Helmet

Abstract

A helmet (100) including an impact absorbing layer (102), an outer shell (104) and a connector (106, 114). The outer shell is mounted on the outer surface of the impact absorbing layer. The connector connects the outer shell to the impact absorbing layer, to retain the outer shell on the impact absorbing layer. The connector is also arranged to allow the outer shell to separate from the impact absorbing layer when the helmet is subject to an impact.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A helmet comprising:
 an impact absorbing layer;   an outer shell mounted on the outer surface of the impact absorbing layer; and   a connector which connects the outer shell to the impact absorbing layer to retain the outer shell on the impact absorbing layer;   wherein the connector is arranged to allow the outer shell to separate from the impact absorbing layer when the helmet is subject to an impact.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the impact absorbing layer comprises a hollow cell structure. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell is formed from a rigid material. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell has a thickness of less than 6 mm, less than 4 mm, e.g. less than 2 mm, e.g. less than 0.5 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connector is arranged to allow the outer shell to separate from the impact absorbing layer when the helmet is subject to an impact having a particular force. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connector is located along an axis of symmetry of the helmet. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connector is located at the front of the helmet. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a discrete component from the outer shell and the impact absorbing layer. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the connector is arranged to detach from the impact absorbing layer and/or the outer shell when the helmet is subject to an impact. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a plug which extends between the outer shell and the impact absorbing layer. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the outer shell comprises an aperture for receiving the plug. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the connector comprises a socket for receiving the plug of the connector. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the socket is formed on or attached to the outer surface of the impact absorbing layer. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the plug and the socket attach together via a push fit. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the plug comprises an outer head having dimension(s) greater than the corresponding dimension(s) of the aperture. 
     
     
         16 . The helmet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connector comprises a projection and that is integral to the impact absorbing layer, wherein the protection is attached to the main body of the impact absorbing layer by a flexible portion. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The helmet as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the impact absorbing layer comprises a cavity arranged to receive the projection. 
     
     
         19 . The helmet as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the outer shell comprises an aperture for receiving the projection. 
     
     
         20 . The helmet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the impact absorbing layer comprises at least one groove formed therein, wherein the outer shell comprises at least one inwardly projecting ridge, and wherein the at least one ridge is arranged to engage with the at least one groove when the outer shell is mounted on the impact absorbing layer, and wherein the at least one ridge and the at least one groove are arranged such that a particular force is required to remove the at least one ridge from the at least one groove. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The helmet as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connector extends in a radial direction to the impact absorbing layer.