Apparel – Guard or protector – For wearer's head
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-24
2001-10-09
Lindsey, Rodney M. (Department: 3765)
Apparel
Guard or protector
For wearer's head
C002S008600, C002S006400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298498
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a protective helmet system convertible between multiple protection classifications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Protective helmets are commonly worn by people to shield their heads from flying or falling objects. The helmet usually has a rigid protective shell of an impact resistant material. For some applications, helmets have face shields attached thereto to protect the wearer's face. The helmet and face shield can form a protective enclosure to which is supplied uncontaminated air. Respirators are frequently combined with helmets and face shields to protect workers in areas where the air may be contaminated by toxic or noxious substances, such as particulates, gases and vapors.
Various government agencies and industry organizations define certain requirements and standards for protective gear, including helmets and respirators. For example, the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) certifies certain safety standards in the U.S. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) recommends voluntary consensus industry standards. Other agencies and organizations around the world also establish safety standards for helmets and respirators. For protective helmets, some of the standards relate to impact energy attenuation, penetration resistance, force transmission, stiffness, flammability, electrical insulation, and head coverage.
The term “loose fitting face piece” defines a ANSI classification of a respiratory protective system in which the respirator enclosure is designed to form a partial seal with the face. Loose fitting face pieces do not seal on the neck and shoulders of the wearer and may or may not offer head protection against impacts and penetration. Positive pressure respiratory air supplied to such a system assists in forming a protective shield around the worker's face. A “loose fitting helmet” is another ANSI classification in which the respirator completely covers the head and neck, and may cover portions of the shoulders. Loose fitting helmets typically seal around the neck of the user. ANSI standards permit the use of “loose fitting face pieces” for exposures of up to 25 times the permissible exposure limit (PEL) for most contaminants. Loose fitting face pieces are typically not worn by users with facial hair. A loose fitting helmet can be used with up to 1,000 times the PEL, and may be used with facial hair.
Some workers may require multiple face pieces attached to a single helmet. Welding operations present a number of potential hazards to the welder that require the welder to use a specially designed protective device. Welding can cause sparks and hot metal debris to fly off the work piece. Welders often wear a clear face shield attached to a helmet to protect their head and face when the welding shield is raised. Welding can also generate toxic or noxious fumes requiring the welder to wear a respiratory system. Welding also causes high intensity light to be generated, requiring the welder to wear a darkened lens over their eyes to prevent eye damage.
Protective systems with the highest level of protection may not be optimum for a particular job that does not require that level of protection. For example, protective systems with a high level of protection can be heavy, may cause some discomfort to the wearer and can be costly. Although a loose fitting face piece system is lighter, less expensive, and more convenient than a loose fitting helmet, such systems are not acceptable for some applications. Therefore, many different types of helmets, respirators and face shields have been developed to meet the many different applications and standards that exist. Consequently, manufacturers have been forced to produce a variety of different systems for different conditions, as well as requiring users to stock and maintain many different systems. There is a need for a protective device that can be convertible between different production classifications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to protective helmet system that can be configured for a variety of protection classifications. The ability to use the same helmet and face shields in multiple respiratory protection classifications reduces the number of different systems that need to be manufactured and reduces the number of components that need to be maintained in inventory. The present invention is also directed to a compact attaching mechanism that permits multiple face shields to be releasably attached to the helmet, either individually or simultaneously. The compact nature of the attaching mechanism provides for tight sealing engagement between the various components of the present protective helmet system.
All of the embodiments of the present invention can be used with a seal extending between the protective helmet system and the user. The seal can form either a loose fitting face piece or a loose fitting helmet. A source of pressurized air is optionally provided to the protective helmet system to form a positive pressure respirator.
In one embodiment, a jaw piece is attachable to a base edge of the helmet. The jaw piece and a portion of the base edge of the helmet define a user viewing window. A first face shield is pivotable between an open position and a closed position extending across the viewing window. A seal is provided to engage with a perimeter of the viewing window when the first face shield is in the closed position. The attaching assembly for attaching the first face shield comprises a helmet cam having first helmet cam surfaces configured to releasably attach the first face shield to the protective helmet system and second helmet cam surfaces configured to releasably attach a second face shield to the protective helmet. The attaching assembly generates a first biasing force to bias the seal toward the perimeter of the viewing window when the first face shield is in the closed position and a second biasing force to bias the first face shield away from the jaw piece when in the open position.
In another embodiment, the protective helmet system comprises a helmet, a first face shield pivotable between an open position and a closed position, and an attaching assembly. The attaching assembly comprises a helmet cam having first helmet cam surfaces extending radially outward from the helmet cam configured to releasably attach the first face shield to the protective helmet system and second helmet cam surfaces extending axially from the helmet cam configured to releasably attach an optional second face shield to the protective helmet. The attaching assembly generates a first biasing force to bias the first face shield seal downward when the first face shield is in the closed position and a second biasing force to bias the first face shield upward when in the open position.
The present invention is also directed to a modular protective helmet system kit for multiple protection classification. A first face shield is optionally attachable to the helmet. The first face shield is pivotable between an open position and a closed position extending across a viewing window when attached to the helmet. A second face shield is optionally attachable to the helmet. The second face shield is configured to extend over the first face shield and substantially across the viewing window when attached to the helmet. The attaching mechanism includes first helmet cam surfaces configured to releasably attach the first face shield to the protective helmet system and second helmet cam surfaces configured to releasably attach the second face shield to the protective helmet. The attaching assembly generates a downward biasing force when the first face shield is in the closed position and an upward biasing force when the face shield is in the open position.
An extender having a neck seal is optionally attachable to a base edge of the first face shield. In an alternate embodiment, a jaw piece having a sealing surface is optionally attached to a base edge of the helmet. A seal is provided to engage with the sealing surfac
Burns James A.
Fabin Frank J.
Foslien Floyd L.
Mittelstadt William A.
3M Innovative Properties Company
Hakamaki Michaele A.
Lindsey Rodney M.
LandOfFree
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