Patent Publication Number: US-11638456-B1

Title: Dispersing helmet safety system and method

Description:
PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/217,927 with a filing date of Mar. 30, 2021; which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/003,132, filed on Mar. 31, 2020; U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/003,156, filed on Mar. 31, 2020; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/003,263, filed on Mar. 31, 2020. Each of these applications are hereby incorporated herein in their entireties. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to protective gear, and in particular, for a helmet, helmet face mask and helmet padding. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Helmets and other protective headgear are commonly utilized to protect a wearer&#39;s head from injury. Typically, helmets are designed specifically for the particular sport or activity. Numerous sports, such as American football, hockey, and lacrosse, require players to wear helmets. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Aspects of the disclosure include a helmet comprising: a shell having a plurality of holes; a plurality of tiles mounted on the exterior of the shell tethered by elastic cords through the plurality of holes to the interior of the shell; and wherein the tiles are capable of moving from their original position to a second position upon impact and being retracted back to the original position by the elastic cords. 
     Further aspects of the disclosure include a method of providing progressive retractable padding for a helmet comprising: impact a plurality of tiles mounted on the exterior of a shell tethered by elastic cords through a plurality of holes to the interior of the shell causing a plurality of impacted tiles at an impact point to move out of a predetermined position and deform in shape from an original shape; and retract the plurality of impacted tiles back through the elastic cords to the predetermined position and reform the tiles back the original shape. 
     Further aspects of the disclosure include a helmet comprising: an exterior padding system comprising: a shell having a plurality of holes; a plurality of tiles mounted on the exterior of the shell tethered by elastic cords through the plurality of holes to the interior of the shell; and wherein the tiles are capable of moving from their original position to a second position upon impact and being retracted back to the original position by the elastic cords; a face mask assembly comprising: a face mask having a front section, two middle sections and two rear sections having protection bars forming a cage; wherein the front and middle sections are connected by a first set of springs inside a first set of the protection bars; wherein the middle and rear sections are connected by a second set of springs inside a second set of the protection bars; and the front section capable of collapsing upon the impact into the middle section and the middle section capable of collapsing into the rear section; an interior padding system comprising: a first padding layer having head stabilizing components with a plurality of flexible compression components; and a second padding layer mounted on the interior of the shell and having a plurality of flexible mechanisms configured to correspondingly mate with each of the plurality of flexible compression components. Further aspects of the disclosure include a helmet system comprising: a first padding layer made of a stretchy material and configured to be in hugging contact with a user&#39;s head, wherein the first padding layer has a plurality of user head stabilizing bands each having flexible compression components; and a shell having a second inner wall padding layer affixed to the interior of the shall and made up of flexible mechanisms, wherein the flexible mechanisms are in contact with the flexible compression components to provide deflection from any impact forces received at the shell. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Each of the figures below is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and not as a definition of the limits of the claims. Note that the same reference items may be used in different figures and embodiments to indicate the same part and/or dimension. 
         FIG.  1    illustrates a perspective view of helmet  100  with tile layer  102  covering. 
         FIG.  2    depicts a side elevation view of helmet  100  with tile layer  102  covering. 
         FIG.  3    depicts a front, cut away view showing the helmet  100  with and without tile layer  102  covering. 
         FIG.  4    shows a side elevational view of the helmet  100  without tile layer  102  covering. 
         FIG.  5    shows a side, cross-sectional view of the helmet  100  with tile layer  102  covering. 
         FIG.  6    shows an interior, underside view of the helmet  100  with holes  116 , hexagon shaped assemblies  122  (or hexagon assemblies), elastic cords  124 , and anchor points  126  shown. 
         FIG.  7    shows a detailed view of the hexagon assemblies  122 . 
         FIG.  8    shows a tethering system of the shell  106 . 
         FIG.  9    shows an alternative embodiment of the tile layer  102  in which the shell  106  walls can retract. 
         FIGS.  10  and  11    show how the forces of an impact are dispersed in the helmet  100 . 
         FIG.  12    shows a perspective view of the helmet  100  with the tiles  104  in place on the shell  106  with tile covers  104   a  of the tiles  104  removed. 
         FIG.  13    shows a side view of a tile assembly  138  having a tile  104 , stem  140 , and presser foot  142 . 
         FIG.  14 A  shows a perspective view of an individual tile  104 ,  FIG.  14 B  shows an exploded view of tile assembly  138  and  FIG.  14 C  shows a tile assembly  138  in position on the shell  106 . 
         FIG.  15    shows a perspective view of an insert  104   c.    
         FIGS.  16  and  17    show an alternative embodiment wherein the tile  104  may have a raised surface bumper spring  104   e  in order to provide an added layer of cushion or buffer. 
         FIG.  18    shows an alternative embodiment of the helmet  100  with the underside, interior of the helmet  100  having ratchet wheels  144  replacing some of the anchor points  126  to allow for adjustment of the tension on the elastic cords  124 . 
         FIG.  19    shows a ratchet wheel  144  with a hexagonal screwdriver bit opening  146  to adjust and tighten the tensile taughtness of the elastic cords  124 . 
         FIG.  20    shows how the ratchet wheels  144  spool the elastic cords  124  in a circle making the elastic cords  124  tighter with every turn of the screw. 
         FIGS.  21  and  22    shows compression neck grooves  150  located in the rear of the helmet  100  in the area where the user neck would be located. 
         FIGS.  23 A- 23 D  illustrates an ear hole cover bumper  160 . 
         FIG.  24    shows a face mask  200  in an assembled view and  FIG.  25    shows the face mask  200  in an exploded view. 
