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: 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: 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 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 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: 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 (10) inside the outer shell to receive loads from the outer shell and an inner liner (12) disposed inside the impact absorbing liner (10), with the inner liner (12) configured to slide relative to the impact absorbing liner (10). The inner liner (12) defines a number of apertures (16) and a deflector (14) inside each aperture. Each deflector (14) comprises: a body (20) that is connectable to the impact absorbing liner (12); a peripheral border (18) that is connectable to the aperture (16) in which it is received; and a number of deformable spokes (22) extending between the body (20) and the border (18).

Abstract: Protective wear such as a glove comprises a textile fabric substrate with elements of a synthetic plastics material that hardens on being subjected to impact, injection molded onto the fabric. The glove has a row of elements along each digit and some of the elements have recesses in them to provide space for the knuckles and finger joints of the hand.

Abstract: A knee brace (10) according to the invention includes an upper leg formation (12), a lower leg formation (14) and a hinge mechanism (16) that is disposed entirely on the lateral side of the knee. The knee brace (10) has pressure formations (20, 24,62, 28) pressing on three pressure points: on the lateral aspect of the wearer's upper leg, on the lateral aspect of the wearer's lower leg, and against the knee complex on the medial aspect of the distal extremity of the femur. The three pressure formations are connected to one another by a stiff structure (18, 16) which includes the hinge mechanism (16).

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 neck brace (10) is disclosed which comprises two sections (12, 14) which are releasably connected to one another along a split line (18). The ring has upwardly facing surfaces (30, 76.1, 20.2) which limit tilting movement of a helmeted head in all directions. The brace further has a column (68, 70) which extends downwardly from the ring for transferring loads to the wearer's back on each side of the spine.

Abstract: A neck brace has two legs with a gap between them and the legs extend on either side of the wearer's neck and along the front of his torso. Shoulder protuberances, and chest protuberances extending laterally from each leg, are received underneath the shoulder straps of a harness, in the region of the wearer's shoulders and chest, respectively. A recess is defined on an underside of each leg between the shoulder protuberance and the chest protuberance to form a beam that is elevated above the wearer's chest. Each leg and its associated chest protuberance, define a channel in which one of the shoulder straps of the harness is receivable to be held captive.

Abstract: A neck brace (10) is disclosed which comprises two sections (12, 14) which are releasably connected to one another along a split line (18). The ring has upwardly facing surfaces (30, 76.1, 20.2) which limit tilting movement of a helmeted head in all directions. The brace further has a column (68, 70) which extends downwardly from the ring for transferring loads to the wearer's back on each side of the spine.

Abstract: A neck brace (10) is disclosed which comprises two sections (12, 14) which are releasably connected to one another along a split line (18). The ring has upwardly facing surfaces (30, 76.1, 20.2) which limit tilting movement of a helmeted head in all directions. The brace further has a column (68, 70) which extends downwardly from the ring for transferring loads to the wearer's back on each side of the spine.

Abstract: A neck brace (10) is disclosed which comprises two sections (12, 14) which are releasably connected to one another along a split line (18). The ring has upwardly facing surfaces (30, 76.1, 20.2) which limit tilting movement of a helmeted head in all directions. The brace further has a column (68, 70) which extends downwardly from the ring for transferring loads to the wearer's back on each side of the spine.

Abstract: A helmet (10) is provided, that has a first resilient shell (12), a support structure (16,18) inside the first shell to support the first shell on the wearer's head (14), a chin strap (20), to hold the helmet in position, a deformable layer (24) on the outside of the first shell and a tough outer shell (26) on the outside of the deformable layer. The deformable layer is of a material that absorbs energy when it is deformed and returns slowly to its original shape afterwards. The helmet includes a chin bar (34) with two opposing ends (36) that are displaceable relative to the outer shell, immediately inwardly of the outer shell. The outer profile of the helmet has a plurality of generally planar surfaces (28) and the helmet has a rear strap (38) that is attachable to the chin strap and that is configured to extend around the back of the wearer's head.

Abstract: Neck brace that inhibits excessive neck movement during impact, yet allows for a high degree of movement of the wearer's head during normal operation of the neck brace. May include impact surface(s) that limits movement of a helmet by contacting an underside of the helmet; bearing surface(s) configured for bearing on wearer; a structure between impact surface and bearing surface, sufficiently resilient to transfer impact loads of the helmet to the impact surface, to the wearer's body; wherein the impact surface is displaceable towards an adjacent part of the bearing surface and wherein the structure is configured to permit the displacement at rates slower than a predetermined rate of displacement and to resist the displacement if the rate of displacement exceeds the predetermined rate. May include a pivotal joint between the displaceable part and remainder of neck brace and impact brake element(s).

Abstract: A neck brace has two legs with a gap between them and the legs extend on either side of the wearer's neck and along the front of his torso. Shoulder protuberances, and chest protuberances extending laterally from each leg, are received underneath the shoulder straps of a harness, in the region of the wearer's shoulders and chest, respectively. A recess is defined on an underside of each leg between the shoulder protuberance and the chest protuberance to form a beam that is elevated above the wearer's chest. Each leg and its associated chest protuberance, define a channel in which one of the shoulder straps of the harness is receivable to be held captive.