FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to bodily protection equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to a combination helmet and body protection device suited for contact sports.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known that many sports and occupations present a high degree of risk to the participants. One of the key areas of risk is in trauma to the cervical spine, which often result in injury to the participant's spinal cord, the bony structure of the spine, disks and connective tissue, and result in some level of disability and/or death. A large number of these injuries result from axial loading, i.e., a high load being placed on the top of the participant's head, as during tackling or blocking in American football. For example, since at least the mid-1970's football players at all levels have been taught to keep their heads-up during tackling and blocking, and not to use their head as a “battering ram.” Use of the shoulders during these activities reduces the chances that the player will suffer a catastrophic spinal cord injury during blocking or tackling. However, such injuries do still occur at alarming numbers due to a number of possible reasons. For example, it is often reflexive for a player to lower his head during a tackle. In addition, “freak accidents” have occurred at all levels of sport. Improper coaching techniques and equipment which is not designed to offer protection to the participant from such injuries can contribute to these problems, particularly at the lower age levels. In addition, catastrophic cervical spine injuries can occur from contact with the ground during a fall or from other contact that, due to the nature of the sport or activity, cannot be predicted or controlled.
Using American football as an example, currently available equipment is very similar in overall design. The equipment available to the professional is better in many respects to that available to other levels but these differences are often in the materials with which the products are made, and not in the actual design of such devices. The currently available protective equipment for the upper body generally includes a helmet and shoulder protection, and, for some, neck braces and rib protectors. When an individual is equipped with the standard helmet and shoulder pads currently available, the force of a blow to the top of the head is transmitted solely through the participant's neck, thus resulting in a high axial or lateral load on the cervical spine and exposing the wearer's neck or spine to potentially crippling forces.
A further problem which is also likely to result in serious damage to the participant's neck is whiplash resulting from a quick and violent wrenching of the head in one direction due to, among other things, the player's face mask being grabbed and pulled from the side or the head being forced violently to the front or back. There have been other attempts made to create football equipment which eliminates or reduces the above-described problems. However, none of these prior attempts have been ultimately successful. One of the main reasons that prior attempts to reduce spine injuries have failed is due to the nature of the sport itself. Football, for example, is a fast and violent sport which requires great athletic ability and flexibility. Many prior art devices are either cumbersome and would not be practical in regular usage or would excessively and unacceptably limit the flexibility and/or visibility of the players, thus making many of these devices difficult for the players to use.
The present invention aims to solve these problems and limitations. The present invention provides head, neck, spine and upper body protection, while still maintaining a high level of flexibility and perception for the wearer. The present invention features a flip-open helmet configuration, comprising a fixed rear helmet portion and shoulder pad collar, and a movable and lockable main helmet portion. Additionally, the present invention features a readily releasable locking mechanism positioned adjacent to the main helmet portion and the shoulder pad collar, allowing the wearer to release the main helmet portion from the shoulder pad collar and flip up the main helmet over the rear helmet portion.
Furthermore, the present invention features removably attached connections along the rear helmet portion, the main helmet portion, and the shoulder pad collar, allowing the present invention to be disassembled in the event of an emergency or for servicing. The present invention is useful in sports including, but not limited to American football, lacrosse, and other sports or activities where contact with other participants and/or objects may occur. Additionally, the present invention is suitable for activities that involve the user to receive force impacts such as, but not limited to racing, motorcycle use, riot control, firefighting, or any other relevant activity.
Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Additional advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the detailed description of the invention section. Further benefits and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which specify and show preferred embodiments of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a combination helmet and body protection device, comprising a shoulder pad collar, a rear helmet portion, a main helmet portion, and a locking mechanism. The shoulder pad collar serves as the upper body protection member that provides protection to the players shoulders, neck, chest areas. The shoulder pad collar comprises a front collar end and a rear collar end. The front collar end serves as the mounting platform for the locking mechanism. The rear collar end serves as the mounting platform for the rear helmet portion. The rear helmet portion is positioned adjacent to the rear collar end. The rear helmet portion serves as the rigid back-piece secured to the rear collar end. In one embodiment, the rear helmet portion is fixed to the rear collar end. In another embodiment, the rear helmet portion is removably attached to the rear collar end with any suitable type of fastener attachment.
The main helmet portion comprises a front main helmet end and a rear main helmet end. The main helmet serves as the movable helmet portion that swings over the rear helmet portion. The front main helmet end and the rear main helmet end is positioned longitudinally opposite to each other. The front main helmet end serves as the mounting platform for the locking mechanism. The rear helmet portion is rotatably engaged with the main helmet portion between a closed position and an opened position. The front main helmet end is releasably attached to the front collar end through the locking mechanism, where the main helmet is closed and locked along the shoulder pad collar in the closed configuration. When the locking mechanism is released, the main helmet portion assumes the open configuration, by having the player flip-up and rotate the main helmet portion over the rear helmet end.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the present invention in its closed configuration.
FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the present invention in its opened configuration.
DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention is to be described in detail and is provided in a manner that establishes a thorough understanding of the present invention. There may be aspects of the present invention that may be practiced or utilized without the implementation of some features as they are described. It should be understood that some details have not been described in detail in order to not unnecessarily obscure focus of the invention. References herein to “the preferred embodiment”, “one embodiment”, “some embodiments”, or “alternative embodiments” should be considered to be illustrating aspects of the present invention that may potentially vary in some instances, and should not be considered to be limiting to the scope of the present invention as a whole.
In reference to FIGS. 1-2, the present invention is a combination helmet and body protection device 1. The combination helmet and body protection device 1 will protect the head, neck, spine and upper body of a player, while still maintaining a high level of flexibility. More specifically, the combination helmet and body protection device 1 will protect the player from cervical spine injuries due to axial loading from blows on top of the head by transferring the force of the blow to the player's shoulders and upper body, while maintaining a full range of both direct and peripheral visibility.
In reference to FIGS. 1-2, the combination helmet and body protection device 1 comprises a shoulder pad collar 11, a rear helmet portion 12, a main helmet portion 13, and a locking mechanism 14. The shoulder pad collar 11 comprises a front collar end 111 and a rear collar end 112. The shoulder pad collar 11 serves as the foundation of the combination helmet and body protection device 1. More specifically, the shoulder pad collar 11 serves as the mounting platform for the rear helmet portion 12 and the main helmet portion 13. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shoulder pad collar 11 may take the form of a protective shoulder pad and neck brace combination that absorbs the force inflicted from a blow to the player's shoulders, neck, or chest. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shoulder pad collar 11 may take the form of football shoulder pads but can take form of any type of protective upper body wear for different applications such as but not limited to law enforcement, military, various contact sports, or any other suitable application. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the shoulder pad collar 11 is made out of a durable shock resistant material, capable of absorbing and sustaining damage from sharp impacts. This material may include, but is not limited to, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polystyrene, polypropylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, or any other suitable material.
In reference to FIG. 1, the front collar end 111 and the rear collar end 112 are positioned longitudinally opposite to each other. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the front collar end 111 of the shoulder pad collar 11 is oriented near the throat portion of the players neck. The front collar end 111 serves as the mounting platform in securing the main helmet portion 13 to the shoulder pad collar 11. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rear collar end 112 of the shoulder pad collar 11 is oriented to the back side of the player. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rear collar end 112 is strategically positioned along the players nape portion of their neck. The rear collar end 112 serves as the mounting platform in securing the rear helmet portion 12 to the shoulder pad collar 11.
In reference to FIGS. 1-2, the rear helmet portion 12 is positioned adjacent to the rear collar end 112. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rear helmet portion 12 may take the form of a rigid helmet back-piece that is fixed on to the rear collar end 112. The rear helmet portion 12 serves as a mounting platform for the main helmet portion 13. Additionally, the rear helmet portion 12 protects the back portion of the players head. In one embodiment, the rear helmet portion 12 is removably attached to the rear collar end 112 through any removably attached fastening means. In this embodiment, the removably attached rear helmet portion 12 is re-attachable, allowing a technician or paramedic to detach the rear helmet portion 12 from the rear collar end 112 for servicing or emergency purposes. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rear helmet portion 12 serves as a suitable area for placing indicium including, but not limited to team number, team affiliation, player name, or any other suitable indicium that complements the helmet design and distinction. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rear helmet portion 12 is made out of any suitable shock absorbent, durable material such as, but not limited to polycarbonate, fiberglass, or any other suitable material.
In reference to FIG. 1, the main helmet portion 13 comprises a front main helmet end 131, a rear main helmet end 132, and a helmet face cage 135. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main helmet portion 13 may take the form of a helmet front-piece that moves along the rear helmet portion 12. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main helmet portion 13 is rotatably engaged with the rear helmet portion 12 between a closed position and an opened position. The main helmet portion 13 serves as the front-piece of the helmet that protects the players face, ear, and cranial portions of their head. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main helmet portion 13 is made out of a transparent material, allowing the player to see through the main helmet portion 13, maximizing the player's perception.
In reference to FIG. 1, the front main helmet end 131 is positioned near the face of the player. The rear main helmet end 132 is positioned near the ear portions of the player. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the front main helmet end 131 and the rear main helmet end 132 are positioned longitudinally opposite to each other. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the front main helmet end 131 serves as the mounting platform for the helmet face cage 135. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the front main helmet end 131 is releasably attached to the front collar end 111 through the locking mechanism 14. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism 14 may take the form of any suitable locking mechanism 14 that allows the player to releasably attach the front main helmet end 131 to the front collar end 111. The locking mechanism 14 may take the form of a push-release style retention lock but can take form of any other suitable locking mechanism 14 such as, but not limited to slider lock actuation, electronic lock actuation, lever lock actuation or any other locking means.
