Abstract: An ear covering apparatus for improving the hearing of a person in a rearward direction is disclosed. The apparatus is shaped so as to have a front, a first side, a top, and a bottom and to be open at the opposite side and the rear. The apparatus is worn over the ear such that a concavity is formed between the ear and the apparatus. The opening at the rear is located behind the ear. Further, the apparatus is shaped so as to reflect sound from a rearward direction to the ear. The apparatus also employs a slot in the side for reducing air pressure within the apparatus and thus increasing the level of sound reaching the ear.

Abstract: A sound-attenuating impact-absorbing earcup comprises a shell having a plurality of generally circular recesses adjacent to the periphery of the cup which function as stiffening contours. The stiffening contours increase the effective stiffness of the earcup shell, improving its sound attenuating capability, and also concentrate applied stress onto those portions of the stiffening contours nearest the point of applied stress. Sufficient applied force causes the shell to fracture in the areas of the stress concentrators, thereby to absorb impact energy in a controlled manner without transmitting it to the head of the wearer. To further enhance its sound-attenuating and impact-absorbing capabilities, the earcup is formed of a low-tensile-strength, high-elongation, high-loss-factor material such as polyvinyl chloride or similar polymer.

Abstract: A helmet formed of a rigid shell and, internally thereof, a liner sized and shaped to the head of the wearer with ear cups secured to the liner. The ear cups have a peripheral surface positionable in contact with the wearer's head. The peripheral surface includes a first annular tube filled with a gel material in contact with the wearer's head around the ears and a second annular tube for urging the first annular tube into conforming contact with the wearer's head. The second annular tube is inflatable and includes tubing means extending through the shell with valve means for inflation and deflation thereof. Also disclosed is the method of fabricating the shell to fit an individual wearer.

Abstract: A bicyclist helmet has a outer shell; an inner buffer liner; forward facing baffle controlled air inlets; side baffle controlled air inlets; rear discharge baffle controlled exhaust air outlets; attaching ear cups; attaching fairing cone; attachments and baffles are provided to further enhance the helmet's aerodynamic properties, as well as providing a more comfortable helmet when riding in cold or foul weather.

Abstract: A vented speaker enclosure for use in the ear pockets of motorcycle helmets is disclosed which carries off parasitic sound waves emitted from the rear side of an enclosed audio loudspeaker in order that the parasitic sound waves not be allowed to enter the motorcycle rider's ear and distort the primary sound waves issued from the audio loudspeaker. The vented speaker enclosure consists of a pair of joined together cup-shaped housing assemblies adapted to enclose and secure the audio loudspeaker, having openings in one face of the housing assemblies to allow passage of the sounds waves from the contained louspeaker, and a venting tube connected to an opening through the peripheral wall of the speaker enclosure, the vent tube carrying off and away the parasitic sounds emanating from the rear of the loudspeaker. The venting tube is situated in creases of the helmet inner cushion leading to the outside.

Abstract: An anatomically shaped earseal is provided for headset earcups. The earseal s thinner at the top than at the bottom and gradually widens toward the bottom to evenly distribute the pressure and provide a tight seal with the wearer's head.

Abstract: An acoustic ear muff includes a pad or cup (2) which is made of rigid material and incorporates an opening for receiving one ear of the wearer, and a resilient sealing annulus (10) intended for abutment with the head of the wearer, and also resilient pressure-exerting means (5) connected to the shell of a protective helmet (1), a head strap or like head gear. The ear muff provides good acoustic damping and a high degree of comfort, owing to the fact that the resilient pressure-exerting means is configured to produce a low pressing force substantially independently of head sizes which vary within given limits. The pressure-exerting means includes, to this end, a spring element in the form of a combined torsion and bending spring.

Abstract: In a fireman's helmet of the type having an outer shell and an impact resistant inner shell and a liner which has an upper band portion and an apron portion extending a substantial distance below the upper portion, the improvement wherein the upper band portion of the liner is arranged to extend around a lower marginal portion of the inner shell and is clamped between the lower marginal edge portion and an opposing face of the outer shell to be retained therebetween. A suspension anchor is provided for securing the head mounting harness to the impact resistant inner shell which comprises a short strap of a substantially rigid material having a sufficient length to extend through a mounting loop formed at the end of a web of the mounting harness. The short strap has a pair of anchoring legs projecting therefrom at opposite ends thereof which have sufficient length to project into the body of the inner shell to anchor the harness which is supported by the short strap in use.

