IMPACT ABSORBING APPARATUS

摘要

Some embodiments described herein relate to an athletic helmet. The athletic helmet can include a shell, a suspension chassis, and several impact-absorbing pads. The suspension chassis can be disposed within the shell and configured to couple the pads to the shell. Each pad can include a membrane defining an interior volume. A valve can place the interior volume in fluid communication with the exterior of the membrane. In some embodiments, two or more structural members can be disposed within the interior volume. One structural member can be at least partially deformed when the athletic helmet is worn by a user.

主权项

1. An apparatus, comprising:
a first pad configured to be disposed within a shell of a helmet, the first pad including:
a first membrane defining an interior volume of the first pad, the first membrane having a first valve configured to place the interior volume of the first pad in fluid communication with an exterior of the first membrane, the first valve configured to impose a first flow restriction between the interior volume of the first pad and the exterior of the first membrane;a first structural member disposed within the interior volume of the first pad; anda second structural member disposed within the interior volume of the first pad and configured to be disposed between the first structural member and a head when the shell is worn on the head; and a second pad configured to be disposed within the shell, the second pad including a second membrane defining an interior volume of the second pad, the second membrane having a second valve configured to place the interior volume of the second pad in fluid communication with an exterior of the second membrane, the second valve configured to impose a second flow restriction between the interior volume of the second pad and the exterior of the second membrane, the second flow restriction being different than the first flow restriction.