Abstract: An adjustable helmet liner for a protective helmet is disclosed. The adjustable helmet liner comprises at least one liner wall having a peripheral surface adapted to substantially conform to, and fit within, the protective helmet for engagement with the head of a wearer of the protective helmet. The at least one liner wall includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface is adapted to be disposed adjacent the interior surface of the helmet and the inner surface is adapted to be spaced from the interior surface of the helmet whereby the liner may be inserted into the protective helmet and adjusts to the head of the wearer of the protective helmet. The adjustable helmet liner further includes at least one expandable band disposed along a portion of the outer surface of the liner wall, whereby the at least one expandable band provides for the adjustment of the liner to the head of the wearer of the protective helmet. A protective helmet having an adjustable helmet liner is also disclosed.

Abstract: The chin strap assembly for use with an athletic helmet includes a chin cup member having a flexible strap on each side of the chin cup member, each flexible strap passing through a plurality of slots formed in the chin cup member.

Abstract: A chin protector for helmets, such as football helmets, includes an inner member and an outer member, and a suspension arrangement for at least partially suspending, in a spaced relationship, a portion of the outer member from a central portion of the inner member with a gap formed between the inner and outer members, whereby upon an impact force striking the outer surface of the outer member, the force transmitted to a wearer's chin may be attenuated.

Abstract: A football helmet motion restrictor is provided which can be adjusted to vary its size, and does not reduce the size of the neck opening of the shoulder pads to which the motion restrictor is mounted.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present invention is a specific, illustrative embodiment of an integrated pump and inflatable liner assembly which comprises a hollow inflatable member for the reception and storage of fluid, the inflatable member having a selected configuration so as to line the protective headgear and partially encircle a user's head; the inflatable member housing at least one resilient member for protection of the user's head; and a pump formed integrally with the inflatable member for moving fluid therein. When the member is positioned inside a helmet, the pump is exposable for adjustment by the user. A bleed valve in the hollow member controls the passage of fluid from the hollow member.

Abstract: An inflatable liner for protective headgear comprising, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a reinforced hollow strip for the reception and storage of fluid, the strip having a selected size so as to line the protective headgear and partially encircle a user's head, a reinforced hollow flap extension connected to the midsection of the strip so as to allow the fluid to flow freely therebetween, a valve for controlling the passage of fluid to and from the inflatable liner, and pockets for maintaining uniform inflation of the strip and flap extension.

Abstract: A protective helmet and liner therefor includes a sheet of sound deadening material which fits between impact force absorbing pad structures disposed on the interior of the protective helmet.

Abstract: A shoulder pad for a football player, includes a rib protector pad body disposed adjacent to the body arch members and releasably connected to the pad body disposed beneath the body arch members of the shoulder pad.

Abstract: A shock absorbing pad structure for athletic equipment, such as shoulder pads, has a foam member, having an undulated configuration formed by a plurality of elevations and dperessions, arranged in a staggered relationship with respect to one another, disposed within a flexible, substantially air impermeable enclosure. The flexible enclosure has at least one air permeable portion disposed therein.

Abstract: An athletic shock absorbing pad structure includes a flexible open-celled foam member disposed in a flexible enclosure and the flexible open-celled foam member comprises two layers of open-celled foam, the density of the layers of open-celled foam being different from one another.

Abstract: A cantilever strap for a shoulder pad for a football player has a central portion which overlies the acromioclavicular area of the shoulder of the football player, and has a width which is substantially greater than two inches.

Abstract: The jaw pad is formed of resilient material having a uniform thickness and formed in a curved shape corresponding to the curvature of the earflaps of the headgear. Four female snap members are secured to its back face, capable of engaging the three male snap members formed on both the left hand and right hand earflaps such that the jaw pad can be used on both the left and right sides of the headgear.

Abstract: This invention relates to an adjustable chin strap assembly for use with athletic helmets. The chin strap assembly consists of a flexible piece of material which forms the chin cup, two support straps slideably attached to this chin cup, two adjustment pieces through which the support straps slideably intersect, and a set of four slideable snaps which releasibly fasten the support straps to an athletic helmet. The attitude of the flexible chin cup can be adjusted by sliding the adjustment piece along the lengths of the support straps to each side of the chin cup thereby allowing for maximum user comfort.

Abstract: A headgear comprising a helmet shell and a combination of energy-absorbing and sizing means mounted on the inside surface of the shell. The combination includes a crown-engaging structure either in the form of a web suspension or an air-inflatable means. These pad structures comprise curved assemblies which engage the forehead and back of the wearer's head and the pad structures enable automatic alignment of the helmet along the long axis of the head whereby the air-inflatable side members are operated after the helmet has been put on the head. Air inflatable sizing means are located intermediate the pad structures at the front and back of the shell, and these sizing means engage the respective sides of the werer's head to provide a side-to-side fit on the head. A combination serving as a sizing means and energy-absorbing means is located on the lower rear inside wall of the shell. Separate energy-absorbing pad structures are located on the front and back inner walls of the shell.

Abstract: An athletic shoe construction comprising a sole having cleats projecting therefrom. The improvement is provided in the toe area wherein the cleats comprise a plurality of spaced-apart ridges extending outwardly from and transversely across the sole. The forward surfaces of these ridges slant downwardly and rearwardly, and the more rearward of the ridges preferably extends outwardly a progressively greater distance from the sole than adjacent forwardly located ridges.