U.S. patent application number 15/382913 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-19 for versatile protective helmet applique assembly.
The applicant listed for this patent is Velocity Systems LLC. Invention is credited to David B. Strum.
Application Number | 20170299340 15/382913 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47741505 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170299340 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Strum; David B. |
October 19, 2017 |
Versatile Protective Helmet Applique Assembly
Abstract
The helmet applique assembly of the present invention permits a
helmet wearer to upgrade the ballistic prevention capabilities of a
traditional helmet quickly and efficiently. The helmet applique can
be provided as part of a helmet applique system and/or assembly
that includes internal-side connection means for attaching to a
helmet and external-side connection means for receiving any of
various external items such as identification tags, mounts and
external equipment or attachments. The applique element can
comprise various types of material, including, for example, ultra
high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). In one embodiment of
the present invention, multiple helmet applique elements are
employed on the same helmet and include surfaces and portions that
are cooperatively engageable for covering multiple areas of the
helmet at the same time.
Inventors: |
Strum; David B.;
(Amissville, VA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Velocity Systems LLC |
Dulles |
VA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47741505 |
Appl. No.: |
15/382913 |
Filed: |
December 19, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13912720 |
Jun 7, 2013 |
9557144 |
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15382913 |
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13594964 |
Aug 27, 2012 |
9222758 |
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13912720 |
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61527671 |
Aug 26, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/003 20130101;
F41H 1/04 20130101; A42B 3/18 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F41H 1/04 20060101
F41H001/04 |
Claims
1. A helmet applique assembly, comprising: a first ballistic
applique element having an external surface with a curvilinear
cross-section, an internal surface for engaging the outer surface
of a helmet, wherein the internal surface has a curvilinear
cross-section, and a first element profile edge; and a second
ballistic applique element having an external surface with a
curvilinear cross-section, an internal surface for engaging the
outer surface of a helmet, wherein the internal surface has a
curvilinear cross-section, and a second element profile edge, with
the second element profile edge that is cooperatively engageable
with the first element profile edge.
2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the respective external surfaces
of the first and second applique elements are in substantially
flush relation when the second element profile edge is
cooperatively engaged with the first element profile edge.
3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the respective internal surfaces
of the first and second applique elements are in substantially
flush relation when the second element profile edge is
cooperatively engaged with the first element profile edge.
4. The assembly of claim 1, further including at least one
connector member secured to respective internal surfaces of the
first and second applique elements, wherein the at least one
connector member is capable of secure engagement with one or more
counterpart connector members of a helmet.
5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the at least one connector
member comprises one or more strips having an adhesive on one side
and a fastener on the other side.
6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the fastener comprises one of:
hook fasteners, loop fasteners, and snap elements.
7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second ballistic
applique elements each comprises at least one of: ultra-high
molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), aramid fibers, ceramics,
and polycarbonate material.
8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second applique
elements comprise hermetically sealed ballistic material.
9. The assembly of claim 1, further including a helmet secured to
the first and second ballistic applique elements.
10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein the helmet includes an
attachment, and wherein the first ballistic applique element is
formed with an opening so as to avoid impeding the use of the
helmet attachment.
11. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the attachment is a night
vision device mount.
12. The assembly of claim 10, wherein the helmet has a side edge,
and wherein the attachment is attached to the helmet side edge.
13. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first ballistic applique
element is formed with an opening so as to avoid impeding the use
of a helmet attachment.
14. A helmet applique assembly, comprising: a first ballistic
applique element having an external surface with a curvilinear
cross-section, an internal surface for engaging the outer surface
of a helmet, wherein the internal surface has a curvilinear
cross-section, a first element thickness measured from the external
surface to the internal surface, and a first element profile edge
extending from a termination edge of the external surface to a
termination edge of the internal surface of the first ballistic
applique element; and a second ballistic applique element having an
external surface with a curvilinear cross-section, internal surface
for engaging the outer surface of a helmet, wherein the internal
surface has a curvilinear cross-section, a second element thickness
measured from the external surface to the internal surface, and a
second element profile edge extending from a termination edge of
the external surface to a termination edge of the internal surface
of the second ballistic applique element.
15. The assembly of claim 14 wherein the first element thickness
and the second element thickness are substantially the same.
16. The assembly of claim 14, further including at least one
connector member secured to respective internal surfaces of the
first and second applique elements, wherein the at least one
connector member is capable of secure engagement with one or more
counterpart connector members of a helmet.
17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the at least one connector
member comprises one or more strips having an adhesive on one side
and a fastener on the other side.
18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein the fastener comprises one
of: hook fasteners, loop fasteners, and snap elements.
19. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the first and second
ballistic applique elements each comprises at least one of:
ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), aramid fibers,
ceramics, and polycarbonate material.
20. The assembly of claim 14, wherein the first and second applique
elements comprise hermetically sealed ballistic material.
21. A helmet applique assembly, comprising: a first ballistic
applique element having an external surface with a curvilinear
cross-section, an internal surface for engaging the outer surface
of a helmet, wherein the internal surface has a curvilinear
cross-section, a first element front profile edge and a first
element rear profile edge; and a second ballistic applique element
having an external surface with a curvilinear cross-section, an
internal surface for engaging the outer surface of a helmet,
wherein the internal surface has a curvilinear cross-section, a
second element front profile edge and a second element rear profile
edge, wherein at least a portion of the second element front
profile edge abuts at least a portion of the first element rear
profile edge.
22. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the first element front
profile edge is formed with an opening so as to avoid impeding the
use of a helmet attachment.
23. The assembly of claim 21, further including at least one
connector member secured to the first element rear profile edge and
at least one connector member secured to the second element front
profile edge, wherein the at least one connector member secured to
the second element front profile edge is securable to the at least
one connector member secured to the first element rear profile
edge.
24. The assembly of claim 21, further including a helmet having an
outer surface and at least one helmet attachment, wherein the first
and second ballistic applique elements are secured to the outer
surface of the helmet, and wherein at least the first ballistic
applique element includes at least one side profile edge that is
curved to provide relief around the at least one helmet
attachment.
25. The assembly of claim 24, wherein the at least one helmet
attachment is a rail system.
26. The assembly of claim 21, further including a helmet having an
outer surface and at least one helmet attachment, wherein the first
and second ballistic applique elements are secured to the outer
surface of the helmet, and wherein at least the first element front
profile edge is curved to provide relief around the at least one
helmet attachment.
27. The assembly of claim 26, wherein the at least one helmet
attachment is a night vision device mount.
28. The assembly of claim 21, wherein at least one of the first and
second ballistic applique elements includes one or more connector
members on the outer surface thereof for facilitating the
attachment of an article thereto.
29. The assembly of claim 21, wherein the first and second
ballistic applique elements each comprises at least one of:
ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), aramid fibers,
ceramics, and polycarbonate material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/912,720, filed Jun. 7, 2013, and entitled
"Versatile Protective Helmet Applique Assembly", which is a
continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 13/594,964, filed Aug. 27, 2012, entitled "Versatile Protective
Helmet Applique Assembly", now U.S. Pat. No. 9,222,758, issued on
Dec. 29, 2015.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention pertains to armor-enhanced headwear,
and more particularly to an armor-enhanced helmet applique assembly
including a helmet applique that is comfortable, balanced,
detachable, versatile and which protects the head from projectiles
such as ballistic projections.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Military and law enforcement personnel have employed
armor-enhanced clothing in order to protect their bodies from
gunfire, shrapnel, explosive devices and other harmful ballistic
objects. Such personnel have further employed armor-enhanced
helmets in an effort to block ballistic objects from penetrating
traditional helmets and producing injury or grave damage to the
head of the wearer. However, prior armor-enhanced helmets are
typically heavy and awkward to wear, often causing undue neck
fatigue and even injury to the wearer.
[0004] The present invention provides a helmet applique assembly
including a helmet applique that is lighter weight, and attachable
to an existing helmet to cover one or more areas of an otherwise
exposed helmet. The applique element of the present invention can
be suitably relieved in areas where no ballistic protection is
required, or where ballistic protection would otherwise impede
certain functions of the helmet and the wearer's desired functional
capabilities. The applique element of the present invention can
comprise various types of material, including, for example, ultra
high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), aramid fibers,
ceramics, polycarbonate, steel or a combination of two or more such
materials. The applique assembly of the present invention further
includes one or more underside attachment member types for
attaching the applique to a helmet, and can optionally include one
or more external-side attachment or connector members for attaching
other articles to the outside of the applique element. Accordingly,
the applique system and/or assembly of the present invention
increases the protection level of a helmet in a specific area or
areas as a mission or threat dictates by allowing the applique
element to be donned or doffed as needed, and thereby does not
require the additional weight of the applique element to be
permanent.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a top right perspective view of one embodiment of
the applique assembly of the present invention in position on a
helmet.
[0006] FIGS. 2 and 3 are front views of photographs of the applique
assembly of the present invention as removed from a secured
position on a helmet.
[0007] FIGS. 4 through 6 are photographs of additional embodiments
of the applique assembly of the present invention in position on a
helmet and mannequin.
[0008] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of mating elements
in accordance with one embodiment of the helmet applique assembly
of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the
mating elements shown in FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, one embodiment of the helmet applique
assembly 30 of the present invention includes a helmet applique
element 10 attached to an underlying helmet 15. The helmet 15 can
be provided with various attachments such as a night vision device
mount 20 and a rail system 25. The rail system permits the helmet
to attach necessary or desirable articles such as lighting, camera
or other accessories as is known in the art. The applique element
10 is formed and shaped so as to avoid impeding the use and
functionality of the night vision device mount 20 and rail system
25, and can further be designed in alternative embodiments to
extend further or less in a given direction depending upon the
specific underlying helmet involved.
[0011] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the ballistic applique
element 10 of the present invention includes an external surface 12
and an internal surface in between the element 10 and the helmet
15, a front profile edge 13, a rear profile edge 14 and two side
profile edges 16, wherein the side profile edges are curved so as
to provide relief around edge attachments 25 of the helmet. The
front profile edge 13 can be formed so as to provide an opening 17
in a variety of shapes, such as rectangular, square and/or
U-shaped. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the front profile edge
13 is formed so as to provide a substantially U-shaped opening 17
in the applique element. The applique element 10 can comprise
ballistic material hermetically sealed and encapsulated within a
fabric material, wherein the ballistic material comprises one or
more of: ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, aramid fibers,
ceramics, polycarbonate material, and/or steel as described
above.
[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the helmet
applique assembly 30 further includes one or more connector members
secured to the internal surface of the applique element 10, with
the connector members being capable of secure engagement with one
or more counterpart connector members of the helmet 15. For
instance, hook-and-loop type fasteners, straps, snaps and other
similar attachment means can be employed. It will be appreciated
that the fastener elements can be directly secured to the fabric
material described above.
[0013] In a specific embodiment, a hook or loop fastener strip,
with adhesive on one side and hook or loop fasteners on the other,
is adhered to the internal surface of the applique element 10, such
that the adhesive side is pressed against the internal surface of
the applique element and the hook or loop side faces outwardly. A
counterpart loop or hook strip can be similarly applied to an
underlying helmet (such as helmet 15) in order to be able to
securely retain the strip affixed to the internal surface of the
applique element. It will be appreciated that multiple hook or loop
strips can be secured to the internal surface of the applique
element in locations deemed most suitable to create a secure but
releasable fit with the underlying helmet. Such an arrangement is
illustrated in the embodiments of the present invention shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein the helmet applique element 10 includes
fasteners 35 secured to the internal surface 32 thereof, and these
fasteners 35 are aligned so as to mate with counter fastener
elements 40 on the exterior surface 42 of helmet 15. When element
10 is desired to be donned, it can be attached to helmet 15 by
aligning fasteners 35 with fasteners 40, and when element 10 is
desired to be doffed, it can be lifted with sufficient pressure
from helmet 15 in order to overcome the retention strength of the
fasteners, thereby allowing element 10 to be removed.
[0014] As an alternative to hook or loop strips, the present
invention can use other connector member types, such as male or
female snap members secured to the internal surface of the applique
element, and positioned so as to mate with the counterpart female
or male snap members on the outer surface of the helmet. As a
further alternative, the connector member types can comprise one or
more straps that can be secured to the underlying helmet in known
fashion.
[0015] In the embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG.
1, the helmet applique element 10 is applied to the frontal lobe of
the helmet. However, it will be appreciated that the helmet
applique element 10 can cover different or additional areas of the
helmet depending upon intended use and anticipated threat or
mission. Further, it will be appreciated that multiple helmet
applique elements can be employed on the same helmet when
desirable.
[0016] As shown in FIGS. 4-6, a separate helmet applique element 50
is shown for the back portion of a helmet. As with element 10,
element 50 can comprise ballistic material hermetically sealed and
encapsulated within a fabric material, wherein the ballistic
material comprises one or more of: ultra-high molecular weight
polyethylene, aramid fibers, ceramics, polycarbonate material,
and/or steel as described above. The secondary element 50 has an
external surface 52 and an internal surface (not shown) in between
the element 50 and the helmet 15, a front profile edge 53 and a
rear profile edge 54. In one embodiment of the invention, the rear
profile edge 54 can be curved so as to provide relief around edge
attachments 25 of the helmet. In one embodiment of the present
invention, as shown in FIG. 6, for example, at least a portion of
the rear profile edge 14 of element 10 can mate with at least a
portion of the front profile edge 52 of element 50 to form a seam
57. It will be appreciated that the mating edges 14, 52 can be
provided with cooperating connector elements in order to keep the
elements 10, 50 securely connected. It will also be appreciated
that elements 10 and 50 can be provided so as to maximize the
mating engagement of the profile edge 14 of element 10 and the
profile edge 52 of element 50, and thereby provide a longer seam
57, which ensures maximum protection of the helmet wearer. It will
further be appreciated that the profiles or heights of the profile
edges 14 and 52 can be substantially the same so as to provide an
aerodynamic and smooth overall surface extending above the
underlying helmet. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7,
the height or thickness T of element 10 is shown from the internal
surfaces to the external surfaces of respective elements 10, 50. As
further shown in FIG. 7, the rear profile edge 14 of element 10
extends from a termination edge 80 of the external surface 12 to a
termination edge 82 of the internal surface 11 of the first element
10, and the front profile edge 53 of element 50 extends from a
termination edge 84 of the external surface to a termination edge
86 of the internal surface of element 50. As shown in the exemplary
embodiment of FIG. 7, the distance along the rear profile edge 14
between the termination edge 80 of the external surface 12 and the
termination edge 82 of the internal surface 11 of the first
ballistic applique element 10 is larger than the first element
thickness T. In FIG. 7, the exemplary rear profile edge 14
comprises first ledge drop surface 72, second ledge drop surface 74
and under-ledge surface 75. The distance along the front profile
edge 53 between the termination edge 84 of the external surface 52
and the termination edge 86 of the internal surface 51 of the
second ballistic applique element 50 is larger than the second
element thickness T. In FIG. 7, the exemplary front profile edge 53
comprises first riser portion 61, front step portion 62 and second
riser portion 63.
[0017] In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated
in FIG. 7, the front profile edge 53 of element 50 can comprise a
rampart member 60 having a first riser portion 61 extending upward
from the internal surface 51 of element 50 to a front step portion
62, wherein the front step portion 62 is substantially curved in
accordance with the curvature of the element 50 and the underlying
helmet 15, and further wherein the front step portion 62 meets with
a second riser portion 63, which extends to the external surface 52
of element 50. In one embodiment of the present invention, the
first riser portion 61 and the second riser portion 63 are
substantially parallel. In another embodiment of the present
invention, one or more of the first riser portion 61, front step
portion 62 and second riser portion 63 are provided with connector
elements to facilitate connection with the element 10 of the
present invention, when elements 10 and 50 are moved towards one
another in the directions noted by arrows A and B.
[0018] In connection with this embodiment of the present invention,
which is also shown in FIG. 8, the helmet applique element 10 can
be provided with a rear profile edge 14 having a ledge element 70
comprising a first ledge drop surface 72, a second ledge drop
surface 74 and an under-ledge surface 75 extending from the first
ledge drop surface 72 to the second ledge drop surface 74. In one
embodiment of the present invention, the first ledge drop surface
72 and the second ledge drop surface 74 of the ledge element 70 are
substantially parallel. The under-ledge surface 75 is substantially
curved in accordance with the curvature of the front step portion
62 of the rampart member 60 of applique element 50. In this way,
element 10 and element 50 can cooperatively engage atop the helmet
15, providing a snug, secure and protective fit for the wearer. It
will be appreciated that one or more of the surfaces 72, 74 and 75
of the ledge element 70 can be provided with connector elements
that cooperate with other connector elements provided on one or
more portions 61, 62, 63 of the rampart member 60 of element 50 in
order to keep the elements 10, 50 securely connected. In one
embodiment of the present invention, the first riser portion is
cooperatively engageable with the first ledge drop surface of the
first element, the second riser portion is cooperatively engageable
with the second ledge drop surface, and the front step portion is
cooperatively engageable with the under-ledge drop surface. It will
be appreciated that, while FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate the rampart
member 60 of element 50 extending from the lower portion of profile
edge 53 and the ledge element 70 of element 10 extending from the
upper portion of profile edge 14, the orientation can be reversed
in accordance with an additional embodiment of the present
invention. In such an additional embodiment, the rampart member 60
extends from the lower portion of profile edge 14 and the ledge
element 70 extends from the upper portion of profile edge 53.
[0019] In one embodiment of the present invention, the respective
internal and external surfaces of the first and second applique
elements are in substantially flush relation when the front step
portion of the rampart member of the second applique element is
cooperatively engaged with the under-ledge drop surface of the
ledge portion of the first applique element.
[0020] In one embodiment of the present invention, the helmet
applique assembly 30 further includes one or more connector members
secured to the internal surface of the applique element 10 and/or
50, with the connector members being capable of secure engagement
with one or more counterpart connector members of the helmet 15.
For instance, hook-and-loop type fasteners, straps, snaps and other
similar attachment means can be employed. It will be appreciated
that the fastener elements can be directly secured to the fabric
material described above.
[0021] In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more
connector members on the internal side of the applique element 10
and/or 50 are evenly distributed across the helmet applique so as
to mate with appropriate mating attachment elements distributed
across the helmet. In another embodiment of the present invention,
the helmet applique element is provided as part of a helmet
applique system kit or assembly, wherein the kit includes
alternative attachment members for selection and use by the wearer
or assembly personnel. Such an assembly can further include
elements that can readily be secured to a helmet that may otherwise
be incapable of receiving the helmet applique element of the
present invention. For example, the kit can include strips of
loop-type fasteners with an adhesive substance on one side and loop
fasteners on the other, such that the adhesive side can be secured
to the helmet, leaving the loop fasteners exposed and available for
receiving mating hook fasteners secured to the underside of the
helmet applique element. Similarly, such an assembly or kit can
include one or more attachment components for attaching external
elements to the external side of the applique element 10 and/or 50.
For instance, a loop-type fastener strip with adhesive on one side
can be secured to an identification tag via the adhesive side, and
the loop-type fastener side can then be exposed for securing to a
hook-type fastener on the external side of the applique element 10
and/or 50.
[0022] The applique element of the present invention can be quickly
donned and doffed through the use of the attachment components of
the present invention. When not in position on a helmet, one
embodiment of the applique element 10 and/or 50 of the present
invention is semi-rigid and can be stored in stand-alone or stacked
fashion.
[0023] The present invention thus provides a helmet applique
assembly including a helmet applique element that is lighter
weight, and attachable to an existing helmet to cover one or more
areas of an otherwise exposed helmet. As described above, the
present invention can be suitably relieved in areas where no
ballistic protection is required, or where ballistic protection
would otherwise impede certain functions of the helmet and the
wearer's desired functional capabilities. The applique element of
the present invention can comprise various types of ballistic
material, including, for example, ultra high molecular weight
polyethylene (UHMWPE), aramid fibers, ceramics, polycarbonate, or a
combination of two or more such materials. In one embodiment of the
present invention, the applique element can be provided in form
similar to a "soft armor" product, wherein the ballistic material
is hermetically RF heat sealed and encapsulated within a fabric
material (e.g., Cordura.TM.) in order to maintain ballistic
integrity in wet or sandy environments.
[0024] The invention may be embodied in other specific forms
without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics
thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered in
all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the
invention being indicated by the claims of the application rather
than by the foregoing description, and all changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are
therefore intended to be embraced therein.
* * * * *