Patent ID: 7654260

Claim:
A protective helmet to extract breathable air from snow, the protective helmet comprising: a protective structure having an outer surface, the protective structure configured to protect at least a part of a user's head, the protective structure defining an inner cavity by an inner surface for receiving a user's head; at least a first air intake cavity and a second air intake cavity, the first air intake cavity and the second air intake cavity disposed adjacent to the outer surface of the protective structure; wherein the protective helmet further comprises an air transfer channel connecting the first air intake cavity to the second air intake cavity, the air transfer channel comprising an enclosed channel configured to transfer air between the first air intake cavity and the second air intake cavity; an air-permeable membrane disposed on at least one of the first air intake cavity and the second air intake cavity, the air permeable membrane configured to allow air to pass therethrough and prevent water from passing therethrough; a protective membrane disposed on the air-permeable membrane such that the air-permeable membrane is interposed between at least one of the air intake cavities and the protective membrane, the protective membrane protecting the air-permeable membrane from damage and configured to allow air to enter at least one of the first air intake cavity and the second air intake cavity, wherein the air-permeable membrane prevents penetration of snow into the first air intake cavity and the second air intake cavity; a mouthpiece in fluid communication with at least one of the first air intake cavity and the second air intake cavity, the mouthpiece configured to draw intake air through at least one of the first air intake cavity and the second air intake cavity upon inhalation by the user; and an intake channel connected to the mouthpiece, the intake channel fluidly connecting the mouthpiece with at least one of the first air intake cavity and the second air intake channel.