Multilayered helmet with independently movable segments
The present disclosure provides a helmet that includes a segmented outer shell comprising a plurality of independently movable segments. The helmet also includes internal layers that comprise flexible bearings and other optional padding to provide mobility to the segmented outer shell and to provide impact protection via force dispersion and compression of the layers of the helmet. In a first embodiment, the bearing is a substantially hemispherically-shaped node. In a second embodiment, the bearing is a substantially torus-shaped pad.
1 . A helmet comprising:
an inner shell comprising a first plurality of segments, the first plurality of segments comprising:
a head plate;
a cheek plate removably coupled to the head plate such that the head and cheek plate decouple without exerting strain on a user's head;
an outer shell coupled to the inner shell, the outer shell comprising a second plurality of segments;
wherein the outer shell is spaced apart from the inner shell to define a space therebetween; and
an impact-absorbing bearing positioned between the outer shell and the inner shell; and
wherein the outer shell is movable about the bearing relative to the inner shell.
2 . The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the outer shell includes an inner layer coupled to an outer layer such that a chamber is defined therebetween, wherein at least one impact-absorbing column is positioned within the chamber to provide compressibility of the outer shell.
3 . The helmet of claim 1 , further comprising a flexible anchor configured to extend from the outer shell, through the at least one impact-absorbing internal layer, and moveably connect to the inner shell.
4 . The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the head plate and the cheek plate each include corresponding edges that intermesh with each other along an interface between the head plate and the cheek plate.
5 . The helmet of claim 4 , wherein the head plate and the cheek plate are removably coupled to each other by a plurality of screw plates positioned across the interface such that at least one screw is anchored to the head plate and at least one screw is anchored to the cheek plate.
6 . The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the inner shell is sized to tightly fit a user's head.
7 . The helmet of claim 1 , wherein at least an upper surface of the bearing is hemispherically-shaped or torus-shaped.
8 . The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the bearing is constructed of gel.
9 . A helmet comprising:
an inner shell comprising a plurality of segments, the plurality of segments comprising:
a head plate;
a cheek plate removably coupled to the head plate such that the head and cheek plate decouple without exerting strain on a user's head;
an outer shell removably coupled to the inner shell, the outer shell spaced apart from the inner shell to define a space therebetween, the outer shell includes:
a plurality of independently movable segments, each independently moveable segment moveably coupled to the inner shell such that the plurality of independently movable segments are movable upon impact to disperse impact forces applied onto the movable segments; and
at least one impact-absorbing internal layer within the space.
10 . The helmet of claim 9 , wherein the at least one impact-absorbing internal layer includes a plurality of bearings, each bearing associated with a corresponding independently moveable segment,
wherein the corresponding independently movable segment is seated on the bearing such that the independently movable segment is movable about the bearing.
11 . The helmet of claim 10 , wherein the outer shell includes an inner layer coupled to an outer layer such that a chamber is defined therebetween, wherein at least one gel column is positioned within the chamber to provide compressibility of the outer shell upon impact.
12 . The helmet of claim 11 , wherein the inner shell includes a plurality of screw inserts configured to receive the bearing.
13 . The helmet of claim 9 , wherein the outer shell and the at least one impact-absorbing internal layer are coupled to each other by a flexible anchor configured to extend from the outer shell, through the at least one impact-absorbing internal layer, and moveably connect to the inner shell.
14 . The helmet of claim 9 ,
wherein the head plate and the cheek plate each include corresponding edges that intermesh with each other along an interface between the head plate and the cheek plate; and
wherein the head plate and the cheek plate are coupled to each other by a plurality of screw plates positioned across the interface such that at least one screw is anchored to the head plate and at least one screw is anchored to the cheek plate.
15 . The helmet of claim 9 , wherein the inner shell and the outer shell are made of carbon fiber or high-density polyethylene.
16 . The helmet of claim 9 , further including a facemask coupled to the inner shell.
17 . A method of assembling the helmet of claim 1 comprising: providing a plurality of base plates within corresponding base plate holes of an inner shell; seating a plurality of bearings onto the inner shell; placing a plurality of segments of an outer shell onto corresponding bearings; moveably coupling each segment of the outer shell to the corresponding base plate of the inner shell via the corresponding bearing.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein each segment is configured to independently move across its corresponding bearing upon impact.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein providing a base plate includes: coupling a head plate of the inner shell to a cheek plate of the inner shell along an interface of the head plate and the cheek plate by at least one screw plate, wherein at least one screw is anchored to the head plate and at least one screw is anchored to the cheek plate.
20 . The method of claim 17 , further including coupling an interior helmet padding to the inner shell.
21 . The method of claim 17 , further including coupling a facemask to the helmet.
22 . The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of segments of the outer shell comprise a plurality of independently moveable segments, each independently moveable segment is moveably coupled to the inner shell such that the plurality of independently moveable segments are movable upon impact to disperse impact forces applied onto the moveable segments.
23 . The helmet of claim 22 , further comprising a plurality of base plates within corresponding base plate holes of the inner shell.
24 . The helmet of claim 23 , wherein a plurality of bearings is seated onto the inner shell.
25 . The helmet of claim 24 , wherein each of the plurality of independently moveable segments of the outer shell is coupled to a corresponding base plate of the plurality of base plates by a corresponding bearing of the plurality of bearings.
26 . The helmet of claim 1 , further comprising an interior helmet pad coupled to the inner shell.
27 . The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of segments form a continuous head covering.