A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a midfoot region of the plate than at a forefoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.

A helmet comprises a protective shell, an energy absorbing layer defining an inner surface of the helmet and a shear component. The shear component extends over one or more areas of the inner surface of the helmet and has an outer surface removably coupled to the inner surface of the helmet. The shear component has a distal inner surface configured to contact a wearer's head, or to support and retain a separate comfort pad configured to contact the wearer's head. In response to an oblique impact to the helmet, the shear component undergoes internal shear to allow displacement between the helmet and the wearer's head.

A system and method for a protection helmet which has exterior moveable tiles to move upon impact and then retract to their original placements. The system prolongs the impact time by de-accelerating it and minimizing its damaging effects by spreading out the impact force over a larger surface area. A system and method for a helmet's face mask to absorb impact and return back to its original state whether impacted on its bars, interior/exterior assembly, or any part of the face mask. A system and method for a football helmet's padding to be multi-layered and have multiple ancillary cavities that compress and retract back to their original state.

A method for fabricating a strengthened plastic shell of a safety helmet and a helmet structure fabricated using the method are disclosed. The method includes providing at least one fiber layer and at least one shell that has a thin, flat structure; binding the fiber layer to the shell to form a preform; heating and pressing the preform with a first forming module, so that at least some local, surface texture of the shell is fused with or interlaced with the fiber layer to form an assembly that has a helmet-like shape (or contour); and arranging a foam material at an inner surface of the assembly and attaching the foam material over the inner surface of the assembly using a second forming module, thereby forming a helmet structure. The method makes the overall fabrication less complicated and less time-consuming as compared to the prior art.

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.

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 embodiment for a comfortable fit which remains tight to the wearer's head is disclosed.

A helmet assembly that includes an outer shell having an outer surface and an inner surface and defines a shell interior, a pad system disposed in the shell interior, and at least a first bladder member positioned between the inner surface of the outer shell and the pad system. The first bladder member defines a bladder interior and a non-Newtonian fluid is disposed in the bladder interior.

A helmet can include a helmet body comprising an energy-absorbing layer and an outer shell disposed over the energy-absorbing layer. An electronic device can be integrated with the helmet body. A first electrical contact can be formed at an exterior of the outer shell and adapted to be in electrical communication with the electronic device. A helmet visor can be coupled to the helmet body with at least one visor arm, the helmet visor comprising controls integrated within the visor. A second electrical contact can be formed at an inner surface of the at least one visor arm and adapted to be in electrical communication with the controls integrated within the visor. The second electrical contact can be adapted to mateably couple with the first electrical contact such that the electronic device and the controls are adapted to be in electrical contact.

A method for forming a plate includes attaching a first strand portion to a flexible substrate to form a first layer on the substrate and positioning a second strand portion on the first layer to form a second layer on the first layer in a plurality of discrete regions on the substrate. The method also includes positioning a plurality of traction elements into corresponding cavities formed into a first mold surface and positioning the substrate on the first mold surface to change a shape of the substrate. At least one of heat and pressure is applied to the first strand portion, the second strand portion, the substrate, and the traction elements to conform the substrate to the shape of the first mold surface and form the traction elements into the substrate at each of the discrete regions. The method also includes incorporating the substrate into an article of footwear.

The present disclosure discloses a helmet with a split type skeleton structure. The helmet includes a helmet body; the helmet body is composed of a head guard and a chin guard which are separated; the head guard and the chin guard are mounted through cooperation between a fastened spliced skeleton and a plug pin; the spliced skeleton is composed of two skeleton connection members arranged inside the head guard and a chin skeleton arranged inside the chin guard; and hollows of a surface of the chin skeleton are fixedly connected with a plurality of one-piece structured reinforcing ribs.