Abstract:
A helmet comprising: an outer protective shell; an inner protective shell; a first energy transformer layer associated with a shear mechanism, the first energy transformer layer residing between the outer protective shell and the inner protective shell, wherein the shear mechanism allows the outer protective shell to slide relative to the inner protective shell; a liner layer connected to the inner protective shell, the liner layer configured to reside between the inner protective shell and a human head; a chin strap attached to the inner protective shell, the chin strap and the liner layer configured to secure the inner protective shell to the human head while the outer protective shell is allowed to slide relative to the inner protective shell.
Abstract:
A helmet comprising: an outer shell layer; an inner shell layer connected to a chin strap, the chin strap operable to secure the helmet and maintain the position of the inner shell layer on the human head during rotational force impact on the outer shell layer;a shear mechanism between the outer shell layer and the inner shell layer, the shear mechanism configured to allow the outer shell layer to slide up to several centimeters relative to the inner shell layer during rotational force impact on the outer shell layer,a first energy transformer between the outer shell layer and the inner shell layer, the first energy transformer comprising a first absorptive/dissipative material, the first energy transformer adjacent to the shear mechanism, wherein the first energy transformer is configured to absorb/dissipate mechanical energy as thermal/transformational energy.
Abstract:
A protective headgear for a baseball or softball fielder includes a rigid outer protective shell that has a first side portion, an opposing second side portion and a brim that extends outwardly from a front portion. The outer protective shell has a top opening and a rear opening that is defined between the first and second side portions. As a result, the protective headgear does not completely circumscribe the fielder's head. The protective headgear also includes an impact absorption material disposed along an inner surface of the outer protective shell and also an inner cap to be worn beneath the outer protective shell. The inner cap is formed of a breathable material and can be in the form of a skull cap.
Abstract:
A helmet (100) comprising a first protective layer (12), the first protective layer (12) comprising at least one accessory mount portion (10) for receiving an accessory mount or an accessory, the at least one accessory mount portion (10) being arranged integrally as a part of the first protective layer (12) and configured to disintegrate from the rest of the first protective layer (12) in response to a mechanical impact to the at least one accessory mount portion (10) for preventing the accessory mount portion (10) and/or the accessory from penetrating through the helmet (100).
Abstract:
A flexible, fibrous energy managing composite panel includes multiple flocked energy absorbing material (FEAM) layers separated by dividers. The FEAM layers can be single side or double side and can be fabricated from monofilament fibers having different properties (e.g., length and denier) flocked onto various substrates. The dividers can include sheets, fabrics, films, foam, spacer fabrics to separate the flock fibers in adjacent layers. The composite panels can be processed for breathability and flexibility. Other embodiments include piezoelectric FEAM layers and dividers for electronic sensing applications, and application of composite panels to body armor and the outer shells of helmets.
Abstract:
Helmet padding systems and apparatuses are disclosed. A helmet padding system includes a helmet shell, a spacing pad, and a plurality of absorption pads. The helmet shell is configured to be positioned on a user's head. The spacing pad is coupled to an interior of the helmet shell. The spacing pad includes a layer of elastomeric material. The spacing pad comprises a central portion coupled to a central region of the helmet shell and a plurality of extending portions projecting outward from the central portion. The absorption pads are coupled to the spacing pad. The absorption pads comprise a first absorption pad coupled to the central portion of the spacing pad and remaining absorption pads coupled to ends of the extending portions of the spacing pad. The padding apparatus includes a spacing pad and a plurality of absorption pads configured to be coupled to an interior of a helmet.
Abstract:
A helmet shell is formed having an outer section of fibrous layers, a middle section of fibrous layers and an inner section of fibrous layers. The outer section layers contain high tenacity abrasive fibers in a resin matrix. The middle section layers contain high strength polyolefin fibers and are in the form of woven or knitted fabrics with a resin matrix. The inner section layers contain high strength polyolefin fibers and are in the form of non-woven fabrics with a resin matrix. The helmet is lightweight and resists penetration of rifle bullets.
Abstract:
An interdigitated cellular cushioning system (108) includes an array of void cells (110, 116) protruding from each of two binding layers (112, 114) and interdigitated between the two binding layers. Peaks (118) of each of the void cells are attached to the opposite binding layer forming the interdigitated cellular cushioning system. The interdigitated cellular cushioning system may be used to absorb and distribute a source of kinetic energy incident on the interdigitated cellular cushioning system (e.g., an impact or explosion (122)) so that the amount of force transmitted through the interdigitated cellular cushioning system is low enough that it does not cause injury to personnel or damage to personnel (102, 104) or equipment adjacent the interdigitated cellular cushioning system.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a head protection helmet comprising an impact resistant shell comprising: a cavity for accommodating a user's head and an array of crushable bodies having a hollow closed configuration, e.g. flutes in corrugated material 14,16, the crushable bodies each having an axis that extends outwardly from the cavity to absorb impact forces exerted along the direction of the axis.