Patent attributes
A protective facemask for a helmet includes one or more compression portions. In one aspect, a facemask of a plurality of arcuately curved bars includes a frame portion and lateral bars configured to extend across the frontal opening of the helmet and join to the frame portion at terminal ends. The lateral bars include one or more compression portions which are more compliant to a given force than other portions of the plurality of arcuately curved bars. A compression portion may include a first material that is less rigid than a second material forming the other portions of the arcuately curved bars. A compression portion may further include first and second zones, with the first zone being more compliant to the given force than the second zone. Such compression portions may be positioned within the lateral bars near the point of joining with the frame.