In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a helmet having magnetic coupling is provided. In a particular embodiment, the helmet includes at least one protective layer configured to cover at least a portion of a user's head and a pad coupled to a back plate, a back plate coupled to a protective layer, a back plate comprising a magnet.

The present invention relates to protective helmets. Embodiments of the invention have been primarily developed to provide protective helmets, protective helmet components and methods for manufacturing protective helmets, including protective helmets having an enlargeable bell opening. For example, embodiments are described by reference to two-part helmets having a hinged connection which permits bell opening enlargement to enable insertion or removal of a human head. One embodiment provides a manufacturing method whereby a protective helmet is formed as a single piece, and then cut into shell portions to which interlocking edge members is subsequently applied, thereby to facilitate reconnection of the shells along an interlocking edge.

A protective sports helmet that includes a chin strap system that allows for rapid, one-handed adjustment of the chin strap by the player while the helmet is worn is provided. The chin strap assembly includes a protective chin cup and a pair of straps extending from opposed sides of the chin cup and having a plurality of securing elements. The assembly also includes a pair of adjustable connectors affixed to the helmet and that include a central opening that receives an extent of the strap and a depressible lever that engages the securing elements. The adjustable connector allows movement of the strap in a first direction, and prevents movement of the strap in a second direction when the lever and securing elements are engaged. The adjustable connector allows movement of the strap in both the first and second directions when the lever is not engaged with the securing elements. When the strap is sufficiently loosened, but not disengaged from the connectors, the helmet can be removed from the player's head.

A helmet mounted safety device comprises right and left mandible engaging sections. Each of the mandible engaging sections comprises an adjustable airway opening member for assuring opening of the airway, and is connected, whether integrally or detachably, to a side portion within an interior of a helmet in order to facilitate engagement with the mandible of a wearer of the helmet upon demand. A helmet comprising the right and left mandible engaging sections is also taught, and further comprises in one embodiment a neck stabilizing cervical support that includes an occipital portion and two sternocleidomastoid (SCM) portions between which the occipital portion is interposed, for engaging the SCM muscle at the side of the neck.

An improved design for a helmet to reduce injuries caused by helmet-to-helmet collisions. Certain embodiments include novel quick release features that permit the detachment of a facemask from a helmet in 30 seconds or less, resulting in the ability to attend to an injured player in a rapid fashion and without the need for any additional tools to accomplish such removal. Other aspects relate to impact energy absorbing constructions, including shock absorbing systems and PEEK facemask designs, that when combined with the quick release features described, provide a superior helmet for a player's protection.

The present invention relates to a protective helmet (1) comprising: an outer shell (10); an impact absorbing liner (12), positioned inside the outer shell (10), and a comfort liner (14), positioned at an inner surface of the impact absorbing liner (12), so as to be in contact with the user's head during the use of the protective helmet (1). The comfort liner (14) comprises at least one cheek pad (16) which is coupled to the impact absorbing liner (12) by means of at least one connecting element (22). Said at least one connecting element (22) is elastically deformable for moving between a first configuration, wherein it is adapted to be either inserted or released from a corresponding recess (24) provided in the impact absorbing liner (12), and a second configuration, wherein it is adapted to be clamped inside said recess (24). According to the invention, the protective helmet (1) comprises a release device (30) connected to said at least one connecting element (22). Said release device (30) when actuated is able to elastically deform said at least one connecting element (22) to move said at least one connecting element (22) from its second configuration into the first configuration, thereby allowing the release of said at least one cheek pad (16) from the impact absorbing liner (12).

A helmet that is reliably and quickly removable from the head of a user by a third person includes a head covering shell having an insertion opening that opens downward and configured to protect the head of the user; a shock absorbing body disposed adjacent to an inner periphery of the head covering shell to reduce shock to the head of the user; and a cushion pad disposed adjacent to an inner periphery of the shock absorbing body to fill a gap between the shock absorbing body and the head. The cushion pad includes an emergency removal pad at a position along an opening edge of the insertion opening. The emergency removal pad includes a pad bag having a hollow interior, a pad body disposed in the pad bag, and a pad removal part that enables the pad body to be taken out from the pad bag attached to the opening edge of the insertion opening.

A helmet removal system includes a detachable helmet liner configured to be positioned in a helmet. The helmet liner includes a central portion configured to receive a user's head therein, a frontal portion integrally formed with the central portion and configured to engage a user's frontal head portion. The helmet liner further includes dual side tab portions integrally formed with the central portion. The dual tab portions are configured to be moved between a folded position, inside of the helmet, to an unfolded position. The helmet liner further includes a top portion extending between opposing edges of the central portion. The helmet liner also includes a rear portion integrally connected to the central portion to provide balanced engagement with the back of a user's head. Helmet removal is achieved by applying lateral pulling forces to the dual tab portions.

A protective hood designed to be worn under a racing driver's helmet and to help in taking off the helmet of said driver under all circumstances, said hood it has at least one removal member secured to the top of the hood and having dimensions such that its free ends extend downwards and are accessible from outside said integral helmet when the latter is worn over said hood, and a holding member secured to each side face of the hood in order to keep the free ends of said removal member in position against the hood and substantially symmetrical with respect to the vertical sagittal plane of said hood.

A faceguard retaining device has a base with underlying portion extending along a surface of a helmet shell. A latch, pivotally mounted to the base, has a hooked part, a pair of nubs and a pair of trunnions, the nibs and trunnions being in grooves of the base when the latch is in a closed and locked condition to prevent the latch from opening. A clip engaged to the latch and base biases the latch closed. A stabilizer is in a stabilizer groove of the base and a plate extends over the underlying portion. A fastener fastens the plate and base to the shell to resists bending of the underlying portion. The latch is lifted from the underlying portion to lift the nubs from the grooves and allow the latch to pivot upwardly into an open condition.