US20180303187A1

US20180303187A1 - Comfort Padding and a Helmet Comprising The Comfort Padding

Info

Publication number: US20180303187A1
Application number: US16/024,011
Authority: US
Inventors: Frederik Hallander
Original assignee: POC SWEDEN AB
Current assignee: POC SWEDEN AB
Priority date: 2016-03-02
Filing date: 2018-06-29
Publication date: 2018-10-25
Also published as: CN108882770B; WO2017151028A1; EP3422886A1; EP3422886A4; CN108882770A; EP3422886B1

Abstract

A comfort padding, configured to be attached at an innermost surface of a helmet, which is facing a wearer's head, for providing a shearing movement in the comfort padding in response to an oblique force applied to the helmet in use, the comfort padding comprising a fabric or nonwoven inner and outer layer, which are stretchable, and at least two layers of membrane material between the inner and outer layer, and between the two layers of membrane material there is a lubricant material such as gel or liquid. The membrane layer has a low friction surface allowing for a sliding movement between at least the outer layer and the membrane material. A helmet comprising the comfort padding.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/SE2016/051033, filed on Oct. 24, 2016, and titled “A Comfort Padding and A Helmet Comprising The Comfort Padding,” which claims priority to Swedish Patent Application No. 1650277-5, filed on Mar. 2, 2016, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of a comfort padding and a helmet comprising the comfort padding.

BACKGROUND

The understanding of how oblique impacts affects the brain of a person is increasingly growing and so also the different ways of taking care of oblique impacts towards helmets. Different solutions have been provided, such as having a sliding layer arranged between a shell and an energy absorbing layer, or between two energy absorbing layers. According to European Patent No. 2440082 an attachment device for attachment to a wearer's head is provided, which is fixed to the inside of the energy absorbing layer, and where a sliding occurs between the attachment device and the inside of the energy absorbing layer. In WO2013/10473 a bladder comprising a low friction liquid or gel is shown which is provided to manage the angular forces separately from the compressive forces. The compressive forces are to be managed by the liner.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The aim of the present invention is to provide a functionally effective yet cost effective way of providing increased head safety for a person carrying out any type of sport or the like needing a helmet.
The solution according to the present invention is to provide a shearing and sliding movement closer to the person's head by having the shearing and sliding movement to occur within comfort padding instead of in the helmet. Usually a helmet comprises an outer shell (although optional), an energy absorbing layer (often called a liner) and on the innermost side of the energy absorbing layer, facing the wearer, at least one comfort padding. The comfort padding may be one piece reaching to different positions inside the helmet or several patches at desired positions to add comfort for the wearer between the head and the energy absorbing layer, which usually is made of EPS or sometimes EPP, although other materials are conceivable, too. A comfort padding has an overall flat configuration in one plane. When attached in a helmet it follows the innermost surface of the helmet, which will make up a plane of shearing movement.
Shearing movement comprises all movements roughly in the plane of the comfort padding and comprises specifically also sliding movement, all occurring within the comfort padding. The shearing plane may, depending on the position in the helmet and size of the comfort padding, be almost flat to curved.
A comfort padding has usually a fabric material both at a side to be attached against the inside surface of the helmet and at a side to abut against a wearer's head. Between the fabric sides a polymer foam is provided. Comfort paddings are usually attached in a fixed yet detachable way, which may be accomplished by means of using hook and loop material, such as Velcro®.
According to a first aspect of the present invention is a comfort padding configured to be attached at an innermost surface of a helmet, which is facing a wearer's head, for providing a shearing and sliding movement in the comfort padding in response to an oblique force applied to the helmet in use. The comfort padding comprises a fabric or nonwoven inner and outer layer, which are stretchable, and at least two layers of membrane material between the inner and outer layer. Between the two membrane layers there is a lubricant material such as gel or liquid. The membrane layer has a low friction surface allowing for a sliding movement between at least the outer layer and the membrane material.
According to an embodiment a sliding movement is possible between the inner layer and the membrane layer having a low friction surface.
According to an embodiment the comfort padding comprises layers, seen from the inner side facing a wearer's head in use, the stretchable fabric or nonwoven material, open cell polymer foam, a membrane layer, lubricant material, another membrane layer, and the stretchable fabric or nonwoven material, provided facing the innermost surface of the helmet.
Preferably the fabric is breathable and the polymer foam is an open cell polymer foam in order not to let the wearer become too sweaty at the comfort padding.
According to an embodiment at least the membrane layers are interconnected along the rims so as to provide a closed and fluid tight space, in between the membrane layers, comprising at least a fluid. The inner and outer layers may be interconnected along the rims. Preferably all the layers are interconnected along the rims.
According to an embodiment an extra layer of fabric or nonwoven material is positioned between the open cellular foam and the membrane layer. The extra layer of fabric or nonwoven material between the open cellular foam and the membrane layer has preferably a low friction surface.
According to an embodiment a surface configured to attach to the innermost side of a helmet is loopy or roughened in order to attach to for example hook material, such as Velcro.
According to a second aspect of the present invention a helmet is provided, comprising an energy absorbing layer, comprising at least one part, having an outer side facing away from a wearer's head and an innermost side facing the wearer's head, at least one piece of comfort padding according to the inventive idea, provided at the innermost side of the energy absorbing layer.
Thus an inventive comfort padding have been provided which has superior possibilities to handle oblique impacts due to the cooperating shearing of the gel or liquid and the sliding between at least the outer layer and membrane layer, i.e. both shearing and sliding, within the comfort padding. Since both the sliding and the shearing occurs inside the comfort padding the rotational force of the oblique impact will be handled as close to the head as possible thus limiting the torque of the head. Additionally, the comfort padding will take up radial forces, too, especially when using a gel and preferably an open cell foam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of a comfort padding in cross sectional view.

FIG. 2 shows a further embodiment of a comfort padding in cross sectional view.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a comfort padding in cross sectional view.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a comfort padding in cross sectional view having interconnected rims.

FIG. 5 shows a cross section of an embodiment of a padding having interconnected rims.

FIG. 6 shows a cross section of a further embodiment of a padding having interconnected rims.

FIG. 7 shows a cross section of an embodiment of a padding during an oblique impact.

FIG. 8 shows a comfort padding in a helmet, seen in a cross sectional view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIG. 1 a comfort padding 1 is shown per se. It comprises a first layer, an outer layer 2, which is to be positioned closest to a helmet, at the innermost surface of a helmet, such as an energy absorbing layer. The outer layer 2 is a layer of fabric or nonwoven material and it is preferably stretchable.
FIG. 1 also shows a second, an inner, layer 3, which is to be positioned closest to a wearer's head 16. Also this layer 3 is a layer of fabric or nonwoven material and preferably stretchable. The material is preferably a material which feels nice and comfortable against the skin of the wearer. It could also have wicking properties in order to lead sweat from the wearer into the material and thereafter vaporisation of the sweat. The two layers 2, 3 may be of the same material but not necessarily.
In between the two layers 2, 3 two layers of membrane material 5, 5′ are provided. There between a lubricant material 8 is present, such as gel or liquid, which may provide a shearing movement in reaction to an oblique force. It is preferred to use a gel. These membranes 5, 5′ are preferably impervious to fluids. The edges 7 of at least the membranes 5, 5′ may be fluid tight interconnected, for example by means of welding, see FIG. 4. Preferably the inner and outer layers 2, 3 are also interconnected along its edges 6, although it is not necessary, as can be seen in FIG. 5-6. All the layers and membranes may be connected in the same rim if desired (not shown).
At least one of the membrane layers 5, 5′ has a low friction surface and thus will allow for a sliding movement, between at least the outer layer 2 and the membrane layer 5, in response to an oblique impact. Preferably also the inner membrane layer 5′ has a low friction surface allowing a sliding movement between the inner layer 3 and the membrane layer 5′. Thus the sliding movement will occur within the comfort padding 1.
In FIG. 2 a further embodiment of the comfort padding 1 is shown in cross sectional view. In the present figure an open cell polymer layer 12 is positioned between the inner layer 3 and one of the membrane layers 5′. Preferably the membrane layer 5′ has a low friction surface and thus will allow for a shearing movement, i.e. sliding movement, between the membrane layer 5′ and the open cell polymer layer 12 in response to an oblique impact. Thus additional sliding movement will occur within the comfort padding 1.
The open cell polymer foam will provide comfort to the wearer and also facilitate sweat vaporisation.
In FIG. 3 an additional fabric or nonwoven material layer 13 is shown. It is provided between the membrane layer 5′ and the layer of open cell polymer foam 12. Also in this embodiment it is preferred that the membrane layer 5′ has a low friction surface and thus will allow for a shearing movement, i.e. sliding movement, between the membrane layer 5′ and the additional fabric or nonwoven material layer 13 in response to an oblique impact.
In FIG. 4 a further embodiment of the comfort padding 1 is shown in cross sectional view. In the present figure the two membrane layers 5, 5′ are interconnected along their rims 7. Thus a closed volume 8 comprising at least a lubricating fluid or gel is provided. Preferably the inner and outer layers 2, 3 are interconnected, too, along its edges 6, either at the same rim 7 (not shown) or at a second, outer rim 15, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.
In FIGS. 5 and 6 two different embodiments of conceivable comfort paddings are shown. In FIG. 7 it is shown when a helmet 9 is exposed to an oblique impact and how the comfort padding 1 may move in addition to the inner shearing and sliding movements. The comfort padding 1 may roll somewhat, up to the fastening/connection 15 to an innermost side 14 of an energy absorbing layer 10 of a helmet 9. It is not a sliding movement between the comfort padding 1 and the inside 14 of the energy absorbing layer 10 since the comfort padding 1 is fastened/connected to the inside 14, for example by means of Velcro. For example, the connection 15 does not cover the full area of the comfort padding but instead only a portion in order to render partial rolling of the comfort padding possible. In case the oblique impact is stronger, the comfort padding 1 may start to be torn off from the inside 14 of the energy absorbing layer 10, see also FIG. 8. This rolling movement is possible due to the stretchable inner and outer layer 2, 3.
As the person skilled in the art understands it is possible to mix, pick and choose from the suggested materials in any way as long it is not contradicting the inventive idea of a shearing movement within the comfort padding in response to an oblique impact.
The membrane layer material having a low friction surface may be any material having a coating of a low friction material or made of a material having low friction itself.
The open cell foam may be a foam of Polyethylene (PE) or similar, having a density between 10-50 kg/m3. The low density open cell polymer foam may be a foam of Polyethylene (PE) or similar having a density between 5-40 kg/m3.
The shearing movement is preferably at least 5 mm, preferably at least 5-10 mm and most preferred at least 10 mm or more.
In all shown embodiments it is preferred that the inner 2 and outer layer 3 is made of a flexible and stretchable fabric or nonwoven material. It is preferably knitted and may comprise yarn of elastan, lycra, spandex, polyester or nylon.
In FIG. 8 at least one comfort padding 1 of any embodiment of the present invention is provided at the innermost surface 14 of a helmet 9. The helmet 9 comprises an energy absorbing layer 10 and preferably an outer shell 11.
The presently described embodiments are only examples and shall not be seen as limiting the scope of the invention, which is presented in the claims.
The foregoing has been a detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the invention. It is noted that in the present specification and claims appended hereto, conjunctive language such as is used in the phrases “at least one of X, Y and Z” and “one or more of X, Y, and Z,” unless specifically stated or indicated otherwise, shall be taken to mean that each item in the conjunctive list can be present in any number exclusive of every other item in the list or in any number in combination with any or all other item(s) in the conjunctive list, each of which may also be present in any number. Applying this general rule, the conjunctive phrases in the foregoing examples in which the conjunctive list consists of X, Y, and Z shall each encompass: one or more of X; one or more of Y; one or more of Z; one or more of X and one or more of Y; one or more of Y and one or more of Z; one or more of X and one or more of Z; and one or more of X, one or more of Y and one or more of Z.
Various modifications and additions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Features of each of the various embodiments described above may be combined with features of other described embodiments as appropriate in order to provide a multiplicity of feature combinations in associated new embodiments. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Additionally, although particular methods herein may be illustrated and/or described as being performed in a specific order, the ordering is highly variable within ordinary skill to achieve aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, this description is meant to be taken only by way of example, and not to otherwise limit the scope of this invention.
Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions and additions may be made to that which is specifically disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A comfort padding configured to be attached at a surface of a helmet, the surface of the helmet configured to face a wearer's head, the comfort padding comprising:

an inner layer configured to come into contact with the wearer's head when the helmet is in use and an outer layer configured to be attached to the surface of the helmet, at least one of the inner and outer layers including a stretchable material;

a lubricant located between the inner and outer layers; and

a first low friction surface located between the lubricant and the outer layer, the first low friction surface configured to provide a relative sliding movement between the outer layer and the lubricant in response to an oblique force applied to the helmet.

2. The comfort padding according to claim 1, further comprising a second low friction surface located between the lubricant and the inner layer, the second low friction surface configured to provide a relative sliding movement between the inner layer and the lubricant.

3. The comfort padding according to claim 1, further comprising an open cell polymer foam located between the inner layer and the lubricant.

4. The comfort padding according to claim 3, further comprising an intermediate layer positioned between the open cell polymer foam and the lubricant.

5. The comfort padding according to claim 4, wherein the intermediate layer has a low friction surface.

6. The comfort padding according to claim 1, further comprising two membrane layers, one of the two membrane layers providing the first low friction surface, wherein the lubricant is disposed between the two membrane layers, each of the membrane layers having rims, wherein the membrane layers are interconnected along the rims so as to provide a closed and fluid tight space to contain the lubricant, wherein the lubricant comprises a liquid.

7. The comfort padding according to claim 6, wherein the inner and outer layers have rims, wherein the rims of each of the inner and outer layers and the membrane layers are connected together .

8. The comfort padding according to claim 6, wherein the inner and outer layers each have edges and are interconnected along their corresponding edges.

9. The comfort padding according to claim 1, further comprising a loopy or roughened surface configured to attach to a hook material located on the surface of the helmet.

10. The comfort padding according to claim 1, wherein the inner layer includes a wicking material.

11. A comfort padding for use in a helmet, comprising:

inner and outer layers; and

a lubricant disposed between the inner and outer layers, the lubricant designed and configured to shear in response to an oblique force applied to the helmet;

wherein the comfort padding includes at least one low-friction interface between the lubricant and the inner and outer layers, the at least one low-friction interface designed and configured to facilitate relative sliding movement between the lubricant and the inner or outer layer in response to an oblique force applied to the helmet.

12. The comfort padding of claim 11, further comprising first and second low-friction membrane layers disposed between the inner and outer layers, the lubricant disposed between the first and second low-friction membrane layers.

13. The comfort padding of claim 11, further comprising first and second membrane layers disposed between the inner and outer layers, wherein the first and second membrane layers define a fluid-tight volume that contains the lubricant.

14. The comfort padding of claim 11, wherein at least one of the inner and outer layers include a stretchable material designed and configured to stretch in response to an oblique force applied to the helmet.

15. The comfort padding of claim 11, further comprising a foam layer located between the lubricant and one of the inner and outer layers.

16. The comfort padding of claim 15, further comprising a fabric or nonwoven material layer located between the foam layer and the lubricant.

17. The comfort padding of claim 11, wherein the outer layer is configured to be attached to the helmet and includes an attachment portion configured to be directly attached to the helmet and a rolling portion configured to not be directly attached to the helmet, the rolling portion configured to separate from the helmet and roll relative to the attachment portion in response to an oblique force applied to the helmet.

18. The comfort padding of claim 11, wherein the at least one low-friction interface includes a first low-friction interface between the inner layer and the lubricant and a second low-friction interface between the outer layer and the lubricant.

19. The comfort padding of claim 11, wherein the lubricant includes at least one of a gel or a liquid.

20. A method of manufacturing a comfort padding for use in a helmet, the method comprising:

receiving inner and outer layers;

receiving a lubricant; and

disposing the lubricant between the inner and outer layers so that the lubricant is designed and configured to shear in response to an oblique force applied to the helmet, wherein the disposing includes providing at least one low-friction interface designed and configured to provide relative sliding movement between the lubricant and at least one of the inner and outer layers in response to an oblique force applied to the helmet.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising disposing a foam layer between the lubricant and one of the inner and outer layers.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising disposing an intermediate layer of material between the foam layer and the lubricant, wherein the at least one low-friction interface includes a low friction interface between the lubricant and the intermediate layer of material for providing relative sliding movement between the foam layer and the lubricant.

23. A method of using a helmet that includes at least one comfort padding secured to an inner surface of the helmet, the at least one comfort padding including:

inner and outer layers; and

a lubricant disposed between the inner and outer layers;

the method comprising:

positioning the helmet on a wearer's head so that the inner layer directly contacts the wearer's head; and

in response to an oblique force applied to the helmet, shearing the lubricant and rolling a portion of the comfort padding to thereby absorb a portion of the oblique force with the comfort padding.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising, in response to the oblique force applied to the helmet, sliding one of the inner and outer layers relative to the lubricant along a low-friction interface.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising, in response to the oblique force applied to the helmet, stretching at least one of the inner and outer layers.