# US 12,178,275 B2 · Layered materials and structures for enhanced impact absorption > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,178,275 B2 - Document ID: US12178275B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/931,860 - Filed: 2022-09-13 - Published: 2023-08-10 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2016-01-08 - Assignees: University of Washington & Vicis IP, LLC - Applicants: Vicis IP, LLC; University of Washington - Inventors: Per Reinhall; Paul C. Leonard; Travis Edward Glover; Andre Hunter Paggao Stone; Anton Perry Alferness; Kurt V. Fischer; Gary S. Kaplan; John T. Dardis, II; Samuel R. Browd - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12178275B2 ## CPC - A42B 3/063: {using layered structures} - A42B 3/064: {with relative movement between layers} - A42B 3/121: {with at least one layer or pad containing a fluid} - A42B 3/125: {with a padded structure, e.g. foam} - A41D 13/015: with shock-absorbing means (A41D13/05 takes precedence) - A42B: HATS; HEAD COVERINGS (headbands A41D20/00; head-scarves A41D23/00) - A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES ## Abstract A garment worn by a wearer has an exterior shell and an interior shell with various impact absorbing material between the exterior shell and the interior shell. The impact absorbing material includes multiple structures, such as rods or filaments, capable of deforming when force is applied then returning to its state prior to application of the force. In various embodiments, a rate sensitive material (RSM) is positioned in one or more locations relative to the exterior shell and the interior shell of the garment to further attenuate impacts to the garment. The RSM changes its resistance to force based on a rate at which the material is loaded. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A helmet comprising: a shell; and a layer coupled to the shell, the layer comprising a plurality of impact absorbing structures, wherein the layer is configured to provide a rate sensitive response that resists an impact force at an inversely related rate to which the impact force is applied to the helmet. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The helmet of claim 1, wherein the layer comprises a rate sensitive material configured to provide the rate sensitive response. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The helmet of claim 1, wherein the plurality of impact absorbing structures comprises a rate sensitive material configured to provide the rate sensitive response. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The helmet of claim 1, wherein the plurality of impact absorbing structures comprise a rate sensitive element configured to provide the rate sensitive response. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The helmet of claim 1, wherein the rate sensitive response is configured to increase a number of the plurality of impact absorbing structures engaged when the impact force is greater than a threshold. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The helmet of claim 1, wherein the plurality of impact absorbing structures comprise a structure configured to compress before a rate sensitive material configured to provide the rate sensitive response. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The helmet of claim 1, wherein the shell is rigid to distribute the impact force over a wider area of the plurality of impact absorbing structures. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The helmet of claim 1, wherein the shell is flexible to transmit the impact force to a localized section of the plurality of impact absorbing structures. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The helmet of claim 1, further comprising a second shell, wherein the layer is disposed between the shell and the second shell and the plurality of impact absorbing structures are configured to allow the shell and the second shell to move independently from one another. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The helmet of claim 1, wherein the layer comprises a rate sensitive material that provides greater resistance to force based on a rate at which the rate sensitive material is loaded. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The helmet of claim 1, wherein the plurality of impact absorbing structures comprise a plastic shell filled with a rate sensitive material. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The helmet of claim 1, wherein the plurality of impact absorbing structures are configured to absorb energy from the impact force by buckling without fully collapsing. ### Claim 13 A protective garment comprising: a shell; and a layer coupled to the shell, the layer comprising a plurality of impact absorbing structures, wherein the layer is configured to provide a rate sensitive response that resists an impact force at an inversely related rate to which the impact force is applied to the shell. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The protective garment of claim 13, wherein the layer comprises a rate sensitive material configured to provide the rate sensitive response. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The protective garment of claim 13, wherein the plurality of impact absorbing structures comprises a rate sensitive material configured to provide the rate sensitive response. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The protective garment of claim 13, wherein the rate sensitive response is configured to increase a number of the plurality of impact absorbing structures engaged when the impact force is greater than a threshold. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The protective garment of claim 13, wherein the shell is rigid to distribute the impact force over a wider area of the plurality of impact absorbing structures. ### Claim 18 (depends on 13) The protective garment of claim 13, wherein the shell is flexible to transmit the impact force to a localized section of the plurality of impact absorbing structures. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The protective garment of claim 13, wherein the plurality of impact absorbing structures are configured to absorb energy from the impact force by undergoing deformation without fully collapsing. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The protective garment of claim 13, wherein the protective garment comprises one of a padding, a brace and a protector for a joint or a bone.