Integrated system for combat helmet

Abstract

An integrated system for protecting a wearers head and at least a portion of the wearer's face. The system comprises a support adapted for secure mounting to a helmet and comprising an elongate mask receiving portion arranged along the brim, a ballistic mask adapted for mounting to the elongate mask receiving portion, and a quick release mechanism securing the mask to the mask receiving portion. The mask can be removed from the elongate mounting portion by releasing the quick release mechanism. An alternative embodiment comprises a head gear which when worn by the wearer, a lower edge of a face protecting portion adjacent at least one of a pair of cheek protecting portions is positioned above a jaw line of the wearer, and a neck protecting skirt manufactured from a soft flexible ballistic armour and attached along the lower edge of the face protecting portion.

1 . An integrated system for a protective ballistic helmet for protecting a wearers head and at least a portion of the wearer's face, the helmet comprising a brim positioned above the wearer's face when worn, the system comprising:
 a support adapted for secure mounting to the helmet and comprising an elongate mask receiving portion arranged along the brim;   a ballistic mask adapted for mounting to said elongate mask receiving portion; and   a quick release mechanism securing said mask to said mask receiving portion;   wherein said mask can be removed from said elongate mounting portion by releasing said quick release mechanism.   
   
   
       2 . The integrated system of  claim 1 , wherein said support further comprises a tightening mechanism for releasably securing said support about the helmet. 
   
   
       3 . The integrated system of  claim 2 , wherein said tightening mechanism comprises a pair of overlapping tongues, each of said tongues attached to a respective end of said elongate mask receiving portion, said elongate mask receiving portion and said overlapping tongues together defining a helmet receiving opening, and a ratchet mechanism for generating a helmet securing and releasing force by moving said tongues relative to one another. 
   
   
       4 . The integrated system of  claim 3 , wherein said ratchet mechanism comprises a pair of opposed slots in alignment, one of said slots formed lengthwise in each of said tongues, a first row of teeth formed in a top edge of one of said slots and a second row of said teeth formed in a bottom edge of the other of said slots, a cylindrical adjusting knob having cog teeth at a first inner end and a hand grip at a second outer end, said cog teeth extending through said slots and engaging said first and second rows of teeth. 
   
   
       5 . The integrated system of  claim 1 , wherein said support is secured to the helmet using a plurality of fasteners. 
   
   
       6 . The integrated system of  claim 1 , wherein said quick release mechanism comprises a pair of quick release receiving bores defined by said elongate mounting portion, one of said pair of bores positioned towards a respective end of said elongate mounting portion, and wherein said mask comprises a pair of quick releases, each of said pair of releases positioned and adapted for mating with a respective one of said quick release receiving bores. 
   
   
       7 . A face protective head gear for protecting a wearers face, the head gear comprising:
 a face protecting portion manufactured from a rigid ballistic material and comprising a pair of cheek protecting portions interconnected by a nose and mouth connecting portion, wherein when worn by the wearer, a lower edge of said face protecting portion adjacent at least one of said cheek protecting portions is positioned above a jaw line of the wearer; and   a neck protecting skirt manufactured from a soft flexible ballistic armour and attached along said lower edge of said face protecting portion.   
   
   
       8 . The head gear of  claim 7 , further comprising a support assembly adapted for secure mounting to a helmet and comprising an elongate mask receiving portion arranged along the brim and wherein said face protecting portion is adapted for mounting to said elongate mask receiving portion. 
   
   
       9 . The head gear of  claim 7 , wherein said lower edge of said face protecting portion adjacent each of said cheek protecting portions is positioned above a jaw line of the wearer. 
   
   
       10 . The head gear of  claim 7 , wherein said face protecting portion defines a lens receiving aperture above said pair of cheek protecting portions and said nose and mouth connecting portion and further comprising a transparent lens positioned within said aperture. 
   
   
       11 . The head gear of  claim 7 , wherein said neck protecting skirt is removeably attached to said lower edge.