Abstract: The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrative embodiments of an impact protection device that comprises the following elements: a machine, a protective structural member, and a fluid holding member. The impact protection device is designed to protect a user from an impact to the protective structural member by dissipating a portion of the kinetic energy of the impact. Machine operation translates into a controlled movement between elements of the impact protection device that deform the fluid holding member, thereby displacing a fluid. This controlled movement also dictates a throttling profile that regulates the amount of damping; thereby managing the portion of kinetic energy dissipated. The machine can be a mechanical assembly incorporating levers, cams and or computerized controllers.

Abstract: The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrative embodiments of an impact protection device that comprises the following elements: a machine, a protective structural member, and a fluid holding member. The impact protection device is designed to protect a user from an impact to the protective structural member by dissipating a portion of the kinetic energy of the impact. Machine operation translates into a controlled movement between elements of the impact protection device that deform the fluid holding member, thereby displacing a fluid. This controlled movement also dictates a throttling profile that regulates the amount of damping; thereby managing the portion of kinetic energy dissipated. The machine can be a mechanical assembly incorporating levers, cams and or computerized controllers.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a process in which a helmet system including a machine is provided, that when worn by a user, positions the machine in a proximate relationship to a head portion, a neck portion, or both of the user. The helmet system provides a redistributing of a force responsive to a collision received along a first direction, wherein the force results from kinetic energy of an impact encountered at an external surface of the helmet system. The force induces an actuation of the machine, wherein the redistributing of the received collision force is based on the actuation of the machine. Energy transferred to the head portion, the neck portion, or both, resulting from the kinetic energy of the impact, is reduced, e.g., absorbed, based on the actuation of the machine. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, devices and processes that abate impact shocks by enacting a machine that redirects at least a portion of an impact force imposed along one trajectory to a reaction force distributed along another trajectory. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a helmet suspension system including a number of levers, wherein a first lever of the number of levers rotates about a fulcrum in response to an impact force of a collision between a helmet shell and a foreign object to obtain a lever response. The system includes a sacrificial assembly including a first deformable member, wherein the sacrificial assembly is in communication with a group of levers of the number of levers. A first strain applied to the first deformable member according to the lever response to obtain a first stress response of the first deformable member based on a first stress-strain relationship including a non-linear response. The first stress response of the first deformable member includes the non-linear response, wherein the first stress response reduces a portion of the impact force transmitted to a body of a user. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, devices and processes that abate impact shocks by enacting a machine that redirects at least a portion of an impact force imposed along one trajectory to a reaction force distributed along another trajectory. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a process in which a helmet system including a machine is provided, that when worn by a user, positions the machine in a proximate relationship to a head portion, a neck portion, or both of the user. The helmet system provides a redistributing of a force responsive to a collision received along a first direction, wherein the force results from kinetic energy of an impact encountered at an external surface of the helmet system. The force induces an actuation of the machine, wherein the redistributing of the received collision force is based on the actuation of the machine. Energy transferred to the head portion, the neck portion, or both, resulting from the kinetic energy of the impact, is reduced, e.g., absorbed, based on the actuation of the machine. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a protective shell having an exterior surface and an interior surface and a lever assembly positioned between the interior surface of the protective shell and a portion of a body. The lever assembly includes a lever having an elongated member extending between a first end and a second end and a pivot location. A fulcrum pivotally engages the pivot location of the lever, wherein the lever rotates about the fulcrum in response to an impact force applied along a first direction to the exterior surface of the protective shell. The lever assembly further includes a spring engaging the lever, wherein a rotation of the lever deforms the spring in a second direction to absorb a portion of a kinetic energy of the collision to redirect and reduce a transfer of a portion of force to the body. Other embodiments are disclosed.