Abstract: A method for fabricating a protective helmet includes the steps of: (a) providing a fiber-based filler, such as a fiberglass sheeting; (b) mixing course ceramic particles into a thermoset resin; (c) impregnating the resin/ceramic particle mixture into the fiber-based filler; (d) forming or molding the impregnated fiber-based filler into a shape of a protective helmet; and (e) curing the resin mixture impregnated into the fiber-based filler. The course ceramic particles are preferably created by chopping a ceramic material. The presence of the ceramic particles in the composite helmet substantially reduces the heat reflectance of the helmet; while also reducing the overall weight of the helmet, since the ceramic material weighs less than the portion of resin material that the ceramic material is being used in place of. Finally, because the ceramic particles are course, they will not all flow to “low spots” in the helmet during the curing process.

Abstract: A protective neck and shoulder shroud assembly for use with a self contained breathing apparatus, the assembly including a neck curtain including a head portion, a left flap coupled to and extending generally forwardly from the head portion, and a right flap coupled to and extending generally forwardly from the head portion. The neck curtain further includes a fastener for releasably coupling the left and right flaps together such that when the flaps are coupled together. The neck curtain has a front opening located above the flaps, the front opening being located to expose at least a portion of a wearer's face or to expose at least a portion of an mask worn on the wearer's face when the neck curtain is worn by a wearer. The assembly includes a generally cylindrical enclosure shaped and sized to receive a gas canister therein, and a fastener for coupling the enclosure to an inner surface of the neck curtain.

Abstract: A method for fabricating the leather firefighting helmet includes the steps of: (a) providing an outer leather covering, where the covering includes a bowl-shaped head portion attached to a brim portion; (b) providing an inner leather liner, where the liner includes a bowl-shaped head portion attached to a brim portion; (c) positioning a layer of reinforcing fibers between the covering and the inner liner; (d) positioning liquid thermoset resin between the covering and the liner; (e) assembling the cover with the liner such that the bowl-shaped head portion of the liner is received within the bowl-shaped head portion of the covering; and (f) curing the covering, liner, reinforcing fibers and thermoset resin together to form a substantially unitary firefighting helmet.

Abstract: A firefighter's helmet the weight of which, and of any accessories associated therewith, may be unevenly distributed. The helmet has an inwardly disposed crown support assembly to engage the head of the wearer. The crown support assembly is adjustable to change the angular position of the helment upon the head of the firefighter to compensate for uneven weight distribution in the helmet.

Abstract: A firefighter's helmet having improved heat resistance and protective qualities while being also relatively light in weight having a protective outer shell composed of at least one layer of a fabric of a mixture of polybenzimidazole and high modulus aramid materials and a complementary layer of a very fine glass cloth adjacent at least one side of the polybenzimidazole-aramid layer, impregnated with and molded in a desired shape within a polyester resin material containing a small percentage of a coupling agent. The outer shell may also consist of additional layers of fibrous reinforcing materials molded within the resin material.

Abstract: A sports glove which includes a glove body, a plurality of open-ended stub fingers, a palm portion made of a flexible material, a flexible strap attached at a fixed end thereof to the palm portion and having a free end fitted with loop material, and a patch of hook material attached to the stub fingers. The strap is looped about a sports implement to be grasped and the free end of the strap is attached to the glove body by the connection formed between the patches of hook and loop material. In use, the tensile force exerted by the implement on the hand of the user bears against the portion of the free end overlapping the hook material to form a secure attachment, so that a portion of the force is borne by the strap and glove palm. The hook and loop connection can be released quickly by the wearer of the glove and involves merely the straightening of the wearer's fingers.