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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An impact mitigation fit pod assembly comprising:
 a fit pod comprising a top layer, a bottom layer, and at least one foam layer disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer; and   a connection mechanism comprising a plurality of detents extending away from the bottom layer of the fit pod, the plurality of detents configured to removably couple the connection mechanism to a component that receives the fit pod assembly;   the plurality of detents arranged into an irregular polygon shape that corresponds to a matching irregular polygon shape of an opening formed in the component.   
     
     
         2 . The impact mitigation fit pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the irregular polygon shape defined by the plurality of detents is arranged to provide an alignment feature for the fit pod assembly to facilitate placement and coupling of the fit pod assembly in a correct direction relative to the component that receives the fit pod assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The impact mitigation fit pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the irregular polygon shape defined by the plurality of detents is arranged to provide an alignment feature for the fit pod assembly to facilitate placement and coupling of the fit pod assembly in a proper orientation relative to the component that receives the fit pod assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of detents defines an isosceles triangle shape. 
     
     
         5 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one foam layer comprises a layer of a first foam material overlying a layer of a second foam material. 
     
     
         6 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the first foam material comprises a comfort foam and the second foam material comprises an impact foam. 
     
     
         7 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fit pod further comprises a vent opening formed in the top layer and/or formed in the bottom layer. 
     
     
         8 . The impact mitigation pod assembly of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the connection mechanism comprises a base coupled to or integrated with the plurality of detents;   the base is disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer of the fit pod; and   the plurality of detects protrude from the bottom layer of the fit pod.   
     
     
         9 . An impact mitigation arrangement for protective apparel, the impact mitigation arrangement comprising:
 a support component comprising an opening formed therein, the opening having an irregular polygon shape;   a fit pod comprising a top layer, a bottom layer, and at least one foam layer disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer; and   a connection mechanism coupled to or integrated with the fit pod, the connection mechanism comprising a plurality of detents extending away from the bottom layer of the fit pod, the plurality of detents configured to removably couple the connection mechanism to the support component, and the plurality of detents arranged into an irregular polygon shape that matches the irregular polygon shape of the opening formed in the support component;   wherein the irregular polygon shape defined by the plurality of detents is arranged to provide an alignment feature for the fit pod to facilitate placement and coupling of the fit pod in a correct direction and orientation relative to the support component.   
     
     
         10 . The impact mitigation arrangement of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of detents defines an isosceles triangle shape. 
     
     
         11 . The impact mitigation arrangement of  claim 9 , wherein the fit pod further comprises a vent opening formed in the top layer and/or formed in the bottom layer. 
     
     
         12 . The impact mitigation arrangement of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the connection mechanism comprises a base coupled to or integrated with the plurality of detents;   the base is disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer of the fit pod; and   the plurality of detects protrude from the bottom layer of the fit pod.   
     
     
         13 . The impact mitigation arrangement of  claim 9 , 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 comprising the plurality of detents.   
     
     
         14 . The impact mitigation arrangement of  claim 13 , wherein the first portion of the connection mechanism has a planar configuration. 
     
     
         15 . A protective helmet comprising:
 an outer shell;   an inner shell disposed within the outer shell, the inner shell comprising an opening formed therein, the opening having an irregular polygon shape;   a fit pod comprising a top layer, a bottom layer, and at least one foam layer disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer; and   a connection mechanism coupled to or integrated with the fit pod, the connection mechanism comprising a plurality of detents extending away from the bottom layer of the fit pod, the plurality of detents configured to engage the opening of the inner shell to removably couple the fit pod to the inner shell, and the plurality of detents arranged into an irregular polygon shape that matches the irregular polygon shape of the opening of the inner shell;   wherein the irregular polygon shape defined by the plurality of detents is arranged to provide an alignment feature for the fit pod to facilitate placement and coupling of the fit pod in a correct direction and orientation relative to the inner shell.   
     
     
         16 . The protective helmet of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of detents defines an isosceles triangle shape. 
     
     
         17 . The protective helmet of  claim 15 , wherein the fit pod further comprises a vent opening formed in the top layer and/or formed in the bottom layer. 
     
     
         18 . The protective helmet of  claim 15 , wherein:
 the connection mechanism comprises a base coupled to or integrated with the plurality of detents;   the base is disposed between the top layer and the bottom layer of the fit pod; and   the plurality of detects protrude from the bottom layer of the fit pod.   
     
     
         19 . The protective helmet of  claim 15 , 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 comprising the plurality of detents.   
     
     
         20 . The protective helmet of  claim 15 , further comprising an impact mitigation layer, at least a portion of which is disposed between the outer shell and the inner shell.