Sport-specific impact test platform for rugby headgear
This technology is a standardized testing method for rugby helmets that measures how well they protect players from head injuries. It works by striking a helmet at multiple locations and speeds, recording the resulting forces and rotational movements, and then calculating an injury risk score. That score is weighted by how often players actually experience each type of impact during a game, producing a single overall safety rating. The result is an objective, sport-specific benchmark that goes beyond simple pass/fail tests to rank helmets by their real-world protective value.
What you could build
A testing protocol and scoring platform licensed to helmet certification bodies, sports governing organizations like World Rugby, or independent testing labs to rate and differentiate rugby headgear; helmet manufacturers would be the primary buyers to validate and market their products.
Who in Virginia should care
Defense and sports-safety testing contractors in Northern Virginia, or university athletics and biomechanics programs, would be natural early adopters or commercialization partners.
Readiness: Prototype likely
Concept — described but not yet demonstrated. Lab validated — supported by experimental results in the patent. Prototype likely — the text describes a built, working embodiment.
Readiness is inferred from the patent text, not from a lab visit.
The record
- Inventors
- Steve Rowson, Emily Kieffer, Stefan Duma, Mark Begonia
- Filed
- Patent pending — filed February 21, 2023
- Status
- Application
- Publication number
- US20230263255A1
Ready to talk?
Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties handles licensing for this technology.
Prosim summaries are generated from public patent text and are not legal advice.