A cycling helmet includes an outer shell and a closed cell foam layer adjacent to the outer shell. The cycling helmet also includes an inner liner adjacent to the closed cell foam layer. The cycling helmet further includes an insert of energy absorbing material adjacent to the inner liner. The insert is configured to move in multiple directions in response to an impact to the cycling helmet.

Impact energy absorbing devices, in some embodiments, may be configured as a helmet having suspension elements employing “rate activated tethers” (RATs), a speed-sensitive flexible strapping material. The RATs are configured to suspend a helmet shell on the head of a wearer, so that impact to the helmet causes extension of the RATs. The RATs provide for: (1) steady force over long strokes, and (2) a stroke force that increases with increasing impact velocity. Standard impact testing of a helmeted headform shows that the RAT suspension decreases head accelerations by 50% relative to a standard suspension system. This decrease in head acceleration is expected to lead to a reduced likelihood of brain and head injury. Because the RATs absorb energy during tensile extension, they offer increases in energy absorption efficiency. These RAT suspensions can potentially replace or complement existing helmet pad and suspension systems in military, sports, and industrial safety-wear.

Impact energy absorbing devices, in some embodiments, may be configured as a helmet having suspension elements employing “rate activated tethers” (RATs), a speed-sensitive flexible strapping material. The RATs are configured to suspend a helmet shell on the head of a wearer, so that impact to the helmet causes extension of the RATs. The RATs provide for: (1) steady force over long strokes, and (2) a stroke force that increases with increasing impact velocity. Standard impact testing of a helmeted headform shows that the RAT suspension decreases head accelerations by 50% relative to a standard suspension system. This decrease in head acceleration is expected to lead to a reduced likelihood of brain and head injury. Because the RATs absorb energy during tensile extension, they offer increases in energy absorption efficiency. These RAT suspensions can potentially replace or complement existing helmet pad and suspension systems in military, sports, and industrial safety-wear.

A hard hat and related impact protection layer is shown. The hard hat includes one or more feature to improve support of the impact protection layer and coupling of the hard hat to the user. Various suspension mechanisms for hard hat outer shells and strap systems are described herein.

A hard hat and related impact protection layer is shown. The hard hat includes one or more feature to improve support of the impact protection layer and coupling of the hard hat to the user. Various suspension mechanisms for hard hat outer shells and strap systems are described herein.

A helmet/hood assembly includes a housing, a support ring subassembly configured to hold the assembly on a human head, a face shield, and a flexible hood attached to the housing and to the face shield, with the assembly being received, stored, used, and disposed as a single unit. The support ring subassembly pivots on the housing between a position suitable for shipping and storing the assembly and a position in which the assembly is worn. An accessory light powered by a battery may be held in place on the housing by magnetic attraction through the hood.

A ratchet mechanism for a headband of a protective helmet controls movement of overlapping rear portions of the headband with respect to one another includes a housing defining an internal cavity. The ratchet mechanism further includes an adjustment element with a pinion configured to engage respective rack gears of the overlapping rear portions of the headband within the internal cavity defined by the housing, along with a spring, which provides a torque that biases the adjustment element to a home position. The ratchet mechanism further includes a knob that is configured for movement between a first position in which it engages the pinion and controls rotation of the adjustment element, and a second position in which it disengages from the pinion, such that the spring will return the adjustment element to the home position.

A ratchet mechanism for a headband of a protective helmet controls movement of overlapping rear portions of the headband with respect to one another includes a housing defining an internal cavity. The ratchet mechanism further includes an adjustment element with a pinion configured to engage respective rack gears of the overlapping rear portions of the headband within the internal cavity defined by the housing, along with a spring, which provides a torque that biases the adjustment element to a home position. The ratchet mechanism further includes a knob that is configured for movement between a first position in which it engages the pinion and controls rotation of the adjustment element, and a second position in which it disengages from the pinion, such that the spring will return the adjustment element to the home position.

A safety helmet (100) includes an arched helmet shell (1), a bearing structure (3, 4.l, 4.r, 5, 6, 8, 10), an inner lining and a plurality of connection units. The inner lining comes into contact with the head of a user of the safety helmet. The bearing structure is attached on the inside to the helmet shell. Each connection unit is capable of detachably connecting the inner lining to the bearing structure. Each connection unit comprises a bearing structure-side component and an inner lining-side component. Each component is configured as exactly one connection type. A bearing structure-side component is connectable to an inner lining-side component if the two components are configured as the same connection type. The two components cannot otherwise be connected to one another or are incapable of establishing a connection between the bearing structure and the inner lining.

A safety helmet (100) includes an arched helmet shell (1), a bearing structure (3, 4.l, 4.r, 5, 6, 8, 10), an inner lining and a plurality of connection units. The inner lining comes into contact with the head of a user of the safety helmet. The bearing structure is attached on the inside to the helmet shell. Each connection unit is capable of detachably connecting the inner lining to the bearing structure. Each connection unit comprises a bearing structure-side component and an inner lining-side component. Each component is configured as exactly one connection type. A bearing structure-side component is connectable to an inner lining-side component if the two components are configured as the same connection type. The two components cannot otherwise be connected to one another or are incapable of establishing a connection between the bearing structure and the inner lining.