BALLISTIC RESISTANT PROTECTIVE GUARD

• US 3,707,004 A
• Filed: 02/02/1971
• Issued: 12/26/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Christine S. Kapitan, John R. Kapitan
• Original Assignee: Christine S. Kapitan, John R. Kapitan
• Inventors: Kapitan, John R., Kapitan, Christine S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Franklin, Jordan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Krizmanich, George H.
• Application Number:
  US05/111,861
• Time in Patent Office: 693 Days
• Field of Search: 2/2,2.1R,2.1A,2.5,82,204,205,11,6,7,8,9,3,4 128/142.7
• US Class Current: 2/2.5
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0473 Neck restraints
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/06 Impact-absorbing shells, e.g. of crash helmets
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 1/08 of plastics; Plastic head-shields

Abstract

A bulletproof, shatterproof and shock-resistant guard to afford complete protection of the head, face, neck and upper torso of the human body. The guard incorporates an integral, transparent domelike top which is supported not by the head and neck but by the shoulders of the wearer thereby allowing unhampered head movements and unrestricted vision. As a defensive one-piece encasement for the head, neck and upper torso, the guard can be used by soldiers, sailors, policemen, firemen, civil defense workers, guards, and others engaged in hazardous occupations. In a modified embodiment the guard comprises a supplemental transparent safety hood of essentially the same construction as the basic protective piece but adapted for use by the industrial worker for protection against the impact hazards that might be encountered in a dangerous environment. The safety hood, like the basic protective piece, rests on the shoulders of the wearer, is transparent, and allows free head movement and unrestricted vision.

Claims

1. A protective guard for the head, chest and neck portions of the human body and comprising a shoulder supported saddle with an opening through which the head is received and having a breast plate, a dome about the head and within which the head is freely movable, the front of the dome extending forwardly to overhang the breast plate, and having an open bottom to form a breathing vent under the jaw, said breathing vent being partially blocked by a ricochet flange extending forwardly from the breast plate, and added vents in the dome above the level of said breathing vent, said saddle and dome being molded in one integral piece supported entirely on the shoulders.

2. The guard of claim 1 in which the said piece comprises a transparent polycarbonate material.

3. The guard of claim 1 in which the saddle also comprises a back plate.

4. The guard of claim 1 in which said added vents comprise aural vent openings adjacent the ears.

5. The guard of claim 1 in which said added vents comprise an air circulating vent at the rear of the dome.

6. The guard of claim 1 in which said added vents comprise openings in the dome and hoods over said openings.

7. The guard of claim 6 in which the hoods have bottom openings, and entrAnce flanges.

8. The guard of claim 1 in combination with straps by which the guard is releasably fastened to the body.

9. The guard of claim 1 in which the saddle is provided with padding along its undersurfaces.

10. The guard of claim 1 in which the head receiving opening and breathing vent comprise portions of a single aperture spanned by the top edge of the breast plate.

11. A safety hood comprising a face shield and a shoulder saddle encircling the wearer'"'"''"'"'s neck and by which the shield is supported, said shield and saddle comprising separately fabricated polycarbonate pieces, said shield having a concave curvature facing the wearer and surrounding his head, face and neck up to a vertical plane defined approximately by the outer auditory meatus, said saddle having a breast plate and a cradle and fastening means for attaching the shield to the cradle, the shield having a lower edge spaced from and overhanging the breast plate to form a breathing vent under the jaw and between said edge and said breast plate, said breathing vent being partially blocked by a ricochet flange extending forwardly from the breast plate.

12. The safety hood of claim 11 in which said fastening means is releasable to permit interchange of other shields on said saddle.

13. A protective guard for the head, chest and neck portions of the human body and comprising a shoulder supported saddle with an opening through which the head is received and having a breast plate, a shield at least partly enclosing the head and within which the head is freely movable, the shield having a lower edge spaced from and overhanging the breast plate to form a breathing vent under the jaw and between said edge and said breast plate, said breathing vent being partially blocked by a ricochet flange extending forwardly from the breast plate, said saddle and shield being supported entirely on the shoulders.

14. The guard of claim 13 in which the saddle and shield comprise transparent polycarbonate material.

15. The guard of claim 13 in which said saddle and shield are molded in one integral piece.

16. The guard of claim 13 in which said saddle and shield are fabricated separately, said saddle having a cradle to which said shield is releasably attached.