Patent Publication Number: US-2020275720-A1

Title: Concussion reduction prevention system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/812,311, filed on Mar. 1, 2019. 
    
    
     DISCLOSURE REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR A JOINT INVENTOR 
     The inventor has not disclosed this invention prior to the filing of the provisional application filed on Mar. 1, 2019, which priority is claim. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     (1) Field of the Invention 
     This device is an improved helmet for athletes, particularly juvenile athletes. The device comprises a helmet reversibly coupled to shoulder pads worn by the athlete. The device allows the head of the wearer to be protected while diverting impact forces from the helmet to the shoulders. The diversion of impact forces reduces the likelihood of concussions and other head injuries when worn properly. 
     (2) Disclosure of the Prior Art 
     A number of helmet devices are disclosed in the prior art. A number of these devices are designed to reduce the impact of force upon a wearer&#39;s head during participation in athletic events, such as football, lacrosse, rugby, and other impact activities. Meade (US 2017/0367427 A1) discloses a zero impact head gear including an outer helmet and an inner helmet with forward and rear retaining stops protruding from the inner helmet to allow movement of the inner helmet within the outer helmet, but capable of limiting forward displacement of the inner helmet with respect to the outer helmet [a helmet within a helmet]. Abstract. The device of Meade may be physically attached to shoulder pads positioned on a wearer. FIG. 4. The helmet attachment points include on top of the sternum and behind the thoracic vertebrae and lungs. FIGS. 4, 6, 7, and 8. Upon receiving an impact upon the helmet, the impact forces are transferred to the attachment points on top of the sternum and behind the thoracic vertebrae. Impact forces upon the sternum and thoracic vertebrae can knock the wind out of the athlete hindering performance. And, can cause injury to the thoracic spine. 
     Popejoy et al. (US 2019/0344152 A1) discloses a helmet device that is coupled to shoulder pads via support bars that are coupled to shoulder pads. The support bars are attached to the shoulder pads at the sternum, the shoulders, and the thoracic vertebrae area. Impacts to the helmet are distributed to the sternum and thoracic spine, which can knock the wind out of the athlete wearing the device or damage the thoracic spine. 
     Salkind et al. (US 2011/0277225 A1) discloses a head protection system wherein a helmet is coupled to shoulder pads via a plurality of tethers and a plurality of spools. This device is not safe for contact sports because the plurality of tethers and spools are positioned outside of the helmet and shoulder pads where they are subject to being erroneously pulled on causing movement of the athlete&#39;s head without contact to the head. A competitor&#39;s hand, or even foot, may become entangled with the plurality of tethers and spools causing injury to an opponent. Nagely et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,217 B2) discloses a similar device with a strut member positioned behind the athlete&#39;s neck. That device similarly may be erroneously pulled and pushed on. Additionally, a hand entangled into the strut may become seriously injured. 
     There is a need for a helmet that can protect an athlete from acquiring a concussion during head impacts without transferring the impact forces to the athlete&#39;s sternum, which can knock the wind out of the user or even cause damage to the user&#39;s sternum or thoracic spine. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The device disclosed herein is a protective means that can be worn by an athlete while participating in sports. The device protects the wearer and reduces the likelihood of an athlete obtaining a concussion by distributing the contact impact from the wearers head to his shoulders. This device comprises a helmet means that reversibly couples to a shoulder pad means of an athlete. The helmet means allows a wearer&#39;s head to move safely within the helmet while the athlete is receiving impact upon the helmet means. Additionally, the device does not utilize any support bars, tethers or spools that can be a hazard during sports play. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is described in detail below with reference to the appended drawings. 
         FIGS. 1 through 10  depict the Concussion Reduction Prevention System. In the Figures: 
         FIG. 1  depicts a front view of the device positioned onto an athlete. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a side view of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  depicts a top view of the shoulder pad means. 
         FIG. 4  shows a top view of the helmet means utilizing tapered guide pins installed upon the shoulder pad means. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of the coupling means whereby the helmet means is reversibly coupled to the shoulder pad means. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a front view of the coupling means coupling the helmet means to the shoulder pad means wherein the coupling means is a spring device. 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the shoulder pad means utilizing keyhole mounting guides. 
