Protective helmets including non-linearly deforming elements

Abstract

A protective helmet comprises an inner layer and an outer layer separated from the inner layer by a space. An interface layer is positioned in the space between the inner layer and the outer layer and includes an impact absorbing material that non-linearly deforms in response to an incident force on the protective helmet. For example, the impact absorbing material includes multiple filaments each having an end proximate to the inner layer and another end proximate to the outer layer interface, with the filaments configured to non-linearly deform in response to an incident force on the helmet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A helmet comprising:
 an outer shell;   an inner shell, the inner shell substantially surrounds a portion of a head of a wearer, the inner shell having an interior surface and an exterior surface;   a compression unit, the compression unit positioned between the outer shell and inner shell, the compression unit comprising a plurality of impact absorbers;   a foam cushion, the foam cushion positioned within the front region of the helmet and contacts at least a portion of an interior surface of the inner shell, the foam cushion having an interior surface that contacts a forehead of the wearer; and   at least one cheek pad, the at least one cheek pad contacting a portion of a cheek of the wearer, at least a portion of the at least one check pad secured to the helmet.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the inner shell comprises a relatively rigid plastic material. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell comprises a deformable plastic material, the deformable material is pliable to allow local deformation when subject to an incident force. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell comprises a deformable plastic material and the inner shell comprises a relatively rigid plastic material. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of impact absorbers comprises a plurality of filaments. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of filaments comprises a high aspect ratio, the aspect ratio including a range between 3:1 to 1000:1. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of filaments are configured to elastically deform, the elastic deformation allowing the plurality of filaments to be movable from a deformed position during an impact force and return to its original position after the impact force is removed. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of filaments are substantially perpendicular to the exterior surface of the inner shell. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet of  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of filaments comprises a material, the material includes a foam, an elastomeric foam, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . A helmet comprising:
 an outer shell;   an inner shell, the inner shell substantially surrounds a portion of a head of a wearer, the inner shell having an interior surface and an exterior surface;   an interface layer, the interface layer positioned between the outer shell and inner shell, the interface comprising a plurality of impact absorbers;   a foam cushion, the foam cushion positioned within the front region of the helmet and contacts at least a portion of an interior surface of the inner shell, the foam cushion having an interior surface that contacts a forehead of the wearer; and   a first cheek pad and a second cheek pad, the first cheek pad contacting a portion of a right cheek of the wearer, the second cheek pad contacting a portion of a left cheek of a wearer.   
     
     
         11 . The helmet of  claim 10 , wherein the inner shell comprises a relatively rigid plastic material. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet of  claim 10 , wherein the outer shell comprises a deformable plastic material, the deformable material is pliable to allow local deformation when subject to an incident force. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet of  claim 10 , wherein the outer shell comprises a deformable plastic material and the inner shell comprises a relatively rigid plastic material. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet of  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of impact absorbers comprises a plurality of filaments. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of filaments comprises a high aspect ratio, the aspect ratio including a range between 3:1 to 1000:1. 
     
     
         16 . The helmet of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of filaments are configured to elastically deform, the elastic deformation allowing the plurality of filaments to be movable from a deformed position during an impact force and return to its original position after the impact force is removed. 
     
     
         17 . The helmet of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of filaments are substantially perpendicular to the exterior surface of the inner shell. 
     
     
         18 . The helmet of  claim 10 , wherein the exterior surface of the inner shell contacts an interior surface of the interface layer. 
     
     
         19 . The helmet of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of filaments comprises a material, the material includes a foam, an elastomeric foam, and any combination thereof.