GB2365750A

GB2365750A - A deformable helmet layer

Info

Publication number: GB2365750A
Application number: GB0019823A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gordon Waite
Original assignee: Mckenzie Martin
Current assignee: Mckenzie Martin
Priority date: 2000-08-11
Filing date: 2000-08-11
Publication date: 2002-02-27
Also published as: GB0019823D0

Abstract

A deformable and resilient helmet layer 2, suitable for fitting to a rigid outer layer 1, of a hard hat or construction helmet, to improve the impact absorbing properties of the helmet protecting the wearer's head if the wearer should suffer a fall or other physical mishap. The deformable layer is provided with patches of hook and loop fasteners 4, to enable releasable attachment to the helmet, where the patches are provided on the inner surface of the deformable layer or on flexible tabs 3, attached to the edge of the deformable layer. The layer is made from any suitable deformable material such as plastic sheeting containing a plurality of air bubbles, sponge, foam, polystyrene, polyurethane and polybutylene. The deformable layer can be easily replaced should it become damaged.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> HELMET LAYER The present invention relates to a layer which may be fitted to a helmet.

A construction worker on a building site is required by law to wear a helmet. The form of helmet that is worn by construction workers is commonly referred to as a hard hat. A hard hat comprises a rigid plastic outer layer, and soft plastic strapping which holds the helmet securely on a wearer's head. The strapping is spaced away from the outer layer so that, when the helmet is worn, air may circulate between the wearer's head and the outer layer.

The hard hat is designed to protect a wearer's head from injury when it is hit by a falling object, or when a wearer accidentally hits his head against a structure, for example scaffolding. A disadvantage of the hard hat is that it is not suited to protecting a wearer's head if the wearer should suffer a fall, for example from scaffolding or a building.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a helmet layer which overcomes or mitigates the above disadvantage.

According to the invention, there is provided a deformable layer suitable for fitting to a rigid outer layer of a helmet to provide that helmet with a deformable outer layer, the deformable layer being provided with a locking mechanism arranged to releasably secure the deformable layer to the helmet.

The deformable layer is softer than the rigid outer layer of a construction worker's helmet of the type commonly referred to as a hard hat. Deformation of the deformable layer will absorb energy, thereby providing extra protection for the wearer's head.

(6.T.;1. Preferably, the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of VelcroLpatches arranged to engage the helmet.

Suitably, the Velcro patches are provided on an inner surface of the deformable layer. Alternatively, the Velcro patches are provided on flexible tabs which extend downwardly from the deformable layer.

Suitably, the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of resilient tabs arranged to engage the rigid outer layer of the helmet.

Suitably, the locking mechanism comprises securing members for location through holes provided in the inner layer.

Preferably, the deformable layer is resilient.

Preferably, the deformable layer comprises a soft impact-absorbing material.

Suitably, the deformable layer comprises plastic sheeting containing a plurality of air bubbles.

Suitably, the deformable layer comprises sponge. Suitably, the deformable layer comprises foam. Preferably, the foam is polystyrene foam.

Suitably, the deformable layer comprises polyurethane. Suitably, the deformable layer comprises polybutylene. Suitably, the deformable layer comprises polyisoprene.

Preferably, the deformable layer is configured to fit a construction worker's helmet of the type commonly referred to as a hard hat.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a construction worker's helmet comprising a rigid inner layer 1 of the type which is commonly referred to as a hard hat, and a deformable outer layer 2. The outer layer 2 will deform when the helmet suffers an impact, thereby absorbing some of the energy of the impact and protecting a wearer's head. The deformation may be elastic or inelastic. The outer layer 2 is advantageous because it provides increased protection of a worker's head, and in particular may protect a worker's head in the event that he suffers a fall.

The outer layer 2 is provided with several flexible fabric tabs 3 which extend downwardly from the outer layer 2. An inner surface of each flexible fabric tab 3 is provided with a patch of Velcro 4. The Velcro patches 4 are attachable to the helmet to secure the outer layer 2 in place. The Velcro patches 4 may be fixed to Velcro patches provided at an inner surface of the inner layer 1 of the helmet. Alternatively, the Velcro patches 4 may be fixed to Velcro patches provided on strapping (not shown in Figure 1) of the helmet.

The outer layer 2 may be easily secured to the helmet using the Velcro patches 4. Similarly, the outer layer 2 may be easily detached from the helmet by releasing the Velcro patches 4. This allows the outer layer 2 to be easily replaced, for example if the outer layer 2 were to be damaged. The Velcro patches 4 are advantageous because they will not release accidentally, thereby minimising the possibility of the deformable layer unintentionally becoming detached from the inner layer 1.

The outer layer 2 may be fitted easily to a hard hat.

The outer layer 2 may be constructed from any suitable deformable material. For example, plastic sheeting containing a plurality of air bubbles, sponge, foam, polystyrene foam, polyurethane, polybutylene or polyisoprene.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention (not illustrated) the outer layer 2 may be provided with a series of resilient tabs extending inwardly from a lowermost surface of the outer layer 2, the tabs being arranged to engage the inner layer 1 thereby securing the outer layer 2 to the inner layer 1.

A conventional hard hat is provided with soft plastic strapping which holds the rigid layer 1 securely on a wearer's head. The strapping is spaced away from the rigid layer 1 so that, when the helmet is worn, air may circulate between the wearer's head and the outer layer. The invention is advantageous because it provides an impact absorbing layer without reducing the spacing between the strapping and the rigid layer 1, and therefore does not compromise air circulation between a wearer's head and the rigid layer 1.

It will be appreciated that variations of the above locking mechanisms, and other different locking mechanisms, may be used to secure the outer layer 2 to the inner layer 1 of the helmet. For example, Velcro (proprietary trademark) patches may be provided on an outer surface of the inner layer 1, for attachment to correspondingly positioned Velcro patches on an inner surface of the outer layer 2. In a further alternative arrangement, the outer layer may be provided with securing members for location through eyeholes 5 of the inner layer 1.

Claims

Claims 1. A deformable layer suitable for fitting to a rigid outer layer of a helmet to provide that helmet with a deformable outer layer, the deformable layer being provided with a locking mechanism arranged to releasably secure the deformable layer to the helmet.
2. A deformable layer according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of Velcro patches arranged to engage the helmet.
3. A deformable layer according to claim 2, wherein the Velcro patches are provided on an inner surface of the deformable layer.
4. A deformable layer according to claim 2, wherein the Velcro patches are provided on flexible tabs which extend downwardly from the deformable layer.
5. A deformable layer according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a plurality of resilient tabs arranged to engage the rigid outer layer of the helmet.
6. A deformable layer according to claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism comprises securing members for location through holes provided in the inner layer.
7. A deformable layer according to any preceding claim, wherein the deformable layer is resilient.
8. A deformable layer according to any preceding claim, wherein the deformable layer comprises a soft impact-absorbing material.
9. A deformable layer according to any preceding claim, wherein the deformable layer comprises plastic sheeting containing a plurality of air bubbles.

<Desc/Clms Page number 6>
10. A deformable layer according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the defonnable layer comprises sponge.
11. A deformable layer according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the deformable layer comprises foam.
12. A deformable layer according to claim 11, wherein the foam is polystyrene foam.
13. A deformable layer according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the deformable layer comprises polyurethane.
14. A deformable layer according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the deformable layer comprises polybutylene.
15. A deformable layer according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the deformable layer comprises polyisoprene.
16. A deformable layer according to any preceding claim, wherein the deformable layer is configured to fit a construction worker's helmet of the type commonly referred to as a hard hat.
17. A deformable layer substantially as hereinbefore described.