HELMET SAFETY COMPONENTS

Abstract

Control devices for a safety helmet. One embodiment of the invention is a control device comprising a first component and a second component. The first component is a slidable helmet shaft, and the second component is a vest with an elongated receiver for the first component. An additional embodiment comprises four components. The control devices lessen impact to the head in the event of a collision yet are flexible enough to allow use in an organized sport such as football.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention deals with a safety bracing system to prevent neck and spinal injuries. Neck and spine protection apparatii take many forms and there is considerable prior art with regard to such devices.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,434,756 that issued Aug. 20, 2002, to Hoop deals with an apparatus for protecting the neck and spine of a user using coverall protection apparatii.

Weaver, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,971,123 that issued Dec. 6, 2005, deals with a football training aid which includes a device that detachably connects a football player's helmet to the player's shoulder pads. This system will not allow the player's head to drop forward and thus interferes with the player's capability to play the game.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,968,576 that issued Nov. 29, 2005, to McNeil, et al. discloses a helmet shock absorbing device mounted to the side of the shoulder pads of a wearer.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,155,747 that issued Jan. 2, 2007, to Baker deals with a head stabilizing system in which the head is stabilized against severe forward and backward acceleration using a cable and restraint system.

A protective helmet with cervical spine protection device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,181,281 that issued to Nagely et. al. on May 22, 2012. The device deals with at least one strut member associated with a helmet and a harness assembly.

Davis, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,581,816 that issued Dec. 10, 1996, deals with a head and neck protective apparatus. A helmet is connected to shoulder pads by rear and side attachments.

A combination helmet and shoulder pad for minimizing cervical injuries is disclosed In U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,368 that issued Dec. 28, 1999, to Phillips.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,217 that issued Oct. 22, 2013, to Nagely, et al. deals with a protective helmet with cervical spine protection and brain protection via a locking assembly associated with a strut member which does not allow a force to move the helmet.

Ghajar, in U.S. Pat. No. 8,834,394 that issued Sep. 16, 2014, deals with an apparatus for reducing brain and cervical spine injury using a headpiece that is supported by a harness and a telescoping member.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,603,404 that issued Mar. 28, 2017, to Pocatko deals with a helmet system having a restraint feature for deterring neck injuries. The helmet has an attachment member at the rear of the helmet and a tether coupled to the attachment member.

David Metts et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 11,045,710 that issued Jun. 29, 2021, deals with a non-Newtonian material for the prevention of mild traumatic brain injury in an athletic helmet incorporating non-Newtonian fluid shock absorbing structures.

U.S. Pat. Reissue No. 48,718, that issued Sep. 7, 2021, to Pocatko, deals with a helmet system that has a restraint feature for deterring neck injuries. The device uses a non-detachable member at the rear of the helmet that is fixed to shoulder pads.

Huang, in U.S. Pat. No. 11,298,040 that issued Apr. 12, 2022, deals with a device for reducing traumatic brain injury using linkage elements from a helmet to shoulder pads.

Hetzler, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 10,905,185 that issued Feb. 2, 2021, deals with a stress mitigation system using a connector to the back of a helmet which terminates in a track on which the terminus end slides horizontally on the track.

None of the prior art references deal with the instant invention that utilizes a shaft on the back of a helmet which shaft inserts into a receiver in which the shaft can slide vertically and horizontally to provide side to side vision yet prevent traumatic forward and backward stress on the wearer's head.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, what is disclosed and claimed herein is a control device for a safety helmet. The control device comprises a first component and a second component. The first component is a slidable helmet shaft, and the second component is a vest with an elongated receiver for the first component. The first component comprises a module attachable to a rear edge of a safety helmet. The module has an elongated shaft and a stop washer. The shaft is slidable horizontally and vertically within the elongated receiver.

The second component is capable of covering, the shoulders, upper back and chest of a wearer. The second component has a neck opening and three fastening devices for holding the second component in place on the wearer. In one embodiment, the fastening devices comprise an upper tab and receiver for the tab, in a second embodiment, a chest belt, and in a third embodiment, a back belt. The shaft is slidable horizontally and vertically within the elongated receiver.

Also contemplated within the scope of this invention is a combination of a control device as set forth just above and a fillable set of packs. The fillable packs can provide impact protection beneath the second component. The packs are formed of front packs and rear packs being attached to each other by a strap, the packs having a liquid/gas inlet port and a liquid/gas outlet port.

It should also be noted that contemplated within the scope of this invention is the system of this invention built into shoulder pads for sports use wherein the pads can also be the fillable set of packs.

Also contemplated within the scope of this invention is the use of fillable packs in place of the protective pads normally found in athletic equipment, wherein the control device is built into the fillable packs.

Further contemplated within the scope of this invention is a sub-vest that is built into shoulder pads to be used without additional shoulder pads that contains an elongated receiver of this invention built right into the sub-vest.

Also contemplated within the scope of this invention is a control device having adjustability in the control device comprising a first component, a second component, a third component, and a fourth component.

The first component is a hollow housing attached to a back wall of the safety helmet, near a bottom edge thereof wherein the first component has an open top and an open bottom. The first component has a plurality of openings in a back wall.

The second component comprises an elongated bar, the elongated bar capable of sliding movement within the first component.

The third component comprises an elongated shaft, the elongated shaft being attached to the first component at a bottom of the first component.

The fourth component comprises a receiver for the elongated bar, the fourth component being built into a padded structure constituting protective shoulder pads, the fourth component capable of receiving the elongated bar.

In another embodiment there is a control device for a safety helmet wherein the control device comprises a first component, a second component, a third component and a fourth component.

The first component is a slidable T-slot lock assembly comprised of a slidable T-slot lock and a first receiver for the slidable T-slot lock. The second component is an elongated shaft to which the receiver for the slidable T-slot lock is fastened. The third component is a block base with a bottom centered second elongated shaft and the fourth component is a receiver for said bottom centered second elongated shaft. There is a slidable T-slot lock assembly attachable to a rear edge of a safety helmet;

The second component is an elongated top shaft having a plurality of evenly spaced openings in it.

The third component is a block base, the block base has a bottom surface and the bottom surface has a bottom shaft centrally fixedly attached to it.

The fourth component is a second receiver for receiving the bottom shaft. The second receiver is concave in structure.

There is a lower end of the bottom shaft having a first opening through it and the second receiver has opposed second openings through side walls that are in alignment with the first through opening.

The first through opening and the side wall through openings have a common fastener in them.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a full side view of a football helmet with the control device elongated shaft and receiver.

FIG. 2 is a back view of a component 2 (vest) of this invention.

FIG. 3 is a full front view of a vest of this invention showing the tab and receiver for fastening the vest together on the shoulders of a player.

FIG. 4 is a full front view of a vest of this invention fastened together by a chest belt.

FIG. 5 is a full top view of the first component of this invention showing an elongated receiver.

FIG. 6 is the top view of FIG. 5 showing the elongated shaft topped with a stop.

FIG. 7 is a full front view of a set of packs.

FIG. 8 is a full front view of a control device of this invention combined with fillable packs.

FIG. 9 is a full front view of a combination of a sub-vest and elongated receiver.

FIG. 10 is a full side view of a safety helmet (football) showing the hollow housing and elongated bar attached near a bottom edge at the back of said helmet.

FIG. 11 is a full back view of FIG. 10 and also showing the receiver for the elongated bar.

FIG. 12 is an illustration of the double threaded screws useful in this invention.

FIG. 13 is a full side view of the control device of claim 11.

FIG. 14 is a full top view of the sliding T-slot locking device.

FIG. 15 is a full top view of the second receiver surmounted by a block base.

FIG. 16 is a view in perspective of the control device of claim 11.

FIG. 17 is a full side view of a device of claim 11.

