CA1230702A - Inflatable baffled liner for protective headgear and other protective equipment - Google Patents
Inflatable baffled liner for protective headgear and other protective equipmentInfo
- Publication number
- CA1230702A CA1230702A CA000471691A CA471691A CA1230702A CA 1230702 A CA1230702 A CA 1230702A CA 000471691 A CA000471691 A CA 000471691A CA 471691 A CA471691 A CA 471691A CA 1230702 A CA1230702 A CA 1230702A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- air
- liner
- compartments
- bafflements
- intercommunicating
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A42—HEADWEAR
- A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
- A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
- A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
- A42B3/10—Linings
- A42B3/12—Cushioning devices
Landscapes
- Helmets And Other Head Coverings (AREA)
- Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT
A thin-profile multi-compartmented inflatable liner for use as an energy-absorbing device inside a protective headgear or other protective equipment. The multiple air compartments with integral intercommunicating air channels are formed of flexible plastic sheets which are dielectrically heat bonded together. The air compartments have within, resilient foam plastic co-acting bafflements with integral protrusions which interact with the intercommunicating air channels to thereby control the rate of air flow between the air compartments in response to an impact compression of the air compartments. The unique construction provides a thin-profile, light weight, high-energy absorbing liner with strength, durability and reliability to a high degree.
A thin-profile multi-compartmented inflatable liner for use as an energy-absorbing device inside a protective headgear or other protective equipment. The multiple air compartments with integral intercommunicating air channels are formed of flexible plastic sheets which are dielectrically heat bonded together. The air compartments have within, resilient foam plastic co-acting bafflements with integral protrusions which interact with the intercommunicating air channels to thereby control the rate of air flow between the air compartments in response to an impact compression of the air compartments. The unique construction provides a thin-profile, light weight, high-energy absorbing liner with strength, durability and reliability to a high degree.
Description
~23~70~
INFLATABLE BAF~LED LINER FOR PROTECTrVE HEADGEAR
AND OTHER PROTECTI~IE EQUIPMENT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to protective equlpment, and, more particularly to liners for protective headgear and other protective equipment.
There have been many kinds of inflated liners for head protection 5 ' helmets with pre-formed chambers or compartments interconnected by small airpassages. In some instances foam plastic pads of cornbinations of densities havebeen enclosed within the compartments to assist in attenuating the force of an impact to the helmet when worn.
In other designs, means to regulate the flow of air between the 10 - chambers hav~ been employed, such as, the size of the intercommunicatin~ orfice, valves and plastic plugs with filters.
The above concepts are shown and described in U. S. Patents: to Nichols 2,664,567; to Simpson 3,039,109; to Cade 3,600,714; to Morgan 3,609,764;to Dunning 3,761,959; to L,arcer 3,787,8g3; to Rovani 4,023,213; to Gyory 15 4,038,700; to Schultz 3,287,613; and to Gooding 4,375,108.
The prior art types of shock-absorbing headgear ir~latable liners with multiple compartment~ have been only partially effective. The types with layers of resilient foam plastic within the comparlments do not distribute the force of an ~mpact to the helmet over a very large area of the head of the wearer. The20 ~pes with only air within the multiple compartments have of necessity been very large compartments so as not to "bottom-out, " i. e. instantaneously be completely compressed, to thereby transmit a large portion of the force of tlle impact to the head of the wearer. The types with valves or inserts wi~h filLcrs to control theflow of air through the intercommllllicnting air ch.Lnnels llilve bcen quite 25 complicated for manufacturing.
The unique construction of this invention provides an inflatable liner with a thin profile to attenuate the force of an impact over as iarge an area aspossible and the longest period of time with streng~th, durability and reliability to a high degree, together with inexpensiveness of construction~
30 SUMl\IARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an inflatable impact attenuating liner for protective headgear consisting of a plurality of pre-formed cornpartments w~t~h ~y ~'t ~307~
1 ' co-acting 4aff~ements which regulate the outward flow of air to adjacent ' compartment~ through interaction of integral prot~usions at the entrance3 of ', interco~municating ai~ channels in re6ponse to a sudden compress10n of a ;i compartment. ,.
Another object of the invention i~ to provide alternate bafnement , means to control the nOw of air from an air compartment in response to a ' sudden compression of the compartment.
A furth~r object of this invention is to provide a means whereby two liners having di,fferent co-acting bafnements may be stacked one atop the 10 other to attain optimum attenuation of an impact force to the p~otective helmet ' in which the liners are used.
', BRIEF DESCRIPTrON OF THE DRAWINGS
; Other objects, feature3 and advantages of the invention will be , readily apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment~ !
15, thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals are used to indicate ~ike components in the various views:
FIG. 1 is a top plan of the protective helmet incorporating , the liner of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the protective helmet 20 with the chin cup~strap removed.
FIG. 3 i9 an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. i illustrating the preferred embodiments incorporated in the liner of the invention.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional vie v taken along 25 line 4-4 of Fig. l showing the preferred form of the liner assembled ~n tho outer ; shell.
FIG. 5 is a bottom plan of the protective helmet with the liner of the invention assembled therein.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along 30 ' line 6-6 of Fig. 2 showing si~ing cushions and the liner assembled in the ' protective helmet.
FIG. 7 is a top plan of a typical trapazoidal shaped air compartment with outer and inner bafflements.
.;
.~ .
~230~
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 7 showing an air compartment with outar and inner bafflements and their relationships to each other and to the interCOmm~iCatLng air channels to adjacent air compartments.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 7 showing the relationship of the outer bafflement, convoluted inner bafflement, the pre-formed air compartment and the bottom panel of the air compartment.
FIG. lOis a top plan of the multi-air compartments with bafflements and integral inte~rcommunicating air channels of the liner with preferred embodiments of this invention.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of Ng. 10 æhowing the baf~lements.
FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of an intercommunicating air channel taken along line 12-12 of Fig. 10.
FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a *
recess for attachment of a VELCRO disc taken along line 13 13 of Fig. 10.
FIG. 14 is a greatly enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken along the center-line of the intercommunicating air cha~nel bet veen t~vo adjacent air compartments of the liner of the invention showing the "at-rest"
relationship of the air compartment bafflements to the intercommunicating air channel.
. ..; .
FIG. 15 is the æame cross-sectional view as Fig. 14 but showing the relationship of the air compartment bafflements to the 25 intercommunicating air channel when the protective helmet i~ properly fitted to a person's head.
FIG. 16 19 the same cross-sectional vlew as l~i~. 15 but showing the relationship of the air compartment bafnements to the intercommunicating air channel when the wearer's head decelerates into the liner at the time of an impact, FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the centerline of a typical air compartment with intercommunicating air channels to adjacent air compartments illustrating modified construction of the outer and inner baf~lements.
,,~ * Trade Mark .
1 FIG. 18 is a plan of a t~ypical trapezoidal shaped air compartment with another modified construction of the inner bafflement.
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectlonal view taken along line 19-19 ; of Fig. 18.
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 20-20 of Fig. 18.
FIG. 21 is a fragmentary front elevation view of a front lower right hand air compartment as it might be assembled in a helmet illustrating a means for stacking two lndepeDdent liners.
FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line ; 22-22 of Fig. 21 with a second independent liner stacked in front of the liner shown in Fig. 21.
DESCR PTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
.
Referring to Figs. 1-22, reference numeral 5 indicates generally a football helmet of the type which has a liner that incorporates the improvements .
of the invention. The helmet includes a shell 6 composed of a high impact-resistant plastic resin such as ABS (acrylonitrile-butadine-styrene) or polycarbonate. It has a front edge bumper 14 of a resilient rnaterial as symthetic rubber or polyurethane and a neck bumper 15 of similar material secured to the back edge. Ear holes 8 and 9 are provided on the sides of the heknet, a liner inflation valve hoie 10 and ventilati holes 11 are in the crown portion.
To assist in fitting a helmet with the liner of this invention, sizing cushions 20-26 of a resilient foam plastic are positioned between the inside of the outer shell and the liner. The sizing cushion3 are attached to the outer shell with releasible fabric fastening strips commercially sold under the trade name VELCROas disclosed in prior U. S. Patent Nos. 2, 717, 437, 3, 009, 235, 3, 083, 737 and 3,154,837. The sizing cushions would have recesses to accommodatc the VELCRO
18 so that the sizing cushions would fit in surface-to-surface contact with the inslde sllrface of the outer shell and the liner would flt in surface-to-surIace contact with the inner surfaces of the sizing cushions. In a similar way of mounting, a larger sizing cushion would be used at the front of the helmet for the forehead area of the wearer and another large sizing cushion would be used at the back of the helmet for the occiput of the wearer. The combination of sizing cushions and proper inflation of the liner will provide a vely wide range of sizes and shapes of heads of wearers of the helmet.
1;~307~;2 ;, 5 1 ~, Generally indicate~ by reference numeral 30 is the liner of the invention. The liner consists of a plurality of pre-forlned air compartments witl. co-acting baMements and have intercommunicating air channels 50 between ; ~he air compartments. As shown in Fig. 10 there is a flat sheet 31 of flexible5 polyurethane and a second formed sheet of polyurethane with air compartments ~; 33-47 of the desired size and configuration with integrally formed intercomrnunicating air channels generally indicated by rèference numeral 50.
At the center of the ly~er is a hexagon shaped thermoformed air compartment 33 in the top panel 32 and an in~lating valve means 100 heat bonded at the center of 10; the bottom panel 31. There are three sets-of-~vo air compartments 34/36, 40/42, 44/46 arranged angulately to three sides of the central hexagon-shape'~
air compartment 33 and three set-of-two air compartments 35/37, 41/43, 45/47 arranged angulately in a mirror image to the opposite three sides of the hexagon, shaped air compartment 33. The outermost air compartments 36 and 37 have 15 clearance openings 38 and 39 respectively for the ears of the wearer. Recesses generally indicated by reference numeral 19 provide for VELCRO 18 discs for releasable attachment of the liner 30 to the sizing cushions.
Within each air compartment are an outer bafflement generally indicated by reference numeral 60 in Fig. 8 and an inner bafflement 70. The 20 outer bafflements are thermoformed of resilient foam cross-linked polyethylene.
They are dimensioned and trimIned so that the outside surface 61 is in surface-,' to-surface contact with the inner surface 142 of panel 42 with small protrusions 65 at the entrances to the corresponding intercommunicating air channels 50.
The small protruslons 65 are compressed to the proper thickness during the 25 thermoforming operation and sized to width and length during the trimming operation so that they will match the size of the intercommunicnting air ch ulnels 50. The inner bafflements generally indicated by reference numeral 70 are thermoformed of the same material as the outer bafflements 60 and have convolutions which are generally parallel to the conbour of thè outer bafnement.30 The reference numeral 48 in Fig. I0 genérally indicates the top plan of the ;i apexes of the convolutions of the various inner bafflements which apex surfaces ' are in surface-to-surface contact with the inner surfaces of the outer bafflements. With all outer baMements and inner bafflements properly ~230~702 positioned within the corresponding air compartments in panel 32, the second aircompartment panel 31 is positioned and the two panels are dielectrically heat bonded together in the area generally indicated by reference numeral 55 around each air compartment, leaving o~ly the intercommunicating air channels 50 S unbonded. The outside contour of the assembled liner is steel rule die cut to size. The relationship of the bafflements to the intercommunicating air channels50 is the same in all air compartments. All air compartments are innated through the single valve means 100. Wher. assembled in the outer shell 6, the inflation valve means 100 is positioned in the hole 10 in the crown section. This 10 permits the liner to be inflated as desired from the outside of the helmet.
