Patent Grant
10064443
Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to suspension systems for helmet assemblies.
Helmets serve to protect the wearer against head injury when the wearer is at risk for impacts to the head. For instance, in modern combat, military helmets are used to withstand high-impact ballistics.
Helmets are often constructed to have an outer protective shell that is relatively rigid as compared with a softer and typically more flexible inner lining. Various types of helmets include a suspension system that enhances shock absorption characteristics of the helmet. In some cases, a suspension system is arranged to maintain the rigid protective shell at a safe distance from the head when the helmet is impacted, while permitting an acceptable degree of mechanical give. For example, suspension systems are often constructed to cradle the head by, at least in part, providing a pocket of cushioning or air between the head and the protective shell. Suspension systems are typically designed to be installed in a particular type of helmet manufactured according to set specifications.
In an illustrative embodiment, a suspension system for a helmet assembly is provided. The suspension system includes a support portion to engage a wearer's head to help support the helmet assembly on the wearer's head. The suspension system also includes an upward stabilizing member extending from the support portion; and a downward stabilizing member pivotally attached to the upward stabilizing member and configured to be attached to an interior surface of a helmet.
In another illustrative embodiment, a suspension system for a helmet assembly is provided. The suspension system includes a fit-adjustment support portion having a first side and a second side. The suspension system also includes a first upward stabilizing member extending from the first side of the fit-adjustment support portion, and configured to be attached to an interior surface of a helmet; and a second upward stabilizing member extending from the second side of the fit-adjustment support portion and configured to be attached to an interior surface of the helmet.
According to another embodiment, a method of assembling a helmet assembly includes acts of providing a helmet, providing a suspension system including a support band, and attaching the suspension system to the helmet. The method also includes attaching a downward stabilizing member to the helmet, the downward stabilizing member being pivotally attached to an upward stabilizing member that is attached to the support band.
According to a further embodiment, a method of assembling a helmet assembly includes acts of providing a helmet and providing a suspension system including an adjustable band and a fit-adjustment support portion. The method further includes attaching the suspension system to the helmet, and attaching a first downward stabilizing member to the helmet, the first downward stabilizing member being attached to a first upward stabilizing member that is attached to the fit-adjustment support portion. Also included is an act of attaching a second downward stabilizing member to the helmet, the second downward stabilizing member being attached to a second upward stabilizing member that is attached to the fit-adjustment support portion.
Advantages, novel features, and objects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are schematic and which are not intended to be drawn to scale. For purposes of clarity, not every component is labeled in every figure, nor is every component of each embodiment of the invention shown where illustration is not necessary to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention.
The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
The present disclosure relates to helmet assembly suspension systems that provide enhanced stability to the helmet assembly relative to the head of the wearer. The present disclosure also relates to suspension systems having the ability to be incorporated into a number of different types of helmet assemblies, such as those that are produced according to differing standard/platform specifications and/or those that are subject to manufacturing variability. In some embodiments, the suspension assembly systems are particularly suited for use with military helmets or other helmets suited for high impact activities.
When helmet assemblies including suspension systems described herein are worn, the suspension systems may provide and maintain a separation between the head of the wearer and the rigid shell that forms a protective barrier around the head. The inventors have appreciated that, at times, when using a visual accessory such as night vision goggles or a helmet-mounted display, a wearer of certain helmet assemblies may experience motion sickness due to movements of the visual accessory. In particular, pitch and yaw rotations of the helmet on the head of a wearer may cause movements of the visual accessory relative to the wearer's eye(s). For instance, when a wearer of a helmet equipped with a night vision camera looks through the lens of the camera and engages in routine maneuvers, due to the weight of the helmet and/or equipment, there may be a tendency for the helmet to move or rotate in a manner that moves the visual equipment relative to the wearer's eye(s), leading to motion sickness and/or decreased effectiveness of the visual equipment.
