PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS

Abstract

A protective headgear device includes a helmet shell and a shield coupled to the helmet shell. The helmet shell defines an interior cavity for receiving a head and a first viewing port. The shield is coupled to the helmet shell by a plurality of arms such that the shield is moveable from a first position in which a second viewing port defined by the shield is at least partially aligned with the first viewing port to a second position that is different from the first position. At least a first arm and a second arm of the plurality of arms are detachable from the shield.

Description

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The disclosed devices and systems relate to protective devices. More particularly, the disclosed devices and systems relate to protective devices that protect the head and neck of user.

BACKGROUND

Various manufacturing processes provide certain dangers to people performing these processes. For example, welding of metals, thermoplastics, or other materials generates bright light emission that can damage a person's eyes. Further, welding also can generate sparks, which can be harmful if a person's skin or eyes are contacted with such spark, and also generates noxious fumes that can be harmful if ingested.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a protective headgear device is disclosed. The protective headgear includes a helmet shell and a shield coupled to the helmet shell. The helmet shell defines an interior cavity for receiving a head and a first viewing port. The shield defines a second viewing port and is coupled to the helmet shell by a plurality of arms such that the shield is moveable between a first position, in which the second viewing port is at least partially aligned with the first viewing port, and a second position that is different from the first position. At least a first arm and a second arm of the plurality of arms are detachable from the shield.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a protective headgear device includes a helmet having a shell. The shell defines an interior cavity for receiving a person's head, a first viewing port, an opening, and a plurality of conduits. The opening is located at the rear of the shell and is in fluid communication with each of the plurality of conduits that extend from the opening towards a front of the shell. A first optical component is disposed within the first viewing port. A hose includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the hose includes a first nozzle for connecting the first end of the hose to the opening defined by the helmet, and the second end of the hose including a second nozzle for connecting the second end of the hose to an air supply. At least one of the first nozzle and the second nozzle is configured to be a break-away connection.

A system is also disclosed that includes a helmet having a shell. The shell defines an interior cavity for receiving a person's head, a first viewing port, an opening disposed at the rear of the shell, and a plurality of conduits. Each of the plurality of conduits is in fluid communication with the opening defined by the shell. A first transparent protective device is disposed within the first viewing port. A shield defines a second viewing port and the shield is coupled to the shell of the helmet by a plurality of arms such that the shield is moveable between a first position, in which the second viewing port is at least partially aligned with the first viewing port, to a second position that is different from the first position. A hose includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the hose includes a first nozzle for connecting the first end of the hose to the opening defined by the shell, and the second end of the hose including a second nozzle for connecting the second end of the hose to an air supply. The shield includes a magnet for engaging a first object of the shell to maintain the shield in the first position and for engaging a second object of the shell to maintain the shield in the second position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top side isometric view of one example of protective headgear including a protective neck drape in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a front side view of the protective header illustrated in FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a bottom side isometric view of the protective headgear illustrated in FIG. 1 without the protective neck drape in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a left side plan view of the protective headgear without a protective neck drape in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a right side plan view of the protective headgear without a protective neck drape in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the protective headgear illustrated in FIG. 5 taken along line B-B in FIG. 5 in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front-side plan view of the protective headgear illustrated in FIG. 1 without the protective neck drape and with the shield in a refracted position in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the protective headgear illustrated in FIG. 7 taken along line A-A in FIG. 8 in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a top isometric view of the protective headgear illustrated in FIG. 1 without the protective neck drape and with the shield in a retracted position in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a top side plan view of a shield for protective headgear in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the shield illustrated in FIG. 10 taken along line A-A in FIG. 10 in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 12 is a rear side plan view of the shield for protective headgear illustrated in FIG. 10 in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 13A is a side view of the protective headgear with the shield disposed in a second position in which the view port of the shield is not aligned with the view port of the shell in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 13B is a sectional view of the protective headgear shown in FIG. 13A along line A-A in FIG. 13A in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 13C shows the detail B shown in FIG. 13B in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 13D illustrates the shield having been disconnected from an arm in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are perspective views of the headgear with the wearer's head rendered in position and the left side of the helmet shell removed to show the liner and the removable comfort pads.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are the perspective views of FIGS. 14A and 14B, respectively, without the rendering of the wearer's head.

FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate the liner for the protective headgear.

FIG. 17A is a side view of the head gear of the present disclosure identifying planes A-A and B-B for the sectional views being shown in FIGS. 17B and 17C, respectively.

FIG. 17B shows a section taken through A-A as identified in FIG. 17A.

FIG. 17C shows a section taken through B-B as identified in FIG. 17A.

FIG. 18 is an isometric view of a protection system including protective headgear, a hose, and an air supply unit in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description.

The disclosed protective headgear advantageously provides the user with a conditioned (e.g., heated, cooled, and/or filtered) flow of air while protecting the user from airborne contaminants and ultraviolet/infrared light or other potentially damaging light. Further, the disclosed protective headgear includes a multi-point pivoting shield that reduces the outward extension of a protective visor such that the visor can be pivoted from a refracted position to a deployed position in confined areas, and the protective headgear also includes a quick release mechanism enabling a protective filter device supported by the shield to be replaced easily. These and other advantages will be apparent after reading the following description of the various embodiments.

Turning now to the figures, and particular to FIG. 1, one example of a protective headgear 100 is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 1, the headgear 100 includes a helmet shell 102 defining an interior cavity 104 (FIG. 3) sized and configured to receive a person's head therein. In some embodiments, the helmet shell 102 comprises two or more portions that are assembled or joined together using adhesive, screws, integral snap fit mechanisms, and/or other methods for coupling the two or more portions together. For example, the helmet shell 102 can include two individually molded portions that are joined together to form the complete shell. In the illustrated example depicted in the figures, the two individually molded portions are joined together with a plurality of bolts/screws 23. (FIGS. 5, 6, and 8, for example). One of ordinary skill in the art, however, will understand that the helmet shell 102 can also be formed as a unitary structure. A protective neck drape 50 can be attached to a lower portion of the helmet shell 102 using Velcro®, snaps, zippers, fixed buttons, welding, or through other attachment means as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The helmet shell may be made of materials that will provide suitable impact resistance and durability to provide protection for the person wearing the headgear 100. Durable polymers such as polycarbonate, polycarbonate alloy, or other similar polymers are some examples. Other non-polymer materials can be used as long as they provide the desired impact resistance and durability and the material properties provide manufacturability.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the headgear 100 includes an outer protective shield 106. The protective shield 106 includes a frame 136 defining a second viewing port 138 and is provided at the front of the helmet shell 102 as described below in connection with FIG. 6. The helmet shell 102 defines a first viewing port 130.

The protective shield 106 is pivotally coupled to the helmet shell 102 at a plurality of locations on each of the left and the right side of the helmet shell by a plurality of arms. For example, in the illustrated example, the protective shield 106 is coupled pivotally to the helmet shell by four support arms, including two straight upper support arms 108-1, 108-2 (collectively “upper support arms 108”) and two angled support arms 110-1, 110-2 (collectively “lower support arms 110” or “angled lower support arms 110”).

The pivotal coupling between the protective shield 106 and the helmet shell 102 allows the protective shield to be moveable between a first position, in which the second viewing port 138 is at least partially aligned with the first viewing port 130, and a second position that is different from the first position.

In some embodiments, the upper support arms 108 are positioned superiorly on the helmet shell 102 relative to the angled lower support arms 110. Each of the upper support arms 108 is coupled to the helmet shell 102 and the protective shield 106 via fixation devices 112 such as a pair of screws, pins, or other fastening devices that enable the upper support arms 108 to be pivotally connected to the helmet shell 102 and the protective shield 106.

Each of the angled lower support arms 110 includes a pair of divergent legs 114, 116 that are connected to one another at an elbow 118 as best seen in FIG. 1. The first leg 116 is coupled pivotally to the helmet shell 102 by a first fixation device 112, and the second leg 114 is coupled pivotally to the protective shield 106 using a second fixation device 120 (120-1 or 120-2 depending on which of the two lower support arms 110-1 and 110-2 but, here, collectively referred to as “120”).

In some embodiments, the second fixation device 120 is the same as the first fixation device 112, and in some embodiments, the second fixation device 120 is different from the first fixation device 112. In some embodiments, the second fixation device 120 is configured to connect the lower support arms 110 to the protective shield 106 in a releasable manner. FIG. 13C shows the detailed structures of the second fixation device 120-2 and the corresponding mating portion of the protective shield 106 that are configured to releasably connect.

In FIG. 13C, a detailed view of the fixation device 120-2 is shown as an example and is applicable to the fixation device 120-1 on the opposite side of the headgear 100. The fixation device 120-2 includes an elongate pin structure 120A-2 that extends inwardly from arm 110-2. In some embodiments, the pin 120A-2 has a cylindrical shape and is received slideably within a complementary recess 176 defined by the frame 136 of the shield 106. The arrangement of the pin 120A-2 and the recess 176 enable the lower support arm 110-2 to be disconnected from the shield 106 quickly in a manner by pulling a lower support arm 110-2 away from the shield 106 to disengage the pin 120A from the recess 176. As shown in FIG. 13D, both lower support arms 110-1, 110-2 have been disengaged from the shield 106, which enables the shield 106 to be pivoted about the fixation device 112 of the upper support arms 108. In some embodiments, the lower support arms 110 are formed of a resilient or spring-like material such that the lower support arms 110 may be pulled apart and away from the shield 106, but return to their original position once the applied pulling force is removed.

Although the second fixation devices 120 are shown and described as connecting the lower support arms 110 to the protective shield 106 in a releasable manner, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the second fixation devices 120 can also be used to connect the upper support arms 108 to the protective shield 106 in a releasable manner.

As best seen in FIGS. 4-5, the helmet shell 102 includes one or more ridges 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, 122-4 (collectively “ridges 122”), and 121 that extend from a hose connection unit 124 located at the rear or posterior portion of the helmet shell 102 to a side of the helmet shell 102 such that each ridge 121, 122 terminates at a different location. For example, the ridge 121 extends from the hose connection unit 124, which is positioned at the center of the lower rear of the helmet shell 102 in some embodiments, to a location along the upper portion of the helmet shell 102 at the approximate center relative to the left and right sides of the helmet shell 102.

As best seen in FIG. 4, the ridge 122-1 extends from the hose connection unit 124 upwardly along the left side of the helmet shell 102 (i.e., away from a neck opening 105 shown in FIG. 3) when the helmet shell 102 is viewed from the front as in FIG. 1 (i.e., the right side of the shell 102 from the perspective of a person wearing the headgear 100) such that the ridge 122-2 terminates adjacent to the support arms 108-1 and 110-1. The ridge 122-2 extends along the lower left edge of the helmet shell 102, adjacent to the neck opening 105 (FIG. 3), and terminates near the front of the helmet shell 102 such that the ridge 122-1 is positioned between the ridge 121 and the ridge 122-2.

Turning now to FIG. 5, along the right side of the helmet shell 102, the ridge 122-3 extends symmetrical to the ridge 122-1 when the headgear 100 is viewed from the front as shown in FIG. 1 (i.e., the left side of the shell 102 from the perspective of a person wearing the headgear 100). The ridge 122-4 extends symmetrical to the ridge 122-2 except that the ridge 122-4 extends along the lower right of the helmet shell 102 when viewed from the front of headgear 100. Although five ridges 121, 122 are shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that fewer or more ridges 121, 122 can be provided and that the location and arrangement of the ridges 121, 122 can be varied.

As described in greater detail below, the ridges 122 and 121 each define a respective air flow conduit 126 for air delivery as best seen in FIG. 6, which is a sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 5. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 13D, along the length of the ridges 121 and 122, the helmet shell 102 can have portions that extend along the length of the ridges 121 and 122 to form interior wall 102A of the air flow conduits 126 formed by the ridges 121 and 122.

One or more openings 128 are provided in the interior wall 102A positioned at various locations along the lengths of the ridges 121 and 122 to provide outlets for the air delivered through the air flow conduits 126. Each air flow conduit 126 thus provides for air passage from a hose connection unit 124 to one or more openings 128. These openings 128 enable air to be distributed from the conduits into the internal cavity 104 defined by the helmet shell 102.

In order to provide impact protection, comfort, and proper fit for the person wearing the headgear 100, a liner 50 may be provided to fit in the interior cavity 104 of the helmet shell 102. The liner 50 is preferably made of a suitable foam or other elastic materials that can absorb kinetic energy from impact. Some examples are the liner materials used in motor cycle helmets, auto racing helmets, football helmets, bicycle helmets, and the like. The liner 50 can be made in multiple pieces or as a single-piece unit. In some embodiments, removable comfort pads that attach to the interior surface of the liner 50 may be provided to further enhance the comfort and fit to the person wearing the headgear 100. Such configuration is illustrated in FIGS. 14A through 17C.

