US20100180362A1 - Adjustable fitting helmet - Google Patents

Abstract

A helmet includes a helmet body defining a helmet interior. A fit system is provided to engage the helmet to the head of a wearer, at least a first and second portion of the fit system are moveable independent of the other. A fit adjuster varies a characteristic of the fit system, such as size, shape, orientation or pressure, allowing a wearer to customize fit of the helmet.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The invention relates to a helmet and to other head gear and, more particularly, to an adjustable fitting helmet.
BACKGROUND
• Various systems have been proposed for fitting a helmet to a head of a wearer. Such head fitting systems may allow a wearer to customize the helmet to different head shapes and sizes, and may allow for altering the tightness of the helmet about the head of the wearer. Typically, a head fitting system includes a loop-shaped band of variable length. In certain arrangements, an inflatable bladder has been provided to vary the fit of a helmet. One or more pads may be provided on the variable length bands or the inflatable bladder.
SUMMARY
• One aspect of the invention includes a helmet with a helmet body defining an interior portion. A head fitting system has a first portion and a second portion that are moveable independent of each other. A fit system adjuster is located between the body and the fitting system, and is selectively actuable to move the first portion and the second portion, customizing a fit of the helmet to a head of a wearer.
• In another aspect of the invention, a helmet includes a helmet body having an interior portion. The helmet body defines a relief and a shelf extending above, and inwardly of, the relief. A head fitting system extends downwardly from the shelf and a fit system adjuster is located in the relief.
• In another aspect of the invention, a helmet includes an outer shell and an impact managing liner located within the outer shell. At least two pads are coupled to the liner and arranged to independently move with respect to each other and towards an interior of the helmet. An inflatable bladder is located between the liner and the at least two pads, the bladder being selectively inflatable to move the at least two pads towards the helmet interior, customizing a fit of the helmet to a head of a wearer.
• In a still further aspect of the invention, a helmet includes a helmet body defining an interior portion. A head fitting system includes a plurality of connectors to attach the head fitting system to the helmet body. A fit system adjuster to adjust a characteristic of the head fitting system includes a plurality of position locating tabs. The helmet body is adapted to receive the plurality of position locating tabs and is adapted to receive the plurality of connectors.
• These and other aspects of the invention will be appreciated from the following description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
• The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures may be represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:
• FIG. 1A is bottom view of a helmet according to certain embodiments, showing an internal space of the helmet.
• FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the helmet ofFIG. 1.
• FIG. 2 is a side view of an inflatable liner.
• FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the helmet ofFIG. 1A taken along line3-3.
• FIG. 3B is a detail ofFIG. 3A illustrating movement of a rear pad.
• FIG. 3C is a detail ofFIG. 3B illustrating movement of a front pad.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• For ease of understanding and without limiting the scope of the invention, aspects of the invention are discussed herein in connection with a snowboard helmet. However, the invention is not so limited, and includes helmets configured for other applications including, but not limited to; skiing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, roller blading, biking, football, snowmobiling, jet skiing, all terrain driving, and motorcycling. Further, the helmet may be configured to protect the head of the wearer or may be arranged in a non-protective form. The invention encompasses other types of head gear in addition to helmets.
• Head shape and size vary amongst different people and a particular individual's head geometry may not be symmetrical. A person may wear a cap or other head covering under a helmet, may change hair style or hair length, or otherwise alter the head profile upon which a helmet should securely and safely fit. Depending upon the activity involved, and the environment of use, a wearer may desire a tighter or looser fit of her helmet. For any one of the foregoing, or for other reasons, a helmet is provided that allows the wearer selectively to customize a fit characteristic (e.g., shape, size, orientation or pressure), either prior to placing the helmet on her head, or while already wearing the helmet and without having to loosen straps or other features that secure the helmet to the head of the wearer.
