Helmet with external shock wave dampening panels

Abstract

A helmet including a shell, a plurality of panel buttons pivotally attached at their proximal face to the outer surface of the shell, and the panel buttons are made of a flexible or elastic material with a protective outer coating to protect the panel buttons from abrasion. In one embodiment, the panel buttons are pivotally attached to the outer surface of the shell with a living hinge that allows the panel buttons to swivel in multiple planes that are generally perpendicular to the outer surface of the shell.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 creating panel buttons;   attaching the panel buttons to a helmet;   wherein the helmet includes a shell;   wherein the shell has an outer surface;   wherein said attaching includes attaching the panel buttons to the outer surface of the shell; and   wherein said attaching includes positioning lateral edges of adjacent panel buttons in close proximity to contact one another as the panel buttons move in a lateral direction during an impact to disperse energy from the impact across the panel buttons.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said creating the panel buttons include forming a living hinge on each of the panel buttons; and   said attaching the panel buttons includes attaching the living hinge to the outer surface of the shell.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein said creating the panel buttons includes forming a rigid cover made of rigid material. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising injection molding the panel buttons. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein said injection molding includes injection molding the rigid cover and the living hinge separately. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein an exterior of the rigid cover has a domed shape. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising forming the rigid cover by spray molding a polymeric coating onto a distal face of the panel buttons. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 wherein said creating the panel buttons includes forming a socket within each of the panel buttons;   securing a ball to the outer surface of the shell; and   inserting the ball into the socket.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said creating the panel buttons includes forming a convex shaped chamber in each of the panel buttons;   the chamber is configured to accept a female portion of a mechanical snap; and   said attaching includes securing the female portion of the mechanical snap to a male portion of the mechanical snap.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 said creating the panel buttons include forming downward extending projections with a series of annular grooves on each of the panel buttons; and   said attaching includes securing the panel buttons of the outer surface of the shell with fasteners.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the fasteners include screws. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 inserting resilient material between the lateral edges of the adjacent panel buttons.