         FIG.  26    shows the helmet  100  with a face mask  200  in place. 
         FIG.  27    shows the face mask  200  is capable of moving in multiple directions after an impact as indicated by the arrows  218   
         FIGS.  28 A- 28 C  show the face mask  200  and its compression protection bars  210  in a progressive collapsible three stage progression. 
         FIG.  29    shows attachable flexible bumper pegs  222  which can be placed anywhere on a face mask  200  to add an extra layer of cushioning. 
         FIGS.  30  and  31    show a dual-layer retractable padding system  300  for helmet  100  to provide padding retractability, movement and compression. 
         FIG.  32    shows a side view of a flex mechanism  310  having a top half  310   a , bottom half  310   b  and flex middle separation  310   c.    
         FIG.  33    shows an alternate embodiment of the flex mechanism  310  with the top half  310   a  having greater area dimensions than the bottom half  310   b  enabling the top half  310   a  to compress over the bottom half  310   b.    
         FIG.  34    shows a front view of a first direct padding layer  302  as well as adjustable chambers  312 . 
         FIG.  35    shows the padding system  300  being wirelessly adjustable by remote mobile device (or computer) with a mobile application. 
         FIG.  36    shows the tile layer  102 , face mask  200  and padding system  300  all combined into one helmet  100 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Today&#39;s standard helmets have changed very little since John T. Riddell introduced the first plastic American football helmet in 1939. The present disclosure relates generally to protective headgear (e.g., football helmet) and in particular a system and method for allowing a helmet tiler layer covering, face mask and helmet padding to expand on impact and then retract to the original state. The disclosed system and method improves the safety of helmets by addressing not just the jarring hits and tackles in football that can lead to traumatic brain injury but also the less visibly intense but numerous sub-concussive hits that players take many times over the course of a game that often lead to long term damage. In addition, the system and method address the problem of “rotational hits”. Rotational hits are hits to the side of a player&#39;s helmet where players are also vulnerable causing their heads or necks to snap or twist around on impact. 
     Dispersive Helmet 
       FIGS.  1 - 5    depict various views of a dispersive helmet  100  with and without tile layer coverings.  FIG.  1    depicts a perspective view of helmet  100  with tile layer  102  covering in place,  FIG.  2    depicts a side elevation view with tile layer  102  covering,  FIG.  3    depicts a front, cut away view showing the helmet  100  with and without a tile layer  102  covering,  FIG.  4    shows a side elevational view without a tile layer  102  covering and  FIG.  5    shows a side, cross-sectional view with a tile layer  102  covering. The helmet  100  has tile layer  102  forming an exterior covering (or outer contour) of the helmet  100 . The tile layer  102  is made up of an intricate network of tiles  104  forming a retractable crumple zone mounted on a hard base layer shell  106 . Shell  106  has a thickness (reference item  106   a ) throughout the shell  106  in a range of approximately 2.00 millimeters (mm) to approximately 3.25 mm with approximately 3.175 mm being the typical thickness. The underlying shell  106  can be a dense durometer tested tensile strength polymer composite which is both rigid and flexible. This polymer composite may be ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyester urethane and have a tensile strength of approximately 124 to approximately 1600 pounds per square inch (psi) or greater. 
     Tile layer  102  is formed from interlocking tiles  104  constructed from a polycarbonate. The tile layer  102  allows head-to-helmet hits to “slide off each other” while the dense shell  106  is capable of slight compression due to its superior tensile strength. The tiles  104  are configured to absorb both pushing and pulling forces. The tiles  104  have the ability to scatter and expand on impact while spreading out like a ripple of water to disperse impact forces. Upon impact, the tiles  104  are configured to collide into each other in a progressive relay (or domino) effect of increasing resistance from an initial impact to any part of the exterior of the helmet  100  in a chain reaction of resistance to the force of the initial impact. The colliding tiles  104  are progressively slowed down and then each tile  104  is immediately retracted to its original position on the shell  106  and also back into the original tile shape. The system and method disclosed herein extends the length of time of impact and spreads the distribution of impact force over a large surface area of the helmet  100 . Between the tiles  104  on layer  102  are tile separation spaces  108 . The tile separation spaces  108  surround each of the tiles  104  and are recessed from the outer contour in the tile layer  102 . Tile separation spaces  108  may act as a de-accelerant to slow down the tiles  104  by the fact that they are filled with cushioning air. In another embodiment, the tile separation spaces  108  can be filled with shock absorbent components instead of just air. These shock absorbent components can be rubber or plastic bumpers, springs, gel, or gel packers. 
     Each tile  104  is able to expand and contract and physically move in 360 degrees of direction in reaction to an impact force. The tiles  104  can be configured to move both individually and independently of each other and the shell  106 . In an alternative embodiment, the tiles may move as a collection of tiles formed into a group or a plurality of groups. Some of the groups of tiles  104  may remain stationary while another group is capable of movement across the surface of the shell  106 . 
       FIG.  3    illustrates a front view of the helmet  100  with a cutaway portion showing the difference in contour of the outer part of the helmet without the tile layer  102  in place. The tile layer  102  and tiles  104  can have sensors (e.g., microchips, Internet of Things (IoT)) with wireless communications to communicate impact levels to a remote party. These tiles  104  can wirelessly communicate data such as the structural integrity of each of the tiles  104 , tile  104  condition, position, integrity, durability, impact points, frequency of impacts in any given location, measured force in pounds per square inch (psi) of impact and number of impacts overall. In addition, impact data on the helmet shell, the interior padding, the face mask and/or the entire helmet as a whole as well may be measured. In addition to damage reports, data such as weather conditions, temperature weather ambient, atmospheric pressure, and interior or exterior of the shell temperature may be wirelessly communicated. Data such as player performance, health, concussion status, heart rate, pulse, beats and/or breaths per minute, oxygen, hydration, internal body temperature, external body temperature, facial, eye, ocular, muscle, visual dilation recognition, motor functions analysis, and nervous system information as well may be wirelessly communicated. In another embodiment, reported data may include play calling, game statistics, performance, sacks, hits, tackles, contact, throws, catches, runs, touchdowns, yards, yards gained, first down markers, real time game statistics, and augmented reality information. 
       FIG.  4    shows the shell  106  without the tile layer  102  in place. Indentations  112  in the shell  106  have the same polygonal shape as the outer shape of the tiles  104 . These indentations  112  are very slight shallow wells to properly position and hold the tiles  104  in their original designated locations individually or in groups on the surface of the shell  1106 . The indentations  112  are in the range of approximately 0.050 mm to approximately 3.175 mm deep in the shell  106 . The indentations  112  can accommodate the overall shape of the tiles  104  for a uniformed fit. Within each of the indentations  112  are flower shaped wells  114  which are deeper into the shell  106  surface than the indentations  112 . Inside the flower shaped wells  114  are holes  116  with channels  118  that are also configured in a flower shape. The holes  116  and channels  118  make up a cut through space through the shell  106  and provide a passage from the inner part of the shell  106  to the outer part of the shell  106  for the tile assemblies and tethering elastic cords which will be discussed below. Flower shaped wells  114  are configured to hold a flat metal magnetic piece  120  also having a flower shape and approximately 0.05 mm in thickness. On the underside of each tile  104  (as shown in  FIG.  13   ) is a similarly shaped magnetic piece  120  to keep the tile  104  centered in its designated position and help return each impacted tile  104  tile to its original position. 
       FIG.  5    shows a side cross-sectional view of the helmet  100  with the tile layer  102  in place. The tiles  104  are part of a tile assembly  138  which will be discussed in detail in connection with  FIG.  13   . The tile assemblies  138  and tethering elastic cords  124  are connected from the inside of the shell  106  through the holes  116  and channels  118 . 
       FIG.  6    shows an interior, underside view of the helmet  100  with holes  116 , hexagon shaped assemblies  122  (or hexagon assemblies), elastic cords  124 , and anchor points  126  shown. Anchor points  126  are at each corner of the hexagon assemblies  122  to hold the elastic cords  124  in place securely. A recessed underneath network of anchoring points  126  keep the tethered tiles  104  in place and function as fixed, sliding or rotational securing locks. As discussed above, this allows tiles  104  to physically move (e.g., slide) in any direction while compressing and expanding and snapping back into their original designated positions. The raised hexagon assemblies  126  have raised anchor point tubes  128  for the elastic cords  124  to be threaded through. Each tile  104  is tethered by elastic cords  124  through holes  116  and anchor point tubes  128  to an underlaying anchor point  126 . The anchor points  126  may be adjustable screws. 
       FIG.  7    shows a detailed view of the hexagon assemblies  122 . In addition to the anchor point tubes  128  being connected to an anchor point  126 , the hexagon assemblies may be joined through connectors  129 . These connectors  129  could be made of elastic cords  124 . Alternatively, hexagon assemblies  122  may be joined in another way. The anchor point tubes  128  can have a magnet end  130  which is connected to a magnetic coupling  132 . The magnetic coupling  132  will join the hexagonal assemblies  122  together by connecting the magnet ends  130  on the anchor point tubes  128  of two hexagon assemblies  122 . In another embodiment, there are magnetic components inside or part of the elastic cords  124 . The magnetic tile components can be part of the elastic cords  124  or their respective anchor points  126 . Magnetic components can keep the cords  124  taught. Also, magnetic components can act in impact resistance as a resistant force against applied outside impacts. Additionally, magnetic components can act as added retrieval means, while elastic cords  124  are momentarily dispersed, to react to shifting positions brought about by impact and therefore retract to the first position. 
       FIG.  8    shows a perspective view of helmet  100  with a network of elastic cords  124  connecting tiles  104  to anchor points  126  on the interior of the shell  106 . The movement of the tiles  104  is controlled by tethering the tiles  104  to each other and to the shell  106  through the interior anchor points  126  in different patterns using elastic cords  124 . The elastic cords  124  are flexible, tensile and elastic and can be bungee cord, string, or a spring. The elastic cords  124  could be pulled or pushed which progressively pulls at other connected elastic cords  124  or at the base of an anchor point  126  (that could have its own connected length of elastic cord  124 ). The elastic cords  124  have a progressive relay effect of increasing resistance from an initial impact to the helmet  100 . The elastic cord  124  is capable of retracting back into position after being stretched. When in position before an impact, the tiles  104  are under resistant tension with the elastic cords  124  as an opposing force. In some embodiments, the moveable tiles  104  are fixed in position on the shell  106  and do not slide (i.e., static). The elastic cords  124  can be segmented with springs or magnetic couplings connecting different lengths of the elastic cords  124 . In another embodiment, the elastic cords  124  can have additional magnetic or mechanized cord stops that slow down the cords  124  lengthening or shortening.  FIG.  9    shows an alternative embodiment of the tile layer  102  in which the shell  106  walls can retract at a retraction portion  139  of shell  106 . 
