Multi-layer safety helmet assembly

Abstract

A multilayer safety helmet assembly is provided comprising a helmet assembly including a helmet outer shell, a helmet inner shell, and an array of vibration dampeners disposed intermediate the outer shell and the inner shell. A resilient face guard / shock absorber assembly is further provided including a face guard and shock absorber assembly extending between the face guard and the helmet assembly. A head motion restraint assembly includes a first portion engaged to the helmet assembly and a second portion engageable to a shoulder pad(s) worn by a user.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This present application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14 / 506,559, filed Oct. 3, 2014, which claims priority to now expired U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 886,420, filed Oct. 3, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH / DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND[0003]Baseball is widely considered to be one of the most popular sports in the world. By its nature, the sport involves balls thrown or hit at high speeds, which can strike a player causing injury.[0004]Unlike football and some other sports, baseball has evolved largely without the use of bulky equipment intended to protect players from injury. However, due to the nature of the game, injuries, such as concussions, from batters being hit by pitches, continue to occur. The extent of such injuries may be not be immediately apparent or discernable, but may mani...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent is about a helmet that has different layers of material that can dampen impact forces. These layers have different compression properties, so they can respond to low and high impact forces. The helmet can also be shaped to provide additional protection based on the intended use. For example, if the helmet is for baseball, the front forehead portion can be extended to better deflect impacting forces. If the helmet is for face first falls, the forehead portion can be less extended to provide visibility and reduced bulk while still protecting the user from potential head / face injuries.

Problems solved by technology

By its nature, the sport involves balls thrown or hit at high speeds, which can strike a player causing injury.

However, due to the nature of the game, injuries, such as concussions, from batters being hit by pitches, continue to occur.

Indeed, in many cases injuries may become more apparent long after a player stops playing a game and his / her body begin to show signs of wear and aging.

Such conventional helmets suffer from a number of limitations.

Light weight helmets provide meager protection and may fall off when it by a ball or otherwise during the course of use.

While thicker, sturdier helmets may provide a more secure fit and have harder surfaces, the surface may do little to mitigate the transmission of force through the helmet, presumably with the expectation that virtually all of impact force will be absorbed by the layer of foam or other resilient material formed on the inside of the helmet.

However, while the foam liner used in many such helmets may have compressive qualities that are engineered to mitigate certain types of shock transmission, the liner may be less effective to dampen the transmission of other types of shocks, or stabilize the user's head.

Moreover, many contemporary helmets do not extend forward of the users forehead or chin, to protect the user from impacts in those areas.

Further, contemporary helmets may be unsuitable to mitigate potential injury resulting from falls, e.g. where the helmet is used to protect invalids and others susceptible to head injury due to falls.

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