U.S. patent application number 15/832578 was filed with the patent office on 2018-04-05 for biomechanics aware headgear.
This patent application is currently assigned to Brainguard Technologies, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Brainguard Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert T. Knight.
Application Number | 20180092422 15/832578 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61756841 |
Filed Date | 2018-04-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180092422 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Knight; Robert T. |
April 5, 2018 |
BIOMECHANICS AWARE HEADGEAR
Abstract
Protective gear includes an outer shell layer connected to a
middle shell layer through an outer energy and impact transformer
layer. The middle shell layer is connected to an inner shell layer
through an inner energy and impact transformer layer. The outer and
inner energy and impact transformer layers flexibly connect the
shell layers to absorb impact forces, rotational forces, shear
forces, etc., and allow the various shell layers to move and slide
relative to the other shell layers. The outer and inner energy and
impact transformer layers may be constructed using gels, fluids,
electro-rheological elements, magneto-rheological elements, etc.
The protective gear may be formed as helmets or body protection for
various activities and protect users from not only impact and
penetrative forces, but rotational and shear forces as well.
Inventors: |
Knight; Robert T.;
(Berkeley, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Brainguard Technologies, Inc. |
Richmond |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Brainguard Technologies,
Inc.
Richmond
CA
|
Family ID: |
61756841 |
Appl. No.: |
15/832578 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15631713 |
Jun 23, 2017 |
|
|
|
15832578 |
|
|
|
|
15202173 |
Jul 5, 2016 |
9723889 |
|
|
15631713 |
|
|
|
|
15050357 |
Feb 22, 2016 |
9516909 |
|
|
15202173 |
|
|
|
|
14927093 |
Oct 29, 2015 |
9289022 |
|
|
15050357 |
|
|
|
|
14809142 |
Jul 24, 2015 |
9414635 |
|
|
14927093 |
|
|
|
|
14714093 |
May 15, 2015 |
9271536 |
|
|
14809142 |
|
|
|
|
14485993 |
Sep 15, 2014 |
9060561 |
|
|
14714093 |
|
|
|
|
13554471 |
Jul 20, 2012 |
8863319 |
|
|
14485993 |
|
|
|
|
15050373 |
Feb 22, 2016 |
9521874 |
|
|
15202173 |
|
|
|
|
14927093 |
Oct 29, 2015 |
9289022 |
|
|
15050373 |
|
|
|
|
14809142 |
Jul 24, 2015 |
9414635 |
|
|
14927093 |
|
|
|
|
14714093 |
May 15, 2015 |
9271536 |
|
|
14809142 |
|
|
|
|
14485993 |
Sep 15, 2014 |
9060561 |
|
|
14714093 |
|
|
|
|
13554471 |
Jul 20, 2012 |
8863319 |
|
|
14485993 |
|
|
|
|
13655862 |
Oct 19, 2012 |
|
|
|
13554471 |
|
|
|
|
61510401 |
Jul 21, 2011 |
|
|
|
61510401 |
Jul 21, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 13/015 20130101;
A42B 3/20 20130101; A42B 3/064 20130101; A42B 3/121 20130101; A42B
3/125 20130101; A42B 3/22 20130101; A42B 3/04 20130101; A42B 3/063
20130101; A42B 3/0473 20130101; A42B 3/12 20130101; A42B 3/14
20130101; A42B 3/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/06 20060101
A42B003/06; A42B 3/22 20060101 A42B003/22; A42B 3/20 20060101
A42B003/20; A42B 3/14 20060101 A42B003/14; A42B 3/08 20060101
A42B003/08; A42B 3/04 20060101 A42B003/04; A41D 13/015 20060101
A41D013/015; A42B 3/12 20060101 A42B003/12 |
Claims
1. A helmet comprising: an outer shell layer; a middle shell layer
connected to the outer shell layer through an outer energy and
impact transformer layer, the outer energy and impact transformer
layer operable to absorb energy from mechanical forces imparted
onto the outer shell layer, wherein the outer energy and impact
transformer layer allows the outer shell layer to slide relative to
the middle shell layer; an inner shell layer connected to the
middle shell layer through an inner energy and impact transformer
layer, the inner energy and impact transformer layer operable to
absorb energy from mechanical forces imparted onto the middle shell
through the outer shell and the outer energy and impact transformer
layer, wherein the inner energy and impact transformer layer allows
the middle shell layer to slide relative to the inner shell layer;
wherein the helmet is coupled to a neck brace, the neck brace
comprising: a neck bracing outer surface; a neck bracing inner
surface; and a bracing mechanism, located between the neck bracing
outer surface and the neck bracing inner surface, wherein the
bracing mechanism is configured to detect an imminent, mechanical
force impact on the helmet and alter the stiffness of the bracing
mechanism upon detection of the imminent, mechanical force impact
to distribute energy from the mechanical force impact onto
shoulders supporting the neck bracing mechanism.
2. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the bracing mechanism comprises a
magneto-rheological element, wherein the viscosity of the
magneto-rheological element increases upon detection of the
imminent, mechanical force.
3. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the bracing mechanism comprises
an electro-rheological element, wherein the viscosity of the
electro-rheological element increases upon detection of the
imminent, mechanical force.
4. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the bracing mechanism detects the
imminent, mechanical force using a sensor on the helmet.
5. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the bracing mechanism detects the
imminent, mechanical force using a sensor associated with the neck
bracing mechanism.
6. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the bracing mechanism is
connected to the helmet and is configured to rest on the shoulders
themselves.
7. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the bracing mechanism allows
flexible movement of the helmet relative to the shoulders when no
imminent, mechanical force is detected.
8. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the bracing mechanism allows
limited movement of the helmet relative to the shoulders when the
imminent, mechanical force is detected.
9. Protective gear comprising: a helmet comprising: an outer shell
layer; a middle shell layer connected to the outer shell layer
through an outer energy and impact transformer layer, the outer
energy and impact transformer layer operable to absorb energy from
mechanical forces imparted onto the outer shell layer, wherein the
outer energy and impact transformer layer allows the outer shell
layer to slide relative to the middle shell layer; an inner shell
layer connected to the middle shell layer through an inner energy
and impact transformer layer, the inner energy and impact
transformer layer operable to absorb energy from mechanical forces
imparted onto the middle shell through the outer shell and the
outer energy and impact transformer layer, wherein the inner energy
and impact transformer layer allows the middle shell layer to slide
relative to the inner shell layer; and a neck brace comprising: a
neck bracing outer surface; a neck bracing inner surface; and a
bracing mechanism, located between the neck bracing outer surface
and the neck bracing inner surface, wherein the bracing mechanism
is configured to detect an imminent, mechanical force impact on the
helmet and alter the stiffness of the bracing mechanism upon
detection of the imminent, mechanical force impact to distribute
energy from the mechanical force impact onto shoulders supporting
the neck bracing mechanism.
10. The protective gear of claim 9, wherein the bracing mechanism
comprises a magneto-rheological element, wherein the viscosity of
the magneto-rheological element increases upon detection of the
imminent, mechanical force.
11. The protective gear of claim 9, wherein the bracing mechanism
comprises an electro-rheological element, wherein the viscosity of
the electro-rheological element increases upon detection of the
imminent, mechanical force.
12. The protective gear of claim 9, wherein the bracing mechanism
detects the imminent, mechanical force using a sensor on the
helmet.
13. The protective gear of claim 9, wherein the bracing mechanism
detects the imminent, mechanical force using a sensor associated
with the neck bracing mechanism.
14. The protective gear of claim 9, wherein the bracing mechanism
is connected to the helmet and is configured to rest on the
shoulders themselves.
15. The protective gear of claim 9, wherein the bracing mechanism
allows flexible movement of the helmet relative to the shoulders
when no imminent, mechanical force is detected.
16. The protective gear of claim 9, wherein the bracing mechanism
allows limited movement of the helmet relative to the shoulders
when the imminent, mechanical force is detected.
15. A neck brace comprising: a neck bracing outer surface; a neck
bracing inner surface; and a bracing mechanism, located between the
neck bracing outer surface and the neck bracing inner surface,
wherein the bracing mechanism is configured to detect an imminent,
mechanical force impact on the helmet and alter the stiffness of
the bracing mechanism upon detection of the imminent, mechanical
force impact to distribute energy from the mechanical force impact
onto shoulders supporting the neck bracing mechanism; wherein the
neck brace is coupled to a helmet, the helmet comprising: an outer
shell layer; a middle shell layer connected to the outer shell
layer through an outer energy and impact transformer layer, the
outer energy and impact transformer layer operable to absorb energy
from mechanical forces imparted onto the outer shell layer, wherein
the outer energy and impact transformer layer allows the outer
shell layer to slide relative to the middle shell layer; an inner
shell layer connected to the middle shell layer through an inner
energy and impact transformer layer, the inner energy and impact
transformer layer operable to absorb energy from mechanical forces
imparted onto the middle shell through the outer shell and the
outer energy and impact transformer layer, wherein the inner energy
and impact transformer layer allows the middle shell layer to slide
relative to the inner shell layer.
16. The neck brace of claim 15, wherein the bracing mechanism
comprises a magneto-rheological element, wherein the viscosity of
the magneto-rheological element increases upon detection of the
imminent, mechanical force.
17. The neck brace of claim 15, wherein the bracing mechanism
comprises an electro-rheological element, wherein the viscosity of
the electro-rheological element increases upon detection of the
imminent, mechanical force.
18. The neck brace of claim 15, wherein the bracing mechanism
detects the imminent, mechanical force using a sensor on the
helmet.
19. The neck brace of claim 15, wherein the bracing mechanism
detects the imminent, mechanical force using a sensor associated
with the neck bracing mechanism.
20. The neck brace of claim 15, wherein the bracing mechanism is
connected to the helmet and is configured to rest on the shoulders
themselves.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELAYED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims
benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 120 to U.S. application Ser. No.
15/631,713, entitled BIOMECHANICS AWARE HEADGEAR, filed Jun. 23,
2017 (Attorney Docket No. BRGDP001C7C1), which is a continuation of
and claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 120 to U.S. application
Ser. No. 15/202,173, entitled BIOMECHANICS AWARE HEADGEAR, filed
Jul. 5, 2016 (Attorney Docket No. BRGDP001C7), which is a
continuation of and claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 120 to
U.S. application Ser. No. 15/050,373, entitled BIOMECHANICS AWARE
HEADGEAR, filed Feb. 22, 2016 (Attorney Docket No. BRGDP001C6), and
to U.S. application Ser. No. 15/050,357, entitled BIOMECHANICS
AWARE HELMET, filed Feb. 22, 2016 (Attorney Docket No. BRGDP001C5),
which are continuations of and claims benefit under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn. 120 to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/927,093, entitled
BIOMECHANICS AWARE HELMET, filed Oct. 29, 2015 (Attorney Docket No.