     Before impact, the tiles  104  normally are at rest inside the indentations  112 . When there is an impact, the configuration of the tiles  104  allows them to slide out of position along the surface of the shell  106  and the elasticity of the elastic cords  124  quickly returns the tiles  104  to the original position. This movement out of a first position to a second position and back to the first original position typically will happen within a fraction of a second. The tiles  104  will ricochet off the initial impact because of rigid slippery smooth surface tile covers  104   a  (shown in detail in  FIG.  14 A ). The tiles  104  are further configured to then take the remaining energy of the impact and extend it over a large area. 
     Tiles  104  are also capable of moving within the plurality of channels  118  (shown in  FIG.  4   ) located in the shell  106  around holes  116  upon impact. These channels  118  are substantially parallel to the outer contour of the helmet  100 . The channels  118  allow a full range of motion in any direction for the tiles  104  to move along those channels  118 . As shown in  FIG.  13    each tile assembly  138  is made up of a tile  140 , stem  142  and presser foot  144 . The tile stems  142  are configured to slide in and out of the different channels during an impact event. These channels  118  allow the tiles  104  to move fluidly in a parallel fashion to the helmet&#39;s overall shell  106  surface without flipping up unwantedly. The channels  118  can be access points to connect elastic cords  124  to the interior of the shell  106 . The elastic cords  124  are tethered to the tile stem  142  on the interior underside of the shell  106  surface, the stem  142  goes through channels  118  and the stem  142  is positioned through the base shell  106 . The tile stem  142  goes through the hole  116  of the flower shaped cut through on the shell  106 . 
     Elastic cords  124  allow the tiles  104  to return the moveable tiles  104  back into their designated positions. Elastic cords  124  can also be connected between two tiles  104 , other elastic cords  124 , tile covers  104   a , tiles  104  that are fixed, shell  106 , and holes  116 . In another embodiment, the elastic cords  124  can be connected regionally to sections of tiles  104  or individually to tiles  104 . The elastic cords  124  can either be connected to or through the tiles  104  and anchoring points  116  like a network (or “spiderweb”) of elastic cord  124  connections. Therefore, when one or more tiles  104  moves, the corresponding network of elastic cords  124  beneath the sublayer of the shell  106  surface moves in congruently in direct correspondence to the tile(s)  104  movement. In some embodiments, the elastic cords  124  can be made up of one or more segments which are joined at a junction point with each cord  124  being tethered to one corner of a tile&#39;s  104  respective channel  118  corner on the helmet&#39;s sublayer underneath the shell  106  and the other end of one of the elastic cords  124  being tethered to the exterior tile  104  positioned over the cord  124  hole  116 . 
     This dispersive system and method disclosed herein provides at least two beneficial functions as demonstrated in  FIGS.  10  and  11   . Impact is the point of contact when a player&#39;s helmet  100  is hit by an opponent or other object (e.g., a hammer). First, the system and method spreads the force of the impact over a large surface area horizontally away from the player&#39;s skull and not into it and downward onto the skull which lessens the forced directed into the skull. The impact longitudinal wave  134  is redirected to transverse waves  136  perpendicular to the original hit. Second, the system and method extends the length of the impact. A typical rigid helmet will explode at the point of impact and reverberated energy will go straight down. The embodiments disclosed herein extend the length of the impact by making the tiles  104  slide upon contact as shown in  FIG.  11    and therefore absorb the impact energy by redirecting it and extending its path as shown by arrows  136 . This in turn slows down the acceleration and therefore strength and ferocity of the impact. 
     In some embodiments, the tiles  104  may be configured to rotate as well as shift. The tiles  104  may remain fully or partially flexed without compromising their structural integrity so that they do not need to be replaced after each impact. In some embodiments, the tiles  104  are molded partially or fully to form the tile layer  102  over the shell  106 . Alternatively, the tiles  104  may be integrated as part of the shell  106  of the helmet  100  instead of (or in addition to) being tied to the shell  106  by the elastic cords  124 . In some embodiments, the tiles  104  can be sectioned within a plurality of groups or entirely barricaded from any part of the helmet  100  by a fence barrier. Individual tiles  104  can have different dimensions and/or thicknesses (i.e., depths) to allow them to contour better in the tile layer  102  to the exterior of the shell  106 . 
       FIG.  12    shows a perspective view of the helmet  100  with the tiles  104  in place on the shell  106  with tile covers  104   a  of the tiles  104   a  removed.  FIG.  13    shows a side view of a tile assembly  138  having a tile  104 , stem  140 , and presser foot  142 . Tile  104  is connected to stem (or shaft)  140  which in turn connects to presser foot (or wingnut)  142 . Stem  140  is configured to compress like a shock absorber. A presser foot  142  acts as a “nut”, “wingnut” and/or “washer” hardware piece from the interior of the shell  106  on the opposite side of the hole  116  to prevent the tile  104  from lifting off from the hole  116 . The presser foot  142  is configured to move with the tile  104 . The presser foot  142  is generally large than the hole  116  where elastic cords  124  go through the shell  106 . Presser foot  142  prevents the stem  140  from being lifted off and through the shell  106  and the tile  140  off the helmet  100 . Presser foot  142  has an elastic cord holding piece  142   a  with which the elastic cord  124  is threaded through. In some embodiments, the presser foot  142  can be fixed or rotate as the tiles  104  move around the holes  116  connected by elastic cords  124 . The tile width (TW) as shown in  FIG.  13    will be approximately 63.5 mm. The tile height (TH) will range from approximately 4.0 mm to approximately 26 mm. The stem height (SH) will range from approximately 3 mm to approximately 13 mm. The presser foot height (PFH) will range from approximately 0.5 mm to approximately 7 mm. The presser foot width (PFW) will range from approximately 3.9 mm to approximately 45 mm with typically being approximately 22.2 mm. 
