SHOCK ABSORPTION SYSTEM

Abstract

A shock absorption system embodying a method for reducing the impact on helmets and other shock absorbing barriers is provided. The external retro-fitting system reduces the initial, external impact on pre-existing helmets so as not to be reliant on internal fit or space consumption. The method involves applying a gel type material to the external portion of the helmet/barrier, wherein the gel type material and its operative membrane can be dimensioned and adapted to retro-fit around existing components and holes

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisional application No. 62/031,524, filed 31 Jul. 2014, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to shock absorption systems and, more particularly, to a shock absorption system embodying a method for reducing the impact on helmets and other shock absorbing barriers.

Football players and other contact sports players receive brain damage and concussions caused by impacts to their heads while wearing current helmets. This is because current helmet protection consists of a hard external barrier and internally disposed protective padding. Space, though, is limited inside helmets for such protective padding. And the internal protective padding do nothing to reduce hard surface contact or spread out the surface area of the initial, external impact. Moreover, current helmets rely on proper fit to protect the wearer; however, players will adjust their helmets after initial settings to improve comfort, even if it reduces safety.

As can be seen, there is a need for a system for reducing the initial, external impact on helmets, which does not rely on internal fit or space consumption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a system for absorbing impact on a helmet to protect its wearer includes a helmet skin comprising a gel-type material contained within a membrane, wherein the helmet skin is dimensioned and adapted to substantially cover an external portion of the helmet; and an adhesive material sandwiched between the external portion of the helmet and the helmet skin.

In another aspect of the present invention, a system for absorbing impact on a helmet to protect its wearer includes at least one helmet skin portion, each helmet skin portion comprising an approximately quarter inch thick gel-type material contained within a membrane, wherein the at least one helmet skin portion is dimensioned and adapted to substantially cover an external portion of the helmet; an adhesive material sandwiched between the external portion of the helmet and the at least one helmet skin portion; a plurality of cooperating holes formed through the at least one helmet skin portion; and a chamfered edge formed along a portion of a periphery of the at least one helmet skin portion; wherein the cooperating holes align with a plurality of helmet holes when the at least one helmet skin portion sandwiches the adhesive material, and wherein the helmet skin is dimensioned and adapted to accommodate at least one component of the helmet.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of improving the shock absorption of a helmet, thereby reducing the risk of concussions and brain damage to a wearer includes the steps of providing a gel-type material encased in a membrane; dimensioning the gel-type material to substantially cover an external portion of the helmet; and affixing the gel-type material to the external portion of the helmet.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, shown in use;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a section detail view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a section detail view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, demonstrating an operative effect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a shock absorption system embodying a method for reducing the impact on helmets and other shock absorbing barriers. The external retro-fitting system reduces the initial, external impact on pre-existing helmets so as not to be reliant on internal fit or space consumption. The method involves applying a gel type material to the external portion of the helmet/barrier, wherein the gel type material and its operative membrane can be dimensioned and adapted to retro-fit around existing components and holes.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4, the present invention may include a helmet skin 10 for a pre-existing shell 24 of a helmet 22 or other barrier. The helmet skin 10 may be formed out of a gel type material to a predetermined shape. The gel type material may be suited to absorb impacts without rebound, so that the helmet skin 10 deforms upon impact, as illustrated in FIG. 4. Such deformation may absorb a substantial portion of an initial, external impact 32 to the helmet 22, spreading it out to a wider area, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The deformation may also slow the inertia of the head, further reducing the risk of concussion to a wearer of the impacted helmet 22.

The gel type material may be contained within a sufficiently impact-resistant and durable membrane preventing rupture or otherwise failing due to said impacts. The helmet skin 10 may be approximately a quarter inch thick or other suitable thicknesses. The gel type material (and membrane) may be clear so as not to obscure graphics and or logos on the shell 24 of the helmet 22.

Alternatively, the gel type material may be colored, in certain embodiments, to take on the underlying or newly desired graphics and logos of the helmet 22 it is being applied to.

The helmet skin 10 may be applied to the shell 24 by a sufficiently strong adhesive material 20 to stay affixed to the shell 24. The shell 24 may form a plurality of operative holes, including but not limited to vent holes 30, ear holes 28, and the like. The helmet skin 10 may form cooperating holes, including but not limited to vent holes 12, ear holes 18 and the like. Similarly, the helmet 22 may also have components that protrude from the shell 24, including but not limited to fasteners or portions thereof 34, safety straps 26, external protective gear 36, and the like. Accordingly, the helmet skin 10 may be dimensioned and adapted to accommodate such components, such as forming cooperating safety strap holes 14, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Likewise, the helmet skin 10 may be tailored to, bypass said components or utilize separate patches of the gel type material to fill in smaller areas isolated by the components. In certain embodiments, a portion of a periphery of the helmet skin 10 may provide a chamfered edge 16, as illustrated in FIG. 3, so as to reduce peeling off of the shell 24 during contact and use.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. The helmet skin 10 disclosed above may be provided. A user may dimension and adapt the helmet skin 10 to retro-fit the helmet 22 and its components, particularly aligning the holes in the helmet 22 with their cooperating holes in the helmet skin 10, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The use may dispose the adhesive material 20 between an external portion of the shell 24 and one side of the helmet skin 10, as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The helmet skin 10 may be used on all sporting helmets or protective gear in general, like shoulder or knee pads. Moreover, any externally rigid barrier with limited internal space could benefit by an application of a properly dimensioned and adapted “helmet” skin 10.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A system for absorbing impact on a helmet to protect its wearer, comprising:

a helmet skin comprising a gel-type material contained within a membrane, wherein the helmet skin is dimensioned and adapted to substantially cover an external portion of the helmet; and

an adhesive material sandwiched between the external portion of the helmet and the helmet skin.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of cooperating holes formed through the helmet skin,

whereby the cooperating holes align with a plurality of helmet holes when the helmet skin sandwiches the adhesive material.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a chamfered edge formed along a portion of a periphery of the helmet skin.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the helmet skin is approximately a quarter inch thick.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the helmet skin is dimensioned and adapted to accommodate at least one component of the helmet.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the helmet skin further comprises at least one separate helmet skin portion dimensioned and adapted to further substantially cover the external portion of the helmet.

7. A system for absorbing impact on a helmet to protect its wearer, comprising:

at least one helmet skin portion, each helmet skin portion comprising an approximately quarter inch thick gel-type material contained within a membrane, wherein the at least one helmet skin portion is dimensioned and adapted to substantially cover an external portion of the helmet;

an adhesive material sandwiched between the external portion of the helmet and the at least one helmet skin portion;

a plurality of cooperating holes formed through the at least one helmet skin portion; and

a chamfered edge formed along a portion of a periphery of the at least one helmet skin portion;

wherein the cooperating holes align with a plurality of helmet holes when the at least one helmet skin portion sandwiches the adhesive material, and

wherein the helmet skin is dimensioned and adapted to accommodate at least one component of the helmet.

8. A method of improving the shock absorption of a helmet, thereby reducing the risk of concussions and brain damage to a wearer, comprising the steps of:

providing a gel-type material encased in a membrane;

dimensioning the gel-type material to substantially cover an external portion of the helmet; and

affixing the gel-type material to the external portion of the helmet.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of forming at least one cooperating hole within the gel-type material and membrane so that they align with at least one helmet hole formed in the helmet when affixing the gel-type material to the external portion of the helmet.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of forming accommodating at least one component of the helmet when affixing the gel-type material to the external portion of the helmet.