Patent Application
20150089725
This disclosure relates to a system and method for coupling helmet components and liners, such as impact liners or energy-absorbing liners, to helmet shells and to comfort liners or fit liners.
Protective head gear and helmets have been used in a wide variety of applications and across a number of industries including sports, athletics, construction, mining, military defense, and others, to prevent damage to a users head and brain. Damage and injury to a user can be prevented or reduced by preventing hard objects or sharp objects from directly contacting the user's head, and also from absorbing, distributing, or otherwise managing energy of the impact.
This disclosure provides a system and method for providing a helmet or protective head gear that includes an outer shell and an inner energy-absorbing layer, such as foam, that can be used for a cyclist, football player, hockey player, baseball player, lacrosse player, polo player, climber, auto racer, motorcycle rider, motocross racer, skier, snowboarder or other snow or water athlete, sky diver or any other athlete in a sport, or construction worker or person in a dangerous work environment or other person who is in need of protective head gear.
Bicycle helmets or cycling helmets are often formed as in-molded helmets. An in-molded helmet is one in which the outer shell of the helmet is bonded directly to the expanding foam (i.e. expanded polystyrene (EPS)) as it is expanding such that the foam is molded in the shell. Helmets that are not in-molded can be referred to as hard-shell helmets and include skate bucket helmets, motorcycle helmets, snow sport helmets, football helmets, batting helmets, catcher's helmets, and hockey helmets.
The hard outer shell 12 can be formed of plastic such as Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The outer shell 12 is typically made hard enough to resist impacts and punctures, and to meet the related safety testing standards, while being flexible enough to deform slightly during impacts to absorb energy through deformation, thereby contributing to energy management.
An impact liner or energy-absorbing layer 14 is often disposed inside and adjacent to the hard outer shell 12. The energy-absorbing layer 14 can be made of plastic, polymer, foam, or other suitable energy-absorbing material that can flexibly deform with the hard outer shell 12 to absorb energy and to contribute to energy management without breaking The energy-absorbing layer 14 can be one or more layers of expanded polypropylene (EPP). EPP can be advantageously used as an energy-absorbing and energy attenuating material that is flexible and is able to withstand multiple impacts without being crushed or cracking To the contrary, EPS and expanded polyurethane (EPU) will absorb energy from an impact by being crushed or cracking As such, EPS can be less effective or incapable of safely providing effective energy management to a user for multiple impacts, and is typically avoided for hard shell helmets or flexible helmets. The impact liner 14 is permanently coupled to the hard outer shell 12 with an adhesive or glue.
A comfort liner or fit liner 16 can be disposed inside a hard outer shell 12 and impact liner 14, while being disposed adjacent the impact liner. The comfort liner 16 can be made of textiles, plastic, foam, or other suitable material, such as polyester. The comfort liner 16 can be formed of one or more pads of material that can be joined together, or formed as discrete components, that are coupled to hard shell helmet 10. The comfort liner 16 can be releasably or permanently coupled to the impact liner 14 using snaps, hook and loop fasteners, adhesives, or other suitable materials. As such, comfort liner 16 can provide a cushion and improved fit for the wearer of hard shell helmet 10.
Thin outer shell 22 that can be formed of a plastic, resin, fiberglass, or other suitable material such as stamped polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Outer shell 22 can provide a material in which impact liner 24 can be in-molded, can provide a smooth aerodynamic finish, and can provide a decorative finish for improved aesthetics.
An impact liner or energy-absorbing layer 24 can be disposed inside and adjacent the outer shell 22. The energy-absorbing layer 24 can be made of plastic, polymer, foam, or other suitable energy-absorbing material to absorb energy and to contribute to energy management for protecting a wearer during impact. The energy-absorbing layer 24 can be an in-molded layer of EPS that will absorb energy from an impact by being crushed or cracking The impact liner 24 can be permanently coupled to the outer shell 22 with an adhesive or glue. A comfort liner or fit liner 26 can be disposed inside the outer shell 22 and the impact liner 24, while being disposed adjacent the impact liner. The comfort liner 26 can be made of textiles, plastic, foam, or other suitable material, such as polyester. The comfort liner 26 can be formed of one or more pads of material that can be joined together, or formed as discrete components, that are coupled to the in-molded helmet 20. The comfort liner 26 can be releasably or permanently attached to the impact liner 24 using snaps, hook and loop fasteners, adhesives, or other suitable materials. As such, the comfort liner 26 can provide a cushion and improved fit for the wearer of the in-molded helmet 20.
A need exists for a system and device for coupling helmet liners and helmet components. Accordingly, in an aspect, a helmet can comprise a shell, an energy-absorbing layer comprising EPS and a groove, and a comfort liner coupled to the energy-absorbing layer without glue, hook and loop fasteners, or snaps. A flexible band can be releasably disposed between the energy-absorbing layer and the comfort liner.
