Patent Publication Number: US-9833684-B2

Title: Sports helmet with liner system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/817,494, filed Aug. 4, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/674,484, filed Mar. 31, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, and which also claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/082,415, filed Nov. 20, 2014, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     This application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/674,484, filed Mar. 31, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/082,415, filed Nov. 20, 2014, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject technology relates generally to the field of protective helmets, and in particular to helmets for lacrosse and similar sports. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to the subject technology, a lacrosse helmet comprises a rigid single-piece shell formed of a suitable material such as polycarbonate or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic and adapted to receive and protect the head of a wearer. 
     The shell has acclivities (i.e. upward escarpments or slopes) integrally formed therein to define features in the shell. Said features may include two plateaus partially defined by acclivities and extending from the towards the crown. The plateaus converge toward the front region and diverge toward the rear region to form a generally V-shape. Valleys, depressions, and temporal plateaus may be fully defined or partially defined in the shell by acclivities on the left and right sides of the shell. The shell may have a channel extending from approximately the middle of the left side region, across the rear region to approximately the middle of the right side region. 
     The shell may have through-going ventilation holes located for example in its valleys and depressions and in the channel. Ventilation holes may be fully or partially surrounded by an acclivity which fully or partially follows the contours of the ventilation holes. 
     A full jaw protector may be removably or permanently attached to the shell with screws and T-nuts or may be integrally formed as part of shell. The jaw protector may have ventilation holes which may be fully or partially surrounded by acclivities. 
     A faceguard for protecting the face of the wearer and comprised of wire members may be removably attached to the shell with straps and/or nuts. 
     The helmet preferably includes padding assembles on its inner surface for shock absorption, protection, comfort, and to better size the helmet to the wearer. Two alternative padding assemblies are disclosed. 
     In a first alternative, the padding assemblies include a front liner installed in the brow area of the shell, a lateral liner extending around the back inner surface of the shell and backed by an inflatable occipital pad, a crown shock absorber, and jaw pads. 
     In a second alternative, the padding assemblies include an inner shell or bonnet comprising a left section, right section, and rear section, which are assembled together with a crown comfort layer and a rear comfort layer, and inserted into the shell. This alternative also includes jaw pads as in the first alternative. 
     Further advantages, as well as details of the present invention ensue from the following description of the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a right side view of the shell, jaw protector, and face guard of a sports helmet according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of the shell, jaw protector, and face guard of a sports helmet according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 3  is a right perspective view of the shell, jaw protector, and face guard of a sports helmet according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the shell, jaw protector, and face guard of a sports helmet according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the shell, jaw protector, and face guard of a sports helmet according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the shell, jaw protector, and face guard of a sports helmet according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 7A  is a front view of the jaw protector of a sports helmet according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 7B  is a left side view of the jaw protector of a sports helmet according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 7C  is a perspective view of the jaw protector of a sports helmet according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the helmet and padding of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective view of the helmet and padding of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 10A  is a front view of the front liner of a sports helmet according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 10B  is a bottom view of the front liner of a sports helmet according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 10C  is a cross-sectional view of the front liner of a sports helmet according to the subject technology along line A-A. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the lateral liner of a sports helmet according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 12A  is a front view of the lateral liner of a sports helmet according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 12B  is a bottom view of the lateral liner of a sports helmet according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 13A  is a perspective view of the inflatable occipital pad of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 13B  is a front view of the inflatable occipital pad of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 14A  is a side view of the inflatable occipital pad of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 14B  is a rear view of the inflatable occipital pad of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 15A  is a cross-sectional view of the inflatable occipital pad of the subject technology of  FIG. 13B  along line A-A. 
         FIG. 15B  is a cross-sectional view of the inflatable occipital pad of the subject technology of  FIG. 13B  along line B-B. 
         FIG. 15C  is a exploded view of the valve assembly of the inflatable occipital pad of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 16A  is a top view of the crown shock absorber of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 16B  is a perspective view of a crown shock absorber of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 17A  is a bottom view of the crown shock absorber of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 17B  is a cross sectional view of the crown shock absorber of  FIG. 17A  along line D-D. 
         FIG. 18A  is a front view of a jaw pad of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 18B  is a side view of a jaw pad of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 18C  is a side view of a shock absorbing layer of a jaw pad of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 18D  is a rear view of a shock absorbing layer of a jaw pad of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 19  is a bottom view of the helmet and second alternative padding of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 20  is a bottom perspective view of the helmet and second alternative padding of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 21A  is a perspective view of the left section and right section of the inner shell of the second alternative padding of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 21B  is a rear view of the assembled left section and right section of the inner shell of the second alternative padding of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 22A  is a rear view of the left section and right section of the inner shell of the second alternative padding of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 22B  is a side view of the right section of the inner shell of the second alternative padding of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 22C  is a front view of the right section of the inner shell of the second alternative padding of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 23A  is a front view of the rear section of the inner shell of the second alternative padding of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 23B  is a side view of the rear section of the inner shell of the second alternative padding of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 23C  is a bottom view of the rear section of the inner shell of the second alternative padding of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 24  is a front view of a strap for use with the rear section of the inner shell of the second alternative padding of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 25A  is a front view of a crown comfort layer of the second alternative padding of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 25B  is a side view of a crown comfort layer of the second alternative padding of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 26A  is a front view of a rear comfort layer of the second alternative padding of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 26B  is a side view of a rear comfort layer of the second alternative padding of the subject technology. 
         FIG. 27  is a right side view of the shell, jaw protector, and face guard of a sports helmet according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 28  is a front view of the shell, jaw protector, and face guard of a sports helmet according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 29  is a right perspective view of the shell, jaw protector, and face guard of a sports helmet according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 30  is a rear view of the shell, jaw protector, and face guard of a sports helmet according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 31  is a front view of a lateral padding assembly of a third alternative padding according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 32A  is a perspective view of a side lateral element of a third alternative padding according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 32B  is a front view of a shock absorbing layer of a side lateral element of a third alternative padding according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 33A  is a cross-sectional side view of a shock absorbing layer of a side lateral element of a third alternative padding according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 33B  is a cross-sectional perspective view of a shock absorbing layer of a side lateral element of a third alternative padding according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 34A  is a cross-sectional side view of a comfort layer of a side lateral element of a third alternative padding according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 34B  is a front view of a comfort layer of a side lateral element of a third alternative padding according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 35A  is a front view of a central foam element of a third alternative padding according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 35B  is a side view of a central foam element of a third alternative padding according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 36A  is a front view of a central comfort layer of a third alternative padding according to the subject technology. 
         FIG. 36B  is a cross-sectional side view of a central comfort layer of a third alternative padding according to the subject technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     I. Helmet Shell 
     Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to refer to the same or similar elements,  FIGS. 1-6  show an embodiment of the shell, jaw protector, and face guard subject technology. Lacrosse helmet  1  comprises rigid single-piece shell  10  formed of a suitable material such as polycarbonate or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic. Shell  10  may be fabricated by methods known to those of skill in the art such as injection molding. Shell  10  may have a thickness in the range of 0.11 inches to 0.14 inches, or 0.11 inches to 0.135 inches, or 0.11 inches to 0.13 inches. This is in contrast to a shell for use in football, which may have a thickness in the range of 0.14 inches and up. 
     In general configuration, shell  10  is adapted to receive and protect the head of a wearer. Shell  10  has an inner surface and an outer surface. Shell  10  has a front region  11 , a crown region  12 , a rear region  13 , a left side region  14 , and a right side region  15 . Shell  10  is bordered by an edge comprising top front edge  16 , right front edge  17 , left front edge  18 , and bottom edge  19 . 
     Shell  10  has acclivities (i.e. upward escarpments or slopes) integrally formed therein to define features in the shell, as shown in  FIGS. 1-9  and as hereinafter described. An acclivity may be sloped at any angle up to ninety degrees unless otherwise specified. 
     In an embodiment of the subject technology shown in  FIGS. 1-6 , the shell  10  has two plateaus  20 ,  21  partially defined by acclivities  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25  extending from the front  11  of the shell towards the crown  12 . Right plateau  20  extends from the front region  11  of the shell  10 , over the crown region  12  and toward the rear region  13 , and is partially defined in shell  10  by acclivities  22  and  24 . A left plateau  21  extends from the front region  11  of the shell  10 , over the crown region  12  and toward the rear region  13  and is partially defined in shell  10  by acclivities  21  and  23 . Plateaus  20 ,  21  converge toward the front region  11  of shell  10  and diverge toward the rear region  13  of shell  10  to form a generally V-shape. Preferably, as in  FIG. 5 , plateaus  20 ,  21  do not contact each other at any point. Instead, each plateau merges into brow plateau  26  at the front of the shell. In this embodiment, acclivities  22 ,  23  do not intersect. In an alternative embodiment, plateaus  20 ,  21  merge into a single plateau at the front region  11 , which single plateau merges into brow plateau  26 . In this alternative embodiment, acclivities  22 ,  23  meet near the front of the helmet. 
     Acclivities  22 ,  23 ,  24 ,  25  become shallower toward the rear of the helmet, ultimately vanishing at vanishing points  27 ,  28 ,  29 , and  30  respectively. Preferably, vanishing points  29  and  30  are located in the crown region of the shell. Alternatively, vanishing points  29  and  30  could be located toward the front region of the shell thereby shortening acclivities  24  and  25 . For example, vanishing points  29  and  30  could be located adjacent ventilation holes  101  and  103 , respectively. Preferably, vanishing points  27 ,  28  are located in the rear region  13  of the shell  10 . Alternatively, vanishing points  27 ,  28  could be located in the crown region of the shell thereby shortening acclivities  22 ,  23 . 
     Acclivities  22 ,  23  also define a central valley  31  therebetween. Central valley  31  may be completely free of acclivities. Central valley  31  may contain ventilation holes as hereinafter described. 
     A right brow acclivity  32  and a right side acclivity  33  join acclivity  24  to partially define a right side valley  34 . Similarly, a left brow acclivity  35  and a left side acclivity  36  join acclivity  25  to partially define a left side valley  37 . Right side acclivity  33  and left side acclivity  36  become shallower toward the rear of the helmet, ultimately vanishing at vanishing points  38 ,  39 . Preferably, vanishing points  38 ,  39  are located in a middle side region of shell  10 . Alternatively, vanishing points  38 ,  39  could be located further toward the rear  13  of the shell  10 , lengthening right side acclivity  33  and left side acclivity  36 . Alternatively, vanishing points  38 ,  39  could be located closer to the front  11  of the shell  10 , shortening right side acclivity  33  and left side acclivity  36 . 
     Each of the right side valley  34  and left side valley  37  has a further generally V-shaped acclivity  40 ,  41  respectively, partially defining a right-front depression  42  and a left-front depression,  43  respectively. Depressions  42 ,  43  may contain ventilation holes as hereinafter described. 
     Brow plateau  26  is partially defined on a left side by left brow acclivity  35  and left side acclivity  36 , on a right side by right brow acclivity  32  and right side acclivity  33 , and the top front edge  16  of shell  10 . The top front edge  16  may be extended toward the rear  13  of shell  10  in the form of acclivity  45  and acclivity  46 . Acclivities  45 ,  46  may become shallower toward the rear  13  of shell  10 , ultimately vanishing at vanishing points  47 ,  48  respectively. Preferably, vanishing points  47 ,  48  are located in a middle side region of shell  10 . Alternatively, vanishing points  47 ,  48  could be located further toward the rear  13  of the shell  10 , lengthening acclivities  45 ,  46 . Alternatively, vanishing points  47 ,  48  could be located closer to the front  11  of the helmet, shortening acclivities  45 ,  46 . 
     Shell  10  may have right and left temporal plateaus  49 ,  50 . The right temporal plateau is partially defined by acclivities  51 ,  52  running from the right front edge  18  of shell  10  toward the rear  13  of the shell  10 . The left temporal plateau  50  is partially defined by acclivities  53 ,  54  running from the left front edge  17  of the shell  10  toward the rear  13  of the shell  10 . Acclivities  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54  become shallower toward the rear of the helmet, ultimately vanishing at vanishing points  55 ,  56 ,  57 ,  58  respectively. Preferably, vanishing points  55 ,  56 ,  57 ,  58  are located in a middle side region of shell  10 . Alternatively, vanishing points  55 ,  56 ,  57 ,  58  could be located further toward the rear of the helmet, lengthening acclivities  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 . Alternatively, vanishing points  55 ,  56 ,  57 ,  58  could be located closer to the front of the helmet, shortening acclivities  51 ,  52 ,  53 ,  54 . 
     Shell  10  may have a channel  59  extending from approximately the middle of left side region  14 , across the rear region  13 , to approximately the middle of the right side region  15  of shell  10 . Channel  59  is fully defined by acclivities  60 ,  61 ,  62 ,  63 ,  64 ,  65 ,  66 ,  67 . Acclivities  61 ,  63 ,  64 ,  65 ,  66 ,  67 , may extend in an approximately straight direction. Acclivities  60 ,  62  may be curved downwards. Alternatively, acclivities  60 ,  62  may be extend in an approximately straight direction. Channel  59  may contain ventilation holes as hereinafter described. 
     Shell  10  may have a left lower side depression  68  and a right lower side depression  69 . Left lower side depression  68  is partially defined by acclivities  75 ,  76 ,  77 ,  78 . Right lower side depression  69  is partially defined by acclivities  71 ,  72 ,  73 ,  74 . Left lower side depression  68  and right lower side depression  69  may contain ventilation holes as hereinafter described. 
     Shell  10  may have through-going ventilation holes.  FIGS. 1-5  show an embodiment of the shell  10  of the subject technology having generally trapezoidal ventilation holes  100 ,  101 ,  102 ,  103 ,  104 ,  105 ,  106 ,  107 ,  108 ,  109 ,  110 ,  111 ,  112 ,  113 . Ventilation holes may be formed in other shapes such as round, oval, and triangular. Ventilation holes may be fully or partially surrounded by an acclivity which fully or partially follows the contours of the ventilation holes. 
     In the embodiment shown, central valley  31  has exactly two ventilation holes  100 ,  105 , both partially surrounded by acclivities. Alternatively, central valley  31  may have zero, one, three, or four ventilation holes, fully or partially surrounded by acclivities. 
     In the embodiment shown, each of the right side valley  34  and left side valley  37  has exactly two ventilation holes,  101 ,  102 , and  103 ,  104 , respectively. Ventilation holes  101 ,  102 , and  103 ,  104  are surrounded by acclivities. More particularly, ventilation holes  102 ,  104  are partially surrounded by acclivities  42 ,  43  respectively, which also partially define right-front depression  42  and left-front depression  43 . Ventilation holes  102 ,  104  are contained within right-front depression  42  and left-front depression  43 , respectively. Alternatively, each of the right side valley  34  and left side valley  37  may have zero, one, three, or four ventilation holes, fully or partially surrounded by acclivities. Where present in the right side valley  34  and left side valley  37 , ventilation holes may be defined forward of, inside of, or to the rear of right-front depression  42  and left-front depression  43 . 
     In the embodiment shown, channel  59  has exactly four ventilation holes  108 ,  109 ,  110 ,  111 . Ventilation holes  108 ,  109  are partially surrounded by acclivities, while ventilation holes  110 ,  111  are fully surrounded by acclivities. Alternatively, channel  59  may have two, three, or five ventilation holes, fully or partially surrounded by acclivities. Ventilation holes  108 ,  109  may be positioned in channel  59  to generally overlie the ear of the wearer to function as ear holes. 
     In the embodiment shown, each of left lower side depression  68  and right lower side depression  69  has exactly one ventilation hole,  112  and  113  respectively, each hole partially surrounded by acclivities. Alternatively, left lower side depression  68  and right lower side depression  69  may each have zero, two, or three ventilation holes, respectively. 
     Ventilation holes may also be formed in the rear region of the shell.  FIG. 5  shows two ventilation holes  106 ,  107  formed in the rear region of the shell, each hole fully surrounded by acclivities. Alternatively, the rear region may have zero, three, four, five, or six ventilation holes, fully or partially surrounded by acclivities. 
     Shell  10  may have a ridge  114  located in the rear region formed of two acclivities meeting at a center line to form the peak of the ridge. The ridge may be positioned between two ventilation holes  106 ,  107 . The ridge may have a pointed, roughly triangular profile as best seen in  FIGS. 1-6 . Alternatively the ridge may have a smoothed, arcuate profile. Alternatively the ridge may be absent. 
     Helmet  1  has a full jaw protector  115  attached to shell  10 . Jaw protector  115  may be removably attached to shell  10  with screws and T-nuts or may be integrally formed as part of shell  10 . Jaw protector  115  extends forwardly from shell  10  to cover and protect the lower jaw of the wearer. As shown in  FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C , according to an embodiment of the subject technology, jaw protector  115  may have ventilation holes. In the embodiment shown, jaw protector  115  has exactly four ventilation holes  116 ,  117 ,  118 ,  119 . Ventilation holes  116 ,  119  are partially surrounded by acclivities, while ventilation holes  117 ,  118  are fully surrounded by acclivities. Alternatively, jaw protector  115  may have zero, two, five, or six ventilation holes fully or partially surrounded by acclivities. Top edge  120  of jaw protector  115  may comprise a left curved edge  121 , a central curved edge  122 , and a right curved edge  123 . A central valley  124  partially defined by acclivities may be formed in jaw protector  115 . Mounting holes  125 ,  126  may be formed in jaw protector  115  for mounting to shell  10 . Mounting holes  127 ,  128  may be formed in jaw protector  115  for mounting loop strap connectors. A reinforcing rib or ribs  620  may molded into the inner surface of the central portion of the jaw protector to stiffen and strengthen the central portion of jaw protector  115  against blows during sports play. The inner surface of the central portion of jaw protector  115  could have zero, one, two, three, four, or five ribs. 
     A faceguard  600  for protecting the face of the wearer and comprised of wire members arranged as a grid may be attached to the shell  10  with straps and/or nuts, as shown. For example, faceguard  600  may be removably attached to shell  10  by loop straps  601 ,  603  connected by screws, nuts, and/or bolts to shell  10  through holes formed therein. Faceguard  600  may be removably attached to jaw protector  115  by loop straps  602 ,  604  connected by screws, nuts, and/or bolts to jaw protector  115  through holes formed therein. 
     Faceguard  600  is a grid of wire members including horizontal wire members and vertical wire members connected together by, for example, welding. The wire members may be composed of steel or titanium. Faceguard  600  may be coated in a plastic or elastomer layer by, for example, dipping. 
       FIGS. 27, 28, and 29  show an alternative embodiment of faceguard  600  in which vertically-extending wire members  610 ,  611  are joined to bottom wire element  612  at a point forward of loop straps  602 ,  604  attaching faceguard  600  to jaw protector  115 . It has been found that this structure resists the tendency of faceguard  600  to slide and twist when struck with blows during sports play, as loop straps  602 ,  604  act as stops against rearward movement of vertically-extending wire elements  610 ,  611 . 
       FIG. 30  shows an alternative embodiment of jaw protector  115  in which a reinforcing rib or ribs are molded into the inner surface of the central portion of the jaw protector.  FIG. 30  shows three horizontal ribs  620 . In alternative embodiments, the inner surface of the central portion of jaw protector  115  could have one, two, four, or five ribs. The rib or ribs stiffen and strengthen the central portion of jaw protector  115  against blows during sports play. 
     II. Helmet Padding (First Alternative) 
     Helmet  1  is provided with padding assemblies mounted to the inner surface of shell  10  for shock absorption, to cushion blows sustained to the helmet  1  during sporting play, to size the helmet to the wearer, and to provide comfort for the wearer. The padding assemblies are advantageously removably mounted to the inner surface of shell  10  to enable replacement of worn padding, and to enable the use of padding of different sizes to custom-fit the helmet to the wearer. The padding assemblies may be removably attached to the shell by hook-and-loop fasteners or by assemblies of screws and T-nuts passing through holes formed in shell  10 , as hereinafter described. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8-20  and as hereinafter described, helmet  1  may be provided with padding comprising front liner  201 , lateral liner  220 , inflatable occipital pad  240 , crown shock absorber  270 , and jaw pads  280 ,  290 . 
     Turning to  FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C , front liner  201  is removably attached to the inner surface of shell  10  by hook-and-loop fasteners above the top front edge to generally partially overlie the brow area of the wearer. Front liner  201  is comprised of a top sheet  202  and a bottom sheet  203 , both sheets consisting of a durable, smooth, substantially non-porous material such as thermoplastic polyurethane, the sheets being bonded together. Top sheet  202  may have a thickness of 0.035 inches or approximately 0.035 inches. Bottom sheet  203  may have a thickness of 0.025 inches or approximately 0.025 inches. Pockets  204 ,  205 ,  206 ,  207  are formed in top sheet  202  for containing shock absorbing foam pads  208 . Four pockets are shown in  FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C , but alternatively front liner  201  could be formed with one, two, three, five, or six pockets. Advantageously, shock absorbing foam pads  208  could be formed as two layers of different foam material as shown in  FIG. 10C . Inner layer  209  may be composed of a relatively soft, but still energy-absorbing, foam material to improve comfort. Suitable materials for inner layer  209  include Omalon® foam, available from Carpenter Co. of Richmond, Va. Base layer  210  may be composed of an energy-absorbing foam. Suitable materials for base layer  210  include ethylene vinyl acetate foams such as those sold under the Cell-Flex brand by the DER-TEX Corporation of Saco, Me. Cell-Flex VN 1000 is suitable for use in base layer  210 . Hook-and-loop fasteners are bonded to bottom sheet  203  at the locations indicated by phantom lines  211 ,  212 ,  213  for attaching front liner  201  to the inner surface of shell  10 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 11, 12A, and 12B , lateral liner  220  is removably attached to the inner surface of shell  10  and generally at least partially overlies the occipital area, i.e. the occipital bone and adjacent skull structures of the wearer. Lateral liner  220  may be formed out of a flexible foam padding material, shock foam, or the like. Preferably, lateral liner  220  is formed from a flexible, rate-sensitive shock absorbing material. A suitable rate-sensitive shock absorbing material is available under the trade name D3O® from D3O Lab of Brighton, East Sussex BN41 1DH, UK. Lateral liner  220  may be formed by molding. Lateral liner  220  comprises base layer  221  and a plurality of pads  222  (only one is numbered) integrally formed with base layer  221 . Lateral liner  220  may have a fabric backing of flocked material. 
     Lateral liner  220  comprises central region  223 , upper right wing  224 , lower right wing  225 , upper left wing  226 , lower left wing  227 . Wings  224 ,  225 ,  226 ,  227  are integrally formed and connected with central region  223  by common base layer  221 . Lateral liner  220  is backed by a woven, inelastic fabric layer  228  bonded to base layer  221 . Layer  228  may be formed of tricot or the like. Each of pads  222  may taper from a relatively wide base  229  to a relatively narrow plateau  230  and are closely spaced in their distribution across base layer  221  for good shock protection. Plateaus  230  may be textured by dimpling  231  or by pebbling or crosshatching. Upper wings  224 ,  226  are shown as having four pads  222 , but could have one, two, three, five, or six pads. Lower wings  225 ,  227  are shown as having one pad  222 , but could have two, three, four, or five pads. Central region  223  comprises an upper central region  229  and a lower central region  230 . Upper central region  229  is shown as having eight pads, but could have two, four, or six pads. Lower central region  230  is shown as having three pads, but could have one, two, four, five, or six pads. 
     Upper central region  229  is bisected by a living hinge section  232  of base layer  221 , the section  232  being free of pads to permit flexure of lateral liner  220  about the hinge. Similarly, upper wings  224 ,  226  are divided from central region  223  by living hinge sections  233 ,  234  of base layer  221 , the sections  232 ,  234  being free of pads to permit flexure of lateral liner  220  about the hinges. The plateaus  230  of pads  222  of upper wings  224 ,  226  are sloped along a common line  239  with respect to base layer  221 , the slope being toward a center line of lateral liner  220 , to better conform the liner  220  to the shape of the wearer&#39;s head. 
     The thickness of lateral liner  220  in central region  223  (including base layer  221  and pads  222 ) may be approximately 1 inch. The thickness of lateral liner  220  in upper wings  224 ,  226  (including base layer  221  and pads  222 ) at the edge of pads  222  furthest away from the center line of lateral liner  220  could be approximately 1.32 inches. The thickness of lateral liner  220  in lower wings  225 ,  227  (including base layer  221  and pads  222 ) may be approximately 0.25 inches. 
     Lateral liner  220  may be removably attached to shell  10  by means of male snap screws passing through holes formed in shell  10  and corresponding holes  235  formed in wings  224 ,  225 ,  226 ,  227  of lateral liner  220 , and retained by T-nuts. The male snap screws may serve as connection points for a chin strap. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 13A, 13B, 14A, 14B, 15A, 15B, and 15C  inflatable occipital pad  240  may be positioned behind occipital shock absorber  220 , i.e., between occipital shock absorber  220  and the inner surface of shell  10 . The shell  10  in the area of the inflatable occipital pad  240  may have a thickness of between 0.11 inches to 0.14 inches, or 0.11 inches to 0.135 inches, or 0.11 inches to 0.13 inches. Inflation of inflatable occipital pad  240  pushes the occipital shock absorber  220  forward thus adjusting the size of the helmet to the wearer. 
     Inflatable occipital pad  240  is comprised of a top sheet  241  and a bottom sheet  242 , both sheets consisting of a durable, smooth, substantially nonporous material such as vinyl, the sheets being bonded together. Top sheet  241  and bottom sheet  242  may have a thickness of 0.025 inches or approximately 0.025 inches. Pockets  243 ,  244 ,  245 ,  246 ,  247 ,  248 ,  249 ,  250 ,  251 ,  252  are formed in top sheet  241 . As shown in  FIG. 13B , the occipital pad includes a central inflatable pocket  250  with left and right side inflatable pockets  248 ,  249 ,  251 , and  252 . The left and right side inflatable pockets are separated by respective gaps from the central inflatable pocket best seen in  FIGS. 13A and 13B . As further shown in  FIG. 13B , the left and right side pockets are in serial fluid connection with the central inflatable pocket and extend in a series to the left and right of the central inflatable pocket. Pockets  243 ,  244 ,  245 ,  246 ,  247  are isolated from the other pockets and are not inflatable. As shown in  FIG. 13B , the non-inflatable pockets  244 ,  246 , and  247  surround the central inflatable pocket. Pockets  243 ,  244 ,  245 ,  246 ,  247  may contain pads made of shock absorbing foam. Cell-Flex VN 1000 is suitable for this purpose. The pads may have a thickness in the range of 0.25 inches to 0.375 inches. Pockets  243 ,  244 ,  245 ,  246 ,  247  may have holes e.g.  254  formed in bottom sheet  242  for permitting the passage of air out of the pockets. 
     Pockets  248 ,  249 ,  250 ,  251 ,  252  are fluidly connected to their neighbors through channels e.g.  253  formed in top sheet  241 . Pockets  248 ,  249 ,  250 ,  251 ,  252  are inflatable as hereinafter described, and may also contain foam pads e.g.  259  made of shock absorbing foam such as Cell-Flex VN 1000. Pockets  248 ,  249 ,  250 ,  251 ,  252  are inflatable through valve assembly  256  comprised of valve  257  and valve housing  258 . Valve assembly  256  may be placed in pocket  250 , sealed to bottom sheet  242  and protruding through a corresponding hole in bottom sheet  242 . Pockets  248 ,  249 ,  250 ,  251 ,  252  are inflatable through valve  257  using a needle pump as is known in the art. A vinyl disc  260  may be bonded to pocket  250  in top sheet  241 . 
     Hook-and-loop fasteners are bonded to inflatable occipital pad  240  for attaching it to the inner surface of shell  10 . Rectangular hook-and-loop pads  262  are bonded to bottom sheet  242 . Annular hook-and-loop pad  263  is bonded to bottom sheet  242  surrounding the protrusion of valve assembly  257  from pocket  250 . Corresponding hook-and-loop pads are mounted on the inner surface of shell  10  for mating with pads  262  and  263 . Additional hook-and-loop pads may be provided on top sheet  241 , e.g.  247 , for mating with the flocked backing of occipital shock absorber  220 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 16A, 16B, 17A, and 17B  crown shock absorber  270  comprises a front portion  271  and a rear portion  272 , hingedly attached by living hinges  273 ,  274 . Each of front portion  271  and rear portion  272  comprises a shock absorbing layer, a barrier layer, an outer layer, and pads, as hereinafter described. Living hinges  273 ,  274  may be formed by bonding front portion  271  and a rear portion  272  along a margin of contact which allows for some flexibility of the assembly about the line of the hinges. The flexibility of crown shock absorber  270  about living hinges  273 ,  274  allows the assembly to approximately conform to the curvature of the inner surface of shell  10 . 
     Front portion  271  of crown shock absorber  270  of comprises front shock absorbing layer  275 , which is advantageously formed from thermoplastic urethane (“TPU”). Protective arrangements for helmets formed of injection molded TPU parts are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,069,498, and the TPU layers of the crown shock absorber and jaw pads of the subject technology may be constructed as in that patent, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference. Suitable TPU material is available from Bayer. Layer  275  may be fabricated by injection molding. Layer  275  has a generally trapezoidal coverage area. Layer  275  has a plurality of spaced-apart projecting hollow protrusions  276  protruding from a base sheet  277  and distributed over the coverage area. Each protrusion  276  has an open, preferably circular larger diameter base  278  at the sheet  277  from which it extends, and a smaller diameter, preferably flat circular peak  279 , and a preferably curved or straight frustoconical side wall  280  that tapers from the open base  278  to the closed peak  279 . A circular peak may be formed with a peak opening  281  therein. Ribs  282  may be integrally formed in sheet  277  extending between adjacent protrusions  276 . Each side wall  280  is collapsable for absorbing shocks which may be transmitted to each protrusion  276 . The protrusions  276  are spaced apart from each other for distributing the shock-absorbing effects of the protrusions  276  over the coverage area of front portion  271 . The protrusions  276  located on the lateral sides  283  of front portion  271  are somewhat taller (i.e., their sidewalls are somewhat longer by a first distance) than the protrusions in the center of front portion  271  and will be compressed first during a shock, before the protrusions  276  in the center, to better distribute the shock across the coverage area. The height of the taller protrusions  276  located on the lateral sides  283  may be 0.86 inches or approximately 0.86 inches. The height of the shorter protrusions  276  may be 0.795 inches or approximately 0.795 inches. The thickness of base sheet  277 , side walls  280 , peaks  279 , may be 0.04 inches or approximately 0.04 inches. Tab  284  may be integrally formed with base sheet  277  for ease in manipulating and positioning crown shock absorber  270 . 
     Front portion  271  of crown shock absorber  270  further comprises outer layer  290 . Outer layer  290  is a is a thin sheet of durable, smooth, substantially non-porous material such as TPU. Outer layer  290  have a thickness of 0.025 inches or approximately 0.025 inches. A pocket  291  is formed in outer layer  290  containing pad  292 . Pad  292  is a foam material, preferably a shock absorbing foam material, more preferably a slow-rebound, very firm foam material. A suitable material for pad  292  is Poron, a urethane foam material available from Rogers Corporation, One Technology Drive, Rogers, Conn. Pad  292  is preferably shaped and sized to substantially fill pocket  291  in outer layer  290 . Pad  292  may be 6 mm or approximately 6 mm thick. Alternatively, pad  292  may be composed of two pads 3 mm or approximately 3 mm thick. 
     Front portion  271  of crown shock absorber  270  further comprises barrier layer  293 . Barrier layer  293  is a thin sheet of durable, smooth, substantially non-porous material such as TPU. Barrier layer  293  may have a thickness of 0.025 inches or approximately 0.025 inches. Barrier layer  293  is sandwiched between outer layer  290  and front shock absorbing layer  275 , and all three elements are sealed together. Barrier layer  293  seals pocket  291  formed in outer layer  290 . 
     Rear portion  272  of crown shock absorber  270  is constructed similarly to front portion  271 . Front portion  271  of crown shock absorber  270  of comprises rear shock absorbing layer  295 , which is advantageously formed from thermoplastic urethane (“TPU”). Suitable TPU material is available from Bayer. Layer  295  may be fabricated by injection molding. Layer  295  has a generally trapezoidal coverage area. Layer  295  has a plurality of spaced-apart projecting hollow protrusions  296  protruding from a base sheet  297  and distributed over the coverage area, as in front portion  271 . Protrusions  296  have side walls  298  and peaks  299 , and may have peak openings  302  as in protrusions  276  of front portion  271 . Ribs  303  may be integrally formed in base sheet  297  connecting adjacent projections  296 . The thickness of base sheet  297 , side walls  298 , peaks  299 , may be 0.04 inches or approximately 0.04 inches. Tab  300  may be integrally formed with base sheet  297  for ease in manipulating and positioning crown shock absorber  270 . A T-nut  301  may be fixed in a centrally-located projection for attaching crown shock absorber  270  to the inner surface of shell  10 . 
     Rear portion  272  of crown shock absorber  270  further comprises outer layer  305 . Outer layer  305  is a is a thin sheet of durable, smooth, substantially non-porous material such as TPU. Outer layer  305  may have a thickness of 0.025 inches or approximately 0.025 inches. A plurality of pockets  306  (only one is numbered in the figures) are formed in outer layer  305  for containing pads  307 . Pads  307  are comprised of a foam material, preferably a shock absorbing foam material, more preferably a slow-rebound foam material. A suitable material for pads  307  is Omalon® foam, available from Carpenter Co. of Richmond, Va. Pads  307  are preferably shaped and sized to substantially fill pockets  306  in outer layer  305 . Pads  307  may be 6 mm or approximately 6 mm thick. 
     Rear portion  272  of crown shock absorber  270  further comprises barrier layer  308 . Barrier layer  308  is a thin sheet of durable, smooth, substantially non-porous material such as TPU. Barrier layer  308  may have a thickness of 0.025 inches or approximately 0.025 inches. Barrier layer  308  is sandwiched between outer layer  305  and rear shock absorbing layer  295 , and all three elements are sealed together. Barrier layer  308  seals pockets  306  formed in outer layer  305 . 
     Front portion  271  and rear portion  272  of crown shock absorber  270  may each be shaped to define ventilation opening  308  therebetween. Rear portion  272  may also have a ventilation opening  309  defined therein. Ventilation openings  308 ,  309  may be shaped and positioned to register with ventilation holes  100 ,  105  in central valley  31  of shell  10  such that ventilation is provided through shell  10  and through crown shock absorber  270  to the wearer. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 18A, 18B, 18C, and 18D , each of jaw pads  320  is an approximately L-shaped assembly comprising a jaw shock absorbing layer  321  and a cushion layer  322 . A left jaw pad is shown in  FIGS. 17A, 17B, 17C, and 17D , but it will be understood that right and left jaw pads are similar in construction. Jaw shock absorbing layer  321  is advantageously formed from thermoplastic urethane (“TPU”). Suitable TPU material is available from Bayer. Layer  321  may be fabricated by injection molding. Layer  321  has a generally L-shaped coverage area. Layer  321  has a plurality of spaced-apart projecting hollow protrusions  323  protruding from a base sheet  324  and distributed over the coverage area. Each protrusion  323  has an open, preferably circular larger diameter base  325  at the sheet  324  from which it extends, a smaller diameter, preferably flat circular peak  326 , and a preferably curved or straight frustoconical side wall  327  that tapers from the open base  325  to the closed peak  326 . The protrusions are closely spaced to provide good shock absorption. T-bolts  328  may be retained in certain protrusions  323  of jaw shock absorbing layer  321  for attaching the jaw pad assembly to the inner surface of shell  10 . 
     Cushion layer  322  may be formed of a foam material such as ethylene vinyl acetate foams, for example, those sold under the Cell-Flex brand by the DER-TEX Corporation of Saco, Me. Cushion layer  322  is approximately L-shaped to overlay jaw shock absorbing layer  321  and may be slightly larger than jaw shock absorbing layer  321 . Cushion layer  322  may be attached to shock absorbing layer  321  by hook-and-loop fasteners. For this purpose, cushion layer  322  may be backed by a fabric material bonded to the side of cushion layer  322  contacting jaw shock absorbing layer  321 , to which may be bonded the hook pads  324  of a hook-and-loop fastener bonded to the base sheet  324  of layer  321 . Cushion layer  322  may be integrally composed of a thick portion  329  and a thin portion  330 , the thin portion forming the base of the L-shape. Cushion layer  322  may be provided in different thicknesses to accommodate different wearers and better size the helmet to the wearer. More particularly, the helmet may be provided with a kit of differently-sized cushion layers so that the helmet may be fitted to the wearer by selecting an appropriately-sized cushion layer  322 . Sizes for the thick portion  329  and thin portion  330  of cushion layer  322  may be as follows, in inches: 0.60 and 0.15; 0.48 and 0.15; 0.35 and 0.15; 0.75 and 0.30. 
     Alternatively, the jaw pads could be constructed as in U.S. Pat. No. 8,201,269, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference. 
     III. Helmet Padding (Second Alternative) 
       FIGS. 19 through 22C  show an alternative padding structure which may be used in helmet  1 . As shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 , helmet  1  may be provided with an inner shell (or bonnet)  400  as hereinafter described, nested within shell  10 . Inner shell  400  is provided with crown comfort layer  500  and rear comfort layer  530  as hereinafter described. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 21A, 21B, 22A, 22B, and 22C , inner shell  400  comprises three interlocking sections including right section  401 , left section  441 , and rear section  461 . Sections  401 ,  441 ,  461  may be composed of expanded polypropylene, expanded polystryrene, or similar bead foam of the types used in protective helmets. Sections  401 ,  441 ,  461  may be formed by molding. 
     Inner shell  400  has an outer surface  499  composed of the respective outer surfaces of interlocking sections  401 ,  441 ,  461  and an inner surface  500  composed of the respective inner surfaces of interlocking sections  401 ,  441 ,  461 . Outer surface  499  is structured and molded so as to generally conform with the structure of the inner surface of shell  10 . Preferably there should be close-enough conformance of outer surface  499  to the inner surface of shell  10  such that the inner shell  400  nests within shell  10  without interference. 
     Turning now to the structure of the sections of inner shell (or bonnet)  400 , right section  401  has a front region  402 , a crown region  403 , a rear region  404 , and a right side region  405 . Right section  401  is bordered by an edge comprising top front edge  406 , right front edge  407 , central edge  408 , and rear edge  409 . The outer surface of right section  401  has acclivities integrally molded therein to define features in the section. More particularly, right section  401  has a plateau  410  partially defined by acclivities  411 ,  412  extending from the front  402  of the section  401  towards the crown  403 . Preferably, plateau  410  is sized and shaped to nest within the negative space formed on the inner surface of shell  10  by right plateau  20 . A right brow acclivity  413  and a right side acclivity  414  join acclivity  411  to partially define a right side valley  415 . Preferably, right side valley  415  is sized and shaped to nest over the protrusion formed on the inner surface of shell  10  by right side valley  34 . Right section  401  may have a right temporal plateau  416  partially defined by acclivities  417 ,  418  running from the right front edge  407  toward the rear  404  of the right section  401 . Preferably, right temporal plateau  416  is sized and shaped to nest within the negative space formed on the inner surface of shell  10  by right temporal plateau  49 . A ridge  419  may be preferably sized and shaped to net within the negative space formed on the inner surface of shell  10  by acclivity  45 . 
     Right section  401  may have through-going ventilation holes preferably sized and shaped to register with ventilation holes in shell  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, right section  401  has through-going ventilation holes  420 ,  421 , sized and shaped to register with ventilation holes  101 ,  102  in shell  10 . Ventilation hole  421  is partially surrounded by acclivities to nest over the protrusion formed on the inner surface of shell  10  by the acclivities surrounding ventilation hole  102 . 
     Central edge  408  has protrusions  422 ,  423  for mating with notches  462 ,  463  in left section  441  as hereinafter described. Rear region  404  has a protrusion  424  extending from rear edge  409  for mating with a notch  491  in rear section  481  as hereinafter described. The thickness of right section  401  may vary but is overall approximately one inch thick. 
     Left section  441  has a front region  442 , a crown region  443 , a rear region  444 , and a left side region  445 . Left section  441  is bordered by an edge comprising top front edge  446 , left front edge  447 , central edge  448 , and rear edge  449 . The outer surface of left section  441  has acclivities integrally molded therein to define features in the section. More particularly, left section  441  has a plateau  440  partially defined by acclivities  451 ,  452  extending from the front  442  of the section  441  towards the crown  443 . Preferably, plateau  450  is sized and shaped to nest within the negative space formed on the inner surface of shell  10  by left plateau  21 . A left brow acclivity  453  and a left side acclivity  454  join acclivity  451  to partially define a left side valley  455 . Preferably, left side valley  455  is sized and shaped to nest over the protrusion formed on the inner surface of shell  10  by left side valley  37 . 
     Left section  441  may have a left temporal plateau  456  partially defined by acclivities  457 ,  458  running from the left front edge  447  toward the rear  444  of the left section  441 . Preferably, left temporal plateau  456  is sized and shaped to nest within the negative space formed on the inner surface of shell  10  by left temporal plateau  50 . A ridge  459  may be preferably sized and shaped to net within the negative space formed on the inner surface of shell  10  by acclivity  46 . Left section  441  may have through-going ventilation holes preferably sized and shaped to register with ventilation holes in shell  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, left section  441  has through-going ventilation holes  460 ,  461 , sized and shaped to register with ventilation holes  103 ,  104  in shell  10 . Ventilation hole  461  is partially surrounded by acclivities to nest over the protrusion formed on the inner surface of shell  10  by the acclivities surrounding ventilation hole  104 . 
     Central edge  448  has notches  462 ,  463  for mating with protrusions  422 ,  423  in right section  441  as hereinafter described. Rear region  444  has a protrusion  464  extending from rear edge  449  for mating with a notch  492  in rear section  481  as hereinafter described. The thickness of left section  441  may vary but is overall approximately one inch thick. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 23A, 23B, and 23C , rear section  481  has a has a top region  483 , a rear region  484 , a right side region  485 , and a left side region  486 . Top region  483  has a central pillar  487  defining voids  488 ,  489  on the left and right sides of pillar  487 . Voids  488 ,  489  register with ventilation holes  106 ,  107  in shell  10  when inner shell  400  is installed in shell  10 . Rear section  481  may have a channel  490  extending across rear region  484  and sized and shaped to nest over the protrusion formed on the inner surface of shell  10  by channel  59 . Where channel  59  contains ventilation holes, notches  498 ,  498  may be formed in channel  490 , sized and shaped to register with ventilation holes  110 ,  111  in channel  59 . Notches  491 ,  492  are formed in right side region  485  and left side region  486 , respectively, to mate with protrusions  424 ,  464 , respectively. Rear region  484  may include left valley  491  and right valley (not shown), both partially defined by acclivities, both sized and shaped to nest over the protrusions formed on the inner surface of shell  10  by left lower side depression  68  and right lower side depression  69 , respectively. Rear region  484  may include a pair of through-going slots  497  for receiving an elastic strap  493 . As shown in  FIG. 24 , strap  493  may be made of any suitable elastic band material and have attached at the ends thereof tabs  494 ,  495  having holes for receiving T-nuts, for securing inner shell  400  to shell  10  as hereinafter described. 
     Inner shell  400  is provided with one or more comfort layers removably attached to its inner surface. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 25A and 25B , crown comfort layer  500  is composed of a foam cushion layer  501 , such as ethylene vinyl acetate foam, backed by a loop fabric layer  502 . Foam cushion layer  501  may be formed by molding. Foam cushion layer  501  has pads  503  integrally molded into it, the pads being connected by a base layer  504 . Crown comfort layer  500  is shaped to avoid the ventilation through-holes in inner shell  400  by defining negative spaces which will fully or partially surround the ventilation through-holes when crown comfort layer  500  is installed on the inner surface of inner shell  400 . 
     Viewed another way, crown comfort layer  500  is composed of a plurality of lobes, each lobe having one or more pads integrally molded therewith. The lobes may be directly connected to adjacent lobes or may be connected by relatively narrow isthmoid structures to adjacent lobes. More particularly, in the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 25A and 25B , crown comfort layer  500  comprises front central lobe  510 , left front lobe  511 , right front lobe  512 , left crown lobe  513 , right crown lobe  514 , left rear crown lobe  515 , right rear crown lobe  516 , left rear lobe  517 , and right rear lobe  518 . Front left lobe  511  and front right lobe  512  are each directly connected to front central lobe  510 . Front central lobe  510  is connected to each of left crown lobe  513 , right crown lobe  514  by isthmoid structures  519 ,  520 , respectively. Left crown lobe  513  and right crown lobe  514  are connected by isthmoid structures  521 ,  522 , respectively, to left rear crown lobe  515 , and right rear crown lobe  516 , respectively. Left rear crown lobe  515  and right rear crown lobe  516  are connected to left rear lobe  517  and right rear lobe  518  by isthmoid structures  523 ,  524 , respectively. Isthmoid structures  519 ,  520 ,  521 ,  522 ,  523 ,  524  are formed from base layer  504 . Crown comfort layer  500  has one or more integrally formed tabs  525  extending forward from front central lobe  510 . Base layer  504  could be approximately 0.10 inches thick. Pads  503  could be approximately 0.20 inches thick. 
     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 26A and 26B , rear comfort layer  530  is composed of a foam cushion layer  531 , such as ethylene vinyl acetate foam, backed by a loop fabric layer  532 . Foam cushion layer  531  may be formed by molding. Foam cushion layer  531  has one or more pads  533  integrally molded into it, the pads surrounded by (and if more than one, being connected by) base layer  534 . Rear comfort layer  530  is shaped to avoid the ventilation through-holes in inner shell  400  by defining negative spaces  545 ,  546  which will fully or partially surround the ventilation through-holes when rear comfort layer  530  is installed on the inner surface of inner shell  400 . Rear comfort layer  530  has one or more integrally formed tabs  535  extending downward. Base layer  534  could be approximately 0.10 inches thick. Pads  533  could be approximately 0.20 inches thick. 
     Inner shell  400  is assembled from right section  401 , left section  441 , rear section  481 , crown comfort layer  500 , and rear comfort layer  530  as follows. Right section  401  and left section  441  are assembled by aligning and mating notches  462 ,  463  with protrusions  422 ,  423 . Rear section  481  is assembled with the assembly of sections  401 ,  441  by aligning and mating protrusions  424 ,  464  with notches  491 ,  492 . Crown comfort layer  500  is attached by engaging fabric layer  502  with hook fastener pads bonded to the inner surfaces of right section  401  and left section  44 . Tabs  525  of crown comfort layer  500  are bendable to engage with hook fastener pads bonded to the forward bottom edges of right section  401  and left section  441 . Rear comfort layer  530  is attached by engaging fabric layer  532  with hook fastener pads bonded to the inner surface of rear section  481 . Tabs  535  of rear comfort layer  530  are bendable to engage with hook fastener pads bonded to the bottom edge of rear section  481 . 
     Inner shell  400  is placed within shell  10  and is retained by flexure of left side region  14  and right side region  15 . Inner shell  400  may be further secured to shell  10  by removably attaching tabs  494 ,  495  of strap  493  to shell  10  by T-nuts. Strap  493  is elastic between tabs  494 ,  495  and may be stretched by the connection of tabs  494 ,  495  to shell  10 . When stretched, strap  493  exerts a biasing force on rear section  481  tending to bias rear section  481  toward the wearer&#39;s head, thereby achieving a tighter fit. Tabs  494 ,  495  have multiple holes for connecting to shell  10  to allow the wearer to adjust the amount of biasing force on rear section  481  and thereby adjust the fit of inner shell  400 . 
     IV. Helmet Padding (Third Alternative) 
     An alternative padding structure which may be used in helmet  1  according to the subject technology is identical to the Helmet Padding (First Alternative), except that the lateral liner  220  is replaced with a lateral padding assembly  600  of padding elements as shown in  FIGS. 31-36B  and hereinafter described. (Lateral liner  220  may also be regarded as being within the scope of the term “lateral padding assembly.”) 
     As shown in  FIG. 31 , lateral padding assembly  600  is composed of three padding elements, specifically side lateral elements  601  and central lateral element  603 . Side lateral elements  601  are installed in the helmet as described below, abutting central lateral element  603  as shown in  FIG. 31 , but elements  601  and  603  are not necessarily connected otherwise. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 32A-34B , side lateral elements  601  are composed of a shock absorbing layer  604  and a comfort layer  605 . Shock absorbing layer  604 , is advantageously formed from thermoplastic urethane (“TPU”). Protective arrangements for helmets formed of injection molded TPU parts are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,069,498, and the TPU layers of the shock absorbing layer  604  may be constructed as in that patent, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference. Suitable TPU material is available from Bayer. Layer  604  may be fabricated by injection molding. Layer  604  has a plurality of spaced-apart projecting hollow protrusions  605  protruding from a base sheet  606  and distributed over the coverage area. Each protrusion  605  has an open, preferably circular larger diameter base  607  at the sheet  606  from which it extends, a smaller diameter, preferably flat circular peak  608 , and a preferably curved or straight frustoconical side wall  609  that tapers from the open base  607  to the closed peak  608 . A circular peak may be formed with a peak opening therein. Ribs (not shown) may be integrally formed in sheet  606  extending between adjacent protrusions for added stability. Each side wall  609  is collapsible for absorbing shocks which may be transmitted to each protrusion  605 . The protrusions are spaced apart from each other for distributing the shock-absorbing effects of the protrusions over the coverage area of layer  604 . The protrusions located at the outer side  610  are somewhat taller (i.e., their sidewalls are somewhat longer by a first distance) than the protrusions at the inner side  611  and will be compressed first during a shock, to better distribute the shock across the coverage area. The height of the taller protrusions located at outer side  610  may be 1 inch or approximately 1 inches. The height of the shorter protrusions at the inner side  611  may be 0.76 inches or approximately 0.76 inches. The thickness of base sheet  606 , side walls  609 , and peaks  608 , may be 0.04 inches or approximately 0.04 inches. Shock absorbing layer  604  is curved so that peaks  608  generally conform to the inner surface of shell  10 . 
     Comfort layer  605  is formed of a soft foam material, for example, ethylene vinyl acetate foam such as those sold under the Cell-Flex brand by the DER-TEX Corporation of Saco, Me. Comfort layer  605  is formed in a cup-like configuration with a rim  612 , such that shock absorbing layer  604  partially nests within comfort layer  605 . Comfort layer  605  may be provided with through-going holes  613 . A fabric layer may be adhered to the inner surface of comfort layer  605  to mate with hook pads welded to the base sheet  606  of shock absorbing layer  604 , thereby removably attaching the two elements. Alternatively, hook pads could be adhered to base sheet  606  rather than welded. A welded bond is preferred, as adhesive bonds can become loose during use of the helmet in sports play. Suitable welding techniques include ultrasonic welding. Wherever hook pads or loop pads are bonded to single-layer TPU material in the subject technology, welding is a preferred technique over the use of adhesives. 
     Side lateral elements  601  may be removably attached to shell  10  by means of male snap screws passing through holes formed in shell  10  and corresponding holes in peaks at the outer side  610 , and retained by T-nuts. The male snap screws may serve as connection points for a chin strap. 
     Central lateral element  603  is removably attached to the inner surface of shell  10  and generally at least partially overlies the occipital area, i.e. the occipital bone and adjacent skull structures of the wearer. Central lateral element  603  is comprised of central foam element  613  and comfort layer  614 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 35A and 35B , central foam element  613  may be formed out of a flexible foam padding material, shock foam, or the like. Preferably, central foam element  613  is formed from a flexible, rate-sensitive shock absorbing material. A suitable rate-sensitive shock absorbing material is available under the trade name D3O® from D3O Lab of Brighton, East Sussex BN41 1DH, UK. Central foam element  613  may be formed by molding. Central foam element  613  comprises base layer  615  and a plurality of pads  616  (only one is numbered) integrally formed with base layer  615 . Central foam element  613  may have a fabric backing of flocked material, tricot or the like. 
     Central foam element  613  comprises a central region  617  and wings  618  extending laterally outward from central region  617 . Central region  617  and wings  618  are integrally formed and connected by common base layer  615 . Each of pads  616  may taper from a relatively wide base to a relatively narrow plateau and are closely spaced in their distribution across base layer  615  for good shock protection. Plateaus of pads  616  may be textured by dimpling, pebbling or crosshatching. Central region  617  is shown as having five pads, but could alternatively have two, three, four, or six pads. Wings  618  are shown as having one pad, but could have two or three pads. Wings  618  are divided from central region  617  by living hinge sections of base layer  615  to permit flexure of central foam element  613  about the hinges. 
     The thickness of base layer  615  may be 0.35 inches or approximately 0.35 inches. The thickness of pads  616  including the underlying base layer  615  may be 0.875 inches or approximately 0.875 inches. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 36A and 36B , comfort layer  614  is formed of a soft foam material, for example, ethylene vinyl acetate foam such as those sold under the Cell-Flex brand by the DER-TEX Corporation of Saco, Me. Comfort layer  614  is formed in a shape to generally overlay and cover central region  617  and has a cup-like configuration with a rim  619 , such that central foam element  613  partially nests within comfort layer  614 . Comfort layer  614  is provided with integrally formed tabs  620  having hook tapes adhered to the back of the tabs. The tabs  620  which wrap around to the back of central foam element  613  and thereby releaseably engage comfort layer  614  with central foam element  613  by engagement of the hook tapes with the fabric backing. Comfort layer  614  may have a thickness of 0.20 inches or approximately 0.20 inches. Tabs  620  may have a thickness of 0.10 inches or approximately 0.10 inches. 
     Central lateral element  603  may be removably attached to shell  10  by means of male snap screws passing through holes formed in shell  10  and corresponding holes  621  formed in wings  618 , and retained by T-nuts. The male snap screws may serve as connection points for a chin strap. 
     While a specific embodiment of the invention has been shown and described in detail to illustrate the application of the principles of the invention, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise without departing from such principles. It will also be understood that the present invention includes any combination of the features and elements disclosed herein and any combination of equivalent features. The exemplary embodiments shown herein are presented for the purposes of illustration only and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Thus, all the features of all the embodiments disclosed herein are interchangeable so that any element of any embodiment may be applied to any of the embodiments taught herein.