A garment worn by a wearer has an exterior shell and an interior shell with various impact absorbing material between the exterior shell and the interior shell. The impact absorbing material includes multiple structures, such as rods or filaments, capable of deforming when force is applied then returning to its state prior to application of the force. In various embodiments, a rate sensitive material (RSM) is positioned in one or more locations relative to the exterior shell and the interior shell of the garment to further attenuate impacts to the garment. The RSM changes its resistance to force based on a rate at which the material is loaded.

The present invention is a helmet system that reduces concussions by damping rotational force transmitted to a helmet user. The helmet has an exterior shell and an internal body that moves independently from the exterior shell. At least one magnetic source on the exterior shell's interior has a dipole directed axially at the internal body. At least one magnetic source on the internal body has a dipole aligned with the same axis, directed at the exterior shell. In a resting state magnetic sources generate a weak magnetic field. When an impact rotates the exterior shell, it moves off the initial alignment and closer to the internal body. The previously aligned magnetic sources torque. The magnetic source on the internal body torques in the opposite direction of the rotation, as do all initially aligned magnetic sources impacted. Angular momentum is displaced, diffused, offset, damping rotational force transmitted to a helmet user.

A protective sport helmet includes an outer shell, and an inner padding mounted within the outer shell for at least partially covering the wearer's head, the inner padding defining a base face oriented toward the wearer's head and at least one pedestal extending from the base face away from the outer shell, the pedestal defining a pedestal face facing the wearer's head. At least one tangential shock absorber has a first face at least partially covering the pedestal face and a second face opposed the first face and configured for contacting the wearer's head. The tangential shock absorber includes a shearable member that is deformable such that the first face is movable relative to the second face in a direction having a radial component relative to an axis normal to the pedestal face.

A helmet including a shell, a plurality of panel buttons pivotally attached at their proximal face to the outer surface of the shell, and the panel buttons are made of a flexible or elastic material with a protective outer coating to protect the panel buttons from abrasion. In one embodiment, the panel buttons are pivotally attached to the outer surface of the shell with a living hinge that allows the panel buttons to swivel in multiple planes that are generally perpendicular to the outer surface of the shell.

A helmet comprising first and second parts and a connector connecting the first and second parts of the helmet, the connector comprising: a first plate; a first anchor point on one side of the first plate, configured to be connected to the first part; a second plate located on an opposite side of the first plate from the first anchor point; a second anchor point on an opposite side of the second plate from the first plate, configured to be connected to the second part; a low friction interface provided between opposing surfaces of the first and second plates; and a cuff of deformable material provided around the first and second plates, and configured to at least partially cover the side of the first plate on which the first anchor point is located and to at least partially cover the side of the second plate on which the second anchor point is located.

The present technology relates to a helmet of a layered and segmented design including impact attenuation structures. The helmet can include a series of layers that individually, or in combination, provide the necessary functions of the helmet. The helmet may feature a layer with a low coefficient of friction to act as a slip layer and slide due to rotational force. The present technology includes impact attenuation structures of predetermined geometries, layers, and materials to allow for an appropriate impact response with a certain degree of control over the buckling process and an adaptive impact response. The present technology of impact attenuation structures may be applicable where impact absorption and controlled buckling is desired, such as bike helmets.

A helmet is disclosed for protection during an impact. An inner liner may slidably couple to the outer liner through at least one return spring. The outer liner includes an interior surface with a shelf extending inward. The shelf includes an arresting surface. The inner liner has an exterior surface, an interior surface and an edge connecting the exterior surface to the interior surface. The edge faces the arresting surface of the shelf. The inner liner is slidably movable relative to the outer liner between a first position in which the edge of the inner liner is separated from the arresting surface of the shelf by a first gap, and an arrested position in which a portion of the edge of the inner liner is in contact with a portion of the arresting surface of the shelf.

A head protection device includes a head cradle portion and a force transfer/energy absorbing collar portion. The head cradle portion is spaced from adjacent and out of contact with the collar portion in normal operation and in contact with the collar portion upon impact of predetermined force, transferring the force and associated energy around the head cradle portion and dissipating the energy.

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 helmet that includes a subliner shell comprised of a hard impact resistant material. The shell has inner and outer surfaces. A subliner element having a first foam pad having a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface is attached to the inner surface of the shell. A second foam pad is constructed of an energy absorbing viscoelastic foam material that is radially partitioned into individual segments. The segments are nested with respect to each other such that the nested segments have side surfaces in slidable direct contacting engagement with side surfaces of adjacent nested segments. The second foam pad has a top surface attached to the bottom surface of the first foam pad. A third foam pad has a top surface and a bottom surface, with the top surface of the third foam pad being attached to the bottom surface of the second foam pad.