Patent Publication Number: US-2015074875-A1

Title: Protective helmet; method for reducing or preventing a head injury

Description:
PRIOR ART 
     The invention relates to a protective helmet according to the generic type of claim  1  and a method for reducing or preventing a head injury according to the generic type of claim  8 . 
     There are various known protective helmets, which serve to protect the head of the wearer from injury. These protective helmets are adapted to the human head, which has an oval shape, as seen from above, which can be further differentiated into a “round oval” shape and a “long oval” shape. The usual protective helmets on the market assume this shape to resemble the human head, but in particular to look small. The only helmets available on the market are those which look narrow, as seen from the front, and appear to be small. Round helmets, seen from the front, appear to be wide and are not successful on the market. 
     As a rule, these protective helmets, which may have a variety of designs, depending on the intended application, consist of an external shell made of a hard material, which usually has a basic oval shape and a shock-absorbing internal head protection system, which is arranged on the inside of the outer shell and absorbs an impact with the head and also has an oval shape on the side (inside) facing the human head. One disadvantage of these protective helmets is that, although they do protect against impacts having a translatory impact with the protective helmet or its shock-absorbing cap, they do not protect against torsional forces which act in an impact, so that excessively severe head injuries occur in many accidents, despite the use of a protective helmet. 
     European Patent EP 0 790 787 B1 describes a protective head cover having a slip surface arranged on its outer shell. A thin tough membrane is arranged on this slip surface, so that it slides when an impact strikes the hard exterior shell of the protective helmet thereby reducing the torsional acceleration of the head caused by the impact because the membrane on the outside acts like the scalp on the human head. It must be evaluated as a disadvantage that the external appearance of the protective helmet is affected negatively by this membrane. 
     In order not to have a negative influence on the external appearance, European Patent EP 1 246 548 B1 describes a protective helmet, into which a thin slip shell has been inserted between the inner shell and the outer shell. Therefore, the inner shell can rotate with respect to the outer shell and thus prevent the torsional acceleration from being transferred. The disadvantage of this approach is that with even a slight movement, the torsional movement can be stuck. 
     European Patent DE 696 34 862 T2 proposes a protective helmet in which an interior head protection system of synthetic hard foam is arranged on the inside of the hard exterior shell such that the interior head protection system consists of a main insert part and a secondary insert part, which is fitted into a recess situated on the main insert part. The secondary insert part has a density amounting to 20% to 80% of the density of the main insert part. This achieves a good protective effect but this approach is very complex and expensive. 
     German Patent Application DE 10 2011 112 790 A1 describes a protective helmet and a method for reducing or preventing a head injury. These helmets have the advantage that a sliding surface is provided which assumes the function of a torsional surface due to the division of the shock-absorbing and/or comfort-providing interior head protection system which may comprise liners, comfort cushions, protective cushions, nubs and/or head protection systems using straps (e.g., head protection straps, head protection bands, head straps or the like) into an insert on the shell side and an insert on the head side, which are capable of rotating relative to one another in at least one direction (preferably starting with the application of a certain force). This greatly reduces and/or prevents the torsional acceleration introduced through an impact because the insert on the head side and the insert on the shell side are capable of rotating relative to one another and thus the head of the wearer and the exterior shell of the helmet are capable of rotating relative to one another but nevertheless the rotation takes place rapidly and without inhibition, preferably in all directions, so that under some circumstances, there may even be an unnecessary torsion. 
     ECE Standard R 22-06 as well as various other standards today provide for so-called pull-off tests, which are intended to prove that the helmets cannot be pulled off the head. Then the angle degrees or the distance in mm traveled by the shell in the direction of pulling is measured. The disadvantage with the prior art mentioned here is that this distance or angle is increased by the sliding of the shells relative to one another with a type of protective helmet that has been described, so that these protective helmets do not perform well in the pull-off tests. 
     THE INVENTION AND ITS ADVANTAGES 
     The protective helmet according to the invention (for example, motorcycle helmet, racecar driver helmet, winter sports helmet (ski and snowboarding helmets), horseback riding helmet, bicycle helmet, mountain climber helmet, occupational protective helmet, police helmet, fireman&#39;s helmet, jet fighter helmet, military helmet or the like) having the characterizing features of claim  1  and the method according to the invention for reducing or preventing a head injury, having the characterizing features of claim  8 , have the advantage in comparison with the prior art that an insert on the shell side and an insert on the head side are provided and are preferably rotatable in all directions, so that at least one elevation is provided on the insert on the shell side, engaging in a recess situated on the insert on the head side, said recess being larger than the elevation, and/or at least one elevation being situated on the insert on the head side and engaging in a recess situated on the insert on the shell side which is larger than the elevation, so that the rotation is restricted because the movement is blocked. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention, the elevation in the starting position at least partially comes in contact with at least one limiting means. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention in this regard, the limiting means is situated on the insert having the hole. 
     According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention, the limiting means comprises a web, a disk or a locking arm. 
     According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention, the limiting means is arranged movably on an insert. 
     According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention, the elevation is a journal. Other geometric shapes of the elevation are of course also conceivable. 
     According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the protective helmet according to the invention, the recess is a hole. Other geometric shapes of the elevation are of course also conceivable. 
     According to an advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention for reducing or preventing a head injury caused by an impact which causes a torsional movement and doing so by means of a protective helmet, such that the protective helmet has an external shell made of a hard material and an interior head protection system that is situated on the inside of the exterior shell and absorbs an impact with the head, said interior head protection system being subdivided into an insert on the shell side and an insert on the head side, wherein the side of the insert on the head side facing away from the head has a spherical surface at least in part and the mutually facing sides of the insert on the head side and the insert on the shell side correspond to one another at least in part, so that the insert on the shell side is rotated with respect to the insert on the head side out of a starting position due to the resulting impact so that at least one elevation (for example, a journal) is situated on the insert on the shell side and engages in a recess (for example, a hole) situated on the insert on the head side, this recess being larger than the elevation and/or at least one elevation (for example, a journal) is arranged on the insert on the head side and engages in a recess (for example, a hole) situated on the insert on the shell side, said recess being larger than the elevation and therefore the rotation of the insert on the shell side with respect to the insert on the head side is restricted by at least one limiting means. 
     According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, the rotation of the insert on the shell side with respect to the insert on the head side is limited or suppressed by at least one limiting means in the direction of pulling. The movement in the direction of pulling in the pull-off test is preferably limited or suppressed so that the tested protective helmets turn out better in the pull-off tests. 
     According to an additional advantageous embodiment of the method according to the invention, a protective helmet according to any one of claims  1  to  7  is used. 
     Additional advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention can be derived from the following description, the drawings and the claims. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the subject matter of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and are explained in greater detail below. In these drawings: 
         FIGS. 1 and 2  show sectional drawings of a traditional protective helmet, 
         FIGS. 3 and 4  show sectional drawings of another embodiment of a traditional protective helmet, 
         FIG. 5  shows an exploded drawing of another embodiment of a traditional protective helmet, 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  show sectional drawings of the traditional protective helmet according to  FIG. 5 , 
         FIGS. 8 to 10  show the functioning of the traditional protective helmet according to  FIG. 5  in an impact from the rear, 
         FIG. 11  shows the functioning of the traditional protective helmet according to  FIG. 5  in an impact from the front, 
         FIG. 12  shows various views with respect to blocking of a movement by means of a journal and a stationary web, 
         FIG. 13  shows various views with respect to blocking of a movement by means of a journal and a stationary web, 
         FIG. 14  shows various views with respect to blocking of a movement by means of a journal and a movable web, 
         FIG. 15  shows various views with respect to blocking of a movement by means of a journal and a movable disk, 
         FIG. 16  shows various views with respect to blocking of a movement by means of a journal and movable locking arms, 
         FIG. 17  shows various views with respect to blocking of a movement by means of a wide stationary web that is integrated into the shell and 
         FIG. 18  various views with respect to blocking of a movement by means of a journal that strikes the edge of a curve to block the movement. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  show sectional diagrams of a traditional protective helmet consisting of a hard exterior shell  1  having the interior head protection system  3  situated on the inside  2 . The interior head protection system  3  has an inside  4 , whose oval shape is adapted to the shape of a human head  5  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
       FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  show sectional diagrams of a first embodiment of the traditional protective helmet  6 . The shock-absorbing or shock-absorbing and comfort-imparting interior head protection system surrounded by the hard exterior shell  1  is divided into an insert  7  on the shell side and an insert  8  on the head side, such that the outside  9  of the insert  8  on the head side, facing away from the head  5  (see  FIG. 4 ) has a spherical surface at least in part, and the outside  9  of the insert  8  on the head side corresponds to the inside of the insert  7  on the shell side. 
     The insert  7  on the shell side and the insert  8  on the head side of the interior head protection system are preferably connected to one another in such a way that they are freely displaceable mutually in all directions, so that they form a displaceable system. It is preferably provided that, after a displacement, there is a return to the starting position. This may be accomplished, for example, by an elastic layer or an elastic band. The release force of the system is always less than the force for returning the system to the starting position. 
       FIG. 5  shows an exploded diagram of another embodiment of a traditional protective helmet  6 . With this embodiment, an intermediate layer  10  preferably having an inside  11  and an outside  12  and preferably made of a harder material is situated between the insert  8  on the head side and the insert  7  on the shell side. The outside  13  of the insert  7  on the shell side corresponds to the inside  2  of the outer shell  1 . Likewise, the inside  2  of the insert  7  on the shell side corresponds to the outside  12  of the intermediate layer  10 , and the outside  9  of the insert  8  on the head side corresponds to the inside  11  of the intermediate layer  10 . The intermediate layer  10  is fixedly connected to the insert  7  on the shell side or the insert  8  on the head side. 
       FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7  show sectional diagrams of the traditional protective helmet  6  according to  FIG. 5 . The insert  7  on the shell side is capable of rotating about a pivot point  14  on the insert  8  on the head side. 
       FIG. 8  to  FIG. 10  show the functioning of the traditional protective helmet  6  according to  FIG. 5 . If there is a blow from behind, the insert  8  on the head side rotates forward, together with the outer shell  1 , in the direction of the arrow  15  about the pivot point  14 . Likewise, the insert  8  on the head side together with the outer shell  1  is twisted forward in the direction of the arrow  15  with an impact in the direction of the arrow  16  on the ground or floor  17  and thus there is a force acting in the direction of the arrow  18  associated with the impact. 
       FIG. 11  shows the functioning of the traditional protective helmet  6  according to  FIG. 5 . With an impact from the front, the insert  8  on the head side rotates together with the outer shell  1  toward the rear, in the direction of the arrow  19 , about the pivot point  14 . 
     Whereas  FIGS. 1 through 11  should serve to illustrate the functioning of the traditional protective helmet  6 , detailed drawings of a protective helmet according to the invention are shown in the following  FIGS. 12 through 18 . 
       FIG. 12  shows various views with respect to blocking of a movement by means of a journal  21  and a stationary web  20 , which functions as a limiting means. 
     The entire arrangement is made of the same material as the insert  8  on the head side and an insert  7  on the shell side of the shock-absorbing inner shell. One of the two shell sides (this is the insert  8  on the head side in  FIG. 12 ) has a cylindrical journal  21 , which is freely movable between 10 and 40 mm for 360° within the hole  22  on the other side of the shell. When the journal  21  strikes the outside wall  23  of the hole  22 , this limits the movement of the journal  21 . Now a stationary web  20 , which blocks the movement in the pulling direction  24  of the pull-off device, is mounted in the pulling direction  24  of the pull-off test. The web  20  is of such dimensions that it can withstand the pulling force of the test. Since the material of the inner shell is usually comprised of foam, the web  20  should be wider than is the case with other materials. 
       FIG. 13  also shows various views with respect to blocking a movement by means of a journal  21  and by means of a stationary web  20 , which functions as limiting means. 
     The entire arrangement is not made of the same material as the insert  8  on the head side and the insert  7  on the shell side of the shock-absorbing inner shell. In this other advantageous variant, this version may be integrated between the outer shell of the helmet and the inner shell. One of the two sides of the shell (this is the insert  8  on the head side in  FIG. 13 ) has a cylindrical journal  21  which is freely movable for 360° between 10 and 40 mm inside a hole  22  in the other side of the shell. The movement of the journal  21  is limited when the journal strikes the outer wall  23  of the hole  22 . In the pulling direction  24  of the pull-off test, a stationary web  20 , which blocks the movement in the pulling direction  24  of the pull-off device, is then mounted in the pulling direction  24  of the pull-off test. The web  20  is of such dimensions that it can withstand the pulling forces in the test. Metal and plastics of all types may be used as the materials for this arrangement. 
       FIG. 14  shows various views with respect to blocking a movement by means of a journal  21  and a movable web  25  which can function as a limiting means and can be depressed. 
     One of the two shell sides (this is the insert  7  on the shell side in  FIG. 14 ) has a cylindrical journal  21 , which is freely movable for 360° within a hole  22  in the other side of the shell. When the journal  21  strikes the outside wall  23  of the hole  22 , this limits the movement of the journal  21 . Next, a movable web  25 , which blocks the movement in the pulling direction  24  of the pull-off device, is mounted in the pulling direction  24  of the pull-off test. If the movement should not be exactly in the pulling direction  24 , the web  25  will bend downward. This occurs due to the skillful arrangement of inclined planes  26 . The web  25  is held in position by spring  27 . 
       FIG. 15  shows various views with respect to blocking a movement by means of a journal  21  and a movable disk  28  functioning as limiting means. 
     One of the two sides of the shell (this is the insert  8  on the head side in  FIG. 15 ) has a cylindrical journal  21 , which is freely movable for 360° within a hole  22  on the other side of the shell. When the journal  21  strikes the outside wall  23  of the hole  22 , this limits the movement of the journal  21 . Next a movable disk  28  which blocks the movement in the pulling direction  24  of the pull-off device is mounted in the pulling direction  24  of the pull-off test. If the movement is not exactly in the pulling direction  24 , then the disk  28  turns away about a pivot point  29 . The disk  28  is then held in position by at least one spring  30 . 
       FIG. 16  how various view with respect to blocking a movement by means of a journal  21  and movable locking arms  31 , which function as limiting means. 
     One of the two sides of the shell (this is the insert  7  on the shell side in  FIG. 16 ) has a cylindrical journal  21 , which is freely movable for 360° within a hole  22  in the other side of the shell. When the journal  21  strikes the outside wall  23  of the hole  22 , this limits the movement of the journal  21 . Next, two independent locking arms  31  are mounted in the pulling direction  24  of the pull-off test. These locking arms block the movement in the pulling direction  24  of the pull-off device only when this takes place exactly in the pulling direction  24 . If the movement is not exactly in the pulling direction  24 , the arms (locking arms  31 ) rotate independently of one another toward the rear. The locking arms  31  are held in position by springs. 
       FIG. 17  shows various views with respect to blocking of movement by means of a wide stationary web  32 , which is integrated into the shell (insert  7  on the shell side) and can block the movement because it engages in a recess situated on the insert  8  on the head side. The web  32  situated on the insert  7  on the shell side could of course also be arranged on the insert  8  on the head side. 
       FIG. 18  shows various views with respect to blocking a movement by means of a journal  21 , which strikes a curve edge  33  to block the movement. 
     All the features presented here either individually or in any combination with one another may be essential to the invention. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                   
               
               
                 List of Reference Numerals 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
            
               
                 1 
                 Outer shell 
               
               
                 2 
                 Inside 
               
               
                 3 
                 Interior head protection system 
               
               
                 4 
                 Inside 
               
               
                 5 
                 Head 
               
               
                 6 
                 Protective helmet 
               
               
                 7 
                 Insert on the shell side 
               
               
                 8 
                 Insert on the head side 
               
               
                 9 
                 Outside 
               
               
                 10 
                 Intermediate layer 
               
               
                 11 
                 Inside 
               
               
                 12 
                 Outside 
               
               
                 13 
                 Outside 
               
               
                 14 
                 Pivot point 
               
               
                 15 
                 Direction of arrow 
               
               
                 16 
                 Direction of arrow 
               
               
                 17 
                 Ground/floor 
               
               
                 18 
                 Direction of arrow 
               
               
                 19 
                 Direction of arrow 
               
               
                 20 
                 Web 
               
               
                 21 
                 Journal 
               
               
                 22 
                 Hole 
               
               
                 23 
                 Outside wall 
               
               
                 24 
                 Pulling direction 
               
               
                 25 
                 Web 
               
               
                 26 
                 Inclined plane 
               
               
                 27 
                 Spring 
               
               
                 28 
                 Disk 
               
               
                 29 
                 Pivot point 
               
               
                 30 
                 Spring 
               
               
                 31 
                 Locking arm 
               
               
                 32 
                 Web 
               
               
                 33 
                 Curve edge