GB2474712A

GB2474712A - Helmet cover

Info

Publication number: GB2474712A
Application number: GB0918757A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Gosbell
Original assignee: THOMAS JACKS Ltd
Current assignee: THOMAS JACKS Ltd
Priority date: 2009-10-26
Filing date: 2009-10-26
Publication date: 2011-04-27
Also published as: GB0918757D0

Abstract

A helmet cover 102 comprises attachment means 112 for attaching the cover 102 to a helmet 100 and identification means 116 associated with the cover 102 to enable the wearer to be easily identified. The identification means 116 are removably associated with the helmet cover 102. The identification means 116 may be secured to the cover 102 via hook and loop fasteners and may include thermally or infra-red reflective material or an infra-red transmitter. The attachment means 112 preferably reduce wear on the rim region 108 of the helmet 100.

Description

Improvements in Headwear The present invention relates to covers for helmets, in particular the present invention relates to covers for helmets for use in the military, or the like.

Military helmets are often covered by helmet covers. These helmet covers typically comprise a material cover that is either stretch fit, or which attached to a helmet by other means, e.g. hook and loop type fasteners. Such helmet covers enable the appearance of a helmet to be easily and quickly changed so as to match a soldiers uniform, in particular it enables the appearance of a helmet to be modifies to match a soldiers camouflage. Such covers may be sand coloured for use in the desert, white for use in the snow, or khaki and green for use in forest.

Such helmet covers often wear quickly, especially in the region of the crown and the rim of the helmets. A significant cause for this is that, when resting, soldiers will often use their helmets as an impromptu stool so as to avoid sitting on the ground.

Often, in theatre, combatants of opposing forces will wear similar coloured uniforms and it can be hard to positively identify whether a combatant is a friendly or an enemy combatant when their uniforms, including their helmet covers are substantially the same colour. This problem is further compounded during times of low visibility, for example at night, when visual identification is reduced. It can be particularly difficult to identify combatants engaged in close warfare where, although it may be possible to identify where combatants are located, it may be hard to see them if they are taking cover from fire.

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a helmet cover that mitigates at least some of the above problems. *s.. * * * * S * 505

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a helmet cover having: attachment means for, in use, attaching said cover to a helmet and identification means * associated with said cover to enable the wearer to be easily identified.

***..S * * Preferably the identification means are removably associated with said helmet cover, * 35 more preferably said helmet cover has attached thereto first parts of hook and loop type fasteners and the identification means has attached thereto second parts of hook and loop type fasteners.

In one preferred arrangement the identification means comprises a plurality of identification means and preferably the identification means comprises a plurality of types of identification means. The identification means may comprise at least one of thermally reflective and/or infrared reflective material. Alternatively the identification means may transmit a particular identification signal associated with the wearer thereby enabling them to be recognised, for example the identification means may comprise a programmable infrared transmitter.

By attaching identification means to the helmet cover a combatant wearing such a cover can easily be identified. In theatre, especially in close combat, the only part of a person visible may be the top of their head as they peer out from behind their cover.

Furthermore, when moving about combatants often carry a significant amount of equipment, munitions, communications etc, which can frequently obscure large areas of their bodies. By placing the identification means on the helmet it increases its visibility and maintains the identification means in a largely unobscured area.

Furthermore, by using thermally or infrared reflective material enhanced identification capabilities are achieved during low visibility, for example at night time, whereby by thermal or infrared imaging technologies a combatant can easily be identified from considerable distances using night vision. If a transmitting device is used then positive identification is enhanced, for example the transmitter may transmit a particular IR pulse signal so as to enable the identifier to identify the battalion or unit to whom the wearer belongs, or the nationality of the combatant.

In a preferred arrangement the attachment means is adapted to reduce wear to the rim region of the helmet. *..* * I I. * I,..

**. 30 According to one embodiment of the invention the helmet cover comprises a plurality of * webbing straps that, in use, extend around exterior surface of a helmet. Preferably the * attachment means comprise a plurality of hooked attachment members that, in use, hook around the lower rim of said helmet. When said helmet is placed on its rim on a substantially planar surface, said hooked attachment members may act as spacers to maintain the helmet rim in spaced relation to said planar surface. The attachment members may further comprise fixing means for fixing said hooked attachment members to said helmet in the proximity of the rim. Preferably such fixing means comprise flush fitting screws. The attachment means may comprise loops through which said webbing straps pass, preferably in an adjustable manner.

According to a second embodiment of the invention the helmet cover comprises a material cover that substantially covers the entire external surface of said helmet and wherein said attachment means comprises a lipped region of said cover that extends over the rim of said helmet. Preferably said helmet cover lipped region and/or the apex of said helmet cover is reinforced. The helmet cover lipped region and/or the apex of said helmet cover may be laminated on one or both sides with an abrasion resistant material.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a helmet cover having attachment means for, in use, attaching said cover to a helmet and wherein said attachment means is adapted to reduce wear to the rim region of the helmet.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view from the rear of the helmet having a cover in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective view from the front of the helmet having a cover in accordance with the invention; and Figure 3 shows a side view from a helmet having a cover in accordance with the invention. *.. * S ** * *5**

30 Referring to Figures 1 and 2 a helmet 100 is shown having a helmet cover 102 comprising a plurality of webbing straps 104 that extend around the exterior of the * SS**S * helmet 100. Attachment members 106 attached the webbing straps 104 to the helmet and comprise metal hook like elements 112 that hook around the rim 108 of the helmet ** ** and are secured in place by screws 110 which preferably sit flush with the exterior * S S surface of the hook like elements when secure. The attachment members 106 have loops 114 therein for receiving therethrough the ends of the webbing straps 104. The webbing straps that pass through the loops 114 are each attached at one end and, at the other end 120 the strap passes through the loop and attached back onto itself by means of mating parts of hook and loop type connectors. The hook like elements 112 extend downwardly of the rim 108 such that they protrude slightly downwards therefrom. In this manner, when the helmet 100 is placed on a flat surface the parts of the hook like elements 112 that wrap around the rim 108 act as separators to maintain the helmet 100 in spaced relation from the surface on which it is placed.

The helmet cover is preferably attached Thermally reflective identification means 116 are attached at various positions on the helmet cover (although it will be appreciated that IR reflective means may also be used) by hook and loop type fasteners. The identification means can easily be removed and replaced if needed. In an alternative embodiment, not shown, an infrared programmable signal light may be incorporates into the helmet cover. This may replace the thermally reflective identification means or may be in addition to it thereby resulting in a helmet with thermal and infrared visible means. A rigid mounting means 118 extends between two attachment members 106 to which the IR programmable signal light may be attached. The mounting means 118 may be metal or may preferably be of a plastics material such that it has an element of natural resilience.

Referring to Figure 3 an alternative embodiment to the invention is shown. The helmet cover 122 comprises a cotton, poly-cotton or polyester cover that substantially covers the exterior surface of the helmet. The cover has an anti abrasion strip 124 fitted in the rim area such that it covers the rim of the helmet, this may for example be a thermally laminated plastics strip or one or more raised silicone anti abrasion strips. Further interior anti-abrasion patch and for strip 126 and exterior anti-abrasion patch and br .. : strip 1:28 are fitted to the crown of the helmet. In use, when such a helmet is sat upon, *,,, 30 rim down, the anti abrasion strip 124 protects the rim from abrasion against the ground and the patches 126, 128 on the crown of the helmet reduce abrasion where it is sat * .S*S* * : upon.

**S�*S * S ** ** The helmet cover may be attached to a helmet by use of a tie cord around the base of the helmet cover to apply tension thereto so as to tighten it over the edge of the helmet rim 108. The cover has thermal or infrared reflective patches 116 attached thereto by hook and loop type fasteners.

Either one of the above embodiments may further comprise mounting points thereon to which a helmet mounted equipment, such as a night vision system, may be attached and/or mounting points, for example a D-ring, from which equipment may be hung, or by which the helmet may be hung when not in use. Furthermore, either of the above systems may utilise larger thermal or IR reflective patches mounted across a number of hook and loop type attachments. * * * S. S * S.. * . S...

I..... * S * S * S. * S S * S

Claims

CLAIMS: 1 A helmet cover having: attachment means for, in use, attaching said cover to a helmet and identification means associated with said cover to enable the wearer to be easily identified.

2 A helmet cover according to claim 1 wherein the identification means are removably associated with said helmet cover.

3 A helmet cover according to claim 2 wherein said helmet cover has attached thereto first parts of hook and loop type fasteners and the identification means has attached thereto second parts of hook and loop type fasteners.

4 A helmet cover according to any preceding claim wherein said identification means comprises a plurality of identification means.

A helmet cover according to claim 4 herein said identification means comprises a plurality of types of identification means.

6 A helmet cover according to any preceding claim wherein said identification means comprises at least one of thermally reflective and/or infrared reflective material.

7 A helmet cover according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the identification means transmits a particular identification signal associated with the wearer thereby enabling them to be recognised.

8 A helmet cover according to claim 7 wherein said identification means comprises a programmable infrared transmitter.

9 A helmet cover according to any preceding claim wherein said attachment means is adapted to reduce wear to the rim region of the helmet. S. * * * * S

A helmet cover according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein said helmet cover comprises a plurality of webbing straps that, in use, extend around exterior surface of a helmet.

11 A helmet cover according to claim 10 wherein said attachment means comprise a plurality of hooked attachment members that, in use, hook around the lower rim of said helmet.

12 A helmet cover according to claim 11 wherein, in use, when said helmet is placed on its rim on a substantially planar surface, said hooked attachment members act as spacers to maintain the helmet rim in spaced relation to said planar surface.

13 A helmet cover according to claim 11 or claim 12 wherein said attachment members further comprise fixing means for fixing said hooked attachment members to said helmet in the proximity of the rim.

14 A helmet cover according to claim 13 wherein said fixing means comprise flush fitting screws.

15 A helmet cover according to any one of claims 10 to 14 wherein said attachment means comprises loops through which said webbing straps pass.

16 A helmet cover according to any one of claims 10 to 15 wherein said webbing straps are adjustable.

17 A helmet cover according to any one of claims 1 to 9 comprising a material cover that substantially covers the entire external surface of said helmet and wherein said attachment means comprises a lipped region of said cover that extends over the *..* rim of said helmet. * * * *a*

18 A helmet cover according to claim 17 wherein said helmet cover lipped region and/or the apex of said helmet cover is reinforced. a. a. * . .

19 A helmet cover according to claim 18 said wherein the helmet cover lipped region and/or the apex of said helmet cover is laminated on one or both sides with an abrasion resistant material.

20 A helmet cover having attachment means for, in use, attaching said cover to a helmet and wherein said attachment means is adapted to reduce wear to the rim region of the helmet.

21 A helmet cover substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings. * . * ** . * * *S.....S*.S.SSS S S. ** * S *S S