Protective helmet

Abstract

A protective helmet. The protective helmet includes an outer layer and an inner layer, each formed of a hard material. The outer layer and the inner layer each further include a concave interior surface and a convex exterior surface. A flexible connector connects the concave interior surface of the outer layer to the convex exterior surface of the inner layer. The flexible connector is configured to allow the outer layer to laterally shift relative to the inner layer upon impact to the protective helmet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective helmet comprising:
 an outer layer and an inner layer each formed of a hard material and each comprising a concave interior surface and a convex exterior surface; and   at least one flexible connector connecting the concave interior surface of the outer layer to the convex exterior surface of the inner layer, wherein   the at least one flexible connector is configured to allow the outer layer to laterally shift relative to the inner layer upon impact to the protective helmet.   
     
     
         2 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a receptacle coupled to one of the concave interior surface of the outer layer and the convex exterior surface of the inner layer; and   a protrusion coupled to the other of the concave interior surface of the outer layer and the convex exterior surface of the inner layer, wherein   the protrusion is disposed within the bowl-shaped receptacle, and laterally shifts within the bowl-shaped receptacle upon the impact to the protective helmet.   
     
     
         3 . The protective helmet of  claim 2 , wherein the receptacle is coupled to the convex exterior surface of the inner layer and the protrusion is coupled to the concave interior surface of the outer layer. 
     
     
         4 . The protective helmet of  claim 2 , wherein the receptacle comprises a bowl-shape and the protrusion is rounded. 
     
     
         5 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one flexible connectors comprises a plurality of flexible pegs connecting the outer layer to the inner layer, wherein a gap is formed between the outer layer and the inner layer. 
     
     
         6 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising an intermediary layer formed of a foam padding material, the intermediary layer disposed in between the outer layer and the inner layer. 
     
     
         7 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of foam pads attached to the concave interior surface of the inner layer. 
     
     
         8 . A protective helmet comprising:
 an outer layer and an inner layer each formed of a hard material and each comprising a concave interior surface and a convex exterior surface;   at least one flexible connector connecting the concave interior surface of the outer layer to the convex exterior surface of the inner layer,   a receptacle coupled to one of the concave interior surface of the outer layer and the convex exterior surface of the inner layer; and   a protrusion coupled to the other of the concave interior surface of the outer layer and the convex exterior surface of the inner layer, wherein   the at least one flexible connector is configured to allow the outer layer to laterally shift relative to the inner layer upon impact to the protective helmet, and   the protrusion is disposed within the receptacle, and laterally shifts within the receptacle upon the impact to the protective helmet.   
     
     
         9 . The protective helmet of  claim 7 , wherein the receptacle is coupled to the convex exterior surface of the inner layer and the protrusion is coupled to the concave interior surface of the outer layer. 
     
     
         10 . The protective helmet of  claim 7 , wherein the receptacle comprises a bowl-shape and the protrusion is rounded. 
     
     
         11 . The protective helmet of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one flexible connectors comprises a plurality of flexible pegs connecting the outer layer to the inner layer, wherein a gap is formed between the outer layer and the inner layer. 
     
     
         12 . The protective helmet of  claim 7 , further comprising an intermediary layer formed of a foam padding material, the intermediary layer disposed in between the outer layer and the inner layer.