Concussive Reduction Helmet Attachment(s) Translational Axial Rotation Control and Bracing System (TARCBS).

Abstract

A concussive reduction helmet attachment system which reduces the total area available for acceleration of the head in all axis, specifically designed to provide a measured reduction in accelerative force at the critical moment within the blow. A helmet attachment that reduces the factors that contribute to mechanical transfer of energy to the brain thereby reducing potential traumatic brain injury, concussions and neck compression. A helmet augmentation for body-contact sport helmets, also having utility for military ground based personnel helmets where blunt force trauma injury to the head and neck are apt to occur. A concussive helmet attachment having a Translational Axial Rotation Control Bracing System (TARCBS) that transfers mechanical energy to the torso, reduces available area for linear and rotational acceleration while reducing potential for neck and spinal injury. A concussive helmet attachment having two construction types, single and multiple component and three embodiments: hard, soft and mechanical.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . The concussive reduction helmet attachment system, which specifically reduces the total accelerative movement area between the head and shoulders thereby reducing the area for head accelerative movement in all axis between the helmet and the shoulders, torso or flak jacket, and;
 by reducing the total area for accelerative movement the force application within this reduced area of movement must be increased to reach a threshold where harm can take place, because acceleration and potential acceleration is reduced, therefore there is a mathematical reduction in the number of hits that potentially will be able to achieve the injury threshold within the new parameters of the reduced total accelerative movement area, thereby increasing the safety of the helmet, and;   the acceleration required to reach the new harm threshold will mathematically be increased within the new smaller total accelerative movement area thereby also increasing the safety of the helmet which will reduces the mechanical transfer of energy to the neck, head and brain and reduce the potential for injury of the wearer, and;   the concussive reduction helmet attachment creates a clearance gap between the attachment and the torso of the wearer to provide an area of free but limited movement in all axis, and;   said clearance gap also provides a method for the current invention to further reduce and control accelerative forces through application of bracing surfaces, rotational limiting bracing edges and mechanical components to manage and dissipate force throughout the hit, and;   the concussive reduction helmet attachment provides the ability to manage force at the critical moment within the hit which allows for controlled reduction of acceleration in all axis throughout the duration of the impact and provides symmetrical reduction in force and breaking in all axis to include the ability to brace prior to an impact and the ability to seat the helmet to the torso/shoulder pads or flax jacket of the wearer through applying resistive force seats the bracing surfaces and rotational edges as applicable to change how accelerative forces act on the body by significantly reducing and eliminating coup counter coup movement of the head which is known to cause concussions.   
     
     
         2 . A concussive reduction helmet attachment system designed to reduce the accelerative movement area available for the head between the helmet and torso, and;
 manage the mechanical transfer of concussive forces away from the brain to reduce potential brain injury, soft tissue damage and neck compression injury having utility in contact sports and ground combat operations where blunt force trauma to the head is apt to occur, comprising;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system that limits linear, translational, axial rotation and has the ability to control the range of acceleration and bracing system to manage accelerative potential and movement, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system which protect the portion of the body between the head and shoulders as a single unit against the application of a strong force, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system which reduces the total accelerative movement area between the helmet and the torso because reducing the area for accelerative movement is proportional to reducing potential of injury, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system that manages the total accelerative area between the head and torso/shoulder pads or flak jacket and;   by managing and reducing the area for acceleration creates a requirement for a larger magnitude of force within the reduced area of acceleration to be able to meet or exceed the harm threshold thereby mathematically reducing the total number of hits that reach said threshold making the helmet safer and reducing the mechanical transfer of energy to the head, neck and brain, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system which extends distally from the connective edge of the helmet attachment towards the torso stopping at a pre-determined distances from the torso for the purpose of reducing the total accelerative area available between the helmet and the torso of the wearer, and   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system that creates a clearance gap between the bracing surfaces and the torso/shoulder pads or flak jacket of the wearer, and;   a clearance gap where the wearer has the ability to control the area of free movement and can at will open and close the clearance gap space by lowering the chin and hunching the shoulders up to brace or seat the attachments to the torso, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system having a clearance gap which allows the factors of the attachment which manage concussive forces to work independently and concurrently to provide a way to manage force during the critical moment within the hit, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment where the clearance gap allows the wearer to have limited free movement in all axis, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system that reduces total peek acceleration force by providing earlier intervention and dissipation of force in the hit because the reduction in the total accelerative area allow for quicker implementation of the attachments because there is less total accelerative space to move in before the attachments are engaged, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system that provides for managed force decelerated and absorption before by bracing, during through force dissipation and reduction and throughout the duration of the blow, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system that reduces the total acceleration force of the hit to the helmet by transferring force to the torso through the process of bracing, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system having a contoured bracing surface where the user has the ability to close the clearance gap and contact, brace and seat the contoured bracing surfaces against the torso for the purpose bracing for the blow, improving rigidity, and reducing linear and translational acceleration, and;   the function of the contoured bracing surface is to ergonomically connect the helmet to the torso thereby significantly increasing the effective mass of the helmet, and;   by creating the proper clearance between the bracing surfaces of the TARCBS and the shoulder pads the wearer can increase the pressure between the bracing surface and the shoulder pads through resistive force to increase rigidity, and;   the seating of the contoured bracing surfaces on the torso provide even distribution of accelerative force to the torso by increasing the area for force dissipation which improves the helmet's ability to transfer force to the torso thereby reducing the transfer of linear and translational acceleration and mechanical energy to the brain, and;   the contoured bracing surfaces have two embodiments the first is a contoured bracing surface with no padding where deceleration, force absorption and force dissipation is conducted by the natural resilience and energy absorption of the helmet, torso/shoulder pads or flax jacket of the wearer, and;   the second embodiment of the contoured bracing surface is padded with either a friable material a force absorbent material or a combination thereof which assists in the fit of the TARCBS contoured bracing surface, improves the friction of the contact with the torso and enhances force absorption by the TARCBS, improves transfer and dissipation of force to the torso, and enhances the comfort for the wearer, and;   A concussive reduction helmet attachment that through seated resistant force bracing of the helmet reduces the week point of the neck and changes the dynamics of translational acceleration, changing the dynamics of how translational acceleration effects the body of the wearer thereby reducing the mechanical transfer of energy to the head, neck and brain, and;   bracing of the TARCBS provides the ability for the attachments to transfer kinetic force to the torso and away from the head thereby reducing potential for whiplash or coup counter coup movement of the head a movement known to cause brain, skeletal and soft tissue damage to the head and neck during an impact of magnitude, and;   bracing the helmet also increases the helmet's ability to dissipate, and distribute the kinetic force of the impact(s) over a larger area, the wearer's shoulders and chest which reduces the mechanical transferred of energy to the head, neck and brain, and;   the ergonomic contours of the bracing surfaces perpendicularly connect the helmet to the torso via the TARCBS and limit the kinetic load placed on the cervical vertebra during impact thereby reducing potential for neck compression, hyperflexion, lateralflexion and hyperextension of the cervical spine, and;   the concussive attachment rotational bracing edges(s) are defined as surfaces that are designed to contact the torso or gear upon the torso perpendicularly to limit, reduce and stop rotational movement in all axis focusing on the Z axis, and;   there are three specific functions of the TARCBS attachment rotational bracing edges(s): to reduce rotational acceleration space, dissipate rotational force symmetrically to the torso and ergonomically contact the torso perpendicularly to stop rotational movement about the Z axis and transfer said rotational acceleration energy to the torso thereby reducing the mechanical transfer of energy to the brain, and;   the rotational bracing edges(s) have two embodiments the first is a contoured bracing surface with no padding where deceleration, force absorption and force dissipation is conducted by the natural resilience and energy absorption of the torso/shoulder pads or flax jacket of the wearer, to reduce rotation about the Z axis and;   the second embodiment of the rotational bracing edges(s) are a bracing surface which is padded with either a friable material a force absorbent material or a combination thereof which assists in the fit of the TARCBS rotational bracing edge(s) contacting the torso and enhances force absorption by the TARCBS, improves transfer and dissipation of force to the torso, and enhances the comfort for the wearer, while reducing rotation in all axis especially the Z axis, and;   A concussive reduction helmet attachment that arrests movement of the head in all axis by bracing which stops the movement of the helmet thereby allowing the padding of the helmet to provide intervention to reduce the accelerative movement of the head, and;   The concussive reduction attachment(s) having three main component parts: a shoulder component (left and right), a rear attachment component and a forward helmet component, each having contoured bracing surfaces and rotational limiting bracing edges, and;   the first TARCBS component part is the shoulder attachment component(s) (left and right) which extend parallel and above the shoulders and reduces lateral movement of the head and neck along the XZ and YZ axis and when the clearance gap is closed the contoured bracing surfaces contact the torso perpendicularly allowing for transfer of energy directly