Helmet

Abstract

A helmet having an outer shell and an inner shell placed within the outer shell. The inner shell attached to the outer shell by a plurality of elastomeric elements to isolate the inner shell from impacts and rotational forces applied to the outer shell.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to helmets used as protective gear.

2. Description of Related Art

Helmets are well known in the art to be securely fashioned to a head and provide padding in an attempt to absorb impact. Most helmets are designed to prevent skull injury and most testing systems test for this ability. Recently the concept of brain injury separate from skull injury has come to light and helmets are not typically designed to prevent such injuries well. Current helmets may dampen high crushing forces, but they do nothing to reduce against rotational forces that can damage the brain and the upper spine.

A need exists, therefore, for a helmet that protects the brain and upper spine as well as the skull.

All references cited herein are incorporated by reference to the maximum extent allowable by law. To the extent a reference may not be fully incorporated herein, it is incorporated by reference for background purposes and indicative of the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problems presented in typical helmets are solved by providing a helmet with two shells connected by a plurality of discrete elastomeric elements.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the drawings and detailed description that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a helmet;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the helmet of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the helmet of FIG. 1 showing the sectional line for FIG. 4;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the helmet of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a close up sectional view of the helmet of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

All references cited herein are incorporated by reference to the maximum extent allowable by law. To the extent a reference may not be fully incorporated herein, it is incorporated by reference for background purposes and indicative of the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art.

In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific preferred embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical mechanical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. To avoid detail not necessary to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a helmet 10 having an outer shell 12 and an inner shell 14 connected to each other by a plurality of discrete elastomeric elements 16. The elastomeric elements 16 are only partially viewable in this view as they extend through the outer shell 12. Outer shell 12 and inner shell 14 are both made of relatively stiff plastics such as polycarbonates or other materials with similar stiffness and toughness, including mixtures of different materials and layers of different materials combined into a single shell. If a helmet 10 has a chinstrap 18 then chinstrap 18 will be secured to inner shell 14, not outer shell 12.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the helmet 10 of FIG. 1 showing the profile of outer shell 12 and a layout of elastomeric elements 16. If a helmet 10 has a facemask 20 or visor 22 then facemask 20 or visor 22 will be attached to outer shell 12. Other optional equipment attached to the helmet will be attached to the outer shell 12 unless the optional equipment is intended to touch a head, such as the chinstrap 18 or pads 24, shown in FIG. 3

FIG. 3 is a front view of the helmet of FIG. 1 showing the sectional line for FIG. 4. Various optional aspects of the helmet are shown from this view such as those attached to the inner shell 14 like the pads 24 and chinstrap 18.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the helmet 10 of FIG. 3 more clearly showing an inside view of helmet 10 and inner shell 14 in particular. Elastomeric elements 16 are shown extending through inner shell 14.

FIG. 5 is a close up sectional view of the helmet 10 of FIG. 4 to show the relationship between elastomeric elements 16 and inner shell 14 and outer shell 12. Both inner shell 14 and outer shell 12 have bore holes 26 placed in a pattern such that when inner shell 14 is placed within outer shell 12 the bore holes substantially align. Each borehole 26 has a recess 28. For outer shell 12 the recess 28 is on an outer surface 36 while for inner shell 14 the recess 28 is on an inner surface 38.

Elastomeric elements 16 are comprised of a body 30, shanks 32 extending from the body 30, and heads 34 attached to shanks 32. Body 30 sits between outer shell 12 and inner shell 14, while shanks 32 extend through boreholes 26 in inner shell 14 and outer shell 12. Heads 34 are shaped to fit recesses 28 in the outer surface 36 of outer shell 12 and inner surface 38 of inner shell 14. Elements 16 are made of elastomeric materials such as urethane, silicone, or other material with similar elastomeric properties, including mixtures of materials or combinations of materials within the same elastomeric element. The elements 16 are placed in aligning boreholes 26 to secure inner shell 14 within outer shell 12 and provide an elastic connection between inner shell 14 and outer shell 12 that allows outer shell 12 to rotate relative to inner shell 14 as well as absorb shocks applied to outer shell 12 so that they are not fully transmitted to inner shell 14.