       FIG.  14 A  shows a perspective view of an individual tile  104 . Each individual tile  104  is capable of moving in 360 degrees direction as determined by the velocity, angle, and position of an impact. The stem  140  of the tile  104  goes through hole  116  which allows the stem  140  and therefore the tile  104  to rotate in that hole  116  in 360 degrees like a straw rotating around the inside wall circumference of a glass of milk. The stem  140  can also move in and out of the channels  118 . Each tile  104  is configured to slide into an adjacent tile  104  in a domino effect to extend the time of the impact and prolonging the impact across the helmet shell  106  surface. This creates more resistance with each slammed tile  104  while slowing down the acceleration and momentum of the impact. A tile cover  104   a  installed over the tile  104  has multiple hinge indentation cutouts (or hinges)  104   b  that temporarily compress and are capable of being pushed inward and downward. The tile cover  104   a  is polycarbonate and approximately 3.175 mm thick. The tile cover  104   a  is installed over a EVA flexible rubber honeycomb insert  104   c  made up of cells  104   d  like a roof.  FIG.  14 B  shows an exploded view of the tile assembly  138 .  FIG.  14 C  shows a tile assembly  138  in position on the shell  106 . Tracking balls  104   f  of varying sizes in both the insert  104   c  and presser foot  142  help maintain the attachment to the shell  106 .  FIG.  15    shows a perspective view of an insert  104   c . The tile cover  104   a  can have cut through “U” grooves like a trap door and is pushed down into position. The part of the “U” groove that is intact acts as a hinge. The tile cover  104   a  is independently mounted on a sliding tile  104  rather than on the shell  106  of the helmet  100 . Hinges  104   b  are cut out to operate as a lever to allow the tile hard cover flap sections to move and the ability to be compressed downward upon impact and then retract back up because of the nature of the flexible tile hard shell cover material. The hinges  104   b  spring back to their original shape and position. A cut through groove that acts as one or more downward depressing flexing flaps specifically for the tile covers  104   a . The hinges  104   b  are configured to have an offsetting effect on impacts from any direction. The hinges  104   b  are configured specifically for moveable tiles  104  as well as their tile covers  104   a  as an added feature of dispersing energy, force, and impact. It is because of the nature of the moveable tiles  104  and their ability to slide and return that adding a very specific downward flexing hinge(s)  104   b  action adds to the extension of time and a diminishing of force combined with the progressive and sequential motion of the tiles  104  upon impact to behave in a complementary way. The hinges  104   b  may also be integrated with the tile  104  so that the tile covers  104   a  can slide past the honeycomb tile insert  104   c  and not necessarily move with them. This feature provides an added element of impact force lengthening and deacceleration. The interior shock absorbing cells  104   d  of insert  104   c  make up the interior of the tiles  104  and act as impact absorbers. The inserts  104   c  are a combination of air cells  104   d  and a honeycomb of walls capable of temporarily collapsing and springing back into position. The inserts  104   c  are an interlocking polycarbonate (e.g., same polycarbonate as the shell  106 , rigid and flexible material such as EVA, Kevlar or a Kevlar synthetic blend). The inserts  104   c  are positioned over the tile indentations  112  of shell  106 . The interior shock absorbing cells  104   c  can be flexible or rigid. The inserts  104   c  can be molded as an integral piece or can be integrated with an outer tile covering  104   e . The tile cover  104   a , hinge  104   b , interior shock absorbing insert  104   c , and the outer tile covering  104   e  are part of the raised profile tile layer  102  of the helmet  100 . The bottom of the tile  104  can left open or partially accessible for the elastic cord  124  to be connected therethrough. 
       FIGS.  16  and  17    show an alternative embodiment wherein the tile  104  may have a raised surface bumper spring  104   e  in order to provide an added layer of cushion or buffer. This bumper spring  104   g  can be built as a separate mechanism, an entire single unit or an integrated component. 
     Returning to  FIG.  6   , the anchor points  126  may be adjustable screws in the form of ratchet wheels.  FIG.  18    shows the underside, interior of the helmet  100  with ratchet wheels  144  replacing some of the anchor points  126  to allow for adjustment of the tension on the elastic cords  124 .  FIG.  19    shows a ratchet wheel  144  with a hexagonal screwdriver bit opening  146  in the ratchet  147  to adjust and tighten the tensile taughtness of the elastic cords  124  and a pawl  148  to prevent the ratchet  147  from recoiling.  FIG.  20    shows how the ratchet wheels  144  spool the elastic cords  124  in a circle making the elastic cords  124  tighter with every turn of the screw. 
       FIGS.  21  and  22    shows compression neck grooves  150  located in the rear of the helmet  100  in the area where the user neck would be located. The compression neck grooves  150  extend into the shell  106  and around the back of the helmet  100 . The compression neck grooves  150  can be one or more in quantity (e.g.,  3  or  4 ). The compression neck grooves  150  are collapsible upon impact and then immediately retract back into the original shape and position. Each of the grooves  150  can move in a range of approximately 1 mm to approximately 2 mm during an impact event. The compression neck grooves  122  add another dimension of flexibility, compression, and retraction to repel an impact from contact from the top region or downward on any part of the helmet  100 . These grooves  150  assist in extending the impact forces in different directions to supplement the systems and methods described above. 
       FIGS.  21  and  22    further shows a fence  152  and a collar  154 . The fence  152  is a line of demarcation between the moveable tiles  104  and the collar  154 . The fence  152  wraps partially and/or fully around and underneath the moveable tiles  104 . The fence  152  assists to slow down and/or stop the movement of the tiles  104  by acting as a barrier. The tiles  104  would move more freely without a fence  152  upon impact when sliding. The fence  152  is a raised profile ridge barrier even though small, but still acts as a “speed bump” to slow down the tiles  104 . The fence  152  can be an etching or a raised surface. 
       FIG.  22    further shows ventilation cut throughs  156  which go through shell  106  in the tile separation spaces  108  to provide air to the interior of the helmet. 
     Referring back to  FIG.  2    there is illustrate ear hole  158  of the helmet  100 . The ear hole  158  is constructed in a tri lateral radius corner arc system having a plurality of corner arcs (e.g., three corner arcs). This corner arc system enables each corner arc to be rounded to and accomplish the following functions. First, the ear hole  158  is more durable and stronger than sharper cornered or right angled ear hole constructions because of its fluid and continuous line trajectory, path, and flow. Second, the ear hole  158  is better optimally configured for offsetting and minimizing sound reverberations because of the cylindrical construction. Therefore, the ear hole  158  is more closely fashioned and engineered like the human ear that also has no sharp corners and angles and is similar to the human ear canal in order to achieve optimal hearing for the user. 
       FIGS.  23 A- 23 D  shows an ear hole cover bumper  160  which is an attachment that covers the ear hole  158 . The ear hole cover bumper  160  is made from a dense, flexible, and rubber-like material that is installed over and around the outline perimeter of the ear hole(s)  158  on each side of the helmet  100 . The cover bumper  160  is an extra layer of protection as it raises the profile of the side of the helmet  100  and is the first point of contact in any contact and is able to act like a bumper as an added layer of protection from impact to the ear hole  158  area. In addition, the ear hole cover bumper  160  protects and buffers the edge and outline of the ear hole  158  to protect it from wear and tear while keeping its structure intact and securely framed. Second, it is an added layer of protection for the ear hole  158  and the player&#39;s ear hole safety from impact to the ear hole area. The ear hole cover bumper  160  is removeable for cleaning, maintenance, repair, and replacement. In an alternative embodiment, the ear hole cover bumper  160  can have trenches or grooves to better cushion and provide further shock absorption. The ear hole cover bumper  160  can be configured to be molded into the construction of the helmet  100 . The ear hole cover bumpers  160  frame and border the perimeter of helmet ear hole (inside and outside) as an added shock absorber profile and especially helpful for rotational hits. 
     The ear hole cover bumper  160  can be configured to have a wireless communication device that can communicate with a remote receiver. The ear hole cover bumpers  160  can function like ear buds, air pods, and/or any phone to listen to music and communicate with other wireless receivers. 
     The ear hole cover bumper  160  can have a four sided, trapezoidal shape as shown in  FIGS.  23 A- 23 D  (or alternatively can have a round shape). The ear hole cover bumper  160  can pop in securely into the ear hole  158 . The ear hole cover bumpers  160  can have recessed gaps  162  in order to create more flexibility to the ear hole bumper  160 , create more security, and cushioning as staggered while naturally containing, housing, and/or encompassing added layers of air cushioning. The ridge space  164  assists in fitting the ear hole cover bumper  160  into position in the ear hole  158 . The ear hole cover bumper  160  acts as a sanitation barrier and benefits when opposing players hit the side of the helmet. The ear hole cover bumper  160  can be constructed with sanitizing fluid, or be dimpled, and have a porous surface so opposing players cannot have full contact and therefore contaminate the side of the helmet or ear hole bumper. The ear hole cover bumper  160  can be coated, manufactured, and/or treated with a special agent that disallows virus, germs, and contaminants from adhering or attaching to the ear hole bumper or any part of the helmet  100 . The ear hole cover bumper  160  can be detachable so it can be separately washed, sanitized and cleansed against viruses like COVID-19, germs, bacteria, and/or any pathogens. 
     In another embodiment, magnetic components, magnetic fields and magnetic components can keep the tile(s)  104  act in position in formation with other tiles  104  in their respective designated groups. The magnetic tile components can be inserted and/or engineered into the structure of the tile  104  (e.g., within the walls of the tile  104 ). These magnets in the tile  104  help retract the tiles  104  to their original positions. Also, magnetic components can also act in impact resistance as a resistant force against impacts. Additionally, magnetic components can act as added retrieval means, while tiles  104  are momentarily dispersed, to react to shifting positions brought about by impact and therefore retract and return dispersed tiles  104  or any helmet  100  components back to the original position. 
     Face Mask 
       FIG.  24    shows a face mask  200  in an assembled view and  FIG.  25    shows the face mask  200  in an exploded view. The face mask  200  is made up of a single front section  202 , two middle sections  204  on either side of the front section (only one middle section is shown in  FIG.  25   ), and two back sections on either side of the middle section (only one back section is shown in  FIG.  25   ). Shock springs  208  allow the face mask to be progressively collapsed through the front section, middle section and back section. The shock springs  208  are interposed between the sections  202 ,  204  and  206  inside a grill of interlocking compression protection bars  210 . 
