Compressible Damping System for Head Protection

Abstract

A headgear for protecting a user's head from impact forces includes: an inner layer that defines an interior space occupied by the user's head; an outer layer that is coupled to the inner layer and forms at least one chamber between the outer layer and the inner layer; and a plurality of separate and distinct dampers. At least one damper is at least partially disposed in the chamber. Each damper extends into the interior space along a respective longitudinal axis. Each respective damper has: a fixed outer end portion that is disposed in a fixed position relative to the outer layer; and a free inner end portion that is disposed in the interior space longitudinally opposite the fixed outer end portion. Moreover, the headgear includes a plurality of separate and distinct engagement members corresponding to the plurality of dampers. Each engagement member is disposed at the free inner end portion of a corresponding damper and is configured to engage the user's head. Each damper includes a plurality of compressible damper elements arranged concentrically about the longitudinal axis. The plurality of compressible damper elements includes: an inner conical damper element; a first cylindrical damper element that surrounds the conical damper element; and a second cylindrical damper element that surrounds the first cylindrical damper element and the conical damper element.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2015905148, filed on December 12, 2015, and Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2015903032, filed on July 30, 2015. The entire contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference. Technical field

[0003] This application relates to impact protection, and more particularly, to impact protection of the head. Background art

[0004] An impact on a moving head causes the skull to rapidly decelerate, while inertia keeps the brain moving forward, thus impacting the inner surface of the skull. Such an impact of the brain on the skull can cause bruising (contusion) and / or bleeding (hemorrhage) of the brain. Therefore, the deceleration of the head is an important factor to consider when determining the severity of brain injury caused by an impact on the head.

[0005] In all types of impacts on the head, the head undergoes a combination of linear acceleration and rotational acceleration. Linear acceleration is thought to contribute to focal brain injury, while rotational acceleration is thought to contribute to both focal and diffuse brain injuries.

[0006] Helmets can be used to protect the head from impacts. All helmets add at least some additional mass to the wearer's head. However, increasing the mass of a helmet increases the rotational acceleration and deceleration effects on the head and brain compared to helmets of smaller mass.

[0007] Protective helmets are used in many environments. In sports such as football, athletes wear helmets to protect their heads from repetitive impacts caused by playing the game. Most current technologies used in helmets use foam padding, which is only suitable for very low impacts and provides comfort. Also, such protective helmets using foam padding typically only provide one compression rating, which is only suitable for absorbing the impact force of impacts less than 100 g's.

[0008] In addition to foam helmet liners, various other impact protection technologies have been proposed for use in helmets to address linear acceleration and / or rotational acceleration. Such technologies include Omni Directional Suspension TM (ODS TM )、Multi - impact protection systems and 360° turbine technology.

[0009] In helmets having Omni Directional SuspensionTM (ODS TM ) helmet, the shell and liner are ODS TM However, ODS TM The components add weight and bulk to the helmet. TM The components include a hard component adhered to the interior of the housing. As a result, the ODS TM The system requires the use of hard and rigid liners to accommodate hard components. In addition, due to wear and tear, there is a separate ODS TM Possibility of parts detaching.

[0010] In the merger In a helmet of the type described herein, the helmet includes an outer shell, an inner liner, and a low friction layer. The low friction layer is located on the inner portion of the foam liner that rests against the head so that the shock absorbing foam liner is not in direct contact with the head. However, the use of the friction layer and its attachments reduces the ability of the helmet to effectively absorb impact forces. In addition, Technology adds mass and bulk to the helmet.

[0011] In having In a helmet of the type described above, a layer of film and lubricant is applied to the outer shell of the helmet. This layer reduces the friction between the outer shell and the impact surface, thereby reducing the angular (rotational) effects on the head and brain.

[0012] In helmets with 360° turbine technology, multiple circular turbines are located on the inside of the foam liner against the head. Although this technology adds minimal mass to the helmet, portions of the turbines may be dislodged due to wear and tear and, therefore, may not provide protection to the wearer of the helmet during an impact.

[0013] The above-mentioned helmet technologies do not consider the overall thickness and mass of the helmet as a factor limiting deceleration, except for the above-mentioned technologies. Furthermore, the above-mentioned helmet technologies encourage the incorporation of harder and more rigid liners (expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam and other foams). However, harder and more rigid liners may be detrimental to the effectiveness of the helmet in absorbing translational and angled impact forces.

[0014] Additionally, some helmets employ rubber cylinders within the helmet liner between the wearer's head and the outer skin or shell of the helmet. Such rubber cylinders are configured to have a neutral state in which they contain air. During an impact involving the helmet, the wearer's head compresses the liner and the rubber cylinder, which releases the air contained in the cylinder through a valve or opening as it is compressed. After the impact, the cylinder expands and is refilled with air. However, such air-filled rubber cylinders only provide one level of compression and protection against low impact forces, which is not useful for protecting against more severe impact forces that the wearer of the helmet may experience. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Impact types can be classified into impacts involving translational (linear) forces and impacts involving rotational forces, which can occur together or separately during an impact. For impacts involving purely translational forces, the helmeted head of the rider experiences rapid linear acceleration and deceleration movements without rotation about the center of gravity of the brain (which is located in the pineal region of the brain). For impacts involving purely rotational forces, the helmeted head experiences rapid rotational acceleration or deceleration about the center of gravity of the brain.

[0016] This application relates to improved head protection against repetitive impact forces (or vibrations). The impact forces can include translational and rotational forces on the head. As used herein, translational forces are those forces resolved along a normal or perpendicular direction to the head skull, and rotational forces are those forces resolved along a tangential direction to the head skull or perpendicular to the translational forces, causing the head to rotate about its center of rotation. In particular, this application relates to a head protection system that includes a helmet (such as a sports (e.g., football, hockey) and construction helmet), the helmet incorporating a compressible energy absorber to protect against repetitive impact forces on the head.

[0017] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a head protection system includes a helmet and at least one compressible energy absorber (hereinafter referred to as a "damper"), the compressible energy absorber being coupled to the helmet to provide protection to a wearer of the helmet against repetitive impact forces. The damper can be coupled to one or more of the outer shell and the inner liner of the helmet. For example, the damper can be mechanically fastened or adhered to at least one of the inner surface of the outer shell of the helmet and / or the liner (e.g., expanded polystyrene foam or any other suitable liner material). The outer shell of the helmet can be hard or soft, such as a vinyl outer covering. The damper can be made of one or more suitable materials, such as silicone rubber.

[0018] The damping system is configured to respond to repetitive impact forces (translational and rotational) applied to the outer surface of the helmet from the outside. The damping system can be incorporated into all types of helmets, including sports helmets and construction helmets. In contrast to the prior art, the dampers described herein provide multiple levels of compression and energy absorption for a wider range of impact force magnitudes.

[0019] According to one aspect, further details of which are described herein, a system for protecting a wearer's head from impact forces includes: a helmet that defines an interior space for receiving the head; and at least one damper that is coupled to the helmet at a first end and extends along a longitudinal axis from the first end to a second end. The damper may include a plurality of compressible energy damper elements arranged concentrically about the longitudinal axis. The plurality of compressible energy damper elements may include at least an outer damper element and an inner damper element, wherein the outer damper element surrounds the inner damper element and extends to the second end of the damper.

[0020] The outer damper element has a first uncompressed length, and the inner element has a second uncompressed length that is different from the first uncompressed length.

[0021] The first uncompressed length of the outer damper element may be longer than the second uncompressed length of the inner damper element. Moreover, the plurality of concentrically arranged compressible energy damper elements may include at least one intermediate damper element concentrically arranged between the outer energy damper element and the inner energy damper element. The at least one intermediate damper element may have a third uncompressed length that is less than the first uncompressed length and greater than the second uncompressed length. The system may include a head stabilizer that is attached to the outer damper element at the second end of the damper and that is configured to engage the wearer's head when the helmet is worn by the wearer.

[0022] The system may include a plurality of dampers coupled to the helmet, and the dampers may be arranged in an X-shaped pattern. A portion of the damper may seat within one or more openings defined in at least one of an interior liner and a shell of the helmet.

[0023] The inner damper element may have a free end that is longitudinally spaced between the first and second ends of the damper. The plurality of concentrically arranged compressible energy damper elements may each have compressible helical cylindrical walls that are radially spaced from one another. The wall of the inner damper element may be thicker than the wall of the outer damper element. The inner damper element may be a cone having a tip that is longitudinally spaced between the first and second ends of the damper.

[0024] In response to an impact force applied to the helmet that is below a predetermined threshold, the outer damper element may be compressed independently of the inner damper element, and in response to an impact force applied to the helmet that is above the predetermined threshold, both the outer damper element and the inner damper element may be compressed.

[0025] According to another aspect, further details of which are described herein, a system for protecting a wearer's head from impact forces includes: a helmet that defines an interior space for receiving the head; and at least one damper that is coupled to the helmet at a first end and extends along a longitudinal axis from the first end to a second end. The damper may include a plurality of concentric compressible energy damper elements that at least include a first damper element having a first length and a second damper element having a second length, and each energy damper element is arranged end-to-end along the axis in a series configuration in a radial direction.

[0026] The first damper element may extend from the first end of the damper and the second damper element extends from the second end of the damper, and the first damper element has a first stiffness and the second damper element has a second stiffness different from the first stiffness. The first stiffness may be greater than the second stiffness. The wall thickness of the first damper may be greater than the wall thickness of the second damper.

[0027] According to yet another aspect, a system for protecting a wearer's head from impact forces includes: a helmet that defines an interior space for receiving the head; and at least one damper that is coupled to the helmet at a first end and extends along a longitudinal axis from the first end to a second end. The damper includes a plurality of concentric compressible energy damper elements that at least include a cylindrical outer damper element and a conical inner damper element surrounded by the outer damper element. The outer damper element has a first uncompressed length, and the inner element has a second uncompressed length that is less than the first length.

[0028] The conical inner damper element may have a circular base at a first end of the conical inner damper element and a tip at a second end of the conical inner damper. The first end of the cylindrical outer damper is attached to the base of the inner damper, and the second end is longitudinally spaced from the tip of the inner damper. The conical inner damper element may have a stiffness that varies with longitudinal position.

[0029] According to another aspect, further details of which are described herein, a hood for protecting a user's head from impact forces includes: an inner layer that defines an interior space occupied by the user's head; an outer layer that is coupled to the inner layer and forms at least one chamber between the outer layer and the inner layer; and a plurality of separate and distinct dampers. At least one damper is at least partially disposed within the chamber. Each damper extends into the interior space along a respective longitudinal axis. Each respective damper has: a fixed outer end portion that is disposed in a fixed position relative to the outer layer; and a free inner end portion that is disposed in the interior space in a longitudinally opposite manner to the fixed outer end portion. Moreover, the hood includes a plurality of separate and distinct engagement members corresponding to the plurality of dampers. Each engagement member is disposed at the free inner end portion of the corresponding damper and is configured to engage the user's head. Each damper includes a plurality of compressible damper elements arranged concentrically about the longitudinal axis. The plurality of compressible energy damper elements includes: an inner conical damper element; a first cylindrical damper element that surrounds the conical damper element; and a second cylindrical damper element that surrounds the first cylindrical damper element and the conical damper element.

[0030] According to another aspect, further details of which are described herein, a helmet for protecting a user's head from impact forces includes: an outer shell; and an inner layer that is coupled to the outer shell and defines an interior space occupied by the user's head. The inner layer defines a plurality of apertures therein. Moreover, the helmet includes a plurality of separate and distinct dampers, with one of each damper being at least partially disposed within a corresponding one of the apertures. Each damper extends into the interior space along a respective longitudinal axis coaxial with the corresponding aperture. Each respective damper has: a fixed outer end portion that is disposed in a fixed position relative to the outer layer; and a free inner end portion that is disposed in the interior space in a longitudinally opposite manner to the fixed outer end portion. Moreover, the helmet includes a plurality of separate and distinct engagement members corresponding to the plurality of dampers. Each engagement member is disposed at the free inner end portion of the corresponding damper and is configured to engage the user's head. Each damper includes a plurality of compressible damper elements arranged concentrically about the longitudinal axis. The plurality of compressible energy damper elements includes: an inner conical damper element; a first cylindrical damper element that surrounds the conical damper element; and a second cylindrical damper element that surrounds the first cylindrical damper element and the conical damper element.

[0031] According to another aspect, further details of which are described herein, a headgear for protecting a user's head from impact forces includes: an inner layer that defines an interior space occupied by the user's head; an outer layer that is coupled to the inner layer and forms at least one chamber between the outer layer and the inner layer; and a plurality of separate and distinct dampers. At least one damper is at least partially disposed within the chamber. Each damper extends into the interior space along a respective longitudinal axis. Each respective damper has: a fixed outer end portion that is disposed in a fixed position relative to the outer layer; and a free inner end portion that is disposed in the interior space in a longitudinally opposite manner to the fixed outer end portion. Additionally, the headgear includes a plurality of separate and distinct engagement members corresponding to the plurality of dampers. Each engagement member is disposed at the free inner end portion of the corresponding damper and is configured to engage the user's head. Each damper includes a plurality of compressible damper elements concentrically arranged about the longitudinal axis, the plurality of damper elements including a non-linear damper element and a plurality of linear damper elements. The linear damper elements may include cylindrical damper elements, and the non-linear damper element may be a conical damper element.

[0032] In another aspect, further details of which are described herein, a helmet for protecting a user's head from impact forces includes: an outer shell; an inner layer that is coupled to the outer shell and defines an interior space occupied by the user's head, the inner layer defining a plurality of apertures therein. Moreover, the helmet includes a plurality of separate and distinct dampers, with one of each damper being at least partially disposed within a corresponding one of the apertures. Each damper extends into the interior space along a respective longitudinal axis coaxial with the corresponding aperture. Each respective damper has: a fixed outer end portion that is disposed in a fixed position relative to the outer layer; and a free inner end portion that is disposed in the interior space in a longitudinally opposite manner to the fixed outer end portion.

[0033] Additionally, the helmet includes a plurality of separate and distinct engagement members corresponding to the plurality of dampers. Each engagement member is disposed at the free inner end portion of the corresponding damper and is configured to engage the user's head. Each damper includes a plurality of compressible damper elements concentrically arranged about the longitudinal axis, the plurality of damper elements including a non-linear damper element and a plurality of linear damper elements. The linear damper elements may include cylindrical damper elements, and the non-linear damper element may be a conical damper element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 is an enlarged isometric view of an embodiment of an energy absorber or damper according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0035] Figure 2 is Figure 1 an unenlarged isometric view of the damper of

[0036] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The damper is along Figure 2 View of section 3-3 in FIG.

[0037] Figure 4A is a view of the inside of a helmet according to aspects of the present disclosure, Figure 1 and Figure 2 A plurality of dampers are incorporated into the helmet.

[0038] Figure 4B yes Figure 4A The helmet and damper along Figure 4A View of section 4B-4B in FIG.

[0039] Figure 4C When worn by the user Figure 4A The helmet and damper along Figure 4A View of section 4C-4C in FIG.

[0040] Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a portion of a helmet and a damper coupled to the helmet.

[0041] Figure 5B yes Figure 5A A side elevation view of an outer damper element of the damper shown in FIG.

[0042] Figure 5C yes Figure 5B A cross-sectional view of an external damper element along its center.

[0043] Figure 5D yes Figure 5A A side elevation view of an internal damper element of the damper shown in FIG.

[0044] Figure 5E yes Figure 5D A cross-sectional view of the internal damper element along its center.

[0045] Figure 5F Picture shows Figure 5A A helmet and a damper, wherein the helmet is thinner and the damper is shorter.

[0046] Figure 6 is a central cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a damper according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 7A is a central cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a damper according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 7B yes Figure 7A Isometric view of a damper with the cover removed for clarity of illustration.

[0049] Figure 8A Illustrates a damper coupled to a helmet Figure 7A of the damper.

[0050] Figure 8B Illustrates a damper incorporated into another helmet Figure 7A of the damper.

[0051] Figure 8C Illustrates a damper incorporated into another helmet Figure 7A of the damper.

[0052] Figure 9 Is a central cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a damper according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0053] Figure 10A Is a central cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a damper according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0054] Figure 10B Is a central cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a damper according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0055] Figure 11A Is a central cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a damper according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0056] Figure 11B Is a central cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a damper according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0057] Figure 11C Is incorporated into Figure 4B of the helmet Figure 11A central cross-sectional view of the damper.

[0058] Figure 11D Is incorporated into Figure 5A of the helmet Figure 11B central cross-sectional view of the damper.

[0059] Figure 11E Is incorporated into Figure 5F of the helmet Figure 11B central cross-sectional view of an alternative of the damper.

[0060] Figure 11F Is incorporated into another embodiment of the helmet Figure 11A central cross-sectional view of the damper.

[0061] Figure 12 Shows an embodiment of a portion of a headband or hood.

[0062] Figure 13A Illustrates an embodiment of a hood according to aspects of the present disclosure.

[0063] Figure 13B illustrates a portion of the cowl as viewed along Figure 13A section 13B-13B in

[0064] Figure 13C illustrates a portion of the cowl as viewed along Figure 13B section 13C-13C in DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0065] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of an energy absorber or “damper” 100 that may be coupled to a helmet (e.g., helmet 400, Figure 4A ) in a head protection system (e.g., system 101, Figure 4A ), as described in more detail below. When such a helmet is placed on a head (e.g., head 103, Figure 4C ) and worn by a user, the user's head is at least partially isolated from the helmet by damper 100, which is interposed between the head and the helmet. As described in more detail below, compression of damper 100 helps to decelerate the head during an impact, resulting in a reduction in the impact force and the energy transmitted to the head.

[0066] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, damper 100 includes a plurality of concentrically arranged elastic damper elements 1, 2, and 3 arranged in a nested configuration. For example, as Figure 1 shown, inner damper element 1 is concentrically positioned within intermediate damper element 2, which is concentrically positioned within outer damper element 3. Outer damper element 3 has an upper end 3a and a lower end 3b. Intermediate damper element 2 has an upper end 2a and a lower end 2b. Inner damper element 1 has an upper end 1a and a lower end 1b. Head stabilizer 4 is attached to the lower end 3b of outer damper element 3. Head stabilizer 4 is configured to engage the head of the wearer of helmet 400 of FIG. 4 (e.g., head 103, Figure 4C ), as will be described in further detail below.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, damper elements 1, 2, and 3 are all made of a single piece and of a material such as silicone rubber, D3O (a registered trademark of Design Blue Limited Company of East Sussex, UK), PORON (a registered trademark of Rogers Corporation of Connecticut, USA), Armorgel (manufactured by Armourgel Limited of Taiwan, China), or some other suitable material. The densities of damper elements 1, 2, and 3 and head stabilizer 4 may be the same or different.

[0068] In Figure 2 , the damper 100 is shown in a neutral, uncompressed state. The damper 100 is configured to longitudinally compress and expand along axis A-A in response to the application of a translational impact force to the damper 100 or the removal of a translational impact force from the damper 100. The damper 100 is flexible and resilient and is configured to return to the neutral state when no external impact force is applied to the damper 100 anymore. In Figure 2 the exemplary embodiment shown, the lengths of the damper elements 1, 2, and 3 as measured in their neutral state are different from each other such that the bottom ends 1b, 2b, and 3b of each respective damper element 1, 2, and 3 are longitudinally spaced apart from each other. Specifically, in the example shown, the lengths of the damper elements 1, 2, and 3 increase with an increase in the radial distance away from axis A-A such that the inner damper element 1 has a first length, the intermediate damper element 2 has a second length greater than the first length, and the outer damper element 3 has a third length greater than both the first length and the second length. The vertical spacing of the bottom ends 1b, 2b, and 3b of the damper elements 1, 2, and 3 provides various combinations of springs to be compressed based on the magnitude of the impact force applied to the damper 100, further details of which will be described in detail below.

[0069] Moreover, the damper 100 is configured to undergo a certain amount of lateral deflection or swinging motion about axis A-A from the neutral state in response to the application of a rotational impact force to the damper 100. For example, Figure 4B the damper 100 shown in Figure 2In the exemplary embodiment shown, elements 1, 2, and 3 are radially spaced from each other, where the outer damper element 3 has the largest diameter and the inner damper element 1 has the smallest diameter. The radial spacing of the damper elements 1, 2, and 3 provides a certain rigidity to the damper 100 to resist lateral deflection and prevent kinking of the damper elements 1, 2, and 3. Specifically, when the damper is gradually compressed from the neutral position, the head stabilizer 4 will sequentially engage the intermediate damper element 2 and then the inner damper element 1. When the intermediate damper element 2 is engaged, the area moment of inertia of the damper 100 is effectively increased compared to the stiffness of the separate outer damper element 3. Moreover, when the inner damper element 1 is engaged together with the intermediate damper element 2 and the outer damper element 3, the area moment of inertia of the damper 100 is further effectively increased. Thus, in other words, the plurality of annular damper elements 1, 2, and 3 can combinatorially increase the bending rigidity of the damper 100 such that it will deflect less laterally under the same bending moment.

[0070] As Figure 2 shown, each damper element 1, 2, and 3 includes a corresponding upper lip 1', 2', and 3' and a lower lip 1", 2", and 3", and the upper and lower lips are joined together at radially inner curved walls 1"', 2"', and 3"'. One or more of the upper lips 1', 2', and 3' (corresponding lower lips 1", 2", and 3") and the corresponding curved walls 1"', 2"', and 3"' can be adhered, welded, or otherwise joined to the outer shell 401 of the helmet 400 ( Figure 4B ) or a padding 502 on the interior of the helmet shell ( Figure 5A 、 Figure 5B ). Alternatively, in the case where the damper 100 is adhered to the inner surface of the helmet 400, the damper 100 can be formed without the upper lips 1', 2', and 3' and without the inner curved walls 1"', 2"', and 3"'. In such cases, the lower lips 1", 2", and 3" are formed for attachment (i.e., adhesive attachment) to the inner surface of the outer shell 401 of the helmet 400 or a padding (e.g., padding 402) inside the shell.

[0071] In Figure 2 the specific embodiment shown, each of the lower lips 1", 2", and 3" is formed as a ring, and the corresponding upper lips 1', 2', and 3' are formed as arcuate annular segments vertically spaced above their corresponding lower lips 1", 2", and 3". For example, the upper lip 1' includes a pair of diametrically opposed upper lip segments 1′a and 1′b. The upper lip segments 1'a and 1'b are longitudinally spaced from the annular lower lip 1" along the axis A-A by the curved wall 1"'. As Figure 2As shown, the intermediate damper element 2 and the outer damper element 3 may have the same upper lip and lower lip configurations as the damper element 1. The upper lip 1', the lower lip 1", and the curved wall 1"' define a set of circumferential groove segments that may be configured to receive and seat in corresponding arcuate grooves (not shown) in the outer shell (e.g., shell 401) of a helmet (e.g., helmet 400). Such mechanical fastening may be used alone or additionally in combination with an adhesive to couple the damper 100 to the helmet. Also, the lower lips 1″, 2″, and 3″ may be adhered or attached to the inner side of the outer shell (e.g., outer shell 401, Figure 4B ) of a helmet (e.g., helmet 400, Figure 4B ) or to the inner padding (e.g., padding 502, Figure 5A ) of a helmet (e.g., helmet 500, Figure 5A ).

[0072] The upper lip segments of each of the upper lips 1', 2', and 3' are circumferentially spaced 90 degrees from each other such that each upper lip segment covers one quarter of the area of its corresponding lower lip. For example, as Figure 2 shown, the angle subtended by the side edge 1'aa of the upper lip 1'a is approximately 90 degrees, and the angle subtended by the side edge 1'bb of the upper lip 1'b is approximately 90 degrees. As Figure 2 shown, the intermediate damper element 2 and the outer damper element 3 may have the same upper lip and lower lip configurations as the damper element 1.

[0073] Also, the upper lip segments of each of the damper elements 1, 2, 3 are oriented 90 degrees about the axis A-A relative to the upper lip segments of the other damper elements. For example, the upper lip 2' of the intermediate damper element 2 includes lip segments 2'a and 2'b that are oriented such that they are rotated 90 degrees relative to the lip segments 1'a and 1'b. Also, the upper lip 3' of the outer element 3 includes lip segments 3'a and 3'b that are rotated 90 degrees relative to the lip segments 2'a and 2'b.

[0074] As shown in the example in Figure 3 , the damper elements 1, 2, and 3 have a wound or pleated wall that, as described above, is compressible and resilient. The amount of compressibility (or stiffness) exhibited by each of the damper elements 1, 2, and 3 may be based on the thickness of the wall of the respective damper element, the number of damper windings, and the material properties (e.g., density) of the damper element. The differences in stiffness among the damper elements and their longitudinally spaced relationship allow for a progressive activation of different levels of resistance to impact forces based on the magnitude of the impact force.

[0075] The wound wall is similar to a tubular bellows. In Figure 3In the example shown, the inner damper element 1 has four windings, the intermediate damper element 2 has six windings, and the outer damper element 3 has eight windings. The outer diameter and inner diameter of the inner damper element 1 are approximately 20.67 mm and 4.67 mm respectively, the outer diameter and inner diameter of the intermediate damper element 2 are approximately 37.33 mm and 25.33 mm respectively, and the outer diameter and inner diameter of the outer damper element 3 are approximately 50.0 mm and 42.0 mm respectively. Thus, in this example, the wall thickness t1 of the inner damper element 1 is approximately 8 mm, the wall thickness t2 of the intermediate damper element 2 is approximately 6 mm, and the wall thickness t3 of the outer damper element 3 is approximately 4 mm. Thus, in this example, the ratio of the wall thicknesses t1:t2:t3 is: 8:6:4 (or 4:3:2). Also, with respect to this example, in Figure 2 in the neutral state of the damper shown, the length L3 of the outer damper element 3 is approximately 30 mm + / - 5 mm, the length L2 of the intermediate damper element 2 is approximately 22.5 mm + / - 5 mm, and the length L1 of the inner damper element 1 is approximately 15 mm + / - 5 mm. Thus, as progressing from the outer damper element 3 to the inner damper element 1, the wall thickness of each damper element increases, the height decreases, and the longitudinal and lateral stiffnesses increase.

[0076] Returning to Figure 1 , the head stabilizer 4 has a generally planar circular inner portion 4a centered about the axis A-A and a generally concave outer portion 4b concentrically surrounding the inner portion 4a. The inner portion 4a of the head stabilizer 4 defines a central hole 6. In one example, the diameter D i of the hole 6 is approximately 4.67 mm, the outer diameter D p of the inner planar portion 4a is approximately 46.84, and the outer diameter D o of the outer concave portion 4b is approximately 76.84 mm. As shown in Figure 3 , the hole 6 is aligned with the hole 5 (which also has a diameter of approximately 4.67 mm) along the axis A-A.

[0077] Figure 4A Illustrated is the aforementioned head protection system 101, which includes a helmet 400 and at least one damper 100 coupled to the helmet 400. For example, in Figure 4A the embodiment shown, five dampers 100 are coupled to the helmet 400 and extend inwardly from a first end attached to the helmet in a longitudinal direction to a free end at the head stabilizer 4. Figure 4AThe damper 100 shown in [description] is distributed in an "X" pattern as follows: One damper is positioned at the center (corresponding to the crown position of the helmet wearer's head), one damper is at the front position, one damper is at the right position, one damper is at the left position, and one damper is at the rear position. The helmet 400 may include a rigid outer shell 401 and one or more liners 402 (e.g., compressible foam liners) attached to the inner side of the outer shell 401. For example, for the helmet 400, the outer shell 401 may be made of thin outer polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or fiberglass and / or carbon, and the liner 402 may be made of expanded polystyrene (EPS) or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) molded inside the PVC shell. The helmet 400 may have a comfort liner 402a ( Figure 4A not shown in [description], but shown in Figure 4B and Figure 4C ), which is on the inner side of the liner 402 and may be made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or some other suitable material to be comfortable. For example, when the user wears the helmet 400, as shown in Figure 4C , for example, the concave side of the head adjuster 4 is configured to engage the user's head 103.

