(Fwd) Re: (Fwd) RE: [MR] Heavy Helms and inertia

[Cole]

------- Forwarded message follows -------
From:           	"Daemon" <daemonb at mindspring.com>
Subject:        	Re: (Fwd) RE: [MR] Heavy Helms and inertia
Date sent:      	Thu, 27 Sep 2001 17:19:52 -0400

Hello all, please excuse my jumping in on this one.
I would assume that one could do the math and figure out the force that actually strikes the head from a sword blow and then figure out how far that would move the helm.  One would also have to include acceleration data in the equation though, 50lbs of force moving a 15lb helmet slowly is not 
nearly as damaging as the same force moving the helm much faster.  One would then need to figure out how this energy would transfer to the head and neck area of the body.  Of course every helm design would transfer energy differently as would all the different types of padding and padding 
designs.  You would also have to take into account the chin straps (or lack thereof) to decide where the force actually is applied and then the torque and also.....well, it just becomes way to complicated.  
I believe if you look at some basic physics you would realize that a heavier helm requires more force to move it and thus the argument can be made that this offers more protection than a light helmet.  Then again once sufficient energy is applied to get the heavier helm moving it would require 
more energy to stop the helm...so the argument can be made that a light helm is better.  From personal experience I like a heavier helm, I think it is safer.  I also like wearing a stout chin strap and keeping it tight on my chin.  Just my two cents,
Daemon
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Cole 
  To: daemon 
  Sent: Thursday, September 27, 2001 5:06 PM
  Subject: (Fwd) RE: [MR] Heavy Helms and inertia



  ------- Forwarded message follows -------
  From: "Logan" <dukelogan at directvinternet.com>
  To: "Merry Rose" <atlantia at atlantia.sca.org>
  Subject: RE: [MR] Heavy Helms and inertia
  Date sent: Thu, 27 Sep 2001 14:24:30 -0400

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  i would only offer an idea.

  the weight of the helm has little to do with concussion protection for the
  head (football helmets weight very little but offer substantial protection
  from massive impact, as do motorcycle helms). however, plastic helmets have
  no place in an organization that is supposed to be based on the middle ages
  as they are very visible. we also do not deal with massive impact (the size
  of another football helmet, or in the case of a bike helmet, the pavement),
  we deal with a great deal of force transferred by a stick of an average of 1
  1/2" diameter making contact with little more than 2" of its length. to go
  to lighter weights generally means thinner metals and thus far less
  protection.

  if someone were to make a helm out of aluminum or titanium im sure it could
  be made safe as long as it was thick enough to take the amounts of force a
  stout blow delivers.

  then there is always the argument of having the extra poundage equaling an
  increase of force needed to actually move the helm and potentially cause
  damage.

  just my thoughts

  logan

  -----Original Message-----
  From: atlantia-admin at atlantia.sca.org
  [mailto:atlantia-admin at atlantia.sca.org]On Behalf Of Phillip Jones
  Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2001 9:13 PM
  To: Merry Rose
  Subject: [MR] Heavy Helms and inertia


  I've heard rumors about why we like heavy helmets, but have seen no data to
  back it up. Is there any scientific evidence that a heavy helm protects
  better than a light one?


  Phillip Jones
  Triplette Competition Arms
  101 East Main Street
  Elkin, NC 28621
  336-835-7774
  phillip at mindless.com
  www.triplette.com


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