Abstract: A protective football helmet has a one-piece shell with a continuous lower frontal edge extending between a left and right side portion of the shell. A first impact attenuation member is formed in a front portion of the shell adjacent and above the continuous lower frontal edge, and a second impact attenuation member is formed in a rear portion of the shell adjacent and above a continuous lower rear edge. An extent of the first impact attenuation member is capable of being elastically displaced inward of an extent of the continuous lower frontal edge when an impact force is applied substantially normal to the front portion of the shell. Additionally, an extent of the second impact attenuation member is capable of being elastically displaced inward of an extent of the continuous lower rear edge when an impact force is applied substantially normal to the rear portion of the shell.

Abstract: A protective football helmet is provided having a one-piece molded shell with an impact attenuation system. This system includes an impact attenuation member formed in an extent of the front shell portion by removing material from the front portion. The impact attenuation member changes how a portion of the shell having the impact attenuation member responds to an impact force having a component applied substantially normal to the impact attenuation member as compared to how the left and right side portions respond to the impact force.

Abstract: A protective football helmet is provided having a one-piece molded shell with an impact attenuation system. This system includes an impact attenuation member formed in an extent of the front shell portion by removing material from the front portion. The impact attenuation member changes how a portion of the shell having the impact attenuation member responds to an impact force having a component applied substantially normal to the impact attenuation member as compared to how the left and right side portions respond to the impact force.

Abstract: A protective helmet comprises a shell having an inner surface and an outer surface, and a shell segment movable relative to the shell; an energy absorbing layer having an inner surface, and an outer surface which contacts the inner surface of the shell; and internal padding operably coupled to the inner surface of the energy absorbing layer. The shell has a perimeter and the shell segment is formed by at least one slot channel in the shell which does not extend to the perimeter of the shell. The shell segment moves relative to the shell upon the helmet receiving an impact force. The slot channel is generally U-shaped.

Abstract: A protective helmet comprises a shell made of plastic and having a raised central region oriented from a front of the shell towards a rear of the shell, a first vent opening adjacent to the raised central region on a left side of the raised central region, a second vent opening adjacent to the raised central region on a right side of the raised central region, a pressable front section created by a non-linear slit through the shell, which does not extend to an edge of the shell, ear holes formed in the shell; and an energy absorbing layer protected by the shell and having an outer surface.

Abstract: A protective helmet comprises a shell comprising a non-linear slit at least partially surrounding and defining a flexible section movable relative to the shell. The helmet further comprises an energy absorbing layer contacting an inner surface of the shell and an inner surface of the flexible section. Internal padding is operably coupled to the energy absorbing layer. The shell has a perimeter, and the non-linear slit does not extend to the perimeter of the shell. The flexible section moves relative to the shell upon the helmet receiving an impact energy to dampen the impact energy.

Abstract: A protective football helmet is provided having a one-piece molded shell with an impact attenuation system. This system includes an impact attenuation member formed in an extent of the front shell portion by removing material from the front portion. The impact attenuation member changes how a portion of the shell having the impact attenuation member responds to an impact force having a component applied substantially normal to the impact attenuation member as compared to how the left and right side portions respond to the impact force.

Abstract: A football helmet comprising a one-piece shell and an energy absorbing layer includes a crown portion, a front portion, a left side portion, a right side portion, and a rear portion. The shell has a non-linear channel spaced in its entirety from an edge of the shell that partially surrounds and defines a shell section within the front portion such that the shell section is moveable relative to the remainder of the shell upon the shell section receiving an impact energy to dampen the impact energy.

Abstract: A protective football helmet is provided having a one-piece molded shell with an impact attenuation system. This system includes an impact attenuation member formed in an extent of the front shell portion by removing material from the front portion. The impact attenuation member changes how a portion of the shell having the impact attenuation member responds to an impact force having a component applied substantially normal to the impact attenuation member as compared to how the left and right side portions respond to the impact force.

Abstract: A protective football helmet is provided having a one-piece molded shell with an impact attenuation system. This system includes an impact attenuation member formed in an extent of the front shell portion by removing material from the front portion. The impact attenuation member changes how a portion of the shell having the impact attenuation member responds to an impact force having a component applied substantially normal to the impact attenuation member as compared to how the left and right side portions respond to the impact force.

Abstract: A protective football helmet is provided having a one-piece molded shell with an impact attenuation system. This system includes an impact attenuation member formed in an extent of the front shell portion by removing material from the front portion. The impact attenuation member changes how a portion of the shell having the impact attenuation member responds to an impact force having a component applied substantially normal to the impact attenuation member as compared to how the left and right side portions respond to the impact force.

Abstract: A protective football helmet is provided having a one-piece molded shell with an impact attenuation system. This system includes an impact attenuation member formed in an extent of the front shell portion by removing material from the front portion. The impact attenuation member changes how a portion of the shell having the impact attenuation member responds to an impact force having a component applied substantially normal to the impact attenuation member as compared to how the left and right side portions respond to the impact force.

Abstract: A protective helmet having an inner shell and an outer shell assembly. Internal padding contacts an inner surface of the inner shell and an energy absorbing layer is positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell assembly. The outer shell assembly includes a plurality of rigid, outer shell segments with at least, one of the outer shell segments designed and arranged to move relative to the other outer shell segments upon receiving an impact force. The external energy absorbing layer and the outer shell assembly dampens impact energy before it reaches the inner shell.

Abstract: A protective helmet having an inner shell and an outer shell assembly. Internal padding contacts an inner surface of the inner shell and an energy absorbing layer is positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell assembly. The outer shell assembly includes a plurality of rigid, outer shell segments with at least, one of the outer shell segments designed and arranged to move relative to the other outer shell segments upon receiving an impact force. The external energy absorbing layer and the outer shell assembly dampens impact energy before it reaches the inner shell.

Abstract: A protective helmet having an inner shell and an outer shell assembly. Internal padding contacts an inner surface of the inner shell and an energy absorbing layer is positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell assembly. The outer shell assembly includes a plurality of rigid, outer shell segments with at least, one of the outer shell segments designed and arranged to move relative to the other outershell segments upon receiving an impact force. The external energy absorbing layer and the outer shell assembly dampens impact energy before it reaches the inner shell.

Abstract: A protective helmet having an inner shell and an outer shell assembly. Internal padding contacts an inner surface of the inner shell and an energy absorbing layer is positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell assembly. The outer shell assembly includes a plurality of rigid, outer shell segments with at least one of the outer shell segments designed and arranged to move relative to the other outer shell segments upon receiving an impact force. The external energy absorbing layer and the outer shell assembly dampens impact energy before it reaches the inner shell.

Abstract: A protective helmet having an inner shell and an outer shell assembly. Internal padding contacts an inner surface of the inner shell and an energy absorbing layer is positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell assembly. The outer shell assembly includes a plurality of rigid, outer shell segments with at least one of the outer shell segments designed and arranged to move relative to the other outer shell segments upon receiving an impact force. The external energy absorbing layer and the outer shell assembly dampens impact energy before it reaches the inner shell.

Abstract: A protective helmet having an inner shell and an outer shell assembly. Internal padding contacts an inner surface of the inner shell and an energy absorbing layer is positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell assembly. The outer shell assembly includes a plurality of rigid, outer shell segments with at least one of the outer shell segments designed and arranged to move relative to the other outer shell segments upon receiving an impact force. The external energy absorbing layer and the outer shell assembly dampens impact energy before it reaches the inner shell.

Abstract: A protective helmet having an inner shell and an outer shell assembly. Internal padding contacts an inner surface of the inner shell and an energy absorbing layer is positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell assembly. The outer shell assembly includes a plurality of rigid, outer shell segments with at least one of the outer shell segments designed and arranged to move relative to the other outer shell segments upon receiving an impact force. The external energy absorbing layer and the outer shell assembly dampens impact energy before it reaches the inner shell.

Abstract: A protective helmet having an inner shell and an outer shell assembly. Internal padding contacts an inner surface of the inner shell and an energy absorbing layer is positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell assembly. The outer shell assembly includes a plurality of rigid, outer shell segments with at least one of the outer shell segments designed and arranged to move relative to the other outer shell segments upon receiving an impact force. The external energy absorbing layer and the outer shell assembly dampens impact energy before it reaches the inner shell.