In reference to FIGS. 1-2, the combination helmet and body protection device 1 further comprises a ramp 15 and a hinge 16. The main helmet portion 13 further comprises a main helmet upper opening edge 133 and a bottom rear main helmet end 134. The rear helmet portion 12 further comprises a bottom rear helmet end 121. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the bottom rear helmet end 121 is positioned adjacent to the bottom-side portion of the rear helmet portion 12. The bottom rear helmet end 121 serves as the mounting platform to facilitate the hinge 16.
In reference to FIG. 1, the main helmet upper opening edge 133 is positioned opposite to the bottom rear main helmet end 134 along the rear main helmet end 132. The bottom rear main helmet end 134 is positioned near the shoulder pad collar 11. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the main helmet upper opening edge 133 serves as the top part of the main helmet portion 13 that moves over the rear helmet portion 12 when the main helmet portion 13 is swung open in the open configuration. The bottom rear main helmet end 134 serves as the mounting platform for the hinge 16. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bottom rear main helmet end 134 and the bottom rear helmet end 121 are rotatably connected through the hinge 16. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hinge 16 may take the form of any pivot connector that allows the main helmet to swing and pivot along the rear main helmet in the open configuration and the closed configuration. The ramp 15 is internally positioned adjacent to the main helmet upper opening edge 133. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ramp 15 may take the form of an angled protrusion that allows the main helmet portion 13 to shift over the rear helmet portion 12 such that the main helmet portion 13 swings over the rear helmet portion 12 in the open configuration.
In reference to FIG. 2, the combination helmet and body protection device 1 further comprise a locking pin 17. The locking pin 17 is positioned adjacent to the front main helmet end 131. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking pin 17 resides between the front main helmet end 131 and the helmet face cage 135. The helmet face protects the locking pin 17 from damage or shifting caused by impacts inflicted from blows to the face. The locking pin 17 serves as a lock receiving member of the main helmet portion 13, allowing the locking mechanism 14 to releasably attach to the front main helmet end 131.
In reference to FIGS. 1-2, the locking mechanism 14 further comprises at least one lock release button 141, a locking coil 142, and a locking latch 143. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one lock release button 141 is positioned adjacent to the front collar end 111. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the at least one lock release button 141 is positioned between the front collar end 111 and the helmet face cage 135. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lock release button is operatively engaged with the locking coil 142, where the lock release button is configured to release the locking latch 143. In various embodiments of the present invention, at least one release button is strategically positioned along various areas of the front collar end 111, allowing the user to push at least one release button to release the locking mechanism 14 from the locking pin 17. The requirement to activate at least one release button to release the locking mechanism 14 from the locking pin 17 serves as a safety measure, preventing unintended release of the front main helmet end 131 from the front collar end 111. The locking coil 142 serves as the lock retention member of the locking mechanism 14, facilitating the release and locking engagement of the lock release button and the locking latch 143. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking coil 142 is operatively engaged with the locking latch 143, such that the locking coil 142 moves the locking latch 143 away from the locking pin 17 when at least one release button is activated. Additionally, the locking coil 142 will reset the locking latch 143 position back to a locking position, allowing the locking latch 143 to releasably engage with the locking pin 17 when the main helmet is swung closed in its closed configuration along the front collar end 111. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking latch 143 is releasably engaged with the locking pin 17. The locking latch 143 may take the form of a retention hook that secures along the locking pin 17. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking latch 143 may take the form of any suitable lock linkage that facilitates the release and lock action in conjunction with the locking coil 142.
In reference to FIG. 1, the hinge 16 further comprises a first fastener portion 161 and a second fastener portion 162. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hinge 16 may take the form of any removably attached hinge 16. The removably attached hinge 16 allows the main helmet portion 13 to removably attach from the rear helmet portion 12, facilitating safety and emergency applications. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first fastener portion 161 is connected to the rear helmet portion 12. The first fastener portion 161 may take the form of a hinge 16 retention tab connector that removably attaches to the second fastener portion 162. In one embodiment, the first fastener portion 161 may take the form of a threaded coupler. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second fastener portion 162 is connected to the main helmet portion 13. The second fastener portion 162 may take the form of a hinge 16 retention tab fastener that removably attaches to the first fastener portion 161. In one embodiment, the second fastener portion 162 may take the form of a threaded bolt that removably attaches to the threaded coupler. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first fastener portion 161 and the second fastener portion 162 are removably and rotatably attached to each other.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
Patent Application
20200163400
