US20110167543A1 - Adjustable protective apparel - Google Patents

Abstract

An article of protective apparel for placement on and protection of a portion of the body of a user includes a protective shell and bi-directional device that receives a first and second line that each extend to the shell. Rotation of a control handle of the bi-directional device causes portions of the lines to be drawn into the device, thereby tightening the protective shell about the user. Optionally, the article is a helmet for having an adjustable chin strap that is capable of being tightened by manual rotation of the control handle of the device. Optionally, the article of protective apparel is capable of being loosened by manual positioning of the control handle into a release position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
• This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/276,400, filed Feb. 27, 2006, which is a nonprovisional of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/656,335, filed Feb. 25, 2005, and which '400 application is a continuation-in-part of:
• • (1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/276,357, filed Feb. 24, 2006, which published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2006/0185357, and which '357 application is a nonprovisional of 60/656,335, and further which '357 application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/222,549, filed Sep. 9, 2005, which '549 application is a nonprovisional of 60/656,335 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/608,397, and which '549 application a continuation-in-part of each of:
    • (A) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/123,900 filed May 6, 2005, which published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2005/0247813 A1, and which is a nonprovisional of 60/656,335, 60/608,397, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/569,304, and
    • (B) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/123,942, filed May 6, 2005, which published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2006/0015988 A1, and which is a nonprovisional of 60/656,335, 60/608,397, and 60/569,304;
  • (2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/123,900, filed May 6, 2005, which published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2005/0247813 A1, and which is a nonprovisional of 60/656,335, 60/608,397, and 60/569,304; and
  • (3) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/123,942, filed May 6, 2005, which published as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2006/0015988 A1, and which is a nonprovisional of 60/656,335, 60/608,397, and 60/569,304.
    The entire disclosure of each of these patent applications and patent application publications is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The present patent application further incorporates herein by reference U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2007/0039085, which disclosure is identical to that of the incorporated '400 application from which priority is claimed.
COPYRIGHT STATEMENT
• All of the material in this patent document, including that of the figures, is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates generally to an article of protective apparel having a bi-directional device for adjusting the fit of the article, and more specifically to an adjustable helmet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• The use of a spool onto which a line may be wound is well known. Conventionally, a dial, crank or the like is provided for the spool in order to facilitate winding and unwinding of the line onto or off of the spool. Furthermore, if two spools are utilized in a single apparatus, a separate dial, crank or the like is typically provided for each spool in order to facilitate winding and unwinding of the line onto or off of a respective spool. In some cases, however, it is desired to independently control the winding or unwinding of two lines, on two different spools, using only a single dial, crank or the like.
• Unfortunately, prior art two-spool combinations having only a single dial, crank or the like are generally intended to be used with only a single line and thus have no need to 1) use a single dial to wind the spools independently of each other, and/or 2) inhibit the rotation of a first spool, thereby preventing the first line from being unwound, when winding the second line on the second spool. Thus, although such apparatuses are presumed suitable for their intended purposes, they have no relevance to the problem described above.
• For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,471 to Mercurio (“Mercurio”) discloses a wire tensioning device, having a first spool, a second spool and a dial, which in overall appearance resembles the general appearance of one or more embodiments of the present invention. Being for a very different purpose, however, the Mercurio device has a different structure and operation corresponding to a different function. More particularly, when the Mercurio dial is rotated in one direction, it winds both spools, thereby increasing the tension in a telephone wire or the like and correspondingly raising the wire from the ground to its tensioned disposition between two telephone poles. Unfortunately, rotation of the dial in the opposite direction does not cause either spool to wind the line; instead, in conjunction with its intended purpose, rotating the dial in this opposite direction causes both spools to unwind, thereby releasing the tension in the line. Because there is no need to control tension in two different lines, there is no need to control the two spools separately.
• A very different arrangement, with a very different function, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 881,772 to Canney (“Canney”). Canney discloses a two-reel clothes line in which both reels are rotated simultaneously, thereby winding the clothes line from one reel to the other. Unfortunately, the spools in Canney are inseparably coupled together such that rotation of one necessarily causes rotation of the other. Thus, although rotation of the handle in Canney in a first direction causes the line to wind around the first spool and rotation of the handle in a second (opposite) direction causes the other end of the line wind around the second spool, there is no way to inhibit the line from unwinding from the first spool when the line is being wound around the second spool. In other words, the reel in Canney is specifically intended to cause or facilitate unwinding rather than inhibit it.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to adjustably fitted articles of protective apparel, and are described in the context of adjustably fitted helmets, the present invention is not limited to use as a helmet, as will become apparent from the following summaries and detailed descriptions of aspects, features, and one or more embodiments of the present invention.
• Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention relates to an article of protective apparel for placement on and protection of a portion of the body of a user of the article. The article includes a protective shell and a bi-directional device that receives a first and second line that each extend to the shell. Rotation of a control handle that extends from the bi-directional device causes portions of the lines to be drawn into the device, thereby tightening the protective shell about the user.
• Another aspect of the present invention relates more specifically to a helmet for protecting the head of a user. The helmet of this aspect includes a shell and a bi-directional device for shortening lengths of lines extending from the shell by rotation of a control handle of the device.
• In a variation of this aspect of the invention, the bi-directional device and at least two lines define an adjustable chin strap that is capable of being tightened by manual rotation of the control handle of the device. Optionally, the chin strap is capable of being loosened by manual positioning of the control handle into a release position.
• In another variation of this aspect of the invention, a left chin strap is defined by at least two lines that pass about the left ear, and a right chin strap is defined by at least two lines that pass about the right ear. The left chin strap is tightened by rotation of the control handle in a first rotational direction, and the right chin strap is tightened by rotation of the control handle in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction.
• Yet another aspect of the invention relates to a helmet having first and second shell portions. When a control handle of the helmet is rotated, the first shell portion is drawn toward the second shell portion thereby tightening the helmet about the head of the user.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• One or more embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings briefly described below, wherein the same elements are referred to with the same reference numerals.
• FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a bi-directional device according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 1B is a side view showing a drive position obtained by the bi-directional device ofFIG. 1A.
• FIG. 1C is a top view of showing a line portion drawn into the bi-directional device ofFIG. 1A.
• FIG. 1D is a top view showing another line portion drawn into the bi-directional device ofFIG. 1A.
• FIG. 1E is side view of showing a release position obtained by the bi-directional device ofFIG. 1A.
• FIG. 1F is a top view showing line portions withdrawn from the bi-directional device ofFIG. 1A.
• FIG. 2A is a side view of showing a drive position obtained by another embodiment of a bi-directional device according to the invention.
• FIG. 2B is a top view showing line portions drawn into the bi-directional device ofFIG. 2A.
• FIG. 2C is a top view showing other line portions drawn into the bi-directional device ofFIG. 2A
• FIG. 2D is a side view showing a release position obtained by the bi-directional device ofFIG. 2A
• FIG. 2E is top view showing line portions withdrawn from the bi-directional device ofFIG. 2A
• FIG. 3A is a diagrammatical view of several of the components of the bi-directional device ofFIG. 2A.
• FIG. 3B is a diagrammatical view of lines winding onto a spool assembly of the bi-directional device ofFIG. 3A.
• FIG. 3C is diagrammatical view of other lines winding onto another spool assembly of the bi-directional device ofFIG. 3A.
• FIG. 3D is a diagrammatical view of a release position obtained by the components ofFIG. 3A.
• FIG. 3E is a diagrammatical view of lines unwinding from the spool assembly ofFIG. 3B.
• FIG. 3F is a diagrammatical view of lines unwinding from the spool assembly ofFIG. 3C.
• FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of a bi-directional device according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 4B is another exploded perspective view of the bi-directional device ofFIG. 4A.
• FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of particular components of the bi-directional device ofFIG. 4A.
• FIG. 5B is another exploded perspective view of the components ofFIG. 5A.
• FIG. 6A is an exploded view of a spool assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 6B is another exploded perspective view of the spool assembly ofFIG. 6A.
• FIG. 7A is an exploded perspective view of particular components of the bi-directional device ofFIG. 4A.
• FIG. 7B is another exploded perspective view of the components ofFIG. 7A.
• FIG. 8A is an exploded perspective view of another spool assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 8B is another exploded perspective view of the spool assembly ofFIG. 8A.
• FIG. 9A is an exploded perspective view of a bi-directional device according to another embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 9B is another exploded perspective view of the bi-directional device ofFIG. 9A.
• FIG. 10A is an exploded perspective view of a spool assembly according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 10B is another exploded perspective view of the spool assembly ofFIG. 10A.
• FIG. 11A is a left side view of a helmet having a bi-directional device according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 11B is a right side view of the helmet ofFIG. 11A.
• FIG. 12A is a left side view of another helmet having a bi-directional device according to an embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 12B is a right side view of the helmet ofFIG. 12A.
• FIG. 13 is a left side view of yet another helmet having a bi-directional device according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the present invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.
• Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.
• Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims rather than the description set forth herein.
• Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.
• Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple.”
• When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at lease one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.”
• Turning now toFIG. 1A, an embodiment of abi-directional device100 according to the invention includes ahousing102 from which extends arotatable control handle104, a firstflexible line106, and a secondflexible line108. The control handle104 is rotatable relative to the housing about anaxis110. When the control handle104 is rotated in a firstrotational direction112 about theaxis110, at least a portion of thefirst line106 is drawn into thehousing102. When the control handle104 is rotated in a secondrotational direction114, opposite the firstrotational direction112, at least a portion of thesecond line108 is drawn into thehousing102. The lengths of the portions of the lines that extend from the housing are thereby shortened by respective rotations of the control handle about the axis in the two rotational directions.
• Furthermore, the control handle104 is positionable along theaxis110 within a range. A drive position (FIG. 1B) of the control handle is obtained when the control handle is positioned at the inward extreme of the range relative to thehousing102. A release position (FIG. 1E) of the control handle is obtained when the control handle is positioned at the outward extreme of the range relative to the housing. The drive position is generally obtained by the bi-directional device by way of an elastic force among internal components of the device that biases the control handle into the drive position.
• When the control handle104 is positioned at the drive position (FIG. 1B), rotation of the control handle about theaxis110 in the firstrotational direction112 results in at least a portion of thefirst line106 being drawn into the housing (FIG. 1C). Furthermore, when the control handle is positioned at the drive position, rotation of the control handle about theaxis110 in the secondrotational direction114 results in at least a portion of thesecond line108 being drawn into the housing (FIG. 1D). The portions of the lines drawn into the housing by rotation of the handle are prevented from being withdrawn as long as the control handle remains in the drive position (FIG. 1B).
• However, when an external pulling force overcomes the elastic force and displaces the control handle from the drive position (FIG. 1B) and into the release position (FIG. 1E), the portions of thelines106,108 that were drawn into the housing by respective rotations of the control handle are no longer prevented from being withdrawn and can be pulled from the housing. Thus, the lengths of the lines extending from the housing can be drawn into the housing by rotating the control handle at the drive position (FIG. 1B), and, can be withdrawn from the housing when the control handle is pulled into the release position (FIG. 1E).
• Flexible lines106,108 are shown inFIG. 1 as mono-filament lines though the various embodiment of bi-directional devices described herein are useful as well for drawing and tensioning multi-filament lines. Indeed, “flexible line,” as used herein, refers to many types of elongate flexible lines having various constructions and formed of various materials having respective tensile and flexible properties. Exemplary constructions include, but are not limited to: mono-filament lines, multi-filament lines, wound lines, woven lines, braided lines, layered lines, strings, ropes, cords, threads, twines, intertwined strands, chains, tethers, belts, bands, straps, and combinations thereof. Exemplary materials include, but are not limited to: natural fibers including hemp, cotton, linen, hide, gut, and sinew; synthetic and plastic fibers such as nylon, polyethylene, and fluorocarbon; lines formed of metals such as wires and cables; and, combinations thereof.
• Components of thebi-directional device100 including thehousing102 and control handle104 are preferably formed of injection molded plastic though other materials and manufacturing techniques are within the scope of the discussions herein of various embodiments of bi-directional devices. For example, the components of the bi-directional device can be formed of molded metal or can be machined from solid material such as steel or plastic.
• As shown inFIGS. 2A-2E, another embodiment of abi-directional device200 according to the invention includes ahousing202, multiplefirst lines206, multiplesecond lines208, and a rotatable control handle204 that is positionable into a drive position (FIG. 2A) and a release position (FIG. 2D). The drive position is generally obtained by the bi-directional device by way of an elastic force among internal components of the device that biases the control handle toward the housing and into the drive position. The release position is obtained when a user of thebi-directional device200 pulls thehandle204 along theaxis210, displacing the handle from the drive position.
• When the control handle204 is positioned at the drive position (FIG. 2A) and rotated in the first rotational direction212 (FIG. 2B), at least a portion of eachfirst line206 is drawn into thehousing202. Furthermore, when the control handle204 is positioned at the drive position and rotated in the second rotational direction214 (FIG. 2C), at least a portion of each ofsecond line208 is drawn into the housing. The portions of the lines drawn into the housing by rotations of the handle are prevented from being withdrawn as long as the control handle remains in the drive position.
• When the control handle204 is positioned at the release position (FIG. 2D-2E), portions of thelines206,208 can be withdrawn from the housing. In particular, those portions that were previously drawn into the housing by respective rotations of the control handle (FIGS. 2B-2C) can be withdrawn by pulling the lines from the housing.
• Several components of the bi-directional device200 (FIGS. 2A-2E) that are within thehousing202 are diagrammatically shown inFIGS. 3A-3F. These components include anaxle222 rotatable about theaxis210, afirst spool assembly224 coupled to theaxle222, and asecond spool assembly226 coupled to theaxle222. The firstflexible lines206 are attached to thefirst spool assembly224 for winding thereon, and the secondflexible lines208 are attached to thesecond spool assembly226 for winding thereon. The axle222 (FIGS. 3A-3F) is attached to the control handle204 (FIGS. 2A-2E) such that when the control handle is travels along and rotates about theaxis210, theaxle222 travels and rotates with the control handle.
• In particular, when the control handle204 is positioned at the drive position (FIG. 2A), theaxle222 is positioned along theaxis210 into a drive position as shown inFIG. 3A. Whenaxle222 is positioned at the drive position and rotated in the first rotational direction212 (FIG. 3B), thefirst spool assembly224 is thereby rotated in the first rotational direction and at least portions of thefirst lines206 are thereby wound onto the first spool assembly. When theaxle222 is positioned at the drive position and rotated in the second rotational direction214 (FIG. 3C), the second spool assembly is thereby rotated in the second rotational direction and at least portions of thesecond lines208 are thereby wound onto the second spool assembly. Unwinding of the lines from the spools is prevented as long as the axle is positioned at the drive position.
• Furthermore, when the control handle204 is positioned at the release position (FIG. 2D), theaxle222 is positioned into a release position as shown inFIG. 3D. As shown inFIG. 3E, when the axle obtains the release position, and external pulling forces are applied to thefirst lines206, thefirst spool assembly224 is permitted to rotate in the secondrotational direction214 thereby permitting unwinding of the first lines responsively to the torque that results from the external pulling forces. Similarly, as shown inFIG. 3F, when the axle obtains the release position, and external pulling forces are applied to thesecond lines208, thesecond spool assembly226 is permitted to rotate in the firstrotational direction212 thereby permitting unwinding of the second lines responsively to the torque that results from the external pulling forces.
• As shown inFIGS. 4A-4B, yet another embodiment of abi-directional device300 includes anaxle302 rotatable about anaxis304, afirst driving component306 attached to theaxle302, asecond driving component308, afirst spool assembly310, and asecond spool assembly312.
• Thefirst spool assembly310 includes afirst spool314 and a third driving component316 (FIG. 4B) coupled to thefirst spool314. Thethird driving component316 is engagable by thefirst driving component306 for rotation of the first spool assembly when theaxle302 is rotated in a firstrotational direction318 about theaxis304. Any number of flexible lines attached to thefirst spool314 are wound about the first spool upon rotation of the first spool in the first rotational direction.
• Thesecond spool assembly312 includes asecond spool320 and a fourth driving component322 (FIG. 4B) coupled to thesecond spool320. Thefourth driving component322 is engagable by thesecond driving component308 for rotation of the second spool assembly when theaxle302 is rotated in a secondrotational direction334 about theaxis304. Any number of flexible lines attached to thesecond spool320 are wound about the second spool upon rotation of the second spool in the second rotational direction.
• Thebi-directional device300 further includes ahousing336. Thehousing336 includes a continuous substantiallycircular wall338 defining a cylindrical interior concentric with theaxis304. An annular flange340 (FIG. 5A-5B) is connected along its outer circular margin to the interior side of thewall338 and extends radially inwardly from the wall. A number ofcapture teeth342 extend radially inwardly from the wall338 (FIG. 5B). In assembling the device, thefirst spool assembly310 is pressed into the cylindrical interior of thewall338 past thecapture teeth342 and is retained by the capture teeth within the housing between theannular flange340 and thecapture teeth342.
• As shown inFIGS. 4A-4B, thehousing336 further includes a base344 that snaps into attachment with thewall338. In assembling the device, thesecond driving component308 and thesecond spool assembly312 are disposed within the cylindrical interior of thewall338 and thebase344 is snapped into attachment with the wall. Thesecond driving component308 is thereby captured between the annular flange340 (FIG. 5A) and thesecond spool assembly312; and, the second spool assembly is thereby captured between the second driving component and thebase344.
• Furthermore, in assembling the device, theaxle302 is passed through thefirst spool assembly310, through thehousing338, through thesecond driving component308, through thesecond spool assembly312, partially through thebase344, and into aretention cap346. Theaxle302 is received and retained by theretention cap346 in a press-fit attachment. Similarly, the base344 snaps into attachment with thewall338 in a press-fit attachment. These press-fit attachments may be further supported, for example by locking grooves and rings, set screws, cotter pins, adhesives, and welding. In another embodiment of a bi-directional device, the wall of the housing, the base, the axle, and the retention cap each have threaded portions such that, in assembling that device, the base is screwed into the wall of the housing, and the retention cap is screwed onto the axle.
• A base cylinder360 (FIG. 4B) is attached to thebase344 and extends along theaxis304. A well362 (FIG. 4A) is defined within the interior of the base cylinder for receiving theretention cap346. A capture flange364 (FIG. 4B) extends radially inwardly from thebase cylinder360 at an end of the base cylinder opposite its attachment to thebase344.
• Theretention cap346 is dimensioned to pass into the well362 of the base cylinder and partially through thecapture flange364. Acapture flange368 extends radially outward from theretention cap346 to prevent the retention cap from passing completely through thebase344. Thecapture flange368 of theretention cap346 is dimensioned such that it will pass into the well362, and is rotatable therein, but will not pass through thecapture flange364 of thebase cylinder360. Travel of the retention cap into the housing is thereby limited by abutment of the capture flange of the retention cap with that of the base cylinder.
• A biasingspring370 is disposed between theretention cap346 andbase344 within thewell362. The biasingspring370 is generally compressed between thecapture flange368 of the retention cap and thecapture flange364 of thebase cylinder360, and generally biases the retention cap away from thebase344 and out of thehousing336 with an elastic force of the biasing spring. Insofar as theaxle302 is retained by theretention cap346 upon assembly of thedevice300, theaxle302 is biased toward thebase344 and into thehousing336 by the elastic force of the biasingspring370. The biasingspring370 is preferably formed of spring steel though other mechanisms for providing an elastic force to bias the axle toward the base are within the scope of this discussion.
