US2809374A - Aviators' helmets - Google Patents

Description

Uct. 15, 1957 w. B, REED 2,809,374

AVIATORS' HELMETS Filed NOV. '7. 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 92 A mvmog WESLY B. REED Oct, 15, 1957 W. B. REED AvA'roRs' HELMETS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. 7, 1952 NVENTO. wasn- Y a. Raes "Km fga/M ATTORNEY Oct. 15, 1957 w. B. REED AvmoRs' HELMETS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed NOV. 7. 1952 INVENTOR we sLEY s. Raso Y' ATTORNEY nUnited States Patent O AVATORS HELMETS Wesley E. Reed, North Woodstock, Conn., assigner t American Optical Company, Southbridge, Mass., a voluntary association of Massachusetts Application November 7, 1952, Serial No. 319,394 Claims. (Cl. 2 6) This invention relates to improvements in aviators helmets and has particular reference to helmets of the type adapted to enclose the entire head of an individual.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide an aviators helmet which is relatively light in weight, comfortable to wear, and efiicient in its use.

Another object is to provide a helmet which is shaped to t completely over the head of a wearer and is formed as a composite structure comprising a plurality of llexible panels of fabric materials, some of which panels are elastic, enabling the helmet to be automatically adjusted to an individuals head, and other panels of which are substantially non-elastic to enable the composite parts of the device to be efhciently retained in desired positional relation on the wearers head.

Another object is to provide a helmet of the above character wherein selected portions of the composite structure are shaped to eiliciently and comfortably support additional utility equipment such as an oxygen mask, goggles and earphones in respective positions of use.

Another object is to provide a helmet having improved means for securely supporting a goggle frame whereby lenses may be easily and quickly inserted or interchanged in said goggle frame without removal of the frame from the helmet.

Another object is to provide a helmet of the above character which is relatively simple in construction and which can be easily and quickly applied to or removed from the head of a wearer.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a front elevational view ot a helmet embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the helmet shown in Fig. l;

Fig. 3 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of the is a rear elevational view of the helmet shown facial portion of the helmet showing the goggles and l oxygen mask attached thereto;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the helmet illustrating particularly the method of supporting the oxygen mask and earphones;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional View of the lower end of the mask-supporting portion of the helmet;

Fig. 7 is an exploded view illu ra 'ng the means for securing the lens retaining rims;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line -S of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially on line 9 9 of Fig. l looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 10 is a vertical sectional view taken on line itl-10 of Fig. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through approximately the center of the exhalaton valve; and

iCC

Fig. l2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through one of the inhalation valves.

Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein like characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views, the helmet embodying the invention is comprised of a plurality of elastic and non-elastic panels which are stitched together to form the structure illustrated in Figs. l, 2 and 3. The helmet is provided with an elastic panel 11 which is adapted to be located over the forehead, eyes and upper portions of the cheeks and nose of the wearer, a non-elastic panel 12 which is attached to the lower edge of the panel 11 and which extends downwardly therefrom, a pair of non-elastic panels 13 and 13a which are attached to the side edges of the panel 11 and which are adapted to cover the temples, ears and adjacent portions of the sides of the wearers head, and an elastic panel 14 which is adapted to extend beneath the chin of the wearer and having its forward edges attached to the side edges of the panel l2 and having portions adapted to be superimposed over the sides of the wearers chin, lower cheeks and sides of the upper neck, the panel 14 being attached at its upper edges to the rcspective panels 13 and 13a as well as to a portion of the lower edge of the panel 11. One end of each of a pair of elongated elastic panels 15 and 15a is attached in side by side relation to the upper edge of the panel 11, extending rearwardly and downwardly therefrom, and are attached at their sides to the respective upper and rear edges of the panels 13 and 13a, thus being adapted to extend along the top and back of a wearers head. The panels 15 and 15a extend downwardly along the back of the wearers neck and are attached to the respective ends of the elastic panel 14 and to the adjacent upper edge of an elastic neckband 16 which is attached also to the lower edge of the panel 14, whereby it may snugly encircle the neck of a wearer.

The non-elastic panels 12 and 13a-13a are preferably formed of knitted nylon which is, like all knitted fabric, easily deformable and capable of slight stretching. However, the so-called elastic panels i1, 14, 15 and 15a are formed of a material which may be stretched and deformed to a relatively great extent in comparison with the non-elastic panels, such as rubber or a combination of knitted nylon and latex. The neckband 16 is formed with elastic threads and is ribbed knit to provide a still greater degree of elasticity. The elongated panels 15 and 15a of the helmet have their adjacent edges nemmed as indicated at 17 in Figs. 3 and 8 and have attached to the hems 17, as by stitching or the like 19, a conventional Zipper fastener 1S. The zipper fastener iscomprised of the conventional pair of fabric strips Ztl having their adjacent edges provided with the closure tabs 21 (Figs. 3) which are adapted to be joined by a slidable closure member 22, A liner strip 23 (Fig. 8) is connected at one side as by stitching 23a to one of the hems 17 and is adapted to overlie the wearers head beneath the zipper thereby preventing the wearers hair from becoming entangled in the zipper.

All of the panels 11, 12, 13, 1d, l5 and 15a are stitched together as described preferably by use of flat lock seams which form a very secure structure wherein the joined edges lie relatively flat.

The helmet is constructed in the above-described manner embodying separate elastic and substantially nonelastic panels since it is desirable that a standardized size and shape be made which will readily be adaptable for wear by individuals hav-ing various sizes and shapes of heads. The elastic panels will, due to their inherent elastic characteristics, readily conform to the heads of the wearers while the substantially non-elastic panels will support utility apparatus such as oxygen masks and earextending through the openings in the helmet removed. The entire composite construction is such,

however, that under all normal conceivable conditions of use, the helmet will remain in desired wearing position.

Another beneficial feature of such a construction is that there is practically no place where an air stream can readily gain access to the interior .of the'helmet and accidentally tear. the helmet off the wearers head.

lln the elastic front panel 11, there are provided two spaced eye openings over which goggles 24 are mounted. The goggles 24 comprise a supporting member or mask 25 formed of rubber or other similar resilient material shaped to t over the eyes of the wearer and having a pair of spaced eye-encircling portions 26 which are connected by a bridge portion 27 (Figs. 4, 5 and 9). The mask 25 is positioned on the inner side of the helmet portion 11 with annular flanges 28 on the Veye-encircling portions 2.6 portion 11, as shown in Fig. 9. An annular stiiener 29 formed of relatively rigid material such as plastic, metal, or the like is disposed upon the inner side of each flange 28, and the superimposed flange-like portion of the panel 11 adjacent the opening is secured thereto through the flange 28 as by stitches, staples, rivets, or the like 30.

' Mounted over the eye openings are rim members 31 which are shaped to encircle and receive a pair of lenses 32, the rim members 31 having portions 33 which extend rearwardly into overlying relation with the stiffener 29 and portions of the mask and helmet secured thereto. The rim members 31 completely encircle the respective lenses 32 and are split in the temporal regions as at 34 (Figs. 2

and 7). -Each end of the rim member at the split isA provided with an outwardly extending tongue or lug 35. When securing a lens 32 in position, the lens 32 is mounted in the rim member 31 and the split 34 closed by bringing the tongues 35 together. This causes the rim member 31 to assume a tightly itted relation with the contour edge of the lens. A hollow slidable locking member 36 is then Vmounted over the tongues 35 and a clip 37 is inserted through aligned openings 38 adjacent the ends of the Ytongues 35 to prevent Withdrawal of the locking member 36thus retaining the parts in desired assembled relation. Y

The tongues 35 and locking member 36 are adapted to extend through restricted openings 39 provided therefor in the panel 11 and the clips 37 are thus accessible only from the interior. VThe clips 37 are carried by the ends of a headband 40 which is adapted to extend around the head of the wearer.

To change a lens, it is necessary to remove the clip 37, withdraw the tongues 35 through openings 39, and remove the locking member 36 to allow the ends of the rim member 31 to separate through the inherent resiliency of the material thereof. After a lens has been replaced, the parts of the device may be easily reassembled as described.

