Mechanical fasteners for shock-absorbing helmets

Abstract

Shock-absorbing helmet liners may be releasably locked to helmet shells using mechanical fasteners.

Claims

1. A shock-absorbing helmet comprising: a protective shell having an interior and a plurality of projections disposed on the interior; a shock-absorbing liner for insertion into the interior of the protective shell; and a plurality of mechanical fasteners coupled to the shock-absorbing liner and configured to releasably lock the liner to the interior of the shell, wherein each of the plurality of mechanical fasteners comprises a slidable tab having thereon a depressible wedge, and wherein each slidable tab is configured to be translated in a first direction away from a crown of the helmet and relative to the plurality of projections as the depressible wedge of each slidable tab is received in each projection.

2. The helmet of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of mechanical fasteners are engageable by hand into a locked configuration with respect to the interior of the shell and releasable by hand from the locked configuration.

3. The helmet of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of projections comprises a raised bar protruding from an interior surface of the protective shell toward an inside space of the helmet such that the projection forms a space for receiving the depressible wedge of the slidable tab.

4. The helmet of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of mechanical fasteners comprise spring-loaded locking fasteners that are slidably received into one of the plurality of projections and locked thereagainst by spring action.

5. The helmet of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of mechanical fasteners lock the liner to the shell along a peripheral edge thereof.

6. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the depressible wedge extends radially inwardly from the slideable tab away from the interior of the shell.

7. The helmet of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of projections is located below a reference line at the user's eyebrows when the user is wearing the helmet.

8. The helmet of claim 1, wherein the shock-absorbing liner includes straps and each of the plurality of mechanical fasteners is coupled to an end of one of the straps.

9. The helmet of claim 8, wherein the straps include a proximal end coupled to the shock-absorbing liner and a free distal end, wherein the each of the plurality of mechanical fasteners extends distally from a distal end of one of the straps.

10. The helmet of claim 1, wherein each slideable tab includes a shoulder and the depressible wedge is spaced from the shoulder such that the projection is positioned between a rear edge of the depressible wedge and the shoulder when one of the plurality of mechanical fasteners is inserted in one of the plurality of projections.

11. The helmet of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of projections extend radially inwardly from an inner most surface of the interior.

12. The helmet of claim 1, wherein each slidable tab includes a shoulder and is configured to be translated in the first direction until the shoulder halts further translation of the slidable tab in the first direction.

13. A shock-absorbing liner adapted for releasable affixation into projections disposed on an interior of a helmet shell, the liner comprising: a plurality of mechanical fasteners integrally formed with the liner in one piece for releasably locking the liner to the interior of the shell, each mechanical fastener comprising a slidable tab having at least one member that is configured to compress as the slidable tab passes through a projection on an interior of a helmet and expand beyond a width of the projection when the at least one member clears the projection, wherein the shock-absorbing liner includes straps, each strap having a proximal end coupled to the shock-absorbing liner and a free distal end, the free distal end of each of the straps being independently moveable with respect to one another, and wherein each of the plurality of mechanical fasteners are coupled to the free distal end of one of the straps and extend away from the strap.

14. The liner of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of mechanical fasteners are engageable by hand into a locked configuration with respect to the interior of the shell and releasable by hand from the locked configuration.

15. The liner of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of mechanical fasteners are arranged along a peripheral edge of the liner.

16. The liner of claim 13, wherein each of the plurality of mechanical fasteners and the liner are of unitary construction.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The foregoing will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the invention, in particular, when taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a helmet shell in accordance with one embodiment;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a helmet liner in accordance with one embodiment;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an assembled helmet in accordance with one embodiment;

(5) FIG. 4 is a close-up perspective view of a fastener and complementary feature of the shell in accordance with one embodiment in unengaged configuration;

(6) FIG. 5A is a close-up perspective view of an engaged fastener in accordance with one embodiment;

(7) FIG. 5B is a close-up, transparent perspective view of the engaged fastener of FIG. 5A; and

(8) FIG. 6 is an elevation view of the underside of a helmet shell in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(9) In the following description, embodiments of the present invention are described in connection with a baseball batting helmet; it should be understood, however, that the invention may be applied to any type helmet. FIG. 1 shows, largely from the underside, the outer shell 100 of a batting helmet with a brim 102 and two ear straps 104. At the periphery of the crown 106 that covers the wearer's head during use, several loops 108 protrude from the interior surface of the helmet shell 100. Each of these loop-shaped projections 108 may form a raised bar supported by side walls, leaving a slit 110 between the raised bar and the surface of the shell 100. The helmet shell 100 may be fabricated from a rigid and preferably lightweight polymer or co-polymer material, such as, e.g., polycarbonate, polyethylene, or polypropylene. Other suitable helmet shell materials include, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), fiberglass, or a composite material. The shell 100 may be injection-molded using processes well-known in the art. In brief, injection molding involves pouring liquid polymer into a (typically metallic) mold cavity, where the polymer cools and hardens to the configuration of the cavity. The loop-shaped projections 108 are preferably (although not necessarily) molded at the same time as the remainder of the helmet shell 100, i.e., the shell and projections 108 are fabricated in one piece.

