Abstract: The invention relates to a slurry-cooled helmet and to a head-cooling system. The helmet includes a hollow shell within which is positioned a plurality of tubes connected between an inlet and a discharge manifold. The manifolds are respectively connected to inlet and outlet means in the helmet shell.

Abstract: A safety helmet comprising an inflatable, interconnected air-cushion system wherein the air-cushion system is positioned in the lower part of an integral helmet. The integral helmet has a tapered portion extending in a downward direction below the chin of the wearer, and has a frontal opening for the face. The air cushion system is positioned within a pocket in the helmet and extends from the lower edge of said helmet to at least the level of the ears, but not higher than the level of the temples of a wearer of the safety helmet. The air-cushion system comprises a continuous band of two flexible foils, and means for interconnecting said foils in an air-tight manner, preferably comprising cross-pieces extending between the foils in such a way that the foils and the cross-pieces form two inflatable cheek cushions and one inflatable neck-cushion.

Abstract: A helmet or the like which has a rigid central shell and inner and outer inflatable impact absorbing liners with one-way valve means for inflating same. A plurality of inserts of foam or spongy material is secured to the inner shell and adapted to contact the head of the wearer. The liners may be removably secured to the shell.

Abstract: A system for preventing boxers from becoming discouraged by the force of blows received before they develop boxing technique to minimize the impact of blows, includes inflatable head gear with openings matched in proportion to the size of inflatable gloves, both headgear and gloves having additional safety featues to prevent accidental injury.

Abstract: A protective system for use in athletic contests is provided which includes at least one protective member designed to be worn over a portion of the body. Each of the members includes a main protective part constructed from resilient foam means covered by a pliable casing. The resilient foam means and casing define a first plane of protection for the user. Each member of the protective system also has a plurality of air pockets formed on and extending outwardly from the plane of the main protective part. The air pockets are constructed from a material similar to that used for the main protective part. The air pockets include an outermost surface which defines a second plane of protection for the user. In the preferred embodiment, the protective system includes a head protector and a device worn around a person's midsection for protecting the rib cage and adjacent areas.

Abstract: A protective pneumatic guard for athletes in contact sports comprising a valveless pneumatic pad bonded to one side of a foam cushion. The pad and cushion are retained by suitable means in a desired protective position against the wearer's body with the foam cushion outwardly presented to receive blows and to disperse them evenly over the surface area of the underlying pneumatic pad.

Abstract: A pad structure for a protective headgear comprising, a resilient foam inner pad, a thin flexible front cover sheet of a foam material being formed into a configuration defining a cavity of a shape to closely receive and cover inner and side surfaces of the inner pad. The pad structure has a back cover sheet of flexible material covering a back surface of the inner pad and joined to the front cover sheet along bond lines adjacent a back portion of the inner pad and extending around sides of the inner pad.

Abstract: A safety helmet for motorcyclists or the like including a hard shell having a lining of flexible material behind which are disposed a plurality of air cushions interconnected by means of tubes provided with pressure equalization delay devices to provide a yielding engagement by the lining with the enclosed parts of the face and skull together with air-foil-like projections on the outer surface of the shell acted upon by an airstream to reduce the weight of the helmet.

Abstract: An inflatable stabilization system located within a rigid helmet shell. The ystem is constructed of an inflatable bladder having a manifold located in the nape area of the helmet with four curved ducts branching off to extend forwardly over the occipital and crown areas of the wearer. The bladder is attached to the helmet shell by hook and pile fastener strips. A pressure difference sensor controls bladder pressure to maintain a desired pressure difference between the bladder and ambient pressure. When a cloth hat or liner is used with the helmet, the bladder is located between the hat and the helmet shell.

Abstract: A shock-absorbing system is provided for protective helmets such as football helmets or crash helmets which includes an impact-resistant shell, a plurality of webs secured to the inside of the shell in the crown portion, and a plurality of flexible plastic compartments containing foam secured to the webs, the compartments being interconnected by means of orifices of relatively small size and the interior of the compartments being at atmospheric pressure or slightly above.

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: An inflation device comprising, an inflatable member having a fluid receiving cavity and an opening extending through the member to the cavity. The device has a fluid lock element secured to the inflatable member in the opening, with the lock element having flexible wall means defining a chamber, first opening means extending from the chamber toward the outside of the lock element, and second opening means spaced from the first opening means and extending from the chamber toward the cavity. The first and second opening means are normally closed to prevent passage of fluid therethrough, with the first opening means being openable to permit passage of the tip of an inflation needle from the outside of the lock element to the chamber, and with the second opening means being openable and positioned to permit passage of the tip of the inflation needle or fluid from the chamber to the cavity.

Abstract: Helmets, shoulder pads, thigh pads and other protective equipment employ a cushioning fluid such as a layer of compressed air to protect both the wearer and an opposing player in contact sports. The helmet or other device has outer and inner walls of resilient material spaced apart to form an air chamber. A central plastic shield disposed between the resilient walls imparts shape and rigidity to the device and has multiple perforations to equalize the air pressure throughout the chamber when the walls flex under impact.

Abstract: A protective helmet comprising, a shell, and liner means of a flexible material having fluid filled chamber means and a relatively soft inner surface for contacting the wearer's head. The helmet also has a second liner of resilient material positioned intermediate at least a portion of the liner means and the shell.

Abstract: A protective helmet comprising a shell, and liner means positioned on the inside of the shell for absorbing impacts applied against the helmet. The liner means has a plurality of fluid-filled chamber means generally aligned intermediate the wearer's head and the shell, with at least two of the aligned chamber means being deformable in differing amounts responsive to a given force level applied against the helmet.

Abstract: A protective helmet comprising a shell, and flexible liner means positioned in the shell to dissipate forces applied against the helmet, with the liner means having fluid filled chamber means and a plurality of openings extending through the liner means. The helmet also has a plurality of resilient pad means positioned in the openings with at least a portion of the inner surfaces of the pad means being spaced from an inner surface of the liner means.