Patent Publication Number: US-2019191811-A1

Title: Pliable protective draperies for safety helmets

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/608,401, which was filed Dec. 20, 2017 and to Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/646,458, which was filed Mar. 22, 2018, each of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This disclosure relates to insulation and protection and more particularly relates to an apparatus for insulating and protecting a user wearing a helmet. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Protective helmets worn by search and rescue personnel and climbing helmets worn by rock climbers are intended to protect the head from the force of impacts. Standards and certifications for such helmets include: Rescue and Work at height Certifications: CE EN 397-CE EN 50365, ANSI Z89.1-2009 type I class E, CE EN 12492*, UIAA, and ANSI Z89.1-2009 type I class C, EAC and Climbing Helmet Certification(s): CE EN 12492, UIAA rt. Each of these standards is incorporated by reference herein. While such helmets provide protection from impacts, conventional helmets do not provide protection from the elements. For those individuals participating in activities requiring a helmet during the winter months, exposure to the elements becomes a major concern. However, these conventional helmets do not provide insulation to keep the user warm and typically do not protect a user&#39;s face and neck from the elements. 
     A user cannot simply wear an insulative layer, such as a stocking cap under a such a helmet. For these types of helmets, the protective headgear suspension system is just as important as the outer shell. Combined, the outer shell and suspension system work together to protect the user by absorbing impact from falling objects or blows to the head. For maximum protection, the suspension systems headband must be adjusted to ensure total contact with the head, any interference from a heavy weight material used to insulate the face or neck, placed between the user&#39;s head and the suspension system, may interfere with the proper adjustment of the suspension system and therefor pose a safety risk from an improperly fitted helmet suspension system. Additionally, the chin strap is used to secure the helmet on the user&#39;s head. Interference with the chinstrap should be avoided. Otherwise the chin strap has a possibility of coming off during a fall, or by being struck by an object. 
     One attempt to address this shortcoming is found in the inventor&#39;s prior patent application Ser. No. 13/866,400 filed Apr. 19, 2013 and published as US-2013-0276215, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Such application details one protective drapery for use with a helmet, that uses a separate band placed around the helmet with adjustable tension for securement. 
     A system or device that allowed connection to a helmet without a secondary structure would be an improvement in the art. Such a system or device that could be used with different types and brands of helmets without modification would be a further improvement in the art. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure is directed to a pliable draping apparatus or system for use with a safety helmet for protecting a user&#39;s face, neck and/or ears. The pliable draping material includes a helmet engaging portion and a protection portion coupled to the helmet engaging portion. The protection portion protects at least one of a user&#39;s mouth, neck, and ears. The protection apparatus also includes a helmet engaging portion with features allowing easy removing coupling to preexisting clips on various types of safety helmets. In one illustrative embodiment, the helmet engaging portion may be formed as a band of elastic material having reinforced slits for connection to attachment clips on different safety helmets. In some embodiments, the band may be formed by aligning and securing two separate elastic bands together using the space therebetween to form the slits. 
     In some embodiments, the pliable draping system may include a removable and adjustable face mask portion for protection of a user&#39;s face. The system may include a sleeve allowing the face mask portion to be stored when not in use. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the various drawings are for illustrative purposes only. The nature of the present disclosure, as well as other embodiments in accordance with this disclosure, may be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, to the appended claims, and to the several drawings. 
         FIG. 1A  is a side view of a first embodiment of a protective drapery in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, shown in situ on a protective helmet. 
         FIGS. 1B and 1C  are front and side views of the embodiment of  FIG. 1A , with a face mask drapery installed. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are left and right side views of a second embodiment of a protective drapery in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, shown in situ on a protective helmet. 
         FIGS. 3A and 3B  are closeup views of portions of two embodiments similar to  FIGS. 1A through 2B , showing structural details thereof for connection with, or access to, to helmet structures. 
         FIGS. 3C, 3D and 3E  are close ups of portions of other embodiments of protective draperies, showing some structural details thereof. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of a face mask drapery for use with a drapery system in accordance the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the embodiments herein described, while illustrative, are not intended to so limit this disclosure or the scope of the appended claims. Those skilled in the art will also understand that various combinations or modifications of the embodiments presented herein can be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. All such alternate embodiments are within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 1A through 1C , a first embodiment of a protective headgear drapery system  10  in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure is depicted. As depicted, the system  10  is designed to secure to the helmet H via the headlamp retainer clips RC and is designed not to interfere with the suspension system or chinstrap of the helmet H. System  10  includes an outer cover  100  that stretches over the outer shell of the protective headgear and covers the back of the head, neck and ears with a thermal insulating material that protects against cold and also limits wind permeation and repels water. 
