A frusto-conically shaped distensible component is described which inflates to encircle a portion of the wearer's head and carries a collapsible member which automatically extends over the remaining portion of the head. A pulley arrangement secured between the walls of the distensible component automatically extends and retracts the collapsible member. When deflated, the unit is carried on the back of the wearer so as to provide an automatic emergency space suit helmet

Smith, H. A.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

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U . S . Patent No.
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NASA Patent Case No.
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NOTE - Is this an invention made by a corporate employee
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Elizabeth A. Cartel-
Enclosure
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19780010818 2020-03-20T12:53:51+00:00Z
June 2, 1970
Filed Feb. 24, 1966
H. A. SMITH
EMERGENCY SPACE-SUIT HELMET
3,514,785
2 Sheets-Sheet 1
June 2, 1970 H. A. SMITH 3,514,785
Filed Is-Sheet 2
United States Patent Office 3,514,785Patented June 2, 1970
3,514,785
EMERGENCY SPACE-SUST HEIMET
Harvey A. Smith, Hampden, Mass.. assignor (o United
Aircraft Corporation, East Hartford, Conn., a corpora-
lion of Delaware
Filed Feb. 24, 1966, Ser. No. 529,884
Tnf. Cl. B63c
U,S. Cl. 2—2.1 8 Claims
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A frusto-conically shaped distensible member when in-
flated encircles a porlion of the wearer's head and carries
a collapsible member automatically ex tending over the
remaining porlion of the head and engages a seat formed
by a surface of the distensible member. A pulley arrange-
ment secured between the walls of the distensible mem-
ber automatically extends and retracts the collapsible
member. The u n i t when deflated is carried on the back of
the wearer so as to provide an automatic emergency
space-suit helmet.
This invent ion relates to helmets particularly of the
type tha t envelop the wearer's head so as to be pressur-
ized and that are par t icu lar ly adapted to be utilized in
outer space.
With the advent of outer space exploration the need
has arisen for supplying to the astronauts an emergency
type of helmet tha t is deployed, positioned, and closed
automatically, and always attached to the wearer so that it
wi l l be readily accessible. Thus, the helmet should be col-
lapsible so tha t it can be carried by the wearer in such a
manner that it will not interfere with his normal activities.
This invention solves the particular problem by being
collapsible, automatically extensible, and suitably and
comfortably attached to the wearer's suit in a location
that will not interfere with or hinder his normal activities.
The helmet is inflatable in such a manner that it can
easily be actuated to encapsulate his entire head so as to
be pressurized to afford safely to the wearer.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide
an emergency space helmet that snugly fits about the
shoulders of the wearer when in the retracted position
and is inflatable so as to be formed and positioned in an
easy and convenient manner to completely encapsulate
the head of the wearer so as to be pressurized.
Other features and advantages will be ap|>;ircn| from
the spec i f ica t ion and claims and from I lie accompanying
drawings which i l l u s t r a t e an embodiment, of the i nven t ion .
FIG. I is a side elevat ion view showing the helmet in
the retracted deflated position mounted on the wearer.
FIG. 2 is a side elevation showing the helmet in its
inf la ted position.
FIG. 3 is a front elevation of (he helmet when inflated.
FIG. 4 is a side view partly in section and partly in
full showing the details of the invention.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5—5 of
FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the l ine 6—6
of FIG. 4.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7—7
of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is an elevated view of the side seal element, and
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9—9 of
FIG. 2.
Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 9
which show the de ta i l s of this invent ion wherein FIG. 1
10
20
35
40
05
member with its apexes terminating adjacent the central
side portion of the wearer's head. The lower or bottom
extremity of the pylon is suitably attached to the upper
garment 14 along scam 18 which seam completely en-
circles the .wearer about the neck. While the disclosure
shows the helmet integrally attached to. the rest of the
suit, it is deemed within the scope of this invention to
secure the two by any retractable means such as zippers,
fasteners or the like, yet assuring that there is a suitable
seal at this point to prevent pressurized air from leaking
external ly . Secured in a retractable manner to the pylon
12 in a manner to be described hcrcinbclow is a head-
covering generally i l l u s t r a t ed by numeral 20. The head-
covering, when the pylon is inflated, is rotated about an
axis point formed at the apexes of pylon 12 to completely
encapsulate the head of the wearer as will be described
hereinbelow. A transparent flexible member 24 formed
from suitable material such as polyvinylchloride is secured
to member 20 along seam 26 and carries a semicircular
sealing member 28 at its free end. Sealing member 28
engages complementary lip seal 30 which is attached to
the upper front edge of pylon 12. A suitable latch 32 of
the type i l lus t ra ted in FIG. 9 may be provided to assure
that the joint remains fixed during prcssuiization.
