# US 2013/0152284 A1 · Shock absorbers for protective body gear

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- Number: US 2013/0152284 A1
- Document ID: US20130152284A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 13/325,716
- Filed: 2011-12-14
- Published: 2013-06-20
- Earliest claimed: 2011-12-14
- Inventors: VINCENT FERRARA; Alexander Reynolds; Kyle Lamson
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130152284A1

## CPC

- A41D 13/0156: {having projecting patterns}
- A42B 3/121: {with at least one layer or pad containing a fluid}
- F16F 9/0418: {having a particular shape, e.g. annular, spherical, tube-like (F16F9/05 takes precedence)}
- F16F 9/0481: {provided in an opening to the exterior atmosphere}
- A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A42B: HATS; HEAD COVERINGS (headbands A41D20/00; head-scarves A41D23/00)
- F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION

## Abstract

Shock absorbers for integration into protective structures generally take the form of hollow, fluid-filled, compressible cells. In various embodiments, the cell enclosure includes one or more orifices, or vents, through which a fluid (such as air or water) can escape from the inner chamber formed by the enclosure.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A compressible cell for attenuating impact forces imparted thereto, the cell comprising:
an enclosure defining an inner chamber for containing a fluid, the enclosure comprising a side wall extending and varying in thickness between a top wall and a bottom wall, the side wall resistively yielding in response to an impact imparted to the top wall.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The cell of claim 1, wherein the side wall increases in thickness from the top to the bottom wall.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The cell of claim 1, wherein a resistance of the yielding side walls increases with increasing energy of the impact.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The cell of claim 1, wherein resistance of the yielding side walls increases with increased compression of the side wall.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The cell of claim 1, wherein the side wall decreases in thickness from the top to the bottom wall.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The cell of claim 1, wherein the cell shears in response to a non-perpendicular impact force.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The cell of claim 1, further comprising at least one orifice in the enclosure for resistively venting fluid from the inner chamber so as to at least partially attenuate the impact when the side wall yields.

### Claim 8

In a safety article comprising a compressible cell that includes an enclosure defining an inner chamber and having a side wall extending and increasing in thickness between a top wall and a bottom wall, the safety article being worn on a body with the bottom wall closer to the body than the top wall, a method for protecting the body from damage due to impacts, the method comprising:
attenuating an impact imparted on the top wall at least partially with the side wall by resistively yielding, wherein a resistance to yielding increases with increased compression of the side wall.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein the enclosure has an orifice, the method further comprising attenuating the impact at least partially by venting fluid from the inner chamber through the orifice.

### Claim 10

In a safety article comprising a compressible cell that includes an enclosure defining an inner chamber and having a side wall extending and decreasing in thickness between a top wall and a bottom wall, the safety article being worn on a body with the bottom wall closer to the body than the top wall, a method for protecting the body from damage due to impacts, the method comprising:
attenuating a tangential component of an impact imparted on the top wall at least partially by shearing; and
attenuating a normal component of the impact imparted on the top wall at least partially with the side wall by resistively yielding.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein the enclosure has an orifice, the method further comprising attenuating the impact at least partially by venting fluid from the inner chamber through the orifice.