HEAD BANDS – PILOT IMPACT TESTING

Purpose:
This report summarizes the results of preliminary testing to determine the impact absorption performance characteristics of prototype headbands for sports.

Method: The independent measure of interest was peak G (i.e. impact deceleration).

The dependent variable of impact velocity and energy were held constant at 1.9 m/s and 9.2 J, respectively.

An ISO headform (size L ~ medium adult) with triaxial accelerometer (Kistler) mounted at the approximate center of mass was dropped by means of a bi-rail basket guide (similar to CEN 960 for ice hockey) from a height of 30 cm (see figure 1).

Ten initial tests were conducted without any headbands mounted to provide baseline measures. Three impact per sample were conducted with approximately 30 seconds between impacts.

The initial ten impacts without headbands produced peak G values of 652.4 G’s. With the new patented headbands introduced, impact absorption (i.e. the ratio between no head band versus with headband) demonstrated values up to 83% (average of three impacts).

Test Protocol: ASTM F 1446-04 The impact test apparatus complied with ASTM F 2220-02. Drop height : 40.6 inches Impact velocity: 4.41-4.59 m/s Impact Surface: MEP Pad-N594 ANSI/DOT Headform size: C Steel flat anvil except for (*) triangular anvil with batter’s helmet

The test results are as follows:

Sample Description Impact Surface Impact Site Peak g’s

Batter’s helmet* Triangle anvil Right side 455.57

Batter’s helmet with ForceFieldTM headband (1)* Triangle anvil Left side 240.23
47% reduction

Headform only MEP N330 Crown 390.14

ForceFieldTM headband (1) MEP N330 Crown 240.23
38% reduction

* With triangular hazard anvil (extremely severe test) (1) PATENT NOS.: US 6,675,395, US 6,978,487 & US 7,234,174.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Testing Protocol

The testing of the helmet insert and protective device was independently performed.

The test method used was ASTM F 1045 with a 41" drop.

The protocol was used to determine the feasibility of the concept of adding the patentented headband (1), the consistency for a variety of protective helmets and whether the results would make a significant difference in the absorption and dissipation of forces. A small change would not be useful.

Franklin Youth Batting Helmet (Location - ear) As is 271 gs With patented insert (1) 173 gs Difference minus 98 gs or a reduction of 36%

Bauer/Nike Hockey Helmet (Location - left & right ear) As is 144.53 gs With patented insert (1) 96.19 gs Difference minus 43.34 gs or a reduction of 33.4%

Bauer/Nike Hockey Helmet (Location - left & right ear) As is 144.53 gs With NIKE sweatband 140.14 gs (No effect, within experimental error)

JOFFA 390 Senior Hockey Helmet As is 128.91 gs With patented insert (1) 87.8 gs Difference minus 41.1 gs or a reduction of 31.9%

NIKE Batting Helmet (Location - left & right ear) As is 272.95 gs With patented insert (1) 174.80 gs Difference minus 98 gs or a reduction of 35.9%