FIG. 18 is a full cross section of FIG. 17 through line A-A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND DRAWINGS

Turning now to FIG. 1 which is a full side view of a control device of this invention on a football helmet 1, there is shown a first component 2 with a slidable elongated shaft 3 inside an elongated receiver 4. As shown, the module that is the elongated shaft 3 is attached to a football helmet 1. This attachment is either glued or formed integrally with the helmet when the helmet is manufactured in order to forego any metallic or plastic fasteners. However, the fastener can be a round-headed double threaded screw as shown in FIG. 12 which can be countersunk in the component parts.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are a top view of the elongated receiver 4 wherein in FIG. 6, there is also shown the stop 14.

The second component 6 is shown in FIG. 2 which is a vest 7 or garment that is utilized over the shoulders of a person wearing it and quite often worn under traditional shoulder pads. The elongated receiver 4 is mounted on the vest 7 at the back of the vest 7. The elongated receiver 4 is slightly curved to accommodate the curve of a neck of a user (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The elongated receiver 4 is normally about 4 to 6 inches in length and is deep enough so that the total of the elongated shaft 3 will set fully into the elongated receiver 4 when it is necessary. The width of the elongated receiver 4 is normally about inch to 1 inch and the depth of the elongated receiver is about 1 to 3 inches. The top of the shaft 3 is surrounded by a stop 14 which prevents the elongated shaft 3 from dropping too far into the elongated receiver 4 and also acts as a guide for the elongated shaft 3 in the elongated receiver 4.

The vest 7 can have three fastening devices that can be used to hold the vest 7 in place, namely, an upper tab 8 and receiver 9 for the tab 8 which is in the front 10 of the vest 7 (See FIG. 3), a chest belt 11 (see FIG. 2), and a back shoulder belt 12. For the chest belt 11 and the back shoulder belt 12, the fastening can be buttons, zippers, laces, or a Velcro® type fastener.

It should be noted that the specific construction of the elongated shaft 3 and the elongated receiver 4 is such that the elongated shaft 3 can slide vertically in the elongated receiver 4 or can slide horizontally in the elongated receiver 4. The length of the elongated shaft 3 is such that the elongated shaft 3 cannot move out of the elongated receiver 4 unless the helmet 1 is removed.

By this method, the control device allows for backward and forward movement of the player's head, but does not allow aggressive movement in these directions, thus, preventing serious head injury.

Moreover, the allowable movement in a horizontal direction allows the player the latitude to move his or her head in either direction horizontally, thus giving the player unrestricted movement and view. In football, this would be especially needful for a quarterback or receivers.

The elongated shaft module and the elongated receiver are manufactured from plastic such as polypropylene, polyethylene, urethane and like polymers.

It is contemplated within the scope of this invention to utilize fillable packs in combination with the control device of this invention (see FIG. 7). Thus, in FIG. 7 there is shown packs of this invention, showing fillable packs 13, holding straps 15, filler inlet 16 and outlet 17.

The fillable packs 13 consist of at least two liquid or gas leakproof sacks that are attached to each other by a strap 15 or similar device that allows the fillable packs 13 to drape over the shoulder of a player. Thereafter, the fillable packs 13 are covered by the control device as described just Supra. The fillable packs 13 are held together by the strap 15.

In yet another embodiment of this invention it is contemplated that the fillable packs 13 can be part of the shoulder pads and not a separate component of the assembly. (See FIG. 8).

The Figure shows fillable packs 13 and 13 connected together by a stiff bar 18 on which is mounted a control device of this invention.

The packs have fill ports 16 and outlet ports 17 which allow the packs to be filled with a liquid, for example, cooling water, or heating water. The packs can also be filled with cooled gas, for example helium, or air, or heated gas or air.

Turning now to FIG. 9, there is shown a full front view of a combination of a sub-vest 19 containing an elongated receiver 4 wherein the elongated receiver 4 is built into the sub-vest 19. This device is intended to be used without traditional shoulder pads, in that, it allows padded protection without the weight accompanying traditional shoulder pads with the added benefit of the protective device of this invention.

