Adjustable elastic shear protection in protective gear

Abstract

Protective gear such as a helmet includes multiple shell layers connected using one or more shear protection devices. The shear protection devices have a general V-shaped configuration with one vertex point and two endpoints. Elastic bands connect the vertex with each endpoint. The vertex is secured to the inner surface of the outer shell layer and the two endpoints are attached to the outer surface of a middle shell layer. The devices have means for adjusting the tension in the elastic bands. The bands flex downward or contracts when there is an impact on the helmet. The adjustable device is able to absorb energy from the impact by flexing and allowing movement of the outer shell layer relative to the middle shell layer.

1 . A helmet, comprising:
 an outer shell layer;   a middle shell layer;   an inner shell layer; and   a first shear protection device having a vertex, a first endpoint, and a second endpoint connecting the outer shell and the middle shell layer, wherein the first shear protection device has a tension adjustment mechanism including a circular dial component which when turned adjusts a tension of the first shear protection device, and wherein the first shear device allows the outer shell layer to move relative to the middle shell layer when mechanical forces are imparted onto the outer shell layer.   
     
     
         2 . A helmet as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the device has a first elastic band between the vertex and the first end point, the first elastic band having a first default tension, and a second elastic band between the vertex and the second end point, the second elastic band having a second default tension, wherein the tension adjustment mechanism adjusts the first default tension and the second default tension. 
     
     
         3 . A helmet as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the vertex is secured to an inner surface of the outer shell and the first end point and the second end point are secured to an outer surface of the middle shell. 
     
     
         4 . A helmet as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first shear protection device is in an energy and impact transformer layer between the outer shell and the middle shell. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising a second shear protection device connecting the middle shell layer to the inner shell layer, wherein the second device allows the middle shell layer to move relative to the inner shell layer. 
     
     
         6 . A helmet as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first end point and the second end point are secured to an inner surface of the outer shell layer and the vertex is secured to an outer surface of the middle shell. 
     
     
         7 . A helmet as recited in  claim 1  wherein the vertex has a first aperture and the first end point and second end point have a second aperture. 
     
     
         8 . A helmet as recited in  claim 1  wherein a portion of the circular dial component is exposed and protrudes through the outer surface of the outer shell such that a user can rotate the circular dial component in either direction. 
     
     
         9 . A helmet as recited in  claim 1  wherein the tension adjustment mechanism is attached to the vertex. 
     
     
         10 . A helmet as recited in  claim 5  wherein a second tension adjustment mechanism adjusts a default tension of the second shear protection device. 
     
     
         11 . A helmet, comprising:
 an outer shell layer;   a middle shell layer;   an inner shell layer; and   a first shear protection device having a vertex, a first endpoint, and a second endpoint connecting the outer shell and the middle shell layer, wherein the first shear protection device has a tension adjustment mechanism including a lever and notch component that when engaged adjusts a tension of the device, and wherein the first shear device allows the outer shell layer to move relative to the middle shell layer when mechanical forces are imparted onto the outer shell layer.   
     
     
         12 . A helmet as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the device has a first elastic band between the vertex and the first end point, the first elastic band having a first default tension, and a second elastic band between the vertex and the second end point, the second elastic band having a second default tension, wherein the tension adjustment mechanism adjusts the first default tension and the second default tension. 
     
     
         13 . A helmet as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the vertex is secured to an inner surface of the outer shell and the first end point and the second end point are secured to an outer surface of the middle shell. 
     
     
         14 . A helmet as recited in  claim 11  wherein the first shear protection device is in an energy and impact transformer layer between the outer shell and the middle shell. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet of  claim 11 , further comprising a second shear protection device connecting the middle shell layer to the inner shell layer, wherein the second device allows the middle shell layer to move relative to the inner shell layer. 
     
     
         16 . A helmet as recited in  claim 11  wherein the first end point and the second end point are secured to an inner surface of the outer shell layer and the vertex is secured to an outer surface of the middle shell. 
     
     
         17 . A helmet as recited in  claim 11  wherein the vertex has a first aperture and the first end point and second end point have a second aperture. 
     
     
         18 . A helmet as recited in  claim 11  wherein a portion of the lever and notch component is exposed and is accessible through the outer surface of the outer shell such that a user can lift the lever and engage a bar with a different notch to decrease or increase the tension. 
     
     
         19 . A helmet as recited in  claim 11  wherein the tension adjustment mechanism is attached to the vertex. 
     
     
         20 . A helmet as recited in  claim 15  wherein a second tension adjustment mechanism adjusts a default tension of the second shear protection device.