Abstract: A safety cap is provided to be worn on the head of a diver such as a scuba diver or snorkelor, for protection against contusions, abrasions, incisions, lacerations and the like. The safety cap comprises an exterior, unitary shell of part-spherical configuration made of flexible plastic, to provide a smooth outer surface. The flexible plastic is of sufficient strength to resist small impact loads. A continuous interior liner of open cell foam is secured within the exterior shell to act as padding and to provide a thermally protective layer for the diver's head. A pair of straps are provided, each one being secured to a side of the shell. Each strap is of a length and provided with securing means respectively for looping and securing about a proximal portion of a head strap of diver's face mask or goggles when worn by the diver. The cap is easy to wear and provides significantly improved protection for divers against minor, low impact head injuries.

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: A shield plate has supporting structure at one of its ends for securement to the ear flap of a batting helmet. Such support structure holds the shield plate in one of two positions, one such position being a forwardly extending down position protecting the face but spaced sufficiently low to allow side vision for the batter, the other position being an up or out of the way position overlying an upper portion of the helmet. The shield plate is adjustable to selectively position it at different angles relative to the ear flap in its down position. The shield plate may be fitted on original manufactured helmets or on existing helmets.

Abstract: A flexible helmet for armored vehicle crewmen which has a plurality of adjustable straps which position ear shells and ear seals and a unitary impact-absorbing pad which forms a virtually continuous layer of protection while conforming to the head of the wearer.

Abstract: In a fireman's helmet of the type having an outer shell and an impact resistent inner shell and a liner which has an upper band portion and an apron portion extending a substantial distance below the upper portion, the improvement wherein the upper band portion of the liner is arranged to extend around a lower marginal portion of the inner shell and is clamped between the lower marginal edge portion and an opposing face of the outer shell to be retained therebetween. A suspension anchor is provided for securing the head mounting harness to the impact resistant inner shell which comprises a short strasp of a substantially rigid material having a sufficient length to extend through a mounting loop formed at the end of a web of the mounting harness. The short strap has a pair of anchoring legs projecting therefrom at opposite ends thereof which have sufficient length to project into the body of the inner shell to anchor the harness which is supported by the short strap in use.

Abstract: An acoustic headgear-sun visor assembly for use by pilots, users of Walkman-type radio and tape deck assemblies, users of noise attenuation devices and the like. The assembly comprises a headpiece including a flat band support member. A split bolt having a bifurcated shank receives the flat band support member. A sun visor is mounted on the split bolt in an angularly adjustable friction fit, enabling shifting it between operative and inoperative positions.

Abstract: An ear protector for protecting the ear against impact from a ball during the playing of racquet and handball sports, the protector including a ventilated cup-like cap member carried by a suspension means for adjustable engagement over the ear, and a clip for detachably securing the cap member to a headband.

Abstract: An improved binaural earcup assembly for use with a protective helmet in which the earphone of each of the left and right sound attenuating subassemblies is supported by a relatively rigid member in the hard outer shell of the subassembly at a location adjacent to the wearer's ear and in which the subassemblies are urged firmly into sealing engagement with the wearer's head in the region surrounding his ears by a resilient wire form having a pair of loops detachably connected to the earcup assemblies and biasing portion extending between the loops around the nape portion of the helmet.

Abstract: A protective helmet assembly in which a manually operable pump carried by the helmet outer shell is accessible from outside the shell to inflate two inflatable bodies disposed between the shell and respective sound-attenuating earcup subassemblies suspended from the shell adjacent to the wearer's ears. An element accessible from outside the shell can be actuated to deflate the inflatable bodies when the helmet assembly is doffed.

Abstract: A protective ear covering has a self-fastening strap to fasten to the goggle strap of ski goggles or to a fabric headband. The ear protector's outer edge includes wedge-shaped riser to accommodate an ear's outward projection, while the inside rim of the protector, circumscribed by a deformable gasket, rests flat against a wearer's head. There is preferably an inner liner for warmth and comfort, and vents for ventilation and sound penetration are provided.

Abstract: An ear protection device for attachment to support structure for eyeware such as ski goggles or glasses and being useful to keep ears warm and protected from adverse weather conditions. The ear protection device comprises a support member which includes an opening positioned within the support member for placement at the ear and a covering member which is attachable to the support member and includes a shell which provides an exterior enclosure for the ear when in a folded and closed configuration with the support member.

