Patent Application
20240306757
The technical field generally relates to protective gear and equipment, and more specifically relates to a helmet provided with a liner made of cushion pads.
Contact sports, and more specifically multi-contact sports, generally involve collisions and, in some cases, repeated collisions. Nonlimitative examples of multi-contact sports include American football and hockey. Repeated collisions, especially proximate the head, the neck and/or the shoulder regions can result in serious injuries. While helmets and other protective gear and applications for the body and/or items have evolved greatly over the years in an attempt to provide optimum protection, there is still a general need for improvements.
According to an aspect, a cushion pad connectable to a garment for providing protection thereto is provided. The cushion pad includes a plurality of layers formed of strings disposed in a manner to define a repeating pattern, with the plurality of layers being stacked on one another to define one or more cells along a thickness of the cushion pad.
According to a possible embodiment, the repeating pattern is defined in each layer of the plurality of layers.
According to a possible embodiment, the repeating pattern is defined by at least two adjacent layers of the plurality of layers.
According to a possible embodiment, the repeating pattern includes a lattice pattern, a honeycomb pattern, a hexagonal pattern or a combination thereof.
According to a possible embodiment, the plurality of layers comprises a first section and a second section, and wherein the strings of the first section of the plurality of layers define a first repeating pattern, and the strings of the second section of the plurality of layers define a second repeating pattern.
According to a possible embodiment, the first repeating pattern and the second repeating pattern are configured to provide respective impact absorption behaviors.
According to a possible embodiment, the first section and the second section are stacked one on top of another.
According to a possible embodiment, the strings of the first section define the lattice pattern, and the strings of the second section define the honeycomb pattern.
According to a possible embodiment, at least some of the one or more cells are shaped and configured to reversibly deform.
According to a possible embodiment, the strings of at least some of the plurality of layers are aligned with the strings of another one of the plurality of layers to form substantially straight cells.
According to a possible embodiment, the strings of at least some of the plurality of layers are offset relative to the strings of one or more adjacent layers.
According to a possible embodiment, the strings of at least some of the plurality of layers are axially offset in at least one direction relative to the strings of one or more adjacent layers, rotationally offset relative to the strings of one or more adjacent layers, or a combination thereof.
According to a possible embodiment, the strings of at least some of the plurality of layers are rotationally offset by between about 1 degree and 359 degrees relative to the strings of one or more adjacent layers.
According to a possible embodiment, at least some of the plurality of layers are substantially planar and parallel to one another.
According to a possible embodiment, at least some of the plurality of layers are substantially planar and angled relative to one another.
According to a possible embodiment, at least some of the plurality of layers are non-planar.
According to another aspect, a helmet is provided. The helmet includes an outer shell defining a cavity for receiving a head of a person; a support structure coupled to the outer shell and positioned within the cavity, the support structure comprising a web of support material positioned in a spaced-apart relation relative to the outer shell and defining a plurality of openings; and a plurality of cushion pads provided within respective openings of the web of support material, the plurality of cushion pads forming a liner of the helmet, where each cushion pad comprises an outer cushion section extending between the outer shell and the web of support material and an inner cushion section extending within the cavity on an opposite side of the web of support material relative to the outer cushion section.
According to a possible embodiment, the cushion pads are manufactured using an additive manufacturing process.
According to a possible embodiment, the cushion pads are manufactured using a 3D printing process.
According to another aspect, a protective garment having a surface provided with a support structure is provided. The protective garment includes a plurality of cushion pads connectable to the support structure and adapted to form a liner of the protective garment, each cushion pad comprising an outer cushion section extending between the surface of the protective garment and support structure, and an inner cushion section extending opposite the outer cushion section on an opposite side of the support structure.
According to a possible embodiment, each cushion pad comprises a plurality of layers formed of segments defining a repeating pattern, and wherein the plurality of layers are stacked to define cells along a thickness of the cushion pad.
According to a possible embodiment, the repeating pattern is defined in each layer of the plurality of layers.
According to a possible embodiment, the repeating pattern is defined by at least two adjacent layers of the plurality of layers.
According to a possible embodiment, the repeating pattern includes a lattice pattern, a honeycomb pattern, a hexagonal pattern or a combination thereof.
