Headgear assemblies and headgear liners having friction-reducing interface elements

Abstract

Headgear, helmets, and related protective equipment having friction reducing interface elements are provided. The headgear includes a helmet shell having external surface and an internal surface; a headgear liner shaped and adapted to be received by the helmet shell, the head gear liner having an external surface positioned to contact the internal surface of the helmet shell; and at least one interface element positioned between the external surface of the headgear liner and the internal surface of the helmet shell. The at least one interface element provides at least some reduction in friction between the external surface of the headgear liner and the internal surface of the helmet shell. The headgear liner may comprise a fluid-filled headgear liner. The interface elements may provide surfaces at multiple elevations that assist in dispersing an impact load to the headgear liner. Methods of protecting the wearer of the headgear are also provided.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority from pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 036,006, filed on Jun. 8, 2020; and from pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 198,714, filed on Nov. 6, 2020, the disclosures of which are included by reference herein in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTechnical Field[0002]Aspects of the present invention relate generally to head protection and the minimization and prevention of head injury. More particularly, aspects of the invention, in their several embodiments, provide helmets, headgear, headgear liners, and helmet assemblies having friction-reducing and / or load-directing interface elements or pads between the headgear liner and the helmet shell.Description of Related Art[0003]Numerous human activities, such as, recreation and sports, construction, public protection, and armed services expose the human body, especially, the head, to impact and injury. Head injury can be the most t...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides improved helmets and headgear with interface elements that enhance head protection in various applications. These improvements include reducing friction between the helmet liner and the helmet shell to improve impact absorption. Additionally, the interface elements can regulate or channel the transfer of loads, such as impact loads, from the helmet shell to the fluid-filled liner to enhance energy dissipation and absorption. Overall, the invention improves the protective capacity of helmet assemblies and reduces the risk of injury to the wearer's head.

Problems solved by technology

Testing of prototype helmet assemblies having liquid-filled headgear liners positioned in helmet shells revealed that friction between the surface of external liner and the internal surface of the helmet shell may affect the impact absorbing capacity of the helmet assembly.

Images