IP Library Granted Patent US 11,576,455
Granted Patent B2
US 11,576,455 · App. 17/461,574 · Granted Feb 14, 2023

Magnetic goggle attachment

Inventors: Scott S. Whitesell (Boulder Creek, CA); Timothy E. Piver (Boulder Creek, CA)
Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
A42B3/185A44B99/00A44D2203/00F16B2001/0035Y10T24/32
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,576,455
App. No.
17/461,574
Granted
Feb 14, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

A magnetic mechanical latching attachment for connecting goggles to a helmet includes a goggle attachment portion configured to mechanically and magnetically attach to a helmet attachment portion. The goggle attachment portion and helmet attachment portion include complimentary interlocking features that mechanically lock the portions together when attached and magnetic features that assist engagement of the complimentary interlocking features in a locked position. A related method of coupling goggles to a helmet, as well as a helmet-goggle attachment system, is provided.

Claims (21)

1. A magnetic mechanical latching attachment for connecting goggles to a helmet, the magnetic mechanical latching attachment comprising:

a goggle attachment portion configured to attach to goggles, the goggle attachment portion having an axially-extending mechanical latch member and a first latch protrusion extending perpendicular to an axial length of the latch member, and at least one axially-oriented magnetic attractor,

a helmet attachment portion attached to a surface of a helmet, the helmet attachment portion defining an axially-extending latch opening configured to receive the first latch protrusion therein, and a second latch protrusion extending perpendicular to an axial length of the latch opening, at least one axially-oriented magnetic attractor;

wherein the perpendicularly-oriented first and second latch protrusions define a mechanical interlock to restrict axial movement of the goggle attachment portion away from the helmet attachment portion when the latch protrusion is received in the latch opening, and

wherein the at least one axially-oriented magnetic attractor of the goggle attachment portion is located such that it is magnetically attracted to the at least one axially-oriented magnetic attractor of the helmet portion, such that the magnetic attraction of the axially-oriented magnetic attractor of the goggle attachment portion to the axially-oriented magnetic attractor of the helmet portion facilitates a holding of the mechanical latch member of the goggle attachment portion in a mechanical interlock with respect to the latch opening of the helmet attachment portion.

2. The magnetic mechanical latching attachment of claim 1 , wherein the goggle attachment portion comprises at least one perpendicularly-oriented magnetic attractor and the helmet attachment portion comprises at least one perpendicularly-oriented magnetic attractor.

3. The magnetic mechanical latching attachment of claim 2 , wherein the at least one perpendicularly-oriented magnetic attractor of the goggle attachment portion is located such that it is magnetically attracted to the at least one perpendicularly-oriented magnetic attractor of the helmet portion.

4. The magnetic mechanical latching attachment of claim 1 , further comprising a detachment actuation member associated with the goggle attachment portion, the detachment actuation member configured to transmit a force to the first latch protrusion to disengage the mechanical interlock between the first and second latch protrusions.

5. The magnetic mechanical latching attachment of claim 1 , wherein the helmet attachment portion is located on an interior surface of the helmet.

6. The magnetic mechanical latching attachment of claim 1 , wherein the goggle attachment portion is configured to be securely and removably attached to goggles.

7. The magnetic mechanical latching attachment of claim 6 , wherein the goggle attachment portion comprises spacer posts and an attachment rod.

8. A magnetic mechanical latching attachment for connecting goggles to a helmet, the magnetic mechanical latching attachment comprising:

a goggle attachment portion configured to attach to goggles, the goggle attachment portion having an axially-extending mechanical latch member and a first latch protrusion extending perpendicular to an axial length of the latch member, and at least one magnetic attractor,

a helmet attachment portion located at an interior surface of a helmet, the helmet attachment portion defining an axially-extending latch opening configured to receive the first latch protrusion therein, and a second latch protrusion extending perpendicular to an axial length of the latch opening, and at least one magnetic attractor;

wherein the perpendicularly-oriented first and second latch protrusions define a mechanical interlock to restrict axial movement of the goggle attachment portion away from the helmet attachment portion when the latch protrusion is received in the latch opening;

wherein the at least one magnetic attractor of the goggle attachment portion is located such that it is magnetically attracted to the at least one magnetic attractor of the helmet portion, such that the magnetic attraction of the magnetic attractor of the goggle attachment portion to the magnetic attractor of the helmet portion facilitates a holding of the mechanical latch member of the goggle attachment portion in a locked position with respect to the latch opening of the helmet attachment portion; and

a detachment actuation member associated with the goggle attachment portion, the detachment actuation member configured to transmit a force to the first latch protrusion to disengage the mechanical interlock between the first and second latch protrusions.

9. The magnetic mechanical latching attachment of claim 8 , wherein the goggle attachment portion comprises at least one perpendicularly-oriented magnetic attractor and the helmet attachment portion comprises at least one perpendicularly-oriented magnetic attractor.

10. The magnetic mechanical latching attachment of claim 9 , wherein the at least one perpendicularly-oriented magnetic attractor of the goggle attachment portion is located such that it is magnetically attracted to the at least one perpendicularly-oriented magnetic attractor of the helmet portion.

11. The magnetic mechanical latching attachment of claim 8 , wherein the goggle attachment portion is configured to be securely and removably attached to goggles.

12. The magnetic mechanical latching attachment of claim 11 , wherein the goggle attachment portion comprises spacer posts and an attachment rod.

Assignments (8)
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: BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; STONE GLACIER, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; FOX HEAD, INC.
Reel/Frame 069459/0808 →
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 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2022
From: AMMUNITION OPERATIONS LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; FOX HEAD, INC.; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; QUIETKAT, INC.; STONE GLACIER, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR SALES LLC
To: CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 061085/0706 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 8, 2021
From: WHITESELL, SCOTT S.; PIVER, TIMOTHY E.
To: BELL SPORTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 057745/0281 →