US20170318889A1 - Device for reducing head and neck injury for helmet wearer - Google Patents
Device for reducing head and neck injury for helmet wearer Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170318889A1 US20170318889A1 US15/662,110 US201715662110A US2017318889A1 US 20170318889 A1 US20170318889 A1 US 20170318889A1 US 201715662110 A US201715662110 A US 201715662110A US 2017318889 A1 US2017318889 A1 US 2017318889A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- helmet
- harness
- user
- levers
- motion restrictor
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- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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- 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
- A42B3/0406—Accessories for helmets
- A42B3/0473—Neck restraints
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
- A41D13/0512—Neck or shoulders area
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
- A41D13/0531—Spine
-
- 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
- A42B3/0406—Accessories for helmets
- A42B3/0433—Detecting, signalling or lighting devices
- A42B3/046—Means for detecting hazards or accidents
-
- 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
- A42B3/18—Face protection devices
- A42B3/22—Visors
- A42B3/221—Attaching visors to helmet shells, e.g. on motorcycle helmets
- A42B3/222—Attaching visors to helmet shells, e.g. on motorcycle helmets in an articulated manner, e.g. hinge devices
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D2400/00—Functions or special features of garments
- A41D2400/44—Donning facilities
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D2400/00—Functions or special features of garments
- A41D2400/70—Removability
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Otolaryngology (AREA)
- Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
- Helmets And Other Head Coverings (AREA)
Abstract
A motion restrictor device is wearable with a helmet to reduce the risk of head or spine injury caused by injurious movement of the helmet. The device includes a harness wearable by a user of the helmet and a helmet-engaging component supported on the harness. The helmet-engaging component presents laterally spaced apart, fore-and-aft extending helmet-engagement surfaces positioned on opposite sides of the neck of the user when the device is worn.
Description
- This is a continuation-in-part of prior application Ser. No. 15/007,001, filed Jan. 26, 2016, entitled DEVICE FOR REDUCING HEAD AND NECK INJURY FOR HELMET WEARER, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/107,867, filed Jan. 26, 2015, entitled DEVICE FOR REDUCING HEAD AND NECK INJURY FOR HELMET WEARER, both of which are hereby incorporated in their entireties by reference herein. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/451,534, filed Jan. 27, 2017, entitled DEVICE FOR REDUCING HEAD AND NECK INJURY FOR HELMET WEARER, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.
- The present invention relates generally to a device operable to restrict motion of a protective helmet. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention concern a motion restrictor device that is designed to reduce the risk of injury caused by excessive or overly rapid movement of a helmet.
- Personal protective safety gear has long been used in connection with various types of physical activity to provide cushioning and to protect the user from injurious movement as a result of the activity. For instance, participants in various vehicular sporting activities have long used safety helmets to protect the user's head from injurious contact with an exterior object. Similarly, participants also use protective gear when taking part in physical sports activities that do not involve a vehicle (e.g., snow skiing, ice hockey, or football) but can cause bodily injury to the participant.
- Although helmets provide effective protection against some injuries, it is also well known for the helmet wearer to don additional protective gear to limit head and neck injuries. For instance, it is known for an off-road motorcycle operator to wear a collar structure that fits on top of the operator's shoulder and around the operator's neck. This conventional collar is configured to engage the helmet as the neck flexes and limit the amount of flexing movement.
- However, this conventional safety gear has various deficiencies. For instance, conventional helmets and collars lack sufficient protection when the operator experiences a head-first collision with an external object. More particularly, conventional safety gear inadequately restricts compression of the operator's neck and spine during a head-first collision. Additionally, to the extent that any prior art safety gear provides some nominal restriction to compression of the operator's neck and spine, such equipment excessively restricts the helmet's free range of movement during normal operation.
- The following brief summary is provided to indicate the nature of the subject matter disclosed herein. While certain aspects of the present invention are described below, the summary is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
- Embodiments of the present invention provide a motion restrictor that does not suffer from the problems and limitations of prior art safety devices used with helmets.
- A first aspect of the present invention concerns a motion restrictor device to be worn with a protective helmet so as to reduce the risk of head or spine injury caused by injurious movement of the helmet. The motion restrictor device broadly includes a harness, a helmet-engaging component, and a brake assembly. The harness is wearable by a user of the helmet. The helmet-engaging component is supported on the harness. The helmet-engaging component presents laterally spaced apart, fore-and-aft extending helmet-engagement surfaces positioned on opposite sides of the neck of the user when the device is worn. Each of the helmet-engagement surfaces is configured to shift along a range of motion while in contact with the helmet as the helmet moves. The helmet-engaging component is operable to yieldably bias each of the helmet-engagement surfaces toward the helmet when the device is worn, such that contact with the helmet is maintained as the helmet-engagement surface shifts through the range of motion. The brake assembly is operable to restrict shifting of at least one of the helmet-engagement surfaces in response to injurious movement of the helmet.
- This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures.
- Preferred embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
-
FIG. 1 is a front perspective of a helmet and a motion restrictor, with the motion restrictor being constructed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the helmet and motion restrictor shown inFIG. 1 , showing the helmet and motion restrictor donned by a user in a normally upper position; -
FIG. 3 is an upper rear perspective of the motion restrictor shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 , showing a harness, a helmet-engaging component, and centrifugal brake assemblies of the motion restrictor, with the helmet-engaging component including a pair of levers in an uppermost position adjacent and above the normally upper position; -
FIG. 4 is a lower rear perspective of the motion restrictor shown inFIGS. 1-3 ; -
FIG. 5 is another lower rear perspective of the motion restrictor shown inFIGS. 1-4 ; -
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective of the motion restrictor shown inFIGS. 1-5 , showing a spool, connecting strap, and axle of the centrifugal brake assembly mounted within a brake housing of the harness, with the centrifugal brake assembly being in a first position associated with the uppermost position of the levers; -
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective of the motion restrictor similar toFIG. 6 , but taken from the opposite side of the centrifugal brake assembly to show a brake member assembly mounted within the housing, with the brake member assembly including a rotatable frame, pawls, springs, and an annular body, and with the pawls being in a retracted position; -
FIG. 8 is a side elevation of the centrifugal brake assembly and brake housing shown inFIGS. 1-7 ; -
FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the centrifugal brake assembly and brake housing similar toFIG. 8 , but taken from the opposite side of the centrifugal brake assembly to show the brake member assembly mounted within the housing; -
FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective of the centrifugal brake assembly and brake housing shown inFIGS. 1-9 ; -
FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective of the centrifugal brake assembly and brake housing similar toFIG. 10 , but taken from the opposite side of the centrifugal brake assembly and brake housing; -
FIG. 12 is a side elevation of the helmet and motion restrictor similar toFIG. 2 , but showing the helmet shifted downwardly so that the levers are shifted downwardly from the upper position to an intermediate position; -
FIG. 13 is a side elevation of the centrifugal brake assembly and brake housing similar toFIG. 8 , but showing the centrifugal brake assembly in a second position associated with the intermediate position of the levers, with the connecting strap being drawn out of the brake housing so that the spool is rotated in an unwinding direction to a second position; -
FIG. 14 is a side elevation of the centrifugal brake assembly and brake housing similar toFIG. 9 , but showing the brake member assembly in the second position and the pawls shifted into a braking position where the pawls engage stops of the annular body; -
FIG. 15 is a side elevation of the helmet and motion restrictor similar toFIG. 12 , but showing the helmet shifted downwardly so that the levers are shifted downwardly from the intermediate position to a lowermost position; -
FIG. 16 is a side elevation of the centrifugal brake assembly and brake housing similar toFIG. 13 , but showing the centrifugal brake assembly in a third position associated with the lowermost position of the levers, with the connecting strap being drawn out of the brake housing so that the spool is rotated in an unwinding direction from the second position to the third position; -
FIG. 17 is a side elevation of the centrifugal brake assembly and brake housing similar toFIG. 14 , but showing the brake member assembly in the third position and the pawls in the retracted position; -
FIG. 18 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the motion restrictor shown inFIGS. 1-17 , showing the levers in a stored position adjacent the lowermost position, with a catch of the levers projecting downwardly into shoulder plates of the harness; -
FIG. 19 is a cross section of the motion restrictor taken along line 19-19 inFIG. 18 , showing a latch of the harness that engages the catch and thereby secures the lever in the stored position; -
FIG. 20 is a cross section of the motion restrictor taken along line 20-20 inFIG. 18 , showing the latch received by a slot of the catch; -
FIG. 21 is a fragmentary schematic view of the motion restrictor shown inFIGS. 1-20 , showing a computing device operably coupled to a sensor and to electromagnets of the brake member assembly; -
FIG. 22 is a side elevation of a helmet and motion restrictor constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a harness, helmet-engaging component, and centrifugal brake assemblies of the motion restrictor, with the helmet-engaging component including a pair of flexible leaf spring elements in an upper position; and -
FIG. 23 is a side elevation of the helmet and motion restrictor similar toFIG. 22 , but showing the leaf spring elements flexed downwardly by the helmet, with a strap of one of the centrifugal brake assemblies being unwound from the spool; -
FIG. 24 is a fragmentary side elevation of the helmet and motion restrictor shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 , showing the helmet and motion restrictor donned by a wearer and the helmet in a reference helmet orientation, where the spine assumes a normal unflexed curvature; -
FIG. 25 is a fragmentary side elevation of the helmet and motion restrictor similar toFIG. 24 , but showing the wearer's neck in flexion and the helmet rotated forwardly to define a helmet angle relative to the reference helmet orientation; -
FIG. 26 is a fragmentary side elevation of the helmet and motion restrictor similar toFIG. 24 , but showing the wearer's neck in extension and the helmet rotated rearwardly to define a helmet angle relative to the reference helmet orientation; -
FIG. 27 is a bottom view of the helmet shown inFIGS. 1, 2, and 24-26 ; -
FIG. 28 is a fragmentary side elevation of a helmet and motion restrictor constructed in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the helmet being identical to the helmet shown inFIGS. 1, 2, and 24-27 , and showing the helmet and motion restrictor donned by a wearer and the helmet in a reference helmet orientation, where the spine assumes a normal unflexed curvature; -
FIG. 29 is a fragmentary side elevation of the helmet and motion restrictor similar toFIG. 28 , but showing the wearer's neck in flexion and the helmet rotated forwardly to define a helmet angle relative to the reference helmet orientation; -
FIG. 30 is a fragmentary side elevation of the helmet and motion restrictor similar toFIG. 28 , but showing the wearer's neck in extension and the helmet rotated rearwardly to define a helmet angle relative to the reference helmet orientation, -
FIG. 31 is a front perspective of a helmet and motion restrictor constructed in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention, showing a harness with forward and aft sections connected by shoulder straps and below-arm straps; and -
FIG. 32 is a rear perspective of the helmet and motion restrictor shown inFIG. 31 . - The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the preferred embodiment.
- Turning initially to
FIGS. 1 and 2 , amotion restrictor 30 is constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Themotion restrictor 30 is configured to be worn by a user P to control the movement of a helmet H when the helmet H is exposed to excessive acceleration and/or external force. More particularly, themotion restrictor 30 is configured to decelerate and stop the helmet H in response to excessive acceleration and/or external force, particularly when the acceleration or force could lead to injury of the user. For instance, themotion restrictor 30 is configured to be worn by the user P when the user P wears the helmet H while riding a vehicle (e.g., an off-road vehicle such as a bicycle, motorcycle, all terrain vehicle (ATV), automobile, etc.). It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the user P can be exposed to excessive acceleration and/or external forces when the vehicle (not shown) travels over terrain that is undulating or rough, or includes various obstacles (such as a ridge, gulley, terrace, rock, brush, snow, mud, etc.), or during a crash of the vehicle. - However, the principles of the present invention are applicable for a user P who participates in an another type of physical activity while wearing a helmet, particularly where the activity involves some risk of bodily injury to the user P. For instance, various features of the present invention are applicable where the user P wears a helmet and participates in a sporting activity other than riding a vehicle, such as snow skiing, ice hockey, or football.
- As will be discussed, the
motion restrictor 30 is preferably configured to decelerate and stop the helmet H and control helmet motion without being a continuous or permanent connection to the helmet H. The motion restrictor 30 preferably includes aharness 32, a helmet-engagingcomponent 34,centrifugal brake assemblies 36, and anelectronic controller 38. - The helmet H comprises a conventional motorcycle safety helmet that is donned by the user P to cover and protect the user's head (not shown). In the usual manner, the helmet H serves to restrict an external object from directly contacting the user's head. Furthermore, the helmet H generally distributes and dampens an external force applied to the helmet H.