The oxygen mask 41 may be of conventional design and is adapted to'be carried in the lower front of the helmet by the non-elastic panel 12 and adjacent portions of the elastic panel 14. The lower edges of the panels 12 and 14 are so constructed that an opening 42 is provided through Which the inlet valve-supporting portion 43 of the mask 41 extends as well as does the outlet vent portion 44 (Figs. 2 and 5). The edges of the opening 42 are reinforced by a strip 45 of reinforcing material such as a strong fabric, leather, plastic or the like Vwhich is doubled over along its edge (Figs.V and 6) and stitched, cemented or otherwise relatively permanently secured thereto. `Supporting means is provided by a narrow strip 46 of the reinforcing material, which strip 46 is attached at its ends to the strip 42 and which is adapted to extend beneath the mask 41 between the inlet valve-supporting portion 43 and outlet portion 44 to aid in supporting the mask comfortably and securely in position of use.

The oxygen mask 41 also comprises a cupped face piece 47 which is adapted to t over the nose and mouthY of the wearer beneath the helmet. The face piece 47 is preferably provided with flexible edge port-ions 48 for intimate comfortable engagement in air-sealing relation with the face of the wearer, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The inlet valve-supporting portion 43 is formed in the lower end of the facepiece 47 and comprises a tubular member 49 through which air enters from an a-ir hose 50 which is securely connected to the tubular member 49 as by a conventional ring-like connector 51. From the tubular member 49 the air passes directly through a duct 52 (fFigs. 4 and ll) into the goggles 24, Ventilating lfirst one lens 32 and then passing through a duct 53 in the bridge portion 27 of the goggles to the other lens Y32. The air then passes from the goggles through a duct 54 back into the tubular member 49. Thus, air is continually circulated over the inner surface of the lenses 32, pre-V venting them from fogging or misting. Openings 55 (Fig. 12) are provided for permitting air also to pass from the ducts 52 and 54 into the interior of the mask 41, in halation valves 56 being provided to permit the air to tow only in a direction into the mask 41.V An annular member 57 (Fig. l2) is provided with a anged portion 58 extending thereabout, said hanged portion 58 being disposed in an annular groove V59 formed in the mask about the opening 55. The member 57 is provided with an annular raised seat 60 which is adapted to be contacted by a resilient utter valve 61, the flutter valve 61 being disc-like in shape and adapted to overlie the central opening 62 ,in the annular member 57. The member 57 is provided with a plurality of spokc-like'elements extending across the opening 62 therein to a centralhub .portion V63 to which the flutter valve 61 is attached as by connecting member 64. Thus, it will be apparent that inhalation by the wearer of the mask will draw air inwardly from the ducts 52 and 54 through the openings V55 and 62, and causing the resilient flutter valve 61 to be forced inwardly away from the raised annular Vseat 60, permitting the air'to pass into the interior of the mask 41. Exhalation .by the wearer will, however, urge the exhaled air against the outer surface of the ilutter valve 61 urging it in a direction toward the valve seat 60, causing the Hutter valve 6 1 thus to seal'tne opening 62 and thus prevent the air from passing back into the ducts 52 and 54.

A relatively rigid cover 63 is adapted to be mounted over the inner side of each inhalation valve 56 for protection of the valve parts, the cover 63 beingprovided in one side thereof with an aperture 64 through which the air is permitted to pass. The directions of ilow of air throughout the device are indicated by arrows.

An exhalation valve 65 (Figs. 5 and 11) is located in the inlet valve-supporting portion 43 of the mask 41 and comprises an inner cylindrical member 66 which is secured to the inner portion of the mask 41 adjacent the supporting portion 43, the cylindrical member 66 being provided with an annular ange 67 which is adapted to rest against the lower surface kofan annular ledge-'68 formed on the inner surface of the mask 41. The cylindrical member 66 is provided with an inner threaded portion to which is adapted to be threadedly secured an annular member 69 which is provided with an annular flange 70 which is adapted to be disposed against the upper surface of the annular ledge 68, thus serving to retain the exhalation valve in desired position in the mask. The annular member 69 is provided with an inwardly extending annularportion 71 whichY is provided on its lower surface with 'an annular knife edge valve seat 7 2 which is adapted to be engaged by a valve'member 73 carried at opposed sides of the opening Y at one end of a reciprocal member 74 which is disposed within an elongated tubular valve-supporting member 75 extendingtinto the interior of the supporting portion 43 through an opening 76 formed in the lower portion 77 of the mask 41. The tubular valve-supporting member 75 is enlarged as indicated at 78 and has positioned therein a coil spring 79 which is adapted to urge the valve member 73 in a direction toward the valve seat 72. The member 75 is further provided at its upper end with an annular flange-like portion Si) which is formed integrally with the lower end of the cylindrical member 66 and to which is connected a resilient sealing member S1. The sides of the cylindrical member 66 are provided with a plurality of openings 82 and thus air is permitted to leave the mask, upon exhalation by the wearer and consequent movement of the valve member 73 away from the valve seat 72, through the space therebetween and through the openings 82 out through the exhalation vent 44 (Figs. and ll) as indicated by the arrows.

A recess located in the interior of mask 41 adjacent the location of the mouth of a wearer contains a microphone 83 which is connected to a suitable audio system by wiring 84 which passes through the face piece 47 and emerges adjacent the upper end of the tubular member 49. The tubular member 49 carries an apertured tongue 85 through which the wiring S4 passes to lessen the chance of the wiring 84 from pulling out of the microphone S3 when becoming twisted or entangled.

The face piece 47 is provided with a resilient cross member 36 which is adapted to engage the face of the wearer between the nose and upper lip (Figs. 4 and 5). This aids in retaining the face piece 47 in its cupped shape when being worn, thus also serving to maintain the microphone in desired spaced relation with the mouth of the wearer.

Sewed or otherwise securely connected to the inner surface of each non-elastic panel 13 of the helmet is an annular trough-shaped member 87 of resilient material (Figs. 5 and l0). 'Ihe trough-like portion of the member S7 is filled with a soft padding 8S which is retained in place by an annular cover 89 to which is secured an annular padded ring or doughnut 9i) which is adapted to be located against the side of the wearers head in encircling relation with the ear. In the central opening of each of the annular trough-shaped members is securely located an earphone 91. The earphones 91 are connected together and to said audio system by wiring 92 which passes out of the helmet beneath the neckband 16.

lt will be apparent that a helmet constructed as described with portions of elastic and non-elastic material will readily adapt itself when donned to the shape and size of the wearers head, with the elastic portions easily shaping themselves to the specic coniiguration of the head and the non-elastic portions retaining the parts of the composite structure in desired positional relations.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that all of the objects and advantages of the invention have been accomplished. While the novel features of the invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is to be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes in the construction and arrangement of parts may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that all matter shown or described is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

l claim:

l. A helmet comprising a plurality of panels of clothlilre material connected at the meeting edges thereof to form a composite structure shaped to enclose and have a relatively intimate it with the head of the wearer, said panels consisting of an upper elastic front panel having a portion shaped substantially to and to overlie the forehead, perforated portions shaped to t about the eyes and to overlie the nose and upper front portions of the cheeks of the wearer, a non-elastic lower front panel secured to the lower edge of the upper front panel and being shaped to overlie the lower front oral region of the face, non-elastic side panels having their forward edges shaped to and secured to the side edges of the upper front panel and being shaped to t the sides of the head in overlying relation with the aural regions and having their upper and rear edges spaced relative to each other and shaped to the general shape of the upper and rear sides of the head, elongated elastic panels shaped to extend along the top and baci` of the head, each of said elongated elastic panels having its forward edge shaped to and secured to the adjacent upper edge of the upper front panel and having its side edges shaped to and secured to the respective spaced upper and rear edges of the side panels, an elastic lower panel shaped to overlie and t with the lower portions of the cheeks and to extend beneath the chin, said lower panel having portions of its forward edges shaped to and secured to the respective side edges of the lower front panel and having its upper edges shaped to and secured to the adjacent lower edge portions of the upper front panel and to the lower edges of the nonelastic side panels, and an elastic neckband shaped to encircle the neck and having its upper edge secured to the remaining free lower edge of the elastic lower panel and the lower rear edges of the elongated elastic panels, said perforations in said portions shaped to tit about the eyes having viewing means secured therein and the meeting edges of said elongated elastic panels shaped to extend along the top and back of the head having means for detachably connecting said meeting edges together.

2. A helmet comprising a plurality of panels of clothlilte material connected at the meeting edges thereof to form a composite structure shaped to enclose and have a relatively intimate lit with the head of the wearer, said panels consisting of an upper elastic front panel having a portion shaped substantially to and to overlie the forehead, aperture-:l portions shaped to lit about the eyes and to overlie the nose and upper front portions of the cheeks of the wearer and eye-protective means mounted in said apertures, a non-elastic lower front panel secured to the lower edge of the upper front panel and being shaped to overlie the lower front oral region of the face and to receive and support an ox gen mask in position of use, non-elastic side panels having their forward edges shaped to and secured to the side edges of the upper front panel and being shaped to fit the sides of the head in overlying relation with the aural regions and having their upper and rear edges spaced relative to each other and shaped to the general shape of the upper and rear sides of the head, elongated elastic panels shaped to extend along the top and back of the head, each of said elongated elastic panels having its forward edge shaped to and secured to the adjacent upper edge of the upper front panel and having its side edges shaped to and secured to the respective spaced upper and rear edges of the side panels, and elastic lower panel shaped to overlie and iit with the lower portions of the cheeks and to extend beneath the chain, said lower panel having portions of its forward edges shaped to and secured to the respective side edges of the lower front panel and its upper edges shaped to and secured to the lower edges of the nonelastic side panels and the adjacent lower edge portions of the upper front panel, said elastic lower panel being so contoured and elasticized as to cause the oxygen mask carried by said lower front panel to be urged against the face of the wearer, the lower front panel and the outer forward edge of said elastic lower panel being in predetermined spaced relation to form an opening through which portions of said oxygen mask are adapted to extend, and an elastic neckband shaped to encircle the neck and having its upper edge secured to the remaining free lower edge of the elastic lower panel and the lower rear edges of the elongated elastic panels, the meeting edges of said elongated elastic panels shaped to extend alongA the top and back of the head having means for detachably connecting said meeting edges together. Y 3. VA helmet comprising a plurality of panels of clothlike material connected at the meeting edges thereof to vform a composite structure shaped to enclose Vand have a relatively intimate it with the head of the wearer and to support an eye-protective device in position ofuse, said panels consisting of an upper elastic Yfront panel having a portion shaped substantially to and to overlie the fore- A head, apertured portions shaped to t about the eyes and to overlie the nose and upper front portions of the cheeks of the wearer, a resilient supporting Amember shaped to engage the face of the wearer having eye openings therein in substantial alignment with the apertures in said upper front panel and further having flange portions surroundf ing said apertures and connected with the Vportions of the upper front panel encircling said apertures, lens means covering said eye openings and apertures, and rim members shaped to encircle and receive the peripheral edges of the lens means andhaving flange portions shaped to overlie the flanges on said supporting member and the portions of the upper front panel encircling said aper- Vtures to which the anges are connected, each of said rim members being split to form two ends and having removable securing means for maintaining said ends in close superimposed relation to clamp said rim members onto said flanges and onto the connected portions ofthe upper front panel, a non-elastic lower front panel secured to the lower edge of the upper front panel and being shaped to overlie the lower front oral region of the face, non-elastic side panels having their forward edges shaped to and secured to the side edges of the upper front panel and being shaped to t the sides of the head in overlying relation with the aural regions and having their upper and rear edges spaced relative to eachother and shaped to the general shape ofthe upper and rear sides of the head, elongated elastic panels shaped to extend along the top and back of the head, each of said elongated elastic panels having its forward edge shaped to and secured to the adjacent upper edge of the upper front panel and having its side edges shaped to and secured to the respective spaced upper'and rear edges of the side panels, an elastic lowerV panel shaped to overlie and t with the lower portions of the cheeks and to extend beneath the chin, said lower panel having portions lof its forward edges shaped to and secured to the respective side edges of the lower front panel and its upper edges shaped to and secured to the lower edges of the non-elastic side panels and the adjacent lower edge portions of the upper front panel and an elastic neckband shaped to encircle the neck and having its upper edge secured to the remaining free lower edge of the elastic lower panel and the lower rear edges of the elongated elastic panels, said portions shaped to tit about the eyes having viewing means secured thereto and the meeting edges of said elongated elasticpanels shaped to extend along the top and baci; of the head having means for detachably connecting said meeting edges together.

4. A helmet comprising a plurality ofV panels of clothlike material connected at the meeting edges thereof to form a composite structure shaped to enclose and have a relatively intimate tit with the head of the wearer, said panels consisting of an upper elastic front panel having a portion. shaped substantially to and to overlie the forehead and apertured portions shaped to t about the eyes and to overlie the nose and upper front portions of the mounted over veach of said apertures and rim members Vshaped to -encircle and receiveV Vthe peripheral edges of each Yof said -lens means yand having a peripheral flange portion thereon for overlying its adjacent Stifte/ner and respectiveangesof the mask and upper front panel, said rim members each being splitwhereby-the -ends thereof adjoining the split may be brought Vtogether to clamp said ange .portion ofthe rim members in position about said anges of the face mask and upper front panel, overlying tongue members Von said ends of the rim'members adjacent said split, removable securing means for maintaining said tongue members and ends in close relation, and a headband attached to said tongue members and lying inwardly of the helmet about the head of the wearer to aid in retaining the lens means in desired position of use, a non-elastic lower front panel secured to the lower edge of the upper front panel and being shaped to overlie the lower front oral region of the face, non elastic side panels having theirV forward edges shaped to and securedV to the side edges of the upper frontV panel and being shaped to fit. the sides of the head in overlying relation with the aural regions and having their upper and rear edges spaced relative to each other and shaped to the general shape of the upper and rear sides of the head, elongated elastic f panels Vshaped to extend along the top and back of the head, each of said elongated elastic panels having its forward edge shaped to and secured to the adjacent upper edgeof the upper front panel and having its side-edges shaped to and secured to the respective spaced upper and rear edges of the sideV panels, an elastic lower panel shaped to overlie and fit with the lower por tions of the checks andato extend beneath the chin, said lower panel having portions of its forward edges shaped to and secured to the respective side edges of the lower front` panel and its upper edges shaped to and secured to the lower edges of the non-elastic side panels and the adjacent llower edge portions of the upper front panel and fan elastic neckband shaped to encircle the neck and having itstupper edge secured to the remaining free lower edge of the elastic loweripanel and the lower yrear edges of the elongated elastic. panels, and the meetingedges .of said elongated elastic panels shaped -to extend along the top and back Vof the head. having means forV detachably connecting said meeting edges together.

- 5. A helmet comprising a plurality of panels of clothlike material connected at the'` meetingedges thereof to v form a composite structure'shaped to enclose andY have a cheeks of the wearer, said upper elastic front panel hav- Y ing an outwardly extending flange portion surrounding each of said apertures, a relatively rigid stiffener encircling and secured to each of said iange portions in super imposed relation therewith for imparting size and shape control to said apertures, a face-engaging mask on the inner side of said front panel having eye openings therein, said mask having outwardly directed anige portions each secured to a respective adjacent stiifener, Vlens means relatively intimatet with the head of the wearer, said panels consisting of an upper elastic frontpanel having a portion shaped substantially Vto and to overlie the fore,- head, aperturedV portions shaped to fitV about the eyes and to overlie the nose and upperfront portions. of the cheeks of the wearer, a non-elastic lower front panel shaped to support an oxygen mask inwardly of the helmet in position of use, saidlower front panel being secured to the lower edge Vof the upper front panel and shaped to overlie the lower front oral region of the face, Ynonelastic side panels shaped to t the sides of the head in Y overlying relation with the aural regions and having receiving means for supporting earphones inwardly of the helmet in position of use, the forward edges of said side panels being shaped to and secured to the side edges of the upper front panel and having their upper and rear edges spaced relative to each otherV and shaped to the general shape of the upper and rear sides-of the head,

elongated elastic panels shaped to extend along the top and back of the head, each of said elongated elastic panelshaving its forward edge shaped to and `secured to the adjacent upper edge of the upperA front panel and having its side edges shapedttoV andsecured to the respective spaced upper and rear edges of the side panels, an elastic'lowerrpanel shaped to overlie and t with the lower portions of the cheeks and to extend beneathV the chin, said lower panel having portions of its forward edges shaped to and secured to the respective side edges of the lower front panel and its upper edges shaped to and secured to the lower edges of the non-elastic side panels and the adjacent lower edge portions of the upper front panel and an elastic neckband shaped to encircle the neck and having its upper edge secured to the remaining free lower edge of the elastic lower panel and the lower rear edges of the elongated elastic panels and having its opposed ends joined adjacent the joinder of said elongated panels, closure means extending along the adjoining edges of said elongated panels and neckband by which said edges may be separated for removably locating the helmet in desired position on the wearers head, said apertured portions shaped to t about the eyes having viewing means secured over the apertures therein and a headband attached to said viewing means and lying inwardly of the helmet about the wearers head to aid in retaining said viewing means in desired position relative to the wearers eyes.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNTTED STATES PATENTS

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