Abstract: Protective headgear apparatus (such as a helmet used for contact sports) is formed to comprise a non-rigid outer shell in the form of multiple layers of open-cell foam, each layer having a different density. A flexible, lightweight metal frame (i.e., a “cage”) is disposed to contact the inner surface of the outer shell (i.e., bonded in a manner that essentially “locks” the frame to the foam layer), and an open-cell foam cushion layer (in a waffle-like pattern) is bonded to the exposed surface of the metal frame. The various foam layers are preferably impregnated with activated carbon particles that electrostatically absorb (i.e., “capture”) the energy caused by blows to the outer shell. The captured energy is thereafter distributed throughout the volume of the foam layer itself, so as to minimize the amount of energy that reaches the wearer's head.

Abstract: A protective member for a graphic transfer assembly includes an interior portion to receive a sole structure of an article of footwear. The protective member may protect the sole structure from heat applied by a graphic transfer assembly. The protective member can also prevent portions of a sole structure from damaging components of a graphic transfer assembly. The protective member can be contoured to improve the seal between deformable membranes of the graphic transfer assembly.

Abstract: A composite multi-axial impact protection liner for a helmet is provided that reduces rotational acceleration, rotational strain rate, and rotational strain that cause concussions. In a protective helmet so equipped, one or more layers of fluid polymer, including strain thinning and strain thickening polymers, are positioned between the wearer's head and a hard helmet shell. The liner offers greater injury protection, performance, and personal comfort using the rate dependent and combined effect of strain thinning and strain thickening of fluid polymer layers.

Abstract: An integrally formed safety helmet structure includes an assembly of a helmet shell or a shell body, a foam filling body enclosed in the shell body and a structure body. Geometrical array texture structures are disposed at the assembling interfaces between the shell body, the structure body and the foam filling body. In manufacturing, by means of a mold or molding module and solid foaming technique, the foam filling body is integrally formed to bond with the shell body and the structure body and the geometrical array texture structures so as to form a compact and rigid multilayer complex reinforcement structure. The complex reinforcement structure not only can enhance the structural strength of the entire safety helmet, but also has the advantages of material-saving, lightweight, high security and easy manufacturing.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced resin composite for ballistic protection comprising a plurality of first and second plies wherein the first and second plies further comprise a woven fabric and a polymeric resin. The fabric has a Russell tightness factor of from 0.2 to 0.7 and a cover factor of at least 0.45, The fabric is impregnated with the resin, the resin comprising from 5 to 30 weight percent of the total weight of fabric plus resin. The fabric of each first and second ply comprises regions wherein the fabric is distorted from an orthogonal woven state by a distortion angle of least 30 degrees. The composite may further comprising a third ply having a surface area no greater than 50% of the surface area of a first and second ply. The ratio of the number of first plus second plies to the number of third plies is from 2:1 to 12:1.

Abstract: A helmet with an energy absorbing layer (2) and a sliding facilitator (5) is provided. The sliding facilitator is provided inside of the energy absorbing layer (2). A method of manufacturing a helmet with a sliding facilitator is further provided. The method has the steps of providing an energy absorbing layer in the mold, and providing a sliding facilitator contacting the energy absorbing layer.

Abstract: A helmet with an outer shell made from a fiber reinforced material, and preferably a fiber reinforced polymer. The helmet preferably has a critical impact area that contains a greater concentration of fibers. Preferably, the helmet has a weight, offset, and dimensions which are comparable to a helmet with an outer shell that is not made from a fiber reinforced material. The helmet is preferably stiffer and more protective than a conventional helmet not having a fiber reinforced outer shell.

Abstract: Provided is a safety helmet that exhibits more than one color. Methods of manufacturing such safety helmets are also provided.

Abstract: The helmet appliqué assembly of the present invention permits a helmet wearer to upgrade the ballistic prevention capabilities of a traditional helmet quickly and efficiently. The helmet appliqué can be provided as part of a helmet appliqué system and/or assembly that includes internal-side connection means for attaching to a helmet and external-side connection means for receiving any of various external items such as identification tags, mounts and external equipment or attachments. The appliqué element can comprise various types of material, including, for example, ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). In one embodiment of the present invention, multiple helmet appliqué elements are employed on the same helmet and include surfaces and portions that are cooperatively engageable for covering multiple areas of the helmet at the same time.

Abstract: An alpine helmet for protecting the head of a wearer while the helmet is worn over a broad temperature range includes an outer shell and an energy dissipating internal padding assembly coupled to the outer shell. The padding assembly includes a first pad layer disposed inwardly of a second pad layer which may be adjacent an inner surface of the helmet shell. The first pad layer includes an arrangement of structural alterations that affect the performance of the first layer.

Abstract: A helmet cover that has an outer skin, an impact absorbing material and at least one vent comprising an aperture tough the helmet cover is described. A helmet cover vent may be aligned with a vent in a helmet, thereby providing for improved ventilation and cooling, and may be attached to a helmet. A helmet cover vent may be configured as a tapered or flared vent, and may be an air capture vent. The impact absorbing material may be configured over substantially the entire helmet cover surface, or may cover only a portion of the surface. In one embodiment, the impact absorbing material is configured as a discrete pad that is located where impact is most common, such as on the front, sides, or back of the helmet cover. A discrete pad may be interchangeable, allowing for customizing the type and location of impact absorption on the helmet cover.

Abstract: The present invention is for a safety helmet having a hard outer shell having a plurality of protective flexible air bags for protecting a person's head against blows to the helmet outer shell and having a shock absorbing face guard. Each air bag may have a plurality of cushioning air bags enclosure layers mounted to a thin foamed polymer shell lining. Each enclosure layer of each air bag has an interior filled with a resilient multi-cellular sponge like material, such as a shaped foamed polyurethane sponge, and has a plurality of air escapement openings sized to meter the release of air under impact to the helmet hard shell under predetermined pressure with a different air release pressure for each enclosure layer.

Abstract: Novel methods and systems for acoustic proofing are disclosed. A sound proof helmet can be designed by optimizing several layers of different materials, thickness, and physical properties. The thickness of the layers can be smaller than the wavelength of the sound waves which are meant to be reduced.

Abstract: A new concept in cranial protection, is a device of individual protection with the purpose of protect the user's head against impact and decelerations. The Cephalic Protection Cell must be used with the objective of avoid direct injuries caused by impact and indirect injuries caused by deceleration, resting and, at the same time, improving the amount of time in which a contact strength is applied to the head, preventing, this way, localized injuries (by impact) or spreaded injuries (by deceleration) in the brain and in other internal structures of the cranium, and also regarding its hability to preserve the cervical spine, thanks to its less mass.

Abstract: Fabrication of ballistic resistant fibrous composites having improved ballistic resistance properties and retained or improved ballistic penetration resistance properties. The composites are formed from high tenacity fibers having a tenacity of at least about 33 g/denier at ambient room temperature after being modified by a plasma treatment or by a corona treatment, without tenacity loss due to said treatments.

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 which employs an inner shell, an outer shell, and dampeners positioned between the inner and outer shells which facilitate rotational movement between the inner and outer shells. The dampeners also provide shock absorption to counter the rotational acceleration caused by an impact to the helmet.

Abstract: A shell-less helmet is provided with resilient material and a stainless steel interior member to protect the individual from head trauma while at the same time preventing the use of the helmet as a weapon due to the resilient helmet outer layer.

Abstract: A sports helmet includes recessed insert surfaces on its exterior to accommodate shock absorbing inserts disposed therein. The helmet may include, for example, five recessed insert surfaces, a front recessed surface, a top recessed surface, a rear recessed surface, and two side recessed surfaces. The inserts may be disposed into the recessed surfaces to create a substantially uniform outer helmet shape. A uniform finish may cover the exterior of the helmet. The shock absorbing inserts, when used on a person receiving a force to the helmet's insert, will absorb at least a portion of the force, limiting the force's impact on the wearer's brain. The helmet may, for example, help prevent concussions and other brain injuries in sport participants.

Abstract: An outer hard-shell casing for a protection device that has airspace between the outer shell and inner shell or surface. This outer shell is designed to generate a shock wave during an impact to the casing. The generated shock wave then reflects off of the inner surface or shell. The reflected shock wave then dissipates along the air channel and out of the exit vents before it can be absorbed into the inner hard shell of the base or other protection device.

Abstract: A method of improving an impact-protective property of a conformable substrate is provided. The method includes positioning a central core adjacent the conformable substrate. The central core includes a plurality of rigid plates. A first of the plates is joined by at least one hinge to a second of the plates.

Abstract: A concussion indicator that may easily be applied to a helmet is provided. The concussion indicator may visually or audibly provide indicators relating to impacts creating accelerations of the helmet that likely cause a concussion. In some embodiments, three separate indicators may be used within a single base; each indicator is configured to indicate at impacts relating to different concussion grades. A rear of the base is attachable to a surface such as an interior or exterior of a helmet. Upon a concussion triggering acceleration, the concussion indicator will indicate that a concussion is likely. This display may be seen or heard by observers if the indicator is on an exterior of the helmet, and by the user or someone who removes the user's helmet if it is on the inside of the helmet.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composite structure for deflecting and spreading kinetic energy transmission after various types of impacts utilizing foam structures having graded properties. The structure has a first composite layer, composed of a discrete reinforcement and a continuous binder. The helmet receives contact of an object that transfers kinetic energy to a first composite layer. The helmet uses a second composite layer adjacent to the first composite layer designed such that the second composite layer compresses and expands into an expansion zone in the second composite layer. The second composite layer has expansion structures with a graded modulus such that the material at the tip of an expansion structure has a low modulus and the modulus in the expansion structure increases as it moves from the tip to the base of the expansion structure.

Abstract: A head covering or helmet pads are removably attached to the outer surface of an existing sport's helmet. The pads are constructed to conform to the contours of the outer surface of the helmet. The pads are made from layers of thermoplastic material structured to absorb both shock and acoustic waves that may cause concussive type injuries. The thermoplastic may be an open-cell foam material selected from the group consisting of neoprene, polyethylene, silicon, urethane, silicon/urethane blend.

Abstract: A helmet, which includes an injection molded shell having an inner surface and an outer surface, the injection molded shell including a first main body portion and a second main body portion, wherein the first and second main body portions are formed of a first material; and a first molded hinge portion formed intermediate the first and second main body portions, the molded hinge portion adapted to allow the first main body portion and the second main body portion to move relative to each other.

Abstract: A safety helmet includes damping elements for example made from expanded polystyrene added onto a shell made from an elastically deformable material. The whole of the surface, facing the shell, of the damping elements arranged along the periphery of the opening is positioned against the shell to form an inner supporting belt completely in contact with the shell. The helmet is arranged in such a way that a position of the head in the cavity of the helmet causes a deformation of the supporting belt by elastic deformation of the shell according to the morphology of the head, generating permanent tightening of the supporting belt against the head in substantially uniform manner along the supporting belt.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a device for reducing brain and cervical spine injury includes a headpiece sufficiently designed to secure to a user's head, the headpiece having a first attachment member; a support harness sufficiently designed to secure to the user's torso, the support harness having a second attachment member; and a telescoping member having a main tube and a series of progressively smaller diameter tubes nested within each other, wherein the smaller diameter tubes are adapted to extend and compress in a linear plane by the intake and outflow of fluid, wherein the telescoping member has a first engaging member for engaging the first attachment member, and wherein the telescoping member has a second engaging member for engaging the second attachment member.

Abstract: Provided is a protective insert to be received into a pocket of a protective athletic headwear. The protective insert includes a hard outer layer, at least one pliable middle layer, and a pliable inner layer. The hard outer layer includes an arrangement of first openings to enable flexing of the hard outer layer to decelerate an impact to the at least one protective insert. The at least one pliable middle layer includes at least one arrangement of second openings. The pliable inner layer provides cushioning. The hard outer layer, the at least one pliable middle layer, and the pliable inner layer are sealed such that the second openings form sealed air pockets to absorb and distribute the impact to the outer layer about the at least one protective insert.

Abstract: A helmet is provided which is to be worn on the head of a helmet wearer and can be removed from the head with a comparatively small force. Operation for removing the helmet, including preliminary operation for it, can be performed easily and quickly. A recess-projection engaging mechanism to attach a blockish inside pad to a head protecting cap portion side includes an engaging pin on the inside pad side or head protecting cap portion side, and a notched engaging hole on the head protecting cap portion side or inside pad side. When pulling the inside pad outward from inside the head protecting cap portion at least partly, the engaging pin moves relative to outside the engaging hole through a notch of the engaging hole.

Abstract: A wearable impact reduction device including a first layer, a second layer, a third layer, and a fourth layer. The first layer is located closest to the wearer's body and includes a flexible material configured to conform to the shape of a user's body. The fourth layer is located furthest from the wearer's body and is more rigid than the first layer whereby the fourth layer can distribute an external impact over a region. The second layer is placed between the first layer and the third layer. The third layer is placed between the second layer and the fourth layer. The second layer includes an elastically-deformable material having at least one resilient impression arranged and configured to at least partially compress upon application of a force and to return elastically to its original shape upon removal of the force.

Abstract: Provided is a protective insert to be received into a pocket of a protective headwear. The protective insert includes a hard out plastic, at least one pliable middle layer and a pliable inner layer. The hard outer layer is configured to provide impact-resistance. The least one pliable middle layer has at least one arrangement of openings. Further, the pliable inner layer is configured to provide cushioning. The outer layer, the at least one middle layer and the inner layer are sealed with respect to one another such that the openings form closed air pockets. The air pockets are configured to absorb and distribute an impact to the outer layer about the at least one protective insert.

Abstract: An apparatus for aiding an athlete with heading a ball while protecting the head of the user participating in an athletic activity and in particular soccer players. Designed to resemble the surface of a player's head in structure and smoothness so as not to affect the trajectory of the ball during a header while at the same time absorbing the force from the impact to prevent or minimize concussions in players, especially younger athletes. This present invention is designed with the intention to overcome the rigid guidelines of youth soccer leagues and organizations, and be approved for use in games. Its design does not provide an advantage or disadvantage to the user as it is constructed to replicate a player's unaided head. The objective is that it feels like “second skin” so it will not affect the quality of movement or play.

Abstract: A soft helmet for wear under a hat is described. The soft helmet may have a plurality of inserts configured to fit into pockets on the interior of the soft helmet. The inserts may be placed so as to cover a majority of a wearer's head. To provide protection, the inserts have a top portion that may be a rigid material and a bottom portion that may be an elastomeric material. The soft helmet may not be readably noticeable to viewers of a wearer using the soft helmet. In another embodiment, the soft helmet may be utilized as a standalone hat. The hat may appear to be a normal beanie or baseball cap.

Abstract: A concussion indicator that may easily be applied to a helmet is provided. The concussion indicator may visually or audibly provide indicators relating to impacts creating accelerations of the helmet that likely cause a concussion. In some embodiments, three separate indicators may be used within a single base; each indicator is configured to indicate at impacts relating to different concussion grades. A rear of the base is attachable to a surface such as an interior or exterior of a helmet. Upon a concussion triggering acceleration, the concussion indicator will indicate that a concussion is likely. This display may be seen or heard by observers if the indicator is on an exterior of the helmet, and by the user or someone who removes the user's helmet if it is on the inside of the helmet.

Abstract: A reinforced and impact attenuating helmet comprising a shell configured to receive a head of a wearer of the helmet, the shell comprising an outer surface and an inner surface; a series of linked coils; filler material; wherein the series of linked coils are entirely encased within the filler material to form a reinforcement layer, the reinforcement layer having a first surface and an opposing surface, the first surface of the reinforcement layer generally facing toward the inner surface of the shell, the reinforcement layer being located proximate the inner surface of the shell, forming a basic helmet assembly.

Abstract: The present application provides a helmet. The helmet includes an energy absorbing layer (2) and a sliding facilitator (5). The sliding facilitator is provided on an inside surface of the energy absorbing layer (2). A method of manufacturing the helmet is further provided. The method includes the steps of: providing an energy absorbing layer in the mold, and providing a sliding facilitator contacting an inside surface of the energy absorbing layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for head impact injury prediction. A computer implemented method is provided for event based injury predictions. The computer implemented method receives an indication of sensor data related to an impact of a user. The received sensor data is compared to previously stored sensor data in a data store. Each instance of the previously stored sensor data is associated with a medical diagnosis. If the received sensor data matches any of the previously stored sensor data based on the comparison, then an injury risk indicator is generated based on at least one of the medical diagnosis associated with the matching previously stored sensor data or an impact history of the user. The generated indicator is presented.

Abstract: A helmet has a ventilated shell, ventilated padding and a ventilated liner of plural cells mounted to the padding for engaging a wearer's head. The liner has top and bottom flexible sheets fused around their perimeter, the bottom sheet having plural round or oval toroidal cells and plural round or oval closed cells, the openings in the toroidal cells extending through the top sheet. Foam at least partly fills each cell. Cells under a crown of the shell are connected in a first circuit with a valve for inflating these cells and a other cells under temporal and occipital portions of the shell are connected in a second inflation circuit with a valve for inflating the second plurality of the cells. Cells under the frontal portion not being inflatable and being substantially filled with foam padding.

Abstract: There is described a safety helmet having an outer shell and at least one layer of shock-absorbing material placed inside it, at least one inlet on the shell and passing at least therethrough, to fluidically connect the outer environment to the helmet inside, and one or more ventilation ducts fluidically connected to the inlet and provided with one or more outflow holes facing the inside of the helmet. The helmet is also has at least one padding layer at least partially permeable to air, and substantially incompressible, or only partially compressible, for the air flow diffusion. Preferably, the diffusion layer is arranged at least below the hole or holes of the ventilation ducts.

Abstract: A helmet, which includes an injection molded shell having an inner surface and an outer surface, the injection molded shell including a first main body portion and a second main body portion, wherein the first and second main body portions are formed of a first material; and a first molded hinge portion formed intermediate the first and second main body portions, the molded hinge portion adapted to allow the first main body portion and the second main body portion to move relative to each other.

Abstract: An energy-absorbing pad structure includes an energy-absorbing pad that is encapsulated by a polymeric film. The polymeric film is sufficiently air-permeable to permit air to escape during rapid compression of the pad structure, such as from a high-speed dynamic impact, but nonetheless is water resistant under ordinary conditions. It is desirable that the polymeric film is made from an elastic polymer. The air-permeability can be provided from a series of perforations such that the film's elastic quality tends to contract the perforations thereby impeding the progress of water through them under normal conditions. The energy-absorbing pad can be a semi-rigid viscoelastic foam.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cranial shock absorption system. The method is comprised of forming a first layer of elastomer, positioning a thin layer of material on top surface of elastomer such that the top surface is exposed around the entire exterior of the layer of material, allowing the first layer to partially set, positioning a tubular stem or valve on the first layer adjacent to the layer of material, forming a second layer of elastomer, allowing the first layer and second layer of elastomer to fully set around the thin layer of material, removing the thin layer of material from between the first and second layers of elastomer and then introducing a fluid into the chamber through the tubular stem.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a shaped part comprising the steps of—forming a stack by stacking (2) or more sheets comprising mono-layers of unidirectional anti-ballistic fibers and a binder followed by placing the stack in a mould, clamping the stack in the mould with a control member closing the mould—consolidating the stack under temperature and pressure into a curved shaped part. The invention furthermore relates to products obtainable with said process, which are very suitable for use in anti-ballistic applications and include e.g. helmets, curved panels, cones and domes.

Abstract: The headgear has right and left symmetrical earguard assemblies with an earguard pad and protective shell that are detachable from each other. A plurality of detachable head straps join each earguard assembly to prevent separation of the pad and shell of each earguard assembly. The periphery of each protective shell is surrounded and embraced by peripheral wall portions on the pads to align the respective shells on the respective earguard pads in an alignment position. Corresponding engageable protrusions and recesses on the pads and shells also help maintain the alignment position.

Abstract: A lightweight helmet shell includes an inner shell formed from a porous expanded plastic layer, and an outer shell, in which the outer shell is formed from a compressed fiber sheet having an apparent density of 0.15 to 0.7 g/cc and an impact absorbability of less than 300 G. The lightweight helmet shell has excellent breathability, is lightweight, and has improved impact absorbability.

Abstract: Helmets for military and other applications that require resistance to high energy fragments and rifle bullets are disclosed. The helmets are fabricated with a combination of ceramic, either as a monolith or as a plurality of discreet pieces, and an inner backing material having a plurality of fibrous layers such as polyolefin and/or aramid fiber layers.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an energy-absorbing device comprising a first layer; a second layer; the second layer being opposedly disposed to the first layer and in slideablecommunication with the first layer; the first layer and the second layer enclosing a space therebetween; the space being filled with a fluid that has a power law exponent ? of at least about 1.3 when measured in half cell split Hopkinson bar using Equation (3) below: ? ? w ? ma ? ? x = ? ? [ U h ] n = ? ? ? . n ( 3 ) where |?w|max is a maximum shear stress, ? is a shear strain rate, U is a characteristic velocity of the striker wall, h is a thickness of the space, n is a power law dimensional factor that represents an energy dissipating property of the fluid.

Abstract: This specification discloses an integrally formed safety helmet. A pre-cast hard outer shell is directly filled with Styrofoam particles followed by heating and pressing to form a soft inner shell. The two shells are integrally formed and tightly connected with no space in between. The production procedure includes the steps of: putting a pre-cast hard outer shell in an upper mold; combining the upper mold and a lower mold; heating the molds to soften a compound material outer shell; pressing to squeeze out extra resin in the compound material outer shell; cooling down the molds and injecting Styrofoam particles into the cavity in the molds, foaming, pressing, and lowering the temperature; and removing the molds. The soft inner shell is then integrally formed inside the hard outer shell.

Abstract: A protective helmet (100) comprises a plurality of layers. A fabric layer (200) conforms to a wearer's head, extending around the head from the top of the head to a point above the ears. A first, conforming hard layer (205) follows and is secured to the fabric layer. A second hard layer (210) conforms to and rests on the previous hard layer, but is not attached to it. A fibrous layer (215) is formed over the second hard layer, and a wet settable friable or frangible material layer, e.g., plaster, (220) is applied over the fibrous layer. The friable or frangible material infiltrates the fiber layer and seals it to the second hard layer. While the friable or frangible material is still wet, a mold (222) or tool (not shown) forms a plurality of lines, e.g., hexagonal trenches (225), in the friable material that extend downward toward the fibrous layer. The mold can optionally be left in place or removed after the plaster hardens. Next, a surface layer (230) of resin is applied over the outside of the layers.

Abstract: The present invention covers a hockey helmet for receiving a head of a player. The helmet comprises an outer shell made of first and second materials having respective first and second flexibilities.