According to a possible embodiment, the plurality of layers comprises a first section and a second section, and wherein the segments of the first section of the plurality of layers define a first repeating pattern, and the segments of the second section of the plurality of layers define a second repeating pattern.
According to a possible embodiment, the first repeating pattern and the second repeating pattern are configured to provide respective impact absorption behaviors.
According to a possible embodiment, the first section and the second section are stacked one on top of another.
According to a possible embodiment, the first section includes layers defining the lattice pattern, and the second section includes layers defining the honeycomb pattern.
According to a possible embodiment, at least some of the one or more cells are shaped and configured to reversibly deform.
According to a possible embodiment, the segments of at least some of the plurality of layers are aligned with the segments of another one of the plurality of layers to form substantially straight cells.
According to a possible embodiment, the segments of at least some of the plurality of layers are offset relative to the segments of one or more adjacent layers.
According to a possible embodiment, the segments of at least some of the plurality of layers are axially offset in at least one direction relative to the segments of one or more adjacent layers, rotationally offset relative to the segments of one or more adjacent layers, or a combination thereof.
According to a possible embodiment, the segments of at least some of the plurality of layers are rotationally offset by between about 1 degree and 359 degrees relative to the segments of one or more adjacent layers.
According to a possible embodiment, at least some of the plurality of layers are substantially planar and parallel to one another.
According to a possible embodiment, at least some of the plurality of layers are substantially planar and angled relative to one another.
According to a possible embodiment, at least some of the plurality of layers are non-planar.
According to a possible embodiment, the protective garment includes a helmet.
According to another aspect, a protective cushion pad is provided. The protective cushion pad includes a plurality of layers formed of strings disposed to define a repeating pattern, with the plurality of layers being stacked on each other to define one or more cells along a thickness of the cushion pad.
As will be explained below in relation to various embodiments, the present disclosure describes devices, systems and methods for forming protective gear, such as padding for use in various equipment and/or systems. The padding can be used as part of a helmet to improve shock absorption, among other advantages.
More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a protective helmet, and corresponding parts, which includes a protective structure lining an inner surface thereof to provide protection to the head of the wearer. The protective structure can include an array of cushion pads designed to improve performance of the helmet, such as increasing shock absorption, for example, thereby reducing potential risks and injuries to the wearer. The helmet can further be provided with a coating provided on the exterior surface of the outer shell adapted to increase the friction coefficient between the helmet and another item contacting the helmet, such as a second helmet. For example, during a football game, helmets often contact, and slide off one another. It is noted that increasing the friction coefficient along the exterior surface of the helmets can reduce the sliding motion, which can in turn reduce the risk for injuries.
The protective structure (e.g., the cushion pads) can be positioned in a predetermined configuration within the helmet using a support structure secured to the inner surface of the helmet. The support structure can be shaped and adapted to hold the cushion pads in respective configurations along the interior of the helmet. In some implementations, the support structure includes a sling connectable to the helmet shell in a spaced-apart relation relative to the head of the wearer. The sling, and corresponding parts, define a plurality of apertures in which the cushion pads can be positioned. The cushion pads can include cushion sections having respective shapes, sizes, configurations and/or properties. In some embodiments, the cushion pad includes a pair of cushion sections coupled to one another, or integrally formed together, to form the cushion pad, which can be installed within an aperture of the sling for positioning the cushion pad within the helmet. As will be described further below, the cushion sections define an interface region therebetween shaped and adapted to cooperate with the sling to secure the cushion pad within the corresponding aperture of the sling.
At least one of the cushion sections of the cushion pads can be manufactured using digital fabrication techniques, which may include computer numerical control (CNC) and/or an additive manufacturing process, such as 3D printing, for example. As mentioned above, the cushion sections can include respective shapes, sizes, configurations and/or properties. For example, a cushion section can be formed of a plurality of layers stacked on one another, where each layer has a predetermined pattern, such as a lattice pattern, a honeycomb pattern, or any other suitable pattern(s) or combination thereof. The layers can be stacked substantially vertically and aligned relative to each other such that the structure of the cushion section is relatively uniform throughout a thickness thereof. The aligned layers can form the honeycomb configuration throughout the thickness of the cushion section, for example. Alternatively, or additionally, the layers can be misaligned, axially and/or rotationally, relative to one another. The misaligned layers can be stacked to form the lattice configuration throughout the thickness of the cushion section, among other possible configurations.
With reference to
In some embodiments, the cushion pad 10 can be manufactured using an additive manufacturing process, which may include 3D printing and/or similar techniques. As used herein, it should be understood that the expression “additive manufacturing” refers to a manufacturing process where hardware is operated to deposit material, layer upon layer, in predetermined and/or desired geometric shapes. The hardware can use data from a computer-aided-design (CAD) software or one or more 3D object scanners to operate and form the desired object. It is noted that additive manufacturing processes adds material (e.g., layers) to create the object, such as the cushion pad 10. It is also noted that, by contrast, an object created by traditional means often requires the removal of material through milling, machining, carving, shaping and/or other means, such as injection moulding, compression moulding, etc. . . . The cushion pad 10 can be created via any suitable subset of additive manufacturing, such as via 3D printing or via rapid prototyping, for example. In some embodiments, the cushion pad 10 can be further worked on (e.g., polished) using non-additive manufacturing processes, such as those listed above.
The cushion pad 10 is created using relatively resilient material such that forces applied thereto can deform the cushion pad as it absorbs at least a portion of those forces to provide protection to the device, the system and/or the person(s) using or operating the device or system. Of note, the deformation of the cushion pad is generally reversible. For example, the cushion pad may be in a “deformed” or “compressed” configuration when a force is applied to the cushion pad or when energy is absorbed by the cushion pad, and the cushion pad may be in a “relaxed” or “original” configuration when no force is applied to the cushion pad or after the energy is released from the cushion pad. It should also be noted that the cushion pad described herein can be configured for single impact applications, where the pad deforms permanently to absorb forces/energy.
Still referring to
Although
In some embodiments, each layer 20 may include a network of lines. In some embodiments, the network of lines may include a first set of spaced-apart lines and a second set of spaced-apart lines, and the first set and the second set of spaced-apart lines may be integrally formed. The first set and the second set of spaced-apart lines may be orthogonal one with respect to another. Of course, the first set and the second set of spaced-apart lines may define another angle than a right angle. For example, the angle between the first set and the second set of spaced-apart lines may be included in a closed interval extending from 0 to 180. In some embodiments, each layer 20 may be aligned with a subsequent layer 20. In this configuration, the cushion pad 10 includes a plurality of aligned layers 20 and each layer 20 may be said to be in phase one with respect to another.
In other embodiments, each layer 20 may be misaligned with a subsequent layer 20. In this configuration, the cushion pad 10 includes a plurality of misaligned layers 20 and each layer 20 may be said to be de-phased one with respect to another. In some embodiments, a spacing between two subsequent lines may be constant or substantially constant over the layer 20. The two subsequent lines may be part of the first set and/or the second set of spaced-apart lines. In this configuration, the period of the layer 20 may be said to be constant and the layer 20 may be characterized as being “periodic”. In other embodiments, a spacing between two subsequent lines may be different or substantially different over the layer 20. The two subsequent lines may be part of the first set and/or the second set of spaced-apart lines. In this configuration, the period of the layer 20 may be said to be non-constant and the layer 20 may be characterized as being “non-periodic”. It should be noted that the properties of the cushion pad 10 and the layers 20, which may include, for example and without being limitative, alignment, dephasing, change in thickness, and many others are selected and/or optimized to modify and/or improve the overall mechanical properties of the cushion pad 10, and the item incorporating such a cushion pad 10.
