Apparatus and method for facilitating emergency helmet removal

Abstract

A safety helmet, such as for use with motorcycles, race vehicles, off-road vehicles, boats, skiing, and similar activities which pose a risk to the head and neck of individuals. The inventive helmet is beneficially configured for being readily removed in the case of emergency, such as if the wearer experiences a collision. The helmet can only be readily separated electronically under proper conditions, therein allowing portions of the helmet to be removed without undue forces being applied to the head and neck of the wearer. A separation preparation indicator is also described for providing indications of whether an adjacent and/or remote assembly configured with releasable portions attached with electrically responsive adhesive has been deactivated, and has the advantage of accurately indicating the state of the releasable portion as the indicator is subject to the same electrical stimulation and electrically releasable adhesive.

1 . A helmet apparatus worn on the head for preventing head and neck injury, comprising: 
 at least a first and second outer shell section;    a conductive interface proximal to where said at least first outer shell section and second outer shell section are to be joined to create the exterior of the helmet shell;    an electrically responsive adhesive retained between the conductive interface portions of said first outer shell section and said second outer shell section;    wherein the helmet outer shell is formed with at least said first and second sections joined by said adhesive is configured to remain intact despite encountering a collision event;    at least one layer of inner padding within said helmet outer shell and configured to increase comfort and reduce impact forces on the head of a wearer inserted within the padding interior of the outer shell; and    an emergency activation means configured for providing a sufficient electrical stimulus between conductive interfaces on at least said first and second sections of said outer shell for deactivating the bonding of said adhesive;    thereby in response to emergency activation the sections of said helmet can be readily separated from each other and the head of the user without the conventional forces required to remove a helmet with an intact outer shell.    
   
   
       2 . A helmet as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said helmet outer shell is formed by attaching two or more outer shell sections, each having a conductive interface, with said electrically responsive adhesive.  
   
   
       3 . A helmet as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said electrically responsive adhesive debonds in response to a sufficient current being passed across the regions of the adhesive connection.  
   
   
       4 . A helmet as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a connector, jack, or receptacle providing connection with said conductive interfaces on said at least first and second helmet shell sections.  
   
   
       5 . A helmet as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising means for authenticating the emergency situation prior to deactivation of adhesive bonding.  
   
   
       6 . A helmet as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said authenticating means comprises: 
 a first electrical circuit having outputs connecting to said conductive interface of said shell sections and inputs configured for receiving an electrical signal; and    a signature validation circuit which responds to the receipt of a properly formatted electrical signal on its input by triggering said first electrical circuit into outputting an electrical signal to deactivate said electrically responsive adhesive retained between said conductive interfaces.    
   
   
       7 . A helmet as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said authenticating means comprises: 
 a control circuit, helmet coupled, having outputs connecting to said conductive interface of said shell sections and inputs configured for receiving an electrical signal;    a memory within said electrical circuit configured for retaining a signature pattern;    a microprocessor coupled to said memory and within said control circuit; and    programming configured for execution on said microprocessor for, 
 registering a signature received on said inputs,  
 comparing said received signature with the signature pattern retained in said memory,  
 generating a signal to deactivate said electrically responsive adhesive retained between said conductive interfaces in response to a sufficient match of the incoming signature with the pattern stored in memory.  
   
   
   
       8 . A helmet as recited in  claim 7:   wherein said inputs configured for receiving an electrical signal comprise an electrical connection which remains accessible while the helmet is being worn; and    wherein said control circuit is configured for receiving a voltage through said electrical connection which provides operating power;    wherein said received signature is conveyed as an electrical signal superimposed on said voltage, or which is conveyed on one or more separate signal connections.    
   
   
       9 . A helmet as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said at least first and second outer shell sections are configured for being joined at said conductive interface in an overlapping manner, therein providing additional adhesive surface area over that provided by adhering said first and said sections in a butt joint.  
   
   
       10 . A helmet system worn on the head for preventing head and neck injury, comprising: 
 at least a first and second outer shell section;    a conductive interface proximal to where said at least first outer shell section and second outer shell section are to be joined to create the exterior of the helmet shell;    an electrically responsive adhesive retained between the conductive interface portions of said first outer shell section and said second outer shell section;    wherein the helmet outer shell is formed with at least said first and second sections joined by said adhesive and is configured to remain intact despite encountering a collision event;    at least one layer of inner padding within said helmet outer shell and configured to increase comfort and reduce impact forces on the head of a wearer inserted within the padding on the interior of the outer shell; and    a helmet release key assembly configured for deactivating the adhesive to allow removal of said first and second sections of said helmet, and comprising, 
 a power source,  
 a memory for retaining a signature pattern,  
 a control circuit for supplying power and generating said signature pattern;  
   a helmet release control circuit having outputs connecting to said conductive interface of said shell sections and an electrical input configured for receiving said helmet release key, and comprising, 
 a power circuit configured for applying power to said helmet release control circuit in response to receiving electrical power from said helmet key release assembly,  
 a memory configured for retaining a signature pattern,  
 a microprocessor,  
 programming configured for execution on said microprocessor for, 
 registering a signature received on said electrical input from the helmet release key,  
 comparing said received signature with the signature pattern retained in said memory,  
 generating a signal to deactivate said electrically responsive adhesive retained between said conductive interfaces in response to a sufficient match of the incoming signature with the pattern stored in memory.  
 
   
   
   
       11 . A method of fabricating a helmet which can be removed from the head of the wearer in sections in emergency situations, comprising: 
 forming the exterior shell of the helmet as multiple separate sections configured for being joined to one another to form a complete helmet shell;    adapting at least a portion of the edges of said separate sections with a conductor;    joining said multiple separate sections of said shell with an electrically responsive adhesive whose bonding strength is significantly abated in response to the application of a sufficient electrical stimulus; and    routing conductors from said conductors on said separate shell sections for access by persons while helmet is being worn.    
   
   
       12 . A method as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising interconnecting a control circuit on said conductors to control the conditions under which the adhesive is deactivated.  
   
   
       13 . A method as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said control circuit is configured for comparing a signature received from an external signal with an internal signature and generating an electrical signal for deactivating said adhesive in response.