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US 11,045,710 B2Granted
Non-newtonian materials for the prevention of mild traumatic brain injury
AssigneeUniversity of South Carolina
InventorsDavid M. Metts, Robert Michael Gower
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved design for an athletic helmet incorporating non-Newtonian fluid shock absorbing structures.
Claims21
A force distribution system comprising:
- a helmet;
- a protective carapace;
- wherein the helmet is in physical communication with the protective carapace at at least three points, wherein physical communication is achieved via affixing at least three force bearing members to at least three locations on the helmet and at least three locations on the protective carapace in non-static affixment;
- one force bearing member is positioned at a back of the helmet;
- at least two other force bearing members are positioned at a side of the helmet and layered such that a first outer side force bearing member is positioned over and distanced from a first inner side force bearing member;
- and
- wherein the force bearing members comprise a non-Newtonian dilatant fluid.
4 more elements
A method of force distribution comprising:
- forming at least three force bearing members wherein the at least three force bearing members contain at least one non-Newtonian dilatant fluid;
- attaching a first end of one force bearing member to a headpiece at a back of the headpiece;
- attaching a second end of the one force bearing member to a shock receiving structure substantially adjacent the back of the headpiece;
- positioning and layering at least two other force bearing members at a side of the headpiece such that a first outer side force bearing member is positioned over and distanced from a first inner side force bearing member;
- and
- wherein force impacts on the headpiece will be at least partially transferred to the shock receiving structure via the at least three force bearing members.
3 more elements
A method of retrofitting protective equipment to improve force transfer including:
- connecting one end of at least one force bearing member to a helmet at a back of the helmet;
- connecting an opposite end of at least one force bearing member to a protective carapace substantially adjacent the back of the helmet, wherein the helmet and protective carapace were not connected to one another when worn before addition of the at least on force bearing member;
- connecting and layering at least two other force bearing members at a side of the helmet such that a first outer side force bearing member is positioned over and distanced away from a first inner side force bearing member and
- wherein the force bearing members comprise a non-Newtonian dilatant fluid.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.