Shock absorbing system for protective equipment and devices therefor

Abstract

A shock absorbing system for use with protective head gear includes a compressible member containing separate chambers that are inflated with a volume of a fluid (gas), and positioned between the skull and shell of the head gear. In one embodiment, the compressible member has at least one orifice that may vent fluid upon impact. The venting of fluid is directed outside of the shell through an expansion reservoir that may assume a bellows structure. This structure acts as a restrictive and temporary compartment for fluids. The expansion reservoir may assume a structure that permits temporary fluid transfer for the duration of impact. The structure will resist the introduction of fluid and actively return fluid to the “donating” chamber. The sealed and autonomous interior of the outermost chamber consists of smaller autonomous chambers that are inflated to higher pressures.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An shock absorbing helmet comprising:
 a plurality of compressible members arranged in accordance with the expected force and direction of impact, each compressible member itself comprising:
 a pressurized chamber comprising:
 an at least one orifice; 
 an at least one expansion reservoir in fluid communication with the chamber, the expansion reservoir for facilitating the temporary exchange of fluids from the chamber to the reservoir in response to an impact; and 
 an at least one connecting stem for permitting the movement of fluid between the pressurized chamber and the expansion reservoir; and 
 
 a shell comprising a plurality of apertures, each aperture for receiving an expansion reservoir of each compressible member, each aperture for allowing each associated expansion reservoir to temporarily accept fluids and vent outside of the shell on impact; 
   wherein the plurality of compressible members are positioned on the underside of the shell and secured from direct contact with a user's head.