Protective helmet

Abstract

A protective helmet having an inner shell and an outer shell assembly. Internal padding contacts an inner surface of the inner shell and an energy absorbing layer is positioned between the inner shell and the outer shell assembly. The outer shell assembly includes a plurality of rigid, outer shell segments with at least one of the outer shell segments designed and arranged to move relative to the other outer shell segments upon receiving an impact force. The external energy absorbing layer and the outer shell assembly dampens impact energy before it reaches the inner shell.

1 . A protective helmet comprising:
 an outer shell assembly;   an inner shell having inner and outer surfaces;   internal padding contacting said inner surface of said inner shell;   an energy absorbing layer positioned between said inner shell and said outer shell assembly;   wherein said outer shell assembly comprises a plurality of rigid, outer shell segments, at least one of said outer shell segments designed and arranged to move relative to said other outer shell segments upon receiving an impact force.   
     
     
         2 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , wherein said inner shell is a rigid shell. 
     
     
         3 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , wherein said outer shell assembly is a rigid shell assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , wherein said outer shell assembly is directly connected to said energy absorbing layer independent of said inner shell, and said inner shell is directly connected to said energy absorbing layer independent of said outer shell assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The protective helmet of  claim 4 , wherein a portion of said outer shell assembly and a portion of said inner shell are in contacting relationship with each other. 
     
     
         6 . The protective helmet of  claim 5 , wherein said contacting portions of said inner shell and said outer shell assembly are secured to each other. 
     
     
         7 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , wherein said outer shell assembly comprises a plurality of individual panels and each said individual panel is individually connected to said energy absorbing layer. 
     
     
         8 . The protective helmet of  claim 7 , wherein said plurality of individual panels are not joined to one another. 
     
     
         9 . The protective helmet of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of said individual panels is allowed to move independently of the other said individual panels. 
     
     
         10 . The protective helmet of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of said individual panels is allowed to move relative to said inner shell upon receiving an impact force. 
     
     
         11 . The protective helmet of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of said individual panels includes external padding on an outer surface of said individual panel. 
     
     
         12 . The protective helmet of  claim 7 , wherein at least one of said individual panels has a protruding outer surface for added energy absorption. 
     
     
         13 . The protective helmet of  claim 7 , further comprising a cushioned ridge positioned between adjacent said individual panels of said outer shell assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The protective helmet of  claim 13 , wherein said energy absorbing layer includes said cushioned ridge. 
     
     
         15 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , wherein said inner shell comprises a front portion, a pair of side portions, a crown portion and a back portion, wherein said inner shell, when placed on a person's head, covers the forehead, ears, crown and back of the head. 
     
     
         16 . The protective helmet of  claim 15 , wherein said inner shell is a single, unitary piece. 
     
     
         17 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of outer shell segments are allowed to move relative to said inner shell upon receiving an impact force. 
     
     
         18 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , wherein said inner shell and said outer shell assembly include a plurality of vent openings, at least one said outer shell vent opening radially aligned over at least one said inner shell vent opening. 
     
     
         19 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , wherein said outer shell segments are formed by a plurality of slot channels in said outer shell assembly. 
     
     
         20 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a face guard system connected to said outer shell assembly, said face guard system including a face guard and side jaw protector plates connected to said inner shell.   
     
     
         21 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a face guard system including a face guard having a pair of lower jaw extensions, said lower jaw extensions extending beyond a lower front edge of the outer shell assembly.   
     
     
         22 . A protective helmet comprising:
 an outer shell assembly;   an inner shell having inner and outer surfaces;   internal padding contacting said inner surface of said inner shell;   an energy absorbing layer positioned between said inner shell and said outer shell assembly;   wherein said outer shell assembly comprises a plurality of rigid, outer shell segments, at least one of said outer shell segments designed and arranged to move relative to said inner shell upon receiving an impact force.   
     
     
         23 . The protective helmet of  claim 22 , wherein said outer shell assembly is directly connected to said energy absorbing layer independent of said inner shell, and said inner shell is directly connected to said energy absorbing layer independent of said outer shell assembly. 
     
     
         24 . The protective helmet of  claim 23 , wherein a portion of said outer shell assembly and a portion of said inner shell are directly secured to each other.