CA2000584A1 - Chinstrap activated head adjustment assembly for a protective helmet assembly - Google Patents
Chinstrap activated head adjustment assembly for a protective helmet assemblyInfo
- Publication number
- CA2000584A1 CA2000584A1 CA002000584A CA2000584A CA2000584A1 CA 2000584 A1 CA2000584 A1 CA 2000584A1 CA 002000584 A CA002000584 A CA 002000584A CA 2000584 A CA2000584 A CA 2000584A CA 2000584 A1 CA2000584 A1 CA 2000584A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- assembly
- headband
- head
- protective helmet
- liner
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A42—HEADWEAR
- A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
- A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
- A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
- A42B3/10—Linings
- A42B3/14—Suspension devices
- A42B3/145—Size adjustment devices
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A42—HEADWEAR
- A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
- A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
- A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
- A42B3/08—Chin straps or similar retention devices
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
There is disclosed a protective helmet assembly including an outer impact shell and an inner impact attenuation liner assembly wherein the inner liner assembly includes an adjustable headband assembly comprised of a front headband member and a rear spring-loaded headband member under the control of a chin strap into a fitted configuration about the head of the user by a clip assembly. The inner impact attenuation liner assembly is mounted within the outer impact shell to separate therefrom under predetermined load conditions.
There is disclosed a protective helmet assembly including an outer impact shell and an inner impact attenuation liner assembly wherein the inner liner assembly includes an adjustable headband assembly comprised of a front headband member and a rear spring-loaded headband member under the control of a chin strap into a fitted configuration about the head of the user by a clip assembly. The inner impact attenuation liner assembly is mounted within the outer impact shell to separate therefrom under predetermined load conditions.
Description
FOR A PROTECTIVE ~lELMET ASSEMBLY
I! _ ¦IBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
ll Il(a) Field of the Invention I! --This application relates to a safety helmet assembly, such ¦as a fireman's helmet, and more particularly to an improved head band and chinstrap assembly for po~itioning, adjusting and ~securing the protective helmet assembly onto the head of the ¦user.
I(b) Description of the Prior Art `
For the longest time, firefighters and othee protective helmet users were given their protective helmets, accomplished an adjustment to make them feel comfortable, and then wore them exclusively, with no trading around or passing off of one ¦¦person's helmet to another. While this is still virtually true ¦¦in the municipal firefighting business, and with individual llhard-hat users who own and maintain their own head protection, jlit is not typical in industrial fire brigades where the ,lequipment, head to toe, is shared between several different 1I people without really much thought for proper adjustment, or perfect fit. Because of the time pressure, and the need for universal fit, commonly the helmets are worn with their "suspensions wide open, very loosely fitting. When a user wears such a helmet, he depends entirely on the chinstrap to hold the ilhelmet on his head, and thi3 is only modestly effective in ¦Iretaining the helmet on the user'~ head when he is in precarious ¦ or exposed circum~tance~.
¦ Currently, the protective helmet assemblie~ are primarily dominated by head adjustment systems that are individually accomplished by each wearer/owner. The most popular version of ~uch fixed adjustment suspension system employs a post and hole, ¦aingle ad ~tment, with the adj U9 tment accomplished at the s1de~
.
.
.~. .
. :
' ' ~ 0584 or at the rear. A ratchet sy~tem and alternately a breakaway feature allow more flexibility and ad justability on a quick-release ba~ hould the wearee change the protective equipment he is wearing under the ~uspension system, and needs to change the ~izing to fit the helmet properly on his head.
Such breakaway feature is a fixed one, however, and does not refit the helmet, but simply opens it up generally, allowing for the increase in sizing caused by donning the breathing apparatu~
l face piece, a knit hood, or both.
¦ Such ratchet system has a turning knob that mounts at the rear of the head, under the helmet and suspension system. It is exposed well outside the protective envelope of the helmet, but ¦does provide reasonably comfortable and effective instant ¦adjustment, no matter what kind of equipment layering is going ¦on underneath the head suspension system in the helmet. The ¦ratchet system poses the very present danger of being expo3ed to ¦direct impact, and focusing impact energies in transferring that ¦impact to the u~er's head. Any adjustability feature of the ¦ratchet sy3tem has been deemed 90 important with the changes ;n Ihead sizing caused by donning and dofing the variouq new layers ¦of protection common to the fire service, that people have !decided to overlook the potential danger of "on-ratchet" impact ¦in deference to the importance of proper fit. In addition, in ¦an emergency situation, the complexity of any adjustment ,mechanism slows down the donning procedure, and if it is too time consuming or inconvenient, wiil actually not even be used before the wearer exposes himself to circumstances and conditions which might require the proper retent;on of his helmet on his head.
Objects of the Invent~on It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved protective helmet assembly readily adju~table to the , ~ ~, .
~ : . . : .
- - . , . . . ., . ; .. :
~Cl105~il4 head of the user.
Anothec object of the present invention i~ to provide an improved protective helmet assembly readily adjustable in one operation to the head of the user.
5Still another object of the present invention is to peovide an improved protective helmet assembly capable of facile ¦adjustment to the head of the user regardless of head size.
Yet another object of the present invention i~ to provide an improved protective helmet assembly permitting of uqe 10exchange between usecq, regardless of head size.
A further object of the present invention to provide an improved protective helmet as~embly having a readily replaceable head adjustment suspension system.
