A helmet may include an upper-body comprising a first outer shell coupled to a first energy-absorbing shell formed of expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polyurethane (EPU), or expanded polyolefin (EPO). A lower-body may include a second outer shell coupled to a second energy-absorbing shell formed of EPP, EPS, EPU, or EPO, wherein an upper portion of the lower-body is nested within the upper-body and a lower portion of the lower-body extends to an outer surface of a lower portion of the upper-body. A strap anchor may be disposed between the upper-body and the lower-body, and be sandwiched between the upper-body and the lower-body with the strap anchor being adjacent to, and oriented towards, the lower-body. A strap may be coupled to the fastening device and coupled to the strap anchor for coupling the helmet to a head of a user.

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.

A method and apparatus can include: providing a cover, the cover including face cover, neck cover, crown cover, side cover, and back cover; creating a cover opening in the cover above the face cover for exposure of facial features of a user from the cover; attaching a helmet cover at an attachment point near the back cover configured to expand around a helmet; and forming a helmet cover opening.

Protective headgear in one case comprises a main body having a pair of side head parts connected by a forehead part and a crown part extending from the forehead part. The body is shaped to encompass the head of a wearer. The main body comprises an inner sheet of an open cell polyurethane foam material, an outer barrier layer, and an intermediate section comprising portions of an open cell polyurethane foam material between the inner and the outer layers. The open cell polyurethane foam has a density of from 100 to 300 kg/m.sup.3 which significantly reduces the G-force energy transferred to a players head during impact.

Protective headgear in one case comprises a main body having a pair of side head parts connected by a forehead part and a crown part extending from the forehead part. The body is shaped to encompass the head of a wearer. The main body comprises an inner sheet of an open cell polyurethane foam material, an outer barrier layer, and an intermediate section comprising portions of an open cell polyurethane foam material between the inner and the outer layers. The open cell polyurethane foam has a density of from 100 to 300 kg/m.sup.3 which significantly reduces the G-force energy transferred to a players head during impact.

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a process in which a helmet system including a machine is provided, that when worn by a user, positions the machine in a proximate relationship to a head portion, a neck portion, or both of the user. The helmet system provides a redistributing of a force responsive to a collision received along a first direction, wherein the force results from kinetic energy of an impact encountered at an external surface of the helmet system. The force induces an actuation of the machine, wherein the redistributing of the received collision force is based on the actuation of the machine. Energy transferred to the head portion, the neck portion, or both, resulting from the kinetic energy of the impact, is reduced, e.g., absorbed, based on the actuation of the machine. Other embodiments are disclosed.

A helmet including a shell, a plurality of panel buttons pivotally attached at their proximal face to the outer surface of the shell, and the panel buttons are made of a flexible or elastic material with a protective outer coating to protect the panel buttons from abrasion. In one embodiment, the panel buttons are pivotally attached to the outer surface of the shell with a living hinge that allows the panel buttons to swivel in multiple planes that are generally perpendicular to the outer surface of the shell.

A helmet is described, more specifically a helmet comprising a protective shell (10) formed of a flexible expanded polyurethane (EPU) material which defines a cavity for receiving the wearer's head, the shell being foldable, the helmet further comprising a strap (11) arrangement for fastening the shell to the wearer's head.

A helmet is described, more specifically a helmet comprising a protective shell (10) formed of a flexible expanded polyurethane (EPU) material which defines a cavity for receiving the wearer's head, the shell being foldable, the helmet further comprising a strap (11) arrangement for fastening the shell to the wearer's head.

A headband with one or more protective inserts. The inserts may be strategically positioned to provide protection for specific areas of a person's head that are most vulnerable to impact, depending on the sport or other activity. The inserts may be directly attached to the headband, or may be enclosed in pouches which are directly attached to the headband. The headband may be worn with or without additional headgear, and may be configured to cooperate with the additional headgear as to form, fit, and functionality.