- The helmet H includes a
continuous shell 40 that presents a face opening (not shown), alowermost margin 42 at the bottom of theshell 40, and alower helmet opening 43 defined by the lowermost margin 42 (seeFIGS. 2, 24, and 27 ). The helmet H also includes anadjustable visor 44 that is shiftable into and out of a covering position (seeFIG. 1 ) where thevisor 44 covers the face opening. - However, it is within the scope of the present invention where an alternative helmet is worn by the user P and used in connection with the
motion restrictor 30. - Turning to
FIGS. 1-5 , theharness 32 is configured to support and position themotion restrictor 30 relative to the user's head when themotion restrictor 30 is donned by the user P. Theharness 32 also preferably serves to limit at least some movement of the helmet H. For instance, theharness 32 is preferably configured to engage the helmet H during excessive neck extension. Theharness 32 preferably includes forward andaft sections sections continuous collar 50 to surround the neck of the user P. Theharness 32 also preferably includes acentrifugal brake housing 51 and a lockingretainer assembly 52. - The illustrated
aft section 48 preferably includes aback panel 54 and ashoulder support 56 that are integrally formed with one another to define a unitary and generally rigid structure. Theback panel 54 presents upper andlower margins 58 and 60 (seeFIG. 2 ) and has a generally upright structure that extends between the upper andlower margins back panel 54 presents a generally upright and forward-facing back positioning surface 62 (seeFIG. 1 ) that is configured to contact and extend vertically along the user's back B. However, it will be appreciated that theharness 32 could include an alternative structure to engage and position theharness 32 relative to the back B. - The
shoulder support 56 is unitary and preferably includes anaft plate 64 andshoulder plates 66 a,b (seeFIG. 3 ). Theaft plate 64 projects generally rearwardly from theupper margin 58 of theback panel 54. The shoulder plates 66 project forwardly from theaft plate 64 and theupper margin 58 of theback panel 54 and are configured for placement on top of the user's shoulders S. - The
aft plate 64 is preferably curved to define a generally concave shaped upper stop surface 68 (seeFIG. 3 ). When theharness 32 is donned by the user P, thestop surface 68 is operable engage the helmet H during excessive neck extension by the user P. That is, thestop surface 68 preferably serves to limit the amount of neck extension by the user P. - However, it will be appreciated that the
aft plate 64 could be alternatively configured without departing from the scope of the present invention. - Turning to
FIGS. 1-5 and 18 , theshoulder plates 66 a,b are each elongated and includefemale connectors 70 that define forwardmost ends of theaft plate 64. Thefemale connectors 70 each includetabs 72 that cooperatively define aslot 74 and present holes 76 (seeFIGS. 3 and 18 ). Each shoulder plate 66 presents upper andlower surfaces 78 and 80 (seeFIG. 18 ). Each shoulder plate 66 also presents alateral socket 82 and anupright slot 84 that intersect one another (seeFIGS. 18-20 ). As will be discussed, thesocket 82 is configured to operably receive theretainer assembly 52. - When the
harness 32 is donned by the user P, the shoulder plates 66 are configured to rest on the user's shoulders S so that thelower surfaces 80 are engaged with the shoulders S. However, theharness 32 could include an alternative structure to engage and position theharness 32 relative to the shoulders S. - Turning to
FIGS. 18-20 , eachretainer assembly 52 preferably includes alatch 86 and a pair ofsprings 88 mounted alongside one another in thesocket 82. Thelatch 86 includes alatch body 90, atab 92, and atooth 94. Thelatch body 90 andtooth 94 cooperatively define a downward-facingslot 96. - The
latch 86 is removably retained in thesocket 82 with threadedfasteners 98. Thelatch 86 is slidable within thesocket 82 along a lateral direction between a latched position (seeFIGS. 19 and 20 ) and an unlatched position (seeFIGS. 3-5 ). Thesprings 88 are configured and positioned to bias thelatch 86 into the unlatched position. Thesprings 88 also permit thelatch 86 to be shifted toward the latched position by pushing thetab 92 in an inboard direction. As will be discussed, theretainer assemblies 52 are configured to removably engage the helmet-engagingcomponent 34. - The
back panel 54 andshoulder support 56 of theaft section 48 preferably include a synthetic resin material. More preferably, theback panel 54 andshoulder support 56 include a carbon fiber composite material having carbon fiber. While not shown, theaft section 48 also preferably includes a metal framework around which the composite material is formed. Such metal components can include carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and/or titanium. It is within the ambit of the present invention for theaft section 48 to alternatively include one or more types of synthetic resin materials and/or one or more types of metal materials. - Turning again to
FIGS. 1-5 and 18 , theforward section 46 preferably comprises a unitary structure that includes abreastplate 100 andmale connectors 102. Theforward section 46 presents achest positioning surface 104 that is configured to contact and extend vertically along the user's chest C. Themale connectors 102 define aft ends of theforward section 46. Eachmale connector 102 includestabs 106 that are positioned adjacent to one another and cooperatively define aslot 108. Themale connector 102 also includes studs 110 (seeFIG. 18 ) integrally formed with thetabs 106. Although theforward section 46 preferably has a unitary frame construction suitable to engage the user's chest C, the forward section could have a segmented construction that is relatively more flexible. For instance, an alternative breastplate could include a pair of breastplate segments positioned on opposite lateral sides of the chest C and connected by one or more flexible webbing straps that permit the segments to flex relative to one another (e.g., about a vertical axis). - The
forward section 46 preferably includes a synthetic resin material. More preferably, theforward section 46 includes a carbon fiber composite material having carbon fiber. While not shown, theforward section 46 also preferably includes a metal framework around which the composite material is formed. Such metal components can include carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and/or titanium. It is within the ambit of the present invention where theforward section 46 includes one or more types of synthetic resin materials and/or one or more types of metal materials. - The
forward section 46 is removably attached to theaft section 48 by inserting themale connectors 102 within theslots 74 presented by thefemale connectors 70. Themale connectors 102 are removably attached by fitting thestuds 110 within corresponding ones of theholes 76 to form a joint 112 (seeFIGS. 1 and 2 ). In particular, thetabs 106 ofmale connectors 102 can be yieldably flexed toward each other, into a flexed position (seeFIG. 18 ), to permit insertion of themale connector 102 within thefemale connector 70. Once thestuds 110 are aligned withholes 76, thetabs 106 are permitted to move away from each other, and out of the flexed position, so that thestuds 110 engage theholes 76. Specifically, the yieldable flexing of thetabs 106 in the flexed position urges thetabs 106 to move out of the flexed position. - When attached to one another, the
back panel 54, shoulder plates 66, andbreastplate 100 cooperatively define thecollar 50. Thecollar 50 presents a central neck opening 114 configured to receive the neck N of the user P. The neck opening extends in the fore-and-aft direction to present opposite fore and aft neck opening ends 114 a,114 b (seeFIG. 3 ). Thecollar 50 preferably extends endlessly about theneck opening 114. However, theharness 32 could be alternatively configured to define theneck opening 114 without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in regard to some aspects of the present invention, the collar need not be continuous, with one or more of the panel and plates including spaced apart sections or being wholly removed. - The
harness 32 also preferably includes a pair of webbing straps (not shown) to interconnect thesections side margins 116 of theback panel 54. When secured, the straps extend generally horizontally and in a forward direction from theback panel 54 for removable attachment to correspondingside margins 118 of theforward section 46. - The straps are sized and configured to snugly secure the
harness 32 on the user P while restricting harness movement relative to the user P. For instance, the straps serve to restrict upward movement of theharness 32. In particular, the straps are sized and configured to flex theforward section 46 and/oraft section 48 so that theforward section 46 moves toward theback panel 54. Generally, each strap passes between a corresponding arm of the user P and the user's torso so that the strap passes below the user's armpit. However, it will be appreciated that theharness 32 could have alternative structure to restrict theharness 32 from moving relative to the user P. In addition, theharness 32 may alternatively be devoid of any stops or other tie-down structure, such that the collar simply rests on the user P. - The
harness 32 is preferably configured for convenient and efficient donning and removal by the user P. To don theharness 32, thesections sections sections sections male connector 102 of theforward section 46 can then be brought into engagement with a corresponding one of thefemale connectors 70 of theaft section 48. Themale connectors 102 can be engaged with thefemale connectors 70 simultaneously or one at a time. - The
harness 32 can be alternatively donned by initially engaging one of themale connectors 102 with the corresponding one of thefemale connectors 70. With one pair of male andfemale connectors female connectors aft sections female connectors sections neck opening 114. Thesections - To don the
harness 32 with one pair of connectors attached, thesections neck opening 114, the other pair of male andfemale connectors female connectors harness 32 around the user's neck N. - The principles of the present invention are equally applicable for use with an alternative harness construction. For instance, the
harness 32 could be configured to for mounting in an alternative position on the user's torso (e.g., where harness components other than the straps extend about the torso below the shoulders S). - Turning to
FIGS. 1-5 and 18-20 , the helmet-engagingcomponent 34 of themotion restrictor 30 is configured to engage the helmet H and to decelerate and stop the helmet H in response to an injurious level of helmet movement. As will be discussed, thecomponent 34 preferably presents laterally spaced apart, fore-and-aft extending helmet-engagement surfaces 120 positioned on opposite sides of the neck N of the user P when themotion restrictor 30 is donned. Furthermore, thecomponent 34 is configured so that the helmet-engagement surfaces 120 can shift along a range of motion while in contact with the helmet H as the helmet H moves. To keep thesurfaces 120 in contact with the helmet H, thecomponent 34 is configured to yieldably bias each of the helmet-engagement surfaces 120 toward the helmet when themotion restrictor 30 is donned. As a result, thesurfaces 120 are maintained in contact with the helmet H as they shift through the range of motion. - Importantly, the
motion restrictor 30 preferably contacts the helmet H and decelerates the helmet H without being permanently or continuously connected to the helmet H. More particularly, thecomponent 34 contacts the helmet H and controls helmet movement while being otherwise disconnected from the helmet H. The illustratedcomponent 34 preferably includes a pair oflevers 122,resilient bands 124, and pins 126 (seeFIGS. 6-8 ). - The illustrated
levers 122 and other components related to the levers 122 (such as components associated with the brake assemblies 36) are provided in pairs, which are generally a mirror image of one another and include similar features. Thus, when referring to the pair oflevers 122 and the pairs of related components, only one of the pair of components will generally be described in detail, with the understanding that the other one of the components is similarly constructed. - The
lever 122 is configured to be brought into abutting engagement with the helmet H, with the corresponding surface being yieldably biased toward the helmet H. Eachlever 122 has a unitary construction and preferably includes alever body 128 and a stop-arm 130. - The
lever body 128 preferably includes a helmet-contactingupstanding wall 132, a helmet-contactinglateral wall 134 that projects inwardly from upstanding wall, and a dependingwall 136 that projects downwardly from the lateral wall 134 (seeFIGS. 19 and 20 ). - The
upstanding wall 132 andlateral wall 134 present, respectively, anupstanding surface portion 138 of the helmet-engagement surface 120 and alateral surface portion 140 of the helmet-engagement surface 120 (seeFIGS. 19 and 20 ). The dependingwall 136 presents a depending surface portion 142 (seeFIGS. 19 and 20 ). Thesurface 120 is configured to slidably contact the helmet H. Preferably, thesurface 120 includes a low friction coating 144 (seeFIGS. 19 and 20 ), which enhances relative sliding between thesurface 120 and helmet H. Thecoating 144 may be formed of any suitable material, such as Teflon®. The dependingsurface portion 142 also preferably includes thelow friction coating 144. - The
lateral wall 134 is preferably curved so that thelateral surface portion 140 has a curvilinear upwardly convex shape. Thelateral wall 134 is elongated and presents a longitudinal axis that extends generally fore and aft. Thelateral wall 134 presents a forwardmostanterior margin 146 and a rearmost posterior margin 148 (seeFIG. 18 ). Thelateral wall 134 extends laterally to present a medial (i.e., innermost)edge 150 and a lateral (i.e., outermost) edge 152 (seeFIGS. 19 and 20 ). - The
