Abstract: Provides is a novel protective helmet design that allows helmet designers and manufacturers to create more advanced designs with cavities, converging walls, and movable parts inside a helmet to reduce both linear and rotational forces applied to the head during an impact and as a result, reduce the risk of head injury and concussion. Also provided is a cost-effective design and manufacturing method that creates helmets that are light-weighted and perform better compared to the conventional helmet designs in terms of reducing linear and rotational forces applied to the head during an impact. The method also allows manufacturing helmets while consuming less raw materials for the shock-absorbing liner which is cost-effective and better for the environment.

Abstract: The invention is inspired by the animal bone structure which is normally hollow in the middle. The invention introduces a novel foam article and a method of manufacturing it to include cavities similar to the bone structure. The novel foam article comprises a cavity-defining structure that is placed inside a mould prior to introducing expanded polymer beads into the mould. The cavity-defining structure comprises hollow compartments or layers that create macro-cavities and hollow compartments in specific sizes and locations of the foam article during the moulding process. As a result, the foam article equipped with the cavity-defining structure uses fewer polymer beads and is lighter than foam articles made conventionally. The invention also improves the foam article in terms of its shock absorption, durability, thermal insulation, acoustic insulation, and floatation.

Abstract: Generally described, aspects of the disclosed subject matter are directed to impact mitigating membranes. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the impact mitigating membranes generally include a laminar core having a first lamina and a second lamina coupled to the first lamina and configured to shift relative to the first lamina to dissipate kinetic energy resulting from an oblique impact force. The laminar core may include a lubricating layer or self-lubrication between the lamina to reduce friction. In general, the laminar core is surrounded by first and second encapsulating layers positioned adjacent each lamina. An anchoring attachment coupled to one or more of the first and second encapsulating layer and associating with the laminar core constrains relative lateral motion between the laminar core and the first and second encapsulating layers.

Abstract: The present disclosure seeks to reduce the effects of rotational and linear acceleration experienced by the body of a user in response to an impact force. Modular disengaging systems of the present disclosure are generally suitable for coupling to protective equipment to provide a disengaging motion between various layers such that the effects of the impact force to the body of the user are reduced. Generally described, the modular disengaging systems of the present disclosure include layers configured to facilitate relative lateral motion therebetween upon an impact force.

Abstract: Protective equipment comprising: a shock-absorbing liner, the shock absorbing liner comprising one or more cavities; and a fitting liner for mounting the equipment to a wearer, said fitting liner arranged between the wearer and the shock-absorbing liner and configured to move relative to the shock-absorbing liner during an impact; an attachment means attaching the fitting liner to the rest of the helmet, the attachment means being attached to the rest of the helmet within one of the cavities of the shock absorbing liner.

Abstract: Generally described, aspects of the disclosed subject matter are directed to impact mitigating membranes. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the impact mitigating membranes generally include a laminar core having a first lamina and a second lamina coupled to the first lamina and configured to shift relative to the first lamina to dissipate kinetic energy resulting from an oblique impact force. The laminar core may include a lubricating layer or self-lubrication between the lamina to reduce friction. In general, the laminar core is surrounded by first and second encapsulating layers positioned adjacent each lamina. An anchoring attachment coupled to one or more of the first and second encapsulating layer and associating with the laminar core constrains relative lateral motion between the laminar core and the first and second encapsulating layers.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a suspension-based impact test system for testing impact of a testing object against an impacting object. The impact test system includes components to couple the testing object to a suspension arm through a coupling member, and the suspension arm interfaces a motion-guiding mechanism. The impact test system generally includes a detachment mechanism for releasing the testing object from the suspension arm when initiated by a release system. The testing object releases from the constraints such that the testing object can move freely just prior to contacting the impacting object.

Abstract: The present disclosure seeks to reduce the effects of rotational and linear acceleration experienced by the body of a user in response to an impact force. Modular disengaging systems of the present disclosure are generally suitable for coupling to protective equipment to provide a disengaging motion between various layers such that the effects of the impact force to the body of the user are reduced. Generally described, the modular disengaging systems of the present disclosure include layers configured to facilitate relative lateral motion therebetween upon an impact force.

Abstract: An impact diverting mechanism having a top layer and a bottom layer is provided. The two layers are connected such that the top layer is configured to move in relation to the bottom layer when impacted, and therefore is able to divert impact and reduce rotational and linear acceleration on the bottom layer. The impact diverting mechanism may be attached to, or configured to attach to, an object in need of protection, such as a helmet.

Abstract: An impact diverting mechanism having a top layer and a bottom layer is provided. The two layers are connected such that the top layer is configured to move in relation to the bottom layer when impacted, and therefore is able to divert impact and reduce rotational and linear acceleration on the bottom layer. The impact diverting mechanism may be attached to, or configured to attach to, an object in need of protection, such as a helmet.

Abstract: An impact diverting mechanism having a top layer and a bottom layer is provided. The two layers are connected such that the top layer is configured to move in relation to the bottom layer when impacted, and therefore is able to divert impact and reduce rotational and linear acceleration on the bottom layer. The impact diverting mechanism may be attached to, or configured to attach to, an object in need of protection, such as a helmet.