US1656914A - Communicating helmet - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 24, 1928. 1,656,914

H. R. HART COMMUNICATING HELMET Filed Oct. 17. 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 BY 9 6, H: 1:52 I ?'M'/- SLIGTORNEYS Jan. 24, 1928.

H. R. HART COMMUNICATING HELMET Filed Oct. 17. 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR naM/HKT Jan. 24, 1928. 1,656,914

H. R. HART COMMUNICATING HELMET Filed Oct. 1'7, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 'K( B 'dL d -f I ATTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 24, 1928.

'U N TED STATES HENRY RIDGEWAY HART, OF MONTGLAI-R, NEW JERSEY.

COMMUNICATING HELMET.

Application filed October 17, 1925. Serial No. 62,952.

This invention relates to helmets having associated therewith means whereby communication may be had with the wearer vocally which is not subject to interruption in aircraft, for instance, by the roar of the propeller, air pressure, etc. The invention has for itsparticular object to associate with ahelmet of improved design means whereby communication in ordinary tones may be had with the wearer of thehelmet or between the respective wearers of two helmets. To this endthe invention resides in the specific combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed. In the accompanying drawings illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention:

Figure l is a view showing a pair of intercommunicating helmets and means whereby the wearers of the helmets may carry on a conversation.

Figure 2 is view on an enlarged scale showing the'month piece for the communicating devices.

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view in'detail, of the air pieceserving to insulatethe ear. from extraneous sound.

Figure 4 is a view showing the invention as applied to a one-way "communicating hel- Figure 5 is an enlarged front view showing a modified form of the helmet -accord ing to the present invention.

Figure 6 is a side view on a smaller scale showing the helmet according to Figure 5.

In the drawings twoin'dividuals between whom communication is to be had are indi cated at in and X. Each individual is provided with a. helmet a, A which are identical in structure. Carried with each helmet are ear pieces b, b, "B, B. Also carried with each helmet is a mouth piece 0. 0'. Between the two individuals :0, X, there may extend a common flexible conduit (Z having a single pasage d therethrough. At either end of conduit all there is carried a three-way connector 6, E having branch passages f, f, F, F connecting the ear pieces 5, B with the connections 6, E. Connecting the mouth piece 0, C with the connections e, E are tubes 9, G. It will thus be seen that if the individual indicated at w wishes to communicate with the individual indicated at X he may speak in ordinary tones into the mouth piece 6 and the sound waves will travel through the tube 57 common conduit d and tubes F, F to the ear pieces '13 worn by the wearerX and vice versa when the individual indicated at X desires to converse with the wearer a. In some instances :as with an instructor and pupil it may be found desirable to have only oneway communication in which instance a pupil indicated at y and wearing the helmet a may receive vocal instructions from an instructor wearing the mouth piece 0. As no mouthpiece is provided for the student flyer a two-way connection 2' is provided between the conduit cl and the earpiece tubes f.

The mouth piece, which is flexible, for use in connection with either the one-way or the two way communicating helmets is shown on an enlarged scale in Figure 2. It comprises a flexible fabric cover forthe mouth indicated in general at a suitably hemmed as at c and terminating in the lowermost portion thereof in a cylindrical outlet 0 adapted to receive the flexible tube 9 which in the, illustrated embodiment is formed inwardly of the cylindrical portion with an enlarged end g'beveled at either end as at g and of sufficient length to terminate adjacent the mouth of the wearer. The side extensions which areintended to overlie the wearers lip and which have been given the reference character 0 are provided with eyelets 0 suitably reinforced as with leather at c for the reception of an elastic strap it provided with adjustable devices shown in Figure 4 at It. The elastic retaining means it may be readily worn over the ear pieces Z) asshown in Figure 1.

The helmet as shown in Figures 1 and 4:

'may be of the flexible variety formed of a series of panels of soft leather a suitably shaped and stitched to conform to the head of the wearer and in Figure 3 the helmet is shown as comprising an outerlayer of flexible leather a suitably faced inwardly with 'leather binding a? along the edges. The lining is adapted to be secured to the interior of the helmet by snap fasteners a whereby the inner lining a of warm material may be removed in warm weather in the interest of comfort. The warm inner lining a is provided with apertures a suitably bound with leather as at 11 in order to fit about the cushion b of the ear piece.

The ear piece may comprise in general a metallic elbow b to which the flexible conduit f is secured and which turn is can" is disclosed the cup-shaped cushioning element b hereinbefore referred to. lhis cushioning element may be formed of any convenient material, a species of sponger rubber being found most practical, Means are also provided for retaining the ear pieces in snug engagement with the wearers ears.

In the illustrated embodiment in addition to a chin strap indicated in general at. a straps are provided shown at a which are adapted to be threaded through buckles at the crown. Similar buckles a are also shown carried with the forehead portion of the; helmet which areadapted to secure forwardly extending straps a and similarly there maybe disposed straps extending rearwardly from the ear pieces to buckles disposed on the helmet in proximity to the base of the skull.

The invention may also in a rigid helmet adapted to afford a degree of protection in case of accident. I Such hel- I met is indicated in Figures 5 and 6 at 7' and may comprise sections 9" of sole leather suitably formed and stitchedto conform to the head of wardly in therear as at y' 'to protect the base of the skull of the wearer. An additional re-enforcement at the top as at 9' may also be provided. The helmet may be lined .with any soft cushioning material, such as sheepskin with the wool inwardly. The helmet may be cut away as at. accommodate the. ears and at that portion may have extended thereacross a strap 3' cut away, if desired, at 1' to give greater free dom of movement of the ear pieces. Immediately above the strap there may be disposed buckles y'. The ear pieces may comprise cups in of stiff leather having flanges k continuing at one point into straps is adapted-to thread into the buckles j. Dia- -metrically oppositethe straps 70 there may j be incorporated the wearer and extending d0wn-' be secured a ring is for the reception of an adjustable chin strap Z carrying a broad band of soft leather Z adapted to engage the chin. The cups 7a carry as in the previously described embodiment elbows which termmate in annuli 6 not shown, and which are spaced from the wearers car by the cushions 5. As further means for retaining the ear pieces in snug engagement with the wearers ears, thereis provlded at the front of the helmet buckles 3" adapted to co-operate with a strap at extending through loops 70 and on the cups in and adapted to engage the rear of the wearers neck at which point the strap may be provided with a soft leather bearing surface on. I

It will thus be seen that an extremely practical communicating helmet or inter-connecting helmets has or have been provided whereby communication may be had vocally in ordinary tones between the respective Wearers underconditions of high wind or loud noise and such helmets and the associated parts may be adopted for wear in circumstances of warmth or cold suitable re-enforcement of the helmet being provided in the interest of safety to the wearer, if desired. i

What I claim is v In combinationhwithv a helmet having a head portion, ear pieces formed with the head portion and adapted for the reception of cushioning elements, means to retain the ear pieces in close contact with the wearers head, conduits for the ear pieces, means to removably connect the ends of saidconduits to theear pieces and to removablysecure the cushionlng elements, a mouth piece comprising flexible material adapted to fit snugly upon a substantial portion of the wearers face adjacentthe helmet to keep the mouth piece in place upon the wearersrfa ce, a conduit for the mouth piece, means to connect said conduit to the mouth piece, and means connecting the conduits for the ear pieces with each other and with the conduit for the mouth piece and with another conduit.

This specification signed this 16th day of October, A, D. 1925.

HENRY RIDGEWAY the mouth, means carried with

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