GB2338400A

GB2338400A - Helmet with venting cavities

Info

Publication number: GB2338400A
Application number: GB9913996A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Timo Erkki Holmlund; Jorma Ujanen
Original assignee: Kemira Safety Oy
Current assignee: Scott Health and Safety Oy
Priority date: 1998-06-16
Filing date: 1999-06-16
Publication date: 1999-12-22
Anticipated expiration: 2019-06-16
Also published as: DE19927122A1; FI981394A0; FI981394A; GB2338400B; GB9913996D0

Abstract

A protective helmet with cavities 4 in its mantle, whereby gas can be introduced into the helmet through the cavities. The helmet may comprise a channel (Fig 3, 9) at the rear for introducing gas into the cavities. Said cavities may be formed in parallel, between crossing reinforcing fibre layers (Fig 1, 1 and 2) and may also carry wires for lighting the helmet.

Description

1 1 PROTECTIVE HELMET 2338400

Technical Background

The invention relates to the technology of safety devices and concerns a helmet equipped with a respirator, the method for manufacturing and its application.

In construction and repair work and rescue operations, for instance, a protective helmet is frequently used, which is equipped with a tight face shield, into which filtered air is conducted. The actual filtering apparatus including a fan is usually attached to the waist of a protective garment, from where the filtered air is introduced by means of a hose into the helmet, usually to the side or in front of the face.

Description of the Invention

A protective helmet as defined in claim 1 has now been invented. A number of preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the remaining claims.

The invention is a protective helmet having a mantle with cavities, through which desired gas, for instance, can be introduced into the helmet.

A second aspect of the invention is a method for manufacturing the protective helmet, the mantle of the helmet being manufactured as a construction with cavities, through which desired gas, for instance, can be introduced into the helmet.

1 1 1 2 A third aspect of the invention is a method for protecting the carrier's head and respiratory organs by means of a helmet into which the desired gas, for instance, can be introduced through cavities formed in the mantle of the helmet.

The helmet mantle may comprise a multi-layer reinforcing fibre structure, the cavities having been formed between layers of this structure. The fibre structure may be a weave, especially one whose layers cross alternately on top of and underneath each other. Cavities will thus arise at the intersections of the layers. Interconnected with an appropriate binder, the fibres will provide a resistant but still light construction.

Examples of a number of embodiments of the invention are described in detail below. The accompanying drawings pertain to the description. In the drawings;

Figure 1 shows a two-layer woven fibre structure in which cavities have been formed; Figure 2 shows a helmet manufactured by laminating the fibre structure of Figure 1 in a mould; Figure 3 is a lateral view of the helmet of Figure 2.

The woven fibre structure of figure 1 consists of elastic warps 1 and wefts 2. The structure comprises two layers which cross each other at desired intervals at intersections parallel to the wefts. Between the intersections the layers are apart, forming channels parallel to the wefts. These channels contain elastic hollow bodies 3. In this way, cavities 4 parallel to the 1 3 wefts have been formed in the structure. The structure may be moulded in the desired shape for instance in a mould so as to keep the cavities open. A structure which is particularly strong in view of its weight is provided when reinforced by bonding the fibres with an appropriate plastic for instance.

The warps and wefts 2 preferably consist of bundles of fibres. The materials used may be f or instance glass, aramide, carbon or ceramic f ibres. The hollow bodies 3 can be fitted into position after the weaving. The hollow body may be made of an appropriate plastic, such as polyethene. The binder plastic may consist particularly of an appropriate curable resin, such as polyester. The reinforcing fibres structure may be particularly such as described in FI patent specification 89471.

The helmet illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 has been formed as the structure illustrated in Figure 1, by laminating a curable resin in a mould such that fibres 1 and 2 adhere to each other and that a continuous resin layer is formed on both sides of the structure. The cavities 4 run in the longitudinal direction of the helmet. Their inlets are located at the neck of the helmet. Air can be introduced into the cavities. Air can be discharged from the cavities through openings 5 at the desired locations, for instance at the front, on the top or on the side of the helmet.

Cavities 4 can also be utilised for the passage of a liquid, such as cooling water, through the helmet mantle.

4 If desired, part 4 of the cavities can be filled with an appropriate filling, such as for instance a heat insulator or an additional shockabsorber.

Part of cavities 4 can also be utilised for drawing wires such as electric wires or optic fibres through them. The wires can emerge from the mantle at the desired locations. In this way, the wires may serve to connect suitable light fittings or say, a telephone connection to the helmet.

A shield of the desired type can be connected to the helmet mantle to protect the carrier's face or other parts of his head.

At the rear of the helmet suitable channels 9 are provided to conduct gas or liquid into cavities 4 or to connect wires 7 to an external source. Gas can be supplied to the cavities especially by means of a suitable hose. one end of the hose can be connected especially to a filtering device, which can be attached for instance to the waist of a protective garment. The hose may run entirely along the carrier's back.

In the manner described above, air can be simply introduced into the helmet by using hoses which hamper the carrier's operations as little as possible and which are short. Nevertheless, air can be directed exactly to the desired points of the carrier's head, in the area of his face and the top of his head, avoiding blowing directed to one single point by force. This also distributes the cooling effect over a wider area. In addition, the air 1 passing in the cavities will also cool the helmet heated by heat radiation.

The cavities may also serve for introducing lighting into the helmet with a minimum of interference.

I"- - 6

Claims

1. A protective helmet with a mantle to protect the carrier's head and means for introducing gas into the helmet, the mantle including cavities (4) through which the gas can be introduced into the helmet.

2. A helmet as claimed in claim 1 or 2, comprising a channel (9) at the rear f or introducing gas into the cavities (4).

3. A helmet as claimed in claim 1, comprising cavities (4) between reinforcing fibre layer (1,2).

4. A helmet as claimed in claim 3, in which the cavities (4) are provided between crossing reinforcing fibre layers (1,2).

5. A helmet as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, in which the cavities (4) are parallel.

6. A helmet as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, in which a cavity (4) is a cavity in a hose (3).

7. A helmet as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, in which wires (7) are drawn through the cavities (4).

7

8. A helmet as claimed in claim 7, in which wires (7) pass in the cavities (4) in order to introduce light into the helmet.

9. A method for manufacturing a protective helmet in which the mantle of the helmet is made as a structure with cavities through which gas can be introduced into the helmet.

10. A method for protecting the carrier's head and respiratory organs by means of a protective helmet in which gas is introduced into the helmet through cavities in the helmet mantle.

11. A protective helmet or method of making a helmet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A method of protecting a person's head substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.