PROTECTIVE GARMENT ASSEMBLY

A protective garment assembly can include an elongate main portion having a length that extends between first and second ends. The main portion can include an upper fabric layer and a lower fabric layer. At least one energy-absorbing layer can be arranged between the upper and lower fabric layers and can extend at least partially between the first and second ends. At least one high-strength strip can be arranged between the upper and lower fabric layers adjacent to the at least one energy-absorbing layer. A plurality of armor elements can be arranged between the upper and lower fabric layers adjacent to the at least one energy-absorbing layer and the at least one high-strength strip.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to protective gear for a person's head.

INTRODUCTION

The following paragraphs are not an admission that anything discussed in them is prior art or part of the knowledge of persons skilled in the art.

Helmets are a type of protective gear worn to protect a person's head. Typically, a helmet supplements the skull in protecting the human brain. Helmets are used in various sports (e.g., American football, ice hockey, cycling and skiing), in dangerous work environments (e.g., construction, policing and military applications), and for transportation (e.g., motorcycling).

A turban is a type of headwear based on cloth winding. Turbans can serve as an important religious observance, particularly for members of the Sikh religion. Conventional helmets are generally not compatible with Sikh turbans. To accommodate the religious significance, some jurisdictions exempt Sikhs from wearing motorcycle helmets, for example.

There is need for a garment that can function both as a turban and as protective gear for the wearer's head.

SUMMARY

The following is intended to introduce the reader to the detailed description that follows and not to define or limit the claimed subject matter.

In an aspect of the present disclosure, a protective garment assembly may include: an elongate main portion having a length that extends between first and second ends, the main portion including an upper fabric layer and a lower fabric layer; at least one energy-absorbing layer arranged between the upper and lower fabric layers and extending at least partially between the first and second ends; at least one high-strength strip arranged between the upper and lower fabric layers adjacent to the at least one energy-absorbing layer; and a plurality of armor elements arranged between the upper and lower fabric layers adjacent to the at least one energy-absorbing layer and the at least one high-strength strip.

Other aspects and features of the teachings disclosed herein will become apparent, to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of the following description of the specific examples of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various apparatuses or methods will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover apparatuses and methods that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses and methods having all of the features of any one apparatus or method described below, or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses or methods described below. It is possible that an apparatus or method described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus or method described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicant(s), inventor(s) and/or owner(s) do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

Referring toFIG.1, a protective garment assembly is shown generally at reference numeral10. In accordance with the teachings herein, the assembly10can be referred to as the TOUGH TURBAN™ product.

In the example illustrated, the assembly10includes an elongate main portion12having a length that extends between first and second ends14,16, and a width that extends between first and second edges18,20.

In the example illustrated, the assembly10includes a crown portion22secured to the first end14of the main portion12. The crown portion22can be secured to the main portion12with adhesive and/or stitching.

Referring toFIGS.2A,2B, and2C, the main portion12includes upper and lower fabric layers24,26.

In the example illustrated, the main portion12includes energy-absorbing layers28, high-strength strips30, and armor elements32. These protective components are arranged between the upper and lower fabric layers24,26, and extend generally between the first and second ends14,16of the main portion12.

In the example illustrated, there is a first row formed of one of the energy-absorbing layers28and one of the high-strength strips30, a second row formed of one of the energy-absorbing layers28, the armor elements32, and one of the high-strength strips30, and a third row formed of one of the energy-absorbing layers28and one of the high-strength strips30. The rows are parallel to each other and extend along the length of the main portion12from the first end14towards the second end16. As illustrated, the rows can be offset from the second end16of the main portion12.

In some examples, in the main portion12, stitching can be provided between the upper and lower fabric layers24,26, on either side of each of the rows, to secure the rows in position. Also, in some examples, the armor elements32can be adhered to the energy-absorbing layers28to secure each of the armor elements in position. Adhesive46is shown inFIG.2C.

In the example illustrated, in the first and third rows, the energy-absorbing layers28are adjacent to the lower fabric layer26and the high-strength strips30are adjacent to the upper fabric layer24. In the second row, the energy-absorbing layer28is adjacent to the upper fabric layer24, the high-strength strip30is adjacent to the lower fabric layer26, and the armor elements32are disposed between the energy-absorbing layer28and the high-strength strip30.

Referring toFIGS.2A,2D, and2E, the crown portion22includes upper and lower fabric layers34,36.

In the example illustrated, the crown portion22includes the energy-absorbing layers28, the high-strength strips30, and the armor elements32. These protective components are arranged between the upper and lower fabric layers34,36.

In the example illustrated, there four rows each formed of one of the energy-absorbing layers28, the armor elements32, and one of the high-strength strips30. The rows are parallel to each other and are generally centered within the crown portion22.

In some examples, in the crown portion22, stitching can be provided between the upper and lower fabric layers34,36, on either side of each of the rows, to secure the rows in position. Also, in some examples, the armor elements32can be adhered to their respective energy-absorbing layers28to secure the armor elements in position. Adhesive46is shown inFIG.2E.

In the example illustrated, in each of the rows, the energy-absorbing layer28is adjacent to the lower fabric layer36, the high-strength strip30is adjacent to the upper fabric layer34, and the armor elements32are disposed between the energy-absorbing layer28and the high-strength strip30.

