A body limb protection system includes an outer layer, an inner layer, and a force dampening and defusing structure. The outer layer includes a first material composition and has an exterior surface that includes a substantially planer area. The inner layer includes a second material composition and has a shape corresponding to a body limb portion. The force dampening and defusing structure is positioned between the inner layer and the outer layer. The force dampening and defusing structure has a shape corresponding to a difference between the shapes of the inner and outer layers. The force dampening and defusing structure includes a plurality of components arranged to reduce pressure on the body limb portion when a force is applied to the substantially planer area.

IMPROVEMENTS INTRODUCED IN A CRANIAL PROTECTION CELL, formed by an outer shell (11, 20) internally coated by absorbent material (12, 12′), said material comprising a first layer (21) immediately below the shell, of closed cell foam, rigid or semi-rigid in contact with a second layer (22) of open cell viscoelastic foam, the interface between said first and second layers being provided with interdigitations comprising cavities (24) in said first layer in which protrusions (23), provided in said second layer, fit in a complementary and cooperative manner. Absorbent supporting material are further provided in the jaw region (32), maxillary regions (33, 34) and mastoid regions. When closed, the visor (37) is embedded in the corresponding opening of the cranial protection cell, and its opening occurs in two steps, the former comprising forward movement, and the latter upward rotation. The cranial protection cell (CPC) further comprises a removable chin guard (54) whose unlocking mechanism is driven by buttons (51) located on either side of the shell.

The present disclosure relates to flexible energy absorbing systems and body armor, helmets and protective garments incorporating flexible energy absorbing systems. A flexible energy absorbing system may comprise a first plurality of cells having a first re-entrant geometry and a second plurality of cells having a second, different geometry. The first plurality of cells and the second plurality of cells may comprise an elastomeric material.

Disclosed are methods, devices, and systems for improved protective clothing such as helmets and protective headgear, including improvements in modular, semi-custom or customized helmet liners and/or inserts to enhance wearer comfort and reduce the deleterious effects of impacts between the wearer and other players and/or objects in all types of wearer activities (i.e., sports, military, equestrian, etc.).

A body part protector includes an inner layer defining an interior space that is configured to be occupied by a human body part, an outer layer connected to the inner layer and forming at least one chamber therebetween, and a plurality of separate dampers. A damper is at least partially disposed in the chamber. Each damper extends into the interior space along a respective longitudinal axis. Each damper has an outer end disposed at a fixed position relative to the outer layer and an inner end disposed longitudinally opposite the outer end in the interior space. The protector includes a plurality of separate engagement members corresponding to the plurality of dampers. Each engagement member is disposed at the inner end of the corresponding damper and is configured to engage the body part of the user. Each damper includes a plurality of compressible damper elements concentrically arranged about the longitudinal axis.

Implementations described and claimed herein include a cushioning structure and method for manufacturing a cellular cushioning system, which allows for maximum comfort through the compression and shock cycle. Specifically, a cushioning structure comprises void cells formed in an array, which comprise multiple outwardly curved surfaces, with varying radius measurements. Stiffness in the void cells can vary by varying the radii. The outwardly curved surfaces prevent buckling and provide support for high impact by absorbing energy.

A protective helmet having multiple protective zones, including an inner shell having a first inner surface and a first outer surface, an outer shell having a second inner surface, a second outer surface, and at least one window defined by said outer shell, said outer shell functionally attached to said inner shell, an elastomeric zone between said first outer surface and said second inner surface, a plurality of sinusoidal springs positioned in said elastomeric zone, each of the plurality of sinusoidal springs including a first end, and a second end, a force indicator tab in operative contact with said second end of at least one of said plurality of sinusoidal springs, wherein said force indicator tab is displaced in said at least one window by said second end when said helmet is impacted with sufficient force, and a transmission device.

Headgear includes a base configured to engage the head of the wearer. A force absorbing structure is carried by the base. In some cases, the force absorbing structure includes a surface including a coarse macrostructure configured to facilitate absorbing forces applied to the headgear. The coarse macrostructure includes a plurality of protrusions, and at least one of the protrusions has a thickness of at least about 0.50 mm. In some cases, the force absorbing structure includes a porous macrostructure configured to facilitate absorbing forces applied to the headgear. The porous macrostructure includes a plurality of passageways each having a width of at least about 2.00 mm.

A helmet having an outer shell defining a convex outer surface and an opposite concave inner surface circumscribing an inner cavity to receive the wearer's head is provided. The helmet has an inner liner connected to the outer shell and located in the inner cavity, where the inner liner contacts the wearer's head when the helmet is worn. The inner liner includes a padding arrangement including a plurality of padding substructures disposed at selected locations in the inner cavity, where at least one of the plurality of paddings has a shear resistance along a shear direction lower than a compressive resistance along a compressive direction, where the compressive direction extends transversally to the shear direction. The helmet also has an attachment device for securing it on the wearer's head.

A bicycle helmet that fits over a surface of a head of a user generally includes a segment of flexible cell structures that form a radial honeycomb matrix movable between a folded condition where each side of the segment is disposed generally parallel and an expanded condition where the radial honeycomb matrix of the 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. The bicycle helmet includes a first and second side frame disposed respectively at the first and second ends of the honeycomb matrix. A sliding latch permits selective translation of the first and second side frames.