Protective headgear appliance

Abstract

A protective headgear device, or helmet, protects against head injuries such as concussions and CTE by imposing a network of constant force members (CFMs) between an outer impact shell and an inner fitted capsule engaging the skull/head surface. CFMs exhibit a force absorbing behavior that differs from conventional linear spring behavior that impose a counterforce proportional to the displaced distance. CFMs occupy a compact void between the outer impact shell and the inner fitted capsule by component miniaturization and tethers that redirect forces within the void. An absence of conventional foam and straps increases accommodation for the CFMs and connection tethers/attachments. The CFMs exhibit a substantially constant force that avoids a sharp impactful response associated with head injuries.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An impact absorbing helmet appliance device, comprising:
 an impact shell adapted to receive an incoming force;   a fitted capsule having an engaging area adapted for communication with a wearer, the fitted capsule adapted to disperse forces directed to the impact shell; and   one or more controlled force members (CFM) between the impact shell and the fitted capsule, the controlled force members adapted to apply a nonlinear response for transferring force between the impact shell and the fitted capsule.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the controlled force members is disposed at an opposed position on the impact shell from an impact region defined by points having a higher likelihood of receiving an external impact. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the fitted capsule is circumferentially aligned within the impact shell and separated by a displacement zone, the displacement zone permitting non-contact travel of the fitted capsule within the impact shell. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  further comprising a tether attaching the CFM between the impact shell and the fitted capsule, the tether for transferring tensional force between the impact shell and the fitted member in response to an impact force on an opposed side of the impact shell. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the CFM attaches between the impact shell and the fitted capsule, the CFM adapted for receiving compression forces directed to the impact shell at an attachment point of the CFM, the CFM absorbing force disposing the impact shell towards the fitted capsule. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 3  further comprising:
 at least one CFM disposed in the displacement zone and tethered for absorbing tensional forces in response to a force imposed on the impact shell on the opposed side of an attachment of the tether; and 
 at least one CFM disposed in the displacement zone and disposed for absorbing compressive forces in response to a force imposed on the impact shell on the side of the received impact. 
 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  further wherein the CFM is disposed for receiving a component of force received by the impact shell based on an angle of an attachment of the CFM to the fitted capsule and an impact location on the impact shell. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the CFM further comprises:
 a deformable member adapted to compressively deform in response to the impact force transferred between the impact shell and the fitted capsule, the deformable member having an elastic field disposed for compression. 
 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8  wherein the deformable member is disposed in a channel, the deformable member in slidable communication with an interior surface of the channel,
 the channel having a region of a greater cross section and a region of reduced cross section, further comprising: 
 a coupling between the impact shell and the deformable member, the coupling attached for directing the transferred force to the deformable member in a direction to dispose the deformable member from the region of greater cross section to the region of reduced cross section. 
 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  further comprising a flexible tether defining the coupling, the flexible tether adapted for transferring tensioning forces from the fitted capsule. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9  further comprising a rigid shaft defining the coupling, the rigid shaft adapted for transferring compressive forces from the impact shell. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the CFM further comprises:
 an elongated deformable member having an annular section; 
 an engaging post in slidable communication with the annular section, the annular section extending around a circumference of the engaging post for defining an elastic field; 
 a coupling between the elongated deformable member and the impact shell, the coupling adapted to draw the annular section along the circumference of the engaging post. 
 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the annular section has a curved bias for engaging the circumference in an untensioned position, the coupling adapted to draw the annular section into a straight configuration against the curved bias. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the annular section has a region of greater cross section and a region of reduced cross section, the area of reduced cross section responsive with less force for maintaining the curved bias than the area of greater cross section. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 12  further comprising opposed engaging posts, the elongated member extending between the opposed engaging posts and having annular sections extending around each of the opposed engaging posts. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the CFM further comprises:
 a deformable member adapted to compressively deform in response to the impact force between the impact shell and the fitted capsule, the deformable member having an elastic field disposed for compression.