• A head fitting system may be provided along some, or all, points of contact between the helmet and the head of the wearer. For example, and without limitation, a head fitting system may encircle the head of the wearer, extending along the left and right temple portions, the forehead and the back of the head, but not covering the crown. The fit system may be arranged to promote a particular orientation of the helmet relative to the head of the wearer; for example, and without limitation, the helmet may be configured to provide a tighter fit to specific portions of the head, and/or to tilt the helmet in a particular direction. The fit system may include various segments with the same or different fit characteristics. For example, and without restriction, the fit system may include different segments, such as pads, that may be arranged to move independently of each other, whether towards or away from the interior of the helmet body, changing the size and shape of the fit system. The fit system may include separate components that cooperate together or may be an integral structure.
• A fit system adjuster, that may be integral with the fit system or provided as a separate component that acts on the fit system, allows the wearer to vary fit characteristics of all, or only specific, segments of the fitting system. For example, and without restricting the scope of the invention, greater adjustment of the fit system may occur at the rear of the helmet as compared to the front of the helmet. Adjustment of characteristics of the fit system may include, without limitation, expanding and/or contracting the dimension of the fit system at one or more locations about the fit system, changing the angle of a point of contact of the fit system with the head of the wearer at one or more locations about the fit system, adjusting the positioning of the fit system (e.g., raising, lowering, shifting sideways), and adjusting the pressure of the fit system (i.e., tightness). The helmet may be configured so that different levels of adjustment are applied, of the same or different characteristics, along different segments of the fit system. Further, portions of the fit system may be non-adjustable while others may be varied to customize the overall fit.
• Ahelmet10, shown inFIGS. 1A-1B, includes ahelmet body20, ahelmet fitting system30 and a selectively activated fit system adjuster40 for varying the shape, size, orientation, pressure, and/or other aspect of at least some portion of the fining system that will come in contact with the head of the wearer (i.e., fitting system is adjusted relative to the helmet interior22). As illustrated, thehelmet body20 includes anouter shell24 and an impactenergy managing liner26, thefitting system30 includes a series of pads32a-32hthat extend around thehelmet interior22, and thefit system adjuster40 is aninflatable bladder42 located between thehelmet body20 and thefit system30 that may be selectively actuated to apply force to, or relieve previously applied force from, portions of thefit system30, to adjust one or more fit characteristics (e.g., shape, size, tightness/pressure, orientation) of thehelmet10.
• As shown, thefit system30 may include one or more pads32a-32hthat encircle the helmet interior. The pads32a-32hmay be shaped to conform substantially to the portion of the head that they will contact. Accordingly, certain of the pads may have more of a rounded, concave surface while other pads may be flatter. Each pad32a-32hmay pivot relative to thehelmet body20 and be arranged to move independently with respect to each other32a-32h,and to thehelmet body20, in response to inflation or deflation of thebladder42. As the shape, size and orientation may vary amongst the pads32a-32h,and the force applied by thebladder42 may be differentiated along predetermined segments of the adjuster, various fit characteristics may be provided at each pad32a-32h.For example, and without limitation, the expandable volume of thebladder42 at the front of thehelmet10 may be considerably smaller than the expandable volume of thebladder42 at the rear of thehelmet10, so that therear pads32d,32emay be displaced a greater amount or greater pressure may be applied to therear pads32d,32eas compared to thepads32a,32hat the front of the helmet. Although shown as individual, spaced pads, thefit system30 is not so limited and may include an integrated, single structure with the fit characteristics of various segments being adjustable.
• Thefit system30 need not be in the form of pads and embraces other structure and arrangements configured to contact the head of the wearer (e.g. a band or a comfort liner). Further, not all aspects of the fit system that come in contact with the head of the wearer need to be adjustable, so long as at least some portions of the fit system are variable in response to actuation of the fit adjuster. For example, and without limitation, a fit system employing pads32a-32hsuch as shown inFIGS. 1A-1B, might have temple pads that are not adjustable while the front and rear pads are adjustable. Portions of thefitting system30 that contact the wearer's head may include a soft or compliant material, or otherwise be arranged for comfort (e.g. foam, compliant plastic or rubber layers or other cushioning materials). The head fitting system may be arranged to provide improved performance such as insulation or wicking. In a representative embodiment, the pads are formed of fabric wrapped Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA).
