Protective headgear, systems, and methods

Abstract

A protective headgear device includes a helmet shell and a shield coupled to the helmet shell. The helmet shell defines an interior cavity for receiving a head and a first viewing port. The shield is coupled to the helmet shell by a plurality of arms such that the shield is moveable from a first position in which a second viewing port defined by the shield is at least partially aligned with the first viewing port to a second position that is different from the first position. At least a first arm and a second arm of the plurality of arms are detachable from the shield.

1 . A protective headgear device, comprising:
 a helmet shell defining an interior cavity for receiving a head and a first viewing port;   a shield defining a second viewing port and coupled to the helmet shell by a plurality of arms such that the shield is moveable between a first position, in which the second viewing port is at least partially aligned with the first viewing port, and a second position that is different from the first position,   wherein at least a first arm and a second arm of the plurality of arms are detachable from the shield.   
     
     
         2 . The protective headgear device of  claim 1 , wherein the helmet shell defines a plurality of conduits that are in fluid communication with an opening defined by the helmet shell for receiving a nozzle of a hose. 
     
     
         3 . The protective headgear device of  claim 2 , wherein the opening defined by the shell is located at a rear of the shell and each of the plurality of conduits extend from the opening towards a front of the shell. 
     
     
         4 . The protective headgear device of  claim 2 , further comprising a liner provided within the interior cavity,
 wherein each of the plurality of conduits is in fluid communication with the interior cavity of the helmet shell via at least one opening extending through the liner.   
     
     
         5 . The protective headgear device of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of conduits is in fluid communication with the interior cavity of the helmet shell via at least one opening defined by an internal surface of the helmet shell. 
     
     
         6 . The protective headgear device of  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of conduits are defined by a plurality of ridges integrally formed with the helmet shell. 
     
     
         7 . The protective headgear device of  claim 1 , wherein the shield includes a magnet for engaging a first magnetic object provided in the helmet shell to maintain the shield in the first position. 
     
     
         8 . The protective headgear device of  claim 7 , wherein the helmet shell includes a second magnetic object to be engaged by the magnet in the shield to maintain the shield in the second position. 
     
     
         9 . The protective headgear device of  claim 1 , wherein a first optical component is disposed within the first viewing port, and wherein the first optical component is at least partially surrounded by a gasket, the gasket configured to engage a second optical component that is removably disposed within the second viewing port defined by the shield to provide a seal between the helmet shell and the shield. 
     
     
         10 . The protective headgear device of  claim 9 , wherein the second optical component is a filter plate. 
     
     
         11 . The protective headgear device of  claim 10 , wherein the filter plate is an auto-darkening filter plate. 
     
     
         12 . The protective headgear device of  claim 1 , wherein the each of the first arm and the second arm are formed from a resilient material such that the first and second arms can be moved away from the shield to facilitate the detachment of the arms from the shield. 
     
     
         13 . The protective headgear device of  claim 1 , wherein the helmet shell includes at least two portions that are joined together. 
     
     
         14 . The protective headgear of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm is positioned below a third arm of the plurality of arms, and the second arm is positioned below a fourth arm of the plurality of arms. 
     
     
         15 . A protective headgear device, comprising:
 a helmet including a shell, the shell defining an interior cavity for receiving a head, a first viewing port, an opening, and a plurality of conduits, the opening is located at a rear of the shell and is in fluid communication with each of the plurality of conduits, wherein the plurality of conduits extending from the opening towards a front of the shell;   a first optical component disposed within the first viewing port; and   a hose including a first end and a second end, the first end of the hose including a first nozzle for connecting the first end of the hose to the opening defined by the helmet, and the second end of the hose including a second nozzle for connecting the second end of the hose to an air supply,   wherein at least one of the first nozzle and the second nozzle is configured to form a break-away connection.   
     
     
         16 . The protective device of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of conduits are defined by a plurality of ridges integrally formed with the shell. 
     
     
         17 . The protective device of  claim 15 , further comprising a shield defining a second viewing port and coupled to the shell by a plurality of arms such that the shield is moveable between a first position, in which the second viewing port is at least partially aligned with the first viewing port, to a second position that is different from the first position, 
     
     
         18 . The protective device of  claim 17 , wherein at least a first arm and a second arm of the plurality of arms are detachable from the shield. 
     
     
         19 . The protective device of  claim 17 , wherein the shield includes a magnet for engaging a first magnetic object provided in the shell to maintain the shield in the first position. 
     
     
         20 . The protective device of  claim 19 , wherein the shell includes a second magnetic object to be engaged by the magnet in the shield to maintain the shield in the second position. 
     
     
         21 . A system, comprising:
 a helmet including a shell, the shell defining an interior cavity for receiving a head, a first viewing port, an opening disposed at a rear of the shell, and a plurality of conduits, each of the plurality of conduits is in fluid communication with the opening defined by the shell;   a first transparent protective device disposed within the first viewing port;   a shield defining a second viewing port coupled to the shell of the helmet by a plurality of arms such that the shield is moveable between a first position, in which the second viewing port is at least partially aligned with the first viewing port, and a second position that is different from the first position; and   a hose including a first end and a second end, the first end of the hose including a first nozzle for connecting the first end of the hose to the opening defined by the shell, and the second end of the hose including a second nozzle for connecting the second end of the hose to an air supply,   wherein the shield includes a magnet for engaging a first magnetic object of the shell to maintain the shield in the first position and for engaging a second magnetic object of the shell to maintain the shield in the second position.   
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 21 , wherein the first nozzle provides a break-away connection with the helmet.