BRGDP001C4), which is a continuation of and claims benefit under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 120 to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/809,142, entitled
BIOMECHANICS AWARE HELMET, filed Jul. 24, 2015 (Attorney Docket No.
BRGDP001C3), which is a continuation of and claims benefit under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 120 to U.S. application Ser. No. 14/714,093, entitled
BIOMECHANICS AWARE PROTECTIVE GEAR, filed May 15, 2015 (Attorney
Docket No. BRGDP001C2), which is a continuation of and claims
benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 120 to U.S. application Ser. No.
14/485,993, entitled BIOMECHANICS AWARE HELMET, filed Sep. 15,
2014, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,060,561 on Jun. 23, 2015
(Attorney Docket No. BRGDP001C1), which is a continuation of and
claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 120 to U.S. application Ser.
No. 13/554,471, entitled BIOMECHANICS AWARE PROTECTIVE GEAR, filed
Jul. 20, 2012, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,863,319 on Oct. 21,
2014 (Attorney Docket No. BRGDP001), which claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/510,401, entitled SMART
BIOMECHANICS AWARE ENERGY CONSCIOUS PROTECTIVE GEAR WITH TISSUE
PROTECTION, filed on Jul. 21, 2011 (Attorney Docket No. BRGDP001P).
This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims benefit
under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 120 to U.S. application Ser. No. 13/655,862,
entitled AN INTELLIGENT PROTECTIVE GEAR BRACING MECHANISM, filed
Oct. 19, 2012 (Attorney Docket No. BRGDP004), all of which are
incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to biomechanics aware
protective gear.
DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART
[0003] Protective gear such as sports and safety helmets are
designed to reduce direct impact forces that can mechanically
damage an area of contact. Protective gear will typically include
padding and a protective shell to reduce the risk of physical head
injury. Liners are provided beneath a hardened exterior shell to
reduce violent deceleration of the head in a smooth uniform manner
and in an extremely short distance, as liner thickness is typically
limited based on helmet size considerations.
[0004] Protective gear is reasonably effective in preventing
injury. Nonetheless, the effectiveness of protective gear remains
limited. Consequently, various mechanisms are provided to improve
protective gear in a biomechanically aware manner.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The disclosure may best be understood by reference to the
following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, which illustrate particular embodiments.
[0006] FIG. 1 illustrates types of forces on axonal fibers.
[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates one example of a piece of protective
gear.
[0008] FIG. 3 illustrates one example of a container device
system.
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates another example of a container device
system.
[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates one example of a multiple shell
system.
[0011] FIG. 6 illustrates one example of a multiple shell
helmet.
DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0012] Reference will now be made in detail to some specific
examples of the invention including the best modes contemplated by
the inventors for carrying out the invention. Examples of these
specific embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
While the invention is described in conjunction with these specific
embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit
the invention to the described embodiments. On the contrary, it is
intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as
may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as
defined by the appended claims.
[0013] For example, the techniques of the present invention will be
described in the context of helmets. However, it should be noted
that the techniques of the present invention apply to a wide
variety of different pieces of protective gear. In the following
description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.
Particular example embodiments of the present invention may be
implemented without some or all of these specific details. In other
instances, well known process operations have not been described in
detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present
invention.
[0014] Various techniques and mechanisms of the present invention
will sometimes be described in singular form for clarity. However,
it should be noted that some embodiments include multiple
iterations of a technique or multiple instantiations of a mechanism
unless noted otherwise. For example, a protective device may use a
single strap in a variety of contexts. However, it will be
appreciated that a system can use multiple straps while remaining
within the scope of the present invention unless otherwise noted.
Furthermore, the techniques and mechanisms of the present invention
will sometimes describe a connection between two entities. It
should be noted that a connection between two entities does not
necessarily mean a direct, unimpeded connection, as a variety of
other entities may reside between the two entities. For example,
different layers may be connected using a variety of materials.
Consequently, a connection does not necessarily mean a direct,
unimpeded connection unless otherwise noted.
[0015] Overview
[0016] Protective gear includes an outer shell layer connected to a
middle shell layer through an outer energy and impact transformer
layer. The middle shell layer is connected to an inner shell layer
through an inner energy and impact transformer layer. The outer and
inner energy and impact transformer layers flexibly connect the
shell layers to absorb impact forces, rotational forces, shear
forces, etc., and allow the various shell layers to move and slide
relative to the other shell layers. The outer and inner energy and
impact transformer layers may be constructed using gels, fluids,
electro-rheological elements, magneto-rheological elements, etc.
The protective gear may be formed as helmets or body protection for
various activities and may be used to protect users from not only
impact and penetrative forces, but rotational and shear forces as
well.
EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Protective gear such as knee pads, shoulder pads, and
helmets are typically designed to prevent direct impact injuries or
trauma. For example, many pieces of protective gear reduce full
impact forces that can structurally damage an area of contact such
as the skull or knee. Major emphasis is placed on reducing the
likelihood of cracking or breaking of bone. However, the larger
issue is preventing the tissue and neurological damage caused by
rotational forces, shear forces, oscillations, and
tension/compression forces.
[0018] For head injuries, the major issue is neurological damage
caused by oscillations of the brain in the cranial vault resulting
in coup-contracoup injuries manifested as direct contusions to the
central nervous system (CNS), shear injuries exacerbated by
rotational, tension, compression, and/or shear forces resulting in
demyelination and tearing of axonal fibers; and subdural or
epidural hematomas. Because of the emphasis in reducing the
likelihood of cracking or breaking bone, many pieces of protective
gear do not sufficiently dampen, transform, dissipate, and/or
distribute the rotational, tension, compression, and/or shear
forces, but rather focus on absorbing the direct impact forces over
a small area, potentially exacerbating the secondary forces on the
CNS. Initial mechanical damage results in a secondary cascade of
tissue and cellular damage due to increased glutamate release or
other trauma induced molecular cascades.
[0019] Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has immense personal, societal
and economic impact. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention
documented 1.4 million cases of TBI in the USA in 2007. This number
was based on patients with a loss of consciousness from a TBI
resulting in an Emergency Room visit. With increasing public
awareness of TBI this number increased to 1.7 million cases in
2010. Of these cases there were 52,000 deaths and 275,000
hospitalizations, with the remaining 1.35 million cases released
from the ER. Of these 1.35 million discharged cases at least
150,000 people will have significant residual cognitive and
behavioral problems at 1-year post discharge from the ER. Notably,
the CDC believes these numbers under represent the problem since
many patients do not seek medical evaluation for brief loss of
consciousness due to a TBI. These USA numbers are similar to those
observed in other developed countries and are likely higher in
third-world countries with poorer vehicle and head impact
protection. To put the problem in a clearer perspective, the World
Health Organization (WHO) anticipates that TBI will become a
leading cause of death and disability in the world by the year
2020.
[0020] The CDC numbers do not include head injuries from military
actions. Traumatic brain injury is widely cited as the "signature
injury" of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The nature of warfare conducted in Iraq and Afghanistan is
different from that of previous wars and advances in protective
gear including helmets as well as improved medical response times
allow soldiers to survive events such as head wounds and blast
exposures that previously would have proven fatal. The introduction
of the Kevlar helmet has drastically reduced field deaths from
bullet and shrapnel wounds to the head. However, this increase in
survival is paralleled by a dramatic increase in residual brain
injury from compression and rotational forces to the brain in TBI
survivors. Similar to that observed in the civilian population the
residual effects of military deployment related TBI are
neurobehavioral symptoms such as cognitive deficits and emotional
and somatic complaints. The statistics provided by the military
cite an incidence of 6.2% of head injuries in combat zone veterans.
One might expect these numbers to hold in other countries.
[0021] In addition to the incidence of TBI in civilians from falls
and vehicular accidents or military personnel in combat there is
increasing awareness that sports-related repetitive forces applied
to the head with or without true loss of consciousness can have
dire long-term consequences. It has been known since the 1920's
that boxing is associated with devastating long-term issues
including "dementia pugilistica" and Parkinson-like symptoms (i.e.
Mohammed Ali). We now know that this repetitive force on the brain
dysfunction extends to many other sports. Football leads the way in
concussions with loss of consciousness and post-traumatic memory
loss (63% of all concussions in all sports), wrestling comes in
second at 10% and soccer has risen to 6% of all sports related
TBIs. In the USA 63,000 high school students suffer a TBI per year
and many of these students have persistent long-term cognitive and
behavioral issues. This disturbing pattern extends to professional
sports where impact forces to the body and head are even higher due
to the progressive increase in weight and speed of professional
athletes. Football has dominated the national discourse in the area
but serious and progressive long-term neurological issues are also
seen in hockey and soccer players and in any sport with the
likelihood of a TBI. Repetitive head injuries result in progressive
neurological deterioration with neuropathological findings
mimicking Alzheimer's disease. This syndrome with characteristic
post-mortem neuropathological findings on increases in Tau proteins
and amyloid plaques is referred to as Chronic Traumatic
Encephalopathy (CTE).
[0022] The human brain is a relatively delicate organ weighing
about 3 pounds and having a consistency a little denser than
gelatin and close to that of the liver. From an evolutionary
perspective, the brain and the protective skull were not designed
to withstand significant external forces. Because of this poor
impact resistance design, external forces transmitted through the
skull to the brain that is composed of over 100 billion cells and
up to a trillion connecting fibers results in major neurological
problems. These injuries include contusions that directly destroy
brain cells and tear the critical connecting fibers necessary to
transmit information between brain cells.
[0023] Contusion injuries are simply bleeding into the substance of
the brain due to direct contact between the brain and the bony
ridges of the inside of the skull. Unfortunately, the brain cannot
tolerate blood products and the presence of blood kicks off a
biological cascade that further damages the brain. Contusions are
due to the brain oscillating inside the skull when an external
force is applied. These oscillations can include up to three cycles
back and forth in the cranial vault and are referred to as
coup-contra coup injuries. The coup part of the process is the
point of contact of the brain with the skull and the contra-coup is
the next point of contact when the brain oscillates and strikes the
opposite part of the inside of the skull.
[0024] The inside of the skull has a series of sharp bony ridges in
the front of the skull and when the brain is banged against these
ridges it is mechanically torn resulting in a contusion. These
contusion injuries are typically in the front of the brain damaging
key regions involved in cognitive and emotional control.
[0025] Shear injuries involve tearing of axonal fibers. The brain
and its axonal fibers are extremely sensitive to rotational forces.
Boxers can withstand hundreds of punches directly in the face but a
single round-house punch or upper cut where the force comes in from
the side or bottom of the jaw will cause acute rotation of the
skull and brain and typically a knock-out. If the rotational forces
are severe enough, the result is tearing of axons.
[0026] FIG. 1 below shows how different forces affect axons.
Compression 101 and tension 103 can remove the protective coating
on an axon referred to as a myelin sheath. The myelin can be viewed
as the rubber coating on a wire. If the internal wire of the axon
is not cut the myelin can re-grow and re-coat the "wire" which can
resume axonal function and brain communication. If rotational
forces are significant, shear forces 105 tear the axon. This
elevates the problem since the ends of cut axons do not re-attach.
This results in a permanent neurological deficit and is referred to
as diffuse axonal injury (DAI), a major cause of long-term
neurological disability after TBI.
[0027] Some more modem pieces of protective gear have been
introduced with the awareness that significant injuries besides
musculoskeletal or flesh injuries in a variety of activities
require new protective gear designs.
[0028] U.S. Pat. No. 7,076,811 issued to Puchalski describes a
helmet with an impact absorbing crumple or shear zone. "The shell
consists of three (or more) discrete panels that are physically and
firmly coupled together providing rigid protection under most
circumstances, but upon impact the panels move relative to one
another, but not relative to the user's head, thereby permitting
impact forces to be dissipated and/or redirected away from the
cranium and brain within. Upon impact to the helmet, there are
sequential stages of movement of the panels relative to each other,
these movements initially being recoverable, but with sufficient
vector forces the helmet undergoes structural changes in a
pre-determined fashion, so that the recoverable and permanent
movements cumulatively provide a protective `crumple zone` or
`shear zone`."
[0029] U.S. Pat. No. 5,815,846 issued to Calonge describes "An
impact resistant helmet assembly having a first material layer
coupled to a second material layer so as to define a gas chamber
therebetween which contains a quantity that provides impact
dampening upon an impact force being applied to the helmet
assembly. The helmet assembly further includes a containment layer
disposed over the second material layer and structured to define a
fluid chamber in which a quantity of fluid is disposed. The fluid
includes a generally viscous gel structured to provide some
resistance against disbursement from an impacted region of the
fluid chamber to non-impacted regions of the fluid chamber, thereby
further enhance the impact distribution and dampening of the impact
force provided by the helmet assembly."
[0030] U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,777 issued to Popovich describes "A
helmet for protecting a head by laterally displacing impact forces,
said helmet comprising: a rigid inner shell formed as a single
unit; a resilient spacing layer disposed outside of and in contact
with said inner shell; and an articulated shell having a plurality
of discrete rigid segments disposed outside of and in contact with
said resilient spacing layer and a plurality of resilient members
which couple adjacent ones of said rigid segments to one
another."
[0031] U.S. Pat. No. 6,434,755 issued to Halstead describes a
football helmet with liner sections of different thicknesses and
densities. The thicker, softer sections would handle less intense
impacts, crushing down until the thinner, harder sections take over
to prevent bottoming out.
[0032] Still other ideas relate to using springs instead of
crushable materials to manage the energy of an impact. Springs are
typically associated with rebound, and energy stored by the spring
is returned to the head. This may help in some instances, but can
still cause significant neurological injury. Avoiding energy return
to the head is a reason that non-rebounding materials are typically
used.
[0033] Some of the protective gear mechanisms are not sufficiently
biomechanically aware and are not sufficiently customized for
particular areas of protection. These protective gear mechanisms
also are not sufficiently active at the right time scales to avoid
damage. For example, in many instances, materials like gels may
only start to convert significant energy into heat after
significant energy has been transferred to the brain. Similarly,
structural deformation mechanisms may only break and absorb energy
after a significant amount of energy has been transferred to the
brain.
[0034] Current mechanisms are useful for particular circumstances
but are limited in their ability to protect against numerous types
of neurological damage. Consequently, an improved smart
biomechanics aware and energy conscious protective gear mechanism
is provided to protect against mechanical damage as well as
neurological damage.
[0035] According to various embodiments, protective gear such as a
helmet includes a container device to provide a structural
mechanism for holding an energy and impact transformer. The design
of this element could be a part of the smart energy conscious
biomechanics aware design for protection. The energy and impact
transformer includes a mechanism for the dissipation,
transformation, absorption, redirection or force/energy at the
right time scales (in some cases as small as a few milliseconds or
hundreds of microseconds).
[0036] In particular embodiments, the container mechanism provides
structure to allow use of an energy and impact transformer. The
container mechanism may be two or three shells holding one or more
layers of energy and impact transformer materials. That is, a
multiple shell structure may have energy and impact transformer
materials between adjacent shell layers. The shells may be designed
to prevent direct penetration from any intruding or impeding
object. In some examples, the outer shell may be associated with
mechanisms for impact distribution, energy transformation, force
dampening, and shear deflection and transformation. In some
examples, the container mechanism can be constructed of materials
such as polycarbonate, fiberglass, Kevlar, metal, alloys,
combinations of materials, etc.
[0037] According to various embodiments, the energy and impact
transformer provides a mechanism for the dissipation,
transformation, absorption, and redirection of force and energy at
the appropriate time scales. The energy and impact transformer may
include a variety of elements. In some examples, a mechanical
transformer element connects multiple shells associated with a
container mechanism with mechanical structures or fluids that help
transform the impact or shear forces on an outer shell into more
benign forces or energy instead of transferring the impact or shear
forces onto an inner shell.
[0038] In some examples, a mechanical transformer layer is provided
between each pair of adjacent shells. The mechanical transform may
use a shear truss-like structure connecting an outer shell and an
inner shell that dampens any force or impact. In some examples,
shear truss structure layers connect an outer shell to a middle
shell and the middle shell to an inner shell. According to various
embodiments, the middle shell or center shell may slide relative to
the inner shell and reduce the movement and/or impact imparted on
an outer shell. In particular embodiments, the outer shell may
slide up to several centimeters relative to the middle shell. In
particular embodiments, the material used for connecting the middle
shell to the outer shell or the inner shell could be a material
that absorbs/dissipates mechanical energy as thermal energy or
transformational energy. The space between the outer shell, the
middle shell, and the inner shell can be filled with
absorptive/dissipative material such as fluids and gels.
[0039] According to various embodiments, the energy and impact
transformer may also include an electro-rheological element.
Different shells may be separated by an electro-rheological element
with electric field dependent viscosity. The element may
essentially stay solid most of the time. When there is
stress/strain on an outer shell, the electric field is activated so
that the viscosity changes depending on the level of stress/strain.
Shear forces on an inner shell are reduced to minimize impact
transmission.
[0040] In particular embodiments, the energy and impact transformer
also includes a magneto-rheological element. Various shells may be
separated by magneto rheological elements with magnetic field
dependent viscosity. The element may essentially stay solid most of
the time. When there is stress/strain on an outer shell, the
magnetic field is activated so that the viscosity changes depending
on the level of stress/strain. Shear forces on an inner shell are
reduced to minimize impact transmission.
[0041] Electro-rheological and magneto-rheological elements may
include smart fluids with properties that change in the presence of
electric field or a magnetic field. Some smart fluids undergo
changes in viscosity when a magnetic field is applied. For example,
a smart fluid may change from a liquid to a gel when magnets line
up to create a magnetic field. Smart fluids may react within
milliseconds to reduce impact and shear forces between shells.
[0042] In other examples, foam and memory foam type elements may be
included to absorb and distribute forces. In some examples, foam
and memory foam type elements may reside beneath the inner shell. A
magnetic suspension element may be used to actively or passively
reduce external forces. An inner core and an outer core may be
separated by magnets that resist each other, e.g. N-poles opposing
each other. The inner and outer cores naturally would want to move
apart, but are pulled together by elastic materials. When an outer
shell is impact and the magnets are pushed closer, forces between
the magnets increase through the air gap.
[0043] According to various embodiments, a concentric geodesic dome
element includes a series of inner shells, each of which is a truss
based geodesic dome, but connected to the outer geodesic through
structural or fluidic mechanisms. This allows each geodesic
structure to fully distribute its own shock load and transmit it in
a uniform manner to the dome underneath. The sequence of geodesic
structures and the separation by fluid provides uniform force
distribution and/or dissipation that protects the inner most shell
from these impacts.
[0044] In particular embodiments, a fluid/accordion element would
separate an inner shell and an outer shell using an accordion with
fluid/gel in between. This would allow shock from the outer core to
be transmitted and distributed through the enclosed fluid uniformly
while the accordion compresses to accommodate strain. A compressed
fluid/piston/spring element could include piston/cylinder like
elements with a compressed fluid in between that absorbs the impact
energy while increasing the resistance to the applied force. The
design could include additional mechanical elements like a spring
to absorb/dissipate the energy.
[0045] In still other examples, a fiber element involves using a
rippled outer shell with texture like that of a coconut. The outer
shell may contain dense coconut fiber like elements that separate
the inner core from the outer core. The shock can be absorbed by
the outer core and the fibrous filling. Other elements may also be
included in an inner core structure. In some examples, a thick
stretchable gel filled bag wrapped around the inner shell could
expand and contract in different areas to instantaneously transfer
and distribute forces. The combination of the elasticity of a bag
and the viscosity of the gel could provide for cushioning to
absorb/dissipate external forces.
[0046] According to various embodiments, a container device
includes multiple shells such as an outer shell, a middle shell,
and an inner shell. The shells may be separated by energy and
impact transformer mechanisms. In some examples, the shells and the
energy and impact transformer mechanisms can be integrated or a
shell can also operate as an energy and impact transformer.
[0047] FIG. 2 illustrates one example of a particular piece of
protective gear. Helmet 201 includes a shell layer 211 and a lining
layer 213. The shell layer 211 includes attachment points 215 for a
visor, chin bar, face guard, face cage, or face protection
mechanism generally. In some examples, the shell layer 211 includes
ridges 217 and/or air holes for breathability. The shell layer 211
may be constructed using plastics, resins, metal, composites, etc.
In some instances, the shell layer 211 may be reinforced using
fibers such as aramids. The shell layer 211 helps to distribute
mechanical energy and prevent penetration. The shell layer 211 is
typically made using lighter weight materials to prevent the helmet
itself from causing injury.
[0048] According to various embodiments, a chin strap 221 is
connected to the helmet to secure helmet positioning. The shell
layer 211 is also sometimes referred to as a container or a casing.
In many examples, the shell layer 211 covers a lining layer 213.
The lining layer 213 may include lining materials, foam, and/or
padding to absorb mechanical energy and enhance fit. A lining layer
213 may be connected to the shell layer 211 using a variety of
attachment mechanisms such as glue or Velcro. According to various
embodiments, the lining layer 213 is pre-molded to allow for
enhanced fit and protection. According to various embodiments, the
lining layer may vary, e.g. from 4 mm to 40 mm in thickness,
depending on the type of activity a helmet is designed for. In some
examples, custom foam may be injected into a fitted helmet to allow
for personalized fit. In other examples, differently sized shell
layers and lining layers may be provided for various activities and
head sizes.
[0049] The shell layer 211 and lining layer 213 protect the skull
nicely and have resulted in a dramatic reduction in skull fractures
and bleeding between the skull and the brain (subdural and epidural
hematomas). Military helmets use Kevlar to decrease penetrating
injuries from bullets, shrapnel etc. Unfortunately, these
approaches are not well designed to decrease direct forces and
resultant coup-contra coup injuries that result in both contusions
and compression-tension axon injuries. Furthermore, many helmets do
not protect against rotational forces that are a core cause of a
shear injury and resultant long-term neurological disability in
civilian and military personnel. Although the introduction of
Kevlar in military helmets has decreased mortality from penetrating
head injuries, the survivors are often left with debilitating
neurological deficits due to contusions and diffuse axonal
injury.
[0050] FIG. 3 illustrates one example of a container device system.
According to various embodiments, protective gear includes multiple
container devices 301 and 303. In particular embodiments, the
multiple container devices are loosely interconnected shells
holding an energy and impact transformer 305. The multiple
container devices may be multiple plastic and/or resin shells. In
some examples, the containers devices 301 and 303 may be connected
only through the energy and impact transformer 305. In other
examples, the container devices 301 and 303 may be loosely
connected in a manner supplementing the connection by the energy
and impact transformer 305.
[0051] According to various embodiments, the energy and impact
transformer 305 may use a shear truss-like structure connecting the
container 301 and container 303 to dampen any force or impact. In
some examples, the energy and impact transformer 305 allows the
container 301 to move or slide with respect to container 303. In
some examples, up to several centimeters of relative movement is
allowed by the energy and impact transformer 305.
[0052] In particular embodiments, the energy and impact transformer
305 could be a material that absorbs/dissipates mechanical energy
as thermal energy or transformational energy and may include
electro-rheological, magneto-rheological, foam, fluid, and/or gel
materials.
[0053] FIG. 4 illustrates another example of a container device
system. Container 401 encloses energy and impact transformer 403.
In some examples, multiple containers or multiple shells may not be
necessary. The container may be constructed using plastic and/or
resin. And may expand or contract with the application of force.
The energy and impact transformer 403 may similarly expand or
contract with the application of force. The energy and impact
transformer 403 may receive and convert energy from physical
impacts on a container 401.
[0054] FIG. 5 illustrates one example of a multiple shell system.
An outer shell 501, a middle shell 503, and an inner shell 505 may
hold energy and impact transformative layers 511 and 513 between
them. Energy and impact transformer layer 511 residing between
shells 501 and 503 may allow shell 501 to move and/or slide with
respect to middle shell 503. By allowing sliding movements that
convert potential head rotational forces into heat or
transformation energy, shear forces can be significantly
reduced.
[0055] Similarly, middle shell 503 can move and slide with respect
to inner shell 505. In some examples, the amount of movement and/or
sliding depends on the viscosity of fluid in the energy and impact
transformer layers 511 and 513. The viscosity may change depending
on electric field or voltage applied. In some other examples, the
amount of movement and/or sliding depends on the materials and
structures of materials in the energy and impact transformer layers
511 and 513.
[0056] According to various embodiments, when a force is applied to
an outer shell 501, energy is transferred to an inner shell 505
through a suspended middle shell 503. The middle shell 503 shears
relative to the top shell 501 and inner shell 505. In particular
embodiments, the energy and impact transformer layers 511 and 513
may include thin elastomeric trusses between the shells in a comb
structure. The energy and impact transformer layers 511 and 513 may
also include energy dampening/absorbing fluids or devices.
[0057] According to various embodiments, a number of different
physical structures can be used to form energy and impact
transformer layers 511 and 513. In some examples, energy and impact
transformer layer 511 includes a layer of upward or downward facing
three dimensional conical structures separating outer shell 501 and
middle shell 503. Energy and impact transformer layer 513 includes
a layer of upward or downward facing conical structures separating
middle shell 503 and inner shell 505. The conical structures in
energy and impact transformer layer 511 and the conical structures
in energy and impact transformer layer 513 may or may not be
aligned. In some examples, the conical structures in layer 511 are
misaligned with the conical structures in layer 513 to allow for
improved shear force reduction.
[0058] In some examples, conical structures are designed to have a
particular elastic range where the conical structures will return
to the same structure after force applied is removed. The conical
structures may also be designed to have a particular plastic range
where the conical structure will permanently deform if sufficient
rotational or shear force is applied. The deformation itself may
dissipate energy but would necessitate replacement or repair of the
protective gear.
[0059] Conical structures are effective in reducing shear,
rotational, and impact forces applied to an outer shell 501.
Conical structures reduce shear and rotational forces applied from
a variety of different directions. According to various
embodiments, conical structures in energy and impact transformer
layers 511 are directed outwards with bases situated on middle
shell 503 and inner shell 505 respectively. In some examples,
structures in the energy and impact transformer layer may be
variations of conical structures, including three dimensional
pyramid structures and three dimensional parabolic structures. In
still other examples, the structures may be cylinders,
[0060] FIG. 6 illustrates one example of a multiple shell helmet.
According to various embodiments, helmet 601 includes an outer
shell layer 603, an outer energy and impact transformer 605, a
middle shell layer 607, an inner energy and impact transformer 609,
and an inner shell layer 611. The helmet 601 may also include a
lining layer within the inner shell layer 611. In particular
embodiments, the inner shell layer 611 includes attachment points
615 for a chin strap for securing helmet 601. In particular
embodiments, the outer shell layer 603 includes attachment points
for a visor, chin bar, face guard, face cage, and/or face
protection mechanism 615 generally. In some examples, the inner
shell layer 611, middle shell layer 607, and outer shell layer 603
includes ridges 617 and/or air holes for breathability. The outer
shell layer 603, middle shell layer 607, and inner shell layer 611
may be constructed using plastics, resins, metal, composites, etc.
In some instances, the outer shell layer 603, middle shell layer
607, and inner shell layer 611 may be reinforced using fibers such
as aramids. The energy and impact transformer layers 605 and 609
can help distribute mechanical energy and shear forces so that less
energy is imparted on the head.
[0061] According to various embodiments, a chin strap 621 is
connected to the inner shell layer 611 to secure helmet
positioning. The various shell layers are also sometimes referred
to as containers or casings. In many examples, the inner shell
layer 611 covers a lining layer (not shown). The lining layer may
include lining materials, foam, and/or padding to absorb mechanical
energy and enhance fit. A lining layer may be connected to the
inner shell layer 611 using a variety of attachment mechanisms such
as glue or Velcro. According to various embodiments, the lining
layer is pre-molded to allow for enhanced fit and protection.
According to various embodiments, the lining layer may vary, e.g.
from 4 mm to 40 mm in thickness, depending on the type of activity
a helmet is designed for. In some examples, custom foam may be
injected into a fitted helmet to allow for personalized fit. In
other examples, differently sized shell layers and lining layers
may be provided for various activities and head sizes.
[0062] The middle shell layer 607 may only be indirectly connected
to the inner shell layer 611 through energy and impact transformer
609. In particular embodiments, the middle shell layer 607 floats
above inner shell layer 611. In other examples, the middle shell
layer 607 may be loosely connected to the inner shell layer 611. In
the same manner, outer shell layer 603 floats above middle shell
layer 607 and may only be connected to the middle shell layer
through energy and impact transformer 605. In other examples, the
outer shell layer 603 may be loosely and flexibly connected to
middle shell layer 607 and inner shell layer 611. The shell layers
603, 607, and 611 provide protection against penetrating forces
while energy and impact transformer layers 605 and 609 provide
protection against compression forces, shear forces, rotational
forces, etc. According to various embodiments, energy and impact
transformer layer 605 allows the outer shell 603 to move relative
to the middle shell 607 and the energy and impact transformer layer
609 allows the outer shell 603 and the middle shell 607 to move
relative to the inner shell 611. Compression, shear, rotation,
impact, and/or other forces are absorbed, deflected, dissipated,
etc., by the various layers.
[0063] According to various embodiments, the skull and brain are
not only provided with protection against skull fractures,
penetrating injuries, subdural and epidural hematomas, but also
provided with some measure of protection against direct forces and
resultant coup-contra coup injuries that result in both contusions
and compression-tension axon injuries. The skull is also protected
against rotational forces that are a core cause of a shear injury
and resultant long-term neurological disability in civilian and
military personnel.
[0064] In some examples, the energy and impact transformer layers
605 and 609 may include passive, semi-active, and active dampers.
According to various embodiments, the outer shell 603, middle shell
607, and the inner shell 611 may vary in weight and strength. In
some examples, the outer shell 603 has significantly more weight,
strength, and structural integrity than the middle shell 607 and
the inner shell 611. The outer shell 603 may be used to prevent
penetrating forces, and consequently may be constructed using
higher strength materials that may be more expensive or
heavier.
[0065] Although the foregoing invention has been described in some
detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be
apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced
within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the present
embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not
restrictive and the invention is not to be limited to the details
given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents
of the appended claims.
* * * * *