Helmet Extension Portions Protecting Temporal Bones
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current helmets for watersports, such as surfing, do not adequately protect the squamous temporal bones, which are prone to fractures from impact forces, and are often perceived as aesthetically unpleasing and restrictive, leading to low adoption rates among surfers.
Innovation Solution
A helmet design featuring a frame with tubular segments forming enclosed spaces, including extension portions that cover the ears and squamous temporal bones, combined with perforated cover plates and inflatable cushions, providing protection while being lightweight and aesthetically appealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If current helmet designs are used, then the helmet provides basic head protection, but the squamous temporal bones are not adequately protected and the helmet is perceived as aesthetically unpleasing and restrictive
Solution Approach 1:
The helmet is divided into distinct functional segments: a main cap portion for general head protection and separate extension portions that specifically target the squamous temporal bone regions. This segmentation allows the helmet to provide focused protection where needed while maintaining an open, minimalist aesthetic in other areas, resolving the contradiction between comprehensive protection and aesthetic appeal.
Solution Approach 2:
The extension portions extend the helmet coverage into the temporal regions below the ears, adding a new dimensional element to the traditional helmet design. This dimensional extension provides targeted protection for the squamous temporal bones without requiring full encapsulation of the head, thereby maintaining aesthetic appeal and freedom of movement.
2Reliability
If extension portions are added to cover the squamous temporal bones, then protection of vulnerable areas is improved, but the helmet structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The extension portions are integrated with the main cap portion through a unified frame structure made of tubular segments. This merging approach allows the extension portions to be structurally connected to the main body without requiring separate mounting mechanisms, thereby reducing overall structural complexity while still providing extended coverage for the temporal bones.
3Strength
If a rigid shell helmet is used, then head trauma protection is improved, but the helmet may obstruct field of view and restrict athletic performance
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a complete rigid shell that would obstruct vision and restrict movement, the patent applies rigid protective elements (extension portions with perforated cover plates) only to the specific local regions where the squamous temporal bones are vulnerable. The rest of the helmet maintains an open structure, preserving field of view and athletic performance while providing targeted head trauma protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A helmet includes a frame having a plurality of tubular segments. The frame includes a cap portion and at least one extension portion. The cap portion includes a plurality of main tubular segments extending from a front of the helmet, configured to be positioned over a forehead of the wearer, to a back of the helmet, configured to be positioned over an occipital region of the wearer's head, and at least one tubular cross segment extending between the main segments. The at least one extension portion includes extending tubular segments that extend from the cap portion to a common point that is configured to be positioned below the wearer's ear. The helmet also includes at least one perforated cover plate mounted to the extending tubular segments, which is configured to cover the wearer's ear and squamous temporal bones of the wearer's head.