It should be understood that each cell 30 also has a thickness, and that said thickness can correspond to the thickness of the layer on which the cells 30 are defined. It should thus be noted that a plurality of layers can be aligned with one another to increase the thickness of the cells 30. In such embodiments, the cells 30 of each layer 20 is aligned with a corresponding cell 30 of a previous layer such that the cells 30 are generally straight and have a thickness substantially corresponding to a cumulative thickness of the aligned layers. It is noted that, if the layers are aligned throughout the cushion pad 10, the thickness of the cells 30 substantially correspond to a thickness of the cushion pad 10. In alternate embodiments, the layers 20 can be created so as to be offset relative to adjacent layers (i.e., layers above and/or below) throughout the cushion pad 10. The layers can be offset relative to one another by any suitable manner. For example, each subsequent layer can be axially offset following a direction of the segments from either sets of segments (e.g., along directions A or B as illustrated in
Alternatively, or additionally, the layers can be rotationally offset relative to a previous and/or subsequent layer. For example, any given layer can be rotated by any suitable angle (e.g., 5, 10, 25, 30, 50, 100, 120, 150, 200 or 300 degrees, etc.) relative to a previously formed layer, thus creating a web of segments throughout the cushion pad 10. In some embodiments, it should be noted that rotating a layer includes rotating the layer in a plane substantially parallel to the plane in which is formed a previous layer. As such, although being offset (e.g., axially, rotationally, or a combination thereof), each layer remains substantially parallel to the other layers of the cushion pad 10.
As seen in
It should also be noted that the layering sequence can include layers formed with segments extending in additional directions, such as a third, a fourth direction and/or any suitable number of additional directions. In these embodiments, the layering sequence can be a:b:c, where “a” corresponds to the number of layers with segments extending in the first direction (e.g., 1, 2, 3, etc.), “b” corresponds to the number of layers with segments extending in the second direction (e.g., 1, 2, 3, etc.), and “c” corresponds to the number of layers with segments extending in the third direction (e.g., 1, 2, 3, etc.), and so on for any suitable number of layers in a given direction and/or any suitable number of directions. In some embodiments, a single layer can include segments extending in more than a single direction. For example, a single layer can include a lattice pattern, or a honeycomb pattern, where segments extend in at least two different directions in the same layer.
In some embodiments, the layers 20 can be substantially planar, e.g., formed in respective planes, as illustrated in
Now referring to
In some embodiments, the cushion pad 10 is formed of a plurality of cushion sections 32, where each cushion section is formed of any suitable number of layers having any suitable configuration(s). For example, a first cushion section can be formed of relatively aligned layers forming generally straight cells 30. Another cushion section can be formed of axially offset layers, while yet another cushion section is formed of rotationally offset layers. It should also be noted that each cushion section 32, having their respective configurations of layers, can have respective resiliencies. In other words, one cushion section can be configured to greatly deform (e.g., for increased comfort) while another cushion section can be configured to only slightly deform (e.g., for increased force absorption). It should be noted that the layers can deform purely vertically, purely horizontally, at least partially vertically and/or horizontally, rotationally, according to a shear deformation or a combination thereof. It is also noted that a section of the cushion pad 10 having a repeating lattice pattern (seen in
Referring back to
In this embodiment, and with reference to
With reference to
The cushion pads 10 are illustratively provided along the inner surface 56 of the outer shell 52 such that the pads are positioned between the wearer's head and the outer shell 52 when wearing the helmet 50. It is appreciated that the cushion pads 10 can have respective shapes, sizes, configurations or a combination thereof, based on its position along the inner surface 56, among others. Each cushion pad 10 can also be installed within the cavity 55 so as to position the outer cushion section 34 proximate the outer shell 52 (e.g., connected to the inner surface 56) and position the inner cushion section 36 within the cavity 55 to be positioned adjacent the head of a person wearing the helmet 50. As seen in
As seen in
In some embodiments, the support structure 60 can include a sling 62 connectable to the outer shell 52 and being shaped and sized to support the cushion pads 10. More specifically, the sling 62 can be made of a web of material 64 defining a plurality of openings 65 for receiving the cushion pads 10. In this embodiment, the sling 62 includes a generally continuous edge 63, and each one of the openings 65 is complementarily shaped relative to one or more of the cushion pads 10 such that the cushion pad fits snugly within the corresponding opening 65. The sling 62 can conform to the shape of the outer shell 52, where the edge 63 is positioned along the edges of the front opening 57 and bottom opening 59. The sling 62 can include any suitable number of openings 65, such as two, four, ten, twenty or fifty openings, which can correspond to the number of cushion pads 10 installed within the helmet 50. In some embodiments, the sling 62 includes an axis of symmetry (S) where the openings 65 on a right side of the sling 62 are mirrored on a left side thereof. However, it is appreciated that other configurations are possible, such as having only a portion of the sling being mirrored on the right and left sides, or such as having no symmetry between the right and left sides, for example.