     As depicted, the outer cover  100  is a two-piece design which includes a first protection portion  102  (shown in isolation in  FIG. 1 ) and a face mask portion  104  (shown in detached isolation in  FIG. 4 ). First protection portion  102  has an attachment portion  200 , that may include a band  202  which is configured to encircle and resiliently conform to the shape of the helmet H to position and help retain the cover  100  thereon. Band  202  may include an elastic material such as neoprene, lycra, etc. Where appropriate, the band  202  may have a reinforcing layer of fabric disposed on a rear side thereof to help reduce wear. 
     Helmet H, as shown in  FIG. 1 , includes a retainer clip RC with both upper and lower members, under which a headlamp band can be placed for use. As best depicted in  FIG. 3A , attachment portion  200  may include features for attachment to these clips RC. As depicted, one embodiment of an attachment feature  300  may be an elongated slit  301  that is disposed laterally in the band  202 . To prevent fraying or tearing, the slit  301  may be surrounded by a reinforcing stitching  302 . In some embodiments, this may be accomplished by using an appropriate thread to sew a standard buttonhole stitch pattern in the band  202  material and then form slit  301  in the buttonhole stitches, as by cutting. The slits  301  are placed to correspond to the helmet retaining clips RC, and as depicted, allow the band  202  to reside in the clips below the lower member for securing on the helmet H. It will be appreciated that the number and placement of the slits  301  may correspond to the number and placement of the retaining clips RC on the helmet H with which the cover  100  will be used. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3B , where a longer slit  301 A may be desired, a removeable closure  304  may be used to seal a portion of the slit that is not in use. Suitable removable closures may include strips of hook and loop materials that can attach to the band  202  to close the slit  301 A at a desired location. It will be appreciated that other closure materials may also be used. The use of longer sealable slits allows for a single cover with adjustable open portions of the slits to be used on helmets that have differing placements of the clips RC. 
     The band  202  may include additional slits formed like those in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , that can be completely closed by removeable closures to allow for access to helmet H features that are covered by band  202 . For example, where the helmet H includes attachment features for a visor or face shield, suitably sized slits may be present to allow access to these features through the cover  100  as may be needed. 
     FIGS,  3 C,  3 D, and  3 E depict another embodiment where the band  202  is formed from two separate bands  2002 A and  2002 B that are aligned with another along a first direction, which may be considered generally horizontal, and joined by generally “vertical” cross members  303  which are joined to each of the bands  2002 A and  2002 B at intervals. Each slit  301  is defined by the space between the band  2002 A and  2002 B and the respective cross member  303 . As depicted, the cross members may be formed from a textile or fabric piece that wraps on either side of the bands and is joined thereto by stitching or by the use of a suitable adhesive. 
     The slits  301 A and dual band construction allow for greater flexibility in placement on a helmet H, including placement to clips RC and access to other features, as depicted in  FIGS. 3C and 3D . It will be appreciated that a crossmember could be formed from a larger piece of elastic material, or a portion of the band, such as the portion that will be placed on the front of the helmet H, may have a larger section of textile adhered thereto to form a “signage” area for placement of a logo or other material. 
     For other helmet embodiments where the retaining clips RC do not include a lower member, but instead have resilient upper members that are pulled away from the helmet to place a headlamp band therebehind, the band  202  may simply be placed behind the retaining clips in a similar manner. It will be appreciated that in either usage, by engaging the band  202  with the clips RC, the band  202  and cover system  100  will be maintained in position on the protective helmet during use. 
     Returning to  FIGS. 1A through 1C , disposed underneath the band  202  is the first protection portion  102 . A front portion  104  of the first protection portion may be a relatively shorter strip of drapery that will be disposed to hang from the helmet H in a position aligned with the face of a user upon installation. This portion extends downwards a sufficient distance to be placed behind an eyeshield, when in use, but is short enough to remain above the user&#39;s eyes to allow for a complete range of vision. 
