RATCHET MECHANISM WITH UNITARY KNOB AND PINION CONSTRUCTION

摘要

A ratchet mechanism for the headband of a protective helmet or other headgear minimizes the number of components while ensuring precise, reliable operation of the rack and pinion arrangement of the ratchet mechanism. A headband of a protective helmet or similar headgear generally has overlapping rear end portions which are enclosed in a housing. The ratchet mechanism includes a rotational element, which in this case is a unitary body that includes an adjustment knob portion which is positioned on an exterior side of the outer housing section and a pinion portion which is positioned on an interior side of the outer housing section is adapted to mate with and engage the respective rack gears of the overlapping rear end portions of the headband.