A combined microphone and fluid-delivery apparatus includes a microphone disposed at an end of a support member, and a fluid passageway supported by the support member. A mouthpiece extends from the passageway so as to be positioned adjacent the microphone. The mouthpiece defines an outlet port that is in fluid communication with the fluid passageway.

The invention relates to a protective sports helmet purposely designed for a selected group of helmet wearers from amongst a larger population of helmet wearers. A multi-step method for helmet design starts by collecting information from a population of players that may include information about the shape of a player's head and the impacts the player has sustained. This information is then processed to create player population information that is sorted to create categories. Advanced mathematical techniques are utilized to further sort these categories into player groups or data sets based on player attributes. Once the player groups are identified, another multi-step process is utilized to design optimized helmet prototype models for each player group. These optimized helmet prototype models are then further processed into complete helmet models by determining a structural design and chemical composition that is manufacturable and has mechanical properties that are substantially similar to the optimized helmet prototype model. Physical helmet prototypes are then created and tested using a unique helmet standard derived from information associated with each player group. Once the prototypes pass testing, the complete helmet models can be manufactured to create actual stock helmets or stock helmet components for future players whose characteristics and attributes place them within the selected player group.

The invention relates to a protective sports helmet purposely designed for a selected group of helmet wearers from amongst a larger population of helmet wearers. A multi-step method for helmet design starts by collecting information from a population of players that may include information about the shape of a player's head and the impacts the player has sustained. This information is then processed to create player population information that is sorted to create categories. Advanced mathematical techniques are utilized to further sort these categories into player groups or data sets based on player attributes. Once the player groups are identified, another multi-step process is utilized to design optimized helmet prototype models for each player group. These optimized helmet prototype models are then further processed into complete helmet models by determining a structural design and chemical composition that is manufacturable and has mechanical properties that are substantially similar to the optimized helmet prototype model. Physical helmet prototypes are then created and tested using a unique helmet standard derived from information associated with each player group. Once the prototypes pass testing, the complete helmet models can be manufactured to create actual stock helmets or stock helmet components for future players whose characteristics and attributes place them within the selected player group.

An anti-concussion helmet attachment collar assembly includes a cowl body attached to a curved helmet attachment ring segment at its upper end, and to a cowl support ring at its lower end. A circular rolling element bearing is interposed between the bottom of the cowl support ring and the interior shoulder of an underlying central ring, facilitating rotation of the cowl support ring with respect to the central ring. A modified helmet incorporates a flange with keyhole openings coupleable with standoff rivets on the helmet attachment ring segment. A base attached to equipment, such as football shoulder pads, is configured to selectively couple with the central ring during use.

A system or method for measuring human ocular performance can be implemented using an eye sensor, a head orientation sensor, and an electronic circuit. The device is configured for measuring vestibulo-ocular reflex, pupillometry, saccades, visual pursuit tracking, vergence, eyelid closure, dynamic visual acuity, retinal image stability, foveal fixation stability, focused position of the eyes or visual fixation of the eyes at any given moment and nystagmus. The eye sensor comprises a video camera that senses vertical movement and horizontal movement of at least one eye. The head orientation sensor senses pitch and yaw in the range of frequencies between 0.01 Hertz and 15 Hertz. The system is implemented as part of a faceguard.

An athletic wear includes at least one of an athlete garment, a helmet, a glove, a wristband, a headband, a mouth guard, and a pad. A plurality of sensors and at least one camera are integrated into the at least one of the athlete garment, the helmet, the glove, the wristband, the headband, the mouth guard, and the pad. A processor is in signal communication with the plurality of sensors and the at least one camera for receiving, analyzing, and transmitting data signals obtained by the plurality of sensors and the at least one camera. The plurality of sensors are configured to obtain a wearer's physiological data, position data and movement data.

A head-worn system has one or more illumination, imaging, communication, and/or other controlled elements electrically connected to a switch element (e.g., a piezo switch) positioned on the head-worn system so as to be overlying an area of a wearer's masseter muscle when worn on the wearer's person. The switch element is configured to be activated responsive to clenching of the wearer's jaw. The one or more controlled elements may be arranged to provide directional lighting/imaging from the point of view of the wearer, for example from the area of the wearer's zygomatic bones, when the head-worn system is worn on the wearer's person.

Vehicle signaling configurable to various articles and apparel is provided. An example system allows a user to dynamically assign vehicle signals for activating brake lights, turn signals, running lights, headlights, police emergency lights, and so forth, to user-selected lights built into articles and apparel. Vehicle signals may be wirelessly assigned to lights on articles and apparel through a smart phone application, or other portable software means. The system forms a self-managing wireless network, to which the user can add any number of additional illuminated articles and pieces of illuminated apparel, which are automatically sensed and integrated. An example helmet spoiler, for example, has a receiver for processing a wireless signal from a vehicle, to actuate brake lights, turn signals, headlights, and the like on the spoiler itself. In a police implementation, a helmet actuates police flashers on the helmet based on an assigned wireless signal from a police vehicle.

A head mounted display (HMD) device that includes a plurality of sensors, an actuator, a plurality of protective mechanisms, and a processor configured to identify a situational state of a user of the HMD device within a proximity of the user, based on sensor input received from the plurality of sensors. A risk-level of a potential injury to the user from a component of the HMD device is determined based on the identified situational state and the sensor input. A protective mechanism is selected from the plurality of protective mechanisms based on the identified situational state and the determined risk-level. The actuator is controlled to deploy the selected protective mechanism to mitigate injury to the user from the component of the HMD device, based on the identified situational state and the determined risk-level.

A shock absorber includes a bottom rim, a top wall comprising a raised central portion and a top rim, a side wall extending between the top and bottom rims, and a corrugation surrounding a periphery of the raised central portion that (i) connects the raised central portion to the top rim, (ii) descends to a depth below half a height of the side wall, and (iii) is separated by a distance from a surface. Impact forces imparted on the shock absorber are attenuated by a first amount in a first stage by resistive yielding of the side wall; by a second amount in a second stage by depression of the central portion and resistive yielding of the corrugation associated therewith; and by a third amount in a third stage by resistive yielding of the corrugation in response to a force applied to the top rim upon contact with the surface.