Abstract:
Headgear adapted to protect a wearer having a visor and a flexible circumferential band adapted to be supported by a head of the wearer. A mounting attachment attaches the visor to the flexible circumferential band at each of two side attachment locations with the visor generally positioned in front of a face of the wearer. The mounting attachment has a slide channel associated with the flexible circumferential band and a slide associated with the visor. The slide is able to slide forward and aft in the slide channel with respect to the face of the wearer and is selectively securable in a plurality of forward and aft positions. This allows the visor to be adjusted inwardly and outwardly with respect to the face of the wearer.

Description:
The present invention relates generally to head suspension systems and headgear and, particularly, such head suspension systems and headgear with adjustments in size or configuration and methods of adjusting or configuring head suspension systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Protective helmets, particularly welding helmets, tend to be heavy and cumbersome. The weight of a protective helmet can be burdensome on a wearer who may often already be working in extreme conditions of heat and other adverse elements. The weight of the protective helmet adds further to that burden. 
     A head suspension system for a protective helmet must be adjusted to the particular requirements of the wearer for the helmet to be comfortable. An ill fitting helmet, especially one that is heavy, may be extremely uncomfortable for a wearer, which could lead to operating mistakes and, possibly, injury. 
     Adjustment mechanisms on conventional protective helmets, such as welding helmets, are typically either bulky, difficult to adjust, or both. Adjustment mechanisms that require a bulky adjustment knob can add a considerable weight to the protective helmet. Common adjustment mechanisms may also involve removable and replaceable bolts or set screws that can be very difficult to adjust. Bolts that must be undone often lead to a multiplicity of loose bolts, nuts and washers that may be difficult to reassemble. This can be especially true when the wearer is wearing protective hand gear such as gloves. 
     Some head suspension systems may be adjusted by repositioning straps. One example of a head suspension adjustment mechanism adjusted by repositioning a headband strap is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,917, Landis et al, Ergonomic Head Band Apparatus. An ergonomic head band includes a strap having first and second upwardly curved side arcuate segments, a front arcuate region and tails which couple together at the back of a wearer&#39;s head. The tails are repositionable on each other providing a common sizing adjustment. Face shields or other apparatus may be coupled to the head band. 
     Other headgear supports provide adjustability with headbands with ends that slide relatively to each other. Examples are found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,500,474, Austin, Adjustable Headband; U.S. Pat. No. 4,888,831, Oleson, Adjustable Head Band Suspension System For Use With Hard Hat Shell, providing a slidably disposed adjusting device; U.S. Pat. No. 5,896,586, Freund, Adjustable Headband Having a Resiliently Bowable Fastener Surface, having a plurality of longitudinally spaced slots and a resilient fastener with a channel to slidably receive the end with the spaced slots; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,341,382, Ryvin et al, One-Piece Adjustable Headgear Support, having an integrally formed slidable adjustment mechanism. However, such adjustment mechanisms are not always easy for a wearer in the field to adjust and may add unnecessary weight to the protective helmet. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,836, Idoff et al, Headgear, discloses a headgear for mounting protective equipment such as a visor. The head band includes a brow band section, side band section and a neck band section. The neck band portion includes an adjustment mechanism including slidable portions secured with a knob. In addition, the brow section includes an adjustable buckle. Again, the adjustment mechanism can be unduly difficult for a user to adjust and may add unnecessary weight to the headgear. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,942,628, Freund, Helmet Suspension Having Ratchet Adjustment, discloses a head protection or helmet suspension having a ratchet adjustment for the adjustment of the head suspension in size. An adjustment knob engages pins in the ratchet case to lock the head suspension size in position. The adjustment knob and ratcheting mechanism may add unnecessary weight to the helmet. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,217, Del Bon et al, Protective Assembly For The Protection Of The Human Head, discloses a protective assembly which has a circular support structure adapted to be connected to the head of the person wearing the protective assembly. A protective visor is pivotally connected to the support structure to be swiveled for a lower operating position and to an upper resting position. Mechanisms and an actuating member are provided for adjusting and fixing the position of the visor in the viewing direction and in the lower operating position. Forward and aft adjustment of visor is provided with removable set screws and mounting lugs. Forward and aft adjustment is achieved by releasing the set screws and reinserting the set screws in a different mounting hole location. The releasing and reinsertion of set screws can be a cumbersome and difficult process to accomplish, especially by a worker in the field under already difficult conditions. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,007,306, Howard et al, Face Shield Assembly, discloses a face shield assembly including a frame and a removable protective element supported by the frame. The frame is pivotally supported on a support structure such that the frame can be moved between an upper (out of use) and a lower (in use) position. The frame may be selectively spaced relative to the user&#39;s head by removing and replacing a mounting bolt into a different mounting hole location. Again, removing and replacing a mounting bolt can be a cumbersome and difficult process to accomplish. 