A still furthec object of the present invention is to 15provide an improved protective helmet assembly.
Summary of the Invention ~hese and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a protective helmet assembly including an outer l impact shell and an inner impact attenuation liner assembly 1 20including an adjustable headband assembly comprised of a front ¦Iheadband membec and a rear spring-loaded headband member under the control of a chinstrap into a fitted configuration about the head of the user by a clip assembly. The inner impact I attenuation liner assembly is mounted within the outer impact 25shell to separate therefrom under predetermined load conditions.
¦Brief Description of the Dcawing ¦ Further object9 and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the detailed disclosure thereof, especially when taken with the accompanying 30drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout , .
~ - 3 -.. , . ,. -.
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~, .
;
~ 2~s~4 ~and ~he in:
FIGURE 1 is an i~ometric view, partially cut away, of the protective helmet assembly of the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a front view of the inner impact attenuation liner assembly of the protective helmet assembly of FIGURE l;
F~GURE 3 is a side view of the inner impact attenuation lliner assembly of FIGURE 2;
¦ ~IGURE 4 is a rear view of the inner impact attenuation !liner assembly: and FIGURE 5 is a bottom view of the innee impact attenuation liner a~sembly.
FIGURE 6 is an enlarged elevational view of the clip as~embly in engaged and locked position:
FIGURE 7 i~ an enlarged isometric view of the clip 1~ a~embly; and ~IGURE 8 i8 a partial cross-sectional view of the protective helmet assembly of the present invention.
. .
Detailed DeRcription of the Invention ; Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in ~IGURE 1 a profile view of a fireman'3 protective helmet as~embly embodying the present invention, generally indicated as o, comprised of an outer shell 12 in which is mounted an inner ¦¦adjustable impact attenuation liner assembly, generally !¦ indicated as 14. The outer shell 12 i9 formed with a beim 16 ¦wider at the back than at the front to ~hield the back of wearer's neck. A tran~parent visor 18 is rotatably mounted by mounting assembly (not ~hown) to the outer shell 12 to be lowered to provide eye protection to the u~er, ~uch as illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 4,286,339 assigned to the same a~signee as the present invention. A chinstrap assembly, I generally indicated as 20, is mounted in an adjuYtable manner a~
part of the inner liner assembly 14 a~ moce fully hereinafter described.
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- .
. . ,-. . . , ,:
. - : ,: . : : :~
~ 0584 -The inner impact attenuation liner assembly 14 is positioned within the outer shell 12, referring to FIGURE 2, and is comprised of a hemi-ovoid-shaped non-resilient foam liner 24 and a cradle, generally indicated as 26, of a plurality of web straps 28. The foam linee 24 of the inner liner assembly 14 is frictionally fitted within the outer shell 12. The exterior surface of the foam liner 24 generally corresponds to the interior surface of the outer shell 12~ Frictional retention of the foam liner 24 in the outer ~hell 12 is augmented by the use of cooperating patches of hook and loop fastener material, generally indicated a~ 30 (one ~hown), such as that sold under the trademark "Velcro~", reference to FIGURE 1.
The foam liner 24 is molded of a non-resilient foam material, such a~ polyurethane and is chosen to be deformable under high lateeal impact conditions to distribute the force of impact over a relatively large area of the head and to adsorb energy wh;le deEorming to reduce the lateral force transmitted to the head. The interior portion of the foam liner 24 is lined with a thin plastic shell 32 of a rigid plastic material 20 including an annular rim portion 34 of channel cross-section po~itioned about the annular lower end of the foam liner 24.
Each strap 28 is ormed of a strong webbing, ~uch as nylon, ~titched together at the central apex of the cradle 26 and~-proceeds from the apex to the rim portion 34. Each strap 28 wraps about the rim portion 34 and proceeds upwardly along the ~ i outer surface of the foam liner 24, i8 wrapped about a tube : I member 36 inset in a groove 38 formed in the outer sucface of the foam liner 24. The loops 40 of the free ends of each of the straps 28 are collected by a drawstring 42 knotted to allow adjustment of the cradle 26 to suit the individual.
¦ The helmet assembly is supported on the wearer's head by a headband assembly, generally indicated as 44, comprised of a front headband member 46, and a rear adjustable headband member 4a positioned on plate members 50 mounted, such a~ by pin : .
~ - 5 - .
: ~ : :
. : : . : . . . . .. . .
~00058~
-`
members 52, to the inner liner assembly 14 proximate each ~ide portion thereof. The feont headband member 46 is lined with a sweatband 54 and is formed with a perpendicularly-disposed and upwardly extending tab member 56 having a strip of fastening ¦material 58 mounted on an outer surface thereof in axial alignment with a cooperating strip of fastening material 60 vertically mounted to the inner surface of shell 32 disposed within the foam liner 24 in a vertical fore and aft axis of the protective helmet assembly 10. Lateral free ends 62 of the 10front headband portion 46 is foemed with a plurality of holes 64 foc adjustably positioning each free end 62 thereof on a pin member 66 formed on each plate member 50 as more fully hereinafter described.
