ATHLETIC HELMET-FACEMASKS SYSTEM
The present disclosure is directed to a helmet-facemasks system including a facemask, shock-absorbent mechanism facemask holders/clips and attaching mechanisms thus holding the face protective gear, including but not limit to facemask and chin guard. The shock-absorbent mechanism in combination with the clips, attaching mechanism and facemask are attached to the helmet in a fixed position while assisting with minimizing the impact force transfer by maximizing impact energy absorption.
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BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Field of the InventionThe invention relates generally to the field of injury-preventive gear, and more particularly, to athletic helmet-facemasks including attaching elements.
BackgroundIn contact sports such as American football, injury is relatively common due to the collisions and force of impact between players. Over 4 million concussion and sports-related brain injuries occur each year with nearly 48,000 reported cases occurring in youth football leagues and 250,000 in high school football programs. It is also estimated that more than 35,000 injuries go undiagnosed annually.
Concussions, in particular, happen to be one of the most severe hazards for football players. Concussions occur from physical trauma to the cranial region and can result in serious life-long disabilities. Due to this danger, football helmets play a crucial role in player safety and concussion prevention.
Football helmets and the facemasks attached thereto are designed to absorb the impact energy generated from the collision with other players through material elastic deformation. Such a design is simple, but does not effectively absorb the impact forces that are commonly experienced by football helmets. Current facemasks do not transfer impact forces experienced by a player in an effective manner so as to maximize energy absorption and minimize inertial forces because of the manner they are attached to the football helmet.
While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate disclosure of the invention, Applicant in no way disclaims these technical aspects, and it is contemplated that the claimed invention may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein.
In this specification where a document, act, or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act, or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provision; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.
SUMMARYAs discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/249,735, included here by reference, at least one of the embodiment is directed to an apparatus that satisfies the need for a shock-absorbent junction between the facemask and the helmet of a user including, but not limit to, attaching or coupling elements between the facemask, chin guard and the helmet. The present disclosure is directed to the attaching element, which holds the facemask and chin guard and/or facemask and helmet in position while also assisting with minimizing the likelihood of neck and cranial injury by maximizing impact energy absorption. The main embodiment comprises: a first face protection holder and an attaching mechanism comprising an attaching actuator and an attaching receiver.
The present disclosure presents an athletic helmet-facemask system including a facemask, a shock-absorbent/damping mechanism and facemask holders/clips to maximize energy absorption and minimize inertial forces.
In accordance with the principles of the present disclosure an exemplary embodiment comprises a facemask junction with improved energy-transfer features including facemask holder attaching elements for assisting the facemask junction designs and face protective gear in order to decrease the likelihood of user-sustained concussions.
The present disclosure presents an athletic helmet-facemasks including a facemask junction with improved energy-transfer features including, but not limited to, facemask, damping elements and facemask holder attaching elements for assisting the facemask junction designs and face protective gear in order to decrease the likelihood of user-sustained concussions.
The present disclosure presents an athletic helmet-facemask including a facemask system with improved energy-transfer features including clips and attaching elements for assisting the facemask and face protective gear configurations in order to decrease the likelihood of user-sustained concussions.
The present disclosure presents an athletic helmet-facemask including an apparatus that satisfies the need for a shock-absorbent junction between the facemask and the helmet of a user including, but not limited to, attaching or coupling elements between the facemask, chin guard and the helmet. The present disclosure is directed to the attaching element holding the face protective gear in position while assisting with minimizing the likelihood of neck and cranial injury by maximizing impact energy absorption. The main embodiment comprises: a first face protection holder, at least a clip and an attaching mechanism comprising an attaching actuator and an attaching receiver.
The exemplary embodiments are to at least be used as facemask, shock-absorbent and facemask attaching mechanism between a face protective gear and a helmet. Due to the possible geometrical symmetry of the face protective gear it would be necessary to adapt the face protective gear holder for receiving the configuration of the face protective gear. Also, it would be necessary to adapt the helmet in some cases in order to attached to the attachment receiver for holding the protective holder.
