Abstract: An apparatus for supporting the head of a person lying prone or on a side includes a base member that is configured to be worn on the head of the person and to rotate between a plurality of positions relative to a support surface upon which the base member rests. The base member defines at least one support member configured to contact the face of the person. A front support structure is mounted to the base member. The front support structure and the base member are cooperatively arranged to define a space between the front support structure and the face of the person wearing the apparatus. The at least one support member is configured to support the head of the person away from the front support structure when the person is lying prone or on a side and with the base member in any of the plurality of positions.

Abstract: A face shield includes a brim having a front portion, a rear portion, an upper portion, and a lower portion. A channel is formed in the lower portion adjacent the rear portion of the brim. The front portion includes a plurality of spaced apart catch members disposed thereon. A head band is unitary with one side of the brim and configured to surround a head of a wearer. The head band has a free end that is adjustably insertable into the channel of the brim to select a size of the head band for the head of the wearer. The face shield may include a removable transparent shield having a plurality of holes formed therein. Each of the holes is configured to cooperate with one of the catch members of the brim to releasably hold the transparent shield on the front portion of the brim.

Abstract: A personal protection system for providing a sterile barrier around medical/surgical personnel. The system includes a helmet over which a hood or a toga suspended. Integral with the helmet is a ventilation fan. The helmet also includes a light assembly for illuminating the surgical field. The helmet includes a front nozzle from which air from the ventilation fan is discharged. The light assembly is mounted to the helmet and is located below the front nozzle. Air discharged from the front nozzle blows heat generated by the light assembly away from the light assembly. In some versions of the invention, the light assembly includes a control arm connected to the light assembly for pivoting the light assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for construction of a protective head covering (helmet) to be worn by individuals engaged in activity that may, without the apparatus, cause concussive brain injury. The helmet, which is comparable in weight and envelope to conventional helmets, can be constructed from commercially available materials. The design features a dual shell concept where outer shell deflection under load triggers the primary attenuation mechanism. A second more rigid inner shell defines a space where one or more compartmentalized sealed elastomer energy absorbing cells are located. These cells contain either a gas or liquid agent designed to adaptively convert potentially injurious normal impact force energy to energy that is channeled between the shells and therefore harmless to the wearer. A portion of this converted energy will be stored and then utilized to automatically re-set the apparatus for the next impact event.

Abstract: A protective helmet is composed of an external crown made from plastic material, and a semi-rigid neckband adjustable by adjustment means. At least one end of the neckband is joined to the crown by a sliding mechanical link comprising position indexing means controlled from a slide able to be moved from the outside in a slit of the crown. The indexing means are formed by a rack molded directly along with the crown.

Abstract: A protective helmet, which includes a motion restrictor device, is disclosed which has at least one strut member associated with the helmet and a harness assembly, and the at least one strut member includes a locking assembly associated with the strut member, which upon a predetermined force being sensed by a force sensor or a predetermined amount of or rate of acceleration being sensed by an acceleration sensor, stops substantially all relative motion between the ends of the strut member and the predetermined force is substantially transferred from the helmet to the harness assembly.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lightweight protective helmet having an improved ventilation system therein. The protective helmet comprises an outer shell and an inner liner that are joined together to form a shell/liner composite. The ventilation system interacts with one or more ventilation ports in the protective helmet to control the flow of ambient air in and out of the interior of the protective helmet. The ventilation system may be integrated or encased within the shell/liner composite, or it may be adapted to be used on the exterior of the helmet. In addition, the ventilation system may include one of several types of interchangeable insert members to allow active or passive control of ambient air into the interior of the helmet.

Abstract: The invention relates to a protective helmet comprising a plurality of segments, at least two of said segments (106, 107) being connected together by way of a sliding connection for sliding purposes, said segments connected by said connection having complementary and approximately parallel indentations and protrusions, characterised in that, for each sliding connection, said protrusions of at least one of the segments are connected together by way of a transverse bar.

