Protective device for use with helmets

Abstract

A protective device for use with a helmet, for example a sporting helmet, has a plurality of removable and replaceable resilient deformable sacrificial bubble structures adapted to be installed on a helmet to absorb an impact force when the impact force impacts the bubble structures. The bubble structures can also provide an indication of location and severity of the impact force on the helmet. In one embodiment, a helmet cover for wearing over an outer surface of a helmet has a base layer capable of being fitted over the outer surface of the helmet and a plurality of removeable and replaceable bubble structures contained in the base layer.

1 . A protective device for wearing over an outer surface of a helmet, the protective device comprising a helmet cover, the helmet cover comprising:
 a base layer capable of being fitted over the outer surface of the helmet;   a plurality of individual pockets formed in the base layer; and,   a plurality of resiliently deformable sacrificial elements in the plurality of pockets, the sacrificial elements individually removable from and replaceable in the pockets, the sacrificial elements adapted to absorb an impact force when the impact force impacts the sacrificial elements.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sacrificial elements are:
 deformable and able to rebound to original shape without damage after the impact force is removed when the impact force is less than a first force threshold;   crushable without being able to rebound to the original shape when the impact force is more than the first force threshold; and,   rupturable when the impact force is more than a second force threshold, wherein the second force threshold is higher than the first force threshold.   
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the sacrificial elements when crushed or ruptured provide an indication of location and severity of the impact force on the helmet. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the sacrificial elements are half hollow structures. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the sacrificial elements are hollow structures filled with a fluid. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the fluid is air, the air is under ambient or positive pressure with respect to atmospheric pressure and rupturing the sacrificial elements release the air in the sacrificial elements, the release of the air absorbing at least a portion of the impact force. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the fluid is air, the air is under negative pressure with respect to atmospheric pressure and rupturing the sacrificial elements causes an intake of air into the sacrificial elements, the intake of air absorbing at least a portion of the impact force. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the base layer comprises a flexible fabric. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the sacrificial elements are rigid hollow air-filled cushions. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein each pocket comprises an opening through which the cushion can be inserted or removed from the pocket. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the opening is openable and closable with a fastener. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein the fastener is a hook and loop, a snap fastener, a button, an elasticized band, a zipper, a drawstring or a magnet. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the pockets comprise a flexible pocket fabric sewn into the base layer and the cushion is held in the pocket by tightness of the flexible pocket fabric when the cushion is inserted in the pocket. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible fabric of the base layer and the flexible pocket fabric are stretchable and the pockets can be stretched to accommodate different shapes and sizes of the cushion within the pocket. 
     
     
         15 . A helmet comprising the protective device of  claim 1  installed thereon. 
     
     
         16 . The helmet of  claim 15 , wherein the helmet is a sporting helmet. 
     
     
         17 . A protective device for use with a helmet, the protective device comprising a plurality of individually removable and replaceable resilient deformable sacrificial bubble structures adapted to be installed on a helmet to absorb an impact force when the impact force impacts the bubble structures. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the bubble structures comprise a plurality of air-filled cells formed directly on the outer surface of the helmet. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18 , wherein the air is at ambient pressure and each cell comprises:
 a depression formed in the outer surface of the helmet;   a rigid perimeter wall around the depression attached to and extending from the outer surface; and,   a flexible thermoplastic cover plate removably secured on the rigid perimeter wall.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein each bubble structure is removable and replaceable individually on the helmet when the bubble structure is damaged.