Patent Publication Number: US-2023148698-A1

Title: Hard Hat Attachment System and Saftey Equipment

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/103,066, filed on Nov. 24, 2020, which is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/US2020/060179, filed on Nov. 12, 2020, which claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/935,387 filed on Nov. 14, 2019, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of safety equipment. The present invention relates specifically to a hard hat, ear protection, face mask, and/or hard hat lamp attachment system. Hard hats are often used in loud or poorly illuminated areas. Hard hat use in high-risk environments for head or face injury may use added equipment (e.g., earmuffs or a face protector) to provide added protection. A lamp or flashlight may assist with vision in poorly lit or low visibility environments. Ear protection is used to protect a user&#39;s hearing in noisy environments. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the invention relates to a hard hat attachment system. The hard hat includes a mount and side accessory ridge. The system includes a mounting bracket and side clips or inserts that couple to the mount and accessory ridge of the hard hat. The mounting bracket is configured to be securely and removably coupled to the mount of the hard hat. One or more inserts are configured to couple to the accessory ridge of the hard hat. The mounting bracket has receiving ports to receive an edge of the mount and secure the mounting bracket to the hard hat. The accessory ridge includes side receiving ports to receive one or more inserts and secure an attachment to the hard hat. 
     In various embodiments, the system connects an accessory, e.g., a lamp, a face-shield, a reflector, a magnetic tool carrier, and/or an eyeglass holder to either the mounting bracket and/or the accessory ridge of the hard hat. The accessory is removably coupled and secured to the hard hat. For example, the mounting bracket secures to the mount of the hard hat. Similarly, a side clip couples to receiving ports on the accessory ridge of the hard hat. 
     In various embodiments, the hard hat includes first and second mounts. The first mount is located along the front surface of the hard hat, and the second mount is located along the rear surface of the hard hat. This allows a user to attach accessories to both the front and rear of the hard hat. In some embodiments, the hard hat includes side accessory ridges for mounting various accessories to a side of the hard hat. 
     In various embodiments, ear protection (e.g., earmuffs) is configured for attachment to a hard hat. In various embodiments, a face mask is configured for attachment to a hard hat. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a hard hat. An outer shell of the hard hat forms an exterior surface and an interior surface that defines a cavity configured to receive a head of an operator. a crown segment of the outer shell covers part of the head of the operator and a bottom portion of the crown segment defines a lower circumference along the exterior surface of the outer shell. A brim extends radially outward from at least a portion of the lower circumference. A side accessory ridge is coupled to a lateral side of the bottom portion of the crown segment. The side accessory ridge has a front accessory port with a first length, a middle accessory port with a second length, and a rear accessory port having a third length. The second length is different from the first length and the third length. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a hard hat. The hard hat forms an outer shell with an exterior surface and an interior surface that defines a cavity configured to receive a head of an operator. A crown segment of the outer shell covers part of the head of the operator, and a bottom portion of the crown segment defines a lower circumference along the exterior surface of the outer shell. A brim extends radially outward from at least a portion of the lower circumference. The hard hat has a side accessory ridge located between the brim and the bottom portion of the crown segment. The side accessory ridge includes a front port, a rear port, and a middle port. The front port and the rear port are smaller than the middle port. 
     Another embodiment of the invention relates to a hard hat with an outer shell. The outer shell has left and right lateral outer surfaces and an interior surface that defines a cavity that receives an operator&#39;s head. A crown segment of the outer shell covers part of the operator&#39;s head and a bottom portion of the crown segment defines a lower circumference along the outer surfaces of the outer shell. A brim extends radially outward from at least a portion of the lower circumference. The hard hat includes left and right side accessory ridges. The left side accessory ridge is located on the left lateral outer surface of the outer shell. The left side accessory ridge has a front left side accessory port with a first length, a middle left side accessory port with a second length, and a rear left side accessory port with a third length. Similarly, the right side accessory ridge is located on the right lateral outer surface of the outer shell. The right side accessory ridge includes a front right side accessory port with the first length, a middle right side accessory port with the second length, and a rear right side accessory port with the third length. The second length is different from both the first length and the third length. 
     Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features and combinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       This application will become more fully understood from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements in which: 
         FIG.  1    shows a hard hat with a forward accessory mount worn with the brim facing forward, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    shows a hard hat with a rear accessory mount worn with the brim facing backward, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  3    is a detailed view of a disconnected lamp accessory connected with a bracket at the forward mount, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    shows an earmuff accessory with overhead support, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  5    shows a side view of the earmuff accessory shown in  FIG.  4   , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    shows a side view of the earmuff accessory attachment, with the overhead support replaced with a swivel and clip, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of the earmuff accessory attachment with the clip coupled to the accessory ridge of the hard hat, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  8    is a side view of the earmuff attachment coupled to the hard hat of  FIG.  7   , according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  9    is a front view of the earmuff accessory coupled to the hard hat, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  10    shows a face-shield with lamp attachment mounting brackets, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  11    shows the face-shield coupled to a hard hat and a lamp accessory, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  12    shows a perspective view of the hard hat, including ear-muff, lamp, and face-shield accessories, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  13    shows reflective hard hat accessories that include reflective materials that couple to the mount and/or accessory ridge of the hard hat, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  14    shows the reflective accessories coupled to the mount and accessory ridge of the hard hat, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  15    shows a magnetic tool holder accessory coupled to a side receiving port of the accessory ridge on the hard hat, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG.  16    shows an eyeglass holder attachment coupled to a side receiving port of the accessory ridge on the hard hat, according to an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring generally to the figures, various embodiments of a hard hat attachment system are shown. Hard hats are used in a variety of construction sites and/or other situations. Hard hats are often used in loud, noisy, dim, and/or poorly lit environments. In conventional lamp attachment systems, an operator couples an accessory to a hard hat via a strap wrapped around the hardhat or fastener. Some operators mount accessories onto a mounting clip secured to the hardhat through destructive means such as drilling and bolting the mounting clip and attaching the accessory to the clip. Adding a rigid mount may compromise the safety rating and/or warranty of the hard hat. 
     In contrast, the hard hat system discussed herein utilizes a universal accessory mounting system that includes mounts or locations and side accessory ridges or an auxiliary ridge on the hard hat. The mounting and auxiliary ridges allow for customized and secure attachment of accessories to the hard hat without end-user alteration of the hard hat structure. Specifically, the hard hat attachment system discussed herein utilizes one or more mounting and/or side accessory ridges formed on the outer or exterior surface of the hard hat to interchangeably couple a variety of accessories to assist in a variety of environments that the hard hat may be used. Mounting brackets and/or clips are securely and removably coupled to the mounting and/or side accessory ridges to secure the accessories. In this manner, earmuffs, lamps, face-shields, reflectors, magnetic tool carriers, and/or eyeglass holders are attached to the hard hat in a manner that is more secure than a typical strap arrangement. In addition, the removable and secure coupling avoids potential problems associated with mounting systems that involve permanent alteration of hard hat structure to attach accessories. 
     In addition, because some users wear hard hats backwards (e.g., so the bill of the hard hat does not further interfere with visibility), mounts are added on the front and the back of the hard hat. A user can then wear a first accessory (e.g., a light) on the front of the hard hat, a second accessory (e.g., a reflector) on the back of the hard hat, a third accessory on one side (e.g., a tool carrier), a fourth accessory on another side (e.g., an eyeglass carrier or holder), and/or an accessory on both sides (e.g., earmuffs for the right and left ears). This configuration enhances safety by providing users with accessories specific to the work environment. The accessories chosen in a mine, for example, may be different than the accessories for an operator in a construction area near heavy operating equipment (e.g., a forklift, bulldozer, boom, or other heavy operating equipment). 
     Referring generally to the figures, a hard hat accessory system  10  is shown and described. A hard hat  12  provides outer shell  14  with an exterior surface  16  and an interior surface  18 . Similarly, a midplane  20  divides outer shell  14  into a left lateral outer surface  22  and a right lateral outer surface  24  on each opposite lateral side. Interior surface  18  defines a cavity  26  in hard hat  12  that couples to a suspension system  11  ( FIGS.  8 - 9   ) to receive and supports hard hat  12  on an operator&#39;s head. The outer shell  14  of hard hat  12  includes a crown segment  28  and a brim  30 . Crown segment  28  covers a part of the operator&#39;s head. Crown segment  28  extends radially around a crown to partially surround the user&#39;s head. A bottom portion  32  of crown segment  28  either extends away from the user&#39;s head to form brim  30  or terminates to form an edge  36  of outer shell  14 . Bottom portion  32  defines a lower circumference  34  extending along exterior surface  16 , where outer shell  14  extends away from the user&#39;s head to form brim  30 . Brim  30  extends radially outward from lower circumference  34  and partially or completely surrounds lower/bottom portion  32 . Stated differently, brim  30  extends away from crown segment  28  to extend an edge  36  of outer shell  14  for at least a portion of the lower circumference  34 . In some embodiments, brim  30  only includes a front bill  38 , and edge  36  of outer shell  14  is collinear with lower circumference  34 . 
