A personal protective equipment device is presented that includes a speaker configured to provide a modified sound to a user. The device also includes a microphone configured to capture an ambient sound stream. The device also includes a sound analyzer that receives the ambient sound stream from the microphone and identifies a first sound in the ambient sound. The device also includes a sound processor that applies a model to the first sound, based on the sound identification, to obtain the modified sound, wherein the model changes a characteristic of the identified sound. The modified sound is provided to the speaker. The model comprises an algorithm stored locally in a model database within a memory of the personal protective equipment device.

In one aspect, a headgear for engaging and supporting protective headwear on a wearer's head is provided. The headgear may include a first side member on a first side of the headgear, a second side member on a second side of the headgear, and a forehead strap pivotally coupled to and extending between the first and second side members. The forehead strap may be configured to engage a wearer's forehead with the headgear worn by a wearer. The headgear may also include a second strap coupled to and extending between the first and second side members.

In one aspect, a headgear for engaging and supporting protective headwear on a wearer's head is provided. The headgear may include a first side member on a first side of the headgear, a second side member on a second side of the headgear, and a forehead strap pivotally coupled to and extending between the first and second side members. The forehead strap may be configured to engage a wearer's forehead with the headgear worn by a wearer. The headgear may also include a second strap coupled to and extending between the first and second side members.

A curved eye protection shield for welding protection. The eye protection shield has an electrically switchable darkening filter and a protective cover. The darkening filter has eye facing major inner and outer surfaces, and the protective cover has major inner and outer surfaces. The protective cover is provided for arrangement on the inner surface of the darkening filter. The inner and outer surface of the darkening filter are equidistant, whereas the inner and outer surface of the protective cover are non-equidistant. The invention is advantageous in that it provides an eye protection shield having a minimized refractive power.

A curved eye protection shield for welding protection. The eye protection shield has an electrically switchable darkening filter and a protective cover. The darkening filter has eye facing major inner and outer surfaces, and the protective cover has major inner and outer surfaces. The protective cover is provided for arrangement on the inner surface of the darkening filter. The inner and outer surface of the darkening filter are equidistant, whereas the inner and outer surface of the protective cover are non-equidistant. The invention is advantageous in that it provides an eye protection shield having a minimized refractive power.

A detection device for an active glare protection device comprises a detection unit that is configured for a direct or indirect detection of at least one welding parameter of a welding apparatus, and comprises at least one communication unit that is configured for a transmission of at least one information of the at least one welding parameter to the active glare protection device, wherein the communication unit is configured for a transmission of at least one information of the at least one welding parameter, implemented as a bit sequence of a defined length, to the active glare protection device.

An auto-darkening eye protection apparatus such as a welding helmet includes an externally located combined push button and rotary switch coupled to lens control circuitry. A lens control setting display is configured on an internal portion of the apparatus and located in a field of view of a user when the lens is in a lowered operational position. The externally located combined push button and rotary switch is operable to select and adjust lens control parameters by a user wearing bulky hand protection such as welding gloves or welding mittens. The selection and adjustment level of the lens control parameters can be monitored on the display during the adjustment by a user while the lens is in the lowered operational position.

A protective helmet having a cover plate over a front vision area and a cover plate knock out assembly for moving the cover plate a predetermined distance away from the helmet so that a finger of a user can get behind the cover plate to enable its removal from the front vision area of the helmet. The cover plate knock out assembly comprises a step-shaped actuator element and a light blocking cover. The upper portion of the step-shaped actuator pushes the cover plate away from the helmet when the lower portion of the step-shaped actuator is pressed. The cover plate made of clear plastic includes a spring tendency when slightly compressed when attached to the helmet thereby pushing the upper portion of the step-shaped actuator into a resting position in the helmet.

A protective helmet having a cover plate over a front vision area and a cover plate knock out assembly for moving the cover plate a predetermined distance away from the helmet so that a finger of a user can get behind the cover plate to enable its removal from the front vision area of the helmet. The cover plate knock out assembly comprises a step-shaped actuator element and a light blocking cover. The upper portion of the step-shaped actuator pushes the cover plate away from the helmet when the lower portion of the step-shaped actuator is pressed. The cover plate made of clear plastic includes a spring tendency when slightly compressed when attached to the helmet thereby pushing the upper portion of the step-shaped actuator into a resting position in the helmet.

A protective eyewear apparatus can include a coated visor and an anchoring element configured to removably secure the coated visor to a wearer's head. The coated visor may comprise a visor with a viewing area and a multi-layer visor coating film comprising a protective film and an adhesive layer unreleasably coupled to the protective film and releasably coupled to the visor viewing area. The multi-layer visor coating film may alternatively be included in a visor protection application kit that may additionally comprise a surface treatment solution, an adherence uniformity tool, and instructions for releasably coupling the multi-layer visor coating film to a viewing area of a visor portion of a protective eyewear apparatus. In addition, a method is provided for imparting abrasion resistance, puncture resistance, resistance to tearing, and corrosion resistance to a protective eyewear apparatus.