U.S. patent application number 15/053470 was filed with the patent office on 2016-08-25 for helmet.
The applicant listed for this patent is Steven Christopher CARTON. Invention is credited to Steven Christopher CARTON.
Application Number | 20160242485 15/053470 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56693425 |
Filed Date | 2016-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160242485 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CARTON; Steven Christopher |
August 25, 2016 |
HELMET
Abstract
A helmet is comprised of: a stiff outer shell and an inner liner
adapted to be fitted to a wearer's head. A shock absorbing layer is
located between, and connected to, the stiff outer shell and the
fitted inner layer. The shock absorbing layer is adapted to allow
the outer shell to flex rotationally relative to the inner layer in
order to cushion a rotational force applied to the outer shell. The
shock absorbing layer is adapted to allow the outer shell to move
linearly relative to the inner liner in order to cushion a linear
force applied to the outer shell.
Inventors: |
CARTON; Steven Christopher;
(Ottawa, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CARTON; Steven Christopher |
Ottawa |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
56693425 |
Appl. No.: |
15/053470 |
Filed: |
February 25, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62120626 |
Feb 25, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/10 20130101;
A42B 3/064 20130101; A42B 3/124 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/12 20060101
A42B003/12; A63B 71/10 20060101 A63B071/10 |
Claims
1. A helmet comprised of: a stiff outer shell; an inner liner
adapted to be fitted to a wearer's head; a shock absorbing layer
located between, and connected to, said stiff outer shell and said
fitted inner layer; wherein said shock absorbing layer is adapted
to allow said outer shell to flex rotationally relative to said
inner layer in order to cushion a rotational force applied to said
outer shell, and wherein said shock absorbing layer is adapted to
allow said outer shell to move linearly relative to said inner
liner in order to cushion a linear force applied to said outer
shell.
2. The helmet of claim 1, wherein said shock absorbing layer is
adapted to return to its original orientation.
3. The helmet of claim 1, wherein said shock absorbing layer is
comprised of a plurality of protruding cylindrical pieces.
4. The helmet of claim 1, wherein said outer shell is composed of
polycarbonate.
5. The helmet of claim 1, wherein said helmet is a football helmet.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to a protective head
product. More particularly, the invention relates to a helmet that
may reduce rotational impacts to the wearer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Concussions and other head injuries are a major concern for
athletes and others participating in activities where the head may
be subjected to force. Concussions are a form of traumatic brain
injury (TBI) and can range in severity from mild to life
threatening. It is now known that concussions are more than
temporary impairments of neurological functions which resolve
spontaneously. Concussions may have long lasting effects.
[0003] Moreover, repetitive concussions are extremely serious and
can result in permanent structural changes to the brain and may be
potentially fatal. Repetitive concussions have also been linked to
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE)--a degenerative brain
disease characterized by: memory loss, mood swings, cognitive
impairment, depression, confusion, aggression and the decline of
motor skills. Some studies have suggested that CTE may triple the
risk of an early death.
[0004] The risk of concussions and other head trauma is especially
prevalent in American Football due to the number of impacts a
player's head may receive. Despite every football player wearing a
helmet, football has the highest incidence of concussions of the
major sports. This illustrates that there is a need for a helmet
that may further reduce the likelihood of a player receiving a
concussion.
[0005] In order to understand how helmets may be improved, the
different types of forces that can cause head trauma need to be
understood. The two major types of forces are
acceleration-deceleration (or linear impact) and rotational (or
angular impact).
[0006] Briefly a linear impact occurs when a person's head is
struck by a "straight-line" force causing the head to move in the
direction opposite of the force. During such an impact the forces
may cause the brain to move relative to the skull possibly even
causing the brain to strike the inside of the skull. This movement
and potential striking of the brain may cause stretching and
tearing of neurons or brain cells.
[0007] An angular impact causes the head to experience rotational
acceleration and is quite different from a linear impact. In this
case, a force causes the head to rotate on its axis (corresponding
to the neck) from side to side in a twisting motion. When a
player's head is forced to rotate quickly over a large degree of
rotation, nerve cells and blood vessels in the brain can be
stretched, twisted and torn. The twisting and tearing of an axon
may result in the death of the neuron. Consequently the damage
caused by rotational impacts may be particularly severe.
[0008] Helmets are designed to prevent head injuries, including
concussions, by absorbing the impact forces to the head. The helmet
should absorb and redirect that energy. Existing helmets are able
to absorb linear impacts somewhat effectively. However, they are
poor at absorbing rotational impacts. As a result of their
potential severity, rotational impacts may be the cause of more
sport concussions than linear impacts.
[0009] Current helmets protect against linear impacts through the
use of an outer polycarbonate surface (hard) and an inner layer of
heavy, snug fitting and shock absorbing padding (foam, air cells,
etc). The shock absorbing padding fits snuggly around the head, and
is usually made of vinyl nitrate or expanded polypropylene. Such
helmet designs may be effective at absorbing the force of hard hits
to the head and preventing both skull fractures and direct impact
concussions by distributing the force across the entire surface
area of the helmet. Traditional helmets have the ability to
withstand multiple impacts, by compressing and returning to its
original dimensions. The outer shell of lightweight yet hard
material also disperses kinetic energy.
[0010] However, the shock absorbing padding is designed to fit so
closely to the wearer's head, that if the helmet receives a
rotational impact in such a way to rotate the helmet, the head is
subject to the same rotational impact and will also rotate on its
axis (neck) as a result of the shock absorbing padding. Current
football helmets in use today are not effective at providing
protection against external forces that cause rotational impacts,
which may lead to concussions. The inner padding fits so close to a
person's head that rotational impacts to the helmet also cause
rotation of the person's head.
[0011] Adding to the danger is the fact that the general shape of
helmets, especially helmets with facemasks, may actually increase
the amount of rotational force placed upon the wearer's head. This
is a consequence of the force hitting the helmet a distance away
from the head. The helmet may essentially act as a gear to increase
the torque placed on the wearer's head.
[0012] New shapes of helmets such as the Riddell Revolution.TM. and
the Riddell Revolution 360.TM. promise reduction technology by
introducing a more spherical shape among other improvements.
[0013] The existing designs can still be improved to help reduce
rotational impacts on the wearer. A suggested improvement has been
the use of a lubricated flexible membrane, which is usually located
between the head and the padding. Such helmets have several
limitations. First the human head is not spherical and, as such,
the lubricated layer may not actually allow the helmet to rotate on
the head. Additionally, the rotation of the helmet may block the
vision of the person, which may be very dangerous, and players may
not want to wear a helmet that may limit their effectiveness in
this manner. Finally the lubricated layer will permit the helmet to
move around a lot, and would place far too much dependence on the
chin strap.
[0014] A helmet is needed that could help minimize the transfer of
rotational impacts from the helmet to the wearer's head, which may
reduce the amount of concussion injuries. A helmet is also needed
that may be able to reduce the transfer of lateral impacts and
rotational impacts, without reducing the wearer's sightlines and
without placing too much emphasis on the chin strap.
[0015] While this invention may be described in relation to
football helmets, it is contemplated that it could be adapted for
use in any type of helmet. For example it could be used in hockey
helmets, motorcycle helmets, baseball helmets, bicycle helmets,
ski/snowboard helmets, skateboarding helmets, lacrosse helmets,
etc. The invention could be adapted for any headgear worn by a
person to reduce the likelihood of head trauma.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] In a broad aspect, then, the present invention provides a
helmet comprised of: a stiff outer shell; an inner liner adapted to
be fitted to a wearer's head; a shock absorbing layer located
between, and connected to, said stiff outer shell and said fitted
inner layer; wherein said shock absorbing layer is adapted to allow
said outer shell to flex rotationally relative to said inner layer
in order to cushion a rotational force applied to said outer shell,
and wherein said shock absorbing layer is adapted to allow said
outer shell to move linearly relative to said inner liner in order
to cushion a linear force applied to said outer shell.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates the interior of a complete modified
helmet of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates the interior of a modified helmet of the
present invention without an inner layer;
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a testing apparatus used to test the
present invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates the testing apparatus with a helmet
placed on the mannequin bust.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] With reference to the drawings different embodiments of the
present invention will now be described.
[0022] Turning to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the present invention
is illustrated. A modified football helmet 1 has an outer shell 10
and an inner liner 20. Outer shell 10 and inner liner 20 may be
separated by a shock absorbing layer 30. Outer shell 10 may be the
hard outer layer of a helmet (for example polycarbonate) as would
be understood by a person skilled in the art.
[0023] In one embodiment inner shell 20 is custom fit to the
wearer's head. For example, inner shell 20 could be constructed
from fiberglass molded to the wearer's head. However, other
materials are contemplated as would be understood by a person
skilled in the art. As will be discussed, inner shell 20 may be
affixed to shock absorbing layer 30 in a manner that allows inner
shell 20 to move both laterally and rotationally relative to outer
shell 10.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of shock absorbing layer
30. In this embodiment shock absorbing layer 30 is a plurality of
individual cylindrical pieces of flexible foam padding 32. Foam
padding 32 may be affixed at one end to outer shell 10. The other
end of foam padding 32 may be affixed to inner liner 20 as can be
seen best in FIG. 1.
[0025] Shock absorbing layer 30 is adapted to act as a flexible
buffering system between outer shell 10 and inner liner 20 in two
different manners. First, shock absorbing layer 30 may allow outer
shell to move laterally relative to inner shell 20. This lateral
movement cushions the wearer's head from lateral impacts to the
helmet. Shock absorbing layer 30 may also disperse lateral impacts
throughout shock absorbing layer 30, thus further reducing the
impact felt by the wearer. This type of protection is common among
existing helmets.
[0026] Second, and importantly, shock absorbing layer 30 may also
allow outer shell 10 to rotate relative to inner shell 20. This
rotational movement may cushion the wearer's head from rotational
impacts to the helmet. In addition to allowing rotational movement,
shock absorbing layer 30 may also disperse the rotational force of
a rotational impact throughout shock absorbing layer 30, thus
further reducing the rotational impact felt by the wearer.
[0027] Therefore, shock absorbing layer 30 should be able to
compress and/or move in multiple directions. Shock absorbing layer
30 should also return to its original shape and position after any
movement, thus after an impact (either rotational or lateral) outer
shell 10 may return to its original position relative to inner
liner 20.
[0028] A plurality of cylindrical pieces 32 may work well as shock
absorbing layer 30 because each individual piece can compress
longitudinally and can also flex laterally. Different sized pieces
32 may provide different advantages. While foam pieces have been
described herein, it is contemplated that pieces 32 could be
constructed from any appropriate material as would be understood by
a person skilled in the art.
[0029] While in one embodiment shock absorbing layer 30 has been
described as a plurality of cylindrical pieces 32 herein, it would
be understood by a person skilled in the art that any type of
padding that is capable of compression and/or movement in multiple
directions may function to absorb both lateral impacts and
rotational impacts.
[0030] The result of shock absorbing layer 30 being able to
move/compress both longitudinally and laterally is if the outer
layer of the helmet is subject to a rotational impact, the
rotational force is not directly translated to the head and neck of
the wearer. Shock absorbing layer 30 may have more flex,
redirection and absorption capabilities--than the standard current
helmet padding.
[0031] Additionally, helmet 1 may actually reduce some lateral
impacts more effectively than traditional helmets. For example a
`glancing` blow to helmet 1 (for example near the top of the
helmet) may result in helmet 1 moving laterally. In a traditional
helmet, the full force of a `glancing` lateral impact needs to be
absorbed. In contrast, helmet 1 will absorb some of a `glancing`
lateral impact by rotating slightly. This is due to shock absorbing
layer 30's ability to allow inner liner 20 to rotate relative to
outer shell 10 and to cushion the force. As a result, when a
`glancing` force strikes the top of helmet 1, outer shell 20 may
move both laterally and rotationally and shock absorbing layer 30
may absorb the force both laterally and rotationally.
[0032] While the invention has been described with reference to
various embodiments, the scope of the claims should not be limited
by the embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given
the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a
whole.
Testing
[0033] One embodiment of the present invention was tested to see if
the effects of rotational impacts on a wearer would be reduced
compared to a traditional helmet. For the testing, a Riddell
Revolution helmet was used. This helmet had received a 5 star
rating by the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech in 2012,
which tested a variety of professional football helmets.
[0034] FIG. 3 illustrates the testing apparatus 50 without a
helmet. A mannequin bust 60 is affixed to a 25 pound turntable 70.
A swinging weight (5 lb) 52 is suspended above mannequin bust 60.
FIG. 4 illustrates the same testing apparatus 50 where helmet 1 is
placed on mannequin bust 60. An aluminum bar 62 is affixed to
helmet 1's facemask 2 so that it extends laterally outward from
helmet 1.
[0035] Swinging weight 52 is positioned so that it is adapted to
strike aluminum 62 in order to create a rotational impact on helmet
1. Swinging weight (5 lb) 52 was released from a horizontal
position and the rotation of mannequin bust 60 relative to its
starting position was measured.
[0036] First, the testing apparatus was used to test the rotational
impacts imparted on the mannequin using the unmodified Riddell
Revolution helmet. The unmodified helmet was placed securely on
mannequin bust 60. Aluminum bar 62 was secured to the helmet and
weight 52 was dropped from a horizontal position so that it struck
aluminum bar 62 and the rotation of mannequin bust 60 was measured
10 times. The average rotation of mannequin bust 60 was 27.55
degrees. The results of each trial are shown below in table 1.
[0037] Second, the testing apparatus was used to test an embodiment
of the present invention. The outer shell 10 of the same Riddell
Revolution helmet tested as a control was used for consistency. The
original inner padding was removed from the helmet and replaced
with a numerous cylindrical pieces of foam padding 32 cut to match
the thickness of the helmet padding (see FIG. 1 and FIG. 2). The
cylindrical pieces of foam were glued to outer layer 10 such that
they extended inwardly.
[0038] A custom fit fiberglass inner liner 20 was form fitted to
mannequin bust 60's head. The outer side of inner liner 20 was
sprayed with an adhesive and affixed to the inwardly extending
pieces of foam padding 32 (see FIG. 1).
[0039] The completed modified helmet was placed on mannequin bust
60 with a secure fit. Again, aluminum bar 62 is affixed to helmet
1's facemask so that it extended forwardly from the helmet.
Swinging weight 52 was dropped from the same horizontal position
(same height as the unmodified helmet) to strike piece of wood 62
and the rotation of mannequin bust 60 was measured 10 times. The
average rotation for modified helmet 1 of the present invention was
18.2 degrees of rotation. The results of each trial are shown below
in table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Results of Testing Trial Degrees of Angular
Rotation Degrees of Angular Rotation Number (unmodified helmet)
(unmodified helmet) 1 27.5 17 2 28 18 3 28 18 4 27 17 5 27 18 6 27
19 7 28 20 8 28 20 9 28 18 10 27 17
[0040] Thus, the testing showed a reduction of about 9.35 degrees
of rotation. This corresponds to 33.8% less rotation transmitted
from the rotational impact.
[0041] The results suggest that the present innovative helmet
design, having a shock absorbing layer that allows an inner liner
to move both laterally and rotationally relative to the outer shell
and inner liner, may have significant reduction in head concussions
in contact sports such as football, particularly concussions caused
by rotational impact forces.
[0042] The inner liner of the present has been described as being
custom fit from fiberglass. While this is certainly a workable way
of providing a custom fit inner liner that will tend not to rotate
on a person's head, it is expected that in production, the inner
liner will be made from a heat moldable plastic material, so that a
person could select a helmet with a liner size approximately
correct for their head, and then heat the liner with a hair dryer
until it is moldable. The helmet would then be put on, and the
inner liner would mold itself to the head. Suitable plasters
include polycaprolactones and polycaprolactone/polyurethane
blends.
* * * * *