Impact resistant helmet

A helmet comprising an impact resistant composite shell comprising a plurality of prepreg packets where each prepreg packet comprises at least 2 prepreg layers, with each prepreg layer comprising a plurality of unidirectional coplanar fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix, the fibers of adjacent layers in the prepreg packets being at an angle of about 45.degree. to 90.degree. from each other and wherein the prepreg packets are flat and are cut into patterns to enable the prepreg packet to be formed into the shape of the shell, and the cuts in the pattern being made so that upon being formed into the shape of the shell the prepreg packets having substantially no wrinkles with the cuts having adjacent edges which substantially come together to form a seam, adjacent prepreg packets having seams which do not overlap.

A helmet comprising an impact resistant composite shell comprising a plurality of prepreg packets where each prepreg packet comprises at least 5 prepreg layers, with each prepreg layer comprising a plurality of unidirectional coplanar fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix, the fibers of adjacent layers in the prepreg packets being at an angle of about 45.degree. to 90.degree. from each other, wherein the angle of fiber in alternate prepreg layers of a prepreg packet is substantially the same.

An impact resistant composite comprising a plurality of prepreg packets where each prepreg packet comprises at least 2 prepreg layers, with each prepreg layer comprising a plurality of unidirectional complanar fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix, the fibers of adjacent layers in the prepreg packets being at an angle of about 45.degree. to 90.degree. from each other, wherein the polymer matrix of different prepreg layers have different tensile modulii, wherein the angle of fiber in adjacent layers in at least tow prepreg packets is different.

An impact resistant composite comprising a plurality of prepreg packets where each prepreg packet comprises at least 2 prepreg layers, with each prepreg layer comprising a plurality of unidirectional coplanar fibers embedded in a polymeric matrix, the fibers of adjacent layers in the prepreg packets being at an angle of about 45.degree. to 90.degree. from each other, wherein the polymer matrix of different prepreg packets have different tensile modulii, wherein the angle of fiber in adjacent layers in at least two prepreg packets is different.

An impact resistant composite comprising a plurality of prepreg packets where each prepreg packet comprises at least 2 prepreg layers, with each prepreg layer having a plurality of unidirectional coplanar fibers embedded in a polymer matrix, the fibers of each prepreg packets being at an angle of about 45.degree. to 90.degree. from to each other, wherein the angle between fibers of different prepreg packets is different, wherein the angle of fiber in adjacent layers in at least two prepreg packets is different.