Forcefield - A safer way to play the game!

ForceField Headbands not only protect against impact but also are comfortable and ultra breathable. The headband features an internal airflow system and soft terrycloth exterior to wick away perspiration from the eyes and forehead.

Advantages of Forcefield Headbands:

• Reduce impacts to the head by as much as 80%
• Ultra comfortable and breathable
• Lightweight and reversible
• Absorb perspiration
• Easily worn with other head and face gear
• Hypo-allergenic materials
• Durable and machine washable
• Available in many team colors

The Forcefield Headband – Impact Testing

To prove the effectiveness of the Forcefield Headband, it was tested under the same rigorous test conditions as hockey helmets.

The test method utilized 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 300 g to pass the test.

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

The results averaged 252.9 gs for the headband.

The Forcefield headband passed the ASTM F 1045 test protocol.

In comparison, a standard sports headband did not have any noticeable affect in absorbing any impact of any significance.

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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 impacts per sample were conducted with approximately 30 seconds between impacts.

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

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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

Results:

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 patented 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.