Helmets or other protective headgear and related methods

Abstract

Disclosed is a helmet that is aesthetically appealing and that is capable of decelerating impacts from any direction. In a preferred embodiment, the helmet features: a shell with a head cavity that is lined with shock absorbing material, wherein the shell is outfitted with a halo of deceleration plates.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A deceleration plate for a helmet, wherein:
 said deceleration plate is positioned around a contoured outer surface of the helmet so that an air space is created between said plate and said contoured outer surface;   a point of said deceleration plate is positioned generally at a top and central portion of the contoured outer surface of the helmet; and   the point of said deceleration plate is further positioned between (a) a holding plate that has been rigidly secured to said contoured outer surface and (b) the top and central portion of contoured outer surface of the helmet.   
     
     
         2 . The deceleration plate of  claim 1  wherein the deceleration plate is triangular and defined by said point, a foot, and a bulging surface that is contiguous between the point and foot. 
     
     
         3 . The deceleration plate of  2  wherein the deceleration plate is positioned around the contoured outer surface of the helmet by rigidly securing the foot to the contoured outer surface so that said bulging surface is positioned over a portion of said contoured outer surface to provide the air space. 
     
     
         4 . The deceleration plate of  claim 3  wherein deflecting the bulging surface of the deceleration plate toward a corresponding portion of the contoured outer surface via an impact causes the point of said deceleration plate to slide between the holding plate and the contoured outer surface while the foot of said deceleration plate is held fast. 
     
     
         5 . The deceleration plate of  claim 4  wherein a gel is provided between the holding plate and the crown of the shell so that shifting of the plates is resisted by the gel. 
     
     
         6 . A method of protecting a head of a wearer comprising the steps of:
 placing a helmet on the head, where the helmet has a contoured outer surface;   providing a deceleration plate over the contoured outer surface of the helmet by (a) rigidly securing a foot of said deceleration plate to the contoured outer surface of the helmet and (b) slidably positioning a distal point of the deceleration plate in between a holding plate and a top and central portion of the contoured outer surface of the helmet so that a surface of said deceleration plate defines a bulging surface that is contiguous between the point and foot;   allowing said deceleration plate to deflect in response to an impact so that said distal point moves further between the holding plate and the top and central portion of the contoured outer surface.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 7  where the movement of the deceleration plate underneath the holding plate is resisted by a gel. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said bulging surface of the deceleration plate is positioned over a portion of said contoured outer surface so that an air space is created between each said at least one deceleration plate and the outer surface. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  where the deceleration plate is carbon fiber. 
     
     
         10 . A deceleration plate for a helmet comprising:
 a foot for rigid securement to the helmet;   a midsection; and   a distal end that is configured for positioning between an external surface of the helmet and a holding plate secured to the external surface of the helmet so that a space is created therebetween the midsection and the external surface of the helmet.   
     
     
         11 . The deceleration plate of  claim 11  made of carbon fiber. 
     
     
         12 . The deceleration plate of  claim 11  where the distal end forms a point. 
     
     
         13 . The deceleration plate of  claim 13  where the point forms an angle of between 60 and 72 degrees. 
     
     
         14 . The deceleration plate of  claim 11  where the helmet is an American football helmet.