A modular helmet system with a removable/detachable/interchangeable exterior shell, an inner force-absorbing layer releasably connected to the rigid exterior shell layer, and a multiple fastening devices associated with the shell which allow the shell to be interchanged/replaced/reconfigured at will. The shell as a single piece unit, or combinable components bear the fastening devices designed to enable rapid, secure interchange of the helmet system's layers, therefore allowing the helmet to be adapted for climatic, functional, and aesthetic preferences.

A helmet which includes a helmet shell, a protective shield, and at least first and second fastener arrangement which respectively secure the protective shield to opposed sides of the helmet shell, and wherein each fastener arrangement includes a shock absorbing element which is engaged with and secured to a respective section of the protective shield.

Compressible conical springs with unsecured tabs are positioned between an outer helmet and an inner rigid liner to absorb and distribute impact forces to minimize concussion risks and other head injuries.

An impact protection and shock absorbing device includes a support surface, and a plurality of flexible spines, configured of one or more sizes, each having a length defined from a base portion at the support surface to a distal portion thereof, and whereby each spine extends in one or more longitudinal directions outwardly from the support surface, at one or more angles less than 90 degrees. Sufficient deflecting of one or more spines by impact force causes impinging and deflecting of one or more other spines thereby dispersing and reducing impact forces.

A shield for a lacrosse helmet, wherein the shield includes a shield structure having a shield front, a shield rear, a shield top, a shield bottom and shield sides, wherein the shield structure includes a mounting structure located proximate the shield bottom, wherein the mounting structure is configured to securely associate the shield structure with a front top portion of the lacrosse helmet, and wherein the shield structure is arcuate in shape between the shield sides to conform to the front top portion of the lacrosse helmet, and wherein the lacrosse helmet shield further includes an impact absorbent material associated with the shield rear to be located between the shield rear and the front top portion of the lacrosse helmet when the helmet shield is associated with the lacrosse helmet.

Protective headgear apparatus (such as a helmet used for contact sports) is formed to comprise a non-rigid outer shell in the form of multiple layers of open-cell foam, each layer having a different density. A flexible, lightweight metal frame (i.e., a “cage”) is disposed to contact the inner surface of the outer shell (i.e., bonded in a manner that essentially “locks” the frame to the foam layer), and an open-cell foam cushion layer (in a waffle-like pattern) is bonded to the exposed surface of the metal frame. The various foam layers are preferably impregnated with activated carbon particles that electrostatically absorb (i.e., “capture”) the energy caused by blows to the outer shell. The captured energy is thereafter distributed throughout the volume of the foam layer itself, so as to minimize the amount of energy that reaches the wearer's head.

A helmet includes a shell having an interior surface, a padding disposed along the interior surface of the shell, and a chinbar. The padding defines a first engagement surface positioned at a first lateral side of the padding and a second engagement surface positioned at an opposing second lateral side of the padding. The chinbar includes a cage, a first flange, and a second flange. The cage includes a first end defining a third engagement surface and a second end defining a fourth engagement surface. The third engagement surface interfaces with the first engagement surface and the fourth engagement surface interfaces with the second engagement surface. The first flange extends from the first end of the cage. The second flange extends from the second end of the cage. The first flange and the second flange of the chinbar are embedded within the padding.

A shield system for protecting a curved object is described. The system comprises at least one flexible pad. The at least one flexible pad comprises a spacing ridge (7) projecting at an angle from a first major surface (3) of the pad for providing a spacing between the first major surface and a support ridge (9) projecting from the first major surface and extending transverse to the spacing ridge. The support ridge comprises a flexure region (11) adapted to unbend in the event that the pad is curved about an axis aligned with the spacing ridge to inhibit strain in the support ridge from causing deflection of the spacing ridge.

A shield system for protecting a curved object is described. The system comprises at least one flexible pad. The at least one flexible pad comprises a spacing ridge (7) projecting at an angle from a first major surface (3) of the pad for providing a spacing between the first major surface and a support ridge (9) projecting from the first major surface and extending transverse to the spacing ridge. The support ridge comprises a flexure region (11) adapted to unbend in the event that the pad is curved about an axis aligned with the spacing ridge to inhibit strain in the support ridge from causing deflection of the spacing ridge.

A helmet manufacturing method involves: producing a shell and a protector, the shell having two opposing cheek-protecting portions, the protector having a jaw-protecting portion and a neck-protecting portion connected to the jaw-protecting portion; putting the shell and the protector in a die such that bottom edges of the cheek-protecting portions of the shell connect to a top edge of the neck-protecting portion of the protector; introducing a foam material into the die, apply heat and pressure to the foam material such that the foam material expands and binds to an inner side of the shell and an inner side of the protector; and taking a helmet finished product out of the die. Therefore, both the jaw-protecting portion of the integrally-formed protector and the helmet finished product are reinforced.