Drop-down eye protection for safety helmets

Abstract

Hinged receivers are provided in the space above the wearer's ears on either side of a helmet, and protective eyewear received within the receivers is accommodated for stowage in a space toward or at the front of the helmet.

1 . For use in connection with a protective helmet comprising a shell, a rotational assembly facilitating stowage and withdrawal of protective eyewear, the assembly comprising: 
 a. a pair of receivers for receiving the eyewear; and    b. means facilitating rotation of the receivers between a stowage position, with the eyewear within the helmet shell, and an operational position in front of a wearer's eyes.    
   
   
       2 . The rotational assembly of  claim 1  wherein the eyewear comprises a pair of substantially straight arms and the receivers frictionally engage the arms.  
   
   
       3 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the rotation-facilitating means is attached to at least one receiver and extends so as to be accessible to the wearer when the eyewear is in the stowage position.  
   
   
       4 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the rotation-facilitating means are configured to act on the eyewear and extend so as to be accessible to the wearer when the eyewear is in the stowage position.  
   
   
       5 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the helmet comprises a headband and the rotational assembly is configured to engage the headband.  
   
   
       6 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the rotational assembly is configured to engage an interior surface of the helmet shell.  
   
   
       7 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein the helmet comprises a liner and the rotational assembly is configured to engage the liner.  
   
   
       8 . The assembly of  claim 1  wherein each receiver comprises a draw line.  
   
   
       9 . A protective helmet comprising: 
 a. a shell comprising an interior with sufficient space to contain, when the helmet is worn, protective eyewear in a stowed configuration; and    b. within the shell, a rotational assembly configured to receive the eyewear and facilitate movement between a stowage position, with the eyewear within the helmet shell, and an operational position in front of a wearer's eyes.    
   
   
       10 . The helmet of  claim 9  wherein the eyewear comprises a pair of substantially straight arms that are frictionally engaged by the rotational assembly.  
   
   
       11 . The helmet of  claim 9  further comprising a compressible material within the shell for frictionally engaging the eyewear to retain it in the stowed position.  
   
   
       12 . The helmet of  claim 9  further comprising a flexible protruding member within the shell for mechanically engaging the eyewear to retain it in the stowed position.  
   
   
       13 . The helmet of  claim 9  wherein the rotational assembly is configured to engage an interior surface of the helmet shell.  
   
   
       14 . The helmet of  claim 9  further comprising a liner, the rotational assembly being configured to engage the liner.  
   
   
       15 . The helmet of  claim 9  further comprising a headband, the rotational assembly being configured to engage the headband.  
   
   
       16 . The helmet of  claim 15  wherein the headband comprises a flexible loop for engaging the eyewear, downward pressure on the flexible loop brings the eyewear into the operational position.  
   
   
       17 . The helmet of  claim 9  wherein each receiver comprises a draw line.