     In various embodiments, hard hat  12  includes a variety of mounting ridges, location, or mounts  40  (e.g., front and/or rear mounts  42  and/or  44 ) and/or side accessory/auxiliary support ridges or side accessory ridges  50  (e.g., right and/or left accessory ridges  46  and/or  48 ) to mount various attachments  56 . Front and rear mounts  42  and  44  have opposite right and left edges  52  and  54  protruding outwardly from each mount  40 . In one embodiment, right edge  52  and left edge  54  on front mount  42  are the same size and shape as left edge  54  and right edge  52  on rear mount  44 . 
     As used herein, the description for mount  40  applies equally to front mount  42  and rear mount  44 , unless expressly indicated otherwise. Unless indicated, the description for front mount  42  applies to rear mount  44  and vice versa. Similarly, side accessory ridge  50  refers to an accessory ridge on either the right and/or left sides of outer shell  14 . Right accessory ridge  46  and left accessory ridge  48  are identified as right or left the accessory ridges  50 ; however, unless expressly indicated otherwise, the description for one accessory ridge  50  applies to either ridge  46  and/or  48 . Accessories or attachments  56  generally include a lamp  58 , a face-shield  60 , earmuffs  62 , a reflector  64 , a magnetic tool carrier  66 , and/or an eyeglass holder  68 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , an operator is shown wearing hard hat  12 . As illustrated, hard hat  12  is oriented in a forward-facing direction with a front mount  42  above a bill  38  of the front end  70  of hard hat  12 . In this configuration, bill  38  on the front end  70  of hard hat  12  shields the operator&#39;s eyes. The back end  72  is in the back of the head. Referring to  FIG.  2   , the operator can reverse hard hat  12  such that the front end  70  is on the back of the head, and the back end  72  is above the eyes of the operator. A rear mount  44  is now located above the user&#39;s eyes for an accessory or attachment  56  (e.g., lamp  58 ) to hard hat  12 . In both  FIGS.  1  and  2    an attachment  56 , such as a headlamp (e.g., lamp  58 ), includes a mounting bracket  74  ( FIG.  3   ) that securely attaches to front or rear mount  42  or  44  of hard hat  12 . 
     In some embodiments, the hard hat attachment system includes mounting bracket  74 , lamp  58 , and a strap  76 .  FIG.  3    illustrates hard hat  12  of  FIGS.  1  and  2    showing attachment of bracket  74  to lamp  58  at mount  40  on hard hat  12 . Bracket  74  includes receiving slots  78  and extensions  80  that interface with the front mount  42  or rear mount  44  of hard hat  12 . Slots  78  and extensions  80  partially surround edges  52  and  54  on mounts  40  to clamp and secure bracket  74  at the mount  40  of outer shell  14 . Bracket  74  provides structural support to lamp  58  and provides a rigid attachment location to secure lamp  58  on hard hat  12 . Strap  76  interconnects lamp  58  to bracket  74  and provides a mechanism to attach various lamps  58 , including aftermarket lamps  58  with strap  76  receiving locations. 
     An auxiliary band  82  may wrap around the circumference of hard hat  12  without interfering with the mounting or auxiliary or accessory ridges  50 , such as passing through an opening under the right and left accessory ridges  46  and  48 . Auxiliary band  82  supports the connection of hand tools or other equipment suitable for storage along bill  38  or accessory ridges  46  and  48  of hard hat  12 . Similarly, attachments  56  couple to ports  84  in accessory ridge  50  of hard hat  12 . In some embodiments, tools and/or other attachments  56  include a fastener or clip  86  that couples with one or more ports  84 . For example,  FIGS.  1 - 2    show a front accessory port  88 , a middle accessory port  90 , and a rear accessory port  92  of different sizes on a right side accessory ridge  50  and a left accessory ridge  48 . In some embodiments, a smaller port (e.g., front port  88  and/or rear port  92 ) is used for a smaller attachment  56  (e.g., tool carrier  66 ). Similarly, a larger port (e.g., middle port  90 ) is used for a larger attachment  56  (e.g., earmuffs  62 ). For example, front accessory port  88  and rear accessory port  92  are each smaller than middle accessory port  90 , which balances attachments to support more weight over a center between the front end  70  and back end  72  of outer shell  14 . 
     Each port  84  (e.g., front, middle, and rear accessory ports  88 ,  90 , and  92 ) has a size  94  (or area) defined by a width  96  and a length  98  of the port  84 . The width of each port  84  is defined radially as the linear distance from lower circumference  34  of outer shell  14  to an inner rim  100  of side accessory ridge  50 . Similarly, a length  98  of ports  84  is defined between a forward rim  102  (nearest a front bill  38 ) and a rear rim  104  (furthest from the front bill  38 ) of the ports  84 . The product of length  98  and width  96  for each port  84  defines an area equal to the size  94  of the port  84 . 
     In various embodiments, each port  84  has a different size  94 , width  96 , and/or length  98 , or some ports  84  have equal widths  96  and/or sizes  94 , but variable lengths  98 . Specifically, front accessory port  88  and rear accessory port  92  have the same width  96  and/or length  98  (and therefore the same size  94 ), but a different width  96  and/or length  98  as the middle accessory port  90 . For example, the port width  96  is the same (e.g., equal) for front accessory port  88 , middle accessory port  90 , and rear accessory port  92 . In one embodiment, the port width  96  of each port on the left side accessory ridge  50  is the same as the port width  96  of each port  84  on the right side accessory ridge  50 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 2   , middle accessory port  90  has a width  96  that is equal to the front accessory port  88  and the rear accessory port  92 , and a length  98  of middle accessory port  90  is greater than a length of either front accessory port  88  or rear accessory port  92 . In one embodiment, the length  98  of front accessory port  88  is equal to the length of rear accessory port  92 . In other embodiments, the width  96  of each port  84  is the same, but the sizes  94  and/or lengths  98  of the ports  84  vary. For example, the size  94  and/or length  98  of middle accessory port  90  is greater than a size  94  and/or length  98  of either the front accessory port  88  or the rear accessory port  92 . In a specific embodiment, front accessory port  88  and rear port  84  have equal size  94  (e.g., the same width  96  and length  98  or different widths  96  and lengths  98  where the products of the widths  96  and lengths  98  are equal). 
     In various embodiments, hard hat  12  has opposite left and right accessory ridges  50 . The left side accessory ridge  50  is located on the left lateral outer surface  22 , and the right side accessory ridge  50  is located on the right later outer surface of outer shell  14 . Both the left and right accessory ridges  46  and  48  have the front left/right side accessory ports  88  with a first length  98 , middle left/right side accessory ports  90  with a second length  98 , and rear left/right side accessory ports  92  with a third length  98 . In general, the lengths  98  and widths  96  are variable, such that each port  84  has a different size  94 , length  98 , and/or width  96 . In one embodiment, ports  84  have equal widths  96 , but second length  98  is different from both the first length  98  and the third length  98 . 
     This configuration enables a uniform system to couple attachments to side accessory ridge  50  of hard hat  12 . Side clips of different sizes or shapes are coupled to one of the ports  84  (e.g., front accessory port  88 , middle accessory port  90 , and/or rear accessory port  92 ) to couple an attachment  56  to side accessory ridge  50  on a left or right side brim  30  of outer shell  14 . For example, earmuffs  62  have a large insert or clip  86  sized for a middle accessory port  90 , and a reflector  64  has a clip  86  sized for front and/or rear accessory ports  88  and/or  92 . 
     Using the same width  96  across ports  84  maintains a consistent thickness for clips  86  and having consistently sized ports  84  (e.g., a middle accessory port  90  that has a length  98  that is greater than a length of front accessory port  88  and rear accessory port  92 ) provides attachment locations to support different sizes and weights of attachments. This configuration creates a uniform mounting system  10  for attachments  56  coupled to any hard hat  12  configured with an appropriately sized mount  40  and/or accessory ridge  50 . 
