The ForceField FF Headband - Impact Testing

Drop Test Apparatus The headform was mounted to permit impact between the mid anterior - crown locations.

The ForceField FF headband was tested under the same rigid test conditions that a hockey helmet is tested.

The test method used was ASTM F 1045 titled "Standard Performance Specification for Ice Hockey Helmets". In that test, the hockey helmet is a complete product containing a liner of shock absorbing material covered with a hard plastic shell which gives the helmet its form and helps spread out the initial impact over a larger area. No single impact can exceed 300Gs.

The velocity of the 41-inch drop was 4.48 meters per second.

The results averaged 252.9Gs for the headband.
The ForceField FF headband passed the ASTM F 1045 test protocol.

In comparison, a bare NIKE band did not have any noticeable affect in absorbing any impact of any significance.

Purpose:

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

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:

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.