US4134155A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Swimmer protective helmet
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1975-09-22
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Granted: 1979-01-16
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Expires: 1995-09-22
Abstract
Abstract A swimmer protective helmet designed to protect the cranium of a swimmer m impacts with hard or sharp surfaces, thereby preventing lacerations and concussions of the skull or other physical disablement arising from being struck on the head while engaged in activities on the surface, underwater, or while taking entry into or leaving a body of water. The protective helmet is particularly designed to prevent injuries while engaging in search and rescue operations during over water flights, in helicopters wherein an air crewman may be required to descend from a helicopter either by free jump or by rescue hoist to the water's surface to aid in recovery of an injured or disabled survivor and subsequently re-enter the hovering helicopter.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas G. Robertson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:34
CPC Classifications
A; A42; A42B; A42B1/00; A42B1/04; A42B1/12; A63; A63B; A63B33/00; A63B71/00; A63B71/08; A63B71/10; A63B2209/00; A63B2225/00; A63B2225/74
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A protective helmet for a swimmer's head comprising: (a) a continuous inner, open cell foam liner which is pervious to both air and water, intimately in contact with said swimmer's head, providing a thermally protective layer for said swimmer's head; (b) a closed cell foam impact cushioning layer having a concave and a convex surface, said concave surface being adhesively connected to said foam liner, said convex surface having a plurality of indentations formed therein; (c) a plurality of rigid impact deflecting plates positioned within said indentations of said cushioning layer and secured thereto to form a substantially smooth outer surface; and (d) an outer overall covering layer positioned over said substantially smooth outer surface, said outer overall covering layer formed of a material which is resistant to high temperatures and fire; (e) wherein said protective helmet is lightweight, flexible and has a low profile for unobscured vision and unrestrained mobility and has ear vents formed therein for unrestricted audition out of water and aural pressure equalization in water.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
A protective helmet for a swimmer's head comprising: (a) a continuous inner, open cell foam liner which is pervious to both air and water, intimately in contact with said swimmer's head, providing a thermally protective layer for said swimmer's head; (b) a closed cell foam impact cushioning layer having a concave and a convex surface, said concave surface being adhesively connected to said foam liner, said convex surface having a plurality of indentations formed therein; (c) a plurality of rigid impact deflecting plates positioned within said indentations of said cushioning layer and secured thereto to form a substantially smooth outer surface; and (d) an outer overall covering layer positioned over said substantially smooth outer surface, said outer overall covering layer formed of a material which is resistant to high temperatures and fire; (e) wherein said protective helmet is lightweight, flexible and has a low profile for unobscured vision and unrestrained mobility and has ear vents formed therein for unrestricted audition out of water and aural pressure equalization in water.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The protective helmet of claim 1 wherein said foam liner comprises a liner of sponge rubber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The protective helmet of claim 1 wherein said cushioning layer comprises a layer of Ensolite foam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The protective helmet of claim 1 wherein said outer overall covering layer comprises a layer of Nomex.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The protective helmet of claim 1 wherein said outer overall covering layer comprises a layer of Kynol.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The protective helmet of claim 1 wherein said outer overall covering layer comprises a layer of PBI.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The protective helmet of claim 1 wherein said outer overall covering has a camouflage coloration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The protective helmet of claim 4 wherein said outer overall covering has a camouflage coloration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The protective helmet of claim 5 wherein said outer overall covering has a camouflage coloration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The protective helmet of claim 6 wherein said outer overall covering has a camouflage coloration.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The protective helmet of claim 1 wherein said outer overall covering is infrared sensitive for detection enhancement.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The protective helmet of claim 4 wherein said outer overall covering is infrared sensitive for detection enhancement.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The protective helmet of claim 5 wherein said outer overall covering is infrared sensitive for detection enhancement.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The protective helmet of claim 6 wherein said outer overall covering is infrared sensitive for detection enhancement.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The protective helmet of claim 1 wherein said plurality of rigid impact deflecting plates comprise plates of fiberglass.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The protective helmet of claim 1 wherein said plurality of rigid impact deflecting plates comprise plates of Kevlar.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The protective helmet of claim 1 wherein said plurality of rigid impact deflecting plates comprise a family of plates designed to fit various head sizes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The protective helmet of claim 15 wherein said plurality of rigid impact deflecting plates comprise a family of plates designed to fit various head sizes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The protective helmet of claim 16 wherein said plurality of rigid impact deflecting plates comprise a family of plates designed to fit various head sizes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The protective helmet of claim 1 wherein said outer overall covering is highly reflective for detection enhancement.
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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) | 1982-01-15 | 1982-07-17 | 1983-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-01-15 | 1986-07-17 | 1987-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-01-15 | 1990-07-17 | 1991-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |