Multilayer impact attenuating insert for headgear

Abstract

Impact attenuating liner for headgear and headgear employing the liner, the liner positionable inside the headgear and comprising a cellular layer having an array of individual impact attenuating cells, each individual impact attenuating cells including an impact attenuating medium. The impact attenuating cells can comprise a gas, liquid, visco-elastic gel, foam, fiber or combinations thereof as well other impact attenuating medium. In another aspect, the impact attenuating liner has at least two layers, a cellular layer of and an impact attenuating layer under the cellular. The liner can include a cover. The liner can be removable from the headgear.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An impact attenuating liner for headgear comprising:
 an impact attenuating cellular layer having a central section, a front section and a rear section, said cellular layer comprising a base with an array of individual impact attenuating cells on the base, each individual impact attenuating cell comprising at least one impact attenuating medium, said cellular layer configured to fold and fit within the headgear.   
     
     
         22 . The liner of  claim 21  wherein the impact attenuating medium is a gas within the cells. 
     
     
         23 . The liner of  claim 22  wherein the cellular layer comprises an integrated pump. 
     
     
         24 . The liner of  claim 22  wherein the cellular layer base further comprises a plurality of air flow paths of a predetermined volume interconnecting the cells. 
     
     
         25 . The liner of  claim 24  wherein the predetermined volume of at least a portion of the plurality of air flow paths is greater than the predetermine volume of at least another portion of the plurality of air flow paths. 
     
     
         26 . The liner of  claim 21  wherein the central section of the cellular layer comprises a first temporal section on a first side and a second temporal section on a second side. 
     
     
         27 . The liner of  claim 21  wherein the impact attenuating medium is a visco-elastic gel. 
     
     
         28 . The liner of  claim 21  wherein the impact attenuating medium is polyurethane foam. 
     
     
         29 . The liner of  claim 22  wherein the cells comprise a second impact attenuating medium selected from a group of impact attenuating media consisting of liquid, foam, visco-elastic material, plastic, synthetic fiber, natural fiber, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         30 . The liner of  claim 26  wherein the central section is positioned at a midline of the headgear, the frontal section is positioned to correspond to a frontal area of a wearer's skull, the first temporal area and the second temporal area each correspond to the temporal areas of a wearer's skull, and the rear section positioned to correspond to an occipital area of a wearer's skull. 
     
     
         31 . The liner of  claim 21  wherein the liner comprises a second impact attenuating layer positioned adjacent the base of the cellular layer. 
     
     
         32 . The liner of  claim 31  wherein the second impact attenuating layer comprises an impact attenuating medium selected from the group consisting of liquid, foam, visco-elastic material, plastic, synthetic fiber, natural fiber, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         33 . An impact attenuating liner for headgear comprising:
 an impact attenuating cellular pad positionable within the headgear, said cellular pad comprising a base with an array of individual impact attenuating cells on the base, each individual impact attenuating cell comprising an impact attenuating medium; and   a second impact attenuating layer adjacent the base of the cellular pad.   
     
     
         34 . The liner of  claim 33  further comprising a cover. 
     
     
         35 . The liner of  claim 33  wherein the cellular pad comprises a pump. 
     
     
         36 . The liner of  claim 33  wherein the second impact attenuating layer is complementary in peripheral configuration to the cellular pad and the layer and the cellular pad are configured to be foldable and positionable within the headgear. 
     
     
         37 . The liner of  claim 33  wherein the impact attenuating layer comprises an impact attenuating medium selected from the group consisting of liquid, foam, visco-elastic material, plastic, synthetic fiber, natural fiber, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         38 . The liner of  claim 33  wherein the cellular pad is affixed to the impact attenuating layer. 
     
     
         39 . Impact attenuating headgear comprising:
 an outer shell defining an inner cavity;   an impact attenuating liner within the inner cavity, said liner comprising an impact attenuating base layer and a cellular layer on the base layer, the cellular layer comprising an array of individual impact attenuating cells, each individual impact attenuating cell comprising an impact attenuating medium selected from the group of impact attenuating media consisting of air, liquid, foam, visco-elastic gel, plastic, fiber and combinations thereof.   
     
     
         40 . The headgear of  claim 39  wherein the outer shell is a military helmet.