Protective Headgear
A protective device for a head of an individual person. The protective device forms a cap that includes a flexible headpiece and a segmented outer protective shell disposed about the flexible headpiece for distributing an impact load. The device covers and protects the front, top, sides and back of the head from impact injuries and rebound effects of high speed objects as seen for example, a baseball or softball moving at a speed of up to about 125 mph.
The present application is a continuation of prior U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14/624,078 filed on Feb. 17, 2015, and titled “Protective Headgear”, now allowed, which claims priority to and benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/941,327 filed on Feb. 18, 2014, and titled “Protective Headgear,” the entire contents of each of which is herein expressly incorporated by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention is in the technical field of protective gear. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of head protection.
BACKGROUNDConventional head protection devices are in the form of a helmet—non-conforming, rigid head pieces lined with a Styrofoam or foam layer to protect the head from skull fractures upon direct physical contact or impact with the ground or other surface. Baseball and softball batters and runners also wear helmets to protect their heads against forces of a speeding baseball or softball, which can reach speeds up to, for example, as much as 90-100 mph for a pitched ball and 120 mph for the exit speed of a home run ball.
Just like the batters, pitchers are at significant risk for concussion-type injuries because of their proximity to the plate. Depending on the level of competition, pitchers may be within 35 feet (softball) and 60 feet (baseball) of the plate after releasing the ball. The average and fastest exit speeds of a baseball off a swung bat has been measured among the top MLB players at approximately 105 mph and 120 mph, respectively, and can hit a pitcher before the pitcher has time to react. Such an impact can impart a shockwave into the brain that causes it to rebound or if a helmet is worn, it can impart a rebound effect between the head and the helmet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONPreferred embodiments of a protective device provide for a protective cap for a head of an individual. One preferred embodiment includes a hard shell that conforms to the curvature of the head. The preferred cap includes a flexible, comfortable, and energy-distributing shell for conforming to the head of the individual so as to define a surface area of protection preferably covering the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital regions of the skull. The preferred shell is of a lightweight, rigid or semi-rigid material with a hardness that produces load-distributing characteristics. The shell is preferably formed from a plurality of rigid panels that include a group of panels that have a geometry that conform to the curvature of the head. The plurality of protective panels further preferably include a group of adjacent panels to define a flexible seam therebetween. The adjacent panels preferably define one of a hexagonal or a pentagonal geometry. Adjacent panels further preferably define gap therebetween to allow the rigid panels to flex between each other. Preferably formed in the gap is a flexible seam that allows the rigid panels to flex between each other. The flexible seam can be an air gap; or additionally or alternatively include a flexible material disposed within the gap. Adjacent sides of adjacent panels preferably having the same length extending parallel to one another over a portion of the surface area of protection.
Another preferred embodiment provides a flexible headpiece for comfort management that conforms to the head of the individual so as to define a surface area of protection over a plurality of skull regions in the head. The headpiece preferably has energy-absorbing and dissipating properties. Preferably disposed about or formed about the headpiece is a segmented protective shell made of a material that distributes the load. The shell preferably includes rigid panels made of material that distributes the load. Gaps formed between the rigid panels allow the panels to flex between each other. The gaps can be filled with a flexible material to form a seam that allows the load of one panel to be transferred to the adjacent panel(s).
Preferred embodiments of the flexible headpiece is suitable for protective applications and thus preferred embodiments of the headpiece have energy-absorbing and dissipating properties. The preferred embodiments function to distribute the load and absorb energy with a comfortable fit for the user. Another preferred embodiment includes a flexible headpiece for conforming to the head of the individual so as to define a surface area of protection over a plurality of skull regions in the head. A plurality of protective panels are preferably fastened to the flexible headpiece to protect the head. Alternatively, the plurality of panels may be free to move with respect to the headpiece with the headpiece and the plurality of panels held in place by an outer housing. The plurality of protective panels preferably include a group of adjacent panels to define a flexible seam therebetween. Preferred panels define one of a hexagonal or a pentagonal geometry, in which adjacent panels defining a flexible seam therebetween including adjacent sides of the same length extending parallel one another over a portion of the surface area of protection.
Another preferred embodiment of a protective cap for a head of an individual includes a flexible headpiece for conforming to the head of the individual so as to define a surface area of protection over a plurality of skull regions in the head. The preferred cap includes a plurality of protective panels fastened to the flexible headpiece. Each of the panels defining a center point and a central axis extending through the center point normal to the panel. Each panel is preferably defined by a plurality of interconnected sides, each side being linear in a plane orthogonal to the central axis and tangent to the center point so as to define a polygon in the plane. The plurality of panels are adjacent to one another so as to cover the surface area of protection, the plurality of protective panels include a group of adjacent panels spaced apart so as to define a seam therebetween having sides of adjacent panels being of equal length and parallel to one another with a flexible joint formed in each seam. Preferred embodiments of the protective cap includes a headpiece and shell, which defines a preferred profile thickness that is suited for protective application and minimal distraction or discomfort.
