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US 11,758,966 B1Granted
Face mask shock-mounted to helmet shell
AssigneeAes R&D, LLC
InventorsAlbert Straus, Robert J Michael
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Apparatus for protecting a user from impacts to the head. The apparatus includes a shell configured to receive a human head and a face mask coupled to the shell by a plurality of biasing mechanisms. The face mask is configured to reorient relative to the shell upon impact. The biasing mechanisms return the face mask to its original relative position after impact.
Claims15
An apparatus for protecting a user from an impact, the apparatus comprises:
- a shell configured to fit a human head, the shell having an outer surface, an inner surface that is opposite the outer surface, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side, wherein the inner surface defines an internal space for the human head;
- a mask movably coupled to the shell so that the mask is movable between a first orientation relative to the shell and a second orientation relative to the shell;
- a first implement coupled to the first side of the mask, wherein the first implement is configured to move across the outer surface of the shell;
- a second implement coupled to the second side of the mask, wherein the second implement is configured to move across the outer surface of the shell;
- a third implement coupled to the first side of the mask, wherein the third implement is configured to move across the inner surface of the shell;
- a fourth implement coupled to the second side of the mask, wherein the fourth implement is configured to move across the inner surface of the shell;
- a first elastomeric element that couples the mask to the first side of the shell, the first elastomeric element positioned between the first implement and the third implement;
- and
- a second elastomeric element that couples the mask to the second side of the shell, the second elastomeric element positioned between the second implement and the fourth implement;
- wherein first and second elastomeric elements are configured to bias the mask into the first orientation, such that, the mask is moveable from the first orientation into the second orientation in response to an external impact force directed against the mask, and moves back into the first orientation after the external impact force is removed from the mask.
7 more elements
A football helmet for protecting a user from an impact, the football helmet comprising:
- a shell configured to fit a human head, the shell having an outer surface and an inner surface, the inner surface defining an inner space for the human head;
- a face mask movably coupled to the shell so that the face mask is configured to transition between a first orientation relative to the shell and a second orientation relative to the shell, the face mask having a left side and a right side that is opposite the left side;
- a first pair of implements coupled to the left side of the face mask, wherein one implement of the first pair of implements is configured to move across the outer surface of the shell, and the other implement of the first pair of implements is configured to move across the inner surface of the shell while maintaining contact with the inner surface of the shell;
- a first elastomer coupling the face mask to the shell, the first elastomer positioned in between the respective first pair of implements at the left side of the face mask;
- a second pair of implements coupled to the right side of the face mask, wherein one implement of the second pair of implements is configured to move across the outer surface of the shell, and the other implement of the second pair of implements is configured to move across the inner surface of the shell while maintaining contact with the inner surface of the shell;
- and
- a second elastomer coupling the face mask to the shell, the second elastomer positioned in between the respective second pair of implements at the right side of the of face mask, wherein the first and second elastomers are configured to bias the face mask into the first orientation relative to the shell.
4 more elements
An apparatus for protecting a user from an impact, the apparatus comprises:
- a shell configured to fit a human head, the shell having first side, a second side opposite the first side, a top front between the first side and the second side, an outer surface and an inner surface that is opposite the outer surface, the inner surface defining an inner space for receiving the human head;
- a mask coupled to the shell so that the mask has a first orientation relative to the shell;
- a first biasing member that couples the mask to the first side of the shell;
- a second biasing member that couples the mask to the second side of the shell, wherein the first and second biasing members are configured to bias the mask into the first orientation;
- a first structure and a second structure independently coupled to and movable along the outer surface of the shell;
- the first structure includes a first bottom surface, the first bottom surface is smooth, the first bottom surface is configured to move across the outer surface of the shell while maintaining continuous contact with the outer surface of the shell;
- the second structure includes a second bottom surface, the second bottom surface is smooth, the second bottom surface is configured to move across the outer surface of the shell while maintaining continuous contact with the outer surface of the shell;
- a third biasing member coupled to the first structure, wherein the third biasing member is configured to move the first structure to a first position in response to application and removal of an impact force upon the shell;
- and
- a fourth biasing member coupled to the second structure, wherein the fourth biasing is configured to move the second structure to a second position in response to application and removal impact force upon the shell.
7 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.