Impact attenuation system for a protective helmet

Abstract

A protective football helmet has a one-piece shell with a continuous lower frontal edge extending between a left and right side portion of the shell. A first impact attenuation member is formed in a front portion of the shell adjacent and above the continuous lower frontal edge, and a second impact attenuation member is formed in a rear portion of the shell adjacent and above a continuous lower rear edge. An extent of the first impact attenuation member is capable of being elastically displaced inward of an extent of the continuous lower frontal edge when an impact force is applied substantially normal to the front portion of the shell. Additionally, an extent of the second impact attenuation member is capable of being elastically displaced inward of an extent of the continuous lower rear edge when an impact force is applied substantially normal to the rear portion of the shell. In an embodiment, the first and second impact attenuation members are cantilevered segments, each having a periphery defined by a continuous gap formed in the shell.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A football helmet to be worn by a player while playing football, the helmet comprising:
 a one-piece shell including:   a crown portion defining an upper region of the shell;   a front portion extending generally forwardly and downwardly from the crown portion, the front portion having a continuous lower frontal edge;   left and right side portions extending generally downwardly and laterally from the crown portion, each of the left and right side portions having an ear flap configured to overlie an ear of the player wearing the helmet, and wherein the continuous lower frontal edge extends between the left and right side portion;   a rear portion extending generally rearwardly and downwardly from the crown portion, the rear portion having a continuous lower rear edge;   a first impact attenuation member formed in the front portion of the shell adjacent and above the continuous lower frontal edge; and   a second impact attenuation member formed in the rear portion of the shell adjacent and above the continuous lower rear edge; and   a protective face guard coupled to the shell.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein an extent of the first impact attenuation member is capable of being elastically displaced inward of an extent of the continuous lower frontal edge when an impact force is applied substantially normal to the front portion of the shell. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein an extent of the second impact attenuation member is capable of being elastically displaced inward of an extent of the continuous lower rear edge when an impact force is applied substantially normal to the rear portion of the shell. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second impact attenuation members are cantilevered segments. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet of  claim 4 , wherein a periphery of the cantilevered segments are defined by a continuous gap formed in the shell.