HELMET SYSTEM

Abstract

A helmet system for reducing the occurrence of concussions and/or other head injuries includes an inner cap and a helmet sized to fit onto the inner cap. The inner cap has an inner layer and conforming means for conforming it to a wearer's head. The inner cap also has an outer shell layer that overlies the inner layer, and a chin strap. The inner cap is releasably secured to the helmet. The conforming means and chin strap cooperate to restrain planar and/or rotational movement of the inner cap relative to a wearer's head when the helmet system is secured to the wearer's head. Thus, the helmet and inner cap constitute a functional extension of the wearer's head.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/794,287, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated in its entirety herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to safety helmets and, more particularly, to anti-concussion helmets advantageously employed in endeavors where concussions and/or other head injuries are prevalent.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Concussions can be a serious problem in many endeavors and especially in football and other contact sports where the rate and severity of head impacts is significant. In view of the increased danger of concussions and the high rate of their occurrence in these endeavors, it is desired to provide a helmet system which helps reduce the likelihood of an impact to the head that result in a concussion and/or other head injuries.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The helmet system of the present invention includes an inner cap and a helmet sized to fit onto the inner cap. The inner cap has an inner layer including a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and conforming means for conforming the inner layer to a wearer's head. The inner cap also has an outer shell layer that overlies the inner layer and has first fixation means, and a chin strap having first and second ends secured to the first and second sides of the inner layer, respectively. The helmet has an inner surface with second fixation means complimentary to the first fixation means of the outer shell layer such that the inner cap may be releasably secured to the helmet when the first fixation means engages the second fixation means. The conforming means and chin strap cooperate to restrain planar and/or rotational movement of the inner cap relative to a wearer's head when the helmet system is secured to the wearer's head.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded schematic view of a helmet system including a helmet and an inner cap according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a partial sectional view of the helmet;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cap illustrated in FIG. 1, as taken along section line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic view of the helmet and cap of FIG. 1, as mechanically interconnected to each other; and

FIG. 4 is a side environmental view of the helmet and cap of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate an improved helmet system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The improved helmet system 10 includes a conventional helmet 12 (e.g., helmets for football, hockey, lacrosse, cycling, skiing/snowboarding, or any other activity where helmet protection is desired) having straps 14, 16, and a stabilizing inner cap 18 that is adapted to fit firmly and snugly against a wearer's head (see FIG. 4). The helmet 12 is sized to fit onto/over the inner cap 18, as indicated by the downward arrows in FIG. 1, whereby the inner cap 18 is contained inside the helmet 12, and releasably connects to the helmet 12 as described below.

In an embodiment, the inner cap 18 includes three layers (see FIGS. 2 and 4), namely, an inner layer 20, an intermediate layer 22, and a hard outer shell layer 24. The inner layer 20, which directly contacts a wearer's head, is made from a soft, springy, and foam-like material (e.g., foam). The inner layer 20 is generally between ½″ to 1″ thick such that the inner layer 20 can provide sufficient protection and snugly fit against a wearer's head. The inner layer 20 may be constructed of greater or lesser thickness depending on the particular material used.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the inner layer 20 defines a circumferential channel 26 within it. The channel 26 contains a wire-like cap tensioner 28 that is made from a material that is able to withstand significant tensile stress without failing. The cap tensioner 28 is pulled in order to conform the inner layer 20 to a wearer's head, to obtain a snug fit thereon. Once it has been deployed, the cap tensioner 28 is secured in place with straps 30, 31 attached to the cap tensioner 28 at opposite ends thereof. The straps 30, 31 may be made of any suitable material having sufficient strength and durability to withstand the forces exerted upon tightening the cap tensioner 28 (e.g., elastic or polymeric materials). The inner layer 20 also includes an elastic chin strap 32 with ends that are secured on opposing sides of the inner layer 20. The chin strap 32 is configured so that it does not interfere with the helmet straps 14, 16. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the chin strap 32 and the cap tensioner 28 stabilize the inner cap 18 on a wearer's head in all three orthogonal planes of motion (x, y, and z), as well as in a rotational plane of motion, as further discussed below.

With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the intermediate layer 22 overlies the inner layer 20, and acts as an additional protective element of the helmet system 10. The intermediate layer 22 has generally uniform thickness, and is made from an energy absorbent material. Such a material could include, but is not limited to, KEVLAR®. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the intermediate layer 22 is not included as part of the inner cap 18.

As also illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hard shell layer 24 overlies the intermediate layer 22. The hard shell layer 24 may be made of a material similar to the outer shell of the helmet 12 and, more particularly, a material that is firm, durable and resilient.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the hard shell layer 24 of the inner cap 18 and an inside surface of the helmet 12 include complimentary fixation means that releasably secure the inner cap 18 to the helmet 12, as further explained below. In an embodiment, the hard shell layer 24 includes two protruding tabs 34, 36, and the inner surface of the helmet 12 includes two slots 38, 40, which are configured to fixedly receive tabs 34, 36 therein, and thereby releasably attach the inner cap 18 to the helmet 12 (see FIG. 3). Once secured in the respective slots 38, 40, the tabs 34, 36 are releasably locked into place, e.g., by a locking mechanism. The hard shell layer 24 also includes a release member 42 that insertably engages an aperture 44 formed in the helmet 12 adjacent the slots 38, 40. The release member 42 is operatively connected to tabs 34, 36 so that when the release member is 42 depressed (i.e., from outside the helmet 12 into the aperture 44), the tabs 34, 36 disengage from the slots 38, 40. In another embodiment, the hard shell layer 24 may instead include the slots, and the inner surface of the helmet 12 may instead include the protruding tabs that engage the slots.

Although two slots and two tabs are discussed above in connection with the disclosed complimentary fixation means, it should be understood that complimentary fixation means having other numbers of connecting elements are also contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention. For example, one, three or four sets of protruding tabs and slots may be employed rather than two sets. Further, any other type of suitable complimentary fixation means may be used instead of that described above.

The method of use of the helmet system 10 will now be described with reference to the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-4. The inner cap 18 is positioned generally on the crown of a wearer's head. The cap tensioner 28 is then tightened and secured by the fastening straps 30, 31. The chin strap 32 is then secured proximate the wearer's chin to apply an additional retentive force to the inner cap 18. The cap tensioner 28, straps 30, 31 and chin strap 32 cooperate to restrain movement of the inner cap 18 in any planar or rotational direction, and as a result, the inner cap 18 constitutes a functional extension of the wearer's head.

Once the inner cap 18 is secured in place, the helmet 12 is placed over the inner cap 18 such that the tabs 34, 36 insertably and securely engage the slots 38, 40, as discussed above, in order to fixedly attach the helmet 12 to the inner cap 18. As a result of such attachment, the helmet 12 constitutes a functional extension of the inner cap 18, and, therefore, a functional extension of the wearer's head.

In the foregoing arrangement, the inner cap 18 causes the helmet 12 to remain static relative to the wearer's head, such that the helmet 12 cannot move independently of the wearer's head. This restraint of the helmet's movement reduces the risk of the wearer's head impacting the hard interior of the helmet 12, which thereby reduces the likelihood of the brain forcefully contacting the inner table of the skull, which, in turn, reduces the incidence of concussion and/or other head injuries.

Another feature of the present invention is the impact energy reduction provided by the inner cap 18. For instance, when advantageously employed, the inner layer 20 acts to decrease the impact energy caused by a collision, which results in less impact energy being transmitted to the wearer's head. When disposed between the inner layer 20 and the hard shell layer 24, the intermediate layer 22, if present, functions to further decrease the impact energy caused by a collision, thereby further reducing the amount of impact energy transmitted to the wearer's head. This reduction of transmitted energy also helps to lower the incidence of concussion and/or other head injuries.

Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, in an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the helmet 12 may include a soft exterior layer 50 (shown in phantom lines) that may be made of foam or other padding materials. The exterior layer 50 is constructed to absorb a portion of impact energy from a collision, thereby reducing the impact energy that is transmitted to the wearer's head. Another embodiment may include a thin deformable layer disposed along the entirety of the soft exterior layer of the helmet 12. The deformable layer is constructed to crumple or deform upon a collision of predetermined minimum threshold energy. This deformation would provide valuable information as to the location and severity of the injury. A still further embodiment may include adapting the inner cap 18 to include a plurality of voids to provide the additional protection of air cushioning to the helmet system 10. These embodiments may be combined together or employed separately to reduce the likelihood of concussion and/or other head injuries to a wearer. Other embodiments may be envisioned where the fixation means includes hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, or any other suitable means known in the art. The fixation means provides fixed engagement between the inner cap 18 and helmet 12 such that the helmet 12 cannot move independently of the inner cap 18, and vice versa (i.e., the helmet 12 and inner cap 14 act as one element).

The present invention provides a number of benefits and advantages. For instance, an improved helmet is provided that reduces the likelihood of an impact resulting in a concussion and/or other head injury to the wearer. The helmet eliminates movement between the helmet and the wearer's head in the three planar directions, as well as rotational direction, thereby reducing the incidence of concussions and/or other head injuries. The helmet may also be economically constructed and advantageously employed in sports to reduce the occurrence of concussions and/or other head injuries.

It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the invention, as set out in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A helmet system, comprising:

an inner cap having an inner layer including a first side, a second side opposite said first side, and conforming means for conforming said inner layer to a wearer's head, an outer shell layer overlying said inner layer and having first fixation means, and a chin strap having first and second ends secured to said first and second sides of said inner layer, respectively, and;

a helmet sized to fit onto said inner cap and having an inner surface with second fixation means complimentary to said first fixation means of said outer shell layer such that said inner cap may be releasably secured to said helmet when said first fixation means engages said second fixation means, and

wherein said conforming means and said chin strap cooperate to restrain planar and/or rotational movement of said inner cap relative to a wearer's head when said helmet system is secured to the wearer's head.

2. The helmet system of claim 1, wherein said conforming means includes a wire-like cap tensioner positioned within said inner layer and having opposed ends releaseably attached to each other.

3. The helmet system of claim 2, wherein said inner layer includes a circumferential channel that contains said cap tensioner.

4. The helmet system of claim 1, wherein said first fixation means includes a plurality of tabs disposed on said outer shell layer, and wherein said second fixation means includes a plurality of slots formed in said inner surface of said helmet and configured to fixedly and releasably receive said plurality of tabs therein.

5. The helmet system of claim 4, further comprising a release mechanism including a release member disposed on said outer shell layer and operatively connected to said plurality of tabs, and an aperture formed in said inner surface of said helmet adjacent said plurality of slots, wherein said release member insertably engages said aperture when said inner cap is secured to said helmet, and whereby depression of said release member disengages said plurality of tabs from said plurality of slots.

6. The helmet system of claim 1, further comprising a release mechanism operatively connected to said first fixation means and said second fixation means.

7. The helmet system of claim 1, wherein said helmet includes a soft exterior layer.

8. The helmet system of claim 1, wherein said inner cap includes a plurality of voids.

9. The helmet system of claim 1, wherein said helmet has an outer shell and wherein said outer shell layer of said inner cap and said outer shell of said helmet are made of a similar material.

10. The helmet system of claim 1, wherein said helmet is a football helmet.

11. The helmet system of claim 1, further comprising an intermediate layer overlying said inner layer, wherein said outer shell layer overlies said intermediate layer.