Connector

Abstract

A connector for connecting two layers of an apparatus, the connector comprising: a first layer, formed from at least one of a textile, a cloth, a fabric and a felt; a second layer, formed from at least one of a textile, a cloth, a fabric and a felt; wherein the first and second layers are arranged adjacent each other and configured to slide against each other so as to allow the first and second layers to move relative to each other at a sliding interface.

1 . A connector for connecting two layers of an apparatus, the connector comprising:
 a first layer, formed from at least one of a textile, a cloth, a fabric and a felt;   a second layer, formed from at least one of a textile, a cloth, a fabric and a felt;   wherein the first and second layers are arranged adjacent each other and configured to slide against each other at a sliding interface so as to allow the first and second layers to move relative to each other.   
     
     
         2 . The connector of  claim 1 , comprising a first connecting means connected to the first layer and configured to attach to one of the two layers of the apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The connector of  claim 2 , wherein the first connecting means is connected to the first layer at a location opposite the sliding interface. 
     
     
         4 . The connector of  claim 2  or  3 , wherein the first connecting means comprises a hook-and-loop material. 
     
     
         5 . The connector of any one of  claims 1  to  4 , comprising a second connecting means connected to the second layer and configured to connect to the other of the two layers of the apparatus. 
     
     
         6 . The connector of  claim 5 , wherein the second connecting means is connected to the second layer at a location opposite the sliding interface. 
     
     
         7 . The connector of  claim 5  or  6 , wherein the second connecting means comprises double-sided adhesive tape. 
     
     
         8 . The connector of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second layers are arranged such that a grain direction of the first layer and a grain direction of the second layer are non-parallel. 
     
     
         9 . The connector of  claim 8 , wherein the grain direction of the first layer and the grain direction of the second layer are angled between 45 degrees and 90 degrees relative to each other. 
     
     
         10 . The connector of  claim 9 , wherein the grain direction of the first layer and the grain direction of the second layer are substantially perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
         11 . The connector of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second layers are each formed from a tricot fabric. 
     
     
         12 . The connector of  claim 11 , wherein the tricot fabrics forming the first and second layers comprise a shiny side and an dull side, the shiny sides of the tricot fabrics are arranged face-to-face a the sliding interface, and the tricot fabrics are oriented such that the machine directions of manufacture of the tricot fabrics are arranged to be perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
         13 . The connector of any preceding claim, wherein the first and second layers are connected to each other at a region of the connector surrounding the sliding interface. 
     
     
         14 . The connector of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second layers are connected to each other at a peripheral region of the connector and the sliding interface is provided in a central region of the connector. 
     
     
         15 . The connector of  claim 13  or  14 , wherein the first and second layers are connected by an adhesive layer. 
     
     
         16 . The connector of  claim 15 , wherein the adhesive layer is formed from a hot-melt adhesive. 
     
     
         17 . The connector of any preceding claim, wherein the connector is substantially circular in shape. 
     
     
         18 . The connector of  claim 17  wherein the connector has a diameter of less than 50 mm. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus comprising:
 an inner layer;   an 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 a further sliding interface, in response to an impact to the apparatus.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , the connector comprising a first connecting means connected to the first layer of the connector and outer layer of the apparatus, wherein the first connecting means comprises a hook-and-loop material. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 19  or  20 , the connector comprising a second connecting means connected to the second layer of the connector and the inner layer of the apparatus, wherein the second connecting means comprises double-sided adhesive tape. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of any one of  claims 19  to  21 , wherein the apparatus is a helmet. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22  wherein the outer layer is an energy absorbing layer and the inner layer is a head mount configured to mount the helmet on a wearer's head. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the outer layer is a low friction layer located radially inward of an energy absorbing layer of the helmet and the inner layer is a head mount configured to mount the helmet on a wearer's head. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of to  claim 23  or  24 , wherein the head mount comprises comfort padding.