Abstract:
An interactive helmet system and method for reducing brain injuries may provide a helmet and at least one inflatable air pouch. The at least one inflatable air pouch may remain in an active position and may pressurize or further inflate in response to an impact with a surface. Over a predetermined time period, the at least one inflatable air pouch may not depressurize and may instantly pressurize or further inflate. The at least one inflatable air pouch may have an air pouch pressure that increases to a higher pressure and may protect users from brain injury at high impact forces.
Abstract:
A helmet supported by a vertical extension, extending from the rear-center of the helmet to the rear-center of shoulder pads or shoulder harness. The fixed in-place helmet is supported above the wearer's head, without relying upon the wearer for support, and permits the wearer to move his head in all directions. Shock absorbing material is provided between a portion of the space between the top of the head and the inside of the helmet, leaving sufficient room for head motion. The vertical extension resists elongation or compression along the vertical axis when impacted, but undergo flexure displacement in any lateral direction, followed by shape recovery after impact. The vertical extension may be adjustably attached to either the helmet or the shoulder pads.
Abstract:
A helmet having non-bursting air cells preferably includes a hard helmet shell, an outside air cell impact layer and an inside air cell impact layer. The outside air cell impact layer preferably includes at least one air cell layer and an outside layer of sheet material. Each air cell layer includes a plurality of air cells created between two plastic sheets. The inside air cell impact layer includes the at least one air cell layer. The inside and outside air cell impact layers may be permanently or removably attached to hard helmet shell. A second embodiment of the helmet having non-bursting air cells preferably includes the hard helmet shell, the outside air cell impact layer and an inside air cell inflatable impact layer. The inside air cell inflatable impact layer preferably includes at least one inflatable air cell layer and a check valve.
Abstract:
Systems, methods, and devices for protecting a user head are provided. In one example, a computer-implemented method can comprise receiving, by a system operatively coupled to a processor, a set of data detected by one or more sensor embedded within the helmet device. The computer-implemented method can also comprise adjusting, by the system, a pressure condition within a first set of inflatable cells of the helmet device based on the set of data.
Abstract:
A system and method for easily and frequently checking the gas bladder pressure levels in a sports player's helmet and refilling them to maintain optimum head protection for the player. The system and method involve an electronic hand-held gas pump that wirelessly communicates with an adjacent wireless device that comprises a software application for controlling pump operation. The software application allows a user to build a player helmet profile that automatically displays current gas pressure in the gas bladder to which the pump is currently connected. The system and method establish a preferred gas pressure level for every bladder in the helmet when the helmet is being worn and when the helmet is not being worn. Spreadsheets for an entire team can be generated, not only depicting the preferred gas pressure levels but time/date data for periodic checks in order to maintain every bladder to its preferred gas pressure level.
Abstract:
An impact-absorbing compressible member includes a thin-walled enclosure defining an inner chamber containing a volume of fluid such as air. The enclosure includes one or more orifices which as sized and positioned to allow air to vent from the inner chamber in response to an impact on the member and to refill the inner chamber in response to an impact on the member and to refill the inner chamber after the impact is released. The enclosure is formed of a blow-molded thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material which is economical to make and durable in use. The compressible members can be used as building blocks for impact-absorbing shell structures for a wide variety of applications such as helmets, protective pads for body parts, sports arena wall padding, vehicular bumpers, dashboards and the like. The compressible member has impact-absorbing advantages over conventional foams currently used in those applications.
Abstract:
A lacrosse helmet comprises rigid single-piece shell formed of a suitable material such as polycarbonate or ABS plastic and adapted to receive and protect the head of a wearer. The shell has acclivities integrally formed therein to define features in the shell. A padding system includes crown padding comprising a crown shock absorber associated with an inner crown liner, rear and side padding comprising a lateral padding assembly backed by an inflatable occipital pad, left and right jaw pads, and a front molded pad nested within the front of the helmet shell.
Abstract:
A system may include an article of apparel and a fluid source. The article of apparel incorporates a plurality of fluid channels, and the apparel includes a fluid connector in fluid communication with the fluid channels. A fluid source is configured to join with the fluid connector and supply a fluid to the fluid channels. The article of apparel may include a pad component formed from a polymer foam material, which defines the fluid channels. A pair of material elements may be secured to opposite sides of the pad component, with one of the material elements being fluid permeable adjacent to at least a portion of the fluid channels.
Abstract:
A protective device such as a seat or helmet contains impact attenuating fluid (e.g., CO2, Air or Water) containing cells, sensors and electrically actuated exhaust valves for cushioning impact and decelerating a user (e.g., the contacting body part of the user)after an impact. Accelerometers and a pressure sensor supply signals to a microcontroller, which opens an exhaust valve if accelerations (or pressure) exceed a threshold. Expelling fluid provides a cushioning and damping effect, decelerating the wearer's head. Acceleration data, fluid pressure data and GPS position data may be wirelessly communicated to a monitor computer system.
Abstract:
A sports product may include a support member and an impact region configured to impact an object. The impact region may be coupled to the support member. The sports product may also include a shear thickening material in at least one of the support member or the impact region. The shear thickening material may be configured to exhibit shear thickening behavior when an impact occurs between the impact region and the object.