Abstract: Embodiments are directed toward a helmet liner coupler for coupling a helmet liner in a helmet. The coupler preferably includes a base and a plug. The plug preferably extends away from the base. The plug is preferably configured to engage in an interference fit with a female tubular member in the helmet. The base is preferably configured to engage the helmet liner and thereby couple the helmet liner to the helmet.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed toward a comfort liner for a helmet. The comfort liner preferably includes a latticed structure configured to couple to the helmet. The latticed structure is preferably elastically compressible and configured to prevent rotation of the helmet relative to a wearer's head in at least one dimension.

Abstract: A helmet mount includes a latching plate defining a latching opening with wide and narrow portions and a notch. A latching spring below the latching plate urges a spring portion against the wide portion. The shaft of a first pin on an accessory mount is sized to fit in the narrow portion while its widened head only fits through the wide portion. The spring portion engages the widened head and prevents sliding within the narrow portion. The shaft of a second pin slides within the notch with its widened head preventing removal. A wedge may be slid against the spring to retract the spring portion allowing removal of the first pin. Electrical contacts on the helmet mount may engage electrical contents on the accessory mount to supply power to an accessory such as night-vision goggles.

Abstract: A helmet with a visor includes structures that engage to prevent inadvertent retraction of the visor. The visor may be pressed against a shoulder formed around the face opening of the helmet responsive to an inward force. Arms securing the visor the helmet may be include a slot permitting sliding to facilitate this movement. The arms may include an arcuate slot and a radial slot engaging a guide pin mounted to the helmet. With the visor down, the guide pin slides within the radial slot. A protrusion on the visor may be urged into a receptacle on the helmet in response to an inward force. A latch may engage the helmet when the visor is down and be releasable manually.

Abstract: A helmet fit system includes a harness, a first anchor and a second anchor secured to a helmet, a tensioning mechanism, and a cable passing from the mechanism, around the first anchor, through the harness, and around the second anchor. The tensioning mechanism is not secured to any portion of the harness. The harness may define a channel, the cable passing through the channel. The tensioning mechanism is mounted to the outer surface of a helmet on the first side of a plane of symmetry of the helmet such that the cable passes through the helmet.

Abstract: A helmet mount includes a latching plate defining a latching opening with wide and narrow portions and a notch. A latching spring below the latching plate urges a spring portion against the wide portion. The shaft of a first pin on an accessory mount is sized to fit in the narrow portion while its widened head only fits through the wide portion. The spring portion engages the widened head and prevents sliding within the narrow portion. The shaft of a second pin slides within the notch with its widened head preventing removal. A wedge may be slid against the spring to retract the spring portion allowing removal of the first pin. Electrical contacts on the helmet mount may engage electrical contents on the accessory mount to supply power to an accessory such as night-vision goggles.

Abstract: A helmet with a visor includes structures that engage to prevent inadvertent retraction of the visor. The visor may be pressed against a shoulder formed around the face opening of the helmet responsive to an inward force. Arms securing the visor the helmet may be include a slot permitting sliding to facilitate this movement. The arms may include an arcuate slot and a radial slot engaging a guide pin mounted to the helmet. With the visor down, the guide pin slides within the radial slot. A protrusion on the visor may be urged into a receptacle on the helmet in response to an inward force. A latch may engage the helmet when the visor is down and be releasable manually.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a helmet. The helmet preferably includes a shell, a suspension, and a connector. The suspension preferably includes a crown strap. The connector preferably couples to the shell and the crown strap. The connector preferably has a shock absorber operatively disposed between the shell and the crown strap to absorb at least a portion of a force of impact delivered to the shell.

Abstract: A helmet fit system includes a harness, a first anchor and a second anchor secured to a helmet, a tensioning mechanism, and a cable passing from the mechanism, around the first anchor, through the harness, and around the second anchor. The tensioning mechanism is not secured to any portion of the harness. The harness may define a channel, the cable passing through the channel. The tensioning mechanism is mounted to the outer surface of a helmet on the first side of a plane of symmetry of the helmet such that the cable passes through the helmet.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed toward a helmet liner coupler for coupling a helmet liner in a helmet. The coupler preferably includes a base and a plug. The plug preferably extends away from the base. The plug is preferably configured to engage in an interference fit with a female tubular member in the helmet. The base is preferably configured to engage the helmet liner and thereby couple the helmet liner to the helmet.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed toward a comfort liner for a helmet. The comfort liner preferably includes a latticed structure configured to couple to the helmet. The latticed structure is preferably elastically compressible and configured to prevent rotation of the helmet relative to a wearer's head in at least one dimension.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a helmet. The helmet preferably includes a shell, a suspension, and a connector. The suspension preferably includes a crown strap. The connector preferably couples to the shell and the crown strap. The connector preferably has a shock absorber operatively disposed between the shell and the crown strap to absorb at least a portion of a force of impact delivered to the shell.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a helmet. The helmet preferably includes a shell, a suspension, and a connector. The suspension preferably includes a crown strap. The connector preferably couples to the shell and the crown strap. The connector preferably has a shock absorber operatively disposed between the shell and the crown strap to absorb at least a portion of a force of impact delivered to the shell.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a helmet. The helmet preferably includes a shell, a suspension, and a connector. The suspension preferably includes a crown strap. The connector preferably couples to the shell and the crown strap. The connector preferably has a shock absorber operatively disposed between the shell and the crown strap to absorb at least a portion of a force of impact delivered to the shell.

Abstract: A shoe includes a shoe upper and a sole coupled to the shoe upper and that includes a lower surface comprising a first material. A heel insert is embedded in a heel portion of the sole and includes a second material having a coefficient of friction less than a coefficient of friction of the first material, such as less than half. The heel insert may include projections made of a low-friction material such as nylon or UHMW whereas the sole is made from rubber. The projections may be embedded in a frame that seats within an inverted U-shaped channel defined by the sole.

Abstract: A shoe includes a shoe upper and a sole coupled to the shoe upper and that includes a lower surface comprising a first material. A heel insert is embedded in a heel portion of the sole and includes a second material having a coefficient of friction less than a coefficient of friction of the first material, such as less than half. The heel insert may include projections made of a low-friction material such as nylon or UHMW whereas the sole is made from rubber. The projections may be embedded in a frame that seats within an inverted U-shaped channel defined by the sole.

Abstract: A neck collar interfacing with a lower edge of a helmet of a wearer. The collar includes a pad and a shell. The pad is formed of a closed-cell foam material and forms a loop to be secured about the neck of the wearer. A plurality of shell components are secured to portions of the upper face of the pad. The shell is more rigid than the pad to spread the energy of impact with a lower edge of the helmet over a larger region of the pad. The shell and pad each include a chest portion having a split for opening the pad for putting the collar on and taking it off. The shell components are discontinuous at at least one lateral portion of the pad to allow flexibility of the pad for separation of the pad at the split.

Abstract: A neck collar interfacing with a lower edge of a helmet of a wearer. The collar includes a pad and a shell. The pad is formed of a closed-cell foam material and forms a loop to be secured about the neck of the wearer. A plurality of shell components are secured to portions of the upper face of the pad. The shell is more rigid than the pad to spread the energy of impact with a lower edge of the helmet over a larger region of the pad. The shell and pad each include a chest portion having a split for opening the pad for putting the collar on and taking it off. The shell components are discontinuous at at least one lateral portion of the pad to allow flexibility of the pad for separation of the pad at the split.

Abstract: An orthopedic protective assembly is disclosed. The orthopedic protective apparatus includes a foam shaped collar to conform to a user's neck area. The foam shaped collar comprises a multi-layer polymer material having a pliable outermost protective layer to absorb initial impact energy and additional layer(s). The additional layer(s) require(s) greater impact energy to deform than those of the pliable outermost protective layer. In one embodiment, shim extension(s) customize(s) impact energy absorption properties of the foam shaped collar by filling a gap between an underside of the foam shaped collar and a shoulder region of a user.