from the helmet and helmet attachment to the torso, and;   the shoulder attachment components left and right also have rotational limiting bracing edges which contact the torso perpendicularly when the helmet is rotated about the XZ and Z axis to reduce and limit available rotational space and once the rotational limiting bracing edges transferring force to the torso the mechanical transfer of energy to the brain is reduced, and;   the second TARCBS component part is the rear attachment which extends distally above the posterior side of the body centered on the sagital (median) plane creating a clearance gap for limited free movement along the ZY axis and when the clearance gap is closed allows for direct transfer of energy from the attachment contoured bracing edge to the torso reducing linear acceleration, and;   the rear attachment has a left and right rotational limiting bracing edge which perpendicularly contacts the torso when rotation acceleration about the Z axis takes place thereby reducing and limiting available movement space, transferring force to the torso and reducing mechanical transfer of energy to the brain, and;   the third TARCBS component part(s) are the forward helmet attachments of which there are three embodiments: the forward helmet chest brace attachment(s), chin chest bracing bridge, and add-on-chest-bridge, each designed to provide contact with the torso to reduce the total available linear and rotational acceleration space between the helmet and the chest of the wearer, to provide for neck support and improving the effective mass of the helmet and symmetrical dissipation and transfer of energy to the torso and away from the brain, and;   the first forward helmet TARCBS attachment embodiment is the forward helmet chest brace attachment(s) having both a left and right component attaching and extending from the anterior distal edge of the helmet left and right sides having a posterior edge in front of the chest and collar bone(s) of the wearer which extends anterior of the wearer above the chest/shoulder pads or flax jacket creating a clearance gap between the chest or shoulder pads/flak jacket of the wearer allowing for freedom of movement in all axis, and;   the forward helmet chest brace attachment(s) have on the distal edge of the chest extension(s) a contoured bracing surface that perpendicularly meets the torso, which allows the wearer to draw their shoulders up and tip their head forward to brace the posterior contact edge bracing surface of the forward helmet chest brace against the torso or equipment on the torso of the wearer such that the contoured bracing surface perpendicularly makes contact with the torso thereby effectively seating the helmet to the torso via the forward helmet chest brace(s) allowing the wearer to brace for an impact, reduce neck compression and transfer said energy of impact from the helmet to the torso, and;   the forward helmet chest brace attachment(s) rotational limiting bracing edge are flat surfaces found on the distal portion of each (left and right) forward helmet chest brace attachment such that when the helmet is rotated about the Z axis the outside portions of the forward helmet chest brace attachments rotational bracing edge(s) will contact the inside of the shoulder/torso/shoulder pads/flak jacket perpendicularly and not only stop rotational movement but allow the wearer the ability to brace the forward helmet chest brace attachment against the torso or equipment there on to increase rigidity and transfer energy away from the head and to the torso, and;   the second forward helmet TARCBS attachment embodiment is the chin chest bracing bridge and in function is the same as the forward helmet chest brace attachment(s) only the attachment to the helmet or helmet attachment can vary, and;   the chin chest bracing bridge is a structure that replaces the chin support means of the helmet, attaches to the front of the helmet and connects both the front right and front left of the helmet, has an adjustable chin cup, protects the chin and throat, provides an anchor point connecting the chin to the helmet to reduce spinning of the helmet on the head, protects the chin and cheek area of the face but does not inhibit vision, is hinged on either side of the helmet to allow the wearer entry into and out of the helmet, and has both a contoured bracing surface that contacts the chest when the chin is lowered and two rotational limiting bracing edges left and right respectively which contact the inside of the torso or equipment on the torso for bracing when the head is rotated about the Z axis, and;   the third forward helmet TARCBS attachment embodiment is the add-on-chest-bridge which attaches to a preexisting portion of the front of the helmet or an attachment thereon and does not replace any of the chin support means but does have both a contoured bracing surface to provide forward support and rotational limiting bracing edges left and right respectively for bracing when the head is rotated about the Z axis, and;   both the chin chest bracing bridge attachment and the add-on-chest-bridge attachment have on their distal edge which is closest to the torso a contoured bracing surface which when the clearance gap is closed allows the attachment contoured bracing surface to perpendicularly contact the chest thereby supporting the font of the helmet, reducing area for acceleration, improving transfer of energy to the torso and reduces mechanical transfer of energy to the brain, and;   both the chin chest bracing bridge attachment and the add-on-chest-bridge attachment have a rotational limiting bracing edge(s) left and right on the distal edges of the attachment which are surfaces that when the head is rotated about the Z axis will contact the inside of the shoulder left or right depending on the direction of rotation, and;   the rotational limiting bracing edge also provides a clearance gap between said edge and the torso for free but limited motion, and;   the rotational limiting bracing edge left and right will perpendicularly meet the inside of the shoulder or torso and reduce/limit rotational movement about the Z axis, and;   both the chin chest bracing bridge attachment and the add-on-chest-bridge attachment allow the wearer to brace for rotational impact by purposely contacting the appropriate rotational bracing edge against the torso before impact linking the torso to the helmet via resistive force and thereby provides the ability of transferring force to the torso of the wearer and reducing mechanical transfer of energy to the neck and head, and;   A concussive reduction helmet attachment where said mechanical component is a structure specifically designed to significantly absorb, reduce and channel force such as a mechanical dampener or crushable component, and;   A concussive reduction helmet attachment which creates a critical moment force threshold in which the mechanical component as defined in the Detailed Description of the Invention provides intervention (a pre-determined reduction of force) for management of peek accelerative forces providing an intervention method where an exact concussive force threshold can be reduced prior to the critical moment of the blow to provide an exact reduction/absorption of concussive energy, and;   The critical moment of the blow is when the helmet movement has been significantly reduced or stopped such that the helmet and neck are supported by the concussive reduction helmet attachments and the head inside the helmet is being decelerated by the collapsing padding of the helmet and just before the force absorbance of the helmet padding is exhausted, at this moment the helmet is stopped but the head of the wearer is still moving against the helmet padding this is the critical moment, and at this moment the mechanical component intervention takes place (the dampener closes or the crushable component crushes to dissipate force) to significantly reduce the rotational force acting on the moving head within the helmet, and;   this mechanical reduction in force at the critical moment when the helmet is stopped and the head is still moving significantly reduces the accelerative forces within the helmet, and;   to dissipate the accelerative energy acting on the head to decelerate and stop the movement of the head before the padding of the helmet loses its force absorption ability the mechanical component will engage, and;   when appropriate reduction of force takes place the rotational accelerative force will be dissipated, and;   if the reduction in force is insufficient the head will exhaust the padding of the helmet and the wearer's brain will then contact the inside of the braincase and brain injury may occur, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system where component parts work independently, sequentially and concurrently depending on the applied force thereby reducing the mechanical transfer of energy to the head, neck and brain.   
     