The method whereby the outer baMements 60 and inner bafflements 70 co-act to control the flow of air through the intercornmunicatingair channels 50 is more readily understood by the ex~lan tions of Figs 14, 15 and 16 which illustrate the relationship of these components "at-rest, " io e. with 15 the liner partially inflated prior to the helmet being positioned on the wearer's : head, when properly innated and positioned on a wearer's head, and upon an impact respectively. Referring now to Fig. 14, the greatly enlarged cross-! sectional view is tal;en along the centerline of the intercommunicating air channel50 between adjacent air compartments to illustrate the relationship of the air 20 compartment, the inner bafflement 70, and the outer baffle;nent 60 with integral protrusion 65 to the intercommunicating air channel 50. When properly inflated the air pressure within all of the air compartments will be the same and all of the surfaces will be slightly convex. The outer surface 61 of the outer baMement 60 will be in surface-to-surface contact with the inner surface 142 of the air 25 compartment and the surface 63 of the outer bafflement 60 will be in surface-to-surface contact with the inner surface 131 of panel 31 of the air compartment.
The protrusions 65 on the outer bafflement G0 will bo at thc cntr-ance~ of tho intercommunicating air ch~mnels 50. The apex surface of the convolutions of the ir,ner bafflement 70 will be in surface-to-surface contact with the inner 30 surface 62 of the outer bafflement with the apex surfaces of the reverse convolutions in surface-to-surface contact with the inner surface 131 of panel 31 of the air compartrnent. The peripheral edge surface 74 of the inner bafflement 70 will be in surface-to-surface contact with the inner surface 62 of the outer bafflement 60.
With the helmet properly fitted to the head of a wearer as . illustrated in Fig. 15, the outside surface of the wearer's head 105 compresses the air compartments so that the outer panel 32 of the air compartment and the 5 outer baMement 60 are now slightly concave. The pressure within all air compartments will be the same with but slight pressure of the protrusion 65 against the end of the intercommunicating air channel 50~ The inner bafflement 70 is compressed slightly with the resultant radially outward edgewise movement of the peripheral surface 74 against the inner surface 62 of the sidewall of the10 outer bafflement 60 whose surface 63 has been pressed more ffrmly against theinner surface 131 of panel 31. As a result, the protrusion 65 of the outer bafflement 60 is pressed more firmly against the end of the intercommunicating air channel 50 thereby creating a greater resistance to the flow of air through the channel at the time of impact to the helmet.
Upon an impact to the outer shell 6 as illustrated in Fig. 16, there will be an additional compression of the sidewalls of the outer bafflement 60 pressing the surface 63 more firmly against the iImer surface 131 of panel 31.
There will be additional compression of the air compartment panel 32 and both the outer 60 and imler 70 bafflements with resultant outward edgewise movement 20 of the peripneral surface 74 thereby pressing the protrusion 65 more firmly against the end of the intercommunicating air channel 50 thus controlling the rate of flow of air from the air compartment opposite the site of the impact. Inasmuch as allcomponents of the liner are resilient, there will always be a flow of air through the intercommunicating air channels from the compartments with the greatest 25 internal pressure toward the air compartments with the less internal pressure.
However, the rate of flow will be regulatcd by thc afore describod co-actlng bafflements with integral air ch,mnol cn~nE~in~ protl~lxions. 'l`hus the force of an impact is attenuated ,md distril)uted over a very largo arca of the he.~3 of thewearer and the time to complete deceleration in the givcn distance is greatly 30 increased through the embodiments of the co-acting bafflements 60 a nd 70 within the air compartments and interaction of the protrusions 65 with tlle associated intercommunicating air channels S0.
Illustrated in Fig. 16 are modifications which will enhance the control of the outward ilow of air from an air compartment upon impact. The 1231~702 1, outer bafflement 60 and inner baf~lement 70 are pre-molded to more precifie ' configurations and dlmensions to eiect a more efficient control of the rate of ~low of air through the ~ntercommunicating air channel 50. The side walls of the outer bafflement are tapered with the edge portion 66 thin~er than the main S ;' portion so that it will flex edgewise more easily. ~rhe inner baf1ement 70 has the outer walls of the convolutions tapered as shown with the peripheral edge portion 74 being thinner than the main portion 90 as to exert a greater localized edgewise pressure at the end of the intercommunicating air channel 50 when the ' pre-formed air compartment is compressed toward the outer shell.
10, Figs. 17, 18 and 19 illustrate another modified set of bafflements that could be used for special applications. This type of bafflement would be ; very inexpensive and could be used in combination with other bafflements when ~ two liners are arranged in a tier. In some instances it may be desirable to use - ' two liners with air compartments with different outer and inner bafflement15 configurations to accomplish attenuation of impact forces of various degrees., hl some applications it may be desirable to have the bafflements within the pre-formed air compartments of the liner next to the outer shell quite fir~n to thereby respond to a very high ~nass - high velocity impact at the onset and have bafflements within the liner next to the wearer's head somewhat softer to thereby 20 further atteruate and redistribute the force of the impact over a much greater area of the head and in a longer period of time. The two liners could be readilystacked or tiered as illustrated in Figs. 21 and 22 using releasable VELCR0 18.
Matching recesses 19 to accommodate the VELCR0 18 would be provided in the ' innermost surface of the liner adjacent the shell and on the outermost surface of 25; the inner liner.
The above described linors by their unique constrllction lcnd themselves to be adapted to be used in evory concoivable kind of protective headgear ~Lnd other protective equipment where there is a need for maximum attenuation of the force of an impact utilizing a light weight structure.
30 ~ It may be used with inexpensive resilient foarn plastic fiizing pads in helmets to roduce the number of different outer shells to fit a greater span of head sizes.
It may be used in body protective pads to reduce bulkiness and weight of solid foam pads and increase protection for the area where used.
~L230~0~
While the construction of the liner afore-descrlbed has particular application to football helmets, it is by no means limited thereto and helmets and other protective cquipment incorporating the claimed design of the liner may be advantageously used in all kinds of activities ~,vhere it is desirable to5 prevent injury by an impact.
INFLATABLE BAF~LED LINER FOR PROTECTrVE HEADGEAR
AND OTHER PROTECTI~IE EQUIPMENT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to protective equlpment, and, more particularly to liners for protective headgear and other protective equipment.
There have been many kinds of inflated liners for head protection 5 ' helmets with pre-formed chambers or compartments interconnected by small airpassages. In some instances foam plastic pads of cornbinations of densities havebeen enclosed within the compartments to assist in attenuating the force of an impact to the helmet when worn.
In other designs, means to regulate the flow of air between the 10 - chambers hav~ been employed, such as, the size of the intercommunicatin~ orfice, valves and plastic plugs with filters.
The above concepts are shown and described in U. S. Patents: to Nichols 2,664,567; to Simpson 3,039,109; to Cade 3,600,714; to Morgan 3,609,764;to Dunning 3,761,959; to L,arcer 3,787,8g3; to Rovani 4,023,213; to Gyory 15 4,038,700; to Schultz 3,287,613; and to Gooding 4,375,108.
The prior art types of shock-absorbing headgear ir~latable liners with multiple compartment~ have been only partially effective. The types with layers of resilient foam plastic within the comparlments do not distribute the force of an ~mpact to the helmet over a very large area of the head of the wearer. The20 ~pes with only air within the multiple compartments have of necessity been very large compartments so as not to "bottom-out, " i. e. instantaneously be completely compressed, to thereby transmit a large portion of the force of tlle impact to the head of the wearer. The types with valves or inserts wi~h filLcrs to control theflow of air through the intercommllllicnting air ch.Lnnels llilve bcen quite 25 complicated for manufacturing.
The unique construction of this invention provides an inflatable liner with a thin profile to attenuate the force of an impact over as iarge an area aspossible and the longest period of time with streng~th, durability and reliability to a high degree, together with inexpensiveness of construction~
30 SUMl\IARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an inflatable impact attenuating liner for protective headgear consisting of a plurality of pre-formed cornpartments w~t~h ~y ~'t ~307~
1 ' co-acting 4aff~ements which regulate the outward flow of air to adjacent ' compartment~ through interaction of integral prot~usions at the entrance3 of ', interco~municating ai~ channels in re6ponse to a sudden compress10n of a ;i compartment. ,.
Another object of the invention i~ to provide alternate bafnement , means to control the nOw of air from an air compartment in response to a ' sudden compression of the compartment.
A furth~r object of this invention is to provide a means whereby two liners having di,fferent co-acting bafnements may be stacked one atop the 10 other to attain optimum attenuation of an impact force to the p~otective helmet ' in which the liners are used.
', BRIEF DESCRIPTrON OF THE DRAWINGS
; Other objects, feature3 and advantages of the invention will be , readily apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment~ !
15, thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals are used to indicate ~ike components in the various views:
FIG. 1 is a top plan of the protective helmet incorporating , the liner of the invention.
FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the protective helmet 20 with the chin cup~strap removed.
FIG. 3 i9 an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. i illustrating the preferred embodiments incorporated in the liner of the invention.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional vie v taken along 25 line 4-4 of Fig. l showing the preferred form of the liner assembled ~n tho outer ; shell.
FIG. 5 is a bottom plan of the protective helmet with the liner of the invention assembled therein.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along 30 ' line 6-6 of Fig. 2 showing si~ing cushions and the liner assembled in the ' protective helmet.
FIG. 7 is a top plan of a typical trapazoidal shaped air compartment with outer and inner bafflements.
.;
.~ .
~230~
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 7 showing an air compartment with outar and inner bafflements and their relationships to each other and to the interCOmm~iCatLng air channels to adjacent air compartments.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Fig. 7 showing the relationship of the outer bafflement, convoluted inner bafflement, the pre-formed air compartment and the bottom panel of the air compartment.
FIG. lOis a top plan of the multi-air compartments with bafflements and integral inte~rcommunicating air channels of the liner with preferred embodiments of this invention.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 of Ng. 10 æhowing the baf~lements.
FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of an intercommunicating air channel taken along line 12-12 of Fig. 10.
FIG. 13 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of a *
recess for attachment of a VELCRO disc taken along line 13 13 of Fig. 10.
FIG. 14 is a greatly enlarged partial cross-sectional view taken along the center-line of the intercommunicating air cha~nel bet veen t~vo adjacent air compartments of the liner of the invention showing the "at-rest"
relationship of the air compartment bafflements to the intercommunicating air channel.
. ..; .
FIG. 15 is the æame cross-sectional view as Fig. 14 but showing the relationship of the air compartment bafflements to the 25 intercommunicating air channel when the protective helmet i~ properly fitted to a person's head.
FIG. 16 19 the same cross-sectional vlew as l~i~. 15 but showing the relationship of the air compartment bafnements to the intercommunicating air channel when the wearer's head decelerates into the liner at the time of an impact, FIG. 17 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the centerline of a typical air compartment with intercommunicating air channels to adjacent air compartments illustrating modified construction of the outer and inner baf~lements.
,,~ * Trade Mark .
1 FIG. 18 is a plan of a t~ypical trapezoidal shaped air compartment with another modified construction of the inner bafflement.
FIG. 19 is a cross-sectlonal view taken along line 19-19 ; of Fig. 18.
FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 20-20 of Fig. 18.
FIG. 21 is a fragmentary front elevation view of a front lower right hand air compartment as it might be assembled in a helmet illustrating a means for stacking two lndepeDdent liners.
FIG. 22 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line ; 22-22 of Fig. 21 with a second independent liner stacked in front of the liner shown in Fig. 21.
DESCR PTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
.
