Patent Publication Number: US-11641902-B2

Title: Concussion reducing/energy transferring helmet and shoulder system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/003,151, filed on Jun. 8, 2018, which claims priority form U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/519,315, filed on Jun. 14, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There are many studies done on causes of concussion in contact sports. Many attempts have been made on systems to reduce the felt forces of a head on impact by the brain. Unfortunately none of these solutions has yielded great results on prevention of concussions. 
     One reason for these failures in design is the amount of forces that needs to be dissipated by the head and the brain can reach in access of 1,600 ft/lbs. Upon an impact, the weight of the brain immersed in the fluid filled skull would have to oscillate back and forth until all the impact&#39;s residual forces are dissipated. The number of oscillation of the brain inside the skull is a direct result of the sum of forces received in a head on impact. The higher the force, the higher the number of brain oscillations and the greater the damage. The severity of resulting concussion is directly related to the number of times that the brain has to oscillate back and forth (resonance of the brain). 
     Almost all concussion patients show a decreased level of visual ocular motor responsiveness regardless of what direction their head was hit. These visual ocular motor responsiveness deficiencies are a good indication and a measure of severity of the damage done to the brain as a result of a concussion. 
     Any system that can reduce the felt forces by the brain will reduce the number of oscillations of the brain and thereby reduce the severity of the damage to the brain and the severity of any resultant concussion. Since concussion does not have a cure at this time, it is much better to receive forces with muscular and skeletal parts of the body than the brain. Muscular and skeletal body parts if they are damaged, they can be successfully repaired with many techniques available today. This would be a better choice for receiving the impact forces than receiving multiple concussions that can have a terrible long term effect on a player (Alzheimer&#39;s, Dementia, ALS, Etc.) 
     What is needed is a device that will reduce the forces transmitted to the head and dissipate the energy absorbed by the head and brain. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     The present invention is a device that transmits forces through a head cradle portion and transfers the forces and the energy to the body, dissipating energy that is transferred to the body. A head protection assembly device transfers forces and associated energy away from the head comprises a head cradle portion, an energy absorbing collar portion spaced from and adjacent to the head cradle portion. The energy absorbing collar portion may further comprise a shoulder portion and/or a body fitting portion. The helmet and shoulder system will divert the bulk of the forces and associated energy (including rotational) of a hard impact received by the player&#39;s helmet and head to the players body away from the head, such as to the shoulders. Once the impact forces of predetermine load and associated energy are directed to the user&#39;s shoulders, they are mostly dissipated and will not be available to reflect back to the head and oscillate the user&#39;s brain while damping. As used herein, the term user is used interchangeably with a player, a soldier or any other person utilizing the device for purposes of transferring forces from the head to the body so as to dissipate energy from a force applied to the head. 
     The helmet and shoulder system will substantially reduce the number of brain oscillations as compare to existing helmet designs that rely on the helmet and the players head to dissipate all the energy from a hard impact. 
     In fact the helmet and shoulder system of the present invention will make the majority of the impact forces to travel around the brain, the energy being transferred to the body and dissipated by, for example, the shoulders. This system does not replace current equipment and is meant to be used when possible with existing equipment, such as being combined with current helmet and shoulder pad designs so that it can be used to greatly reduce the severity of concussions in most contact sports such as football, hockey, lacrosse and other sports where there are impacts at high speeds. The device may also be useful to soldiers or other military personnel who are subject to injury from percussions due to exploding ordnance. 
     The purpose of the head protection assembly device is to transfer energy from a blow to the head of predetermined force from the head to the collar portion, where the energy may be quickly dissipated by being transferred to the shoulder portion of body-fitting portion instead of being damped by repeated oscillations of the head as in current and prior art designs. The head protection assembly device thus reduces movement of the head and corresponding oscillations of the brain when subjected to a blow of predetermined force. The head protection assembly device does not have to reduce minor impacts that are of no consequence to the user, but only impacts that are at or above a critical force value. 
     The head cradle portion includes a lower section that is independent of the energy absorbing collar portion. The head cradle portion moves independently of the energy absorbing collar portion. In one embodiment, the head cradle portion is spaced from the collar portion. However, the head protection assembly is not so restricted and may be connected at one or more locations to the collar portion. However, if so connected, the head cradle portion can move independently of the collar portion, that is to say that the collar portion and the head cradle portion do not necessarily interfere with the movement of the other. 
     The energy absorbing collar portion absorbs energy transferred from the head cradle portion due to motion of head cradle portion resulting from an impact, such as for example from a blow from another person or from an object. The energy absorbing collar may comprise any energy absorbing material that can receive and damp energy thereby reducing oscillations of the head due to the impact. The energy absorbing collar may comprise a gel or foam. However, any other energy absorbing material may be used, including but not limited to thixotropic materials or newly discovered materials that are being used by the Air Force in ballistic vests. When used in a military application, the Air Force material will also provide the head cradle portion a certain ballistic resistance. For reduced weight, air bags comprising light weight plastic such as polyethylene sealed and filled with air may be used. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain the features of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG.  1    is an exploded perspective view of depict an energy absorbing head protection assembly device according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    is a front elevational view of the device of  FIG.  1   ; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of the device of  FIG.  1   , showing force arrows pushing downward on the head cradle portion of the device; 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of the device of  FIG.  1   , showing force arrows pushing obliquely on the head cradle portion of the device; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of the device of  FIG.  1   , showing force arrows pushing sideways on the head cradle portion of the device; 
         FIG.  6    is a front elevational view, in section of an energy absorbing head protection assembly device according to an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  7    is an enlarged perspective view showing an interface between a head cradle portion and a collar portion of the device of  FIG.  6   ′ 
         FIG.  8    is an exploded perspective view of the device of  FIG.  6   ; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of the device of  FIG.  6   , showing force arrows pushing downward on the head cradle portion of the device; 
         FIG.  10    is a perspective view of the device of  FIG.  6   , showing force arrows pushing obliquely on the head cradle portion of the device; 
         FIG.  11    is a side elevational view, in section of an energy absorbing head protection assembly device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  12    is an exploded side elevational view of another energy absorbing head protection assembly device according to an alternative exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  13    is a front elevational exploded view of the device of  FIG.  12   ; and 
         FIG.  14    is a perspective exploded view of the device of  FIG.  12   . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the present invention. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar import. As used herein, the term “event” is used to mean an occasion or experience that changes a subject&#39;s brain or neurological status from one condition to another. Such an “event” can be a blow to the head, possibly resulting in a concussion; a stroke or a mini-stroke; or other such experience that changes brain and/or other neurological functioning. 
     The embodiments illustrated below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. These embodiments are chosen and described to best explain the principle of the invention and its application and practical use and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention. 
     Reference herein to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive of other embodiments. The same applies to the term “implementation.” 
     As used in this application, the word “exemplary” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Rather, use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. 
     Additionally, the term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive “or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “X employs A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. 
     Unless explicitly stated otherwise, each numerical value and range should be interpreted as being approximate as if the word “about” or “approximately” preceded the value of the value or range. 
     The use of figure numbers and/or figure reference labels in the claims is intended to identify one or more possible embodiments of the claimed subject matter in order to facilitate the interpretation of the claims. Such use is not to be construed as necessarily limiting the scope of those claims to the embodiments shown in the corresponding figures. 
     It should be understood that the steps of the exemplary methods set forth herein are not necessarily required to be performed in the order described, and the order of the steps of such methods should be understood to be merely exemplary. Likewise, additional steps may be included in such methods, and certain steps may be omitted or combined, in methods consistent with various embodiments of the present invention. 
     The head cradle portion, since it is not the primary method of energy absorption or energy dissipation, but rather a force and energy transfer device, may be made lighter. However, since the head cradle portion is the primary receiver of the impact, some absorbing material such as air bags, gel or foam should be used. It is believed that the head cradle portion may be made lighter, if desired, since it is no longer the primary energy damping system. The head cradle portion includes a lower portion primarily responsible for transferring energy from an impact from the head cradle portion to the energy absorbing collar portion. 
     The collar portion may comprise a body portion and/or a shoulder portion. These may comprise a gel, a foam, air bags or some other energy absorbing material. 
       FIGS.  1  and  2    depict an energy absorbing head protection assembly device  100  (“device  100 ”) according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The device  100  comprises a head cradle portion  110  and an energy absorbing collar portion  150 . The head cradle portion  110  has a lower section  112  that interfaces with energy absorbing collar portion  150 . Head cradle portion  110  is spaced from adjacent and out of contact with the collar portion  150  in normal operation and in contact with the collar portion  150  upon impact of predetermined force, transferring the force and associated energy around the head cradle portion  110  and dissipating the energy. 
     Head cradle portion  110  includes a generally spherical upper portion  112  having an open face portion  114  with a plurality of through openings  116  on either side of open face portion  114 . A flange  120  is connected to the upper portion  112  and extends in an arcuate direction around the upper portion  112 . 
     The collar portion  150  comprises a shoulder portion  152  extending outwardly therefrom. Shoulder portion  152  includes a seat  154  extending in an arc of at least 180 degrees around shoulder portion  152 . Seat  152  receives an impact from flange  120  to distribute the force of an impact on head cradle portion  110  to collar portion  150 . 
     The shoulder portion  152  extends outwardly from the seat  154 . A rim  156  extends upwardly from seat  154  outside the arc. Rim  156  is angled inwardly toward the center of the arc to keep flange  120  within the perimeter defined by rim  156 . 
     A sleeve  160  extends upwardly from the seat  154  within the arc. The sleeve  160  is located within a perimeter defined by the flange  120 . Sleeve  160  comprises a plurality of segments  164 . The plurality of segments  164  allow the sleeve  160  to move inwardly or outwardly, thereby absorbing at least some of the energy imparted onto sleeve  160 . 
     A rear body portion  168  extends downwardly from shoulder portion  152  to the rear of collar portion  150  while two forward body portions  168  extend downwardly from shoulder portion  152 . 
     Device  100  allows a player to have a complete freedom to move his/her head during the normal conditions of a game. Device  100  limits the amount of compression and extension distance of the player&#39;s head versus the player&#39;s shoulder regardless of which direction the hit comes from. After device  100  is engaged, the player will feel more of the force received by the shoulders, which are much stronger than the head. 
     During an impact, device  100  engages head cradle portion  110  to collar portion  150  to dampen and transfer forces to the shoulders and significantly reduce the resonance of the brain.  FIG.  3    shows an exemplary schematic of how a force (shown by arrows) directed vertically downward onto head cradle portion  110  is imparted onto collar portion  150 . Similarly,  FIG.  4    shows an exemplary schematic of how a force (shown by arrows) directed obliquely onto head cradle portion  110  is imparted onto collar portion  150  and  FIG.  5    shows an exemplary schematic of how a force (shown by arrows) directed from the side onto head cradle portion  110  is imparted onto collar portion  150 . 
     While head cradle portion  110  is free to move independently of collar portion  150 , any rapid downward or sideward movement of the head such as may result from an impact causes flange  120  to impact seat  154 , transferring energy from head cradle portion  110  to collar portion  150  where the energy can be dissipated. 
     In an alternative embodiment, as shown in  FIGS.  6 - 10   , an energy absorbing head protection assembly device  300  (“device  300 ”) includes a head cradle portion  310  having an upper portion  312  and a flange  320 . Upper portion  312  comprises an outer shell  330  and an inner shell  332  having a lip  334  wrapped around a portion of the outer shell  330 . Inner shell  332  can be an energy absorbing material such as a gel or other force dampening/energy absorbing material such as Sorbothane. 
     The gel extends down to and encompasses a flange  320  that extends downwardly from upper portion  312 . Flange  320  flares outwardly from the upper portion  312  and includes a flange rib  322  extending radially inwardly. 
     A collar portion  350  includes a sleeve  360  that has an outer sleeve  370  fixedly connected to a seat  354  and an inner sleeve  372  having a lip  374  wrapped around a top portion of the outer sleeve  370 . Seat  354  can include an energy absorbing material  356  mounted on or attached to the seat  354 . Material  356  can be Sorbothane, D30, or other energy absorbing material. The sleeve  360  comprises a sleeve rib  362  extending radially outwardly above the flange rib  322 . 
     In an alternative embodiment of an energy absorbing head protection assembly device  400  (“device  400 ”), shown in  FIGS.  11 - 14   , a head cradle portion  410  includes an inner shell  432  located within the head cradle portion  410 . The inner shell  432  includes a compressive barrier  434  in the form of a plurality of energy absorbing devices  434  located between the inner shell  432  and the head cradle portion  410 , and in engagement with the head cradle portion  430 . The energy absorbing device  434  can be columns of Sorbothane, D30, or other energy absorbing material to control rotational forces. 
     The collar portion can be collar portion  150  or olare portion  350  (collar portion  150  is shown in  FIGS.  11 - 12    and collar portion  350  is shown in  FIGS.  13 - 14   ) 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a compressive barrier  436  between the energy absorbing devices  434  can be an air bladder, although those skilled in the art will recognize that the compressive barrier  434  can be open cell foam, closed cell foam, or other suitable compressive material. Compressive barrier  426  can be air bladders to control compression forces. 
     It will be further understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.