Patent Description:
Helmets are known for use in various activities. These activities include combat and industrial purposes, such as protective helmets for soldiers and hard-hats or helmets used by builders, mine-workers, or operators of industrial machinery for example. Helmets are also common in sporting activities. For example, protective helmets may be used in ice hockey, cycling, motorcycling, motor-car racing, skiing, snow-boarding, skating, skateboarding, equestrian activities, American football, baseball, rugby, cricket, lacrosse, climbing, golf, airsoft and paintballing.

Helmets can be of fixed size or adjustable, to fit different sizes and shapes of head. In some types of helmet, e.g. commonly in ice-hockey helmets, the adjustability can be provided by moving parts of the helmet to change the outer and inner dimensions of the helmet. This can be achieved by having a helmet with two or more parts which can move with respect to each other. In other cases, e.g. commonly in cycling helmets, the helmet is provided with an attachment device for fixing the helmet to the user's head, and it is the attachment device that can vary in dimension to fit the user's head whilst the main body or shell of the helmet remains the same size. In some cases, comfort padding within the helmet can act as the attachment device. The attachment device can also be provided in the form of a plurality of physically separate parts, for example a plurality of comfort pads which are not interconnected with each other. Such attachment devices for seating the helmet on a user's head may be used together with additional strapping (such as a chin strap) to further secure the helmet in place. Combinations of these adjustment mechanisms are also possible.

Helmets are often made of an outer shell, that is usually hard and made of a plastic or a composite material, and an energy absorbing layer called a liner. Nowadays, a protective helmet has to be designed so as to satisfy certain legal requirements which relate to inter alia the maximum acceleration that may occur in the centre of gravity of the brain at a specified load. Typically, tests are performed, in which what is known as a dummy skull equipped with a helmet is subjected to a radial blow towards the head. This has resulted in modern helmets having good energy- absorption capacity in the case of blows radially against the skull. Progress has also been made (e.g. <CIT> and <CIT>) in developing helmets to lessen the energy transmitted from oblique blows (i.e. which combine both tangential and radial components), by absorbing or dissipating rotation energy and/or redirecting it into translational energy rather than rotational energy.

Such oblique impacts (in the absence of protection) result in both translational acceleration and angular acceleration of the brain. Angular acceleration causes the brain to rotate within the skull creating injuries on bodily elements connecting the brain to the skull and also to the brain itself.

Examples of rotational injuries include concussion, subdural haematomas (SDH), bleeding as a consequence of blood vessels rapturing, and diffuse axonal injuries (DAI), which can be summarized as nerve fibres being over stretched as a consequence of high shear deformations in the brain tissue.

Depending on the characteristics of the rotational force, such as the duration, amplitude and rate of increase, either SDH, DAI or a combination of these injuries can be suffered. Generally speaking, SDH occur in the case of accelerations of short duration and great amplitude, while DAI occur in the case of longer and more widespread acceleration loads.

Some prior art devices have sought to allow sliding within separate localised zones of a helmet, for handling impacts.

For example, <CIT> discloses a helmet with an outer shell split into segments, with an internal, continuous, foam liner. The out shell segments are joined to the liner so as to allow a slight sliding between the foam liner and at least a part of the shell segments. However this construction, splitting the outer shell into segments, potentially allows for the outer shell to be snagged on passing branches etc..

<CIT> discloses the use of internal pad members positioned at different locations within a helmet. The pad members may have layers that shear with respect to each other. However, the pad members are only present at discrete locations and do not provide a continuous liner within the helmet.

Similarly, <CIT> discloses a helmet in which an inner liner comprises one or more pads. In a particular embodiment, lateral pads at the side of the helmet can slide. However, other pads within the helmet do not slide.

<CIT> discloses a helmet with damping elements arranged within a liner. At least some of those damping elements can be attached to the surrounding shell by attaching means of the hook and loop type (i.e. Velcro ®). As such, this does not allow for any practical sliding between the shell and the damping elements in an impact situation.

As such, these segmented prior art devices do not provide ideal protection with respect to oblique impacts. The present invention aims to at least partially address this problem.

According to the invention, there is provided a helmet as defined in the claims. By providing the inner shell as a complete liner formed of segments, the entirety of the user's head is protected in the case of oblique impacts. Further, as individual segments can move, without being constrained by regions of the inner shell elsewhere in the helmet, it is possible to more reliably provide the protection against oblique impacts. That is, if for any reason the inner shell is prevented from sliding with respect to the outer shell in one area/segment, other areas/segments will still be able to slide, which may not be possible if the inner shell is provided as a single piece.

The at least two shell segments can be connected to each other by a connector configured to allow the two shell segments to slide independently of each other. In other words, the connector allows movement between the two shell segments, such that each can slide with respect to the outer shell without the other segment necessarily sliding with respect to the outer shell (or, at least, not necessarily sliding in the same direction). The connector can be arranged between the at least two shell segments. The connector can comprise a resilient structure.

The connector can be a separate component to the at least two shell segments. The connector can includes a layer of material connected at an inner or outer surface of the inner shell to the at least two shell segments and which spans a space between the at least two shell segments. The connector can be connected at an outer surface of the inner shell and covers the shell segments to form the low friction sliding interface with the outer shell.

The connector can be a part of the inner shell co-formed with the at least two shell segments between the at least two shell segments and formed so as to have a lower stiffness than the at least two shell segments so as to allow the at least two shell segments to move relative to each other. The connector can comprise apertures in the energy absorbing material forming the part of the inner shell configured to provide the lower stiffness of the connector compared to the at least two shell segments, wherein the energy absorbing material defining the apertures forms a resilient structure. The apertures can be circular in cross-section.

The aforementioned resilient structure can comprise at least one angular portion between the at least two shell segments, an angle of said angular portion being configured to change to allow relative movement between the at least two shell segments. Alternatively or additionally, the resilient structure can comprise at least one inflected portion between the at least two shell segments, an inflection amount of said angular portion being configured to change to allow relative movement between the at least two shell segments. Alternatively or additionally, the resilient structure can comprise at least one loop-like portion between the at least two shell segments, the shape of said loop-like portion being configured to change to allow relative movement between the at least two shell segments. Alternatively or additionally, the resilient structure can comprise at least two intersecting parts between the at least two shell segments, an angle at which said at least two intersecting parts intersect being configured to change to allow relative movement between the at least two shell segments. Alternatively or additionally, the resilient structure can comprise at least straight portion between the at least two shell segments, the straight portion being configured to bend to allow relative movement between the at least two shell segments.

The helmet comprises front and rear shell segments arranged to cover front and rear parts of the wearer's head respectively. One of the front shell segment or rear shell segment comprises a protruding portion configured to protrude into a cut-out portion of the other of the front shell segment and the rear shell segment. The protruding portion can be surrounded on opposing sides by lateral portions of the one of the front shell segment or rear shell segment comprising the protruding portion wherein the protruding portion and the lateral portions are separated by respective gaps in the one of the front shell segment or rear shell segment comprising the protruding portion. A distal edge of the protruding portion can be arced or flat.

The front shell segment can be an elongate shell segment extending across the front of the helmet from side to side arranged to cover the wearer's forehead and the rear shell segment is arranged to cover rear, left and right portions of the wearer's head and optionally the crown of the wearer's head.

The helmet can comprise a central shell segment arranged to cover the crown of the wearer's head. One of the front shell segment and the rear shell segment can surround the central shell segment. The central shell segment can be oval.

Adjacent shell segments can have a complementary shape.

At least one shell segment can be connected to the outer shell by a shell connector, the shell connector being configured to allow sliding between the inner and outer shells. At least one shell connector can be provided for each shell segment. The shell connectors can be configured to maintain the connection between the inner shell segments and the outer shall during relative sliding in response to an impact.

The invention is described below by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:.

The proportions of the thicknesses of the various layers in the helmets depicted in the figures have been exaggerated in the drawings for the sake of clarity and can of course be adapted according to need and requirements.

<FIG> depicts a first helmet <NUM> of the sort discussed in <CIT>, intended for providing protection against oblique impacts. This type of helmet could be any of the types of helmet discussed above.

Protective helmet <NUM> is constructed with an outer shell <NUM> and, arranged inside the outer shell <NUM>, an inner shell <NUM> that is intended for contact with the head of the wearer.

Arranged between the outer shell <NUM> and the inner shell <NUM> is a sliding layer or a sliding facilitator <NUM>, and this makes relative displacement possible between the outer shell <NUM> and the inner shell <NUM>. In particular, as discussed below, a sliding layer <NUM> or sliding facilitator may be configured such that sliding may occur between two parts during an impact. For example, it may be configured to enable sliding under forces associated with an impact on the helmet <NUM> that is expected to be survivable for the wearer of the helmet <NUM>. In some arrangements, it may be desirable to configure the sliding layer or sliding facilitator such that the coefficient of friction is between <NUM> and <NUM> and/or below <NUM>.

Arranged in the edge portion of the helmet <NUM>, in the <FIG> depiction, may be one or more connecting members <NUM> which interconnect the outer shell <NUM> and the inner shell <NUM>. In some arrangements, the connectors may counteract mutual displacement between the outer shell <NUM> and the inner shell <NUM> by absorbing energy. However, this is not essential. Further, even where this feature is present, the amount of energy absorbed is usually minimal in comparison to the energy absorbed by the inner shell <NUM> during an impact. In other arrangements, connecting members <NUM> may not be present at all.

Further, the location of these connecting members <NUM> can be varied (for example, being positioned away from the edge portion, and connecting the outer shell <NUM> and the inner shell <NUM> through the sliding layer <NUM>).

The outer shell <NUM> is preferably relatively thin and strong so as to withstand impact of various types. The outer shell <NUM> could be made of a polymer material such as polycarbonate (PC), polyvinylchloride (PVC) or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) for example. Advantageously, the polymer material can be fibre-reinforced, using materials such as glass-fibre, Aramid, Twaron, carbon-fibre or Kevlar.

The inner shell <NUM> is considerably thicker and acts as an energy absorbing layer. As such, it is capable of damping or absorbing impacts against the head. It can advantageously be made of foam material like expanded polystyrene (EPS), expanded polypropylene (EPP), expanded polyurethane (EPU), vinyl nitrile foam; or other materials forming a honeycomb-like structure, for example; or strain rate sensitive foams such as marketed under the brand-names Poron™ and D3O™. The construction can be varied in different ways, which emerge below, with, for example, a number of layers of different materials.

Inner shell <NUM> is designed for absorbing the energy of an impact. Other elements of the helmet <NUM> will absorb that energy to a limited extend (e.g. the hard outer shell <NUM> or so-called 'comfort padding' provided within the inner shell <NUM>), but that is not their primary purpose and their contribution to the energy absorption is minimal compared to the energy absorption of the inner shell <NUM>. Indeed, although some other elements such as comfort padding may be made of 'compressible' materials, and as such considered as 'energy absorbing' in other contexts, it is well recognised in the field of helmets that compressible materials are not necessarily 'energy absorbing' in the sense of absorbing a meaningful amount of energy during an impact, for the purposes of reducing the harm to the wearer of the helmet.

A number of different materials and embodiments can be used as the sliding layer <NUM> or sliding facilitator, for example oil, Teflon, microspheres, air, rubber, polycarbonate (PC), a fabric material such as felt, etc. Such a layer may have a thickness of roughly <NUM>-<NUM>, but other thicknesses can also be used, depending on the material selected and the performance desired. The number of sliding layers and their positioning can also be varied, and an example of this is discussed below (with reference to <FIG>).

As connecting members <NUM>, use can be made of, for example, deformable strips of plastic or metal which are anchored in the outer shell and the inner shell in a suitable manner.

<FIG> shows the functioning principle of protective helmet <NUM>, in which the helmet <NUM> and a skull <NUM> of a wearer are assumed to be semi-cylindrical, with the skull <NUM> being mounted on a longitudinal axis <NUM>. Torsional force and torque are transmitted to the skull <NUM> when the helmet <NUM> is subjected to an oblique impact K. The impact force K gives rise to both a tangential force KT and a radial force KR against the protective helmet <NUM>. In this particular context, only the helmet-rotating tangential force KT and its effect are of interest.

As can be seen, the force K gives rise to a displacement <NUM> of the outer shell <NUM> relative to the inner shell <NUM>, the connecting members <NUM> being deformed. A reduction in the torsional force transmitted to the skull <NUM> of roughly <NUM>% can be obtained with such an arrangement. This is a result of the sliding motion between the inner shell <NUM> and the outer shell <NUM> reducing the amount of energy which is transferred into radial acceleration.

Sliding motion can also occur in the circumferential direction of the protective helmet <NUM>, although this is not depicted. This can be as a consequence of circumferential angular rotation between the outer shell <NUM> and the inner shell <NUM> (i.e. during an impact the outer shell <NUM> can be rotated by a circumferential angle relative to the inner shell <NUM>).

Other arrangements of the protective helmet <NUM> are also possible. A few possible variants are shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the inner shell <NUM> is constructed from a relatively thin outer layer <NUM>" and a relatively thick inner layer <NUM>'. The outer layer <NUM>" is preferably harder than the inner layer <NUM>', to help facilitate the sliding with respect to outer shell <NUM>. In <FIG>, the inner shell <NUM> is constructed in the same manner as in <FIG>. In this case, however, there are two sliding layers <NUM>, between which there is an intermediate shell <NUM>. The two sliding layers <NUM> can, if so desired, be embodied differently and made of different materials. One possibility, for example, is to have lower friction in the outer sliding layer than in the inner. In <FIG>, the outer shell <NUM> is embodied differently to previously. In this case, a harder outer layer <NUM>" covers a softer inner layer <NUM>'. The inner layer <NUM>' may, for example, be the same material as the inner shell <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts a second helmet <NUM> of the sort discussed in <CIT>, which is also intended for providing protection against oblique impacts. This type of helmet could also be any of the types of helmet discussed above.

In <FIG>, helmet <NUM> comprises an energy absorbing layer <NUM>, similar to the inner shell <NUM> of the helmet of <FIG>. The outer surface of the energy absorbing layer <NUM> may be provided from the same material as the energy absorbing layer <NUM> (i.e. there may be no additional outer shell), or the outer surface could be a rigid shell <NUM> (see <FIG>) equivalent to the outer shell <NUM> of the helmet shown in <FIG>. In that case, the rigid shell <NUM> may be made from a different material than the energy absorbing layer <NUM>. The helmet <NUM> of <FIG> has a plurality of vents <NUM>, which are optional, extending through both the energy absorbing layer <NUM> and the outer shell <NUM>, thereby allowing airflow through the helmet <NUM>.