Abstract: A surgical protective assembly having an air movement device and a head gear assembly carrying the air movement device. The head gear assembly includes an outer wall, an inner wall, a front end, a back end and a middle portion between the front end and the back end. The outer wall has an upper opening, the inner wall has an array of openings, and the inner and outer wall define a front opening at the front end. The head gear assembly has a passageway that fluidly connects together, the upper opening, the array and the front opening.

Abstract: Protective helmet of the type comprising a first outer visor to intercept the viewing aperture of the helmet mounted rotatably on said helmet, a second visor mounted, inside said first outer visor, rotatably on the cap of the helmet, and a device for actuation and mounting of said second visor on said cap, said second visor including a shielding portion and two ends at the sides of said shielding portion and being at least partly elastically deformable. The inner visor comprises, at least at one side end thereof, a fork and, at or in proximity of one or other of the side ends thereof, at least one externally projecting tooth. Correspondingly, said device for actuation and mounting comprises at least one pin for engaging, directly or indirectly, with said fork and at least one circular guide inside which said projecting tooth of said second visor is removably coupled in a sliding manner, said at least one pin and said at least one circular guide being integral and/or integrated with said cap.

Abstract: A protective headgear position and impact sensor is described for use with hard hats, helmets, or other headgear. Proximity sensors are used to detect whether the headgear is being worn by the user. In some versions of the invention, additional features determine the nature of a head impact and store data related to wear of the headgear by the user.

Abstract: A protective head gear for a user having an outer panel, an inner panel, a retention pleat on the inner panel, a respirator, and an indexed fastener. The outer panel is disposed relative to the inner panel to provide efficacious spatial separation therebetween. The fastener is formed to adjustably and releasably secure at least a portion of the inner panel to the user. An indexing element is attached to the fastener, and is formed of material substantially tactilely different from the fastener, the outer panel, or the inner panel, to permit the user to unambiguously locate the point of fastening. The outer panel, inner panel, and respirator, can be composed of fabrics having one or more layer, and one layer can have a repellent characteristic different from another (e.g., hydrophobic vs. hydrophilic).

Abstract: An electronic helmet is provided that includes a helmet body and an integrated electronic system disposed in the helmet body, providing a number of convenient functions. The helmet body has a hard outer shell and a hard inner shell mounted to the outer shell such that a cavity is defined between the outer and the inner shells. The inner shell can include suitable material to provide the wearer effective RF shielding from the electronic system, such as, nickel-plated carbon fiber to provide RF shielding. The helmet body further includes a shock-absorbent structure disposed between the inner shell and the head of a wearer.

Abstract: An embodiment of a safety helmet for protecting the human head against repetitive impacts, moderate impacts and severe impacts so as to significantly reduce the likelihood of both translational and rotational brain injury and concussions includes a outer shell, an outer liner disposed within and coupled to the outer shell, and an inner liner disposed within and coupled in spaced opposition to the outer liner by a plurality of isolation dampers for omnidirectional movement of the inner liner relative to the outer liner and the outer shell

Abstract: A personal protection system is provided for creating a sterile barrier between a user and an external environment. The personal protection system includes a head unit having a ventilation unit with a fan for distributing air to the user. The personal protection system also provides a protective covering draped over the head unit. The protective covering includes a flaccid shroud and a transparent face shield mounted to the flaccid shroud. The face shield is mounted to the head unit using a plurality of mounting elements. The face shield is mounted such that a top portion of the face shield has a larger radius of curvature when mounted that a bottom portion of the face shield. This reduces the glare directed toward the user. A control panel for the ventilation unit is also provided on a chin bar of the head unit for easy access by the user.

Abstract: A lightweight helmet shell includes an inner shell formed from a porous expanded plastic layer, and an outer shell, in which the outer shell is formed from a compressed fiber sheet having an apparent density of 0.15 to 0.7 g/cc and an impact absorbability of less than 300 G. The lightweight helmet shell has excellent breathability, is lightweight, and has improved impact absorbability.

