Impact diverting mechanism

摘要

An impact diverting mechanism having a top layer and a bottom layer is provided. The two layers are connected such that the top layer is configured to move in relation to the bottom layer when impacted, and therefore is able to divert impact and reduce rotational and linear acceleration on the bottom layer. The impact diverting mechanism may be attached to, or configured to attach to, an object in need of protection, such as a helmet.

主权项

1. An impact diverting mechanism couplable to protective equipment having a rigid shell, comprising:
a bottom layer couplable to a portion of an outer surface of the rigid shell; and a top layer, disposed adjacent to and mechanically connected with the bottom layer, the top layer having an impact surface disposed distal to the bottom layer, wherein the top layer and the bottom layer are able to move relative to each other, wherein the top layer and bottom layer are smaller than the area of the outer surface of the rigid shell, and wherein the impact surface is either planar or non-planar; wherein the top layer and the bottom layer are configured such that during an oblique impact force acting at an impact point on the impact surface of the top layer, the top layer shifts relative to the bottom layer and the outer surface of the rigid shell; wherein the bottom layer is couplable to a portion of the outer surface of the rigid shell using an adhesive backing layer disposed on the bottom layer and distal to the top layer; wherein the top layer and the bottom layer are flexible such that the impact diverting mechanism conforms to the outer surface of the rigid shell upon coupling; wherein the oblique impact force is a vector having a parallel component projected on a plane at the impact point on the impact surface; wherein the plane is either tangential to a non-planar impact surface or coincident with a planar impact surface; and wherein the shift of the top layer relative to the bottom layer diverts and dissipates kinetic energy resulting from the parallel component of the vector of the oblique impact force, thereby reducing rotational acceleration and linear acceleration of the protective equipment.