     The Optrel™ Galaxy™ welding helmet also has a tilting and telescoping headgear allowing adjustment of the helmet position from the face and chin. However, no disclosure is provided on the mechanism to achieve a tilting and telescoping headgear allowing such adjustment of the helmet position from the face and chin of the wearer. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides a head suspension system, headgear and method of adjusting visor associated with a headgear that is lightweight and easily adjustable, even while being worn by the wearer. The visor may be adjusted inwardly and/or outwardly, i.e., aft or forward, respectively, by lifting and sliding a movable resilient tab and allowing the resilient tab to engage one of a plurality of securing holes on or associated with the headband. 
     In an embodiment, the present invention provides a headgear adapted to protect a wearer having a visor and a flexible circumferential band adapted to be supported by a head of the wearer. A mounting attachment attaches the visor to the flexible circumferential band at each of two side attachment locations with the visor generally positioned in front of a face of the wearer. The mounting attachment has a slide channel associated with a first headgear part and a slide associated with a second headgear part. The slide is able to slide forward and aft in the slide channel with respect to the face of the wearer and is selectively securable in a plurality of forward and aft positions. This allows the visor to be adjusted inwardly and outwardly with respect to the face of the wearer. 
     In an embodiment, the present invention provides a head suspension system for a headgear having a visor adapted to protect a wearer. A flexible circumferential band is adapted to be supported by a head of the wearer. A mounting attachment attaches the visor to the flexible circumferential band at each of two side attachment locations with the visor generally positioned in front of a face of the wearer. The mounting attachment has a slide channel associated with a first headgear part and a slide associated with a second headgear part. The slide is able to slide forward and aft in the slide channel with respect to the face of the wearer and is selectively securable in a plurality of forward and aft positions. This allows the visor to be adjusted inwardly and outwardly with respect to the face of the wearer. 
     In an embodiment, the first headgear part is the circumferential band and the second headgear part is the visor. 
     In an embodiment, the visor may be adjusted by the wearer inwardly and outwardly with respect to the face of the wearer while the headgear is being worn by the wearer. 
     In an embodiment, the mounting attachment has a resiliently biased tab having a projection on one of the slide and the slide channel and another of the slide and the slide channel having a plurality of mating holes such that the slide may be adjustably secured in a plurality of forward and aft locations. 
     In an embodiment, the resiliently biased tab is resiliently biased toward a mating of the tab and one of plurality of mating holes. 
     In an embodiment, the tab is liftable and the slide is adjustable by the wearer while the headgear is being worn by the wearer. 
     In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of adjusting a position of a visor associated with headgear adapted to protect a wearer, the headgear having a mounting attachment for the visor to a head suspension system, the mounting attachment having a slide channel associated with a first headgear part, a slide associated with a second headgear part, the slide being able to slide forward and aft in the slide channel with respect to the face of the wearer, the slide being selectively secured in a plurality of forward and aft positions whereby the visor may be adjusted inwardly and outwardly with respect to the face of the wearer. A tab associated with the slide is released. The slide is slid with respect to the slide channel using the tab. The slide is selectively secured in one of a plurality of forward and aft positions by releasing the tab. 
     In an embodiment, the first headgear part is the circumferential band and the second headgear part is the visor. 
     In an embodiment, the sliding step may be accomplished while the headgear is being worn by the wearer. 
     In an embodiment, the mounting attachment has a resiliently biased tab having a projection on one of the slide and the slide channel and another of the slide and the slide channel having a plurality of mating holes such that the slide may be adjustably secured in a plurality of forward and aft locations. 
     In an embodiment, the resiliently biased tab is resiliently biased toward a mating of the tab and one of plurality of mating holes. 
     In an embodiment, the sliding step may be accomplished while the headgear is being worn by the wearer. 
     In an embodiment, the mounting attachment pivotally attaches the visor such that the visor may be operated by the wearer to a down position with the visor generally positioned in front of a face of the wearer and to an up position with the visor generally positioned above the face of the wearer. 
     In an embodiment, the visor comprises a welding helmet. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a protective headgear mounted to a head suspension system; 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the head suspension system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the mounting attachment and visor slide mechanism; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of a portion of a circumferential headband illustrating a slide channel; 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of slide attachment usable with the slide channel illustrated in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6   a  is a partial cross-sectional side view illustrating a visor positioned away from the face of the wearer; and 
         FIG. 6   b  is a partial cross-sectional side view illustrating a visor positioned toward the face of the wearer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As used in this description, the following terms have the meanings indicated: 
     “Headgear” means any of a number of generally protective items intended to be worn on or supported by the head of a wearer including, but not limited to, helmets and, in particular, welding helmets. 
     “Visor” means any of a number of devices that may be used to protect the head, face or neck of a wearer including, but not limited to, visors, face masks and face shields. 
     “Head suspension system” means the mechanism by which a headgear may be supported by the head of the wearer of the headgear. 
     “Circumferential band” means the portion of a head suspension system that generally, at least partly, encircles the head of the wearer and supports the head suspension system against the head of the wearer, although such a circumferential band need not actually encircle the head at any particular location and it is not necessary that the circumferential band actually contact the head at a true circumference of the head. 
     “Anterior portion” means that portion of the head suspension system that generally is positioned toward the forward portion of the head of the wearer of the head suspension system. 
     “Posterior portion” means that portion of the head suspension system that generally is positioned toward the rear portion of the head of the wearer of the head suspension system. 
     “Side locations” mean a location or locations that are generally located toward the side of the head of the wearer when the head suspension is positioned normally on the head of the wearer. 
     “Slide Channel” means a mechanism for receiving a slide in slidable engagement. 
     “Slide” means any item adapted to slide within a slide channel. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a headgear  10  and accompanying head suspension system  12 . Visor or face shield  14  is attached to head suspension system  12  at side attachment locations  16 . Different types of visors or face shields  14  may be used depending on the intended use of headgear  10 . For example, a welding helmet might use a face shield  14  with a protective viewing lens, perhaps replaceable, contained in face shield  14 . 
     Side attachment locations  16  preferably allow visor or face shield  14  to pivot between a down position with visor  14  in front of the face of the wearer in a ready-to-work position and an up position with visor  14  above the head of the wearer allowing an unencumbered view. 
     Head suspension system  12  consists generally of circumferential band  18  and crown band  20 . Circumferential band  18  generally sits on the head of the wearer supporting visor  14  in relation to the head and face of the wearer. Posterior portion  20  of circumferential band  18  contains a fine adjustment mechanism  22  consisting of ratcheting member  24  retained in slide  26  which adjustably secures ends of separate parts of posterior portion  20  together an adjustable manner. An adjustment mechanism such as fine adjustment mechanism  22  is well known in the art. 
     Head suspension system  12  also contains a “gross” or large adjusting mechanism. Hence, fine adjustment mechanism  22  may be constructed to be smaller and of lighter weight since fine adjustment mechanism doesn&#39;t need to accommodate such a large change in size, i.e., length, due to the presence of a separate gross adjustment mechanism. 
     Head suspension system  12  also has crown band  28  attached to circumferential band  18  and intended to pass over the top of the wearer&#39;s head to provide additional support. Slide adjustment mechanism  30  allows crown band  28  to be adjusted for fit. 
     Slide attachment  32 , in this embodiment also serving as an attachment point for visor  14 , is secured in circumferential band  18  by slide channel  34 . Slide attachment  32  is pivotally coupled with visor  14 . Resilient tab  36 , coupled with slide attachment, allows visor  14  to be adjusted fore or aft with respect to the face of the wearer while headgear  10  is being worn by the wearer. Resilient tab  36  may be grasped and lifted by the wearer or another so that projection or peg  38  may be disengaged from hole  40  contained on or in circumferential band  18 . Once disengaged, resilient tab  36  may easily be maneuvered to slide the slide attachment  32  forward, moving visor  14  outward, or aft, moving visor  14  inward. Resilient tab  36  may release projection or peg  38  into another one of holes  40  securing visor  14  in another position with respect to the face of the wearer. The resilient nature of resilient tab  36  allows projection or peg  38  to be retained in hole  40  until such resilient tab  36  is again lifted and secures visor  14  in a forward/aft position. Visor  14  may still pivot on slide attachment  32 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates head suspension system  12  without visor or face shield  14  installed for greater clarity of head suspension system  12 .  FIG. 2  provides a better illustration of anterior portion  42  of head suspension system  12  with circumferential band  18 . Anterior portion  42  of circumferential band  18  is illustrated with replaceable bridge  44  or one of a plurality of interchangeable bridges  44 . Bridge  44  is coupled, at both of its ends, into circumferential band  18 . While shown encompassing a majority of anterior portion  42 , it is to be recognized and understood that bridge  44  may encompass a smaller or larger part of anterior portion  42 . It is also possible that bridge  44  may be accommodated in posterior portion  20  although superior operation and performance are expected with an anterior portion  42  location. 
     Cut-outs or openings  46 , preferably several, many or a multiplicity, in bridge  44  provide additional flexibility of bridge  44  and, hence, circumferential band  18  of which bridge  44  is a part. Such cut-outs or openings  46  also provide additional lightness to circumferential band  18 . Although shown as cut-outs  46  extending alternately from opposite sides on bridge  44 , it is to be recognized and understood that such cut-outs  46  could extend from only one edge of bridge  44  or cut-outs  46  may instead be openings  46  or holes within bridge  44  not extending to either side edge of bridge  44 , or both cut-outs  46  and openings  46  may be used. 
     Attachment mechanism  52  may be used to attach visor  14  to circumferential headband  18  and thus to head suspension system  12  at attachment location  16 .  FIG. 3  is an exploded view of attachment mechanism  52  at side attachment point  16 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of a portion of circumferential band  18  illustrating side attachment location  16 .  FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of slide attachment  32 . Together,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  provide an illustration of the attachment of visor  14  to head suspension system  12  and the fore and aft slide adjustment mechanism of head suspension system  12 . 
     Slide channels  34  in circumferential band  18  provide a slidable channel into which a mounting attachment for visor  14  may be secured. Slide attachment  32  has tabs  54  which mate with slide channels  34 . Stud  56  is fitted through opening  58  in slide attachment  32  and pivotally secures visor  14  to slide attachment  32  with washer  60  and thumb nut  62 . Such an arrangement allows visor  14  to pivot while slide attachment  32  remains secured in slide channel  34  of circumferential band  18 . 
     Slide attachment  32  also operates to adjust visor  14  with respect to the face of the wearer. Visor  14  may be moved inwardly toward the face of the wearer by sliding slide attachment  32  in slide channel  34  rearward or aft with respect to the orientation of head suspension system  12  on the head of the wearer. Visor  14  may also be moved outwardly away from the face of the wearer by sliding slide attachment  32  in slide channel  34  forward with respect to the orientation of head suspension system  12  on the head of the wearer. 
     Projection  38  (illustrated in  FIG. 5 ) engages one of a plurality of holes  40 , or detents, in or associated with circumferential band  18  to secure slide attachment  32  in a particular forward/aft position thus essentially locking visor  14  in a particular position inward or away from the face of the wearer. Resilient tab  36  may be lifted, perhaps by the wearer and perhaps while wearing headgear  10 , to disengage projection  38  from hole  40 . While lifting resilient tab  36 , the user may slide the slide attachment  32  along slide channel  34  moving visor  14  with respect to the face of the wearer. When the proper or desired position is obtained, the user may release resilient tab  36  and allow projection  38  to engage another, or perhaps the same, hole  40 . The engagement of projection  38  and hole  40  secures attachment slide in a particular position. 
     Alternatively, slide channels  34  may be associated with said visor and said slide attachment may be associated with said circumferential band  18 . 
     The movement of visor  14  with respect to face  64  of the wearer is illustrated in  FIG. 6   a  and  FIG. 6   b . In  FIG. 6   a , projection  38  of slide attachment  32  has been moved to engage hole  40  toward the left in  FIG. 6   a , or toward the front of the head of the wearer. So positioned, visor  14  is positioned well away from face  64  of the wearer. In contrast in  FIG. 6   b , projection  38  of slide attachment  32  has been moved to engage hole  40  toward the right in  FIG. 6   b , or to the rear of the head of the wearer. So positioned, visor  14  is positioned much closer to face  64  of the wearer. 
     It may be desirable to position visor  14  either farther away from face  64  of the wearer or closer to face  64  of the wearer. Positioning visor  14  closer to face  64  of the wearer may provide the wearer with an expanded field of vision. However, positioning visor  14  farther away from face  64  of the wearer may provide the wearer with increased comfort and lower or decreased fogging. The exact position of visor  14  with respect to face  64  of the wearer may depend upon the preference of the wearer and the particular conditions and/or requirements of the task being undertaken. 
     Attachment mechanism  52  allows an easy to use, compact and lightweight head suspension system  12 . Attachment mechanism  52  may be easily operated by the wearer to move visor  14  in or out while headgear is being worn by the wearer. This not only provides a lightweight, comfortable head suspension system  12  and headgear  10  but also allows the wearer to adjust the position of visor  14  without having to remove headgear  10  from the wearer&#39;s head. Removing headgear  10  from the wearer&#39;s head would likely require the user to guess at the desired position of visor  14  since the visor would not actually in position on the head of the wearer while the adjustment is being made. This may require multiple removals of headgear  10  and multiple adjustments resulting in a decrease in efficiency. 
     Thus, embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced with embodiments other than those disclosed. The disclosed embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation, and the present invention is limited only by the claims that follow.