| 20060026734 | Garment having novel attachment device | February, 2006 | Fitzgerald |
| 20080016602 | Hat With Storage Pockets | January, 2008 | Baldwin |
| 20090313736 | Varying thickness Helmet for reduced weight and increased protection | December, 2009 | Kocher et al. |
| 20030233694 | Protective swimsuit incorporating an electrical wiring system | December, 2003 | Wescombe-down |
| 20080010730 | Personal Load-Bearing System | January, 2008 | Twito et al. |
| 20020023284 | High-visibility technical arm-band with pocket | February, 2002 | Romano |
| 20090077722 | Eyewear With Enhanced Air Flow And/Or Absorption Features | March, 2009 | Welchel et al. |
| 20080083136 | Pants cuff supports | April, 2008 | Mcneely |
| 20090113589 | BULLETPROOF VEST | May, 2009 | Haakana |
| 20070266477 | Hat with retractable accessory attachments | November, 2007 | Cunliffe |
| 20080010718 | Glove with Fingertip Exposable Tactile Portions | January, 2008 | Richards |
This invention pertains to a helmet cushion, in general, and to a cooling cushion for Advanced Combat Helmets (ACH), in particular.
It is highly desirable to provide a cushion that will be usable with ACH helmets and the like that provides cooling properties.
In accordance with the principles of the invention, a cooling cushion is provided for use in helmets. The cooling cushion includes a plurality of chambers. Each chamber contains water absorbent polymer crystals. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention, the cooling cushion comprises two fabric circles that are sewn together to form the chambers. The fabric circles are further affixed together to provide an unfilled portion that extends across the cooling cushion to accommodate a head set headband. The cooling cushion is removably attached to the inside crown area of a helmet by providing loop type fastening material on the helmet side of the pad. The helmet carries a hook type fastening material.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an unfilled portion is provided on the cooling cushion by sewing the upper and lower fabric portions together without any chamber containing water absorbent polymer crystals. This is provided to permit the wearing of a communication type headset. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention, the unfilled portion extends diametrically across the cooling cushion.
The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the drawing figures in which the sizes of and distances between various elements is not representative of actual physical sizes or distances between various elements, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a cooling cushion in accordance with the principles of the invention;
FIG. 2 is side view of the cushion of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the cooling cushion of FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the circled portion of the view of FIG. 2;
The present invention advantageously is used with ACH helmets. A cooling helmet cushion 100 in accordance with the principles of the invention is shown in drawing figures. Cooling cushion 100 includes a first fabric portion 101 that is intended to rest on the crown of the head of a helmet wearer and a second fabric portion 103 that includes a loop type fabric portion 103a of the type utilized as a hook and look fastener. The ACH helmet includes a hook type fabric portion. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that in the event that a helmet includes a loop type portion, the second fabric portion can comprise the corresponding hook type fabric portion of a hook and loop fastener.
First fabric portion 101 is formed from a piece of cotton polyester fabric or a cotton fabric. However, other fabrics may be utilized. In the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown, substantially the entirety of the second fabric portion 103 comprises loop type fabric of the type that engages the hook fastener material disposed within the ACH helmet.
Fabric portions 101 and 103 are sewn together to form a plurality of chambers 109a, 109b, 109c, 109d. Each chamber 109a, 109b, 109c, 109d extends substantially radially outward from the center of cooling cushion 100. Each chamber 109a, 109b, 109c, 109d is filled with and contains water absorbent polymer crystals 111. The chambers are arranged into groups each of which includes a plurality of chambers 109a, 109b, 109c, 109d that are contiguous to each other.
First fabric portion 101 and second fabric portion 103 are sewn together around the peripheral edge 105 of cushion 100 to affix the second portion 103 to the first portion 101. To prevent rough fabric edges, a fabric cover 107 is utilized over the peripheral edges. Sewing or affixing the first fabric portion 101 to the second fabric portion 103 also closes polymer crystal filled chambers 109a, 109b, 109c, 109d.
One feature of the present invention is that a diametrically extending portion 115 of cooling cushion 100 that does not contain any polymer crystals is provided. Portion 115 has a width that is wide enough to accommodate the head band of a communications headset of a type typically worn by military personnel. This provides an added comfort feature for the cooling cushion 100.
Portion 115 divides cooling cushion 100 into two larger groups each comprising a plurality of chambers. One group of chambers 109a, 109b is on one side of portion 115 and the other group of chambers 109c, 109d. One advantage of this configuration is that it will enable ease of installation of cooling cushion 100 into a helmet.
Prior to installing cooling cushion 100 in a helmet, cooling cushion 100 is placed in water to permit the water absorbent polymer crystals 111 contained in chambers 109a, 109b, 109c, 109d to absorb water. After installing pad 100 in a helmet, cooling pad 100 provides a cooling effect to the wearer.
To install cooling cushion 100 in an ACH helmet, cooling cushion 100 is inserted into the helmet with second fabric portion 103 entering the helmet first. Cushion 100 is placed against the crown of the helmet. The loop fastener portion engages the hook fabric inside the helmet to releasably affix cooling cushion 100 into place. In placing cooling cushion 100 into a helmet, portion 115 is positioned so that the headset headband of the wearer is accommodated into portion 115.
It will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art that the cushion may take on different configurations without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to any particular helmet shape or type. The invention is equally applicable to different helmet configurations.
The invention has been described in terms of a specific embodiment. It is not intended that the invention be limited to the illustrative embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the claims appended hereto.