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: New lightweight wrestler headgear comprises an inner soft plastic cushion for contact with the wearer and an outer hard shell having a plurality of swirling or sweeping curved protrusions intended to suggest the swirling clouds of a tornado. In the depressions or valleys between the swirls are a large number of vent holes that effectively remain uncovered for good hearing regardless of the activity during a wrestling match. The inner cushion and outer shell are peripherally shaped with concave outer edges between locations where straps are attached to the inner cushion and outer shell. Because of the novel peripheral shapes and the protruding swirls the outer shell can be made exceptionally light and strong with little impairment of hearing.

Abstract: An adjustable sports helmet configured for protecting a user's head. The helmet includes a shell, a padding assembly and an adjustment assembly. The shell has an inner surface and an outer surface. The padding assembly is coupled to the inner surface of the shell. The padding assembly has at least two spaced apart adjustment points. The adjustment assembly includes a guide, a strap and at least one adjusting member. The guide is operably coupled to the inner surface of the shell. The strap has a first portion connected to the guide and a second portion releasably connected to the outer surface of the helmet. The adjusting member is operably engaged to the guide and is connected to the adjustment points of the padding assembly.

Abstract: An occupant helmet protection system usable with an occupant helmet and a seat belt system, the seat belt system of the type including at least a first and a second shoulder belt, each of which when worn is positioned to lie across a respective shoulder of an occupant, the helmet occupant protection system including an energy absorbing, flexible tether having a first end operatively connected to the helmet in alignment with an effective center of gravity of the combined helmet and the occupant's head, the tether including a second end connected to a tether anchor point; a frame member loosely supported about the shoulders of the occupant and including a center or tower portion, the center or tower portion having a tether guide means for changing the direction of the tether and providing a low friction surface for the tether, the tether guide means located in alignment with or slightly above a first plane, which passes through the effective center of gravity of the head-helmet combination and the tether-h

Abstract: Present invention relates to retention system in sport helmets, having a strap with a concave under chin oval protective trauma device embodiment, attached and member to chinstrap of helmet. A horizontal Velcro strap having a curved concave under occipital protuberance protective trauma device embodiment, which is attached and member to rear distal Y lateral straps of helmet. Straps with protective trauma devices attach to helmet retention system by Velcro opposite ends fastening means. Protective trauma device is made of plastic, rubber, polyethylene, semi rigid material, with sufficient strength and elasticity to absorb the downward trauma of the chin being compressed into the chest area or the backward flexion of the head which causes compression of cervical vertebra and disc damage, due to a fall or life-threatening impact sport accident.

Abstract: A helmet having an outer shell defining an inwardly facing surface extending to an edge of the shell, and a lining defining an outer surface facing the inwardly facing surface of the shell, an inner surface which in use faces the head of a person wearing the helmet, and an edge surface extending between the inner and outer surfaces of the lining adjacent the edge of the shell. A strap is secured to the outer shell and extends from between the inwardly facing surface of the outer shell and the outer surface of the lining. Means such as a hook and loop fastening are provided for releasably attaching a portion of the strap immediately adjacent the lining to the edge surface of the lining, such that the strap adjacent the shell edge is pulled towards the head of the wearer.

Abstract: For use in a high performance racing vehicle or the like in which the torso of a driver is restrained in a seat by a harness that includes shoulder straps extending over the driver's shoulder, and a helmet is worn by the driver, a neck support and head restraint device comprises an inflatable collar configured and dimensioned to surround the driver's neck at a location between the driver's helmet and shoulders. The collar is anchored to the shoulder straps of the restraining harness. At least one and preferably two tethers are strategically connected at opposite ends to the collar and the helmet. The collar is normally in a pliable collapsed state, with the tethers loosely extending between the helmet and collar to thereby accommodate relatively unimpeded head movement.

Abstract: A cycling head support includes a helmet (43) a tower (44) a helmet fastening system (39,40), a pair of leg loops (37), and a system of straps extending along a cyclist's back between the helmet fastening system at one end and the leg loops at the other end. The system of straps includes a neck strap (21A) that detachably connects to the helmet using the helmet fastening system. The neck strap connects at the lower end to a ladder lock buckle (19A). The ladder lock buckle conects to a back strap (17A) which is attached to a triangular O-ring (35) by means of a slider buckle (33). A pair of hip straps (15A) is attached to the triangular O-ring. A leg loop is attached to the lower end of each hip strap.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a helmet which includes a shell portion, a liner portion which is in the interior part of the helmet, and an insert portion which is embedded in the liner portion. The insert portion includes a mounting portion for one or more accessories, such as chin straps, side flaps, padding, and the like. The mounting liner provides structural integrity to the protective helmet, provides sufficient impact attenuation properties, and allows various items to be attached to the protective helmet, while still allowing the outer shell to be of lightweight construction. In one aspect, side portions about the ear are coupled to the insert portion. The side portions are rigid to provide support for side eyewear retaining portions that hold an eyewear elastic portion at the side of the helmet, thus preventing the eyewear from sliding off while resting atop the helmet.

Abstract: This invention consists of a system that attaches to the helmet and an attachment system to the shoulder harness. Collectively called The Wright Device. The helmet attachment consists of a release buckle, web strapping, hooks, and adjusting slides. The hooks are attached to the eye opening of the helmet at three places. Two are at the sides of the eye port and one is at the center of the top of the eye port. The side hooks are connected by a continuous piece of webbing and adjusted to the helmet by the adjuster slides on the webbing. The hook centered in the middle of the top of the eye port is attached to the release buckle by a continuous piece of webbing. The release buckle reaches the bottom of the helmet in the rear, and is attached to the webbing strap between the side eye ports by sewing the two straps together. The attachment to the shoulder harness is by two straps that go from the release buckle attachment to two adjustors mounted on the shoulder harness.

Abstract: A headmount apparatus for mounting vision enhancement equipment thereon which is comprised of a mounting shell having at least one pad, and having at least one mounting surface to which the vision enhancing equipment is mounted, where the pad is configured to contact the subject's head. The headmount apparatus also contains at least one strap attached to the mounting shell for securing the mounting shell to the subject's head, and contains an occipital assembly which is positioned at the occiput of the subject's head, where the occipital assembly is attached by the strap to the mounting shell and is used to adjust the tension in the strap.

Abstract: An oxygen head tent which is placeable over an individuals head for providing a gas, preferably oxygen, is described. The oxygen head tent has a hood portion which is connected to a hood ring. The hood ring slides over a two-piece neck ring, the two-piece neck ring consisting of an upper neck ring and a lower neck ring retained in adjacent relationship. The hood ring slides over the two-piece neck ring and forms a sealing relationship therewith. The two-piece neck ring has a neck seal retained therein and has a sealing ring on the outer periphery thereof for engagement with the working surface of the hood ring. Ports may be provided for directing a flow of a gas into and from the interior portion of the hood where the individuals head is located. The neck seal provides an adequate seal between the neck ring and the individuals neck such that a pressurized environment may be created in the hood.

Abstract: A goggle strap alignment and fastening guide is disclosed. The guide is secured to the sides of a helmet that might be used in an extreme sport, such as personal watercraft racing, snowboarding, and the like. The goggle strap guide comprises a base having a first side, which includes means, preferably an adhesive, for securing the guide to the outside of a helmet. The base has a second side, which has two legs with L-shaped cross-sections extending from opposed edges of the base towards each other to define therewith a partially open strap channel. A strap is received within the channel and the legs restrict up and down movement of the strap while permitting longitudinal movement of the strap within the channel. Preferably, the first side of the base is concave.

Abstract: An article of headwear that is adjustable to accommodate a wide range of head sizes comprising a front portion having a partial headband with bring and a rear portion having a partial headband with brim, wherein said partial headbands may be overlapped for size adjustment and detachably secured by means of cooperating VELCRO strips. Optional additional components include extension headband strips for further size enlargement, a crown, side flaps and a chin strap, all of which can be detachably secured to the front and rear portions by VELCRO fasteners.

Abstract: A new football helmet includes: a jaw flap attached to the ear flap of the helmet, and the jaw flap overlies the sides of the lower jaw of football player; and a face guard connector which includes a shock absorbing member.

Abstract: A helmet chinstrap system having attachment straps looped through a stiff molded and perforated cup that is suitably shaped to fit across the user's chin. The system also includes one or more removable cup liners, a center flexible bumper fitted across the center perforation of the cup. Each attachment strap has an adjustable slider mechanism that allows the chinstrap system to be variably attached to the helmet attachment snaps.

Abstract: Protective headgear configured for protection of a portion of a wearer's head, including a resilient outer shell, a layered composite liner including a multiplicity of deformable layers, each layer having a different stiffness than adjacent layers, and wherein a layer has a higher stiffness than that of adjacent layers on either side, and a retention system configured to resist upward/rearward rotation of the headgear with respect to the wearer's head to expose the forehead, due to hydrodynamic or aerodynamic forces.

