Bell Sports, Inc.

David T Debus

Paul A Kele

David Edwin Stroud

An impact attenuating helmet including an outer liner having an inner mating surface, an inner liner positioned under the outer liner and having an outer mating surface configured to be received by the inner mating surface of the outer liner, the inner liner and the outer liner being configured to move relative to each other along a slip plane between outer mating surface of the inner liner and the inner mating surface of the outer liner, and one or more securing attachments, each securing attachment being coupled to the outer liner and being configured to secure the outer liner to the inner liner, each securing attachment comprising a slack element configured to permit a range of movement between the outer liner and the inner liner.

Impact attenuating helmet with inner and outer liner and securing attachment

A helmet having an outer liner with an inward-facing surface, an inner liner with an outward-facing surface that interfaces with the inward-facing surface of the outer liner, and a flexible tether coupling the outer liner to the inner. The inner liner is slidably coupled to the outer liner via a plurality of return springs, the plurality of return springs biasing the inner liner to a first position with respect to the outer liner.

Cycling helmet with rotational impact attenuation

A helmet with an inner liner and an outer liner that slidably move in relation to each other. At least one flexible connector is positioned at the ovoid surface between the inner and outer liner that directly connects at least three of a plurality of liner ribs of the first liner segment to the second liner segment across a gap at a center portion of a second liner segment and at left and right sides of the second liner segment. The at least one flexible connector is in-molded with the first and second liner segments so that they move relative to each other when the inner liner slidably moves in relation to the outer liner by flexing the at least one flexible connector. Elastomeric anchors coupled to the outer liner and to the at least one flexible connector may be included, and a fit system may be used.

Flexible slip plane for helmet energy management liner

A helmet having an outer liner and an inner liner is disclosed. The inner liner is positioned at least partially inside the outer liner. The helmet includes at least one chin strap anchored to the outer liner and passing through an opening in the inner liner. The helmet further includes a plurality of return springs, each having a first end coupled to the outer liner, and a second end distal to the first end and coupled to the inner liner. The return springs bias the inner liner to a first position with respect to the outer liner. The inner liner is slidably coupled to the outer liner through the plurality of return springs and slidably movable relative to the outer liner between the first position and a second position where the inner liner and outer liner are rotated away from the first position.

According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for head protection is provided. The system includes a helmet body defining at least one hole. The system also includes at least one reinforcement member coupled to the helmet body. The reinforcement member defines an aperture that at least partially aligns with the hole of the helmet body.

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Felton, CA, United States of America

David T Debus