Helmet with boundary nub and elastomer retainers

Abstract

A protective helmet for rotational energy management may include an outer protective shell including an outer surface and an inner surface, a portion of which may be spherically shaped. An inner protective shell may be disposed within the outer protective shell and include a spherically shaped outer surface oriented towards the inner surface of the outer protective shell. A surface area of the outer surface of the inner protective shell may be less than a surface area of the inner surface of the outer protective shell. A first elastomer member may extend through a first channel through the outer protective shell and the inner protective shell. A boundary nub may include a spherical shape and be integrally formed with the inner protective shell at a front lower edge of the inner protective shell.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective helmet for rotational energy management, comprising:
 an outer protective shell comprising an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, a portion of the inner surface being spherically shaped;   an inner protective shell disposed within the outer protective shell and further comprising a spherically shaped outer surface oriented towards the inner surface of the outer protective shell and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, wherein a surface area of the outer surface of the inner protective shell is less than a surface area of the inner surface of the outer protective shell;   a first channel extending through the outer protective shell and the inner protective shell;   a first elastomer member extending through the first channel and comprising a first end positioned at the inner surface of the inner protective shell, a second end opposite the first end positioned at the outer surface of the outer protective shell,—and a connecting portion extending between the first end and the second end; and   a boundary nub comprising a spherical shape and integrally formed with the inner protective shell at a front lower edge of the inner protective shell.   
     
     
         2 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , wherein an occipital portion of the inner surface of the outer protective shell is not spherical in shape, but comprises a convex curve that is not covered by the inner protective shell. 
     
     
         3 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the boundary nub is formed of the same material as the inner protective shell. 
     
     
         4 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first end of the first elastomer member is enlarged to comprise a maximum cross-sectional width D 1  that is greater than a maximum cross-sectional width D 2  of the first channel;   the second end of the first elastomer member further comprises an opening disposed completely through the second end of the first elastomer member; and   a pin is disposed through the opening, the pin comprising a distance D 3  greater than a distance D 4  of a maximum cross-sectional width of the connecting portion of the first elastomer member, wherein the pin comprises a center portion disposed between two end portions, the center portion of the pin contacting the first elastomer member and the two end portions of the pin contacting the outer protective shell.   
     
     
         5 . The protective helmet of  claim 4 , wherein the second end of the first elastomer member and the pin are positioned within a recess in the outer protective shell. 
     
     
         6 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 the first channel and the first elastomer member disposed at a left rear portion of the helmet; and   a second channel and a second elastomer member disposed at a right rear portion of the helmet.   
     
     
         7 . The protective helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising a protective outer cover disposed over the outer protective shell. 
     
     
         8 . A protective helmet for rotational energy management, comprising:
 an outer protective shell comprising an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface;   an inner protective shell disposed within the outer protective shell with an outer surface oriented towards the inner surface of the outer protective shell and an inner surface opposite the outer surface;   a first channel extending through the outer protective shell and the inner protective shell;   a first elastomer member extending through the first channel and comprising a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a connecting portion extending between the first end and the second end; and   a boundary nub comprising a spherical shape.   
     
     
         9 . The protective helmet of  claim 8 , wherein the boundary nub is disposed along a lower edge of the helmet at an interface between the outer protective shell and the inner protective shell. 
     
     
         10 . The protective helmet of  claim 9 , wherein the boundary nub is integrally formed with the outer protective shell or the inner protective shell. 
     
     
         11 . The protective helmet of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a portion of the inner surface of the outer protective shell is spherically shaped; and   the outer surface of the inner protective shell is spherically shaped and comprises a surface area less than a surface area of the inner surface of the outer protective shell;   wherein an occipital portion of the inner surface of the outer protective shell is not spherical in shape, but comprises a convex curve that is not covered by the inner protective shell.   
     
     
         12 . The protective helmet of  claim 8 , wherein the second end of the first elastomer member further comprises:
 an opening disposed completely through the first end or second end of the first elastomer member; and   a pin disposed through the opening, the pin comprising a distance D 3  greater than a distance D 4  of a maximum cross-sectional width of the connecting portion of the first elastomer member, wherein the pin comprises a center portion disposed between two end portions, the center portion of the pin contacting the first elastomer member and the two end portions of the pin contacting the outer protective shell.   
     
     
         13 . The protective helmet of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 the first channel and the first elastomer member disposed at a left rear portion of the helmet; and   a second channel and a second elastomer member disposed at a right rear portion of the helmet.   
     
     
         14 . A protective helmet for rotational energy management, comprising:
 an outer protective shell comprising an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, a portion of the inner surface being spherically shaped;   an inner protective shell disposed within the outer protective shell and further comprising a spherically shaped outer surface oriented towards the inner surface of the outer protective shell and an inner surface opposite the outer surface, wherein a surface area of the outer surface of the inner protective shell is less than a surface area of the inner surface of the outer protective shell;   a first channel extending through the outer protective shell and the inner protective shell;   a first elastomer member extending through the first channel and comprising a first end, a second end opposite the first end, and a connecting portion extending between the first end and the second end; and   a boundary nub.   
     
     
         15 . The protective helmet of  claim 14 , further comprising an occipital portion of the inner surface of the outer protective shell, wherein the occipital portion is not covered by the inner protective shell and comprises a convex curve to follow an occipital curve of helmet wearer. 
     
     
         16 . The protective helmet of  claim 14 , wherein the boundary nub comprises a spherical shape disposed at a lower edge of the protective shell along an interface between the outer protective shell and the inner protective shell. 
     
     
         17 . The protective helmet of  claim 16 , wherein the boundary nub is formed of the same material as the inner protective shell or the outer protective shell. 
     
     
         18 . The protective helmet of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the first end of the elastomer member is enlarged to comprise a maximum cross-sectional width D 1  that is greater than a maximum cross-sectional width D 2  of the first channel;   the second end of the first elastomer member further comprises an opening disposed completely through the upper end of the first elastomer member; and   a pin is disposed through the opening, the pin comprising a distance D 3  greater than a distance D 4  of a maximum cross-sectional width of the connecting portion of the first elastomer member, wherein the pin comprises a center portion disposed between two end portions, the center portion of the pin contacting the first elastomer member and the two end portions of the pin contacting the outer protective shell.   
     
     
         19 . The protective helmet of  claim 18 , wherein the pin is positioned within a recess in the outer protective shell. 
     
     
         20 . The protective helmet of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 the first channel and the first elastomer member disposed at a left rear portion of the helmet; and   a second channel and a second elastomer member disposed at a right rear portion of the helmet.