U.S. patent application number 12/260305 was filed with the patent office on 2010-04-29 for headguard with temple protecting scallop that does not cover the ears.
Invention is credited to Russ Boelhauf, William K. Cleveland, Jeff D. Skeen.
Application Number | 20100101006 12/260305 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41508368 |
Filed Date | 2010-04-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100101006 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cleveland; William K. ; et
al. |
April 29, 2010 |
HEADGUARD WITH TEMPLE PROTECTING SCALLOP THAT DOES NOT COVER THE
EARS
Abstract
The present claimed invention comprises left and right side
bands with first and second side scallops. The side scallops are
positioned, configured and arranged to protectively cover the left
and right temple portions of a human head respectively, without
covering the ears, when the headguard is worn on the head
Inventors: |
Cleveland; William K.; (El
Cajon, CA) ; Boelhauf; Russ; (Coronado, CA) ;
Skeen; Jeff D.; (Rancho Santa Fe, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SHERRILL LAW OFFICES
4756 BANNING AVE, SUITE 212
WHITE BEAR LAKE
MN
55110-3205
US
|
Family ID: |
41508368 |
Appl. No.: |
12/260305 |
Filed: |
October 29, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/414 ;
2/425 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/10 20130101;
A42B 3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/414 ;
2/425 |
International
Class: |
A41D 13/015 20060101
A41D013/015; A41D 13/00 20060101 A41D013/00; A63B 71/10 20060101
A63B071/10 |
Claims
1. A protective headguard, comprising left and right side bands
with first and second side scallops positioned, configured and
arranged to protectively cover the left and right temple portions
of a human head respectively, without covering the ears, when the
headguard is worn on the head.
2. The headguard of claim 1 wherein the left and right scallops
further include a protective padding material.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The prior art contains many examples of protective headguard
systems. The prior art describes a variety of fit and retention
systems.
[0002] Headguard fit and retention systems are intended to keep the
headgear on the head during use, maintain fit and comfort while in
use, protect desired areas during use, and allow the user to easily
put on and take off the headgear when desired.
[0003] Fit and retention systems must deal with the basic
characteristics of the human head: the generally spheroidal shape;
the neck; and the various features such as the face, ears, frontal
bone, occipital bone, or the parietal eminences.
[0004] Protective helmets use various means to improve retention
and fit. For those with hard and stiff shells, compressible
padding, padding inserts, adjustable suspension are some of the
means by which different head sizes can be accommodated. Football,
hockey, bicycle helmets, and construction hard hats would fall into
this category. For headgear with soft flexible shells, such as the
headgear used in boxing, the martial arts, or soccer, the shape of
the entire piece of headgear can be altered with, for example,
adjustment straps to help conform it to the shape of the head.
[0005] In many instances, however, additional retention means such
as chinstraps become necessary. Chinstraps typically attach near
the edges of the helmet close to the ears and either pass under the
chin or over the chin. A fastening system such as a buckle or snap
allows the user to fasten and unfasten the chinstrap.
[0006] Various means have been attempted to improve fit and
retention to overcome the shortcomings of systems that rely
primarily on the chinstrap. Doing so often requires balancing fit,
retention, and comfort. With almost any headgear, retention can be
improved by simply making the headgear fit tighter. For headgear
such as knit winter hats or winter headbands this does not
typically pose a problem. A knit winter hat can fit relatively
tight without causing discomfort. The lightness, elasticity, and
conformability of such headgear are likely reasons for this.
[0007] For many kinds of protective headgear, however, creating a
tighter fit merely results in discomfort. An American football
helmet with a tight fit can be very uncomfortable. The bulk,
inelasticity of the headgear structure, and the pressure points
created where padding is compressed to fit variations on the head's
surface could be causes for this.
[0008] Alternatives to simply tightening the fit have been
developed. Many bicycle helmets, for example, have devices that
cradle the occipital bone. These systems are not intended to
eliminate the chinstrap but are intended to prevent minor shifts
during normal use and to reserve the chinstrap for events such as
accidents. These systems rely on a retention system that applies
pressure to selected points on the head. In the case of the bicycle
helmets with the occipital cradle, what amounts to a triangular
retention system is created. In this system pressure is applied to
a set of points below the occipital bone, points above the
occipital bone, and points approximately in the middle of the
forehead. However, these systems still rely on a chinstrap for
retention purposes. Therefore there is still a pressure point under
the chin.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,535 to Becker describes a head band with
upper and lower bands continuously interconnecting along an entire
circumference of a head.
[0010] International Patent No. PCT/KR03/001691 to Kim describes a
head band with upper and lower bands episodically continuously
interconnecting along an entire circumference of a head.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,397,399 to Lampe et al. teaches padding
enclosed in a fabric covering. The fabric covering stretches to
conform the padding to the head.
[0012] U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,266,827 and 6,349,416 to Lampe et al reveal
fit and retention systems with adjustment straps located in
positions other than those where chinstraps would typically be
located. Unlike a baseball cap, these devices may have two or more
dependent circular lines of retention created by ribs which are
fastened together in an overlapping position to conform to a human
head.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present claimed invention comprises left and right side
bands with first and second side scallops. The side scallops are
positioned, configured and arranged to protectively cover the left
and right temple portions of a human head respectively, without
covering the ears, when the headguard is worn on the head.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of
the present invention when laid flat.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the invention depicted in
FIG. 1 worn on a human head.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of
the present invention when laid flat.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the invention depicted in
FIG. 3 worn on a human head.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Nomenclature
[0018] 10 Headguard (First Embodiment) [0019] 20 Front Pad [0020]
30 Bands [0021] 32 Left Upper Band [0022] 34 Right Upper Band
[0023] 36 Left Lower Band [0024] 36s Left Scallop [0025] 38 Right
Lower Band [0026] 38s Right Scallop [0027] 39 Hook and Loop Tape
[0028] 39a Hook Portion of Hook and Loop Tape [0029] 39b Loop
Portion of Hook and Loop Tape [0030] 40 Adjustment Strap [0031] 42
Left Upper Adjustment Strap [0032] 44 Right Upper Adjustment Strap
[0033] 46 Left Lower Adjustment Strap [0034] 48 Right Lower
Adjustment Strap [0035] 50 Rear Pad [0036] 51 Interior Surface
[0037] 52 Dimple [0038] 53 Exterior Surface [0039] 54 Channel
[0040] 56 First Attachment Area [0041] 57 Second Attachment Area
[0042] 100 Human Head [0043] 102 Forehead [0044] 104 Temple Area
[0045] 106 Ear [0046] 108 Occipital Bone [0047] 200 Headguard
(Second Embodiment) [0048] 220 Front Pad [0049] 236 Left Band
[0050] 236s Left Scallop [0051] 238 Right Band [0052] 238s Right
Scallop [0053] 239 Hook and Loop Tape [0054] 239a Hook Portion of
Hook and Loop Tape [0055] 239b Loop Portion of Hook and Loop Tape
[0056] 240 Adjustment Strap [0057] 246 Left Adjustment Strap [0058]
248 Right Adjustment Strap [0059] 250 Rear Pad [0060] 251 Interior
Surface [0061] 252 Dimple [0062] 253 Exterior Surface [0063] 254
Channel [0064] 256 First Attachment Area [0065] 257 Second
Attachment Area [0066] T Longitudinal Line [0067] L Lateral Line
[0068] P Pad Thickness Line
Construction
[0069] The present claimed invention is intended to improve
protection of the temple area 104 of a human head 100 with an
athletic headguard 10. The shape of the human head 100, above the
eye brows, is basically a cone. When any flat object, such as a
headband or headguard 10, is wrapped around the head 100 it has a
tendency to "slip or slide" upward exposing the temple area 104 of
the human head 100. A straight edged headband cannot protect the
temple area 104 without covering the ears 106 which would muffle
sounds and communication. The temple protecting headguard 10 can be
used for many purposes. For example, uses could include soccer or
other activities where it is necessary to protect the temple area
104 of a human head 100 from impact of a ball or player. A
lightweight, well-ventilated, snug fitting, and securely affixed
headguard 10 to protect the temple area 104 is desirable.
First Embodiment
[0070] The first embodiment of the present invention, depicted in
FIGS. 1 and 2, is a headguard 10 comprising a front pad 20, a rear
pad 50, and left and right, upper and lower independently
adjustable bands 32, 34, 36 and 38 (collectively bands 30) and left
and right scallops 36s and 38s on the left and right lower bands 36
and 38 respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, the front pad 20 can be
oriented with a lateral line L and a longitudinal line T that is
perpendicular to line L. The length of the front pad 20 is the
maximum dimension of the front pad 20 measured parallel to the
lateral line L. The width of the front pad 20 is the maximum
dimension measured parallel to the longitudinal centerline T in the
longitudinal direction. The thickness of the headguard 10 is the
maximum dimension measured parallel to the line P.
[0071] The bands 30 extend laterally from the front pad 20 and wrap
around the head 100. When measuring from the longitudinally
extending center line T which bisects the front pad 20, the upper
bands 32 and 34 are a shorter lateral length that the lower bands
36 and 38. Left and right scallops 36s and 38s extend
longitudinally downward from the left and right lower bands 36 and
38 respectively, and are positioned to protectively cover the right
and left temple areas 104 without covering the ears 106 when the
headguard 10 is worn.
[0072] Each of the four bands 30 are independently adjustable from
each other. This allows a user to customize the length of all the
bands 30 in order to position the left and right scallops 36s and
38s as desired and secure the headband 10 comfortably upon a human
head 100.
[0073] The left and right upper bands 32 and 34 will wrap around a
human head 100 and connect to the rear pad 50 creating a first
tensioned circumferential line of retention. The headguard 10
remains flush against the head 100 along the first line of
retention. A second tensioned circumferential line of retention is
created when the left and right lower bands 36 and 38 are secured
flush around the head 100. Because the circumference of the first
line of retention is smaller than the second line, the headguard 10
remains flush upon the natural conical shape of a human head 100
thus minimizing the amount of slippage which occurs while wearing
the headguard 10.
[0074] FIG. 2 shows a profile of a human head 100 with a headguard
10 positioned on it. In this embodiment the headguard 10 can
encircle the head 100. The front pad 20 can cover an area from the
forehead 102 to a portion of the head 100 above the ears 106. The
rear pad 50 can cover an area primarily on and around the occipital
bone 108. Left and right scallops 36s and 38s extends
longitudinally from the side of the headguard 10 to protectively
cover at least a portion of the right and left temple areas 104 on
a human head 100 respectively, without covering the ears 106. The
lower bands 36 and 38 continue to protect the head 100 above the
ears 106 without covering the ears 106. This allows the user to
have protection to the critical temple areas 104 without
sacrificing the ability to hear caused by coverage of the ears 106
by the headguard 10.
[0075] The scallops 36s and 38s can be made of many different
materials. Closed cell foams of various kinds can be preferred for
many applications. However, other kinds of foam including open-cell
foams can be suitable for some applications. In addition, other
forms of padding could be suitable. These could include gel
materials. These can often be encased and sealed in stretchable
films. Similarly, air or gases could be sealed in pockets (not
shown) to provide padding. Finally, fibrous materials can also be
used as padding.
[0076] The left and right scallops 36s and 38s can also be encased
in coverings. The coverings can be made of various kinds of
materials such as fabric. For most applications, an elastic and
highly breathable material would be most suitable. For example, a
fabric such as Spandex.RTM. from Du Pont Company could be suitable
for many applications. Many other fabrics such as CoolMax.RTM. from
Invista could also be suitable. CoolMax.RTM. is a product that
could aid in moisture management. Other materials such as mesh
materials could be used alone or in combination with various
fabrics.
[0077] Adjustment straps 42, 44, 46 and 48 (collectively straps 40)
connect the left and right, upper and lower bands 30 to attachment
areas 56 and 57 located on either side of the rear pad 50. The
adjustment straps 40 can be made from an elastic material or
stretchable foam to add additional tension to aid in retention of
the headguard 10. Hook and loop tape 39 or a buckle (not shown)
connects the adjustment straps 40 to the respective attachment area
56 or 57 on the rear pad 50. By adjusting the individual adjustment
straps 40 all four bands 30 are independently adjustable to
optimally fit the headguard 10 onto the human head 100.
[0078] The rear pad 50 can have a cup shape or eccentric dimple 52
with interior 51 and exterior 53 surfaces to better accommodate a
user's occipital lobe 108 to allow the rear pad 50 to be secured
flush to the back of the head. The rear pad 50 can also have a
channel 54 running through the rear pad 50 to accommodate a user's
hair or pony tail to extend through the channel 54 providing for a
more comfortable and securely fitting headguard 10.
Second Embodiment
[0079] A second embodiment of the present invention is depicted in
FIGS. 3 and 4. Many aspects of the second embodiment can resemble
those of the first. The second embodiment of the headguard 200
consists of a single set of left and right extending bands 236 and
238 with left and right scallops 36s and 38s extend longitudinally
downward from the bands 236 and 238 respectively.
[0080] The headguard 200 can function with or without the
adjustment straps 246 and 248 as employed in the first embodiment.
Without the adjustment straps 246 and 248, the bands 230 simply
attach directly to the rear pad 250, such as via hook and loop tape
239 with the hook portion 239a on the distal end of the bands 236
and 238 cooperating with loop portions 239b covering the attachment
areas 256 and 257 on the rear pad 250. However, stretchability of
the headguard 10 could be somewhat more limited without the
adjustment straps 246 and 248. The position of the scallops 36s and
38s protectively covering the temple areas 104 while not covering
the ears 106 would remain relatively unchanged while the headguard
200 is being expanded or contracted. The left and right scallops
36s and 38s would still be positioned, configured and arranged to
protectively cover the temple areas 104.
* * * * *