Abstract: A helmet has a generally dome shaped helmet body with inner and outer sides and a lower edge extending generally in the shape of a loop; an elongated reinforcement member is embedded in the helmet to extend proximate the looping lower edge portion; that member may have band shape; and additional such band shaped reinforcement members may extend within the dome shape of the helmet, such as laterally spaced rib or ridge portions.

Abstract: A protective hat comprises a shell having a visor in which the underside of the visor is molded with a textured surface that diffuses reflected light.

Abstract: A helmet has a generally dome shaped helmet body with inner and outer sides and a lower edge extending generally in the shape of a loop; an elongated reinforcement member is embedded in the helmet to extend proximate the looping lower edge portion; that member may have band shape; and additional such band shaped reinforcement members may extend within the dome shape of the helmet. Openings may be provided through the body to pass retention straps, a first strap holder configured to be supported at and by the outer side of the helmet, the holder attached to at least one strap that extends through one of the openings, and the holder operable to transmit strap tension to the helmet. The holder typically holds two strap ends, and defines slots through which the straps pass for adjustable retention by the holder.

Abstract: An improved helmet comprising a fiber reinforced thermosetting resin as a main component is disclosed. In the helmet, at least a part thereof to be subjected to shock adsorption property test defined by JIS T 8133 (1982) is reinforced with a cloth of polyethylene fiber having high tenacity and high modulus such as that having tensile strength of not less than 20 g/denier and tensile modulus of not less than 500 g/denier.

Abstract: A helmet system includes a helmet shell and an energy-absorbing helmet liner that is constructed from an open-cell urethane foam impregnated with a room-temperature curable thermoset epoxy. The impregnated foam liner is inserted in the helmet shell, heated until the liner becomes deformably plastic, and placed on the head of a user, permitting custom-fitting of the helmet system that conforms to the contours of the user's head. When cured by cooling, the liner assumes a rigid construction that, by custom-fitting, repeatably aligns the helmet shell to the head of the user, and is crushable to absorb energy.

Abstract: A liner for helmets, hats, caps or other head coverings has a body with a central section and tapered end sections. The body includes liquid absorbing material and is releasably secured to the head covering for easy replacement. The liners are typically disposable and may be formed with a core of thermoplastic containing other fibers sandwiched between facing and backing sheets. The edges and transversed sections of the body may be densified. Optionally, the liner may be cut in these transverse densified areas to adjust its length.

Abstract: A protective helmet employs an inflatable bladder on the interior of the helmet. The inflatable bladder has cells that extend to the lower rear octants of the wearers head and also to either the crown or upper front octants of the wearers head. The cells are inflatable through a single valve and properly secure the helmet to the wearers head during use. In the preferred embodiment, the helmet is fully lined with resilient material interposed between the bladder and the wearer's head.

Abstract: The present invention is an impact resistant composite and helmet made thereof. The helmet comprises an impact resistant composite shell. The composite shell comprises a plurality of prepreg packets. Each prepreg packet comprises at least about 2 and preferably 5 to 20 prepreg layers. There are from 2 to 50 and preferably 5 to 20 prepreg packets. Each prepreg layer comprises a plurality of unidirectional coplanar fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix. The fibers of adjacent layers in the prepreg packets are at an angle of from 45.degree. to 90.degree., preferably 60.degree. to 90.degree., more preferably 80.degree. to 90.degree. and most preferabaly about 90.degree. from each other. The angle of the fiber in alternate layers is preferably, sustantially the same.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing sound-attenuating earcup comprises a rigid shell of an ABS terpolymer that is about 0.090 inch thick so as to crush upon impact at an applied force less than that required to crush the skull of the wearer. The shell has an inner coating of a sound-deadening rubber material to compensate for the reduced sound-attenuating capability of the thinner-than-normal shell. Spaced flanges defining a peripheral channel for receiving a cord of a helmet suspension are formed as staggered series of tabs rather than as circumferentially continuous members to facilitate crushing of the shell upon impact. Resilient earseals disposed between the shells and the wearer's ears comprise first thicknesses of standard polyurethane foam and second thicknesses of slow-recovery polyurethane foam to provide additional impact absorption while permitting the earseals to conform to the wearer's head in cold weather when the helmet is first put on.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved prepreg layer, multilayer composition based on the improved prepreg layer, and article made from the multilayer composite.The prepreg layer of the present invention comprises an array of at least one adjacent, coplanar fibrous element. Each element has a longitudinal axis and each element comprises a plurality of unidirectional coplanar fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix. The fibers are at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis of the element. The fibers are up to eight inches, preferably from one to eight inches, and more preferably two to six inches long. The adjacent elements are connected by the polymer matrix. Typically, the elements are in strip or sheet form with the longitudinal axis corresponding to long dimension of the strip or sheet. Alternately, the prepreg layer can be a fabric layer, where the fibers are woven or knit and the fibers are at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: Lightweight armor or high impact structures comprising lamina-like structures comprising zones of decreasing Young's modulus and increasing elongation characteristics. The structure contains at least one ionomer composite having aramid or linearly crystalline polyethylene fibers arranged to dissipate impact forces laterally.

