Impact absorbing protection unit

Abstract

A high impact sport absorbing and dissipating device designed to be mounted on a chest/back impact absorbing device. The impact absorbing device comprises a head cover structure and a ring holder structure mechanically coupled to a retractor mechanism attached to the waist band by means of several straps. The impact absorbing unit eliminates the chances of the wearer receiving a concussion to the head thus preventing chronic traumatic encephalopathy and possible neck or upper spinal chord injuries.

Claims

1. An impact absorbing unit comprising: at least a helmet, a ring attachment; an upper body protector including shoulder pads, an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein said helmet is mechanically coupled to the ring attachment, wherein said ring attachment is located between said helmet and said upper body protector; at least an outer front extendable strap including a first retractor mechanism; at least an outer back extendable strap including a second retractor mechanism; an adjustable waist band, wherein said outer front extendable strap and said outer back extendable strap are mechanically coupled to said adjustable waist band; and lower body holders.

2. The impact absorbing unit, as in claim 1 comprising: at least an inner back strap including a first strap length adjuster and at least an inner front strap including a second strap length adjuster.

3. The impact absorbing unit, as in claim 2, wherein said inner back strap is mechanically coupled to said upper body protector; and wherein said inner front strap is mechanically coupled to said upper body protector.

4. The impact absorbing unit, as in claim 3, wherein said inner back strap is mechanically coupled to the inner surface of the upper body protector; and wherein said inner front strap is mechanically coupled to the inner surface of the upper body protector.

5. The impact absorbing unit, as in claim 1, wherein said outer front extendable strap is mechanically coupled to the ring attachment; and wherein said outer back extendable strap is mechanically coupled to the ring attachment.

6. The impact absorbing unit, as in claim 1, wherein said upper body protector comprises at least a first dent serving as a first channel for said outer front extendable strap.

7. The impact absorbing unit, as in claim 6, wherein said upper body protector comprises at least a second dent serving as a second channel for said outer back extendable strap.

8. The impact absorbing unit, as in claim 1, wherein said helmet in configured to surround a user's head.

9. An impact absorbing system comprising: a head cover structure, an upper body protector, a ring holder structure, a plurality of straps; an adjustable waist band, wherein said plurality of straps are mechanically coupled to said waist band; and lower body holders, wherein said lower body holder are mechanically coupled to the waist band and configure to surround an user's thigh.

10. The impact absorbing system, as in claim 9, wherein said plurality of straps comprises at least a retractor mechanism and at least a strap's length adjuster.

11. The impact absorbing system, as in claim 9, wherein said upper body protector comprises at least an indentation comprising a channel, wherein said channel is configured to receive at least a first strap of said plurality of straps.

12. The impact absorbing system, as in claim 9, wherein said ring holder structure is mechanically coupled to said head cover structure.

13. The impact absorbing system, as in claim 12, wherein said plurality of straps includes at least an inner front strap, and outer front strap, an inner back strap and an outer back strap.

14. The impact absorbing system, as in claim 13, wherein said outer front strap and said outer back strap are mechanically coupled to said ring holder structure.

15. The impact absorbing system, as in claim 14, wherein said waist band comprises a front part and a back part; and wherein said outer front strap is mechanically coupled to the front part of the waist band.

16. The impact absorbing system, as in claim 14, wherein said waist band comprises a front part and a back part; and wherein said outer front strap is mechanically coupled to the back part of the waist band.

17. The impact absorbing system, as in claim 14, wherein said waist band comprises a front part and a back part; and wherein said outer back strap is mechanically coupled to the front part of the waist band.

18. The impact absorbing system, as in claim 14, wherein said waist band comprises a front part and a back part; and wherein said outer back strap is mechanically coupled to the back part of the waist band.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a user wearing the first exemplary embodiment including a shirt in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a user wearing the first exemplary embodiment with inner straps and without a shirt in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 shows a user wearing the second exemplary embodiment with inner straps and outer straps but without a shirt in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a front view of a user wearing the second exemplary embodiment with a shirt in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 5 shows the first exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 6 shows the second exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0029] To provide an overall understanding of the invention, certain illustrative embodiments and examples will now be described. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. The compositions, apparatuses, systems and/or methods described herein may be adapted and modified as is appropriate for the application being addressed and that those described herein may be employed in other suitable applications, and that such other additions and modifications will not depart from the scope hereof.

[0030] As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms a, an and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term a transaction may include a plurality of transactions, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. As used in the specification and claims, singular names or types referenced include variations within the family of said name unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0031] Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words lower, upper, bottom, top, front, back, left, right and sides designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made, but are not limiting with respect to the orientation in which the modules or any assembly of them may be used. The term mechanically coupled is intended to include the attachment of two or more elements using a third element, such as rivet, screw, studs, hooks or at least any element that maintains a constant connection between said two or more elements. In this context, the term rotary mechanically coupled is used to mean coupled together so as to be able to transmit rotation or displacement of an element.

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a user wearing the first exemplary embodiment including a shirt in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The impact absorbing unit 1 comprises at least a helmet 2, a ring holder 3, an upper body protector 4, front and back extendable straps 5, straps length adjuster 6, an adjustable waist band 7, shoulder pads 8, lower body holders 8 and a retractor mechanism 10. The helmet 2 is mechanically coupled to the ring 3, wherein said ring 3 is located at an upper body protector 4 including shoulder pads S. Straps 5 extend from the ring 4 and are mechanically coupled to the waist band 7. The straps 5 comprise an adjustable mechanism 6 to extend or reduce the length of said straps 5 depending on the user. Further the lower body holders 8 are mechanically coupled to the waist band 7. The lower body holders 8, further shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, surrounds the thigh and are made of a semi elastic material enough to expand without generating excessive compression force on the user thigh while assisting the position of the waist band 7. The lower body holders 8 further comprises a contact material, such as leather, that avoids unpleasant sensation due to contact with the inner thigh.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a user wearing the first exemplary embodiment of the inner straps without a shirt in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The upper body cover 4, as shown, comprises a first section for covering the user's back and a second section for covering the user's chest. The configuration provides a space or clear area between the upper body cover 4 and the user back and user chest. The ring 3 provides a space between the neck and the user's shoulders

[0034] The inner straps 50 are mechanically coupled by a mechanical element D to the upper body protector and extend from the inner surface towards the waist band 7. The inner straps are used for stability purposes and do not required acceleration controllers 10.

[0035] FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 shows a user wearing the second exemplary embodiment in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Similar to FIG. 2 the inner straps are coupled to the waist band 7. The only difference is the outer straps, as shown in FIG. 3. In this instance the outer front strap extends over the chest covering part of the upper body cover 4 and turnaround to connect to the back side of the waist band 7. The configuration and arrangement of the straps provides an angled vector force to prevent displacement of the helmet and ring toward the user's face. As presented in FIG. 3 the helmet may comprise a top rounded configuration. The same applies to the rear straps that extends over the back covering part of the upper body cover 4 and turnaround to connect to the front side of the waist band 7. As previously disclosed all the straps include an adjustable mechanism 6 and is preferred that only the outer straps include retractor mechanism 10. The retractor mechanism or acceleration controller 10 is intended to work similar to the retractor mechanism used in seatbelts including a retractor pendulum. The retractor mechanism 10 is a sensitive inertia type apparatus. In this type of retractor mechanism, an inertia sensor comprising a pendulum device is engaged with a reel locking bar to be activated upon rapid acceleration of the impact absorbing unit, as might occur upon impact with other players.

[0036] The retractor mechanism 10 immobilizes the upper body protector 4 upon impact with another player by maintaining the pre-determined length of the strap 5. The retractor mechanism 10 provides the flexibility to permit certain degree of movement but in the event of an impact the retractor locks its position. The outer straps 51 would run on indented pathways added to the upper body cover 4. The indented pathways C, as shown in FIG. 4, are formed at the chest and back of the impact absorbing unit 1.

[0037] FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are directed to at least two configurations for the outer straps 51 of the present impact absorbing unit 1. As mentioned, the impact absorbing unit 1 comprises at least a helmet 2, and upper body protector 4, a ring attachment/holder 3, front and back extendable straps 5, straps length adjuster 6, an adjustable waist band 7, shoulder pads S, lower body holders 8 and a retractor mechanism 10. The first configuration as disclosed in FIG. 5 comprises cross over straps 51 as previously disclosed in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is directed to the second configuration for the outer straps 51. The second configuration is a straight connection for the outer straps 51 from the ring 3 to the waist band without crossing each other. It is important to understand that the upper body protector 4 is made of a light weight impact resistant material, such as carbon fiber, fiber glass or Kevlar. The straps are made of a material resistant enough to withstand the wear and tear of the impacts. The elasticity of the straps 5 is enough to avoid unwanted displacement once a selected length is determined. The helmet is made of a material that withstands impact and is configured to include open areas in order not to interrupt user's line of sight. The retractor mechanism 10 is similar to the system used in seatbelts. The retractor may include a cover to avoid contact with the user's skin. The configuration of the straps 5 may vary, however the main purpose of the straps is to hold the impact absorbing unit in place upon impact with another player.

[0038] The invention is not limited to the precise configuration described above. While the invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention 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 invention are deemed to be covered by this invention 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.

[0039] 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 invention, 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.