A protective helmet comprises an inner layer and an outer layer separated from the inner layer by a space. An interface layer is positioned in the space between the inner layer and the outer layer and includes an impact absorbing material that non-linearly deforms in response to an incident force on the protective helmet. For example, the impact absorbing material includes multiple filaments each having an end proximate to the inner layer and another end proximate to the outer layer interface, with the filaments configured to non-linearly deform in response to an incident force on the helmet.

The present invention relates to a protective helmet (1) comprising shock-absorbing means in the form of movement discs (6) each comprising an outer ring (7); a central bead or tenon (9); a plurality of deformable arms (8), both ends of which substantially tangentially connect the outer ring (7) and radially connect the central bead (9). The deformable arms (8) have a length of at least 1.5 times the radius of the outer ring (7) so as to be able to form, by deformation, a conical and elastic structure whereof the central bead (9) is located at the apex and is in contact with the rigid outer shell (2). The movement discs (6) are further secured to the inner face of the rigid outer shell (2), such that in the static position, the inner structure (3) is separated from the rigid outer shell (2) by an interval (14).

A bicycle helmet that fits over a surface of a head of a user generally includes at least one segment of flexible cell structures that form a radial honeycomb matrix movable between a folded condition where each side of the at least one segment is disposed generally parallel and an expanded condition where the radial honeycomb matrix of the at least one segment is configured to be expanded at least partially over the head of the user and arranged radially relative to the surface of the head of the user.

A helmet has inner and outer shells separated by a plurality of interconnected relatively soft columns or posts. The columns each have a middle post or pillar section, a capital that is of larger diameter than the post, and a base also of larger transverse dimension than the post. When an impact above a design threshold occurs on the outer shell, the columns, particularly the post sections thereof, near the impact location compress and buckle, dissipating impact kinetic energy, while columns spaced from the impact zone stretch and support more of the impact force. The applied force is therefore reduced and spread out over a relatively large area, and a resultant wave created within the column manifold disperses additional heat, further reducing the force and torque applied on the outer shell and transmitted to the inner shell and onto the skull of a helmet user. A method and mold for fabricating the column manifold are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to a helmet comprising an impact mitigating structure, the impact mitigating structure comprising: a first layer; and a second layer; wherein one or more of a material property, a mechanical property and a geometrical property of the impact mitigating structure is arranged to, when the impact mitigating structure is subject to an impact, facilitate at least partial fracturing of the second layer such that at least a portion of the second layer is able to move relative to the first layer.

A helmet with an inner liner and an outer liner that slidably move in relation to each other. At least one flexible connector is positioned at the ovoid surface between the inner and outer liner that directly connects at least three of a plurality of liner ribs of the first liner segment to the second liner segment across a gap at a center portion of a second liner segment and at left and right sides of the second liner segment. The at least one flexible connector is in-molded with the first and second liner segments so that they move relative to each other when the inner liner slidably moves in relation to the outer liner by flexing the at least one flexible connector. Elastomeric anchors coupled to the outer liner and to the at least one flexible connector may be included, and a fit system may be used.

A bicycle helmet that fits over a surface of a head of a user generally includes at least one segment of flexible cell structures that form a radial honeycomb matrix movable between a folded condition where each side of the at least one segment is disposed generally parallel and an expanded condition where the radial honeycomb matrix of the at least one segment is configured to be expanded at least partially over the head of the user and arranged radially relative to the surface of the head of the user.

A helmet liner includes an outer protective layer, an inner protective layer and a plurality of breakable connecting members. The outer protective layer has a first base layer and a plurality of first bulges. The plural first bulges are provided on the first base layer and located at the inner side of the first base layer. The inner protective layer has a second base layer and a plurality of second bulges. The plural second bulges provided on the second base layer and located at the outer side of the second base layer. The plural connecting members are connected between the first bulges and the second bulges so as to endow the helmet liner with reliable impact-absorbing capacity and ensure safety of helmet wearers.

An impact attenuation lattice structure includes a plurality of unit cells. Each of the plurality of unit cells has a horizontal plane, a central axis, and a plurality of struts that form a plurality of sidewall frames. Each of the plurality of sidewall frames are angled relative to the central axis and the horizontal plane is perpendicular to the central axis. The plurality of unit cells are connected to one another to form a lattice structure. A first unit cell of the plurality of unit cells share one sidewall frame of the plurality of sidewall frames with a second unit cell of the plurality of unit cells adjacent to the first unit cell. The second unit cell is in an inverted position about the horizontal plane compared to the first unit cell.

A method of designing an impact mitigating structure. The method determines the force exerted by an object on the structure (11) as a function of the distance by which the object displaces a surface of the structure during impact. The method calculates a ratio of the integral of the force exerted by the object on the structure with respect to the distance by which the object displaces the surface of the structure during impact to the product of the maximum force exerted by the object on the structure during the impact and the total distance by which the object displaces the surface of the structure during the impact. The method also determines the respective values of characteristic variables of the structure that maximise the ratio for use in designing the structure.