Abstract
A universal protective headgear device wraps around a user's head to cover and protect crucial areas around the entire circumference of the cranium while conforming to each user's particular anatomy, including head shape and size. Pads formed of impact absorbing polymers having full elastic memory are fitted within the headgear, between inner and outer layers of moisture absorbing material, such as neoprene or knitted fabric. Hook and loop fasteners on the opposite end portions allow for adjusted fitting to the user's head. The polymeric pads are structured and disposed to absorb and dissipate significant impact forces, thereby providing increased protection to areas around a user's entire head that are at the highest level of risk of head and brain injuries. The polymeric pads include an equally spaced arrangement of ventilation holes formed therethrough to allow perspiration to be transferred from the inner layer to the outer layer for dissipation.
Claims
1. A protective headgear device comprising: an elongate headband having an outer layer with an outer facing surface, an inner layer with an inner facing surface, opposite end portions, and a central portion between the end portions, the headband being sized, structured and configured to wrap around the entire circumference of a user's head, including across the forehead, through the temporal regions and across the back of the user's head to define an operative position, and the outer layer and the inner layer of the headband being formed of a material that absorbs and dissipates moisture; and at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert between the outer layer and the inner layer of the headband positioned to overly and protect areas around the entire circumference of the user's head when the headband is worn in the operative position, and the at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert being compressible and having elastic memory capable of resuming original shape after compression and a hardness ranging between Shore A 20 and 65, and the at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert being structured and disposed to absorb and dissipate external forces of impact to the outer facing surface when the headband is worn in the operative position on the user's head; and the at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert further including an arrangement of equally spaced ventilation holes formed entirely through a thickness of the at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert, and the ventilation holes having a diameter ranging between 1/32 of an inch and ⅛ of an inch.
2. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 1 further comprising releasable fasteners on the opposite end portions of said headband for adjustably fitting and securing the headband snug around the user's head in the operative position.
3. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 1 wherein the at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert is held in fixed position between the outer and inner layers of material.
4. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 3 wherein the outer layer of material is neoprene.
5. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 4 wherein the inner layer of material is neoprene.
6. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 5 wherein the headband includes a plurality of said impact absorbing polymeric inserts positioned adjacent to one another along at least a portion of the length of the headband.
7. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 6 wherein the opposite end portions and the central portion of the headband include at least one of the plurality of impact absorbing polymeric inserts.
8. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 2 wherein the releasable fasteners are hook and loop fasteners.
9. A protective headgear device comprising: an elongate headband having an outer layer with an outer facing surface, an inner layer with an inner facing surface, opposite end portions, and a central portion between the end portions, the headband being sized, structured and configured to wrap around the entire circumference of a user's head, including across the forehead, through the temporal regions and across the back of the user's head to define an operative position, and the outer layer and the inner layer of the headband being formed of a material that absorbs and dissipates moisture; at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert between the outer layer and the inner layer of the headband positioned to overly and protect areas around the entire circumference of the user's head when the headband is worn in the operative position, and the at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert being compressible and having elastic memory capable of resuming original shape after compression and a hardness ranging between Shore A 20 and 65, and the at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert being structured and disposed to absorb and dissipate external forces of impact to the outer facing surface when the headband is worn in the operative position on the user's head; the at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert further including an arrangement of equally spaced ventilation holes formed entirely through a thickness of the at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert, and the ventilation holes having a diameter ranging between 1/32 of an inch and ⅛ of an inch; and releasable fasteners on the opposite end portions of said headband for adjustably fitting and securing the headband snug around the user's head in the operative position.
10. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 9 wherein the at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert is held in fixed position between the outer and inner layers of material.
11. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 10 wherein the outer layer of material is neoprene.
12. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 11 wherein the inner layer of material is neoprene.
13. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 12 wherein the headband includes a plurality of said impact absorbing polymeric inserts positioned adjacent to one another along at least a portion of the length of the headband.
14. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 13 wherein the opposite end portions and the central portion of the headband include at least one of the plurality of impact absorbing polymeric inserts.
15. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 9 wherein the releasable fasteners are hook and loop fasteners.
16. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 10 wherein the outer layer and the inner layer are a knitted fabric.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0043] For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0044] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the universal protective headgear worn on a male adult's head;
[0045] FIGS. 2A-2D show examples of use of the universal headgear by participants in various contact sports, such as cheerleading, soccer, flag football and women's lacrosse;
[0046] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the universal protective headgear of the present invention, showing the inner facing side of the headband with three separate pads of polymeric material secured under a liner on the inner facing side of the headband;
[0047] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the plane of the line indicated by the arrows 4-4 in FIG. 3;
[0048] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the universal protective headgear of the present invention showing the outer facing side of the headband when stretched out and laid flat;
[0049] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the headband shown in FIG. 3 illustrating the three separate polymeric pads protruding on the inner facing side and hook and loop fasteners at opposite ends of the headband;
[0050] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the universal protective headgear of the present invention showing an alternative configuration and placement of the impact absorbing polymeric pads;
[0051] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the universal protective headgear of the present invention, showing yet a further embodiment of the invention using a single impact absorbing polymeric pad extending along the entire length of the protection area of the headband; and
[0052] FIG. 9 is an isolated view, in partial cutaway, showing a preferred embodiment of the impact absorbing polymeric pad used in the present invention and illustrating an arrangement of ventilation holes formed through the entire thickness of the polymeric pad, and wherein the ventilation holes are generally equal in diameter and equally spaced from one another consistently throughout the entire polymeric pad.
[0053] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0054] Referring to the several views of the drawings, and initially FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D, the universal protective headgear 10 of the present invention is shown on several users' heads participating in various sports. The universal protective headgear 10 is defined primarily by an elongate headband 12 that resembles and functions as a sweatband. When properly worn, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D, the headband 12 extends around the entire circumference of the user's head and substantially covers the forehead, left and right temporal regions and the back of the head, covering those areas where there is the highest level of risk to head and brain injuries from forces of impact. The universal headgear 10 is structured to be fully compressible and provides full elastic memory. The headgear includes one or more pads formed of impact absorbing polymers. When the headgear is properly worn, the impact absorbing polymeric pads are positioned in covering, protective relation to those high risk areas, around the entire circumference of the user's head. The hardness of the polymeric pads 30 can be varied depending upon the amount of absorption and dissipation required for a particular sport or activity in full compliance with existing ASTM standards, FIFA, the National Federation of High School Associations and the European CE II standard designating the product as “protective headgear” after independent testing. In a preferred embodiment, the polymeric pads 30 have a Shore A hardness in the range of between 20-65, as measured by a TECLOCK durometer, model JS S 6050. For example, when the headgear is intended for an infant, the Shore A hardness of the polymeric inserts 30 may range between 20-35. This is considering the fact that if an infant should fall, the distance to the ground is significantly less than the distance experienced by an adult when falling to the ground. Therefor, the hardness of the polymeric inserts 30 would be different for infants as compared to children and adults. When the headgear is used for children ages 6-10 playing soccer, for example, the Shore A hardness of the polymeric inserts 30 would range between 30-40. For teenagers involved in sports such as soccer, flag football and basketball, for example, the Shore A hardness of the polymeric inserts 30 would range between 30-45. For adults playing soccer or basketball, for example, the Shore A hardness of the polymeric inserts 30 would range between 40-65.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 3-8, several embodiments of the universal protective headgear 10 are shown. In each of these embodiments, the headband 12 includes a central zone 14, a first distal end zone 16 and a second distal end zone on the opposite side of the central zone 14. Each of the first and second distal end zones 16, 18 extend from the central zone to the respective opposite distal ends of the headband 12.
[0056] As seen in FIG. 9, the one or more polymeric inserts/pads 30 include an arrangement of ventilation holes 52 that are spaced equally throughout the inserts, with the ventilation holes 52 extending through an entire thickness of the inserts 30. The diameter of the holes may range between 1/32 of an inch diameter to ⅛ inch in diameter. In a preferred embodiment, the ventilation holes have a diameter of 1/16 of an inch. The ventilation holes are equally spaced apart and, in a preferred embodiment, the holes are spaced between ¼ of an inch apart to ⅜ of an inch apart, consistent throughout. For infants and children that do not sweat as much, the holes can be spaced ⅜ of an Inch Apart. For Teenagers and Adults, the Spacing of the Ventilation holes can be ¼ of an inch apart. In this instance, the ventilation holes 52 are closer together because teenagers and adults tend to sweat more and need more ventilation to allow transfer of perspiration from the inner layer of the headgear to the outer layer of the headgear as described in more detail hereinafter. When the polymeric inserts 30 flex or bend, the ventilation holes 52 remain the same size and do not expand or enlarge, thereby maintaining the integrity of the inserts 30 for absorbing and dissipating impact forces.