The exemplary embodiments in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure are directed to an attaching mechanism that satisfies the need for holding the face protective gear in position and provides an improved shock absorber between the face of a user and the impacting object so as to minimize the likelihood of neck and cranial injury. Several configurations are provided in order to provide an attaching mechanism that is easy to install or to replace.
The present disclosure may address one or more of the problems and deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. However, it is contemplated that the disclosure may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the claimed invention should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed herein.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims and accompanying drawings where:
In the Summary above, the Description below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the disclosure includes possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or exemplary embodiment, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and exemplary embodiments, and in the invention generally.
The term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, structures, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article “comprising” (or “which comprises”) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or van contain not only components A, B, and C, but also one or more other components or structures.
The term “at least” followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, “at least 1” means 1 and/or more than 1.
The term “mechanical features” or “mechanical coupled” is used herein to mean features of a component, mechanical or geometric, which have a functional purpose of attaching or linking that component to one or more other components with compatible or corresponding mechanical features. An example of a mechanical feature is a slot in a component, where said slot is designed to accept a tab from another component and the union of the slot and tab from the two components effectively links, attaches, fixes, and/or locks the components together. The term “mechanical features” refers to, but is not limited to: clips, hooks, hook and loop fasteners, slot and tabs, all male and female fasteners, screws, bolts, nuts, holes that have been tapped, latches, pins, etc.
While the specification will conclude defining the features of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the disclosure will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.
Referring to
Referring to
As mentioned above the facemask F is attached to the helmet H by means of clips C and/or the damping mechanism A1, A2 using attaching mechanism 2. The attaching mechanism 2 and damping mechanism A1, A2 are explained below. In the exemplary embodiment, the first damping mechanism A1, A1′ is located at the top of the facemask and a second damping mechanism configuration is located at the side of the facemask F. The facemask F surrounds the damping mechanism A1, A2 and fixes the facemask by means of a platform pushing the facemask F toward the helmet H. The top damping mechanism as shown in
Referring to
It is important to understand that the framework C2 and main body C1 form the clips structure C wherein said framework C2 is embedded in said main body C1 for supporting the main body structure. The framework serves as the internal supporting structure for the main body increasing the clips resistance. The framework C2 and main body C1 are made with material having different structural properties. The exemplary embodiment discloses a framework C2 comprising a mechanically stronger material than the main body C1, therefore avoiding the main body C1 to easily brake or worn out because of the impact or the changes of facemasks F. At least a portion of the elongated body of the main body C1 comprises a recess R having a diameter bigger than the first access. The recess R is configured to hold a portion of a full part of the attaching mechanism 2, more particularly the actuator 10.
Regarding
Referring to
Referring to
The second platform assembly further comprises a first sub platform 302 and a second sub platform 300. The first sub platform 300 comprises a first portion and second portion perpendicular to each other forming a curve or L-shape configuration. Therefore, the second damping mechanism A2 is intended to dissipate energy in at least two different axes. A first portion of the first sub platform faces the first platform 301 and a second portion 307 faces the first perpendicular extension 314. The first portion comprises a recess 306 for receiving the second sub platform 302. The second sub platform 302 is mechanically coupled and fixed to the first sub platform 300. The top part of the second sub platform comprises recess configured to received resilient material S. The platform recess 309 and top part of the second sub platform are intended to be separated by the resilient member/material S. The second sub platform comprises an extended perpendicular wall 304. The extended perpendicular wall 304 limits the horizontal displacement with respect to the first platform 301 and extended second portion 307.
Therefore, the second damping mechanism A2 comprises resilient elements S between platforms, as previously mentioned, but also comprises resilient element S between the curved body of the first platform 301 and second platform assembly 300, 302. Adding resilient elements S perpendicular to the main platform resilient elements adds another axis with damping protection. Also, the second platform comprises a first sub-platform 300 and second sub-platform 302. The first sub-platform is mechanically coupled to the second sub-platform and at least an attaching flange AF further assists in holding the resilient elements in position. Each sub-platform further comprises a curved segment, however the curved segment is intended to assist in avoiding the first platform and second platform assembly to misaligned due to facemask impact.
Further the present disclosure includes a physiological and neurological monitoring system or Biosensor system.
The BioSensor reduces the high risk for logistic companies to be able to monitor their operating and self-contracted drivers, which is a human resources obstacle but also a great financial loss for the company through legal. By giving the company the capability to track in real time the driver's progress bio data information will reduce the high risk for any human resources department. Furthermore, reflects a deduction in the company's legal litigation costs and downtime from drivers, which also affects worker's compensation insurance.
In 2014, there were 3.9 million injuries involving motor vehicles. In the case of any of the drivers ever being involved in a motor vehicle accident, it would save the company dividend's knowing the true facts of their employees involved in an accident before an investigation is conducted. Thus giving the company the upper hand and getting in front of any litigation even if their employees is right/wrong will be a big impact for the company moving forward.
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- Identify: BASE carefully placed sensors identify the amount of fatigueless, stress, sleep, heart rate, blood pressure, body core temperature, and under influence of medication & other drugs that impairs their driving abilities.
- Evaluate: BASE covers all of the above by self-alerting the drivers through intervals and allowing the company to take ownership and holding the driver accountable.
- Prevent: BASE™ prevent the company from having less downtime, low accident ratio, high work performance by evaluating employee's stress and give proper rest.
- Protection: BASE gives the company the resources to maintain awareness across the organization by protecting its employees & assets and reducing the cost of worker's compensation insurance.
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- US Military
- Swat
- Police
- EMT/Firefighters
- Paramedic
- First Response
- FBI, DEA, CIA
- Secret Service
- Identify: BASE has strategic sensors in military headgear/bullet proof vests to retrieve safe & reliable real time of vital signs, blood pressure, blood oxygen levels, heart rate, stress levels and body temperature.
- Evaluate: BASE evaluates future military personnel being exposed to any sort of trauma due to field engagement, training, and etc. Also have the ability to locate firefighters as they are in the process of fighting fires.
- Prevent: BASE™ will prevent the military from extensive medical treatments by giving them the ability to review combat data in real time and expedite a speedier, costless recovery time for all military personnel. This reduces long waiting lists for potential military personnel waiting for treatments costing the military and U.S. Department countless amounts of resources, funds and sacrificing time and efforts for unreliable tracking.
- Protection: BASE will help the military prevent and become its first line of defense by communicating through all channels at the same time while improving communication and expanding life in a timely manner.
The technology used for the BASE can be applied to other sports across-the-board and will usher in a new era of sports safety into the foreseeable future. Based on your athlete's specific condition and sports he or she plays list below and Etc.
Our BASE BioSensor (Software) will allow players to retake control of their health, along with allowing coaches, trainers, team doctors and parents to monitor the player on the field. The BASE identifies and evaluates its hosts' game play in real time, to help prevent head trauma and other head-liked injuries. BASE™ is a five layered developed platform for monitoring sports athletes during training, practice and gameplay. Each of the five layers is identified below:
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- 1. Identify: gives the ability for coaches & trainers to identify stress levels before potential injuries
- 2. Evaluate: structured events collected data by the BASE™ App which can be evaluated by parents, athletes, coaches, athletic trainers and athletic physicians. BASE™ will allow trainers and team do tors to evaluate athletes more thoroughly by using after-surgery monitoring specific areas where surgery occurred.
- 3. Communicate: information back to trainers and coaches on ongoing vitals, statistics, stress levels, fatigueless & body core temperature.
- 4. Prevent: BASE™ gives trainers & team doctors a safeguard from future injuries allow for speedy recovery. In some cases as Derrick Rose from the Chicago Bulls, would have had a monitor device, the trainers & coaches could have prevented a potential injury from reoccurring and saving the team's salary, revenue, marketing, etc. This cost the Chicago Bulls entity hundredths, millionths of dollars.
- 5. Protect: the ability to predict high risk losses are no longer the case with these first four layers to protect the organization's by giving them the ability to protect their assets' before their athletes become a threat to them.
BioSensor system monitors brain activity and records electrical activity in real time. These devices measure vitals fluctuating from the forehead and the lower neck. These vitals include brain activity, blood pressure, heart rate blood, oxygen levels, body temperature thermometer, electrocardiogram (ECG) in which it also has the ability to identify migraines, dizziness, headaches due to football concussions.
BioSensor has the ability adapt to any industrial infrastructure (I.e. trains, construction equipment, non-civilian, airports, etc.) and any commercial industry, workplace environment, cross-docking, transportation, distribution, etc.
In light of the foregoing description, it should be recognized that embodiments in accordance with the present invention can be realized in numerous configurations contemplated to be within the scope and spirit of the claims. Additionally, the description above is intended by way of example only and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way, except as set forth in any future claim.
Claims
1. A facemask holding device comprising:
- a main body of a first material, wherein said main body comprises a first opening;
- a framework of a second material, wherein said wherein said framework comprises a second opening;
- wherein said second material is different from the first material; and
- wherein said framework in embedded in said main body.
2. The facemask holding device, as in claim 1, wherein said holding device comprises a curved section and an elongated section, wherein said curved section is configured to create a space for at least a facemask bar.
3. The facemask holding device, as in claim 1, wherein the first opening comprises a threaded inner surface.
4. The facemask holding device, as in claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a recess, wherein said recess provide access to said first opening.
5. The facemask holding device, as in claim 1, wherein the framework comprises a second curved body and a pair of elongated plaques, wherein said pair of elongated plaques extend away from the said second curved body.
6. A helmet-facemasks system comprising
- a helmet;
- a face protection gear;
- at least an attaching mechanism; and
- a holding element comprising: a main body of a first material, wherein said main body comprises a first opening; a framework of a second material, wherein said wherein said framework comprises a second opening; wherein said second material is different from the first material; and wherein said framework in embedded in said main body; and
- wherein said holding element is mechanically coupled said face protection gear to the helmet by means of the at least attaching mechanism.
7. The helmet-facemasks system, as in claim 6, wherein said holding device comprises a curved section and an elongated section, wherein said curved section is configured to create a space for at least a facemask bar.
8. The helmet-facemasks system, as in claim 6, wherein the first opening comprises a threaded inner surface.
9. The helmet-facemasks system, as in claim 6, wherein the main body comprises a recess, wherein said recess provide access to said first opening.
10. The helmet-facemasks system, as in claim 6, wherein the framework comprises a second curved body and a pair of elongated plaques, wherein said pair of elongated plaques extend away from the said second curved body.
11. The helmet-facemasks system, as in claim 6, comprising damping mechanism.
12. The helmet-facemasks system, as in claim 11, wherein said damping mechanism comprises a first platform and a second platform.
13. The helmet-facemasks system, as in claim 12, wherein said first platform comprises a first threaded opening for receiving the at least attaching mechanism.
14. The helmet-facemasks system, as in claim 13, wherein said second platform comprises a first threaded opening for receiving the at least attaching mechanism; wherein said first platform is attached to said holding element.
15. The helmet-facemasks system, as in claim 12, wherein said second platform comprises a first threaded opening for receiving the at least attaching mechanism.
16. A attaching mechanism for holding at least two parts together comprising:
- an attaching actuator including a first flange and first elongated threaded body;
- and an attaching receiver including a second flange and a hollow elongated body,
- wherein said attaching actuator is mechanically coupled inside said attaching receiver.
17. The attaching mechanism, as in claim 16, wherein said hollow elongated body comprises outer threaded surface and an inner threaded surface; and wherein said inner threaded surface matches said first elongated threaded body.
18. The attaching mechanism, as in claim 16, wherein said attaching actuator comprises attaching actuator distal end including a ball bearing mechanism.
19. The attaching mechanism, as in claim 18, wherein the ball bearing mechanism comprises an resilient ring, an elongated bearing shaft including a reduced distal end and ball elements.
20. The attaching mechanism, as in claim 18, wherein the elongated bearing shaft is mechanically coupled inside the first elongated threaded body; and said first elongated threaded body ball bearing holes.
21. The attaching mechanism, as in claim 19, wherein the attaching receiver comprises an inner surface channel for receiving the ball bearing mechanism.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 16, 2017
Publication Date: Aug 8, 2019
Applicant: NXL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (Miami, FL)
Inventor: Clifford L. Tubbs (Miami, FL)
Application Number: 15/814,710