Abstract: A helmet to be worn on a head having an annular headband shaped area. The headband shaped area positioned near an upper junction of the ears and the wearer's head. A top area is centered about a top of the wearer's head. A middle area defined between the headband area and the top area. The helmet includes a shell having an inner surface. A first type of subliner elements extend from the inner surface at a location such that the first type of subliner elements are aligned with the headband area. A second type of subliner elements extend from the inner surface at a location such that the second type of subliner elements are aligned with the middle area. A third type of subliner element extends from the inner surface at a location such that the third type of subliner element is aligned with the top area.

Abstract: A helmet that includes a subliner shell comprised of a hard impact resistant material. The shell has inner and outer surfaces. A subliner element having a first foam pad having a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface is attached to the inner surface of the shell. A second foam pad is constructed of an energy absorbing viscoelastic foam material that is radially partitioned into individual segments. The segments are nested with respect to each other such that the nested segments have side surfaces in slidable direct contacting engagement with side surfaces of adjacent nested segments. The second foam pad has a top surface attached to the bottom surface of the first foam pad. A third foam pad has a top surface and a bottom surface, with the top surface of the third foam pad being attached to the bottom surface of the second foam pad.

Abstract: A helmet to be worn on a head of a wearer includes a shell comprised of a hard impact resistant material. The shell has inner and outer surfaces and is adapted to surround at least a portion of the cranial part of wearer's head with the inner surface of the shell being spaced from the wearer's head at an initial pre-impact relative position when the helmet is worn. A subliner, at least a part of which is adapted to be in contact with the wearer's head when the helmet is worn prior to an impact and during an impact, includes at least one subliner element extending from the inner surface of the shell. The at least one subliner element is constructed of an energy absorbing viscoelastic foam material. The at least one subliner element is radially partitioned into individual and independent segments. The independent segments are nested with respect to each other with double-sided nano tape positioned therebetween such that the nested segments have side surfaces in direct contacting engagement with the nano tape.

Abstract: A helmet to be worn on a head having an annular headband shaped area. The headband shaped area positioned near an upper junction of the ears and the wearer's head. A top area is centered about a top of the wearer's head. A middle area defined between the headband area and the top area. The helmet includes a shell having an inner surface. A first type of subliner elements extend from the inner surface at a location such that the first type of subliner elements are aligned with the headband area. A second type of subliner elements extend from the inner surface at a location such that the second type of subliner elements are aligned with the middle area. A third type of subliner element extends from the inner surface at a location such that the third type of subliner element is aligned with the top area.

Abstract: A helmet to be worn on a head having an annular headband shaped area. The headband shaped area positioned near an upper junction of the ears and the wearer's head. A top area is centered about a top of the wearer's head. A middle area defined between the headband area and the top area. The helmet includes a shell having an inner surface. A first type of subliner elements extend from the inner surface at a location such that the first type of subliner elements are aligned with the headband area. A second type of subliner elements extend from the inner surface at a location such that the second type of subliner elements are aligned with the middle area. A third type of subliner element extends from the inner surface at a location such that the third type of subliner element is aligned with the top area.

Abstract: A chin strap assembly having a pad portion and a strap portion for a protective helmet. The strap portion of the chin strap assembly includes a first strap having first and second major sides and a terminal end and a second strap having first and second major sides and a terminal end. A socket is secured proximate the terminal end of the first strap. The socket includes a cavity therein. A stud is secured proximate the terminal end of the second strap in engagement with the first major side thereof. The stud is releasably secured in the cavity. A longitudinal plate having a first end and a second end is positioned on the second major side of the second strap. The stud is secured to the plate proximate the second end thereof with the first end of the plate extending away from terminal end of the second strap. A distance between the first and second ends of the plate is between 0.5 and 2.5 inches.

Abstract: A protective helmet for successive impacts includes a head cap adapted to surround and move with a wearer's head and an outer shell which surrounds the head cap. An energy absorbing flexible liner predominantly comprised of radially oriented foam columns is attached to both the head cap and outer shell. The liner establishes a preset initial relative position and spacing between the head cap and the outer shell and compliantly absorbs energy imparted to the outer shell during a helmet impact to enable the outer shell to move linearly and angularly relative to the head cap during the helmet impact and to be returned to the initial relative position with the head cap following the impact.

Abstract: A protective helmet for successive impacts includes a head cap adapted to surround and move with a wearer's head and an outer shell which surrounds the head cap. An energy absorbing flexible liner predominantly comprised of radially oriented foam columns is attached to both the head cap and outer shell. The liner establishes a preset initial relative position and spacing between the head cap and the outer shell and compliantly absorbs energy imparted to the outer shell during a helmet impact to enable the outer shell to move linearly and angularly relative to the head cap during the helmet impact and to be returned to the initial relative position with the head cap following the impact.

Abstract: A protective helmet for successive impacts includes a head cap adapted to surround and move with a wearer's head and an outer shell which surrounds the head cap. An energy absorbing flexible liner predominantly comprised of radially oriented foam columns is attached to both the head cap and outer shell. The liner establishes a preset initial relative position and spacing between the head cap and the outer shell and compliantly absorbs energy imparted to the outer shell during a helmet impact to enable the outer shell to move linearly and angularly relative to the head cap during the helmet impact and to be returned to the initial relative position with the head cap following the impact.

Abstract: A protective helmet for successive impacts includes a head cap adapted to surround and move with a wearer's head and an outer shell which surrounds the head cap. An energy absorbing flexible liner predominantly comprised of radially oriented foam columns is attached to both the head cap and outer shell. The liner establishes a preset initial relative position and spacing between the head cap and the outer shell and compliantly absorbs energy imparted to the outer shell during a helmet impact to enable the outer shell to move linearly and angularly relative to the head cap during the helmet impact and to be returned to the initial relative position with the head cap following the impact.

