FLEXIBLE PROTECTIVE HEADGEAR

Abstract

A flexible protective headgear device providing a plurality of deformable raised pads to provide cushion against impact and are spaced apart to provide flexibility to conform to a user's head, the raised pads cooperating to reduce spacing between the raised pads upon flexing, the entire device being capable of being substantially formed from a single material.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present general inventive concept is directed to a device for protecting a user's head from impact and is suited for use in water.

2. Description of the Related Art

It is known in the art to provide a bathing cap that conforms to a user's head. These caps are typically thin and made of a rubber or flexible material and are useful in keeping hair dry or water out of the wearer's ears. A bathing cap does not provide much protection from impact that can be experienced when swimming. Impacts can include hitting the bottom of a pool or the sides of a pool and such impacts occur among experienced swimmers when performing activities such as the back stroke where a swimmer is unable to see the wall of the side of the pool. Other sports including water polo include the potential for impact with a swimmer's head. One of the persistent problems presented is the need for a protective cap to conform to a user's head, which requires flexibility, and the need for protective cushioning which tends to add to thickness and decrease flexibility. A number of improvements on the basic swimming cap have been patented.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,472,428 describes a swim cap having a first durometer or thickness covering the crown of the head and a second portion having a second durometer. This approach provides for a thicker area at the crown of the head, but does not provide protective coverage over the entire surface of the cap. U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,545 provides a number of chambers between two layers, the air pockets providing cushioning. U.S. Pat. No. 6,986,168 provides a protective headgear device with foam members and pads secured to an interior surface to protect sensitive areas of the head.

With the increased information about the lasting damage from concussions, protection of the entire skull, and not just a portion of the head, or sensitive areas, is needed. While other attempts have been made to achieve protection and address different head shapes, none have provided a flexible swimming cap that conforms to a user's head and provides sufficient cushioning. What is needed is a protective cap that provides protection to the entire surface of a user's head, conforms to different shapes, stays on without the use of a chin strap, and provides a water tight seal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an aspect of the invention to provide a protective headgear device comprising a hemispherical shell having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface of the hemispherical shell is substantially smooth and the first surface of the hemispherical shell comprises a plurality of raised pads that are compressible and can be composed of a deformable elastomeric material. Additional embodiments of the invention provide a first section joined to a crown section and a second section joined to a crown section to form a device having an opening suited for placement on a user's head. It is a further aspect of the invention to provide a protective headgear device that is composed of a single material of manufacture, and is cost effective to produce.

These together with other aspects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 presents a perspective view of a shell as worn by a user in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 presents a perspective view of a shell with a cutaway showing a portion of a first surface in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 presents a perspective view of a first surface of a shell comprising a plurality of raised pads in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 presents a side view of a first surface of a shell in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5A presents a perspective view of a shell comprising a side section and a crown section in an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5B presents a perspective view of a second side section in an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 presents a sectional view of a headgear device as positioned on the head of a user in an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

The present inventive concept relates to a protective headgear device suitable to be worn on the head of a person. The device comprises a shell having a substantially smooth second surface and a first surface on which are disposed a plurality of raised pads that provide cushion against impact. The concept of the invention is to provide a plurality of raised pads disposed across a first surface of a shell, with the pads being shaped and arranged to allow the shell to be bent, folded, stretched, or configured to conform to the wearer's head. The size, shape, and placement of the pads can be varied to provide the flexibility and coverage necessary to be wearable and to protect a user's head. The size, shape, and arrangement of the pads provides a configuration that allows the pads to interface or cooperate with each other so that movement of the pads towards one another does not result in significant contact between the pads and does not cause the device of the invention to buckle or wrinkle. A staggered pattern of elliptical pads can provide this advantage as the points of the ellipses can move into the spacing between the pads. In this way, curvature of the shell of the invention to conform to a user's head causes the pads to occupy more of the spacing between the pads. The configuration therefore allows the cap to flex without buckling, but also when the cap of the invention flexes, the raised pads move closer together and partially occupy the spacing that exists between the pads when the shell is flat. Therefore, the pads of the invention provide greater protection when worn, as the pads partially occupy more of the spacing between the pads. In another embodiment, the pads can be pointed representing a football shape. While ellipses have rounded sides, a football shape can be pointed at each end and not smooth as mathematically defined by the formula for an ellipse. Herein, “elliptical” can be understood to mean generally representing an ellipse and include shapes such as football shapes or oval shapes; shapes that appear to be elongated circular shapes that may not fit the geometric definition of an ellipse. It is an advantage of the invention that it can be manufactured in a single molding operation, and can be formed in one mold, or in a two or three piece mold representing the embodiments of the invention having two or three sections. The various aspects of the invention are explained in reference to separate sections for clarity; the sections of the invention are contemplated as forming one complete device for being worn.

FIG. 1 presents a perspective view of a shell as worn by a user in an embodiment of the invention. The second surface 120 of the shell 100 can be substantially smooth. The device of the invention can be reversible in that it can be worn with the smooth side of second surface 120 contacting the user's head, or worn with the second surface 120 facing out. Second surface 120 comprises a smooth side which is relatively featureless and can be a substantially uniform surface. For use in competitive swimming, smooth surfaces provide less drag or resistance and are therefore desirable. Second surface 120 can be worn on the outside to decrease drag. Shell 100 is substantially hemispherical in shape corresponding to the rounded shape of a human head.

FIG. 2 presents a perspective view of a shell with a cutaway showing a portion of a first surface in an embodiment of the invention. First surface 110 is visible within the cutout. A plurality of raised pads is visible, and the raised pads are positioned in a staggered position so that the ends of the ellipses of a given row are positioned between the ends of the ellipses on the row above the given row, and between the ends of the ellipses on the row below the given row. Opening 150 is shown between first border 302 and second border 402. First surface 110 comprises a plurality of raised pads. The shell 100 is open at the bottom at opening 150, as is customary for most headwear.

In one embodiment of the invention, substantially all of first surface 110 can be covered with a plurality of raised pads being substantially uniform in shape, size, and having substantially uniform spacing between the raised pads. These raised pads can be elliptical shaped or oval shaped in an embodiment of the invention. In an embodiment of the invention that is the most basic, the raised pads are not differentiated between each other and can be considered to be substantially uniform to constitute a plurality of raised pads. A plurality of raised pads with sufficient thickness provides cushioning against impact. When the raised pads are provided with sufficient spacing, the device of the invention can adopt a curved configuration without the raised pads touching each other or otherwise obstructing the flexibility of the device. Arranging the plurality of raised pads on first surface 110 in a staggered pattern provides excellent flexibility as well as increasing the protection of the raised pads as they converge upon concave flexing of first surface 110. In this way the pads cooperate with each other to reduce the space between the raised pads. When the device is placed on a user's head with the first surface towards the user, the first surface adopts a concave shape and the tops of the raised pads move towards one another to reduce the spacing between the pads at the user's head.

It has been found that providing additional features improves the function of the device of the invention as will be discussed in the different embodiments shown in the following figures. FIG. 3 presents a perspective view of a first surface of a shell comprising a plurality of raised pads in an embodiment of the invention. In a particular embodiment, first surface 110 comprises a plurality of raised pads. Raised pads are shown disposed on first surface 110, and in this embodiment, the pads are not all uniform in order to provide increased flexibility of the device of the invention. In the pictured embodiment, first surface 110 comprises two sections. First section 300 is shown in this view. First section 300 can correspond to a right or left side of the device when worn and optionally can be interchangeable with the other side as worn by a user. First section 300 is shown with numerous raised pads disposed thereon. For clarity, most of the pads are not numbered. The majority of pads are substantially uniform in shape and size, for example pads 310, 320, 330, 351, 352, 361, and 362 are substantially uniform. These pads can also be called side pads representing their placement within first section 300, and in a group constitute a plurality of side pads. Side pads of first section 300 may be called first side pads to distinguish from pads positioned on second section 400, not shown. Since first section 300 can be formed with pads the same as second side pads of second section 400, the pads can also bear the same name and be called side pads, collectively. The device can comprise 79 side pads as shown in FIG. 3, or more or less side pads as is required based on the size of the headgear device and determined by the size of the side pads and the spacing between the side pads. It will be understood that a larger device will have more pads of the same size and spacing while a smaller device, e.g. a youth size, will have less pads of the same size and spacing. Increasing the pad size can result in fewer pads in first section 300 within the scope of the invention while decreasing the pad size can provide for a larger number of side pads within first section 300. Increasing or decreasing the spacing between the pads can also result in less or more pads, respectively, within first section 300. As shown in FIG. 3, pads are disposed on substantially all of said first section 300. Herein, pads covering at least 80% of first section 300, is considered to cover substantially all of first section 300. First section 300 is generally circular in shape, and can have a straight first border 302 defining a portion of opening 150, not shown. First border 302 is a raised, elongated pad that helps make a waterproof seal with a user's head.