Abstract: The subject disclosure provides a system and method for remote monitoring of a subject wearing a sports helmet. In one aspect, the system includes a safety helmet and a sensor integrated with the helmet for continuously gathering head acceleration force data, the head acceleration force data associated with the head movements of a subject. The system also includes a wireless transceiver coupled to the sensor for transmitting the head acceleration force data and a mobile device for receiving the head acceleration force data from the wireless transceiver. The system further includes a database engine for displaying the head acceleration force data to a user.

Abstract: A protective helmet includes: a rigid shell including a generally domed-shaped section, a force attenuating liner within the dome-shaped section shell and operatively connected to the rigid shell; and a visor mount in operative connection with the force attenuating liner, the visor mount be adapted to have a visor mounted thereto.

Abstract: A protective hood for use by a firefighter or other emergency worker. The hood includes a crown portion to cover the top of a wearer's head, the crown portion being made from a material having a primary stretch direction oriented to extend in a transverse, ear-to-ear, direction across the top of a wearer's head; and a lower portion that extends downward from the crown portion, the lower portion being made from a material having a primary stretch direction oriented to extend in a circumferential direction around a wearer's head.

Abstract: A face shield assembly that includes a protective element including an edge and a frame including a top portion, a bottom portion and a side portion, the frame further including: a) an opening sized to fit the protective element, the opening defined by an upper inner edge, a lower inner edge, and side inner edges of the frame; b) a lip spaced from the upper, lower and side inner edges so as to form a channel constructed and arrange to receive a portion of the edge of the protective element.

Abstract: A helmet is wearable on a user's head for mitigating neck injury. The helmet incorporates an outer member which defines a concavity; an inner member, at least a portion of which is located within the concavity; and a path-motion guide mechanism which couples the inner member to the outer member. The path-motion guide mechanism permits guided relative movement between the inner member and the outer member in response to an impact force. The guided relative movement is constrained to one or more predetermined paths and comprises, for each of the one or more predetermined paths, relative translation and/or rotation between the inner and outer members.

Abstract: This specification discloses an integrally formed safety helmet. A pre-cast hard outer shell is directly filled with Styrofoam particles followed by heating and pressing to form a soft inner shell. The two shells are integrally formed and tightly connected with no space in between. The production procedure includes the steps of: putting a pre-cast hard outer shell in an upper mold; combining the upper mold and a lower mold; heating the molds to soften a compound material outer shell; pressing to squeeze out extra resin in the compound material outer shell; cooling down the molds and injecting Styrofoam particles into the cavity in the molds, foaming, pressing, and lowering the temperature; and removing the molds. The soft inner shell is then integrally formed inside the hard outer shell.

Abstract: A moisture removal system for a helmet is provided. The moisture removal system includes an absorbent region that is positioned inside the helmet and an evaporative region positioned outside the helmet, and is made of a moisture wicking material that carries moisture collected by the absorbent region to the evaporative region where it is dispersed by evaporation. The moisture removal system can withdraw moisture from other helmet components such as pads and/or the harness, and can be provided within a helmet or as a kit that is used to upgrade existing helmets.

Abstract: The present claimed invention is directed to a protective headguard, comprising a rear pad to protectively cover at least the occipital lobe on the back of a human head. The rear pad has an eccentric dimple for accommodating the occipital lobe. A front pad is configured and arranged to protectively cover at least the forehead of a human. The front pad is releasably interconnected to the rear pad at separate and distinct upper and lower connection points on the rear pad positioned on opposite sides of the dimple. The fit of the headguard can be adjusted between a first and second configuration by disconnecting the front and rear pads, rotating the rear pad 180° and reconnecting the front and rear pads with the front pad connections to the rear pad exchanged as between the upper and lower connection points.

Abstract: Control device for positioning a visor for protective helmets, wherein the visor is rotatable from a configuration fully superimposed on the front opening of the protective helmet to a configuration of partial or total disengagement from said opening. The device includes structure to reversibly lock the visor in at least one position relative to the front opening. The structure to lock the visor includes a control element anchored, with at least a degree of freedom, to the visor, coupled to which is at least one tooth or pin, for engagement with at least one stop or seat, integral with the cap of the helmet. The control element is movable between a first stable position in which it controls engagement of the tooth with the relative stop or seat, and at least a neutral position in which it controls disengagement of said tooth from the relative stop or seat.

Abstract: A closure assembly that is infinitely adjustable within an operating range of the closure assembly and includes a vent port therethrough. The closure assembly includes a housing and an operator that rotationally cooperates with the housing. A flexible member is movably supported by the housing and cooperates with the operator so that manipulation of the operator alters the amount of the flexible member that extends beyond the housing. A biasing means cooperates with the operator and interacts with the housing to maintain a desired orientation of the operator, and thereby a desired orientation of the flexible member, relative to the housing to define a shape of a closure of the item of apparel. A vent port is formed through the housing and the operator and mitigates heat collection therebehind.

Abstract: A fan cooled and heated hard hat system comprising an outer safety shell with louvers in the top of the dome, a removable fan, a removable heating pad, and a screen system having an upper and a lower screen for placing the removable heating pad between when desired by a user-wearer. The fan is mountable to the interior dome of the shell with the propeller of the fan between the screen system and the louvers such that ambient air is drawn through the louvers via the fan and forced through the screen system about the user-wearer's head. The hard hat system cools the user-wearer's head when the heating pad is not in place and heats the user-wearer's head when it is in place.

Abstract: Left and right ear shades that are removably connectable to the bottom of a baseball-style cap or headband of a hardhat and fit around the back, top, and front of the ears. The shades can be positioned to accommodate the wearer. Each ear shade includes a forked clip that receives the hat band between inner and outer tines. For relatively thick hat bands, such as a those of baseball caps, the forked clip provides adequate resilient clamping force between the tines against the hat band to hold the ear shade in place. An optional removable clip fits around the top of the tines and resiliently connects near the bottom of the fork. Use of this optional removable clip allows the ear shade to be held in place on hats having hat bands that are too thin to be held in place solely by the clamping force of the fork tines.

Abstract: A head massager includes a helmet (10) having a first parallel hoop (11) and a second parallel hoop (12) connected to each other for forming a ring surrounding the user's head. The helmet (10) has a first meridian hoop (21) and a second meridian hoop (22) connected to each other to form an arc structure and hang the head massager on user's head. The distance adjustment devices (3) are provided to connect the first parallel hoop (11), the second parallel hoop (12), the first meridian hoop (21), and the second meridian hoop (22) together for adjusting the size of the helmet (10) to provide a comfortable fit to user's head.

Abstract: A sports helmet includes recessed insert surfaces on its exterior to accommodate shock absorbing inserts disposed therein. The helmet may include, for example, five recessed insert surfaces, a front recessed surface, a top recessed surface, a rear recessed surface, and two side recessed surfaces. The inserts may be disposed into the recessed surfaces to create a substantially uniform outer helmet shape. A uniform finish may cover the exterior of the helmet. The shock absorbing inserts, when used on a person receiving a force to the helmet's insert, will absorb at least a portion of the force, limiting the force's impact on the wearer's brain. The helmet may, for example, help prevent concussions and other brain injuries in sport participants.

Abstract: A protective hood is provided for protecting a wearer's head from environmental elements. The protective hood includes a hood body having a cap section positioned to fit over a top of the wearer's head, side sections positioned to hang adjacent sides of the wearer's head, and a back section positioned to hang adjacent a back of the wearer's head. The hood body defines an interior space for receiving the wearer's head. An outlet is provided for exhausting gas from the interior space of the hood body. The outlet includes a channel defined by first and second portions of the hood body. The channel is in fluid communication with the interior space and includes an open end portion in fluid communication with the environment for exhausting gas from the channel into the environment.

Abstract: The present invention provides a communication device for use in coaching and sports events. The invention includes, in one embodiment, a waterproof radio receiver embodied in a helmet.

Abstract: A protective goggle assembly includes a protective goggle having two side straps, each side strap comprises a free end and a first surface attachment region adjacent to the free end on at least one surface of each side strap; and a strap assembly that encircles the user's head, on each side of the strap assembly a second surface attachment region is provided that is configured to engage the first surface attachment region of the side straps. Free ends of the base band of the strap assembly are connected to an elastic ring to form a complete encircling band. The base band has a tail for securing the base band in position on a helmet. The complete encircling band is configured to fit around a soldier's helmet and the elastic ring being configured to fit over and around a night vision goggle mount at a front of the helmet.

Abstract: A safety helmet provides toxic gas monitoring in the field of vision of the helmet user. The safety helmet includes a gas-measuring device of modular design. The safety helmet has a sensor module (5) positioned in the field of vision of the helmet user.

Abstract: A helmet having a first helmet portion and a second helmet portion disposed adjacent to said first helmet portion, with the portions being slidably connected to one another and slidable relative to each other. The second helmet portion has a restraint defining a passage. The first helmet portion has an opening exposing a portion of the restraint. A securing member is received in the opening of the first helmet portion and slidable between engaged and disengaged positions. A portion of the securing member extends through the opening toward the second helmet portion and is received in the passage when in the disengaged position. The securing member engages the restraint and prevents relative movement of the first and second helmet portions when in the engaged position.

Abstract: A surgical protective assembly having an air movement device and a head gear assembly carrying the air movement device. The head gear assembly includes an outer wall, an inner wall, a front end, a back end and a middle portion between the front end and the back end. The outer wall has an upper opening, the inner wall has an array of openings, and the inner and outer wall define a front opening at the front end. The head gear assembly has a passageway that fluidly connects together, the upper opening, the array and the front opening.

Abstract: A protective helmet (100) comprises a plurality of layers. A fabric layer (200) conforms to a wearer's head, extending around the head from the top of the head to a point above the ears. A first, conforming hard layer (205) follows and is secured to the fabric layer. A second hard layer (210) conforms to and rests on the previous hard layer, but is not attached to it. A fibrous layer (215) is formed over the second hard layer, and a wet settable friable or frangible material layer, e.g., plaster, (220) is applied over the fibrous layer. The friable or frangible material infiltrates the fiber layer and seals it to the second hard layer. While the friable or frangible material is still wet, a mold (222) or tool (not shown) forms a plurality of lines, e.g., hexagonal trenches (225), in the friable material that extend downward toward the fibrous layer. The mold can optionally be left in place or removed after the plaster hardens. Next, a surface layer (230) of resin is applied over the outside of the layers.

Abstract: The present invention covers a hockey helmet for receiving a head of a player. The helmet comprises an outer shell made of first and second materials having respective first and second flexibilities.

Abstract: Disclosed is a mouth guard or mouth piece holder having a pair of mounts each mount having a generally concave back surface and a flat front surface and configured to be fixed to an exterior surface of a helmet with the back surface conforming to and abutting the exterior surface of the helmet. A face plate is attached to the mounts to define a pocket. A support base is medially located within the pocket formed integral to the bottom edge of the face plate to partially fill the pocket. Thus, the pocket with the base is adapted to accommodate the mouth guard such that the mouth guard can be maintained proximate to the exterior surface of the helmet above the facemask during temporary periods of non-use.

Abstract: A garment worn by humans having a pocket attached to the garment, wherein the pocket has an access point for inserting and removing a padding and the pocket comprises an absence of material at a point or over a area where the user will come into contact with a surface.

Abstract: Silver coated nylon woven and non-woven fibers are disclosed that can be used to make fabrics, bags, and pads that are silver coated on one side of the fabric, bag, and/or pad. Silver coated nylon fabrics, bags, and pads provide an antimicrobial surface which remains on the surface and retains its antimicrobial characteristic until destroyed. The silver coating can be used as a way to eliminate, reduce and/or ameliorate odors emanating from the bacteria. The methods of adherence of the silver to the nylon may be performed in a number of ways. The pads may be further associated with protective gear that can be used by professions and athletes that use protective gear.