As is apparent f rom FIG. 5, the pylon is constructed
with two parallel spaced walls generally i l lus t ra ted by
numerals 40 and 42. Each wall is constructed with an
inner layer '54 formed from a closely woven nylon fabric
coated wi th ncoprcne forming a leak-tight bladder and
outer layer 46 formed from a nylon woven fabric. A
shape-retent ion fabr ic 43 disposed in wave-like fashion
between walls 40 and 42 is bonded to the surfaces of the
bladder at a l t e r n a t e bends so as to assure tha t pylon 12
retains ils shape when in f l a t ed . Inner bladder 48 def ining
a closed chamber 50 is disposed centra l ly on one side
of pylon 12 for housing the actuating mechanism gen-
eral ly i l lus t ra ted by numera l 52. Ac tua t ion of the helmet
is accomplished by a d m i t t i n g pressurized fluid through the
opening provided at 51 to enter in to the space between
walls 40 and 42 exclusive of chamber 50 causing the pylon
22 to inf la te and become erect vertically about the neck
and face portions as i l l u s t r a t e d in the drawings. When
the pressure reaches a predetermined value, that is, upon
the point where the pylon is f u l l y erected and suff ic ient ly
rigid, the pressure overcomes spring loaded valve 56 ad-
m i l t i n g pressurized f luid in!o chamber 58 which chamber
is formed in chamber 50 by Ihe partition created by the
f l ex ib l e d i aphragm 60. Pressure ac l i ng in chamber 58
acts on the inne r surface of f lexible d i aphragm 60 for
caus ing i t to move d o w n w a r d l y . Gable 62 is s u i t a b l y at-
tached to d i a p h r a g m 60 in any wel l -known m a n n e r which
has one end secured to p u l l e y 64 the details of which
are i l lus t r a t ed in FIG. 6. Pul ley 64 is secured to shaft
66 which is jou rua l l ed in bushing 68 fixed to b ladder 44.
The other end of shaf t 66 protrudes th rough Ihe other
wal l 46 and is secured to the scaling member 28. Sealing
member 28 is generally U-shaped and engages lip 30 in the
closed position as can best be seen in FIG. 3. Flexible seal-
ing member 70 made from a ncopreiic material is dis-
posed between the he lmet member 20 and the seal ing
member 28 in proximity to the pulley. As can be seen
from FIG. 8, il is slotted along the path shown by refer-
ence numeral 72 and te rmina tes in a relief aperture 74.
The port ion above the slot is bonded to the edge of scaling
member 28 and Ibc porlion below the slot is bonded to
the lip 30. Of course, lip 30 is molded or bonded to the
i n n e r su r face of the pylon 12. The helmet shell 20 which
,, r , : , . : .,, „, r . , , , , , , , , , . , , , , , ,,,,„.,.„ r.,|,(,V |,,,,,,|,.,(
3,514,785
As cnn be seen' in FIG. 7, when the helmet is in a
position other than the closed position, the edges of seal
member 70 adjacent slot 72 wi l l separate. This i l lustrates
how the seal member 70 will not interfere wilh the retrac-
tion of the helmet.
 r
To actuate the helmet pressure applied in ternal ly through
opening 51 inflates the pylon. Then the valve 56 opens
and forces d iaphragm 60 to actuate the pulley. The re-
tracted helmet shell consisting of member 20 and 24
which arc folded in an accordion pleated manner is car- JQ
ried by pulley 6-\ and unfolds unti l the scaling member 28
engages the seal lip 30. The latch 32 automat ica l ly engages'
and locks the helmet in position. Pressure can then be ,
applied in te rna l ly in any sui table manner to pressurize
the helmet. As noted, this system lends itself to be actuated ].-;
automatical ly and may be tied in any sui table manner to
the overall cabin pressure and sensing sysem.
As can be seen from FIG. 9, latch 32 comprises hous-
ing 80 having opening 82 closed at one end. Plunger 84
projects through opening 82 and one end is accessible to 20
the wearer. Flange 86 formed on plunger 84 bears against
the inner wall of housing 80 adjacent opening 82 to pre-
vent the plunger from fa l l i ng out. Spring 88 abuts the
other end wall of housing 80 and collar 87 firmly secured
to plunger 84 for urging the plunger le f tward ly so that 25
flange 86 is constantly urged toward the end wall. Latch
.90 adjacent opening 82 projects through opening 92
formed on the bottom wall of housing 80 and extends
into recess 94 formed in housing 96. Housing 96 is sui t -
ably secured to the pylon 12. Projection 98 adjacent open- :10
ing 94 is formed by the lop wall of housing 96 to de'irsc
shoulder 100. This shoulder engages the r a d i a l extension
93 of latch 90 for locking member 2-1 to pylon 12. To
open the helmet the wearer merely depresses p lunger 84
which moves latch 90 beyond lip or shoulder 98 to retract :}',
the latch and allow the two pieces to separate. It wil l be
appreciated that latching is completely automatic. Latch
90 aligns itself wi th recess 94 and owing to the beveled
face forces latch 90 to the right. Spr ing 88 forces the
latch lef twardly and when below lip 98 the radial ex- 40
tension 93 fits into position.
It should be understood that the invent ion is not .limited
to the par t icular embodiments shown and described here-
in, but that various changes and modif ical ions may be
made without depar t ing from the sp i r i t or scope of this <J5
novel concept as defined by the following claims.
I claim:
1. An emergency type of distensible helmet adapted to
encapsulate the head of the wearer and be pressurized,
including a frusto-conical ly shaped dis tensible member hi- 50
furcated at one end such that the apexes of the b i fu rca ted
ends are disposed subs tant ia l ly adjacent the central point
of the head of the wearer when extended and arc in dia-
metrically opposed relat ionship, said fruslo-conical ly
shaped member having spaced side wal ls being closed at -r''">
the bottom and lop def in ing a pressure receiving chamber.
a rotary member supported in one leg of said b i furca ted
end about an axis substant ia l ly in coincidence with the
center of the side of the head of the wearer, a par t ia l ly
spherically-shaped foldable member made from a flexible 00
material connected to said rotary member and having one
end attached to the surface of said bifurcated end extend-
ing along a distance sufficient to encircle the posterior
portion of the head of the wearer and seal means carried
by the other end of said foldable member, a scat formed Go
at another surface of said bifuracted end extending along
a distance sufficient to encircle the anterior portion of
the head of the wearer, said seal means being adapted to
extend along said another surface and engage said seat,
and actuating means between said spaced side walls for 70
actuating said rotary member for rotating said foldable
member for engaging said scaling means and encapsulat-
ing the head of the wearer.
2. An emergency type of helmet as claimed in claim 1
wherein the partially spherically-shaped folded member is
made from at least two members, a forward extending
member disposed in front of the face of the wearer being
made from a flexible type of transparent plastic nonporous
material and the other member disposed in the rear of the
head of the wearer being made from a flexible nonporous
material and being seamed along complementary edges
extending from the diametrical ly disposed apexes of the
bifurcated ends substantially adjacent the top of the head
of the wearer.
3. An emergency type of helmet as claimed in claim 2
wherein the material of the transparent nonporous mate-
rial is a polyvinylchloridc plastic and the material of the
rear extending member is two coextensive layers, the outer
layer being a woven nylon fabric and the inner layer being
a synthetic rubber material.
4. An emergency type of helmet as claimed in claim 1
wherein said actuating means includes wall means be-
tween said spaced side walls defining a subchamber, a
valve in an opening formed in said wall means adapted
to open when said frusto-conically shaped distensible
member is in the extended position, a flexible diaphragm
extending to diametrical ly opposed vertical walls of said
wall means and a chord having one end attached to said
diaphragm and the other end atlached to said rotary means.
5. An emergency type of helmet as claimed in c la im 4
wherein said rotary means includes a pul ley journal lcd
in one of said spaced side walls of said frusto-conically
shaped distensible member and a shaft secured to said
pulley and project ing beyond said other spaced side wall
and connecting said seal means.
6. An emergency type of helmet as claimed in claim 5
wherein said seal means includes a U-shaped partially
hoop-like member pivotally mounted about the apexes of
said bifurcated ends.
7. An emergency type of helmet as claimed in claim 6
including a flat plate seal formed from a synthetic rubber
material having a slit formed substantially centrally there-
in and extending axia l ly to a junction point and angularly
relative thereto to a point below the edge thereof so as to
permit bending of said seal when said spherically-shaped
folded member is folded and unfolded, the portion above
said slit of said seal being bonded to one leg of said
U-shaped member and Ihc portion below said slit 'being
bonded to the scat carried by said frusto-conically shaped
distensible member.
8. An emergency type of helmet as claimed in claim 7
inc lud ing latch means mounted centrally on said U-shaped
part ia l ly hoop-like member and calcb means adapted to
receive said latch means mounted on said frusto-conically
shaped distensible member.
References Cited
UNITED STATUS PATENTS
2,978,708 4/1961 Williams et al 2—3
3,050,735 8/1962 Newman et al. 2—6
3,284,805 11/1966 Seeler 128—142.5
FOREIGN PATENTS
975,576 11/1964 Great Britain.
JAMES R. BOLER, Primary Examiner
U.S. Cl. X.R.
2—6; 128—142.5


Emergency space-suit helmet

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