Helmet for Reducing Concussive Forces During Collision

Abstract

An improved design for a helmet to reduce injuries caused by helmet-to-helmet collisions. Certain embodiments include novel quick release features that permit the detachment of a facemask from a helmet in 30 seconds or less so as to attend to an injured player in a rapid fashion. Other aspects relate to impact energy absorbing constructions employing an inner layer, an outer layer spaced apart from the inner padding layer, at least one layer that includes an array of polygonal structures, and at least one layer having a shock-absorbing elastomer, a visco-elastic polymer, an impact dispersing gel, or shape memory material. Still other embodiments include a wireless device with a sensor module coupled to the football helmet generating sensor data in response to an impact to the football helmet.

1 . A helmet comprising an outer shell; an inner shell that is more rigid than the outer shell, said outer shell being more flexible than the inner shell; said helmet having at least one layer that includes an array of impact absorbing polygonal structures that form a regular tessellate and being proximate to one of the outer shell and the inner shell, the at least one layer providing resistance to an impact force, and said at least one layer being breathable and generally porous to provide ventilation, said at least one layer comprising a shock-absorbing elastomer adapted to withstand the shock of an impact force without permanent deformation, said at least one layer comprising one or more of the following materials: thermoplastic polyurethane, an impact absorbing silicone, an energy-absorbing foam, a polymer gel, a shock-absorbing elastomer, a visco-elastic polymer, an impact dispersing gel, and a shape memory material, said helmet being a lightweight, force-absorbing head protective device that has a receiving space for receiving a user's head and a front open side. 
     
     
         2 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the polygonal structures are in a hexagonal pattern. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the polygonal structures comprise a honeycomb shape. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the polygonal structures are in groups of hexagons that form a regular tessellate. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer polygonal structures form is a mesh material. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the polygonal structures form a myriad of hexagonal structures. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer comprises two different elastomer materials, each having different densities to reduce single direction compressive shock forces. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the array of polygonal structures comprises a hexagonal structure. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the polygonal structures comprise groups of hexagons. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said at least one layer comprises a shock-absorbing elastomer adapted to withstand the shock of an impact force without permanent deformation. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer that includes the array of polygonal structures is flexible. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer comprises polygonal structures comprising polyurethane material. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one layer further comprises at least two or more one of the following materials: thermoplastic polyurethane, an an energy-absorbing foam, a polymer gel, a shock-absorbing elastomer, a visco-elastic polymer, an impact dispersing gel, and shape memory material. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the helmet further comprises a wireless device comprising a sensor module, coupled to the helmet, said sensor module generating sensor data in response to an impact to the helmet. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor module includes one of an accelerometer and a gyroscope. 
     
     
         16 . The helmet of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor module includes an accelerometer. 
     
     
         17 . The helmet of  claim 14 , wherein the sensor data includes one of rotational velocity data and linear acceleration data. 
     
     
         18 . A helmet comprising an outer shell; an inner shell that is more rigid than the outer shell, said outer shell being more flexible than the inner shell; said helmet having at least one layer that includes an array of impact absorbing polygonal structures that form a tessellate and that is proximate to at least one of the outer shell and the inner shell, and at least one layer providing resistance to an impact force, said at least one layer comprising one or more of the following materials: thermoplastic polyurethane, an impact absorbing silicone, an energy-absorbing foam, a polymer gel, a shock-absorbing elastomer, a visco-elastic polymer, an impact dispersing gel, and shape memory material, and a facemask having a facemask bar portion connected to the football helmet by at least two quick release facemask connecting structures positioned on at least a left side and a right side of the football helmet, and having one or more layers of internal padding or pads connected to the inner shell. 
     
     
         19 . The helmet of  claim 18 , wherein the helmet further comprises a wireless device comprising a sensor module, coupled to the helmet, said sensor module generating sensor data in response to an impact to the helmet. 
     
     
         20 . A helmet comprising an outer shell; an inner shell that is more rigid than the outer shell, said outer shell being more flexible than the inner shell; said helmet having at least one layer that includes an array of impact absorbing polygonal structures that form a regular tessellate and being proximate to at least one of the outer shell and the inner shell, the at least one layer providing resistance to an impact force, and said at least one layer comprising a mesh and being breathable and generally porous to provide ventilation, said at least one layer comprising a shock-absorbing elastomer adapted to withstand the shock of an impact force without permanent deformation, said at least one layer comprising one or more of the following materials: thermoplastic polyurethane, an impact absorbing silicone, an energy-absorbing foam, a polymer gel, a shock-absorbing elastomer, a visco-elastic polymer, an impact dispersing gel, and a shape memory material, said helmet being a lightweight, force-absorbing head protective device that has a receiving space for receiving a user's head and a front open side.