GB2463258A

GB2463258A - Safety helmet with additional neck protection

Info

Publication number: GB2463258A
Application number: GB0816176A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ali Saboohi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-09-05
Filing date: 2008-09-05
Publication date: 2010-03-10
Also published as: GB0816176D0

Abstract

A safety helmet providing protection for the head and neck comprising a hat portion 1, a rear central neck protector 3 extending down to protect the back of the neck, plural flexible support columns 4, 5, 6 extending downwards to shoulder level and a plurality of impact absorbing collars 8, 9, 10 attached to the support columns 4, 5, 6. The hat portion comprises a hard, high impact resistant outer shell which may be made of polyester resin or polycarbonate. This shell may be formed together in one piece with the rear neck protector 3 and the top portion of the support columns 4a, 5a. The lining of the helmet 1 and rear neck protector 3 is a multi-impact absorbing material which may be expanded polypropylene. The top section of the rear neck protector 3 constitutes a thickened part of the outer shell. The rear neck protector tapers towards a point short of the base of the neck where a small elastomeric support rib 20 extends to the base of the neck and is connected to the lower collar 8. The plural support columns 4, 5, 6 comprise an upper section made of a rigid hollow polycarbonate and a lower section made of an elastomeric material. The neck protection collars 8, 9, 10 are circular or oval in cross section and consist of a central flexible reinforcement tube made of PVC covered by impact absorbing cushioning material such as polystyrene or polyurethane. The collars 8, 9, 10 are covered with a hard wearing material such as leather or vinyl. There may be 3 collars 8, 9, 10 fixed one above the other and to the inside edge of the support columns in recesses. The lower collar 8 is long enough to close around the base of the neck, with the middle 9 and upper 10 collars decreasing in size and have means for tightening around the neck. The collars may be flexible elongated strips of elastomeric material which may be provided with ventilation holes.

Description

SAFETY HELMET

This invention relates to safety helmets which provide protection against both head and neck injuries.

More particularly, but not exclusively, this invention relates to safety helmets for use in horse riding, cycling and other activities where head and neck injuries are a common occurrence.

Whilst there is an abundance of protective gear for head and body protection, neck protection is an area that has received too little attention for too long. Debilitating neck injuries continue to plague horse riders, bicycle riders and participants in many other activities where a protective helmet is required. The head is the heaviest part of the human body and the only form of connection of the head to the body is through the neck which is one of the weakest and most fragile parts of the human body and is a part which is most often unprotected.

There are various reasons for neck injuries. In many sports and particularly in horse riding when the rider experiences a fall, the neck can be subjected to a variety of stresses including axial compression, tlexiori, extension, lateral bending, torsion and/or a combination of these: -Axial compression stress is a force exerted along the head's vertical axis and is a force applied to the top of the head and through to the neck.

-Hyperfiexion stress is a force exerted on the head which causes extreme forward movement of the head and neck.

-Hyperextension stress is a force exerted on the head which causes extreme rearward movement of the head and neck.

-Lateral bending stress is a force exerted on the side of the head causing side to side tilting of the head and neck.

-Torsion stress is a rotational force applied along the vertical axis of the neck.

When the above mentioned forces are excessive, injuries to the neck frequently result; for example strained muscles, sprained ligaments and tendons as well as more serious damage to vertebrae, discs and nerves. Neck injuries result when the neck is exposed to impact forces as described above and the cervical vertebrae, discs, muscles, ligaments, and/or tendons can be permanently damaged affecting the spinal cord and nerves. Some times these injuries can be fatal, especially with neck breakages.

Particular mention has to be made to a neck injury called a "burner". This is a very common neck injury resulting from trauma to the neck and shoulder and occurs frequently in sports participation. The injury is most often caused by traction or compression of the upper trunk of the brachial plexus or the fifth or sixth cervical nerve roots. Burners are typically transient, but they can cause prolonged weakness which results in considerable time loss from sports participation, Furthermore, burners often recur. There are three types of burner of increasing seriousness, the most serious of which is permanent nerve damage.

After extensive study of the structure of the head, neck and spine and the types of neck injury commonly experienced by horse riders and other sport participants involved in accidents, the present inventor has designed a protective helmet for horse riding, cycling and other activities which incorporates a neck protection assembly specifically designed and engineered to provide a superior level of defence against the types of neck injuries described above.

According to the present invention there is provided a safety helmet which provides protection against the head and neck injuries which helmet comprises: (a) a hat portion which has a hard high impact resistant outer shell joined to an inner lining of multi-impact absorption material; (b) a centrally disposed rear neck and head protector which at its top end is connected to the hat portion and extends downwards over the back of the neck;.

(c) a plurality of elongated flexible support columns spaced around each side of the rear neck and head protector and which are connected or are connectible at their top ends to the hat portion and which extend downwards to shoulder level; and (d) a plurality of neck protection impact absorbing cushioning collars which are adapted to fit around the wearer's neck and which are affixed one above the other at spaced intervals to the elongated flexible support columns.

Preferably, the hard high impact resistant outer shell of the hat portion, the rear neck and head protector and the upper portion of the elongated support columns are made of the high impact resistant material and are formed together in one piece by a moulding process.

Further preferably, the hard outer shell, the rear neck and head protector and the upper portion of the elongated support columns are made of a high impact resistant polyester resin, e.g. a polycarbonate resin.

The multi-impact absorption material of the hat portion lining preferably is expanded polypropylene.

The inner surface of the rear neck and head protector is lined with multi-impact absorption material, e.g. expanded polypropylene.

Advantageously, the elongated support columns are made of a rigid hollow polycarbonate construction at their upper portion part and of an elastomer material at their lower portion to give them flexibility in all directions so that they follow the movement of the wearer's neck when there is an impact from any direction.

Each neck protection collar is circular or oval in cross-section and consists of a central flexible reinforcement tube (e.g. made of PVC) covered by an impact absorption cushioning material, e.g. expanded polystyrene, expanded polyurethane or a material having similar cushioning properties.

Advantageously, three neck protection collars are affixed one above the other to the inside of the elongated support columns.

Conveniently, the lower neck collar is of a circumferential length such that it can close around the base of the wearer's neck, the middle collar is of shorter circumferential length than the lower collar and the upper collar is positioned below ear level and is of shorter circumferential length than the middle collar.

Further conveniently, the middle neck collar and the upper neck collar are provided with means for tightening the collars around the wearer's neck.

The topmost part of the rear neck and head protector constitutes a thickened rear portion of the outer hard shell of the hat portion and is positioned and dimensioned on the outer shell so as to protect the back of the wearer's head when the back of the head hits the ground in a fall.

The rear neck and head protector is designed to stop short of the base of the wearer's neck so that the neck retains flexibility of movement when the head and neck are jolted backwards.

The rear neck and head protector has a tapering configuration and narrows downwards in width towards the base of the neck allowing the neck to retain its freedom to move in all directions.

The safety helmet of the invention is provided with a wrap-around flexible neck protection cover comprising: (a) a lower wrap-around assembly consisting of the three flexible neck protection collars joined together respectively by two flexible elongated strips of elastomer material; and (b) an upper wrap-around flexible elongated strip of toughened elastomer material which is joined at its lower edge to the top of the upper flexible neck protection collar and at its upper edge to the rim of the hat portion.

The flexible elongated strips of elastomer material conveniently are provided with ventilation holes.

Advantageously, the outside and inside surfaces of the upper flexible elongated strip and the inside surfaces of the two lower strips of elastomer material are covered with impact absorbing cushioning material, preferably expanded polystyrene, expanded polyurethane or a material with similar cushioning properties.

Embodiments of the safety helmet of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a horse riding embodiment of the safety helmet of the invention; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the horse riding helmet of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front elevation of the helmet of Figure 1 (the right hand side of the drawing being sectioned to show the inner structure of the helmet); Figure 4 is a sectioned side view of the helmet of Figure 1 in the direction of the arrows A-A in Figure 3; FigureS is an opened out front view of the lower part of the helmet of Figure 1; Figure 6 is a side elevation of the opened out front view of Figure 5; Figure 7 is an opened out rear view of the lower part of the helmet of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a side elevation of the opened out rear view of Figure 7; Figure 9 is a front perspective view of a cycle embodiment of the helmet of the invention; and Figure 10 is rear perspective view of another cycle helmet embodiment of the invention.

N.B. For illustrative purposes, in some drawings cushioning sponge foam parts of the helmet are not shown in order to clarify the underlying structure.

In this specification the following terms have the following meanings: (a) "high impact resistant material" means a material which is used to manufacture the hard outer shell of protective helmets and which gives the outer shell a very high resistance to cracking from an external blow; (b) "multi-impact absorption material" means a material which is used to manufacture the inner lining of protective helmets and which maximises the impact management (absorption) of the lining and which recovers its shape and most of its impact resistant property after a crash or fall; and (c) "impact absorption cushioning material" means a material of sponge consistency which does not usually recover from a major impact and has to be replaced after serious damage caused by an impact.

These three terms and materials are well known in the protective helmet industry.

Referring to Figures 1 to 8 of the drawings, a horse riding helmet embodiment of the invention consists of two connected parts, namely a hat portion (1) of conventional design and construction and a neck protection assembly (2) which incorporates the safety features of the invention. The neck protection assembly (2) comprises the following major component parts: (i) a centrally located rigid rear neck and head protector (3) (see Figure 2); (ii) four elongated flexiblesupport columns (see later description); (iii) three flexible neck protection collars (8), (9) and (10); (iv) a wrap-around flexible neck protection cover (11) consisting of several parts as described below.

The rigid rear neck and head protector (3); the four elongated flexible support columns; the three flexible neck collars (8), (9) and (10); and the wrap-around flexible neck protection cover (11) are connected together to form the neck protection assembly (2) which provides effective protection against most types of neck injuries which may be sustained in horse riding and other activities where there is serious risk of neck injury.

The rear neck and head protector (3) also provides protection for the back of the head, especially the cerebellum which is the small part of the back of the brain which lies at the back of the skull under the cerebral hemispheres and which controls body co-ordination and balance.

As stated above, the riding hat portion (1) of the safety helmet of the invention can be of known design and construction so that it protects the wearer from head injuries. The hat portion (1) is of inverted semi-spherical shape so as to cover the wearer's cranium. The hat portion (1) has a hard outer shell (12) made of a high impact resistant material (e.g. polyester resin). The hard outer shell (12) has affixed to its inner surface a layer (13) (see Figure 3) of multi-impact absorption material such as expanded polypropylene. In many riding hats, the expanded polypropylene layer (13) is moulded integrally with the outer polyester (e.g. polycarbonate resin) shell (12) in a single moulding operation. The fusing of the expanded polypropylene layer (13) and outer polycarbonate shell (12) gives the helmet great resistance to cracking from an outside blow and also the expanded polypropylene layer (13) absorbs the impact force from the blow. Furthermore, the expanded polypropylene is a multi-impact material which recovers its shape and most of its impact resistance property after a crash or fall. Attached to the polypropylene layer (13) is a thin layer (14) of impact absorption cushioning foam material of sponge consistency, e.g. expanded polystyrene or expanded polyurethane which helps the hat (1) to fit firmly and comfortably on to the wearer's head and also serves a ventilation purpose in that the polystyrene or polyurethane allows air to pass through it.

The polycarbonate shell (12) and the expanded polypropylene layer (13) are provided with a number of ventilation apertures (15) which are located in grooves (16) extending radially outwards and downwards from the top centre point of the hat (1) to the lower rim (17) of the hat (1).

The outer portion (18) of the rear neck and head protector (3) is also made of polyester (polycarbonate) resin and extends downwardly from a central position at the rear of the hat portion (1) so that it covers most of the wearer's rear neck thus protecting the neck against impact forces which are imposed on the back of the neck. The outer portion (18) of the neck and head protector (3) is provided with an inner lining of expanded polypropylene which is then covered with a thin layer of expanded polystyrene or similar cushioning material. The rear neck and head protector (3) stops short of the base of the neck so that the neck retains flexibility of movement when the head and neck are jolted backwards. The rear neck and head protector (3) has a tapering configuration narrowing in width towards the base of the neck. This tapering configuration allows the neck to retain its freedom to move in all directions. The rigid neck and head protector (3) protects the joint of the head to the top of the spine and also protects the cervical vertebrae and surrounding ligaments. The topmost part of the rear neck and head protector (3) constitutes a thickened rear portion (19) of the hard outer shell (12) of the riding hat (1). This thickened rear portion (19) absorbs the impact force when the rider falls off the horse backwards and the back of the head hits the ground and thus protects the rider's cerebellum from serious injury.

The four elongated support columns consist of four rigid polycarbonate hollow upper members 4(a), 5(a), 6(a) and 7(a) into which are rigidly fixed four flexible lower members 4, 5, 6 and 7 which are made of toughened elastomer material (e.g. rubber or synthetic rubber) which is supple and bendable and which possesses impact resistance properties. The support columns extend downward from the lower rim (17) of the riding hat (I) to the base of the wearer's neck and are equispaced, two on each side of the rigid rear neck and head protector (3). The rigid polycarbonate members 4(a), 5(a), 6(a) and 7(a) serve as support suspension for the entire neck protection assembly (2). Moreover, the flexible elastomer lower members (4), (5), (6) and (7) provide all round flexibility so as to follow the movement of the wearer's neck when there is an impact and thus keep strain off the neck. The flexible elastomer lower members (4), (5), (6) and (7) also help the three flexible neck collars (8) (9) (10) to hug into the rider's neck when there is an impact (see below).

The hard outer shell (12) of the riding hat (1), the central rear neck and head protector (3) and the four rigid hollow polycarbonate upper members 4(a), 5(a), 6(a) and 7(a) of the elongated columns are all made of the same polyester resin (polycarbonate) and preferably are formed in one integrated piece by injection moulding. The central rear neck and head protector (3) is provided at its base with a small rib (20) of elastomer material which conforms in shape to the base of the flexible lower members (4) (5) (6) (7). An alternative to the aforementioned integral moulding process would be to mould the hard outer shell (12), the rear neck and head protector (3) and the rigid polycarbonate upper members 4(a), 5(a), 6(a) and 7(a) separately and cement these firmly together.

However, whilst this may be attractive from the point of view of ease and cheapness of manufacture, it is not a preferred option. Another non-preferred possibility would be to cement the rear neck and head protector outer portion (18) and the polycarbonate members 4(a), 5(a), 6(a) and 7(a) separately to an already manufactured riding helmet.

These non-preferred options, however, would compromise the safety aspects of the safety helmet by creating too many joints.

The three flexible neck collars (8) (9) (10) each consist of a central flexible reinforcing core tube (21) made of a flexible plastic material such as PVC and each core cylinder (21) is completely encased in foamed cushioning sponge material such as expanded polystyrene, expanded polyurethane or the like. Finally, each neck collar (8) (9) (10) is covered with a protective hard wearing pliant material such as leather or vinyl plastic.

The lower neck collar (8) has a greater diameter than the two upper neck collars (9) and (10) which have the same diameter. The lower neck collar (8) is dimensioned to fit completely around the lower neck of the wearer and to sit lightly on the wearer's shoulders turning freely on the shoulders as the wearer turns his or her head and neck.

The middle neck collar (9) and the upper neck collar (10) are of shorter length than the lower neck collar (8), with the middle collar (9) being of longer length than the upper collar (10). The middle and upper neck collar members (9) and (10) fit around the wearer's neck in positions below ear level. Circumferential grooves (22) on the neck collars (8), (9) and (10) make the collars easier to bend. When assembling the neck protection assembly (2), the collars (8), (9), (10) are fixed into appropriately positioned recesses (23) formed in the inside of the elongated flexible lower members (4) (5) (6) (7) and also in the inside of the small elastomer rib (20) located at the base of the central rear neck and head protector (3). The middle neck collar (9) and the upper neck collar (10) are provided with means for tightening the collars (9) and (10) around the wearer's neck.

Accordingly, the collars (9) and (10) can be adjusted to fit different sizes of neck. The aforesaid tightening means is of the type widely used in neck restraining medical collars in that the tightening means comprises integrated strings which tighten the collars (9) and (10) when the strings are pulled.. The neck protection collars (8) (9) (10) protect the wearer's neck against all types of injury, e.g. injuries caused by extension type force, flexion type force, lateral bending force, axial compression force and torsion.

The wrap-around flexible neck protection cover (11) comprises the following component parts: (a) a lower wrap-around assembly consisting of the three flexible neck protection collars (8), (9), (10) joined together respectively by two flexible elongated toughened elastomer strips (24), (25) (3 to 4mm thick); and (b) an upper wrap-around flexible elongated toughened elastomer strip (26) (1 to 2mm thick) which is joined at its lower edge to the top of the upper collar (10) and at its upper edge to the rim (17) of the hat portion (1).

The three flexible elongated toughened elastomer strips (24), (25) and (26) are provided with ventilation holes (27). The inside surfaces of elastomer strips (24) and (25) and the inside and outside surfaces of the elastomer strip (26) are covered with expanded polystyrene (28) or the like. The polystyrene covering (28) serves two purposes. Firstly, it provides comfort for the wearer's neck and secondly, it allows airflow through the neck protection assembly (2) which keeps the neck cool and prevents accumulation of sweat inside the neck protection assembly (2). The expanded polystyrene (28) can be covered on its outside surface with weatherproof "GORETEX" ventilation grade PTFE fabric.

The upper flexible elongated elastomer strip (26) incorporates mesh covered ear protections (29), (30) which can be provided with radio receiving means, if required.

Finally, a plurality of elongated cushioning strips (31) made of expanded polystyrene sponge or like cushioning material are affixed to the inside of the hat (1) and the neck assembly (2) and extend radially downwards from the inside centre of the top of the hat (1) almost to the upper neck protection collar (10). These elongated expanded polystyrene strips (31) add to the comfort of the wearer of the hat and also create space between the wearer's head and inner polypropylene lining of the hat portion (1) consequently reducing impact to the head even further.

The horse riding helmet described above is completed by the addition of the following parts: (a) an ABS resin flexible visor (32) (b) a chin strap (33) provided with a quick release buckle; and (c) a nylon or "GORETEX" ventilation grade PTFE fabric cover (34).

When putting on the protective helmet of the invention, the ends of lower neck protection collar (8) are pulled apart to allow the helmet to sit comfortably on the wearer's head and shoulders. When the helmet is sitting comfortably, the ends of lower neck protection collar (8) are allowed to automatically return to the closed position completely around the wearer's neck and under the chin. The middle collar (9) and the upper collar (10) are then tightened around the wearer's neck.

Embodiments of the neck protection assembly of the present invention modified for bicycle helmets are illustrated in Figures 9 and 10. In the streamlined bicycle helmet embodiment shown in Figure 10, the centrally located rigid rear neck protector (35) is V-shaped in order to enhance the dynamic design of this embodiment of the bicycle helmet.

Advantages of the safety helmet of the present invention include the following: (i) Minimises transmission of front, rear, side and axial impact shocks to the head and neck of the wearer by absorbing these shocks in the various components of the neck protection assembly.

(ii) Restricts extreme ranges of movement of the neck that can cause injury but at the same time permits enough movement of the neck so as not to interfere with the wearer's activity, e.g. horse riding etc. (iii) Greatly reduces the head moving forward and backward excessively on the neck which in turn reduces compressive forces acting on the spine.

(iv) Protects soft tissue and ligaments in the neck structure.

(v) Provides protection from falls from a horse, bicycle etc. (vi) Decelerates brain movement in a controlled manner by limiting sudden deceleration force on the brain.

(Vii) Manufactured from material which ensures a safety helmet and neck protection assembly of light weight, high strength and comfort when wearing and also freedom of head and neck movement.

(viii) The three neck protection collars allow free movement of the head and neck whilst simultaneously providing full all round protection regardless of the type of forces exerted on the neck.

Whilst the safety helmet of the present invention has been described with reference to sporting helmets, the neck protection design principles of the invention can be applied to many other types of safety helmets, e.g. military, fire and police safety helmets.

Claims

CLAIMSA safety helmet which provides protection against head and neck injuries which helmet comprises: (a) a hat portion which has a hard high impact resistant outer shell joined to an inner lining of multi-impact absorption material; (b) a centrally disposed rear neck and head protector which at its top end is connected to the rear of the hat portion and which extends downwards over the back of the neck;.(c) a plurality of elongated flexible support columns spaced around each side of the rear neck protector and which are connected or are connectible at their top ends to the hat portion and which extend downwards to shoulder level; and (d) a plurality of neck protection impact absorbing cushioning collars which are adapted to ft around the wearer's neck and which are affixed one above the other at spaced intervals to the elongated flexible support columns.
2. A safety helmet according to claim 1 wherein the hard high impact resistant outer shell, the rear neck and head protector and the upper portion of the elongated support columns are made of the high impact resistant material and are formed together in one piece by a moulding process.
3. A safety helmet according to claim 2 wherein the hard outer shell, the rear neck and head protector and the upper portion's of the elongated support columns are made of a high impact resistant polyester resin.
4. A safety helmet according to claim 3 wherein the polyester resin is a polycarbonate resin.
5. A safety helmet according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the multi-impact absorption material of the hat portion lining is expanded polypropylene.
6. A safety helmet according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the inner surface of the rear neck and head protector is lined with multi-impact absorption material.
7. A safety helmet according to claim 6 wherein the multi-impact absorption material is expanded polypropylene.
8. A safety helmet according to any one the preceding claims wherein the elongated support columns are made of a rigid hollow polycarbonate construction at their upper portion part and of an elastomer material at their lower portion to give them flexibility in all directions so that they follow the movement of the wearer's neck when there is an impact from any direction.
9. A safety helmet according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each neck protection collar is circular or oval in cross-section and consists of a central flexible reinforcement tube covered by an impact absorption cushioning material.
10. A safety helmet according to claim 9 wherein the central flexible reinforcement tube is made of PVC.
II. A safety helmet according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the impact absorption cushioning material is expanded polystyrene, expanded polyurethane or a material having similar cushioning properties.
12. A safety helmet according to any one of claims 9 to 11 wherein each neck protection collar is provided with a pliant hard wearing outer cover of leather, vinyl or a material having similar hard wearing properties.
13. A safety helmet according to any one of the preceding claims which is provided with three neck protection collars affixed one above the other to the inside of the elongated support columns.
14. A safety helmet according to claim 13 wherein the lower neck collar is of a length such that it can close around the base of the wearer's neck, the middle collar is of shorter length than the lower collar and the upper collar is positioned below ear level and is of shorter length than the middle collar.
15. A safety helmet according to claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the middle neck collar and the upper neck collar are provided with means for tightening the collars around the wearer's neck.
16. A safety helmet according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the topmost part of the rear neck and head protector constitutes a thickened rear portion of the hard outer shell of the hat portion and is positioned and dimensioned on the outer shell so as to protect the back of the wearer's head when the back of the head hits the ground in a fall.
17. A safety helmet according to any one of the preceding claims in which the rear neck and head protector is dimensioned to stop short of the base of the wearer's neck so that the neck retains flexibility of movement when the head and neck are jolted backwards.
18. A safety helmet according to claim 17 wherein the rear neck and head protector has a tapering configuration and narrows downwards in width towards the base of the neck allowing the neck to retain its freedom to move in all directions.
19. A safety helmet according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the neck protection collars are fixed in position in recesses formed in the elongated support columns.
20. A safety helmet according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rear neck and head protector at its bottom end is connected to a small elastomers support rib which fixes on to the lower neck protection collar.
21. A safety helmet according to any one of the preceding claims provided with a wrap-around flexible neck protection cover comprising: (a) a lower wrap-around assembly consisting of three flexible neck protection collars joined together respectively by two flexible elongated strips of elastomer material; and (b) an upper wrap-around flexible elongated strip of toughened elastomer maerial which is joined at its lower edge to the top of the upper flexible neck protection collar and at its upper edge to the rim of the hat portion.
22. A safety helmet according to claim 21 wherein the flexible elongated strips of elastomer material are provided with ventilation holes.
23. A safety helmet according to claim 21 or 22 wherein the outside and inside surfaces of the upper flexible elongated strip of elastomer material and the inside surfaces of the two lower strips of elastomer material are covered with impact absorbing cushioning material.
24. A safety helmet according to claim 23 wherein the impact absorbing cushioning material is expanded polystyrene, expanded polyurethane or a material with similar cushioning properties.
25. A safety helmet for protecting the wearer from head and neck injuries substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the embodiments shown in the accompany drawings.