Fiber-reinforced impact-dissipating liners and methods for fabricating fiber-reinforced impact-dissipating liners

Abstract

Impact-dissipating liners, helmets having an impact-dissipating liner, and methods of fabricating impact-dissipating liners are provided. The liners include a fluid impermeable enclosure having cavities with sidewalls, re-enforcing fabric sheets, and a fluid contained in the enclosure. The enclosure may have a central portion and lobes extending from the central portion, wherein the central portion and the lobes are adapted to conform to the shape of an internal surface of a helmet. The re-enforcing sheets may be made from a broad range of materials and may enhance the structural support, structural integrity, and/or durability to the liner. Aspects of the invention are particularly adapted for use as head protection, such as, helmets; however, aspects of the invention are also adaptable to provide impact-dissipation for any body or surface that would benefit from such protection.

1 . An impact dissipating helmet liner comprising:
 a flexible, fluid impermeable enclosure having an upper wall, an opposing lower wall, and a sidewall extending between the upper wall and the lower wall;   a fluid contained in the enclosure; and   a fabric sheet positioned in at least one of the upper wall and the lower wall.   
     
     
         2 . The impact dissipating helmet liner as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the liner further comprises a plurality of cavities between the upper wall and the lower wall, each of the plurality of cavities having a cavity sidewall extending from the upper wall to the lower wall. 
     
     
         3 . The impact dissipating helmet liner as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fabric sheet comprises one of a woven fabric, an unwoven fabric, and a knitted fabric. 
     
     
         4 . The impact dissipating helmet liner as recited in  claim 3 , wherein the fabric sheet comprises a knitted fabric comprising one of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a polyester, and an aramid polymer. 
     
     
         5 . The impact dissipating helmet liner as recited  claim 1 , wherein the flexible, fluid impermeable enclosure comprises a central portion and a plurality of lobes extending from the central portion, and wherein the central portion and the plurality of lobes are adapted to conform to the shape of an internal surface of a helmet. 
     
     
         6 . The impact dissipating helmet liner as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of lobes define radially extending cavities between adjacent lobes. 
     
     
         7 . The impact dissipating helmet liner as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the flexible, fluid impermeable enclosure comprises a liquid silicone rubber. 
     
     
         8 . The impact dissipating helmet liner as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fluid comprises a liquid. 
     
     
         9 . The impact dissipating helmet liner as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the liquid comprises one of liquid silicone rubber, a polydimethylsiloxane, and a polyol. 
     
     
         10 . The impact dissipating helmet liner as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the helmet liner comprises a liner for at least one of a baseball catcher's helmet, a baseball batter's helmet, a soft ball catcher's helmet, a softball batter's helmet, a hockey helmet, a hockey goalie mask, a motorcycle helmet, a motor cross helmet, a skiing helmet, a snowboarding helmet, a skateboarding helmet, a lacrosse helmet, a bicycle helmet, a jockey helmet, an official's helmet, a medical protection helmet, a rock or ice climbing helmet, a mountain climbing helmet, a football helmet, a construction helmet, and a military helmet. 
     
     
         11 . A helmet having the impact dissipating helmet liner as recited in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         12 . The helmet as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the helmet comprises a helmet shell containing the impact dissipating helmet liner. 
     
     
         13 . An impact dissipating liner comprising:
 a flexible, fluid impermeable enclosure having an upper wall, an opposing lower wall, and a sidewall extending between the upper wall and the lower wall;   a fabric sheet positioned in at least one of the upper wall and the lower wall; and   a fluid contained in the enclosure.   
     
     
         14 . The impact dissipating liner as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the liner further comprises a plurality of cavities extending between the upper wall and the lower wall, each of the plurality of cavities having a cavity sidewall extending from the upper wall to the lower wall. 
     
     
         15 . The impact dissipating liner as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the fabric sheet comprises one of a woven fabric, an unwoven fabric, and a knitted fabric. 
     
     
         16 . The impact dissipating liner as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the fabric sheet comprises a knitted fabric comprising a polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a polyester, and an aramid polymer. 
     
     
         17 . The impact dissipating liner as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the flexible, fluid impermeable enclosure comprises a liquid silicone rubber. 
     
     
         18 . The impact dissipating liner as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the fluid comprises a liquid. 
     
     
         19 . The impact dissipating liner as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the liquid comprises one of liquid silicone rubber, a polydimethylsiloxane, and a polyol. 
     
     
         20 . The impact dissipating liner as recited in  claim 13 , wherein liner comprises one of a helmet liner, a head gear liner, a body armor liner, a body padding liner, a barrier liner, a wall liner, and a surface liner 
     
     
         21 - 42 . (canceled)