In one embodiment, a tether system for use with a protective helmet worn by a user includes multiple tethers, each tether having a first end adapted to attach to a shell of the protective helmet and a second end adapted to attach to an article worn by the user, wherein the tethers limit movement of the helmet.

Aspects of the present invention are directed to helmet padding systems. One helmet padding system includes a rigid shell and a spacing pad. The rigid shell is configured to cover at least a portion of a top of a user's head and be worn under a baseball cap. The rigid shell includes a pair of slots configured to extend in a direction from a back of the user's head to the front of the user's head when the rigid shell is worn on the user's head. The spacing pad is positioned within the rigid shell. The spacing pad includes a layer of elastomeric material.

A helmet an include a shell, a liner disposed within the shell, a flexible band disposed between the shell and a portion of the liner to releasably couple the liner to the shell without glue, hook and loop fasteners, or snaps. The helmet can also include an energy-absorbing layer of expanded polystyrene (EPS) including a groove. The comfort liner can be attached to the energy-absorbing layer without glue, hook and loop fasteners, or snaps, and a flexible band can be releasably disposed between the energy-absorbing layer and the comfort liner. The helmet can also include a groove on an inner surface of an outer shell. An energy-absorbing liner can include expanded polypropylene (EPP), and a flexible band can be disposed between the outer shell and the energy-absorbing liner to provide additional energy management, to releasably couple the energy-absorbing liner to the outer shell, or both.

An impact-attenuating liner for a helmet includes a liner body made from an impact-absorbing material and a plurality of pads removably attached to an interior surface of the liner body, each of the pads being repositionable at different locations on the interior surface of the liner body. A retention system may be attached to the liner body and configured to secure the liner to the wearer's head during use. The liner may be configured to provide substantially uniform impact protection throughout the interior region of the helmet.

Aspects of the present invention are directed to helmet padding systems. One helmet padding system includes a rigid shell and a spacing pad. The rigid shell is configured to cover a top of a user's head and be worn under a baseball cap. The rigid shell includes an opening formed in an area of the rigid shell opposite the front of the user's head when the rigid shell is worn on the user's head. The spacing pad is positioned within the rigid shell. The spacing pad includes a layer of elastomeric material. The helmet padding system may further include the baseball cap positioned overtop the rigid shell. The baseball cap has a cut-out in a rear portion thereof.

A helmet that can effectively reduce the rotational acceleration of an impact and at the same time also effectively reduce translational acceleration is provided. A helmet has an outer shell including a hard material and a shock absorbing liner (14) disposed inside the shell. The shock absorbing liner (14) includes a main body liner (16), a recessed portion (30) provided at an inner surface of the main body liner (16), an insert liner (18) fitted into the recessed portion (30), and a central raised portion (42) (central support member) disposed between a bottom surface of the recessed portion (30) and a bottom surface of the insert liner (18). When the helmet receives an impact, the insert liner (18) swings about the central support member as a fulcrum, thereby reducing the impact.

A football helmet has a shell made of polycarbonate or ABS plastic or thermoplastic composite material and two cheek supports, each removably connected to an earflap. Each cheek support comprises an outer brace, an inner plate removably connected to the outer brace by fasteners passing through through-going holes formed in the earflap, and a cheek pad attached to the inner plate. The outer brace has a lower edge having a contour shaped to follow a contour of the lower edge of the earflap without extending substantially beyond the lower edge of the earflap. The inner plate has a lower edge having a contour shaped to follow the contour of the lower edge of the earflap without extending substantially beyond the lower edge of the earflap and an extension extending from a body of the inner plate and beyond the front edge of the earflap. A cheek pad is removably attached to the inner plate and positioned to overlay the cheek of a wearer. The cheek supports improve retention of the helmet and provide protection to the cheek area against blows.

A shock absorbing cap provides shock abortion in the space between the interior of a traditional safety helmet and the head of the wearer. The cap has a first region next to the scalp which is made of 100% knitted cotton for comfort and the absorption of sweat. A second region is made of 100% wool fleece braided fiber bundles that extend alternately in longitudinal and lateral directions sufficiently to nearly fill the space. The outermost region is made of one or more layers of braided 100% carbon fiber bundles, which run the opposite direction of the last wool lock. In an alternative, the first region is used but the second region completely fills the space with woven aramid and carbon fiber squares laid on top of each other and sewn together. The uppermost portion is laser cut for a tight but comfortable fit under the helmet.

Protective headgear apparatus (such as a helmet used for contact sports) is formed to comprise a non-rigid outer shell in the form of multiple layers of open-cell foam, each layer having a different density. A flexible, lightweight metal frame (i.e., a “cage”) is disposed to contact the inner surface of the outer shell (i.e., bonded in a manner that essentially “locks” the frame to the foam layer), and an open-cell foam cushion layer (in a waffle-like pattern) is bonded to the exposed surface of the metal frame. The various foam layers are preferably impregnated with activated carbon particles that electrostatically absorb (i.e., “capture”) the energy caused by blows to the outer shell. The captured energy is thereafter distributed throughout the volume of the foam layer itself, so as to minimize the amount of energy that reaches the wearer's head.

Guard padding with sensor is provided, including a cushion pad and a sensor. The cushion pad has auxetic structure and is manufactured by a 3D printing process. The cushion pad has a slot at a side thereof. The sensor manufactured by the 3D printing process is disposed in the slot. The sensor is a pressure sensor, a humidity sensor or a temperature sensor. The pressure sensor generates a pressure signal, the humidity sensor generates a humidity signal and the temperature sensor generates a temperature signal.