Headgear assemblies and headgear liners having friction-reducing interface elements

a technology of friction-reducing interface elements and headgear assemblies, which is applied in the field of head protection, can solve problems such as affecting the impact absorption capacity of the headgear assembly, and achieve the effects of enhancing slippage, enhancing head protection, and reducing friction

US20210378342A1Pending Publication Date: 2021-12-09IMPACT TECH
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Patent Type
Applications(United States)
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2021-12-09

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Abstract

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

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 036,006, filed on Jun. 8, 2020; and from pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63 / 198,714, filed on Nov. 6, 2020, the disclosures of which are included by reference herein in their entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONTechnical Field

[0002] Aspects of the present invention relate generally to head protection and the minimization and prevention of head injury. More particularly, aspects of the invention, in their several embodiments, provide helmets, headgear, headgear liners, and helmet assemblies having friction-reducing and / or load-directing interface elements or pads between the headgear liner and the helmet shell.Description of Related Art

[0003] Numerous human activities, such as, recreation and sports, construction, public protection, and armed services expose the human body, especially, the head, to impact and injury. Head injury can be the most t...

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0073]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a helmet or headgear assembly 10 according to one aspect of the invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the helmet or headgear assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1. In the following disclosure of the invention, though assembly 10 and its components may be referred to as a “helmet assembly,” a “helmet shell,” or a “helmet,” it is envisioned and understood that assembly 10 may comprise any form of “headgear,” that is, not specifically a protective helmet. For example, aspects of the invention may be applicable to any form of headwear, protective or otherwise, including pump caps, as disclosed herein. It is also envisioned that aspects of the invention may be applicable to any form of protective barrier, for example, body armor or any form of surface protection.

[0074]As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in one aspect, headgear assembly 10 includes a helmet shell 12 and a helmet or headgear liner assembly 14. According to one aspect of the invention, ...