Lightweight Integration Of Shock Absorbing Technology In A Protective Device

Abstract

A protective device for a user to wear comprises a carrier spaced apart from a shell. The carrier includes a pocket. A first shock absorber includes a bladder and a reservoir, each containing a liquid. The bladder and the reservoir are fluidly interconnected. One of the bladder and the reservoir is positioned between the shell and the carrier. The other one of the bladder and the reservoir is positioned within the pocket. In response to an external load, the shell is movable relative to the carrier and the liquid flows between the bladder and the reservoir.

1 . A protective device for a user to wear, the protective device comprising:
 a shell;   a carrier spaced apart from the shell, the carrier including a pocket; and   a first shock absorber including a bladder and a reservoir, each containing a first liquid, the bladder and the reservoir being fluidly interconnected, one of the bladder and the reservoir being positioned between the shell and the carrier, the other one of the bladder and the reservoir being positioned within the pocket, wherein in response to an external load, the shell is moveable relative to the carrier and the first fluid flows between the bladder and the reservoir.   
     
     
         2 . The protective device according to  claim 1 , wherein the shell is one of an inner shell and an outer shell, the inner shell being positioned closer to the user than the outer shell. 
     
     
         3 . The protective device according to  claim 1 , wherein a cavity is defined between the shell and the carrier, the carrier including an aperture interconnecting the pocket and the cavity. 
     
     
         4 . The protective device according to  claim 3 , wherein the shock absorber includes a conduit fluidly interconnecting the bladder and the reservoir, wherein the conduit extends through the aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The protective device according to  claim 1 , wherein the pocket includes walls spaced apart from the other one of the bladder and the reservoir when the shock absorber is in an unloaded condition. 
     
     
         6 . The protective device according to  claim 5 , wherein the other one of the bladder and the reservoir includes an outer surface in engagement with the walls of the pocket when the shock absorber is in a loaded condition. 
     
     
         7 . The protective device according to  claim 1 , wherein the bladder includes a pad positioned in engagement with the shell. 
     
     
         8 . The protective device according to  claim 7 , wherein the pad is fixed to the shell. 
     
     
         9 . The protective device according to  claim 1 , wherein the shock absorber includes an orifice positioned between the bladder and the reservoir. 
     
     
         10 . The protective device according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second shock absorber spaced apart from the first shock absorber, the second shock absorber including a bladder and a reservoir each containing a second liquid that is not in fluid communication with the first liquid. 
     
     
         11 . A protective device for a user to wear, the protective device comprising:
 a shell;   a carrier; and   a shock absorber including a bladder and a reservoir, the bladder containing a liquid, the bladder and the reservoir being fluidly interconnected with one another, the reservoir being positioned between the shell and the carrier, the bladder adapted to be engaged by the user of the protective device, wherein a load applied to the shell deforms the bladder and transfers fluid between the bladder and the reservoir.   
     
     
         12 . The protective device according to  claim 11 , wherein the carrier includes a pocket in receipt of the bladder. 
     
     
         13 . The protective device according to  claim 11 , wherein at least a portion of the carrier is spaced apart from the shell to define a cavity, the reservoir being positioned within the cavity. 
     
     
         14 . The protective device according to  claim 11 , wherein the bladder is circumscribed by the reservoir. 
     
     
         15 . The protective device according to  claim 11 , wherein the reservoir includes a first surface in engagement with the carrier and an opposite second surface in engagement with the shell. 
     
     
         16 . The protective device according to  claim 11 , wherein the reservoir includes a predetermined first shape when unloaded and a deformed second shape different than the first shape when loaded, the carrier being adapted to bias the reservoir toward the predetermined first shape when unloaded. 
     
     
         17 . The protective device according to  claim 11 , wherein the carrier includes a first thickness in an unloaded condition and a lesser second thickness when in a loaded condition, the bladder and the carrier including coplanar surfaces when the carrier is in the loaded condition. 
     
     
         18 . A protective device for a user to wear, the protective device comprising:
 a shell;   a carrier including a first portion in engagement with the shell and a second portion spaced apart from the shell, the carrier including a pocket at least partially defined by the second portion; and   a first shock absorber including a bladder and a reservoir, the bladder containing a first liquid, the bladder and the reservoir being fluidly interconnected with one another, the bladder and the reservoir being positioned between the shell and the carrier and positioned at least partially in the pocket, the bladder including a first surface in engagement with the shell and a second surface in engagement with the carrier, wherein a load applied to the shell deforms the bladder and transfers the first liquid between the bladder and the reservoir.   
     
     
         19 . The protective device according to  claim 18 , further comprising a second shock absorber spaced apart from the first shock absorber, the second shock absorber including a bladder and a reservoir each containing a second liquid that is not in fluid communication with the first liquid. 
     
     
         20 . The protective device according to  claim 18 , wherein the first shock absorber includes an orifice interconnecting the bladder and the reservoir.