• One or more pads32a-323hmay include a connector34a-34h,as shown, which engages with acomplementary connector23a-23h(e.g. an anchor) in the helmet body (see alsoFIGS. 3A-3C). The connector34a-34hand/or its associated pad32a-32hmay be configured to provide movement of the pad in response to thefit adjuster40. As illustrated, each of the pads includes a thin, tab-like connector34a-34hthat extends from a backing sheet36a-36hunited with the pad body37a-37h,so that each pad is pivotable towards and away from the helmet interior. For simplicity, some reference numbers have been omitted on some of the pads32a-32h.Other arrangements for pivoting of the pad, such as a living hinge or other designs, also are contemplated. In other embodiments, one or more pads may be pivotable in a single direction, and/or may be arranged to rotate and/or translate with respect to thehelmet body20. The tab34a-34hand backing sheet36a-36hmay be slightly angled, as shown, to facilitate pivoting of the pad32a-32hin response to thefit adjuster40.
• To adjust a characteristic of thefitting system30, afit adjuster40, such as aninflatable bladder42, is located between thehelmet body20 and thefitting system30, such as the series of pads32a-32hshown inFIGS. 1A-1B. Selective inflation or deflation of thebladder42 will cause the pads32a-32hto move inwardly or outwardly, allowing the wearer to customize the fit of thehelmet10. Arrows60a-60finFIG. 1B illustrate a representative movement of each pad32a-32h,in response to inflation of the bladder. As shown, the expandedbladder42 forces the pads32a-32hto pivot towards thehelmet interior22, reducing the size of thefit system30 and/or increasing the pressure of thefit system30 about the head of the wearer (see alsoFIGS. 3A-3C). Depending upon the size and shape of the various pads or other configuration of the fit system, greater size reduction or expansion, or pressure, may be applied to a particular portion of the fit system. As shown, therear pads32d,32emay be larger than thefront pads32a,32h,and associated rear portions of theinflatable bladder42d,42emay have a larger volume that associatedfront portions32a,32hof the inflatable bladder. The independent pivotable arrangement of the pads, or other fit system, allows variable response to the fit adjuster.
• As shown, the bladder may include apump52 for inflating thebladder42 and aseparate release valve54 for deflating thebladder42. Thepump52 and therelease valve54 are located at aleft extension portion42cand at aright extension portion42fof the bladder, respectively, and each projects from anear cutout portion28 of the helmet body, allowing the wearer to easily access them for fit adjustment. Air introduced by thepump52 flows into and through thebladder42 along dual paths along a first flow path to left end portion42a(indicated by arrow62) and along a second flow path toright end portion42h(indicated by arrow64). In other embodiments, the pump may be located at one end portion of the bladder and a release valve at the other end portion, so that flow is along a single path. The number and direction of flow paths may vary as should be apparent to one of skill in the art. In one embodiment, the pump and release valve may be the pump and valve arrangement described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,765, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety, or the pump and/or the valve may have a different arrangement. Thepump52 may be manually-activated, however, other embodiments may employ a different type or design of pump, such as an electrical pump, as the invention is not limited in this respect. Further, although in the described embodiment air is the inflation medium, other gases or liquids may be used to expand the bladder. Other arrangements for inflating and deflating an inflatable bladder are contemplated. For example, and without limitation, thebladder42 may include a single port for receiving a separate pump to inflate the bladder and have a release pin or other valve arrangement for deflating the bladder.Extension portions42c,42fand other exposed portions of thebladder42 may be covered with a protective padding94 or otherwise shielded or reinforced to protect them from damage.
• Thebladder42 may include a first end portion42aand asecond end portion42hthat are joined together, forming a loop about the inside of the helmet body so that the bladder encircles the head of the wearer as shown inFIG. 1B. Various portions of the bladder are now identified based on the portions of the head against which they will be opposed. The first end portion42aandsecond end portion42hcorrespond to the forehead of the wearer.Left side portion42band right side portion42gare positioned overlying the left and right sides of the wearer's head, respectively. Aleft extension portion42cof the bladder extends behind the wearer's left ear and aright extension portion42dof the bladder extends behind the wearer's right ear. Leftrear portion42dand rightrear portion42eoverlie the wearer's rear occipital lobe. Although theinflatable bladder42 depicted inFIGS. 2A and 2B encircles a wearer's head withend portions42aand42hoverlying a wearer's forehead, in other embodiments the inflatable bladder need not fully encircle the wearer's head. Although not shown, thebladder42 may extend partially or completely over the crown of the wearer's head.
