Non-resiliency body-contact protective helmet interface structure

• US 20050166302A1
• Filed: 03/31/2005
• Published: 08/04/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/1998
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: MJD Innovations, LLC
• Original Assignee: MJD Innovations, LLC
• Inventors: Dennis, Michael R.
• Application Number:
  US11/096,695
• Publication Number:
  US 20050166302A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 2/414
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/121 with at least one layer or pad containing a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/127 with removable or adjustable pads
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/724 Permeability to gases, adsorption
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/7265 Non-permeable
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 25/04 comprising rubber as the main or only constituent of a layer, which is next to another layer of the same or of a different material next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/043; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/044; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/042; next to a metal layer B32B15/06; next to a glass layer B32B17/063; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/043; next to a wood layer B32B21/045; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/046
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 25/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2571/00 Protective equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/04 characterised by at least one layer folded at the edge, e.g. over another layer ; characterised by at least one layer enveloping or enclosing a material
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/26 characterised by a particular shape of the outline of the cross-section of a continuous layer; characterised by a layer with cavities or internal voids foam layer B32B5/18; layer of synthetic resin characterised by fillers that create voids or cavities B32B27/205; characterised by an apertured layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 33/00 Layered products characterised by particular properties or particular surface features, e.g. particular surface coatings; Layered products designed for particular purposes not covered by another single class
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 2236/045 the spring material being generally enclosed
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/30 with solid or semi-solid material, e.g. pasty masses, as damping medium in devices where rotary elements are damped by viscous shear effect only, any throttling effect being immaterial F16F9/12; where members moving with a rotating system are being damped F16F15/16

Abstract

Shock-absorbing, load-cushioning interface structure for use inside, and in operative cooperation with, the shell of a helmet for operative interposition such a shell and the head of a wearer. This structure is characterized with features and performances including (a) compression-deformation-and-slow-return viscoelasticity, (b) non-springy (anti-rebound) during a return from deformation, (c) acceleration-rate(strain-rate)-sensitivity, and (d) a durometer associated with an ILD number which is no less than about 15-ILD.

Claims

1. Shock absorbing structure for use inside the shell of a helmet for operative interposition such a shell and the head of a wearer comprising

a load-cushioning instrumentality which is structurally characterized with (a) compression-deformation-and-slow-return viscoelasticity, (b) non-springy (anti-rebound) behavior, (c) acceleration-rate(strain-rate)-sensitivity, and (d) a durometer which is associated with an ILD number of no less than about 15-ILD.

2. The shock-absorbing structure of claim 1, wherein said instrumentality is formed from plural, cooperative bodies of materials each individually characterized as expressed for the instrumentality set forth in claim 1.

3. Helmet structure, in operative condition comprising

a shell, and

shock-absorbing structure installed in said shell, disposed therein to act in a condition of operative interposition between said shell and the head of a wearer of the helmet structure, and taking the form of a load-cushioning instrumentality which is structurally characterized with (a) compression-deformation-and-slow-return viscoelasticity, (b) non-springy (anti-rebound) behavior, (c) acceleration-rate(strain-rate)-sensitivity, and (d) a durometer which is associated with an ILD number no less than about 15-ILD.

4. The helmet structure of claim 3, wherein said instrumentality is formed from plural, cooperative bodies of materials each individually characterized as expressed for the instrumentality set forth in claim 3.

5. The helmet structure of claim 3, wherein said shock-absorbing structure, within said shell, defines a load-transmission path between said shell and the head of a wearer, in which path compression deformation and return response to a shock load delivered to the shell is solely determined by the characteristics of said shock-absorbing structure.