This invention relates to a support for a person, especially a head support device for infants less than two years old.

A cycle helmet is designed to be worn whilst riding a bike to protect the head, in particular the brain, from any damage potentially caused by an accident. At present the market does not provide helmets sized for young children, especially those under two years of age with a head circumference of less than 50cm.

In recent times cycling has become increasingly popular and at present there are more cyclists in the world than ever before. It is also becoming increasingly popular for children to ride pillion on bicycles or ride in a carriage or 'chariot' towed by a bicycle. At present the smallest helmets of around 50cm in diameter can be provided with padding strips to reduce their size to fit better on a young child's even smaller head. However the inventor of the present invention has noted this remains an approximate and insecure fitting. Moreover, the inventor of the present invention has noted that children of a younger age, especially those under 1 year old also lack the back and neck muscles to cope with the vibrations inevitably encountered whilst travelling on a bicycle, even putting aside the risk of a more serious collision. The pads provided with helmets do not provide adequate cushion in the event of a fall nor do they, and nor are they designed to, support the neck or back. According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support for a person comprising a liner for a helmet, a padded neck support, and a connecting member connecting the liner and the padded neck support.

The liner is normally sized to fit a child having a head less than 50cm, especially 40 - 46cm. The liner is normally flexible, and flexible in use.

Embodiments of the present invention benefit in that the liner covers more of the head compared to the existing small pads presently available in cycle helmets to reduce sizing which are extremely limiting. The liner may comprise a plurality of lobes extending from a central portion. There is normally at least 3 lobes, optionally less than 12 or less than 9 or less than 7 lobes. Preferred embodiments include 5 lobes in addition to any lobe connecting with the connecting member.

The lobes may be spaced such that in use two lobes are provided in front of and behind the child's ear, normally within 2cm thereof of a child with a head diameter of 42cm. Normally a pair of lobes are so spaced from each ear of a child.

In one embodiment, the lobes extend 15cm, measured from the apex of the central portion, and 10cm from the start of the lobe to the end of the lobe (not including the central portion). Thus, preferred embodiments have the lobes extending at least 5cm, normally at least 10cm; and preferably at most 30cm, optionally at most 20cm from the end of the lobe to the apex of the central portion. Moreover, preferred embodiments have the lobes extending at least 3cm, normally at least 7cm; and preferably at most 15cm, optionally at most 12cm from the one end of the lobe to the other.

A further lobe may also be provided, optionally opposite the connecting member.

The connecting member may, at least in part, be in the form of a lobe. However, any such lobe-part of the connecting member is normally a longer lobe that the other lobes, for example, around 2- 4cm longer when measured to the apex, and around 3-5cm longer when measured from one end of the lobe to the other.

The connecting member is normally flexible, and flexible in use. The connecting member may comprise an elastic portion.

The connecting member may be at least 2cm long, preferably at least 5cm long. It may be less than 20cm long, optionally less than 10cm. It may be stretchable to increase its length by at least 2cm, or optionally up to 5cm.

Normally the support comprises an attachment means suitable to attach to a helmet. Normally the attachment means are straps which can be threaded through ventilation holes present on cycling helmets.

The invention thus provides a method of using a person support as described herein, by attaching it to a helmet, by threading fastening straps of the person support through ventilation holes on the helmet.

Indeed such attachment means may also provide a mounting means for mounting decorative components such as decorative ears to the overall modified helmet.

The neck support is normally flexible and flexible in use. The neck support may be horse-shoe shaped. A tie may be provided to hold together each end of the neck support. In one embodiment of a neck support, the inner circumference is 36cm and the outer circumference is 63cm. Thus preferred embodiments have an inner circumference of at least 30cm; optionally at least 33cm and optionally at most 46cm, optionally at most 42cm or 39cm. The outer circumference for preferred embodiments may be at least 53cm, optionally at least 58cm and optionally at most 73cm optionally 68cm.

The liner may include padding, although typically not as deep as the neck support.

The neck support may have a rounded cross-section, for example oval shaped. Its circumference may be in the range of 10 - 30cm, optionally 15 - 25cm. It may be configured such that in use, the neck support abuts with the back of the neck.

The padding in the liner may be impact padding. Preferably the liner's padding is breathable padding such as foam. Suitable liner foam/padding is impact foams similar to those used in rugby head gear such as ID45 or PE foams; and or personal protective equipment category II which is tested and certified by a third party test house. Further padding may be provided on the liner. Air holes may also be provided in the liner for ventilation. Air flow channels may be provided within the liner, normally between two ventilation holes, to cool the child's head and so increase comfort. Normally the shape of the liners is ergonomic.

The liners may also be referred to as a skull cap.

For certain embodiments, gripping means may be configured to attach to the back of the helmet and preferably at other points too. A helmet is shaped such that there is defined a front to be placed on the front of a head and a back to be placed at the back of the head. The back of a helmet as used herein can be considered to be any part of the helmet corresponding to a position behind the wearer's ears. Normally the back of the helmet is behind the chin straps provided on most helmets.

The gripping means may be a flexible insert that can be bent easily to conform with most existing helmet shapes, or a material that contours to an existing shape. For certain embodiments the insert may be any kind of clip normally a resilient clip and normally provided within the same padding material, which may clip to a helmet, normally the back of the helmet. For example a spring clip provided within the padding which can hold either side of the helmet therebetween. Thus in use, the liner may be provided within a helmet and be suitably sized to reduce the effective size of the helmet so it is appropriate for a young child's head. Moreover the gripping means can attach to helmets of varying sizes and shapes.

Thus the gripping means typically offers extra extended cushioning that is mouldable around the back of the helmet, like a lip, to give support at the neck roll, curling around the back neck part of the helmet design to cushion infant neck from harshness of hard polystyrene type material such as pure solid polystyrene, or EPS which are colourless, hard plastics with limited flexibility which are cast into moulds with fine detail to be used for bicycle helmets. The liner may include at least one, optionally two slits, for receiving chin straps normally attached to a helmet. Thus the liner may be threaded through said chin straps in order to conveniently locate within the helmet. The neck support may comprise a slit.

Optionally the support for a person may comprise a back support.

Indeed, accordingly to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a back support for a child comprising padding and at least one slit.

Normally the back support and neck support complement each other in shape where they abut. For certain embodiments, the back support is waterproof and so can function as a nappy changing mat, which is more convenient than having to carry a separate nappy changing mat on a bicycle. Thus embodiments of the present invention benefit in that the neck support/shoulder and back support can be laid down on a flat surface to also act as a changing nappy station if the guardian requires this function while out with an infant on a bicycle.

The back support may have slits therein, optionally lined with hook and loop fasteners, so as to receive shoulder straps when opened and then closed to secure the straps. Normally two such slits are provided on either side.

Preferably there are a series of extending slits, normally extending generally parallel to the orientation of the child in use, through which seat belts of child seats extend through. Normally the back support has at least two straps to wrap around the child and secure the back support thereto. However in preferred embodiments said straps to wrap around the child are much broader, typically more than 20cm wide (in the same parallel direction) in so forming 'wings' on either side of the back support. They may be secured by hook and loop fasteners, especially a series of small patches of hook and loop material. The back support may also comprise a further slit or cut to allow for convenient access to a seat belt through the child's legs.

Each component of the support is normally economically shaped. The support, especially the helmet liner, may be made from memory foam or material with a similar function.

The material is normally stretchable and has impact strength. The covering material and the front and back liner joins can have the stretchy nature holding panels together with the protective impact strengths being the foam sandwiched between.

The inventor of the present invention has noted that some of the fastest growth of a person's head is when they are a small child. Moreover the head shape of a young child varies considerably.

Accordingly the liner may comprise an adjustment mechanism to vary the size of head to which it fits. Indeed certain embodiments comprise a number of 'onion' layers which may be peeled back as required to provide the correct sizing for the child; further layers being removed as the child grows. Thus the liner can be provided in incremental widths to be replaced as the users head grows. Alternatively or additionally the liner may be made from a stretchable material.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a support for a person comprising a liner for a helmet, the liner comprising a padded ring and at least one padded arch attached to the ring, and an attachment or gripping means suitable to attach to, normally grip, a helmet.

Features and optional features of the helmet liner according to the first aspect of the invention may, independently, be incorporated into the helmet liner according to the second aspect of the invention, and to avoid repetition are not repeated herein below.

Thus in use the ring may rest around a child's head, typically above their eyes, and the arch may go over the head from one side, normally to an opposite side. Indeed preferred embodiments according to a second aspect of the invention, have at least a second arch provided attached to the ring at either end of the second arch. The second arch is normally equi-spaced from the first arch; thus providing a 'crown' shaped liner. Further arches may be provided, normally equi-spaced from the other arches. Some embodiments have an all-over head covering in addition to the arches.

These arches can be a combination of ergonomically designed fittings more in keeping with the shape of an infant's head at this age rather than a geometrically perfect arch. In particular the arches are shaped to conform with the occipital bump [Kelly does your new design also conform to the occipital bump, if so please describe how] at the back of the head which has more a defined shape than at any other time of a human's development period. The occipital bump also defines a large gap that preferably needs filled and supported until such time as the shape of the head changes and gives more support and thus the arches and/or ring preferably support this gap. In particular the arches/ring can also be of a memory foam type material to help cope with this ergonomic enhancement.

The ring and the arch may be provided as separate pieces and fixed together by the user, for example, with the aid of hook and loop fasteners.

The support and liner are especially suitable for children, especially young children, often whilst riding pillion on a bicycle or in a chariot being towed by a bicycle.

Thus the invention provides a liner, as described herein, when used on a helmet when worn by a child travelling on a bicycle or bicycle powered carriage.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a person support in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the Fig. 1 person support;

Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the Fig. 1 person support;

Fig. 4 is a top view of the Fig. 1 person support;

Fig. 5 is a back view of the Fig. 1 person support; Fig. 6 is a perspective view is a bottom view of the Fig. 1 person support;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a person support in accordance with one aspect of the present invention;

Figs. 8a and 8b are view of air channels provided in the person support of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a further view of a helmet liner in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a helmet and a body support according to one aspect of the present invention;

Fig. 1 1 is a plan view of a back support according to a further aspect of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a person support in accordance with the present invention, and

Fig. 13 is a plan view of a back and neck support in accordance with one aspect of the present invention. Figs. 1 -6 are a series of views of a person support 1 comprising a helmet liner 10, a connecting band 20 and a neck support 30.

The helmet liner 10 comprises a series of five lobes 1 1 a - 1 1 e each extending away from a central portion 13 of the liner and curving downwards. Together with a lobe 1 1f and connection strap 20, the lobes 1 1 a-1 1f define a six-pronged skull-cap which in use are positioned between a child's head (not shown) and the inner surface of a helmet (not shown).

The connection band 20 extends from the lobe 1 1f at the back of the liner and connects with the neck support 30. The neck support 20 is horse-shoe shaped and shaped to conform around a child's neck, over the shoulders, and provides support to the child's head. The connection band 20 and liner 10 are largely moulded as a single-piece although there is a small elastic portion 17 between the main part of the band 20 and the neck support 30 which may not be moulded with the rest of the connection band 20 and liner 10.

Ventilation holes 18 are provided to keep the child cool, and channels (not shown) may extend from one ventilation hole 18 to another, to further facilitate cooling. (In hot climates, the liner and helmet may otherwise be uncomfortable because of the heat.) To use the support 1 , a retaining strap 25 is threaded under a piece of material 15 attached to the central portion 13 of the liner 10. The ends of the retaining strap 20 are then threaded through holes, present on cycle helmets, and tied together. Decorative ears 21 can be attached to the strap, and may include lights or a simple touch-operated musical player.

In Fig. 2, the lobe 1 1 b is shown and like the other lobes 1 1 a, 1 1 c, 1 1 d, 1 1 e is about 10cm long in itself (line a) and about 15cm long to the apex (line b).

Thus embodiments of the present invention provide a liner and neck support suitable for children, in order to improve the safety of helmets presently on the market for older children, with larger heads and more developed muscles. Fig. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a helmet liner 1 10 comprising a ring 1 12, and arches 1 14 connected to the ring 12 at each of their ends, thus forming a 'crown' shape; all made out of a soft padding material. Two horizontal slits 16 are provided in the ring 1 12 opposite each other for receiving chin straps of a helmet (not shown in Fig. 7) therethrough. Various other holes 1 18 are provided for ventilation.

The liner is used so that an oversized helmet may be more safely and more

comfortably fitted onto a child's head. In use, the chin straps of the helmet are threaded through the slits 1 16 and the entire liner 1 10 is received into the helmet. A retaining strap 125 comprising decorative ears 121 is then fed through holes in the helmet and liner and secured. Very soft padding material is provided on the retaining strap so that it is comfortable for the child in use.

In this way, a larger helmet may be used for a young child, improving the safety of being carried on a bicycle or carriage.

Figs. 8a, 8b and 9 show various arrangements of channels 1 19 connecting ventilation holes 1 18. In this way the wearer's head may be cooled by air flow through the channels from one ventilation hole 1 18 to another. The vents are channeled within the material to allow for continual ventilation passing into vent holes and travelling along channeled tunnels. The liner's surface will normally therefore be raised to provide for the channels without a loss of material thickness.

Embodiments of the present invention thus benefit in that they allow for continual ventilation for the inside impact protective liner which has air flow vents channelled within the material from one vent hole to another.

As shown in Fig. 10, at the back of the liner 1 10 it also comprises a resilient lip 122 which can be moved around and attached to the back of a helmet 129. The lip 122 comprises the same soft padding as the liner in general but also has internal clips (not shown) which may be spring loaded, snap-fit, or otherwise engageable with a variety of shapes of helmets on the market.

Also shown in Fig.10 the body support comprises a neck support 130, interfacing with the helmet liner 1 10 in a complementary fit. The neck support 130 economically fits around and supports the child's head in use. Slits 132 are provided within the neck support 130 for fastening straps and these receive chin straps from the helmet 129.

Thus the lip and the neck (and back) support provides a greater neck support for the under-developed infants neck.

For older infants who have developed neck muscle mass, the lip 122 can act as a neck support in itself without using the neck support 130. This will aid comfort and further support the child if they fall asleep in much the same way a neck cushion can do.

Embodiments of the present invention benefit in that the liner is attachable by means of loops and fastenings through the existing design of vents within most or all helmets or head guards, as well as having the ability to mould and conform naturally using materials that have the ability to do this by free-form methods that is they are formed in the crescent shape which can be finely altered to give more of a "fitted" end result due to their mouldable nature.

Embodiments of the present invention benefit in that the design of the liner is designed to allow the helmet's chin strap to fit through, under or over to hold liner in place by strategic holes being designed to accommodate most of the present day cycle helmet designs and thus feed through existing cycle helmet vent holes allowing fastenings to loop and hold in place. Moreover a further length of material can be fed through the top vents in helmet to secure top of the liner/skull cap in place with this material also having the cosmetic ears attached to add to the fun feature of the helmet.

A back support 140 is also shown in Fig. 10 but is best shown in Fig. 1 1 . The back support is also made from soft foam material and comprises a large body portion, with a neck interface 142 at one end to interface with the neck portion 130, a series of slits 144 parallel with the child's orientation in use and wings 145 on either side. The slits 144 are different sizes in order to receive different sized straps from a variety of different child seats. The slits also taper down towards the lower end of the back support. The child can be placed inside the back support and the wings closed around to cocoon the child. Hook and loop tags 146 are provided to hold the wings 145 together.

For such embodiments, the helmet liner and neck support complement each other in shape where they abut. Thus normally the shape of the liner nestles into the attachable neck support and can be further cradled therein.

Embodiments of the present invention benefit in that the neck support and/or back support has a "wings" design that will wrap around the front torso and fasten to further allow retention system of child bike seat is cushioned at the front preventing pressure and discomfort on the body.

Opposite the neck support, the back support 130 is arc-shaped 147 to allow a crotch belt to be pulled up through the child's legs and secured to the wings or other restraint around the child's waist. The neck support 130 and back support 140 can later be detached from use in conjunction with the helmet and independently be attached to a bike seat, chariot trailer seat or car seat, to add additional safety and comfort as to such a time that the user no longer requires the support attached to the helmet due to physically developing independent back and head muscles. Thus children can benefit from any one of the helmet liner, neck support and back support; especially the helmet liner. Particularly for children under the age of one, preferably all of the head liner, neck support and back support are used.

As well as improving safely, embodiments of the invention are more comfortable for the child providing soft padding and a better fit.

Embodiments of the present invention achieve impact tests passed and certified to British Trade & Industry (Personal Protective Equipment Category I - 89/686/EEC) and achieving these necessary testing and certification results by using the smallest testing head form in the world for impact testing previously never available before therefore, achieving results never achieved before for such a small size of cycle helmet. Embodiments of the present invention benefit in the inside impact protective liner/s are economically designed to allow for better downsizing and accommodate the occipital region of an infant's head shape where previously a gap would be in existing standard cycle helmet designs; yet not being of a design or material that would hinder natures built-in defences that allow the scalp to act as a rotational shock absorber by both compressing and sliding over the skull which absorbs energy from an impact.

Fig. 12 shows an alternative helmet liner 200 comprising similar features as that described for the first embodiment except notably provided in two separate portions and connected in use. Fig. 13 shows an alternative embodiment 230 of the back support 130.

Embodiments of the present invention benefit in that the inside impact liner is of a medical type application with memory foam properties suitable for protecting or substantially reducing a level of traumatic brain injury of a type particularly identified in the age group of 0 - 3 years old, similar to the injuries known as "shaken baby syndrome", suffered mainly by very small children who have experienced injury from "rotational acceleration of the head". It is common for both focal and diffuse damage to occur as the result of the same event; many traumatic brain injuries have aspects of both focal and diffuse injury. Focal injuries are commonly associated with an injury in which the head strikes or is struck by an object; diffuse injuries are more often found in acceleration/deceleration injuries, in which the head does not necessarily contact anything, but brain tissue is damaged because tissue types with varying densities accelerate at different rates. This type of injury can present as primary and secondary brain injury processes due to this age group suffering "bobble head" subjection due to no support of the neck and head over a period of time, causing shuddering vibrations while travelling on various terrains.

Embodiments of the present invention benefit in that the neck support/shoulder and back lumber support as a support add-on are also provided to support the rest of the body and to further support the head from rolling around when in motion and assist with comfort when sleeping, further adding to safety when in a loose and unsupported state.

Further, the neck support will give support not normally available from the protruding bulk of the helmet at the back of the head, when subjected to leaning back on hard surfaces that push the helmet forward and compromise function of the helmet, safety and comfort.

Moreover the neck support can support the neck, shoulders, and spine from the additional weight of the helmet to benefit an age that is still developing neck muscle strength. This two-part detachable support system has the ability to be as one and act as a vest-type garment if required with the use of front fastening and can be

advantageous to any travelling system such as the intended use, chariot trailer travel, car seat travel, airplane seat travel, train, bus and push chair travel; indeed any form of travelling to give extra support and comfort.

Embodiments of the present invention benefit in that the neck, shoulder and back support material has strategically placed openings and fastenings to allow for any retention system to feed through and also be cushioned therefore allowing the harshness of all retention straps is cushioned against users body. Therefore, the detachable support components has several strategically placed openings or slits to allow for any design of bike seat or chariot seat safety harnesses is fed through and not obstruct the function of any retention system in doing so. Embodiments of the present invention benefit in that all the cushioning support materials used whilst containing impact protection qualities, are also of an elastic nature to provide a suspension type benefit similar to the concept of surrounding safety a foetus would have within the womb of a pregnant mother jogging.

Embodiments of the present invention benefit in that all the detachable support components can be joined together seamlessly by means of non-cumbersome or intrusive fixing applications that would add discomfort to such a young vulnerable and fragile body if used.

Embodiments of the present invention benefit in that the helmet fastening device system has a soft adjusting cover that can slide along the chin strap and over the hard material locking area to protect from irritation and from becoming uncomfortable in use next to an infant's skin. This movable soft cover can be pulled longer in length to offer more coverage along more of the fastening device if necessary and does not have is confined to covering the locking ends of the fastening device only.

Embodiments of the present invention benefit in that a cosmetic feature of ears on top of the helmet to add to the sense of fun for children to wear, that have a reflective safety strip property design feature with high visibility; and has an accessible device built in to each ear that when pressed, plays a tune to sooth infant - particularly desirable to help associate child with this fun activity.

Thus embodiments of the invention provide an infant cycle helmet liner to adapt the presently available toddler cycle helmets with an ergonomic stretchy skull cap liner and detachable neck/shoulder & back support, for the new age group of infants now travelling on child bike seats and chariot trailers to make for a more comfortable and safer activity. Modifications may also be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example the inside impact protective liner may have a portion removable within the density of the material to allow for a "cooling pad" application is inserted and help lower the temperature in very hot weather. Moreover the material looping through the top of the vents optionally with cosmetic ears, can be soaked in water and act as a cooling agent by further looping through helmet vents and offering cooling to various parts of the head. The neck support can also support and accommodate a cooling device in very hot weather.

The neck support/shoulder and back support can help reduce the severity of brain bruising due to turbulent shaky travelling by having strategically placed ridged portions. These ridged portions have segments intermittently placed in portions with alternating "spring" type material portions to give a suspension-type motion to avoid a sharp jarring impact with each passing over of, for example, a stone or pavement curb) and thus inhibit an infant's head from being thrashed around uncontrollably, mitigating or preventing "whip lash". Infants of this earlier age group do not require twisting their neck and moving their heads from side to side in order to view the world going past. It is of benefit for this younger age group is supported but not totally restricted from small movements while travelling in a bike seat or chariot trailer.