RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Serial No. 61/251 ,858, entitled "HEAD COVERING WITH REMOVAL SYSTEM" and filed October 15, 2009, which application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The disclosure relates generally to head protective gear. More specifically, the disclosure pertains to head gear that can be worn under a helmet and that includes a removal system configured to assist in helmet removal.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Various approaches have been proposed for removing helmets from injured wearers, such as motorcycle riders, football players, hockey players, and others. For example, U.S. Patents 5,428,845 and 5,566,398 by inventor John C. Deagan describe use of an inflatable bladder inside a helmet to more safely remove the helmet from an injury victim. First responders, such as EMT's, can remove a helmet without causing further unwanted movement to a victim's head or neck using a bladder that sits inside the victim's helmet. Following a crash the bladder is easily inflated by first responders by using a squeeze bulb or fluid cartridge (e.g., C0 ₂ cartridge), lifting the helmet from the victim's head and thereby reducing risk of further aggravating any potential neck injury.

SUMMARY

[0004] In some embodiments, a flexible head covering may be worn under a protective helmet and may include an inflatable bladder that can be partially or completely inflated in order to help remove the protective helmet from a wearer after an accident. The flexible head covering may be in the form of a balaclava or a beanie and may be configured to position the inflatable bladder at an appropriate position at or near a top of the wearer's head. [0005] An embodiment of the invention is a flexible head covering that is configured to be worn under a protective helmet. The flexible head covering includes a fabric layer that is configured to fit a wearer's head, a pocket that is formed in an upper portion of the fabric layer, and an inflatable bladder that is at least partially disposed within the pocket. An inflation line leads from the inflatable bladder to a location that permits access to the inflation line when the wearer is wearing a protective helmet over the flexible head covering.

[0006] Another embodiment of the invention is a system for removing a protective helmet from a wearer after an accident. The system includes a protective helmet and a flexible head covering that is worn by the wearer under the protective helmet. The flexible head covering includes an inflatable bladder that is secured to the flexible head covering as well as an inflation line that leads from the inflatable bladder and extends beyond the protective helmet such that an inflation source can be connected to the inflation line to inflate the inflatable bladder and thus urge the protective helmet away from the wearer's head.

[0007] Another embodiment of the invention is a method of removing a protective helmet from an individual wearing a protective helmet and a flexible head covering under the protective helmet, the flexible head covering including an inflatable bladder secured to the flexible head covering. An inflation line extending from the inflatable bladder to a location exterior to the protective helmet may be located. A source of compressed gas may be attached to the inflation line and the inflatable bladder may be inflated to urge the protective helmet away from the wearer's head.

[0008] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a balaclava equipped with a helmet removal system.

[0010] Figure 2 is a rear view of the balaclava of Figure 1 .

[0011] Figure 3 is a rear view of the balaclava of Figure 1 .

[0012] Figure 4 is a front view of the balaclava of Figure 1 , shown with the helmet removal system in a partially inflated configuration.

[0013] Figure 5 is a front view of the balaclava of Figure 1 , shown with the helmet removal system in a substantially inflated configuration.

[0014] Figure 6 is a front view of an individual wearing a helmet in combination with the balaclava of Figure 1 .

[0015] Figure 7 is a front view of the individual of Figure 6, with the helmet removal system in a partially inflated configuration.

[0016] Figure 8 is a front view of the individual of Figure 6, with the helmet removal system in a substantially inflated configuration.

[0017] Figure 9 is a side elevation view of a balaclava equipped with a helmet removal system.

[0018] Figure 10 is a rear view of the balaclava of Figure 9.

[0019] Figure 1 1 is a rear view of the balaclava of Figure 9.

[0020] Figure 12 is a front view of the balaclava of Figure 9, shown with the helmet removal system in a partially inflated configuration.

[0021] Figure 13 is a front view of the balaclava of Figure 9, shown with the helmet removal system in a substantially inflated configuration.

[0022] Figure 14 is a front view of an individual wearing a helmet in

combination with the balaclava of Figure 9.

[0023] Figure 15 is a front view of the individual of Figure 14, with the helmet removal system in a partially inflated configuration.

[0024] Figure 16 is a front view of the individual of Figure 14, with the helmet removal system in a substantially inflated configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The disclosure pertains generally to head coverings such as beanies and balaclavas that are equipped with a helmet removal apparatus. These head coverings can be worn under a helmet for fire retardance and other advantages. In some embodiments, these head coverings are configured to be relatively snug-fitting. In some embodiments, a beanie may be considered as a head covering that covers typically the top half of a wearer's head and may, for example, extend to an imaginary line that follows the circumference of the wearer's head and passes at or above the eyebrows and at or above the ears. In some instances, this may also be referred to as a skull cap, although this term is sometimes used to refer to a style of motorcycle helmet. In some embodiments, a balaclava may be considered as a head covering that covers most of the wearer's head and neck, and may extend partially onto the wearer's shoulders. A balaclava may have an opening that corresponds to the upper portion of the wearer's face.

[0026] These head coverings can be used to help remove a helmet after an accident or other incident. In some embodiments, the head covering includes a helmet removal apparatus that is at least partially built into the head covering. If an individual wearing the head covering under their helmet is involved in an accident necessitating removal of the helmet, the individual or an emergency responder such as a paramedic can activate the helmet removal apparatus to assist in removing the helmet from the individual without causing undue stress to the individual's neck and spine.

[0027] In some cases, the head covering is made of fabric and may, for example, include a pocket, flap or pouch, located at a position corresponding to the top of the wearer's head that is configured to accommodate an inflatable balloon or bladder. In some embodiments, the inflatable balloon or bladder is located within the pocket or pouch, but is largely exterior to the head covering. In some cases, particularly if the head covering is made of an elastic material, the inflatable balloon or bladder may be located interior to the head covering, i.e. largely between the head covering itself and the top of the wearer's head. [0028] In an emergency, a first responder or other individual can inflate the balloon or bladder to carefully lift the overlying helmet from the wearer's head. In some embodiments, the first responder or other individual will provide a source of inflating fluid. Illustrative but non-limiting examples of sources of inflatable fluids include cans of compressed air and C02 cartridges. In some cases, a manually or electrically actuated air pump or compressor may be used to inflate the inflatable balloon or bladder. Electrically actuated air pumps or compressors may, for example, be driven by battery power, provided either by an on-board battery or perhaps a vehicle battery.

[0029] Turning now to the Figures, Figure 1 is a side view of an individual 10 wearing a balaclava 12, Figure 2 is a corresponding rear view and Figure 3 is a partial cross-section of the balaclava 12 as seen in Figure 2. The balaclava 12 can be seen as covering a substantial portion of the head and neck of the individual 10, absent an opening 14 corresponding to the upper face of the individual 10. The balaclava 12 may be formed of any woven or non-woven fabric. In some

embodiments, the balaclava 12 may be treated with or otherwise include fire retardant materials. In some embodiments, the balaclava 12 may be configured to accommodate cooling lines (not shown) that can be used to circulate cooling fluid such as cool water in order to cool the wearer's head.

[0030] The balaclava 12 includes a helmet removal system 16 that has several components. The helmet removal system 16 includes, as best seen in Figure 3, an inflatable bladder 18 and a fluid line 20 that extends to the inflatable bladder 18. In some embodiments, the fluid line 20 has a free end 22 having a fitting that is configured to accommodate attachment to a suitable inflation source such as compressed air or compressed C02. In some embodiments, the fluid line 20 extends from the inflatable bladder 18 exterior to the balaclava 12. In some embodiments, the free end 22 of the fluid line 20 includes a cap 23.

[0031] In some embodiments, as illustrated, the fluid line 20 extends at least partially through a tunnel or pathway formed between the balaclava 12 and a fabric covering 24 that is secured to the balaclava 12. In some embodiments, the fabric covering 24 is mechanically secured to the balaclava 12, and thus may be sewn to the balaclava 12. In some embodiments, the fabric covering 24 is adhesively secured to the balaclava 12. In Figure 3, a portion of the fabric covering 24 has been cutaway to show the fluid line 20. In some cases, the balaclava 12 may be formed of several different fabric layers and the fluid hose 20 may extend between two of the fabric layers.

[0032] In some cases, the balaclava 12 includes a pocket 26 that is configured to at least partially accommodate the inflatable bladder 18 in a deflated position (as seen in Figures 1 -3). In some embodiments, the pocket 26 is integrally formed within the top portion of the balaclava 12. In some embodiments, the pocket 26 is separately formed and is attached mechanically or adhesively to the top portion of the balaclava 12. In some embodiments, the pocket 26 is configured to stretch to accommodate the inflatable bladder 18 when inflated. In some embodiments, the pocket 26 is configured to open up in order to accommodate inflation of the inflatable bladder 18 and thus may include one or more cuts 28 (best seen in Figure 2) that are configured to permit the inflatable bladder 18 to expand upon inflation. In some embodiments, the pocket 26 is excluded, and the inflatable bladder 18 may be secured to the top portion of the balaclava via an adhesive or other suitable attachment mechanism.

[0033] In an emergency, a first responder or other individual can inflate the inflatable bladder 18 by fluidly connecting a source of compressed air, compressed C02 or the like, to a fitting disposed at the free end 22 of the fluid line 20. By controlling how much inflating fluid enters the inflatable bladder 18, the first responder or other individual can control inflation of the inflatable bladder 18.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate this controlled inflation.

[0034] In Figure 4, the cuts 28 have separated or moved apart, thereby permitting the pocket 26 to start opening up. It can be seen that the inflatable bladder 18 is just starting to emerge from with the pocket 26. In Figure 5, by contrast, the inflatable bladder 18 can be seen as being in an at least substantially fully inflated configuration. In some embodiments, the inflatable bladder 18 may be inflated to any desired inflation configuration. In some embodiments, the inflatable bladder may be inflated to several intermediate inflation levels in a step-wise fashion. It will be appreciated that the inflatable bladder 18 can lift a helmet away from the wearer's head. This is illustrated, for example, in Figures 6-8.

[0035] Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the individual 10 wearing a helmet 30 over the balaclava 12. In some embodiments, the helmet 30 includes one or more of an outer shell 32, an inner liner 34 and a padding layer 36 that may be disposed between the outer shell 32 and the inner liner 34. While not seen in this view, the helmet 30 may include additional structure such as, but not limited to, a visor, venting, chin strapping, and other additional or alternate features as desired. In some embodiments, the outer shell 32 may be formed of a rigid or substantially rigid material such as, for example, fiberglass, a carbon fiber composite or rigid polymers. The inner liner 34 may be formed of a polymeric material or a fabric. In some embodiments, the padding layer 36 may be composed of one or more pads formed of foam or other suitable material.

[0036] In Figure 6, the inflatable bladder 18 is in its deflated configuration. In

Figure 7, the inflatable bladder 18 has been partially inflated and can be seen extending out of the pocket 26. At this point, the inflatable bladder 18 has lifted the helmet 30 a short distance away from head of the individual 10. This can be seen, for example, by comparing the relative position of the helmet 30 in Figure 6 to its corresponding position in Figure 7. In Figure 8, the inflatable bladder has been completely or at least substantially completely inflated, and the helmet 30 can be seen to have been lifted a further distance. In the embodiments illustrated thus far, the head covering was a balaclava. In some cases, the head covering may be a beanie, as shown in the following Figures.

[0037] Figure 9 is a side view of an individual 10 wearing a beanie 42, Figure

10 is a corresponding rear view and Figure 1 1 is a partial cross-section of the balaclava 12 as seen in Figure 10. The beanie 42 can be seen as covering the upper head and face portion of the individual 10. The beanie 42 may be formed of any woven or non-woven fabric. In some embodiments, the beanie 42 may be treated with or otherwise include fire retardant materials.

