JPS5851041B2 - Tsumemonokozotai - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a helmet shell and a padding structure mounted within the helmet shell for snugly fitting a wearer's head and absorbing impact forces against the wearer's head. This invention relates to a helmet consisting of a body (Padding structure).

The present invention primarily relates to a helmet with a padding structure that is adapted to be manufactured in a variety of different sizes, thereby satisfying the requirements of a variety of wearers' head sizes.

This structure for absorbing impact forces is configured to function effectively regardless of special size requirements.

The helmet of the invention is particularly suitable for use as an athletic helmet and will be described below with particular reference to this athletic helmet.

Various factors must be considered in developing padding or other protective measures for headgear.

Safety is a primary concern and numerous attempts have been made to design means to absorb impact forces experienced during athletic events.

Web suspension systems such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,359,387
5ysterp) has been used with considerable success.

Recently, energy absorption mechanisms have been developed that do not require the use of webs, such as those described in US Pat. No. 3,609,764 and US Pat. No. 3,713,640.

A second and primary consideration is the snug fit of the headgear or other item on the wearer's head.

Adequate tightness is necessary to ensure that the wearer is comfortable and that the safety features of the wearer are properly utilized.

In the case of headgear using web support methods, means are often used to adjust the web to suit the particular needs of the wearer.

In the above-mentioned US patent, size adjustment is performed using the bulged portion.

Considerations such as those mentioned above must be considered in light of manufacturing costs.

Thus, even if a special design provides a reasonable fit and also ideal safety, the construction is extremely complex or uses materials that are too costly for general use. If so, it's actually a disadvantage.

A general object of the present invention is to provide a helmet with an improved padding structure that is particularly suited for use within the outer shell of the helmet.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a helmet that effectively utilizes a padding structure characterized by safety and fit.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a helmet that can be manufactured effectively at relatively low cost without sacrificing safety and fit, making it ideal for widespread use. It is to provide.

While these and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description, embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings by way of illustration and not by way of limitation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to helmets that utilize padding structures that provide a close fit to the wearer and can absorb impact forces applied to the wearer.

The padding structure includes a plurality of housings that are flexible and substantially impermeable to gases such as air.

A laminate is provided within the housing comprising a first layer of soft padding material and a second layer of padding material that is harder than the first layer.

A combination of a plurality of housings and a laminate has a holding member (backing member) made of a hard plastic strip to hold the combination in close proximity to the wearer's head.
installed on top.

The holding member to which a plurality of housings and laminates of different sizes are attached can be detachably attached to the inner surface of the outer shell of the helmet by means of a removable attachment provided on the holding member.

The plurality of holding members are arranged together with the plurality of housings and laminates at different positions such as the forehead and the top of the head within the outer shell of the helmet, and the housings and laminates are arranged between the wearer's head and the holding member. The first
A layer is provided on the wearer's head side, and a second layer is provided on the holding member side, and normally only the first layer deforms partially and tightly engages the wearer's head to prevent impact. Sometimes the first and second layers are configured to be compressed to absorb impact forces.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the padding structure installed in the outer shell of the helmet consists of a plurality of flexible and substantially gas-impermeable housings and a laminate housed in the housings, The object is composed of a first layer made of a flexible padding material and a second layer made of a padding material harder than the first layer, and the second layer is mainly used as an energy absorbing material in the event of an impact. Because it works, it is extremely safe.

It is advantageous for the housing to be nearly airtight, with the additional feature of absorbing impact forces.

The laminate, which is a cushioning material, is wrapped in a flexible housing, and a first layer made of a soft and easily deformable padding material is arranged on the wearer's head side, and the housing is covered with a flexible housing. Furthermore, these padding structures do not cover the entire inner surface of the outer shell of the helmet, but instead attach the housing and laminate to a holding member made of a hard plastic strip. Since the plurality of band-shaped holding members are separately attached to different positions such as the forehead and the top of the head, the stuffing structure fits snugly and comfortably on the wearer's head.

Further, according to the present invention, the size of the stuffing structure can be changed by changing the size of the housing and the thickness of the laminate, and the housing and the laminate are attached to the inner surface of the helmet via the holding member. It is configured to be attached removably, and if the size of the wearer's head is different, it is only necessary to select the filling structure that matches the size of the wearer. The outer shell of a size 0 helmet can be used universally and is extremely economical.

Furthermore, since the laminate is housed in the housing, the first and second layers made of cushioning materials, which are originally difficult to laminate, can be stacked stably without special processing such as adhesion.

Therefore, the structure of the laminate becomes simple, making it possible to mass-produce laminates of various different sizes, which helps reduce manufacturing costs.

Preferably, each housing has at least one opening.

This opening allows air within the housing to be exhausted to the outside in response to an impact, thereby helping to absorb the impact force.

Thus, the structure of the present invention employs the features described and claimed in US Pat. No. 3,248,738, in addition to the advantageous features described herein.

The drawing shows a helmet shell 10 of the type designed for use by football players.

The helmet shell may be made of materials commonly used for helmet shells of this type, such as the relatively hard and most commonly used plastic materials.

In manufacturing this helmet, a chin band (chin band) is used to hold the helmet on the wearer's head.
5 trap) is attached, and other face and neck protection members etc. are attached according to conventionally known methods.

The pad 12, which is a protective member for the cheeks of the face, is attached to a predetermined position according to a conventionally known method.

The illustrated helmet is provided with multiple padding structures that reduce impact energy and also allow size adjustment.

In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the padding structure is
an assembly 16 attached to the inner wall of the helmet that engages the forehead of the wearer; and a second assembly that engages the crown of the wearer's head.
assembly 18 and two rear assemblies 20, 22 that engage the back of the wearer's head.

The front and rear assemblies also include all portions extending along the side of the wearer's head to provide protection for this area.

Each assembly includes a backing member.

The backing member of assembly IJ 16, 20, 22 consists of a strip 24 of relatively hard plastic material, as shown in FIG.

In the assembly 18, a U green plate 26 as shown in FIG. 1a is used as a backing member.

This U-plate may be made of polyethylene or a similar material.

This material has the necessary structural strength and durability to withstand athletic use.

As best shown in FIG.
is provided with a plurality of holes 28, and rivets 30 are inserted into the holes 28 to securely hold the assembly 18 to the U green plate 26.
It is designed to fit inside the 8.

Assembly 18, like the other assemblies, may be constructed of heat sealable plastic material or in other similar manners to preferably form an airtight housing.

In a preferred configuration of the invention, a first plastic sheet 32 is provided forming a common bottom wall of the assembly as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.

The second plastic sheet 34 is the plastic sheet 3
2, which are heat sealed together.

The plastic sheet 34 is molded with a plurality of bulges that define a plurality of housings for the plastic sheet assembly.

For example, vinyl material having a maximum thickness of about 0.05 inches may be used as the plastic sheets 32,34.

Each housing of the assembly of padding structures contains therein a laminate consisting of a first layer 36 of padding material and a second layer 38 of padding material.

It will be noted that since these laminates completely fill the individual housings, the overall thickness of the assembly of padding structures is determined by the thickness of the debris included in this assembly.

The first layer 36 consists of a relatively soft plastic material, so this part is compressed rather quickly or easily.

Since the second layer 38 is made of a relatively hard material, it is less compressible than the first layer 36.

Preferably, both the first layer 36 and the second layer 38 of the laminate are made of foamed plastic, in which case the material of the second layer 38 is selected from slow recovery foams.

The assembly of the laminate and heat-sealed plastic sheet 32.34 in place is attached to the backing plate 24.2.
Rivets 30 are used to hold it at 6.

Ideally, these rivets are located within the spaces formed between the individual bulges of the plastic sheet 34.

A keyhole-like slot 40 is formed in each backing member and a stud 42 is attached to the outer shell of the helmet.

The heads of these studs are received within the enlarged ends 44 of the slots 40.

The small diameter leg of the stud 42 is the intermediate part 4 of the slot 40.
It is sized to fit 6.

This allows easy attachment and detachment of the backing member and associated padding structure.

Regarding the adaptability or fit of the illustrated structure, it is noted that the area within the helmet shell 10 that receives the wearer's head can be altered by increasing or decreasing the thickness of the padding structure. It will be understood.

According to the concept of the invention, a stuffing structure is produced with varying thicknesses of the first layer 36, which is a laminate.

To adjust the size of the helmet, the assembly can be replaced with another by removing the backing member holding the assembly and replacing it with a new assembly.

Providing assemblies in various sizes allows the helmet user to adjust the size by replacing one or more padding structures while also providing a comfortable fit that satisfies the wearer. You can try various combinations up to.

In a typical example of the invention, the second layer 38 of slow recovery material was 1/2 inch thick, 1 inch long, and 100 inches wide.

Three sizes of first layers 36 of flexible material were formed, all of which were 13-inch long and 1-inch wide, but with thicknesses of 3/8-inch, 1/2-inch, and 1/2-inch. It was 5/8 inch.

By combining the fillings as described above, various helmet sizes can be selected.

For example, for the largest size, the first layer may be 3/8 inch thick across the entire helmet.

This size is obtained by replacing one or more assemblies.

For the smallest helmet size, the first layer should be all 5/8 inches thick.

A single helmet shell can be made into various sizes by the method described above, and one or more helmet shells of different sizes can be provided to provide high selectivity.

It will be appreciated that the structure described above can be used to adapt the helmet to unusual head conditions in that the assembly can be placed in a variety of positions.

For example, if there is only one bump on the head, a single padding structure can be attached to provide a comfortable wearing condition for the wearer.

As mentioned above, it is preferred in the present invention to provide a second layer 38 of constant thickness, so that irrespective of the size of the filling structure, which is optimal in a particular case,
Virtually unchanged impact force absorption ability is demonstrated.

The present invention also anticipates that the type of materials used in different locations of the helmet will vary so that impact resistance is most effective.

In particular, the padding material located at the rear of the helmet is somewhat softer than the padding material located at the front of the helmet.

In all cases, when the helmet is put in place, the head is in comfortable contact with the individual padding structures, which causes the padding material to be slightly compressed.

Because the assemblies 20, 22 have a much larger surface area than the assembly 16, more flexible padding material is used in the rear helmet assemblies 20, 22, so that the amount of compression is reduced on average under normal wearing conditions. , and therefore a tighter fit.

The above-mentioned combination is the most comfortable for the wearer since there is no significant pressure sensation in any position.

As best shown in FIG. 9, the padding structure includes a non-thermal seal 48 located proximate to each housing.
is preferably provided.

These non-thermal seals form openings that communicate with the inside of the housing and are located between the plastic sheets 32,34.

In fact, when an impact force is applied, air is expelled from within the housing, which controls the increase in air pressure,
Means will therefore be provided to control the resistance imparted by this structure.

Thus, the size of the opening or non-thermal seal 48 will be a factor in determining its resistance to applied shock.

This concept is explained in more detail in the aforementioned US Pat. No. 3,248,738.

An opening having a diameter of 1/16 inch is typical suitable for purposes of the present invention.

Many different materials can be used in the practice of this invention.

To most advantageously utilize the last-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,248,738, first layer 36 and second layer 38
At least one of the foam materials used to form the foam is an open cell material.
al) or a porous material, which allows air to enter and exit the cell during use.

polyurethane foam having a density of 5.5 pounds per cubic foot
) or foamed polyurethane, Rubatex R3 having a density of 4 pounds per cubic foot.
71V foam and Volara E foam may be used to form the first layer 36 of the anterior assembly 16 on which the somewhat stiff padding material is placed.

So-called slow recovery foams, such as DeCello foam manufactured by Barefoot Company of Wadsworth, Ohio, have a second layer 3.
It is suitable for use as a constituent material of No. 8.

Although a variant of Decero B4O18 is mentioned as a special example, other materials that are relatively hard and have comparable properties may also be utilized.

A static load test was conducted to differentiate the foam for the first layer 36 from the slow recovery foam that is primarily energy absorbing.

A suitable foam for the former will deform by a minimum of about 0.03 inch and a maximum of about 0.10 inch when subjected to a static load of about 1 pound per square inch.

An energy absorbing foam with satisfactory properties will deform less than about 0.01 inch when subjected to the same loads described above and a load of about 2 pounds per square inch.

An important feature of this energy-absorbing foam is that it protects the user from strong impacts such as those experienced during athletic events.

These foams must be compressed to absorb high impacts, but the slow rate of compression prevents contact between the wearer's head and the outer shell of the helmet.

Since the foam slowly recovers from its deformed state, a temporary deformation occurs, but the deformation does not actually continue due to the fact that no strong impact is applied to it.

The material used for the first layer 36 recovers very quickly, and the amount of this temporary residual set or deformation is not large enough to significantly affect the fit or conformity of the helmet after a strong impact. Not affected.

As mentioned above, the flexible padding material is typically slightly compressed when the helmet is worn, and thus can compensate for temporary deformations of the energy absorbing foam.

It will be understood that various modifications and variations can be made in the above-described configuration having the characteristics of the invention without departing from the technical idea particularly stated in the claims of the invention.

What follows belongs to embodiments of the present invention.

(1) In a helmet comprising an outer helmet shell and a padding structure mounted within the helmet outer shell for snugly fitting the wearer's head and absorbing impact forces against the wearer's head. , the stuffing structure is
(a) a plurality of flexible and substantially gas-impermeable housings; and (b) a first housing comprising a flexible padding material.
a second layer of padding material that is harder than the first layer.
(c) a retaining member consisting of a hard plastic strip for retaining the laminate and the plurality of housings; (d) a different In order to selectively attach the holding member holding the plurality of housings and laminates of various sizes to the outer shell of the helmet, the holding member is detachably attached to an inner surface of the outer shell of the helmet. (e)
a plurality of said holding members are arranged at different positions within said helmet shell, and (f) said housing and said laminate are arranged between said wearer's head and said holding members in use; The second layer is placed on the holding member side, and the first layer is laminated on the second layer and provided on the wearer's head side, and usually only the first layer is placed on the wearer's head side. partially deforms to snugly engage the wearer's head;
The helmet is configured such that, upon impact, the first and second layers are compressed to absorb impact force.

(A band assembly having a plurality of housing and laminate combinations extends on the anterior medial surface of the shell to engage the forehead of the wearer; at least one such assembly; extends on the top inner surface of the outer shell to engage the top of the wearer's head, and at least one additional assembly of the outer shell engages the back of the wearer's head. A helmet according to paragraph 1 above, which extends on the rear medial side.

(3) A helmet according to item 2 above, wherein the padding material constituting the assembly laminate at the rear of the outer shell is relatively softer than the padding material constituting the assembly laminate at the front of the outer shell. nt.

(4) The helmet as set forth in item 1 above, wherein the housing is provided with at least one small opening forming a passage through which air enters and exits.

(The helmet as set forth in paragraph 4 above, wherein said housing is constructed of a heat-sealable plastic material, and wherein a plurality of housings are formed into an integral assembly and attached as a unit to said retaining member.)

(6) the housing of the assembly is constituted by a first plastic sheet forming a bottom wall portion of the housing and a second plastic sheet having a plurality of bulges for accommodating the laminate; 1st and 2nd
plastic sheets are heat sealed together to form the housing, a fastener being disposed between the housing and extending through the first and second sheets, the fastener causing the housing to The helmet according to item 5, which is held by the holding member.

(7) The removable attachment means comprises a plurality of openings provided in the holding member, into which studs provided on the inner surface of the helmet outer shell are received; The helmet described in item 1 above, wherein the same helmet outer shell can be applied to wearers of various head sizes by exchanging the holding members having laminates of various sizes.

(8) As set forth in item 7 above, the slow-recovery filler material of the laminate has a constant thickness, and a soft filler material is used to vary the thickness of the laminate. (9) in a helmet (9) in which said slow recovery padding material exhibits a deformation of less than about 0.01 inch when subjected to a static load of about 1 pound per square inch; A helmet according to paragraph 1, wherein the helmet exhibits a deformation of at least about 0.03 inches when subjected to a static load of about 1 pound per square inch.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show embodiments of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a helmet structure using the novel padding structure according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the line T in FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the I-■ line in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of a plurality of padding structures along a portion of a backing member for retaining a body; FIG.
6 is a plan view of a backing member of the type shown in FIG. 5; and FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an assembly of padding structures attached to a backing member; FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the stuffing structure along the
FIG. 9 is a plan view of the assembly of the stuffing structure. In addition, in the symbols used in the drawings, 10 is a helmet outer shell, 16, 18, 20, 22 are assemblies, 24 is a band plate (holding member), 26 is a U-shaped plate (holding member), 30 is a rivet, 32.34 is a plastic sheet (housing), 36 is a first layer of padding material, 38 is a second layer of padding material, 40.44.46 is a slot (removable attachment means), 42 is a stud, 48 is a non-stick This is the heat seal part.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Consisting of a helmet outer shell and a padding structure installed within the helmet outer shell to fit snugly against the wearer's head and absorb the impact force of the braces on the wearer's head. In the helmet, the padding structure comprises: (a) a plurality of flexible and substantially gas-impermeable housings; (b) a first layer of flexible padding material; a second layer of padding material harder than the second layer and disposed within the housing; (C) a rigid plastic strip for retaining the laminate and the plurality of housings; a retaining member; (d) the retaining member holding the plurality of housings and laminates of different sizes is selectively attached to the outer shell of the helmet; and (e) a plurality of said holding members are arranged at different positions within said helmet outer shell, and (f) ), the housing and the laminate are arranged between the wearer's head and the holding member during use, the second layer is arranged on the holding member side, and the first layer It is laminated to a second layer and provided on the wearer's head side, and normally only the first layer deforms partially and tightly engages the wearer's head, and in the event of an impact, the A helmet, wherein the first and second layers are configured to be compressed to absorb impact forces.