By Interior Pads Patents (Class 2/414)
  • Patent number: 11839257
    Abstract: A helmet includes a segmented outer shell having an upper portion and a lower portion with an elongated segmented opening extending along an interface of the upper and lower portions. The helmet also includes outer and inner energy management layers that define openings and a channel that facilitates airflow through the elongated segmented opening to provide improved ventilation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Allen, Christopher T. Pietrzak, Allen Bischofberger, Julio Valencia
  • Patent number: 11696612
    Abstract: A helmet to be worn on a head having an annular headband shaped area. The headband shaped area positioned near an upper junction of the ears and the wearer's head. A top area is centered about a top of the wearer's head. A middle area defined between the headband area and the top area. The helmet includes a shell having an inner surface. A first type of subliner elements extend from the inner surface at a location such that the first type of subliner elements are aligned with the headband area. A second type of subliner elements extend from the inner surface at a location such that the second type of subliner elements are aligned with the middle area. A third type of subliner element extends from the inner surface at a location such that the third type of subliner element is aligned with the top area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: LIONHEAD HELMET INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, LP
    Inventor: Robert L. Leon
  • Patent number: 11684104
    Abstract: A helmet comprising one or more additively-manufactured components designed to enhance performance and use of the helmet, such as: impact protection, including for managing different types of impacts; fit and comfort; adjustability; and/or other aspects of the helmet. Methods of additively-manufacturing components for such helmets are also provided, including methods involving expandable materials and the expansion of post-additively manufactured expandable components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: BAUER HOCKEY LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Laperriere, Thierry Krick, Jacques Durocher
  • Patent number: 11659882
    Abstract: Helmet padding systems are disclosed. One helmet padding system includes a rigid shell configured to cover a top of a user's head and be worn under a piece of headgear. The rigid shell includes a first pair of slots configured to extend in a direction from a back of the user's head toward a front of the user's head when the rigid shell is worn on the user's head. The first pair of slots define a central portion and opposed side portions of the rigid shell. The central portion includes at least one flap extending from the central portion across one of the first pair of slots and covering a first region of one of the opposed side portions of the rigid shell. A spacing pad is positioned within the rigid shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: Matscitechno Licensing Company
    Inventor: Robert A. Vito
  • Patent number: 11612206
    Abstract: A detachable pad fastening structure of a helmet includes a first fastening unit, which includes a first fastening member having a fastening hole formed therein and is disposed at an inner surface of a helmet main body. A second fastening unit includes a through-hole in the form of a slot in a detachable pad and a second fastening member formed to be movable relative to the through-hole, having at least a part protruding toward the outside of the detachable pad so as to be inserted into the fastening hole when the second fastening member is located at one side of the through-hole, and configured to be inserted toward the inside of the detachable pad so as to be removed from the fastening hole when the second fastening member is moved relative to the through-hole toward the other side of the through-hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: KIDO SPORTS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dong Jong Kim, Dong Cheol Jeong
  • Patent number: 11606999
    Abstract: Protective clothing and/or equipment may comprise a modular helmet assembly which comprises a plurality of impact mitigation modules positioned between an outer layer and an interior layer of the helmet, optionally with a plurality of perforations or openings in an outer shell of the helmet. The plurality of impact mitigation assemblies may comprise an impact absorbing array of impact mitigation structures having at least one filament and a lateral support wall or connecting element. When force is applied to the exterior surface, the structures of the impact absorbing materials deform in a desired and controlled manner, reducing the force received by the interior layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: VICIS IP, LLC
    Inventors: Jason Neubauer, Noah Lanphear, Travis E. Glover, Dave Marver, Cord Santiago, Kayla Fukuda, Andre H. P. Stone, Adam Kollgaard, Kurt Fischer, Marie Pahlmeyer, Rich Curren, Miguel Herrera, John Cagle
  • Patent number: 11571036
    Abstract: Protective clothing and/or equipment may comprise an impact mitigation layer which comprises a plurality of impact mitigation assemblies positioned between an exterior surface and an interior surface. The plurality of impact mitigation assemblies may comprise an impact absorbing array of impact mitigation structures having at least one filament and a lateral support wall or connecting element. When force is applied to the exterior surface, the structures of the impact absorbing materials deform in a desired and controlled manner, reducing the force received by the interior surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Vicis IP, LLC
    Inventors: Andre Stone, Anton Perry Alferness, Mike Czerski, Jason Neubauer, Adam Frank, Travis Glover, Kayla Fukuda
  • Patent number: 11523652
    Abstract: A helmet of a layered and segmented design including impact attenuation structures may include a series of layers that individually, or in combination, provide the necessary functions of the helmet. The helmet may feature a layer with a low coefficient of friction to act as a slip layer and slide due to rotational force. The present technology includes impact attenuation structures of predetermined geometries, layers, and materials to allow for an appropriate impact response with a certain degree of control over the buckling process and an adaptive impact response. The present technology of impact attenuation structures may be applicable where impact absorption and controlled buckling is desired, such as bike helmets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: PARK & DIAMOND INC.
    Inventors: David Hall, Jordan Klein, Zak Koster
  • Patent number: 11484083
    Abstract: A force absorbing helmet has an exterior shell and an interior shell, the interior shell further has an interior lumen comprising a viscous liquid and a plurality of hard springs. A plurality of micro-hinges are located on the exterior surface of the exterior shell to deflect the portions of the exterior shell due to a blunt force exerted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2022
    Inventor: Michael W. Hawkins
  • Patent number: 11464270
    Abstract: The present invention is a helmet system that reduces concussions by damping rotational force transmitted to a helmet user. The helmet has an exterior shell and an internal body that moves independently from the exterior shell. At least one magnetic source on the exterior shell's interior has a dipole directed axially at the internal body. At least one magnetic source on the internal body has a dipole aligned with the same axis, directed at the exterior shell. In a resting state magnetic sources generate a weak magnetic field. When an impact rotates the exterior shell, it moves off the initial alignment and closer to the internal body. The previously aligned magnetic sources torque. The magnetic source on the internal body torques in the opposite direction of the rotation, as do all initially aligned magnetic sources impacted. Angular momentum is displaced, diffused, offset, damping rotational force transmitted to a helmet user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventor: Brian Michael Coyle
  • Patent number: 11464271
    Abstract: An energy dissipating helmet, such as a football, baseball, hockey, construction, combat, bicycle, or motorcycle helmet, including a structural component adapted to receive an anticipatory impact having energy, and a stress-activated active material element, such as a Austenitic shape memory alloy wire, mesh, layer, or spring, communicatively coupled to the component, and activatable by the impact, so as to dissipate at least a portion of the energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Inventor: William J. Jacob
  • Patent number: 11389059
    Abstract: A faceguard is configured for measuring a human eye muscle movement response. The faceguard is configured for protecting at least one part of a human face and has an aperture for human vision through the faceguard. The faceguard comprises an eye sensor, a head orientation sensor, and an electronic circuit. The eye sensor comprises a video camera and is configured for measuring eyeball movement, pupil size, and/or eyelid movement. The head orientation sensor senses pitch and/or yaw of a person's head. The electronic circuit is responsive to the eye sensor and the head orientation sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Inventor: Wesley W. O. Krueger
  • Patent number: 11372252
    Abstract: Items of headwear are disclosed. An item of headwear has a battery, and an information portal. The information portal includes an input device, a human interface device, and a content providing system. The content providing system has non-transitory computer memory with a program with instructions for receiving information from the input device, and relaying the information to the human interface device. The content providing system further includes a processor, an output device, and a networking device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Newtonoid Technologies, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Fielding B. Staton, David Strumpf
  • Patent number: 11363846
    Abstract: An adjustable tightening device is provided, including: a fastening, an actuating member and a rotatable member. Wherein when the rotatable member is rotated toward a first direction, each abutting rib of the rotatable member is located in the third position, each of the two abutting ribs abuts against one of two elastic arms of the actuating member so that a ratchet is not meshed with an annular gearing portion of the fastening mechanism and a gear portion of the actuating member is rotatable toward the first direction; wherein when the rotatable member is rotated toward a second direction, each of the two abutting ribs is located in the fourth position, each of the two abutting ribs abuts against one of the two elastic arms so that the ratchet is meshed with the annular gearing portion and the gear portion is unidirectionally rotatable toward the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Inventor: Meng-Chun Wang
  • Patent number: 11311060
    Abstract: Articles including protective gear for a variety of sports and activities provide protection from one or both of linear and angular forces that either directly or indirectly impact the gear when it is donned. The articles include at least two layers of material that provide multimodal energy dissipation to minimize the extent of transmission of impact forces to tissue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Inventor: Lisa Ferrara
  • Patent number: 11304471
    Abstract: A helmet liner includes: (a) an open lattice body portion comprised of a polymer, the body portion having opposite face portions and a circumferential side portion; (b) a helmet contact surface portion formed on one of the face portions; and (c) a skin contact portion formed on the other of the face portions, the skin contact portion configured with the lattice body portion so air can circulate through both the body portion and the skin contact portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: Carbon, Inc.
    Inventors: Allison Light, Ananda Day, Mohamed Imran Jameel, W. Ryan Powell
  • Patent number: 11291264
    Abstract: A plastic football helmet has a shell with a left earflap in a left side region and a right earflap in a right side region, each ear flap having a non-circular ear hole, and an offset area defined on a top edge by a top banked portion and on a bottom edge by a bottom banked portion, the offset area extending continuously from the right ear flap, across the rear region, to the left ear flap. The non-circular ear holes are in the offset area. Both the top edge and the bottom edge of the offset area curve upward from the right ear flap to the rear region and curve upward from the left ear flap to the rear region. The top edge and bottom edge do not meet at any point such that offset area begins at an open right end in the right earflap and ends at an open left end in the left earflap. Cheek support are attached to the earflaps to improve retention of the helmet and provide protection to the cheek area against blows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: Schutt Sports IP, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Erb, Louis Anthony Vanhoutin, Cortney Warmouth
  • Patent number: 11229253
    Abstract: Impact energy absorbing devices, in some embodiments, may be configured as a helmet having suspension elements employing “rate activated tethers” (RATs), a speed-sensitive flexible strapping material. The RATs are configured to suspend a helmet shell on the head of a wearer, so that impact to the helmet causes extension of the RATs. The RATs provide for: (1) steady force over long strokes, and (2) a stroke force that increases with increasing impact velocity. Standard impact testing of a helmeted headform shows that the RAT suspension decreases head accelerations by 50% relative to a standard suspension system. This decrease in head acceleration is expected to lead to a reduced likelihood of brain and head injury. Because the RATs absorb energy during tensile extension, they offer increases in energy absorption efficiency. These RAT suspensions can potentially replace or complement existing helmet pad and suspension systems in military, sports, and industrial safety-wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Eric D. Wetzel, Devon J. Spinelli, Thomas A. J. Plaisted
  • Patent number: 11122848
    Abstract: A helmet (10) comprising (i) an outer shell (12); (ii) an inner pad (14) configured to deform resiliently to cushion the head of a user; and (iii) a solid open-cell foam material (18) wherein the outer shell is spaced apart from the inner pad by the solid open-cell foam material and wherein the solid open-cell foam material is arranged to deform irreversibly in the event of an impact which applies a pressure greater than a selected threshold pressure to absorb the energy of the impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventors: Aldino Albertelli, Riccardo Cioni
  • Patent number: 11089830
    Abstract: A composite material includes an upper layer, a lower layer and means arranged so as to diffuse substantially transversely at least part of the kinetic energy induced by an impact on one of said layers, said means cooperating on both sides, with the upper layer and the lower layer. The diffusion means can consist in a network of interassembled base elements and of cavities, forming a three-dimensional structure. A protection device comprising includes an insert consisting of the composite material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: DIPLOSYSTEM
    Inventors: Serge Cohen, François Silhol
  • Patent number: 11083237
    Abstract: Some embodiments described herein relate to an athletic helmet. The athletic helmet can include a shell, a suspension chassis, and several impact-absorbing pads. The suspension chassis can be disposed within the shell and configured to couple the pads to the shell. Each pad can include a membrane defining an interior volume. A valve can place the interior volume in fluid communication with the exterior of the membrane. In some embodiments, two or more structural members can be disposed within the interior volume. One structural member can be at least partially deformed when the athletic helmet is worn by a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2021
    Assignee: Windpact, Inc.
