Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A42—HEADWEAR
  • A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
  • A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
  • A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
  • A42B3/06—Impact-absorbing shells, e.g. of crash helmets
  • A42B3/062—Impact-absorbing shells, e.g. of crash helmets with reinforcing means
  • A42B3/063—Impact-absorbing shells, e.g. of crash helmets with reinforcing means using layered structures
  • A42B3/064—Impact-absorbing shells, e.g. of crash helmets with reinforcing means using layered structures with relative movement between layers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A42—HEADWEAR
  • A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
  • A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
  • A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
  • A42B3/10—Linings
  • A42B3/12—Cushioning devices
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
  • A63B71/08—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions
  • A63B71/081—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions fluid-filled, e.g. air-filled
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F41—WEAPONS
  • F41H—ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL
  • F41H5/00—Armour; Armour plates
  • F41H5/02—Plate construction
  • F41H5/04—Plate construction composed of more than one layer
  • F41H5/0471—Layered armour containing fibre- or fabric-reinforced layers
  • F41H5/0478—Fibre- or fabric-reinforced layers in combination with plastics layers

Definitions

• This invention relates to protective headgear, such as safety helmets for use by motor cyclists, pedal cyclists or climbers, as well as in other hazardous sports. It is also relevant in the industrial context, for example factories, on constructions sites, defence and military applications or underground and may also have application in other areas where a protective form of headgear is necessary or required, which is effective in reducing or preventing head injury, while being lightweight and unencumbering to the wearer.
• a particular feature of the present invention is its ability to mimic the characteristics of the human head, in order to provide the desired protection against injury.
• the present invention also relates to protective armour, for instance the body armour used by riot police and the armed forces.
• the invention takes note of and incorporates most of the protective features of the human head, which of itself provides large energy dissipation and protection against direct and tangential forces.
• the major features of the human head are:
• the human skull is composed of two layers of dense, compact bone "sandwiching" a layer of spongy cancellous bone (Fig. 1) .
• This provides a hard surface for energy dissipation and absorption whilst allowing a degree of compression or crushing of the cancellous bone with more energy absorption.
• the cancellous bone may also allow a degree of distortion before any fracture occurs.
• the fluid surrounding the brain acts as a further energy absorbing element, cushioning the brain in movements within the cranium. Lateral blows or impacts project the brain towards the cranium and the displacement of the incompressible cerebro-spinal fluids acts as a decelerating force.
• the present invention provides protective headgear comprising: a shell having an inwardly facing surface which in use faces the head of a user of the headgear and an outwardly facing surface which in use faces away from the head of the user, an outer membrane which overlies at least a portion of the outwardly facing surface of the shell and which is more flexible than the shell, wherein the protective headgear is constructed in such a way that a force applied to an outer surface of the headgear which acts to rotate the headgear and the head of the user can cause the outer membrane to move relative to the shell.
• the membrane is composed of an energy absorbing and co pressive material and preferably the material is elastic.
• the membrane is connected to the remainder of the protective headgear along a lower edge of the protective headgear and the membrane can extend to allow relative motion between the membrane and the shell.
• the membrane comprises a high density foam material.
• the shell comprises a carbon fibre composite material.
• the headgear can comprise an inner layer which can incorporate a deformable cellular material such as an inner lining member of low density foam.
• the inner lining member alternatively could comprise a further energy absorbing element in the nature of a flexible sac.
• the flexible sac can be filled with a liquid of predetermined viscosity which can flow around the sac when the headgear suffers impact in order to damp motion of a head in the headgear relative to the hard shell.
• the inner liner can comprise cellular material in combination with a fluid filled sac.
• the fluid filled sac can be subdivided into a plurality of compartments or cells to control fluid placement within the sac and preferably the compartments or cells are interconnected with flow regulating passages.
• an intermediate layer is interposed between the hard shell and the outer layer, the intermediate layer facilitating relative movement between the shell and outer layer.
• the intermediate layer may be incorporated integrally in the outer membrane.
• the intermediate layer may comprise a friction reducing material or lubricant agent which facilitates the movement between the outer layer and he helmet shell.
• the membrane preferably overlies the entire outwardly facing surfaces of the shell and is preferably impervious to moisture.
• the headgear can additionally comprise acoustic or visual protection means and the headgear can also include ventilation means to improve comfort.
• the present invention provides protective armour comprising: a first layer of material of a first flexibility having a first surface which in use is presented to receive impact blows, and a membrane which overlies at least a portion of the first surface of the first layer and which is more flexible than the first layer of material, wherein the protective armour is constructed in such a way that when a force is applied to an outwardly facing surface of the protective armour which has a component tangential to the outer surface, the force can cause the membrane to move relative to the first layer of material.
• the membrane is compressible and elastic and can absorb energy when compressed.
• the membrane is connected to the remainder of the protective armour by elastic connection means which can extend to allow relative motion between the membrane and the first layer.
• the membrane comprises high density foam.
• the protective armour comprises a layer intermediate between the first layer and the membrane, the intermediate layer facilitating relative movement between the membrane and the first layer.
• the intermediate layer comprises a lubricant material.
• the intermediate layer has a first surface which can abut the membrane and a second surface which can abut the first surface of the first layer of material, the first and second surfaces of the intermediate layer each having a low coefficient of friction.
• the first layer of material comprises a carbon fibre composite material.
• the protective armour can be used as body armour.
• the present invention provides protective headgear comprising first and second securing straps for securing the remainder of the head gear on a head of a user, where the first strap can pass under the chin of the user to act as a chin restraint and the second strap can pass around the lower part of the back of the head of the user to act as an occipital restraint.
• the present invention further provides a method of modifying existing protective headgear wherein a membrane is attached to the remainder of the headgear to overlie at least a portion of the original outer surface of the protective headgear so as to provide a new outer surface for the protective headgear, the membrane being attached to the remainder of the headgear in such a way that when a force is applied to the outer surface of the membrane which acts to rotate the protective headgear the force can cause the membrane to move relative to the remainder of the headgear.
• the present invention additionally provides a method of modifying existing protective armour wherein a membrane is attached to the remainder of the armour to overlie at least a portion of the original outer surface of the protective armour so as to provide a new outer surface for the protective armour, the membrane being attached to the remainder of the armour in such a way that when a force is applied to the outer surface of the membrane which acts tangential to the membrane, the force can cause the membrane to move relative to the remainder of the protective armour.
• Figure 1 illustrates the structure of the human skull
• Figures 2a and 2b illustrate chin straps for headgear according to the invention
• Figure 3 is a cross-section of a first preferred embodiment of headgear according to the invention
• Figure 4 is a cross-section of a second preferred embodiment of headgear according to the invention.
• Figure 5 is a cross-section of a third preferred embodiment of headgear according to the invention.
• Figure 6 is a cross-section of a fourth preferred embodiment of headgear according to the invention.
• Figure 7 is a cross-section of a fifth preferred embodiment of headgear according to the invention.
• Figure 8 is a cross-section of a sixth preferred embodiment of headgear according to the invention.
• Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of body armour according to the present invention.
• Figure 10 is a cross-section through the body armour of Figure 9.
• protective headgear in the form of a helmet which has a hard shell 10 and an outer energy absorbing compressible layer 11, resembling the scalp and reproducing its protective function.
• This layer 11 consists of a fibrous and/or elastic material, resembling carpet tiling or plastic foam. Thick leather would also have some of the envisaged qualities but cost and weight may be determining factors in which a case synthetic material with similar properties would be used. Since the outer soft covering layer 11 could be a porous material it must be rigorously waterproofed as absorbed water would reduce its energy absorbing qualities. This could be achieved by treatment of the material or by the superi position of a thin but durable layer or by both methods.
