FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to a shock absorption subassembly for a helmet having an elastomeric component and/or a temperature activated engagement or disengagement mechanism as well as a method of making the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

When the elements of a hard hat deform, they absorb energy. In conventional strap suspension systems, the element that is designed to absorb the greatest amount of energy is the shell. The straps and hangers are also deformed by the action of the force of the impact; however, the function of these elements is mainly directed to preserving the space between the shell and the head in order to allow the shell to deform.

The element that could be designed to absorb more energy in current suspensions is the hanger. However, hangers must have a mechanical force of attachment to the helmet, which has traditionally kept hangers as rigid elements, and even if they deform using tricks of geometry or design, they will never achieve the rates of deformations that can be obtained with elastomeric components. Moreover, fabric and plastic straps, which are used in many of today’s helmets, reach a range of acceptable deformation, but none are capable of reaching the deformations and energy absorption capacity of an elastomer. The use of an elastomeric component for the mitigation of an impact, on the other hand, turns the strain balance in favor of the elastomeric component, allowing it to absorb energy in greater proportion than the other components of the helmet. This allows for a greater proportion of energy absorption by the helmet system during and impact event, and as a consequence less transfer of force to the head and spine. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a suspension system having an elastomeric component for impact mitigation.

Typically, a suspension system is made of several flexible elements that attach to the helmet to provide a cradle for the head, usually hard hats use two or three flexible members that go across the helmet inside to form said cradle. In the subject disclosure, where an elastomeric component is included with a flexible material to form a “shock absorption subassembly”, safety can be greatly improved by the inclusion or removal of one or more of the “shock absorption subassemblies” during an impact, based on the ambient temperature, such that at cold temperatures less “shock absorption subassemblies” work than during hot temperatures. This optional feature will cause the helmet to transfer similar forces to the head regardless of temperature. We call this feature Temperature Activated Engagement or Disengagement mechanism.

Elastomers provide a unique platform to implement the Temperature Activated Engagement or Disengagement mechanism, because the energy dissipation capacity of an elastomer will always outperform the energy dissipation of a typical textile strap or plastic flexible member, therefore activating or eliminating a “shock absorption subassembly”, as a function of temperature, will generate superior safety performance than a helmet that does not provide this feature. Elastomers also provide mechanical characteristics that will facilitate how the Temperature Activated Engagement or Disengagement mechanism is effectively achieved.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A suspension system comprising one or more elastomeric components; zero or more flexible elements; and zero or more hangers, wherein the one or more elastomeric components, flexible members and/or hangers may include a temperature activated engage or release mechanism and or a non-temperature dependent fuse.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 shows an exploded view of the components of a shock absorption subassembly having an elastomeric component.

Fig. 2 shows a side sectional view of the components of the shock absorption subassembly in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 shows a bottom view of the components of the shock absorption subassembly in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 shows a bottom perspective view of the components of the shock absorption subassembly in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Fig. 5 shows another exploded view of the components of a shock absorption subassembly having an elastomeric component being released.

Fig. 6 shows a side sectional view of the components of the shock absorption subassembly having an elastomeric component being released.

Fig. 7 shows a bottom view of the components of the shock absorption subassembly having an elastomeric component being released.

Fig. 8 shows a bottom perspective view of the components of the shock absorption subassembly having an elastomeric component being released.

Fig. 9 shows another exploded view of the components of a shock absorption subassembly having an elastomeric component.

Fig. 10 shows another side sectional view of the components of the shock absorption subassembly in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1 1 shows another bottom view of the components of the shock absorption subassembly in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Fig. 12 shows another perspective bottom view of the components of the shock absorption subassembly in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Fig. 13 shows an exploded view of the components of a helmet having a shock absorption subassembly being released.

Fig. 14 shows a perspective bottom view of the components of a helmet having a shock absorption subassembly being released.

Fig. 15 shows another exploded view of the components of a helmet having a shock absorption subassembly being released.

Fig. 16 shows another perspective bottom view of the components of a helmet having a shock absorption subassembly being released.

Fig. 17 shows another exploded view of the components of a helmet in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Fig. 18 shows another perspective bottom view of the components of a helmet in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure. Fig. 19 shows another exploded view of the components of a helmet in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Fig. 20 shows another perspective bottom view of the components of a helmet in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Figs. 21A-B show an embodiment of the elastomeric component in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Figs. 22A-B show another embodiment of the elastomeric component in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Figs. 23A-C show another embodiment of the elastomeric component in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Figs. 24A-C show the hanger component and the shock absorption subassembly with a broken beam or resting area in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Figs. 25A-C show the hanger component and the shock absorption subassembly in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Figs. 26A-C show the hanger component and the shock absorption subassembly in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Fig. 27 shows a modulus/strength curve of elastomers in comparison with other materials.

Fig. 28 shows a stress/strain curve of certain materials at different temperatures.

Fig. 29 shows the engagement or release of the temperature activated mechanism by using the geometry of the hanger.

Fig. 30 shows the engagement or release of the temperature activated mechanism by using the geometry of the elastomeric element.

Fig. 31 A-D shows the engagement or release of the temperature activated mechanism by using thermal expansion of the hanger.

Fig. 32A-B shows the engagement or release of the temperature activated mechanism by using the allowable strain of the hanger.

Fig. 33A-B show the Force vs. Time of an impact with and without the use of elastomers, respectively. Fig. 34 shows the use of a fuse with an elastomer.

Fig. 35A-C show the pad component of the shock absorption subassembly in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Figs. 36A-C show embodiments of different kinds of joints in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Figs. 37A-B show the 3 linear spatial degrees of freedom and the 3 rotational spatial degrees of freedom.

Fig. 38 shows an embodiment of the shock absorbing system of a helmet in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Fig. 39 shows an exploded view of the components of the shock absorbing system of a helmet in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Fig. 40 shows another embodiment of the shock absorbing system of a helmet in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Fig. 41 shows another exploded view of the components of the shock absorbing system of a helmet in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Fig. 42 shows an exploded view of the components of a helmet system having a shock absorbing system and a helmet in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

Fig. 43 shows another exploded view of the components of a helmet system having a shock absorbing system of a helmet in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Some of the terms used for this disclosure are defined as follows:

1 . “Shock absorbing subassembly”: A part of the helmet suspension system A, having an elastomeric component 11 , a flexible element 10, and optionally a hanger 12, designed for impact mitigation, to create a space between the head and the helmet, and optionally to provide fit or comfort to the user.

2. “Helmet shell”, “protective shell” or “shell”: A part of the helmet, typically in the shape of a dome or similar geometry, designed to provide a barrier between the head of the user and hazards.

3. “Elastomeric component”: A part of the shock absorbing subassembly designed to absorb or dissipate the greatest amount of energy in response to an impact. The “elastomeric component” may be a spring, a damper, an elastomeric material, or any combination of these.

4. “Flexible element”, “flexible component” or “flexible member”: An element with a high degree of flexibility that allows it to adapt to any shape, such as: fabrics, leather, plastics, and any other pliable material. Usually in the form of, but not limited to, straps, pads or alike.

5. “Hanger”: Any part or subassembly of parts which hold a flexible element 10 and or an elastomeric component 11 for attachment to a protective shell of a helmet.

6. “Hanger slot” or “slot”: Any feature of the shell meant to attach a hanger to the helmet. Therefore, a “hanger slot” or “slot” can be represented as a groove, as shown in hanger slots 14a-f in Fig. 7, or as a hole crossing through the interior surface 13b to the exterior surface 13a as shown in Fig. 1.

7. “Pad”: A flexible structure that is designed to distribute the load on a larger surface of a user’s head, as well as provide fit and comfort (fabric, cloth, weave, net, mesh, plastic, composite or alike) similar to the one shown in Figs 35A-C.

8. “Spring”: A component designed to store and release elastic potential energy.

9. “Damper”: A component designed to dissipate energy (typically as heat or sound) via viscous damping, dry friction damping, hysteretic damping, or the combination of the latter.

10. “Elastomeric material” or “elastomer”: A polymeric material flexible in nature, having a low intermolecular force which allows it to have a high degree of elongation, great elasticity that results in high reversibility to deformation, low modulus of elasticity, minimal permanent fixation, and low hysteresis.

11 . “Joint”: The means of attachment or bond between any section of a component of the shock absorbing subassembly to itself (e.g., Fig. 36A where the joint J attaches the elastomeric element 10 to itself) or to other components of a shock absorbing subassembly (e.g., Fig. 36B where an elastomeric component 11 is attached to a first elastomeric element 10x via the joint Jy and to a second elastomeric element 10y via the joint Jx), or between any component of a shock absorbing subassembly and a hanger (e.g., Fig. 36C where the elastomeric element 10 is attached to the hanger 12 or to itself via the joint J). Examples of a joint includes, but is not limited to, welding, ultrasonic welding, riveting, threading, a seam, overmolding, gluing, chemical bonding, geometric constraint, etc.

12. “Mechanical attachment” or “mechanical fixing”: The means of attachment or bond of the one or more flexible elements, the one or more elastomeric components, the hangers, the inner anchoring structure, or the rigidizing structure to the helmet shell. Examples of mechanical attachment may include welds, ultrasonic welds, rivets, seams, overmoldings, glues, chemical bonds, geometric constraints, etc.

13. “Temperature activated mechanism”: A mechanism, a means by, or a feature added to a shock absorbing subassembly SA, which allows an entire shock absorbing subassembly, or a part of it (the flexible element 10, elastomeric component 11 , the hanger 12, or the joints J) to engage, disengage, or partially or totally break to reduce the number of shock absorbing subassemblies acting during impact as a function of temperature.

14. “Fuse” or “mechanical fuse”: An element or joint, as defined above, between components of the shock absorbing subassembly that breaks by a specific value of force applied to it during an impact event, not at all related to the different temperatures at which a helmet system is exposed to during impact events. Fuses are used for the purpose of increasing the rigidity of a helmet system in the early stages of an impact event to allow the shock absorbing subassemblies to dissipate or absorb impact energies more efficiently. Examples of fuses may include joints designed to break at specific force values like welds, ultrasonic welds, rivets, threads, seams, overmoldings, glues, chemical bonds, geometric constraints, etc. and or parts or components designed to break at specific forces made of mostly rigid materials like, plastics, metals, fabrics, threads, fibers, etc.

15. “Suspension harness”: The part or group of parts fixed to the inner anchoring structure that provide a distance between the helmet shell and the head and/or body of the user under static conditions (no load due to impact applied).

16. “Rigidizing structure”: An independent part, or group of parts that provide a structural reinforcement to rigidize the helmet shell. Said rigidizing structure will minimize the deformation of the helmet shell caused by an impact force or from shock absorbing mechanisms pulling on the shell’s inner surface as a reaction to an impact force. It can also include features to allow a means of mechanical attachment for the shock absorbing subassemblies. It can also attach to the outer anchoring structure or could also integrate or form part of the outer anchoring structure. As shown in Fig. 39.

17. “Outer Anchoring structure”: An independent part or group of parts designed to provide anchoring points to attach one or more shock absorbing subassemblies close to, or on to the inner part of a helmet shell, that will also provide sufficient structural strength or rigidity to withstand the pulling or pushing forces exerted by the shock absorbing subassemblies attached to it. Its purpose is to provide a support structure to any helmet shell to avoid having to make a special shell that will not collapse or deform due to the pulling forces of the shock absorbing mechanisms, and therefore, provide the means by which the shock absorbing subassemblies deform to dissipate impact energies. This anchoring structure allows the possibility of adding shock absorbing subassemblies to any existing helmet shell, regardless of its rigidity or its capacity to mechanically have attached shock absorbing subassemblies. The outer anchoring structure could also be designed to integrate or add a rigidizing structure, as shown in Fig. 39.

18. “Inner anchoring structure”: An independent part or group of parts designed to provide anchoring points for the shock absorbing subassemblies close to the user’s head, that will also provide sufficient structural strength and/or rigidity to allow the shock absorbing subassemblies to pull or push against it during an impact event, in such a way that the shock absorbing subassemblies can deform to dissipate impact energies, and that, as a result when in use and without impact energies applied to the helmet, will also provide a distance between the wearer’s head and the inner part of the helmet shell. In this case, the inner anchoring structure will not be an inner shell but rather a ring like structure or structures around the user’s head that may also provide a means of adjusting its size to a specific head dimension or geometry, as shown in Fig. 39.

19. “Spatial degree of freedom”: Each of the 3 linear and/or 3 rotational independent directions of motion in space. In a 3D Cartesian coordinate system:

The linear movement along the orthogonal unit vectors, shown in Fig. 37A: motion in the direction of “x” or “front-back” direction, motion in the direction of “y” or “right-left” direction, and motion in the direction of “z” or “up-down” direction.

The rotation around the orthogonal unit vectors, shown in Fig. 37B: rotation around “x” or “roll” rotation, rotation around “y” or “pitch” rotation, and rotation around “z” or “yaw” rotation.

20. “Free motion”: The movement of an object in absence of relevant forces. For the scope of this document, relevant forces are none-trivial forces exerted due to static loading (nominal wearing conditions), and dynamic loading due to impact conditions.

21 . “Suspension system”: The part or group of parts that provide a distance between the helmet shell and the head and/or body of the user under static conditions (no load due to impact applied).

The subject disclosure relates to a shock absorbing subassembly SA that forms part of a helmet suspension system A and method of making the same. The shock absorbing subassembly SA comprises a flexible component and an elastomeric component for impact mitigation. The shock absorbing subassembly STA is configured to be used with or as part of a helmet, such as a hard hat. A hard hat H typically includes a protective shell having an exterior surface 13a and an interior surface 13b. The exterior surface 13a, which can be manufactured from a suitably strong and rigid material to protect the head of a user, is usually and substantially in the shape of a dome or similar geometry. The interior surface 13b of the protective shell, on the other hand, typically comprises one or more hanger slots 14a-f spaced apart from each other along the base or lower portion of the interior surface 13b. In a preferred embodiment, the base or lower portion of the interior surface 13b includes a first group of hanger slots 14a, 14b, 14c on a first location, wherein each hanger slot 14a, 14b, 14c of the first group is positioned at a distance from each other; and a second group of hanger slots 14d, 14e, 14f on a second location of the base of the interior surface 13b, wherein each hanger slot 14d, 14e, 14f of the second group is positioned at a distance from each other; and wherein the first group of hanger slots 14a, 14b, 14c is opposite to the second group of hanger slots 14d, 14e, 14f. In this manner, the first and second group of hanger slots face each other, as show in Figs. 3, 7 and 1 1 .

It should be noted that the purpose of a helmet suspension is to fit the helmet to the head of an individual and to create a space between the head and the helmet so that impacts against the helmet will not be transmitted directly to the head. However, part of the impacting force is transferred to the head through the suspension, the rest being absorbed by the deformation of parts of the helmet shell and suspension. The percent of impact force transferred to the head is a measure of the protective qualities of the helmet. Thus, the smaller the percentage of transferred force, the safer the helmet. When the shock absorbing subassembly SA is installed on a helmet, the elastomeric component 11 absorbs the greatest amount of energy in response to an impact, thereby mitigating the transmission of force to the head of a user. This is because the mechanical properties of the elastomeric component allow it to tense, flex, and stretch even until reaching its plastic deformation and its breaking point like no other material as seen in its stress strain curve in Figs. 27 and 28, including the fact that elastomers are capable of deforming in a much higher proportion prior to breaking than typical plastics, textiles and other materials commonly used in the manufacture of helmets. These properties allow the disclosed suspension to be safer and more efficient in energy absorption when compared to standard suspensions and helmet systems.

The shock absorbing subassembly SA that is the subject of this disclosure comprises one or more flexible elements 10a-c (generally 10), such as a strap or the like; one or more elastomeric components 11a-f (generally 11 ) such as a spring, damper, elastomer, or similar structures, or combination thereof; and optionally one or more hangers 12a-f (generally 12).

Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 18, elastomers have a low intermolecular force which allows them to have a high degree of elongation. Moreover, the great elasticity of elastomers results in high reversibility to deformation. Elastomers feature a low modulus of elasticity, minimal permanent fixation, and low hysteresis. In the subject disclosure, the elastomeric component 11 is the part that suffers the greatest deformation and is the main part for the absorption of mechanical energy during the impact. The elastomeric component 11 can be attached to the hanger 12 or flexible element 10 in any configuration. The "hanger" is defined as any element that serves to connect (as further described below) the flexible element 10 or elastomeric component 11 to the protective shell of the helmet. This flexible element 10 can be attached to the hanger 12, other flexible element 10, and/or elastomeric component 11 in different configurations.

In one embodiment, the flexible element 10 component of the shock absorbing subassembly SA is a padding or pad P instead of a strap, as shown in Figs. 35A-C. In this configuration, each elastomeric component 11 of the shock absorbing subassembly SA is connected directly to the pad P, via any of the attachments mechanisms or fuses disclosed herein, instead of being necessarily connected to a strap, as shown in Fig. 35B. The pad P may also be configured to provide comfort to a wearer of the helmet H and should be placed near the center of the helmet H on the interior surface 13b. This allows the pad P to stay suspended in the center of the interior surface of the helmet H.

The shock absorbing subassembly SA is adapted for placement between the protective shell of a helmet and the head of a user. It should be noted that each of the one or more flexible elements 10a-c includes a first end FE and a second end SE, as shown in Fig. 5, wherein the first end FE is sewn or attached to a first elastomeric component 11 a of the one or more elastomeric components 11 a-f ; and the second end SE is sewn or attached to a second elastomeric component 11 b of the one or more elastomeric components 11a-f, as shown in Figs. 3, 7, 1 1 , 14, 16, 18, and 20. Aside from being sewn, other mechanisms for attaching the one or more elastomeric components 11a-f to the corresponding end of the of the flexible element 10, include welding and/or ultrasonic welding (e.g., some materials can be fused together using adhesive means that melt with heat to join the pieces, or the use of electronic welding that makes one material bond to another), mechanical attachment (e.g., metal rivets or buttons may be used to secure some of the materials together), gluing, melting, over molding (e.g., plastic injection process where components are joined by molecular bonds), insert molding, snap fit, heat stacking, two-shot molding (e.g., plastic injection process where one material is melted over another, leaving one of the two encapsulated in the other), or any other mechanism similar to any of the foregoing. Each of the one or more elastomeric components 11a-f or one or more flexible elements, in turn, is further attached or connected to a corresponding hanger 12 of the one or more hangers 12a-f, as shown in Figs. 3, 7, 1 1 , 14, 16, 18, and 20. The hangers 12a-f are adapted to engage or interact with corresponding hanger slots 14a-f on the base of the interior surface 13b of the helmet H . Particularly, the one or more hangers 12a-f are adapted to be fastened or snaped into the corresponding hanger slot 14a-f or shell surface 13a-b.

Figs. 21A-23C show different embodiments of the elastomeric component 11. In a preferred embodiment, the elastomeric component 11 is formed in a loop adapted to engage with one of the hangers 12 of the one or more hangers 12a-f. In this embodiment, a first end portion FEP of the elastomeric component 11 is sewn or attached to a first side FS of one end (e.g., the first end FE) of the at least one flexible element 10. Once the first end portion FEP has been sewn, a second end portion SEP of the elastomeric component is introduced into the hanger 12 and folded over its beam or resting area RA to form a loop. Once the loop is formed, the second end portion SEP of the elastomeric component 11 is then sewn or attached to a second side SS of the same end (e.g., the first end FE) of the at least one flexible element 10, thereby allowing the elastomeric component 11 to be tightly secured to the corresponding end of the at least one flexible element 10. As shown in Figs. 24A-C and 25A-C , the elastomeric component 11 could also be introduced into the hangers 12 to form a loop, and the two end portions of the elastomeric component 11 are sewn with the end portion of a flexible element 10. Alternatively, ultrasonic welding, melting, and other means can be used to attach the flexible member to the elastomeric member.

The elastomeric component 11 can also be arranged to be subjected to tensile load, as shown in Fig. 13, wherein the elastomeric component 11 is attached to one end SEO of a first flexible member 10x and to one end FEO of a second flexible element 10y. The elastomeric component 11 can also be assembled in such way, that a first end SE1 of a first flexible element 20x is attached to a first end portion FEP of the elastomeric component 11 , and a second end portion SEP of the elastomeric component 11 is attached to a first end FE1 of a second flexible element 20ysuch that a third flexible element 20z is arranged in parallel to the first elastomeric member 11 , as shown in Fig. 17. It should be noted that the combination of the flexible element 10 with the corresponding elastomeric component 11 , form the shock absorption subassembly SA. The shock absorption subassembly SA may also include the hanger 12. In a preferred embodiment, the helmet suspension system A includes three shock absorption subassemblies SA. In this embodiment, the first shock absorption subassembly comprises a first flexible element 10a having a first end and a second end; a first elastomeric component 11a attached to the first end of the first flexible element 10a, a second elastomeric component 11 b attached to the second end of the first flexible element 10a; a first hanger 12a attached to the first elastomeric component 11 a, and a second hanger 12b attached to the second elastomeric component 11 b, wherein the first hanger 12a is adapted to be fastened to a first hanger slot 14b on the base of the interior surface 13b of the helmet H, and the second hanger 12b is adapted to be fastened to a second hanger slot 14e on the base of the interior surface 13b of the helmet H. Moreover, the second shock absorption subassembly comprises a second flexible element 10b having a first end and a second end; a third elastomeric component 11 c attached to the first end of the second flexible element 10b, a fourth elastomeric component 11 d attached to the second end of the second flexible element 10b; a third hanger 12c attached to the third elastomeric component 11c, and a fourth hanger 12d attached to the fourth elastomeric component 11 d, wherein the third hanger 12c is adapted to be fastened to a third hanger slot 14a on the base of the interior surface 13b of the helmet H, and the fourth hanger 12d is adapted to be fastened to a fourth hanger slot 14f on the base of the interior surface 13b of the helmet H. Lastly, the third shock absorption subassembly comprises a third flexible element 10c having a first end and a second end; a fifth elastomeric component 11e attached to the first end of the third flexible element 10c, a sixth elastomeric component 11 f attached to the second end of the third flexible element 10c; a fifth hanger 12e attached to the fifth elastomeric component 11 e, and a sixth hanger 12f attached to the sixth elastomeric component 11f, wherein the fifth hanger 12e is adapted to be fastened to a fifth hanger slot 14c on the base of the interior surface 13b of the helmet H, and the sixth hanger 12f is adapted to be fastened to a sixth hanger slot 14d on the base of the interior surface 13b of the helmet H. The embodiment of the suspension system A that includes three shock absorption subassemblies is shown in Fig. 1 1 . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the subject disclosure contemplates embodiments of the suspension system A in which one or more shock absorption subassemblies are used with a helmet. In other words, the helmet may include more than three shock absorption subassemblies or just one or two. Moreover, the subject disclosure further contemplates a shock absorption subassemblies made up solely of an elastomeric component 11 . That is, a shock absorption subassembly SA without a flexible element 10 or a hanger 12. In this configuration, the ends of the shock absorption subassemblies made up solely of an elastomeric component are adapted to couple with the base or hanger slots of the helmet H.

In another embodiment, the components of the shock absorption subassembly SA (i.e., the flexible element 10, elastomeric component 11 , (and optionally, the hanger 12)) and/or the means of attachment between these components, may include a temperature activated engagement or release/disengagement mechanism. The purpose of the “release” aspect of the temperature activated mechanism is to release one or more of the shock absorption subassemblies from the helmet and thereby reduce the load transmitted to the user's head and neck during impacts at low temperatures. The temperature activated mechanism is designed so that each shock absorption subassembly SA absorbs energy by taking advantage of the deformation characteristics of the elastomeric material in the shock absorption subassembly SA. In nature, however, when temperatures are reduced, materials stiffen and no longer deform in the same way, as can be appreciated in Fig.19. In cold temperatures, which for purposes of this disclosure refers to temperatures less than 23°C, materials deform less and therefore they will transfer more force, since they cannot absorb the same amount of energy by deformation as when they are in hot temperatures, which for purposes of this disclosure refers to temperatures greater than or equal to 23°C. These principles underscore the desirability of having the ability to add or remove shock absorption subassemblies depending on temperature via a temperature activated mechanism that can be used to release or engage the components of a shock absorption subassembly. To achieve this effect, the amount of shock absorption subassemblies that act upon impact at different temperatures should vary. Particularly, the amount of shock absorption subassemblies should be greater at hot temperatures but lesser at cold temperatures. For example, in hot temperatures three shock absorption subassemblies could be used as part of a suspension, as shown in Fig. 1 1 , but in cold temperatures, this same suspension would “drop” or “release” one shock absorption subassembly and only use two shock absorption subassemblies to mitigate impact forces, as shown in Fig. 7. In this manner, the elements that act during an impact at cold temperatures (< 23°C) can approach the load magnitudes (transfer a similar amount of force to the body) of hot temperatures (> 23°C). As there are fewer shock absorption subassemblies operating during an impact at low temperatures, the deformation of these shock absorption subassemblies increases and therefore, the force decreases. On the other hand, at high temperatures the material loses rigidity, and a greater number of shock absorption subassemblies would be needed to be working. The engagement and release aspect of the temperature activated mechanism can work, not only with elastomeric elements as shown in Fig 14, but with traditional flexible elements (e.g., straps or similar components) or the means by which the elastomeric member is attached to the flexible member as well, as shown in Fig 16. The engagement of an elastomeric component in hot temperatures will also produce a similar effect, allowing for more shock absorption capacity when the hot temperatures make the materials more ductile. Either the elastomer or the hanger can be designed to have components that engage as the elastomers deform during an impact event, creating incremental energy absorption stages.

In the embodiment that includes the temperature activated mechanism, the elements of the shock absorption subassembly SA (i.e., flexible element 10, the elastomeric component 11 , and optionally the hanger 12,), along with the means of attachment between these components, are adapted to break or disengage in response to certain temperatures. The breaking or disengaging is desirable, because the reduction of "shock absorption subassemblies" acting during an impact reduces the load transmitted to the head of an individual in cold conditions. The mechanical principle involved in the temperature activated mechanism is that when the temperature is hot, the materials are in a less rigid state, therefore, when the helmet receives an impact, it is desirable for the elastomers to keep working as intended and without breaking the element of the shock absorption subassembly SA in question. But when the temperature is cold, the materials get stiffer, and therefore, when the helmet receives an impact, it is desirable for the element of the shock absorption subassembly SA in question to break or disengage and therefore release the elastomer from the hanger. The temperature activated mechanism can be achieved in a number of ways, which may be used either alone or together, to achieve the "engagement" or "release" of a shock absorption subassembly SA.

A first method to achieve the engagement or release of the temperature activated mechanism is to account for the geometry of the components of a shock absorption subassembly SA . The general concept is that an elastomer will deform more during an impact at hot temperatures, which could cause a part of the elastomer to act only if the deformation of the first part that deformed allows it. During impacts at hot temperatures, this effect is desired because at these temperatures the elastomers are less rigid, or more ductile, and so it is beneficial that more elastomeric elements come into action during the impact, or that more area of an elastomer can be stretched. Geometry can be used in a rigid component, as shown in Fig. 29, where the elastomer 11 engages with rigid attachments areas A1 , A2 and A3 in the hanger 12 at different temperatures. For example, during impacts at cold temperatures the elastomer 11 engages with (or attaches to) the first attachment area A1 and the second attachment area A2 of the hanger 12 but remains disengaged from third attachment area A3 because the elastomer is too rigid to deform at cold temperatures; and therefore, does not interact with the third attachment area A3. As such, the temperature activated mechanism of the shock absorption subassembly SA is adapted, via the geometry of the hanger, to engage or attach the at least one elastomeric component 11 to the first attachment area A1 and the second attachment area A2 of the at least one hanger in response to deformation of the at least one elastomeric component during an impact at cold temperatures (i.e. , less than 23°C).

Conversely, during impacts at hot temperatures, in addition to engaging with the first and second attachments areas A1 and A2, the elastomer 11 deforms in response to the impact at hot temperatures until it engages with the third attachment area A3. In this example of using the geometry of a rigid element, when the impact is at a cold temperature, the elastomer will be more rigid, and therefore it will not deform enough for the elastomer to engage with attachment A3 of the hanger. As such, the temperature activated mechanism of the shock absorption subassembly SA is adapted, via the geometry of the hanger, to engage or attach the at least one elastomeric component 11 to the third attachment area A3 and to both the first attachment area A1 and the second attachment area

A2 of the hanger in response to deformation of the at least one elastomeric component during an impact at temperatures hot temperatures (i.e. , greater than or equal to 23°C).

Likewise, elastomers can be designed so that the engagement or disengagement steps occur at both temperatures, but the deformation that the elastomer undergoes when cold is only sufficient to mitigate the stress efficiently. In other words, it is not necessary to limit the elastomer to be present or not, since during impacts at hot temperatures, more parts of the elastomer come into operation, and during impacts at cold temperatures, the parts of the elastomer that are working are doing so in a zone of material deformation where the elastomer is not exhibiting a high tensile strength profile. While the hanger shown in Fig. 29 includes three attachment areas, the hanger may nevertheless comprise less than three attachment areas or more than three attachment areas. For example, in a hanger having only two attachment areas, the elastomeric component would only engage with the first attachment area of the hanger during impacts at cold temperatures but engage with both attachment areas of the hanger during impacts at hot temperatures.

The geometry can also be used in the design of elastomeric elements, where the elastomer comes into operation in stages. For example, Fig. 30 shows an elastomer that at hot temperatures, taking into account its geometry and high rate of ductility, will begin to work in stages; whereas during impacts at cold temperatures, where the elastomer is more rigid or less ductile, only the first stages of deformation will come into operation. The engineering and design can also be done so that all the stages of the elastomer work at hot temperatures, and some or even all of them work at cold temperatures, but the participation of the last stages that start to work in the cold, will do it in the parts of the elastomer deformation graph where the deformation is more adequate to attenuate the shock.

For each stage of the elastomer, the specific geometry of the elastomer is designed to optimize the behavior of each stage to handle the impact forces that come into play. The geometry of all the components of the shock absorbing subassembly can be used for the engaging or disengaging (i.e., release) of a component. The geometry of the components is a powerful tool, in combination with the other concepts described below, to achieve the goal of having more elastomeric elements during an impact occurring at high temperatures versus fewer elastomeric elements during impact at low temperatures.

A second method to achieve the temperature activated engagement or release mechanism would be by using thermal expansion. Materials in nature expand or shrink when exposed to temperatures. The combination of materials with different rates of thermal expansion allows for elements to exist that, through interference, offer a fastening mechanism; and by shrinking, become loose or safe. For example, a beam with high thermal expansion can be housed in a compartment with low thermal expansion to achieve this effect. The concept of thermal expansion works by combining materials that deform at different rates in the face of heat and cold. Typically, it is preferable to use one material that is very stable across temperature and one that varies widely across temperature. The stable material will tend to maintain its dimensions (i.e., its geometry) and its rigidity during changes in temperature, like ceramics (e.g., silicon carbide). The material with greater thermal expansion will change its dimensions in much greater proportion than the previous one, allowing it, due to its change in geometry, to “dislodge” or “disengage” when it contracts in response to cold temperatures; and to “tighten” or “fit” in response to hot temperatures, like metals (e.g., zinc). As such, thermal expansion is used as a mechanism to engage or disengage an elastomeric element during an impact.

In the design of components that use the concept of thermal expansion, it must be considered that an element is released only during an impact, that is, that the component is always in place and is released only when necessary. This with the purpose of ensuring that the component does not permanently disengage in a cold environment, and because it is disengaged, it cannot be held (by thermal expansion) in a hot environment or temperature. To achieve this, geometry can be used to prevent a shrunken component from being removed without first passing through a supporting structure. Friction can also be used, in such a way that the thermal expansion is sufficient for an element to disengage, but not without this element requiring a force to move it through a housing designed to exert a degree of friction between the parts that slide over each other. Examples of thermal expansion are shown in Figs. 31A-31 D. In the embodiment of the hanger shown Fig. 31 A, the beam of the hanger can be reduced in size with exposure to cold temperatures and would be released only during an impact with the force that the flexible element (with or without an elastomer) would exert on it. In other words, the temperature activated mechanism is adapted to disengage or disconnect the at least one hanger 12 from the at least one elastomeric component 11 or the flexible element 10 in response to the thermal expansion of a portion of the hanger 12 (i.e. , portion that allows beam to move in response to a strong force shown in Fig. 31 A) during an impact at cold temperatures. In the embodiment of the hanger shown Fig. 22B, an escape geometry is used for the element that is reduced in size, it works very similar to the previous one. In this example, the pivot or beam of the hanger is locked in place within the hanger during hot temperatures. Exposure to cold temperatures, however, causes the pivot or beam to suffer a reduction in size, which allows it to be released from the hanger in response to the force that the flexible element would exert on it during an impact. As shown in Fig. 31 B, during hot temperatures the pivot or beam EP is locked in place within a resting space 20 of the hanger and cannot escape or be released through the exit area EA. During cold temperatures, however, the reduction in size of the pivot or beam EP, allows it to escape or be released from the resting space 20 through the exit area EA. In the embodiment of the hanger shown in Fig. 31 C, friction is used to hold the element of the hanger 12b being reduced in size within the housing of the hanger 12a. The idea is that the element that supports the flexible element (with or without elastomer), stays in place until needed. In the embodiment of the hanger shown in Fig. 31 D, when cold, the hanger beam is loosened from the hanger, and when hot, the beam is strongly attached thereto. Thermal expansion is happening mainly in the beam. The hanger is behaving as a more stable component through temperature.

A third method to achieve the temperature activated engagement or release mechanism would be through allowable deformation. All materials deform to a breaking point. This is known as the “strain at break’’ of a material. The allowable strain of the material varies with the temperature of the material. This characteristic of materials can be used to choose materials that break easily when cold (with little deformation) and deform at hot temperatures without reaching their allowable deformation (do not break). Considering the effect of temperature, the geometry of the element that will work for release is important. Since deformation is the failure criterion, the geometry of a component is designed so that the deformation suffered by the element is greater than or equal to that of rupture at cold temperatures (i.e., < 23°C), at higher temperatures the deformation will remain within the permissible range and therefore there will be no breaking. For example, under this method, the beam or resting area RA of the hanger is adapted to break in response to cold temperatures (i.e., <23°C).

In this concept, the geometry of an element is combined with its rupture strain characteristics at different temperatures. It is sought that the element that breaks does so at cold temperatures, because the properties of the material are not capable of deforming more without breaking at cold temperatures, but at hot temperatures, that same component, due to its rupture characteristics at hot temperatures, deform, but do not break. The idea is that if the component breaks in response to cold, it will release an elastomeric component, allowing fewer elastomeric elements to act during an impact event. And during hot temperatures, it would hold the elastomeric element in place, allowing it to aid in the energy absorption process, and less force translation. The concept of allowable deformation is shown in Fig. 32A-B. In Fig. 32A, a hanger beam at hot temperatures is capable of deforming during an impact without breaking; whereas in Fig. 32B, the hanger beam is seen breaking in response to an impact in cold temperatures, because the beam is not capable of deforming any more, releasing the elastomer. As such, the temperature activated mechanism of the shock absorption subassembly is adapted to disengage the at least one hanger from the at least one elastomeric component by breaking a portion of the hanger (i.e., the beam) in response to an impact at cold temperatures (i.e., less than 23°C).

Figs. 26 A-C show another way to implement the engagement or disengagement mechanism in the shock absorption subassembly. In this embodiment, an elastomeric component 11 is sewn to a flexible element 10. The material, pattern, position, etc. of the seam is designed in a way that it keeps the elements joined at hot temperatures (i.e., > 23°C), but it fails due to partial or total breakage at cold temperatures (i.e., <23°C). Another embodiment shows the disengagement or engagement mechanism due to breakage of the elastomeric component at cold temperatures (i.e., <23°C), as shown in Fig. 14. A third embodiment shows the failure of the joint J between an elastomeric component 10 and a flexible element 11 at the joint, where an adhesive, weld, ultrasonic weld, overmolded joint or such, partially or totally brakes at cold temperatures (i.e., <23°C), as shown in Fig. 16.

The subject disclosure also relates to a method for making the shock absorption subassembly for a helmet having an elastomeric component and to a method for disengaging or engaging the components of the shock absorption subassembly SA. The method for making the shock absorption subassembly SA having an elastomeric component for impact mitigation comprises, providing at least one flexible element 10, at last one elastomeric component 11a and at least one hanger 12; attaching a first elastomeric component 11a to a first end of the flexible element 10; attaching a first hanger 12a to the first elastomeric component 11a; and attaching the first hanger 12a to a corresponding first hanger slot 14a or surface 13a-b on a helmet or hard hat. The method further comprises attaching a second elastomeric component 11 b to a second end of the flexible element 10; attaching a second hanger 12b to the second elastomeric component 11 b; and attaching the second hanger 12b to a corresponding second hanger slot 14b on a helmet. The method for engaging the components of the suspension system A comprises attaching the flexible element 10, elastomeric component 11 , and hanger 12 via a fuse to a helmet. Lastly, the method for disengaging the components of the suspension system A comprises disengaging at least one of the flexible element 10, elastomeric component 11 , or hanger 12 in response to an impact in cold temperatures (i.e., less than 23°C).

Alternatively, the method for making the shock absorption subassembly SA having an elastomeric component comprises the steps of providing at least one flexible element 10 having a first end and a second end; providing at last one elastomeric component 11 a having a first end and a second end; and attaching the elastomeric component 11a to the flexible element 10; wherein the at least one elastomeric 11a component is configured to engage or be attached to a hanger 12a. Moreover, the method may also comprise the steps of providing at least one hanger 12a; attaching the at least one elastomeric component 11a to the at least one hanger 12a; and attaching the at least one hanger 12a to a corresponding hanger slot 14a or surface 13a-b on a helmet or hard hat. The method for making the shock absorption subassembly SA may also comprise the steps of providing a second elastomeric component 11 b; attaching the at least one flexible element 10 to the second elastomeric component 11b; wherein the second elastomeric component 11 b is configured to engage or be attached to a second hanger 12b. Moreover, the method may also comprise the steps of providing a second hanger 12b; attaching the second end of the second elastomeric component 11 b to the second hanger 12b; wherein the second 12b is adapted to engage with a corresponding hanger slot 14b on the helmet or hard hat. It should be noted that the method may also include the step of attaching the first end of the first elastomeric component 11 a to the first end of the at least one flexible element 10; followed by introducing the second end of the first elastomeric component 11a to the hanger to form a loop over the hanger’s pivot or resting area, and then attaching the second end of the first elastomeric component 11a to the first end of the at least one flexible element 10. Similarly, the method may also include the step of attaching the first end of the second elastomeric component 11 b to the second end of the at least one flexible element 10; followed by introducing the second end of the second elastomeric component 11 b to the hanger to form a loop over the hanger’s pivot or resting area, and then attaching the second end of the second elastomeric component 11b to the first end of the at least one flexible element 10.

The object of engaging or disengaging an internal element in the helmet according to temperature, whether it be a shock abatement sub-assembly or a flexible element, is to be able to use the exact amount of impact energy absorbing elements as needed for an impact. Based on the foregoing, it can also be considered that the elastomeric components 11a-f can be unhooked by breaking the joints J or fastening methods. A strap can be released by breaking a thread or an ultrasonic weld. The joining methods can also be implemented considering the behavior of the same under effects of temperature or impact.

The subject disclosure contemplates various methods for achieving the engagement or release of a component. One method is through fracture, which is defined as the mechanical failure of the material either due to high deformations or due to exceeding the allowable stress in any component. There are six different types of fractures: torsion; flexion; compression; strain; buckling; and shear fractures.

Another method is through non-permanent deformation, which can take place due to thermal expansion or elastic deformation. Another method is through engagement, which is defined as the activation or input of mechanisms or solids due to temperature effects or mechanical movement of the components. Other methods of engagement or release of a component also include manual release, by means of a button, or the implementation of sensors.

Lastly, there is another way in which the force versus time curve of a head impact can be modified. Typically, the curve of Force vs. Time of an impact reflects the figure of a bell curve, shown in Fig. 33A, where at the beginning of the event little force is transferred, but as the event progresses (time), the force increases until it reaches a peak, then after which the force begins to decrease. This is because as the impact event progresses it will transfer force until the totality of the energy from the impact is dissipated. When one uses a traditional helmet system with a typical suspension, the helmet system behaves similar to a spring in that as it deforms in the direction of the impact the force will increase as a proportion of the deformation until the spring can no longer be compressed. After a spring reaches maximum compression, it will return totally, or partially to its original state, therefore reducing the force until the impact event is over. As explained in this disclosure, the use of an elastomer allows the shape of the curve to be modified, converting it more into the shape of a plateau on a mountain, as shown in Fig. 33B. That is, the force of an impact rises to its maximum and then remains at a stable level for a long time (eliminating the peak of the curve of a traditional impact), until the energy of the impact is consumed where the helmet begins to stop transferring force gradually until the end of the impact event. Therefore, an element that works as a fuse can be used, whose purpose is to help a helmet system reach the top of the plateau more quickly, break at that point, or very close to it, and allow elastomers to work and absorb energy by deformation. The term “fuse,” in this disclosure refers to an element that breaks by a specific value of force, not at all related to the different temperatures at which a helmet system is exposed to. For example, a fuse could be a cotton thread that breaks under tension, or a small laminate of a thermoplastic, or other material that breaks when exposed to a certain impact force. Good fuse materials can be considered stiff materials that tend to be fairly stable across temperatures, including materials that are stiffer than the elastomeric components. This fuse must break with a percentage of the force of the impact, that is, it will not depend on the temperature at which the impact occurs to break. In other words, this element is purposely designed to help optimize the force-time curve of an impact. Typically, these elements will be designed to break at all temperatures. These fuses can be made from materials such as: thread, fabrics, thermoformed or injected plastics, or other similar materials.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 34, the fuse 30 is placed in parallel (at the same time and next to it) with an elastomer 11 designed to act when the fuse breaks. The fuse 30 can also be attached to the hanger 12 and to the flexible member 10. When the fuse 30 breaks, due to the force of an impact, regardless of temperature, the elastomer will start to deform. However, the energy required to break the fuse helps to optimize the behavior of the system during the impact to absorb more energy.

As previously explained, in helmet systems both the suspension (like foams, straps or collapsible components) and the helmet shell H can absorb part of the impact energy by deformation. It is common for helmet systems to use the helmet shell H as the main energy dissipation mechanism by reducing its rigidity. Doing so does not only affect the rigidity of the top or dome of the helmet shell H, but also the rigidity of the sides of it, facilitating its deformation during both, top-of-the-head and all-around-the-head impacts. Given that the shock absorbing subassemblies SA that are subject of this disclosure dissipate impact energy with higher efficiency in rigid helmet systems, an outer anchoring structure 16 can be used, as shown in Fig 38 as a means to help add rigidity to an existing helmet shell. The outer anchoring structure 16 would provide anchoring points for the one or more shock absorbing subassemblies and add rigidity to the shell to withstand the pulling or pushing forces exerted by the shock absorbing subassemblies SA attached to it, especially during impact events when the shock absorbing subassemblies need to deform to dissipate impact energy. This outer anchoring structure 16 allows the possibility of adding shock absorbing subassemblies SA to any existing helmet shell, making the system universal or to reduce the adjustment needed to fit it to other helmets. In one embodiment, the outer anchoring structure 16 comprises a frame CF1 having an upper face and a lower face, wherein the lower face includes a first supporting structure 30 having a first end attached to a first area of the lower face of the frame CF1 ; and a second end attached to a second area of the lower face of the frame CF1 . The outer anchoring structure 16 further comprises a second supporting structure 31a having a first end attached to the lower face of the frame CF1 and a second end attached to the first supporting structure 30. Likewise, the outer anchoring structure 16 comprises a third supporting structure 31b, opposite to the second supporting structure 31a and having a first end attached to the lower face of the frame CF1 and a second end attached to the first supporting structure 30. The outer anchoring structure 16 may also comprise additional support structures 33a, 33b connecting the lower face of the frame CF1 to the first supporting structure 30. Regarding the attachment of the at least one shock absorbing subassemblies SA to the outer anchoring structure 16, it should be noted that the first end FE2 of the shock absorbing subassembly SA may be attached to the frame CF1 , to the first supporting structure 30, to any of the supporting structures 31a-b, or to any of the additional support structures 33a-b. In sum, any of the elements that make up the outer anchoring structure 16 (i.e., the frame CF1 and the supporting structures 30, 31a, 31 b, 33a, 33b) can have features designed to anchor the shock absorption subassemblies which may comprise hanger slots, slots, holes, geometrical constraints, knurling, hooks, lugs, snap fits, buttons, etc.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown in Figs. 38-39, the outer anchoring structure 16 comprises a circular or elliptical frame CF1 and at least one other circular, elliptical, or semielliptical supporting structure 30 disposed at a vertical distance to the frame CF1 , or at a different plane than the frame CF1 , wherein at least a first shock absorbing subassembly SA1 and a second shock absorbing subassembly SA2 include a first end attached to the semielliptical supporting structure 30 or frame CF1 ; and a second end attached to an inner anchoring structure 17 (as further described below). Such configuration allows the at least a first shock absorbing subassembly SA1 and the second shock absorbing subassembly SA2 to be disposed at an angle between each other such that the first shock absorbing subassembly SA1 and the second shock absorbing subassembly SA2 are permitted to restrain the free movement between the inner anchoring structure 17 and the shell H. The angular disposition of the first and second shock absorption subassemblies that restrain the movement of the inner anchoring structure 17 and the helmet shell H provides the suspension system a multidirectional impact absorption solution with minimal use of shock absorption subassemblies.

It is important to note that the outer anchoring structure 16 alone can be used to achieve the rigidity necessary for the helmet system to work efficiently with the one or more shock absorbing subassemblies SA, as shown in Fig. 43. In other embodiments, however, an optional rigidizing structure 15 can be added, as shown in Fig 38, to work in combination with the outer anchoring structure 16, but as two separate components. The rigidizing structure 15 would give the helmet shell H additional reinforcement to rigidize its dome, to reduce its deflection due to impact forces, while allowing to use an independent part other than the outer anchoring structure 16 to facilitate the insertion process of the system inside a helmet shell or provide a means to use different combination of structures or materials to rigidize both the top and the lateral sections of the helmet. Contrary to the embodiment shown in Fig. 38, in which the outer anchoring structure 16 and the rigidizing structure 15 are structures that are independent of each other, Fig. 40 relates to an embodiment in which the outer anchoring structure 16 includes an integrated rigidizing structure 15 as a single structure. For certain applications, a single structure that comprises both an outer anchoring structure 16 and a rigidizing structure 15 is useful because it saves on assembly costs, and the structures can also take advantage of each other to provide rigidity. It should be understood that, as described earlier in this document, the shock absorbing subassemblies SAO-7 could be attached directly to a helmet shell H designed to have the necessary rigidity to provide a means by which said shock absorbing subassemblies SAO-7 can deform during impact events and dissipate energy. Shock absorbing subassemblies SAO-7 can be attached to the helmet shell H using any means of mechanical attachment.

The optional rigidizing structure 15, shown in Figs. 38-39, comprises a frame CF2, (which may be circular, elliptical, semielliptical or any other shape capable of fitting inside of a helmet), having an upper face and a lower face, wherein the upper face of the frame CF2 comprises a first arch 32a having a first end attached to a first area of the upper face of the frame CF2 and a second end attached to a second area of the upper face of the frame CF2, said first and second areas of the upper face of the frame CF2 being opposite to each other. Likewise, the upper face of the frame CF2 of the optional rigidizing structure 15 comprises a second arch 32b having a first end attached to a third area of the upper face of the frame CF2 and a second end attached to a fourth area of the upper face of the frame CF2, said third and fourth areas of the upper face of the frame CF2 being opposite to each other; and wherein a midpoint of the first arch 32a converges with a midpoint of the second arch 32b to form a dome, as shown in Fig. 39. Furthermore, different embodiments only include arches as a means of rigidizing the helmet shell dome, without having necessarily a circular or elliptical frame CF2, with configurations such as, but not limited to, an array, an asterisk, primary and secondary beams configurations, etc. Said configurations of arches will be attached to the helmet shell H via a mechanical attachment.

To allow the outer anchoring structure 16 and one or more shock absorbing subassemblies SA1 , SA2 to work together to dissipate impact energy, an inner anchoring structure 17 is added, as shown in Fig. 38. As with the outer anchoring structure 16, the inner anchoring structure 17 also provides anchoring points for the second end SE2 of each of the first shock absorbing subassembly SA1 and of the second absorbing subassembly SA2, but close to the user’s head. Furthermore, this configuration provides sufficient structural strength to allow the shock absorbing subassemblies SA1 , SA2 to pull or push against it. This ensures a distance between the wearer’s head and the inner part of the helmet shell H, that is, a restriction of the free motion between the wearer’s head and the inner part of the helmet shell H. The inner anchoring structure provides the mechanical strength necessary for the one or more shock absorption subassemblies SA1 , SA2 to deform and dissipate impact energies. A suspension harness 18 can be further attached to the inner anchoring structure 17 to aid to keep the distance between the user’s head and/or body and the inner surface of the helmet shell H. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 39, the inner anchoring structure 17 comprises a frame CF3 (which may be circular, elliptical or any other shape capable of fitting a human head) having an upper face and a lower face. The suspension harness 18 in turn comprises a first arch 41a having a first end attached to a first area of the upper face of the frame CF3 and a second end attached to a second area of the upper face of the frame CF3, said first and second areas of the upper face of the frame CF3 being opposite to each other. Likewise, the upper face of the frame CF3 of the suspension harness 18 comprises a second arch 41 b having a first end attached to a third area of the upper face of the frame CF3 and a second end attached to a fourth area of the upper face of the frame CF3, said third and fourth areas of the upper face of the frame CF3 being opposite to each other; and wherein a midpoint of the first arch 41a converges with a midpoint of the second arch 41 b to form a dome. Other embodiments can include a suspension harness 18 with different load distributing surfaces such as a mesh, padding, fabric, plastic, a combination of parts, etc. Also, in other embodiments the suspension harness 18 can be attached to any surface of the inner anchoring structure 17. Any of the elements that make up the inner anchoring structure 17 can have features designed to anchor the one or more shock absorption subassemblies SA0-SA7 and/or the suspension harness 18 which may comprise hanger slots, slots, holes, geometrical constraints, knurling, hooks, lugs, snap fits, buttons, etc. In yet another embodiment, the helmet shell H can be designed to have the proper rigidity to allow the deformation of the shock absorption subassemblies which would eliminate the need to use an outer anchoring structure 16, and/or a rigidizing structure 15. In embodiments without the outer anchoring structure 16, and/or the rigidizing structure 15, the shock absorbing subassemblies will be mechanically attached to the helmet shell H.

As shown in one embodiment, all-around-the-head protection can be provided by using at least two or more elastomeric components of the one or more shock absorbing subassemblies SAO- 7 (see Figs. 39 and 41 ) in combination with the outer anchoring structure 16 and the inner anchoring structure 17. This is achieved by disposing the two or more elastomeric components of the one or more shock absorbing subassemblies SAO-7 at an angle between each other. This results in angled reaction force vectors acting on the inner anchoring structure, which leads to the restriction of free motion in the six (6) spatial degrees of freedom under both static and/or dynamic conditions. In the event of an impact, said motion restriction allow the shock absorption subassemblies SA to do their shock absorption function, as the only means of movement will occur due to the deformation of the elastomeric components in the shock absorption subassemblies SA. The resulting harness A1 , shown in Fig. 42, provides a certain degree of universality of the shock absorbing system that allows it to be used in different helmet shapes, sizes, materials, etc. Said universality is further developed by adjusting the shapes, sizes, materials, etc. of the at least one outer anchoring structures 16 and/or the one or more inner anchoring members 17 and or one or more rigidizing structure 15, which clearly differentiates the disclosed system A1 from suspension systems described in the prior art. In other embodiments, the shock absorption subassemblies SAO-7 can be disposed at an angle between each other, without the need of an outer anchoring structure 16, and or an inner rigidizing structure 15, so long as the helmet shell is designed with the proper rigidity.

Although certain exemplary embodiments and methods have been described in some detail, for clarity of understanding and by way of example, it will be apparent from the foregoing disclosure to those skilled in the art that variations, modifications, changes, and adaptations of such embodiments and methods may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the claims. Therefore, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention which is defined by the appended claims.

The invention is not limited to the precise configuration described above. While the invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention after considering this specification together with the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, all such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by this invention as defined in the following claims and their legal equivalents. In the claims, means plus function clauses, if any, are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.

All of the patents, patent applications, and publications recited herein, and in the Declaration attached hereto, if any, are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth in their entirety herein. All, or substantially all, the components disclosed in such patents may be used in the embodiments of the present invention, as well as equivalents thereof. The details in the patents, patent applications, and publications incorporated by reference herein may be considered to be incorporable at applicant's option, into the claims during prosecution as further limitations in the claims to patently distinguish any amended claims from any applied prior art.