Abstract:
A shock balance controller is described, including a support structure configured to support the shock balance controller, the support structure having a chamber including a port disposed in a side of the chamber, the port providing an opening to a housing, and a bladder coupled to the housing, the bladder being filled with a first material configured to receive pressure from a shock, wherein the first material, when receiving the shock pushes a first piston that compresses a spring disposed in the housing, the spring pushing a second piston that increases the pressure of a second material stored in the chamber. A shock balance controller may also include a structure configured to support the shock balance controller, the structure having a chamber, a port, and a housing assembly, and a bladder coupled to the structure using the housing assembly, the bladder and housing assembly being configured to transfer energy between the bladder and the chamber.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/577,431 entitled “Shock Balance Controller” filed Jun. 7, 2004 which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to safety equipment. Specifically, a shock balance controller is described. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Shock absorption systems are used for a variety of purposes, particularly safety equipment, wear, and other devices that reduce bodily injury. Conventional techniques use materials such as molded plastics, foam, rubber, or other solid materials that absorb shock. For example, bicycle, motorcycle, and police/law enforcement/riot helmets use molded polystyrene with hardened outer plastic shells that, after being subjected to an impact of particular strength, must be replaced. The materials in the helmet reduce or eliminate trauma to the human skull and cranial regions by dissipating the force of a blow throughout the material, which often breaks apart as a result. As another example, cushioning materials in shoes (i.e., mid-sole cushioning) are often molded or formed within the overall structure and provided cushioning and support. However, conventional shock absorption systems are discarded when shoes are replaced. Conventional shock absorption systems are inefficient and expensive. 
     Conventional shock absorption systems are inefficient because they must be replaced after an impact occurs. The inner, protective polystyrene, rubber, or plastic lining of a crash helmet may be significantly damaged, regardless of whether an outer, hardened plastic shell is damaged by an impact. Structural damage to the inner lining eliminates the material strength and shock absorption capabilities of conventional systems. Further, conventional techniques do not evenly dissipate energy from an impact. The resulting localization of energy from an impact can cause localized trauma and damage in conventional systems. Still further, significant expense is incurred when a structure containing the conventional system must be replaced after an impact has occurred. 
     Thus, what is needed is a solution for absorbing and balancing impact energy without the limitations of conventional techniques. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various examples of the invention are disclosed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary shock balance controller; 
         FIG. 2  is an alternative illustration of an exemplary shock balance controller; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a frontal view of an exemplary shock balance controller; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary shock balance controller implemented in a helmet; 
         FIG. 5  is an alternative illustration of an exemplary shock balance controller implemented in a helmet; 
         FIG. 6  is another alternative illustration of an exemplary shock balance controller implemented in a helmet; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary shock balance controller positioned relative to a human skull; 
         FIG. 8  is an alternative illustration of an exemplary shock balance controller positioned relative to a human skull; 
         FIG. 9  is another alternative illustration of an exemplary shock balance controller positioned relative to a human skull; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary shock balance controller centerpiece; 
         FIG. 11  is an alternative illustration of an exemplary shock balance controller centerpiece; 
         FIG. 12  is another alternative illustration of an exemplary shock balance controller centerpiece; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an alternative example of an exemplary shock balance controller; and 
         FIG. 14  illustrates another alternative example of an exemplary shock balance controller. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Implementation of described techniques may occur in numerous ways, including as a system, device, apparatus, or process. A detailed description of one or more examples is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate the principles of the examples. The scope of the examples is limited only by the claims and encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents. Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description. These details are provided solely for the purposes of example and may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. 
     A shock balance controller is described. Various devices, components, systems, and processes may be implemented using the below-described techniques. In some examples, a shock balance controller may be implemented within various support structures such as helmets, shoes, or other protective wear. In other examples, a shock balance controller may be implemented in structures designed to absorb a shock, impact, blow, or pressure (hereafter “pressure”), such as crash helmets, protective clothing, shoes, and the like. The described examples may be varied and are not limited to the descriptions provided. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary shock balance controller. Here, shock balance controller  100  includes bladders  102 - 108 , pistons  110 - 112 , springs  114 , support structure  116 , chamber side or wall (hereafter “chamber wall”)  118 , chamber  120 , and fill valve  122 . Shock balance controller  100  may be implemented such that bladders  102 - 108  are filled with a liquid or gas. In some examples, materials such as silicone oil may be used to fill bladders  102 - 108  and absorb energy from applied pressure. Chamber  120  may be filled with a gas (e.g., air, nitrogen, helium, and the like) using fill valve  122 . Chamber  120  may be filled to different pressure levels using fill valve  122 . In some examples, fill valve  122  may be used to increase or decrease pressure in chamber  120  relative to atmospheric conditions (e.g., altitude, barometric pressure, and the like). Gas in chamber  120  may displace pistons  112 , which translate energy to or from springs  114 . Pistons  112  and springs  114  may work in concert as an assembly or mechanism to transfer or cushion pressure balanced throughout shock balance controller  100 . Likewise, energy may be translated from spring  114  to pistons  110 , which operates on material (e.g., silicone oil) in bladders  102 - 108 . In some examples, pistons  110 - 112  are disposed in housings or housing assemblies that include springs  114 , which react to pressure displacements at bladders  102 - 108 . Gaskets (not shown) placed around the outer circumference of pistons  110 - 112  provide a seal to prevent gas filling chamber  120  or material (e.g., silicone oil) filling bladders  102 - 108  from leaking into each other. Support structure  116  supports the various components of system  100 . System  100  may be implemented using different components, which may also be varied in size, shape, and numbers. For example, the number and dimensions of bladders may be varied and are not limited to those shown. System  100  and the above-described components may be varied in different implementations and are not limited to the examples shown. 
       FIG. 2  is an alternative illustration of an exemplary shock balance controller. Here, system  200  may be implemented using system  100  ( FIG. 1 ). Arrows  202 - 210  indicate pressure action and reaction within system  200 . When pressure is applied to one or more of bladders  102 - 108 , the pressure in the material (e.g., silicone oil) is increased and translated from the affected bladder to gas (e.g., oxygen, nitrogen, helium, air, and the like) stored in chamber  120  via pistons  110 - 112  and springs  114 . In some examples, pressure may also be transferred to unaffected bladders. Material in bladders  102 - 108  cushion an impact, receiving pressure that pushes pistons  110  and springs  114 , which compress gas in chamber  120 . As gas in chamber  120  is compressed, the pressure is dissipated and returned back to the impacted bladder, restoring system  100  to a state of equilibrium. Compressed springs  114  push pistons  112 , which pushes the gas in chamber  120 . When gas pressure in chamber  120  is increased in reaction to energy translated from springs  114 , the compressed gas reacts to the affected piston and spring. As the compressed gas expands in chamber  120 , pistons  112  and  114  are forced back towards the impacted bladder, increasing the pressure in the stored material within the impacted bladder. In some examples, an impact may be large and pressure may be translated from the compressed gas in chamber  120  to unaffected bladders. Pistons  112  and springs  114  act together to balance pressure in bladders  102 - 108 , but gas stored in chamber  120  provides a “shock absorption” capability that allows bladders  102 - 108  to maintain a desired pressure level. 
     As an example, when pressure is applied to bladder  108 , silicone oil in bladder  108  translates energy from the increased pressure to piston  110 , as indicated by arrows  202  and  204 . In turn, piston  110  compresses spring  114 , which axially displaces or pushes piston  112  towards chamber  120 . Gas pressure in chamber  120  increases as piston  112  is pushed. As piston  112  moves towards chamber  120 , the gaseous volume is decreased, causing a subsequent increase in gas pressure. As gas pressure increases, energy from the impact dissipates and gas in chamber  120  expands and displaces pistons  110 - 112  and spring  114  back towards the impacted bladder. Impact forces applied at bladders  102 - 108  displace pistons  112  and compresses springs  114  in the housing assemblies. Chamber  120  and pressurized gas allow system  200  to maintain, absorb, and dissipate forces applied at bladders  102 - 108 . In other examples, pressure applied to multiple bladders  102 - 108  may be handled as described above. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a frontal view of an exemplary shock balance controller. Here, a more detailed illustration of system  300  is shown, including housings  302 . Housings  302  include pistons  110 - 112  and springs  114 . Pistons  110 - 112  may be implemented in various shapes and sizes. For example, pistons  110  in system  300  have rounded ends that enable compression of silicone oil without puncturing bladders  102 - 108 . Housings  302  also include inner spaces  304 , gaskets  306 , and ports  308 - 310 . Silicone oil (or another liquid or gaseous material) in bladders  102 - 108  are in fluid communication with pistons  110 , which acts as a medium to compress springs  114 . Gas in chamber  120  is the medium that pistons  112  act upon in order to absorb, transfer, dissipate, and balance pressure in system  300 . Gaskets  306  disposed on the outer circumference of pistons  306  maintain a seal (i.e., hermetic) to prevent material in bladders  102 - 108  or gas in chamber  120  from leaking past pistons  110  and  112 , respectively. When pistons  110  or  112  are forced into housing  302  due to increased pressures applied at either bladders  102 - 108  or chamber  120 , spring  114  is compressed, which pushes a piston (e.g.,  110  or  112 ) at the opposite end of spring  114  away from the area of increased pressure into an area of decreased pressure (e.g., chamber  120 ), causing the dissipation of pressure. In other examples, components of system  300  may be varied and are not limited to the examples shown. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary shock balance controller implemented in a helmet. In some examples, shock balance controller system  400  may be implemented in a crash helmet. Here, crash helmet  402  may be an athletic helmet that may include various padding, cushioning, or insulative materials. Placement of bladders  102 - 108  in crash helmet  402  are intended to provide protection to the upper cranial region of a human skull. If an impact occurs to a particular region of crash helmet  402 , energy from the force of the impact may be dissipated by system  400 . In other examples, shock balance controllers may be implemented in different types of head gear. 
       FIG. 5  is an alternative illustration of an exemplary shock balance controller implemented in a helmet. As another example, shock balance controller system  500  (e.g.,  100 ) may be implemented in crash helmet  502 . As discussed above in connection with crash helmet  400  ( FIG. 4 ), shock balance controller system  500  may be implemented to provide protection to a wearer from potential impacts that may be specific to particular uses (e.g., football vs. hockey). 
       FIG. 6  is another alternative illustration of an exemplary shock balance controller implemented in a helmet. Here, shock balance controller  600  may be implemented in athletic head gear. For example, crash helmet  602  may be used to house shock balance controller  600 . In some examples, shock balance controller  600  may be implemented within a helmet liner of crash helmet  602 . Shock balance controller  600  may be positioned so as to provide protection to a wearer while enabling other pads, liners, or cushioning material to be used for comfort and fitting purposes. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary shock balance controller positioned relative to a human skull. Here, frontal view  700  is shown with a shock balance controller positioned relative to human skull  702 . In some examples, bladder  102  is positioned over the right side of human skull  702 . Bladder  108  may be positioned over the upper forehead region of human skull  702 . Likewise, bladders  104  and  106  (as shown in  FIG. 8 ) may be disposed over the left side and rear regions of human skull  702 .  FIG. 8  is an alternative illustration of an exemplary shock balance controller positioned relative to a human skull. Right rear side perspective  800  illustrates the positioning of a shock balance controller over human skull  702 . The perspective illustrated in  FIG. 8  shows the positioning of bladders  102 ,  106 , and  108  as described above. Another alternative illustration is shown in  FIG. 9 . Here, upper frontal perspective  900  illustrates a shock balance controller system over human skull  702 . In the above-described examples, housings  302  transfer pressure to unaffected bladders. Fill valve  122  may be used to replace, supplement, increase, or decrease air pressure in chamber  120  ( FIG. 1 ), which is used to absorb impact or shock pressure from bladders  102 - 108 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary shock balance controller centerpiece. In some examples, shock balance controller  1000  includes outer chamber wall  1002 , inner chamber wall  1004 , outer ports  1006 , and inner ports  1008 . Here, a vertical perspective of shock balance controller  1000  is shown. Gaseous pressure may be maintained within chamber  120  by chamber wall  118 , outer chamber wall  1002 , and inner chamber wall  1004 . Gas within chamber  120  may be directed through ports  1008  to pistons  112 , which compress springs  114 . When compressed, springs  114  press pistons  110 , which subsequently press and increase pressure on material (e.g., silicone oil) filling bladders  102 - 108 . In the above-described examples, shock balance controller  1000  components (e.g., ports  1006 ,  1008 , and others) may be varied. For example, other materials besides silicone oil may be used to fill bladders  102 - 108  ( FIG. 1 ). Materials that are inert, non-toxic, lightweight, and others may be used. As another example, pistons  110 - 112  may be free-floating or attached to other components (e.g., springs  114 ). Other components and materials may be varied and are not limited to the examples described above. 
