U.S. patent application number 10/045733 was filed with the patent office on 2002-06-13 for head protector.
Invention is credited to Knappl, Hans.
Application Number | 20020069452 10/045733 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26723138 |
Filed Date | 2002-06-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020069452 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Knappl, Hans |
June 13, 2002 |
Head protector
Abstract
A head protector consisting of a stretchable foam laminate
head-band to be worn as a protection against head injuries by
persons engaging in sport activities.
Inventors: |
Knappl, Hans; (St.
Anton/Jessnitz, AT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Walter A. Fasching
795 Saddle Horn Rd.
Sedona
AZ
86351
US
|
Family ID: |
26723138 |
Appl. No.: |
10/045733 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2002 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60255193 |
Dec 12, 2000 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/411 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/411 |
International
Class: |
A42B 003/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 25, 2001 |
AT |
AT 407822 |
Claims
What I claim as my invention is:
1. A head protector for sports enthusiasts, consisting of at least
one layer (4, 5) of force-distributing material, plastic foam in
particular, said layer or layers (4, 5) being covered with a
textile material (6), characterized by the layer or layers (4, 5),
provided with insertion cuts (8), distanced from one another, and
formed by stamping or punching, whose longitudinal extension runs
perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the head protector
(1), and that the textile cover (6) is elastic.
2. A head protector according to claim 1. featuring an outer layer
(4) of polyethylene foam and an inner layer (5) of polyurethane
foam, by preference attached to said outer layer.
3. A head protector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a
polystyrene film (7) applied over the layer (4) of polyethylene
foam.
4. A head protector according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the
elastic textile material 6 thermally pressed onto the outer foam
layer 4 and with the insertion cuts applied afterwards.
5. A head protector according to claim 4, consisting of three
layers were the inner layer is of a sweat absorbing polyurethane
foam, the middle layer is of an energy absorbing polyethylene foam
and the outer layer is thermally pressed onto the middle layer.
6. The production process of a head protector, characterized by
first glueing the foam material layers and the textile cover
together, followed by stamping or punching and thermal pressing.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Provisional application No. 60/255,193 Dec. 12, 2000
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
[0003] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is known that many sports accidents incur head injuries,
sometimes of a serious nature. Accordingly, helmets are worn as
head protection for sports professionals. Such helmets are,
however, frequently perceived by amateurs as being uncomfortable,
with the result that they are often not worn by leisure sports
enthusiasts. Added to this is the fact that a helmet is relatively
expensive.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A head protector for sports enthusiasts, consisting of at
least one layer of force-distributing material, foamed plastic in
particular, said layer or layers being provided with insertion cuts
applied at intervals and formed by punching or stamping, the
longitudinal extension of which runs essentially transverse to the
longitudinal extension of the head protector, and the textile cover
being elastic. This makes the head protector flexible and results
in an easy adjustment to different head sizes.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter on
the basis of an embodiment shown in the drawings, without being
restricted to this example. The drawings show:
[0007] FIG. 1 Plan view of a head protector according to the
invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 Side view of this head protector;
[0009] FIG. 3 Section according to line III-III in FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 3A Section according to line III-III in FIG. 1,
alternate;
[0011] FIG. 4 A part of a head protector in the non-extended state;
and
[0012] FIG. 5 This part in the extended state.
[0013] According to the drawings, a head protector shown in FIGS. 1
and 2, designated in general by 1, consists of a strip, the ends of
which are connected at 2, so that a ring is formed. Side 3 of strip
1 is widened to protect the back of the head, because experience
has shown that it is there that head injuries are most likely to
occur.
[0014] As can be seen in FIG. 3 the head protector features a layer
4 of polyethylene foam and connected to this a layer 5 of
polyurethane foam. Both layers 4 and 5 are covered by an elastic
textile material 6. Outside of layer 4 is a polystyrene film 7
applied. As indicated in FIG. 3 this film 7 may be located inside
as well as outside of the cover 6. The film 7, which functions as a
pressure-distributing band, is not a closed ring.
[0015] FIG. 3A shows an alternate design where the textile material
6 is pressed onto the outer foam layer 4 only by a thermal
process.
[0016] In FIGS. 4 and 5 can be seen that both layers 4 and 5 are
provided with insertion cuts 8. These cuts are distanced from one
another whereby the longitudinal extension of these cuts 8 run
essentially transverse to the longitudinal extension of the head
protector. These insertion cuts are applied by punching or
stamping.
[0017] It follows that, when the head protector is in the relaxed
state, the insertion cuts are closed (FIG. 4), while, under tension
in the longitudinal direction of the head protector, the insertion
cuts 8 are opened (FIG. 5). As a result the diameter or
circumference of the head protector is changed. No additional
manipulations are required to place the head protector on the
head.
[0018] There are numerous options possible within the framework of
the invention. For example, the layer or layers do not necessarily
have to be made of foam materials, the use of felts could be
equally possible. The use of the head protector, according to the
invention, is not only possible by itself, but could also be
integrated into ski caps or the like. Another material could also
be selected for the pressure-distribution band 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The invention relates to a head protector for sports
enthusiasts, consisting of at least one layer of force-distributing
material, foamed plastic in particular, said layer or layers being
covered with a textile material.
[0020] U.S. Pat. No. 5,946,734A describes a multi-layer head
protector for sports enthusiasts in one-layer or two-layer design,
consisting of one layer of closed-cellular force-distributing foam
made of polyurethane or similar material, one open-cellular layer
of polyurethane foam, an outer covering of different materials, as
well as a possible velcro closure for adjusting to different head
sizes.
[0021] Such a head protector has the advantage that it is simple to
use and store, and that it is also less expensive than a helmet.
The disadvantage is that different head protector sizes ar required
for various head sizes, or a velcro closure is needed for
adjustments.
[0022] The goal of this invention is to create a head protector as
de-scibed above which can be used for different head sizes without
adjustments. This is achieved by applying insertion cuts to the
layer or layers. The longitudinal extension of these cuts runs
transverse to the longitudinal extension of the head protector and
the cover is made of an elastic textile material.
[0023] With a head protector according to this invention the slots
are closed for the smallest head size or when not in use. Depending
on the size required the slots open to a greater or lesser extent
and the circumference becomes greater. During tests it has been
demonstrated that an automatic adjustment to normal head sizes of
61/2 to 73/4 can be obtained.
[0024] In one version of the invention the head protector (FIG. 3)
features an outer layer of polyethylene foam 4 and an inner layer
of polyurethane foam 5 which are connected. With this arrangement
the polyethylene foam functions as the main shock absorber. The
underlying polyurethane layer functions as a force distributor. In
order to prevent the penetration of a sharp object, such as a
stone, it is proposed, according to the invention, that a
polystyrene film be applied over the polyethylene foam layer.
[0025] Another version of the invention (FIG. 3A) features the
textile material cover 6 pressed onto the outer foam layer 4 by a
thermal process. This thermal process compresses the polyethylene
foam 4 and improves the force distribution, therefore, no
polystyrene film is required in this design. The inner layer of
polyurethane foam 5 is sweat absorbing and requires no textile
cover. The insertion cuts are applied during the thermal process.
When expanded, the head protector produced by this process, has
open slots which allow air circulation to the head.
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