Enhanced impact absorption strips for protective head gear

Abstract

An integrated impact energy absorption system application for enhanced safety performance of sports related protective head gear. A multiplicity of pattern positioned energy shock absorption impact strips of high performance dual elastomeric polyurethane resin of the invention are selectively secured in a pattern orientation on a sports helmet to protect critical vulnerable locations on the exterior thereof. Preformed impact absorption strips are of a composite construction having internalized compartment energy attenuating cells in a repetitive matrix construction for enhanced forced absorption and deflection to the helmet surface to which they are so secured.

Therefore I claim: 
     
         1 . A surface impact energy absorption apparatus comprising, an absorption deflection strip selectively attached to the exterior surface of a helmet,
 said strip comprising, a contoured upper engagement portion having a continuous flat top surface with oppositely disposed tapered top transition surfaces of reduced transverse dimension, a matrix of interconnected walls formed within said upper engagement portion in spaced relation to said respective top and said tapered top transition surfaces defining a plurality of cylindrical cells therewithin,   an integrated base closure portion overlying said interconnected walls of said cylindrical cells defining multiple energy absorbing cells,   said base closure portion having a flat wall engagement surface and an oppositely disposed parallel flat helmet engaging surface.   
     
     
         2 . The surface impact energy absorption apparatus set forth in  claim 1  wherein said matrix of interconnected walls forming said cylindrical energy absorbing cells being hexagonal shaped. 
     
     
         3 . The surface impact energy absorption apparatus set forth in  claim 1  wherein said upper engagement portion has an elongated recess in communication with said interconnected walls. 
     
     
         4 . The surface impact energy absorption apparatus set forth in  claim 3  wherein said base portion has oppositely disposed recess end tab surfaces, and is registerable within said upper engagement portion elongated recess in co-planar alignment therewithin. 
     
     
         5 . The surface impact energy absorption apparatus set forth in  claim 1  wherein said contoured upper engagement portion and said integrated base closure portion are molded of synthetic resin visco elastic polymer material. 
     
     
         6 . The surface impact energy absorption apparatus set forth in  claim 1  wherein said absorption deflection strip is selectively attached to the exterior surface of said helmet by adhesive on said flat equipment engaging surface of said base closure portion. 
     
     
         7 . The surface impact energy absorption apparatus set forth in  claim 1  wherein said base portion flat helmet engaging surface is micro textured. 
     
     
         8 . The surface impact energy absorption apparatus set forth in  claim 1  wherein multiple absorption deflection strips are attached to the helmet in a multiple spaced pattern orientation relative to one another. 
     
     
         9 . The surface impact energy absorption apparatus set forth in  claim 1  wherein said energy absorption cells have a hexagonal shape formed by said interconnected walls.