Helmet and related methods

Abstract

The present invention generally relates to helmets and related methods that enhance safety during activities and sports. It is more specifically directed to helmets and related methods that decrease the risk of C.T.E. and concussion during activities and sports. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a helmet assembly. The helmet assembly comprises: a shell configured to receive a head of a wearer of the helmet, the shell comprising a reinforcing layer that includes an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the reinforcing layer comprises a series of linked coils that are entirely encased within a solid filler material, and wherein the series of linked coils are positioned between the outer surface and the inner surface of the reinforcing layer wherein the series of linked coils includes at least first, second and third linked coils that each define an axis, and wherein the axes of the first, second and third linked coils are not co-axial; wherein the inner surface of the reinforcing layer generally forms a curved plane, and wherein the series of linked coils are arranged in overlapping rows to form a curved plane that is generally parallel to the curved plane of the inner surface of the reinforcing layer, and wherein the series of linked coils comprise a metal alloy of nickel and titanium, and wherein the nickel and titanium are present in roughly equal atomic percentages.

1 . A helmet assembly comprising: a shell configured to receive a head of a wearer of the helmet, the shell comprising a reinforcing layer that includes an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the reinforcing layer comprises a series of linked coils that are entirely encased within a solid filler material, and wherein the series of linked coils are positioned between the outer surface and the inner surface of the reinforcing layer wherein the series of linked coils includes at least first, second and third linked coils that each define an axis, and wherein the axes of the first, second and third linked coils are not co-axial; wherein the inner surface of the reinforcing layer generally forms a curved plane, and wherein the series of linked coils are arranged in overlapping rows to form a curved plane that is generally parallel to the curved plane of the inner surface of the reinforcing layer, and wherein the series of linked coils comprise a metal alloy of nickel and titanium, and wherein the nickel and titanium are present in roughly equal atomic percentages. 
     
     
         2 . The helmet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the amount by volume of the filler material is about the same on either side of the curved plane of the series of linked coils, such that the curved plane of the series of linked coils is located in approximately the middle of the reinforcement layer. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a face guard having an upper side and a lower side, wherein the face guard has at least one flexible connecting rod affixed proximate the upper side of the face guard, wherein the shell comprises at least one curved receiving channel defined therein that extends generally parallel to the curved plane of the inner surface of the shell, wherein the curved receiving channel is adapted to allow the at least one flexible connecting rod to be removably inserted into the curved receiving channel so as to fasten the face guard to the shell. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the ratio of the mass of the linked coils to the mass of the helmet assembly ranges from about 1.0 to about 20.0. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the diameter of the linked coils range from about 0.003 inches to about 1.50 inches. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the helmet is capable of eliminating at least 10 percent of wave frequencies in the megahertz range that are generated upon helmet assembly impact. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet assembly of  claim 4 , wherein the helmet is capable of eliminating at least 10 percent of wave frequencies in the kilohertz range that are generated upon helmet assembly impact. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the helmet is capable of eliminating at least 10 percent of wave frequencies in the megahertz range that are generated upon helmet assembly impact. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the helmet is capable of eliminating at least 10 percent of wave frequencies in the kilohertz range that are generated upon helmet assembly impact. 
     
     
         10 . A helmet assembly comprising: a shell configured to receive a head of a wearer of the helmet, the shell comprising a reinforcing layer that includes an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the reinforcing layer comprises a series of linked coils that are entirely encased within a solid filler material, and wherein the series of linked coils are positioned between the outer surface and the inner surface of the reinforcing layer wherein the series of linked coils includes at least first, second and third linked coils that each define an axis, and wherein the axes of the first, second and third linked coils are not co-axial; wherein the inner surface of the reinforcing layer generally forms a curved plane, and wherein the series of linked coils are arranged in overlapping rows to form a curved plane that is generally parallel to the curved plane of the inner surface of the reinforcing layer, and wherein the series of linked coils comprise a metal alloy of nickel and titanium, and wherein the nickel and titanium are present in roughly equal atomic percentages; a face guard having an upper side and a lower side; wherein the face guard has at least one flexible connecting rod affixed proximate the upper side of the face guard; wherein the shell comprises at least one curved receiving channel defined therein that extends generally parallel to the curved plane of the inner surface of the shell, wherein the curved receiving channel is designed to allow the at least one flexible connecting rod to be removably inserted into the curved receiving channel so as to fasten the face guard to the shell. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the ratio of the mass of the linked coils to the mass of the helmet assembly ranges from about 1.0 to about 20.0. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the diameter of the linked coils range from about 0.003 inches to about 1.50 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the helmet is capable of eliminating at least 10 percent of wave frequencies in the megahertz range that are generated upon helmet assembly impact. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the helmet is capable of eliminating at least 10 percent of wave frequencies in the kilohertz range that are generated upon helmet assembly impact. 
     
     
         15 . A helmet assembly comprising: a shell configured to receive a head of a wearer of the helmet, the shell comprising a reinforcing layer that includes an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the reinforcing layer comprises memory return materials comprising non-touching non-frequency transferring wire or cable continuous overlapping coiled materials, wherein the materials comprise a metal alloy of nickel and titanium, and wherein the nickel and titanium are present in roughly equal atomic percentages, and wherein the memory return materials are encased within a solid filler material. 
     
     
         16 . The helmet assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the ratio of the mass of memory return materials to the mass of the helmet assembly ranges from about 1.0 to about 20.0. 
     
     
         17 . The helmet assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the diameter of the coiled materials ranges from about 0.003 inches to about 1.50 inches. 
     
     
         18 . The helmet assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the helmet is capable of eliminating at least 10 percent of wave frequencies in the megahertz range that are generated upon helmet assembly impact. 
     
     
         19 . The helmet assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the helmet is capable of eliminating at least 10 percent of wave frequencies in the kilohertz range that are generated upon helmet assembly impact. 
     
     
         20 . A helmet assembly comprising: a shell configured to receive a head of a wearer of the helmet, the shell comprising a reinforcing layer that includes an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the reinforcing layer comprises memory return materials comprising non-touching non-frequency transferring wire or cable continuous overlapping coiled materials, wherein the inner surface of the reinforcing layer generally forms a curved plane, and wherein the series of linked coils are arranged in overlapping rows to form a curved plane that is generally parallel to the curved plane of the inner surface of the reinforcing layer, and wherein the series of linked coils comprise a metal alloy of nickel and titanium, and wherein the nickel and titanium are present in roughly equal atomic percentages; a face guard having an upper side and a lower side; wherein the face guard has at least one flexible connecting rod affixed proximate the upper side of the face guard; wherein the shell comprises at least one curved receiving channel defined therein that extends generally parallel to the curved plane of the inner surface of the shell, wherein the curved receiving channel is designed to allow the at least one flexible connecting rod to be removably inserted into the curved receiving channel so as to fasten the face guard to the shell. 
     
     
         21 . The helmet assembly of  claim 20 , wherein the ratio of the mass of memory return materials to the mass of the helmet assembly ranges from about 1.0 to about 20.0. 
     
     
         22 . The helmet assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the diameter of the coiled materials ranges from about 0.003 inches to about 1.50 inches. 
     
     
         23 . The helmet assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the helmet is capable of eliminating at least 10 percent of wave frequencies in the megahertz range that are generated upon helmet assembly impact. 
     
     
         24 . The helmet assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the helmet is capable of eliminating at least 10 percent of wave frequencies in the kilohertz range that are generated upon helmet assembly impact. 
     
