Helmet including magnetic suspension system

Abstract

A helmet that includes an outer shell having at least a first outer magnetic member, an inner shell having at least a first inner magnetic member, and padding secured inside the inner shell. The first inner magnetic member is spaced from and opposed to the first outer magnetic member, such that the first inner magnetic member repels the first outer magnetic member. The outer shell is connected to the inner shell.

Claims

1. A helmet comprising: an outer shell, an inner liner wherein the outer shell is connected to the inner liner, and at least one magnetic assembly, wherein the at least one magnetic assembly includes a set of magnetic members associated with one of the outer shell and inner liner and a corresponding opposing magnetic member associated with the other of the outer shell and inner liner, wherein the set of magnetic members includes a central magnetic member and a plurality of magnetic elements arranged concentrically around the central magnetic member, wherein within the magnetic assembly, the central magnetic member opposes and is spaced apart from the opposing magnetic member, wherein the plurality of magnetic elements arranged concentrically around the central magnetic member form a magnetic well, and wherein the plurality of magnetic elements arranged concentrically around the central magnetic member are configured to contain the opposing magnetic member within the magnetic well.

2. The helmet of claim 1 wherein the set of magnetic members is bonded to an inner surface of the outer shell and the opposing magnetic member is bonded to the outer surface of the inner liner or wherein the set of magnetic members is bonded to the outer surface of the inner liner and the opposing magnetic member is bonded to an inner surface of the outer shell.

3. The helmet of claim 1 wherein the set of magnetic members is embedded in the outer shell and the opposing magnetic member is embedded in the inner liner or wherein the set of magnetic members is embedded in the inner liner and the opposing magnetic member is embedded in the outer shell.

4. The helmet of claim 1 wherein at least one of the set of magnetic members and the opposing magnetic member comprises a powder.

5. The helmet of claim 1 wherein the inner liner is connected to the outer shell by at least a first connection member.

6. The helmet of claim 5 wherein the first connection member comprises an elastic material, such that the outer shell can move with respect to the inner liner.

7. The helmet of claim 1 wherein within the set of magnetic members, the plurality of magnetic elements arranged concentrically around the central magnetic member has a stronger magnetism than the central magnetic member.

8. The helmet of claim 1 wherein the opposing magnetic member defines a central axis, and wherein the plurality of magnetic elements arranged concentrically around the central magnetic member are configured to contain the opposing magnetic member within the magnetic well when the opposing magnetic member moves laterally with respect to the central axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention may be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a helmet with a magnetic suspension system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a top exploded view of the helmet of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a bottom exploded view of the helmet of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 4 is a cross-section of the helmet of FIG. 1;

(6) FIGS. 5A and 5B are schematic views of the helmet showing exemplary pole arrangements of the magnets;

(7) FIG. 6A is a plan view of a set of magnets used in the magnetic suspension system of the present invention;

(8) FIG. 6B is another plan view of the set of magnets used in the magnetic suspension system of the present invention with the outer magnetic member moved to the right;

(9) FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the helmet showing magnets embedded in the inner and outer shells;

(10) FIGS. 8A and 8B are cross-sectional views of a portion of the helmet showing powdered magnetic material embedded in the inner and outer shells;

(11) FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the helmet showing an exemplary connection member;

(12) FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the helmet showing another exemplary connection member; and

(13) FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of a helmet that includes a magnetic suspension system that includes electromagnets in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

(14) Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(15) The following description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in certain instances, well-known or conventional details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. References to one or an embodiment in the present disclosure can be, but not necessarily are references to the same embodiment; and, such references mean at least one of the embodiments.

(16) Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the-disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not other embodiments.

(17) The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. Certain terms that are used to describe the disclosure are discussed below, or elsewhere in the specification, to provide additional guidance to the practitioner regarding the description of the disclosure. For convenience, certain terms may be highlighted, for example using italics and/or quotation marks: The use of highlighting has no influence on the scope and meaning of a term; the scope and meaning of a term is the same, in the same context, whether or not it is highlighted.

(18) It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way.

(19) Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein. No special significance is to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for certain terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.

(20) Without intent to further limit the scope of the disclosure, examples of instruments, apparatus, methods and their related results according to the embodiments of the present disclosure are given below. Note that titles or subtitles may be used in the examples for convenience of a reader, which in no way should limit the scope of the disclosure. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control.

(21) It will be appreciated that terms such as “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “side,” “short,” “long,” “up,” “down,” “aft,” “forward,” “inboard,” “outboard” and “below” used herein are merely for ease of description and refer to the orientation of the components as shown in the figures. It should be understood that any orientation of the components described herein is within the scope of the present invention.

(22) Referring now to the figures, which are for purposes of illustrating the present invention and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIGS. 1-10 show a helmet 10 that includes an outer shell 12 that includes at least a first outer magnetic member 14, an inner shell 16 that includes at least a first inner magnetic member 18, and a liner or padding 19 that is secured inside the inner shell 16. In another embodiment, the padding 19 and inner shell 16 can be unitary or a single piece. It will be appreciated that the liner or padding can be any kind of liner system, pads, padding, net or the like that go inside a helmet to either protect the wearer or help secure the helmet to the wearer's head. The helmet 10 can also include a facemask 21, ear holes 23 or other components associated with a football helmet. In a preferred embodiment, the outer shell 12 includes a plurality of outer magnetic members 14 and the inner shell 16 includes a plurality of inner magnetic members 18. Preferably, the outer magnetic members 14 face inwardly and oppose the inner magnetic members 18 that face outwardly. As shown in FIG. 4, the inner magnetic members 18 are spaced from the outer magnetic members 14. Some or all of the inner magnetic members 18 are opposed to outer magnetic members 14. It will be appreciated that the magnetic members are configured such that the inner magnetic members 18 repel the outer magnetic members 14. In a preferred embodiment, the magnetic vectors of the inner and outer magnetic members 18 and 14 are generally parallel with respect to one another and are generally perpendicular to the plane of the inner or outer shell 16 or 12 at the point where attached to the inner or outer shell 16 or 12.

(23) The inner and outer magnetic members can be permanent or regular magnets, electromagnets or a combination thereof (see FIG. 11). In a preferred embodiment, the inner shell 16 and outer shell 12 are fabricated as bonded, permanent or blended powder magnets with a smooth surface, and are subsequently magnetized such that the magnetic vectors are uniformly in opposition. This is represented diagrammatically in FIG. 5A with magnetic north (N) and south (S) poles indicated, and for the purposes of this example, the south (S) poles are shown opposing one another. Any orientation of the opposing magnets is within the scope of the present invention. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, the magnetic vectors can also alternate over the surface of the inner shell and outer shells 16 and 12, but remain in magnetic opposition when the inner shell 16 is properly oriented with the outer shell 12. Each set can have alternating magnetic vectors. For purposes of this example, the magnetic vectors have a north (N) opposing face toward the crown of the helmet 10 and south (S) opposing vectors along the side of the helmet 10.

(24) In a preferred embodiment, one or both of the inner and outer magnetic members 18 and 14 are configured such that they comprise a plurality of rosettes or sets 20 of magnetic members. FIG. 6A shows a set 20 of inner magnetic members together with a single outer magnetic member 14. In a preferred embodiment, each set 20 includes a central magnetic member 22 and a plurality of surrounding magnetic members 24. The central magnetic member 22 opposes and repels one of the outer magnetic members 14. In a preferred embodiment, the central magnetic member 22 is co-axial with the opposing outer magnetic member 14 (or inner magnetic member if the set is on the outside shell). FIGS. 6A and 6B show a view of the set 20 together with the outer magnetic member 14 from outside the helmet. As a result, the central magnetic member 22 is shown in hidden lines in FIG. 6A as it is covered by outer magnetic member 14.

(25) As discussed above, the surrounding magnetic members 24 are positioned to create a “magnetic wall” to contain the outer magnetic member 14 when lateral rotation movement occurs. This is shown in FIG. 6B. This arrangement creates a magnetic well 26 between the plurality of surrounding magnetic members 24. It will be appreciated that the central magnetic member 22 opposes and repels the opposing outer magnetic member 14 while the surrounding magnetic members 24 (that are located radially or laterally outwardly from the central magnetic member 22 and are generally arranged concentrically around the central magnetic member) contain the outer magnetic member 14 so that it cannot move outside of the well 26 in a lateral or sideways direction (see the arrow representing magnet 14 moving to the right in FIG. 6B and being contained within the well 26 by magnets 24 on the right).

(26) In a preferred embodiment, the surrounding magnetic members 24 have a stronger magnetism than the central magnetic member 22. This can be done by providing a stronger magnetic material for the surrounding magnetic members 24 or by making the surrounding magnetic members 24 larger than the central magnetic member 22 (if they are made of the same material), as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. As shown in FIG. 6A, the surrounding magnetic members 24 are not opposed to any outer magnetic members. However in another embodiment, the surrounding magnetic members 24 can be opposed to an outer magnetic members (or inner magnetic member if the sets 20 are on the outside shell). It will be appreciated that the sets 20 may overlap one another. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, at least some of the surrounding magnetic members 24 of a first set can also be the surrounding magnetic members 24 of a second set.

(27) The magnetic members can be secured to or within the subject shell in any number of different ways. For example, in a preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the outer magnetic members 14 can be bonded to an inner surface 12a of the outer shell 12 and the inner magnetic members 18 can be bonded to an outer surface 16a of the inner shell 16. In another preferred embodiment, the outer magnetic members 14 can be embedded in the outer shell 12 and the inner magnetic members 18 can be embedded in the inner shell 16. The embedded magnetic members can be exposed to an exterior surface of the inner and outer shells or can be completely embedded therein. For example, as shown in FIG. 7 in a preferred embodiment, the outer magnetic members 14 can be received and be secured in a recess 28 defined in the inner surface 12a of the outer shell 12 and the inner magnetic members 18 can be received in a recess 29 defined in the outer surface 16a of the inner shell 16. In another preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8A-8B, the inner and outer magnetic members 18 and 14 can comprise a powder that is embedded in the inner or outer shell 12, 16. FIG. 8A shows powder only disposed in some areas to create the magnetic members. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8B, powder is disposed throughout the inner and/or outer shells 16 and 12. In this embodiment, the inner shell 12 is magnetized and the outer shell 16 is magnetized. This essentially makes the inner shell 12 the inner magnetic member 14 and the outer shell 16 the outer magnetic member. In another embodiment, separate magnets (e.g., disc magnets) can be added to the magnetized (via powder) inner and outer shells to enhance the magnetic suspension effect. For example, a one or more sets 20 can be added to the inner or outer shell with an opposing single magnet on the other of the inner or outer shell. The sets can be added in key impact locations. For example, in a football helmet the sets can be added to the front, back, left and right sides and crown of the helmet. In another embodiment, one of the inner or outer shell 16 or 12 can include powder therein and the other of the inner or outer shell 16 or 12 can include separate magnets (e.g., disc magnets) thereon.

