Including Energy-absorbing Means Patents (Class 2/411)
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Patent number: 10306943Abstract: A shock absorbing helmet includes an outer shell, an inner shock absorbing liner attached to the outer shell, and multiple compressible balls coupled with the outer shell and/or the shock absorbing liner in such a way that the compressible balls are free to move, relative to the outer shell and the shock absorbing liner, when the helmet is impacted by an object. A method of manufacturing a shock absorbing helmet involves forming an outer shell of the helmet, forming a shock absorbing liner of the helmet, attaching multiple compressible balls to the outer shell and/or the shock absorbing liner in such a way that the compressible balls are free to move, relative to the outer shell and the shock absorbing liner, when the helmet is impacted by an object, and attaching the outer shell to the shock absorbing liner.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2017Date of Patent: June 4, 2019Inventor: Juan N. Walterspiel
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Patent number: 10299529Abstract: Described herein are helmets comprising at least one surface reinforcing component. In some embodiments the surface reinforcing component comprises at least one anchoring feature embedded in a structural feature of the helmet, such as a force absorbing element. In other embodiments, the surface reinforcing component comprises fasteners configured to mate with a respective fastener on a shell of the helmet.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2016Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: Smith Optics, Inc.Inventor: James A. Chilson
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Patent number: 10285466Abstract: A football helmet comprising a one-piece shell and an energy absorbing layer includes a crown portion, a front portion, a left side portion, a right side portion, and a rear portion. The shell has a non-linear channel spaced in its entirety from an edge of the shell that partially surrounds and defines a shell section within the front portion such that the shell section is moveable relative to the remainder of the shell upon the shell section receiving an impact energy to dampen the impact energy.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2018Date of Patent: May 14, 2019Assignee: KRANOS IP CORPORATIONInventors: Michael M. Princip, James C. Wingo, Jeremy J. Thompson
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Patent number: 10254087Abstract: The present invention relates to a bulletproof, shock-absorbing helmet and, particularly, to a bulletproof, shock-absorbing helmet having undulations formed in a surface of an outer helmet so that incoming shells are deflected by sloped surfaces of the undulations, and having shock absorbing means provided in a space between the outer helmet and an inner helmet to absorb shocks and prevent injury due to shocks that would otherwise be transmitted to a head and a neck of a wearer when the shells are deflected.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2014Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Inventor: Jung-won Lee
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Patent number: 10251440Abstract: A system for mitigating an impact force is provided. The system a helmet having a face mask attached thereto, and the face mask includes a first portion; and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion are separated by a gap and held together via a biasing member. A force received by the first portion is at least partially transferred to the second portion via the biasing member, wherein a fraction of the transferred force is returned to the first portion, the fraction being less than the force received.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: Newtonoid Technologies, L.L.C.Inventor: Fielding B. Staton
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Patent number: 10244809Abstract: A force attenuating helmet construction including a rigid layer generally conforming to the wearer's head. A plurality of force absorbing and reacting portions extend from locations of the rigid layer such that, in response to an impact event experienced by the helmet, the absorptive and reactive forces minimize impact forces transferred to the user's head and spine. The helmet can include inner and outer rigid layers, or shells, and which are spatially supported by a plurality of force attenuating components.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2014Date of Patent: April 2, 2019Assignee: Linares Medical Devices, LLCInventors: Miguel A. Linares, Miguel A. Linares, Jr.
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Patent number: 10238163Abstract: An anchoring system for securing a strap to an in-molded helmet can include a strap anchor that includes an anchor housing and an in-molding flange coupled to the anchor housing. The anchoring system can include a bar tack clip sized to fit partially within the anchor housing, the bar tack clip including a cross beam, an opening adjacent the cross beam, and at least one clip coupled to the cross beam and sized to mateably couple with the anchor housing. The anchoring system can also include a strap disposed through the opening in the bar tack clip and looped around the cross beam, the strap being coupled to itself with a bar tack. The at least one clip of the bar tack clip can be disposed at an in-bound side of the bar tack clip or can include two side clips.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2015Date of Patent: March 26, 2019Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.Inventor: Gregg T. Jacobsen
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Patent number: 10226094Abstract: Apparatus for protecting a user from impacts to the head. The apparatus includes a shell configured to receive a human head and a plurality of structures attached to the outer surface of the shell. Each structure includes an outer cell that absorbs direct impacts. Each structure is independently coupled to the shell with a respective assembly. The structures move independently of one another and are restricted to sliding tangentially along the outer surface of the shell. The assemblies each include a biasing mechanism that absorbs tangential impacts to the structure and returns the respective structure to its rest position. Thus, a user is protected from the concussive effects of a head-on impact and the rotational acceleration injuries of a tangential impact.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2017Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: AES R&D, LLCInventors: Albert Straus, Robert J. Michael
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Patent number: 10212983Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide a helmet including customized helmet layers and corresponding methods of construction. In one aspect, a method comprises capturing a 3D image of a head corresponding to the head of an individual, and rendering a 3D headform based on the 3D image. A lining layer is formed, which includes a geometry corresponding to the 3D headform and the inner surface of the shell layer such that an inner surface of the lining layer conforms to the shape of a corresponding portion of the 3D headform. An outer surface of the lining layer further conforms to the shape of a corresponding portion of an inner surface of a shell layer. Another aspect of the method comprises forming a shell layer such that the shell layer includes a geometry corresponding to the shape of a portion of the 3D headform.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2016Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Brainguard Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Robert T. Knight
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Patent number: 10182607Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of headgear, and, more particularly, to a headgear safety apparatus in the form of a single contiguous and homogeneous pad, having an inner surface, wherein said inner surface is substantially concave; an outer surface, wherein said outer surface is substantially convex; and a one or more safety features. The single contiguous and homogeneous pad is manufactured from closed-cell, ethylene vinyl acetate foam using an injection molding process to create integrated safety features in a single, anti-microbial, safety pad that protects the wearer but does not cover the ears.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2017Date of Patent: January 22, 2019Assignee: LDR Headgear, LLCInventors: Richard Andrews, Dale Evans, Larry Marchionda
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Patent number: 10158685Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a system provides virtual presence model in servers. An embodiment of the invention also has video streaming capability and can allow a user to select which video to watch as the large, central video with some statistics and data on side portions of the user interface.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 2015Date of Patent: December 18, 2018Inventors: Kenleigh C. Hobby, Brendan Gowing, David P. Matt
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Patent number: 10143259Abstract: The invention belongs to the technical field of helmets and relates to a helmet with a transformable jaw protecting structure, wherein a jaw protector is reliably transformed between a full-face helmet position and a half-face helmet position in a gear constraint structure and mode, and the uniqueness and reversibility of a kinematical and geometrical locus of the jaw protector can be kept everywhere during a round trip.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2016Date of Patent: December 4, 2018Assignee: JIANGMEN PENGCHENG HELMETS LTD.Inventors: Haotian Liao, Youjun Feng
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Patent number: 10101063Abstract: A helmet is provided, comprising: a first shell having a convex top; a second shell having a concave bottom; a base having: a convex top affixed to the concave bottom of the shell; a concave bottom secured to the convex top of; and an air flow channel formed in the convex top of the base for guiding air through to an exit in the concave bottom of the base; a power and electronics module secured within a cavity in the first shell, comprising: a power source, comprising: a solar array secured; a battery pack; and a charging module configured to charge the battery pack from current provided by the solar array; and a 5 volt power output connector electrically coupled to the power source and configured for charging a small electronic device; and a heater electrically coupled to the power source.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2017Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Inventor: Christian G. Hill
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Patent number: 10034511Abstract: An athletic helmet includes an outer shell, having an outer surface and an inner surface, shaped to receive a head, and a magnetic system disposed adjacent to the inner surface. The magnetic system has at least one magnet configured to have one pole aligned such that its magnetic dipole moment is oriented approximately normal to the outer surface and a magnetic holding device configured to allow the at least one magnet to slidably move along a surface of the magnetic holding device.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2015Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: American Doctors Online, Inc.Inventor: Paul I. Bulat
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Patent number: 10010122Abstract: This invention is an improved padding used by athletes and others to prevent or greatly reduce the instances of injury due to blows to the body. This is accomplished through the utilization of a radial expanding and contracting structure encapsulated in a foam type material.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 2016Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Inventor: Brian Kamradt
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Patent number: 10010126Abstract: A helmet is disclosed for protection during an impact. An outer liner and an inner liner slidably coupled to an interior surface of the outer liner through at least one return spring. The outer liner includes an interior surface with a shelf extending inward. The shelf includes an arresting surface. The inner liner has an exterior surface, an interior surface and an edge connecting the exterior surface to the interior surface. The edge faces the arresting surface of the shelf. The inner liner is slidably movable relative to the outer liner between a first position in which the edge of the inner liner is separated from the arresting surface of the shelf by a gap, and an arrested position in which a portion of the edge of the inner liner is in contact with a portion of the arresting surface of the shelf.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2017Date of Patent: July 3, 2018Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.Inventors: Samuel J. Shaffer, Mark A. Busse, Rafael T. Ramirez, Eamon Briggs
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Patent number: 10004290Abstract: A protective headgear for equestrian use provides a traditional style cowboy hat with protective features to allow it to comply with prevailing equestrian helmet standards. The hat includes interior protective padding in the top of the dome, exterior protective padding below the crown of the dome, and exterior protective padding on the rear of the hat below the brim. The protective padding may be secured to the hat by adhesive, stitching, or mechanical fasteners. A chin strap securement system comprising mutually connectable strap-and-buckle assemblies is optionally provided.Type: GrantFiled: October 21, 2015Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: TWO GUYS AND A HAT INC.Inventors: Steve Arthur Copeland, Len Clement, Mitch Thompson
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Patent number: 9987544Abstract: A football helmet comprises a rotatable outer shell, an inner shell and a fastener assembly. The inner shell comprises an upper portion and a lower portion. The rotatable outer shell is of a hollow hemisphere shape. The rotatable outer shell has a cavity to receive the upper portion of the inner shell. An air gap is between the upper portion of the inner shell and the rotatable outer shell. A pre-determined torque is applied to a nut of the fastener assembly so that the nut is loosely tightened to a bolt of the fastener assembly. The rotatable outer shell is in a pogo stick motion when a force is applied to the rotatable outer shell so that the ring rotates along the rim track and an outer shell hole deflects toward an inner shell hole.Type: GrantFiled: November 4, 2017Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Inventor: John Sodec, Jr.
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Patent number: 9961952Abstract: A helmet for protecting a head of a wearer, such as a hockey, lacrosse, football or other sports player. The helmet may have various features to protect the wearer's head against impacts, such as linear impacts and rotational impacts. For example, pads of the helmet may be movable relative to one another in response to an impact on the helmet. The helmet may comprise a frame comprising a plurality of frame members carrying respective ones of the pads and configured to move relative to one another in response to the impact to allow relative movement of the pads.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 2015Date of Patent: May 8, 2018Assignee: BAUER HOCKEY, LLCInventor: Jacques Durocher
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Patent number: 9955745Abstract: A helmet having an energy absorbing layer and a sliding facilitator is provided. The sliding facilitator is provided inside of the energy absorbing layer. A method of manufacturing a helmet having a sliding facilitator is further provided. The method includes providing an energy absorbing layer in the mold, and providing a sliding facilitator that contacts the energy absorbing layer.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2016Date of Patent: May 1, 2018Assignee: MIPS ABInventor: Peter Halldin
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Patent number: 9949522Abstract: A suspension connection arrangement for a suspension system for a safety helmet, the suspension system including at least one strap connected to at least one tab, which is attachable between a headband arrangement and at least one headband slot positioned on an internal surface of the safety helmet. The suspension connection arrangement includes: at least one projection member extending from the at least one tab; and at least one keyhole connected to at least one slot, both extending at least partially through a headband member, wherein the at least one keyhole is configured to at least partially receive the at least one projection member therethrough, such that the at least one projection member is configured to slide along the at least one slot, thereby removably attaching the at least one tab to the headband member. A suspension system and a safety helmet are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2013Date of Patent: April 24, 2018Assignee: MSA Technology, LLCInventors: Kevin R. Ketterer, John F. Rihn
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Patent number: 9861152Abstract: Method and apparatus for improved helmet having an outer shell with a face mask disposed thereon along with an inner shell so that the outer shell floats without the inner and outer shells separating while maintaining an air gap between the inner shell and the head of a user which prevents direct contact between the helmet and the head or neck of a user. An outer collar closely surrounds the sides and back of the outer shell and is attached to the shoulder pads preventing direct impact to the rear of the outer shell and also much of the area behind the ear of a user. Gel pads are placed between the two helmet shells and the top of the helmet collar and between the shoulder, chest and back pads and the body of the user. A head and neck restraint and third-party neck brace are also shown.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2014Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Inventor: Robert Rumfelt
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Patent number: 9839250Abstract: A double-shell helmet is disclosed. The double-shell helmet includes an outer shell, an impact absorbing material layer affixed to the outer shell on a first side of the impact absorbing material layer, an inner shell affixed to the impact absorbing material layer on a second side of the impact absorbing material layer opposite the first side of the impact absorbing material layer, and a foam layer affixed to the inner shell.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2013Date of Patent: December 12, 2017Assignee: PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: Eric Nauman, Evan Louis Breedlove, Anne Dye Zakrajsek, Thomas Michael Talavage
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Patent number: 9820522Abstract: A helmet, has a shell that includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has first, second and third layers. The second layer is positioned between the first layer and the third layer. The second layer is less dense than the first layer and the third layer. The second portion has a plurality of enemy dissipaters. Each of the energy dissipaters has a rod that extends in a spiraling manner from a fixed end to a free end. The rod tapers continuously along its length from the fixed end to the free end so that the fixed end exhibits a larger internal cross sectional area than the free end. The free end is capable of vibrating when the helmet is impacted by an object in order to dissipate impact energy.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2015Date of Patent: November 21, 2017Assignee: Mississippi State UniversityInventors: Rajkumar Prabhu, Mark F. Horstemeyer, Gustavus Alston Rush
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Patent number: 9737103Abstract: A headwear device includes an endothermic reactor and a trigger to initiate an endothermic reaction in a reactor while the headwear device is being worn on a wearer's head. The headwear device may preferably be utilized in, or conjunction with, a motorcycle safety helmet or similar crash protection device. The headwear device is intended to prevent or delay the onset of brain damage as a result of serious trauma or head injury.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2014Date of Patent: August 22, 2017Inventor: Jullian Joshua Preston-Powers
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Patent number: 9724532Abstract: A helmet is used to detachably secure a TMS coil to the head of a patient. The helmet has a flexible sack containing a multiplicity of beads and also has a valve that permits air to enter and to be withdrawn from the interior volume of the sack. The handle of the TMS coil is inserted into the helmet, and the helmet is placed upon the head of a patient. Withdrawing air from the interior volume of the sack through the valve causes the sack to shrink and compresses the beads into a compact mass that conforms to the shape of the patient's head. Maintaining the vacuum causes the sack to retain its shape, making it possible to hold the helmet and TMS coil in proper position during a TMS study.Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2014Date of Patent: August 8, 2017Assignee: University of Florida Research Foundation, IncorporatedInventors: Eric L. Topp, Carolynn Patten
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Patent number: 9706806Abstract: A helmet cover having a dome with an outer edge, having at least two engaging members are provided extending along the outer edge of the dome and a method of advertising using the helmet.Type: GrantFiled: March 31, 2011Date of Patent: July 18, 2017Assignee: LAZER SPORT NVInventor: Sean Van Waes
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Patent number: 9616310Abstract: A device to be worn or otherwise attached to a first person (wearer) so that a second person (training athlete) can strike the device to simulate movements in an athletic competition, combat training or to allow fitness movements. A central pad is mounted to the wearer using a series of straps or other structures, and preferably two handles are mounted to the lateral sides of the central pad. The wearer holds the handles while the training athlete punches, kicks, knees, elbows, or forearms the central pad. The wearer can move the central pad using the handles, or can brace himself or herself with the handles, or both.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2014Date of Patent: April 11, 2017Assignee: STRYKO LIMITEDInventor: Ronald L. Manley
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Patent number: 9591883Abstract: Protective gear such as a helmet includes multiple layers including an outer ball bearing layer and/or one or more energy and impact transformer layers. The ball bearing layer exposes multiple ball bearings on the outer surface of the protective gear to deflect and diminish shear forces and other rotational forces imparted onto the outer surface. In many examples, the ball bearings on the outer surface prevent the transfer of shear and rotational forces from the surface of a helmet onto a skull. The energy and impact transformer layers may also include various structures and materials used to dissipate mechanical energy applied to an outer layer or outer shell layer.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2016Date of Patent: March 14, 2017Assignee: Brainguard Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Avery Audrey Kwan, Robert T. Knight
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Patent number: 9554608Abstract: A protective helmet for successive impacts includes a head cap adapted to surround and move with a wearer's head and an outer shell which surrounds the head cap. An energy absorbing flexible liner predominantly comprised of radially oriented foam columns is attached to both the head cap and outer shell. The liner establishes a preset initial relative position and spacing between the head cap and the outer shell and compliantly absorbs energy imparted to the outer shell during a helmet impact to enable the outer shell to move linearly and angularly relative to the head cap during the helmet impact and to be returned to the initial relative position with the head cap following the impact.Type: GrantFiled: July 27, 2015Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Lionhead Helmet Intellectual Properties, LPInventor: Robert L. Leon
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Patent number: 9521874Abstract: Protective gear includes an outer shell layer connected to a middle shell layer through an outer energy and impact transformer layer. The middle shell layer is connected to an inner shell layer through an inner energy and impact transformer layer. The outer and inner energy and impact transformer layers flexibly connect the shell layers to absorb impact forces, rotational forces, shear forces, etc., and allow the various shell layers to move and slide relative to the other shell layers. The outer and inner energy and impact transformer layers may be constructed using gels, fluids, electro-rheological elements, magneto-rheological elements, etc. The protective gear may be formed as helmets or body protection for various activities and protect users from not only impact and penetrative forces, but rotational and shear forces as well.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Braingaurd Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Robert T. Knight
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Patent number: 9516909Abstract: Protective gear includes an outer shell layer connected to a middle shell layer through an outer energy and impact transformer layer. The middle shell layer is connected to an inner shell layer through an inner energy and impact transformer layer. The outer and inner energy and impact transformer layers flexibly connect the shell layers to absorb impact forces, rotational forces, shear forces, etc., and allow the various shell layers to move and slide relative to the other shell layers. The outer and inner energy and impact transformer layers may be constructed using gels, fluids, electro-rheological elements, magneto-rheological elements, etc. The protective gear may be formed as helmets or body protection for various activities and protect users from not only impact and penetrative forces, but rotational and shear forces as well.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2016Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Brainguard Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Robert T. Knight
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Patent number: 9486029Abstract: A helmet includes one or more pads on an inside surface of a shell, with the pads including a cushioning material that includes porous particles within a carrier liquid. The surfaces of the pores of the particles are lyophobic, resisting wetting by the carrier liquid. When the carrier liquid is placed under sufficient pressure, for example by an impact against the pad, the carrier liquid is forced into the pores. This causes the system to store and absorb energy within the carrier liquid. The pad may be made of flexible material with a pair of opposed major surface face pieces, with cells full of the liquid and particles extending between the face pieces. The liquid and particles may make up a majority of the volume of the pad, for example being at least 50% of the volume of the pad.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Anthony G. Galaitsis, Michael V. Hynes, John J. Finkenaur
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Patent number: 9480294Abstract: A modular protection helmet (1; 1A) has an internal cap (2) including a padding layer (6) and modular components at will, and including an external cap (3) which can be removably and interchangeably fixed to the internal cap (2) and adapted to provide the desired protection level for civil use, and preferably the helmet includes a second external cap (3A), which can be equally removably and interchangeably fixed to the internal cap (2) and adapted to provide a ballistic protection level, wherein the first (3) and second (3A) external caps can be replaced at will by the user as a function of the use from time to time intended for the helmet through removable coupling elements (10, 11).Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2014Date of Patent: November 1, 2016Assignee: LD PROJECT S.R.L.Inventor: Luca Occhipinti
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Patent number: 9414636Abstract: A bicycle helmet for protecting the head of a wearer includes an outer shell and an energy dissipating inner layer coupled to the outer shell. The inner layer defines an inner surface, and front attachment locations are inwardly offset from the inner surface substantially at a frontal portion of the helmet. Rear attachment locations are inwardly offset from the inner surface substantially at a rear portion of the helmet. An internal ventilation system is supported by the front attachment locations and the rear attachment locations. The internal ventilation system is configured for direct engagement with the head of the wearer for supporting the helmet upon the head of the wearer. The internal ventilation system provides a gap between the head of the wearer and the inner surface. The gap allows ventilating air to flow over a substantial extent of the wearer's head and within the helmet.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.Inventor: Christopher T. Pietrzak
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Patent number: 9408423Abstract: A sport equipment for absorbing and dispersing, at least in part, an impact force, thereby reducing the impact force. The sport equipment can be a helmet having an outer shell, an inner shell, and a tensile sheet located between the outer and inner shells. The outer shell includes an interior side featuring a plurality of outer shell detents extending out therefrom. The inner shell includes an exterior side featuring a plurality of inner shell detents extending toward the outer shell. The tensile sheet is configured to dissipate and redirect, randomly directed impact force applied to the outer shell, to a tensile loading directed along a respective longitudinal axis of the tensile sheet. The outer and inner shells are in a spaced apart relationship with and movable to each other. The outer shell detents extend toward the inner shell.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2014Date of Patent: August 9, 2016Inventor: David A. Guerra
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Patent number: 9386817Abstract: A double-shell helmet is disclosed. The double-shell helmet includes an outer shell, an impact absorbing material layer affixed to the outer shell on a first side of the impact absorbing material layer, an inner shell affixed to the impact absorbing material layer on a second side of the impact absorbing material layer opposite the first side of the impact absorbing material layer, and a foam layer affixed to the inner shell.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2013Date of Patent: July 12, 2016Assignee: PURDUE RESEARCH FOUNDATIONInventors: Eric Nauman, Evan Louis Breedlove, Anne Dye Zakrajsek, Thomas Michael Talavage
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Patent number: 9384645Abstract: A system for predicting and warning of impacts includes a sensor located remote from a user and configured to acquire user data regarding motion of the user and object data regarding motion of the object; and a processing circuit configured to predict a potential impact between the user and the object based on the user data and the object data; and control operation of a user-wearable warning device to provide a warning output to the user in advance of a predicted time of the potential impact.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2015Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: Elwha LLCInventors: Paul G. Allen, Philip V. Bayly, David L. Brody, Alistair K. Chan, Jesse R. Cheatham, III, William D. Duncan, Richard G. Ellenbogen, Roderick A. Hyde, Muriel Y. Ishikawa, Jordin T. Kare, Eric C. Leuthardt, Nathan P. Myhrvold, Tony S. Pan, Robert C. Petroski, Raul Radovitzky, Anthony V. Smith, Elizabeth A. Sweeney, Clarence T. Tegreene, Nicholas W. Touran, Lowell L. Wood, Jr., Victoria Y. H. Wood
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Patent number: 9364041Abstract: Described herein are helmets comprising at least one surface reinforcing component. In some embodiments the surface reinforcing component comprises at least one anchoring feature embedded in a structural feature of the helmet, such as a force absorbing element. In other embodiments, the surface reinforcing component comprises fasteners configured to mate with a respective fastener on a shell of the helmet.Type: GrantFiled: January 14, 2010Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: Smith Optics, Inc.Inventor: James A. Chilson
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Patent number: 9332800Abstract: A helmet structure without any hard outer shell has axially compressible cell units contained in a hemispheric frame by a thin fabric covering stretched over cup shaped cell retainers that have sidewalls of compressible foam. The frame is supported on the wearer's head on plastic foam posts that space the inner ends of compressible bladders from the wearer's head, and ambient air in the bladders compresses at impact, being vented then through openings for gradually absorbing such impact forces. Each bladder is vented into a space between the cup “bottom” and the outer end of a bladder. At least two cell sizes are provided, and some of these are on depending lobes in the frame, for protecting the wearer's ears and neck.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2013Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Inventor: George Malcolm Brown
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Patent number: 9307800Abstract: This invention relates generally to the field of headgear, and, more particularly, to an apparatus for protecting the wearer from head injuries during sporting activities. The apparatus comprises at least a left side pad, a right side pad, a strap system, and optional front and rear cranial pads and chin pad. The pads are all manufactured from closed-cell, ethylene vinyl acetate foam using an injection molding process to create integrated safety features in a single, anti-microbial, safety pad.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 2014Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: LDR Headgear, LLCInventors: Richard Andrews, Dale Evans, Larry Marchionda
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Patent number: 9232824Abstract: An impact diverting mechanism having a top layer and a bottom layer is provided. The two layers are connected such that the top layer is configured to move in relation to the bottom layer when impacted, and therefore is able to divert impact and reduce rotational and linear acceleration on the bottom layer. The impact diverting mechanism may be attached to, or configured to attach to, an object in need of protection, such as a helmet.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2012Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: Simon Fraser UniversityInventors: Farid Golnaraghi, Gaofeng Gary Wang, Daniel Eamon Abram, Combiz Jelveh
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Patent number: 9210962Abstract: A reinforcement structure of safety helmet and a manufacturing method thereof. The reinforcement structure includes a helmet body formed of a cushion foam material; and a structure body integrated with the helmet body. The structure body is a texture at least composed of multiple strip members arranged in an array. The structure body is formed with a substantially cellular structure. The helmet body is defined with a top section and a peripheral section and the structure body is defined with a first section and a second section connected to the first section corresponding to the top section and peripheral section of the helmet body. The cushion foam material is injected into a molding module to enclose the first and second sections to form an integrated complex reinforcement structure, which is easier to manufacture and has higher structural strength, lighter weight and higher security.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2013Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Inventor: Chang-Hsien Ho
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Patent number: 9179727Abstract: A helmet includes an inner and outer shell that are connected posterior of the head via a two degree freedom of movement rotating hinge. The connector allows for angular rotation about the inferior/superior and left/right axes. One potential mechanism for the connector is four springs, located left, right, inferior and superior of the connector, connected to both the inner and outer layers. The goal of the springs is two-fold to provide resistance in the event that the outer layer rotates with respect to the inner layer about either axis in response to an impact or applied force, and to rapidly return the outer layer to its equilibrium position post-impact or after the removal of the applied force.Type: GrantFiled: August 13, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Inventors: Alan H. Grant, Andrew K. Knutsen
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Patent number: 9131743Abstract: Presently disclosed is a protective helmet, which may include a shell defining a shell exterior and a shell interior, and being configured to receive a wearer's head and extend to protectively cover the head circumferentially and vertically over the top of a wearer's skull; a first cushioning member disposed within the shell interior and configured for cushioning the skull; and a plurality of columnar cushioning members configured for supporting the shell on the skull and being configured for bending to allow rotational movement of the shell with respect to the skull, the columnar cushioning members having inner surfaces disposed further inwardly with respect to the shell than the first cushioning member surface to position the columnar member inner surfaces for resting against the skull and leaving a space between the first cushioning member inner surfaces and the skull.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2013Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: ProStar Athletics LLCInventors: James Marzec, Charles Monchik
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Patent number: 9095179Abstract: Protective gear such as a helmet includes multiple layers including an outer ball bearing layer and/or one or more energy and impact transformer layers. The ball bearing layer exposes multiple ball bearings on the outer surface of the protective gear to deflect and diminish shear forces and other rotational forces imparted onto the outer surface. In many examples, the ball bearings on the outer surface prevent the transfer of shear and rotational forces from the surface of a helmet onto a skull. The energy and impact transformer layers may also include various structures and materials used to dissipate mechanical energy applied to an outer layer or outer shell layer.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2012Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignee: Brainguard Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Avery Audrey Kwan, Robert T. Knight
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Patent number: 9032558Abstract: A protective helmet includes a head cap, which surrounds and moves with a wearer's head, and an outer shell which surrounds the head cap. The outer shell is movable both radially and circumferentially relative to the head cap. An energy absorbing flexible liner is located between the head cap and the outer shell. The liner is attached to the outer shell and the head cap so that neither the head cap nor the head of the wearer is otherwise attached to the outer shell. The liner establishes a preset initial relative position and spacing between the head cap and the outer shell and compliantly absorbs energy imparted to the outer shell during a helmet impact to enable the outer shell to move relative to the head cap during the helmet impact and to be returned to the initial relative position with the head cap following the impact.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2012Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Lionhead Helmet Intellectual Properties, LPInventor: Robert L. Leon
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Publication number: 20150128335Abstract: A polyurethane foam, a polyurethane/polyorganosiloxane foam, and a polyurethane foam polyurethane/polyorganosiloxane foam material are disclosed and described herein. The materials are formed in the presence of a polymerization reaction initiator (an isoprenoid compound), and a polymerization reaction accelerator. The polyurethane foam is formed from an isocyanate and a polyol. The polyurethane foam polyurethane/polyorganosiloxane foam material comprises the polyurethane foam which is cross-linked to the polyurethane backbone to a polyurethane/polyorganosiloxane foam. Optional gelling agents, emulsification control agents, reinforcement fillers, cross-linkers, reinforcement polymers, rubber reinforcers, silk proteins, emollients, stabilizers and colorants are also described. The polyurethane and polyurethane-polyorganosiloxane foam materials exhibit a high degree of flexibility, resilience and excellent impact absorption.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2014Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventor: Ghassan Dehni
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Publication number: 20150121608Abstract: A composite protective helmet comprises two or more separable and mutually connectable parts that can be interconnected by L-shaped projections on one of the parts and L-shaped recesses on a mating part so that during assembly the L-shaped projections are inserted into the mating recesses and the separable parts are interconnected by shifting one part relative to the other so that elements of the L-shaped projections that are parallel to the mating end faces are inserted into respective parts of the recesses, and then the separable parts of the helmet are locked in the assembled state, e.g., by hooks on one of the parts and a hook-engaging ferrule on the other of the separable parts. The advantage of the composite protection helmet is that after the parts are separated, they can be stored in a relatively small space, e.g., in a top box attachable to the luggage rack of a motorcycle.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 1, 2013Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Ben Baron, Amram Yahalom
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Publication number: 20150113718Abstract: A protective helmet is provided having an upper section and a lower section, each having an inside and an outside surface. A gap is formed between the upper section and the lower section. Resilient members in the form of a plurality of spaced apart compression struts are provided for connecting the upper section to the lower section. The upper section is movable with respect to the lower section whereby a portion of the force of an impact to the upper section will be absorbed and will not be transmitted to the lower section. A suspension harness is attached to the inside surface of the lower section. The suspension harness is adapted to receive a portion of the helmet user's head and to keep the helmet user's head from contacting the inside surface of the upper section.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2014Publication date: April 30, 2015Inventor: Robert T. Bayer