Versatile Protective Helmet Applique 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 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 appliqué 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 appliqué 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.

1 . A helmet appliqué assembly, comprising:
 a first ballistic appliqué 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 appliqué 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 appliqué 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 appliqué 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 appliqué 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 appliqué 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 appliqué elements comprise hermetically sealed ballistic material. 
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , further including a helmet secured to the first and second ballistic appliqué elements. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the helmet includes an attachment, and wherein the first ballistic appliqué 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 appliqué element is formed with an opening so as to avoid impeding the use of a helmet attachment. 
     
     
         14 . A helmet appliqué assembly, comprising:
 a first ballistic appliqué 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 appliqué element; and 
 a second ballistic appliqué 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 appliqué 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 appliqué 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 appliqué 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 appliqué elements comprise hermetically sealed ballistic material. 
     
     
         21 . A helmet appliqué assembly, comprising:
 a first ballistic appliqué 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 appliqué 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 appliqué elements are secured to the outer surface of the helmet, and wherein at least the first ballistic appliqué 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 appliqué 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 appliqué 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 appliqué elements each comprises at least one of: ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), aramid fibers, ceramics, and polycarbonate material.