[0038] The beanie 42 includes a helmet removal system 46 that has several components. The helmet removal system 46 includes, as best seen in Figure 1 1 , an inflatable bladder 48 and a fluid line 50 that extends to the inflatable bladder 48. In some embodiments, the fluid line 50 has a free end 52 having a fitting that is configured to accommodate attachment to a suitable inflation source such as compressed air or compressed C02. In some embodiments, the fluid line 50 extends from the inflatable bladder 48 exterior to the beanie 42. In some embodiments, the free end 52 of the fluid line 50 includes a cap 53.

[0039] In some embodiments, as illustrated, the fluid line 50 extends at least partially through a tunnel or pathway formed between the beanie 42 and a fabric covering 54 that is secured to the beanie 42. In some embodiments, the fabric covering 54 is mechanically secured to the beanie 42, and thus may be sewn to the balaclava 12. In some embodiments, the fabric covering 54 is adhesively secured to the beanie 42. In Figure 1 1 , a portion of the fabric covering 54 has been cutaway to show the fluid line 50. In some cases, the beanie 42 may be formed of several different fabric layers and the fluid hose 50 may extend between two of the fabric layers.

[0040] In some cases, the beanie 42 includes a pocket 56 that is configured to at least partially accommodate the inflatable bladder 48 in a deflated position (as seen in Figures 9-1 1 ). In some embodiments, the pocket 56 is integrally formed within the top portion of the beanie 42. In some embodiments, the pocket 56 is separately formed and is attached mechanically or adhesively to the top portion of the beanie 42. In some embodiments, the pocket 56 is configured to stretch to accommodate the inflatable bladder 48 when inflated. In some embodiments, the pocket 56 is configured to open up in order to accommodate inflation of the inflatable bladder 48 and thus may include one or more cuts 58 (best seen in Figure 10) that are configured to permit the inflatable bladder 48 to expand upon inflation. In some embodiments, the pocket 56 is excluded, and the inflatable bladder 48 may be secured to the top portion of the beanie 42 via an adhesive or other suitable attachment mechanism.

[0041] In an emergency, a first responder or other individual can inflate the inflatable bladder 48 by fluidly connecting a source of compressed air, compressed C02 or the like, to a fitting disposed at the free end 52 of the fluid line 50. By controlling how much inflating fluid enters the inflatable bladder 48, the first responder or other individual can control inflation of the inflatable bladder 48.

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate this controlled inflation.

[0042] In Figure 12, the cuts 58 have separated or moved apart, thereby permitting the pocket 56 to start opening up. It can be seen that the inflatable bladder 48 is just starting to emerge from with the pocket 56. In Figure 13, by contrast, the inflatable bladder 48 can be seen as being in an at least substantially fully inflated configuration. It will be appreciated that the inflatable bladder 48, in this configuration, can lift a helmet away from the head of the individual 10. This is illustrated, for example, in Figures 14-16.

[0043] Figure 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the individual 10 wearing a helmet 30 over the beanie 42. In some embodiments, the helmet 30 includes one or more of an outer shell 32, an inner liner 34 and a padding layer 36 that may be disposed between the outer shell 32 and the inner liner 34. While not seen in this view, the helmet 32 may include additional structure such as, but not limited to, a visor, venting, chin strapping, and other additional or alternate features as desired. In some embodiments, the outer shell 32 may be formed of a rigid or substantially rigid material such as, for example, fiberglass, a carbon fiber composite or rigid polymers. The inner liner 34 may be formed of a polymeric material or a fabric. In some embodiments, the padding layer 36 may be composed of one or more pads formed of foam or other suitable material.

[0044] In Figure 14, the inflatable bladder 48 is in its deflated configuration. In

Figure 15, the inflatable bladder 48 has been partially inflated and can be seen extending out of the pocket 56. At this point, the inflatable bladder 48 has lifted the helmet 30 a short distance away from the wearer's head. This can be seen, for example, by comparing the relative position of the helmet 30 in Figure 14 to its corresponding position in Figure 15. In Figure 16, the inflatable bladder 48 has been completely or at least substantially completely inflated, and the helmet 30 can be seen to have been lifted a further distance.

[0045] Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above described features.