A force attenuating helmet construction including a rigid layer generally conforming to the wearer's head. A plurality of force absorbing and reacting portions extend from locations of the rigid layer such that, in response to an impact event experienced by the helmet, the absorptive and reactive forces minimize impact forces transferred to the user's head and spine. The helmet can include inner and outer rigid layers, or shells, and which are spatially supported by a plurality of force attenuating components.

A helmet mounted safety device comprises right and left mandible engaging sections. Each of the mandible engaging sections comprises an adjustable airway opening member for assuring opening of the airway, and is connected, whether integrally or detachably, to a side portion within an interior of a helmet in order to facilitate engagement with the mandible of a wearer of the helmet upon demand. A helmet comprising the right and left mandible engaging sections is also taught, and further comprises in one embodiment a neck stabilizing cervical support that includes an occipital portion and two sternocleidomastoid (SCM) portions between which the occipital portion is interposed, for engaging the SCM muscle at the side of the neck.

A helmet mounted safety device comprises right and left mandible engaging sections. Each of the mandible engaging sections comprises an adjustable airway opening member for assuring opening of the airway, and is connected, whether integrally or detachably, to a side portion within an interior of a helmet in order to facilitate engagement with the mandible of a wearer of the helmet upon demand. A helmet comprising the right and left mandible engaging sections is also taught, and further comprises in one embodiment a neck stabilizing cervical support that includes an occipital portion and two sternocleidomastoid (SCM) portions between which the occipital portion is interposed, for engaging the SCM muscle at the side of the neck.

A protective insert for headgear includes a malleable main body member having an inside facing surface, an outside facing surface and an impact resistant material that is disposed between the inside and outside facing surfaces. A plurality of connectors are disposed along the insert, and removably engage complementary connectors positionable inside a traditional hat. A plurality of air vents are disposed throughout the main body, and the impact resistant material includes polyurethane foam and polyborodimethylsiloxanea, which is malleable in a non-compressed state, and becomes firm and rigid when receiving an impact force.

A protective insert for headgear includes a malleable main body member having an inside facing surface, an outside facing surface and an impact resistant material that is disposed between the inside and outside facing surfaces. A plurality of connectors are disposed along the insert, and removably engage complementary connectors positionable inside a traditional hat. A plurality of air vents are disposed throughout the main body, and the impact resistant material includes polyurethane foam and polyborodimethylsiloxanea, which is malleable in a non-compressed state, and becomes firm and rigid when receiving an impact force.

Apparatus for protecting a user from impacts to the head. The apparatus includes a shell configured to receive a human head and a plurality of structures attached to the outer surface of the shell. Each structure includes an outer cell that absorbs direct impacts. Each structure is independently coupled to the shell with a respective assembly. The structures move independently of one another and are restricted to sliding tangentially along the outer surface of the shell. The assemblies each include a biasing mechanism that absorbs tangential impacts to the structure and returns the respective structure to its rest position. Thus, a user is protected from the concussive effects of a head-on impact and the rotational acceleration injuries of a tangential impact.

A helmet having a chin bar fastened 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. A sliding mechanism attached to the strip allows the strip to be moved forward and backward to allow it to be tightened or loosened, respectively, with respect to the player's head. A ratcheting lateral adjustment device is also disclosed.

A helmet having a chin bar fastened 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. A sliding mechanism attached to the strip allows the strip to be moved forward and backward to allow it to be tightened or loosened, respectively, with respect to the player's head. A ratcheting lateral adjustment device is also disclosed.

The present invention provides an apparatus to dissipate and attenuate mechanical waves which travel through a human brain upon blunt trauma. The apparatus comprises a pressurizable and ventable outer balloon shell encasing an inner hard shell. The pressurizable and ventable outer balloon shell is configured to release a pressurized gas to the atmosphere upon an impact to said pressurizable and ventable outer balloon shell. The apparatus is configured to enhance efficiency in reduction of an amplitude of the mechanical waves of the blunt trauma delivered to the human brain and to disrupt doubling-up of mechanical waves in a pressure zone inside the pressurizable and ventable outer balloon shell. The apparatus is configured to ventilate the pressurizable and ventable outer balloon shell and the inner hard shell.

A lightweight protective headgear for non-contact sports comprising a soft foam helmet comprising a skeletal support structure designed to prevent head and facial injuries to the user.