HELMET WITH FIRE RESISTANT SAFETY SHOCK ABSORBENT CHINSTRAP AND A FIRE RESISTANT SAFETY SHOCK ABSORBENT CHINSTRAP

Abstract

A protective helmet, such as a firefighter's helmet includes a fire resistant, impact resistant shell configured to be received upon the user's head; a fire resistant, impact resistant, full brim extending outwardly from the shell around the circumference of the shell; a pair chinstrap retainers coupled to the shell on opposed sides of the protective helmet; and a fire resistant safety chinstrap coupled to the chinstrap retainers and configures to allow the shell and brim to pivot relative to the chinstrap about an axis extending through the chinstrap retainers, and including an elastic member that partially absorbs and dissipates impact forces to headgear that extend across the axis through the chinstrap retainers to minimize head and neck area bodily injury to the user. The safety chinstrap may be easily attached, released, stored and transported and retrofitted to existing helmets.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/804,367 filed Mar. 22, 2013, entitled “Fire Resistant Shock Absorbent Chinstrap.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a helmet, such as a firefighter's helmet or other protective helmets and headgear, including a fire resistant stretchable chinstrap attached to the helmet and with pivotal clips or connectors to partially absorb and dissipate external impact forces thereby reducing the probability of head and neck area injuries.

2. Background Information

For centuries, firefighters have worn helmets to protect them from heat, cinders and falling objects. Although the shape of most of these helmets has changed little over the last century, their composition has changed from the traditional leather to metals (including brass, nickel and aluminum) to modern composite helmets made of lightweight polymers and other plastics.

As a brief history of firefighter's helmets within the United States, the original firefighter's helmet, or fire cap, is often attributed to inventor Jacobus Turck of New York City in 1731. This fire cap design had a round shape with a high crown and a narrow rim. A later innovator Mathew DuBois is said to have made improvements to this design by adding iron wire to the edge of the brim, providing resistance to moisture, warping and heat. The fire cap, made of leather, became mandatory in New York City for all firefighters on duty in 1762.

Between 1821 and 1836, Henry Gratacap, a luggage maker and volunteer firefighter in New York City, designed his own leather helmet for firefighters later named the “New Yorker” which was adopted by the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) during the late 1800s, the “New Yorker” was an “eight-comb” design, meaning that it had eight different segments. The leather used for the helmet was the same used by the inventor Gratacap for his luggage design, which was specially treated to withstand wetness without rotting. Interestingly, it has been suggested that these early helmets often were worn backwards to protect the firefighter's face against heat.

The New Yorker firefighting helmet served many functions and, over time, the design was altered to better carry out these functions. Firefighter's helmets were eventually made with 16 combs, which made them stronger and more durable against heat. A reinforced dome or shell protected the firefighter from falling objects, and the rear brim of the helmet was used to protect against heat and debris falling on the back of the neck. With these sturdy designs, the throwing of the helmet out a window soon became the universal sign of a firefighter in need of help.

Later other innovators developed the idea of putting badges on the front of the firefighter's helmet for identification purposes. The badges were in the shape of a guitar pick and contained a brass eagle that extended from the top of the helmet to hold the badge in place. The idea for the eagle is credited to an unknown sculptor who designed a figure for a volunteer firefighter's grave. The figure on the grave was that of a firefighter, emerging from flames holding a sleeping child in one hand and a trumpet in the other. The figure wore a helmet with an eagle on it, which soon became part of the helmets worn by firefighters up to this day.

Established in 1896, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is a leading advocate of fire prevention and is one authoritative source on public safety, although some are concerned that the NFPA standards have not always sufficiently rapidly endorsed or adopted advances in technology. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that in 2008 more than 15,000 firefighters were injured on the job in the United States. Firefighters are required to perform a variety of dangerous tasks. A firefighter's helmet helps lower their risk of receiving head injuries while performing their duties. The helmets that are worn by the firefighters must pass strict testing to ensure that they can absorb high impacts.

The NFPA's 1971 Standard on Protective Ensemble for Structural and Proximity Fire Fighting requires firefighter's helmets to pass strict safety standards. NFPA-certified helmets are also required to have a safety facemask, a shroud and a helmet cover.

Firefighter's helmets typically have a face shield that also provides firefighters with thermal protection. Wearing the face protector attachment can help reduce the risk of burns to the face and neck area. Face protectors are also used to reduce the amount of smoke and ash that gets to the face at fires.

The NFPA now mandates that helmet shells be made out of thermoset resin composites or thermoplastics. These materials can withstand extreme heat and high-energy impacts. The NFPA now mandates that helmets include fluorescent and retro-reflective trim and ear covers.