Abstract: A lightweight molded protective helmet for use by cyclists and preferably produced by stretch-blow molding a moldable plastic material. The helmet includes outer and inner shells or surfaces each having a plurailty of openings therein, with the surfaces being connected together by walls of the openings formed integral with the surfaces of the helmet. The openings in the helmet surfaces can have any shape such as circular or elongated, and can be made substantially perpendicular or inclined to the surfaces. Also if desired, the space between the substantially parallel outer and inner surfaces can be filled with a plastic energy-absorbing foam material to provide a composite helmet construction.

Abstract: An improved ear guard assembly, particularly for amateur wrestlers. The ear guard includes a reinforcing plate member having head strap engaging slots with inner and outer sheet foam energy absorbing layers. The assembly is enclosed by a molded plastic skin cover having strap engaging apertures in registry with the strap engaging slots of the reinforcing plate which are reinforced to prevent tearing of the ear guards. The cover further has an inside peripheral surface which has ribs engaging the outer edge of the reinforcing plate to reduce the tendency for tearing of the cover by the plate edge. The outer cover preferably has a glossy outer surface, present a low coefficient of friction and a matte inner surface thereby aiding in retaining the ear guards in position on the wearer's head.

Abstract: An impression is firstly taken of the skull, which makes it possible to produce a replica thereof. On the latter are successively deposited a thermostable film, a first carbon fabric layer, a second aramide layer and a third carbon fabric layer. These three layers form the protective skull cap following polymerization in an oven and elimination of the skull replica and the thermostable film. The skull cap can optionally contain holes. A protective skull cap for at least partly covering a skull, where the cap is worn directly on the skin and is flexible to perfectly adapt to the shape of the skull so as to be in intimate contact therewith at all points. The skull cap consists of three layers, from the inside to the outside, a first carbon fabric layer, a second [ARAMIDE] polyarylamide fiber fabric layer and a third carbon fabric layer. These layers are impregnated with a high elongation resin so that the thickness of the cap is equal to or less than 1 mm.

Abstract: A body-protective article comprising matched portions of a rigid, non-shattering, high-impact resistant polymer, interiorly lined with an adherent high-impact absorbing elastomer. A protective body suit may comprise a series of interconnected segments providing a unitary suit, made up of such matched portions. The polymer is chosen from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, and polyester, and each of a sufficient molecular weight to make it rigid and non-shattering. The elastomer comprises flexible polyurethane of essentially linear structure containing unsatisfied hydroxyl groups, and having a compression set less than 15%, an elongation at break of at least 500% and a recovery which is delayed after compression by at least 0.7 sec. The matched portions have fixed adjacent interlocking edges that enable the user to enclose a body portion therein. Closures hold the matched portions together. Adjacent segments are usually connected together.

