Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Description
A. Title: Helmet with Inflatable Airbag
B. Technical Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a helmet with Inflatable airbag for cyclist's head
protection, and
more specifically to an airbag apparatus for cyclist head protection which
absorbs and reduces an
impact on a cyclist's head at the event of a collision with a hard surface.
C. Description of Background prior Art
Prior to filing the patent, the initial design was posted on Kickstarter in a
search to raise
money to complete the initial porotype. Photos of a model are shown on the
website under the
name "HelmetWorX" and is based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. There were five views
of the Helmet
with Inflatable Airbag included on Kickstarter. Each Figure was a picture
taken of the non-
functioning prototype fabricated out of an old helmet garbage bags to present
the intention of the
concept. The Kickstarter campaign commenced end of day 31 Oct 2017.
D. Background of the Invention
Helmets are worn in sports (e.g., football, hockey and cycling) and other
activities (e.g.,
construction work, military operations and race car driving, etc.) to protect
their wearers head
against potential injuries. Helmets typically comprise of a rigid outer shell
and inner padding to
absorb energy when impacted.
The invention relates to a helmet and inflatable airbag system, and more
particularly, to
an airbag safety system and, even more particularly, a helmet and inflatable
airbag system
employed as a lifesaving system to enable a person who is a cyclist using such
a system to
survive a crash or a crash involving head trauma.
Protective headgear for use by bicyclists is required to address a number of
needs.
Providing proven protection of the cyclist's head form trauma injury following
an accidental
impacting fall to the ground, notably when the bicycle falls and rolls at high
speed on the ground.
More particularly, such a protective headgear will be equipped with an
inflatable airbag, such a
system will be activated automatically by a sensor to provide protection to
the wearer enabling
the user to survive a crash involving head trauma.
The systems comprising the helmet with inflatable airbag are designed to
prevent head
trauma to the wearer and to enable the victim to survive a crash with the
fewest possible injuries
to the head when wearing a helmet that incorporates such a system. When
activated, the helmet
deploys a horizontally elongated airbag around the head of the user. The
airbag and helmet
provide unobstructed vision and freedom of movement, even with the inflated
airbag, allows the
wearer to survive a crash or situation involving head trauma. Each of the
systems known in the
field of technology, including the systems relies upon a onetime use container
of compressed gas
(such as air or nitrogen) to inflate the airbag.
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The helmet should be so constructed as to be resistant to fragmentation after
a violent
impact, as many high-speed falls of cyclist's involve multiple impacts to the
head of the cyclist.
Helmet should be effective in protecting the cyclists head from impact trauma
from a first
ground impact, but remains effective in protecting against secondary impacts
when the helmet
goes through fracturing, fragmenting or the deformation.
Due to the size and wright constraints of helmets, the airbag and compressed
gas system
using cylinders/cartridges, the available volume to which the airbag is
inflated is listed during
release of the compressed gas. Systems employing compressed gas/cartridges are
additionally
adversely affected by the weight of such as system. The solution is in a
reduction of the amount
of pressurized gas required to inflate he airbag.
The helmet provides suitable shielding from sun stroke and protects the wearer
from the
weather and its effects. Cyclist may suffer from sun stroke is imminent
because of the incoming
wind that circulates over the cyclist's face as the bicycle and cyclist moves
forward. The helmet
will also provide proper air ventilation of the head. The weight of the helmet
is minimized, to
decrease fatigue of the neck of the cyclist as this would be a safety hazard
in compromising the
attention span of the cyclist when to surrounding vehicles and potential
hazards when on the
road.
Helmets currently in use do not provide for an optimum mix of these desirable
parameters. Various types of impacts are possible. For example, a helmet may
be subjected to
linear and rotational impact causing serious injuries such as concussions,
subdural hemorrhage
and nerve damage. Helmets are able to provide decent protection but they are
deficient against
high energy impacts caused by cycling. This is clearly problematic given the
severity of head
injuries caused by cycling. Existing helmets are not always adequate or
optimal, for these
reasons, there is a need for improvements directed to providing helmets with
enhanced impact
protection with today's technology.
E. Summary of the Invention:
The objective of the invention is to provide a helmet with inflatable airbag
apparatus for
cyclist protection that improves performance of the standard helmet design
while reduces the
impact on the head cyclist. The present invention relates to a helmet with an
airbag system.
An airbag apparatus for cyclist protection, includes an airbag body packed
within the
helmet whose deployment portion is deployed toward the outer sides of the
helmet in the lateral
direction around the circumference of the helmet when the airbag body is
expanded. Prior to a
cyclist colliding with a hard surface, the airbag body is expanded towards the
the outer side in
the lateral direction and is maintained in the expanded position by the
expanding direction
control means. This ensures the airbag body lies between the head of the
cyclist and the hard
surface, thereby improving the performance of reducing the impact on the head
of the cyclist.
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In accordance with the object of the invention, there is disclosed a generally
open
concave bicycle helmet comprising a hard-external shell, said external shell
defining a number
extending structural arms, each said structural arms having a fore and after
and an airbag system
within the helmet.
The system according to the invention can achieve airbag inflation times of
under 2
seconds. The inflation is provided by the release of gas from a compressed air
cylinder or
cartridge. Further, in this regard the helmet includes an electronic switch
for actuation of the
power supply for enabling the system to inflate the airbag by means of the
compressed air
cylinder.
The helmet or the supporting device of the system includes a structure to
support the
airbag in a non-inflated pre-deployment position, if the system is worn by the
person, in a
particular embodiment of the invention, the airbag includes a position
proximate to the persons
head. In the inflated deployment position, the airbag extends at least from
behind, to both sides
and to the front of the persons head. The supporting device for supporting the
helmet and airbag
compromises a structured harness arranged to the persons head. In this regard,
the harness can
take the form of a chin strap and strap covering the back of the persons head.
The electric power source activating the valve to release the compressed gas
into the
airbag is supplied by a number of options, including rechargeable batteries,
disposable batteries,
fuel cells, or solar energy. Further, control of the motor and electrical
power supply can be
achieved by digital controllers of various types. A gyroscope or accelerometer
can be employed
as the switch to enable automatic activation of the valve releasing the
compressed gas into the
airbag upon sensing the condition of the cyclist such as a crash.
According to various aspects of the invention, there is a helmet for
protecting a head of a
wearer. The helmet may have various features to protect the wearer head
against impact, such as
linear impacts and rotational impacts. For instance, pads of the helmet may be
movable relative
to one another in response to an impact on the helmet. The helmet may
compromise a frame
comprising a plurality of frame members configured to move relative to one
another and
response to the impact to allow movement. For example, according to an aspect
of the invention,
there is provided a helmet for protecting a head of a wearer. The helmet
comprises an inner shell
and outer shell with an airbag system configured in the helmet to react in
response to an impact
on the helmet.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is a provided a helmet for
protecting a
head of a wearer. The helmet comprises an outer shell with an airbag system
and an inner shell
comprising a plurality of pads and a frame carrying the pads and configured to
allow the pads to
compress in response to an impact on the helmet.
These and other detailed aspects of the invention will now become apparent to
those of
ordinary skills in the art upon review of the following description of
embodiments of the
invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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F. Description of the Figures in Drawings:
There are 5 drawings of the Helmet with Airbag included in the application.
Each Figure is
described below:
a. Figure 1 and 2 shows the wearer of the helmet.
b. Figure 3 shows a front, lef side and rear perspective view of the helmet.
c. Figure 4 shows a isometric view of the helmet from the left side.
d. Figure 5 shows the airbag deployed for protecting the head of wearer in
accordance with the embodiment of the invention.
e. Figure 6 shows a isometric view of the helmet from the left side with the
air bag
deployed in accordance with the embodiment of the invention; and
f. Figure 7 shows the internal components of the helmet with airbag that
activate the
airbag in accordance with the embodiment of the invention.
Characteristics and advantages of the invention will be come apparent from the
description
which follows, with references to the annexed drawings which are provided only
by the way of
non-limiting examples.
It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only
for the purpose of
illustrating certain embodiments of the invention and are only for the purpose
of illustrating
certain embodiments of the invention and are for understanding. They are not
intended to be a
definition of the limits of the invention
G. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
The following detailed description is that of particular embodiments including
exemplary
structures, materials, and arrangements of parts, as well as exemplary
methods. However, it is to
be understood that this description is repeated for the purpose of enhancing
an understanding of
the invention and not to limit it to such particular embodiments and methods.
The helmet 2 protects various regions of the wearers head 1. As shown in
Figures 1 and
2. The wearers head compromises a front region FR, a top region TR, left and
right side LR and
RS and a back region BR and the neck region NR. The FR includes the forehead,
front top part
of the wearers head, mouth area and the front region of the wearers head FR.
The LR and RR
include the area above the wearers ears. The BR is opposite to the FR and
includes the rear
upper part of the head. The neck region NR corresponds to the region of the
neck under the head
of the wearer. As shown in Figure 3, the right side of helmet RSH and left
side of helmet LSH
serve to show the direction of the helmet.
Figures 5 and 6 show an example of a helmet with airbag deployed 3 for
protecting a
head 1 of wearer in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In this
embodiment, the
helmet 2 is a sports helmet for protecting the head 1 of the wearer who is a
general sports player.
More particular, in this embodiment, the helmet 2 is a bicycle helmet with
airbag 3 for protecting
the head 1 of the wearer who is a cyclist. In other embodiments, the helmet
may be any other
type of helmet for other sports such as horseback riding, motorcycling, etc.
in which protection
against head injury is desired.
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Although in embodiments considered above the helmet 2 is a cyclist helmet for
protecting the head of a cyclist, in other embodiments, a helmet constructed
using the principles
described in respect of the helmet may be another type of sport helmet. For
instance, a helmet
constructed using the principle described herein in respect of the helmet 2
may be for protecting
the head of the wearer of another sport in which significant impact forces are
due to player on
player or player on object contact. For example, in one embodiment, protecting
the head of a
Luge, ski jumping, horseback riding, older people with mental health issues
and stability issues.
Furthermore, a helmet constructed using principles described therein in
respect of the helmet 2
may be for protecting the head of the wearer in a sport other then a contact
sport. Any feature of
any embodiment discussed herein may be combined with any feature of any other
embodiment
discussed herein in some examples of implementation.
Fig 5 and 6 illustrates an airbag system 3 according to the invention
incorporated with a
helmet 2, with a helmet in a deployed i.e. inflated configuration. The helmet
provides the
structure for supporting various components of the airbag system seen in Fig
7, as further
described in connection with Fig 5 and 6. The helmet includes a harness system
to hold the
helmet to the head of the wearer and provide rigidity and will be attached to
the base of the
helmet 9, although the harness is not shown, it is not limited to a specific
embodiment.
In alternative embodiments, not shown, the airbag system of the invention can
be
incorporated with any various helmets as an add on. For example, a normal
helmet with the
addition of an airbag mechanism to convert the helmet into an airbag helmet.
Although not
shown with further particularity, the uninflated airbag can be stored in the
airbag storage
compartment 4 prior to activation and released from the compartment upon
inflation of the
airbag system.
To facilitate the inflation of the airbag with 100% compressed gas, the helmet
will
include a compressed gas cylinder 5 in the helmet body. The air is fed through
the main
compartment of the airbag to fil the airbags volume (10) Fig 7 illustrates a
conduit 6 providing a
compressed gas passageway for output to the airbag being held within the
helmet for inflation 4.
The invention encompassed other forms of air movement device for achieving the
objectives of
the invention, particularly that of fully inflating an airbag volume of less
then 10L with in a
predetermined time period. For example, ducted fan blower, centrifugal fan or
turbine, rotary
pump, gear pump, blower fan and all possibilities with the scope of the
invention. These are
commonly referred to as air movement devices and can be multi stage devices.
The electric
power supply to the compressed gas is in the form of a battery 7, such as
NiCad battery or
similar and the controller and valve device 8 that provides the activation of
the airbag through
the use of a valve or similar device.
Although the airbag illustrated in the drawings such as Fig 5 and 6 extends
around from
the rear BR and NR and along both sides LS, RS and the FR of the wearer of the
helmet 2, the
invention is not limited to such particular shape can be suitably practiced
with other shapes. The
invention can be suitably practiced with a pair of airbags. Further, the total
volume of the airbag
could be approximately 15 L, although the columns can be larger if desired,
such as within range
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of approximately 25L, in as much it would not appear to be a large increment
on weight of the
system for utilizing airbags with a larger volume.
In operation, when the wearer becomes involved in a crash or impact, the
sensor
manipulates the valve resulting in a signal being sent from the controller and
valve device 8
enabling compressed gas or as embodied gas being released through the
passageway 6 to the
output airbag for inflation of the helmet with airbag 3. The air is
distributed through the main
channel for the airbag (10) to completely fill the volume of the airbag.
According to the
particular embodiment of the invention, the compressed gas or ambient air is
pumped into the
airbag for a predetermined time fully inflating the airbag 3. This could
accommodate variations
in ambient conditions such as including variations in temperature and pressure
which could
affect a predetermined full inflate time. Kinetic energy will be dissipated in
the helmet 2 if the
airbag 3 fails to be inflated enabling the wearer 1 of the helmet to remain
protected. Successive
impacts on the helmet with 3 or without 2 the airbag inflated will have the
kinetic energy
absorbed without compromising the shielding capabilities of the helmet on the
wearer. The
helmet will remain integral even after a number of impacts.
In a simplified embodiment according to the invention, the airbag system
includes in
addition to the air bag 3, air movement device or compressed air 5, sensor and
valve 8 and power
source 7 and on/off switch 9 whereby when the wearer becomes involved in a
crash or accident,
the sensor automatically activates the valve 8 thereby inflating the airbag 3.
If the airbag fails to
activate, the wearer remans protected by use of the helmet 2.
The helmet 2 defines a cavity for receiving the wearers head 1 to protect the
wearers head
when the helmet 2 is impacted (e.g. when the helmet 2 hits the roadway or an
object during an
impact involving the cyclist). In this embodiment, the helmet 2 is designed to
provide redundant
protection against various types of impacts. More particularly, in this
embodiment, the helmet is
designed to provide protection against a linear impact in which an impact
force is generally
oriented to pass through a center of gravity of the wearers head and imparts a
linear acceleration
to the wearers head 1. In addition, in this embodiment, the helmet 2 is
designed to provide
protection against a rotational impact in which force imparts an angular
acceleration to the
wearer's head 1. The helmet 2 is also designed to protect against high-energy
impacts and low-
energy impacts.
In response to an impact, the helmet 2 absorbs energy from the impact to
protect the
wearer's head 1. Notably, in this embodiment, as further discussed below, the
airbag of the
helmet absorbs the impact in response to an impact on the helmet. This can
enhance the
protection of the wearers head 1. For example, this may provide protection
against rotational
impacts, thereby reducing rotational energy transmitted to the wearers head 1
and therefore, an
angular acceleration of the wearers head. In this embodiment, the helmet 2
comprises an outer
shell 11 that starts above the airbag storage compartment 4, airbag 3 and
inner padding for added
protection and comfort not shown with a specific embodiment. The helmet 2 also
comprises a
chinstrap not shown in any specific embodiment for securing the helmet 2 to
the wearers head 1.
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The outer shell 11 provides additional strength to the cyclist helmet 2. To
that end, the
shell will be made of a rigid material. For example, in various embodiments,
the outer shell may
be of thermoplastic material such as polyethylene (PE), polyamide (nylon),
polycarbonate or
thermosetting resin or any other suitable material. In this embodiment, the
shell 11 comprises a
plurality of ventilation holes, allowing air to circulate around the wearers
head 1 for added
comfort and ventilation. The ventilation holes not shown in a specific
embodiment may be
implemented in various means. For example, in other embodiments, the holes may
be
rectangular of circular in the shell of the helmet 11. The shell and inner
padding disposed
between the outer shell and the wears head 1 in use to absorb the energy and
the airbag to absorb
the majority or bulk of the impact energy transmitted to the wearer head when
the helmet is
impacted. Materials of the helmet can be reinforced with other materials not
mentioned.
For example, in this embodiment, the airbag 3 may be a material such as but
not limited
to thermoplastic material, polycarbonate, nylon, acylonitire butadiene styrene
(ABS), polyamide
(PA), glass or carbon reinforced polypropylene (PP) and or any other suitable
material. In this
embodiment, the helmet is deformable 2 (i.e. chanabgle in configuration) to
allow the helmet to
move in response to the impact on the helmet 2. More particularly, in this
embodiment, the
helmet comprises a material that allows for deformation of the helmet. For
example, in some
embodiments, the material of the helmet may have an elastic modulus of no more
than 150 GPa,
in some cases nore more then 100 GPA, in some cases no more 50 GPa, in some
cases no more
then 5 GPa, n some cases no more then 1 GPA and in some cases even less.
For instance, some embodiments, the material of the helmet may comprise a
thermoplastic material, polycarbonate, nylon, acylonitire butadiene styrene
(ABS), polyamide
(PA), glass or carbon reinforced polypropylene (PP) and or any other suitable
material.
Examples of suitable thermoplastic materials include rubber, high density VN
foam, high density
PE foam.
Although various embodiments and examples have been presented, this aim for
the
purpose of describing, but not limiting, the invention. Various modification
and enhancements
will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art are with in the
scope of the invention,
which is defined by the claims.
Finally, although the invention has been described with reference to
particular means,
structures, materials and embodiments, it is to be understood that the
invention isn't limited to
the particular explicitly disclosed and extends to all equivalents wit the
scope of the claims. In
addition to the foregoing, the invention disclosed herein with reference to
exemplary
embodiments suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is
not specialty
dsocilied herein.
One example of the use you intend for your invention:
The intended use of the invention is for avid cyclists who commute year around
to and from
work who are looking for a safer version of the helmet currently available on
the market. The
helmet will be worn by the cyclist when the rider commuted to work and returns
home at the end
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of the work day. The helmet can be used in all weather types and provide a
safer alternative on
the market while that passing Canadian safety regulations.
H. Detailed Description of the Invention
In view of this, the object of the invention to provide a helmet airbag
apparatus for cyclist
protection which can improve helmet performance and decreasing the impact on
the cyclist.
An airbag apparatus for cyclist protection includes an airbag body (4) within
the helmet who's
deployment portion is deployed toward the outer sides in the lateral direction
around the
circumference of the helmet when the airbag body is expanded. Therefore, when
a cyclist
collides with a hard surface, the airbag body is expanded the outer side in
the lateral Direction
and is maintained in expanded position by the expanding direction control
means (3). This
ensures the airbag body lies between the head of the cyclist and hard surface,
thereby improving
the performance and reducing the impact on the head of the cyclist.
A rigid helmet body (2) and shell (11) characterized by a head protecting
airbag (3) to
provide maximum dispersion of impact energy used for protective cycling
headgear. The airbag
(3) will provide the primary source of protection and prevent injuries with
the helmet shell (11)
functioning to provide redundancy. Straps although not shown in a specific
embodiment are
configured to attach the helmet with inflatable airbag securely to the user's
head (1). The airbag
apparatus will be folded and housed in the horizontal circumference of the
helmet (2). Expansion
of the airbag body outward is completed in the vertical direction along the
outer peripheral
portion while connected to the helmet body. Helmet contains one single use
inflatable airbag that
is inflated by an air movement device or compressed gas (5) source stored in
the helmet body
(2). An electronic sensor (8) embedded in the helmet detects the cyclists
movement during a
crash and inflates the airbag to protect the cyclists head. The helmet for
cushioning a head during
a sudden impact comprising a helmet shell, main body and an energy absorbing
liner fitted to an
interior surface of the helmet body.
The helmet shell (11) comprising a waterproof pressure molded thermoplastic
shell
having a humanoid head shape, and lateral members for ventilation and energy
absorption are
not shown in a specific embodiment at least partially disposed around a
circumference of a
central portion of the thermoplastic shell. The helmet is energy absorbing
comprises a slow
recovery viscoelastic material. The helmet wherein the lateral members not
shown in a
particular embodiment disperse an impact force from a point of contact to
other portions of the
helmet shell and cools the wearers head (1). The helmet shell disperses at
least twenty percent of
an impact force applied to the helmet shell. The slow recovery material of the
main helmet body
is a slow recovery viscoelastic polyurethane foam or a similar material
allowing for similar
results.
The helmet will have lateral members disposed around a circumference of the
helmet
shell comprised of an upper lateral member and a lower lateral member, and the
upper lateral
member and the lower lateral member are separated by a lateral channel. The
lateral members
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are not shown in a specific embodiment but are intended for energy absorption
during a crash
and cooling of the wearers head (1).
Airbag apparatus for cyclist head protection, comprising an airbag body
adapted to be
mounted in a helmet projecting outward from the helmet while covering the face
of the person
wearing the helmet. The supporting apparatus comprises a chin strap and
adjustable neck strap.
The airbag rescue system for the user, the system comprising an inflatable
airbag designed to be
in a non-deployed position or a deployed and inflated position.
The inflatable airbag is designed to be in a non-deployed position (2) or a
deployed and
inflated position (3) operated by a gas device or a source of compressed gas
(5). The non-
deployed position comprises a closeable airbag compartment containing the
airbag in the non-
deployed position (2). The airbag compartment (4) includes an opening system
to allow the
airbag to emerge from an opening in the compartment upon the initiation of the
inflation of the
airbag by the triggering sensor (8). The opening system comprises a readily
burstable seam that
opens the airbag compartment and is designed to open upon inflation of the
airbag. A soft cover
having a curved contour and mounted to the circumference of the helmet
covering the airbag that
is imbedded in the helmet (2). The soft cover on the airbag compartment (4),
when pushed by
the airbag for providing a single airbag emergence opening around the
circumference of the
helmet.
The airbag, originally folded, is housed in the outer circumference of the
helmet
emerging from the cover for deployment when fed with inflation gas upon
activation of the
airbag apparatus. The airbag having such a contour as to cover at the bottom
half of the helmet
and the entire head of the cyclist and an area of the neck (3).
A triggering device controlled by a sensor (8) is designed to automatically
initiate
inflation of the inflatable airbag during an accident. A switch will activate
the sensor and place
enable the helmet in the on and off position (9). The triggering device
compromises a circuit
board and a replaceable electrical power source. The sensor apparatus is
designed to activate the
switch releasing the compressed gas into the airbag. The air is distributed
through the main
channel for the airbag (10) to completely fill the volume of the airbag.
The airbag apparatus wherein the expanding direction control means generates a
resistance force resisting a force of the airbag body acting toward
approximately an outer side in
a lateral direction when the airbag body is expanded. The airbag apparatus
wherein the
expanding direction control means restrains expansion of the airbag body
toward approximately
an outer side in a lateral direction to a predetermined amount. The expanding
direction control
means is a contact portion contacting the airbag body, which is in the
deployment portion of the
cover.
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