Abstract: The invention relates to a system and/or an apparatus for an improved helmet system that may help reduce the severity of injuries by enhancing overall helmet protection through uniquely designed facemasks and facemask bumpers. The facemask and facemask bumpers that are particularly adapted to redistribute pressure and impact forces, decrease vibration, sudden shock, noise and/or the peak forces transmitted from the facemask to the rest of the helmet system. The facemask bumpers may be disposed into specific regions of the facemask, including the brow region, the glabella region, orbit region, the frontal region, the mandible (front, right and/or left side) region, the maxilla region, the nasal region, zygomatic region, the ethmoid region, the lacrimal region, the sphenoid region and/or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for optimizing a protective helmet or other item of protective clothing with one or more enhanced principal impact zones and/or impact elements that incorporate protective features that can be particularized to a specific player-position and/or the individual behavior of a specific player or wearer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and/or an apparatus for an improved helmet system that may help reduce the severity of injuries by enhancing overall helmet protection through uniquely designed facemasks and facemask bumpers. The facemask and facemask bumpers that are particularly adapted to redistribute pressure and impact forces, decrease vibration, sudden shock, noise and/or the peak forces transmitted from the facemask to the rest of the helmet system. The facemask bumpers may be disposed into specific regions of the facemask, including the brow region, the glabella region, orbit region, the frontal region, the mandible (front, right and/or left side) region, the maxilla region, the nasal region, zygomatic region, the ethmoid region, the lacrimal region, the sphenoid region and/or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Protective clothing and/or equipment may comprise a modular helmet assembly which comprises a plurality of impact mitigation modules positioned between an outer layer and an interior layer of the helmet, optionally with a plurality of perforations or openings in an outer shell of the helmet. The plurality of impact mitigation assemblies may comprise an impact absorbing array of impact mitigation structures having at least one filament and a lateral support wall or connecting element. When force is applied to the exterior surface, the structures of the impact absorbing materials deform in a desired and controlled manner, reducing the force received by the interior layer.

Abstract: The protective helmet, the fit pod assemblies and the respective components relates to methods, devices, and systems for improved helmet systems to enhance athletic performance by dispersing impact forces and/or improving helmet comfort and/or fit through size customization and/or conforming to contours of a wearer's head. If desired, the various fit pod assemblies can include modular features to provide a semi-custom and/or customized feel for plug and play assembly and/or retrofitting a commercially available helmet and/or other item of protective clothing.

Abstract: A baseball batter's helmet includes a helmet body having an outer helmet surface and an inner helmet surface, and multiple removable plugs molded into the helmet body at multiple locations. Each removable plug is configured to be removed, thereby forming a through-hole through the inner helmet surface and the outer helmet surface at the respective location of the removable plug on the helmet body. The helmet also includes an attachment component that is removably connected to the inner helmet surface upon removal of one or more of the removable plugs from the helmet body.

Abstract: The releasable impact mitigating fasteners is an adaptable mechanism that may be used as the main energy management source and/or be used as a supplemental energy management source. The improved releasable impact mitigating fasteners are easily incorporated into protective devices such as helmets and/or other protective gear for a variety of activities, applications and/or industries, that require enhanced impact absorption, reusability, and/or quick release capabilities under specifically designed impact loads, etc. Each of the releasable impact mitigating fasteners comprise a first end, a second end and an impact mitigation structure. The first end comprises a face plate, the second end may comprise at least one flange. Each of the releasable impact mitigating fasteners may further comprise a base.

Abstract: The adjustable helmet assembly disclosed within in comprises a front shell, a back shell and a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism allows sliding movement of the front shell relative to the back shell for adjustment to a desired length for a specific wearer. The locking mechanism is movable from an unlocked position allowing the front shell to move relative to the back shell, and a locked position prohibiting the front shell to move relative to the back shell. The locking mechanism may be a clamp or lever function, and/or a cam function. Accordingly, the adjustable helmet may further comprise crumple zones to further reduce and/or dissipate impact forces.

Abstract: Protective clothing and/or equipment may comprise a modular helmet assembly which comprises a plurality of impact mitigation modules positioned between an outer layer and an interior layer of the helmet, optionally with a plurality of perforations or openings in an outer shell of the helmet. The plurality of impact mitigation assemblies may comprise an impact absorbing array of impact mitigation structures having at least one filament and a lateral support wall or connecting element. When force is applied to the exterior surface, the structures of the impact absorbing materials deform in a desired and controlled manner, reducing the force received by the interior layer.

Abstract: A helmet includes a helmet shell having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a plurality of slit openings. Each slit opening extends along a portion of the helmet shell. The slit openings include a pair of top slit openings that each extend longitudinally along a top portion of the helmet shell, where each top slit opening has a first length. The pair of top slit opening are spaced apart and define a flexible helmet portion spaced between the pair of top slit openings. The flexible helmet portion extends along the first length from a first end of the flexible helmet portion to a second end of the flexible helmet portion opposite to the first end, and the flexible helmet portion has a stiffness that varies along the first length from the first end to the second end.

Abstract: Protective clothing and/or equipment may comprise an impact mitigation layer which comprises a plurality of impact mitigation assemblies positioned between an exterior surface and an interior surface. The plurality of impact mitigation assemblies may comprise an impact absorbing array of impact mitigation structures having at least one filament and a lateral support wall or connecting element. When force is applied to the exterior surface, the structures of the impact absorbing materials deform in a desired and controlled manner, reducing the force received by the interior surface.

Abstract: A helmet includes an outer shell with an inner and outer surface, a first impact mitigation layer of a first stiffness coupled to the inner surface of the outer shell, a supplemental shell coupled to the outer surface of the outer shell, and a second impact mitigation layer having a second stiffness positioned between the outer surface of the outer shell and an inner surface of the supplemental shell. The supplemental shell can flex from a first position to a second position upon impact to the supplemental shell. A difference between the first stiffness and second stiffness allows the first and second impact mitigation layers to absorb impacts of different impact force. The supplemental protection component can be optimized for protection against impacts experienced by a particular position, including the location on the helmet, shape, materials, and impact mitigation structures.

Abstract: A garment worn by a wearer has an impact absorbing material comprising arrays of various hexagonal or other deformable polygonal-shaped structures positioned between an exterior surface and an interior surface. When force is applied to the exterior surface, the structures of the impact absorbing materials deform (e.g., buckle) in a desired manner, reducing the force received by the interior surface.

Abstract: A three-dimensional microlattice layer comprising a plurality of interconnected filaments extending along at least three different directions from a plurality of nodes. The microlattice layer may further comprise at least one material layer extending laterally between and interconnecting at least two or more nodes. The at least one material layer may be configured to transversely and rotationally constrain the nodes to increase the overall compressive strength and stiffness of the microlattice structure. The at least one material layer may comprise a single, continuous layer and/or a plurality of material layer segments. The microlattice layer may comprise a single, continuous layer or a plurality of microlattice layer segments. The microlattice layer may be stacked, the stacked microlattice layers may further comprise one or more material layers and/or one or more impact mitigation layers.

Abstract: The full-face helmet system comprises a full-facemask that combines the strength of a facemask frame and a reinforcement layer to allow for improved visibility, safety and impact performance, while reducing weight. The full-facemask comprises a reinforcement layer and a facemask frame, the reinforcement layer may be coupled to the external surface or internal surface of a facemask frame. The reinforcement layer may match or substantially match one or more contours of the facemask frame, the reinforcement layer comprises at least one vent opening that is coincident with the player's mouth.

Abstract: A garment worn by a wearer has an impact absorbing material comprising arrays of various hexagonal or other deformable polygonal-shaped structures positioned between an exterior surface and an interior surface. When force is applied to the exterior surface, the structures of the impact absorbing materials deform (e.g., buckle) in a desired manner, reducing the force received by the interior surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and/or an apparatus for an improved helmet system that may help reduce the severity of injuries by enhancing overall helmet protection through uniquely designed facemasks and facemask bumpers. The facemask and facemask bumpers that are particularly adapted to redistribute pressure and impact forces, decrease vibration, sudden shock, noise and/or the peak forces transmitted from the facemask to the rest of the helmet system. The facemask bumpers may be disposed into specific regions of the facemask, including the brow region, the glabella region, orbit region, the frontal region, the mandible (front, right and/or left side) region, the maxilla region, the nasal region, zygomatic region, the ethmoid region, the lacrimal region, the sphenoid region and/or any combination thereof.