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

[0016]The dampeners may cooperate with one or more layers of deformable material(s), disposed within the inner helmet, wherein each layer may be formed to have different compression characteristics. In one embodiment the dampeners may be implemented as a multilayer body of resilient material, wherein each layer of resilient material has different compressive characteristics to selectively respond to low impact and high impact forces. For example, softer, more highly compressible material may be, used in areas where the helmet engages the users head and / or in areas along with the outer shell to dampen low impact forces impacting on the helmet. Dampeners formed of stiffer, less compressible material may be used in other areas of the helmet, e.g. where the threat of high impact forces may be greater.

[0018]Further, the shape of the helmet can be modified to provide additional protection for the user, consistent with the intended application. For example, where the helmet is to be used by a baseball hitter, the front forehead portion can be extended forward to allow for a sloped forward surface that can better deflect horizontally impacting forces and provide eye shading.

[0019]Where the helmet is to be used by an invalid or other persons susceptible to face first falls, the forehead portion can be less forward extended and / or less sloped, with padding disposed around the face opening. This allows great visibility and reduced bulk, while still protecting the user from a wide range of 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.

Images