US3714668A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protective helmet
Assignee: Angelica Corp
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Filing: 1971-02-11
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Granted: 1973-02-06
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Expires: 1991-02-11
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to a new and improved helmet comprising an outer shell and an advanced helmet suspension system supported therein. Also provided are adjusting means for fitting the suspension system to the exact head size required, including separate adjustments for the forehead, nape, and top of the head as well as for correctly positioning the suspension system within the shell.
Inventors
- 👤 A Mirabella
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 15:56
CPC Classifications
A; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B3/04; A42B3/10; A42B3/14; A42B3/145; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S2/00; Y10S2/908; Y10S2/909
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
171 words
A protective helmet comprising a protective shell, a sling suspension assembly for supporting the shell on the head, the suspension assembly having a circumferential strap and top straps extending from the circumferential strap over the top of the head, left and right side mounting brackets, means associated with the left side of the circumferential strap for adjustably mounting the suspension assembly to the left side mounting bracket, means associated with the right side of the circumferential strap for adjustably mounting the suspension assembly to the right side mounting bracket, the mounting brackets being sufficiently flexible to conform to the general contour of the circumferential strap when mounted thereto, but sufficiently rigid to support and maintain the shape of the suspension assembly, and means for releasably mounting the left and right side mounting brackets to the left and right inside wall portions, respectively, of the shell so that the shell is suspended on the suspension assembly with the inner surface of the shell spaced from the outer surfaces of the suspension assembly.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
171 words
A protective helmet comprising a protective shell, a sling suspension assembly for supporting the shell on the head, the suspension assembly having a circumferential strap and top straps extending from the circumferential strap over the top of the head, left and right side mounting brackets, means associated with the left side of the circumferential strap for adjustably mounting the suspension assembly to the left side mounting bracket, means associated with the right side of the circumferential strap for adjustably mounting the suspension assembly to the right side mounting bracket, the mounting brackets being sufficiently flexible to conform to the general contour of the circumferential strap when mounted thereto, but sufficiently rigid to support and maintain the shape of the suspension assembly, and means for releasably mounting the left and right side mounting brackets to the left and right inside wall portions, respectively, of the shell so that the shell is suspended on the suspension assembly with the inner surface of the shell spaced from the outer surfaces of the suspension assembly.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
171 words
A protective helmet comprising a protective shell, a sling suspension assembly for supporting the shell on the head, the suspension assembly having a circumferential strap and top straps extending from the circumferential strap over the top of the head, left and right side mounting brackets, means associated with the left side of the circumferential strap for adjustably mounting the suspension assembly to the left side mounting bracket, means associated with the right side of the circumferential strap for adjustably mounting the suspension assembly to the right side mounting bracket, the mounting brackets being sufficiently flexible to conform to the general contour of the circumferential strap when mounted thereto, but sufficiently rigid to support and maintain the shape of the suspension assembly, and means for releasably mounting the left and right side mounting brackets to the left and right inside wall portions, respectively, of the shell so that the shell is suspended on the suspension assembly with the inner surface of the shell spaced from the outer surfaces of the suspension assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
171 words
A protective helmet comprising a protective shell, a sling suspension assembly for supporting the shell on the head, the suspension assembly having a circumferential strap and top straps extending from the circumferential strap over the top of the head, left and right side mounting brackets, means associated with the left side of the circumferential strap for adjustably mounting the suspension assembly to the left side mounting bracket, means associated with the right side of the circumferential strap for adjustably mounting the suspension assembly to the right side mounting bracket, the mounting brackets being sufficiently flexible to conform to the general contour of the circumferential strap when mounted thereto, but sufficiently rigid to support and maintain the shape of the suspension assembly, and means for releasably mounting the left and right side mounting brackets to the left and right inside wall portions, respectively, of the shell so that the shell is suspended on the suspension assembly with the inner surface of the shell spaced from the outer surfaces of the suspension assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The helmet of claim 1 wherein the left and right side mounting brackets are interchangeable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
The helmet of claim 1 wherein the means for adjustably mounting the suspension assembly to the left and right side mounting brackets includes a plurality of mounting straps attached and spaced along the left and right side portions of the circumferential strap, and for each mounting strap a pair of slots in the mounting bracket adjacent thereto through which the mounting strap is adjustably threaded.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The helmet of claim 3 including means associated with the mounting brackets for suspending the shell at four points around the circumference of the shell.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
177 words
