U.S. patent application number 16/396442 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-31 for releasable impact mitigating fastener.
The applicant listed for this patent is VICIS, Inc.. Invention is credited to Travis Glover, Adam Kollgaard, Jason Neubauer, Marie Pahlmeyer, Per Reinhall, Andre Stone.
Application Number | 20190328071 16/396442 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 68291520 |
Filed Date | 2019-10-31 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190328071 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stone; Andre ; et
al. |
October 31, 2019 |
RELEASABLE IMPACT MITIGATING FASTENER
Abstract
The releasable impact mitigating fasteners is an adaptable
mechanism that may be used as the main energy management source
and/or be used as a supplemental energy management source. The
improved releasable impact mitigating fasteners are easily
incorporated into protective devices such as helmets and/or other
protective gear for a variety of activities, applications and/or
industries, that require enhanced impact absorption, reusability,
and/or quick release capabilities under specifically designed
impact loads, etc. Each of the releasable impact mitigating
fasteners comprise a first end, a second end and an impact
mitigation structure. The first end comprises a face plate, the
second end may comprise at least one flange. Each of the releasable
impact mitigating fasteners may further comprise a base.
Inventors: |
Stone; Andre; (Seatte,
WA) ; Neubauer; Jason; (Seattle, WA) ;
Kollgaard; Adam; (Seattle, WA) ; Glover; Travis;
(Seattle, WA) ; Pahlmeyer; Marie; (Seattle,
WA) ; Reinhall; Per; (Seattle, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
VICIS, Inc. |
Seattle |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
68291520 |
Appl. No.: |
16/396442 |
Filed: |
April 26, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62664801 |
Apr 30, 2018 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/12 20130101; A42B
3/205 20130101; A42B 3/064 20130101; A42B 3/124 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/12 20060101
A42B003/12 |
Claims
1. A releasable impact mitigating fastener comprising: an upper
body, the upper body comprises a first end, a second end and an
impact mitigation structure, the first end comprising a face plate,
the impact mitigation structure being a laterally supported
filament structure, the laterally supported filament structure
including a plurality of filaments and an equal number of plurality
of lateral walls, each of the plurality of filaments are positioned
proximate to an adjacent each of the plurality of filaments to form
a polygonal shape, the equal number of the plurality of walls
coupling the each of the plurality filaments to the adjacent each
of the plurality of filaments.
2. The releasable impact mitigating fastener of claim 1, wherein
the second end comprises a flange.
3. The releasable impact mitigating fastener of claim 2, wherein
the flange is separated from the upper body by a space.
4. The releasable impact mitigating fastener of claim 1, wherein
the polygonal shape comprises a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a
pentagon, a hexagon, a septagon, and an octagon.
5. The releasable impact mitigating fastener of claim 1, wherein a
portion of the upper body comprises a retaining ring.
6. The releasable impact mitigating fastener of claim 2, wherein a
portion of the flange comprises a retaining ring.
7. The releasable impact mitigating structure of claim 1, wherein
the face plate comprises at least one opening.
8. A helmet system comprising: an outer shell, the outer shell
having an interior surface; an inner shell having an exterior
surface; and an impact mitigation layer, the impact mitigation
layer disposed between the inner and outer shell, the impact
mitigation layer comprising a plurality of releasable impact
mitigating fasteners, the plurality of releasable impact mitigating
fasteners extending longitudinally between the inner external
surface and outer shell internal surface, each of the releasable
impact mitigating fasteners including an upper body, a first end
and a second end, the upper body comprising an impact mitigation
structure, the first end having a face plate, the first end or
second end proximate to the inner shell, the first end or second
end proximate to the outer shell.
9. The helmet system of claim 8, wherein the each of the releasable
impact mitigating fasteners second end comprises at least one
flange.
10. The helmet system of claim 9, wherein at least one flange being
separated from at least a portion of the upper body by a space.
11. The helmet system of claim 9, wherein the space is sized and
configured to receive a portion of an inner shell or outer
shell.
12. The helmet system of claim 8, wherein the impact mitigation
structure includes a laterally supported filament structure, the
laterally supported filament structure including a plurality of
filaments and an equal number of plurality of lateral walls, each
of the plurality of filaments are positioned proximate to an
adjacent each of the plurality of filaments to form a polygonal
shape, the equal number of the plurality of walls coupling the each
of the plurality filaments to the adjacent each of the plurality of
filaments.
13. The helmet system of claim 12, wherein the polygonal shape
comprises a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a pentagon, a hexagon,
a septagon, and an octagon.
14. The helmet system of claim 8, wherein a portion of the upper
body comprises a retaining ring.
15. The helmet system of claim 9, wherein a portion of the at least
one flange comprises a retaining ring.
16. The helmet system of claim 8, wherein the face plate comprises
at least one opening.
17. The helmet system of claim 8, wherein the upper body is frustum
shaped.
18. The helmet system of claim 8, wherein the impact mitigation
layer further comprises a plurality of supplemental impact
mitigation structures.
19. The helmet system of claim 18, wherein the supplemental impact
mitigation structures comprises a plurality of filaments.
20. The helmet system of claim 9, wherein the flange having a
flange diameter and the upper body having an upper body diameter,
the flange diameter being greater than the upper body diameter.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/664,801, entitled "Releasable Fastener," filed
Apr. 30, 2018, which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to methods, devices, and
systems for improving a helmet or other item of protective clothing
with releasable impact mitigating fasteners and/or releasable
impact mitigation structures that allow for modular component
replacement and/or enhanced impact absorption performance. More
specifically, the present invention relates to releasable impact
mitigating fasteners and/or releasable impact mitigation structures
for connecting components of protective devices such as helmets
and/or other protective gear for a variety of activities, including
athletic competitions, law enforcement and/or military
operations.
BACKGROUND
[0003] There are a variety of traditional helmets that provide for
releasable helmet retention mechanisms that secures the outer shell
to the impact mitigation layer and/or padding. However, the current
releasable helmet retention systems only provide limited functions
that focus on securing and release. The retention systems do not
have impact mitigation properties and its release function is
usually designed to break or fail allowing the outer shell to
displace or move relative to the other layers for enhanced energy
management purposes--e.g., absorb and divert forces that would
typically be transferred to a wearers' head and neck. Such a design
typically results in single use helmet requiring the helmet to be
destroyed, repaired and/or replaced leading to increased costs to
the wearer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] As a result, a need exists for an improved helmet system
and/or an improved article of clothing that incorporates a
releasable impact mitigating fastener that contains a variety of
functions, including securing, releasing, impact mitigating,
re-attachment, and/or any combination thereof. Such an improved
helmet system would be advantageous to the wearer because it would
enhance energy management of the helmet, reduce future repair
and/or replacement costs to the wearer, reduce manufacturing costs
by removing duplicative parts, and/or potentially make the helmet
system lighter, etc.
[0005] In one embodiment, the releasable impact mitigating fastener
can be incorporated into a helmet system to provide a supplementary
impact mitigation function to the impact mitigation layer. The
helmet system may comprise an outer shell, an inner shell, an
impact mitigation layer. The impact mitigation layer may be
disposed between the outer and inner shell. The impact mitigation
layer may comprise impact mitigation structures and at least one
releasable impact mitigating fastener. The impact mitigation layer
may further comprise a force distribution layer and/or a foam
layer. The at least one releasable impact mitigating fastener may
be positioned adjacent to an impact structure and also releasably
couple the inner to the outer shell. The at least one releasable
impact mitigating fastener may further comprise first end proximate
to an inner surface of the outer shell, and a second end proximate
to the outer surface of the inner shell. In other embodiments, the
at least one releasable impact mitigating fastener may comprise a
first end and/or second end, the first end may comprise a face
plate, the first end may be coupled to the inner and/or outer
shell. The second end may be coupled to the inner and/or outer
shell. The at least one releasable impact mitigating fastener may
comprise an impact mitigation structure.
[0006] In another embodiment, the releasable impact mitigating
fastener can be incorporated into a helmet system to provide the
main impact mitigation function within the impact mitigation layer.
The helmet system may comprise an outer shell, an inner shell, an
impact mitigation layer. The impact mitigation layer may be
disposed between the outer and inner shell. The impact mitigation
layer may comprise a plurality of impact releasable impact
mitigating fasteners. The impact mitigation layer may further
comprise a force distribution layer and/or a foam layer. Each of
the plurality of impact releasable impact mitigating fasteners may
comprise an impact mitigation structure and will also releasably
couple the inner to the outer shell and/or couple to the inner or
the outer shell. The at least one releasable impact mitigating
fastener may further comprise first end proximate to an inner
surface of the outer shell, and a second end proximate to the outer
surface of the inner shell. In other embodiments, the at least one
releasable impact mitigating fastener may comprise a first end
and/or second end, the first end may comprise a face plate, the
first end may be coupled to the inner and/or outer shell. The
second end may be coupled to the inner and/or outer shell, the
second end may comprise one or more flanges.
