A helmet includes a helmet shell having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a plurality of slit openings. Each slit opening extends along a portion of the helmet shell. The slit openings include a pair of top slit openings that each extend longitudinally along a top portion of the helmet shell, where each top slit opening has a first length. The pair of top slit opening are spaced apart and define a flexible helmet portion spaced between the pair of top slit openings. The flexible helmet portion extends along the first length from a first end of the flexible helmet portion to a second end of the flexible helmet portion opposite to the first end, and the flexible helmet portion has a stiffness that varies along the first length from the first end to the second end.

A helmet includes a helmet shell having an outer surface, an inner surface, and a plurality of slit openings. Each slit opening extends along a portion of the helmet shell. The slit openings include a pair of top slit openings that each extend longitudinally along a top portion of the helmet shell, where each top slit opening has a first length. The pair of top slit opening are spaced apart and define a flexible helmet portion spaced between the pair of top slit openings. The flexible helmet portion extends along the first length from a first end of the flexible helmet portion to a second end of the flexible helmet portion opposite to the first end, and the flexible helmet portion has a stiffness that varies along the first length from the first end to the second end.

A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a forefoot region of the plate than at a midfoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.

A method of forming a plate for an article of footwear is disclosed. The method includes applying a first strand portion to a base layer including positioning adjacent segments of the first strand portion to form a first layer on the base layer. The adjacent segments of the first strand portion having a greater density across a width of the plate between a medial side and a lateral side at a forefoot region of the plate than at a midfoot region of the plate and at a heel region of the plate. The method also includes applying at least one of heat and pressure to the first strand portion and to the base layer to conform the first strand portion and the base layer to a predetermined shape.

A protective headgear having a protective outer layer, an inner impact dispersing layer, an opening in the posterior of the helmet to allow hair to exit the protective helmet, and juxtaposed to the posterior opening, a flap that covers a portion of the opening and is selectively attachable to the inner impact attenuating layer.

A protective impact device is provided that produces an approximately constant force during compression. The device distinguishes several structural features. First, the cross-sectional area in between two impact surfaces increases over the stroke distance when compression takes place. Second, a compressible fluid containing vessel, held in between two impact surfaces, defines an outer shape with a positive second derivative slope defined from one impact surface towards the other impact surface. Third, orifices allow the fluid to bleed out from the compressible vessel when an impact force causes compression of the protective impact device. The resulting approximately constant force scales more or less linearly with impact energy, regardless of impact velocity caused by the impact force. Applications include athletic equipment, automotive bumpers, aircraft landing gear, and any other application that would benefit from maximum energy absorption during an impact.

A method of manufacturing a unitary energy absorbing structure for a vehicle includes providing a first mold having a cavity receiving a first mandrel and a second mold having a cavity receiving a second mandrel. At least one mandrel segment is positioned in the first mold cavity and cooperates with the first mandrel. One or more layers of composite material at least partially cover the first mold cavity, first mandrel, at least one mandrel segment and second mold. The unitary structure is formed from the first layer, the second layer and the third layer of composite material with the first mandrel, the at least one mandrel segment and the second mandrel in the first mold and the second mold.

A modular helmet system with a removable/detachable/interchangeable exterior shell, an inner force-absorbing layer releasably connected to the rigid exterior shell layer, and a multiple fastening devices associated with the shell which allow the shell to be interchanged/replaced/reconfigured at will. The shell as a single piece unit, or combinable components bear the fastening devices designed to enable rapid, secure interchange of the helmet system's layers, therefore allowing the helmet to be adapted for climatic, functional, and aesthetic preferences.

A protective headgear having a protective outer layer, an inner impact dispersing layer, an opening in the posterior of the helmet to allow hair to exit the protective helmet, and juxtaposed to the posterior opening, a flap that covers a portion of the opening and is selectively attachable to the inner impact attenuating layer.

A helmet (10) is provided including an outer shell (12) defining a first plurality of vents (23); energy dissipating padding (16) located in an interior of the outer shell, the padding defining a plurality of openings (27); the energy dissipating padding assembly and the outer shell defining a space therebetween, a first slider (28) actuatable by the wearer to slide along a first direction that extends substantially parallel to the surface of the outer shell, the first slider defining first cooperating members (60); and a second slider (26) comprising a plurality of panels (40, 42, 44) configured to cover the first plurality of vents and second cooperating surfaces (54, 56), such that movement of the first slider along the first direction generates movement of the second slider along a second direction substantially normal to the surface of the helmet shell, thereby selectively moving the panels to cover and uncover the first plurality of vents.