Michael J Musal

US Patent:

6904618, Jun 14, 2005

Filed:

Jun 16, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/462270

Inventors:

Michael J. Musal - Soquel CA, US

Assignee:

Bell Sports, Inc. - Santa Cruz CA

International Classification:

A63B071/10

US Classification:

2425, 2410

Abstract:

A helmet for protecting the head of a wearer during sporting activities, comprising a protective shell, vents formed in the protective shell, and a shutter plate positioned within the protective shell. The shutter plate has apertures conforming in dimension and position to the vent openings so that that the apertures are in substantial alignment with the vents when the shutter plate is in a first position. The shutter plate is selectively moveable so that the vents are opened or closed.

US Patent:

7222374, May 29, 2007

Filed:

May 26, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/856423

Inventors:

Michael J. Musal - Soquel CA, US
Hilgard N. Muller - Felton CA, US

Assignee:

Bell Sports, Inc. - Irving TX

International Classification:

A42B 7/00

US Classification:

2421, 2417, 24 68 B, 24274 WB

Abstract:

According to one embodiment of the invention, a fitting system for a helmet is provided. The fitting system includes a belt having supported racks coupled to a belt adjustment device. The belt adjustment device is operable to allow a user to tighten the belt, and release the belt at a single touch of a release actuator. The belt adjustment device and the racks are configured to hug the occiput of a user when the helmet is properly worn. The belt adjustment device is also operable to hold the rear straps of the helmet apart but is not attached to the helmet. The belt defines a collapsible button for securing a pad. The pad defines a substantially lateral compressed strip that is operable to urge the pad against the belt. The belt adjustment device and the belt are configured to allow rear straps of the helmet to approximately directly approach the chin of the user.

US Patent:

7246383, Jul 24, 2007

Filed:

May 27, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/855185

Inventors:

Michael J. Musal - Soquel CA, US

Assignee:

Bell Sports, Inc. - Santa Cruz CA

International Classification:

A42B 1/22

US Classification:

2418, 2DIG 11, 24 68 E

Abstract:

A fit adjustment mechanism for the headband of a helmet including a bridge and a buckle. The bridge has ratchet teeth extending from the exterior surface. Each of the ratchet teeth has a tapered surface, a top land, and a retention surface with an undercut face beneath the top land. Substantially flat valleys are formed on the exterior surface between each of the ratchet teeth. The buckle includes a clasp that is resiliently and integrally formed on the exterior surface of the base. The clasp has a pawl having an engagement surface so formed to engage the undercut face of the ratchet teeth retention surfaces.

US Patent:

7797765, Sep 21, 2010

Filed:

Dec 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/617291

Inventors:

Michael J. Musal - Soquel CA, US
Craig M. Lawrence - Menlo Park CA, US
Aaron A. Henningsgaard - Palo Alto CA, US
Eamon Briggs - Santa Cruz CA, US

Assignee:

Bell Sports, Inc. - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

A61F 9/02

US Classification:

2448

Abstract:

An eyewear system includes a frame having a lens channel configured to slidably receive the lens and an opening to allow the lens to be inserted into the lens channel. The system further includes a lens configured to be slidably received into the lens channel of the frame and a latch to releasably secure the lens in the frame.

US Patent:

8032993, Oct 11, 2011

Filed:

Jan 8, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/350632

Inventors:

Michael J. Musal - Soquel CA, US

Assignee:

Bell Sports, Inc. - Scotts Valley CA

International Classification:

A42B 3/04
A42B 3/14
A42B 1/22
A44B 99/00

US Classification:

24 68B, 24 68 SK, 24 711, 2418, 36 501, 36 505

Abstract:

An adjustment mechanism comprises a dial comprising an inner wall defining a hole passing through the dial, the inner wall comprising a ledge having one or more cutouts. The mechanism further comprises a base comprising a first set of teeth and an actuator comprising a second, the second set of teeth configured to engage the first set of teeth and allow the actuator to be rotated in a first direction but not in a second opposite direction. The actuator further comprises one or more drive-dogs configured to engage a cutout on the inner wall of the dial, each drive-dog comprising a ramped edge configured to disengage the drive-dog from the cutout and lift the second set of teeth from the first set of teeth when the dial is rotated in the second direction.

US Patent:

20020112277, Aug 22, 2002

Filed:

Feb 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/784860

Inventors:

Michael Musal - Soquel CA, US

International Classification:

A42B001/22

US Classification:

002/418000

Abstract:

The mounting bracket of the present invention includes an integrally molded head portion and article attachment portion that are formed of a flexible plastic material. The head portion is shaped for insertion into a cavity that is molded into an EPS article of manufacture such as a bicycle helmet. The flexible plastic head portion expands upon insertion into the cavity, such that it engages sidewall portions of the cavity and resists pulling forces that tend to remove it from the cavity. In the preferred embodiment, the head portion is generally shaped like a ladder, having two side rails and a plurality of rung members disposed therebetween. The cavity formed within the EPS foam is shaped to receive the head portion in a collapsed configuration. After the collapsed head portion is inserted within the cavity, it expands such that the outer surfaces of the side rails are pressed against sidewall surfaces of the cavity. A pulling force on one of the side rails tends to force the two side rails apart, increasing the lateral force of the side rails against the cavity walls, thus enhancing the engagement of the head within the cavity. An outwardly depending pull tab may be integrally formed with the other side rail to facilitate the release of the head from the cavity. A bicycle helmet of the present invention includes the shaped cavity together with the mounting bracket that is formed for mating insertion within the cavity.

US Patent:

20070157372, Jul 12, 2007

Filed:

Mar 12, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/684713

Inventors:

Michael Musal - Soquel CA, US
Hilgard Muller - Felton CA, US

Assignee:

Bell Sports, Inc. - Irving TX

International Classification:

A42B 1/06

US Classification:

002410000

Abstract:

According to one embodiment of the invention, a fitting system for a helmet is provided. The fitting system includes a belt having supported racks coupled to a belt adjustment device. The belt adjustment device is operable to allow a user to tighten the belt, and release the belt at a single touch of a release actuator. The belt adjustment device and the racks are configured to hug the occiput of a user when the helmet is properly worn. The belt adjustment device is also operable to hold the rear straps of the helmet apart but is not attached to the helmet. The belt defines a collapsible button for securing a pad. The pad defines a substantially lateral compressed strip that is operable to urge the pad against the belt. The belt adjustment device and the belt are configured to allow rear straps of the helmet to approximately directly approach the chin of the user.

US Patent:

20100050324, Mar 4, 2010

Filed:

Sep 2, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/202960

Inventors:

Michael J. Musal - Soquel CA, US

Assignee:

Bell Sports, Inc. - Santa Cruz CA

International Classification:

A42B 3/04
A42B 7/00

US Classification:

2417, 2421

Abstract:

A helmet includes, a body, a retention system, and a fit system. The fit system includes a hanger extending from the body and a base configured to be coupled to the hanger at one of a plurality of attachment points on the hanger to adjust the position of the base relative to the body. The fit system also includes a plurality of arms extending from the base and an adjustment mechanism operable to regulate the position of the base relative to a front portion of the body.