Abstract:
Described is a protective headgear for sports and recreational activities. The protective headgear is designed to provide a user protection against impact or collision due to a fall or contact with a static or moving object, while at the same time providing the user the maximum amount of comfort and style. The headgear may comprise an inner, intermediate, and outer section. The inner section is formed of a material providing ventilation and/or shock absorption, the intermediate section is formed of a hardened material, and the outer section is formed of a fabric material intended to give the headgear an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The embodiments of the present invention relate to personal protective equipment, and more particularly to a safety headgear for sports and recreational activities.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Studies have shown that helmets used by skiers or snowboarders can reduce serious brain injuries. Despite numerous studies and warnings, people still do not wear protective headgear when they engage in potentially dangerous sports and recreational activities. When people are asked why they do not wear helmets, one of the primary responses is because the helmet is heavy and uncomfortable, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Moreover, people refuse to wear helmets because they&#39;re not aesthetically pleasing. Appearance is especially important to the younger generation of risk-takers involved in snow-boarding, skateboarding and similar radical sports.  
         [0003]     Consequently, there is a need for a helmet that not only protects a user, but also has an attractive appearance without substantially compromising the safety of the user.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0004]     Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention is headgear comprising an inner section fabricated of a material operable to provide ventilation; an intermediate section comprising at least two members, wherein the two members are operable to accommodate varied head sizes; and an outer section fabricated of a fabric material. The headgear not only provides adequate protection against falls and collisions, but also provides user comfort and a fashionable look at the same time.  
         [0005]     In other embodiments, the inner section comprises a polymeric foam material that provides protection and shock absorptive qualities, as well as ventilation and moisture wicking for a cool and comfortable experience for the user, the intermediate section comprises a durable plastic material that not only provides protection, but also allows the user to adjust the headgear for a comfortable fit, and the outer section comprises a flexible fabric or cloth material for concealing the inner and intermediate sections while creating a fashionable appearance. Additionally, the outer section may be interchangeable and may be updated at anytime without users having to purchase multiple headgears. In doing so, the headgear not only integrates the latest fashion into a light-weight and protective helmet, but is also readily interchangeable thereby allowing the user to keep up with seasonable fashion trends. In an alternative embodiment, the outer section may be eliminated.  
         [0006]     Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a prior-art protective helmet;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  illustrates the various sectional components of a presently disclosed headgear invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  illustrates an inner section of the headgear of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  illustrates an intermediate section of the headgear of  FIG. 2 ; and  
         [0011]      FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate three models of an outer section of the headgear of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0012]     It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.  
         [0013]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 2 , which illustrates the three different sections of a presently disclosed protective headgear  100 . As shown, the headgear  100  comprises three sections: an inner section  200  that provides comfort and ventilation and shock absorptive qualities, an intermediate section  300  that provides protection and is sizable to adapt to a user&#39;s head, and an outer section  400  that is both stylish and aesthetically pleasing. Although in  FIG. 2  the three sections  200 ,  300 ,  400  of the headgear  100  are separate units, some of the sections  200 ,  300 ,  400  may be constructed as a single unit. For example, the inner section  200  and the intermediate section  300  may be fabricated as a single unit. Furthermore, by using known materials and methods, additional complements such as a chin guard (not shown) and/or a face guard (not shown) may be integrated in the headgear  100 .  
         [0014]     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the outer section  400  is designed to fit over the intermediate section  300 , which is designed to fit over the inner section  200 . Although the sections  200 ,  300 ,  400  are illustrated as fitting over one another, the overlying sections  300 ,  400  need not completely cover the underlying sections  200 ,  300 . In another embodiment, the outer section  400  may be eliminated entirely. In other words, the headgear  100  can be constructed of only two sections: the inner section  200  and the intermediate section  300 . Additional details and explanation of the various sections  200 ,  300 ,  400  are provided in subsequent figures and discussion. The sections  200 ,  300 ,  400  may be removably attached to one another or may be fabricated of such tolerances that friction causes the sections to maintain a final configuration. Alternatively, sections  200  and  300  may be glued together.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates the inner section  200  of the headgear  100 . The inner section  200  may also be termed the comfort zone because the inner section  200  provides comfort and protection to and for a user&#39;s head. The inner section  200  may be constructed of a polymeric foam material or other shock-absorbent materials. In one embodiment, the inner section  200  is constructed of a memory foam material that conforms to the shape of a user&#39;s head for added comfort. Ideally, the inner section  200  has a thickness  230  of about 1 to 10 mm and more specifically, the inner section  200  has a thickness  230  of about 5 mm.  
         [0016]     In addition to providing shock absorption, the inner section  200  also provides ventilation for a user&#39;s head through ventilation holes  210 . These ventilation holes  210  may be distributed throughout the inner section  200  so as to provide air flow and relief from body heat exiting through a user&#39;s head. Additionally, the ventilation holes  210  allow for moisture wicking thereby resulting in a cool and comfortable experience for the user. In another embodiment, the ventilation holes  210  may be eliminated or changed in the configuration.  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates an intermediate section  300  of the headgear  100 . The intermediate section  300  may be termed the protective zone because the intermediate section  300  provides protection for the user&#39;s head. The intermediate section  300  comprises two members: a protective member  300   a  and a mobile member  300   b . It is possible that the protective member  300   a  is made of a substantially harder material relative to the mobile member  300   b , and it is conceivable that the mobile member  300   b  is made of a more flexible type of material. As explained in more detail below, the two members  300   a ,  300   b  are designed to engage one another. In another embodiment, a size of the intermediate section  300  is capable of being adjusted to comfortably accommodate different size heads. The adjustments are made by adjusting the protective member  300   a  relative to the mobile member  300   b.    
         [0018]     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the mobile member  300   b  is attached to the protective member  300   a  through a series of screws  340   b  and/or rivets  350   b . Alternatively, other means of attaching the two members  300   a ,  300   b  such as snaps may also be used. In one embodiment, rivets  350   b  of the mobile member  300   b  are attached to rivet points  350   a  of the protective member  300   a . The rivets  350   b  maintain the mobile member  300   b  in place. Screw stems  340   b  of the mobile member  300   b  are attached to the appropriate adjustment holes  340   a  on either side of an opening  355  defined in the protective member  300   a . Once the appropriate adjustment holes  340   a  to accommodate the user&#39;s head size have been determined, the screw stems  340   b  may be securely, but removably, screwed into the adjustment holes  340   a . By selecting the outermost adjustment holes  340   a , the size head that the protective member  300   a  will accommodate is reduced. More particularly, in order for the fixed screw stems  340   b  to insert through the outermost adjustment holes  340   a  the user must apply force to reduce the distance between the outermost adjustment holes  340   a  to receive the fixed screw stems  340   b . By selecting the innermost adjustment holes  340   a  the protective member  300   a  is able to accommodate the largest head size.  
         [0019]     The mobile member  300   b  is permanently attached to the protective member  300   a  with the rivets and rivet points  350   a ,  305   b  while maintaining the flexibility to accommodate different sized heads by means of the screw adjustments  340   a ,  340   b . In an alternative embodiment, there may be more or less than two rivets/rivet points  350 .  
         [0020]     The protective members  300   a ,  300   b  may be constructed of a tough and durable material such as plastic. Optionally, the protective member  300   a  may also be constructed of shatter proof or heat resistant material. In one embodiment, the protective member  300   a  may be a polymeric material, such as polycarbonate, and can be specifically molded to fit a user&#39;s head for added comfort and protection. And like that of the inner section  200 , the protective member  300   a  can also provide ventilation through ventilation holes  310 . The ventilation holes  310  may be distributed throughout the protective member  300   a  and should be aligned with the ventilation holes  210  of the inner section  200  in order to provide ventilation for a user. In an alternative embodiment, ventilation holes  310  may be eliminated.  
         [0021]     For added strength and durability, the protective member  300   a  may incorporate reinforced ridges  330 . The reinforced ridges  330  may be distributed throughout the protective member  300   a  and may be formed of other durable composite or polymeric materials. The additional plastic or durable material of the reinforced ridges  330  provide the protective member  300   a  with extra strength against impact and collision providing further protection for a user&#39;s head. Although the reinforced ridges  330  are illustrated in the shape of a cross on a top of the protective member  300   a , the reinforced ridges  330  may take a variety of shapes and designs to maximize user protection.  
         [0022]     An elastic band  360  may be positioned near a rear portion of the protective member  300   a  as illustrated. The elastic band  360  may be bonded to the protective member  300   a  or attached using other materials and methods known in the industry. In one embodiment, the elastic band  360  has a width  370  of about 10 to 15 mm wide and is sufficiently flexible to accommodate a user&#39;s head and provide additional comfort. Optionally, the intermediate section  300  may also include straps (not shown) or other methods of securing the intermediate section  300  to a user&#39;s head.  
         [0023]      FIGS. 5A-5C  illustrate three models of aesthetically pleasing outer sections  400 . The outer section  400  is the outermost layer of the headgear  100  and should comprise the latest fashion and style in headwear. The outer section  400  can be easily changed and updated at anytime without having to purchase a new helmet thereby allowing a user to update their helmet every year or as often as desired. Although only three models of outer sections  400  are illustrated, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the models are meant to be illustrative and not exhaustive. The outer section  400  may be made of a flexible fabric-like material, such as cloth or wool. In  FIG. 5A , the outer section  400  is designed to look like a knit cap  400   a  and is made of fabric or wool. In  FIG. 5B , the outer section  400  is designed to look like a stocking cap  400   b . In  FIG. 5C , the outer section  400  is designed to look like a baseball cap  400   c . Optionally, the outer section  400  may also include straps (not shown) or other methods of securing the outer section  400  to a user&#39;s head. Additionally, the outer section  400  may be attachable to the intermediate section  300  or inner section  200 . The attachment may be facilitated by Velcro® or similar means.  
         [0024]     As an added safety feature, the outer section  400  may be coated with a special polymeric spray, such as a Teflon® spray, to allow the headgear  100  to glide or slide over surfaces or objects it contacts thereby minimizing the likelihood of catching on something and causing a severe impact and/or collision.  
         [0025]     Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to several embodiments, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims.