Flexible helmet liner

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a helmet safety liner. More particularly, the invention encompasses a liquid-gel impact reaction liner for a motorcycle helmet. The present invention is also directed to a novel liquid-gel impact reaction liner for a half-shell motorcycle helmet. The inventive helmet could also have at least one cushion or intermediate layer which could be secured by one or more securing means.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A flexible helmet liner comprising:
 a first surface and a second surface, wherein the first surface is secured to the second surface to form a completely sealed fluid sack layer defining a continuous compartment;   a plurality of through holes extending between the first surface and the second surface; and   a liquid securely entrapped inside the continuous compartment, wherein the liquid is free to freely move inside the continuous chamber.   
     
     
         22 . The flexible helmet liner recited in claim  1 , wherein the liquid comprises a material selected from a group consisting of thermoplastic elastomers, elastomeric materials, polymeric materials, styrene-olefin-rubber block copolymers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic poly olefins, polyamides, polyureas, polyesters, silicone gels, polymeric gels, synthetic gels, soy based gels, polymer materials that reversibly soften as a function of temperature, a copolymer of styrene/ethylene-co-butylene/styrene, and a styrene/butadiene/styrene with mineral oil incorporated into the matrix as a plasticizer. 
     
     
         23 . The flexible helmet liner recited in claim  1 , wherein the fluid sack layer comprises a material selected from a group consisting of fabric, leather, leatherboard, expanded vinyl foam, flocked vinyl film, coagulated polyurethane, latex foam on scrim, supported polyurethane foam, laminated polyurethane film, polyurethane, styrene-butadiene-rubber, acrylonitrile-butadiene, acrylonitrile terpolymers and copolymers, vinyls, acrylics, a soft elastomeric material, a gelatinous elastomers, a natural rubber, a synthetic rubber, foam, thermoplastic elastomer, polyurethane elastomer, silicone elastomer, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) elastomer, olefinic elastomer, polyamide elastomer, and gelatinous elastomer. 
     
     
         24 . The flexible helmet liner recited in claim  1 , wherein each of the plurality of through holes is adapted to shrink under pressure, and wherein the fluid sack is adapted to expand under pressure. 
     
     
         25 . The flexible helmet liner recited in claim  1 , wherein the fluid sack comprises at least one continuous compartment containing the liquid. 
     
     
         26 . The flexible helmet liner recited in claim  1 , wherein each of the plurality of through holes is uniformly positioned around the flexible helmet liner. 
     
     
         27 . The flexible helmet liner recited in claim  1 , wherein the continuous chamber comprises a continuous chamber extending from a front to a back of the flexible helmet liner. 
     
     
         28 . The flexible helmet liner recited in claim  1 , wherein the continuous chamber comprises a continuous chamber extending between sides of the flexible helmet liner. 
     
     
         29 . The flexible helmet liner recited in claim  1 , wherein the continuous compartment comprises one continuous compartment. 
     
     
         30 . The flexible helmet liner recited in claim  1 , wherein the liquid comprises a variable viscosity liquid. 
     
     
         31 . The flexible helmet liner recited in claim  1 , wherein the liquid comprises propylene glycol. 
     
     
         32 . The flexible helmet liner recited in claim  1 , wherein the flexible liner comprises one of a synthetic impact gel and a soy-based impact gel. 
     
     
         33 . The flexible helmet liner recited in claim  1 , wherein each of the plurality of through holes comprises an inner wall, and wherein the inner wall forms a substantially straight inner wall surface between the first surface and the second surface.