BACKGROUND
Modern media coverage of sports related injuries has highlighted cumulative injuries that accrue from repeated head impacts. Multiple occurrences of professional football players experiencing serious mental degradation from Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) have received particular attention, however any contact sport poses a CTE risk environment. This degenerative brain disease has been found in athletes, military veterans, and others with a history of repetitive brain trauma (head impacts). CTE has been observed in patients as young as 17, but symptoms do not generally begin appearing until years after the onset of head impacts. Sports where impact with another player, helmet or a scoring object such as a ball or puck, including baseball, hockey, football, lacrosse, and basketball are under increasing pressure to mitigate possible head injuries.
SUMMARY
A protective headgear device, or helmet, protects against head injuries such as concussions and CTE by imposing a network of constant force members (CFMs) between an outer impact shell and an inner fitted capsule engaging the skull/head surface. CFMs exhibit a force absorbing behavior that differs from conventional linear spring behavior that impose a counterforce proportional to the displaced distance. CFMs occupy a compact void between the outer impact shell and the inner fitted capsule by component miniaturization and tethers that redirect forces within the void. An absence of conventional foam and straps increases accommodation for the CFMs and connection tethers/attachments. The CFMs exhibit a substantially constant force that avoids a sharp impactful response associated with head injuries.
Configurations herein are based, in part, on the observation that many human endeavors, most notably athletic competitions but also first responders, construction and other high-risk occupations employ equipment for absorbing and redirecting harmful forces. Headwear articles in particular, such as helmets, face guards and chin straps/guards, are significant due to the possibly grave outcome of high impact head injuries. Unfortunately, conventional approaches to head protection suffer from the shortcoming of a linear spring response exhibited by typical protective appliances. The linear spring response, discussed further below, rapidly approaches an unmitigated force transferal after an initial absorption capability is exhausted. Accordingly, configurations herein substantially overcome the above shortcomings of conventional helmets and protective devices by providing a non-linear spring response in a headgear appliance that provides a constant or near-constant force response over a range of displacement. This controlled force exhibited by the CFMs avoids an external impact resulting in a sharp, injurious force being transferred to the wearer. Rather, the combination of a network of CFMs arranged in relation to areas of expected impact serves to distribute the external impact both in time and area to the head region of the wearer.
In further detail, an impact absorbing helmet appliance device includes an impact shell adapted to receive an incoming force, and a fitted capsule within the impact shell and having an engaging area adapted for communication with a wearer. The fitted capsule is adapted to disperse forces directed to the impact shell by one or more controlled force members (CFM) between the impact shell and the fitted capsule, such that the controlled force members are adapted to apply a nonlinear response for transferring force between the impact shell and the fitted capsule.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of particular embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a side cutaway view of a protective headgear appliance depicting configurations herein;
FIG. 2 is a particular configuration depicting the protective headgear appliance in a baseball catcher's helmet;
FIG. 3 is another particular configuration of a protective headgear appliance depicting configurations herein and implemented in a football helmet;
FIG. 4 is a graph of force absorption exhibited by the appliances of FIGS. 1-3;
FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of an elastic field as employed in the controlled force members (CFM) of FIGS. 1-4;
FIG. 6 shows a top or plan view of impact displacement of the CFMs of FIGS. 1-5;
FIG. 7 shows a tethered compression member implementation of a CFM as in FIGS. 1-6;
FIG. 8 shows a dual post configuration of a CFM depicting dual, opposed curves;
FIG. 9 shows an elastic field CFM adapted for compression forces;
FIGS. 10A-10B show a cam or condyle CFM implementation;
FIG. 11 shows a particular configuration of various CFMs deployed in a protective headgear appliance;
FIGS. 12A-12B show alternate configurations of CFMs; and
FIGS. 13A-13B show alternate configurations of the fitted capsule.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Configurations below demonstrate an example headgear appliance embodied as a helmet to be worn on the head of an athlete or other wearer for mitigating head impacts. The examples below depict helmets for use by football platers and baseball catchers as these are predominant uses of helmets in athletic endeavors. Football players exhibit substantial contact with other players and the playing surface during the normal course of play. One particular scenario is helmet-to-helmet contact, resulting in a sharp impact by a hard surface (the other helmet) towards a player's skull. This particular scenario has recently been elevated to a penalty level of disqualification of a player if intentionally caused. Baseball catchers have a propensity for impact from a high-velocity pitched ball (often approaching 100 mph) and from errant bat swings. In both occurrences, the impact is likely directed towards an upper front (forehead) region of the wearer, and imposes a force tending towards the direction behind the catcher. Football impacts, in contrast, are more likely to involve other directions and are also more likely to involve a force directly to the top of the skull, as in the helmet-to-helmet contact scenario since a natural reaction is to lower the face (front) upon eminent impact.
Previous approaches, such as that disclosed in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/675,989, show a similar use of non-linear springs for mitigating harmful forces in fathletic footwear. The footwear force mitigation approach addresses force exerted by the athlete against a playing surface. In contrast, the helmet disclosed herein mitigates external forces exerted against the athlete or wearer. In both contexts, however, the force is mitigated by a plurality of small, force absorbing members disposed to intercept the potentially harmful force by responding according to a non-linear spring response. The non-linear spring response, discussed in graphic detail further below, counters the harmful force with a constant or near-constant force. This differs from conventional foams or springs, often employed for football and catcher helmets. A foam, for example, responds with a counter force until approaching full compression, at which point the foam quickly behaves as a solid surface. Springs or elastics respond with a force that increases approximately linearly with the displaced distance, and generally according to a steep upward curve.
In conventional approaches, such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,958,023, a rate-dependent, elastically-deformable device is shown using filaments placed inside a closed tube or vessel defining a confinement member. The confinement member is filled with a fluid that substantially fills the remaining volume inside the elastically-deformable confinement member, and a frictional or mechanical relation between the fluid and the filaments is exploited to affect a resistive force. Configurations of the '023 patent teach use of a non-Newtonian fluids that has a viscosity that changes with the strain rate, which may enable devices to be more tailored for certain operational performance. Thus, both a solid and liquid member are required, and a sealed vessel encapsulating the two imposes a manufacturing and materials constraint not found in the approach herein. Further, the rate-adaptive approach affects only tensional forces, not compressive forces.
FIG. 1 is a side cutaway view of a protective headgear appliance depicting configurations herein. Referring to FIG. 1, in a general configuration, a headgear appliance 100 approximates a shape slightly larger than a human head, with an open region around the neck 101 and face 103 region. The exact exposure of the neck and face region may vary, however in general is a relatively smaller portion than the total cranial region around which the appliance 100 fits. An impact shell 110 defines the exterior, and is generally a lightweight rigid material such as a polymer (plastic), fiberglass or carbon fiber for receiving an incoming impactful force without shattering or cracking. An exterior coating 112 may be employed for deflecting indirect (non-normal) forces to promote a glancing response rather than imposing a rotational component from friction.
Inside the appliance 100, or helmet, a fitted capsule 120 directly engages the athlete's head in a snug manner so as to remain positioned during the force response as described below. The fitted capsule 120 may be provided by any suitable planar or textile material, and may include multiple segments or portions including straps and/or panels for retaining the head relative to the impact shell 110. A displacement zone 130 is defined by a volume between an inner surface 115 of the impact shell 110 and the fitted capsule 120. One or more controlled force members 150-1 . . . 150-6 (150 generally) attach the fitted capsule 120 to the impact shell for absorbing incoming impactful forces according to a nonlinear spring response.
In the configuration of FIG. 1, the impact absorbing helmet appliance is a device including an impact shell 110 adapted to receive an incoming adverse force 160, and a fitted capsule 120 having an engaging area adapted for communication with a wearer/athlete. The fitted capsule 120 is adapted to disperse forces 160 directed to the impact shell 110 by coupling to one or more controlled force members (CFM) 150 between the impact shell 110 and the fitted capsule 120, such that the controlled force members 150 are adapted to apply a nonlinear response for transferring force between the impact shell 110 and the fitted capsule 120.
