Abstract: A sweatband designed to be worn on the head of a user under a pre-existing helmet, for usage in a variety of sporting activities. Due to the presence of an additional layer beneath the helmet, it takes additional time for impact forces to reach the user's head, thus providing greater protection. In the preferred mode, the device comprises a generally tubular “horizontal” sweatband portion, much like a typical headband. In an enhanced mode, the horizontal member is affixed to a “vertical” portion that is perpendicular to the horizontal portion, extending from the user's forehead, over the crown of the head, and to the back of the head. In still another embodiment, three such bands are utilized for maximum coverage of critical areas of the head. The sweatband of the present invention comprises inserts for the purpose of protecting the user, which may be permanently placed or removable.

Abstract: A helmet, such as for equestrian sports, includes an impact resistant outer helmet shell formed to cover a portion of a wearer's head, the shell having an upper dome and also having a lower rim extending around the dome. The shell has lateral side portions with outer surfaces that are relatively smooth, and further has integrally formed attachment structure (receptors) with downward openings such that they are not visible from the sides of the helmet. A faceguard has arms with integrally formed latches that engage the receptors with an audible click. The latches can be pinched to release the faceguard with a smooth easy motion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ear warmer device. More specifically, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods for making ear warmers and ear warmer frames.

Abstract: A universal visual shield apparatus, for use with a hockey helmet, is usable for training hockey players by partially blocking a user's field of vision. The apparatus includes a main shield body formed from an elastically deformable material, and is attachable to the helmet using connectors. The main shield body includes a horizontal floor portion and a vertical edge portion that cooperate to block a user from seeing the puck while it is in the user's possession, while still allowing the user to see forward. When worn, the apparatus forces the user to look forward, beyond the puck and stick. The apparatus may include adjustable apparatus straps, and can be used on any sized helmet without modifying the helmet or the apparatus. Because the apparatus is soft and crushable, the apparatus will not harm the user or another player if they are involved in a collision on the ice.

Abstract: A welding helmet includes a helmet body for covering the face of an operator, an opening in a front surface of the helmet body, a cartridge for protecting the eyes of the operator from light generated during a welding operation, and structure including hooks projected from an upper side of the opening in the helmet body, pressing projections projected from both sides of the opening in the helmet body, hooking projections projected from an upper side of the cartridge to engage with the hooks, and fitting projections from both sides of the cartridge to fit to the pressing projections, the aforementioned structure removably engaging the cartridge to the helmet body. Fumes generated upon welding or cutting are prevented from directly flowing into the helmet body and injurious light generated upon welding is blocked. The cartridge can be readily removed for repair or replacement.

Abstract: Protective helmet device includes a helmet with a hard outer shell and a soft inner lining. In one embodiment, a tube inlet with multiple channels is coupled to the top of the outer shell, and is operative to allow the helmet to be connected to an air supply. In another embodiment, an insert on the inside of helmet contains multiple channels that are coupled to the tube inlet of the outer shell. Slots are contained in inner liner to allow air to flow from the air supply to the tube inlet, through the channels, and into the interior of the helmet. Air blows downward to keep carbon monoxide from coming up into the helmet, to keep air from blowing into the wearer's eyes, and to clear the shield.

Abstract: An air filtration system and a helmet for use in the air filtration system are disclosed and utilized to filter air between a head and body of a user and an external environment. The air filtration system and helmet include inner and outer shells that define an air flow channel for channeling air about the user. A fan module is mounted between the inner and outer shells and a scroll housing is mounted adjacent the fan module. The scroll housing includes an air inlet for drawing air into the air filtration system and helmet, and at least one air outlet to distribute air flow to the air flow channel. The helmet includes air exits at front and rear sections that are in fluid communication with the air flow channel and the air outlet or outlets. The air filtration system includes a gown operating as a filter for filtering the air.

Abstract: A football training aid including a device that detachably connects a football player's helmet to the player's shoulder pads, thereby and reducing the tendency and/or ability of the player to lower his head while wearing said device. The exemplary embodiment of the device provides a substantially “T” shaped piece of vinyl, polyurethane, or other resilient material in a length adequate to connect the rear portion of the helmet to a rear portion of the shoulder pads. The present invention also includes several attachment methods for attaching the training device to the helmet and shoulder pads, including VELCRO® strips and a plurality of snaps.

Abstract: The basic object of this invention is the use of light selective materials and fabrics to increase the utility of a garment or sports article. The invention is the novel idea that light selective materials and fabrics can radically improve the usefulness, pleasure, and appeal obtained from sportswear and other garments. Examples taught include life vests, ski vests, ski pants, ski helmet/hat, and sunglasses.

Abstract: A hockey helmet for receiving a head of a wearer, the head having a crown region and an occipital region. The helmet comprises a front portion facing the crown region and an occipital inner pad facing the occipital region of the head. The occipital inner pad is movable between a first position to a second position wherein, in the second position, the occipital inner pad applies pressure upon the occipital region of the head for urging the front portion of the helmet towards the crown region of the head. The helmet may also comprise an actuator for moving the occipital inner pad between the first and second positions.

