excerpt

: > Dr. Melvin has conducted comparative testing to study HANS, Hutchens, and
: > D-Cel devices -- the currently leading head and neck restraints. These
: > tests were run at Wayne State Univ. with a sled velocity of 35 mph and a
: > acceleration of 50 G, an average racing crash pulse. These results will
: be
: > presented at the SAE Motorsports Engineering Conference in early December
: > in Indy just before the PRI show. Jay Novak will be at that SAE
: > meeting. Dr. Melvin's results show that compared to no head and neck
: > restraint HANS provides excellent reductions of injurious head motions and
: > neck loads, well below injury levels. The Hutchens and D-Cel devices do
: > not reduce head motions to any significant degree and these devices
: reduced
: > neck loads to near the injury threshold -- Dr. Melvin described these neck
: > loads as marginal. I have seen other tests that provide basically the
: same
: > results -- HANS works, the others really don't.
. . . .

for the full post go to http://Forums.ImprovedTouring.com/it...ML/000535.html

 

Interesting, Yes... however, readers should know that this information came from the mouth of the inventor of the HANS Device himself. The HANS has proven, in several outside tests, to possibly be more effective than the other devices, when used in the layback position of the Formula Racers. Again, I'm not saying the HANS isn't the best device, because I personally don't have that knowledge, just that each device acts differently in different types of mounting and seating positions. Consider who is doing the talking, and what series they are talking about before making any serious conclusions.

 

Adam,

I see this subject has heated up again since the discovery of Sterlin Marlin's fractured C2 vertebra.

Remember the discussion we had below?

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll tell you what. Since you live in the middle of stock car land, and we will probably be in town to talk to those guys at some time, I'll make a point of looking you up and bringing a system for you to check out.
Gregg

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gregg, that would be tremendous. And major thanks to being available here and IT.com - it really is fantastic to have questions answered by people such as yourself.
_______

Adam - a.k.a. NASArillo
Charlotte, NC

How does your calendar look for October 29th? We will tentatively be in the area, though I'm not sure it will be exactly Charlotte. If so, we can bring a system for you to check out.

Regards,
Gregg

 

someone just posted the same thing on the 944cup.com forums... I think you two are in this conspriacy together.

 

a quote from the email
Dude, How is the Hutchens device attached???

I also found this on the CART website.
http://www.cart.com/Tech/Hans_Device.asp

 

 

Ouch, man - just the statement "damaged *********" hurts!

 

944cup.com? Hey, it wasn't me. But the top quote is getting around.

You're right about the conspiracy, though. Adam and I are going to conquer the world and give everyone free comic books.

Gregg

 

Gregg, I would really like to check it out and I am sure I could rustle up a few others - the only concern I have is whether I will break free to get up to VIR that weekend. Do let me know if you will be in the area and when, I would very much like to see the device.

Dear Lord is it really 5:53 AM? And I thought re-wiring my house would be a snap, only started 20 hours ago

 

Adam,

We are still on for the 29th, which is a Tuesday, and the day will probably be full. I may go in the night before, or stay over for an extra day. If you prefer one day over the other, I could arrange my schedule accordingly. Let me know.

You re-wired your house in 20 hours?! You should come work in central Florida. I had an electrician working at the house on a small project who said he had to step out for a minute to get a part. That was two years ago, and I haven't seen him since.

Gregg

 

Dr Melvin's scientific research supports someone else's design, not his own. HANS was invented by Robert Hubbard and Jim Downing.

I attended a presentation given by Dr. Melvin at Mid Ohio in April. He knows his stuff! He showed numerous video clips of sled tests with various restraints. The real downside of the Hutchens is that it must be worn very tight (uncomfortable) to provide any measurable benefit. My guess is that most NASCAR drivers who wear this thing will not wear it tight enough to provide any benefit. The beauty of HANS is that it is very easy to wear correctly every time. Some other interesting things he presented: sedan racers should be advised that HANS and other head restraints provide little lateral support for the head and neck. Large lateral head supports integral to the seat, similar to the sides of an Indy Car cockpit, are needed to control lateral head movement. Driver restraint harnesses with dual rear facing crotch straps significantly reduce head whip compared to the standard five point harnesses.

 

Track Rat,

You are right about the Hutchens being worn too loosely by most drivers. Even so, it will reduce head loads about 50%, compared to 80+% for the Isaac and HANS devices.

Gregg

 

What about Bill Simpson's restraint? Kinda similar to the Hutchens...I think Bill completely gave up on it after NASCAR used him as a scapegoat for Dale Earnhardt...

 

They are vitually identical in design and performance. All of the webbing-based products will reduce loads about 50%. The only difference I can see is that the Simpson design crosses the straps on the back where the Hutchens straps are vertical.

The Simpon company has had the product on the market for about two months now. $450.

Gregg




[Modified by gsbaker, 2:03 PM 10/13/2002]

 

Tuesday is fine as is the Monday afternoon before. Let me know, I should definately be around.

Nah, not a complete re-wire. Installed CAT-5 and audio throughout the house (kitchen, br, 2nd br, lr x 2, garage - hey, I need to be able to check out H-T.com while I'm changing oil ).

BTW, anyone in CLT need about 500' of CAT-5E+


[Modified by phat-S, 10:00 AM 10/13/2002]

 

Adam,

Got it. If I need an extra day I'll make it Monday.

Gregg

 

Can somebody explain to me what this dual rear facing crotch strap is?

 

Anyone interested in trying to get together for a group buy for the HANS device? I REALLY want Lyonel to have one (obviously this is Danielle) especially after this weekend- his little incident has caused him some soreness in his neck- I hate to think about what could happen under really hard impact. I assume the reason most club racers aren't using them is due to the high price tag. I have no clue as to where we can get a group buy rate- but I'm sure if we can get the group we can find a way...Danielle

 

Why don't you start by getting an Isaac and sharing it? It can be moved easily from car to car, there is only one "size" and different drivers can buy separate helmet mounts. As long as you are not on the track at the same time, the cost per person is less than a Hutchens.

Gregg

 

Two straps which wrap around the legs, as shown above in the sketch, rather than one strap going right down the middle.

Gregg

 

Update,

Since we are quoting people here, let's hear from the drivers:

http://www.homeoff1.com/news.asp?id=1682

Titled <U>Villeneuve Slams HANS Device </U>

Excerpt:

For drivers with short necks, though, HANS has proved a problem. 'I can't physically drive with HANS on, I can't even put the pad around my neck,' Jacques reveals.

Another driver with a serious disdain for the safety harness is Sauber's Nick Heidfeld, the German reporting earlier this year that 'It really limits your movements and how you can react.'

Villeneuve continues: 'I spoke to Nick Heidfeld about it. He said within two laps he can't concentrate any more because it's too painful.'



BTW, F1 has tested HANS in rear impact, and is OK with it.

Gregg


[Modified by gsbaker, 5:46 PM 10/21/2002]


[Modified by gsbaker, 10:43 PM 10/21/2002]

 

Adam (and anyone else interested),

The trip is on for Tuesday, October 29th. I'll bring an Isaac sytem for you to check out. I have a meeting near the Lowe's speedway mid-afternoon, so let's meet there right after lunch.

Anyone else interested is invited.

See you then.

Regards,
Gregg

 

Let me know exactly where (on the big concrete walkway in the very front? Where the footprints of past drivers are?) and exactly when?(I will take my 1 hour lunch accordingly if possible) I'd like to see the system, since i have the Hutchen's Device.

 

Robert,

The best place open to the public is probably behind Lowes Motor Speedway on Victory Lane. I don't know the area that well, so if you want to recommend somewhere nearby, that's fine.

My flight is due in about 11:45. If al Quaeda doesn't attack and the luggage comes through, I should be there by 12:30-12:45, if the rental car can be found.

You local guys can help here. If there is a restaurant for lunch, let me know and we can meet there. Grab a bite and talk about biomechanics.

I'm available off-post at gbaker@isaacdirect.com. The office (407/667-3414) can patch you through to my cell.

Gregg


[Modified by gsbaker, 4:32 PM 10/22/2002]

 

[QUOTE]Update,

Excerpt:

For drivers with short necks, though, HANS has proved a problem. 'I can't physically drive with HANS on, I can't even put the pad around my neck,' Jacques reveals.





Funny, neither Taz Harvey or Roger Foo are 'giants'. Taz is going on two years now. Roger has been wearing his all year. They both told me that it was no problem.