Abstract: A protective helmet having a layer of foam covering the hard shell of the helmet configured such that the foam absorbs shock from an impact thereby decreasing the amount of force translated to the head, neck, or spine of the wearer. A force-distributing shock absorber coupled to a helmet and facemask to protect the jaw from shock impacts.

Abstract: A winter liner system, including a hunter knit liner for wear underneath a protective helmet. The hunter knit liner fully encircles, and partially covers, the head of the wearer and includes a decorative exterior layer, an interior layer, and an interior foam layer sandwiched therebetween. The liner has two ear flaps extending downwardly to cover ears, and a looping band on each ear flap for holding the chinstrap of the helmet. At least one ear flap includes a side pocket integrated therein. The liner includes an elongated bill extending downwardly and horizontally across the front portion. The bill has an exterior surface which adheres directly to the front of the helmet. A plurality of snapping mechanisms, which include male snap heads embedded within the helmet and cooperating female snap receptacles integrated into the liner, removably securing the liner into the helmet.

Abstract: A face shield or visor for a helmet which has a second lense fitted into a gapped space underneath the first lense and has improved anti fogging properties.

Abstract: Articles of apparel provide at least one protective characteristic. The articles of apparel may include a generally annular first element, such as a neckband, and a second, retractable element that is operably secured to the first element. The second element may provide at least one protective characteristic. The first element may (or may not) include a receptacle into which the second element is retractable.

Abstract: A fastening element for securing a facemask to an outer shell of a protective helmet is disclosed. The fastening element comprises an end portion defining an aperture and a first tab and a second tab each flexibly connected to the end portion. The first tab defines a first tab aperture and the second tab defines a second tab aperture. The first tab and second tab also define a slot therebetween. A combination comprising a facemask and a fastening element is also disclosed. The facemask can comprise at least one substantially horizontal member and at least one substantially vertical member intersecting the substantially horizontal member. The fastening element is connectable to the facemask. Also disclosed is a helmet comprising an outer shell, a facemask and a fastening element for securing the outer shell to the facemask.

Abstract: A method of adjusting an ocular gap size that includes donning a head gear assembly that further includes a rigid shell, and a facial protector connectively attached to the rigid shell further. The facial protector also includes an ocular gap having a gap size, such that the gap size is adjustable between a range of gap sizes. There is a plane defined by user's line of sight, wherein the line of sight remains unchanged when the gap size is adjusted, and adjusting the gap size to optimize the head gear performance.

Abstract: A quick release faceguard retainer for use with a protective headgear and faceguard. The headgear has a face opening and an outer surface with a selected curvature. The faceguard has at least one top substantially horizontal bar. The retainer includes a base portion with a front surface and a back surface. The back surface of the base is adapted to be fixedly attached to the outer surface of the headgear above the face opening and has a curvature matching the curvature of the outer surface of the headgear above the face opening. Two complementary retention arms protrude out from the front surface of the base to form two complementary retention channels. One channel has a downward opening and the other has an upward opening and both have an inner surface which together surround the top horizontal bar of the faceguard. Also provided is a faceguard engagement space between the two retention arms having a size for receiving the top bar.

Abstract: A balaclava for employment in an as-used position worn upon the head of a user. The balaclava is formed of plurality of layers of woven or knitted fabric preferably formed of carbon fibers. A structural component occupies a pocket positioned in front of the mouth of a user when the device is in the as-used position. The structural component provides a support to maintain a gap between the layers of fabric and easing the airflow through the fabric to the user. Filter media may be included within the structural component to remove harmful contaminants in the airflow communicated to the user.

Abstract: A helmet attachment system is usable to attach a mandible or face or mouth guard. The helmet attachment system can attach other articles such as goggle straps and night vision devices. The helmet assembly includes a front rail that is substantially contiguous with side rails mounted to the helmet which extend rearward to be substantially contiguous with a back rail mounted on the helmet. The side rails are configured to provide attachment locations for further components, such as lights, electronics, communication equipment, etc.

