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:
Mar. 05, 2002
Filed:
Dec. 15, 2000
Thomas J. Whalen, Nokomis, FL (US);
Brian C. Whalen, Montpelier, VT (US);
Other;
Abstract
A load absorbing apparatus for use in protective equipment in which a resilient bag containing fluid under pressure is disposed in a position subject to loads and a reservoir of elastomeric material which is expandable from an initial position with a minimum volume to a loaded position with an increased volume which is positioned in spaced relation to said position subject to loads. The resilient bag and reservoir are connected in fluid communication so that loads imposed on the bag force fluid from the bag to the reservoir where the energy is dissipated. After the load is removed from the resilient bag, the reservoir returns to its original shape to return the fluid to the resilient bag. The protective equipment incorporating the load absorbing apparatus can be in the form of a helmet with a relatively rigid shell or a body protected pad having a flexible outer cover.