Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A42—HEADWEAR
  • A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
  • A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
  • A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
  • A42B3/06—Impact-absorbing shells, e.g. of crash helmets
  • A42B3/062—Impact-absorbing shells, e.g. of crash helmets with reinforcing means
  • A42B3/063—Impact-absorbing shells, e.g. of crash helmets with reinforcing means using layered structures
  • A42B3/064—Impact-absorbing shells, e.g. of crash helmets with reinforcing means using layered structures with relative movement between layers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A42—HEADWEAR
  • A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
  • A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
  • A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
  • A42B3/10—Linings
  • A42B3/12—Cushioning devices
  • A42B3/125—Cushioning devices with a padded structure, e.g. foam
  • A42B3/128—Cushioning devices with a padded structure, e.g. foam with zones of different density

Definitions

• U.S. Patent Application No. 15/186,418 claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/181,121 filed June 17, 2015 and entitled “OMNIDIRECTIONAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/188,598 filed July 3, 2015 and entitled “OMNIDIRECTIONAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AND METHODS,” all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
• U.S. Patent Application No. 15/186,418 is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application No.
• U.S. Patent Application 14/607,004 filed January 27, 2015 (now U.S. Patent No. 9,820,525 issued November 21, 2017) and entitled“HELMET OMNIDIRECTIONAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.”
• U.S. Patent Application 14/607,004 is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application No. 13/368,866 filed February 8, 2012 (now U.S. Patent No. 8,955,169 issued February 17, 2015) and entitled“HELMET OMNIDIRECTIONAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
• U.S. Patent Application No. 13/368,866 claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
• One or more embodiments of the present invention generally relate to safety equipment, and more particularly for example, to protective helmets that protect the human head against repetitive impacts, moderate impacts and severe impacts so as to significantly reduce the likelihood of both translational and rotational brain injury and concussions.
• Action sports e.g., skateboarding, snowboarding, bicycle motocross (BMX), downhill mountain biking, and the like
• motorsports e.g., off-road and on-road car and motorcycle riding and racing
• traditional contact sports e.g., football and hockey
• Current“state of the art” helmets are not keeping pace with the evolution of sports and the capabilities of athletes.
• science is providing alarming data related to the traumatic effects of both repetitive but moderate, and severe impacts to the head. While concussions are at the forefront of current concerns, rotational brain injuries from the same concussive impacts are no less of a concern, and in fact, are potentially more troublesome.
• omnidirectional impact energy management systems are provided for protective helmets that can significantly reduce both rotational and linear forces generated from impacts to the helmets over a broad spectrum of energy levels.
• the novel techniques enable the production of hard- shelled safety helmets that can provide a controlled internal omnidirectional relative displacement capability, including relative rotation and translation, between the internal components thereof.
• the systems enhance modem helmet designs for the improved safety and well-being of athletes and recreational participants in sporting activities in the event of any type of impact to the wearer’s head. These designs specifically address, among other things, the management, control, and reduction of angular acceleration forces, while simultaneously reducing linear impact forces acting on the wearer’s head during such impacts.
• a helmet can be disclosed.
• the helmet can include an outer shell, a first liner disposed within and coupled to the outer shell, a second liner made from a first material and disposed within and coupled to the first liner, and a polymer liner made from a second material, coupled to the second liner, and disposed between the first liner and the second liner.
• the first liner can include a first protrusion that includes a first end facing the second liner.
• Fig. 1 is a diagram of an impact force acting on the head or helmet of a wearer so as to cause rotational acceleration of the wearer’s brain around the brain’s center of gravity.
• FIG. 2 is a prospective view of an example helmet, in accordance with an embodiment.
• FIG. 3 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the example helmet, in accordance with an embodiment.
• Fig. 4 is a partial side cross-sectional view of certain components of the example helmet, in accordance with an embodiment.
• Fig. 5 is a bottom view of certain components of the example helmet, in accordance with an embodiment.
• Fig. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of certain components of the example helmet, in accordance with an embodiment.
• Fig. 7 is a bottom view of certain components of the example helmet, in accordance with an embodiment.
• Fig. 8 is a flowchart detailing a method of manufacturing of the example helmet, in accordance with an embodiment.
• omnidirectional impact energy management systems for helmets are provided that can significantly reduce both rotational and linear forces generated from impacts imparted to the helmets.