Abstract: A helmet has shock absorbing devices mounted to the sides thereof and extending to a pair of shoulder pads. The shock absorbing devices are connected by tubing to a pilot-operated valve, which allow a free movement of the helmet in a normal mode. An impact on the helmet, however, causes a rise in pressure inside the shock absorbing devices and their tubing, and activates the valve to block the flow of fluid through the tubing, thereby stiffening the shock absorbing devices and transmitting the impact force to the shoulders of the player.

Abstract: A boating helmet includes a liner nested in a shell and a shield attached to the shell. The shell includes a moisture barrier to separate a user's breath from the shield and an air entry chamber to keep inadvertent water from the shield. The liner's inner surface defines warm-air and cool-air channels. When the helmet is worn, the moisture barrier contacts the user's cheeks, separating the areas above and below the moisture barrier. The user's breath enters the warm-air channels, is directed through left and right ear regions, and exits the helmet, warming his face without fogging the shield. Ambient air enters the air entry chamber through a ventilation hole, and inadvertent water is drained. The ambient air is drawn across the shield to keep the shield from fogging, through the cool-air channel, and out of the helmet. The mask further protects a user from precipitation and impact with insects.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cushion pad structure, which is coupled to a headband as an integral component of safety hats, protective masks, and the like, so as to maintain the uniform balance of the headband, thereby securing stable wearing of the above protective equipment on a wearer's head, and preventing biasing thereof. The cushion pad structure comprises a cushion pad which has a plurality of slip-prevention pieces formed at an inner peripheral surface thereof, and a groove defined at an outer peripheral surface thereof, and a fixing clip which is configured to be engaged in the groove of the cushion pad, and has upper and lower U-shaped fastening pieces formed at both lateral ends thereof. The fixing clip is formed, using an injection molding process, such that it is integral with the cushion pad.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable helmet comprising a first and second shell portion adjustably connected together. Each shell features a smooth interference-free sliding surface on which the two shells fit together in an overlapping relationship. The two shells are locked together by a manually operable locking device adapted to engage corresponding anchoring holes. The smooth interference-free sliding surfaces allows easy adjustment of the helmet size.

Abstract: A stretchable-adjustable, cushioning helmet insert employable in the hollow, domed interior of a helmet shell. The insert includes a generally domed cap formed of a reversibly stretchable fabric, and adapted for installation within the interior such a shell, and cushioning structure in the form of plural, spaced cushioning pads positionally affixed to the inside of the cap in a manner whereby expansion and contraction of the cap causes spatial retreat and closure, respectively, of the spacings existing between each pad and its neighboring pads. This insert accommodates proper-fit the “insertion”, into a single-size helmet shell, of the different “effective” head sizes associated with a single user, such as a firefighter, who may, at certain times, be wearing no other headgear, and at other times, may be wearing auxiliary (and somewhat bulky) head-borne equipment, such as an oxygen mask.

Abstract: A modular helmet system having a helmet base to protect from impacts the crown of a wearer's head and terminating basally in a rear rim and side rims; a C-shaped extension detachably connected to said rims to protect from impacts, when fitted to the helmet base, the base of a wearer's skull; and a crown comb detachably connected centrally over the crown of the helmet base. The helmet base is provided with ventilation windows centrally located over its crown. The comb covers and seals said ventilation windows. The comb is also employed to secure the extension in place, when fitted on the helmet base.

Abstract: A protection suit, particularly a spacesuit, has an opening in a back portion of the spacesuit for entering and exiting the suit. The spacesuit is suspended on one side of a bulkhead (5?) so that a hole in the bulkhead is aligned with the opening in the back portion of the suit. The opening is closeable by a backpack (3) which fits through the hole in the bulkhead into a decontamination chamber (7) on the opposite side of the bulkhead. Two sealing and interlocking systems are used. Each system has two subsystems to provide a total of four sealing and interlocking subsystems. A first subsystem (4) connects the spacesuit to the bulkhead that separates a living and working space from an airlock. A second subsystem (6) connects a backpack to the spacesuit (1). A third subsystem (9) connects the spacesuit, preferably through the backpack (3), to a decontamination chamber (7). A fourth subsystem (12) connects the decontamination chamber to the bulkhead (5?).

Abstract: A helmet mount for a night vision device is provided having means to attached to headgear, such as a helmet, wherein the mount is rotatable between a use position and a stowed position about an axis that is substantially parallel to the attachment means. In one embodiment, a position adjustment assembly comprises a rotary plate, a helmet block rotationally coupled to the rotary plate and a spring-biased ball and socket system located between the helmet bock and rotary plate. In another embodiment, a tilt adjustment assembly may include a gear system wherein rotation of a lever produces rotation of a night vision device relative to a user's eyes.

Abstract: A combination wrap-around mask and goggle is made from a single transparent and flexible plastic material monolithically formed in a single cavity mold. The structure is devoid of any cavities or protrusions that could interfere with the easy withdrawal of the device from the mold. Front to back oriented ribs, gussets and fins are used to impart rigidity to various areas of the structure.

Abstract: A helmet (12) includes a thermoelectric heat pump (14) mounted onto a rear surface of the helmet shell (12) for delivering temperature conditioned air to the interior of the helmet shell. A multi-layer structure (48) on the helmet shell interior distributes conditioned air across the scalp and directly onto the face. An optional scoop (38) directs ambient air to the heat pump (14). Another version locates the heat pump (68, 84) remotely and conditioned air is transmitted to the helmet apparatus (70, 78) via a flexible conduit (72, 85).