     First protection portion  102  may further include a rear portion  106  of draping material. As depicted, the rear portion may be formed of a single drapery (which may be formed by connected pieces to form a unitary whole) that extends around the band from the two side ends of front portion  104  and hangs from the helmet H to protect at least one of a user&#39;s mouth, neck, and/or ears when the cover  100  is coupled to the helmet H and worn by the user. 
     Protection portion  102  may be made of various materials that provide different types of protection for the user. For example, in one embodiment, the protection portion  102  may be made of an insulating material to insulate the user&#39;s mouth, neck, and/or ears from cold or hot temperatures. In another embodiment, the protection portion  102  may be made of a water resistant or waterproof material to protect the user&#39;s mouth, neck, and/or ears from dripping or running water. In yet another embodiment, the protection portion  102  may be made of a material that is fire retardant to protect the user from an open flame or extreme heat. It will be appreciated that a composite drapery with an outer waterproof layer and an inner insulating layer, such as fleece material overlaid with a shell may be used. 
     The rear portion  106  may include attachment features  105  to allow for connection to the facemask  154  as discussed further below. It may also include connectors for securing under a user&#39;s chin, to an adjustable anti-fog face piece for further securing or to combine multiple types of protection by protecting the user in extreme cold weather without restricting movement or blocking vision. It will be appreciated that any suitable fasteners may be used, including hook and loop fabric connectors. As depicted, at each side of the face, a chin protection extension  108  formed as an extending tab of material may extend forward and include a corresponding fastener  107  allowing the extensions to be joined together around or under a user&#39;s chin for protection or insulation. 
     A face mask  154  (a rear view of which in isolation is depicted in  FIG. 4 ) may be connected to the rear portion  106  for additional protection. As shown, the facemask  154  may be formed as a sheet of material that protects a user&#39;s nose and/or mouth when coupled to the rear portion  106 . As best depicted in  FIG. 4 , the facemask  154  includes attachments  205  disposed at opposing ends of the facemask  154 . The attachments  205  are positioned on an inner surface of the sheet of material that makes up the facemask  154 . The attachments  205  are alignable with and removably couplable to the counterpart fasteners  105  on the rear portion  106  to couple the facemask  154  thereto. As depicted, the counterpart fasteners  105  allows the position of the face mask  154  to be adjusted for the user&#39;s comfort by allowing variance in the distance in the relative overlap of the two protection elements. 
     The facemask  154  may include a nose extension portion  162  that extends from a top edge of the facemask  154 . The nose extension portion  162  covers the user&#39;s nose when the facemask is installed. Because the nose extension portion  162  extends higher than the rest of the facemask, the user&#39;s vision is not inhibited by the facemask  154 . 
     It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the facemask  154  may be integral with or otherwise permanently coupled to the rear portion. In one embodiment, it may be permanently joined on one side and able to be detachable to the opposite side either in front for use, or around the rear surface for storage, allowing it to be out of the way but rapidly deployed as needed. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the facemask  154  may include breathing vents  163  to allow the user to breathe through his or her nose. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , another illustrative embodiment of a protective headgear drapery system  10 B in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure is depicted. As depicted, the system  10 B is designed to secure to the helmet H via the headlamp retainer clips RC and is designed not to interfere with the suspension system or chinstrap of the helmet H. System  10 B includes an outer cover  100 B that stretches over the outer shell of the protective headgear and covers the back of the head, neck and ears with a thermal insulating material that protects against cold and also limits wind permeation and repels water. 
     As depicted, the outer cover  100 B is a two-piece design which includes a first protection portion  102 B and a face mask portion  154 B. First protection portion  102 B has an attachment portion  200 B, that may include a band  202 B which is configured to encircle and resiliently conform to the shape of the helmet H to position and help retain the cover  100 B thereon. Band  202 B and attachment portion  200 B may interact with the helmet and retaining clips C and be constructed as has been discussed previously herein, in connection with  FIGS. 1A through 1C, and 3A through 3E . 
     A front portion  104 B of the first protection portion may be a relatively shorter strip of drapery that will be disposed to hang from the helmet H in a position aligned with the face of a user upon installation. This portion extends downwards a sufficient distance to be placed behind an eyeshield, when in use, but is short enough to remain above the user&#39;s eyes to allow for a complete range of vision. 
     First protection portion  102 B may further include a rear portion  106 B of draping material. As depicted, the rear portion may be formed of a single drapery (which may be formed by connected pieces to form a unitary whole) that extends around the band from the two side ends of front portion  1048  and hangs from the helmet H to protect at least one of a user&#39;s mouth, neck, and/or ears when the cover  100  is coupled to the helmet H and worn by the user. 
