Helmet with accessory attachment rail
A protective helmet has an outer shell configured for surrounding a head of a user and at least one accessory attachment rail connected to the outer shell. The accessory attachment rail has a body having a front end, a rear end, and one or more slots between the front end and the rear end. Each of the one or more slots is configured for removably receiving at least one helmet accessory. A locking mechanism is associated with each of the one or more slots for automatically locking the at least one helmet accessory in the one or more slots upon insertion of the at least one helmet accessory within the one or more slots and for preventing removal of the at least one helmet accessory from the one or more slots. At least one connection element is provided for connecting the accessory attachment rail to the outer shell.
1. A protective helmet comprising:
an outer shell configured for surrounding a head of a user;
at least one accessory attachment rail connected to the outer shell, the accessory attachment rail comprising:
a body having a front end, a rear end, and one or more slots between the front end and the rear end, each of the one or more slots configured for removably receiving at least one helmet accessory;
a locking mechanism associated with each of the one or more slots for automatically locking the at least one helmet accessory in the one or more slots upon insertion of the at least one helmet accessory within the one or more slots and for preventing removal of the at least one helmet accessory from the one or more slots until the locking mechanism is unlocked; and
at least one connection element for connecting the accessory attachment rail to the outer shell,
wherein each of the one or more slots has an open end configured for removably receiving the at least one helmet accessory, a closed end opposite the open end, and a channel having a perimeter wall between the open end and the closed end.
2. The protective helmet of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking beam having a first end connected to at least a portion of the one or more slots and a second free end movable relative to the first end in a direction toward an outer surface of the helmet when deflected by the at least one helmet accessory during insertion of the at least one helmet accessory into the one or more slots.
3. The protective helmet of claim 2 , wherein the second free end of the locking beam has a locking tab configured for engaging a corresponding locking slot on the at least one helmet accessory when the at least one helmet accessory is fully inserted into the one or more slots.
4. The protective helmet of claim 3 , wherein the locking tab has a tapered leading surface that is angled toward the open end of the one or more slots.
5. The protective helmet of claim 1 , wherein the at least one connection element is a plurality of deflectable tabs spaced around an inner surface of the accessory attachment rail facing an outer surface of the outer shell, each of the plurality of deflectable tabs configured for insertion into an opening formed on the outer shell.
6. The protective helmet of claim 5 , wherein each of the plurality of deflectable tabs has a first end connected to the body of the accessory attachment rail and a second end protruding relative to the first end in a direction away from the inner surface and toward the outer surface of the outer shell.
7. The protective helmet of claim 5 , wherein each deflectable tab has a lip for engaging a corresponding ledge on the outer shell.
8. The protective helmet of claim 1 , wherein the at least one connection element is a plurality of annular snaps having a post defined by a pair of deflectable beams separated from each other by a space, each of the plurality of annular snaps configured for insertion into an opening formed on the outer shell.
9. The protective helmet of claim 8 , wherein each of the deflectable beams has a first end connected to the body of the accessory attachment rail and a second free end protruding from the body in a direction toward an outer surface of the outer shell.
10. The protective helmet of claim 1 , wherein the at least one connection element is a projection that protrudes from an inner surface of the body in a direction toward an outer surface of the outer shell, the projection being configured for insertion into a receiving slot protruding away from the outer surface of the outer shell.
11. The protective helmet of claim 1 , wherein the at least one connection element is a pair of tabs protruding from the front end and the rear end of the body.
12. The protective helmet of claim 1 , wherein the at least one connection element is at least one through hole extending through the body and configured to receive a fastener therethrough to connect the accessory attachment rail to the outer shell.
13. The protective helmet of claim 1 , further comprising the at least one helmet accessory.
14. The protective helmet of claim 13 , wherein the at least one helmet accessory is at least one of a face shield, earmuffs, and a headlamp.
15. The protective helmet of claim 13 , wherein the at least one helmet accessory comprises a frame movable between a first or active position and a second or inactive position by pivoting relative to the accessory attachment rail about a pivot point.
16. An accessory attachment rail for a protective helmet, the accessory attachment rail comprising:
a body having a front end, a rear end, and one or more slots between the front end and the rear end, each of the one or more slots configured for removably receiving at least one helmet accessory;
a locking mechanism associated with each of the one or more slots for automatically locking the at least one helmet accessory in the one or more slots upon insertion of the at least one helmet accessory within the one or more slots and for preventing removal of the at least one helmet accessory from the one or more slots until the locking mechanism is unlocked; and
at least one connection element for connecting the accessory attachment rail to an outer shell of the protective helmet,
wherein each of the one or more slots has an open end configured for removably receiving the at least one helmet accessory, a closed end opposite the open end, and a channel having a perimeter wall between the open end and the closed end.
17. The accessory attachment rail of claim 16 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises a locking beam having a first end connected to at least a portion of the slot and a second free end movable relative to the first end in a direction toward an outer surface of the helmet when deflected by the at least one helmet accessory during insertion of the at least one helmet accessory into the one or more slots.
18. The accessory attachment rail of claim 17 , wherein the second free end of the locking beam has a locking tab configured for engaging a corresponding locking slot on the at least one helmet accessory when the at least one helmet accessory is fully inserted into the one or more slots.
19. The accessory attachment rail of claim 16 , wherein the at least one connection element is a plurality of deflectable tabs spaced around an inner surface of the accessory attachment rail facing an outer surface of the outer shell, each of the plurality of deflectable tabs configured for insertion into an opening formed on the outer shell.