Non-resiliency body-contact protective helmet interface structure

Abstract

Shock-absorbing, load-cushioning interface structure for use inside, and in operative cooperation with, the shell of a helmet for operative interposition such a shell and the head of a wearer. This structure is characterized with features and performances including (a) compression-deformation-and-slow-return viscoelasticity, (b) non-springy (anti-rebound) during a return from deformation, (c) acceleration-rate(strain-rate)-sensitivity, and (d) a durometer associated with an ILD number which is no less than about 15-ILD.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part from currently co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 156,074, filed May 27, 2002 for “Body-Contact Protective Interface Structure and Method”, which application is a continuation from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 942,987, filed Aug. 29, 2001, entitled “Body-Contact Cushioning Interface Structure and Method”, which is a continuation from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 390,518, filed Sep. 3, 1999, entitled “Body-Contact Cushioning Interface Structure”, which application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 099,208, filed Sep. 3, 1998, entitled “Body Contact System and Structure for Wearable Garments, such as a Helmet.” The disclosure contents of each of these prior-filed patent applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a human-body protective, cushioning helm...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] The association which exists between the load-cushioning structure and a helmet shell (rigid), is that the helmet shell converts whatever kind of specific impact occurs to it from the outside to a broad-area, blunt-trauma kind of event which is delivered directly to the load-cushioning structure without there being any interposed, other load-managing material, such as any material with springy rebound (resilience) behavior. Such a blunt-trauma event presented through the shell to the load-cushioning structure takes maximum advantage of the cushioning capabilities of the load-cushioning structure, and results in significant anti-injury impact delivery to the head of a helmet wearer.

Problems solved by technology

Airspace between the webbing and the shell of the helmet contributes somewhat to the ballistic, and significantly to the cooling, capabilities of the helmet, but such a webbing system has proven consistently (a) to do a poor job of cushioning shock loads delivered to the wearer's head through the subject helmet, and (b) to be quite uncomfortable, and thus to be the source of many complaints from users.

This behavior, in the “world” of a helmet shell, causes a shock load to be transmitted to, and borne by, the wearer's head over a relatively wide surface area, and thus generally reduces the likelihood of serious injury.

Such a blunt-trauma event presented through the shell to the load-cushioning structure takes maximum advantage of the cushioning capabilities of the load-cushioning structure, and results in significant anti-injury impact delivery to the head of a helmet wearer.

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