         FIG. 8  is a view of  FIG. 7  with the helmet means attached. 
         FIG. 9  depicts a front view of the device installed wherein the mounting pins are shown. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a side view of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, several embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure should be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments so illustrated. Further, to the extent that any numerical values or other specifics of materials, etc., are provided herein, they are to be construed as exemplifications of the inventions herein, and the inventions are not to be considered as limited thereto. 
     The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one, or an embodiment in the present disclosure, can be, but not necessarily, references to the same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one of the embodiments. 
     Reference in this specification to “one embodiment′ or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. 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 mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments, but not other embodiments. 
     The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks. The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted. It will be appreciated that the same term can be said in more than one way. 
     Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, or is any special significance to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any terms discussed herein, is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions will control. 
     The Concussion Reduction Prevention System comprises two parts: a helmet means that protects the wearer&#39;s head, and a shoulder pad means adapted to couple to the helmet means. The helmet and shoulder pad are reversibly coupled to each other via cradle means that are coupled together and rotated into a locked position. The cradle means distributes impact forces from the helmet means to the athlete&#39;s shoulders.  FIG. 1  depicts an athlete wearing the Concussion Reduction Prevention System. Athlete  1  has helmet  6  reversibly coupled to reinforced shoulder pads  12  and  30 . Helmet  6  may be a shell composed of polycarbonate. Helmet  6  may be oversized so that user&#39;s head  2  has free movement within helmet  6 . Free movement of head  2  within oversized helmet  6  prevents concussions upon head impact. Reinforced shoulder pads  12  and  30  have additional padding versus standard shoulder pads on the market today. The reinforcement helps absorb impact forces distributed from helmet  6 . 
     Left shoulder pad plate  16  is coupled to right shoulder pad plate  18 . Left and right shoulder pad plates  16  and  18  include reinforced padding to prevent any impact forces from being distributed to the sternum. Facemask latch  14  secures helmet  6  to reinforced shoulder pads  12  and  30  at left shoulder pad plate  16  and right shoulder pad plate  18 . 
     Helmet  6  includes a facemask comprised of one or more facemask bars  8 , lower facemask bar  9 , facemask outer bars  20 , and median facemask bar  22 . The facemask is attached to the helmet via tab  4 . The facemask components may be composed of metal, such as titanium, stainless steel, carbon steel, or other material that is lightweight and strong. The facemask may be coated with Polyarmor G17 or a powder coating that is resistant to moisture, corrosion, and impact forces. The facemask is positioned onto left and right shoulder pad plates  16  and  18  at collar  17 . Collar  17  may include quick release cable  42  that allows a user to quickly release helmet  6  from reinforced shoulder pad  12  by simply pulling on quick release tab  78  so that quick release handle  76  is pulled downward releasing helmet  6 . Quick release cable  42  may be composed of any material that is strong, corrosion resistant, and relatively kink-free, such as stainless steel cable. 
     Shield  10  runs from bottom facemask bar  9  to facemask outer bars  20 . Median facemask bar  22  bisects shield  10  forming a triangular-shaped shield on each side of median facemask bar  22 . Shield  10  may be formed of polycarbonate plastic or other material that is strong yet allows movement of air from the athlete to the environment preventing the athlete from overheating while wearing the device. Shield  10  should be strong enough to prevent the hand of an opponent from contacting the athlete&#39;s face and prevents any contact with the cradle means. 
     A side view of an athlete wearing the device is shown in  FIG. 2 . Head  2  of user  1  has sufficient clearance within helmet  6  to move about freely. Helmet  6  may include padding  7  to reduce or eliminate the likelihood of concussive injury. Sufficient padding  7  should be included in helmet  6  to allow free movement of head  2  while providing cushioning when head  2  moves within helmet  6  to prevent head injuries. Tab  4  connects median face shield bar  22  to helmet  6 . Shield  10  protects the athlete&#39;s neck, chin, and lower face. Facemask bars  8  and lower facemask bar  9  connect median facemask bar  22  to side facemask side bar  23 . Facemask outer bar  20  runs along the bottom of shield  10  to latch  14 . Latch  14  is shown latched upon latch plate  24 . Latch  14  and latch plate  24  be composed of any material strong enough to secure helmet  6  onto reinforced shoulder pads  12 . Latch  14  and latch plate  24  may be composed of stainless steel or high impact polycarbonate plastic. Reinforced shoulder pad  30  distributes impact forces from reinforced shoulder pad  12 . Reinforced shoulder pad  12  extends to tip  13  that runs along the back of user  1  protecting the athlete&#39;s thoracic area. 
     Quick release cable  42  may run from the front of reinforced shoulder pad  12  to the back of the user&#39;s neck along the contours of collar  17 . Cradle  43  is positioned along the bottom of helmet  6  and couples to reinforced shoulder pads  12  along the top of collar  17 . Cradle  43  includes one or more guide pins  40 . One or more guide pins  40  may physically attach cradle  43  to collar  17 . Cradle  43  may be shaped to follow the contours of collar  17  so that cradle  43  couples to collar  17  without gaps. Cradle  43  may be composed of 1½″ aluminum or stainless steel metal, which may be coated in plastic to prevent cuts to the user or corrosion. 
     A top view of the reinforced shoulder pad  12  and  30  is shown in  FIG. 3 . Collar  17  includes one or more guide pin receptacles  50 . Each guide pin receptacles  50  may receive a guide pin  40 . Guide pin  40  locks reversibly locks into guide pin receptacle  50  locking helmet  6  onto collar  17 . Left and right shoulder pad plates  16  and  18 , respectively, are shown with latch  24  coupling to latch plate  24 . Quick release cable  42  is shown with optional latch plate  48 , which secures tip  13  onto collar  17 . 
     A top view of helmet  6  coupled to reinforced shoulder pads  12  and  30  is show in  FIG. 4 . Padding  7  is shown within helmet  6 . Facemask bars  8  are shown protecting the user&#39;s face. Cradle  43  is removed so that guide pin receptacles  50  may be seen on collar  17 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  depict a front view of the latching means.  FIG. 5  depicts a latching means with spring loaded slide levers  72  and unlocking levers  70 . Latch  14  slides through latch tab  74  so that facemask outer bars  20  are secured tightly against left and right shoulder pad plates  16  and  18 , respectively. Quick release tab  78  and quick release handle  76  allow for the immediate separation of helmet  6  from reinforced shoulder pads  12  and  30 . 
       FIG. 6  shows an embodiment with latch  14  secured by spring loaded release  92  and pull down safety lock  90  wherein latch  14  is secured to pull down safety lock  90  and facemask outer bars  20  run beneath latch tab  74  and spring loaded latches  82 . Mounting pad  84  is shown positioned on right shoulder pad plate  18 . Quick release cable  42  is shown with quick release tab  78  and quick release handle  76 . Quick release cable  42  is coupled to spring loaded locking latches  82  allowing user  1  to release helmet  6  from reinforced shoulder pads  12  by manipulating quick release cable  42  at left shoulder pad plate  16 . 
     An embodiment with keyhole shaped guide pin receptacles  57  is shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 .  FIG. 7  depicts reinforced shoulder pads  12  and  30  with keyhole guide pin receptacles  57  positioned around the circumference of collar  17  so that impact forces applied to helmet  6  are distributed to reinforced shoulder pads  12  at the keyhole guide pin receptacles  57 .  FIG. 8  shows helmet  6 , with padding  7 , attached to reinforced shoulder pads  12  and  13 . Cradle  43  has been removed so that keyhole guide pin receptacles  57  are shown. Guide pins positioned on a cradle are placed into the widest portion of the key hole of the keyhole guide pin receptacles  57 , the helmet is rotated so that the guide pins move to the narrow end of the keyhole guide receptacles  57  locking helmet  6  into reinforced shoulder pads  12 . 
       FIG. 9  depicts user  1  with helmet  6  coupled to reinforced shoulder pads  12  and  13  utilizing adjustable guide pins  40  that are positioned within adjustable guide pin receptacles  51 , which are positioned on collar  17 . Latch  14  is secured against left and right shoulder pad plates  16  and  18 , respectively. A side view of  FIG. 9  is depicted in  FIG. 10 . Cradle  43  is shown with adjustable guide pins  40  positioned within adjustable guide pin receptacles  51  securing helmet  6  onto reinforce shoulder pads  12  and  30 .