Protective helmets

Claim 2

A protective helmet including a protective shell for accommodating a wearer's head, a visor at the front part of the shell and retractable therewithin, an ear defender at each side thereof at each side of the shell, each ear defender being substantially within the profile of the shell, an air duct defined within the shell, an inlet means to the duct towards the rear part of the shell and a number of outlet means associated with the front part of the shell and directed on to the internal surface of the visor and at least some of its marginal edges which in use extend adjacent the wearer's face, a filter associated with the duct, and an air mover for introducing air to the duct, wherein the front part of the shell is provided with protective side cheeks which in use complement the visor and the ear defenders to provide continuity around the wearer's face.

Claim 3

A helmet according to claim 1 in which the air duct extends from the occipital region of the helmet to terminate at the front part of the shell in each outlet means which in use is adapted to supply air to the top part of the visor when in its operational extended position in front of a wearer's, such that the interior of the visor is swept with air.

Claim 4

A helmet according to claim 1 in which there is provided a plurality of outlet means for the air duct, the outlet means being directed such as in use to sweep the interior of the visor with air and to target the marginal edges of the visor lying adjacent the wearer's face.

Claim 5

A helmet according to claim 1 in which the filter extends across the inlet means to the duct.

Claim 6

A helmet according to claim 1 in which the air mover is constituted by at least one fan.

Claim 7

A helmet according to claim 1 in which the visor includes a carrier to which a transparent section is detachably fixed.

Claim 8

A helmet according to claim 1 in which the visor is slidably mounted to the interior of the shell by means of at least one support arm.

Claim 9

A helmet according to claim 1 in which each ear defender is attached to the shell, the defenders having parts for moving a portion of each defender between non-operating and operating positions.

Claim 10

A helmet according to claim 8 in which the ear defender in its operating position in use contacts the otic region of a wearer.

Claim 11

A helmet according to claim 9 in which an inner part of the ear defender is caused to contact the otic region mechanically by operating a releasable means attached to the ear defender.

Claim 12

A helmet according to claim 9 in which the ear defenders in their operating position in contact with the otic region prevent or allow the passage of sound therethrough.

Claim 13

A helmet according to claim 11 in which pressure applied to the parts of the ear defenders opens sound transmission passageways therewithin thereby allowing the passage of sound.

Claim 14

A helmet according to claim 12 in which each ear defender is provided with an outer cover attachable to a side of the helmet, a body shell mounted within the outer cover for movement between operational and non-operational positions, a sound transmitting means provided in the body shell, a resiliently biased means for sealing the sound transmitting means, and sound absorbing material provided within the body shell.

Claim 15

A helmet according to claim 13 in which the mounting of the body shell within the outer cover is effected by means of wireform springs.

Claim 16

A helmet according to claim 13 in which the resilient bias comprises a cruciform spring mounted in the body shell.

Claim 17

A helmet according to claim 13 in which the means for sealing the sound transmitting means is an actuating knob provided with a sealing face for abutting a seat formed around the sound transmitting means.

Claim 18

A helmet according to claim 1 in which the front part of the helmet is provided with a mount for a lamp.

Claim 19

A helmet according to claim 1 in which the air mover is battery-powered.

Claim 20

A protective helmet including a protective shell for accommodating a wearer's head, a visor at the front part of the shell and retractable therewithin, an ear defender at each side thereof at each side of the shell, each ear defender being substantially within the profile of the shell, an air duct defined within the shell, an inlet means to the duct towards the rear part of the shell and a number of outlet means associated with the front part of the shell and directed on to the internal surface of the visor and at least some of its marginal edges which in use extend adjacent the wearer's face, a filter associated with the duct, and an air mover for introducing air to the duct, wherein the shell provides at its rear part of the outer profile of the helmet and is stepped at its front part, a removable cover being provided in spaced relation to the front part to define a space into which the visor is retractable and being continuous with the profile of the helmet.

Claim 21

A protective helmet including a protective shell for accommodating a wearer's head, a visor at the front part of the shell and retractable therewithin, an ear defender at each side thereof at each side of the shell, each ear defender being substantially within the profile of the shell, an air duct defined within the shell, an inlet means to the duct towards the rear part of the shell and a number of outlet means associated with the front part of the shell and directed on to the internal surface of the visor and at least some of its marginal edges which in use extend adjacent the wearer's face, a filter associated with the duct, and an air mover for introducing air to the duct, wherein the shell provides at its rear part of the outer profile of the helmet and is stepped at its front part, a removable cover being provided in spaced relation to the front part to define a space into which the visor is retractable and being continuous with the profile of the helmet.

Claim 22

A protective helmet including a protective shell for accommodating a wearer's head, a visor at the front part of the shell and retractable therewithin, an ear defender at each side thereof at each side of the shell, each ear defender being substantially within the profile of the shell, an air duct defined within the shell, an inlet means to the duct towards the rear part of the shell and a number of outlet means associated with the front part of the shell and directed on to the internal surface of the visor and at least some of its marginal edges which in use extend adjacent the wearer's face, a filter associated with the duct, and an air mover for introducing air to the duct, wherein the air mover is disposed within the duct to the rear of the crown of the shell and downstream of the filter.

Claim 23

A protective helmet including a protective shell for accommodating a wearer's head, a visor at the front part of the shell and retractable therewithin, an ear defender at each side thereof at each side of the shell, each ear defender being substantially within the profile of the shell, an air duct defined within the shell, an inlet means to the duct towards the rear part of the shell and a number of outlet means associated with the front part of the shell and directed on to the internal surface of the visor and at least some of its marginal edges which in use extend adjacent the wearer's face, a filter associated with the duct, and an air mover for introducing air to the duct, wherein the air mover is disposed within the duct to the rear of the crown of the shell and downstream of the filter.