Patent Publication Number: US-10327482-B1

Title: Apparatus and method for dissipating force

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This continuation-in-part application claims priority from the utility patent application titled “PROTECTIVE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISSIPATING FORCE” (Ser. No. 14/514,376) filed on Oct. 14, 2014 and that issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,332,799 on May 10, 2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to protective equipment such as helmets, guards, cushions, padding, and other materials that dissipate force (collectively, the “apparatus”). The apparatus can be positioned between an application of force and a shielded mass to dissipate the impact of the force, protecting the shielded mass. 
     The apparatus was originally conceived of in the context of football helmets, but the technology can also be applied to other forms of helmets that are not related to football, other forms of wearable protection in addition to helmets, as well as to cushioning applications that used with respect to equipment or even environmental surfaces. 
     The issue of concussions is a growing concern for football players at all levels of play. A Google search on the terms “concussion” and “football” generates more than 6.5 million hits. Concerned parents are increasingly reluctant to let their kids play football. On the other end of the continuum, the National Football League (“NFL”) was sued for $2.5B for allegedly hiding known risks pertaining to concussions and other brain-related injuries. From local pewee football leagues to the economic juggernaut of the NFL, the objective of protecting the heads and brains of the players is a prominent and growing concern. 
     One fundamental problem with football helmets is that they address the wrong problem. Modern football helmets are designed to prevent skull fractures, not concussions. Thus, there is very little “give” in a modern football helmet. As a result, modern football helmet can actually make it more likely that a player suffers a concussion. This is particularly true when the opposing players use their own helmet as the tip of the spear in a violent hit. 
     The modern football helmet grew out of the military equipment of World War II. The first plastic helmet was experimented with in 1939. According to the http://www.riddell.com website, General Patton saw the new football helmet design and requested examples of it to evaluate as a possible tanker&#39;s helmet. 
     The tradeoffs between preventing skull fractures and preventing concussions can exist outside the context of football and military helmets. Sports such as hockey, polo, horseback riding, lacrosse, baseball, cricket, cycling, climbing, bobsledding, fencing, and amateur boxing often utilize helmets. Helmets are also often used in the working world by firemen, construction workers, miners, police officers, and other occupations. 
     Analogous tradeoffs can often be found in the context of non-helmet embodiments such as: (1) other articles of clothing (collectively, “wearable padding embodiments”); (2) industrial, exercise, and other types of equipment (collectively, “equipment embodiments”); and (3) environmental surfaces such as floors, walls, athletic fields, and playground surfaces (collectively, “surface embodiments”). 
     There are many contexts where force dissipation is desirable. It would be desirable for a helmet as well as other protective apparatuses to be designed to better dissipate the force applied to the external surface of the apparatus. In the context of a helmet, such functionality could help wearers avoid concussions. In the context of non-helmet embodiments, such as other wearable embodiments, human beings can be better protected from other types of injuries. In the context of non-wearable embodiments, people as well as property can be protected by equipment embodiments and surface embodiments. 
     The apparatus can be further understood in accordance with the Summary of the Invention section provided below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to protective equipment such as helmets, guards, cushions, padding, and other materials that dissipate force (collectively, the “apparatus”). The apparatus can be implemented in helmet embodiments (the “helmet apparatus” or simply the “helmet”) as well as a variety of non-helmet embodiments such as wearable padding embodiments, equipment embodiments, and structural embodiments. 
     The apparatus can be implemented in a wide variety of different designs and configurations utilizing a wide variety of component materials, geometries, and dimensions. The apparatus can possess enhanced dissipation, elasticity, and recovery attributes and utilize such attributes for the protection of human beings, property, other animals, and other purposes. 
     The apparatus can use elastic structures to dissipate the force of an impact to the head or other protected area. The elastic structures compress, and then re-expand, dissipating energy while shielding a person, animal, or object. In many embodiments, the elastic structures can be hollow elastic structures, with air moving outside of the elastic structures when they are compressed and back into the elastic structures when they re-inflate to expand. 
     The apparatus can be further understood in accordance with the drawings described below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many features and inventive aspects of the helmet are disclosed in the Figures described briefly below. However, no patent application can disclose all of the potential embodiments of an invention. In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principles and modes of operation of the helmet are explained and illustrated with respect to certain preferred embodiments. However, it must be understood that the structures and methods described above may be practiced otherwise than is specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope. Each of the various elements described in the index/glossary below can be implemented in a variety of different ways while still being part of the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, additional surfaces and layers can be added to the helmet, elastic structures of a wide variety of different geometric shapes can be used, various components can be comprised of a wide variety of different materials, etc. 
       All of the component element numbers used in the Figures discussed below are listed and described in the index/glossary of element numbers provided in Table 2 below. 
         FIG. 1 a    is a block diagram illustrating examples of enhanced attributes that can be implemented in various embodiments of the apparatus. 
         FIG. 1 b    is a component diagram illustrating an example of different components that can comprise the apparatus. 
         FIG. 1 c    is a hierarchy diagram illustrating an example of different embodiments of the apparatus. 
         FIG. 1 d    is an environmental diagram illustrating an example of a human being wearing a helmet embodiment of the apparatus. The helmet is positioned between an external force and the head of the wearer. 
         FIG. 1 e    is an input/output diagram illustrating an example of a helmet dissipating the impact of the force hitting the helmet. 
         FIG. 1 f    is a prior art diagram illustrating an example of a prior art helmet transmitting undissipated force to the wearer of the prior art helmet. 
         FIG. 1 g    is a graph of G forces over time conveyed to the wearer of the innovative helmet in a swing test. 
         FIG. 1 h    is a graph of G forces over time conveyed to the wearer of a prior art helmet subject to the same test conditions as the results of the innovative helmet displayed in  FIG. 1   f.    
         FIG. 1 i    is a graph of G forces conveyed to a wearer of the innovative helmet in a drop test. 
         FIG. 1 j    is a graph of “G forces” conveyed to a wearer of a prior art helmet in the same test conditions as the results of the innovative helmet displayed in  FIG. 1   i.    
         FIG. 1 k    is a diagram illustrating different examples of helmet embodiments of the apparatus. 
         FIG. 2 a    is a block diagram illustrating an example of a helmet comprised of elastic structures and of various surfaces, such as an interior surface and an exterior surface. 
         FIG. 2 b    is a block diagram illustrating an example of a helmet embodied in a configuration of a layer of elastic structures positioned between an exterior surface and an interior surface. 
         FIG. 2 c    is a block diagram illustrating an example of the helmet embodied in a three layered configuration. 
         FIG. 2 d    is a block diagram illustrating an example of the helmet illustrated in  FIG. 2 c    that includes additional layers. 
         FIG. 2 e    is a block diagram illustrating an example of a three layer helmet embodiment with an elastic layer embedded within the interior layer. 
         FIG. 2 f    is a block diagram illustrating an example of a three layer helmet embodiment with an elastic layer embedded within the exterior layer. 
         FIG. 2 g    is a block diagram illustrating an example of a helmet comprised of elastic structures positioned between an external shell and an internal strip. 
         FIG. 2 h    is a block diagram illustrating an example of a helmet comprised of elastic structures positioned within one or more sleeves that are interior relative to the external shell. 
         FIG. 2 i    is a block diagram illustrating an example of different component and component categories that can be incorporated into the helmet. 
         FIG. 2 j    is a block diagram illustrating an example of different component and component categories that can be incorporated into the helmet. 
         FIG. 2 k    is a block diagram illustrating an example of different component and component categories that can be incorporated into the helmet. 
         FIG. 2 l    is a block diagram illustrating an example of different component and component categories that can be incorporated into the helmet. 
         FIG. 3 a    is a process flow diagram illustrating an example of a force being transmitted through the components of the apparatus to the wearer of the helmet where the layer of elastic structures is positioned between an internal layer and an external layer. 
         FIG. 3 b    is a process flow diagram illustrating an example of a force being transmitted through the components of the apparatus to the wearer of the helmet where the layer of elastic structures is positioned within the enclosure of a sleeve. 
         FIG. 4 a    a block diagram illustrating example of different components, attributes, and configurations can make up the external layer of the helmet. 
         FIG. 4 b    is a diagram illustrating an example of a shell as an external layer. 
         FIG. 4 c    is a diagram illustrating an example of shell with attachment components for the attachment of a facemask and chin guard. 
         FIG. 5 a    is a block diagram illustrating an example of different components, attributes, and configurations that can be incorporated into a middle elastic layer. 
         FIG. 5 b    is diagram illustrating a variety of different geometric shapes that the elastic structures can be shaped as. 
         FIG. 5 c    is a diagram illustrating an example of an elastic structure in the form of a substantially hollow and substantially spherical elastic structure. 
         FIG. 5 d    is a diagram illustrating an example of an elastic structure in the form of a substantially spherical elastic structure with a substantially spherical hole/opening. 
         FIG. 6 a    is a block diagram illustrating an example of different components, attributes, and configurations that can be incorporated into an internal layer. 
         FIG. 6 b    is a diagram of a sleeve with an enclosure or opening for holding elastic structures. 
         FIG. 6 c    is a diagram of the sleeve of  FIG. 6 b    that is filled with elastic structures. 
         FIG. 6 d    is a diagram of a sleeve without an opening, i.e. a strip. 
         FIG. 7 a    is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of an impact of force being dissipated as it is transmitted to the wearer of the helmet. 
         FIG. 7 b    is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of an impact of force being dissipated as it is transmitted to the wearer of the helmet, with the elastic elements of the helmet recovering and refreshing afterwards. 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of manufacturing a helmet by filling a sleeve with elastic structures and then securing the sleeve within the shell of the helmet. 
         FIG. 9 a    is a block diagram illustrating an example of an apparatus protecting a shielded mass from an impact. The apparatus is comprised of elastic structures that provide for elasticity, dissipation, and recovery. 
         FIG. 9 b    is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a method for dissipating force through the compression of elastic structures which results in the movement of a gas, such as air. 
         FIG. 9 c    is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a method for dissipating force similar to the method of  FIG. 9 b   , except that this process includes a step of expanding the formerly compressed elastic structures, such as by the movement of air back into the elastic structures. 
         FIG. 10 a    is an exploded view diagram illustrating an example of the apparatus. Elastic structures are positioned into various sleeves and the various sleeves are positioned into the apparatus. 
         FIG. 10 b    is an exploded view diagram illustrating an example of the apparatus using an alternative approach than the illustration in  FIG. 10 a   . In  FIG. 10 b   , the sleeves are fewer but wider, holding more elastic structures per sleeve. 
         FIG. 10 c    is an exploded view diagram illustrating an example of the apparatus using an alternative approach than the illustrations shown in  FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b   . In  FIG. 10 c   , a single sleeve holds all of the elastic structures being included in the apparatus. 
         FIG. 10 d    is an example of a cross-section view diagram of a sleeve before it is filled with elastic structures. 
         FIG. 10 e    is an example of a cross-section view diagram of a sleeve after it has been filled with elastic structures. 
         FIG. 10 f    is an example of a cross-section view diagram of a sleeve after it has been filed with elastic structures. Unlike the sleeve in  FIG. 10 e   , the sleeve in  FIG. 10 f    has sufficient width to hold elastic structures in a non-single file manner. 
         FIG. 10 g    is an example of a configuration of elastic structures with the ability to move around relative to the other elastic structures. Thus, the holes of the structures are not aligned in the same manner. 
         FIG. 10 h    is an example of a configuration of elastic structures positioned between an external surface and an internal surface where the holes are aligned in an identical manner but the elastic structures are nonetheless free to move, rotate, etc. Such motion has simply not yet changed the alignment of the elastic structures. 
         FIG. 10 i    is an example of configuration of elastic structures where the elastic structures are attached together to prevent relative movement between the elastic structures. 
         FIG. 10 j    is an example of an elastic sheet comprised of elastic structures. 
         FIG. 10 k    is an example of an elastic sheet comprised of elastic structures in the shape of cubes with square shaped openings. 
     
    
    
     The drawings described briefly above are also described in the Detailed Description section below. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The invention relates generally to protective equipment such as helmets, guards, and padding that dissipate force (collectively, the “apparatus”). The apparatus can be implemented in helmet embodiments (the “helmet apparatus” or simply the “helmet”) as well as a variety of non-helmet embodiments such as wearable padding embodiments, equipment embodiments, and structural embodiments. 
     The protective apparatus can dissipate the impact of a potentially damaging force. The elastic nature of at least some of the components of the apparatus provides the ability to dissipate a potentially damaging blow while quickly recovering so that future blows may be similarly dissipated. 
     I. Overview 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 a   , the apparatus  30  that can possess an enhanced elasticity attribute  27 , an enhanced dissipation attribute  28 , and/or an enhanced recovery attribute  29 . These enhancements are relative the prior art. The apparatus  30  is intended to provide more “give” than comparable protection applications in the prior art. The enhanced elasticity attribute  27  or “give” of the apparatus  30  can allow the apparatus  30  to more effectively dissipate the impact of a force striking the apparatus  30 . If the apparatus  30  is to be effective against more than a single impact, the apparatus  30  can benefit from an enhanced recovery attribute  29  allowing the apparatus  30  to quickly recover from a first impact so that the apparatus  30  can dissipate future impacts. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 b   , the apparatus  30  can be implemented as a set of elastic structures  210  positioned between an interior surface  62  of the apparatus  30  and an exterior surface  64  of the apparatus  30 . The elastic component of the apparatus  30  can quickly recover to its original shape, quickly enabling the apparatus  30  to dissipate subsequent impacts after a short recovery time. The apparatus  30  can be particularly useful in protecting living beings from the impact of a force, such as blunt force trauma. The apparatus  30  was originally conceived as a vastly improved form of football helmet that could reduce the frequency, magnitude, and negative ramifications of concussions and other forms of brain injuries. In contrast to rigid (i.e. non-elastic) prior art football helmets, the concepts underlying the function and structure of the apparatus  30  are to utilize elasticity to dissipate the force of an impact, and to utilize a relatively quick recovery time for the elasticity to rebound to its original state so that the apparatus  30  can subsequently dissipate future impacts mere microseconds into the future. As illustrated in  FIG. 9 a   , the apparatus  30  which includes various elastic structures  210  protects the shielded mass  39  from the impact  44 . This concept can be implemented in the context of embodiments worn by a user as well as embodiments that are not worn by a user. 
     A. Alternative Embodiments of the Apparatus 
     The apparatus  30  can be implemented in a wide variety of different ways utilizing different components that are comprised of different materials and organized in different configurations. In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the principles and modes of operation of this apparatus  30  have been explained and illustrated in a variety of embodiments and configurations. However, it must be understood that this apparatus  30  may be practiced otherwise than is specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope. The apparatus  30  and methods for using and making the apparatus  30  can be implemented in a wide variety of different components, component configurations, and component compositions. 
     Although originally inspired as an improvement to prior art football helmets, the apparatus  30  is not limited helmets, much less football helmets.  FIG. 1 c    is a hierarchy diagram illustrating categories and subcategories of different embodiments of the apparatus  30 . 
     1. Wearable Embodiments of the Apparatus 
     Examples of wearable embodiments 31 of the apparatus  50  can include: (1) a wide variety of helmet apparatuses  50  which can pertain to various types of sports, occupations, medical conditions, and potentially dangerous activities; and (2) a wide variety of padding apparatus  35  that are worn on the body of the user but are not worn on the head of the user. 
     2. Non-Wearable Embodiments of the Apparatus 
     Examples of non-wearable embodiments 32 can include: (1) an equipment apparatus  34  that one might utilize on gym equipment, industrial tools, or other machines; and (2) a structural apparatus  33  that one might find useful in the context of playing field, playground floor, gym wall, or some similar context. 
     B. Helmets 
     The original inspiration for the conception of the apparatus  30  was the growing public concern about brain injuries in the context of the game of football. However, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 k   , there are a wide variety of different embodiments of the apparatus  30  that can be implemented in the form of a helmet  50 . Examples of helmets  50  embodying the apparatus  30  can include but are not limited to football helmets, miner helmets, construction helmets, bicycle helmets, motorcycle helmets, fireman helmets, military helmets, and baseball helmets. Although the apparatus  30  can be implemented om a wide variety of different ways, including many different types of helmets  50 , it is anticipated that football helmet  50  embodiments of the apparatus  30  will be highly beneficial and well received by players, coaches, trainers, and fans alike. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 d   , helmets  50  are worn on a head  42  of a user  40 , who is typically a human being. The helmet  50  serves to protect the head  42  of the user  40  from a force  44  that would otherwise directly strike the head  32  of the user  40 . As illustrated in  FIG. 1 e   , the helmet  50  embodiment of the inventive apparatus  30  propagates a dissipated force  46  to the head  42  of the user  40 . In contrast, and as illustrated in  FIG. 1 f   , a prior art football helmet  49  propagates an undissipated force  45  to the head  42  of the user  40 . 
     Brain injuries are a growing concern to football players at all levels of the game, spanning the entire continuum of football from the elite professional games of the NFL, the college games of the NCAA, the high school games that have a tremendous impact on the social life of high school students and local communities throughout the United States, and the junior leagues of pre-teens and young children. 
     The prior art helmet  49  that is the modern football helmet grew out of the military equipment of World War II. The first plastic helmet was experimented with in 1939. According to the http://www.riddell.com website, General Patton saw the new football helmet design and requested examples of it to evaluate as a possible tanker&#39;s helmet. 
     Modern football helmets are designed to prevent skull fractures, not concussions. Such helmets are highly rigid, with very little “give”. As a result, modern football helmets can actually make it more likely that a player suffers a concussion. This is particularly true when players use their own helmets as the tip of the spear in a violent hit. 
     The apparatus  30  is not limited to helmets  50 , but it is believed that helmets  50  will be a particularly useful category of embodiment of the apparatus  30 . 
     The football helmet  50  embodiment of the apparatus  30  can provide substantially superior protection to the head  42  of the user  40  compared to what is provided by conventional football helmets  49  or other prior art technologies. These advantages have been confirmed by experimental data. 
     The enhanced dissipation attribute  28  of the apparatus  30  as discussed above and as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 a , 1 e , and 1 f    have been confirmed through repeated experimentation. The enhanced attributes of the of the innovative helmet  50  relative to the conventional football helmet  49  of the prior art have been proven in the test results illustrated in  FIGS. 1 g , 1 h , 1 i , and 1 j   . Table 1 below summarizes actual test results comparing the innovative helmet  50  in contrast to the conventional prior art football helmet  49 . 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                 TABLE 1 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Helmet Type 
                 Test Type 
                 Max G Force 
                 Duration 
                 FIG. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Innovative 50 
                 Swing 
                  7 
                  4 ms 
                 1g 
               
               
                   
                 Prior Art 49 
                 Swing 
                 43 
                 14 ms 
                 1h 
               
               
                   
                 Innovative 50 
                 Drop 
                 29 
                  7 ms 
                 1i 
               
               
                   
                 Prior Art 49 
                 Drop 
                 70 
                 10 ms 
                 1j 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     A description of the swing test and the drop test are provided below in a section titled 
     C. Advantages of the Apparatus 
     As discussed above with respect to  FIG. 1 a   , the apparatus  50  has important advantages over the prior art. The helmet  50  embodiments of the apparatus  30  can have important advantages over the conventional football helmet and other prior art helmets  49 . These advantages can be achieved in helmet  50  embodiments of the apparatus  30  as well as other embodiments of the apparatus  30 . 
     1. Elasticity/Flexibility 
     There is very little “give” in a conventional football helmet  49 . Prior art football helmets  49  are intentionally designed to be highly rigid. In contrast, the innovative helmet  50  embodies the opposite approach. The helmet  50 , or at least portions of the helmet  50 , are intentionally designed to be highly elastic. When something is elastic, it is flexible, resilient, and adaptable. In other words, an elastic material has “give” that is missing from a conventional football helmet and other forms of prior art helmets. The helmet  50  uses a layer of elastic structures to enhance the overall elasticity of the helmet  50 . The elasticity of the helmet  50  enhances the ability of the helmet  50  to dissipate the force  44  striking the helmet  50 . 
     2. Dissipation/Dispersion 
     A conventional football helmet does little to prevent concussions because a conventional football helmet does not dissipate the force  44  striking the helmet. To the contrary, the rigidity of a conventional football helmet  49  may have the opposite effect, and enhance the focus of the force  44  striking the head  42  of the user  40 . 
     The innovative helmet  50  serves to dissipate the impact of the force  44  striking the helmet  50  worn by the user  40 . The elastic structures  210  in the helmet  50  can serve as cascading shock absorbers, designed to absorb, dissipate, and disperse the impact of the force  44  striking the helmet  50 . 
     3. Recovery Time 
     To the extent that the prior art has attempted to address the limitations and failings of conventional football helmets  49 , such efforts are hampered by unacceptably long recovery times. Five seconds of play on the football field can result in multiple hits from multiple players. The act of being tackled by one or more players and being brought forcefully to the ground can result in multiple blows to the head within the microseconds of each other. 
     The helmet  50  can be implemented in such a way such that the elasticity of the helmet  50  (along with its force dissipating qualities) can quickly recover in time to absorb the next hit. A subsequent impact  44  is something that can occur mere microseconds after the then current hit. Prior art attempts to address the issue of elasticity appear to typically involve long recovery times make such solutions impractical and unsuitable for use. In some prior art teachings, there is simply no recovery of any kind. 
     II. Helmet Configurations 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 b    and discussed above, the most generic or broadly applicable configuration of the apparatus  30  will involve a variety of elastic structures  210  to provide the elasticity  27 , dissipation  28 , and recovery  29  attributes that are discussed above. Helmet  50  embodiments of the apparatus  30  can include these components in a configuration that will from the outside appear very much like a conventional prior art helmet  49 . 
     The different components that may be utilized in the configurations discussed below in section “II. Helmet Configurations”, section “III. Surfaces and Layers”, and section “IV. Detailed Description of Components”. 
     A. Helmet Configuration #1 
       FIG. 2 a    provides an illustration that is similar to  FIG. 1 b    except that  FIG. 2 a    is specific to helmets  50  while  FIG. 1 b    is more generally applicable to different categories of embodiments of the apparatus  30 . Elastic structures  210  are positioned between the exterior surface  64  and interior surface  62  of the helmet  50 . 
     B. Helmet Configuration #2 
       FIG. 2 b    provides an illustration that is similar to  FIG. 2 a    except that the elastic structures  210  are organized into an elastic layer  200  that is contained within the space between the exterior surface  64  and the interior surface  62 . 
     C. Helmet Configuration #3 
       FIG. 2 c    provides an illustration that is similar to  FIG. 2 b    except that the elastic layer  200  is positioned between an exterior layer  100  and an interior layer  300 . All three layers are described in detail below in section “III. Helmet Components”. 
     D. Helmet Configuration #4 
       FIG. 2 d    provides an illustration that is similar to  FIG. 2 c    except that there are additional layers  80  and/or surfaces  60  positioned to the exterior of the exterior layer  100 , in between the exterior layer  100  and the elastic layer  200 , in between the elastic layer  200  and the interior layer  300 , and to the interior of the interior layer  300 . In other words, the helmet  50  and other embodiments of the apparatus  30  can include additional layers, surfaces, structures, etc. while still functioning at the helmet  50  or other embodiment of the apparatus  30 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 d   , layers  80 , surfaces  60 , and other structures can be positioned to the exterior of the exterior surface  64  and to the interior of the interior surface  62  as the references to exterior surface  64  and interior surface  62  are relative to each other and the other key components. This nomenclature is used and supported so that the apparatus  30  or helmet  50  does not cease being the apparatus  30  or helmet  50  merely because something was added to the apparatus  30  or helmet  50 . 
     E. Helmet Configuration #5 
       FIG. 2 e    provides an illustration that is similar to  FIG. 2 c    except that the elastic layer  200  is embedded within the interior layer  300 . 
     F. Helmet Configuration #6 
       FIG. 2 f    provides an illustration that is similar to  FIG. 2 c    except that the elastic layer  200  is embedded within the exterior layer  100 . 
     G. Helmet Configuration #7 
       FIG. 2 g    illustrates an example of a helmet  50  that is comprised of elastic structures  210  positioned between a shell  310  and a strip  305 . The exterior surface  64  of the helmet  50  is the exterior surface of the shell  310  and the interior surface  62  of the helmet  50  is the interior surface of the strip  305 . 
     H. Helmet Configuration #8 
       FIG. 2 h    illustrates an example of a helmet  50  that is comprised of elastic structures  210  positioned within a sleeve  310  that is located to the interior of the shell  110 . The exterior surface  64  of the helmet  50  is the exterior surface of the shell  110 . The interior surface  62  of the helmet is a bottom sleeve surface  314 . A top sleeve surface  312  is positioned to the interior of the shell  110 . The top sleeve surface  312  can be attached to the interior surface of the shell  110  in a wide variety of different ways. 
     III. Surfaces and Layers 
     The helmet  50  and other embodiments of the apparatus  30  can be comprised of a variety of different components comprised of a wide variety of different materials and implemented in a wide variety of different shapes. Many of the components of the apparatus  30  can be characterized as either a layer  80  or a surface  60 . 
       FIG. 2 i    is a block diagram illustrating an example of different component and component categories that can be incorporated into the helmet  50 . The helmet  50  can possess an interior surface  62  and an exterior surface  64 . Many embodiments of the apparatus  30  can include an elastic layer  200  (i.e. middle layer  200 ) sandwiched between an exterior layer  100  (i.e. first layer  100 ) and an interior layer  300  (i.e. a third layer  300 ). 
     A. Surfaces 
     A surface  60  is a face or boundary. Examples of surfaces  60  include an interior surface  62  of the helmet and an external surface  64  of the helmet  50 . 
     1. Interior Surface 
     A surface of the helmet  50  that is closest to the head  42  of the user  40  relative to the other components of the helmet  50  described in this glossary/index. The interior surface  62  can be comprised of a wide variety of different materials in a wide variety of different geometric shapes. For example, the interior surface  62  can be comprised of plastic, rubber, nylon, cloth, and other substances. Different interior surfaces  62  can have different characteristics in terms of gas permeability and liquid permeability. For example, the interior surface  62  can be comprised of a cloth material that provides for the carrying away of moisture from the user  40 . The interior surface  62  is typically either one or more strips  305 , or one or more sleeve bottom surfaces  314 . As indicated in  FIGS. 2 i , 2 j , 2 k , and 2 l   , the interior surface  62  of the apparatus  30  as a whole is typically the bottom surface of a sleeve  310  or strip  305  that forms the interior constraint for the position of the elastic structures  210 . The shell  110 , exterior surface  64 , or other manifestation of an exterior layer  100  comprises the other half of the constraint on the position and motion of the elastic structures  210 . 
     2. Exterior Surface 
     A surface of the helmet  50  that is further away from the head  42  of the user  40  relative to the other components of the helmet  50 . It is the exterior surface  64  that provides for receiving the impact of force  44  from the outside world that can then be dispersed for the safety of the user  40 . The exterior surface  64  can be comprised of a wide variety of different materials, including rigid materials, semi-elastic materials, substantially elastic materials, or even fully elastic materials. The exterior surface  64  can be non-homogeneous, semi-homogeneous, substantially homogeneous, or fully homogeneous. The exterior surface  64  can be fully continuous, substantially continuous, or merely semi-continuous in terms of possessing gaps in the surface. Different levels of liquid and gas permeability can be incorporated into the exterior surface. As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 i , 2 j , 2 k , and 2 l   , the exterior surface  64  of the apparatus  30  as a whole is typically the outer surface of the shell  110  or other manifestation of the exterior shell  100 . 
     3. Other Surfaces 
     Every layer  80  or other component of the helmet  50  can possess a variety of surfaces  60 . For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 l   , the sleeves  310  that can make up the interior surface  62  and interior layer  100  of the apparatus  100  can possess both a top sleeve surface  312  (typically positioned to the immediate interior of the exterior layer  100  or shell  110 ) and a bottom sleeve surface  314  which serves as the interior surface  62  for the apparatus  30  as a whole. 
     B. Layers 
     The apparatus  30  can be described in terms of layers  80 . 
     1. Elastic Layer/Middle Layer 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b   , a layer  80  of elastic structures  210 , the elastic layer  200 , provides the primary mechanism by which the apparatus  30  can dissipate the force  44  striking the apparatus  30 . In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus  30 , the elastic layer  200  is comprised of hollow elastic structures  230  that have holes  232  in them to permit the passage of air  234  out of the hollow elastic structures  230 . In a preferred embodiment, the elastic structures  210  are at least substantially spherical in shape, comprised of an elastic plastic, and hollow. The hollow elastic structures  232  compress as a result of the impact  44 . Air  234  passes out of the hollow elastic structures  230 , dissipating the force  44  striking the apparatus  30 . The hollow elastic structures  230  can then quickly re-inflate in mere milliseconds to dissipate subsequent additional impacts  44 . 
       FIG. 3 a    illustrates an example of an elastic layer  200  positioned between an exterior layer  100  and an interior layer  300 .  FIG. 3 a    is a more detailed illustration of  FIG. 2 c   .  FIG. 3 b    illustrates an example of an elastic layer  300  positioned within an interior layer  300  such as one or more hollow sleeves  310 .  FIG. 3 b    is a more detailed illustration of  FIG. 2   e.    
     2. Exterior Layer 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b   , the exterior layer  100  is exterior to the elastic layer  200  and to the interior layer  300 , and thus the exterior layer  100  is closer to the point of impact  44  than the other layers  80  of the apparatus  30 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 d   , the exterior layer  100  may have additional components and layers  80  that are to the exterior of the exterior layer  100 . The term “exterior” within exterior layer  100  is a relative term used with respect to the elastic layer  200  and the internal layer  300 . As illustrated I  FIG. 2 d   , the exterior layer  100  is not necessarily the most exterior component of the apparatus  30 . Adding additional components to the exterior of the apparatus  30  does not cause the apparatus  30  to cease being the apparatus  30 . 
     The exterior layer  100  is described in greater detail below. In addition to being the first line of defense relative to the elastic layer  200  and interior layer  300  with respect to receiving the impact  44 , the exterior layer  100  serves to constrain the position/movement of the elastic structures  210  making up the elastic layer  200 . In some embodiments, the exterior layer  100  can itself add some additional magnitude of elasticity to the apparatus  30  by utilizing elastic materials to add to the aggregate “give” in the apparatus  30 . 
     3. Interior Layer 
     The interior layer  100  often but not always provides for the interior surface  62  of the apparatus  30  as a whole. Thus the interior layer  100  is often the interface between the user  40  and the apparatus  30 . In addition to often serving as the interface between user  40  and apparatus  30 , the interior layer  100  often serves to constrain the position/motion of the elastic structures  210  comprising the elastic layer  200 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 a   , the elastic layer  200  can be sandwiched between the interior layer  300  and the exterior layer  100  in some embodiments of the apparatus  30 . In other embodiments, such as the illustration of  FIG. 3 b   , the elastic layer  200  is positioned within the interior layer  300 . In still other embodiments, such as the illustration of  FIG. 2 f   , the elastic layer  200  can be positioned within the exterior layer  100 . 
     The different embodiments and components of the interior layer  100  are discussed in greater detail below. 
     IV. Detailed Description of Components 
     The helmet  50  and other embodiments of the apparatus  30  can be implemented in a wide variety of different configurations using a wide variety of different components and materials. 
     A. Exterior Layer—Shell 
       FIG. 4 a    is a block diagram illustrating various potential features of the exterior layer  100 . The exterior layer  100  is typically embodied as some type of a shell  110 . In a preferred embodiment, the shell  110  is an elastic shell  112  that can add some elasticity to the apparatus  30 . For example, an elastic shell  112  could be comprised of a rubber (a rubber shell  120  such as a silicon rubber shell  122 ), plastic, or similar material. The apparatus  30  does not require the use of an elastic exterior layer  100 . A non-elastic shell  114  can be desired in certain embodiments. 
     The shell  110  can be a homogeneous shell  130  with uniform attributes such as density throughout the shell  110 . In other embodiments, the shell  110  can be a non-homogeneous shell  132  with varying density and other properties design to enhance the dissipation process. For example, going from higher density to lower density from the exterior towards to the interior of the shell  110  may be desirable in terms of dissipating the force  44 . 
     The shell  110  can be a continuous shell  140  without gaps or holes or a non-continuous shell  142  that includes gaps or holes for the purposes of air flow, sweat dissipation, or other reasons. 
     The shell  110  can be implemented as an integral shell  144  with no removable parts of assemblies. The shell  110  can also be implemented as a non-integral shell  146  designed to be capable of disassembly and reassembly by user  40 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 b   , the shape of the shell  110  is often going to determine the shape of the helmet  50  or other embodiment of the apparatus  30 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 c   , the shell  110  can include attachment components  150  for additional items such as a facemask  170  of a chin guard  160 . 
     B. Elastic Layer—Elastic Structures 
       FIG. 5 a    is a block diagram illustrating a variety of different attributes that can be configured into the elastic structures  210  that make up the elastic layer  200 . 
     Elastic structures  210  are at least substantially elastic. Different embodiments of the apparatus  30  can include different numbers, shapes, and sizes of elastic structures  210 . In many embodiments, the elastic structures  210  will be at least substantially ellipsoid in shape (i.e. elastic ellipsoids  222 ) or even substantially spherical in shape (i.e. elastic orbs  220 ). Other shapes are possible, such as polygons (i.e. elastic polygons  224 ) or even non-symmetrical and irregular shapes (i.e. elastic irregular shape  226 ). 
     In many embodiments, the elastic structures  210  will be hollow elastic structures  230  with holes  232  to permit air  234  to flow in and out of the elastic structures  210 . Air flows out the hole  232  when a force  44  strikes the apparatus  30  because the elastic structures  210  compress. Air  234  flows back in mere milliseconds later when the elastic structures  210  recover and expand from their compressed state. The act of compressing/deflating and expanding/inflating can be an effective way to implemented enhanced elasticity, dissipation, and recovery into the apparatus  30 . 
     Elastic structures  210  can be implemented using a wide variety of different materials, with varying degrees of elasticity. Plastic materials, such as a polyvinylchloride structure  240  can be particularly desirable. 
       FIG. 5 b    illustrates some but not all of the different shapes of elastic structures  210  that can be utilized by the apparatus  30 . Different shapes can be incorporated into the same embodiment of the apparatus  30 . 
       FIG. 5 c    illustrates an example of a hollow elastic structure  230  with air  234  in the middle.  FIG. 5 d    illustrates an example of a hollow elastic structure  230  with a hole  232 . 
     C. Interior Layer—Hollow Sleeves and Non-Hollow Sleeves 
     The interior layer  300  typically provides for the interior surface  62 . The interior layer  300  (which can also be referred to as a third layer  300 ) typically serves two purposes: (1) it constrains the position and motion of the elastic structures  210  between the exterior surface  64  and the interior surface of the apparatus  30 ; and (2) it is the interface between the person or object being protected and the apparatus  30  itself. In the context of a helmet  50 , the interior layer  300  is an interface between the helmet  50  and the head  42  of the user  40 . As illustrated by  FIG. 6 a   , a third layer  300  can be implemented using a wide variety of different sleeves comprised of wide variety of different materials, possessing a wide variety of different shapes, and being implemented in a wide variety of different configurations. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 a   , the interior layer  300  can be implemented with hollow sleeves  310  or non-hollow sleeves  305  (i.e. strips  305 ), single sleeves  330  or multiple sleeves  340 , cloth sleeves  350  or non-cloth sleeves  360 , etc. 
     1. Hollow Sleeves Vs. Non-Hollow Sleeves (i.e. Strips) 
     The apparatus  30  can use hollow sleeves as well as non-hollow sleeves (i.e. strips) as the interior layer  300 . 
       FIG. 6 b    illustrates an example of a hollow sleeve  310  with an enclosure  311 .  FIG. 6 c    illustrates an example of that same hollow sleeve  310  from  FIG. 6 b   , with an enclosure  311  populated with elastic structures  210 .  FIGS. 2 e , 2 h , 2 l , and 3 b    illustrate similar configurations of elastic structures  210  positioned within the enclosure  311  of a hollow sleeve  310 . A hollow sleeve  310  can include a relatively exterior top sleeve surface  312  and a relatively exterior bottom sleeve surface  314 . The internal enclosure  311  of the hollow sleeve  310  can be comprised of one or more internal surfaces  390 . 
     In contrast to  FIGS. 6 b  and 6 c   ,  FIG. 6 d    illustrates an example of a non-hollow sleeve  305  (i.e. a strip  305 ). A strip  305  has no enclosure  311  within it. The strip  305  can be used to secure the position of elastic structures  210  between the strip(s)  305  and the exterior layer  100 .  FIGS. 2 a , 2 b , 2 c , 2 d , 2 g , 2 i , 2 j , 2 k , 3 a  and 2 g    are similar examples of such a configuration. 
     2. Single Sleeve Vs. Multiple Sleeves 
     Regardless of whether the interior layer  300  involves hollow or non-hollow sleeves, the interior layer  300  can be implemented as a single sleeve  330  or as multiple sleeves  340 .  FIGS. 10 a  and 10 b    illustrate examples of multiple sleeve embodiments with differing configuration of elastics structures  210 .  FIG. 10 c    illustrates an example of a single sleeve embodiment. As illustrated in  FIGS. 10 a -10 f   , some sleeves can include a single column or row of elastic structures  210  while other sleeves can include multiple columns and multiple rows. As illustrated in  FIGS. 10 g -10 k   , the orientation of the elastics structures  210 , and their holes  232  can vary from embodiment to embodiment of the apparatus  30 . 
     3. Cloth Sleeves Vs. Non-Cloth Sleeves 
     In the context of a helmet  50 , the use of cloth sleeves  350  can be desirable to better allow the dissipation of sweat from the head  42  of the user  40 . The apparatus  30  can utilize either cloth sleeves  350  or non-cloth sleeves  360 . A wide variety of cloth and non-cloth materials can be utilized in the interior layer  300 . 
     V. Method of Using 
     The apparatus  30  can dissipate the force  44  of an impact, protecting the person or property that the apparatus  30  that different embodiments of the apparatus  30  can be configured to protect. The “give” in the apparatus  30  can involve the deformation of elastic structures  210  which may for example, temporarily compress in response to the impact of the force  44  impacting the apparatus  30 . In some embodiments of the inventive method, the elastic structures  210  are substantially spherical in shape, comprised of polyvinylchloride, hollow, and possessing a hole in the elastic structure  210 . Such a configuration utilizes the air within the elastic structures  210  and within the apparatus  30  generally, to dissipate the force  44  of the impact striking the apparatus  30 . As discussed above, there are a wide variety of different embodiments of the apparatus  30  that can be used to perform a method of dissipating the force of a flow, which is a method of using the apparatus  30 . 
     A. Example #1 
       FIG. 7 a    is flow chart diagram illustrating a method  400  of dissipating force  44  using the apparatus  30 . The method  400  in  FIG. 7 a    can be performed using a wide variety of different components as discussed above and below. 
     At  402 , the impact of the force  44  is received by the apparatus  30 . In the context of a football helmet  50 , the source of the blow could originate from a wide variety of sources, including but not limited to the helmet of another player, the body of another player, or the act of hitting the ground. 
     At  404 , the impact of the force  44  received by the apparatus  30  at  402  is dissipated through the enhanced elasticity attribute  27  of the apparatus  30 , i.e. the elastic structures  210  within the apparatus  30  that deform in response to the force  44 . The original force  44  impacting the apparatus  30  at  402  is reduced to a dissipated force  46  as a result of the elastic structures  210  within the apparatus  30 . 
     At  406 , the dissipate force  46  is conveyed to user  40  of the protective apparatus  30 . In the context of a football helmet  50 , there are good reasons to conclude that the dissipated force  46  will be less dangerous to the user  40  of the helmet  50  than the undissipated force  45  transmitted by a prior art helmet  49 . 
       FIG. 9 b    also describes this process in a slightly different way as receiving an impact at  410 , compressing the elastic structures at  420 , and moving the gas at  430 . 
     B. Example #2—Recovery Included 
       FIG. 7 b    is a flow chart diagram illustrating a different example of the force dissipation method  400 . The functionality at  402 ,  404 , and  406  is identical to what is discussed above and what is also illustrated in  FIG. 7 a   . The process of  FIG. 7 b    includes a manifestation of the enhanced recovery attribute  29  that is not illustrated in  FIG. 7   a.    
     At  408 , the elasticity of the elastic structures  210  is refreshed so that future impacts of force  44  can also be dispersed. To the extent that the prior art includes examples of helmets with more “give” in them than a convention football helmet, it is believed that such approaches involve less than desired recovery attributes. In other words, such approaches do not involve quick and robust recoveries to enable the protection of a football player who can receive multiple blows to the head in a very short period of time. 
       FIG. 9 b    describes this process in a slightly different way as receiving an impact at  410 , compressing the elastic structures at  420 , moving the gas at  430 , and then re-expanding/inflating the elastic structures at  440 . 
     VI. Method of Making 
     The apparatus  30  can be implemented in a wide variety of different ways using a wide variety of different processes.  FIG. 8  is a flow chart diagram illustrating an example of a process  500  for making the apparatus  30  in the context of a football helmet  50  with hollow sleeves  310  filed with elastic structures  210 . 
     At  502 , the elastic structures  210  are inserted into the enclosures  311  (or openings  311 ) of the sleeves  310 . A wide variety of different technologies could be used to either permanently or merely temporarily secure the elastic structures  210  within the enclosures  311  of the sleeves  310 . 
     At  504 , the sleeves  310  are secured within the shell  110  or other similar manifestation of the exterior layer  100 . A wide variety of different technologies could be used to either permanently or merely temporarily secure the sleeves  310  to the shell  110  or other similar manifestation of the exterior layer  100 . 
     VII. Test Results—Objective Measure of Innovation 
     As discussed in the Overview section above, test data supports the conclusion that the helmet  50  has better elasticity, dissipation, and recovery attributes in comparison to a conventional prior art football helmet  49 . 
     All of the test results discussed above and below involve the use a 16 pound bowling ball, a mannequin, and an accelerometer in the head of the mannequin to measure G forces resulting from the impact of the bowling ball. 
     A. Test #1—Swing Test 
     Both the inventive helmet apparatus  50  and a conventional football helmet  49  were subjected to a “swing test”. The swing test involved swinging a bowling ball into a helmet-wearing mannequin. The head of the mannequin included an accelerometer for measuring the resulting G forces over time experience by the head of the mannequin underneath the respective innovative helmet  50  and prior art helmet  49 . 
     First, a rope/chord/chain is attached to the bowling ball. Second, the bowling ball is suspended at the same height as the helmet on the mannequin. Third, the bowling ball is pulled back a distance six feet. Fourth, the bowling ball is released, swinging the bowling ball into the head of the mannequin. An accelerometer in the head of the mannequin captures the G forces over time that the head of the mannequin is subjected to. 
       FIG. 1 g    shows the results of the swing test on the innovative helmet  50 .  FIG. 1 h    shows the results of the swing test on the conventional prior art football helmet  49 . The prior art helmet  49  wearer experienced 6 times the G forces ( 43  vs.  7 ) that were experienced by the wearer of the innovative helmet  50 . The innovative helmet  50  also took less than ⅓ the time to recover from the heightened G forces. The test results below are summarized above in Table 1. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Helmet Type 
                 Test Type 
                 Max G Force 
                 Duration 
                 FIG. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Innovative 50 
                 Swing 
                  7 
                  4 ms 
                 1g 
               
