ltc

Did anyone happen to get a look at the HANS setup used by Felipe Massa at the last GP?

Very different mounting scheme for the tethers at the helmet; they appeared to not use the standard HANS 'button' to terminate the tether; the tether just seemed to disappear into his (Schuberth?) helmet.

I realize that the F1 HANS is NOT the same as our standard commercial HANS, but it just caught my eye.

Veloce Raptor

Most of the F1 teams have licenses from Hubbard Downing to manufacture their own HANS devices based on HANS technology. So they are often very different.

skl

I remember Schumi's helmet looking different as well- they don't use the standard HANS mounting points on the helmet shell...

chrisp

Do they have licenses? I figured that since they are not commercial products they can simulate the design and then test them against the SFI/FIA standard on their own.

Veloce Raptor

I believe they do, and have been told they do. The reason is that HANS is a copyrighted design. There is only one HANS design.

chrisp

I can make my own HANS and SFI test it and race with it. When I go to sell it or profit from it then it becomes a problem.

Veloce Raptor

I believe that Hubbard Downing would have a nice case against you for using their intellectual property w/o permission or license.

chrisp

Always thought it was only prosecuted in cases where commercial venture was entered into using someone else's patent. Maybe that could be argued in this case as well.

fatbillybob

I have not seen it but will look for it. I always wondered why you could not have a HANS tether which was a loop that went into two slots on the helmet by the normal HANS helment anchors and then the helmet would be limited in forward movement but you could turn your head with less limits. The tether would basically float in a tube between the two helmet slots allowing free head turn but stop forward motion.

gbaker

Yup:



HD has two patents, which are licensed in overseas markets.

You infringe a patent if you make, distribute or market the design without permission.

kurt M

F1 Hans straps go through the helmet and mount right to the drovers horns. The drovers get free horns when they sign over to the devil to get F1 seats.

gbaker

Thanks, Kurt. I forgot that part.