SUN SHIELD DEVICE
A sun shield device includes a head engagement assembly to facilitate coupling of the sun shield device to the head of a wearer. A sun shield body is formed from a flexible sheet material that is joined to the head engagement assembly. The sun shield body has a width sufficient to cover the neck and a majority of the shoulders of the wearer and a length such that the sun shield body extends to a position at or below the first thoracic (T1) vertebra of the wearer when wearing the sun shield device with the head engagement assembly being engaged with the wearer's head.
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/254,318, filed Oct. 23, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of sun protection head gear and more specifically relates to a sun protection device worn to protect head, face, ears, neck, shoulders, and back from sunlight and to insulate its user from high temperatures.
2. Description of the Related Art
While sun exposure is a primary source of vitamin D, which helps us to absorb calcium for healthier bones, too long unprotected exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays can cause skin damage, eye damage, immune system suppression, and skin cancer. Part of the sunlight consists of visible and invisible light, such ultraviolet UVA and UVB rays. While UVA rays cause skin aging, wrinkling and contribute to skin cancer, such as melanoma, UVB rays cause sunburns, cataracts, and immune system damage. Additionally, sunlight that is not reflected is absorbed and converted to heat, thus warming those directly exposed to the sunlight, making shade desirable.
Given the negative consequences of unprotected exposure to sunlight, it is important to provide appropriate sun protection. This protection is not only necessary in summer, but rather may be important all year round since ultraviolet (UV) rays can reach the earth on cloudy and hazy days, as well as on bright and sunny days. UV rays also reflect off of surfaces like water, cement, sand, and snow thereby endangering workers who work on or in such materials.
One of the ways to protect skin from sun damage is sunscreen. Unfortunately, sunscreen needs to be applied half an hour before going outdoors and even water-resistant sunscreen should be reapplied about every two hours or after swimming, due to drying off of the product or perspiring. Additionally, sunscreen needs to be applied generously and evenly so as not to miss any areas of sun-exposed skin and needs to be kept out of the eyes. Due to the limited protection provided by sunscreen, several clothing lines now offer clothing with maximized UV protection. Unfortunately, such specialty clothing lines tend to be quite expensive.
The most protection for the face and neck region may be achieved by wearing a hat with a brim that extends all the way around that shades face, ears, and the back of the neck. Unfortunately, this type of hat is not very popular. Most people prefer to wear baseball caps when they are outdoors or engage in outdoor sporting activities. The downside of this fashion trend is that when wearing a baseball cap there's virtually no protection for the ears, neck, shoulders and back.
In addition to persons who engage in outdoor sporting and social activities, workers on building sites may be subjected to significant sun exposure working outdoors. The commonly worn hard hat worn in many work environments also does not provide adequate protection against the sun leaving the ears, neck, shoulders and back exposed.
Therefore a need exists for an inexpensive and user friendly sun protection device which can be worn by itself or in conjunction with a baseball cap, a hard hat, or virtually any kind of hat or headwear and that provides sun protection for the face, ears, neck, shoulders and back.
Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pat. And Pub. Nos. 5,323,491, 6,260,204, 7,406,721, 5,701,609, 2006/0174396, and 6,481,021.
Ideally, a sun protection device worn to protect the head, face, ears, neck, shoulders, and back from sunlight and high temperatures should be lightweight, easy to put on, function reliably and effectively and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable, effective and inexpensive sun protection device to protect the head, face, ears, neck, shoulders, and back from sunlight and high temperatures and to avoid the above-mentioned problems.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which:
As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to sun protection head gear and more particularly to a sun shield device that may be worn to protect the head, face, ears, neck, shoulders, and back from exposure to sunlight. Referring to
It should be noted in the description, if a numerical value or range is presented, each numerical value should be read once as modified by the term “about” (unless already expressly so modified), and then read again as not so modified unless otherwise indicated in context. Also, in the description, it should be understood that an amount range listed or described as being useful, suitable, or the like, is intended that any and every value within the range, including the end points, is to be considered as having been stated. For example, “a range of from 1 to 10” is to be read as indicating each and every possible number along the continuum between about 1 and about 10. Thus, even if specific points within the range, or even no point within the range, are explicitly identified or refer to, it is to be understood that the inventor appreciates and understands that any and all points within the range are to be considered to have been specified, and that inventor possesses the entire range and all points within the range.
Referring to
The head engagement assembly 112 may include an optional head covering 130. The head covering 130 may be integrated into the opening 120 and be joined along its side edges along the perimeter of the opening 120. The head covering 130 may be configured as a thin flexible cap or covering configured to cover at least a portion of the upper portion of the wearer's head and that generally facilitates placement and securing of the sun protection device 100 on the head of user 180 during use and to prevent complete passage of the user's head through the opening 120. The head covering 130 may fit snugly when placed on the head of the user 180. Other configurations of the head engagement assembly 112 may also be employed to facilitate coupling of the main sun shield body 110 to a wearer in the manner described herein. Head covering 130 may be formed from a flexible fabric material, such as a thin stretchable air-permeable jersey fabric that may be provided with small apertures. The air-permeable jersey fabric allows air flow to and from the skin (surface) of user 180 and thereby provides wearing comfort. The stretch or spandex component in the fabric allows a user 180 to easily and comfortably place head covering 130 over his/her head or hat. Alternatively, head covering 130 may be made of a net or mesh fabric to provide air flow therethrough and thus wearing comfort in warm weather. The head covering 130 may be comprised of any suitable material, synthetic or natural, that provides wearing comfort in warm weather, such as cotton, etc. or wicking materials. In another embodiment, the head covering 130 may be formed from multiple straps connected in the center of opening 120 forming a net- or web-like structure. Such straps may be made of elastic polyester or any other suitable durable fabric or material.
As can be seen in
Additionally, the sheet material 114 of the head engagement assembly 112 may extend forward a distance (e.g. from about 1 to about 3, 4, 5 inches or more) from the opening 120 to provide a forward brim portion 118 to facilitate shading of the face and eyes. The forward brim portion 118 may join and smoothly converge with the side brim portions 116 to provide a generally continuous brim that extends around the wearer's head.
As can be seen in
The sun shield body 110 is joined to the head engagement assembly 112. As described herein, the sun shield body 110 extends rearward from the head engagement assembly 112, as indicated by the transverse dashed line 122 that passes just to the rear of the opening 120 of the head engagement assembly 112. It should be noted, however, that the sun shield body 110 may be formed from the same flexible sheet material that forms the brim portions 116, 118 of the head engagement assembly 112 and may be contiguous or continuous with these portions. Thus, the designation of the sun shield body 110 as extending from the dashed line 122 is made merely for purposes of this description as the shield body 110 as well as the brim portions 116, 118 may collectively constitute a sun shield or sun shield body. Generally, however, the sun shield body 110 may be defined as that portion that extends to the rear of the opening 120. In certain embodiments, the sun shield body 110 may be formed from a different sheet material or be separately formed from the sheet material forming the brim portions 116, 118 of the head engagement portion 112.
As can be seen in
The forward end of the sun shield body 110 may converge smoothly with the side brim portions 116. The width of the rearward end (i.e. the lower end as shown in
The sun shield body 110 covers the neck, shoulders, and back of user 180 from sunlight. In this way the present invention serves to facilitate protecting the wearer from the sun and heat. The sheet material forming the sun shield body 110, as well as the brim portions 116, 118, may have sufficient flexibility such that it may be rolled, bent or otherwise deformed for storage, etc., but have sufficient resiliency and/or rigidity such that it may generally return to and hold its shape in an expanded configuration during use. The flexibility of the sheet material may also be provided by or further facilitated by folds or creases that may be formed or provided in the sheet material. In certain embodiments the shield body 110 and brim portions 116, 118 are formed from a single continuous sheet.
The flexible sheet material that forms the sun shield body 110, as well as the sheet material 114 forming the brim portions 116, 118, may be provided on at least one side with a reflective surface on all or portions thereof. The reflective surface may be a metallic or mirrorized reflective surface to facilitate the reflection of sunlight. The metallic or mirrorized reflective surface of the sheet material may be distinguished from night reflective materials that are designed to glow when subjected light and that may not efficiently facilitate cooling or protection from sunlight as do metallic or mirrorized reflective materials, although in certain embodiments such night reflective materials may be used as well. The sheet material of the sun shield body 110 and brim portions 116, 118 may be formed from a thin sheet or sheets of metal foil or a metalized film layer(s) (e.g. mylar), that may be coupled to or laminated to a thin layer of backing material (e.g. fabric, plastic, paper, etc.). The sheet material may be a foil material, which may be a woven or non-woven foil fabric, a bubble foil or foam foil. The backing material may constitute an insulating layer to facilitate further protection from the heat of the sun. Two or more layers of foil or non-foil material may be used for the sheet material, with air pockets being formed or provided between the layers to provide insulation. In one particular embodiment, the sheet material forming the sun shield body 110 and brim portions 116, 118 may be formed from about 3 mm to about 5 mm thick flexible sheet of aluminum foil laminated to expanded polyethylene foam that serves as an insulation layer. However, the sun shield body 110 may be alternately made of other insulating and reflective materials and combinations thereof with suitable insulating and reflective properties. The sheet materials may block 99% or more of UVA and UVB rays from sunlight. The sheet materials and other components of the device 100 may also be flame retardant. An example of a suitable flexible sheet material that may be used for the sun shield body 110, as well as the sheet material 114 forming the brim portions 116, 118, is that described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,599, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
In certain embodiments, the sun protection device 100 may be invertible, with opposite surfaces of the shield body 110, and optionally the brim portions 116, 118, being different so that the user may selectively expose opposite sides of the sun shield body 110. The opposite sides of the shield body 110 and brim portions 116, 118 may be different from one another. Thus, in one configuration one side of the shield may have a metallic or mirrored surface and the other side may be a non-metallic or non-mirrored surface. The non-metallic or non-mirrored surfaces may still be somewhat reflective, however, such as white or light colored surfaces that may also be reflective in nature when subjected to bright sunlight.
The device 100 further may include a sun shield body coupling device for securing the sun shield body to the wearer's torso. Referring to
Other coupling devices may also be used with the device 100 to secure the sun shield body 110 to the wearer's torso. This may include an arm strap or straps 242 (
The coupling device may also include a belt 244 (
Sun protection device 100 may be worn in conjunction with a hard hat or other headwear 195, as shown. User 180 may place hard hat 195 over the head covering 130 and on the head of user 180 and insert a visor of the hard hat or other headwear 195 having a forward projecting bill that is received within front a bill pocket 210 that is formed on the forward brim 118 for receiving a bill of the separate headgear 195 worn by the wearer 180. The bill pocket 210 may be formed from an additional layer of sheet material 220 that is coupled to the bill portion and sized and configured to receive the bill of a hard hat or other headwear. The layer of material 220 may be same sheet material or a different material as that used for the shield body 110 and brim portions 116, 118. The bill pocket 210 may follow the rounded contour of the bill portion 118 along its outer perimeter. Examples of suitable dimensions for the bill pocket 210 are approximately 1-3 inches deep and 6 to 10 inches wide.
In certain embodiments, a bill pocket 210 is provided on both opposite surfaces of the brim portion 118 to be selectively utilized when the shield device 100 is inverted, as previously discussed. In such cases, the exposed surface of the bill pocket flap 220 on each side may be the same material (e.g. reflective or non-reflective) as that of the underlying material of the bill portion 118.
Alternatively, the bill pocket 210 itself may be invertible. This may be accomplished by folding the bill pocket 210 so that the inner face of the flap 220 faces outward and locates inside on the opposite side of the brim portion 118. Other bill engaging and coupling devices may also be provided for engaging and coupling to a bill or brim of a user's headwear or hat, such as a clip, clamp, hook and loop fastener, etc.
With the use of the bill pocket, 210, the hard hat or headwear 195 contributes to a secure and snug-fit of the sun protection device 100 on the head of the user 180. The head covering 130 facilitates the easy placement of various kinds of head gear over head covering 130. Furthermore, the sun protection device 100 may be worn by itself without any other head gear or may be situated on top of various kinds of head gear in certain circumstances.
The sun shield device 100 may further comprise a fabric border 200 that extends around the entire or a portion of the outer perimeter of the shield body 110 and optionally the brim portions 116, 118. The fabric border may be formed by a ¼ to 1 inch wide double fold bias tape that may sewn, glued or otherwise secured around the perimeter. An example of a suitable material for fabric border 200 is ½ inch wide double fold bias tape, available as WRIGHTS® Extra Wide Double Fold Bias Tape. The fabric border 200 may be black or any desired color. The fabric border 200 may include any type of single fold or double fold bias tape or other strips of fabric in various widths and colors to suit user-preferences. In this way the present invention may be made more aesthetically appealing to a host of users 180, by for example providing pink border 200 as an option for female wearers. A fabric border may also be provided on the flap 220 forming the bill pocket 210.
Surfaces of the sun shield 100 and components thereof may be provided with indicia to attract users of various generations and backgrounds and/or to generate income made from advertising. For example the device 100 may have company logos or other indicia displayed on the back portion of the device. Different indicia may be provided on opposite surfaces of the device 100 that can be selectively exposed or hidden by inverting the device, as previously described.
Referring now to
The sun protection device 100 may be sold as kit 300 (
The device 100 may be used according to methods and instructions 302 that may generally direct a user of the kit 300 to follow the procedure set forth in the flowchart 550 of
The sun protection device 100 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., and may be utilized.
It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be utilized.
While the invention has been shown in only some of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A sun shield device comprising:
- a head engagement assembly to facilitate coupling of the sun shield device to the head of a wearer; and
- a sun shield body formed from a flexible sheet material that is joined to the head engagement assembly, the sun shield body having a width sufficient to cover the neck and a majority of the shoulders of the wearer and a length such that the sun shield body extends to a position at or below the first thoracic (T1) vertebra of the wearer when wearing the sun shield device with the head engagement assembly being engaged with the wearer's head.
2. The sun shield device of claim 1, wherein:
- the head engagement assembly is formed from a flexible sheet material that is provided with an opening for receiving the wearer's head, the sheet material of the head engagement assembly extending outward from the sides of the opening to form a brim to facilitate shading of the wearer's ears.
3. The sun shield device of claim 2, wherein:
- the head engagement assembly includes a head covering that is integrated into the opening in the sheet material of the head engagement assembly to facilitate coupling of the sun shield device to the wearer's head.
4. The sun shield device of claim 1, further comprising:
- a sun shield body coupling device for securing the sun shield body to the wearer's torso.
5. The sun shield device of claim 4, wherein:
- the coupling device includes at least one of (1) an arm strap configured for securing to one of the wearer's arms, (2) a belt and (3) a clothes attachment for attaching to the wearer's cloths.
6. The sun shield device of claim 1, wherein:
- at least one of (A) and (B), wherein:
- (A) the surface of the sun shield body is a reflective surface to facilitate reflecting of sunlight; and
- (B) the sun shield body is formed from an insulating material.
7. The sun shield device of claim 1, wherein:
- a surface of the sun shield body is metallic or mirrorized reflective surface.
8. The sun shield device of claim 1, wherein:
- the sun shield body has a length such that the sun shield body extends to a position at or below the seventh thoracic (T7) vertebra of the wearer when wearing the sun shield device with the head engagement assembly being engaged with the wearer's head.
9. The sun shield device of claim 2, wherein:
- the sheet material of the head engagement assembly extends forward from the opening to provide a forward brim.
10. The sun shield device of claim 9, further comprising:
- a bill pocket is formed on the forward brim for receiving a bill of separate headgear worn by the wearer.
11. The sun shield device of claim 1, wherein:
- the sun shield device is invertible to selectively expose opposite sides of the sun shield body, the opposite sides being different from one another.
12. The sun shield device of claim 11, further comprising:
- a bill pocket is formed on the forward brim for receiving a bill of separate headgear worn by the wearer, the bill pocket being one of (A) and (B) wherein (A) the bill pocket is single bill pocket that is invertible for receiving the bill of the separate headgear worn by the wearer when the sun shield body is inverted, and (B) the bill pocket includes two bill pockets with one bill pocket being used for receiving the bill depending upon the side of the sun shield body that is selectively exposed.
13. The sun shield device of claim 1, wherein:
- the sun shield body has a length of at least about 10 inches and a width at the greatest width dimension of least about 18 inches.
14. The sun shield device of claim 2, where
- the sun shield body and the head engagement assembly are formed from the same sheet of flexible sheet material.
15. A sun shield device comprising:
- a head engagement assembly to facilitate coupling of the sun shield device to the head of a wearer, the head engagement assembly being formed from a flexible sheet material that is provided with an opening for receiving the wearer's head, the sheet material of the head engagement assembly extending forward and outward from the sides of the opening to form a brim to facilitate shading of the wearer's eyes and ears, and having a bill pocket formed on the forward brim for receiving a bill of separate headgear worn by the wearer, the head engagement assembly further including a head covering that is integrated into the opening in the sheet material of the head engagement assembly to facilitate coupling of the sun shield device to the wearer's head; and
- a sun shield body formed from a flexible sheet material that is joined to the head engagement assembly, the sun shield body having a width sufficient to cover a majority of the shoulders of the wearer and a length such that the sun shield body extends to a position at or below the seventh thoracic (T7) vertebra of the wearer when wearing the sun shield device with the head engagement assembly being coupled to the wearer's head, the sun shield body being formed from an insulating material and having at least one surface that is a metallic or mirrorized reflective surface; and
- a sun shield body coupling device for securing the sun shield body to the wearer's torso.
16. The sun shield device of claim 15, wherein:
- the coupling device includes at least one of (1) an arm strap configured for securing to one of the wearer's arms, (2) a belt and (3) a clothes attachment for attaching to the wearer's cloths.
17. The sun shield device of claim 15, wherein:
- the sun shield body and the head engagement assembly are formed from the same sheet of flexible sheet material.
18. The sun shield device of claim 15, wherein:
- the sun shield device is invertible to selectively expose opposite sides of the sun shield body, the opposite sides being different from one another.
19. The sun shield device of claim 18, wherein:
- the bill pocket is one of (A) and (B) wherein (A) the bill pocket is single bill pocket that is invertible for receiving the bill of the separate headgear worn by the wearer when the sun shield body is inverted, and (B) the bill pocket includes two bill pockets with one bill pocket being used for receiving the bill depending upon the side of the sun shield body that is selectively exposed.
20. The sun shield device of claim 15, wherein:
- the sun shield body has a length of at least about 10 inches and a width at the greatest width dimension of least about 18 inches.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 22, 2010
Publication Date: Apr 28, 2011
Inventors: Johnathan Zumwalt (Tyler, TX), Betty Zumwalt (Tyler, TX), Russell Zumwalt (Tyler, TX)
Application Number: 12/909,952
International Classification: A42B 1/06 (20060101); A42B 1/18 (20060101);