IP Library Granted Patent US 11,337,479
Granted Patent B2
US 11,337,479 · App. 16/244,061 · Granted May 24, 2022

Time trial bicycle helmet with ear shield

Inventors: Samuel Kass (San Jose, CA); Robert Wesson (Santa Cruz, CA)
Assignee: BELL SPORTS, INC.
A42B3/0493A42B3/066A42B3/163A42B3/221A42B3/283
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,337,479
App. No.
16/244,061
Granted
May 24, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A helmet can include a helmet body and a shield. The helmet body can include a front portion and a tail portion, and the shield can include two ear portions connected by a brow portion. The shield can be releasably coupled to the helmet body. The ears of a helmet user can be exposed with respect to the helmet body and covered with respect to the shield. The brow portion of the shield can extend across the front portion of the helmet. The tail portion of the helmet can be tapered and the front portion of the helmet can have a rounded leading edge, such that the helmet body has a tear drop form factor.

Claims (28)

1. A helmet, comprising:

a helmet body comprising a front portion, a tail portion, and a plurality of body magnets, each body magnet comprising either a permanent magnet or a ferromagnetic material;

a shield comprising a plurality of shield magnets and two ear shield portions connected by a brow portion extending across the front portion of the helmet body, each shield magnet comprising either a permanent magnet or a ferromagnetic material, wherein the shield is releasably coupled to the helmet body by magnetic attraction between the plurality of body magnets and the plurality of shield magnets;

wherein the helmet body and the shield are configured such that a majority of an ear of a helmet wearer is exposed with respect to the helmet body and covered with respect to the shield and wherein the helmet body comprises one or more indentations that are sized to receive one or more shield magnets in the plurality of shield magnets when the shield is coupled to the helmet body, such that the shield sits flush with the helmet body.

2. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the one or more indentations or at least one body magnet in the plurality of body magnets is located in a lip of the helmet body.

3. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the shield comprises a magnetic slot configured to couple the shield magnet to the shield.

4. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the tail portion is tapered and the front portion has a rounded leading edge, such that the helmet body has a tear drop form factor.

5. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of body magnets and the plurality of shield magnets are aligned with respect to each other when the shield is coupled to the helmet body.

6. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the shield extends from the front of the helmet to a side rear portion of the helmet to thereby cover ears of the helmet wearer.

7. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the shield is part of a one-piece design that wraps around to side portions of the helmet to cover ears of the helmet wearer and shield eyes of the helmet wearer.

8. A helmet, comprising:

a helmet body comprising a front portion, a tail portion, and a plurality of body magnets, each body magnet comprising either a permanent magnet or a ferromagnetic material; and

a shield comprising a plurality of shield magnets and two ear shield portions connected by a brow portion, each shield magnet comprising either a permanent magnet or a ferromagnetic material, wherein the shield is releasably coupled to the helmet body by magnetic attraction between the plurality of body magnets and the plurality of shield magnets;

wherein the helmet body and the shield are configured such that a majority of an ear of a helmet wearer is exposed with respect to the helmet body and covered with respect to the shield and wherein the front portion of the helmet body extends farther forward than the shield such that the front portion of the helmet body at least partially overhangs the shield.

9. The helmet of claim 8 , wherein an outer surface of the brow portion of the shield is recessed with respect to an outer surface of the front portion of the helmet body such that at least part of the helmet body overhangs the brow portion of the shield.

10. The helmet of claim 8 , wherein an outer surface of the two ear shield portions is flush with an outer surface of the tail portion of the helmet body.

11. The helmet of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of body magnets and the plurality of shield magnets are aligned with respect to each other when the shield is coupled to the helmet body.

12. The helmet of claim 8 , wherein the helmet body comprises one or more indentations that are sized to receive one or more shield magnets in the plurality of shield magnets when the shield is coupled to the helmet body.

13. The helmet of claim 8 , further comprising a shield vent at a top edge of the brow portion of the shield that is separated from a corresponding portion of the front portion of the helmet body to leave an opening between the brow portion of the shield and the front portion of the helmet body when the shield is connected to the helmet body.

14. The helmet of claim 8 , wherein the brow portion of the shield comprises an eye shield that extends downward from the brow portion and is configured to cover at least the eyes of the helmet wearer.

15. A helmet, comprising:

a helmet body comprising a front portion and a tail portion; and

a shield comprising two ear shield portions connected by a brow portion, the shield extending from the front portion of the helmet to a side rear portion of the helmet;

wherein the shield is releasably coupled to the helmet body by a plurality of magnets and wherein the helmet body and the shield are configured such that a majority of an ear of the helmet wearer is exposed with respect to the helmet body and covered with respect to the shield.

16. The helmet of claim 15 , wherein the shield is part of a one-piece design that both shield the eyes and wraps around to side portions of the helmet to cover the ears of the user.

17. The helmet of claim 15 , wherein the tail portion is tapered and the front portion has a rounded leading edge, such that the helmet body has a tear drop form factor.

18. The helmet of claim 15 , wherein the shield is recessed with respect to a front-most part of the front portion of the helmet body such that at least part of the helmet body overhangs the brow portion of the shield.

19. The helmet of claim 15 , further comprising one or more vents formed along a top edge of the shield between the brow portion of the shield and a brow of the helmet body.

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: 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 SUPPLEMENT Recorded Apr 1, 2021
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; C PREME LIMITED LLC
Reel/Frame 055796/0486 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 4, 2019
From: KASS, SAMUEL; WESSON, ROBERT
To: BELL SPORTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 051168/0209 →
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 050829/0344 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 11, 2019
From: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; NORTHSTAR OUTDOORS, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 049724/0931 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 15, 2019
From: BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; NORTHSTAR OUTDOORS, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; SAVAGE ARMS, INC.; SAVAGE RANGE SYSTEMS, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC
To: GACP FINANCE CO., LLC
Reel/Frame 049515/0590 →
ABL INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Feb 25, 2019
From: BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; NORTHSTAR OUTDOORS, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; SAVAGE ARMS, INC.; SAVAGE RANGE SYSTEMS, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 048421/0556 →
TERM LOAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT SUPPLEMENT Recorded Feb 22, 2019
From: BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; NORTHSTAR OUTDOORS, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; SAVAGE ARMS, INC.; SAVAGE RANGE SYSTEMS, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC
To: WELLS FARGO BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 048413/0051 →
Cited By (1)
US 12,383,016