U.S. patent application number 13/531914 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-18 for protective head guard.
Invention is credited to Michael Green, Cliff Zatz.
Application Number | 20120260406 13/531914 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41052064 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120260406 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Green; Michael ; et
al. |
October 18, 2012 |
PROTECTIVE HEAD GUARD
Abstract
A protective insert adapted to convert a standard baseball cap
into a protective head guard, while maintaining the cap's desired
attributes, such as comfort and stability. The protective insert of
the present invention in combination with a baseball cap, not only
protects a wearer from head injuries caused by impact force, but
also has the attributes of stability, light weight and comfort so
that it may be worn for extended periods during more intense
activity than conventional baseball helmets.
Inventors: |
Green; Michael; (East
Brunswick, NJ) ; Zatz; Cliff; (East Brunswick,
NJ) |
Family ID: |
41052064 |
Appl. No.: |
13/531914 |
Filed: |
June 25, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12381230 |
Mar 10, 2009 |
8205272 |
|
|
13531914 |
|
|
|
|
61068707 |
Mar 10, 2008 |
|
|
|
61124241 |
Apr 15, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/411 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42C 5/02 20130101; A42B
1/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/411 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/12 20060101
A42B003/12 |
Claims
1-9. (canceled)
10. A protective baseball cap insert, comprising: an elongate
shock-absorbing form (10) conformable from a flat configuration
into an operable conical configuration, said form sized and
configured for insertion into a conventional baseball cap (30)
having a body with a base, a top, a back, a front and a bill at the
front, wherein the baseball cap comprises an inner portion of the
body of the cap (40) and an internal circumferentially disposed
sweatband (35) having a base edge coinciding with and connected to
the base of the cap and a top edge, the inner portion (40) and the
sweatband (35) defining a space closed at the base of the cap and
open at the top edge of the sweatband, the form comprising: a base
portion having an arcuate curvature when the form is in the flat
configuration and a concave side and a convex side with respect to
the arcuate curvature, said base portion comprising on its convex
side one or more insertable sections (20) sized and configured for
insertion into the space, and a plurality of flaps (26) extending
from the concave side of the base portion, said plurality of flaps
sized and configured to conform to the inner portion of the body of
the cap (40) above the top edge of the sweatband when the one or
more insertable sections (20) are inserted into the space.
11. The protective baseball cap insert of claim 10, wherein the
arcuate curvature has the curvature of a section of the
circumference of a circle.
12. The protective baseball cap insert of claim 10, wherein the
shock-absorbing form comprises, foam rubber, gel foam or rubberized
gel foam.
13. The protective baseball cap insert of claim 10, further
comprising one or more protrusions.
14. The protective baseball cap insert of claim 10, wherein each of
the flaps comprises one or more protrusions.
15. The protective baseball cap insert of claim 10, wherein a
plurality of notches (25) are disposed along the base portion of
the form whereby multiple insertable sections of the base portion
are defined.
16. The protective baseball cap insert of claim 10, wherein the
plurality of flaps (26) comprise a single centrally disposed,
middle flap.
17. The protective baseball cap insert of claim 16, wherein the
middle flap extends farther from the base portion than the other
flaps.
18. The protective baseball cap insert of claim 10, wherein notches
(50A, 50A) are formed between each flap and the base portion.
19. The protective baseball cap insert of claim 10, wherein a notch
(50C) is formed in the convex side of the base portion between
adjacent pairs of flaps.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/068,707 filed Mar. 10, 2008, entitled Protective
Head Guard, by M. Green et al., which application is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application
further claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.
61/124,241, filed Apr. 15, 2008, also entitled Protective Head
Guard, by M. Green et al., which application is also hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD
[0002] This invention relates to the field of protective headgear.
More specifically, protective headgear for sports, such as
baseball.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Various activities, such as contact sports, and in
particular baseball present a risk of head injury. Baseball helmets
are commonly used by batters in league play to protect against a
hard thrown baseball pitch or bat deflected ball. Baseball batters'
helmets are constructed of a hard plastic shell with a crown
portion, a forwardly projecting bill and rigid earflaps extending
downwardly and forwardly to protect the sides of the head. Some
helmets are fitted with additional face protectors, particularly
where the player may be prone to re-injury from being struck on the
side of the face with a pitched ball.
[0004] Such helmets, however, are generally not used by players
other than batters (e.g., players in the field) because they are
heavy, tend to fall off during vigorous activity, are cumbersome,
and are uncomfortable when worn for more than short periods of
time. Baseball infielders and outfielders generally where only a
baseball cap with a bill to block the sun. They are generally
constructed of fabric. Such baseball caps, are comfortable, will
not fall off during vigorous activity, and protect the player's
eyes from the sun, but provide little if any head protection.
[0005] What is needed is a lightweight baseball-style cap, that is
comfortable, ventilated, stable and which can be worn for long time
periods and that also provides protection from head impact, such as
impact from a baseball.
SUMMARY
[0006] The current invention relates to a protective insert adapted
to convert a standard baseball cap into a protective head guard,
while maintaining the cap's desired attributes, such as comfort and
stability. The protective insert of the present invention in
combination with a baseball cap, not only protects a wearer from
head injuries caused by impact force, but also has the attributes
of stability, light weight and comfort so that it may be worn for
extended periods during more intense activity than conventional
baseball helmets. As such, it is suitable to be worn by baseball
players on the field. It is also recommended for use in other
sports and activities where head protection is recommended.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0007] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with regard to the
following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings
where:
[0008] FIG. 1 depicts a head guard of the invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 depicts the reverse side of a head guard of the
invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 depicts a head guard--baseball cap arrangement of the
invention;
[0011] FIGS. 4-7 depict the head guard of the invention conformed
in a conical shape and insertion into a baseball cap to construct a
head guard--baseball cap arrangement of the invention; and
[0012] FIG. 8 depicts a user wearing a head guard--baseball cap
arrangement of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The head guard of the invention comprises a light-weight,
impact-dispersing form adapted for insertion and fixation into a
baseball caps. The head guard--baseball cap arrangement of the
invention is worn by users to protect from head impact. Further,
the head guard--baseball cap arrangement of the invention is stable
and can be worn during vigorous activity, without becoming
displaced, unlike a standard plastic helmet. The head
guard--baseball cap arrangement of the invention is also
lightweight, well ventilated and comfortable so that it may be worn
for extended periods in hot weather and sun, unlike a standard
plastic helmet.
[0014] Standard baseball caps for use in the invention are the
typical soft cap with a long, stiffened and curved peak (also
referred to as a bill) and it is worn by men, women and children.
Caps used in the invention preferably comprise a sweat band around
the inner portion of the cap. Adjustable caps for use in the
invention may have a plastic, Velcro, or elastic adjustor so that
it can be quickly adjusted to fit any wearer. Fitted caps of
predetermined head size are also suitable for use with the head
guard of the invention. Preferably, the cap is worn with the peak
over the eyes. When worn in front, the peak is functional for
blocking the sun. The major athletic cap manufacturers include Nike
and New Era.
[0015] FIGS. 1-8 depict an embodiment of the head guard of the
invention 10. Head guard 10 is adapted to be inserted into standard
baseball cap 30, (see FIGS. 3-5) comprising sweat band 35. Head
guard 10 comprises a light-weight, shock-absorbing fabric or
material, such as foam rubber gel foam or rubberized gel foam,
preferably of about 1 mm to about 20 mm in thickness. Head guard 10
optionally comprises protrusions 15a-15d, which are intended to
distribute impact force. The shape and design of optional
protrusions 15a-15d depend on the activity for which the head guard
is to be used. FIG. 2 depicts the reverse side of head guard 10,
comprising flat surface 27.
[0016] Head guard 10 is stabilized and fixed within cap 30, as
shown in FIG. 3, by insertable sections 20a-20d, which insertable
sections are designed and adapted for insertion and fixation
between sweatband 35 and inner portion 40 of cap 30. Cap 30
comprises optional bill or peak 37. Insertable sections 20a-20d are
separated by notches 25. When head guard 10 is so affixed within
cap 30 by insertable portions 20a-20d, the user may engage in
intense activity without worry that head guard 10 may displace from
position within cap 30.
[0017] Protection flaps 26a-26e permit the user to conform head
guard 10 into a conical shape, as shown in FIG. 4, such that it may
be inserted into baseball cap 30. In this design, the head guard of
the invention comprises areas for ventilation. In one embodiment,
insertable sections 20a-20d may be thicker or thinner than
protection flaps 26a-26e to maximize ease of insertion into the
cap's sweatband and maximize stability and protection.
[0018] FIGS. 4-7 depict insertion of head guard 10 into baseball
cap 30. Referring to FIGS. 4-5, the user conforms head guard 10
conically, and inserts head guard 10 within cap 30, such that
insertable portions 20a-20e, are directly below sweatband 35. As
shown in FIGS. 6-7, sweatband 35 is lifted, insertable portions
20a-20e are inserted between sweatband 35 and inner portion 40, and
then sweatband 35 is folded back into position, over insertable
portions 20a-20e, such that insertable portions 20a-20e are fixed
between sweat band 35 and inner portion 40 of cap 30. As shown in
these FIGS., the larger middle flap 20d is positioned in the center
of the front of cap 30. In this arrangement, head guard 10 envelops
the front and side of the head for maximum protection.
[0019] In operation, optional protrusions 15a-15d assist in
dispersing impact force should the user suffer a head impact, such
as impact by a baseball.
[0020] The head guard of the invention is suitable for use with all
baseball caps, preferably, baseball caps comprising a head band.
Baseball caps may constructed of variety of materials as is well
known in the art. Major league baseball players wear classic-style
caps made of wool (or, more recently, polyester) with their team's
simple logo and colors; the logo is usually embroidered into the
fabric. Caps used by players may sometimes have sunglasses attached
to the peak that can be flipped down when the player must look into
the sky, but kept flipped up at other times.
[0021] Formerly, baseball caps came in standard cap sizes; since
1980, they have commonly come in a "one-size-fits-all" form, with
an adjustment strap in the back.
[0022] Athletes in other sports wear caps with their team's logo
and colors as "sideline" caps; both types are also sold as
authentic team merchandise in retail stores and are quite popular.
Other caps may simply have a company's logo, such as Nike or
Carhartt; these hats are often made of brushed cotton.
[0023] Another version of the baseball cap, worn often--but not
exclusively--by farmers and migrant agricultural workers, is the
plastic mesh cap with foam fronts and a farm feed supply company
logo or the like printed on the cap. This style of baseball cap is
sometimes called a "trucker cap" because of its blue collar
associations. It is also known as a "gimme cap" due to its being
given away for free as a method of advertising.
[0024] For use in the invention, the user selects an adjustable cap
or the appropriate sized fitted baseball cap. To select the
appropriate sized fitted cap, the user carefully measures his or
her head with a tape measure--about a half-inch above the eyebrows.
Users that are in between sizes should select the larger size. Cap
size in relation to head measurements are shown in the table
below.
TABLE-US-00001 Head size - cm Head size - inches Cap size 56 22 7
58 223/4 71/4 59 231/8 73/8 60 231/2 71/2 61 237/8 75/8 62 241/4
73/4
[0025] The head guard of the invention is readily prepared by
injection molding or other similar procedure by well known methods
in the art. Any shock-absorbing fabric or material is suitable for
use in the head guard of the invention, preferred materials include
but are not limited to foam rubber, gel foam and rubberized gel
foam.
[0026] Preferably, the head guard of the invention is made of
rubberize gel foam and constructed in a one-piece process, such as
injection molding. In one embodiment, a foam piece is laminated
with a fabric on the single side, heat pressed, and then the whole
sheet is cut in the designed shape.
[0027] The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the
specific embodiments disclosed in the description and drawings,
which are intended as illustrations of a few aspects of the
invention. Any embodiments that are functionally equivalent are
within the scope of this invention. Indeed, various modifications
of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein
will become apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended
to fall within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *