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 safety helmet and face mask system having an interface for suspending both the helmet and the face mask on a wearer's head by a single support web, thereby eliminating the need for separate support assemblies. The system includes a helmet having a shell and liner, hooks attached to opposite sides of the liner, and a face mask having a pair of O-rings slidably mounted on straps attached at upper and lower points on opposite sides of the mask. The O-rings releasably engage the hooks on the helmet liner to integrally interconnect the helmet and liner. Buckles are located on the sides of the mask so that the effective lengths of the straps between points of connection to the mask can be varied to draw the mask and helmet together and seat the helmet and mask properly on the wearer's head. The interface provides both horizontal and vertical support for the mask by a single strap on each side of the mask.

Abstract: A firefighter's helmet having a rigid shell provided with a forward portion and a rearward portion and side portions. Attached to the rigid shell and extending downwardly therefrom are support members which are positioned at the rearward portion of the shell, and at the side portions of the shell. A flexible securing member is supported by the support members. After the helmet is positioned upon the head of a firefighter the flexible securing member is drawn firmly at the back and sides of the head of the firefighter. Also, portions of the flexible securing members are positioned under the chin of the firefighter and attached together. Thus, the helmet is secured upon the head of the firefighter, and the helmet cannot move with respect to the head of the firefighter who wears the 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 fire fighter helmet of the type having a body which includes a peripheral brim, an arcuate face shield having an inwardly extending lip and a flexible gasket on the underside of the lip for forming a watertight seal with the brim when the shield is in a down position, and a pair of hinges attached to opposite sides of the helmet body and pivotably attached to the face shield. The hinges each include a hinge plate and a spring which is connected at one end to the shield and at an opposite to the hinge plate rearwardly and below the pivot connection between the hinge plate and face shield. The hinge plate also includes a stop defining an upper limit of travel for the face shield. The spring urges the shield to pivot either to an up position against the stop, or to a down position in which the gasket forms a watertight seal with the adjacent portion of the helmet body brim.