[0007] In various embodiments, a releasable impact mitigating
fastener can be provided with differential decoupling
characteristics for compressive, tensional and/or lateral loading,
with each decoupling characteristic particularized based on the
design, arrangement and/or size of the releasable impact mitigating
fastener components, as well as the various material
characteristics thereof. Such designs may have particular utility
in a wide variety of helmet applications, including in the
anchoring of facemasks to a football helmet, where significant
compressive loading may be desired (i.e., to protect the player's
face from direct impacts on the face mask), while allowing for much
lower decoupling forces between the facemask and helmet where the
facemask may be tensioned and/or tangentially loaded (i.e., where
the player receives a glancing facemask blow and/or is being
grabbed by the facemask by an opposing player), which could allow
the facemask to decouple from the helmet in a desired manner. In a
similar manner, various embodiments could provide decoupling
characteristics based on the direction and/or angle of impact to
the helmet (and thus to the connector), wherein the connector can
present a different decoupling force depending upon the incident
angle and/or magnitude of the impacting force (i.e., a different
decoupling force for impact from the bottom up on the helmet versus
the top down).
[0008] Moreover, releasable impact mitigating fasteners as
described herein could be utilized to connect to various components
of a protective helmet, such as a facemask, chinstrap, jaw pads to
helmet, skull cap to helmet, between an outer layer and an inner
layer of the helmet, between the inner/outer layer to comfort liner
assembly, and/or any combination thereof, including designs with at
least a portion of the body of the releasable impact mitigating
fastener positioned within and/or adjacent to an impact absorbing
layer of the helmet. Desirably, this arrangement would provide a
durable connection between individual helmet components, but would
mitigate, limit and/or prevent the transmission of impact forces
via the various connector components (i.e., front the outer helmet
through the connector to the inner helmet), which commonly occurs
with many existing connector designs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 depicts an isometric cross-sectional view of one
embodiment of a releasable impact mitigating releasable impact
mitigating fastener;
[0010] FIGS. 2A-2B depict a top and bottom view of an alternate
embodiment of a releasable impact mitigating releasable impact
mitigating fastener;
[0011] FIGS. 3A-3B depict a cross-sectional and top view of an
alternate embodiment of a releasable impact mitigating releasable
impact mitigating fastener;
[0012] FIGS. 4A-4B depict a top and bottom view of an alternate
embodiment of a releasable impact mitigating releasable impact
mitigating fastener;
[0013] FIGS. 5A-5C depict a cross-sectional and isometric view of
an alternate embodiment of a releasable impact mitigating
releasable impact mitigating fastener;
[0014] FIGS. 6A-6C depict a cross-sectional and isometric view of
an alternate embodiment of a releasable impact mitigating
releasable impact mitigating fastener;
[0015] FIGS. 7A-7C depict a cross-sectional and side view of an
alternate embodiment of a releasable impact mitigating releasable
impact mitigating fastener;
[0016] FIGS. 8A-8B depicts cross-sectional views of an alternate
embodiment of a releasable impact mitigating releasable impact
mitigating fastener;
[0017] FIGS. 9A-9B depict cross-sectional views of an alternate
embodiment of a releasable impact mitigating releasable impact
mitigating fastener;
[0018] FIGS. 10A-10B depict cross-sectional views of an alternate
embodiment of a releasable impact mitigating releasable impact
mitigating fastener;
[0019] FIGS. 11A-11B depict cross-sectional views of an alternate
embodiment of a releasable impact mitigating releasable impact
mitigating fastener;
[0020] FIGS. 12A-12B depict cross-sectional views of an alternate
embodiment of a releasable impact mitigating releasable impact
mitigating fastener;
[0021] FIG. 13 depicts cross-sectional views of an alternate
embodiment of a releasable impact mitigating releasable impact
mitigating fastener;
[0022] FIG. 14 depicts a side view of an alternate embodiment of a
releasable impact mitigating releasable impact mitigating
fastener;
[0023] FIGS. 15A-15B depict cross-sectional views of an alternate
embodiment of a releasable impact mitigating releasable impact
mitigating fastener;
[0024] FIG. 16 depicts a cross-sectional view of an alternate
embodiment of a releasable impact mitigating releasable impact
mitigating fastener; and
[0025] FIGS. 17A-17B depict a cross-sectional view of a helmet
system with a releasable impact mitigating fastener.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The helmet system relates to a helmet with one or more
releasable impact mitigating fasteners capable of providing a
substantial level of impact resistance, including vertically and/or
semi-vertically oriented loads (i.e., wholly or partially outward
and/or inward impacts on a helmet) while providing for partial
and/or complete release and/or decoupling of the releasable impact
mitigating fastener components when the helmet experiences much
lower torsional and/or tangential loading. As a result, a
releasable impact mitigating fastener with enhanced impact
mitigation properties can be designed to accommodate a variety of
impact scenarios when one or more specific loading scenarios are
encountered.
[0027] Although, the focus of the disclosure relates to helmet
systems, a releasable impact mitigating fastener may be used in
other industries and/or as retention mechanisms for other
components within a helmet and/or protective clothing. In various
embodiments, releasable impact mitigating fasteners of various
designs could be mounted almost anywhere in and/or on the helmet or
other protective clothing, including virtually anywhere between the
inner and/or outer shells of the helmet, as well as any first
material layer and/or second material layers of protective
clothing. Such protective clothing may include helmets, goggles,
garments, shields, masks, safety booths, body armor, and/or other
blunt-force trauma protective clothing or gear. Accordingly, such
releasable impact mitigating fastener may be specifically used
within sporting helmets. For example, the releasable impact
mitigating fasteners could be positioned adjacent to one another,
or spread out to various helmet locations, including at both the
front and/or back of the helmet, and/or at multiple spaced apart
locations. If desired, a releasable impact mitigating fastener
could comprise two or more releasable impact mitigating fasteners
bodies stacked together (i.e., on top of one another, for
example).
[0028] In one exemplary embodiment, the releasable impact
mitigating fastener can be incorporated into a helmet system 1030
to provide a supplementary impact mitigation function to the impact
mitigation layer as shown in FIG. 17A. The helmet system may
comprise an outer shell 1060, an inner shell 1080, an impact
mitigation layer 1090. The impact mitigation layer 1090 may be
disposed between the outer 1060 and inner shell 1080. The impact
mitigation layer 1090 may comprise impact mitigation structures
1040 and at least one releasable impact mitigating fastener 1050.
The impact mitigation layer 1090 may further comprise a force
distribution layer (not shown) and/or a foam layer (not shown).
[0029] The at least one releasable impact mitigating fastener 1050
may be positioned adjacent to an impact structure 1040 and also
releasably couple the inner shell 1080 to the outer shell 1060. The
impact mitigation structures 1040 may comprise a plurality of
filaments, a plurality of laterally supported filament structures,
auxetic structures, a plurality of undulated structures, and/or any
combination thereof. Each of the at least one releasable impact
mitigating fasteners 1050 are spaced apart and independently acting
as impact absorbing members that are elastically collapsible and/or
elastically buckle in response to an impact. The at least one
releasable impact mitigating fastener 1050 will supplement and/or
provide additional support for energy management, thus,
collectively significantly reduce the impact forces transmitted to
the wearer. The at least one releasable impact mitigating fastener
1050 may further comprise first end proximate to an inner surface
of the outer shell 1060, and a second end proximate to the outer
surface of the inner shell 1080. In other embodiments, the at least
one releasable impact mitigating fastener 1050 may comprise a first
end and/or second end, the first end may comprise a face plate, the
first end may be coupled to the inner shell 1080 and/or the outer
shell 1060. The second end may be coupled to the inner shell 1080
and/or outer shell 1060, the second may further comprise at least
one flange or one or more flanges.
[0030] In another embodiment, the releasable impact mitigating
fastener can be incorporated into a helmet system 1100 to be
utilized as the impact mitigation layer 1090 as shown in FIG. 17B.
The helmet system 1100 may comprise an outer shell 1060, an inner
shell 1080, an impact mitigation layer 1090. The impact mitigation
layer 1090 may be disposed between the outer 1060 and inner 1080
shell. The impact mitigation layer 1090 may comprise a plurality of
impact releasable impact mitigating fasteners 1050. The impact
mitigation layer 1090 may further comprise a force distribution
layer (not shown) and/or a foam layer (not shown). Each of the
plurality of impact releasable impact mitigating fasteners 1050 may
comprise an impact mitigation structure and will also releasably
couple the inner shell 1080 to the outer shell 1060. The at least
one releasable impact mitigating fastener 1050 may further comprise
first end proximate to an inner surface of the outer shell 1060,
and a second end proximate to the outer surface of the inner shell
1080. In other embodiments, the at least one releasable impact
mitigating fastener 1050 may comprise a first end and/or second
end, the first end may comprise a face plate, the first end may be
coupled to the inner shell 1080 and/or the outer shell 1060. The
second end may be coupled to the inner shell 1080 and/or outer
shell 1060, the second end may comprise one or more flanges and/or
at least one flange.
[0031] The impact mitigation structures may comprise a plurality of
filaments, a plurality of laterally supported filament structures,
auxetic structures, undulating structures, and/or any combination
thereof. Each of the impact mitigation structures may be positioned
adjacent to another impact mitigation structure to form a shape,
the shape may comprise a circle and/or a polygon. Alternatively,
the plurality of filaments may be positioned adjacent to another
filament to form a shape, the shape may comprise a circle and/or a
polygon. The polygons may comprise a triangle, a square, a
rectangle, a pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagon, octagon, and/or any
combination thereof. Each of the at least one releasable impact
mitigating fasteners 1050 are spaced apart and independently acting
as impact absorbing members that are elastically collapsible and/or
elastically buckle in response to an impact. The at least one
impact releasable impact mitigating fastener 1050 will be the main
energy management source to reduce the impact forces transmitted to
the wearer.
[0032] The outer shell 1060 may be manufactured from a relatively
rigid material or rigid material, such as polyethylene, nylon,
polycarbonate materials, acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS),
polyester resin with fiberglass, thermosetting plastics, and/or any
other rigid thermoplastic materials. Alternately, the outer shell
1060 may be manufactured from a relatively deformable material,
such as polyurethane and/or high-density polyethylene, where such
material allows some flexibility and/or local deformation upon
impact, but provide enough rigidity to prevent the breakage or
damage to the helmet.
[0033] The inner shell 1080 may be manufactured from a relatively
rigid or rigid material. The inner shell 1080 being nested within
the impact mitigation layer 1090. The inner shell 1080 having an
exterior surface and an interior surface, the at least a portion of
the exterior surface of the inner shell 1080 may contact an
exterior surface of the impact mitigation layer 1090. The at least
one inner shell 1090 being a continuous shell that conforms and
surrounds the head of the wearer. Accordingly, the at least one
inner shell 1080 may be a rigid material. The at least one inner
shell 1080 may be more rigid than the outer shell 1060 and/or more
rigid than the impact mitigation layer 1090. In some embodiments,
the inner shell 1080 is five to 100 times stiffer or more rigid
than the outer shell 1060 and/or the impact mitigation layer. The
rigid material may comprise polycarbonate (PC). Alternatively, the
inner shell 1080 comprises a relatively rigid material or
relatively stiff material. The relatively rigid material may be
stiff or rigid enough to withstand breakage or cracking, but
flexible enough to deform slightly and distribute incident forces
after an impact. The at least one inner shell 1080 may comprise a
thermoplastic material. Thermoplastic materials may comprise
polyurethane, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyether block amide,
and/or any combinations thereof. Alternatively, the inner shell
1080 may comprise a deformable material, such as polyurethane
and/or high-density polyethylene, where such material allows some
flexibility and/or local deformation upon impact, but provide
enough rigidity to prevent the breakage or damage to the
helmet.
[0034] Impact Mitigation Structures
[0035] In one embodiment, the helmet system may comprise an outer
shell, an inner shell, an impact mitigation layer. The impact
mitigation layer may be disposed between the outer and inner shell.
The impact mitigation layer may comprise a plurality of releasable
impact mitigating fasteners, each of the plurality of the
releasable impact mitigating fasteners may comprise an impact
mitigating structure. The plurality of releasable impact mitigating
fasteners may further comprise first end proximate to an inner
surface of the outer shell, and a second end proximate to the outer
surface of the inner shell. In other embodiments, the plurality of
releasable impact mitigating fasteners may comprise a first end
and/or second end, the first end may comprise a face plate, the
first end may be coupled to the inner shell and/or the outer shell.
The second end may be coupled to the inner shell and/or outer
shell.
[0036] Alternatively, the helmet system may comprise an outer
shell, an inner shell, an impact mitigation layer. The impact
mitigation layer may be disposed between the outer and inner shell.
The impact mitigation layer may comprise one or more impact
mitigation structures and one or more releasable impact mitigation
fasteners. If desired, the releasable impact mitigating fasteners
could be positioned within the impact mitigating layer, such that
the each of the plurality releasable impact mitigating fasteners
are positioned adjacent to an impact mitigating structure, the
impact mitigating structures can surround or substantially surround
each of the releasable impact mitigating fasteners, with at least a
portion of the releasable impact mitigating fasteners responding to
external impacts in a manner similar to the surrounding impact
mitigating structures. The plurality of releasable impact
mitigating fasteners may further comprise first end proximate to an
inner surface of the outer shell, and a second end proximate to the
outer surface of the inner shell. In other embodiments, the
plurality of releasable impact mitigating fasteners may comprise a
first end and/or second end, the first end may comprise a face
plate, the first end may be coupled to the inner shell and/or the
outer shell. The second end may be coupled to the inner shell
and/or outer shell, the second end may comprise at least one
flange.
[0037] In one embodiment, the releasable impact mitigation fastener
designs described herein could be used to connect a variety of
helmet components together, including impact absorbing and/or
impact mitigating structural components to other components of the
helmet (or sandwiched between helmet layers that are connected by
releasable impact mitigating fasteners) and/or be used as the main
structure for energy management. The impact mitigation structures
and/or the releasable impact mitigating fastener may comprise at
least a portion of filaments, at least a portion of laterally
supported filaments, at least a portion of auxetic structures, at
least a portion of zigzag structures, at least a portion of
herringbone structures, at least a portion of chevron structures,
impact foam or foam layer, TPU structures and/or "cones,"
inflatable bladders, shock bonnets, and/or any combination
thereof.
[0038] In another embodiment, the impact mitigating structure
and/or the releasable impact mitigating fastener may comprise at
least a portion of filaments. In one embodiment, the impact
mitigating structures can comprise at least a portion of filaments.
The at least a portion of filaments may be thin, longitudinally
extending members or be shaped and configured to deform
non-linearly in response to an impact force. Each of the at least a
portion of filaments having a high aspect ratio, the aspect ratio
being a range of 3:1 to 1,000:1, where the length of each filament
is greater than the width. The non-linear deformation behavior is
expected to provide improved protection against high-impact forces,
and/or oblique forces. The non-linear deformation behavior is
described by at least a portion of the filaments stress-strain
profile. The non-linear stress-strain profile illustrates that
there can be an initial rapid increase in force (region I) followed
by a change in slope that may be flat, decreasing or increasing
slope (region II), followed by a third region with a different
slope (region III).
[0039] In another embodiment, the at least a portion of the
filaments may comprise filaments that buckle in response to an
incident force, where buckling may be characterized by a localized,
sudden failure of the filament structure subjected to high
compressive stress, where the actual compressive stress at the
point of failure is less than the ultimate compressive stress that
the material is capable of withstanding. Furthermore, the at least
a portion of the filaments may be configured to deform elastically,
allowing the at least a portion of the filaments to substantially
return to their initial configuration once the external force is
removed. The at least a portion of filaments may extend between two
surfaces, the at least a portion of filaments having at least one
end coupled to the outer layer and/or the inner layer.
[0040] In another embodiment, the impact mitigating structure
and/or the releasable impact mitigating fastener may comprise at
least a portion of laterally supported filaments (LSFs). A
laterally supported filament may comprise at least a portion of a
plurality of filaments that are interconnected by laterally
positioned walls or sheets, where each of the plurality of
filaments are positioned proximate to an adjacent each of the
plurality of filaments, where such positioning forms a shape. The
shape may be a circle and/or a polygonal configuration forming a
structure that is otherwise known as laterally supported filaments
(LSF). In various embodiments, at least a portion of the impact
mitigation structure and/or releasable impact mitigating releasable
impact mitigating fastener can be arranged in a hexagonal pattern
with filaments interconnected by laterally positioned walls.
