Personal protective devices with an impact reduction system that includes a first bladder system including a fluid and a second bladder system are disclosed. A passage couples the first bladder system to the second bladder system and includes a first series of Tesla valves that resist flow of the fluid from the first bladder system to a common point of the passageway when an impact occurs to the first bladder system. In some embodiments, the passage further includes a second series of Tesla valves that resist flow of the fluid from the second bladder system to the common point of the passageway when an impact occurs to the second bladder system. The impact reduction system is a passive, closed system.

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrative embodiments of an impact protection device that comprises the following elements: a machine, a protective structural member, and a fluid holding member. The impact protection device is designed to protect a user from an impact to the protective structural member by dissipating a portion of the kinetic energy of the impact. Machine operation translates into a controlled movement between elements of the impact protection device that deform the fluid holding member, thereby displacing a fluid. This controlled movement also dictates a throttling profile that regulates the amount of damping; thereby managing the portion of kinetic energy dissipated. The machine can be a mechanical assembly incorporating levers, cams and or computerized controllers.

A structural padding system includes an outer shell, an inner shock absorbing liner attached to the outer shell, and multiple compressible balls coupled with the outer shell and/or the inner shock absorbing liner in such a way that the multiple compressible balls are free to move, relative to the outer shell and the inner shock absorbing liner, when the structural padding system is impacted by an object.

A helmet features an inner shell, a non-rigid outer shell surrounding the inner shell in outwardly spaced relation therefrom, and a plurality of impact absorbing layers disposed between the shells. Each impact absorbing layer features an envelope, and a plurality of impact absorbing members disposed internally within said envelope. At least one adjacent pair of impact absorbing layers are displaceable relative to one another to enable impact-driven shifting between the adjacent pair, whereby impact energy is absorbed by the impact absorbing members within the impact absorbing layers, and absorbed and/or redirected by the impact-driven shifting between the adjacent absorbing layers. Resiliently stretchable material is attached to the adjacent layers at discrete locations such that, after being stretched by the relative shifting, the material returns to a relaxed state to reset the shifted layers back into a default positional relationship, in which ventilation passages in the absorbing layers are aligned.

Devices with internal flexibility sipes, such as slits, provide improved flexibility, improved cushioning to absorb shock and/or shear forces, and improved stability of support. Siped devices can be used in any existing product that provides or utilizes cushioning and stability. These products include human and other footwear, both soles and uppers, as well as orthotics; athletic, occupational and medical equipment and apparel; padding or cushioning, such as for equipment or tool handles, as well as furniture; balls; tires; and any other structural or support elements in a mechanical, architectural, or any other product.

An apparatus comprised of a first portion comprising a generally flexible fabric, and a second portion or layer comprising a gel material formed in a generally planar rectangular shape. Positioned below the second layer is a third portion or a damping layer having a series of dampers positioned thereon, where the dampers are elastomeric flexible and compressible. The three portions are laminated together.

Systems for detecting, locating and mitigating impact forces directed towards a person's head are described herein. The systems include devices for wearing on a wearer's head. The devices include a base configured to conform to the wearer's head and retain a plurality of pouches on an outer surface of the base. The plurality of pouches are configured to absorb at least a portion of the impact force directed towards the outer surface of the base, provide an indication when the impact force directed towards the outer surface of the base has a magnitude exceeding a concussion-indicating level of force, and provide a location of impact when the impact force directed towards the outer surface of the base has a magnitude exceeding the concussion-indicating level of force.

Headgear for rugby and/or soccer, comprising: an inner layer (1) configured to accommodate a wearer's head; an outer layer (2) covering at least a part of the inner layer; a padding layer (3) between the inner and outer layers, configured to absorb and/or redirect energy of an impact between the headgear and an object; and a sliding interface (4) between the inner layer and the outer layer at which the inner layer and the outer layer are configured to slide relative to each other in response to an impact between the headgear and an object.

A detachable pad fastening structure of a helmet includes a first fastening unit, which includes a first fastening member having a fastening hole formed therein and is disposed at an inner surface of a helmet main body. A second fastening unit includes a through-hole in the form of a slot in a detachable pad and a second fastening member formed to be movable relative to the through-hole, having at least a part protruding toward the outside of the detachable pad so as to be inserted into the fastening hole when the second fastening member is located at one side of the through-hole, and configured to be inserted toward the inside of the detachable pad so as to be removed from the fastening hole when the second fastening member is moved relative to the through-hole toward the other side of the through-hole.

A force absorbing helmet has an exterior shell and an interior shell, the interior shell further has an interior lumen comprising a viscous liquid and a plurality of hard springs. A plurality of micro-hinges are located on the exterior surface of the exterior shell to deflect the portions of the exterior shell due to a blunt force exerted thereon.