Protective helmets with non-linearly deforming elements

Abstract

The present technology relates generally to protective helmets with non-linearly deforming members. Helmets configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can comprise, for example, an inner layer, an outer layer, a space between the inner layer and the outer layer, and an interface layer disposed in the space. The interface layer comprises a plurality of filaments, each having a height, a longitudinal axis along the height, a first end proximal to the inner layer, and a second end proximal to the outer layer. The filaments are sized and shaped to span the space between the inner layer and the outer layer. The filaments are configured to deform non-linearly in response to an external incident force on the helmet.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . An interface layer comprising:
 a plurality of elongated filaments including an aspect ratio between 3:1 to 1000:1, the plurality of elongated filaments including a first end and a second end; and   a plurality of segmented tiles, each of the plurality of segmented tiles attached to the first end of a subset of the plurality of elongated filaments, the plurality of segmented tiles having a shape.   
     
     
         2 . The interface layer of  claim 1 , wherein elongated filaments of the plurality of elongated filaments are hollow. 
     
     
         3 . The interface layer of  claim 1 , wherein elongated filaments of the plurality of elongated filaments comprises a cross-sectional shape selected from one of the following: circular, hexagonal, triangular, square, rectangular, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The interface layer of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of elongated filaments comprise a material selected from the group consisting of: a foam, an elastic foam, an elastomer, a polymer, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The interface layer of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of each of the plurality of elongated filaments varies along a length of each of the plurality of elongated filaments. 
     
     
         6 . The interface layer of  claim 1 , wherein the subset of the plurality of filaments are spaced apart. 
     
     
         7 . The interface layer of  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the segmented tiles comprises a polygon. 
     
     
         8 . The interface layer of  claim 1 , wherein the interface layer further comprises a sheet, the second end of the plurality of elongated filaments is coupled to the sheet. 
     
     
         9 . The interface layer of  claim 8 , wherein elongated filaments of the plurality of elongated filaments comprise a longitudinal axis, the longitudinal axis is perpendicular or non-perpendicular to the sheet. 
     
     
         10 . An interface layer comprising:
 a first plurality of elongated filaments including an aspect ratio between 3:1 to 1000:1, the plurality of elongated filaments including a first end and a second end;   a second plurality of elongated filaments including an aspect ratio between 3:1 to 1000:1, the plurality of elongated filaments including a first end and second end; and   a plurality of segmented tiles, each of the plurality of segmented tiles is attached to the first end of the first plurality of elongated filaments and the first end of the second plurality of elongated filaments, each of the plurality of segmented tiles includes a shape,   a height of the first plurality of elongated filaments is greater than a height of the second plurality of elongated filaments.   
     
     
         11 . The interface layer of  claim 10 , wherein elongated filaments of the first plurality of elongated filaments and elongated filaments of the second plurality of elongated filaments are hollow. 
     
     
         12 . The interface layer of  claim 10 , wherein the second plurality of elongated filaments is more rigid than the first plurality of elongated filaments. 
     
     
         13 . The interface layer of  claim 10 , wherein the first and second plurality of elongated filaments comprise a material selected from the group consisting of: a foam, an elastomer, a polymer, and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The interface layer of  claim 10 , wherein the shape of the segmented tiles comprises a polygon. 
     
     
         15 . The interface layer of  claim 10 , wherein the interface layer further comprises a sheet, the second end of the first and second plurality of elongated filaments are coupled to the sheet. 
     
     
         16 . The interface layer of  claim 15 , wherein elongated filaments of the first plurality of elongated filaments comprise a first longitudinal axis and elongated filaments of the second plurality of elongated filaments comprise a second longitudinal axis, the first longitudinal axis of the first plurality of elongated filaments includes a first orientation relative to the sheet, the second longitudinal axis of the second plurality of elongated filaments includes a second orientation relative to the sheet, the first orientation is different from the second orientation. 
     
     
         17 . The interface layer of  claim 16 , wherein the first orientation and the second orientation are perpendicular to the sheet. 
     
     
         18 . The interface layer of  claim 16 , wherein the aspect ratio of the first plurality of elongated filaments is different than the aspect ratio of the second plurality of filaments. 
     
     
         19 . The interface layer of  claim 10 , wherein each of segmented tile of the plurality of segmented tiles are spaced apart. 
     
     
         20 . The interface layer of  claim 10 , wherein the first plurality of filaments deforms elastically in response to a first impact force and the second plurality of filaments deforms elastically in response to a second impact force, the first impact force is different than the second impact force.