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.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . An impact mitigation pod assembly comprising:
 a fit pod comprising a top layer, a bottom layer, an outer perimeter, and at least one foam layer disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer; and   a connection mechanism comprising a first portion disposed between the top layer of the fit pod and the bottom layer of the fit pod, and a second portion protruding from and extending away from the bottom layer of the fit pod, the second portion configured to removably couple the connection mechanism to a component that receives the fit pod;   the top layer of the fit pod comprising a plurality of channels formed therein, each of the plurality of channels having an end at an intersection point of the top layer, and each of the plurality of channels extending to the outer perimeter of the fit pod.   
     
     
         3 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the first portion of the connection mechanism has a planar configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the bottom layer of the fit pod comprises at least one opening that is sized and configured to receive the second portion of the connection mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the second portion of the connection mechanism is triangular shaped. 
     
     
         6 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one foam layer comprises a layer of a first foam material overlying a layer of a second foam material. 
     
     
         7 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the first foam material comprises a comfort foam and the second foam material comprises an impact foam. 
     
     
         8 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the bottom layer of the fit pod comprises polycarbonate. 
     
     
         9 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the fit pod further comprises a vent opening formed therein, extending between the top layer and the bottom layer. 
     
     
         10 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the vent opening is disposed within at least one of the plurality of channels. 
     
     
         11 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the connection mechanism is centrally positioned between the plurality of channels. 
     
     
         12 . An impact mitigation pod assembly comprising:
 a fit pod comprising:
 a top layer; 
 a bottom layer; 
 an outer perimeter; 
 at least one foam layer disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer; and 
 a plurality of channels formed in the top layer, each of the plurality of channels extending from a common intersection point of the top layer to the outer perimeter; and 
   a connection mechanism configured to removably couple the fit pod to a component that receives the fit pod.   
     
     
         13 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the connection mechanism comprises:
 a first portion disposed between the top layer of the fit pod and the bottom layer of the fit pod; and   a second portion protruding from the bottom layer of the fit pod, the second portion configured to removably secure the connection mechanism to the component that receives the fit pod.   
     
     
         14 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the first portion of the connection mechanism has a planar configuration. 
     
     
         15 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the second portion of the connection mechanism comprises a plurality of detents. 
     
     
         16 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the second portion of the connection mechanism comprises a plurality of snap-lock tabs. 
     
     
         17 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the fit pod further comprises at least one vent opening formed therein, extending between the top layer and the bottom layer. 
     
     
         18 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 12 , wherein:
 the fit pod further comprises at least one vent opening disposed within each of the plurality of channels; and   each vent opening extends between the top layer and the bottom layer.   
     
     
         19 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one foam layer comprises a comfort foam layer overlying an impact foam layer. 
     
     
         20 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of channels has a channel width that is changeable between a first width corresponding to a planar configuration of the fit pod, and a second width corresponding to a curved configuration of the fit pod, wherein the second width is narrower than the first width.