Patent Application
20130174329
The present invention is directed generally to the field of sporting goods and more specifically, to protective helmet covers.
Concussions are traumatic brain injuries usually caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that has the potential to affect normal brain function. It has been discovered that some concussions are caused by rotational velocities of the head and sudden decelerations of the brain. In addition, the numerous sub-concussive impacts that athletes are experiencing every day are leading to cognitive impairment. Some head injuries may initially appear to have no long-lasting effects, but current research is finding that many such injuries, such as concussions, may have serious, long-term effects. The likelihood of long-term effects may be further increased when one has experienced repeated head injuries or cumulative concussions.
The Head Injury Criterion (HIC) is often used to measure the likelihood of head injury arising from an impact. The HIC can be used to assess safety related to vehicles, personal protective gear, and sports equipment. HIC is typically defined by the formula shown below.
In this formula, t1 and t2 are the initial and final times (in seconds) of the interval during which HIC attains a maximum value, and acceleration is measured in g's (standard gravity acceleration). The maximum time duration of HIC, t2−t1, is limited to a specific value, usually 15 ms. Studies have found that concussions are found to occur at HIC=250 among athletes.
In order to combat concussions and other head injuries in sporting activities, protective helmets are commonly worn whenever there is a possibility of injury to the head. For example, protective helmets are commonly worn in football, hockey, baseball, lacrosse, motor sports, extreme sports, and winter snow sports.
Over the years, protective helmets have evolved with advances in technology. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,328,462 issued to Straus is directed to a protective helmet of the type used in football and has an external soft elastomer layer to absorb/dissipate some of the energy of an impact. Other features include a quick disconnect face guard, carbon fiber face guard with Kevlar wrap at junction points, a soft foam inner shell inside the intermediate hardened shell, and a head fitting structure including a plurality of pads, visco-elastic cells, and at least one inflatable bladder. In addition, the hardened shell may be formed as a lattice frame of strips having a plurality of fibers impregnated with resin. The resin may have a dye added that will indicate if and where an impact exceeding a predetermined value is incurred by the helmet to assist a physician in diagnosing a possible head trauma injury.
Strauss also developed a ProCap, worn by some players in the 1990's. The original ProCap was a tough polyurethane foam shell permanently attached to a standard hard helmet with Velcro.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,089,602 issued to Talluri is directed to a multi-layered, impact absorbing, modular helmet in which the preferred embodiment consists of two layers over the hard casing. The outermost layer consists of an air chamber ensconced within a highly durable polymeric material with one or more air pressure release valves.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,270 issued to Durr is directed to a sports helmet with an energy absorbent material such as vinyl nitrile sponge (VNS) being a combination of thermoplastic polyvinyl chloride and synthetic elastomer nitrile.
Despite the use of protective helmets, concussions continue to occur in sports. In 2004, data collected from the head impact telemetry system used in the National Football League concussion studies found that 58 of 623 (9.8 percent) of professional football players who suffered a concussion also had a loss of consciousness.
Moreover, recent studies show that more than 62,000 concussions occur each year in high school sports, with football accounting for two of every three, according to the Brain Injury Association of Arizona. However, many more mild concussions likely go undiagnosed and unreported. Studies estimate that approximately 10 percent of all athletes involved in contact sports such as football have a concussion each year. In addition, close to 60 percent of concussions may go unreported because athletes are not aware of the signs and symptoms and do not think the injury is serious enough to report to medical personnel.
Failure to detect initial concussions may lead to compound concussions, which can cause second impact syndrome. Second impact syndrome is a condition in which a second concussion occurs before a first concussion has properly healed, causing rapid and severe brain swelling and often catastrophic results. Second impact syndrome can result from even a very mild concussion that occurs days or weeks after the initial concussion. Most cases of second impact syndrome have occurred in young athletes, particularly those who participate in sports such as baseball, football, hockey, and skiing. Second impact injury can occur within a matter of days or weeks, or even in the same game or competition if the athlete isn't removed and treated after the first concussion. Neither impact has to be severe for second impact syndrome to occur.
Several studies have shown a link between a history of brain injury and a higher probability of developing major depression later in life. Another study found that of 2,552 retired professional football players, over 11 percent of those with a history of multiple concussions also had a diagnosis of clinical depression. Players reporting three or more previous concussions were three times more likely to be diagnosed with depression than those with no history of concussion. Emerging research also shows cumulative damage and onset of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy after multiple concussions. Thus, there is risk that even lesser impacts can lead to long-term damage.
As a result of increased public awareness regarding concussions, sports leagues of all levels have updated their concussion policies. However, these policies typically only deal with treatment of players after a concussion has already occurred and do not address concussion prevention.
With advancements in athletic training methods and new workout supplements, today's athletes are bigger and stronger than ever, thereby increasing the potential for concussions. As a result, traditional protective helmets are no longer sufficient to protect against concussions. What is lacking in the art is a protective helmet to help combat the rise in concussions in sporting activities.
In the present disclosure, a helmet cap is disclosed that may include an outer shell configured into a plurality of padded segments and configured to attach to a helmet. Each of the plurality of padded segments may comprise energy absorbing polyurethane material. The helmet cap may include at least one strap attachment point for attaching a strap to the outer shell of the helmet. The at least one strap attachment point may be configured to facilitate attachment of the helmet cap to a football helmet facemask. The helmet cap may be constructed with ear holes, ventilation gaps, and/or an adjustable fastener that, when manipulated, alters the internal dimensions of the helmet cap. The adjustable fastener may use hook-and-loop fasteners. Each of the padded segments of the helmet cap may have a substantially rectangular shape, a substantially trapezoidal shaped, a substantially hexagonal shape, a combination thereof, or any combination of these and/or any other shapes. Each padded segment may have at least one convex edge that facilitates a ventilation gap configured in the outer shell.
The disclosed helmet cap may be used with a variety of helmets, including football helmets, baseball batting helmets, and any other helmets used in sporting activities. The helmet cap may have a smooth inner surface providing a low friction layer between the outer shell and the helmet's rigid hard shell creating a decoupled outer cover for reduction in forces that may be applied to a helmet during an impact. Alternatively, the helmet cap may have inner surface constructed of honeycomb material providing a low friction layer between the outer shell and the helmet providing ventilation for cooling and decoupling the outer cover from the hard shell of helmet to reduce forces that may be applied to a helmet during an impact. The outer shell of the helmet cap may be constructed of material having a low coefficient of friction. Each of the plurality of padded segments may be constructed from rebound foam, closed-cell foam, neoprene foam, viscoelastic polymer gel, memory foam, or any combination thereof of any combination of other materials. Any of the materials used for the helmet cap may be waterproof. These and other aspects of the subject matter disclosed are set forth below.
The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the following drawings:
The subject matter of the various embodiments is described with specificity to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed subject matter. Rather, the inventor has contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or elements similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. It should be understood that the explanations illustrating the protective helmet are only exemplary. The following description is illustrative and not limiting to any one aspect.
When values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. All ranges are inclusive and combinable. It is to be appreciated that certain features of the disclosed subject matter which are, for clarity, described herein in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the disclosed subject matter that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any sub-combination. Further, reference to values stated in ranges includes each and every value within that range. Any and all documents cited in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
Helmet cap 100 may include an outer shell 102. Outer shell 102 may be comprised of a soft, energy absorbing, durable material. The material may have a low coefficient of friction. The durable material may allow helmet cap 100 to resist tears, for example, during the helmet to helmet collisions that frequently occur in football games. A low coefficient of friction allows the objects that come into contact with helmet cap 100 to deflect off outer shell 102.
Concussions are the result of rapid changes in velocities between the brain and the skull. A collision between the two disrupts the delicate neuronal layer of the brain by an extent relative to the magnitude of acceleration and the player's physiology. By reducing the accelerations, concussions may be prevented. Since momentum is the product of mass and velocity, transfer of momentum is inversely proportional to the deflection of the impacted surface. For example, ⅛″ deflection instead of 1/16″ deflection will result in the transfer of half as much momentum. A low coefficient of friction allows for greater deflection thereby reducing the transfer of momentum, which in turn assists in reducing the accelerations.
In some embodiments, outer shell 102 material may also have density, stiffness, and energy absorbing properties designed for a particular application. Optimizing such properties of the outer shell 102 material reduce the severity of an initial impact, such as a helmet to helmet collision. Since force is the product of mass and velocity, the longer that the impact can be extended, the lower the velocity and therefore the lower the magnitude of the resulting force. The soft outer shell 102 may dampen and redistribute the force generated by a head to head collision.
Furthermore, the soft outer shell 102 material may also prevent the helmet from being used as a weapon in sporting events. When there are hits to the hand, knee, leg, arm, or other parts of the body, the force is greatly reduced by outer shell 102 in comparison to hard plastic shelled helmets.
The material of outer shell 102 may also be waterproof and lightweight allowing helmet cap 100 to be attached on top of existing protective helmets without adding significant additional weight while still remaining useable under all weather conditions. Alternatively, the material of outer shell 102 may be further enclosed in waterproof material.
In one embodiment, outer shell 102 material may be, at least in part, soft, energy absorbing polyurethane. In another embodiment, outer shell 102 material may be, at least in part, rebound foam, closed-cell foam, neoprene foam, viscoelastic polymer gel, memory foam, or any other energy absorbing foam, or any combination thereof. Outer shell 102 may be comprised of any soft, durable material with energy absorbing properties and a low coefficient of friction, any combination of such materials, or any combination of any other one or more materials and any one or more soft, durable material with energy absorbing properties and a low coefficient of friction.
Outer shell 102 may be configured in the form of a plurality of shapes or segments as illustrated in
The segmented formation may assist in deflecting objects on impact. Additionally, the segmented formation may also help in lessening the force of impact when helmet 150 configured with helmet cap 100 collides with another object, such as another helmet, goal post, the ground, etc. Even further reduction of the force of impact may be had when two or more helmets, each with caps such as helmet cap 100 attached, collide. A soft, energy absorbing polyurethane material used for outer shell 102 configured into a plurality of segments may reduce the Head Injury Criteria by as much as 33%, if not more, in comparison traditional hard shelled football helmets. In other embodiments, outer shell 102 may be a single section with a single smooth, uniform surface without segments or shapes formed into outer shell 102.
In an embodiment, upper section 104 may comprise gaps 108, which may allow helmet cap 100 to mold and fit securely over an existing helmet, regardless of the underlying helmet's size. Furthermore, gaps 108 may allow the user's head to be well ventilated. Gaps 108 may be holes or alternatively, they may be covered with an elastic breathable or perforated material or fabric. In some other embodiments, helmet cap 100 may not have any gaps 108 at all.
Lower section 106 of helmet cap 100 may be configured with securing strap attachment points 110. Securing strap attachment points 110 may be constructed of an elastic material for secure attachment of helmet cap 100 to helmet 150. By using an elastic material for securing strap attachment points 110, helmet cap 100 may be permitted to move about helmet 150 and thereby dissipate energy received during an impact, reducing the linear and/or rotational forces applied to helmet 150 during the impact. Securing strap attachment points 110 may allow the attachment of a strap or other component that secures helmet cap 100 to helmet 150. For example, a strap may be secured to one of securing strap attachment points 110 and may be attached to the facemask of underlying helmet 150. Alternatively, a strap may be affixed to the underside of helmet cap 100 and placed around a facemask section of helmet 150 and secured to one of securing strap attachment points 110. There may be two such straps, one on each side of helmet cap 100, and each attached to a respective securing strap attachment points 110 (first securing strap attachment point 110 seen in
Helmet cap 100 may also include ear holes 112. Ear holes 112 may correspond to existing ear holes in existing helmets of any type. Ear holes 112 may allow the wearer of the helmet cap 100 to be able to hear sounds their surroundings while utilizing helmet cap 100 and may add to the ventilation normally associated with the helmet type. Any type, number, size, and shape of ear holes may be used in helmet cap 100, while in other embodiments, helmet cap 100 may not include any ear holes 112. For example, in situations where the underlying hard shell helmet does not cover the ears, helmet cap 100 may not have any ear holes 112. Alternatively, if there is underlying helmet that covers the ears but does not have earholes, then helmet cap 100 may not have ear holes 112.
Also shown in
While the present application has been described in connection with a helmet cap, or cover, it is contemplated that there may be a helmet comprising an integrated helmet cap as described above combined with a hardened inner shell and a foam interior. The hardened inner shell may be comprised of synthetic fibers, such as aramid fibers and para-aramid fibers, polycarbonate, or hardened plastics. The hardened inner shell may comprise one or a plurality of holes for ventilation. Such holes may correspond to gaps in the integrated helmet cap such as gaps 108 described above. In one embodiment the hardened inner shell may have two ear holes, allowing for communication. In other embodiments, the hardened inner shell and is smooth and uniform, without any holes.
The foam interior may be comprised of any energy-absorbing foam. In one embodiment, the foam interior uses vinyl nitrile foam. Alternatively, thermo plastic urethane foam, expanded polystyrene foam, and/or expanded polypropylene foam may be used. The foam may also be water proof or water resistant so as to not absorb sweat or rain that may add weight during use. Additionally, the foam interior may be configured in one or a plurality of cells.
In use, the segments of helmet cap 100 may be constructed, at least in part, of soft urethane material connected to one with connecting material such that an impact on one segment will deform that segment and thereby absorb and dissipate the energy of an impact.
A helmet cap as disclosed may provide a lightweight, waterproof exterior design with a low coefficient of friction skin that reduces the force of impacts and may attach to any standard football helmet with ease. By using the disclosed helmet cap, injury to players may be minimized because hard helmet-to-helmet contact may be reduced or eliminated.
While the present embodiments have been described in connection with the various figures, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function as the disclosed subject matter without deviating therefrom. All such embodiments are contemplated as within the scope of the present disclosure.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/585,073, filed Jan. 10, 2012, and entitled “Protective Helmet Cap”, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61585073 | Jan 2012 | US |