Side pads in this embodiment are generally elliptical in shape and raised from first surface 110. One embodiment provides ellipses with a major radius to minor radius ratio of 2 to 1. For example, one embodiment of the invention comprises side pads having a length of approximately 1 inch and a width of ½ inch. Side pads such as pad 361 can be made of an elastomeric material that provides a cushioning function. One suitable material is silicone elastomer which can also be called polymer silicone or silicone rubber and has many variations in composition. Silicone elastomer is widely used and has stable properties. Polymer silicone is also elastomeric and provides a substantial cushioning effect against impact when present in thickness greater than ⅛ inch. Greater thickness presents greater cushioning as the amount of the material is able to deform and absorb a force. While greater amounts of pad thickness will provide more protection, the weight of the device becomes impractical at greater pad thickness. Pad height, for example pad height 342, is defined herein as the additional thickness of the device beyond the thickness of first surface 110. Pad height 342 of truncated pad 340 provides compression and protection from impact by absorption of an impact force. It has been found that pad height 342 of 0.125″ to 0.375″ provides cushion against impact without an accompanying prohibitive weight. Pad height can be ¼ inch in an embodiment. In an embodiment, all of the side pads shown in first section 300 can be substantially uniform in height to provide uniform pad height of between 0.125 inches and 0.375 inches. A manufacturing tolerance of plus or minus 0.01 inches can be pursued, however larger variances such as a manufacturing tolerance providing pad height variance of plus or minus 0.09 inches can still provide consistent protection within the scope of the invention. There is no part of the skull that is immune from impact, and so it is desirable to provide consistent impact protection across the surface of the device.

Additionally, the spacing of the pads provides for flexibility of the shell. Horizontal pad spacing 350 allows first section 300 to bend or flex in a concave arc that accommodates a user's head. When first section 300 is configured in a concave arc, the pads move closer together, without touching, as the pads converge towards one another. Horizontal pad spacing 350 of 0.06 inches to 0.125 inches has been found to provide sufficient flexibility to accommodate the typical arc of the human head while guarding against gaps between the pads that provide the cushion against impacts. In an embodiment, horizontal pad spacing 350 can be 0.08 inches, and approximately 0.08 inches can have a tolerance of 10%. Pad shape can be a variety of shapes, but one particularly effective shape is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3 as elliptical such as side pad 320. Side pad 320 can be 1 inch long and ½ inch wide. Length can vary from ½ inch to 1½ half inches or more. Additionally, the width of a side pad can vary from ⅛ inch to 1 inch or more within the scope of the invention. The side pads of FIG. 3 are elliptical in shape and can be called an elliptical pad. In an embodiment, side pad 320, for example can be elliptical in shape and have a width of ½ inch and a length of 1 inch. Other shapes can function within the scope of the invention such as circles, diamonds, squares, rectangles, or irregular shapes allowing sufficient spacing between the pads of the invention. At the edge of first section 300, pads may need to be truncated such as truncated pad 308, truncated pad 304, or truncated pad 306. At the edge of first section 300, pads may be extended such as extended pad 309 or extended pad 307. In an embodiment of the invention, if a pad would be truncated to approximately one fourth of the size of the other pads in order to accommodate an edge or border, it is advantageous to form an extended pad so as to provide greater stability and ease of manufacture. Extended pad 307 is formed by joining the partial pad, for which there is space, to a full sized pad to form an extended pad such as extended pad 307 or extended pad 309. Where a pad can be truncated and still provide approximately one third of the nominal pad area, a truncated pad can be utilized.

Impacts to the skull are often experienced near the front, back, or top of the head when the body is moving in a given direction. It is less likely to experience an impact around the base of the skull as the shoulders typically provide some radius of impact defense. Thus it is important to provide either truncated pads such as truncated pad 306 or extended pads such as extended pad 309 to avoid gaps near the border between first section 300 and second section 400, not shown. This embodiment comprises crown spacing 201 to provide spacing between the pads of first section 300 and second section 400, not shown. Crown spacing 201 also allows the device of the invention to be folded as shown in FIG. 2 for convenience.

The pattern of pads in this embodiment is shown as providing spacing between the pads so that bending or folding in the vertical, horizontal, or diagonal directions can be accomplished to accommodate the circular arc of a user's head. The pattern shown in the embodiment of FIG. 3 is staggered so that the point of one pad 320 is vertically positioned above the gap between pad 310 and pad 330. This staggered pattern is repeated across most of first section 300 as shown in FIG. 3. In this way, bending first section 300 about a horizontal axis, to be concave, causes pad 320 to partially move into the space between pad 310 and pad 330. Pad 351 and pad 352 are shown as having horizontal pad spacing 350. In one embodiment, horizontal pad spacing 350 can be approximately 0.08 inches, and horizontal pad spacing 350 can be uniform between the pads in first section 300. Pad 361 and pad 362 are shown as having diagonal pad spacing 360. In an embodiment of the invention, diagonal pad spacing 360 can be approximately 0.095 inches, have a variance of 10%, and can be uniform throughout first section 300. Thus, when first section 300 is flexed or bent about a diagonal axis, the diagonal spacing of the pads, e.g. diagonal pad spacing 360, accommodates the movement of the pads towards one another in a diagonal direction. When the first section 300 is bent about a vertical axis, the horizontal spacing, e.g. horizontal pad spacing 350, accommodates the movement of the pads towards one another. When folded on a horizontal axis, it is the staggered placement of the pads that allows pad 351 and pad 352 to move towards one another and into, for example, horizontal pad spacing 350, to accommodate the flexing of first section 300 without the pads touching each other which would prohibit the adoption of a smooth arc to cover a user's head. When the device is reversed from the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and the first surface 110 is placed around the user's head, the device will adopt an arc equivalent to the rounded shape of the human head. The pads on the first surface 110 will move towards each other as the device, including first section 300, adopts a concave configuration. The pad spacing in each direction, namely horizontal pad spacing 350 and diagonal pad spacing 360, will be utilized to allow this increased closeness as the side pads converge.

FIG. 4 presents a side view of a first surface of a shell in an embodiment of the invention. This view presents a second section 400 that corresponds to the other side of the device shown in FIG. 3. In this embodiment, second section 400 is constructed similarly to first section 300, not shown. Second section 400 is also symmetrical from left to right in FIG. 4 and therefore is interchangeable with first section 300, not shown, in that section 300 could replace section 400, but also interchangeable in that a user could wear the device of the invention with either first section 300 or second section 400 on a given side of the user's head, left or right. First surface 110 is present as the hemispherical shape of the first surface 110 comprises a first section 300, not shown, and a second section 400. Side pads of second section 400 may be called second side pads to distinguish from pads positioned on first section 300, not shown. A plurality of side pads are shown positioned in a staggered pattern. In the embodiment shown here, 79 side pads are positioned within second section 400. Diagonal pad spacing 460 is shown between side pad 461 and side pad 462. Side pads in second section 400 may also be called pads or raised pads. Horizontal pad spacing 450 is shown between pad 452 and pad 451. Truncated pad 440 is shown at the border of second section 400. Pad 420 is shown positioned above and between pad 410 and pad 430. The plurality of pads disposed on second section 400 combine to provide cushioning from impact while being spaced apart advantageously to accommodate flexion towards a concave configuration of second section 400 that moves the plurality of pads closer towards each other. First surface 110 is viewable between the plurality of pads. Extended pad 409 is shown at the edge of second section 400. Small portions of pad width might be turned or folded instead of providing a cushioning effect. Small portions of pads are difficult to manufacture. Therefore small pad portions are advantageously joined with another pad to form an extended pad with added stability such as extended pad 407. Truncated pad 406 is shown adjacent to the edge of second section 400. Truncated pad 404 is shown adjacent to the edge of second section 400. Truncated pad 408 is shown adjacent to second border 402 and is truncated to accommodate the generally circular shape of second section 400. Second border 402 defines a portion of opening 150 not shown, and helps provide a waterproof seal with a user's head.

FIG. 5A presents a perspective view of a shell comprising a side section and a crown section in an embodiment of the invention. Crown section 200 is disposed between first section 300 and second section 400 shown in FIG. 5B. The majority of the pads in crown section 200 can be uniform and can have a rectangular cross section such as crown pad 221. Other regular shapes such as rounded, diamond, or square can also function within the scope of the invention provided crown pads are spaced apart sufficiently to allow the crown section 200 to adopt a concave configuration without touching each other and causing buckling as the crown pads converge. Crown pads 222, 223, 224, and 225 are shown disposed on first surface 110, in crown section 200, and are aligned linearly between the pads of first section 300 and second section 400. In order to avoid a crown pad with a small cross section that does not provide sufficient cushioning, the crown pad near the end of the crown section 200 is elongated to form elongated crown pad 228. Adjacent to elongated crown pad 228 is shown crown pad 227 and crown pad 226. Crown pad 227 and crown pad 226 are part of the plurality of crown pads that form a transition from first section 300 to second section 400. A plurality of crown pads are shown extending across crown section 200 and are shown arranged linearly. First crown gap 230 is present between side pads and crown pads. For instance, first crown gap 230 presents a gap between truncated pad 306 and crown pad 227. When first section 300 is flexed to contour to a user's head, first crown gap 230 allows the side pads and crown pads to move closer together without touching. This allows the device of the invention to accommodate varied geometries while maintaining a smooth contour without buckling. In an embodiment, first crown gap 230 is approximately 0.090 inches and is uniform in width between first section 300 and crown section 200. First crown gap 230 allows the device of the invention to flex. Additionally, crown pads 232, and 234 are spaced apart by crown spacing 240 which is substantially uniform through crown section 200. In FIG. 5A, crown section 200 is shown as convex; when the device of the invention is reversed and placed on a user's head, crown section 200 will be in a concave configuration and crown spacing 240 will allow the plurality of crown pads, including crown pads 221, 222, 223, 232, 234 etc., to move towards each other without buckling or otherwise preventing the device of the invention from conforming to a user's head. In this way the crown pads converge towards each other without buckling.

FIG. 5B presents a perspective view of a second section and crown section in an embodiment. In this embodiment, second section 400 can be substantially the same as first section 300 as described in FIG. 3 where the first section 300 and second section 400 are shown as substantially the same. Second crown spacing 430 is shown adjacent to crown pads 226 and 227.

FIG. 6 presents a sectional view of a headgear device as positioned on the head of a user. The section line is shown in FIG. 1. Shell 100 is worn on the head of a user. Second surface 120 is shown on the exterior and can be substantially smooth for low resistance.

In an embodiment, the entire device of the invention can be manufactured from the same material. The material can be any flexible substance having elastomeric properties. Suitable materials include silicone. A mold can be utilized that allows for the entire device of the invention to be formed in one mold to produce a protective device at a low cost. Injection molding or compression molding can be used to produce a protective device in the spirit of the invention. Multi-piece tooling can also be utilized to produce an embodiment of the invention. The device of the invention can therefore be formed from just one material. In the event that a sticker or printing or design can be added to the device, it would not then be technically composed of all one material, e.g. silicone elastomer. Contemplating a headgear device with a decorative element or imprinted label or other detailing, substantially the entire device would still be composed of a single material.

Different materials can be employed that provide a flexible, malleable device that is lighter such as for example silicone foam. The use of a foam provides a lighter and more buoyant device. Additionally, other materials such as elastomeric foam or Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) can be utilized to form a protective device with a low manufacturing cost. Additional suitable materials include latex and silicone. It is an advantage of the present invention that the use of a mold greatly reduces the amount of labor required as the device of the invention does not require significant assembly. The device of the invention is flexible in its manufacture as it can be created in a mold and different molds can be used to produce different sizes and configurations. For instance greater pad thickness can be implemented in devices designed for use in contact sports such as water polo. Smaller cap sizes can be created for use by children.

It is another advantage of the invention that the device of the invention is reversible and can be worn with the plurality of cushions on the exterior.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification and, thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention that fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A protective headgear device, comprising: a plurality of raised pads disposed on said first surface; and said plurality of raised pads are configured to cooperate with each other upon concave flexing of said first surface to reduce the space between said plurality of raised pads.

a shell having a first surface, a second surface, and an opening;

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said second surface is substantially smooth.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of raised pads is disposed on substantially all of said first surface.

4. The device of claim 3 wherein said shell is molded as substantially hemispherical for placement on a user's head.

5. The device of claim 4 wherein said plurality of raised pads is configured in a staggered pattern.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said plurality of raised pads are elliptical shaped.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said plurality of raised pads have a substantially uniform pad height of between 0.125 inches and 0.375 inches.

8. The device of claim 7 wherein said plurality of raised pads are spaced apart to provide a horizontal pad spacing of approximately 0.08 inches and provide a diagonal pad spacing of approximately 0.095 inches.

9. The device of claim 4 wherein substantially the entire device is composed of a single material and said plurality of raised pads have thickness of at least 0.125 inches.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein said single material is silicone elastomer.

11. A protective head gear device, comprising:

A hemispherical shell having a first surface, a second surface, and an opening, wherein said first surface further comprises a first section and a second section separated by a crown spacing;

said first section comprises a plurality of side pads having a generally elliptical shape and arranged in a staggered pattern;

said second section comprises a plurality of side pads having a generally elliptical shape and arranged in a staggered pattern; and

said opening is suitable for placing the device on a user's head.

12. The device of claim 11 wherein substantially the entire device is composed of one material.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said one material is a silicone elastomer and said side pads have a thickness of at least 0.125 inches.

14. The device of claim 13 wherein said first section further comprises at least one truncated pad and at least one extended pad.

15. A protective headgear device comprising:

a hemispherical shell having a first surface, a second surface, and an opening, wherein said second surface further comprises a first section, a crown section, and a second section;

said first section comprises a plurality of side pads arranged in a staggered pattern, at least one truncated pad adjacent said crown section, and at least one extended pad adjacent said crown section;

said second section comprises a plurality of side pads arranged in a staggered pattern, at least one truncated pad adjacent said crown section, and at least one extended pad adjacent said crown section;

said crown section is positioned between said first section and said second section; and

said opening is suited for placement of said device on a user's head.

16. The device of claim 15 wherein said first section further comprises a first border and said second section further comprises a second border and said plurality of side pads of said first section and said second section are elliptical shaped.

17. The device of claim 15 further comprising a plurality of crown pads having a substantially rectangular shape arranged linearly across said crown section.

18. The device of claim 15 wherein said side plurality of side pads in said first section are spaced apart to provide horizontal pad spacing of at least 0.08 inches and diagonal pad spacing of at least 0.095 inches, and concave flexing of said first surface causes said plurality of side pads to converge.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein pad height of said plurality of side pads of said first section is at least 0.2 inches and pad height of said plurality of side pads of said second section is at least 0.2 inches.