Referring to Figs. 1-22, reference numeral 5 indicates generally a football helmet of the type which has a liner that incorporates the improvements .
of the invention. The helmet includes a shell 6 composed of a high impact-resistant plastic resin such as ABS (acrylonitrile-butadine-styrene) or polycarbonate. It has a front edge bumper 14 of a resilient rnaterial as symthetic rubber or polyurethane and a neck bumper 15 of similar material secured to the back edge. Ear holes 8 and 9 are provided on the sides of the heknet, a liner inflation valve hoie 10 and ventilati holes 11 are in the crown portion.
To assist in fitting a helmet with the liner of this invention, sizing cushions 20-26 of a resilient foam plastic are positioned between the inside of the outer shell and the liner. The sizing cushion3 are attached to the outer shell with releasible fabric fastening strips commercially sold under the trade name VELCROas disclosed in prior U. S. Patent Nos. 2, 717, 437, 3, 009, 235, 3, 083, 737 and 3,154,837. The sizing cushions would have recesses to accommodatc the VELCRO
18 so that the sizing cushions would fit in surface-to-surface contact with the inslde sllrface of the outer shell and the liner would flt in surface-to-surIace contact with the inner surfaces of the sizing cushions. In a similar way of mounting, a larger sizing cushion would be used at the front of the helmet for the forehead area of the wearer and another large sizing cushion would be used at the back of the helmet for the occiput of the wearer. The combination of sizing cushions and proper inflation of the liner will provide a vely wide range of sizes and shapes of heads of wearers of the helmet.
1;~307~;2 ;, 5 1 ~, Generally indicate~ by reference numeral 30 is the liner of the invention. The liner consists of a plurality of pre-forlned air compartments witl. co-acting baMements and have intercommunicating air channels 50 between ; ~he air compartments. As shown in Fig. 10 there is a flat sheet 31 of flexible5 polyurethane and a second formed sheet of polyurethane with air compartments ~; 33-47 of the desired size and configuration with integrally formed intercomrnunicating air channels generally indicated by rèference numeral 50.
At the center of the ly~er is a hexagon shaped thermoformed air compartment 33 in the top panel 32 and an in~lating valve means 100 heat bonded at the center of 10; the bottom panel 31. There are three sets-of-~vo air compartments 34/36, 40/42, 44/46 arranged angulately to three sides of the central hexagon-shape'~
air compartment 33 and three set-of-two air compartments 35/37, 41/43, 45/47 arranged angulately in a mirror image to the opposite three sides of the hexagon, shaped air compartment 33. The outermost air compartments 36 and 37 have 15 clearance openings 38 and 39 respectively for the ears of the wearer. Recesses generally indicated by reference numeral 19 provide for VELCRO 18 discs for releasable attachment of the liner 30 to the sizing cushions.
Within each air compartment are an outer bafflement generally indicated by reference numeral 60 in Fig. 8 and an inner bafflement 70. The 20 outer bafflements are thermoformed of resilient foam cross-linked polyethylene.
They are dimensioned and trimIned so that the outside surface 61 is in surface-,' to-surface contact with the inner surface 142 of panel 42 with small protrusions 65 at the entrances to the corresponding intercommunicating air channels 50.
The small protruslons 65 are compressed to the proper thickness during the 25 thermoforming operation and sized to width and length during the trimming operation so that they will match the size of the intercommunicnting air ch ulnels 50. The inner bafflements generally indicated by reference numeral 70 are thermoformed of the same material as the outer bafflements 60 and have convolutions which are generally parallel to the conbour of thè outer bafnement.30 The reference numeral 48 in Fig. I0 genérally indicates the top plan of the ;i apexes of the convolutions of the various inner bafflements which apex surfaces ' are in surface-to-surface contact with the inner surfaces of the outer bafflements. With all outer baMements and inner bafflements properly ~230~702 positioned within the corresponding air compartments in panel 32, the second aircompartment panel 31 is positioned and the two panels are dielectrically heat bonded together in the area generally indicated by reference numeral 55 around each air compartment, leaving o~ly the intercommunicating air channels 50 S unbonded. The outside contour of the assembled liner is steel rule die cut to size. The relationship of the bafflements to the intercommunicating air channels50 is the same in all air compartments. All air compartments are innated through the single valve means 100. Wher. assembled in the outer shell 6, the inflation valve means 100 is positioned in the hole 10 in the crown section. This 10 permits the liner to be inflated as desired from the outside of the helmet.
The method whereby the outer baMements 60 and inner bafflements 70 co-act to control the flow of air through the intercornmunicatingair channels 50 is more readily understood by the ex~lan tions of Figs 14, 15 and 16 which illustrate the relationship of these components "at-rest, " io e. with 15 the liner partially inflated prior to the helmet being positioned on the wearer's : head, when properly innated and positioned on a wearer's head, and upon an impact respectively. Referring now to Fig. 14, the greatly enlarged cross-! sectional view is tal;en along the centerline of the intercommunicating air channel50 between adjacent air compartments to illustrate the relationship of the air 20 compartment, the inner bafflement 70, and the outer baffle;nent 60 with integral protrusion 65 to the intercommunicating air channel 50. When properly inflated the air pressure within all of the air compartments will be the same and all of the surfaces will be slightly convex. The outer surface 61 of the outer baMement 60 will be in surface-to-surface contact with the inner surface 142 of the air 25 compartment and the surface 63 of the outer bafflement 60 will be in surface-to-surface contact with the inner surface 131 of panel 31 of the air compartment.
The protrusions 65 on the outer bafflement G0 will bo at thc cntr-ance~ of tho intercommunicating air ch~mnels 50. The apex surface of the convolutions of the ir,ner bafflement 70 will be in surface-to-surface contact with the inner 30 surface 62 of the outer bafflement with the apex surfaces of the reverse convolutions in surface-to-surface contact with the inner surface 131 of panel 31 of the air compartrnent. The peripheral edge surface 74 of the inner bafflement 70 will be in surface-to-surface contact with the inner surface 62 of the outer bafflement 60.
With the helmet properly fitted to the head of a wearer as . illustrated in Fig. 15, the outside surface of the wearer's head 105 compresses the air compartments so that the outer panel 32 of the air compartment and the 5 outer baMement 60 are now slightly concave. The pressure within all air compartments will be the same with but slight pressure of the protrusion 65 against the end of the intercommunicating air channel 50~ The inner bafflement 70 is compressed slightly with the resultant radially outward edgewise movement of the peripheral surface 74 against the inner surface 62 of the sidewall of the10 outer bafflement 60 whose surface 63 has been pressed more ffrmly against theinner surface 131 of panel 31. As a result, the protrusion 65 of the outer bafflement 60 is pressed more firmly against the end of the intercommunicating air channel 50 thereby creating a greater resistance to the flow of air through the channel at the time of impact to the helmet.
Upon an impact to the outer shell 6 as illustrated in Fig. 16, there will be an additional compression of the sidewalls of the outer bafflement 60 pressing the surface 63 more firmly against the iImer surface 131 of panel 31.
There will be additional compression of the air compartment panel 32 and both the outer 60 and imler 70 bafflements with resultant outward edgewise movement 20 of the peripneral surface 74 thereby pressing the protrusion 65 more firmly against the end of the intercommunicating air channel 50 thus controlling the rate of flow of air from the air compartment opposite the site of the impact. Inasmuch as allcomponents of the liner are resilient, there will always be a flow of air through the intercommunicating air channels from the compartments with the greatest 25 internal pressure toward the air compartments with the less internal pressure.
However, the rate of flow will be regulatcd by thc afore describod co-actlng bafflements with integral air ch,mnol cn~nE~in~ protl~lxions. 'l`hus the force of an impact is attenuated ,md distril)uted over a very largo arca of the he.~3 of thewearer and the time to complete deceleration in the givcn distance is greatly 30 increased through the embodiments of the co-acting bafflements 60 a nd 70 within the air compartments and interaction of the protrusions 65 with tlle associated intercommunicating air channels S0.
Illustrated in Fig. 16 are modifications which will enhance the control of the outward ilow of air from an air compartment upon impact. The 1231~702 1, outer bafflement 60 and inner baf~lement 70 are pre-molded to more precifie ' configurations and dlmensions to eiect a more efficient control of the rate of ~low of air through the ~ntercommunicating air channel 50. The side walls of the outer bafflement are tapered with the edge portion 66 thin~er than the main S ;' portion so that it will flex edgewise more easily. ~rhe inner baf1ement 70 has the outer walls of the convolutions tapered as shown with the peripheral edge portion 74 being thinner than the main portion 90 as to exert a greater localized edgewise pressure at the end of the intercommunicating air channel 50 when the ' pre-formed air compartment is compressed toward the outer shell.
10, Figs. 17, 18 and 19 illustrate another modified set of bafflements that could be used for special applications. This type of bafflement would be ; very inexpensive and could be used in combination with other bafflements when ~ two liners are arranged in a tier. In some instances it may be desirable to use - ' two liners with air compartments with different outer and inner bafflement15 configurations to accomplish attenuation of impact forces of various degrees., hl some applications it may be desirable to have the bafflements within the pre-formed air compartments of the liner next to the outer shell quite fir~n to thereby respond to a very high ~nass - high velocity impact at the onset and have bafflements within the liner next to the wearer's head somewhat softer to thereby 20 further atteruate and redistribute the force of the impact over a much greater area of the head and in a longer period of time. The two liners could be readilystacked or tiered as illustrated in Figs. 21 and 22 using releasable VELCR0 18.
Matching recesses 19 to accommodate the VELCR0 18 would be provided in the ' innermost surface of the liner adjacent the shell and on the outermost surface of 25; the inner liner.
The above described linors by their unique constrllction lcnd themselves to be adapted to be used in evory concoivable kind of protective headgear ~Lnd other protective equipment where there is a need for maximum attenuation of the force of an impact utilizing a light weight structure.
30 ~ It may be used with inexpensive resilient foarn plastic fiizing pads in helmets to roduce the number of different outer shells to fit a greater span of head sizes.
It may be used in body protective pads to reduce bulkiness and weight of solid foam pads and increase protection for the area where used.
~L230~0~
While the construction of the liner afore-descrlbed has particular application to football helmets, it is by no means limited thereto and helmets and other protective cquipment incorporating the claimed design of the liner may be advantageously used in all kinds of activities ~,vhere it is desirable to5 prevent injury by an impact.
Claims (25)
1. A liner for use in a protective helmet and other protective equipment, comprising:
(a) a first flexible plastic sheet;
(b) a second flexible plastic sheet fixedly attached to the first plastic sheet, the first and second attached sheets forming at least two spaced apart pre-formed air compartments with an integral pre-formed intercommunicating air channel therebetween;
(c) at least one resilient bafflement po-sitioned within the air compartments and in contact with at least one of the plastic sheets, the bafflement having formed thereon sidewall edges with pro-trusions sized to engage open ends of the corresponding intercommunicating air channel; the two air compartments and the resilient bafflement continually co-acting to control a variable rate of flow between the compartments in direct response to varying forces of impact to the air compartment, the variable rate of flow being regulated by the movement of the resilient bafflement against the open ends of the intercommunicating air channel responsive to the impact forces;
and (d) means, for inflating the two air com-partments to a similar desired pressure, through the intercommunicating channel associated with one of the flexible sheets.
(a) a first flexible plastic sheet;
(b) a second flexible plastic sheet fixedly attached to the first plastic sheet, the first and second attached sheets forming at least two spaced apart pre-formed air compartments with an integral pre-formed intercommunicating air channel therebetween;
(c) at least one resilient bafflement po-sitioned within the air compartments and in contact with at least one of the plastic sheets, the bafflement having formed thereon sidewall edges with pro-trusions sized to engage open ends of the corresponding intercommunicating air channel; the two air compartments and the resilient bafflement continually co-acting to control a variable rate of flow between the compartments in direct response to varying forces of impact to the air compartment, the variable rate of flow being regulated by the movement of the resilient bafflement against the open ends of the intercommunicating air channel responsive to the impact forces;
and (d) means, for inflating the two air com-partments to a similar desired pressure, through the intercommunicating channel associated with one of the flexible sheets.
