Helmet with impact structure

Abstract

Embodiments of helmets including impact structures are disclosed. An example helmet includes an exterior shell including an inner surface, an outer surface; and a lower perimeter edge adjoining the inner surface and the outer surface. The lower perimeter edge defines a recess positioned on each side of the exterior shell. The example helmet further includes an interior liner positioned along the inner surface of the exterior shell, and further includes an impact structure associated with each recess. The impact structure is positioned at least partially below the interior liner and the exterior shell, and the impact structure includes a contact interface positioned to abut the interior liner.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A helmet comprising:
 an exterior shell comprising:
 an inner surface; 
 an outer surface; and 
 a lower perimeter edge adjoining the inner surface and the outer surface, the lower perimeter edge defining a recess positioned on each side of the exterior shell; 
   an interior liner positioned along the inner surface of the exterior shell; and   an impact structure associated with each recess and positioned at least partially below the interior liner and the exterior shell, wherein the impact structure comprises a contact interface positioned to abut the interior liner.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the impact structure defines a plurality of cutouts. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cutouts define a plurality of crushable features configured to plastically deform or break upon contact with an object at a threshold impact force. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the impact structure defines a plurality of thru-slots. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the impact structure comprises a body portion defining a channel extending longitudinally through the body portion. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet of  claim 5 , wherein the impact structure comprises a plurality of support ribs positioned within the channel. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the body portion comprises a first material; and   the impact structure comprises an insert positioned within the channel, the insert comprising a second material that differs from the first material.   
     
     
         8 . The helmet of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the first material comprises a rigid material; and   the second material comprises a pliant material.   
     
     
         9 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the impact structure associated with each recess is integrally connected to each other to form a single, contiguous impact structure by extending at least forward or backward along a portion of the lower perimeter edge beyond the recess positioned on each side of the exterior shell. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet of  claim 9 , wherein the single, contiguous impact structure extends along an entirety of the lower perimeter edge. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet of  claim 9 , further comprising a trim member extending at least partially along another portion of the lower perimeter edge, the trim member comprising first and second opposing ends that abut respective ends of the single, contiguous impact structure. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet of  claim 1 , further comprising a set of trim members extending along a portion of the lower perimeter edge outside of the recess, each trim member of the set of trim members abutting the impact structure associated with each recess. 
     
     
         13 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the impact structure comprises one of polyvinyl chloride or thermoplastic polyurethane. 
     
     
         14 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the contact interface of the impact structure is devoid of attachment to the interior liner. 
     
     
         15 . The helmet of  claim 1 , wherein the impact structure is attached to at least one of the lower perimeter edge or the outer surface of the exterior shell. 
     
     
         16 . A helmet comprising:
 an exterior shell comprising:
 an inner surface; 
 an outer surface; and 
 a lower perimeter edge adjoining the inner surface and the outer surface; 
   an interior liner positioned along the inner surface of the exterior shell; and   an impact structure extending along at least a first portion of the lower perimeter edge and positioned at least partially below the interior liner and the exterior shell, wherein the impact structure is positioned to abut the interior liner.   
     
     
         17 . The helmet of  claim 16 , wherein the impact structure extends along an entirety of the lower perimeter edge. 
     
     
         18 . The helmet of  claim 16 , further comprising a trim member extending along at least a second portion of the lower perimeter edge different from the first portion of the lower perimeter edge. 
     
     
         19 . The helmet of  claim 18 , wherein:
 the first portion of the lower perimeter edge corresponds to a back half of the helmet; and   the second portion of the lower perimeter edge corresponds to a front half of the helmet.   
     
     
         20 . The helmet of  claim 19 , wherein the first portion of the lower perimeter edge is raised relative to the second portion of the lower perimeter edge. 
     
     
         21 . The helmet of  claim 16 , wherein the impact structure is attached to at least one of the lower perimeter edge or the outer surface of the exterior shell. 
     
     
         22 . An impact structure for attaching at least partially around a lower perimeter edge of a helmet, the impact structure comprising:
 an attachment interface configured to attach to an exterior shell of a helmet and at least partially obscure a lower perimeter edge of the helmet;   a contact interface configured to abut an interior liner of the helmet; and   a body portion comprising a crushable region positionable at least along lateral sides of the lower perimeter edge of the helmet, the body portion being integrally connected to the attachment interface and the contact interface.   
     
     
         23 . The impact structure of  claim 22 , wherein the crushable region is positionable within a recess defined by the lower perimeter edge of the helmet.