1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to safety helmets for use in a variety of applications where head protection is desired, and in particular to a suspension connection arrangement and a suspension system used in connection with such a safety helmet.
2. Description of the Related Art
As is known in the art, a variety of activities, workplace functions, and emergency situations require additional safety measures and systems. In particular, such activities, functions, and situations include, without limitation, industrial or manufacturing activities, construction activities, activities that pose a potential risk to the person or persons involved, rescue situations, and the like. Providing safety equipment to those involved in such activities and situations is required, and protecting the user's head is of the utmost importance. In order to provide such protection, one of the most often worn pieces of equipment is a safety helmet.
Safety helmets (also known as protective helmets) are provided in a variety of shapes and configurations. Further, in order to comfortably position and space the protective helmet body (or dome) of the safety helmet with respect to the user's head, each safety helmet is equipped with a suspension system. This suspension system normally includes: (1) a headband arrangement having a headband member that fits around the periphery of the user's head (normally just above the forehead area) and an adjustment mechanism for tightening and loosening the headband member with respect to a user's head; (2) multiple tabs, connected or connectable to the headband member, which are removably attachable in slots positioned on the inner surface of helmet body; and (3) multiple straps connected between the tabs and extending across the headband member for contact with the top of the user's head.
Even with the adjustment mechanism, many existing safety helmets, i.e., the headband arrangements used in connection with such safety helmets, could be more effectively adjustable or configurable to safely and comfortably fit a specific user's head shape or size. Still further, the assembly of the tabs and the headband arrangement is often difficult and labor intensive.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved safety helmets, suspension systems, and suspension connection arrangements for use with or in such suspension systems. Further there is a need in the art to provide safety helmets (and the various components thereof) that are more easily adjustable and/or configurable to fit a variety of shapes and sized of user's head. Still further, there is a need in the art for safety helmets (and the various components thereof) that can be more efficiently and effectively assembled, such as by the user in the field or use environment.
Generally, provided is a suspension connection arrangement for a suspension system of a safety helmet that improves on the features and functions of known safety helmet systems and suspension system configurations. Preferably, provided is a suspension connection arrangement for a suspension system of a safety helmet that facilitates the adjustment and/or configuration of the headband arrangement with respect to the user's head. Preferably, provided is a suspension connection arrangement for a suspension system of a safety helmet that allows for efficient and effective assembly in the field.
In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, provided is a suspension connection arrangement for a suspension system for a safety helmet. The suspension system includes at least one strap connected to at least one tab, which is attachable between a headband arrangement and at least one headband slot positioned on an internal surface of the safety helmet. The suspension connection arrangement includes: at least one projection member extending from the at least one tab; and at least one keyhole connected to at least one slot, both extending at least partially through a headband member, wherein the at least one keyhole is configured to at least partially receive the at least one projection member therethrough, such that the at least one projection member is configured to slide along the at least one slot, thereby removably attaching the at least one tab to the headband member.
In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, provided is a suspension connection arrangement for a suspension system of a safety helmet, the suspension system including at least one strap connected to a plurality of tabs, which is attachable between a headband arrangement and at least one headband slot positioned on an internal surface of the safety helmet. The suspension connection arrangement includes: at least one projection member extending from each of the plurality of tabs; and a plurality of arrangements comprising a keyhole connected to a slot, both extending at least partially through a headband member, wherein the keyhole of each arrangement is configured to at least partially receive therethrough the at least one projection member of one of the plurality of tabs, such that the at least one projection member of the tab is configured to slide along the at least one slot, thereby removably attaching the tab to a specified area of the headband member, and a plurality of sets of arrangements each comprising a plurality of keyholes each connected to a slot, wherein each of the keyholes of each set of arrangements is configured to at least partially receive therethrough the at least one projection member of one of the plurality of tabs, such that the at least one projection member of the tab is configured to slide along the respective slot, thereby removably attaching the tab to a specified area of the headband member. Each of the plurality of arrangements and plurality of sets of arrangements are at least one of spaced and aligned on the headband member.
In a further preferred and non-limiting embodiment, provided is a suspension system for a safety helmet, including: a headband arrangement having a headband member; at least one strap connected to at least one tab, wherein the at least one tab is configured to be inserted at least partially into at least one headband slot positioned on an internal surface of the safety helmet; and a suspension connection arrangement, including: (i) at least one projection member extending from the at least one tab; and (ii) at least one keyhole connected to at least one slot, both extending at least partially through the headband member, wherein the at least one keyhole is configured to at least partially receive the at least one projection member therethrough, such that the at least one projection member is configured to slide along the at least one slot, thereby removably attaching the at least one tab to the headband member.
In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, provided is a safety helmet, including a protective helmet body having an internal surface with at least one headband slot positioned thereon. The safety helmet also includes a suspension system, including: (i) a headband arrangement having a headband member; and (ii) at least one strap connected to at least one tab, wherein the at least one tab is configured to be inserted at least partially into the at least one headband slot to thereby connect the suspension system and the helmet body; and a suspension connection arrangement, including: (i) at least one projection member extending from the at least one tab; and (ii) at least one keyhole connected to at least one slot, both extending at least partially through the headband member, wherein the at least one keyhole is configured to at least partially receive the at least one projection member therethrough, such that the at least one projection member is configured to slide along the at least one slot, thereby removably attaching the at least one tab to the headband member.
These and other features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structures and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specification and the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “end”, “upper”, “lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, “lateral”, “longitudinal” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative variations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. 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 invention. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting.
The present invention is directed to a suspension connection arrangement 10 for use with or as part of a suspension system 12 of a safety helmet 14. The suspension connection arrangement 10, suspension system 12, and safety helmet 14 are shown in schematic form in
With continued reference to
As illustrated in schematic form in
A preferred and non-limiting embodiment and configuration of the tab 24 is illustrated in
With continued reference to this preferred and non-limiting embodiment of the tab 24, the second end 40 of the tab 24 includes a second strap orifice 52, which is sized and/or shaped to allow smooth and free passage of the strap 22 therethrough. Accordingly, as seen in
With continued reference to
With continued reference to
As illustrated in
With continued reference to
In order to further assist in positioning the projection member 28 through the keyhole 32 and into the slot 34, and in another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, at least a portion of the projection member 28 is flexible and/or bendable so that the user can angle the cap 68 through the keyhole 32 and into position where the flat lower surface 74 contacts the outer surface 78 of the headband member 36. In addition, and in order to further facilitate this action, all or a portion of the headband member 36 may also be formed of a flexible and/or bendable material. By using these flexible and/or bendable materials for the headband member 36 and the projection member 28, the process of connecting and disconnecting the projection member 28 and headband member 36 is more easily accomplished.
With further reference to
Still further, and in another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the recessed area 84 is defined by the thickened areas that surround this area 84. Accordingly, the recessed area 84, along with the resulting thickened area or portion, assists in preventing the extension area 62 on the second end 40 of the tab 24 from being urged or pressed against the user's head while wearing the safety helmet 14. In particular, this arrangement allows the rounded upper surface 72 of the projection member 28 to be at least partially recessed or positioned within the recessed area 84, thereby reducing any resulting urging or pressing forces when the headband member 36 is attached within the safety helmet 14. In addition, these thickened areas or portions provide stiffening characteristics or structural rigidity to the headband member 36 leading to additional and beneficial durability.
In a further preferred and non-limiting embodiment, and as illustrated in
As discussed, this embodiment facilitates the ability of the user to adjust the fit of the headband member 36, and, thus, the suspension system 12, with respect to the helmet body 16. In order to effect this adjustment, the user may simply remove the projection member 28 from one of the keyhole 32/slot 34 arrangements and insert it into another keyhole 32/slot 34 arrangement. As discussed, this is typically done in unison at both ends 90 of the headband member 36. The connection of one of the projection members 28 to one of the keyhole 32/slot 34 arrangements in various stages of connections is shown in
In a further preferred and non-limiting embodiment, and as illustrated in
In this manner, the present invention provides a suspension connection arrangement 10, a suspension system 12, and a safety helmet 14 that facilitates the adjustment and/or configuration of the headband arrangement 26 and/or headband member 36 with respect to the user's head. In addition, the suspension connection arrangement 10, suspension system 12, and safety helmet 14 according to the present invention allows for the efficient and effective assembly of the safety helmet 14 and its various components in the field.
Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.
This application claims benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/872,050, filed Aug. 30, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61872050 | Aug 2013 | US |