167 results about "Protective headgear" patented technology

A ratchet mechanism for the headband of a protective helmet or other headgear is designed to function in high-temperature environments, while still allowing for ready adjustment of the size and fit of the headband. In this regard, the ratchet mechanism includes a rotational element that has a pinion adapted to mate with and engage the respective rack gears of the overlapping rear end portions of the headband, such that rotation of the rotational element causes lateral movement of the overlapping rear end portions with respect to one another. A spring assembly associated with the rotational element engages a ring gear defined by an insert received and retained in the housing so as to resist rotation of the rotational element relative to said housing sections. Since the spring assembly and insert are preferably manufactured from metal, they do not suffer from warping problems, and therefore, the ratchet mechanism continues to function properly even in high-temperature environments.

A protective headgear position and impact sensor is described for use with hard hats, helmets, or other headgear. Proximity sensors are used to detect whether the headgear is being worn by the user. In some versions of the invention, additional features determine the nature of a head impact and store data related to wear of the headgear by the user. Yet other features may allow the headgear to serve as a security device, allowing entry into a facility only if the headgear is in position and if it is properly associated with an authorized individual who is wearing the headgear

A multilayer shell for use in the construction of protective headgear, the shell including an outer layer, an inner layer, a middle layer disposed between the outer and inner layer which resiliently compresses in response to an impact to the outer layer, and an internal liner disposed inwardly of the inner layer. The middle layer includes a plurality of compressible members, which resiliently compress to absorb the energy of a direct impact to the outer layer and resiliently shear with respect to the inner layer in response to a tangential impact to the outer layer. The inner layer includes an open configuration, which reduces the weight of the shell, provides for greater heat ventilation from the head of the user, and permits for visualization of the compressible elements. The internal liner is formed from contourable materials which enhance user fit and comfort and reduce the weight of the protective headgear without compromising user safety.

The protective helmet includes a rigid outer shell where the shell includes an undulating cross-sectional profile. A layer of impact-energy-absorbing material is positioned adjacent to the shell. The undulating profile of the shell can be any type of load spreading undulating profile, such as that of a sinusoidal or triangular wave configuration. The undulating load-spreading profile can be on the inner surface of the shell, on the outer surface of the shell or the entire cross-section of the shell may be undulating. The unique undulating profile makes the shell more rigid and spreads the impact load across the surface of the shell to thereby spread the deformation of the padding layer to prevent the shell from bottoming out of the impact-energy-absorbing material during an impact. As a result, a safer and more effective protective helmet is provided.

A ratchet mechanism for the headband of a protective helmet or other headgear allows for adjustment of the size and fit of the headband. The headband has overlapping rear end portions which are enclosed in a housing, which is comprised of an outer substantially arc-shaped housing section joined to a inner substantially arc-shaped housing section. Also contained with the housing sections is an adjustment mechanism adapted to cause lateral movement of the overlapping rear end portions of said headband with respect to one another. The outer and inner housing sections are substantially segmented into multiple discrete portions such that the respective housing sections are flexible along defined boundaries between the discrete portions to provide for a better and more comfortable fit.

An illuminated protective headgear (10) has an inner core (11) of resilient cushioning material with cavities (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b), an outer shell (12) with portions overlying said core (11) with windows (13) that are clear to translucent or open and are of graphical configuration disposed on opposite sides of the headgear (10), and a power circuit supported by said inner core with lighting panels (44) having light sources (21–23, 25–27, 21a–23a, 25a–27a) disposed in the cavities (18a, 18b) so as to be viewed through a respective window (13), and timing circuitry for timing the on-off sequence of the lights, so as to create an effect of motion of the illumination within each window (13). Several embodiments are disclosed.

A sensor module generates sensor data in response to an impact to protective headgear, wherein the sensor module includes an accelerometer and a gyroscope and wherein the sensor data includes linear acceleration data and rotational velocity data. A device processing module generates event data in response to the sensor data. A device interface sends the event data to a monitoring device when the device interface is coupled to the monitoring device.

A protective headgear device including a fabric cap (102) into which a hard shell (120) of reinforced fibers is inserted. A foam liner 140 or foam inserts (1500) are secured to the hard outer shell 120 and serve a shock absorbing function. The foam liner (14) and / or foam inserts (120) include or form grooves and / or channels used to direct hot air towards the top center of the headgear assembly where the hot air can be vented through holes which extend through the cap (102) and hard outer shell (120). The holes may pass through the foam liner 140 or meet up with holes on channels in or between the foam inserts through which air can pass. The hard outer shell maybe thinnest on top and thicker on the left and right sides. The center front and rear may be the same thickness as the top of the hard shell.

A brow pad for the headband of a protective helmet or similar headgear is ultrasonically welded or similarly joined to itself through openings defined through the headband. By joining the brow pad to itself through the headband, the brow pad remains secured to the headband even after extensive usage. Furthermore, the openings defined through the headband provide some measure of ventilation and evacuation of accumulated moisture from the brow pad. Finally, by joining the brow pad to itself and through the headband, there are pockets of air that are trapped between the joined portions of the brow pad, which serve as air-filled “pillows,” providing some measure of comfort to the wearer.

Impact shock absorbing material to be incorporated into protective gear or clothing. The impact shock absorbing material is a laminated material, having a shear-thickening layer and a shock absorbing layer, that is a honeycomb material. The laminated material is incorporated into protective headgear, sports gear, clothing, and a host of other articles that are worn for protection against impact shock. The shear-thickening layer shunts the local impact forces over a greater area of the underlying shock absorbing layer, thereby reducing the force at the point of impact. The vertical walls of the honeycomb layer buckle under the incoming force, thereby diffusing the direction of force away from direct alignment with the body wearing the impact-shock-absorbing material. Protective gear made of the impact shock absorbing material significantly reduces forces imparted to the body as a result of a fall, blow, or other sudden impact.

The present invention is directed to a protective hat suitable for every day wear by infants, children, senior citizens or physically disabled individuals. Such hat protects at least the sides, top or rear of the wearer's head from injuries due to falls or bumps against hard objects while conducting routine, daily activities. Generally, the head protector of the present invention may comprise: (1) a cap member: and (2) one or more flexible, resilient shock absorbent pads. The cap member may be constructed so as to fully enclose and / or encapsulate the one or more pads.

An impact-absorbing insert for use in protective headgear includes an exterior surface defining an interior volume. The exterior surface may be formed by a plurality of layers joined together at seams. The interior volume contains a filler material. An impact-absorbing insert assembly includes a plurality of inserts connected together. Protective headgear adapted to protect a user includes a plurality of impact-absorbing inserts received in pockets.

A cap (10) is provided with a plurality of pockets (29) formed between a plurality of panels (13-18) and fabric materials (25) attached to each of the panels (13-18). The pockets (29) have an open end which is covered by a headband (23). A protection segment (30) is positioned in each pocket (29) and includes a plastic protective panel (31) and an energy absorbing foam layer (32). The segments (30) are curved in both the longitudinal and lateral directions, but not all of the segments (30) have the same radii of curvature in those directions.

The present invention relates to personal safety equipment for use by athletes, military personnel, motor sports participants and the like and in particular, protective headgear adapted to minimize rotational acceleration and / or axial compressive forces incident on the head of a wearer.

A toothed-belt fastening, in particular for chin-straps of helmets, protective headgear and the like, comprises a base on which the toothed belt can be slidably engaged, a first and a second pawl which are mounted in an oscillating manner on the base and can in turn be engaged with a toothing of the belt. The first pawl forms a member for unidirectionally locking the toothed belt with respect to the base and is disengageable from the toothing so as to slacken the fastening, while the second pawl is engageable with the toothing so as to tension the fastening and is hinged on the base coaxially with the first pawl.

A liner adapted to be interposed between the interior surface of a protective headgear and a wearer's head includes a plurality of networked fluid cells adapted to distribute and dissipate an impact force to the liner, and / or headgear with which the liner is used, across a larger area of the wearer's head as compared with the impact location, and also to dampen the tendency of the wearer's head from rebounding back from the impact location by transferring fluid through the network from fluid cells at the impact location to those in an opposed region. Discrete fluid cells interspersed among the networked fluid cells maintain the liner and / or the headgear in a predetermined orientation on the wearer's head. Fluid flow within the liner may be restricted or directed by configuring the fluid passageways. A liner may further include means for moving fluid into or out of the fluid cells.

A versatile protective headgear which is a close replica of a football helmet, fabricated from a lightweight, suitable foam material that is conformable and resilient, capable of absorbing energy and protecting the wearer from lacerations and / or contusions from incidental contact in outdoor sporting activities. The headgear provides warmth and protection from moisture in cold weather, but the internal design also provides sufficient ventilation for year around use. The foam material can be produced in a variety of colors and has a smooth external surface that will accept paint and decals for authentic team identification. The headgear may be held in place by a standard football chin strap and is designed to have a removable face mask. The authentic appearance and cold weather protection it provides makes it an effective and desirable head covering for all cold weather recreational and work activities, including attendance at football games. Its flexibility permits packing for travel and storage. The simple construction from one piece of material makes is easy and economical to manufacture.

This invention is directed to a protective headgear system which includes a relatively light weight, substantially rigid, headgear structure which may include an internal, adjustable headband. A fan mechanism is mounted on the headgear structure. A power supply selectively powers the fan. The system includes filter means which is attachable to the headgear structure to cover the structure. A facial shield is attachable to the headgear structure to cover the face of the wearer to maintain non-contaminating conditions relative to the wearer. A shield protector is attachable to the facial shield. A flexible cuff is attachable to the facial shield to enclose the lower opening of the lens and provide protection for the wearer.

A protective headgear combination has a helmet and at least one ear defender secured on the helmet rotational position of the at least one ear defender relative to the helmet is adjustable about a first axis of rotation, wherein the first axis of rotation is positioned relative to the vertical at an angle of less than 45° for an upright head position of a user of the protective headgear combination.

The protective helmet includes a rigid outer shell where the shell includes an undulating cross-sectional profile. A layer of impact-energy-absorbing material is positioned adjacent to the shell. The undulating profile of the shell can be any type of load spreading undulating profile, such as that of a sinusoidal or triangular wave configuration. The undulating load-spreading profile can be on the inner surface of the shell, on the outer surface of the shell or the entire cross-section of the shell may be undulating. The unique undulating profile makes the shell more rigid and spreads the impact load across the surface of the shell to thereby spread the deformation of the padding layer to prevent the shell from bottoming out of the impact-energy-absorbing material during an impact. As a result, a safer and more effective protective helmet is provided.

A protective headgear device including a fabric cap (102) into which a hard shell (120) of reinforced fibers is inserted. A foam liner 140 or foam inserts (1500) are secured to the hard outer shell 120 and serve a shock absorbing function. The foam liner (14) and / or foam inserts (120) include or form grooves and / or channels used to direct hot air towards the top center of the headgear assembly where the hot air can be vented through holes which extend through the cap (102) and hard outer shell (120). The holes may pass through the foam liner 140 or meet up with holes on channels in or between the foam inserts through which air can pass. The hard outer shell maybe thinnest on top and thicker on the left and right sides. The center front and rear may be the same thickness as the top of the hard shell.

A sensor includes a housing and a mass, suspended in the housing. The motion of the mass emulates dynamic behavior of a brain of the wearer along a plurality of axes. At least one sensing element is coupled to generate sensor data based on the motion of the mass, in response to an impact to a protective helmet.

A ratchet mechanism for the headband of a protective helmet or other headgear allows for adjustment of the size and fit of the headband. The headband has overlapping rear end portions which are enclosed in a housing, which is comprised of an outer substantially arc-shaped housing section joined to a inner substantially arc-shaped housing section. Also contained with the housing sections is an adjustment mechanism adapted to cause lateral movement of the overlapping rear end portions of said headband with respect to one another. The outer and inner housing sections are substantially segmented into multiple discrete portions such that the respective housing sections are flexible along defined boundaries between the discrete portions to provide for a better and more comfortable fit.

The present invention generally relates to protective headgear worn by a user to protect his eyes, head, and face. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a protective headgear assembly used by welders and the like wherein a headgear strap can be tightened or loosened upon the ratcheting of a knob connected to the headgear strap. The headgear strap can also be automatically disengaged for removal of the headgear by pulling the knob away from the user's head.

A protective headgear includes, for example, a headgear body that is wearable on a head of the wearer having a top slot in a top portion of the headgear body, wherein the top slot runs from a front portion of the headgear body that covers a forehead of the wearer to a back portion of the headgear body that covers a back of the head of the wearer. A top piece slidably attaches to the headgear body to cover the top slot, wherein the top piece diffuses energy from an impact to the protective headgear by sliding within the top slot. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A bridge device includes a first radio frequency (RF) transceiver that receives event data via an incoming RF signal from protective headgear in response to an impact event at the protective headgear, wherein the incoming RF signal is formatted in accordance with a first wireless protocol. A second RF transceiver transmits the event data in accordance with a second wireless protocol to a first monitoring device.