Alternatively, other polygonal structures known in the art may be
contemplated, such as triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal,
septagonal, octagonal, and/or any combination thereof. A plurality
of sheets or lateral walls can be secured between adjacent pairs of
filaments with each filament having a pair of lateral walls
attached thereto. The shape, wall thickness or diameter, height,
and configuration of the lateral walls and/or filaments may vary to
"tune" or "tailor" the structure to a desired performance. For
example, one embodiment of a hexagonal structure may have a tapered
or frusto-conical configuration. The hexagonal structure can have a
top surface and/or a bottom surface, with the bottom surface
perimeter (and/or bottom surface thickness/diameter of the
individual elements) that may be larger than the corresponding top
surface perimeter (and/or individual element thickness/diameter).
In another example, the hexagonal structure can have an upper plate
or ridge, which could facilitate connection to another structure,
such as an inner surface of a helmet, an item of protective
clothing, and/or a mechanical connection (e.g., a grommet or plug
having an enlarged tip that is desirably slightly larger than the
opening in the upper ridge of the hexagonal element).
[0041] In another embodiment, the impact mitigation structure
and/or the releasable impact mitigating fasteners may be
manufactured as an individual structure or in a patterned array.
The individual structures can be manufactured using an extrusion,
investment casting or injection molding process. Each individual
polygonal or hexagonal structure may be affixed directly to a base
in a custom location or pattern that may be arranged in continuous
or segmented array. Also, they may have the same shape and
configuration with repeating symmetrical arrangement or
asymmetrical arrangement and/or different shape and configurations
with repeating symmetrical arrangement or asymmetrical
arrangement.
[0042] In one exemplary embodiment, a polygonal or hexagonal
structure may be manufactured directly into a patterned array of
impact absorbing structures that are affixed to at least one base
membrane. The base membrane may be manufactured with a polymeric or
foam material. The polymeric or foam material may be flexible
and/or elastic to allows it to be easily bent, twisted or flexed to
conform to complex surfaces. Alternatively, the polymeric and/or
foam material may be substantially rigid. The manufacturing of each
patterned array of polygonal or hexagonal structures may include
extrusion, investment casting or injection molding process. The
base membrane with the polygonal or hexagonal structures may be
affixed directly to at least a portion of the base or the entirety.
Affixing each pattered array of polygonal or hexagonal structures
may be arranged in continuous or segmented arrays. Also, the
polygonal or hexagonal structures may have the same shape and
configuration with repeating symmetrical arrangement or
asymmetrical arrangement and/or different shape and configurations
with repeating symmetrical arrangement or asymmetrical
arrangement.
[0043] In another embodiment, the impact mitigation structure
and/or the releasable impact mitigating fastener may comprise at
least a portion of an auxetic structure. The auxetic structure may
include a plurality of interconnected members forming an array of
reentrant shapes positioned on the flexible head layer. The term
"auxetic" generally refers to a material or structure that has a
negative Poisson ratio, when stretched, auxetic materials or
structures become thicker (as opposed to thinner) in a direction
perpendicular to the applied force. Such auxetic structures can
result in high energy absorption and/or fracture resistance, and
maybe particularly useful in releasable impact mitigating fasteners
such as contemplated herein. In particular, when a force is applied
to the auxetic material or structure, the impact can cause it to
expand (or contract) in one direction, resulting in associated
expansion (or contraction) in a perpendicular direction. It should
be recognized that those skilled in the art could utilize auxetic
structures to include differently shaped segments or other
structural members and different shaped voids.
[0044] In another embodiment, the impact mitigation structure
and/or the releasable impact mitigating fastener may comprise a
portion of a foam or foam layer, with a series of openings formed
through the structure to accommodate one or more releasable impact
mitigating fasteners as described herein. The foam or foam layer
may comprise ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, polyurethane (PU)
foam, polyethylene (PE) foam, Supreem foam, Poron XRD foam, closed
cell foam, open cell foam, polymeric foams, quantum foams, XPS
foam, polystyrene foam, phenolic, memory foam (traditional, open
cell, or gel), latex rubber foam, convoluted foam ("egg create
foam"), Evlon foam, impact hardening foam and/or any combination
thereof. In addition, the foam or foam layer may be thermoformed,
molded, machined, and/or any formed using any methods known in the
art.
[0045] In another embodiment, the impact mitigation structure
and/or the releasable impact mitigating fastener may comprise
undulating structures. The undulating structures may comprise a zig
zag, herringbone and/or chevron structures. Each of these
undulating structures may have structural features characterized by
a repeating sinusoidal geometry or sinusoidal folds that facilitate
impact absorption by being elastically collapsible and/or
elastically buckling. Such undulating structures may be used in a
single layer, or multi-layer. The multilayer may be stacked, where
each single undulating structure layer is placed on top of the
first or base undulating structure.
[0046] Releasable Impact Mitigating Fastener
[0047] FIG. 1 depicts one exemplary embodiment of a releasable
impact mitigating fastener 10. The releasable impact mitigating
fastener 10 having an upper body 20, a lower ridge 30 and a
circumferential groove 40, the circumferential groove 40 disposed
on an external surface of the upper body 20. The releasable impact
mitigating fastener 10 may further comprise a connector base 90.
The connector base 90 comprising a lower portion 100 and a raised
ridge 110, the ridge 110 having an opening 120 with a circular rim
130 formed therein. The plurality of releasable impact mitigating
fasteners 10 may further comprise first end proximate to an inner
surface of the outer shell, and a second end proximate to the outer
surface of the inner shell. In other embodiments, the plurality of
releasable impact mitigating fasteners 10 may comprise a first end
and a second end, the first end may comprise a face plate, the
first end may be coupled to the inner shell and/or the outer shell.
The second end may be coupled to the inner shell and/or outer
shell, the second end may comprise at least one flange and/or one
or more flanges.
[0048] The connector base 90 may comprise an independent component
that may be coupled to the outer shell (not shown) and/or to the
inner shell (not shown) and/or the connector base 90 may comprise
at least a portion of the inner shell or outer shell. More
specifically, the connector base 90 may be coupled and/or affixed
to an internal surface of the outer shell and/or an external
surface of the inner shell. Such configuration allows the
releasable impact mitigating fastener 10 to extend between the
outer shell to the inner shell, but only affixed by the connector
base 90 to either the inner shell and/or outer shell, and leaving
the opposite end free or floating being adjacent or in contact with
the inner and/or outer shell. Alternatively, the connector base 90
may be coupled to the inner and/or outer shell, and the face plate
70 may be coupled to the inner and/outer shell. In one exemplary
embodiment, the helmet system may comprise a hybrid releasable
impact mitigating fastener construction. Such construction
comprises a first releasable impact mitigating fastener 10 to be
attached to an inner surface of an outer helmet shell, with a
corresponding second releasable impact mitigating fastener 10
attached to an outer surface of an inner helmet shell, with the
first and second releasable impact mitigating fasteners possibly
freely floating relative to each other and/or connected together at
their respective connector bases 90. In addition, the connector
base 90 may be integrated with the inner and/or outer shell, where
the connector base 90 may extend upwardly from the inner and/or
outer shell forming a protruding structure with a cavity.
Accordingly, the connector base 90 may comprise a portion of the
inner shell and/or a portion of the outer shell.
[0049] Upon assembly, the upper body 20 of the releasable impact
mitigating fastener 10 will desirably extend through and be
"captured" within the opening 120 of the base 90 as shown in FIGS.
2A-2B. At least a portion of the circular rim 130 may be positioned
within the groove 40 of the releasable impact mitigating fastener
10. If desired, an upper opening 150 can be formed in the face
plate 70, which in this embodiment contains a screw or bolt 160 and
nut 170, which can be attached to some other helmet component or
feature in a conventional manner. The circumferential groove 40 is
sized and configured to receive the circular rim 130, and the
circular rim 130 is sized and configured to be disposed within the
circumferential groove 40. If desired, the opening 150 may be
threaded. The releasable impact mitigating fastener may partially
or wholly comprise an elastic or deformable material, if desired.
In various embodiments, a wide variety of materials could be
employed in the construction of the disclosed releasable impact
mitigating fasteners and/or portions thereof, including TPU, TPE
and/or silicone. Alternatively, the releasable impact mitigating
fastener 10 could be cast in various elastomers, and then various
stackup/elastomer/Pebax components could be created for flat pad
testing.
[0050] In use, the releasable impact mitigation fastener 10 will
desirably provide a significantly strong yet flexible connection
between the plate 70 and the screw 160 (and between the various
helmet components attached thereto), which can be particularized in
how the releasable impact mitigation fastener 10 responds to
various forces. For example, a downwardly directed impact force
could desirably compress the face plate 70 towards the base 90, and
the "response" of the releasable impact mitigation fastener 10 to
this compression can be modified in a variety of ways by changing
the size, shape and/or configuration of each of the plurality
filaments 50 and/or a portion of the filaments 50, which can
include control over the force at which the rim 130 and groove 40
of the releasable impact mitigating fastener 10 will "push"
together and/or decouple (which in this embodiment might allow the
body to slide back through the opening 120). In contrast, an
upwardly directed tensile force on the connector could "pull" the
rim 130 and groove 40 apart, drawing the base 90 out of the opening
120. As a third option, a tangential and/or rotational force of
sufficient magnitude on the connector could cause the base 90 to
"buckle," which could cause decoupling of the rim 130 and groove 40
at a much lower force level, resulting in disconnection of the
releasable impact mitigating fastener 10.
