GB2398476A - Padding for a protective helmet - Google Patents
Padding for a protective helmet Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2398476A GB2398476A GB0303853A GB0303853A GB2398476A GB 2398476 A GB2398476 A GB 2398476A GB 0303853 A GB0303853 A GB 0303853A GB 0303853 A GB0303853 A GB 0303853A GB 2398476 A GB2398476 A GB 2398476A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- pad
- wearer
- head
- helmet
- kit
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A42—HEADWEAR
- A42C—MANUFACTURING OR TRIMMING HEAD COVERINGS, e.g. HATS
- A42C2/00—Manufacturing helmets by processes not otherwise provided for
- A42C2/007—Manufacturing custom-sized helmets
-
- 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
- A42B3/12—Cushioning devices
- A42B3/125—Cushioning devices with a padded structure, e.g. foam
- A42B3/127—Cushioning devices with a padded structure, e.g. foam with removable or adjustable pads
Abstract
A protective helmet comprises at least one pre-formed pad which is disposed between the interior surface of the helmet and the wearer's head. The pad may be selected from a number of pads having varying sizes or thicknesses. The pad may be a two-dimensional template 20 of a three dimensional shape which confirms to the shape of the wearer's head. The pad may also be in the form of a foam-pad insert which sits in a pocket (32, Fig 3) of a fabric pouch (30, Fig 3). The pad may comprise recesses (42, Fig 4) into which foam inserts (44, Fig 4) may be inserted. The pad is especially suitable for use in an aircraft pilot's helmet having a mounted display system or night vision goggles which can cause the helmet to slip forwards. A method of measuring the profile of the wearer's head is also disclosed (Figs 5 and 6) using pivoted blocks 52 formed with apertures 54 through which measuring rods 56 are adjustably inserted.
Description
-> 2398476
HELMET FITTING
The present invention relates to a method of fitting a protective helmet to a head of a wearer, and to a kit of parts for fitting a protective helmet to the head of a wearer.
The invention is particularly suitable for the fitting of helmets for pilots of military aircraft. Such helmets typically comprise an outer protective helmet and, attached to the outer helmet, a helmet mounted display system. Such systems require exact and repeatable placement of images in front of the wearer's eyes during flight. An iil-fitting helmet tends to move relative to the head during use, thus causing the display to be displaced out of the line of sight of the wearer. An ill-fitting helmet also causes the weight of the helmet to be focussed on pressure points, resulting in user discomfort. To alleviate this, it has been proposed in US 6279172 to custom fit a helmet to an individual aircrew member, by casting in situ a foam pad between the inside of the helmet and the wearer's brow. This method is complicated, requiring specialized equipment and, during the expansion of the foam pad after injection can cause discomfort to the wearer.
The present invention is directed to alternative solutions to this problem, which avoids some of the foregoing difficulties. It provides a method of fitting a protective helmet to the head of a wearer, the method comprising disposing between the interior surface of the helmet and the wearer's head at least one pre-formed pad of material, the pad having been selected from a range of similar pads of varying size according to the shape and/or size of the wearer's head.
The pads can provide good stability to the helmet by close fit to the wearer's head and enable a method which, in comparison to the cast-insitu method, is easier to implement. By providing a range of pads in various sizes, the pads can be readily selected to custom-fit one of a relatively small range of helmet sizes to an individual airman. . In one embodiment the pad is a two-dimensional development of a threedimensional shape which when fitted to the helmet conforms to the shape of the l / \ - 2 wearer's head. This can enable the pads to be "flat packed" for ease of transport and storage.
In another embodiment, the method comprises disposing in at least one recess in the pad a further pad of greater thickness than the first pad. This can enable the thickness of the pad to be locally increased to fit more closely to a wearer's head.
A range of pads of different thicknesses is preferably provided. Individual pads may be of constant or varying thickness so that the surface of the pad which will in use contact the wearer's head can adopt a profile which closely conforms to that of the wearer's head.
In one arrangement, the first pad has a plurality of recesses of different sizes, the or each further pad being selected from a range of pads having different sizes.
In another arrangement, the method comprises disposing a plurality of pads in respective pockets of a pouch for disposal between the interior surface of the helmet and the wearer's head. The pouch may also be a twodimensional development of a three-dimensional shape which when fitted to the helmet conforms to the shape of the wearer's head.
The or each pad may be selected from a range of pads of varying stiffness. For example, a rigid pad may be used to improve local impact attenuation, whilst a more flexible pad can improve wearer comfort. Pads may be grooved to enable them to readily adopt a curved shape.
The method preferably also comprises gauging a profile of the wearer's head, the pad being selected according to the head's profile. For example, the surface of the wearer's head may be scanned to determine its profile. Optical scanning using a laser or the like can provide an accurate profile. However, such laser systems tend to be expensive. A less expensive, although somewhat less accurate, alternative for determining the profile is to use at least one array of rods independently moveable within respective apertures, the ends of the rods being pressed against the wearer's head and the profile determined from the resulting displacement of the rods. This form of gauging device may comprise a plurality of such arrays, each array being pivotally attached to at least one other of the arrays. The device can be readily "flat-packed" for transport and subsequent storage. A plurality of such gauging devices of different size may be provided. The array can be positioned relative to the wearer's head using a sight immovably attached to the array, enabling the profile to be determined in correct alignment with the wearer's eyes. Each rod may be calibrated to a pad thickness.
The present invention also provides a kit of parts for fitting a protective helmet to the head of a wearer, the kit comprising a range of similar pre-formed pads of material of varying thickness for selective insertion between the interior surface of the helmet and the wearer's head according to the shape and/or size of the wearer's head.
The individual components of the kit of parts may also be provided separately, or in any combination. Thus, the invention also provides a pre-formed pad of material for disposal between the interior surface of a helmet and a wearer's head, the pad being a two-dimensional development of a three-dimensional shape which when fitted to the helmet conforms to the shape of the wearer's head. The invention further provides a pre- formed pad of material for disposal between the interior surface of a helmet and a wearer's head, the pad having at least one recess for receiving a further pad of greaterthickness than the first pad. The present invention further provides a pouch for disposal between the interior surface of a helmet and a wearer's head, the pouch having a plurality of pocket-like retainers each for receiving a pre-formed pad of material. The invention also further provides a device for gauging the profile of a head, the device comprising a plurality of arrays of rods, independently moveable within respective apertures, for pressing against a head, each array being pivotally attached to at least one other of said array. the profile being determinable from the resulting displacement of the rods.
Preferred features of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: ) - 4 Figure 1 is a side view of a helmet in use; Figure 2(a) illustrates one embodiment of a pad for use between the interior surface of the helmet and the wearer's head, and Figure 2(b) illustrates the shape adopted by the pad when in use; Figure 3(a) illustrates a second embodiment of the pad, and Figure 3(b) illustrates bending of a pad.
Figure 4(a) illustrates a third embodiment of the pad, and Figure 4(b) illustrates the shape adopted by this pad when in use; Figure 5 illustrates a device for use in gauging the profile of the wearer's head; and Figure 6 illustrates the use of the device of Figure 5.
Figure 1 illustrates an impact-resistant and energy-absorbing helmet 10 of known multi-layer construction. Attached to the helmet 10 is a night vision system 12.
Whilst a chin strap 16 is provided to secure the helmet to the user, the weight of the vision system 12 tends to cause the helmet 10 to slip forwards during prolonged use. To prevent this, brow and nape pads are provided for attachment to the interior surface of the helmet to provide stability to the helmet whilst improving wearer comfort. ! Figure 2(a) illustrates a first embodiment of such a brow pad. The pad 20 is a two- I dimensional development of a three-dimensional shape which, as illustrated in i Figure 2(b), when fitted to the helmet conforms to the shape of the wearer's head.
The pad 20 is formed from material, such as foam, with sufficient flexibility for it to be bent into shape when in use whilst providing a degree of comfort to the wearer. i By providing a range of pads of varying size, the pads can be readily selected to custom-fit one of a relatively small range of helmet sizes to an individual airman. i - 5 In a second embodiment illustrated in Figure 3(a), a fabric pouch 30 for insertion on the internal surface of the helmet 10 takes the twodimensional shape of the pad of Figure 2(a). The pouch 30 has a plurality of pockets 32 or similar retainers each for receiving a foam pad in the form of an insert 34. A range of inserts 34 of different shape and stiffness are provided for insertion into a range of pouches 30 for custom-fitting. Inserts of relatively rigid foam may be used to provide or improve impact attenuation, whilst more flexible foam inserts improve wearer comfort. As shown in Figure 3(a), the bottom surfaces 36 of the more rigid inserts may contain grooves 38 to enable the curved shape to be adopted.
In the embodiment shown in Figures 4(a) and (b), a flexible pad 40 has a similar shape to the pad 20 of Figure 2(a), with the exception that a plurality of circular recesses 42 of varying diameter are formed in the pad 40 for receiving further pads in the form of inserts 44 for the recesses 42. The pads 44 have a thickness X which is greater than the thickness Y of the pad 40. This can enable the thickness of the pad 40 to be locally effectively increased to fit more closely to a wearer's head.
Again, a range of inserts 44 of different shape and stiffness are provided for insertion into a range of pads 40 for custom-fitting.
For any of the above embodiments, the profile of the wearer's head is preferably gauged to determine the most appropriate pad, or combination of pads, for the wearer. Gauging may be performed using an optical scanner, such as a laser, but these tend to be expensive. Figure 5 illustrates a gauging device of low cost which, ! similar to the above pads, can be flat packed for ease of transport and storage. The device 50 comprises a plurality of pivotally attached blocks 52 each having an array I of apertures 54 formed therein, each normal to an inner face of the block. There may be any number of blocks 52, although greater resolution of the wearer's profile may be achieved with a greater number of blocks. Within each aperture is a close fitting rod 56 (only one rod is shown protruding in Figure 5 for clarity purposes) which maintains its position within its aperture unless deliberately moved. Each rod may be calibrated to a particular pad thickness. A bore sight 58 is immoveably attached i to one of the blocks 52. A small number (for example four) of the rods 56 at - 6 spaced-apart points on the blocks 52 are screw- threaded and are received in threaded bores for preliminary alignment of the blocks at the bore sight during fitting as described hereafter.
Figure 6 illustrates the device 50 in use so as to gauge the profile of the wearer's head for selection of an appropriate brow pad. In order to position the device 50 correctly, the wearer holds the device 50 and aligns the bore sight 58 with his line of vision. The blocks 52 are then moved into position around the wearer's head, and the screw threaded rods 60 (two shown in figure 6) are adjusted in their bores so as to support the blocks from the wearer's head. This provides an initial alignment of the device on the head. After checking that the bore sight 58 remains in alignment with the wearer's line of sight, the remaining rods 56 are pushed forward so as to contact the wearer's forehead. After a final check that the bore sight 58 is still in the correct position, the device is removed from the wearer's head without disturbing the relative positions of the rods, and the profile of the wearer's head gauged from the overall displacement of the rods relative to the inner surfaces of the blocks 52.
In an alternative arrangement for the device 50 (not illustrated), the inner surfaces of the blocks 52 are profiled to conform to the profile of the inner surface of the helmet 10. In this arrangement, the relative positions of the rods can give a more direct indication of the required pad thickness.
In a variation of the embodiments of figures 2 and 3, the surface of the pad 20 can be sculpted before insertion into the helmet so as to be of varying thickness, using the data obtained from the head-measuring step. Pre-sculpting may be particularly convenient when the wearer's head has been laser-scanned as discussed above.
Each feature disclosed in the description, and/or the claims and drawings may be provided independently or in any appropriate combination. In particular a feature of a subsidiary claim may be incorporated in a claim for which it is not dependent. - 7
Claims (33)
1. A method of fitting a protective helmet to the head of a wearer comprising disposing between the interior surface of the helmet and the wearer's head at least one pre-formed pad of material, the pad having been selected from a range of similar pads of varying size according to the shape and/or size of the wearer's head.
