Connector

Abstract

According to a first aspect of the disclosure there is provided a connector ( 20 ) for connecting first and second parts of an apparatus, the connector comprising: a first attachment part ( 21 ) arranged on a first side of the connector, configured to be attached to the first part of the apparatus such that the first side of the connector faces in a first direction towards the first part of the apparatus: a first low friction layer ( 22 ) arranged on the first side of the connector and configured to reduce friction between the connector and the first part of the apparatus: a deformable layer ( 23 ) formed from a deformable material, provided at least between the first attachment part and the first low friction layer extending in a direction substantially perpendicularly to the first direction and configured to allow the first attachment part and first low friction layer to move relative to each other in a direction substantially perpendicularly to the first direction.

1 . A connector for connecting first and second parts of an apparatus, the connector comprising:
 a first attachment part arranged on a first side of the connector, configured to be attached to the first part of the apparatus such that the first side of the connector faces in a first direction towards the first part of the apparatus;   a first low friction layer arranged on the first side of the connector and configured to reduce friction between the connector and the first part of the apparatus;   a deformable layer formed from a deformable material, provided at least between the first attachment part and the first low friction layer extending in a direction substantially perpendicularly to the first direction and configured to allow the first attachment part and first low friction layer to move relative to each other in a direction substantially perpendicularly to the first direction.   
     
     
         2 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the deformable layer is formed from a sheet of the deformable material. 
     
     
         3 . The connector of  claim 2 , wherein the deformable material is a sheet of stretchable fabric. 
     
     
         4 . The connector of  claim 2 , wherein the first attachment part is arranged on a first side of the sheet of deformable material. 
     
     
         5 . The connector of  claim 2 , wherein the first low friction layer is arranged on the first side of the sheet of deformable material. 
     
     
         6 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the low friction layer is formed from a sheet of low friction material. 
     
     
         7 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the first low friction layer is flexible. 
     
     
         8 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the first low friction layer is formed from a thin layer of plastic, optionally wherein the plastic is polycarbonate. 
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the first low friction layer is no more than 0.5 mm thick. 
     
     
         11 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the low friction layer surrounds the first attachment part, optionally wherein the low friction layer is annular. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment part comprises a hook and loop material, optionally wherein the first attachment part comprises a disk of hook and loop material. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a second attachment part on a second side of the connector opposite the first side, configured to be attached to the second part of the apparatus. 
     
     
         16 . The connector of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second attachment parts are displaced from each other in a direction along the deformable material, optionally wherein the deformable material is configured to stretch by at least 1 cm, so as to provide at least 1 cm relative movement between the first attachment part and the second attachment part. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The connector of  claim 15 , wherein the second attachment part is arranged to substantially cover a portion of the second side of the connector opposite a portion of the first side of the connector at which the first low friction layer is arranged. 
     
     
         19 . The connector of  claim 1 , further comprising a second low friction layer on a second side of the connector opposite the first side, configured to reduce friction between the connector and the second part of the apparatus, optionally wherein the second low friction layer is arranged to substantially cover a portion of the second side of the connector opposite a portion of the first side of the connector at which the first attachment part is arranged. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus comprising:
 a first part;   a second part; and   at least one connector according to  claim 1  connecting the first and second parts.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of claim  22 , wherein the second part of the apparatus comprises a low friction layer arranged to face the one or more connectors. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the apparatus is protective apparel and the first part of the apparatus comprises an interface layer configured to interface with a wearer. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the second part comprises at least one of a hard shell and an energy absorbing layer. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the apparatus is a helmet.