The invention relates to a multi-step method with a number of processes and sub-processes that interact to allow for the selection, design and/or manufacture of a protective sports helmet for a specific player, or a recreational sports helmet for a specific person wearing the helmet. Once the desired protective sports helmet or recreational sports helmet is selected, information is collected from the individual player or wearer regarding the shape of his/her head and information about the impacts he/she has received while participating in the sport or activity. The collected information is processed to develop a bespoke energy attenuation assembly for use in the protective helmet. The energy attenuation assembly includes at least one energy attenuation member with a unique structural makeup and/or chemical composition. The energy attenuation assembly is purposely engineered to improve comfort and fit, as well as how the helmet responds when an impact or series of impacts are received by the helmet.

A helmet is provided that can include a cage defining a front end, a back end opposite the front end, a first lateral end and a second lateral end opposite the first lateral end. The cage can include multiple longitudinal beams that extend between the back end of the cage and the front end of the cage; and a transverse beam that extends between the first lateral end of the cage and the second lateral end of the cage. The transverse beam can be anchored to the multiple longitudinal beams. The helmet can include a body that fully encapsulates the multiple longitudinal beams of the cage and that partially encapsulates the transverse beam. The body can define multiple vents. Each vent can be situated between two adjacent longitudinal beams. The transverse beam can extend through one of the multiple vents.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided part of a protective apparatus, said part being a first part for attaching to a second part of the protective apparatus such that the first part and the second part of the apparatus can move relative to each other under an impact, the first part of the protective apparatus comprising: an attachment part configured to be attached to the second part of the apparatus, the attachment part comprising a first part of a connecting means configured to be detachably attached to a second part of the connecting means provided to the second part of the apparatus; a patch of low friction layer arranged adjacent to the first part of the connecting means in a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of connection between the first and second parts of the apparatus; wherein, when the first part of the connecting means is attached to the second part of the connecting means, the first part of the connecting means is configured to detach from the second part of the connecting means as the connector is displaced in a lateral direction relative to the second part of the connecting means such that the patch of low friction layer moves towards the second part of the connecting means, and the patch of low friction layer is configured to slide against the second connecting means as the first part of the connecting means detaches therefrom.

In a protective helmet, in particular a sports helmet, with a shock-absorbing helmet shell and a visor, on each of two opposite sides of the protective helmet, a coupling section of the helmet shell and a coupling section of the visor are formed, one of which is configured as a coupling receptacle and the other as a coupling extension and in such a way that, the coupling extension may engage in the coupling receptacle in order to connect the visor to the helmet shell. The coupling extension is displaceable in the coupling receptacle along a displacement path between an initial position and an advance position and is pivotable about a pivot axis between the advance position and an open position.

Protective headwear is described. The protective headwear may include an integrated protective shell. The integrated protective shell may include plastics or polymers and/or impact foam. The integrated protective shell may be housed by a cover, such as a fabric cover. The protective headwear may include a retention system, such as a chinstrap. The protective headwear may include a visor coupling feature that allows a visor to be securely held in a raised position to increase visibility.

A helmet includes one or more vacuum retention systems lining and affixed to an interior of the helmet. The vacuum retention systems are containers including a plurality of microbeads and a valve allowing air to be added into or subtracted from the containers, compactifying the microbeads around the head of a pilot. The vacuum retention systems are connected to inflatable bladders in a suit of the pilot, thereby allowing air evacuated from the vacuum retention systems to be used to inflate the bladders. The vacuum retention systems are able to be connected to one or more sensors of a plane and the rigidity of the vacuum retention systems is able to be automatically adjusted based on sensor readings (e.g., G-force measurements).

A protection system including a safety helmet or hard hat, an impact protection layer, and a suspension system is shown. The hard hat includes an impact protection layer and a suspension system coupled to an interior surface of the hard hat. Various suspension mechanisms and strap systems for hard hats are described herein.