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 4, the construction of the universal protective headgear 10 is shown in cross section and includes an outer facing material band 20 formed of an elastomeric polymeric material, such as neoprene or other elastomeric polymers that have similar properties, and an inner facing layer of material 22 formed of an elastomeric material, such as neoprene or similar elastomeric polymeric material. In one embodiment, the inner facing layer of material 22 is lighter in weight (i.e., thinner) compared to the outer layer of material 20. The inner facing layer of material 22 may include an arrangement of holes or apertures to enhance transfer of perspiration from the user's skin and through the holes of the inner layer, as well as the ventilation holes in the polymeric inserts 30 and to the outer layer for absorption and dissipation of perspiration. In another embodiment, the outer facing layer 20 and the inner facing layer 22 are formed of a knitted fabric, such as sweatband material. For example, the knitted fabric may be a close knit cotton fabric consisting of 85% cotton and 15% Spandex. In all embodiments, the outer layer 20 and the inner layer 22 are formed of a material that readily absorbs and dissipates moisture, such as perspiration. The one or more impact absorbing polymeric pads 30 are positioned between the outer material layer 20 and the inner material layer 22. As noted above, the impact absorbing polymeric inserts 30 include an arrangement of ventilation holes 52 therethrough to allow airflow through the inserts 30 in order to promote dissipation of perspiration that has been absorbed into the exterior or outer layer of material 20 by wicking. More specifically, the ventilation holes 52 through the polymeric inserts 30 allow perspiration to travel from the inner facing layer 22, through the holes in the inserts 30 and absorbed into the outer layer of material 20 where the perspiration can be dissipated by wicking from airflow across the outer surface of the protective headgear 10. In a preferred embodiment, the inner facing layer of material 22 is tightly fitted about the one or more polymeric pads 30 and against an inner side of the outer layer of material 20 so as to firmly and snugly hold the one or more polymeric pads in fixed position on the headband 12. A stitched rib of material 26 extends about the entire periphery of the headband 12 and joins the outer material layer 20 with the inner material layer 22. The stitched rib 26 may be formed of an elastomeric material, similar to the outer and inner layers, and preferably of a thickness that is equal to or similar to the inner material layer 22. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 5-8, the rib 26 is stitched on both sides of the headband to secure the inner and outer layers together. While thread stitching is shown, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, it is recognized that the periphery of the inner and outer layers may be joined together by other means, such as by gluing, heat sealing or other suitable means of attachment.
[0058] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 3-6 and 7 provide for multiple impact absorbing polymeric pads 30 that are positioned side by side along a substantial length of the headband. Small spaces or gaps 32 between each of the adjacently positioned polymeric pads 30 promote flexing of the headband 12 so that the headband 12 can be wrapped around and conform to the contour of the wearer's head, with the headgear 10 providing consistent and full elastic memory throughout the entire length of the headband 12 and around the entire circumference of the wearer's head.
[0059] The embodiment shown in FIG. 8 provides for a single impact absorbing polymeric pad 30 that extends substantially along the length of the protection area of the headband 12, providing complete and consistent elastic memory throughout the entire length of the headband 12.
[0060] In each of the embodiments shown throughout the several views of the drawings, the opposite first and second distal end zones 16, 18 are provided with releasable fasteners for adjustably securing the headband around the user's head so that the headband fits snug (i.e., without slipping), but not too tight. In a preferred embodiment, the releasable fasteners at the opposite first and second distal end zones are hook and loop fasteners. However, it is fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention to provide other types of releasable and adjustable fasteners, such as, but not limited to, snaps or buttons. Alternatively, the ends of the headband may be permanently affixed to one another so that the headband is a continuous and endless loop that is able to stretch and conform to the size and shape of the wearer's head.
[0061] The hook and loop releasable fasteners shown throughout the several views of the drawings include a loop component 42 on the outer facing side of the first distal end zone 16 and a hook component 44 on an inner facing side of the second distal end zone 18.
[0062] As seen in FIGS. 3, 5 and 7-8, the central zone 14 of the headband has a curved configuration relative to the opposite first and second distal end zones 16 and 18. This curved configuration allows the headband to properly conform to the wearer's head, when wrapped around the forehead and back of the head, to properly cover the areas of the head that are at the highest level of risk to injury from impact forces. It should be noted that the degree of curvature of the headband, as well as the length of the headband and the width of the headband and the width of the polymeric pads 30 may be varied to conform with the circumference and anatomical shape of different wearer's heads. Moreover, the materials and structure of the universal headgear 10 provide full elastic memory throughout the entire length of the headband 12 and around the entire circumference of the wearer's head.
[0063] The outer facing surface of the outer layer 20 may be provided with one or more areas 21 for placement of team or brand names and/or logos.
[0064] While the present invention has been shown in accordance with several preferred and practical embodiments, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention which is not to be limited except as defined in the following claims.
