FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to protective headgear, and more particularly, to a modular tactical helmet with interchangeable shells that are designed to protect the head of a person from injury.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A critical piece in warfare is protective gear, encompassing but not limited to body armor systems and protective headgear. Particularly with respect to protective headgear, history notates that the earliest tactical helmets were made from bronze to protect soldiers from swords and arrows. Since its inception, warfare weaponry has advanced. Instead of using arrows and swords, soldiers are now walking with high-powered automatic rifles and firearms. Naturally, the protective gear used in war against a new generation of warfare weaponry has had no choice but to equally advanced to try and match its counterpart. Technology, namely in headgear, has advanced to maximize protection on the wearer against projectiles and shockwaves felt during combat. As a result, modern helmets are designed and tested to meet consistent standards to protect soldiers from concussions and other brain related injuries that have long-term effects that include but are not limited to headaches, balance problems, depression, and as of recently been confirmed chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)—a brain disorder caused by repeated head injuries—when returning from battle.
Modern helmets have also been designed to integrate additional technological advances that include but are not limited to modern communication devices, visual optic devices, and additional eyewear protective devices. These new era helmets are customized for specific jobs depending on the wearer's activity. For instance, aircrew members have helmets that are designed and configured differently than army soldiers on the ground. Accordingly, there is a variety of tactical helmets out on the market that are non-standardized but task specific. This means that if a wearer had to go from one scenario to another one, the wearer would have to change his protective headgear or otherwise risk going out to the field with less than adequate protective head gear.
Accordingly, there is an established need for a modular tactical helmet system that focuses on providing shock absorbing material, lightweight, crack resistant to reduce or prevent head trauma when in combat. The modular tactical helmet should be able to conform to any one scenario a wearer may face by making quick changes to the configuration of the helmet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a modular tactical helmet. In some embodiments of the invention, the present invention consists of a modular tactical helmet, comprising an outer shell including an outer surface, a concavity, and an inner surface delimiting the concavity; and at least one inner shell disposed within the concavity of the outer shell wherein the inner shell or the outer shell includes at least one mounting apparatus for securing the inner shell to the outer shell. In some exemplary embodiments, the modular helmet may comprise an intermediate shell that is disposed between the inner shell and the outer shell. In some embodiments, the inner shell is removably attachable to the outer shell, with the intermediate shell disposed therebetween and secured by an interference fit.
In some embodiments, the outer shell comprises a hard shell made from molded plastic, reinforced polymer, or carbon fiber. In some exemplary embodiments the outer shell may include a mounting apparatus or mounting ridge for receiving the mounting apparatus of the intermediate shell or the inner shell used to secure the either or both of the intermediate or inner shells to the outer shell. The outer shell may include one or more ventilation openings or be devoid of openings.
In some embodiments, the intermediate shell comprises a shock absorbing bump shell (for example, comprised of foam) or a ballistic shell made from Kevlar® or ultra-high-molecular polyethylene (UHMWPE, UHMW) fibers or the like. In some exemplary embodiments, the intermediate shell includes a mounting apparatus for securing the intermediate shell to the outer shell and/or the inner shell. In some embodiments, the intermediate shell is devoid of a mounting apparatus and is secured between the outer shell and the inner shell by an interference fit, with the mounting apparatus found on either or both of the outer and inner shells. The intermediate shell may also include in some embodiments one or more ventilation openings that may or may not correspond with the ventilation openings of the outer shell or entirely be devoid of openings.
In some embodiments, the inner shell comprises a cushioned shell to provide comfort and accommodate fit for the wearer. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the inner shell comprises one or more inflatable pads secured to one another through one or more retention straps. Connected to the one or more inflatable pads is an inflation member comprising at least one conduit configured to feed a fluid, such as air, to the one or more inflatable pads and an inflation valve that is configured to engage with an inflation device. The inner shell in some exemplary embodiments may include a mounting apparatus for securing the inner shell to the intermediate shell or the outer shell and may include one or more ventilation openings. In some embodiments, any one of the shells may include a mounting apparatus for securing the inner shell to the outer shell or the intermediate shell.
In some embodiments, at the front portion of the outer shell of the modular tactical helmet, the outer shell may include a first accessory space for receiving a first accessory thereon. In some exemplary embodiments, the first accessory space may comprise but is not limited to a tactical mount for mounting tactical gear, such as helmet mounted apparatus that include but not limited to binoculars, monocular, visual optic devices, or the like.
In some embodiments, disposed about both side portions of the outer shell, the outer shell may include a second accessory space for receiving a second accessory thereon. In some exemplary embodiments, the second accessory space may comprise but is not limited to a helmet rail for removably attaching one or more accessories such as but not limited to a headset system thereon.
These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:
FIG. 1 presents a perspective view of the modular tactical helmet in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 presents an exploded view of the modular tactical helmet comprising of at least three shells—an outer shell, an intermediate shell, and an inner shell;
FIG. 3 presents a perspective view of the inner shell;
FIG. 4 presents a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the inner shell;
FIG. 5 presents a perspective view of the intermediate shell;
FIG. 6 presents a perspective view of the outer shell;
FIG. 7 presents a magnified view of an exemplary mounting method comprising a mounting apparatus of the intermediate shell securing the intermediate shell to the outer shell;
FIG. 8 presents a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a mounting apparatus to mount the inner shell to an outer or intermediate shell.
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, 5 and 6, a modular tactical helmet system 100 (“helmet”) is generally provided. The helmet 100 comprises an outer shell 110, an intermediate shell 130 disposed within the outer shell 110, and an inner shell 150 disposed within the intermediate shell 130. In some embodiments, the inner shell 150 is removably attachable to the intermediate shell 130 or the outer shell 110. As seen in FIG. 3, the inner shell 150 of the helmet 100 may be generally understood to be a cushioned shell that comprises a front portion 156, side portions 158, an outer surface 152, a concavity, and an inner surface 154 delimiting the concavity of the helmet 100. The concavity is shaped and otherwise configured to receive the top portion of a wearer's head.
In some exemplary embodiments, the inner shell 150 may include on or more ventilation openings 162. The ventilation openings 162 in one exemplary embodiment may extend from a lower portion, proximate a bottom edge 164 of the inner shell, upwardly toward the shell's crown in the form of longitudinal openings. Of course, alternative shaped and configured openings may be provided without departing form the scope of the invention, and thus, the description of the openings are exemplary and not limiting. The one or more ventilation openings 164 are designed to allow sufficient airflow to circulate within the helmet 100 when worn by the wearer to prevent the wearer from overheating and comfortably be able to wear the helmet 100. The inner shell 150 of the helmet includes one or more mounts 160 disposed about the bottom edge 164 of the inner shell 150 for securing the inner shell 150 to either the intermediate shell 130 or the outer shell 110 of the helmet. The mounts 160 in one exemplary embodiment may comprise a clamp or ratchet system that engages a mount receiving accessory on the other shells. Alternative mounting methods may include a mount disposed on the outer surface 152 of the inner shell 150 that engages with a mounting receiving accessory on the intermediate or outer shell. At the bottom edge 164 of the inner shell 160, the helmet 100 may include a chin strap with is connected to two side straps with each side strap secured to the inner shell.
With reference to FIG. 4, in some embodiments, the inner shell 170 of the helmet 100 may comprise a different construction than the inner shell 150 shown in FIG. 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the inner shell 170 comprises one or more inflatable pads 172 that are retained together by one or more retention straps 174. The pads 172 are arranged in such a way to protect crucial areas around the brain. For instance, the pads 172 are arranged to protect the frontal lope, temporal lobe, occipital lobe, and parietal lobe of the wearer. Attached to the one or more pads 172 of the inner shell 170 is an inflation member 176 that includes one or more inflation conduits. In one exemplary form, the inflation member may comprise two or more materials coupled together that provide an internal void adapted for receiving a fluid, such as air. The inflation member 176 includes an inflation valve 178 that is configured to be used in conjunction with an inflation device to supply air to the one or more inflatable pads 172. The inflation valve 178 is also configured to be used in conjunction with a suction device that is configured to remove the air trapped inside of the inflatable pads 172. The pads 172 may include one or more channels or routes on at least one side to secure the inner surface of another shell or helmet to the pad by sliding onto stiffened tabs. In another exemplary embodiment, the inner shell 170, like inner shell 150, includes one or more mounts that are used to secure the inner shell to the intermediate shell 130 or the outer shell 110. The mounts may comprise a hook and loop device, a clamp device, a clipping device, fastener system or the like.
With reference to FIG. 8, in one alternative embodiment, the inner shell 150 of the helmet 100 may be disposed within an interior shell 130 (or outer shell) and retained therein with the use of an alternative mounting apparatus. For example, the alternative mounting apparatus 200 may include one or more retention members 202 that are, in some embodiments, removably secured to the interior surface 134 of the interior shell 130. Alternative embodiments include the retention members 202 irremovably affixed to the interior surface 134 of the interior shell 130. The retention members 202, in one exemplary embodiment, may include one or more stiffened straps or tabs that are substantially secured to the interior surface 134 of the interior shell 130, leaving a portion of each strap 204 free and maneuverable. The retention members 202 of the mounting apparatus 200 are designed to engage the one or more retaining members 206 disposed on the outer surface 152 of the inner shell 150. In one exemplary embodiment, the retaining members 206 include one or more loops that engage the stiffened straps disposed inside the interior shell 130. For example, the stiffened tab is inserted into one of the loops of the retaining members and the inner shell is slid through until reaching a desired position on one end, with the same process repeated on the other end. In an alternative embodiment, the mounting apparatus 200 may be entirely removable from the inner shell 150 of the helmet and include one or more fasteners (e.g., a hook fastener or the like) to removably secure the inner shell 150 to the interior shell that includes a receiving member (e.g., a loop member or the like). Accordingly, the foregoing description should be considered exemplary and not limiting. Moreover, the arrangement of the mounting apparatus within the interior surface 134 of the interior surface of the interior shell or, alternatively, the arrangement of the mounting apparatus on the outer surface 152 of the inner shell 150 may vary. Thus, the arrangement disclosed herein should be considered exemplary and not limiting.
With reference now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, in some embodiments the helmet 100 includes an intermediate shell 150 comprising an outer surface 132, a concavity, an in inner surface 134 delimiting the concavity 144 of the intermediate shell 130. In some embodiments, the intermediate shell includes a mounting apparatus 138 disposed about a bottom edge 142 of the intermediate shell 130 that is designed and configured to removably secure the intermediate shell 130 to the outer shell 110 and/or receive the attaching mount of the inner shell 150 that secures the inner shell 150 to the intermediate shell 130. In some embodiments, the intermediate shell 130 is secured between the outer shell 110 and the inner shell 150 by an interference fit, obviating the need for the mounting apparatus 138. In this way, the inner shell 150 is attached to the outer shell 110 by the mounts 160 with the intermediately shell 130 sandwiched therebetween and secured by an interference fit.
In some embodiments, the intermediate shell 130 may include one or more ventilation openings 146 and/or include one or more accessory spaces for attaching accessories thereon. As seen in FIG. 2, the concavity 144 of the intermediate shell is design, sized, and shaped to receive the inner shell 150 therein. In this configuration, the outer surface 152 of the inner shell 150 makes fluid contact with the interior surface 134 of the intermediate shell 130, making the appearance of a unitary body construction even though the shells are detachable. The intermediate shell 130, in one exemplary embodiment, may comprise a ballistic shell made from Kevlar® or ultra-high-molecular polyethylene (UHMWPE, UHMW) fibers or the like.
Turning now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, the outer shell 110 generally comprises an outer surface 112, a concavity 129, and an inner surface 114 delimiting the concavity 129 of the shell. The outer shell 110 may include one or more ventilation openings 126 designed to allow sufficient airflow to circulate within the helmet 100. The ventilation openings 126 of the outer shell 110 may align with the ventilation openings of the intermediate shell 130, in the exemplary embodiment where the intermediate shell includes ventilation openings. Disposed about the front portion 116 of the outer shell 110 includes a first accessory space 120 or mounting bracket for receiving a first accessory thereon. The accessory space 120 may comprise but is not limited to a tactical mount for mounting tactical gear, such as helmet mounted apparatus that include but not limited to binoculars, monocular, visual optic devices, or the like. The outer shell 110 may also include about each side portion 118 of the shell at least a secondary accessory space 122 or accessory space for receiving a second accessory thereon. In some exemplary embodiments, the second accessory space may comprise but is not limited to a helmet rail for removably attaching one or more accessories such as but not limited to a headset system thereon.
Turning now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, in some embodiments, disposed about a bottom edge 128 of the outer shell 110 is a mounting surface 124 that includes either a mounting apparatus or mounting ridge for receiving the mounting apparatus 136 of the intermediate shell 130 used to secure the intermediate shell 130 to the outer shell 110. In one exemplary form, the mounting apparatus 136 of the intermediate shell may comprise a retention device that includes a curved mounting head 138 that is configured to engage with a raised edge 124 provided on the bottom edge 128 of the outer shell 110. In this configuration, the mounting apparatus is utilized to securely clamp the intermediate shell 130 to the outer shell 110. When the intermediate shell 130 is secured to the outer shell 110, the secondary accessory space or mount 122 is unimpeded in any way, allowing accessories to be removably attached thereon without obstruction. Of course, as discussed above, the mounting apparatus used to secure the shells together may vary, and thus, the foregoing is to be understood as exemplary and not limiting. Also, as noted above, in some embodiments, the intermediate shell 130 is secured between the outer shell 110 and the inner shell 150 by an interference fit, wherein the inner shell 150 and outer shell 110 engaged via respective mounts as shown and described. In some embodiments, the outer shell 110 be made from molded plastic, reinforced polymer, or carbon fiber.
Turning specifically now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the 129 concavity of the outer shell 110 is design, sized, and shaped to receive the intermediate shell 130 or inner shell 150 therein. In the one configuration where there are only two shells—that is the inner shell is attached to the outer shell—the outer surface 152 of the inner shell 150 makes fluid contact with the interior surface 114 of the outer shell 110, making the appearance of a unitary body construction even though the shells are detachable. In an alternative configuration where there at least three shells, the outer surface 152 of the inner shell 150 makes fluid contact with the interior surface 134 of the intermediate shell 130, and the exterior surface 132 of the intermediate shell 130 makes fluid contact with the interior surface 114 of the outer shell 110, making the appearance of a unitary body construction even though the shells are detachable as seen in FIG. 1. Accordingly, the modular helmet system described herein includes one or more combination of shells depending on the wearers need.
It is appreciated an understood that the shells may comprise a variety of interchangeable materials and may function either as bump shells (shock absorbing), ballistic shells, or otherwise. The modular tactical helmet with interchangeable shells is configured to displace and/or absorb a force imparted onto one or more areas on the outer surface, with impact absorption capability varied by material selection, i.e. a shock absorbing bump shell or ballistic impact dispersing ballistic shell. In some embodiments, the force is transferred and spread to throughout the different shells to spread the force over a larger surface area thereby reducing the force felt on the wearer.
Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Furthermore, it is understood that any of the features presented in the embodiments may be integrated into any of the other embodiments unless explicitly stated otherwise. The scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
Patent Application
20250123082
