# US 10,244,812 B2 · Apparatus for dispersing impact forces > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,244,812 B2 - Document ID: US10244812B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/274,837 - Filed: 2016-09-23 - Published: 2017-01-12 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2013-03-12 - Assignees: Newtonoid Technologies, L.L.C. - Applicants: Fielding B. Staton - Inventors: Fielding B. Staton - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10244812B2 ## CPC - A42B 3/063: {using layered structures} - A42B 3/0453: {Signalling devices, e.g. auxiliary brake or indicator lights} - A42B 3/046: {Means for detecting hazards or accidents} - A42B 3/065: {Corrugated or ribbed shells} - A42B 3/125: {with a padded structure, e.g. foam} - A42B 3/20: Face guards, e.g. for ice hockey (A42B3/22 takes precedence) - B60J 1/2094: {Protective means for window, e.g. additional panel or foil, against vandalism, dirt, wear, shattered glass, etc.} - B60R 1/04: mounted inside vehicle {(B60R1/025, B60R1/08 take precedence)} - F16F 13/00: Units comprising springs of the non-fluid type as well as vibration-dampers, shock-absorbers, or fluid springs (F16F5/00, {F16F6/00, F16F9/003} take precedence) - F16F 13/002: {comprising at least one fluid spring (F16F13/005, F16F13/02, F16F13/04 take precedence)} - F16F 13/005: {comprising both a wound spring and a damper, e.g. a friction damper} - F16F 13/04: comprising both a plastics spring and a damper, e.g. a friction damper - F16F 15/005: {using electro- or magnetostrictive actuation means (generating of mechanical vibrations operating with electrostriction B06B1/06, with magnetostriction B06B1/08; vehicle suspension arrangements characterised by use of piezoelectric elements B60G17/01941; piezoelectric, electrostrictive and magnetostrictive devices per se H10N30/00)} - F16F 15/04: using elastic means (single elements or their attachment F16F1/00 - F16F13/00); {(F16F15/023, F16F15/03 take precedence)} - F41C 23/06: Stocks {or firearm frames} specially adapted for recoil reduction - F41H 1/04: Protection helmets (crash helmets A42B3/00) - F41H 5/013: Mounting or securing armour plates - F41H 5/263: {Mounting of transparent armoured panels, e.g. bulletproof windows on vehicles} - F42D 5/045: Detonation-wave absorbing or damping means - G08B 21/02: Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons - G08B 21/18: Status alarms (G08B21/02 takes precedence) - B60J 1/006: {characterised by fixation means such as clips, adhesive, etc. (incorporated in seal B60J10/70)} - A42B: HATS; HEAD COVERINGS (headbands A41D20/00; head-scarves A41D23/00) - B60J: WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES (fastening, suspending, closing, or opening of such devices E05) - B60R: VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION - F41C: SMALLARMS, e.g. PISTOLS, RIFLES (functional features or details common to both smallarms and ordnance, mountings therefor F41A; projecting missiles without use of explosive or combustible propellant charge F41B); ACCESSORIES THEREFOR - F41H: ARMOUR; ARMOURED TURRETS; ARMOURED OR ARMED VEHICLES; MEANS OF ATTACK OR DEFENCE, e.g. CAMOUFLAGE, IN GENERAL - F42D: BLASTING (fuses, e.g. fuse cords, C06C5/00; {for obtaining fluid from wells E21B43/00; for mining or quarrying E21C37/00; for making tunnels or galleries E21D9/006}; cartridges F42B3/00) - G08B: SIGNALLING SYSTEMS, e.g. PERSONAL CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS ## Abstract A system for mitigating an impact force is provided. The system a helmet having a face mask attached thereto, and the face mask includes a first portion; and a second portion. The first portion and the second portion are separated by a gap and held together via a biasing member. A force received by the first portion is at least partially transferred to the second portion via the biasing member, wherein a fraction of the transferred force is returned to the first portion, the fraction being less than the force received. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for mitigating an impact force, the system comprising a helmet having a face mask attached thereto, the face mask comprising a face mask bar extending from a first side of the helmet to a second side of the helmet defining a length, the face mask bar comprising first and second bar portions each extending along the entirety of the length; wherein: the first portion and the second portion are separated by a gap and held together via a biasing member; and a force received by the first portion is at least partially transferred to the second portion via the biasing member; a fraction of the transferred force is returned to the first portion, the fraction being less than the force received. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is selected from the group consisting of: a flat spring, a helical spring, a magnetic spring, a liquid spring, and a gas spring. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, further comprising an outer covering surrounding the first and second portions. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The system of claim 3, further comprising a first sensor for initiating an alert when a force is received by the mask. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, further comprising a second sensor for determining the amount of force received by the mask. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The system of claim 5, wherein filtering criteria is used to determine when to initiate the alert. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The system of claim 6, wherein the alert is a signal transmitted over a network to an interface unit. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The system of claim 7, wherein the alert is stored in computer memory. ### Claim 9 A system for mitigating an impact force, the system comprising a helmet having a face mask attached thereto, the face mask comprising a face mask bar, each bar comprising: a first portion; and a second portion; wherein: the first portion and the second portion are separably attached via a biasing member, the first and second portions being in contact in an initial position; a force received by the first portion is at least partially transferred to the second portion via the biasing member, causing the second portion to temporarily separate from the first portion; and a fraction of the transferred force is returned to the first portion, the fraction being less than the force received, whereby the second portion subsequently returns to the initial position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The system of claim 9, wherein the biasing member is a helical spring or a magnetic spring. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, further comprising a sensor for sensing the impact upon the face mask and providing an alert in response to the impact. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The system of claim 11, wherein filtering criteria is used to determine when to initiate the alert. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the alert is stored in computer memory and transmitted over a network to an interface unit. ### Claim 14 A system for mitigating an impact force, the system comprising a helmet having a face mask attached thereto, the face mask comprising a plurality of face mask bars, each bar comprising: a first portion separably attached to a second portion via a biasing member; and a housing surrounding the first and second portions; wherein: a force received upon the housing is immediately transferred to the first portion, the force then being at least partially transferred to the second portion via the biasing member, the force causing the second portion to temporarily separate from the first portion; and a fraction of the transferred force is returned to the first portion, the fraction being less than the force received, whereby the second portion subsequently returns to the initial position. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, wherein an outside edge of the first portion contacts an inside edge of the housing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15, wherein the biasing member is selected from the group consisting of: a flat spring, a helical spring, a magnetic spring, a liquid spring, and a gas spring. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, further comprising a sensor for initiating an alert when the force is received by the face mask. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the alert is transmitted over a network to an interface unit. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, wherein the alert is stored in computer memory. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The system of claim 14, further comprising a sensor for initiating an alert, wherein filtering criteria is used to determine when to initiate the alert.