• the attachment of the outer energy absorbing compressible layer 11 to the hard shell 10 is critical. It will be bonded to the hard shell 10 of the helmet around the edge of the hard shell 11, in a way chosen in dependence on the physical characteristics of the materials chosen for the headgear. The layer 11 will be bonded only at the edge of the hard shell 10 in order to allow relative motion between the outer energy absorbing layer 11 and the hard shell 10 in order to mimic the protective movement of the scalp. The outer layer 11 can stretch to allow relative motion. A lubricant 12 between the energy absorbing layer and the shell may be beneficially used.
• the hard shell 10 itself is a sandwiched material with hard outer layers sandwiching a deformable inner layer. Otherwise a single layer material of plastic, fibreglass or other appropriate material will be used but with hardness and deformability characteristics matched to the new construction and yielding optimum protection on standard or newly developed testing.
• a flexible sac 13 filled with an appropriately viscous liquid will be bonded to the inner surface of the hard shell 10. Since fluid in a unicellular sac would gravitate to the brim, co partmentalisation will be necessary and to allow displacement under impact.
• Flow control mechanisms between compartments will be included to control flow between the compartments. The flow control mechanism will not allow flow of fluid between compartments in normal use, but will allow flow of fluid between compartments when the helmet is subject to an impact (the interconnection of the compartments allows development of a uniform pressure in all of the compartments, thereby spreading an impact over a large area) .
• the fluid in the layer 13 may be a viscous or aqueous fluid and will act to damp motion of the helmet relative to the head of a user when the helmet is subject to an impact.
• the flow control could comprise lines of weakness in walls dividing the compartments, the walls remaining intact to seal off the compartments in normal use, but the lines of weakness breaking to form apertures in the walls (and thus to allow flow of fluid) in impact conditions.
• An alternative embodiment will be a "bubble pack" type lining, with liquid, liquid and gas combined or solely gas filling.
• a thin polystyrene liner bonded to the inner surface of the sac could alternatively be used to maintain the shape of and thus the fluid distribution within the sac in which case compartmentalisation will not be necessary used.
• FIG. 6 shows how an outer membrane 30 of closed cell plasticised Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) can be attached to a carbon fibre composite shell 31 in order to permit relative motion between the membrane 30 and the shell 31.
• PVC polyvinyl Chloride
• inner layers within the shell 31 e.g. a head liner are not shown.
• the outer membrane 30 is attached to an inner surface of the shell 31 around the edge of the shell 31 via an intermediary band 60 of a compliant material.
• An epoxy adhesive is used to bond the intermediary band 60 to the inner surface of the shell 31 around the lower edge.
• the intermediary band 60 is adhered to the inner surface and then extends down around the lower edge and then upwardly around the exterior of the lower part of the shell 31.
• the outer membrane 30 is adhered by an adhesive to the part of the intermediary band that overlies the outwardly facing lower edge of the shell 31.
• the intermediary band 60 will be made of a material of greater compliance than the outer membrane 30.
• the membrane 30 is attached to the shell 31 only via the intermediary band 60 and thus the remainder of the membrane 30 is free to move relative to the underlying shell. Both the membrane 30 and the intermediary band 60 can stretch on application of a force to allow relative motion between the membrane 30 and the shell 31.
• a layer 32 of a lubricant gel is enclosed between the membrane 30 and the shell 31 and this facilitates relative movement between the membrane 30 and the shell.
• FIG. 7 A further embodiment of helmet is illustrated in Figure 7.
• an outer membrane 40 of polyethylene is attached to the interior of a glass fibre shell 41 via an intermediary band 61 adhered to the bottom edge of the interior of the glass fibre shell 41.
• the membrane 40 is attached to the shell 41 only via the band 61 thus the membrane 40 is otherwise free to stretch and move relative to the shell 41.
• the band 61 is composed of a material which is more compliant that the outer membrane 40 and also stretches to allow relative motion. The relative movement is assisted by the interposition of a PTFE layer 42 between the membrane 40 and the shell 41; - li ⁇ the surfaces of the PTFE layer having a low coefficient of friction.
• FIG 8. An additional embodiment of helmet is illustrated in Figure 8.
• a membrane 50 of ethylene vinyl acetate co-polymers is attached to the interior of a glass reinforced plastic (GRP) shell 51, the membrane 50 being adhered directly to the interior bottom edge of the shell 51.
• the inwardly facing surface of the membrane 50 is treated to reduce the coefficient of friction of the surface and the outwardly facing surface of the GRP shell is also treated to reduce the coefficient of friction of the surface. Since the membrane 50 is only attached to the shell 51 at the lower edge, the membrane 50 is free to stretch and move relative to the shell 51, assisted by the low coefficient of friction of the abutting surfaces of the membrane 50 and the shell 51.
• the inwardly facing surface of the membrane 50 and the outwardly facing surface of the shell 51 in this embodiment can incorporate a lubricant to dispense with the need for an intermediary layer such as a lubricant gel.
• outer membrane examples include cross-linked high density polyurethane foam and silicon foamed rubber.
• the combination of materials for the headgear will be chosen bearing in mind that the sound insulation qualities of the combination may represent a hazard in motorcycle or cycle applications. It is always possible to provide perforations in the ear area of the headgear.
• FIG. 3 has a fitting band 14.
• Inlet and outlet ports will be provided with variable control of the air inlet and consideration will given to the provision of ventilation ports on the vertex in applications where there is no generated air flow.
• the helmet In many accidents, particularly in industrial mishaps involving a fall, the helmet is flung off.
• the retention system is therefore, a critical element of head protection.
• On each side of the helmet there would be preferably a two point attachment, one in front of the other behind the central transverse vertical plane.
• FIGS 2a and 2b Modifications of the headgear of Figure 3 are shown in Figures 2a and 2b.
• One modification omits the flexible sac 13 and comprises two layers of plastic foam, in combination with a polystyrene liner, either both outside the polystyrene liner (see Figure 5 where two layers of plastic foam 19 and 20 are both outside a polystyrene liner 21) or one outside and the other inside the polystyrene liner (see Figure 4 where one layer of plastic foam 22 is inside a polystyrene liner 23 and one layer of plastic foam 24 is outside the polystyrene liner 23).
• These foam layers can be either low density or combinations of low and higher density foams.
• protective armour such as body armour.
• body armour a protective armour in the form of a breast plate 100 which can be worn in front of a user secured by straps 101.
• the breast plate 100 comprises a first layer 102 made of fibre glass (or carbon fibre, a metal or a plastic) which has a first surface 102A in use is presented to receive impact blows.
• the armour has also a compliant elastic membrane 103, for instance of closed cell plasticised Polyvinyl Chloride (or of polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate co-polymers, cross linked high density polyurethane foam or silicon foamed rubber. This membrane in use overlies the first surface 102A of the first layer 102.
• the membrane 103 is more flexible than the first layer 102 and is compressible and elastic and can absorb energy when compressed.
• the membrane 103 is connected to the first layer 102 by an intermediary band 104 of an elastic material.
• the intermediary band 104 is adhered around the edge of a face 102B of the first member 102 (the face 102B facing in the opposite direction to the face 102A) .
• the intermediary band 104 extends around the edge of the first member of the 102 and overlies an edge portion of the surface 102A.
• the intermediary band 104 is only adhered to the first member 102 on the surface 102B thereof.
• the membrane 103 is adhered around its periphery to the intermediary band 104.
• An intermediary layer 105 of lubricant gel is included between the membrane 103 and the first layer 102 and facilitates relative motion between them.
• This layer is not essential and could be replaced by a solid layer of a material of a low co-efficient of friction (e.g. a layer of PTFE) .
• a lubricant could be incorporated into the inner surface of the membrane 103.
• the protective armour is constructed in such a way that when a force is applied to the outwardly facing surface of the membrane 103 which has a component tangential to the outer surface, the force can cause the membrane 103 to move relative to the first layer 102.
• the present invention also provides a method of modifying protective armour comprising providing "soft" outer skin to cover an existing plate.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Ceramic Engineering (AREA)
• General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Helmets And Other Head Coverings (AREA)

Priority Applications (4)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=10764489

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Cited By (32)

Families Citing this family (6)

Citations (17)

• 1994
  • 1994-11-16 GB GB9423113A patent/GB9423113D0/en active Pending
• 1995
  • 1995-11-16 DE DE69518853T patent/DE69518853T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1995-11-16 AU AU38756/95A patent/AU3875695A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1995-11-16 EP EP95937933A patent/EP0790787B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1995-11-16 DK DK95937933T patent/DK0790787T3/da active
  • 1995-11-16 WO PCT/GB1995/002693 patent/WO1996014768A1/en active IP Right Grant

Patent Citations (17)

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