FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to ballistic helmets. More particularly, the invention relates to a bulletproof protective helmets.

BACKGROUND

[002] Bullet proof helmets have always been of high importance for safety of users. The quality of helmets has been a matter of concern when it comes to safety of the users. Depending on the requirement and expected bullet characteristics, the helmets require modification from manufacturing and design perspective. Some of the existing helmets can sustain an impact of bullet of 9X19mm specification.

[003] To improve on the quality of the helmets, the configuration and material properties of the helmet requires modification. The existing helmets are either extremely heavy due to multiple layer of metal being used during manufacturing or compromise on the quality of material to structure light weight helmets.

[004] Further, different types of helmet structures may be required for different environment considering the climate and other conditions during combat. In case of modification to the type of helmet, the technology required for providing protection against high impact bullet also needs modification. Such modifications require repeated testing and research depending on the changes in technology from time to time.

[005] In view of the above problems associated with the prior art, there is a need of helmets that overcomes the problems associated with the prior arts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[006] Accordingly, the present invention provides a protective helmet comprising a helmet shell, and a circular band assembly. The assembly is retrofitted on the helmet shell, wherein the assembly includes a front portion, two side portions and one back portion as a single structure, wherein the front portion and back portion are tapered from a top surface to form a curve wherein the two side portions are configured to adjust circumference of the assembly for different size helmet shell.

[007] In an advantageous aspect, the helmet of the present invention provides advanced ballistic, fragmentation and impact head protection with unsurpassed comfort for long-term safe use. It also improves the field of vision and hearing as there are no additional flanges required for strengthening the helmet surface thereby leading to better situational awareness.

[008] In another advantageous aspect, the helmet of the invention has a low-profile structure to reduce risk of interference in target acquisition. It offers improved stability due to the circular structure. Also, the assembly is compatible with NVD’s. NVG’s, CBRN Gas Masks and communication devices. It provides protection from highly penetrative AK-47 and SS109 ammunition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[009] Fig. 1 shows a perspective front view of a protective helmet with a circular band assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Fig. la shows a perspective side view of a protective helmet with a circular band assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Fig. lb shows a perspective view of a protective circular band assembly in accordance with embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Fig. lc shows a top view of the assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0013] Fig. Id shows a bottom view of the assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Fig. le shows a left view of the left side portion of the assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Fig. If shows a front view of the front side portion of the assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Fig. lg shows a right view of the right-side portion of the assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Fig. lh shows a perspective view of the assembly with inner layer, outer layer and middle layer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0018] The various embodiments including the example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the various embodiments of the invention are shown. The invention may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the sizes of components may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0019] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being“on,” “connected to,” or“coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers that may be present. As used herein, the term“and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. [0020] Spatially relative terms, such as“layer,”“material,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the structure in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures.

[0021] Embodiments described herein will refer to plan views and/or cross-sectional views by way of ideal schematic views. Accordingly, the views may be modified depending on simplistic assembling or manufacturing technologies and/or tolerances. Therefore, example embodiments are not limited to those shown in the views but include modifications in configurations formed on basis of assembling process. Therefore, regions exemplified in the figures have schematic properties and shapes of regions shown in the figures exemplify specific shapes or regions of elements, and do not limit the various embodiments including the example embodiments.

[0022] The subject matter of example embodiments, as disclosed herein, is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different features or combinations of features similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other technologies. Generally, the various embodiments including the example embodiments relate to a protective helmet.

[0023] Referring to Fig. 1-lg a protective helmet 100 is provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The helmet 100 includes a shell 110 and a circular ceramic band assembly 120. The circular ceramic band assembly 120 is retrofitted on the helmet shell 110. The assembly 120 includes a front portion 122 (shown in front view 100f of Fig. 1f), two side portions (124, 126) (shown in side views 100e and 100g of Fig. le and lg) and one back portion 128 as a single structure. The front portion 124 and back portion 128 are tapered from a top surface 130 (shown in top view 100c of Fig. lc) to form a curve. The two side portions (124, 126) are configured to adjust circumference of the assembly 120 thereby adjusting to different size helmet shell 110.

[0024] In an embodiment, the assembly 120 includes a Velcro or adhesive to fix to the shell.

[0025] In an embodiment, a perspective view 100h of the helmet with the assembly 120 is shown in Fig. Ih. The assembly 120 includes an inner layer 132, an outer layer 134 and a middle layer 136 of manufacturing material with property providing high strength to the assembly. The inner layer is made of High-performance Polyethylene (HPPE) fabric/aramid fabric/ high performance materials like nylon with high tensile strength. The outer layer 134 is made of fibre glass wrap and the middle layer 1.36 is of ceramic material. The entire assembly is made of bullet proof material to form a ballistic protective helmet.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, the inner layer, outer layer and middle layer of the assembly are of optimum thickness to form a matrix of material bonds imparting appropriate tensile strength for sustaining impact of a bullet and at the same time it is light weight thereby not increasing additional weight of the helmet

[0027] In an embodiment, the assembly is a removable assembly. Since, the type of helmets may vary due to changing conditions of combat, a standard removable assembly that can be fixed on any type of helmet is extremely desirable.

[0028] In another alternate embodiment the assembly 120 is an integrated assembly built with the helmet shell at the time of manufacture.

[0029] In an embodiment, each of the two side portions (124, 126) of the assembly 120 are tapered from a bottom surface 138 (shown in bottom view 100d of Fig. 1d) to form an inverted curve thereby fitting to helmets of different sizes.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, the tapered front portions 122 of the assembly 100 imparts optimum gripping properties to the assembly for fixing to the helmet appropriately. Also, the specific tapered structure enables the user to have clear field visibility without any disruption unlike existing helmets with additional flanges. Also, the front portion 122 includes additional covering strip 122a to strengthen the part most exposed to a bullet range (Fig. 1f).

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the tapered front portions of the assembly 120 imparts optimum gripping properties to the assembly 120 for fixing to the helmet appropriately. Also, the specific tapered structure enables the user to have clear visibility without any disruption unlike existing helmets with additional flanges.

[0032] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a protective helmet configured to protect soldiers against Rifle round i.e. AK 47 Hard Steel Core etc. ammunition with minimal back face deformation which should be less than 13 mm.

[0033] In an embodiment, the helmet is a level H/IPA ballistic helmet capable of stopping 9mm bullet /or 9mm and .44 magnum bullets.

[0034] In an embodiment, the assembly of the present invention is Circular shape made of ceramics. The assembly includes a monolithic circular single piece ceramic, or it is made with plurality of ceramic pieces.

[0035] In an embodiment, the assembly is configured to withstand an impact from bullets of 7.62x39mrn HSC (hard steel core) fired from ammunition such as AK47 or bullets such as 7.62x51 mm NATO ball, 5.56 SS 109/INS AS, 7.62x39mm, MSC (Mild Steel Core) from an AK47 from a distance of 10 metres or more.

[0036] It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.