U.S. patent application number 15/985690 was filed with the patent office on 2019-01-03 for full-flex helmet system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Harold L. Murphy, Keith Thorpe. Invention is credited to Harold L. Murphy, Keith Thorpe.
Application Number | 20190000173 15/985690 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64734517 |
Filed Date | 2019-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190000173 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Thorpe; Keith ; et
al. |
January 3, 2019 |
Full-Flex Helmet System
Abstract
A protective helmet using sectional parts connected by series of
planar springs to disperse applied force and reduce localized
impact from contact events. The planar compression springs contract
and release when the helmet is struck by an external object. The
helmet may improve safety and reduce injury for sporting,
industrial, or military wearers.
Inventors: |
Thorpe; Keith; (Baxter,
TN) ; Murphy; Harold L.; (Cookeville, TN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Thorpe; Keith
Murphy; Harold L. |
Baxter
Cookeville |
TN
TN |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
64734517 |
Appl. No.: |
15/985690 |
Filed: |
May 21, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62509157 |
May 21, 2017 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/06 20130101; A42B
3/32 20130101; A63B 69/002 20130101; A42B 3/221 20130101; A42B 3/08
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/06 20060101
A42B003/06 |
Claims
1) A safety helmet having sectional components, segmented for the
distribution of force from external impact, said safety helmet
comprising: sectional parts contoured around the side, back, and
top circumference of the wearer's head; and springs between said
sectional parts and oriented planar to the wearer's head.
2) A safety helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least three
sections form the segmented helmet are connected by planar
springs;
3) A safety helmet as claimed in claim 1, further comprising planar
springs wrapped around planar bolts connecting said sectional
parts;
4) A safety helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein the springs are
aligned in strips running vertically from at or below ear level to
the top portion of said helmet;
5) A safety helmet as claimed in claim 1, further comprising one or
more planar bolts anchored immovable on one end to a helmet section
and by means of movement on the other end towards a neighboring
helmet section.
6) A safety helmet as claimed in claim 1, wherein said helmet is a
sports helmet.
7) A football helmet for distributing outwards and around the
helmet an impact force, comprising: at least three sections
connected by spring surrounding bolts; wherein said bolts and
springs are oriented in a planar manner; wherein said bolts are
anchored immovable on one end to a section; wherein said bolts are
connected to another section on an opposite end and movable towards
and away from said opposite section.
8) A football helmet as claimed in claim 7, wherein said planar
bolts are movable towards and away from a section opposite its
anchored section by means of a double nut stop system.
9) A football helmet as claimed in claim 7, wherein impact to one
section of said helmet causes spring compression and movement of
one or more sections towards and away from one another.
10) A football helmet as claimed in claim 7, wherein said bolts are
anchored to the underside of said sections by housing strips of
pre-drilled holes.
11) A football helmet as claimed in claim 7, wherein said bolts are
formed in molds as part of said sections and extending from
sections on one end.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 62/509,157, titled "Multi Section Full Flex
Helmet System," filed May 21, 2017, which is incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed generally to a protective
helmet, and more particularly to a novel helmet utilizing
spring-based interconnected sections and other engineering
mechanisms for dispersion of applied force and reduction of
localized impact from contact events.
[0003] Since the first plastic football helmet was introduced in
1939, helmet design has been a source of constant technological
innovation with the dual goals of increasing athletic performance
and reducing traumatic head injuries. Modern football helmets
feature innovative designs in two primary areas: head coverings and
facemasks. The plethora of available football helmet designs are
driven in part by a lack of football organization restrictions. For
instance, the National Football League, the most popular
professional football sports league in the United States, sets
mostly cosmetic standards for only chinstraps and facemasks. The
following non-essential publication is incorporated by reference in
its entirety to aid in the understanding of helmet design over
time: Stamp, Jimmy. "Leatherhead to Radio-head: The Evolution of
the Football Helmet." Smithsonian Magazine. Smithsonian
Institution. 1 Oct. 2012. Web. 21 May 2018.
