Fluid-filled damper system with restricted flow
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsJoseph B. Gault, Andrew C. Lau, Jazzmin P. Martinez, Austin J. Orand, Jan Raken, Daniel Weeks
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fluid-filled damper system for apparel and protective padding manages impact forces through controlled fluid movement between chambers. The system includes a flexible bladder defining first and second fluid chambers connected by a flow restrictor that limits fluid transfer rate between chambers. When force is applied to the first chamber, fluid displaces into the second chamber at a rate regulated by the flow restrictor, creating progressive damping that varies with compression rate.
Claims21
A fluid-filled damper system for an article of apparel or protective padding, the system comprising:
- a flexible bladder defining a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber;
- a flow restrictor providing fluidic communication between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber, the flow restrictor configured to limit a rate of fluid transfer between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber;
- and
- a fluid contained within the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber;
- wherein compression of the first fluid chamber causes a portion of the fluid to flow through the flow restrictor into the second fluid chamber at a rate regulated by the flow restrictor, creating a progressive damping effect that varies with a rate of compression applied to the first fluid chamber, whereby the fluid-filled damper system provides impact protection by dissipating force through controlled fluid movement between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber during physical activity of a wearer.
An article of apparel comprising:
- a garment structure configured to be worn on a portion of a human body and comprising athletic apparel selected from the group consisting of protective sportswear, compression wear, and technical performance clothing;
- and
- a fluid-filled damper system integrated into the garment structure, the fluid-filled damper system comprising:
- a flexible bladder defining a first fluid chamber and a second fluid chamber;
- a flow restrictor providing fluidic communication between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber, the flow restrictor configured to limit a rate of fluid transfer between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber;
- and
- a fluid contained within the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber;
- wherein compression of the first fluid chamber causes a portion of the fluid to flow through the flow restrictor into the second fluid chamber at a rate regulated by the flow restrictor, creating a progressive damping effect that provides impact protection during physical activity of a wearer.
A protective pad for athletic equipment comprising:
- a protective outer shell configured to receive an impact force during athletic activity;
- a comfort layer configured to contact a wearer's body;
- and
- a fluid-filled damper system positioned between the protective outer shell and the comfort layer, the fluid-filled damper system comprising:
- a flexible bladder defining a first fluid chamber positioned adjacent to the protective outer shell and a second fluid chamber positioned adjacent to the comfort layer;
- a flow restrictor providing fluidic communication between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber, the flow restrictor configured to limit a rate of fluid transfer between the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber;
- and
- a fluid contained within the first fluid chamber and the second fluid chamber;
- wherein compression of the first fluid chamber by the impact force causes a portion of the fluid to flow through the flow restrictor into the second fluid chamber, creating a resistance force that increases with increasing rate of the impact force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.