US3713640A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy absorbing and sizing means for helmets
Assignee: R HOLDINGS CORP
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Filing: 1970-07-27
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Granted: 1973-01-30
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Expires: 1990-07-27
Abstract
Abstract A system for absorbing energy to avoid the detrimental effects of impacts in protective equipment such as helmets comprising a plurality of first chambers located on the inside surface of the helmet for positioning adjacent the head of the wearer. A substantially non-compressible fluid is included within these first chambers, and conduits connect the first chambers with corresponding second chambers. Upon impact, fluid is displaced to the second chambers, and, due to the design of the chambers, the displaced fluid is returned to the first chambers when the force of the impact is removed. Sizing means useful with the energy absorbing means or in other applications are located on the interior of the helmet surface. The sizing means include expandable compartments, and valves are associated with these compartments whereby a user of the helmet can place the helmet on his head after which air is introduced into the compartments until a proper fit is achieved. Energy absorbing pads are preferably located within the compartments to serve as additional safeguards under high impact conditions.
Inventors
- 👤 G Margan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 15:20
CPC Classifications
A; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B3/04; A42B3/10; A42B3/12; A42B3/121; A42B3/122; F; F16; F16F; F16F13/00; F16F13/04; F16F13/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
An assembly comprising a plurality of interconnected fluid containing compartments mounted on a common backing, valve means communicating with said compartments for introducing and removing fluid to thereby permit changing of the size of the compartments, and energy absorbing means associated with said compartments, said energy absorbing means comprising a plurality of first flexible chambers, a plurality of second flexible chambers, passage means connecting said first chambers to said second chambers, a substantially non-compressible fluid within said first chambers, and means normally retaining said second chambers in a compressed state whereby at least a major portion of said fluid will normally be retained in said first chambers and whereby the force of an impact applied to said first chambers operates to transfer fluid through said passage means into said second chambers with said fluid moving back to the first chambers when the foRce is removed, and wherein combinations of first and second chambers are located on said backing between adjacent compartments.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
161 words
An assembly comprising a plurality of interconnected fluid containing compartments mounted on a common backing, valve means communicating with said compartments for introducing and removing fluid to thereby permit changing of the size of the compartments, and energy absorbing means associated with said compartments, said energy absorbing means comprising a plurality of first flexible chambers, a plurality of second flexible chambers, passage means connecting said first chambers to said second chambers, a substantially non-compressible fluid within said first chambers, and means normally retaining said second chambers in a compressed state whereby at least a major portion of said fluid will normally be retained in said first chambers and whereby the force of an impact applied to said first chambers operates to transfer fluid through said passage means into said second chambers with said fluid moving back to the first chambers when the foRce is removed, and wherein combinations of first and second chambers are located on said backing between adjacent compartments.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
161 words
An assembly comprising a plurality of interconnected fluid containing compartments mounted on a common backing, valve means communicating with said compartments for introducing and removing fluid to thereby permit changing of the size of the compartments, and energy absorbing means associated with said compartments, said energy absorbing means comprising a plurality of first flexible chambers, a plurality of second flexible chambers, passage means connecting said first chambers to said second chambers, a substantially non-compressible fluid within said first chambers, and means normally retaining said second chambers in a compressed state whereby at least a major portion of said fluid will normally be retained in said first chambers and whereby the force of an impact applied to said first chambers operates to transfer fluid through said passage means into said second chambers with said fluid moving back to the first chambers when the foRce is removed, and wherein combinations of first and second chambers are located on said backing between adjacent compartments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
161 words
An assembly comprising a plurality of interconnected fluid containing compartments mounted on a common backing, valve means communicating with said compartments for introducing and removing fluid to thereby permit changing of the size of the compartments, and energy absorbing means associated with said compartments, said energy absorbing means comprising a plurality of first flexible chambers, a plurality of second flexible chambers, passage means connecting said first chambers to said second chambers, a substantially non-compressible fluid within said first chambers, and means normally retaining said second chambers in a compressed state whereby at least a major portion of said fluid will normally be retained in said first chambers and whereby the force of an impact applied to said first chambers operates to transfer fluid through said passage means into said second chambers with said fluid moving back to the first chambers when the foRce is removed, and wherein combinations of first and second chambers are located on said backing between adjacent compartments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
98 words
An assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sizing means and energy absorbing means are formed from two opposing sheets of heat sealable material, one of said sheets providing said common backing, said sheets being heat sealed together around the peripheral edges of said compartments and around the peripheral edges of said first and second chambers, the passage means between said first and second chambers being formed by leaving a narrow unheat-sealed area between said chambers, and wherein additional passage means are provided for interconnecting said compartments by leaving narrow unheat-sealed areas extending between the respective compartments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
87 words
An assembly in accordance with claim 2 wherein said second flexible chambers are provided by leaving an unheat-sealed area between substantially co-extensive portions of the respective sheets whereby a minimum amount of said non-compressible fluid can be normally received in the second chambers, and wherein said first chambers are provided by heat sealing an area of one sheet of substantially greater size than the attached area of the other sheet whereby a substantially larger amount of said non-compressible fluid can be normally maintained in said first chamber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