Abstract: There is disclosed a protective device having a conventional hard hat and a pair of ear warmer pads. The pads are connected together above the top of the head of a wearer of the hard hat by a strap and are detachably attached together below the chin of the wearer. The hard hat comprises an outer protective shell, a support webbing and a support band. The webbing supports the shell on the head of the wearer to define a space between the shell and the head. By passing the strap through the space, and attaching the pads together beneath the chin, the pads are held against the ears and the hard hat is held on the head of the wearer. The pads are of a thickness such that they can be stored in the space between the shell and the head of the wearer, thus eliminating the necessity of having to remove the pads from the hard hat when the pads are not in use.

Abstract: A holder is provided for securing a microphone or earpiece in position inside a helmet. The holder comprises a plurality of tubular rings of soft flexible material. One ring is adapted to be connected to a shell of the helmet, and the other rings are serially connected by resilient, short, thin, soft segments. The rings are dimensioned and arranged so that they can be nested within each other or pulled out to form an extending holder. A microphone or earpiece may be connected to one of the said rings.

Abstract: A flexible harness for holding earcups in position about the ears of the rer which extends from one side of the wearer's head around the neck to the other side of the head. The harness, which is secured within a rigid protective helmet, has two U-shaped end portions and a nape portion. Drawstrings are sewn onto each side of each U-shaped end portion and are connected to the opposing length of drawstring by an adjustable fastener. The drawstrings engage a channel on the periphery of each earcup and allow for the vertical and rotational adjustment in the position of the earcup.

Abstract: A loose fitting respirator hood made of flaccid, non-stretchable, air impervious material with a curved optical lens panel interposed in the sidewall thereof. The method of making the hood is disclosed in which curvature is imparted to a relatively stiff lens panel by the flaccid material of the hood. Head engaging members are disclosed for supporting the hood on the head of the wearer. A neck engaging ruff is disclosed which is sealingly mounted about the interior of the hood and can define a hollow annulus with apertures through the sidewall thereof to provide for air distribution to the interior of the hood. A rigid collar member for interconnecting the hood with a suit is disclosed together with the provision of an air filter in communication with a tubular member sealed through the lens panel and extending into proximity with the mouth of the wearer to supply respirable air.

Abstract: An ice-hockey helmet includes a front part and a back part which are hinged together and which, to enable the size of the helmet to be altered, are arranged to be swung to and locked in different positions relative to one another. The front part forms the major part of the helmet and is provided with ear guards having chin strap attaching means, while the back part has the form of a basin-shaped neck guard. The neck guard can be swung as a flap, relative to the front part of the helmet, about a substantially horizontal hinge means. To enable the helmet to be altered precisely to selected sizes, the front and back parts of the helmet are provided with mutually co-acting portions which when the back part of the helmet is swung relative to the front part thereof, so as to shorten the helmet, cause the helmet to be drawn together, so as to reduce the width thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed an acoustic earmuff device wherein there is provided an articulated earmuff-to-headband attachment construction which is readily fabricated and assembled and which provides sufficient freedom of pivotal motion of the earmuff relative to the headband as to allow each earmuff to readily assume the proper wearing position with respect to the head of the user. The invention utilizes a soft resilient grommet fitted through an aperture in the back wall of a rigid earcup to articulatingly capture a rigid stud extending inwardly from an end portion of a resilient headband.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a liner particularly adapted for use in high temperature environments, such as are encountered by fire fighters, and includes a crown defining a generally concave interior which receives the head of a wearer and ends in a bottom terminal peripheral edge portion to which is attached by a sewn seam an upper terminal peripheral edge portion of a neck and ear covering and protecting flap with the seam allowing relative folding between the flap and the crown between a position at which the flap is interiorly of the crown and a position at which the flap is exteriorly of the crown, the flap being of a generally downwardly and inwardly converging configuration when disposed exteriorly of the crown whereby the neck and ears of a wearer of the liner are intimately covered, whereas when disposed interiorly of the crown, the flap conforms generally to the configuration thereof and comfortably receives the head of a wearer, and the ear covering and protecting flap being constructed from at leas

Abstract: Hard hats are often provided with ear muffs, which are mounted by removable fittings. The hat is provided with two narrow pockets for receiving these fittings. Each fitting comprises a main body, where the ear muff holder arm is rotatably secured, and a plate member for insertion into a pocket. The plate member is arranged at an angle to the main body to ensure a certain clamping, when forced into the pocket. To hold the fitting the plate member is, at its lower edge, provided with a transverse ledge, which snaps in below the bottom edge of the pocket. To accommodate the fitting in pockets of various depths there is a ledge means above the ledge, said ledge means being shorter and less wide than the ledge.

Abstract: An attachment device in the form of a bearing housing (10) and an arm (38) projecting out through an opening (44) in the housing. The arm is supported in a bearing support (42) in the housing and serves to carry, at the end opposite the housing, an ear muff to move with a rocking motion between a stationary rest position and a position wherein the earmuff exerts a pressure around the wearer's ear. A separate spring component (44), preferably annular in form, is rotatably supported in and prestressed to bear against, on one side, an adjustable spring support (48), which is located inside the housing and remains stationary during the rocking motion, and, on the opposite side, the end (52) of the arm (38) located inside the housing. By this arrangement there is exerted on the said end of the arm a controlled force directed away from the spring support (48) for the purpose of stabilizing the arm in its two positions.

Abstract: A motorcycle helmet having a modified exterior configuration to attenuate noise generated when passing through the air. The modified helmet begins flaring outwardly from the traditional helmet configuration at a point adjacent to the chin of the wearer, terminates at a location generally behind the ear of the wearer and is spaced from the exterior shell of the helmet at the central portion of the rearward edge. The trailing edge of the sound attentuating device is open so that the wearer retains the ability to hear noises from behind and beside him.

Abstract: A device (10) is disclosed for mounting a hearing protector (90) on each side of a hard hat, pressing the hearing protectors at a substantially constant force about the ears and moving them in oppositely incline planes between an operative wearing position (W) and an extended inoperative pressure relieved stored position (R). Each device comprises support means (20) including a pivot (28) adapted for attachment to and retained to a side of the hard hat (H), by retainer means (30), guide means (40) (50) including at least one incline surface (44) (54) and a key boss (46) (56) projecting into a key hole shape slot (74) in a rigid central end portion (72) of a resilient flexible support arm (70) secured by releasable clamping means (60).

Abstract: A device (10) is disclosed for mounting a hearing protector (90) on each side of a hard hat, pressing the hearing protectors at a substantially constant force about the ears and moving them in oppositely incline planes between an operative wearing position (W) and an extended inoperative pressure relieved stored position (R). Each device comprises support means (20) including a pivot stud (28) adapted for attachment to and retained to a side of the hard hat (H), by retainer means (30), guide means (40) (50) including at least one incline surface (44) (54) about the pivot stud projecting into an elongated slot (74) in a rigid central end portion (72) of an adjustable support arm (70) secured by releasable clamping means (60). Support arm (70) has at least one flexible resilient leg of fixed length extending from the rigid central portion (72) to a fixed pivot axis or point of connection (80) with a hearing protector (90).

Abstract: A fastening means for fitting an ear muff to a safety helmet has an arm which is mounted in a housing intended for attaching to the helmet. A pivoting end portion of the arm situated in the housing is acted on by a disc-type spring means arranged in the housing. The line of action of the spring force has a decreasing leverage to the pivoting location of the arm for increasing arm swing-out, the pivoting moment exercised by the spring means on the arm being substantially constant within a swing-out range normal for the arm when it is in use. This results in a contact force for the ear muff which is essentially independent of the amount of swing-out.

Abstract: A protective communications helmet combining aural, visual, flying object d bump guard protective features with electronic communications including a multiple section shell comprised of a central shell to which lateral electronics compartments are removably attached. The central shell and lateral electronics compartments are of generally planar design for facilitating packaging density and thereby enabling an extremely low center of gravity, reduced moments of inertia, and lower packaging weight. The helmet further includes a suspension system having adjustably secured attenuating, fitting cushions disposed on the inner surface of the central shell and positioned to avoid the Sagittal suture. A nape pad is adjustably secured to the rear portions of the lateral electronics compartment. The helmet is equipped with an externally adjustable universal sizing headband. Mounted on the headband are adjustably fitted side pads and a rear head pad.

Abstract: An ear cushioning device is disclosed for use with plug type earphones mounted on a springable carrier, as are commonly dispensed on commercial airplanes. The cushioning device is of a soft, resilient foam material which provides comfort through a spreading of the pressure from the earphones over the entire ear of the user. A preferred embodiment of the device is formed integrally from a single foam pad, with the ear cushions at the ends and a stretchable band between the cushions, for extension over the top of the user's head. The stretchable band is preferably a convoluted formation which acts as a light spring, tending to pull the ear cushions toward one another. Openings through the ear cushions receive the plug type earphones, so that the latter do not extend into the user's ears. In another embodiment, a semi-rigid head band fits over the head with a pair of soft foam ear cushions slidably mounted on the ends of the head band.

