Impact Resistant Headgear

Abstract

An impact reducing headgear is disclosed which utilizes dynamically responsive materials which undergo physical changes during exposure to impact forces, such that physical changes or phase changes absorb energy. The helmet may be constructed with a dual shell structure and a bladder, where the dynamically responsive materials may be contained.

1 . An impact reducing head gear comprising:
 A dual shell structure, having a front side and a back side, wherein said dual shell structure comprises an inner shell and an outer shell, with such inner shell being separated from said outer shell by a functional gap;   A bladder arranged to contain a dynamically responsive member, wherein said bladder comprises at least one compartment and is arranged to be disposed in said functional gap.   
     
     
         2 . The head gear of  claim 1 , wherein said dynamically responsive member comprises a thixotropic material. 
     
     
         3 . The head gear of  claim 1 , wherein said dynamically responsive member comprises a rheopectic material. 
     
     
         4 . The head gear of  claim 1 , wherein said dynamically responsive member comprises a combination of a thixotropic and a rheopectic material. 
     
     
         5 . The head gear of  claim 1 , wherein said dynamically responsive member comprises a plurality of dynamically responsive materials wherein said dynamically responsive member comprises orientation. 
     
     
         6 . The head gear of  claim 5 , wherein said orientation comprises a first structure arranged at said front side and a second structure arranged at said back side. 
     
     
         7 . The head gear of  claim 5 , wherein said first structure is separated from said second structure by a separation means. 
     
     
         8 . The head gear of  claim 1 , wherein said dynamically responsive member exhibits a dynamic response upon impact. 
     
     
         9 . The head gear of  claim 2 , wherein said dynamically responsive member exhibits a dynamic response upon impact. 
     
     
         10 . The head gear of  claim 3 , wherein said dynamically responsive member exhibits a dynamic response upon impact. 
     
     
         11 . The head gear of  claim 4 , wherein said dynamically responsive member exhibits a dynamic response upon impact. 
     
     
         12 . The head gear of  claim 9 , wherein said dynamic response absorbs impact energy. 
     
     
         13 . The head gear of  claim 10 , wherein said dynamic response absorbs impact energy. 
     
     
         14 . The head gear of  claim 11 , wherein said dynamic response absorbs impact energy. 
     
     
         15 . An impact reducing head gear comprising:
 A dual shell structure, having a front side and a back side, wherein said dual shell structure comprises an inner shell and an outer shell, with such inner shell being separated from said outer shell by a functional gap, wherein said inner shell is more rigid than said outer shell;   A bladder arranged to contain a dynamically responsive member, wherein said bladder comprises at least one compartment and is arranged to be disposed in said functional gap.   
     
     
         16 . The head gear of  claim 15 , wherein said outer shell is arranged to deflect upon impact. 
     
     
         17 . The head gear of  claim 16 , wherein said deflection of said outer shell causes a deflection impact to be translated to said dynamically responsive member. 
     
     
         18 . The head gear of  claim 17 , wherein said deflection impact causes said dynamically responsive material to exhibit a dynamic response.