AN IMPROVED HELMET
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention in general relates to a helmet. More particularly, the present
invention relates to an improved helmet having air filtration means.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The driver of a vehicle, say for example a two wheeled vehicle or a racing car, is
exposed to many hazards while driving the vehicle. The driver for his own safety in
case of accidents needs to essentially wear a helmet to protect himself all the time.
It is desirable that the driver of a vehicle such as a two wheeler or a racing car,
wears a helmet at all times.
Contemporary helmets are very poorly designed and are uncomfortable to wear.
Hence most drivers avoid wearing helmets, even in violation of the law. The present
helmets are suffocating and stuffy when the glasses are put down i.e. in full cover
position. There is no defined filtration means to ensure passage of pure air inside
the helmet, to facilitate healthy breathing. Thus the functioning of the helmet is
compromised, as such enormous dust and polluted air are let in while driving,
creating problems for the driver.
Accordingly, there was a long left need to develop an improved helmet which is
simple in its construction, easy to fit, operate and maintain, cost effective and most
significantly, is technically perfect to provide filtration means for passage of free
and pure air through the helmet.
The present invention meets the aforesaid long felt need and other needs
associated therewith.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The present invention aims to meet the above needs hitherto not taught by prior
art by providing a specially configured improved helmet possessing air filtration
means for passage of free and pure air through the bottom of the helmet and/or
through predefined apertures/air ducts.
The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved helmet,
which functions in a sacrosanct manner, to effectively filter air and provide fresh air
for breathing of the driver from bottom of the helmet and/or from the front of the
helmet.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved helmet which
possess suitable air filtration means in between the hard outer covering and the
inner flap of the helmet.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved helmet which
possess suitably defined attachment mechanisms and apertures/air ducts, to let in
free and fresh air through an air filtration means.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved helmet which
possess suitable air filtration means which filters the dust, soot and harmful
pollutants facilitating inhalation of fresh air, by the driver.
In addition, the present invention discloses some advantageous features, still not
disclosed in prior art.
How the above objects are achieved would be clear to persons skilled in the art
from the following non-limiting description.
All through the specification including the claims, the words "helmet", "motorbike",
"air filter", "vehicle", "airducts/apertures" and "attachment mechanisms" are to be
interpreted in the broadest sense of the respective terms and includes all similar
items in the field known by other terms, as may be clear to persons skilled in the
art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention provides a helmet comprising a hard protective
outer covering and an inner flap means both having suitably defined air ducts for
free passage of air there through and a first air filter is detachably transposed
between said hard covering and said flap means.
In accordance with preferred embodiments of the helmet of the present invention:
-said hard outer covering is adapted to be made from a plastic or fiberglass mold;
-said flap means comprises of a expandable polystyrene or polypropylene foam
flap;
-said air ducts are defined on said outer covering and on said inner flap for free
passage of air through the same;
-said filter has a rigid plastic or other suitable rigid material frame to facilitate
insertion and removal thereof;
-said air filter, said outer covering and said inner flap are held together by nut and
bolt arrangement to maintain suitable positional association;
-said helmet is adapted to block entry of air through its bottom.
-there is provided a second filter specifically adapted to be fitted at the bottom of
the helmet for filtering air passing there through, said inner flap and/or said hard
outer covering having slots for insertion of corresponding wedges located on the
frame of said second filter, for attachment of said second filter along the bottom of
the helmet;
-the frame of said second filter is made of rigid plastic or other suitable rigid
material frame to facilitate insertion and removal thereof;
-said second filter is adapted to be attached through a hinge or by application of
clasps;