Abstract: A method of making a ballistic helmet and a helmet made by the method in which each of the plies making up the body is formed from a hexagonal blank cut from ballistic cloth and provided with slits extending from the apices thereof toward the center to form a central area and segments extending from the central area. As the blanks are laid up in a mold cavity the segments overlap to provide first portions which overlap and second portions which do not. As successive blanks are laid up they are rotated slightly to stagger the portions of adjacent plies. As the laying up operation proceeds, progressively smaller blanks are laid up between adjacent relatively larger blanks.

Abstract: Light weight armor comprising lamina-like structures arranged with zones of decreasing Young's modulus and increasing elongation characteristics. The structure contains at least one composite having fibers arranged to dissipate impact forces laterally.

Abstract: This helmet comprises an outer protective shell, an impact-absorbing layer made from a non-elastically compressible material, and a layer of elastically compressible material. A dome is interposed between the said layer and the impact-absorbing layer. The said dome is obtained by hot-drawing a 0.3 to 0.7 mm sheet material, of which the modulus of elasticity is between 1800 and 3500 N/mm.sup.2, the elongation at rupture less than 100% and the ultimate tensile strength between 30 and 100 N/mm.sup.2.

Abstract: An improved impact barrier structure for fire helmets and the like including a hard outer shell with a relatively thick inner liner in which a layer of flaccid material is interposed between the outer shell and inner liner in intimate heat conducting relation to the outer shell. The layer of flaccid material provides a heat sink for the outer shell to prolong the mechanical characteristics of the outer shell when it is exposed to high temperature sources of radiant or convection heating as in fire fighting operations.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of composite helmets. Such helmets are sometimes used by soldiers to provide "ballistic protection" and are then sometimes referred to as "ballistic helmets". A method is disclosed that includes cutting a length of reinforced fabric along a zig-zag line to form two distinct parts, winding a number of layers of each part on formers, the layers having teeth formations in staggered relationship, bending the teeth, and introducing synthetic resin during a molding step.

Abstract: This invention relates to a tumbling cap comprising an elastic type band with a perimeter slightly smaller than that of the user's head. A series of padded parts are mounted on the elastic band at closely spaced intervals.

Abstract: A forwardly longitudinally extending cyclist's protective helmet includes a dome shaped outer shell having a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a medial portion over which air flows substantially smoothly as the cyclist moves forwardly. That medial portion includes an upper crown and laterally spaced left and right sides extending downwardly and laterally from the crown. At least one opening is located in the medial portion, the opening facing rearwardly and bounded by elongated outer and inner edges which extend substantially laterally. Air flowing over the medial portion acts to aspirate air from within the helmet interior and outwardly through the opening.

Abstract: A heat resistant helmet composite comprises:(a) an outer dome-shaped shell,(b) an inner liner received in the shell, the liner having an outer dome shaped surface to fit in the shell, and(c) a metal foil sheet extending between the shell and the liner and extending over and adjacent the dome-shaped surface of the liner.Typically, the foil sheet is gathered throughout its major extent, to provide multiple locally overlapping layers of foil that increase the heat transfer resistance between the shell and liner.

Abstract: A ballistic helmet shell layer in which a plurality of identical fabric segments, each formed with a pointed end and an arcuate end on the locus of a circle having its center at the pointed end, first are laid flat with portions of the edges extending from the pointed ends of adjacent segments butting. After the segments are secured to each other adjacent to the pointed ends, the assembly is formed to a generally hemispherical shape with the remaining side edge portions of adjacent segments coming into butting relationship with only the arcuate edges free.

Abstract: A protective device, such as a boxing helmet, rib or muscle protector, athletic mat, hockey helmet, motorcycle helmet and similar devices, is formed such that the major shock absorption is accomplished by a series of bowed, preferably plastic, members which flex when the device is subjected to an impact, so as to absorb the shock and dissipate its transmission to the user. Because of the nature of these bowed members, when the shock has been dissipated, the member returns to its original position so as to be able to absorb further shocks.

Abstract: This invention relates to a safe guard protective equipment for fighting arts which protects the face and head of fighters in various fighting arts, and is constituted from a resilient cover body formed on the front with a viewing window for securing sufficient breathing and field of view for the wearer and covering the periphery of face and the sides of head and a protective mask secured fixedly to the front of the cover body to cover the viewing window, having a spherical viewing portion and formed of transparent anti-shock synthetic resin, and characterized in that the protective mask is individually provided in the lower half and the outer periphery of the viewing portion with vent holes and ventilating windows to exhaust the breathes of the wearer to the outside.

