Protective buffer padding element

• US 4,853,980 A
• Filed: 08/19/1986
• Issued: 08/08/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SONDA S. R. L., VIALE TEODORICO, 2 - 20149 MILAN (ITALY)
• Original Assignee: Sonda SRL
• Inventors: Zarotti, Claudio
• Primary Examiner(s): SCHROEDER, WERNER
• Application Number:
  US06/902,409
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 2/413, 2/414, 2/417, 2/411, 188/269, 267/113, 267/64.13, 267/142-146, 604/141
• US Class Current: 2/413
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/121 with at least one layer or pad containing a fluid
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/285 with additional heating or cooling means

Abstract

A padding element suitable for use in a crash helmet having a plurality of padding elements including a plurality of first deformable blisters interconnected together in sets, and containing a fluid which is in a saturated vapor state when the helmet has been worn for a sufficient time to raise its fluid temperature to a temperature approaching normal body temperature. It is contemplated that the fluid contained in the first deformable blisters preferably includes a mixture of Freon MF and Freon TF with the proportion of Freon MF being in the range of 20% to 50% by volume liquid.

Claims

1. A protective buffer padding element adapted to be worn in external contact with a human body comprising:

a deformable blister, said blister containing a fluid which is capable of being in a saturated vapor state with the padding element after the padding element is worn for a sufficient period of time to raise the fluid temperature to a temperature approaching normal human body temperature; and

means for retaining the padding element in external contact with a human body.

13. A protective buffer padding element as set forth in claim 1 or 2 wherein said fluid is a mixture of Freon MF and Freon TF, the proportion of Freon MF being in the range of 20% to 50% by volume of liquid.

14. A protective buffer padding element as set forth in claim 13, wherein said mixture comprises 30% Freon MF and 70% Freon TF by volume of liquid.

2. A protective buffer padding element, particularly for use with a crash helmet, adapted to be worn in external contact with a human body comprising:

a plurality of padding elements, at least some of said padding elements being deformable blisters which contain a fluid which is capable of being in a saturated vapor state when worn for a sufficient time to raise the fluid temperature to a temperature approaching normal human body temperature; and

means for retaining said padding elements in external contact with a human body.

3. A protective buffer padding element according to claim 2, wherein said blisters containing said fluid are interconnected together in sets.

4. A protective buffer padding element according to claim 3, wherein said sets of interconnected blisters are each provided with a respective filler valve.

5. A protective buffer padding element according to claim 3, wherein said sets of interconnected blisters are each provided with a respective expansion chamber in communication with said blisters through a pressure relief valve member.

6. A protective buffer padding element according to claim 4, wherein said sets of interconnected blisters are each provided with a respective expansion chamber in communication with said blisters through a pressure relief valve member.

7. A crash helmet incorporating a protective buffer padding comprising a plurality of padding elements adapted to be disposed in contact with the head of a human person wearing the helmet, each of said padding elements including:

a plurality of first deformable blisters secured in said helmet and interconnected together in sets and containing a fluid which is capable of being in a saturated vapor state when the helmet has been worn for a sufficient time to raise the fluid temperature to a temperature approaching normal human body temperature; and

a plurality of second damping deformable blisters secured in said helmet and containing a fluid each composed of a main chamber and a second pouch in mutual communication through a necked-in portion.

8. A crash helmet according to claim 7, wherein each of said sets of first blisters is provided with a respective filler valve.

9. A crash helmet according to claim 7, wherein each of said sets of interconnected blisters is provided with a respective expansion chamber in communication with said blisters through a pressure relief valve member.

10. A crash helmet according to claim 8, wherein each of said sets of interconnected blisters is provided with a respective expansion chamber in communication with said blisters through a pressure relief valve member.

11. A crash helmet according to claim 7, wherein said fluid is a mixture of Freon MF and Freon TF, the proportion of Freon MF being in the range of 20% to 50% by volume of liquid.

12. A crash helmet according to claim 11, wherein said mixture comprises 30% Freon MF and 70% Freon TF by volume of liquid.