Abstract: Impact dissipating helmet liners and protective barriers having internal cylindrical posts or pins are provided. The helmet liners and protective barriers include a flexible, fluid impermeable enclosure having an upper wall, an opposing lower wall, and a sidewall extending between the upper wall and the lower wall; a fluid contained in the enclosure; and cylindrical posts or pins extending from the lower wall to the upper wall, each of the cylindrical posts or pins at least partially restraining deflection of one of the upper wall and the lower wall. The helmet liners provided may include a central portion and lobes radially extending from the central portion and are adapted to conform to the shape of a helmet shell. The protective barriers disclosed may be constructed in any convenient shape compatible with the intended application of the protective barrier. Methods of fabricating helmet liners and protective barriers are also provided.

Abstract: Headgear, helmets, and related protective equipment having friction reducing interface elements are provided. The headgear includes a helmet shell having external surface and an internal surface; a headgear liner shaped and adapted to be received by the helmet shell, the head gear liner having an external surface positioned to contact the internal surface of the helmet shell; and at least one interface element positioned between the external surface of the headgear liner and the internal surface of the helmet shell. The at least one interface element provides at least some reduction in friction between the external surface of the headgear liner and the internal surface of the helmet shell. The headgear liner may comprise a fluid-filled headgear liner. The interface elements may provide surfaces at multiple elevations that assist in dispersing an impact load to the headgear liner. Methods of protecting the wearer of the headgear are also provided.

Abstract: Impact-dissipating liners, helmets having an impact-dissipating liner, helmet liner retainers, and methods of protecting the head from impact are provided. The liners include a fluid impermeable enclosure having internal cavities, and a fluid contained in the enclosure. The enclosures are in fluid communication via passages comprising a restriction between the internal cavities of the enclosures that may restrict flow of the fluid between the enclosures. The helmet liner retainers include a head strap and at least one projection extending from the head strap sized to engage at least one recess in a headgear liner. The engagement of the at least one projection with the at least one recess in the headgear liner at least partially retains the headgear liner. Though applicable to a broad range of protective headgear, the liners and liner retainers disclosed are uniquely adapted for use in construction helmets, that is, “hard hats.

Abstract: Surface treatment devices having a flexible, fluid impermeable enclosure made of a synthetic amorphous silica; and a polydimethlysiloxane fluid contained in the enclosure. The synthetic amorphous silica may be a liquid silicone rubber, for example, s CHT True Skin liquid silicone rubber. The polydimethlysiloxane fluid may be a CHT QM Diluent. The treatment device may be used for heating or cooling a surface, for example, the surface of the human body. The liquid silicone rubber may be a CHT True Skin 10 liquid silicone rubber, and the CHT QM Diluent may be a low viscosity CHT QM Diluent, for example, a CHT QM Diluent having a viscosity of at least 50 centipoise (cps), or at least 1,000 cps. Methods for treating a surface and methods for fabricating a surface treating device are also provided.

Abstract: Impact-dissipating liners, helmets having an impact-dissipating liner, and methods of fabricating impact-dissipating liners are provided. The liners include a fluid impermeable enclosure having cavities with sidewalls and a fluid contained in the enclosure. The enclosure may have a central portion and lobes extending from the central portion, wherein the central portion and the lobes are adapted to conform to the shape of an internal surface of a helmet. The helmets may include bodies positioned within the cavities of the liner, where, under impact loading, contact between the bodies and the liner absorbs at least some of the energy of the impact loading. Aspects of the invention are particularly adapted for use for head protection, such as, helmets; however, aspects of the invention are also adaptable to provide impact-dissipation for any body or surface that would benefit from such protection.

Abstract: Impact-dissipating liners, helmets having an impact-dissipating liner, and methods of fabricating impact-dissipating liners are provided. The liners include a fluid impermeable enclosure having cavities with sidewalls, re-enforcing fabric sheets, and a fluid contained in the enclosure. The enclosure may have a central portion and lobes extending from the central portion, wherein the central portion and the lobes are adapted to conform to the shape of an internal surface of a helmet. The re-enforcing sheets may be made from a broad range of materials and may enhance the structural support, structural integrity, and/or durability to the liner. Aspects of the invention are particularly adapted for use as head protection, such as, helmets; however, aspects of the invention are also adaptable to provide impact-dissipation for any body or surface that would benefit from such protection.

Abstract: Impact-dissipating liners, helmets having an impact-dissipating liner, and methods of fabricating impact-dissipating liners are provided. The liners include a fluid impermeable enclosure having cavities with sidewalls and a fluid contained in the enclosure. The enclosure may have a central portion and lobes extending from the central portion, wherein the central portion and the lobes are adapted to conform to the shape of an internal surface of a helmet. The helmets may include bodies positioned within the cavities of the liner, where, under impact loading, contact between the bodies and the liner absorbs at least some of the energy of the impact loading. Aspects of the invention are particularly adapted for use for head protection, such as, helmets; however, aspects of the invention are also adaptable to provide impact-dissipation for any body or surface that would benefit from such protection.

Abstract: Impact-dissipating liners, helmets having an impact-dissipating liner, and methods of fabricating impact-dissipating liners are provided. The liners include a fluid impermeable enclosure having cavities with sidewalls and a fluid contained in the enclosure. The enclosure may have a central portion and lobes extending from the central portion, wherein the central portion and the lobes are adapted to conform to the shape of an internal surface of a helmet. The helmets may include bodies positioned within the cavities of the liner, where, under impact loading, contact between the bodies and the liner absorbs at least some of the energy of the impact loading. Aspects of the invention are particularly adapted for use for head protection, such as, helmets; however, aspects of the invention are also adaptable to provide impact-dissipation for any body or surface that would benefit from such protection.