Safety helmet and components thereof

Abstract

An improved headband provides adjustment to fit the shape and size of the wearer's head as well as stand-off from the inner surface of the helmet shell. When the wearer's head is fitted properly in the headband, the headband desirably resists displacement toward the helmet shell in all directions.

1 . An interior head-retention element for use in connection with a safety helmet, the retention element comprising: 
 a. an adjustable-size headband for engaging a wearer's head; and    b. a plurality of stand-off attachment elements, disposed about the headband, for facilitating spaced-apart attachment of the headband to the helmet, the stand-off elements yieldably resisting movement of the helmet toward the wearer's head.    
   
   
       2 . The retention element of  claim 1  wherein the stand-off attachment elements each comprise a generally U-shaped member.  
   
   
       3 . The retention element of  claim 2  wherein the U-shaped member is folded over a plurality of bending lines that accommodate at least horizontal flexure.  
   
   
       4 . The retention element of  claim 3  wherein the bending lines further accommodate vertical flexure.  
   
   
       5 . The retention element of  claim 1  comprising at least three stand-off attachment elements disposed evenly around the headband.  
   
   
       6 . The retention element of  claim 1  comprising at least four stand-off attachment elements disposed evenly around the headband.  
   
   
       7 . The retention element of  claim 3  wherein the stand-off attachment elements have directions of horizontal flexure that intersect within the headband.  
   
   
       8 . The retention element of  claim 1  wherein the stand-off attachment elements each comprise an off-round engagement member for engaging the helmet so as to resist rotation with respect thereto.  
   
   
       9 . A safety helmet comprising: 
 a. a shell;    b. an adjustable-size headband for engaging a wearer's head; and    b. a plurality of stand-off attachment elements, disposed about the headband, for facilitating spaced-apart attachment of the headband to the shell, the stand-off elements yieldably resisting movement of the shell toward the wearer's head.    
   
   
       10 . The helmet of  claim 9  wherein the stand-off attachment elements each comprise a generally U-shaped member.  
   
   
       11 . The helmet of  claim 10  wherein the U-shaped member is folded over a plurality of bending lines that accommodate at least horizontal flexure.  
   
   
       12 . The helmet of  claim 11  wherein the bending lines further accommodate vertical flexure.  
   
   
       13 . The helmet of  claim 9  comprising at least three stand-off attachment elements disposed evenly around the headband.  
   
   
       14 . The helmet of  claim 9  comprising at least four stand-off attachment elements disposed evenly around the headband.  
   
   
       15 . The helmet of  claim 9  wherein the stand-off attachment elements have directions of horizontal flexure that intersect within the headband.  
   
   
       16 . The helmet of  claim 9  further comprising off-round engagement members for engaging the stand-off attachment elements to the shell so as to resist rotation with respect thereto.  
   
   
       17 . The helmet of  claim 9  further comprising an energy-absorbing impact liner disposed beween the headband and the shell.