Improvements to helmet assemblies with flip-type welding visors are provided. In one embodiment, a return mechanism applies a predetermined force to a wireform spring. The return mechanism applies a force between a welding visor and a grinding shell, while concurrently reducing rotational forces needed to flip up the welding visor from the grinding shell. In another embodiment, a combination of an adjustable spring and a slide stop provides an adjustable stopping position for the wireform spring. The adjustable stopping position permits adjustable balancing of the forces that are applied to the wireform spring.

A system for aiding a user in at least one of welding, cutting, joining, and cladding operations is provided. The system includes a welding tool and a welding helmet with a face-mounted display. The system also includes a spatial tracker configured to track the welding helmet and the welding tool in 3-D space relative to an object to be worked on. A processor based subsystem is configured to generate visual cues based on information from the spatial tracker and transmit the visual cues to a predetermined location on the face-mounted display.

Provided is a welding protector which includes a face shield configured to protect a face of a welder and an auxiliary shield disposed adjacent to one edge of the face shield. The auxiliary shield includes a plurality of portions which overlap each other in a first mode and move to reduce an overlapping area when switching from the first mode to a second mode.

A welding helmet having a filter arrangement is disclosed. The welding helmet is provided with a main filter and at least one auxiliary filter separate from and positioned next to the main filter. The at least one auxiliary filter comprises an electro-optic element adapted to attenuate the transmission of optical radiation incident on the auxiliary filter.

There is provided a welding helmet having a protective shield and a welding visor. The welding visor is detachably attachable to the protective shield by means of a bayonet coupling. The bayonet coupling has a first bayonet part and a second bayonet part. The first bayonet part is rotatably connected to the welding visor for a rotation between a release position, in which the bayonet coupling is disengaged, and an engage position, in which a disengagement of the bayonet coupling is disabled. The bayonet coupling further forms a pivot for pivoting the welding visor relative to the protective shield between a welding position, in which the welding visor covers the see-through window, and a non-welding position, in which the welding visor uncovers the see-through window. A locking member is provided that is switchable between a locked position and an unlocked position.

A welding helmet (1) has a protective shield (2) and a first swivel mechanism (10) that pivotally connects the protective shield with a head suspension system (6) for swiveling about a swivel axis. The first swivel mechanism enables the protective shield and the head suspension system to be swiveled between a lowered position, in which the protective shield covers a wearer's face, and an upraised position, in which the protective shield uncovers the wearer's face. The first swivel mechanism (10) has a recess (16a) and a retainer (17a) for engaging with the recess. The retainer and the recess are arranged to engage with each other in the upraised position, and to remain disengaged in the lowered position and between the lowered position and the upraised position.

A welding helmet (100, 200, 300, 400, 500) having a filter arrangement is disclosed. The welding helmet is provided with a main filter (102, 202, 302, 402, 502) and at least one auxiliary filter (104, 204, 304, 404, 504) separate from and positioned next to the main filter. The at least one auxiliary filter comprises an electro-optic element (10, 20) adapted to attenuate the transmission of optical radiation incident on the auxiliary filter.

Helmet assemblies with flip-type welding visors are provided. A representative helmet assembly includes: a grinding shell having a grinding view port; a welding visor mounted to the grinding shell and having a welding view port; and a connector extending between the grinding shell and the welding visor. The welding visor is rotatable between lower and upper positions. In the lower position, the welding view port is aligned with the grinding view port. In the upper position, the welding visor is rotated toward the back of the grinding shell such that the line of sight of the wearer is unobstructed by the welding view port. Interaction of the grinding shell, the connector and the welding visor, responsive to rotation of the welding visor between the lower and upper positions, provides a biasing force to urge the welding visor towards a selected one of the positions.

A tool communication adapter system is provided. One exemplary system described herein includes a tool communication adapter having an adapter body including first and second mechanical attachment ends, a first electrical connector proximate the first mechanical attachment end and a second electrical connector proximate the second mechanical attachment end, a first supply channel having an opening extending through the body between the first and second mechanical attachment ends, and including a first supply channel connector at the first attachment end and a second supply channel connector at the second mechanical attachment end, and a control unit in communication with the first and second electrical connectors. The control unit is configured to provide a filter command signal to a protective filter in response to a signal received at the first electrical connector. An exemplary tool communication adapter thus allows communication between a tool and personal protective equipment.

A system for aiding a user in at least one of welding, cutting, joining, and cladding operations is provided. The system includes a welding tool and a welding helmet with a face-mounted display. The system also includes a spatial tracker configured to track the welding helmet and the welding tool in 3-D space relative to an object to be worked on. A processor based subsystem is configured to generate visual cues based on information from the spatial tracker and transmit the visual cues to a predetermined location on the face-mounted display.