IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,694,803
Granted Patent B2
US 10,694,803 · App. 15/824,197 · Granted Jun 30, 2020

Shock absorptive face mask

Inventor: Braxton Neal (Cincinati, OH)
Assignee: Cincyguys, LLC
A42B3/20A63B71/10
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,694,803
App. No.
15/824,197
Granted
Jun 30, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

A unique attachment mechanism to connect a facemask to a helmet is described. This attachment mechanism uses a polymer urethane visco-elastic, or similar, material to absorb impact forces on the facemask to minimize injury for the person using the helmet. In some embodiments, a spring and bearing mechanism is used in conjunction with the polymer urethane visco-elastic material to further absorb forces.

Claims (24)

1. An apparatus to connect a facemask to a helmet, comprising:

the helmet;

the facemask mechanically attached to the helmet with an attachment mechanism, wherein said attachment mechanism includes a steel, plastic, or aluminum rail;

wherein the attachment mechanism for connecting the facemask to the helmet includes a polymer urethane visco-elastic material attached to the helmet outside of a side of a shell of the helmet with a polyurethane adhesive;

where the rail is attached to the facemask at a distal end and to the polymer urethane visco-elastic material at a proximal end, wherein the rail is a bearing rail attached to the facemask at one end and a spring attached to the polymer urethane visco-elastic material at another end, where the rail and the spring are mechanically connected.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the helmet is an American football helmet.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the helmet is a hockey helmet.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the helmet is a lacrosse helmet.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the helmet is a baseball helmet.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the helmet is a motorcycle helmet.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the attachment mechanism further includes a spring.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the rail is a bearing rail.

9. A method for manufacturing an apparatus for protecting a human head comprising:

building a helmet;

attaching a facemask to the helmet with an attachment mechanism, wherein said attachment mechanism includes a steel, plastic, or aluminum rail;

including a polymer urethane visco-elastic material in the attachment mechanism, wherein the polymer urethane visco-elastic material is attached to the helmet outside of a side of a shell of the helmet with a polyurethane adhesive; and

attaching the rail to the facemask at a distal end and to the polymer urethane visco-elastic material at a proximal end, wherein the rail is a bearing rail attached to the facemask at one end and a spring attached to the polymer urethane visco-elastic material at another end, where the rail and the spring are mechanically connected.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the helmet is an American football helmet.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein the helmet is a hockey helmet.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein the helmet is a lacrosse helmet.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein the helmet is a baseball helmet.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein the helmet is a motorcycle helmet.

15. The method of claim 9 including a spring in the attachment mechanism.

16. The method of claim 9 wherein the rail is a bearing rail.

Continuity (1)
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