US3882547A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Padding structure
Assignee: R HOLDINGS CORP
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Filing: 1973-10-09
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Granted: 1975-05-13
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Expires: 1993-10-09
Abstract
Abstract A padding structure for use in helmets and other athletic equipment. The structure is characterized by a resilient padding arrangement which is adapted to be manufactured in different sizes whereby the equipment can be fit to the requirements of different wearers, and the padding structure is also characterized by the ability to absorb the force of impacts in a highly efficient manner irrespective of the particular fitting requirements. The structure consists of a housing of substantially air-impervious material containing a sandwich comprising a first layer of slow-recovery resilient material and a second layer of a softer resilient material. The softer material is adapted to be included in various thicknesses to accommodate different fitting requirements whereby the padding structure can be utilized for wearers having substantially different needs. The fitting material is of a density such that it will be normally slightly compressed without affecting the slow-recovery material so that the impact attenuating ability of the latter is not affected. The housing for the sandwich preferably defines at least one small opening whereby air is adapted to be discharged from the housing in response to an impact for thereby assisting, e.g. to the extent of about 10 percent, in absorbing the force of the impact.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerard E Morgan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:22
CPC Classifications
A; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B3/04; A42B3/10; A42B3/12; A42B3/121
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A padding structure for use in protective equipment whereby the structure can be fit to the wearer and will provide for energy attenuation upon receipt of an impact to which the wearer is subjected, said structure comprising a housing of flexible, substantially air-impervious material, a sandwich of resilient padding positioned within the housing, said sandwich comprising a first layer of slow-recovery material and a second layer of softer fitting material, and a backing for supporting the sandwich and housing whereby the housing and sandwich are disposed between the backing and the wearer''s body when the protective equipment is in use, said first layer being positioned adjacent said backing and said second layer being disposed on said first layer with the wearer''s body being immediately adjacent said fitting material, said fitting material being normally partially compressed and said slow recovery material being uncompressed when the padding structure is in use whereby the padding structure snugly engages the body, and wherein said fitting material and said slow-recovery material are adapted to be substantially compressed when absorbing the force of an impact.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A padding structure for use in protective equipment whereby the structure can be fit to the wearer and will provide for energy attenuation upon receipt of an impact to which the wearer is subjected, said structure comprising a housing of flexible, substantially air-impervious material, a sandwich of resilient padding positioned within the housing, said sandwich comprising a first layer of slow-recovery material and a second layer of softer fitting material, and a backing for supporting the sandwich and housing whereby the housing and sandwich are disposed between the backing and the wearer''s body when the protective equipment is in use, said first layer being positioned adjacent said backing and said second layer being disposed on said first layer with the wearer''s body being immediately adjacent said fitting material, said fitting material being normally partially compressed and said slow recovery material being uncompressed when the padding structure is in use whereby the padding structure snugly engages the body, and wherein said fitting material and said slow-recovery material are adapted to be substantially compressed when absorbing the force of an impact.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A structure in accordance with claim 1 including a helmet shell, and means associated with said backing securing said padding structure to the interior surface of the helmet shell.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A structure in accordance with claim 2 wherein said backing comprises a stiff plastic band, a plurality of housing and sandwich combinations mounted on the band, and wherein a plurality of bands are located in different positions on the helmet shell interior.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
90 words
A structure in accordance with claim 3 wherein an assembly of one of said bands with a plurality of housing and sandwich combinations extends over the interior front surface of the shell for engagement of the combinations with the wearer''s forehead, at least one additional such assembly extending over the interior top surface of the shell for engagement with the top of the wearer''s head, and at least one additional such assembly extending over the back interior surface of the shell for engagement with the back of the wearer''s head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A structure in accordance with claim 4 wherein the fitting material of the housing and sandwich combinations in the assembly, at the back of the shell is relatively softer than the fitting material of the housing and sandwich combinations in the assembly at the front of the shell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said housing defines at least one small opening for the passage of air into and out of the housing.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
43 words
A structure in accordance with claim 6 wherein said housing is formed of a heat sealable plastic material, and wherein a plurality of housings are formed in an integral assembly, and means for securing the integral assembly as a unit to said backing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
A structure in accordance with claim 7 wherein the housings in an assembly are formed from a first plastic sheet forming a bottom wall portion for the housings, and a second plastic sheet defining a plurality of blisters receiving said sandwichEs, said sheets being heat sealed together to form said assembly of housings, and wherein said means securing said assembly to said backing comprises fasteners positioned between said assembly of housings and extending through said first and second sheets.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said backing comprises a stiff plastic band, a support for the band, and means for removably attaching the band to said support whereby padding structures including sandwiches of different sizes can be mounted on the support.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
81 words
A structure in accordance with claim 9 wherein said support comprises a helmet shell with said padding structures mounted on the interior wall of the shell, said backing defining openings, and studs carried by the shell for receipt in said openings to secure the structures to the shell, said studs being removably received in the openings of the bands whereby the same helmet shell can be adapted to wearers with different head sizes by interchanging structures having sandwiches of different sizes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
A structure in accordance with claim 10 wherein the slow-recovery material of each sandwich is of constant thickness.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
A structure in accordance with claim 1 wherein said slow recovery material will deflect less than about 0.01 inches when subjected to a static load of about 1 pound per square inch, and said softer fitting material will deflect at least about 0.03 inches when subjected to a static load of about 1 pound per square inch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
210 words
A padding structure for use in protective equipment whereby the structure can be fit to the wearer and will provide for energy attenuation upon receipt of an impact to which the wearer is subjected, said structure comprising a sandwich of resilient padding, said sandwich comprising a first layer of slow-recovery material and a second layer of softer fitting material, said slow-recovery material deflecting less than about 0.01 inches when subjected to a static load of about 1 pound per square inch, and said softer fitting material deflecting at least about 0.03 inches when subjected to a static load of about 1 pound per square inch, and a backing for supporting the sandwich whereby the sandwich is disposed between the backing and the wearer''s body when the protective equipment is in use, said first layer being positioned adjacent said backing and said second layer being disposed on said first layer with the wearer''s body being immediately adjacent said fitting material, said fitting material being normally partially compressed and said slow recovery material being uncompressed when the padding structure is in use whereby the padding structure snugly engages the body, and wherein said fitting material and said slow-recovery material are adapted to be substantially compressed when absorbing the force of an impact.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
210 words
A padding structure for use in protective equipment whereby the structure can be fit to the wearer and will provide for energy attenuation upon receipt of an impact to which the wearer is subjected, said structure comprising a sandwich of resilient padding, said sandwich comprising a first layer of slow-recovery material and a second layer of softer fitting material, said slow-recovery material deflecting less than about 0.01 inches when subjected to a static load of about 1 pound per square inch, and said softer fitting material deflecting at least about 0.03 inches when subjected to a static load of about 1 pound per square inch, and a backing for supporting the sandwich whereby the sandwich is disposed between the backing and the wearer''s body when the protective equipment is in use, said first layer being positioned adjacent said backing and said second layer being disposed on said first layer with the wearer''s body being immediately adjacent said fitting material, said fitting material being normally partially compressed and said slow recovery material being uncompressed when the padding structure is in use whereby the padding structure snugly engages the body, and wherein said fitting material and said slow-recovery material are adapted to be substantially compressed when absorbing the force of an impact.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
A structure in accordance with claim 4 wherein two such assemblies extend over the back interior surface of the shell, these last mentioned assemblies comprising an upper assembly for engagement with the back of the wearer''s head and a lower assembly for engagement with the back of the wearer''s neck.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-12 | 1978-11-11 | 1979-05-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-12 | 1982-11-11 | 1983-05-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-12 | 1986-11-11 | 1987-05-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |