Patents by Inventor John E. Whitcomb

John E. Whitcomb has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10561191
    Abstract: A helmet having non-bursting gas cells preferably includes a hard helmet shell, an outside gas cell impact layer and an inside gas cell impact layer. The outside gas cell impact layer preferably includes at least one gas cell layer and an outside layer of sheet material. Each gas cell layer includes a plurality of gas cells created between two plastic sheets. The inside gas cell impact layer includes the at least one gas cell layer. The inside and outside gas cell impact layers may be permanently or removably attached to hard helmet shell. A second embodiment of the helmet having non-bursting gas cells preferably includes the hard helmet shell, the outside gas cell impact layer and an inside gas cell inflatable impact layer. The inside gas cell inflatable impact layer preferably includes at least one inflatable gas cell layer and a check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Inventor: John E. Whitcomb
  • Patent number: 10363477
    Abstract: Body protection padding with non-bursting gas cells preferably includes at least one base shell, an inside gas cell impact layer and an outside gas cell impact layer. The gas is preferably air, but could be any other suitable gas, such as pure nitrogen or argon. Body protection padding includes shoulder-chest pads, knee pads, hip pads, thigh pads and any other type of sports protective padding. The gas cells in the inside and outside gas cell impact layers do not burst upon impact. The at least one base shell is typically used in the body protection padding. Each gas cell layer includes a plurality of gas cells created between two plastic sheets. The inside and outside gas cell impact layers may be permanently or removably attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2019
    Inventor: John E. Whitcomb
  • Patent number: 10278445
    Abstract: A helmet having non-bursting gas cells preferably includes a hard helmet shell, an outside gas cell impact layer and an inside gas cell impact layer. The outside gas cell impact layer preferably includes at least one gas cell layer and an outside layer of sheet material. Each gas cell layer includes a plurality of gas cells created between two plastic sheets. The inside gas cell impact layer includes the at least one gas cell layer. The inside and outside gas cell impact layers may be permanently or removably attached to hard helmet shell. A second embodiment of the helmet having non-bursting gas cells preferably includes the hard helmet shell, the outside gas cell impact layer and an inside gas cell inflatable impact layer. The inside gas cell inflatable impact layer preferably includes at least one inflatable gas cell layer and a check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: John E. Whitcomb
  • Patent number: 10219572
    Abstract: A baseball cap having impact protection includes a prior art baseball cap and an inner impact layer. The inner impact layer preferably includes at least two impact wedges. Each impact wedge matches the outer perimeter shape of one of the six wedges that make-up a cap portion of the baseball cap. Each impact wedge includes a plurality of non-bursting gas cells. Each gas cell preferably has a semi-spherical or a semi-tubular shape. The plurality of impact wedges may be permanently or removably secured to an inside surface of the baseball cap. The impact wedge includes a base sheet and an outside sheet. The outside sheet is attached to the base sheet to form the plurality of non-bursting gas cells. Alternatively, each wedge may be fabricated from closed cell foam that matches the outer perimeter shape of one of the six wedges that make-up a cap portion of the baseball cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Inventor: John E. Whitcomb
  • Patent number: 10105584
    Abstract: Body protection padding with non-bursting gas cells preferably includes at least one base shell, an inside gas cell impact layer and an outside gas cell impact layer. The gas is preferably air, but could be any other suitable gas, such as pure nitrogen or argon. Body protection padding includes shoulder-chest pads, knee pads, hip pads, thigh pads and any other type of sports protective padding. The gas cells in the inside and outside gas cell impact layers do not burst upon impact. The at least one base shell is typically used in the body protection padding. Each gas cell layer includes a plurality of gas cells created between two plastic sheets. The inside and outside gas cell impact layers may be permanently or removably attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Inventor: John E. Whitcomb
  • Patent number: 9820524
    Abstract: A helmet having non-bursting air cells preferably includes a hard helmet shell, an outside air cell impact layer and an inside air cell impact layer. The outside air cell impact layer preferably includes at least one air cell layer and an outside layer of sheet material. Each air cell layer includes a plurality of air cells created between two plastic sheets. The inside air cell impact layer includes the at least one air cell layer. The inside and outside air cell impact layers may be permanently or removably attached to hard helmet shell. A second embodiment of the helmet having non-bursting air cells preferably includes the hard helmet shell, the outside air cell impact layer and an inside air cell inflatable impact layer. The inside air cell inflatable impact layer preferably includes at least one inflatable air cell layer and a check valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Inventor: John E. Whitcomb
  • Patent number: 9370214
    Abstract: A helmet having blunt force trauma protection includes a prior art helmet and a replaceable impact layer. The replaceable impact layer preferably includes at least one gas cell layer, a removable attachment system and an outer layer of sheet material. The at least one gas cell layer includes a plurality of gas cells created between two plastic sheets. Each cell will burst upon a pre-determined impact. The plurality of cells preferably have a hexagon shape, but other shapes may also be used, such as round or square. The removable attachment system is preferably hook and loop fasteners, but other suitable removable attachment systems may also be used. At least one first pad of hook and loop fasteners is attached to an exterior surface of a prior art helmet and at least one second pad of hook and loop fasteners is attached to a bottom surface of the replaceable impact layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Inventor: John E. Whitcomb
  • Patent number: 9173445
    Abstract: An integrated helmet having blunt force trauma protection includes a helmet shell, an inner impact layer and the replaceable impact layer. The helmet shell is preferably fabricated from carbon fiber or a high impact plastic. A plurality of openings are formed through the helmet shell to reduce weight. The inner impact layer is attached to an inside surface of the helmet shell. The inner impact layer includes a plurality of deformable cells, which communicate with each other through a plurality of gas channels. The inner impact layer will not burst upon impact. The plurality of deformable cell chambers are filled with air to allow air to be displaced from one area to another area. The replaceable impact layer is attached to an outside surface of the helmet shell. The replaceable impact layer will burst upon impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Inventor: John E. Whitcomb
  • Patent number: 8898818
    Abstract: A helmet having blunt force trauma protection includes a prior art helmet and a replaceable impact layer. The replaceable impact layer preferably includes at least one air bubble layer, a removable attachment system and an outer layer of sheet material. The at least one air bubble layer includes a plurality of air bubbles created between two plastic sheets. Each bubble will burst upon a pre-determined impact. The plurality of bubbles preferably have a hexagon shape, but other shapes may also be used, such as round or square. The removable attachment system is preferably hook and loop fasteners, but other suitable removable attachment systems may also be used. At least one first pad of hook and loop fasteners is attached to an exterior surface of a prior art helmet and at least one second pad of hook and loop fasteners is attached to a bottom surface of the replaceable impact layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Inventor: John E. Whitcomb
  • Patent number: 8844066
    Abstract: An integrated helmet having blunt force trauma protection includes a helmet shell, an inner impact layer and the replaceable impact layer. The helmet shell is preferably fabricated from carbon fiber or a high impact plastic. A plurality of openings are formed through the helmet shell to reduce weight. The inner impact layer is attached to an inside surface of the helmet shell. The inner impact layer includes a plurality of deformable bubbles, which communicate with each other through a plurality of air channels. The inner impact layer will not burst upon impact. The plurality of deformable bubble chambers are filled with air to allow air to be displaced from one area to another area. The replaceable impact layer is attached to an outside surface of the helmet shell. The replaceable impact layer will burst upon impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Inventor: John E. Whitcomb
  • Publication number: 20090164241
    Abstract: A four-phase emergency room triage program comprises phases identified as “Assessment;” “Alignment;” “Application;” and “Auditing.” Under the “Assessment” phase, a hospital uses a tool to allow the hospital to fully understand how and whether the present invention should be utilized by it. During the Alignment phase, a step-by-step framework and an “Audit and Quality Checklist” is implemented. The Application phase requires that a physician readiness workshop be conducted to restructure the strategies and thinking of physicians in the method and system, thus providing tools and language that assures success. During this phase, various objectives are accomplished including guiding physicians and staff through numerous consultations and demonstrations to develop new language and behaviors and assuring that all aspects of implementation are successful by reviewing the Checklist. The “Auditing” phase utilizes the Checklist to assure that the healthcare organization is achieving desired results.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventors: Vincent C. Racioppo, John E. Whitcomb, Philip F. Troiano
  • Patent number: 6156743
    Abstract: A method of decreasing fatigue in humans who are shifting their time of wakefulness by administering an effective amount of hydrocortisone. The treatment is useful for those persons who must make an adjustment between their work hours and their usual sleep time such as night shift workers and those experiencing problems with jet lag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Inventor: John E. Whitcomb