Need your help in redesign of hockey helmet

[VIPFREAK]

Hey all, I hope this thread sees a little more traffic even though it's in an obscure area.

After coming up with many concepts for my Industrial Design class I have picked my project for the rest of the semester to redesign a hockey helmet. There are many issues with these not so much for pro hockey but recreation as well as young players. I'd like to know your thoughts about todays helmets and the problems you've seen or experienced with them.

I need to look at every aspect of this piece of equipment as well as the type of injuries from the insufficent protection this product provides.

It is estimated that 13% of hockey players sustain an injury - that represents approximately 29,000 hockey injuries in Alberta per year (Source: 1996 Alberta Sport and Recreation Injury Survey).

There were close to 2,000 emergency room visits to hospitals in the Edmonton area in 1996/97 for injuries from playing hockey and ringette; 93 of these involved head injury; 78% of the head injuries involved concussions (Source: Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research). Many more head injuries go unrecognized, unreported or treated through other means (such as Medicentres or family physicians).

A recent study by Simon Fraser University involving players from all teams in the BCHL (British Columbia Junior Hockey League) found that 61% of players participating in the study had a history of at least one concussion (Sportsaider, Fall 1998).

What would you like to see in a helmet? What would be cool in a helmet? (Note: let your imagination run free... wild to mild)

I look forward to your comments and I thank you very much for your input

Nick

 

[VIPFREAK]

bump

 

[hanker]

One major problems in the pros is that they wear their chin straps soo loose that when they get hit, their helmet will slide back. So maybe have a look at that. Anyother thing is the type of padding used inside. When I played, the helmet (bauer) had a stiff foam/rubber material, it was pretty hard, and didn't offer too much protection.......hmmm there really aren't too many problems in my mind for the current helmet. It all depends on how you wear it, and what extra protection you have (visor, ear gaurds)

 

[VIPFREAK]

This might mean certain death to my project. I'd like to get peoples opinion on if they'd wear a helmet that has more protection. Have protection like a football helmet and also some kind of neck protection?

BTW, anyone else got any other suggestions or comments? You don't have to be hockey players to help.

Thanks again.

Nick

 

[VIPFREAK]

I didn't realize this but having any kind of full face protection like a cage is illegal in pro hockey. This is because they want to prevent pro hockey players from headbutting other players.

On other another note, I'm looking into different materials and I'm thinking of using carbon fiber. Cheezy cool? What do you think? Doing research it seems like a good direction because there are some real benefits. I found this one helmet, the Mission Carbster

There are some things I don't get though.

1. They seemed to be clearancing this helmet at $40 but it's a $150 helmet?
2. it says carbon so does that mean Carbon fiber?
3. Is mission saying out of the helmet business?

Here's a link...

here


Thanks

Nick

 

[halfracedrift]

No... It's legal.... Some players are playing injured (with minor injuries in the facial/head) wear a full cage..

 

[Ryan2]

I'd certainly but a Carbon Fiber helmet. CF has the coolest look. And, a lot of the "tuner" crowd would probably buy then because they want their helmet to be the same as their car's hood. That, and make vents that actually vent air into the helmet. My helmet has the vents the opposite way then if you were to skate forward.

 

[VIPFREAK]

Originally posted by halfracedrift
No... It's legal.... Some players are playing injured (with minor injuries in the facial/head) wear a full cage..

Ok yeah I forgot about that, injuried is the exception but even then it's usually just a chin protector and everything else is exposed.

Originally posted by Ryan
I'd certainly but a Carbon Fiber helmet. CF has the coolest look. And, a lot of the "tuner" crowd would probably buy then because they want their helmet to be the same as their car's hood. That, and make vents that actually vent air into the helmet. My helmet has the vents the opposite way then if you were to skate forward.

Yeah, I'm afraid whatever I do the "tuner" crowd will see it not for the enhanced protection but more because it's CF. The vents you'd think would be obvious but like all the helmets out there it seems to be just bland styling that says "hockey helmet". I look at football players with their helmets and each position has there own "look" to give personality and identification to each position.

Nick

 

[audiracing]

The only thing I can think of is to make it more aerodynamic.

 

[Jpec07]

Are you asking people to chop the helmet? because I have a few things that I could throw on there to make it better if that's what you want...

edit: you could also go for something like this:

It would be alot safer and it is certainly more aerodynamic...

 

[hanker]

God damn, who gives a flying.......bird about safty, and areodynamics. Bring back the old day of hockey when the only protection they had was the hair on their head.

I see no problem with the current helmet, oh and visors are for ***** cats.

 

[VIPFREAK]

Jspec I'm just asking for peoples opinions.

Got another question, is having a liner in the helmet that important?

Another problem might be sweat and then rust in the metal parts like the cage and screws. Also, Mildue on the chin pad and pads inside the helmet.

Thanks

Nick

 

[Gil]

When I lived in Cali, the local league rules were that if you were under 18 you wore a face mask.
However, the under 18's hated them because they fogged up so bad.
What you need is some sort of face mask that will stop a puck, but won't fog up.
Perhaps, a series of holes, in a thicker plexiglas (say about 3/8 inch thickness) mask for improved airflow. The thickness would make up for there being less actual surface to spread impact over.
I do see that possibly being a visual hinderance, unless the holes are only in the bottom half of the mask where you're breathing heavily on the mask.
I also think the shells of the helmets ought to be made of kevlar instead of carbon fiber.

 

[VIPFREAK]

Thanks Gil was thinking about that problem.

A problem that I've been faced with at the moment is materials and processes that influence protection and adjustability. The current helmets use two parts and then screws to keep them in place, pretty flimsy. What if you had a system of two parts that in essence clamp on the head kind of like the way a you'd graps a basketball. I'll try to include a drawing of what I mean when I get home, there's no scanner here.

Thanks

Nick

 

[hanker]

Originally posted by Gil
When I lived in Cali, the local league rules were that if you were under 18 you wore a face mask.
However, the under 18's hated them because they fogged up so bad.
What you need is some sort of face mask that will stop a puck, but won't fog up.
Perhaps, a series of holes, in a thicker plexiglas (say about 3/8 inch thickness) mask for improved airflow. The thickness would make up for there being less actual surface to spread impact over.
I do see that possibly being a visual hinderance, unless the holes are only in the bottom half of the mask where you're breathing heavily on the mask.
I also think the shells of the helmets ought to be made of kevlar instead of carbon fiber.

Then have this already, It's called a cage

 

[VIPFREAK]

If your not gonna help and give a helpful comment please do not post here.

 

[hanker]

Heres a helpful tip! Why dont you go play hockey...hockey on ice, and use a helmet...and see if you can find any troubles with it.

A liner in a hockey helmet? what have you been smoking?
Whats your next suggestion, miny air bags?

 

[Gil]

Originally posted by hanker
Then have this already, It's called a cage

That's all well and good until some big jerk, like myself, grabs your mask, with all the handy finger holes.
Or pokes a finger in your eye.

Since, I'm a fairly nice guy, I can't be the first person to have thought of that.

I realize that all the pucks upside the head have made you mean hanker, but ease up a little.
We are only "bench racing" helmets here.

I bet you also wear JOFA skates. The damn blades too far to the outside of the boot.
You should move to Bauer's or Daost skates that might improve your disposition.
Otherwise, we're gonna stick you in Riddell's.

 

[hanker]

In order to poke you in the eyes with a cage on, the guy would have to take his glove off, theres no time for that. When does someone poke someone in hockey? c'mon you have a stick in your hands I think that might do a bit more damage.

And Jofa skates.....you gotta be kidding me, If I would never buy someting Jofa, especially skates.

 

[Gil]

That sure looks like a Jofa Cage!
I still think that for the most part a plexiglas face shield can be a better alternative to a cage. At least visibility wise.
Remember we're brainstorming here. Who cares if the problem already has a solution?
Be nice or you'll be the only one on the ice in "Kango Pros".

 

[StevieMo]

Originally posted by hanker
In order to poke you in the eyes with a cage on, the guy would have to take his glove off, theres no time for that. When does someone poke someone in hockey? c'mon you have a stick in your hands I think that might do a bit more damage.

And Jofa skates.....you gotta be kidding me, If I would never buy someting Jofa, especially skates.

I take it you've never got in a fight? The cage is the easiest place to grab on to.

 

[STI_Jaguar]

Ahhh, this brings back very old memories. I used to be an industrial designer about 10 years ago. One of my instructor owns a company that designs hockey helmets and bicycle helmets and such.

 

[VIPFREAK]

Really, so you aren't any more?

 

[STI_Jaguar]

Nope. I was working 80 hour weeks for 2 consecutive years. I was young and didn't even know that I had burned out. This was after having spent 5 years in school.

I am out of the game now.

Just take it easy.

 

[VIPFREAK]

Another update...

I've done some changed to my design. My avatar is one of them. The helmet in the middle of the three in the pic below is the front view.

At this point I'll probably drop the Carbon fiber and just focus on form.

One problem I need opinions on is the strap and helmet construction.

The lower drawing illustrates one way solution. This solution is a way to keep the helmet on (since this is one big obvious problem) as well as giving more protection to the face but getting around the rule of a full cage like in the pro leagues. This helmet will be for a wide range of skill levels just like any other helmet that's currently out now.

In the form I was try to capture the emotions or expressions of the players.

A good example of showing expressions is football helmets. The configuration of the cage symbolizes what position they play.

Thank you for your comments

Nick

 

[hanker]

I wouldn't go into the idea and making the helmet different for each position..there really isn't a need because all players on the ice will face the exact same type of physical abuse to it. As far as the chin strap, I would suggest to into a chin cup thing, like football helmets have. Way too many players now a days wear their helmets too loose and they slide back and fall off so easily, anything to keep the helmet on their head is an improvment.

 

[sliderulz]

Are you takign vents into consideration? anything that makes it more comfortable is a bonus. The central design reminds me of a SIMPSON racing helmet.

 

[VIPFREAK]

Originally posted by sliderulz
Are you takign vents into consideration? anything that makes it more comfortable is a bonus. The central design reminds me of a SIMPSON racing helmet.

I'm not sure what the form of the vents will be but yes I'm taking ventilation into consideration especially in the areas of having a shield or mask. Comfort like in the bottom drawing is being focused on right now. I'm having to contend with protection versus what makes a hockey helmet look like a hockey helmet. The biggest observation of this is how much of the helmet covers the head. Most of the helmet is above the bottom of the ear. The shape is another observation.

Thanks 👍

Nick

 

[sliderulz]

No worries

 

[HIGH ON LIFE]

Earlier somebody said something about the lineing in a helmet. Just incase you havent checked out my profile I am an official USA HOCKEY ref for ice hockey and all I can say is the liner is very important. I know your making this for players but i used to ply too and I had a regular hard foam padded helmet and i hated it.Then when I started reffing I got a new helmet with such nice lining I love to wear it. Lineing or pading inside the helmet is very important in my opinion.