Footy knockout sparks lightweight helmet idea

Graeme Attey can remember the moment when he came up with the idea to design a lightweight helmet to protect sportspeople.

He was watching an AFL game and Geelong's Tom Hawkins fell on his head and was accidently knocked out in a marking contest during a game in 2012.

Mr Attey, an award-winning designer and inventor based in Fremantle, decided to make a helmet that would protect players and the result is the Hexlid which is due to be launched later this year.

He says one of the factors why players seem to not like wearing helmets is the heat build-up.

"The ones that are out there are just so hot to wear, even on a cool day," Mr Attey says.

"So in designing the helmet I thought it has to be ventilated—and look ok."

The result is a lightweight helmet that is based on an open hexagonal design.

"It's a one-piece single-shot EVA foam," he says.

"The design is like an open hexagonal structure, so you end up with a helmet that's some 90 per cent ventilated."

The helmet's design has been internationally registered and a production version is undergoing final tests in NSW.

Mr Attey expects the Hexlid to be on the market by mid-2015.

"I originally wanted something designed for AFL but I figured it would also have a lot of other possible applications," he says.

"I've been wearing them surfing. I find it quite a good surf helmet, really."

Attey runs Fuselage Design and is what you'd call a serial inventor.

Among his many designs is the HIVAP air conditioning system which won the 2012 WA Innovator of the Year award.

The Hexlid's unique hexagonal design actually grew from another of his inventions: a mesh hammock bicycle seat.

"The bicycle seat has also become the inspiration for a new type of shoe," Mr Attey says.

He says the shoe design incorporates the equivalent of a hammock in its lining and was tested at Taiwan's internationally renowned shoe institute which test shoes for softness and rebound.

"The highest ever rebound ever recorded by any shoe was 47 per cent and ours was 67," he says.

"It's just super comfortable."

Manufacturing of the shoe is underway and a niche market has already been identified: golfers.

"So those shoes are now in production and will be launched on 13 March at the Beijing International Golf Show," Mr Attey says.