• the systems enable a controlled internal omnidirectional relative displacement capability, including relative rotational and translational movement, between the internal components of a hard shelled safety helmet.
• One or more embodiments disclosed herein are particularly well suited to helmets that can provide improved protection from both potentially catastrophic impacts and repetitive impacts of varying force that, while not causing acute brain injury, can cause cumulative harm.
• the problem of cumulative brain injury i.e., Second Impact Syndrome (SIS)
• SIS Second Impact Syndrome
• helmets are configured with dampers of specific flex and compression characteristics to manage a wide range of repetitive and severe impacts from all directions, thus addressing the multitude of different risks associated with diverse sports, such as football, baseball, bicycle riding, motorcycle riding, skateboarding, rock climbing, hockey, snowboarding, snow skiing, auto racing, and the like.
• Head injuries result from two types of mechanical forces— contact and non-contact.
• Contact injuries arise when the head strikes or is struck by another object.
• Non-contact injuries are occasioned by cranial accelerations or decelerations caused by forces acting on the head other than through contact with another object, such as whiplash-induced forces.
• “Translational” acceleration occurs when the brain’s center of gravity (CG), located approximately at the pineal gland, moves in a generally straight line.
• “Rotational” or angular acceleration occurs when the head turns about its CG with or without linear movement of the CG.
• the risk of rotational brain injury is greatest when an impact force 10 is applied to the head or helmet 12 of a wearer from at an oblique angle, i.e., greater or less than 90 degrees to a perpendicular plane 14 drawn through the CG 16 of the brain.
• Such impacts cause rotational acceleration 18 of the brain around CG, potentially shearing brain tissue and causing DAI.
• Angular acceleration forces can become greater, depending on the severity (i.e.. force) of the impact, the degree of separation of the impact force 10 from 90 degrees to the perpendicular plane 14, and the type of protective device, if any, that the affected individual is wearing.
• Rotational brain injuries can be serious, long lasting, and potentially life threatening.
• Safety helmets generally use relatively hard exterior shells and relatively soft, flexible, compressible interior padding, e.g., fit padding, foam padding, air filled bladders, or other structures, to manage impact forces.
• relatively hard exterior shells and relatively soft, flexible, compressible interior padding e.g., fit padding, foam padding, air filled bladders, or other structures.
• energy is transferred to the head and brain of the user at an accelerated rate. This can result in moderate concussion or severe brain injury, including a rotational brain injury, depending on the magnitude of the impact energy.
• Safety helmets are designed to absorb and dissipate as much energy as possible over the greatest amount of time possible. Whether the impact causes direct linear or translational acceleration/deceleration forces or angular acceleration/deceleration forces, the helmet should eliminate or substantially reduce the amount of energy transmitted to the user’s head and brain.
• FIG. 2 is a prospective view of an example helmet, in accordance with an embodiment.
• Fig. 2 shows a helmet 100 that includes outer shell 102, first liner 104, polymer liner 114, second liner 116, carrier 118, dampers 120, and side liner 124.
• Outer shell 102 can be a relatively hard shell that forms an outer structure that contains other components of helmet 100.
• the relatively hard outer shell 102 can be manufactured from conventional materials, such as fiber-resin lay-up type materials, poly carbonate plastics, polyurethane, or any other appropriate materials, in various thicknesses of material, depending on the specific application intended for the helmet 100.
• First liner 104 can be coupled or connected (e.g., coupled via fasteners and/or adhesives or directly connected through in-molding or co-molding) to outer shell 102.
• Outer shell 102 can be disposed at least partially circumferentially around first liner 104.
• An outer side of first liner 104 can be configured to be disposed within an inner side of outer shell 102.
• a shape of the outer side of first liner 104 can substantially match a shape of an inner side of outer shell 102.
• the inner side of outer shell 102 and/or the outer side of first liner 104 can include one or more features to prevent first liner 104 from moving excessively relative to outer shell 102.
• The“inner side” can be the side of the component closer to the head of the wearer when helmet 100 is worn.
• the“outer side” is the side of the component farther away from the head of the wearer when helmet 100 is worn.
• First liner 104, second liner 116, and/or other liners can include various features configured for user comfort, to tune impact absorption, or both.
• first liner 104 includes opening 108. Opening 108 can be configured to allow airflow to flow through first liner 104 to cool a wearer’s head. Also, opening 108 can be configured to allow for first liner 104 to deflect more in certain directions, tuning the impact absorption property of first liner 104.
