U.S. patent application number 15/496844 was filed with the patent office on 2017-11-23 for universal protective headgear.
The applicant listed for this patent is Carl J. Abraham. Invention is credited to Carl J. Abraham.
Application Number | 20170332715 15/496844 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60329661 |
Filed Date | 2017-11-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170332715 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Abraham; Carl J. |
November 23, 2017 |
UNIVERSAL PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR
Abstract
A universal protective headgear device wraps around a user's
head to cover and protect crucial areas around the entire
circumference of the cranium while conforming to each user's
particular anatomy, including head shape and size. Pads formed of
impact absorbing polymers having full elastic memory are fitted
within the headgear, between inner and outer layers of moisture
absorbing material, such as neoprene or knitted fabric. Hook and
loop fasteners on the opposite end portions allow for adjusted
fitting to the user's head. The polymeric pads are structured and
disposed to absorb and dissipate significant impact forces, thereby
providing increased protection to areas around a user's entire head
that are at the highest level of risk of head and brain injuries.
The polymeric pads include an equally spaced arrangement of
ventilation holes formed therethrough to allow perspiration to be
transferred from the inner layer to the outer layer for
dissipation.
Inventors: |
Abraham; Carl J.; (Great
Neck, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Abraham; Carl J. |
Great Neck |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
60329661 |
Appl. No.: |
15/496844 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14677540 |
Apr 2, 2015 |
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15496844 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/125 20130101;
A41D 20/00 20130101; A42C 5/02 20130101; A42B 1/08 20130101; A41D
13/015 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41D 20/00 20060101
A41D020/00; A41D 13/015 20060101 A41D013/015 |
Claims
1. A protective headgear device comprising: an elongate headband
having an outer layer with an outer facing surface, an inner layer
with an inner facing surface, opposite end portions, and a central
portion between the end portions, the headband being sized,
structured and configured to wrap around the entire circumference
of a user's head, including across the forehead, through the
temporal regions and across the back of the user's head to define
an operative position, and the outer layer and the inner layer of
the headband being formed of a material that absorbs and dissipates
moisture; and at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert
between the outer layer and the inner layer of the headband
positioned to overly and protect areas around the entire
circumference of the user's head when the headband is worn in the
operative position, and the at least one impact absorbing polymeric
insert being compressible and having elastic memory capable of
resuming original shape after compression and a hardness ranging
between Shore A 20 and 65, and the at least one impact absorbing
polymeric insert being structured and disposed to absorb and
dissipate external forces of impact to the outer facing surface
when the headband is worn in the operative position on the user's
head; and the at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert
further including an arrangement of equally spaced ventilation
holes formed entirely through a thickness of the at least one
impact absorbing polymeric insert, and the ventilation holes having
a diameter ranging between 1/32 of an inch and 1/8 of an inch.
2. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 1 further
comprising releasable fasteners on the opposite end portions of
said headband for adjustably fitting and securing the headband snug
around the user's head in the operative position.
3. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 1 wherein the
at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert is held in fixed
position between the outer and inner layers of material.
4. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 3 wherein the
outer layer of material is neoprene.
5. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 4 wherein the
inner layer of material is neoprene.
6. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 5 wherein the
headband includes a plurality of said impact absorbing polymeric
inserts positioned adjacent to one another along at least a portion
of the length of the headband.
7. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 6 wherein the
opposite end portions and the central portion of the headband
include at least one of the plurality of impact absorbing polymeric
inserts.
8. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 2 wherein the
releasable fasteners are hook and loop fasteners.
9. A protective headgear device comprising: an elongate headband
having an outer layer with an outer facing surface, an inner layer
with an inner facing surface, opposite end portions, and a central
portion between the end portions, the headband being sized,
structured and configured to wrap around the entire circumference
of a user's head, including across the forehead, through the
temporal regions and across the back of the user's head to define
an operative position, and the outer layer and the inner layer of
the headband being formed of a material that absorbs and dissipates
moisture; at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert between
the outer layer and the inner layer of the headband positioned to
overly and protect areas around the entire circumference of the
user's head when the headband is worn in the operative position,
and the at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert being
compressible and having elastic memory capable of resuming original
shape after compression and a hardness ranging between Shore A 20
and 65, and the at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert
being structured and disposed to absorb and dissipate external
forces of impact to the outer facing surface when the headband is
worn in the operative position on the user's head; the at least one
impact absorbing polymeric insert further including an arrangement
of equally spaced ventilation holes formed entirely through a
thickness of the at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert,
and the ventilation holes having a diameter ranging between 1/32 of
an inch and 1/8 of an inch; and releasable fasteners on the
opposite end portions of said headband for adjustably fitting and
securing the headband snug around the user's head in the operative
position.
10. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 9 wherein
the at least one impact absorbing polymeric insert is held in fixed
position between the outer and inner layers of material.
11. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 10 wherein
the outer layer of material is neoprene.
12. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 11 wherein
the inner layer of material is neoprene.
13. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 12 wherein
the headband includes a plurality of said impact absorbing
polymeric inserts positioned adjacent to one another along at least
a portion of the length of the headband.
14. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 13 wherein
the opposite end portions and the central portion of the headband
include at least one of the plurality of impact absorbing polymeric
inserts.
15. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 9 wherein
the releasable fasteners are hook and loop fasteners.
16. The protective headgear device as recited in claim 10 wherein
the outer layer and the inner layer are a knitted fabric.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This patent application is a Continuation-In-Part of
co-pending patent application Ser. No. 14/677,540 filed on Apr. 2,
2015.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to protective headgear and,
more particularly, to a universal protective headgear for sports,
recreational activities and other activities for both children and
adults that extends around the circumference of the head and
absorbs and dissipates significant impact forces to the head and
brain.
DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART
[0003] Head and brain injuries from forces of impact are an
unfortunate but common occurrence in a wide variety of sports, as
well as in the daily routines of children, adults, the elderly and
challenged individuals. While head injuries cannot be entirely
eliminated, the number and severity of injuries can be
significantly reduced with the use of protective headgear.
[0004] Numerous innovations for head protective devices have been
provided in the prior art, including those devices disclosed in my
prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,234,174; 6,978,487; 6,675,395; and
6,272,692. Many of the protective headgear devices in the prior art
resemble helmets that extend over the top of the head and, while
suitable for the purpose of providing some protection, there are
shortcomings of the prior art devices which the present invention
overcomes. For instance, many prior art headgear devices use
padding materials that do not provide complete elastic memory.
Thus, their ability to consistently absorb impact and dissipate
significant impact forces is diminished. The various head
protective devices in the prior art are designed to cover areas of
the head that have a low level of risk for injury due to impact
forces, resulting in cumbersome, oversized headgear devices that
are hot, unsightly and difficult to wash. Moreover, headgear that
resembles a helmet presents a negative stigma and many individuals,
including athletes, are reluctant to such cumbersome and less
attractive devices. In certain sports, athletes are concerned about
presenting and maintaining a tough or macho image. While they will
wear protective headgear that looks and acts like a sweatband, many
of these "macho" athletes refuse to wear helmets or other
protective headgear that is not stylish or that is not considered
"cool."
[0005] The present invention seeks to overcome the problems,
limitations and negative stigma of the prior art headgear devices.
The present invention provides the first universal protective
headgear that can be applied to a wide variety of sports,
recreational activities, cheerleading, the elderly prone to
falling, veterans that have traumatic brain injuries (TBI),
children on playgrounds, children learning to walk, and challenged
children. Specifically, the present invention provides a stylish,
highly functional and extremely effective universal protective
headgear device that is lightweight, ventilated and adjustable and
which includes full memory polymeric absorbing material offering
increased protection at crucial impact zones around the entire
circumference of the user's cranium, including at the forehead,
temporal regions and the back of the head.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is directed to a universal headgear
device for protecting those areas of the head that are at the
highest level of risk of injury from forces of impact.
[0007] The invention has been developed and tested to be in full
compliance with ASTM standards, FIFA (Federation Internationale de
Football Association), the National Federation of High School
Associations and the European CE II requirements, designating the
product as protective headgear after independent testing.
