阅读说明：本技术 具有内衬里和外衬里以及固定附接件的碰撞衰减头盔 (Crash attenuation helmet with inner and outer liners and fixation attachment ) 是由 保罗·A·科勒 大卫·T·戴博斯 于 2020-04-15 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种碰撞衰减头盔,包括具有内配合表面的外衬里、位于外衬里下方并具有外配合表面的内衬里、以及一个或更多个固定附接件,外配合表面被构造成由外衬里的内配合表面接纳,内衬里和外衬里被构造成沿着内衬里的外配合表面和外衬里的内配合表面之间的滑动平面相对于彼此移动,每个固定附接件联接到外衬里并被构造成将外衬里固定到内衬里,每个固定附接件包括松弛元件,该松弛元件被构造成允许外衬里和内衬里之间的一定范围的运动。(A crash attenuation helmet comprising an outer liner having an inner mating surface, an inner liner positioned below the outer liner and having an outer mating surface, and one or more securement attachments, the outer mating surface configured to be received by the inner mating surface of the outer liner, the inner liner and the outer liner configured to move relative to each other along a sliding plane between the outer mating surface of the inner liner and the inner mating surface of the outer liner, each securement attachment coupled to the outer liner and configured to secure the outer liner to the inner liner, each securement attachment comprising a slack element configured to allow a range of motion between the outer liner and the inner liner.)

1. A crash attenuation helmet comprising:

an outer liner having an inner mating surface;

an inner liner positioned below the outer liner and having an outer mating surface configured to be received by the inner mating surface of the outer liner, wherein the inner liner and the outer liner are configured to move relative to each other along a sliding plane between the outer mating surface of the inner liner and the inner mating surface of the outer liner; and

one or more securement attachments, each securement attachment coupled to the outer liner and configured to secure the outer liner to the inner liner, wherein each securement attachment includes a slack element configured to allow a range of motion between the outer liner and the inner liner.

2. The crash attenuation helmet of claim 1, wherein an exterior of the outer liner forms an exterior of the crash attenuation helmet.

3. The crash attenuation helmet of claim 1, wherein the outer liner comprises one or more of a compressible foam or a thermoplastic.

4. The crash attenuation helmet of claim 3, wherein the outer liner comprises one or more of expanded polystyrene, expanded polypropylene, or polycarbonate.

5. The crash attenuation helmet of claim 1, wherein the inner liner comprises one or more of a compressible foam or a thermoplastic.

6. The crash attenuation helmet of claim 5, wherein the inner liner comprises one or more of expanded polystyrene, expanded polypropylene, or polycarbonate.

7. The crash attenuation helmet of claim 1, wherein the inner and outer mating surfaces are substantially spherical.

8. The crash attenuation helmet of claim 1, wherein the inner and outer mating surfaces are one of the following shapes: ellipsoid of revolution shape, oval shape or ellipsoid shape.

9. The crash attenuation helmet of claim 1, wherein one or more of the inner mating surface or the outer mating surface comprises a thermoplastic surface.

10. The crash attenuation helmet of claim 9, wherein the thermoplastic surface is coated with a low friction coating.

11. The crash attenuation helmet of claim 1, wherein the one or more fixation attachments comprise an elastic band coupled to the outer liner at an outer liner attachment point and to the inner liner at an inner liner attachment point, and wherein the relaxation element comprises a region of the elastic band between the outer liner attachment point and the inner liner attachment point.

12. The crash attenuation helmet of claim 1, wherein the one or more fixation attachments comprise a tie-down anchor coupled to the outer liner and the inner liner, and wherein the slack element comprises a length of cord between two ends of the tie-down anchor.

13. The crash attenuation helmet of claim 12, wherein one or more of the outer liner or the inner liner comprises a cavity configured to store at least a portion of the length of cord.

14. The crash attenuation helmet of claim 12, wherein the tie-down anchor is molded into one or more of the outer liner or the inner liner.

15. The crash attenuation helmet of claim 12, wherein the tie-down anchor comprises one or more anchor snaps configured to connect to one or more snap receptacles molded into one or more of the outer liner or the inner liner.

16. The crash attenuation helmet of claim 1, wherein the one or more fixation attachments comprise webbing coupled to the outer liner and extending through a void channel in the inner liner, and wherein the slack element comprises at least a portion of the webbing.

17. The crash attenuation helmet of claim 16, wherein the webbing is configured to secure the crash attenuation helmet to a user's head.

18. The crash attenuation helmet of claim 16, wherein the webbing is molded into the outer liner.

19. The crash attenuation helmet of claim 16, wherein the webbing is coupled to the outer liner by a webbing attachment member secured to the outer liner.

20. The crash attenuation helmet of claim 1, wherein the relaxation element is configured to limit a range of motion of the outer liner relative to the inner liner to between 10-15 millimeters, including 10 and 15 millimeters.

Background

Physical impact to a person's head can result in serious injury or death. To reduce the likelihood of such consequences, protective equipment, such as helmets, are commonly used in activities associated with an increased level of risk of head injury. Examples of such activities include, but are not limited to, skiing, snowboarding, cycling, skidding, rock climbing, skateboarding, and motorcycles. Generally, helmets are designed to maintain their structural integrity and remain secured to the wearer's head during an impact.

Thus, for example, bicycle helmets are designed to protect the head of a cyclist (or wearer), including by absorbing and dissipating energy during impact with a surface such as the ground. The interior of a bicycle helmet includes a means of impact attenuating material, such as padding and/or foam, that covers and contacts a substantial portion of the wearer's head.

However, even with these attenuating materials and layered helmet designs, the user may still be injured. Furthermore, depending on the location of the impact on the helmet, the helmet and/or the various layers of the helmet can be completely removed from the user's head despite the use of the chin strap, which is caused by the rigid nature of the helmet and straps used.

Accordingly, there is a need for improved crash attenuation helmets.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates an inner liner of an impact attenuating helmet according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 2 illustrates an outer liner of an impact attenuating helmet according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 3 shows an inner surface of an outer liner having four elastic bands according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 4 illustrates a tie-down anchor attachment according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 5 illustrates a tie-down anchor in an unassembled state according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 6 illustrates a tie-down anchor in an assembled state with excess slack, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 7 illustrates a webbing-based anchor attachment in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

Fig. 8 shows an interior view of a helmet incorporating a fixation attachment according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 illustrates an inner liner according to an exemplary embodiment.

Detailed Description

Although structures are described herein by way of example and embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that impact attenuating helmets are not limited to the embodiments or figures described. It should be understood that the drawings and description are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Any headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used herein, the word "may" is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning capable) rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words "include", "including" and "includes" mean including but not limited to.

The present disclosure and aspects and embodiments thereof are not limited to the particular material types, components, methods, or other examples disclosed herein. Many additional material types, components, methods, and procedures are contemplated for use in specific embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, for example, although particular embodiments are disclosed, such embodiments and implementation components may include any components, models, types, materials, formats, quantities, and/or the like for such systems and implementation components known in the art consistent with the intended operation.

The words "exemplary," "example," or various forms thereof are used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as "exemplary" or "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Furthermore, the examples are provided solely for purposes of clarity and understanding and are not meant to limit or restrict the disclosed subject matter or relevant portions of the present disclosure in any way. It should be understood that numerous additional or alternative examples of various scopes may be presented, but these examples have been omitted for brevity.

While this disclosure includes several embodiments in many different forms, specific embodiments are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the disclosed methods and systems and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the disclosed concepts to the embodiments illustrated.

The present application relates to a helmet comprised of a layered arrangement of attenuating materials, wherein the layers can slide or otherwise move relative to each other. This slippage in the motion of the layered attenuating material may provide additional protection against rotational motion (or dynamics) of the head transmitted to the brain due to tilt collisions (or multidirectional collisions).

Applicants have invented a novel crash attenuation helmet that is provided with a securement attachment for preventing layered crash attenuation material liners from moving relative to one another beyond a set distance in the event of a crash. The helmet may be any type or style of helmet, such as a bicycle helmet, a ski helmet, a snowboard helmet, a skateboard helmet, a motorcycle helmet, and the like.

The impact attenuating helmet includes an outer liner having an inner mating surface and an inner liner positioned below the outer liner and having an outer mating surface configured to be received by the inner mating surface of the outer liner.

