Shock Reducing Helmet

Abstract

A shock reducing helmet includes a helmet body made of an outer and inner shell, ear openings, and face shield or visor that connects flush to the helmet body. The outer shell is formed from the strongest and lightest weight materials, such as polycarbonate, or other plastics, Kevlar, carbon fiber, or metal, to provide a high strength to weight ratio and minimize fracture. The inner chamber includes shock absorbing structures made from materials such as a nickel-titanium shape-memory alloy, polycarbonate, other plastics, Kevlar, carbon fiber, or metal. Some variants have a viscous or gaseous layer around the springs to increase stability upon linear and rotational impact. The face shield or visor is made of a clear polycarbonate that connects flush with the outer shell to eliminate visibility interference and rotational injuries caused by competitors pulling the metal bars commonly present in football helmets.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A helmet, comprising:
 a helmet body, comprising a core surrounded by a shell; and   a cervical protector,   wherein the core comprises an internal shock absorbing structure that is less rigid than the shell, and   wherein the cervical protector is configured to allow the insertion of one or more of cooling packs and diagnostic devices.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a transparent face mask comprising at least one vent. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the at least one vent comprises hexagonal vents. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a visor sized and positioned to protect a wearer's eyes. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the visor is transparent. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the visor is made of a scratch-resistant transparent polycarbonate. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cervical protector is removable to allow the insertion of one or more of cooling packs and diagnostic devices. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cervical protector is openable to allow the insertion of one or more of cooling packs and diagnostic devices. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the core comprises variably placed compression springs selected from the group consisting of coil springs, helical springs, and wave springs. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the shell comprises at least one perforation configured to allow gas exchange to dampen the spring load upon impact force. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the core further comprises structures that mimic trabeculae found in trabecular cancellous bone also known as spongy bone. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the core further comprises at least one shock absorbing structure selected from the group consisting of honeycomb structures, hexagonal structures, leafspring structures, helical structures, tetrahedral structures, beam structures, wire structures, web structures, trabecular structures, cage structures, truss structures, and concave tetrahedral structures. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the core comprises at least one shock absorbing structure selected from the group consisting of honeycomb structures, hexagonal structures, leafspring structures, helical structures, tetrahedral structures, beam structures, wire structures, web structures, trabecular structures, cage structures, truss structures, and concave tetrahedral structures. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the at least one shock absorbing structure comprises a shape-memory alloy. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the shape-memory alloy exhibits superelasticity. 
     
     
         16 . The helmet as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the shape-memory allow is nickel titanium alloy. 
     
     
         17 . A helmet, comprising:
 a body configured to cover the head and face of a wearer and having an aperture configured to be located around the eyes of the wearer when the helmet is worn, the body comprising a shell around a core comprising an internal shock absorbing structure that is less rigid than the shell;   a visor covering the aperture of the body; and   a removable cervical protective cover attached to a base of the body and configured to protect the wearer's neck,   wherein the internal shock absorbing structure comprises at least one shock absorbing structure selected from the group consisting of honeycomb structures, hexagonal structures, leafspring structures, helical structures, tetrahedral structures, beam structures, wire structures, web structures, trabecular structures, cage structures, truss structures, and concave tetrahedral structures.   
     
     
         18 . The helmet as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the visor comprises a transparent material. 
     
     
         19 . The helmet as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the transparent material is polycarbonate. 
     
     
         20 . The helmet as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the visor comprises a polymer. 
     
     
         21 . The helmet as recited in  claim 20 , wherein the polymer is Lexan. 
     
     
         22 . The helmet as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the core comprises a shape-memory metal alloy. 
     
     
         23 . The helmet as recited in  claim 22 , wherein the shape-memory alloy exhibits superelasticity. 
     
     
         24 . The helmet as recited in  claim 23 , wherein the shape-memory allow is nickel titanium alloy. 
     
     
         25 . The helmet as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the internal shock absorbing structure has a nonuniform density throughout the core. 
     
     
         26 . The helmet as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the internal shock absorbing structure has an anisotropic configuration. 
     
     
         27 . The helmet as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the shell comprises a material selected from the group consisting of metal, polycarbonate, ABS plastic, Kevlar, and carbon fiber. 
     
     
         28 . The helmet as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the core comprises the same materials as the shell. 
     
     
         29 . The helmet as recited in  claim 27 , wherein the core comprises different materials from the shell. 
     
     
         30 . The helmet as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the removable cervical protective cover comprises an internal shock absorbing core. 
     
     
         31 . The helmet as recited in  claim 30 , wherein the internal shock absorbing core of the removable cervical protective cover comprises at least one shock absorbing structure selected from the group consisting of honeycomb structures, hexagonal structures, leafspring structures, helical structures, tetrahedral structures, beam structures, wire structures, web structures, trabecular structures, cage structures, truss structures, and concave tetrahedral structures.