Thermal Safety Helmet

Abstract

A pliable padded thermal safety helmet that conforms to a patient's head. The helmet has an exterior layer that protects a patient from impact injuries, has an interior surface that secures a removable thermal packs that provide hot or cold therapy depending on the treatment intended for an injury, infection, etc. The thermal packs are removably attached to the inside surface of the thermal safety helmet at any desired location inside the thermal safety helmet to provide heat or cold to specific areas of a patient's head.

Description

BACKGROUND

Technical Field

This invention relates in general to safety devices, and more particularly it relates to protective headgear that is worn to protect an individual's head while a head injury is healing, and to provide thermal control of the helmet to assist healing and recovery while protecting the patient's head from additional injury. Alternative embodiments of this invention use alternative materials to fabricate the exterior layer of the thermal safety helmet, including ethylene-vinyl acetate (“EVA”), Poron™, etc.

Background of the Invention

Padded helmets are commercially available to protect a wearer's head in a variety of situations. They are used by athletics in a variety of sports. These devices, such as football helmets, typically provide impact protection, but do nothing for temperature control. Likewise, padded helmets are available for treatment of a variety of medical conditions, most notably to protect patients with head injuries from inadvertently sustaining subsequent injuries. These medically oriented helmets also fail to provide thermal control mechanisms, especially methods of both cooling and/or warming depending on the needs of the individual patient.

Casual headwear, such as baseball caps, are known to have been used In conjunction with cooling devices for the purpose of keeping an individual cool and participating in outdoor activities. These devices typically use pre-cooled pouches containing ice, cold water, or gel that are positioned at the back of the wearer's head or around but have been. This type of headwear typically does not provide the wearer any protection, except from sunlight.

Some casual headwear even go so far as to provide water filled pouches that allow water to slowly be released on to a wearer's head such that heat from the wearer's body evaporates the water to create a cooling effect. Of these devices, some use a headband and the cap, and others use larger compartments that emit water over the entire wearer's head. These devices can provide relief from heat, but can also be uncomfortable due to the constant release of moisture onto a wearer's head.

Impact resistant headwear, such as sports helmets (e.g., football helmets), and protected medical headwear both provide impact protection. However, neither combine impact protection with thermal control elements that allow an individual's came to be either cooled or warmed at the individual's discretion.

While the prior art has provided basic impact protection, it has failed to provide a protective helmet that also provides therapeutic properties, namely, the application of thermal treatments to selected areas of an individual's head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a pliable padded helmet that conforms to a patient's head. The helmet is fabricated with a liner that is fabricated from material capable of removably securing thermal packs that can be hot or cold depending on the treatment intended for an injury, infection, etc. The thermal packs have an outer surface fabricated from soft pliant material that comes in contact with the patient's head. The helmet uses thermal packs can provide heat or cold to a patient's head. The thermal packs have a soft felt or felt-like material on the side that contacts the patient's head for comfort, and the side of the thermal pack that contacts the inside of the helmet has a hook and loop surface that allows the thermal pack to be attached to any desired location on the inside of the helmet

An alternative embodiment of this invention provides a pliable EVA helmet that conforms to a patient's head. The helmet is fabricated as a single unit via a molding process. The EVA material provides a stable lightweight structure that allows it to be comfortably worn for extended periods of time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the thermal safety helmet with optional ventilation apertures on the surface of the thermal safety helmet. A portion of the interior surface along with a portion of a thermal pack is also shown.

FIG. 2 is a top view of a preferred embodiment of the thermal safety helmet showing ventilation apertures on the upper surface of the helmet.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of a preferred embodiment of the thermal safety helmet showing an ear aperture, a strap attachment aperture, and optional ventilation apertures on the surface of the helmet.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the preferred embodiment of the thermal safety helmet showing an ear aperture, a strap with optional chin pad, and optional ventilation apertures on the surface of the helmet.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of a preferred embodiment of the thermal safety helmet showing a strap attached to it, and optional ventilation apertures on the surface of the helmet.

FIG. 6 is an inside plan view of a preferred embodiment of the helmet showing how the thermal safety helmet can be stamped from a single sheet of material.

FIG. 7 is a cutaway side view of a preferred embodiment of the thermal safety helmet showing the interior surface of the thermal safety helmet covered with interior lining material.