As used herein, the term "mating" surface is not intended to represent a stationary or fixed mating or coupling between the inner and outer liners. Instead, the outer mating surface of the inner liner is configured to be received within the inner mating surface of the outer liner such that the inner liner fits within the outer liner but remains movable (sliding, rotating, etc.) relative to the outer liner.

The outer liner may form the exterior of the impact attenuating helmet. Optionally, one or more layers of the helmet may also be disposed on the outside of the outer liner, such as a fabric, plastic, or other layer.

The inner liner and/or the outer liner may be constructed of a compressible foam and/or a thermoplastic or some combination of the two. For example, the inner and/or outer liners may be constructed of one or more of expanded polystyrene, expanded polypropylene, and/or polycarbonate.

The inner and/or outer mating surfaces may be substantially spherical, or may be other shapes, such as an ellipsoid of revolution shape, an oval shape, an ellipsoid shape, or a combination of some shapes.

The inner liner and the outer liner are configured to move relative to each other along a sliding plane between the outer mating surface of the inner liner and the inner mating surface of the inner liner. The slip plane may be considered as a boundary between the outer mating surface of the inner liner and the inner mating surface of the outer liner.

To facilitate movement along the sliding plane, one or more of the inner or outer mating surfaces may be comprised of a thermoplastic surface, optionally coated with a low friction coating.

The crash attenuation helmet also includes one or more fixation attachments, each fixation attachment coupled to the outer liner and configured to secure the outer liner to the inner liner. Optionally, one or more fixation attachments may also be coupled to and/or pass through the inner liner, as will be discussed in more detail below.

As will be explained further below, each fixation attachment includes a slack element or slack member configured to allow a range of motion between the outer liner and the inner liner. The slack element allows a limited amount of movement between the inner liner and the outer sleeve before the securing mechanism of the securing attachment prevents further movement. For example, the slack element may be an elastic member, a length of cord, or any other structure that allows a degree of relative movement between the inner and outer liners. For example, the slack element may be configured to limit the range of motion of the outer liner relative to the inner liner to between 10 millimeters and 15 millimeters, including 10 millimeters and 15 millimeters.

Various embodiments are discussed below. In general, these embodiments may include an outer liner, an inner liner movable relative to the outer liner along a sliding plane existing between the inner outer liner and the inner liner, and a securement attachment configured to secure the outer liner to the inner liner and prevent the outer liner from moving beyond a set distance relative to the inner liner.

Such embodiments generally function by allowing the outer liner to rotate, slide, or otherwise move relative to the inner liner. Such dynamic movement of the layered helmet components can help limit injury upon impact because more impact energy, such as energy associated with rotational or dynamic motion, is absorbed than in conventional impact attenuating helmets. It should be understood that the components depicted and discussed are non-limiting examples, and contemplated components may be combined with any other components in other embodiments.

Embodiments of the presently disclosed crash attenuation helmet may include two or more crash attenuation liners stacked or layered upon one another. Each liner may be made of a compressible foam, such as expanded polystyrene ("EPS"), expanded polypropylene ("EPP"), and/or a thermoplastic, such as polycarbonate. For the particular embodiments identified herein, the liner has mating surfaces, wherein the mating surfaces may be aligned along a sliding plane, and further wherein the aligned mating surfaces may help to reduce friction to some extent and help to allow the liner surfaces, primarily in the sliding plane, to rotate, slide, or otherwise move relative to each other in any direction. The mating surface may be substantially spherical or pseudo-spherical and may include an extended non-spherical portion, such as a portion corresponding to the occipital region of the head when the helmet is worn by a user. The mating surface may also conform more closely in shape to the typical contour of a human head.

Fig. 1 illustrates an inner liner of an impact attenuating helmet according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in fig. 1, the inner liner 30 may have a substantially spherical outer mating surface.

Fig. 2 illustrates an outer liner of an impact attenuating helmet according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in fig. 2, the inner mating surface of the outer liner 20 may also be substantially spherical and have a size and geometry corresponding to the outer mating surface of the inner liner embodiment shown in fig. 1. Other embodiments may mimic shapes with other curved surfaces that allow similar rotation, such as spheroids, ovoids, or ellipsoids. In some embodiments, the outer mating surface of the inner liner may also be made of a thermoplastic such as polycarbonate, as further shown in fig. 1. Such thermoplastics may be coated with a low friction coating to help further reduce friction between the two mating surfaces.

As shown in fig. 2, the securement attachment may include an elastic band 10, the elastic band 10 configured to be attached to the outer liner 20 at an outer liner attachment point and configured to be attached to the inner liner at an inner liner attachment point. In this case, the relaxation element is the region of the elastic band 10 between the outer liner attachment point and the inner liner attachment point.

The elastic band may stretch or otherwise deform to allow the outer liner to move relative to the inner liner. In addition, the elastic band may help pull the outer liner back to its original position relative to the inner liner once the force causing the deformation is removed. The elastic band may be used to couple the inner and outer liners together at different points located along the sliding plane of the mating surfaces and/or along the lower edge of the helmet.

Fig. 3 shows the inner surface of an outer liner 20 having four elastic bands 10 according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown, four elastic bands may be spaced around the inner surface of the outer liner. Because the outer liner and the inner liner are not directly connected, the outer liner may be free to move relative to the inner liner. However, the movement of the outer liner is limited by the extent to which the elastic band can be deformed or stretched.

Providing a helmet that includes two layers of impact attenuating liner presents certain challenges. For example, it is important to create a sliding plane commensurate with the mating surfaces of the two liners, which will allow the necessary movement between the inner and outer liners during a crash event, but will also assist in the secure attachment of the two liners to the helmet generally relative to the sliding plane. In other words, design embodiments may be configured in a manner that facilitates securing both the inner and outer liners of a helmet, which is a helmet that utilizes an elastic band that can be damaged or destroyed by forces that occur during a collision, or a helmet that does not include an elastic band, with the inner and outer liners oriented such that the mating surfaces are movable about a sliding plane. Accordingly, effective design considerations include permanently attaching a securement attachment to the outer liner and at least passing it through and/or to the inner liner, thereby securing both liners in the event of a collision.

The fixation attachment may further include tie-down anchors coupled to the outer liner and the inner liner. As explained below, the slack element for this type of fixation attachment is a length of rope between the two ends of the tie-down anchor. Fig. 4 illustrates a tie-down anchor attachment according to an exemplary embodiment. Tie-down anchor 100 includes a tie-down, such as a length of cable, which is anchored or attached by some other means to both the inner and outer liners.

Fig. 5 illustrates a tie-down anchor in an unassembled state according to an exemplary embodiment. Fig. 6 illustrates a tie-down anchor in an assembled state with excess slack, according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in fig. 5-6, tie-down anchor 100 may include a tie-down line 110. The tether line 110 may be configured to have a predetermined length. Such a predetermined length of the tie-down cord 100 may contribute to the amount of slack in the tie-down anchor 100, thereby allowing a degree of movement between the inner outer liner 20 and the inner liner 30 of the helmet.

The restraining cord 110 may be injection molded ("in-molded") into the outer liner 20, the inner liner 30, or both liners of the helmet. Further, a tie-down cord 110 may be included in the tie-down anchor 100, the tie-down anchor 100 being assembled after molding the permanent attachment feature into one or both of the liners 20 and/or 30. For example, outer liner snap seat 120 may be molded into outer liner 20 and may be configured to connect to, snap together with, or otherwise secure to a cord anchor snap, such as outer liner cord anchor snap 140a, to securely fasten tie-down cord 110 to outer liner 30.

Similarly, the inner liner snap seat 130 may be molded into the inner liner 30 and may be configured to connect to, snap together with, or otherwise secure to a cord anchor snap, such as inner liner cord anchor snap 140b, to securely fasten the tie-down cord 110 to the inner liner 30. In this manner, tie-down anchor 100 may be securely attached to both outer liner 20 and inner liner 30.

A cavity 150 or other hollow space or opening may be molded into one or both of the outer and inner liners 20, 30 and may be configured to store at least a portion of a predetermined length of the anchor line 110. The cavity 150 may be molded or otherwise formed in a manner that allows excess slack in the tie down cord to be contained therein without interfering with the intended sliding function of the matted outer and inner liners 20, 30 of the helmet. If an event occurs, such as a collision by a cyclist wearing the helmet, and resulting in a force that causes the outer liner 20 to slide along the sliding plane 60 and move relative to the inner liner 30, the binding cord 110 may extend out of the cavity 150, allowing sliding and movement until the binding cord 110 is fully extended, at which point the binding cord 110 will restrict further movement of the outer liner 20 relative to the inner liner 30. In this way, tie-down anchor 100 will facilitate maximum range of motion of outer liner 20 relative to inner liner 30.

Further, the tie-down anchors may be constructed of a variety of materials and attached to the outer liner 20 and the inner liner 30 in a manner that is strong and able to withstand substantial impact forces. Thus, if the force caused by the impact may be strong enough to cause the outer liner 20 to move out of layered alignment with the inner liner 30, such as if the embodiment with the elastic bands is subjected to a large enough impact to break the bands, the anchor tie 100 will assist in safety measures and help ensure that the outer liner 20 and the inner liner 30 do not move too far out of layered alignment with each other, thereby maintaining a safer function of the helmet.

When tie-down anchor 100 is fully assembled and attached to the helmet, the various components of tie-down anchor 100 may be structurally and functionally fixed, but may allow a range of movement of outer liner 20 relative to inner liner 30. For example, the predetermined length of the leash cord 110 and the slack present in the leash anchor 100 may allow the outer liner 20 to move 10-15 millimeters relative to the inner liner 30 when attached to the helmet at a defined location.

As previously mentioned, a fixation attachment for a helmet may be attached to the outer liner and include elements that pass through and/or attach to the inner liner, thereby securing both liners in the event of a collision. The securing attachment may be, for example, a webbing coupled to the outer liner and extending through the void passage in the inner liner. The slack element of this type of fixing attachment may be at least a part of the webbing itself.

Fig. 7 illustrates a webbing-based anchor attachment in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The secure attachment 200 may utilize webbing 210, such as a typical belt used to tie a helmet to a wearer's head, wherein the webbing 210 may be permanently attached to the outer liner 20 of the helmet.

As further shown in fig. 7, the webbing attachment member 220 may be molded into or otherwise secured to the outer liner 20 of the helmet, and the webbing 210 may be attached thereto, thereby permanently securing the webbing 210 to the webbing attachment member 220. The webbing 210 may extend from the outer liner 20 and through a void passage 230 or opening through the inner liner 30. As shown in fig. 7, the webbing 210 may be located proximate to the path that exists when the helmet is worn on the head of a user, and the webbing 210 is used to attach the helmet to the head of the user. Thus, the webbing may be configured to secure the impact-attenuating helmet to the head of a user. The void passage 230 through the inner liner 30 may be configured to allow the webbing 210 to freely enter and exit the void passage 230 when the webbing 210 extends through the void passage 230.

This free movement of the webbing 210 through the void passage 230 may allow the layered crash attenuation outer liner 20 to move freely along the sliding plane 60 relative to the crash attenuation inner liner 30. However, the range of movement of the webbing 210 through the inner liner 30 may be limited to, for example, between 10 mm and 15 mm, thereby providing maximum range of movement of the outer liner 20 relative to the inner liner 30 and preventing liner movement beyond this range. The tie-down anchor 100 described above may also be used in conjunction with the webbing 210 extending through the void channel 230 of the inner liner 30 to attach directly to the outer liner 20, such that in a more severe crash event the tie-down anchor 100 limits the maximum range of motion and the webbing 210 keeps the outer liner 20 attached to the inner liner 30.

This maximum range of motion can help ensure that the two layered halves or liners 20 and 30 of the helmet remain assembled in the event of a collision, even for helmets that include elastic bands that may break or otherwise fail, or even for helmets that include anchor bindings and the anchor bindings fail. Thus, the securement attachment 200 may provide sufficient slack for the connecting member, such as the tie-down cord 110 or webbing 210 portion, to facilitate proper and substantially unimpeded functioning of the slidable movement of the outer and inner liners 20, 30, but may also function as a fail-safe device to facilitate ensuring that the sliding liner portion of the helmet remains in place during a crash event.

