Abstract: Protective eyewear such as goggles (12) are provided with a frame (14) lens (20) and a pair of tabs (30) protruding from a front (32) of the lens (20) at lateral positions, to receive tear off sheets. The frame (14) includes lateral attachment formations (28) that can engage complemental attachment formations (46) on removable roll holders (34,36). Each roll holder (34,36) includes an anchor formation (50) with a recess (54) in which one of the tabs (30) is receivable. The roll holders (34,36) can be fitted on the attachment formations (28) and tabs (30) to use a roll-off system, or can be removed to use a tear off system. The frame (14) preferably has pivoting outriggers (22) which include the attachment formations (28), so that the roll holders (34,36) are attached to the outriggers (22) and can pivot off the lens (20) with the outriggers (22).

Abstract: A helmet has an outer shell, an impact absorbing liner inside the outer shell to receive loads from the outer shell and an inner liner disposed inside the impact absorbing liner, with the inner liner configured to slide relative to the impact absorbing liner. The inner liner defines a number of apertures and a deflector inside each aperture. Each deflector has a body that is connectable to the impact absorbing liner; a peripheral border that is connectable to the aperture in which it is received; and a number of deformable spokes extending between the body and the border.

Abstract: A hood (16) of an upper body garment (10) is selectively retained and deployed. A first retention element (18) is provided on a main garment portion (14), a second retention element (20) is provided on the hood (16) and optionally, a third retention element (28) is provided on a helmet (16). The garment (10) can be worn like a conventional garment, with the hood (16) up or down, but when the hood (16) is down, it is retained place behind the wearer's back, by magnetic attachment of the first and second retention elements (18,20). The hood (16) can also be worn over the helmet (26) and can be held in place by magnetic attachment of the third retention element (28) on the helmet (26), to the second retention element (20) on the hood (16).

Abstract: An item of footwear such as a boot (10) includes a stiff lower part (12) that extends around part of a wearer's foot, a stiff upper part (16) that extends around the wearer's lower leg, and one or more limit elements (66,72,80,88) that extend between the lower part (12) and the upper part (16). The lower part (12) and upper part (16) are movable relative to each other when the ankle moves and the relative movement is inhibited selectively by the limit elements (66,72,80,88). The limit elements (66,72,80,88) are displaceable between a free condition in which the lower part (12) and the upper part (16) are movable relative to each other, and lock condition in which the relative movement between the lower part (12) and the upper part (16) is inhibited.

Abstract: A helmet comprises an outer shell, an impact absorbing liner inside the outer shell to receive loads from the outer shell and an inner liner disposed inside the impact absorbing liner, with the inner liner configured to slide relative to the impact absorbing liner. The inner liner defines a number of apertures and a deflector inside each aperture. Each deflector comprises: a body that is connectable to the impact absorbing liner; a peripheral border that is connectable to the aperture in which it is received; and a number of deformable spokes extending between the body and the border.

Abstract: A neck protection device (10) includes a ring (14) that is configured to extend around a wearer's neck and that includes a plurality of elements (12) each defining a passage (16). A tether (18) extends along the passages (16) and a tension device (38) is configured to grip the tether (18) releasably and hold it under tension. The elements (12) are free to move relative to one another, when the tether (18) is not under tension, so that the ring (14) is flexile and can be fitted around the neck, but the elements (12) are drawn into abutting relationship to form a stiff ring (14), when the tether (18) is under tension.

Abstract: A golf club (10) is configured to dissipate kinetic energy during the impact when striking the golf ball, thereby to reduce the quantum of kinetic energy transferred from the golf club (10) to the ball and reducing the distance that the ball travels. The reduction in ball travel encourages the player to use more concentric muscle action at the moment of impact and thus to have better control over the impact. The golf club (10) includes a shaft (18) and a head (14) and the head (14) comprises a support structure (22) that is connected to the shaft (18), and an impact absorbent structure (16) that defines a face (46) of the golf club (10). The impact absorbent structure (16) includes a cushion (48), disposed between the face (46) and the support structure (22) and the cushion (48) is made of a shear thickening material.

Abstract: A protective device is provided for protecting the back of a wearer against injury. The device includes an array of support elements that extend along the wearer's back adjacent his spine and is held in position on his back by attachment means, which can include a neck brace attached to the upper end of array, a chest strap, a waist strap and/or webbing that are spaced apart axially along the array. The support elements are attached to each other in such a way that they can move relative to each other to allow free, but limited bending, extension and contraction of the array, but the connection means between the elements is configured to prevent further movement between them once a predetermined limited movement has taken place, so that the array becomes practically rigid and can bear further loading that may otherwise have been born by the spine.

Abstract: A neck brace comprising an impact surface which that can limit movement of a helmet by contacting an underside of the helmet. The neck brace further comprises at least one bearing surface configured for bearing on the body of a wearer, and a structure extending between the impact surface and the bearing surfaces configured to transfer impact loads of the helmet on the impact surface to the wearer's body. A part of the impact surface is displaceable towards the wearer's body and the structure is configured to permit the displacement at rates slower than a predetermined rate, as well as to resist displacement if the rate exceeds the predetermined rate.