Helmet

Abstract

The present technology relates to a helmet of a layered and segmented design including impact attenuation structures. The helmet can include a series of layers that individually, or in combination, provide the necessary functions of the helmet. The helmet may feature a layer with a low coefficient of friction to act as a slip layer and slide due to rotational force. The present technology includes impact attenuation structures of predetermined geometries, layers, and materials to allow for an appropriate impact response with a certain degree of control over the buckling process and an adaptive impact response. The present technology of impact attenuation structures may be applicable where impact absorption and controlled buckling is desired, such as bike helmets.

1 . A helmet comprising:
 a plurality of tiles configured to absorb impact, each of the tiles including a profile with at least three sides and including a thickness;   a plurality of connections that are flexible, wherein each of the plurality of tiles is connected to another immediately adjacent one of the plurality of tiles by one of the plurality of connections at one of the at least three sides;   wherein the plurality of tiles and the plurality of connections are configured so that the helmet is repeatably changeable from a first configuration to a second configuration,   the first configuration is shaped to be worn on a user's head with the thickness normal to the user's head, and   the second configuration is at least partially collapsed to a shape smaller than the first configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the helmet is substantially cylindrical in the second configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the profile is a triangle with rounded vertexes. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of tiles includes, within the thickness, a base layer, a top layer and an impact absorbing layer between the base layer and the top layer. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet according to  claim 4 , wherein the impact absorbing layer comprises a honeycomb material. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet according to  claim 5 , wherein the honeycomb material includes a plurality cells, each of the cells including walls surrounding a central opening, and the walls extend parallel to the thickness. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet according to  claim 4 , further comprising a rotation layer between the top layer and the impact absorbing layer, wherein the rotation layer is configured to allow relative rotation between the top layer and the impact absorbing layer. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet according to  claim 7 , wherein the relative rotation is a limited amount of relative rotation. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet according to  claim 7 , wherein the rotation layer includes a socket and the top layer includes a ball that together form a ball and socket joint. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet according to  claim 1 , further comprising an inner layer and an outer layer that sandwich the plurality of tiles. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the inner layer and the outer layer is configured to slip relative to the plurality of tiles during an impact transverse to the thickness. 
     
     
         12 . A helmet comprising:
 an outer layer;   a middle layer configured to absorb impact; and   an interior layer;   wherein at least one of the outer layer and the interior layer is configured to slip relative to the middle layer under an impact that is not normal to the outer layer.   
     
     
         13 . The helmet according to  claim 12 , wherein the middle layer comprises an array of impact absorbing tiles that are connected by flexible connections that allow the helmet to be folded into a reduced size. 
     
     
         14 . An impact absorbing structure comprising
 a plurality of walls surrounding a plurality of openings to form a plurality of cells, wherein the walls extend parallel to an impact absorbing direction, and the walls include at least one structure to adaptively respond to impact.   
     
     
         15 . The impact absorbing structure according to  claim 14 , further comprising
 a top panel attached to a top end of the plurality of cells to close the top end of the plurality of cells;   a bottom panel attached to a bottom end of the plurality of cells to close the bottom end of the plurality of cells; and   a plurality of orifices in the plurality of walls that each provide fluid communication to one of the plurality of openings, wherein the structure to adaptively respond to impact includes the plurality of orifices.   
     
     
         16 . The impact absorbing structure according to  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of orifices provides fluid communication from one cell to another cell or from one cell to the exterior of the impact absorbing structure. 
     
     
         17 . The impact absorbing structure of  claim 15 , wherein each cell includes a plurality of the orifices. 
     
     
         18 . The impact absorbing structure of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of the orifices in each cell are distributed so that the orifices are successively blocked as the impact absorbing structure is crushed along the impact absorbing direction. 
     
     
         19 . The impact absorbing structure of  claim 15 , wherein the walls comprise varying density parallel to the impact absorbing direction, and the structure to adaptively respond to impact includes the varying density. 
     
     
         20 . The impact absorbing structure of  claim 15 , wherein the walls comprise varying thickness along the impact absorbing direction, and the structure to adaptively respond to impact includes the varying thickness.