U.S. patent application number 13/874808 was filed with the patent office on 2014-11-06 for mask.
The applicant listed for this patent is Aaron Engel, Jason Klein. Invention is credited to Aaron Engel, Jason Klein.
Application Number | 20140325744 13/874808 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51840600 |
Filed Date | 2014-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140325744 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Klein; Jason ; et
al. |
November 6, 2014 |
MASK
Abstract
A shock absorber, for use with headgear having a faceguard, has
a sliding member that does not extend beyond the support structure
of the shock absorber in a way that would leave it vulnerable to
damage. A headgear having a faceguard provides a protected mounting
location for mounting a shock absorber for the faceguard.
Inventors: |
Klein; Jason; (Orange,
CT) ; Engel; Aaron; (Unionville, CT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Klein; Jason
Engel; Aaron |
Orange
Unionville |
CT
CT |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51840600 |
Appl. No.: |
13/874808 |
Filed: |
May 1, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
2/411 ;
267/136 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
2/411 ;
267/136 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/12 20060101
A42B003/12; F16F 1/12 20060101 F16F001/12; F16F 3/04 20060101
F16F003/04; F16F 1/06 20060101 F16F001/06 |
Claims
1. A shock absorber for supporting a protective faceguard relative
to a head-engaging member, the shock absorber comprising: a support
structure adapted for rigid attachment to one of the head-engaging
member and the faceguard; a guide rod supported by said support
structure in a fixed position relative to said support structure,
said guide rod having first and second end portions, a length, and
a longitudinal axis; a sliding member guided by said guide rod for
rectilinear movement in a direction parallel to said longitudinal
axis of said guide rod, said sliding member being adapted for rigid
attachment to another one of the head engaging member and the
faceguard; and a resilient member acting on said sliding member to
bias said sliding member toward said first end portion of said
guide rod, wherein said resilient member can absorb at least a
portion of the impact energy of an object impacting the faceguard
when the impact causes said sliding member to move toward said
second end portion of said guide rod.
2. The shock absorber according to claim 1, wherein said sliding
member has an opening therethrough and said guide rod extends
through said opening.
3. The shock absorber according to claim 2, wherein said support
structure supports said guide rod at said first end portion of said
guide rod and at said second end portion of said guide rod.
4. The shock absorber according to claim 3, wherein said resilient
member is a coil spring having a plurality of coils and said guide
rod extends through said plurality of coils.
5. The shock absorber according to claim 4, wherein said coil
spring is positioned intermediate a portion of said sliding member
and said second end portion of said guide rod.
6. The shock absorber according to claim 5, wherein said coil
spring has a first end and a second end and wherein said first end
of said coil spring bears directly or indirectly against a portion
of said sliding member and said second end of said coil spring
bears directly or indirectly against a portion of said support
structure proximate said second end portion of said guide rod.
7. The shock absorber according to claim 5, wherein said sliding
member has at least one hole for engagement by at least one sliding
member fastener to thereby rigidly attach said sliding member to
the another one of the head engaging member and the faceguard.
8. The shock absorber according to claim 7, wherein said support
structure has means for engagement by at least one support
structure fastener to thereby rigidly attach said support structure
to the one of the head engaging member and the faceguard.
9. The shock absorber according to claim 1, wherein said support
structure is a bracket comprising a base plate, a first endplate
having a hole for said first end portion of said guide rod, a
second endplate having a hole for said second end portion of said
guide rod, a first lateral flange provided on a first side of said
base plate, and a second lateral flange provided on a second side
of said base plate, said first endplate being provided proximate a
first end of said base plate, said second endplate being provided
proximate a second end of said base plate opposite said first
endplate.
10. The shock absorber according to claim 9, wherein said first
lateral flange extends approximately laterally from said first side
of said base plate, said second lateral flange extends
approximately laterally from said second side of said base plate in
a direction approximately opposite that of said first lateral
flange.
11. The shock absorber according to claim 9, wherein each of said
first lateral flange and said second lateral flange has means for
engagement by at least one support structure fastener to thereby
rigidly attach said support structure to the one of the head
engaging member and the faceguard.
12. The shock absorber according to claim 1, wherein movement of
said sliding member is limited to a portion of said length of said
guide rod.
13. The shock absorber according to claim 1, wherein said guide rod
is a first guide rod having said first and second end portions,
said length, and said longitudinal axis, and the shock absorber
further comprises a second guide rod extending parallel to said
first guide rod, wherein said second guide rod has first and second
end portions, a length, and a longitudinal axis extending parallel
to said longitudinal axis of said first guide rod.
14. The shock absorber according to claim 13, wherein said sliding
member has a first opening therethrough and said first guide rod
extends through said first opening and said sliding member has a
second opening therethrough and said second guide rod extends
through said second opening.
15. The shock absorber according to claim 14, wherein said support
structure supports said first guide rod at said first end portion
of said first guide rod and at said second end portion of said
first guide rod and said support structure supports said second
guide rod at said first end portion of said second guide rod and at
said second end portion of said second guide rod.
16. The shock absorber according to claim 15, wherein said
resilient member is a first coil spring having a plurality of coils
and said first guide rod extends through said plurality of coils of
said first spring, and the shock absorber comprises a second coil
spring having a plurality of coils and said second guide rod
extends through said plurality of coils of said second spring.
17. The shock absorber according to claim 16, wherein said first
coil spring is positioned intermediate a first portion of said
sliding member and said second end of said first guide rod, and
said second coil spring is positioned intermediate a second portion
of said sliding member and said second end of said second guide
rod.
18. The shock absorber according to claim 17, wherein said first
coil spring has a first end and a second end and wherein said first
end of said first coil spring bears directly or indirectly against
a first portion of said sliding member and said second end of said
first coil spring bears directly or indirectly against a first
portion of said support structure proximate said second end of said
first guide rod, and said second coil spring has a first end and a
second end and wherein said first end of said second coil spring
bears directly or indirectly against a second portion of said
sliding member and said second end of said second coil spring bears
directly or indirectly against a second portion of said support
structure proximate said second end of said second guide rod.
19. The shock absorber according to claim 17, wherein said sliding
member has at least one hole for engagement by at least one sliding
member fastener to thereby rigidly attach said sliding member to
the another one of the head engaging member and the faceguard.
20. The shock absorber according to claim 19, wherein said support
structure has means for engagement by at least one support
structure fastener to thereby rigidly attach said support structure
to the one of the head engaging member and the faceguard.
21. The shock absorber according to claim 13, wherein said support
structure is a bracket comprising a base plate, a first endplate
having a first hole for said first end portion of said first guide
rod and a second hole for said first end portion of said second
guide rod, a second endplate having a first hole for said second
end portion of said first guide rod and a second hole for said
second end portion of said second guide rod, a first lateral flange
provided on a first side of said base plate, and a second lateral
flange provided on a second side of said base plate, said first
endplate being provided proximate a first end of said base plate,
said second endplate being provided proximate a second end of said
base plate opposite said first endplate.
22. The shock absorber according to claim 21, wherein said first
lateral flange extends approximately laterally from said first side
of said base plate, said second lateral flange extends
approximately laterally from said second side of said base plate in
a direction approximately opposite that of said first lateral
flange.
23. The shock absorber according to claim 21, wherein each of said
first lateral flange and said second lateral flange has means for
engagement by at least one support structure fastener to thereby
rigidly attach said support structure to the one of the head
engaging member and the faceguard.
24. The shock absorber according to claim 13, wherein movement of
said sliding member in a direction parallel to said longitudinal
axis of said first guide rod is limited to a portion of said length
of said first guide rod.
25. A protective headgear comprising: a head-engaging portion; a
faceguard; and a plurality of shock absorbers according to claim 1,
each of said plurality of shock absorbers connecting said faceguard
to said head-engaging portion.
26. The headgear in accordance with claim 25, wherein said
head-engaging portion comprises first and second frame members,
said first frame member being larger than said second frame member
and being sized to substantially surround a wearer's face, a
plurality of pairs of L-shaped bars connecting said second frame
member to said first frame member, each pair of L-shaped bars
supporting a respective one of said plurality of shock absorbers
such that said respective shock absorber is in a protected location
between said first frame member and said second frame member of
said head-engaging portion.
27. A protective headgear comprising: a head-engaging portion; a
faceguard; and a plurality of shock absorbers, each of said
plurality of shock absorbers connecting said faceguard to said
head-engaging portion, wherein said head-engaging portion comprises
first and second frame members, said first frame member being
larger than said second frame member and being sized to
substantially surround a wearer's face, a plurality of pairs of
L-shaped bars connecting said second frame member to said first
frame member, each pair of L-shaped bars supporting a respective
one of said plurality of shock absorbers such that said respective
shock absorber is in a protected location between said first frame
member and said second frame member of said head-engaging
portion.
28. The shock absorber according to claim 2, further comprising: a
tubular sleeve provided in engagement with said opening of said
sliding member, said guide rod extending through said tubular
sleeve, so as to reduce the possibility of said sliding member
jamming on said guide rod.
29. The shock absorber according to claim 14, further comprising: a
first tubular sleeve provided in engagement with said first opening
of said sliding member, said first guide rod extending through said
first tubular sleeve, so as to reduce the possibility of said
sliding member jamming on said first guide rod; and a second
tubular sleeve provided in engagement with said second opening of
said sliding member, said second guide rod extending through said
second tubular sleeve, so as to reduce the possibility of said
sliding member jamming on said second guide rod.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT
DISC
[0003] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] (1) Field of the Invention
[0005] The present invention relates to headgear having a faceguard
that is provided with shock-absorbing means, and to a shock
absorber suitable for use as the shock-absorbing means.
[0006] (2) Description of Related Art, Including Information
Disclosed Under 37 C.F.R. Sections 1.97 and 1.98
[0007] The health effects of concussions, including repeated minor
concussions, suffered by athletes engaged in sports where there is
a substantial risk of severe impacts to the athlete's head and face
have become a major concern to the athletes, sports teams,
governing bodies of sports leagues, and the public in recent years.
Impacts to the head may also cause neck injuries that are sometimes
severe enough to cause the athlete to become paralyzed. This is
particularly a concern with impacts directed frontally toward the
face. Athletes in such sports have traditionally worn protective
headgear in the form of a hard helmet with a facemask rigidly
attached to the helmet. Soft cushioning pads are provided inside
the helmet around the wearer's head excluding the facial area. In
some other sports, for example baseball, the protective headgear is
simply a rigid facemask with cushioning padding on the outer frame
that is held against the area around the wearer's face. Although
the traditional headgear do mitigate the effect of impacts to the
head and neck to some extent, they do not reduce the risk of head
or neck injury to the desired degree. Accordingly, protective
headgear having shock-absorbing elements between the faceguard
portion and the head-engaging portion of the headgear have been
proposed in the prior art to further reduce the risk of injury.
However, none of the prior art headgear with shock-absorbing
faceguards have been widely adopted. The need remains for a shock
absorber for use with the faceguard of headgear that is robust
enough, compact enough, unobtrusive enough, and adaptable enough
for large scale adoption. The need also remains for headgear that
can effectively incorporate such a shock absorber. There is also a
need for headgear that will keep the shock absorber well protected.
None of the prior art headgear are seen to teach or suggest the
unique features of the present invention or to achieve the
advantages of the present invention that will become apparent from
the description and drawings that follow.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is directed to a shock absorber and a
headgear that employs the shock absorber. The headgear includes a
faceguard and a head-engaging member. The shock absorber supports
the protective faceguard relative to the head-engaging member. The
shock absorber includes a support structure, a guide rod, a sliding
member, and a resilient member. The support structure is adapted
for rigid attachment to either the head-engaging member or the
faceguard. The guide rod is supported by the support structure in a
fixed position relative to the support structure. The guide rod has
first and second end portions, a length, and a longitudinal axis.
The guide rod is supported by the support structure near the end
portions of the guide rod. The sliding member is guided by the
guide rod for rectilinear movement in a direction parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the guide rod. The movement of the sliding
member is confined between the ends of the guide rod. The sliding
member is adapted for rigid attachment to either the head
engaging-member or the faceguard depending upon which of these is
the one to which the support structure is attached. The resilient
member acts on the sliding member to bias the sliding member toward
one end of the guide rod. In the illustrated example, the resilient
member is a coil spring that is provided on the guide rod between
the sliding member and the second end portion of the guide rod and
biases the sliding member toward the first end portion of the guide
rod. In the illustrated example, the support structure is attached
to the head-engaging member and the sliding member is attached to
the faceguard. When an object impacts the faceguard, the sliding
member is pushed from one end of the guide rod toward the other end
resulting in the compression of the coil spring. Thus, the
resilient member, in this case the coil spring, can absorb at least
a portion of the impact energy of the object and cushion the blow
to the faceguard.
[0009] The headgear of the present invention includes a
head-engaging portion and a faceguard. The head-engaging portion is
made of first and second enclosed frames. The first frame is larger
and designed to surround the wearer's face. The first frame is the
closest to the wearer's face. The second frame surrounds the
wearer's face and appears roughly concentric with the first frame
when viewed from the front in relation to the wearer's face. The
second frame is spaced apart from the first frame such that it is
farther from the wearer's face as compared to the first frame. The
second frame is connected to the first frame by pairs of L-shaped
bars. Each pair of L-shaped bars supports a shock absorber in a
protected location between the first and second frames of the
head-engaging portion. The faceguard includes an enclosed frame
that surrounds the wearer's face when viewed from the front in
relation to the wearer's face. The frame of the faceguard is larger
than the second frame of the head-engaging portion and envelops the
second frame of the head-engaging portion when viewed from the
front in relation to the wearer's face. The faceguard includes a
first plurality of bars that are substantially parallel to the
sagittal plane of the wearer's body and a second plurality of bars
that are parallel to the transverse plane of the wearer's body.
These pluralities of bars are attached to the frame of the
faceguard such that they are positioned in front of the wearer's
face and can thus provide protection to the wearer's face. The
pluralities of bars are positioned to provide complete protection
to the entire frontal area of the wearer's head. The frame of the
faceguard is attached to the plurality of shock absorbers.
[0010] In the illustrated embodiment, the support structure of
shock absorber is rigidly attached to a corresponding pair of the
L-shaped bars while the sliding member is rigidly attached to the
frame of the faceguard. The shock absorber or the headgear could be
configured such that the sliding member is attached to the
head-engaging portion and the support structure of the shock
absorber is attached to the faceguard. Also, the attachments
between the shock absorber and the head-engaging portion or the
attachment between the shock absorber and the faceguard or both
could be made flexible instead of rigid as long as the attachment
means used is resilient and strong enough to withstand the
punishment it would be expected to receive.
[0011] Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a
shock absorber for a faceguard that has a sliding member that does
not extend beyond the support structure of the shock absorber so
that the sliding member is not in a vulnerable position.
[0012] It is another object of the invention to provide a shock
absorber for a faceguard that is robust.
[0013] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a shock
absorber for a faceguard that is compact.
[0014] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a shock
absorber for a faceguard that is unobtrusive.
[0015] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a shock
absorber for a faceguard that is adaptable to a wide variety of
applications.
[0016] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a
headgear that provides a protected mounting location for mounting a
shock absorber for a faceguard.
[0017] These and other objects of the present invention will become
apparent from the description below and the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a front view of the headgear according to the
present invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the headgear according to the
present invention.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a front isometric view of the headgear according
to the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a rear isometric view of the headgear according to
the present invention.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a top isometric view of the headgear according to
the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a top view of the headgear according to the
present invention.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the headgear according to the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the shock absorber according
to the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the shock absorber according
to the present invention.
[0027] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features
consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE
INVENTION
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 1-9, the present invention is directed to
a shock absorber 100 and headgear 200 that employs a shock absorber
such as, for example, the shock absorber 100. The headgear 200
includes a faceguard 202 and a head-engaging member 204. The shock
absorber 100 supports the protective faceguard 202 relative to the
head-engaging member 204. The shock absorber 100 includes a support
structure 102, a guide rod 122 or 132, a sliding member 142, and a
resilient member 152. The support structure 102 is adapted for
rigid attachment to either the head-engaging member 204 or the
faceguard 202. The guide rod 122 or 132 is supported by the support
structure 102 in a fixed position relative to the support structure
102. The guide rod 122, 132 has first and second end portions, a
length, and a longitudinal axis. The guide rod 122, 132 is
supported by the support structure 102 near the end portions of the
guide rod. The sliding member 142 is guided by the guide rod 122,
132 for rectilinear movement in a direction parallel to the
longitudinal axis of the guide rod. The movement of the sliding
member 142 is confined between the ends of the guide rod 122, 132.
The sliding member 142 is adapted for rigid attachment to either
the head-engaging member 204 or the faceguard 202 depending upon
which of these is the one to which the support structure is
attached. The resilient member 152 acts on the sliding member 142
to bias the sliding member toward one end of the guide rod 122,
132. In the illustrated example, the resilient member is a coil
spring 154 or 156 that is provided on the guide rod 122, 132
between the sliding member 142 and the second end portion of the
guide rod and biases the sliding member 142 toward the first end
portion of the guide rod 122, 132. In the illustrated example, the
support structure 102 is attached to the head-engaging member 204
and the sliding member is attached to the faceguard 202. When an
object impacts the faceguard 202, the sliding member 142 is pushed
from one end of the guide rod 122, 132 toward the other end
resulting in the compression of the coil spring 154, 156. Thus, the
resilient member 152, in this case the coil spring 154, 156, can
absorb at least a portion of the impact energy of the object and
cushion the blow to the faceguard 202. The movement of the sliding
member 142 is limited to a portion of the length of the guide rod
122, 132. The movement of the sliding member 142 is limited to
rectilinear motion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis
of the guide rod 122, 132.
[0029] The headgear 200 of the present invention includes a
head-engaging portion 204 and a faceguard 202. The head-engaging
portion 204 is made of first and second substantially enclosed
frames 206 and 208, respectively. The first frame 206 is larger
than the second frame 208 and is designed to surround the wearer's
face. The first frame 206 is the closest to the wearer's face. The
second frame 208 surrounds the wearer's face and appears roughly
concentric with the first frame 206 when viewed from the front in
relation to the wearer's face. The second frame 208 is spaced apart
from the first frame 206 such that it is farther from the wearer's
face as compared to the first frame. The second frame 208 is
connected to the first frame 206 by pairs of L-shaped bars 210.
Each pair of L-shaped bars 210 supports a shock absorber 100 in a
protected location between the first and second frames of the
head-engaging portion 204. The faceguard 202 includes a
substantially enclosed frame 212 that surrounds the wearer's face
when viewed from the front in relation to the wearer's face. The
frame 212 of the faceguard 202 is larger than the second frame 208
of the head-engaging portion 204 and envelops the second frame 208
of the head-engaging portion 204 when viewed from the front in
relation to the wearer's face. The faceguard 202 includes a first
plurality of bars 214 that are substantially parallel to the
sagittal plane of the wearer's body and a second plurality of bars
216 that are parallel to the transverse plane of the wearer's body.
These pluralities of bars 214, 216 are attached to the frame 212 of
the faceguard 202 such that they are positioned in front of the
wearer's face and can thus provide protection to the wearer's face.
The pluralities of bars 214, 216 are positioned to provide complete
protection to the entire frontal area of the wearer's head. The
frame 212 of the faceguard 202 is attached to the plurality of
shock absorbers 100.
[0030] In the illustrated embodiment, the support structure 102 of
shock absorber 100 is rigidly attached to a corresponding pair of
the L-shaped bars 210 while the sliding member 142 is rigidly
attached to the frame 212 of the faceguard 202. The shock absorber
100 or the headgear 200 could be configured such that the sliding
member 142 is attached to the head-engaging portion 204 and the
support structure 102 of the shock absorber 100 is attached to the
faceguard 202. Also, the attachments between the shock absorber 100
and the head-engaging portion 204 or the attachment between the
shock absorber 100 and the faceguard 202 or both could be made
flexible instead of rigid as long as the attachment means used is
resilient and strong enough to withstand the punishment it would be
expected to receive.
[0031] The sliding member 142 has an opening 144 through it and the
guide rod 122 extends through the opening 144. The support
structure 102 supports the guide rod 122 at the first end portion
124 of the guide rod 122 and at the second end portion 126 of the
guide rod 122. The resilient member 152 can be a coil spring 154
that has a plurality of coils. The guide rod 122 extends through
the plurality of coils of the coil spring 154. The coil spring 154
is positioned intermediate a portion of the sliding member 142 that
surrounds the opening 144 and the second end portion 126 of the
guide rod 122.
[0032] The coil spring 154 has a first end and a second end, and
the first end of the coil spring 154 bears directly or indirectly
against a portion of the sliding member 142 that surrounds the
opening 144. The second end of the coil spring 154 bears directly
or indirectly against a portion of the support structure 102
proximate the second end portion of the guide rod 122.
[0033] The sliding member 142 has at least one hole 148 for
engagement by at least one sliding member fastener 150 to thereby
rigidly attach the sliding member 142 to the faceguard 202.
[0034] The support structure 102 has means for engagement by at
least one support structure fastener 162, 164 to thereby rigidly
attach the support structure 102 to the head-engaging member 204.
The support structure 102 is a bracket comprising a base plate 104,
a first endplate 106, and a second endplate 108. The first endplate
106 has a hole 110, 112 for the first end portion 124, 134 of the
guide rod 122, 132. The second endplate 108 has a hole 114, 116 for
the second end portion 126, 136 of the guide rod 122, 132. A first
lateral flange 118 is provided on a first side of the base plate
104, and a second lateral flange 120 is provided on a second side
of the base plate 104. The first endplate 106 is provided proximate
a first end 166 of the base plate 104, and the second endplate 108
is provided proximate a second end 168 of the base plate 104
opposite the first endplate 106. The first lateral flange 118
extends approximately laterally from the first side 170 of the base
plate 104, and the second lateral flange 120 extends approximately
laterally from the second side 172 of the base plate 104 in a
direction approximately opposite that of the first lateral flange
118. Each of the first lateral flange 118 and the second lateral
flange 120 has means for engagement by at least one support
structure fastener 162, 164 to thereby rigidly attach the support
structure 102 to the head-engaging member 204. Each of the first
lateral flange 118 and the second lateral flange 120 has a hole
174, 176, respectively, for engagement by a respective support
structure fastener 162, 164 to thereby rigidly attach the support
structure 102 to the head-engaging member 204. The lateral flanges
118, 120 and the holes 174, 176 constitute the means for engagement
by at least one support structure fastener 162, 164 to thereby
rigidly attach the support structure 102 to the head-engaging
member 204.
[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, the shock absorber 100 has
two guide rods 122 and 132 and two coil springs 154 and 156. The
first guide rod 122 has first and second end portions 124 and 126,
a length, and a longitudinal axis. The second guide rod 132 extends
in parallel to the first guide rod 122. The second guide rod 132
has first and second end portions 134 and 136, a length, and a
longitudinal axis extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of
the first guide rod 122.
[0036] Accordingly, the sliding member 142 has a first opening 144
and a second opening 146 that extend through the sliding member
142. The first guide rod 122 extends through the first opening 144
and the second guide rod 132 extends through the second opening
146. The support structure 102 supports the first guide rod 122 at
the first end portion 124 of the first guide rod 122 and at the
second end portion 126 of the first guide rod 122. The support
structure 102 supports the second guide rod 132 at the first end
portion 134 of the second guide rod 132 and at the second end
portion 136 of the second guide rod 132.
[0037] The resilient member 152 includes the first coil spring 154
and the second coil spring 156. The first coil spring 154 has a
plurality of coils 158 and the first guide rod 122 extends through
the plurality of coils of the first spring 154. The second coil
spring 156 has a plurality of coils 160 and the second guide rod
132 extends through the plurality of coils of the second spring
156. The first coil spring 154 is positioned intermediate a first
portion of the sliding member 142 and the second end 126 of the
first guide rod 122. The second coil spring 156 is positioned
intermediate a second portion of the sliding member 142 and the
second end 136 of the second guide rod 132.
[0038] The first coil spring 154 has a first end 155 and a second
end 157. The first end 155 of the first coil spring 154 bears
directly or indirectly against a first portion of the sliding
member 142 and the second end 157 of the first coil spring 154
bears directly or indirectly against a first portion of the support
structure 102 proximate the second end 126 of the first guide rod
122. In the illustrated example, the second end 157 of the first
coil spring 154 bears directly against the support structure 102,
specifically the second endplate 108. The first end 155 of the
first coil spring 154 bears indirectly against the sliding member
142. However, the spring 154 may bear directly or indirectly
against either of those parts while the shock absorber remains
within the scope of the appended claims. For example, one or more
washers may be provided between the second end 157 of spring 154
and the second endplate 108 to prevent the spring from marring the
endplate, or the first end 155 of the spring 154 may directly
contact the sliding member 142 with the shock absorber still
remaining functional.
[0039] The second coil spring 156 has a first end 159 and a second
end 161. The first end 159 of the second coil spring 156 bears
directly or indirectly against a second portion of the sliding
member 142 and the second end 161 of the second coil spring 156
bears directly or indirectly against a second portion of the
support structure 102 proximate the second end 136 of the second
guide rod 132. In the illustrated example, the second end 161 of
the second coil spring 156 bears directly against the support
structure 102, specifically the second endplate 108. The first end
159 of the second coil spring 156 bears indirectly against the
sliding member 142. However, the spring 156 may bear directly or
indirectly against either of those parts while the shock absorber
remains within the scope of the appended claims. For example, one
or more washers may be provided between the second end 161 of
spring 156 and the second endplate 108 to prevent the spring from
marring the endplate, or the first end 159 of the spring 156 may
directly contact the sliding member 142 with the shock absorber
still remaining functional.
[0040] In the illustrated embodiment, the first endplate 106 has a
first hole 110 for the first end portion 124 of the first guide rod
122 and a second hole 112 for the first end portion 134 of the
second guide rod 132. The second endplate 108 has a first hole 114
for the second end portion 126 of the first guide rod 122 and a
second hole 116 for the second end portion 136 of the second guide
rod 132. The hole 110 is in registry with the hole 114 and the hole
112 is in registry with the hole 116.
[0041] The guide rod 122 has a first diameter and a second
diameter. The second diameter is smaller than the first diameter.
The second end portion 126 of the guide rod 122 is in large part of
the first diameter. The first end portion 124 and the portion of
the guide rod 122 extending between the first end portion 124 and a
location proximate the second end portion 126 are essentially of
the second diameter. This arrangement forms an annular step or
shoulder 123 proximate the second end portion 126 of the first end
guide rod 122. The portion of the rod 122 extending from the
shoulder 123 to the second end portion 126 is of the first
diameter. The terminal portion of the first end portion 124 of the
guide rod 122 extends through the hole 110 in the endplate 106. An
annular groove 125 is provided on the terminal portion of the first
end portion 124 of the guide rod 122 on the side of the endplate
106 opposite the side of the endplate 106 that faces the sliding
member 142. An E-clip or retaining ring 127 is positioned in
engagement with the groove 125. In the illustrated embodiment, the
guide rod 122 is provided with an annular flange 129 at the
terminus of the second end portion 126 that cooperates with the
clip 127 to secure the guide rod 122 to the support structure 102.
The hole 114 in endplate 108 is sized to provide clearance for the
first diameter of the guide rod 122 while providing a bearing
surface for the second end portion 126 of the guide rod 122. The
hole 110 has a diameter smaller than the first diameter of the
guide rod 122 and is sized to provide clearance for the terminal
portion of the first end portion 124 of the guide rod 122 that has
the second diameter.
[0042] The guide rod 132 has a first diameter and a second
diameter. The second diameter is smaller than the first diameter.
The second end portion 136 is in large part of the first diameter.
The first end portion 134 and the portion of the guide rod 132
extending between the first end portion 134 and a location
proximate the second end portion 136 are of the second diameter.
This arrangement forms an annular step or shoulder 133 proximate
the second end portion 136. The portion of the rod 132 extending
from the shoulder 133 to the second end portion 136 is of the first
diameter. The terminal portion of the first end portion 134 of the
guide rod 132 extends through the hole 112 in the endplate 106. An
annular groove 135 is provided on the terminal portion of the first
end portion 134 of the guide rod 132 on the side of the endplate
106 opposite the side of the endplate 106 that faces the sliding
member 142. An E-clip or retaining ring 137 is positioned in
engagement with the groove 135. In the illustrated embodiment, the
guide rod 132 is provided with an annular flange 139 at the
terminus of the second end portion 136 that cooperates with the
clip 137 to secure the guide rod 132 to the support structure 102.
The hole 116 in endplate 108 is sized to provide clearance for the
first diameter of the guide rod 132 while providing a bearing
surface for the second end portion 136 of the guide rod 132. The
hole 112 has a diameter smaller than the first diameter of the
guide rod 132 and is sized to provide clearance for the terminal
portion of the first end portion 134 of the guide rod 132 that has
the second diameter.
[0043] In the illustrated embodiment, the guide rod 122 and the
guide rod 132 are identical. One or both of the guide rods 122 and
132 could be configured to provide a second shoulder or flange (not
shown) near their second end portions 126, 136 such that the second
ends 157 and 161 of the springs 154 and 156 bear against that
second shoulder or flange rather than against the second endplate
108. Thus, the second ends 157 and 161 of the springs 154 and 156
may bear indirectly against the support structure 102.
[0044] In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of tabs 218 are
provided on the frame 212 of the faceguard 202. Each of the tabs
218 has a hole 220 that is engaged by a respective fastener 150 to
secure the sliding member 142 of a respective shock absorber 100 to
the faceguard 202. The first plurality of bars 214 may also be
attached to one or more of the second plurality of bars 216. It is
also possible to make the tabs 218 integral with the sliding member
142, while using a fastener 150 to secure the sliding member 142 to
the frame 212 or any of the pluralities of bars 214, 216. The
head-engaging member 204 is provided with padding (not shown) for
engagement with the wearer's head.
[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, first and second tubular
sleeves 219 and 222 are provided at the openings 144 and 146,
respectively, to give a greater bearing surface between the sliding
member 142 and the guide rods 122 and 132 so as to reduce tilting
of the sliding member relative to the guide rods, thus reducing the
possibility of the sliding member 142 jamming on the guide rods.
The first and second tubular sleeves 219 and 222 are in engagement
with the openings 144 and 146, respectively. The first and second
tubular sleeves 219 and 222 are identical to simplify manufacture.
Each of the first and second tubular sleeves 219 and 222 has a
first portion 224, 226, respectively, and a second portion 228,
230, respectively. Each of the first and second tubular sleeves 219
and 222 has an annular flange 232, 234, respectively, located
intermediate its first portion 224, 226 and its second portion 228,
230. The guide rod 122 extends through the first sleeve 219, and
the guide rod 132 extends through the second sleeve 222.
[0046] The first portion 224 of the first sleeve 219 fits into the
opening 144 of the sliding member 142 with the flange 232 of the
sleeve 219 abutting the sliding member 142. The second portion 228
of the first sleeve 219 fits into the space between the coils of
the spring 154 and the portion of the guide rod 122 that is of the
second diameter. The first end 155 of the coil spring engages the
flange 232 of the sleeve 219 to bias the sliding member 142 toward
the first end portion 124 of the guide rod 122. Thus, the spring
154 indirectly bears against the sliding member 142.
[0047] The first portion 226 of the second sleeve 222 fits into the
opening 146 of the sliding member 142 with the flange 234 of the
sleeve 222 abutting the sliding member 142. The second portion 230
of the second sleeve 222 fits into the space between the coils of
the spring 156 and the portion of the guide rod 132 that is of the
second diameter. The first end 159 of the coil spring 156 engages
the flange 234 of the sleeve 222 to bias the sliding member 142
toward the first end portion 134 of the guide rod 132. Thus, the
spring 156 indirectly bears against the sliding member 142.
[0048] The illustrated headgear is particularly suited for use by a
baseball catcher or umpire. In use, the headgear 200 is secured to
the wearer's head using straps (not shown) or the like in the
conventional manner. Padding (not shown) is provided between the
wearer's head and the head-engaging portion 204. The padding and
straps must be applied in such a way so as to not interfere with
the relative movement between the head-engaging portion 204 and the
faceguard 202. Normally, the springs 154, 156 of the shock absorber
100 will bias the sliding member 142 into contact with the first
endplate 106. When an object impacts the faceguard 202, the sliding
member 142 is pushed toward the endplate 108, which causes the
springs 154, 156 to be compressed between the sliding member 142
and the endplate 108. Thus, the springs 154, 156 absorb at least a
portion of the impact energy of the object rather than transmitting
it to the wearer's head.
[0049] It is to be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and
all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *