Impact Protection Assembly

Abstract

A impact protection assembly includes a helmet that may be worn on a user's head. The helmet has an inner shell spaced apart from an outer shell of the helmet. The inner shell surrounds the user's head when the helmet is worn on the user's head. A pad is coupled to the inner shell. The pad abuts the user's head when the helmet is worn on the user's head. The pad absorbs impact energy. A gel layer is coupled to the inner shell. The gel layer absorbs impact energy. A plurality of bristles is coupled to the gel layer. The plurality of bristles extends toward the outer shell. The plurality of bristles absorbs impact energy.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

1. Field of the Disclosure

The disclosure relates to protection devices and more particularly pertains to a new protection device for wearing on a user's head such that the assembly affords increased impact protection for the user's head.

2. Summary of the Disclosure

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a helmet that may be worn on a user's head. The helmet has an inner shell spaced apart from an outer shell of the helmet. The inner shell surrounds the user's head when the helmet is worn on the user's head. A pad is coupled to the inner shell. The pad abuts the user's head when the helmet is worn on the user's head. The pad absorbs impact energy. A gel layer is coupled to the inner shell. The gel layer absorbs impact energy. A plurality of bristles is coupled to the gel layer. The plurality of bristles extends toward the outer shell. The plurality of bristles absorbs impact energy.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective cut away view of a impact protection assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1 of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a right side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new protection device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6, the impact protection assembly 10 generally comprises a helmet 12. The helmet 12 has an inner shell 14 spaced apart from an outer shell 16 of the helmet 12. The inner shell 14 of the helmet 12 has an exposed surface 18 and a hidden surface 20. The outer shell 16 of the helmet 12 has an exterior surface 22 and an interior surface 24.

Each of the inner 14 and outer 16 shells of the helmet 12 is curvilinear. The helmet 12 is bowl shaped so the helmet 12 may be worn on a user's head 26. The inner shell 14 surrounds the user's head 26 when the helmet 12 is worn on the user's head 26. Additionally, each of the inner 14 and outer 16 shells of the helmet 12 are free floating with respect to each other. Each of the inner 14 and outer 16 shells may be comprised of a rigid and impact resistant material.

The helmet 12 has a bottom edge 28. The bottom edge 28 of the helmet 12 curves upwardly proximate a front side 32 of the helmet 12. The front side 32 of the helmet 12 is open. Moreover, the user's face 34 is exposed when the helmet 12 is worn on the user's head 26.

A pad 36 is provided. The pad 36 has an inner surface 38 and an outer surface 40. The inner surface 38 of the pad 36 is coupled to the exposed surface 18 of the inner shell 14. The pad 36 completely covers the exposed surface 18 of the inner shell 14.

The outer surface 40 of the pad 36 engages the user's head 26 when the helmet 12 is worn on the user's head 26. The outer surface 40 of the pad 36 comprises a plurality of raised areas 42. The plurality of raised areas 42 cushions the user's head 26 when the helmet 12 is worn on the user's head 26. Additionally, the pad 36 may be comprised of a resiliently compressible material. The pad 36 absorbs impact energy.

A gel layer 44 has a bottom surface 46 and a top surface 48. The bottom surface 46 of the gel layer 44 is coupled to the hidden surface 20 of the inner shell 14. The gel layer 44 completely covers the hidden surface 20 of the inner shell 14. Moreover, the gel layer 44 is positioned between the inner 14 and outer 16 shells. The gel layer 44 may be comprised of a resiliently compressible material. The gel layer 44 absorbs impact energy.

A plurality of bristles 50 is provided. The plurality of bristles 50 each has a coupled end 52 and a free end 54. The coupled end 52 of each of the plurality of bristles 50 is coupled to the top surface 48 of the gel layer 44. The plurality of bristles 50 extends toward the outer shell 16.

The plurality of bristles 50 is evenly spaced apart and distributed on the top surface 48 of the gel layer 44. The plurality of bristles 50 completely covers the top surface 48 of the gel layer 44. Each of the plurality of bristles 50 may be comprised of a resiliently compressible material. The plurality of bristles 50 absorbs impact energy.

A visor housing 56 has an open end 58 and a closed end 60. The visor housing 56 is coupled to the interior surface 24 of the outer shell 16. The visor housing 56 is positioned on the front side 32 of the helmet 12. Additionally, the open end 58 of the visor housing 56 is positioned adjacent to the bottom edge 28 of the helmet 12.

A visor 62 is provided. The visor 62 is movably coupled to the helmet 12. The visor 62 is positioned within the visor housing 56. Additionally, the visor 62 is positionable in a stored position so the visor 62 is contained within the visor housing 56. The visor 62 is positionable in a deployed position so visor 62 extends downwardly from the open end 58 of the visor housing 56. The visor 62 covers the user's eyes 64 when the visor 62 is positioned in the deployed position.

The outer shell 16 of the helmet 12 has a pair of slots 66 extending through the exterior 22 and interior 24 surfaces of the outer shell 16. Each of the pair of slots 66 is positioned on opposite sides of the helmet 12 proximate the front side 32 of the helmet 12. A pair of tabs 68 is coupled to the visor 62. Each of the pair of tabs 68 extends outwardly from an associated one of the pair of slots 66. The pair of tabs 68 are gripped to position the visor 62 between the stored and deployed positions.

A cage 70 is movably coupled to the exterior surface 22 of the outer shell 16. The cage 70 extends around the front side 32 of the helmet 12. The cage 70 is positionable in a deployed position so the cage 70 covers the user's face 34. The cage 70 is positionable in a stored position so the cage 70 extends around a top 72 of the helmet 12.

A pair of straps 76 are provided. The pair of straps 76 each has an attached end 78 and a loose end 80. A plurality of couplers 82 is coupled to the outer shell 16 of the helmet 12. The plurality of couplers 82 is each positioned on opposite sides of the outer shell 16 of the helmet 12. The attached end 78 of each of the pair of straps 76 engages and associated one of the plurality of couplers 82. The loose end 80 of each of the pair of straps 76 engages one another. The pair of straps 76 are positioned around the user's chin 84 so the helmet 12 is retained on the user's head 26.

In use, the helmet 12 is worn when the user 74 is engaging in athletic activities such as baseball, football, or other activities that pose an impact risk to the user's head 26. The outer shell 14 of the helmet 12 absorbs the initial impact. If the impact is sufficient to deflect the outer shell 14 inwardly, the plurality of bristles 50 and the gel layer 44 absorb excess impact energy. The inner shell 14 and the pad 36 absorb any remaining impact energy. The assembly 10 provides an improved level of impact protection beyond traditional athletic helmets.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

1. An impact protection assembly configured to be worn on a user's head such that said assembly affords increased impact protection for the user's head, said assembly comprising:

a helmet configured to be worn on the user's head, said helmet having an inner shell spaced apart from an outer shell of said helmet, said inner shell being configured to surround the user's head when said helmet is worn on the user's head, said inner shell of said helmet having an exposed surface and a hidden surface, said outer shell of said helmet having an exterior surface and an interior surface, each of said inner and outer shells of said helmet being curvilinear such that said helmet is bowl shaped;

a pad coupled to said inner shell such that said pad is configured to abut the user's head when said helmet is worn on the user's head;

a gel layer coupled to said inner shell, said gel layer having a bottom surface and a top surface, said bottom surface of said gel layer being coupled to said hidden surface of said inner shell such that said gel layer completely covers said hidden surface of said inner shell, said gel layer being positioned between said inner and outer shells; and

a plurality of bristles coupled to said gel layer such that said plurality of bristles extends toward said outer shell, said plurality of bristles each having a coupled end and a free end, said coupled end of each of said plurality of bristles being coupled to said top surface of said gel layer, said free end being positioned in spaced relationship to said interior surface of said outer shell.

2. (canceled)

3. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising said helmet having a bottom edge, each of said inner and outer shells being joined at said bottom edge of said helmet, said bottom edge of said helmet curving upwardly proximate a front side of said helmet such that said front side of said helmet is open.

4. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising said pad having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface of said pad being coupled to said exposed surface of said inner shell such that said pad completely covers said exposed surface of said inner shell, said outer surface of said pad engaging the user's head.

5. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. The assembly according to claim 1, further comprising said plurality of bristles being evenly spaced apart and distributed on said top surface of said gel layer such that said plurality of bristles completely covers said top surface of said gel layer.

8. The assembly according to claim 3, further comprising a visor housing having an open end and a closed end, said visor housing being coupled to said interior surface of said outer shell such that said open end of said housing is positioned on said front side of said helmet.

9. The assembly according to claim 8, further comprising said open end of said helmet being positioned adjacent to said bottom edge of said helmet.

10. The assembly according to claim 9, further comprising a visor movably coupled to said helmet, said visor being positioned within said visor housing.

11. The assembly according to claim 10, further comprising said visor being positionable in a stored position such that said visor is contained within said visor housing.

12. The assembly according to claim 11, further comprising said visor being positionable in a deployed position having said visor extending downwardly from said open end of said visor housing, said visor covering the user's eyes when said visor is positioned in said deployed position.

13. The assembly according to claim 3, further comprising a cage movably coupled to said exterior surface of said outer shell such that said cage extends around said front side of said helmet.

14. The assembly according to claim 13, further comprising said cage being positionable in a deployed position such that said cage covers the user's face, said cage being positionable in a stored position such that said cage extends around a top of said helmet.

15. An impact protection assembly configured to be worn on a user's head such that said assembly affords increased impact protection for the user's head, said assembly comprising:

a helmet having an inner shell spaced apart from an outer shell of said helmet, said inner shell of said helmet having an exposed surface and a hidden surface, said outer shell of said helmet having an exterior surface and an interior surface, each of said inner and outer shells of said helmet being curvilinear such that said helmet is bowl shaped wherein said helmet is configured to be worn on the user's head and said inner shell is configured to surround the user's head when said helmet is worn on the user's head;

said helmet having a bottom edge, each of said inner and outer shells being joined at said bottom edge of said helmet, said bottom edge of said helmet curving upwardly proximate a front side of said helmet such that said front side of said helmet is open;

a pad having an inner surface and an outer surface, said inner surface of said pad being coupled to said exposed surface of said inner shell such that said pad completely covers said exposed surface of said inner shell, said outer surface of said pad being configured to engage the user's head when said helmet is worn on the user's head;

a gel layer having a bottom surface and a top surface, said bottom surface of said gel layer being coupled to said hidden surface of said inner shell such that said gel layer completely covers said hidden surface of said inner shell, said gel layer being positioned between said inner and outer shells;

a plurality of bristles each having a coupled end and a free end, said coupled end of each of said plurality of bristles being coupled to said top surface of said gel layer such that said plurality of bristles extends toward said outer shell, said free end being positioned in spaced relationship to said interior surface of said outer shell, said plurality of bristles being evenly spaced apart and distributed on said top surface of said gel layer such that said plurality of bristles completely covers said top surface of said gel layer;

a visor housing having an open end and a closed end, said visor housing being coupled to said interior surface of said outer shell such that said open end of said housing is positioned on said front side of said helmet, said open end of said helmet being positioned adjacent to said bottom edge of said helmet;

a visor movably coupled to said helmet, said visor being positioned within said visor housing, said visor being positionable in a stored position such that said visor is contained within said visor housing, said visor being positionable in a deployed position having said visor extending downwardly from said open end of said visor housing such that said visor is configured for covering the user's eyes when said visor is positioned in said deployed position; and

a cage movably coupled to said exterior surface of said outer shell such that said cage extends around said front side of said helmet, said cage being positionable in a deployed position such that said cage is configured to cover the user's face, said cage being positionable in a stored position such that said cage extends around a top of said helmet.