Versatile Protective Helmet Appliqué Assembly

Abstract

The helmet appliqué assembly of the present invention permits a helmet wearer to upgrade the ballistic prevention capabilities of a traditional helmet quickly and efficiently. The helmet appliqué can be provided as part of a helmet appliqué system and/or assembly that includes an internal-side connection for attaching to a helmet and an external-side connection for receiving any of various external items such as identification tags, mounts and external equipment or attachments. The appliqué element can comprise various types of material, including, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).

1 . A helmet appliqué for attachment to a helmet, comprising:
 a ballistic appliqué element having a front profile edge and a rear profile edge, wherein the front profile edge is formed with a substantially U-shaped opening so as to avoid impeding the use of a helmet attachment, wherein the appliqué element is semi-rigid and includes ballistic material hermetically sealed and encapsulated within a fabric material. 
 
     
     
         2 . A helmet appliqué, comprising:
 a ballistic appliqué element having a front profile edge, a rear profile edge and two side profile edges, wherein the side profile edges are curved so as to provide relief around edge attachments of the helmet, and wherein the front profile edge is formed with a substantially U-shaped opening so as to avoid impeding the use of a helmet attachment, wherein the appliqué element further comprises ballistic material hermetically sealed and encapsulated within a fabric material, and wherein the ballistic material comprises one of: ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, aramid fibers, ceramics, polycarbonate material.