     
         3 . A concussive reduction helmet attachment system of  claim 2 , having two manufacturing approaches each attach to the sides and base of the helmet in a horseshoe type configuration, and;
 the first is a single one piece component construction, and;   second is a segmented component design having multiple individual elements (front, left, right and rear) that must be attached individually.   
     
     
         4 . A concussive reduction helmet attachment system of  claim 2 , having three embodiments: hard, mechanical and soft, of the two types of construction providing differing levels of protection for the user to promote use within different environments while maintaining the design principles and functions. 
     
     
         5 . A concussive reduction helmet attachment system of  claim 2 , made of the same material as the helmet being rigid, non-flexible material such as steal, ceramic, plastic or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         6 . A concussive reduction helmet attachment system of  claim 2 , made of the same material as the helmet or a resilient force absorbing material such as foam, rubber, padding or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         7 . A concussive reduction helmet attachment system of  claim 2 , where the extension embodiment of the helmet extensions have single and multiple mechanical components. 
     
     
         8 . A concussive reduction helmet attachment system of  claim 2 , being a helmet attachment having venting. 
     
     
         9 . A concussive reduction helmet attachment system of  claim 2 , were multiple rotational limiting bracing edges can engage individually, sequentially or concurrently providing an ability to brace for impact, and a symmetrical distribution and transfer of force to the torso that reduces and arrests movement and decreases the mechanical transfer of energy to the brain. 
     
     
         10 . A concussive reduction helmet attachment system of  claim 2 , having multiple contoured bracing surfaces on the TARCB attachment(s) which can engage individually, sequentially or concurrently providing a symmetrical distribution and transfer of force to the torso to provide for bracing, reduce and arrest movement and decrease mechanical transfer of energy to the brain. 
     