2. The liner as defined in claim 1 further comprising the first and second sheets being dielectrical-ly heat bonded and the resilient bafflement is formed of foam plastic.
3. The liner as defined in claim 1 wherein the means for inflating comprises a resealable valve positioned in an opening formed in one of the flexible plastic sheets.
4. The liner as defined in claim 1 further comprising at least two liners similarly constructed positioned on top of each other and held together by attaching means to thereby provide increased pro-tective padding.
5. The liner as defined in claim 1 further comprising at least six air compartments similarly con-structed and integrally pre-formed with a central section formed from the first and second flexible sheets, the central section having one pre-formed air compartment and having six integral pre-formed in-tercommunicating air channels with the six air com-partments.
6. The liner as defined in claim 5 wherein the inflating means comprises a resealable valve fix-edly attached to the central section.
7. A protective equipment comprising the combination of :
(a) an outer covering;
(b) a liner fixedly attached to the inside of the outer covering, the liner comprising:
(1) a first flexible plastic sheet;
(2) a second flexible plastic sheet fixedly attached to the first plastic sheet, the first and second attached sheets forming at least two spaced apart pre-formed air compartments with an integral pre-formed intercommunicating air channel therebetween;
(3) at least one resilient bafflement positioned within the air compart-ments and in contact with at least one of the plastic sheets, the bafflement having formed thereon sidewall edges with protrusions sized to engage open ends of the corresponding intercommunicating air channel; the two air compart-ments and the resilient bafflement continually co-acting to control a variable rate of flow between the compartments in direct response to varying forces of impact to the air compartments, the variable rate of flow being regulated by the movement of the resilient bafflement against the open ends of the intercommunicating air channel responsive to the impact forces;
and (4) means, for inflating the two air compartments to a similar desired pressure, through the intercommuni-cating air channel associated with one of the flexible sheets.
(a) an outer covering;
(b) a liner fixedly attached to the inside of the outer covering, the liner comprising:
(1) a first flexible plastic sheet;
(2) a second flexible plastic sheet fixedly attached to the first plastic sheet, the first and second attached sheets forming at least two spaced apart pre-formed air compartments with an integral pre-formed intercommunicating air channel therebetween;
(3) at least one resilient bafflement positioned within the air compart-ments and in contact with at least one of the plastic sheets, the bafflement having formed thereon sidewall edges with protrusions sized to engage open ends of the corresponding intercommunicating air channel; the two air compart-ments and the resilient bafflement continually co-acting to control a variable rate of flow between the compartments in direct response to varying forces of impact to the air compartments, the variable rate of flow being regulated by the movement of the resilient bafflement against the open ends of the intercommunicating air channel responsive to the impact forces;
and (4) means, for inflating the two air compartments to a similar desired pressure, through the intercommuni-cating air channel associated with one of the flexible sheets.
8. The protective equipment as defined in claim 7 wherein the outer covering is a football helmet.
9. The protective equipment as defined in claim 7 wherein the outer covering is a unit of sporting attire.
10. The protective equipment as defined in claim 7 wherein the outer covering is a space suit.
11. A liner for a protective helmet for activities such as football which comprises:
(a) a first flexible plastic sheet to which is dielectrically heat bonded to a second flexible plastic sheet with multiple pre-formed air compartments with in-tegral pre-formed intercommunicating air channels;
(b) pre-formed resilient foam plastic outer bafflements with outer surfaces in sur-faceto-surface contact with the inner surfaces of the pre-formed air com-partments of said second flexible plastic sheet;
(c) protrusions on sidewall edges of said outer bafflements and sized to engage open ends of corresponding said in-tercommunicating air channels of said second plastic sheet;
(d) pre-formed convolution resilient foam plastic inner bafflements positioned within aforesaid outer bafflements with apex surfaces of inward facing convolu-tions in surface-to-surface contact with inner surface of said outer baf-flement, with apex surfaces of outward facing convolutions in surface-to-surface contact with the inner surface of said first flexible plastic sheet and with edge surfaces in juxtapoisiton to the sidewall inner edge surfaces of said outer bafflements; and (e) a resealable valve means, associated with the liner, for inflating the liner to desired pressure in said multiple pre-formed air compartments with afore-said outer and inner bafflements through said intercommunicating air channels.
(a) a first flexible plastic sheet to which is dielectrically heat bonded to a second flexible plastic sheet with multiple pre-formed air compartments with in-tegral pre-formed intercommunicating air channels;
(b) pre-formed resilient foam plastic outer bafflements with outer surfaces in sur-faceto-surface contact with the inner surfaces of the pre-formed air com-partments of said second flexible plastic sheet;
(c) protrusions on sidewall edges of said outer bafflements and sized to engage open ends of corresponding said in-tercommunicating air channels of said second plastic sheet;
(d) pre-formed convolution resilient foam plastic inner bafflements positioned within aforesaid outer bafflements with apex surfaces of inward facing convolu-tions in surface-to-surface contact with inner surface of said outer baf-flement, with apex surfaces of outward facing convolutions in surface-to-surface contact with the inner surface of said first flexible plastic sheet and with edge surfaces in juxtapoisiton to the sidewall inner edge surfaces of said outer bafflements; and (e) a resealable valve means, associated with the liner, for inflating the liner to desired pressure in said multiple pre-formed air compartments with afore-said outer and inner bafflements through said intercommunicating air channels.
12. The liner as described in claim 11 in which the flexible plastic sheets of the multiple pre-formed air compartments are polyurethane.
13. The liner as described in claim 11 in which the flexible plastic sheets of the multiple pre-formed air compartments are PVC, polyvinylchloride.
14. The liner as described in claim 11 in which the outer and inner bafflements are of resilient cross-linked polyethylene foam plastic.
15. The liner as described in claim 14 in which the resilient cross-linked polyethylene foam plastic is of different densities in said outer and inner bafflements to attain optimum response to various anticipated impact forces.
16. The liner as described in claim 11 in which said bafflements of resilient foam plastic are geometrized to attain optimum control of the rate of flow of air through said intercommunicating air chan-nels.
17. The liner as described in claim 11 in which said first and second flexible plastic sheets have specifically positioned recesses for mounting mutually releasable fabric fastener means for stacking one liner atop another liner.
18. The liner as described in claim 16 in which said bafflements in one liner are a different configuration to co-act with the bafflements in a second tiered liner to meet the anticipated impact force response requirements of specific applications.
19. The liner as described in claim 18 in which the density of said bafflements in the outer tiered liner is firmer than the density of said baf-flements in the inner tiered liner to attain optimum response to anticipated forces of very high-mass-high-velocity impacts.
20. The liner as described in claim 11 in which said multiple pre-formed air compartments are arranged with a mutual central air compartment and sets of at least two air compartments arranged angu-lately to the sides of the mutual central air compart-ment with integral intercommunicating air channels between adjacent air compartments.
21. A liner for protective headgear and other protective equipment comprising:
(a) a first panel of flexible fabric coated to be impervious to air and is di-electrically heat bonded to a second flexible plastic panel with multiple pre-formed air compartments with in-tegral pre-formed intercommunicating air channels;
(b) pre-formed resilient foam plastic single state bafflements slightly over-size so that the outer surfaces are in tight surface-to-surface contact to the inner surfaces of the pre-formed air compartments of said second flexible plastic panel;
(c) protrusions on sidewall edges of said single stage bafflements and sized to engage open ends of corresponding said intercommunicating air channels of said second plastic panel; the two air com-partments and the resilient bafflement continually co-acting to control a variable rate of flow between the com-partments in direct response to varying forces of impact to the air compart-ments, the variable rate of flow being regulated by the movement of the resilient bafflement against the open ends of the intercommunicating air channel responsive to the impact forces and;
(d) a resealable valve means for inflating the liner to desired pressure in said multiple pre-formed air compartments with aforesaid single stage bafflements through said intercommunicating air channels.
(a) a first panel of flexible fabric coated to be impervious to air and is di-electrically heat bonded to a second flexible plastic panel with multiple pre-formed air compartments with in-tegral pre-formed intercommunicating air channels;
(b) pre-formed resilient foam plastic single state bafflements slightly over-size so that the outer surfaces are in tight surface-to-surface contact to the inner surfaces of the pre-formed air compartments of said second flexible plastic panel;
(c) protrusions on sidewall edges of said single stage bafflements and sized to engage open ends of corresponding said intercommunicating air channels of said second plastic panel; the two air com-partments and the resilient bafflement continually co-acting to control a variable rate of flow between the com-partments in direct response to varying forces of impact to the air compart-ments, the variable rate of flow being regulated by the movement of the resilient bafflement against the open ends of the intercommunicating air channel responsive to the impact forces and;
(d) a resealable valve means for inflating the liner to desired pressure in said multiple pre-formed air compartments with aforesaid single stage bafflements through said intercommunicating air channels.
22. The liner as defined in claim 21 in which said first flexible panel of said multiple air compartments is Nylon.
23. The liner as defined in claim 21 in which said second flexible panel of said multiple pre-formed air compartments is flexible polyurethane.
24. The liner as defined in claim 21 in which said second flexible panel of said multiple pre-formed air compartments is flexible PVC, polyvinyl chloride.
25. The liner as defined in claim 21 in which said single stage bafflement is resilient cross linked polyethylene foam plastic.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US06/572,529 US4566137A (en) | 1984-01-20 | 1984-01-20 | Inflatable baffled liner for protective headgear and other protective equipment |
| US572,529 | 1984-01-20 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1230702A true CA1230702A (en) | 1987-12-29 |
Family
ID=24288234
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000471691A Expired CA1230702A (en) | 1984-01-20 | 1985-01-08 | Inflatable baffled liner for protective headgear and other protective equipment |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS60173107A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU584650B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1230702A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2023235984A1 (en) * | 2022-06-09 | 2023-12-14 | Kollide Inc. | Bladder for cushion pads, related systems and methods |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3580110D1 (en) * | 1985-11-05 | 1990-11-15 | Matrix Technologies Corp | INFLATABLE PADDING FOR HEAD PROTECTION OR OTHER PROTECTIVE DEVICE. |
| JPH057209Y2 (en) * | 1988-08-10 | 1993-02-24 | ||
| WO1993001732A1 (en) * | 1991-07-19 | 1993-02-04 | Frank Anthony Matich | Helmet retention system |
| AU661758B2 (en) * | 1992-05-20 | 1995-08-03 | Shoei Kako Kabushiki Kaisha | Vehicle helmet |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU512331B2 (en) * | 1976-10-21 | 1980-10-02 | Lawrence Mcinerney Charles | Air protection |
| JPS5825176B2 (en) * | 1977-09-12 | 1983-05-26 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Automatic transmission hydraulic control device |
| US4370754A (en) * | 1978-07-27 | 1983-02-01 | American Pneumatics Co. | Variable pressure pad |
| JPS5825176U (en) * | 1981-08-10 | 1983-02-17 | 株式会社エバニユ− | sports helmet |
-
1985
- 1985-01-08 CA CA000471691A patent/CA1230702A/en not_active Expired
- 1985-01-16 JP JP560785A patent/JPS60173107A/en active Granted
- 1985-11-15 AU AU49944/85A patent/AU584650B2/en not_active Ceased
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2023235984A1 (en) * | 2022-06-09 | 2023-12-14 | Kollide Inc. | Bladder for cushion pads, related systems and methods |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU584650B2 (en) | 1989-06-01 |
| JPS60173107A (en) | 1985-09-06 |
| AU4994485A (en) | 1987-05-21 |
| JPH0433885B2 (en) | 1992-06-04 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20050108 |