The reae adjustable headband member 48 is provided with a 15sweatband 68 and is formed with an upwardly extending parallel-disposed leg portions 70 disposed along such vertical fore and aft axis with upper end C-shaped portions 72 thereof being mounted behind the tube member 36 above an outer portion of the rim 34. Side free-end portions 74 of the rear adjustable headband member 48 ace formed with a slot 76 referring more particularly to Figure 8, and are slidably mounted to the plate member 50 by a pin member 78 for lateral fore and aft movement with respect to the foam liner member 24~ as more fully hereinafter described.
` 25 1The chinstrap assembly 20, referring particularly to : Figùre 4 is comprised of chinstrap members 80 and ~2 formed of a : strong webbing material, such as NOMEX~ or nylon, with an end 84 ¦of one strap member 80 provided with an engaging clip member 86 for affixing the chinstrap member 82 having a cooperating clip membec 88 into the chinstrap as~embly 20 for encircling about the user's jaw for closely engaging the user's chin. The chinstrap member 80 is mounted to the inner liner assembly 14, such as by the other ends 90 encircling the tu~e member 36 in a : manner similar to the mounting of the straps 28. The chinstrap ~, . :.: . . - : - . . . : . . - . .. , . : .. .. .. -........ . .
:- . - : - . . - - . - . . - . ~ . : , : . ~ , .. : . .. .: :
. , . - .,, ,, ' ' ~
!1 200058~L
member 80 is formed with an inwardly extended free-end portion 92 to act as a barrier between the cooperating affixed clip members 86 and 88, and the face of the user.
I! An end 94 of the chinstrap member 82 remote from that !I portion having the clip member 88 is mounted by stitching (not ! shown) to an outer surface portion the plate member 50 opposite the chin strap member 80 and is coursed over an outer surface ~portion of the rear headband member 48 and through a ring !Imember 98 mounted to a strap member 100 and thence returning to a locking clip membee, generally indicated as 102 for adjustable fixation, as more fully hereinafter described. The strap member 100 is coursed through a positioning loop 104 and is mounted by a pin membee 96 to the plate member 50 proximate the chinstrap membec 80.
The clip member 102 referring more particularly to Figure 6 and 7, is comprised of a plate member 110 to which is mounted for rotation, such as by a pin membee 112 a locking element 114.
The plate member 110 of the clip member 102 is mounted by upper end C-shaped portions 106 by the tube member 36 to the inner ¦ liner assembly member 14 in a vertically downwardly depending Iposition essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the : ¦inner liner assembly member 14 referring to Figures 2 to 7. The plate member 110 is formed with parallely-disposed slots 116 and ~118 defining an intermediate band portion 120 therebetween and a Islot 122 formed at an angle of 45~ to the slots 116 and 118.
ilThe strap member 82 is coursed through the slots 112, 118 and ¦122 respectively, starting from an inwardly approach to the slot 116 whereby the strap member 82 is thereupon disposed on an outer surface portion of the band portion 120 and thence inwardly through the slot 122 to emerge outwardly through the slot 118 and thereby to depend downwardly from the plate member 110.
: The locking element 114 of the clip member 102 is formed with an enlarged portion 124 defining a loop 126 through which _ .
:, '.', -, ' ' : ~ ~
i ~000584 is coursed the downwardly depending strap member 82 and with a serrated ~qection 128 proximate the channel 120. The pin member 112 permits rotation of the locking element 114 with respect to the plate member 110 in a plane parallel to the axis !¦ of the pin member 112 and perpendicular to the strap member 82 passing through the _lots 116 and 118, as moee fully hereinaftec discussed.
As described and claimed in copending application USSN
07/137,378, filed Decembae 23, 1987, incoeporated herein by reference, the protective helmet assembly of the present invention may be provided with a releasable head retaining assembly permitting separation of the inner liner assembly 14 from the outer shell 12 under a predetermined load or shearing force.
In operations, the protective helmet as~embly 10 of the present invention permits facile adjustment to particular size of the u.qer'q head over a wide range of potential user head _ize. Generally, a user may first adjust the front headband portion 46 in an open configuration of the rear headband portion 48, i.e. the chinstrap asqembly 20 is not po_itioned ¦¦about the neck of the uqer nor i9 the chinstrap member 82 under !1 any tensioning force caused by the lock member 114 retaining the strap member 82 in a locked position. Initially, the uqer may l~adjust the side ends 62 of the front headband portion 46 with reqpect to the plurality of available positions afforded by the !lorifices 64 formed on the plate member 50. After appropriate ¦Iselection of orifice 64 to pin 66 relationqhip, the tab ¦member 56 including fastening material 58 separated from the cooperating faqtening material 60 may be rotated vertically about the axis of the pinq 66 in a direction illu~trated by arrow "A" referring to Figure 8.
After achieving a satisfactory relationqhip between the relative position of the front headband 46 to the foam liner 26, the faqtening material 58 and 60 are forced together in locking ';"
: . :, '; , .. . '~ , . i -.: . . . ' .: , .. . :,, . . ~ . , , 1 2Q0~58~
interrelation~hip. Once the front headband member 46 i~
comfortably positioned, the uqer need only re~ort to essentially one step to adjustably posi~ion the inner liner as~embly about the user's head. Once positioned on the user'~ head, the user need only pull outwards on the chinstrap member 82, eeferring to Figures 2, 3 and 7 with the locking element 114 extending horizontally outwardly from the plate member 110. Continued tensioning of the chinstrap 82 causes the rear headband ¦member 48 to move forward along a fore and aft axis of the ¦helmet asqembly 10 again~t the cooperative spring forces of the ¦distended tab member 70 as illustrated by the arrow "B", again ¦referring to Figure 8.
