Connector for helmet and helmet including such a connector

Abstract

A connector for connecting inner and outer layers of an apparatus, the connector having: an anchor point configured to be connected to one of the inner and outer layers; a resilient portion arranged to at least partially surround the anchor point about a first axis extending in a first direction and connected to the anchor point; a peripheral portion arranged to at least partially surround the resilient portion about a second axis extending in the first direction and connected to the resilient portion, and configured to be connected to the other of the inner and outer layers. The resilient portion is configured to protrude from the peripheral portion in the first direction, in a connected state in which the connector is connected to the inner and outer layers, and deform to allow the anchor point to move relative to the peripheral portion in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.

1 . A connector for connecting inner and outer layers of an apparatus, the connector comprising:
 an anchor point configured to be connected to one of the inner and outer layers;   a resilient portion arranged to at least partially surround the anchor point about a first axis extending in a first direction and connected to the anchor point;   a peripheral portion arranged to at least partially surround the resilient portion about a second axis extending in the first direction and connected to the resilient portion, and configured to be connected to the other of the inner and outer layers;   wherein the resilient portion is configured to protrude from the peripheral portion in the first direction, in a connected state in which the connector is connected to the inner and outer layers, and deform to allow the anchor point to move relative to the peripheral portion in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.   
     
     
         2 . The connector according to  claim 1 , wherein in a non-deformed state, the resilient portion is substantially flat, and the connected state is a deformed state of the resilient portion. 
     
     
         3 . The connector according to  claim 1 , wherein in a non-deformed state, the resilient portion protrudes from the peripheral portion in the first direction. 
     
     
         4 . The connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the resilient portion extends across a central region of the connector surrounded by the peripheral region, wherein optionally the resilient portion substantially covers the entirety of the central region or alternatively the resilient portion comprises multiple sections having gaps therebetween, wherein optionally the multiple sections extend in a radial direction relative to the first axis. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral portion forms a closed loop, wherein optionally the peripheral portion is substantially annular and the second axis passes through the center of the peripheral portion, wherein optionally the anchor point is aligned with the first axis. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second axes are coincident, wherein optionally the resilient portion and the peripheral portion have rotational symmetry about the coincident first and second axes. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the peripheral portion is formed from a rigid material. 
     
     
         14 . The connector according to  claim 1 , further comprising an insert formed from a rigid material, the insert being configured to be inserted into the peripheral portion to prevent the peripheral portion deforming, wherein optionally the peripheral portion is formed from a resilient material. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the resilient portion and the peripheral portion are integrally formed. 
     
     
         17 . The connector according to  claim 1 , wherein the anchor point comprises a snap-fit connector configured to snap fit with the inner or outer layer. 
     
     
         18 . The connector according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cap configured to cover a central region of the connector surrounded by the peripheral region so as to prevent the ingress of unwanted material to the central region. 
     
     
         19 . The connector according to  claim 1 , further comprising protrusions connected to the peripheral portion and configured to anchor the peripheral portion in the inner or outer layer. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus comprising:
 an inner layer;   an outer layer;   a sliding interface between the inner layer and the outer layer; and   the connector according to any preceding claim connected to the inner and outer layers so as to allow relative sliding between the inner and outer layers at the sliding interface, in response to an impact to the apparatus.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the peripheral portion is arranged on a side of the inner or outer layer to which it is connected and that is opposite to the sliding interface, and the resilient portion protrudes through the inner or outer layer. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein the peripheral portion is arranged within a recess in the inner or outer layer to which it is connected. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the apparatus is a helmet. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein the outer layer is a hard shell and the inner layer is an energy absorbing layer. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein the inner layer is a hard shell and the outer layer comprises one or more plates connected to the hard shell. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein both the inner layer and the outer layer are energy absorbing layers. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus according to  claim 23 , wherein the outer layer is an energy absorbing layer and the inner layer is an interface layer, configured to interface with a wearer's head, wherein optionally the interface layer comprises comfort padding. 
     
     
         28 . (canceled)