FIGS. 14A, 14B, 15A, and 15B are perspective views of the headgear 100 with the wearer's left side of the helmet shell 102 removed to show the liner 50 and the associated removable comfort pads: the topside pad 31, the backside pad 32, the left-side pad 33-2, and the right-side pad 33-1. In FIGS. 14A and 14B, the wearer's head is illustrated to show the comfort pads relationship to the wearer's head. The liner 50 is provided with a plurality of openings 128A positioned at appropriate locations to align with the lengths of the ridges 121 and 122 when installed inside the helmet shell 102 to provide outlets for the air delivered through the conduits 126. The comfort pads 31, 32, 33-1, and 33-2 can be made of the same material as the liner 50 or different material if appropriate. The comfort pads 31, 32, 33-1, and 33-2 are configured to be removable from the liner 50 so that they can be cleaned or replaced. The comfort pads can be provided in various sizes and varying compressibility, providing a selection of pads to customize fitting and comfort. The comfort pads and the liner 50 can be configured using any one of known variety of methods for providing temporary fixation to make the comfort pads removable. Velcro® and snap buttons are some examples.

FIGS. 16A and 16B show the liner 50 removed from the helmet shell 102. FIG. 16A is a view of the liner 50 through its bottom opening for receiving a person's neck. FIG. 16B is a view of the liner 50 through its front opening. The topside pad 31, the backside pad 32, the left-side pad 33-2, and the right-sde pad 33-1 can be seen.

FIGS. 17B and 17C show cross-sectional views of the headgear 100 with the liner 50 in place. FIG. 17B shows the section taken through A-A as identified in FIG. 17A. FIG. 17C shows the section taken through B-B as identified in FIG. 17A.

The sectional views of FIG. 17B and 17C show an alternate embodiment where the airflow conduits 126 formed by the side ridges 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, and 122-4 do not have the interior walls 102A. In this embodiment, the interior sides of the side ridges 122-1, 122-2, 122-3, and 122-4 are open troughs when viewed from the inside of the helmet shell 102 without the liner 50 because there are no interior walls 102A. When the liner 50 is in place inside the helmet shell 102, the liner 50 fits snuggly against the interior surface of the helmet shell 102 and the liner 50 and the side ridges together define the airflow conduits 126. As shown in FIG. 17C, the openings 128A provide the air outlet from the conduits 126.

As best seen in FIGS. 6-9, the helmet shell 102 defines the first viewing port 130 at the front of the helmet shell 102. The first viewing port 130 is illustrated as providing a large field of view as the first viewing port 130 is dimensioned to be substantially as long as an average person's head. In some embodiments, for example, a length of the first viewing port 130 is approximately eight inches. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the length of the first viewing port 130 may be varied. An optical component 132, such as a transparent protective face plate, is disposed within the view port 130. As best seen in FIG. 8, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 7, the optical component 132 is positioned against a shoulder 134 of the helmet shell 102. The optical component 132 can be secured to the shoulder 134 using any suitable method, including adhesives or through the use of a mechanical structure (e.g., screw, dovetail, or a friction fit, to list only a few possibilities).

Still referring to FIG. 8, a gasket 134 is disposed around the optical component 132 and is configured to provide a seal between the helmet shell 102 and the protective shield 106 when the shield 106 is disposed in a protective position such that the shield 106 is disposed in front of the optical component 132 (i.e., to the left of the helmet shell 102 in FIG. 8). The gasket 134 advantageously prevents dirt and other contaminants from being received between the protective shield 106 and the optical component 132 when the shield 106 is deployed in a protective position.

Turning now to FIGS. 10 and 11, the protective shield 106 includes a frame 136 defining a second viewing port 138. In some embodiments, the second viewing port 138 is smaller than the first viewing port 130 defined by the helmet shell 102, although one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the relative sizes of the first viewing ports 130 and the second viewing ports 138 may be varied. A frame 136 of the shield 106 is configured to support an optical component 140 within the second viewing port 138. In some embodiments, the optical component 140 is the same type as the optical component 132. However, in some embodiments, the optical component 140 is a filter plate, such as a welding filter plate, for protecting the eyes of the wearer of the headgear 100 from ultraviolet and/or infrared light. In some embodiments, the optical component 140 is an auto-darkening filter plate, such as the PHANTOM® LITE XL or STRIKER™ auto-darkening filter plates available from Sellstrom Manufacturing Co. of Shaumburg, Illinois. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the optical component 140 can take other forms.