Abstract: A protective helmet for successive impacts includes a head cap adapted to surround and move with a wearer's head and an outer shell which surrounds the head cap. An energy absorbing flexible liner predominantly comprised of radially oriented foam columns is attached to both the head cap and outer shell. The liner establishes a preset initial relative position and spacing between the head cap and the outer shell and compliantly absorbs energy imparted to the outer shell during a helmet impact to enable the outer shell to move linearly and angularly relative to the head cap during the helmet impact and to be returned to the initial relative position with the head cap following the impact.

Abstract: A protective helmet for successive impacts includes a head cap adapted to surround and move with a wearer's head and an outer shell which surrounds the head cap. An energy absorbing flexible liner predominantly comprised of radially oriented foam columns is attached to both the head cap and outer shell. The liner establishes a preset initial relative position and spacing between the head cap and the outer shell and compliantly absorbs energy imparted to the outer shell during a helmet impact to enable the outer shell to move linearly and angularly relative to the head cap during the helmet impact and to be returned to the initial relative position with the head cap following the impact.

Abstract: A protective helmet for successive impacts includes a head cap adapted to surround and move with a wearer's head and an outer shell which surrounds the head cap. An energy absorbing flexible liner predominantly comprised of radially oriented foam columns is attached to both the head cap and outer shell. The liner establishes a preset initial relative position and spacing between the head cap and the outer shell and compliantly absorbs energy imparted to the outer shell during a helmet impact to enable the outer shell to move linearly and angularly relative to the head cap during the helmet impact and to be returned to the initial relative position with the head cap following the impact.

Abstract: A protective helmet for successive impacts includes a head cap adapted to surround and move with a wearer's head and an outer shell which surrounds the head cap. An energy absorbing flexible liner predominantly comprised of radially oriented foam columns is attached to both the head cap and outer shell. The liner establishes a preset initial relative position and spacing between the head cap and the outer shell and compliantly absorbs energy imparted to the outer shell during a helmet impact to enable the outer shell to move linearly and angularly relative to the head cap during the helmet impact and to be returned to the initial relative position with the head cap following the impact.

Abstract: A protective helmet for successive impacts includes a head cap adapted to surround and move with a wearer's head and an outer shell which surrounds the head cap. An energy absorbing flexible liner predominantly comprised of radially oriented foam columns is attached to both the head cap and outer shell. The liner establishes a preset initial relative position and spacing between the head cap and the outer shell and compliantly absorbs energy imparted to the outer shell during a helmet impact to enable the outer shell to move linearly and angularly relative to the head cap during the helmet impact and to be returned to the initial relative position with the head cap following the impact.

Abstract: A protective helmet for successive impacts includes a head cap adapted to surround and move with a wearer's head and an outer shell which surrounds the head cap. An energy absorbing flexible liner predominantly comprised of radially oriented foam columns is attached to both the head cap and outer shell. The liner establishes a preset initial relative position and spacing between the head cap and the outer shell and compliantly absorbs energy imparted to the outer shell during a helmet impact to enable the outer shell to move linearly and angularly relative to the head cap during the helmet impact and to be returned to the initial relative position with the head cap following the impact.

Abstract: A protective helmet for successive impacts includes a head cap adapted to surround and move with a wearer's head and an outer shell which surrounds the head cap. An energy absorbing flexible liner predominantly comprised of radially oriented foam columns is attached to both the head cap and outer shell. The liner establishes a preset initial relative position and spacing between the head cap and the outer shell and compliantly absorbs energy imparted to the outer shell during a helmet impact to enable the outer shell to move linearly and angularly relative to the head cap during the helmet impact and to be returned to the initial relative position with the head cap following the impact.

Abstract: A protective helmet for successive impacts includes a head cap adapted to surround and move with a wearer's head and an outer shell which surrounds the head cap. An energy absorbing flexible liner predominantly comprised of radially oriented foam columns is attached to both the head cap and outer shell. The liner establishes a preset initial relative position and spacing between the head cap and the outer shell and compliantly absorbs energy imparted to the outer shell during a helmet impact to enable the outer shell to move linearly and angularly relative to the head cap during the helmet impact and to be returned to the initial relative position with the head cap following the impact.

Abstract: A protective helmet includes a head cap, which surrounds and moves with a wearer's head, and an outer shell which surrounds the head cap. The outer shell is movable both radially and circumferentially relative to the head cap. An energy absorbing flexible liner is located between the head cap and the outer shell. The liner is attached to the outer shell and the head cap so that neither the head cap nor the head of the wearer is otherwise attached to the outer shell. The liner establishes a preset initial relative position and spacing between the head cap and the outer shell and compliantly absorbs energy imparted to the outer shell during a helmet impact to enable the outer shell to move relative to the head cap during the helmet impact and to be returned to the initial relative position with the head cap following the impact.

Abstract: A protective helmet includes a head cap, which surrounds and moves with a wearer's head, and an outer shell which surrounds the head cap. The outer shell is movable both radially and circumferentially relative to the head cap. An energy absorbing flexible liner is located between the head cap and the outer shell. The liner is attached to the outer shell and the head cap so that neither the head cap nor the head of the wearer is otherwise attached to the outer shell. The liner establishes a preset initial relative position and spacing between the head cap and the outer shell and compliantly absorbs energy imparted to the outer shell during a helmet impact to enable the outer shell to move relative to the head cap during the helmet impact and to be returned to the initial relative position with the head cap following the impact.