In some embodiments, the continuous edge 63 may be engineered to alter the general profile of the same. For example, the continuous edge 63 may include variations in thickness, shape and/or topology, and is generally designed to enhance or generally improve the overall properties of the sling 62. Of note, the generally continuous structure 63 may have a different structure than the material forming the sling 62.
Referring back to
With reference to
In this embodiment, the components of the sling 62 (e.g., the web of material 64 and/or the support members 66) can be made of resilient material adapted to enable relative movement between the components of the sling, between the sling and the outer shell 52 and/or between the sling and the cushion pads. For example, the application of a force on the outer shell 52 can push the support members 66 inwardly (e.g., towards the web of material 64) enabling compression of the outer cushion section 34 to absorb at least a portion of the applied force. It is noted that the inner cushion section 36, along with the web of material 64, can simultaneously deform to further absorb some of the applied force.
In some embodiments, the sling is made from a plastic material or rubber. It is noted that the sling can be manufactured via a similar process to the cushion pads (e.g., additive manufacturing).
In the illustrated embodiments, the sling 62 is positioned substantially in the middle of the cushion pads 10, with the inner and outer cushion sections being relatively the same size as one another. However, it is appreciated that other configurations are possible. As seen in
Now turning to
It should be appreciated from the present disclosure that the various implementations of the helmet, and corresponding components, provide several advantages over conventional devices and/or apparatus in that it provides additional protection against collisions, such as those suffered by the helmets of football players, for example.
The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the subject matter of the claims. The described example implementations are to be considered in all respects as being only illustrative and not restrictive. For example, in the embodiments described herein, the cushion pads are used to provide a liner within a football helmet. However, it is noted that other types of gear or equipment can be provided with such cushion pads, such as, for example and without being limitative, plastron, chest pad, shoulder pad, knee pad, elbow pad, back protector pad, neck protector pad, neck roll, pad collar and neck guard.
In some embodiments, the connection pads 70 allows a relative movement of the sling 62 with respect to the other components of the helmet, i.e., independently of the movement of the outer shell 52 or the head of the user. The mechanical properties of the connection pads 68,70 are designed or selected to achieve a targeted mobility, and allow a relative movement of the sling 62.
The present disclosure intends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology. The scope of the present disclosure is, therefore, described by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the implementations set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
As used herein, the terms “coupled”, “coupling”, “attached”, “connected”, or variants thereof as used herein can have several different meanings depending in the context in which these terms are used. For example, the terms coupled, coupling, connected, or attached can have a mechanical connotation. For example, as used herein, the terms coupled, coupling, or attached can indicate that two elements or devices are directly connected to one another or connected to one another through one or more intermediate elements or devices via a mechanical element depending on the particular context.
In the present disclosure, an embodiment is an example or implementation of the perforation blade. The various appearances of “one embodiment,” “an embodiment” or “some embodiments” do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiments. Although various features may be described in the context of a single embodiment, the features may also be provided separately or in any suitable combination. Conversely, although the helmet and related components may be described herein in the context of separate embodiments for clarity, it may also be implemented in a single embodiment. Reference in the specification to “some embodiments”, “an embodiment”, “one embodiment”, or “other embodiments”, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily in all embodiments.
In the above description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to not unduly burden the figures with several references numbers, not all figures contain references to all the components and features, and references to some components and features may be found in only one figure, and components and features of the present disclosure which are illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred therefrom.
In addition, although the optional configurations as illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises various components and although the optional configurations of the helmet and related components as shown may consist of certain geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these components and geometries are essential and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken as to limit the scope of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that other suitable components and cooperations therein between, as well as other suitable geometrical configurations may be used for the implementation and use of the robot cell, and corresponding parts, as briefly explained and as can be easily inferred herefrom, without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CA2022/051071 | 7/8/2022 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63203134 | Jul 2021 | US |
