U.S. patent application number 14/619415 was filed with the patent office on 2015-10-01 for protective head guard insert.
The applicant listed for this patent is Matthew Joseph Meier. Invention is credited to Matthew Joseph Meier.
Application Number | 20150272256 14/619415 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54188579 |
Filed Date | 2015-10-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150272256 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Meier; Matthew Joseph |
October 1, 2015 |
Protective Head Guard Insert
Abstract
Disclosed are various embodiments of apparatuses and methods
related to a protective head guard insert for players of a game,
such as, for example, baseball, softball, etc., to reducing an
impact to the head from a moving object. The protective head guard
insert comprises a rigid curved form having a padding material for
inserting into a side of a hat to be worn by a player. The head
guard insert is made of a material including a combination of
carbon fiber and poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide (i.e.,
Kevlar.RTM.) composite.
Inventors: |
Meier; Matthew Joseph;
(Duluth, GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Meier; Matthew Joseph |
Duluth |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
54188579 |
Appl. No.: |
14/619415 |
Filed: |
February 11, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61971002 |
Mar 27, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/414 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 1/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A42B 3/12 20060101
A42B003/12; A42B 1/02 20060101 A42B001/02 |
Claims
1. A protective head guard insert, comprising: an elongated rigid
curved member having a size and a shape to enable placement along
an interior side region of a crown portion of a hat, the elongated
rigid curved member comprising a concave side and a convex side,
and including a combination of carbon fiber and poly-paraphenylene
terephthalamide composites; and a padding affixed to the concave
side of the elongated rigid curved member.
2. The protective head guard insert of claim 1, wherein a dimpled
pattern protrudes outwardly from the convex side of the elongated
rigid curved member.
3. The protective head guard insert of claim 2, wherein the padding
is disposed within a recessed portion of the concave side of the
elongated rigid curved member that corresponds to the dimpled
pattern.
4. The protective head guard insert of claim 1, wherein a convex
side of the elongated rigid curved member is substantially
smooth.
5. The protective head guard insert of claim 1, wherein the
elongated rigid curved member comprises a top portion and a bottom
portion extending from a first end of the elongated rigid curved
member to a second end of the elongated rigid curved member, and
wherein the padding is not affixed to the bottom portion of the
concave side of the elongated rigid curved member.
6. The protective head guard insert of claim 5, wherein the bottom
portion of the elongated rigid curved member is designed to be
placed between a lining connected along a lower edge of the
interior side region of the hat.
7. The protective head guard insert of claim 1, wherein the
interior side region is a left side of the hat or a right side of
the hat.
8. The protective head guard insert of claim 1, wherein a ratio of
the carbon fiber and the poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide
composites is about 1:3.
9. The protective head guard insert of claim 1, wherein a weight of
the protective head guard insert is less than approximately 3.5
ounces.
10. The protective head guard insert of claim 1, wherein the
concave side of the elongated rigid curved member substantially
surrounds a side portion of the head of a user when the hat is worn
by the user.
11. A protective head guard insert, comprising: an elongated rigid
member having a size and a shape to enable placement within an
interior side portion of a hat such that the interior side portion
of the hat substantially surrounds a convex side of the elongated
rigid member, the elongated rigid member comprising a dimpled
pattern protruding outwardly from the convex side of the elongated
rigid member; and a padding secured to a concave side of the
elongated rigid member.
12. The protective head guard of claim 11, wherein the elongated
rigid member is arc-shaped.
13. The protective head guard of claim 11, wherein the hat
comprises a crown portion and a band, the band being connected to a
lower portion of an interior region of the crown portion of the
hat, and the elongated rigid member designed to be inserted between
the band and the interior region.
14. The protective head guard of claim 11, wherein the elongated
rigid member comprises a material including combination of carbon
fiber and poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide composites.
15. The protective head guard of claim 11, wherein energy is
dispersed along the dimpled pattern upon an impact of a projectile
object to the convex side of the elongated rigid member.
16. The protective head guard of claim 11, wherein the padding
substantially surrounds an outer side portion of the head of a user
when the elongated rigid member is positioned within the hat worn
by the user.
17. The protective head guard of claim 11, wherein the padding
comprises high density polyurethane.
18. The protective head guard of claim 11, wherein the convex side
of the elongated rigid member comprises a top portion and a bottom
portion extending from a first end to a second end, wherein the
bottom portion of the rigid member lacks the padding.
19. An apparatus for protecting a pitcher from a batted ball, the
apparatus comprising: a hat; a protective head guard positioned
within an interior side region of the hat such that a convex side
of the protective head guard is disposed along a curvature of the
interior side region of the hat; and a foam material affixed to a
concave side of the protective head guard, wherein at least a
portion of the protective head guard comprises a combination of
carbon fibers and poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide composites,
and wherein the convex side of the protective head guard comprises
a dimpled pattern such that energy is dispersed about the dimpled
pattern upon an impact of a moving object.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the protective head guard is
positioned along a right side of the hat or a left side of the hat.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority to the copending U.S.
Provisional Patent Application titled "Inside the Hat, Carbon Fiber
and Kevlar Head Guard for Baseball Pitchers" filed on Mar. 27,
2014, assigned application No. 61/971,002, which is incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Sports players are prone to traumatic head and brain injury
caused by the impact of a moving object (i.e., a baseball, a
softball, a puck, etc.) hitting a player's head. For example,
during a game, pitchers typically wear a standard baseball hat
which lacks protection to the head in the unfortunate event of the
pitcher being hit by a batted ball. However, a batted ball may hit
a pitcher's head before a pitcher is able to complete the pitch,
position in a defensive motion, and/or react to the incoming batted
ball. Current protective head guards comprise a thick material
which is heavy and/or bulky. The unnecessary weight of current
protective head guards may not only be uncomfortable and/or be
unappealing to a player, the weight can also affect the player's
performance.
SUMMARY
[0003] Included are various embodiments of apparatuses and methods
related to protective head guard inserts. One embodiment of an
apparatus, among others, includes a protective head guard insert,
comprising an elongated curved member having a size and a shape to
enable placement along an interior side region of a crown portion
of a hat, the elongated curved member comprising a combination of
carbon fiber and poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide composites, and
a padding affixed to a concave face of the elongated curved
member.
[0004] Another embodiment of an apparatus, among others, includes
an elongated rigid member having a size and a shape to enable
placement within an interior side portion of a hat such that the
interior side portion of the hat substantially surrounds an
exterior side of the elongated rig id member, the elongated rigid
member comprising a dimpled pattern protruding outwardly from the
exterior side of the elongated rigid member, and a padding secured
to an interior side of the elongated rigid member.
[0005] Another embodiment of an apparatus, among others, includes
an apparatus for protecting a pitcher from batted balls, the
apparatus comprising a hat, a protective head guard positioned
within an interior side region of the hat such that a first side of
the protective head guard is disposed along a curvature of the
interior side region of the hat, and a foam material affixed to a
second side of the protective head guard, wherein at least a
portion of the protective head guard comprises a combination of
carbon fibers and poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide composites,
and wherein the first side of the protective head guard comprises a
dimpled pattern such that energy is dispersed about the dimpled
pattern upon an impact of a moving object.
[0006] Other embodiments, systems, methods, features, and
advantages of this disclosure will be or will become apparent to
one with skill in the art upon examination of the following
drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such
additional apparatuses, methods, features, and advantages be
included within this description and be within the scope of the
present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better
understood with reference to the following drawings. The components
in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead
being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the
disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals
designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
[0008] FIG. 1A is a drawing of an example of a front view of a
protective head guard insert according to various embodiments of
the present disclosure.
[0009] FIG. 1B is a drawing of an example of a back view the
protective head guard insert of FIG. 1A according to various
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0010] FIG. 2A is a drawing of example of a front view of a
protective head guard insert according to various embodiments of
the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 2B is a drawing of an example of a back view of the
protective head guard insert of FIG. 2A according to various
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a drawing of an example of a perspective view of
the protective head guard insert of FIGS. 1A and 1B inserted into a
baseball hat according to various embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a drawing of an example of a perspective view of
the protective head guard insert of FIGS. 2A and 2B inserted into a
baseball hat according to various embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a drawing of an example of a perspective view of
two protective head guard inserts of FIGS. 2A and 2B inserted into
a baseball hat according to various embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating one example of a method
of manufacturing of the protective head guard insert of FIGS. 1A-5
in accordance with various embodiments of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] In the following discussion, a general description of
apparatuses and methods according to various embodiments of the
present disclosure is provided, followed by a discussion of the
operation of the same. Embodiments of the present disclosure relate
to a lightweight head guard insert for sports players (i.e.,
pitchers) who typically wear standard baseball hats which offer
minimal protection from an impact of a a moving object (i.e., a
batted ball) to the head. More specifically, disclosed herein are
novel approaches to the implementation of a lightweight head guard
insert that is designed to comfortably fit within a hat worn by a
player and reduce the likelihood and/or severity of head and/or
brain injury caused from an impact of a moving object (i.e., batted
ball). Specifically, the head guard insert may provide a high level
of injury reduction due to the use of carbon fiber and
poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide (Kevlar.RTM.) composites and a
dimpled pattern for dispersing the energy from the impact of a
moving object.
[0017] Additionally, the head guard insert is designed to provide
only the necessary coverage of a player's head to minimize the
amount of weight added by the insert which could affect the
player's performance. For example, when a left handed pitcher
pitches a ball, the left side of his head is at greater risk of
being hit from a batted ball than the right side of head since a
pitcher's body typically turns to the right during completion of a
pitch, thereby exposing the left side of the pitcher's head to a
batted ball. Conversely, when a right-handed pitcher pitches a
ball, the right side of his head is at greater risk of being hit by
a batted ball. Accordingly, a left handed pitcher may choose to use
a head guard insert on the left side of his head, while a
right-handed pitcher may choose to position a head guard insert on
the right side of this head. However, a head guard insert designed
for the right side and a head guard insert designed for the left
side may both be used to provide extra protection, if desired.
[0018] Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, shown are drawings of
examples of a front view and a back view of a head guard insert
10a, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.
The head guard insert 10a comprises a rigid arc-shaped form
comprising an exterior side 12a and an interior side 14a (FIG. 1B).
The head guard insert 10a further comprises one or more dimpled
patterns 16 that protrude from the exterior side 12a of the head
guard insert 10a. The one or more dimpled patterns 16 are designed
to minimize the contact point on the head by dispersing energy upon
the impact of a moving object on the head guard insert 10a. While
the one or more dimpled patterns 16 shown in FIG. 1A comprises a
cross pattern, the one or more dimpled patterns 16 may comprise any
sort of dimpled pattern such that the energy generated from the
impact of a moving object on the head guard insert 10a is dispersed
allowing for a reduction in the likelihood and/or severity of head
and/or brain injury caused from an impact of a moving object (i.e.,
batted baseball).
[0019] As shown in FIG. 1B, the head guard insert 10a further
comprises a padding material 18 affixed to the interior side 14a of
the head guard insert 10a. In some embodiments, the padding
material 18 may comprise a pattern similar to the one or more
dimpled patterns 16. In some embodiments, the padding material 18
may be disposed within the recessed portion of the head guard
insert 10a that corresponds to the one or more dimpled patterns 16
protruding from the exterior side 12a of the head guard insert 10a.
In other embodiments, the padding material 18 may be a solid form.
However, in a preferred embodiment, the padding material 18 is a
dimpled pattern to provide extra protection by dispersing energy
upon impact.
[0020] The padding material 18 extends from about one side end of
the head guard insert 10a along the arc-length to about the other
side end of the head guard insert 10a. In some embodiments, the
padding material 18 does not extend to a bottom portion of the head
guard insert 10a. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, the padding
material 18 is not shown on the bottom portion of the head guard
insert 10a. The bottom portion of the head guard insert 10a is a
portion of the head guard insert 10a that is positioned within a
lining of a hat. Accordingly, the lack of the padding material 18
at inserted portion of the head guard insert 10a may provide for
easier and more insertion into the hat lining.
[0021] Turning now to FIGS. 2A-2B, shown are drawings of examples
of a front view and a back view of a head guard insert 10b
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The
head guard insert 10b comprises a rigid arc-shaped form having an
exterior side 12b and an interior side 14b. The head guard insert
10b further comprises a padding material 18 affixed to the interior
side 14b of the head guard insert 10b.
[0022] The head guard insert 10b shown in FIGS. 2A-2B differs from
the head guard insert 10a of FIGS. 1A and 1B in that the exterior
side 12b of the head guard insert 10b is substantially smooth and
lacks the one or more dimpled patterns 16 protruding from the
exterior side 12a of the head guard insert 10a as shown in FIG. 1A.
As previously discussed, the one or more dimpled patterns 16
protruding from the exterior side 12a of the head guard insert 10a
are used to disperse energy and provide additional protection from
an impact of a moving object. Accordingly, the head guard inserts
10b of FIGS. 2A-2B may be preferred for use in situations in which
the potential impact of the moving object is minimized due to the
speed of the moving object. For example, a ball that is batted by a
child may have significantly less velocity than a ball that is
batted by an adult. Accordingly, the impact of the slower ball will
be less than the impact of the faster ball. As such, a youth may
not require the additional protection as provided by the one or
more dimpled patterns 16 protruding from the exterior side 12a of
the head guard insert 10a as shown in FIG. 1A.
[0023] The head guard insert 10a, 10b (hereinafter referred to as
"10") is designed to be inserted into a lining connected to a lower
portion of a crown member of a hat (i.e., a sweatband of a baseball
hat). In some embodiments, the head guard insert 10 is designed for
insertion along a left side of a hat to allow for protection of the
left side of a player's head. In other embodiments, the head guard
insert 10 is designed for insertion along a right side of the hat
to allow for protection of the right side of a player's head. The
head guard insert 10 for the left side may be a mirror image of the
head guard insert 10 for the right side. The head guard insert 10
may be positioned such that the exterior side 12a, 12b (hereinafter
referred to as "12") follows the curvature of the interior of the
hat such that the padding material 18 affixed to the interior side
14a, 14b (hereinafter referred to as "14") of the head guard insert
10 may be disposed around the side of the head of a player when the
hat is worn by the player.
[0024] The arc-length of the head guard insert 10 may vary based
upon a size of a hat, a player preference, and/or any other factor.
In various embodiments, the arc-length of the head guard insert 10
may vary from about 53/4 inches to about 101/2 inches to
accommodate for youth sizes, adult sizes, and custom sizes. In one
non-limiting example, the head guard insert configured to be
inserted into a youth-sized hat may have an arc length of about
53/4 inches. In another non-limiting example, the arc length of a
head guard insert 10 for an adult-sized hat may be up to about 8
inches. In another non-limiting example custom-sized head guard
insert 10 may be designed to have an arc-length of up to about
101/2 inches. The thickness of the head guard insert 10 including
the padding material 18 may vary from about 1/8 inch to about 1/2
inch. However, the thickness of the head guard 10 insert may vary
depending on a number of layers of carbon fiber and
poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide (Kevlar.RTM.) composites used.
The width of the head guard insert 10 from a top end to a bottom
end may extend about 31/2 inches. However, the width of the head
guard insert 10 may extend from one side end of the head guard
insert 10 to the other side end of the head guard insert 10 to
provide for additional points of coverage for different parts the
head. For example, in one embodiment of the head guard insert 10,
the width of the head guard insert may vary such that a portion of
head guard insert 10 that is disposed around the front side of the
head maybe about 21/2 inches, the middle portion of the head guard
insert 10a may be about 31/2 inches, and the back portion of the
head guard insert 10 may be about 23/4 inches. In another
embodiment, the width of the head guard insert 10 may vary from
about 31/2 inches near the front portion of the head guard insert
10 to about 21/2 inches at a back portion of the head guard insert
10. Based at least in part on the size of the manufactured head
guard insert, the weight of the head guard insert 10 may vary from
about 1.1 ounces to about 3.5 ounces.
[0025] The head guard insert 10 may comprise a combination of
carbon fibers and poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide (Kevlar.RTM.)
composites. In some embodiments, the material of the head guard
insert 10 may further include composites and/or materials such as,
for example, fiberglass, fiber-reinforced plastics, thermoplastics,
plastics, expanded polystyrene foams, polyurethanes, polymers,
and/or any other suitable composite and/or material. The padding
material 18 affixed to the interior side 14 of the head guard
insert 10 may comprise a high-density polyurethane material (i.e.,
HyPUR-cel.RTM.) and/or any type of sturdy material provides comfort
as well as protective capabilities.
[0026] The head guard insert 10 may be manufactured by a variety of
methods. For example, the head guard insert 10 may be manufactured
by heating one or more layers of carbon fibers and
poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide layers onto a mold to form the
appropriate sized head guard insert 10. In other embodiments, the
head guard insert 10 may be manufactured by vacuum bagging,
injection molding, compression molding, and/or any other suitable
form of the manufacture.
[0027] The thickness of the head guard insert 10 is dependent upon
the amount of carbon fibers and poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide.
In one non-limiting example, the ratio of carbon fibers to
poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide is about 1:3. In another
non-limiting example, the ratio of carbon fibers to
poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide is about 1:4.
[0028] Moving on to FIG. 3, shown is a drawing of an example of the
head guard insert 10a inserted in a hat 20, according to various
embodiments of the present disclosure. Specifically, as shown in
FIG. 3, the head guard insert 10a is inserted in the right side of
the 20 between a lining 22 connected to the lower portion of the
interior side 24 of the crown member of the hat 20. The lower
portion of the head guard insert 10a is placed between the lining
22 and the interior side 24 of the hat 20 such that the padding
material 18 of the hat is exposed. Accordingly, when the hat 20 is
worn by a player, the padding material 18 will be directly disposed
along the curvature of the right side of the player's head.
Likewise, the exterior side 12a of the head guard insert 10a
follows the curvature of the interior portion 24 of the hat 20.
[0029] In some embodiments, the head guard insert 10 is secured by
the placement within the lining 22 of the hat 20. In other
embodiments, the head guard insert 10 may also be secured to the
hat 20 by one or more adhesives (not shown) affixed to the head
guard insert 10a. In one non-limiting example, the head guard
insert 10a may comprise one or more adhesives on the exterior side
12a of the head guard insert 10a that may be used to further secure
the head guard insert 10a to the hat 20. In other embodiments, the
hat 20 may not include a lining 22 for placement, and the head
guard insert 10a may be secured to the hat 20 through the use of
the one or more adhesives.
[0030] Turning now to FIG. 4, shown is another drawing of an
example of the head guard insert 10b inserted in a hat 20,
according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As
shown in FIG. 4, the head guard insert 10a is inserted in the right
side of the hat 20 with a lining 22 connected to the lower portion
of the interior side 24 of the crown member of the hat 20. The
lower portion of the head guard insert 10b is placed between the
lining 22 and the interior side 24 of the hat 20 such that the
padding material 18 of the hat is exposed. Accordingly, when the
hat 20 is worn by a player, the padding material 18 will be
disposed along the curvature of the right side of the player's
head. Likewise, the exterior side 12b of the head guard insert 10b
follows the curvature of the interior portion 24 of the hat 20.
[0031] Referring next to FIG. 5, shown is a drawing of an example
of one head guard insert 10 inserted into the right side of the hat
20 and another head guard insert 10 inserted into the left side of
the hat 20, thereby providing dual sided coverage. Accordingly, if
a player desires dual sided protection, a head guard insert 10 for
the left side and a head guard insert 10 for the right side may
both be used. The head guard insert 10 positioned on the left side
of the hat 20 is a mirror image of the head guard insert 10
positioned on the right side of the hat 20.
[0032] Moving on to FIG. 6, shown is a flowchart that provides one
example of a method for manufacturing the head guard insert 10. It
is understood that the flowchart of FIG. 6 provides merely an
example of the many different types of functional arrangements that
may be employed to implement the operation of the methods as
described herein.
[0033] At reference numeral 60, dimensions for a particular head
guard insert 10 are determined. In one non-limiting example, a head
guard insert 10 for a youth may have an arc-length of about 53/4
inches. In another non-limiting example, a head guard inset 10 for
an adult may have an arc length of about 8-10 inches. Further,
dimensions for a left sided head guard insert 10 may vary from the
dimensions for a right sided head guard insert 10. In addition, the
head guard insert 10 may comprise the one or more dimpled patterns
protruding from the exterior side 12 of the head guard insert 10.
Conversely, the exterior side 12 of the head guard insert 10 may be
substantially smooth. At reference numeral 62, three-dimensional
images are generated to provide exact dimensions and measurements
of the head guard insert 10 according to the obtained dimensions.
The three-dimensional images may be generated by use of CAD
technology and/or any other suitable technology for generating
three-dimensional images. At reference numeral 64, a base mold is
created based on the three-dimensional images by appropriate
machining and tooling. At reference numeral 66, the rigid
arch-shaped form of the head guard insert 10 is produced from the
base mold. For example, layers of carbon fibers and
poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide composites may be placed within
the mold and heated to form the head guard insert 10. In other
embodiments, the head guard insert 10 may be created by vacuum
bagging, injection molding, compression molding, and/or any other
suitable method of generating the head guard insert 10 from the
mold. At reference numeral 68, the padding material 18 is affixed
upon interior side of the head guard insert 10.
[0034] Although the flowchart of FIG. 6 shows a specific order of
execution, it is understood that the order of execution may differ
from that which is depicted. For example, the order of execution of
two or more steps may be scrambled relative to the order shown.
Also, two or more steps shown in succession in FIG. 6 may be
executed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Further, in some
embodiments, one or more of the blocks shown in FIG. 6 may be
skipped or omitted. It is understood that all such variations are
within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0035] It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments
of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of
implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the
principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may
be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing
substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All
such modifications and variations are intended to be included
herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the
following claims.
* * * * *