Helmet

A helmet having an outer shell and an inner shell placed within the outer shell. The inner shell attached to the outer shell by a plurality of elastomeric elements to isolate the inner shell from impacts and rotational forces applied to the outer shell.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to helmets used as protective gear.

2. Description of Related Art

Helmets are well known in the art to be securely fashioned to a head and provide padding in an attempt to absorb impact. Most helmets are designed to prevent skull injury and most testing systems test for this ability. Recently the concept of brain injury separate from skull injury has come to light and helmets are not typically designed to prevent such injuries well. Current helmets may dampen high crushing forces, but they do nothing to reduce against rotational forces that can damage the brain and the upper spine.

A need exists, therefore, for a helmet that protects the brain and upper spine as well as the skull.

All references cited herein are incorporated by reference to the maximum extent allowable by law. To the extent a reference may not be fully incorporated herein, it is incorporated by reference for background purposes and indicative of the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The problems presented in typical helmets are solved by providing a helmet with two shells connected by a plurality of discrete elastomeric elements.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent with reference to the drawings and detailed description that follow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

All references cited herein are incorporated by reference to the maximum extent allowable by law. To the extent a reference may not be fully incorporated herein, it is incorporated by reference for background purposes and indicative of the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art.

FIG. 1is a perspective view of a helmet10having an outer shell12and an inner shell14connected to each other by a plurality of discrete elastomeric elements16. The elastomeric elements16are only partially viewable in this view as they extend through the outer shell12. Outer shell12and inner shell14are both made of relatively stiff plastics such as polycarbonates or other materials with similar stiffness and toughness, including mixtures of different materials and layers of different materials combined into a single shell. If a helmet10has a chinstrap18then chinstrap18will be secured to inner shell14, not outer shell12.

FIG. 2is a side view of the helmet10ofFIG. 1showing the profile of outer shell12and a layout of elastomeric elements16. If a helmet10has a facemask20or visor22then facemask20or visor22will be attached to outer shell12. Other optional equipment attached to the helmet will be attached to the outer shell12unless the optional equipment is intended to touch a head, such as the chinstrap18or pads24, shown inFIG. 3

FIG. 3is a front view of the helmet ofFIG. 1showing the sectional line forFIG. 4. Various optional aspects of the helmet are shown from this view such as those attached to the inner shell14like the pads24and chinstrap18.

FIG. 4is a sectional view of the helmet10ofFIG. 3more clearly showing an inside view of helmet10and inner shell14in particular. Elastomeric elements16are shown extending through inner shell14.

FIG. 5is a close up sectional view of the helmet10ofFIG. 4to show the relationship between elastomeric elements16and inner shell14and outer shell12. Both inner shell14and outer shell12have bore holes26placed in a pattern such that when inner shell14is placed within outer shell12the bore holes substantially align. Each borehole26has a recess28. For outer shell12the recess28is on an outer surface36while for inner shell14the recess28is on an inner surface38.

Elastomeric elements16are comprised of a body30, shanks32extending from the body30, and heads34attached to shanks32. Body30sits between outer shell12and inner shell14, while shanks32extend through boreholes26in inner shell14and outer shell12. Heads34are shaped to fit recesses28in the outer surface36of outer shell12and inner surface38of inner shell14. Elements16are made of elastomeric materials such as urethane, silicone, or other material with similar elastomeric properties, including mixtures of materials or combinations of materials within the same elastomeric element. The elements16are placed in aligning boreholes26to secure inner shell14within outer shell12and provide an elastic connection between inner shell14and outer shell12that allows outer shell12to rotate relative to inner shell14as well as absorb shocks applied to outer shell12so that they are not fully transmitted to inner shell14.

As shown on one element16in bothFIG. 4andFIG. 5an element16may have placement strands40. Placement strands40may be cast into elastomeric element16when element16is formed. Placement strands40may be made of suitable wire, chord, string or twine. If the placement strands40are cast in the elastomeric elements16when they are formed, the strands40should be made of a material with a higher melting temperature than the material used in the elastomeric elements16. Placements strands40are used to align the elastomeric elements16with bore holes26when locating the inner shell14within the outer shell12. For example, elastomeric elements16may have one end fitted to bore holes26in the inner shell14and then placement strands40would be threaded through the corresponding bore holes26in outer shell12. As inner shell14is moved into place near outer shell12the placement strands40may be pulled to align each elastomeric element16with its corresponding bore hole in outer shell12. Once the elastomeric elements16are aligned with bore holes26in outer shell12the placement strands may be used to pull each elastomeric element16into engagement with its corresponding bore hole in outer shell12, by pulling the heads34through the bore hole26to rest in the recess28. Placement strands may extend from just one end of the elastomeric elements or from both ends to allow for adjustment if an elastomeric element16is pulled too hard during placement. After placement the placement strands40may be removed from the elastomeric elements16, typically by trimming them off with scissors or a razor blade.

Other methods for placement may be used for elastomeric elements16, but placement strands40are one placement method that can be done by hand.

Even though the embodiment shown in this application is in a sports helmet with several optional features the basic concept is easily applicable to military helmets, construction helmets, safety helmets, and other helmet applications. Also, the basic concept may be used in helmets with less of the optional features, such as a football helmet with no visor.

It should be apparent from the foregoing that an invention having significant advantages has been provided. While the invention is shown in only a few of its forms, it is not just limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.