Helmet

Abstract

A helmet assembly includes an upper member, a lower member, and rigid or semi-rigid plates connected between the two members. The helmet may include a series of fluidly connected air compartments beneath the plates is disclosed. Embodiments of the helmet may dissipate impact energy in multiple ways including deformation of the plates, shifting of the plates, cushioning of the plates against a resilient compressible material present in the upper member, compression of air within the air compartments, movement of air within the air compartments, and/or expansion of air in non-impacted sections of the air compartments which causes the shifting of non-impacted plates. Springs with or without resilient, compressible inserts may be positioned between movable plates and a frame member. A spine including compressible material may extend along a top section of the helmet and connect plates on opposite sides of the helmet.

1 - 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . A helmet comprising:
 a helmet front, a helmet rear including a rear base, and first and second helmet sides including first and second lower helmet sides;   a first longitudinal rigid frame member extending from the helmet front to the helmet rear over a crown of the helmet, and a second rigid frame member extending from the rear base of the helmet toward the front of the helmet along each of the first and second lower helmet sides, the second rigid frame member being spaced from the first longitudinal rigid frame member along each of the first and second helmet sides, wherein the second rigid frame member includes a continuous unitary piece which extends from the rear base to the helmet front;   a plurality of semi-rigid or rigid plates on the first side of the helmet, each plate of the plurality of semi-rigid or rigid plates having a length from an upper end of the plate to a lower end of the plate and extending in a lengthwise direction downwardly from the first longitudinal rigid frame member to the second rigid frame member, the length of each of the plates being longer than a width and a height of each of the plates, each plate of the plurality of plates being connected to the first longitudinal rigid frame member and the second rigid frame member, each of the plurality of plates having a respective home position, and each of the plurality of plates having an outer side, an inner side, and a thickness;   wherein the plurality of plates are movable relative to at least one of the first and second rigid frame members and out of their home positions;   wherein the upper end of each of the plurality of plates is movably connected to the first rigid frame member; and   wherein the outer side of each of at least some plates of the plurality of plates forms at least a portion of an outer surface of an outermost shell of the helmet.   
     
     
         46 . A helmet as in  claim 45 , wherein the plurality of semi-rigid or rigid plates are movable relative to both the first and second rigid frame members. 
     
     
         47 . A helmet as in  claim 45 , further comprising a resilient material positioned at least partially between the plurality of semi-rigid or rigid plates and the first rigid frame member. 
     
     
         48 . A helmet as in  claim 47 , wherein the helmet is configured such that an external impact to a first plate of the plurality of semi-rigid or rigid plates at least partially compresses the resilient material against the first rigid frame member.