Protective helmet apparatus

Abstract

A helmet apparatus includes a head-covering assembly which includes a top portion and a side portion extending downward from the top portion. A guard support is connected to the side portion of the head-covering assembly, and a guard assembly is connected to the guard support. The helmet apparatus of the invention can be used as a batter's helmet to protect a batter in a baseball or softball game. The guard assembly can be installed when a player is batting, and the guard assembly can be easily removed when the player is no longer batting. The guard assembly includes a lower guard portion for covering a wearer's chin and an upper guard portion for covering a wearer's cheek. With a first embodiment of the invention, the guard support includes a guard support bracket, and the guard assembly includes bracket-connection portions for connecting to the guard support bracket. The guard support bracket includes a reception panel which includes a plurality of reception apertures. The bracket-connection portions of the guard assembly include hook members which are received in the reception apertures. The reception apertures are in a form of slots oriented longitudinally along the reception panel. With a second embodiment of the invention, the guard support includes grooves located in the side portion of the head-covering assembly, and the guard assembly includes tongue portions for connection with the grooves. The grooves extend horizontally along the side portion of the head-covering assembly.