Connector and apparatus

Abstract

A connector ( 20 ) for connecting first and second parts of an apparatus, the first and second parts being configured to move relative to each other at least in a first plane, the connector comprising: • a first attachment part ( 21 ) for connecting to the first part of the apparatus; • a second attachment part ( 22 ) for connecting to the second part of the apparatus; • a resilient part ( 23 ) extending between the first and second attachment parts and configured to deform to allow relative movement between the first and second attachment parts, wherein: • the first attachment part and the second attachment part are displaced relative to each other in a first direction, and the resilient part is narrower, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, than the first attachment part and the second attachment part.

1 . A connector for connecting first and second parts of an apparatus, the first and second parts being arranged adjacent each other in a first plane and configured to move relative to each other at least in the first plane, the connector comprising:
 a first attachment part for connecting to the first part of the apparatus;   a second attachment part for connecting to the second part of the apparatus;   a resilient part extending between the first and second attachment parts and configured to deform to allow relative movement between the first and second attachment parts in the first plane, wherein:
 the first attachment part and the second attachment part are displaced relative to each other in a first direction, the first direction being parallel to the first plane when in use, and 
 the resilient part is narrower, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, than the first attachment part and the second attachment part. 
   
     
     
         2 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein:
 at least one of the first attachment part and the second attachment part is configured to press fit into a corresponding recess in the respective first or second part of the apparatus.   
     
     
         3 . The connector of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first attachment part and the second attachment part are displaced relative to each other in a first direction, and the connector is configured to connect the first and second parts of the apparatus such that, in use, the first direction is substantially parallel to the first plane, and   the at least one of the first attachment part and the second attachment part is configured to be inserted into the corresponding recess in the respective first or second part of the apparatus in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first plane.   
     
     
         4 . The connector of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one of the first attachment part and the second attachment part comprises one or more protrusions configured to engage with the corresponding recess, optionally wherein the one or more protrusions comprises a sloped portion and a shelf, the sloped portion being configured to ease insertion of the attachment part into the recess and the shelf configured to resist removal of the attachment part from the recess. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment part and/or the second attachment part are formed from a resilient material, optionally wherein the resilient part is formed from the same resilient material. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second attachment parts comprises an anchor point configured to connect the connector to a third part of the apparatus or a further connector, optionally wherein the anchor point comprise a hole configured to receive a snap-pin. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The connector of  claim 1  wherein the first and/or second attachment part is substantially circular. 
     
     
         11 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient part is elongate. 
     
     
         12 . The connector of  claim 1 , comprising multiple second attachment parts, and multiple respective resilient parts, for connecting to one or more second parts of the apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a third attachment part for connecting to a third part of the apparatus, the third part of the apparatus being configured to move relative to the first and second parts in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane; and
 a second resilient part extending between the first attachment part and the third attachment part and configured to deform to allow relative movement between the third and first attachment parts.   
     
     
         14 . A connector for connecting first, second and third parts of an apparatus, the first and second parts being arranged adjacent each other in a first plane and configured to move relative to each other at least in the first plane, and the third part being configured to move relative to the first and second parts in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane, the connector comprising:
 a first attachment part for connecting to the first part of the apparatus;   a second attachment part for connecting to the second part of the apparatus;   a third attachment part for connecting to the third part of the apparatus;   a first resilient part extending between the first and second attachment parts and configured to deform to allow relative movement between the first and second attachment parts in the first plane and; and   a second resilient part extending between the first attachment part and the third attachment part and configured to deform to allow relative movement between the third and first attachment parts in the first and second planes.   
     
     
         15 . The connector of  claim 14 , wherein the first and third attachment parts are detachable from each other, such that the connector is formed in two parts. 
     
     
         16 . The connector of  claim 14 , wherein the first attachment part comprises a peripheral portion, surrounding the second resilient part about a first axis, and the second resilient part surrounds the third attachment part about a second axis, and
 the resilient portion is configured to protrude from the peripheral portion in a direction along the first axis, when the connector is connected to the apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . An apparatus comprising:
 a first part and a second part, the first and second parts being arranged adjacent each other in a first plane and configured to move relative to each other at least in the first plane;   a connector connecting first and second parts of an apparatus, the connector comprising:
 a first attachment part for connecting to the first part of the apparatus; 
 a second attachment part for connecting to the second part of the apparatus; 
 a resilient part extending between the first and second attachment parts and configured to deform to allow relative movement between the first and second attachment parts in the first plane, wherein:
 the first attachment part and the second attachment part are displaced relative to each other in a first direction, the first direction being parallel to the first plane when in use, and 
 the resilient part is narrower, in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, than the first attachment part and the second attachment part, wherein the first attachment part of the connector is connected to the first part of the apparatus and the second attachment part of the connector is connected to the second part of the apparatus. 
 
   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first part comprises a first recess and the first attachment part is arranged in the first recess, and/or the second part comprises a second recess and the second attachment part of the connector is arranged in the second recess,
 optionally wherein the first part and/or the second part comprise a channel in communication with a respective recess, wherein the resilient part is arranged in the channel,   optionally wherein the first and second recesses are substantially the same shape as the respective attachment parts, and/or wherein at least one of the first and second attachment parts is press fit into the respective recess.   
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the connector further comprises a third attachment part for connecting to a third part of the apparatus, the third part of the apparatus being configured to move relative to the first and second parts in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane, and
 a second resilient part extending between the first attachment part and the third attachment part and configured to deform to allow relative movement between the third and first attachment parts, and   the third attachment part is also arranged in the first recess.   
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus has a layered structure and the first and second parts together form a first layer. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a third part configured to move relative to the first and second parts in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane, optionally wherein:
 the connector further comprises a third attachment part for connecting to a third part of the apparatus, the third part of the apparatus being configured to move relative to the first and second parts in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane, and   a second resilient part extending between the first attachment part and the third attachment part and configured to deform to allow relative movement between the third and first attachment parts, and   the third attachment part is connected to the third part of the apparatus;   optionally wherein:
 the apparatus has a layered structure and the first and second parts together form a first layer and the third part forms a second layer adjacent the first layer. 
   
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second parts are energy absorbing parts, optionally forming a first energy absorbing layer, optionally wherein the connector further comprises a third attachment part for connecting to a third part of the apparatus, the third part of the apparatus being configured to move relative to the first and second parts in a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane, and
 a second resilient part extending between the first attachment part and the third attachment part and configured to deform to allow relative movement between the third and first attachment parts, and   the third part is an energy absorbing part, optionally forming a second energy absorbing layer.   
     
     
         29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the apparatus is a helmet.