• As shown inFIGS. 5A-5B, theaxle302 includes a first axle portion380 (FIG. 5A) to which is attached thefirst driving component306 and acontrol handle382. A number ofcapture teeth384 extend radially outward from thefirst axle portion380 for retaining thefirst spool assembly310 on thefirst axle portion380. In assembling the bi-directional device300 (FIGS. 4A-4B), thefirst axle portion380 is passed through thefirst spool assembly320 such thecapture teeth384 are pressed through the first spool assembly and retain the assembly on the first axle portion between the capture teeth and thefirst driving component306. Thefirst spool assembly320 is then conditionally rotatable about thefirst axle portion380.
• Insofar as theaxle302 is retained by theretention cap346 and is thereby biased into thehousing336 by way of the elastic force of the biasing spring370 (FIG. 4A), the first driving component306 (FIG. 5A) attached to the axle is biased into abutment and engagement with the third driving component316 (FIG. 5B) that is coupled to thefirst spool314. A drive position of the axle for the rotation of spools is thereby defined and generally obtained when thefirst driving component306 abuts thethird driving component316. The elastic force of the biasingspring370 generally maintains theaxle302 in the drive position.
• When the drive position of theaxle302 is obtained, and the axle is rotated in the firstrotational direction318 about theaxis304, thefirst driving component306 engages thethird driving component316 thereby rotating thefirst spool314 in the firstrotational direction318 about the axis304 (FIGS. 5A-5B). However, when theaxle302 is rotated in the secondrotational direction334, thefirst spool314 is not rotated.
• In this embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 5A-5B, the first andthird driving components306,316 include one-way crown gears that engage when thefirst driving component306 is rotated in one rotational direction, namely the firstrotational direction318. Slipping is permitted between the first and third driving components when thefirst driving component306 is rotated in the other rotational direction, namely the secondrotational direction334. At least slight travel of thethird driving component316 along theaxis304 is permitted against the elastic force of a wave spring, as shown inFIGS. 6A-6B, to facilitate slipping between the first driving component and third driving component when the axle is rotated in the second rotational direction.
• A first locking component390 (FIG. 5B) is attached to theannular flange340 facing thefirst spool assembly310. A third locking component392 (FIG. 5A) is coupled to thefirst spool314 facing theannular flange340. When theaxle302 obtains the drive position, thethird locking component392 abuts thefirst locking component390 thereby preventing thefirst spool314 from rotating in the secondrotational direction334 about theaxis304. As thefirst spool314 is rotated in the firstrotational direction318, thethird locking component392 slips relative to thefirst locking component390. That is, though abutment of thethird locking component392 andfirst locking component390 is maintained when theaxle302 obtains the drive position, the engagement of the locking components is a one-way locking engagement.
• In this embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 5A-5B, the first and third locking components include one-way crown gears that engage to prevent thethird locking component392 from rotating in one rotational direction, namely the secondrotational direction334, while slipping is permitted in the other rotational direction, namely the firstrotational direction318. At least slight travel of the third locking component along theaxis304 relative to thefirst spool314 is permitted against the elastic force of a wave spring, as shown inFIGS. 6A-6B, to facilitate slipping between the third locking component and first locking component as the first spool is rotated in the first rotational direction.
• As shown inFIGS. 6A-6B, thefirst spool assembly310 includes thefirst spool314, thethird driving component316 coupled to the first spool, thethird locking component392 coupled to the first spool, and awave spring400 for biasing the third driving component and third locking component outward from the first spool.Retention fingers402 depend from thethird driving component316 along theaxis304 toward thefirst spool314. Similarly,retention fingers404 depend from thethird locking component392 along theaxis304 toward thefirst spool314. Spaces between regularly spacedspokes406 of the first spool allow passage of theretention fingers402,404. The wave spring and first spool are captured between thethird driving component316 andthird locking component392 when theretention fingers402 engage theretention fingers404.
• The third driving component316 (FIG. 6A) is biased away from thefirst spool314 and toward the first driving component306 (FIG. 5A) of the axle by an elastic force of thewave spring400. Furthermore, the third locking component392 (FIG. 6A) is biased away from thefirst spool314 and toward the first locking component390 (FIG. 5B) of the housing by an elastic force of the wave spring. Thus the elastic forces of the biasing spring370 (FIGS. 4A-4B) andwave spring400 generally maintain abutment of the first spool assembly with the first driving component of the axle and the first locking component of the housing.
• However, when a pulling force externally applied to the control handle382 overcomes the elastic force of thespring370 and displaces theaxle302 along theaxis304 and away from thehousing336, the first spool assembly loses abutment with the first driving component and first locking component. A release position of the axle is thereby obtained and defined. As the axle is pulled from the housing until thecapture flange368 of theretention cap346 abuts thecapture flange364 of the base cylinder360 (FIG. 4B), thefirst spool assembly310, retained on the first axle portion380 (FIG. 5A) by thecapture teeth384, travels with the axle and loses abutment with the first locking component390 (FIG. 5B). Furthermore, travel of the first spool assembly with the axle is limited by thecapture teeth342 of thehousing336 such that abutment with thefirst driving component306 is lost. Thus, when the release position of the axle is obtained, the first spool assembly, captured between the capture teeth384 (FIG. 5A) of the axle and the capture teeth342 (FIG. 5B) of the housing, is freely rotatable about the first axle portion380 (FIG. 5A).
• With regard to rotation of the first spool assembly310 (FIG. 4A-4B) in the firstrotational direction318, in summary, when theaxle302 obtains the drive position as biased by the biasingspring370, thefirst driving component306 of the axle abuts thethird driving component316 of the first spool assembly. Furthermore, when the control handle is rotated in the firstrotational direction318, thefirst spool314 is thereby rotated in the first rotational direction. Any flexible lines attached to the first spool are thereby wound about the first spool. For example, two flexible lines (not shown) are preferably attached to thefirst spool314 and extend therefrom through holes406 (FIG. 5A-5B) formed in thecircular wall338 of thehousing336. As thefirst spool314 is rotated in the firstrotational direction318 by rotation of the control handle, the lengths of the lines that extend from thehousing336 are shortened. Subsequent withdrawal of the lines from the housing are prevented by engagement of the third locking component392 (FIG. 5A) of thefirst spool314 with the first locking component390 (FIG. 5B) of thehousing336 as long as theaxle302 is maintained in the drive position. In this regard, operation of thebi-directional device300 ofFIGS. 4A-4B is essentially the same as operation of thebi-directional device200 ofFIGS. 2A-2B.
• With regard to releasing the first spool assembly to allow withdrawal of flexible lines from the housing, when the control handle is displaced along theaxis304 into the release position, the first spool assembly, captured between the capture teeth384 (FIG. 5A) of thefirst axle portion380 and the capture teeth342 (FIG. 5B) of the housing, is freely rotatable about thefirst axle portion380. In this regard, operation of thebi-directional device300 ofFIGS. 4A-4B is essentially the same as operation of thebi-directional device200 ofFIGS. 2D-2E.
• As shown inFIGS. 7A-7B, theaxle302 has adrive stage410 for rotating thesecond driving component308 with the axle. Adrive aperture411 is formed through the second driving component and receives thedrive stage410 of the axle in a press fit attachment when the device is assembled. The press fit attachment of the second drive component with the drive stage can be assisted by adhesive, set screws, welding, or other attachment. Thus, thesecond driving component308, retained by the axle, travels and rotates with the axle when the control handle is rotated about theaxis304 and positioned along theaxis404. With the axle in the drive position, thesecond driving component308 abuts thefourth driving component322 of thesecond spool assembly312. When the axle is rotated in the secondrotational direction334, thesecond driving component308 engages thefourth driving component322 and thereby rotates thesecond spool320 in the second rotational direction. However, when theaxle302 is rotated in the firstrotational direction318, thesecond spool320 is not rotated.
• In this embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 7A-7B, the second and fourth drivingcomponents308,322 include one-way crown gears that engage when thesecond driving component308 is rotated in one rotational direction, namely the secondrotational direction334. Slipping is permitted between the second and fourth driving components when the second driving component is rotated in the other rotational direction, namely the firstrotational direction318. At least slight travel of the fourth driving component along theaxis304 is permitted against the elastic force of a wave spring, as shown inFIGS. 8A-8B, to facilitate slipping between the second driving component and fourth driving component when the axle is rotated in the firstrotational direction318.
• As further shown inFIGS. 7A-7B, a second locking component420 (FIG. 7B) is attached to the base344 facing thesecond spool assembly312. A fourth locking component410 (FIG. 7A) is coupled to thesecond spool320 facing thesecond locking component420. When theaxle302 obtains the drive position, thefourth locking component410 abuts thesecond locking component420 thereby preventing thesecond spool320 from rotating in the firstrotational direction318 about theaxis304. As thesecond spool320 is rotated in the secondrotational direction334, thefourth locking component410 slips relative to thesecond locking component420. That is, though abutment of thefourth locking component410 andsecond locking component420 is maintained when theaxle302 obtains the drive position, the engagement of the locking components is a one-way locking engagement.
• In this embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 7A-7B, the second and fourth locking components420 (FIG. 7B),410 (FIG. 7A) include one-way crown gears that engage to prevent the fourth locking component from rotating in one rotational direction, namely the firstrotational direction318, while slipping is permitted in the other rotational direction, namely the secondrotational direction334. At least slight travel of the fourth locking component along theaxis304 relative to thesecond spool320 is permitted against the elastic force of a wave spring, as shown inFIGS. 8A-8B, to facilitate slipping between the fourth locking component and second locking component as the second spool is rotated in the second rotational direction.
• As shown inFIGS. 8A-8B, thesecond spool assembly312 includes thesecond spool320, thefourth driving component322 coupled to the first spool, thefourth locking component410 coupled to the second spool, and awave spring412 for biasing the fourth driving component and fourth locking component outward from the second spool.Retention fingers414 depend from the fourth driving component422 along theaxis304 toward thesecond spool320. Similarly,retention fingers416 depend from thefourth locking component410 along theaxis304 toward thesecond spool320. Spaces between regularly spacedspokes418 of the second spool allow passage of theretention fingers414,416 therethrough for mutual interlocking engagement of the fingers. Thewave spring412 andsecond spool320 are captured between thefourth driving component322 andfourth locking component410 when theretention fingers414 engage theretention fingers416.
• Thespokes418 of thesecond spool320 radiate outward from a central hub426 (FIG. 8B) that is rotatable about thebase cylinder360 of the base344 (FIG. 4B). Anabutment flange428 extends radially inwardly from central hub426 (FIG. 8A-8B) at an end of the hub that faces thefourth driving component322. Theabutment flange428 allows passage and rotation of theaxle302 but is dimensioned to abut anabutment surface430 of the retention cap346 (FIG. 4B) and prevent passage of the retention cap.
• Thefourth driving component322 is biased away from thesecond spool320 and toward the second driving component308 (FIG. 7A) by an elastic force of the wave spring412 (FIG. 8A-8B). Furthermore, thewave spring412 biases the fourth locking component410 (FIG. 4A) away from thesecond spool320 and toward the second locking component420 (FIG. 4B) of thebase344. The biasing spring370 (FIGS. 4A-4B) biases theaxle302 toward thebase344 and thus biases thesecond driving component308 toward the base and thesecond spool assembly312. Thus the elastic forces of the biasing spring370 (FIGS. 4A-4B) and wave spring412 (FIGS. 8A-8B) generally maintain abutment of thesecond spool assembly312 with thesecond driving component308 of the axle and thesecond locking component420 of thebase344.
• However, when a pulling force externally applied to the control handle382 overcomes the elastic force of thespring370, displacing theaxle302 along theaxis304 away from thehousing336, the release position of the axle is obtained such that the second spool assembly loses abutment with the second locking component and second driving component. In particular, as theaxle302 is pulled from the housing until thecapture flange368 of theretention cap346 abuts thecapture flange364 of the base cylinder360 (FIG. 4B), the abuttingsurface430 of theretention cap346 abuts the abutment flange428 (FIG. 8A-8B) of the second spool thereby displacing thesecond spool assembly312 along theaxis304 toward the annular flange340 (FIG. 7A) of thehousing336 causing abutment of the second spool assembly and second locking component420 (FIG. 7B) to be lost. Furthermore, as theaxle302 is pulled from the housing, thesecond driving component308 loses abutment with thesecond spool assembly312 because travel of thesecond spool320 toward the annular flange340 (FIG. 7A) is limited by a number ofcapture teeth432 extending radially inward from thewall338 of thehousing336. Thecapture teeth432 are dimensioned such that passage of thesecond driving component308 is permitted but passage of thesecond spool320 is prevented. Thus, when the release position of the axle is obtained, the second spool assembly, captured between theabutting surface430 of the retention cap346 (FIG. 4B) and the capture teeth432 (FIG. 7A) of the housing, is freely rotatable about theaxle302 and base cylinder360 (FIG. 4B).
• With regard to rotation of the second spool assembly312 (FIG. 4A-4B) in the secondrotational direction334, in summary, when theaxle302 obtains the drive position as biased by the biasingspring370, thesecond driving component308 attached to the axle abuts thefourth driving component322 of the second spool assembly. Furthermore, when the control handle382 is rotated in the secondrotational direction334, thesecond spool320 is thereby rotated in the second rotational direction. Any flexible lines attached to the second spool are thereby wound about the second spool. For example, two flexible lines (not shown) are preferably attached to thesecond spool320 and extend therefrom through holes434 (FIG. 7A-7B) formed in thecircular wall338 of thehousing336. As thesecond spool320 is rotated in the secondrotational direction334 by rotation of the control handle, the lengths of the lines that extend from thehousing336 are shortened. Subsequent withdrawal of the lines from the housing are prevented by engagement of the fourth locking component410 (FIG. 4A) of thesecond spool320 with the second locking component420 (FIG. 4B) of the base344 as long as theaxle302 is maintained in the drive position. In this regard, operation of thebi-directional device300 ofFIGS. 4A-4B is essentially the same as operation of thebi-directional device200 ofFIGS. 2A and 2C.
• With regard to releasing the second spool assembly to allow withdrawal of flexible lines from the housing, when the control handle is displaced along theaxis304 into the release position, the second spool assembly, captured between theabutment surface430 of the retention cap346 (FIG. 4B) and thecapture teeth432 of the housing336 (FIG. 7A), is freely rotatable about theaxle302 andbase cylinder360. In this regard, operation of thebi-directional device300 ofFIGS. 4A-4B is essentially the same as operation of thebi-directional device200 ofFIGS. 2D-2E.
• Yet another embodiment of abi-directional device500 is shown inFIGS. 9A-9B. In this embodiment, afirst spool assembly510 is constructed and is operational much like thefirst spool assembly310 of thebi-directional device300 ofFIGS. 4A-4B. However, in this embodiment, thefirst spool assembly510 is not retained on an axle portion by retention teeth for displacing the first spool when the release position of the axle is obtained. In this embodiment, an abutting surface529 (FIGS. 10A-10B) of thesecond spool assembly512 passes through the annular flange540 (FIG. 9B) of thehousing536, abuts thefirst spool514, and displaces the locking component592 (FIG. 9B) of thefirst spool assembly510 from the locking component590 (FIG. 9A) when the axle obtains the release position. Nonetheless, insofar as a pair of flexible lines (not shown) is attached to thefirst spool514, operation of thebi-directional device500 ofFIGS. 9A-9B, with regard to thefirst spool assembly510, is essentially the same as operation of thebi-directional device200 ofFIGS. 2A,2B,2D, and2E.
• Furthermore, in this embodiment, thesecond driving component508 attached to theaxle502 is passable through the annular flange540 (FIG. 9B) and abuts the fourth driving component522 (FIG. 10A) of thesecond spool assembly512 when the axle obtains the drive position. As shown inFIGS. 10A-10B, thefourth driving component522 andfourth locking component610, having different diameters, each separately couple to thesecond spool520, and are each biased away from the second spool by one or more springs (not shown). Insofar as a pair of flexible lines (not shown) is attached to thesecond spool520, operation of thebi-directional device500 ofFIGS. 9A-9B, with regard to thesecond spool assembly510, is essentially the same as operation of thebi-directional device200 ofFIGS. 2A,2C,2D, and2E.
• On the other hand, insofar as a single flexible line (not shown) is attached to thefirst spool514 and a single flexible line is attached to thesecond spool520, operation of thebi-directional device500 ofFIGS. 9A-9B is essentially the same as operation of thebi-directional device100 ofFIGS. 1A-1F.
• While those embodiments of the invention described above relate to bi-directional devices, yet other embodiments of the invention relate to articles of protective apparel having bi-directional devices. In particular, several embodiments of protective helmets are described below.
• InFIGS. 11A-11B, ahelmet1100 according to the invention includes ashell1102 for placement on and protection of the head of a user, a first line106 (FIG. 11A) extending from the shell, a second line108 (FIG. 11B) extending from the shell, and a bi-directional device100 (see alsoFIG. 1A) having acontrol handle104 that is rotatable about anaxis110 relative to thedevice100. When the control handle104 is rotated in a firstrotational direction112 about theaxis110, at least a portion of the first line106 (FIG. 11A) is drawn into the bi-directional device thereby shortening the length of the first line extending from the device.
• Furthermore, when the control handle104 is rotated in a secondrotational direction114 about theaxis110, at least a portion of the second line108 (FIG. 11B) is drawn into the bi-directional device thereby shortening the length of the second line extending from the device. In this embodiment, the first line, second line, and bi-directional device define an adjustable chin strap for retaining the helmet on the head of the user. The chin strap is capable of being tightened by the user by manual rotation of the control handle.
• Furthermore, the control handle104 is positionable along theaxis110 into a release position (FIGS. 1E-1F), whereby the chin strap defined by the first line, second line, and bi-directional device can be loosened.
• InFIGS. 12A-12B, ahelmet1200 according to the invention includes ashell1202 for placement on and protection of the head of a user, afirst line206aand athird line206b(FIG. 12A) extending from the shell, asecond line208aand afourth line208b(FIG. 12B) extending from the shell, and a bi-directional device200 (see alsoFIG. 2A-2E) having acontrol handle204 that is rotatable about anaxis210 relative to thedevice200. When the control handle204 is rotated in a firstrotational direction212 about theaxis210, at least portions of thefirst line206aandthird line206bare drawn into the bi-directional device thereby shortening the length of the first and third lines extending from the device. In this embodiment, the first line and third line define a left chin strap (FIG. 12A). The left chin strap is capable of being tightened by the user by manual rotation of the control handle in the first rotational direction.
• Furthermore, when the control handle204 is rotated in a secondrotational direction214 about theaxis210, at least portions of thesecond line208aandfourth line208bare drawn into the bi-directional device thereby shortening the lengths of the second and fourth lines extending from the device. In this embodiment, the second line and fourth line define a right chin strap (FIG. 12B). The right chin strap is capable of being tightened by the user by manual rotation of the control handle in the second rotational direction.
• Furthermore, the control handle204 is positionable along theaxis210 into a release position (FIGS. 2D-2E), whereby the left and right chin straps can be loosened.
• In another embodiment of a helmet, not shown, the first andthird lines206a,206bextend from thebi-directional device200 and pass forward of the left and right ears, respectively, as forward straps. Also, the second andfourth lines208a,208bextend from thebi-directional device200 and pass rearward of the left and right ears, respectively, as rearward straps. In this embodiment, rotation of the control handle in the first rotational direction effects tightening of the first and third lines thereby adjusting the forward placement of the helmet on the head of the user. Similarly, rotation of the control handle in the second rotational direction effects tightening of the second and fourth lines thereby adjusting the aft placement of the helmet on the head of the user. Furthermore, when the control handle is positioned at the release position (FIGS. 2D-2E), forward and aft placement of the helmet are loosened.
• InFIG. 13, anadjustable helmet1300 according to the invention includes afirst shell portion1302afor placement on and protection of a first portion of the cranium of a user, asecond shell portion1302bfor placement on and protection of a second portion of the cranium of a user, afirst line1306 extending from the shell first shell portion, asecond line1308 extending from the second shell portion, and abi-directional device1310 having acontrol handle1312 that is rotatable about anaxis1314 relative to thedevice1310. When thecontrol handle1312 is rotated in a firstrotational direction1316 about theaxis1314, at least a portion of thefirst line1306 is drawn into the bi-directional device. When thecontrol handle1312 is rotated in a secondrotational direction1318 about theaxis1314, at least a portion of thesecond line1308 is drawn into the bi-directional device. The placement of thehelmet1300 about the head of the user is thereby tightened about the head of the user.
• In particular, the spaced relationship of the first and second shell portions is adjustable by way of rotations of the control handle. That is, the forwardfirst shell portion1302aand the rearwardsecond shell portion1302bhave adjustable relative proximity. As the control handle is rotated in the first rotational direction, the forwardfirst shell portion1302ais adjusted rearward on the head of the user and toward the rearwardsecond shell portion1302b. As the control handle is rotated in the second rotational direction, the rearwardsecond shell portion1302bis adjusted forward on the head of the user and toward theforward shell portion1302a.
• The control handle1312 is positionable along the axis into a release position. When thecontrol handle1312 is positioned at the release position, for example by the user pulling the handle away from thebi-directional device1310, the lines are loosened and the spaced relationship of the shell portions is increased thereby loosening the helmet about the head of the user.
• In this embodiment, insofar as only two lines are adjustable by the control handle, the bi-directional device is operated essentially the same as thedevice100 ofFIG. 1A-1F. Insofar as four lines are adjustable by the control handle, wherein two lines pass about the left ear of the user as shown and two additional lines pass about the right ear, the bi-directional device is operated essentially the same as thedevice200 ofFIGS. 2A-2E.

Claims (20)

1. A helmet for placement on and protection of the head of a user, the helmet comprising:

(a) a shell for receiving at least a portion of the cranium of a user;

(b) a first line extending from said shell;

(c) a second line extending from said shell; and

(d) a bi-directional device comprising a control handle rotatable about an axis;

(e) wherein said bi-directional device receives said first line defining a first length of said first line between said shell and said device;

(f) wherein said bi-directional device receives said second line defining a second length of said second line between said shell and said device;

(g) wherein said first length is shortened when said control handle is rotated in a first rotational direction about said axis; and

(h) wherein said second length is shortened when said control handle is rotated in a second rotational direction about said axis; and

(i) wherein said first rotational direction is opposite said second rotational direction.

2. The helmet ofclaim 1, wherein said first line, said second line and said bi-directional device define an adjustable chin strap for retaining said helmet on the head of the user, wherein said chin-strap is capable of being tightened by the user by manual rotation of said control handle.

3. The helmet ofclaim 2, wherein said adjustable chin strap is capable of being loosened by the user by manual positioning of said control handle along said axis into a release position whereby an increase of said first length and an increase in said second length are permitted from said tensioning device.

4. The helmet ofclaim 3, wherein said control handle is biased away from said release position by an elastic force and manual positioning of said control handle into the release position comprises overcoming said elastic force.

5. The helmet ofclaim 3, wherein said manual positioning of said control handle comprises pulling said control handle along said axis.

6. The helmet ofclaim 1,

(j) wherein said bi-directional device further comprises a first spool and a second spool,

(k) wherein, when said control handle is rotated in the first rotational direction about said axis, said first spool is rotated thereby winding said first line about said first spool and shortening said first length; and

(l) wherein, when said control handle is rotated in the second rotational direction about said axis, said second spool is rotated thereby winding said second line about said second spool and shortening said second length.

7. The helmet ofclaim 1, further comprising:

(j) a third line extending from said shell and received by said bi-directional device defining a third length of said third line between said shell and said device;

(k) a fourth line extending from said shell and received by said bi-directional device defining a fourth length of said fourth line between said shell and said device; and

(l) wherein said third length is shortened when said control handle is rotated in said first rotational direction about said axis; and

(m) wherein said fourth length is shortened when said control handle is rotated in said second rotational direction opposite said first direction about said axis.

(n) wherein said first line, said second line, said third line, said fourth line, and said bi-directional device define an adjustable chin strap assembly for retaining said helmet on the head of the user; and

(o) wherein said adjustable chin-strap is capable of being tightened by the user by manual rotation of said control handle.

8. The helmet ofclaim 7,

(p) wherein, when said helmet is placed on the head of the user:

(I) said first line extends from said shell and passes forward of the left ear of the user;

(II) said third line extends from said shell and passes rearward of the left ear;

(III) said second line extends from said shell and passes forward of the right ear of the user; and

(IV) said fourth line extends from said shell and passes rearward of the right ear;

(q) wherein said first line and said third line define a left chin strap;

(r) wherein said second line and said fourth line define a right chin strap;

(s) wherein the left chin strap is adjustably connected to the right chin strap by said bi-directional device below the chin or jaw of the user;

(t) wherein the left chin strap is tightened by rotation of said control handle in said first rotational direction; and

(u) wherein the right chin strap is tightened by rotation of said control handle in said second rotational direction.

