U.S. patent application number 15/731586 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-08 for helmet.
The applicant listed for this patent is Paul L. Cote. Invention is credited to Paul L. Cote.
Application Number | 20180064198 15/731586 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61281757 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180064198 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cote; Paul L. |
March 8, 2018 |
Helmet
Abstract
A helmet (10) formed of a plurality of layers wherein at least
one of the layers comprises a plurality of beads (16) encased
within a liner (28), and a second liner selected from the group
consisting of a hard layer (36) and a soft layer (26).
Inventors: |
Cote; Paul L.; (Lac Brome,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Cote; Paul L. |
Lac Brome |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
61281757 |
Appl. No.: |
15/731586 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13261925 |
Jun 27, 2014 |
|
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15731586 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/066 20130101;
A42B 3/122 20130101; A42B 3/322 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/12 20060101
A42B003/12; A42B 3/06 20060101 A42B003/06; A42B 3/32 20060101
A42B003/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 5, 2012 |
CA |
2,770,713 |
Claims
1. A helmet (10) comprising: a plurality of layers; a first layer
comprising a plurality of beads (16), said beads being encased
within a liner (28); a second layer comprising a hard layer (36);
and an air bladder (38) containing a gas therein.
2. The helmet (10) of claim 1 wherein said beads (16) have an
irregular configuration, said irregular configuration being such
that a plurality of said beads have a plurality of flat
surfaces.
3. The helmet (10) of claim 1 wherein said beads (16) have a
uniform configuration and a plurality of different sizes.
4. The helmet (10) of claim 1 wherein said beads (16) are assorted
sizes.
5. The helmet (10) of claim 1 wherein said liner (28) is a cloth
liner.
6. The helmet (10) of claim 5 further including an inlet valve
(40).
7. The helmet (10) of claim 6 further including a separate outlet
valve (62).
8. The helmet (10) of claim 6 further including a combination inlet
and outlet valve (40).
9. The helmet (10) of claim 1 wherein said helmet (10) has an outer
layer comprising said hard layer (36), an intermediate layer
comprising said beads (16), and an inner most layer comprising said
air bladder (38).
10. The helmet (10) of claim 1 wherein said helmet (10) has an
outer layer formed of said hard layer (36) and an inner layer
formed of said beads (16).
11. The helmet (10) of claim 1 wherein said liner (28) is formed of
a material which is expandable.
12. The helmet (10) of claim 1 wherein said liner (28) is a rigid
liner.
13. The helmet (10) of claim 1 wherein said air bladder (38) is
enclosed within said layer comprising a plurality of beads
(16).
14. The helmet (10) of claim 6 further including a safety valve
(62) associated with said air bladder (38), said safety valve (62)
designed to release said gas at a desired pressure to lower
internal pressure to a desired value.
Description
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of
application Ser. No. 13/261,925 filed Jun. 27, 2014, the teachings
of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to helmets and more
particularly, relates to helmets to protect the head of the user
when undertaking an activity posing a danger to the user's
head.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The use of helmets when participating in an activity has
grown enormously over the years. Originally used only in relatively
violent sports such as football, their use in other activities has
increased as medical science has established the dangers for head
injuries in many activities. Helmets are now worn in a wide range
of sporting activities such as playing hockey, skiing, skating, and
the like. They are also widely used in other recreational
activities such as bicycling, inline skating, skateboarding,
etc.
[0004] The design of helmets has also evolved substantially and
many helmets are designed for a specific activity. Original designs
normally consisted simply of a hard outer shell with some inner
cushioning material. This is still the basic design which is
utilized for many different types of helmets.
[0005] The prime purpose of the helmet is to protect the head of
the wearer should it come in contact with a hard surface. As the
design of helmets has progressed, differing materials have been
utilized in order to provide the maximum impact resistance. This is
generally accomplished by using different density foams and the
like.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the present invention to provide
improvements in helmet designs which can be adapted for many
different purposes and/or activities. Some activities require
special design considerations. Thus, for example, the popularity of
renting bicycles from one station and dropping them off at another
station has increased in many urban areas. One problem with this
arrangement is that the bicycle riders generally are not using any
helmets for protection. As it is highly inconvenient to continually
carry a helmet, most people opt to not utilize any head protection.
Since rental helmets are not considered desirable for health
reasons, it would be desirable to provide a helmet structure which
is compact and portable.
[0007] Helmets according to the present invention can be designed
in many different ways. Some of the helmets will have a hard outer
shell in a conventional manner while others will have a soft outer
shell to enhance portability such that they can be easily carried
around by the user.
[0008] Other helmets need to be designed to reduce the impact or in
other words, provide for controlled deceleration of the head.
Recent evidence has raised the possibility that concussions can
lead to other medical problems later in life and particularly some
forms of dementia. These frequently occur in high impact sports
such as football and hockey.
[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a helmet comprising a plurality of layers, at least one of
the layers comprising a plurality of beads, the beads being encased
within a liner, and a second layer selected from the group
consisting of a hard layer and a soft layer.
[0010] In one embodiment of the invention, there is provided a
helmet which comprises beads contained within a liner and an air
bladder. This helmet will have a soft outer shell and is
collapsible rendering it ideal for uses where the helmet is
desirably portable.
[0011] In a second embodiment, there is provided a soft outer shell
along with the use of beads. Again, this design is relatively
collapsible and suitable for portability.
[0012] In a further embodiment of the invention, there is provided
a hard outer shell with an interior comprising beads and an air
bladder.
[0013] In a fourth embodiment of the invention, there is provided a
hard outer shell with encased beads forming the cushioning
layer.
[0014] In a still further embodiment of the present invention,
there is provided a helmet which has a hard shell with a layer of
encased beads within. However, over the hard shell, there is a
further layer of beads with a soft outer shell.
[0015] In a still further embodiment, there is provided a hard
outer shell with an interior honeycomb design.
[0016] A variation of the above will include a soft outer shell and
a honeycomb design.
[0017] In a still further embodiment, there is provided a hard
shell having an interior honeycomb design. However, exteriorly of
the hard shell there is provided a honeycomb design and a soft
outer shell.
[0018] In a further embodiment, there is provided a hard shell
having an interior formed of encased beads and an air bladder.
Exteriorly of the hard shell, there are provided both an air
bladder and encased beads and a soft outer shell.
[0019] In the instance wherein the helmet uses a hard outer shell,
such structures are well known in the art and many different
designs are available. It suffices to say that the hard outer shell
may be formed of any suitable material and may have any suitable
design. The nature of the hard shell and the design will partially
be dictated by the activity for which it is designed. The use of
pellets or beads in some of the embodiments of the present
invention will entail the use of a plurality of pieces of
particulate matter which are encased in a holder or liner. The
beads may be formed of many different materials and may be of a
plastic material such as a polypropylene. However, other materials
which can be engineered to have particular properties could also be
utilized in the practice of the present invention.
[0020] The shape of the beads can be varied. In one embodiment, one
may utilize circular beads which have varying sizes or diameters.
Thus, the beads would be irregular with the smaller beads fitting
between some larger beads. This has the effect of providing a
greater cushioning.
[0021] In another embodiment, the beads are of an irregular
configuration. They will preferably have a plurality of flat
surfaces arranged in varying directions. As such, the beads will
not fit together in a regular pattern and the particular
configuration of any one bead would by itself be irregular.
[0022] The overall thickness of the layer of the beads can vary and
would depend on the desired protection.
[0023] In the case of the air bladder, any conventional air bladder
might be utilized. Preferably, the valve arrangement is one which
would permit the user to blow into the same or alternatively, to
utilize an inflation device. Also, the valve arrangement is
preferably one wherein air is prevented from entering the valve to
the air bladder following deflation. This will permit the helmet to
be collapsible and to stay in a collapsed state. One may use
separate dedicated valves or alternatively a honeycomb layer
comprising a closed cell configuration, the closed cell frequently
having a second material therein. Honeycomb structures are known
per se and many different materials could be utilized.
[0024] The present invention utilizes different elements of the
helmet to reduce the forces of impact to the human head and brain.
These different mechanisms can be designed to absorb, dissipate and
divert forces directed to the head.
[0025] The liner used to encase the beads, as aforementioned, can
be formed of many different materials. In broader terms, the liner
may be made either of an expandable or relatively rigid material.
The expandable material may be, for example, a knit type material.
The use of different materials can control the compaction of the
beads. Thus, in the case of an expandable material, the beads are
forced to move and thus supply a controlled compaction. In the case
of a more rigid material, one may use a denser bead structure and
thereby provide a harder cushion. The horizontal and vertical walls
forming the liner can be made from a variety of material which, as
aforementioned, in the case of a softer material will deform more
easily and expand to absorb shock.
[0026] The air bladder may be utilized with walls of varying
degrees of elasticity from soft to rigid to contain air at
different pressures.
[0027] As previously mentioned, one may have a combination
inlet/outlet valve or alternatively, separate valves. In either
case, the inflation valve or portion thereof would open to admit
air and close automatically to hold the air or other gas within the
bladder.
[0028] The outlet valve can open when activated manually but would
close automatically when the manual pressure is released. The
outlet valve may also function as a pressure safety valve to
release air when pressure reaches a given point. It will open
automatically and then close once the excess air pressure has been
released. Naturally, a separate pressure safety valve may be
provided.
[0029] As utilized herein, the word "layers" will include all
layers wherein a first material will lie adjacent to a second
material. The orientation of the layers can be any desired and will
include both horizontal, vertical and diagonal layers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] Having thus generally described the invention, reference
will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments
thereof, in which:
[0031] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a helmet structure
according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 1B is a partial cutaway view thereof;
[0033] FIG. 1C is an enlargement of a portion of the cutaway view
of FIG. 1B;
[0034] FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view thereof;
[0035] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a
helmet according to the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 2B is a partial cutaway view thereof;
[0037] FIG. 2C is a partial sectional view thereof;
[0038] FIG. 2D is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof;
[0039] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a
helmet according to the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 3B is a partial cutaway view thereof;
[0041] FIG. 3C is a further partial cutaway view;
[0042] FIG. 3D is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof;
[0043] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a
helmet according to the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 4B is a partial cutaway view thereof;
[0045] FIG. 4C is a further cutaway view thereof;
[0046] FIG. 4D is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof;
[0047] FIG. 5A is a side elevational view of a further embodiment
of a helmet according to the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 5B is a partial cutaway view thereof;
[0049] FIG. 5C is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof;
[0050] FIG. 6A is a side elevational view of a further embodiment
of a helmet according to the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 6B is a partial cutaway view thereof;
[0052] FIG. 6C is a longitudinal sectional view thereof;
[0053] FIG. 7A is a front elevational view of a further embodiment
of a helmet according to the present invention;
[0054] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view thereof;
[0055] FIG. 8A is a front elevational view of a further embodiment
of a helmet according to the present invention;
[0056] FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view thereof;
[0057] FIG. 9A is a front elevational view of a further embodiment
of a helmet according to the present invention;
[0058] FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view thereof;
[0059] FIG. 10A is a front elevational view of a further embodiment
of a helmet according to the present invention;
[0060] FIG. 10B is a partial cutaway view thereof; and
[0061] FIG. 10C is an enlarged view of a portion of the cutaway
view of FIG. 10B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0062] Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference
characters thereto, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a first
embodiment of the helmet according to the present invention. The
helmet is generally designated by reference numeral 10 and has a
rigid outer shell 12. Mounted interiorly of rigid outer shell 12 is
an air bladder 14 with a valve 20 for inflation/deflation.
Surrounding air bladder 14 is a soft liner 18 containing a
plurality of beads or pellets 16.
[0063] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, helmet 24 has a soft outer
shell 26. An inner liner 28 contains beads or pellets 30.
[0064] Turning to FIG. 3, a helmet 34 has a hard outer shell 36.
Mounted interiorly of hard outer shell 36 is an air bladder 38
which is equipped with an inflation/deflation valve 40. An inner
liner 42 extends about air bladder 38 and contains a plurality of
beads 44.
[0065] The embodiment of FIG. 4 illustrates a helmet 48 having a
hard outer shell 50. Interiorly of hard outer shell 50 is an inner
liner 52 containing beads 54.
[0066] Turning to the embodiment of FIG. 5, helmet 56 includes a
hard shell 58. On the inner side of hard shell 58, there is an air
bladder 60 with an inflation/deflation valve 62. Extending about
air bladder 60 is an inner soft liner 64 containing a plurality of
beads 66. On the outer side of hard shell 58, there is provided an
air bladder 68 surrounded by a soft outer liner 70 containing beads
72. Finally, there is provided a soft cover shell 73.
[0067] In the embodiment of FIG. 6, there is provided a helmet 73
having a hard shell 74 with an inner soft liner 76 containing beads
78. On the exterior of hard shell 74, there is provided an outer
soft liner 80 containing beads 82. An outer soft shell 84 is
utilized.
[0068] The embodiment of FIG. 7 illustrates a helmet generally
designated by reference numeral 86. Helmet 86 has an inner
honeycomb structure 88 and a hard outer shell 90. Honeycomb
structure 88 consists of a plurality of separated cells which will
crush as required. If so desired, the cells of honeycomb structure
88 may include interiorly thereof a further substance which may be
of a shock absorbing nature.
[0069] In the embodiment of FIG. 8, helmet 94 has a honeycomb
structure 96 and a soft outer shell 98.
[0070] A helmet 104 is illustrated in FIG. 9 and which helmet is
comprised of a hard shell 106 having an interior honeycomb
structure 108. Exteriorly of hard shell 106, there is provided an
exterior honeycomb structure 110 and a soft shell 112.
[0071] In FIG. 10, there is illustrated a helmet generally
designated by reference numeral 116 has an interior air bladder 118
(valve not shown) surrounded by a liner containing beads 120. A
hard shell 121 surrounds this structure. Exteriorly of hard shell
121, there is provided an exterior air bladder 122 and a liner 124
to encase beads 126. This arrangement is covered by a soft outer
shell 128.
* * * * *