U.S. patent application number 14/442386 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-17 for protection device for helmet.
The applicant listed for this patent is POC SWEDEN AB. Invention is credited to Fredrik Hallander, Oscar Huss, Jan Woxing, Stefan Ytterborn.
Application Number | 20150359288 14/442386 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50776399 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150359288 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Woxing; Jan ; et
al. |
December 17, 2015 |
PROTECTION DEVICE FOR HELMET
Abstract
A helmet (1) comprising: a rigid outer shell (2); at least one
inner portion (4) comprising a first energy absorbing material;
wherein the helmet (1) further comprising a protection device (3)
comprising a protective section (3a), wherein the protective
section (3a) comprises a surface portion (3b), wherein a second
energy absorbing material (5) is arranged between the first energy
absorbing material (4) and the surface portion (3b) of the
protective section (3a).
Inventors: |
Woxing; Jan; (Saltsjobaden,
SE) ; Hallander; Fredrik; (Alvsjo, SE) ; Huss;
Oscar; (Stockholm, SE) ; Ytterborn; Stefan;
(Saltsjobaden, SE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
POC SWEDEN AB |
Saltsjobaden |
|
SE |
|
|
Family ID: |
50776399 |
Appl. No.: |
14/442386 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
November 23, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/SE2012/051300 |
371 Date: |
May 12, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/412 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/128 20130101;
A42B 3/069 20130101; A42B 3/063 20130101; A42B 3/12 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/12 20060101
A42B003/12 |
Claims
1. A helmet comprising: a rigid outer shell; at least one inner
portion comprising a first energy absorbing material; wherein the
helmet further comprising a protection device comprising a
protective section, wherein the protective section comprises a
surface portion, wherein a second energy absorbing material is
arranged between the first energy absorbing material and the
surface portion of the protective section.
2. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the protective section
comprises a raised protective section extending from the rigid
outer shell.
3. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the second energy
absorbing material is arranged adjacent the first energy absorbing
material.
4. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the protection device
is formed integrally with the rigid outer shell, wherein the
protective section comprises the rigid outer shell, wherein the
protective section forms an inner space, wherein the second energy
absorbing material is arranged in the inner space.
5. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the protection device
is arranged on the rigid outer shell, wherein the rigid outer shell
is arranged between the first energy absorbing material and the
second energy absorbing material.
6. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the protective section
further comprises an edge portion wherein the surface portion and
edge portion forms the inner space and the edge portion has an
angle .alpha. in relation to the surface portion, wherein
.alpha.>90.degree., preferably in the range of
110.degree.-160.degree..
7. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the protection device
comprises a plurality of raised protective sections.
8. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the helmet comprises a
front portion and a rear portion, wherein the protection device is
formed on the front portion of the helmet.
9. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the first energy
absorbing material comprises Expanded Polypropylene.
10. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the second energy
absorbing material comprises foam polyurethane, preferably
viscoelastic flexible polyurethane.
11. The helmet according to claim 1, wherein the surface portion
comprises a low friction material having a friction coefficient
.mu. against itself, i.e. wherein the countersurface/material is
formed by the low friction material, below 0.6, more preferably
being in the range of 0.1<.mu.<0.4.
12. A helmet comprising: a rigid outer shell; at least one inner
portion comprising a first energy absorbing material; wherein the
rigid outer shell comprises a low friction material.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a protection
device for a helmet.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] It is known to use helmets comprising inner portions of
energy or shock absorbing material such as for instance expanded
polystyrene (EPS) or expanded polypropylene (EPP) to provide
light-weight helmets with energy absorbing capabilities. Such
helmets are known from for instance US2012/0036619 A, or
US2008/0172774 A1 by the applicant.
[0003] In alpine skiing sports, involving high speeds and the
turning around poles defining a course, the continuous high energy
impact hitting of the poles against the helmet and other portions
of the skier's equipment or body is present. As the skier seeks the
shortest distance and/or the least time consuming path along the
course the poles often need to be brought out of the way leading to
a direct contact situation between the skiers body, and often,
helmet and the poles. The combination of high speeds and the
relatively heavy poles generates high energy impacts against the
skier's helmet.
[0004] The ability of the material of the helmet to withstand the
impact in a crash situation and absorb the resulting high energies
due to the large forces acting on the helmet in such situations may
be decreased by the frequently occurring impacts from e.g. poles
causing plastic deformation of the material of the helmet over
time. Another disadvantage is that these repeated impacts each may
cause the head and brain to frequently accelerate to undesirable
levels.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] An object of the present invention is to alleviate some of
the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide an improved
helmet, which improves the helmets ability to protect the users
head in a crash-situation after a prolonged use involving repeated
impacts.
[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a light-weight
and aerodynamic helmet that protects the users head during repeated
impact from reaching undesirable acceleration levels.
[0007] According to one embodiment of the invention, a helmet is
provided comprising: a rigid outer shell, at least one inner
portion comprising a first energy absorbing material, wherein the
helmet further comprising a protection device comprising a
protective section, wherein the protective section comprises a
surface portion, wherein a second energy absorbing material is
arranged between the first energy absorbing material and the
surface portion of the protective section.
[0008] According to one embodiment, the protective section
comprises a raised protective section extending from the rigid
outer shell.
[0009] According to another embodiment the second energy absorbing
material is arranged adjacent the first energy absorbing
material.
[0010] According to another embodiment, the protection device is
formed integrally with the rigid outer shell, wherein the
protective section comprises the rigid outer shell, wherein the
protective section forms an inner space, wherein the second energy
absorbing material is arranged in the inner space.
[0011] According to another embodiment, the protection device is
arranged on the rigid outer shell, wherein the rigid outer shell is
arranged between the first energy absorbing material and the second
energy absorbing material.
[0012] According to another embodiment, the protective section
further comprises an edge portion wherein the surface portion and
edge portion forms the inner space and the edge portion has an
angle a in relation to the surface portion, wherein
.alpha.>90.quadrature., preferably in the range of
110.quadrature.-160.quadrature..
[0013] According to another embodiment, the protection device
comprises a plurality of raised protective sections.
[0014] According to another embodiment, the helmet comprises a
front portion and a rear portion, wherein the protection device is
formed on the front portion of the helmet.
[0015] According to another embodiment, the first energy absorbing
material comprises Expanded Polypropylene.
[0016] According to another embodiment, the second energy absorbing
material comprises foam polyurethane, preferably viscoelastic
flexible polyurethane.
[0017] According to another embodiment, the surface portion
comprises a low friction material having a friction coefficient
.mu.against itself, i.e. wherein the countersurface/material is
formed by the low friction material, below 0.6, more preferably
being in the range of 0.1<.mu.<0.4.
[0018] According to another embodiment a helmet is provided
comprising: a rigid outer shell, at least one inner portion
comprising a first energy absorbing material; wherein the rigid
outer shell comprises a low friction material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] The invention is now described, by way of example, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a helmet with a
protection device.
[0021] FIG. 2 shows a cross-section of the helmet according to FIG.
1.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the helmet according to FIG.
1.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0023] In the following, a detailed description of the invention
will be given. In the drawing figures, like reference numerals
designate identical or corresponding elements throughout the
several figures. It will be appreciated that these figures are for
illustration only and are not in any way restricting the scope of
the invention.
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a helmet 1 comprising a
rigid outer shell 2 and inner portion of a first energy absorbing
material 4. The outer shell 2 may comprise more than one layer, for
example an outer polycarbonate layer and an inner glass fibre
reinforced resin layer. According to one embodiment, the outer
shell comprises ABS. According to one embodiment, the outer shell
comprises polycarbonate. Also the inner portion of energy absorbing
material 4 may comprise more than one layer, for example a layer of
honeycomb material, a layer of Expanded Polypropylene (EPP) or
Expanded Polystyrene (EPS), and a layer of soft foamed plastic.
According to one embodiment, the inner portion 4 comprises a liner
of EPP or another type of foam Polypropylene with elastic
properties, i.e. a so called multi-impact material with the ability
to return to its original shape after being deformed by impacts on
the material. According to one embodiment, the inner portion 4
comprises a liner of EPS.
