BLUNT HELMET APPLIQUÉ

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates generally to helmets, and more specifically to a removable helmet appliqué.

BACKGROUND

Ballistic helmets used by military and law enforcement are commonly constructed with aramid or high-density polyethylene fabrics within a resin matrix. The shells of these helmets, such as the Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) and Enhanced Combat Helmet (ECH), are relatively rigid and non-flexible, typically range in thickness from 0.2 inches to 0.5 inches, and typically have areal densities ranging from 1.0 to 2.5 pounds per square foot (psf).

In combat situations, helmets other than a typical ballistic helmet may be desired. In certain situations, there may be a need for a non-ballistic helmet that has a greater blunt impact resistance, such as, for example, when riding in a vehicle. These helmets include a foam or other energy absorbing material sufficient to provide protection against non-ballistic impact. Switching between different helmets for different purposes takes time and requires space to store each type of helmet.

SUMMARY

An example of a helmet includes a ballistic helmet shell with an accessory mount, a helmet appliqué, and a removable panel. The helmet appliqué has a rigid outer shell and an energy absorbing layer. At least one of the rigid outer shell and the energy absorbing layer are attached to the ballistic helmet shell. The removable panel is configured to attach to at least one of the rigid outer shell, the energy absorbing layer, the ballistic helmet shell, and the accessory mount. The removable panel covers the accessory mount.

An example of a helmet appliqué includes a rigid outer shell, an energy absorbing layer, and an attachment portion configured to be attached to a ballistic helmet shell without penetrating the ballistic helmet shell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To further clarify various aspects of embodiments of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the certain embodiments will be made by reference to various aspects of the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the present disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, while the figures can be drawn to scale for some embodiments, the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale for all embodiments. Embodiments and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a helmet;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of an example of a helmet appliqué;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an example of a helmet;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an example of a helmet;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example of a helmet;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view thereof;

FIG. 7 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the helmet taken along line A-A in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the helmet of FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view thereof;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of an example of a helmet;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an example of a helmet appliqué;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a front panel of a helmet appliqué;

FIG. 14 is a front view of a front panel of a helmet appliqué;

FIG. 15 is a side view of an example of a helmet with a cord fastener attaching a helmet appliqué to a ballistic helmet shell;

FIG. 16 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 17 is a side view of an example of a helmet with a wide strap fastener attaching a helmet appliqué to a ballistic helmet shell;

FIG. 18 is a front view thereof;

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of an example of a helmet with a panel fastener attaching a helmet appliqué to a ballistic helmet shell;

FIG. 20 is a rear perspective view thereof;

FIG. 21 is a side view of an example of a helmet with a tag and a strap fastener for attaching a helmet appliqué to a ballistic helmet shell;

FIG. 22 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 23 is a side view of an example of a helmet with a strap and retaining element fastener for attaching a helmet appliqué to a ballistic helmet shell;

FIG. 24 is a rear view thereof;

FIG. 25 is a bottom perspective view of an example of a helmet with a hook and loop fastener for attaching a helmet appliqué to a ballistic helmet shell;

FIG. 26 is a bottom view thereof; and

FIG. 27 is a rear perspective view thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific embodiments of the present disclosure. Other embodiments having different structures and operation do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure.

It should be noted that various embodiments of helmet appliqués and means of attaching such appliqués to a helmet are disclosed herein, and any combination of these options can be made unless specifically excluded. In other words, individual components of the disclosed devices and systems can be combined unless mutually exclusive or otherwise physically impossible.

As described herein, when one or more components are described as being connected, joined, affixed, coupled, attached, or otherwise interconnected, such interconnection may be direct as between the components or may be indirect such as through the use of one or more intermediary components. Also as described herein, reference to a “member,” “component,” or “portion” shall not be limited to a single structural member, component, or element but can include an assembly of components, members, or elements. Also as described herein, the terms “substantially” and “about” are defined as at least close to (and includes) a given value or state (preferably within 10% of, more preferably within 1% of, and most preferably within of).

As used herein, “ballistic” refers to a helmet or helmet component that is designed to provide protection from ballistic threats. Ballistic helmets and helmet components can be designed to provide protection from varying degrees of threats, including, but not limited to, fragmentation, handgun rounds, and rifle rounds. Ballistic components designed to protect from a 7.62×39 or 7.62×54 rifle round are typically heavier and bulkier than those designed to protect from a 9 mm handgun round, which are still heavier than those designed to protect from fragmentation only (typically graded by the v50 level of a standard fragment, which itself can vary greatly). Also as used herein, “non-ballistic” refers to a helmet or helmet component that is not designed to provide protection from ballistic threats or to meet ballistic protection ratings. Non-ballistic helmets and helmet components may still provide some protection from a ballistic threat but are not designed and/or rated for such threats.

Rather than swapping between different helmets, higher impact protection might be achieved with a ballistic helmet by increasing the offset of the shell from the head to accommodate a thicker layer of energy absorbing foam. This shifts the weight of the ballistic shell out further from the head and results in a higher moment of inertia than when the ballistic shell is kept closer to the head. Similarly, adding a ballistic appliqué to a non-ballistic helmet also places a heavier protective layer further from the wearer's head. A ballistic appliqué can also be used to provide ballistic protection to a non-ballistic helmet. As with offsetting the ballistic shell further from the wearer's head, adding a ballistic appliqué arranges a heavier object further from the head of the wearer. Ballistic appliqué can also leave large gaps in the protective coverage that are not present in an underlying ballistic shell.

Improving the impact performance of the helmet without shifting the ballistic shell further from the head of the wearer can be achieved by adding an impact mitigating layer to the outside of the helmet's existing outer shell. However, this comes with additional challenges when implementing on a helmet, including the use of helmet mounted accessories that are employed in the environments that helmets are commonly used, and in particular, ballistic helmets. Such accessories include night vision devices, lights, beacons, cameras, counterweights, and batteries that are attached to the ballistic helmet so that mounting locations of these accessories cannot be blocked by the additional outer padding. Thus, Applicant has appreciated the need for a single helmet that can be configured by the wearer to provide variable levels of protection and comfort while maintaining the use and functionality of helmet mounted accessories.

The present disclosure is directed to a helmet appliqué that can be added to or removed from a helmet—a ballistic helmet or a non-ballistic helmet. The helmet appliqué can add impact protection to tailor the helmet to the risk profile of a particular mission without removing accessories or changing the fit of, for example, an inner ballistic helmet. Thus, the wearer can be equipped with the helmet that meets various threat protection level, while maintaining functionality of helmet mounted accessories. For example, a user may want to add the helmet appliqué to a ballistic helmet in a situation where the risk of blunt impact exceeds the risk of ballistic threats (e.g., in a helicopter or other vehicle). However, in an area where the threat of blunt impact threats no longer requires the helmet appliqué, the user can quickly remove the helmet appliqué from the ballistic helmet without unnecessarily exposing the body.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-14, an implementation of a helmet 100 is shown. The helmet 100 includes a ballistic helmet shell 102 and a helmet appliqué 104. The helmet appliqué 104 can be removably attached to the ballistic helmet shell 102.

With reference to FIGS. 2-4, the helmet appliqué 104 includes a rigid outer shell 106 and an energy absorbing layer 108. The rigid outer shell 106 can provide protection from varying degrees of threats, including, but not limited to, blunt impacts. The rigid outer shell 106 can be made from a wide variety of suitable materials, such as, for example, carbon fiber or another composite material such as fiberglass or aramid, or a combination of composite materials such as carbon fiber with fiberglass. Composite fiber materials for forming the rigid outer shell 106 are typically formed by consolidating the fibers within a resin matric, for example, aramid fibers within a phenolic resin. The rigid outer shell could also be polycarbonate, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), or other injection molded or vacuum formed thermoplastic resins. The energy absorbing layer 108 is made from a suitable energy absorbing material and provides protection, shock absorption, and/or cushioning to the user's head. The energy absorbing layer 108 can be made from a wide variety of materials, such as foam materials like expanded polypropylene, expanded polystyrene, open or closed cell polyurethane. The energy absorbing layer can also be formed of a compressible geometric structure, such as a deformable lattice structure, a honeycomb structure, or a series of cylinders which buckle under impact loading.

The helmet appliqué 104 is removably attached to the ballistic helmet shell 102. The helmet appliqué 104 can be attached to the ballistic helmet shell 102 in a variety of different ways. In various implementations, at least one of the energy absorbing layer 108 and the rigid outer shell 106 can be attached to the ballistic helmet shell 102 via an attachment portion 110. In other words, the ballistic helmet shell 102 can be coupled to the helmet appliqué 104 by way of the rigid outer shell 106, the energy absorbing layer 108, or both the rigid outer shell 106 and the energy absorbing layer 108.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 12, the helmet appliqué 104 includes an attachment portion 110 for attaching the ballistic helmet shell 102 to the energy absorbing layer 108 and/or the rigid outer shell 106. The attachment portion 110 can include one or more hook and loop fasteners or other suitable means of attachment such as, for example, magnets, re-usable adhesives, snaps, or the like. The attachment portion 110 can be disposed in one location or in multiple locations between the ballistic helmet shell 102 and the helmet appliqué 104. For example, the attachment portion 110 can be disposed along the periphery and/or on the body of the energy absorbing layer 108 of the helmet appliqué 104. In various embodiments, the attachment portion 110 can be a distinct layer between the ballistic helmet shell 102 and the helmet appliqué 104. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 12, there can be multiple attachment portions 110 disposed in various locations of the energy absorbing layer 108 of the helmet appliqué 104.

The helmet appliqué 104 can be a single member that covers the entire ballistic helmet shell 102. The helmet appliqué 104 can also have various cut-outs, or portions which do not cover the ballistic helmet shell 102 underneath, as is shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 11. These cut outs can be along the side of the helmet 100 to accommodate a side accessory mount 120 and/or in the front of the helmet 100 to accommodate a shroud accessory mount 130.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate exploded views of an exemplary helmet 100. The illustrated helmet 100 includes a side accessory mount 120 attached to the ballistic helmet shell 102. The side accessory mount 120 can attach various accessories, such as a communication device, a lighting device, a battery pack, a counterweight, goggles, a visor, a face shield, an oxygen mask, or a gas mask. The side accessory mount 120 can include various attachment features, such as, for example, fasteners, slots such as slots for T-nuts, and rails such as a Picatinny rail. While the illustrated side accessory mount 120 is separate component from the ballistic helmet shell 102, in some embodiments the side accessory mount 120 is integrally formed with the ballistic helmet shell 102. In various embodiments, the helmet 100 can include two side accessory mounts 120, each disposed on either side of the ballistic helmet shell 102.

The helmet 100 can also include a shroud accessory mount 130 on the ballistic helmet shell 102. The shroud accessory mount 130 includes a standard rectangular mount for vision accessories, such as night vision devices. While the illustrated shroud accessory mount 130 is a separate component from the ballistic helmet shell 102, the shroud accessory mount 130 can be integrally formed with the ballistic helmet shell 102.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-10, the helmet appliqué 104 can include a removable side panel 140 attached to at least one of the energy absorbing layer 108 and the rigid outer shell 106. The side panel 140 can include an outer layer made of the same material as the rigid outer shell 106 and includes an inner layer made of the same material as the energy absorbing layer 108. The side panel 140 can attach to the helmet appliqué 104 so that the outer layer aligns with the rigid outer shell 106 and the inner layer aligns with the energy absorbing layer 108. The side panel 140 forms an extension of the helmet appliqué 104 to cover a portion of the ballistic helmet shell 102 and can extend beyond the ballistic helmet shell 102 to offer protection in an area, such as of the ears, that is not covered by the underlying ballistic helmet shell 102.

The side panel 140 can be removably attached to the helmet appliqué 104 in a variety of ways. For example, the side panel 140 can be snapped, clipped, or strapped to the helmet appliqué 104 or can be attached to the helmet appliqué 104 using hook and loop fastener or magnets. The side panel 140 can also be attached to the attachment portion 110 or the fastening member of the helmet 100. The side panel 140 can also be attached to the side accessory mount 120 and can be disposed over the side accessory mount 120 to cover the portion of the ballistic helmet shell 102 around the side accessory mount 120. The helmet 100 can include two side panels 140, each disposed on either side of the helmet appliqué 104, though the wearer may choose to remove one or the other side panel 140 to facilitate attachment of an accessory to one of the side accessory mounts 120.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 5-10, the helmet appliqué 104 includes a removable front panel 150 attached to the at least one of the energy absorbing layer 108 and the rigid outer shell 106 of the helmet appliqué 104. The front panel 150 can include an outer layer 152 made of the same material as the rigid outer shell 106 and includes an inner layer 154 made of the same material as the energy absorbing layer 108. The front panel 150 can attach to the helmet appliqué 104 so that the outer layer 152 is an in line with the rigid outer shell 106 and the inner layer 154 is in line with the energy absorbing layer 108. The front panel 150 can therefore be an extension of the helmet appliqué 104. In various embodiments, with reference to FIG. 8, the front panel 150 can include one or more reinforcing members 156 formed within the or attached to the inner layer 154. The reinforcing members 156 can be disposed horizontally across the front panel 150 to provide structure and stability to the front panel 150.

The front panel 150 can be removably attached to the helmet appliqué 104 in a variety of ways. For example, the front panel 150 can snapped, clipped, or strapped to the helmet appliqué 104 or be attached to the helmet appliqué 104 using hook and loop fastener or magnets. In various embodiments, the front panel 150 can be attached to the attachment portion or the fastening member of the helmet 100. The front panel 150 can be attached to the shroud mount 130 and can be disposed over the shroud mount 130 to cover the portion of the ballistic helmet shell 102 around the shroud mount 130.

Referring now to FIGS. 15-27, the helmet 100 can also include a fastener 160 for securing the helmet appliqué 104 to the ballistic helmet shell 102. The fastener 160 can be used independently or can be used in conjunction with the attachment portions 110. The fastener 160 can take on a wide variety of forms, such as, for example, one or more of a strap, a latch, or a clip. The fastener 160 can attach the helmet appliqué 104 to the ballistic helmet shell 102 in a variety of locations, such as, for example, on the sides or bottom of the ballistic helmet shell 102 and the helmet appliqué 104.

Referring now to FIGS. 15-16, the fastener 160 includes a securing member 162 that is shown in the form of a cord that is removably attached to each side of the helmet shell 102, such as at the side accessory mounts 120, via attachment portions 164. The securing member 162 is routed over the helmet appliqué 104 to secure the helmet appliqué 104 to the ballistic helmet shell 102. The cord securing member 162 can be attached to the helmet appliqué 104 with, for example, adhesive, buckles, snaps, and knots, or can be routed over the helmet appliqué 104 without attachment. The attachment portions 164 can take on a wide variety of forms, such as, for example, a threaded fastener, knotted ends of the cord secured in a recess of the helmet shell 102 or side accessory mount 120, a hook and loop system, release clips or buckles, or the like. The securing member 162 can also be an elastic “shock cord” that is in tension when wrapped over the helmet appliqué 104 or can be any other suitable cord of material.

Referring now to FIGS. 17-18, the fastener 160 includes a securing member 162 that is shown in the form of a wide strap that is removably attached to each side of the helmet shell 102, such as at the side accessory mounts 120, via attachment portions 164. The securing member 162 is routed over the helmet appliqué 104 to secure the helmet appliqué 104 to the ballistic helmet shell 102. The wide strap securing member 162 can be made from any suitable material, such as a fabric or an elastic fabric material. The wide strap securing member 162 can be formed from a rectangular panel of material that can optionally be fastened to the appliqué via an adhesive, buckles, snaps, knots, or the like. The attachment portions 164 can take on a wide variety of forms, such as, for example, a threaded fastener, knotted portion, hook and loop systems, release clips, buckles, or the like. The attachment portions 164 can also be an elongated body shaped to slide into an opening such as a T-slot of the side accessory mounts 120.

Referring now to FIGS. 19-20, the fastener 160 includes a securing member 162 that is shown in the form of a panel or a cover that is removably attached to the helmet shell 102 via attachment portions 164. The securing member 162 extends over and covers the helmet appliqué 104 to attach the helmet appliqué 104 to the ballistic helmet shell 102 via a plurality of attachment portions 164. The panel or cover securing member 162 can be formed from any suitable material, such as a fabric or an elastic fabric material. The panel or cover securing member 162 can be shaped to leave the side accessory mounts 120 and/or the shroud mount 130 exposed and accessible to enable the attachment of accessories to the ballistic helmet shell 102 with the helmet appliqué attached. The attachment portions 164 are arranged, for example, at the front and rear of the helmet shell 102. The attachment portions 164 can take on a wide variety of forms, such as, for example, threaded fasteners, knotted portions, hook and loop systems, release clips, buckles, and the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 21-22, the fastener 160 includes a securing member that is shown in the form of tethers or straps 162 that are attached to retaining elements 166 in the form of tabs that are secured between the various layers of the helmet appliqué 104—i.e., the rigid outer shell 106 and the energy absorbing layer 108 and extends outward from the edge of the helmet appliqué 104 in a plurality of locations around the rim or edges of the helmet appliqué 104. The tab retaining elements 166 can include a mounting location, such as a hole, for the straps 162 to attach, or can be integrally formed with the straps 162. In implementations where the strap 162 removably attaches to the retaining element 166, the mounting location of the retaining element 166 can be a hole for receiving a hook or knot, a buckle, or any other means of removably attaching the strap 162 to the retaining element 166. The strap 162 extends from the retaining element 166 to an attachment portion 164 that can be permanently attached to the helmet shell 102 or can be removably attached via a buckle, hook and loop fastener, threaded fastener, or the like. For example, the strap 162 can be connected via a hook and loop, an adhesive, or another fastening means to the interior surface of the helmet shell 102 behind or underneath padding (not shown) that is secured to the interior of the helmet shell 102. This arrangement can be used for any of the fasteners 160 described herein to attach the fastener 160 to the helmet shell 102.

Referring now to FIGS. 23-24, the fastener 160 includes a securing member 162 that is shown in the form of straps extending between two attachment portions 164 and through a retaining member 166 in the form of a hook, a clip, a slot, or the like of the helmet appliqué 104. The attachment portions 164 can be permanently attached to the helmet shell 102 or can be removably attached via a buckle, hook and loop fastener, threaded fastener, or the like. For example, the strap 162 can be connected via a hook and loop, an adhesive, or another fastening means to the interior surface of the helmet shell 102 behind or underneath padding (not shown) that is secured to the interior of the helmet shell 102. The retaining member 166 can be attached to the rigid outer shell 106 of the helmet appliqué 104 via a wide variety of means, such as, for example, an adhesive or a hook and loop system, or can be integrally formed with the helmet appliqué 104. This arrangement can be used for any of the fasteners 160 described herein to attach the fastener 160 to the helmet shell 102.

Referring now to FIGS. 25-27, the fastener 160 includes a securing member 162 that is shown in the form of straps extending between attachment portions 164 secured to the ballistic helmet shell 102 and retaining members 166 secured to the helmet appliqué 104. The attachment portions 164 and the retaining members 166 are formed from patches of hook and loop fastener material. That is, the attachment portions 164 and the retaining members 166 can be formed from the hook or the loop side and the straps 162 can be formed from the other of the hook or the loop side. The attachment portions 164 are applied to the interior of the helmet shell 102 near the rim or near the side accessory mounts 120. The retaining members 166 are applied to the exterior of the helmet appliqué 104 around the bottom rim so that the straps 162 extend over or wrap around the bottom rim of the helmet appliqué 104 and the helmet shell 102 to secure the helmet appliqué 104 to the helmet shell 102. The location, size, number, shape, and the like of the straps 162, attachment portions 164, and retaining members 166 can be arranged in any suitable fashion.

In accordance with various embodiments, a method of using a helmet and helmet appliqué—such as those described herein—includes steps of providing a ballistic helmet shell, attaching a helmet appliqué to the ballistic helmet shell, and attaching an accessory to an accessory mount of the ballistic helmet shell. The helmet appliqué has a rigid outer shell and an energy absorbing layer and can be any of the helmet appliqué described herein. In one method, at least one of the rigid outer shell and the energy absorbing layer are attached to the ballistic helmet shell. The method can optionally include attaching one or more side panels or accessories to one or more side attachment rails of the helmet appliqué. The method can also optionally include attaching a front panel or an accessory to a front shroud mount of the helmet shell.

While various inventive aspects, concepts and features of the disclosures may be described and illustrated herein as embodied in combination in the exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts, and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations and sub-combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations and sub-combinations are intended to be within the scope of the present application. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts, and features of the disclosures—such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices, and components, alternatives as to form, fit, and function, and so on—may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts, or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the present application even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts, or aspects of the disclosures may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary, or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present application, however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Moreover, while various aspects, features and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of a disclosure, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts, and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific disclosure, the disclosures instead being set forth in the appended claims. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated. The words used in the claims have their full ordinary meanings and are not limited in any way by the description of the embodiments in the specification.

BLUNT HELMET APPLIQUÉ

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