"; adjectives such as "known," "normal," "standard," and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass known, normal, or standard technologies that can be available or known now or at any time in the future; and use of terms like "preferably," "preferred," "desired," or "desirable," and words of similar meaning should not be understood as implying that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the present disclosure, but instead as merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that can or cannot be utilized in a particular embodiment.

[0042] Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction "and" should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as "and/or" unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction "or" should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should be read as "and/or" unless expressly stated otherwise. The terms "about" or "approximate" and the like are synonymous and are used to indicate that the value modified by the term has an understood range associated with it, where the range can be ±20%, ±15%, ±10%, ±5%, or ±1%. The term "substantially" is used to indicate that a result (e.g., measurement value) is close to a targeted value, where close can mean, for example, the result is within 80% of the value, within 90% of the value, within 95% of the value, or within 99% of the value. Also, as used herein "defined" or "determined" can include "predefined" or "predetermined" and/or otherwise determined values, conditions, thresholds, measurements, and the like.


Claims

1. A helmet comprising:

an outer shell oriented away from an interior of the helmet, the outer shell comprising one or more vents configured to allow airflow through the helmet;

an inner liner in-molded to the outer shell and oriented toward the interior of the helmet;

a vent slider anchor disposed within the inner liner, the vent slider anchor comprising one or more snap rivet anchors and a projection; and

a vent slider disposed within the inner liner and configured to close the one or more vents, the vent slider comprising one or more slots configured to receive the one or more snap rivet anchors and a plurality of detents configured to alternately receive the projection.


 
2. The helmet of claim 1, further comprising one or more snap rivets configured to couple to the one or more snap rivet anchors such that the vent slider is disposed between the one or more snap rivets and the one or more snap rivet anchors.
 
3. The helmet of claim 1 or 2, wherein the one or more snap rivet anchors comprises four snap rivet anchors.
 
4. The helmet of any preceding claim, wherein the vent slider anchor is in-molded to the outer shell.
 
5. The helmet of any preceding claim, further comprising a button configured to move the vent slider, the button being disposed on the vent slider such that the button is accessible from the interior of the helmet; and
optionally:

wherein the plurality of detents comprises an open detent and a closed detent,

wherein the button is configured to move the vent slider such that the projection moves between the open detent and the closed detent,

wherein the one or more vents are revealed when the projection is received by the open detent, and

wherein the one or more vents are closed when the projection is received by the closed detent;
or;

wherein the button is not accessible from the outer shell.


 
6. The helmet of any preceding claim, wherein the vent slide anchor is generally L-shaped.
 
7. A helmet comprising:

an outer shell oriented away from an interior of the helmet, the outer shell comprising one or more vents configured to allow airflow through the helmet;

an inner liner in-molded to the outer shell and oriented toward the interior of the helmet;

a vent slider disposed within the inner liner, the vent slider configured to close the one or more vents; and

a button configured to move the vent slider, the button being disposed on the vent slider such that the button is accessible from the interior of the helmet.


 
8. The helmet of claim 7, further comprising a vent slider anchor disposed within the inner liner, the vent slider configured to couple to the vent slider anchor.
 
9. The helmet of claim 8, wherein the vent slider anchor comprises one or more snap rivet anchors, and
wherein the vent slider comprising one or more slots configured to receive the one or more snap rivet anchors;

optionally:

wherein the vent slider anchor comprises a projection, and
wherein the vent slider comprises a plurality of detents configured to alternately receive the projection,

or;

wherein the plurality of detents comprises an open detent and a closed detent,

wherein the button is configured to move the vent slider such that the projection moves between the open detent and the closed detent,

wherein the one or more vents are revealed when the projection is received by the open detent, and

wherein the one or more vents are closed when the projection is received by the closed detent.


 
10. The helmet of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the vent slider comprises one or more vent slider openings corresponding to the one or more vents.
 
11. The helmet of claim 10, wherein the one or more vent slider openings are adjacent one or more vent slider shields,
wherein the button is configured to move the vent slider such that the one or more vent slider openings coincide with the one or more vent openings such that the one or more vents are open, and the one or more vent slider shields coincide with the one or more vent openings such that the one or more vents are closed.
 
12. The helmet of any one of claims 7 to 12, wherein the button is not accessible from the outer shell.
 
13. A ventilation system for a helmet comprising:

a vent slider comprising a first side and a second side opposing the first side, the vent slider comprising one or more vent slider openings and one or more vent slider shields adjacent the one or more vent slider openings, the one or more vent slider shields configured to close one or more vents of the helmet;

a vent slider anchor coupled to a shell of the helmet, the vent slider anchor configured to couple to a first side of the vent slider; and

a button configured to move the vent slider such that the one or more vents alternately coincides with the one or more vent slider openings or the one or more vent slider shields, the button disposed on the vent slider and accessible to a user from the second side of the vent slider.


 
14. The helmet of claim 13, wherein the vent slider comprises a central portion and a plurality of wings adjacent the central portion, the plurality of wings comprising the one or more vent slider openings and the one or more vent shields.
 
15. The helmet of claim 14, wherein the vent slider anchor is coupled to the vent slider at the central portion of the vent slider, or wherein the vent slider anchor is coupled to the vent slider at one of the plurality of wings.
 




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