upstanding wall 132 projects upwardly from thelateral edge 152 and presents a variable wall height dimension D1 (seeFIG. 18 ). More preferably, the wall height dimension D1 along a forwardmost portion of theupstanding wall 132 tapers toward theanterior margin 146. The tapered shape of the forwardmost portion permits the user P to rotate the user's head and helmet H about the upright axis of the neck N and restricts interference between the helmet H and thelever 122 during such rotation. Moreover, the forwardmost portion acts as a cam as the head is turned. More particularly, as the user's head turns to the side, the lower margin of the helmet H slidably engages the forwardmost portion of theupstanding wall 132 and moves thelever 122 downwardly. However, it is within the ambit of the present invention where theupstanding wall 132 is alternatively shaped (e.g., to permit a free range of sliding and/or rotational helmet movement). Yet further, as will be shown in a subsequent embodiment, the helmet-engaging component could be devoid of an upstanding wall. - The depending
wall 136 projects downwardly from themedial edge 150. The dependingwall 136 preferably allows the user's neck N to contact thelever 122 and restricts neck discomfort and/or injury during such contact. While not being preferred, the dependingwall 136 could possibly come into contact with the helmet H if thelowermost margin 42 slips below thelateral wall 134. In such an event, the low friction coating 144 permits the helmet H to easily slide upwardly relative to thelever body 128 for repositioning in sliding engagement with thelateral surface portion 140 and/orupstanding surface portion 138. - The
lever body 128 also preferably includes acatch 154 that depends from thelateral wall 134 and presents a catch opening 156 (seeFIGS. 18 and 20 ). As will be explained, theretainer assembly 52 is configured to removably engage thecatch 154 and thereby releasably retain thelever 122 in a stored position. - In the preferred embodiment, the stop-
arm 130 is integrally formed with thelever body 128 and connects thelever body 128 to the respectivecentrifugal brake assembly 36 and control lever movement. The stop-arms 130 each preferably include a pair ofplate sections 130 a (seeFIGS. 4 and 5 ) that are positioned alongside each other in a generally parallel relationship. The stop-arms 130 also include a connection pin 160 (seeFIGS. 4-9 ) that connects theplate sections 130 a to each other. As will be discussed, theconnection pin 160 is preferably drivingly coupled to thecentrifugal brake assembly 36. - The illustrated
levers 122 are pivotally mounted to theharness 32 atpivots 162 to swing through a range of positions. As a result, eachlever 122 permits the respective helmet-engagement surface 120 to swing through a corresponding range of motion in which the helmet H remains in contact with thesurface 120. - The
harness 32 preferably includeslugs 164 that are formed with and project upwardly adjacent to anaft margin 166 of the shoulder support 56 (seeFIGS. 3 and 18 ). Thelugs 164 are positioned on opposite sides of theneck opening 114. Thelugs 164 are pivotally connected to thelever 122 with a pivot pin 168 (seeFIGS. 3 and 18 ). When mounted to theharness 32, thelever body 128 projects forwardly from thepivot 162 and is generally positioned above the shoulder plate 66 of theharness 32. The stop-arms 130 project rearwardly and downwardly from thepivot 162 and extend throughslots 170 presented by the aft section 48 (seeFIG. 3 ). - The
pivots 162 are preferably located adjacent to theaft margin 166 of theharness 32. However, thepivots 162 could be positioned at a forward margin 174 (seeFIG. 2 ) of theharness 32 or at a location between the forward andaft margins 174,166. - Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 3 , thepivots 162 are preferably located adjacent the aft neck opening end 114 b. Thelevers 122 generally extend from thepivots 162 toward the foreneck opening end 114 a. The pivots could also be spaced from the aft neck opening end 114 b in an alternative position where the pivots are closer to the aft neck opening end 114 b than the foreneck opening end 114 a. Furthermore, it is also within the ambit of the present invention where the pivots are located closer to the foreneck opening end 114 a and extend from the pivots toward the aft neck opening end 114 b. - The illustrated helmet-
engagement surfaces 120, are preferably located on opposite sides of theneck opening 114. Furthermore, the preferred helmet-engagement surfaces 120 are each positioned outboard from theneck opening 114 in opposite lateral directions. However, thesurfaces 120 could be alternatively positioned without departing from the scope of the present invention. - As will be discussed, the
levers 122 each present acorresponding surface 120. Thelevers 122 are preferably configured to operate independently of one another so that onelever 122 can move and decelerate the helmet H independently of theother lever 122. However, themotion restrictor 30 could have an alternative structure to engage the helmet H. - For instance, the
motion restrictor 30 could have a single helmet-engaging component that extends along both sides of theneck opening 114 to present the helmet-engagement surfaces. More particularly, it is within the ambit of certain aspects of the present invention to utilize a single lever pivotally mounted at the forward or aft margin of the harness. Also, for an alternative single lever configuration, the lever body could be variously shaped to provide oppositely spaced helmet-engagement surfaces. For instance, the lever body could have a generally U-shaped structure or could have a generally endless structure with a neck opening (e.g., an elliptically-shaped lever body). - The
lever 122 is configured to swing so that thelever body 128 moves into and out of an uppermost position (seeFIGS. 3-5 ) where thelever body 128 and helmet-engagement surface 120 are swung to an uppermost limit of the range of motion. In the uppermost position, theconnection pin 160 preferably engages thehousing 51 of theharness 32 to restrict further upward swinging of thelever body 128 and thecorresponding surface 120. As will be discussed, theband 124 is preferably configured to interconnect thelever 122 and thebrake assembly 36 and to urge thelever 122 into the uppermost position. - When the helmet H and
motion restrictor 30 are donned by the user P and the user's neck is in a normally relaxed and upright position, thelever body 128 preferably engages the helmet H and is shifted downwardly into a normal upper position (seeFIGS. 1 and 2 ) immediately adjacent to and below the uppermost position. - Similarly, the
lever 122 is configured to swing so that thelever body 128 moves into and out of a lowermost position (seeFIG. 15 ) where thelever body 128 and helmet-engagement surface 120 are swung to a lowermost limit of the range of motion. In the lowermost position, thelever body 128 preferably engages the shoulder plate 66 to restrict further downward swinging of thelever body 128 and thecorresponding surface 120. - While the
lever 122 is preferably mounted to pivot between the uppermost and lowermost positions, thelever 122 could be shiftably mounted in an alternative manner without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For instance, the helmet-engagingcomponent 34 could include a helmet-engaging body that is slidably connected to theharness 32 with a nonpivoting connection (so that the helmet-engaging body slides along an upright direction). As will be shown in a subsequent embodiment, the helmet-engagingcomponent 34 could also flex to permit the desired movement of the helmet-engagement surfaces 120. - The
levers 122 preferably include a synthetic resin material. More preferably, thelevers 122 include a carbon fiber composite material having carbon fiber. While not shown, thelevers 122 also preferably include a metal framework around which the composite material is formed. Such metal components can include carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and/or titanium. It is within the ambit of the present invention where the lever includes one or more alternative types of synthetic resin materials and/or one or more alternative types of metal materials. - The
lever 122 is preferably configured so that thelever body 128 and stop-arm 130 can flex slightly relative to one another about the lateral axis of thepivot 162. Thelever 122 is configured to have some limited flexibility or “give” when thebrake assembly 36 is engaged and a load is applied to the helmet-engagement surface 120. The limited flexibility of thelever 122 enables thelever 122 to absorb at least some of the load applied to the helmet-engagement surface 120. - Again, the
lever 122 permits the helmet-engagement surface 120 to swing through a range of motion where the helmet H can remain in contact with thesurface 120. Themotion restrictor 30 is preferably configured so that the helmet H can remain in contact with the helmet-engagement surface 120 and slide along thelateral surface portion 140 and/or theupright surface portion 138 throughout the entire range of motion of thesurface 120. However, for some aspects of the present invention, the full extent of surface motion may be greater than the range of motion through which the helmet H can contact thelateral surface portion 140. - Again, while the
levers 122 are in contact with the helmet H, themotion restrictor 30 is preferably configured to decelerate the helmet H and control helmet motion without requiring a permanent or continuous connection with the helmet H. That is, other than the sliding contact, thelevers 122 are preferably disconnected from the helmet H. - Each
lever 122 is preferably configured to be removably secured in a stored position (seeFIGS. 18-20 ) adjacent to the lowermost position. In the illustrated embodiment, this is accomplished by a corresponding one of theretainer assemblies 52. More particularly, in the stored position, thecatch 154 of eachlever 122 extends downwardly through theslot 84 in the shoulder plate 66. At the same time, thelatch 86 extends through thecatch opening 156 and engages the catch 154 (seeFIGS. 19 and 20 ). - The
lever 122 is secured in the stored position by initially shifting thelever 122 into the lowermost position. While thelever 122 is held downwardly in the lowermost position, thetab 92 of thelatch 86 can be pressed (e.g., by user P) to shift thelatch 86 laterally. Specifically, thelatch 86 is shifted so that thetooth 94 is inserted through thecatch opening 156 and thelatch 86 is moved laterally into the latched position (seeFIGS. 19 and 20 ). Thelever 122 is then released so that thelever body 128 moves slightly upwardly. As a result, thecatch 154 moves upwardly into engagement with theslot 96 by thelever 122 so that thelever 122 assumes the stored position (seeFIGS. 19 and 20 ). - Engagement between the
latch 86 and thecatch 154 restricts thelever body 128 from shifting upwardly relative to theharness 32 and restricts thecatch 154 from shifting laterally out of the latched position. Consequently, thelever 122 is removably retained in the stored position adjacent theharness 32 by removable engagement between thelatch 86 and thecatch 154. - The
lever 122 can be released from the stored position by shifting thelever body 128 downwardly toward the lowermost position until thecatch 154 is disengaged from theslot 96 of thelatch 86. With thecatch 154 disengaged, thesprings 88 urge thelatch 86 to shift laterally out of thecatch opening 156 and into the unlatched position. - While the illustrated helmet-engaging
component 34 is preferred, various aspects of thecomponent 34 could be altered without departing from the scope of the present invention (e.g., while providing helmet-engagement surfaces similar to surfaces 120). For instance, as will be disclosed in a subsequent embodiment, the helmet-engaging component could have a yieldably flexible structure that presents a pair of helmet-engagement surfaces on opposite sides of the neck opening. - Turning to
FIGS. 6-11 , in the illustrated embodiment, eachcentrifugal brake assembly 36 provides a preferred braking mechanism that restricts shifting a corresponding one of the helmet-engagement surfaces 120 along the range of motion in response to injurious movement of the helmet H. Each illustratedbrake assembly 36 is operably received by thehousing 51 and preferably includes anaxle 176,spool 178, connectingstrap 180, andbrake member assembly 182. - The
centrifugal brake housing 51 preferably comprises a generally rigid structure that supports and encloses thebrake assembly 36. Thehousing 51 is preferably fixed to a rear surface 184 (seeFIG. 3 ) of theback panel 54. - The illustrated
housing 51 preferably includes anintermediate body 186 and opposite end covers 188 secured to thebody 186 with fasteners 189 (seeFIGS. 10 and 11 ). Thebody 186 presents aninterior surface 190 that extends continuously through thebody 186 to define areceiver 192. Thebody 186 also presentsopposed margins 194 that define a slotted opening 196 (seeFIGS. 6 and 8 ). As will be discussed, the slotted opening 196 permits thestrap 180 andband 124 to extend into and out of thereceiver 192. Thebody 186 also presents exterior slots 198 (seeFIG. 8 ) located adjacent to the slottedopening 196. - The end covers 188 are each unitary and present a
central axle opening 200. The end covers 188support bushings 202 that are removably received by the axle openings 200 (seeFIGS. 10 and 11 ). - The
housing 51 further includes astrap roller 204 that is rotatably supported by anelongated roller pin 206. - The
axle 176 is rotatably mounted in thehousing 51 to support thebrake member assembly 182 and thespool 178 for rotational movement. Theaxle 176 is unitary and includes opposite axle ends 208 a,b (seeFIGS. 6, 7, 10, and 11 ) and asplined portion 210 between the ends 208. The splined portion 210 (seeFIG. 11 ) has a generally square cross-sectional shape and is configured to engage thebrake member assembly 182. Theaxle end 208 b presents a relief slot 212 (seeFIGS. 7 and 11 ) operable to receive electrical wires, as will be discussed. - The
spool 178 preferably includes ahub 214 and a disc-like flange 216 fixed to one another. Thespool 178 also includes akeeper 218 removably attached to thehub 214 with threaded fasteners 220 (seeFIGS. 6, 8, 10, and 11 ). - The
spool 178 is mounted on and fixed to theaxle 176 so that thespool 178 andaxle 176 rotate as a single component within thehousing 51. Thespool 178 is located with theflange 216 adjacent to thesplined portion 210. As will be discussed, thespool 178 is operable to rotate in a strap winding direction W and a strap unwinding direction U (seeFIG. 8 ). - The connecting