FIG. 8 is a cutaway side view of a preferred embodiment of the thermal safety helmet showing how the thermal safety helmet can be stamped from a single sheet of material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Prior to a discussion of the figures, an overview of the invention will be presented. The invention is an apparatus and method for applying thermal treatments to head injuries or conditions while simultaneously providing impact protection for patients. The invention protects and treats injuries that have already occurred, and also protects the head from subsequent injuries. In some cases, as when children or adults have chronic or pre-existing conditions, the helmet may be worn prior to any actual injuries. The invention uses a pliable padded helmet that conforms to a patient's head such that the patient is protected from impacts. This is especially important for children who may not be as careful about protecting head injuries. The helmet is fabricated with thermal packs that can be hot or cold depending on the treatment intended for an injury, an infection, etc. The thermal packs can be positioned anywhere on the inside of the helmet. The preferred embodiment envisions removable internal thermal packs that allow them to be replaced as needed. The thermal packs can provide heat or cold depending on the condition being treated.

The helmet can be fabricated from a variety of materials. The only requirement is that the materials chosen be suitable for the helmet's intended purpose. While a wide variety of materials can be used to fabricate the thermal safety helmet, a preferred material used in the preferred embodiment of the invention is Poron™ Plus foam cushioning. These materials provide several advantages. Poron can be stamped as a single piece during manufacture, and bonded together with an adhesive. Likewise, it can also be molded. Further, Poron also offers high rebound properties that are important in protecting patients from additional injuries when treating a previous injury or condition. It provides an open cell, reasonable structure that allows ventilation. In addition, it has antifungal properties that are important when treating head injuries that may be susceptible to infection. In the preferred embodiment, the Poron is envisioned as having an approximate thickness of 15 mm.

An alternative embodiment of the thermal safety helmet uses an EVA exterior layer fabricated as a single unit, preferably using a molding process.

For ease of discussion, unless otherwise noted herein, the materials Poron and EVA shall be deemed to be interchangeable.

EVA has been discovered to exhibit highly desirable properties for use in helmets. Ethylene vinyl acetate is the copolymer of ethylene and vinyl acetate. The ethylene typically comprises sixty to ninety percent of the EVA weight, while the vinyl acetate component usually comprises from ten to forty percent of the weight. EVA has desirable characteristics in that it is similar to elastomeric materials in softness and flexibility, but has an advantage in that it can be processed like numerous types of thermoplastics. EVA has a combination of qualities such as good clarity and gloss, low temperature toughness, adhesive properties, crack resistance, waterproof properties, and resistance to UV radiation.

EVA is a component in a variety of products, including hot melt adhesives, hot glue sticks, plastic wraps, children's foam stickers, and medical applications (i.e., drug delivery devices). EVA is an expanded rubber (i.e., foam rubber). EVA is buoyant, and is useful in products that are intended to float. It can be used as an encapsulation material for silicon cells in the manufacture of photovoltaic modules. EVA, is also used in the formulation of paints.

The preferred embodiment envisions the use of a nylon chinstrap that is preferred due to its strength and durability properties. Likewise, the straps are commercially available and can be manufactured with integral hook and loop attachment surfaces. In addition, an optional cushioned sleeve can be provided such that, when the strap is secured to the patient, the chinstrap will be covered by the cushioned sleeve for the patient's comfort.

The shape of the helmet can also vary depending on the size of the patient as well as the type of affliction the helmet is intended to treat. Further, the optional chinstrap can be used to secure the helmet to the patient.

Having discussed the invention in general, we turn now to a detailed discussion of the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front external view of a preferred embodiment of the thermal safety helmet 1 with optional ventilation apertures 2 on the surface of the thermal safety helmet 1. Also shown is a portion of the optional chinstrap 3 extending from the thermal safety helmet 1. In operation, the chinstrap 3 is inserted through chinstrap aperture 5 (shown in FIG. 3) and then preferably secured by integral hook and loop material 8 (shown in FIG. 5) on chinstrap 3. Any suitable method of securing the chinstrap 3 may be used, but hook and loop material 8 is preferred since it is inexpensive and easy to use. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the actual shape of the helmet 1 can vary based on the intended use and the patient's needs. Of course, the chinstrap 3 can be attached to either side of the thermal safety helmet 1.

Also shown in this figure this portion of interior lining 8 which extends lower than the front of the thermal safety helmet 1. In the preferred embodiment, the interior lining 8 is fabricated from felt or a similar material that is capable of securing a thermal patch 9 having a first side that is surfaced with hook and loop or a suitable alternative material. The material on the first side has hook and loop material to enable it to secure itself to the interior lining 8. The second side of the thermal patch 9 preferably has a surface that is fabricated from the same material that is used for interior lining 8.

