Abstract: Impact attenuating liner for headgear and headgear employing the liner, the liner positionable inside the headgear and comprising a cellular layer having an array of individual impact attenuating cells, each individual impact attenuating cells including an impact attenuating medium. The impact attenuating cells can comprise a gas, liquid, visco-elastic gel, foam, fiber or combinations thereof as well other impact attenuating medium. In another aspect, the impact attenuating liner has at least two layers, a cellular layer of and an impact attenuating layer under the cellular. The liner can include a cover. The liner can be removable from the headgear.

Abstract: Various helmets for protecting a wearer's head are provided that include a shell, at least one pad, and a lower portion coupled to the shell. The shell is configured to receive the wearer's head and can be formed from an elastomeric material. The pad is coupled to an interior of the shell and configured to be positioned between the wearer's head and the shell, where the pad can include one or more fluid filled bladders. The lower portion is configured to limit flexion, extension, and lateral bending of the wearer's head.

Abstract: Embodiments provide protective helmets configured to protect the head from linear and rotational acceleration in an impact. In various embodiments, the helmets may include an outer layer, an inner layer, and at least one intermediate layer coupled to the outer and inner layers by alternate fixation sites, thereby providing a suspension between the outer and inner layers. In various embodiments, the intermediate layer may be made from a honeycomb material, such as an aluminum honeycomb. In use, in-plane deformation of the honeycomb may allow for translation of the outer layer in a substantially tangential direction relative to the inner layer, thereby mitigating rotational acceleration imparted by the tangential impact component.

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 cushion, using magnetic friction as base protection is specifically tested and designed for use in helmets to minimize the risk of concussions. The cushion can be used in a two layer helmet where the magnets are used to repel the impact normally taken straight to the head. The magnets can be placed in between the layers to not only take the impact, but also give that force back towards the source, creating a cushion like no other helmet. With this two-layer system, one can measure that the first layer of magnets takes the hit and uses the second layer to push back off of. This movement that the helmet takes significantly improves protection of the brain as compared to conventional helmets.

Abstract: A football helmet has a shell with a top portion having a raised central channel at least at one of a front area and a top area of the top portion of the shell, with a plurality of elongated vent openings on each side of the channel, the vent openings being spaced from each other on each side of the channel, from front to back, along the helmet shell, the sides of the helmet having earholes and sloped banks abutting the earholes in a wedge configuration.

Abstract: The helmet uses a new fastener to fasten a cage to the helmet shell allowing sides of the cage to be mounted directly against the shell, reducing the width of the shell on each side. A ball is attached to a portion of a bar of the cage to act as a limit stop precluding movements of the cage with respect to the helmet. A chin bar is fastened to the helmet at two points on each side of the shell. The shell is molded with recessed portions designed to receive the two branches of the chin bar on each side where they will be fastened to the shell so that the outer surfaces of the chin guard are flush with the shell at the locations of attachment to provide a smooth transition and reduce weight. An adjustment device to adjust the fit of the helmet to the user includes a star wheel on each side of the helmet attached to an arcuate flexible strip extending rearwardly around the occipital area of the skull.

Abstract: A head protection helmet comprises an impact resistant shell comprising a cavity for accommodating a user's head and an array of crushable bodies having a hollow closed configuration, e.g. flutes in corrugated material. The crushable bodies each having an axis that extends outwardly from the cavity to absorb impact forces exerted along the direction of the axis.

Abstract: A cheek pad for mounting on an inside of a helmet shell includes an attaching member and a cushion member, the attaching member including a base member mounted in contact with the shell and a form-maintaining member disposed at an inner lower section of the base member in a space provided with respect to the cushion member for simultaneously keeping a surface of the cushion member in a profile corresponding to the cheek and chin of a wearer when the helmet is worn by a wearer and, following displacement that causes the space to contract, is restored so as to return to an original location under normal circumstances, and kept there. Elastic members are positioned in the space between the base member and the form-maintaining member to help restore the space to an original configuration subsequent to contraction.

Abstract: An energy dissipating helmet, such as a football, baseball, hockey, construction, combat, bicycle, or motorcycle helmet, including a structural component adapted to receive an anticipatory impact having energy, and a stress-activated active material element, such as a Austenitic shape memory alloy wire, mesh, layer, or spring, communicatively coupled to the component, and activatable by the impact, so as to dissipate at least a portion of the energy.

Abstract: Protective padding comprising: a spacer fabric comprising a first fabric layer, a second fabric layer, and a plurality of interconnecting filaments extending between said first fabric layer and said second fabric layer; wherein at least one of said first fabric layer, said second fabric layer and said plurality of interconnecting filaments comprise a shape memory material.

Abstract: The present application discloses a helmet, an impact liner system for a helmet, and energy management structures for a helmet. The helmet generally comprises a helmet shell and an impact liner system removably attached to the helmet shell. In certain embodiments, the impact liner system comprises a plurality of compressible energy management structures and one or more carriers for supporting the energy management structures within the helmet shell. The energy management structures are positioned between an interior surface of the helmet shell and the head of a user when the impact liner system is attached to the helmet shell.

Abstract: A helmet includes a helmet body defining a helmet interior. A fit system is provided to engage the helmet to the head of a wearer, at least a first and second portion of the fit system are moveable independent of the other. A fit adjuster varies a characteristic of the fit system, such as size, shape, orientation or pressure, allowing a wearer to customize fit of the helmet.

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: The invention provides a helmet for protecting the head of a wearer and includes a helmet body and a strap for coupling the helmet to the head, the strap being secured to the helmet body. The strap has two halves, each with a front portion for passing under the wearer's chin and a rear portion for passing around the side and rear of the wearer's head. The front portion of each strap half has an end that is secured to the helmet body at a first location at the side and the second portion has an end that is secured to the helmet body towards the rear. An elastically deformable element, such as a suction cup and/or a pad, is located in a pocket towards the end of the second portion. This provides additional grip, comfort, and security.

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: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a helmet having magnetic coupling is provided. In a particular embodiment, the helmet includes at least one protective layer configured to cover at least a portion of a user's head and a pad coupled to a back plate, a back plate coupled to a protective layer, a back plate comprising a magnet.

Abstract: A protective helmet and insert for reducing the possibility or severity of a concussion are provided. The insert comprises a shock absorbing portion and a flexible liner portion, the shock absorbing portion to be disposed between a helmet shell and the liner portion. The shock absorbing portion can possess a substantially constant resistive deformation force characteristic for reducing the peak G-force applied to the head during an impact. The insert can comprise a plurality of flexible liner connectors for movably interconnecting the liner portion to a helmet shell to allow for the flexible movement of the liner portion relative the shell. The liner connectors can be in the form of vent shaft walls that each defines a vent shaft for providing fluid communication between a headspace of the liner and an outer side of the shock absorbing portion to ventilate the headspace. A helmet comprising the liner is also provided.

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: A low profile protective helmet having an outer shell and an interior surface that is immediately adjacent the top of the wearer's head while the helmet is being worn. The interior surface includes a plurality of fasteners that are connectable to a prior art suspension liner. Each of the fasteners is disposed between first and second rib members. Each rib member is a raised ridge in the interior surface that restricts the side-to-side movement of the suspension liner's integral head straps by the retaining action of the rib members as the integral head straps are attached to each fastener.

Abstract: A head gear apparatus has a padded member shaped and configured to wrap around a player's head. The padded member includes a first side portion having a first distal end and a first middle-facing edge along a lower margin. A second side portion has a second distal end and a second middle-facing edge along the lower margin. A middle portion is positioned between and connects the first side portion and the second side portion. The lower margin defines an open region below the middle portion and between the first middle-facing edge and the second middle-facing edge. The padded member has at least one strap guide. A rear closure assembly connects the first distal end to the second distal end.

Abstract: A protective sports helmet includes features that promote efficient fit adjustment and efficient donning and removal of the helmet. The helmet optionally includes a front shell portion pivotably connected to a rear shell portion to promote easy donning and removal of the helmet. Further, the upper region of the front shell optionally is longitudinally adjustable relative to the upper region of the rear shell. Cam mechanisms optionally are provided on the helmet shell for securing straps of a chin cup at desired lengths. The cam mechanisms optionally each include a self-energizing grip member that increasingly engages the strap when the strap is pulled taut while the cam mechanism is in the locked position. A face guard optionally is attached within the helmet shell structure, or within padding inside the shell, which provides a smooth helmet exterior and promotes distributed energy transfer from the face guard to the helmet shell.

Abstract: A sports helmet and replacement pad kit for use therein are provided. The sports helmet includes an outer shell having inner and outer surfaces. A sports helmet further includes a shock absorbing liner removably disposed within the shell. The liner includes at least one replacement pad which has a plurality of spaced-apart structures which absorb energy of an impact at the outer surface of the shell by deformably crushing. The number, spacing, size, shape and material of the structures are predetermined based on level of play of the sport.

Abstract: Provided are a protective headwear and method of manufacturing the headwear. The headwear includes a body, band and plurality of protective inserts. The body has an opening and a crown, and is configured to fit a head of a person. The band extends from and about the opening of the body to the interior of the body and partially toward the crown. The band is free floating with respect to the body and configured to fit the head of the person. The band includes a plurality of pockets disposed about a base stitching that secures the band to the body. The protective inserts are configured to be received into the pockets to provide a protective function to the head of the person. The protective inserts are disposed adjacently to one another about the band and extend from the base stitching of the band to the crown of the body.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices, systems, methods, products, and implementations, including a head gear device that includes a helmet adapted to be worn by a user, at least one sensor to measure one or more of, for example, force and/or motion, and one or more moveable members, the one or more moveable members configured to be displaced to apply a counterforce to a head of the user based, at least in part, on detection of one or more of, for example, a force component applied to the user and/or motion undergone by the user.

Abstract: A protective headwear comprising a first shell half and a second shell half coupled to each other by first and second elastic strips. The combination of first and second shell halves forms a protective cage for protecting a person's head. A plurality of pads is coupled to an inner surface of the protective cage. The pads are positioned to contact strong areas on the person's head when the protective cage is worn and to provide spacing between the cage and the person's head. A baseball cap may be coupled to an outer surface of the cage to form a lightweight, unobtrusive, and protective headwear.

Abstract: A helmet that protects a user's head from the transfer of force imparted on the outer shell of the helmet. An inner layer of the helmet uses a spacer fabric that diffuses any force received over a relatively large area so that such force is spread over a relatively large area of the user's head, thereby reducing the risk of traumatic brain injury. The helmet uses a thermal pack that helps keep the user either cold or hot as desired. The helmet uses an audio pack that is removably attached to the shell, such that the audio pack protects the hearing of the user from sudden high decibel sounds and also amplifies desirable sound while squelching undesirable noise.

Abstract: The present application discloses a helmet and an impact liner system and energy management structures for a helmet. In one exemplary embodiment, the impact liner system comprises a plurality of compressible energy management structures and one or more carriers for supporting the plurality of energy management structures within a helmet shell. The energy management structures are positioned between an interior surface of the helmet shell and the head of a user when the impact liner system is attached to the helmet shell. Each energy management structure comprises an outer wall configured to bend when an exterior of the helmet shell is impacted by an object. The carrier comprises a plurality of openings configured to receive the energy management structures. The outer wall of the energy management structures extend between the interior of the helmet shell and the carrier of the impact liner system.

Abstract: A protective sports helmet includes features that promote efficient fit adjustment and efficient donning and removal of the helmet. The helmet optionally includes a front shell portion pivotably connected to a rear shell portion to promote easy donning and removal of the helmet. Further, the upper region of the front shell optionally is longitudinally adjustable relative to the upper region of the rear shell. Cam mechanisms optionally are provided on the helmet shell for securing straps of a chin cup at desired lengths. The cam mechanisms optionally each include a self-energizing grip member that increasingly engages the strap when the strap is pulled taut while the cam mechanism is in the locked position. A face guard optionally is attached within the helmet shell structure, or within padding inside the shell, which provides a smooth helmet exterior and promotes distributed energy transfer from the face guard to the helmet shell.

Abstract: A sound attenuating device for standard helmets worn by riders of recreational vehicles is provided. The sound attenuating device includes low profile ear cups and compressible members mounted between the shell of the helmet and ear cups. The compressible members permit the ear cups to be moved away from the rider's face when doffing or donning the helmet and otherwise push the ear cups against the rider's face forming a tight seal between the rider's face and the ear cups around each ear. The means for attaching the compressible members to the helmet shell are non-penetrating so as to maintain the structural integrity and sound suppression characteristics of the shell.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a protective sports helmet comprising a helmet shell, a face guard and an internal padding assembly positioned within the helmet shell. The internal padding assembly includes a brow pad having first and second peripheral connection portions. The internal padding assembly also includes first and second jaw pads, each having an upper connection portion that mates with the first and second connection portions, respectively, of the brow pad. The internal padding assembly also includes a crown assembly with pad elements that include an internal separation layer that partitions the element into a first inflatable section and a section un-inflatable section. The connection portion of the jaw pads also mates with frontal pad elements of the crown assembly. The internal padding assembly further includes an occipital pad assembly that engages the helmet wearer's head below the occipital bone.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides system and method for monitoring of at least one physiological parameter of a person engaged in a physical activity, for example, an impact received by a player engaged in a contact sport such as football. The system includes a monitoring unit that actively monitors the physiological parameter of the person, wherein the monitoring unit generates an alert event when the monitored physiological parameter exceeds a threshold of the parameter. The monitoring unit determines whether the parameter exceeds an over-exposure threshold, wherein said threshold is based upon both a single incidence or cumulative incidences.

