A pad, configured to be attached to an item of protective apparel, the pad having a layered construction comprising, in order: a first support layer; a first padded layer; a first low friction layer; a second low friction layer; a second padded layer; and a second support layer connected to the first support layer so as to hold the other layers of the pad together; wherein: the first and second padded layers are configured to slide relative to each other at a sliding interface located between the first and second low friction layers; and the second support layer is configured to stretch to accommodate the sliding.

The present invention is a helmet system that reduces concussions by damping rotational force transmitted to a helmet user. The helmet has an helmet shell that moves independently from an internal body worn by the user. At least one magnetic force emitter on the helmet shell's interior directs at least one interior-facing magnetic flux axially at the internal body. At least one magnetic force emitter attached to the internal body directs at least one exterior-facing magnetic flux at the at least one interior-facing magnetic flux. In a resting state magnetic flux interactions are limited. When a tangential impact rotates the exterior shell, the at least one interior-facing magnetic flux approaches to the side of the at least one exterior-facing magnetic flux, inducing negative torque of the internal body in a variety of ways. Rotational momentum is diffused in a variety of ways. The exterior shell is returned to the resting state in a variety of ways. A sensor may be contained on the internal body to detect magnetic flux acceleration of the exterior shell, and may store or transmit data, and may trigger an airbag around the user's neck, or reduce helmet shell motion, or return the helmet shell to the resting state.

A helmet, such as a football helmet, includes a shell portion, a retention assembly, and a face guard assembly. The shell portion includes: an outer shell; an inner shell spaced apart from the outer shell, the inner shell and the outer shell defining an interior space between the inner shell and the outer shell; at least one fastener assembly extending from the outer shell to the inner shell through the interior space; and at least one inflated bladder positioned in the interior space defined by the inner shell and the outer shell. The shell(s) can be formed from lightweight materials, such as carbon fiber. The retention assembly is connected to the inner shell for securing the helmet to a head of a wearer. The face guard assembly is connected to the outer shell and is positioned to protect at least a portion of a face of the wearer.

Articles including protective gear for a variety of sports and activities provide protection from one or both of linear and angular forces that either directly or indirectly impact the gear when it is donned. The articles include at least two layers of material that provide multimodal energy dissipation to minimize the extent of transmission of impact forces to tissue.

The releasable impact mitigating fasteners is an adaptable mechanism that may be used as the main energy management source and/or be used as a supplemental energy management source. The improved releasable impact mitigating fasteners are easily incorporated into protective devices such as helmets and/or other protective gear for a variety of activities, applications and/or industries, that require enhanced impact absorption, reusability, and/or quick release capabilities under specifically designed impact loads, etc. Each of the releasable impact mitigating fasteners comprise a first end, a second end and an impact mitigation structure. The first end comprises a face plate, the second end may comprise at least one flange. Each of the releasable impact mitigating fasteners may further comprise a base.

A body impact protection system includes an inner layer and an impact force dampening and defusing structure. The inner layer includes a material composition and is adjacent to a body part when the body impact protection system is worn. The impact force dampening and defusing structure is juxtaposed to the inner layer and includes a plurality of components. The components function to reduce pressure on the body part from an impact force on a layer by layer basis. Each layer of the system dampens and defuses the impact force such that, by the time it reaches the body part, it has been substantially attenuated and spread over a large area.

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.

Systems and methods of a safety helmet for protecting the human head against repetitive impacts, moderate impacts and severe impacts so as to significantly reduce the likelihood of both translational and rotational brain injury and concussions can be provided. The helmet can include an outer shell, an outer liner disposed within and coupled to the outer shell, and an inner liner disposed within and coupled in spaced opposition to the outer liner. A polymer liner can be coupled to the inner liner and can at least partly separate the outer liner and the inner liner. Pads and dampers can also couple the outer liner and inner liner and provide for and control omnidirectional movement of the liners relative to each other.

A helmet has an outer shell, an impact absorbing liner inside the outer shell to receive loads from the outer shell and an inner liner disposed inside the impact absorbing liner, with the inner liner configured to slide relative to the impact absorbing liner. The inner liner defines a number of apertures and a deflector inside each aperture. Each deflector has a body that is connectable to the impact absorbing liner; a peripheral border that is connectable to the aperture in which it is received; and a number of deformable spokes extending between the body and the border.

A cycling helmet includes an outer shell and a closed cell foam layer adjacent to the outer shell. The cycling helmet also includes an inner liner adjacent to the closed cell foam layer. The cycling helmet further includes an insert of energy absorbing material adjacent to the inner liner. The insert is configured to move in multiple directions in response to an impact to the cycling helmet.