US2194903A

US2194903A - Football helmet

Info

Publication number: US2194903A
Application number: US260194A
Authority: US
Inventors: Holstein Harvey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1939-03-06
Filing date: 1939-03-06
Publication date: 1940-03-26
Anticipated expiration: 1957-03-26

Description

March 26, 1940. H. HoLsTElN 2,194,903

FOOTBALL HELMET Filed March 6, 1939v :Iijlgggggg @fl-@ff IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Mar. 26, 1940 UNITED stares ement orifice 2,194,903 l .FOOTBALL HELMET Harvey Holstein, Huntington, W. Va.

' Application March 6, 1939, Serial No. 260,194

2 Claims.

This invention relatesto football helmets, one, of the objects being to provide an inflatable helmet for cushioning any blows received thereby so that the force of the blow will be distributed evenly to all portions of the inner surface of the helmet and injury to the wearer thus reduced to the minimum. l

A further object is to provide a helmet which, when not in use, can be deated and thus compactly stored.

A further object is to provide a helmet the exposed surfaces of which are formed of rubber so that they will not absorb moisture and acquire objectionable` odors.

A still further object is to provide an inflatable helmet having new and improved means for holding it in proper shape when inflated and for maintaining desired ventilation while beine.r worn.

With the foregoing and other objects in View which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims, it being understood that changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention as claimed.

In the accompanying drawing the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawing Figure 1 is a side elevation of the helmet, a portion'of one 0f the ear flaps being broken away.

Figure 2 is av section on line 2-2, Figure l, taken through oneV side of the helmet.

Figure 3 is a section on line 3-3, lFigure 1, taken through one side of the helmet.

Figure 4 is a section through one side of the helmet taken on the line 4 4, Figure 1.

In producing this helmet it is designed to provide a hollow Wall the outer and inner sides l and 2 of which are of sheet rubber preferably molded to proper shape and joined to the inner surfaceA of each of these sides is a reenforcing fabric 3 constituting a coextensive lining, the

fabric being attached to the rubber sides of the Wall by vulcanizing or in any other preferred manner. The fabric prevents the rubber from stretching and also lends strength thereto so that danger of tearing, puncturing or otherwise injuring the helmet is materially reduced. In the drawing each side of the wall has been shown provided with a single thickness of fabric lining but itis to be understood that, if preferred, each side could be built up of vtwo or more `layers of rubber and fabric. The rubber can be `molded to proper shape or otherwiseformed and the free edge portions of the helmet are joined by a marginal binder 4 vulcanized ory otherwiseatthe form of Webs having integral oppositely ex-l tending flanges E vulcanized or otherwise securely fastened to the inner surfaces of the Wall sides.v These webs 5` are formed .with apertures l so that air can flow freely through them. The webs are disposed along linesdiverging from the center of the top of the helmet toward the f bottom or free edge thereof. These webs are so proportioned 'as to restrain the walls against spreading apart too far vwhen the helmet is'in-` hated. Further spreading of the sides is' overcome by rows of rubber vent tubes 8 `which extend through the sides of the helmet wall,"each tube being provided at each end Withfspacedv anges Sland I0 which lap the adjacent portions of the engaged wall and are vulcanized or otherfwise joined thereto. These vents provide ample ventilation through the helmet and, as before i stated, cooperate with the webs 5 to hold the f l helmet in proper vshape when inflated. As shown in Figures 1 and 4 the lined sides I and 2 of the helmet lwall are extended downwardly to form ear lguards G each of which is provided with a desired number of vent tubes 8 which also ypermit the passage4 of sound waves.

Extending from one of the ear guards is a side flap Il) consisting of spaced members I2 andA i3 vulcanized or otherwise attached to the adjacent portion of the guard and extending downwardly therefrom. 'I'hese members are joined along one edge for a portion of the distance thereof, as shown at M, soas to provide a pocket l5 which can be closed by fastening 'together' the remainingedge portions of the members. The fastening means used can'be snap-fasteners I6 "of the usual type. This pocket is adapted to y tied, as shown at I8 in Figure 1 so as thus to be supported entirely within-the pocket Where it is out of the way. A strap I9 carrying a buckle 2l) can be joined ytoy the inner member l2 of the flap. Il and it is to be understood that the other side of the helmet can also be provided with an ear flap which need not be constructed as shown and which can have a strap joined thereto for engagement with buckle Ztl in the usual manner thereby to hold the helmet securely on the head of the user. A portion of thissecond strap has been indicated at 2l in Figure 1. v

t will be obvious that the Webs 5 and the vent tubes 8 will cooperate to hold the inner and outer sides of the helmet wall properly restrained when the helmet is inflated by forcing air through tube ll after it has been untied. The inflated helmet will retain its proper shape While in use and the air contained therein will, as before stated, serve to cushion any blow that might be struck upon the outer portion of the helmet, the force of the blow being dissipated throughout the inner surface of the helmet so that injury to the wearer will be prevented.

As the exposed surfaces of the helmet are formed of rubber, they cannot absorb perspiration or other moisture. Furthermore they can be cleaned readily so as not to acquire an objectionable odor. When the helmet is not in use it can be deflated and easily rolled into a small package, folded o1' otherwise arranged for storage.

What is claimed is:

l. A one-piece helmet including a hollow, airtight wall of flexible material shaped to the head of a user and providing ear guards, restraining webs interposed between and connected to opposed inner surfaces of the wall and diverging from the center of the top of the helmet towards the free edge thereof, said Webs being apertured, and reenforcing vent tubes joining and opening through the inner and outer sides of the wall between the webs.

2. A helmet including a hollow, air-tight Wall of flexible material shaped to fit the head of a user and to provide ear guards, restraining Webs interposed between and connected to opposed inner surfaces of the wall and diverging from the center of the top of the helmet towards the free edge thereof, said webs being apertured, reenforcing vent tubes joining and opening through the inner and outer sides of the wall between the webs, a side flap extending from the helmet and providing a pocket, and an inflation tube opening into the helmet and normally housed within but extensible from the pocket.

HARVEY HOLSTEIN.