An attachment device <NUM> is provided, for attachment of the helmet <NUM> to a wearer's head. As previously discussed, this may be desirable when energy absorbing layer <NUM> and rigid shell <NUM> cannot be adjusted in size, as it allows for the different size heads to be accommodated by adjusting the size of the attachment device <NUM>. The attachment device <NUM> could be made of an elastic or semi-elastic polymer material, such as PC, ABS, PVC or PTFE, or a natural fibre material such as cotton cloth. For example, a cap of textile or a net could form the attachment device <NUM>.

Although the attachment device <NUM> is shown as comprising a headband portion with further strap portions extending from the front, back, left and right sides, the particular configuration of the attachment device <NUM> can vary according to the configuration of the helmet. In some cases the attachment device may be more like a continuous (shaped) sheet, perhaps with holes or gaps, e.g. corresponding to the positions of vents <NUM>, to allow air-flow through the helmet.

<FIG> also depicts an optional adjustment device <NUM> for adjusting the diameter of the head band of the attachment device <NUM> for the particular wearer. In other arrangements, the head band could be an elastic head band in which case the adjustment device <NUM> could be excluded.

A sliding facilitator <NUM> is provided radially inwards of the energy absorbing layer <NUM>. The sliding facilitator <NUM> is adapted to slide against the energy absorbing layer or against the attachment device <NUM> that is provided for attaching the helmet to a wearer's head.

The sliding facilitator <NUM> is provided to assist sliding of the energy absorbing layer <NUM> in relation to an attachment device <NUM>, in the same manner as discussed above. The sliding facilitator <NUM> may be a material having a low coefficient of friction, or may be coated with such a material.

As such, in the <FIG> helmet, the sliding facilitator may be provided on or integrated with the innermost sided of the energy absorbing layer <NUM>, facing the attachment device <NUM>.

However, it is equally conceivable that the sliding facilitator <NUM> may be provided on or integrated with the outer surface of the attachment device <NUM>, for the same purpose of providing slidability between the energy absorbing layer <NUM> and the attachment device <NUM>. That is, in particular arrangements, the attachment device <NUM> itself can be adapted to act as a sliding facilitator <NUM> and may comprise a low friction material.

In other words, the sliding facilitator <NUM> is provided radially inwards of the energy absorbing layer <NUM>. The sliding facilitator can also be provided radially outwards of the attachment device <NUM>.

When the attachment device <NUM> is formed as a cap or net (as discussed above), sliding facilitators <NUM> may be provided as patches of low friction material.

The low friction material may be a waxy polymer, such as PTFE, ABS, PVC, PC, Nylon, PFA, EEP, PE and UHMWPE, or a powder material which could be infused with a lubricant. The low friction material could be a fabric material. As discussed, this low friction material could be applied to either one, or both of the sliding facilitator and the energy absorbing layer.

The attachment device <NUM> can be fixed to the energy absorbing layer <NUM> and/ or the outer shell <NUM> by means of fixing members <NUM>, such as the four fixing members 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d in <FIG>. These may be adapted to absorb energy by deforming in an elastic, semi-elastic or plastic way. However, this is not essential. Further, even where this feature is present, the amount of energy absorbed is usually minimal in comparison to the energy absorbed by the energy absorbing layer <NUM> during an impact.

According to the embodiment shown in <FIG> the four fixing members 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d are suspension members 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, having first and second portions <NUM>, <NUM>, wherein the first portions <NUM> of the suspension members 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d are adapted to be fixed to the attachment device <NUM>, and the second portions <NUM> of the suspension members 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d are adapted to be fixed to the energy absorbing layer <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an embodiment of a helmet similar to the helmet in <FIG>, when placed on a wearers' head. The helmet <NUM> of <FIG> comprises a hard outer shell <NUM> made from a different material than the energy absorbing layer <NUM>. In contrast to <FIG>, in <FIG> the attachment device <NUM> is fixed to the energy absorbing layer <NUM> by means of two fixing members 5a, 5b, which are adapted to absorb energy and forces elastically, semi-elastically or plastically.

A frontal oblique impact I creating a rotational force to the helmet is shown in <FIG>. The oblique impact I causes the energy absorbing layer <NUM> to slide in relation to the attachment device <NUM>. The attachment device <NUM> is fixed to the energy absorbing layer <NUM> by means of the fixing members 5a, 5b. Although only two such fixing members are shown, for the sake of clarity, in practice many such fixing members may be present. The fixing members <NUM> can absorb the rotational forces by deforming elastically or semi-elastically. In other arrangements, the deformation may be plastic, even resulting in the severing of one or more of the fixing members <NUM>. In the case of plastic deformation, at least the fixing members <NUM> will need to be replaced after an impact. In some cases a combination of plastic and elastic deformation in the fixing members <NUM> may occur, i.e. some fixing members <NUM> rupture, absorbing energy plastically, whilst other fixing members deform and absorb forces elastically.

In general, in the helmets of <FIG>, during an impact the energy absorbing layer <NUM> acts as an impact absorber by compressing, in the same way as the inner shell of the <FIG> helmet. If an outer shell <NUM> is used, it will help spread out the impact energy over the energy absorbing layer <NUM>. The sliding facilitator <NUM> will also allow sliding between the attachment device and the energy absorbing layer. This allows for a controlled way to dissipate energy that would otherwise be transmitted as rotational energy to the brain. The energy can be dissipated by friction heat, energy absorbing layer deformation or deformation or displacement of the fixing members. The reduced energy transmission results in reduced rotational acceleration affecting the brain, thus reducing the rotation of the brain within the skull. The risk of rotational injuries such as subdural haematomas, SDH, blood vessel rapturing, concussions and DAI is thereby reduced.

<FIG>, described above, depict helmets <NUM> in which the inner shell/energy absorbing layer <NUM> is constructed from a single piece. However, according to the present disclosure, helmets <NUM> having the features depicted in, and described with reference to, <FIG> may also have a split inner shell <NUM> as described further below.

<FIG> shows a side view of an inner shell <NUM> that may be incorporated into a helmet <NUM> such as depicted in <FIG>. The inner shell <NUM> can completely line the inner surface of an outer shell <NUM>. As described above, the inner shell <NUM> is formed from an energy absorbing material configured to protect against a radial component of an impact to the wearer's head.

As shown in <FIG>, inner shell <NUM> comprises a plurality of shell segments <NUM>. The shell segments <NUM> can be connected by means of one or more connectors <NUM>, discussed in more detail below.

Each shell segment <NUM> is configured to slide relative to the outer shell <NUM>. This can be achieved by providing a low friction sliding interface <NUM> between the inner shell <NUM> and the outer shell <NUM>, as discussed above. The low friction sliding interface <NUM> is configured to facilitate sliding of the inner shell segments <NUM> relative to the outer shell <NUM> in response to an impact to the wearer's head, to protect against a tangential component of the impact.

Further, each shell segment <NUM> is configured to slide independently of each other shell segment. In other words, each segment <NUM> can move relative to each other shell segment <NUM> such that each segment <NUM> can slide with respect to the outer shell <NUM> without the other segments <NUM> necessarily sliding with respect to the outer shell <NUM> (or, at least, not necessarily sliding in the same direction). That is, all segments <NUM> of the inner shell <NUM> are configured to provide movement relative to each other and to the outer shell. As a result, the inner surface of the outer shell <NUM> is lined by the mobile shell segments <NUM> and the connectors <NUM> therebetween. In some implementations at least <NUM>% of the inner surface of the outer shell <NUM> is lined by the mobile shell segments <NUM>, optionally at <NUM> % of the inner surface of the outer shell <NUM> is lined by the mobile shell segments <NUM>, and further optionally at least <NUM>% of the inner surface of the outer shell <NUM> is lined by the mobile shell segments <NUM>.

The shell segments <NUM> can be arranged so that adjacent shell segments are separated by a distance less than a limit of relative movement between the adjacent shell segments <NUM>. In other words, the shell segments <NUM> can be positioned close enough to each other that they can touch or even overlap when they move. In some arrangements, the separation between the shell segments <NUM> can be smaller than the thickness of the shell segments <NUM>.

In some implementations, the inner surface of the outer shell can be formed as a spherical surface, and the outer surface of the inner shell segments <NUM> can be formed as sections of a sphere. The spherical surface of the inner shell segments <NUM> can be of the corresponding size to the spherical surface of the outer shell, or may be different (i.e. a sphere with the substantially the same radius, or of slightly smaller radius, as the spherical radius of the inner surface of the outer shell). This arrangement can allow the inner shell segments <NUM> to slide with respect to the outer shell without risk of geometric locking (i.e. without the shapes of the different surfaces preventing sliding). However, this arrangement is not necessary, and sufficient mobility can be obtained with non-spherical arrangements. Further, even if the sliding surfaces between the outer shell and the inner shell segments <NUM> are spherical, neither the outer surface of the outer shell, nor the inner surface of the shell segments <NUM> needs to also be spherical. Instead, those surfaces may take another shape (e.g. so the inner surface of the shell segments <NUM> can be shaped to the user's head, for example).

As mentioned above, one or more connectors <NUM> can be provided, so that at least two shell segments are connected to each other by a connector <NUM>. The connector <NUM> is configured to allow the two shell segments to each slide independently with respect to the outer shell, by allowing relative movement between the two shell segments <NUM>. The connectors <NUM> connect the shell segments <NUM> but do not attach to the outer shell <NUM>.

The connector <NUM> can be a separate component to the at least two shell segments, as shown in <FIG>. Alternatively, the connector can be formed with the shell segments <NUM>, as discussed in further detail below.

The connector <NUM> is arranged between the two shell segments <NUM> in <FIG>. The connector <NUM> is formed as a resilient structure, which can be deformed to allow the motion of the shell segments <NUM> with respect to each other and the surrounding outer shell <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an example of an inner shell <NUM> which comprises front and rear shell segments <NUM>, which are arranged to cover front and rear parts of the wearer's head respectively. The front segment <NUM> is an elongate shell segment extending across the front of the helmet from side to side arranged to cover the wearer's forehead. The rear shell segment <NUM> is arranged, in this example, to cover rear, left and right portions of the wearer's head and also the crown of the wearer's head. In other alternatives, the front shells segment <NUM> could extend to the cover the crown of the wearer's head instead of the back shell segment <NUM>. In either case, the shell segments <NUM> can have a complementary shape so that they substantially entirely line the inner surface of the outer shell <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a top view of an alternative arrangement, in which the inner shell <NUM> incorporates further shell segments <NUM> (N. B in <FIG>, the connectors <NUM> are not explicitly shown). In the arrangement of <FIG>, there are provided additional lateral, i.e. left and right, segments <NUM> arranged to cover left and right sides of the wearers head respectively. There is also central shell segment <NUM> arranged to sit at the top of the wearer's head in use (i.e. a segment arranged to cover the wearer's crown).

<FIG> also includes arrows on each of the segments <NUM>, indicating that the segments <NUM> can move in all directions with respect to each other.

<FIG> illustrate an alternative arrangement in which the movement of some segments <NUM> is comparatively constrained. <FIG> shows a bottom view of the arrangement, whilst <FIG> shows a side view of the arrangement. This arrangement comprises front and rear shell segments <NUM>, similar to those in <FIG>. In addition there is a central shell segment <NUM> arranged to cover the crown of the wearer's head. In this example the central segment <NUM> is approximately oval. The central segment <NUM> is not connected to the front segment <NUM>.

The rear segment <NUM> surrounds the central segment <NUM>. These two segments are connected by a connector <NUM> extending around the periphery of the central segment <NUM>. As such, the central segment <NUM> is able to move in all directions with respect to the rear segment <NUM>. However, the front segment <NUM> is only configured to move horizontally (as depicted in <FIG>), so as to move left and right around a wearer's head. In other words, this segment <NUM> does not move up and down, in use, with respect to the user's eyes. To implement this, connectors <NUM> are provided at the left and right ends of the front segment <NUM>, but there is no connector between the front and rear segments. Instead, a sliding interface is provided between the front and rear segments.

It is noted that although the front segment of <FIG> may be relatively constrained in the directions in which it can slide with respect to the outer shell <NUM>, it can nonetheless move independently with respect to each of the other segments <NUM>. Moreover, the front segment is still able to slide relative to the outer shell, although the directions available for sliding are not constrained in the same way as the motion relative to the other shell segments (i.e. because the entire inner shell <NUM> can slide back to front, for example).

<FIG> show two further arrangements. In these arrangements the movement of some segments <NUM> is comparatively constrained. Nonetheless, the segments <NUM> can still slide with respect to an outer shell <NUM> independently of each other. In <FIG> the front and rear segments <NUM> abut along the centreline of the helmet. However, the two segments <NUM> are able to slide and pivot around that abutment. In other words the two segments <NUM> can both translate and rotate with respect to each other, and can slide with respect to the outer shell <NUM>. However, the point of abutment puts some limits on the types of movement possible. Similarly, in <FIG> the rear segment <NUM> has a portion projecting into a void in the front segment <NUM>. The two segments are effectively joined in a 'jigsaw' manner, with the projection from the rear segment forming a pivot around which the front segment <NUM> can rotate and slide. <FIG> also illustrates an attachment point <NUM> used on the projection from the rear segment <NUM>, which is discussed in more detail with reference to <FIG> below.

<FIG> illustrates how the multiple shell segments <NUM> may be provided within an actual helmet, in this case an American football helmet. In this example, the front segment <NUM> extends across the front of the helmet from side to side, to cover the wearer's forehead, and also extends to cover the wearer's crown. The rear shell segment <NUM> is arranged, in this example, to wrap around from the top of one side, around the back of the head, to the top of the other side. Left and right segments are provided to cover the bottom side portions of the wearer's head (the right segment, from the wearer's perspective, is not visible in <FIG>, due to the orientation of the helmet).

<FIG> illustrate further detail with respect to the form of the connectors <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a view of an inner shell <NUM> in accordance with an embodiment of the claimed invention, made up of two shell segments <NUM>, as viewed from the bottom/inside of the shell. That is, there is a front segment <NUM> comprising a protruding region configured to protrude into a cut-out portion of the rear shell segment. The protruding portion is surrounded on opposing sides by lateral portions of the front shell segment <NUM> (i.e. the segment <NUM> comprising the protruding portion), and the protruding portion and the lateral portions are separated by gaps in the front shell segment <NUM>. The inverse arrangement, with the protruding portion being in the rear part of a rear shell segment <NUM> is also possible. The distal edge of the protruding section can be substantially flat, as shown in <FIG> or arced as shown in <FIG> for example.

A connector <NUM> joins the two shell segments <NUM>. Connector <NUM> in this example includes flange portions <NUM> which partially overlap with the two shell segments <NUM>. The flange portions <NUM> act as a layer of material that can be connected to the inner or outer surface of the inner shell <NUM> to the shell segments <NUM>. The connector <NUM> further comprises a resilient structure <NUM> that connects the flange portions <NUM>, and thus spans the space between the shell segments <NUM>.

In the example of <FIG>, for the purposes of illustration, the connector <NUM> comprises parts 20A, 20B, 20C and 20D each having different forms of the resilient structure <NUM>.

For example, part 20A has a resilient structure <NUM> comprising loops, providing apertures within the resilient structure through the loops and between the points where the edge of the loops meet the flanges <NUM>. The point of contact between adjacent loops also provides angular portions between the shell segments <NUM>. The angle of the angular potions can change, as the shape of the loops are changed by being squashed or stretched, to allow the surrounding shell segments <NUM> to independently slide with respect to an outer shell <NUM>, by permitting relative movement between the shell segments <NUM>. The adjacent loop structure can also be considered as two intersecting wave structures, with the angle of intersection changing to allow relative movement between the shell segments <NUM>.

In part 20B, the resilient structure <NUM> comprises a series of substantially rectangular apertures, with struts or straight portions extending between the flanges <NUM>. As shown, the apertures are not perfect rectangles, with the edges of the apertures being slightly curved. This results in the strut portions narrowing towards the centre of the resilient structure <NUM>. This assists with allowing the struts to bend to allow relative movement between the two shell segments <NUM>.

In part 20C, the resilient member <NUM> includes some apertures which are triangular rather than quadrilateral. Once again, this results in intersecting struts reaching between the two shell segments <NUM> (i.e. from one flange <NUM> to the other). However, in this case, the intersecting parts extend at an angle which again assists with allowing relative movement between the at least two shell segments <NUM> by allowing bending by changing the angle between the intersecting parts and the surrounding shell segments <NUM>.

In part 20D, the resilient structure <NUM> is provided by a series of circular or oval apertures. In a manner similar to that of part 20B, this results in intersecting struts between the two shell segments <NUM>, with those intersecting struts narrowing towards the centre of the resilient structure <NUM>. As can be seen from these examples, the particular form of the resilient structure <NUM> can be any structure which allows relative movement between the at least two shell segments to facilitate the shell segments <NUM> to slide independently of each other with respect to an outer shell <NUM>. This can be done by providing an angular portion between the at least two shell segments, an inflected portion between the at least two shell segments or intersecting parts between the at least two shell segments.

<FIG> shows a cross-section through two adjacent shell segments <NUM> and a connector <NUM> connecting the two shell segments <NUM>. It can be seen that the flange <NUM> is only provided on one side of the shell segment <NUM>, in this example. This is preferably the inner side of the inner shell <NUM>, thereby providing an uninterrupted outer surface to avoid interfering with the sliding interface <NUM> arranged between the inner shell <NUM> and the outer shell <NUM>. <FIG> also shows one method of attaching the connectors <NUM> to the shell segments <NUM>, by using some form of pin or bolt <NUM>. However, any means for affixing the connector <NUM> to the shell segments <NUM> may be used. This can include other types of mechanical fixing means, or chemical fixing means such as the use of an adhesive or glue.

<FIG> illustrate how an inner shell <NUM> composed of segments <NUM> may be attached within the helmet <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a top view of an inner shell <NUM>, which is composed of five shell segments <NUM>, connected by connectors <NUM>. Each shell segment <NUM> is provided with at least one attachment point <NUM>. Attachment point <NUM> can be used to provide a sliding attachment to the surface surrounding the outer surface of the inner shell <NUM>. For example, as shown in the cross-sectional view of <FIG>, that may be a low friction layer <NUM> acting as a low friction sliding interface between the inner shell <NUM> and the outer shell <NUM>. The sliding attachment between the inner shell segments <NUM> and the layer <NUM> allows for the shell segments <NUM> to move relative to each other, as well as to slide independently with respect to the outer shell <NUM> and the sliding facilitator <NUM>. In the depicted example, the overall inner shell, composed of segments <NUM>, may also slide relative to the outer shell <NUM> by virtue of sliding between the outer surface of the sliding facilitator <NUM> and the inner surface of the outer shell <NUM>. However, it will be appreciated that the sliding attachments could be provided directly between the inner shell <NUM> and outer shell <NUM>. Such shell connectors, connecting the inner shell segments <NUM> to the outer shell <NUM>, could act as the low friction sliding interface <NUM>, allowing sliding between the inner shell <NUM> and outer shell <NUM>. In that scenario, each shell segment <NUM> would preferably be provided with at least one shell connector. Preferably the connections between the inner shell <NUM> and the outer shell <NUM> formed by the shell connectors would be maintained during the sliding in response to an impact.

The sliding attachment used at attachment points <NUM> may be any type of appropriate attachment. For example, the connectors discussed in <CIT> may be used. Those connectors provide a pocket on one part to be connected, within which a plate of material can slide. The plate of material is attached to the part to be connected through an appropriate means, resulting in the two sides of the connection being slidingly connected. Other methods of attachment could include some form of elastic connection, for example.

In <FIG>, the low friction sliding interface is provided by a layer <NUM> which is continuous between inner shell segments <NUM>. That is, there are no gaps in the low friction sliding layer <NUM>, where there are gaps between the segments <NUM>. However, <FIG> shows an alternative construction of a low friction sliding layer <NUM>. The low friction sliding layer <NUM> of <FIG> corresponds to the shape of the inner shell segments <NUM> of <FIG>. That is, in <FIG>, the sliding layer <NUM> is split into segments having the corresponding shapes to the inner shell segments <NUM> of <FIG>. This allows the segments of the sliding layer <NUM> to move with the inner shell segments <NUM> without any additional resistance from additional sliding layer material between the segments <NUM>, for example.

However, in other scenarios, it may be desirable to take advantage of the possibility of deforming the sliding layer <NUM> between the shell segments <NUM>. This is illustrated in <FIG>, in which a continuous low friction sliding layer <NUM> is provided, spanning the gap between two inner shell segments <NUM>. When the inner shell segments move towards each other, as illustrated by the arrows, the low friction layer between the segments <NUM> can deform, as shown by the dotted line. In this scenario, the low friction layer <NUM> can act as the connector <NUM>, without any additional parts. That is, in this example, the low friction layer <NUM> connects the segments <NUM> in a way that allows independent sliding of the shell segments <NUM>. The shell segments <NUM> are connected at an outer surface of the inner shell <NUM> by a layer of material that also covers the inner shell <NUM> and forms the low friction sliding interface <NUM> within the outer shell <NUM>.

<FIG> shows an alternative method of providing the connectors <NUM>. In this example, the connectors are co-formed with the individual inner shell segments <NUM>, such that the segments <NUM> and the connectors <NUM> are also created together from the same material. As such, the connectors <NUM> can be areas of relative weakness / lower stiffness compared to the segments <NUM>, and can thus deform to allow relative movement of the shell segments with respect to each other. For example, as shown in <FIG>, connecting regions <NUM> can be formed with apertures, e.g. of substantially circular cross-section, passing through them to provide the lower stiffness. The material through which the apertures pass form the resilient structure <NUM> of the connector <NUM>.

Another alternative is shown in <FIG>, in which an intermediate shell <NUM> is provided between the segments <NUM> of inner shell <NUM> and the outer shell <NUM>.

In one scenario, intermediate layer <NUM> could act as a connector for segments of the inner layer <NUM>, with the segments <NUM> being relatively fixed to intermediate layer <NUM>. The parts of intermediate layer <NUM> acting as the connectors <NUM>, may be structurally weakened in the same way as illustrated in <FIG>, for example, but this is not necessary. In this scenario, the low friction sliding interface <NUM> would be between the intermediate layer <NUM> and the outer shell <NUM>, and thus between the inner shell <NUM> and the outer shell <NUM>.

In another scenario, the segments <NUM> of the inner shell <NUM> may be able to slide relative to the intermediate shell <NUM>. In that scenario, separate connectors <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>) may be provided between the segments of inner shell <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A helmet (<NUM>) comprising:
an outer shell (<NUM>);
an inner shell (<NUM>) lining an inner surface (<NUM>) of the outer shell (<NUM>) and formed from an energy absorbing material configured to protect against a radial component of an impact to the wearer's head; and
a low friction sliding interface (<NUM>) between the inner shell (<NUM>) and the outer shell (<NUM>) configured to facilitate sliding of the inner shell (<NUM>) relative to the outer shell (<NUM>) in response to an impact to the wearer's head to protect against a tangential component of the impact; wherein
the inner shell (<NUM>) comprises a plurality of shell segments (<NUM>), each shell segment (<NUM>) being configured to slide relative to the outer shell (<NUM>) at the sliding interface (<NUM>) and each shell segment (<NUM>) being configured to slide independently of each other shell segment (<NUM>), and
the plurality of shell segments (<NUM>) comprise front and rear shell segments arranged to cover front and rear parts of the wearer's head respectively, and one of the front shell segment (<NUM>) or rear shell segment (<NUM>) comprises a protruding portion configured to protrude into a cut-out portion of the other of the front shell segment (<NUM>) and the rear shell segment (<NUM>).