A helmet may have an inner liner forming a body of the helmet, the inner liner having a concave inner surface defining a cavity configured for receiving a wearer's head. A plurality of slippage pads are disposed at selected locations on the concave inner surface and connected to the inner liner, the slippage pads having an elongated shape with a length and a width, the length being greater than the width, the slippage pads each defining a number of integrally connected side-by-side tubes each having an opening adapted to be oriented toward the wearer's head, the openings aligned longitudinally along the length of the slippage pads. A plurality of projecting cushioning pads are disposed adjacent to the slippage pads, and have a greater height than the slippage pads and exhibiting a greater deformability than the slippage pads.

An inflatable bladder and comfort control device is provided for mounting within headgear. The inflatable bladder and comfort control device have at least one inflatable bladder adapted to be positioned against a user's head. An air supply source is operatively connected to the inflatable bladder to inflate the bladder and provide air to the user. A directional valve is operatively mounted within the air supply source to separate the air supply source into flow paths to inflate the at least one inflatable bladder, and to create air flow adjacent the user. A directional valve controls the air flow to the bladder and the user's face. Comfort openings are in fluid communication with the air flow path to supply air to adjacent a user's head.

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrative embodiments of an impact protection device that comprises the following elements: a machine, a protective structural member, and a fluid holding member. The impact protection device is designed to protect a user from an impact to the protective structural member by dissipating a portion of the kinetic energy of the impact. Machine operation translates into a controlled movement between elements of the impact protection device that deform the fluid holding member, thereby displacing a fluid. This controlled movement also dictates a throttling profile that regulates the amount of damping; thereby managing the portion of kinetic energy dissipated. The machine can be a mechanical assembly incorporating levers, cams and or computerized controllers.

A flex cell for absorbing energy from an applied force includes a panel attached to a flex cage. The flex cage is made from a resilient material that allows deformation of the flex cage when a force is applied to the flex cell. The flex cell is attachable to a support surface. In some instances, the flex cell is detached from the support surface when sufficient force is applied to the flex cell.

A structural padding system includes an outer shell, an inner shock absorbing liner attached to the outer shell, and multiple compressible balls coupled with the outer shell and/or the inner shock absorbing liner in such a way that the multiple compressible balls are free to move, relative to the outer shell and the inner shock absorbing liner, when the structural padding system is impacted by an object.

A helmet that includes an outer shell having at least a first outer magnetic member, an inner shell having at least a first inner magnetic member, and padding secured inside the inner shell. The first inner magnetic member is spaced from and opposed to the first outer magnetic member, such that the first inner magnetic member repels the first outer magnetic member. The outer shell is connected to the inner shell.

An impact attenuating helmet including an outer liner having an inner mating surface, an inner liner positioned under the outer liner and having an outer mating surface configured to be received by the inner mating surface of the outer liner, the inner liner and the outer liner being configured to move relative to each other along a slip plane between outer mating surface of the inner liner and the inner mating surface of the outer liner, and one or more securing attachments, each securing attachment being coupled to the outer liner and being configured to secure the outer liner to the inner liner, each securing attachment comprising a slack element configured to permit a range of movement between the outer liner and the inner liner.

A hard hat, including an outer shell constructed of material designed to provide protection to a wearer in extreme environmental conditions is provided. In one embodiment, the wall thickness of the outer shell is reduced to minimize the weight and/or bulk of the hard hat.

A helmet includes an outer shell, an intermediate isolator shell, an intermediate damping shell and an inner shell. The helmet further includes inner padding, a plurality of shocks, a plurality of shock mounts and one or more sensors. The helmet can further include an intermediate piston shell, one or more brake pads, a landing padding, and a bottom support. The helmet is configured to provide impact energy absorption and protect a user from brain and/or head injuries. The helmet provides controlled deceleration of the brain so as to prevent or minimize damage to the brain or head of the user. The one or more sensors of the helmet enables an impact detection system to be used concurrently with the helmet. The impact detection system is configured to measure, track, store, and present data collected during each use via a mobile application.

A helmet of a layered and segmented design including impact attenuation structures may include a series of layers that individually, or in combination, provide the necessary functions of the helmet. The helmet may feature a layer with a low coefficient of friction to act as a slip layer and slide due to rotational force. The present technology includes impact attenuation structures of predetermined geometries, layers, and materials to allow for an appropriate impact response with a certain degree of control over the buckling process and an adaptive impact response. The present technology of impact attenuation structures may be applicable where impact absorption and controlled buckling is desired, such as bike helmets.