Abstract:
The current invention discloses a new wrestling headgear with protective pads covering the wearer&#39;s entire head, compared with conventional wrestling headpieces that cover only the ears, or forehead and ears. The wrestling headgear herein disclosed may take various forms but in general provides covering for the forehead, top of the head, back of the head, and the ears. In one embodiment, there are a plurality of straps fastening the pads to the ear pieces and the pads and earpieces to the wearer&#39;s head. In another embodiment, the pads and the ear pieces are encased in elastic wrappings that may be worn comfortably. The current wrestling headgear is superior that it provides comprehensive protection to the wearer, ensuring the safety of the sport.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/821,361 filed on May 9, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to a wrestling headgear, and more particularly to a wrestling headgear that provides a number of pad and fastening mechanisms for more complete coverage and fuller protection. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    As a form of combat sport, wrestling is intense, and sometimes even dangerous. With techniques such as clinch fighting, throws, takedowns, joint locks, pins and grappling holds, wrestling is fun to watch and participate, but also prone to cause injuries, such as cauliflower ear and concussions. In fact, wrestling is ranked third in sports that cause concussions to participants. Therefore, similar to a number of sports such as American football, motorbike riding, and amateur boxing, wearing a headgear reduces the risk of harm to the wrestler&#39;s safety and risk of unnecessary injuries. 
         [0004]    Conventional wrestling headgears are mainly designed to protect the wearer&#39;s chin and ears, and particularly to prevent cauliflower ears—a type of disfiguration of the ear caused by internal blood vessel bleeding, which results from repeated bashing and beating on a wrestler&#39;s ears. The shortcomings of the conventional wrestling headgear lie in its inability to provide comprehensive protection to the wearer&#39;s head, and in particular the failure to prevent concussions. For a wrestler, especially young wrestlers in high school and college, sometimes collisions and impacts during a wrestling match result in serious injuries to the wrestler&#39;s head, although some plays that cause such collisions and impact are against wrestling rules. It is desirable to develop wrestling headgear that provides additional protection to head parts besides the ears. In particular, it is desirable to have wrestling headgears that prevent concussions. Some patent documents disclose inventions that are directed to provide more coverage. However, these inventions are inadequate in one way or another. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 3,628,191 (&#39;191 patent) discloses a unitary headgear for wrestlers made entirely from elastic or resilient material. This headgear includes an integral head and chin fitting harness together with protective ear pads and by virtue of the elastic characteristics of the material used, it is capable of a snug but comfortable form fit on different sizes and shapes of heads which is accomplished without the use of any adjustment clamps, buckles, laces or similar adjustment devices that are susceptible of becoming loose or that would be likely to cause injury to the opponent of the wearer. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,279,037 (&#39;037 patent) discloses an adjustable suspension for protective headgear wherein a constantly uniform tension on all securing members of the suspension can be simultaneously increased or decreased uniformly through a one-step tension control device without removing the headgear from the wearer&#39;s head. This patent also teaches a chin-strapless embodiment which anchors against vertical displacement on the forehead and skull base, detachable chin strap with concealed dual locking fastener, and a headgear wherein the protective elements are supported by an adjustable, detachable suspension. 
         [0007]    These inventions, however, demonstrate significant shortcomings. For example, the headgear disclosed by the &#39;191 patent lack any straps. Such a design significantly reduces the adjustability of the headgear. On the other hand, the &#39;037 patent teaches a headgear that lacks protection for the top and back of the head. As indicated by the examples, various apparatus are known in the art, but their structures are distinctively different from the current invention. Moreover, the prior art fails to address all of the problems solved by the invention described herein. Two embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be described in more detail herein below. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In one embodiment, the invention discloses a wrestling headgear comprising: a front pad having a front pad front section, a front pad connecting section, and a front pad upper strip, the front pad connecting section linking the front pad front section to the front pad upper strip; a back pad having a back pad top section, at least one back pad connecting section, and a back pad back portion, the back pad connecting section linking the back pad top section with the back pad back portion; a connecting strip; two earpieces; a chin strap and a plurality of pad straps, wherein the connecting strip links the front pad to the back pad, the front pad engages and protects a wearer&#39;s forehead, the front back upper strip and the back pad top section engage and protect the top of the wearer&#39;s head, the back pad back portion engages and protects the back or the wearer&#39;s head, the chin strap is linked to the earpieces fastened around the wearer&#39;s chin, the earpieces are positioned over the wearer&#39;s ears, and the pad straps link the front pad and the back pad to the earpieces. 
         [0009]    More specifically, the current invention teaches specific features of the protective pads and how the pads are connected and positioned by the pad straps. For example, the back pad back portion may include two back portion upper slots and two back portion lower slots. The pad straps include an upper back strap and a lower back strap, wherein the upper back strap threads through the back portion upper slots, and the lower back strap threads through the back portion lower slots. In addition, the pad straps may include two front straps linking the front pad front section to the earpieces. Regarding protective structures positioned on top of the wearer&#39;s head, the pad straps may include a first top strap and a second top strap, wherein the first top strap links the front pad upper strip to the earpieces, and the second top strap links the back pad top section to the earpieces. 
         [0010]    In another embodiment, the current invention discloses a wrestling headgear, comprising: elastic pad wrappings; a protective pad encased in the elastic pad wrappings; two earpieces encased in the elastic pad wrappings, and a chin strap connected to the earpieces, wherein the protective pad includes a front section and three elongated strips parallely connected to the front section; the front section engages and protects a wearer&#39;s forehead, the elongated strips extend over the top and the back of the wearer&#39;s head, engage and protect the top and back of the wearer&#39;s head, the elastic pad wrappings include pad pockets encasing the protective pad and the earpieces; and the earpieces are positioned above and protect the wearer&#39;s ears. More particularly, the elastic pad wrappings may be made from elastic fabric. To secure the protective pad in place, the pad may be stitched to the elastic pad wrappings. Moreover, the elastic pad wrappings may include ear covers wrapped over the earpieces. 
         [0011]    Both embodiments disclosed herein provide comprehensive protection to the wearer&#39;s head. The pads and earpieces included in both embodiments cover the wearer&#39;s forehead, top of the head, back of the head, and ears. Such a design not only protects the wrestling participant from the regular grappling and frictions, but also the collisions, concussions, and impacts that are normal occurrences in a wrestling match. In general, the current invention enables a wrestling participant to compete in and enjoy the sport without worrying too much about head injuries. 
         [0012]    In general, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following, and others not mentioned, desirable and useful benefits and objectives. 
         [0013]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a wrestling headgear that provides comprehensive protection to the wearer&#39;s head. 
         [0014]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a wrestling headgear that covers the wearer&#39;s forehead, top of head, back of head, and ears. 
         [0015]    It is another object of the current invention to provide a wrestling headgear that may be used for different persons having different physical parameters. 
         [0016]    It is still another object of the current invention to provide a wrestling headgear that includes a plurality of straps that fasten the protective pads to the wearer&#39;s head. 
         [0017]    It is still another object of the current invention to provide a wrestling headgear that includes a plurality of straps that fasten protective pads to the earpieces. 
         [0018]    It is another object of the current invention to provide a wrestling headgear that allows easy adjustment of the straps. 
         [0019]    It is yet another object of the current invention to provide a wrestling headgear that includes elastic wrappings for comfort and better fit. 
         [0020]    It is yet another object of the current invention to provide a wrestling headgear that includes elastic wrappings encasing the protective pads and earpieces. 
         [0021]    It is another object of the current invention to provide a wrestling headgear that is inexpensive. 
         [0022]    It is yet another object of the current invention to provide a wrestling headgear that is durable and robust. 
         [0023]    It is yet another object of the current invention to provide a wrestling headgear that is light-weight and portable. 
         [0024]    It is yet another object of the current invention to provide a wrestling headgear that is easy to use and easy to manufacture. 
         [0025]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a wrestling headgear that is easy to put on and easy to take off. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention when the wrestling headgear is worn. 
           [0027]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 3  is a back view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention when the wrestling headgear is worn. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6  is a back perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. 
         [0033]    Reference are made in detail to embodiment of the present invention. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention when the wrestling headgear is worn. Shown in  FIG. 1  is the wrestling headgear  10  having a front pad  20 , a back pad  40 , a top connecting strip  36  linking the front pad  20  and back pad  40 , two earpieces  75  (only one is shown in  FIG. 1 ), a chin strap  80  with a chin strap cushion  81 , and a number of pad straps linking the first pad  20  and back pad  40  to the earpiece  75 . More particularly, the front pad  20  comprises a front pad front section  25 , a front pad upper strip  35 , and a front pad connecting section  30  linking the front pad front section  25  to the front pad upper strip  35 . The back pad  40  comprises: a back pad top section  45 , back pad connecting sections  50 , and back pad back portion  55 . Also shown in  FIG. 1  are the pad straps including two front straps  85  (only one is shown in  FIG. 1 ), a first top strap  90 , a second top strap  93 , an upper back strap  95 , and a lower back strap  96 , wherein the front straps  85  link the front pad front section  25  to the earpieces  75 , the first top strap  90  links the front pad top strip  35  to the earpieces  75 , the second top strap  93  links the back pad top section  45  to the earpieces  75 , and the upper and lower back straps  95  and  96  link the back pad back portion  55  to the earpieces  75 . Also in  FIG. 1 , a logo  100  is attached to the first top strap  90  and presented on the front section top strip  35 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Most of the elements shown in  FIG. 2  are also presented in  FIG. 1 . Shown in  FIG. 2  is the wrestling headgear  10  having a front pad  20 , a back pad  40 , a top connecting strip  36  linking the front pad  20  and back pad  40 , two earpieces  75 , a chin strap  80  with a chin strap cushion  81 , and a number of pad straps linking the first pad  20  and back pad  40  to the earpiece  75 . More particularly, the front pad  20  comprises a front pad front section  25 , a front pad upper strip  35 , and a front pad connecting section  30  linking the front pad front section  25  to the front pad upper strip  35 . The back pad  40  comprises: a back pad top section  45  and back pad back portion  55 . Also shown in  FIG. 2  are the pad straps including two front straps  85 , a first top strap  90 , a second top strap  93 , an upper back strap  95  (not visible in  FIG. 2 ), and a lower back strap  96 . Also in  FIG. 2 , a logo  100  is attached to the first top strap  90  and presented on the front section top strip  35 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  is a back view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Most of the elements shown in  FIG. 3  are also presented in  FIG. 1 . Shown in  FIG. 3  is the wrestling headgear  10  having a front pad  20  (not visible in  FIG. 3 ), a back pad  40 , a top connecting strip  36  (not visible in  FIG. 3 ) linking the front pad  20  and back pad  40 , two earpieces  75 , a chin strap  80  with a chin strap cushion  81 , and a number of pad straps linking the first pad  20  and back pad  40  to the earpiece  75 . More particularly, the back pad  40  comprises: a back pad top section  45 , three back pad connecting sections  50  parallely aligned, separated by connecting section gaps  54 , and connecting the back pad top section  45  to a back pad back portion  55 . The back pad back portion  55  includes two back portion upper slots  63  and two back portion lower slots  66 . Also shown in  FIG. 3  are the pad straps including two front straps  85 , an upper back strap  95 , and a lower back strap  96 , wherein the upper back strap  95  threads through the back portion upper slots  63  and linking the back portion  55  to the earpieces  75 , and the lower back strap  96  threads through the back portion lower slots  66  and linking the back portion  55  to the earpieces  75 . 