Abstract: A helmet has an outer shell with a front viewing opening, and a visor swingable between up and down positions. The helmet also includes structure mounting the visor to swing between such positions, and detent structure on one arm portion of a ratchet plate to retain the visor in such positions. The detent structure includes shoulders to lock the visor in at least one of such positions, and to allow easy unlocking by manual deflection of a portion of the visor, away from the shell. The ratchet plate also has a second arm portion attached to an inwardly recessed section of the shell, so that the visor is swingable in closely spaced relation to the shell outer front surface.

Abstract: A motorcyclist or bicyclist helmet has dome shaped top wall structure, side wall structures, a front opening for forward viewing, a shield covering said opening, a lower front wall structure, and rear wall structure. It also includes:(a) frontward facing air inlet defined by the front wall structure, and(b) a face mask carried by the helmet to extend in upright relation inwardly of the lower front wall structure and configured to deflect air received through the air inlet for flow upwardly at the inner side of the shield, and to deflect the helmet wearer's breath away from the shield.

Abstract: A forwardly longitudinally extending cyclist's protective helmet includes a dome shaped outer shell having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a medial portion over which air flows substantially smoothly as the cyclist moves forwardly. That medial portion includes an upper crown and laterally spaced left and right sides extending downwardly and laterally from the crown. At least one opening is located in the medial portion, the opening facing rearwardly and bounded by elongated outer and inner edges which extend substantially laterally. Air flowing over the medial portion acts to aspirate air from within the helmet interior and outwardly through the opening.

Abstract: A protective helmet system comprises:(a) a protective helmet including a hard outer shell and an impact absorbing liner at the inner side of the shell, the helmet defining a forwardly located viewing gap, and one or two visors at the gap,(b) the helmet having shroud structure to seal off between the helmet and the wearer, thereby to isolate the helmet interior from the exterior,(c) the helmet having inlet port means for entering fluids such as water, oxygen and pressurized air.A modular container may be provided for the fluids.

Abstract: A helmet retention system for a forwardly facing helmet includes:(a) a clip having first, second and third attachment structures which are integrally interconnected,(b) the first attachment structure including generally forwardly extending parallel slots in which a left or right retention strap section is threadable for strap length adjustment,(c) the second attachment structure including a generally upwardly extending additional slot to receive one of two rear strap sections, and(d) the third attachment structure including a hook below the level of said first attachment structure to removably support a connector operatively connected to the other of the left and right retention strap sections, and a cantilevered retainer adapted to be deflected when the connection is applied to the hook or removed therefrom, and which otherwise retains the connector against removal from the hook.

Abstract: A bicyclist's helmet comprises:(a) an outer shell containing distributed openings through which air streams may enter the helmet,(b) a liner in said outer shell and supporting same adjacent such openings,(c) the liner forming left and right air flow channels communicating with the openings, the channels openly facing the interior of the helmet lengthwise of the channels for conducting air toward the rear of the helmet.In addition, a screen may be located over at least one of the channels; the openings may be transversely elongated and have narrow slit width to increase air pickup yet maintain helmet strength; a removable brow perspiration pad may be employed inwardly of a frontal opening in the helmet; an adjustable visor may be incorporated in the helmet; and a quickly attachable and detachable connection may be employed on the helmet retention system.

Abstract: An adjustable wind shield for a helmet is shiftable between selected positions in which it is held, all in response to rotary pivoting of the shield.