Multi-layer safety helmet assembly

Abstract

A multilayer safety helmet assembly is provided comprising a helmet assembly including a helmet outer shell, a helmet inner shell, and an array of vibration dampeners disposed intermediate the outer shell and the inner shell. A resilient face guard/shock absorber assembly is further provided including a face guard and shock absorber assembly extending between the face guard and the helmet assembly. A head motion restraint assembly includes a first portion engaged to the helmet assembly and a second portion engageable to a shoulder pad(s) worn by a user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A multilayer safety helmet assembly comprising:
 a helmet outer shell, a helmet inner shell and a plurality of vibration dampeners disposed intermediate the outer shell and inner shell; and   a first layer of resilient material disposed along and within the helmet inner shell, the first resilient material being formed to abut against and fit substantially a user's head.   
     
     
         2 . The safety helmet assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the vibration dampeners are resiliently deformable to mitigate transmission of shock forces impacting on the helmet assembly outer shell to the helmet assembly inner shell. 
     
     
         3 . The safety helmet assembly as recited in  claim 2  wherein the vibration dampeners are formed of materials selected to mitigate transmission of shock forces from the helmet assembly outer shell to the helmet assembly inner shell. 
     
     
         4 . The safety helmet assembly as recited in  claim 3  wherein the vibration dampeners comprise a resilient mushroom shaped structure. 
     
     
         5 . The safety helmet assembly as recited in  claim 2  wherein the plurality of vibration dampeners include vibration dampeners having different dampening characteristics. 
     
     
         6 . The safety helmet assembly as recited in  claim 2  wherein the vibration dampeners comprise at least one active dampener having first and second portions that are axially translatable relative to each other. 
     
     
         7 . The safety helmet assembly as recited in  claim 2  wherein the first plurality of vibration dampeners and the first layer of dampening material have different dampening characteristics. 
     
     
         8 . The safety helmet assembly as recited in  claim 2  further comprising a second layer of resilient material disposed intermediate the helmet inner shell and the helmet outer shell. 
     
     
         9 . The safety helmet as recited in  claim 8  wherein the vibration dampeners and the second layer of dampening material have different dampening characteristics. 
     
     
         10 . The safety helmet as recited in  claim 2  wherein the helmet outer and inner shell defines a sloped front portion. 
     
     
         11 . The safety helmet assembly as recited in  claim 10  wherein the sloped portion of the helmet inner shell defines a recess between the first layer of resilient material and a user's forehead. 
     
     
         12 . The safety helmet as recited in  claim 11  wherein the helmet assembly further comprises a third layer of resilient material disposed within the recess. 
     
     
         13 . The safety helmet as recited in  claim 12  wherein the third layer of resilient material extends to and about a portion of the helmet outer shell. 
     
     
         14 . The safety helmet assembly as recited in  claim 10  further comprising a brim receptacle and a brim removably engageable to the sloped front portion and extending therefrom. 
     
     
         15 . The safety helmet assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the helmet assembly outer shell comprises resilient surface material formed on an outer surface of the outer shell. 
     
     
         16 . The safety helmet assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein the outer shell is formed of Kevlar/compo site material. 
     
     
         17 . The safety helmet as recited in  claims 13  wherein the first layer of dampening material and the third layer of dampening material have different dampening characteristics.