US20250280912A1

US20250280912A1 - Shock Absorbing Helmet Liner Device

Info

Publication number: US20250280912A1
Application number: US18/598,583
Authority: US
Inventors: Bernard Pappert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2024-03-07
Filing date: 2024-03-07
Publication date: 2025-09-11

Abstract

A shock absorbing helmet liner device for improving shock absorption and inhibiting head injuries includes a liner coupled to an internal surface of a helmet shell. The liner absorbs a force of an impact to the helmet shell to inhibit the force of the impact from injuring a user who is wearing the helmet shell. The liner has a first layer that includes a multi-density polymer cushioning material. A second layer is coupled to the first layer. The second layer includes an air bladder having an interior space that is filled with a gas. A third layer is coupled to the second layer. The third layer includes a viscoelastic rubber material that absorbs the force of the impact and disperses energy from the force of the impact across the third layer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to helmets and more particularly pertains to a new helmet for improving shock absorption and inhibiting head injuries.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to helmets. Helmets are vital for preventing head injuries or reducing the severity of head injuries. Helmets are therefore used in many potentially dangerous activities, such as construction, football, and motorcycling. One particular injury that a person may receive during such activities, even when wearing a helmet, is a concussion. Concussion injuries are very common, with between 1.7 and 3 million sports- and recreation-related concussions happening each year. Moreover, nearly half of all concussions go unreported or undetected. Three or more concussions can result in long-term cognitive problems, such as forgetfulness, foggy thinking, balance issues, or even trouble with eyesight. Wearing a helmet can reduce the severity of concussive injuries, but there remains a need for improved headgear that can protect the head and brain of a wearer, providing improved collision impact protection and reducing the number and severity of concussive injuries.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a helmet shell comprising a peripheral wall having an internal surface and an external surface. A liner is coupled to the internal surface of the peripheral wall of the helmet shell. The liner has an outer side and an inner side. The outer side is positioned adjacent to the internal surface of the peripheral wall. The inner side is configured to cover a head of a user when the user is wearing the helmet shell. The liner covers the internal surface of the peripheral wall of the helmet shell. The liner absorbs a force of an impact to the external surface of the peripheral wall of the helmet shell as the force of the impact travels from the external surface through the liner whereby the liner is configured to inhibit the force of the impact from injuring the user.
The liner may further comprise a first layer that is on the outer side. The first layer comprises a multi-density polymer cushioning material. A second layer is coupled to the first layer. The second layer comprises an air bladder having an interior space that is filled with a gas. A third layer is on the inner side and is coupled to the second layer. The third layer comprises a viscoelastic rubber material that is configured to absorb the force of the impact and disperse energy from the force of the impact across the third layer.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

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

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a shock absorbing helmet liner device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 6 thereof, a new helmet embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6 , the shock absorbing helmet liner device generally comprises a helmet shell 12 comprising a peripheral wall 14 having an internal surface 16 and an external surface 18. The peripheral wall 14 generally has a lower edge 20 defining an opening 22 into the helmet shell 12. The peripheral wall 14 generally has a front side 24 and a back side 26. The front side 24 is generally configured to frame a face of a user when the user is wearing the helmet shell 12.
A liner 28 is coupled to the internal surface 16 of the peripheral wall 14 of the helmet shell 12. The liner 28 may be removably coupled to the internal surface 16, or may be positionable within the helmet shell 12 adjacent to the internal surface 16. The liner 28 generally has an outer side 30 and an inner side 32. The outer side 30 is positioned adjacent to the internal surface 16 of the peripheral wall 14 of the helmet shell 12. The inner side 32 is configured to cover a head of the user when the user is wearing the helmet shell 12. The liner 28 may cover the internal surface 16 of the peripheral wall 14 of the helmet shell 12. The liner 28 absorbs a force of an impact to the external surface 18 of the peripheral wall 14 of the helmet shell 12 as the force of the impact travels from the external surface 18 through the liner 28 whereby the liner 28 is configured to inhibit the force of the impact from injuring the user.
The liner 28 may further comprise a first layer 34 that is on the outer side 30. The first layer 34 generally comprises a multi-density polymer cushioning material. For example, the multi-density polymer cushioning material may be a GDEFY® VERSOCLOUD® spring cell material. The multi-density polymer cushioning material can absorb energy during a collision, thereby reducing the energy that travels inwardly through the liner 28 toward the user.
A second layer 36 of the liner 28 is coupled to the first layer 34. The second layer 36 generally comprises an air bladder 38 having an interior space 40 that may be filled with a gas. Alternatively, the air bladder 38 may be fillable with the gas. The gas within the air bladder 38 has a pressure. The air bladder 38 may comprise a plastic material that is substantially nonporous, or that has very few pores, wherein the plastic material is configured to inhibit the gas from leaking out of the air bladder 38 thereby inhibiting the pressure of the gas from decreasing. The gas may comprise nitrogen, or another gas that has an atom size that is larger than a size of an oxygen atom wherein the atom size is configured to inhibit the gas from leaking out of the air bladder 38. In alternative embodiments, oxygen, air, or another appropriate gas may be used.
A third layer 42 of the liner 28 is coupled to the second layer 36. The third layer 42 is on the inner side 32 of the liner 28. The third layer 42 generally comprises a viscoelastic rubber material that is configured to absorb the force of the impact and disperse energy from the force of the impact across the third layer 42. For example, the viscoelastic rubber material may be a NOENE® material.
A coupler 44 may releasably attach the outer side 30 of the liner 28 to the internal surface 16 of the peripheral wall 14 of the helmet shell 12. The coupler 44 may comprise a first mating member 46 that is attached to the internal surface 16 of the peripheral wall 14 of the helmet shell 12. A second mating member 48 may be releasably engageable with the first mating member 46. The second mating member 48 is generally attached to the outer side 30 of the liner 28. The second mating member 48 is alignable with the first mating member 46 when the liner 28 is positioned within the helmet shell 12. For example, each of the first mating member 46 and the second mating member 48 may comprise a hook and loop material.
An air valve 50 may be coupled to the second layer 36 of the liner 28. The air valve 50 is fluidically coupled to the interior space 40 of the air bladder 38 wherein the air valve 50 facilitates adding the gas to the interior space 40. The air valve 50 may be positioned proximate to the lower edge 20 of the peripheral wall 14 wherein the air valve 50 is configured to be accessible to the user when the liner 28 is positioned within the helmet shell 12.
For example, the air valve may include a tube 62 having an inlet 64 and an outlet 66. The tube 62 may be positioned within an aperture 68 on the helmet shell 12. The aperture 68 may extend into the external surface 18 of the helmet shell 12 and through the first layer 34 of the liner 28, as shown in FIG. 4 . The inlet 64 of the tube may be coupled to the external surface 18 and the outlet 66 of the tube may be coupled to the air bladder 38 wherein the tube 64 is fluidly coupled to the interior space 40 of the air bladder 38. In such embodiments, the inlet 64 may be accessible from the back side 26 of the helmet shell 12 to add the gas to the interior space 40 of the air bladder 38.
An alternative example is shown in FIG. 6 . The tube 62 of the air valve 50 may extend downwardly from a terminal edge 70 of the air bladder 38. The inlet 64 may be coupled to the internal surface 16 proximate to the lower edge 20 of the peripheral wall 14 of the helmet shell 12. The outlet 66 is generally coupled to the air bladder 38 to fluidly couple the air valve 50 with the interior space 40 of the air bladder 38.
A fastener 52 may releasably couple the air valve 50 to the internal surface 16 of the peripheral wall 14 of the helmet shell 12. The fastener 52 may comprise a primary fastening portion 54 that is attached to the internal surface 16 of the peripheral wall 14 of the helmet shell 12. A secondary fastening portion 56 may be releasably couplable with the primary fastening portion 54. The secondary fastening portion 56 is generally attached to the air valve 50. The secondary fastening portion 56 is alignable with the first fastening portion 54 when the liner 28 is positioned within the helmet shell 12. For example, each of the primary fastening portion 54 and the secondary fastening portion 56 may comprise a hook and loop material.
A display panel 58 may be coupled to the peripheral wall 14 of the helmet shell 12. The display panel 58 is electrically coupled to the second layer 36 of the liner 28. The display panel 58 displays the pressure of the gas within the interior space 40 of the air bladder 38. The display panel 58 may be positioned on the back side 26 of the peripheral wall 14. The display panel 58 may be positioned adjacent to the lower edge 20 of the peripheral wall 14.
A pressure sensor 60 may be electrically coupled to the display panel 58. The pressure sensor 60 is coupled to the air bladder 38 wherein the pressure sensor 60 is configured to indicate the pressure of the gas within the interior space 40 of the air bladder 38. The pressure sensor 60 is in communication with the display panel 58 wherein the display panel 58 is configured to display the pressure indicated by the pressure sensor 60.
In use, the liner 28 may be permanently attached to the helmet shell 12, for example during manufacture of the helmet shell 12. Alternatively, the liner 28 may be removably couplable to, or positionable within, the helmet shell 12.
The multi-density polymer cushioning material of the first layer 34 can absorb energy during a collision, thereby reducing the energy that travels inwardly through the liner 28 toward the user. The second layer 36 can quickly distribute the gas within the air bladder 38. Redistribution of the gas can redistribute the energy of the collision around the liner 28. For example, the gas can redistribute spherically around the air bladder 38 after a point collision. This redistribution of the gas and the energy of the collision can reduce the unidirectional impact of a violent collision to the user. The air bladder 38 quickly converts unidirectional local impact forces into globally dispersed spherical forces to reduce rotational forces which could injure the user. When the air bladder 38 is locally compressed, the air bladder 38 quickly generates compressive forces in all spherical directions around the helmet shell 12. The first layer 34 and the third layer 42 can absorb some of the energy redirected by the second layer 36. The movement of the gas through the air bladder 38 can also create some push back, or recoil, on the opposite side of the helmet shell 12 from the impact to further reduce rotational forces and oscillation of the helmet. The second layer 36 thus better stabilizes the head and the brain of the user wearing the helmet. The air bladder 38 also provides compression within the liner 28 to better cushion the head of the user.
The pressure of the gas within the air bladder 38 is important for providing protection, so the pressure may be monitored regularly using the air valve 50 and the display panel 58. In embodiments with the display panel 58, the user can easily check the pressure of the gas within the air bladder 38 before every usage. Additionally, the large size of the atoms of the gas and the nonporous plastic material of the air bladder 38 can inhibit the gas from leaking out of the air bladder 38 and therefore inhibit reduction in the pressure of the gas over time.
The viscoelastic rubber material of the third layer 42 can convert energy from the impact to heat. The viscoelastic rubber material can absorb some of the energy and other forces of the impact. In particular, NOENE®, which is typically used for shoe insoles, can absorb up to 92% of the shock generated with each step taken by the person wearing the shoe insoles. The viscoelasticity of NOENE® makes it an excellent shock absorber, and it can absorb and then disperse energy from the impact across the third layer 42.
Each of the layers of the liner 28 may be relatively thin. For example, the liner 28 may only reduce the size of the helmet shell 12 by between 0.25 inch and 0.5 inch, making the liner 28 useful for modifying a helmet that the user already owns or uses. Alternatively, new helmets could be manufactured with the liner 28 attached to the helmet shell 12.
With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

I claim:

1. A protective headgear assembly comprising:

a helmet shell comprising a peripheral wall having an internal surface and an external surface;

a liner being coupled to the internal surface of the peripheral wall of the helmet shell, the liner having an outer side and an inner side, the outer side being positioned adjacent to the internal surface of the peripheral wall, the inner side being configured to cover a head of a user when the user is wearing the helmet shell wherein the liner absorbs a force of an impact to the external surface of the peripheral wall of the helmet shell whereby the liner is configured to inhibit the force of the impact from injuring the user, the liner further comprising:

a first layer being on the outer side, the first layer comprising a multi-density polymer cushioning material;

a second layer being coupled to the first layer, the second layer comprising an air bladder having an interior space being filled with a gas; and

a third layer being coupled to the second layer, the third layer being on the inner side, the third layer comprising a viscoelastic rubber material being configured to absorb the force of the impact and disperse energy from the force of the impact across the third layer.

2. The protective headgear assembly of claim 1, wherein the multi-density polymer cushioning material comprises a GDEFY® VERSOCLOUD® spring cell material.

3. The protective headgear assembly of claim 1, wherein the gas has a pressure, the air bladder comprising a plastic material being nonporous wherein the plastic material is configured to inhibit the gas from leaking out of the air bladder thereby maintaining the pressure of the gas within the air bladder.

4. The protective headgear assembly of claim 3, wherein the peripheral wall has a lower edge defining an opening into the helmet shell, the peripheral wall having a back side, the protective headgear assembly further comprising a display panel being coupled to the peripheral wall of the helmet shell, the display panel being electrically coupled to the second layer of the liner, the display panel displaying the pressure of the gas within the interior space of the air bladder, the display panel being positioned on the back side of the peripheral wall, the display panel being positioned adjacent to the lower edge of the peripheral wall.

5. The protective headgear assembly of claim 1, wherein the gas comprises nitrogen.

6. The protective headgear assembly of claim 1, wherein the viscoelastic rubber material comprises a NOENE® material.

7. The protective headgear assembly of claim 1, further comprising a coupler releasably attaching the outer side of the liner to the internal surface of the peripheral wall of the helmet shell.

8. The protective headgear assembly of claim 7, the coupler further comprising:

a first mating member being attached to the internal surface of the peripheral wall of the helmet shell; and

a second mating member being releasably engageable with the first mating member, the second mating member being attached to the outer side of the liner, the second mating member being alignable with the first mating member when the liner is positioned within the helmet shell.

9. The protective headgear assembly of claim 8, wherein each of the first mating member and the second mating member comprise a hook and loop material.

10. The protective headgear assembly of claim 1, further comprising an air valve being coupled to the second layer of the liner, the air valve being fluidically coupled to the interior space of the air bladder wherein the air valve facilitates adding the gas to the interior space.

11. The protective headgear assembly of claim 10, wherein the peripheral wall has a lower edge defining an opening into the helmet shell, the air valve being positioned proximate to the lower edge of the peripheral wall wherein the air valve is configured to be accessible to the user when the liner is positioned within the helmet shell.

12. The protective headgear assembly of claim 10, further comprising a fastener releasably coupling the air valve to the internal surface of the peripheral wall of the helmet shell.

13. The protective headgear assembly of claim 12, the fastener comprising:

a primary fastening portion being attached to the internal surface of the peripheral wall of the helmet shell;

a secondary fastening portion being releasably couplable with the primary fastening portion, the secondary fastening portion being attached to the air valve, the secondary fastening portion being alignable with the first fastening portion when the liner is positioned within the helmet shell.

14. The protective headgear assembly of claim 13, wherein each of the primary fastening portion and the secondary fastening portion comprises a hook and loop material.

15. The protective headgear assembly of claim 1, further comprising a display panel being coupled to the peripheral wall of the helmet shell, the display panel being electrically coupled to the second layer of the liner, the display panel displaying a pressure of the gas within the interior space of the air bladder.

16. The protective headgear assembly of claim 1, wherein the liner is removably coupled to the internal surface of the peripheral wall of the helmet shell.

17. A protective headgear assembly comprising:

a helmet shell comprising a peripheral wall having an internal surface and an external surface, the peripheral wall having a lower edge defining an opening into the helmet shell, the peripheral wall having a front side and a back side;

a liner being coupled to the internal surface of the peripheral wall of the helmet shell, the liner having an outer side and an inner side, the outer side being positioned adjacent to the internal surface of the peripheral wall, the inner side being configured to cover a head of a user when the user is wearing the helmet shell, the liner covering the internal surface of the peripheral wall of the helmet shell wherein the liner absorbs a force of an impact to the external surface of the peripheral wall of the helmet shell as the force of the impact travels from the external surface through the liner whereby the liner is configured to inhibit the force of the impact from injuring the user, the liner further comprising:

a first layer being on the outer side, the first layer comprising a multi-density polymer cushioning material, the multi-density polymer cushioning material being a GDEFY® VERSOCLOUD® spring cell material;

a second layer being coupled to the first layer, the second layer comprising an air bladder having an interior space being filled with a gas, the gas having a pressure, the air bladder comprising a plastic material being nonporous wherein the plastic material is configured to inhibit the gas from leaking out of the air bladder, the gas comprising nitrogen;

a third layer being coupled to the second layer, the third layer being on the inner side, the third layer comprising a viscoelastic rubber material being configured to absorb the force of the impact and disperse energy from the force of the impact across the third layer, the viscoelastic rubber material being NOENE® material;

a coupler releasably attaching the outer side of the liner to the internal surface of the peripheral wall of the helmet shell, the coupler comprising:

a first mating member being attached to the internal surface of the peripheral wall of the helmet shell;

a second mating member being releasably engageable with the first mating member, the second mating member being attached to the outer side of the liner, the second mating member being alignable with the first mating member when the liner is positioned within the helmet shell;

wherein each of the first mating member and the second mating member comprise a hook and loop material;

an air valve being coupled to the second layer of the liner, the air valve being fluidically coupled to the interior space of the air bladder wherein the air valve facilitates adding the gas to the interior space, the air valve being positioned proximate to the lower edge of the peripheral wall wherein the air valve is configured to be accessible to the user when the liner is positioned within the helmet shell;

a fastener releasably coupling the air valve to the internal surface of the peripheral wall of the helmet shell, the fastener comprising:

a secondary fastening portion being releasably couplable with the primary fastening portion, the secondary fastening portion being attached to the air valve, the secondary fastening portion being alignable with the first fastening portion when the liner is positioned within the helmet shell;

wherein each of the primary fastening portion and the secondary fastening portion comprises a hook and loop material; and

a display panel being coupled to the peripheral wall of the helmet shell, the display panel being electrically coupled to the second layer of the liner, the display panel displaying the pressure of the gas within the interior space of the air bladder, the display panel being positioned on the back side of the peripheral wall, the display panel being positioned adjacent to the lower edge of the peripheral wall.