Impact Mitigation Fit Pods

Abstract

The protective helmet, the fit pod assemblies and the respective components relates to methods, devices, and systems for improved helmet systems to enhance athletic performance by dispersing impact forces and/or improving helmet comfort and/or fit through size customization and/or conforming to contours of a wearer's head. If desired, the various fit pod assemblies can include modular features to provide a semi-custom and/or customized feel for plug and play assembly and/or retrofitting a commercially available helmet and/or other item of protective clothing.

We claim: 
     
         1 . An impact mitigation pod assembly comprising:
 a fit pod, the fit pod comprises a top layer, a bottom layer, and at least one foam layer; the at least one foam layer disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer; and   a connection mechanism, the connection mechanism having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the connection mechanism being disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer, the second portion comprising a shape and extending perpendicularly away from the fit pod.   
     
     
         2 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the top layer comprises a plurality of channels, the plurality of channels extending in one or more orientations. 
     
     
         3 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first portion having a planar configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the bottom layer comprises at least one opening, the at least one opening sized and configured to receive the second portion of the connection mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shape of the second portion is triangular. 
     
     
         6 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the top layer and bottom layer are different materials or the same materials. 
     
     
         7 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one foam layer comprises a first foam layer and a second foam layer. 
     
     
         8 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom layer comprises polycarbonate. 
     
     
         9 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fit pod further comprises a flat, planar configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fit pod further comprises a curved configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the first foam layer comprises a comfort foam and the second foam layer comprises an impact foam. 
     
     
         12 . A protective helmet system comprising:
 a helmet, the helmet comprising an inner surface, the inner surface including a plurality of connection mechanism openings, the plurality of connection mechanism openings positioned in different regions of the inner surface, the plurality of connection mechanism openings having a shape; and   
       a plurality fit pod assemblies, the plurality of fit pod assemblies comprises a fit pod and a connection mechanism, the connection mechanism having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the connection mechanism being disposed within the plurality of fit pod assemblies, the second portion comprising a shape and extending perpendicularly away from the plurality of fit pod assemblies; the shape of the second portion substantially matching the shape of the plurality of connection mechanism openings of the inner surface.
 the second portion of the connection mechanism of the plurality of fit pod assemblies inserted into the plurality of connection mechanism openings and removably coupled to the inner surface. 
 
     
     
         13 . An impact mitigation pod assembly comprising:
 a fit pod, the fit pod comprises a top layer, a bottom layer, and at least one foam layer; the at least one foam layer disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer, the top layer comprises a plurality of channels, the plurality of channels extending in one or more orientations; and   a connection mechanism, the connection mechanism having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion of the connection mechanism being disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer, the second portion comprising a shape and extending perpendicularly away from the fit pod.   
     
     
         14 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first portion having a planar configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the bottom layer comprises at least one opening, the at least one opening sized and configured to receive the second portion of the connection mechanism. 
     
     
         16 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the shape of the second portion is triangular. 
     
     
         17 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the top layer and bottom layer are different materials or the same materials. 
     
     
         18 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one foam layer comprises a first foam layer and a second foam layer. 
     
     
         19 . The protective helmet of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of channels further comprises a channel width, the channel width being movable between first position that allows the channel width to be in a neutral position making the fit pod planar prior to removably coupling to the helmet, and a second position that decreases the channel width making the fit pod curved. 
     
     
         20 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the first foam layer comprises a comfort foam and the second foam layer comprises an impact foam.