strap 180 serves to drivingly connect thelever 122 and thespool 178 to one another. The illustratedstrap 180 comprises a unitary piece of flexible webbing material and presents alever end 180 a and aspool end 180 b. Thestrap 180 is wrapped around thekeeper 218 so that thespool end 180 b is captured between thehub 214 and thekeeper 218. Thelever end 180 a is attached to thelever 122 by theconnection pin 160. - When mounted to the
spool 178 and thelever 122, thestrap 180 passes through the slottedopening 196 and extends partly around the roller 204 (seeFIGS. 6 and 8 ). - As the
surface 120 moves downwardly from the uppermost position, thelever 122 pivots so as to pull thestrap 180 rearwardly. This movement causes thestrap 180 to move out of thereceiver 192 and unwind from thespool 178. As a result, thespool 178 rotates in the unwinding direction U. The unwinding of thespool 178 produces a rotational spool velocity. - Similarly, as the
spool 178 is spun in the winding direction W to wind thestrap 180 onto thehub 214, thespool 178 generally draws the lever end 180 a forwardly. This movement causes thelever 122 to pivot so that thesurface 120 moves upwardly toward the uppermost position. - Although the
spool 178 andlever 122 are preferably interconnected by the flexible webbing material, thebrake assembly 36 could have an alternative flexible element. For instance, thebrake assembly 36 could use a flexible wire, rope, cable, or chain in place of the connectingstrap 180. - Each
brake member assembly 182 preferably operates as a braking mechanism for themotion restrictor 30. As will be explained, according to one aspect of the invention, thebrake member assembly 182 is configured to be engaged when a brake element thereof exceeds a predetermined threshold value of rotational velocity. Engagement of thebrake member assembly 182 preferably serves to stop spool rotation. However, as will be discussed, thebrake member assembly 182 could alternatively or additionally be configured to decelerate the rotational velocity of thespool 178. Thebrake member assembly 182 preferably includes a removableannular body 222, arotatable frame 224,pawls 226,keepers 228, and springs 230 (seeFIGS. 7 and 9-11 ). - The
annular body 222 is configured to be engaged by thepawls 226 and preferably comprises a unitary structure. Theannular body 222 preferably includes anendless ring portion 232 and oppositely spacedmale protrusions 234 that extend outwardly from the ring portion 232 (seeFIG. 9 ). Theannular body 222 also preferably includes a plurality ofstops 236 that are arranged in a circular pattern and circumferentially spaced apart from one another. Thestops 236 extend radially inwardly from thering portion 232, with each pair ofadjacent stops 236 defining anotch 238 therebetween (seeFIG. 9 ). - The
notches 238 are configured to receive one of thepawls 226 when thebrake member assembly 182 is engaged. As will be discussed, thepawls 226 can engage one or more of thestops 236 to provide braking of thebrake member assembly 182. In the illustrated embodiment, thestops 236 are preferably engaged by thepawls 226 to stop rotation of thespool 178 without being fractured or severed by thepawls 226. - However, the
annular body 222 could be alternatively configured to provide load absorption structure. For instance, an alternative annular body could include multiple alternative stops spaced along the ring portion and configured as breakaway elements. That is, the alternative stops could be configured to be fractured and severed by pawls to decelerate the spool by absorbing the load applied to thesurfaces 120. Preferred features of several alternative annular bodies with breakaway elements are disclosed in detail in in U.S. Publication No. 2013/0205480, published Aug. 15, 2013, entitled ENERGY DISSIPATING BREAKAWAY ASSEMBLY FOR PROTECTIVE HELMET, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. - The
annular body 222 preferably includes a metallic material that restricts thestops 236 from being fractured or severed by thepawl 226. However, theannular body 222 could include an alternative material (e.g., for providing suitable braking performance). - The
annular body 222 is removably positioned in thereceiver 192. Theannular body 222 is inserted by aligning theprotrusions 234 with correspondingfemale slots 240 in thehousing 51. Theannular body 222 can then be moved to a position adjacent thespool 178. Engagement between theprotrusions 234 and theslots 240 restricts theannular body 222 from rotating within thehousing 51. - The
annular body 222 is preferably removable from thehousing 51. However, the principles of the present invention are applicable where theannular body 222 is fixed to the housing 51 (e.g., where thestops 236 are integrally formed with the housing 51). - Additional features of alternative annular bodies, including removable and nonremovable bodies, are disclosed in the above-incorporated '480 publication.
- The
rotatable frame 224 is operable to be rotatably received by thehousing 51 and is configured to spin relative to theannular body 222. Theframe 224 preferably includes aframe body 242 that receives a pair of electromagnets 244 (seeFIGS. 9-11 ). Theelectromagnets 244 are secured inchambers 245 presented by theframe body 242 with keepers 228 (seeFIGS. 9-11 ). Theelectromagnets 244 each include a wire coil that surrounds a core and is integrally formed with wire leads 244 a. As will be discussed, theelectromagnets 244 comprise part of theelectronic controller 38, which provides an alternative and/or additional means for actuating thebrake assembly 36. - The
frame body 242 is unitary and presents acentral opening 246 to receive theaxle 176. Thecentral opening 246 includes a square socket that is sized and configured to receive thesplined portion 210 of theaxle 176. Theframe body 242 also includes a pair oflugs 248, each of which presents a pawl seat 250 (seeFIGS. 10 and 11 ). - The
illustrated pawls 226 are generally identical to one another and each preferably includes anarm 252 and apermanent magnet 254 fixed within the arm 252 (seeFIGS. 10 and 11 ). Thepawls 226 are pivotally mounted to the pawl seats 250 with pivot pins 256 (seeFIG. 9 ). Thepawls 226 are operable to swing radially outwardly from a retracted position (seeFIGS. 7 and 9 ) to a braking position (seeFIG. 14 ) to engage one of thestops 236 when thebrake assembly 36 is activated. - The
rotatable frame 224 andpawls 226 cooperatively provide a shiftable brake element 257 (seeFIGS. 7 and 9 ) that shifts into braking engagement with at least one of thestops 236 when thebrake assembly 36 is engaged. Thus, as thebrake assembly 36 is engaged, thebrake element 257 moves rotationally (i.e., theframe 224 andpawls 226 rotate within the housing 51) and also preferably moves radially (i.e., thepawls 226 shift radially to engage the stops 236). As will be explained, theshiftable brake element 257 is coupled to the corresponding helmet-engagement surface 120 so that activation of thebrake assembly 36 stops substantially all shifting of the helmet-engagement surface 120 along the range of motion. - The
brake element 257 also preferably includes the illustrated springs 230. Thesprings 230 each preferably comprise a coil spring that interconnects thepawl 226 with theopposite lug 248. Thesprings 230 are preferably configured to rotate with theframe 224 andpawls 226 and to apply a spring force to thepawls 226 that urges thepawls 226 into the retracted position. - When the
pawls 226 are located in the retracted position, each of thepermanent magnets 254 is positioned adjacent to a corresponding one of theelectromagnets 244. As will be discussed, theelectromagnets 244 andpermanent magnets 254 can be used to deploy thepawls 226 to the braking positions and thereby engage thebrake member assembly 182. - While the illustrated configuration of
pawls 226 and springs 230 is preferred for thebrake element 257, thebrake element 257 could include alternative pawls and/or springs. Additional features of alternative pawl and spring components are disclosed in the above-incorporated '480 publication. - As the
brake element 257 and thespool 178 both spin within thehousing 51, thepawls 226 generally move with theframe 224. When thebrake element 257 andspool 178 rotate at a velocity below the threshold rotational velocity, thesprings 230 retain thepawls 226 in the retracted position (seeFIG. 9 ). When thebrake element 257 andspool 178 rotate at a velocity above the threshold rotational velocity, the centrifugal force applied to thepawls 226 is greater than the spring force and, consequently, overcomes the spring force to shift thepawls 226 into the braking position (seeFIG. 14 ). - The threshold rotational velocity value of the
brake element 257 preferably corresponds with a condition of the user P, helmet H, and/ormotion restrictor 30. For instance, the threshold rotational velocity value of thebrake element 257 could correspond with a predetermined threshold velocity of thehelmet engagement surface 120 and/or a predetermined threshold load applied to thehelmet engagement surface 120. However, the threshold rotational velocity value could correspond to a predetermined value of another condition associated with thehelmet engagement surface 120, another part of thelever 122, or another part of themotion restrictor 30. Furthermore, the threshold rotational velocity value could correspond to a predetermined value of a condition associated with the user P and/or the helmet H. - Again, the
brake element 257 is configured to be engaged when the rotational velocity of thebrake element 257 exceeds the threshold value of rotational velocity. When a condition of the user P, helmet H, and/ormotion restrictor 30 is below the predetermined threshold value of the condition, the rotational velocity of thebrake element 257 preferably operates below the threshold velocity value. For instance, when the actual velocity of thehelmet engagement surface 120 is below the predetermined threshold velocity (e.g., during normal, non-injurious movement of the helmet H), the rotational velocity of thebrake element 257 preferably operates below the threshold velocity value. - When a condition of the user P, helmet H, and/or
motion restrictor 30 is above the predetermined threshold value of the condition, the rotational velocity of thebrake element 257 preferably operates above the threshold velocity value. For instance, when the actual velocity of thehelmet engagement surface 120 is above the predetermined threshold velocity (e.g., when the helmet H is impacted by a potentially injurious load), the rotational velocity of thebrake element 257 preferably operates above the threshold velocity value. - The
electromagnets 244 andpermanent magnets 254 can also be used to shift thepawls 226 from the retracted position to the braking position. Theelectromagnets 244 are normally not energized so that theelectromagnets 244 andpermanent magnets 254 permit thepawls 226 to remain in the retracted position. When theelectromagnets 244 are energized, the polarity of theelectromagnets 244 opposes the polarity of the permanent magnets. The opposing polarity creates a magnetic force that magnetically induces theelectromagnets 244 and thepermanent magnets 254 away from one another. Theelectromagnets 244 andpermanent magnets 254 are sized and configured so that the magnetic force is greater than the spring force and, consequently, overcomes the spring force to shift thepawls 226 into the braking position. - Importantly, the
brake element 257 is preferably configured to be engaged solely due to centrifugal force associated with a rotational velocity that exceeds the threshold rotational velocity value. However, thebrake member assembly 182 of the present invention could be engaged solely by the magnetic force produced by theelectromagnets 244 andpermanent magnets 254. Furthermore, thebrake member assembly 182 could be engaged by a combination of the centrifugal force due to spool rotation and the magnetic force produced by theelectromagnets 244 andpermanent magnets 254. - Again, the
notches 238 are configured to receive one of thepawls 226 when thebrake member assembly 182 is engaged. As theframe 224 rotates with thepawls 226 in the braking position, one of thepawls 226 comes into braking engagement one of thestops 236 to provide a stopping mechanism (seeFIG. 14 ). As thepawl 226 engages thestop 236 in the braking position, thepawl 226 stops rotation of thespool 178 without fracturing or severing thestop 236. Although only one of thepawls 226 engage a corresponding one of thestops 236 in the braking position, thebrake assembly 36 could be alternatively configured. For instance, thestops 236 could be sized and configured so that bothpawls 226 simultaneously engage correspondingstops 236 in the braking position. - The principles of the present invention are applicable where the
brake member assembly 182 is alternatively configured to provide rotational braking of thespool 178 and corresponding deceleration of thesurfaces 120. For instance, the size, shape, and/or configuration of theannular body 222,rotatable frame 224, stops 236,electromagnets 244,permanent magnets 254, and/orpawls 226 could be altered without departing from the scope of the present invention. Additional features of several suitable alternativebrake member assemblies 182 are disclosed in the above-incorporated '480 publication. - Each
brake assembly 36 preferably operates as a braking mechanism to restrict shifting of a corresponding one of the helmet-engagement surfaces 120 along the range of motion in response to injurious movement of the helmet H. With thelever 122 located in the uppermost position, thebrake assembly 36 is located in a corresponding position (seeFIGS. 6-9 ). - Initially, when the helmet H and
motion restrictor 30 are donned by the user P and the user's neck is in a normally relaxed and upright position, eachlever body 128 preferably engages the helmet H and is shifted downwardly by the helmet from the uppermost position (seeFIGS. 3-5 ) to the normal upper position (seeFIGS. 1 and 2 ). This movement of thelever 122 causes movement of therespective brake assembly 36 to a corresponding position (not shown). During normal, non-injurious head movement, thelever 122 moves as does therespective brake assembly 36. - The
brake assembly 36 is configured to be engaged when the velocity of thebrake element 257 exceeds the threshold rotational velocity value. For instance, as thelever 122 is forced downwardly in excess of the threshold velocity, thepawls 226 are caused to shift into the braking position (seeFIGS. 12-14 ). - In the event that the threshold velocity is not exceeded by downward shifting of the
lever 122, thelever 122 freely moves to the lowermost position without activating the respective brake assembly 36 (seeFIGS. 15-20 ). - The
brake member assembly 182, including theannular body 222, is preferably configured to stop substantially all rotational spool movement for injurious loads encountered by the helmet-engagement surfaces 120. However, an alternative brake member assembly could provide an alternative braking operation. For instance, when using an alternative annular body with breakaway elements, as described above, the alternative brake member assembly could be configured to stop substantially all rotational spool movement below a threshold load experienced by the helmet-engagement surface. As a result, the alternative brake member assembly stops downward movement of the lever body for loads applied to the lever body below the threshold load. Above the threshold load, the alternative brake member assembly with breakaway elements is configured to absorb loads to decelerate the spool rotational velocity. Consequently, the alternative brake member assembly decelerates downward movement of the lever body for loads applied to the lever body above the threshold load. - Returning to the illustrated embodiment, the
brake assembly 36 is configured to be engaged when thelever body 128 moves downwardly to draw thestrap 180 out of thehousing 51, thereby unwinding thestrap 180 from thespool 178 and causing the brake element to rotate at a velocity in excess of the threshold velocity value. It will be appreciated that thebrake assembly 36 provides braking when at least one of thepawls 226 engages acorresponding stop 236, with thelever 122 generally positioned above the lowermost position. - The illustrated
brake assemblies 36 are preferably operably disconnected from each other so that eachbrake assembly 36 can provide braking independently of theother brake assembly 36. Because thelevers 122 are operably connected tocorresponding brake assemblies 36 and shiftable relative to each other, thelevers 122 are operable to pivot independently of one another and are configured to decelerate the helmet H independently of one another. However, for some aspects of the present invention, thebrake assemblies 36 could be operably connected to cooperatively provide braking of thelevers 122. Furthermore, themotion restrictor 30 could include asingle brake assembly 36 to provide helmet deceleration. - When the
brake assembly 36 is engaged to stop spool rotation, thelever 122 is preferably configured to flex slightly about the lateral axis of thepivot 162. When a load, particularly a relatively large load, is applied during brake engagement, the limited flexibility or “give” of thelever 122 enables thelever 122 to absorb at least some of the load applied to the helmet-engagement surface 120. - It is within the ambit of the present invention for the
brake assembly 36 to be variously configured to decelerate movement of thelevers 122. As previously noted, the size, shape, and/or configuration of thehousing 51,axle 176,spool 178,brake member assembly 182, and/orstrap 180 could be altered without departing from the scope of the present invention. Additional features of several suitable alternative rotatable brake member assemblies are disclosed in the above-incorporated '480 publication. - The
brake element 257 of thebrake assembly 36 is preferably rotatable and radially shiftable to provide suitable braking for themotion restrictor 30. However, themotion restrictor 30 could have a brake mechanism with alternative braking movement, such as a braking mechanism that moves linearly. Additional features of braking mechanisms with an alternative braking movement are disclosed in the above-incorporated '480 publication. - Turning to
FIG. 21 , themotion restrictor 30 also preferably includes theelectronic controller 38 to selectively engage thebrake member assembly 182. More particularly, theelectronic controller 38 is configured to selectively magnetically induce shifting of thepawls 226 into the braking position. Theelectronic controller 38 preferably includes acomputing device 258, asensor 260 that communicates with thecomputing device 258 via a lead 260 a, and theelectromagnets 244. - The
sensor 260 preferably comprises a transducer that directly or indirectly senses motion of thesurfaces 120. Thesensor 260 generates a corresponding electrical signal that is representative of an operational parameter and communicates the signal to thecomputing device 258. For instance, the transducer can be configured to sense the motion of the helmet-engagement surface 120 (or thelever 122 defining same), thespool 178, the brake element, or another moving component of themotion restrictor 30. Furthermore, the transducer can be configured to sense any load applied to the helmet-engagement surface 120, another portion of thelever 122, thespool 178, the brake element, or another component of themotion restrictor 30. Yet further, the transducer can be configured to sense other conditions of the helmet H and/or the user P. - Preferably, the
sensor 260 comprises a transducer that senses velocity or acceleration of a component of themotion restrictor 30. For instance, thesensor 260 could include an accelerometer attached to thelever 122 at a location adjacent to one of thesurfaces 120 to sense acceleration of thecorresponding surface 120. It will be appreciated that various types of accelerometers, such as a piezoelectric accelerometer or a MEMS accelerometer, could be used to suitably sense movement of thesurfaces 120. Also, thesensor 260 could include a rotational sensor (such as a Hall effect sensor) to sense the rotational speed and acceleration of theaxle 176. Yet further, when thesensor 260 is configured to sense a load applied to a component of themotion restrictor 30, thesensor 260 could include any of various force-sensing transducers, such as a strain gauge. - The
computing device 258 is operable to selectively activate thebrake assembly 36. Thecomputing device 258 preferably includes aprocessor element 262, amemory element 264, and a power source in the form of abattery 266. - The
electromagnets 244 are configured to actuate thebrake assembly 36. The leads 244 a of theelectromagnets 244 are electrically coupled to theprocessor element 262. Thecomputing device 258 is configured so that theelectromagnets 244 are normally not energized (i.e., a normally de-energized condition). Thus, thecomputing device 258 andelectromagnets 244 cooperatively permit thepawls 226 to remain in the retracted position. When theelectromagnets 244 are energized by thecomputing device 258, the polarity of theelectromagnets 244 opposes the polarity of the permanent magnets, which creates a magnetic force that urges theelectromagnets 244 away from the permanent magnets 254 (i.e., an energized condition). Again, theelectromagnets 244 andpermanent magnets 254 are sized and configured so that the magnetic force is greater than the spring force of thespring 230 and, consequently, overcomes the spring force to shift thepawls 226 into the braking position. - Based upon the parameter or condition sensed by the
sensor 260, thecomputing device 258 preferably determines whether to engage thebrake element 257. For instance, when the sensed condition of the user P, helmet H, and/ormotion restrictor 30 is below the predetermined threshold value of the condition, thecomputing device 258 preferably keeps theelectromagnets 244 in the de-energized condition so that thepawls 226 are retracted. The threshold value of the sensed condition may, but is not required to, correspond with the threshold velocity value of thebrake element 257. - When the sensed parameter or condition of the user P, helmet H, and/or
motion restrictor 30 is above the predetermined threshold value of the condition, thecomputing device 258 preferably operates theelectromagnets 244 in the energized condition to shift thepawls 226 into the braking position (to engage the brake assembly 36). - The
electronic controller 38 preferably includes theelectromagnets 244 to provide actuation of thebrake element 257 and shift thepawls 226 into and out of the braking position. However, theelectronic controller 38 could include an alternative actuator to shift thebrake element 257, such as an electric motor. - The
processor element 262 may include microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSPs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), analog and/or digital application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and the like, or combinations thereof. Theprocessor element 262 may generally execute, process, or run instructions, code, software, firmware, programs, applications, apps, or the like, or may step through states of a finite-state machine. - The
memory element 264 may include data storage components such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), hard-disk drives, optical disk drives, flash memory drives, and the like, or combinations thereof. Thememory element 264 may include, or may constitute, a “computer-readable medium”. Thememory element 264 may store the instructions, code, software, firmware, programs, applications, apps, or the like that are executed by theprocessor element 262. Thememory element 264 may also store settings or data. - The
computing device 258 may specifically include mobile communication devices (including wireless devices), work stations, desktop computers, laptop computers, palmtop computers, tablet computers, portable digital assistants (PDA), smart phones, and the like, or combinations thereof. Various embodiments of thecomputing device 258 may also include voice communication devices, such as cell phones or landline phones. In preferred embodiments, thecomputing device 258 will have an electronic display, such as a liquid crystal display, plasma, or touch screen that is operable to display visual graphics, images, text, etc. In certain embodiments, the computer program of the present invention facilitates interaction and communication through a graphical user interface (GUI) that is displayed via the electronic display. The GUI enables the user to interact with the electronic display by touching or pointing at display areas to provide information to the user control interface, which is discussed in more detail below. In additional preferred embodiments, thecomputing device 258 may include an optical device such as a digital camera, video camera, optical canner, or the like, such that thecomputing device 258 can capture, store, and transmit digital images and/or videos. - The
computing device 258 may include a user control interface that enables one or more users to share information and commands with thecomputing device 258. The user interface may facilitate interaction through the GUI described above or may additionally comprise one or more functionable inputs such as buttons, keyboard, switches, scrolls wheels, voice recognition elements such as a microphone, pointing devices such as mice, touchpads, tracking balls, styluses. The user control interface may also include a speaker for providing audible instructions and feedback. Further, the user control interface may comprise wired or wireless data transfer elements, such as a communication component, removable memory, data transceivers, and/or transmitters, to enable the user and/or other computing devices to remotely interface with the computing device. - Although not illustrated as such, the
computing device 258 is preferably mounted on theharness 32 in a location where thecomputing device 258 is protected from contact with external objects. For instance, thecomputing device 258 could be removably mounted in a housing (not shown) on theback panel 54 between thecentrifugal brake assemblies 36. - It will be appreciated that the
controller 38 could be variously configured to provide selective actuation of thebrake assembly 36. However, for at least some aspects of the present invention, themotion restrictor 30 could be devoid of an electronic controller. - Turning again to
FIGS. 6-11 , the helmet-engagingcomponent 34 preferably includesresilient bands 124. Theresilient band 124 provides a preferred biasing member configured to yieldably bias the helmet-engagement surfaces 120 upwardly toward the uppermost position. Theband 124 comprises a unitary and endless strip of material. Theband 124 preferably includes an elastic material, such as an elastomeric resin. - The illustrated
band 124 removably interconnects thespool 178 and thelever 122. More particularly, theband 124 is elongated to form opposite ends 268,270, with theend 268 being removably attached to thehub 214 by one of the pins 126 (seeFIG. 8 ). Theother end 270 of theband 124 is removably attached to thehousing 51 by inserting another one of thepins 126 and theend 270 into one of theexterior slots 198. The slotted opening 196 permits theband 124 to extend into and out of thereceiver 192. - The
end 270 can be selectively secured in any one of theexterior slots 198. It will be understood that insertion of theend 270 into theslot 198 closest to the slottedopening 196 will result in relatively minimal stretching of theband 124. On the other hand, insertion of theend 270 into theslot 198 farthest from the slottedopening 196 will result in a relatively larger amount of stretching of theband 124. This arrangement provides adjustability in the spring force exerted on thelever 122 by theband 124. - With the
lever 122 in the uppermost position, theband 124 is preferably resiliently stretched and urges thespool 178 to rotate in the winding direction W. In turn, the tension force applied by theband 124 to thespool 178 serves to tension thestrap 180 so that thelever 122 and the corresponding helmet-engagement surface 120 are yieldably biased toward the uppermost position. - As the
lever 122 is shifted downwardly away from the uppermost position, thespool 178 is rotated in the unwinding direction U, which preferably increases the amount of stretch experienced by theresilient band 124 and increases the tension in theband 124. As a result, the tension in thestrap 180 generally increases as thelever 122 moves toward the lowermost position. While this increasing tension in theband 124 and thestrap 180 is preferred to urge thelever 122 to return to the uppermost position, the tension in these components could be varied while still yieldably biasing the helmet-engagement surfaces 120 toward the uppermost position. - Furthermore, various alternative mechanisms could be provided to yieldably bias the
surfaces 120 into the uppermost position without departing from the scope of the present invention. For instance, themotion restrictor 30 could include a linear spring (not shown) that interconnects the stop-arm 130 and theharness 32 to urge thesurfaces 120 upwardly. - The illustrated
bands 124 are preferably operably disconnected from each other so that eachband 124 can operate independently of theother band 124. Because thelevers 122 are operably connected tocorresponding brake assemblies 36 and shiftable relative to each other, thelevers 122 are operable to pivot independently of one another and are configured to be biased independently of one another by thecorresponding band 124 toward the uppermost position. However, for some aspects of the present invention, thebands 124 could be operably connected to cooperatively provide yieldable upward biasing of thelevers 122. Furthermore, themotion restrictor 30 could include a single band or alternative biasing member to provide yieldable upward biasing of thelevers 122. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
bands 124 urge thelevers 122 in a direction opposite the downward direction of injurious movement, although the resistance provided by thebands 124 is generally negligible. That is, the resistance to downward injurious movement provided by thebands 124 is unlikely to have a significant impact on the injurious movement. - In use, the
motion restrictor 30 can be donned by the user P to decelerate and stop the helmet H in response to excessive acceleration and/or external force, particularly when the acceleration or force could lead to injury of the user. The user can don the helmet H prior to donning themotion restrictor 30. However, the user could alternatively don the helmet H after donning themotion restrictor 30. - Prior to donning the
motion restrictor 30, thelevers 122 are preferably moved to the stored position (seeFIGS. 18-20 ) to restrict thelevers 122 from interfering with the donning process. Once themotion restrictor 30 and helmet H are both donned, thelevers 122 can then be released from the stored position. However, themotion restrictor 30 could be donned with thelevers 122 out of the stored position (e.g., with thelevers 122 in the uppermost position). If the user dons the helmet H prior to donning themotion restrictor 30, the helmet H could interfere with donning of themotion restrictor 30, particularly if thelevers 122 are not secured in the stored position. - The motion restrictor 30 can be donned by first entirely detaching the
sections detached sections - Alternatively, the
motion restrictor 30 can be donned by first having one of themale connectors 102 attached to a corresponding one of thefemale connectors 70. Thesections sections neck opening 114, the other pair of male andfemale connectors female connectors harness 32 around the user's neck N. - With the
motion restrictor 30 and helmet H donned, the motion restrictor 30 permits the user to comfortably and easily slide the helmet fore-and-aft, slide the helmet laterally to a limited extent, rotate the helmet from side-to-side, and tilt the helmet in a fore-and-aft direction and/or in a lateral direction. In this manner, the user's head and the helmet are permitted to freely move relative to the user's torso as if the user was not wearing themotion restrictor 30. - The motion restrictor 30 can be selectively removed by the user by detaching either one or both pairs of male and
female connectors sections levers 122 to the stored position prior to removing themotion restrictor 30, although such a step is optional. - Turning to
FIGS. 22 and 23 , analternative motion restrictor 300 is depicted. For the sake of brevity, the following description will focus primarily on the differences of this embodiment from the first preferred embodiment described above. Thealternative motion restrictor 300 generally includes aharness 302, an alternative helmet-engagingcomponent 304, andcentrifugal brake assemblies 306. - Each
brake assembly 306 is mounted in ahousing 308 of theharness 302. Thebrake assembly 306 includes, among other things, aspool 310, and analternative connecting strap 312. - The alternative helmet-engaging
component 304 preferably includes a pair of elongatedleaf spring elements 314. The helmet-engagingcomponent 304 also preferably includes resilient bands (not shown) similar toband 124 to urge therespective spool 310 to rotate in a winding direction to wind up thecorresponding strap 312. - The
leaf spring elements 314 each present a helmet-engagement surface 316. Eachleaf spring element 314 flexes as the corresponding one of the helmet-engagement surfaces 316 shifts along the range of motion. - The
leaf spring element 314 presents opposite front andrear ends rear end 320 is preferably fixed relative to theharness 302, while thefront end 318 is preferably shiftable along theharness 302. More particularly, thefront end 318 is preferably shiftable forwardly and downwardly along theharness 302 to accommodate downward flexing of theleaf spring element 314. In a similar manner, thefront end 318 is preferably shiftable rearwardly and upwardly along theharness 302 to accommodate upward flexing of theleaf spring element 314. - The
leaf spring element 314 is preferably configured to flex between an uppermost unflexed position (not shown) and a plurality of flexed positions. In the unflexed position, the helmet-engagement surface 316 presents a generally convex shape. - For instance, when the helmet H and
motion restrictor 300 are donned by the user and the user's neck is in a normally relaxed and upright position, theleaf spring elements 314 preferably engage the helmet H and are flexed downwardly into a normal flexed position (seeFIG. 22 ). In the normal flexed position, thefront end 318 moves forwardly and downwardly from the unflexed position. Furthermore, the convex shape of at least part of the helmet-engagement surface 316 is generally flattened when compared to the unflexed position. - When the helmet H and
motion restrictor 300 are donned by the user and the user's neck and head are moved relative to theharness 302, theleaf spring elements 314 preferably engage the helmet H and are flexed downwardly to a greater degree into a lower flexed position. In the lower flexed position, thefront end 318 moves forwardly and downwardly from the normal flexed position. Furthermore, the convex shape of at least part of the helmet-engagement surface 316 is generally flattened when compared to the normal flexed position. Thebrake assembly 306 operates to halt flexing of theleaf spring element 314 in response to injurious movement of the helmet H. - Turning again to the
motion restrictor 30 shown inFIGS. 1-21 , themotion restrictor 30 preferably presents a fore-and-aft restrictor axis A1 (seeFIG. 3 ). The axis A1 extends in a fore-and-aft direction to bisect theharness 32, with thelevers 122 being spaced laterally in opposite lateral directions from the axis A1. The restrictor axis A1 preferably lies in a restrictor sagittal plane (not shown), where the sagittal plane extends vertically and in the forward-facing direction F (seeFIGS. 24-30 ). Similarly, the helmet H presents a fore-and-aft helmet axis A2 (seeFIG. 27 ). The axis A2 extends fore-and-aft to bisect the helmet H. - When the helmet H and
motion restrictor 30 are donned by the wearer and the helmet H faces in the forward-facing direction F, the axes A1,A2 are preferably coplanar. In particular, the axes A1,A2 both lie in the restrictor sagittal plane. The forward-facing direction F corresponds to a reference helmet orientation where the helmet visor faces forwardly relative to the harness 32 (seeFIGS. 1 and 24 ). - Furthermore, when the helmet H and
motion restrictor 30 are donned by the wearer and the helmet H faces in the forward-facing direction F, the axes A1,A2 both preferably lie in a median sagittal plane (not shown) of the wearer. As used herein, a median sagittal plane refers to a plane that extends vertically and fore-and-aft to divide the wearer's body down the middle into equal left and right sides. Preferably, the restrictor sagittal plane is substantially coplanar with the median sagittal plane of the wearer, although the planes could be laterally offset relative to one another. - Turning to
FIG. 27 , the helmet H includes a lower rim that defines thelower helmet opening 43. The lower rim extends endlessly about thelower helmet opening 43. The lower rim also forms thelowermost margin 42 of the helmet H. Thehelmet opening 43 presents fore and aft helmet opening ends 43 a,43 b (seeFIGS. 2, 24, and 27 ). - The helmet H preferably comprises a full face helmet that surrounds the wearer's face and generally crosses over the wearer's mouth. However, the restrictor 30 could be used in connection with at least some open face helmets (not shown) that do not cross over the wearer's mouth. For some open face helmets, the lower rim extends around the back and sides of the wearer's head and neck.
- The
levers 122 are configured to engage the rim at a contact location CL (seeFIGS. 24-26 ) to restrict helmet movement. As will be shown, the contact location CL shifts fore and aft as the helmet H moves (primarily as rotational motion) generally along the fore-and-aft direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the rim preferably includes forward and aft rim sections and intermediate rim sections. The intermediate rim sections provide a primary contact region PCR of the lower rim (seeFIG. 27 ). - For some open face helmets (not shown) that are compatible with the
motion restrictor 30, the lower rim includes intermediate rim sections and aft rim sections, while including little or no part of a forward rim section. It will be appreciated that some helmets are not compatible with themotion restrictor 30. - When the
motion restrictor 30 and helmet H are donned by the wearer, any contact made by thelevers 122 against the helmet H preferably occurs in the primary contact region PCR while the helmet H is within a predetermined range of helmet angle α associated with normal flexion and extension of the spine S (as will be discussed below) and while the axis A2 of helmet H extends at least generally in the sagittal plane. Also when themotion restrictor 30 and helmet H are donned, the helmet H is preferably positioned relative to theharness 32 so that the primary contact region PCR at least partly overlaps theharness 32 along the fore-and-aft direction. Furthermore, the primary contact region PCR preferably at least partly overlaps theneck opening 114 along the fore-and-aft direction. As will be discussed below, the primary contact region PCR is preferably spaced between the fore and aft helmet opening ends 43 a,43 b. - The helmet angle α is a measure of helmet rotation associated with flexion and extension of the spine, where the helmet H rotates fore and aft along the sagittal plane. The helmet angle α is measured relative to the reference helmet orientation (see
FIG. 24 ), where the spine S assumes a normal unflexed spine condition with normal spine curvature. As used herein, a helmet flexion angle is measured relative to the reference helmet orientation and is associated with corresponding flexion of the spine S (i.e., flexing of the spine S forwardly out of the normal unflexed spine condition). A helmet extension angle is measured relative to the reference helmet orientation and is associated with corresponding extension of the spine S (i.e., extending or dorsally flexing the spine S rearwardly out of the normal unextended/unflexed spine condition). These measurements of helmet angle α generally correspond to measurements of flexion and extension taken using a goniometer (not shown). - Because the helmet H fits snugly on the wearer's head, the helmet angle α generally corresponds to the angle of flexion or extension associated with the wearer's head, particularly during normal operating conditions where the shell of the helmet H is not experiencing an external impact force. However, it will be appreciated that the head could rotate to a slightly (and preferably generally insignificant) greater or lesser degree than the helmet under some conditions (e.g., where the helmet H does not fit snugly on the wearer's head).
- Helmet rotation is generally produced by flexion and extension of the cervical spine, independent of any movement of the thoracic spine. However, it will be appreciated that some helmet rotation could be produced partly by thoracic spine movement.
- The
levers 122 may contact the helmet H outside of the primary contact region PCR for extreme helmet movement. For instance, such contact can occur for extreme cases of flexion and extension. Such contact can also occur when the helmet H is rotated about a vertical axis so that the axes A1,A2 are not coplanar (e.g., when the head twists about a vertical axis while rotating also in the fore-and-aft direction). - The intermediate rim sections define a fore-and-aft dimension D4 of the primary contact region PCR that is less than an opening length dimension D1. In the illustrated embodiment, the ratio of the dimension D4 to the length dimension D1 preferably ranges from about 0.2 to about 0.7 and, more preferably, is about 0.4 to about 0.7.
- Again, the primary contact region PCR is preferably spaced between the fore and aft helmet opening ends 43 a,43 b. In particular, the forward and aft rim sections define corresponding forward and aft spacing dimensions D2,D3. The spacing dimensions D2,D3 are associated with the distance between the primary contact region PCR and each
helmet opening end 43 a,43 b, respectively. A ratio of the forward spacing dimension D2 to the length dimension D1 preferably ranges from about 0.1 to about 0.4 and, more preferably, is about 0.2 to about 0.3. A ratio of the aft spacing dimension D3 to the length dimension D1 preferably ranges from about 0.1 to about 0.4 and, more preferably, is about 0.2 to about 0.3. - Similarly, a ratio of the forward spacing dimension D2 to the dimension D4 preferably ranges from about 0.1 to about 1.5 and, more preferably, is about 0.4 to about 0.8. A ratio of the aft spacing dimension D3 to the dimension D4 preferably ranges from about 0.1 to about 1.2 and, more preferably, is about 0.4 to about 1.0.
- Turning to
FIGS. 24-26 , when themotion restrictor 30 and the helmet H are donned by the wearer, thelevers 122 are preferably operable to engage the rim of the helmet H to restrict helmet movement. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
levers 122 preferably engage the helmet H for a helmet angle α that ranges from about forty degrees (40°) flexion (seeFIG. 25 ) to about twenty degrees (20°) extension (seeFIG. 26 ). Helmet-lever contact between thelevers 122 and the helmet H is preferably maintained throughout this preferred range of helmet angle α. More preferably, helmet-lever contact is maintained for helmet angle α that ranges from about thirty-five degrees (35°) flexion to about ten degrees (10°) extension and, most preferably, for helmet angle α of about thirty degrees (30°) flexion. - However, it is within the scope of the present invention where the
levers 122 engage the helmet H along another preferred range of helmet angle α. For instance, according to some aspects of the present invention, thelevers 122 could contact the helmet H outside of the angular ranges described above. - Associated with the above-referenced helmet angle α, the helmet H preferably swings between forward and rearward helmet positions spaced angularly relative to one another along the restrictor sagittal plane to define therebetween a helmet range of swinging movement. The forward and rearward helmet positions are preferably associated with corresponding flexion and extension spine positions of the user. The helmet range of swinging movement is preferably at least about forty-five degrees (45°).
- For the helmet angular range described above, the contact location CL between the
levers 122 and the helmet H is preferably in the primary contact region PCR. That is, when themotion restrictor 30 and helmet H are donned by the wearer, any contact made by thelevers 122 against the helmet H occurs in the primary contact region PCR while the helmet H is within the preferred helmet angular range. - By having the contact location CL positioned in region PCR throughout the helmet angular range, the contact location CL is positioned adjacent the spine S throughout the helmet angular range. It has been found that such positioning of the contact location CL enables the helmet H and levers 122 to safely transfer downward helmet forces to the
harness 32. A downward force applied by the helmet H to the levers can correspond to or be a component of a linear force and/or a rotational force experienced by the helmet H (e.g., due to the helmet colliding with an object other than motion restrictor 30). - For the reference helmet orientation and all helmet extension angles associated with extension of the spine S, the illustrated
levers 122 extend forwardly of the contact location CL between thelevers 122 and the helmet H (seeFIGS. 24 and 26 ). That is, the distal end oflever 122 is spaced below the helmet H. Also, for some helmet flexion angles associated with flexion of the spine, the distal end oflever 122 engages the helmet H (seeFIG. 25 ). - For the illustrated
restrictor 30, thelevers 122 are mounted atpivots 162. Thepivots 162 are preferably located outside of the region PCR when the helmet H is within the preferred helmet angular range. More preferably, thepivots 162 are spaced aft of the region PCR. This preferred location of thepivots 162 and the positioning of the contact location CL within the region PCR enables thelevers 122 to effectively engage the helmet H throughout the preferred helmet angular range. - Turning to
FIGS. 28-30 , analternative motion restrictor 400 is depicted. Thealternative motion restrictor 400 includes, among other things, aharness 402 and an alternative helmet-engagingcomponent 404. Thecomponent 404 preferably includes a pair ofalternative levers 406 that present an alternative helmet-engagement surface 408 and adistal lever end 410. - The illustrated
levers 406 present a lever length that is relatively shorter than the length oflevers 122. For the reference helmet orientation and all helmet flexion angles associated with flexion of the spine, thedistal lever end 410 engages the helmet H (see FIGS. 28 and 29). For at least some helmet extension angles associated with extension of the spine, thedistal lever end 410 is spaced below the helmet H (seeFIG. 30 ). - Although the
levers 406 are shorter than thelevers 122, thelevers 406 are designed to engage the helmet H as described above concerninglevers 122. For example, as with the first embodiment, thelevers 406 engage the helmet H for a helmet angle α that preferably ranges from about forty degrees (40°) flexion (seeFIG. 29 ) to about ten degrees (10°) extension. Contact between thelevers 406 and the helmet H is preferably maintained throughout this preferred helmet angular range. However, for some aspects of the present invention, thelevers 406 could engage the helmet H along an alternative range of helmet angle α. - For the helmet angular ranges described above, the contact location CL between the
levers 406 and the helmet H is preferably in the primary contact region PCR. That is, when themotion restrictor 30 and helmet H are donned by the wearer, any contact made by thelevers 406 against the helmet H occurs in the primary contact region PCR while the helmet H is within the preferred helmet angular range. - Turning to
FIGS. 31 and 32 , analternative motion restrictor 500 is depicted. For the sake of brevity, the following description of this embodiment will focus primarily on the differences of this embodiment from the first preferred embodiment described above. Thealternative motion restrictor 500 includes, among other things, analternative harness 502 and a helmet-engagingcomponent 504. - The
harness 502 is configured to support and position themotion restrictor 500 relative to the user's head when themotion restrictor 500 is donned by the user P. Theharness 502 preferably includes forward andaft sections flexible shoulder straps 510, and a pair of flexible below-arm straps 512. - The illustrated
aft section 508 preferably includes aback panel 514 and ashoulder support 516 that are integrally formed with one another to define a unitary and generally rigid structure. - The
shoulder support 516 is unitary and preferably includes anaft plate 518 andshoulder plates 520. Theaft plate 518 includesconnectors 522 that secure the below-arm straps 512 to theaft section 508. Theshoulder plates 520 extend forwardly from theaft plate 518 and includeconnectors 522 that secure theshoulder straps 510 to theaft section 508. - Each
shoulder strap 510 and below-arm strap 512 includes aunitary webbing strip 524 and aunitary tongue 526 fixed to a forward end of thewebbing strip 524. The rearward end of eachwebbing strip 524 is attached to theaft section 508 withrespective connectors 522. Eachwebbing strip 524 preferably comprises a flexible webbing that includes a synthetic resin material, such as nylon. However, it will be understood that the flexible webbing could include alternative materials without departing from the scope of the present invention. - When the
harness 502 is donned by the user P, theshoulder plates 520 are located adjacent the user's shoulders to permit theshoulder straps 510 to rest on the shoulders. That is, theshoulder straps 510 preferably provide shoulder-engagement sections of theharness 502. Theaft plate 518 is positioned adjacent the user's back, and the below-arm straps 512 are generally located below the user's shoulders. - The
forward section 506 preferably includes abreastplate 528, a pair ofupper buckles 530, and a pair of lower buckles 532. Eachbuckle 530 includes ahousing 534 and alatch mechanism 536 operably mounted within thehousing 534. The illustratedhousings 534 are integrally formed with thebreastplate 528. Eachbuckle 530 also presents a slottedopening 538 to receive thetongue 526 of theshoulder strap 510. The lower buckles 532 include ahousing 542 and latchmechanisms 536 and present slottedopenings 538. - In the usual manner, each
latch mechanism 536 is preferably a normally-closed latch device with alatch release button 544. Eachlatch mechanism 536 is removably connectable to one of thetongues 526. With thetongue 526 attached to therespective buckle release button 544 can be depressed to open the latch and permit detachment of thetongue 526 and thebuckle - When attached to one another, the forward and
aft sections shoulder straps 510 cooperatively define anendless collar 546. Thecollar 546 presents a central neck opening 548 configured to receive the neck of the user. When theharness 502 is donned, thecollar 546 extends endlessly around the neck of the user. - With the
collar 546 being donned, the below-arm straps 512 can be removably secured to theforward section 506. Again, the below-arm straps 512 are removably connected to lowerbuckles 532 of theforward section 506. The secured straps 512 extend generally horizontally and in a forward direction from theaft section 508 to theforward section 506. - The
straps 512 are sized and configured to snugly secure theharness 502 on the user while restricting harness movement relative to the user. As with the prior embodiments, thestraps 512 serve to restrict upward movement of theharness 502 by engaging the user below the shoulder. Generally, eachstrap 512 passes between a corresponding arm of the user P and the user's torso so that thestrap 512 passes below the user's armpit. Furthermore, thestraps 512 preferably draw the forward andaft sections harness 502 is snugly held on the user. - Although the above description presents features of preferred embodiments of the present invention, other preferred embodiments may also be created in keeping with the principles of the invention. Such other preferred embodiments may, for instance, be provided with features drawn from one or more of the embodiments described above. Yet further, such other preferred embodiments may include features from multiple embodiments described above, particularly where such features are compatible for use together despite having been presented independently as part of separate embodiments in the above description.
- The preferred forms of the invention described above are to be used as illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
- The inventors hereby state their intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of the present invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
Claims (40)
1. A motion restrictor system for reducing the risk of head or spine injury, said system comprising:
a protective helmet presenting a helmet lower margin that defines a lower helmet opening, with the opening receiving a neck of the user when the helmet is worn,
said helmet swinging between forward and rearward helmet positions spaced angularly relative to one another along a fore-and-aft bisecting plane to define therebetween a helmet range of swinging movement, wherein the forward and rearward helmet positions are associated with corresponding flexion and extension spine positions of the user and the helmet range of swinging movement is at least about forty-five degrees; and
a motion restrictor device wearable with the helmet to reduce the risk of head or spine injury caused by injurious movement of the helmet,
said motion restrictor device including—
a harness wearable by the user of the helmet, and
a helmet-engaging component supported on the harness,
said helmet-engaging component presenting laterally spaced apart, fore-and-aft extending helmet-engagement surfaces positioned on opposite sides of the neck of the user when the device is worn,
each of said helmet-engagement surfaces being configured to shift while in contact with the helmet lower margin as the helmet moves along the helmet range of swinging movement,
said helmet-engaging component being operable to yieldably bias the helmet-engagement surfaces toward the lower margin when the device and helmet are worn, such that contact with the helmet is maintained with at least one of the helmet-engagement surfaces through at least substantially the entire helmet range of swinging movement.
2. The motion restrictor system as claimed in claim 1 ,
said harness presenting laterally spaced apart shoulder-engagement sections that extend fore-and-aft along opposite sides of the helmet opening, with each shoulder-engagement section being configured for placement on top of a respective shoulder of the user when the harness is worn,
said helmet-engagement surfaces being positioned over the shoulder-engagement sections when the harness is worn.
3. The motion restrictor system as claimed in claim 2 ,
said helmet-engagement surfaces being upwardly convex to maintain contact with the helmet as the helmet moves fore-and-aft.
4. The motion restrictor system as claimed in claim 1 ,
said harness presenting laterally spaced apart shoulder-engagement sections that extend in a fore-and-aft direction along opposite sides of the helmet opening, with each shoulder-engagement section being configured for placement on top of a respective shoulder of the user when the harness is worn,
said helmet-engaging component including a pair of swingable helmet-engaging levers pivotally mounted relative to the harness at a pivot,
each of said levers extending along the fore-and-aft direction from the pivot to present a corresponding one of the helmet-engagement surfaces.
5. The motion restrictor system as claimed in claim 4 ,
said helmet-engagement surfaces being upwardly convex to maintain contact with the helmet as the helmet moves fore-and-aft and the levers swing about the pivot.
6. The motion restrictor system as claimed in claim 4 ,
said harness presenting a central neck opening which receives the neck of the user when the harness is worn,
said neck opening extending in the fore-and-aft direction to present opposite fore and aft neck opening ends;
said pivot located closer to a first one of the neck opening ends than a second one of the neck opening ends,
said levers extending in the fore-and-aft direction from the pivot toward the second one of the neck opening ends, such that the helmet-engagement surfaces are positioned over the shoulder-engagement sections on opposite sides of the neck of the user when the harness is worn.
7. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 6 ,
said pivot being located adjacent the aft neck opening end, with the helmet-engaging levers extending forwardly to position the helmet-engagement surfaces over the shoulder-engagement sections.
8. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 7 ,
said levers extending forwardly beyond the shoulder-engagement sections.
9. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 7 ,
each of said helmet-engaging levers being detached from each other so that the helmet-engagement surfaces are shiftable independently of one another.
10. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 9 ,
said helmet-engaging component including a pair of pivots coupled to the harness, with the pair of pivots including the first-mentioned pivot.
11. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 10 ,
each of said levers presenting a main body portion extending forwardly from a respective one of the pivots to define the corresponding one of the helmet-engagement surfaces,
each of said levers including a stop-arm portion extending rearwardly from the respective one of the pivots,
each of said stop-arm portions being configured to contact the harness and thereby limit swinging of the lever.
12. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 11 ,
said main body portion swinging generally up and down to define a range of motion of the corresponding one of the helmet-engagement surfaces, with contact between the stop-arm portion and the harness serving to limit upward swinging of the main body portion.
13. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 12 ,
each of said levers swinging at least in part generally up and down to define the range of motion of the corresponding one of the helmet-engagement surfaces,
said helmet-engaging component including a biasing member coupled to the levers to yieldably bias the helmet-engagement surfaces upwardly.
14. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 13 ,
said biasing member including a pair of resilient bands, each of which is coupled between the harness and a corresponding one of the stop arm portions to resiliently stretch as the helmet-engagement surface shifts downwardly along the range of motion.
