Helmet with external protective scales

Abstract

A protective covering for a helmet. The protective covering includes a cushioning layer with a plurality of scales disposed on an exterior surface thereof. The covering overlies an outer surface of a substantially rigid shell of a helmet and provides additional padding via the cushioning layer to absorb impact forces received by the helmet. The scales are deflectable relative to one another to compress the cushioning layer when an impact force is received and are configured to reduce the coefficient of friction between the covering and an impacting body to thereby increase deflection of the impacting force and the impacting body. The protective covering can be applied to existing helmets or can be integrated into helmets during manufacture thereof.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 14 / 107,319 filed Dec. 16, 2013.BACKGROUND[0002]For centuries, people engaged in sporting events, combat, and other physical endeavors have used helmets and other protective head coverings to protect against head injuries. Such injuries might result from contact with sharp or blunt objects, weapons, projectiles, or the heads or bodies of other participants or combatants. The potential injuries range from external cuts and bruises to internal injuries to the brain as found in concussion-related injuries.[0003]Concussions and related head injuries and their effects on the injured person, especially those associated with players of American football and related sports, have received close scrutiny in recent times. Many attempts have been made to produce improved helmets that absorb and / or disperse forces associated with collisions between a player's helmet with other players' helmets and bodies and with the ground ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This patent describes a helmet with a cushioning layer made of foam-like material to absorb impacts. The cushioning can be uniform or added in areas of increased protection. The helmet also has scales on the outside that are designed to deflect impacts and reduce contact with the object. The scales are made of a rigid or resilient material with low friction, allowing for easy sliding of the object. The scales also help absorb energy and increase sliding force.

Problems solved by technology

Such injuries might result from contact with sharp or blunt objects, weapons, projectiles, or the heads or bodies of other participants or combatants.

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