               
                   
                 Prior Art 49 
                 Swing 
                 43 
                 14 ms 
                 1h 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     B. Test #2—Drop Test 
     The innovative helmet  50  and the conventional prior art football helmet  49  were also subjected to a drop test” in which the same 16 pound bowling ball was dropped on the head of the mannequin from a height 3 feet and 6 inches above the head of the mannequin. 
       FIG. 1 i    shows the results of the drop test on the innovative helmet  50 .  FIG. 1 j    shows the results of the drop test on the conventional prior art football helmet  49 . The prior art helmet  49  wearer experienced more than double the G forces ( 70  vs.  29 ) that were experienced by the wearer of the innovative helmet  50 . The innovative helmet  50  also took substantially less time to recover from the heightened G forces. The test results below are summarized above in Table 1. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Helmet Type 
                 Test Type 
                 Max G Force 
                 Duration 
                 FIG. 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                 Innovative 50 
                 Drop 
                 29 
                  7 ms 
                 1i 
               
               
                   
                 Prior Art 49 
                 Drop 
                 70 
                 10 ms 
                 1j 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     VII. Glossary/Index 
     As discussed above, the apparatus  30  can be implemented in a wide variety of different ways for a wide variety of different purposes. The original motivation behind the development of the apparatus  30  was a football helmet  50  that would better protect the players from head injuries such as concussions. 
     In developing the initial football helmet  50 , it was determined that dissipating the impacting force  44  impacting the helmet  50  (i.e. the G forces resulting from a blow to the head  42  of the user  40 ) can be an effective way to protect football players from injury. Force  44  that is dissipated elsewhere is force  44  that will not be applied to the brain of the user  40  of the helmet  50 . The use of elastic structures  210  within the helmet  50  can collapse and expel air upon impact, and then mere milliseconds later, return to their original shape while inhaling air to refill the elastic structures  210  with air  234 . To facilitate this functionality, it can be preferable to utilize hollow elastic structures  230  with holes  232  that provide for the movement of air  234  out of and then back into the elastic structures  210 . 
     It will often be desirable to position a shell  110  to the exterior of the elastic structures  210  that is an elastic shell  112 . To the interior of the elastic structures  210 , in can be desirable to utilize sleeves such as hollow sleeves  310  or non-hollow sleeves  305  (i.e. strips  305 ) to constrain the motion and position of the elastic structures  210  with respect to the shell  210 . 
     As discussed above, the concepts in the football helmet  50  are applicable to other types of helmets  50  as well as to other embodiments of wearable embodiments 31 such as padding embodiments 35 as well as to non-wearable embodiments 32 such as equipment embodiments 34 and structural embodiments 33. The terms used throughout the text of this text of this application, including but not limited to the claims, are defined in the Table 2. Unless otherwise specified in Table 2 below, terminology is not limited to or specific to helmet  50  embodiments of the apparatus  30 . 
     Table 2 below provides a glossary of element numbers, element names, and element descriptions. 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Element 
                   
                   
               
               
                 Number 
                 Element Name 
                 Element Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 27 
                 “Enhanced Elasticity 
                 Elasticity means flexibility, resilience, and 
               
               
                   
                 Attribute” 
                 adaptability. Elastic substances can have their 
               
               
                   
                   
                 shape changed by application of a load or force, and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 then return to their original form upon removal of the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 load or force. The apparatus 30 can include 
               
               
                   
                   
                 components with an enhanced elasticity attribute 27 
               
               
                   
                   
                 in relation to comparable prior art applications. The 
               
               
                   
                   
                 original inspiration for the conception of the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 apparatus 30 was a helmet 50 that has an enhanced 
               
               
                   
                   
                 elasticity attribute 27 in comparison to a prior art 
               
               
                   
                   
                 helmet 49. In contrast, a conventional prior art 
               
               
                   
                   
                 football helmet 49 is purposely rigid, the opposite of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 elastic. 
               
               
                 28 
                 “Enhanced 
                 Dissipation means a process my which energy is 
               
               
                   
                 Dissipation 
                 dispersed or scattered. The function of the 
               
               
                   
                 Attribute” 
                 apparatus 30 is to dissipate force 44 as a means of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 shielding the shielded mass (39). The apparatus 30 
               
               
                   
                   
                 can include components with an enhanced 
               
               
                   
                   
                 dissipation attribute 28 in relation to comparable prior 
               
               
                   
                   
                 art applications. The original inspiration for the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 apparatus 30 was a helmet 50 that could protect the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 head 42 of a human being 41 or other user 40. By 
               
               
                   
                   
                 dissipating the force 44 away from the head 42 of the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 user 40, the user 40 can be protected from 
               
               
                   
                   
                 concussions and other negative ramifications of a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 blow to the head 42. 
               
               
                 29 
                 “Enhanced 
                 Recovery is an attribute of elasticity, and it can 
               
               
                   
                 Recovery Attribute” 
                 pertain to magnitude (i.e. how far can something 
               
               
                   
                   
                 elastic can bend without breaking) and/or time (i.e. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 how quickly the elastic substance can resume its 
               
               
                   
                   
                 original form after the load or force is removed). In 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the context of a helmet 50 such as a football helmet 
               
               
                   
                   
                 50, the user 40 can be hit multiple times in a short 
               
               
                   
                   
                 period of time. Thus an apparatus 30 with an 
               
               
                   
                   
                 enhanced recovery attribute 29 is superior to a one- 
               
               
                   
                   
                 and-done approach which fails to protect the user 40 
               
               
                   
                   
                 after the initial blow. To the extent that some prior 
               
               
                   
                   
                 art helmets 49 involve greater elasticity than a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 conventional football helmet, the inventive apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 30 can possess an enhanced recovery attribute 29 
               
               
                   
                   
                 with respect to such approaches. 
               
               
                 30 
                 “Apparatus” 
                 A device, assembly, material, or structure that 
               
               
                   
                   
                 utilizes an arrangement of elastic structures 210 to 
               
               
                   
                   
                 cushion a shielded mass 39 with respect to an 
               
               
                   
                   
                 application of force 44. The apparatus 30 typically 
               
               
                   
                   
                 positions the elastic structures 210 between an 
               
               
                   
                   
                 exterior surface 64 that is relatively closer to the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 application of force 44 and an interior surface 62 that 
               
               
                   
                   
                 is relatively closer to the shielded mass 39. The 
               
               
                   
                   
                 apparatus 30 can be implemented in a wide variety 
               
               
                   
                   
                 of embodiments, including wearable embodiments 
               
               
                   
                   
                 31 such as a helmet 50 that can be worn on the head 
               
               
                   
                   
                 42 of the user 40 as well as non-wearable 
               
               
                   
                   
                 embodiments 32. Elastic structures 210 dissipate 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the impact of a force 44 striking the apparatus 30. 
               
               
                 31 
                 “Wearable 
                 An embodiment of the apparatus 30 that is worn by 
               
               
                   
                 Embodiment” 
                 a user 40. Examples of wearable embodiments 31 
               
               
                   
                 Or 
                 include helmet embodiments 50 (which can also be 
               
               
                   
                 “Wearable 
                 referred to as helmets 50) and padding embodiments 
               
               
                   
                 Apparatus” 
                 35 (which can also be referred to as padding 35). 
               
               
                 32 
                 “Non-Wearable 
                 An embodiment of the apparatus 30 that is not worn 
               
               
                   
                 Embodiment” 
                 by a user 40. Non-wearable embodiments 32 can 
               
               
                   
                 Or 
                 include embodiments of the apparatus 30 that are 
               
               
                   
                 “Non-Wearable 
                 used in conjunction with movable equipment (an 
               
               
                   
                 Apparatus” 
                 equipment embodiment 34) and embodiments of the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 apparatus 30 that are used in conjunction with fixed 
               
               
                   
                   
                 structures (a structural embodiment 33). 
               
               
                 33 
                 “Structural 
                 An embodiment of the apparatus 30 that is used in 
               
               
                   
                 Embodiment” 
                 the context of a playing field, playground floor, gym 
               
               
                   
                 Or 
                 wall, a shop floor, or some similar surface or context. 
               
               
                   
                 “Structural 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Apparatus” 
                   
               
               
                 34 
                 “Equipment 
                 An embodiment of the apparatus 30 that is used in 
               
               
                   
                 Embodiment” 
                 the context of equipment, rather than a user 40. 
               
               
                   
                 Or 
                 Examples of equipment embodiments 34 can include 
               
               
                   
                 “Equipment 
                 industrial equipment, exercise equipment, 
               
               
                   
                 Apparatus” 
                 recreational equipment, playground equipment on a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 school playground, and other types of equipment. 
               
               
                 35 
                 “Padding 
                 An embodiment of the apparatus 30 that is worn by 
               
               
                   
                 Embodiment” 
                 a user 40 but is not worn on the head 42 of the user 
               
               
                   
                 Or 
                 40. Padding 35 can be worn on the arms, legs, 
               
               
                   
                 “Padding Apparatus” 
                 hands, feet, torso, or anywhere else on the user 40 
               
               
                   
                   
                 except for the head 42. 
               
               
                 37 
                 “Equipment” 
                 Equipment 37 means anything that is not alive such 
               
               
                   
                   
                 as a user 40 and is mobile, unlike an environmental 
               
               
                   
                   
                 surface 38. Examples of equipment 37 include but 
               
               
                   
                   
                 are not limited to the interior of an automobile, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 industrial equipment and playground equipment. 
               
               
                 38 
                 “Environmental 
                 A non-moving surface on which the apparatus 30 is 
               
               
                   
                 Surface” 
                 positioned. Examples of an environmental surface 
               
               
                   
                   
                 38 can include but are not limited to a gym floor or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 wall and the ground of a playground at a school. 
               
               
                 39 
                 “Shielded Mass” 
                 The user 40 or object that is covered by the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 apparatus 30. The shielded mass 39 could be a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 human being 41 or other user 40, an environmental 
               
               
                   
                   
                 surface such as the floor of a gym or school 
               
               
                   
                   
                 playground, a moveable object such as a saddle or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the interior of a car, equipment such as industrial 
               
               
                   
                   
                 machinery or exercise equipment. 
               
               
                 40 
                 “User” 
                 A living organism possessing a head 42 that wears 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the helmet apparatus 50. The user 40 is typically a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 human being 41, but other animals could potentially 
               
               
                   
                   
                 benefit from the helmet apparatus 50 in certain 
               
               
                   
                   
                 contexts. 
               
               
                 41 
                 “Human Being” 
                 A man, woman, or child of the species Homo 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Sapiens. 
               
               
                 42 
                 “Head” 
                 The upper part of the body of a user 40 that is 
               
               
                   
                   
                 attached to the rest of the body of the user 40 
               
               
                   
                   
                 through a neck. 
               
               
                 44 
                 “Force” 
                 An impact striking the apparatus 30. The purpose of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the apparatus 30 is to protect the user 40 from the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 impact of a force 44 by dispersing that force 44 
               
               
                   
                   
                 through the use of elastic structures 210. Force (F) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 is equal to mass (m) times acceleration (a), and can 
               
               
                   
                   
                 be express in the equation F = ma. 
               
               
                 45 
                 “Undissipated 
                 Force 44 impacting a prior art helmet 49 that is not 
               
               
                   
                 Force” 
                 dissipated by the prior art helmet 49. 
               
