PROTECTIVE PODS FOR HELMETS AND OTHER GEAR

Abstract

This application deals with protective gear for helmets and other protective gear using preconstructed pods. The pods are comprised of a soft, pliable housing that contains a pad on a bottom of the housing and a pad on top inside surface of the housing with a holder or support between the two pads. There are a number of predetermined through openings in the support or holder that contain a spring or in some devices, two springs, one inside the other.

Description

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN

Be it known that we, Daniel P. Corcoran and Ryan J. Corcoran, both residents of the City of Bay City, County of Bay, State of Michigan, both United States of America citizens, have invented new and novel

PROTECTIVE PODS FOR HELMETS AND OTHER GEAR

the following of which is a specification therefor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable.

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 application deals with protective gear for helmets and other protective gear using preconstructed pods.

Applications in this field occurred as early as 1993 in which U.S. Pat. No. 5,204,998 issued to Huei-Yu Liu provided information with regard to a safety helmet which provides a bellows cushioning device. The safety helmet includes an outer shell juxta positionally secured with an inner shell defining an air chamber between the two shells and a number of cushioning bellows retained between the two shells.

Berry, in U.S. Pat. No. 9,474, 316 that issued on Oct. 25, 2016, deals with a dual shell helmet for minimizing rotation acceleration wherein a protective helmet employs an inner shell, an outer shell, and dampeners positioned between the inner and outer shells that facilitates rotational movement between the inner and outer shells.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,879,741 that issued Jan. 30, 2018, to Phipps, et al. deals with a protect member that includes outer and inner layers interconnected by multiple connectors under tension along their longitudinal axis. The connectors absorb energy from an impact force by resisting further tension along their longitudinal axes.

Day in U. S. patent publication 2018/0228239 that published on Aug. 16, 2018, deals with a spring absorption technology helmet that incorporates open springs between a cap and the inside of a helmet.

U.S. Publication 2019/0000173 that published on Jan. 3, 2019, deals with a full flex helmet system in which protective sectional parts are connected by a series of planar springs to disperse applied forces and reduce localized impact from contact events.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,140 that issued Apr. 30, 2002, deals with an impact and energy absorbing product for helmets and protective gear. Coiled springs in conjunction with polymeric materials or metals are used to absorb and dissipate forces from coming in contact with helmets and a variety of sporting equipment.

Wagner, et al, in U.S. patent publication 2020/0191232 that published on Jun. 18, 2020, deals with a coaxial spring damper device and system. The damper device consists of a directional spring having a viscoelastic polymer slug incorporated in its interior.

U.S. patent publication 2021/0106091 that published on Apr. 15, 2021, deals with an impact mitigation fit pod array within a helmet.

Grice, in U.S. Pat. No. 11,559,100 that issued Jan. 24, 2023,deals with a helmet with external shock wave dampening panels on an outer surface of a shell wherein the buttons making up the panels are made of a flexible or elastic material with a protective outer coating to protect the panel buttons from abrasion.

None of the prior art discussed Supra anticipates or makes obvious the devices of the instant invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

What is disclosed and claimed herein is an impact and energy absorbing product for helmets and protective gear, the product comprising pods that can be positioned in the interior of a helmet and on other gear, the pods comprising a soft, pliable housing comprising an integral top, bottom, and side panels, a core holder insertable in the housing, the core holder having at least one through opening therein, a support layer located in the bottom of the housing, a first resilient spring located in the through opening, and, a pad cover over the spring.

Also contemplated within the scope of this invention is a pod wherein there is a second spring inserted inside of said first spring, said second spring having a resistance greater than about 20% or less of the resistance of said first spring.

Further contemplated within the scope of this invention is a combination of a helmet and at least one pod as described Supra wherein the pod is attached to an interior of said helmet.

Also contemplated within the scope of this invention is a combination of protective gear other than a helmet and at least one pod as described Supra.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a full top view of a pod of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional top view of a pod of this invention taken through line A-A of FIG. 1 showing openings in the core holder.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional top view of a pod of this invention taken through line A-A of FIG. 1 showing openings and first springs in said openings.

FIG. 4 is a full side view of a pod of this invention taken through line B-B of FIG. 3 showing top and bottom layers, core holder, openings, and springs in said openings.

FIG. 5A is a full cross sectional top view of a pod of this invention showing openings, first springs and second springs.

FIG. 5B is a full cross sectional top view of a pod of this invention showing a square spring in use.

FIG. 6 is an illustration in perspective showing a number of pods that can be inserted into the interior of a helmet.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a football helmet showing several pods located within the interior of the helmet in phantom.

FIG. 8 is an interior view of a helmet showing a plurality of pods.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND DRAWINGS

The instant invention deals with an impact and energy absorbing product for helmets and protective gear, the product comprises pods that are configured within a housing.

The products of this invention are useful in helmets and other protective gear. For purposes of the instant disclosure, a football helmet will be used as a prime example, although many types of helmets can benefit from this invention.

Shown in FIG. 1 is an example of a pod 1 of this invention showing the housing 2. The pod 1 can have any configuration that is required to allow the helmet to fit a human head and likewise any use on other protective equipment. Those skilled in the art would recognize that the pods have to be configured to the inside of a helmet such that the helmet can be fitted onto a head of a user. For purposes of explanation in this specification, an example of a configured pod is one that would normally be a pod that would fit comfortably around an ear of anybody using the helmet such as shown in FIG. 1.

Pod 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a view from the top. The housing 2 can be manufactured from any soft pliable material such as, for example, plastic, such polyethylene, polypropylene, cross-linked polyethylene, ABS, or soft rubber, or the like. It must be strong enough to withstand mild abuse such that the springs 5 and 6 do not eventually work their way through the housing 2. Spring 5 is a first spring, and spring 6 is a second spring. The housing 2 is generally comprised of an integral top 6, bottom 7, and side panels 8.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view through line A-A of FIG. 1 and shows three through openings 4 in a core holder 3. The openings 4 are sized to enable the insertion of springs 5 and 6 in them. (see FIGS. 3 and 5). The core holder 3 is preferably manufactured from a closed polyurethane foam or the like. The core holder 3 must be strong enough to hold any spring upright and must be soft and pliable enough to move with any compression of the spring 5, or the combination of the springs 5 and 6.

FIG. 3 is a top cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 through line A-A showing a pod 1, a housing 2, a core holder 3, openings 4, and springs 5 while FIG. 5, which is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 through line A-A shows a pod 1, a housing 2, a core holder 3, openings 4, springs 5, and springs 6.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a pod 1 of this invention showing a bottom 7, a top 8, a back side 9, housing 2, core holder 3, openings 4, springs 5, bottom pad 10, and top pad 11. The top and bottom pads 10 and 11 are enabled to protect the core holder 3 and to give more padding to the pod 1. These pads 10 and 11 are manufactured from soft and pliable material from essentially the same plastic, for example, as set forth Supra.

Further contemplated within the scope of this invention is second spring 6 inserted inside of said first spring 5 as shown in FIG. 5. The second spring 6, for purposes of this invention has a resistance greater than about 20% or less of the resistance of said first spring, the intention being to allow a stronger second spring (6) to interact when the first spring 5 is compressed, the further intention being that the force of impact would be slowed from the first spring 5 and even slower upon contact with the second spring 6.

The first springs useful in this invention are preferable springs having an outer diameter in the range of ¼ to 2 cm, a wire diameter of 0.040 to 0.100 mm, an overall length in inches of ¾ to 1.0, rate in pounds/inch of travel of 8.00 to 12.00, a load capability of 10.00 to 16.00 grams, and a minimum tensile of about 40%.

Springs are normally circular in configuration, but it has been discovered that square spring configurations work as well in this invention. See FIG. 5B, wherein there is shown a pod 1, a core holder 3, a housing, an opening 4, a first square spring 14 and a second, round spring 6.

Most preferred are first springs wherein each spring has an outer diameter of 1.500 cm, a wire diameter of 0.080 mm, an overall length in inches of 0.75, rate in pounds/inch of travel 10.36, and a load capability of 14.10 pounds.

Attachment of the pods 1 in the interior surface of the helmet, or on the surface of other protective gear can be accomplished by using hook and loop, adhesives, small studs, or the like. The interior of a helmet can be essentially completely filled with the pods 1, or the pods 1 can be strategically placed to enhance the effect of absorbing compression forces such as shown in FIG. 7 which shows a football helmet 8 and pods 1, the pods 1 shown in phantom.

Claims

1. An impact and energy absorbing product for helmets and protective gear, said product comprising pods that can be positioned in the interior of a helmet and on other gear, said pods comprising: (A) a pliable housing comprising an integral top, bottom, and side panels;(B) a core holder insertable in said housing, said holder having at least one through opening therein;(C) a support layer located in said bottom of said housing;(D) a first resilient spring located in said through opening;(E) a pad cover over said spring.

2. A pod as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spring has a round configuration.

3. A pod as claimed in claim 1 wherein said spring has a square configuration.

4. A pod as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is a second spring inserted inside of said first spring, said second spring having a resistance greater than about 20% or less of the resistance of said first spring.

5. In combination, a helmet and at least one pod as claimed in claim 1, said pod is attached to an interior of said helmet.

6. A combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein the attachment means is an adhesive.

7. A combination as claimed in claim 5 wherein the attachment means is hook and loop.

8. In combination, impact energy gear and at least one pod as claimed in claim 1, wherein said pod is attached to said impact energy gear.

9. A pod as claimed in claim 5 wherein said pod is attached to the interior of a sports helmet.

10. A pod as claimed in claim 5 wherein said pod is attached to the interior of a football helmet.

11. A pod as claimed in claim 5 wherein said pod is attached to the interior of a military helmet.

12. A pod as claimed in claim 5 wherein said pod is attached to the interior of a racing helmet.

13. A pod as claimed in claim 5 wherein said pod is attached to the interior of a medical helmet.

14. A pod as claimed in claim 1 wherein each spring has a 40% minimum tensile.

15. A pod as claimed in claim 1 wherein each spring has a predetermined size and length.

16. A pod as claimed in claim 1 wherein each spring has an outer diameter in the range of ¼ to 2 cm, a wire diameter of 0.040 to 0.100 mm, an overall length in inches of 3/4 to 1.0, rate in pounds/inch of travel of 8.00 to 12.00, and a load capability of 10.00 to 16.00 grams.

17. A pod as claimed in claim 1 wherein each spring has an outer diameter of 1.500 cm, a wire diameter of 0.080 mm, an overall length in inches of 0.75, rate in pounds/inch of travel 10.36, and a load capability of 14.10 pounds.