Hard Hat with Strap System

Abstract

A hard hat and related impact protection layer is shown. The hard hat includes one or more feature to improve support of the impact protection layer and coupling of the hard hat to the user. Various suspension mechanisms for hard hat outer shells and strap systems are described herein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hard hat comprising:
 an outer shell formed from a rigid material;   a coupling system coupled to the outer shell, the coupling system comprising:
 a suspension system configured to couple to the outer shell; 
 a strap system configured to couple the suspension system to a head of a person, the strap system comprising a first strap; 
 a clip coupled to the first strap; and 
 a receiver, the receiver configured to mechanically and reversibly couple and decouple to the clip, the receiver is configured to rotatably couple to the clip such that the receiver is rotatable relative to the clip about a first axis when the receiver is coupled to the clip. 
   
     
     
         2 . The coupling system of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver defines a first longitudinal axis and the clip defines a second longitudinal axis, and wherein the receiver is rotatably coupled to the clip allowing rotation in a first rotational direction such that the second longitudinal axis is able to form at least a 60 degree angle relative to the first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         3 . The coupling system of  claim 1 , the receiver defines a first longitudinal axis and the clip defines a second longitudinal axis, wherein the receiver is rotatably coupled to the clip allowing rotation in a first rotational direction such that the second longitudinal axis is able to form at least a 30 degree angle relative to the first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         4 . The coupling system of  claim 3 , wherein the receiver is rotatably coupled to the clip allowing rotation in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction such that the second longitudinal axis is able to form at least a 30 degree angle relative to the first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         5 . The coupling system of  claim 3 , wherein the receiver is rotatably coupled to the clip restricting rotation in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction such that the second longitudinal axis forms an angle no more than 5 degrees relative to the first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         6 . The coupling system of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver is coupled to the safety headwear. 
     
     
         7 . The coupling system of  claim 1 , wherein the receiver is rigidly coupled to the safety headwear. 
     
     
         8 . The coupling system of  claim 1 , wherein the clip comprises a circular element that interfaces with the receiver when the clip rotates with respect to the receiver. 
     
     
         9 . The coupling system of  claim 8 , wherein the receiver comprises a housing that peripherally surrounds the circular element of the clip when the clip is coupled to the receiver. 
     
     
         10 . A hard hat comprising:
 an outer shell formed from a rigid material;   a coupling system coupled to the outer shell, the coupling system comprising:
 a strap system configured to couple a safety headwear to a head of a person, the strap system comprising a first strap; 
 a clip coupled to the first strap, the clip comprising a button; and 
 a receiver coupled to the outer shell, the receiver configured to mechanically and reversibly couple to the clip to position the first strap below a chin of a user of the hard hat, the receiver comprising a housing defining an opening, wherein the button extends through the opening such that the housing peripherally surrounds the button of the clip when the receiver is coupled to the clip, wherein the button actuates to decouple the clip from the receiver. 
   
     
     
         11 . The coupling system of  claim 10 , wherein the receiver is rigidly coupled to the safety headwear. 
     
     
         12 . The coupling system of  claim 10 , the receiver defines a first longitudinal axis and the clip defines a second longitudinal axis, wherein the clip is rotatably coupled to the receiver allowing rotation in a first rotational direction such that the second longitudinal axis is able to form at least a 45 degree angle relative to the first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The coupling system of  claim 12 , wherein the clip is rotatably coupled to the receiver allowing rotation in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction, such that the second longitudinal axis is able to form at least a 45 degree angle relative to the first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         14 . The coupling system of  claim 12 , wherein the clip is rotatably coupled to the receiver restricting rotation in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction, such that the second longitudinal axis forms an angle no more than than 1 degree with respect to the first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         15 . A hard hat comprising:
 an outer shell formed from a rigid material;   a coupling system coupled to the outer shell, the coupling system comprising:   a receiver coupled to the safety headwear, the receiver defining a first longitudinal axis;   a clip coupled to a first strap, the clip defining a second longitudinal axis, the clip configured to mechanically and reversibly couple and decouple to the receiver, the clip comprising a button that actuates along an axis perpendicular to the first and second longitudinal axes to decouple the clip from the receiver.   
     
     
         16 . The coupling system of  claim 15 , wherein the receiver is rigidly coupled to the safety headwear. 
     
     
         17 . The coupling system of  claim 15 , wherein the clip is rotatably coupled to the receiver allowing rotation in a first rotational direction such that the second longitudinal axis is able to form at least a 90 degree angle relative to the first longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         18 . The coupling system of  claim 15 , wherein the button interfaces with the receiver when the clip rotates with respect to the receiver. 
     
     
         19 . The coupling system of  claim 15 , wherein the receiver comprises a housing that peripherally surrounds the button of the clip when the clip is coupled to the receiver. 
     
     
         20 . The coupling system of  claim 15 , the clip is rotatably coupled to the receiver allowing rotation in a first rotational direction such that the second longitudinal axis is able to form at least a 30 degree angle relative to the first longitudinal axis, and further allowing rotation in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction, such that the second longitudinal axis is able to form at least a 30 degree angle relative to the first longitudinal axis.