Abstract: A helmet includes a housing sized for use on a human head and having an opening designed to expose a face associated with the human head and a facemask attached to the housing and situated over the opening to cover the face. The facemask has a slightly curved front portion, a slightly curved right side portion, and a slightly curved left side portion. The facemask has a plurality of substantially vertically oriented bars having different widths. The vertically oriented bars include a first type having a first width, a second type having a second width that is larger than the first width, and a third type having a third width that is larger than the first and second widths. The left and right side portions of the facemask include a first type bar and a second type bar, where the second type bar is situated nearer to the housing than the first type bar.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a spiral shaped element and wavy suture are disclosed for use in a shock mitigating material to dissipate the energy associated with the impact of an object. The shock mitigating material can be used in helmets, bumpers, bulletproof vests, mats, pads, military armor, and other applications. One embodiment, among others, is a shock mitigating material having spiral shaped elements, each having a circular cross section and each being tapered from a large outside end to a small inside end but also having a suture or sutures that can induce shear waves to mitigate the shock pressure and impulse. Another embodiment is a shock mitigating material having sutures (wavy gaps or wavy materials). In this embodiment when the material is impacted, the wavy gap or material will induce a mechanism in shear to dissipate the impact energy.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a spiral shaped element and wavy suture are disclosed for use in a shock mitigating material to dissipate the energy associated with the impact of an object. The shock mitigating material can be used in helmets, bumpers, bulletproof vests, mats, pads, foot gear, military armor, and other applications. One embodiment, among others, is a shock mitigating material having spiral shaped elements, each having a circular cross section and each being tapered from a large outside end to a small inside end but also having a suture or sutures that can induce shear waves to mitigate the shock pressure and impulse. Another embodiment is a shock mitigating material having sutures (wavy gaps or wavy materials). In this embodiment when the material is impacted, the wavy gap or material will induce a mechanism in shear to dissipate the impact energy and action.

Abstract: A helmet, has a shell that includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion has first, second and third layers. The second layer is positioned between the first layer and the third layer. The second layer is less dense than the first layer and the third layer. The second portion has a plurality of enemy dissipaters. Each of the energy dissipaters has a rod that extends in a spiraling manner from a fixed end to a free end. The rod tapers continuously along its length from the fixed end to the free end so that the fixed end exhibits a larger internal cross sectional area than the free end. The free end is capable of vibrating when the helmet is impacted by an object in order to dissipate impact energy.

Abstract: A helmet includes a housing sized for use on a human head and having an opening designed to expose a face associated with the human head and a facemask attached to the housing and situated over the opening to cover the face. The facemask has a slightly curved front portion, a slightly curved right side portion, and a slightly curved left side portion. The facemask has a plurality of substantially vertically oriented bars having different widths. The vertically oriented bars include a first type having a first width, a second type having a second width that is larger than the first width, and a third type having a third width that is larger than the first and second widths. The left and right side portions of the facemask include a first type bar and a second type bar, where the second type bar is situated nearer to the housing than the first type bar.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a spiral shaped element and embedded wavy materials are disclosed for use in a shock mitigating material to dissipate the energy associated with the impact of an object. The shock mitigating material can be used in helmets, bumpers, bullet proof vests, military armor, and other applications. One embodiment, among others, is a shock mitigating material having a plurality of spiral shaped elements, each having a circular cross section, and each being tapered from a large outside end to a small inside end but also having an embedded wavy material that can induce shear waves to mitigate the shock pressure and impulse.

Abstract: Described are helmets that include a shell that has a first layer, a second layer, and a third layer. The second layer is positioned between the first layer and the third layer. The second layer is less dense than the first layer and the third layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a spiral shaped element and embedded wavy materials are disclosed for use in a shock mitigating material to dissipate the energy associated with the impact of an object. The shock mitigating material can be used in helmets, bumpers, bullet proof vests, military armor, and other applications. One embodiment, among others, is a shock mitigating material having a plurality of spiral shaped elements, each having a circular cross section, and each being tapered from a large outside end to a small inside end but also having an embedded wavy material that can induce shear waves to mitigate the shock pressure and impulse.