Headgear assemblies and headgear liners having friction-reducing interface elements

Abstract

Headgear, helmets, and related protective equipment having friction reducing interface elements are provided. The headgear includes a helmet shell having external surface and an internal surface; a headgear liner shaped and adapted to be received by the helmet shell, the head gear liner having an external surface positioned to contact the internal surface of the helmet shell; and at least one interface element positioned between the external surface of the headgear liner and the internal surface of the helmet shell. The at least one interface element provides at least some reduction in friction between the external surface of the headgear liner and the internal surface of the helmet shell. The headgear liner may comprise a fluid-filled headgear liner. The interface elements may provide surfaces at multiple elevations that assist in dispersing an impact load to the headgear liner. Methods of protecting the wearer of the headgear are also provided.

1 . A headgear assembly comprising:
 a helmet shell shaped to generally conform to the head of a wearer, the helmet shell having an external surface and an internal surface;   a headgear liner shaped and adapted to be received by the helmet shell, the head gear liner having an external surface; and   at least one interface element positioned between the external surface of the headgear liner and the internal surface of the helmet shell, the at least one interface element providing at least some reduction in friction between the external surface of the headgear liner and the internal surface of the helmet shell.   
     
     
         2 . The headgear assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the headgear liner comprises a fluid-filled headgear liner. 
     
     
         3 . The headgear assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one interface element comprises a first surface positioned to face the helmet shell and at least one second surface positioned to face the helmet shell, the at least one second surface distal the first surface. 
     
     
         4 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The headgear assembly as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the fluid-filled headgear liner comprises a flexible, fluid impermeable enclosure having opposing end walls, and a sidewall extending between the opposing end walls. 
     
     
         12 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A headgear liner assembly comprising:
 a headgear liner comprising a flexible, fluid impermeable enclosure having opposing end walls, a sidewall extending between the opposing end walls, and a fluid contained in the enclosure; and   at least one interface element mounted to the headgear liner, the at least one interface element providing at least some reduction in friction between the headgear liner and an internal surface of a helmet shell into which the headgear liner is positioned.   
     
     
         18 . The headgear liner assembly as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the at least one interface element comprises a plurality of interface elements mounted to the external surface of the headgear liner. 
     
     
         19 - 45 . (canceled) 
     
     
         46 . The headgear assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one interface element extends over more than 50% of a surface area of the external surface of the headgear liner. 
     
     
         47 . The headgear assembly as recited in  claim 46 , wherein the at least one interface element extends over more than 80% of the surface area of the external surface of the headgear liner. 
     
     
         48 . The headgear assembly as recited in  claim 47 , wherein the at least one interface element comprises a bump cap. 
     
     
         49 . The headgear assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one interface element further comprises a plurality of projections from the internal surface of the at least one interface element, and wherein the headgear liner further comprises a plurality of recesses, each of the plurality of recesses positioned and adapted to engage one of the plurality of projections 
     
     
         50 . The headgear assembly as recited in  claim 49 , wherein the plurality of recesses in the headgear liner comprises a plurality of through holes. 
     
     
         51 . The headgear assembly as recited in  claim 49 , wherein engagement of the plurality of projections with the plurality of recesses at least partially retains the headgear liner within the at least one interface element. 
     
     
         52 . The headgear assembly as recited in  claim 49 , wherein the plurality of projections from the internal surface of the at least one interface element comprises a plurality of pins. 
     
     
         53 . The headgear liner assembly as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the at least one interface element extends over more than 50% of a surface area of an external surface of the headgear liner. 
     
     
         54 . The headgear liner assembly as recited in  claim 53 , wherein the at least one interface element extends over more than 80% of the surface area of the external surface of the headgear liner. 
     
     
         55 . The headgear liner assembly as recited in  claim 54 , wherein the at least one interface element comprises a bump cap. 
     
     
         56 . The headgear liner assembly as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the at least one interface element further comprises a plurality of projections from the internal surface of the at least one interface element, and wherein the headgear liner further comprises a plurality of recesses, each of the plurality of recesses positioned and adapted to engage one of the plurality of projections. 
     
     
         57 . The headgear liner assembly as recited in  claim 56 , wherein the plurality of recesses in the headgear liner comprises a plurality of through holes. 
     
     
         58 . The headgear liner assembly as recited in  claim 56 , wherein engagement of the plurality of projections with the plurality of recesses at least partially retains the headgear liner within the at least one interface element. 
     
     
         59 . The headgear liner assembly as recited in  claim 56 , wherein the plurality of projections from the internal surface of the at least one interface element comprises a plurality of pins.