Energy absorbing polyurethane composite article

• US 4,808,469 A
• Filed: 05/09/1985
• Issued: 02/28/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sorbothane, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Maurice Hiles
• Inventors: Hiles, Maurice
• Primary Examiner(s): Van Balen, William J.
• Application Number:
  US06/732,389
• Time in Patent Office: 1,391 Days
• Field of Search: 36/30 R, 36/31, 36/44, 428/71, 428/76, 428/309.9, 428/316.6, 428/318.6, 428/319.3, 428/322.7, 428/420, 428/423.3
• US Class Current: 428/318.6
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 31/28 Shock absorbing
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/125 with a padded structure, e.g. foam
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/187 Resiliency achieved by the features of the material, e.g. foam, non liquid materials
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2266/0278 Polyurethane
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/56 Damping, energy absorption
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/7145 Rot proof, resistant to bacteria, mildew, mould, fungi
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2437/02 Gloves, shoes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2437/04 Caps, helmets
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2605/00 Vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/40 comprising polyurethanes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 5/18 characterised by features of a layer of foamed material
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/10 at least one layer having inter-reactive properties
• CPC Class Codes: F16F 9/306 of the constrained layer type, i.e. comprising one or more constrained viscoelastic layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249988 Of about the same composition as, and adjacent to, the void-containing component
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/249991 Synthetic resin or natural rubbers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31536 Including interfacial reaction product of adjacent layers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31554 Next to second layer of polyamidoester

Abstract

The present invention relates to a light weight energy absorbing and damping device having a predetermined configuration, which is a composite of a foam element, and at least one visco-elastic element, each said visco-elastic element being permanently affixed by chemical bonding in a portion of the device through which energy is normally transmitted. The device may be configured to all or part of a shoe part or insole, a glove, a seat or seat pad, a helmet or helmet liner, a dash-board liner, head support pad or other energy absorbing or protection devices.

Claims

1. A light weight energy absorbing and damping device having a predetermined configuration and an overall density of less than 1 which is a composite of a polyurethane foam element, and at least one polyurethane viscoelastic element, each said visco-elastic element being permanently bonded to said foam by the formation of urethane bonds at the interface between said foam element and each said visco-elastic element in a portion of the device through which energy is normally transmitted.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said foam is prepared from a precursor formulation having a stoichiometric excess of hydroxyl radicals, and said visco-elastic element is prepared from a polyurethane precursor formulation having a stoichiometric excess of isocyanate.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said foam is prepared from a precursor formulation having a stoichiometric excess of isocyanate radicals, and said visco-elastic element is prepared from a polyurethane precursor formulation having a stoichiometric excess of hydroxyl radicals.

4. The device according to claim 2 wherein said composite is a shoe insole, and said visco-elastic elements are positioned to reduce transmission of energy to the heel and the metatarsal heads.

5. The device according to claim 3 wherein said composite is a shoe insole, and said visco-elastic elements are positioned to reduce transmission of energy to the heel and the metatarsal heads.

6. The device according to claim 2 wherein said composite is a part of a glove, and said visco-elastic elements are positioned to reduce transmission of energy to the palm and finger of the hand.

7. The device according to claim 3 wherein said composite is a part of a glove, and said visco-elastic elements are positioned to reduce transmission of energy to the palm and finger of the hand.

8. The device according to claim 2 wherein said composite is a part of a bicycle seat, and said visco-elastic elements are positioned to reduce transmission of energy to the coccyx.

9. The device according to claim 3 wherein said composite is a part of a bicycle seat, and said visco-elastic elements are positioned to reduce transmission of energy to the coccyx.

10. The device according to claim 2 wherein said composite is a part of a seat pad, and said visco-elastic elements are positioned to reduce transmission of energy to the coxyx and the illiac.

11. The device according to claim 3 wherein said composite is a part of a seat pad, and said visco-elastic elements are positioned to reduce transmission of energy to the coccyx and the illiac.

12. The device according to claim 2 wherein said composite is a part of an arm rest, and said visco-elastic elements are positioned to reduce transmission of energy to the elbow and the shoulder.

13. The device according to claim 3 wherein said composite is a part of an arm rest and said visco-elastic elements are positioned to reduce transmission of energy to the elbow and the shoulder.

14. The device according to claim 2 wherein said composite is a part of a head-neck support, and said visco-elastic elements are positioned to reduce transmission of energy to the neck and the base of the skull.

15. The device according to claim 3 wherein said composite is a part of a head-neck support, and said visco-elastic elements are positioned to reduce transmission of energy to the neck and the base of the skull.

16. The device according to claim 2 wherein said composite is a helmet liner, and said visco-elastic elements are positioned to reduce transmission of energy to the temple, the skull, or the head.

17. The device according to claim 3 wherein said composite is a helmet liner, and said visco-elastic elements are positioned to reduce transmission of energy to the temple, the skull, or the head.

18. The device according to claim 2 wherein said composite has bacteriostatic and fungistatic propeties.

19. The device according to claim 3 wherein said composite has bacteriostatic and fungistatic properties.