Helmets used by firefighters typically have an energy absorption system. Manufacturers can use different methods to produce a high-impact-absorbing helmet. The helmet is often equipped with a built-in suspension system that consists of a headband that fits snuggly. Around the suspension system, some manufacturers have placed foam, which helps absorb impacts.

Firefighter's helmets are required to have a retention system. A retention system can consist of a chinstrap, webbing and a nape for the back of the neck. Retention systems also provide higher thermal protection. The retention system is attached to the helmet and can be adjusted by straps.

The patent literature discloses some relevant helmet designs and analogous disclosures, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,272,692 discloses an assembly of pre-formed protective removable pads affixed to critical areas of the helmet.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,121,508 discloses flexible securing members at the back, sides and chin of the helmet of the firefighter which cannot move with respect to the head of the firefighter who wears the helmet.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,234 discloses a safety harness assembly with shoulder straps of non-stretchable sleeves enclosing an insert with limited stretching abilities that provide shock-absorption during an accidental fall.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,777 discloses a chin strap assembly incorporating a semi-rigid support member formed of plastic or other resilient material and having upwardly extending end portions which bear upwardly against first and second sides of the wearer's jawbone.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,951 discloses a resilient cloth or similar material having stretch characteristics for passing over the chin of the user and resiliency for returning the same to a tight position under the chin.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,916,446 discloses a double knit fabric with impact absorbing material and stretchable nylon straps with suitable fasteners for attachment to protective headgear.

The prior art fails to adequately provide a well designed, elastic and comfortable fire resistant and shock absorbing chin strap attached to and securing protective helmets or headgear such as firefighter's helmets. It is one object of the present invention to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art and to provide headgear with a safety chin strap which is fire resistant and partially absorbs and dissipates impact forces on the associated headgear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

At least some of the above objectives are achieved with a protective helmet, such as a firefighter's helmet, which includes a fire resistant, impact resistant shell configured to be received upon the user's head; a fire resistant, impact resistant, full brim extending outwardly from the shell around the circumference of the shell; a pair chinstrap retainers coupled to the shell on opposed sides of the protective helmet; and a fire resistant safety chinstrap coupled to the chinstrap retainers and configures to allow the shell and brim to pivot relative to the chinstrap about an axis extending through the chinstrap retainers, and including an elastic member that partially absorbs and dissipates impact forces to headgear that extend across the axis through the chinstrap retainers to minimize head and neck area bodily injury to the user. The safety chinstrap may be easily attached, released, stored and transported and retrofitted to existing helmets.

A fire resistant elastic chinstrap for a helmet that partially absorbs and dissipates impact forces to headgear thereby minimizing bodily injury to the wearer. The fire resistant elastic chinstrap for a helmet according to invention may further include a pair of coupling members, spring hooks, at opposed ends of the chinstrap, wherein the coupling members are configured to allow the helmet to pivot relative to the chinstrap about an axis extending through the coupling members when attached to the helmet. The fire resistant elastic chinstrap for a helmet according to the invention may further include a strap body extending between the coupling members and a fire resistant chin engaging slip member, possibly formed from a webbing material, around at least a portion of the strap body. One embodiment of the invention may provide an elastic member portion within the area encompassed by the chin engaging slip member and wherein the strap body includes a pair of webbing member portion on opposed sides of the elastic member portion.

These and other advantages of the present invention will be clarified in the brief description of the preferred embodiment in connection with the attached drawings in connection with the foregoing description in which like reference numeral represent like elements throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic front elevation view of a firefighter's helmet including a fire resistant safety shock absorbent chinstrap in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic front-side perspective view of the firefighter's helmet including the fire resistant safety shock absorbent chinstrap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a schematic perspective view of the fire resistant safety shock absorbent chinstrap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3B is a schematic perspective view of a fire resistant safety shock absorbent chinstrap in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention and usable with the firefighter's helmet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partially sectioned schematic view of the fire resistant safety shock absorbent chinstrap according to FIG. 3B;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic view of the fire resistant safety shock absorbent chinstrap according to FIG. 3B with a chin pad removed; and

FIGS. 6A-6D schematically illustrate relevant impact force applications to the a firefighter's helmet including a fire resistant safety shock absorbent chinstrap of the present invention which partially absorb and dissipate such forces in accordance with the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a protective helmet 10, particularly a firefighter's helmet as shown. The helmet 10 includes a fire resistant, impact resistant shell 12 configured to be received upon the user's head. The shell 12 is preferably formed of thermoset resin composites or thermoplastics, such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) that meet the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards for a shell and the vertical and lateral impact and penetration requirements for American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Type II/Canadian Standards Association (CSA) Type 2 hard hats.

The firefighter's helmet 10 includes a fire resistant, impact resistant, full brim 14 extending outwardly from the shell 12 around the entire circumference of the shell 10. The brim 14 is preferably formed integral with the shell 12 and similarly conforms to the identified standards. The helmet 10 includes fluorescent and retro-reflective trim 16.

The helmet 10 will include a conventional energy absorption system (not shown). Additionally included are face mask attachments and ear guards and aspects of a conventional firefighter's helmet 10. These conventional elements need not be described in detail and are not shown so that the aspects of the fire resistant safety shock absorbent chinstrap 20 in accordance with the present invention can be more clearly shown and described.

The helmet 10 includes a pair chinstrap retainers 32 coupled to the shell 18 on opposed sides of the protective helmet 10 generally coupled to the shell 18 at the point where the brim 14 extends.

The helmet 10 includes a fire resistant safety chinstrap 20 coupled to the chinstrap retainers 32 and configures to allow the shell 10 and brim 14 of the helmet 10 to pivot relative to the chinstrap 20 about an axis extending through the chinstrap retainers 32 as shown in FIGS. 6B and C. The chinstrap 20 includes an elastic member 22 that partially absorbs and dissipates impact forces to helmet that extend across the axis through the chinstrap retainers to minimize head and neck area bodily injury to the user.

The fire resistant safety chinstrap 20 includes a pair of coupling members in the form of spring hooks 24 at opposed ends of the chinstrap 20. The spring hooks 24 engage the retainers 32 and thereby allow the helmet 10 to pivot relative to the chinstrap 20 about an axis extending through the coupling members 24 and the retainers 32 when the hooks 24 are attached to the helmet 10 via retainers 32. The hooks 24 and retainers 32 may be formed of heavy duty plastics, like the shell 12, but may also be formed from metal as they are not in direct contact with the user. Due to the high heat environments, metal construction is often avoided in aspects of the helmet, or any protective equipment that can be exposed to the high temperatures and also possibly be in direct contact with the skin of the user.

The chinstrap 20 further includes a strap body extending between the coupling members formed by spring hooks 24, with some or all of the strap body being formed from elastic material portion 22. The elastic portion 22 is a fire resistant member woven construct of about 1″ in width (Width Tolerance: +/− 1/16″) and thickness of about 0.035-0.060″ and formed using textured polyester or cotton yarn coupled with neoprene rubber or elastic strands in a manner to forma a fire resistant member, such as manufactured by HNW, The Elastic People, of Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The fire resistance may be from the material selection, treatment of the yarns or subsequent treatment of the woven member, as known in the art. Further the weaving pattern can affect the resulting fire resistance. The elastic portion 22 preferably exhibits an Elongation measurement of 115% (+/−15%) Woven elastic fabrics are dense with interlocking threads for a strong, premium product that will not narrow when stretched.

The chinstrap 20 further includes a fire resistant chin engaging slip member 26 surrounding a portion of the strap body as shown. The slip member 26 is preferably a tubular woven webbing member. Webbing is a term defining a strong fabric woven as a flat strip or tube of varying width and fibers and is often used in place of rope. The name webbing comes from the meshed material frequently used in its construction, which resembles a web. Webbing, in general is a well-known and versatile component used in climbing, slack-lining, furniture manufacturing, automobile safety, auto racing, towing, parachuting, load securing to name a few disparate fields of use. The slip member 26 is preferably formed of synthetic fibers such as nylon, polypropylene or polyester. The tubular webbing forming member 26 consists of a flattened tube, and is commonly used in climbing and industrial applications. The slip member 26 preferably slides relative to the strap body and is intended to be the only member in contact with the skin of the user.

The slip member 26 only covers a portion of the strap body as shown; however a slip member 26 can be used to encompass the entire length of the strap body to allow for a broader selection of elastic webbing material for elastic portion 22 and allowing the elastic portion 22 (or 22′ below) to freely elongate and contract within the slip member 26. With the slip member 26 covering the elastic portion 22, the slip member 26 can be used to supply the fire resistance to the strap 20, at least for the covered elastic portion 22. For example: forming the member 26 from NOMEX® fibers or polyester (15%) and cotton (85% fire resistant blend). With this concept in mind FIGS. 3B-5 illustrate an alternative embodiment for strap 20 in which the elastic member portion 22′ is contained entirely within the area encompassed by the chin engaging slip member 26, and wherein the strap body includes a pair of webbing member portions 30 on opposed sides of the elastic member portion 22′. The webbing strap members 30 are formed as flat webbing members which can be described as a solid weave constructs, with seatbelts and most backpack straps being common examples of flat webbing members.

The chinstrap 20 additionally includes an adjustment member, such as buckle 28. The buckle 28 allows the strap 20 to be adjusted to firmly fit the user. As discussed above the slip member 26 is to be worn under the chin such that the elastic material 22 or 22′ moves freely within tubing of fire resistant material of the slip member 26. The quick release adjusting buckle 28 is part of the strap member and the spring hooks 24 on both ends of the chinstrap 20 act as a means to attach the chinstrap 20 to the helmet 10. The preferred length of the chinstrap 10 is about 18 to 22 inched, generally about 19 inches, and the width of the strap member is approximately 1 inch.

The strap body of the chinstrap 20 measuring approximately 19 inches by 1 inch may be formed with non-fire resistant elastic material 22′ with the construction shown in FIGS. 3B, 4 and 5 and the material 22′ attached at both ends with non-elastic fire resistant material 30 with the elastic material 22′ to expand and contract within and protected by fire resistant tubing material of the chin engaging slip member 26. Alternatively, the strap body of the chinstrap 20 measuring approximately 19 inches by 1 inch may be formed with fire resistant elastic material 22 with the construction shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3A.

Additionally, the chinstrap 20 may substitute the quick release buckle 28 with postman's slide or similar fasteners, the spring hooks 24 with slip rings or similar securing mechanisms, and the woven slip pad 26 with a similar force distributing device such as made of 1.5 inch wide leather or other fire resistant material.

The significant purpose of the chinstrap 20 is to be worn by firefighters with the helmet 10 to partially absorb or dissipate impact forces such as burning materials or other debris falling on the brim 14 of firefighter's helmets 10 that would otherwise under the prior art helmet designs cause the said helmet (which is securely affixed to the firefighter's head) to violently move the helmet and thereby the head and neck of a firefighter causing possible and probable damage to the head, neck, shoulder and other skeletal or muscular systems of the wearer. When the static helmet 10 of the invention shown in FIG. 6A is subjected to impact forces at either the rear (force 35 in FIG. 6B) or the front (force 37 in FIG. 6C) of the helmet 10, the chinstrap 20 partially absorbs or dissipates such forces at the front and rear of the helmet 10 by the spring hooks 10 pivoting at the attachment loop retainer 32 of the helmet 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 6B and 6C. More precisely the helmet 10 is configured to allow the shell 12 and brim 14 to pivot relative to the chinstrap 20 about an axis extending through the chinstrap retainers 32 and hooks 24. Impact forces at the sides of the helmet 10 that extend across the axis through the chinstrap retainers 32 (shown as forces 39 in FIG. 6D) so as to neither be in the front or rear of the helmet 10 are partially absorbed or dissipated by stretching and collapsing of the elastic material portion 22 or 22′ as illustrated in FIG. 6D. The lateral forces 39 that extend across the pivot axis represent a common class of falling debris, as a partial ceiling or roof collapse is often not a single point impact, and the human reaction of partially turning away from the debris right before impact can increase the likelihood that the impact forces are the lateral forces shown in FIG. 6D.

The chinstrap 20 measures approximately 1 inch×19 inches, easily transportable and easy to use and may be easily retrofitted into most existing firefighter's helmets 10 and many other protective helmets.

The term elastic as associated with strap material is known in the art. Regarding the elastic chin strap 20 of the present invention, the purpose of the chinstrap 20 is to partially absorb or dissipate impact forces such as burning materials or other debris falling on the brim of firefighter helmets that would otherwise under the present art form cause the said helmet securely affixed to the firefighter's head to violently move the helmet and thereby the head of a firefighter causing possible and probable damage to the head, neck, shoulder and other skeletal or muscular systems of the wearer. The chinstrap 20 of the present invention should be sufficiently elastic to minimize rapid head and neck movement in the side loading configurations of FIG. 6D which are above a dangerous minimal threshold, typically 1-15 lbs, generally 3-8 lbs, direct lateral impact loading at the edge of the brim 14.

Alternative uses of the chinstrap 20 include using the strap 20 on other headgear, clothing, equipment or articles requiring shock absorbency or force dissipation. Another alternative use of the strap 20 is to hold or connect two or more objects or materials where heat or fire is prevalent.

