Abstract: A headband comprises a strip forming a part of a ring around a user's head. An adjustment device adjusts a circumference of the ring by moving one end of the strip that is fixed to an attachment point movable with respect to the body. A rotary actuator is functionally connected to the adjustment device by means of a transmission so that rotation of the rotary actuator results in movement of the attachment point. The adjustment device comprises a threaded section and a nut. The nut and threaded section form a helical link, wherein rotation of the rotary actuator results in movement of the nut along the threaded section. The nut or threaded section moves along a longitudinal axis of the threaded section and supports the attachment point. A helmet comprises such headband.

Abstract: A welding helmet system is provided. The welding helmet system includes a protective shell and a welding display system. The welding display system is configured to be removably coupled to the protective shell. The welding display system is configured to receive data from a sensor, and to display a welding metric derived from the sensor via the image generation system.

Abstract: A helmet comprises a shell with an integrated panel tab that is formed by cutting a pattern into the shell. The helmet further comprises an enclosure located interior to the shell and at a position that corresponds to the integrated panel tab. Within the enclosure are an electronic membrane, which is operatively coupled to the integrated panel tab, and a membrane force tab, which is operatively coupled to the electronic membrane. When pressure is applied to the integrated panel tab from the exterior of the shell (by, for example, a finger of a user), the integrated panel tab functions as a flexible actuator that presses the electronic membrane, thereby permitting control of helmet functions without any externally-protruding controls that can be inadvertently broken.

Abstract: A system (2000) comprising a head-mounted device (2010); at least one position sensor coupled to the head-mounted device; at least one light-filtering shield (2012) coupled to the at least one position sensor; at least one light detector (2019); and at least one computing device (2017) configured to receive, from the light detector, an indication that an intensity of light detected by the light detector exceeds an exposure threshold; determine, from the at least one position sensor, that the light-filtering shield is not positioned at the face of a worker to filter light with the intensity that exceeds the exposure threshold; and generate, in response to the determination that the light-filtering shield is not positioned at the face of a worker wearing the head-mounted device to filter light with the intensity that exceeds the exposure threshold, an indication for output.

Abstract: A helmet having a visor and a method of manufacturing such helmet are disclosed. The helmet comprises a shell dimensioned to receive the head of a user. A visor is moveably attached to the shell, and configurable between (1) a first position in which the visor extends from a forward region of the shell and (2) a second position in which the visor is substantially retracted with respect to the forward region of the shell. It is contemplated that actuation of the movement of the visor between the first position and the second position is automated on placement or removal of the helmet from the head of a user.

Abstract: A protective helmet having a cover plate over a front vision area and a cover plate knock out assembly for moving the cover plate a predetermined distance away from the helmet so that a finger of a user can get behind the cover plate to enable its removal from the front vision area of the helmet. The cover plate knock out assembly comprises a step-shaped actuator element and a light blocking cover. The upper portion of the step-shaped actuator pushes the cover plate away from the helmet when the lower portion of the step-shaped actuator is pressed. The cover plate made of clear plastic includes a spring tendency when slightly compressed when attached to the helmet thereby pushing the upper portion of the step-shaped actuator into a resting position in the helmet.

Abstract: User-friendly welding helmet assembly configurations to be worn on the head of a weldor are disclosed. The welding helmet assembly configurations include various advanced features including a spatter shield that is easily replaceable from an external front portion of a shell of the helmet assembly configuration, and an adjustable ratchet headgear within the shell having a repositionable lever adapted to easily adjust a detent position of the ratchet headgear with respect to the shell. Other user-friendly features are also provided, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention.

Abstract: Protective headgear and an optical filter cartridge that is removably mountable thereto, and methods of removably inserting such a cartridge and removing such a cartridge.

Abstract: A cold climate welding mask is provided for combatting interior fogging, condensation, and frost development within the welding mask interior. The device comprises a welding mask structure, a forced air means, a heating means, and a power supply for injecting a heated air stream through the mask interior to remove the user's breath therefrom and to warm the mask interior for comfort purposes. Also provided is a welding mask lens having internal heating elements therein for direct fog prevention. The device may comprises an attachable, auxiliary unit that is attachable to a traditional welding mask, or preferably the device comprises a defined welding mask structure having the elements embedded therein for cold climate and cold environmental welding use. Ideally the device is provided for use by welding operators working in extremely cold or outdoor climates where a user's breath can create internal fogging, condensation, and frost within the mask interior.

Abstract: A welder protection device comprising a shell and a transparent front cover for protection of a wearer of the welder protection device, and an auto-darkening optical filter. The welder protection device further comprises a retracting mechanism arranged to move the optical filter optical filter from an active position to a retracted position and vice versa. In the active position, the optical filter lies inside the welder protection device and in the wearer's field of view, and in the retracted position the optical filter lies inside the welder protection device and outside the wearer's field of view.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a welding helmet in which a worker may transmit and block external light as necessary by forming a light switching window for blocking external light from a side surface of the welding helmet (helmet). The welding helmet equipped with a light switching window, which includes a helmet body portion which protects the worker's face and a cartridge which blocks harmful light generated during welding to protect the worker's eyes, includes a light switching window formed on a side surface of the helmet body portion such that external light is transmitted or blocked by the light switching window. The light switching window has a structure in which it may be possible to identify risk factors around a work area and a worker may block unnecessary light as necessary. Particularly, since an operating radius is enlarged, it may be possible to provide the worker with convenience.