• Second liner 116 can be configured to be disposed in contact with a wearer's head, either directly or via a fitment of a so-called "comfort liner.” Second liner 116 can also be a hollow, semispheroidal, liner.
• First liner 104, second liner 116, and/or other liners can be formed of any suitable material, including energy absorbing materials such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) or expanded polypropylene (EPP). Such material can be configured to deform when subjected to a force (e.g., from an external impact). The deformation can absorb the force and protect a wearer’s head. In certain embodiments, the force can be absorbed through a combination of one or more liners and/or other features additional to first liner 104 and second liner 116.
• EPS expanded polystyrene
• EPP expanded polypropylene
• second liner 116 can be configured to be disposed circumferentially within first liner 104.
• an outer side of second liner 116 can be configured to be disposed within an inner side of first liner 104.
• a shape of the outer side of second liner 116 can substantially match a shape of an inner side of first liner 104.
• the inner side of first liner 104 and/or the outer side of second liner 116 can include one or more features to prevent second liner 116 from moving excessively relative to first liner 104.
• certain embodiments can allow for second liner 116 to move relative to first liner 104 (e.g., can allow for rotation of second liner 116 relative to first liner 104).
• Such movement may be configured to be constrained such that relative movement is prevented if the relative movement is greater than a threshold amount.
• Such relative movement can prevent injury to the wearer (e.g., during oblique impacts).
• One or more additional components can be disposed between second liner 116 and first liner 104. Such components can be configured to tune the allowable movement of second liner 116 relative to first liner 104.
• Polymer liner 114 can be one such component. Polymer liner 114 can be coupled to second liner 116, first liner 104, and/or another portion of helmet 100 via, for example, mechanical fasteners such as bolts, nuts, standoffs, pins, snaps, rivets 122, or other such fasteners, adhesives, friction fits, and/or another such technique. In certain other embodiments, polymer liner 114 can be co-molded onto second liner 116, first liner 104, and/or another portion of helmet 100.
• Polymer liner 114 can create a low friction interface between mating part surfaces (e.g., between first liner 104 and second liner 116 or between other components such as between first liner 104 or second liner 116 and an intermediate liner).
• the low friction interface can allow and/or enhance rotational shearing movement between the components as, for example, polymer liner 114 can form a surface for first liner 104 and/or second liner 116 to slide, rotate, and/or move relative to one another on.
• polymer liner 114 can be coupled to or co-molded onto a surface of first liner 104, second liner 116 (e.g., an outer surface of second liner 116), and/or another component to create a structural member to enhance the structural strength of the component.
• Polymer liner 114 can enhance the strength of the component in compression loading, hoop tensile strength, and/or another structural aspect.
• polymer liner 114 can be constructed from a material with a higher modulus of elasticity.
• polymer liner 114 can form a surface or base for other components to couple to (e.g., dampers, liners, rivets, and/or other such components).
• first liner 104, second liner 116, and/or polymer liner 114 can include pads 112. Pads 112 can be tuned to control relative movement between first liner 104, second liner 116, polymer liner 114, and/or other components of helmet 100. For example, as shown in Fig. 2, pads 112 can be coupled to first liner 104.
• First liner 104 can include one or more protrusions 110 and pads 112 can be disposed on such protrusions. Disposing pads 112 on protrusions 110 allows for an air gap 128 to be disposed between first liner 104 and polymer liner 114 and/or second liner 116.
• pads 112 on protrusions 110 allow for tuning of the force required to move polymer liner 114 and/or second liner 116 relative to first liner 104.
• Other aspects to tune such force include the coefficient of friction of pads 112, the area of pads 112 that contact polymer liner 114 and/or second liner 116, and/or the amount of pads 112.
• Air gap 128 can be disposed between liners of helmet 100, such as first liner 104 and second liner 116, to allow motion between the liners.
• air gap 128 can be partially or fully filled by compressible material 134.
• Compressible material 134 can be rubber dampers, damping towers, and/or compressible gels or foams in various geometric shapes. Such features can control displacement between the liners.
• compressible material 134 can be coupled to first liner 104, second liner 116, and/or other liners to partially fill the gap between the liners.
• Compressible material 134 can be coupled to first liner 104, second liner 116, and/or other liners via mechanical fasteners, adhesives, and/or elastomeric bands 136.
• Elastomeric bands 136 can be attached to components (e.g., compressible material 134, first liner 104, second liner 116, another such liner, and/or other components of helmet 100) to couple two or more components together, but allow each component to displace linearly and/or shear rotationally relative to each other upon an impact. Elastomeric bands 136 can then pull the components back towards each other to position the components in the original positions after the impact event is over.
• Protrusions 110 can be raised features such as towers, cylinders, cones, domes, ribs, standoffs, and/or other features.
• Protrusions 110 can be configured to create separation between two or more liners (e.g., first liner 104 and second liner 116). Such separation can create a gap that allows for linear and rotational displacement between the two liners.
• Certain embodiments can include a plurality of protrusions 110.
• the plurality of protrusions 110 includes protrusions of varying heights. The differences in height allows for different amounts of protrusions 110 to engage and, thus, prevent deformation at different compression levels of the liners.
• protrusions 110 can be tuned so that only some of protrusions 110 (and/or pads 112) contact polymer liner 114, second liner 116, and/or other liners of helmet 100 when unloaded (e.g., when helmet 100 is not experiencing an impact).
• the position of components of helmet 100 when not experiencing an impact can be called the unloaded position.
• helmet 100 illustrates protrusions 110 disposed on first liner 104
• other embodiments can dispose protrusions on other liners.
• Protrusions can be disposed on sides of one or both adjacent liners to separate the two liners and allow for creation of a gap for omnidirectional movement.
• pads 112 in certain embodiments can be a separate part from the liner, in other embodiments, pads 112 can be a portion of protrusion 110 that is the same material as protrusion 110 and/or a different material from protrusion 110 (e.g., a separate material that is co-molded or in-molded and/or connected via snaps, interlocking geometry features on each part, and/or bonding with adhesives).
• Pads 112, in certain embodiments can also be coupled to a liner different or additional to the liner of pad 112 and/or coupled to carrier 118 via snaps, interlocking geometry features on each part, bonding with adhesives or in-molded or co-molded.
• One or more of pads 112 can be made from a low friction material and/or a rigid material. Pads 112 made from rigid materials can aid in distribution of forces from impact and thus provide further wearer protection.
• Pads 112 can contact polymer liner 114, second liner 116, carrier 118, and/or another portion of helmet 100.
• pads 112 can be different coefficients of friction when contacting different surfaces.
• the coefficient of friction can be a first coefficient of friction.
• the coefficient of friction can be a second coefficient of friction and if pad 112 contacts carrier 118, the coefficient of friction can be a third coefficient of friction.
• certain pads can be disposed on polymer liner 114, other pads disposed on second liner 116, and further pads disposed on carrier 118.
• Pads 112 can be positioned so that, in certain directions of rotation, one or more of pads 112 can contact another component, changing the coefficient of friction and thus the force absorption property.
• one or more of pads 112 can, in an unloaded position, be disposed on polymer liner 114.
• the interface of pad 112 to polymer liner 114 can be a first coefficient of friction. Rotation of polymer liner 114 relative to first liner 104 can then cause pad 112 to contact carrier 118.
• the interface of pad 112 to carrier 118 can be a second coefficient of friction and pad 112 riding over ridges of carrier 118 can provide additional resistance to movement.
• pads 112 can be configured to provide different amounts of rotational resistance (e.g., resistance of rotation of first liner 104 relative to polymer liner 114, second liner 116, and/or carrier 118) depending on the amount of rotation, and thus the positioning, of first liner 104 relative to polymer liner 114, second liner 116, and/or carrier 118. As such, positioning of pad 112 can tune rotational resistance of various liners to be progressive, digressive, or both at certain points of travel.
• rotational resistance e.g., resistance of rotation of first liner 104 relative to polymer liner 114, second liner 116, and/or carrier 118
• Pad 112 can also be configured to be a connected body between two or more protrusions 110 and/or be a bridging surface supported by protrusion 110 and attached to protrusion 110 or first liner 104 with fasteners, pins, and/or adhesives, and/or bonded or co-molded into first liner 104 and/or second liner 116.
• Carrier 118 can form a web like structure and/or be formed in another shape. Carrier 118 can be coupled to one or more liners and strengthen the one or more liners. Thus, carrier 118 can, for example, provide additional hoop strength to one or more liners (e.g., first liner 104 and/or second liner 116) and/or can prevent uncontrolled deflection of the liners and thus, for example, ensure that second liner 116 always maintains a certain general shape.
• the shape of carrier 118 can be similar to that of the inner and/or outer surface of first liner 104, second liner 116, polymer liner 114, and/or another such component.
• Carrier 118 can be co-molded into second liner 116 so that the web like arms forming the web like structure are below the outside surface of second liner 116. In such a configuration, only specific areas of carrier 118 are disposed on or above an outer surface of second liner 116. Such specific areas can be configured to be attachment points for other components such as dampers or towers and/or to provide low friction points for contact with other components. Such a configuration allows for the carrier 118 to provide increased hoop strength to second liner 116, in addition to being configured to provide mounting and/or interface points for other components as described herein, while not or minimally creating additional surface features on the outside surface of second liner 116.
• Carrier 118 can be disposed between a plurality of components (e.g., between second liner 116, first liner 104, and/or polymer liner 114) and coupled to one or more such components to provide a support structure for the components and/or to aid in aligning and positioning such components.
• carrier 118 can be coupled to one or more of the components (e.g., coupled to second liner 116, first liner 104, polymer liner 114, and/or another component) through, for example, mechanical fasteners such as bolts, nuts, pins, snaps, standoffs, rivets 122, or other such fasteners, adhesives, friction fits, and/or another such technique.
• carrier 118 can align and/or position additional components such as compressible members, such as damping towers, elastomeric dampers, compressible foams, compressible gels or any component that controls displacement between two or more components (e.g., liners) in compression and/or shear.
• additional components can be coupled and/or atached to carrier 118 via techniques described herein (e.g., via the mechanical, adhesive, and/or friction fit techniques and/or co-molded into carrier 118) and can allow for omnidirectional displacement of components relative to one another.
• Helmet 100 can include one or more dampers 120 coupled to various components.
• dampers 120 can include a first end and a second end.
• Dampers 120 of helmet 100 can be coupled to carrier 118 at the first end and first liner 104 at the second end.
• Dampers 120 can include the first end, and the second end, and a damper body disposed between the first end and the second end.
• the damper body can allow relative movement between the first end and the second end.
• damper body can be flexible and allow the first end to translate and/or rotate relative to the second end.
• dampers 120 or a portion thereof can be elastomeric.
• the first end and/or the second end of dampers 120 can include concave and/or convex features to couple to the respective liner and/or carrier. Such features can be complementary in shape to features of the respective liner and/or carrier. Dampers 120 can include elongated cylindrical members having opposite ends respectively retained within inserts atached to the respective liner and/or carrier. Such inserts can include a variety of different materials and configurations and can be atached to the corresponding liner and/or carrier via a variety of atachment techniques.
• Dampers 120 can be provided at selected points around the circumfery of helmet 100. Dampers 120 of different designs can be provided for specific applications and effectively "tuned” to manage the anticipated rotational and translational forces applied thereto. Dampers 120 can be configured in a wide range of configurations and materials varying from those shown and described in the example embodiments, and the general principles described herein can be applied without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
• Dampers 120, first liner 104, second liner 116, polymer liner 114, carrier 118, pads 112, and/or other features can be variously configured to control the amount of rotational force that will cause displacement of the various liners of the helmet 100 and can be configured such that they will tend to cause the second liner 116 to return to its original position relative to the first liner 104 after the force of an impact is removed from the helmet 100.
• Side liner 124 can be a further liner of helmet 100.
• Side liner 124 can, for example, be configured to be disposed next to a jaw of the wearer when helmet 100 is worn.
• Side liner 124 can further be coupled to move relative to first liner 104, second liner 116, and/or another such liner in the event of an impact on helmet 100.
• Side liner 124 can be secured around the jaws of the wearer to secure orientation of helmet 100 to the face of the wearer.
• secondary 124 can be a portion or a segment of outer liner 104, inner liner 116, or another liner. Such a configuration is further described herein.
• rearward portions of helmet 100 may include a rear cutout 126.
• Rear cutout 126 can be in alignment with the cervical area of the spine of the wearer.
• Rear cutout 126 can be a central cutout configured to allow for more clearance vertically from the bottom of helmet 100 in relation to the adjacent helmet material to the left and right of rear cutout 126.
• Rear cutout 126 allows for deflection of first liner 104, second liner 116, and/or other liners in an outward direction. Such deflection can be caused by, for example, rotational slip of helmet 100 in the aft direction (e.g., slip towards the rear of helmet 100).
• Rear cutout 126 allowing for deflection of first liner 104, second liner 116, and/or other liners can better protect the cervical spine area of the wearer by relieving pressure from the area by allowing for displacement of first liner 104, second liner 116, and/or other liners away from the area and, thus, preventing such displacement from exerting force on the cervical spine area.
• FIG. 3 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the example helmet, in accordance with an embodiment.
• Helmet 300 of Fig. 3 can be similar to helmet 100 of Fig. 2.
• Fig. 3 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the example helmet, in accordance with an embodiment.
• Helmet 300 of Fig. 3 can be similar to helmet 100 of Fig. 2.
• Fig. 3 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the example helmet, in accordance with an embodiment.
• Helmet 300 of Fig. 3 can be similar to helmet 100 of Fig. 2.
• Fig. 3 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the example helmet, in accordance with an embodiment.
• Helmet 300 of Fig. 3 can be similar to helmet 100 of Fig. 2.
• Fig. 1 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the example helmet, in accordance with an embodiment.
• Helmet 300 of Fig. 3 can be similar to helmet 100 of Fig. 2.
• Third liner 130 can be similar to liners described herein and can be configured to be disposed between a wearer’s head and second liner 116 and be disposed in contact with the wearer's head, either directly or via a "comfort liner.”
• Third liner 130 can be a hollow, semispheroidal liner formed from any suitable material, including energy absorbing materials such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) or expanded polypropylene (EPP) to deform when subjected to a force (e.g., from an external impact).
• EPS expanded polystyrene
• EPP expanded polypropylene
• the ratio of thickness between such a second liner 116 and third liner 130 may vary significantly.
• second liner 116 may be made from a harder plastic material such as ABS, PC, PA6, or other suitable materials. Such an embodiment of second liner 116 may be only 1 to 3 millimeters thick. In such an embodiment, polymer liner 114 and second liner 116 may thus be incorporated into the same liner. Such an embodiment may include a third liner 130 that is much thicker than second liner 116. The thin second liner 116 may thus allow for third liner 130 to occupy more of the available volume space and.
• second liner 116 may move omnidirectionally in relation to first liner 104 while third linerl30 is configured of thick energy absorbing foam (significantly thicker than second liner 116, such as between 5 to 50 millimeters thick) that will contact the wearer’s head either directly or via a comfort liner, increasing user comfort.
• second liner 116 may be similar in thickness to third liner 130 or second liner 116 may be thicker than third liner 130.
• Third liner 130 can be disposed within second liner 116 and can be configured to move (e.g., translate and/or rotate) relative to second liner 116.
• Air gap 132 can be disposed between third liner 130 and second liner 116 to allow for displacement of second liner 116 relative to third liner 130 and/or vice versa.
• Air gap 132 similar to air gap 128, is a space for second liner 116 and/or third liner 130 to compress and/or displace into and, thus, allows for omnidirectional displacement in linear and shear of second liner 116 and/or third liner 130.
• first liner 104, second liner 116, and/or third liner 130 can be formed from the same or different materials with different stiffness.
• second liner 116 can be softer than first liner 104 and/or third liner 130 and can, thus, effectively function as a gap that allows for third liner 130 to move (e.g., translate and/or rotate) relative to first liner 104.
• second liner 116 can be configured to be disposed circumferentially within first liner 104.
• an outer side of second liner 116 can be configured to be disposed within an inner side of first liner 104.
• a shape of the outer side of second liner 116 can substantially match a shape of an inner side of first liner 104.
• Fig. 4 is a partial side cross-sectional view of certain components of the example helmet, in accordance with an embodiment.
• Helmet 400 of Fig. 4 illustrates carrier 118.
• Dampers 120 are coupled to carrier 118 and first liner 104.
• a first end of dampers 120 can be disposed within an opening of first liner 104. Disposing the first end within the opening can allow for first liner 104 to securely hold damper 120.
• a second end of damper 120 can be coupled to carrier 118.
• the second end of damper 120 can be molded to carrier 118 or can be separate from carrier 118 and coupled to carrier 118. Damper 120 can allow for and control movement of first liner 104 relative to carrier 118.
• pads 112 can be inserted into protrusions 110 and held within protrusions through a barb on an end of pads 112. At least some of pads 112 can be configured to contact carrier 118 when in an unloaded position. Certain displacement of first liner 104 relative to carrier 118 can then move certain pads 112 so that they no longer contact carrier 118.
• Fig. 5 is a bottom view of certain components of the example helmet, in accordance with an embodiment.
• Fig. 5 shows helmet 500 with pads 112 and carrier 118. As shown in Fig. 5, certain pads 112 do not contact carrier 118 in an unloaded position. In certain such embodiments, pads 112 will only contact carrier 118 or another portion of helmet 500 (not shown) if helmet 500 experiences a force greater than a threshold force that leads to deflection of certain components greater than a threshold deflection amount.
• Fig. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of certain components of the example helmet, in accordance with an embodiment.
• Helmet 600 shows first liner 104, second liner 116, and third liner 130.
• Air gap 128 is disposed between first liner 104 and second liner 116.
• Air gap 132 is disposed between second liner 116 and third liner 130. While in the unloaded position, portions of first liner 104 can contact second liner 116 and portions of second liner 116 can contact third liner 130, but air gaps 128 and 132 allow for deflection of liners relative to each other when experiencing a load on helmet 600.
• air gaps 128 and/or 132 can be fully or partially filled with compressible materials such as rubber dampers, damping towers, and/or compressible gels or foams in various geometric shapes.
• Fig. 7 is a bottom view of certain components of the example helmet, in accordance with an embodiment.
• first liner 104 of helmet 100 includes a plurality of sections. Such sections can be defined by grooves or cuts within first liner 104. Dividing first liner 104 into sections allows for first liner 104 to further accommodate omnidirectional movement.
• the various sections of first liner 104 can move relative to each other for at least a first distance and thus can move independently or semi-independently of other sections.
• other liners e.g., second liner 116 and/or third liner 130
• Protrusions 110 and pads 112 can be disposed on various sections of the liners. As shown in Fig. 7, certain pads 112 can be coupled to certain protrusions, but other protrusions may not be coupled to pads 112. As the coefficient of friction of bare protrusions and pads can be different, disposing pads on certain protrusions, but not all protrusions, can be used to tune the impact absorption and resistance to movement of the liners.
• Fig. 8 is a flowchart detailing a method of manufacturing of the example helmet, in accordance with an embodiment.
• the outer shell of the helmet can be formed.
• the outer shell can be formed from plastics, composites, and/or other materials appropriate for a hard outer shell of a helmet via lay-up, vacuum forming, injection molding, and/or another appropriate process.
• Liners of the helmet are formed. Liners can be formed of any suitable material, including energy absorbing materials such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) or expanded polypropylene (EPP). Further, additional components (e.g., dampers, rivets, carriers) can be formed and/or obtained in block 806.
• energy absorbing materials such as expanded polystyrene (EPS) or expanded polypropylene (EPP).
• EPP expanded polypropylene
• dampers, rivets, carriers can be formed and/or obtained in block 806.
• the liners and components can be assembled in block 808 by fastening together, gluing, and/or other coupling via other techniques the liners and/or components.
• the internal components of the helmet can then be coupled to the outer shell in block 810 (e.g., via Velcro padding, adhesives, fasteners, and/or other techniques) to form a complete helmet.
• assembling certain liner(s) and/or other component(s) can form liner assemblies. Such liner assemblies can then be coupled to multiple other parts and/or assemblies to form a complete helmet.
• Other embodiments of the impact absorbing system may include any of the impact absorbing system configurations detailed herein in various safety helmets (e.g., sports helmets, construction helmets, racing helmets, helmets worn by armed forces personnel, helmets for the protection of people such as toddlers, bicycle helmets, pilot helmets, and other helmets) as well as in various other safety equipment designed to protect a wearer.
• safety helmets e.g., sports helmets, construction helmets, racing helmets, helmets worn by armed forces personnel, helmets for the protection of people such as toddlers, bicycle helmets, pilot helmets, and other helmets
• body armor such as vests, jackets, and full body suits, gloves, elbow pads, shin pads, hip pads, shoes, helmet protection equipment, and knee pads.
• the liners and any other layers can be formed from materials with distinct flexibility, compression, and crush characteristics, and the isolation dampers can be formed from various types of elastomers or other appropriate energy absorbing materials, such as MCU.
• MCU energy absorbing materials

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• Helmets And Other Head Coverings (AREA)

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• 2019
  • 2019-04-30 EP EP19726806.3A patent/EP3787431B1/de active Active
  • 2019-04-30 WO PCT/US2019/030072 patent/WO2019213178A1/en unknown

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