Abstract: A shield system for protecting a curved object is described. The system comprises at least one flexible pad. The at least one flexible pad comprises a spacing ridge (7) projecting at an angle from a first major surface (3) of the pad for providing a spacing between the first major surface and a support ridge (9) projecting from the first major surface and extending transverse to the spacing ridge. The support ridge comprises a flexure region (11) adapted to unbend in the event that the pad is curved about an axis aligned with the spacing ridge to inhibit strain in the support ridge from causing deflection of the spacing ridge.

Abstract: A composite material which is elastic, which exhibits a resistive load under deformation which increases with the rate of deformation, which is unfoamed or foamed, comminuted or uncomminuted and which comprises i) a first polymer-based elastic material and ii) a second polymer-based material, different from i), which exhibits dilatancy in the absence of i) wherein ii) is entrapped in a solid matrix of i), the composite material being unfoamed or, when foamed, preparable by incorporating ii) with i) prior to foaming.

Abstract: A sports product may include a support member and an impact region configured to impact an object. The impact region may be coupled to the support member. The sports product may also include a shear thickening material in at least one of the support member or the impact region. The shear thickening material may be configured to exhibit shear thickening behavior when an impact occurs between the impact region and the object.

Abstract: A helmet liner adapted to be conformed to an inner surface of a helmet to cushion in use the rear of a wearers head from the helmet is described. The liner comprises a plurality of elongate grooves comprising at least one longitudinal groove configured to extend in use along a longitudinal direction between the nape of a wearers neck and the crown of the wearers head, and at least one lateral groove adapted to extend in use at least partially around the head of the wearer in a lateral direction between the wearers ears. The at least one longitudinal groove is deeper than the at least one lateral groove.

Abstract: A shield system for protecting a curved object is described. The system comprises at least one flexible pad. The at least one flexible pad comprises a spacing ridge (7) projecting at an angle from a first major surface (3) of the pad for providing a spacing between the first major surface and a support ridge (9) projecting from the first major surface and extending transverse to the spacing ridge. The support ridge comprises a flexure region (11) adapted to unbend in the event that the pad is curved about an axis aligned with the spacing ridge to inhibit strain in the support ridge from causing deflection of the spacing ridge.

Abstract: A composite material which is elastic, which exhibits a resistive load under deformation which increases with the rate of deformation, which is unfoamed or foamed, comminuted or uncomminuted and which comprises i) a first polymer-based elastic material and ii) a second polymer-based material, different from i), which exhibits dilatancy in the absence of i) wherein ii) is entrapped in a solid matrix of i), the composite material being unfoamed or, when foamed, preparable by incorporating ii) with i) prior to foaming.

Abstract: A composite material which is elastic, which exhibits a resistive load under deformation which increases with the rate of deformation, which is unfoamed or foamed, comminuted or uncomminuted and which comprises i) a first polymer-based elastic material and ii) a second polymer-based material, different from i), which exhibits dilatancy in the absence of i) wherein ii) is entrapped in a solid matrix of i), the composite material being unfoamed or, when foamed, preparable by incorporating ii) with i) prior to foaming.

Abstract: A composite material which is elastic, which exhibits a resistive load under deformation which increases with the rate of deformation, which is unfoamed or foamed, comminuted or uncomminuted and which comprises i) a first polymer-based elastic material and ii) a second polymer-based material, different from i), which exhibits dilatancy in the absence of i) wherein ii) is entrapped in a solid matrix of i), the composite material being unfoamed or, when foamed, preparable by incorporating ii) with i) prior to foaming.

Abstract: A composite material which is elastic, which exhibits a resistive load under deformation which increases with the rate of deformation, which is unfoamed or foamed, comminuted or uncomminuted and which comprises i) a first polymer-based elastic material and ii) a second polymer-based material, different from i), which exhibits dilatancy in the absence of i) wherein ii) is entrapped in a solid matrix of i), the composite material being unfoamed or, when foamed, preparable by incorporating ii) with i) prior to foaming.