Helmet having interior ventilation channels

Abstract

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a helmet having interior ventilation channels is provided. In a particular embodiment, the helmet includes at least one protective layer configured to cover at least a portion of a user's head and a plurality of pads coupled to the protective layer, the pads defining a network of interconnected ventilation channels between the pads, the ventilation channels substantially covering an interior of the protective layer and allowing air circulation between the protective layer and the user's head when the helmet is worn by the user.

1 . A helmet, comprising: 
 at least one protective layer configured to cover at least a portion of a user's head; and    a plurality of pads coupled to the protective layer, the pads defining a network of interconnected ventilation channels between the pads, the ventilation channels substantially covering an interior of the protective layer and allowing air circulation between the protective layer and the user's head when the helmet is worn by the user.    
   
   
       2 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein thirty percent or less of the surface area of the interior of the protective layer is covered by pads.  
   
   
       3 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one protective layer comprises: 
 an outer protective shell; and    an inner protective layer disposed substantially within the outer protective shell.    
   
   
       4 . The helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one port configured to allow air to flow from an exterior of the helmet into an interior of the helmet.  
   
   
       5 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of pads comprise at least forty pads.  
   
   
       6 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of pads comprises foam.  
   
   
       7 . The helmet of  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the plurality of pads comprises high-density, closed cell foam.  
   
   
       8 . The helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising a liner material covering at least a portion of one or more of the pads.  
   
   
       9 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the minimum distance between any two adjacent pads comprises six millimeters.  
   
   
       10 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of pads comprises a cylindrical shape.  
   
   
       11 . The helmet of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the plurality of pads comprises a cylindrical shape having a circular, oval, or polygonal cross-section.  
   
   
       12 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of pads comprises an area to height ratio of less than fifty to one.  
   
   
       13 . A method of manufacturing a helmet, comprising: 
 providing at least one protective layer configured to cover at least a portion of a user's head; and    coupling a plurality of pads to the protective layer, the pads defining a network of interconnected ventilation channels between the pads, the ventilation channels substantially covering an interior of the protective layer and allowing air circulation between the protective layer and the user's head when the helmet is worn by the user.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein thirty percent or less of the surface area of the interior of the protective layer is covered by pads.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one protective layer comprises: 
 an outer protective shell; and    an inner protective layer disposed substantially within the outer protective shell.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one protective layer comprises at least one port configured to allow air to flow from an exterior of the helmet into an interior of the helmet.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of pads comprise at least forty pads.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the plurality of pads comprises foam.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the plurality of pads comprises high-density, closed cell foam.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising coupling a liner material to one or more of the pads, such that the liner material covers at least a portion of one or more of the pads.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the minimum distance between any two adjacent pads comprises six millimeters.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the plurality of pads comprises a cylindrical shape.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein at least one of the plurality of pads comprises a cylindrical shape having a circular, oval, or polygonal cross-section.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein at least one of the plurality of pads comprises an area to height ratio of less than fifty to one.