Helmet padding system

Abstract

Helmet padding systems are disclosed. One helmet padding system includes a rigid shell configured to cover a top of a user's head and be worn under a piece of headgear. The rigid shell includes a first pair of slots configured to extend in a direction from a back of the user's head toward a front of the user's head when the rigid shell is worn on the user's head. A spacing pad is positioned within the rigid shell. One or more straps are connected to the rigid shell and configured to secure the rigid shell on the user's head.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A helmet padding system comprising:
 a rigid shell configured to cover a top of a user's head and be worn under a piece of headgear, the rigid shell comprising a first pair of slots configured to extend in a direction from a back of the user's head toward a front of the user's head when the rigid shell is worn on the user's head;   a spacing pad positioned within the rigid shell, the spacing pad including a layer of elastomeric material; and   one or more straps connected to the rigid shell and configured to secure the rigid shell on the user's head.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet padding system of  claim 1 , wherein the first pair of slots are positioned on either side of an apex of the rigid shell. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet padding system of  claim 2 , wherein the spacing pad comprises a portion coupled to the rigid shell between the first pair of slots. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet padding system of  claim 1 , wherein the spacing pad comprises a portion extending circumferentially around at least a portion of a lower circumferential edge of the rigid shell. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet padding system of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first pair of slots increases in width in the direction from the back of the user's head toward the front of the user's head. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet padding system of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid shell further comprises a second pair of slots configured to extend in a direction from the front of the user's head toward the back of the user's head. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet padding system of  claim 6 , wherein the second pair of slots extend along lines which are outward from the first pair of slots relative to an apex of the rigid shell. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet padding system of  claim 6 , wherein each of the second pair of slots has a constant width. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet padding system of  claim 6 , wherein the first pair of slots and the second pair of slots do not contact one another. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet padding system of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid shell includes a lower front edge, a pair of lower side edges, and a lower rear edge, the lower front edge and the pair of lower side edges defining a first plane, the lower rear edge positioned outside of the first plane. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet padding system of  claim 10 , wherein the lower rear edge comprises opposed end sections defining a second plane, and a middle section positioned outside of the first plane and the second plane. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet padding system of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more straps comprise respective straps extending downward from each lower side edge. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet padding system of  claim 12 , wherein each respective strap includes a first strap portion extending downward from a forward portion of the respective lower side edge, and a second strap portion extending downward from a rearward portion of the respective lower side edge. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet padding system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more straps are directly connected to the rigid shell. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet padding system of  claim 14 , wherein the spacing pad includes at least one cutout, and at least one of the one or more straps is directly connected to the rigid shell at the at least one cutout.