IP Library Granted Patent US 12,171,294
Granted Patent B2
US 12,171,294 · App. 17/513,247 · Granted Dec 24, 2024

Protective helmet with multiple pseudo-spherical energy management liners

Inventor: Eamon Briggs (Santa Cruz, CA)
Assignee: Bell Sports, Inc.
A42B3/064A42B3/066A42B3/12A42B3/125A42B3/28A42B3/283
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,171,294
App. No.
17/513,247
Granted
Dec 24, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

A helmet comprising and outer liner and an inner liner slidably coupled to an interior surface of the outer liner is disclosed. The outer liner comprises an interior surface and the inner liner comprises an exterior surface. The inner liner is composed of an elastically deformable material. A majority of the interior surface of the outer liner and a majority of the exterior surface of the inner liner are both substantially parallel to a pseudo-spherical surface having a coronal cross section that is circular with a first radius and a sagittal cross section that is circular with a second radius different from the first radius. The inner liner is elastically deformable along the interior surface of the outer liner in response to rotation of the outer liner relative to the inner liner caused by an impact to the helmet.

Claims (29)

1. A helmet, comprising:

an outer liner having an interior surface defining a first coronal cross-sectional curvature and a first sagittal cross-sectional curvature different from the first coronal cross-sectional curvature, the outer liner comprising a plurality of vents passing through the outer liner wherein each of the plurality of vents is beveled at the interior surface of the outer liner with a curved edge;

an inner liner slidably disposed within the interior surface of the outer liner and slidably coupled thereto, the inner liner having an exterior surface defining a second coronal cross-sectional curvature and a second sagittal cross-sectional curvature different from the second coronal cross-sectional curvature, the inner liner comprising a plurality of channels passing through the inner liner wherein the plurality of channels are in fluid communication with the plurality of vents and each of the plurality of channels is beveled at the exterior surface of the inner liner with a curved edge;

wherein a majority of the interior surface of the outer liner and a majority of the exterior surface of the inner liner are substantially parallel; and

wherein the inner liner is elastically deformable along the interior surface of the outer liner in response to rotation of the outer liner relative to the inner liner caused by an impact to the helmet.

2. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the majority of the interior surface of the outer liner and the majority of the exterior surface of the inner liner are substantially parallel to a pseudo-spherical surface defining a third coronal cross-sectional curvature and a third sagittal cross-sectional curvature different from the third coronal cross-sectional curvature.

3. The helmet of claim 2 , wherein the third coronal cross-sectional curvature defines a first radius of curvature and the third sagittal cross-section sectional curvature defines a second radius of curvature different from the first radius of curvature.

4. The helmet of claim 3 , wherein the difference between the first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature is less than about 5 mm.

5. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the inner liner is coupled to the interior surface of the outer liner through at least one return spring, the at least one return spring comprising an elastomer material.

6. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the interior surface of the outer liner and the exterior surface of the inner liner is treated to reduce friction of the exterior surface of the inner liner slidably coupled to the interior surface of the outer liner.

7. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein an air gap exists between a majority of the exterior surface of the inner liner and the interior surface of the outer liner.

8. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein the outer liner has a density greater than the density of the inner liner and the inner liner has a density less than 70 g/L.

9. The helmet of claim 1 , wherein an exterior surface of the outer liner is coupled to an outer shell.

10. A helmet, comprising:

at least one flexible inner energy management liner shaped to interface with an outer liner;

wherein a majority of the interior surface of the outer liner defines a first coronal cross-sectional curvature and a first sagittal cross-sectional curvature different from the first coronal cross-sectional curvature and a majority of the exterior surface of the inner liner defines a second coronal cross-sectional curvature and a second sagittal cross-sectional curvature different from the second coronal sectional curvature;

wherein the interior surface of the outer liner and the exterior surface of the inner liner are substantially parallel;

wherein the inner liner includes an elastically deformable material having a density less than 70 g/L and is slidably coupled to the interior surface of the outer liner; and

a plurality of vents in the outer liner and a plurality of channels in the inner liner that at least partially overlap the plurality of vents in the outer liner;

wherein each of the plurality of vents is beveled at the interior surface of the outer liner with a curved edge; and

wherein each of the plurality of channels is beveled at the exterior surface of the inner liner with a curved edge.

11. The helmet of claim 10 , wherein the majority of the interior surface of the outer liner and the majority of the exterior surface of the inner liner are substantially parallel to a pseudo-spherical surface defining a third coronal cross-sectional curvature and a third sagittal cross-sectional curvature different from the third coronal cross-sectional curvature.

12. The helmet of claim 11 , wherein the third coronal cross-sectional curvature defines a first radius of curvature and the third sagittal cross-sectional curvature defines a second radius of curvature different from the first radius of curvature.

13. The helmet of claim 12 , wherein the difference between the first radius of curvature and the second radius of curvature is less than about 5 mm.

14. The helmet of claim 10 , wherein the inner liner is coupled to the interior surface of the outer liner through at least one return spring, the at least one return spring comprising an elastomer material.

15. The helmet of claim 10 , wherein at least one of the interior surface of the outer liner and the exterior surface of the inner liner is treated to reduce friction of the exterior surface of the inner liner slidably coupled to the interior surface of the outer liner.

16. The helmet of claim 10 , wherein an air gap exists between a majority of the exterior surface of the inner liner and the interior surface of the outer liner.

17. The helmet of claim 10 , wherein the outer liner has a density greater than the density of the inner liner.

18. The helmet of claim 10 , wherein an exterior surface of the outer liner is coupled to an outer shell.

Assignments (8)
ENTITY CONVERSION Recorded Sep 17, 2025
From: BELL SPORTS, INC.
To: BELL SPORTS LLC
Reel/Frame 072908/0382 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 25, 2025
From: BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FOX HEAD, INC.; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; QUIETKAT, INC.; SIMMS FISHING PRODUCTS LLC; STONE GLACIER, INC.; WAWGD NEWCO, LLC; REVELYST OPERATIONS LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES
To: CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 072238/0250 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 3, 2025
From: BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FOX HEAD, INC.; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; QUIETKAT, INC.; SIMMS FISHING PRODUCTS LLC; STONE GLACIER, INC.; WAWGD NEWCO, LLC; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; REVELYST OPERATIONS LLC
To: FORTRESS CREDIT CORP., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 069817/0586 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 27, 2024
From: CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
To: BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; STONE GLACIER, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; FOX HEAD, INC.
Reel/Frame 069459/0808 →
TERMINATION AND RELEASE OF TERM LOAN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 1, 2024
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: AMMUNITION OPERATIONS LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES, INC.; STONE GLACIER, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; WAWGD NEWCO, LLC; FOX HEAD, INC.; SIMMS FISHING PRODUCTS LLC
Reel/Frame 066959/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2022
From: AMMUNITION OPERATIONS LLC; BEE STINGER, LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; C PREME LIMITED LLC; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; FOX HEAD, INC.; GOLD TIP, LLC; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; MICHAELS OF OREGON CO.; MILLETT INDUSTRIES; NIGHT OPTICS USA, INC.; NORTHSTAR OUTDOORS, LLC; QUIETKAT, INC.; STONE GLACIER, INC.; STONEY POINT PRODUCTS, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR SALES LLC; WAWGD NEWCO, LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 061521/0747 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 5, 2022
From: AMMUNITION OPERATIONS LLC; BELL SPORTS, INC.; BUSHNELL HOLDINGS, INC.; BUSHNELL INC.; CAMELBAK PRODUCTS, LLC; EAGLE INDUSTRIES UNLIMITED, INC.; FEDERAL CARTRIDGE COMPANY; FOX HEAD, INC.; LOGAN OUTDOOR PRODUCTS, LLC; QUIETKAT, INC.; STONE GLACIER, INC.; VISTA OUTDOOR OPERATIONS LLC; VISTA OUTDOOR SALES LLC
To: CAPITAL ONE, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 061085/0706 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 4, 2021
From: BRIGGS, EAMON
To: BELL SPORTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 058024/0792 →