EARLIEST PRIORITY DATE

This Application claims priority from a Complete patent application filed in India having Patent Application No. 202241057959, filed on October 10, 2022, and titled “A PROTECTIVE HEAD GEAR AGAINST BRAIN AND SKULL INJURIES AND A METHOD THEREOF”

FIELD OF INVENTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of helmets and more particularly to a protective head gear against brain and skull injuries and a method thereof.

BACKGROUND

To keep motorcycle riding safe for all who participate, it is highly recommended that a helmet be donned. This is to protect the motorist’s head in an accident or the like. A hard, durable shell that covers the head, a helmet can prevent or lessen the severity of brain injury in the event of a crash. Helmets work by absorbing some of the energy and dissipating the sharp energy peak of the blow over a larger area for a slightly longer time. Various configurations are known for such helmets. For example, when riding at a relatively low speed, a helmet without a visor is often used. On the other hand, when riding at high speed, a helmet with a visor is worn. For example, when used in a race or the like whenever sliding onto one of these units.

Helmets are designed to absorb and spread the impact energy of a collision or impact with the helmet that would otherwise be placed on the user's skull. The human brain and spine are very vulnerable to injuries. This is a most critical area as the spinal cord emerges from the brain. Injury to the spinal cord threatens every aspect of human physiology for instance, control of respiration, heart rate, body temperature, consciousness, swallowing, vaso-constriction and dilation, neurological injury, concussions and life-threatening swelling after the impact. Injury to the brain stem or spinal cord may result in paralysis and even death. However, a large number of individuals refuse to wear such helmets simply because of the outward look or appearance they project while donned. It is generally accepted that it is more comfortable to be free of tight fitting and encompassing head gear while riding the motorcycle, however when the situation arises that the user is struck, falls at speed or is otherwise in a position of peril, the helmets are vital for the continued health of the user after the incident, to the point of preventing long-term injury and even death in some cases.

Further, with regard to an accident, the existing helmets are only 42% effectively safe and cause brain injury or concussion. The neck and spinal cord of the individuals are not protected completely. Furthermore, continuous usage of helmets damages the scalp of the individuals which leads to hair loss.

It is desired therefore, to address a need in the art of protective head gear and to address this population of individuals by providing a means to shroud the outward appearance and the presence of a donned helmet, while still allowing the helmet to be worn as intended for protection. It is further desired to provide those who regularly wear protective helmets with a means to decorate and improve the outward appearance of the helmet beyond one that is clearly meant for protection of the user.

Hence, there is a need for an improved protective head gear against brain and skull injuries due to impacts and a method thereof to address the aforementioned issue(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a protective headgear against brain and skull injuries is provided. The protective headgear includes a helmet design unit configured to accommodate a flat surface of an upper part of the protective headgear. The flat surface is inclined at a predefined angle. Further, the helmet design unit create a space between the upper part of the protective headgear and a head portion of the motorist. Further, the protective headgear includes a neck cover integration unit mechanically coupled with the helmet design unit using a plurality of springs. The neck cover integration unit is capable of being detachably snapped together and is configured to protect a neck portion of the motorist. Furthermore, the protective headgear includes a force redistribution unit operatively coupled to the neck cover integration unit using the plurality of springs and configured to redistribute the force impact towards shoulders of the motorist thereby preventing the force to be experienced on a skull and brain of the motorist. Moreover, the protective headgear includes an aero vent unit operatively coupled to the force redistribution unit wherein the aero vent unit is configured to regulate airflow within the helmet design unit by creating a vacuum effect through a plurality of holes at the back of the protective headgear. The protective headgear also includes an anti-buffeting unit operatively coupled the aero vent unit wherein anti-buffeting unit is configured to partition incoming wind.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a method to operate a protective headgear is provided. The method includes mounting, by a motorist, a protective headgear wherein a top surface of the protective headgear creates a space between the top surface and a head portion of the motorist. The method also includes regulating, by an aero vent unit of the protective headgear, airflow inside the protective headgear by creating a vacuum effect through a plurality of holes at the back of the protective headgear thereby keeping air cool and purifying the airflow. Further, the method includes partitioning, by an anti-buffeting unit coupled to the aero vent unit of the protective headgear, air entering the protective headgear thereby ensuring stability at high speeds. Furthermore, the method includes protecting, by the neck cover integration unit, by providing additional protection to a neck portion of the motorist. Moreover, the method includes redistributing, by a force redistribution unit, by redistributing a force impact towards shoulders of the motorist and preventing the force to be experienced on the skull and brain of the motorist. The method also includes absorbing, by a force absorption medium of the protective headgear, force encountered during an accident thereby protecting the head, neck and spinal portions of the motorist.

To further clarify the advantages and features of the present disclosure, a more explicit description of the disclosure will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The disclosure will be described and explained with additional details with the appended figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a protective headgear in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the protective headgear of one embodiment of a system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 3 is a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method of operating the protective headgear in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

To promote an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the disclosure as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present disclosure.

The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures, or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.

In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a protective headgear for protecting a motorist during an accident and a method thereof. The protective headgear includes a helmet design unit configured to accommodate a flat surface of an upper part of the protective headgear. The flat surface is inclined at a predefined angle. Further, the helmet design unit create a space between the upper part of the protective headgear and a head portion of the motorist. Further, the protective headgear includes a neck cover integration unit mechanically coupled with the helmet design unit using a plurality of springs. The neck cover integration unit is capable of being detachably snapped together and is configured to protect a neck portion of the motorist. Furthermore, the protective headgear includes a force redistribution unit operatively coupled to the neck cover integration unit using the plurality of springs and configured to redistribute the force impact towards shoulders of the motorist thereby preventing the force to be experienced on a skull and brain of the motorist. Moreover, the protective headgear includes an aero vent unit operatively coupled to the force redistribution unit wherein the aero vent unit is configured to regulate airflow within the helmet design unit by creating a vacuum effect through a plurality of holes at the back of the protective headgear. The protective headgear also includes an anti-buffeting unit operatively coupled the aero vent unit wherein anti-buffeting unit is configured to partition incoming wind.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a protective headgear (100) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The protective headgear (100) includes a helmet design unit (110) configured to accommodate a flat surface (120) of an upper part of the protective headgear (100). The flat surface (120) in inclined at a predefined angle and the helmet design unit (110) creates a space between the upper part of the protection headgear (100) and a head portion of the motorist. Typically, the helmet design unit (110) is configured with an exoskeleton outer shell to provide impact protection.

Exemplary materials for the exoskeleton outer shell as an outer substrate includes, but is not limited to, plastics, leather, wood, metal, fiberglass, carbon composite, aramid fiber substrates and combinations of these materials.

Further, the helmet design unit (110) includes a meta structural foam and a force absorption medium to absorb the force across multiple stages. The meta structural foam is a structural 3D design adapted to create a larger desired shape (foam). The exoskeleton outer shell is held together with the force absorption medium at the occurrence of breakage of the exoskeleton outer shell during an accident.

The protective headgear (100) also includes a neck cover integration unit (130) mechanically coupled with the helmet design unit (110) using a plurality of springs (140), wherein the neck cover integration unit (130) is capable of being detachably snapped together and wherein the neck cover integration unit (130) is configured to protect a neck portion of the motorist.

In one embodiment, the neck cover integration unit (130) is provided to protect the front of the neck generally, and the trachea specifically, from trauma due to blunt force or if the motorist should fall forward.

The protective headgear (100) is adapted to transfer an impact from the exoskeleton outer shell towards a force absorption medium and the neck cover integration unit (130), wherein the impact is encountered at the instance of an accident. In one embodiment, the force absorption medium is soft and flexible.

The protective headgear (100) also includes a force redistribution unit (150) operatively coupled to the neck cover integration unit (130) wherein the force redistribution unit (150) is configured to redistribute the force impact towards shoulders of the motorist and preventing the force to be experience on the skull and brain of the motorist, using the plurality of springs (140). The protective headgear (100) also includes an aero vent unit (160) operatively coupled to the force redistribution unit (150) wherein the aero vent unit (160) is configured to regulate airflow within the helmet design unit by creating a vacuum effect through a plurality of holes at the back of the protective headgear (100).

The protective headgear (100) also includes an anti-buffeting unit (170) operatively coupled to the aero vent unit (160) wherein the anti-buffeting unit (170) is configured to partition incoming wind.

Further, the protective headgear (100) includes an air purifier to purifying the air entering into the protective headgear (100).

Furthermore, the protective headgear (100) includes a face mask positioned in a front area of the protective headgear (100) and wherein the face mask shields the nose and eyes of the motorist. The face mask can be clear, tinted, smoke colored, yellow, illuminated and the like.

Typically, the protective headgear (100) is contoured to substantially cover the head, face, spine and neck region of a motorist.

It is to be noted that the protective headgear (100) may be referred to as ‘Skullmate’. The ‘Skullmate’ is the combination of the helmet design unit (110) and the neck cover integration unit (130).

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the protective headgear (100) of one embodiment of a system of FIG. 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As is known in the art, protective helmets may be designed, constructed and tested to comply with established performance and safety standards. In this way, the protective headgear (100) may be certified, and the performance specifications of the helmets may be known and understood.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method of operating the protective headgear in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method (200) mounting the protective headgear by a motorist wherein a top surface of the protective headgear maintains a space between the top surface and a head portion of the motorist in step (210). The motorist is an individual who typically rides a twowheeler.

The space ensures that the hairstyle of the motorist is not disturbed. Further, the space eliminates a tight fit of the protective headgear on the head of the motorist. This prevents hair loss.

The method (200) also includes regulating airflow inside the protective headgear by creating a vacuum effect through a plurality of holes at the back of the protective headgear in step (220). This ensures that the air is cool and purified. The regulation of the airflow keeps the motorist free from sweat which reduces suffocation and dehydration.

The method (200) also includes partitioning air entering the protective headgear thereby ensuring stability at high speeds in step (230).

The method (200) also includes protecting by providing additional protection to a neck portion of the motorist in step (240).

The method (200) also includes redistributing a force impact towards shoulders of the motorist and preventing the force to be experienced on the skull and brain of the motorist in step (250).

The method (200) also includes absorbing force encountered during an accident thereby protecting the head, neck and spinal portions of the motorist in step (260). The protective headgear provides additional safety from accidents and reduces the aftereffects for example, whiplash effect, trauma, brain hemorrhage, concussion and spinal cord injuries. The neck of the motorist is provided with additional protection from rotational forces during an accident. Therefore, it is a vital feature of the protective headgear to redirect the force along the exo -skeleton and then finally absorbing the force by the force absorption medium. This keeps the skull and brain intact without absorbing any fatal forces. It must be noted that the force absorption medium occurs over multiple stages, specifically six stages.

Various embodiments of the protective headgear for protecting a motorist from brain injuries and a method for operating the same described above enables various advantages. Typically, the protective headgear provides comfort by preventing hair loss and ensures damage-free hairstyle. The motorist also experiences comfort as the protective headgear regulates air flow that is specifically required for Indian climatic conditions. The protective headgear protects the motorist from fatal injuries specifically preventing concussion. Further, the protective headgear provides protection to the head, spinal and neck regions of the motorist.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof. While specific language has been used to describe the disclosure, any limitations arising on account of the same are not intended.

The figures and the forgoing description give examples of embodiments. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, the order of processes described herein may be changed and is not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.