     
         25 . A helmet assembly comprising: a shell configured to receive a head of a wearer of the helmet, the shell comprising a reinforcing layer that includes an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the reinforcing layer comprises memory return materials comprising a first wire or cable comprising a section wound into a spiral and a second wire or cable comprising a section would into a spiral, and wherein the first wire or cable does not touch the second wire or cable, and wherein the materials comprise a metal alloy of nickel and titanium, and wherein the nickel and titanium are present in roughly equal atomic percentages, and wherein the memory return materials are encased within a solid filler material. 
     
     
         26 . The helmet assembly of  claim 25 , wherein the ratio of the mass of memory return materials to the mass of the helmet assembly ranges from about 1.0 to about 20.0. 
     
     
         27 . The helmet assembly of  claim 26 , wherein the diameter of the coiled materials ranges from about 0.003 inches to about 1.50 inches. 
     
     
         28 . The helmet assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the helmet is capable of eliminating at least 10 percent of wave frequencies in the megahertz range that are generated upon helmet assembly impact. 
     
     
         29 . The helmet assembly of  claim 27 , wherein the helmet is capable of eliminating at least 10 percent of wave frequencies in the kilohertz range that are generated upon helmet assembly impact. 
     
     
         30 . A helmet assembly comprising: a shell configured to receive a head of a wearer of the helmet, the shell comprising a reinforcing layer that includes an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the reinforcing layer comprises memory return materials comprising a first wire or cable comprising a section wound into a spiral and a second wire or cable comprising a section would into a spiral, and wherein the first wire or cable does not touch the second wire or cable, wherein the inner surface of the reinforcing layer generally forms a curved plane, and wherein the series of linked coils are arranged in overlapping rows to form a curved plane that is generally parallel to the curved plane of the inner surface of the reinforcing layer, and wherein the series of linked coils comprise a metal alloy of nickel and titanium, and wherein the nickel and titanium are present in roughly equal atomic percentages; a face guard having an upper side and a lower side; wherein the face guard has at least one flexible connecting rod affixed proximate the upper side of the face guard; wherein the shell comprises at least one curved receiving channel defined therein that extends generally parallel to the curved plane of the inner surface of the shell, wherein the curved receiving channel is designed to allow the at least one flexible connecting rod to be removably inserted into the curved receiving channel so as to fasten the face guard to the shell. 
     
     
         31 . The helmet assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the ratio of the mass of memory return materials to the mass of the helmet assembly ranges from about 1.0 to about 20.0. 
     
     
         32 . The helmet assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the diameter of the coiled materials ranges from about 0.003 inches to about 1.50 inches. 
     
     
         33 . The helmet assembly of  claim 32 , wherein the helmet is capable of eliminating at least 10 percent of wave frequencies in the megahertz range that are generated upon helmet assembly impact. 
     
     
         34 . The helmet assembly of  claim 32 , wherein the helmet is capable of eliminating at least 10 percent of wave frequencies in the kilohertz range that are generated upon helmet assembly impact. 
     
     
         35 . A method of lessening the risk of concussion or CTE resulting from repeated head impact, wherein the method comprises:
 use of a helmet assembly according to  claim 1  during two or more activities capable of involving a head impact;   wherein use of the helmet assembly reduces at least 10 percent of wave frequencies produced upon head impact in the kilohertz or megahertz range as compared to a helmet as shown in  FIG. 1 ;   and wherein the reduction of wave frequencies during two or more activities capable of involving head impact reduces concussion- or CTE-causing cellular damage that could accumulate over repeated head impacts   thereby lessening the risk of concussion or CTE.   
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 35 , wherein the helmet further comprises an adjustable air or water bladder system between a soft padding energy management platform and a stiffer energy management platform layer that provides absorbent points that push evenly on all energy management platforms. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 35 , wherein the helmet further comprises a re-inflatable safety air bag system to be deployed upon encountered train impacts that exceed a pre-defined encountered force frequency. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 36 , wherein the method provides for slowing down the duration of impact, and wherein a 15 foot pound encountered train impact of about 100 milliseconds in duration is extended to at least about 300 milliseconds.