     Protection portion  102 B may be made of various materials that provide different types of protection for the user. For example, in one embodiment, the protection portion  102 B may be made of an insulating material to insulate the user&#39;s mouth, neck, and/or ears from cold or hot temperatures. In another embodiment, the protection portion  1028  may be made of a water resistant or waterproof material to protect the user&#39;s mouth, neck, and/or ears from dripping or running water. In yet another embodiment, the protection portion  1028  may be made of a material that is fire retardant to protect the user from an open flame or extreme heat. It will be appreciated that a composite drapery with an outer waterproof layer and an inner insulating layer, such as fleece material overlaid with a shell may be used. 
     The rear portion  106 B may include attachment features  105 B to allow for connection to the facemask  154 B as discussed further below. It may also include connectors for securing under a user&#39;s chin, to an adjustable anti-fog face piece for further securing or to combine multiple types of protection by protecting the user in extreme cold weather without restricting movement or blocking vision. It will be appreciated that any suitable fasteners may be used, including hook and loop fabric connectors. As depicted, at each side of the face, a chin protection extension  1088  formed as an extending tab of material may extend forward and include a corresponding fastener  107 B allowing the extensions to be joined together around or under a user&#39;s chin for protection or insulation. 
     A storage sleeve  109 B may be disposed on a rear surface of the rear portion  106 B. As depicted, the sleeve  109 B may be formed from a flexible textile material, typically the same material as the protection portion  102 B. It may be attached to the rear portion  106 B along at least the top and bottom edges, with one or both sides open. 
     A face mask  154 B may be connected to the rear portion  106 B for additional protection. As shown, the facemask  154 B may be formed as a sheet of material that protects a user&#39;s nose and/or mouth when coupled to the rear portion  106 B. As depicted in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the facemask  154 B includes attachments for coupling to the rear portion  106 B. As depicted in  FIG. 2A , on a first side of the facemask  154 B, a strap assembly  207 B may be disposed for connection the rear portion  106 B. As depicted, strap assembly  207 B may include a first strap  213  with one end connected to the facemask  154 B, a second strap  211  with one end connected to the rear portion  106 B, and a buckle  215  used to adjustably connect straps to one another. In the depicted embodiment, the straps  213  and  211  may be formed from a suitable strapping material, such as a webbing, and the buckle  215  may be designed such that one strap is permanently secured thereto by a loop disposed on a portion thereof with the counterpart strap drawn through an adjustable retaining loop, allowing it to be securely retained in a desired position, with the secured position to be adjusted along the length of the strap. It will be appreciated that other buckles and straps which can be used to achieve the secured adjustability may be used. Additionally, embodiments where only a single strap that is secured to both the face mask  154 B and the rear portion  106 B, with or without a length adjustment feature are also contemplated. 
     Where length adjustment features, such as buckle  215 , are present this can allow the position of the face mask  154 B to be adjusted for the user&#39;s comfort by allowing variance in the distance in the relative overlap of the two protection elements. Additionally, as depicted in  FIG. 2B , when not in use, the face mask can be folded and placed, or simply “stuffed” into the storage sleeve  109 B. This allows the face mask  154 B to be easily accessed as needed, without requiring additional storage or dangling in a user&#39;s way when not in use. The strap assembly  207 B helps ensure the face mask  154 B is not lost should it become dislodged from sleeve  109 B. 
     As, depicted in  FIG. 2B , the facemask  154 B on the opposite side may include attachments  205 B similar to those  205  of  FIGS. 1  A through  1 C. Attachment  205 B may be positioned on an inner surface of the sheet of material that makes up the facemask  154 B and be alignable with and removably couplable to a counterpart fastener  105 B on the rear portion  106 B to couple the facemask  154 B thereto. As depicted, the counterpart fasteners  205 B and  105 B allow the position of the face mask  154 B to be adjusted for the user&#39;s comfort by allowing variance in the distance in the relative overlap of the two protection elements. 
     Facemask  154 B may include a nose extension portion  162 B that extends from a top edge of the facemask  154 B, similar to nose extension portion  162  discussed previously herein. 
     While this disclosure has been described using certain embodiments, it can be further modified while keeping within its spirit and scope. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practices in the art to which it pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.