Helmet with vacuum retention system
AssigneeGstc LLC
InventorGideon P. Searle
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A helmet includes one or more vacuum retention systems lining and affixed to an interior of the helmet. The vacuum retention systems are containers including a plurality of microbeads and a valve allowing air to be added into or subtracted from the containers, compactifying the microbeads around the head of a pilot. The vacuum retention systems are connected to inflatable bladders in a suit of the pilot, thereby allowing air evacuated from the vacuum retention systems to be used to inflate the bladders. The vacuum retention systems are able to be connected to one or more sensors of a plane and the rigidity of the vacuum retention systems is able to be automatically adjusted based on sensor readings (e.g., G-force measurements).
Claims20
A helmet for dynamic cushioning, the helmet comprising:
- an outer shell and an inner lining, the inner lining comprising a plurality of cushions;
- wherein the plurality of cushions is arranged such that a first of the plurality of cushions covers a right hemisphere of the helmet, and a second of the plurality of cushions covers a left hemisphere of the helmet;
- wherein the plurality of cushions each comprise fill material and at least one valve;
- wherein the fill material comprises a plurality of microbeads;
- wherein the fill material is operable to shift within the plurality of cushions;
- wherein the at least one valve is operable to connect to at least one air pump;
- and
- wherein the at least one air pump is operable to add or evacuate air from the plurality of cushions.
A vacuum retention system for dynamic cushioning, the system comprising:
- at least one container constructed of at least one layer of malleable material;
- fill material within the container;
- at least one valve;
- and
- at least one sensor in communication with the system;
- wherein the fill material comprises a plurality of microbeads;
- wherein the fill material is operable to shift within the container;
- wherein the at least one valve is operable to connect to at least one air pump;
- wherein the at least one air pump is operable to add or evacuate air from the container based on measured data from the at least one sensor;
- and
- wherein the container is operable to attach to an interior surface of a helmet via a mechanical attachment mechanism.
A helmet for dynamic cushioning, the helmet comprising:
- an outer shell and an inner lining, the inner lining comprising a plurality of cushions;
- wherein the plurality of cushions are affixed to the helmet via hook-and-loop tape;
- wherein the plurality of cushions comprise fill material and at least one valve;
- wherein the fill material comprises a plurality of microbeads;
- wherein the fill material is operable to shift within the plurality of cushions;
- wherein the at least one valve is operable to connect to at least one inflatable bladder;
- and
- wherein the at least one air pump is operable to add or evacuate air from the plurality of cushions into the at least one inflatable bladder based on measured data from at least one sensor.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.