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.

A personal protective item, such as a helmet, includes a substrate formed of a hexagonal structure comprising a plurality of hexagonal tubes, each hexagon tube having a first end and a second end and being formed by a plurality of walls, the first and second ends being defined by edges of the plurality of walls. A cylindrical end cap is provided on at least some of the edges of the plurality of walls. The personal protective item may further comprise supporting columns along the hexagonal tubes where the walls of adjacent hexagonal tubes meet. A pad for providing user comfort may also be provide., the pad comprising a plate that is deflectable relative to a substrate of the personal protective time, the pad being coupled to the substrate by one or more constant force springs. Parts of the protective item may be joined using splines and grooves.

A personal protective item, such as a helmet, includes a substrate formed of a hexagonal structure comprising a plurality of hexagonal tubes, each hexagon tube having a first end and a second end and being formed by a plurality of walls, the first and second ends being defined by edges of the plurality of walls. A cylindrical end cap is provided on at least some of the edges of the plurality of walls. The personal protective item may further comprise supporting columns along the hexagonal tubes where the walls of adjacent hexagonal tubes meet. A pad for providing user comfort may also be provide., the pad comprising a plate that is deflectable relative to a substrate of the personal protective time, the pad being coupled to the substrate by one or more constant force springs. Parts of the protective item may be joined using splines and grooves.

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 may be provided. The helmet may 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 damper array may allow for omnidirectional movement of the inner liner relative to the outer liner and the outer shell.

A helmet cover includes a cover configured to extend over a helmet and at least one mount attached to the cover. In one embodiment, a backing plate is coupled to the at least one mount and the cover is sandwiched between the backing plate and the at least one mount.

A multilayer composite includes adjacent filler layers having a filler material dispersed within a first polymeric matrix and an intervening-layer disposed between the adjacent filler layers. The intervening-layer comprises nanoplatelets embedded within a second polymeric matrix and are aligned substantially parallel to the adjacent filler layers. The intervening-layer is configured to fail upon application of a force to the multilayer composite that is greater than or equal to a predetermined force threshold.

A sports helmet, in particular a bicycle helmet, a motorcycle helmet, a riding helmet or a ski helmet, comprises a shock-absorbing helmet shell and a strap fixing system for fixing the helmet shell to a user's head. The sports helmet comprises an airbag device which comprises at least one gas generator and at least one airbag which is inflatable by gas, wherein the at least one airbag is configured to protect at least a portion of the user's face in an inflated state.

A sports helmet, in particular a bicycle helmet, a motorcycle helmet, a riding helmet or a ski helmet, comprises a shock-absorbing helmet shell and a strap fixing system for fixing the helmet shell to a user's head. The sports helmet comprises an airbag device which comprises at least one gas generator and at least one airbag which is inflatable by gas, wherein the at least one airbag is configured to protect at least a portion of the user's face in an inflated state.

A helmet pad includes a substrate having first side attachable to an interior surface of a helmet. The helmet pad includes an outer lattice layer peripherally attached to a second side of the substrate. The second side is opposite to the first side. In one embodiment, the outer lattice layer includes fibers attached in one of: (i) a Voronoi lattice unit cells; and (ii) tetrahedral lattice unit cells. The helmet pad includes padding material received in an enclosure between the second surface of the substrate and the outer lattice layer.

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.