2. A method according to Claim 1, wherein the pad is a two-dimensional development of a three-dimensional shape which when fitted to the helmet conforms to the shape of the wearer's head.
3. A method according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 comprising disposing in at least one recess in the pad a further pad of greater thickness than the first pad.
4. A method according to Claim 3, wherein the first pad has a plurality of recesses of different sizes, the or each further pad being selected from a range of pads having different sizes.
5. A method according to Claim 1 comprising disposing a plurality of said pads in respective pockets of a pouch for disposal between the interior surface of the helmet and the wearer's head.
6. A method according to Claim 5, wherein the pouch is a two-dimensional development of a three-dimensional shape which when fitted to the helmet conforms to the shape of the wearer's head.
7. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each pad is selected from a range of pads of different thicknesses.
8. A method according to Claim 7, wherein at least one pad is of varying thickness. - 8
9. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each pad is selected from a range of pads of varying stiffness.
10. A method according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one pad is grooved.
11. A method according to any preceding claim comprising gauging a profile of the wearer's head, the pad being selected according to the head's profile.
12. A method according to Claim 11, wherein the surface of the wearer's head is scanned to determine its profile.
13. A method according to Claim 11, wherein the profile of the wearer's head is determined using at least one array of rods independently moveable within respective apertures, ends of the rods being pressed against the wearer's head and the profile determined from the resulting displacement of the rods.
14. A method according to Claim 13, wherein the array is positioned relative to the wearer's head using a sight immovably attached to the array.
15. A method according to Claim 13 or 14, wherein each rod is calibrated.
16. A kit of parts for fitting a protective helmet to the head of a wearer, the kit comprising a range of similar pre-formed pads of material of varying thickness for selective insertion between the interior surface of the helmet and the wearer's head according to the shape and/or size of the wearer's head.
17. A kit of parts according to Claim 16 wherein each pad is a twodimensional development of a three-dimensional shape which when fitted to the helmet conforms to the shape of the wearer's head.
18. A kit of parts according to Claim 16 or Claim 17, wherein each pad comprises ) - 9 - at least one recess, the kit comprising a range of further similar pre- formed pads of greater thickness than the first pads for selective disposal into the recesses.
19. A kit of parts according to Claim 18, wherein each first pad has a plurality of recesses of different diameter, the range of further pads comprising pads of different diameter.
20. A kit of parts according to Claim 16, comprising a pouch for disposal between the interior surface of the helmet and the wearer's head, the pouch having a plurality of pockets each for receiving a respective pad.
21. A kit of parts according to Claim 20, wherein the pouch is a twodimensional development of a three-dimensional shape which when fitted to the helmet conforms to the shape of the wearer's head.
22. A kit of parts according to any of Claims 16 to 21, wherein the range of pads comprises pads of different thicknesses.
23. A kit of parts according to any of Claims 16 to 22, wherein the range of pads comprises at least one pad of varying thickness.
24. A kit of parts according to any of Claims 16 to 23, wherein the range of pads comprises pads of varying stiffness.
25. A kit of parts according to any of Claims 16 to 24, wherein at least one pad is profiled to improve its flexibility.
26. A kit of parts according to any of Claims 16 to 25, comprising means for gauging a profile of the wearer's head.
27. A kit of parts according to Claim 26, wherein the gauging means comprises at least one array of rods, independently moveable within respective apertures, - 10 for pressing against the wearer's head, the profile being determinable from the resulting displacement of the rods.
28. A kit of parts according to Claim 27, wherein the gauging means comprises a plurality of said arrays, each array being pivotally attached to at least one other of said arrays.
29. A kit of parts according to Claim 27 or Claim 28, wherein the gauging means comprises a sight movable attached to the array.
30. A kit of parts according to any of Claims 27 to 29, wherein each rod is calibrated.
31. A pre-formed pad of material for disposal between the interior surface of a helmet and a wearer's head, the pad being a two-dimensional development of a three-dimensional shape which when fitted to the helmet conforms to the shape of the wearer's head.