       FIG. 11  is an alternative illustration of an exemplary shock balance controller centerpiece. Here, an opposing vertical perspective (i.e., opposite to the perspective shown in  FIG. 10 ) of shock balance controller  1100  is shown. In some examples, fill valve  122  may be disposed on the top, bottom, or a side of chamber  120 . Fill valve  122  may be implemented as a one-way fill valve that allows chamber  120  to be pressurized (i.e., using an external pressure source (not shown)) to a desired level of pressure. Increasing or decreasing pressure in chamber  120  may be used to adjust the level of resistance that occurs when pressure is applied to bladders  102 - 108 . In other words, the pressure of material (e.g., silicone oil) in bladders  102 - 108  may be adjusted to accommodate different potential impact pressures.  FIG. 12  is another alternative illustration of an exemplary shock balance controller centerpiece. Here, a frontal perspective of shock balance controller  1200  is shown. Fill-valve  122  is disposed on top of shock balance controller  1200 , which may be used to adjust gaseous pressure within chamber  120 . In turn, pressure in chamber  120  may be used to absorb energy received from an impact and transferred via pistons  110 - 112  and spring  114 . In other examples, shock balance controller  1200  may be implemented for different uses. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an alternative example of an exemplary shock balance controller. Here, shock balance controller  1300  may be implemented in a shoe. In some examples, shock balance controller  1300  includes bladders  1302 - 1308 . As discussed above, shock balance controller  1300  may also include springs  114 , support structure  116 , chamber  120 , fill valve  122 , and housings  302 . Housing  302  may be used to transfer pressure via springs  114  between bladders  1302 - 1308 . In some examples, support structure  116  may be used to support housings  302 , chamber  120 , and springs  114 . Bladders  1302 - 1308  may be filled with materials similar to those described above, which provide shock absorption capabilities to the forefoot, heel, instep, and outer portions of a shoe. Impact pressures resulting from walking, running, or other motion-oriented activities may be absorbed by bladders  102 - 108 . Other components of shock-balance controller  1300  may be varied in size, dimensions, materials, position, configuration, and are not limited to those described above. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates another alternative example of an exemplary shock balance controller. Here, shock balance controller  1400  may be implemented in motorcycle crash helmet  1402 . Shock balance controller  1400  includes bladders  1404 - 1410  and housings  302 . In some examples, housings  302  may be used to translate energy from impacts at bladders  1404 - 1410  to chamber  120  (not shown). In other examples, a fill valve (e.g.,  122  ( FIG. 1 )) may be used or not used. In the above examples, a fill valve may be used to vary pressure in a central chamber (e.g., chamber  120  ( FIG. 1 )). In other examples, a fill valve and central chamber may be omitted, enabling pressure to be directly transferred between bladders  1404 - 1410 . In other examples, components of shock balance controller  1400  may be varied and are not limited to those described above. 
     Although the foregoing examples have been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, the invention is not limited to the details provided. There are many alternative ways of implementing the invention. The disclosed examples are illustrative and not restrictive.