A helmet, comprising: an outer shell; a head mount, configured to be mounted on the top of the head of a wearer of the helmet, wherein the head mount is suspended within the outer shell such that, in use, an air gap is provided between head mount and the outer shell; a head mount cover, covering a first surface of the head mount and at least partially surrounding the head mount; wherein a low friction interface is provided between the head mount cover and the first surface of the head mount.

A padding assembly for a helmet includes a plurality of pads that is configured to couple to an external surface of the helmet, such as a football helmet. The pads are configured to absorb a force from an impact to the helmet when the helmet is positioned on a head of a user. The force of the impact to the head of the user is reduced.

An impact reducing headgear is disclosed which utilizes dynamically responsive materials which undergo physical changes during exposure to impact forces, such that physical changes or phase changes absorb energy. The helmet may be constructed with a dual shell structure and a bladder, where the dynamically responsive materials may be contained.

An athletic helmet includes an outer shell, having an outer surface and an inner surface, shaped to receive a head, and a magnetic system disposed adjacent to the inner surface. The magnetic system has at least one magnet configured to have one pole aligned such that its magnetic dipole moment is oriented approximately normal to the outer surface and a magnetic holding device configured to allow the at least one magnet to slidably move along a surface of the magnetic holding device.

A helmet, such as a football helmet, includes a shell portion, a retention assembly, and a face guard assembly. The shell portion includes: an outer shell; an inner shell spaced apart from the outer shell, the inner shell and the outer shell defining an interior space between the inner shell and the outer shell; at least one fastener assembly extending from the outer shell to the inner shell through the interior space; and at least one inflated bladder positioned in the interior space defined by the inner shell and the outer shell. The shell(s) can be formed from lightweight materials, such as carbon fiber. The retention assembly is connected to the inner shell for securing the helmet to a head of a wearer. The face guard assembly is connected to the outer shell and is positioned to protect at least a portion of a face of the wearer.

Aspects herein relate to protective headgear for sports and to methods of using such headgear. In one aspect, the headgear has an external head-protecting shell that is soft to reduce the risk of injuring other players. In another aspect, the headgear has a rear closure arrangement that includes a bridge component for ease of putting on the headgear and for added protection at the closure area of the rear closure arrangement. In another aspect, fit pads of different sizes are removeably attachable to an cheekbone extension member of the headgear to provide a proper fit to the wearer's cheekbone. A face mask is integrated with the headgear in some embodiments.

A liner (10) for fitting within a headcap to provide a degree of impact protection, said liner comprising a generally concave shell for receiving a wearer's head, in use, and having a top section (16), a front section (12) and a rear section (14), and a pair of side panels extending downward from, and integrally formed with, respective side edges of said top section (16), wherein a first slot (14a) is provided on each side of said rear section (14), extending from a side edge thereof to a hinge portion (14b) located between said top portion (16) and said rear section (14), and a second slot (12a) is provided on each side of said front section (12) extending from a side edge thereof to a hinge portion (12b) located between said top portion (16) and said front section (12).

A helmet includes a shell, a brim, ridges, and multiple flexible structures. The shell is shaped to receive a user's head. The brim covers the user's forehead and areas above the temples and ears and protrudes from the outer surface of the shell. The ridges are located along the back and top of the helmet and also protrude from the outer surface of the shell. The flexible structures, which are made of a material that is more flexible than the shell, the brim, and the ridges, are positioned in separation gaps between the shell and the brim and ridges. The shell, brim, ridges, and flexible structures are fused together as a single unibody. When the helmet is subjected to an impact on the brim or the ridges, the corresponding flexible structure deforms so that the brim or ridge moves relative to the shell. The deformation of the flexible structure attenuates the force of the impact, which improves the helmet's ability to protect the user from impacts.

A garment worn by a wearer has an impact absorbing material comprising arrays of various hexagonal or other deformable polygonal-shaped structures positioned between an exterior surface and an interior surface. When force is applied to the exterior surface, the structures of the impact absorbing materials deform (e.g., buckle) in a desired manner, reducing the force received by the interior surface.

The present invention is sport equipment for reducing the impact force by a user wearing the sport equipment. The sport equipment has an outer body, an inner body in spaced relation with the outer body, at least one impact absorbing member located between the outer and inner bodies, and at least one first magnetic element located in a longitudinal bore defined through the impact absorbing member. A gap is defined between the first magnetic element and an inner surface of the outer body. The first magnetic element has a first pole orientated in a direction exterior of the sport equipment, and is configured to produce a repulsive magnetic force when a second magnetic element of a second sport equipment is at a predetermined distance from the sport equipment prior to the sport equipment contacting the second sport equipment.