As shown on one element 16 in both FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 an element 16 may have placement strands 40. Placement strands 40 may be cast into elastomeric element 16 when element 16 is formed. Placement strands 40 may be made of suitable wire, chord, string or twine. If the placement strands 40 are cast in the elastomeric elements 16 when they are formed, the strands 40 should be made of a material with a higher melting temperature than the material used in the elastomeric elements 16. Placements strands 40 are used to align the elastomeric elements 16 with bore holes 26 when locating the inner shell 14 within the outer shell 12. For example, elastomeric elements 16 may have one end fitted to bore holes 26 in the inner shell 14 and then placement strands 40 would be threaded through the corresponding bore holes 26 in outer shell 12. As inner shell 14 is moved into place near outer shell 12 the placement strands 40 may be pulled to align each elastomeric element 16 with its corresponding bore hole in outer shell 12. Once the elastomeric elements 16 are aligned with bore holes 26 in outer shell 12 the placement strands may be used to pull each elastomeric element 16 into engagement with its corresponding bore hole in outer shell 12, by pulling the heads 34 through the bore hole 26 to rest in the recess 28. Placement strands may extend from just one end of the elastomeric elements or from both ends to allow for adjustment if an elastomeric element 16 is pulled too hard during placement. After placement the placement strands 40 may be removed from the elastomeric elements 16, typically by trimming them off with scissors or a razor blade.

Other methods for placement may be used for elastomeric elements 16, but placement strands 40 are one placement method that can be done by hand.

Even thought he embodiment shown in this application is in a sports helmet with several optional features the basic concept is easily applicable to military helmets, construction helmets, safety helmets, and other helmet applications. Also, the basic concept may be used in helmets with less of the optional features, such as a football helmet with no visor.

It should be apparent from the foregoing that an invention having significant advantages has been provided. While the invention is shown in only a few of its forms, it is not just limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.

Claims

1. A helmet comprising:

an outer shell;

an inner shell located within the outer shell; and

a plurality of elastomeric elements attaching the inner shell to the outer shell.

2. The helmet of claim 1 wherein:

the outer shell has a plurality of bore holes;

the inner shell has a plurality of bore holes arranged such that when the inner shell is located within the outer shell the plurality of bore holes in the inner shell align with the plurality of bore holes in the outer shell; and

the plurality of elastomeric elements is placed within the plurality of bore holes in the outer shell and the plurality of bore holes in the inner shell.

3. The helmet of claim 2 wherein:

each of the plurality of elastomeric bore holes has a recess; and

each of the plurality of elastomeric elements has a shank sized to fit within the borehole and a head sized to fit within the recess.

4. The helmet of claim 2 wherein:

the plurality of elastomeric elements have placement strands.

5. The helmet of claim 1 wherein:

a chinstrap is secured to the inner shell; and

a facemask is secured to the outer shell.

6. The helmet of claim 1 wherein:

a plurality of pads is secured to the inner shell.

7. The helmet of claim 1 wherein:

a visor is secured to the outer shell.

8. A helmet comprising:

an outer shell having a plurality of bore holes;

an inner shell located within the outer shell and having a plurality of bore holes arranged such that when the inner shell is located within the outer shell the plurality of bore holes in the inner shell align with the plurality of bore holes in the outer shell; and

a plurality of elastomeric elements placed within the plurality of bore holes in the outer shell and the plurality of bore holes in the inner shell to form an elastic connection between the outer shell and the inner shell.

9. The helmet of claim 8 wherein:

each of the plurality of elastomeric bore holes has a recess; and

each of the plurality of elastomeric elements has a shank sized to fit within the borehole and a head sized to fit within the recess.

10. The helmet of claim 8 wherein:

a chinstrap is secured to the inner shell.

11. The helmet of claim 8 wherein:

a plurality of pads is secured to the inner shell.

12. The helmet of claim 8 wherein:

a facemask is secured to the outer shell.

13. The helmet of claim 8 wherein:

a visor is secured to the outer shell.

14. A helmet comprising:

an outer shell;

an inner shell located within the outer shell; and

a plurality of elastomeric elements forming an elastic connection between the outer shell and the inner shell.

15. The helmet of claim 14 wherein:

the outer shell has a plurality of bore holes;

the inner shell has a plurality of bore holes arranged such that when the inner shell is located within the outer shell the plurality of bore holes in the inner shell align with the plurality of bore holes in the outer shell; and

the plurality of elastomeric elements is placed within the plurality of bore holes in the outer shell and the plurality of bore holes in the inner shell.

16. The helmet of claim 15 wherein:

each of the plurality of elastomeric bore holes has a recess; and

each of the plurality of elastomeric elements has a shank sized to fit within the borehole and a head sized to fit within the recess.

17. The helmet of claim 14 wherein:

a chinstrap is secured to the inner shell.

18. The helmet of claim 14 wherein:

a plurality of pads is secured to the inner shell.

19. The helmet of claim 14 wherein:

a facemask is secured to the outer shell.

20. The helmet of claim 14 wherein:

a visor is secured to the outer shell.