Helmet

Abstract

A helmet comprising: an outer shell; a head mount, configured to be mounted on the top of the head of a wearer of the helmet; wherein the head mount is suspended within the outer shell such that, in use, an air gap is provided between the head mount and the outer shell; the head mount comprises a plurality of straps, that are configured to extend across the top of the head of a wearer of the helmet, and a head ring that at least partially surrounds the head of a wearer of the helmet, extending around the craniocaudal axis; and the helmet further comprises: a head engagement device that is provided on a surface of the head mount, that is configured to face the head of a wearer of the helmet, such that the head engagement device can move relative to the head mount; and a head engagement device support that is configured to inhibit the movement of the head engagement device through gaps between the straps and/or head ring of the head mount into the air gap between the head mount and the outer shell.

1 . A helmet comprising:
 an outer shell;   a head mount, configured to be mounted on the top of the head of a wearer of the helmet;   wherein the head mount is suspended within the outer shell such that, in use, an air gap is provided between the head mount and the outer shell;   the head mount comprises a plurality of straps, that are configured to extend across the top of the head of a wearer of the helmet, and a head ring that at least partially surrounds the head of a wearer of the helmet, extending around the craniocaudal axis; and   the helmet further comprises:   a head engagement device that is provided on a surface of the head mount, that is configured to face the head of a wearer of the helmet, such that the head engagement device can move relative to the head mount; and   a head engagement device support that is configured to inhibit the movement of the head engagement device through gaps between the straps and/or head ring of the head mount into the air gap between the head mount and the outer shell.   
     
     
         2 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the head engagement device support comprises a crown section connected to at least one of the straps at a location corresponding to the top of the head of a wearer of the helmet and at least one limb section that extends from the crown section to the head ring and is connected to the head ring. 
     
     
         3 . A helmet according to  claim 2 , wherein the head engagement device support comprises at least two limb sections, each extending from the crown section to a location on the head ring corresponding to a respective side of the head of a wearer of the helmet. 
     
     
         4 . A helmet according to  claim 2 , wherein the head engagement device support comprises at least one limb section extending from the crown section to a location on the head ring corresponding to the front of the head of a wearer of the helmet and/or at least one limb section extending from the crown section to a location on the head ring corresponding to the back of the head of a wearer of the helmet. 
     
     
         5 . A helmet according to  claim 2 , wherein the crown section of the head engagement device support comprises at least one slot; and the head engagement device support is connected to the head mount by at least one strap of the head mount passing through at least one slot in the crown section. 
     
     
         6 . A helmet according to  claim 2 , wherein the crown section of the head engagement device support is connected to the headmount by an extension of the crown section of the head engagement device support that extending around at least one of the straps and connecting to itself. 
     
     
         7 . A helmet according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one limb section of the head engagement device support is connected to the head ring by an end of the limb section extending around a section of the head ring and connecting to itself. 
     
     
         8 . A helmet according to  claim 2 , comprising at least one connector configured to connect the head engagement device to the head engagement device support while permitting the head engagement device to move relative to the head engagement device support; wherein, optionally, at least one connector is provided on the crown section of the head engagement device support. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . A helmet according to  claim 8 , wherein at least one connector is provided on a limb section of the head engagement device support; wherein, optionally, at least one connector on a limb section of the head engagement device support is provided at a location at which the limb section is connected to the head ring. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A helmet according to  claim 8 , wherein the connector comprises a sheet of elastically deformable material; and
 the sheet of elastically deformable material is connected to one of the head engagement device support and the head engagement device at an inner region of the sheet of elastically deformable material and is connected to the other of the head engagement device support and the head engagement device at a peripheral region of the sheet of elastically deformable material.   
     
     
         13 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the head engagement device support comprises at least one outer surface formed from a fabric or felt. 
     
     
         14 . A helmet according to  claim 13 , wherein the head engagement device support is formed from a material comprising a layer of foam laminated between two layers of fabric or felt; and wherein the foam layer is stiffer than the layers of fabric or felt. 
     
     
         15 . A helmet according to  claim 13 , wherein the head engagement device support is formed from two layers of fabric or felt with a plastic plate inserted between them that has a shape corresponding to at least a part of the head engagement device support. 
     
     
         16 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein a low friction interface is provided between the head engagement device and at least one of the head mount and the head engagement device support; wherein, optionally, the low friction interface is provided by a low coefficient of friction between the surfaces of the head engagement device and the head mount and/or the head engagement device support. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the head engagement device is connected to the head mount. 
     
     
         19 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the head mount comprises a plurality of straps that extend between an opposing pair of connection points on the outer shell. 
     
     
         20 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the head engagement device is provided as a single component; or   the head engagement device is formed from plural separate section.   
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the head engagement device comprises a crown region that is configured to be located between the top of the head of a wearer of the helmet and the head mount, and a frontal region that is configured to be located adjacent the head ring; wherein, optionally, the head engagement device further comprises an intermediate region that connects the crown region to the frontal region. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein the head engagement device comprises a plate of material, optionally shaped to conform to the head of a wearer of the helmet. 
     
     
         25 . A helmet according to  claim 1 , wherein, in the absence of an impact on the helmet, the separation between the outer shell and the head mount at a location corresponding to the top of the head of a wearer provided by the air gap is at least 10 mm, optionally at least 15 mm, optionally at least 20 mm, optionally at least 30 mm, optionally at least 40 mm.