HELMET AND PROCEDURE FOR ASSEMBLYING A HELMET

Abstract

A helmet for the protection of the wearer's head, comprising an outer energy-absorbing layer configured to absorb energy upon impact on the helmet; a virtually rigid outer shell configured to engage and cover at least a partial outer surface of the outer energy-absorbing layer, the helmet further comprising an inner energy-absorbing layer configured to absorb energy upon impact on the helmet; and a connecting element.

Description

BE2024 / 5855 -2-

[04] Itisthereforeanaimofthepresentinventiontosolveoratleastalleviateoneor moreoftheabove-mentionedproblems.Inparticular,theinventionaimsatproviding ahelmetwithimprovedshockabsorptionwhichisrelativelyeasytoassembleanda methodforassemblingsaidhelmetallowingrelativelyswiftassembly. 5 SummaryoftheInvention

[05] Tothisaim,accordingtoafirstaspectoftheinvention,thereisprovideda helmethavingthefeaturesofclaim1.Inparticular,thehelmetforprotectingawearer’s10 headcomprisesanouterenergyabsorbinglayerconfiguredtoabsorbenergyatimpact onthehelmet,aswellasasubstantiallyrigidoutershellconfiguredtoatleastpartly engageandcoveranoutersurfaceoftheouterenergyabsorbinglayer.The substantiallyrigidoutershellmayberelativelythinandlightweightandmayfor examplebeashellmadeincarbonfibre,polycarbonateorABS.Thesubstantiallyrigid15 outershellcanbegluedontheoutersurfaceoftheouterenergyabsorbinglayeror maybechemicallybondedtotheouterenergyabsorbinglayer.Alternatively,the substantiallyrigidoutershellmaybefixedlyconnectedtotheouterenergyabsorbing layerinanyotherknownway,forexamplethroughamechanicalconnectorconfigured tofixedlyconnectsaidsubstantiallyrigidshelltosaidouterenergyabsorbinglayer.In20 aninventiveway,thehelmetfurthercomprisesaninnerenergyabsorbinglayer configuredtoabsorbenergyatimpactonthehelmetandatleastoneconnector elementconfiguredtoprovidearigidconnectionbetweensaidouterenergyabsorbing layerandsaidinnerenergyabsorbinglayer.Inotherwords,theouterenergyabsorbing layerandtheinnerenergyabsorbinglayeraretwoseparateordiscretepiecesor25 elementswhichareconnectedtoeachotherviasaidatleastoneconnectorelement inasubstantiallyrigidway,implyingthatnorelativemovement,suchasrotationor sliding,ispossiblebetweentheouterenergyabsorbinglayerandtheinnerenergy absorbinglayer.Therigidorlockedconnectioncanthusbedescribedasamovement- freeconnection.Theatleastoneconnectorelementispreferablyalsoconfiguredto30 provideafixedconnection,incontrasttoreleasableconnectionelements.Therigid connectionbetweensaidouterenergyabsorbinglayerandsaidinnerenergy absorbinglayerdoesnotimplythattheatleastoneconnectorelementshouldbea rigidelement. 2024 / 5855 BE2024 / 5855 -3-

[06] Theinnerenergyabsorbinglayercanadvantageouslyincludeanoutwardly protrudingflangeconfiguredtoengagealowerrimoredgeoftheouterenergy absorbinglayer.Saidoutwardlyprotrudingflangecanprovideafirmengagementof theinnerenergyabsorbinglayerontheouterenergyabsorbinglayerpreventingany5 relativemovementbetweensaidtwoenergyabsorbinglayers.Theoutwardly protrudingflangecanbeshapedanddimensionedsuchthatanoutersurfaceofthe outerenergyabsorbinglayermaybesubstantiallyflushwithanoutersurfaceofthe innerenergyabsorbinglayeratanengagementlinebetweenthetwoenergyabsorbing layerswhenconnectedtoeachother.10

[07] Theoutwardlyprotrudingflangemayextendalongsubstantiallyanentirecontour oftheinnerenergyabsorbinglayer.Inotherwords,theoutwardlyprotrudingflange mayextendcircumferentiallyaroundtheinnerenergyabsorbinglayer,or,whenthe helmetiswornbyauser,maybeacircum-cranialflange.Suchacircumferentialor15 circum-cranialflangecanprovideasolidbaseforsupportingtheouterenergy absorbinglayerinasubstantiallyrigidormovement-freeway.Alternatively,the outwardlyprotrudingflangecouldextendalongacontouroftheinnerenergyabsorbing layeronlypartially. 20

[08] Theatleastoneconnectorelementcanforexamplebeconfiguredtoconnectthe outwardlyprotrudingflangeoftheinnerenergyabsorbinglayerwiththelowerrimof theouterenergyabsorbinglayer.Suchapositioningoftheatleastoneconnector elementcanprovidearigidandpreferablynon-releasableconnectionwhileatthe sametime,manufacturingandmountingofthehelmetcanbesimplified,whichcan25 saveproductiontimeandthuscosts.Alternatively,theatleastoneconnectorelements canbepositionedelsewhere,suchasalonganoutersurfaceoraninnersurfaceofthe outerandinnerenergyabsorbinglayers.

[09] Theatleastoneconnectorelementmaypreferablybeamechanicalconnector30 element,inparticularasnapconnectorassembly.Asisknowntothepersonskilledin theart,asnapconnectorassemblyincludesaninsertableelementattachedtooneof theinnerenergyabsorbinglayerandtheouterenergyabsorbinglayer,anda correspondingreceivingelement,whichisattachedtotheotheroftheinnerenergy absorbinglayerandtheouterenergyabsorbinglayer.Thereceivingelementis35 2024 / 5855 BE2024 / 5855 -4- configuredtoreceivetheinsertableelementsuchthattheinsertableelementisfixedly grippedwithinthereceivingelement.Asnapconnectorassemblyisrelativelyeasyto assemblewhileprovidingarigidconnectionbetweentheinnerenergyabsorbinglayer andtheouterenergyabsorbinglayer.Othermechanicalconnectorelementscanfor exampleincludescrewsorotherconnectionmeans.Alternatively,theinnerenergy5 absorbinglayerandtheouterenergyabsorbinglayercanbeconnectedvianon- mechanicalconnectorelements,suchasadhesive,double-sidedtapeorotherknown connectionmeans.

[10] Itmaybepreferredthattheouterenergyabsorbinglayerisatleastpartlyindirect10 engagementwithsaidinnerenergyabsorbinglayerwhenconnected.Sincetheinner energyabsorbinglayerandtheouterenergyabsorbinglayerarerigidlyconnectedvia theatleastoneconnectorelements,thereisnoneedforanyintermediatelayer configuredtofacilitatemovingorslidingoflayers.Tothecontrary,thedirect engagementofatleastpartofanoutersurfaceoftheinnerenergyabsorbinglayerand15 aninnersurfaceoftheouterenergyabsorbinglayercancontributetotherigid connectionbetweentheinnerenergyabsorbinglayerandtheouterenergyabsorbing layer.

[11] Theouterenergyabsorbinglayerandtheinnerenergyabsorbinglayercan20 preferablybediscreteandseparatelymanufacturedelements.Separate manufacturingoftheinnerenergyabsorbinglayerandtheouterenergyabsorbing layercansimplifyandspeedupthemanufacturingofthehelmet.Atthesametime, separatemanufacturingofthediscreteelementscanallowavarietyofcombinations ofmaterialsanddensitiesfortheinnerenergyabsorbinglayerandtheouterenergy25 absorbinglayerwithoutcomplicatingthemanufacturingprocess.