[0025] As can be seen in FIG. 2, the helmet 1 further comprises a
protection device 3 comprising a protective section 3a or panel.
According to one embodiment, the protective section 3a is raised
above the rest of the helmet 1 or at least raised above a separate
non-raised section of the outer shell 2, i.e. extends from the
non-raised section of the outer shell 2. According to one
embodiment, a raised protective section 3a or point on a raised
protective section 3a is radially more distant from a center of the
helmet than a non-raised section or point on the non-raised section
along the same radial line from the center of the helmet 1.
According to one embodiment, the raised protective section 3a forms
a surface portion 3b and an edge portion 3c, wherein the surface
portion 3b and the edge portion 3c may be formed by the same or a
different material. According to one embodiment, the surface
portion 3b may comprise the entire protective section 3a, i.e.
wherein there is no clear edge portion 3c but simply a smooth
bending of the surface portion 3b forming the raised protective
section 3a. According to one embodiment, the protection device 3 or
panel is formed integrally with the rigid outer shell 2, by a
protective section 3a of the rigid outer shell 2. According to one
embodiment, the shape of the outer shell 2 comprising the
protective section 3a is injection moulded in one piece. According
to one embodiment, the protective section is raised a distance d
above the rest of the outer shell 2, the distance d preferably
being in the range 1 mm <d<5 mm, more preferably 2
mm<d<3 mm. The angle between the edge portion 3c and the
surface portion 3b may vary but is preferably more than
90.quadrature., more preferably in the range of
110.quadrature.-160.quadrature., wherein a smooth and aerodynamic
transition from the non-raised section of the outer shell and the
raised protective section 3a is formed. The smoothness of the
helmet is increasing the safety for the user of the helmet in that
the risk of hooking into e.g. poles or other objects in for
instance a crash situation can be reduced. According to one
embodiment, the curvature of the surface portion 3b of the
protective section 3a follows the curvature of the helmet. Hence, a
corresponding angle to the angle between the surface portion 3b and
the edge portion 3c can be found between the non-raised portion of
the outer shell 2 at a point of transition from a non-raised
portion of the shell 2 to the edge portion 3c and the edge portion
3c.
[0026] According to one embodiment, an inner space 6 is formed by
the protective section 3a being hollow and defined by the surface
portion 3b and, when present, the edge portion 3c. According to one
embodiment, a second energy absorbing and chock absorbing
protective material 5 is arranged below the protective section 3a,
on the inner surface, facing the inner space 6, of the surface
portion 3b of the protective device 3a. According to one
embodiment, an adhesive is used to fixedly arrange the second
energy absorbing material onto inner surface of the surface portion
3b. According to one embodiment, the second energy absorbing
material 5 is arranged in the inner space 6. According to one
embodiment, the protective second energy absorbing material 5 is
arranged directly onto and adjacent the first energy absorbing
material 4 by the use of an adhesive, i.e. wherein an adhesive is
arranged between the first energy absorbing material and the second
energy absorbing material.
[0027] According to one embodiment, the protection device 3 is
arranged onto the outer shell 2, i.e. whereby the rigid outer shell
2 is arranged between the first energy absorbing material 4 and the
second energy absorbing material 5. In this embodiment, a separate
protection device 3 may be arranged onto the outer shell 2 of the
helmet 1. The separate protection device 3 may have a shell formed
by the same material as the outer shell 2, and forms a separate
inner space 6 which may be filled with the second energy absorbing
material 5.
[0028] According to one embodiment, the second energy absorbing
material 5 comprises a viscoelastic flexible polyurethane foam also
known by the registered trademark VPD.RTM. by the applicant.
According to one embodiment, the protective material 5 may comprise
any type of polyurethane foam having elastic and energy absorbing
capabilities. Such material is commonly referred to as a
multi-impact material. According to one embodiment, the second
energy absorbing material 5 may comprise any kind of polymeric
foam. According to one embodiment, the second energy absorbing
material may be a shock absorbing pad. According to one embodiment,
the second energy absorbing material may comprise honeycomb
material.
[0029] According to one embodiment, the protective section 3a, and
at least the surface portion 3b may be formed by a low friction
material having a lower friction coefficient than the outer shell 2
against a given countersurface/material, to reduce the friction
between e.g. the poles and the helmet during impact and,
subsequently, the sliding of the pole against the helmet as the
skier passes the pole/gate. If the raised protective section 3a is
formed by the same material as the outer shell 2, the protective
section 3a may be covered by a thin layer of low friction material
having a lower friction coefficient than the outer shell 2 against
a given countersurface/material.
[0030] According to one embodiment, a helmet is provided comprising
a rigid outer shell 2, and an inner portion 4 comprising an energy
absorbing material 4, wherein the rigid outer shell 2 comprises a
low friction material. The helmet 1 may be provided comprising a
rigid outer shell 2, and an inner portion 4 comprising an energy
absorbing material 4, wherein the entire shell 2 is covered by a
material having a low friction coefficient. The rigid outer shell 2
may also be formed by a low friction material.
[0031] According to one embodiment, the low friction material has a
friction coefficient which is lower than that of polycarbonate or
ABS against a given and same countersurface/material. According to
one embodiment, the friction coefficient 1.1 of the low friction
material against itself, i.e. wherein the countersurface/material
is formed by the low friction material, is below 0.6, more
preferably in the range of 0.1<.mu.<0.4.
[0032] According to one embodiment, the protection device 3 is
arranged on the helmet in an area where the most frequent
engagement or hitting of the poles against the helmet has been
found to occur from a plurality of studies. FIG. 3 shows the helmet
1 from the side, i.e. a first side, in a normal use position by a
user, wherein the normal direction of the crown of the user's head
is essentially pointing in a vertical direction. It should be noted
that the helmet 1 is symmetrically designed and has a similar and
corresponding second side as the side shown in FIG. 3, although not
shown. A center plane (not shown) with a surface in the vertical
plane and having a normal direction extending in a forward
direction, divides the helmet in two halves, half way between a
rearmost portion furthest to the right in FIG. 3 and a foremost
portion of the helmet furthest to the left in FIG. 3 in the normal
use position of FIG. 3. The center plane comprises the vertical
axis (not shown) extending in a vertical direction. The portions
left of the center plane is defined as the front portion of the
helmet 1 and the portions right of the helmet 1 is defined as the
rear portion of the helmet 1 in FIG. 3. According to one
embodiment, the protection device is arranged on the front portion
of the helmet. According to one embodiment, the protection device 3
extends along the side of the helmet towards and past the center
plane to also be arranged on the back portion of the helmet 1 and
thereby essentially forming a U-shape. According to one embodiment,
one end, i.e. the bottom of the U of the protection device 3, is
arranged essentially at the foremost portion of the helmet or at
least within the range of 1 mm to 2 cm from the foremost portion of
the helmet and extends towards the vertical axis and such that the
protection device has a width covering between 40%-70% of the
length from the first end to the vertical axis. According to one
embodiment, the width of the protection device slightly increases
as the protection device 3 extends along the sides of the helmet.
According to one embodiment, the protection device 3 extends passed
the center plane towards the rearmost portion of the helmet, so
that the protection device covers 25%-50% of the distance from the
center plane to the rearmost portion of the helmet 1. According to
one embodiment, a center of the helmet 1 corresponds to a point on
the center plane in the interior of the helmet 1 half-way between
the uppermost intersection of the center plane and the helmet 1 and
the lowermost intersection of the center plane and the helmet
1.
[0033] According to one embodiment, the protection device 3 may
comprise a plurality of protective sections 3a (not shown)
distributed on suitable areas of the surface of the helmet, i.e.
areas comprised by the area as previously defined.
[0034] A preferred embodiment of a protection device for helmet
according to the invention has been described. However, the person
skilled in the art realizes that this can be varied within the
scope of the appended claims without departing from the inventive
idea.
[0035] All the described alternative embodiments above or parts of
an embodiment can be freely combined without departing from the
inventive idea as long as the combination is not contradictory.
* * * * *