Abstract: A helmet shield attaching mechanism with which when raising a shield, the shield and/or an anti-fogging auxiliary shield will not catch on a window opening rim member for a head protecting body, in spite that the operation of raising the shield in a fully-closed state is comparatively simple and that the mechanism has a comparatively simple structure. The helmet shield attaching mechanism includes a stationary base member fixing to the head protecting body, a movable base member attaching to the stationary base member so as to be movable forward and backward with respect to the stationary base member, and the shield which is pivotally supported by the movable base member. When a substantially upward force acts on the shield which is in a fully-closed state, at least one cam follower provided to the shield or stationary base member relatively follows at least one cam surface formed on the stationary base member or shield, to move the shield forward substantially to the front side.

Abstract: A protective bodysuit comprises a body portion and a hood portion that are selectively securable together via a zipper along a sealing interface. The body portion and the hood portion are constructed of a material for protecting a wearer against chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and/or fire hazards. Additionally, the protective bodysuit comprises a sealing apparatus that is removably coupled between opposing ends of the zipper to provide a complete seal between the hood portion and the body portion.

Abstract: An impact attenuating chin protector comprises a hard outer shell with a narrowed central area to better dissipate impact forces and an inner foam member. The foam member includes a series of alternating foam columns and recesses with perforations at controlled locations to provide additional force dissipation, improved ventilation, and protection from the edges of the hard outer shell. The interior surface of the foam member is configured so that almost the entire interior surface contacts the wearer's chin except for the perforations. The columns and recesses are configured so that recesses are located around two pressure points on the chin. Since the columns absorb the impact of a collision, the two pressure points on the wearer's chin are not directly impacted. The outer shell does not completely cover the foam member leaving the upper and lower edges of the foam member to extend beyond the edges of the shell.

Abstract: Safety helmet of the type comprising a chin guard rotatably pivoted to the shell between a pulled down position, at the lower end of the front opening of the shell, and at least one raised position over said front opening, and at least one reversible locking device of the chin guard in such at least one raised position, the reversible locking device comprising at least one follower, integrally rotatable with the chin guard, and at least one corresponding countering element, constrained with at least one degree of freedom to the shell, or vice versa, such countering element being intended for its engagement with the aforesaid at least one follower at least in proximity of said raised position of the chin guard, as well as means for manually regulating the position and/or the motion of said at least one countering element.

Abstract: Sports goggles for use with a sports helmet have a frameless lens or a frame for receiving a lens or several lens segments or lenses. At least one flexible and elastic fastening strap is connected to each side of the frameless lens or the frame, respectively. The at least one flexible and elastic fastening strap is detachably connected to a fastening device arranged in a lateral area of a shell of the sports helmet, respectively. The fastening device and the at least one fastening element are embodied as paired permanent magnets, respectively.

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: A faceguard to be mounted on a football helmet which greatly reduces the ability of an opposing player to penetrate the exterior surface of the faceguard and grasp, with his/her hands, the faceguard and rotate the wearer's head in such a way as to cause injury to the wearer's head, neck, or spine. Furthermore, the faceguard will accomplish the above stated while still providing appropriate ventilation for the wearer and allow the wearer to receive water from a standard squeeze type sports water bottle. The faceguard is provided with a flush elastomeric mounting bushing to make the faceguard simpler to manufacture and easier and less awkward to mount to a football helmet. The flush elastomeric mounting bushing provides shock absorption between the faceguard and the helmet at the mounting points.

Abstract: Provided is a helmet including a half helmet-shaped helmet main body including a main body through hole at each side thereof; a shield that is rotated vertically at a front side of the helmet main body and inserted into the helmet main body and has a through hole at each end thereof so as to be detachably connected to the helmet main body; and a holder having a penetrating connection shaft at its lower surface, the penetrating connection shaft capable of being inserted through the main body through hole and the shield through hole from the outside of the helmet main body and connecting the shield to the helmet main body so as to be rotated vertically.

Abstract: A helmet is provided that includes a shell, an eyeport formed in the shell, a shield on the shell movable between a closed position and an open position, and a lever assembly on the shell. The lever assembly includes a lever and a hub having at least one dowel. The lever assembly is rotatable about an axis of the hub between a home position, a shield cracking position, and a shield restraining position. A motion plate is on the shield and located to cover at least a portion of the hub when the shield is in its closed position. The motion plate is formed with a plurality of surfaces, where one of the surfaces is engaged by the dowel when the shield is closed and the lever assembly is rotated to the shield cracking position to cause the shield to be raised slightly from its closed position to a cracked position.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a posture aid apparatus includes a protective helmet having a shell including a face opening and a crown, a strap bracket coupled to the shell intermediate the face opening and the crown, and at least one strap coupled to the strap bracket. The at least one strap has a first connector adapted to be coupled to a first shoulder pad of a pair of shoulder pads and a second connector adapted to be coupled to a second shoulder pad of the pair of shoulder pads, such that proper posture for contact is promoted.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a protective hood is provided for protecting a wearer's head and face from environmental elements. The hood includes a hood body, a lens, a nose cup disposed inside of the hood body and harness assembly. The harness assembly is attached to the outside of the hood body for securing the hood body and nose cup to the wearer's head and face. The hood further includes at least one nose cup link. Each nose cup link having a portion that is internal to the hood body, a portion that is external to the hood body and a mid-section portion that is connected to the hood body at a plurality of points along mid-section portion. The harness assembly is connected to the external portion of the hood cup link for adjusting the nose cup.

Abstract: A helmet (10) is provided, that has a first resilient shell (12), a support structure (16,18) inside the first shell to support the first shell on the wearer's head (14), a chin strap (20), to hold the helmet in position, a deformable layer (24) on the outside of the first shell and a tough outer shell (26) on the outside of the deformable layer. The deformable layer is of a material that absorbs energy when it is deformed and returns slowly to its original shape afterwards. The helmet includes a chin bar (34) with two opposing ends (36) that are displaceable relative to the outer shell, immediately inwardly of the outer shell. The outer profile of the helmet has a plurality of generally planar surfaces (28) and the helmet has a rear strap (38) that is attachable to the chin strap and that is configured to extend around the back of the wearer's head.

Abstract: A helmet that can be removed from the head of a helmet wearer who wears the helmet, with a comparatively small force, and simply and quickly including preliminary operation for removal. A recess-projection fitting mechanism to attach a blockish inside pad to a head protecting cap portion includes a male hook on a blockish inside pad side, and a female hook on a head protecting cap portion side. The interrupt portion of a pad takeout member including a pulling means can interrupt between the male hook and female hook to disengage their recess-projection fitting, and can catch on the male hook, and the male hook can be pulled out to outside the head protecting cap portion at least halfway.

Abstract: A visor for use with a helmet. The visor includes a front panel and an elastic strap which form an internal perimeter configured to engage with the exterior of the helmet. The front panel includes an interior grip surface formed of a non-cloth material such as rubber.

Abstract: Mask apparatus and methods for providing positive airway pressure therapies are disclosed. The mask apparatus includes a mask secured to the mount with the mask cantilevered from the mount. A circumferential band, a first lateral stabilizing band and a second lateral stabilizing band secure the mount to the head of a user. The methods include securing a mask apparatus to the head of a user and administering a positive airway pressure therapy.

Abstract: A head protection system comprises a helmet shell, a visor mounting for pivotally mounting a visor to the shell to enable the visor to be moved between raised and lowered positions, and a retainer for releasably retaining the visor to the helmet. The system includes a visor adapted for mounting on the shell which comprises a substrate of transparent thermoplastic material and a backing substrate comprising a plurality of layers of high performance, ballistic resistant material. The system may further include a second visor which can be releasably connected to the shell using the same visor mounting and which may have a different construction and primary function.

Abstract: A protective hood (18) of a protective garment (16) is provided for use with a face piece or mask (12) worn by a user. The hood (18) includes an outer shell (30) having a peripheral edge (20), and a gasket (22) that extends from the peripheral edge (20) to an interior of the hood (18) for sealing engagement with the face piece or mask (12) with the gasket (22) being covered by the outer shell (30) of the hood (18) when worn by a user.