       FIG.  26    shows the helmet  100  with a face mask  200  in place. Reference item  212  shows cutaway sections of the protection bars  202 . Inside the protection bars  210  is an interior assembly  214  forming a shock absorbing system made up of the compressing shock springs  208 . These shock springs  208  allow the protection bars  202  to move laterally, vertically and in an angular manner. The segmented construction of the face mask  200  where the compressed interior assembly  214  joins some or all of the shock springs  206 , but also allows the protection bars  210  to retract and expand again to their original state. This allows the face mask  200  and the compression protection bars  210  to be impacted and retract back to their original positions. Each protection bar  210  is configured to collapse into itself in either a vertical, horizontal or angular manner. The interior assembly  214  can be set to a predetermined pounds per square inch (psi) tolerance. The compression protection bars  210  are joined to the helmet  100  by corner attachment points  216  wherever the face mask  200  is attached to the helmet  100 . The corner attachment points  216  can be ball hinges that are screwed into anchoring screws of the corners of the helmet which allows for a full range of swivel motion of the face mask  200 . The range of swivel motion is shown by arrows  216   a  and can be vertical, horizontal and angular and may be in the range of approximately 1 mm to approximately 3 mm. The corner attachment points  216  have a base that is affixed to mask anchoring points  217  where the face mask  200  will be attached. The top half of the corner attachment point (e.g., swivel ball hinge)  216  is capable of rotating in any direction which makes the entire face mask  200  capable of moving 360 degrees of direction. The corner attachment points  216  are also shock absorbent and can flex and act as a protruding flexible bumper. 
       FIG.  27    shows the face mask  200  is capable of moving in multiple directions after an impact as indicated by the arrows  218 . 
       FIGS.  28 A- 28 C  show the face mask  200  and its compression protection bars  210  in a progressive collapsible three stage progression. The compression protection bars  210  and compressed interior assembly  214  are predetermined to be compressed and collapse at predetermined positions. The predetermined positions could be based on position, location, pressure, psi, resistance, torque, retractable ratio, depth, or stages of progressive compression into the face mask  200  and/or the helmet wearer. The compressed interior assembly  214  can be set so that the stages of collapse can be set to increasingly more resistant. In another embodiment, the compression protection bars  210  are progressively resistant and are able to collapse in sections.  FIG.  28 A  shows a force  220  from the front or the side impacting the face mask  200 .  FIG.  28 B  shows the front section  202  of the face mask  200  can compress to a deliberate range into the middle sections and/or the back sections behind it with increasing resistant psi compressed force.  FIG.  28 C  shows the face mask  200  completely collapsed before springing back into the original position shown in  FIG.  28 A . Therefore, pneumatic compression seams at all of the connecting joints of the front, middle and back sections allow for the progressive collapse. 
       FIG.  29    shows attachable flexible bumper pegs  222  can be placed anywhere on a face mask  200  to add an extra layer of cushioning. The bumper pegs  222  can be made from strong flexible shock absorbent material including but not limited to: rubber, EVA, acrylic, polyurethane, PVC, polyurethane, and vinyl. The bumper pegs  222  can be fit over sections of the face mask compression protection bars  210  in order to protrude further out and be the first contact point of an impact. The bumper pegs  222  can be built or molded into a part of the face mask  200  or be made of the same material as the face mask  200 . The bumper pegs  222  can be retractable and filled with a shock absorbent impact resistant fluid. These attachable bumper pegs  222  are configured to clip onto to any part of the of the compression protection bars  210  to add another layer of cushion, safety and protection against any type of impact and/or force on the protection bars  210 . The attachable bumper pegs  222  can be where the protection bars  210  intersect. The bumper pegs  222  are configured to have a space in the back to be affixable to the protection bars  210  with the front side a protruding, roundish bumper. 
     Helmet Padding System 
       FIGS.  30  and  31    show a dual-layer retractable padding system  300  for helmet  100  to provide padding retractability, movement and compression. Padding system  300  has a first padding layer  302  shown in  FIG.  30    which comes in contact with the user&#39;s head. The first padding layer  302  can be a customized cap made of a stretchy, breathable, and comfortable material that hugs the head. The first padding layer  302  is configured to hold compression and sensor components. The first padding layer  302  will have head stabilizer components  304  which may in the form of bands. A plurality of flexible compression components  306  are located on the exterior of the head stabilizer components  304 . The flexible compression components  306  can be complementary positions to mirror the helmet&#39;s  100  interior padding segments discussed below. 
     As shown in  FIG.  31   , the system  300  further has a second inner wall padding layer (or second padding layer)  308  made up of flexible mechanisms  310  which is padding just below the hard shell  106  of the helmet  100 . The flexible mechanisms  310  line the interior of the shell  106 . The flexible mechanisms  310  have cavities that form a first padding layer  302 . The first layer  302  and second layer  308  are separated by the flexible compression components  306  and act independently of one another. The flexible compression components  306  attach to and connect inside cavities in the first padding layer  302 . The flexible compression components  306  are placed in between the first direct padding layer  302 , along with the head stabilizer  304 , and second layer  308 . The flexible compression components  306 , act as a flexible, compression, and retractable barrier between both the first padding layer  302  and second padding layer  308 . The flex mechanisms  310  are also both retractable and compressible. Each of the plurality of flex mechanisms  310  substantially align with and match the plurality of flexible compression components  306 . The flexible compression components  306  are installed into the flex mechanisms  310 . This system of dual-layer retractable padding system  300  deflects, shields, and repels any impact on the helmet and the second inner wall padding layer  308 . This middle flexing allows the top half of the helmet padding to compress into the bottom helmet therefore taking the impact of an inflicting force. The flexible compression components  306  deflect any impact that is exerted onto the second padding layer  308 . In another embodiment, the flexible compression components  306  can include but are not limited to: cavities, air or liquid filled cavities, or springs. In another embodiment, the flexible compression components  306 , the head stabilizer component  304 , the first direct padding layer  302 , the second inner wall padding layer  308 , and the flex mechanisms  310  are capable of having sensors and/or transceivers capable of wirelessly communicating with a remote device. 
     In another embodiment, the top half layers of padding sections can be adjusted against the surface of the player&#39;s head and there is a compression system between the first padding layer  302  and second padding layer  308 . Since the bottom padding layer is affixed to the interior helmet  100  underside surface which allows any impact that has managed to go through the helmet&#39;s exterior tiles  104  and sublayer to all but be neutralized by the flexible mechanisms  310  in between the top and bottom halves. 
       FIG.  32    shows a side view of a flex mechanism  310  having a top half  310   a , bottom half  310   b  and flex middle separation  310   c . The flex mechanism height (FMH) can be in a range of approximately 0.75 mm and approximately 6.5 mm with it typically being 2.4 mm. The flex mechanism width (FMW) can be in a range of approximately 12.5 mm to approximately 121 mm.  FIG.  33    shows an alternate embodiment of the flex mechanism  310  with the top half  310   a  having greater area dimensions than the bottom half  310   b  enabling the top half  310   a  to compress over the bottom half  310   b.    
       FIG.  34    shows a front view of the first direct padding layer  302  as well as adjustable chambers  312 . The adjustable chambers  312  can adjust other components within the dual-layer retractable padding system  300  and/or any part of the helmet  100 . These adjustments can include the customized fit, temperature, and cooling. In another embodiment, the first direct padding layer  302 , the head stabilizer component  304 , the flexible compression components  306 , a n d the adjustable chambers  312  can individually or collectively be formed in an attachable cap which is attached to the helmet  100 . 
       FIG.  35    shows the system  300  being wirelessly adjustable by remote mobile device (or computer) with a mobile application. The system  300  may be adjusted by users for fit and temperature. In some embodiments, players, and/or users could view, track, record, review, share, download/upload and/or data regarding maintenance, impacts, tackles, hits, force applied, locations of hits, tackles and/or force, as well as statistics of the game, and/or players health, players, safety, and the player&#39;s performance, and/or any other received, retrieved, sent, and/or relayed, communicated data, and/or by mobile app technology. 
       FIG.  36    shows the tile layer  102 , face mask  200  and padding system  300  all combined into one helmet  100 . 
     It is understood that wearing helmets of any kind, especially football helmets can inhibit the range of vision a player can effectively utilize. Therefore, in some embodiments, the helmet  100  can contain cameras on the exterior outside walls, and/or as well as the back of the helmet to see opponents, the field of play, and just have different views, and improved visual acuity of their surroundings both peripherally, side to side, as well as behind them to see oncoming opponents, field conditions, play scenarios, routes, scenarios, teammates, and any other visual. abilities. In some embodiments, the interior of the helmet can have screen displays, virtual reality, augmented reality, real time live screens, and monitors that display these camera images, streaming video, first person point of views and/or any other camera information either inside the helmet  100 , on the helmet&#39;s visor, the helmet&#39;s interior wall/surface, or the face mask  200 . These camera, virtual reality/augmented reality, real world views, screens, perspectives, information, and data can be transferred to the helmet with audio, visual, and sensory. These notifications can include light up arrows, buzzers, green light buttons, electronic displays, augmented reality, virtual reality, buzzers, sounds, lights, lit panels, and digital screen. 
     The system  300  further includes a software application  314  that a player can employ to adjust different features of the helmet  100  functions. In some embodiments, the software application  314  allows a player to put on the helmet  100  and adjust specific selected interior helmet pad sections or individual padding snugly against their head while wearing the helmet  100  by pressing the applications button + or − while the adjustable actuators are lengthened and shorted between the top and bottom layer of each section. The calibrated adjustment from the software application  314  can be utilized for tile  104  tautness and elastic cord  124  tautness. The helmet tiles  104  themselves, can individually or collectively, have sensors (e.g., impact sensors) to analyze impacts. In addition, sensors can monitor the psi, force, location, load and damage any hits are made on one or more tiles  104  during a game. This information can be analyzed, shared, and saved on the software application  314  for later. The analysis can include determining any stress points, damage, necessary equipment, and maintenance to the tiles  104 . The sensors can be installed into electronic, sensor and/or computerized bases, portals, and/or stations on the helmet  100  in order to be constantly connected and reading data, always streaming and/or connected to a server and/or a computerized device. 
     The methods, systems, and devices discussed above are examples. Specific details are given in the description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, well-known processes, structures, and techniques have been shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments. This description provides example embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention. Rather, the preceding description of the embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing embodiments of the invention. Various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Also, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in various other embodiments. Also, technology evolves and, thus, many of the elements are examples that do not limit the scope of the disclosure to those specific examples. 
     Some embodiments were described as processes. Although these processes may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the operations may be rearranged. A process may have additional steps not included in the figures. Also, a number of steps may be undertaken before, during, or after the above elements are considered. 
     Having described several embodiments, various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, the above elements may merely be a component of a larger system, wherein other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of the invention. Accordingly, the above description does not limit the scope of the disclosure. 
     It should be noted that the recitation of ranges of values in this disclosure are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. Therefore, any given numerical range shall include whole and fractions of numbers within the range. For example, the range “1 to 10” shall be interpreted to specifically include whole numbers between 1 and 10 (e.g., 1, 2, 3, . . . 9) and non-whole numbers (e.g., 1.1, 1.2, . . . 1.9).