Helmet removal device and method

Claim 3

The device of claim 1 further including means for releasably retaining the bladder in the folded configuration prior to inflation.

Claim 6

The device of claim 3 wherein said inserting means includes an elongated member and means for releasably retaining the bladder at a forward end portion of the elongated member.

Claim 7

The device of claim 3 wherein the bladder is arranged in a folded configuration and a retaining means retains the bladder in the folded configuration during the insertion of the bladder between the helmet and head.

Claim 8

The device of claim 3 wherein the inserting means includes means for preventing the entanglement of a forward end of the inserting means in the hair of the wearer.

Claim 9

The device of claim 3 wherein said inserting means includes, a slat member having a straightened rear portion and a curved forward portion, and retaining means contacting at least one of the bladder and slat member for releasably retaining the bladder generally adjacent the curved portion of the slat member.

Claim 10

The device of claim 3 wherein the bladder defines a chamber, the device including means in fluid communication with the chamber for inflating the bladder.

Claim 11

The device of claim 8 wherein the inflating means includes a tube member in fluid communication with the chamber.

Claim 12

The device of claim 8 wherein the inflating means includes a means in fluid communication with the chamber for supplying a pressurized fluid to the chamber.

Claim 13

The device of claim 9 wherein the inflating means includes means removably connected to the tube member for providing pressurized fluid to the chamber to inflate the bladder.

Claim 16

The method of claim 12 further including folding the bladder into a collapsed configuration.

Claim 17

A kit for removing a helmet from about the head of a wearer, comprising: means for at least partially displacing the head from within the helmet, the displacing means including a bladder defining an internal chamber, the chamber being expandable by inflation to cause said bladder to apply a force on the head in a direction to at least partially displace the head from within the helmet to facilitate the removal of the helmet, the displacing means including a tube member in fluid communication with said chamber; means for inserting the bladder between the head and helmet and placing the bladder in a desired location between the helmet and head; means for releasably retaining the bladder at one end of the inserting means when the bladder is disposed adjacent said one end; and means adapted to be selectively connected to the tube member for providing compressed gas to the chamber.

Claim 18

A kit for removing a helmet from about the head of a wearer, comprising: means for at least partially displacing the head from within the helmet, the displacing means including a bladder defining an internal chamber, the chamber being expandable by inflation to cause said bladder to apply a force on the head in a direction to at least partially displace the head from within the helmet to facilitate the removal of the helmet, the displacing means including a tube member in fluid communication with said chamber; means for inserting the bladder between the head and helmet and placing the bladder in a desired location between the helmet and head; means for releasably retaining the bladder at one end of the inserting means when the bladder is disposed adjacent said one end; and means adapted to be selectively connected to the tube member for providing compressed gas to the chamber.

Claim 19

A combination helmet and helmet removal device comprising: a helmet configured to generally fit about a head of a wearer; and a foldable bladder within the helmet at a location whereby the bladder is disposed between the helmet and the head when the helmet is worn about the head, the bladder being folded into a collapsed configuration, the bladder being expandable by inflation to cause said bladder to unfold and apply a force on the head to at least partially displace the head from within the helmet to facilitate the removal of the helmet.

Claim 20

A combination helmet and helmet removal device comprising: a helmet configured to generally fit about a head of a wearer; and a foldable bladder within the helmet at a location whereby the bladder is disposed between the helmet and the head when the helmet is worn about the head, the bladder being folded into a collapsed configuration, the bladder being expandable by inflation to cause said bladder to unfold and apply a force on the head to at least partially displace the head from within the helmet to facilitate the removal of the helmet.

Claim 21

The device of claim 15 further including means for releasably retaining the bladder in the folded configuration prior to inflation.