(28) In another embodiment, the magnetic powder can be dispersed throughout the inner and outer shells (as shown in FIG. 8B), and then certain areas can be magnetized thereafter to create the sets 20 or other arrangement of magnets, e.g., wells and walls. The strategic magnetization of powder in different areas of the shells allows for the ability to magnetize and create inner and outer magnetic members as desired. For example, instead of a plurality (i.e., 2-6 disc magnets) surrounding a central magnet to create a set, an actual circular pattern of powder embedded in the inner or outer shell can create the surrounding magnetic members that define the well and surround a central magnetic member comprised of magnetized powder.

(29) As shown in FIGS. 9-10, in a preferred embodiment, the helmet includes at least one and preferably a plurality of connection members 30 that secure the inner shell 16 to the outer shell 12. Preferably, the connection members 30 are comprised of an elastic material, such that the outer shell 12 can move with respect to the inner shell 16. The material can be rubber or another elastomer (e.g., a bungee cord). The connection members 30 can be a strip of material that extends between the outer shell 12 and the inner shell 16 and is secured thereto. A permanent connection can be provided or a temporary connection so that the outer shell 12 can be separated from the inner shell 16. In the temporary connection, the strip of material can be adhered to one of the inner or outer shell and then secured to the other of the inner or outer shell by VELCRO™ (hook and loop fastener) 32, snap, button, lever or other connection device. In another embodiment, a single connection member can extend all the way around the bottom edges, bottom rims or outer periphery of the inner and outer shells 18 and 12. It will be appreciated that FIGS. 9-10 also show an embodiment where the set of magnets are on the outer shell 12 (including the central magnetic member 22 and surrounding magnetic members 24) and the single magnet (inner magnet member 18) is included on the inner shell 16.

(30) FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of the invention where at least some of the magnets are electromagnets. FIG. 11 shows the helmet 36 with the outer shell 12 with an electromagnetic coil system 40 adjacent to the rosettes or sets 20 of magnets. The embodiment includes wires 42 for electrical communication between the coils 44 and a controller 46 that is located in a pocket or recess 48 in the helmet at the base of the shell. The controller 46 can include a computer processing electronic impact measurement chip powered by lithium batteries and the required sensors (e.g., accelerometer sensors) for sensing a predetermined impact level and activating the electromagnets. Only two sets 20 of magnets and accompanying electromagnets are shown in FIG. 11. However, it will be appreciated that more can be included, similar to the embodiment above. The electromagnets can be on one side (inner or outer shell) and the permanent magnets can be on the other. In another embodiment the electromagnets can be on both the inner and outer shell. In another embodiment, the electromagnets can alternate between the inner and outer shell with the permanent magnets. In another embodiment, the electromagnets can be coupled with the permanent magnets to increase the strength when higher force impacts are detected.

(31) It will be appreciated that alternative embodiments are within the scope of the present invention. For example, a single central magnet can be positioned at the crown of the inner or outer shell that is opposed to a set of magnetic plates that form a magnetic well. In another embodiment sets 20 that oppose a single magnetic member can be provided on the inner and outer shells. In other words, a set 20 on the outer shell 12 can oppose a single inner magnetic member 18 and can be positioned adjacent a set 20 on the inner shell 18 that opposes a single outer magnetic member 14.

(32) Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variant thereof, means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling of connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

(33) The above-detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the teachings to the precise form disclosed above. While specific embodiments of and examples for the disclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Further, any specific numbers noted herein are only examples: alternative implementations may employ differing values, measurements or ranges.

(34) The teachings of the disclosure provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. Any measurements described or used herein are merely exemplary and not a limitation on the present invention. Other measurements can be used. Further, any specific materials noted herein are only examples: alternative implementations may employ differing materials.

(35) Any patents and applications and other references noted above, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Aspects of the disclosure can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the disclosure.

(36) These and other changes can be made to the disclosure in light of the above Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments. While the above description describes certain embodiments of the disclosure, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the teachings can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its implementation details, while still being encompassed by the subject matter disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the disclosures to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification unless the above Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the disclosure encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the disclosure under the claims.

(37) Accordingly, although exemplary embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that all the terms used herein are descriptive rather than limiting, and that many changes, modifications, and substitutions may be made by one having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.