Patent Abstract:
A cushion for use in protective helmets, such as military helmets is described. The cushion comprises a hydrophilic foam core covered with a moisture wicking fabric.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention pertains to headwear, in general, and to a cushion for a helmet, in particular. The cushion is particularly well adapted for combat helmets and the like.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Combat helmets currently in use have Kevlar or projectile resistant helmet that have a web type suspension. One problem with such helmets is that the web suspension rests on the top of the wearer&#39;s head. Many wearers, have shaved heads, or such short hair that the web suspension chaffs or rubs.  
         [0003]     It is highly desirable to provide a cushion that will be usable with combat helmets and the like that is comfortable and has anti-microbial, ant-bacteria, and/or anti fungal properties.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     In accordance with the principles of the invention, a cushion is provided for use in helmets. The cushion includes one or more hydrophilic foam bands or cores. Each foam band or core is contained within a fabric covering the foam band. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the fabric is a moisture wicking fabric. The cushion is removably attached to the suspension webbing of a helmet.  
         [0005]     In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the foam band is treated to be resistant to at least one of microbes, bacteria, and fungi.  
         [0006]     In the illustrative embodiment of the invention, the cushion is attached to the webbing of the helmet by means of hook and loop fasteners.  
         [0007]     In the sweat band of the illustrative embodiment the cushion comprises a plurality of strips carrying hook and loop type fasteners. Each of the plurality of strips is utilized for securing the sweat band to the web portion of a helmet such that the cushion is carried in the top of the helmet to cushion the head of a wearer from the suspension webbing.  
         [0008]     Still further in accordance with the principles of the invention, a helmet is provided comprising a protective helmet body. A suspension is carried within the helmet body. A cushion is removably carried in the helmet body proximate the suspension to cushion the top of the head of a wearer. The cushion comprises a cushion portion and an attachment portion. The cushion portion comprises one or more hydrophilic foam portions and covered with fabric. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the fabric is a moisture wicking fabric. The attachment portion comprises webbing affixed to the cushion portion and carrying a plurality of hook an loop fastener strips carried by the webbing for releasable affixing the cushion to the suspension.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0009]     The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the drawing figures in which the sizes of and distances between various elements is not representative of actual physical sizes or distances between various elements, and in which:  
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is a bottom view of a helmet to which the cushion of the invention is particularly well adapted;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is bottom planar view of a cushion in accordance with the principles of the invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the cushion of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a planar view of a subassembly of the cushion of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is a planar view of another subassembly of the cushion of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  which appears on the same sheet as  FIG. 1  is a cross-section taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  which appears on the same sheet as  FIG. 1  is a cross-section taken along lines  7 - 7  of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates the cushion of  FIG. 2  installed in the helmet of  FIG. 1 ; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is a cross-section taken along lines  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]     Turning to  FIG. 1 , a representative helmet  700  to which the present invention is advantageously applied is shown in bottom view. Helmet  700  includes a protective helmet body  701 . A suspension  703  is carried within helmet body  701  and includes a headband  705 . Suspension  703  includes web portions  707  that are connected together by tie  709  that is used to adjust the fit of helmet  700  to a wearer.  
         [0020]     A helmet cushion  100  in accordance with the principles of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . Cushion  100  includes one or more cushion portions  101  and one or more corresponding attachment portions  103 . In the illustrative embodiment shown Cushion  100  includes a plurality of cushion portions  101  arranged to cushion each of suspension web portions  707 . Each cushion portion  101  is formed from a piece of moisture wicking fabric  111  such as COOLMAX® which is a high tech fabric available from Dupont. This fabric is made from specially engineered polyester fibers with an increased surface area. The surface  101   a  of the fabric  111  in contact with skin pulls moisture away from the skin to its opposite surface.  
         [0021]     The moisture wicking fabric  111  is fabricated into a flat tube containing a core  107  shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Core  107  is hydrophilic foam that includes antibacterial, anti-microbial, and/or anti-fungal agents to eliminate odor and other unpleasant effects of extended use. The hydrophilic foam is commercially available. The foam has integrated therein water absorbent polymer crystals, such that the foam will absorb moisture such as sweat that is passed through fabric  111 . One source of such foam padding is Lendell Manufacturing, Inc.  
         [0022]     By using a moisture wicking fabric  111  in combination with hydrophilic foam  107 , an extremely comfortable cushion  100  that provides double moisture removal is provided.  
         [0023]     Each cushion portion  101  is formed to contain foam core  107  by folding the fabric  111  over foam pad or core  107  and closing the ends and top of the fabric  111 . In the illustrative embodiment of the invention, closure of the ends and the top is accomplished by sewing.  
         [0024]     Cushion portion  101  has affixed thereto webbing  103 . The outer ends of each webbing  103  carries a hook and loop fastener, such as a Velcro™ loop strip  105 . Each strip  105  has a hook portion on one surface and a loop portion on its other surface.  
         [0025]     To install cushion  100  in helmet  700 , cushion  100  is inserted into helmet  700  with strips  105  entering helmet  700  first. Cushion  100  is placed against suspension webs  707 , with each strip  105  being proximate a corresponding one suspension web  707 . Strips  105  are then wrapped around webs  707  and affixed to themselves. Strips  105  thus are used to releasably affix cushion  100  into helmet  700 .  
         [0026]     It will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art that the cushion may take on different configurations without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.  
         [0027]     It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the helmet shown in the drawing figures is intended to be representative of a combat helmet, but the invention is not limited to any particular helmet shape or type. Still further, the invention is not limited to the particular suspension configuration shown in the drawing figures. The invention is equally applicable to different suspension configurations and suspension attachments to helmets.  
         [0028]     The invention has been described in terms of various embodiments. It is not intended that the invention be limited to the illustrative embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the claims appended hereto.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0