Abstract: An accessory support member in which a flat plate is provided with two portions adapted to embrace the rim of a variety of types and sizes of protective helmet. The support member is provided with a variety of removable accessories mounted by connections which enable movement of these accessories and for normal uses.

Abstract: A device for holding an ear defender includes a housing with a space therein to accommodate a loop which forms part of a supporting member for an ear defender. The space is defined by a bottom wall, a rear wall, and a front wall, the front wall having notches to receive part of the supporting member connected to the loop. The loop is provided with two journalling parts which are arranged in line with each other and which are arranged in a groove on the inside of the front wall to thereby provide a journalling axis for the supporting member. An aperture is formed in the housing to extend through the bottom wall, and a central pin is positionable in the aperture for the purpose of affixing the device to a helmet. A lever is pivotably journalled with one end in the space for housing near the inside of the rear wall and the other end arranged to receive a transverse spring section of the loop.

Abstract: An ear or hearing protection device such as an ear cover may be secured to a helmet and held in a desired position by a support member resting on the helmet and by a holding element reaching around the helmet rim. A tooth or detent connection is operatively interposed between the support member and the holding element.

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 hardens and 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, separate earpiece units are contour fitted to the wearer's head with a resilient expandable plastics foam material, and a modified helmet shell is used as a holder for fitting the headpiece and earpiece units.

Abstract: Device for a safety helmet with ear mufflers, where each ear muffler is mounted on an arm which is mounted on the helmet pivotally in a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction of the helmet. The mufflers with arms are also pivotal in a plane across the longitudinal direction of the helmet, adjustable from a noise-deadening position where the mufflers are against the ears, to an out-swung and stopped position.

Abstract: A welder's helmet having means to reduce the level of noise reaching a welder's ears when the helmet is positioned for welding. The helmet is characterized by the fact that the sound reducing means while fixed to the helmet does not contact or rest upon the head, ears or face of the welder thus not interfering with normal atmosphere circulation between the welder's head and helmet.

Abstract: A removable weather protective covering for hard head gear, such head gear including a crowned portion terminating in a free edge from which a brim extends. The covering comprises a flexible tubular portion including a front panel formed of an elastic material and rear panel formed of a waterproof material. An elastic opening is provided in the top of the tubular portion and enables the tubular portion to be slipped over the crown of the head gear with a portion of the crown extending through the opening and with the elastic front panel being disposed over and accommodating the brim. The rear panel includes a pair of flaps extending downward on opposite sides and joined at the rear thereof by a web portion. The flaps include VELCRO fastening means adjacent their free ends so as to be readily connectible.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a device for locating ear-muffs arranged on a helmet or the like by means of bearing members arranged in the helmet to pivotally receive attachment members, each of said members cooperating with an ear-muff cover by a clamp-shaped arm. The attachment members being with their upper ends of said arms located inside the helmet and displaceable arranged in a longitudinal direction. In this way any desired location of said ear-muffs -- parking position within the helmet or working position covering the ears -- could easily be established.

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. In another embodiment, the shell assembly is spaced within a slightly larger outer shell by resilient energy-absorbing foam pads to form an inter-liner, and the headpiece is formed by stretching a piece of leather with a device having a predetermined contour. In another embodiment, edge roll strip assemblies are attached to the lower edges of the outer shell and provide for removing and interchanging the inter-liner.

Abstract: A device for protecting the hearing of a user which includes an ear hood secured to a helmet by a pivotable bow which can be moved forwardly and rearwardly of the helmet and also laterally thereof. The bow is provided with a sliding surface over which a pin slides when the ear hood is moved outwardly. A spring member is connected at one end to the helmet and at the other end to the slidable pin for normally holding the ear hood against the ear. When the ear hood is moved laterally from the ear of the user the pin slides over the sliding surface so that the spring member urges the bow to remain in its outward position.

Abstract: An ear protector assembly which can be mounted on a protective helmet, including a mount which can be attached to the side of the helmet, a linkage pivotally connected to the mount, and an earplug mounted on an end of the linkage. The linkage includes a pair of pivotally mounted bars that enable adjustment of the earplug position into alignment with the ear canal of the wearer, while resisting outward deflection so the earplug can be pressed against the ear canal. The linkage can be resiliently deflected outwardly so the earplug can move around the rim of the helmet and rest upon the rim for stowage out of the way of the wearer.