¦ Once comfortable, relative positioning of the rear headband ¦poction to the head of the usec is achieved, the chinstrap ¦member 82 i9 caused to rotate downwardly by the usec whereby the ¦serrated poction 128 of the locking element 114 is caused to ¦capture a portion of the strap member 82 disposed in the ¦intermediate band portion 120 thereby locking further forward or ¦backward movement of ~he strap member 82 theceby essentially ¦rigidly affixing the protective helmet 10 on the user'~ head via the innec liner as~embly 14. The chinstrap member 80 and 82 may be thereafter affixed about the chin of the usec by the cooperating clip member 86 and 88.
l The advantages of the present invention will be readily junderstood by one ~killed in the art, pacticularly given the downwardly angularly position of the rear headband member 48 which permits capturing of the user' 8 head at a point proximate to the nape of the user's neck, as distinquished from headband assemblies of the prior art which es~entially fail to provide any head capturing capability but only provide a base for comfortably resting the protective helmet on the head with the chinstcap 3embly providing the captucing ability. ¦
` _g_ ....
.. : ' , ~
! ~ [)00584 The clip membec 102 is preferably foemed of a plastic mateeial, and is of a dimension to peemit eepeated use undee ¦high levels of tension without beea}cage. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the headband assembly may be comprised of a front headband membee 46 essentially fixed within the inner liner assembly 14 yet providing for the capture of the ¦head of the user by the rear headband member 48 a~ hereinabove ¦de~cribed.
¦ While the invention has been described in connection with ¦an exemplary embodiment thereof, it will be understood that many ¦modifications will be apparent to tho~e of ordinary skill in the ¦art and that this application is intended to cover any ¦adaptations of Yariations thereof. Therefore, it is manifestly ¦intended that this invention be only limited by the claims and ¦the equivalents thereof.
I " . ''~'"
, .
. ~ - 10 -. . .: ' . .
.
., .. . . : . . . .. .
I! _ ¦IBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
ll Il(a) Field of the Invention I! --This application relates to a safety helmet assembly, such ¦as a fireman's helmet, and more particularly to an improved head band and chinstrap assembly for po~itioning, adjusting and ~securing the protective helmet assembly onto the head of the ¦user.
I(b) Description of the Prior Art `
For the longest time, firefighters and othee protective helmet users were given their protective helmets, accomplished an adjustment to make them feel comfortable, and then wore them exclusively, with no trading around or passing off of one ¦¦person's helmet to another. While this is still virtually true ¦¦in the municipal firefighting business, and with individual llhard-hat users who own and maintain their own head protection, jlit is not typical in industrial fire brigades where the ,lequipment, head to toe, is shared between several different 1I people without really much thought for proper adjustment, or perfect fit. Because of the time pressure, and the need for universal fit, commonly the helmets are worn with their "suspensions wide open, very loosely fitting. When a user wears such a helmet, he depends entirely on the chinstrap to hold the ilhelmet on his head, and thi3 is only modestly effective in ¦Iretaining the helmet on the user'~ head when he is in precarious ¦ or exposed circum~tance~.
¦ Currently, the protective helmet assemblie~ are primarily dominated by head adjustment systems that are individually accomplished by each wearer/owner. The most popular version of ~uch fixed adjustment suspension system employs a post and hole, ¦aingle ad ~tment, with the adj U9 tment accomplished at the s1de~
.
.
.~. .
. :
' ' ~ 0584 or at the rear. A ratchet sy~tem and alternately a breakaway feature allow more flexibility and ad justability on a quick-release ba~ hould the wearee change the protective equipment he is wearing under the ~uspension system, and needs to change the ~izing to fit the helmet properly on his head.
Such breakaway feature is a fixed one, however, and does not refit the helmet, but simply opens it up generally, allowing for the increase in sizing caused by donning the breathing apparatu~
l face piece, a knit hood, or both.
¦ Such ratchet system has a turning knob that mounts at the rear of the head, under the helmet and suspension system. It is exposed well outside the protective envelope of the helmet, but ¦does provide reasonably comfortable and effective instant ¦adjustment, no matter what kind of equipment layering is going ¦on underneath the head suspension system in the helmet. The ¦ratchet system poses the very present danger of being expo3ed to ¦direct impact, and focusing impact energies in transferring that ¦impact to the u~er's head. Any adjustability feature of the ¦ratchet sy3tem has been deemed 90 important with the changes ;n Ihead sizing caused by donning and dofing the variouq new layers ¦of protection common to the fire service, that people have !decided to overlook the potential danger of "on-ratchet" impact ¦in deference to the importance of proper fit. In addition, in ¦an emergency situation, the complexity of any adjustment ,mechanism slows down the donning procedure, and if it is too time consuming or inconvenient, wiil actually not even be used before the wearer exposes himself to circumstances and conditions which might require the proper retent;on of his helmet on his head.
Objects of the Invent~on It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved protective helmet assembly readily adju~table to the , ~ ~, .
~ : . . : .
- - . , . . . ., . ; .. :
~Cl105~il4 head of the user.
Anothec object of the present invention i~ to provide an improved protective helmet assembly readily adjustable in one operation to the head of the user.