Excessive movement or separation of the outer liner 20 and the inner liner 30 of the helmet may result in the crash attenuation features of the helmet being diminished or disabled. In addition, if the outer liner 20 is completely or partially separated from the inner liner, or vice versa, the impact attenuation characteristics of the helmet may also be reduced or eliminated. Thus, one important feature of a securement attachment for a helmet having a two-piece EPS liner design may be the ability to secure the attachment, such as embodiments of tie-down anchor 100 or securement attachment 200, to facilitate proper movement of both EPS liners while also providing a maximum range of movement to ensure proper function of the helmet during a crash event.

Fig. 8 shows an interior view of a helmet incorporating a fixation attachment according to an exemplary embodiment. The webbing-based securement attachment 200, including the webbing 210, can be securely mounted to the outer liner of the helmet and then passed through an opening or void in the inner liner of the helmet to facilitate flexible/movable co-location of the inner liner of the helmet with the outer liner of the helmet, while also helping to prevent the inner liner from disengaging or moving excessively relative to the outer liner of the helmet.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that there are a variety of ways to securely attach or otherwise attach the webbing or tie down member to the outer liner. For example, the webbing may be molded directly into the outer liner, the webbing may be connected to a component secured to the outer liner by an adhesive, the webbing may be secured to a component located on the exterior of the outer liner, and/or the webbing may be secured to a component such as a webbing attachment member 220 (see fig. 7), which webbing attachment member 220 may be molded into the outer liner.

FIG. 9 illustrates an inner liner according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in fig. 9, the outer EPS liner of the helmet has been removed to reveal the inner EPS liner cage. As shown, the webbing is free to pass through the inner EPS liner. Once extended through the inner EPS liner, the webbing may be fixedly attached to the outer liner in any manner described herein, or the webbing may be securely attached to the outer liner in any manner that is operationally functional.

It should be understood that embodiments of the crash attenuation helmet are not limited to the specific components disclosed herein, as virtually any component may be used consistent with the intended operation of the various crash attenuation helmet embodiments. Thus, for example, it should be understood that although specific impact-attenuating helmet embodiments are illustrated and described in the drawings and accompanying text, any such embodiments may include any shape, size, style, type, model, layout, classification, grade, dimension, concentration, material, weight, quantity, and/or the like consistent with the intended operation of the impact-attenuating helmet embodiments.

The concepts disclosed herein are not limited to the specific impact attenuating helmet embodiments shown herein. For example, it is specifically contemplated that the components included in a particular impact-attenuating helmet embodiment may be formed from any of a number of different types of materials or combinations that can be readily formed into a shaped object and that are consistent with the intended operation of the impact-attenuating helmet embodiment. For example, the components may be formed from the following materials: silicone and/or other similar materials; rubber (synthetic and/or natural) and/or other similar materials; elastomers and/or other similar materials; polymers and/or other similar materials; plastic and/or other similar materials; composite materials and/or other similar materials; and/or any combination of the foregoing.

Further, impact attenuating helmet embodiments may be manufactured separately and then assembled together, or any or all of the components may be manufactured simultaneously and integrally joined to one another. As understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the separate or simultaneous manufacture of these components may include extrusion, pultrusion, vacuum forming, injection molding, blow molding, resin transfer molding, and the like. If any of the components are manufactured separately, they may be coupled or detachably coupled to each other in any manner, such as by adhesives, plastic welding, fasteners, any combination thereof, and/or the like, depending, for example, on the particular materials from which the components are formed, among other considerations.

Where the above description relates to particular crash attenuation helmet embodiments, it will be apparent that various modifications may be made and these embodiments may be applied to other disclosed or undisclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit thereof. Accordingly, the presently disclosed impact-attenuating helmet embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Having described and illustrated the principles of the invention with reference to described embodiments, it will be recognized that the described embodiments can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles. It should be understood that the programs, processes, or methods described herein are not related or limited to any particular type of computing environment unless otherwise specified. Elements of the described embodiments shown in software may be implemented in hardware and vice versa.

In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of our invention may be applied, we claim as our invention all such embodiments as may come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto.