The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 25, 2022
Filed:
Mar. 07, 2019
U.s. Army Research Laboratory Attn: Rdrl-loc-i, Adelphi, MD (US);
Eric D. Wetzel, Bel Air, MD (US);
Devon J. Spinelli, Smithtown, NY (US);
Thomas A. J. Plaisted, Forest Hill, MD (US);
The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
Impact energy absorbing devices, in some embodiments, may be configured as a helmet having suspension elements employing 'rate activated tethers' (RATs), a speed-sensitive flexible strapping material. The RATs are configured to suspend a helmet shell on the head of a wearer, so that impact to the helmet causes extension of the RATs. The RATs provide for: (1) steady force over long strokes, and (2) a stroke force that increases with increasing impact velocity. Standard impact testing of a helmeted headform shows that the RAT suspension decreases head accelerations by 50% relative to a standard suspension system. This decrease in head acceleration is expected to lead to a reduced likelihood of brain and head injury. Because the RATs absorb energy during tensile extension, they offer increases in energy absorption efficiency. These RAT suspensions can potentially replace or complement existing helmet pad and suspension systems in military, sports, and industrial safety-wear.