The present invention relates to helmets, such as sports helmets, for absorbing impacts by internal deflection.
A number of sports present hazards to players due to impacts. Impacts may arise from collisions between players as the players run on a game field. Impacts to the head present significant risk of both immediate and latent injuries to the brain. There is therefore a need for a sports helmet which attenuates impact forces to the head of a person wearing the helmet while playing a sport.
The present invention provides a safety helmet including inner and outer shells and a head engaging head seating structure. The head seating structure stabilizes the inner and outer shells on the head of the wearer. A plurality of deformable pin assemblies each holding a plurality of deformable pins is located between the head seating structure and the inner shell. Ends of the pins are received in holes in the head seating structure and in the inner shell. The pin assemblies elastically deform responsive to impacts, thereby providing impact protection superior to conventional sports helmets.
The pin assemblies may have lattice type construction including interstitial spaces so that the pin assemblies accommodate deformation responsive to impacts both by elastic deformability of constituent material, and also because the interstitial spaces further accommodate temporary displacement and compression of the pin assemblies during impacts.
The holes are greater in number than the intended number of pins, so that pins and pin assemblies can be selectively located as desired.
The present invention provides improved elements and arrangements thereof by apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable, and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.
Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
Referring to the drawings but particularly to
Safety helmet 100 may comprise an impact attenuator coupled to inner shell 108 and to inner head seating structure 114. The impact attenuator is configured to accommodate impacts by enabling adjustment of a position of inner shell 108 relative to inner head seating structure 114 by moving relative to at least one of inner shell 108 and inner head seating structure 114, and also by resilient deformation. The impact attenuator comprises a plurality of resilient pin assemblies 116 each further comprising at least two pins 118 extending between and engaging inner shell 108 and inner head seating structure 114, and a stabilizer 120 for each one of pins 118. Stabilizer 120 contacts each of the at least two pins 118 of each said pin assembly 116, and opposes axial motion of the at least two pins 118 contacted thereby when inner shell 108 is subjected to an impact. One stabilizer 120 is shown in
Some of pin assemblies 116 may have a first flexibility characteristic and others of pin assemblies 116 may have a second flexibility characteristic. This feature allows pin assemblies 116 in some locations on safety helmet 100 to provide one level of resistance to deformation, and other pin assemblies to provide a different level of resistance to deformation. Differences in flexibility may be present in pins 118, in stabilizers 120, or in both.
Pins 118 and stabilizers 120 may be fabricated by molding, by three dimensional printing, or in other ways.
In summary, inner and outer shells 108, 102 are generally concentric, with head seating structure 114 centered within inner shell 108. These items 102, 108, 114 are not rigidly held in concentric or centered positions. Rather, they float in that they can move within limited ranges as impacts move and deform flexible pin assemblies 116 and flexible pins 118.
Referring also to
As best understood from
Each pin 118 includes a tapered head 132 at one end of pin 118. Because pins 118 are made from a resilient material, tapered heads 132 can be deformed to fit into holes 128 and 130. Once a tapered head 132 has passed through a hole 128 or 132, it resiliently expands to oppose spontaneous movement and consequent potential loss through the hole 128 or 132.
As seen in the detail of
Referring again to
Each stabilizer 120 may be configured to engage up to eight pins 118. Noting from
Safety helmet 100 is primarily intended for protection to sports athletes, although use in other applications such as factories, mines, and construction is possible. In sports applications, inner shell 108 may cover a crown of the head, right and left sides of the head, and a rear of the head of the person (not shown) wearing safety helmet 100. This configuration is typical for many sports, such as football. For football and similar sports, safety helmet 100 may include a face guard 138 (see
Safety helmet 100 may incorporate features known in or conventional with sports helmets, even if not so described and shown herein. For example, safety helmet 100 may include ear openings (not shown) to facilitate hearing, and an eye visor or full face visor (neither shown) in front of safety helmet, in the manner for example of known helmets used in football. Also, padding and additional cushioning may be provided as desired.
The present invention is susceptible to modifications and variations which may be introduced thereto without departing from the inventive concepts. For example, pins 118 may be utilized without stabilizers 120 by having proximal and distal stub ends 124, 122 received in corresponding holes (e.g., holes 128 or 130) in inner or outer shells 108 or 102, and in head seating structure 114, for example.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible.
This application claims the benefit of priority to US Provisional Utility Application No. 62/879,352, filed Jul. 26, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated by this reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62879352 | Jul 2019 | US |