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. Most of the elements shown in  FIG. 4  are also presented in  FIG. 1 . Shown in  FIG. 4  is the wrestling headgear  10  having a front pad  20 , a back pad  40 , a top connecting strip  36  linking the front pad  20  and back pad  40 , two earpieces  75  (only one is shown in  FIG. 4 ), a chin strap  80  with a chin strap cushion  81 , and a number of pad straps linking the first pad  20  and back pad  40  to the earpiece  75 . More particularly, the front pad  20  comprises a front pad front section  25 , a front pad upper strip  35 , and a front pad connecting section  30  linking the front pad front section  25  to the front pad upper strip  35 . The back pad  40  comprises: a back pad top section  45 , three back pad connecting sections  50  parallely aligned, separated by connecting section gaps  54 , and connecting the back pad top section  45  to a back pad back portion  55 . The back pad back portion  55  includes two back portion upper slots  63  and two back portion lower slots  66 . Also shown in  FIG. 4  are the pad straps including two front straps  85  (only one is shown in  FIG. 1 ), a first top strap  90 , a second top strap  93 , an upper back strap  95 , and a lower back strap  96 , Also shown in  FIG. 4  are the pad straps including two front straps  85 , a first top strap  90 , a second top strap  93 , an upper back strap  95 , and a lower back strap  96 , wherein the front straps  85  link the front pad front section  25  to the earpieces  75 , the first top strap  90  links the front pad top strip  35  to the earpieces  75 , the second top strap  93  links the back pad top section  45  to the earpieces, the upper and lower back straps  95  and  96  link the back pad back portion  55  to the earpieces  75 , the upper back strap  95  threads through the back portion upper slots  63  and linking the back portion  55  to the earpieces  75 , and the lower back strap  96  threads through the back portion lower slots  66  and linking the back portion  55  to the earpieces  75 . Also in  FIG. 4 , a logo  100  is attached to the first top strap  90  and presented on the front section top strip  35 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4 , the front pad  20  engages and protects generally the front and top of the wearer&#39;s head. More particularly, the front pad front section  25  engages and protects the forehead of the wearer. The front pad top strip  35  is positioned horizontally (defined as generally parallel to the wearer&#39;s eyes) on top of the wearer&#39;s head. The front pad connecting section  30  links the front pad front section  25  to the front pad top strip  35 . It should be noted that the exact format of the front pad  20  may vary according to the physical features of the wearer&#39;s and the specific needs of wrestling. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  4 , the back pad  40  engages and protects generally the back and top of the wearer&#39;s head. More particularly, the back pad top section  45  is preferably a rectangular shape aligned in parallel to the front pad top strip  35 . The back pad top section  45  and the front pad top strip  35  are linked by the top connecting strip vertically (generally defined as perpendicular to the wearer&#39;s eyes) positioned. The back pad top section  45  and the front pad top strip  35  engage and protect the top of the wearer&#39;s head. The back portion  55  of the back pad  40  engages and protects the back of the wearer&#39;s head. The specific design of the back pad  40  may vary. For example, while in  FIG. 3  there are three back pad connecting sections  50  vertically aligned in parallel, the specific number and format of the back pad connecting sections  50  may change. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the wrestling headgear  10  comprises the chin strap  80  and a plurality of pad straps including two front straps  85 , a first top strap  90 , a second top strap  93 , an upper back strap  95 , and a lower back strap  96 . The chin strap  80  with the chin strap cushion  85  wraps around or under the wearer&#39;s chin, fastening the wrestling headgear  10  to the wearer&#39;s head and providing protection to the wearer&#39;s chin. The pad straps attach the front pad  20  and the back pad  40  to the earpieces  75 , serving to fasten the pads to the wearer&#39;s head. It is preferable that the chin strap  80  and the pad straps are all adjustable in length so that the wrestling headgear  10  may fit wearers with different head sizes and physical parameters. The specific adjusting mechanism for each strap may be the same or different. The adjusting mechanisms may also vary according to specific needs. For example, shown in  FIGS. 1-4  are straps, such as the chin strap  80 , the top straps  90  and  93 , and the back straps  95  and  96 , that have a reverse-buckling mechanism with a hook-and-loop affixing structure. However, it should be noted that other mechanisms are still possible. For instance, the straps may be made from elastic and resilient materials. The front straps  85  may use this approach. 
         [0041]    The front pad  20  and the back pad  40  provide full coverage for the forehead, as well as the top and back of the wearer&#39;s head. The sides of the wearer&#39;s head, particularly the ears, are protected by the earpieces  75 . The earpieces also serve as anchoring structures for the front pad  20  and back pad  40 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  is a top perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention when the wrestling headgear is worn. Shown in  FIG. 5  is the wrestling headgear  110  comprising elastic pad wrappings  120 ; a protective pad encased in the elastic pad wrappings  120 ; two earpieces  175  encased in the elastic pad wrappings  120 , and a chin strap  180  with a chin strap cushion  181  connected to the earpieces  175 , wherein the protective pad includes a front section  150  and three elongated strips  160  parallely connected to the front section  150 . Also shown in  FIG. 5  are the stitches  170 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  is a back perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Shown in  FIG. 6  is the wrestling headgear  110  comprising elastic pad wrappings  120 ; a protective pad encased in the elastic pad wrappings  120 ; two earpieces  175  encased in the elastic pad wrappings  120 , and a chin strap  180  with a chin strap cushion  181  connected to the earpieces  175 , wherein the protective pad includes a front section  150  and three elongated strips  160  parallely connected to the front section  150 . Also shown in  FIG. 6  are the stitches  170 . 
         [0044]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , while the front section  150  of the protective pad engages and protects a wearer&#39;s forehead, the elongated strips  160  of the protective pad extend over the top and the back of the wearer&#39;s head, engage and protect the top and back of the wearer&#39;s head. In addition, the earpieces  175  are positioned above and protect the wearer&#39;s ears and the sides of the wearer&#39;s head. The elastic pad wrappings include pad pockets encasing the protective pad and the earpieces  175 . The chin strap  180  with chin strap cushion  181  fastens the wrestling headgear  110  to the wearer&#39;s head. 
         [0045]    Comparing with the first embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the second embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  does not include the pad straps. The second embodiment uses elastic pad wrappings  120  to position the protective pad over the wearer&#39;s head, avoiding the entanglement of the pad straps and reduces the difficulties to adjust and fasten the pad straps. The overall design of the protective pad is much simpler than the pads in the first embodiment, ensuring easy manufacturing. 
         [0046]    To ensure close attachment, preferably the protective pad is stitched to the elastic pad wrappings, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Moreover, the elastic pad wrappings  120  include ear covers wrapped over the earpieces  175 . It should also be noted that the specific format the protect pad, as well as show the protective pad is securely encased in the elastic wrappings, may vary according to the wearer&#39;s needs. 
         [0047]    The wrestling headgear may be made from any materials. Preferably the pads in the first embodiment and the protective pad in the second embodiment are made from flexible, resilient, and strong materials that can provide cushioning when impact happens and reduce damages and injuries to the wearer. The pads may be made from elastic polymer, rubber, vinyl, plastic or polypropylene, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, fabrics, or other suitable materials known to one of skill in the art. The earpieces are preferably strong, semi-rigid or rigid, and durable and they may be made from materials such as but not limited to: glass and fiberglass, rubber, and plastic such as, but not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), high-density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and polycarbonate (PC), or some combination thereof. The elastic pad wrappings in the second embodiment are preferably made from highly stretchable materials including but not limited to all kinds of elastomers and stretchable fabrics. 
         [0048]    The wrestling headgears of the current invention provide comprehensive protection to the wearer&#39;s head. Such features are essential to the safety of the wrestling participants, especially young participant, who are more prone to have physical contacts involving sudden impacts, such as headbutts. The current wrestling headgears provide full protection to the wearer&#39;s head, significantly reducing the likelihood of injury. 
         [0049]    Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.