Helmet with external protective scales

Abstract

A protective covering for a helmet. The protective covering includes a cushioning layer with a plurality of scales disposed on an exterior surface thereof. The covering overlies an outer surface of a substantially rigid shell of a helmet and provides additional padding via the cushioning layer to absorb impact forces received by the helmet. The scales are deflectable relative to one another to compress the cushioning layer when an impact force is received and are configured to reduce the coefficient of friction between the covering and an impacting body to thereby increase deflection of the impacting force and the impacting body. The protective covering can be applied to existing helmets or can be integrated into helmets during manufacture thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective covering for a helmet comprising:
 a cushioning layer configured to cover at least a portion of an exterior surface of a substantially rigid outer shell of a helmet; and   a plurality of scales overlying the cushioning layer.   
     
     
         2 . The protective covering as in  claim 1 , wherein said scales are deflectable relative to one another by compressing said cushioning layer to at least partially absorb an impacting force. 
     
     
         3 . The protective covering as in  claim 1  wherein at least some of the scales in said plurality of scales have edge portions which overlap respective edge portions of adjacent ones of said scales. 
     
     
         4 . The protective covering as in  claim 1  wherein said at least some of the scales in said plurality of scales have edges which are positioned in closely spaced non-overlapping relation to adjacent ones of said scales. 
     
     
         5 . The protective covering as in  claim 1  and further comprising a jacket extending at least partially over an outer surface of said cushioning layer. 
     
     
         6 . The protective covering as in  claim 5 , wherein said plurality of scales is coupled to said jacket. 
     
     
         7 . The protective covering as in  claim 6 , wherein said jacket is formed of fabric. 
     
     
         8 . The protective covering as in  claim 6  and further comprising one or more of a fastener, a clip, a strap, and a glue configured to secure said jacket to the helmet. 
     
     
         9 . The protective covering as in  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said scales includes a scale body comprising a head and an outwardly extending tail. 
     
     
         10 . The protective covering as in  claim 9 , wherein said head of said scale has a semicircular form extending in a first direction and said tail has a narrow form and extends in a second direction opposite said first direction. 
     
     
         11 . The protective covering as in  claim 9 , wherein said head extends to overlie at least a portion of the tail of an adjacent scale. 
     
     
         12 . The protective covering as in  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said scales includes a top surface and a bottom surface, and wherein at least a portion of a perimeter of said top surface is sloped toward said bottom surface. 
     
     
         13 . The protective covering as in  claim 12 , wherein at least a portion of a perimeter of said bottom surface is sloped toward said top surface. 
     
     
         14 . The protective covering as in  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said scales includes a scale body with a bottom surface that is at least partially cupped. 
     
     
         15 . A helmet with a protective covering comprising:
 a substantially rigid shell having dimensions sufficient to receive a head of a wearer at least partially therein;   an inner cushioning disposed on an interior surface of said shell and configured to provide padding between a wearer's head and said shell;   an external cushioning layer disposed on at least a portion of an exterior surface of said shell and coupled to said shell; and   a plurality of scales overlying an exterior surface of said cushioning layer.   
     
     
         16 . The helmet as in  claim 15 , wherein said scales are deflectable relative to one another by at least partially compressing said external cushioning layer upon receipt of an impact force. 
     
     
         17 . The helmet of  claim 15 , wherein said scales are configured to provide a lower coefficient of friction than that of a continuous surface comprised of the same material as said scales. 
     
     
         18 . The helmet as in  claim 15  and further including a jacket covering at least a portion of an outer surface of said cushioning layer, and wherein said plurality of scales are secured to said jacket. 
     
     
         19 . The helmet as in  claim 15  wherein at least some of the scales in said plurality of scales have edge portions which overlap respective edge portions of adjacent ones of said scales. 
     
     
         20 . The helmet as in  claim 15  wherein at least some of the scales in said plurality of scales have edges which are positioned in closely spaced non-overlapping relation to adjacent ones of said scales.