[12] Theinnerenergyabsorbinglayerandtheouterenergyabsorbinglayercan advantageouslyeachbesubstantiallyadome-shapedelement.Dome-shaped elementscanbeconnectedinarigidwayrelativelyeasily,forexamplewithatleast30 threespacedapartconnectionelementspreventinganyrelativemovementbetween theinnerenergyabsorbinglayerandtheouterenergyabsorbinglayer.Alternatively, oneoftheinnerenergyabsorbinglayerandtheouterenergyabsorbinglayermayalso haveadifferentshapeandextendoveronlypartoftheheadofauser. 35 2024 / 5855 BE2024 / 5855 -5-

[13] Theinnerenergyabsorbinglayerandtheouterenergyabsorbinglayermay advantageouslybemadeofasamematerial.Asanexample,boththeinnerenergy absorbinglayerandtheouterenergyabsorbinglayermaybemadeofexpanded polystyrene(EPS)orexpandedpolypropylene(EPP).Usingasinglematerialforboth theinnerenergyabsorbinglayerandtheouterenergyabsorbinglayercansimplify5 manufacturing.Alternatively,eachoftheinnerenergyabsorbinglayerandtheouter energyabsorbinglayercouldalsobemadeofadifferentmaterialdependingonatype offorcethelayerisconfiguredtoabsorb.

[14] Adensityoftheinnerenergyabsorbinglayermaybedifferentfrom,inparticular10 lowerthan,adensityoftheouterenergyabsorbinglayer.Theinnerabsorbinglayer mayforexamplebeconfiguredtoabsorbarotationalcomponentofanimpact,for whicharelativelylowdensityofmaterialmaybesuited,whiletheouterenergy absorbinglayermaybeconfiguredtoabsorbalinearcomponentofsaidimpact,for examplethroughcompression,forwhicharelativelyhighdensitymaybesuited.The15 oppositemayalsobefeasible:alowerdensityfortheouterenergyabsorbinglayerand ahigherdensityfortheinnerenergyabsorbinglayer.Insomecases,itmayalsobe consideredtousearelativelylowdensitytoabsorbalinearcomponentandarelatively highdensitytoabsorbarotationalcomponentofanimpact. 20

[15] Theinnerenergyabsorbinglayerand / ortheouterenergyabsorbinglayercan advantageouslyincludeatleastoneslittoobtainaweakenedportionorspotinthe energyabsorbinglayer,theportionbeingconfiguredtobreak,fractureorrupturewhen animpactexceedsapredefinedthreshold.Theatleastoneslitistobeunderstoodas anelongatedthrough-holeinthematerialoftheinnerenergyabsorbinglayerand / or25 theouterenergyabsorbinglayer.Thepresenceoftheslitcancreateaconsciously weakenedspotorportionintheenergyabsorbinglayer.Suchaweakenedspotcan thencauseabreachorafractureintheenergyabsorbinglayer,whichcancontribute toabsorbingarotationalcomponentofanimpactexceedingapredefinedthreshold. Atthesametime,avisualfractureintheinnerenergyabsorbinglayercanindicateto30 theuserthatthehelmetneedsreplacementduetoanimpact.

[16] SaidatleastoneslitmayforexamplebeaU-shapedslit.AU-shapedslitcan createaweakenedspotorportionshapedasapeninsulaalmostentirelysurrounded 2024 / 5855 BE2024 / 5855 -6- bytheslit,thepeninsulabeingconfiguredtobreakoffwhenanimpactexceedsa predeterminedthreshold.Theslitcanalsohaveothershapes,suchasforexamplean S-shapedorZ-shapedslit,oranyotherregularorirregularshapedslit,whichcan createtheeffectofweakenedspotsconfiguredtobreakoff.Theweakenedspotsin theinnerorouterenergyabsorbinglayermaypreferablybeboundordefinedbyat5 leastoneslitforatleast40%,morepreferably50%ormoreofacontourofsaid weakenedportiontoimprovethebreakingoffcapacity.

[17] Thehelmetmayfurtherincludeathirdenergyabsorbinglayerconfiguredtobe positionedbetweentheinnerenergyabsorbinglayerandtheouterenergyabsorbing10 layer.Suchathirdenergyabsorbinglayermaybeheldinplacebybeingsandwiched ortrappedbetweentheinnerenergyabsorbinglayerandtheouterenergyabsorbing layerwhicharerigidlyconnectedtoeachother.Saidthirdenergyabsorbinglayermay bemadeofthesamematerialasoneorbothoftheinnerenergyabsorbinglayerand theouterenergyabsorbinglayer.So,thisthirdenergyabsorbinglayerisnota15 movementfacilitatinglayer.Eveniftheremaynotbedirectengagementoftheinner energyabsorbinglayerandtheouterenergyabsorbinglayer,thethirdenergy absorbinglayermaybeatleastpartlyindirectengagementwiththeinnerenergy absorbinglayerandtheouterenergyabsorbinglayer,thuscontributingtotherigid connectionoftheenergyabsorbinglayers.Thethirdenergyabsorbinglayermay,but20 neednot,bemadeofthesamematerialasoneorbothoftheouterandinnerenergy absorbinglayer.Adensityofthematerialofsaidthirdenergyabsorbinglayermay,but neednotbe,thesameasoneorbothofthedensitiesoftheouterandinnerenergy absorbinglayer. 25

[18] Theinnerenergyabsorbinglayercanincludeapluralityofprotrusionsextending towardsawearer’shead,theprotrusionsbeingconfiguredtobreakwhenanimpact exceedsapredefinedthreshold.Thebreakingoftheprotrusionscanabsorbatleast partoftheenergycausedbyatangentialcomponentofanimpact.Thebreakingdoes notonlyimprovesafetyofthehelmetthroughimprovedrotationalimpactprotection,30 butalsoservesasawarningtotheuserthatthehelmhasundergoneaseriousimpact andshouldbereplaced.Whensaidprotrusionsaredirectlytowardsawearer’shead, theyalsoallowcirculationofairinbetweensaidprotrusions,whichcanimprove ventilationofthehead.Alternatively,theouterenergyabsorbinglayercaninclude 2024 / 5855 BE2024 / 5855 -7- protrusionsextendingawayfromauser’shead,ortheouterenergyabsorbinglayer canincludeprotrusionsextendingtowardsawearer’sheadandprotrusionsextending awayfromauser’shead,theprotrusionsbeingconfiguredtobreakwhenanimpact exceedsapredefinedthreshold. 5

[19] Thehelmetmayfurtherincludeventilationholesextendingthroughtheinner energyabsorbinglayer,theouterenergyabsorbinglayerandthesubstantiallyrigid outershell.Ventilationholesextendingthroughallthelayersofthehelmetcanimprove aircirculationaroundtheheadoftheuser,whichcanimprovecomfort. 10

[20] Accordingtoasecondaspectoftheinvention,thereisprovidedamethodfor manufacturingahelmethavingthefeaturesofclaim16.Themethodcanprovideone ormoreoftheabove-mentionedadvantages. 15 BriefDescriptionoftheDrawings

[21] Figs.1aand1bshowasideviewandanexplodedsideviewrespectivelyofa preferredembodimentofahelmetaccordingtoafirstaspectoftheinvention; 20

[22] Fig.2showsanexplodedperspectiveviewofthehelmetofFigure1a;

[23] Figs.3aand3bshowatopviewoftheouterenergyabsorbinglayerandthe innerenergyabsorbinglayerrespectivelyofthehelmetofFigure1a; 25

[24] Fig.4showsaschematiccross-sectionalsideviewthehelmetofFigure1a;

[25] Fig.5showsaschematicexplodedsideviewofasecondembodimentofa helmetaccordingtoafirstaspectoftheinvention; 30

[26] Fig.6showsaschematicexplodedsideviewofathirdembodimentofahelmet accordingtoafirstaspectoftheinvention;

[27] Fig.7showsaschematiccross-sectionalsideviewofafourthembodimentofa helmetaccordingtoafirstaspectoftheinvention;35 2024 / 5855 BE2024 / 5855 -8-

[28] Fig.8aand8bshowatopviewandacross-sectionalsideviewalongsectionA -Aofafifthembodimentofahelmetaccordingtoafirstaspectoftheinvention;

[29] Fig.9showsabottomviewofthehelmetofFigure8a. 5 DetailedDescriptionofEmbodiment(s)

[30] Figures1aand1bshowasideviewandanexplodedsideviewrespectivelyof apreferredembodimentofahelmet1accordingtoafirstaspectoftheinvention.The10 helmet1protectsawearer’shead,inparticularduringsportsactivitiessuchasfor exampleduringcycling,mountain-biking,bicycleracingorothersports.Thehelmet1 comprisesanouterenergyabsorbinglayer2configuredtoabsorbenergyatimpacton thehelmet,andasubstantiallyrigidoutershellconfiguredtoatleastpartlyengageand coveranoutersurfaceoftheouterenergyabsorbinglayer,whichisnotshowninthe15 Figures.Saidoutershellisknowntoberelativelythinandlight-weightandisgenerally madeofasubstantiallyrigidmaterial,suchasforexamplecarbonfibre,polycarbonate orABS.Theoutershellcanbegluedtotheouterenergyabsorbinglayer2,ortheouter energyabsorbinglayer2andtheoutershellcanbechemicallybonded,forexample byin-moulding,whichisagenerallyknownprocessformanufacturinghelmets.20 Alternatively,theoutershellandtheouterenergyabsorbinglayer2maybeconnected inanyotherknownmanner,forexamplebyoneormoreconnectorelements.Theouter energyabsorbinglayer2mayforexamplebemadeofexpandedpolystyrene(EPS)or ofanyothermaterialsuitableforshockabsorption.Inaninventiveway,thehelmet furthercomprisesaninnerenergyabsorbinglayer3configuredtoabsorbenergyat25 impactonthehelmetandatleastoneconnectorelement4configuredtoprovidea rigidconnectionbetweensaidouterenergyabsorbinglayer2andsaidinnerenergy absorbinglayer3.Theouterenergyabsorbinglayer2andtheinnerenergyabsorbing layer3arediscreteandpreferablyseparatelymanufacturedelements,whichare connectedtoeachotherinaseparatemountingstepofthehelmet1.Theinnerenergy30 absorbinglayer3andtheouterenergyabsorbinglayer2maybemadeofasame material,suchasexpandedpolystyrene(EPS)orexpandedpolypropylene(EPP),but mayalsoeachbemadeofadifferentmaterial,forexampledependingonatypeof shockthelayerisconfiguredtoabsorb.Additionally,and / oralternatively,adensityof 2024 / 5855 BE2024 / 5855 -9- theinnerenergyabsorbinglayer3maybethesameordifferentfrom,inparticular higherthan,adensityoftheouterenergyabsorbinglayer2,alsodependingonatype ofshockthelayerisconfiguredtoabsorb.Asanexample,alowerdensityofmaterial maybeusedtoabsorbarotationalcomponentofanimpactwhileahigherdensitymay beusedtoabsorbalinearcomponentofanimpact.Thechoiceforamaterialand / ora5 densitymayalsodependonthewaythelayerisconfiguredtoabsorbanimpact: absorptionbycompressionmayrequireaspecificmaterialand / oralowerdensitythan forexampleshockabsorptionbyrupturingofmaterial.Byprovidinganouterenergy absorbinglayer2andaninnerenergyabsorbinglayer3,manufacturingofdifferent typesofhelmetstailoredtospecificneedsandrequirementscanbesimplified.10

[31] Figure2showsanexplodedperspectiveviewofthehelmetofFigure1a.Ascan beseeninthefigures,theinnerenergyabsorbinglayer3andtheouterenergy absorbinglayer2canpreferablyeachbesubstantiallydome-shapedelements.The innerenergyabsorbinglayer3canpreferablyincludeanoutwardlyprotrudingflange15 5configuredtoengagealowerrim6oftheouterenergyabsorbinglayer2.The outwardlyprotrudingflange5may,butneednot,extendalongsubstantiallyanentire contouroftheinnerenergyabsorbinglayer3.Saidflange5canpreventrelative movementoftheouterenergyabsorbinglayer2overtheinnerenergyabsorbinglayer 3andprovidearigidconnectionbetweensaidlayers.Theatleastoneconnector20 element4mayforexamplebeamechanicalconnectorelement,inparticularasnap connectorassembly,includingforexampleaninsertableelementandacorresponding receivingelementconfiguredtoreceivesaidinsertableelementinafixedway.Theat leastoneconnectorelement4maybeconfiguredtoconnecttheoutwardlyprotruding flange5oftheinnerenergyabsorbinglayer3withthelowerrim6oftheouterenergy25 absorbinglayer2.Thereto,theinsertableelementofasnapassemblymayforexample extendfromalowerrim6oftheouterenergyabsorbinglayer2,whiletheoutwardly extendingflange5oftheinnerenergyabsorbinglayer3mayincludecorresponding receivingelements7.Inthisway,theouterenergyabsorbinglayer2canbemounted relativelyeasilyontheinnerenergyabsorbinglayer3byjustclickingtheinsertable30 snapconnectorelements4intothereceivingelements7.Saidmechanicalconnector elements4maybespacedapartalongacontouroftheouterand / orinnerenergy absorbinglayer.Thehelmetcanforexampleincludeatleastthreeorfourconnector elementsconfiguredtoconnectsaidouterenergyabsorbinglayer2tosaidinner 2024 / 5855 BE2024 / 5855 -10- energyabsorbinglayer3.Itwillbecleartothepersonskilledintheartthattheelements ofthesnapconnectorassemblymaybeinversedbetweentheinnerandouterenergy absorbinglayer,andthatotherconnectingmeans,inparticularmechanicalconnector elements,maybeusedtoanadvantageaswell,withoutcompromisingthesubstance oftheinventionofprovidingtwoenergyabsorbinglayerswhicharerigidlyconnected5 toeachother.

[32] Figures3aand3bshowatopviewoftheouterenergyabsorbinglayer2andthe innerenergyabsorbinglayer3respectivelyofthehelmetofFigure1a.Ascanbeseen inFigure3b,theinnerenergyabsorbinglayer3canincludeatleastoneslit8toobtain10 aweakenedportion9intheenergyabsorbinglayerconfiguredtobreak,fractureor rupturewhenanimpactexceedsapredefinedthreshold.Theslit8isanelongated through-holethroughthematerialoftheinnerenergyabsorbinglayer3.Saidatleast oneslit8mayhavedifferentshapes,asshown,andmaybesubstantiallystraight, curved,Z-shaped,S-shaped,L-shaped,U-shapedoranyotherregularorirregular15 shape.Theresultingweakenedportion9maybepositionednearoraroundsaidslit, orinbetweentwoofsuchslits8.IncaseofaU-shapedorV-shapedslit8,theslit8 maycreateakindofweakenedpeninsulabetweenthelegsoftheU-shapedslit8. Eveniftheatleastoneslit8mayalsobeincludedintheouterenergyabsorbinglayer 2,whichisnotthecaseinFigure3a,itispreferredthatsaidatleastoneslit8doesnot20 extendthroughboththeinnerenergyabsorbinglayer3andtheouterenergyabsorbing layer2.Byhavingsaidatleastoneslit8andtheweakenedportion9inonlyoneenergy absorbinglayer,thehelmet1canprovideaminimumofshockabsorbinglayer thicknessbyoneoftheenergyabsorbinglayerswhiletheslitsintheotherenergy absorbinglayercanimproveimpactprotectionagainstarotationalcomponentofsaid25 impactthroughtherupturingoftheweakenedportionswhenanimpactisabovea predefinedthreshold.Incontrasttotheatleastoneslit8,thehelmet1mayfurther includeventilationholes10extendingthroughtheinnerenergyabsorbinglayer3,the outerenergyabsorbinglayer2andthesubstantiallyrigidoutershell,whichisnot shownhere.Saidventilationholes10canallowaircirculationwithinthehelmetfor30 coolingawearer’shead.

[33] Figure4showsaschematiccross-sectionalsideviewthehelmetofFigure1a whentheouterenergyabsorbinglayer2isrigidlyconnectedtotheinnerenergy 2024 / 5855 BE2024 / 5855 -11- absorbinglayer3throughtheconnectorelements4snappedintothereceiving elements7ofthesnapconnectorassembly.Itisclearthatothertypesofconnector elementscouldbeusedaswell,orthattheconnectorelementscouldbemounted and / orpositioneddifferently.Saidcross-sectionalviewalsoclearlyshowsthe ventilationholes10extendingthroughbothsaidouterenergyabsorbinglayer2and5 saidinnerenergyabsorbinglayer3.Itisfurtherpreferredthattheouterenergy absorbinglayer2isatleastpartlyindirectengagementwithsaidinnerenergy absorbinglayer3whenconnected.Sincethereisafixedandrigidconnectionbetween theouterenergyabsorbinglayerandtheinnerenergyabsorbinglayer,thereisno needforanyintermediatelayer,suchasanelastomericlayer,forexampletofacilitate10 anymovementbetweenthelayers.Tothecontrary,directengagementofatleastpart oftheouterandinnerenergyabsorbinglayerscancontributetotherigidconnection betweenthelayers.

[34] Figure5showsaschematicexplodedsideviewofasecondembodimentofa15 helmetaccordingtoafirstaspectoftheinvention.Thehelmet1’comprisesanouter energyabsorbinglayer2includingthesamefeaturesasdescribedwithrespectto precedingfiguresillustratingapreferredembodiment.Thehelmet1’furthercomprises aninnerenergyabsorbinglayer3’whichincludesatleasttwoseparateportions,an upperportion3aandalowerportion3b.Eachoftheseatleasttwoportions3a,3b20 neednotbedome-shapedelements,butwhentheatleasttwoportionsareconnected, theycanformaninnerenergyabsorbinglayer3’whichisdome-shaped.Inthisway,a densityand / oramaterialofatleasttheupperportion3aandthelowerportion3bcan becustomizedseparately.Inparticular,portionsoftheinnerenergyabsorbinglayer3’ canbeweakenedorstrengthenedlocallywithoutcomplicatingthemanufacturing25 process.Theouterenergyabsorbinglayer2isconnectedtotheinnerenergy absorbinglayer3’viaconnectorelements4,whichmaybesimilartothepreceding embodiment,inparticularasnapconnectorassembly.Inparticular,theinserting elements4attachedtoalowerrimoftheouterenergyabsorbinglayer2canbe insertedorsnappedintoreceivingelementspositionedalongtheoutwardlyprotruding30 flange5ofthelowerportion3boftheinnerenergyabsorbinglayer3’.Theupper portion3aoftheinnerenergyabsorbinglayermay,butneednot,befixedlyconnected tothelowerportion3boftheinnerenergyabsorbinglayer3’.Saidupperportion3a mayjustbemountedonthelowerportion3bbyform-fitandbemaintainedinplaceby 2024 / 5855 BE2024 / 5855 -12- beingtrappedbetweentheouterenergyabsorbinglayer2rigidlyconnectedtothe lowerportion3boftheinnerenergyabsorbinglayer3’.

[35] Figure6showsaschematicexplodedsideviewofathirdembodimentofa helmetaccordingtoafirstaspectoftheinvention.Theideaissimilartothe5 embodimentshowninFigure5:thehelmet1”comprisesanouterenergyabsorbing layer2includingthesamefeaturesasdescribedwithrespecttoprecedingfigures illustratingapreferredembodiment.Thehelmet1”furthercomprisesaninnerenergy absorbinglayer3”whichincludestwoseparateportions,anupperportion3aanda lowerportion3b.Thedifferenceliesinthewaytheinnerenergyabsorbinglayer3”is10 dividedintothetwoportions3aand3b.Inparticular,theupperportion3a,whichis configuredtoprotectacrownofauser’shead,maybenefitfromadifferentmaterial and / oradifferentdensityofmaterialtoimproveprotection,asexplainedwithrespect toFigure5.Aspreviouslyexplained,theupperportion3amaybefixedlyconnectedto thelowerportion3bviadedicatedconnectingmeans,ortheupperportion3amay15 form-fitonthelowerportion3bandbesandwichedbetweentheouterenergy absorbinglayer2rigidlyconnectedtothelowerportion3boftheinnerenergy absorbinglayer3”.

[36] Figure7showsaschematiccross-sectionalsideviewofafourthembodiment20 ofahelmet100accordingtoafirstaspectoftheinvention.Thehelmet100comprises anouterenergyabsorbinglayer2andaninnerenergyabsorbinglayer3rigidly connectedtoeachotherviatheconnectorelements4embodiedasinsertionelements receivedinreceivingelements7alonganoutwardlyprotrudingflange5oftheinner energyabsorbinglayer3,saidenergyabsorbinglayers2,3andconnectorelements425 includingthesamefeaturesasdescribedwithrespecttoprecedingfiguresillustrating apreferredembodiment.Thehelmet100differsfromtheprecedingembodimentsin thatthehelmet100furtherincludesathirdenergyabsorbinglayer11configuredtobe positionedbetweentheinnerenergyabsorbinglayer3andtheouterenergyabsorbing layer2.Saidthirdenergyabsorbinglayer11isalsoconfiguredtoabsorbanimpact,30 forexamplealinearcomponentofanimpact,forexamplebycompression,andmay bemadeofthesamematerial,oradifferentmaterial,and / orasamedensityora differentdensity,asoneorbothoftheinnerenergyabsorbinglayer3andtheouter energyabsorbinglayer2.Thethirdenergyabsorbinglayer11may,butneednot,be 2024 / 5855 BE2024 / 5855 -13- rigidlyconnectedtooneorbothoftheinnerenergyabsorbinglayer3andtheouter energyabsorbinglayer2viadedicatedconnectionmeans.Thethirdenergyabsorption layer11canforexamplejustbesandwichedbetweentheinnerenergyabsorbinglayer 3andtheouterenergyabsorbinglayer2whicharerigidlyconnectedtoeachother. Whenthehelmet100furtherincludesventilationholes10,saidventilationholes105 preferablyalsoextendthroughsaidthirdenergyabsorbinglayer11.

[37] Figures8aand8bshowatopviewandacross-sectionalsideviewalongsection A-Aofafifthembodimentofahelmet200accordingtoafirstaspectoftheinvention. InanalogywiththepreferredembodimentschematicallyshowninFigures1–4,the10 helmet200comprisesanouterenergyabsorbinglayer2andaninnerenergy absorbinglayer3rigidlyconnectedtoeachotherviaconnectorelements4.Figures8a and8balsoshowasubstantiallyrigidoutershell12configuredtoatleastpartlyengage andcoveranoutersurfaceoftheouterenergyabsorbinglayer2.Thehelmet200 furtherincludesventilationholes10extendingthroughtheinnerenergyabsorbing15 layer3,theouterenergyabsorbinglayer2andthesubstantiallyrigidoutershell12. Oneormoreofsaidventilationholes10,forexampleatabackofthehelmet,may includeaninsert17configuredtoreceiveagogglestrap.Otherventilationholes10 mayalsobeconfiguredtoreceiveinsertsforotherpurposes.Thehelmet200further includesaretentionsystem13attachedtoaninnersideoftheinnerenergyabsorbing20 layer3.Theretentionsystem13mayincludeaheadbasketoraheadband14andan adjustmentsystem15configuredtoadjustaheadbandaroundawearer’shead.Said adjustmentsystem15mayincludeanoperatingelement,suchasrotaryknoboran endlessband,ormaybeaself-adjustingsystem. 25

[38] Figure9showsabottomviewofthehelmetofFigure8a.Theinnerenergy absorbinglayer3includesapluralityofprotrusions16extendingtowardsawearer’s head,theprotrusions16beingconfiguredtobreak,fractureorrupturewhenanimpact exceedsapredefinedthreshold.Saidprotrusionshaveatruncatedpyramidalshape andhavevaryingsizesdependingonapositionwithinthehelmet.Atthesametime,30 theinnerenergyabsorbinglayer3canincludeslits8creatingaweakenedportion9in theenergyabsorbinglayer3.Saidweakenedportion(s)9arealsoco.