Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
2191678
TTTT.T~ PRO.~.-v~ ~T~v~T ~TT~ T~PRov~n T.TN~
FTT~Tn OF TU~ TNVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of
protective helmets and more particularly, to a hockey
helmet comprising an improved liner. The invention also
relates to a helmet having improved ventilation features.
T~ nuNn TO T~T~ TNVT~NTION
The protection of the head is a main concern
when one practices contact sports and hockey is no
exception to that rule. Hockey as evolved through recent
years to such an extent that the game is now faster than
ever. The size and strength of hockey players have been
constantly increasing with the results that the force of
the blows that are sustained by the human body, including
the head, is greater than ever. It is therefore not
surprising that most professional hockey players now wear
helmets, contrary than before. In the case of junior
leagues, the wear of the helmet is compulsory and players
therefore have no choice. In order to properly protect
the player, helmets must meet certain standards. In the
case of hockey helmets, these standards have been set
forth by the Canadian Standards Association, in their
Standards for Hockey Helmets, under publication No.
CAN/CSA-Z262.2-M.90, and are generally internationally
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accepted. The forces which a hockey helmet must
withstand are generally those which are sufficient to
cause concussion, and may not necessarily be below the
limit which would cause a minor bump or bruise to the
outer surface of the skull.
A typical hockey helmet comprises a rigid
impact resistant outer shell and an inner shock absorbing
liner secured to the inside of the shell. The inner
liner found in the helmets currently available on the
market usually consists of a foam or foam-like material
that is intended to absorb the energy that is transmitted
to the helmet during an impact. Such liners, which are
usually glued to the inside of the outer shell, are
commercially available under the trademark RUBATEX
(product of Rubatex Corporation) and CELLFLEX (product of
Der-Tex Corporation). Although these foam or foam-like
materials usually allow the liner to conform to the shape
of the head of the player, thereby assuring proper fit,
they have many disadvantages including their poor ability
to absorb high amounts of energy during severe impacts,
their tendency to absorb sweat, their incapacity of being
properly moulded to acquire particular shapes and their
tendency to unglue from the outer shell.
Since the liners of the prior art usually fit
closely with the head of the player, they also tend to
prevent proper ventilation thereby making the player feel
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uncomfortable. The absence of proper ventilation also
results in an excess generation of heat which, when
combined with sweat, may lead to the formation of fog on
the player's visor, if he or she is wearing one.
The use of substantially rigid, shock absorbing
foams, such as expanded polystyrene foam, is well known
in the area of cycling helmets. While such foams have
provided satisfactory results for cyclist, their
potential have not been fully exploited in the field of
hockey. Various reasons may explain their absence in
that field, the most important one being comfort.
Tn~ee~, the purpose of a cycling helmet is to protect the
head of the cyclist during an accident. Therefore,
during normal use, i.e. during a ride or a race, the head
of the wearer is not subjected to severe impacts and
accordingly, the fit between the wearer's head and the
helmet need not to be and is often not a major concern,
the purchase of a cycling helmet being governed by other
factors such as certification, weight and price.
Contrary to this, during normal use, a hockey
helmet is subjected to various hits and blows and as a
result, the interface between the player's head and the
helmet becomes a lot more important since any discomfort
will be intensified be each and every hit or blow.
Furthermore, a hockey helmet must cover a significantly
more important portion of the player's head including the
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frontal, temporal, parietal and occipital regions, unlike
the cycling helmet which typically covers only the
frontal and parietal regions. Proper fit and comfort are
thus essential.
-T~T a~D 8T~EMENT OF ~ TNVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present
invention to provide a hockey helmet comprising a high
energy absorption liner and that is comfortable enough to
be worn by a player during a game.
It is a further object of the invention to
provide a protective helmet in which the liner may vary
in densities.
It is yet a further object to provide a hockey
helmet having proper ventilation features.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the
invention provides a protective helmet comprising:
a) a rigid outer shell shaped to protect the
front, top, rear and side regions of a person's
head;
b) an inner pad assembly comprising a front pad
assembly, a rear pad assembly and an
intermediate pad assembly, the front pad
assembly being attached to a front portion of
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the helmet shell and rear pad assembly being
attached to a rear portion of the helmet shell,
and wherein the intermediate pad is located
between the front pad assembly and the rear pad
assembly, each of the front, intermediate and
rear pad assemblies being made from a generally
rigid shock absorbing material, each the front,
intermediate and rear pad assemblies further
comprising a second generally soft inner liner
secured to the generally rigid shock absorbing
material.
In a preferred embodiment, the front,
intermediate and rear pad assemblies are discrete from
one another.
In a preferred embodiment, the generally rigid
shock absorbing material an exr~n~ed polypropylene having
a density from about 2.75 to about 5.25 pounds per cubic
feet, most preferably from about 3.5 to 4.5 pounds per
cubic feet. In another preferred embodiment, the
generally soft liner is made from a PVC having a density
from about 12 to about 18 pounds per cubic feet,
preferably from about 14 to about 16 pounds per cubic
feet.
In another preferred embodiment, the density of
the generally rigid shock absorbing material is higher in
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.
the intermediate pad assembly than in the front and rear
pad assemblies. Most preferably, the density of the
generally rigid shock absorbing material in the
intermediate pad assembly is from about 4.25 to 4.5
pounds per cubic feet and wherein the generally rigid
shock absorbing material in the front and rear pad
assemblies is about 3.5 pounds per cubic feet
In another embodiment, the helmet has an inner
surface and an outer surface and wherein the front,
intermediate and rear pad assemblies cover substantially
the entire inner surface of the helmet shell.
Most preferably, the generally rigid shock
absorbing material and the generally soft liner have
outer surfaces which have been treated to provide
washable surfaces.
In accordance with another aspect of the same
invention, the rigid outer shell comprises a ventilation
aperture and either one of the front pad assembly, rear
pad assembly and intermediate pad assembly comprises a
ventilation channel cooperating with the ventilation
aperture of the rigid outer shell to allow air to
circulate within the helmet.
Thus, as embodied and broadly described herein,
the invention also provides a protective helmet,
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comprising:
a) a rigid outer shell shaped to protect the
front, top, rear and side regions of a person's
head, the rigid outer shell comprising a
ventilation aperture;
b) an inner pad assembly formed from a generally
rigid shock absorbing material, the inner pad
further comprising a second generally soft
inner liner secured to the generally rigid foam
like material, the inner pad assembly
comprising a ventilation channel cooperating
with the ventilation aperture of the rigid
outer shell to allow air to circulate within
the helmet.
Other objects and features of the invention
will become apparent by reference to the following
specification and to the drawings.
RPT~ D~RTpTTON OF T~ D~TNG~
The following is a description by way of a
preferred embodiment, reference being made to the
following drawings, in which:
- Figure 1 is an exploded view of a helmet according
to the present invention illustrating the inner pad
assembly;
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- Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the inner
pad assembly of the present invention;
- Figure 3 is a bottom view of a helmet according to
the present invention illustrating the soft liner and the
ventilation apertures;
- Figure 4 is a front view of a helmet according to
the present invention illustrating the ventilation
apertures;
- Figure 5 is a top view of a helmet according to
the present invention illustrating the ventilation
apertures;
- Figure 6 is a rear view of a helmet according to
the present invention illustrating the ventilation
channels.
D ~PTPTTON OF ~ pPPRP~PPn PMR~nT~PNT
Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a
protective helmet comprising an outer helmet shell 10
which is preferably made of a relatively rigid material,
such as a polycarbonate alloy, a rigid thermoplastic, or
a thermosetting resin, the material being most preferably
polyethylene. As shown more particularly in Figures 4 to
6, the helmet shell 10 may also be provided with a
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plurality of ventilation apertures located along a front
portion 80, a top portion 84 and a rear portion 86 of the
helmet shell 10, as will be described hereinafter.
Referring back to Figure 1, the protective
helmet further comprises an inner pad assembly which
includes a front pad assembly 20a, an intermediate pad
assembly 2Ob and a rear pad assembly 20c. The inner pad
assembly is positioned within the helmet shell 10 to
dissipate forces applied against the helmet shell 10
thereby protecting a wearer's head from the applied
forces. It is preferred that the front pad assembly 2Oa,
the intermediate pad assembly 2Ob and the rear pad
assembly 20c cover substantially the entire inner surface
of the helmet shell 10. Most preferably, the inner pad
assembly's shape generally conforms to the inside shape
of the shell 10.
Referring to Figure 2, it is seen that the
front pad assembly 20a, the intermediate pad assembly 20b
and the rear pad assembly 20c comprise the following
general characteristics. The front pad assembly 20a is
generally rearwardly curved, so that it is adapted to
generally accommodate at least the forehead portion of
the wearer. The front pad assembly 20a also includes a
pair of downwardly extending legs 75 which serve to
protect part of the wearer's jaw. The intermediate pad
assembly 20b is generally adapted to accommodate the
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upper portion of the human head as well as the left and
right sides of the human head. The intermediate pad
assembly has a top portion which is generally downwardly
concave and bottom portion which is generally adapted to
accommodate an ear on each side. Intermediate pad
assembly 20b may optionally taper slightly towards a
front portion to form a front recessed area and towards
a rear portion to form a rear recessed area (not shown).
Front portion and rear portion of intermediate pad
assembly 20b are adapted to substantially conform to the
rear portion of front pad assembly 20c and front portion
of rear pad assembly 2Oa, respectively. The rear pad
assembly 20c is generally forwardly curved, so that it is
adapted to accommodate the rear portion of a human head.
The rear pad assembly 20c has an upper portion and a
forward portion at each side thereof, and there is a
further ventilation aperture formed in a rear side
thereof. The purpose and location of the ventilation
apertures is discussed below in more detail.
The inner pad assemblies 2Oa, 2Ob and 20c are
attached to the inside of the shell 10 in any suitable
manner, such as by using glue or by using mounting
screws. Alternatively, only two of the pad assemblies
20a and 20c may be attached to helmet shell 10, wherein
the intermediate pad assembly 20b will be self adjusting.
Preferably, the inner pad assembly is removably attached
to the shell in order to facilitate the recycling of the
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various components of the helmet and in order to avoid
the disadvantages associated with the use of glue.
As shown more particularly in Figure 2, each of
the inner pad assembly 20a, 20b and 20c comprises a first
moulded inner liner 40a, 40b and 40c that is made from a
generally rigid light weight foam-like material and also
comprises second generally soft liners 38a to 38e that
are secured to the inside of the first liners 40a, 40b
and 40c. As shown more particularly in Figure 3, soft
liners are preferably located at the front portion 38a,
the rear portion 38b, the top portion 38c and the sides
38d.
The first moulded inner liners 40a, 40b or 40c
may be formed from any resilient, moldable, shock
absorbing materials such as a foamed styrene polymer, a
foamed urethane polymer or other rigid foam-like material
being light in weight and having shock absorbing
properties. Each pad assembly may have its outer
surfaces treated to provide washable surfaces of the
pads, for example, by dipping the pads in a suitable
material such as liquid vinyl, urethane or latex.
A preferred material for the first moulded
inner liner 40a, 40b or 40c consists of an expanded
polypropylene (EPP) having a density ranging preferably
from about 2.75 to about 5.25 pounds per cubic feet
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(pcf), and ranging most preferably from about 3.5 to
about 4.5 pcf. In general, the thickness of the first
inner liner is approximately ~ inch although it may vary
according to the needs.
s
Apart from its ability to absorb and dissipate
high amounts of energy, the use of EPP also has the
advantage of being light weight in comparison with the
foam or foam-like liners of the prior art which have a
density in the area of 7 pcf.
A preferred material for the second generally
soft inner liners 38a to 38e consists of a synthetic
thermoplastic polymer such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
A most preferred material is a PVC padding having a
thickness of approximately 7,5 + 0,5 mm and having a
density ranging preferably from about 12 to about 18 pcf
and most preferably from about 14 to about 16 pcf. Such
a product is sold under the name CRESPADORO 143/96. The
PVC liner has the advantage of being washable and of
being non absorbent. The second liners 38a to 38e are
attached to the inside of the first liner in any suitable
manner. Preferably, they are glued but the could also be
mechanically attached via Velcro type fasteners.
During use, the second soft liner will readily
compress and will provide for proper fitting of the
helmet on the player's head while absorbing smaller
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amounts of energy, the higher amounts of energy being
dissipated by the first liner 40a, 40b or 40c.
The liner of the helmet of the present
invention thus comprises a front pad assembly 2Oa, an
intermediate pad assembly 2Ob and a rear pad assembly
20c, each of which comprises a first moulded liner 40a,
40b and 40c and a second soft liner 38a to 38e. This
combination brings about substantial advantages over the
liners and helmets of the prior art in terms of
performance and certification.
As previously mentioned, the standards that
must be met by hockey helmets have been set forth by the
Canadian Standards Association, in their Standards for
Hockey Helmets, under publication No. CAN/CSA-
Z262.2-M.90, the content of which is incorporated herein
by reference. According to the procedure outlined in
that standard, the structural integrity of the helmet is
determined by submitting it to various impacts at
different sites such as the rear, side, crown, rear boss,
front boss and front portions. By reason of its inherent
geometry, a hockey helmet will generally have a
relatively flat side and accordingly, more force will be
transmitted to the head in this area upon impact. Since
the side area of the helmet is the weakest point, helmet
manufacturers will usually adjust their liner to a
thickness and density such that it will meet the standard
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2191678
at that impact area. This determination will therefore
affect the entire liner and the entire helmet. This
results in a helmet that is always heavier that actually
required since excess liner is used in areas where it is
not required.
Contrary to this, the liner of the present
invention may be customized to take into consideration
the weakest points and the geometry of the helmet.
Therefore, by having a liner that is separated into
distinct parts that cover various areas of the head, the
inventors are capable of manufacturing a very light
helmet. For example, the density of the liner that is
intended to cover the side area of the head (the weakest
point of the helmet) may be kept higher and therefore
more absorbing while the density of the liner in other
areas may be kept lower, thereby providing a lighter
helmet. For example, in the case of the preferred
embodiment described herein, the inventors have achived
very good performances by providing a liner in which the
first moulded liner 40b has a density of approximately
4.25 to 4.5 pcf while the first moulded liners 40a and
40c have a density of approximately 3.5 pcf, the density
of the soft liners 38a to 38e remaining constant at
approximately 15 to 16 pcf.
The person skilled in the art will realize that
the concept of the present invention could be expanded
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and that the density of the second soft liner could also
be modified, provided comfort is not unduly sacrificed
and provided that the standards are met. In fact, the
liner of the present invention is very well adapted to
respond to any changes in certification requirements.
Similarly, while the preferred embodiment has been
described using the padd assemblies 2Oa, 2Ob and 20c, it
is understood that the invention is not so limited and
that the numbers of parts may vary keeping in mind
however that more parts will most likely result in a
higher manufacturing cost.
As is well known, it is important to provide
free space within the interior of a protective helmet to
permit evaporation of perspiration. As illustrated in
Figures 1 to 3, each pad assembly is provided with one or
more ventilation apertures or channels 60, 62, 64 and 66
which are generally aligned with the ventilation
apertures 80, 84 and 86 in the helmet shell 10 to permit
airflow in and out of the protective helmet, to promote
cooling and to carry off warm moist air from within the
protective helmet to the outside. Accordingly, the front
pad assembly 20a is provided with ventilation apertures
60, the rear pad assembly 20c is provided with
ventilation apertures 64 and 66, and the intermediate pad
assembly 20b is provided with ventilation channels 62. It
is preferred that the ventilation apertures 60 in the
front pad assembly 20a, the ventilation channels 62 in
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the intermediate pad assembly 20b and the ventilation
apertures 64 and 66 in the rear pad assembly 20c be
substantially aligned longitudinally, i.e. from a front
portion of the protective helmet, beginning at
ventilation apertures 60 adjacent a front portion of the
helmet shell 10, continuing through each respective pad
assembly, and terminating at the ventilation apertures 64
and 66 adjacent a back portion of the helmet shell 10, to
promote the movement of air through the helmet with
movement of the wearer. This movement of the air is also
facilitated by the presence of recessed areas 60a, 62a
and 64a which form a continuous channel from front to
rear. Since the helmet is held comfortably in place
through the second soft liners 38a to 38e, the head of
the wearer does not obstruct the continuous channels
formed by recessed areas 60a, 62a and 64a, unlike the
helmets of the prior art that use a foam or foam-like
padding that fit snuggly against the head. Ventilation
is thus greatly improved.
The above description of a preferred embodiment
should not be interpreted in any limiting manner since
variations and refinements are possible which are within
the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope
of the invention is defined in the appended claims and
their equivalents.
