Flexible Protective Helmet

Abstract

A protective helmet having an inner hood includes a spacer knitted fabric of a monofilament yarn. The hood is covered by a pneumatic central layer which can be pressurized by means of compressed air and can be inflated by means of an air pump which can be, for example, removed and provided with valves. An outer layer consists of an inner textile layer which lies over the pneumatic central layer, and plates which are fixed to the textile layer, for example by adhesion. The plates include, for example, of plastic, composite materials, or natural materials. The plates can be arranged in such a way that joints are created thereinbetween, the outer layer thus being provided with a certain elasticity in order to cater for different head shapes and sizes.

1 . A flexible protective helmet characterised in that it comprises at least two layers joinable with and separable from one another, 
 an inner hood ( 1 ) made of a textile material,    an outer layer ( 10 ) essentially made of hard plates ( 12 ).    
   
   
       2 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claim 1 , characterised in that a third layer, namely a pneumatic middle layer that is insertable between the inner hood ( 1 ) and the essentially hard outer layer ( 10 ) is provided.  
   
   
       3 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the inner hood ( 1 ) consists of a spacer.  
   
   
       4 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claim 2 , characterised in that the middle layer ( 4 ) is made of two layers of a plastic film, which are connected by means of weld seams ( 7 ), such that this middle layer is air tight and takes on a concave shape when inflated with compressed air.  
   
   
       5 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claim 4 , characterised in that the middle layer features a multiplicity of cut-outs respectively confined by weld seams.  
   
   
       6 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the concave shape striven for is determined by cutting the plastic film in essence, and by means of compressed air, it can be adapted to the individual head size and shape of the person to wear it.  
   
   
       7 . The flexible protective helmet, according to one of claims  2 ,  4  to  6 , characterised in that, in order to inflate the middle layer, a manually operated air pump ( 15 ) is provided.  
   
   
       8 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claim 7 , characterised in that the air pump ( 5 ) is detachable from the protective helmet.  
   
   
       9 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claim 1 , characterised in that the outer layer is made of an inner textile layer ( 11 ) and plates ( 12 ,  12   a,    12   b ) mounted on the outside.  
   
   
       10 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claim 9 , characterised in that the textile layer ( 11 ) is made of a knitted or woven fabric.  
   
   
       11 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claim 9  or  10 , characterised in that, the plates ( 12 ,  12   a,    12   b ) are fixed on the textile layer by adhesive means.  
   
   
       12 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claims 9  to  10 , characterised in that the plates ( 12 ) with one another form an essentially smooth outer shape.  
   
   
       13 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claims 9  to  12 , characterised in that the plates ( 12 ) are separated from one another by means of joints ( 13 ).  
   
   
       14 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claim 12 , characterised in that the plates ( 12 ) with one another form a parquet shape.  
   
   
       15 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claim 14 , characterised in that the plates ( 12 ) essentially feature polygonal contours.  
   
   
       16 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claims 9  to  12 , characterised in that the plates ( 12 ) are overlapped in one another in laid-brick pattern.  
   
   
       17 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claims 9  to  11 , characterised in that the plates ( 12 ) are arranged interlaced one below the other.  
   
   
       18 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claims 9  to  11 , characterised in that the plates ( 12 ) features two embodiments, namely an inner, essentially flat plate ( 12   a ) and an outer, shell-shaped plate ( 12   b ) that overlaps the inner one at the edges.  
   
   
       19 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claims 9  to  12 , characterised in that the plates ( 12 ,  12   a,    12   b ) are concave in shape.  
   
   
       20 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claims 9  to  17 , characterised in that the plates ( 12 ,  12   a,    12   b ) are made of plastic.  
   
   
       21 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claims 9  to  19 , characterised in that the plates ( 12 ,  12   a,    12   b ) are made of a natural renewable raw materials.  
   
   
       22 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claims 9  to  19 , characterised in that the plates ( 12 ,  12   a,    12   b ) are made of metal or a metal-Plastic-composite materials.  
   
   
       23 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claim 1 , characterised in that between the inner hood ( 1 ) and the outer layer ( 10 ) means of connection ( 3 ) are arranged such that the inner hood ( 1 ) and the outer layer ( 10 ) can be detachably connected with them.  
   
   
       24 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claim 2 , characterised in that between the inner hood ( 1 ) and the middle layer ( 4 ), means of connection ( 3 ) are arranged such that the inner hood ( 1 ) and the middle layer ( 4 ) can be detachably connected with them.  
   
   
       25 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claim 2 , characterised in that between the middle layer ( 4 ) and the outer layer ( 10 ), means of connection ( 3 ) are arranged such that the inner hood ( 1 ) and the middle layer ( 4 ) can be detachably connected with them.  
   
   
       26 . The flexible protective helmet according to claims  23  and  24 .  
   
   
       27 . The flexible protective helmet, according to  claims 23  to  26 , characterised in that the means of connection ( 3 ) are Velcro strips.