135 words
In a construction adapted to absorb energy when subjected to impact, the improvement comprising a plurality of first flexible chambers positioned on the surface of the construction to receive the effects of said impact, a plurality of second flexible chambers, passage means connecting said first chambers to said second chambers, a substantially non-compressible fluid within said first chambers, said second chambers being formed by substantially overlying walls secured at their edges whereby the second chambers are normally maintained in a compressed state of low volume so that substantially all of said fluid will normally be retained in said first chambers, the force of an impact being adapted to transfer fluid through said passage means into said second chambers, and whereby the fluid transferred is moved back to the first chambers when said force is removed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
135 words
In a construction adapted to absorb energy when subjected to impact, the improvement comprising a plurality of first flexible chambers positioned on the surface of the construction to receive the effects of said impact, a plurality of second flexible chambers, passage means connecting said first chambers to said second chambers, a substantially non-compressible fluid within said first chambers, said second chambers being formed by substantially overlying walls secured at their edges whereby the second chambers are normally maintained in a compressed state of low volume so that substantially all of said fluid will normally be retained in said first chambers, the force of an impact being adapted to transfer fluid through said passage means into said second chambers, and whereby the fluid transferred is moved back to the first chambers when said force is removed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
130 words
In an assembly for use in absorbing energy when subjected to impact, the improvement comprising a plurality of first flexible chambers adapted to receive the effects of said impact, a plurality of second flexible chambers, passage means connecting said first chambers to said second chambers, a substantially non-compressible fluid within said first chambers, at least a major portion of said fluid normally being retained in said first chambers, the force of the impact operating to transfer fluid through said passage means into said second chambers, and whereby fluid is moved back to the first chambers when said force is dissipated, and including a plurality of sizing means attached in said assembly, and means for adjusting the size of said sizing means to permit use of the assembly under varying conditions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
130 words
In an assembly for use in absorbing energy when subjected to impact, the improvement comprising a plurality of first flexible chambers adapted to receive the effects of said impact, a plurality of second flexible chambers, passage means connecting said first chambers to said second chambers, a substantially non-compressible fluid within said first chambers, at least a major portion of said fluid normally being retained in said first chambers, the force of the impact operating to transfer fluid through said passage means into said second chambers, and whereby fluid is moved back to the first chambers when said force is dissipated, and including a plurality of sizing means attached in said assembly, and means for adjusting the size of said sizing means to permit use of the assembly under varying conditions.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
106 words
In an assembly for use in absorbing energy when subjected to impact, the improvement comprising a plurality of sizing means, said sizing means comprising compartments having a compressible fluid disposed therein, valve means communicating with said compartments for introducing and removing said fluid to thereby permit changing of the size of said compartments, and energy absorbing means having energy absorbing capabilities completely independent of said compartments and having exposed exterior surfaces for receiving applied force when impact occurs, said compartments being located at spaced intervals, and wherein at least some of said energy absorbing means are located in spaces in said assembly defined between said compartments.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
106 words
In an assembly for use in absorbing energy when subjected to impact, the improvement comprising a plurality of sizing means, said sizing means comprising compartments having a compressible fluid disposed therein, valve means communicating with said compartments for introducing and removing said fluid to thereby permit changing of the size of said compartments, and energy absorbing means having energy absorbing capabilities completely independent of said compartments and having exposed exterior surfaces for receiving applied force when impact occurs, said compartments being located at spaced intervals, and wherein at least some of said energy absorbing means are located in spaces in said assembly defined between said compartments.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an assembly for use in absorbing energy when the assembly or structure associated with the assembly is subjected to impact, the improvement comprising a plurality of flexible chambers positioned for receiving effects of said impact, a substantially non-compressible fluid normally located within said chambers, passage means extending from said chambers, fluid receiving means connected to said passage means whereby said chambers and said fluid receiving means are maintained in communication by said passage means, means for normally retaining at least a major portion of said fluid in said chambers in preference to said fluid receiving means, the force of an impact operating to transfer fluid through said passage means into said fluid receiving means, and whereby the fluid transferred is moved back to said chambers when said force is removed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an assembly for use in absorbing energy when the assembly or structure associated with the assembly is subjected to impact, the improvement comprising a plurality of flexible chambers positioned for receiving effects of said impact, a substantially non-compressible fluid normally located within said chambers, passage means extending from said chambers, fluid receiving means connected to said passage means whereby said chambers and said fluid receiving means are maintained in communication by said passage means, means for normally retaining at least a major portion of said fluid in said chambers in preference to said fluid receiving means, the force of an impact operating to transfer fluid through said passage means into said fluid receiving means, and whereby the fluid transferred is moved back to said chambers when said force is removed.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
An assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein the assembly is associated with a structure comprising protective apparel, and including sizing means associated with the structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-30 | 1976-07-31 | 1977-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-30 | 1980-07-31 | 1981-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-30 | 1984-07-31 | 1985-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |