SHOCK ABSORBING LAYER WITH INDEPENDENT ELEMENTS, AND PROTECTIVE HELMET INCLUDING SAME

摘要

The present shock absorbing layer for a helmet includes a base plate and a
plurality of
spaced apart, independently and elastically collapsible, shock absorbing
members.
These hollow shock absorbing members define a closed perimeter wall extending
upwardly from the base plate to an open top end sized to cause negligible
reduction of
fluid flow exiting the shock absorbing member. The closed perimeter wall
includes a first
portion with opposed inner and outer surfaces each having the shape of a
frustum, and
a second portion with opposed inner and outer surfaces each also having the
shape of a
frustum. These inner surfaces are interconnected through relatively radially
wider ends
of their respective frustums to define an inner angle therebetween of less
than 180
degrees. These outer surfaces are interconnected through relatively radially
wider ends
of their respective frustums to define an outer angle therebetween of greater
than 180
degrees.