9. The helmet ofclaim 7, wherein, when said helmet is placed on the head of the user:

(p) said first line extends from said shell and passes forward of the left ear of the user;

(q) said second line extends from said shell and passes rearward of said left ear;

(r) said third line extends from said shell and passes forward of the right ear of the user; and

(s) said fourth line extends from said shell and passes rearward of said right ear;

(t) wherein said first line and said third line define forward straps tightened by rotation of said control handle in said first rotational direction; and

(u) wherein said second line and said fourth line define rearward straps tightened by rotation of said control handle in said second rotational direction.

10. The helmet ofclaim 1, wherein said bi-directional device further comprises:

(j) a spool to which the first line is attached;

(k) a first crown gear coupled to said spool for rotating said spool; and

(l) a second crown gear coupled to the spool for preventing rotation of said spool;

(m) a driving gear attached to said control handle;

(n) a locking gear capable of being engaged by said second crown gear;

(o) wherein said spool, said first crown gear, and said second crown gear, are concentric about said axis;

(p) wherein said first crown gear is positionable within a range along said axis relative to said spool;

(q) wherein said first crown gear is biased away from said spool and toward said driving gear by an elastic force;

(r) wherein said second crown gear is positionable within a range along said axis relative to said spool;

(s) wherein said second crown gear is biased away from said spool and toward said locking gear by an elastic force;

(t) wherein, when said control handle is rotated in the first rotational direction about said axis, said driving gear is rotated in the first rotational direction about the said axis and engages said first crown gear thereby rotating said spool about said axis in the first rotational direction whereby a portion of said first line is wound about said spool and said first length is shortened; and

(u) wherein, said second crown gear engages said locking gear thereby preventing rotation of said spool in the second rotational direction whereby said portion of said first line wound about said spool is prevented from being withdrawn from said bi-directional device.

11. The helmet ofclaim 10,

(v) wherein said bi-directional device comprises a wave spring; and

(w) wherein said first crown gear is biased away from said spool and toward said driving gear by said wave spring; and

(x) wherein said second crown gear is biased away from said spool and toward said locking gear by said wave spring.

12. An adjustable helmet for placement on and protection of the head of a user, said helmet comprising:

(a) a first shell portion for receiving at least a first portion of the cranium of a user;

(b) a second shell portion for receiving at least a second portion of the cranium of a user;

(c) a control handle rotatable about an axis;

(d) wherein said first shell portion is coupled to said second shell portion;

(e) wherein said rotatable control handle is coupled to at least said first shell portion; and

(f) wherein, when said control handle is rotated in a first rotational direction about said axis, said first shell portion is drawn toward said second shell portion thereby tightening, when said helmet is placed on the head of a user, said helmet about the head of the user.

13. The adjustable helmet ofclaim 12, further comprising:

(g) a bi-directional device from which extends said rotatable control handle;

(h) a first line extending from a said shell portion; and

(i) a second line extending from a said shell portion;

(j) wherein said bi-directional device receives said first line and said second line;

(k) wherein when said control handle is rotated in the first rotational direction about said axis, at least a portion of said first line is drawn into said bi-directional device; and

(l) wherein when said control handle is rotated in a second rotational direction about said axis, at least a portion of said second line is drawn into said bi-directional device; and

(m) wherein said first rotational direction is opposite said second rotational direction.

14. The adjustable helmet ofclaim 13,

(n) wherein said control handle is positionable relative to said bi-directional device into a drive position and a release position;

(o) wherein, when said control handle is positioned at the drive position, said portion of said first line and said portion of said second line are each prevented from being withdrawn from said bi-directional device; and

(p) wherein, when said control handle is positioned at the release position, said portion of said first line and said portion of said second line are not prevented from being withdrawn from said bi-directional device.

15. The adjustable helmet ofclaim 13, wherein said first shell portion comprises a forward shell portion for receiving the forehead of a user.

16. The adjustable helmet ofclaim 13, wherein said second shell portion comprises a forward shell portion for receiving the forehead of a user.

17. An article of protective apparel for placement on and protection of a portion of the body of a user, said article comprising:

(a) a protective shell for receiving at least a portion of the body of a user;

(b) a bi-directional device from which extends a control handle;

(c) a first line coupled to said shell; and

(d) a second line coupled to said shell;

(e) wherein said control handle is rotatable about an axis;

(f) wherein said first shell portion is coupled to said second shell portion;

(g) wherein said bi-directional device receives said first line and said second line;

(h) wherein when said control handle is rotated in the first rotational direction about said axis, at least a portion of said first line is drawn into said bi-directional device;

(i) wherein when said control handle is rotated in a second rotational direction about said axis, at least a portion of said second line is drawn into said bi-directional device;

(j) wherein said first rotational direction is opposite said second rotational direction; and

(k) wherein said protective shell is tightened about the portion of the body of the user by rotation of said control handle.

18. The article of protective apparel ofclaim 17,

(l) wherein said control handle is positionable relative to said bi-directional device into a drive position and a release position;

(m) wherein, when said control handle is positioned at the drive position, said portion of said first line and said portion of said second line are each prevented from being withdrawn from said bi-directional device; and

(n) wherein, when said control handle is positioned at the release position, said portion of said first line and said portion of said second line are not prevented from being withdrawn from said bi-directional device.

19. The article of protective apparel ofclaim 18,

(o) wherein said control handle is positionable along said axis relative to said bi-directional device; and

(p) wherein the drive position and the release position are each obtained by manual movement of said control handle along said axis.

20. The article of protective apparel ofclaim 17, wherein said bi-directional device comprises:

(l) a spool for winding said portion of said first line thereon;

(m) a first crown gear coupled to said spool for rotating said spool; and

(m) a second crown gear coupled to the spool for preventing rotation of said spool;

(o) a driving gear attached to said control handle;

(p) a locking gear capable of being engaged by said second crown gear;

(q) wherein said spool, said first crown gear, and said second crown gear, are concentric about said axis;

(r) wherein said first crown gear is positionable within a range along said axis relative to said spool;

(s) wherein said first crown gear is biased away from said spool and toward said driving gear by an elastic force;

(t) wherein said second crown gear is positionable within a range along said axis relative to said spool;

(u) wherein said second crown gear is biased away from said spool and toward said locking gear by an elastic force;

(v) wherein, when said control handle is rotated in the first rotational direction about said axis, said driving gear is rotated in the first rotational direction about said axis and engages said first crown gear thereby rotating said spool about said axis in the first rotational direction whereby said portion of said first line is wound about said spool; and

(w) wherein, said second crown gear engages said locking gear thereby preventing rotation of said spool in the second rotational direction whereby said portion of said first line wound about said spool is prevented from being withdrawn from said bi-directional device

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