Abstract: An impact sensing device including a plurality of accelerometers orthogonally oriented with respect to each other and attachable at a body location, each capable of producing a signal indicative of an impact. An integrated circuit is configured to determine the magnitude and direction of the impact based on the signals and operative to activate an indicator when the magnitude exceeds a selected threshold based on the direction of the impact. A head injury coefficient is determined based on the magnitude and a duration of the impact, and the threshold level of acceleration is expressed in terms of a head injury coefficient value. The head injury coefficient value is determined by empirically correlating a head injury coefficient measured at the body location and a head injury coefficient measured at the center of mass of a human head resulting from an impact.

Abstract: A sleeping cap for lifting the face of a person away from a sleeping surface to prevent facial wrinkles comprises a U-shaped basic form covered with a fabric and having first and second extensions, each of the extensions being flexibly positioned within the fabric adjacent to each leg end of the U-shaped basic form, and the fabric covering the end of the first extension is attached to the fabric at the end of the second extension to form the sleeping cap. Straps from each side of the sleeping cap secure the cap on the person's head.

Abstract: Described herein are various protective helmets, including helmets designed for equestrian use. In one embodiment, an equestrian helmet (1) includes a front shell (2) and a rear shell (3). Shell (3) is moveable with respect to shell (1) to provide the helmet with two configurations. The first of these is an open configuration where the helmet is configured for receiving within the helmet or removing from the helmet a human head (4). The second configuration is a closed where shell (3) is releasably lockingly engaged to shell (2) for securely containing head (4) within helmet (1).

Abstract: An ear seal assembly comprises a front panel, an outer panel, a hidden panel, a rear panel, and an acoustic transparent fabric inner panel, wherein a front edge of the acoustic transparent fabric inner panel is positioned at a right angle along an inside circumference of the front panel and a rear edge of the acoustic transparent fabric inner panel is positioned at a right angle along an inside circumference of the hidden panel.

Abstract: Protective headgear includes an outer shell rotatable relative to an inner shell via a thin layer of elastically and/or plastically yielding material disposed between and secured to the inner and outer shells. The yielding material deforms continuously but non-linearly at least in the tangential or shear direction to mitigate angular acceleration of the head during an impact. The yielding material prevents the inner and outer shells from separating or stopping suddenly to avoid imparting a large angular acceleration to the head. In one embodiment, a protective helmet includes an outer shell secured to an inner shell by a yielding material that elastically deforms continuously but non-linearly when subjected to an angular acceleration below a first threshold and plastically deforms when subjected to an angular acceleration above the first threshold.

Abstract: The invention is shock absorbing material to be incorporated into protective gear or clothing. The impact shock absorbing material is a laminated material, having a shear-thickening layer and a shock absorbing layer. The shock absorbing layer is a honeycomb material with cell walls. The shear-thickening layer shunts the local impact forces over a greater area of the underlying shock absorbing layer, thereby reducing the force at the point of impact. The vertical walls of the honeycomb layer buckle under the incoming force, thereby diffusing the direction of force away from direct alignment with the body wearing the impact-shock-absorbing material. Protective gear made of the impact shock absorbing material significantly reduces forces imparted to the body as a result of a fall, blow, or other sudden impact.

Abstract: A method and device for administering minoxidil and other topical solutions to the scalp. The method entails administering a minoxidil preparation through a manifold that fits over the scalp of a patient, and placing a moisture barrier over the scalp for a period of time effective to enhance absorption of the minoxidil preparation by the scalp.

Abstract: A protective helmet, particularly for sports and work use, including a rigid outer shell which itself comprises a front cap having a concavity able to cover at least the upper part of the cranium, and a rear cap having a concavity able to cover the rear part of the cranium. The caps are mutually movable, the rear cap being connected to the front cap in such a manner as to rotate relative to the front cap about an axis transverse to the vertical plane of symmetry of the cranium, between a raised position and a lowered position.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention is directed to a protective member (eg. a headwear or bodywear member) including a plurality of substantially rigid protective panels connected to each other by flexible panel connectors to form a selected shape for wearing by a wearer. In one embodiment, the protective member is in the form of a cap-shaped member and may be an insert that fits in a cap. In another embodiment, the protective member is in the form of a protective vest.