US2354840A - Anticoncussion helmet - Google Patents

Description

Aug. 1, 1944. E SELETZ Y 4 2,354,840

ANTICONCUSS IN HELMET Filed May 5, 1942 Patented Aug. 1, 1944 UNITEDg smi-EsH PATE'N'I(o1-FICE` 2,354,840* y y 'Y ANTIConCUssIoNY HELMET Emil Seletz, Los Angeles, Calif. v Application May 5, 1942, Aserial NanniesH 'Z'Claima (Cl. 2 6) My invention relates to a head protective device in the nature of a helmet especially designed forthe prevention of brain concussions due to shell' shock, the heavy blasts of artillery and the guns on battleships and in forts, or in building and blasting operations which develop extreme noises.

Shell shock is not apsyc'honeurosis'but rather blast concussion of the brain produced `by conduction vibration through the skull.` This is conrined by the fact that in fatal cases, punctuate hemorrhages may be found post mortem, not only in the meninges but even throughout the brain substance.. Blast concussion may also produce nerve deafness, with or without injury to the ear drum, in the same manner that anesthesia is produced in the lingers of laborers as the result of the vibration developed by continued iuse of pneumatic hammers and like tools. .Y

It is one of the principal objects of my invention to provide a relatively simple, practical and inexpensive sound proof helmet which will be highly effective in preventing blast vibrations and the like from reaching the brain, and the helmet according to my invention, is constructed so as to cover the entire calverium and extends in front, downwardly over the forehead to the eye brows, the sides covering the ears, and at the rear, extending downwardly over the neck so as to afford a substantial degree of protection to the soft tissues and great vessels therein.

Further objects of my invention are to construct a concussion protective helmet composed of hard plastic material with a vacuum chamber which, in addition to rendering the helmet buoyant, effectively prevents the transmission of vibrations incident to heavy blasts, also serving as a non-conductor of heat and cold, further, to provide the helmet with a cushioning pad that lits directly against the head, neck and ears of the wearer so as to afford a maximum degree of comfort to the wearer, and further to combine with the helmet a small mask of flexible material such as rubber or plastic, which fits over the nose and mouth and said mask being provided with a screened opening which permits normal breathing of the wearer, but effectually preventing an abnormal inrush of air through the nose and mouth to the inner ear.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in certain novel features of construction and arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter more fully described, claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is aperspective View of a helmet constructed in accordance with my invention and' showing the-same in position upon a wearers head. Fig. 2 is a vertical section taken approximately on the line 2-2 of Fig. l with the helmet re-`V moved from the head.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged horizontal section taken approximatelyon the line 3-3 of Fig. 1. l

Fig. 4 is an enlarged horizontal section tak on the line 4--4 ofFig. 1. f l

Fig. 5 is a transversesection taken approxi; mately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1. u; Fig; 6 is a vertical section similar" to Fig. 2 and showing a modified construction. e

Referring by numerals to the accompanying` drawing, which illustrates a preferred embodiment of my. invention, I0 and II designates respectively the outer and inner walls of the main body ofthe helmet, said walls being spaced apart to form a chamber I2 from which the alr is exhausted to produce a vacuum. This main body portion of the helmet is substantially semi.- spherical in shape so as to entirely cover the vertex and the front portions I3 of the spaced walls are extended downward to a point just above the eye brows so as to afford coverage and protection to the wearers forehead. From the sides of the main body of the helmet, the spaced walls are extended downwardly as designated by I4 so as to cover and afford protection to the wearers ears and the rear portions of said walls are extended downwardly and curved outwardly as designated by I5 to cover and provide protection for the back of the wearers neck. The main body of the helmet as just described may be composed of any strong, hard material, light weight and buoyant, for instance, any of the plastics now in general use.

Suitably secured to the lower portion of the inner wall II of the helmet adjacent the lower edge thereof is a continuous pad I6 of suitably buoyant cushioning material, for instance, treated ber, sponge rubber or the like, and from the rear portions of the sides of this pad, tapered portions I 'l extend downwardly so as to entirely cover the ears of the wearer. These portions I'I decrease in width and thickness so as to form straps I8 which pass beneath the wearers chin, and straps may be provided with conventional fastening means, such as a buckle I9, or with the complementary members of a snap fastener.

A small mask 20 composed of soft flexible material, such as rubber, is shaped so as to t snugly over the wearers nose and mouth, and formed in the lower portion of this mask is a small opening 2I, in which is seated a fine mesh screen 22 of wire or the like. Thus, when the mask is applied for use, the mouth and nasal openings are entirely covered but normal breathing is permitted by the screened opening 2|, and at the same time, such opening prevents any abnormal inrush of air as the result of blasts or heavy explosions. This mask is secured to the sides I'I of pad I6 by suitable straps 23, which pass across the wearers cheeks.

My improved helmet being composed of hard plastic material, or the like, affords a certain blasts, concussions or the like which, vin many 'v instances result in' so-called shell-shock. con-ifV cussion of the brain.

The helmet is light vin weight and being pro-` vided with a vacuum chamben, eifectually' prevents the transmission of Vibration to the wearersbrain,; and this protection is materially increased due to the fact that when the helmet is in proper position upon the head, a substantial u space is provided between, the Vertexl and the helmet by reason of the cushoningpad I6 which extends entirely around the inner surface of the lower portion of the helmet. Further,- the vac` fore, it may be readily observed for a considerable v distance by rescue parties seeking persons swimming or oating on the surface of the water.

In Fig. 6, I have shown a modified construction wherein a substantially semi-spherical shell 25 formed in a single piece from thin hard metal, is removably positioned on the upper outer portion of the outer wall ID of the helmet body and being detachably retained thereon by readily releasable fastening means 26, the latter being se- -cured to wall IIJ, preferably, on the front and rear of the helmet. This shell when removed provides a receptacle which may be used for drinking purposes, as a utensil for heating or cooking food, or for bailingwater from a small boat.

Y Thus, it may be seen that I have provided an anti-'concussion helmet and mask which is relatively simplevin construction, inexpensive of manufacture and Very eifective in performing the functions for which it is intended.

It will be understoodthat minor changes in the size,v form and construction of the various parts of my improved helmet and mask may be made and Y`substituted for. those herein shown and described without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

JL-The combination with a substantially semi-` sphericalihelmet.provided in the greater portion of .its outer surface ywith a shallow recess, of a 'cupv shaped. protective member of thin hard metal removably seated in said shallow recess with the outer-.surface of said cup-shaped member ush with-the surface of the helmet outwardly from the recess therein.

.2- AThe combination. as set forth in claim 1 Aincluding readily releasable means for securing said protective memberto. said helmet. Y

Y EMIL SELETZ.

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