Abstract: An apparatus worn by a driver or user of vehicle: The apparatus has a yoke with an aperture sized to receive a user's head. The head of the user passes through the aperture and the yoke rests on the user's shoulders. The apparatus has two pairs of adjustable juxtaposition elongated substantially L-shaped flanges. The first pair of elongated substantially L-shaped flanges is adjustably connected to a helmet and the second pair is adjustably connected to the yoke. The helmet and second pair of elongated substantially L-shaped flanges arcuately traverse the first pair of elongated substantially L-shaped flanges in the horizontal plane thereby permitting movement of the user's head in the horizontal plane with respect to the user's field of view but preventing movement of the user's head in the vertical plane with respect to the user's field of view.

Abstract: A face guard (10) configured for protecting the face (F) of a baseball player (P) from a baseball (B) when the guard (10) is donned by the player (P) is disclosed. The face guard (10) broadly includes an open framework (12), compressible padding (14) connected to the framework (12), and a strap assembly (16) coupled to the framework (12). The framework (12) is configured to prevent a baseball (B) from contacting the face (F) of the player (P) when the guard (10) is donned by the player (P) without restricting the player's generally horizontal line of sight. The compressible padding (14) is configured to contact the player (P) and thereby space the framework (12) from the face (F) when the guard (10) is donned. The strap assembly (16) is configured to both position and retain the framework (12) on the face (F) of the player (P) when the guard (10) is donned.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system of head and spine protection conceptually different from, and superior to, the traditional free-floating helmet concept, for use in high impact physical activities, such as such as football, hockey, lacrosse, motorcycling, downhill skiing, bobsledding/luge, cycling, snowmobiling, race car driving, factory/construction activities, firefighting, skydiving, and training/battlefield activities by the military and law enforcement officers. The head dome and connection system provides a clear or tinted, impact-proof, projectile-proof bubble over the head and neck, which is secured firmly to the wearer's shoulders and torso via a connection system of straps to a harness, or to the waistline/upper thighs. The head is protected from impact against the inside of the dome by a cushioned cap, secured in place with a chin strap.

Abstract: A helmet restraint and head and neck support system is provided for a driver of a racecar which restrains the forward, downward and lateral movement of the driver's head when subjected to large deceleration or other impact forces. The system includes a helmet for receiving the driver's head and a racing suit adapted to be worn by the body of the driver having left, right and rear straps for easily connecting and disconnecting the helmet to the racing suit. The rear strap is anatomically positioned in parallel with the driver's spine, and includes straps encircling both the arms and the legs of the driver. The protective helmet restraint and head and neck support system restrains the movement of a helmeted driver upon impact, stabilizes the posture of the head and neck of the operator during high speed maneuvers, and yet is simple and economical to fabricate and use.

Abstract: A goggle strap alignment and fastening guide is disclosed. The guide is secured to the sides of a helmet that might be used in an extreme sport, such as personal watercraft racing, snowboarding, and the like. The goggle strap guide comprises a base having a first side, which includes means, preferably an adhesive, for securing the guide to the outside of a helmet. The base has a second side, which has two legs with L-shaped cross-sections extending from opposed edges of the base towards each other to define therewith a partially open strap channel. A strap is received within the channel and the legs restrict up and down movement of the strap while permitting longitudinal movement of the strap within the channel. Preferably, the first side of the base is concave.

Abstract: A head stabilizing system is provided. The head stabilizing system is intended to minimize loads on the head and the neck, some of which may be injurious or even fatal, by generating a reaction force that substantially opposes a force acting on the head and generated by rapid deceleration of a vehicle or a crash impact. The head stabilizing system includes a helmet, a connection structure, and at least one resisting member. The resisting member generates a reaction force that opposes the crash impact force, yielding a reduced net force on the head. This reaction force can be generated as a function of position, velocity or acceleration. The resisting member may include a tether, a dashpot, or a dashpot containing a controllable rheological fluid. The viscosity of the controllable rheological fluid can be automatically adjusted in response to changes in status of a vehicle or it's occupant.

Abstract: A full face mask with a strap, which is fastened to a mask body (15) by clamping action by means of eyes can be removed from the face of the user of the full face mask in a simple manner. Two holding grips are connected to eyes located adjacent to one another. The holding grips are located on a side area (18) of the full face mask (14). A pulling device (19) brings the holding grips (4, 41) into the open position.

Abstract: A military or police helmet system 20 has a flexible plastic liner 24 mounted to the wearer's head 26 by a strap assembly 28. A ballistic shell 30 with a shallow front wall is fastened to the liner 24 and an eye shield assembly 32 is pivotably mounted to the liner for movement between a deployed position and a retracted position between the shell and the liner. The liner has a rear segment connected to a cap segment, with cut-out slots which allow the liner to apply pressure to the wearer's neck. A chin strap is slidable on two stiff side straps which have curved segments allowing the chin strap to move with the user's jaw. A protective face guard assembly 34 engages with the liner and has openings covered by resilient sheets which permit a marksman feel a rifle stock through the face guard.

Abstract: A comfortable, self-adjusting, protective helmet made from a process of insert molding. The helmet comprises an armature or insert made of a porous material that is embedded in the layers of the helmet to connect the structural parts of the helmet to one another. The armature as used in the helmet also serves several other functions which include hinging and sizing. A retention system is strategically located on the helmet to provide increased stabilization of the helmet on the wearer's head. One embodiment of this invention is an insert-molded helmet that can be converted into a pouch. A further embodiment of this invention includes a protrusion at the back of a helmet suitable for a compartment.

Abstract: A face guard (10) configured for protecting the face (F) of a baseball player (P) from a baseball (B) when the guard (10) is donned by the player (P) is disclosed. The face guard (10) broadly includes an open framework (12), compressible padding (14) connected to the framework (12), and a strap assembly (16) coupled to the framework (12). The framework (12) is configured to prevent a baseball (B) from contacting the face (F) of the player (P) when the guard (10) is donned by the player (P) without restricting the player's generally horizontal line of sight. The compressible padding (14) is configured to contact the player (P) and thereby space the framework (12) from the face (F) when the guard (10) is donned. The strap assembly (16) is configured to both position and retain the framework (12) on the face (F) of the player (P) when the guard (10) is donned.

Abstract: A head and neck restraint device, worn by a driver when operating a high performance vehicle, which controls the driver's head from snapping forward and maintains the driver's head, neck and spine in general alignment in the event of a frontal crash. The device includes a pair of anchor straps that are worn along the back of the driver and have first end which connects to the driver's helmet by use of hooks and tethers, and second ends which extends between the driver's legs for connection to a seat belt assembly. A chest strap and a waist strap are attached to the anchor straps for keeping the anchor straps separated at a predetermined distance. When exiting the vehicle, the driver unlatches a standard vehicle seat belt assembly and the restraint device is simultaneously released from the vehicle. Since the restraint is neither rigid nor bulky, the driver can quickly exit the vehicle unrestricted by the device.

Abstract: A protective chin strap device for use in securing a helmet to a wearer's head. The chin strap includes a hard outer shell, an inner member made of a self-supporting cushioned material and straps attached to the outer shell for securing the chin strap to a helmet. The inner member is secured with respect to the outer shell so as to contact the outer shell adjacent the wearer's chin yet form at least one cavity between the outer shell and inner member. This combination of elements serve to deflect impact forces applied to the chin strap and further serve to absorb and laterally dissipate those impact forces. The chin strap is comfortable to wear because the wearer's chin is cushioned by the inner member, because a soft liner is provided adjacent the wearer's skin to wick perspiration and moisture from the wearer's chin and because the chin strap is ventilated.

Abstract: The mounting bracket of the present invention includes an integrally molded head portion and article attachment portion that are formed of a flexible plastic material. The head portion is shaped for insertion into a cavity that is molded into an EPS article of manufacture such as a bicycle helmet. The flexible plastic head portion expands upon insertion into the cavity, such that it engages sidewall portions of the cavity and resists pulling forces that tend to remove it from the cavity. In the preferred embodiment, the head portion is generally shaped like a ladder, having two side rails and a plurality of rung members disposed therebetween. The cavity formed within the EPS foam is shaped to receive the head portion in a collapsed configuration. After the collapsed head portion is inserted within the cavity, it expands such that the outer surfaces of the side rails are pressed against sidewall surfaces of the cavity.

Abstract: A folding safety helmet intended primarily for use by a cyclist has a top panel (10) and a pair of similar side panels (11, 12), each panel (10, 11, 12) being made of a plastics material. Each side panel (11, 12) is separately pivoted at its two ends to the end regions (16, 17) of the top panel (10) and a pair of straps (13, 14) is arranged to limit the relative separation of the side panels with respect to the top panel. The side panels (11, 12) may be moved between an opened-out configuration where the helmet is ready for wear, and a folded position where the majority of the side panels lies within the confines of the top panel (10), so greatly reducing the volume of the helmet and facilitating its storage when not in use.

Abstract: A helmet having an outer shell defining an inwardly facing surface extending to an edge of the shell, and a lining defining an outer surface acing the inwardly facing surface of the shell, an inner sue which in use faces the head of a person we the helmet, and an edge surface extending between the inner and outer surfaces of the lining adjacent the edge of the shell. A strap is secured to the outer shell and extends from between the inwardly facing surface of the outer shell and the outer surface of the lining. Means such as a hook and loop fastening are provided for releasably attaching a portion of the strap immediately adjacent the lining to the edge surface of the lining, such that the strap adjacent the shell edge is pulled tows the head of the wearer.

Abstract: An improved retention mechanism for a bicycle helmet is provided. A helmet including a retention mechanism comprises a shell for protecting a head of a person and a fit system elastically coupled to the shell. The fit system comprises a bowl designed to fit an occipital region of the person's head and a hinge for coupling the fit system to the shell, the hinge permitting the fit system to move. The fit system further including a spring element for positioning the bowl against the occipital region of the person's head, to stabilize the helmet against the person's head.

Abstract: A full face mask with a strap, which is fastened to a mask body (15) by clamping action by means of eyes can be removed from the face of the user of the full face mask in a simple manner. Two holding grips are connected to eyes located adjacent to one another. The holding grips are located on a side area (18) of the full face mask (14). A pulling device (19) brings the holding grips (4, 41) into the open position.

Abstract: A bicycle helmet is disclosed having a flexible, articulated member being resiliently flexible to provide resilient forward pressure against an inwardly curved portion on the posterior of a wearer's head and a flexible connection between the articulated member and opposite sides of the shell assembly including at least one elastically elongatable strap portion for providing additional resilient forward pressure against the wearer's head.

Abstract: A high energy shock absorbing and dissipating device designed to be mounted on existing shoulder pads for football, hockey, dirt bike riders, etc. The head of the wearer is in a spaced relation to the inside surfaces. It consists of a crown structure and a lower support structure with vertical shock absorbing springs in between. An energy dissipating foam annular band is in a plane at the forehead level to attenuate the forces from whiplash-type movements. The possibility of the wearer receiving a concussion is virtually eliminated and will have the maximum of protection against devastating spinal cord injuries.

Abstract: A protective chin strap for headwear such as an athletic helmet is provided with a chin portion including an inflatable pouch and a manually operated valve pump so that the wearer can inflate the pouch to adjust the tension of the strap to adjust the force holding the helmet on the head of the wearer as well as at the same time provide a shock absorbing cushion on the chin of the user.

Abstract: A head restraint system is provided for a driver of a racecar. The system includes a helmet for receiving the driver's head, and first and second energy dissipating extendable restraining lanyards for connecting the helmet to a structural member of the racecar. The system preferably includes a quick connect apparatus for allowing the driver to easily escape from the head restraint system. The system preferably includes a rotatable connector which allows the driver to rotate his head left and right so that his lateral vision will not be impeded by the head restraint system.

Abstract: An improved driver's safety restraint utilizes an upwardly open channel formed on the forehead portion of the driver's helmet a strap insertable into the channel and slidable longitudinally in the channel to permit free rotation of the driver's head. The ends of the strap are provided with deformable, substantially non-resilient anchoring rings.

Abstract: A helmet restraint and head and neck stabilizing system for use with a helmet worn by an operator or occupant of a land vehicle, boat, airplane or other motion apparatus, in conjunction with a shoulder belt system or a suit worn by the operator or occupant. The helmet restraint and head and neck stabilizing system preferably includes two end connecters, two releasable buckles, two flexible end belts, and a flexible middle belt. The two end connecters are separately attachable to the shoulder belt system or the suit worn by the operator or occupant on opposite sides of the helmet worn by the operator or occupant. The two end belts each have one end affixed to one end connecter and an opposite end connected to one buckle, respectively. The middle belt has one end connected to one buckle and an opposite end connected to the other buckle. The length of the first or second end belt or the middle belt is adjustable.

Abstract: A chin strap system a pair of elongate straps and a substantially rigid cup anatomically configured for receiving a chin of a user. Four apertures extend between an inner and outer surface of the cup for receiving the straps. The straps are adjustably positionable through the apertures so that the straps crisscross one another adjacent the outer surface of the cup between the apertures. Each strap has a pair of free ends extending in opposite directions from the cup and include fasteners operatively for fastening the straps to a helmet with which the strap is to be used.

Abstract: An improved headgear includes an outer shell and an inner liner providing a head receiving cavity. A headband has a forward portion and lateral portions secured to the inner liner and a pair of rearwardly extending flexible members having interconnecting free end portions that allow the headband to be adjusted to many heads of different length. A fabric lining covers the headband forward and lateral portions and has slot openings through which the headband flexible members extend. An adjustable opening at the top of the fabric lining facilitates headgear vertical adjustment. A pair of side retention straps extend downwardly from the sides of the outer shell. A pair of rear retention straps mount to respective ones of the side retention straps and are adjustably secured to each other. The inner liner has channels that receive the side retention straps and allow them to drape down in close proximity to a wearer's temples and cheeks.

Abstract: A protective helmet partially formed by a main outer shell having a longitudinal plane of symmetry, and of the type having a holding and positioning arrangement adapted to allow its fastening to the user's head, the arrangement a set of flexible straps, wherein the holding and positioning arrangement has a mechanism for adjusting the length of the straps, at least one element of which is constituted by a pulley.

Abstract: Protective headgear comprises a rigid shell with face pads which may be released and removed while the headgear is still on a person's head. A protective chin guard may be attached to the headgear by way of the face pads. The chin guard comprises a substantially rigid shell with a removeable insert made of a flexible bladder filled with a shock absorbing fluid. The headgear may comprise a shell made of an inner and outer material layered over an internal foam core to effect both strength and lightweight.

Abstract: An improved retention mechanism for a bicycle helmet is provided. A helmet including a retention mechanism comprises a shell for protecting a head of a person and a fit system elastically coupled to the shell. The fit system comprises a bowl designed to fit an occipital region of the person's head and a hinge for coupling the fit system to the shell, the hinge permitting the fit system to move. The fit system further including a spring element for positioning the bowl against the occipital region of the person's head, to stabilize the helmet against the person's head.

Abstract: A helmet chin cover includes a shape retaining member having an attached portion which can be attached to a helmet, and a wind shield portion capable of preventing a driving wind from abutting against a portion near a chin of a helmet wearer when the attached portion is attached to the helmet. The said wind shield portion has at least one ventilation hole. This helmet chin cover is capable of performing ventilation near the chin of the helmet wearer well. Also, this helmet chin cover is capable of preventing a wind generated by driving, which abuts against the chest of the helmet wearer and is directed toward the chin, from being dragged between the lower end of chin cover portion of the helmet and the chin of the helmet wearer to produce a whistling sound.

Abstract: A protective, sanitary, and decorative athletic helmet chin strap cover is disclosed wherein an elastic sleeve fits over a conventional athletic helmet chin strap, contouring therewith and elastically securing thereto. The cover displays a team name or logo via embroidering, silk screening, or other fabric marking methods.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable protective system for protecting a wearer, and for protecting the environment about the wearer. The protective system includes a face shield coupled with a head cradle for supporting the face shield on the wearer's head. The face shield and a wearer's face substantially define a breathing zone charged by a battery-powered blower carried on the head cradle. An bag-like inlet filter element encompasses the blower to provided filtered air to the breathing zone, and an outlet filter element is operably associated with the face shield.

Abstract: A helmet with an adjustable safety strap. The length of the strap used for securing the helmet can be adjusted by the wearer continuously, or progressively in stages of 1.5 mm, and fixed or released in any of the positions with only one hand, by way of a turn-lock fastener. The turn-lock fastener is rigidly incorporated in the helmet material and has cords which are guided from its two opposite sides along an inner side of the helmet to deflecting rollers, or deflecting points, on the helmet material, and then further guided therefrom along the strap to be tightened. The safety strap can be worn around the nape of the neck, or include a chin piece, among other manners of construction.

Abstract: A helmet having substantially semi-looped pull members and the like which are mounted on inside pads and used to pull out the inside pads from a head protecting cap portion while the helmet is worn on the head of a helmet wearer, and a method of removing the helmet. According to this helmet, the inside pads are pulled out from the head protecting cap portion by pulling the pull members with fingers or the like, thereby removing the head protecting cap portion from the head of the helmet wearer with a relatively small force.