Safety helmet

Abstract

A safety helmet is described which includes means to allow the impact status or history of the helmet to be determined. The means may comprise an electrical sensor or alternatively may be arranged to provide a visible indication in the event of an impact.

1 . A helmet comprising a shock absorbing element and means associated therewith to provide an indication of the impact status or history of the helmet.  
   
   
       2 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the said means comprises an electrical impact sensor.  
   
   
       3 . A helmet according to  claim 2 , wherein the electrical impact sensor comprises at least one capacitor, the electrical capacitance of which changes in the event of an impact.  
   
   
       4 . A helmet according to  claim 2 , wherein the electrical impact sensor comprises a strain gauge sensitive to the occurrence of an impact.  
   
   
       5 . A helmet according to  claim 4 , wherein the strain gauge incorporates a piezo electric component.  
   
   
       6 . A helmet according to  claim 2 , wherein the electrical impact sensor comprises a quantum tunnelling material, and monitoring means arranged to monitor the electrical properties of the quantum tunnelling material.  
   
   
       7 . A helmet according to  claim 2 , further comprising a memory arranged to record data representative of the occurrence of impacts.  
   
   
       8 . A helmet according to  claim 2 , further comprising a monitoring unit arranged to monitor the output of the impact sensor.  
   
   
       9 . A helmet according to  claim 8 , wherein the monitoring unit is connected to the impact sensor periodically.  
   
   
       10 . A helmet according to  claim 2 , further comprising a warning device arranged to trigger a warning in the event that the impact sensor has detected the occurrence of an impact of magnitude greater than a predetermined magnitude.  
   
   
       11 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the said means comprises a component the state of which changes in the event of an impact exceeding a predetermined threshold, the state of the component being apparent to a user of the helmet.  
   
   
       12 . A helmet according to  claim 11 , wherein the change in state of the component is visibly apparent.  
   
   
       13 . A helmet according to  claim 12 , wherein the helmet includes a transparent element to allow the state of the component to be determined.  
   
   
       14 . A helmet according to  claim 12 , wherein the colour of the component changes in the event of an impact.  
   
   
       15 . A helmet according to  claim 12 , wherein the component is arranged to break, crack, shatter or otherwise visibly deform in the event of an impact.  
   
   
       16 . A helmet according to  claim 12 , wherein the component includes at least one rupturable ink or dye reservoir arranged to rupture, break, leak or overflow in the event of an impact.  
   
   
       17 . (canceled)