The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 13, 2007
Filed:
Jun. 17, 2005
Paul T. Scherer, Lexington, KY (US);
Paul T. Scherer, Lexington, KY (US);
E.D. Bullard Company, Cynthiana, KY (US);
Abstract
A ratchet mechanism for the headband of a protective helmet or other headgear is designed to function in high-temperature environments, while still allowing for ready adjustment of the size and fit of the headband. In this regard, the ratchet mechanism includes a rotational element that has a pinion adapted to mate with and engage the respective rack gears of the overlapping rear end portions of the headband, such that rotation of the rotational element causes lateral movement of the overlapping rear end portions with respect to one another. A spring assembly associated with the rotational element engages a ring gear defined by an insert received and retained in the housing so as to resist rotation of the rotational element relative to said housing sections. Since the spring assembly and insert are preferably manufactured from metal, they do not suffer from warping problems, and therefore, the ratchet mechanism continues to function properly even in high-temperature environments.