A padding structure for use in helmets and other athletic equipment. The structure is characterized by a resilient padding arrangement which is adapted to be manufactured in different sizes whereby the equipment can be fit to the requirements of different wearers, and the padding structure is also characterized by the ability to absorb the force of impacts in a highly efficient manner irrespective of the particular fitting requirements. The structure consists of a housing of substantially air-impervious material containing a sandwich comprising a first layer of slow-recovery resilient material and a second layer of a softer resilient material. The softer material is adapted to be included in various thicknesses to accommodate different fitting requirements whereby the padding structure can be utilized for wearers having substantially different needs. The fitting material is of a density such that it will be normally slightly compressed without affecting the slow-recovery material so that the impact attenuating ability of the latter is not affected. The housing for the sandwich preferably defines at least one small opening whereby air is adapted to be discharged from the housing in response to an impact for thereby assisting, e.g. to the extent of about 10 percent, in absorbing the force of the impact.
A headgear comprising a helmet shell and a combination of energy-absorbing and sizing means mounted on the inside surface of the shell. The combination includes a crown-engaging structure either in the form of a web suspension or an air-inflatable means. These pad structures comprise curved assemblies which engage the forehead and back of the wearer's head and the pad structures enable automatic alignment of the helmet along the long axis of the head whereby the air-inflatable side members are operated after the helmet has been put on the head. Air inflatable sizing means are located intermediate the pad structures at the front and back of the shell, and these sizing means engage the respective sides of the werer's head to provide a side-to-side fit on the head. A combination serving as a sizing means and energy-absorbing means is located on the lower rear inside wall of the shell. Separate energy-absorbing pad structures are located on the front and back inner walls of the shell.
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. Further included in the protective communications helmet is a hearing defender assembly comprised of a single spring to which both hearing defenders are attached. The spring is connected to the central shell of the helmet at the posterior thereof by a hinge mechanism for providing utilization and standby positions. Additionally, the communications helmet includes a goggle assembly, comprised of a pair of slotted lever arms connected to the central shell at opposite sides thereof to enable utilization and standby positions for protective goggles, a microphone boom and chin cup assembly, all independently operable such that each may be utilized without interference from and without requiring relocation of any of the other items.
A shock attenuation system comprising a plurality of shock attenuating columns of a substantially resilient elastomeric material. The columns are so dimensioned and configured that, when subjected to an axial impact force of predetermined magnitude, they resiliently deform for attenuating the shock resulting from the impact force. The columns then spring back substantially to their undeformed shape.
A selectable plurality of removable pads are placed one on top of another re and aft between a rigid helmet and an inner flexible helmet for fitting and suspending a single size of the rigid helmet to varying head contours. The pads are comprised of ventilated spacer material having attached on opposing surfaces thereof mating fastening elements for securing the pads both to each other and between the rigid and flexible helmets. The pads provide for ventilation and cooling and stabilize the rigid helmet on the head.
A protective helmet has its head harness constructed as a cooling gear. The harness forms a lining of the inside of a helmet shell and comprises two elastic sheets connected to each other by seams. The sheets are cut to double segments which are connected to each other at the top by an annular channel. The double segments are divided by longitudinal and transverse webs to form communicating cells. The space between the sheets is filled with a coolant which is introduced through annular channel in a liquid state. The double segments are connected to each other by a cross band through which the head harness is buttoned in, onto retaining buttons inside the helmet. To cool down, the harness can easily be unbuttoned and later put in place again in the same simple manner.
