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Helmet and shoulder pads having inflatable protective means to protect cervical spine

  • US 5,390,367 A
  • Filed: 05/25/1993
  • Issued: 02/21/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/10/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A helmet for protection of the cervical spine of a wearer against axial compressive force sufficient to cause serious injury, comprising:

  • a rigid helmet having a lower rim for at least partially encircling the head of the wearer, said helmet being defined by an exterior surface including a crown area;

    extensible means generally disposed along said lower rim and normally not projecting substantially below said lower rim but being extendable therebelow to engage the shoulders of the wearer and substantially transfer to the shoulders the force of an external impact on the crown area of said helmet; and

    gas-operable means carried by said helmet for extending said extensible means to engage the shoulders of a wearer within less than 25 milliseconds of an external impact on said crown area of said helmet, said gas-operable means including(i) means carried by said helmet for almost instantaneously generating gas for operating said gas-operable means, and(ii) sensor means for operating said gas-generating means, said sensor means having at least a portion thereof disposed externally to said helmet as defined by said exterior surface, said sensor means operating said gas-generating means on an external impact with a predetermined force to rapidly extend said extensible means to engage the shoulders of a wearer so as to be able to transfer the impact force to the shoulders instead of directly through said helmet and head of the wearer generally axially to the cervical spine of the wearer, said sensor means being carried in a patch attached to the crown area of the exterior surface of said helmet.

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