       FIG.  4    shows an earmuff  62  configured with overhead support  105  and a swivel  106 . In the illustrated embodiment, earmuff  62  includes left/right over-earmuffs  62 , a swivel  106 , an earmuff connector  108 , a headband connector  108 , and overhead support  105 . Over-earmuff  62  includes acoustic damping materials  110  and a seal  112  that acoustically isolates an operator&#39;s ear from the surrounding environment. The over-earmuff reduces the decibel level of surrounding noise in the environment if the over-earmuff  62  is properly constrained against the user&#39;s head and over the user&#39;s ears. To properly restrain the over-earmuff  62  overhead support  105  traditionally couples right and left over-earmuffs  62 . In the embodiment of  FIG.  4   , swivel  106  is coupled to headband connector  108  and/or earmuff connector  108 . For example, overhead support  105  is removably coupled to swivel  106  via headband connector  108 , and swivel  106  is removably coupled to over-earmuff  62  via earmuff connector  108 . 
     As described in detail below, this configuration enables a user to use earmuff  62  with an overhead support  105  or to remove overhead support  105  and connect swivels  106  of left ear cuff  107  and right ear cuff  109  directly into port  84  of side accessory ridge  50 . Similarly, earmuff connector  108  releasably couples to over-earmuff  62  to attach another accessory to swivel  106 . For example, a wireless speaker, a telephone earpiece/receiver, a two-way radio, and/or a microphone. In this way, swivel  106  optionally couples to overhead support  105  and over-earmuff  62  with various features specifically suited for the task the operator wishes to accomplish. 
       FIG.  5    shows a side perspective view of the earmuff  62  of  FIG.  4   . As shown in  FIG.  4   , overhead support  105  is coupled to swivel  106 , and a sliding adjustment  114  is located between swivel  106  and over-earmuff  62 . Sliding adjustment  114  enables over-earmuff  62  to be located relative to swivel  106 . For example, sliding adjustment  114  utilizes one length on an operator when used with overhead support  105  and a second length when swivel  106  is coupled to ports  84  on accessory ridge  50 . In addition, over-earmuffs  62  may include a variety of features specific to the job. Different over-earmuffs  62  can attach to swivel  106 , incorporating either overhead support  105  or attachment to port  84  on accessory support ridge  50 . 
       FIG.  6    shows earmuff  62  detached from overhead support  105 . This view shows a muff attachment or clip  86  that alternatively couples over-earmuff  62  and/or swivel to overhead support  105  or hard hat  12  via port  84 . In this way, an operator can choose whether overhead support  105  or hard hat  12  equipment is better suited for the specific task. In addition, replacing over-earmuff  62  with a speaker over-earmuff  62  (or other features, e.g., earphone/microphone) is accomplished by replacing over-earmuff  62  at swivel  106 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1 - 3  and  7   , hard hat  12  includes mounts  40  with an angled edge or taper  116  and a bevel  118 . The taper  116  provides a location to facilitate slipping bracket  74  over the edges  52  and  54  of mount  40 . Slots  78  and extensions  80  in bracket  74  are wider than the taper  116  and top of bevel  118  to slide over mount  40  easily. Bevel  118  and taper  116  of mount get thicker/wider, respectively, as bracket  74  slides down mount  40  towards brim  30 , securing the joint between bracket  74  and mount  40 . Detents and/or protrusions  120  on a front face or forward mounting surface  122  of mounts  40  also interface with openings  124  on bracket  74  to secure bracket  74  to the mount  40 . 
     The angular shape of taper  116  gradually increases the width of edges  52  and  54  on mounts  40  to increase the friction and/or clamping force between slots  78  and extensions  80  on bracket  74  and edges  52  and  54  on mount  40 . Similarly, bevel  118  increases a thickness  126  of mount  40  between the front and back of edges  52  and  54  to facilitate attaching bracket  74  and increase the clamping and frictional forces generated when bracket  74  slides down onto brim  30 . The increased thickness  126  at the bottom of mount  40  (e.g., adjacent lower circumference  34 ) wedges protrusions  120  into slots  78  and increases the frictional and clamping forces of the slots  78  and extensions  80  on bracket  74  enclosing edges  52  and  54  of mounts  40 . 
       FIG.  7    shows a pair of earmuffs  62  coupled to opposite (e.g., left and right) accessory ridges  50 . Earmuffs  62  include a right over-ear cuff  107  and a left over-ear cuff  109  coupled to middle ports  88  of accessory ridge  50  on hard hat  12 . In various embodiments, the right and/or left ear cuffs  107  and/or  109  are coupled to middle accessory port  90  and/or rear accessory port  92  on both right side accessory ridge  46  and left accessory ridge  48  (e.g., on left/right side accessory ridges  50  of brim  30 ). This configuration adequately supports the weight of earmuffs  62  and enables a user to rotate the earmuffs  62  back off the user&#39;s ears. Also, front accessory port  88  remains available for another attachment  56 . 
       FIG.  8    shows a side view of the over-earmuffs  62  of  FIG.  7   . As shown in  FIGS.  7  and  8   , mounts  40  the in front and back of hard hat  12  remain available for customizable attachment of various attachments  56 . Several customizable features of the attachment system  10  at accessory ridges are shown. Specifically, clips  86  on over-earmuffs  62  releasably couple to ports  88  and/or  90  on accessory ridge  50  of hard hat  12 . Swivel  106  and/or sliding adjustments  114  enable adjusting the fit of earmuffs  62  to the user&#39;s head configuration. This creates a reliable and secure customizable fit for the operator and enhances user compliance and comfort. In addition, the releasable and replaceable nature of the hardware enhances the tools and attachments  56  an operator can select from for the specific environment or task. This enhances efficiency since the operator customizes equipment/tools for the specific job, environment, or other specific use of hard hat  12 . 
       FIG.  9    shows a front view of the right and left over-earmuffs  107  and  109 . As shown in  FIG.  9   , a protrusion  120  is used to secure optional accessories on the front or back mounts  42  or  44 . Swivel  106  includes a clip  86  that releasably couples to a clip attachment or port  84  to easily attach, remove, and replace attachments  56  and customize the location and fit of each over-earmuff  62  for a particular operator. Earmuff  62  attaches to the hard hat  12  with clip  86  inserted into one or more accessory ports  84  on support or accessory ridge  50  located on one side of hard hat  12 . Attachment clip  86  releasably and securely couples earmuff  62  so that earmuff  62  can also be attached into a headband or over-head support  105 . Hard hat attachment system  10  permits the user to optionally select/wear earmuffs  62  with or without hard hat  12 . 
       FIG.  10    shows face-shield  60  with exterior mount  140 , the same as or similar to mount  40  on hard hat  12 . Exterior mount  140  and/or mount  40  on face-shield  60  and/or hard hat  12  receive bracket  74  on one or more edges  52  and  54  to couple the attachment  56  to hard hat  12  and/or face-shield  60 . In this way, the same attachments  56  that couple to mounts  40  on hard hat  12  also couple to exterior mounts  140  on the coupled/mounted face-shield  60 . 
     In some embodiments, face-shield  60  includes a face mask  130  comprising a transparent glass, polyurethane, or polymer to protect the operator&#39;s face and/or eyes from debris. In other embodiments, face mask  130  is substantially opaque, e.g., for wielding, limiting one or more wavelengths of light that pass through mask  130  to protect the operator&#39;s eyes. Face-shield  60  and/or mask  130  protect the operator&#39;s face and/or eyes from debris, temperature, light, liquids, and/or chemicals. In some embodiments, face-shield  60  includes an attachment clip  86  that further secures face-shield  60  against hard hat  12 , e.g., at accessory ridge  50 . For example, face-shield  60  includes bracket  74  that couples to mount  40  and accessory clip  86  that couples to left/right accessory ports  84  (e.g., front, middle, and/or rear accessory ports  88 ,  90 , and/or  92 ) on accessory ridge  50  of hard hat  12 . Face-shield  60  further comprises exterior mount  140  used to couple attachments  56  (e.g., lamp  58 ). 
       FIG.  10    shows face-shield  60  supporting lamp  58  on mount  40  of face-shield  60 , where face-shield  60  is coupled to mounts  40  on hard hat  12 . Mount  40  on face-shield  60  is the same or substantially the same as mount  40  on hard hat  12 , such that attachments  56  with bracket  74  couple to either mount  40  on hard hat  12  and/or face-shield  60 . In some embodiments, swivel  106  is located between face-shield  60  and clip  86  to facilitate the movement of face-shield  60 . For example, after welding a part, an operator may lift face-shield  60  to temporarily look at the welded part, take a break, etc. 
       FIG.  11    shows the configuration of hard hat  12  shown in  FIG.  10   , further including earmuffs  62  coupled to ports  84  on accessory ridges  50 . In this configuration, lamp  58  is coupled to external mount  140  on face-shield  60 . Face-shield  60  is coupled to mount  40  on hard hat  12 , and earmuffs  62  are coupled to accessory ridges  50  on opposite sides of hard hat  12 . Additional mounts  40  and/or accessory ridges  50  support additional attachments  56  (e.g., reflectors  64 , tool carriers  66 , and/or eyeglass holders  68 ). One feature of hard hat attachment system  10  is a user&#39;s ability to customize or configure a hard hat  12  for the particular job, environment, and/or safety requirements of the task. 
       FIG.  12    shows various hard hat  12  reflective attachments  56 . For example, mount  40  and side accessory ridge  50  each support one attachment  56  independently and cooperate to support a single attachment  56 . Specifically, mount  40  supports lamp  58  on face-shield  60 , and side accessory ridge  50  supports earmuffs  62  and cooperates with mount  40  to support face-shield  60 . Mount  40  and front accessory ports  88  on side accessory ridge  50  support face-shield  60 . Face shield  60  also supports lamp  58  on exterior mount  140  of face-shield  60 . Earmuffs  62  are supported in middle accessory ports  90  of opposite side accessory ridges  50 . Specifically, a clip  86  on earmuff  62  secures earmuff  62 , and a connector  108  on face-shield  60  secures the face-shield in ports  84  of accessory ridge  50 . In one embodiment, clip  86  on earmuff  62  is sized for middle accessory port  90 , and connector  108  on face-shield  60  is sized for front accessory port  88 . 
     In various embodiments, mounts  40  and accessory ridges  50  support various attachments  56  independently or cooperate to support the same attachment  56  (e.g., face-shield coupled to front mount  42  and front accessory ports  88 ). 
     Reflective hard hat attachments  56  or reflectors  64  improve the visibility and safety of the user. Reflective materials are attached to a support or reflector  64  with clip  86  to couple, snap, clip, and/or fit into accessory ridges  50  and/or ports  84  of hard hat  12 . For example, reflectors  64  couple to front and rear accessory ports  88  and  92  of right and left accessory ridges  46  and  48 . Inserts or clips  86  slide and clip into ports  84  on side accessory ridges  50  of hard hat  12 . Similarly, reflectors  64  attach to brackets  74  and/or clips  86  that interact with front, back, or side accessory attachments (e.g., accessory ridges  46  and  48 ). For example, clips  86  and reflector  64  attachments are compatible with the BOLT accessory system  10  for hard hats  12  produced by Milwaukee Electric Tool Corp. 
       FIG.  13    shows the reflectors  64  of  FIG.  12    coupled to hard hat  12 . Reflective attachments  56  are shown coupled to ports  84  and mounts  40  of hard hat  12 . Other mounting and auxiliary accessory ridges  46  and  48  are available to support other attachments  56  (e.g., earmuffs  62 , lamps  58 , tool carriers  66 , etc.). 
       FIG.  14    shows a magnetic tool carrier  66  with various tools  132  (e.g., bits, screws, screwdrivers, etc.) that couple to the tool carrier  66 . Ferro-magnetic tools  132  are attracted to the magnetic force in magnets within tool carrier  66  to hold or secure the tools  132  within slots of ports  84  of tool carrier  66 . As shown, other ports  84  on side accessory ridges  50  are available for other attachments  56 . 
       FIG.  15    shows an eyeglass holder  68  that the operator inserts into port  84  to store or carry a pair of eyeglasses. Similar holders  68  include other devices commonly carried, for example, keys, wallets, cell phones, rings, credit cards, and/or money holders  68 . Attachment attachments  56  are customized to include holders  68  configured to carry a variety of devices for users. Holders  68  are configured with bracket  74  and/or clip  86  to couple to mounting or auxiliary accessory ridges  50  of hard hat  12 . 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two components directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature. 
     In various exemplary embodiments, the relative dimensions, including angles, lengths, and radii, as shown in the figures, are to scale. Actual measurements of the Figures will disclose relative dimensions, angles, and proportions of the various exemplary embodiments. Various exemplary embodiments extend to various ranges around the absolute and relative dimensions, angles, and proportions that may be determined from the Figures. Various exemplary embodiments include any combination of one or more relative dimensions or angles that may be determined from the Figures. Further, actual dimensions not expressly set out in this description can be determined by using the ratios of dimensions measured in the Figures in combination with the express dimensions set out in this description. 
     It should be understood that the figures illustrate the exemplary embodiments in detail, and it should be understood that the present application is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only. The construction and arrangements shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Some elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements. The position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any process, logical algorithm, or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention.