Method and apparatus for testing football helmets
First Claim
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1. A method for testing a helmet comprising the steps of:
- placing a helmet upon a headform having a plurality of accelerometers to measure linear and rotational acceleration;
striking the helmet with a weighted pendulum to impart an impact force, and measuring linear acceleration and rotational acceleration of the headform caused by the impact force.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for testing a football helmet utilizes a weighted pendulum arm to impart an impact force upon the helmet. Linear head acceleration and rotational head acceleration caused by the impact force is measured and a Head Impact Power Index is computed and used as a standard to judge the ability and effectiveness of the football helmet in preventing injury to a football player.
103 Citations
33 Claims
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1. A method for testing a helmet comprising the steps of:
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placing a helmet upon a headform having a plurality of accelerometers to measure linear and rotational acceleration;
striking the helmet with a weighted pendulum to impart an impact force, and measuring linear acceleration and rotational acceleration of the headform caused by the impact force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for testing a football helmet, having an outer surface and an upper portion comprising:
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a pendulum arm having first and second ends;
the first end of the pendulum arm being mounted for rotational movement;
a weight disposed on the second end of the pendulum arm; and
a headform disposed upon a base, the headform including a plurality of accelerometers, adapted to measure linear head acceleration and rotational head acceleration by an impact force upon the headform, whereby the football helmet may be tested after the football helmet is placed on the headform and struck with the weight. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An apparatus for resting a helmet, the apparatus comprising:
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a support frame having a pendulum arm with a weighted end and a headform configured to receive a helmet; and
,a plurality of accelerometers positioned within the headform to measure the linear and rotational acceleration resulting from a strike of the weighted end. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
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26. An apparatus for testing a sports helmet, the apparatus comprising:
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a support frame;
a weighted pendulum operably connected to the support frame;
a headform affixed to the support flame and configured to receive the helmet, the headform having a plurality of accelerometers to measure the acceleration resulting from the weighted pendulum striking the helmet. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. An apparatus for testing a sports helmet comprising:
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a pendulum arm having first and second ends, the first end of the pendulum arm being mounted for rotational movement;
a weight disposed on the second end of the pendulum arm; and
,a headform disposed upon a base, the headform configured to receive the helmet, the headform comprising an accelerometer to measure acceleration of the headform.
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Specification