Abstract: A safety hat has overwhelming light weight and marvelous air permeability as well as measures for water protection against rainy weather and the like. A front air hole 13 is provided in a visor portion 12 in front of a hat body 10 in a horizontal direction, the visor portion 12 is defined by a streamlined curvature so that an ambient air can be brought in smoothly, and an eave portion 15 of the hat body 10 covers a top end 12a of the visor portion 12 from the outside without contacting the same to form the front air hole 13. An air hole 17 is also provided at a back of a peak portion of the hat body 10. The front air hole 13 mainly functions as an inlet for the ambient air, and the rear air hole 17 functions as an outlet for the air introduced into and staying inside the hat body 10.

Abstract: Protective face masks and shields are configured so that interior surfaces are associated with visual characteristics based on a use environment. A face shield for a catcher's helmet includes an interior surface having three horizontal zones that are assigned colors, gray levels, color coordinates, or other characteristics based on playing surface characteristics. Upper, middle, and lower interior portions can be associated with blue, green, and brown, respectively.

Abstract: One embodiment of said head apparel protects the face, eyes, temples and chin of the wearer. An embodiment based upon a typical broad brimmed hat with a polymer shield projecting down from the front brim is described. Other embodiments are described with specific interest to persons who may now wish to cover their hair. A device for placing the polymer shield under tension to reduce visual distortion of the shield and increase its resistance to being ruffled by wind is usable with all embodiments of this invention.

Abstract: An attachment system for operative connection of a faceguard to a helmet shell with the faceguard being held within a selectively releasable clamp operatively secured to the helmet shell. The attachment system includes a compressible spring clip held in overlying relation to the helmet shell. The spring clip is adapted to selectively clamp a bridge member of the faceguard. A selectively engageable latch structure holds the spring clip in the closed condition. Upon release of the latch structure, the spring clip is urged to the open condition, such that the faceguard may be rotated away from a user's face.

Abstract: A face protector comprises a protective structure shaped for extending about a person's mandibular region and a mounting for mounting the face protector to a military combat helmet. The protective structure comprises a front portion and opposed left and right side portions extending from the front portion, the front portion having a free upper edge for positioning below eye level and above mouth level when mounted to the helmet, and being size to extend to below a person's chin. The front portion has inner and outer surfaces, and the mounting is positioned to space the inner surface and the upper edge away from the person's mouth and nose when mounted to the helmet to provide a gap for the passage of ambient air therebetween to permit unobstructed breathing. The protective structure comprises a ballistic resistant material for providing protection against high velocity fragments from explosive devices.

Abstract: A helmet vision improvement assembly includes a helmet that has a viewing aperture extending through a front side of the helmet. A shield is coupled to the helmet and is positionable over the aperture. The shield is substantially transparent. A lens includes a prescription to match an eyeglass prescription of a wearer of the helmet. The lens is attached to the inner surface of the shield to position the lens in a field of view of the wearer.

Abstract: A helmet for receiving a compatible visor comprises a shell and two guiding mechanisms. Each guiding mechanisms is located on a different side of the shell and is adapted to receive the compatible visor. The guiding mechanisms guide the compatible visor along a confined path extending from a retracted position, where the compatible visor is proximate a frontal portion of the shell and substantially outside a field of view of the wearer, to a deployed position where the compatible visor is substantially below a frontal lower edge and within the field of view of the wearer. The guiding mechanisms guide at least a lower portion of the compatible visor substantially towards a rear portion of the shell when the compatible visor is in the deployed position. The compatible visor has a lens, a face seal and one mounting interface on each side of the lens.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a protective headgear system which includes a relatively light weight, substantially rigid, headgear structure which may include an internal, adjustable headband. The system includes at least one filter which is attachable to the headgear structure to cover the structure. A fan mechanism is mounted on the headgear structure to draw air into the headgear structure through the filter means. A power supply selectively powers the fan. A facial shield is attachable to the headgear structure to cover the face of the wearer to maintain non-contaminating conditions relative to the wearer. A flexible cuff or hood is attachable to the facial shield to enclose the lower opening of the lens and provides protection for the wearer through which air can be exhausted.

Abstract: A protective helmet comprising having a protective shell, and a headgear mounted to the protective shell, wherein the headgear includes a tilt mechanism, the tilt mechanism comprising a tilt arm having a spring secured to the tilt arm, the spring having free portion disposed between a first portion and a second portion, the first portion and second portion being secured to the tilt arm and the free portion being free from the tilt arm.

Abstract: A universal headgear is easy to use and creates an effective seal between a patient interface device, such as gas delivery mask, and a patient. The headgear of the present invention includes a halo-like headband formed from an elastomeric material. The headband includes contoured panels that allow the device to fit most people without circumference length adjustment. The halo headband is designed to maintain a substantially frusto-conical shape when worn. The present invention preferably includes an adjustable crossover strap on the top connecting the contoured panels that is adapted to hold the halo headband in position. The headpiece further includes connecting straps to adjustably connect the headgear to a patient interface device. The present headgear fits a wide range of head sizes and shapes, is easy to use, and provides increased stability.

Abstract: The connection of a breathing mask to a safety helmet provides increased wearing comfort. A fastening mount (12) with circular arc-shaped inner contour (14) is provided, and the bracket for the breathing mask has a projection corresponding thereto. The projection is in contact with the inner contour (14) of the fastening mount (12), so that the bracket is displaceable in relation to the fastening mount (12) in a rotatingly movable manner.

Abstract: A face guard for a sports helmet, comprising a plurality of wires arranged as a grid and wherein at least one of the wires has a cross-section with a periphery having a first maximal dimension in a first direction and a second maximal dimension in a second direction intersecting the first direction, the second maximal dimension being less than the first maximal dimension. Each of the at least one of the wires may have an elliptical cross-section with a major axis and a minor axis, wherein a ratio of the minor axis to the major axis may be between 0.2 and 0.9. Each of the at least one of the wires may have a portion to be at least partially located within a field of view of a wearer wearing the face guard.

Abstract: A lightweight, flexible, light-attenuating sun and glare shield is disclosed that is attachable via static electricity to the inside of a motorcycle helmet visor. No modification of the motorcycle helmet or visor is required for attachment of the shield, and the shield need not be specially configured for a specific model of helmet, so long as the shape and size of the shield is generally compatible with the visor. The shield is easily removed from the visor and rolled up for convenient transportation and storage. In preferred embodiments, the light attenuating shield is polarized and/or includes graduated tinting. Some embodiments include a storage canister for easy transportation and storage of the shield, and certain embodiments include a plurality of shields, which can be disposable and/or can include shields with different light attenuating properties.

Abstract: A helmet heat shield affixed over the top of a helmet of the type worn by riders of motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles, bicycles, and other similar open-air vehicles. The inner surface of the heat shield conforms to the contour and shape of the upper portion of the helmet and further, provides an air gap between the helmet and the heat shield. A radiant barrier attached to the inner surface of the heat shield assists in dissipating heat away from the helmet surface. The air gap also permits air to circulate through freely, thereby significantly reducing the heat transfer to the exterior surface and interior of the helmet. The heat shield may be manufactured as an integral part of the helmet.

Abstract: A protective helmet having a shock-resistant helmet shell having a cut out for establishing a visor opening and a visor panel arranged on the outer side of the helmet shell pivotably around a pivot joint is provided with a vison panel arranged pivotably on the inner side of the helmet shell. The vision panel has at least one lateral end mounted displaceably in a guide which forma a curved section whose virtual pivot point lies outside the lateral end at a distance behind the lateral end of the vision panel so that the path of movement of the vision panel matches to the inner contour of the helmet shell. This makes possible to guide the vision panel inside the helmet shell at a substantially uniform distance from the inner side of the helmet shell, with the result that a minimum space requirement for the vision panel is required on the inner side of the helmet shell.

Abstract: A wind rectifying member positioned between two ventilation covers on the top of a helmet is adjustably supported by fitting members of support structures mounted within each ventilation cover. The fitting members adjust the forward and rearward positioning of the rectifying member and its angle of tilt relative to the wind direction. The fitting members extend through openings in facing side walls of the ventilation covers and into indentations in the ends of the rectifying member.

Abstract: In a gear main body (1), a mouth opening portion (6) through which a mouth portion can be seen is formed in addition to and separately from an eye opening portion (5) through which both eyes can be seen. A part above the eye opening portion (5) covers a forehead portion, a part between the eye opening portion (5) and the mouth opening portion (6) covers cheek portions and a nose portion, and a part below the mouth opening portion (6) covers a lower jaw portion. A surface-side skin material (2) and a back-face-side skin material (3) are split in a vertical direction between the eye opening portion (5) and the mouth opening portion (6) to form a gap (9). At this gap (9), end portions facing each other at the gap (9) are connected by connecting means in such a manner that left and right spaces between the surface-side skin material (2) and the back-face-side skin material (3) communicate with each other. A shock absorbing material (4) is filled also in the communicating space at the gap (9).

Abstract: A full-face-type helmet such as an off-road driving helmet, in which ventilation of the interior of the full-face-type helmet is performed well by external air flowing in from a chin region, and a ventilation through hole extending through an impact absorbing liner substantially in the direction of its thickness need not be particularly formed in a region including the side head region and its vicinity of the impact absorbing liner for the external air flowing in from the chin region. The impact-on-the-chin absorbing portion of the impact absorbing liner disposed inside an outer shell having a first ventilation opening in the chin region includes a liner main body portion, and a sheet-like backing plate which is arranged on the inner surface of the liner main body portion.

Abstract: A helmet which can ventilate the interior of a head protecting body well by a ventilator mechanism and can decrease the degree of injury or the like of a wearer that may increase by the presence of the ventilator mechanism. At least one of a plurality of attaching mechanisms that attach a cover member or air current deflecting member to the shutter attaching member of the ventilator mechanism includes an engaging projection portion and an engaging hole having a gap. The engaging projection portion is configured to be relatively pressed into the gap and then relatively inserted and held in the engaging hole through the gap.

Abstract: Reversible fastening device of a helmet chin guard for motorcyclist or similar, by snap fit of parts interacting on the two sides of the chin guard and of the helmet, following the insertion, in the operating position, of the chin guard thanks to reciprocally cooperating guides, the device comprising, on each helmet side, a hook belonging to the chin guard and a hook belonging to the helmet, one of which is moveable and subjected to the action of a return spring and it is releasable by a user command, characterized in that at least the hook subjected to the action of the return spring is made of metallic material.

Abstract: A respirator apparatus including an improved helmet or headgear construction with a unique shield including a protective lens and cuff attachment therefor. The protective lens is a thin clear plastic sheet designed to be used as a lens with a (PAPR) respirator and the cuff is an attached fabric or similar material designed to form a facial seal around the wearer.

Abstract: A visor assembly for use with a helmet having at least one face mask bar comprises a visor and a mounting bracket. The visor is configured to provide a shield associated with the face mask bar. The mounting bracket is configured to secure the visor to the face mask bar. The mounting bracket includes a clip and a thumbscrew removably connected to the clip. The clip defines a channel configured to receive the face mask bar. A threaded receptacle is positioned on the clip. The thumbscrew includes a threaded post connected to a thumbwheel. The threaded post is configured to threadedly engage the receptacle of the clip and releasably retain the thumbscrew on the clip. The threaded post of the thumbscrew is configured to extend through a hole of the visor and into the receptacle. When the thumbwheel is rotated, the thumbwheel clamps the visor between the thumbwheel and the mounting bracket.

Abstract: The present invention is a ski helmet that combines a visor and face shield. Adapted to the ski helmet is a suitably thick strip of resilient foam material positioned across the exterior front-facing surface of the helmet protecting the forehead area of the person wearing the helmet. The face shield can be rotated to various positions which will change the contact area of the face shield and foam strip and thus the amount of air flow between the face shield and user's face. When the face shield is in maximum contact with the foam strip, air flow is minimized.

Abstract: A protection device, system and/or method including a protection body portion adapted to be one or both of connected to or disposed on the lower edge of a wearer's headgear. In some implementations, the protection body portion may be triangular and the connecting of the device to headgear may include a removable connective component is located at the apex of a second edge and a third edge of the protection body portion at the farthest point from the headgear.