Abstract: A shoulder pad system for protecting a wearer includes a first arch member and a second arch member that cooperatively define a neck opening for the wearer and that arch from a front side to a back side of the shoulder pad system. The shoulder pad system also includes an arch stiffener that arches and attaches over the first arch member. The arch stiffener includes a front edge disposed at the front side of the shoulder pad system and a back edge disposed at the back side of the shoulder pad system. The shoulder pad system also includes a stiffening rib that projects from and arches along the arch stiffener from the front edge to the back edge.

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: 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: A shoulder pad system is configured for protecting a wearer. The shoulder pad system may include a protective outer covering with a first arch member and a second arch member that cooperatively define a neck opening for the wearer and that arch from a front side to a back side of the shoulder pad system. The first arch member has an interior. The shoulder pad system also includes a cushioning system with a plurality of cushioning members disposed on the interior. The plurality of cushioning members include a first cushioning member with a skin layer that encapsulates a first cushion support member and a second cushion support member with a hinge defined therebetween. The plurality of cushioning members are adjustably attached individually to the interior of the first arch member.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, devices, and systems for improved protective clothing such as helmets and protective headgear, including improvements in modular, semi-custom or customized helmet liners and/or inserts to enhance wearer comfort and reduce the deleterious effects of impacts between the wearer and other players and/or objects in all types of wearer activities (i.e., sports, military, equestrian, etc.).

Abstract: A helmet includes an outer shell, an impact absorbing layer positioned inside the outer shell, and a foam layer interior to the impact absorbing layer. The impact absorbing layer includes a plurality of impact absorbing structures positioned inside the outer shell, wherein at least a portion of the outer shell is flexible to transmit an impact force to a localized section of the plurality of impact absorbing structures. One or more of the plurality of impact absorbing structures include a plurality of filaments, wherein ends of at least some of the filaments are joined at a node and the at least some of the filaments are capable of buckling and absorbing energy when subjected to the impact force.

Abstract: A shoulder pad assembly has main body cushions consisting of a plurality of different types of foam material joined together to result in a hybrid pad structure constructed from slow-response foam and open-cell foam. A main body cushion is constructed from a first sheet or panel of slow response foam disposed over the torso of the wearer, a second sheet or panel of slow-response foam disposed over the back of the wearer, joined together by a third sheet or panel of open-cell foam positioned between the first sheet and second sheet, disposed over the wearer's shoulder. Optionally, a fourth sheet or pad of slow-response foam is disposed on the third sheet, disposed over the wearer's shoulder, preferably at the location that is most likely to suffer blows during football play. Optionally, a fifth sheet or pad of open-cell foam is disposed on the first sheet, on the side of the first sheet in contact with the wearer and a sixth sheet or pad of open-cell foam is disposed on the second sheet.

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 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.

Abstract: A helmet system includes an outer shell, an absorption layer coupled to the outer shell, a load distribution plate coupled to the absorption layer, and a liner coupled to the inner load distribution plate. The absorption layer can include multiple absorption structures extending from an outer end adjacent to the outer shell to an inner end, where the inner ends of the absorption structures define an inner surface of the absorption layer. Each absorption structure can include a tapered shape profile between its outer end and its inner end, and the load distribution plate is coupled to the inner surface of the absorption layer. The liner can be positioned adjacent to a head of a wearer of the helmet system.

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 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 methods, devices, and systems for improved protective clothing such as helmets and protective headgear, including improvements in modular, semi-custom or customized helmet liners and/or inserts to enhance wearer comfort and reduce the deleterious effects of impacts between the wearer and other players and/or objects in all types of wearer activities (i.e., sports, military, equestrian, etc.).

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: 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: Disclosed are methods, devices, and systems for improved protective clothing such as helmets and protective headgear, including improvements in modular, semi-custom or customized helmet liners and/or inserts to enhance wearer comfort and reduce the deleterious effects of impacts between the wearer and other players and/or objects in all types of wearer activities (i.e., sports, military, equestrian, etc.).

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: 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: Disclosed are methods, devices, and systems for improved protective clothing such as helmets and protective headgear, including improvements in modular, semi-custom or customized helmet liners and/or inserts to enhance wearer comfort and reduce the deleterious effects of impacts between the wearer and other players and/or objects in all types of wearer activities (i.e., sports, military, equestrian, etc.).

Abstract: A microlattice structure may be used for a variety of different applications with a protective helmet assembly. The 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.