Abstract: A grinding mode selector switch for welding masks which controls an anti-glare device blocking hazardous light during a welding operation or an operation using a cutting torch and protecting eyes of a worker during a grinding operation without taking off a welding mask during the welding operation and the grinding operation is disclosed. The grinding mode selector switch for welding masks is installed on the outer surface of the welding mask and is not touched by an external object, and the protruding height of a button protective cap is equal to or greater than the height of a button so as to prevent the button from being touched by an external object when the worker performs an operation.

Abstract: A safety helmet includes a shield movable relative to a shell from an open to a closed position, and vice-versa through operation of a shield actuation system. When in the closed position, the shield actuation system permits the shield to be aligned substantially flush with the shell. Further, the shield actuation system allows the shield to be opened through a manual process that includes pushing on a lever or button to initially release the shield and then rotate the shield into the open position. The shield actuation system includes a number of plates with at least two of the plates in kinematic cooperation for allowing the shield to pop out and then rotate relative to the shell.

Abstract: A face plate has a major chamber positionable in front of a face of a welder. A visor housing has a forward opening. A minor chamber is provided within the visor housing. A forward assembly is fixedly positioned within the minor chamber adjacent to the forward opening. The forward assembly has a glass ultraviolet filter centrally. The forward assembly has a heat resistant transparent plate outwardly. The forward assembly has a fixed polarized filter lens inwardly. A rearward assembly is fixedly positioned within the major chamber adjacent to the visor housing. The rearward assembly includes a rotatable polarized filter lens. A drive assembly is adapted to rotate the rotatable polarized filter lens with respect to the fixed polarized filter lens.

Abstract: A protective helmet having a cover plate over a front vision area and a cover plate knock out assembly for moving the cover plate a predetermined distance away from the helmet so that a finger of a user can get behind the cover plate to enable its removal from the front vision area of the helmet. The cover plate knock out assembly comprises a slide/pushbutton element and a light blocking cover. The slide pushes the cover plate away from the helmet when the push button portion is pressed. The cover plate made of clear plastic comprises a spring tendency when slightly compressed when attached to the helmet thereby pushing the slide into a resting position in the helmet.

Abstract: The welding filter device includes a light sensor, a microprocessor, a liquid crystal display, and a user interface. The light sensor senses light to generate a welding signal and a light source intensity signal. The microprocessor comprises a determining module, a control module, a regulating module, and a storage module. The determining module receives the welding signal and determines whether to activate a welding mechanism. The control module receives the light source intensity signal and outputs a control signal. The liquid crystal display presents a first display status according to the control signal. The user interface is used to generate a setting signal; wherein when the liquid crystal display presents the first display status, the regulating module receives the setting signal to regulate the settings so that the liquid crystal display presents a second display status. Furthermore, a method for controlling the welding filter device is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system enables transmitting a torch angle and/or a torch-to-workpiece distance error to a welding operator when these parameters are outside of a preset optimal range via real time audio cues. Weld characteristics are communicated via audio signals, which indicate to the welding operator the direction and severity of the torch angle error. Audio cues, such as pulsed or continuous tones, are used to communicate torch-to-workpiece distance to the welding operator.

Abstract: This invention defines a welding helmet that encloses a welders head on five sides and with an optional skirt covers their neck. The helmet contains a fan, filter and cooling module to provide clean cool air that reduces welding fume levels in the breathing zone below suggested maximums. By providing cool air to the welders head and neck area their whole body will feel cooler. It suggests the use of an external power source to provide the energy required to have a fan of sufficient capacity to draw air thorough a quality filter so potentially hazardous constituents of welding fumes are captured. This externally supplied power allows the required cooling capacity thermal electric cooling modules to be used to significantly lower the ambient air temperature. This helmet allows the welding operator to have sufficient cooling to improve their overall work environment for one of the most objectionable welding issues, excess heat.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transmitting a torch angle and/or a torch-to-workpiece distance error to a welding operator when these parameters are outside of a preset optimal range via real time visual and/or audio cues are provided. One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to weld characteristic communication via intuitive arrays of visual indicators located on the periphery of a lens, which indicate to the welding operator the direction and severity of the torch angle error. In one embodiment, audio cues, such as pulsed or continuous tones may be used to communicate torch-to-workpiece distance to the welding operator. In certain embodiments, vertical visual indicator arrays may be used to indicate additional weld or auxiliary information, such as battery charge state, torch speed and so forth, to the welding operator. All the components of the communication system may be located in or on the welding helmet or the components may be split between the helmet and a belt pack.