US 12,721,396 B2Granted

Oblique impact protection technology, helmet containing, sports equipment containing, and process therefor

AssigneeStrategic Sports Limited

InventorsTien Hou Cheng, Michael Ming-Jae Lin

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Abstract

An oblique-impact protection technology member (20) contains a layer (50) of closed cell foam containing a first surface (52), a second surface (54), and a plurality of wells (56) on the first surface (52). The first surface (52) contains a plurality of first surface apertures (58) and the first surface apertures (58) have a square shape. The second surface (54) is opposite the first surface (52) and optionally contains a plurality of second surface apertures (62). Each well (56) corresponds to a first surface aperture (58) and the second surface (54) is substantially parallel; or parallel, to the first surface (52). A helmet (10) and/or a piece of sporting equipment (12) may contain this technology, and a process may manufacture this technology.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A helmet comprising

(a) a shell having a shell inner side and a shell outer side opposite to the shell inner side;
and
(b) an oblique-impact protection technology member affixed to an inside portion of the helmet, the oblique-impact protection technology member comprising a layer of closed cell foam comprising:
i) a first surface in contact with a head of a user during use, the first surface consisting of a plurality of first surface apertures, wherein the plurality of first surface apertures comprise a plurality of square-shaped apertures;
ii) a second surface opposite and substantially parallel to the first surface, the second surface consisting of a plurality of second surface apertures;
and
iii) a plurality of wells in the first surface, the plurality of wells comprising a plurality of open wells, wherein each open well corresponds to one of the plurality of square-shaped apertures and to one of the plurality of second surface apertures, and forms a passage having a tapered shape extending from the first surface to the second surface.

4 more elements

A process for manufacturing a helmet comprising the steps of:

A. providing a female mould portion;
B. providing a male mould portion complementary to the female mould portion wherein the female mould portion and the male mould portion are able to fit together to form a hollow mould therebetween;
C. providing an oblique-impact protection technology member comprising a layer of closed cell foam comprising:
i) a first surface in contact with a head of a user during use, the first surface consisting of a plurality of first surface apertures, wherein the plurality of first surface apertures comprise a plurality of square-shaped apertures;
ii) a second surface opposite and substantially parallel to the first surface, the second surface consisting of a plurality of second surface apertures;
and
(iii) a plurality of wells in the first surface, the plurality of wells comprising a plurality of open wells, wherein each open well corresponds to one of the plurality of square-shaped apertures and to one of the plurality of second surface apertures, and forms a passage having a tapered shape extending from the first surface to the second surface;
D. applying the oblique-impact protection technology member to the male mould portion;
E. providing an impact-dissipating material and applying the impact-dissipating material into the hollow mould;
F. subjecting the oblique-impact protection technology member and the impact-dissipating material to an in-moulding process within the hollow mould;
wherein the oblique-impact protection technology member comprises an oblique-impact protection technology member inner side,
wherein the oblique-impact protection technology member comprises an oblique-impact protection technology member outer side opposite the oblique-impact protection technology member inner side,
wherein the impact dissipating material forms an impact-dissipating member comprising an impact-dissipating member inner side,
wherein the impact-dissipating member comprises an impact dissipating member outer side opposite the impact dissipating member inner side, and
wherein the in-moulding process permanently binds the oblique-impact protection technology member outer side to the impact-dissipating member inner side;
G. providing a shell having a shell inner side and a shell outer side opposite to the shell inner side;
and
H. bonding the outer side of the impact-dissipating member to the shell inner side of the shell.

15 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.