PHYSIOLOGICAL AND NEUROLOGICAL MONITORING SPORTSWEAR

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a physiological and neurological monitoring apparatus that monitors and satisfies the need for an improved buffer between the skull of a user and the impacting object so as to minimize the likelihood of neck and cranial injury. Further the helmet comprises a facemask for prevent concussions by absorbing the energy from an impact and redirecting the energy across the structure of the helmet shell. The embodiment comprises a helmet shell with elongated cheek guards and an elongated rear neck guard which follows the contour of the user's shoulder line and continues sufficiently below the head of said user to cover the rear neck of the user. These additions help prevent concussions by providing a larger surface of protection to especially weak areas that are prone to injury such as the rear of the neck and the lower jaw line.

Claims

1. A helmet comprising: a molded shell; wherein said molded shell comprises a front side, a rear side, cavity, a back elongated extension and a side elongated portion; wherein said cavity is formed in a lower portion of said molded shell for receiving a user's head; wherein said back elongated extension extends and covers the user's rear neck; a inner shell surface; a facemask buffer system, wherein said facemask system comprises a facemask and an impact absorbing mechanism; a chinstrap buffer system, wherein said chinstrap buffer system comprises a chin guard and at least two straps mechanically coupled to the inner shell surface; a cheek guard pad, wherein said cheek guard pad is configured to be located between the user's head and said inner shell surface; a cranial buffer system, wherein said cranial buffer system comprises an inlet, an outlet, at least an air sleeve, at least a first fan, wherein said inlet comprises a first opening in said molded shell that provides access to air from outside the molded shell into said air sleeve and said outlet comprises a second opening in said molded shell that serves as an air escape; a brain monitoring system, wherein said brain monitoring system comprises a plurality of sensors in contact with the user's head; and wherein said brain monitoring system is configured to store the user's neurological data in a database.

2. The helmet as in claim 1, wherein said first fan assists with the air flowing from outside the molded shell into said air sleeve.

3. The helmet as in claim 1, wherein said cranial buffer system comprises an electromechanical air pressure sensor.

4. The helmet as in claim 1, wherein said absorbing mechanism comprises: at least a first channel and a second channel; at least a first guide rod and a second guide rod, wherein each rod comprises a first distal end and a second distal end; at least a first elastic member and a second elastic member, wherein each elastic member comprises a first elastic distal end and a second elastic distal end; wherein said first distal end is attached to the facemask and the second distal end is inside at least said first channel; wherein said first elastic distal end is attached to said facemask and the second elastic distal end is attached to the inner shell surface; and wherein said first elastic member is concentric around said first guide rod.

5. The helmet as in claim 4, wherein the first elastic member comprises a spring.

6. The helmet as in claim 4, wherein the first elastic member comprises at least a set of springs, wherein each spring comprises a different spring constant.

7. The helmet as in claim 1, wherein said absorbing mechanism comprises at least an electromechanical sensor.

8. The helmet as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of sensors comprises at least an electrode.

9. The helmet as in claim 1, wherein said chin guard system comprises an air pouch including an opening.

10. The helmet as in claim 9, wherein said chin guard system comprises a first hole and a first fan, wherein said opening receives air from said first fan.

11. The helmet as in claim 1, wherein said brain monitoring system is configured to send alarms based on the user's stored neurological data.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles the present disclosure showing a football helmet with facemask buffer system installed in the interior of said football helmet.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet.

[0022] FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a facemask buffer system.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a side view is a an exemplary embodiment in accordance with of the principles of the present disclosure showing a facemask buffer system.

[0024] FIG. 5A through 5D are different views of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a chin strap buffer system.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles the present disclosure showing a football helmet with facemask on the exterior of said football helmet.

[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet without a facemask buffer system.

[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet with facemask and a cross section of the exterior of said football helmet.

[0028] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a cross section football helmet and removable brain monitoring electrode.

[0029] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet with camera.

[0030] FIGS. 11A-11B are perspective views of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a set of cheek guard pads.

[0031] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing said cheek guard pads with monitoring system.

[0032] FIG. 13 is a front cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet with facemask buffer system installed in the interior of said football helmet.

[0033] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet with facemask on the interior of said football helmet.

[0034] FIG. 15 is a front view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a brain monitoring system.

[0035] FIG. 16 is a rear cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet.

[0036] FIG. 17 is a side view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a brain monitoring system and its relative position to a user's head and neck.

[0037] FIG. 18 is a side view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a brain monitoring system and removable front and rear brain monitoring electrodes.

[0038] FIG. 19 is a is a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a brain monitoring system with reference to its position on the skull of a user.

[0039] FIG. 20 is a rear view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet.

[0040] FIG. 21 is a front view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet.

[0041] FIG. 22 is a rear view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet.

[0042] FIG. 23 is a bottom view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet.

[0043] FIG. 24 is a side view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet.

[0044] FIG. 25 is a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet.

[0045] FIG. 26 is a front view of the exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure showing a football helmet without a facemask buffer system.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0046] In the summary above, in the description and appended claims below, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particular features of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the disclosure of the product in this specification includes all possible combinations of such particular features. For example, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of a particular aspect or embodiment of the disclosure, or a particular claim, that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combination with and/or in the context of other particular aspects and embodiments of the disclosure, and in the disclosure generally.

[0047] The term comprises and grammatical equivalents thereof are used herein to mean that other components, structures, steps, etc. are optionally present. For example, an article comprising (or which comprises) components A, B, and C can consist of (i.e., contain only) components A, B, and C, or van contain not only components A, B, and C, but also one or more other components or structures.

[0048] The term at least followed by a number is used herein to denote the start of a range beginning with that number (which may be a range having an upper limit or no upper limit, depending on the variable being defined). For example, at least 1 means 1 more than 1. The term at most followed by a number is used herein to denote the end of a range ending with that number (which may be a range having 1 or 0 as its lower limit, or a range having no lower limit, depending upon the variable being defined). For example, at most 4 means 4 or less than 4, and at most 40% means 40% or less than 40%. When, in this specification, a range is given as (a first number) to (a second number) or (a first number)-(a second number), this means a range whose lower limit is the first number and whose upper limit is the second number. For example, 25 to 100 mm means a range whose lower limit is 25 mm, and whose upper limit is 100 mm.

[0049] The term mechanical features is used herein to mean features of a component, mechanical or geometric, which have a functional purpose of attaching or linking that component to one or more other components with compatible or corresponding mechanical features. An example of a mechanical feature is a slot in a component, where said slot is designed to accept a tab from another component and the union of the slot and tab from the two components effectively links, attaches, fixes, and/or locks the components together. The term mechanical features refers to, but is not limited to: hooks, hook and loop fasteners, slot and tabs, all male and female fasteners, screws, bolts, nuts, holes that have been tapped, latches, pins, etc.

[0050] While the specification will conclude with claims defining the features of embodiments of the disclosure that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the disclosure will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.

[0051] As show in FIG. 1 the present disclosure is directed to a preferred embodiment in the form of a football helmet 100 comprising: a molded shell 110 having a cavity 120 formed in the lower portion thereof for receiving a user's head 130, said shell 110 formed to have an elongated extension 140 that covers the rear neck 150 of said user. A face mask is attached by mechanical mechanism, such as energy absorbers. The helmet 100 comprises an elongated portion 160 that extends to cover the jaw 170 of said user. The helmet comprises a facemask 210 and a mechanically attached to the football helmet 100 having a front side 101 and rear side 102 wherein said front side 101 has an opening for a user's face and said rear side 102 covers said user's rear 180 of head.

[0052] Referring to facemask buffer system 200 on FIGS. 2-4, the preferred embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a facemask buffer system 200, wherein said facemask buffer system 200 comprises: a facemask 210 mechanically attached to the football helmet 100, at least two channels 220 formed within said football helmet 100 that run from said front side 101 and towards said rear side 102 of said football helmet 100; at least two guide rods 230, each having a first 231 and second distal end 232 wherein said first distal end 231 is attached to said facemask 210 and second distal end 232 moves freely within one of said channels 220 thus allowing each said guide rod 230 to translate longitudinally through its respective said channel 220; at least two springs 240, each spring 240 having a first and second distal spring end wherein said first distal spring end is in contact with said facemask 210 and second distal end is in contact with said football helmet 100, each spring 240 is concentric around one said guide rod 230 and compresses and extends according to said guide rod's 230 translational movement along said channel 220.

[0053] Another embodiment of the present disclosure is in the form of a facemask buffer system 200, wherein each said guide rod 230 has more than one spring 240 concentrically around itself and each said spring 240 has a different spring 240 constant from the other springs on particular said guide rod 230.

[0054] Another embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 2-4, is in the form of a facemask buffer system 200, further comprising an electromechanical sensor 250 located between one distal spring end of said spring 240 and said facemask 210 or said football helmet 100, said electromechanical sensor 250 being able to gather data regarding compressive forces sustained by said spring 240.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 5A through 5D, a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is in the form of a chinstrap buffer system 300, the system comprising: a chin guard 310, having an inner side 311 thereof for receiving a user's chin 190, an outer side 312 opposite to said inner side 311, and a hole 320 that extrudes from said outer side 312 to said inner side 311; a micro-electronic fan 330, embedded in said hole 320; an electromechanical air pressure sensor 360 integrated with said air pouch 340, secured to said inner side of said chin guard 311 and having an opening coinciding with said hole 320 for receiving a flow of air from said fan 330; and at least two straps 350, each said strap having a distal first end 351 and a distal second end 352 wherein each said first distal end 351 is attached to said chin guard 310 and each said second distal end 352 is attached to a football helmet 100. Further said electromechanical air pressure sensor 360 gather data regarding air pressure within said air pouch 340.

[0056] In an alternative embodiment a chinstrap buffer system 300, further comprising an electromechanical sensor attached to either distal end, 351 or 352, of at least one of said straps 350, said electromechanical sensor being able to record data regarding tension forces along said strap 350.

[0057] The present helmet further comprises a cranial buffer system 400, as shown in FIGS. 6-10, wherein said cranial buffer system 400 comprises a football helmet 100, having an inner side 103 thereof for receiving a user's head 180, an outer side 104 opposite to said inner side 103, and at least one hole 410 that extrudes from said outer side 104 to said inner side 103; at least one micro-electronic fan 420, embedded in said hole 410; and an air sleeve 430, secured to said inner side 103 of said football helmet 100 and located between said football helmet and said user's head 180, having a first opening coinciding with said hole 410 for receiving a flow of air from said fan 420, and having a second opening 450 near user's rear neck 150 for air escape. Further the cranial buffer system 400 comprises an electromechanical air pressure sensor 460 integrated with said air sleeve 430, said electromechanical air pressure sensor 460 being able to gather data regarding air pressure within said air sleeve 430.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 11A through 12, also shown in FIG. 2, a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is in the form of a cheek guard pad 500 comprising: an outer layer 510 made of a structurally rigid material; and an inner layer 520 made of a soft material, said inner layer 520 is bonded or attached to one side of said outer layer 510.

[0059] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a brain monitoring system 600, as shown in FIGS. 13-18 wherein the brain monitoring system comprises a football helmet 100, having an inner side thereof for receiving a user's head 180; a helmet insert 610, located between said football helmet 100 and said user's head 180, made of a soft material; at least one electrode 620, located on the surface of said helmet insert 610 and positioned on said helmet insert so as to have physical contact with the forehead of said user and rear neck 150 of said user, said electrode 620 being able to gather data regarding said user's electrical brain activity; a microprocessor 630 electrically connected to each said electrode 620; and a digital storage medium electrically connected to said microprocessor 630. Further the brain monitoring system 600 comprises a transmitter for transmits data wirelessly to a receiver, said transmitter electrically connected to said microprocessor 630. In an alternative embodiment a brain monitoring system 600, further comprises a digital display, said digital display being electrically connected to said microprocessor 630 and/or a speaker electrically connected to said microprocessor 630.

[0060] In light of the foregoing description, it should be recognized that embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure can be realized in numerous configurations contemplated to be within the scope and spirit of the claims. Additionally, the description above is intended by way of example only and is not intended to limit the present disclosure in any way, except as set forth in the claims. FIGS. 19-26 clearly pointed out the inner and outer structure of the helmet as explained above. The apparatus is directed to satisfy the need for a brain monitoring system in combination with a buffer between the skull of a user and the impacting object so as to minimize the likelihood of neck and cranial injury. The use of elongated cheek guards, as shown in FIG. 24, and an elongated rear neck guard, as shown in FIG. 19, which follows the contour of the user's shoulder line and continues sufficiently below the head of said user to cover the rear neck of the user 130. The configuration assists to prevent concussions by providing a larger surface of protection to especially weak areas that are prone to injury such as the rear of the neck, chins and the lower jaw line.

[0061] The disclosure is not limited to the precise configuration described above. While the disclosure has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject disclosure will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this disclosure after considering this specification together with the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, all such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the disclosure are deemed to be covered by this disclosure as defined in the following claims and their legal equivalents. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses, if any, are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.

[0062] All of the patents, patent applications, and publications recited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. All, or substantially all, the components disclosed in such patents may be used in the embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as equivalents thereof. The details in the patents, patent applications, and publications incorporated by reference herein may be considered to be incorporable at applicant's option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patentable distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.