FIG. 2 is a particular configuration depicting the protective headgear appliance in a baseball catcher's helmet. While baseball and football helmets are employed as example contexts, the techniques and principles herein are applicable to any helmet for athletic and non-athletic uses, such as hockey, cycling, motorsports, law enforcement, construction and other environments where a head impact can occur. Referring to FIG. 2, a baseball catcher is most prone to frontal impacts from pitched balls and errant bat swings. Accordingly, the fitted capsule 120 may take the form of a strap 120′ at the front or forehead of the wearer 114. An incoming pitched ball delivers an impact force 160 tending to dispose the impact shell 110 a distance delta S. This impact drives the entire impact shell 110 in the direction of result force 160′.
Various arrangements of CFMs 150 may be employed, and are disposed to address an opposed position 162 on the impact shell 110 from an impact region 164 defined by points having a higher likelihood of receiving the external impact 160. In FIG. 2, side mounted controlled force members 150-1 . . . 150-2 couple via a tether 152 to a posterior region of the impact shell 110 defining the approximate opposed position 162. As the result force 160′ disposes the shell 110 rearward, tension forces received by the CFM 150 restrain movement according to a nonlinear spring response exhibited between a deformable member 250 within a tapered cylindrical enclosure 252, discussed further below in FIG. 4.
FIG. 3 is another particular configuration of a protective headgear appliance depicting configurations herein and implemented in a football helmet. Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the fitted capsule 120 is circumferentially aligned within the impact shell 110 and separated by the displacement zone 130, such that the displacement zone permits non-contact travel of the fitted capsule 120 within the impact shell 110, The plurality of CFMs 150 anchor and support the fitted capsule 120 such that it does not exhaust a range of movement within the impact shell 110. A network of tethers 152-N (152 generally) may also be applied or attached to the CFMs to distribute incoming force 160 around the fitted capsule 120.
It is apparent from FIG. 3 that an impact on one side of the impact shell 110 tends to displace the shell 110 in the direction of the force. A distance, or width, of the displacement zone 130 between the shell 110 and capsule 120 decreases on the impact side, and increases on the opposed side. The device 100 arranges the CFMs 150 such that at least one CFM 150 is disposed in the displacement zone 130 and tethered for absorbing tensional forces in response to the force 160 imposed on the impact shell 110 on the opposed side of an attachment of the tether, such as at or near the opposed position 162. At least one CFM 150 is disposed in the displacement zone 130 and disposed for absorbing compressive forces in response to a force imposed on the impact shell 110 on the side of the received impact, thus absorbing direct force from the impact rather than “pulling” from a tether 152. The CFM 150 may also be disposed for receiving a component of force received by the impact shell 110 based on an angle of an attachment of the CFM to the fitted capsule 120 and an impact location on the impact shell 110. Indirection through angular attachments via pulleys 117 and/or slide surfaces may be performed, such as CFM 150-4, tethered to apply a tension force to a frontal impact 160. A similar arrangement is shown in the catcher's mask of FIG. 2, where attachment at the rear of the impact surface 110 carries a tensioned load from the side of the head where the CFM 150-10 attaches.
FIG. 4 is a graph of force absorption exhibited by the appliances of FIGS. 1-3. Referring to FIGS. 1-4, a graph 400 depicts the force dispersion in the CFM 150 along with conventional foam. A similar curve can be drawn for a linear spring response. A load exhibited by an incoming force 160 is shown on the vertical axis 410, and a displacement distance that resulted in the force on the horizontal axis 420. A lower force region 402 corresponds with normal play where the response is generally small and well correlated with the displacement for both the conventional foam 416 and for the non-linear spring 414 response exhibited by the CFM 150. As the incoming force 160 imposes a greater load 410, the response is shown by a performance portion 404, meaning that the absorbed forces are approaching the limits of non-injurious exchanges. It is at this range that the form compresses to exhibit a counterforce, and upon approaching a full compression the conventional foam 416 sharply begins to transfer the force largely unmitigated, as the foam is compressed to a near solid state and little more displacement occurs as the transferred force rises into the injurious region 406.
In contrast, the CFM 150 exhibits a more controlled displacement, approaching a horizontal limit as the incoming force 150 continues a displacement. In other words, the force required to move (displace) the CFM remains largely constant over the displaced distance. The CFM 150 responds with a near constant force shown by line 414, thus spreading the force over time, rather than passing it through to the athlete unmitigated. An ideal constant force spring would exhibit a horizontal line over the entire displacement; the configurations herein depict a CFM that exhibits a slight return force until the load increases into the performance portion, where the CFM 150 is fully engaged and tensioned and responds with an only slight incline approaching a horizontal limit.
FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of an elastic field as employed in the controlled force members (CFM) 150 of FIGS. 1-4, for implementing the response as in FIG. 5. A resilient foam defines the deformable member 500 that experiences a displacement force in the form of an incoming load 160. In response, the deformable member 500 is slidably engaged against a multi-tiered surface 502 including a tapered region 510 appearing as an inclined surface having an angle 512. An elastic field is defined by the region 514 undergoing forced compression against the tapered region 510. Due to the angle 512, the elastic field 514 exerts a counterforce 260 as the deformable member 500 is forced to compress in the direction 520. Since a size of the elastic field 514 is roughly constant without regard to a displacement (travel distance) in the direction of force 160, the counterforce 260 returned is also constant.
FIG. 6 shows a top or plan view of impact displacement of the CFMs of FIGS. 1-5. Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the fitted capsule 120 occupies a region inside the circumference of the impact shell 110. In FIG. 6, an impact force 160 causes displacement of the impact shell 110 in the direction of the received force, shown by 160′. This causes the relative position of the fitted capsule to displace to an opposite position shown by dotted line 120′. CFM 150-61 and 150-62 experience a tensioning force and expand. CFM 150-63 and 150-64 experience compression forces as the distance between the outer shell 110 and fitted capsule 120 decreases. Each of the CFMs 150 are defined by a deformable member adapted to compressively deform in response to the transferred force between the impact shell 110 and the fitted capsule 120, in which the deformable member 500 has an elastic field 514 disposed for compression. Correlating with FIG. 5, a compression force is imposed by a rigid structure extending in the direction of the impact force 160. A tension force is mitigated by a tethered member 152 drawing or pulling on the region of reduced cross section 501. While each individual deformable member 150 need not address both compression and deformation, an opposite force would merely cause the deformable member to relax. In other words, a tethered attachment, for example, if compressed rather than tensioned, would simply fall slack within the displacement zone 130. A typical design locates complementary CFMs on opposed sides of the impact shell 110 to offset. In the case of tension, a tether 152 attaching the CFM 150 between the impact shell 110 and the fitted capsule 120, the tether is adapted for transferring tensional force between the impact shell 110 and the fitted member 120 in response to an impact force on an opposed side of the impact shell. For mitigating compression force, the CFM 150 attaches between the impact shell and the fitted capsule. The CFM 150 is adapted for receiving compression forces directed to the impact shell 130 at an attachment point of the CFM, and the CFM absorbs force disposing the impact shell 110 towards the fitted capsule 120. A system of pulleys, tethers and slides may also be employed to form a network of tethers 152 as in FIG. 3, which can redirect forces 150 to a tension context.
Each of the CFMs 150 in the configurations above exhibits a response behavior as illustrated in FIG. 4, and are dispersed in the deformation zone 130 between the impact shell 110 and the fitted member 120 around the wearer's head. Each individual CFM may define a different structure and treatment of incoming forces 150 for invoking the linear response of the elastic field 114, shown in FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 shows a tethered compression member implementation of a CFM 150 as in FIGS. 1-6. Referring to FIG. 1-7, in a particular configuration, the deformable member 500 is disposed in a channel 700 defining a multi-tiered surface 502. The deformable member 500 is in slidable communication with an interior surface of the channel 700. The channel has a region 710 of a greater cross section and a region of reduced cross section 720, transitioning at a tapered region 510 based on an angle 520.
A coupling such as tether 152 attaches between the impact shell 110 and the deformable member 500, such that the coupling is attached for directing the transferred force to the deformable member 500 in a direction to dispose the deformable member 500 from the region of greater cross 710 section to the region of reduced cross section 720, thus imposing a pulling or tensioning force on the tether 152. In the example of FIG. 6, the tethered attachment of FIG. 7 depicts CFM 150-61 and 150-62 invoking the flexible tether for transferring tensioning forces from the fitted capsule. The angle 520 and resulting difference 722 in magnitude between the greater 710 and reduced 720 cross section define the magnitude of tensioned force imposed on the tether 152. Similar to the configuration of FIG. 2, if the channel 700 is circular, the CFM 150 takes a rough appearance of a “torpedo” when the deformable member 500 is disposed through the channel 700. A natural resilient tendency of the foam of the deformable member 500 tends to reverse the tension and bias it towards the larger cross section (larger diameter) when at rest.
FIG. 8 shows a dual post configuration of a CFM depicting dual, opposed curves. In FIG. 8, the CFM 150 further includes an elongated deformable member 800 having an annular section 810-1, 810-2 (810 generally), and opposed engaging posts 802-1 . . . 802-2 (802 generally) in slidable communication with the respective annular section 810. The annular section 810 extends around a circumference 804 of the engaging post 802 for defining an elastic field 514. The elongated member 800 extends between the opposed engaging posts 802 such that the respective annular sections 810 extend around each of the opposed engaging posts 802. A coupling 852 between the elongated deformable member 800 and the impact shell 110 is adapted to draw the annular section 810 along the circumference 804 of the engaging post 802 in response to either compression forces 160 or tensioning forces 160′, depending on the attachment of the coupling 852
The annular section 810 has a curved bias for engaging the circumference in an untensioned position, such that the coupling 852 is adapted to draw the annular section into a straight configuration against the curved bias. The elongated member 800 is pre-stressed or formed to have an undeformed or rest position corresponding to a diameter of the cylindrical post 802. An actuation force purports to draw the elongated member 800 around the annular circumference 804 by slidably disposing the elongated member 800 according to the actuation force. An elastic field 514 is defined by a segment or region of the elongated member 800 that deforms from the rest position as it is “straightened” to follow the actuation force, either compression 160 or tension 160′. The elastic field 514 is therefore defined by a portion of the elongated member 800 deforming in response to the force against its curved bias of the annular section 810.
While FIG. 8 shows a dual post approach including two rigid members 802 flanking a central coupling 852. A single post implementation with the elongated member 800 having a single annular section 810 may be provided Also, in particular arrangements, the annular section 810 has a region of greater cross section and a region of reduced cross section, such that the area of reduced cross section responds with less force for maintaining the curved bias than the area of greater cross section.
FIG. 9 shows an elastic field CFM adapted for compression forces. Referring to FIGS. 1-9, in FIG. 9, the elastic field 500 and tapered region 510 may take a variety of forms, such as circular (FIGS. 2 and 7), rectangular, radial, and single or opposed inclined planes. The CFM 150 of FIG. 9 includes a rigid actuator 902 driven by rigid shaft 952 or coupling adapted for incoming compression forces, and a tapered region 510 including only a single inclined surface. Any suitable arrangement or definition of the elastic field 130 may be employed for engagement with the actuator 902 having a surface inclined at an angle for compressing and advancing along the elastic field. The CFM of FIG. 9 differs from the tensioned approach of FIGS. 2 and 7 because the actuator 952, rather then the deformable member 500 defining the elastic field 514, moves with the impact force 160. The actuator 952 advances for compressing the deformable member 500 to a compressed state 500′, similar to the CFM 150 of FIG. 7. As the actuator 952 is rigid the rigid shaft adapted for transferring compressive forces 160 from the impact shell, the actuator 952 would be particular beneficial if disposed to receive a compression force substantially aligned with the impact region 164, such as the front of the helmet.
FIGS. 10A-10B show a cam or condyle CFM implementation of the CFM 150, and is particularly beneficial in absorbing forces parallel to the length of the elastic field 500. In the helmet application, top or side placement may be particularly well suited for receiving loads in a substantially perpendicular orientation within the displacement zone 130. A centering element 1052 resides in a circular recession 1060 formed in a cam surface 1002 to define a “dimpled” arrangement attached to the deformable member 500. The tapered region 510 is defined by the inclined surface 510 and serves to keep the centering element 1052 in the recession 1060 until disposed by the incoming force 160, shown as parallel to the elongated dimension of the deformable member. The deformable member 500 may be restrained by resilient tethers 1054 or bands to bias a centered arrangement after deformation 500′. FIG. 10B shows a displaced centering element 1052′ slidably disposed up the inclined surface, while stretched tethers 1054′ impose tension for returning to a centered or rest position following force mitigation. Top or side placement in the helmet provides optimal positioning in response to a forward received incoming force 160, and the low, elongated profile facilitates placement in the limited depth or height of the displacement zone 130.
FIG. 11 shows a particular configuration of various CFMs deployed in a protective headgear appliance. As demonstrated above, the helmet appliance 100 may be formed as a device including any suitable arrangement of CFMs 150 in the space permitted in the impact zone 130 between the impact shell 110 and the fitted member 120. Based on the above description, the CFMs exhibit size and force displacement capabilities in particular directions depending on their location relative to a likely incoming force. This is further augmented by the probability of forces emanating from a particular direction. A catcher helmet will receive most impact force 160 from blows on the front. A football helmet is probably called upon to handle front and top blows, due to the reflexive tendency to “duck the head,” however side and rear incoming forces are probably more likely than in baseball. Hockey is probably prone to front and side blows, as the necessity of remaining upright on the ice limits the chance of an all around “tackle” occurrence as is common in football.
FIG. 11 is an example deployment of the CFMs 150 in a particular appliance 100. A tensioned “torpedo” configuration of FIGS. 2 and 7 is disposed as CFM 150-101 in a rear position for cushioning frontal impacts. The elongated, opposed curve CFM 150-102 (roughly approximating the appearance of a horn or head of a goat) is disposed in the top region for receiving forces parallel to the impact surface 110 at that region. The elastic field CFM 150-103 may be disposed around a forehead region for directly absorbing compressive impact forces, and the cam/condyle CFM 150-104 is also well suited for the top region where the dimple is afforded 360 degrees of movement. These are merely a particular placement option, and other suitable placement location and numbers of CFMs 150 may be disposed between the impact shell 110 and the fitted member 120.
FIGS. 12A-12B show alternate configurations of CFMs. Referring to FIGS. 1-12B, arrangements of CFMs incoming forces 160 from various directions. FIG. 12A shows tension based CFMs 150-121 . . . 150-124 as in FIGS. 7 and 8 for receiving downward forces relative to an upright head. Such an impact force 160 may be typical in a ducked-head impact tending to force the head towards the shoulders. FIG. 12B shows a top view of alternating tension and compression based CFMs 150. A set of tension
A set of compression absorbing CFMs 150-131 . . . 150-138 as in FIG. 9 are disposed around the inner circumference of the impact shell 110. These are alternated with tension absorbing CFMs 150-141 . . . 150-148 tethered in-line between the impact shell 110 and fitted capsule 120. Various other configurations and alternations of CFMs and tension/compression absorbing CFMs may be distributed around the impact shell 110.
FIGS. 13A-13B show alternate configurations of the fitted capsule. Rather than a continuous mesh or snug fitting textile, or individual strap 120′ as in FIG. 2, a quaternary interconnection of members 120-1 . . . 120-4 extend from a circumferential band 120-5 meeting at a topmost point above the skull to define a semispherical space for engaging the skull. The rear portion may also extend further down towards the shoulder for extending the area of the fitted capsule 120. The tethers, rigid members and CFMs are not necessarily shown to exact position or scale. Various CFMs may different dimensions, and generally the CFMs may be disposed at any position along the tether or rigid member transmitting the force.
While the system and methods defined herein have been particularly shown and described with references to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.
Patent Application
20210127783