5Still another object of the present invention is to peovide an improved protective helmet assembly capable of facile ¦adjustment to the head of the user regardless of head size.
Yet another object of the present invention i~ to provide an improved protective helmet assembly permitting of uqe 10exchange between usecq, regardless of head size.
A further object of the present invention to provide an improved protective helmet as~embly having a readily replaceable head adjustment suspension system.
A still furthec object of the present invention is to 15provide an improved protective helmet assembly.
Summary of the Invention ~hese and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a protective helmet assembly including an outer l impact shell and an inner impact attenuation liner assembly 1 20including an adjustable headband assembly comprised of a front ¦Iheadband membec and a rear spring-loaded headband member under the control of a chinstrap into a fitted configuration about the head of the user by a clip assembly. The inner impact I attenuation liner assembly is mounted within the outer impact 25shell to separate therefrom under predetermined load conditions.
¦Brief Description of the Dcawing ¦ Further object9 and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the detailed disclosure thereof, especially when taken with the accompanying 30drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts throughout , .
~ - 3 -.. , . ,. -.
- -, : - ,~ :. : .:
: - . :: .: ' :, ~ ' .
~, .
;
~ 2~s~4 ~and ~he in:
FIGURE 1 is an i~ometric view, partially cut away, of the protective helmet assembly of the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a front view of the inner impact attenuation liner assembly of the protective helmet assembly of FIGURE l;
F~GURE 3 is a side view of the inner impact attenuation lliner assembly of FIGURE 2;
¦ ~IGURE 4 is a rear view of the inner impact attenuation !liner assembly: and FIGURE 5 is a bottom view of the innee impact attenuation liner a~sembly.
FIGURE 6 is an enlarged elevational view of the clip as~embly in engaged and locked position:
FIGURE 7 i~ an enlarged isometric view of the clip 1~ a~embly; and ~IGURE 8 i8 a partial cross-sectional view of the protective helmet assembly of the present invention.
. .
Detailed DeRcription of the Invention ; Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in ~IGURE 1 a profile view of a fireman'3 protective helmet as~embly embodying the present invention, generally indicated as o, comprised of an outer shell 12 in which is mounted an inner ¦¦adjustable impact attenuation liner assembly, generally !¦ indicated as 14. The outer shell 12 i9 formed with a beim 16 ¦wider at the back than at the front to ~hield the back of wearer's neck. A tran~parent visor 18 is rotatably mounted by mounting assembly (not ~hown) to the outer shell 12 to be lowered to provide eye protection to the u~er, ~uch as illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 4,286,339 assigned to the same a~signee as the present invention. A chinstrap assembly, I generally indicated as 20, is mounted in an adjuYtable manner a~
part of the inner liner assembly 14 a~ moce fully hereinafter described.
; - 4 ~ ~
',; ; . ....
.~ :;, -.
- .
. . ,-. . . , ,:
. - : ,: . : : :~
~ 0584 -The inner impact attenuation liner assembly 14 is positioned within the outer shell 12, referring to FIGURE 2, and is comprised of a hemi-ovoid-shaped non-resilient foam liner 24 and a cradle, generally indicated as 26, of a plurality of web straps 28. The foam linee 24 of the inner liner assembly 14 is frictionally fitted within the outer shell 12. The exterior surface of the foam liner 24 generally corresponds to the interior surface of the outer shell 12~ Frictional retention of the foam liner 24 in the outer ~hell 12 is augmented by the use of cooperating patches of hook and loop fastener material, generally indicated a~ 30 (one ~hown), such as that sold under the trademark "Velcro~", reference to FIGURE 1.
The foam liner 24 is molded of a non-resilient foam material, such a~ polyurethane and is chosen to be deformable under high lateeal impact conditions to distribute the force of impact over a relatively large area of the head and to adsorb energy wh;le deEorming to reduce the lateral force transmitted to the head. The interior portion of the foam liner 24 is lined with a thin plastic shell 32 of a rigid plastic material 20 including an annular rim portion 34 of channel cross-section po~itioned about the annular lower end of the foam liner 24.
Each strap 28 is ormed of a strong webbing, ~uch as nylon, ~titched together at the central apex of the cradle 26 and~-proceeds from the apex to the rim portion 34. Each strap 28 wraps about the rim portion 34 and proceeds upwardly along the ~ i outer surface of the foam liner 24, i8 wrapped about a tube : I member 36 inset in a groove 38 formed in the outer sucface of the foam liner 24. The loops 40 of the free ends of each of the straps 28 are collected by a drawstring 42 knotted to allow adjustment of the cradle 26 to suit the individual.
¦ The helmet assembly is supported on the wearer's head by a headband assembly, generally indicated as 44, comprised of a front headband member 46, and a rear adjustable headband member 4a positioned on plate members 50 mounted, such a~ by pin : .
~ - 5 - .
: ~ : :
. : : . : . . . . .. . .
~00058~
-`
members 52, to the inner liner assembly 14 proximate each ~ide portion thereof. The feont headband member 46 is lined with a sweatband 54 and is formed with a perpendicularly-disposed and upwardly extending tab member 56 having a strip of fastening ¦material 58 mounted on an outer surface thereof in axial alignment with a cooperating strip of fastening material 60 vertically mounted to the inner surface of shell 32 disposed within the foam liner 24 in a vertical fore and aft axis of the protective helmet assembly 10. Lateral free ends 62 of the 10front headband portion 46 is foemed with a plurality of holes 64 foc adjustably positioning each free end 62 thereof on a pin member 66 formed on each plate member 50 as more fully hereinafter described.
