IP Library Granted Patent US 10,463,099
Granted Patent B2
US 10,463,099 · App. 15/374,597 · Granted Nov 5, 2019

Protective helmet with multiple energy management liners

Inventors: Scott R. Allen (Scotts Valley, CA); James R. Penny (Santa Cruz, CA); Alexander J. Szela (Santa Cruz, CA); Julio Valencia (Santa Cruz, CA); Christopher T. Pietrzak (Ben Lomond, CA)
Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
A42B3/064A42B3/061A42B3/065A42B3/066A42B3/127A42B3/283A63B71/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,463,099
App. No.
15/374,597
Granted
Nov 5, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A helmet for rotational energy management can include an outer energy management layer comprising an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The inner surface can comprise a first slidable finish comprising a first glaze comprising a thickness less than or equal to 2 millimeters (mm). An inner energy management layer can be disposed within the outer energy management layer and further comprise an outer surface oriented towards the outer energy management layer and an inner surface opposite the outer surface. The outer surface can comprise a second slidable finish that directly contacts the first slidable finish. The second slidable finish can comprise a second glaze comprising a thickness less than or equal to 2 mm. A space between the first slidable finish and the second slidable finish can be devoid of a lubricant and devoid of any interstitial slip layer.

Claims (34)

1. A protective helmet for rotational energy management, comprising:

an outer energy management layer formed of a first material comprising an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, wherein the inner surface comprises a first slidable finish formed of the first material, the first material continuous from the outer surface to and including the first slidable finish, the first material of the first slidable finish comprising a first glaze formed from the first material through a first glazing process, the first glaze comprising a thickness less than or equal to 2 millimeters (mm); and

an inner energy management layer formed of a second material and disposed within the outer energy management layer, the inner energy management layer further comprising an outer surface oriented towards the outer energy management layer and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, wherein the outer surface of the inner energy management layer comprises a second slidable finish that directly contacts the first slidable finish, the second slidable finish formed of the second material, the second material continuous from the inner surface of the inner energy management layer to and including the second slidable finish, the second material of the second slidable finish comprising a second glaze formed from the second material through a second glazing process, the second glaze comprising a thickness less than or equal to 2 mm;

wherein a space between the first slidable finish and the second slidable finish is devoid of a lubricant and devoid of any interstitial slip layer to facilitate relative movement between the first slidable finish and the second slidable finish at a time of impact; and wherein each of the first material and the second material is at least one of expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded polyurethane (EPU), and expanded polyolefin (EPO).

2. The protective helmet of claim 1 , wherein:

the first glaze comprises a thickness less than or equal to 1 mm; and

the second glaze comprises a thickness less than or equal to 1 mm.

3. The protective helmet of claim 2 , wherein the first slidable finish and the second slidable finish each comprise a surface texture skewness of less than or equal to 1 mm.

4. The protective helmet of claim 1 , wherein a first surface texture style on the first slidable finish is the same as a second surface texture style on the second slidable finish.

5. The protective helmet of claim 1 , further comprising:

an outer shell; and

the outer energy management layer disposed within the outer shell and the outer surface of the outer energy management layer oriented towards the outer shell.

6. A protective helmet for rotational energy management, comprising:

an outer energy management layer formed of a first material and comprising an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, wherein the inner surface comprises a first slidable finish having a first glaze at the inner surface of the outer energy management layer, the first glaze formed of the first material through a first glazing process; and

an inner energy management layer formed of a second material and disposed within the outer energy management layer, the inner energy management layer further comprising an outer surface oriented towards the outer energy management layer and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, wherein the outer surface of the inner energy management layer comprises a second slidable finish having a second glaze at the outer surface of the inner management layer, the second glaze formed of the second material through a second glazing process, the second slidable finish in direct contact with the first slidable finish;

wherein a space between the first slidable finish and the second slidable finish is devoid of a lubricant and devoid of any interstitial slip layer to facilitate relative movement between the first slidable finish and the second slidable finish at a time of impact; and wherein each of the first material and the second material is at least one of expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded polyurethane (EPU), and expanded polyolefin (EPO).

7. The protective helmet of claim 6 , wherein:

the first glaze comprises a thickness less than or equal to 2 millimeters (mm); and

the second glaze comprises a thickness less than or equal to 2 mm.

8. The protective helmet of claim 6 , wherein the first slidable finish and the second slidable finish each comprise a surface texture skewness of less than or equal to 1 mm.

9. The protective helmet of claim 6 , further comprising:

an outer shell; and

the outer energy management layer disposed within the outer shell and the outer surface of the outer energy management layer oriented towards the outer shell.

10. A protective helmet for rotational energy management, comprising:

an outer energy management layer formed of a first material and comprising an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, wherein the inner surface comprises a first slidable finish having a first glaze at the inner surface of the outer energy management layer, the first glaze formed of the first material through a first glazing process; and

an inner energy management layer formed of a second material and disposed within the outer energy management layer, the inner energy management layer further comprising an outer surface oriented towards the outer energy management layer and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, wherein the outer surface of the inner energy management layer comprises a second slidable finish having a second glaze at the outer surface of the inner management layer, the second glaze formed of the second material through a second glazing process; wherein a space between the first slidable finish and the second slidable finish is devoid of a lubricant and devoid of any interstitial slip layer to facilitate relative movement between the first slidable finish and the second slidable finish at a time of impact; wherein each of the first material and the second material is at least one of expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded polyurethane (EPU), and expanded polyolefin (EPO); and wherein the inner energy management layer comprises a thickness of 5-40 millimeters (mm).

11. The protective helmet of claim 10 , wherein:

the first glaze comprises a thickness less than or equal to 2 mm; and

the second glaze comprises a thickness less than or equal to 2 mm.

12. The protective helmet of claim 11 , wherein the first slidable finish and the second slidable finish each comprise a surface texture skewness of less than or equal to 1 mm.

13. The protective helmet of claim 10 , further comprising:

an outer shell; and

the outer energy management layer disposed within the outer shell and the outer surface of the outer energy management layer oriented towards the outer shell.

14. The protective helmet of claim 10 , wherein the outer energy management layer comprises a thickness of 5-40 mm.

Assignments (14)
ENTITY CONVERSION Recorded Sep 17, 2025
From: BELL SPORTS, INC.
To: BELL SPORTS LLC
Reel/Frame 072908/0382 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2025
From: BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FOX HEAD, INC.; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; QUIETKAT, INC.; SIMMS FISHING PRODUCTS LLC; STONE GLACIER, INC.; WAWGD NEWCO, LLC; REVELYST OPERATIONS LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES
To: CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 072238/0250 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 3, 2025
From: BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FOX HEAD, INC.; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; QUIETKAT, INC.; SIMMS FISHING PRODUCTS LLC; STONE GLACIER, INC.; WAWGD NEWCO, LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; REVELYST OPERATIONS LLC
To: FORTRESS CREDIT CORP., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 069817/0586 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 27, 2024
From: CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES, INC.; AMMUNITION OPERATIONS LLC; BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 069460/0001 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF TERM LOAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 1, 2024
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: AMMUNITION OPERATIONS LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES, INC.; STONE GLACIER, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; WAWGD NEWCO, LLC; FOX HEAD, INC.; SIMMS FISHING PRODUCTS LLC
Reel/Frame 066959/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2022
From: AMMUNITION OPERATIONS LLC; BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; FOX HEAD, INC.; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; NORTHSTAR OUTDOORS, LLC; QUIETKAT, INC.; STONE GLACIER, INC.; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR SALES LLC; WAWGD NEWCO, LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 061521/0747 →
ABL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 1, 2021
From: AMMUNITION OPERATIONS LLC; BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; NORTHSTAR OUTDOORS, LLC; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC
To: CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 056033/0349 →
RELEASE OF ABL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 1, 2021
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL CORPORATION; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS, INC.; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; JIMMY STYKS LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC/ARMY/PPI; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC/SWRI/IRA
Reel/Frame 055796/0690 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 25, 2019
From: GACP FINANCE CO., LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS, INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; NORTHSTAR OUTDOORS, LLC (FKA JIMMY STYKS LLC); LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 050827/0778 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2019
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS, INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; NORTHSTAR OUTDOORS, LLC, FORMERLY KNOWN AS JIMMY STYKS LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.
Reel/Frame 049725/0096 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 29, 2018
From: BEE STINGER LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS, INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; JIMMY STYKS LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; SAVAGE ARMS, INC.; SAVAGE SPORTS CORPORATION; SAVAGE RANGE SYSTEMS, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC
To: GACP FINANCE CO., LLC
Reel/Frame 047688/0306 →
ABL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 20, 2018
From: BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; C PREME LIMITED LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; JIMMY STYKS LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; SAVAGE ARMS, INC.; SAVAGE RANGE SYSTEMS, INC.; SAVAGE SPORTS CORPORATION; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 047609/0001 →
TERM LOAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 19, 2018
From: BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; C PREME LIMITED LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; JIMMY STYKS LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; SAVAGE ARMS, INC.; SAVAGE RANGE SYSTEMS, INC.; SAVAGE SPORTS CORPORATION; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 047602/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 30, 2017
From: PIETRZAK, CHRISTOPHER T; ALLEN, SCOTT R.; PENNY, JAMES R.; SZELA, ALEXANDER J.
To: BELL SPORTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 041124/0147 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62266172 · Dec 11, 2015
Related Publication 20170164678A1 · Jun 15, 2017
Cited By (9)
US 1,141,222 US 12,256,796 US 12,268,270 US 12,324,473 US 12,439,991 US 12,478,126 US 12,564,777 US 12,611,000 US 12,678,682