US10834987B1 and Similar Patents That Changed How Helmet Liners Protect the Brain

Helmets are built to protect, but most perform best only against straight impacts. Angled hits can cause the head to twist, creating dangerous rotational forces that put the brain at risk of injury.

Patent US10834987B1 represents an innovative step in preventing serious injury to a wearer. It uses a floating liner inside the helmet that can shift and compress, reducing both direct and rotational forces. The result is better protection against concussions and other serious head injuries.

Currently, this patent is part of a litigation suit between WaveCel, LLC and Studson, Inc. But beyond the courtroom, it reflects a broader trend in helmet safety. 

We wanted to understand the technology landscape. So we put the Global Patent Search (GPS) tool to work to uncover similar patents to US10834987B1. Let’s examine how these patents impact the future of protective gear.

Understanding Patent US10834987B1

US10834987B1 covers a protective liner designed for helmets and similar safety gear. The liner reduces harmful forces from angled impacts by allowing controlled movement and compression inside the helmet. This design helps protect the brain from both straight and twisting impacts.

Source: Google Patents

The Key Features Of This Patent Are

1. Cellular Liner – A lightweight liner with a special cell structure that absorbs impact forces.
   
2. Anisotropic Properties – The liner compresses more easily in some directions than others, making it effective against twisting forces.
   
3. Recessed Placement – The liner sits inside a pocket in the foam shell of the helmet.
   
4. Barrier Layer – A thin film between the liner and the foam shell lets the liner slide smoothly.
   
5. Friction Fit – The liner stays in place without glue or fasteners, fitting snugly into the shell.
   
6. Energy Absorption – The liner reduces both direct (linear) and twisting (rotational) head movements during impact.
   
7. Shear and Folding Action – The cell walls can fold or collapse sideways, helping absorb extra energy.
   
8. Auxetic Geometry – The cell structure can stretch and compress in multiple directions without losing shape.
   
9. Multiple Materials – The liner can be made from lightweight metals, foams, or polymers. Future versions could even integrate self-healing materials to extend durability and protection.
   
10. Versatile Use – The technology can be applied to helmets for sports, construction, military, and other safety gear. This reflects a broader trend in wearable safety devices that are designed to protect users in high-risk environments.

Simply put, US10834987B1 introduces a floating liner system that moves and compresses to reduce harmful head rotation. This innovation represents a major step forward in making helmets safer and more effective.

Similar Patents To US10834987B1

To understand the safety innovations like US10834987B1, we turned to the Global Patent Search tool. The platform surfaces similar patents that explore new ways of reducing head injuries in helmets and protective gear.

Each reference offers a different approach, whether through special liners, layered materials, or unique energy-absorbing structures. Below, we break down the most relevant patents, using GPS snippets to explain what they add to the field and how they connect to US10834987B1.

1. US2012297526A1

This U.S. patent, US2012297526A1, published in 2012, introduces an improved helmet system to reduce concussions. Unlike traditional designs that focus mainly on straight impacts, this invention targets angular acceleration, which is a leading cause of brain injuries. 

It uses a layered liner that allows both linear and angular compliance, letting the outer shell move separately from the head during off-center impacts.

Below, we include GPS snippets highlighting relevant specification passages.

What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape

1. Focus on reducing angular acceleration, not just linear impacts.
   
2. Liner made from viscoelastic foam with both radial and circumferential compliance
   
3. Outer shell designed to move relative to the head cap during impact
   
4. Structures that absorb energy while allowing controlled rotation
   
5. Potential for automatic or manual return of the outer shell after impact

How It Connects To US10834987B1

• Both patents address the challenge of rotational head movement in impacts
  
• US2012297526A1 uses viscoelastic foam, while US10834987B1 employs a floating cellular liner
  
• Each design allows controlled movement between helmet layers to absorb energy
  
• Both focus on protecting the brain from angular acceleration in oblique impacts

Why This Matters

This patent highlights the importance of managing rotational acceleration, a factor often overlooked in earlier helmet designs. Together with US10834987B1, it shows the shift toward smarter liners that go beyond cushioning and actively reduce concussion risks.

2. EP3673757A1 

This European patent, EP3673757A1, published in 2020, introduces an add-on mechanism for helmets and protective gear. The design focuses on reducing rotational acceleration during oblique impacts, a known cause of serious head injuries. 

It uses multiple layers that move against each other, allowing controlled deformation or sliding to divert impact forces. This approach mimics the natural movement of the human scalp against the skull, lowering rotational forces that reach the brain.

What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape

1. A layered mechanism designed to reduce both linear and rotational acceleration
   
2. The top and bottom layers that slide relative to each other on impact
   
3. Edgeless design that maintains effectiveness across the entire helmet surface
   
4. Option for reinforced top layers with stiff particles for durability and smooth sliding
   
5. Alternative version using ball-bearing style casings to divert rotational forces
   
6. Add-on compatibility with helmets, body armor, and even vehicle safety systems

How It Connects To US10834987B1

• Both patents aim to reduce harmful rotational acceleration in impacts
  
• EP3673757A1 uses a sliding multi-layer system, while US10834987B1 relies on a floating liner
  
• Each design allows independent movement of protective layers to manage oblique forces
  
• Both expand helmet safety beyond traditional linear impact protection

Why This Matters

This patent shows how layered mechanisms can divert rotational energy before it reaches the head. Together with US10834987B1, it reflects a growing trend of rethinking helmet liners to tackle rotational impacts more effectively.

3. US2014090155A1 

This U.S. patent, US2014090155A1, published in 2014, introduces helmet systems designed to address both linear and rotational impacts. Traditional helmets mainly absorb straight blows, but this invention recognizes that tangential impacts cause dangerous twisting forces on the brain. 

It provides two main solutions: sliding liners that decouple the helmet shell from the head, and engineered materials that deform under shear to dissipate rotational energy.

What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape

1. Recognition that rotational acceleration is a critical cause of brain injury
   
2. Sliding liner pads that move independently of the shell to reduce shear transfer
   
3. Raceway and rail systems enabling controlled lateral liner motion
   
4. Isolation bushings and springs that absorb rotational force in multiple directions
   
5. Engineered spacer fabrics designed to deform under shear and dissipate energy
   
6. Foam layers combined with textile fabrics for dual linear and rotational protection
   
7. Modular design adaptable to a wide range of helmets
   

How It Connects To US10834987B1

• Both patents target the reduction of rotational acceleration, often overlooked in older designs
  
• US2014090155A1 uses sliding pads and shear-absorbing fabrics, while US10834987B1 uses a floating liner inside the shell
  
• Each design allows controlled movement between layers to protect the head from twisting impacts
  
• Both expand helmet performance beyond linear force absorption to address real-world impact dynamics.

Why This Matters

This patent shows how liner mobility and engineered materials can work together to reduce brain shear. Alongside US10834987B1, it demonstrates the growing focus on rotational protection as a new standard in helmet design.

4. US2009260133A1 

This U.S. patent, US2009260133A1, published in 2009, introduces a helmet system that uses an internal frame and layered cushioning to manage impact forces. Unlike traditional helmets that rely mainly on hard shells with padding, this design redirects forces along controlled paths. 

It reduces dangerous shockwaves and converts rotational forces into less damaging linear forces, lowering the risk of concussions and spinal injuries.

What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape

1. Internal frame structure that redirects impact forces away from the skull
   
2. Multi-layer cushioning system for staged energy absorption
   
3. Conversion of rotational forces into linear vectors to reduce brain and neck trauma
   
4. Panels designed to compress and expand under impact for added protection
   
5. Impact-absorbing polymer layers to extend impact duration and lower head deceleration
   
6. Lightweight design aimed at maintaining balance between head and neck

How It Connects To US10834987B1

• Both patents focus on reducing rotational injury, a key cause of concussions
  
• US2009260133A1 uses frames and layered panels, while US10834987B1 employs a floating cellular liner
  
• Each design aims to redirect or absorb forces rather than simply cushion them
  
• Both highlight the need for new standards beyond linear impact testing

Why This Matters

This patent reflects a move toward helmets that actively manage both linear and rotational forces. Along with US10834987B1, it emphasizes innovative liner systems that protect the brain by reducing shockwave transfer and dangerous twisting motions.

5. EP0771534A1 

This European patent, EP0771534A1, published in 1997, discloses a safety helmet with a multi-density liner system. The design uses a main liner supported by inner and outer subsidiary liners of lower density. 

These recessed layers allow controlled deformation, dispersing impact energy more effectively without reducing the helmet’s overall strength. The approach lowers both maximum acceleration and Head Injury Criterion (HIC) values while maintaining durability.

What This Patent Introduces To The Landscape

1. Multi-layer liner system with different foam densities
   
2. Inner subsidiary liner recessed into the top portion of the main liner
   
3. Outer subsidiary liner positioned in an outer recess for added energy dispersion
   
4. Controlled recess depths to maintain rigidity while improving energy absorption
   
5. Ability to reduce both peak acceleration and HIC values
   
6. Ventilation channels integrated with the liner structure

How It Connects To US10834987B1

• Both patents aim to reduce harmful impact forces while maintaining helmet strength
  
• EP0771534A1 uses density variation in liner materials, while US10834987B1 employs a floating cellular liner
  
• Each design allows controlled liner deformation to spread energy during impacts
  
• Both highlight protection against oblique or angled impacts, not just direct blows

Why This Matters

This patent shows how adjusting liner density and structure can improve impact performance. Together with US10834987B1, it reflects a shared focus on reducing head injury risk through smarter liner designs.

How To Find Similar Patents Using Global Patent Search

Studying related inventions is valuable when analyzing US10834987B1, which introduces a floating liner system for helmets. The Global Patent Search tool helps uncover similar helmet safety patents and see how they tackle impact and rotational acceleration. By reviewing text snippets, you can quickly learn how different inventors have approached head protection and how designs have evolved across filings.

Here’s how you can use GPS to explore the patents:

1. Start with the patent number: Enter US10834987B1 into the GPS. You can also refine results with keywords like “impact liner,” “rotational protection,” or “oblique impact.”
   
2. Read text snippets for context: GPS provides short excerpts from other patents, highlighting design features such as sliding layers, energy-absorbing foams, or deformable shells.
   
3. Identify relevant features: Some inventions use decoupled layers, others employ multi-density liners, and many experiment with floating or flexible inserts to reduce angular acceleration. Check for the feature that meets your requisite angle.
   
4. Compare solutions: While some helmets rely on compression-only foams, others combine sliding interfaces with energy-damping structures. Each tackles the problem of rotational forces in a different way. Check which one is the closest match to your needs.

You can use the tool to perform FTO searches, novelty searches, and even invalidation searches. However, you would agree that a global perspective matters in all of these searches. The good news is that GPS surfaces patents from across 70 patent offices to help you find relevant prior art.

Moreover, the tool not only helps you see how US10834987B1 fits within the helmet safety landscape but also helps understand the international and legal context in which these innovations emerge.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. The related patent references mentioned are preliminary results from the Global Patent Search tool and do not guarantee legal significance. For a comprehensive related patent analysis, we recommend conducting a detailed search using GPS or consulting a patent attorney.