Patent ID: 8060951

Claim:
A low profile protective helmet comprising: an outer shell of a substantially rigid impact resistant material, said outer shell having generally spherical contours to encompass the upper part of a wearer's head, wherein said outer shell is integrally formed by a center section, a front section and a rear section, wherein said outer shell further includes an interior surface that is immediately adjacent the top of the wearer's head when the helmet is being worn, said helmet further includes a distal point at its apex, a pair of side slots, each of said side slots for attaching a hearing protection pad, side channels for attaching an internal suspension padding and, a rigid shock absorbing means integral to the outer shell including a first extension and a second extension in perpendicular relationship with said first extension, wherein said first extension horizontally extends along a central portion of the center section and defines first and second horizontal ends, and the second extension vertically extends along the central portion of the center section and extends such that a first end of said second extension is approximately adjacent the front section and a second end of said second extension is approximately adjacent the rear section, wherein said distal point is approximately 1.3 inches from said first and second horizontal ends.