Impact absorbing structure

Abstract

According to an embodiment of the present invention there is provided a protective helmet impact-absorbing structure, comprising: at least one elongate tapering member formed unitarily from foam, comprising: a base portion; a top portion; and at least one side portion extending in a tapering manner therebetween; wherein the at least one elongate tapering member is arranged for operative location between an inner shell and an outer surface of the helmet.

1 . A protective helmet impact-absorbing structure, comprising:
 at least one elongate tapering member formed unitarily from foam, comprising:
 a base portion; 
 a top portion; and 
 at least one side portion extending in a tapering manner therebetween; 
   wherein the at least one elongate tapering member is arranged for operative location between an inner shell and an outer surface of the helmet.   
     
     
         2 . An impact absorbing structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising an inner shell. 
     
     
         3 . An impact absorbing structure according to  claim 1 or 2 , further comprising an outer surface. 
     
     
         4 . An impact absorbing structure according to  claim 2 or 3 , wherein the at least one elongate tapering member is affixed to the inner shell at the base portion. 
     
     
         5 . An impact absorbing structure according to  claim 2 or 3 , wherein the at least one elongate tapering member is affixed to the inner shell at the top portion. 
     
     
         6 . An impact absorbing structure according to any of  claims 3-4 , wherein the at least one elongate tapering member is affixed to the outer surface at the top portion. 
     
     
         7 . An impact absorbing structure according to any of  claim 1-3 and or 5 , wherein the at least one elongate tapering member is affixed to the outer surface at the base portion. 
     
     
         8 . An impact absorbing structure according to  claim 5 or 6 , wherein the top portion is the narrowest point of the elongate tapering member. 
     
     
         9 . An impact absorbing structure according to  any preceding claim , wherein the base portion of the at least one elongate tapering member comprises a recess. 
     
     
         10 . An impact absorbing structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the recess comprises a blind bore in the centre of the base portion. 
     
     
         11 . An impact absorbing structure according to  any preceding claim , wherein the at least one elongate tapering member is formed from a memory foam. 
     
     
         12 . An impact absorbing structure according to  claim 11 , wherein the memory foam has a slow springback rate. 
     
     
         13 . An impact absorbing structure according to  any preceding claim , wherein the at least one elongate tapering member is generally frusto-conical in shape. 
     
     
         14 . An impact absorbing structure according to any of  claims 1-12 , wherein the at least one elongate tapering member is generally pyramidal in shape. 
     
     
         15 . An impact absorbing structure according to  any preceding claim , comprising at least two elongate tapering members. 
     
     
         16 . An impact absorbing structure according to  claims 15 , wherein at least one elongate tapering member with a generally frusto-conical shape is included, and at least one elongate tapering member with a generally pyramidal shape is included. 
     
     
         17 . An impact absorbing structure according to  claim 15 or 16  wherein a spacing between the elongate members is uniform. 
     
     
         18 . An impact absorbing structure according to  claim 15 or 16  wherein a spacing between the elongate members is varied to increase or decrease local resistance to deformation of the elongate members in response to an incident force. 
     
     
         19 . An impact absorbing structure according to any of  claims 2-18  wherein the inner shell is formed of a rigid or semirigid material. 
     
     
         20 . An impact absorbing structure according to any of  claims 3-19  wherein the outer surface is formed of a rigid or semirigid material. 
     
     
         21 . An impact absorbing structure according to any of  claims 3-20  further comprising a further impact absorbing layer disposed radially outward from the outer surface, and a further outer surface disposed radially outward therefrom. 
     
     
         22 . An impact absorbing structure according to any of  claims 2-21  further comprising a supplementary impact absorbing layer disposed radially inward from the inner shell, and a supplementary inner shell disposed radially inward therefrom. 
     
     
         23 . A helmet for a user, comprising an impact-absorbing structure according to  any preceding claim .