FIG. 2 is a top external view of a preferred embodiment of the thermal safety helmet 1 showing the optional ventilation apertures 2 on the upper surface of the thermal safety helmet 1.

FIG. 3 is a left side view of a preferred embodiment of the thermal safety helmet 1 showing ear apertures 4, a strap attachment aperture 5, and the optional ventilation apertures 2 on the surface of the safety helmet 1.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the preferred embodiment of the thermal safety helmet 1 showing an ear aperture 4, a chinstrap 3 with optional chin pad sleeve 6, and ventilation apertures 2 on the surface of the thermal safety helmet 1. Optional chinstrap sleeve 6 provides a soft and comfortable cushion for the patient's chin. Once the chinstrap 3 is inserted into strap aperture 5 and secured via hook and loop material 8, the chinstrap sleeve 6 is slidably moved over the chinstrap 3 such that the hook and loop material 8 is covered up.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of a preferred embodiment of the thermal safety helmet 1 showing a chinstrap 3 attached to it, and optional ventilation apertures 2 on the surface of the thermal safety helmet 1. Also shown in this figure is the hook and loop material 8 on chinstrap 3.

FIG. 6 is an inside plan view that illustrates how the thermal safety helmet 1 can be stamped from a single sheet of material. In a preferred embodiment, the interior lining 8 as designed to cover the entire interior of the thermal safety helmet 1. This allows a thermal pack 9 to be positioned anywhere on the interior of the thermal safety helmet 1. As a result, the medical professional or caretaker can precisely position a thermal pack 9 at the precise location where the thermal pack 9 needs to be on the patient's head as the patient's needs dictate. Also illustrated in this figure are the chinstrap aperture 5, the ear apertures 6, and the ventilation apertures 2. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the interior lining 8 can be attached to the sheets used to fabricate thermal safety helmet 1 prior to stamping, or secured to the thermal safety helmet 1, has won the case when using a molding process.

The thermal components of the thermal packs 9 can be fabricated from any suitable material. They can be commercially available “blue ice” packs, they can be chemical packs, etc. Further, the thermal packs can provide heat or cold thermal effects, as needed. In the preferred embodiment, the thermal pack is fabricated with a non-toxic gel pack.

FIG. 7 is a cutaway side view of a preferred embodiment of the thermal safety helmet 1 showing the interior surface of the thermal safety helmet 1 covered with interior lining 8 material. Covering the entire inner surface of the thermal safety helmet 1 is preferred because it gives the health care provider the most flexibility in regard to placement of the thermal packs 9.

FIG. 8 is a cutaway side view of a preferred embodiment of the thermal safety helmet 1 illustrating how the thermal packs 9 is by the thermal safety helmet 1 can be positioned at any desired location inside of the thermal safety helmet 1. In addition, this figure also illustrates the fact that the thermal packs 9 can be fabricated in any desired shape or size because they don't have to be placed in a specific location.

While specific embodiments have been discussed to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations in the embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the materials used to fabricate the helmet can vary, the number and location of the thermal packs can vary, the method of securing the helmet to the patient's head can vary, etc. Therefore, the invention shall be limited solely to the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A thermal safety helmet for treating head conditions, comprising: an exterior layer of impact resistant material that provides protection from the external impacts;an interior lining, the interior lining fabricated from material suitable for attachment to a thermal pack;at least one thermal pack, each thermal pack having a first side suitable for attachment to the interior lining, and a second side fabricated with material similar to the interior lining;whereby, the thermal safety helmet provides impact protection to a patient and provides thermal packs for the application of heat or cold to specific areas of a patient's head.

2. A thermal safety helmet, as in claim 1, wherein: the interior lining is attached to the exterior layer by hook and loop material.

3. A thermal safety helmet, as in claim 1, wherein: the exterior layer is fabricated from foam material.

4. A thermal safety helmet, as in claim 3, wherein: the foam material is Poron.

5. A thermal safety helmet, as in claim 1, wherein: the exterior layer is fabricated from EVA material.

6. A thermal safety helmet, as in claim 1, wherein: the exterior layer is fabricated from pliant material.

7. A thermal safety helmet, as in claim 1, wherein: a exterior layer is fabricated substantially from EVA.