Sports helmet with collapsible modular elements

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a helmet for a user's head, comprising a shell configured to at least partially surrounds the user's head, an energy-absorbing layer, and a plurality of collapsible modular elements that are individually removably attached to and detached from the helmet. Collapsible modular elements, as used herein, are elements attached to the helmet that collapse or otherwise crush and permanently deform or to temporarily deform upon receiving an impact force of a particular pre-determined amount. By collapsing, energy from the impact is more effectively absorbed instead of being transferred to the user of the helmet.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A helmet for a user's head, comprising:
 a shell configured to at least partially surrounds the user's head,   an energy-absorbing layer,   a plurality of collapsible modular elements, wherein the collapsible modular elements are each individually removably attached to and detached from the helmet.   
     
     
         2 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible modular elements are adhered to an outer surface of the shell. 
     
     
         3 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , further comprising a compliant layer, and wherein the collapsible modular elements are adhered to an outer surface of the compliant layer. 
     
     
         4 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the shell has a plurality of apertures for receiving and releasably holding the collapsible modular elements. 
     
     
         5 . A helmet according to  claim 4 , wherein the collapsible modular elements further comprise a neck for engaging the shell and attaching the collapsible modular elements to the shell. 
     
     
         6 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the collapsible modular elements is comprised of a thin wall surface surrounding a volume. 
     
     
         7 . A helmet according to  claim 6 , wherein the volume is empty. 
     
     
         8 . A helmet according to  claim 6 , wherein the volume is at least partially filled with a first energy absorption material. 
     
     
         9 . A helmet according to  claim 8 , wherein the volume is at least partially filled with a second energy absorption material. 
     
     
         10 . A helmet according to  claim 9 , wherein the first and second energy absorption materials are layered. 
     
     
         11 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , the collapsible modular elements create a stand-off height relative to the helmet. 
     
     
         12 . A helmet according to  claim 11 , the collapsible modular elements absorb energy in a region between the shell and the stand-off height. 
     
     
         13 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of a contiguous layer of foam and air pads on an inner surface of the shell. 
     
     
         14 . A helmet for a user's head, comprising:
 a compliant layer configured to at least partially surrounds the user's head,   a plurality of collapsible modular elements, wherein the collapsible modular elements are each individually removably attached to and detached from the compliant layer.   
     
     
         15 . A helmet according to  claim 14 , wherein at least one of the collapsible modular elements is comprised of a thin wall surface surrounding a volume. 
     
     
         16 . A helmet according to  claim 15 , wherein the volume is empty. 
     
     
         17 . A helmet according to  claim 15 , wherein the volume is at least partially filled with a first energy absorption material. 
     
     
         18 . A helmet according to  claim 17 , wherein the volume is at least partially filled with a second energy absorption material. 
     
     
         19 . A helmet according to  claim 18 , wherein the first and second energy absorption materials are layered. 
     
     
         20 . A helmet according to  claim 14 , the collapsible modular elements create a stand-off height relative to the helmet and the collapsible modular elements absorb energy in a region between the compliant layer and the stand-off height.