Releasable grip facemask for helmet
US5963990A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 11, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 11, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA42B3/20
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A facemask for a helmet which is of at least two parts and is split in the middle and resiliently mounted on the sides of the helmet. In accordance with the invention, the facemask will tend to open outwardly thereby increasing the likelihood that an opponent's grip on the facemask will be released. The facemask can be releasably mounted on the helmet so that, if the grip is not released, the portion of the facemask being grasped will then "break away" from the helmet. The force required to open up the two-part facemask is less than the force required to cause one or both parts of the facemask to be detached from the helmet. The present invention can be used with helmets for sports such as football, ice hockey, lacrosse, or other contact/collision sports.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.