US4453277A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protective helmet
Assignee: United States Department of the Army
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Filing: 1982-08-20
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Granted: 1984-06-12
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Expires: 2002-08-20
Abstract
Abstract A helmet suitable for use by combat vehicle crewmen comprises a rigid she formed of a ballistic resistant material, having earcup receiving extensions affixed thereto. Earcups are mounted in the shell extensions and are capable of movement in two directions relative thereto. The helmet also has an internal suspension system which affords two additional size adjustments.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip E. Durand
- 👤 Lawrence R. McManus
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:41
CPC Classifications
A; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B3/04; A42B3/16; A42B3/166; A42B3/10; A42B3/14; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S2/00; Y10S2/908; Y10S2/909
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A protective helmet comprising: shell means, said shell means having a pair of oppositely disposed earcup receiving openings; an earcup positioned in each of said shell means openings, said earcups being sized relative to said openings to permit a limited degree of relative rotation therebetween, said earcups further being individually movable in said shell means in a first direction whereby the helmet interior spacing between at least portions of said earcups may be varied; ratchet means affixed to each of said earcups for stepwise adjusting the position of said earcups in said first direction, said ratchet means each cooperating with an edge portion of an earcup receiving opening; and adjustable suspension means mounted in said shell means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A protective helmet comprising: shell means, said shell means having a pair of oppositely disposed earcup receiving openings; an earcup positioned in each of said shell means openings, said earcups being sized relative to said openings to permit a limited degree of relative rotation therebetween, said earcups further being individually movable in said shell means in a first direction whereby the helmet interior spacing between at least portions of said earcups may be varied; ratchet means affixed to each of said earcups for stepwise adjusting the position of said earcups in said first direction, said ratchet means each cooperating with an edge portion of an earcup receiving opening; and adjustable suspension means mounted in said shell means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The helmet of claim 1 wherein said shell means comprises: an upper shell; and a pair of earcup holders affixed to and extending downwardly from said upper shell, said earcup holders defining said earcup receiving openings.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
77 words
The helmet of claim 1 wherein said earcups each comprise: an outer cup portion; an inner cup portion, said inner cup portion extending from said outer cup portion and defining an anatomically shaped peripheral inner surface; and flange means, said flange means defining a channel which in part extends about the outer surface of the earcup, said channel cooperating with the shell about the periphery of an earcup receiving opening to capture said earcup in said opening.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
The helmet of claim 2 wherein said earcups each comprise: an outer cup portion; an inner cup portion, said inner cup portion extending from said outer cup portion and defining an anatomically shaped peripheral inner surface; and flange means, said flange means defining a channel which in part extends about the outer side surface of the earcup, said channel cooperating with the earcup holder about the periphery of the earcup receiving opening defined thereby to capture said earcup in said opening.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The helmet of claim 4 wherein said upper shell and said earcup outer portion are formed from a fiber reinforced plastic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The helmet of claim 4 wherein said ratchet means are affixed to said earcup inner portions and wherein said earcup receiving openings are provided with a ratchet means receiving cut-out at the lower edges thereof, said cut-outs being of greater width than said ratchet means to permit the rotational movement of said earcups.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
The helmet of claim 1 wherein said suspension means comprises: discontinuous sweatband means, said sweatband means being attached to the interior of said shell means and including a front strap and a rear strap; height adjustment strap means extending between points on said sweatband means front and rear straps intermediate the ends thereof, said adjustment strap means being of variable length; and a pair of interconnecting straps, said interconnecting straps extending between adjacent ends of said sweatband means front and rear straps, said interconnecting straps being supported intermediate their ends from said height adjustment strap means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The helmet of claim 7 wherein said sweatband means further comprises an adjustable sweatband extending between the ends of at least one of said sweatband means straps.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The helmet of claim 7 wherein said sweatband means is discontinuous in the vicinity of said earcups.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
106 words
The helmet of claim 4 wherein said suspension means comprises: sweatband means, said sweatband means being attached to the inside of said upper shell and being discontinuous in the region of said earcups, said sweatband means including a front strap and a rear strap; height adjustment strap means extending between points on said sweatband means front and rear straps intermediate the ends thereof, said adjustment strap means being of variable length; and a pair of interconnecting straps, said interconnecting straps extending between adjacent ends of said sweatband means front and rear straps, said interconnecting straps being supported intermediate their ends from said height adjustment strap means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
63 words
The helmet of claim 10 wherein said height adjustment strap means comprises: first and second web members, said web members being affixed to and extending from respective of said sweatband means straps; a loop comprised of a cord extending between the free ends of said web members, said interconnecting straps passing through said loop; and means for adjusting the size of said loop.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The helment of claim 11 wherein said sweatband means is adjustable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The helmet of claim 12 wherein said earcups each further comprise: a resilient insert, said insert being frictionally captured in said inner cup portion and having an earphone receiving pocket formed therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The helmet of claim 13 wherein said upper shell and said earcup outer portion are formed from a fiber reinforced plastic material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
The helmet of claim 14 wherein said ratchet means are affixed to said earcup inner portions and wherein said earcup receiving openings are provided with a ratchet means receiving cut-out at the lower edges thereof, said cut-outs being of greater width than said ratchet means to permit the rotational movement of said earcups.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-06-12 | 1987-12-12 | 1988-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-06-12 | 1991-12-12 | 1992-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-06-12 | 1995-12-12 | 1996-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |