U.S. patent application number 13/566106 was filed with the patent office on 2013-02-07 for headgear item with a hat structure which is at least partially dimensionally stable.
The applicant listed for this patent is Markus KRAUTER. Invention is credited to Markus KRAUTER.
Application Number | 20130031701 13/566106 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46982382 |
Filed Date | 2013-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130031701 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KRAUTER; Markus |
February 7, 2013 |
HEADGEAR ITEM WITH A HAT STRUCTURE WHICH IS AT LEAST PARTIALLY
DIMENSIONALLY STABLE
Abstract
A headgear item which may be used during horseriding, with a hat
structure which is at least partially dimensionally stable, and
with a brim protruding at least over part of a circumference of the
hat structure, and with an impact damping shell surrounding a
head-conforming shape. A lower side of the brim is pulled inward as
far as the head-conforming shape and covers a lower edge of the
impact damping shell.
Inventors: |
KRAUTER; Markus;
(Rudersberg, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KRAUTER; Markus |
Rudersberg |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
46982382 |
Appl. No.: |
13/566106 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/411 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 1/08 20130101; A42B
3/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/411 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/06 20060101
A42B003/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 4, 2011 |
DE |
10 2011 080 464.1 |
Claims
1. A headgear item with a hat structure which is at least partially
dimensionally stable, and with a brim protruding at least over part
of a circumference of the hat structure, and with an impact damping
shell surrounding a head-conforming shape, wherein a lower side of
the brim is pulled inward as far as the head-conforming shape and
covers a lower edge of the impact damping shell.
2. The headgear item as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hat
structure is at least substantially matched to a head-conforming
shape at least over part of the height thereof.
3. The headgear item as claimed in claim 1, wherein the impact
damping shell has a forehead ring section in the region of the
head-conforming shape having a full impact damping function, a
transition ring section having a reduced impact damping function,
and a head section which upwardly adjoins the transition ring
section and has a reduced or full impact damping function.
4. The headgear item as claimed in claim 3, wherein the transition
ring section is arranged in the region of an extension of the hat
structure, which extension is visible from the outside and from
which the hat structure continues upward in a manner at least
substantially matched to the head-conforming shape.
5. The headgear item as claimed in claim 3, wherein the transition
ring section is assigned additional impact protection means which
are integrated in the impact damping shell or overlap the
transition ring section on the outside.
6. The headgear item as claimed in claim 5, wherein the impact
protection means comprise energy distribution elements which are
effective in a bridge-like manner and are arranged in such a manner
that they transmit impact energy to the forehead ring section
and/or to the head section of the impact damping shell.
7. The headgear item as claimed in claim 5, wherein the impact
protection means have at least one elastic impact damping ring
which is arranged on the outside of the transition ring section
and, in particular, has the appearance of a hat string.
8. The headgear item as claimed in claim 1, wherein the impact
damping shell is of multi-part construction.
9. The headgear item as claimed in claim 8, wherein the forehead
ring section is designed as a ring which is placed on to the
outside of the hat structure and, in particular on the outside, is
in the form of a hat band.
10. The headgear item as claimed in claim 1, wherein the head
section of the impact damping shell runs within the hat structure
and, at least over part of the height of the hat structure, adjoins
an inner contour of the hat structure in a flush and planar
manner.
11. The headgear item as claimed in claim 10, wherein the head
section and the forehead ring section are provided with
energy-absorbing thickened portions on the end regions thereof
which are adjacent to the transition ring section.
12. The headgear item as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one
additional protection module is provided, said protection module
being necessary for obtaining a predetermined protective helmet
standard having a greater degree of protection for the headgear
item, and which is fixedly connectable to the impact damping shell
and/or to the hat structure and/or to the rim.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority of German Application
No. 10 2011 080 464.1, filed Aug. 4, 2011, the disclosure of which
is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this
application.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to a headgear item with a hat
structure which is at least partially dimensionally stable, and
with a brim protruding at least over part of a circumference of the
hat structure, and with an impact damping shell surrounding a
head-conforming shape.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A headgear item of this type is known from US 2008/0060117
A1. The known headgear item has a protective helmet with an impact
damping shell, on the outside of which a hat structure having a
completely encircling brim is placed and is fixedly connected to
the outer shell of the protective helmet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] It is the object of the invention to provide a headgear item
of the type mentioned at the beginning, said headgear item
combining an effective head protection function with an attractive
appearance.
[0005] This object is achieved in that a lower side of the brim is
pulled inward as far as the head-conforming shape and covers a
lower edge of the impact damping shell. By means of the solution
according to the invention, the brim conceals a lower edge of the
impact damping shell surrounding the head-conforming shape. The
head protection function is obtained to the full extent by means of
the impact damping shell. Owing to the fact that the brim is pulled
inward as far as the head-conforming shape, the headgear item
imparts the visual impression of an appropriate hat.
[0006] According to the invention, either the brim as a whole can
be pulled inward as far as the head-conforming shape, or merely a
covering forming the lower side or a coating forming the lower side
of the brim. The extending of the lower side of the brim as far as
the head-conforming shape means that someone looking obliquely from
below at the headgear item sitting on a wearer's head gains the
impression that the lower side of the brim or the entire brim runs
from the outside inward as far as the head contour of the wearer.
The headgear item according to the invention preferably has a hat
structure with a completely encircling brim. However, the invention
also includes a headgear item with a hat structure, in which the
brim protrudes outward merely over part of the circumference of the
hat structure (in particular military or police hat with a
substantial, dimensionally stable protective brim protruding
forward).
[0007] The solution according to the invention is suitable in a
particularly advantageous manner for headgear items which, on
account of the activity of the wearers thereof, firstly have to
carry out a head protection function and, secondly, by means of
their appearance, provide a characteristic indication of the
activity carried out by the wearer. The solution according to the
invention is usable particularly advantageously in horseriding,
preferably in Western-style riding or in dressage. In dressage, the
riders have hitherto ridden in headgear items containing cylinders
which have no head protection function whatsoever. In Western-style
riding, the riders ride in cowboy hats which likewise have no head
protection function whatsoever. The solution according to the
invention can to this extent combine the appearance of a typical
dressage cylinder or of a typical cowboy hat with a head protection
function. The solution according to the invention is also suitable
for headgear items of uniforms which, in addition to the
characteristic appearance appropriate to the uniform, are also
intended to comprise a head protection function. Accordingly, the
wearer's head is protected from injury by means of the solution
according to the invention. At the same time, it nevertheless
serves in a suitable manner as a decoration or characteristic
signaling the association of the wearer with a certain group of
people, whether a certain riding group, a professional group or a
leisure group.
[0008] In a refinement of the invention, the hat structure is
matched at least substantially to a head-conforming shape at least
over part of the height thereof. This refinement is based on the
finding that the aesthetic perception of a hat matching a wearer's
head is linked with how the contour of the hat structure behaves
with respect to the contour of the wearer's head. The hat structure
of a matching hat is aligned at least approximately with--depending
on the angle of view from the front, from the rear or from the
side--lateral, front or rear flanks of the head-conforming shape of
the wearer. A front or rear view of the head is particularly
preferably selected for the head-conforming shape according to the
present refinement. For the present refinement, it suffices if an
aligned impression of the hat structure with the head-conforming
shape is found from an individual direction of view of the
head-conforming shape. The wording concerning the fact that the
head structure is intended to be aligned at least substantially
with the head-conforming shape means that, for the corresponding
part of the hat structure, an identical aligning behavior is
intended to take place as would be the case in a conventional hat
without an additional protective function. The wording concerned
with the fact that the hat structure is intended to be aligned with
the head-conforming shape at least over part of the height thereof
means that, starting from the brim as far as the tip of the hat
structure, at least one third, preferably half, of the height is
intended to correspond in the manner of a hat adapted to a
head-conforming shape without an additional protective function.
The term of matching the hat structure to the head-conforming shape
means that the hat structure is designed over the corresponding
part of the height thereof in the same manner as a hat construction
without an additional head protection function, which hat is
matched in terms of the matching size thereof to the head of a
corresponding wearer. This means that a lower visible extension of
the hat structure has to be positioned approximately level with the
alignment of the side flanks of the head-conforming shape. If the
hat structure is substantially cylindrical, the hat structure is
substantially aligned with the head-conforming shape not merely
over a small region of the height thereof but rather over the
entire visible height thereof. In the case of a hat structure
tapering upward conically or in another manner, only the lower
visible extension is aligned with the head-conforming shape. The
tapering which is correspondingly conical, semispherical,
pyramid-shaped or designed in another manner takes place in an
upwardly adjoining manner.
[0009] In a further refinement of the invention, the impact damping
shell has a forehead ring section in the region of the
head-conforming shape having a full impact damping function, a
transition ring section having a reduced impact damping function,
and a head section which upwardly adjoins the transition section
and has a reduced or full impact damping function. A different
impact damping function is therefore provided over the height of
the head of a corresponding human wearer of the headgear item. This
results from the fact that, in the transition ring section, the
impact damping shell has to be of narrow design in order to permit
the extension of the visible hat structure, which is matched to the
head-conforming shape, in said region. In another refinement, the
transition ring section is arranged in the region of an extension
of the hat structure, which extension is visible from the outside
and from which the hat structure continues upward, at least
substantially matched to the head-conforming shape. The transition
ring section is preferably formed by an encircling step between the
lower forehead ring section and the upper head section. The
forehead ring section surrounds the wearer's head level with a
forehead region of the head.
[0010] In a further refinement of the invention, the transition
ring section is assigned additional impact protection means which
are integrated in the region of the transition ring section or
overlap the transition ring section on the outside. The impact
protection means at least partially make up for the impact damping
function, which is reduced by the transition ring section itself,
again. By being integrated in the region of the transition section,
the impact protection means are integrated in the impact damping
shell.
[0011] The individual sections of the impact damping shell are
preferably formed by an energy-absorbing foam material, such as, in
particular, expanded polystyrene, optionally combined with at least
one hard shell on the outer or inner circumference.
[0012] In a further refinement of the invention, the impact
protection means comprise energy distribution elements which are
effective in a bridge-like manner and are arranged in such a manner
that they transmit impact energy to the forehead ring section
and/or the head section of the impact damping shell. As a result,
the impact energy striking against the transition ring section is
at least partially transmitted to those sections of the impact
damping shell which are located thereabove and/or therebelow, thus
resulting in an evening out of the energy absorption.
[0013] In a further refinement of the invention, the impact
protection means have at least one impact damping ring which is
arranged on the outside of the transition ring section and, in
particular, has the appearance of a hat string. An impact damping
ring of this type can be placed into an annular step formed by the
transition ring section. The optical impression of a hat string
conceals the additional impact damping function which the
corresponding impact damping ring has.
[0014] In a further refinement of the invention, the impact damping
shell is of multi-part construction. The corresponding parts or
sections of the impact damping shell may be connected to one
another releasably or non-releasably.
[0015] In a further refinement of the invention, the forehead ring
section is designed as a ring which is placed on to the outside of
the hat structure and, in particular on the outside, is in the form
of a hat band. The placing of the impact-damping forehead ring
section onto the outside of the hat structure ensures that the hat
structure fits snugly against the head-conforming shape. The
forehead ring section which is placed on to the outside takes over
the desired head protection function for the head of the wearer of
the headgear item. The advantageous design of the ring on the
outside as a hat band visually conceals the impact damping and
protective function of the forehead ring section.
[0016] In a further refinement of the invention, the head section
of the impact damping shell runs within the hat structure and, at
least over part of the height of the hat structure, adjoins an
inner contour of the hat structure in a flush and planar manner.
Accordingly, the head section of the impact damping shell can at
least partially fill the hat structure from the inside with
impact-damping material. By this means, in addition to good
dimensional stability of the hat structure, a further improved
protective function for a wearer's head is obtained.
[0017] In a further refinement of the invention, the head section
and the forehead ring section are provided on the end regions
thereof which are adjacent to the transition ring section with
energy-absorbing thickened portions. This gives rise, in the case
of planar impact loads, to impact absorbing functions by the
thickened portions which relieve the thinner and less
energy-absorbing transition ring section of load. In the case of
pointed, substantially spot-shaped impact loads level with the
reduced energy-absorbing transition ring section, said thickened
portions are unable to provide any additional protection. For such
spot-type impact loads level with the transition ring section, the
energy absorption elements which are effective in the manner of a
bridge and transmit the spot-type impact loads occurring to those
sections of the impact damping shell which are located thereabove
and therebelow are advantageous.
[0018] In a further refinement of the invention, at least one
additional protective module is provided, said protective module
being necessary for obtaining a predetermined protective helmet
standard having a higher degree of protection for the headgear
item, and being fixedly connectable to the impact damping shell
and/or to the hat structure and/or to the brim. This produces the
possibility of a modular structure for the protective function of
the headgear item. Depending on which protective helmet standard
the headgear item has to meet, use may merely be made of a basic
version, or at least one additional protective module may be fitted
on to said basic version--depending on the requirements of the
protective helmet standard. The fixed connection between the at
least one additional protective module and the impact damping shell
and/or the hat structure and/or the brim may be provided as a
releasable or non-releasable connection. In addition, the
connection can advantageously be brought about without a tool and
in a frictional or form-fitting or integrally bonded manner. The
basic version is intended to have at least one impact damping shell
provided with a forehead ring section and a head section.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Further advantages and features of the invention emerge from
the claims and from the description below of preferred exemplary
embodiments of the invention, which are illustrated with reference
to the drawings, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 shows schematically, in a sectional illustration from
a front side, a first embodiment of a headgear item according to
the invention,
[0021] FIG. 2 shows, in the same perspective as FIG. 1, a further
embodiment of a headgear item according to the invention,
[0022] FIG. 3 shows, in the same perspective as FIGS. 1 and 2, a
further embodiment of a headgear item according to the
invention,
[0023] FIG. 3a shows a further embodiment of the invention similar
to FIG. 3,
[0024] FIG. 4 shows, in an enlarged illustration, an embodiment of
a headgear item according to the invention similar to FIG. 2,
[0025] FIG. 5 shows, in a sectioned schematic illustration, a
detail of a further embodiment of a headgear item according to the
invention similar to FIGS. 2 and 4,
[0026] FIG. 6 shows schematically a section of a further embodiment
of a headgear item according to the invention with energy
distribution elements effective in the manner of a bridge,
[0027] FIG. 7 shows, in an enlarged perspective illustration, a
detail of a headgear item similar to FIG. 6 with an energy
distribution element which is effective in the manner of a bridge
and is in the form of a profile strip,
[0028] FIG. 8 shows a further energy distribution element which is
effective in the manner of a bridge, in the form of a supporting
bracket,
[0029] FIG. 9 shows schematically a headgear item similar to FIG. 4
with two alternatives of energy distribution elements spatially
integrated into the impact damping shell,
[0030] FIG. 10 shows an energy distribution element which bears
against the outside of the hat structure and has a function similar
to FIGS. 6 to 9,
[0031] FIG. 11 shows schematically a section through a further
embodiment of a headgear item according to the invention with
ventilation profilings in the region of the head section of the
impact damping shell,
[0032] FIG. 12 shows schematically a detail of a further embodiment
of a headgear item according to the invention with ventilation
openings and at least one energy distribution element which is
effective in the manner of a bridge in the region of the outer
contour of the hat structure,
[0033] FIG. 13 shows a side view of an embodiment of a headgear
item according to the invention,
[0034] FIG. 14 shows the hat-shaped headgear item according to FIG.
13 with an additionally fastened protective module,
[0035] FIG. 15 shows schematically an impact damping shell for the
headgear item according to FIGS. 13 and 14 with two additional
energy-absorbing protective modules which are fitted on to the
impact damping shell at the top and bottom, and
[0036] FIG. 16 shows, in a sectional illustration, the profiled
joining of the lower protective module on to a lower edge of the
impact damping shell according to FIG. 15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] FIGS. 1 to 16 show a number of embodiments of headgear items
according to the invention having an impact-damping head protection
function, said headgear items each comprising a hat structure with
an encircling brim in addition to a single- or multi-part impact
damping shell for the head protection function.
[0038] FIG. 1 shows a particularly simple embodiment of the
invention, in which a headgear item 1 is provided with an impact
damping shell 4 for a head K of a human wearer. The impact damping
shell 4 is covered in a planar manner by a hat structure 3 which is
fitted on to the outside of the impact damping shell 4 and follows
the outer contour of the impact damping shell 4. In the region of a
lower edge of the hat structure 3, the hat structure 3 is adjoined
by an encircling brim 2 which protrudes outward from the head K.
The brim 2 is pulled inward via a lower edge of the impact damping
shell 4 as far as a head-conforming shape of the head K such that
the brim 2 covers the edge of the impact damping shell 4. The brim
2 is connected in a planar and fixed manner to the lower edge of
the impact damping shell 4, in particular by an integrally bonded
connection.
[0039] In comparison to the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the
headgear item 1a has, in addition to an impact damping shell 4a and
an encircling brim 2a, also a hat structure 3a which protrudes
upward relative to the impact damping shell 4a. In order, despite
the head protection function of the impact damping shell 4a, to
provide the headgear item 1a with the visual impression of an
appropriate hat, the headgear item 1a is designed as follows: the
impact damping shell 4a has, in a lower region, an encircling
forehead ring section 5a which runs on the front side over a
forehead region of the head K of the human wearer of the headgear
item 1a and is pulled around the head K therefrom. A lower edge of
the forehead ring section 5a of the impact damping shell 4a is
covered by an encircling brim 2a which is continued in the region
of a lower edge of an inner contour of the impact damping shell 4a
by a welding band (not denoted specifically). The forehead ring
section is adjoined by an encircling transition section 7a which
merges upward into a head section 6a of the impact damping shell
4a. The transition section 7a forms an inwardly offset annular step
by means of which the impact damping shell 4a is of narrower design
in the transition section 7a. As a result, the transition section
7a has a reduced impact damping function by comparison to the
forehead ring section 5a. The headgear item 1a illustrated in FIG.
2 has a head section 6a which upwardly adjoins the transition
section 7a and completely covers the upper region of the head K.
According to the illustration in FIG. 2, the head region 6a has an
impact damping function which is reduced to the same extent as the
transition section 7a. This is because a thickness of the head
section 6a approximately corresponds to a thickness of the
transition section 7a and is reduced in comparison to the thickness
of the forehead ring section 5a.
[0040] All of the impact damping shells which are described in a
single- or multi-part structure with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16
have a material structure having highly energy-absorbing
properties. A plastics foam material, in particular expanded
polystyrene (EPS), is particularly preferably used. The impact
damping shells may additionally also be provided on the outside
and/or inside with coatings or thin-walled supporting shells.
[0041] In the region of the transition section 7a, the outside of
the impact damping shell 4a is adjoined by a hat structure 3a, the
outer contour of which, in a frontal view according to FIG. 2, is
matched to the head-conforming shape of the head K, said
head-conforming shape being predetermined in the region of the
welding band. It can be seen with reference to FIG. 2 that tangents
T which are applied laterally to the contour of the head K in the
region of the head-conforming shape and are illustrated by
chain-dotted lines are approximately aligned with the outer contour
of the hat structure 3. Said tangents T correspond to the side
flanks of the head-conforming shape. As a result, when the headgear
item 1a according to the illustration in FIG. 2 is viewed from the
front, the impression is imparted of a hat structure 3a matching
the head K. The hat structure extends from the transition section
7a upward over more than half of the entire height of the headgear
item 1a. The hat structure 3a is constructed in a dimensionally
stable manner from a suitable textile material, in particular a
felt material, and is fixedly connected in an encircling manner in
the region of the transition ring section 7a to the impact damping
shell 4a. The forehead ring section 5a, which is of thicker design,
is offset radially outward with respect to the hat structure 3a in
relation to a head center axis in such a manner that the visual
appearance of a hat band belonging to the hat structure 3a is
produced. For this purpose, the forehead ring section 5a is colored
appropriately on the outside or--in a manner not illustrated
specifically--is covered with a suitable textile material which is
matched to the hat structure 3a and the brim 2a in the manner of a
hat band. The brim 2a is preferably composed of the same textile
material as the hat structure 3a.
[0042] In all of the embodiments, the brim 2 to 2k in each case is
constructed from a material matched to the associated hat structure
3 to 3k. The corresponding material may be of single- or
multi-layered design and has sufficient dimensional stability in
order to ensure that the brim 2 to 2k protrudes outward in a stable
manner. The brim 2 to 2k is preferably composed of textile material
or of leather.
[0043] In the case of the headgear item 1b according to FIG. 3, the
impact damping shell 4b is of multi-part construction. In
comparison to the headgear item 1a according to FIG. 2, the
headgear item 1b has some substantial differences. Firstly, the
impact damping shell 4b is provided on the inside, i.e. in the
region of the head contour, with a dimensionally stable, thin
supporting shell 8 in addition to the impact damping properties. A
lower edge region of the supporting shell 8 is adjoined by the
outwardly protruding brim 2b which is of encircling design. In the
region of the head-conforming shape, the lower edge region of the
supporting shell 8 is provided with a welding band 10 which adjoins
the brim 2b, which is pulled inwards as far as the head-conforming
shape.
[0044] In order to avoid repetitions, the features of the headgear
item 1 to 1k, which were already present in at least one of the
preceding embodiments and have been described there, are no longer
explained in each case in the various embodiments which are
described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16.
[0045] In the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the impact damping
shell 4b has a head section 6b which is placed onto the outside of
the supporting shell 8 and is fixedly connected thereto. The head
section 6b, which is pulled downward as far as the brim 2b,
partially fills the inside of a dimensionally stable hat structure
3b.
[0046] The hat structure 3b may be formed integrally with the brim
2b, according to FIG. 3a. In such an embodiment according to the
invention, a commercially available headgear item, in particular in
the form of a cowboy hat or a cylinder, can be provided with a hat
structure 3b' and an integrally formed brim 2b', to which outside
and inside impact damping shells 4b' are assigned corresponding to
the illustration according to FIG. 3a. Otherwise, the headgear item
according to FIG. 3a is constructed in a manner corresponding to
the embodiment according to FIG. 3, and therefore reference is made
to the description for FIG. 3 regarding the supplementary
disclosure.
[0047] The forehead ring section 5b of the impact damping shell 4b
is arranged separately from the head section 6b and is designed as
a separate ring which encloses a lower region of the hat structure
3b on the outside. The forehead ring section 5b sits flush on the
brim 2b and is inwardly fixedly connected to the hat structure 3b
and the supporting shell 8. The forehead ring section 5b is formed
from energy-absorbing material analogously to the material of the
head section 6b. The head section 6b is pulled downward as far as
the height of the forehead ring section 5b and is of very narrow
design in this region, as can be seen with reference to FIG. 3.
This serves to match the lateral contour of the hat structure 3b to
the head-conforming shape and thus to impart the impression that
the hat structure 3b is designed so as to match the head K. The
forehead ring section 5b can be covered on the outside with a
textile material 9 in order, analogously to FIG. 2 for the forehead
ring section 5b, to impart the visual impression of a hat band.
[0048] Owing to the fact that the head section 6b, over part of the
height thereof, follows the inner contour of the hat structure 3b
in a flush manner, the head section 6b forms thickened regions
which take on an additional impact damping function. The forehead
ring section 5b is likewise of sufficiently thick design and
designed to be energy-absorbing. As a result, the head section 6b
and the forehead ring section 5b form a sufficient impact damping
function for the head K. In a transition ring section 7b, which is
fitted in the region of an upper edge of the forehead ring section
5b and is provided below the head section 6b, the impact damping
function is reduced, since the outer contour of the headgear item
1b here has to be kept narrower in order to enable the hat
structure 3b to match the head-conforming shape.
[0049] In the case of the headgear item 1c according to FIG. 4, a
single-part impact damping shell 4c is provided, said impact
damping shell being covered in the lower edge region thereof by a
brim 2c which encircles the headgear item 1c. A welding band 10
adjoins the impact damping shell 4c on the inside. The impact
damping shell 4c is also provided with a forehead ring section 5c,
a narrower transition ring section 7c and a head section 6c which
upwardly adjoins the transition section 7c. In the region of the
narrower transition ring section 7c, the hat structure 3c is fitted
in such a manner that the lateral outer contour thereof is
substantially aligned with the head-conforming shape. The hat
structure 3c is additionally supported on the inside by a thickened
portion 11 of the head section 6c. The forehead ring section 5c
also has a thickened portion 12 which is provided on an upper edge
of the forehead ring section 5. Also in the case of the embodiment
according to FIG. 4, the forehead ring section 5c merges by means
of an annular step into the transition ring section 7c and
subsequently into the head section 6c. In order for said transition
ring section 7 which is of narrower design and accordingly has
lower energy-absorbing properties, nevertheless to achieve
sufficient impact damping protection, the transition ring section
7c is assigned energy distribution elements 13 which are integrated
as dimensionally stable bridges in the energy-absorbing material of
the impact damping shell 4c and divert an impact energy occurring,
for example, into the downwardly and upwardly adjoining sections of
the impact damping shell 4c that are of thicker design. In
addition, an energy-absorbing ring 14, which is composed of a
suitable plastics material, in particular of silicone, can be
placed on the outside into the annular step shoulder formed by the
transition ring section 7c. Said ring 14 may bring about an
additional impact damping function at the height of the transition
ring section 7c.
[0050] The headgear item 1d according to FIG. 5 corresponds in
terms of the functional structure thereof to the headgear item 1c
according to FIG. 4. A substantial difference in the embodiment
according to FIG. 5 is that the hat structure 3d is designed in the
manner of a cylinder. The headgear item 1d can accordingly be used
as a cylinder for dressage, wherein the cylinder takes on the
additional head protection function already described above.
[0051] With reference to FIGS. 6 to 10, various types of energy
distribution elements 15, 15', 15'', 15''', 16, which have the same
function as the energy distribution elements 13 according to FIGS.
4 and 5, are provided for corresponding headgear items 1e, 1f, 1g.
All of the energy distribution elements with reference to FIGS. 6
to 10 have a bridge function in order to distribute impact energy,
which could impact on the corresponding transition ring section 7e,
7f, to the adjacent sections having a higher impact damping
function, namely to the upper head section 6e, 6f and the lower
forehead ring section 5e, 5f, 5g. The various embodiments according
to FIGS. 6 to 10 differ in that, in the embodiments according to
FIGS. 6 to 8, which are merely illustrated schematically, the
impact energy is already diverted on the outside prior to the
impact of the impact on the transition ring section 7e. For this
purpose, the corresponding bridge-shaped energy distribution
elements 15, 15' are placed on to the outside of the hat structure.
The energy distribution elements 15 are designed as bracket-shaped
bridges which are distributed in a repeated design over the
circumference of the hat structure. Each bridge body 15 has
large-capacity supporting surfaces in the region of the head
section 6e and of the forehead ring section 5e. The energy
distribution element 15' is designed as a grid-type profile ring
which is supported in a convexly curved manner level with the
transition ring section 7e and is fixedly connected to the hat
structure. In the case of the embodiment according to FIG. 9, the
headgear item 1f has two schematically illustrated alternatives of
energy distribution elements 15'' and 15''', which are integrated
into the impact damping shell 4f. In this case, only one of the two
alternatives is used in an impact damping shell 4f. Two
alternatives are therefore integrated in the impact damping shell
4f according to FIG. 9, of which only one will actually be used.
Each of the two energy distribution elements 15'', 15''' is of
annular design in each case, and therefore the distribution of the
impact energy at the height of the transition ring section 7f is
ensured in an encircling manner over the entire circumference of
the head. The energy distribution element 15'' is of step-like
design and follows the outer contour of the hat structure in a
flush manner. The energy distribution element 15''' has a convex
cross section and follows an inner contour of the impact damping
shell 4f in an approximately parallel manner.
[0052] In the embodiment according to FIG. 10, an annular energy
distribution element 16 is placed on to the outside of the impact
damping shell and follows the outer contour of the hat structure
and of the impact damping shell in a flush manner in the region of
the forehead ring section 5g and of the step shoulder of the
transition ring section 7g.
[0053] In the embodiments according to FIGS. 11 and 12, the
headgear items 1h and 1i are provided in the region of the impact
damping shells thereof with additional ventilation ducts 17. The
particular hat structure 3h, 3i is provided with ventilation
openings 18 in order to conduct the air entering the interior of
the hat structure 3h, 3i through the impact damping shell to the
outside. Otherwise, the structure of the headgear items 1h and 1i
corresponds at least to one of the embodiments already described
previously. In the case of the embodiment according to FIG. 12, the
headgear item 1i additionally has an outer, thin-walled supporting
ring 16 which has the function of an energy distribution ring 16
according to FIG. 10. The supporting ring 16 is of dimensionally
stable and impact-resistant design and extends over the outer
contour of the forehead ring section 5i, the transition ring
section 7i and part of the height of the head section 6i.
[0054] The head structure 3i is fitted at the height of the
transition ring section 7i. The step shoulder in the region of the
transition ring section 7i is additionally filled on the outside by
a damping ring 14 which can be designed visually in the manner of a
hat string. In order to improve the wearing comfort, the impact
damping shell of the headgear item 1i is additionally provided on
the inside with padding 19 in the embodiment according to FIG.
12.
[0055] A modular structure of a headgear item 1k is illustrated
with reference to FIGS. 13 to 16. According to the illustration as
per FIG. 13, the headgear item 1k forms a hat with a wide
encircling brim 2k, a hat band 5k and a hat structure 3k. On the
inside, the hat is provided with an impact damping shell which is
formed by a forehead ring section 5k, which forms the hat band, and
a head section 6k. As can be seen with reference to FIG. 15, the
hat structure 3k is placed in a simple manner from above on to the
impact damping shell and is connected thereto. The brim 2k is also
arranged releasably with respect to the impact damping shell and
can be fixed thereon or separated therefrom via suitable connecting
means. The forehead ring section 5k can be covered with a textile
material in the manner of a hat band (FIG. 14).
[0056] In such embodiments of the invention according to FIGS. 13
to 16, brims and hat structures are provided in different designs
which may be interchanged in a modular manner depending on the
intended purpose. It is thus possible to design different headgear
items which will all have the same protective functions, without
this being recognizable from the outside. For this purpose,
corresponding brim modules and/or hat structure modules are
connectable releasably to corresponding impact damping shells which
comprise forehead ring sections and head sections. In all of the
embodiments according to FIGS. 13 to 16, corresponding connecting
means can be operated in particular without a tool. Touch and close
fastening tapes or strips, press studs or the like are provided as
suitable connecting means.
[0057] In order to be able to meet different degrees of protection
of corresponding protection standards, the impact damping shell may
be supplemented by a back of head protector 20. In addition, a chin
strap 21 may also be provided. Both the back of head protector 20
and the chin strap 21 form additional protective modules which can
be joined on to the existing impact damping shell and can be
connected fixedly thereto. It can be seen with reference to FIGS.
15 and 16 how the back of head protector 20 can be inserted by
means of a corresponding web profiling into a corresponding groove
profiling in a lower edge of the impact damping shell in the region
of the forehead ring section 5k. The back of head protector 20 can
be connected to the lower side of the forehead ring section 5k in
an integrally bonded, frictional or form-fitting manner or as a
combination of said connections. The protective module in the form
of the back of head protector 20 is preferably joined releasably on
to the lower side of the impact damping shell. As a result, the
impact damping shell can be supplemented, or not, by an additional
protective function, depending on requirements. Provision is also
made to connect the protective module in the form of the chin strap
21 releasably to the impact damping shell in order, if the need
arises, to be able to obtain a higher degree of protection, or not,
in this case too.
* * * * *