IP Library Granted Patent US 9,883,709
Granted Patent B2
US 9,883,709 · App. 15/395,558 · Granted Feb 6, 2018

Mechanically joined helmet bodies and method for same

Inventors: Benjamin W. Penner (Santa Cruz, CA); Ben D. Pritz (Santa Cruz, CA); Gregg T. Jacobsen (Santa Cruz, CA)
Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
A42C2/002A42B3/063A42B3/065A42B3/283A42B3/32
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,883,709
App. No.
15/395,558
Granted
Feb 6, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A helmet can include an upper body comprising an interior surface comprising a locking flange, and a lower body positioned at least partially inside the upper body. The lower body can comprise an edge in contact with the locking flange of the upper body. At least one joining pin can be located within, and bridge, the lower body and the upper body. An at least one basket pair can comprise an upper basket comprising a pin receiver, the upper basket being at least partially embedded within the upper body. A lower basket can comprise a pin aperture, the lower basket being at least partially embedded within the lower body and positioned such that the pin aperture is aligned with the pin receiver of the basket pair. The at least one joining pin can be positioned inside both the pin aperture and the pin receiver of the basket pair.

Claims (44)

1. A helmet, comprising:

an upper body comprising an interior surface comprising a locking flange integral with the upper body and protruding from the interior surface;

a majority of a lower body positioned inside the upper body, the lower body comprising a peripheral edge in contact with the locking flange of the upper body;

at least one joining pin, separate from the locking flange, located within both the lower body and the upper body, bridging the lower body and the upper body; and

at least one basket pair comprising:

an upper basket comprising a pin receiver, the upper basket at least partially embedded within the upper body,

a lower basket comprising a pin aperture, the lower basket at least partially embedded within the lower body and positioned such that the pin aperture is aligned with the pin receiver of the basket pair, and

the at least one joining pin positioned inside both the pin aperture and the pin receiver of the basket pair.

2. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the locking flange is proximate a front rim of the upper body, and the at least one joining pin is proximate a rear rim of the upper body.

3. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein:

the upper basket of the at least one basket pair is in-molded within the upper body; and

the lower basket of the at least one basket pair is in-molded within the lower body.

4. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the at least one joining pin is releasably coupled to at least one of the pin receiver and the pin aperture of the at least one basket pair.

5. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the lower body facing the interior surface of the upper body is separated from the interior surface by an air gap.

6. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the at least one joining pin is a single joining pin.

7. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the at least one joining pin is fixedly coupled to at least one of the upper body and the lower body with an adhesive.

8. A helmet, comprising:

an upper body comprising a first impact liner composed of an energy-absorbing material;

a lower body comprising a second impact liner composed of an energy-absorbing material having a majority of the second impact liner positioned inside the upper body;

at least one joining pin located within both the lower body and the upper body, bridging and coupling the lower body to the upper body; and

a basket pair, comprising:

an upper basket comprising a pin receiver, the upper basket at least partially embedded within the upper body, and

a lower basket comprising a pin aperture, the lower basket at least partially embedded within the lower body and positioned such that the pin aperture is aligned with the pin receiver of the basket pair;

wherein one of the at least one joining pin is positioned inside both the pin aperture and the pin receiver of the basket pair.

9. The helmet of claim 8 , wherein:

the upper body comprises an interior surface comprising a locking flange integral with the upper body, protruding from the interior surface and separate from the at least one joining pin; and

the lower body comprises a peripheral edge in contact with the locking flange of the upper body.

10. The helmet of claim 9 , wherein the locking flange is proximate a front rim of the upper body, and the at least one joining pin is proximate a rear rim of the upper body.

11. The helmet of claim 8 , wherein at least a portion of an exterior surface of the lower body facing an interior surface of the upper body is separated from the interior surface by an air gap.

12. The helmet of claim 8 , wherein the at least one joining pin is a single joining pin.

13. The helmet of claim 8 , wherein the at least one joining pin is at least two joining pins.

14. The helmet of claim 8 , wherein one of the at least one joining pin is releasably coupled to at least one of the pin receiver and the pin aperture of the respective basket pair.

15. The helmet of claim 8 , wherein:

the upper basket of the basket pair is in-molded within the upper body, and

the lower basket of the basket pair is in-molded within the lower body.

16. A method of assembling a helmet comprising an upper body and a lower body, comprising:

providing an upper body of the helmet having a first impact liner composed of an energy-absorbing material;

inserting a majority of a lower body of the helmet into the upper body of the helmet, the lower body having a second impact liner composed of an energy-absorbing material;

rotating the lower body within the upper body until a peripheral edge of the lower body is in contact with a locking flange, separate from the joining pin, protruding from an interior surface of the upper body; and

inserting a joining pin into both the lower body and the upper body through an interior surface of the lower body after inserting the majority of the lower body of the helmet into the upper body of the helmet, such that the joining pin bridges and couples the lower body and the upper body and fixes a position of the lower body within the upper body.

17. The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

aligning the lower body with the upper body to form a basket pair comprising an upper basket in-molded within the upper body and a lower basket in-molded within the lower body, the lower basket comprising a pin aperture aligned with a pin receiver of the upper basket; and

inserting the joining pin into both the lower body and the upper body by inserting the joining pin into the pin aperture and the pin receiver of the basket pair.

18. The helmet of claim 17 , wherein the joining pin is releasably coupled to at least one of the pin receiver and the pin aperture of the respective basket pair.

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: 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; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES, INC.; 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: 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; 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
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 Mar 31, 2017
From: PENNER, BENJAMIN W.; PRITZ, BEN D.; JACOBSEN, GREGG T.
To: BELL SPORTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 041817/0258 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62347054 · Jun 7, 2016
Related Publication 20170347743A1 · Dec 7, 2017