This invention relates generally to the field of headgear, and, more particularly, to a headgear safety apparatus in the form of a single contiguous and homogeneous pad, having an inner surface, wherein said inner surface is substantially concave; an outer surface, wherein said outer surface is substantially convex; and a one or more safety features. The single contiguous and homogeneous pad is manufactured from closed-cell, ethylene vinyl acetate foam using an injection molding process to create integrated safety features in a single, anti-microbial, safety pad that protects the wearer but does not cover the ears.

This invention relates generally to the field of headgear, and, more particularly, to a headgear safety apparatus in the form of a single contiguous and homogeneous pad, having an inner surface, wherein said inner surface is substantially concave; an outer surface, wherein said outer surface is substantially convex; and a one or more safety features. The single contiguous and homogeneous pad is manufactured from closed-cell, ethylene vinyl acetate foam using an injection molding process to create integrated safety features in a single, anti-microbial, safety pad that protects the wearer but does not cover the ears.

A cowboy hat with interior head protection includes a hat, a helmet shell attached to the interior of the hat, and a ratchet adjustment assembly coupled to the helmet shell, wherein the helmet shell is substantially concealed within the interior of the hat.

An integrated fit and retention system is provided that includes a first rigid strap and a second rigid strap, each having a first end and a second end. The first end of each rigid strap is coupled to a helmet body proximate a front of the helmet body, and the second end of each rigid strap is coupled to the helmet body proximate a rear of the helmet body. The integrated fit and retention system also includes a chin strap operable to couple the first and second rigid straps beneath a chin of a wearer. In particular embodiments, the integrated fit and retention system may further include a fit strap coupling the first and second rigid straps, that may be configured to sit below an occipital lobe of the wearer.

Apparatus for protecting the head of a person from an external force includes an inner shell which fits over the head of the person and an outer shell which fits over the inner shell. A plurality of bags which contain a pressurized gas are disposed between the inner shell and the outer shell. When an external force is applied to the outer shell some of the bags distribute and partially absorb the external force thereby reducing the force experienced by the person.

Apparatus for protecting the head of a person from an external force includes an inner shell which fits over the head of the person and an outer shell which fits over the inner shell. A plurality of bags which contain a pressurized gas are disposed between the inner shell and the outer shell. When an external force is applied to the outer shell some of the bags distribute and partially absorb the external force thereby reducing the force experienced by the person.

The invention relates to a protective helmet (1) for the head (2) of a human being. Said protective helmet (1) comprises an outer protective shell (4) and an inner support structure (12) that includes a forehead strip (14) defining a head-accommodating opening (13) as well as a upper head support (15); on the forehead strip (14), the support structure (12) has a forehead-accommodating side (16) and a side (17) accommodating the back of the head; the support structure (12) is secured to the protective shell (4) using at least one force-transmitting connecting mechanism (18). A longitudinal adjusting mechanism (19) which is arranged between the protective shell (4) and the support structure (12) allows the protective shell (4) to be adjusted relative to the support structure (12) in the direction of the forehead-accommodating side (16) or in the direction of the side (17) accommodating the back of the head.

It is a typical harness conformed by a hard outer shell (1) that usually projects a front visor (2), and an optional crown with ventilation ports (3), enclosed in an inner harness (A) that lays on the wearer's head, keeping a considerable clearance in respect of the inner face of the shell (1). The helmet is put on the wearer's head and is positioned using an adjustable annular headband (4). The harness is a crowned thin structure conformed by curved portions of different width and equal thickness, which form stretching deformation portions based on the energy transferred during an impact. Thanks to the sizing of the curved portions that form the crowned structure, stretching deformation occurs at temperatures ranging from −18° C. to 50° C. The crowned structure is shaped from an upper elliptic portion (5) that delimits a vast upper and central opening (6) that is substantially elliptic, from which radial portions extend (7 and 8) until reaching a lower adjustable annular headband. This upper elliptic portion (5) presents two diametrically opposed stretched openings (9 and 10), through which it is subdivided in two internal curved portions of lesser width (11 and 12), opposed to the respective external curved portions, which are wider (13) and (14).

It is a typical harness conformed by a hard outer shell (1) that usually projects a front visor (2), and an optional crown with ventilation ports (3), enclosed in an inner harness (A) that lays on the wearer's head, keeping a considerable clearance in respect of the inner face of the shell (1). The helmet is put on the wearer's head and is positioned using an adjustable annular headband (4). The harness is a crowned thin structure conformed by curved portions of different width and equal thickness, which form stretching deformation portions based on the energy transferred during an impact. Thanks to the sizing of the curved portions that form the crowned structure, stretching deformation occurs at temperatures ranging from −18° C. to 50° C. The crowned structure is shaped from an upper elliptic portion (5) that delimits a vast upper and central opening (6) that is substantially elliptic, from which radial portions extend (7 and 8) until reaching a lower adjustable annular headband. This upper elliptic portion (5) presents two diametrically opposed stretched openings (9 and 10), through which it is subdivided in two internal curved portions of lesser width (11 and 12), opposed to the respective external curved portions, which are wider (13) and (14).

There is disclosed a connector for connecting first and second parts of an apparatus, the connector comprising: a deformable retainer having first and second sides around an inner space; and a first plate positioned within the inner space to provide a low friction interface between the first and second sides of the retainer; wherein the first side of the retainer has a first anchor point that is configured to connect the connector to the first part of the apparatus; and the second side of the retainer has a second anchor point that is configured to connect the connector to the second part of the apparatus.