Helmet

Abstract

The present invention provides a head protection helmet comprising an impact resistant shell comprising: a cavity for accommodating a user's head and an array of crushable bodies having a hollow closed configuration, e.g. flutes in corrugated material 14,16, the crushable bodies each having an axis that extends outwardly from the cavity to absorb impact forces exerted along the direction of the axis.

1 . A head protection helmet
 comprising:   a cavity for accommodating a user's head; and   an array of cells, each having sides and an axis that extends outwardly from the cavity, to absorb impact forces exerted along the direction of the axis;   wherein the cells are formed by a plurality of intersecting arc-shaped ribs overlying the cavity, wherein each rib of the plurality of ribs extends outwards from the cavity and includes an array of crushable bodies, each crushable body having a hollow closed configuration.   
     
     
         2 . A helmet as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein each rib of the plurality of ribs is formed of crushable sheet material including a plurality of sheets of crushable board, the plurality of sheets of crushable board including
 a first sheet extending outwards from the cavity and   a second sheet extending outwards from the cavity adjacent the first sheet; and   
       wherein each rib of the plurality of ribs also includes a first connector body connecting the first sheet to the second sheet; 
       wherein the first sheet, the second sheet and the first connector body form the array of crushable bodies. 
     
     
         3 . A helmet as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the crushable sheet material includes a single layer of crushable bodies. 
     
     
         4 . A helmet as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the ribs each include multiple layers of crushable bodies, the plurality of sheets of crushable board of each rib including a third sheet extending outwards from the cavity adjacent the second sheet opposite the first sheet, and each rib of the plurality of ribs includes a second connector body connecting the second sheet to the third sheet forming a second array of crushable bodies. 
     
     
         5 . A helmet as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the crushable bodies have an axis that lies generally orthogonal to the plane of the ribs. 
     
     
         6 . A helmet as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the plurality of ribs comprises ribs extending axially between the front and back of the head cavity and ribs extending laterally between two opposed sides of the head cavity, the axial and lateral ribs intersecting at crossed halved joints.