New product : Schutt Sports Launches New Batters Helmets with D3O® Technology

LITCHFIELD, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Schutt Sports, the largest domestic manufacturer of batters helmets in the United States, today unveiled a new line of batters helmets.

The AiR 4.2 and AiR 5.6 helmets each feature the new Schutt Energy Lock Technology, boasting patented impact absorption technology developed by D3O, one of the world’s leading innovators in shock absorption materials.

Energy Lock Technology utilizes D3O® impact protection, which creates a soft and flexible shock absorbing material featuring unique molecular properties. In standard conditions, the molecules flow freely, but on impact, they lock together to absorb impact energy.

“D3O® is a proven technology that’s been utilized in dozens of industries over the past eight years but this will be the first time it’s been used in a batters helmet,” said Kip Meyer, Vice President of Schutt Sports. “Our developers worked closely with the designers and scientists at D3O to customize their materials for the batters helmet. The result is greater coverage inside the helmet, much like the coverage in a football helmet and an extremely comfortable batters helmet.”

The new helmet line will feature a traditional helmet style, as well as the advanced design of the Schutt XE helmet shell. The AiR 4.2 and AiR Pro 4.2 will be One-Size-Fits-Most helmets, while the AiR 5.6 and AiR Pro 5.6 will be fitted helmets. Softball and baseball styles of the helmets will be available.
The product names are an homage to two of the most famous numbers on the diamond: Jackie Robinson’s uniform number (42) and Joe DiMaggio’s hitting streak (56).

“We wanted to honor the legacies of those two iconic numbers and the traditions of baseball and softball,” said Meyer. “At the same time, we loved the idea of putting modern impact absorption technology inside the helmets.”

D3O’s Product Design and Development Manager, Eric DeGolier says, “Our goal at D3O is to create the ultimate protective solutions. When designing for sports, athletes want high performance without compromise and we have engineered a brand new low-density material called D3O® Aero, specially designed for sports helmet applications. The new helmet liner system features D3O’s patented, rate-sensitive technology, which is not only comfortable to wear but also offers enhanced protection at both high and low speed impacts. Creating a high performance solution that will benefit the user’s health and safety has remained at the core of this development project.”

The new helmet lines are available for pre-order immediately with delivery beginning late in 2013.

About Schutt Sports
Schutt Sports is the leading domestic manufacturer of batters helmets in the United States and a household name in the sporting goods industry. The Official Base Supplier to Major League Baseball®, Schutt Sports is also the world’s leading maker of football helmets and faceguards.

About D3O

• D3O is a British based impact protection solutions company that markets a unique patented technology, used to produce a shock absorbing material.
• D3O® was invented by a British engineer, Richard Palmer, and the company’s success was born out of the 2006 Winter Olympics, where they provided protective solutions to the US and Canadian ski teams.
• D3O® impact protection solutions have been integrated into thousands of products worldwide and are used in 5 core markets including sports, electronics, PPE, motorcycle and footwear.
• D3O® is a registered trademark of Design Blue Limited.

Contacts

Schutt Sports
Glenn Beckmann, Director of Marketing Communications /gbeckmann@schutt-sports.com
217.324.2712
or
Design Blue Limited, UK
Louise Wilson, Communications Manager /Louise.wilson@d3olab.com
+44 (0) 1273-425459