(10) FIG. 2 illustrates a helmet liner 200 (oriented like the shell 100 of FIG. 1). The helmet liner 200 may be fabricated from a flexible or semi-flexible polymer material, such as expanded polypropylene foam, molded thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or a synthetic rubber, using injection molding or another technique well-known in the art. The liner 200 helps conform the helmet to the wearer's head, and provides padding between the head and the shell 100. Integrated into the liner 200 are various compression cells 202, 204 for absorbing impact forces. The compression cells 202, 204 are filled with a fluid (e.g., air) that is vented upon impact through one or more orifices 206, 208. The cell enclosures 210 may be made of a polymer material (e.g., the same material as the liner portions that provide padding), and may be shaped so as to contribute to shock absorption. For example, in certain embodiments, the walls of the compression cells resist shock forces during a first phase of the impact, and then buckle to allow the remainder of the impact to be absorbed fluidically though fluid venting and compression of the cell. Via ratchet straps 211 connected to the compression cells 202, 204, the relative positions of the cells 202, 204 and the length of the perimeter of the liner 200 may be adjusted.

(11) To assemble the helmet, the liner 200 is inserted into the interior of the shell 100 (from the top in FIGS. 1 and 2); the assembled helmet 300 is depicted in FIG. 3. The liner 200 includes multiple straps 212 each terminating in a fastener 214. The straps and/or fasteners may be manufactured separately and affixed to the liner 200, orpreferablymolded simultaneously with the liner 200. Via the fasteners 214, the liner 200 can be locked securely to the shell 100, as illustrated in more detail in FIGS. 4, 5A, and 5B.

(12) FIG. 4 shows a close-up of the fastener 214 and loop-shaped projections 108 of the shell 100 in the unlocked configuration. As illustrated, the fastener 214 includes a slidable tab 400 having thereon a depressable wedge 402. The front portion of the slidable tab 400 has a width w1 that is slightly smaller than the width w2 of the slit 100 (i.e., the inner width of the loop-shaped protection 108), allowing the front portion to be slidably received through the loop 108. Once the front portion has cleared the loop 108, a shoulder 404 of the slidable tab 400 halts further translation of the slidable tab 400 relative to the loop 108 (as illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B).

(13) The wedge 402 may be spring-loaded or otherwise mechanically biased towards an extended state, in which the height of the rear edge 406 exceeds the height of the slit 110 with the wedge 402 engaged. The wedge 402 is oriented with its thinner end towards the front of the slidable tab 400, such that, as the fastener 214 passes through the loop 108, the wedge 402 is depressed by the raised bar of the loop 108. Once the wedge 402 has fully cleared the loop 108, it springs back to its extended state, preventing the fastener 214 from sliding back through the loop 108, and thereby locking it in place. FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate the fastener 214 in this locked configuration. To release the fastener 214, the wedge 402 may be manually depressed, and the tab 400 pulled out of the loop 108.

(14) As will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art, various modifications of the fastener mechanism described above may be used to secure the liner 200 to the shell 100, and may be equally convenient and effective. For example, the wedge 402 may be substituted with two opposed members extending beyond the side walls of the tab 400, and which may be compressed inwardly against bias. As the tab 400 passes through the loop 108, the side walls of the loop 108 compress these opposed members, which spring back out when they have cleared the loop 108, expanding beyond the width w2 and thereby retaining the fastener. Such fasteners are widely used, for example, with backpacks and bags. Other suitable mechanical fasteners are based on clasp, snap, and buckle mechanisms. In general, fastening mechanisms in accordance herewith utilize two complementary, interlocking components, one fixedly attached to or integrated with the liner (herein referred to as the fastener) and on attached to or integrated with the shell (in the illustrated example, the loop-shaped projection).

(15) In various embodiments, the fasteners are placed only around a periphery of the liner, and the corresponding features of the shell are, accordingly, only attached around the periphery of the shell. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates the placement of four projection loops 108 along the periphery of the helmet crown 106. Although four fasteners are shown, the optimal number depends on the application; as few as two and as many as six or more fasteners may be employed, for example. Attaching the liner to the shell only around the periphery enables the shell to move independently (within limits) of the liner. This freedom of motion improves protection, in particular, from glancing blows to the head because it reduces the rotational force transferred to the head. In certain embodiments, the fasteners 214 and shell projections 108 are located below the reference line of the helmet, which is a horizontal line at or about the level of the wearer's eyebrows below which impacts are unlikely to occur. Placing the fasteners outside the impact area reduces the risk of high impact pressures that might otherwise occur due to impact forces in regions near the fasteners. In addition, it facilitates increasing the thickness of the shock-absorbing layer (e.g., the thickness of the compression cells) and, thus, the ride-down distance of the helmet, as compared with a helmet including an adhesive glue or VELCRO layer (which typically adds between 2 and 2.5 mm to the helmet thickness).

(16) Fasteners in accordance herewith may be used with many types of helmets for various applications. For example, it will be obvious how the fasteners can be implemented in football, hockey, or other sports helmets, as well as in single-impact helmets for bicyclists and motorcyclists, or in construction and military helmets. Further, the shock-absorbing and padding portions of the liner need not be integrated, but may be implemented in separate layers. Moreover, instead of fluidic compression cells, other shock-absorbing mechanisms may be used. For instance, conventional foam pads may be inserted between the shell and the liner. In general, the helmet shape, impact-absorbing mechanism, and other features of the helmet depend on the particular intended use of the helmet. Accordingly, although the present invention has been described with reference to specific details, such details are intended merely for illustration and are not intended to be regarded as limitations upon the scope of the invention.