As best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, which is a cross-sectional view of the protective shield 106 taken along line A-A in FIG. 10, the optical component 140 is supported against a shoulder 142 provided by the front of the frame 136 that at least partially surrounds the second viewing port 138. The frame 136 also includes one or more catches 144 disposed at a distance from the shoulder 142 such that the optical component 140 may be received between the shoulder 142 and the catch 144. In some embodiments, the one or more catches 144 are positioned above the second viewing port 138, but one ordinary skill in the art will understand that one or more catches 144 may be above, below, and/or to the sides of the second viewing port 138. At the lower end of the second viewing port 138, the shield 106 includes a pivoting mounting device 146. In some embodiments, the pivoting mounting device 146 includes a pivoting projection 148 secured to the frame 136 using a screw, bolt, or other threaded fastener 150, which is received within an aperture 152 defined by the frame 136.

As described in greater detail below, the fastener 150 can be rotated such that the fastener 150 is advanced into and out of the aperture 152 to increase or reduce the friction on the projection 148 to facilitate installation and removal of the optical component 140 in the shield 106.

The frame 136 also defines a recess 154 extending from the inner side 156 of the frame 136. The recess 154 is positioned above the second viewing port 138 and beneath the upper edge 158 of the frame 136. The recess 154 is sized and configured to receive a magnet 160 therein. The magnet 160 can be secured within the recess 154 using a variety of means, including adhesives or being mechanically secured within the recess 154 as will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, the magnet 160 is a permanent magnet. The magnet 160 is configured to engage other magnets located within or affixed to the helmet shell 102.

For example, the magnet 160 is configured to engage the magnets 162, 164 supported by the helmet shell 102 as best seen in FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 8, the magnet 162 is positioned in a recess 166 located along the ridge 121, and the magnet 164 is disposed within the recess 168 located above the first viewing port 130 defined by the helmet shell 102. The magnet 160 engages the magnet 162 when the shield 106 is disposed in a retracted, or non-protective, position as shown in FIGS. 7-9 to maintain the shield 106 in the retracted position. The magnet 160 engages the magnet 164 when the shield 106 is in a protective position as shown in FIGS. 1-6 to maintain the shield 106 in the protective position and to improve the seal between the shield 106 and the gasket 134.

Referring to FIG. 18, the headgear 100 is configured to be used with a hose 200 and air delivery system 300 to provide conditioned air to the internal cavity 104 via the hose connection unit 124, which defines an opening 170, and the conduits 126. For example and referring to FIG. 3, the opening 170 defined by the hose connection unit 124 provides an inlet for air from the hose 200 that distributes the conditioned air generated by the air delivery system 300. In some embodiments, the hose connection unit 124 includes a reduced diameter portion 172 that includes a circumferential rib 174 that is configured to engage a corresponding the recess defined by the nozzle 202 that couples an end 204 of the hose 200 to the hose connection unit 124.

The disclosed protective headgear described above advantageously provides the user with a flow of air while protecting the user from airborne contaminants and ultraviolet/infrared light or other potentially damaging light. Further, the disclosed protective headgear includes a multi-point pivoting shield that reduces the outward extension of a protective visor such that the visor can be pivoted from a retracted position to a deployed position in confined areas, and the protective headgear also includes a quick release mechanism enabling an optical component supported by the shield, such as a protective filter device, to be replaced easily.

Although the devices and systems have been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, they are not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the devices and systems, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the devices and systems.

Claims

1. A protective headgear device, comprising:

a helmet shell defining an interior cavity for receiving a head and a first viewing port;

a shield defining a second viewing port and coupled to the helmet shell by a plurality of arms such that the shield is moveable between a first position, in which the second viewing port is at least partially aligned with the first viewing port, and a second position that is different from the first position,

wherein at least a first arm and a second arm of the plurality of arms are detachable from the shield.

2. The protective headgear device of claim 1, wherein the helmet shell defines a plurality of conduits that are in fluid communication with an opening defined by the helmet shell for receiving a nozzle of a hose.

3. The protective headgear device of claim 2, wherein the opening defined by the shell is located at a rear of the shell and each of the plurality of conduits extend from the opening towards a front of the shell.

4. The protective headgear device of claim 2, further comprising a liner provided within the interior cavity,

wherein each of the plurality of conduits is in fluid communication with the interior cavity of the helmet shell via at least one opening extending through the liner.

5. The protective headgear device of claim 2, wherein each of the plurality of conduits is in fluid communication with the interior cavity of the helmet shell via at least one opening defined by an internal surface of the helmet shell.

6. The protective headgear device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of conduits are defined by a plurality of ridges integrally formed with the helmet shell.

7. The protective headgear device of claim 1, wherein the shield includes a magnet for engaging a first magnetic object provided in the helmet shell to maintain the shield in the first position.

8. The protective headgear device of claim 7, wherein the helmet shell includes a second magnetic object to be engaged by the magnet in the shield to maintain the shield in the second position.

9. The protective headgear device of claim 1, wherein a first optical component is disposed within the first viewing port, and wherein the first optical component is at least partially surrounded by a gasket, the gasket configured to engage a second optical component that is removably disposed within the second viewing port defined by the shield to provide a seal between the helmet shell and the shield.

10. The protective headgear device of claim 9, wherein the second optical component is a filter plate.

11. The protective headgear device of claim 10, wherein the filter plate is an auto-darkening filter plate.

12. The protective headgear device of claim 1, wherein the each of the first arm and the second arm are formed from a resilient material such that the first and second arms can be moved away from the shield to facilitate the detachment of the arms from the shield.

13. The protective headgear device of claim 1, wherein the helmet shell includes at least two portions that are joined together.

14. The protective headgear of claim 1, wherein the first arm is positioned below a third arm of the plurality of arms, and the second arm is positioned below a fourth arm of the plurality of arms.

15. A protective headgear device, comprising:

a helmet including a shell, the shell defining an interior cavity for receiving a head, a first viewing port, an opening, and a plurality of conduits, the opening is located at a rear of the shell and is in fluid communication with each of the plurality of conduits, wherein the plurality of conduits extending from the opening towards a front of the shell;

a first optical component disposed within the first viewing port; and

a hose including a first end and a second end, the first end of the hose including a first nozzle for connecting the first end of the hose to the opening defined by the helmet, and the second end of the hose including a second nozzle for connecting the second end of the hose to an air supply,

wherein at least one of the first nozzle and the second nozzle is configured to form a break-away connection.

16. The protective device of claim 15, wherein the plurality of conduits are defined by a plurality of ridges integrally formed with the shell.

17. The protective device of claim 15, further comprising a shield defining a second viewing port and coupled to the shell by a plurality of arms such that the shield is moveable between a first position, in which the second viewing port is at least partially aligned with the first viewing port, to a second position that is different from the first position,

18. The protective device of claim 17, wherein at least a first arm and a second arm of the plurality of arms are detachable from the shield.

19. The protective device of claim 17, wherein the shield includes a magnet for engaging a first magnetic object provided in the shell to maintain the shield in the first position.

20. The protective device of claim 19, wherein the shell includes a second magnetic object to be engaged by the magnet in the shield to maintain the shield in the second position.

21. A system, comprising:

a helmet including a shell, the shell defining an interior cavity for receiving a head, a first viewing port, an opening disposed at a rear of the shell, and a plurality of conduits, each of the plurality of conduits is in fluid communication with the opening defined by the shell;

a first transparent protective device disposed within the first viewing port;

a shield defining a second viewing port coupled to the shell of the helmet by a plurality of arms such that the shield is moveable between a first position, in which the second viewing port is at least partially aligned with the first viewing port, and a second position that is different from the first position; and

a hose including a first end and a second end, the first end of the hose including a first nozzle for connecting the first end of the hose to the opening defined by the shell, and the second end of the hose including a second nozzle for connecting the second end of the hose to an air supply,

wherein the shield includes a magnet for engaging a first magnetic object of the shell to maintain the shield in the first position and for engaging a second magnetic object of the shell to maintain the shield in the second position.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the first nozzle provides a break-away connection with the helmet.