Embodiments of the present invention will be described and explained through the use of the accompanying drawings.
The drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be expanded or reduced to help improve the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention. Similarly, some components and/or operations may be separated into different blocks or combined into a single block for the purposes of discussion of some of the embodiments of the present invention. Moreover, while the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are described in detail below. The intention, however, is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONShown in
The preferred protective device 10 forms a cap having a flexible, comfortable, and energy-absorbing underlying headpiece 12 with a preferably segmented outer shell 11 for conforming to the head of the individual. The headpiece 12 is preferably made from a deformable material that allows for flexibility to conform to various head sizes and/or shapes. Moreover, the headpiece 12 preferably functions to absorb and dissipate shock and impact energy to reduce the transfer and/or the focus of the energy to the wearer of the protective cap 10. The headpiece 12 is preferably made from an energy-absorbing material suitable for providing head and/or body protection in contact sports such as football or ice hockey or other sports such as for example, cycling, skiing or snowboarding. The energy-absorbing material is preferably suitable for comfort management and protection applications to provide protection from high-speed impact objects. An exemplary preferred material(s) for forming the headpiece 12 are the CONFOR® foams from E-A-R Specialty Composites in Indianapolis, Ind. and an Aero Company. As described on the E-A-R Specialty Composites website, the CONFOR® foams are urethane foams that “soften and conform when exposed to warmth, giving gentle, virtually pressure-free support. When the foams take a direct blow, however, their high energy-absorption characteristics enable them to absorb up to 97 percent of an impact. While they are slow to recover after deflection, they effectively resist compression set.” The description can be found at <http://www.earsc.com/HOME/products/CushioningMaterials/CONFORFoams/index.asp?SID=265>. The shock-absorption, energy dissipating, rate responsiveness and dampening properties of the preferred CONFOR® foams is described in E-A-R Specialty Composites publication entitled, “Using Specialty Engineered Foams in Seating Design” (October 2000). The description therein of the CONFOR® foams properties and characteristics is incorporated by reference in its entirety. The publication is available at <http://www.earsc.com/HOME/engineering/TechnicalWhitePapers/HumanFactors/index.asp?SID=58>. However, it is to be understood that other energy absorbing or dissipating protective materials could be used.
The headpiece defines a surface area of protection preferably over the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital regions of the skull to preferably absorb and dissipate impact energy. Accordingly, in one preferred embodiment the device 10 the headpiece 12 defines a preformed shaped crown for covering an upper skull region of the head to provide the preferred energy-absorption protection and comfort. The preferably preformed shape is flexible enough to conform and/or deform to a user's head and sufficiently elastic to return to return to its initial shape. The headpiece 12 has an inner convex surface 12a defining the crown profile, an outer surface 12b preferably substantially parallel to the inner surface 12a. The headpiece 12 further defines a base 13 circumscribed about the crown profile.
As is generally understood in the art, a crown profile can define the depth or inner volume of a cap or hat and the manner the cap sits about the head. The higher the profile the more space is provided between the wearer's head and the inner surface of the cap. The lower the crown profile, the more the hat conforms to the head to minimize the gaps between the head and the inner surface of the cap. For the headpiece 12 and its preferably preformed shape, the crown profile can be any one of a high crown profile, a mid-crown profile or a low crown profile and more preferably defines a low crown profile. Because the headpiece 12 preferably conforms to the head of the wearer, any gap between the surface of the head of the individual and the device 10 is minimized and more preferably eliminated. Referring to
The base 13 of the headpiece 12 preferably defines a maximum circumference of the cap 10. In a preferred manner of wearing the cap 10, the base 13 is located about the wearer's head just above the brow. In one preferred aspect, the base 13 can be dimensioned to correspond to any one of a standard hat size under a known hat measuring system, e.g., U.S. System or U.K. system. Summarized in Table 1 below are examples of standard adult head sizes.
Again, the headpiece 12 is preferably made from a deformable material that allows for flexibility to conform to various head sizes and/or shapes. More preferably, the headpiece 12 is preferably flexible, expandable and elastic such that the base 13 and the crown profile can accommodate or conform to multiple standard hat sizes for adults or youth sizes. Alternatively, the headpiece 12 can be formed to any desired size to provide for a customized fit.
To give the device flexibility and provide comfort when wearing, the headpiece material is preferably thin yet thick enough to provide the desired energy absorbing function in the preferred protection device 10. Referring to
Fastened to the headpiece 12 are a plurality of protective panels 14 (14i, 14ii, . . . 14ith) which collectively form the energy distributing preferably segmented outer shell 11. There are a number of different ways that the headpiece 12 and the panels 14 can interface. For example, the load distributing panels 14 can be mechanically attached to the headpiece 12 by a fastener or alternatively, the headpiece 12 can include a group of pockets (not shown) in which each panel 14 is housed in a pocket. Alternatively, the panels 14 can be chemically fastened to the headpiece 12 for example by an appropriate adhesive. Further in the alternative, the panels 14 can be layered together on the inside surface of an outer jacket, housing or outer cap which together is placed over and/or coupled to the headpiece 12.
The protective hard outer shell 11 defined by the panels 14 protects the head by spreading out and distributing the load of a high-speed impact object to the head. The protective panels 14 are preferably made of lightweight, rigid or semi-rigid material. Moreover in preferred embodiments, each panel defines a durometer scale hardness and/or an impact resistance that is typical of head protective gear such as helmets including for example batting or football helmets.
The panels are preferably aligned and spaced over the headpiece 12 and the defined surface area of protection to form a flexible joint or seam 16 therebetween which interconnects or spatially relates the panels 14 to form the load-distributing shell 11. Additionally, the segmentation and or space between panels 14 are preferably configured to allow for flexibility between the panels which can provide or enhance the overall flexibility and comfort of the protective cap 10. Accordingly, the plurality of protective panels 14 preferably include a group of adjacent panels 14 which define the seam(s) 16 therebetween. The seams 16 provide the device 10 with the flexibility by permitting the panels 14 to move with respect to one another in conformance to the wearers head. To maximize the protection of the device 10 while facilitating flexibility, the seams or spacing between the adjacent panels is preferably minimized. In preferred embodiments, the spacing between adjacent panels define a seam width w, as shown for example in
The seams 16 can provide for an air gap between the panels or alternatively, the seams 16 can include disposed therein a flexible, load bearing and/or distributing energy absorbing material 16′, such as for example polyurethane or silicone, to interconnect the panels 14, as seen for example in
In the preferred embodiment of the protective device 10 shown in
Shown in
Referring to the side view of the protective cap 10 shown in
In row three, below the head circumference values, are the “Difference over percentile (cm),” which shows five difference values for each of five grouped percentiles. For example, the third difference value between the fiftieth (50th) and seventy-fifth (75th) percentile is 1 cm., which corresponds to the difference between head circumference values (56.8 and 57.8 respectively) of the two percentile values. In the last row of the Table 2, a “gap per segment” in millimeters identifies for each of the ten gaps or seams 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f an amount of displacement or expansion for the cap 10 to cover or fit multiple percentiles or head circumferences. Under Table 2, five configurations of hat size and seam expansion are identified for covering the 1st through the 99th percentile values of the given head circumference. Thus for example, a preferred cap 10 with a base fitting a head circumference of 53.3 cm. with each of the preferred ten seams 16b, 16c, 16d, 16e, 16f expanding up to 1 mm can fit or cover each of the 1st, 2nd and 5th percentiles.
Referring again to
Shown in
As formed about the protective device 10, each of the plurality of panels 14 preferably has an outer convex surface 15a and an opposite inner preferably concave surface 15b defining the thickness of the panel 14 in between. Preferably, the panels 14 have a thickness from 1/10 in. to ⅛ in. The thickness can be constant over the panel or alternatively variable. The outer convex surface of the protective panels 14 preferably prevents or eliminates flat surfaces in the device 10 that can cause sharp edges or corners. In preferred embodiments of the panel 14, the outer convex surface 15a can define a panel width that spans across the surface 15a and passing through the center C to define a panel width that preferably facilitates load distribution and conformance to the head. The inner concave surface 15b defines one or more radii of curvature to substantially conform the protective panels 14 to the head of an individual. Referring to
Preferably, as shown in
As previously noted, the protective device 10 preferably wears like a cap on an individual. The cap 10 can be configured as a baseball-style cap with a visor or brim. A preferred embodiment of the cap 100 is shown in an exploded view in
The features described herein of the protective device 10 can be customized appropriately to provide the desired protection for a given application. For example, the number of panels 14, the geometry of the panels 14 and their location on the headpiece 12 can be varied to provide the desired protection over particularized regions of the skull or head. In one preferred aspect, the number and size of protective panels 14 are related to the size of the cap 10 for example as measured in hat size. In addition to the general shape or geometry of the panels 14, the thickness and rigidity of the panels can be varied individually to suit a particular application. Moreover as described, the headpiece 12 can define a customized profile, configuration and thickness that minimizes distractions and discomfort to the wearer.
The above Detailed Description of embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above. While specific examples for the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. In conclusion, the present invention provides novel systems, methods and arrangements for protective headgear. While detailed descriptions of one or more embodiments of the invention have been given above, various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents will be apparent to those skilled in the art without varying from the spirit of the invention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features.
Claims
1-61. (canceled)
62. A protective cap comprising:
- a deformable headpiece of energy-absorbing, compression set resistant material defining an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface being concave with a variable radius of curvature to define a crown profile and hat size;
- a protective shell disposed about the outer surface of the headpiece, the shell including a plurality of panels, each of the plurality of panels having a durometer hardness greater than that of the headpiece energy absorbing material; and
- an outer baseball-style cap housing the headpiece and the outer protective shell.
63. The protective cap of claim 62, wherein the outer surface and inner surface of the headpiece define a thickness therebetween ranging from ¼ inch to ⅜ inch and each of the plurality of panels have a thickness ranging from 1/10 inch to ⅛ inch.
64. The protective cap of claim 62, wherein the baseball-style cap includes a seal folded over the base of the headpiece to secure the headpiece and the protective shell within the outer baseball-style cap.
65. The protective cap of claim 62, wherein the outer baseball-style cap defines a hat size that is ½ to one size larger than the headpiece hat size.
66. The protective cap of claim 62, wherein the crown profile is a low crown profile.
67. The protective cap of claim 62, wherein a frontal region of the headpiece defines a first portion of the crown profile having a first spherical radius of curvature, and a back region of the headpiece defines as second portion of the crown profile having a second spherical radius of curvature different than the first spherical radius of curvature.
68. The protective cap of claim 62, wherein the plurality of panels are spaced apart to define a seam width therebetween ranging between 0.5 mm-3 mm.
69. The protective cap of claim 62, wherein the plurality of panels include hexagonal shaped panels and pentagonal shaped panels to define a truncated icosahedron.
70. A protective cap comprising:
- a headpiece of energy-absorbing foam material defining a base, an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface being concave with a variable radius of curvature to define a crown profile, the base circumscribing the crown profile to define an expandable circumference covering a plurality of hat sizes;
- a protective shell disposed about the outer surface of the headpiece for distributing the impact load, the shell including a plurality of panels, each of the plurality of panels having a durometer hardness greater than that of the headpiece energy absorbing material; and
- wherein the headpiece and protective shell are configured for housing in an outer baseball-style cap defining a hat size to house the headpiece and the outer protective shell over the plurality of hat sizes of the headpiece.
71. The protective cap of claim 70, wherein the outer surface and inner surface of the headpiece define a thickness therebetween ranging from ¼ inch to ⅜ inch and each of the plurality of panels have a thickness ranging from 1/10 inch to ⅛ inch.
72. The protective cap of claim 70, wherein the plurality of panels are spaced apart to define a seam width therebetween ranging between 0.5 mm-3 mm.
73. The protective cap of claim 70, wherein the plurality of panels are spaced apart to define a seam, the cap further comprising a bridge segment connecting two panels and extending over the seam.
74. The protective cap of claim 70, wherein the plurality of panels include hexagonal shaped panels and pentagonal shaped panels to define a truncated icosahedron.
75. A protective cap comprising:
- an outer baseball-style cap;
- an inner headpiece of deformable, energy-absorbing material defining a crown profile and a base circumscribed about the crown profile; and
- a protective shell disposed between the outer baseball-style cap and the inner headpiece to distribute energy over the inner headpiece, the shell including a plurality of panels having a durometer hardness greater than that of the headpiece energy absorbing material, the plurality of panels being joined to one another such that the plurality of panels move with respect to one another.
76. The protective cap of claim 75, wherein the protective shell moves independent of the inner headpiece.
77. The protective cap of claim 75, wherein the protective shell is affixed to the inner headpiece.
78. The protective cap of claim 75, wherein the plurality of panels are joined to one another by interconnected seams.
79. The protective cap of claim 75, wherein the inner headpiece defines one of a semi-ovoid shape or a hemispherical shape.
80. The protective cap of claim 75, wherein the inner headpiece defines a thickness ranging from ¼ inch to ⅜ inch and each of the plurality of panels have a thickness ranging from 1/10 inch to ⅛ inch.
81. The protective cap of claim 75, wherein the plurality of panels include hexagonal shaped panels and pentagonal shaped panels to define a truncated icosahedron.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 2, 2017
Publication Date: Jan 4, 2018
Inventors: Mynor J. Castro (Chandler, AZ), Caroline VanIngen-Dunn (Tempe, AZ), Ira Harold Dorfman (Silver Springs, MD)
Application Number: 15/612,478