FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to safety helmets and, in particular, it concerns removing the helmet from crash victims in a manner that does not exacerbate cervical spine injuries. Safety helmets are typically constructed so that the inner liners secure the helmet snugly on the wearer's head for high-speed travel. In crash situations, the helmet must be removed with the utmost of care to prevent iatrogenically induced neurologic injury. Studies have shown that a force of 16 KG must be applied to the helmet in order to slide it off the head, thereby increasingly the likelihood of exacerbating cervical spine injuries in the process. US patent application 2007/0271688 addresses this need by providing a helmet equipped with removable comfort pads that reduce the pull-off force to a degree. However, these helmets still do not provide the ability to be pulled off the head with the desired, negligible force. The reason stems from the fact that the secure fit afforded by the helmet liner is achieved by a combination of two distinct components, each constructed from a different material. Comfort pads, and shock-absorbing pads, fill a substantial portion of the helmet cavity and secure the helmet on the wearer's head. Since the comfort pads are elastically compressible they are not the primary source of resistance to the helmet sliding off the head. So being, even after removal of the elastic comfort pads, there remains a significant resistance to the removal of the helmet from the head of a crash victim therefore, the danger of exacerbating cervical neck injuries as the helmet is pulled off the crash victim's head remains.
There is therefore a need for a safety helmet that snugly holds the wearer's head and offers negligible resistance to being pulled off a crash victim's head so as to so as to negate, or to at least minimize to an absolute minimum, the risk of iatrogenically induced neurologic injury.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is safety helmet adapted for quick and easy emergency removal.
According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided, a safety helmet comprising: (a) a rigid, outer shell including a back rim, (b) a slippery assemblage of shock-absorbing bodies, and (c) a flexible pouch connected to the inside of said rigid, outer shell, said slippery assemblage of shock-absorbing bodies being arranged to absorb shock while inside sealed said flexible, pouch and to readily slide out of said flexible pouch when opened so as to enable said flexible pouch to collapse thereby reducing resistance to the safety helmet being pulled off a wearer's head.
According to a further feature of the present invention there is also provided at least one handle configured to facilitate pulling said slippery assemblage of shock-absorbing bodies out of said flexible pouch.
According to a further feature of the present invention the shock-absorbent bodies include bodies of extruded polystyrene.
According to a further feature of the present invention the bodies of extruded polystyrene include blocks.
According to a further feature of the present invention the bodies of extruded polystyrene include spherical bodies.
According to a further feature of the present invention the assemblage of shock-absorbing bodies includes a string connecting said shock-absorbing bodies.
According to a further feature of the present invention the assemblage of shock-absorbing bodies includes a tube containing said shock-absorbing bodies.
According to a further feature of the present invention the flexible pouch includes a pouch constructed of silicon.
According to a further feature of the present invention there is also provided a connection arrangement connecting said flexible pouch to said rigid, outer shell.
According to a further feature of the present invention the connection arrangement includes an arrangement providing multiple connections and disconnections.
According to a further feature of the present invention the assemblage of shock-absorbing bodies inside flexible pouch extends below the back rim of said rigid shell so as to prevent the back rim from striking the back of the wearer's neck upon backlash.
According to a further feature of the present invention the flexible pouch includes at least one opening configuration for opening said flexible pouch to enable said slippery arrangement of shock-absorbing bodies to be pulled through said opening.
According to a further feature of the present invention the opening configuration includes a first of said opening configuration disposed so as to be accessible from either the back or a first side of the wearer and a second of said second opening configurations disposed so as to be accessible from the back or the opposite side of the wearer.
According to the teachings of the present invention there is provided a method for removing a safety helmet from a crash victim's head comprising: (a) providing a safety helmet with at least one collapsible shock-absorbent-pad having a shock-absorbing material disposed inside a flexible pouch configured to enable said shock-absorbing material to be pulled out of said flexible pouch, (b) opening said flexible pouch, and (c) pulling out at least a portion of said shock-absorbing material from said flexible pouch so as to reduce said collapsible shock-absorbent pad thickness, so as to enable the helmet to easily slide off the head of a crash victim.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is schematic sectional, side-view of the safety helmet depicting the shock-absorbent pad in its operational, impact absorbing state;
FIG. 2 is schematic sectional, side-view of the safety helmet depicting the shock-absorbent pad in its collapsed state;
FIG. 3A is a schematic, sectional, side-view depicting the assemblage of shock-absorbing bodies disposed in the flexible pouch of the safely helmet.
FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of the section in FIG. 3A designated “A”.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic, sectional side views depicting tube assemblages of shock-absorbing blocks and spheres, respectively;
FIG. 5 is a schematic bottom view depicting the preferred placement of pouch access ports.
FIG. 6 is an isometric, transparent view of a flexible pouch;
FIG. 7 is an isometric bottom view of the flexible pouch with its connection arrangement and access port configuration;
FIG. 8A is a schematic, sectional side-view of the helmet depicting the shock-absorption pad before the contents have been removed.
FIG. 8B is a schematic drawing of a crash victim depicting the snug fit of the helmet resulting from shock-absorption pad shown in FIG. 10A.
FIG. 9A is a schematic, sectional side-view of the helmet depicting the shock absorption-pad after the contents have been removed.
FIG. 9B is a schematic drawing of a crash victim depicting the loose fit of the helmet resulting from the removal of the shock-absorption pad as shown in FIG. 9A.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is safety helmet minimizing the danger of exacerbating cervical spine injuries to crash victims during emergency removal of the safety helmet. As mentioned above, helmets are designed to fit snugly to ensure they stay in place at high travel speeds; however, during emergency removal the helmet must fit very loosely. The current invention addresses this requirement by equipping safety helmets with removable shock-absorbing materials disposed in pouches lining the inner surface of the outer shell.
It should be further noted that the helmet of the current invention has been discussed, by way of example, in regards to motorcycling; however, it should be noted that safety helmets used in skate boarding, bicycling, kayaking, auto racing and any activity requiring head and face protection are also within the scope of the current application.
The principles and operation of the adapted safety helmet and removal method according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.
Turning now to the FIG. 1, the safety helmet of the current invention includes a hard, rigid outer shell 1, a shock-absorbent pad 2 lining the inner surface of the outer shell 1, and a synthetic comfort liner lining the inner surface of the shock-absorbent pad 2 so as to provide a snug and comfortable fit. The outer shell 1 is constructed from a composite material made up of synthetic resin reinforced with organic fibers and fiberglass designed to absorb and disperse the impact of a crash while providing keeping the helmet lightweight. The shock-absorbent pad 2 is constructed from an assemblage of Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) bodies arranged inside a flexible pouch to form a collective shock absorbing entity to absorb the remaining force of the impact that was partially absorbed and dispersed by outer shell 1. In an exemplary embodiment the EPS, commonly known by its trademark name Styrofoam, has a density of 39-61-kilograms/cubic meter and is capable meeting safety requirements of withstanding 400 G's of impact for a duration of 2 milliseconds as required for motorcycling. The collective thickness of the shock absorbing material employed is a function of the density. It should be noted that any shock-absorbent material providing the functionality associated with Styrofoam or meets the safety impact absorption standards required for different activities is within the scope of the current invention. Comfort lining 3 lines the inner surface of shock-absorbent pad 2 to provide a snug and comfortable fit. Comfort liner 3 is constructed from several different types of synthetic foams varying in densities to ensure a long lasting, comfortable fit. Comfort liner 3 is distinguished form shock-absorbent pads 2 material by way of the impact deformation qualities. Shock-absorbent pads 2 undergo destructive deformation upon impact in that they compress and do not rebound to their original form in contrast to comfort pads 3 that deforms elastically in that it rebounds substantially to the original form. The current invention discloses a shock-absorbent pad 2 extending below the lower rim 5 of outer shell 1 to prevent rim 5 from striking the back of the wearer's neck in crash situations as shown in designation 4.
Referring to FIGS. 2-3B, the cavity of the helmet is partially filled by the combination of shock-absorbing pads 2 and comfort liner 3. The current invention discloses a shock-absorbent pad 2 configured to allow the easy and quick release of the shock-absorbing material 7 contained within flexible pouch 6 by pulling handle 8. As shock-absorbing material 7 is removed, flexible pouch walls 6 collapse from the lack of internal support provided previously by shock-absorbing material 7, causing comfort liner 3 to shift thereby transforming the previously snug fit into a loose fit enabling the helmet to be easily slid off the wearer's head during emergency removal. As mentioned above, shock-absorbing material 7 is disposed in flexible pouch 6 as an assemblage in which bodies of shock-absorbing material 7 are interconnected so that the entire assemblage of shock absorbing bodies slides out of pouch 6 when handle 8 is pulled. In a preferred, but non-limiting embodiment, blocks 10 of shock-absorbing material 7 are interconnected by way of string 9 between each block 10. A lubricant (not shown) is disposed inside pouch 6 to ensure the assemblage of shock absorbing blocks 10 may be smoothly and easy pulled out of pouch 6 in time of need. Mineral oil, lubricating jell or any substance facilitating the removal of shock-absorbing material 7 from pouch 6 are within the scope of the present invention. FIGS. 4A and 4B depict an alternative, non-limiting assemblage of shock-absorbing bodies held together inside a tube 11 or casing. The casing is made of latex or nitrile rubber, or any other material providing the strength and flexibility of these rubbers. It should be noted that any type of assemblage of shock-absorbing bodies providing a collective shock absorbing entity are also within the scope of the present invention. FIGS. 4A and 4B depict shock-absorbing blocks 12 and spheres 13, respectively; however, it should be further noted that any geometrical shape and size of shock-absorbing material are also within the scope of the current invention.
Referring to FIGS. 5-8, shock-absorbing material 7 is removed from pouch 6 by way of access ports 16 disposed in at least one, and preferably two, location as shown in FIG. 5. These opening placements are located in terms of two perpendicular axes on the bottom of the helmet; the first axis 15 passing from the back of the helmet to the front and the second axis 16 passing from the left side of the helmet to the right side as shown in FIG. 5. Access ports 16 are disposed in the bottom surface of pouch 6 between these two axes in the rear portion of the helmet so as to provide access to medical personnel attending a crash victim lying on his back or lying on either the left or right side of his body. It should be noted access ports 16 disposed in the outer face of pouch 6 in the above-described location in shock-absorption pads 2 extending below helmet rim 5 are also within the scope of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates a preferred, but non-limiting, shape of pouch 6 providing for the placement of shock-absorbing material disposed on the back and the top of the head and the left and the right sides of the face when pouch 6 is inserted inside the outer shell 1 and the extended pockets 18 are contoured against the inner surface of the outer shell 1. Access ports 16 are disposed in the bottom surface of pouch 6 as mentioned above. Pouch 6 may be constructed of thin silicon, cloth, plastic materials or other substances providing durability and flexibility. In a preferred non-limiting example pouch 6 is disposable; replaced after shock-absorbing material 7 is removed. An alternative pouch embodiment is implemented as a permanent pouch 6 permanently fixed to outer shell 1.
The above-mentioned access ports 16 through which shock-absorbing material 7 is removed are sealed closed throughout most of the helmet life. Only in emergency situations requiring the helmet to be carefully and quickly removed, access ports 16 are opened. Rip tab 19 sewn into pouch 6 so that when medical personnel pull on rip tab 19 pouch 6 tears along perforation 20 thereby providing an opening through which shock-absorbing material 7 may be removed from pouch 6 as shown in FIG. 7. It should be noted that zippers, and other means of maintaining pouch 6 closed until needed are also within the scope of the present invention. As mentioned above, shock-absorbing pad 2 contours the inner surface of outer shell 1. FIG. 7 depicts a connection arrangement for connecting shock-absorbing pad 2 to outer shell 1. In a preferred embodiment, the connection configuration provides multiple connections and disconnections suitable for disposable pouches 6 replaced after shock-absorbing material 7 has been removed. Such functionality is provided by a hook-and-catch arrangement 21 disposed on the outer surface of pouch 6 and the corresponding inner surface of outer shell 1 (not shown). It should be noted that snap fasteners and any other connection configuration providing multiple use functionality are included within the scope of the current invention. In an alternative embodiment employing a permanent pouch 6, the connection to outer shell 1 is accomplished by way of a permanent connection means, like glue. Such an embodiment provides for disposable shock absorbing assemblages loaded and unloaded into permanent pouch 6.
Turning now to FIGS. 8A-9B, medical personnel attending a crash victim opens access ports via rip tab 22 and pulls out assemblage of shock-absorbing bodies 10 via handle 8 to loosen the snug fit shown in FIG. 10B. It should be noted that handle 8 implemented as a pull tab, a ring connected to assemblage of shock-absorbing bodies 10, a grip structure formed into a tube enclosing shock-absorbing bodies as appearing in FIGS. 4A and 4B, or formed into shock-absorbing bodies themselves are all within the scope of the present invention. After assemblage of shock-absorbing bodies 10 have been removed from pouch 6 as shown in FIG. 9A the resulting gap between the crash victim's head and the helmet provides the required easy removal of the helmet as shown in FIG. 9B.
It will be appreciated that the above descriptions are intended only to serve as examples, and that many other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.
Patent Application
20100269246
