Concussion indicator

• US 8,925,118 B2
• Filed: 12/03/2013
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Antonio Pietrantonio
• Original Assignee: Antonio Pietrantonio
• Inventors: Pietrantonio, Antonio
• Primary Examiner(s): Muromoto, Jr., Bobby
• Application Number:
  US14/094,885
• Publication Number:
  US 20140288462A1
• Time in Patent Office: 399 Days
• US Class Current: 2/425
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/046 Means for detecting hazards or accidents
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4076 Diagnosing or monitoring particular conditions of the nervous system A61B5/4821, A61B5/4824 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6803 Head-worn items, e.g. helmets, masks, headphones or goggles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/742 using visual displays A61B5/339 takes precedence

Abstract

A concussion indicator that may easily be applied to a helmet is provided. The concussion indicator may visually or audibly provide indicators relating to impacts creating accelerations of the helmet that likely cause a concussion. In some embodiments, three separate indicators may be used within a single base; each indicator is configured to indicate at impacts relating to different concussion grades. A rear of the base is attachable to a surface such as an interior or exterior of a helmet. Upon a concussion triggering acceleration, the concussion indicator will indicate that a concussion is likely. This display may be seen or heard by observers if the indicator is on an exterior of the helmet, and by the user or someone who removes the user'"'"'s helmet if it is on the inside of the helmet.

Claims

1. A concussion indicator comprising:

a base;

a first impact capsule attached to the base, configured to provide a visual indication upon receiving an impact causing acceleration at a rate likely to cause a grade one concussion;

a second impact capsule attached to the base, configured to provide a visual indication upon receiving an impact causing an acceleration at a rate likely to cause a grade two concussion;

a third impact capsule attached to the base, and configured to provide visual indication upon receiving an impact causing an acceleration at a rate likely to cause a grade three concussion;

wherein the impact capsules are arranged in ascending indicating order, the first impact capsule being adjacent to the second impact capsule, the third impact capsule being adjacent to the second impact capsule.

2. The concussion indicator of claim 1 wherein the first, second, and third impact capsules are removable from the base.

3. The concussion indicator of claim 2 wherein the rear of the base defines a first opening allowing the first impact capsule to be removed from the base.

4. The concussion indicator of claim 2 wherein the first, second, and third impact capsules are removable from the base through the rear of the base.

5. The concussion indicator of claim 1 wherein the base further comprises a first wall between a first chamber of the base and a second chamber of the base, and a second wall between the second chamber and a third chamber of the base, the first impact capsule being positioned in the first chamber, the second impact capsule being positioned in the second chamber, the third impact capsule being positioned in the third chamber.

6. The concussion indicator of claim 1 wherein the base has a substantially rectangular rear face.

7. The concussion indicator of claim 1 wherein an outer face of the base adjacent to the first impact capsule comprises a first marking to indicate a grade one concussion;

wherein an outer face of the base adjacent to the second impact capsule comprises a second marking to indicate a grade two concussion; and

wherein an outer face of the base adjacent to the third impact capsule comprises a third marking to indicate a grade three concussion.

8. A helmet having the concussion indicator of claim 1, wherein the concussion indicator is attached to an outer surface of the helmet by an adhesive disposed on the rear of the base.

9. A helmet having the concussion indicator of claim 1, wherein the concussion indicator is attached to an inner surface of the helmet by an adhesive disposed on the rear of the base.

10. The concussion indicator of claim 1 wherein each of the first, second and third impact capsules comprises a substantially transparent cylinder, and a membrane within the cylinder separating two compounds, the membrane having a different material composition from the cylinder, the two compounds configured to cause a visible change in color when mixed, the membrane configured to rupture upon a predetermined acceleration.

11. The concussion indicator of claim 1 wherein each impact capsule is crush resistant and capable of withstanding a direct impact approximately three times greater than the impact causing an acceleration at a rate likely to cause a grade three concussion.

12. The concussion indicator of claim 1 wherein the base defines a window allowing viewing of at least one of the first impact capsule, second impact capsule, and third impact capsule from a front of the base.

13. A concussion indicator comprising:

a base;

a first impact capsule attached to the base, configured to provide a visual indication upon receiving an impact causing acceleration at a rate likely to cause a concussion;

a second impact capsule attached to the base, configured to provide a visual indication upon receiving an impact causing an acceleration at a rate likely to cause a severe concussion;

wherein the impact capsules are arranged in ascending indicating order, the second impact capsule being to the right of, and adjacent to, the second impact capsule.

14. The concussion indicator of claim 13 wherein the first, and second impact capsules are removable from the base.

15. The concussion indicator of claim 14 wherein the first and second impact capsules are removable from the base through the rear of the base.

16. The concussion indicator of claim 13 wherein the base further comprises a first wall between a first chamber of the base and a second chamber of the base, the first impact capsule being positioned in the first chamber, the second impact capsule being positioned in the second chamber.

17. The concussion indicator of claim 13 wherein an outer face of the base adjacent to the first impact capsule comprises a marking to indicate a grade one concussion;

wherein an outer face of the base adjacent to the second impact capsule comprises a marking to indicate a grade two concussion.

18. A helmet having the concussion indicator of claim 13, wherein the concussion indicator is attached to an outer surface of the helmet by the adhesive disposed on the rear of the base.

19. The concussion indicator of claim 13 wherein each of the first and second impact capsules comprises a substantially transparent cylinder, and a membrane within the cylinder separating two compounds, the membrane having a different material composition from the cylinder, the two compounds configured to cause a visible change in color when mixed, the membrane configured to rupture upon a predetermined acceleration.

20. The concussion indicator of claim 13 wherein each impact capsule is crush resistant and capable of withstanding a direct impact approximately three times greater than the impact causing an acceleration at a rate likely to cause a grade three concussion.