BREATHABLE HELMET DESIGN WITH INNER SPRING/FLUID BIASING OR CUSHIONING SUPPORT FOR ABSORBING AND REDISTRIBUTING IMPACT FORCES
The present invention discloses a wearable helmet for providing at least one of impact force cushioning and redirection, anti-rotation and breathability. The helmet exhibits a concave shaped body dimensioned for placement over a user's head, with a plurality of individual and inward projecting elements associated with an interior facing surface of the body and contacting locations of the wearer's head. In this fashion, the projections exhibit a biasing component for cushioning and/or redirecting impact forces to the helmet.
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The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/102,504, filed Oct. 3, 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to a breathable and cushioning helmet design for use by individuals, such as engaged in contact sporting events, including auto racing, equestrian events and the like. More specifically, the present invention discloses a combination breathable and position restraining/impact resistant helmet, such as which incorporates features drawn from biasing springs or fluid absorption/redirection elements, which are incorporated into interior recess locations of the helmet and which serve to absorb, redirect and dissipate inertial and/or impact forces resulting from such as contact sports or the like.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ARTThe prior art is documented with various examples of helmets, the purpose for which being to absorb or cushion impact forces. Such helmets are particularly useful in certain type specific contact sports, and in which impact forces can otherwise cause injury to the wearer in instances where the force of such contact is not capable of being dissipated or lessened.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONThe present invention discloses a wearable helmet for providing at least one of impact force cushioning and redirection, anti-rotation and breathability. The helmet exhibits a concave shaped body dimensioned for placement over a user's head, with a plurality of individual and inward projecting elements associated with an interior facing surface of the body and contacting locations of the wearer's head. In this fashion, the projections exhibit a biasing component for cushioning and/or redirecting impact forces to the helmet.
Additional features include at least one anti-rotation projection extending from THE helmet in order to minimize rotational movement of the wearer's head. The anti-rotation projections can further include a back/shoulder contacting projection extending from a lower rear location of a helmet rim, and which terminates in a lower end portion contacting a midpoint location of the user's back which applies downward pressure during an impact event/collision.
Other features include first and second side projecting contact portions extending from side midpoint locations of the helmet rim. Each of the side contact portions terminate at a downward extending end in an arcuate shaped and shoulder supporting location to prevent side to side rotation of the helmet.
An ergonomically contoured and skull surface pad is supported by a plurality of the inward extending projecting elements, at least one of which may further include a pneumatic inflated impact absorbing element constructed of a semi-soft and inflatable plastic. Alternatively, the projecting elements can include one or more of mechanical spring impact absorbing/redirecting element, fluid retaining elements, pluralities of three dimensional oval stacked elements, and combinations of spring and fluid biasing elements.
Reference will now be made to the attached drawings, when read in combination with the following detailed description, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
As will be described with reference to the several embodiments described herein, the present invention discloses a breathable and cushioning helmet design for use by individuals, such as engaged in various types of contact sporting events, these including auto racing, equestrian events and the like. As will be disclosed with reference to the succeeding embodiments, the present invention discloses a combination breathable and position restraining/impact resistant helmet, such as which incorporates features drawn from biasing springs or fluid absorption/redirection elements, which are incorporated into interior recess locations of the helmet to absorb, redirect and dissipate inertial and/or impact forces resulting from such as contact sports or the like. The ability to restrain the rotating and/or bending motions of the helmet contribute to minimizing or avoiding injury to the wearer engaged in various sport related activities.
Referring first to
Anti-rotation projections are associated with the helmet and include a back/shoulder contacting projection 18 extending in a generally downwardly and contoured fashion from a lower rear location of a helmet rim 20. The back contacting portion terminates in a lower end portion 22, such as configured in an ergonomically supporting ball or other suitable shape for contacting an upper midpoint location of a wearer's back in a comfort inducing fashion. The rear contacting portion 18, in use, applies downward pressure during an impact event/collision, this in order to minimize rearward rotational movement of the wearer's head.
First and second side projecting contact portions are further illustrated by selected right side contact portion 24, this extending from a side midpoint location 25 of the helmet rim. The contact portion 24 terminates at a downward extending end in a generally concave, arcuate shaped and shoulder supporting location, see arcuate shoulder support 26. The provision of contact locations for both shoulders, in combination with the back contacting portion 22, further prevents side to side rotation of the helmet, in combination with the anti-rearward rotational support established by the rear projecting portion 18.
The sizing, position and dimensioning of the rear 18 and side 24 contact projections are such that they comfortably contact the back and shoulders of the wearer in use, this in order to prevent a rear-side experienced impact force from causing an undesirable rotation of the wearer's head, about the neck, thus causing injury. It is further envisioned and understood that, in one preferred variant, the dimensions of the helmet and associated rear and side contacting portions can be custom sized to correspond to the anatomical specifics of a given wearer, with additional variants also potentially providing a degree of desired adjustability such as associated with length adjustment structure incorporated into the interconnecting stem projecting portions 18 and 24.
The first indicated plurality of lower/inward facing support elements are referenced at 30, and which extend about an inner facing periphery of an outer convex/inner concave helmet surface 36. The additional sub-pluralities of support elements are shown at 32 and 34, these corresponding respectively to inner crown contacting locations 32 and uppermost locations 34 of the concave shaped helmet underside and which, in combination with the outer most peripheral extending impact portions 30, provide the combined features of redistribution of any localized impact force located at any edge, crown or upper head location. The spatial arrangement established by the support elements relative to the surface of the wearer's head further promotes a desired degree of ventilation/breathability when being worn by the user.
Referring to the side view
Referring now to
The surface configuration of the bumper-like elements can also be varied and which is reflected in
Referring now to
Further illustrated is a plurality of individual underside extending, biasing and force absorbing/redirecting elements, at 74, 76 and 78, these supporting the wearer (skull) contacting pad 64 in a spaced and secured fashion relative to an inner arcuate (e.g. again concave) surface 80 of the helmet.
Referring now to
Referring now to
Although not shown, an air bladder can be built into the body of the element 92, and which can be accessible through the surface located nipple 93. A further variant also contemplates mounting a plurality of individual contacting elements 92 to various locations along a common bladder, such as covering the internal surface area of a helmet inner liner and which can access selected, or all, of the plurality of individual contacting elements 92 which are arrayed on the inside of the helmet in contacting and biasing fashion against the surfaces of the user's skull (forehead, crown and the like).
Referring to
As described above, the helmet provides for either immobilization or limited range of motion of the head and neck of the user, such as in given situations where it is desired restrain the range of motion to minimize the risk of injury. In combination, the force absorption and redirection elements protect against excessive injury from an impact force exerted at a specific location, and by absorbing and redirecting the force over a wider area associated with a plurality of such elements.
Having described my invention, other and additional preferred embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, and without deviating from the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A helmet providing at least one of force cushioning/redirection, movement restriction and breathability, comprising:
- a body having a specified shape and including a concave interior dimensioned for placement over a wearers head;
- at least one projection extending from said body and contacting at least one of a back or shoulder location of the wearer; and
- a plurality of individual and inward projecting elements extending from locations of said interior, each of said projecting elements including a stem supporting biasing component and an end supported wearer contacting and cushioning component contacting locations of the wearer's head, said elements collectively cushioning and/or redirecting impact forces to said helmet.
2. The invention as described in claim 1, further comprising at least one of said back and shoulder projections configured to minimize at least one of rotational and bending movement of the wearer's head relative to the neck.
3. The invention as described in claim 2, said rotation minimizing projections further comprising a back/shoulder contacting projection extending from a lower rear location of said body and terminating in a lower end portion contacting a midpoint location of the user's back, said end portion applying downward pressure during an impact event/collision.
4. The invention as described in claim 3, further comprising first and second side projecting contact portions extending from side midpoint locations of the helmet rim, each of said side contact portions terminating at a downward extending end in an arcuate shaped and shoulder supporting location preventing side to side rotation of said body.
5. The invention as described in claim 1, said wearer contacting and cushioning component further comprising an ergonomically contoured and skull surface pad supported by an individual plurality of said stem supporting and biasing components.
6. The invention as described in claim 1, at least one of said projecting elements further comprising a pneumatic inflated impact absorbing element constructed of a semi-soft and inflatable plastic.
7. The invention as described in claim 1, at least one of said projecting elements further comprising a mechanical spring impact absorbing/redirecting element.
8. The invention as described in claim 1, at least one of said projecting elements further comprising a fluid retaining element.
9. The invention as described in claim 1, at least one of said projecting elements further comprising a plurality of three dimensional oval stacked elements.
10. The invention as described in claim 1, at least one of said projecting elements further comprising a combination spring and fluid biasing element.
11. A helmet, comprising:
- a body exhibiting a concave interior surface dimensioned for placement over a user's head
- a portion extending from said body and contacting a location of the wearer remote from the head in order to prevent relative movement or rotation of the body; and
- a plurality of projecting elements extending from locations of said interior surface, each of said projecting elements including at least a stem supporting and biasing component contacting locations of the wearer's head such that said elements collectively cushion and redirecting impact forces to said helmet.
12. The invention as described in claim 11, said plurality of projecting elements each further comprising an end supported wearer contacting and cushioning component secured atop a selected stem biasing component in contact with a location of the wearer's head.
13. The invention as described in claim 11, said extending portion further comprising at least one of back and shoulder projections configured to minimize at least one of rotational and bending movement of the wearer's head relative to the neck.
14. The invention as described in claim 13, said projections further comprising a back/shoulder contacting projection extending from a lower rear location of said body and terminating in a lower end portion contacting a midpoint location of the user's back, said end portion applying downward pressure during an impact event/collision.
15. The invention as described in claim 14, further comprising first and second side projecting contact portions extending from side midpoint locations of the helmet rim, each of said side contact portions terminating at a downward extending end in an arcuate shaped and shoulder supporting location preventing side to side rotation of said body.
16. The invention as described in claim 11, said wearer contacting and cushioning component further comprising an ergonomically contoured and skull surface pad supported by an individual plurality of said stem supporting and biasing components.
17. The invention as described in claim 11, at least one of said projecting elements further comprising a pneumatic inflated impact absorbing element constructed of a semi-soft and inflatable plastic.
18. The invention as described in claim 11, at least one of said projecting elements further comprising a mechanical spring impact absorbing/redirecting element.
19. The invention as described in claim 11, at least one of said projecting elements further comprising a fluid retaining element.
20. The invention as described in claim 11, at least one of said projecting elements further comprising a plurality of three dimensional oval stacked elements.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 5, 2009
Publication Date: Apr 8, 2010
Applicant: LINARES MEDICAL DEVICES, LLC (Auburn Hills, MI)
Inventor: Miguel A. Linares (Bloomfield Hills, MI)
Application Number: 12/573,286
International Classification: A42B 3/12 (20060101); A41D 13/00 (20060101);