A wearable impact protection system is provided that includes an inner layer of a first shear thickening material that faces a wearer in use, an outer layer of a second shear thickening material and an intermediate deformable layer. In one example the impact protection system is provided in the form of a helmet.

A composite material includes an upper layer, a lower layer and means arranged so as to diffuse substantially transversely at least part of the kinetic energy induced by an impact on one of said layers, said means cooperating on both sides, with the upper layer and the lower layer. The diffusion means can consist in a network of interassembled base elements and of cavities, forming a three-dimensional structure. A protection device comprising includes an insert consisting of the composite material.

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 recreational sports helmet for a specific person wearing the helmet. Once the desired recreational sports helmet is selected, information is collected from the individual wearer regarding the shape of his/her head and information about the impacts he/she has received while participating in the activity. The collected information is processed to develop a bespoke energy attenuation assembly for use in the recreational sports 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 recreational sports helmet.

A smart hard shell helmet for protection of head injury having a plurality of air filled inflatable bladders inside the shell, a valve on at least one bladder that responds to a controller, at least one flexible extendible strap extended from the bladder to a one point on the inside of the helmet, accelerometers operably connected to the helmet and wearer's head for sensing g force changes, pressure sensors in the bladders, an electrically actuated valve responsive to pressure and force measurement determined by the controller thresholds being met, and the valve exhausts a portion of the air in the bladder to the atmosphere extending the strap to the second state followed by the strap returning to the first state by drawing atmospheric air through the valve and re-inflating the bladder.

A helmet detects shear force impacts. Indicator elements in the helmet or protective gear provides a visual indication, an audio indication, or a combination is contained in the surface of the outer shell of the helmet and detects when there is a mechanical force imparted on the helmet. One or more sensors are embedded in the helmet and detect when a shear force is imparted on the helmet. In other embodiments, the sensors can detect that there was a mechanical force on the helmet and also measure the energy of the force. The outer surface of the helmet may have a lining that changes appearance with a shear impact force hits the surface of the helmet.

Embodiments generally relate to personal protective equipment (PPE) (such as gloves, shoes/boots, hoods, protective clothing, etc.) for industrial applications. More specifically, the invention relates to using magnetic particles (e.g. incorporated within or attached/affixed to the PPE) so that a magnetic scan may be run to determine a change (e.g. decrease) in initial magnetic field signature (MFS) for the PPE). The change in MFS is used to determine end of service life of the PPE (such that the protective equipment should be retired or repaired).

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.

The disclosure relates to an irreversible dosimetric shock-detection substrate as well as related articles and methods. The shock-detection substrate incorporates a plurality of microcapsules serving as an irreversible means for detecting impact on the substrate. A shock above a characteristic threshold level experienced by the substrate induces an irreversible detectable change associated with the microcapsules upon shock-induced rupture. The irreversible detectable change provides a tamper-proof and non-electronic means for detecting a shock or impact. The shock-detection substrates can be incorporated into a variety of articles and used in a variety of settings, for example to monitor personal safety, to monitor article integrity, to monitor the end of the useful life of the shock-detection substrate itself, or in any other setting where it is desirable to irreversibly detect and/or localize a shock event.

A complete helmet assembly comprising an inner helmet assembly similar to a baseball, softball, or cricket helmet and an exterior shell assembly are disclosed. The inner helmet assembly is similar to a standard helmet. The exterior shell assembly comprises two or more layers, one of said layers (preferably the more exterior layer) being hard and elastic and one or more of said layers (preferably a more internal layer) being a plastically deformable layer comprising a crumple zone that would need to be replaced after the exterior shell assembly receives significant damage. The user gets the advantages of both a reusable interior helmet and the advantages of single impact safety materials commonly used in bicycle and motorcycle helmets.

Various embodiments relating to methods for evaluating injury mitigation performance of helmets that are used for sports (e.g., equestrian sports) are described. In one embodiment, a method for evaluating injury mitigation performance of an equestrian helmet includes applying a first impact configuration to a first and a second helmet of the same model and applying a second impact configuration to a third and a fourth helmet that are both of the same model as the first and the second helmet. The method further includes generating acceleration data based on impacts that occur as part of the first impact configuration and the second impact configuration. The method further includes determining concussion risk values based on the generated acceleration data. The method also includes determining a concussion risk metric based on the concussion risk values and exposure values.