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US 11,690,423 B2Granted
Helmet with external flexible cage
AssigneeTurtle Shell Protective Systems LLC
InventorDarin D. Grice
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A flex cell for absorbing energy from an applied force includes a panel attached to a flex cage. The flex cage is made from a resilient material that allows deformation of the flex cage when a force is applied to the flex cell. The flex cell is attachable to a support surface. In some instances, the flex cell is detached from the support surface when sufficient force is applied to the flex cell.
Claims20
An energy absorption system, comprising:
- a support surface;
- a first flex cell coupled to the support surface, wherein the first flex cell includes
- a panel,
- a flex cage attached to the panel, and
- wherein the flex cage is made from a resilient material that allows deformation of the flex cage when a force is applied to the first flex cell;
- a flex cell attachment fitting defined in the first flex cell, wherein the flex cell attachment fitting includes a notch;
- a support surface attachment fitting defined in the support surface, wherein the support surface attachment fitting includes a notched recess;
- and
- wherein the notched recess in the support surface attachment fitting is configured to receive the notch in the flex cell attachment fitting to attach the first flex cell to the support surface.
6 more elements
An energy absorption system, comprising:
- a panel;
- a flex cage including
- a panel rib locus and a support rib locus,
- a plurality of curved ribs, each rib including a panel end and a support end,
- wherein the panel end of each rib is connected at the panel rib locus and the support end of each rib is connected at the support rib locus, and
- wherein the plurality of ribs define a rib gap between adjacent ribs;
- wherein the panel is attached to the flex cage;
- wherein the plurality of ribs include large ribs and small ribs;
- wherein the large ribs have a longer length than the small ribs;
- wherein the ribs have a wider width than the small ribs;
- and
- wherein the large ribs and the small ribs are arranged in an alternating manner.
9 more elements
A method, comprising:
- attaching a plurality of ribs made from a resilient material to form a flex cage, wherein each rib includes a panel end and a support end, wherein the panel end of each rib is connected to the plurality of ribs at a panel rib locus and the support end of each rib is connected to the plurality of ribs at a support rib locus;
- attaching a panel to the flex cage to form a flex cell, wherein the panel covers at least a portion of the plurality of ribs;
- and
- connecting the flex cell to a support surface so that the panel of the flex cell overlays at least a portion of the support surface.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.