Shown is the sub-vest 19 and the elongated receiver 4 built into the sub-vest 19. The Sub-vest 19 has a front fastening device which can be fastened by any convenient means such as Velcro®, laces, or buttons 20. In addition, the sub-vest 19 has an extended tab 21 (shown in phantom) that inserts into a pocket 22 (shown in phantom) to hold the sub-vest 19 in place. By this means, the sub-vest 19 is easily put into place and easily removed.

Turning now to the fully adjustable control device of this invention and with regard to FIG. 11 there is shown a safety helmet 23 to which is attached a control device 24 of this invention. There is shown the first component 25, which is a hollow housing that is attached to the back wall 26 of the helmet 23, near the bottom edge 27.

The first component 25 has an open top 28 and an open bottom 29 and a plurality of openings 30 in the back wall 26. These openings 30 extend through the back wall of the helmet as well.

The second component 31 comprises an elongated bar which is capable of vertical sliding movement within the first component 25 when the screws 32 are not in place. This mobility is used to adjust the elongated bar 31 to accommodate the length of the wearers neck such that the helmet 23 allows forward vision. It should be understood that the control device 24 is not fastened to the safety helmet 23 exactly vertically, as if fastened exactly vertical on the helmet, the view out the front of the helmet would be too far upward.

There is a third component 33 comprising an elongated shaft that is fixedly attached to the first component 25 at a bottom of the first component 25.

There is a fourth component comprising a receiver 34 for the elongated bar 31. The receiver 34 for this embodiment of the invention is similar in construction to that found in FIGS. 5 and 6. The fourth component 34 is built into a padded structure constituting protective shoulder pads. The fourth component 34 is capable of receiving the elongated bar 31. The elongated bar 31 is vertically adjustable and anchored within said first component 31 by the use of double threaded screws inserted in the openings 30.

FIG. 12 shows a side view of the double threaded screws 32 useful in this invention.

Turning now to FIG. 13, there is shown a control device assembly for a safety helmet. The control device comprises a first component, a second component, a third component and a fourth component wherein the first component is a slidable T-slot lock assembly 35 comprised of a slidable T-slot lock 36 and a first receiver 37 for said slidable T-slot lock 36. The second component is an elongated shaft 40 to which the receiver 37 for the slidable T-slot lock 36 is fastened, and the third component is a block base 42 with a bottom centered second elongated shaft 52, and the fourth component is a receiver 45 for said bottom centered second elongated shaft 52.

The slidable T-slot lock assembly 35 is attachable to a rear edge of a safety helmet by heated fusion, adhesive, or mechanical fasteners 53 shown in FIG. 13. The line 54 in phantom in FIG. 13 is the interior surface of the helmet per se. The second component is an elongated top shaft 40 having a plurality of evenly spaced openings 41 therein.

The third component is a block base 42, the block base 42 having a bottom surface 43 and said bottom surface 43 has a bottom shaft 44 centrally fixedly attached to it.

The fourth component is a second receiver 45 for receiving the bottom shaft 44 the second receiver 45 is concave in structure.

The lower end 46 of the bottom shaft 44 has a first opening 47 through it and the second receiver 45 has opposed second openings 48 through side walls 49 in alignment with the first through opening 48.

The first through opening 47 and the side wall through openings 48 having a common fastener in them and this fastener, such as a wire 50 can be used to secure the bottom shaft 44 in the second receiver 45.

The bottom shaft 44 slidably inserts into a second receiver 45. It will be noted from FIGS. 15 and 16 that the second receiver 45 has a concave structure that allows the bottom shaft 44 to slidably move in a horizontal motion when the wearers head moves from side to side. Any forward and back ward motion of the wearers head slidably moves the bottom shaft 44 to move up and down in the second receiver 45 when the wearers head moves forward or backward. However, as can be noted, both motions are restricted so that no excessive movement is possible. The restrictions prevent serious injury to the neck, shoulders or head of the wearer.

FIG. 16 shows all of the components of this particular invention but does not show the attachment of the first component 36, the sliding T-slot lock to the helmet.

The elongated shaft 40 is attached to the component 37 by a plurality of screws 51 in openings 52.

Claims

1. A control device for a safety helmet, said control device comprising a first component and a second component wherein: said first component is a slidable helmet shaft and said second component is a vest with an elongated receiver for said first component;said first component comprising a module attachable to a rear edge of a safety helmet, said module having an elongated shaft;said second component capable of covering, shoulders, upper back and chest of a wearer, said second component having a neck opening and three fastening devices for holding said second component in place on the wearer, said fastening devices comprising:i) an upper tab and receiver for said tab,ii) a chest belt, and,iii) a back shoulder belt;

2. In combination, a control device as claimed in claim 1 and a fillable set of packs, said fillable packs capable of providing impact protection beneath said vest, said packs being formed of front packs and rear packs being attached to each other by a strap, said packs having an inlet port and an outlet port.

3. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the strap is adjustable.

4. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the fillable packs contain water.

5. The combination as claimed in claim 2 wherein the fillable packs contain a gas.

6. The combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein the gas is helium.

7. The combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein the gas is air.

8. A control device for a safety helmet, said control device comprising a first component and a second component wherein: said first component is a slidable helmet shaft and said second component is fillable packs with an elongated receiver for said first component;said first component comprising a module attachable to a rear edge of a safety helmet, said module having an elongated shaft;said second component capable of covering, shoulders, upper back and chest of a wearer, said second component having a neck opening and three fastening devices for holding said second component in place on the wearer, said fastening devices comprising:iv) an upper tab and receiver for said tab,v) a chest belt, and,vi) a back shoulder belt;

9. A combination that is a sub-vest and an elongated receiver.

10. A control device for a safety helmet, said control device comprising a first component, a second component, a third component, and a fourth component wherein: a. said first component is a hollow housing attached to a back wall of said safety helmet, near a bottom edge thereof;b. said first component having an open top and an open bottom;c. said first component having a plurality of openings in said back wall thereof;d. said second component comprising an elongated bar, said elongated bar capable of sliding movement within said first component;e. said third component comprising an elongated shaft, said elongated shaft attached to said first component at a bottom of said first component;f. said fourth component comprising a receiver for said elongated bar, said fourth component being built into a padded structure constituting protective shoulder pads, said fourth component capable of receiving said elongated bar;g. said elongated bar being adjustable and anchored within said first component by the use of double threaded screws inserted in said plurality of openings in said first component.

11. A control device for a safety helmet, said control device comprising a first component, a second component, a third component and a fourth component wherein: a. said first component is a slidable T-slot lock assembly comprised of a slidable T-slot lock and a first receiver for said slidable T-slot lock, said second component is an elongated shaft to which the receiver for said slidable T-slot lock is fastened, said third component is a block base with a bottom centered second elongated shaft and the fourth component is a receiver for said bottom centered second elongated shaft;b. said slidable T-slot lock assembly being attachable to a rear edge of a safety helmet;c. said second component being an elongated top shaft having a plurality of evenly spaced openings therein;d. said third component being a block base, said block base having a bottom surface and said bottom surface having a bottom shaft centrally fixedly attached thereto;e. Said fourth component being a second receiver for receiving said bottom shaft, said second receiver being concave in structure;f. a lower end of said bottom shaft having a first opening therethrough, said second receiver having opposed second openings through side walls in alignment with said first through opening;g. said first through opening and said side wall through openings having a common fastener therein.

12. In combination, a control device as claimed in claim 1 and a football helmet.

13. In combination, a control device as claimed in claim 8 and a football helmet.

14. In combination, a control device as claimed in claim 10 and a football helmet.

15. In combination, a control device as claimed in claim 11 and a football helmet.