Abstract: An adjustable hockey helmet includes a front shell that is longitudinally movable relative to a rear shell to adjust the length of the helmet. One or more substantially rigid straps or similar elements are attached to the front shell and extend to the interior of the rear shell. A cam mechanism or similar device is included on the rear shell for securing the straps directly or indirectly against the interior of the rear shell to prevent longitudinal movement of the front shell relative to the rear shell once the helmet is adjusted to a desired length. Alternatively, the one or more straps may be attached to the rear shell and the cam mechanism may be included on the front shell.

Abstract: An adjustable head band for a helmet has a base, a band, an adjusting wheel, a dial and a cover. The base has at least one pawl. The band is annular and is movably mounted through the base and has two toothed ends. The toothed ends correspond to each other. The adjusting wheel has a gear and a ratchet wheel. The gear engages the toothed ends of the band. The ratchet wheel engages the at least one pawl of the base. The dial is mounted on the adjusting wheel. The cover is mounted on the base. The adjustable head band is attached to a helmet and is convenient and easy to operate to allow customization of the helmet on a head.

Abstract: An impact protection system comprising a helmet system and a shoulder pad system that absorbs, repels, and diverts collision forces.

Abstract: Protective articles for resisting mechanical loads and associated methods are generally described. The load resistant articles described herein can incorporate one or more features that enhance the ability of the article to absorb an applied force.

Abstract: A sport helmet for protecting a head of a wearer, such as a hockey, lacrosse or football player. The sport helmet comprises an outer shell comprising an internal side and an external side. The sport helmet also comprises an inner pad mounted to the internal side of the outer shell for absorbing shocks when the sport helmet is impacted. The inner pad comprises a core of polymeric cellular material and a covering on the core of polymeric cellular material. The core of polymeric cellular material may comprise a body of expanded polymeric microspheres.

Abstract: A sports helmet for protecting a head of a wearer, comprising: an outer shell comprising an external surface of the sports helmet; inner padding disposed between the outer shell and the wearer's head; an adjustment mechanism operable by the wearer to vary an internal volume of the cavity to adjust a fit of the sports helmet on the wearer's head; and a rotational impact protection device disposed between the external surface of the sports helmet and the wearer's head when the sports helmet is worn, the rotational impact protection device comprising a surface movable relative to the external surface of the sports helmet in response to a rotational impact on the outer shell to absorb rotational energy from the rotational impact, the surface of the rotational impact protection device undergoing displacement when the adjustment mechanism is operated by the wearer to vary the internal volume of the cavity.

Abstract: A helmet includes a helmet shell configuring the outermost layer of the helmet, an impact absorbing liner provided on the inner side surface of the helmet shell, and a detachable cushion body provided inside the impact absorbing liner, wherein the cushion body includes a basic cushion member configuring a wearer side part and an adjusting cushion members detachably provided so as to overlap the basic cushion member, and a covers for preventing the shift between the adjusting cushion members and the basic cushion member are provided outside the cushion body such that the covers are located outside the portion where the adjusting cushion members overlap the basic cushion member, and an opening section for inserting or removing the adjusting cushion members is provided between the covers and the basic cushion member.

Abstract: Provided are a protective headwear and method of manufacturing the headwear. The headwear includes a body, band and plurality of protective inserts. The body has a tubular shape with an opening and a crown, and is configured to fit a head of a person. The band extends from and about the opening of the body to the interior of the tubular shape and partially toward the crown. The band is free floating with respect to the body and configured to fit the head of the person. The band includes a plurality of pockets disposed about a base stitching of the band. The protective inserts are configured to be received into the pockets to provide a protective function to the head of the person. The protective inserts are disposed adjacently to one another about the band and extend from the base stitching of the band to the crown of the body.

Abstract: The present application discloses an impact liner system for a helmet. In one embodiment, the impact liner system comprises an impact liner configured to be installed in the interior of a helmet shell to at least partially line the front, rear, and middle portions of the helmet shell. The impact liner comprises a plurality of impact pads and forms a plurality of air channels between the impact pads when the impact liner is installed in the helmet shell. In certain embodiments, at least one insert is disposed within one or more of the plurality of air channels. The insert generally comprises a body portion having a top and vertical side walls configured to prohibit at least a portion of the air channel from collapsing when the helmet shell is installed on a user's head.

Abstract: A helmet for receiving the head of a hockey or lacrosse player, the helmet having an outer shell and an inner lining covering at least partially the inner surface of the outer shell. In one embodiment, the helmet comprises a skeleton at least partially covered by the inner lining, a movable occipital pad and movable temple pads. The inner lining can be made of an absorptive material such as foam, expanded polypropylene or expanded polyethylene and can be overmolded onto the skeleton. The occipital pad and the temple pads may be arranged with an inward bias so as to help the helmet self-adjust to provide an advantageous fit on the player's head. In some embodiments, the outer shell and skeleton, or the outer shell and the inner lining, cooperate to define a ventilation system.

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: A protective helmet including a rigid shell and an electronic connecting device mounted on the shell, the connecting device including an electronic circuit, first means for connecting said circuit to a power supply system, and second means for connecting said circuit to at least one accessory that can be mounted on the helmet, wherein the connecting device is mounted on the shell in an opening formed in said shell.

Abstract: A helmet for receiving the head of a hockey or lacrosse player, the helmet having an outer shell and an inner lining covering at least partially the inner surface of the outer shell. In one embodiment, the helmet comprises a skeleton at least partially covered by the inner lining, a movable occipital pad and movable temple pads. The inner lining can be made of an absorptive material such as foam, expanded polypropylene or expanded polyethylene and can be overmolded onto the skeleton. The occipital pad and the temple pads may be arranged with an inward bias so as to help the helmet self-adjust to provide an advantageous fit on the player's head. In some embodiments, the outer shell and skeleton, or the outer shell and the inner lining, cooperate to define a ventilation system.

Abstract: An adjustable hockey helmet includes a front shell that is longitudinally movable relative to a rear shell to adjust the length of the helmet. One or more substantially rigid straps or similar elements are attached to the front shell and extend to the interior of the rear shell. A cam mechanism or similar device is included on the rear shell for securing the straps directly or indirectly against the interior of the rear shell to prevent longitudinal movement of the front shell relative to the rear shell once the helmet is adjusted to a desired length. Alternatively, the one or more straps may be attached to the rear shell and the cam mechanism may be included on the front shell.

Abstract: A head protector includes an inner lining member, one or more shock-absorbing pads, an outer lining member, and a band accepting groove. The one or more shock-absorbing pads are disposed on outer surface portion of the inner lining member. The one or more shock-absorbing pads are installed between the inner lining member and the outer lining member. The band accepting groove is provided on the outer surface portion of the outer lining member so as to accept and retain a band of a goggle therein. The inner surface portion of the inner lining member is contoured to fit a portion of rear head of a user so as to protect the user's head from external shock. The head protector is configured to be held against the rear head of the user wearing the goggle through the band of the goggle.

Abstract: An open face helmet includes an outer shell and a shock-absorbing liner, as well as a fixing member on the front side of the inner surface of the right side of the outer shell for the attachment of a removable cheek pad. The cheek pad includes a shock-absorbing member and a cushioning member stacked thereon, as well as an engaging body to be removably engaged with the fixing member. The fixing member is opposed to the front edge of the shock-absorbing liner, having a slit to be engaged with or disengaged from the engaging body in a front-back direction. The cheek pad is supported on the inner surface of the right side of the helmet shell by an engagement of the engaging body with the slit and a face-to-face contact of the back edge of the cheek pad with the front edge of the shock-absorbing liner.

Abstract: A football helmet has a shell with a top portion having a raised central channel at least at one of a front area and a top area of the top portion of the shell, with a plurality of elongated vent openings on each side of the channel, the vent openings being spaced from each other on each side of the channel, from front to back, along the helmet shell.

Abstract: A protective headgear position and impact sensor is described for use with hard hats, helmets, or other headgear. Proximity sensors are used to detect whether the headgear is being worn by the user. In some versions of the invention, additional features determine the nature of a head impact and store data related to wear of the headgear by the user.