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 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A football helmet face guard system comprising:
 a wire face guard having a lower cage portion;   the lower cage portion housed in or affixed to a pair of side jaw protector plates made out of metal or plastic;   the side jaw protector plates molded to a shape such that the lower cage portion of the face guard is secured or embedded in the side jaw protector plates.   
     
     
         26 . The football helmet face guard system of  claim 25  wherein the wire face guard is made from steel, stainless steel, or titanium. 
     
     
         27 . The football helmet face guard system of  claim 25  wherein the wire face guard is covered by plastic. 
     
     
         28 . The football helmet face guard system of  claim 27  wherein the plastic is powder-coated plastic. 
     
     
         29 . The football helmet face guard system of  claim 25  wherein the side jaw protector plates are removable from the wire face guard. 
     
     
         30 . The football helmet face guard system of  claim 25  wherein the side jaw protector plates reduce the g-forces from side jaw impact. 
     
     
         31 . A football helmet comprising:
 an outer shell made of a rigid material selected from the group of polycarbonate and ABS;   a face guard system comprising a wire face guard having a lower cage portion housed in or affixed to a pair of side jaw protector plates made out of metal or plastic;   a pair of jaw pads adjacent the side jaw protector plates.   
     
     
         32 . The football helmet of  claim 31  wherein the jaw pads are connected to the side jaw protector plates. 
     
     
         33 . The football helmet of  claim 31  wherein the jaw pads are removably connected to internal pads of the helmet. 
     
     
         34 . The football helmet of  claim 31  wherein the side jaw protector plates are molded to a shape such that the lower cage portion of the face guard is secured or embedded in the side jaw protector plates. 
     
     
         35 . The football helmet of  claim 31  wherein the wire face guard is made from steel, stainless steel, or titanium. 
     
     
         36 . The football helmet of  claim 31  wherein the wire face guard is covered by plastic. 
     
     
         37 . The football helmet of  claim 36  wherein the plastic is powder-coated plastic. 
     
     
         38 . The football helmet of  claim 31  wherein the side jaw protector plates are removable from the wire face guard. 
     
     
         39 . The football helmet of  claim 31  wherein the side jaw protector plates reduce the g-forces from side jaw impact. 
     
     
         40 . The football helmet of  claim 31  wherein the face guard system is pivotably attached to the helmet. 
     
     
         41 . The football helmet of  claim 31  wherein the jaw pads provide added cushioning and energy absorption at the wearer's jaw area. 
     
     
         42 . A football helmet comprising:
 an outer shell made of a rigid material selected from the group of polycarbonate and ABS and having ear flaps;   a face guard system comprising a wire face guard having a lower cage portion housed in or affixed to a pair of side jaw protector plates made out of metal or plastic;   a pair of jaw pads attached to the side jaw protector plates for added cushioning and energy absorption at the wearer's jaw area.   
     
     
         43 . The football helmet of  claim 42  wherein the a face guard system extends within the ear flaps and is attached to the ear flaps by a pair of fasteners. 
     
     
         44 . The football helmet face guard system of  claim 25  wherein the jaw protector plates are soft coated. 
     
     
         45 . The football helmet of  claim 31  wherein the jaw protector plates are soft coated. 
     
     
         46 . The football helmet of  claim 42  wherein the jaw protector plates are soft coated.