[0078] Figure 4B shows a view of the system 101 along the cross-section 4B-4B in Figure 4A . An opening 406 is formed in the liner 402 and the comfort liner 402a, and the damper 100 is disposed in the opening. The damper 100 extends concentrically along the longitudinal axis A-A within the opening 406. Specifically, the lower lips 1", 2", and 3" of the damper elements 1, 2, and 3 are attached (e.g., with an adhesive) to the inner surface of the outer shell 401. In the neutral state shown in Figure 4A and Figure 4B , the head stabilizer 4 extends just below the comfort liner 402a and is spaced therefrom.

[0079] Figure 4B The stepped opening 406 shown in [description] is defined by a first tapered portion 406a and a second cylindrical portion 406b. The first portion 406a is defined by a frustoconical surface 408 that has a first diameter at the inner side 402a of the liner 402 and a smaller second diameter at the annular shoulder 410. The first diameter is greater than the diameter of the head stabilizer 4. The annular shoulder 410 extends radially inward from the frustoconical surface 408 to the cylindrical surface 412 of the second portion 406b of the opening 406. The cylindrical surface 412 extends longitudinally from the annular shoulder 410 along the axis A-A to the outer shell 401. The diameter of the cylindrical surface 412 is smaller than the second diameter of the frustoconical surface 408. The length of the second portion 406b (measured along the axis A-A from the outer shell 401) is approximately the same as the length L2 of the intermediate damper element 2.

[0080] As Figure 4C shown, when the helmet 400 is placed on the wearer's head 103 and the head stabilizer 4 engages the head 103, the outer damper 3 will be partially compressed and the head stabilizer 4 will engage (and possibly slightly compress) the intermediate damper element 2 while remaining spaced apart from the shoulder 410. Since the head stabilizer 4 engages the intermediate damper element 2 when the helmet is placed on the head 103, the area moment of inertia of the damper 100 is automatically increased compared to when the helmet 400 is not worn on the head (e.g., Figure 4A ). As a result, when the helmet 400 is placed on the head 103, the damper 100 is initially strengthened laterally and longitudinally, and the damper 100 can become even more rigid when the head stabilizer 4 engages the inner damper element 1 as described above.

[0081] In an impact between the helmet 400 and an object, the user's head 103 will move relative to the outer shell 401 of the helmet 400 together with the head stabilizer 4, resulting in corresponding longitudinal and / or lateral movement of the head stabilizer 4 and compression and / or flexure of the damper 100. Due to the direct connection of the head stabilizer 4 to the outer damper element 3 and the vertical spacing between the ends 1b, 2b, and 3b of the damper elements 1, 2, and 3, the damper elements 1, 2, and 3 are compressed sequentially as described above. Depending on the magnitude of the impact force (translational and rotational) and the stiffness of the damper elements 1, 2, and 3, two (the outer damper element 3 and the intermediate damper element 2) or all of the damper elements 1, 2, and 3 can be compressed longitudinally and / or flexed laterally.

[0082] For example, initially, when the helmet is on the head 103, if the head stabilizer 4 deflects longitudinally in response to a large enough impact force, the head stabilizer 4 will apply a force to the padding 402 at the shoulder 410 and at the outer damper element 3 and the intermediate damper element 2. Specifically, initially after the impact, the outer damper element 3 and the intermediate damper element 2 distribute the impact force according to their respective stiffnesses such that both the outer damper element 3 and the intermediate damper element 2 will deflect the same amount together with the head stabilizer 4. Additionally, when the head 103 engages the head stabilizer 4, as Figure 4C shown, due to the relative translational movement between the outer shell 401 of the helmet 400 and the head stabilizer 4, the translational and rotational impact forces will cause the damper 100 to initially bend (transverse to the axis A-A).

[0083] Initially, after the impact, the translational impact force and the rotational impact force will cause the outer damper element 3 and the intermediate damper element 2 to compress based on their respective stiffnesses, and will deflect laterally based on the thickness, the number of windings, and the radial spacing between the damper elements 1, 2, and 3. It will be appreciated that when the helmet 4 is worn, the head 103 extends beyond the outer diameter D of the head stabilizer 4 o , and engages the inner surface of the comfort liner 402a around the hole 406. Thus, whenever the damper 100 compresses from the position shown in Figure 4C , due to the engagement of the head 103 with the liners 402a and 402, the comfort liner 402a and the liner 402 also tend to absorb some of the impact force, and thus, the liners 402a and 402 will also distribute some of the impact force in parallel with the damper 100.

[0084] If the magnitude of the impact force is large enough, the head stabilizer 4 can compress the outer damper element 3 and the intermediate damper element 2 and move longitudinally along the axis A-A to engage and compress the liner 402 at the shoulder 410. When the liner 402, as well as the intermediate damper element 2 and the outer damper element 3, are compressed, their combination effectively increases the stiffness of the damper 100, and thus, when subjected to the same force, the damper will experience a reduction in longitudinal deflection. Moreover, when the liner 402, as well as the outer damper element 3 and the intermediate damper element 2, engage with the head stabilizer 4, the damper 100 exhibits increased lateral stiffness, and thus, will experience a reduction in lateral deflection when subjected to the same lateral force. If the magnitudes of the rotational impact force and the translational impact force are large enough, the head stabilizer 4 can continue to move towards the lower end 1b of the inner damper element 1 and engage it, such that all the damper elements 1, 2, and 3, as well as the liner 402, are compressed by the head stabilizer 4 to absorb the impact energy and decelerate the head relative to the helmet 400. When the combination of the damper elements 1, 2, and 3 and the liner 402 is compressed, the combination will compress, but the stiffness of the damper 100 further increases and the deflection amount further decreases compared to when only the intermediate damper element 2 and the outer damper element 3 are engaged. Moreover, compared to when only the damper elements 2 and 3 are engaged, when all the damper elements 1, 2, and 3 are engaged and compressed, the damper 100 exhibits a further reduction in lateral movement.

[0085] Since the damper elements do work (work = force × distance), compression of the gasket 402 and damper elements 1, 2, and 3 results in energy absorption. The absorbed energy reduces the transmission of the impact force to the user's head, thereby assisting in reducing the severity of the impact on the wearer's head. In one embodiment, the outer damper element 3 is configured to absorb impacts up to 100 g's, and the outer damper element 3 and the intermediate damper element 2 are designed to withstand impacts up to 200 g's. The combination of all three damper elements 1, 2, and 3 is designed to absorb impacts up to approximately 250 g's + / - 50 g's.

[0086] Figure 4A System 101 was subjected to comparative testing for ski helmets and bicycle helmets. The test parameters included a drop height of 100 cm and an impact velocity of approximately 4.5 m / sec (15.7 km / hr). One of the bicycle helmets tested ("*Bicycle 2 Helmet" in Table 1 below) was designed to address rotational acceleration / deceleration impacts. Comparative data is shown in Table 1 below.

[0087]

[0088] Table 1.

[0089] Helmets 1 and 2 are constructed in accordance with the present disclosure. Specifically, both Helmet 1 and Helmet 2 have an outer shell made of fiberglass and carbon, do not include a polystyrene foam gasket, include a 10 mm comfort layer made of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), and incorporate five dampers 100 adhered to the inner surface of the outer shell (as Figure 4A shown). Moreover, the ratio of the wall thicknesses of the dampers 100 used in Helmets 1 and 2 is 8:6:4, as described in the example of the damper 100 above. All of the dampers 100 used are made of silicone rubber with a density of 1.03 g / L. As shown in Table 1 above, the tested Helmets 1 and 2 produced the lowest rotational accelerations and decelerations. The mass differences listed in Table 1 are due to the presence and number of ventilation holes in the helmets: Helmets 1 and 2 have no ventilation holes, the ski helmet has a small ventilation opening area, and the total ventilation opening area of Bicycles 1 and 2 is relatively larger.

[0090] Figure 5A is illustrated Figures 4A to 4CAlternative helmet 500 of the helmet 400 in []. Specifically, the helmet 500 incorporates a damper 150, which is a modified version of the damper 100 and replaces the three damper elements 1, 2, and 3 of the damper 100 with two damper elements 151 and 152. In other respects, the damper elements 151 and 152 may have the same configuration as that described above in connection with the damper elements 1, 2, and 3. Moreover, the helmet 500 includes a pad 502, which is similar to the pad 402 in terms of configuration but different in terms of the configuration of the opening 406. Specifically, the pad 502 defines a countersunk recess 506 instead of the opening 406, such that the damper 150 is attached to the pad 502 rather than to the outer shell 501 of the helmet 500. As Figure 5A shown, when the helmet is not placed on the wearer's head 103 and the stabilizer 504 is disengaged from the head 103, the stabilizer 504 is longitudinally spaced from the pad 502a. Moreover, the compressible portion 502b of the pad 502 is interposed between the damper 150 and the outer shell 501. Thus, the portion 502b serves as an additional damper element in parallel with the entire damper 150. The recess 506 includes a first portion 506a and a second portion 506b. The first portion 506a is defined by a frustoconical surface 508 that has a first diameter at the inner side 502a of the pad 502 and a smaller second diameter at the annular step 510. The annular shoulder 510 extends radially inward from the frustoconical surface 508 to the cylindrical surface 512 of the second portion 506b. The cylindrical surface 512 extends from the annular step 510 to the bottom 514 of the recess 506. The diameter of the cylindrical surface 512 is smaller than the second diameter of the frustoconical surface 508. In Figure 5A the embodiment shown, the annular step 510 is aligned with the lower end of the inner damper element 151. When the helmet 500 is placed on the head 103 and the head stabilizer 504 engages the head 103, the stabilizer 504 will compress the outer damper element 152 and engage and / or slightly compress the lower end 151b of the inner damper element 151. The damper elements 151 and 152 will act in a manner similar to the damper elements 3 and 2 of the damper 100, with the exception that the head stabilizer 504 will not engage a third damper element inside the damper element 151. Instead, this portion of the pad 502b between the damper 150 and the outer shell 501 is continuously used to distribute the impact force in series with the damper 150, and this portion 502b is compressed based on the stiffness of the pad material. Thus, during an impact, a portion of the impact force will be transmitted to the pad 502 and to the damper 150 both at the shoulder 510 and in the portion 502b, and the damper will compress a corresponding amount based on the distribution of the force therebetween.

[0091] Figure 5B and Figure 5CDetails of the external damper element 152 are shown. As an example, the external damper element 152 may have a wound wall having an outer diameter of 22 mm and an inner diameter of 16 mm. The wall of the external damper may have a 4 mm thick winding. The head stabilizer 504 may have an outer diameter of approximately 30 mm and an inner diameter of approximately 8 mm.

[0092] Figure 5D and Figure 5E Details of the internal damper element 151 are shown. The internal damper element 151 may have a wound wall having an outer diameter of approximately 12 mm and an inner diameter of approximately 4 mm. The wall of the internal damper element has a winding approximately 3.5 mm thick. The lower end portion 151a of the internal damper element is shown as a solid closed flange having a thickness of approximately 3 mm. Thus, due to the dimensions of the internal damper element 151 and the external damper element 152 in the example shown in Figure 5C and Figure 5E there is a radial spacing of approximately 2 mm between the internal damper element 151 and the external damper element 152.

[0093] Figure 5F Illustrated is Figure 5A a low-profile alternative embodiment of the embodiment shown in, in which the gasket 502 is thinner (axial dimension along axis A-A) than in Figure 5A and the length of the damper 150 along axis A-A is smaller than in Figure 5A .

[0094] Figure 6 A cross-section of another embodiment of a damper 600 is shown, which includes three circular damper elements 601, 602, and 603, and a head stabilizer 604 attached to the damper element 603. The damper elements 601, 602, and 603 are arranged end-to-end in a series configuration along axis A-A. In Figure 6In [the figure], damper 600 is shown in its neutral (i.e., completely uncompressed) state. In one embodiment, lower damper element 603 is attached to intermediate damper element 602, which is attached to upper damper element 601. Damper element 603 has a lower end portion 603b attached to head stabilizer 604 and an upper end portion 603a attached to lower end portion 602b of intermediate damper element 602. Intermediate damper element 602 has an upper end portion 602a attached to lower end portion 601b of upper damper element 601. Upper damper element 601 has an upper annular lip 601' and a lower annular lip 601", and the upper annular lip and the lower annular lip define an annular groove 601"' at upper end portion 601a of upper damper element 601. Annular groove 601"' may have the same function as the groove described above, i.e., to receive and seat in the outer shell of the helmet (such as shell 401 of helmet 400). However, it will be understood that, for example, outer shell 401 of helmet 400 may be modified to define a completely circular hole having a diameter slightly smaller than the diameter of annular groove 601"', such that annular groove seats in the hole in shell 401 of helmet 400. Also, upper lip 601' may be adhered or otherwise attached to the outer shell or padding of the helmet in the same manner as described above for upper lips 1', 2', and 3' of damper 100.

[0095] Figure 6 Each of damper elements 601, 602, and 603 has a wound-type wall, and each damper element has three windings. In Figure 6 the example shown, all windings have the same height along axis A-A. Of course, in other embodiments, depending on the material and / or wall thickness of each damper element, the number and size of the windings may be different. Damper elements 601, 602, and 603 and head stabilizer 604 may all be made of the same material, such as silicone rubber. The wall thickness t3 of lower damper element 603 is less than the wall thickness t2 of intermediate damper element 602. The wall thickness t1 of upper damper element 601 is greater than wall thicknesses t2 and t3. All other factors being equal among damper elements 601, 602, and 603, a damper element with a thicker wall is more rigid than a damper element with a thinner wall. Thus, in the case where damper elements 601, 602, and 603 are made of the same material (e.g., silicone rubber) and have the same number and winding height of windings (as in Figure 6In the example of [], the upper damper element 601 has the maximum wall thickness t1 and is thus the most rigid among the damper elements 601, 602, and 603. Moreover, the lower damper element 603 has the thinnest wall thickness t3 and is thus the least rigid (the most compressible) among the damper elements 601, 602, and 603. Thus, all other factors being considered equal (except for the wall thickness), the stiffness of the damper elements 601, 602, and 603 increases from the lower damper element 603 to the upper damper element 601 in the direction along axis A-A. The progressive stiffness of the damper elements 601, 602, and 603 allows the damper to respond to a greater impact force with increasing stiffness and gradually decelerate the head of the wearer of the helmet incorporating the damper 600.

[0096] The damper elements 601, 602, and 603 are arranged to be connected in series like springs. An impact force F applied in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 6 will be transmitted to all the damper elements 601, 602, and 603, and each of the damper elements will compress a certain amount based on its stiffness. In one embodiment, the damper elements 601, 602, and 603 are molded as Hooke's (linear response springs) arranged in series, where each spring has a corresponding spring constant such that the applied force is proportional to the compression of the spring, with the relationship as follows:

[0097] F = F 1 = F 2 = F 3 (1)

[0098] -k 1 x 1 = -k 2 x 2 = -k 3 x 3 (2)

[0099]

[0100] Thus, when an impact force F is applied to the damper 600, it will be transmitted to each of the damper elements 601, 602, and 603, causing the more rigid (larger spring constant, k 1 ) damper element 601 to compress less than the damper element 603 with a smaller spring constant k 3 . However, each of the damper elements 601, 602, and 603 will compress a corresponding amount based on its corresponding spring constant, and the total deflection of the head stabilizer will be equal to the sum of the compression amounts of each of the damper elements 601, 602, and 603.

[0101] As described above, for example, the damper 600 can directly replace the damper 100 in the helmet 400. In such embodiments, the upper lip 601' is connected to the outer shell 401 of the helmet 400, and the head stabilizer 604 will be positioned to replace Figure 4C the head stabilizer 4 in. During an impact between the helmet and an object, an impact force F will be transmitted, and the user's head will move relative to the outer shell 401 of the helmet 400, resulting in corresponding movement of the head stabilizer 604 that engages with the wearer's head and compression of the damper 600. Depending on the magnitude of the translational impact force F and the compressibility of the damper elements 601, 602, and 603 and the padding 402, one or more of the damper elements 601, 602, and 603 may become fully compressed. Partial or full compression of the damper elements 601, 602, and 603 absorbs the energy of the impact and slows down the transmission of the impact force to the user's head, thereby contributing to reducing the severity of the impact on the wearer's head. The materials employed for each of the damping devices 601, 602, and 603 and the values selected for the compressibility or stiffness of each of the damping devices 601, 602, and 603 enable the damper 600 to perform its desired effect when absorbing repetitive impact forces including translational and rotational impact forces.

[0102] Figure 7A and Figure 7B illustrates another embodiment of a damper 700 that can be incorporated into a helmet, such as Figure 8A the helmet 400' shown in. The damper 700 includes a compressible cone 701 that is concentrically disposed inside a cylindrical compressible element 702 along the longitudinal axis A-A. The compressible element 702 can be a spring or a flexible wound tube. The damper 700 also includes a base 703 that is connected to the cone 701 and the compressible element 702. The cone 701 has a tip 701a and a circular base 701b that is longitudinally spaced from the tip 701a along the axis A-A. The compressible element 702 has a generally cylindrical wall 704 that can be smooth or wound and extends from an attached circular base 706 to an attached circular cap 705 (the circular cap is omitted for clarity of illustration, Figure 7B in). The circular base 701b of the cone 701 and the circular base 706 of the compressible element 702 are welded or adhered to the upper surface 703a of the base 703. As Figure 8B shown in, the base 703 can also be a part of a portion of the padding 402 that has a certain thickness and is made of the same material as the cone 701 and the compressible element 702. Moreover, the base 703 can take the form of the head stabilizer 4 described above. As Figure 8AAs shown, the tip 701a of the cone 701 is longitudinally disposed between the cover 705 and the base 706 of the compressible element 702 along the axis A-A.

[0103] The damper 700 can be made entirely or partially of silicone rubber, where the cone 701, the compressible element 702, and the base 703 all have the same density or different densities. Alternatively, the material forming the damper 700 can include at least one of the following: PORON (a registered trademark of Rogers Corporation in Connecticut, USA), Armourgel (produced by Armourgel Limited in Taiwan, China), D3O (a registered trademark of Design Blue Limited Company in East Sussex, UK), ETPU, and other suitable materials.

[0104] In one example of the damper 700, the base 701b of the cone 701 has a diameter of approximately 25.0 mm; the cone 701 has a height of approximately 20.0 mm; the circular base 703 has a thickness of approximately 5.0 mm; the circular base 706 has a diameter of approximately 36.0 mm; the damper element 702 has an inner diameter of approximately 25.0 mm and an outer diameter of approximately 30.0 mm (the wall 704 has a thickness of approximately 5.0 mm); the damper element 702 has a longitudinally uncompressed length of approximately 25.0 mm; the height of each damping coil (if a helical spring is used as the damping element 702) or winding (if a wound-type element is used as the damper element 702) of the damper element 702 is approximately 5.0 mm. Such an exemplary damper 700 can absorb shocks of up to 300 g's.

[0105] The compressibility of the damper 700 can be based on the geometry and material properties of the damper 700. For example, the compressibility of the cone 701 can be based on the geometry and material properties (e.g., density) of the cone 701. In the case where the cone 701 is made of a uniform material, due to the tapered profile of the cone, the compressibility of the cone 701 decreases along the axis A-A from the tip 701a to the base 701b of the cone 701. Thus, when the cone 701 is longitudinally compressed by a force, the force will be resisted by the increasingly more rigid (less compressible) cone 701.

[0106] On the other hand, the compressibility of the element 702 may not be dependent on the position along the axis A-A. Instead, the compressible member 702 may exhibit uniform compressibility with increasing compression in a manner similar to a linear Hookean spring with a spring constant. The compressibility of the element 702 may be based on the thickness of the wall 704, the number of damping coils (if the compressible element 702 is a helical spring), or the winding (if the compressible element 702 is a wound type), and the material forming the compressible element 702 (e.g., silicone). The materials used for each part of the damper 700 and the values selected for the compressibility or stiffness of each part of the damper 700 are such as to allow the damper 700 to absorb repetitive impact forces including translational and rotational impacts.

[0107] The damper 700 can be integrated into various types of sports helmets (e.g., for football, hockey, surfing, water sports, cycling, skiing, skating, horseback riding, rodeo, gymnasiums) and helmets used by construction workers and emergency responders. Figure 8A A system 710 is shown that includes the damper 700 incorporated into the helmet 400 as described in detail above. As shown, the base 703 can take the form of the head stabilizer 4 described above and can be separated from the padding 402. The circular cap 705 of the compressible element 702 can be adhered or fused to the inner side of the outer shell 401 of the helmet 400. Also, the circular cap 705 can be omitted, and the upper edge 702a of the compressible element 702 can be directly fused to the inner side of the outer shell 401 of the helmet 400. When the damper 700 is used in the helmet 400, the lower side or inner side 703b of the base 703 is configured to engage the head of the wearer of the helmet such that when placed on the head 103 in the Figure 4C manner shown, the base 703 will be flush with the comfort padding 402a while being spaced apart from the shoulders 410. Also, when the base 703 is flush with the comfort padding 402a, the tip 701a of the cone will be in a compressed state with respect to the cap 705 (or, if the cap 705 is omitted, the tip 701a of the cone 701 will engage and compress against the inner surface inside the outer shell 401 of the helmet 400).

[0108] During an impact between the helmet 400 and an object, the rotational and translational impact forces are directed towards the head, causing the damper 700 and the padding 402 to compress. During Figure 8AIn the example shown, a translational force "F" is shown. At the same time, the head travels in the opposite direction (Newton's third law of motion - equal and opposite forces), which causes the head to compress the base 703 of the damper 700, which in turn compresses the compressible element 702, causing the cone 701 to longitudinally move along the axis A-A towards the cap 705 and further compress due to the connection of the cone 701 to the base 703. If the impact force F is large enough, the compressible element 702 and the cone 701 continue to compress together with the pad 402 (due to the final engagement of the base 703 with the shoulder 410). When both the element 702 and the cone 701 experience compression, they will distribute the impact force in parallel. However, due to the non-uniform compressibility of the cone 701, as described above, when the impact force causes both the spring 702 and the cone 701 to experience compression, as the cone 701 compresses, it will become gradually more rigid and thus absorb more of the impact force. As a result, the head engaging the base 703 can be gradually decelerated to reduce the magnitude of the force transmitted to the head.

[0109] Figure 8B System 810 is shown, which includes a helmet 400' (similar to Figure 8A helmet 400) and has a pad 402' (e.g., made of EPS), which defines an opening 406' having a uniform cylindrical wall. Moreover, system 810 includes a damper 700, which is attached to the inner side of the outer shell 401' of the helmet 400'. System 810 also includes an additional pad 802 (e.g., made of the same material as the external damper elements 702 and 701, such as D3O), which is spaced apart from the pad 402' but connected between the bases 703b of the damper 700. Moreover, system 810 includes a comfort pad 802a (e.g., made of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA)), which conforms to the inner side of the pad 802 and is attached to the inner side of the pad 802. The pad 402' can be made of EPS, or it can be the same material as the pad 802 or some other suitable material. By joining the bases 703b of the damper 700 together, the damper is further flexurally stiffened to withstand rotational impact forces.

[0110] Figure 8C An alternative system 810' of the system 810 is shown, in which the damper 700 is oriented opposite to the Figure 8B damper shown. Specifically, the damper 700 has an inverted orientation in the helmet 400', such that for each damper 700, the base 703b is connected to the outer shell 401 of the helmet 400, and the cap 705 is connected to the pad 802.

[0111] respectively in Figure 8B and Figure 8CThe systems 810 and 810' shown in [description] can represent headband protectors, where the housing 401' is made of vinyl material. In one example, Figure 8B The system 810 shown in [description] can be configured as a headband, where the padding 802, base 703b, and cone 701 are made of a single piece of material (D3O). Moreover, the external damper element 702 is separately formed (and can also be made of D3O) and coupled (e.g., adhered / glued) to the housing 401' (e.g., made of vinyl), and the circular base of 702 is coupled (e.g., adhered / glued) to the padding 802 to receive and / or enclose the cone 701. In such examples, the padding 402 can also be made of the same material (e.g., D3O) as the padding 802, base 703b, cone 701, and external damper element 702 or a different suitable material.

[0112] Moreover, in another example, Figure 8C The system 810' shown in [description] can be configured as a headband in which the padding 802 and the external damper element 702 are made of a single piece of material (e.g., D3O), and the circular opening top sheet of 702 is coupled (e.g., adhered / glued) to 703b to receive or enclose the cone 701. In this example, the cone 701 (including the base 703b) can be separately formed and coupled (e.g., adhered / glued) to the housing 401' (e.g., made of vinyl).

[0113] Furthermore, in the systems 810 and 810', if the padding 402' is made of EPS, the housing 401' can be made of PVC (plastic) or fiberglass / carbon. Specifically, in one example, the housing 401' is made of fiberglass / carbon or PVC, the padding 402' is made of EPS, and the padding 802 and the damper elements (701 and 702) are made of D3O, silicone rubber, or some other suitable material.

[0114] The various damper elements described herein can be considered "linear" or "non-linear" based on their force-deflection characteristics and how closely their force-deflection response adheres to Hooke's Law (F = kX). That is, as defined herein, a linear damper element is considered to be a damper element having a substantially constant spring stiffness coefficient (k) as defined by Hooke's Law. Moreover, as defined herein, a non-linear damper element is considered to be a damper element that does not have a substantially constant spring stiffness coefficient (k) and whose spring stiffness coefficient itself can vary depending on the amount of deflection or compression of the damper element. However, it will be appreciated that any of the damper elements described herein, whether linear or non-linear, can be interchanged and / or combined in various combinations to achieve a desired damping effect. Moreover, although non-linear damper elements have been described as being conical, it will be appreciated that other forms of non-linear damper elements that do not have a conical form can be used. Moreover, although linear damper elements have been described as being cylindrical, it will be appreciated that a cylindrical damper element can also be non-linear. Thus, although various embodiments of the damping system have been described herein separately, it will be appreciated that additional damper elements can be added to or removed from those systems, and linear damper elements can be replaced with non-linear damper elements and vice versa to achieve a desired damping effect. Additionally, although some dampers have been described as being used in a helmet, such dampers can also be used in a headband or a hood, and although some dampers have been described as being used in a headband or a hood, such dampers can also be used in a helmet. Further, the various embodiments of the dampers and systems described herein are not mutually exclusive, and the features of some embodiments may be combined with the features of other embodiments to form various damper and system configurations, some of which are described in more detail below.

[0115] Figure 9 An embodiment of a damper 900 is shown, which is arranged similarly to damper 700 and includes an additional internal cylindrical damper element 914. Figure 9 The damper 900 shown in includes the following three: a resilient damper element 901, an elastic damper element 904, and a compressible damper element 914, which are coupled to a head stabilizer 903 and are concentric about Figure 9 axis A-A in. The damper elements 904 and 914 are cylindrical, and the damper element 901 is conical. The damper 900 extends longitudinally along axis A-A from an outer end 924 to an inner end 926. The head stabilizer 903 is attached to the damper 900 at the inner end 926 of the damper 900. The two cylindrical damper elements 904 and 914 surround the conical damper element 901, which is Figure 9The innermost damper element in damper 900 as shown. Damper 900 is configured to be attached to a head covering such as a cowl or a helmet.

[0116] In Figure 9 it, damper 900 is shown in a neutral, uncompressed state. Damper 900 is configured to longitudinally compress and expand along axis A-A in response to the application of a translational impact force to damper 900 and the removal of the translational impact force from damper 900. Moreover, damper 900 is configured to laterally bend or deflect (like a cantilever beam) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis A-A about its attachment point at its outer end 924 in response to a bending moment applied to damper 900. For example, Figure 9 the damper 900 shown in it can be deflected in an arc (shown by arrow B) about the outer end 924 of damper 900. Damper 900 is flexible and resilient and is configured to return to the neutral state when no external impact force is applied to damper 900 any longer. In Figure 9 the exemplary embodiment shown in it, compared with damper 700, the lengths of the cylindrical damper elements 904 and 914 are equal and thus form an annular column that provides increased resistance to lateral deflection and bending moment as well as longitudinal deflection (i.e., linear compression).

[0117] The cylindrical damper elements 904 and 914 can each be a spring or a flexible coiled tube. The respective cylindrical walls of the cylindrical damper elements 904 and 914 are longitudinally compressible and can be smooth or coiled on their radial inner and / or outer sides.

[0118] The conical damper element 901 has a tip 901a and a base 901b (which can be circular) that is longitudinally spaced from the tip 901a along axis A-A. The base 901b of the conical damper element 901 can be welded or otherwise attached to the head stabilizer 903. As Figure 9 shown in it, the tip 901a of the cone 901 is longitudinally disposed between the outer end 924 of damper 900 and the head stabilizer 903 along axis A-A.

[0119] The head stabilizer 903 can be freely movable and separable from other dampers and structures, or can be a part of a gasket that connects the head stabilizer to one or more other head stabilizers. Examples of such gaskets are Figure 8B and Figure 8C the gasket 802 of.

[0120] The inner cylindrical damper element 914 surrounds the conical damper element 901 and extends from the head stabilizer 903 to the base 914a at the outer end of the damper 924. The outer cylindrical damper element 904 surrounds the inner cylindrical damper element 914 and the conical damper element 901. The outer cylindrical damper element 904 is radially spaced from the inner cylindrical damper element 914. The outer cylindrical damper element 904 extends from the head stabilizer 903 to the base 904a at the outer end 924 of the damper 900.

[0121] The bases 904a and 914a of all the cylindrical damper elements 904 and 914 can be joined together at the outer end 924 of the damper 900, and the outer surfaces of those bases can be used as mounting surfaces for mounting the damper 900 to the surface of a head covering, such as a helmet or a headband, examples of which are described above and additional examples are described in further detail below.

[0122] The damper 900 can be made entirely or in part of silicone rubber, where the conical damper element 901 and the cylindrical damper elements 904 and 914 and the head stabilizer 903 all have the same density or different densities. Alternatively, the material forming the damper 900 can include at least one of the following: PORON (a registered trademark of Rogers Corporation, Connecticut, USA), Armourgel (manufactured by Armourgel Limited, Taiwan, China), D3O (a registered trademark of Design Blue Limited Company, East Sussex, UK), ETPU, and other suitable materials. The damper 900 can be formed as a single piece (e.g., integrally molded silicone rubber), or can be made of multiple pieces joined together during the manufacture of the damper 900. For example, the damper elements 904, 903, and 901 can be molded as a single member and joined (e.g., adhesively) to the damper element 914 and to each other at location C at the outer end 924 and the inner end 926 of the damper 900.

[0123] In one example of damper 900, the thickness of the cylindrical wall of the outer cylindrical damper element 904 is greater than the thickness of the cylindrical wall of the inner cylindrical damper element 914. Also, although the longitudinal distance (length) between the tip 901a and the base 901b of the conical damper element 901 is shown as less than the length of the damper 900, the length of the conical damper element 901 can be greater or less. For example, in one embodiment, the tip 901a of the conical damper element 901 can engage or otherwise contact the bases 904a and 914a of the cylindrical damper elements 904 and 914 in the neutral configuration such that the conical damper element 901 can initially be compressed with the cylindrical damper elements 904 and 914 during the initial compression of the damper 900. Of course, shortening the length of the conical damper element 901 (relative to Figure 9 the length shown therein) can delay the timing of its engagement such that the cylindrical damper elements 904 and 914 can be longitudinally compressed outward to a greater extent (compared to the embodiment shown in Figure 9 ) before the conical damper element begins to compress during an impact. In one example of damper 900, the base 901b of the cone 901 has a diameter of about 16.0 mm; the cone 901 has a height of about 35.0 mm; the head stabilizer 903 has a thickness of about 4.0 mm and a diameter of about 38.0 mm; the outer cylindrical damper element 904 has an outer diameter of about 32.0 mm and a wall thickness of about 2.0 mm; the outer cylindrical damper element 904 has a longitudinally uncompressed length of about 40.0 mm; the inner cylindrical damper element 914 has an outer diameter of about 22.0 mm and a wall thickness of about 3.0 mm; the inner cylindrical damper element 914 has a longitudinally uncompressed length of about 40.0 mm. Figure 9 The foregoing dimensions are shown in

[0124] The compressibility of damper 900 can be based on the geometry and material properties of damper 900. For example, the compressibility of the conical damper element 901 can be based on the geometry and material properties (e.g., density) of the conical damper element 901. In the case where the conical damper element 901 is formed of a uniform material, due to the tapered profile of the cone, the compressibility of the cone 901 decreases along the axis A-A from the tip 901a to the base 901b of the cone 901. Thus, when the cone 901 is forced to compress longitudinally, the force will be resisted by the increasingly more rigid (less compressible) conical damper element 901.

[0125] On the other hand, the compressibility of one or more of the cylindrical damper elements 904 and 914 may not be position-dependent along the axis A-A. Instead, the compressible damper elements 904 and 914 can exhibit uniform compressibility with increasing compression in a manner similar to a linear Hookean spring with a spring constant. The compressibility of the cylindrical damper elements 904 and 914 can be based on the thickness of their respective cylindrical walls, the number of damping coils (if the respective cylindrical damper element is a helical spring), or the winding (if the respective cylindrical damper element is a wound compressible element), and the material forming the respective cylindrical damper element (e.g., silicone). The materials used for each part of the damper 900 and the values selected for the compressibility or stiffness of each part of the damper 900 are chosen to allow the damper 900 to absorb repetitive impact forces including translational and rotational shocks.

[0126] Due to the lengths of the cylindrical damper elements 904 and 914 and the configuration of the conical damper element 901, the damper 900 is configured such that the various damper elements can be compressed in stages based on the amount of force transmitted to the damper. Initially, after an impact, the translational and rotational impact forces will cause one or more of the damper elements 901, 904, and 914 to compress based on their respective stiffnesses and will cause lateral flexure or bending based on the thickness, the number of windings, and the radial spacing between the cylindrical damper elements 904 and 914.

[0127] Figure 9 A force F applied to the head stabilizer 903 is shown, and this force F represents the translational force that can be applied by the user's head to the head stabilizer 903 during an impact. If the force F is large enough, the inner cylindrical damper element 914 and the outer cylindrical damper element 904 will first compress together while the conical inner damper element 901 and the head stabilizer 903 move longitudinally outward along the axis A-A. If the force F is still large enough, the head stabilizer 903 can move further outward such that the tip 901a of the conical damper element 901 can engage or otherwise contact the bases 904a and 914a of the cylindrical damper elements 904 and 914. Thereafter, if the force F continues to cause the head stabilizer 903 to move outward along the axis A-A, all of the cylindrical damper elements 904 and 914 and the conical damper element 901 will be further compressed until they can balance the force F without becoming fully compressed, or until they are all fully compressed. Thereafter, the damper elements 904, 914, and 901 are configured to elastically deform back to Figure 9 the neutral state shown in Figure 9 unless the deformation caused by the impact has permanently damaged the damper elements, in which case they will not return to

[0128] The radial spacing between the cylindrical damper elements 904 and 914 and the equal lengths of those cylindrical damper elements reinforce the damper 900 to resist lateral bending about the axis A-A to a greater extent than the damper 700 in response to rotational forces transmitted to the damper 900 during an impact event. Additionally, when the outer cylindrical damper element 904 and the inner cylindrical damper element 914 are compressed and the conical damper 901 is compressed, the area moment of inertia of the damper 900 is effectively increased compared to the stiffness of the damper 900 shown in its neutral state in Figure 9 .

[0129] Although two cylindrical damper elements are shown in the embodiment of the damper 900 in Figure 9 , it will be appreciated that more than two cylindrical dampers may be used. It will be appreciated that the damper 900 may replace the damper 100 in the system 101 and the helmet 400. Any modifications to the damper 900 or to the system 101 will be within the level of an ordinary skilled person in the art. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the damper 900 may replace the damper 150 in the helmet 500 and the damper 700 in the systems 710 and 810. Any modifications to the damper 900 or to the helmet 500 or the systems 710 and 810 will be within the level of an ordinary skilled person in the art.

[0130] Figure 10A An embodiment of a damper 1000 is shown that is similar to the damper 700 and further includes additional damper elements, as described in more detail below. For example, the damper 1000 includes four resilient and compressible damper elements 1001, 1004, 1014, and 1024 that are coupled to a head stabilizer 1003 and are concentric about the axis A-A in Figure 10A . The damper elements 1004, 1014, and 1024 are cylindrical, and the damper element 1001 is conical. The damper 1000 extends longitudinally along the axis A-A from an outer end 1034 to an inner end 1036. The head stabilizer 1003 is attached to the damper 1000 at the inner end 1036 of the damper 1000. Three cylindrical damper elements 1004, 1014, and 1024 surround the conical damper element 1001, which is the innermost damper element in the damper 1000 shown in Figure 10A . The damper is configured to be attached to a head covering such as a headband or a helmet shell.

[0131] In Figure 10AIn [description], damper 1000 is shown in a neutral, uncompressed state. Damper 1000 is configured to longitudinally compress and expand along axis A-A in response to the application of a translational impact force to damper 1000 and the removal of the translational impact force from damper 1000. Damper 1000 is also configured to laterally deflect or bend along arc B as shown in [reference] relative to axis A-A in response to a rotational force applied to damper 1000 during an impact. Damper 1000 is flexible and resilient and is configured to return to the neutral state when no external impact force is applied to damper 1000. Figure 10A Damper 1000 is flexible and resilient and is configured to return to the neutral state when no external impact force is applied to damper 1000.

[0132] Cylindrical damper elements 1004, 1014, and 1024 may each be a spring or a flexible coiled tube. The respective walls of the cylindrical damper elements are longitudinally compressible and may be smooth or coiled on their radial inner and / or outer sides.

[0133] The conical damper element has a tip 1001a and a base 1001b (which may be circular) that is longitudinally spaced from tip 1001a along axis A-A. Base 1001b may be welded or otherwise attached to head stabilizer 1003. As shown in [reference], tip 1001a of cone 1001 is longitudinally disposed along axis A-A between the outer end 1034 of damper 1000 and head stabilizer 1003. Figure 10A As shown in [reference], tip 1001a of cone 1001 is longitudinally disposed along axis A-A between the outer end 1034 of damper 1000 and head stabilizer 1003.

[0134] Head stabilizer 1003 may be freely movable and separable from other dampers and structures, or may be part of a gasket that connects the head stabilizer to one or more other head stabilizers. Examples of such gaskets are Figure 8B and Figure 8C gasket 802 of [reference].

[0135] In [reference] Figure 10AIn the exemplary embodiments shown, the lengths (along axis A-A) of the cylindrical damper elements 1004, 1014, and 1024, as measured in their neutral states, are different from each other such that the inner ends 1004b, 1014b, and 1024b of each respective damper element 1004, 1014, and 1024 are longitudinally spaced from each other. Specifically, in the example shown, the lengths of the damper elements 1004, 1014, and 1024 increase as the radial distance from axis A-A decreases, such that the inner cylindrical damper element 1004 has a first length, the intermediate damper element 1014 has a second length that is less than the first length, and the outer damper element 1024 has a third length that is less than both the first length and the second length. The vertical spacing of the bottom ends 1004b, 1014b, and 1024b provides various combinations of damper elements to be compressed based on the magnitude of the impact force applied to the damper 1000, further details of which will be described in detail below.

[0136] The inner cylindrical damper element 1004 surrounds the conical damper element 1001 and extends from its lower end 1001b at the head stabilizer 1003 to the base 1001a at the outer end 1034 of the damper. The intermediate cylindrical damper element 1014 surrounds the inner cylindrical damper element 1004 and the conical damper element 1001. The intermediate cylindrical damper element 1014 is radially spaced from the inner cylindrical damper element 1004. The intermediate cylindrical damper element 1014 extends from the base 1014a at the outer end 1034 of the damper to the inner end 1014b, which is longitudinally spaced from the head stabilizer 1003. The outer cylindrical damper element 1024 surrounds the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1014, the inner cylindrical damper element 1004, and the conical damper element 1001. The outer cylindrical damper element 1024 is radially spaced from the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1014. The outer cylindrical damper element 1024 extends from the base 1024a at the outer end 1034 of the damper 1000 to the inner end 1024b, which is also longitudinally spaced from the head stabilizer 1003. Thus, the inner ends 1004b, 1014b, and 1024b of the cylindrical damper elements 1004, 1014, and 1024 are staggered with respect to each other.

[0137] The bases 1004a, 1014a, and 1024a of the cylindrical damper elements 1004, 1014, and 1024 may be joined together at the outer end 1034 of the damper 1000, and the outer surfaces of these bases may be used as mounting surfaces for mounting the damper to the surface of a head covering, such as a helmet and a hood, some examples of which are described above and additional examples will be described in further detail below.

[0138] The damper 1000 can be made entirely or partially of silicone rubber, where the conical damper element, the cylindrical damper element, and the head stabilizer all have the same density or different densities. Alternatively, the material forming the damper 1000 can include at least one of the following: PORON (a registered trademark of Rogers Corporation in Connecticut, USA), Armourgel (produced by Armourgel Limited in Taiwan, China), D3O (a registered trademark of Design Blue Limited Company in East Sussex, UK), ETPU, and other suitable materials. The damper 1000 can be formed as a single piece (e.g., integrally molded silicone rubber), or can be made of multiple pieces joined together during the manufacture of the damper 1000.

[0139] In one example of the damper 1000, the thickness of the cylindrical wall of the outer cylindrical damper element 1024 is greater than the thickness of the cylindrical wall of the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1014, and the thickness of the cylindrical wall of the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1014 is greater than the thickness of the cylindrical wall of the inner cylindrical damper element 1004. Also, although the longitudinal distance (length) between the tip 1001a and the base 1001b of the conical damper element 1001 is shown as less than the length of the damper 1000, the length of the conical damper element 1001 can be greater or smaller. For example, in one embodiment, the tip 1001a of the conical damper element 1001 can engage or otherwise contact the bases 1004a, 1014a, and 1024a of the cylindrical damper elements 1004, 1014, and 1024 in the neutral configuration such that the conical damper element 1001 can initially be compressed together with the cylindrical damper element 1024 during the initial compression of the damper 1000. Of course, shortening the length of the conical damper element 1001 (relative to Figure 10A the length shown) can delay the timing of its engagement such that the cylindrical damper elements 1024, 1014, and 1004 can be longitudinally compressed outward to a greater extent during impact before the conical damper element begins to compress (compared to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10).

[0140] In one example of damper 1000, the base 1001b of cone 1001 has a diameter of approximately 25.0 mm; the cone 1001 has a height of approximately 20.0 mm; the head stabilizer 1003 has a thickness of approximately 5.0 mm and a diameter of approximately 54.0 mm; the outer cylindrical damper element 1024 has an outer diameter of approximately 54.0 mm and a wall thickness of approximately 2.5 mm; the outer cylindrical damper element 1024 has a longitudinally uncompressed length of approximately 15.0 mm; the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1014 has an outer diameter of approximately 45.0 mm and a wall thickness of approximately 3.0 mm; the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1014 has a longitudinally uncompressed length of approximately 20.0 mm; the inner cylindrical damper element 1004 has an outer diameter of approximately 35.0 mm and a wall thickness of approximately 5.0 mm; the inner cylindrical damper element 1004 has a longitudinally uncompressed length of approximately 25.0 mm. Thus, in this example, the thickness of the cylindrical damper decreases as the radial distance from axis A-A increases. However, in an alternative embodiment, the thickness of the cylindrical damper may increase as the radial distance from axis A-A increases. Such an exemplary damper 1000 can absorb shocks of up to 300 g's.

[0141] The compressibility of damper 1000 can be based on the geometry and material properties of damper 1000. For example, the compressibility of the conical damper element 1001 can be based on the geometry and material properties (e.g., density) of the conical damper element 1001. In the case where the conical damper element 1001 is made of a uniform material, due to the tapered profile of the cone, the compressibility of the cone 1001 can decrease along axis A-A from the tip 1001a of the cone 1001 to the base 1001b of the cone 1001. Thus, when the cone 1001 is forced to compress longitudinally, the force will be resisted by the conical damper element 1001, which becomes progressively more rigid (less compressible).

[0142] On the other hand, the compressibility of one or more of the cylindrical damper elements may not be dependent on the position along axis A-A. Instead, the compressible damper elements 1004, 1014, and 1024 may exhibit uniform compressibility with increasing compression in a manner similar to a linear Hookean spring with a spring constant. The compressibility of the cylindrical damper elements 1004, 1014, and 1024 may be based on the thickness of their respective cylindrical walls, the number of damping coils (if the corresponding cylindrical damper element is a helical spring), or the winding (if the corresponding cylindrical damper element is a wound compressible element), and the material forming the respective cylindrical damper element (e.g., silicone). The materials used for each portion of damper 1000 and the values selected for the compressibility or stiffness of each portion of damper 1000 are chosen to allow damper 1000 to absorb repetitive impact forces including translational and rotational shocks.

[0143] Due to the staggered inner ends 1004b, 1014b, 1024b of the cylindrical damper elements 1004, 1014, 1024 and the configuration of the conical damper element 1001, damper 1000 is configured such that the various damper elements can be compressed in stages based on the amount of force transmitted to damper 1000. Initially after an impact, the translational and rotational impact forces will cause one or more of the damper elements to compress based on their respective stiffnesses and will deflect laterally based on the thickness, the number of windings, and the radial spacing between the cylindrical damper elements 1004, 1014, 1024. Figure 10AShows the translational force F applied to the head stabilizer, which represents the translational force that can be applied by the user's head to the head stabilizer 1003 during an impact. If the force F is large enough, the internal cylindrical damper element 1004 will first compress, while the conical internal damper element 1001 and the head stabilizer 1003 move longitudinally outward along the axis A-A. If the force F is still large enough, the head stabilizer 1003 can move further longitudinally outward to engage or otherwise contact the inner end 1014b of the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1014, and the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1014 will compress together with the internal cylindrical damper element 1004. If the force F is still large enough to cause the head stabilizer 1003 to move further longitudinally outward, the tip 1001a of the conical damper element 1001 can engage or otherwise contact the bases 1004a, 1014a, 1024a of the cylindrical damper elements 1004, 1014, 1024, while the head stabilizer 1003 engages or otherwise contacts the inner end 1024b of the external cylindrical damper element 1024. Thereafter, if the force F continues to cause the head stabilizer 1003 to move longitudinally outward along the axis A-A, all of the cylindrical damper elements 1004, 1014, 1024 and the conical damper element 1001 will be further compressed until they can balance the force F without becoming fully compressed, or until they are all fully compressed. Thereafter, the damper elements 1001, 1004, 1014 and 1024 are configured to elastically deform back to Figure 10A the neutral state shown in Figure 10A unless the deformation caused by the impact has permanently damaged the damper elements, in which case they will not return to

[0144] The radial spacing between the cylindrical damper elements 1004, 1014, 1024 and the staggered length of these elements provide the damper 1000 with various levels of lateral stiffness to bend about the axis A-A in response to the rotational forces transmitted to the damper during an impact event. Specifically, the longitudinal spacing of the inner ends 1004b, 1014b, and 1024 from each other permits various combinations of the cylindrical damper elements 1004, 1014, 1024 to deflect based on whether the respective cylindrical damper element is engaged or in contact with the head stabilizer 1003. Thus, in the neutral position, the inner cylindrical damper element 1004 is radially spaced from the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1014, thereby permitting a certain range of lateral deflection of the inner damper element 1004 without causing contact between the inner cylindrical damper element 1004 and the outer cylindrical damper element 1014. Moreover, if the applied force F does not cause the head stabilizer 1003 to engage or otherwise contact the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1014, the lateral stiffness of the damper 1000 will be primarily based on the moment of inertia of the inner cylindrical damper element 1004, which will then increase the moment of inertia to resist bending unless the bending moment imparted to the damper 1000 causes the inner cylindrical damper element 1004 to deflect laterally and engage or otherwise contact the intermediate damper element 1014 or the outer damper element 1024. Additionally, when the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1014 and the inner cylindrical damper element 1004 engage or otherwise contact the head stabilizer 1003, the area moment of inertia of the damper 1000 is effectively increased compared to the stiffness of the damper in its neutral state as shown in Figure 10A . Moreover, when the inner cylindrical damper element 1004, the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1014, and the outer cylindrical damper element 1024 engage or otherwise contact the head stabilizer 1003 together with the conical damper element 1001, the area moment of inertia of the damper 1000 is further effectively increased. Thus, in other words, the multiple damper elements 1001, 1004, 1014, and 1024 of the damper 1000 can combinatorially increase the flexural stiffness of the damper 1000 as the damper is further compressed in the outward direction. Thus, when successively compressed, the multiple damper elements 1001, 1004, 1014, and 1024 can increase the flexural stiffness of the damper 1000 such that it will deflect less laterally under the same bending moment.

[0145] Although three cylindrical dampers are shown in Figure 10A , it will be appreciated that more or fewer than three cylindrical dampers may be used. For example, Figure 10B shows a damper 1000', which is a modified version of the damper 1000 of Figure 10A , as compared to Figure 10ACompared with the damper, it omits the external cylindrical damper element 1024, and thus reduces the total lateral dimension of the damper. In Figure 10B In, all other corresponding elements are appended with " ' ".

[0146] It will be appreciated that other modifications of the damper 1000 are possible and are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the length of the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1014 may be longer than the lengths of both the external cylindrical damper element 1024 and the internal cylindrical damper element 1004, and the head stabilizer 1003 may be attached to the inner end of the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1014.

[0147] It will be appreciated that the damper 1000 or 1000' may replace the damper 100 in the system 101 and the helmet 400. Any modifications made to the damper 1000 or 1000' or to the system 101 to incorporate the damper therein will be within the level of an ordinary skilled person in the art. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the damper 1000 or 1000' may replace the damper 150 in the helmet 500 and the damper 700 in the systems 710 and 810. Any modifications made to the damper 1000 or 1000' or to the helmet 500 or the systems 710 and 810 to incorporate the damper therein will be within the level of an ordinary skilled person in the art.

[0148] Figure 11A An embodiment of a damper is shown that combines some elements of the dampers 100 and 700, as described in more detail below. For example, the damper 1100 includes four elastic and compressible damper elements 1101, 1104, 1114, and 1124, which are coupled to a head stabilizer 1103 and are concentric about Figure 11A the axis A-A in. The damper elements 1104, 1114, and 1124 are cylindrical, and the damper element 1101 is conical. The damper 1100 extends longitudinally along the axis A-A from the outer end 1124 to the inner end 1136. The head stabilizer 1103 is attached to the damper 1100 at the inner end 1136 of the damper 1100. The three cylindrical damper elements 1104, 1114, and 1124 surround the conical damper element 1101, which is Figure 11A the innermost damper element in the damper 1100 shown in. The damper 1100 is configured to be attached to a head covering such as a hood or a helmet.

[0149] In Figure 11AIn [description], damper 1100 is shown in a neutral, uncompressed state. Damper 1100 is configured to longitudinally compress and expand along axis A-A in response to the application of a translational impact force to damper 1100 and the removal of the translational impact force from damper 1100. Damper 1100 is also configured to laterally deflect or bend along arc B as shown in [reference] relative to axis A-A in response to a rotational force applied to damper 1100 during an impact. Damper 1100 is flexible and resilient and is configured to return to the neutral state when no external impact force is applied to damper 1100. Figure 11A Damper 1100 is flexible and resilient and is configured to return to the neutral state when no external impact force is applied to damper 1100.

[0150] Cylindrical damper elements 1104, 1114, and 1124 can each be a spring or a flexible coiled tube. The respective walls of cylindrical damper elements 1104, 1114, and 1124 are longitudinally compressible and can be smooth or coiled on their radial inner and / or outer sides.

[0151] Conical damper element 1101 has a tip 1101a and a base 1101b (which can be circular) that is longitudinally spaced from tip 1101a along axis A-A. Base 1101b can be welded or otherwise attached to head stabilizer 1103. As shown in [reference], tip 1101a of cone 1101 is longitudinally positioned along axis A-A between outer end 1134 of damper 1100 and head stabilizer 1103. Figure 11A As shown in [reference], tip 1101a of cone 1101 is longitudinally positioned along axis A-A between outer end 1134 of damper 1100 and head stabilizer 1103.

[0152] Head stabilizer 1103 can be freely movable and separable from other dampers and structures, or can be part of a gasket that connects the head stabilizer to one or more other head stabilizers. Examples of such gaskets are Figure 8B and Figure 8C gasket 802 of [reference].

[0153] In [reference] Figure 11AIn the exemplary embodiments shown, the lengths of the cylindrical damper elements 1104, 1114, and 1124, as measured in their neutral state, are different from each other such that the inner ends 1104b, 1114b, and 1124b of each respective damper element 1104, 1114, and 1124 are longitudinally spaced from each other. Specifically, in the example shown, the lengths of the cylindrical damper elements 1104, 1114, and 1124 along the axis A-A increase with an increase in the radial distance from the axis A-A such that the inner cylindrical damper element 1104 has a first length, the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1114 has a second length that is longer than the first length, and the outer cylindrical damper element 1124 has a third length that is longer than both the first length and the second length. The longitudinal and radial spacing of the inner ends 1104b, 1114b, and 1124b provides various combinations of damper elements that are to be compressed based on the magnitude of the impact force and bending moment applied to the damper, further details of which will be described in detail below.

[0154] The inner cylindrical damper element 1104 surrounds the conical damper element 1101 and extends from a base 1104a at the outer end 1134 of the damper 1100 to an inner end 1104b that is longitudinally disposed between the tip 1101a of the conical damper element 1101 and the inner end 1136 of the damper 1100. The intermediate cylindrical damper element 1114 surrounds the inner cylindrical damper element 1104 and the conical damper element 1101. The intermediate cylindrical damper element 1114 is radially spaced from the inner cylindrical damper element 1104. The intermediate cylindrical damper element 1114 extends from a base 1114a at the outer end 1134 of the damper 1100 to an inner end 1114b that is longitudinally spaced between the inner end of the damper 1104b and the head stabilizer 1103. Thus, the length of the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1114 is greater than the length of the inner cylindrical damper element 1104. The outer cylindrical damper element 1124 surrounds the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1114, the inner cylindrical damper element 1104, and the conical damper element 1101. The outer cylindrical damper element 1124 is radially spaced from the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1114. The outer cylindrical damper element 1124 extends from a base 1124a at the outer end 1134 of the damper 1100 to an inner end 1124b at the head stabilizer 1103, and the outer cylindrical damper element is connected to the head stabilizer. Thus, the length of the outer cylindrical damper element 1124 is greater than the lengths of the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1114 and the inner cylindrical damper element 1104.

[0155] The bases 1104a, 1114a, and 1124a of the cylindrical damper elements 1104, 1114, and 1124 can be joined together at the outer end 1134 of the damper 1100, and the outer end 1134 of the damper 1100 can be a mounting surface for mounting the damper 1100 to the surface of a head covering, such as a helmet or a headband headgear, examples of which are described above and additional examples are described in further detail below.

[0156] The damper 1100 can be made entirely or in part of silicone rubber, where the conical damper element 1101 and the cylindrical damper elements 1104, 1114, 1124, and the head stabilizer 1103 all have the same density or different densities. Alternatively, the material forming the damper 1100 can include at least one of the following: PORON (a registered trademark of Rogers Corporation of Connecticut, USA), Armourgel (manufactured by Armourgel Limited of Taiwan, China), D3O (a registered trademark of Design Blue Limited Company of East Sussex, UK), ETPU, and other suitable materials. The damper 1100 can be formed of a single piece (e.g., integrally molded silicone rubber), or can be made of multiple pieces joined together during the manufacture of the damper 1100.

[0157] In one example of the damper 1100, the thickness of the cylindrical wall of the outer cylindrical damper element 1124 is greater than the thickness of the cylindrical wall of the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1114, and the thickness of the cylindrical wall of the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1114 is greater than the thickness of the cylindrical wall of the inner cylindrical damper element 1104. Also, although the longitudinal distance (length) between the tip 1101a and the base 1101b of the conical damper element 1101 is shown as less than the length of the damper 1100, the length of the conical damper element 1101 can be greater or less. For example, in one embodiment, the tip 1101a of the conical damper element 1101 can engage or otherwise contact the bases 1104a, 1114a, and 1124a of the cylindrical damper elements 1104, 1114, and 1124 in a neutral configuration such that the conical damper element 1101 can be initially compressed with the outer cylindrical damper element 1124 during an initial compression of the damper 1100. Of course, shortening the length of the conical damper element 1101 (relative to Figure 11A the length shown) can delay the timing of its compression such that the cylindrical damper elements 1124, 1114, and 1104 can be longitudinally compressed outward more during an impact before the conical damper element 1101 begins to compress (compared to Figure 11A the embodiment shown).

[0158] In one example of damper 1100, the base 1101b of the cone 1101 has a diameter of approximately 25.0 mm; the cone 1101 has a height of approximately 20.0 mm; the head stabilizer 1103 has a thickness of approximately 5.0 mm and a diameter of approximately 54.0 mm; the outer cylindrical damper element 1124 has an outer diameter of approximately 54.0 mm and a wall thickness of approximately 2.5 mm; the outer cylindrical damper element 1124 has a longitudinally uncompressed length of approximately 25.0 mm; the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1114 has an outer diameter of approximately 45.0 mm and a wall thickness of approximately 3.0 mm; the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1114 has a longitudinally uncompressed length of approximately 20.0 mm; the inner cylindrical damper element 1104 has an outer diameter of approximately 35.0 mm and a wall thickness of approximately 5.0 mm; the inner cylindrical damper element 1104 has a longitudinally uncompressed length of approximately 15.0 mm. Such an exemplary damper 1100 can absorb shocks of up to 300 g's.

[0159] The compressibility of damper 1100 can be based on the geometry and material properties of damper 1100. For example, the compressibility of the conical damper element 1101 can be based on the geometry and material properties (e.g., density) of the conical damper element 1101. In the case where the conical damper element 1101 is made of a uniform material, due to the tapered profile of the cone, the compressibility of the cone 1101 can decrease along the axis A-A from the tip 1101a of the cone 1101 to the base 1101b of the cone 1101. Thus, when the cone 1101 is forced to compress longitudinally, the force will be resisted by the increasingly rigid (less compressible) conical damper element 1101.

[0160] On the other hand, the compressibility of one or more of the cylindrical damper elements 1104, 1114, and 1124 may not be dependent on the position along the axis A-A. Instead, the compressible damper elements 1104, 1114, and 1124 can exhibit uniform compressibility with increasing compression in a manner similar to a linear Hooke's spring with a spring constant. The compressibility of the cylindrical damper elements 1104, 1114, and 1124 can be based on the thickness of their respective cylindrical walls, the number of damping coils (if the corresponding cylindrical damper element is a helical spring) or the winding (if the corresponding cylindrical damper element is a wound compressible element), and the material (e.g., silicone) forming the respective cylindrical damper elements. The materials used for each part of damper 1100 and the values selected for the compressibility or stiffness of each part of damper 1100 are chosen to allow damper 1100 to absorb repetitive impact forces including translational and rotational shocks.

[0161] Due to the staggered inner ends 1104b, 1114b, and 1124b of the cylindrical damper elements 1104, 1114, and 1124 and the configuration of the conical damper element 1101, the damper 1100 is configured such that the various damper elements can be phasedly engaged (e.g., compressed) based on the amount of force transmitted to the damper. Initially after an impact, the translational impact force and the rotational impact force will cause one or more of the damper elements to compress based on their respective stiffnesses and will laterally deflect based on the thickness, the number of windings, and the radial spacing between the cylindrical damper elements 1104, 1114, and 1124.

[0162] Figure 11A A translational force F applied to the head stabilizer 1103 is shown, which represents the translational force that can be applied to the head stabilizer 1103 by a user's head during an impact. If the force F is large enough, the outer cylindrical damper element 1124 will compress first, while the conical inner damper element 1101 and the head stabilizer 1103 move longitudinally outward along the axis A-A. If the force F is still large enough, the head stabilizer 1103 can move further longitudinally outward to engage or otherwise contact the inner end 1114b of the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1114, which will compress together with the outer cylindrical damper element 1124. If the force F is still large enough to cause the head stabilizer 1103 to move further outward, the tip 1101a of the conical damper element 1101 can engage or otherwise contact the bases 1104a, 1114a, and 1124a of the cylindrical damper elements 1104, 1114, and 1124, while the head stabilizer 1103 engages or otherwise contacts the inner end 1104b of the inner cylindrical damper element 1104. Thereafter, if the force F continues to cause the head stabilizer 1103 to move outward along the axis A-A, all of the cylindrical damper elements 1104, 1114, and 1124 and the conical damper element 1101 will be further compressed until they can balance the force F without becoming fully compressed or until they are all fully compressed. Thereafter, the damper elements 1101, 1104, 1114, and 1124 are configured to elastically deform back to Figure 11A the neutral state shown in Figure 11A unless the deformation caused by the impact has permanently damaged the damper elements, in which case they will not return to

[0163] The radial spacing between the cylindrical damper elements 1104, 1114, and 1124 provides various levels of lateral stiffness to the damper 1100 to bend about the axis A-A in response to rotational forces transmitted to the damper during an impact event. For example, when the outer cylindrical damper element 1124 and the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1114 are engaged or otherwise contacted by the head stabilizer 1103, the area moment of inertia of the damper 1100 is effectively increased compared to the stiffness of the damper 1100 shown in its Figure 11A neutral state. Further, when the inner cylindrical damper element 1104, the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1114, and the outer cylindrical damper element 1124 are compressed together with the conical damper element 1101, the area moment of inertia of the damper 1100 is further effectively increased. Thus, in other words, the plurality of damper elements 1104, 1114, 1124, and 1101 can combinatorially increase the flexural stiffness of the damper 1100 as the damper is further compressed in the outward direction. Accordingly, when successively compressed, the plurality of damper elements 1101, 1104, 1114, and 1124 can increase the flexural stiffness of the damper 1100 such that it will deflect less laterally under the same bending moment. Moreover, assuming that the materials, thicknesses, and dimensions of the damper elements in the dampers 1000 and 1100 are the same, when comparing the dampers 1100 and 1000, in the neutral state, the moment of inertia of the damper 1100 is greater than the moment of inertia of the damper 1000 because the head stabilizer 1103 is directly attached to the cylindrical damper element 1124, which has a diameter greater than the diameter of the inner cylindrical damper element 1024 of the damper 1000. Accordingly, the damper 1100 is more flexurally stiff than the damper 1000, and thus for the same bending moment, the damper 1100 will deflect less about the axis A-A than the damper 1000.

[0164] Although three cylindrical dampers are shown in Figure 11A , it will be appreciated that more or fewer than three cylindrical dampers may be used. For example, Figure 11B shows a damper 1100', which is a modified variant of the damper 1100 of Figure 11A and which omits the outer cylindrical damper element 1124 (and attaches the head stabilizer to the inner end of the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1114') compared to the damper 1100 of Figure 11A , and thus reduces the overall lateral size of the damper 1100'. In an embodiment of the damper 1100', the cylindrical damper element 1114' is the outer cylindrical damper element.

[0165] It will be appreciated that other modifications to damper 1100 may be made and these modifications are within the scope of the present invention. For example, the length of the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1114 may be longer than the lengths of both the outer cylindrical damper element 1124 and the inner cylindrical damper element 1104, and the head stabilizer 1103 may be attached to the inner end of the intermediate cylindrical damper element 1114.

[0166] It will be appreciated that damper 1100 or 1100' may replace damper 100 in systems 101 and helmets 400. Figure 11C Damper 1100 (in its neutral state) in helmet 400 is shown. Any modifications made to damper 1100 or 1100' or to system 101 to incorporate the damper therein will be within the level of an ordinary skilled person in the art. Moreover, it will be appreciated that damper 1100 or 1100' may replace damper 150 in helmet 500 and damper 700 in systems 710 and 810. Figure 11D Damper 1100' (in its neutral state) in helmet 500 is shown. Figure 11E Damper 1100" in helmet 500 is shown (having less windings and a smaller size than Figure 11D damper 1100' therein). Any modifications made to damper 1100, 1100', 1100" or to helmet 500 or systems 710 and 810 to incorporate the damper therein will be within the level of an ordinary skilled person in the art.

[0167] Figure 11F A portion of another embodiment of helmet 1150 incorporating at least one damper 1100 is shown. Although not shown in Figure 11Fshown, but in addition to damper 1100, helmet 1150 may include other dampers 1100 and / or other dampers described herein. Helmet 1150 includes an outer shell 1152 and an inner liner 1154 that is attached to the inner side 1153 of outer shell 1152. Inner liner 1154 defines an inner space 1155 for receiving a user's head. Outer shell 1152 is preferably harder and more rigid than inner liner 1154, which is preferably a softer elastic material. Outer shell 1152 may be made of (but is not limited to) fiberglass or polycarbonate. Inner liner 1154 may be made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). The inner side 1153 of outer shell 1152 may be substantially covered by inner liner 1154, except for holes 1156 formed in inner liner 1154 through which damper 1100 extends outwardly to outer shell 1152. The outer end 1134 of damper 1100 is connected to the inner side 1153 of outer shell 1152 and may be connected by an adhesive or by mechanical fasteners. The outer cylindrical damper element 1124 is laterally spaced from inner liner 1154 that surrounds hole 1156. The inner end 1136 of damper 1100 is longitudinally spaced from the inner side 1158 of inner liner 1154, and head stabilizer 1103 is free to move laterally and longitudinally within inner space 1155. When helmet 1150 is used by a user, head stabilizer 1103 may engage or otherwise contact the user's head, and even in the absence of any external impact force applied to helmet 1150, head stabilizer 1103 may initially cause damper 1100 to compress to some extent from an initial neutral state. However, damper 1100 is designed such that even when helmet 1150 is placed on a user's head and is not subjected to an external impact force, head stabilizer 1103 and outer cylindrical damper element 1124 will remain laterally and longitudinally spaced from inner liner 1154.

[0168] Any of the dampers described herein may be incorporated into a protective headband, such as Figure 12The headgear 1200 shown in . The headgear 1200 includes a plurality of straps 1202 joined together and formed into a generally recessed structure that can be placed on and around a user's head (not shown). At least one of the plurality of straps 1202, strap 1202a, forms a loop or band to wrap around the front and back of the user's head. One or more embodiments of the dampers described herein can be attached at their respective outer ends to one or more of the straps 1202 on the recessed (inner) side of the headband 1200 such that the corresponding inner ends of the dampers point inwardly and are longitudinally spaced from the straps 1202 along their respective axes. In cases where the attached dampers include head stabilizers, such as dampers 1000 and 1100, the head stabilizers are free to move and are not connected to each other. When the user places the headband on their head, the head stabilizers are configured to contact and otherwise engage the head such that the dampers space the straps of the headband from the head in the neutral position of the dampers.

[0169] The straps 1202 are preferably made of a durable, washable material such that the headband 1200 can be reused between washings without damaging the straps 1202 or the dampers attached to the straps 1202. For example, the straps 1202 can be made of the same material as the dampers and can be formed integrally with the dampers. Thus, in one embodiment, the straps 1202 and the dampers can be made entirely of silicone rubber. Alternatively, the straps 1202 can be made of a material different from that of the dampers. For example, the straps 1202 can be made of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) coated with vinyl, while the dampers are made of silicone rubber. The straps 1202 can have a width that is at least as wide (in the transverse direction) as the dampers such that the outer ends of the corresponding dampers are covered by the corresponding straps 1202 to which the dampers are attached.

[0170] Figure 13A Another example of a headgear 1300 that can be worn by a user is shown. Although only one side (i.e., the right side) of the headgear 1300 is shown in Figure 13A the other side, which is not shown in Figure 13A is symmetric to the shown side. The headgear 1300 can have an inner layer 1304 that can be made of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and covered with vinyl or at least partially surrounded by vinyl. The inner layer 1304 can substantially cover the entire head of the user but can have openings defined therein, such as openings 1310 for the user's ears. Also, the outer layer 1304 can define one or more vents 1308. Optionally, the headgear 1300 can have chin straps 1301 that extend from both sides of the headgear under the user's chin. The chin straps 1301 can be adjustable and / or elastic and can be formed integrally with the inner layer 1304.

[0171] The hood 1300 also includes a pocket or chamber 1305 extending outwardly from the inner layer 1304. Each chamber 1305 is formed between the inner layer 1304 and an outer layer 1307 that extends from the inner layer 1304 to partially enclose one or more of the dampers described herein. The outer layer 1307 may be made of the same material as the inner layer 1304 and, in at least one embodiment, may be made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and covered or at least partially surrounded by vinyl. At least one chamber 1305 is located on one or more sides of the hood 1300. For example, in the example of the hood 1300 shown in Figure 13A the chambers 1305 are located on the left, right, top, back, and front sides of the hood 1300. Figure 13B And Figure 13C An example of the internal construction of one chamber 1305 is shown in more detail, and further details thereof are described herein.

[0172] Figure 13B And Figure 13C shows Figure 13A details of the interior of one of the chambers 1305 in Figure 13B And Figure 13C The chamber 1305 shown in encloses two dampers, which are shown as Figure 10B the damper 1000' of. The outer end 1034' of each damper 1000' is attached to the inner side of the outer layer 1307, and the head stabilizers 1003' of each damper 1000' extend inwardly and move freely relative to each other (i.e., they are not connected to each other). Optionally, a comfort layer 1005 may be attached to the inner side of the head stabilizers 1003' of the damper 1000', as shown in Figure 13B the.

[0173] There is also a layer of foam filler 1309 in chamber 1305, which surrounds each of the dampers 1000'. Specifically, the foam filler 1309 defines boreholes 1312 in which each damper 1000' is disposed. The foam filler 1309 inside the foam chamber 1305 can be enclosed by ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) and covered with vinyl. Such a covering can also fill the walls of the boreholes 1312, such that the foam filler 1309 is encapsulated by ethylene-vinyl acetate and vinyl. The diameter of each borehole 1312 is greater than the outer diameter of the corresponding damper 1000' therein, such that there is an annular space or gap 1313 between the damper 1000' and the filler 1309. The gap 1313 provides some degree of freedom for the damper 1000' to move laterally in the borehole 1312 before the damper 1000' engages the filler 1309. Of course, if the damper 1000' deflects laterally and engages the filler 1309, such engagement will cause a damping effect to absorb some energy. The filler 1309 is sandwiched between an outer layer 1307 and an inner layer 1304.

[0174] In one embodiment, the lateral width of the chamber is about 64 mm, and the longitudinal height of the chamber is about 16 mm. Moreover, the height (in the longitudinal direction) of the inner cylindrical damper element 1004' and the filler 1309 can be about 12 mm, the height of the outer cylindrical damper element 1014' can be about 10 mm, and the height of the conical damper element 1001' can be about 8 mm. The outer diameter (in the lateral direction) of the inner cylindrical damper element 1004' can be about 12 mm, the outer diameter of the outer cylindrical damper element 1014' can be about 20 mm, the outer diameter of the base 1101b' of the conical damper element 1101' can be about 8 mm, and the outer diameter of the head stabilizer 1003' can be about 20 mm. The annular gap between the outer cylindrical damper element 1014' and the filler 1309 can be about 2 mm, and the annular gap between the inner cylindrical damper element 1004' and the outer cylindrical damper element 1014' can be about 2 mm. The longitudinal distance between the tip 1001a' of the conical damper element 1001' and the outer end 1034' of the damper 1000' can be about 2 mm to 4 mm. The thickness (in the lateral direction) of the cylindrical wall of the outer cylindrical damper element 1014' can be about 3 mm, and the thickness of the cylindrical wall of the inner cylindrical damper element 1104' can be about 2 mm. The height (in the longitudinal direction) of the head stabilizer 1003' can be about 2 mm, and the height of the optional comfort layer 1005 attached to the head stabilizer 1003' can have a thickness of about 2 mm.

[0175] Several embodiments of a head protection system have been described and illustrated herein. Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described, it is not intended to limit the invention thereto, as it is intended that the scope of the invention be as broad as will be allowed in the art and that the present specification be understood accordingly. Thus, although a particular damper arrangement has been disclosed, it will be appreciated that other arrangements may also be used. Additionally, although a particular type of material for the damper has been disclosed, it will be appreciated that other suitable materials may be used. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that still other modifications may be made to the provided invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed provided invention.

Claims

1. A headgear for protecting a user's head from impact forces, the headgear comprising: an inner layer that defines an internal space occupied by the user's head; an outer layer that is coupled to the inner layer and forms at least one chamber between the outer layer and the inner layer; a plurality of separate and distinct dampers, at least one of the plurality of dampers being at least partially disposed in the chamber, each damper extending into the internal space along a respective longitudinal axis, wherein each respective damper has: a fixed outer end portion that is disposed in a fixed position relative to the outer layer; and a free inner end portion that is disposed in the internal space longitudinally opposite the fixed outer end portion; and a plurality of separate and distinct engagement members corresponding to the plurality of dampers, wherein each engagement member is disposed at the free inner end portion of a corresponding damper and is configured to engage the user's head, wherein each damper includes a plurality of compressible damper elements concentrically arranged about the longitudinal axis, the plurality of compressible damper elements including: an inner conical damper element; a first cylindrical damper element that surrounds the inner conical damper element; and a second cylindrical damper element that surrounds the first cylindrical damper element and the inner conical damper element; wherein the plurality of dampers are configured to flex in response to an applied impact force and their corresponding engagement members are configured to move laterally relative to the outer layer in response to the applied impact force, and the applied impact force causes the user's head to move relative to the outer layer.

2. The headgear according to claim 1, wherein: the second cylindrical damper element extends to the free inner end portion of the damper.

3. The headgear according to claim 2, wherein: the second cylindrical damper element has a second uncompressed length, and the first cylindrical damper element has a first uncompressed length that is the same as the second uncompressed length.

4. The headgear according to claim 2, wherein: the second cylindrical damper element has a second uncompressed length, and the first cylindrical damper element has a first uncompressed length that is less than the second uncompressed length.

5. The headgear according to claim 4, wherein: the plurality of compressible damper elements include a third cylindrical damper element that is between the first cylindrical damper element and the second cylindrical damper element and surrounds the first cylindrical damper element and the inner conical damper element, the third cylindrical damper element having a third uncompressed length that is less than the second uncompressed length and greater than the first uncompressed length.

6. The headgear according to claim 1, wherein: the first cylindrical damper element extends to the free inner end portion of the damper.

7. The headgear according to claim 6, wherein: the second cylindrical damper element has a second uncompressed length, and the first cylindrical damper element has a first uncompressed length that is the same as the second uncompressed length.

8. The headgear according to claim 6, wherein: The second cylindrical damper element has a second uncompressed length, and the first cylindrical damper element has a first uncompressed length that is greater than the second uncompressed length.

9. The cowl according to claim 4, wherein: The plurality of compressible damper elements includes a third cylindrical damper element between the first cylindrical damper element and the second cylindrical damper element and surrounding the first cylindrical damper element and the inner conical damper element, the third cylindrical damper element having a third uncompressed length that is greater than the second uncompressed length and less than the first uncompressed length.

10. The cowl according to claim 1, wherein: The inner layer and the outer layer are formed of ethylene vinyl acetate.

11. The cowl according to claim 1, further comprising: A chin strap strip extending from the inner layer, the chin strap strip being configured to extend between the sides of the cowl and under the user's chin.

12. The cowl according to claim 1, wherein: At least one of the inner layer and the outer layer defines one or more holes therethrough.

13. The cowl according to claim 1, wherein: At least one chamber is positioned on one or more sides of the cowl.

14. The cowl according to claim 1, wherein: The engagement members are spaced apart from each other in the internal space, and at least one of the engagement members moves laterally relative to the outer layer under an impact force that causes the user's head to move relative to the outer layer.

15. The cowl according to claim 1, wherein: At least one of the plurality of dampers absorbs energy by compression and flexure under the impact force that causes the user's head to move relative to the outer layer.

16. A helmet for protecting a user's head from impact forces, the helmet comprising: A housing; An inner layer coupled to the housing and defining an internal space occupied by the user's head, the inner layer defining a plurality of eyelets therein; A plurality of separate and distinct dampers, one of the plurality of dampers being at least partially disposed in a corresponding one of the eyelets, each damper extending into the internal space along a respective longitudinal axis coaxial with the corresponding eyelet, wherein each respective damper has: a fixed outer end portion disposed in a fixed position relative to the housing; and a free inner end portion disposed longitudinally opposite the fixed outer end portion in the internal space; and A plurality of separate and distinct engagement members corresponding to the plurality of dampers, wherein each engagement member is disposed at the free inner end portion of a corresponding damper and is configured to engage the user's head, wherein each damper includes a plurality of compressible damper elements concentrically arranged about the longitudinal axis, the plurality of compressible damper elements including: an inner conical damper element; a first cylindrical damper element surrounding the inner conical damper element; and a second cylindrical damper element surrounding the first cylindrical damper element and the inner conical damper element; Wherein, the plurality of dampers are configured to flex in response to an applied impact force and their corresponding engagement members are configured to move laterally relative to the housing in response to the applied impact force, and the applied impact force causes the user's head to move relative to the housing.

17. The helmet according to claim 16, wherein: The second cylindrical damper element extends to the free inner end of the damper.

18. The helmet according to claim 17, wherein: The second cylindrical damper element has a second uncompressed length, and the first cylindrical damper element has a first uncompressed length that is the same as the second uncompressed length.

19. The helmet according to claim 17, wherein: The second cylindrical damper element has a second uncompressed length, and the first cylindrical damper element has a first uncompressed length that is less than the second uncompressed length.

20. The helmet according to claim 19, wherein: The plurality of compressible damper elements include a third cylindrical damper element between the first cylindrical damper element and the second cylindrical damper element and surrounding the first cylindrical damper element and the inner conical damper element, the third cylindrical damper element having a third uncompressed length that is less than the second uncompressed length and greater than the first uncompressed length.

21. The helmet according to claim 16, wherein: The first cylindrical damper element extends to the free inner end of the damper.

22. The helmet according to claim 21, wherein: The second cylindrical damper element has a second uncompressed length, and the first cylindrical damper element has a first uncompressed length that is the same as the second uncompressed length.

23. The helmet according to claim 21, wherein: The second cylindrical damper element has a second uncompressed length, and the first cylindrical damper element has a first uncompressed length that is greater than the second uncompressed length.

24. The helmet according to claim 19, wherein: The plurality of compressible damper elements include a third cylindrical damper element between the first cylindrical damper element and the second cylindrical damper element and surrounding the first cylindrical damper element and the inner conical damper element, the third cylindrical damper element having a third uncompressed length that is greater than the second uncompressed length and less than the first uncompressed length.

25. The helmet according to claim 16, wherein: The engagement members are spaced apart from each other in the internal space, and at least one of the engagement members moves laterally relative to the housing under an impact force that causes the user's head to move relative to the housing.

26. The helmet according to claim 16, wherein: At least one of the plurality of dampers absorbs energy by compression and flexure under the impact force that causes the user's head to move relative to the housing.

27. A headgear for protecting a user's head from an impact force, the headgear comprising: An inner layer that defines an internal space occupied by the user's head; An outer layer that is coupled to the inner layer and forms at least one chamber between the outer layer and the inner layer; A plurality of separate and distinct dampers, at least one of the plurality of dampers being at least partially disposed in the chamber, each damper extending into the internal space along a respective longitudinal axis, wherein each respective damper has: a fixed outer end portion that is disposed in a fixed position relative to the outer layer; and a free inner end portion that is disposed in the internal space longitudinally opposite the fixed outer end portion; and A plurality of separate and distinct engagement members corresponding to the plurality of dampers, wherein each engagement member is disposed at the free inner end portion of a corresponding damper and is configured to engage the user's head, wherein Each damper includes a plurality of compressible damper elements concentrically arranged about the longitudinal axis, the plurality of compressible damper elements including a non-linear damper element and a plurality of linear damper elements; Wherein the plurality of dampers are configured to flex in response to an applied impact force and their corresponding engagement members are configured to move laterally relative to the outer layer in response to the applied impact force, and the applied impact force causes the user's head to move relative to the outer layer.

28. The headgear according to claim 27, Wherein: The plurality of linear damper elements surround the non-linear damper element.

29. The headgear according to claim 28, Wherein: The linear damper elements include cylindrical damper elements and the non-linear damper element includes a conical damper element.

30. A helmet for protecting a user's head from impact forces, the helmet Comprising: An outer shell; An inner layer that is coupled to the outer shell and defines an internal space occupied by the user's head, the inner layer defining a plurality of apertures therein; A plurality of separate and distinct dampers, one of the plurality of dampers being at least partially disposed in a corresponding one of the apertures, each damper extending into the internal space along a respective longitudinal axis coaxial with the corresponding aperture, wherein each respective damper has: a fixed outer end portion that is disposed in a fixed position relative to the outer shell; and a free inner end portion that is disposed in the internal space longitudinally opposite the fixed outer end portion; and A plurality of separate and distinct engagement members corresponding to the plurality of dampers, wherein each engagement member is disposed at the free inner end portion of a corresponding damper and is configured to engage the user's head, Each damper includes a plurality of compressible damper elements concentrically arranged about the longitudinal axis, the plurality of compressible damper elements including a non-linear damper element and a plurality of linear damper elements; Wherein the plurality of dampers are configured to flex in response to an applied impact force and their corresponding engagement members are configured to move laterally relative to the outer shell in response to the applied impact force, and the applied impact force causes the user's head to move relative to the outer shell.

31. The helmet according to claim 30, Wherein: The plurality of linear damper elements surround the nonlinear damper element.

32. The helmet according to claim 31, wherein: the linear damper element includes a cylindrical damper element, and the nonlinear damper element includes a conical damper element.

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