               
                 46 
                 “Dissipated Force” 
                 Force 44 impacting a helmet 50 or other embodiment 
               
               
                   
                   
                 of the apparatus 30 that is dissipated by the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 apparatus 30. 
               
               
                 49 
                 “Prior Art Helmet” 
                 Any helmet technology that predates the invention of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the helmet 50. The original inspiration for the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 conception of the apparatus 30 came in the context 
               
               
                   
                   
                 of football helmets 50. 
               
               
                 50 
                 “Helmet Apparatus” 
                 A protective device worn on the head 42 of a human 
               
               
                   
                 or 
                 being 41 user 40 that protects the head 42 of the user 
               
               
                   
                 “Helmet” 
                 40 from an impacting force 44. The force 44 that 
               
               
                   
                   
                 would otherwise strike the head 42 of the user 40 can 
               
               
                   
                   
                 be dispersed by the helmet 50, protecting the user 
               
               
                   
                   
                 40 from concussions and other undesirable results. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 The helmet 50 can be implemented in a wide variety 
               
               
                   
                   
                 of different ways for a wide variety of different 
               
               
                   
                   
                 contexts. The original inspiration for the apparatus 
               
               
                   
                   
                 30 was for use as a football helmet 50 to prevent 
               
               
                   
                   
                 concussions, but the helmet 50 can be implemented 
               
               
                   
                   
                 as a wide variety of different sport helmets, industrial 
               
               
                   
                   
                 helmets, and other types of helmets. 
               
               
                 60 
                 “Surface” 
                 A face or boundary. The helmet 50 and other 
               
               
                   
                   
                 embodiments of the apparatus 30 can include a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 variety of different surfaces 60, including but not 
               
               
                   
                   
                 limited to an interior surface 62 and an exterior 
               
               
                   
                   
                 surface 64. 
               
               
                 62 
                 “Interior Surface” 
                 A surface 60 closest to what is being protected by 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the apparatus 30 and furthest from the impact of the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 force 44 striking the apparatus 30. In the context of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 a helmet 50, the interior surface 62 is closest to the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 head 42 of the user 40 relative to the other 
               
               
                   
                   
                 components of the helmet 50 described in this 
               
               
                   
                   
                 glossary/index. The interior surface 62 can be 
               
               
                   
                   
                 comprised of a wide variety of different materials in a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 wide variety of different geometric shapes. For 
               
               
                   
                   
                 example, the interior surface 62 can be comprised of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 plastic, rubber, nylon, cloth, and other substances. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Different interior surfaces 62 can have different 
               
               
                   
                   
                 characteristics in terms of gas permeability and liquid 
               
               
                   
                   
                 permeability. For example, the interior surface 62 
               
               
                   
                   
                 can be comprised of a cloth material that provides for 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the carrying away of moisture from the user 40. The 
               
               
                   
                   
                 interior surface 62 is typically either one or more 
               
               
                   
                   
                 strips 305, or one or more sleeve bottom surfaces 
               
               
                   
                   
                 314. 
               
               
                 64 
                 “Exterior Surface” 
                 A surface 60 closest to the force 44 striking the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 apparatus 30 and further from what is being 
               
               
                   
                   
                 protected by the apparatus 30. In the context of a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 helmet 50, the exterior surface 64 is further away 
               
               
                   
                   
                 from the head 42 of the user 40 relative to the other 
               
               
                   
                   
                 components of the helmet 50. It is the exterior 
               
               
                   
                   
                 surface 64 that provides for receiving the impact of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 force 44 from the outside world that can then be 
               
               
                   
                   
                 dispersed for the safety of the user 40. The exterior 
               
               
                   
                   
                 surface 64 can be comprised of a wide variety of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 different materials, including rigid materials, semi- 
               
               
                   
                   
                 elastic materials, substantially elastic materials, or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 even fully elastic materials. The exterior surface 64 
               
               
                   
                   
                 can be non-homogeneous, semi-homogeneous, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 substantially homogeneous, or fully homogeneous. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 The exterior surface 64 can be fully continuous, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 substantially continuous, or merely semi-continuous 
               
               
                   
                   
                 in terms of possessing gaps in the surface. Different 
               
               
                   
                   
                 levels of liquid and gas permeability can be 
               
               
                   
                   
                 incorporated into the exterior surface. The exterior 
               
               
                   
                   
                 surface 64 is typically the outer surface of the shell 
               
               
                   
                   
                 110. 
               
               
                 80 
                 “Layer” 
                 A level of material. The helmet 50 can be 
               
               
                   
                   
                 implemented in a wide variety of different 
               
               
                   
                   
                 embodiments and configurations. The terms 
               
               
                   
                   
                 “exterior”, “middle”, and “interior” in exterior layer 
               
               
                   
                   
                 100, middle layer 200, and interior layer 300 are 
               
               
                   
                   
                 references to relative positions with respect to each 
               
               
                   
                   
                 other and do not necessarily represent absolute 
               
               
                   
                   
                 positions on the helmet 50. For example, additional 
               
               
                   
                   
                 components could be added to the interior of any of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the three layers 80, to the exterior of any of the three 
               
               
                   
                   
                 layers 80, or in between any of the three layers 80. 
               
               
                 100 
                 “First Layer” 
                 A layer 80 of the helmet that is exterior to a second 
               
               
                   
                 or 
                 layer 200 and a third layer 300. The first layer 100 
               
               
                   
                 “Exterior Layer” 
                 will often include the exterior surface 64. 
               
               
                 110 
                 “Exterior Shell” 
                 A component of the helmet 50 that is a protective 
               
               
                   
                 or 
                 outer covering. The first layer 100 is often comprised 
               
               
                   
                 “Shell” 
                 of an exterior shell 110 that is often at least semi- 
               
               
                   
                   
                 elastic and semi-homogeneous. To aid in the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 dispersion process, the exterior shell 110 can be 
               
               
                   
                   
                 incrementally less dense in the interior/inward 
               
               
                   
                   
                 direction. The exterior shell 110 can be comprised 
               
               
                   
                   
                 of a wide variety of different materials and different 
               
               
                   
                   
                 material configurations. The shell 110 can be elastic 
               
               
                   
                   
                 or non-elastic, homogeneous or non-homogeneous, 
               
               
                   
                   
                 continuous or non-continuous, an integrated whole 
               
               
                   
                   
                 or a configuration of parts, etc. The shell 110 can be 
               
               
                   
                   
                 made up of rubber, including but not limited to a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 silicone rubber, as well as a wide variety of different 
               
               
                   
                   
                 materials. The shell 110 can be implemented in a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 wide variety of different shapes. 
               
               
                 112 
                 “Elastic Shell” 
                 A shell 110 that is comprised of an at least semi- 
               
               
                   
                   
                 elastic material. The apparatus 30 utilizes elastic 
               
               
                   
                   
                 structures 210 beneath the shell 110 as a primary 
               
               
                   
                   
                 source of the enhanced elasticity attribute 27, but in 
               
               
                   
                   
                 some contexts it is also beneficial to have a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 somewhat elastic or even substantially elastic shell 
               
               
                   
                   
                 110. 
               
               
                 114 
                 “Non-Elastic Shell” 
                 The apparatus 30 can utilize a shell 110 that is rigid. 
               
               
                   
                 or “Rigid Shell” 
                 For example, in the context of a helmet 114, the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 innovative elastic structures 210 can be positioned 
               
               
                   
                   
                 under rigid shell 110 that is indistinguishable from a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 conventional prior art football helmet 49. Such an 
               
               
                   
                   
                 embodiment may not be optimal, but such a helmet 
               
               
                   
                   
                 50 can still be superior to a conventional prior art 
               
               
                   
                   
                 football helmet 49. 
               
               
                 120 
                 “Rubber Shell” 
                 A shell 110 comprised at least in part by a rubber. 
               
               
                 122 
                 “Silicone Rubber 
                 A rubber shell 120 that is comprised at least in part 
               
               
                   
                 Exterior Shell” 
                 with a silicone rubber. 
               
               
                 130 
                 “Homogeneous 
                 A shell 110 that is at least substantially uniform in 
               
               
                   
                 Shell” 
                 structure and composition. 
               
               
                 132 
                 “Non-Homogeneous 
                 A shell 110 that is not a homogeneous shell 130. 
               
               
                   
                 Shell” 
                   
               
               
                 140 
                 “Continuous Shell” 
                 A shell 110 that is without gaps or holes. 
               
               
                 142 
                 “Non-Continuous 
                 A shell 110 that is nota continuous shell 140. 
               
               
                   
                 Shell” 
                   
               
               
                 144 
                 “Integral Shell” 
                 A shell 110 that is an integrated whole without 
               
               
                   
                   
                 components intended to be removable. 
               
               
                 146 
                 “Non-Integral Shell” 
                 A shell 110 that is not an integral shell 144. 
               
               
                 150 
                 “Attachment 
                 In some embodiments of the helmet 50, it will be 
               
               
                   
                 Mechanism” 
                 desirable to attach additional components to the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 helmet 50. For example, in the context of a football 
               
               
                   
                   
                 helmet, a chin guard/strap 160 and a facemask 170 
               
               
                   
                   
                 are often desired. By way of further example, in the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 context of a miner, it may be desirable to attach a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 light source to the exterior of the helmet 50. An 
               
               
                   
                   
                 attachment mechanism 150 is a component that is 
               
               
                   
                   
                 attached to the helmet 50 that provides for the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 attachment of such additional components. 
               
               
                 160 
                 “Chin Guard” or 
                 A component of a helmet 50 that protects the chin of 
               
               
                   
                 “Chin Strap” 
                 the user 40. 
               
               
                 170 
                 “Face Mask” 
                 A component of a helmet 50 that protects the face of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the user 40. 
               
               
                 200 
                 “Second Layer” or 
                 A layer 80 of the helmet that is relatively positioned 
               
               
                   
                 “Middle Layer” 
                 between the exterior layer 100 and the interior layer 
               
               
                   
                   
                 300. The second layer 200 is populated with elastic 
               
               
                   
                   
                 structures 210 for the purposes of dispersing the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 force 44 impacting the helmet 50. 
               
               
                 210 
                 “Elastic Structure” 
                 An item that is at least semi-elastic and often at least 
               
               
                   
                   
                 substantially elastic or even fully elastic. Elastic 
               
               
                   
                   
                 structures 210 help disperse the impact of a force 44 
               
               
                   
                   
                 striking the helmet 50. The apparatus 30 can include 
               
               
                   
                   
                 a wide variety of different numbers and types of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 elastic structures 210. Elastic structures 210 can be 
               
               
                   
                   
                 comprised in wide variety of different shapes and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 made of a wide variety of materials. In many 
               
               
                   
                   
                 embodiments, elastic structures 210 will be free 
               
               
                   
                   
                 moving, i.e. not attached to any other elastic 
               
               
                   
                   
                 structure 210 and not attached to any other 
               
               
                   
                   
                 component of the helmet 50. 
               
               
                 212 
                 “Elastic Sheet” 
                 An assembly of elastic structures 210 are connected 
               
               
                   
                   
                 together in a substantially permanent manner. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 FIGS. 10k and 10k illustrate examples of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 an elastic sheet 
               
               
                 213 
                 “Level” 
                 A measure of thickness of the elastic sheet 212 in 
               
               
                   
                   
                 terms of the rows, columns, and/or layers of elastic 
               
               
                   
                   
                 structures 210. An elastic sheet 212 can be 
               
               
                   
                   
                 comprised of a single level of elastic structures 210 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (i.e. one layer/level deep), or multiple levels of elastic 
               
               
                   
                   
                 structures 210 (i.e. multiple layers/levels deep). 
               
               
                 220 
                 “Elastic Orb” 
                 An elastic structure 210 that is at least substantially 
               
               
                   
                   
                 spherical in shape. 
               
               
                 222 
                 “Elastic Ellipsoid” 
                 An elastic structure 210 that is at least substantially 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ellipsoid in shape. 
               
               
                 224 
                 “Elastic Polygon” 
                 An elastic structure 210 that is at least substantially 
               
               
                   
                   
                 in the shape of a polygon. 
               
               
                 226 
                 “Elastic Irregular 
                 An elastic structure 210 that is embodied in a non- 
               
               
                   
                 Shape” 
                 symmetrical and otherwise irregular shape. 
               
               
                 230 
                 “Hollow Elastic 
                 An elastic structure 210 that is at least substantially 
               
               
                   
                 Structure” 
                 hollow. 
               
               
                 232 
                 “Hole” 
                 An opening of any shape, size, and/or geometry. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Many embodiments of the elastic structures 210 that 
               
               
                   
                   
                 are hollow elastic structures 230 will include one or 
               
               
                   
                   
                 more holes 232 in the outer surface. Holes 232 
               
               
                   
                   
                 permit the movement of gas 236 into an elastic 
               
               
                   
                   
                 structure 210 and out of an elastic structure 210. 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Such embodiments can be particularly effective in 
               
               
                   
                   
                 the process of dispersing force 44. 
               
               
                 234 
                 “Air” 
                 A mix of gasses 236 that is at least substantially 
               
               
                   
                   
                 similar to the mixture encountered on the earth at 
               
               
                   
                   
                 ground level. Many embodiments of hollow elastic 
               
               
                   
                   
                 structures 230 can have air 234 within them. 
               
               
                 235 
                 “Internal Air” 
                 Air 234 that is positioned within the hollow elastic 
               
               
                   
                   
                 structures 230. 
               
               
                 236 
                 “Gas” 
                 A substance that is neither solid nor liquid. Gasses 
               
               
                   
                   
                 236 possess substantial molecular mobility. 
               
               
                 237 
                 “Ambient Air” 
                 Air 234 located outside of the hollow elastic 
               
               
                   
                   
                 structures 230. 
               
               
                 240 
                 “Polyvinyl chloride 
                 An elastic structure 210 comprised of a water- 
               
               
                   
                 structure” 
                 insoluble thermoplastic resin that is derived from the 
               
               
                   
                   
                 polymerization of vinyl chloride. 
               
               
                 300 
                 “Third Layer” or 
                 A layer 80 of the helmet that is relatively positioned 
               
               
                   
                 “Interior Layer” 
                 so that the interior-most surface 80 of the interior 
               
               
                   
                   
                 layer 300 is interior relative to the first layer 100 and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 second layer 200. The third layer 300 is typically 
               
               
                   
                   
                 comprised of one or more strips 305 or one or more 
               
               
                   
                   
                 sleeves 310. 
               
               
                 305 
                 “Strip”, 
                 A relatively thin piece of material that does not 
               
               
                   
                 “Non-Hollow 
                 include a space within itself for the purposes of 
               
               
                   
                 Sleeve”, 
                 holding any other component. A strip 305 can be 
               
               
                   
                 Or 
                 referred to as a sleeve 310 without an enclosure 311. 
               
               
                   
                 “Sheet” 
                 A strip 305 is a type of sleeve 310 that does not 
               
               
                   
                   
                 include an enclosure 311. Thus, an interior surface 
               
               
                   
                   
                 62 that is not a bottom sleeve surface 314 is a strip 
               
               
                   
                   
                 305. Strips 305 can be made up of any material that 
               
               
                   
                   
                 can be used within the interior surface 62, including 
               
               
                   
                   
                 but not limited to cloth material which provides for 
               
               
                   
                   
                 drawing away moisture from the user 40. Unlike a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 sleeve 310, a strip 305 does not include a space 
               
               
                   
                   
                 within it for holding elastic structures 210. Strips 305 
               
               
                   
                   
                 constrain the movement of elastic structures 210 
               
               
                   
                   
                 between the one or more strips 305 and the shell 110 
               
               
                   
                   
                 or other structure of the first layer 100. 
               
               
                 310 
                 “Sleeve” 
                 A sleeve 310 is similar to strip 305, except that a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 sleeve 310 includes a space 311 within itself for 
               
               
                   
                   
                 holding the elastic structures 210. A sleeve 310 can 
               
               
                   
                   
                 thus also be referred to as a sheath or a hollow 
               
               
                   
                   
                 sleeve 310. A sleeve 310 can be constructed by 
               
               
                   
                   
                 combining two strips 305 together such that there 
               
               
                   
                   
                 remains an enclosure 311 between them capable of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 holding the elastic structures 210. 
               
               
                 311 
                 “Opening” or 
                 Space between the top sleeve surface 312 and the 
               
               
                   
                 “Enclosure” 
                 bottom sleeve surface 314. 
               
               
                 312 
                 “Top Sleeve 
                 The exterior facing surface of the sleeve 310. 
               
               
                   
                 Surface” or 
                   
               
               
                   
                 “Sleeve Top 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Surface” 
                   
               
               
                 314 
                 “Bottom Sleeve 
                 The interior facing surface of the sleeve 310. This is 
               
               
                   
                 Surface” or “Sleeve 
                 typically the interior surface 62 of the helmet 
               
               
                   
                 Bottom Surface” 
                 apparatus 50 as a whole. 
               
               
                 330 
                 “Single Sleeve” 
                 A sleeve 310 that is not one of multiple sleeves 340. 
               
               
                   
                 Or 
                 Both hollow sleeves 310 and non-hollow sleeves 305 
               
               
                   
                 “Sheet” 
                 can be implemented in single sleeve 330 
               
               
                   
                   
                 embodiments. A non-hollow sleeve 305 (a strip 305) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 in a single sleeve 330 embodiment can be referred 
               
               
                   
                   
                 to as a “sheet”. 
               
               
                 340 
                 “Multiple Sleeve” 
                 A sleeve 310 that is one of many sleeves 310. Many 
               
               
                   
                   
                 embodiments of the apparatus 30 will include 
               
               
                   
                   
                 multiple sleeves 340. Both hollow sleeves 310 and 
               
               
                   
                   
                 non-hollow sleeves 305 can be implemented in 
               
               
                   
                   
                 multiple-sleeve 340 embodiments 
               
               
                 350 
                 “Cloth Sleeve” 
                 A sleeve 310 comprised of a cloth material. Both 
               
               
                   
                   
                 hollow sleeves 310 and non-hollow sleeves 305 can 
               
               
                   
                   
                 be comprised of cloth material. 
               
               
                 360 
                 “Non-Cloth Sleeve” 
                 A sleeve 310 that is not a cloth sleeve 350. 
               
               
                 400 
                 “Force Dissipation 
                 A method for distributing force 44 over a wider area 
               
               
                   
                 Method” 
                 of space for the purposes of dissipating the impact of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 that force 44 on the apparatus 30.