Protective device
View Patent ↗The present disclosure relates to a protective device ( 100 ) for protecting a head from impact, the device 100 comprising a shell ( 110 ) substantially formed in a dome-shape and having a first outer edge ( 1101 ); an inner layer ( 120 ) substantially formed in the dome-shape disposed within the shell ( 110 ), having an second outer edge ( 1201 ) and arranged at a gap distance in a direction of in the surface normal of the shell ( 110 ), at least one connecting member ( 130 ) interconnecting the shell ( 110 ) and inner layer ( 120 ) by interconnecting the first outer edge ( 1101 ) and the second outer edge ( 1201 ), an intermediary structure ( 140 ) comprising a plurality of deformable elements ( 1401 ) arranged in a single layer, wherein each of the deformable elements ( 1401 ), in an undeformed state, is arranged in simultaneous contact with the shell ( 110 ), the inner layer ( 120 ) and at least one other deformable element of the deformable elements ( 1401 ).
1. A protective device for protecting a head from impact, the device comprising: a shell substantially formed in a dome-shape and having a first outer edge;
an inner layer substantially formed in the dome-shape disposed within the shell, having a second outer edge and arranged at a gap distance in a direction of the surface normal of the shell,
at least one connecting member interconnecting the shell and inner layer by interconnecting the first outer edge and the second outer edge,
an intermediary structure comprising a plurality of deformable elements arranged in a single layer,
wherein each the plurality of deformable elements comprises a first rounded surface facing the shell and a second rounded surface facing the inner layer,
wherein each of the plurality of deformable elements, in an un-deformed state, is arranged in simultaneous contact with the shell, the inner layer and at least one other deformable element of the plurality of deformable elements,
wherein the plurality of deformable elements is configured to absorb impact energy from a normal component (NC) of an impact force, at a point of impact to the shell, by sliding in a direction from the point of impact towards the first/second outer edges and/or the at least one connecting member, and
wherein the plurality of deformable elements is configured to absorb impact energy from a tangential component (TC) of an impact force, at a point of impact to the shell, by rolling along a curvature of the shell.
2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the shell and inner layer comprise materials relatively harder than a material of the plurality of deformable elements.
3. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the shell and inner layer comprise a selection of any of fiber-resin lay-up type materials, polycarbonate plastics or polyurethane.
4. The device according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of deformable elements comprises expanded polystyrene or expanded polypropylene.
5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of deformable elements has a shape selected from the group consisting of a sphere, an ellipsoid or a cylinder having rounded ends.
6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of deformable elements is made from materials relatively harder than a material of the at least one connecting member.
7. The device according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one connecting member comprises textile or flexible plastic.
8. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of deformable elements is coated with a low friction coating.
9. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the first outer edge of the shell and the second outer edge of the inner layer are spaced from one another and the at least one connecting member extends between the first outer edge and the second outer edge.
10. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the shell and the inner layer are movable relative to each other, and this relative movement is limited by the at least one connecting member.