32. A pre-formed pad of material for disposal between the interior surface of a helmet and a wearer's head, the pad having at least one recess for receiving a further pad of greater thickness than the first pad.
33. A method of fitting a protective helmet to the head of a wearer, a kit of parts or a pre-formed pad of material substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
33. A pouch for disposal between the interior surface of a helmet and a wearer's head the helmet, the pouch having a plurality of pocket-like retainers each for receiving a pre-formed pad of material.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0303853A GB2398476A (en) | 2003-02-19 | 2003-02-19 | Padding for a protective helmet |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0303853A GB2398476A (en) | 2003-02-19 | 2003-02-19 | Padding for a protective helmet |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB0303853D0 GB0303853D0 (en) | 2003-03-26 |
| GB2398476A true GB2398476A (en) | 2004-08-25 |
Family
ID=9953328
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0303853A Withdrawn GB2398476A (en) | 2003-02-19 | 2003-02-19 | Padding for a protective helmet |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2398476A (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2417881A (en) * | 2004-09-10 | 2006-03-15 | Joseph Anthony Griffiths | Helmet cap for aircrew |
| EP1634851A1 (en) * | 2004-09-08 | 2006-03-15 | Hammersmith Nominees Pty Ltd | Saddles |
| EP4256997A1 (en) * | 2022-04-07 | 2023-10-11 | Thales | Method for adapting a helmet to the head of a user |
Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1204791A (en) * | 1967-02-06 | 1970-09-09 | Leonard Peter Frieder | Safety helmet with improved stabilizing and size adjusting means |
| US3729744A (en) * | 1971-04-01 | 1973-05-01 | Cougac Inc | Protective helmet for football or the like |
| US3789427A (en) * | 1972-03-20 | 1974-02-05 | J Aileo | Headgear structure |
| US3843970A (en) * | 1973-03-19 | 1974-10-29 | M Marietta | Protective headgear |
| GB1471801A (en) * | 1974-08-26 | 1977-04-27 | Gentex Corp | Protective helmet |
| FR2539010A1 (en) * | 1983-01-07 | 1984-07-13 | Nolan Spa | Adjustable well-fitting crash helmet with outer shell |
| FR2553266A1 (en) * | 1983-10-15 | 1985-04-19 | Nolan Spa | Adaptable helmet for different sized heads |
-
2003
- 2003-02-19 GB GB0303853A patent/GB2398476A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1204791A (en) * | 1967-02-06 | 1970-09-09 | Leonard Peter Frieder | Safety helmet with improved stabilizing and size adjusting means |
| US3729744A (en) * | 1971-04-01 | 1973-05-01 | Cougac Inc | Protective helmet for football or the like |
| US3789427A (en) * | 1972-03-20 | 1974-02-05 | J Aileo | Headgear structure |
| US3843970A (en) * | 1973-03-19 | 1974-10-29 | M Marietta | Protective headgear |
| GB1471801A (en) * | 1974-08-26 | 1977-04-27 | Gentex Corp | Protective helmet |
| FR2539010A1 (en) * | 1983-01-07 | 1984-07-13 | Nolan Spa | Adjustable well-fitting crash helmet with outer shell |
| FR2553266A1 (en) * | 1983-10-15 | 1985-04-19 | Nolan Spa | Adaptable helmet for different sized heads |
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP1634851A1 (en) * | 2004-09-08 | 2006-03-15 | Hammersmith Nominees Pty Ltd | Saddles |
| GB2417881A (en) * | 2004-09-10 | 2006-03-15 | Joseph Anthony Griffiths | Helmet cap for aircrew |
| EP4256997A1 (en) * | 2022-04-07 | 2023-10-11 | Thales | Method for adapting a helmet to the head of a user |
| FR3134293A1 (en) * | 2022-04-07 | 2023-10-13 | Thales | Method for adapting a helmet to a user's head |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB0303853D0 (en) | 2003-03-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |