Natural Fiber Impact Attenuation System

Abstract

A natural fiber impact attenuation system capable of protecting a user engaged in a professional, recreational, or competitive activity is disclosed. The system may be constructed partly or entirely of biodegradable natural fiber materials such as cork in an agglomerated or non-agglomerated form. Impact attenuation pads may be installed within the shell of a helmet so that a user's head decelerates during an impact event by causing natural fiber impact attenuation pads to deform into void spaces or empty areas. The natural fiber impact attenuation system may be secured to a helmet by adhesives or other fastening methods.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 natural fiber impact attenuation material; the natural fiber impact attenuation material being configured and arranged within a helmet; and the natural fiber impact attenuation material being configured to provide a plurality of void spaces.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the natural fiber impact attenuation material consists of cork in an agglomerated or non-agglomerated form. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the natural fiber impact attenuation material is a plurality of natural fiber impact attenuation pads. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one or more layers of impact attenuation material is configured and arranged within the helmet. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the void spaces are empty spaces that allow for deformation of the natural fiber impact attenuation material. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the natural fiber impact attenuation pads are roughly circular or semi-circular in shape. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the natural fiber impact attenuation pads are perforated to create some or all of the void spaces. 
     
     
         8 . A method for protecting a user comprising:
 providing a natural fiber impact attenuation system and configuring and arranging the natural fiber impact attenuation system within a helmet.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the natural fiber impact attenuation system consists of cork in an agglomerated or non-agglomerated form. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the natural fiber impact attenuation system comprises one or more layers of natural fiber impact attenuation material. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein void spaces exist within the natural fiber impact attenuation material. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the natural fiber impact attenuation material comprises a plurality of natural fiber impact attenuation pads. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the natural fiber impact attenuation pads are roughly circular or semi-circular in shape. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the natural fiber impact attenuation pads are perforated to create some or all of the void spaces. 
     
     
         15 . A natural fiber impact attenuation system comprising:
 natural fiber impact attenuation material that deforms to protect a user's head during an impact event, and the natural fiber impact attenuation material being configured and arranged within a helmet.   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the natural fiber impact attenuation material consists of cork in an agglomerated or non-agglomerated form. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the natural fiber impact attenuation material is a plurality of natural fiber impact attenuation pads. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein one or more layers of the natural fiber impact attenuation material is configured and arranged within a helmet. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the natural fiber impact attenuation pads are roughly circular or semi-circular in shape. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the natural fiber impact attenuation pads are perforated to create some or all of the void spaces.