Part of a protective apparatus and protective apparatus

Abstract

According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided part of a protective apparatus, said part being a first part for attaching to a second part of the protective apparatus such that the first part and the second part of the apparatus can move relative to each other under an impact, the first part of the protective apparatus comprising: an attachment part configured to be attached to the second part of the apparatus, the attachment part comprising a first part of a connecting means configured to be detachably attached to a second part of the connecting means provided to the second part of the apparatus; a patch of low friction layer arranged adjacent to the first part of the connecting means in a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of connection between the first and second parts of the apparatus; wherein, when the first part of the connecting means is attached to the second part of the connecting means, the first part of the connecting means is configured to detach from the second part of the connecting means as the connector is displaced in a lateral direction relative to the second part of the connecting means such that the patch of low friction layer moves towards the second part of the connecting means, and the patch of low friction layer is configured to slide against the second connecting means as the first part of the connecting means detaches therefrom.

1 . A part of a protective apparatus, said part being a first part for attaching to a second part of the protective apparatus such that the first part and the second part of the apparatus can move relative to each other under an impact, the first part of the protective apparatus comprising:
 an attachment part configured to be attached to the second part of the apparatus, the attachment part comprising a first part of a connecting means configured to be detachably attached to a second part of the connecting means provided to the second part of the apparatus;   a patch of low friction layer arranged adjacent to the first part of the connecting means in a lateral direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of connection between the first and second parts of the apparatus;   wherein, when the first part of the connecting means is attached to the second part of the connecting means, the first part of the connecting means is configured to detach from the second part of the connecting means as the connector is displaced in a lateral direction relative to the second part of the connecting means such that the patch of low friction layer moves towards the second part of the connecting means, and the patch of low friction layer is configured to slide against the second connecting means as the first part of the connecting means detaches therefrom.   
     
     
         2 . The part of a protective apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the patch of low friction layer is substantially smaller in the lateral direction than the first and second parts of the apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The part of a protective apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the patch of low friction layer has a maximum dimension in the lateral direction that does not exceed 50 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The part of a protective apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the patch of low friction layer substantially surrounds the first part of the connecting means in the lateral direction, optionally wherein the patch of low friction layer comprises an aperture surrounding the first part of the connecting means in the lateral direction. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . The part of a protective apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the patch of low friction layer is configured to facilitate detachment of the first part of the connecting means from the second part of the connecting means. 
     
     
         7 . The part of a protective apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of an edge of the patch of low friction layer facing the first part of the connecting means in the lateral direction is ridged, toothed or serrated. 
     
     
         8 . The part of a protective apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the patch of low friction layer is no more than 1 mm thick. 
     
     
         9 . The part of a protective apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the patch of low friction layer is substantially stiff and/or wherein the patch of low friction layer is formed from plastic. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The part of a protective apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the patch of low friction layer has a substantially circular, rectangular or rounded-rectangular shape. 
     
     
         12 . The part of a protective apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the connecting means is a hook and loop connecting means, wherein one of the first part of the connecting means and the second part of the connecting means is a hook part, and the other of the of the first part of the connecting means and the second part of the connecting means is a loop part. 
     
     
         13 . The part of a protective apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the first part of the protective apparatus comprises a layer of hook or loop material, partially covered by the low friction layer such that a portion of the layer of hook or loop material is exposed, said exposed portion providing the attachment part, optionally wherein the layer of hook or loop material extends substantially over the entire first part of the protective apparatus, and/or wherein the layer of hook or loop material is arranged to face the second part of the protective apparatus, when the first part is connected thereto and a region not covered by the patch of low friction layer is configured to slide against the second part of the protective apparatus, and/or wherein the layer of hook or loop material is a soft loop material. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . The part of a protective apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of attachments parts and a plurality of corresponding patches of low friction layer. 
     
     
         18 . The part of a protective apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the patch of low friction layer comprises an adhesive layer configured to attach the patch of low friction layer to the rest of the part of the protective apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . The part of a protective apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first part of the protective apparatus is an interface layer configured to interface with an object or person to be protected, optionally wherein the first part of the protective apparatus comprises a layer of comfort padding. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A protective apparatus comprising:
 a first part according to  claim 1 ;   a second part; and   at least one respective second part of the connecting means, attached to the second part of the apparatus.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second parts of the apparatus are configured to move relative to each other in the lateral direction, optionally the apparatus comprising low friction interface between the first and second parts of the apparatus. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the first part and the second part of the apparatus comprises a protective layer, optionally an energy absorbing layer or a hard shell, configured to protect against an impact to the apparatus, optionally wherein one of the first and second parts comprises an interface layer configured to interface with an object or person to be protected, optionally wherein the first part comprises an interface layer configured to interface with an object or person to be protected and the second part comprises a protective layer, optionally an energy absorbing layer or a hard shell, configured to protect against an impact to the apparatus. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the apparatus is a helmet. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the apparatus is body armour. 
     
     
         29 . A patch of low friction layer for use in the part of a protective apparatus of  claim 1 , the patch of low friction layer optionally comprising a layer of adhesive configured to be attached to the first part of the protective apparatus. 
     
     
         30 . (canceled)