15. The motion restrictor system as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising:
a brake assembly operable to restrict shifting of at least one of the helmet-engagement surfaces in response to injurious movement of the helmet.
16. The motion restrictor system as claimed in claim 1 ,
said helmet opening extending in a fore-and-aft direction to present opposite fore and aft helmet opening ends,
said helmet lower margin presenting a primary contact region spaced between the helmet opening ends,
said helmet-engaging component including a pair of laterally spaced apart, fore-and-aft extending helmet-engaging levers positioned on opposite sides of the neck of the user when the device is worn,
each of said levers presenting a corresponding one of the helmet-engagement surfaces,
said helmet-engaging component being operable to yieldably bias each of the helmet-engaging levers toward the lower margin such that contact with the helmet within the primary contact region is maintained with at least one of the helmet-engaging levers as the helmet moves fore-and-aft.
17. The motion restrictor system as claimed in claim 1 ,
said harness including a back panel dimensioned and configured to be placed against the back of the user,
said harness further including a breastplate dimensioned and configured to be placed against the chest of the user,
said harness including a pair of flexible shoulder straps, each of which is attached relative to the back panel and the breastplate and extends therebetween for placement on top of a corresponding one of the shoulders of the user.
18. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 17 , further comprising:
a pair of flexible below-arm straps interconnecting the back panel and the breastplate and located below the shoulder straps to extend below the shoulders of the user.
19. A motion restrictor system wearable by a user, said system comprising:
a protective helmet presenting a helmet lower margin that defines a lower helmet opening, with the opening receiving a neck of the user when the helmet is worn, said helmet opening extending in a fore-and-aft direction to present opposite fore and aft helmet opening ends,
said helmet lower margin presenting a primary contact region spaced between the helmet opening ends; and
a motion restrictor device wearable with the helmet to reduce the risk of head or spine injury caused by injurious movement of the helmet,
said motion restrictor device including—
a harness wearable by the user of the helmet,
a helmet-engaging component supported on the harness,
said helmet-engaging component including a pair of laterally spaced apart, fore-and-aft extending helmet-engaging levers positioned on opposite sides of the neck of the user when the device is worn,
each of said helmet-engaging levers being swingable while in contact with the helmet lower margin as the helmet moves fore-and-aft,
said helmet-engaging component being operable to yieldably bias each of the helmet-engaging levers toward the lower margin when the device and helmet are worn, such that contact with the helmet within the primary contact region is maintained with at least one of the helmet-engaging levers as the helmet moves fore-and-aft.
20. The motion restrictor system as claimed in claim 19 ,
said harness presenting laterally spaced apart shoulder-engagement sections that extend in a fore-and-aft direction along opposite sides of the helmet opening, with each shoulder-engagement section being configured for placement on top of a respective shoulder of the user when the harness is worn,
said helmet-engaging levers pivotally mounted relative to the harness at a pivot and presenting corresponding laterally spaced apart, fore-and-aft extending helmet-engagement surfaces,
said levers extending along the fore-and-aft direction from the pivot to present the helmet-engagement surfaces and to maintain contact with the helmet as the helmet moves fore-and-aft.
21. The motion restrictor system as claimed in claim 20 ,
said helmet-engagement surfaces being upwardly convex to maintain contact with the helmet as the helmet moves fore-and-aft and the levers swing about the pivot.
22. The motion restrictor system as claimed in claim 20 ,
said harness presenting a central neck opening which receives the neck of the user when the harness is worn,
said neck opening extending in the fore-and-aft direction to present opposite fore and aft neck opening ends;
said pivot located closer to a first one of the neck opening ends than a second one of the neck opening ends,
said levers extending in the fore-and-aft direction from the pivot toward the second one of the neck opening ends, such that the helmet-engagement surfaces are positioned over the shoulder-engagement sections on opposite sides of the neck of the user when the harness is worn.
23. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 22 ,
said pivot being located adjacent the aft neck opening end, with the helmet-engaging levers extending forwardly to position the helmet-engagement surfaces over the shoulder-engagement sections.
24. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 23 ,
said levers extending forwardly beyond the shoulder-engagement sections.
25. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 23 ,
each of said helmet-engaging levers being detached from each other so that the helmet-engagement surfaces are shiftable independently of one another.
26. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 25 ,
said helmet-engaging component including a pair of pivots coupled to the harness, with the pair of pivots including the first-mentioned pivot.
27. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 26 ,
each of said levers presenting a main body portion extending forwardly from a respective one of the pivots to define the corresponding one of the helmet-engagement surfaces,
each of said levers including a stop-arm portion extending rearwardly from the respective one of the pivots,
each of said stop-arm portions being configured to contact the harness and thereby limit swinging of the lever.
28. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 27 ,
said main body portion swinging generally up and down to define a range of motion of the corresponding one of the helmet-engagement surfaces, with contact between the stop-arm portion and the harness serving to limit upward swinging of the main body portion.
29. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 28 ,
each of said levers swinging at least in part generally up and down to define the range of motion of the corresponding one of the helmet-engagement surfaces,
said helmet-engaging component including a biasing member coupled to the levers to yieldably bias the helmet-engagement surfaces upwardly.
30. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 29 ,
said biasing member including a pair of resilient bands, each of which is coupled between the harness and a corresponding one of the stop arm portions to resiliently stretch as the helmet-engagement surface shifts downwardly along the range of motion.
31. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 22 ,
said helmet being positioned relative to the harness so that the primary contact region at least partly overlaps the neck opening along the fore-and-aft direction.
32. The motion restrictor system as claimed in claim 19 , further comprising:
a brake assembly operable to restrict shifting of at least one of the helmet-engaging levers in response to injurious movement of the helmet.
33. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 32 ,
said brake assembly being activated to stop substantially all shifting of said at least one of the helmet-engaging levers; and
a controller operable to selectively activate the brake assembly.
34. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 33 ,
said controller including a sensor operable to generate a signal representative of an operational parameter, with the signal exceeding a threshold value when the operational parameter corresponds to injurious movement of the helmet,
said controller including a processor operably coupled with the sensor and configured to determine when the signal exceeds the threshold value.
35. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 34 ,
said brake assembly including a shiftable brake element that shifts into a braking position when the brake assembly is activated,
said brake element being coupled to said at least one of the helmet-engaging levers so that activation of the brake assembly shifts the brake element into the braking position and thereby stops substantially all shifting of said at least one of the helmet-engaging levers,
said controller including an actuator operably coupled to the processor and selectively powered to shift the brake element into the braking position when the processor determines the signal exceeds the threshold value,
said actuator including a electromagnet that is energized when the actuator is powered, with shifting of the brake element being magnetically induced.
36. The motion restrictor system as claimed in claim 19 ,
said harness including a back panel dimensioned and configured to be placed against the back of the user,
said harness further including a breastplate dimensioned and configured to be placed against the chest of the user,
said harness including a pair of flexible shoulder straps, each of which is attached relative to the back panel and the breastplate and extends therebetween for placement on top of a corresponding one of the shoulders of the user.
37. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 36 , further comprising:
a pair of flexible below-arm straps interconnecting the back panel and the breastplate and located below the shoulder straps to extend below the shoulders of the user.
38. The motion restrictor system as claimed in claim 19 ,
said helmet being positioned relative to the harness so that the primary contact region at least partly overlaps the harness along the fore-and-aft direction.
39. A motion restrictor device to be worn with a protective helmet so as to reduce the risk of head or spine injury caused by injurious movement of the helmet, said motion restrictor device comprising:
a harness wearable by a user of the helmet; and
a helmet-engaging component supported on the harness,
said helmet-engaging component presenting laterally spaced apart, fore-and-aft extending helmet-engagement surfaces positioned on opposite sides of the neck of the user when the device is worn,
said helmet-engaging component being operable to yieldably bias each of the helmet-engagement surfaces toward the helmet when the device is worn, such that contact with the helmet is maintained as the helmet-engagement surface shifts through the range of motion,
said harness including a back panel dimensioned and configured to be placed against the back of the user,
said harness further including a breastplate dimensioned and configured to be placed against the chest of the user,
said harness including a pair of flexible shoulder straps, each of which is attached relative to the back panel and the breastplate and extends therebetween for placement on top of a corresponding one of the shoulders of the user.
40. The motion restrictor device as claimed in claim 39 , further comprising:
a pair of flexible below-arm straps interconnecting the back panel and the breastplate and located below the shoulder straps to extend below the shoulders of the user.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US15/662,110 US20170318889A1 (en) | 2015-01-26 | 2017-07-27 | Device for reducing head and neck injury for helmet wearer |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201562107867P | 2015-01-26 | 2015-01-26 | |
US15/007,001 US10111485B2 (en) | 2015-01-26 | 2016-01-26 | Device for reducing head and neck injury for helmet wearer |
US201762451534P | 2017-01-27 | 2017-01-27 | |
US15/662,110 US20170318889A1 (en) | 2015-01-26 | 2017-07-27 | Device for reducing head and neck injury for helmet wearer |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US15/007,001 Continuation-In-Part US10111485B2 (en) | 2015-01-26 | 2016-01-26 | Device for reducing head and neck injury for helmet wearer |
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Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20170318889A1 true US20170318889A1 (en) | 2017-11-09 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US15/662,110 Abandoned US20170318889A1 (en) | 2015-01-26 | 2017-07-27 | Device for reducing head and neck injury for helmet wearer |
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US (1) | US20170318889A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
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US20170348133A1 (en) * | 2015-11-09 | 2017-12-07 | Smart Armour Inc. | Spinal support device |
US10441870B2 (en) | 2017-05-05 | 2019-10-15 | Aexos Inc. | Protective articles and methods thereof |
US20190358510A1 (en) * | 2018-05-24 | 2019-11-28 | J. Ken THOMPSON | Training apparatus, system and method for contact sports |
US11213089B2 (en) * | 2019-06-04 | 2022-01-04 | Msa Technology, Llc | Protective helmet with face protection shield and linkage mechanism |
US20220386715A1 (en) * | 2019-07-10 | 2022-12-08 | Chiron Global Technologies IP Holdco Pty Ltd. | Articulated cervical spine and neck protection system |
US11641902B2 (en) * | 2017-06-14 | 2023-05-09 | Mansour Zarreii | Concussion reducing/energy transferring helmet and shoulder system |
US20230172304A1 (en) * | 2017-01-25 | 2023-06-08 | Bell Sports, Inc. | Helmet with integrated shoulder pad |
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US20100229290A1 (en) * | 2007-03-20 | 2010-09-16 | Xceed Holdings (Pty) Limited | Adaptive head and neck restraint system for a vehicle occupant |
US10111485B2 (en) * | 2015-01-26 | 2018-10-30 | Scott W. Nagely | Device for reducing head and neck injury for helmet wearer |
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2017
- 2017-07-27 US US15/662,110 patent/US20170318889A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US20100229290A1 (en) * | 2007-03-20 | 2010-09-16 | Xceed Holdings (Pty) Limited | Adaptive head and neck restraint system for a vehicle occupant |
US10111485B2 (en) * | 2015-01-26 | 2018-10-30 | Scott W. Nagely | Device for reducing head and neck injury for helmet wearer |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20170348133A1 (en) * | 2015-11-09 | 2017-12-07 | Smart Armour Inc. | Spinal support device |
US20230172304A1 (en) * | 2017-01-25 | 2023-06-08 | Bell Sports, Inc. | Helmet with integrated shoulder pad |
US10441870B2 (en) | 2017-05-05 | 2019-10-15 | Aexos Inc. | Protective articles and methods thereof |
US11641902B2 (en) * | 2017-06-14 | 2023-05-09 | Mansour Zarreii | Concussion reducing/energy transferring helmet and shoulder system |
US20190358510A1 (en) * | 2018-05-24 | 2019-11-28 | J. Ken THOMPSON | Training apparatus, system and method for contact sports |
US10682558B2 (en) * | 2018-05-24 | 2020-06-16 | J. Ken THOMPSON | Training apparatus, system and method for contact sports |
US11213089B2 (en) * | 2019-06-04 | 2022-01-04 | Msa Technology, Llc | Protective helmet with face protection shield and linkage mechanism |
US20220386715A1 (en) * | 2019-07-10 | 2022-12-08 | Chiron Global Technologies IP Holdco Pty Ltd. | Articulated cervical spine and neck protection system |
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