• InFIG. 3 which shows a side view of thebladder42 when partially inflated, the thickness of thebladder42 is exaggerated for illustrative purposes. Thebladder42 has a side that faces thefitting system30 and the wearer's head during use, which will be referred to as the “head side”44, and a side that faces thehelmet body20, which will be referred to as the “helmet side”45. In some embodiments, thebladder42 has a first sheet ofmaterial46 forming thehead side44 and a second sheet ofmaterial47 forming thehelmet side45, that are joined to each other around aperipheral edge48 enclosing aninflatable space50. Thefirst sheet46 and thesecond sheet47 may additionally be joined at one or more locations away from theperipheral edge48 of the bladder to control a size and a shape of theinflatable space50. For example, thefirst sheet46 may be joined to the second sheet atmultiple weld areas49 as shown inFIG. 2A. Thefirst sheet46 and thesecond sheet47, may be welded, adhered or sealably joined in any other suitable manner. Thematerial46 of thefirst sheet46 and/ or thesecond sheet47 may be any suitable pliable and fluid impermeable material including, but not limited to, a polymer such a urethane. Although theinflatable bladder42 depicted inFIGS. 1B and 2 includes a first sheet ofmaterial46 joined to a second sheet ofmaterial47 at theperiphery49 of thebladder42, aninflatable bladder42 may be seamless or may be formed of multiple different sheets of material that are joined at areas other than theperiphery48 to form an inflatable space, as the invention is not limited in this respect.
• To adjust a fit of the helmet, a wearer may introduce air into thebladder44 using thepump52, which inflates the bladder thereby increasing a separation S between thehead side44 and thehelmet side45 of thebladder42. Further inflation of thebladder42 increases the fluid pressure in theinflation space50. Thehead side44 of the bladder exerts a force on the corresponding portion of the fitting system30 (e.g. pad32a-32h.A wearer may decrease the force by deflating thebladder42 using therelease valve52.
• Interactions between thefit system adjuster40, thefitting system30, and thehelmet body20 are further illustrated inFIGS. 3A-3C. (InFIG. 3A several pads are omitted for illustrative purposes.) Thefit system adjuster40, such as theinflatable bladder42 shown, may follow the contour of a lower portion of the helmet body. As described above, each pad32e-32hcontacts at least a portion of thebladder42. Initially, thebladder42 may be slightly inflated. In this state thebladder42 exerts relatively little force on the pads32e-32h,which may be characterized as being in a neutral position. The wearer may then inflate thebladder42, exerting a force on each pad32e-32h.Because each pad32e-32his moveable relative to the other pads, the position and/or orientation of each pad32e-32hindependently adjusts in response to the pressure. A representative changed position ofpads32dand32his indicated by dashedoutlines58dand58h.Increased pressure in thebladder42 also increases the pressure exerted by each pad32e-32hon the head of the wearer.
• The wearer may continue to inflate thebladder42 until achieving a desired fit. The increased pressure may farther change the position and/or orientation of each pad as indicated by dotted and dashedoutlines59dand59h.One or more pads may already be in contact with the head of the wearer so that further inflation will not move these pads, although the increased pressure in the bladder will exert greater force on the head of the wearer, providing a tighter or more secure fit.
• As can be seen inFIGS. 3B and 3C, the rightrear pad32epivots through an angle α_ethat is greater than an angle α_hthrough which theright front pad32hpivots. The difference in angular adjustability is due to the relative size and shape of the rightrear pad32eand theright front pad32hand due to the relative size and shape of the correspondingportions42e,42hof the inflatable bladder. Theinterior space50 in the rightrear portion42eof bladder has a greater maximum cross-sectional area51ethan the maximumcross-sectional area51hof the interior space in theright end portion42hof the bladder at the front of the helmet. This allows the rightrear portion42eto cause greater rotation of itscorresponding pad32eand to exert a greater force on its correspondingpad32e.The greater rotation may enable therear pads32dand32eto better accommodate an occipital lobe at the rear of the wearer's head.
