US2013232668A1PendingUtilityA1

Helmet with multiple protective zones

56
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Mar 6, 2012Filed: Mar 6, 2012Published: Sep 12, 2013
Est. expiryMar 6, 2032(~5.6 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Loubert S. Suddaby
A42B 3/125A42B 3/122A42B 3/121A42B 3/064A42B 3/221A42B 3/14A42B 3/20
56
PatentIndex Score
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Cited by
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References
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Claims

Abstract

The present invention is a protective helmet having multiple zones of protection suitable for use in construction work, athletic endeavors, and similar activities. The helmet includes a hard outer protective that is suspended over a hard anchor zone by elastic cords extending between an elastomeric zone between the outer and inner zones. Fluid filed bladders are positioned in the elastomeric zone and bulge through one or more of a plurality of apertures located in the outer zone. In one embodiment, an additional crumple zone is present. The structure enables the helmet to divert linear and rotational forces away from the user's braincase.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
1 . A protective helmet having multiple protective zones comprising:
 an impenetrable outer protective zone formed by a hard outer shell, said hard outer shell including a plurality of apertures;   an anchor zone formed by a hard inner shell;   an inner zone formed by a padded inner liner functionally attached to said hard inner shell; and,   an elastomeric zone formed a plurality of fluid-filled bladders positioned between said outer shell and said padded inner liner and a plurality of elastomeric cords extending between and connecting said outer shell and said inner liner.   
     
     
         2 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 1  wherein said fluid in said fluid-filled bladder is a gas. 
     
     
         3 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 2  wherein said fluid is helium. 
     
     
         4 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 2  wherein said fluid is air. 
     
     
         5 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 1  wherein said fluid is a liquid. 
     
     
         6 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 5  wherein said fluid is water. 
     
     
         7 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a face protection device. 
     
     
         8 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 7  wherein said face protection device is a visor. 
     
     
         9 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 7  wherein said face protection device is a face mask. 
     
     
         10 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 7  further comprising at least one first elastomeric connector connecting said face protection device to said helmet. 
     
     
         11 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 1  further comprising elastomeric diaphragms over said plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         12 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 11  further comprising at least one liftable lid covering said elastomeric diaphragms. 
     
     
         13 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 1  further comprising at least one liftable lid covering said plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         14 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a crumple zone between said outer shell and said inner shell wherein said crumple zone includes intermediate shell enclosing cushioning pieces. 
     
     
         15 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 14  wherein said plurality of elastomeric cords passes through said intermediate shell. 
     
     
         16 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 1  wherein said inner padding is filled with cushioning pieces. 
     
     
         17 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a sliding connection between said outer shell and said inner shell. 
     
     
         18 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a second elastomeric connector connecting said outer shell and said inner shell. 
     
     
         19 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 18  wherein said second elastomeric connector is u-shaped. 
     
     
         20 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a chin strap. 
     
     
         21 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 1  wherein said plurality of apertures in said outer shell is replaced by a plurality of interstial spaces between said fluid bladders, wherein said fluid bladders expand into at least one of said plurality of interstial spaces between said outer shell and said inner shell when said helmet is struck by a linear or rotational force. 
     
     
         22 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 1  wherein at least one of said plurality of fluid-filled bladders is positioned under at least one of said plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         23 . A protective helmet having multiple protective zones comprising:
 an impenetrable outer protective zone formed by a hard outer shell, said hard outer shell including a plurality of apertures;   an anchor zone formed by a hard inner shell;   an inner zone formed by a padded inner liner functionally attached to said hard inner shell;   a crumple zone between said outer shell and said inner shell wherein said crumple zone includes intermediate shell enclosing cushioning pieces and,   an elastomeric zone formed a plurality of fluid-filled bladders positioned between said outer shell and said inner liner and a plurality of elastomeric cords extending between and connecting said outer shell and said inner liner.   
     
     
         24 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 23  wherein said fluid in said fluid-filled bladder is a gas. 
     
     
         25 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 24  wherein said fluid is helium. 
     
     
         26 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 24  wherein said fluid is air. 
     
     
         27 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 23  wherein said fluid is a liquid. 
     
     
         28 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 27  wherein said fluid is water. 
     
     
         29 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 23  further comprising a face protection device. 
     
     
         30 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 29  wherein said face protection device is a visor. 
     
     
         31 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 29  wherein said face protection device is a face mask. 
     
     
         32 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 29  further comprising at least one first elastomeric connector connecting said face protection device to said helmet. 
     
     
         33 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 23  further comprising elastomeric diaphragms over said plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         34 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 33  further comprising at least one liftable lid covering at least one of said elastomeric diaphragms. 
     
     
         35 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 23  further comprising at least one liftable lid covering at least one of said plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         36 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 23  wherein said inner padding is filled with cushioning pieces. 
     
     
         37 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 22  further comprising a sliding connection between said outer hell and said inner shell. 
     
     
         38 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 23  further comprising a second elastomeric connection connecting said outer shell and said inner shell. 
     
     
         39 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 38  wherein said second elastomeric connection is u-shaped. 
     
     
         40 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 23  further comprising a chin strap. 
     
     
         41 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 23  wherein said plurality of apertures in said outer shell is replaced by a plurality of interstial spaces between said fluid bladders, wherein said fluid bladders expand between said outer shell and said inner shell when said helmet is struck by a linear or rotational force. 
     
     
         42 . The protective helmet as recited in  claim 23  wherein at least one of said plurality of fluid-filled bladders is positioned under at least one of said plurality of apertures

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