Headgear and device for headgear

Abstract

A cap for use with protective headgear, comprising: a stiff shell forming a layer that covers the internal surface area defined by the cap and formed from one or more sections; an adjustment mechanism, configured to adjust the form of the stiff shell to conform to an individual wearer's head, in a first operation mode, and configured to fix the form of the shell, in a second operation mode; and wherein the cap is configured such that the stiff shell substantially retains the fixed form during normal use and when subject to forces imparted to the cap during an impact.

1 . A cap for use with protective headgear, comprising:
 a stiff shell forming a layer that covers the internal surface area defined by the cap and formed from one or more sections;   an adjustment mechanism, configured to adjust the form of the stiff shell to conform to an individual wearer's head, in a first operation mode, and configured to fix the form of the shell, in a second operation mode; and wherein   the cap is configured such that the stiff shell substantially retains the fixed form during normal use and when subject to forces imparted to the cap during an impact.   
     
     
         2 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the stiff shell forms an internal surface of the cap arranged to face the wearer's head in normal use, and is configured to directly contact the wearer's head. 
     
     
         3 . The cap of  claim 1  any preceding claim, wherein the cap is devoid of compressible material more inward than the stiff shell, relative to the wearer's head, in normal use. 
     
     
         4 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to be able to adjust the form of the stiff shell such that an average gap size between the stiff shell and a standard head form is no more than 2 mm, across a circumferential part of the stiff shell or the entire stiff shell; wherein, optionally, the adjustment mechanism is configured to be able to adjust the form of the stiff shell such that the average gap size is no more than 1 mm. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffness of a system formed by the stiff shell, the adjustment mechanism, in the second mode, and a standard head form, is such that, during an impact, the average gap size between the stiff shell and the standard head form increases by no more than 2 mm, across a circumferential part of the stiff shell or the entire stiff shell; wherein, optionally, the average gap size, during an impact, increases by no more than 1.5 mm. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffness of a system formed by the stiff shell, the adjustment mechanism, in the second mode, and a standard head form, is such that, during an impact, an average displacement between opposing surfaces of the stiff shell facing the standard head form, is no more than 2 mm, across a circumferential part of the stiff shell or the entire stiff shell; wherein, optionally, the average displacement, during an impact, increases by no more than 1.5 mm. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to be able to adjust the form of the stiff shell such that a maximum gap size between the stiff shell and a standard head form is no more than 2 mm, across a circumferential part of the stiff shell or the entire stiff shell; wherein, optionally, the adjustment mechanism is configured to be able to adjust the form of the stiff shell such that the maximum gap size is no more than 1 mm. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffness of a system formed by the stiff shell, the adjustment mechanism, in the second mode, and a standard head form, is such that, during an impact, the maximum gap size between the stiff shell and the standard head form increases by no more than 2 mm, across a circumferential part of the stiff shell or the entire stiff shell; wherein, optionally, the maximum gap size, during an impact, increases by no more than 1.5 mm. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffness of a system formed by the stiff shell, the adjustment mechanism, in the second mode, and a standard head form, is such that, during an impact, a maximum displacement between opposing surfaces of the stiff shell facing the wearer's head, is no more than 2 mm, across a circumferential part of the stiff shell or the entire stiff shell; wherein, optionally, the maximum displacement, during an impact, increases by no more than 1.5 mm. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the material forming the sections of the stiff shell has a Young's Modulus of at least  1  GPa. 
     
     
         17 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the sections forming the stiff shell are formed from polycarbonate. 
     
     
         18 . The cap of  claim 1  wherein the stiff shell is at least 1 mm thick. 
     
     
         19 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein a surface of the cap arranged to face away from the wearer's head, in normal use, is a low friction surface wherein, optionally, the low friction surface is provided by the material properties of the one or more sections forming the stiff shell. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The cap of  claim 1 , wherein the stiff shell is arranged to at least cover a part of the forehead, the top of the head, a part of the back of the head and a part of each side of the head of the wearer, in normal use. 
     
     
         22 . Protective headgear comprising:
 the cap of  claim 1 ; and   at least one protective layer covering the cap.   
     
     
         23 . The headgear of  claim 22 , wherein the cap is configured to rotate relative to the at least one protective layer under an oblique impact to the protective layer wherein, optionally, the headgear further comprises at least one connector configured to connect the cap and the at least one protective layer while permitting the relative rotation. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The headgear of  claim 23 , wherein:
 a sliding interface is provided between the cap and the at least one protective layer or a shearing interface is provided between the cap and the at least one protective layer.   
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The headgear of  claim 22 , wherein:
 the at least one protective layer comprises an energy absorbing layer; or the at least one protective layer comprises a hard outer stiff shell.   
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A method of protecting a wearer of protective headgear from head injury, comprising:
 encasing the head of the wearer in a cap, the cap comprising:   a stiff shell forming a layer that covers the internal surface area defined by the cap and formed from one or more sections;   an adjustment mechanism, for adjusting the form of the stiff shell, in a first operation mode, and configured to fix the form of the stiff shell, in a second operation mode; and wherein   the cap is configured such that the stiff shell substantially retains the fixed form, during normal use and subject to forces imparted to the cap during an impact;   the method comprising adjusting the form of the stiff shell to conform with the wearer's head and fixing said form.   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the form of the stiff shell is adjusted such that an average gap size between the stiff shell and the wearer's head, in normal use, is no more than 2 mm; wherein, optionally, the form of the stiff shell is adjusted such that the average gap size is no more than 1 mm. 
     
     
         31 . (canceled)