U.S. patent application number 14/949326 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-09 for collapsible safety helmet.
The applicant listed for this patent is Michael R. Bowman. Invention is credited to Michael R. Bowman.
Application Number | 20160157545 14/949326 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56093073 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160157545 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bowman; Michael R. |
June 9, 2016 |
COLLAPSIBLE SAFETY HELMET
Abstract
A safety helmet includes an outer collapsible shell that
collapses toward an inner shell when an impact force is received,
and does not return toward its initial (pre-collapsed) state when
the impact force is removed. The safety helmet provides improved
protection against injuries.
Inventors: |
Bowman; Michael R.; (Salem,
IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bowman; Michael R. |
Salem |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56093073 |
Appl. No.: |
14/949326 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62087877 |
Dec 5, 2014 |
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62143328 |
Apr 6, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/416 ;
2/411 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/067 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/14 20060101
A42B003/14; A42B 3/06 20060101 A42B003/06; A42B 3/12 20060101
A42B003/12; A42B 3/04 20060101 A42B003/04 |
Claims
1. A safety helmet, comprising: an outer collapsible shell having
an initial configuration for receiving an impact force; an inner
shell configured to receive a head of a wearer; and a space between
the inner shell and the outer collapsible shell; wherein upon
receiving an impact force, at least a portion of the outer shell
collapses by a distance toward the inner shell through the space
and does not return to the initial configuration when the impact
force is removed.
2. The safety helmet of claim 1, wherein the outer shell remains
collapsed by at least 75% of the distance when the impact force is
removed.
3. The safety helmet of claim 1, wherein the outer shell remains
collapsed by at 90% of the distance when the impact force is
removed.
4. The safety helmet of claim 1, wherein the outer shell remains
collapsed by about 100% of the distance when the impact force is
removed.
5. The safety helmet of claim 1, wherein the outer shell comprises
an inelastic polymer.
6. The safety helmet of claim 5, wherein the inelastic polymer is
selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, high density
polyethylene, polyesters, polyamides, polytetrafluoroethylene, and
combinations thereof.
7. The safety helmet of claim 1, wherein the outer shell comprises
a collapsible metallic foil.
8. The safety helmet of claim 1, wherein the inner shell comprises
a rigid plastic material.
9. The safety helmet of claim 8, wherein the rigid plastic material
is selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate,
polyacrylonitrile, rigid plastic foams, and combinations
thereof.
10. The safety helmet of claim 1, further comprising a foam layer
between the outer collapsible shell and the inner shell.
11. The safety helmet of claim 1, wherein the helmet comprises a
front region, a rear region, a crown region, two side regions and a
face mask.
12. The safety helmet of claim 11, wherein the outer collapsible
shell covers the front region, rear region, crown region and two
side regions.
13. The safety helmet of claim 12, wherein the space between the
inner shell and the outer collapsible shell and the inner shell is
thicker in the crown region than in the two side regions.
14. The safety helmet of claim 12, wherein the outer collapsible
shell has a thickness that is greater in the crown regions than in
the two side regions.
15. The safety helmet of claim 1, further comprising vent openings
in the outer collapsible shell and one or more breakable bladders
in the space between the inner shell and the outer collapsible
shell.
16. The safety helmet of claim 15, wherein the one or more
breakable bladders contain a colored fluid.
17. The safety helmet of claim 15, further comprising one or more
lights on or in the outer collapsible shell, responsive to a
breaking of one or more of the breakable bladders.
18. A safety helmet, comprising: a front region, a rear region, a
crown region and two side regions; an outer collapsible shell
having an initial configuration for receiving an impact force; an
inner shell configured to receive a head of a wearer; and a space
between the inner shell and the outer collapsible shell; wherein
upon receiving an impact force in the crown region, the outer
collapsible shell collapses toward the inner shell in the crown
region and does not return to the initial configuration when the
impact force is removed.
19. The safety helmet of claim 18, wherein upon receiving an impact
force in the front region, the outer collapsible shell collapses
toward the inner shell in the front region and does not return to
the initial configuration in the front region when the impact force
is removed.
20. The safety helmet of claim 18, where upon receiving an impact
force in the rear region, the outer collapsible shell collapses
toward the inner shell in the rear region and does not return to
the initial configuration in the rear region when the impact force
is removed.
21. The safety helmet of claim 18, wherein upon receiving an impact
force in either side region, the outer collapsible shell collapses
toward the inner shell in the side region and does not return to
the initial configuration in the side region when the impact force
is removed.
22. The safety helmet of claim 18, further comprising one or more
breakable bladders in the space between the inner shell and the
outer collapsible shell.
23. The safety helmet of claim 22, further comprising a colored
fluid contained in the one or more breakable bladders.
24. The safety helmet of claim 22, further comprising a plurality
of lights responsive to a breaking of one or more of the breakable
bladders.
25. The safety helmet of claim 24, wherein the plurality of lights
comprises LED lights.
26. The safety helmet of claim 24, wherein the plurality of lights
comprises strobe lights.
27. A safety helmet, comprising: an outer collapsible shell having
an initial configuration for receiving an impact force; an inner
shell configured to receive a head of a wearer; a space between the
inner shell and the outer collapsible shell; and one or more
sensors for detecting a distance of collapse in the outer
collapsible shell and sending a signal corresponding to the
distance of collapse; wherein upon receiving an impact force, the
outer collapsible shell collapses by the distance toward the inner
shell through the space and does not return to the initial
configuration when the impact force is removed.
28. The safety helmet of claim 27, wherein the outer collapsible
shell remains collapsed by at least 90% of the distance when the
impact force is removed.
29. The safety helmet of claim 27, comprising a plurality of the
sensors in different regions of the helmet.
30. The safety helmet of claim 27, further comprising a layer of
padding in the space between the inner shell and the outer
collapsible shell.
31. The safety helmet of claim 27, wherein the one or more sensors
transmits a signal to a remote booth when the outer collapsible
shell receives an impact force.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of each of: U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/087,877, filed on 5 Dec.
2014, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/143,328,
filed on 6 Apr. 2015. The co-pending Provisional Applications are
hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety and are
made a part hereof, including but not limited to those portions
which specifically appear hereinafter.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention is directed to a collapsible safety helmet
that can be used in sports, motorcycling, construction and other
hard hat activities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various helmet designs are known for improved safety and
warning of possible concussions resulting from an impact. A
SpeedFlex.TM. helmet, available from Riddell, incorporates a
flexible shell that works in conjunction with padding inside the
shell to help absorb impacts to the head of a wearer. This helmet
is designed for football players to reduce the incidence of
concussions and brain injury. Another football helmet, the Xenith
X2.TM., available from T+B Sports, collapses upon impact by
releasing air through small vent openings, and then immediately
returns to its normal shape. Both helmets include a flexible shell
that recovers to its original pre-collapsed configuration.
[0004] A Shockbox sensor available from Impakt Protective can be
installed on a helmet and can detect the forces of impacts and send
corresponding warning signals to a monitor. A sensor system called
the In Site.TM. Impact Response System, available form Riddell,
performs a similar function. These and other sensor systems detect
the force of impacts and send appropriate signals, but do not
reduce the incidence of brain injury.
[0005] The presently available collapsible safety helmets have a
disadvantage in that the resilient materials quickly return to
their normal shape, causing unnecessary shaking of the brain inside
the skull. While these helmets reduce the incidence of injury, more
is needed to reduce the incidence and severity of brain injuries
within the skull.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is directed to an improved safety
helmet for use in sports, motorcycling, construction, and other
hard hat activities requiring safety gear. The helmet is designed
to reduce the transfer of impact forces to the user, and thus
reducing the potential for injuries.
[0007] The helmet of the invention includes an outer collapsible
shell having an initial configuration for receiving an impact
force, an inner shell configured to receive a head of a wearer, and
a space between the inner shell and the outer collapsible shell.
The outer collapsible shell is formed of a permanently collapsible
material such that, upon receiving an impact force, at least a
portion of the outer shell collapses by a distance toward the inner
shell through the space, and does not return to the initial
configuration when the impact force is removed.
[0008] By using a permanently collapsible outer shell (i.e., an
outer shell formed of permanently collapsible material), the damage
caused by the impact force is largely borne by the helmet, thus
reducing the potential for injury to the wearer. By avoiding the
use of a resilient material that snaps back to its original shape
following impact, the helmet seeks to further reduce trauma.
[0009] With the foregoing in mind, it is a feature and advantage of
the invention to provide an improved safety helmet that provides
greater protection against impact and/or injury than conventional
safety helmets.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a top view of a safety helmet of the
invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a front view of the safety helmet, shown on a
wearer.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a back view of the safety helmet of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the safety helmet, taken along
line 4-4 in FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 5 shows the safety helmet of FIG. 4, with the outer
collapsible shell collapsed in a side region.
[0015] FIG. 6 shows the safety helmet of FIG. 4, with the outer
collapsible shell collapsed in a crown region.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a top view of another embodiment of the safety
helmet, with the outer collapsible shell removed.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the safety helmet, taken along
the line 8-8 in FIG. 7.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a back view of the safety helmet of FIG. 7.
[0019] FIG. 10 schematically illustrates an embodiment of the
invention in which a plurality of safety helmets is in electronic
communication with a remote monitoring booth.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the safety
helmet in which the space between the outer collapsible shell and
the inner shell is wider in the crown region than in the two side
regions.
[0021] FIG. 12 is a sectional view of one embodiment of the safety
helmet in which the thickness of the outer collapsible shell is
larger in the crown region than in the two side regions of the
helmet.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] In FIGS. 1-3, a safety helmet 10 includes a front region 12,
a rear region 14, a crown region 16, and two side regions 18 and
20. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, each of the regions 12, 14, 16, 18 and
20 of the safety helmet 10 is defined by an outer collapsible shell
22 for receiving an impact force, an inner shell 24 configured to
receive a wearer's head 26 (FIG. 2), a space 28 between the inner
shell 24 and the outer collapsible shell 22, and a padding layer 30
in the space 28 that is suitably a foam material. The helmet 10 can
also include a face mask 32 for protecting the wearer's face,
depending on the desired use of the helmet. Sensors 34 can be
provided in each of the regions 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 for detecting
an amount of collapse of the outer shell 22 resulting from an
impact, and for sending a corresponding signal to a monitor (not
shown).
[0023] The outer shell 22 of the helmet 10 is permanently
collapsible, meaning that it collapses toward the inner shell 24
through the space 28 upon receiving an impact force, but does not
return to its initial (pre-collapse) configuration when the impact
force is removed. The outer collapsible shell 22 can be formed of
an inelastic collapsible polymer, a collapsible metallic foil, or
another permanently collapsible material that is sturdy enough to
absorb a potentially injurious impact force and flexible enough to
collapse (bend) in response to the force. Suitable inelastic
polymers include without limitation polypropylene, high density
polyethylene, polyesters, polyamides, fluoropolymers such as
polytetrafluoroethylene, and combinations thereof. Suitable
metallic foils include without limitation aluminum, tin, and the
like. The thickness of the collapsible outer shell 22 is also an
important factor in ensuring that the outer shell 22 is sturdy
enough and flexible enough to protect the wearer from otherwise
injurious impact forces.
[0024] When an impact force is received, the outer shell 22
collapses into the space 28 by a collapsing distance that is less
than or equal to the distance between the outer shell 24 and the
inner shell 22. When the impact force is then removed, the outer
collapsible shell 22 may recover only slightly or none at all. When
the impact force is removed, the outer shell 22 should remain
collapsed by at least 75% of the collapsing distance (meaning
recovery of no more than 25%), suitably by at least 90% of the
collapsing distance (meaning recovery of no more than 10%),
preferably by about 100% of the collapsing distance (meaning
essentially no recovery).
[0025] The inner shell 24 is suitably formed of a rigid plastic
material that is strong, lightweight, and does not flex or break.
Suitable rigid plastic materials include without limitation
polycarbonate, polyacrylonitrile and rigid plastic foams formed of
rigid polyurethane, rigid acrylic polymers, and other foamable
polymers. Alternatively, many of the polymer materials used to form
the collapsible outer shell 22 can be formed into thick enough
layers to serve as the non-collapsible inner shell 24.
[0026] The padding layer 30 is suitably a soft foam and can be
formed of flexible polyurethane, flexible acrylic polymers, cotton
foam or another soft material. The padding layer 30 should be
sufficiently compressible so as not to hinder the collapsing of the
collapsible outer shell 22. The padding layer 30 softens the impact
of the collapsible outer shell 22 against the inner shell 24 (FIGS.
5 and 6).
[0027] The safety helmet 10 can be designed with an outer
collapsible shell 22 that collapses toward the inner shell 24 upon
receiving an impact force in any one or more of the crown region
16, the front region 12, the rear region 14 and the side regions 18
and 20. In each case, the collapsible outer shell 22 does not
return to its initial configuration in the region of impact after
the impact force is removed. FIG. 5 illustrates a situation where
the outer shell 22 receives an impact force in the rear region 14
and collapses toward the inner shell 24 in that region, shown by
collapsed portion 36. FIG. 6 illustrates a situation where the
outer shell 22 receives an impact force in the crown region 16 and
collapses toward the inner shell 24 in that region, shown by
collapsed portion 38. In either case, the collapse is permanent,
i.e. the collapsed portion 36 or 38 does not return to the initial,
pre-collapsed state when the impact force is removed.
[0028] The sensors 34 (FIGS. 1-3) can be positioned in the outer
collapsible shell 22 in one or more of the regions, suitably in
each of the regions 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 of the safety helmet 10.
The sensors 34 can monitor either or both of a) the amount of
impact force and b) the collapsing distance of the collapsible
outer shell 22, when an impact force is received, and can send
corresponding signals to a monitor (not shown). The signals can
then be analyzed to gauge the severity of the impact, whether or
not immediate medical attention is warranted and, if so, the type
of medical attention that may be needed.
[0029] FIGS. 7-9 show an alternative embodiment of the safety
helmet 10 in which one or more inflated bladders 40, filled with a
colored fluid (gas or liquid), are disposed in the space 28 between
the collapsible outer shell 22 and the inner shell 24. When the
outer collapsible shell 22 takes an impact and sufficiently
collapses, the adjacent bladder 40 breaks and releases the colored
fluid. The colored fluid passes through vent openings 42 (FIG. 9)
in the outer shell 22 and may cause coloration of the outer surface
46 of the outer shell 22 in the vicinity of the vent openings 42
through which the colored fluid escapes.
[0030] The one or more bladders 40 can be formed of any breakable
plastic material that is strong enough to contain the fluid and
withstand normal use, but weak enough to break when the outer
collapsible shell 22 is driven into a collapsed position by a
predetermined impact force. Suitable materials include without
limitation polypropylene, polyethylenes, polyurethane,
polyisoprene, polybutadiene, and the like. In one embodiment, the
fluid can be a colored dye that imparts a luminescent color to the
affected portions of outer surface 46. The colored dye can be
green, red, blue, or any distinctive color. The number and
positioning of bladders 40 should be selected so that the bladder
not only breaks when a predetermined impact force is received by
the outer collapsible shell 16, but also signals the location of
the break. If the number of bladders 40 is too small and their size
is correspondingly large, then the bladders 40 will be difficult to
break because the fluid will redistribute in the bladder when an
impact force is received. If the number of bladders 40 is too
large, and their size is correspondingly small, then too little
fluid may be emitted to cause sufficient visual signaling when the
bladder breaks. Suitably, the number of bladders 40 in the space 28
can be about 4 to about 20, or about 5 to about 15.
[0031] In another embodiment, the breaking of a bladder 40, and/or
the sufficient collapsing of outer collapsible shell 22, will
trigger the illumination of one or more lights 44 on the outer
surface 46 of the outer collapsible shell 22, either in the region
of impact or over a larger area. In this embodiment, the bladders
40 may or may not be filled with the colored fluid. The lights 44
can be illuminated by circuitry within the bladders 40 that is
activated by the breaking of one or more bladders 40.
Alternatively, the lights 44 can be illuminated by circuitry in or
on the outer collapsible shell 16 that is activated by sufficient
collapsing of the outer shell 22. Alternatively, the lights 44 can
be activated by impact sensors 48 on or in the outer collapsible
shell 22 that detect an impact force of a sufficient predetermined
magnitude. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, impact sensors 48 are
positioned on the inner shell 24 and would detect an impact force
of sufficient magnitude to collapse the outer shell 22 to the inner
shell 24. Suitably, the lights 44 are LED lights and can be strobe
lights. Other types of lights can also be used.
[0032] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 10, the information
from the breaking of one or more bladders 40, and/or the collapsing
of the outer shell 22 to the inner shell 24, can be transmitted
from any one or more of a plurality of helmets 10 to a remove booth
50. The booth 50 can serve as a central location for monitoring
potentially injury-causing impacts, and for signaling the need for
medical attention. Thus, the information generated by the
collapsing of the outer shell 22 and/or the breaking of one or more
bladders 40 can cause any one or more of a) the generation of
colored fluid through vent openings 42, b) the illumination of
lights 44, and c) the transmission of a signal to a booth 50. The
booth 50 may be located on the sidelines of a football field, for
example, and can serve as an emergency station for the immediate
treatment of an injury, or the provision of medical help and
supplies to the injured player.
[0033] It is also known that certain regions of the head, such as
the crown region, are more prone to impact injuries than others.
The collapsible safety helmet 10 of the invention can be designed
to provide extra protection in the region(s) of the head that are
more prone to injury. In the embodiment of FIG. 11, the space 28 is
wider in the crown region 16 compared to the side regions 18 and 20
of the helmet 10. Because the distance between the outer
collapsible shell 22 and the inner shell 24 is greater in the crown
region 16, the outer shell 22 is able to collapse by a greater
amount in response to an impact, before reaching the inner shell
24. In the embodiment of FIG. 12, the outer collapsible shell 22 is
thicker in the crown region 16 than in the two side regions 18 and
20. In both embodiments, the magnitude of the impact force required
to collapse the outer shell 22 through the span 28 and to the inner
shell 24 will be greater in the crown region 16 than in the side
regions 18 and 20. Corresponding adjustments can also be made to
provide greater impact protection in the front and/or rear regions
12 and 14 of the safety helmet 10.
[0034] While the embodiments of the invention described herein are
presently preferred, various modifications and improvements can be
made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, and
all changes that fall within the meaning and range of equivalents
are intended to be embraced therein.
* * * * *