said first and second filter are made of paper or cloth weighing 100-200 grams per
square meter and has pores less than 2 microns in size.
The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a helmet having an
air filtration mechanism comprising, suitably making air ducts on hard outer
covering of a helmet, and corresponding air ducts on inner flap of said helmet for
facilitating passage of air, transposing an air filter in between said outer covering
and said inner flap and operatively associating said components by suitable
detachable fastening means.
In accordance with preferred embodiments of the method:
-said method further comprises, designing and fitting a second air filter in the
manner such as herein described, specifically for filtering the air entering through
the bottom of the helmet;
-said method comprises inserting a piece of leather or cloth material suitably in the
manner such as herein described, for inhibiting any air from passing through the
bottom of the helmet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The nature and scope of the invention would be better understood with reference to
the accompanying drawings, which are by way of illustration of some preferred
embodiments and not by way of any sort of limitation, in which
Figure 1 is a sectional view of the helmet showing apertures/air ducts, according to
a preferred embodiment of the present invention
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the helmet of the
present invention.
Figure 3 is illustrative sectional view of the air filtration means for the front of the
helmet according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view of the helmet showing the second filter
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As stated herein before, the main aspect of the present invention , is to provide an
improved helmet having air filtration means for passage of fresh and pure air,
through the helmet. The air filtration means possess filters adapted to filter air,
entering the hejmet from bottom of the helmet and/or from the front of the helmet.
The nature of the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed would be
clearer from the following detailed non-limiting description of the invention.
In the above context it is hereby clarified that the present invention as described
hereinafter is equally applicable in respect of all head gears, head guards and as
also helmets. Any sort of limitation described hereinafter, is purely exemplary, so
that how the present invention is performed, is understood perfectly. Further, it can
be applied by drivers of motorcycles, cycles, racing cars and other vehicles, as will
be understood by persons skilled in the art.
The accompanying Figure 1 is a perspective view of apertures/air ducts 1
facilitating air filtration according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The apertures/air ducts 1 are suitably defined matching holes through
the hard outer covering (I) as well as through the inner flap part (II) of the helmet,
(shown in Fig 3) Such holes create room for air flow into the helmet, which is
eventually filtered by the filtration means as explained hereinafter. Now, the shape
of the air ducts is not consequential to the invention. It may be circular or
rounded rectangular or any other shape, as will be clear to persons skilled in the
art. Such air ducts are suitably cut/drilled/molded out. For the sake of convenience
and better undrstanding, the apertures/air ducts are marked as V in figure 3. So, V
and 1 indicate identical features in figures 1 and 3 and wherever referred to in this
specification.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the device. The
figure shows the favourable location of the holes in the nasal and mouth region of
the helmet. A mold of the helmet is made, and plastic is poured into the mold. The
shape, size, and general specifications of the helmet depends on the mold. The
figure represents a perspective view of a preferred embodiment when viewed from
outside the helmet. The circled portion 2 on the outer surface indicate the position
where the holes 1 are formed.
Figure 3 is an illustrative sectional view of the air filtration means having a fillter
designed for filtering air, from the front of the helmet, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. Holes are defined through outer hard cover
T and inner flap 'II', so as to create air flow channels. The holes are represented by
the blank rectangles V. An air filter, 'III' is inserted between hard cover 'I' and
inner flap "II. Air enters through the holes on hard cover 'I', gets filtered through
filter 'III' and exits through the holes on inner flap 'II' Inner flap 'II' is the inner
side of the helmet, and therefore the driver would be breathing cleaner air than the
air entering through the outer surface 'I' . The hard outer covering I is preferably
made from a plastic or fiberglass mold. The inner flap, for example, comprises of a
expandable polystyrene or polypropylene foam flap.
Preferably, the entire set up is held together with a nut and bolt represented by
'IV'. The bolt is inserted through a hole drilled all the way through the outer cover'I'
and inner flap 'II' and a nut is tightened on the bolt, holding 'I', 'II', and 'III'
together in place as well as ensuring that the filter 'III' does not fall out. To change
the filter, one has to simply unscrew IV , remove 'III' and insert a fresh one, and
then screw 'IV' into place. There is no need for any adhesive. The air filter III is
inserted into the space between the flap and the inner side of the helmet so as to
cover all holes. Other than nut and bolt arrangement, there can be other means of
detachable attachements and this is not consequential to the present invention.
Advantageously, Velcro can also be used to keep the filter in place. The inner side
of outer cover T and the inner side of flap 'II' would have the respective Velcro
components attached and thus could be attached and detached whenever
necessary.

Air entering through the bottom of the helmet can also be filtered by the filtration
mechanism of the present invention, if the end user so desires by applying a
second filter. The accompanying figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the helmet
showing such second filter III'. It shows how air entering through the bottom of the
helmet is filtered. The figure is a crossection of the helmet as though one were
looking inside it. Ill' represents the filter material that is cut correponding to the
inner contour of the helmet. The width of this filter is preferably less than or equal
to 1.5 inches. The circumference cut, depends on the size of the helmet produced,
but essentially it covers the area from 1-1.5 inches to the left of the chin to 1-1.5
inches to the right of the chin. The second filter has a frame made out of rubber or
plastic or other rigid material. The inner flap and or outer covering have slots IV for
insertion of wedges on the filter's frame. The frame having the filter is attached into
the slots along corresponding wedges on the frame for filtration of air, entering
through the bottom of the helmet. Advantageously, there is a hinge that is locked
into place when the filter is closed, i.e. in the proper position, so that filtration of
the incoming air at the bottom of the helmet takes place. Alternatively, the filter
may be attached through the use of clasps. If the rider does not want to filter air
coming from the bottom of a helmet and restrict any air flow from entering the
helmet, the filter is removed and a piece of leather or cloth material is inserted,
that inhibits any air from passing through.This is inserted somehwat in the same
manner as the second filter is inserted.
Thus the present invention provides a sacrosanct filtration mechanism by which
dust, soot etc is removed from the air entering from the front of the helmet as well
as through the bottom of the helmet. Advantageously, air entering through the
helmet may be totally blocked according to the present invention, if so desired
because air entering from the front of the helmet is filtered, before it is breathed by
the driver.
The filter can be made of paper or cloth weighing 100-200 grams per square meter.
Preferably, it has pores less than 2 microns in size. The filter according to the
present invention has a rigid plastic or other suitable rigid material frame so that
insertion and removal is easy.
The above is true for both filters, namely the ones designed for filtering air
entering from the front of the helmet as well as for the ones designed for filtering
air entering through the bottom of the helmet.

It is known in the art that modern helmets are constructed from plastics. However,
premium price helmets are made with fiberglass which may
be reinforced with kevlar or carbon fiber. They generally have fabric and foam
interiors for both comfort and protection. The helmet according to the present
invention, encompasses all such helmets known in the art.
From the description as hereinbefore, it is also amply clear that the device
according to the present invention ensures, functioning in a sacrosanct manner, to
effectively filter air and lets in fresh air into the helmet. It would also be clear that
the device has a simple construction and is hence cost effective, easy to
manufacture, easy to fix and maintain and can be associated to a variety of
helmets, at large.
The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a helmet having an
air filtration mechanism comprising, suitably making air ducts on hard outer
covering of a helmet, and corresponding air ducts on inner flap of said helmet for
facilitating passage of air, transposing an air filter in between said outer covering
and said inner flap and operatively associating said components by suitable
detachable fastening means.
The filtering mechanism according to the present invention also encompasses
designing and fitting an air filter sutiably as described hereinbefore, specifically for
filtering the air entering through the bottom of the helmet.
The present invention has been described with reference to some drawings and
preferred embodiments, purely for the sake of understanding and not by way of
any limitation and the present invention includes all legitimate developments within
the scope of what has been described herein before and claimed in the appended
claims.

We claim :
1. A helmet comprising a hard protective outer covering and an inner flap means
both having suitably defined air ducts for free passage of air there through and a
first air filter is detachably transposed between said hard covering and said flap
means.
2. The helmet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said hard outer covering is adapted to
be made from a plastic or fiberglass mold.
3. The helmet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said flap means comprises of a
expandable polystyrene or polypropylene foam flap.
4. The helmet as claimed in claim 1 wherein said air ducts are defined on said outer
covering and on said inner flap for free passage of air through the same.
5 The helmet according to claim 4 wherein said filter has a rigid plastic or other
suitable rigid material frame to facilitate insertion and removal thereof.
6. The helmet as claimed in claims 1 to 5 wherein said air filter, said outer covering
and said inner flap are held together by nut and bolt arrangement to maintain
suitable positional association.
7. The helmet according to claim 6 wherein said helmet is adapted to block entry
of air through its bottom.
8.The helmet according to claims 1 to 5 wherein there is provided a second filter
specifically adapted to be fitted at the bottom of the helmet for filtering air passing
there through, said inner flap and/or said hard outer covering having slots for
insertion of corresponding wedges located on the frame of said second filter, for
attachment of said second filter along the bottom of the helmet.
9. The helmet according to claim 8 wherein the frame of said second filter is made
of rigid plastic or other suitable rigid material frame to facilitate insertion and
removal thereof.
10. The helmet according to claim 8 wherein said second filter is adapted to be
attached through a hinge or by application of clasps.

11.The helmet according to claims 1 to 10 wherein said first and second filter is
made of paper or cloth weighing 100-200 grams per square meter and has pores
less than 2 microns in size.
12. A method for manufacturing a helmet having an air filtration mechanism
comprising, suitably making air ducts on hard outer covering of a helmet, and
corresponding air ducts on inner flap of said helmet for facilitating passage of air,
transposing an air filter in between said outer covering and said inner flap and
operatively associating said components by suitable detachable fastening means.
13. The method according to claim 12 further comprising, designing and fitting a
second air filter in the manner such as herein described, specifically for filtering the
air entering through the bottom of the helmet.
14. The method according to claim 12 further comprising inserting a piece of
leather or cloth material suitably in the manner such as herein described, for
inhibiting any air from passing through the bottom of the helmet.

A helmet comprising a hard protective outer covering(I)and an inner flap means(II)
both having suitably defined air ducts(V) for free passage of air there through and
an air filter(III) is detachably transposed between said hard covering and said flap
means. The present invention also discloses a method of manufacturing the helmet.