Impact Protection System

Abstract

Disclosed is an impact protection system for wearing on a head of a user. The impact protection system has a protective layer formed from a plurality of panels. At least one of the panels can translate relative to one or more of the other panels a sufficient amount to facilitate a change in the shape of the protective layer. Such a system may be advantageous by allowing the impact protection system to accommodate a variety of head shapes and sizes. This in turn makes the system more comfortable for the user, as well as potentially making a single design and/or size suitable for a wider range of users.

1 ) An impact protection system for wearing on a head of a user, the impact protection system comprising a protective layer formed from a plurality of panels, wherein at least one of the panels can translate relative to one or more of the other panels a sufficient amount to facilitate a change in the shape of the protective layer. 
     
     
         2 ) The impact protection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the panels are flexible. 
     
     
         3 ) The impact protection system according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein at least some of the panels that are adjacent partially overlap. 
     
     
         4 ) The impact protection system according to  claim 3 , wherein the overlapping of the panels comprises a half lap join. 
     
     
         5 ) The impact protection system according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein one of the panels comprises a notch and another one of the panels comprises a tab, such that the tab fits within the notch to locate the panels in a neutral position. 
     
     
         6 ) The impact protection system according to  any one of the preceding claims , further comprising a deformable layer inside the protective layer so as to face a wearer in use. 
     
     
         7 ) The impact protection system according to  claim 6 , wherein the deformable layer comprises a shear thickening or non-Newtonian component. 
     
     
         8 ) The impact protection system according to  claim 7 , wherein the deformable layer comprises at least one of:
 a) a shear thickening foam;   b) a shear thickening moulded foam;   c) a polymer matrix comprising a shear thickening additive;   d) a foam with non-Newtonian fluid filling;   e) a non-Newtonian material;   f) a polyurethane energy-absorbing material; and,   g) a polyurethane material containing Polyborodimethylsiloxane.   
     
     
         9 ) The impact protection system according to any one of  claim 7 or 8 , wherein the shear thickening or non-Newtonian component has a thickness that is at least one of:
 a) ˜5 mm;   b) <5 mm;   c) <20 mm;   d) >10 mm;   e) 5-20 mm;   f) 10-15 mm;   g) <30 mm; and,   h) ˜30 mm;   
     
     
         10 ) The impact protection system according to any one of  claims 6 to 9 , wherein the deformable layer is made of at least one of:
 a) an auxetic material;   b) a deformable fluid layer;   c) an impact absorbing foam;   d) an elastically deformable layer;   e) a plastically deformable layer;   f) a plastic;   g) a rubber;   h) Kevlar;   i) an EPU (Expanded PolyUrethane) foam;   j) an EPS (Expanded Polystyrene) foam;   k) an EPP (Expanded Polypropylene) foam; and,   l) a PPS (Polyphenylene Sulfide) foam.   
     
     
         11 ) The impact protection system according to any one of  claims 6 to 10 , wherein the deformable layer and the protective layer are at least partially coupled using at least one of:
 a) mechanical bonding;   b) chemical bonding;   c) welding;   d) adhesive; and,   e) fasteners.   
     
     
         12 ) The impact protection system according to any one of  claims 6 to 11 , wherein the deformable layer is removable. 
     
     
         13 ) The impact protection system according to any one of  claims 6 to 12 , wherein:
 a) the deformable layer has a thickness that is at least one of:
 i) ˜15 mm; 
 ii) >20 mm; 
 iii) >23 mm; 
 iv) <26 mm; 
 v) <30 mm; 
 vi) 20-25 mm; 
 vii) 23-26 mm; and, 
 viii) ˜30 mm; and, 
   b) the protective layer has a thickness that is at least one of:
 i) ˜1 mm; 
 ii) >1 mm; 
 iii) >1.5 mm; 
 iv) <3 mm; 
 v) <4 mm; 
 vi) 1-4 mm; 
 vii) 1.5-3 mm; and, 
 viii) ˜4 mm 
   
     
     
         14 ) The impact protection system according to any one of  claims 6 to 13 , wherein the deformable layer comprises a plurality of sections that are each attached to a single one of the panels. 
     
     
         15 ) The impact protection system according to  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of sections of the deformable layer comprise chamfered edges to accommodate the translation of the panels. 
     
     
         16 ) The impact protection system according to any one of  claims 6 to 15 , wherein a flexible member extends downwardly from a lower edge of a rear portion of the deformable layer. 
     
     
         17 ) The impact protection system according to  claim 16 , wherein the flexible member is configured to abut and substantially conform to a shape of a user's head and/or neck during use. 
     
     
         18 ) The impact protection system according to any one of  claims 6 to 17 , wherein the deformable layer has a cover extending over an inner surface so as to be located between the deformable layer and the head of the user during use, the cover being made of at least one of:
 a) a woven fabric;   b) a non-woven fabric;   c) an elasticated fabric; and,   d) an open cell foam.   
     
     
         19 ) The impact protection system according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the protective layer has a cover extending over an outer surface, the cover being made of at least one of:
 a) a woven fabric;   b) a non-woven fabric;   c) an elasticated fabric; and,   d) an open cell foam.   
     
     
         20 ) The impact protection system according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the panels are connected to one another to limit a width of a gap that can form when adjacent panels translate away from one another. 
     
     
         21 ) The impact protection system according to  claim 20 , wherein the panels are connected by at least one of:
 a) an elastic tether;   b) an inelastic strap;   c) a flexible band; and,   d) a rigid brace.   
     
     
         22 ) The impact protection system according to any one of  claim 20 or 21 , wherein the protective layer comprises at least one backing member that spans the gap caused when the panels translate away from one another. 
     
     
         23 ) The impact protection system according to  claim 22 , wherein the backing member comprises at least one groove and the panels on either side of the backing member comprise at least one pin that extends into the groove, the pins and groove thereby cooperating to allow but also limit relative translation between the panels that are connected by the backing member. 
     
     
         24 ) The impact protection system according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the relative translation between the panels can occur in three dimensions. 
     
     
         25 ) The impact protection system according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein one of the panels is a central spine that is flexible. 
     
     
         26 ) The impact protection system according to  claim 25 , wherein the central spine runs coronally. 
     
     
         27 ) The impact protection system according to  claim 25 , wherein the central spine runs sagitally. 
     
     
         28 ) The impact protection system according to any one of  claims 25 to 27 , wherein a plurality of the panels are anchored to the central spine. 
     
     
         29 ) The impact protection system according to any one of  claims 25 to 28 , wherein the central spine has a bias towards extension. 
     
     
         30 ) The impact protection system according to any one of  claims 25 to 28 , wherein the central spine has a bias towards flexion. 
     
     
         31 ) The impact protection system according to any one of  claims 25 to 28 , wherein the central spine comprises a biasing member that is coupled to an inside surface of the central spine. 
     
     
         32 ) The impact protection system according to any one of  claims 25 to 28 , wherein the central spine comprises a biasing member that is coupled to an outside surface of the central spine. 
     
     
         33 ) The impact protection system according to  claim 32 , wherein the biasing member extends through one or more apertures in the central spine, thereby securing the biasing member to the outer surface while allowing the biasing member to slide relative to the central spine during bending. 
     
     
         34 ) The impact protection system according to any one of  claim 32 or 33 , wherein ends of the biasing member extend through apertures in the central spine, such that as the central spine bends the biasing member is free to slide relative to the central spine while remaining substantially abutting the outer surface. 
     
     
         35 ) The impact protection system according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the protective layer is coupled to a securing mechanism to secure the impact protection system to the user. 
     
     
         36 ) The impact protection system according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the protective layer is made of at least one of:
 a) a thermoplastic polymer;   b) ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene);   c) PP (Polypropylene);   d) PC (Polycarbonate);   e) Kevlar; and,   f) HDPE (High-density polyethylene).   
     
     
         37 ) The impact protection system according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the protective layer comprises at least one of:
 a) a honeycomb structure;   b) one or more holes that allow airflow therethrough;   c) surface features that enhance localised flexibility;   d) variable thickness; and,   e) ribbing.   
     
     
         38 ) The impact protection system according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the impact protection system comprises a visual indicator indicative of a damage state of the impact protection system. 
     
     
         39 ) The impact protection system according to  claim 38 , wherein the visual indicator undergoes a colour change following an impact with the impact protection system. 
     
     
         40 ) The impact protection system according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the impact protection system comprises an adjustment mechanism to at least partially adjust the size of the impact protection system. 
     
     
         41 ) The impact protection system according to  claim 40 , wherein the adjustment mechanism comprises:
 a) one or more tensioning members;   b) an elasticated tensioning system;   c) a ratchet tensioning system; and,   d) an adjustable internal frame.   
     
     
         42 ) The impact protection system according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the impact protection system can be folded or squashed for storage. 
     
     
         43 ) The impact protection system according to  any one of the preceding claims , wherein the width of the impact protection system when folded relative to the width in a neutral position is reduced by at least one of:
 a) 40%;   b) 50%;   c) 60%; and,   d) 70%.