Head impact force diversion system

• US 5,261,125 A
• Filed: 01/08/1992
• Issued: 11/16/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John E. Lowe, Rudolph Cartwright
• Original Assignee: John E. Lowe, Rudolph Cartwright
• Inventors: Cartwright, Rudolph, Lowe, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crowder, Clifford D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Worrell, Jr., Larry D.
• Application Number:
  US07/818,310
• Time in Patent Office: 678 Days
• Field of Search: 2/2, 2/3 R, 2/421, 2/425, 2/44, 2/45, 2/415, 2/416, 2/419, 2/422, 602/5, 602/12, 602/16, 602/17, 602/18, 602/19, 128/857, 128/869, 128/870, 128/874, 128/875, 128/876
• US Class Current: 2/421
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0473 Neck restraints

Abstract

A head impact force diversion system utilizes an apertured helmet, a rigid transfer arm, and a vest. The helmet, possessing an opening associated with an elevation which may be pivotable upon the helmet or integral with its surface, and vest are worn in a conventional manner. The rigid transfer arm is mounted and affixed to the vest and extends upward from the mounting, arches near and enters the aperture of the helmet, and terminates underneath the elevation. This system permits the usual range of motion of the head and neck during various activities and protects the head and neck when the helmet receives an impact force.

Claims

1. An apparatus for mounting upon a head and a torso of a human body for absorbing an impact force to said head and transferring that impact force to the torso, comprising:

a) torso attachment means for mounting upon said torso;

b) head protection means for mounting upon said head, said head protection means including an elevation with at least one aperture defined therein;

c) means for pivotably mounting said elevation to said head protection means; and

d) transfer means, affixed at a second end to said torso attachment means, extending through the aperture defined in the elevation of the head protection means and terminating at a first end having an expanded region, said first end being movably disposed within a cavity in the elevation.

2. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said elevation has an open and a closed position.

3. An apparatus as described in claim 2, wherein said elevation, when in the closed position, covers said first end of said transfer means, said first end of said transfer means terminating adjacent said head protection means.

4. An apparatus as described in claim 3, wherein said elevation further comprises a locking mechanism.

5. An apparatus as described in claim 4, wherein said locking mechanism comprises:

a) at least one retractable pin associated with the elevation,

b) means belonging to the head protection means for engaging said pin and for restraining movement of said pin to lock the elevation to the head protection means, and

c) means for selectively retracting said pin for disengaging said pin from said engagement means.

6. An apparatus as described in claim 5 further comprising a biasing means for resiliently biasing said pin outwardly from said elevation to engage the engaging means.

7. An apparatus as described in claim 5, wherein the engaging means comprises at least one boss mounted adjacent said elevation, said boss adapted to receive and restrain said retractable pin.

8. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said head protection means is a helmet.

9. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said head protection means further comprises a strap for securing said head protection means to said head.

10. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said first end of said at least one transfer means is adapted for insertion into at least one aperture of said head projection means, said first end being movably restrained adjacent the surface of said head protection means.

11. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said at least one transfer means further comprises a plurality of mounting sites, said mounting sites allowing for mounting of said at least one transfer means in a corresponding plurality of positions with respect to said torso mounting means.

12. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said transfer means is a rigid arm.

13. An apparatus as described in claim 1, wherein said torso mounting means comprises:

a) a front portion and a rear portion; and

b) at least one two part fastening means having a first part affixed to said front portion and having a second part affixed to said rear portion, said first part and second part being engageable to secure said torso mounting means to a torso.