Motorcycle helmet flag assembly

Abstract

Claims

2. The motorcycle helmet flag assembly according to claim 1, wherein the receptacle member is permanently affixed to the helmet through the use of double-sided adhesive tape.

3. A motorcycle helmet flag assembly, comprising: a receptacle member adapted for attachment to a motorcycle helmet, the receptacle member having elongated, opposing sidewalls and an end wall disposed across one end of the sidewalls, the sidewalls defining an elongated groove open at an end opposite the end wall; an elongate engagement member slidably disposed in the groove defined by the receptacle member; and a flag having a first end attached to the engagement member and a free second end.

4. The motorcycle helmet flag assembly according to claim 3, wherein the receptacle member is permanently affixed to the helmet through the use of double-sided adhesive tape.

5. A motorcycle helmet in combination with a motorcycle helmet flag assembly, comprising: a motorcycle helmet having a crown and a rearward facing surface extending from the crown; a receptacle member attached to the rearward facing surface of the motorcycle helmet; an engagement member detachably disposed in the groove defined by the receptacle member; and a flag having a first end attached to the engagement member and a free second end.

Description

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/592,217, filed Jul. 30, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to motorcycle helmets, and more specifically, to a motorcycle helmet that is equipped with an assembly that allows the user to decorate the helmet with a variety of different flags.

[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0005] Motorcyclists commonly use a variety of decorative objects to enhance their appearance while riding their motorcycles. In recent years it has become fashionable to display flags on motorcycles, usually on a post mounted to the handlebar, seat, or other structural member of the cycle. In addition, flags have been used to decorate motorcycle jackets, or have been painted on motorcycle helmets. However, there is a need for an assembly that permits motorcyclists the freedom to decorate their helmets with a flag or a series of flags which will wave behind the helmet while cycling, eliminating the necessity for a cycle flag mount. It is also desirable that such an assembly be interchangeable so that the user can easily attach a variety of different sized and styled flags, or that permits the flag to be removed for wearing the helmet without a flag decoration, as desired.

[0006] A variety of devices for mobile or portable flag display have been developed. U.S. Pat. No. 3,104,644, issued Sep. 24, 1963 to Burton, describes a water skier safety device. The device is a bathing cap, worn by water skiers, that has an attached flag that is used as a warning flag to help locate a skier who has fallen into the water. U.S. Pat. No. 3,213,823, issued Oct. 26, 1965 to Levy et al., describes a safety hat for water skiers. A hat or cap is equipped with a warning means in the form of a flag that can be used to locate water skiers who have been spilled into the water.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,970, issued Jul. 2, 1996 to Knutson, describes a flexible device that is attachable to a baseball cap or other headgear that functions to display various logos, slogans, trademarks, and other designs. The device includes a spring or other flexible attachment member that can be attached to the top button, back, bill, or strap of a cap and can support a rigid display means bearing indicia. U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,585, issued Apr. 27, 1999 to Stazo, describes a device used to mount items on headgear that includes a slot and a snap for displaying an ornament on a cap or other headgear.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 6,718,559, issued Apr. 13, 2004 to Davidson, describes a motorcycle helmet decorative device that is provided for attachment to the existing snap portions on a motorcycle helmet. Design elements can be presented on a display member that can be attached to the helmet over one or many snap members for visible externally visible decoration. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0006900, published Jan. 15, 2004, describes an ornamental display device that is configured to be mounted on the top of conventional hats or the like. The display device includes a flexible stem and an ornament or signage member that is removably mounted on a conventional athletic hat or cap in a highly visible manner in order to attract attention to the displayed ornament.

[0009] French Patent No. 2,760,328, published Sep. 11, 1998, describes a helmet with an attached flexible spring. A tube is connected to the spring and a flag is connected on top of the tube to help show the position of the person wearing the helmet. Other patents showing decorative headgear include U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,290, issued Jun. 11, 1996 to Carpenter (method of manufacturing a decorated helmet); U.S. Pat. No. 5,682,615, issued Nov. 4, 1997 to Wahl et al. (decorative hat having a miniature sporting display); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,532,601, issued Mar. 18, 2003 to Berman (headgear with manipulable projections).

[0010] Although the related art addresses decorative headwear and helmets, including headwear and helmets with attached flags, there is a need for a motorcycle helmet assembly in which a variety of different styled and designed flags can be interchangeably attached to the helmet for decorative purposes.

[0011] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a motorcycle helmet flag kit solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The motorcycle helmet flag assembly of the present invention gives the wearer of a motorcycle helmet the ability to decorate his or her helmet in a variety of different ways through the use of flags. The assembly includes a receptacle member that is permanently affixed to a rear portion or backside of a motorcycle helmet. The receptacle member is constructed out of a pliable or flexible material, such as a plastic, so that it is capable of conforming to the curved shape of each respective style of motorcycle helmet. The receptacle member has a pair of sidewalls that form an inner groove throughout the length of the member.

[0013] An engagement member fits closely within the groove in the receptacle member in a detachable manner. The engagement member is also constructed out of a pliable or flexible material, such as plastic, so that it is capable of easily fitting along the entire length of the groove, where it is held firmly in place.

[0014] The assembly includes a decorative flag that is permanently attached to the engagement member. One end of the flag is attached to the engagement member along its entire length so that the body of the flag extends from the member and is clearly visible when the entire assembly is in its completed form.

[0015] The assembly is constructed such that the user can readily and easily change the decorative look and appeal of a motorcycle helmet through the use of a number of differently designed and shaped flags that are attached to their respective engagement members and can be connected or slid in and out of the receptacle member attached to the rear of the helmet. More than one assembly can be used with a helmet for increased decorative appeal. If desired, the engagement member can be removed from the receptacle so that the helmet can be worn without a decorative flag.

[0016] These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a motorcycle helmet flag assembly according to the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a back view of a motorcycle helmet with an attached receptacle according to the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a receptacle member and engagement member with attached flag according to the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a receptacle member and attached engagement member with attached flag according to the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an engagement member with attached flag according to the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of a receptacle member according to the present invention.

[0023] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] The present invention is a motorcycle helmet flag assembly, designated generally as 10 in the drawings. Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the motorcycle helmet flag assembly includes a receptacle member 20 attached to a motorcycle helmet and flag 40. Receptacle member 20 is permanently affixed to the rear portion of motorcycle helmet 12 and is contoured to shape of motorcycle helmet 12. Flag 40 is made from fabric, plastic, or other flexible sheet material and extends from motorcycle helmet 12 so that the free end 44 of flag 40 and will flutter or wave behind the helmet 12 according to the cycle's speed. In the preferred embodiment, receptacle member 20 is made of a pliable material, such as plastic, so that receptacle member 20 may be easily adapted or conformed to the shape of motorcycle helmet 12.

[0025] FIG. 2 shows receptacle member 20 permanently affixed to rear portion of motorcycle helmet 12. Receptacle member 20 is constructed with raised sidewalls 50 that define a groove 52 that extends throughout substantially the entire length of receptacle member 20. In the preferred embodiment, receptacle member 20 is affixed to the rear portion of motorcycle helmet 12 through the use of double-sided adhesive tape in a vertical alignment.

[0026] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 of the drawings show a preferred embodiment of receptacle member 20 and engagement member 54. Receptacle member 20 has identical ends and is substantially the same length as engagement member 54. Engagement member 54 is designed to fit within groove 52 of receptacle member 20 created by sidewalls 50. Engagement member 54 is designed to fit into receptacle member 20 in a snapping manner such that it may be easily attached and detached. Engagement member 54 is shaped to fit tightly and completely within groove 52 in receptacle member 20 and is held in place without the need for any additional securing features. A first end of flag 40 is secured to engagement member 54 along substantially the entire length of the first end. Flag 40 extends beyond the connection of receptacle member 20 and engagement member 54 so that it is readily visible at the rear of a motorcycle helmet and free to wave when the cycle is ridden.

[0027] Turning now to FIGS. 5-6, an alternate embodiment of the receptacle and engagement members is shown. Receptacle member 20A has a first end 21 and a second end 23 and is constructed with raised sidewalls 22 and a raised end wall 24 located at second end 23 that define a groove 26 that extends throughout the length of receptacle member 20A. Access to groove 26 is provided at first end 21 of receptacle member 20A through opening 25.

[0028] Engagement member 30 has identical ends 32 and is substantially the same length of receptacle member 20A. First end 42 of flag 40 is encased within engagement member 30 along substantially the entire length of first end 42. In the preferred embodiment, first end 42 of flag 40 is permanently attached inside engagement member 30 through the use of stitches.

[0029] Engagement member 30 engages groove 26 in receptacle member 20A through opening 25 and slides along the entire length of receptacle member 20A until one end 32 of engagement member 30 comes in contact with end wall 24 of receptacle member 20A. Engagement member 30 is shaped to fit tightly and completely within groove 26 in receptacle member 20 and is held in place without the need for any additional securing features. In the drawings, engagement member 30 and groove 25 are shown having a trapezoidal cross section, although the cross-sectional shape of engagement member 30 and groove 25 are not critical. Flag 40 extends beyond the connection of receptacle member 20A and engagement member 30 so that it is readily visible at the rear of a motorcycle helmet and free to wave when the cycle is ridden.

[0030] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.