Aspects of the present invention are directed to helmet padding systems. One helmet padding system includes a rigid shell and a spacing pad. The rigid shell is configured to cover a top of a user's head and be worn under a baseball cap. The rigid shell includes an opening formed in an area of the rigid shell opposite the front of the user's head when the rigid shell is worn on the user's head. The spacing pad is positioned within the rigid shell. The spacing pad includes a layer of elastomeric material. The helmet padding system may further include the baseball cap positioned overtop the rigid shell. The baseball cap has a cut-out in a rear portion thereof.

Aspects of the present invention are directed to helmet padding systems. One helmet padding system includes a rigid shell and a spacing pad. The rigid shell is configured to cover a top of a user's head and be worn under a baseball cap. The rigid shell includes an opening formed in an area of the rigid shell opposite the front of the user's head when the rigid shell is worn on the user's head. The spacing pad is positioned within the rigid shell. The spacing pad includes a layer of elastomeric material. The helmet padding system may further include the baseball cap positioned overtop the rigid shell. The baseball cap has a cut-out in a rear portion thereof.

A process of making a family cell of homogenous inner bladders with varying elasticity includes a forming a plurality of inner bladders from a first material with a first elasticity. The inner bladders have interior surfaces during inner chambers and exterior surfaces exposed to an outside environment. The inner chambers are configured to store a fluid. A family cell is formed by fluidly connecting the inner bladders. One or more hybrid bladders are selected from the inner bladders and a second material having a second elasticity is applied to the hybrid bladders. The second elasticity is less than the first elasticity, such that the second material reduces the elastic qualities of the hybrid bladder.

Disclosed is a mouth guard retaining device comprising a mounting member capable of being mounted to a helmet or facemask and a retaining member capable of retaining a mouth guard. Certain embodiments may also comprise a flexible connecting member attached to both the mounting member and the retaining member. Some embodiments will be formed of substantially a single piece of rubber.

The present invention is directed to an improved sports helmet including a quick release connector assembly for the faceguard that allows for rapid disconnection of the faceguard from the helmet shell. The connector includes a bracket, and a coupler mechanism featuring an elongated pin, a head component, a spring, a retractable engaging element and a washer. The connector assembly is moveable between a use position, wherein the faceguard is secured to the shell by the bracket and the coupler mechanism, and a released position wherein the bracket and the faceguard are disconnected from the shell. An inwardly directed actuation force that lacks a rotational component is applied to the elongated pin to move from the use position to the released position.

The present invention is directed to an improved sports helmet including a quick release connector assembly for the faceguard that allows for rapid disconnection of the faceguard from the helmet shell. The connector includes a bracket, and a coupler mechanism featuring an elongated pin, a head component, a spring, a retractable engaging element and a washer. The connector assembly is moveable between a use position, wherein the faceguard is secured to the shell by the bracket and the coupler mechanism, and a released position wherein the bracket and the faceguard are disconnected from the shell. An inwardly directed actuation force that lacks a rotational component is applied to the elongated pin to move from the use position to the released position.

A flexible, fibrous energy managing composite panel includes multiple flocked energy absorbing material (FEAM) layers separated by dividers. The FEAM layers can be single side or double side and can be fabricated from monofilament fibers having different properties (e.g., length and denier) flocked onto various substrates. The dividers can include sheets, fabrics, films, foam, spacer fabrics to separate the flock fibers in adjacent layers. The composite panels can be processed for breathability and flexibility. Other embodiments include piezoelectric FEAM layers and dividers for electronic sensing applications, and application of composite panels to body armor and the outer shells of helmets.

A flexible, fibrous energy managing composite panel includes multiple flocked energy absorbing material (FEAM) layers separated by dividers. The FEAM layers can be single side or double side and can be fabricated from monofilament fibers having different properties (e.g., length and denier) flocked onto various substrates. The dividers can include sheets, fabrics, films, foam, spacer fabrics to separate the flock fibers in adjacent layers. The composite panels can be processed for breathability and flexibility. Other embodiments include piezoelectric FEAM layers and dividers for electronic sensing applications, and application of composite panels to body armor and the outer shells of helmets.

A helmet having non-bursting air cells preferably includes a hard helmet shell, an outside air cell impact layer and an inside air cell impact layer. The outside air cell impact layer preferably includes at least one air cell layer and an outside layer of sheet material. Each air cell layer includes a plurality of air cells created between two plastic sheets. The inside air cell impact layer includes the at least one air cell layer. The inside and outside air cell impact layers may be permanently or removably attached to hard helmet shell. A second embodiment of the helmet having non-bursting air cells preferably includes the hard helmet shell, the outside air cell impact layer and an inside air cell inflatable impact layer. The inside air cell inflatable impact layer preferably includes at least one inflatable air cell layer and a check valve.

A helmet having non-bursting air cells preferably includes a hard helmet shell, an outside air cell impact layer and an inside air cell impact layer. The outside air cell impact layer preferably includes at least one air cell layer and an outside layer of sheet material. Each air cell layer includes a plurality of air cells created between two plastic sheets. The inside air cell impact layer includes the at least one air cell layer. The inside and outside air cell impact layers may be permanently or removably attached to hard helmet shell. A second embodiment of the helmet having non-bursting air cells preferably includes the hard helmet shell, the outside air cell impact layer and an inside air cell inflatable impact layer. The inside air cell inflatable impact layer preferably includes at least one inflatable air cell layer and a check valve.