[0004] Sports-related head injuries have become a major topic of
discussion over the past few years due to new research that details
long-term consequences of multiple concussions. Annually, over
40,000 hospital emergency department visits for concussion are
attributable to sports participation. Youth hockey and football
players are particularly susceptible to concussion. The following
non-essential publications are incorporated by reference to aid in
the understanding of sports-related concussions among youth: Zhao,
Lan et al. "Statistical Brief #114, Sports Related Concussions,
2008." H-CUP: Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project. Agency for
Healthcare Research and Quality. May 2011. Web. 21 May 2018;
Guskiewicz, K. M. et al. "Epidemiology of concussion in collegiate
and high school football players." Am. J. Sports Med. 28:643-650,
2000.
[0005] Beyond concussions, traumatic brain injury might occur in
sports settings when an external force applied to the head or body
causes the recipient's brain to move relative to his or her skull.
Categorically, these movements are measured in terms of linear and
angular force responses. The following non-essential publication is
incorporated herein by reference to aid in the understanding of
angular and linear biomechanics and implications for the design of
types of sports helmets: Smith, Terry A. et al. "Angular Head
Motion With and Without Head Contact: Implications for Brain
Injury." Sports Engineering. Springer London. (2015) 18: 165.
[0006] Football players at the NFL and college levels are being
introduced to new concussion protocols driven by testing data, such
as the HITS from Virginia Tech University. HITS is notable because
it confirms that athletes are sustaining significant head impacts
worthy of innovation in the industry--whether the sport be
football, hockey, or baseball. In Analysis of Real-time Head
Accelerations in Collegiate Football Players, Duma and Manoogian
concluded that the HIT system and its helmet-mounted accelerometer
were able to effectively record thousands of head-impact
events--and they suggested the system be integrated with existing
clinical procedures to evaluate athletes on the sidelines.
[0007] Action is being taken at various levels of American football
to reduce the frequency of concussions in order to protect players.
Methods include implementation of concussion protocols at the
highest levels of play, modification of practices to include fewer
high-impact drills, consideration by various state-legislatures of
the risks and reactions to head injuries, and innovation in the
helmet industry.
[0008] Due to advances in materials science, computerized modeling,
and awareness of high incidence of sports related traumatic brain
injuries, helmet manufacturers are continually and effectively
innovating upon the standard single mold, dome-shaped sports helmet
design. Newly introduced helmet designs incorporate
energy-absorbing materials, geometric shell patterns, or even
plate-like movable shells.
[0009] These approaches, while improvements in their own right, do
not capture the benefits introduced by the present invention's
re-conceptualization of the fundamental sports helmet design.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, a
multi-sectional helmet is provided with planar compression springs
serving as sectional connectors and constraints, such springs
circumnavigating bolts attached by mechanism of housing strips. In
this embodiment, an off-the-shelf polycarbonate helmet has been cut
into sections and re-attached by arrays of spring-wrapped
bolts.
[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, a
multi-sectional helmet is provided with planar compressions springs
manufactured into the solid helmet mold.
[0012] In either or additional embodiments, presently marketed
helmet shell materials could be utilized. The shell could consist
of a purely polycarbonate material, or could incorporate carbon
fiber or other advanced, lightweight and high-strength
materials.
[0013] The main purpose of the present invention is to reduce the
impact of force sustained through sporting, construction, or
military events. The invention provides increased safety to the
user-wearer, and is distinguishable over the present state of the
art, including, but not limited to: single mold shells with
internal padding, including those shells made of energy-absorbing
materials; layered shells; plate-like shells where external layers
glide over internal layers; shells with arrays of spine structures;
and, shells with columnar springs and other compression
devices.
[0014] Upon direct impact with an oppositely moving external force
along the exterior of the present invention, an impact force is
directed back outwards and around the perimeter of the
interconnected sections. The same impact-reducing mechanism is
activated in response to a fall or body contact that angles or
turns the user-wearer's head into a solid object.
[0015] It is an object of the present invention to improve recent
advances in helmet materials and shape by means of a new assembly
introducing enhanced benefits from the novel design.
[0016] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
new safety helmet for use in sporting, construction, and military
endeavors, through original marketing and manufacture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The present invention will be better understood from the
following detailed description with reference to the following
drawings:
[0018] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the
multi-sectional helmet.
[0019] FIG. 2 illustrates a mirror side view of an embodiment of
the multi-sectional helmet.
[0020] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of an embodiment of the
multi-sectional helmet.
[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a rear view of an embodiment of the
multi-sectional helmet.
[0022] FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of three conjoined sections of
the multi-sectional helmet.
[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates a bottom view through a hollow space to
the underside of the multi-sectional helmet.
[0024] FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of an alternative embodiment
of the multi-sectional helmet.
[0025] FIG. 8 illustrates an underside view of an alternative
embodiment of the multi-sectional helmet.
[0026] FIG. 9A illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of a
joined helmet section.
[0027] FIG. 9B illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of a
joined helmet section as compressed upon helmet impact.
[0028] FIG. 10A illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of a
joined helmet section featuring a gap-filling material.
[0029] FIG. 10B illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of a
joined helmet section featuring a gap-filling material as
compressed upon helmet impact.
[0030] FIG. 11A illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of a
joined helmet section with an alternative embodiment of the screw
cover.
[0031] FIG. 11B illustrates an enlarged cross-sectional view of a
joined helmet section with an alternative embodiment of the screw
cover as compressed upon helmet impact.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] The unique attributes of the multi-sectional helmet system
are presented in detailed embodiments below. Chiefly, the new
helmet system described in this application is designed to mitigate
potential injury by dispersing outer impact forces around the
exterior surface area of the helmet, as opposed to attempted
mitigation by means of internal, layered, or direct-line methods of
contours, padding, linings, materials, and the like. The
embodiments below are presented as designed or tested illustrations
only, and are not meant to limit the multi-sectional helmet system
from extension to alternative, similar embodiments.
[0033] In a first exemplary embodiment, shown in FIGS. 1 through 6,
a novel football helmet is presented. The performance and safety
benefits of the unique full-flex football helmet system are
accomplished by separating the helmet into three-impact absorbing
sections. The impact absorbing sections are independent components
that act harmoniously when combined according to the present
methods to offer significant impact absorption from any angle or
location of impact upon the helmet's exterior or an attached face
helmet.
[0034] High impact absorption in this first exemplary embodiment is
further accomplished by a newly presented "snap-back" technology.
The independent helmet sections are interconnected each one to the
other using a system of bolts and bolt-wrapping springs planar to
the helmet shell and designed to absorb force of impact and to snap
back immediately, thereby dispersing said force of impact to other
helmet sections and components. Each bolt is rigidly attached to an
underside edge location of a helmet section by means of an
attachment strip, said bolt extending planar towards the underside
attachment strip of another helmet section.
[0035] Upon helmet impact, the helmet system compresses, with one
or more bolts anchored to one helmet section penetrating one or
more pre-drilled holes located opposite to the bolt(s) on the
underside edge of a separate helmet section. The exterior of each
bolt is smooth which allows an encompassing spring to freely
operate without possible impediment. The end of each bolt contains
threads allowing for attachment of a double nut stop system. The
said double nut stop system provides a mechanism for joined helmet
sections to compress towards one another and securely return to
originally separate and distant positions.
[0036] This reciprocity of motion allows any impact absorbing
helmet section that sustains exterior impact to significantly
reduce the impact force, with the added benefit of allowing for
secondary impact absorption from the other sections. The springs
around the bolts absorb the force of an impact event and
immediately spring back to their original position, thereby
offering immediate original resistance to any late or additional
exterior force sustained by the wearer.
[0037] FIGS. 1 and 2 are mirror-image side views of this first
embodiment. A frontal helmet section or lobe 5A, 45B wraps the head
of the wearer from, for example jaw line to jaw line 20, 60, where
a chin strap and/or face mask may attach. The front section may
include one or more ear cavities, depressions, or holes 15, 55, and
a bottom lip that rises above the position of the wearer's eyes 10,
50 where a face mask or visor may attach. Complimentary rear, side
helmet sections 5B, 45A wrap the back of the wearer's head, for
example cupping the occipital bone on each end 25, where shoulder
padding may extend to meet. Between front and rear helmet sections
30, 70 is an array of spring-wrapped bolts 35, 75 extending along
the perimeter from side to side but running short of the bottoms of
each section 40, 80 to prevent splintering.
[0038] FIG. 3 is a front view of the first embodiment, presenting
different perspectives of the jaw line 95A, 95B, ear 85A, 85B, and
forehead 90 locations and features detailed above. In the absence
of wearer and facemask, FIG. 3 details the underside of the helmet,
where a spring-wrapped bolt 95 is attached by, for example one or
more vinyl strips 105, and is secured and allowed to compress by
virtue of a double nut 115 placement on the tail of the bolt 110.
The bolt is positioned above the helmet end 100 to prevent
splintering upon impact.
[0039] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the first embodiment, presenting
different perspectives of the jaw line 125A, 125B and occipital 120
locations detailed above. Mirror image sections 145A, 145B are
identifiable from this view, connected by the previously detailed
spring array 130 extending nearly to the bottom of the helmet
135.
[0040] FIG. 5 is a top view of the first embodiment, featuring
three helmet sections 150A, 150B, and 150C connected by arrays of
the snap-back spring systems 160 extending nearly to the bottom of
three portions of the helmet 165A, 165B, and 165C.
[0041] FIG. 6 is an underside view of the first embodiment,
presenting different perspectives of the ear 190A, 190B, forehead
185, and occipital 180 locations detailed above. Three helmet
sections 170A, 175B, and 175C may be lined with impact reducing
padding, materials, or the like. The sections are joined by the
snap-back spring array 200, 205, 210 extending toward the bottom
portions of the helmet 215A, 215B, and 215C as previously detailed,
which is mounted by means of for example an attachment strip
195.
[0042] In a second exemplary embodiment, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, an
alternative manufacture of the first exemplary embodiment is
presented. In this second embodiment, more, smaller springs may be
utilized and the underside attachment strip anchoring the
components is foregone. Instead, the componentry would be
engineered into the shell of the helmet itself. When engineered
directly into the helmet, the snap-back system could further limit
the section connection actor to just the spring itself, displacing
the bolt and double nut stop features.
[0043] FIG. 7 is a top view of the second embodiment, with three
helmet sections 220A, 220B, and 220C held connected by multiple,
closely arrayed 230 springs 225.
[0044] FIG. 8 is an underside view of the second embodiment,
wherein springs may be molded and manufactured into the helmet
without the need for bolts, nuts, or an attachment strip 235.
[0045] FIGS. 9A and 9B are close-up views of a compression event,
in which an external impact causes adjoining helmet sections 240A,
240B to move towards one another 265. In a first embodiment, the
anchored 260 snap-back system of spring 245, bolt 250, and nuts 255
would act in unison to disperse and dissipate impact through
compression from one helmet section to another, and return to ready
for further external impact or to redouble. In a second embodiment,
the same outcome could occur through mechanism of a shell-anchored
spring acting in isolation.
[0046] In a third exemplary embodiment, shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B,
either embodiment detailed above could feature a coating material
covering springs along sectional gaps. FIGS. 10A and 10B are
close-up views of the compression event of FIG. 9 above,
highlighting a compressible material 270, 275 that would be added
over the spring array to prevent intrusion by foreign objects.
[0047] In a fourth exemplary embodiment, shown in FIGS. 11A and
11B, either first or second embodiment above could feature a tongue
and groove design ideal for both sports and military applications,
for instance as a shrapnel guard.
* * * * *