The helmet can further comprise the flexible band comprising a plastic hoop-shaped headband releasably coupled along the channel. The shell can comprise stamped PET. The helmet can further comprise a comfort liner coupled to the flexible band without glue, hook and loop fasteners, or snaps disposed within the shell.
In another aspect, a helmet can comprise an outer shell comprising a groove on an inner surface of the outer shell. An energy-absorbing liner of EPP disposed within the shell, and a flexible band can be disposed between the outer shell and the energy-absorbing liner.
The helmet can further comprise the flexible band comprising a halo shape mateable to the groove. The flexible band comprises detents snapped into the groove, wherein the groove comprises a ventilation opening formed in the outer shell. A comfort liner can be coupled to the energy-absorbing layer by a second flexible band.
In another aspect, a helmet can comprise, a shell, a liner disposed within the shell, and a flexible band disposed between the shell and a portion of the liner.
The helmet can further comprise the flexible band being releasably coupled to the shell without glue, hook and loop fasteners, or snaps. The flexible band can comprise uniformly circumferential forces to be secured around an equator of the shell. The flexible band can comprise an arch shape without forming a complete hoop or halo. The helmet can be formed with the shell as a hard-shell helmet and the liner comprising an energy-absorbing layer of EPP. The flexible band can comprise a halo shape disposed between the liner and the EPP layer, and detents snapped into ventilation openings formed in the shell. The halo can structurally reinforce the hard-shell helmet to allow the EPP energy-absorbing layer to have a thickness less than or equal to 2.5 cm. The halo can further comprise vinyl nitrile. The liner can further comprise an outer layer of EPS coupled to the shell, an inner layer of EPS comprising a custom-fit surface that matches a contour of a user's head, wherein the flexible band releasably couples the outer layer of EPS to the inner layer of EPS. The outer layer of EPS can comprise a curved channel formed around a periphery of the outer layer of EPS, and the flexible band can be disposed in the curved channel between the outer layer of EPS and the inner layer of EPS to releasably couple the inner layer of EPS to the outer layer of EPS and the shell. The shell can comprise stamped PET, the liner can comprise a comfort liner coupled to the flexible band without glue, hook and loop fasteners, or snaps, an energy-absorbing layer can comprise EPS and a channel configured to receive the flexible band, and the flexible band can comprise a plastic headband coupled between the comfort liner and the energy-absorbing layer. Additionally, a method of forming the helmet can comprise coupling the flexible band to the liner, and inserting the liner and flexible band within the shell such that the flexible band conforms to a portion of the liner and to a portion of the shell to couple the liner to the shell.
This disclosure, its aspects and implementations, are not limited to the specific helmet or material types, or other system component examples, or methods disclosed herein. Many additional components, manufacturing and assembly procedures known in the art consistent with helmet manufacture are contemplated for use with particular implementations from this disclosure. Accordingly, for example, although particular implementations are disclosed, such implementations and implementing components may comprise any components, models, types, materials, versions, quantities, and/or the like as is known in the art for such systems and implementing components, consistent with the intended operation.
The word “exemplary,” “example,” or various forms thereof are used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” or as an “example” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Furthermore, examples are provided solely for purposes of clarity and understanding and are not meant to limit or restrict the disclosed subject matter or relevant portions of this disclosure in any manner. It is to be appreciated that a myriad of additional or alternate examples of varying scope could have been presented, but have been omitted for purposes of brevity.
While this disclosure includes a number of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail particular embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the disclosed methods and systems, and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the disclosed concepts to the embodiments illustrated.
The thin outer shell 102, when present, can be formed of a plastic, resin, fiberglass, or other suitable material such as stamped PET. The outer shell 102 can provide a material in which the impact liner 104 can be in-molded, can provide a smooth aerodynamic finish, and can provide a decorative finish for improved aesthetics.
An impact liner 104 can be disposed inside and adjacent to the outer shell 102, when present. In other instances, the impact layer 104 can form an outer surface of the helmet 100. The energy-absorbing layer 104 can be made of plastic, polymer, foam, or other suitable energy-absorbing material, such as EPS or EPU, to absorb energy and to contribute to energy management for protecting a wearer during impact. The energy-absorbing layer 104 can be an in-molded layer of EPS that will absorb energy from an impact by being crushed or cracking The impact liner 104 can be permanently coupled to the outer shell 102.
The comfort liner 106 can be disposed inside the outer shell 102 and the impact liner 104, while being disposed adjacent the impact liner. The comfort liner 106 can be made of textiles, plastic, foam, or other suitable material, such as polyester. The comfort liner 106 can be formed of one or more pads of material that can be joined together, or formed as discrete components, that are coupled to the in-molded helmet 100. The comfort liner 106 can be releasably or permanently coupled or directly attached to the impact liner 104 with an attachment band 110 to provide a cushion and improved fit for the wearer of the in-molded helmet 100.
As such, the attachment band 110 can replace conventionally used snaps, hook and loop fasteners, adhesives, or other materials as known in the prior art and discussed above with respect to
A helmet 100 may also include an attachment groove or channel 112 formed in or on inner surface 114 of the impact liner 104. A groove 112 can be formed or bordered by a groove edge, sidewall, lip, or flange 116. The groove 112 can be recessed into the inner surface 114 so that groove edge 116 is formed between the inner surface 114 and a bottom surface 118 of the groove 112. Alternatively, the bottom surface 118 of the groove 112 can be substantially planar with the inner surface 114 so that the groove edge 116 is raised or offset with respect to the inner surface 114 and the bottom surface 118. The groove edge 116 can comprise a depth D that is equal to a thickness T of the band 110. The groove edge 116 can also comprise a depth D that is substantially equal to thickness T so that depth D comprises a distance that varies by 0-40% of a distance of thickness T. Thus, the groove 112 comprising a depth that corresponds to, is mateable with, or is configured to receive, the band 110. Similarly, one or more of a shape, size, area, and position of one or more grooves 112 can be equal or substantially equal to one or more of a shape, size, area, and position closed shaped bands 110, so that one or more of a shape, size, area, and position of one or more grooves 112 can corresponds to, be mateable with, or be configured to receive, one or more open or closed shaped bands 110. In some embodiments, an entirety of the band 110 corresponds to, is mateable with, or is configured to receive an entirety or a portion less than an entirety of the groove 112. In other embodiments, a portion of the band 110 less than an entirety of the band corresponds to, is mateable with, or is configured to receive an entirety or a portion less than an entirety of groove 112.
Advantageously, using the band 110 for coupling the liner 106 to impact liner 104 allows for easy installation of the liner by workers assembling a helmet at a factory or at a store, as well as for helmet users at home or on the go doing an installation. Use of a band 110 can further provide for releasable coupling that can facilitate removal and installation of liners for cleaning, maintenance, and replacement. Pressure points that were created by conventional mechanical attachments devices such as snaps, buttons, clasps, and hook and loop fasteners are eliminated, as is the secondary operation of installing or fastening a plurality of conventional mechanical attachments, such as four or more attachments, which can be cumbersome and time consuming.
Moreover, embodiments comprising a hoop ring can additionally include using a band 110 to couple an impact liner 104 to a shell 102. For example, a band 110 can be integrally formed on or coupled to an impact liner 104 such as being in-molded with an EPS impact liner. A corresponding groove 112 can be formed in an outer shell 102 such that the EPS liner can be popped into the shell as part of a quick and efficient assembly at the factory for initial helmet assembly. Because glues and adhesives are typically used to attach a shell 102 to an impact liner 104, and because glues and adhesives typically contain solvents, which can be harmful to those assembling the helmets as well as harmful to the environment, the pop-in liner with band 110 can reduce harmful effects for workers and the environment.
Similarly, a band 110 can be used to couple a first impact liner 104a to a second impact liner 104b, in which the impact liner 104a is an outer impact liner coupled to a shell 102 and the impact liner 104b is a custom-fit impact liner comprising an outer surface that can be coupled to the first impact liner and further comprising an inner surface 114b opposite an outer surface 114a that matches a contour of the head of a wearer. The inner surface 114b of the second impact liner 104b can be formed from a scan or measurements of the head of a wearer after which the second impact liner 104b can then sent or mailed to the wearer for quick and efficient insertion of the second impact liner at home or any other location.
The band 140 can comprise an annular, ring, hoop, halo, circular, oval or other closed shape that extends around a perimeter, equator, or circumference of the helmet as shown in
The band 140 in
For each or the various geometries used for the band 140, additional energy management can be provided to the hard shell helmet 130 to help the hard shell helmet 130 pass the impact certification tests. Because hard shell helmets using EPP liners can have difficulty passing impact certification tests, the properties of the band 140 including flexibility, rigidity, and energy stored or absorbed during deformation of the band 140, can assist with overall energy management of impacts for the hard shell helmet 130. By increasing an overall capacity of energy absorption of the hard shell helmet 130 by incorporating the band 140, the hard shell helmet 130 can pass the relevant impact tests without having to increase a thickness of an EPP impact liner 134.
Helmets with EPP energy-absorbing layers can have more difficulty passing impact certification tests than helmets with EPS energy-absorbing layers. Advantageously, properties of a band 140 can work with an EPP liner to provide a helmet that passes the impact tests without having to increase a thickness of EPP beyond a typical range, e.g., a range of 0-2.5 cm or 0.5-1.5 cm. Smaller helmets with thinner wall dimensions increase safety because smaller helmets are more likely to be worn by people worried about wearing large bulky helmets, and those who will not wear helmets that do not satisfy popular aesthetic appeal. Use of the band 140 with the hard shell helmet 130 for energy management can occur independent of whether band 140 is also being used for coupling a liner such as the impact liner 134 to the hard shell helmet 130.
As shown in
Advantageously, using the bands 140 for coupling the liners 136 and 134 to the helmet 130 and shell 132 allows for easy installation of the liners by workers assembling a helmet at a factory or at a store, as well as for helmet users doing the installation at home or on the go. Use of the bands 140 can further provide for releasable coupling that can facilitate removal and installation of liners for cleaning, maintenance, and replacement. Pressure points that were created by conventional mechanical attachments devices such as snaps, buttons, clasps, and hook and loop fasteners are eliminated, as is the secondary operation of installing or fastening a plurality of conventional mechanical attachments, such as four or more attachments, which can be cumbersome and time consuming.
Moreover, the band 140 or 140a can be integrally formed on or coupled to an impact liner 134 such as being integrally molded with an EPP impact liner. A corresponding groove 142, such as ventilation openings, can be formed in an outer shell 132 such that the EPP liner can be popped into the shell as part of a quick and efficient assembly at the factory for initial helmet assembly. Because glues and adhesives are typically used to attach a shell 132 to an impact liner 134, and because glues and adhesives typically contain solvents, which can be harmful to those assembling the helmets as well as harmful to the environment, the pop-in liner using a band 140 can reduce harmful effects for workers and the environment.
Similarly, a band 140 can be used to couple a first impact liner 134a to a second impact liner 134b, in which an impact liner 134a is an outer impact liner coupled to a shell 132 and an impact liner 134b is a custom-fit impact liner comprising an outer surface that can be coupled to the first impact liner and further comprising an inner surface 144b and opposite outer surface 144a that matches a contour of the head of the wearer. The inner surface 144b of the second impact liner 134b can be formed from a scan or measurements of the head of a wearer after which the second impact liner 134b can then sent or mailed to the wearer for quick and efficient insertion of the second impact liner at home or any other location.
The band 140a can reinforce and provide energy management of the hard shell helmet 130 at a same time it couples impact liner 134 to outer shell 132. Alternatively, band 140a can be for reinforcement of hard shell helmet 130 without coupling impact liner 134 to outer shell 132. When a band 140 such as the band 140a is used just for energy management, various geometries of one or more bands 140a can be used as indicated above with respect to the bands 140. Band 140a can be formed as a hoop or halo disposed around a perimeter, circumference, or equator of a helmet, as well as being an open shape or strip. When the band 140a is formed as an open shape or strip, such as an arch shaped strip that extends partially or entirely across the helmet 130, the band 140a can extend from a first or front side to a second or rear side of the helmet. The band 140a can also be formed as a strip that extends along a portion of the sagittal plane to resemble a Mohawk. One or more strips 140a can also extend along the coronal plane or along any other plane or line along the helmet 130. Regardless of the number, shape, or geometric configurations of the band or bands 140a, the bands can be elastically deformable to tend to spring back to an original position.
As indicated above, the band 140b can be formed of multiple materials and of multiple layers, or portions. In an embodiment, the band 140 can comprise one or more stress-indicating components that can be included within band 140. Stress-indicating components can be formed of one or more materials that undergo a change at a predetermined force or magnitude of impact. A predetermined change can be a change of color, a structural failure, or some other type of change that can be readily discernible to a wearer. For example, a stress-indicating component can be a pane of semi-rigid plastic material, like polycarbonate, that will fracture or crack after an impact of a known magnitude. Upon visual inspection of the stress-indicating component, a cracked or changed stress-indicating component can indicate that an impact of predetermined magnitude has occurred. Depending on the predetermined magnitude, different predetermined actions may be recommended or required, for example, a wearer may need medical attention, or a portion of the helmet might need to be replaced.
Where the above examples, embodiments and implementations reference examples, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that other helmet and manufacturing devices and examples could be intermixed or substituted with those provided. In places where the description above refers to particular embodiments of helmets and customization methods, it should be readily apparent that a number of modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof and that these embodiments and implementations may be applied to other to helmet customization technologies as well. Accordingly, the disclosed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the disclosure and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application 61/883,918, filed Sep. 27, 2013 titled “Helmet Liner,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by this reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61883918 | Sep 2013 | US |