[0051] The releasable impact mitigating fastener 10 may comprise an
impact mitigation structure. The impact mitigation structure may
comprise laterally supported filaments formed into a shape. The
laterally supported filaments may comprise a plurality of filaments
50 that are interconnected by laterally positioned walls or sheets
60 in a polygonal pattern. The polygonal pattern may comprise a
triangular, square, pentagonal, hexagonal, septagonal, octagonal,
and/or any combination thereof configuration. In one embodiment,
the releasable impact mitigating fastener can be in hexagonal
configuration, or a hexagonal structure. The hexagonal structure(s)
or polygonal structures may be manufactured as individual
structures or in a patterned array. The manufacturing may include
extrusion, investment casting or injection molding process.
[0052] In this embodiment, the at least a portion of the plurality
of filaments 50 are connected at an upper end by a face plate 70 or
other structure, which is oriented somewhat perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of the at least a portion of the plurality of
filaments 50 and/or sheets 60. A plurality of sheets or lateral
walls 60 can be secured between adjacent pairs of filaments 50,
with each of the plurality of filaments 50 having a pair of lateral
walls 60 attached thereto. In the disclosed embodiment, the lateral
walls 60 can be oriented approximately 120 degrees apart about each
of the plurality of filament 50 axis, with each lateral wall 60
extending substantially along the longitudinal length of the
filament 50. However, in alternative embodiments, an offset
hexagonal pattern may be utilized, in which some of the lateral
walls 60 may be arranged at 120 degrees, while other lateral walls
60 may be arranged at greater than or less than 120 degrees or an
irregular hexagon pattern may be used, in which the lateral walls
60 are not symmetrical in their positioning and/or arrangement.
Alternatively, the lateral walls 60 can be oriented approximately
75 to 135 degrees apart about each of the plurality of filament 50
axis, with each lateral wall 60 extending substantially along the
longitudinal length of the filament 50.
[0053] In the disclosed embodiment, each pair of filaments 50 is
connected by a lateral wall 60, with a flat sheet or face plate 70
connecting the top ends of the plurality of filaments 50. A
vertical force (i.e., an axial compressive "impact") downward on
the plurality of filaments 50 will desirably induce the filaments
50 to compress to some degree in initial resistance to the force,
with a sufficient vertical force eventually inducing the filaments
50 to buckle. However, the presence of the lateral sheet 60 will
desirably prevent and/or inhibit buckling of the filaments 50 in a
lateral direction away from the lateral sheet 70, as well as
possibly prevent and/or inhibit sideways buckling of the filaments
50 (and/or buckling towards the wall) to varying degrees--generally
depending upon the thickness, structural stiffness and/or material
construction of the various flat sheets 70, as well as various
other considerations. In many cases, the most likely direction(s)
of buckling of the filaments 50 as depicted may be transverse to
the flat sheet 70, which stiffens the resistance of the filaments
50 to buckle along various lateral directions, to a measurable
degree in a desired and controllable manner. In the exemplary
hexagonal configuration, each of the plurality of filaments 50 is
connected by lateral walls 60 to a pair of adjacent filaments 50,
with two walls extending from and/or between each filament set. In
this arrangement, an axial compressive force will desirably induce
each of the plurality of filaments 50 to initially compress to some
degree in resisting the axial force, with a sufficient vertical
force inducing the at least a portion of filaments 50 to buckle in
a desired manner. The presence of the two lateral walls 60,
however, with each wall separated at an approximately 120 degree
angle, tends to limit lateral displacement of each of the plurality
of filaments 50 away from and/or towards various directions,
effectively creating a circumferential or "hoop stress" within the
filaments/walls of the hexagonal element that can alter, inhibit
and/or prevent certain types, directions and/or degrees of bucking
of the individual filaments 50, of the individual walls 60 and/or
of the entirety of the hexagonal structure.
[0054] In various embodiments, the presence of the lateral walls 60
between the each of the plurality filaments 50 of the hexagonal
releasable impact mitigation fastening structure 10 can greatly
facilitate recovery and/or rebound of the plurality of filaments 50
and hexagonal elements of the releasable impact mitigation fastener
10 as compared to the independent filaments within a traditional
filament bed. During buckling and collapse of at least a portion of
the filaments 50 and/or hexagonal structure, the lateral walls 60
desirably constrain and control filament "failure" in various
predictable manners, with the lateral walls 60 and/or a portion of
the filaments 50 elastically deforming in various ways, similar to
the "charging" of a spring, as the hexagonal releasable impact
mitigation fastening structure 10 collapses. When the compressive
force is released from the hexagonal releasable impact mitigation
fastening structure 10, the lateral walls 60 and at least a portion
of the filaments 50 should elastically deform back to their
original "unstressed" or pre-stressed sheet-like condition, which
desirably causes the entirety of the hexagonal releasable impact
mitigation fastening structure 10 and associated filaments
50/lateral walls 60 to quickly "snap back" to their original
position and orientation, immediately ready for the next
compressive force. By incorporating such features into a releasable
impact mitigation fastening structure 10 between moveable
components of a helmet, the present invention allows for securely
connecting these components in relationship to each other while
maximizing impact performance of the protective gear.
[0055] In various embodiment, there are many component features of
the releasable impact mitigation fastener 10 that could be altered
to influence the directionality and/or magnitude of impact
mitigation and/or decoupling of the releasable impact mitigating
fastener. For example, the width, surface angles, size, shape
and/or material selection of the circular rim 130 can increase
and/or decrease the decoupling force magnitude and/or
directionality. Similarly, the width, surface angles, size, shape
and/or material selection of the lower ridge 30 can increase and/or
decrease the decoupling force magnitude and/or directionality.
[0056] in various embodiments, the following characteristics of the
releasable impact mitigating fastener could be particularized,
including one of more of the following: durability, high
deformation hits/compressive forces, tension/pull out, releasable
impact mitigating fastener tear out in tension or shear, t-nut
tearing at corners/edges, buckling force--possibility is to use a
higher strength material and design in a lower buckling force
(i.e., tapered or notched columns, etc.), rotation (may include
keying the body/pod to prevent rotation relative to one of more
connected components and/or between components), general
stiffness--may desire the connector to be less stiff than the
impact absorbing members/array to reduce potential for pressure
points and/or force concentrations between attached components,
t-nut access--may be desirable for body to be hollow to allow for
inter access to screw/t-nut assembly, indexing features for
alignment during bonding and/or assembly.
[0057] in various embodiments, a variety of connection methods may
be utilized to bond or otherwise connect various releasable impact
mitigation fastener 10 components (e.g., the lower portion 100
and/or the face plate 70, and/or the circumferential groove 40 to
the circular rim 130) to other helmet components, such as the inner
shell, the outer shell, pads, electronics, facemasks, and/or other
impact absorbing features, including, friction fit or press-fit,
snaps (i.e., interference fit connectors), permanent and/or
temporary bonds, heat staking or welding, ultrasonic welding,
screws/t-nuts, rivets, co-moldings and/or co-molded components,
captured flanges, including connectors secured by any of the above
methods or others known in the art.
[0058] Various exemplary components that could be connected using
the disclosed releasable impact mitigation fasteners include
virtually any helmet components, including inner and/or outer
shells, impact absorbing structures, impact and/or comfort pad
assemblies, electronics, ear protectors, facemask component, chin
straps, jaw pads, skull caps and/or the like.
[0059] In various alternative embodiments, releasable impact
mitigating fastener bodies could comprise other geometric designs,
including the use of various numbers of filaments (i.e., 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, 8 or 9 or more filaments in a releasable impact mitigating
fastener), and/or releasable impact mitigating fasteners without
connecting walls and/or sheets (see FIG. 13), and/or releasable
impact mitigating fasteners having filaments/columns with different
cross sections between filaments. If desired, a releasable impact
mitigating fastener can be designed having an opening/flange
connection at both top and bottom of the structure, which could
obviate the use of and/or need for t-nuts or similar fastening
components in such a design. Alternatively, a releasable impact
mitigating fastener sub component or other connective structure
could be molded and/or imbedded within the releasable impact
mitigating fastener structure.
[0060] In at least one alternative embodiment, a releasable impact
mitigating fastener could be designed that accommodates attachment
directly to an opening in a helmet shell or other component, with
at least a portion of the releasable impact mitigating fastener
body extending through the shell (and/or over the outer/inner plane
of the outer/inner shell, respectively) and retained therein (i.e.,
with the shell surface mimicking the base described in other
embodiments). In at least one alternative embodiment, a releasable
impact mitigating fastener could be designed that includes an upper
surface for attachment (via adhesive, for example) directly to an
inner surface of an outer shell, with the releasable impact
mitigating fastener further including a lower flanged region for
attachment through an opening in an inner shell (see FIG. 14) as
described in various embodiments herein.
[0061] FIGS. 3A-3B depicts various views of an alternate embodiment
of a releasable impact mitigating fastener 200. The releasable
impact mitigating fastener 200 comprises an upper body 250, the
upper body 250 having an outer diameter that has been "scaled down"
to reduce the total releasable impact mitigating fastener 200 size,
but desirably retaining a minimum diameter to provide a user with
access to the screw and/or nut within the releasable impact
mitigating fastener 200. In this embodiment, the releasable impact
mitigating fastener 200 comprises an upper body 250, a lower flange
210, a face plate 70, and a base 230. The releasable impact
mitigating fasteners 200 may further comprise first end proximate
to an inner surface of the outer shell, and a second end proximate
to the outer surface of the inner shell. In other embodiments, the
releasable impact mitigating fasteners 200 may comprise a first end
and a second end, the first end may comprise a face plate 70, the
first end may be coupled to the inner shell and/or the outer shell.
The second end may be coupled to the inner shell and/or outer
shell.
[0062] The lower flange 210 of the releasable impact mitigating
fastener 200 is a generally circular configuration and/or a
polygonal configuration and generally larger than in the previous
embodiment and/or extend greater than the diameter of the upper
body 250, which could alternatively include the use of a bonded
stiffener or "retainer ring" (not shown) to increase the "pull out"
resistance of the releasable impact mitigating fastener 200 (which
could be overmolded in production, if desired). Increasing the
extension length and/or the diameter of the lower flange 210 may
increase and/or decrease the "pull out" resistance of the
releasable impact mitigating fastener 200. This disclosed
embodiment of the releasable impact mitigating fastener 200, may
comprise a base 230, the base 230 may further comprise features to
accommodate additional securement to the inner and/or outer shell.
The base 230 may comprise an independent component that may be
coupled to the outer shell (not shown) and/or to the inner shell
(not shown) and/or the connector base 230 may comprise at least a
portion of the inner shell or outer shell. The at least a portion
of the inner shell and/or outer shell may extend upwardly to form a
protrusion from the remaining portions of the inner shell and/or
outer shell.
[0063] In one embodiment, a t-nut or other known releasable impact
mitigating fastener or retention mechanism for attachment to helmet
components, and if desired a slightly larger filament overlap (over
the top of the lower base) and/or placement of a raised ridge 220
can be disposed onto the base 230, the raised ridge 220 may extend
perpendicularly upward from the base 230, providing a raised edge
or protrusion that contacts the upper body 250. Such raised ridge
220 may increase releasable impact mitigating fastener stiffness
and/or strength, as well as the "pull out" resistance. If desired,
a keyway or anti-rotation feature could be incorporated into the
releasable impact mitigating fastener 200, as desired. FIGS. 4A-4B
depict an isometric top view and bottom view of the releasable
impact mitigating fastener 200 as shown in FIG. 3A-3B.
[0064] In other exemplary embodiments, releasable impact mitigating
fastener 200 alterations could include reduced component size
(i.e., optimizing offset of a boss, for example, to make as small
as possible), as well as design to optimize releasable impact
mitigating fastener tear-out. If desired, materials changes could
be incorporated to increase material strength, which could
optimally include geometry changes to the releasable impact
mitigating fastener components to reduce the buckling force of the
releasable impact mitigating fastener body. Accordingly, one or
more the filaments 50 may have various configurations, such as
longer length, different thinner and/or wider diameters.
[0065] FIGS. 5A through 5C and 6A through 6C depict various
alternative embodiments of an alternate releasable impact
mitigating fastener 260. The releasable impact mitigating fastener
260 may comprise an upper body 270, a base 280, and an inner or
outer shell 290. The releasable impact mitigating fasteners 260 may
further comprise first end proximate to an inner surface of the
outer shell, and a second end proximate to the outer surface of the
inner shell. In other embodiments, the releasable impact mitigating
fasteners 200 may comprise a first end and a second end, the first
end may comprise a face plate 70, the first end may be coupled to
the inner shell and/or the outer shell. The second end may be
coupled to the inner shell and/or outer shell, the second end may
comprise one or more flanges.
[0066] The base 280 may include a separate flange component 300,
wherein the flange 300 can comprise an extension or diameter 310
component that can be adhered, attached or otherwise connected to
an underlying helmet inner and/or outer shell 290 (i.e., bonding,
welding, heat-staking, riveting, fastening, etc). In this
embodiment, the presence of the underlying inner and/or outer shell
290 could assist with resistance to "push through" compressive
loading on the releasable impact mitigating fastener 260.
Furthermore, the upper body 290 may comprise a frustum shaped
laterally supported filament structure.
[0067] Alternatively, FIGS. 6A-6C depicts various views of an
alternate embodiment of a releasable impact mitigating fastener
320. The releasable impact mitigating fastener 320 may comprise an
upper body 350, a base 330, and/or an inner and/or outer shell 360.
The base 330 may comprise a flange 370, the flange 370 having one
or more openings 340. The one or more openings 340 may be arranged
asymmetric and/or symmetric around the perimeter of the flange 370.
The one or more openings 340 may be used to insert rivets, screws,
and/or other small retention mechanisms 380. The retention
mechanisms 380 may be incorporated onto the inner and/or outer
shell 360 and/or inserted separately into the inner and/or outer
shell 360.
[0068] The releasable impact mitigating fasteners 320 may further
comprise first end proximate to an inner surface of the outer
shell, and a second end proximate to the outer surface of the inner
shell. In other embodiments, the releasable impact mitigating
fasteners 320 may comprise a first end and a second end, the first
end may comprise a face plate 70, the first end may be coupled to
the inner and/or the outer shell 360 The second end may be coupled
to the inner shell and/or outer shell 360. The base 330 may include
a separate flange 370, wherein the flange 370 can comprise an
extension or diameter section that can be adhered, attached or
otherwise connected to an underlying helmet inner and/or outer
shell 360 (i.e., bonding, welding, heat-staking, riveting,
fastening, etc). In this embodiment, the presence of the underlying
inner and/or outer shell 360 could assist with resistance to "push
through" compressive loading on the releasable impact mitigating
fastener 320. Furthermore, the upper body 350 may comprise a
frustum shaped laterally supported filament structure.
[0069] FIGS. 7A-7C depicts various views of another alternative
embodiment of a releasable impact mitigating fastener 390. The
releasable impact mitigating fastener 390 comprises an upper body
440, a base 410, and/or an inner and/or outer shell 450. The
releasable impact mitigating fasteners 320 may further comprise
first end proximate to an inner surface of the outer shell, and a
second end proximate to the outer surface of the inner shell. In
other embodiments, the releasable impact mitigating fasteners 390
may comprise a first end and a second end, the first end may
comprise a face plate 70, the first end may be coupled to the inner
and/or the outer shell 450 The second end may be coupled to the
inner shell and/or outer shell 450.
[0070] The inner and/or outer shell 450 may have a recess 460 in
which a separate "snap flange" 400 that can be secured to the
bottom of the recess 460. The releasable impact mitigating fastener
390 being secured below the surface of an inner and/or outer shell
450 within the recess 460 may significantly increase the resistance
of the releasable impact mitigating fastener 390 to pull through
and/or "push through," as well as potentially alter the bucking
strength of the releasable impact mitigating fastener upper body
440.
[0071] The releasable impact mitigating fastener base 410 may
comprise a base flange 420, the base flange 420 may have one or
more protrusions 430 that extend perpendicularly away from a first
or second surface of the flange 420. The one or more protrusions
420 may be sized and configured to fit into or interlock with the
corresponding notches or recesses disposed within a surface of the
inner and/or outer shell 450. Alternatively, the fixation
arrangement can be designed similar to a "dove-tail" joint. The one
or more protrusions 430 may be arranged asymmetrically and/or
symmetrically around the perimeter of the flange 420. The base 410
may include a separate flange 420, wherein the flange 420 can
comprise an extension or diameter section that can be adhered,
attached or otherwise connected to an underlying helmet inner
and/or outer shell 360 (i.e., bonding, welding, heat-staking,
riveting, fastening, etc). In this embodiment, the presence of the
underlying inner and/or outer shell 450 could assist with
resistance to "push through" compressive loading on the releasable
impact mitigating fastener 390. Furthermore, the upper body 440 may
comprise a frustum shaped laterally supported filament
structure.
[0072] FIGS. 8A-8B and 9A-9B depict different views of various
alternative embodiments of releasable impact mitigating fasteners
470, 520 that can be directly attached to underlying helmet
structures without the need for a separate base plate components.
The releasable impact mitigating fasteners 470, 520 may comprise an
upper body 480 and a flange 490. The releasable impact mitigating
fasteners 470, 520 may further comprise first end proximate to an
inner surface of the outer shell, and a second end proximate to the
outer surface of the inner shell. In other embodiments, the
releasable impact mitigating fasteners 470, 520 may comprise a
first end and a second end, the first end may comprise a face plate
70, the first end may be coupled to the inner and/or the outer
shell 500. The second end may be coupled to the inner shell and/or
outer shell 500.
[0073] The flange 490 may extend axially or laterally away from the
perimeter of the upper body 480. The base 490 may be extend
perpendicular from the upper body 580. The base 490 may have
varying diameters, and the base 490 may be affixed to the inner
and/or outer shell 500, where such affixation and/or attachment
could be temporary and/or permanent, and could be accomplished
using various fastening techniques known to those of ordinary skill
in the releasable impact mitigating fastener art. Furthermore, the
one or more openings 510 may be arranged asymmetric and/or
symmetric around the perimeter of the base 490. The one or more
openings 510 may be used to insert rivets, screws, and/or other
small retention mechanisms 520. The retention mechanisms 520 may be
incorporated onto the inner and/or outer shell 500 and/or inserted
separately into the inner and/or outer shell 500. The flange 370,
wherein the flange 370 can comprise an extension or diameter
section that can be adhered, attached or otherwise connected to an
underlying helmet inner and/or outer shell 360 (i.e., bonding,
welding, heat-staking, riveting, fastening, etc). Furthermore, the
upper body 350 may comprise a frustum shaped laterally supported
filament structure.
[0074] FIGS. 10A-10B and 11A-11B depict various views of other
alternative embodiments of releasable impact mitigating fasteners
530, 590 that can incorporate internal stiffeners or retention
rings (not shown). The releasable impact mitigating fasteners 530,
590 comprises an upper body 550 and a flange 570 and a base 560.
The releasable impact mitigating fasteners 530,590 may further
comprise first end proximate to an inner surface of the outer
shell, and a second end proximate to the outer surface of the inner
shell. In other embodiments, the releasable impact mitigating
fasteners 530,590 may comprise a first end and a second end, the
first end may comprise a face plate 70, the first end may be
coupled to the inner shell and/or the outer shell. The second end
may be coupled to the inner shell and/or outer shell, the second
end may comprise one or more flanges 570.
[0075] The releasable impact mitigating fasteners upper body 550
may comprise a channel 540, the channel 540 may be disposed onto an
interior surface of the upper body 550, the channel 540 may follow
an interior perimeter of the upper body 550. The channel 540 may be
sized and configured to receive a retaining ring (not shown). An
internal retaining ring may desirably reduce/prevent collapse
and/or "push through" of the releasable impact mitigating fastener
body (FIG. 10A) as well as rings that could prevent and/or reduce
"pull through" of the releasable impact mitigating fastener and
provide for radial stability and/or circumferential strength during
collapse and/or buckling, and/or provide an axial deflection
positive stop during an impact for enhanced compression strength.
If desired, the retaining ring could comprise a spilt or expanded
c-ring that allows for insertion of the releasable impact
mitigating fastener into the base with the ring already in
position, or a separate ring could be inserted into the releasable
impact mitigating fastener after placement into the base (i.e., a
"locking ring" concept). The flange 570 may extend axisymetrically
and/or circumferentially away from the upper body 550.
[0076] In another embodiment, the channel 540 may be disposed
within the flange 560, the channel 540 may be disposed onto an
interior surface of the flange 570 as shown in FIGS. 11A-11B. The
channel 540 may follow an interior perimeter of the flange 570. The
channel 540 may be sized and configured to receive a retaining ring
(not shown), the retention ring may be disposed within the channel
540. Such placement or positioning within the flange 570 may
provide additional tensile, "pull-through" and/or shear resistance.
Alternatively, the releasable impact mitigation fasteners 530, 590
may have one or more channels 540 that may be positioned in the
upper body 550 and/or within the flange 570. Additionally, two or
more retention rings may be disposed in the upper body 550 and the
flange 570 may collectively enhance and/or "lock" the releasable
impact mitigating fastener 530, 590 to the base 560. The base 560
may comprise an independent component that may be coupled to the
outer shell (not shown) and/or to the inner shell (not shown)
and/or the base 560 may comprise at least a portion of the inner
shell or outer shell. The base 560 may be integrated with the inner
and/or outer shell where the at least a portion of the inner shell
and/or outer shell may extend upwardly to form a protrusion from
the remaining portions of the inner shell and/or outer shell. The
base 560 may be coupled to the inner and/or outer shell, and the
face plate may be coupled to the inner and/outer shell.
[0077] FIGS. 12A-12B depict another alternative embodiment of a
releasable impact mitigating fastener 600. The releasable impact
mitigating fastener 600 an upper body 610, a flange 570 and an
overmolded base 620, wherein the releasable impact mitigating
fastener 600 can be placed within a mold and then the base 620
component is over molded to secure the releasable impact mitigating
fastener 600 to the helmet component.
[0078] FIG. 13 depicts an isometric view of another alternative
embodiment of a releasable impact mitigating fastener 630. The
releasable impact mitigating fastener 650 comprises an upper body
650, a flange 640 and a face plate 70. The releasable impact
mitigating fasteners 630 may further comprise first end proximate
to an inner surface of the outer shell, and a second end proximate
to the outer surface of the inner shell. In other embodiments, the
releasable impact mitigating fasteners 630 may comprise a first end
and a second end, the first end may comprise a face plate 70, the
first end may be coupled to the inner and/or the outer shell. The
second end may be coupled to the inner shell and/or outer shell,
the second end may comprise one or more flanges 640.
[0079] The upper body 650 comprises an impact structure, the impact
structure comprises a plurality of filaments 50, the plurality of
filaments 50 are arranged in a circle and/or a polygonal shape.
Each of the plurality of filaments 50 are positioned to an adjacent
filament 50 to form a circle and/or a polygonal shape. The
polygonal shapes may include a triangle, a square, a rectangle, a
pentagon, a septagon, a heptagon, an octagon, and/or any
combination thereof. Each of the plurality of filaments 50 have a
first end 660 and a second end 670. The first end 660 of each of
the plurality of filaments 50 are coupled to the face plate 70. The
second end 670 of each of the plurality of filaments are connected
to the flange 640. The flange 640 may optionally comprise one or
more protrusions (not shown) and/or one or more openings (not
shown) being symmetrically positioned and/or asymmetrically
positioned around the circumference of the filaments 50.
Furthermore, the upper body 650 may be frustum shaped. The face
plate may comprise one or more openings 150. The upper body 650 may
further comprise a frustum shape.
[0080] FIG. 14 depicts a side view of another alternative
embodiment of a releasable impact mitigating fastener 680. The
releasable impact mitigating fastener 680 comprises an upper body
690, a first flange 710, a second flange 700, and an insert body
720. The releasable impact mitigating fasteners 680 may further
comprise first end proximate to an inner surface of the outer
shell, and a second end proximate to the outer surface of the inner
shell. In other embodiments, the releasable impact mitigating
fasteners 680 may comprise a first end and a second end, the first
end may comprise a face plate 70, the first end may be coupled to
the inner and/or the outer shell. The second end may be coupled to
the inner shell and/or outer shell, the second end may comprise one
or more flanges 700,710.
[0081] The first flange 710 and/or second flange 700 may include an
exterior or an upper surface for attachment (via adhesive, for
example) directly to an inner surface of an outer shell and/or an
external surface of an inner shell. Alternatively, the first flange
710 and/or second flange 700 may be inserted into a first base (not
shown) and/or a second base (not shown), the base being independent
and coupled to the inner and/or outer shell, and/or the first
and/or second base being integral with the inner and/or outer
shell. The upper body 690 comprises an impact mitigation structure,
the impact mitigation structure comprises a plurality of filaments
50, the plurality of filaments 50 are arranged in a circle and/or a
polygonal shape. Each of the plurality of filaments 50 are
positioned to an adjacent filament 50 to form a circle and/or a
polygonal shape. The polygonal shapes may include a triangle, a
square, a rectangle, a pentagon, a septagon, a heptagon, an
octagon, and/or any combination thereof. Each of the plurality of
filaments 50 have a first end 730 and a second end 740. The first
end 730 of each of the plurality of filaments 50 are coupled to
first flange 710 or second flange 700. The second end 730 of each
of the plurality of filaments are connected to the first flange 710
or the second flange 700. The first flange 710 and/or the second
flange 700 may optionally comprise one or more protrusions (not
shown) and/or one or more openings (not shown) being symmetrically
positioned and/or asymmetrically positioned around the
circumference of the filaments 50. Furthermore, the upper body 690
may be frustum shaped. The first flange 710 and/or the second
flange 700 may comprise one or more openings 150 and/or one or more
protrusions (not shown).
[0082] Furthermore, the releasable impact mitigating fastener 680
further including an insert body portion 720. The insert body
portion 720 may be disposed onto the first flange 710 and/or the
second flange 700, with the insert body portion 720 extending
perpendicularly away from the first flange 710 and/or second flange
700. The insert body portion 720 may have a top portion 750 and a
bottom portion 760, the top portion 750 being a smaller diameter
than the bottom portion 760. The top portion 750 being sized and
configured to receive a portion of the base (not shown).
[0083] FIGS. 15A-15B depict various cross-sectional views of
another alternative embodiment of a releasable impact mitigating
fastener 770. The releasable impact mitigating fastener 770
comprises an upper body 780, a first flange 790, a second flange
800, and a face plate 840. The face plate 840 may comprise at least
one opening 810. The releasable impact mitigating fasteners 770 may
further comprise first end proximate to an inner surface of the
outer shell, and a second end proximate to the outer surface of the
inner shell. In other embodiments, the releasable impact mitigating
fasteners 770 may comprise a first end and a second end, the first
end may comprise a face plate 70, the first end may be coupled to
the inner and/or the outer shell 830. The second end may be coupled
to the inner shell and/or outer shell 830, the second end may
comprise one or more flanges 790, 800.
[0084] The upper body 780 comprising an impact mitigation
structure, the impact mitigation structure being a laterally
supported filament structure. The laterally supported filament
structure comprises a plurality of filaments 50 and a plurality of
walls 60, which each of the plurality of filaments 50 are
positioned to an adjacent filament 50 to form a circle shape and/or
a polygonal shape. Each of the plurality of filaments 50 coupled by
the plurality of walls 60. The polygonal shapes may include a
triangle, a square, a rectangle, a pentagon, a septagon, a
heptagon, an octagon, and/or any combination thereof. Each of the
plurality of filaments 50 comprising a first end 850 and a second
end 860. The face plate 840 being coupled to the first end 850.
[0085] The first flange 790 has a greater diameter than the second
flange 800, which can significantly reduce the opportunity for the
releasable impact mitigating fastener 770 to "push through" the
lower opening in response to compressive loading of the releasable
impact mitigating fastener 770. Each of the first flange 790 and
the second flange 770 may be coupled to a portion of the second end
860. The first flange 790 and/or the second flange 800 may also
comprise one or more openings, where different types of retention
mechanisms may be used to secure the first flange 790 and/or the
second flange 800 to the opposing material. The first flange 790 is
separated by a space from the second flange 800 to create a channel
870. The channel 870 is sized and configured to receive a portion
of the inner and/or outer shell 830 and/or a base (not shown). If
desired, the releasable impact mitigating fastener 770 could be
secured to the underlying base only mechanically (i.e., "snap in"
flanges) or in conjunction with other securement such as snaps,
bonding, adhesives and/or other releasable impact mitigating
fasteners.
[0086] FIG. 16 depicts a cross-sectional view of another exemplary
embodiment of a releasable impact mitigating fastener 880. The
releasable impact mitigating fastener 880 may comprise an upper
body 970, a first flange 940, a second flange 970, a t-nut 910 and
a face plate 990. The releasable impact mitigating fastener 880 is
shown in an assembled condition between an outer helmet shell 890
and an inner helmet shell 960. The releasable impact mitigating
fasteners 880 may further comprise first end proximate to an inner
surface of the outer shell, and a second end proximate to the outer
surface of the inner shell. In other embodiments, the releasable
impact mitigating fasteners 880 may comprise a first end and a
second end, the first end may comprise a face plate 990, the first
end may be coupled to the inner and/or the outer shell 960. The
second end may be coupled to the inner shell and/or outer shell
960, the second end may comprise one or more flanges 940,970.
[0087] The face plate 990 may comprise at least one opening 900.
The upper body 980 comprising an impact mitigation structure, the
impact mitigation structure being a laterally supported filament
structure. The laterally supported filament structure comprises a
plurality of filaments 50 and a plurality of walls 60, which each
of the plurality of filaments 50 are positioned to an adjacent
filament 50 to form a circle shape and/or a polygonal shape. Each
of the plurality of filaments 50 coupled by the plurality of walls
60. The polygonal shapes may include a triangle, a square, a
rectangle, a pentagon, a septagon, a heptagon, an octagon, and/or
any combination thereof. Each of the plurality of filaments 50
comprising a first end 1000 and a second end 1010. The face plate
990 being coupled to the first end 1000.
[0088] The first flange 940 has a greater diameter than the second
flange 970, which can significantly reduce the opportunity for the
releasable impact mitigating fastener 880 to "push through" the
lower opening in response to compressive loading of the releasable
impact mitigating fastener 880. Each of the first flange 940 and
the second flange 970 may be coupled to a portion of the second end
1010. The first flange 940 and/or the second flange 970 may also
comprise one or more openings 1020, where different types of
retention mechanisms may be used to secure the first flange 940
and/or the second flange 970 to the opposing material. The first
flange 940 is separated by a space from the second flange 970 to
create a channel 950. The channel 950 is sized and configured to
receive a portion of the inner and/or outer shell 890, 960 and/or a
base (not shown). The first flange 940 and/or the second flange 970
desirably abuts against an outer surface of the inner shell 960
and/or an internal surface of the outer shell 890, thereby
inhibiting and/or preventing "push through" of the releasable
impact mitigating fastener 880 during helmet impact events (i.e.,
downward impacting forces on the outer shell 890). A t-nut 910 or
similar securement feature is provided within an upper portion of
the releasable impact mitigating fastener 880 and/or is positioned
proximate or adjacent to the first end 1000, which attaches to a
chinstrap snap/screw through an opening 900 in the outer helmet
shell 890, thereby connecting the releasable impact mitigating
fastener 880 to the outer helmet shell 890.
[0089] While many of the embodiments are described herein as
constructed of polymers or other plastic and/or elastic materials,
it should be understood that any materials known in the art could
be used for any of the devices, systems and/or methods described in
the foregoing embodiments, for example including, but not limited
to metal, metal alloys, combinations of metals, plastic,
polyethylene, ceramics, cross-linked polyethylene's or polymers or
plastics, and natural or man-made materials. In addition, the
various materials disclosed herein could comprise composite
materials, as well as coatings thereon.
[0090] Furthermore, it should also be understood that the
embodiments disclosed herein used inner and/or outer shells for the
substrates in which the various releasable impact mitigation
fasteners may be attached to, however, the substrates will vary.
For example, the inner and outer shells may be substituted by an
inner material and/or an outer material, a first material and/or a
second material. The first or second materials may be polymers,
foams, metals, fabrics, etc.
[0091] The foregoing description of the embodiments of the
disclosure has been presented for the purpose of illustration; it
is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the
precise forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the relevant art can
appreciate that many modifications and variations are possible in
light of the above disclosure. The invention may be embodied in
other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential
characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to
be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting on
the invention described herein. The scope of the invention is thus
intended to include all changes that come within the meaning and
range of equivalency of the descriptions provided herein.
[0092] Many of the aspects and advantages of the present invention
may be more clearly understood and appreciated by reference to the
accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are incorporated
herein and form a part of the specification, illustrating
embodiments of the present invention and together with the
description, disclose the principles of the invention. Although the
foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of
illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding,
it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art
in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changes
and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the
spirit or scope of the disclosure herein.
[0093] The language used in the specification has been principally
selected for readability and instructional purposes, and it may not
have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive
subject matter. It is therefore intended that the scope of the
disclosure be limited not by this detailed description, but rather
by any claims that issue on an application based hereon.
Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments are intended to be
illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the disclosure.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0094] The entire disclosure of each of the publications, patent
documents, and other references referred to herein is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes to the same
extent as if each individual source were individually denoted as
being incorporated by reference.
* * * * *