Foldable Helmet with Origami-Style Protruding Structures

The problem

Helmets protect the head during cycling, skating, climbing and other activities, but their rigid, curved shells occupy a large amount of space when not being worn. Commuters who ride part of the way and walk the rest must carry a bulky helmet in a bag or on their arm. Travelers packing light struggle to fit a standard helmet into luggage. Shared-mobility users and rental operators face high storage costs because helmets cannot be stacked efficiently. The core issue is that a helmet needs a curved three-dimensional shape to cover the head, yet that same shape wastes space the moment it is taken off.

The solution

This patent describes a helmet whose shell is not a single rigid dome but an assembly of geometric units that change shape together.

1. The helmet consists of multiple protruding structures (12) and connecting portions (14).
2. These structures are sequentially and fixedly connected along a first straight line (L1) and a second straight line (L2), which are perpendicular to each other.
3. To wear the helmet, the protruding structures extend simultaneously along L1 and L2, forming a curved surface structure.
4. To store it, the structures contract simultaneously along the same two lines, collapsing into a flat structure with a much smaller volume.
5. Each protruding structure is guided by specific fold lines so the motion is controlled and repeatable.

Who it is for

• Urban commuter gear brands selling to cyclists and e-scooter riders who switch between riding and walking or public transit daily, and need something that slips into a backpack instead of dangling from a handlebar.
• Travel and outdoor equipment companies offering head protection for climbing, skiing or kayaking where luggage space is limited and weight matters.
• Shared mobility and bike-share operators managing fleets of helmets that must be stored in docking stations or vending machines between rides; a flat profile allows denser stacking.
• Wholesale distributors of safety gear supplying schools, camps or clubs where bulk storage of helmets takes up valuable closet or bin space between sessions.

How it works

The main parts

Operating steps

1. Start flat - the helmet is in its contracted state. The first outer fold line (121) coincides with the second outer fold line (123), and the third outer fold line (125) coincides with the fourth outer fold line (127). The entire assembly forms a flat structure.
2. Extend along both lines - pull or push the helmet so the protruding structures (12) expand simultaneously along the first straight line (L1) and the second straight line (L2). The first inner fold line (122) and second inner fold line (124) guide this motion.
3. Form the curve - as the structures extend, the outer fold lines separate. The first outer fold line moves away from the second, and the third moves away from the fourth. The flat sheet rises into a curved surface structure shaped to fit a head.
4. Contract to store - reverse the motion. The structures shrink along L1 and L2 via the inner fold lines and the first bending lines (16) between adjacent units, returning the helmet to its flat profile.

Each protruding structure (12) is an axially symmetrical structure, ensuring balanced folding on both sides.

Applications

Urban bicycle commuting

Commuters who ride to a train station or office often have no place to put a helmet once they arrive. A helmet that contracts into a flat structure fits inside a laptop bag or briefcase, removing the need to carry a bulky shell by hand or leave it locked to a rack.

Travel and backpacking

Travelers moving between cities or hiking trails need head protection for activities like climbing or cycling but cannot spare suitcase volume. Contracting the helmet along its two perpendicular lines reduces its packed size, freeing room for clothing or gear.

Bike-share and scooter rental stations

Rental operators provide helmets at docking points, but storing hundreds of rigid helmets requires large bins or shelves. Flat-profile helmets can be stacked densely in vending-style dispensers or narrow lockers, lowering the footprint per unit at each station.

School and camp equipment rooms

Youth programs buy helmets in bulk for seasonal sports or field trips. Between uses, the helmets fill entire closets. A design that folds flat lets staff stack them in shallow bins, keeping storage rooms organized and accessible.

Emergency and disaster relief kits

Relief organizations pre-pack safety supplies for rapid deployment. Standard helmets consume disproportionate box space. Foldable helmets that lie flat allow more units per shipping carton, improving logistics when distributing protective gear to affected areas.

Where it is less suitable

• High-speed motorsports - racing environments require rigid, certified composite shells designed for extreme impacts, not folding geometries.
• Industrial hard hats - construction sites follow specific standards for suspension systems and electrical insulation that differ from recreational helmet designs.
• Continuous heavy-impact sports - activities involving repeated high-force collisions may demand solid foam liners rather than articulated folding panels.