Varying thickness Helmet for reduced weight and increased protection

Abstract

A helmet in which the material thickness is optimized to utilize multiple defeat mechanisms against a range of threats and to provide varying levels of protection in different areas based on the expected distribution and orientation of threats. Threat types as well as likely threat locations are both used to determine optimal material types and thickness at different points on the helmet to provide the user with the greatest overall level of personal protection possible with a helmet of a given maximum weight.

1 . A helmet comprising a shell having at least side, front, and top sectors. The thickness and composition of each sector defined to provide protection appropriate to the most likely threat at that specific region.
 a. Said shell to be comprised of metal, ceramic, or composite.
 i. Said shell to include metal thickness ranging up to 0.5 inches. 
 ii. Said shell to include ceramic thicknesses ranging up to 0.5 inches. 
 iii. Said shell to include composite thicknesses ranging up to 1.25 inches. 
   b. Said shell to be configured to have a stand-off distance between the inner surface and the user's head sufficient to allow required back-face deformation associated with normal operation, as well as the use of a suspension system to absorb shock resulting from ballistic and blunt impacts. Said stand-off distance to be between 0.125 inches and 2.0 inches.
 i. Said shell to further incorporate attachment points for devices including but not limited to night vision equipment, thermal imaging equipment, acoustic and other sensors, and communication equipment. 
   c. A suspension comprised of components to include a chin strap, and foam pads or webbing.
 i. Said chin strap to retain the helmet to the user's head during normal use, as well as in the event of a blunt impact, ballistic or blast event. 
 ii. Said foam pads or webbing to provide shock isolation between the helmet shell and the user's head, which will mitigate transmitted shock associated with blunt impact, ballistic, and blast events. 
   
   
   
       2 . A method of making a helmet for an individual's head having distinct sectors which stop select fragmentation, stop select ballistic threats, and deflect other threats and fragments. The thickness, composition, and construction of each sector configured to provide protection appropriate to the most likely threat at that specific region, thereby reducing the weight carried on a user's head, and increasing the provided protection from likely events.
 a. Weight is reduced by tailoring the local thickness of the helmet material to the threats expected at each given region.   b. Protection is increased by providing increased thickness in areas having a higher probability of being exposed to more severe threats.