Riddell, Inc.

Vittorio Bologna

Thad M Ide

Nelson Kraemer

Ralph J Infusino

Murphy Gillogly

Andrew K Tryner

Michael Wonnacott

Chris Withnall

Bradshaw Baldonado

Joseph Levene

Ralph Infusing

The invention relates to a protective sports helmet purposely designed for a selected group of helmet wearers from amongst a larger population of helmet wearers. A multi-step method for helmet design starts by collecting information from a population of players that may include information about the shape of a player's head and the impacts the player has sustained. This information is then processed to create player population information that is sorted to create categories. Advanced mathematical techniques are utilized to further sort these categories into player groups or data sets based on player attributes. Once the player groups are identified, another multi-step process is utilized to design optimized helmet prototype models for each player group. These optimized helmet prototype models are then further processed into complete helmet models by determining a structural design and chemical composition that is manufacturable and has mechanical properties that are substantially similar to the optimized helmet prototype model. Physical helmet prototypes are then created and tested using a unique helmet standard derived from information associated with each player group. Once the prototypes pass testing, the complete helmet models can be manufactured to create actual stock helmets or stock helmet components for future players whose characteristics and attributes place them within the selected player group.

System and method for testing a football helmet

Internal padding assembly of a protective sports helmet

A protective sports helmet that includes a chin strap system that allows for rapid, one-handed adjustment of a chin strap assembly by the player while he/she is wearing the helmet is provided. The chin strap assembly includes a protective chin cup and a pair of straps extending from opposed sides of the chin cup and having a plurality of securing elements. The assembly also includes a pair of adjustable connectors affixed to the helmet and that include a central opening that receives an extent of the strap and a lever that engages a portion of the securing elements. The adjustable connector allows movement of the strap in a first direction, and prevents movement of the strap in a second direction when the lever is engaged with at least one of the securing elements. The adjustable connector allows movement of the strap in both the first and second directions when the lever is not engaged with the securing elements.

Sports helmet with adjustable chin strap system

A chin strap assembly is provided for use with a sports helmet. The chin strap assembly includes an inner pad member, a strap assembly and an outer protective member. The outer protective member is coupled to the strap assembly by an attachment member, such as a post. A sports helmet with the chin strap assembly is also provided.

Protective sports helmet chinstrap assembly

The invention relates to a multi-step method with a number of processes and sub-processes that interact to allow for the selection, design and/or manufacture of a protective sports helmet for a specific player, or a recreational sports helmet for a specific person wearing the helmet. Once the desired protective sports helmet or recreational sports helmet is selected, information is collected from the individual player or wearer regarding the shape of his/her head and information about the impacts he/she has received while participating in the sport or activity. The collected information is processed to develop a bespoke energy attenuation assembly for use in the protective helmet. The energy attenuation assembly includes at least one energy attenuation member with a unique structural makeup and/or chemical composition. The energy attenuation assembly is purposely engineered to improve comfort and fit, as well as how the helmet responds when an impact or series of impacts are received by the helmet.

Protective sports helmet with additively manufactured components

The invention relates to a protective sports helmet purposely designed using a multi-step method for a selected group of helmet wearers from amongst a larger population of helmet wearers. The protective sports helmet can be a position specific American football helmet that includes a shell, a facemask coupled to the shell, and an energy attenuation assembly configured to be positioned within the shell. The specific playing position can be a football quarterback such that the football helmet absorbs a larger amount of force from an impact applied to a rear portion of the inventive helmet as compared to the amount of force absorbed by a frontal portion of that helmet from the same impact applied thereto. Alternatively, the specific playing position can be a football lineman such that the football helmet absorbs a larger amount of force from an impact applied to a front portion of the helmet as compared to the amount of force absorbed from the same type of impact applied to a front portion of a non-position specific American football helmet.

Position specific protective sports helmet

An innovative protective football helmet includes a durable shell having an impact attenuation system, a visor system with a visor, a lower chin bar assembly, and internal impact attenuation assembly. The connection of the visor to the shell is 'tool-less,' meaning that no unique tool is required for coupling or removing the visor system. The visor system is not coupled to the lower chin bar assembly, which allows the visor to independently flex and independently elastically deform relative to the chin bar assembly. The visor is configured to match a substantial extent of the frontal shell region, thus the visor does not need to be substantially deformed during the installation process, which eliminates the introduction of additional stresses on the visor during the installation process. The visor also replaces a significant upper extent of a conventional facemask that is both heavy and costly to manufacture. Due to the design of the helmet and visor system, there is a significant increase in the player's field of view through the frontal helmet opening and the visor. This increase in the field of view provides greater situational awareness for the player and allows the player to reduce the amount of head rotation necessary to see objects or other players when the player is engaged in playing the sport.

Protective sports helmet with advanced visor system, lower chin bar assembly and energy attenuation system

A system for monitoring a physiological parameter of player wearing protective sports equipment. The monitoring system includes a monitoring unit configured to be positioned within a piece of protective sports equipment worn by a player and transmit physiological parameter data to a database. A database is configured to receive and store the transmitted physiological parameter data. A server is configured to automatically generate a report after a predetermined time interval, where the report has at least one training opportunity indicator and a portion of the received and stored physiological parameter data. The training opportunity indicator is generated when the transmitted physiological parameter data exceeds a predetermined threshold that is based on a previously recorded collection of physiological parameter data. That physiological parameter data can be: the player's own historical data, a team's historical data, a sum of alertable impacts from other similarly situated players, and/or a sum of alertable impacts the player has received over the alertable time period.

System for monitoring a physiological parameter of a person wearing protective sports equipment while engaged in physical activity

System and method for designing and manufacturing a protective sports helmet

A protective football helmet is provided having a one-piece molded shell with an impact attenuation system. This system includes an impact attenuation member formed in an extent of the front shell portion by removing material from the front portion. The impact attenuation member is purposely engineered to change how the front portion responds to an impact force applied substantially normal to the front portion as compared to how other portions of the shell respond to that impact force. In one version, the impact attenuation member is a cantilevered segment formed in the front portion of the shell.

Football helmet with impact attenuation system

Front pad of an internal padding assembly of a football helmet

A partial bespoke protective sports equipment to be worn by a player engaged in a sporting activity is provided. The partial bespoke sports equipment system includes methods for acquiring, storing and processing a player's unique data, namely the anatomical features of the body part against which the partial bespoke equipment is worn. The systems also includes methods of using the player's unique data to manufacture the partial bespoke protective equipment with a partially custom formed internal padding. The system and method allows for the design and manufacture of partial bespoke protective sports equipment that is purposely designed and manufactured to substantially match the anatomical specifications of the player's body part.

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Elk Grove Village, IL, United States of America

Vittorio Bologna