The helmet of claim 4 wherein the means for releasably mounting the left and right side mounting brackets to the shell includes a pair of keyhole slots in each mounting bracket, the keyhole slots being at substantially opposite ends of the bracket, each keyhole slot having a large aperture portion and a narrower slot portion extending away from the large aperture portion toward the nearest end of the bracket, a pair of spaced pins mounted to the interior surface at each side of the shell, each pin having a head that passes through the large aperture portion of the keyhole slot but not the narrower slot portion, the location and spacing of the pins being such that the heads of a pin pair pass through the large aperture portions of the associated keyhole pair with the mounting bracket held straight, but remain engaged in the narrower slot portions when the bracket is allowed to curve to the general contour of the circumferential strap, thereby providing a four-point quick release mount of the shell on the suspension assembly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
43 words
The helmet of claim 4 including a chin strap assembly having a strap extending under the chin, with means for supporting one end of the strap from one mounting bracket, and means for adjustably supporting its other end from the other mounting bracket.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The helmet of claim 6 wherein the last two named supporting means includes a yoke between each end of the chin strap and the corresponding mounting bracket.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
120 words
A protective helmet comprising a protective shell, a sling suspension assembly for supporting the shell on the head, the sling suspension assembly including a left suspension assembly and a right suspension assembly, each having a side strap portion with a nape strap extending rearwardly therefrom, a forehead strap extending forwardly therefrom, and a plurality of top straps extending upwardly therefrom, mating connector means associated with each of the nape, forehead, and top straps for adjustably attaching each strap of the left suspension assembly to its corresponding strap of the right suspension assembly, and means for suspending the shell on the suspension assembly so that the inner surface of the shell is Spaced from the outer surfaces of the suspension assembly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
120 words
A protective helmet comprising a protective shell, a sling suspension assembly for supporting the shell on the head, the sling suspension assembly including a left suspension assembly and a right suspension assembly, each having a side strap portion with a nape strap extending rearwardly therefrom, a forehead strap extending forwardly therefrom, and a plurality of top straps extending upwardly therefrom, mating connector means associated with each of the nape, forehead, and top straps for adjustably attaching each strap of the left suspension assembly to its corresponding strap of the right suspension assembly, and means for suspending the shell on the suspension assembly so that the inner surface of the shell is Spaced from the outer surfaces of the suspension assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
The helmet of claim 8 wherein each of the left and right suspension assemblies are patterned from a buildup of flat sheets of material selected in accordance with the protection requirements of the helmet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
The helmet of claim 8 wherein the mating connector means associated with each of the nape, forehead and top straps are hook and pile pads to provide continuous and independent size adjustment over a wide range of sizes for each of the nape, forehead and top straps.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The helmet of claim 11 wherein each of the forehead, nape and top straps is curved to fit the contour of the head.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
91 words
The helmet of claim 8 wherein the nape straps are curved downward to fit at the back of the head below the perimeter of maximum circumference of the head, the side straps, forehead straps, and nape straps of the left and right suspension assemblies combining to define a circumferential strap extending around the head, whereby the helmet can be first donned with only the nape straps separated, and then the nape straps adjustably attached in the back of the head, placing the circumferential strap below the head perimeter of maximum circumference.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
33 words
The helmet of claim 8 including quick release means for suspending the shell on the suspension assembly, whereby the suspension assembly can be fitted to the head before the shell is suspended thereon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The helmet of claim 13 including means for suspending the shell at four points spaced around the circumferential strap to provide a stable four-point suspension system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The helmet of claim 8 wherein the means for suspending the shell on the suspension assembly includes means for adjusting the location of the entire suspension assembly in the shell.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
145 words
The helmet of claim 8 including left and right side mounting brackets, means associated with the side strap portion of the left suspension assembly for adjustably mounting the left suspension assembly to the left side mounting bracket, means associated with the side strap portion of the right side suspension assembly for adjustably mounting the right suspension assembly to the right side mounting bracket, the mounting brackets being sufficiently flexible to conform to the general contour of the helmet shell when mounted therein, but sufficiently rigid to support and maintain the shape of the suspension assembly, and means for releasably mounting the left and right side mounting brackets in the left and right inside wall portions, respectively, of the shell so that the shell is suspended on the suspension assembly with the inner surface of the shell spaced from the outer surfaces of the suspension assembly.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The helmet of claim 16 including means associated with the mounting brackets for suspending the shell at four points around the circumference of the shell.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-06 | 1976-08-07 | 1977-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-06 | 1980-08-07 | 1981-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-07 | 1985-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |