US 9516909

Here's a concise summary of US Patent 9516909:

US Patent 9516909: Biomechanics Aware Helmet

• Title: Biomechanics aware helmet
• Assignee: Brainguard Technologies Inc
• Inventor: Robert T. Knight
• Filing Date: February 22, 2016 (Application number US15/050,357)
• Issue Date: December 13, 2016
• Abstract: Protective gear, such as a helmet, features an outer shell layer connected to a middle shell layer via an outer energy and impact transformer layer. The middle shell layer is similarly connected to an inner shell layer through an inner energy and impact transformer layer. These transformer layers are designed to flexibly connect the shell layers, allowing them to move and slide relative to one another to absorb impact, rotational, and shear forces. The transformer layers may be made from materials like gels, fluids, electro-rheological elements, or magneto-rheological elements. The protective gear aims to protect users not only from direct impact and penetrative forces but also from rotational and shear forces.

Plain-Language Overview of Independent Claims:

• Independent Claim 1: This claim describes a helmet that includes an outer protective shell and an inner protective shell. Positioned between these two shells is a first energy transformer layer that incorporates a shear mechanism. This mechanism enables the outer shell to slide independently relative to the inner shell. The helmet also features a liner layer attached to the inner protective shell, intended to sit between the inner shell and a person's head. A chin strap is connected to the inner protective shell, and both the chin strap and the liner layer work together to secure the inner shell to the head while still allowing the outer shell to slide.

• Independent Claim 12: This claim is similar to Claim 1 but uses broader terminology. It describes a helmet with an outer protective layer and an inner protective layer. A first energy transformer layer with a shear mechanism is situated between these layers, allowing the outer layer to slide relative to the inner layer. A liner layer is connected to the inner protective layer and is configured to be placed between the inner protective layer and a "portion of a human body." A chin strap is attached to the inner protective layer, and together with the liner layer, it secures the inner protective layer to the "human head" while the outer protective layer can still slide.

  • Uncertainty Note: Claim 12 mentions the liner layer being configured to reside against "a portion of a human body" but then specifically states the chin strap and liner secure the inner protective layer to the "human head." This suggests an initial broader scope for the liner's placement that is then narrowed to the head for the full assembly.

Litigation Status:

As of April 26, 2026, the patent US9516909B2 is "Active" with an anticipated expiration date of July 20, 2032.

The patent document itself notes the following litigation:

• A PTAB case, IPR2025-01033, was filed but "Not Instituted - Procedural."
• A US case was filed in the California Central District Court under case number 8:24-cv-02652.
• "First worldwide family litigation filed" is also noted.

A search of CAFC 2026 dockets specifically for US9516909 did not yield any direct results indicating active appeals related to this patent number in the listed scheduled cases for May 2026 or other general litigation updates from early 2026. Therefore, while there are ongoing litigation efforts related to the patent (as described in the patent's "Legal status" section), specific CAFC docket entries for 2026 directly naming US9516909 were not found in the search results.