[0008] The universal protective headgear includes an elongate
headband formed of neoprene or other elastomeric polymeric
materials that have similar properties to neoprene. Alternatively,
the headband may be formed of a knitted fabric, such as the fabric
commonly used for manufacturing sweatbands. The elongate headband
has opposite end portions and a central portion. The headband is
sized, structured and configured to wrap around a user's head to
cover and protect crucial areas around the entire circumference of
the cranium. Pads formed of impact absorbing polymers having full
elastic memory are secured between inner and outer layers of the
headband at the central and opposite end portions. The hardness of
the polymeric pads is selected depending upon the amount of
absorption and dissipation required for a specific activity. Hook
and loop releasable fasteners on the opposite end portions allow
for adjusted fitting of the headband to the user's head. The
polymeric pads are specifically positioned to allow the headband to
easily wrap around and conform to the user's head and are
structured and disposed to absorb and dissipate significant impact
forces, thereby providing increased protection to areas around the
user's entire head that are at the highest level of risk of injury
from forces of impact, including at the forehead and at the back of
the head.
[0009] The universal protective headgear of the present invention
is useful in a wide variety of sports, recreational activities and
other activities and environments for both children and adults
including, but not limited to, the following: [0010] Soccer [0011]
Basketball [0012] Under an Ice Hockey Goalie's face mask [0013]
Women's Lacrosse [0014] Women's Field Hockey [0015] Volleyball
[0016] Cheerleading [0017] Flag Football [0018] Floor Hockey [0019]
Ice Skating [0020] Under the helmet of Jockeys and Equestrian
Riders [0021] Hiking [0022] Children and Dwarfs Learning to Walk
[0023] Children on Playgrounds [0024] Autistic Children that are
prone to hit their head against the wall [0025] Challenged Children
[0026] Veterans that have traumatic brain injuries (TBI) [0027]
Elderly that are prone to falls [0028] Elderly in Nursing Homes
[0029] Precise positioning and placement of protective headgear is
critical in reducing significant impact forces to the head that
could cause head and brain injuries. Providing protection at the
areas of the head that are at the highest level of risk for injury
is particularly important with regard to children playing sports
whose brains are still developing. For instance, children running
around a playing field while participating in a contact sport can
hit their heads together, get kicked in the head, have their heads
hit to the ground or come into contact with a goal post. They may
also be inadvertently hit in the head with an object, such as ball
in field hockey or a puck in floor hockey. In addition, heading the
ball in soccer exposes the player to sub-concussive and concussive
impacts. All of these impact forces to the head and brain are
significantly reduced with the use of the universal protective
headgear of the present invention. The risk of head and brain
injuries from such impact forces necessitates use of the universal
headgear which provides a lightweight and non-burdensome means to
absorb and dissipate a substantial portion of the significant
impact forces associated with collisions and other impacts to the
head and brain areas.
[0030] In the past twenty years, cheerleading, which includes
"competitive cheer", has evolved into a highly physical sport of
tumbling, flying through the air and building tall human pyramids.
Cheerleaders perform these dangerous acrobatics without the use of
any body armor or protective headgear. Not surprisingly, thousands
of cheerleaders are injured each year from falls and collisions
while performing various acrobatic maneuvers. In fact, the Consumer
Product Safety Commission recently reported that there were almost
37,000 emergency room visits for cheerleading injuries among girls
aged 6-22 in just the course of one year. Cheerleading poses by far
the greatest risk of catastrophic injury to young female
participants of any sport. The American Academy of Pediatrics
reported that, between the years 1982 and 2009, cheerleading
accounted for 65% of all direct catastrophic injuries to girl
athletes at the high school level and 70% at the college level.
Many of these catastrophic injuries involve closed-head injuries
and skull fractures. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to
provide protective headgear for cheerleaders that significantly
lowers the risk of the severity of significant impact forces to the
head and brain areas, while also being lightweight, stylish and
matching the color and design of cheerleader uniforms.
[0031] As noted above, children are particularly susceptible to
head injuries. In particular, children learning to walk and
children on playgrounds are extremely vulnerable to banging their
head on the ground or into other objects. Challenged children and
autistic children are also at risk for head injuries and may
intentionally hit their head against a wall or other object. In
some instances, these impacts to children's heads can be severe and
have long lasting effects, possibly resulting in permanent brain
damage or death. Dwarfs learning to walk are also at significant
risk to head injuries. Because dwarfs' heads are large and throw
the rest of the child's body off balance, they find it difficult to
learn to walk. Until the development of the present invention,
dwarfs have had no other option but to wear helmet while learning
to walk. Accordingly, there is an urgent need for a universal
protective headgear product that can be worn by all children, doing
all types of activities, in order to provide protection that lowers
the risk of the severity of significant impact forces to the head
and brain areas.
[0032] Veterans in hospitals and elderly persons in nursing homes
are also vulnerable to hitting their head against walls, doors, the
floor and other objects. This may be the result of a loss of
balance, neurological disorders or other conditions or events
(e.g., tripping on curbs or other objects) that result in impacts
to the head. Accordingly, there remains an urgent and definite need
to protect veterans in hospitals, and elderly persons in nursing
homes from head injuries by providing a universal headgear product
that lowers the risk of the severity of significant impact forces
to the head and brain areas.
[0033] The universal protective headgear of the present invention
serves to provide protection that lowers the risk of the severity
of the impact force to the head and brain, while also functioning
as a sweatband that absorbs perspiration. The complete structure of
the headgear has consistent memory throughout its length, while
also being structured and disposed to provide an appropriate level
of ventilation and breathing, thereby reducing heat between the
headband and the user's head. The universal headgear of the present
invention may be manufactured in a variety of sizes, widths,
thicknesses, and degrees of curvature to suit the needs of the
particular user, as well as to conform to the circumference and
contour of the anatomy of a particular user's head.
Objects and Advantages of the Invention
[0034] Considering the forgoing, it is a primary object of the
present invention to provide a universal protective headgear
product that is sized, structured and configured to cover areas of
the head that are at the highest level of risk of injury from
exposure to impact forces and that has universal application for a
wide variety of sports, recreational activities, cheerleading,
nursing homes, playgrounds, veterans in hospitals and challenged
children, and wherein the headgear is structured and disposed to
absorb and dissipate significant impact forces to the head.
[0035] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
universal protective headgear product that adjustably fits around
and conforms to the entire circumference of the user's head and
which includes one or more compressible inserts (pads) having full
elastic memory.
[0036] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a
protective stylish headband that resembles a typical sweatband,
while also providing significant protection to areas of the head
that are at the highest level of risk of head and brain injuries,
thereby appealing to even the most "macho" athletes.
[0037] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a universal protective headgear product that is stylish,
lightweight, adjustable to fit all head sizes, and that maintains
its integrity while in place around the circumference of the user's
head.
[0038] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a universal protective headgear device in the form of a
headband that absorbs perspiration and which is formed of
breathable materials, thereby maintaining the user's head cool and
comfortable, while also significantly reducing the severity of
impact forces to the brain.
[0039] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a protective headgear device that is easily washed in a
sink with tap water and hand soap.
[0040] It is yet a further object of the present invention to
provide a universal headgear device in the form of an elongate
headband that can be manufactured in a variety of colors and
designs in order to match the decor of uniforms and/or equipment
worn by the user.
[0041] It is still a further object of the present invention to
provide a protective headband that provides for an area for
placement of team and/or brand names and logos.
[0042] These and other objects and advantages of the present
invention are more readily apparent with reference to the following
detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0043] For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present
invention, reference should be made to the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0044] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the universal
protective headgear worn on a male adult's head;
[0045] FIGS. 2A-2D show examples of use of the universal headgear
by participants in various contact sports, such as cheerleading,
soccer, flag football and women's lacrosse;
[0046] FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the universal protective
headgear of the present invention, showing the inner facing side of
the headband with three separate pads of polymeric material secured
under a liner on the inner facing side of the headband;
[0047] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the plane of
the line indicated by the arrows 4-4 in FIG. 3;
[0048] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the universal protective
headgear of the present invention showing the outer facing side of
the headband when stretched out and laid flat;
[0049] FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the headband shown in
FIG. 3 illustrating the three separate polymeric pads protruding on
the inner facing side and hook and loop fasteners at opposite ends
of the headband;
[0050] FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the universal protective
headgear of the present invention showing an alternative
configuration and placement of the impact absorbing polymeric
pads;
[0051] FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the universal protective
headgear of the present invention, showing yet a further embodiment
of the invention using a single impact absorbing polymeric pad
extending along the entire length of the protection area of the
headband; and
[0052] FIG. 9 is an isolated view, in partial cutaway, showing a
preferred embodiment of the impact absorbing polymeric pad used in
the present invention and illustrating an arrangement of
ventilation holes formed through the entire thickness of the
polymeric pad, and wherein the ventilation holes are generally
equal in diameter and equally spaced from one another consistently
throughout the entire polymeric pad.
[0053] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0054] Referring to the several views of the drawings, and
initially FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D, the universal protective headgear 10
of the present invention is shown on several users' heads
participating in various sports. The universal protective headgear
10 is defined primarily by an elongate headband 12 that resembles
and functions as a sweatband. When properly worn, as shown in FIGS.
1 and 2A-2D, the headband 12 extends around the entire
circumference of the user's head and substantially covers the
forehead, left and right temporal regions and the back of the head,
covering those areas where there is the highest level of risk to
head and brain injuries from forces of impact. The universal
headgear 10 is structured to be fully compressible and provides
full elastic memory. The headgear includes one or more pads formed
of impact absorbing polymers. When the headgear is properly worn,
the impact absorbing polymeric pads are positioned in covering,
protective relation to those high risk areas, around the entire
circumference of the user's head. The hardness of the polymeric
pads 30 can be varied depending upon the amount of absorption and
dissipation required for a particular sport or activity in full
compliance with existing ASTM standards, FIFA, the National
Federation of High School Associations and the European CE II
standard designating the product as "protective headgear" after
independent testing. In a preferred embodiment, the polymeric pads
30 have a Shore A hardness in the range of between 20-65, as
measured by a TECLOCK durometer, model JS S 6050. For example, when
the headgear is intended for an infant, the Shore A hardness of the
polymeric inserts 30 may range between 20-35. This is considering
the fact that if an infant should fall, the distance to the ground
is significantly less than the distance experienced by an adult
when falling to the ground. Therefor, the hardness of the polymeric
inserts 30 would be different for infants as compared to children
and adults. When the headgear is used for children ages 6-10
playing soccer, for example, the Shore A hardness of the polymeric
inserts 30 would range between 30-40. For teenagers involved in
sports such as soccer, flag football and basketball, for example,
the Shore A hardness of the polymeric inserts 30 would range
between 30-45. For adults playing soccer or basketball, for
example, the Shore A hardness of the polymeric inserts 30 would
range between 40-65.
[0055] Referring to FIGS. 3-8, several embodiments of the universal
protective headgear 10 are shown. In each of these embodiments, the
headband 12 includes a central zone 14, a first distal end zone 16
and a second distal end zone on the opposite side of the central
zone 14. Each of the first and second distal end zones 16, 18
extend from the central zone to the respective opposite distal ends
of the headband 12.
[0056] As seen in FIG. 9, the one or more polymeric inserts/pads 30
include an arrangement of ventilation holes 52 that are spaced
equally throughout the inserts, with the ventilation holes 52
extending through an entire thickness of the inserts 30. The
diameter of the holes may range between 1/32 of an inch diameter to
1/8 inch in diameter. In a preferred embodiment, the ventilation
holes have a diameter of 1/16 of an inch. The ventilation holes are
equally spaced apart and, in a preferred embodiment, the holes are
spaced between 1/4 of an inch apart to 3/8 of an inch apart,
consistent throughout. For infants and children that do not sweat
as much, the holes can be spaced 3/8 of an Inch Apart. For
Teenagers and Adults, the Spacing of the Ventilation holes can be
1/4 of an inch apart. In this instance, the ventilation holes 52
are closer together because teenagers and adults tend to sweat more
and need more ventilation to allow transfer of perspiration from
the inner layer of the headgear to the outer layer of the headgear
as described in more detail hereinafter. When the polymeric inserts
30 flex or bend, the ventilation holes 52 remain the same size and
do not expand or enlarge, thereby maintaining the integrity of the
inserts 30 for absorbing and dissipating impact forces.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 4, the construction of the universal
protective headgear 10 is shown in cross section and includes an
outer facing material band 20 formed of an elastomeric polymeric
material, such as neoprene or other elastomeric polymers that have
similar properties, and an inner facing layer of material 22 formed
of an elastomeric material, such as neoprene or similar elastomeric
polymeric material. In one embodiment, the inner facing layer of
material 22 is lighter in weight (i.e., thinner) compared to the
outer layer of material 20. The inner facing layer of material 22
may include an arrangement of holes or apertures to enhance
transfer of perspiration from the user's skin and through the holes
of the inner layer, as well as the ventilation holes in the
polymeric inserts 30 and to the outer layer for absorption and
dissipation of perspiration. In another embodiment, the outer
facing layer 20 and the inner facing layer 22 are formed of a
knitted fabric, such as sweatband material. For example, the
knitted fabric may be a close knit cotton fabric consisting of 85%
cotton and 15% Spandex. In all embodiments, the outer layer 20 and
the inner layer 22 are formed of a material that readily absorbs
and dissipates moisture, such as perspiration. The one or more
impact absorbing polymeric pads 30 are positioned between the outer
material layer 20 and the inner material layer 22. As noted above,
the impact absorbing polymeric inserts 30 include an arrangement of
ventilation holes 52 therethrough to allow airflow through the
inserts 30 in order to promote dissipation of perspiration that has
been absorbed into the exterior or outer layer of material 20 by
wicking. More specifically, the ventilation holes 52 through the
polymeric inserts 30 allow perspiration to travel from the inner
facing layer 22, through the holes in the inserts 30 and absorbed
into the outer layer of material 20 where the perspiration can be
dissipated by wicking from airflow across the outer surface of the
protective headgear 10. In a preferred embodiment, the inner facing
layer of material 22 is tightly fitted about the one or more
polymeric pads 30 and against an inner side of the outer layer of
material 20 so as to firmly and snugly hold the one or more
polymeric pads in fixed position on the headband 12. A stitched rib
of material 26 extends about the entire periphery of the headband
12 and joins the outer material layer 20 with the inner material
layer 22. The stitched rib 26 may be formed of an elastomeric
material, similar to the outer and inner layers, and preferably of
a thickness that is equal to or similar to the inner material layer
22. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 5-8, the rib 26 is stitched on both
sides of the headband to secure the inner and outer layers
together. While thread stitching is shown, in accordance with a
preferred embodiment, it is recognized that the periphery of the
inner and outer layers may be joined together by other means, such
as by gluing, heat sealing or other suitable means of
attachment.
[0058] The embodiments shown in FIGS. 3-6 and 7 provide for
multiple impact absorbing polymeric pads 30 that are positioned
side by side along a substantial length of the headband. Small
spaces or gaps 32 between each of the adjacently positioned
polymeric pads 30 promote flexing of the headband 12 so that the
headband 12 can be wrapped around and conform to the contour of the
wearer's head, with the headgear 10 providing consistent and full
elastic memory throughout the entire length of the headband 12 and
around the entire circumference of the wearer's head.
[0059] The embodiment shown in FIG. 8 provides for a single impact
absorbing polymeric pad 30 that extends substantially along the
length of the protection area of the headband 12, providing
complete and consistent elastic memory throughout the entire length
of the headband 12.
[0060] In each of the embodiments shown throughout the several
views of the drawings, the opposite first and second distal end
zones 16, 18 are provided with releasable fasteners for adjustably
securing the headband around the user's head so that the headband
fits snug (i.e., without slipping), but not too tight. In a
preferred embodiment, the releasable fasteners at the opposite
first and second distal end zones are hook and loop fasteners.
However, it is fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of
the invention to provide other types of releasable and adjustable
fasteners, such as, but not limited to, snaps or buttons.
Alternatively, the ends of the headband may be permanently affixed
to one another so that the headband is a continuous and endless
loop that is able to stretch and conform to the size and shape of
the wearer's head.
[0061] The hook and loop releasable fasteners shown throughout the
several views of the drawings include a loop component 42 on the
outer facing side of the first distal end zone 16 and a hook
component 44 on an inner facing side of the second distal end zone
18.
[0062] As seen in FIGS. 3, 5 and 7-8, the central zone 14 of the
headband has a curved configuration relative to the opposite first
and second distal end zones 16 and 18. This curved configuration
allows the headband to properly conform to the wearer's head, when
wrapped around the forehead and back of the head, to properly cover
the areas of the head that are at the highest level of risk to
injury from impact forces. It should be noted that the degree of
curvature of the headband, as well as the length of the headband
and the width of the headband and the width of the polymeric pads
30 may be varied to conform with the circumference and anatomical
shape of different wearer's heads. Moreover, the materials and
structure of the universal headgear 10 provide full elastic memory
throughout the entire length of the headband 12 and around the
entire circumference of the wearer's head.
[0063] The outer facing surface of the outer layer 20 may be
provided with one or more areas 21 for placement of team or brand
names and/or logos.
[0064] While the present invention has been shown in accordance
with several preferred and practical embodiments, it is recognized
that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated
within the spirit and scope of the present invention which is not
to be limited except as defined in the following claims.
* * * * *