Riddell, Inc.

A protective sports helmet that includes a chin strap system that allows for rapid, one-handed adjustment of a chin strap assembly by the player while he/she is wearing the helmet is provided. The chin strap assembly includes a protective chin cup and a pair of straps extending from opposed sides of the chin cup and having a plurality of securing elements. The assembly also includes a pair of adjustable connectors affixed to the helmet and that include a central opening that receives an extent of the strap and a lever that engages a portion of the securing elements. The adjustable connector allows movement of the strap in a first direction, and prevents movement of the strap in a second direction when the lever is engaged with at least one of the securing elements. The adjustable connector allows movement of the strap in both the first and second directions when the lever is not engaged with the securing elements.

A protective torso assembly to be worn by a player engaged in a contact sport, includes an outer protective member assembly including left and right front chest members having upper recessed segments and left and right arch members having frontal portions coupled to the chest members by flexible couplers such that said frontal portions overlie the upper recessed segments. When the protective torso assembly is in a neutral state, a first reference point of the frontal portion of the left arch member is positioned a first distance from a second reference point of the recessed segment of the left chest member. Additional embodiments of a protective torso assembly are disclosed having components and/or assemblies selected from a plurality of components and/or a plurality of assemblies based upon player data.

The invention relates to a multi-step method with a number of processes and sub-processes that interact to allow for the selection, design and/or manufacture of a protective sports helmet for a specific player, or a recreational sports helmet for a specific person wearing the helmet. Once the desired protective sports helmet or recreational sports helmet is selected, information is collected from the individual player or wearer regarding the shape of his/her head and information about the impacts he/she has received while participating in the sport or activity. The collected information is processed to develop a bespoke energy attenuation assembly for use in the protective helmet. The energy attenuation assembly includes at least one energy attenuation member with a unique structural makeup and/or chemical composition. The energy attenuation assembly is purposely engineered to improve comfort and fit, as well as how the helmet responds when an impact or series of impacts are received by the helmet.

A protective torso assembly to be worn by a player engaged in a contact sport, includes an outer protective member assembly including left and right front chest members having upper recessed segments and left and right arch members having frontal portions coupled to the chest members by flexible couplers such that said frontal portions overlie the upper recessed segments. When the protective torso assembly is in a neutral state, a first reference point of the frontal portion of the left arch member is positioned a first distance from a second reference point of the recessed segment of the left chest member. When the protective torso assembly is in an extended state, the left arch member pivots about the recessed segment of the left chest member, whereby the first reference point is positioned a second distance from the second reference point, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

A protective sports helmet that includes a chin strap system that allows for rapid, one-handed adjustment of a chin strap assembly by the player while he/she is wearing the helmet is provided. The chin strap assembly includes a protective chin cup and a pair of straps extending from opposed sides of the chin cup and having a plurality of securing elements. The assembly also includes a pair of adjustable connectors affixed to the helmet and that include a central opening that receives an extent of the strap and a lever that engages a portion of the securing elements. The adjustable connector allows movement of the strap in a first direction, and prevents movement of the strap in a second direction when the lever is engaged with at least one of the securing elements. The adjustable connector allows movement of the strap in both the first and second directions when the lever is not engaged with the securing elements.

A protective sports helmet that includes a chin strap system that allows for rapid, one-handed adjustment of a chin strap assembly by the player while he/she is wearing the helmet is provided. The chin strap assembly includes a protective chin cup and a pair of straps extending from opposed sides of the chin cup and having a plurality of securing elements. The assembly also includes a pair of adjustable connectors affixed to the helmet and that include a central opening that receives an extent of the strap and a lever that engages a portion of the securing elements. The adjustable connector allows movement of the strap in a first direction, and prevents movement of the strap in a second direction when the lever is engaged with at least one of the securing elements. The adjustable connector allows movement of the strap in both the first and second directions when the lever is not engaged with the securing elements.

A partial bespoke protective sports equipment to be worn by a player engaged in a sporting activity is provided. The partial bespoke sports equipment system includes methods for acquiring, storing and processing a player's unique data, namely the anatomical features of the body part against which the partial bespoke equipment is worn. The systems also includes methods of using the player's unique data to manufacture the partial bespoke protective equipment with a partially custom formed internal padding. The system and method allows for the design and manufacture of partial bespoke protective sports equipment that is purposely designed and manufactured to substantially match the anatomical specifications of the player's body part.

Partial bespoke protective sports equipment to be worn by a player engaged in a sporting activity is provided. The partial bespoke sports equipment system includes methods for acquiring, storing and processing a player's unique data, namely the anatomical features of the body part against which the partial bespoke equipment is worn. The systems also includes methods of using the player's unique data to manufacture the partial bespoke protective equipment with a partially custom formed internal padding. The system and method allows for the design and manufacture of partial bespoke protective sports equipment that is purposely designed and manufactured to substantially match the anatomical specifications of the player's body part.

The invention relates to a multi-step method with a number of processes and sub-processes that interact to allow for the selection, design and/or manufacture of a protective sports helmet for a specific player, or a recreational sports helmet for a specific person wearing the helmet. Once the desired protective sports helmet or recreational sports helmet is selected, information is collected from the individual player or wearer regarding the shape of his/her head and information about the impacts he/she has received while participating in the sport or activity. The collected information is processed to develop a bespoke energy attenuation assembly for use in the protective helmet. The energy attenuation assembly includes at least one energy attenuation member with a unique structural makeup and/or chemical composition. The energy attenuation assembly is purposely engineered to improve comfort and fit, as well as how the helmet responds when an impact or series of impacts are received by the helmet.

A football shoulder pad assembly worn by a player is disclosed. The shoulder pad assembly includes a pair of curvilinear, continuous arch members worn over the shoulder of the player with the front arch portion extending over an extent of a chest and the rear arch portion extending over an extent of a back of the player. Each front arch portion including an upper connection slot with an elongated configuration and a lower connection aperture. The shoulder pad assembly also includes a front upper arch connector mechanism including a flexible upper strap and a pair of upper couplers slidingly received in said upper connection slots and a front lower arch connector mechanism including a flexible lower strap and a pair of lower couplers that pivots in said lower connection apertures. The rear arch portions including upper connection slots and lower connection apertures and coupled in a substantially similar manner.