Helmet

Abstract

A helmet comprises an outer shell, an impact absorbing liner ( 10 ) inside the outer shell to receive loads from the outer shell and an inner liner ( 12 ) disposed inside the impact absorbing liner ( 10 ), with the inner liner ( 12 ) configured to slide relative to the impact absorbing liner ( 10 ). The inner liner ( 12 ) defines a number of apertures ( 16 ) and a deflector ( 14 ) inside each aperture. Each deflector ( 14 ) comprises: a body ( 20 ) that is connectable to the impact absorbing liner ( 12 ); a peripheral border ( 18 ) that is connectable to the aperture ( 16 ) in which it is received; and a number of deformable spokes ( 22 ) extending between the body ( 20 ) and the border ( 18 ).

1 . A helmet comprising:
 an outer shell;   an impact absorbing liner disposed inside the outer shell and connected in a load transferring manner to the outer shell to receive loads from the outer shell;   an inner liner disposed inside the impact absorbing liner, said inner liner being configured to slide relative to the impact absorbing liner, said inner liner defining at least one receiving formation; and   wherein said helmet includes at least one deflector comprising: a hub that is connectable to the impact absorbing liner; a border along at least part of the deflector's periphery, said border being connectable to one of the receiving formations of the inner liner; and at least one flexible element extending between the hub and the border.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the receiving formations are apertures defined in the inner liner and at least some of the borders of the deflectors are connectable to the apertures by fitting inside the apertures. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible elements include a plurality of deformable spokes extending between the hub and the border. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet according to  claim 3 , wherein at least some of the spokes are curved. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet according to  claim 4 , wherein at least some of the spokes extend in a spiral configuration between the hub and the border. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the deflectors are of a non-Newtonian material that is shear thickening. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the deflectors each define a shell extending between the impact absorbing liner and the inner liner, said shell being at least partly collapsible and having a hollow U-shaped profile. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the hubs of at least some of the deflectors are releasably connectable to the impact absorbing liner. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the hubs of at least some of the deflectors are connectable to the impact absorbing liner by way of anchor formations that extend, at least in part, into the impact absorbing liner. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet according to  claim 2 , wherein the flexible elements include a plurality of deformable spokes extending between the hub and the border. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet according to  claim 10 , wherein at least some of the spokes are curved. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet according to  claim 11 , wherein at least some of the spokes extend in a spiral configuration between the hub and the border. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet according to  claim 2 , wherein at least some of the deflectors are of a non-Newtonian material that is shear thickening. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet according to  claim 3 , wherein at least some of the deflectors are of a non-Newtonian material that is shear thickening. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet according to  claim 4 , wherein at least some of the deflectors are of a non-Newtonian material that is shear thickening. 
     
     
         16 . The helmet according to  claim 5 , wherein at least some of the deflectors are of a non-Newtonian material that is shear thickening.