A significant advantage of the chinstrap 20 of the invention to be worn by firefighters with helmet 10 is the partial absorption and dissipation of impact forces (39) to helmets 10 that may otherwise have resulted or led to head, shoulder and neck injuries to the user. One important advantage of the chinstrap 20 of the invention is that it provides a wider section at member 26 immediately under the chin of the user allowing for easier breathing and talking by relieving tension under the tongue area and possible damage to said facial tissues.

The safety chinstrap 20 of the present invention is applicable for other protective headgear, such as, for example the Cowboy-Style Hard Hat which was a creation of tool salesman, Bret Atkins in 1996. Compared to the traditional half-egg shaped hard hat, the cowboy-style hard hat has a wide, Stetson-like brim which is intended to offer the wearer additional rain and UV light protection. The safety chinstrap 20 can be helpful for such hats for avoiding head and neck area injuries from impact loading in the manner discussed above in connection with the firefighter's helmet 10.

It will be apparent that various modifications may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. The scope of the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A fire resistant elastic chinstrap for a helmet that partially absorbs and dissipates impact forces to headgear thereby minimizing bodily injury to the wearer.

2. The fire resistant elastic chinstrap for a helmet according to claim 1 further including a pair of coupling members at opposed ends of the chinstrap, wherein the coupling members are configured to allow the helmet to pivot relative to the chinstrap about an axis extending through the coupling members when attached to the helmet.

3. The fire resistant elastic chinstrap for a helmet according to claim 2 wherein the coupling members are formed as spring hooks.

4. The fire resistant elastic chinstrap for a helmet according to claim 3 further including a strap body extending between the coupling members and a fire resistant chin engaging slip member around at least a portion of the strap body.

5. The fire resistant elastic chinstrap for a helmet according to claim 4 wherein the fire resistant chin engaging slip member is formed from webbing material.

6. The fire resistant elastic chinstrap for a helmet according to claim 5 wherein the strap body includes an elastic member portion within the area encompassed by the chin engaging slip member.

7. The fire resistant elastic chinstrap for a helmet according to claim 6 further wherein the strap body includes a pair of webbing member portion on opposed sides of the elastic member portion contained within the slip member and wherein the elastic member portion is non-fire resistant.

8. The fire resistant elastic chinstrap for a helmet according to claim 1 further including a strap body extending between the distal ends of the chinstrap and a fire resistant chin engaging slip member around at least a portion of the strap body.

9. The fire resistant elastic chinstrap for a helmet according to claim 8 wherein the fire resistant chin engaging slip member is formed from webbing material.

10. The fire resistant elastic chinstrap for a helmet according to claim 9 wherein the strap body includes an elastic member portion within the area encompassed by the chin engaging slip member.

11. The fire resistant elastic chinstrap for a helmet according to claim 10 further wherein the strap body includes a pair of webbing member portion on opposed sides of the elastic member portion.

12. A protective helmet comprising

A fire resistant, impact resistant shell configured to be received upon the user's head;

A fire resistant, impact resistant, full brim extending outwardly from the shell around the circumference of the shell;

A pair chinstrap retainers coupled to the shell on opposed sides of the protective helmet;

A fire resistant safety chinstrap coupled to the chinstrap retainers and including an elastic member portion that partially absorbs and dissipates some impact forces to helmet.

13. The protective helmet according to claim 12 wherein the helmet is configured to allow the shell and brim to pivot relative to the chinstrap about an axis extending through the chinstrap retainers, wherein the elastic member portion partially absorbs and dissipates some impact forces to headgear that extend across the axis through the chinstrap retainers to minimize head and neck area bodily injury to the user.

14. The protective helmet according to claim 13 wherein the fire resistant safety chinstrap includes a pair of coupling members at opposed ends of the chinstrap coupled to the retainers, wherein the coupling members are configured to allow the helmet to pivot relative to the chinstrap about the axis extending through the retainers and coupling members when attached to the helmet.

15. The protective helmet according to claim 14 wherein the coupling members of the chinstrap are formed as spring hooks.

16. The protective helmet according to claim 14 wherein the chinstrap further includes a strap body extending between the coupling members and a fire resistant chin engaging slip member around at least a portion of the strap body.

17. The protective helmet according to claim 16 wherein the fire resistant chin engaging slip member is formed from webbing material.

18. The protective helmet according to claim 17 wherein the strap body includes the elastic member portion within the area encompassed by the chin engaging slip member.

19. The protective helmet according to claim 17 wherein the strap body includes a pair of webbing member portions on opposed sides of the elastic member portion.

20. The protective helmet according to claim 17 wherein the protective helmet is a firefighter's helmet.