Conformal linear helmet

Abstract

A helmet for an aircraft pilot is provided including an inner shell and a liner attached to the inner shell configured to closely contact the pilot's head. The helmet also comprises adjustable tensioning means disposed at the rear of the helmet configured to tension the inner helmet and liner onto the pilot's head, to secure and locate the helmet in place on the pilot's head.

1 . A helmet for an aircraft pilot, comprising:
 an inner shell;   a liner attached to the inner shell configured to closely contact a head of the pilot; and   adjustable tensioning means disposed at the rear of the helmet configured to tension the inner helmet and liner onto the pilot's head, to secure and locate the helmet in place on the pilot's head.   
   
   
       2 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable tensioning means is configured to tension the inner helmet and liner onto the pilot's head between points located proximate the left and right of the outward curve of the pilot's skull proximate the nape of the pilot's neck, and at the pilot's forehead. 
   
   
       3 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable tensioning means comprises first and second tensioning elements moveably attached to the left and right sides of the inner shell respectively, and in contact with the pilot's head, and operable to be biased against the pilot's head. 
   
   
       4 . A helmet according to  claim 3 , wherein the adjustable tensioning means further comprises an adjustment member operable to cause the first and second tensioning elements to be biased against the pilot's head. 
   
   
       5 . A helmet according to  claim 4 , wherein the adjustment member extends between and is secured to the first and second tensioning elements. 
   
   
       6 . A helmet according to  claim 4 , wherein an adjustment member extends between the first tensioning element and the inner shell, and another adjustment member extends between the second tensioning element and the inner shell. 
   
   
       7 . A helmet according to  claim 5 , wherein the adjustment member comprises a wire or inextensible belt which is adjustable in length. 
   
   
       8 . A helmet according to  claim 3 , wherein the first and second tensioning elements comprise an outer shell layer generally co-extensive with the inner shell, and an inner liner layer generally co-extensive with the liner attached to the inner shell. 
   
   
       9 . A helmet according to  claim 3 , wherein the first and second tensioning elements comprise discrete elements separate from one another. 
   
   
       10 . A helmet according to  claim 3 , wherein the first and second tensioning elements are joined together by a bridging section such that together with said bridging section, the first and second tensioning elements comprise a unitary member. 
   
   
       11 . A helmet according to  claim 3 , wherein the first and second tensioning elements are adjustable independently of each other to independently tension the left and right sides of the inner shell and liner onto the pilot's head. 
   
   
       12 . A helmet according to  claim 3 , wherein a rear of the helmet includes an upwardly extending recess for allowing the pilot to tilt his head backwards without the helmet abutting against his neck, said first and second tensioning elements being disposed on the left and right sides of the recess respectively. 
   
   
       13 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the liner comprises a first portion attached to the front of the inner shell and a separate second portion attached to the rear of the inner shell. 
   
   
       14 . A helmet according to  claim 13 , wherein a rear portion of the liner is divided into two discrete elements respectively disposed on left and right sides of the helmet. 
   
   
       15 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the liner includes recessed sections on its inner surface to provide ventilation to the pilot's head. 
   
   
       16 . A helmet according to  claim 2 , wherein the adjustable tensioning means comprises first and second tensioning elements moveably attached to the left and right sides of the inner shell respectively, and in contact with the pilot's head, and operable to be biased against the pilot's head. 
   
   
       17 . A helmet according to  claim 6 , wherein each adjustment member comprises a wire or inextensible belt which is adjustable in length. 
   
   
       18 . A method of securing and locating a helmet on a head of a pilot, the helmet including an inner shell, a liner attached to the inner shell configured to closely contact the pilot's head, and adjustable tensioning means including first and second tensioning elements at a rear of the helmet moveably attached to left and right sides of the inner shell respectively, and configured to tension the inner helmet and liner onto the pilot's head, the method comprising the steps of:
 placing the helmet on the pilot's head; and   using the adjustable tensioning means to bias the first and second tensioning elements into contact with the pilot's head to secure and locate the helmet in place on the pilot's head.   
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of independently adjusting the first and second tensioning elements.