Patent Application
20240157222
The present invention relates generally to the field of head protection liner devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a gel-type liner that can be placed inside of a helmet to help protect the scalp and brain from surface impact and injury. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in head protection liner devices. Generally, collisions while playing sports is one way a person may experience repeated head impacts, head injuries, and concussions. Further, without the proper headgear protection, long-term effects on the brain of people who experience multiple or repeated head impacts can have significant consequences.
Additionally, protective helmets for use in a variety of different sporting events, as well as a variety of recreational activities, are well known. However, helmets used by those engaged in certain sports, such as lacrosse, typically comprise a hard outer shell that surrounds a liner of energy-absorbing material. The hard outer shell of most protective helmets is typically comprised of a relatively rigid plastic material. When manufactured, helmets are typically assembled by inserting a pre-sized liner within a pre-sized outer shell. Although a standard helmet can approximately accommodate most users, natural variation in head sizes and head dimensions can cause the same helmet to fit differently on different users. In order to enhance the performance of a protective helmet, the helmet should conform securely to the user's head in all directions. When a helmet is not properly secured and can slip with respect to the user's head, an increased risk of injury can exist.
Accordingly, a need remains for a protective sport helmet liner that can be adjusted to conform to the head size and head dimensions of the user in all directions. Further, a protective head liner is necessary to protect against repeated head impacts, head injuries, and concussions that occur during sports.
Therefore, there exists a long-felt need in the art for a head protection liner device that provides users with a gel-type liner that can be placed inside of a helmet to help protect the scalp and brain from surface impact and injury. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a head protection liner device that features a silicone gel substance that can be molded to the shape of the head for maximum comfort and protection. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a head protection liner device that prevents cognitive, sensory, and mood-related symptoms that are often associated with head injuries. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that ensures durability with any type of helmet or headgear. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a head protection liner device that is shaped to the helmet and head of a user and absorbs the impact from any hard surface. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a head protection liner device that utilizes a silicone gel substance that is one-half inch thick.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a head protection liner device. The device is a specialized headliner that can be placed inside any type of sports helmet in order to help absorb contact to the head. The head protection liner device comprises a body component comprised of a silicone gel substance. Typically, the silicone gel within the body component would be approximately one-half inch thick but can be any suitable size. The body component of the device is then placed within an inside of any sports helmet to help absorb contact to the user's head. Once placed on a user's head, the body component would conform to a user's head and will absorb impact from any hard surface. The body component can be secured within the inside of any type of helmet or headgear via any suitable securing means as is known in the art. Thus, the device is designed to protect the scalp and brain from any surface impact.
In this manner, the head protection liner device of the present invention accomplishes all of the foregoing objectives and provides users with a device that provides maximum comfort and protection for a user. The device is a gel-type liner that is placed inside a sports helmet. The device can be manufactured of a silicone gel substance that conforms to the shape of a user's head.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a head protection liner device. The device is a specialized headliner that can be placed inside any type of sports helmet in order to help absorb contact or impact to the head. The head protection liner device comprises a body component comprised of a silicone gel substance for energy absorption. Thus, the device is designed to protect the scalp and brain from any surface impact or injury.
Generally, the invention is directed to an energy absorption and displacement head protection liner device for a sports helmet. The head protection liner device provides impact absorption and energy displacement, and in a most efficient amount of space. When used as a helmet liner, the liquid injected gel liner provides a perfectly molded fit, while lowering the center of gravity to balance the helmet and improve performance and overall feel of the helmet. In addition to comfort, the impact reaction design of this invention creates a better, safer, softer, helmet than conventional helmets and liners.
In one embodiment, the head protection liner device is used with any type of sports helmet or headgear known in the art. Typically, the helmets in use with the liner device would comprise a hard outer shell with a peripheral edge and an inner wall. The protective hard outer shell may be made of known types of relatively rigid plastic material and is typically provided as a unitary piece of material.
In one embodiment, the head protection liner device comprises a body component with an outer wall that contacts the helmet interior and an inner wall that contacts the user's head. The body component can comprise any suitable shape and dimensions such that it substantially surrounds the upper portion of the skull of a user, including the parietal region of the head and is disposed at least partially about the back of the skull, such as at least partially disposed about the occipital and temporal regions of the head.
In one embodiment, the body component of the liner device is secured inside a sports helmet during use. The body component is positioned along an interior surface of the helmet inner wall. In one embodiment, the body component is form-fitted inside the helmet inner wall. In another embodiment, the body component is secured to the helmet inner wall via various suitable securing means, such as, for example, adhesive, glue, epoxy, hook and loop fasteners, rivets, etc. Specifically, the outer wall of the body component is secured to at least a portion of the helmet inner wall via application of the securing means. Depending upon the application of the securing means, the application could be a continuous layer, or a spot or discrete layer placed in a strategic location on the helmet inner wall and/or the outer wall of the body component.
In one embodiment, the body component of the device is placed within an inside of any sports helmet to help absorb contact to the user's head. Once placed on a user's head, the body component would conform to a user's head and will absorb impacts. Specifically, the body component is made from a material that can securely accommodate a fluid or gel, if necessary, but also have elasticity to allow the expansion or contraction of the body component when a user's head is pressed against it in the helmet.
In one embodiment, it should be appreciated that the body component of the head protection liner device is constructed in such a manner to match the curvature of the helmet, so that it will fit into the helmet that it is designed for. The shape and size of the body component may be adjusted to best suit the helmet's shape, size, and purpose, as well.
In one embodiment, the body component comprises an outer wall and an inner wall constructed of a silicone gel substance. In another embodiment, the body component comprises an outer wall and an inner wall which are flexibly attached to each other creating a hollow interior cavity. The interior cavity would be filled with a silicone gel substance and the outer and inner walls would be manufactured of materials that are durable, yet elastic, such as, for example, a synthetic impact gel, a soy-based impact gel, a silicone gel, etc. Generally, the body component is manufactured to be one-half inch thick but can be any suitable size as is known in the art, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user. Further, the wall thickness of the body component can also be adjusted to suit the needs of the helmet that it is designed for. The thicker the body component material, the greater the energy absorption will be, however, if it is too stiff or hard then it will contribute to head trauma in a crash impact.
Further, in one embodiment, the gel or fluid that is used for the interior of the body component, can vary in viscosity. Similarly, the thickness of the gel or fluid, can be adjusted or tuned for speed of reaction time and/or absorption. In one embodiment, the interior gel would be a non-toxic, high viscosity silicone gel. It is also preferred that the gel be a thicker liquid, so as to quickly absorb and dissipate the impact energy. Thus, the gel or fluid, incorporated inside the body component is preferably both viscoelastic and shock-attenuating.
In one embodiment, the body component can be manufactured from a non-foam elastomer, such as the class of materials known as viscoelastic polymers or silicone gels, which show high levels of damping when tested by dynamic mechanical analysis performed in the range of −50° C. to 100° C. Because the mechanical properties of the gel, can be more viscous than elastic, the gel can provide a high level of energy absorption. Some of the gels that can be used according to the present invention can be thermoplastic elastomers (elastomeric materials), such as, materials made from many polymeric families, including, but not limited to, the Kraton family of styrene-olefin-rubber block copolymers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic poly olefins, polyamides, polyureas, polyesters, and other polymer materials that reversibly soften as a function of temperature.
In the embodiment where an interior cavity is created, the inner and outer walls can be manufactured from any suitable durable and elastic material, such as, for example, polyurethane, latex, styrene-butadiene-rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene, acrylonitrile terpolymers and copolymers or vinyl, etc. Desirable characteristics of the inner and outer walls of the body component include good durability, stability, and visual appearance. It is also preferred that the material of the body component have good flexibility, as indicated by a low modulus, in order to be easily moldable and flexible. In one embodiment, it is preferred that the body component be made from a soft elastomeric material, including gelatinous elastomers and cushioning materials that operate according to a principle of compression instability. The material for the body component can be any elastomeric material which tends to compress under a load and can provide cushioning upon impact. Such materials include natural and synthetic rubbers, foams, thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethane elastomers, silicone elastomers, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) elastomers, olefinic elastomers, polyamide elastomers, gelatinous elastomers which are substantially non-flowable at room temperature (below 130° F.), etc. Further, it is within the scope of the present invention to incorporate other additives, such as, fillers, pigments, surfactants, plasticizers, organic blowing agents, as stabilizers, etc., in the manufacture of the body component.
In use during an impact, head trauma, or crash, the gel inside the body component travels away from the impact zone at a rapid pace. This movement of the gel away from the impact zone distributes the incoming energy of the impact evenly through the entire helmet. This distribution of impact energy reduces the trauma to the head of the user, while distributing and dissipating the impact energy from the impact or crash. Thus, the gel within the body component reacts by traveling away from the impact zone at a rapid pace evenly and in all different directions within the body component due to the displacement and distribution of the gel.
It is understood that this impact technology would be used in several other types of helmets and/or headgear. It should also be appreciated that the head protection liner device of this invention reacts to point of impact and displaces the impact to as large a surface area as possible, thus substantially reducing the stresses created at the point of impact.
In yet another embodiment, the head protection liner device comprises a plurality of indicia.
In yet another embodiment, a method of protecting a user from head impacts and concussions during sports activities is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a head protection liner device comprising a body component with a silicone gel substance inside. The method also comprises securing the body component inside a sports helmet. Further, the method comprises positioning the sports helmet on a user's head, such that the body component conforms to the user's head. Finally, the method comprises utilizing the helmet and the head protection liner device while playing sports.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, upon reading and understanding the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a head protection liner device that provides users with a gel-type liner that can be placed inside of a helmet to help protect the scalp and brain from surface impact and injury. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a head protection liner device that features a silicone gel substance that can be molded to the shape of the head for maximum comfort and protection. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a head protection liner device that prevents cognitive, sensory, and mood-related symptoms that are often associated with head injuries. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a device that ensures durability with any type of helmet or headgear. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a head protection liner device that is shaped to the helmet and head of a user and absorbs the impact from any hard surface. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a head protection liner device that utilizes a silicone gel substance that is one-half inch thick.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel head protection liner device. The head protection liner device comprises a body component comprised of a silicone gel substance. Typically, the silicone gel within the body component would be approximately one-half inch thick but can be any suitable size. The body component of the device is then placed within the inside of any sports helmet to help absorb contact to the user's head. Once placed on a user's head, the body component would conform to a user's head and will absorb impact from any hard surface. The present invention also includes a novel method of protecting a user from head impacts and concussions during sports activities. The method includes the steps of providing a head protection liner device comprising a body component with a silicone gel substance inside. The method also comprises securing the body component inside a sports helmet. Further, the method comprises positioning the sports helmet on a user's head, such that the body component conforms to the user's head. Finally, the method comprises utilizing the helmet and the head protection liner device while playing sports.
Referring initially to the drawings,
Generally, the invention is directed to an energy absorption and displacement head protection liner device 100 for a sports helmet 106. The head protection liner device 100 provides impact absorption and energy displacement in a most efficient amount of space. When used as a helmet liner, the liquid injected gel liner provides a perfectly molded fit while lowering the center of gravity to balance the helmet 106 and improve performance and overall feel of the helmet 106. In addition to comfort, the impact reaction design of this invention creates a better, safer, softer, helmet 106 than conventional helmets 106 and liners.
The head protection liner device 100 is used with any type of sports helmet 106 or headgear known in the art. Typically, the helmets 106 in use with the liner device 100 would comprise a hard outer shell 110 with a peripheral edge 112 and an inner wall 114. The protective hard outer shell 110 may be made of known types of relatively rigid plastic material and is typically provided as a unitary piece of material.
Further, the head protection liner device 100 comprises a body component 102 with an outer wall 116 that contacts the helmet interior (i.e., inner wall 114) and an inner wall 118 that contacts the user's head 120. The body component 102 can comprise any suitable shape and dimension such that it substantially surrounds the upper portion of the skull of a user 108, including the parietal region of the head 120 and is disposed at least partially about the back of the skull, such as at least partially disposed about the occipital and temporal regions of the head 120.
It should be appreciated that the body component 102 of the head protection liner device 100 is constructed in such a manner to match the curvature of the helmet 106 so that it will fit into the helmet 106 that it is designed for. The shape and size of the body component 102 may be adjusted to best suit the helmet's shape, size, and purpose, as well.
The body component 102 of the liner device 100 is secured inside a sports helmet 106 during use. Specifically, the body component 102 is positioned along an interior surface of the helmet inner wall 114. In one embodiment, the body component 102 is form-fitted inside the helmet inner wall 114. In this embodiment, the body component 102 is press fit into the inside of the helmet 106. Once inserted, the body component 102 will not fall out but can be manually removed by a user 108 after use. In another embodiment, the body component 102 is secured to the helmet inner wall 114 via various removable securing means 122, such as, for example, adhesive, glue, epoxy, hook and loop fasteners, rivets, etc., or any other suitable securing means 122 as is known in the art, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user 108. Specifically, the outer wall 116 of the body component 102 is secured to at least a portion of the helmet inner wall 114 via application of the securing means 122. Depending upon the application of the securing means 122, the application could be a continuous layer, or a spot or discrete layer placed in a strategic location on the helmet inner wall 114 and/or the outer wall 116 of the body component 102. Once inserted, the body component 102 will not fall out but can be manually removed by a user 108 after use. This allows the body component 102 to be used, then removed, wiped clean, and reinserted for another use.
Furthermore, the body component 102 of the device 100 is placed within an inside (i.e., inner wall 114) of any sports helmet 106 to help absorb contact to the user's head 120. Once placed on a user's head 120, the body component 102 would conform to a user's head 120 and will absorb impacts. Specifically, the body component 102 is made from a material that can securely accommodate a fluid or gel, if necessary, but also have elasticity to allow the expansion or contraction of the body component 102 when a user's head 120 is pressed against it in the helmet 106.
As shown in
Generally, the body component 102 is manufactured to be one-half inch thick but can be any suitable size as is known in the art, depending on the needs and/or wants of a user 108. Further, the wall thickness of the body component 102 can also be adjusted to suit the needs of the helmet 106 that it is designed for. The thicker the body component 102 material, the greater the energy absorption will be, however, if it is too stiff or hard then it will contribute to head trauma in a crash impact.
Further, in one embodiment, the gel or fluid 104 that is used for the interior 200 of the body component 102 can vary in viscosity. Similarly, the thickness of the gel or fluid 104 can be adjusted or tuned for speed of reaction time and/or absorption. In one embodiment, the interior gel 104 would be a non-toxic, high viscosity silicone gel. It is also preferred that the gel 104 be a thicker liquid, so as to quickly absorb and dissipate the impact energy. Thus, the gel or fluid 104, incorporated inside the body component 102 is preferably both viscoelastic and shock-attenuating.
Additionally, the body component 102 can be manufactured from a non-foam elastomer, such as the class of materials known as viscoelastic polymers or silicone gels, which show high levels of damping when tested by dynamic mechanical analysis performed in the range of −50° C. to 100° C. Because the mechanical properties of the gel can be more viscous than elastic, the gel can provide a high level of energy absorption. Some of the gels that can be used according to the present invention can be thermoplastic elastomers (elastomeric materials), such as, materials made from many polymeric families, including, but not limited to, the Kraton family of styrene-olefin-rubber block copolymers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic poly olefins, polyamides, polyureas, polyesters and other polymer materials that reversibly soften as a function of temperature.
In the embodiment where an interior cavity 200 is created, the inner 118 and outer 116 walls can be manufactured from any suitable durable and elastic material, such as, for example, polyurethane, latex, styrene-butadiene-rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene, acrylonitrile terpolymers and copolymers or vinyl, etc., or any other suitable material as is known in the art. Desirable characteristics of the inner 118 and outer 116 walls of the body component 102 include good durability, stability, and visual appearance. It is also preferred that the material of the body component 102 have good flexibility, as indicated by a low modulus, in order to be easily moldable and flexible. In one embodiment, it is preferred that the body component 102 be made from a soft elastomeric material, including gelatinous elastomers, and cushioning materials that operate according to a principle of compression instability. The material for the body component 102 can be any elastomeric material which tends to compress under a load and can provide cushioning upon impact. Such materials include natural and synthetic rubbers, foams, thermoplastic elastomers, polyurethane elastomers, silicone elastomers, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) elastomers, olefinic elastomers, polyamide elastomers, gelatinous elastomers, which are substantially non-flowable at room temperature (below 130° F.), etc. Further, it is within the scope of the present invention to incorporate other additives, such as, fillers, pigments, surfactants, plasticizers, organic blowing agents, as stabilizers, etc., in the manufacture of the body component 102.
In use during an impact, head trauma, or crash, the gel 104 inside the body component 102 travels away from the impact zone at a rapid pace. This movement of the gel 104 away from the impact zone distributes the incoming energy of the impact evenly through the entire helmet 106. This distribution of impact energy reduces the trauma to the head 120 of the user 108 while distributing and dissipating the impact energy from the impact or crash. Thus, the gel 104 within the body component 102 reacts by traveling away from the impact zone at a rapid pace evenly and in all different directions within the body component 102 due to the displacement and distribution of the gel 104.
It is understood that this impact technology would be used in several other types of helmets 106 and/or headgear. It should also be appreciated that the head protection liner device 100 of this invention reacts to point of impact and displaces the impact to as large a surface area as possible, thus substantially reducing the stresses created at the point of impact.
Further, the head protection liner device 100 comprises a plurality of indicia 202. The body component 102 of the device 100 may include advertising, trademark, or other letters, designs, or characters, printed, painted, stamped, or integrated into the body component 102, or any other indicia 202 as is known in the art. Specifically, any suitable indicia 202 as is known in the art can be included, such as, but not limited to, patterns, logos, emblems, images, symbols, designs, letters, words, characters, animals, advertisements, brands, etc., that may or may not be sport, safety, or brand related.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “head protection liner device”, “liner device”, and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the head protection liner device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the head protection liner device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the head protection liner device 100 as shown in
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/424,501, which was filed on Nov. 11, 2022, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63424501 | Nov 2022 | US |