As shown inFIG.2F, in some examples, the relative positions of the armor elements32can be opposite in the main portion12as compared to the crown portion22. In the main portion12, the armor elements32can face the lower fabric layer26, whereas in the crown portion22, the armor elements32can face the upper fabric layer34. This arrangement in the main portion12can allow the armor elements32to blend better underneath the fabric and be less visible.

As shown inFIG.3A, the rows can be arranged closer to the first edge18, so that the energy-absorbing layers28, the high-strength strips30and the armor elements32are all disposed between the first edge18and a longitudinal centerline of the main portion12. In such examples, when the main portion12is folded in half, all of the protective components reside within the same half, as shown inFIG.3B.

The specific exemplary arrangement of the energy-absorbing layers28, the high-strength strips30, and the armor elements32within the main and crown portions12,22can be further understood with reference toFIGS.4A and4B. In the example illustrated, the layers24,26of the main portion12are formed of one piece of fabric, folded roughly in half along its length. It can be seen that, in both portions12,22, the armor elements30are sandwiched between the energy-absorbing layers26and the high-strength strips28. It can also be seen that the armor elements30are arranged spaced apart from one another. As mentioned above, in some examples, the armor elements30can be adhered to the energy-absorbing layers28to fix them in position.

Referring toFIGS.5,6A,6B,7and8, in the specific example illustrated, the armor element32has a domed top surface38, a flat bottom surface40, and a general exterior shape that is hexagonal. In some examples, the domed top surface38can provide for a smooth outer profile when applied to the person's head, and add strength for each element. In some examples, the flat bottom surface40can provide a good surface for adhesion to other materials when bonded into the assembly10.

In the example illustrated, the outer surfaces of armor element32have been rounded to remove any sharp points or edges. The shape of the armor element32is selected to allow the matrix of hexagon-like shapes to conform and flex to the contour of the person's head as the assembly10is tied. In other examples, armor elements can have a general exterior shape selected from square, rectangle, triangle, rhombus, pentagon, and trapezoid.

In the example illustrated, the armor element32includes a central hole42and a bottom groove44surrounding the central hole42, recessed relative to the bottom surface40. The central hole42can assist with air flow for breathability of assembly10. The central hole42and the bottom groove44can assist with reducing material of the armor element32.

The resulting structure of the armor element32is rigid and lightweight. Implemented into the assembly10, the armor elements32are separate components spaced apart from one another, which can allow flexure and movement, and yet cooperate as a matrix to achieve a “chainmail” protective effect. Spacing can be varied. In the example illustrated, the space between adjacent ones of the armor element is more than the diameter or main dimension of each of the armor elements. In some examples, the space between adjacent ones of the armor element can be less than the diameter or main dimension of each of the armor elements.

FIGS.9A,9B,10A and10Bshow the assembly10being worn by a person as a turban.FIG.9Bshows the side of the person's head, in which the main portion of the assembly10has been wrapped progressively to provide tiers of the protective components.FIG.10Bshows the top of the person's head, in which the crown portion of the assembly10provides protection.

The following relates to dimensions and materials of the assembly10, which are intending to be illustrative but non-limiting. It should also be understood that the drawings are schematic in nature and should not be interpreted to express precise dimensions of the assembly10.

Referring again toFIGS.1,4A and4B, the length and width of the main portion12can be approximately 168″ (3762 mm) and approximately 8″ (202 mm), respectively. The crown portion22can be approximately 20″ (508 mm) long by 10″ (254 mm) wide. Each of the rows can be offset from the second end16of the main portion12by approximately 16″ (406 mm), which can be helpful if the second end16needs to be tucked in to secure the assembly10around a person's head.

In some examples, the fabric layers24,26,34,36can be formed of rubia voile 100% cotton material. This can be a soft, light and durable material, and its use can give the assembly10a look and feel that resembles a typical Sikh turban. In a prototype, the inventors used fabric that is 0.0091″ (0.23 mm) thick.

In some examples, the energy-absorbing layers28can be formed of a non-Newtonian foam material, e.g., D30® material and/or Poron® XRD™ material. These materials can start out soft and flexible, but stiffen when force is applied, to disperse impact. In a prototype, the inventors used strip foam (McMaster Carr part #93275K117 or 86375K262) that is 1/16″ (1.6 mm) thick.

In some examples, the high-strength strips30can be formed of a high-strength fabric with tear resistance, e.g., Dyneema® composite fabric material. In a prototype, the inventors used fabric that is 0.0023″ (0.06 mm) thick (https://ripstopbytheroll.com/products/0-8-oz-dyneema-composite-fabric-ct2e-08).

The armor elements32can be formed of various materials, including plastic materials such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate, Delrin®, and glass-reinforced nylon. The armor elements can also be formed of carbon composite materials. In a prototype, the inventors used 3D-printed ABS that is 0.11″ (2.81 mm) thick, 0.74″ (18.67 mm) across, 0.014 oz (0.4 g) in weight, and these armor elements were spaced apart approximately 1″ (25.4 mm) from each other. In other examples, armor elements can be formed by casting of polycarbonate, or carbon composite.

While the above description provides examples of one or more apparatuses or methods, it will be appreciated that other apparatuses or methods may be within the scope of the accompanying claims.