Wearers of helmet assemblies equipped with suspension systems in accordance with the present disclosure may be less prone to suffer motion sickness or other types of discomfort during use due to improved stability. Improved stability in helmet suspension systems may be particularly beneficial in helmet assemblies that incorporate additional features (e.g., electronics, optics, eyewear, etc.) that add weight to the helmet or apply torque to the wearer. Without the stability provided by aspects of the present disclosure, during use, the helmet assembly may be subject to undesirable movement.
Helmet assemblies in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure may incorporate stabilizing features that beneficially provide a suitable degree of stability. In some embodiments, a suspension system includes one or more stabilizing members that extend from a support portion of the suspension system and attach to an interior of the helmet. The support portion engages with a wearer's head to help support the helmet assembly on the wearer's head. Such arrangements may result in an enhanced overall stability to the suspension system while not resulting in a detrimental sacrifice in flexibility, so that the helmet is able to fit comfortably on the head of a wearer.
While aspects of the present disclosure provide for improved stability for helmet assemblies incorporating suspension systems, the fit of such helmet assemblies to a wearer's head is not compromised. The adjustable features or other components of helmet assemblies described herein maintain an adequate amount of flexibility so as to be able to provide for a secure fit of the helmet to the wearer's head. In some embodiments, the suspension system includes an adjustable band that is positioned around the circumference of the head and is tightened so as to achieve a suitable fit. A fit-adjustment support portion from which stabilizing members extend may house a portion of the adjustable band. Accordingly, as the adjustable band is tightened, the stabilizing members may allow the adjustable band and/or the fit-adjustment support portion to move radially inwardly and outwardly, while still resisting various forces (e.g., tension, compression, torsion) and providing stability of the helmet on the wearer's head.
Suspension systems discussed herein may be suitable for use in helmets across different platforms, and/or have the ability to be incorporated into helmet assemblies that are subject to manufacturing variability. For example, the interior surface of the protective shell of one type of helmet (e.g., helmets manufactured in accordance with U.S. standards) may have attachment sites for a suspension system that are than the interior surface of the protective shell of another type of helmet (e.g., helmets manufactured in accordance with Canadian standards). As an example, the location of one or more holes bored into a protective shell where a suspension system may be attached may vary between different types of helmets. Differences in the location of a suspension system attachment to a helmet may vary from helmet-to-helmet even for helmets that are produced under the same specified standard/platform because of manufacturing variability.
Suspension systems in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure may have features that are movable or otherwise adjustable (e.g., pivotable, rotatable, telescoping, etc.) such that the suspension system may be suitably installed in a helmet having a stabilizing member attachment site location that falls within a range of locations. For example, one or more stabilizing members of a suspension system may be pivoted or otherwise suitably adjusted to align an attachment portion of the stabilizing member with a stabilizing member attachment site location (e.g., an attachment hole in a helmet). Such adjustment may be beneficial to accommodate variations in the location of the attachment sites on different helmets.
In some embodiments, a suspension system may include an upward stabilizing member that extends from a support portion of the suspension system. The suspension system also may include a downward stabilizing member that is movably attached (e.g., pivotally attached) to the upward stabilizing member. The downward stabilizing member may be configured to be attached to an interior surface of a helmet. For example, the downward stabilizing member may have an attachment end, located opposite a pivot end, that is attachable via a fastener, adhesive, or other suitable manner, at one or more suitable locations to the interior surface of a helmet (e.g., the interior surface of a protective shell).
The upward and downward stabilizing members may be longitudinal members made of a thin, planar, rigid material which resists tension and compressive forces, but permits bending in a direction normal to its plane. In this manner, the stabilizing members allow the adjustable band or fit-adjustment support band to move radially inward when the adjustable band is tightened.
A fit-adjustment support portion is a portion of the suspension assembly which both supports the helmet on the wearer's head and also provides the ability to adjust the fit of the suspension system. For example, a fit-adjustment support portion may form a part of a fit band, and also include a twistable dial which tightens and/or loosens an adjustable fit band which extends around a circumference of the wearer's head. In some embodiments, a fit-adjustment support portion of the suspension system may have a first side and a second side. A pair of upward stabilizing members may extend from each of the two sides of the fit-adjustment support portion.
In some cases, the incorporation of more than one stabilizing member (e.g., extending upward from the fit-adjustment support portion) may further serve to enhance stability of the helmet assembly during use. In addition, more than one stabilizing member assembly which includes both and upward and a downward stabilizing member also may be attached to an interior surface of a helmet.
The retention system 30 includes a strap 32 and a number of adjustment devices 34 (e.g., lock/release components, adjustment clips) for tightening, loosening and locking portions of the strap with respect to the head of the wearer. The retention system 30 may include a lower strap region for wrapping around the mandible of the wearer. Once this lower strap region is suitably placed around the mandible, the retention system may be tightened, loosened, and/or locked accordingly.
As shown in
The suspension system 100 further includes a fit-adjustment support portion 150 that provides a support structure as well as a housing for a mechanism that is configured to control tightening and loosening the adjustable band 120. While the fit-adjustment support portion 150 is shown at the rear of the suspension system in
In some embodiments, the fit-adjustment support portion 150 is stiffer than other components of the suspension system, such as the mesh lining 110, adjustable band 120 and/or attachment members 130. The mesh lining and/or the adjustable band are arranged to contribute to a suitable fit to the head of a wearer. Thus, the mesh lining 110 and/or adjustable band 120 may be substantially more prone to deformation than the fit-adjustment support portion 150 whose function is more suitable for housing the adjuster to the adjustable band. Accordingly, attaching the stabilizing members disclosed herein to the fit-adjustment support portion 150 can provide more stability to the helmet than attaching the same members to other portions of the suspension system in some embodiments.
In some embodiments, the adjustable band 120 comprises a material that is resistant to both tensile and compressive forces, such as a plastic, metal, or other material that holds its shape. Though, in some embodiments, the mesh lining 110 includes a material that is generally unable to resist compression (e.g., fabric).
As described further below, the fit-adjustment support portion 150 may provide a housing for a suitable anchoring mechanism to which the stabilizing members are attached in a manner that enhances stability of the suspension system and the helmet assembly.
Referencing
In some embodiments, each of the upward stabilizing members 170 are integrally attached at respective ends 158a, 158b of the fit-adjustment support portion 150 and extend therefrom. That is, in some embodiments, as illustratively shown further below in
While upward stabilizing member 170 may be integrally attached to the fit-adjustment support portion 150, it should be appreciated that other arrangements are possible. For example, an upward stabilizing member 170 may be a separate component from the fit-adjustment support portion 150 and may be attached to the fit-adjustment support portion 150 by a fastener, or may be attached indirectly through another component, or may be attached by any other suitable technique. The upward stabilizing member 170 may be removably attached to the fit-adjustment support portion 150. In some embodiments, either of the first or second housing portions 152, 154, or both, may include one or both of the upward stabilizing members. In some embodiments, the second housing portion 154 may include at least one or both of the upward stabilizing members extending therefrom.
The fit-adjustment support portion 150 may provide for increased stiffness and support for components of the suspension system so as to resist undesirable movement of the helmet assembly during use (e.g., bounce, rotation, pitch, yaw). That is, the fit-adjustment support portion 150 may serve as a stabilizing anchor for the helmet, and be connected to the helmet via the upward and downward stabilizing members.
The fit-adjustment support portion 150 and the adjustable band 120 may provide some or all of the support for the weight of the helmet itself. It should be appreciated, however, that the fit-adjustment support portion and/or other support portions of the suspension assembly may not directly support the weight of the helmet in some embodiments. For example, the mesh lining may carry the most or all of the weight of the helmet in some embodiments while the adjustable band and/or fit-adjustment support portion only provide support in resisting movements of the helmet relative to the wearer's head.
Upward stabilizing members 170 may have a pivot end 172 (e.g., upper end) and downward stabilizing members 180 may have a pivot end 182. Accordingly, each of the upward stabilizing members 170 that extends from the fit-adjustment support portion 150 may form a pivotal attachment 190 to a downward stabilizing member 180 at their respective pivot ends. In some embodiments, the pivot 190 between the upward and downward stabilizing members is, itself, attached to the helmet. Though, in other embodiments, the pivot 190 between the upward and downward stabilizing members remains unattached to the helmet.
The downward stabilizing member 180 is further configured to be attached to an interior surface of a helmet at an attachment end of the stabilizing member. In some embodiments, the interior surface of the helmet to which the downward stabilizing member is attached is the interior surface of the protective shell, resulting in a secure attachment.
Thus, in some embodiments, the upward stabilizing member 170 is attached to and extends from a relatively stiff fit-adjustment support portion 150; and the downward stabilizing member 180 is attached directly to an interior surface of the helmet. Alternatively, in some embodiments, rather than a downward stabilizing member 180 being attached directly to the helmet, an upper end of an upward stabilizing member 170 may be attached directly to the helmet. For example, a pair (or more) of upward stabilizing members 170 may extend from opposite sides 158a, 158b of the fit-adjustment support portion 150 and upper ends of the upward stabilizing members may be attached to the interior surface of the helmet. The resistance of the stabilizing members to longitudinal tension, longitudinal compression, and twisting stabilizes the helmet relative to the suspension system.
In some embodiments, downward stabilizing members movably attached to upward stabilizing members may be attached to a helmet at a lower position as compared to where a single upward stabilizing member might be attached (i.e., a stabilizing assembly that does not include a downward stabilizing member). For example, a single upward stabilizing member attached to the helmet by itself may extend a sufficient length upwardly along the interior surface of the helmet to have a bending flexibility that permits radial adjustment of the adjustable band. In such a case, the upward stabilizing member would generally have to extend further up along the interior surface of the helmet to its helmet attachment as compared to a double stabilizing member arrangement. As described herein, the attachment site of the downward stabilizing member may be closer to the rim 22 of the helmet while providing a length that allows bending flexibility to accommodate radial movement of the adjustable band.
Upward and downward stabilizing members described herein may have any suitable dimensions. For example, upward stabilizing member 170 may have any suitable width W1, thickness T1, length L1, and corresponding aspect ratios, such as the width to thickness ratio, the length to thickness ratio, and the length to width ratio. As shown in
In some embodiments, upward and/or downward stabilizing members may have a width W1, W2 of between about 0.1 cm and about 5 cm, between about 0.5 cm and about 4 cm, or between about 1 cm and about 3 cm. For example, the width W1, W2 of an upward and/or downward stabilizing member may be approximately 1.5 cm, 2.0 cm, or any other suitable width.
In some embodiments, upward and/or downward stabilizing members may have a thickness T1, T2 of between about 0.1 mm and about 10 mm, between about 0.5 mm and about 5 mm, or between about 1 mm and about 3 mm. For example, the thickness T1, T2 of an upward and/or downward stabilizing member may be approximately 2 mm, 3 mm, or any other suitable thickness.
In some embodiments, upward and/or downward stabilizing members may have a length L1, L2 of between about 1 cm and about 10 cm, between about 2 cm and about 7 cm, or between about 3 cm and about 5 cm. For example, the length L1, L2 of an upward and/or downward stabilizing member may be approximately 4 cm, 4.5 cm, or any other suitable length.
In some embodiments, upward and/or downward stabilizing members may have a length to width aspect ratio of between about 1:1 and about 10:1, between about 2:1 and about 7:1, or between about 3:1 and about 5:1. For example, the length to width aspect ratio of an upward and/or downward stabilizing member may be approximately 3:1, 4:1, or 10:1, or any other suitable aspect ratio.
In some embodiments, upward and/or downward stabilizing members may have a length to thickness aspect ratio of between about 10:1 and about 200:1, between about 20:1 and about 100:1, or between about 30:1 and about 60:1. For example, the length to thickness aspect ratio of an upward and/or downward stabilizing member may be approximately 40:1, 50:1, or any other suitable aspect ratio.
In some embodiments, upward and/or downward stabilizing members may have a width to thickness aspect ratio of between about 5:1 and about 200:1, between about 10:1 and about 100:1, or between about 15:1 and about 50:1. For example, the width to thickness aspect ratio of an upward and/or downward stabilizing member may be approximately 20:1, 30:1, or any other suitable aspect ratio.
If the stabilizing members of the suspension system were not arranged in this manner, or in a similarly effective configuration, such a force may cause the helmet to shift substantially more; so much so that the wearer of the helmet may be more prone to discomfort, or motion sickness if using visual accessories attached to the helmet. Accordingly, the angle θ and the distance D would be greater for helmet assemblies not incorporating arrangements of stabilizing members described herein, yet subject to the same applied force during use.
While not expressly shown in the figures, the same or a similar configuration of components of the embodiment of
Prior to attachment of the downward stabilizing member 180 to an interior surface of the helmet (e.g., to the interior surface of the protective shell, padding, etc.), the downward stabilizing member 180 may be free to rotate about the pivotal attachment 190 formed with the upward stabilizing member 170. As discussed further below, the ability to pivot freely allows the downward stabilizing member 180 to be suitably joined to a number of different types of helmets each having attachment sites located at different positions.
Any suitable arrangement may be used to form a pivotal attachment. For example, a mushroom-type head in post, eyelet construction, linked arrangement, or any other suitable construction may be used as known to those of ordinary skill in the art. As discussed, the pivot 190 between the upward and downward stabilizing members may or may not be attached to the helmet.
As shown, the downward stabilizing member 180 includes an attachment end 184 (e.g., lower end) located opposite the pivot end 182 (e.g., upper end), which may be attached, in any suitable manner, to an interior surface of a helmet (e.g., the protective shell, padding, etc.). The attachment end 184 has a number of attachment sites, such as those illustrated in the figures as a plurality of holes 185 through which a fastener 186 may be inserted for attachment of the downward stabilizing member 180 to an interior surface of the helmet.
In some embodiments, the site of attachment (i.e., hole through which a fastener is inserted/screwed) where the downward stabilizing member is attached to the helmet may be chosen to provide for appropriate height adjustment with respect to the head of the wearer. For example, if it is preferred for the helmet to sit higher on the head of the wearer, the downward stabilizing member 180 may be attached at the lowermost hole 185a of the attachment end 184 to the helmet. Conversely, if it is preferred for the helmet to sit lower on the head of the wearer, attachment of the downward stabilizing member 180 to the helmet may be set at the uppermost hole 185c of the attachment end. It can be appreciated that the attachment end 184 may have any suitable number of attachment sites (e.g., insert/screw holes) arranged in any suitable pattern.
As shown in
As discussed previously, suspension systems described herein may be installed in helmets that are subject to variability in manufacture. For instance, if an attachment site (e.g., insert/screw hole) for one protective shell varies from helmet to helmet by ⅛ of an inch, ¼ of an inch, ½ of an inch, an inch or even a greater distance laterally to either side, the pivotal arrangement discussed herein allows the position of the downward stabilizing member to be adjusted to accommodate such variability.
For example, a protective shell 20 for one helmet (e.g., shown in
In the example shown in
The respective attachment sites 26 of other helmets may be at locations that differ from that of
Any appropriate method may be used to join the attachment end 184 of the downward stabilizing member, or other stabilizing member, to the interior of a helmet. In some embodiments, a fastener such as a bolt, nut, insert, rod, pin, screw or other threaded component, snap, latch, button, or any other fastening device that mechanically joins or affixes two or more objects together, may be used. Or, a stabilizing member may be joined to the interior of a helmet by another appropriate method, for example, crimping, welding, by use of an adhesive, cement, suction, friction/interference fit, solder, magnetic, etc. It should be appreciated that attachment of a stabilizing member to the interior of the helmet does not require a direct attachment. For example, a stabilizing member may be attached to the helmet through an intermediate leg positioned between the stabilizing member and the helmet, via a padding, in a linkage configuration, or other suitable arrangement.
Accordingly, in the embodiment of
In contrast, in the embodiment illustrated in
However, in both of the above embodiments (
Each of the upward and downward stabilizing members 170, 180 and the fit-adjustment support portion 150 from which the upward stabilizing member extends may comprise any suitable material. In some embodiments, a molded polymer may be used. For example, the material making up any of the upward stabilizing member, the downward stabilizing member, or the fit-adjustment support portion may include a plastic, such as polyethylene (e.g., high-density, low-density), nylon, polyamide, polyimide, polyester, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polycarbonate, polyurethane, para-aramid synthetic fiber (e.g., KEVLAR®), or any other suitable polymeric material. In other embodiments, at least one of the upward stabilizing member, the downward stabilizing member, and the fit-adjustment support portion may comprise a material other than plastic or polymer, such as metal (e.g., aluminum, tin, titanium, etc.), carbon (e.g., graphite), glass, fiberglass, fibrous material, etc. It should be appreciated that each of the upward and downward stabilizing members, and the fit-adjustment support portion may comprise the same or different material.
Each of the upward and downward stabilizing members and the fit-adjustment support portion may exhibit any suitable stiffness characteristics. For example, in some cases, each of the upward and downward stabilizing members and the fit-adjustment support portion may be more stiff than the adjustment band. However, in some cases, the stiffness of the adjustment band may be comparable to the stiffness of any one of the upward stabilizing member, the downward stabilizing members, or the fit-adjustment support portion from which the upward stabilizing member extends. It should be appreciated that each of the upward and downward stabilizing members, and the fit-adjustment support portion may exhibit the same or different stiffness characteristics.
The fit-adjustment support portion 150 of the suspension system may include any suitable arrangement of parts and is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein. In the embodiment shown in
The upward stabilizing members 170 are integrally attached to the first housing portion 152 of the fit-adjustment support portion 150. However, as discussed above, other arrangements of the upward stabilizing members 170 with respect to the first housing portion 152 of the fit-adjustment support portion 150 are possible.
The first housing portion 152 and the second housing portion 154 may provide a support housing for an adjustment device 160 optionally located at a central region 156 of the fit-adjustment support portion 150. The adjustment device 160 may be appropriately coupled with the adjustable band 120 so as to provide for tightening and loosening control of the band. As shown in the figures, the adjustable band 120 may be coupled to the adjustment device 160 while also being sandwiched between the first and second housings 152, 154. Such adjustment control may provide for suitable fitting of the suspension system around the circumference of the head of the wearer.
As shown in the figures, the adjustment device 160 may optionally comprise a dial where rotation of the dial in one direction (e.g., clockwise) serves to tighten the adjustable band 120 and rotation of the dial in the opposite direction (e.g., counter-clockwise) serves to loosen the adjustable band 120. The exploded view of
As the dial is turned, the pinion is rotated causing the adjustable band 120 to move in between respective housing portions 152, 154 of the fit-adjustment support portion 150, as shown by the corresponding double sided reference arrows. Thus, when the dial is turned so that the end portions 122 move toward one another, the adjustable band 120 is tightened; conversely, when the dial is turned in a manner such that the end portions 122 move away from one another, the adjustable band 120 is loosened. In addition, when the helmet assembly is worn, the adjustment device 160 extends below the rim 22 of the protective shell 20 so that adjustments in tension to the adjustable band 120 are conveniently made. It can be appreciated that any other suitable adjustment device may be used to control tensioning of the adjustable band 120 as the embodiment shown is for illustrative purposes only.
In some embodiments, the support portion that encircles a wearer's head may not be adjustable, and the suspension system may not include an adjustment device. Stabilizing assemblies described herein may be used with such a suspension system.
Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modification, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.
This application is a continuation application and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 120 of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/657,828, entitled “HELMET SUSPENSION SYSTEM” filed on Oct. 22, 2012, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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