Abstract
A helmet (10) formed of a plurality of layers wherein at least one of the layers comprises a plurality of beads (16) encased within a liner (28), and a second liner selected from the group consisting of a hard layer (36) and a soft layer (26).
Claims
1. A helmet (10) comprising: a plurality of layers; a first layer comprising a plurality of beads (16), said beads being encased within a liner (28); a second layer comprising a hard layer (36); and an air bladder (38) containing a gas therein.
2. The helmet (10) of claim 1 wherein said beads (16) have an irregular configuration, said irregular configuration being such that a plurality of said beads have a plurality of flat surfaces.
3. The helmet (10) of claim 1 wherein said beads (16) have a uniform configuration and a plurality of different sizes.
4. The helmet (10) of claim 1 wherein said beads (16) are assorted sizes.
5. The helmet (10) of claim 1 wherein said liner (28) is a cloth liner.
6. The helmet (10) of claim 5 further including an inlet valve (40).
7. The helmet (10) of claim 6 further including a separate outlet valve (62).
8. The helmet (10) of claim 6 further including a combination inlet and outlet valve (40).
9. The helmet (10) of claim 1 wherein said helmet (10) has an outer layer comprising said hard layer (36), an intermediate layer comprising said beads (16), and an inner most layer comprising said air bladder (38).
10. The helmet (10) of claim 1 wherein said helmet (10) has an outer layer formed of said hard layer (36) and an inner layer formed of said beads (16).
11. The helmet (10) of claim 1 wherein said liner (28) is formed of a material which is expandable.
12. The helmet (10) of claim 1 wherein said liner (28) is a rigid liner.
13. The helmet (10) of claim 1 wherein said air bladder (38) is enclosed within said layer comprising a plurality of beads (16).
14. The helmet (10) of claim 6 further including a safety valve (62) associated with said air bladder (38), said safety valve (62) designed to release said gas at a desired pressure to lower internal pressure to a desired value.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof, in which:
[0031] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a helmet structure according to one embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 1B is a partial cutaway view thereof;
[0033] FIG. 1C is an enlargement of a portion of the cutaway view of FIG. 1B;
[0034] FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view thereof;
[0035] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a helmet according to the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 2B is a partial cutaway view thereof;
[0037] FIG. 2C is a partial sectional view thereof;
[0038] FIG. 2D is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof;
[0039] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a helmet according to the present invention;
[0040] FIG. 3B is a partial cutaway view thereof;
[0041] FIG. 3C is a further partial cutaway view;
[0042] FIG. 3D is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof;
[0043] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a helmet according to the present invention;
[0044] FIG. 4B is a partial cutaway view thereof;
[0045] FIG. 4C is a further cutaway view thereof;
[0046] FIG. 4D is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof;
[0047] FIG. 5A is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of a helmet according to the present invention;
[0048] FIG. 5B is a partial cutaway view thereof;
[0049] FIG. 5C is a longitudinal cross-sectional view thereof;
[0050] FIG. 6A is a side elevational view of a further embodiment of a helmet according to the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 6B is a partial cutaway view thereof;
[0052] FIG. 6C is a longitudinal sectional view thereof;
[0053] FIG. 7A is a front elevational view of a further embodiment of a helmet according to the present invention;
[0054] FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view thereof;
[0055] FIG. 8A is a front elevational view of a further embodiment of a helmet according to the present invention;
[0056] FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view thereof;
[0057] FIG. 9A is a front elevational view of a further embodiment of a helmet according to the present invention;
[0058] FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view thereof;
[0059] FIG. 10A is a front elevational view of a further embodiment of a helmet according to the present invention;
[0060] FIG. 10B is a partial cutaway view thereof; and
[0061] FIG. 10C is an enlarged view of a portion of the cutaway view of FIG. 10B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0062] Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a first embodiment of the helmet according to the present invention. The helmet is generally designated by reference numeral 10 and has a rigid outer shell 12. Mounted interiorly of rigid outer shell 12 is an air bladder 14 with a valve 20 for inflation/deflation. Surrounding air bladder 14 is a soft liner 18 containing a plurality of beads or pellets 16.
[0063] In the embodiment of FIG. 2, helmet 24 has a soft outer shell 26. An inner liner 28 contains beads or pellets 30.
[0064] Turning to FIG. 3, a helmet 34 has a hard outer shell 36. Mounted interiorly of hard outer shell 36 is an air bladder 38 which is equipped with an inflation/deflation valve 40. An inner liner 42 extends about air bladder 38 and contains a plurality of beads 44.
[0065] The embodiment of FIG. 4 illustrates a helmet 48 having a hard outer shell 50. Interiorly of hard outer shell 50 is an inner liner 52 containing beads 54.
[0066] Turning to the embodiment of FIG. 5, helmet 56 includes a hard shell 58. On the inner side of hard shell 58, there is an air bladder 60 with an inflation/deflation valve 62. Extending about air bladder 60 is an inner soft liner 64 containing a plurality of beads 66. On the outer side of hard shell 58, there is provided an air bladder 68 surrounded by a soft outer liner 70 containing beads 72. Finally, there is provided a soft cover shell 73.
[0067] In the embodiment of FIG. 6, there is provided a helmet 73 having a hard shell 74 with an inner soft liner 76 containing beads 78. On the exterior of hard shell 74, there is provided an outer soft liner 80 containing beads 82. An outer soft shell 84 is utilized.
[0068] The embodiment of FIG. 7 illustrates a helmet generally designated by reference numeral 86. Helmet 86 has an inner honeycomb structure 88 and a hard outer shell 90. Honeycomb structure 88 consists of a plurality of separated cells which will crush as required. If so desired, the cells of honeycomb structure 88 may include interiorly thereof a further substance which may be of a shock absorbing nature.
[0069] In the embodiment of FIG. 8, helmet 94 has a honeycomb structure 96 and a soft outer shell 98.
[0070] A helmet 104 is illustrated in FIG. 9 and which helmet is comprised of a hard shell 106 having an interior honeycomb structure 108. Exteriorly of hard shell 106, there is provided an exterior honeycomb structure 110 and a soft shell 112.
[0071] In FIG. 10, there is illustrated a helmet generally designated by reference numeral 116 has an interior air bladder 118 (valve not shown) surrounded by a liner containing beads 120. A hard shell 121 surrounds this structure. Exteriorly of hard shell 121, there is provided an exterior air bladder 122 and a liner 124 to encase beads 126. This arrangement is covered by a soft outer shell 128.
