Suspension bands having energy absorbing properties

Abstract

Suspension bands, helmet systems, and/or the like are provided. In some embodiments, a suspension band includes: a plurality of knitted loop structures; and a plurality of knitted inlay structures, wherein the plurality of knitted inlay structures is inserted as a weft inlay stitch on, beneath, or within the plurality of knitted loop structures. In some embodiments, the suspension band includes one or more inlay sections and a reinforcement section; a greater portion of the plurality of knitted loop structures are disposed on, beneath, or within the reinforcement section than are disposed on, beneath, or within the one or more inlay sections. In some embodiments, the one or more inlay sections include a first inlay section and a second inlay section, wherein the first inlay section is disposed on a first side of the reinforcement section and the second inlay section is disposed on a second side of the reinforcement section.

What is claim is: 
     
         1 . A suspension band comprising:
 a plurality of knitted loop structures; and   a plurality of knitted inlay structures,   wherein the plurality of knitted inlay structures is inserted as a weft inlay stitch on, beneath, or within the plurality of knitted loop structures.   
     
     
         2 . The suspension band of  claim 1 , wherein the suspension band comprises one or more inlay sections and a reinforcement section, and wherein a greater portion of the plurality of knitted loop structures are disposed on, beneath, or within the reinforcement section than are disposed on, beneath, or within the one or more inlay sections. 
     
     
         3 . The suspension band of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more inlay sections comprise a first inlay section and a second inlay section, wherein the first inlay section is disposed on a first side of the reinforcement section and wherein the second inlay section is disposed on a second side of the reinforcement section. 
     
     
         4 . The suspension band of  claim 2 , wherein the suspension band comprises a length ranging from 335 mm to 390 mm, wherein the one or more inlay sections comprise a width ranging from 20 mm to 24 mm and a thickness ranging from 1.3 mm to 1.7 mm, and wherein the one or more reinforcement sections comprise a width ranging from 23 mm to 27 mm and a thickness ranging from 2 mm to 2.4 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The suspension band of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of knitted loop structures and the plurality of knitted inlay structures comprise yarn. 
     
     
         6 . The suspension band of  claim 5 , wherein one or more knitted loop structures of the plurality of knitted loop structures comprise polyester DTY and wherein one or more knitted inlay structures of the plurality of knitted inlay structures comprise liquid crystal polymer (LCP). 
     
     
         7 . The suspension band of  claim 5 , wherein the yarn size of one or more knitted loop structures of the plurality of knitted loop structures is 300D and the yarn size of one or more knitted inlay structures is 1000D. 
     
     
         8 . The suspension band of  claim 5 , wherein the yarn tensile strength of one or more knitted loop structures of the plurality of knitted loop structures is 3.52 cN/dtex and the yarn tensile strength of one or more knitted inlay structures is 2.1N/tex. 
     
     
         9 . The suspension band of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of elongation structures, wherein one or more elongation structures of the plurality of elongation structures are inserted as a weft inlay stitch on, beneath, or within the plurality of knitted loop structures and disposed adjacent to one or more inlay structures of the plurality of inlay structures. 
     
     
         10 . The suspension band of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more elongation structures of the plurality of elongation structures comprises elongation yarn. 
     
     
         11 . The suspension band of  claim 1 , wherein the suspension band is integrated with a helmet, a fall protection harness, or a rope. 
     
     
         12 . A helmet system comprising:
 a shell configured to protect the head of a wearer;   a harness disposed on, beneath, or within the shell; and   a plurality of suspension bands,   wherein at least one suspension band of the plurality of suspension bands comprises:
 a plurality of knitted loop structures; and 
 a plurality of knitted inlay structures, 
 wherein the plurality of knitted inlay structures is inserted as a weft inlay stitch on, beneath, or within the plurality of knitted loop structures, 
 wherein the suspension band defines one or more inlay sections, and 
 wherein the suspension ban defines a reinforcement section, 
   wherein the harness is operably engaged with the plurality of suspension bands.   
     
     
         13 . The helmet system of  claim 12 , wherein the suspension band comprises one or more inlay sections and a reinforcement section, and wherein a greater portion of reinforcement structures are disposed on, beneath, or within the reinforcement section than are disposed on, beneath, or within the one or more inlay sections. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet system of  claim 13 , wherein the one or more inlay sections comprise a first inlay section and a second inlay section, wherein the first inlay section is disposed on a first side of the reinforcement section and wherein the second inlay section is disposed on a second side of the reinforcement section. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet system of  claim 13 , wherein the suspension band comprises a length ranging from 335 mm to 390 mm, wherein the one or more inlay sections comprise a width ranging from 20 mm to 24 mm and a thickness ranging from 1.3 mm to 1.7 mm, and wherein the one or more reinforcement sections comprise a width ranging from 23 mm to 27 mm and a thickness ranging from 2 mm to 2.4 mm. 
     
     
         16 . The helmet system of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of knitted loop structures and the plurality of knitted inlay structures comprise yarn. 
     
     
         17 . The helmet system of  claim 16 , wherein one or more knitted loop structures of the plurality of knitted loop structures comprise polyester DTY and wherein one or more knitted inlay structures of the plurality of knitted inlay structures comprise liquid crystal polymer (LCP). 
     
     
         18 . The helmet system of  claim 16 , wherein the yarn size of one or more knitted loop structures of the plurality of knitted loop structures is 300D and the yarn size of one or more knitted inlay structures is 1000D. 
     
     
         19 . The helmet system of  claim 16 , wherein the yarn tensile strength of one or more knitted loop structures of the plurality of knitted loop structures is 3.52 cN/dtex and the yarn tensile strength of one or more knitted inlay structures is 2.1N/tex. 
     
     
         20 . The helmet system of  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of elongation structures, wherein one or more elongation structures of the plurality of elongation structures are inserted as a weft inlay stitch on, beneath, or within the plurality of knitted loop structures and disposed adjacent to one or more inlay structures of the plurality of inlay structures.