Abstract: The present invention provides a system for monitoring a physiological parameter of players engaged in a sporting activity. The system includes a plurality of reporting units, a controller, and a signaling device. The reporting unit has an arrangement of sensing devices that measure the physiological parameter of an individual player and generate parameter data. The controller receives the parameter data transmitted from each reporting unit and then processes the parameter data to calculate a parameter result. When the parameter result exceeds a predetermined value, the controller communicates with a signaling device that provides an alert to sideline personnel to monitor the player(s) in question. The system also includes a remote storage device for holding historical data collected by the system which permits subsequent analysis.

Abstract: A protective sports helmet that includes an energy attenuating faceguard connection system, which includes at least one connector that secures the faceguard to the helmet shell without a connection point in the shell's brow region. The sports helmet can be configured as a football helmet to be worn by a player and where the lack of a brow region connection point results in a gap or clearance between the faceguard and the shell that has a functional interplay with the connector upon an impact to the faceguard. The football helmet has a unique collection of helmet shell features that include an arrangement of a raised central band, lateral ridges, frontal vent openings and rear vent openings.

Abstract: Protective shoulder pads to be worn by an individual engaged in a contact sport, such as football, lacrosse or hockey, are provided. The shoulder pads protect an individual wearing the protective shoulder pads against impact to the superior, anterior, posterior and/or lateral regions of the shoulder and upper arm regions. The shoulder pads include a release mechanism that releasably couples left and right arch members of the shoulder pads and allows for removal of the shoulder pads from the individual while he or she is maintained in the supine position, thus decreasing the risk of further injuring the individual wearing the protective shoulder pads.

Abstract: A protective sports helmet that includes a chin strap system that allows for rapid, one-handed adjustment of the chin strap by the player while the helmet is worn is provided. The chin strap assembly includes a protective chin cup and a pair of straps extending from opposed sides of the chin cup and having a plurality of securing elements. The assembly also includes a pair of adjustable connectors affixed to the helmet and that include a central opening that receives an extent of the strap and a depressible lever that engages the securing elements. The adjustable connector allows movement of the strap in a first direction, and prevents movement of the strap in a second direction when the lever and securing elements are engaged. The adjustable connector allows movement of the strap in both the first and second directions when the lever is not engaged with the securing elements. When the strap is sufficiently loosened, but not disengaged from the connectors, the helmet can be removed from the player's head.

Abstract: A custom-fitted helmet and a method of making the same can comprise, at a first location, obtaining head data for a customer's head comprising a length, a width, and at least one head contour. With at least one processor, generating a computerized three-dimensional (3D) headform matching the customer's head length, width, and head contour from the head data. The 3D headform can be compared to a helmet safety standard. At a second location different from the first location, a custom-fitted helmet based on the 3D headform can be formed, wherein the custom-fitted helmet satisfies the safety standard and comprises an inner surface comprising a topography that conforms to the length, width, and at least one contour of the customer's head. The first location can be a home or a store. Obtaining the head data from photographic images of a deformable interface member disposed on the customer's head.

Abstract: A football helmet includes a plastic shell with side regions having an ear flap with a face guard connector, an ear opening, a slot, and a snap connector. The helmet also includes an internal padding assembly removably connected to the plastic shell and including a jaw pad with a force attenuating layer. When the helmet is worn, a front edge of the jaw pad is positioned both in front of a coronal plane and below a basic plane of a head of the helmet wearer. A chin strap assembly releasably secures the helmet to the wearer and includes a lower flexible strap extending outwardly from each side of a central protective member. When the helmet is worn, an extent of the lower flexible strap is received by the slot when said strap is affixed to the snap connector. The shell also includes a raised central band integrally formed as part of the shell and extending across the crown region to the rear region. An arrangement of elongated vent openings flank the raised central band.

Abstract: The present invention provides a protective sports helmet for a wearer engaged in a contact sport, such as football. The helmet includes a shell having a front region, a rear region, two side regions, and an ear flap depending from a side region. A jaw flap extends forwardly from each ear flap, wherein the jaw flap overlies an extent of a mandible of the wearer. The shell also includes a raised central band that extends from the front region across the crown to the rear region. The central band has lower side portions that extend from the rear region towards the side region of the shell and terminate proximate an ear opening in the shell. The central band has a width defined by a pair of opposed sidewalls that extend transversely from an outer surface of the shell. The shell also includes a first plurality of vent openings aligned along a first side of the raised central band and a second plurality of vent openings aligned along a second side of the band.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides system and method for monitoring of at least one physiological parameter of a person engaged in a physical activity, for example, an impact received by a player engaged in a contact sport such as football. The system includes a monitoring unit that actively monitors the physiological parameter of the person, wherein the monitoring unit generates an alert event when the monitored physiological parameter exceeds a threshold of the parameter. The monitoring unit determines whether the parameter exceeds an over-exposure threshold, wherein said threshold is based upon both a single incidence or cumulative incidences.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an improved sports helmet including a quick release connector assembly for the faceguard that allows for rapid disconnection of the faceguard from the helmet shell. The connector includes a bracket, and a coupler mechanism featuring an elongated pin, a head component, a spring, a retractable engaging element and a washer. The connector assembly is moveable between a use position, wherein the faceguard is secured to the shell by the bracket and the coupler mechanism, and a released position wherein the bracket and the faceguard are disconnected from the shell. An inwardly directed actuation force that lacks a rotational component is applied to the elongated pin to move from the use position to the released position.

Abstract: A pad assembly is provided for use with a protective sports helmet in a contact sport, the helmet having an opening. The pad assembly includes a pad member within a pad housing, and a retainer having a projection that fits within the helmet opening. The pad assembly also includes a cap detachably coupled to the retainer, the cap including a base portion that fits within the helmet opening and a flange portion that fits within a countersunk recess disposed around the helmet opening, the cap detachably receiving the projection of the retainer. A protective sports helmet having a pad assembly is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective sports helmet including a helmet shell, a face guard and an internal padding assembly positioned within the helmet shell. The internal padding assembly includes a brow pad having first and second peripheral connection portions. The internal padding assembly also includes first and second jaw pads, each having an upper connection portion that mates with the first and second connection portions, respectively, of the brow pad. The internal padding assembly also includes a crown assembly with pad elements that include an internal separation layer that partitions the element into a first inflatable section and a section un-inflatable section. The connection portion of the jaw pads also mates with frontal pad elements of the crown assembly. The internal padding assembly further includes an occipital pad assembly that engages the helmet wearer's head below the occipital bone.