Helmet

Claim 2

A helmet assembly for providing an indication when a predetermined axial compressive force tending to cause serious injury to the wearer is applied thereto, said assembly comprising: a rigid helmet having a lower rim for at least partially encircling the head of the wearer, said helmet being defined by an exterior surface including a crown area; a signalling device disposed within said helmet for providing a signal to said wearer when a predetermined amount of axial compressive force is applied to said crown area; and sensor means for actuating said signalling device in response to an external impact on said crown area with said predetermined amount of axial compressive force; said helmet assembly further comprising an extensible means generally disposed along said lower rim and normally not projecting substantially below said lower rim but being extendable therebelow to engage the shoulders of the wearer and substantially transfer to the shoulders the force of an external impact on the crown area of said helmet; and gas-operable means carried by said helmet for extending said extensible means to engage the shoulders of a wearer within less than 25 milliseconds of an external impact on said crown area of said helmet, said gas-operable means including means carried by said helmet for almost instantaneously generating gas for operating said gas-operable means; said sensor means being constructed and arranged to operate said gas-generating means in response to said external impact with said predetermined amount of force to rapidly extend said extensible means to engage the shoulders of a wearer so as to be able to transfer the impact force to the shoulders instead of directly through said helmet and head of the wearer generally axially to the cervical spine of the wearer.

Claim 3

The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein said signalling device includes a speaker for providing a sound audible to the wearer of the helmet.

Claim 4

The invention as claimed in claim 1 wherein said signalling device includes a light for providing a visual signal visible to the wearer of the helmet.

Claim 5

The helmet assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said sensor means is carried in a shock absorbing patch attached to the crown area of the exterior surface of said helmet.

Claim 6

The helmet assembly defined in claim 1 wherein said sensor means provides a signal to said gas-generating means for operating said gas-generating means.

Claim 7

The helmet assembly defined in claim 5 wherein at least one wire connects said sensor means to said gas-generating means, and wherein said crown area of the exterior surface of said helmet has an orifice therein, said at least one wire extending from said sensor means through said orifice to said gas-generating means.

Claim 8

The helmet assembly defined in claim 4 wherein said shock absorbing patch comprises an elastomeric material capable of absorbing impact thereupon.

Claim 9

The helmet assembly defined in claim 1, wherein: said extensible means comprises inflatable bag means attached to said lower rim, said bag means being normally deflated and restrictedly folded so as to not impede normal movements of the head and neck of the wearer, but constructed and arranged to fill the gap between said lower rim and the shoulders of a wearer when inflated; and said gas generating means being operable to almost instantaneously generate inflating gas and communicate said inflating gas to said bag means.

Claim 10

The helmet assembly defined in claim 8 including means for rapidly deflating the bag means a short time after inflation.

Claim 11

The helmet assembly defined in claim 8 including a channel-like downward facing shell which opens in a direction opposite the crown area of said helmet so as to allow said bag to expand toward the wearer's shoulders when inflated wherein the bag means is folded and packed and wrapped with a rupturable membrane.

Claim 12

The helmet assembly defined in claim 8 including a protective face guard attached to the helmet and extending over at least the eyes and nose of the wearer and having a lower portion and wherein the bag means is attached to said lower portion of said face guard and completely encircles the wearer, and a channel-like shell which opens in a direction facing away from the crown area of said helmet so as to allow said bag to expand toward a wearer's shoulders when inflated and wherein the bag means is folded and packed and wrapped with a rupturable membrane.

Claim 13

The helmet assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the sensor means comprises an adjustable accelerometer.

Claim 14

The helmet assembly defined in claim 1 wherein the extensible means comprises a polycarbonate plastic ring of small cross section padded with foam rubber.

Claim 15

The helmet assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said gas operable means comprises a cylinder having a piston disposed in an interior portion thereof.

Claim 16

The helmet assembly as defined in claim 14, wherein: said piston comprises a piston and a piston rod; said gas generating means is operable to provide gas to a chamber within said cylinder formed by said cylinder and said piston; and an end of said piston rod opposite said piston is connected to said extensible means so as to extend said extensible means when said generating means provides gas to said gas operable means.

Claim 17

The helmet assembly as defined in claim 15, wherein said cylinder is formed integrally with said rigid helmet so that an interior surface of said rigid helmet is substantially smooth.

Claim 18

The helmet assembly as defined in claim 15, further comprising ratchet means for engaging said piston when extended to prevent said cylinder from becoming compressed.

Claim 19

The helmet assembly as defined in claim 1, further comprising detents for maintaining said extensible means in position when unextended by said gas operable means.

Claim 20

A helmet and shoulder pad assembly for providing an indication when a predetermined axial compressive force tending to cause serious injury to the wearer is applied thereto, said assembly comprising: a rigid helmet having a lower rim for at least partially encircling the head of the wearer, said helmet being defined by an exterior surface including a crown area; a signalling device disposed within said helmet for providing a signal to said wearer when a predetermined amount of axial compressive force is applied to said crown area; sensor means for actuating said signalling device in response to an external impact on said crown area with said predetermined amount of axial compressive force; extensible means generally disposed along said lower rim and normally not projecting substantially below said lower rim but being extendable therebelow to engage the shoulders of the wearer and substantially transfer to the shoulders the force of an external impact on the crown area of said helmet; gas-operable means carried by said helmet for extending said extensible means to engage the shoulders of a wearer within less than 25 milliseconds of an external impact on said crown area of said helmet, said gas-operable means, including means carried by said helmet for almost instantaneously generating gas for operating said gas-operable means; said sensor means being constructed and arranged to operate said gas-generating means in response to said external impact with said predetermined amount of force to rapidly extend said extensible means to engage the shoulders of a wearer so as to be able to transfer the impact force to the shoulders instead of directly through said helmet and head of the wearer generally axially to the cervical spine of the wearer; and shoulder pads including inflatable base means for broadening the foundation on which the extensible means can engage, said inflatable base means being normally deflated and restrictedly folded so as to allow normal movements of the head and neck of the wearer, said inflatable base means being in the shape of a ring attached to the inner rim encircling the neck of the wearer, said inflatable base means extending inwardly towards the wearer's neck when inflated to instantaneously broaden the foundation on which the extensible means can engage upon impact.

Claim 21

A helmet and shoulder pad assembly for providing an indication when a predetermined axial compressive force tending to cause serious injury to the wearer is applied thereto, said assembly comprising: a rigid helmet having a lower rim for at least partially encircling the head of the wearer, said helmet being defined by an exterior surface including a crown area; a signalling device disposed within said helmet for providing a signal to said wearer when a predetermined amount of axial compressive force is applied to said crown area; sensor means for actuating said signalling device in response to an external impact on said crown area with said predetermined amount of axial compressive force; extensible means generally disposed along said lower rim and normally not projecting substantially below said lower rim but being extendable therebelow to engage the shoulders of the wearer and substantially transfer to the shoulders the force of an external impact on the crown area of said helmet; gas-operable means carried by said helmet for extending said extensible means to engage the shoulders of a wearer within less than 25 milliseconds of an external impact on said crown area of said helmet, said gas-operable means, including means carried by said helmet for almost instantaneously generating gas for operating said gas-operable means; said sensor means being constructed and arranged to operate said gas-generating means in response to said external impact with said predetermined amount of force to rapidly extend said extensible means to engage the shoulders of a wearer so as to be able to transfer the impact force to the shoulders instead of directly through said helmet and head of the wearer generally axially to the cervical spine of the wearer; and shoulder pads including inflatable base means for broadening the foundation on which the extensible means can engage, said inflatable base means being normally deflated and restrictedly folded so as to allow normal movements of the head and neck of the wearer, said inflatable base means being in the shape of a ring attached to the inner rim encircling the neck of the wearer, said inflatable base means extending inwardly towards the wearer's neck when inflated to instantaneously broaden the foundation on which the extensible means can engage upon impact.

Claim 22

The helmet and shoulder pad assembly defined in claim 20 wherein said inflatable base means is inflated by said gas generating means.

Claim 23

A helmet and shoulder pad assembly for providing an indication when a predetermined axial compressive force tending to cause serious injury to the wearer is applied thereto, said assembly comprising: a helmet having a lower outwardly flared rim partially encircling the head of the wearer, said helmet having a crown area; shoulder pads having an inner inflatable shoulder bag means for raising the shoulder pads to engage the flared rim of said helmet to transfer to the shoulder pads the force of an external impact on the crown area of said helmet; gas-generating means for almost instantaneously generating gas for inflating said inflatable shoulder bag means to raise the shoulder pads upon an impact of predetermined force on said crown area of said helmet so that said shoulder pads engage the flared rim of said helmet of the wearer within about 25 milliseconds of the external impact on said crown area of said helmet; sensor means disposed adjacent the crown area of said helmet for detecting the external impact on said crown area with said predetermined force and operating said gas-generating means in response thereto to almost instantaneously generate said gas to inflate said inflatable shoulder bag means to raise the shoulder pads so that said shoulder pads engage the flared rim of said helmet of the wearer within about 25 milliseconds of the external impact on said crown area so as to transfer the impact force to the shoulders instead of directly through said helmet and head of the wearer generally axially to the cervical spine of the wearer; and a signalling device disposed within said helmet for providing a signal to said wearer when a predetermined amount of axial compressive force is applied to said crown area, said sensor means being constructed and arranged to actuate said signalling device in response to said external impact on said crown area with said predetermined amount of axial compressive force.

Claim 24

A helmet and shoulder pad assembly for providing an indication when a predetermined axial compressive force tending to cause serious injury to the wearer is applied thereto, said assembly comprising: a helmet having a lower outwardly flared rim partially encircling the head of the wearer, said helmet having a crown area; shoulder pads having an inner inflatable shoulder bag means for raising the shoulder pads to engage the flared rim of said helmet to transfer to the shoulder pads the force of an external impact on the crown area of said helmet; gas-generating means for almost instantaneously generating gas for inflating said inflatable shoulder bag means to raise the shoulder pads upon an impact of predetermined force on said crown area of said helmet so that said shoulder pads engage the flared rim of said helmet of the wearer within about 25 milliseconds of the external impact on said crown area of said helmet; sensor means disposed adjacent the crown area of said helmet for detecting the external impact on said crown area with said predetermined force and operating said gas-generating means in response thereto to almost instantaneously generate said gas to inflate said inflatable shoulder bag means to raise the shoulder pads so that said shoulder pads engage the flared rim of said helmet of the wearer within about 25 milliseconds of the external impact on said crown area so as to transfer the impact force to the shoulders instead of directly through said helmet and head of the wearer generally axially to the cervical spine of the wearer; and a signalling device disposed within said helmet for providing a signal to said wearer when a predetermined amount of axial compressive force is applied to said crown area, said sensor means being constructed and arranged to actuate said signalling device in response to said external impact on said crown area with said predetermined amount of axial compressive force.

Claim 25

A helmet for providing an indication when a predetermined axial compressire force tending to cause serious injury to the wearer is applied thereto, said assembly comprising: a rigid helmet having a lower rim for at least partially encircling the head of the wearer, said helmet being defined by an exterior surface including a crown area; a transmitting device carried by said helmet for transmitting a signal to a remote location when a predetermined amount of axial compressive force is applied to said crown area; sensor means for actuating said transmitting device in response to application of said predetermined amount of axial compressire force to said crown area; and receiving means disposed remotely from said helmet for receiving said signal transmitted by said transmitting device, extensible means generally disposed along said lower rim and normally not projecting substantially below said lower rim but being extendable therebelow to engage the shoulders of the wearer and substantially transfer to the shoulders the force of an external impact on the crown area of said helmet; and gas-operable means carried by said helmet for extending said extensible means to engage the shoulders of a wearer within less than 25 milliseconds of an external impact on said crown area of said helmet, said gas-operable means including means carried by said helmet for almost instantaneously generating gas for operating said gas-operable means; said sensor means being constructed and arranged to operate said gas-generating means in response to said external impact with said predetermined amount of force to rapidly extend said extensible means to engage the shoulders of a wearer so as to be able to transfer the impact force to the shoulders instead of directly through said helmet and head of the wearer generally axially to the cervical spine of the wearer.

Claim 26

A helmet for providing an indication when a predetermined axial compressire force tending to cause serious injury to the wearer is applied thereto, said assembly comprising: a rigid helmet having a lower rim for at least partially encircling the head of the wearer, said helmet being defined by an exterior surface including a crown area; a transmitting device carried by said helmet for transmitting a signal to a remote location when a predetermined amount of axial compressive force is applied to said crown area; sensor means for actuating said transmitting device in response to application of said predetermined amount of axial compressire force to said crown area; and receiving means disposed remotely from said helmet for receiving said signal transmitted by said transmitting device, extensible means generally disposed along said lower rim and normally not projecting substantially below said lower rim but being extendable therebelow to engage the shoulders of the wearer and substantially transfer to the shoulders the force of an external impact on the crown area of said helmet; and gas-operable means carried by said helmet for extending said extensible means to engage the shoulders of a wearer within less than 25 milliseconds of an external impact on said crown area of said helmet, said gas-operable means including means carried by said helmet for almost instantaneously generating gas for operating said gas-operable means; said sensor means being constructed and arranged to operate said gas-generating means in response to said external impact with said predetermined amount of force to rapidly extend said extensible means to engage the shoulders of a wearer so as to be able to transfer the impact force to the shoulders instead of directly through said helmet and head of the wearer generally axially to the cervical spine of the wearer.

Claim 27

The helmet assembly defined in claim 22, wherein: said extensible means comprises inflatable bag means attached to said lower rim, said bag means being normally deflated and restrictedly folded so as to not impede normal movements of the head and neck of the wearer, but constructed and arranged to fill the gap between said lower rim and the shoulders of a wearer when inflated; and said gas generating means being operable to almost instantaneously generate inflating gas and communicate said inflating gas to said bag means.

Claim 28

The helmet assembly defined in claim 23 including means for rapidly deflating the bag means a short time after inflation.

Claim 29

The helmet assembly defined in claim 23 including a channel-like downward facing shell which opens in a direction opposite the crown area of said helmet so as to allow said bag to expand toward the wearer's shoulders when inflated wherein the bag means is folded and packed and wrapped with a rupturable membrane.

Claim 30

The helmet assembly defined in claim 23 including a protective face guard attached to the helmet and extending over at least the eyes and nose of the wearer and having a lower portion and wherein the bag means is attached to said lower portion of said face guard and completely encircles the wearer, and a channel-like shell which opens in a direction facing away from the crown area of said helmet so as to allow said bag to expand toward a wearer's shoulders when inflated and wherein the bag means is folded and packed and wrapped with a rupturable membrane.

Claim 31

The helmet assembly defined in claim 22, wherein the sensor means comprises an adjustable accelerometer.

Claim 32

A helmet and shoulder pad assembly for providing an indication when a predetermined axial compressive force tending to cause serious injury to the wearer is applied thereto, said assembly comprising: a rigid helmet having a lower rim for at least partially encircling the head of the wearer, said helmet being defined by an exterior surface including a crown area; sensor means for detecting an external impact of a predetermined amount of axial compressive force on said crown area; a transmitting device carried by said helmet and responsive to said sensor means for transmitting a signal to a remote location when said predetermined amount of axial compressive force is applied to said crown area; receiving means disposed remotely from said helmet for receiving said signal transmitted by said transmitting device; extensible means generally disposed along said lower rim and normally not projecting substantially below said lower rim but being extendable therebelow to engage the shoulders of the wearer and substantially transfer to the shoulders the force of an external impact on the crown area of said helmet; gas-operable means carried by said helmet for extending said extensible means to engage the shoulders of a wearer within less than 25 milliseconds of an external impact on said crown area of said helmet, said gas-operable means including means carried by said helmet for almost instantaneously generating gas for operating said gas-operable means; said sensor means being constructed and arranged to operate said gas-generating means in response to said external impact with said predetermined amount of force to rapidly extend said extensible means to engage the shoulders of a wearer so as to be able to transfer the impact force to the shoulders instead of directly through said helmet and head of the wearer generally axially to the cervical spine of the wearer; and shoulder pads including inflatable base means for broadening the foundation on which the extensible means can engage, said inflatable base means being normally deflated and restrictedly folded so as to allow normal movements of the head and neck of the wearer, said inflatable base means being in the shape of a ring attached to the inner rim encircling the neck of the wearer, said inflatable base means extending inwardly towards the wearer's neck when inflated to instantaneously broaden the foundation on which the extensible means can engage upon impact.

Claim 33

A helmet and shoulder pad assembly for providing an indication when a predetermined axial compressive force tending to cause serious injury to the wearer is applied thereto, said assembly comprising: a rigid helmet having a lower rim for at least partially encircling the head of the wearer, said helmet being defined by an exterior surface including a crown area; sensor means for detecting an external impact of a predetermined amount of axial compressive force on said crown area; a transmitting device carried by said helmet and responsive to said sensor means for transmitting a signal to a remote location when said predetermined amount of axial compressive force is applied to said crown area; receiving means disposed remotely from said helmet for receiving said signal transmitted by said transmitting device; extensible means generally disposed along said lower rim and normally not projecting substantially below said lower rim but being extendable therebelow to engage the shoulders of the wearer and substantially transfer to the shoulders the force of an external impact on the crown area of said helmet; gas-operable means carried by said helmet for extending said extensible means to engage the shoulders of a wearer within less than 25 milliseconds of an external impact on said crown area of said helmet, said gas-operable means including means carried by said helmet for almost instantaneously generating gas for operating said gas-operable means; said sensor means being constructed and arranged to operate said gas-generating means in response to said external impact with said predetermined amount of force to rapidly extend said extensible means to engage the shoulders of a wearer so as to be able to transfer the impact force to the shoulders instead of directly through said helmet and head of the wearer generally axially to the cervical spine of the wearer; and shoulder pads including inflatable base means for broadening the foundation on which the extensible means can engage, said inflatable base means being normally deflated and restrictedly folded so as to allow normal movements of the head and neck of the wearer, said inflatable base means being in the shape of a ring attached to the inner rim encircling the neck of the wearer, said inflatable base means extending inwardly towards the wearer's neck when inflated to instantaneously broaden the foundation on which the extensible means can engage upon impact.

Claim 34

The helmet and shoulder pad assembly defined in claim 28 wherein said inflatable base means is inflated by said gas generating means.

Claim 35

A helmet and shoulder pad assembly for providing an indication when a predetermined axial compressive force tending to cause serious injury to the wearer is applied thereto, said assembly comprising: a helmet having a lower outwardly flared rim partially encircling the head of the wearer, said helmet having a crown area; shoulder pads having an inner inflatable shoulder bag means for raising the shoulder pads to engage the flared rim of said helmet to transfer to the shoulder pads the force of an external impact on the crown area of said helmet; gas-generating means for almost instantaneously generating gas for inflating said inflatable shoulder bag means to raise the shoulder pads upon an impact of predetermined force on said crown area of said helmet so that said shoulder pads engage the flared rim of said helmet of the wearer within about 25 milliseconds of the external impact on said crown area of said helmet; sensor means disposed adjacent the crown area of said helmet for detecting the external impact on said crown area with said predetermined force and operating said gas-generating means in response thereto to almost instantaneously generate said gas to inflate said inflatable shoulder bag means to raise the shoulder pads so that said shoulder pads engage the flared rim of said helmet of the wearer within about 25 milliseconds of the external impact on said crown area so as to transfer the impact force to the shoulders instead of directly through said helmet and head of the wearer generally axially to the cervical spine of the wearer; a transmitting device carried by said helmet and responsive to said sensor means for transmitting a signal to a remote location when said predetermined amount of axial compressive force is applied to said crown area; and receiving means disposed remotely from said helmet for receiving said signal transmitted by said transmitting device.

Claim 36

A helmet and shoulder pad assembly for providing an indication when a predetermined axial compressive force tending to cause serious injury to the wearer is applied thereto, said assembly comprising: a helmet having a lower outwardly flared rim partially encircling the head of the wearer, said helmet having a crown area; shoulder pads having an inner inflatable shoulder bag means for raising the shoulder pads to engage the flared rim of said helmet to transfer to the shoulder pads the force of an external impact on the crown area of said helmet; gas-generating means for almost instantaneously generating gas for inflating said inflatable shoulder bag means to raise the shoulder pads upon an impact of predetermined force on said crown area of said helmet so that said shoulder pads engage the flared rim of said helmet of the wearer within about 25 milliseconds of the external impact on said crown area of said helmet; sensor means disposed adjacent the crown area of said helmet for detecting the external impact on said crown area with said predetermined force and operating said gas-generating means in response thereto to almost instantaneously generate said gas to inflate said inflatable shoulder bag means to raise the shoulder pads so that said shoulder pads engage the flared rim of said helmet of the wearer within about 25 milliseconds of the external impact on said crown area so as to transfer the impact force to the shoulders instead of directly through said helmet and head of the wearer generally axially to the cervical spine of the wearer; a transmitting device carried by said helmet and responsive to said sensor means for transmitting a signal to a remote location when said predetermined amount of axial compressive force is applied to said crown area; and receiving means disposed remotely from said helmet for receiving said signal transmitted by said transmitting device.

Claim 37

A helmet assembly for providing an indication when a predetermined axial compressive force tending to cause serious injury to the wearer is applied thereto, said assembly comprising: a rigid helmet having a lower rim for at least partially encircling the head of the wearer, said helmet being defined by an exterior surface including a crown area; a signalling device disposed within said helmet for providing a signal to said wearer when a predetermined amount of axial compressive force is applied to said crown area; and sensor means for actuating said signalling device in response to an external impact on said crown area with said predetermined amount of axial compressive force; a transmitting device carried by said helmet for transmitting a signal to a remote location when a predetermined amount of axial compressive force is applied to said crown area; and receiving means disposed remotely from said helmet for receiving said signal transmitted by said transmitting device.

Claim 38

A helmet assembly for providing an indication when a predetermined axial compressive force tending to cause serious injury to the wearer is applied thereto, said assembly comprising: a rigid helmet having a lower rim for at least partially encircling the head of the wearer, said helmet being defined by an exterior surface including a crown area; a signalling device disposed within said helmet for providing a signal to said wearer when a predetermined amount of axial compressive force is applied to said crown area; and sensor means for actuating said signalling device in response to an external impact on said crown area with said predetermined amount of axial compressive force; a transmitting device carried by said helmet for transmitting a signal to a remote location when a predetermined amount of axial compressive force is applied to said crown area; and receiving means disposed remotely from said helmet for receiving said signal transmitted by said transmitting device.