Layered Helmet

Abstract

A helmet for reducing impact-related head trauma and pathology, including acute concussive and chronic sub-concussive injury, the helmet having a plurality of tensile and compressive layers configured to disperse, spread and absorb the kinetic energy of an impact force through a network of interlayer and intralayer structural motifs. The plurality of layers include a “shell layer”, preferably as a unibody construct, having a resilient framework of anastomosing reticulations defined by slots or cutouts so as to be capable of flexing cooperatively during an impact and recovering. The shell layer serves as a support for an exterior layer, generally an ordered layer of “scales” attached to the outside surface, each scale being mounted so as to resiliently yield, resist stretch, and cooperatively flex with shell members. A third layer, attached inside the shell layer, may include padding having multiple compressive and resilient elements configured to absorb and redirect kinetic energy laterally from a point of impact at one or more fractal scales. Collectively, the layers form the “body” of the helmet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A helmet for reducing concussive and cumulative sub-concussive injury, which comprises a helmet body configured to accommodate a human braincase, the helmet body having three, four or five layers, each layer contributing to a localized repeat of structural motifs formed of elements of more than one layer, each structural motif having a bending modulus and tensile modulus configured to cooperatively and laterally distribute a vectored force of an impact that would otherwise be directed at the braincase. 
     
     
         2 . A helmet for reducing concussive and cumulative sub-concussive injury, which comprises a helmet body configured to accommodate a human braincase, the helmet body having a plurality of layers including:
 i. an intermediate shell layer comprising a branched and interconnected framework of structural members defined by an array of slots or holes in said shell layer, wherein each said structural member is configured with an efficacious level of stiffness so as to flex cooperatively under progressive increases in the kinetic energy of an impact;   ii. an exterior body layer of scale elements attached as an array to said framework, wherein each said scale element is configured with an efficacious level of size, tensile strength and stiffness so as to flex cooperatively under progressive increases in the kinetic energy of an impact;   iii. an interior body layer of padding elements mounted inside said shell, said layer of padding elements having multiple elements of a supple and resilient material configured to absorb and laterally redirect kinetic energy of impact; and,   wherein said plurality of layers is characterized as having a bending modulus and a tensile modulus distinct from the moduli of any individual material.   
     
     
         3 . The helmet of  claim 2 , wherein said shell layer comprises a unibody frame having a latticework of structural members formed with branches and interconnections, and further wherein each said branch is configured with a tensile strength and an efficacious level of stiffness so as to flex cooperatively under progressive increases in kinetic energy of impact. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet of  claim 3 , wherein said scale layer comprises an array of detachably attachable scales completely covering the exterior of said unibody frame, each said scale having a thickness, a shape, a flexural stiffness intermediate between rigid and bendable, and a tensile strength greater than said tensile strength of said branches and interconnections of said shell, and further wherein said scale layer is attached by a fastener to said shell layer. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet of  claim 4 , wherein said scale elements of said array are dragonscales, coin-like scales, ovoid scales, fish scales, snake scales, or feather scales. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet of  claim 3 , wherein said latticework of structural members is reinforced by a double wishbone substructure integrated into said shell layer, wherein said wishbone substructure is defined by a stiffness greater than said branches, and further wherein said branches are joined by interconnections to said wishbone substructure. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet of  claim 4 , further comprising an elastomeric compressible layer between said external layer of scale elements and said shell layer. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet of  claim 2 , wherein said interior layer of padding elements comprises multiple compartments, wherein each said compartment is separated from proximate compartments by a partition of a supple and resilient material configured to absorb and laterally redirect kinetic energy of impact. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet of  claim 2 , wherein said interior layer of padding elements comprises multiple compartments, and each said compartments are in pneumatic or hydraulic communication through one or more interconnects dimensioned to resist redistribution of said fluid from compartment to compartment under load. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet of  claim 2 , wherein said padding elements are supported on a segmented breathable sheet configured to conform to a human skull; and further wherein said padding elements are filled with an elastic or resilient material. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet of  claim 10 , wherein said elastic or resilient material is an open celled foam, a closed celled foam, or a fluid. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet of  claim 8 , wherein said padding elements are separated by vented spaces having each a volume configured to receive flexural distortion of said partitions under load, said spaces narrowing an air gap between said shell layer and said breathable sheet. 
     
     
         13 . An improved helmet having a plurality of helmet body layers, said layers comprising:
 a) a shell layer having transverse slots defining lateral ribs between wishbone frame members, wherein said ribs are configured to flex independently.   b) a layer of scales attached as an array to said lateral ribs so as to form an impact absorption layer; and,   c) a layer of bristles mounted inside said helmet shell layer, said layer of bristles having multiple finger bristles of a pliant or resilient material separated by vented spaces, each vented space having a volume configured to receive flexural distortion of said bristles under load.   
     
     
         14 . The helmet body of  claim 13 , further comprising an outside layer of a compliant material that is slick and resistant to tensile loads. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet body of  claim 13 , further comprising an intermediate layer of a compressible elastomeric material between said layer of scales and said shell layer. 
     
     
         16 . The helmet body of  claim 13 , wherein one or more layers comprise segmented or sectional elements. 
     
     
         17 . The helmet body of  claim 16 , wherein said stiffer structural members are exposed on said external surface. 
     
     
         18 . The helmet body of  claim 13  having transparent windows in said layers configured around the temple of the wearer so as to increase peripheral vision while wearing said helmet.