Fiber-reinforced impact-dissipating liners and methods for fabricating fiber-reinforced impact-dissipating liners

Abstract

Impact-dissipating liners, helmets having an impact-dissipating liner, and methods of fabricating impact-dissipating liners are provided. The liners include a fluid impermeable enclosure having cavities with sidewalls, re-enforcing fabric sheets, and a fluid contained in the enclosure. The enclosure may have a central portion and lobes extending from the central portion, wherein the central portion and the lobes are adapted to conform to the shape of an internal surface of a helmet. The re-enforcing sheets may be made from a broad range of materials and may enhance the structural support, structural integrity, and/or durability to the liner. Aspects of the invention are particularly adapted for use as head protection, such as, helmets; however, aspects of the invention are also adaptable to provide impact-dissipation for any body or surface that would benefit from such protection.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62 / 742,869, filed on Oct. 8, 2018, and to pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62 / 893,647, filed on Aug. 29, 2019. This application is also related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15 / 833,747, filed on Dec. 6, 2017, now U.S. Ser. No. ______. The disclosures of these applications are included by reference herein in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTechnical Field[0002]Aspects of the present invention relate generally to protective barriers and headgear, such as, helmets. More particularly, aspects of the invention, in its several embodiments, provide protective, fluid-containing, impact-dissipating liners having reinforcing fabric that enhances the strength and durability of the liners.Description of Related Art[0003]Numerous human activities, such as, recreation and sports, public protection, and armed service, expose the human bo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0012]Aspects of the present invention provide improved impact-dissipating liners that can be used wherever dissipation of impact loading is desirable. Though aspects of the invention may be particularly adapted to protecting humans and animals, for example, in helmets, head gear, body armor, body padding, kneepads, shoulder pads, and shin guards, among others, aspects of the invention may also be employed wherever the protection of surfaces prone to impact would benefit from impact-dissipating protection, for example, race track barriers, stadium walls, and arena surfaces.

Problems solved by technology

The resulting helmets have been limited in their success in meeting either goals of head protection or aesthetics.

Though of relatively minor consequence to some users, the larger the amount of cushioning material typically also results in a more unsightly appearance of the resulting helmet to the typical helmet wearer.

It is generally believed that the repeated exposure of the head to impact loading, even when protected, can result in deteriorating and life changing effects upon cognitive abilities and behavior.

In addition to head protection, many other bodily, structural, or ornamental surfaces can be exposed to damage due to damaging contact and / or impact loading.

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