     
         11 . A concussive reduction helmet attachment system of  claim 2 , having a mechanical component as defined in the Detailed Description of the Invention incorporated into the attachment to further enhance the absorption of kinetic energy during the critical moment of impact, and;
 a concussive reduction helmet attachment system having a mechanical component/dampener within the TARCBS which is specifically designed to provide an ability to set a pre-determined actuation threshold, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system having a mechanical component/dampener within the TARCBS which is specifically designed to provide an exact reduction in force when a critical moment within the hit is achieved, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system having a mechanical component/dampener that is an automatic adjustment dampener that monitors the accelerative forces and automatically adjusts the activation threshold such that it activates at the critical moment within the hit then resets for successive impacts, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system having a mechanical component/dampener specifically designed to provide an exact reduction in force during the critical moment within the hit when activation is achieved, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system with mechanical component(s) which will compress and support the neck and neck cervical vertebra and neck soft tissue throughout the blow thereby reducing trauma to the neck, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system having a mechanical component within the TARCBS which provides a method to adjust the stroke of the dampener by having an adjustable stroke dampener, by replacing the dampening component with one having a different stroke limit or changing the size of the crushable component, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system having a mechanical component within the TARCBS which is providing adjustment with the purpose of managing the reduction of space available for force absorption and dissipation of force during movement, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system having a mechanical component within the TARCBS which is providing an adjustment to the TARCBS by adjusting the dampening unit to manage the space of whiplash or coup counter coup movement, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system having mechanical component within the TARCBS which is providing an ability to decelerate the speed of whiplash or coup counter coup movement of the head during an impact, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system with mechanical dampeners which will activate individually, sequentially or concurrently, a concussive helmet attachment having multiple mechanical components on an individual TARCBS attachment to provide multiple dampening events within a single impact event, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system having mechanical component TARCBS which can be adjusted to provide an actuated and measured control of force specifically within the normal range of movement of the head and neck to provide an ability to directly support the neck, cervical vertebra and reduce trauma to the brain throughout the hit, and reduce potential for neck compression, hyperflexion, lateralflexion and hyperextension of the cervical spine.   
     
     
         12 . A concussive reduction helmet attachment which creates a critical moment force threshold in which the mechanical component as defined in the Detailed Description of the Invention which provides intervention (a pre-determined reduction of force) for reduction of peek accelerative forces providing an intervention method where an exact concussive force threshold can be reduced prior to the critical moment of the blow to provide an exact reduction/absorption of concussive energy, and;
 The critical moment of the blow is when the helmet movement has been significantly reduced or stopped such that the helmet and neck are supported by the concussive reduction helmet attachments and the head inside the helmet is being decelerated by the collapsing padding of the helmet and just before the force absorbance of the helmet padding is exhausted, at this moment the helmet is stopped but the head of the wearer is still moving against the helmet padding this is the critical moment, and at this moment the mechanical component intervention takes place (the dampener closes or the crushable component crushes to dissipate force) to significantly decelerate the rotational force acting on the moving head within the helmet, and;   this mechanical reduction in force at the critical moment when the helmet is stopped and the head is still moving significantly reduces the accelerative forces within the helmet, for the purpose of decelerating the head and brain concurrently before the padding of the helmet loses its force absorption ability, and;   when appropriate reduction of force takes place the rotational accelerative force will be dissipated and no injury will follow, and;   if the reduction in force is insufficient the head will exhaust the padding of the helmet and the wearer's brain will then contact the inside of the braincase and brain injury may occur, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment having a mechanical dampener/component which provides an intervention method where an exact force threshold can be determined to activate said dampener, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment having a mechanical dampener/component that can be pre-set to a measurable force reduction for intervention during the critical moment so impact intervention can be made thereby providing an exact force reduction in the mechanical transfer of energy to the head, neck and brain, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment having a mechanical dampener/component which can be set to actuate at any predetermined threshold during any stage of the hit to include the critical moment of the blow, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment system where the mechanical component parts work independently, sequentially and concurrently responding to the applied force of the hit thereby reducing the mechanical transfer of energy to the head, neck and brain, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment having a mechanical component/dampener incorporated into the attachment to further enhance the absorption of kinetic energy during impact, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment having a mechanical component which provides a method to adjust the stroke of the dampener or component by having an adjustable stroke dampener, by replacing the dampening component with one having a different stroke limit or changing the size of the crushable component, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment having a mechanical component which by providing adjustment of stroke and force dissipation is able to manage the reduction of space and force during impact, and;   a concussive helmet attachment having a mechanical dampener that automatically resets for successive reduction in head acceleration for the purpose of intervening and stopping the whiplash or coup counter coup movement of the helmet, head, neck and brain, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment having a mechanical component which provides an ability to decelerate the speed of whiplash or coup counter coup movement of the head during an impact, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment having multiple mechanical components on an individual attachment to provide a sequential cascading dampening event within a single impact event, and;   a concussive reduction helmet attachment which can be adjusted to provide an actuated and measured control of force specifically within the normal range of movement of the head and neck to provide the ability to directly support the neck, cervical vertebra and reduce trauma to the brain throughout the hit, thereby reducing potential for neck compression, hyperflexion, lateralflexion and hyperextension of the cervical spine, and;   a concussive helmet attachment having a mechanical dampener that is an automatic adjustment dampener that monitors the accelerative forces and automatically adjusts the activation threshold such that it activates at the critical moment within the hit then resets for successive impacts.