Headgear systems with air-bubble cushioning liner for improved shock absorption performance

Abstract

The present disclosure provides headgear protection systems for preventing or reducing work-related traumatic brain injury and/or risk. More particularly, the disclosure provides headgear systems having an air-bubble cushioning liner to improve shock absorption performance.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective headgear assembly, comprising:
 a protective body having an inner surface and an outer surface;   a shock suspension system affixed to the inner surface of the protective body having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface is proximate to the inner surface of the protective body;   an air-bubble cushioning liner; and   a strap affixed to the shock suspension system.   
     
     
         2 . The protective headgear assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the air-bubble cushioning layer is affixed to the lower surface of the shock suspension system. 
     
     
         3 . The protective headgear assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the air-bubble cushioning layer is affixed to and coextensive with the lower surface of the shock suspension system. 
     
     
         4 . The protective headgear assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the air-bubble cushioning layer is substantially coextensive with the lower surface of the shock suspension system. 
     
     
         5 . The protective headgear assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the air-bubble cushioning layer comprises one or more layers of air-bubble wrap. 
     
     
         6 . The protective headgear assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the air-bubble cushioning layer comprises an upper layer of air-bubble wrap and a lower layer of air-bubble wrap oriented so that a bubble-side of the upper layer faces a bubble-side of the lower layer. 
     
     
         7 . The protective headgear assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the first layer is adhered to the second layer. 
     
     
         8 . The protective headgear assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the air-bubble cushioning liner has a thickness of 5 mm. 
     
     
         9 . The protective headgear assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the air-bubble cushioning liner has a thickness of 5 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The protective headgear assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the one or more layers of air-bubble wrap have a thickness selected from the group consisting of ⅛ inch, 3/16 inch, 5/16 inch, and ½ inch. 
     
     
         11 . The protective headgear assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the protective body is a helmet. 
     
     
         12 . The protective headgear assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the helmet is a Type 1 industrial helmet model. 
     
     
         13 . The protective headgear assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the air-bubble cushioning layer is affixed to the inner surface of the shock suspension system with an adhesive. 
     
     
         14 . The protective headgear assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the adhesive is Dycem 50-1560Y. 
     
     
         15 . The protective headgear assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the upper layer is adhered to the lower surface of the shock suspension system and the lower layer is proximate to a user's head. 
     
     
         16 . The protective headgear assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the air-bubble cushioning liner is made from a material selected from the group consisting of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) film, polypropylene (PP) film, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The protective headgear assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the air-bubble cushioning liner is dome-shaped and an upper dome surface is adhered to the inner surface of the shock suspension system. 
     
     
         18 . The protective headgear assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the air-bubble cushioning liner is sized to fit a user's head. 
     
     
         19 . A method of making a protective headgear assembly, comprising:
 providing a protective body having an inner surface and an outer surface;   affixing a shock suspension system to the inner surface of the protective body, the shock suspension system having an upper surface and a lower surface; and   adhering an air-cushioning liner onto the lower surface of the suspension system.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the air-cushioning liner comprises an upper layer of air-bubble wrap and a lower layer of air-bubble wrap oriented so that a bubble-side of the upper layer faces a bubble-side of the lower layer.