    Inventors: Maurice A. Kelly, Shawn A. Springs, Leon A. Marucchi, Marcus A. Hadley, Robert A. Carlton
  • Patent number: 11000089
    Abstract: A helmet which performs good ventilation and which is capable of mitigating the uncomfortable feeling due to sound is provided. The shock absorbing liner includes front ventilation holes to communicatively connect the front openings to the inside of the shock absorbing liner, outside air paths disposed in a space on an outer side relative to an inner surface of the shock absorbing liner, and communicative holes to communicatively connect the inside of the shock absorbing liner to the outside air paths. The outside air paths include primary flow paths disposed to be connected to the rear opening and secondary flow paths. The communicative holes communicatively connects positions on an outer surface of the shock absorbing liner except positions of the primary flow paths, to the inside of the shock absorbing liner. The secondary flow paths are disposed to connect the communicative holes to the primary flow paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: SHOEI CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshiyuki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 10966859
    Abstract: A force distribution apparatus and method are presented. Various embodiments of the disclosed apparatus include a plurality of layers configured and oriented to be deployed on a subject in a manner that disperses forces and lowers peak pressures experienced by the subject when resting on a surface, which tends to minimize risks of deformation and local ischemia. An innovative combination of novel construction methods and material selections produce an apparatus that possesses an inherent three-dimensional shape despite being built from essentially flat components, while also retaining an ability to effectively distribute forces and reduce pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Invictus Medical, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher Loring Gilmer, Thomas Craig Roberts, Samuel Alexander, George Martin Hutchinson, Daniel V. Mendez
  • Patent number: 10966479
    Abstract: The present technology relates generally to protective helmets with non-linearly deforming members. Helmets configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can comprise, for example, an inner layer, an outer layer, a space between the inner layer and the outer layer, and an interface layer disposed in the space. The interface layer comprises a plurality of filaments, each having a height, a longitudinal axis along the height, a first end proximal to the inner layer, and a second end proximal to the outer layer. The filaments are sized and shaped to span the space between the inner layer and the outer layer. The filaments are configured to deform non-linearly in response to an external incident force on the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON THROUGH ITS CENTER FOR COMMERCIALIZATION
    Inventors: Samuel R Browd, Jonathan D Posner, Per G Reinhall, David L Marver, John T Dardis, II
  • Patent number: 10888134
    Abstract: Helmet padding systems and apparatuses are disclosed. A helmet padding system includes a rigid frame and a spacing pad. The rigid frame is configured to be positioned on the head of a user. The spacing pad includes a layer of elastomeric material. The spacing pad includes a central portion and a plurality of extending portions projecting outward from the central portion. The plurality of extending portions are fixed to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: MATSCITECHNO LICENSING COMPANY
    Inventor: Robert A. Vito
  • Patent number: 10869520
    Abstract: A helmet to be worn on a head having an annular headband shaped area. The headband shaped area positioned near an upper junction of the ears and the wearer's head. A top area is centered about a top of the wearer's head. A middle area defined between the headband area and the top area. The helmet includes a shell having an inner surface. A first type of subliner elements extend from the inner surface at a location such that the first type of subliner elements are aligned with the headband area. A second type of subliner elements extend from the inner surface at a location such that the second type of subliner elements are aligned with the middle area. A third type of subliner element extends from the inner surface at a location such that the third type of subliner element is aligned with the top area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: LIONHEAD HELMET INTELLECTUAL PROPERTIES, LP
    Inventor: Robert L. Leon
  • Patent number: 10830428
    Abstract: A head wearable device includes a headpiece, a housing attached to the headpiece, a luminaire attached to the headpiece, the luminaire including a luminaire housing and at least one light source located within the luminaire housing, a duct system connecting the luminaire to the housing, a ball joint rotatably connecting the duct system to the luminaire, and an air moving device configured to induce a cooling air flow through an inlet in the luminaire housing, through the heatsink, through the ball joint, through the duct system, and out of an exhaust in the housing attached to of the headpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2020
    Assignee: Integra LifeSciences Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Joseph Africa, Lauren Angell
  • Patent number: 10823211
    Abstract: A floating fastener includes a socket fastened to a first board member, a locking device axially slidably mounted in the socket and adapted for locking the socket and the first board member to a second board member, and an insulative barrel including a flexible barrel body attached onto the socket, a cap for capping on the barrel body to shield the locking device in the socket and to protect the socket and the locking device against corrosion and a flexible connecting strip connected between the barrel body and the cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Hanwit Precision Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Ming-De Wu, Chih-Yuan Chen
  • Patent number: 10813402
    Abstract: A protective helmet comprises an inner layer and an outer layer separated from the inner layer by a space. An interface layer is positioned in the space between the inner layer and the outer layer and includes an impact absorbing material that non-linearly deforms in response to an incident force on the protective helmet. For example, the impact absorbing material includes multiple filaments each having an end proximate to the inner layer and another end proximate to the outer layer interface, with the filaments configured to non-linearly deform in response to an incident force on the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignees: University of Washington, VPG Acquisition Co, LLC
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Posner, John T. Dardis, II, Paul C. Leonard, Per G. Reinhall
  • Patent number: 10806201
    Abstract: A compressible liner for a helmet or other apparatus subject to shock loading comprises three substantially co-extensive layers mutually engaged by respective cone-like protuberances and cone-like recesses. The intermediate layer is of a different compressibility and provides for de-coupling of the layers in an oblique impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignees: Strategic Sports Limited
    Inventor: Donald Edward Morgan
  • Patent number: 10810852
    Abstract: An apparatus for impact detection is disclosed. An example apparatus comprises a plurality of sensors and is configured to determine whether a user is wearing an item in which the apparatus is comprised, and in response to a positive determination, operate the apparatus in an active operating mode, which includes operating one or more sensors in the plurality of sensors to generate data associated with motion of the user at a first sampling rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2020
    Assignee: RHEON LABS LTD
    Inventors: Thomas M W Burton, Daniel James Plant
  • Patent number: 10791789
    Abstract: A helmet is described, more specifically a helmet comprising a protective shell (10) formed of a flexible expanded polyurethane (EPU) material which defines a cavity for receiving the wearer's head, the shell being foldable, the helmet further comprising a strap (11) arrangement for fastening the shell to the wearer's head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Headkayse Ltd
    Inventors: Andy Creak, Tony Walker, Andrew Redman, George Fox
  • Patent number: 10779599
    Abstract: The presented invention is an adjustable protective Bump Cap to be worn under a hat. The Bump Cap has adjustable horizontal and vertical dimensions to enable a secure fit and to remain out of sight when worn under a user's hat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Tenacious Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Votel, Andrew Olson, Jeffrey Popowski, Gregory Schrab
  • Patent number: 10716417
    Abstract: A therapeutic pillow sham that allows a user to cover any body part such as, but not limited to, the eyes, neck, chest or back of the user. The therapeutic pillow sham includes a pillowcase, a first sash, and a second sash. The pillowcase is a pillow enclosure that is able to receive a pillow. The first sash and the second sash allow the user to cover any body part. In more detail, the first sash and the second sash can be used to cover the eyes of the user in order to block out light while the user is asleep and laying on the therapeutic pillow sham. Additionally, the first sash and the second sash can receive a therapeutic insert to provide therapeutic support to any body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Inventor: Selena Porter
  • Patent number: 10709191
    Abstract: A protective helmet includes an outer shell. A bladder, coupled to the outer shell, provides shock absorption in at least one zone or protection. The bladder holds an absorption pack that contains a plurality of absorption particles and/or a fluid and has a relief valve for relieving pressure on the bladder when the pressure on the bladder is greater than a pressure threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: THL Holding Company, LLC
    Inventors: John W. Howard, Richard Cutler
  • Patent number: 10667572
    Abstract: A helmet has a shell, the shell having an outer surface and an inner surface such that at least a portion of the outer surface is formed as a series of adjoining polygon shaped faceted regions that help distribute any force impacted on such regions across a relatively large portion of the shell. The faceted regions may be flat, curvedly contoured, or a combination thereof and extend through to the inner surface of the shell. The middle section has the faceted regions while the crown and the lower section may also have the faceted regions or may be contoured as is typical for a traditional helmet of that style.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Inventor: Dennis P Gagnon, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10645989
    Abstract: Embodiments include a protective helmet including a protective shell having an interior surface and an exterior surface. A padding layer is affixed to the interior surface. The padding layer includes a compliant material and a frangible material, such as glass foam. At least the frangible material is enclosed in a container. A detection circuit detects compromise of the frangible material, and outputs an indicator in the event the compromise is detected. The detection circuit may include a frangible wire configured to break in the event the frangible material is compromised. The indicator may include an LED, and/or radio-frequency signals. The radio-frequency signal may include an identifier for the helmet. The padding layer may include a plurality of pads each containing compliant material and frangible material. The plurality of pads may include one or more fasteners for releaseably affixing the pads to the interior surface of the protective shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Inventor: Marie Hochstein
  • Patent number: 10624403
    Abstract: A protective insert for headgear includes a malleable main body member having an inside facing surface, an outside facing surface and an impact resistant material that is disposed between the inside and outside facing surfaces. A plurality of connectors are disposed along the insert, and removably engage complementary connectors positionable inside a traditional hat. A plurality of air vents are disposed throughout the main body, and the impact resistant material includes polyurethane foam and polyborodimethylsiloxanea, which is malleable in a non-compressed state, and becomes firm and rigid when receiving an impact force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Inventor: Rithvik Seela
  • Patent number: 10602927
    Abstract: A system or method for measuring human ocular performance can be implemented using an eye sensor, a head orientation sensor, and an electronic circuit. The device is configured for measuring vestibulo-ocular reflex, pupillometry, saccades, visual pursuit tracking, vergence, eyelid closure, dynamic visual acuity, retinal image stability, foveal fixation stability, focused position of the eyes or visual fixation of the eyes at any given moment and nystagmus. The eye sensor comprises a video camera that senses vertical movement and horizontal movement of at least one eye. The head orientation sensor senses pitch and yaw in the range of frequencies between 0.01 Hertz and 15 Hertz. The system is implemented as part of a faceguard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Inventor: Wesley W. O. Krueger
  • Patent number: 10561192
    Abstract: Systems and methods of a safety helmet for protecting the human head against repetitive impacts, moderate impacts and severe impacts so as to significantly reduce the likelihood of both translational and rotational brain injury and concussions may be provided. The helmet may include an outer shell, an outer liner disposed within and coupled to the outer shell, and an inner liner disposed within and coupled in spaced opposition to the outer liner by a damper array. The damper array may allow for omnidirectional movement of the inner liner relative to the outer liner and the outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: 6D Helmets, LLC
    Inventors: Robert Weber, Robert Daniel Reisinger
  • Patent number: 10477909
    Abstract: A helmet for protecting a head of a wearer, such as a hockey, lacrosse, football or other sports player. The helmet includes an outer shell and an inner padding disposed between the outer shell and the wearer's head when the helmet is worn. The inner padding includes a plurality of shock absorbers and an interconnector interconnecting the shock absorbers, each shock absorber being deformable in response to a rotational impact on the helmet such that an outer part of the shock absorber moves relative to an inner part of the shock absorber in a direction tangential to an angular movement of the outer shell due to the rotational impact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Bauer Hockey, LLC
    Inventors: Jean-Francois Laperriere, Thierry Krick, Jacques Durocher, Ryan Ouckama, Marie-Claude Genereux, Denis Cote, Philippe Jean, Ken Covo, Garnet Alexander, Jean-Marie Bidal
  • Patent number: 10455884
    Abstract: A protective helmet having a liner assembly received in an outer shell and connected to the outer shell, with front, rear, side and top portions each including at least one zone where the liner assembly includes a plurality of overlapping layers, each of the layers being made from one of first, second, third and fourth materials, where the first material has a greater density and/or hardness than that of the second, third and fourth materials, the second material has a greater density and/or hardness than that of the third and fourth materials, and the third material has a greater density and/or hardness than that of the fourth material, and wherein the liner assembly includes one or more particular zones set forth in Table 3 or 4.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: SPORT MASKA INC.
    Inventors: Nicole Jacqueline Wiart, Daniel Chartrand, Maurice Dykmans, Philippe Martin, Simon-Pierre Germain, Brian William Steenbrink, Pierre-Luc Beauchamp, Simon Langlois, Evangelos Spyrou
  • Patent number: 10400852
    Abstract: Implementations of the present invention relate to devices, systems, and methods for isolating electronic components from input vibrations. The vibration isolation device may passively isolate the housed electronics from substantially all input vibrations. The vibration isolation device may include elastic members to suspend the electronic components within a support frame such that input vibrations are unable to directly influence the electronic components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Inventor: Steve L. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 10376010
    Abstract: A helmet can include an outer shell including a faceport, a first segment including a longitudinal ridge extending from a front of the helmet to a rear of the helmet, a gap disposed along the edge of the first segment, and a second segment offset from the first segment by the gap. A hinged zone can be formed by an elastomeric material disposed within the gap and coupled to the first segment and the second segment of the outer shell. The hinged zone can elastically flex in a radial direction towards a center of the helmet. An energy absorbing liner can be coupled to an inner surface of the outer shell, and an open space can be formed between an inner surface of the hinged zone and an outer surface of the energy absorbing liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott R. Allen, James R. Penny, Alexander J. Szela, Julio Valencia, Christopher T. Pietrzak
  • Patent number: 10349697
    Abstract: A system for protecting a head of a wearer from an impact force includes a helmet defining an interior space for housing the head and at least one damper coupled to the helmet at a first end and extending therefrom along a longitudinal axis to a second end. The damper includes of a plurality compressible energy damper elements concentrically arranged about the longitudinal axis. The plurality of compressible energy damper elements includes an outer damper element and an inner damper element. The outer damper element surrounds the inner damper element and extends to the second end of the damper. The outer damper element has a first uncompressed length and the inner element has a second uncompressed length that is different from the first uncompressed length. Alternatively, the plurality of compressible damper elements are concentrically arranged and are arranged end to end in series.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Inventor: Donald Edward Morgan
  • Patent number: 10306942
    Abstract: Safety head wear for use for example in high risk activities such as sports and industrial purposes where protection from head injuries is required. Components are provided inserted between the liner and outer shell and consists of two parts; a chamber or bladder and a fluid or gel like material. The fluid or gel material is contained in the chamber or bladder and is positioned in such a way to create low friction between the surface of the shell and liner or liner and head. It can also be used on the outer surface of the shell or placed within two layers of the liner. The device provides a method of independently managing both compression and shear force characteristics of the helmet around the head designed to decrease brain trauma resulting from high linear and angular acceleration during impacts to the helmet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: University of Ottawa
    Inventors: Thomas Blaine Hoshizaki, Andrew Michael Post, Philippe Rousseau
  • Patent number: 10307295
    Abstract: The application discloses a flexible strap for retaining protective eyewear on a wearer's head. The strap includes an energy absorbing material which is configured to deform to absorb kinetic energy on impact and which is held in contact with a first outer layer. A method of manufacture of the strap is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: SCP George TFE
    Inventor: John George Lloyd
  • Patent number: 10278447
    Abstract: A protective helmet with a shell including movable first and second shell sections and an inner layer of protective material with a first layer section mounted on the first shell section and a second layer section mounted on the second shell section. Protective member(s) received within the shell each have a first end portion and an opposed second end portion. The protective member(s) may be side protective members. The first end portion extends between the first layer section and the first shell section. The second end portion extends between the second layer section and the second shell section. At least one of the first and second end portions of each protective member is displaceable relative to a corresponding one of the first and second layer sections upon the relative displacement of the shell sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: SPORT MASKA INC.
    Inventors: Pierre-Luc Beauchamp, Simon Langlois, Sebastien Morin
  • Patent number: 10271605
    Abstract: A protective sports helmet that includes an energy attenuating faceguard connection system, which includes at least one connector that secures the faceguard to the helmet shell without a connection point in the shell's brow region. The sports helmet can be configured as a football helmet to be worn by a player and where the lack of a brow region connection point results in a gap or clearance between the faceguard and the shell that has a functional interplay with the connector upon an impact to the faceguard. The football helmet has a unique collection of helmet shell features that include an arrangement of a raised central band, lateral ridges, frontal vent openings and rear vent openings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Riddell, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Withnall, Michael Wonnacott, Vittorio Bologna, Thad M. Ide, Ralph Infusino, Nelson Kraemer
  • Patent number: 10258098
    Abstract: A football helmet has a shell made of polycarbonate or ABS plastic or thermoplastic composite material and two cheek supports, each removably connected to an earflap. Each cheek support comprises an outer brace, an inner plate removably connected to the outer brace by fasteners passing through through-going holes formed in the earflap, and a cheek pad attached to the inner plate. The outer brace has a lower edge having a contour shaped to follow a contour of the lower edge of the earflap without extending substantially beyond the lower edge of the earflap. The inner plate has a lower edge having a contour shaped to follow the contour of the lower edge of the earflap without extending substantially beyond the lower edge of the earflap and an extension extending from a body of the inner plate and beyond the front edge of the earflap. A cheek pad is removably attached to the inner plate and positioned to overlay the cheek of a wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: KRANOS IP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Robert Erb, Louis Anthony Vanhoutin, Cortney Warmouth