• FIG. 3A also depicts the cross-sectional shape of thehelmet body20 and a location of thefit system adjuster40 in thehelmet body20. As described above and shown inFIG. 1B, thehelmet body20 may include anouter shell24 and an impact absorbing, or otherwise impact energy managing,liner26 located within the outer shell. Theouter shell24 may include, but is not limited to: a hard material, a puncture resistant material, a soft material, a textile material and/or multiple layers of different materials. As an example, theouter shell24 may be formed of a hard material such as acrylontrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, fiber composite, or other suitable material as should be apparent to one of skill in the art. The impact-managingliner26 may be formed of a crushable foam, such as an expanded polystyrene (FPS), expanded polypropylene or expanded polyurethane, or other suitable impact-absorbing and/or energy managing material. The liner may be in-molded to the shell, or the shell and liner may be separately formed and then joined together such as by adhesive or tape. Although aspects of thehelmet body20 are described with respect to an embodiment having anouter shell24 and aliner26, the helmet body may include only aliner26, only anouter shell24, or either or both helmet body components including further layers, as the invention is not limited in this respect.
• The helmet may include features to position and maintain the fit adjuster in a desired location. As shown, a lower portion of the helmet body, such as aliner26, may include arelief70 which receives thefit adjuster40. The relief may extend completely about the helmet body, for example where the fit adjuster encircles the helmet, or may have a truncated shape corresponding to the configuration of the fit adjuster. Thefit system adjuster40, such as theinflatable bladder42 shown, may follow the contour of therelief70. Thefit adjuster40 may include engagement features to secure the fit adjuster to the helmet body. For example, at least one and preferably multipleposition locating tabs56 may extend from the fit adjuster and engage with complementary anchoring portion(s)72 on thehelmet body22. An adhesive, a mechanical coupling, hook and loop material (e.g. VELCRO), etc., may be employed to join the tabs, or other engagement feature to the helmet body. As such, thefitting system30 may be detachably or permanently connected to thebody interior22. It may be desirable for portions or all of thehead fitting system30 to be detachable to permit use of fitting systems having different sizes and configurations with thehelmet body20, for cleaning or repair or otherwise.
• Above and inwardly of the relief, the helmet body may define ashelf74 from which thefit system30 depends. Therelief70 extends upwardly creating spacedrelief regions75 that separate theshelf74 into segments. Each of the spacedrelief regions75 is adapted to receive a positioning tab of thefit adjuster40. Theshelf74 may also include the anchoringportions72 for the fit adjuster tabs. The pads32a-32hof thefitting system30 may extend downwardly from theshelf74 in the path of movement of the inflatable bladder. The shelf may include part of anengagement system76 for mounting the pads. As shown, theengagement system76 may be a snapfit receptacle77 for receiving atab78 andboss79 extending from a pad. Sufficient insertion pressure will cause theboss portion78 of thetab79 to penetrate into thereceptacle77, securing the pad80 in position. Removal of the pad80 is achieved by pulling the pad80 until the locking force of the snapfit receptacle77 is overcome. Other connectors, whether permanently fixing the pads to the helmet body or allowing detachment, are contemplated. Although the engagement system shown inFIGS. 3A-3C includes a tab end of a pad that is engageable to a locking chamber of a shelf, the features may be reversed with the male component on the shell and the female component on the pad. Without limitation, the connectors34 and/ormating connectors23 may include a detent, a ball and socket, a key and slot or any other suitable connecting feature or mechanism.
• The snowboard helmet may further include other features such as chin straps for securing the helmet to the wearer, passive and/or active vents in thehelmet body86, a retention system for securing a goggle to the helmet, acontoured front opening96 for receiving a goggle, additional layers on or in the helmet body for insulation, comfort, or other attribute, and padding covering at least a portion of the straps. Other known features may be incorporated into helmets falling within the scope of the claimed invention.
• It should be understood that aspects of the invention are described herein with reference to the figures, which show illustrative embodiments in accordance with aspects of the invention. The illustrative embodiments described herein are not necessarily intended to show all aspects of the invention, but rather are used to describe a few illustrative embodiments. For example, although aspects of the invention are described above with reference to a snowboard helmet, aspects of the invention may be used with any suitable helmet. Further, the fit system adjuster is not limited to an inflatable bladder, and other arrangements for varying one or more characteristics of the fit system are contemplated. For example, and without limitation, the fit system adjuster may include an internal or external skeleton or frame, having a size, shape, and or angular orientation that may be selectively varied.
• Thus, aspects of the invention are not intended to be construed narrowly in view of the illustrative embodiments. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the invention may be used alone or in any suitable combination with other aspects of the invention.
• Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.

Claims (33)

1. A helmet, comprising:

a helmet body defining an interior portion;

a head fitting system having a first portion and a second portion; and

a fit system adjuster locatable between the helmet body and the head fitting system;

wherein the first portion and the second portion are arranged to move independently of each other in response to actuation of the fit system adjuster.

2. The helmet ofclaim 1, wherein the head fitting system is attachable to the helmet body independent of the fit system adjuster.

3. The helmet ofclaim 1, wherein the fit system adjuster comprises an inflatable bladder.

4. The helmet ofclaim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion are each pivotable relative to the helmet body.

5. The helmet ofclaim 1, wherein the fitting system is detachable from the helmet body.

6. The helmet ofclaim 1, wherein the fit system adjuster is ring-shaped.

7. The helmet ofclaim 1, wherein the first and second portions include a plurality of pads.

8. The helmet ofclaim 1, wherein a first portion is a rear portion, the second portion is a front portion, and the first portion has a greater range of movement than a range of movement of the second portion.

9. The helmet ofclaim 1, wherein the fit system adjuster follows the contour of a lower portion of the helmet body.

10. The helmet ofclaim 1, wherein the helmet body includes a hard outer shell and an impact energy managing liner.

11. A helmet, comprising:

a helmet body defining a relief and a shelf extending above, and inwardly of, the relief, the helmet body also defining a helmet interior;

a head fitting system extendable downwardly from the shelf; and

a fit system adjuster locatable in the relief, the fit system adjuster operable on the head fitting system to vary a fit characteristic of the helmet.

12. The helmet ofclaim 11, wherein the relief encircles an interior space of the helmet.

13. The helmet ofclaim 11, wherein the helmet body includes a hard outer shell and an impact energy managing inner liner, and the relief and the shelf are formed in the inner liner.

14. The helmet ofclaim 11, wherein the relief extends upwardly creating spaced relief regions that separate the shelf into segments, each of the spaced relief regions adapted to receive a positioning tab of the fit adjuster.

15. The helmet ofclaim 11, wherein the shelf includes a surface that faces towards a bottom of the helmet body, and said surface is adapted to engage with the head fitting system.

16. The helmet ofclaim 11, wherein the fit system adjuster is an inflatable bladder and the head fitting system is a plurality of pads.

17. The helmet ofclaim 11 wherein the head fitting system includes at least two portions that are moveable independent of each other in response to actuation of the fit system adjuster.

18. The helmet ofclaim 17, wherein the at least two independently moveable portion are pivotable towards the helmet interior.

19. The helmet ofclaim 11, wherein the fit system is attachable to the helmet body independent of the fit adjuster.

20. The helmet ofclaim 11, wherein the fit system adjuster follows the contour of a lower portion of the helmet body.

21. A helmet, comprising:

an outer shell;

an impact energy managing liner adjacent the outer shell and defining a helmet interior;

at least two pads that are independently moveable with respect to each other and towards an interior of the helmet; and

an inflatable bladder locatable between the liner and the at least two pads, the bladder being selectively inflatable to move the at least two pads towards the helmet interior.

22. The helmet ofclaim 21, wherein the at least two independently moveable pads are pivotable, independent of the other, towards the helmet interior in response to inflation of the bladder.

23. The helmet ofclaim 21, wherein the at least two independently moveable pads are attachable to the liner independent of the fit system adjuster.

24. The helmet ofclaim 21, wherein the at least two independently moveable pads each include a pad body and a connector, the pad body being pivotable relative to the connector.

25. The helmet ofclaim 21, wherein the head fitting system further includes at least one pad that is not moveable relative to the at least two pads.

26. The helmet ofclaim 21, wherein the at least two pads includes a plurality of pads that encircle the helmet interior.

27. A helmet, comprising:

a helmet body defining a helmet interior;

a fit system adjuster; and

at least one pad attachable to the helmet body independent of the fit system adjuster, and operatively associated with the fit system adjuster so that a fit characteristic is varied when the adjuster is actuated.

28. The helmet ofclaim 27, wherein a fit characteristic includes at least one of a size of the helmet interior, a shape of the helmet interior, an orientation of the helmet, or a pressure on the at least one pad.

29. The helmet ofclaim 27, wherein the at least one pad includes a plurality of pads to encircle the helmet interior.

30. The helmet ofclaim 27, wherein the at least one pad is pivotable relative to the helmet body.

31. The helmet ofclaim 27, wherein the at least one pad includes a pad body and a connector, and the pad body is pivotable relative to the connector.

32. The helmet ofclaim 27, wherein the fit system adjuster is an inflatable bladder.

33. The helmet ofclaim 27, wherein the helmet body includes a hard outer shell and an impact energy managing liner.

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