The reae adjustable headband member 48 is provided with a 15sweatband 68 and is formed with an upwardly extending parallel-disposed leg portions 70 disposed along such vertical fore and aft axis with upper end C-shaped portions 72 thereof being mounted behind the tube member 36 above an outer portion of the rim 34. Side free-end portions 74 of the rear adjustable headband member 48 ace formed with a slot 76 referring more particularly to Figure 8, and are slidably mounted to the plate member 50 by a pin member 78 for lateral fore and aft movement with respect to the foam liner member 24~ as more fully hereinafter described.
` 25 1The chinstrap assembly 20, referring particularly to : Figùre 4 is comprised of chinstrap members 80 and ~2 formed of a : strong webbing material, such as NOMEX~ or nylon, with an end 84 ¦of one strap member 80 provided with an engaging clip member 86 for affixing the chinstrap member 82 having a cooperating clip membec 88 into the chinstrap as~embly 20 for encircling about the user's jaw for closely engaging the user's chin. The chinstrap member 80 is mounted to the inner liner assembly 14, such as by the other ends 90 encircling the tu~e member 36 in a : manner similar to the mounting of the straps 28. The chinstrap ~, . :.: . . - : - . . . : . . - . .. , . : .. .. .. -........ . .
:- . - : - . . - - . - . . - . ~ . : , : . ~ , .. : . .. .: :
. , . - .,, ,, ' ' ~
!1 200058~L
member 80 is formed with an inwardly extended free-end portion 92 to act as a barrier between the cooperating affixed clip members 86 and 88, and the face of the user.
I! An end 94 of the chinstrap member 82 remote from that !I portion having the clip member 88 is mounted by stitching (not ! shown) to an outer surface portion the plate member 50 opposite the chin strap member 80 and is coursed over an outer surface ~portion of the rear headband member 48 and through a ring !Imember 98 mounted to a strap member 100 and thence returning to a locking clip membee, generally indicated as 102 for adjustable fixation, as more fully hereinafter described. The strap member 100 is coursed through a positioning loop 104 and is mounted by a pin membee 96 to the plate member 50 proximate the chinstrap membec 80.
The clip member 102 referring more particularly to Figure 6 and 7, is comprised of a plate member 110 to which is mounted for rotation, such as by a pin membee 112 a locking element 114.
The plate member 110 of the clip member 102 is mounted by upper end C-shaped portions 106 by the tube member 36 to the inner ¦ liner assembly member 14 in a vertically downwardly depending Iposition essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the : ¦inner liner assembly member 14 referring to Figures 2 to 7. The plate member 110 is formed with parallely-disposed slots 116 and ~118 defining an intermediate band portion 120 therebetween and a Islot 122 formed at an angle of 45~ to the slots 116 and 118.
ilThe strap member 82 is coursed through the slots 112, 118 and ¦122 respectively, starting from an inwardly approach to the slot 116 whereby the strap member 82 is thereupon disposed on an outer surface portion of the band portion 120 and thence inwardly through the slot 122 to emerge outwardly through the slot 118 and thereby to depend downwardly from the plate member 110.
: The locking element 114 of the clip member 102 is formed with an enlarged portion 124 defining a loop 126 through which _ .
:, '.', -, ' ' : ~ ~
i ~000584 is coursed the downwardly depending strap member 82 and with a serrated ~qection 128 proximate the channel 120. The pin member 112 permits rotation of the locking element 114 with respect to the plate member 110 in a plane parallel to the axis !¦ of the pin member 112 and perpendicular to the strap member 82 passing through the _lots 116 and 118, as moee fully hereinaftec discussed.
As described and claimed in copending application USSN
07/137,378, filed Decembae 23, 1987, incoeporated herein by reference, the protective helmet assembly of the present invention may be provided with a releasable head retaining assembly permitting separation of the inner liner assembly 14 from the outer shell 12 under a predetermined load or shearing force.
In operations, the protective helmet as~embly 10 of the present invention permits facile adjustment to particular size of the u.qer'q head over a wide range of potential user head _ize. Generally, a user may first adjust the front headband portion 46 in an open configuration of the rear headband portion 48, i.e. the chinstrap asqembly 20 is not po_itioned ¦¦about the neck of the uqer nor i9 the chinstrap member 82 under !1 any tensioning force caused by the lock member 114 retaining the strap member 82 in a locked position. Initially, the uqer may l~adjust the side ends 62 of the front headband portion 46 with reqpect to the plurality of available positions afforded by the !lorifices 64 formed on the plate member 50. After appropriate ¦Iselection of orifice 64 to pin 66 relationqhip, the tab ¦member 56 including fastening material 58 separated from the cooperating faqtening material 60 may be rotated vertically about the axis of the pinq 66 in a direction illu~trated by arrow "A" referring to Figure 8.
After achieving a satisfactory relationqhip between the relative position of the front headband 46 to the foam liner 26, the faqtening material 58 and 60 are forced together in locking ';"
: . :, '; , .. . '~ , . i -.: . . . ' .: , .. . :,, . . ~ . , , 1 2Q0~58~
interrelation~hip. Once the front headband member 46 i~
comfortably positioned, the uqer need only re~ort to essentially one step to adjustably posi~ion the inner liner as~embly about the user's head. Once positioned on the user'~ head, the user need only pull outwards on the chinstrap member 82, eeferring to Figures 2, 3 and 7 with the locking element 114 extending horizontally outwardly from the plate member 110. Continued tensioning of the chinstrap 82 causes the rear headband ¦member 48 to move forward along a fore and aft axis of the ¦helmet asqembly 10 again~t the cooperative spring forces of the ¦distended tab member 70 as illustrated by the arrow "B", again ¦referring to Figure 8.
¦ Once comfortable, relative positioning of the rear headband ¦poction to the head of the usec is achieved, the chinstrap ¦member 82 i9 caused to rotate downwardly by the usec whereby the ¦serrated poction 128 of the locking element 114 is caused to ¦capture a portion of the strap member 82 disposed in the ¦intermediate band portion 120 thereby locking further forward or ¦backward movement of ~he strap member 82 theceby essentially ¦rigidly affixing the protective helmet 10 on the user'~ head via the innec liner as~embly 14. The chinstrap member 80 and 82 may be thereafter affixed about the chin of the usec by the cooperating clip member 86 and 88.
l The advantages of the present invention will be readily junderstood by one ~killed in the art, pacticularly given the downwardly angularly position of the rear headband member 48 which permits capturing of the user' 8 head at a point proximate to the nape of the user's neck, as distinquished from headband assemblies of the prior art which es~entially fail to provide any head capturing capability but only provide a base for comfortably resting the protective helmet on the head with the chinstcap 3embly providing the captucing ability. ¦
` _g_ ....
.. : ' , ~
! ~ [)00584 The clip membec 102 is preferably foemed of a plastic mateeial, and is of a dimension to peemit eepeated use undee ¦high levels of tension without beea}cage. It will be understood by one skilled in the art that the headband assembly may be comprised of a front headband membee 46 essentially fixed within the inner liner assembly 14 yet providing for the capture of the ¦head of the user by the rear headband member 48 a~ hereinabove ¦de~cribed.
¦ While the invention has been described in connection with ¦an exemplary embodiment thereof, it will be understood that many ¦modifications will be apparent to tho~e of ordinary skill in the ¦art and that this application is intended to cover any ¦adaptations of Yariations thereof. Therefore, it is manifestly ¦intended that this invention be only limited by the claims and ¦the equivalents thereof.
I " . ''~'"
, .
. ~ - 10 -. . .: ' . .
.
., .. . . : . . . .. .
Claims (16)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An inner liner assembly for a protective helmet assembly, which comprises:
an inner liner defining a head receiving cavity and including strap assembly for engaging a user's head;
a front headband member;
a rear headband member mounted for longitudinal movement with respect to said head receiving cavity; and a clip member for said strap member to effect transverse movement of said rear headband from an opened position to capture said user's head within said head receiving cavity and to fix said strap member thereinafter relative positioning of said rear headband member with respect to said user's head.
an inner liner defining a head receiving cavity and including strap assembly for engaging a user's head;
a front headband member;
a rear headband member mounted for longitudinal movement with respect to said head receiving cavity; and a clip member for said strap member to effect transverse movement of said rear headband from an opened position to capture said user's head within said head receiving cavity and to fix said strap member thereinafter relative positioning of said rear headband member with respect to said user's head.
2. The inner liner assembly as defined in Claim 1 wherein said rear headband member is mounted under compressive spring force in said opened position.
3. The inner liner assembly as defined in Claim 1 or 2 wherein said rear headband member is comprised of first and second rear headband portions disposed on a side thereof opposite said head receiving cavity, said first rear headband portion including a loop member, said second rear headband portion including a full end portion positioned through said loop member and coursed through said clip member for effecting forward lateral movement of said rear headband.
4. The inner liner assembly as defined in Claim 1 or 2 wherein said clip member is provided with a locking member for engaging said strap member in a fixed position.
5. The inner liner assembly as defined in Claim 4 wherein said clip member extends downwardly from said foam liner and said locking member is disposed foe upward rotational movement from said fixed position to an opened position.
6. The inner liner assembly as defined in Claim 1 or 2 wherein said front headband member is mounted for rotational movement about a transverse axis of said foam liner.
7. The inner liner assembly as defined in Claim 6 wherein said front headband member includes a tab portion extending along a fore and aft axis of said foam liner and is provided with a material cooperating with a material disposed on an inner surface of said foam liner to fix at a predetermined portion of said front headband member with respect to said foam liner.
8. The inner liner assembly as defined in Claim 7 wherein said front headband member includes a plurality of positioning orifices on side portions thereof for affixing said side portions at preselect position with respect to said foam liner.
9. The protective helmet assembly, which comprises:
an outer shell defining an internal chamber;
an inner liner defining a head receiving cavity and including strap assembly for engaging a user's head;
a front headband member;
a rear headband member mounted for longitudinal movement with respect to said head receiving cavity: and a clip member for said strap member to effect transverse movement of said rear headband member from an opened position to capture said user's head within said receiving cavity and to fix said strap member thereinafter relative positioning of said rear headband member with respect to said user's head.
an outer shell defining an internal chamber;
an inner liner defining a head receiving cavity and including strap assembly for engaging a user's head;
a front headband member;
a rear headband member mounted for longitudinal movement with respect to said head receiving cavity: and a clip member for said strap member to effect transverse movement of said rear headband member from an opened position to capture said user's head within said receiving cavity and to fix said strap member thereinafter relative positioning of said rear headband member with respect to said user's head.
10. The protective helmet assembly as defined in Claim 9 wherein said rear headband is mounted under compressive spring force in said opened position.
11. The protective helmet assembly as defined in Claims 9 or 10 wherein said rear headband member is comprised of first and second rear headband portions disposed on a side thereof opposite said head receiving cavity, said first rear headband portion including a loop member, said second rear headband portion including a full end portion positioned through said loop member and coursed through said clip member for effecting forward lateral movement of said rear headband.
12. The protective helmet assembly as defined in Claims 9 or 10 wherein said clip member is provided with a locking member for engaging said strap member in a fixed position.
13. The protective helmet assembly as defined in Claim 12 wherein said clip member extends downwardly from said foam liner and said locking member is disposed for upward rotational movement from said fixed position to an opened position.
14. The protective helmet assembly as defined in Claims 9 or 10 wherein said front headband member is mounted for rotational movement about a transverse axis of said foam liner.
15. The protective helmet assembly as defined in Claim 14 wherein said front headband member includes a tab portion extending along a fore and aft axis of said foam liner and is provided with a material cooperating with a material disposed on an inner surface of said foam liner to fix at a predetermined portion of said front headband member with respect to said foam liner.
16. The protective helmet assembly as defined in Claim 15 wherein said front headband member includes a tab portion extending along a fore and aft axis of said foam liner and is provided with a material cooperating with a material disposed on an inner surface of said foam liner to fix at a predetermined portion of said front headband member with respect to said foam liner.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US26192088A | 1988-10-24 | 1988-10-24 | |
| US07/261,920 | 1988-10-24 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2000584A1 true CA2000584A1 (en) | 1990-04-24 |
Family
ID=22995462
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002000584A Abandoned CA2000584A1 (en) | 1988-10-24 | 1989-10-12 | Chinstrap activated head adjustment assembly for a protective helmet assembly |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0369187A1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU620162B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2000584A1 (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ231096A (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB9017366D0 (en) * | 1990-08-08 | 1990-09-19 | Helmets Ltd | Protective helmet with adjustable headband |
| DE4126675A1 (en) * | 1991-08-13 | 1993-02-18 | Roemer Helme Schutzausruest | INTERIOR FOR PROTECTIVE HELMETS |
| US5581819A (en) * | 1995-10-18 | 1996-12-10 | Garneau; Louis | Protective headgear and abutment plate thereof |
| WO1997037553A1 (en) * | 1996-04-04 | 1997-10-16 | Rbr Armour Ltd. | Helmets |
| US8438668B2 (en) | 2010-05-17 | 2013-05-14 | Louis Garneau Sports Inc. | Occipital stabilization strap for helmets |
| KR102058653B1 (en) * | 2019-01-15 | 2019-12-23 | 주식회사 홍진에이치제이씨 | Fitting System for helmet |
Family Cites Families (11)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3041621A (en) * | 1959-08-03 | 1962-07-03 | Bullard Co | Safety hat |
| US3510879A (en) * | 1968-07-24 | 1970-05-12 | American Safety Equip | Helmet head suspension |
| US4279037A (en) * | 1968-08-02 | 1981-07-21 | Morgan Frank S | Adjustable headgear suspension |
| US4000520A (en) * | 1975-03-21 | 1977-01-04 | Arthur D. Little, Inc. | Headgear support system |
| US4075714A (en) * | 1976-11-15 | 1978-02-28 | Sierra Engineering Co. | Helmet characterized by negative lift |
| US4286339A (en) * | 1978-12-04 | 1981-09-01 | Coombs Peter A | Fireman's helmet with energy absorbing liner |
| US4549541A (en) * | 1983-09-28 | 1985-10-29 | Bell Helmets Inc. | Helmet system |
| JP2567077B2 (en) * | 1987-03-05 | 1996-12-25 | ジェイムズ ゲース，リッキー | Safety helmet |
| DE8710581U1 (en) * | 1987-08-01 | 1987-09-17 | Roemer Gmbh, 7910 Neu-Ulm, De | |
| FR2638070B1 (en) * | 1988-10-21 | 1991-07-12 | Parinter Sa | ADJUSTABLE HAIRDRESSER AND HAIRDRESSER EQUIPPED WITH THIS HAIRDRESSER |
| DE3840891A1 (en) * | 1988-12-05 | 1990-06-07 | Scheffczyk Geb Schwarz Roswith | ADJUSTABLE CHIN STRAP FOR MOTORCYCLE PROTECTIVE HELMETS |
-
1989
- 1989-10-12 CA CA002000584A patent/CA2000584A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1989-10-20 NZ NZ23109689A patent/NZ231096A/en unknown
- 1989-10-20 EP EP89119489A patent/EP0369187A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1989-10-24 AU AU43664/89A patent/AU620162B2/en not_active Ceased
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU4366489A (en) | 1990-04-26 |
| EP0369187A1 (en) | 1990-05-23 |
| AU620162B2 (en) | 1992-02-13 |
| NZ231096A (en) | 1992-01-29 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 19930412 |