Helmet suspension system

Abstract

A head protection system is disclosed herein. The system may comprise a helmet having a rigid exterior shell and a padded interior. A shoulder cuff may be disposable over left and right shoulders of the wearer. A plurality of pistons may be attached to the helmet and the shoulder cuff. Each of the pistons may be fluidly connected to each other through a tube and ultimately to a reservoir. The tube may have a small inner diameter to provide resistance to movement of the pistons during rapid deceleration or acceleration of the helmet with respect to the wearer's body.

1 . A head protection system comprising:
 a helmet having a rigid exterior shell;   a shoulder cuff disposable over left and right shoulders of a wearer;   a plurality of pistons, each piston defining a first end portion pivotally attached to the rigid exterior shell of the helmet and a second end portion pivotally attached to the shoulder cuff, each piston having a fluid cavity;   a viscous fluid disposed within the fluid cavities of the pistons; and   a tube fluidly connected to the fluid cavities of the pistons for transferring fluid from the fluid cavity of one piston to the fluid cavity of another piston, the tube having a sufficiently small inner diameter to allow relatively free movement of a wearer's head under normal circumstances but limits the fluid exchange rate upon sudden movement of the wearer's head.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a fluid reservoir fluidly connected to the tube for receiving excess fluid released from the pistons or for providing additional fluid to the pistons. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the fluid reservoir is a deformable bladder. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the deformable bladder further includes a removeably attachable fill cap. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a swivel joint attached to each of the first end portions of the pistons and wherein second end portions of the pistons are pivotally attached to the shoulder cuff. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  comprising four pistons, each piston having three stages. 
   
   
       7 . A helmet suspension system attachable to an existing helmet, the helmet suspension system providing protection from neck and back injuries due to an impact, the system comprising:
 a shoulder cuff disposable over left and right shoulders of a wearer;   a plurality of pistons, each piston defining a first end portion pivotally disposable adjacent to the exterior of the helmet and a second end portion pivotally attached to the shoulder cuff, each piston having a fluid cavity;   a viscous fluid disposed within the fluid cavities of the pistons;   a tube fluidly connected to the fluid cavities of the pistons for transferring fluid from the fluid cavity of one piston to the fluid cavity of another piston, the tube having a sufficiently small inner diameter to allow relatively free movement of a wearer's head under normal circumstances but restricts sudden movement of the wearer's head due to the viscosity of the fluid and the small inner diameter;   a pad pivotally attached to each of the first end portions of the pistons; and   a net of straps attached to the helmet and the pads for holding each of the pads in place adjacent to the exterior of the helmet during impact.   
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 7  wherein the net of straps includes:
 a first set of straps attachable to an inner peripheral edge of an eye opening of the helmet on the left and right sides of the helmet, fed through the pads disposed on left and right sides of the helmet;   a second set of straps attachable to the inner peripheral edge of the eye opening of the helmet on top of the helmet;   a third set of straps attached to the pads and attachable to a lower edge of the helmet; and   an adjuster attached to the first and second set of straps and operative to tension the net of straps.   
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the adjuster is threaded. 
   
   
       10 . A method of setting up a helmet suspension system on a wearer engaged in a physical activity, the method comprising the steps of:
 placing the helmet suspension system on the wearer;   with the wearer in a normal position for the physical activity, removing a fill cap of a deformable fluid reservoir;   filling the fluid reservoir or removing fluid from the fluid reservoir to mitigate bias on pistons of the helmet suspension system; and   attaching the fill cap to the deformable fluid reservoir.   
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of bleeding all air from a hydraulic system of the helmet suspension system. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the steps of transferring a viscous fluid through a sufficiently small lumen of a tube interconnecting the pistons to resist sudden movement of the wearer's head.