Abstract: An individually fitted helmet liner includes a plurality of superposed contacting layers, each of which consists of a thermoplastic sheet formed with an array of pockets which are open and unfilled to allow their deformation in response to compressive contact with an adjacent layer. The liner is fitted to an individual wearer's head by heating the sheets to a plastic state, placing the liner between an outer shell and the wearer's head, and pressing down on the outer shell to deform the sheets to the proper extent.

Abstract: An individually fitted helmet liner includes a plurality of layers, each of which consists of a thermoplastic sheet formed with an array of pockets receiving the major portions of energy-absorbing spheres, the spheres of one layer being in register with the spaces between the spheres of an adjacent layer. The liner is fitted to an individual wearer's head by heating the sheets to a plastic state, placing the liner between an outer shell and the wearer's head, and applying tension to the layers around their periphery to deform the sheets to a degree determined by the relative position of the spheres. A mold member for use in making the individual resin-sphere layers and a method employing the mold member to make such layers are also disclosed.

Abstract: A helmet for motorcyclists for providing a sensory effect to observers. The helmet is provided with an inner portion and an outer portion which are spaced from each other to provide for an interspace between the two portions. Positioned within the two portions is a light emitting device, a tape player, and power source in the form of a battery. One or more switches may be provided on the outer portion which interconnects the light source with the battery or the tape player with the battery or both to provide the light and/or sound effect in the interspace. The outer portion may be formed from material which is partially or wholly transparent, or translucent with some opaque portions. Character emitting openings may be provided on the outer portion and the outer portion may have different colors or the light may be of different colors to provide different light sensory effects to the observer.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing caps, such as helmets, of reinforced resin, the reinforcement of which is comprised of a tricot or net-like material. The process comprises shaping the textile reinforcement, made of a plurality of layers of two or more textile caps to conform to the male component of a mold having complementary male and female components, inserting the male part, with the textile reinforcement, into the complementary female part of the mold, imparting a controlled tension to said textile reinforcement and injecting resin, in a liquid state, into the mold to envelope said textile reinforcement, and allowing said resin to solidify to thus obtain the cap, the reinforcement of which is enveloped in the resin in a state of tension. An impact resistant resin structure in the form of a cap is provided by said process.

Abstract: Bullet proof armor comprising a laminated pad with front and rear surfaces and composed of a plurality of loosely related fabric sheets woven of fibres having high tensile strength, said fibres of the fabric adopted to establish gripping and holding engagement on the surface of bullets directed toward and impinging of said front surface and advancing into the pad, and metal abrading means comprising metal abrading particulate material at said front surface and adapted to abrade and condition the surface of bullets whereby the fibres of the fabric can better grip and hold onto the bullets.

Abstract: In a method of producing a protective helmet the steps include applying a first layer of hardenable synthetic resin and fibrous tissue on a predetermined surface of a positive-type mold, thereafter tensioning the fibrous tissue, and subsequently repeating the layer-applying and tensioning steps a prearranged number of times, so as to obtain successive layers forming the protective helmet.

Abstract: A crash helmet such as for use by motorcylists having an inner shell of shock-absorbing material and an outer shell and visor which are constructed as a single integral piece of transparent hard plastic material which fittingly surrounds the greater part of the inner shell. The outer and inner shells are connected to hinges transverse to the side portion of the helmet.

Abstract: An armor wall structure comprising a plurality of woven fabric laminates of polyester resin fibres arranged and supported in and by a supportive resinous matrix with a filler of particulate metal abrading material, said matrix, filler of particulate metal abrading material, and woven fabric laminates cooperating with each other to establish a structurally stable unitary armor wall structure.

Abstract: A swimmer protective helmet designed to protect the cranium of a swimmer m impacts with hard or sharp surfaces, thereby preventing lacerations and concussions of the skull or other physical disablement arising from being struck on the head while engaged in activities on the surface, underwater, or while taking entry into or leaving a body of water. The protective helmet is particularly designed to prevent injuries while engaging in search and rescue operations during over water flights, in helicopters wherein an air crewman may be required to descend from a helicopter either by free jump or by rescue hoist to the water's surface to aid in recovery of an injured or disabled survivor and subsequently re-enter the hovering helicopter.

Abstract: A protective helmet for use particularly by the rider of a two-wheeled vehicle, having an upper rigid shell joined to a semi-rigid shell of plastic material, the latter having extensions over the regions of a wearer's ears. An interior shock absorbing element is composed of two parts, the upper part extending frontwardly and rearwardly as far as the lower part, which is ring-like in form and extends around the entire lower interior part of the head, to provide protection in the rear.

Abstract: A protective head gear or helmet having a ventilating system for cooling the interior of the helmet. Air inlet and outlet openings in the front and neck portions respectively of the helmet and air passages connected to the openings communicate with the interior of the helmet by means of apertures extending between the helmet interior and the air passages. Flow of air through the interior of the helmet, caused by relatively high pressure at the inlet openings and relatively low pressure or suction at the outlet openings during forward movement of the wearer when operating a vehicle, is controlled by valve mechanism operated from the exterior of the helmet.

Abstract: A head protection unit in the form of a helmet made of composite plastic materials. The helmet is formed of a unitary plastic molding having a wall with an outer shell portion joined to an inner shell portion along the lower edge of the helmet and containing a core portion between the inner and outer shell portions which core portion is made of cellular plastic material. Combinations of flexible and rigid plastic resins may be employed for the shell portions and the core portion. Fittings for attaching a chin strap, goggles or face protector may be secured to the peripheral portions of the composite molding after the molding is produced or as inserts disposed in the mold during the molding procedure. In one form, the inner shell portion is made of a flexible plastic and is ribbed or corrugated. In another form, the core portion is made of two different cellular plastic materials, one more rigid than the other to provide impact resistance.

Abstract: A helmet is constructed with a hard surfaced, limitedly flexible shell lined with an energy absorbing material having an inner conforming liner adapted to the shape of the head or skull of a wearer for maximum comfort and safety. There may also be provided a transfer layer on the interior surface of the energy absorbing liner and formed of a flexible layer of incompressible fluid for dispersing impact forces.

Abstract: Various embodiments of energy absorbing, protective helmets constructed of resilient foam means covered with a tough, pliable surface coating. The helmets are adapted to be worn on a person's head and have openings therein generally conforming to a person's eyes, ears, nose, mouth and chin. In modifications of the helmet, fixed or removable transparent shield means are mounted across the front openings and hemispherical plate means can be disposed at the top of the helmet. Other modifications of the helmet provide guard means across the front openings, and an additional hard outer protective liner covering the upper part of the helmet.

Abstract: A protective helmet comprising a shock absorbing shell is disclosed in which a recess is provided at the inner apex or crown portion of the shock absorbing shell and a laminated insert of padding providing for both wearer comfort and shock attenuation is placed in such recess. The design of the recess and insert to provide specific shock attenuating characteristics is described.

Abstract: A substantially rigid dome-shaped shell encloses a deformable cap-like headpiece of uniform thickness. The headpiece conforms to the contour of the wearer's head and cooperates with the shell to define a dome-shaped cavity which is sealed around its bottom portion. The cavity is filled with an expandable plastics foam material which conforms to the contour of the headpiece. In one embodiment, spacer members are positioned within the cavity and extend from the headpiece to the shell for positioning the shell relative to the headpiece, and in another embodiment, the shell is spaced within a slightly larger outer shell by resilient energy-absorbing foam pads. In a further embodiment, the headpiece is formed by stretching a piece of leather with a device having a predetermined contour.

Abstract: Protective helmets that give a distinctive retroreflective signal under wet or dry conditions at night or in other darkened environments are provided by disposing a retroreflective layer covered by a transparent layer over at least a major portion of the outer surface of the helmet.