Abstract:
A head protector consisting of a stretchable foam laminate head-band to be worn as a protection against head injuries by persons engaging in sport activities.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    Provisional application No. 60/255,193 Dec. 12, 2000 
     
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not applicable  
         REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX  
         [0003]    Not applicable  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    It is known that many sports accidents incur head injuries, sometimes of a serious nature. Accordingly, helmets are worn as head protection for sports professionals. Such helmets are, however, frequently perceived by amateurs as being uncomfortable, with the result that they are often not worn by leisure sports enthusiasts. Added to this is the fact that a helmet is relatively expensive.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    A head protector for sports enthusiasts, consisting of at least one layer of force-distributing material, foamed plastic in particular, said layer or layers being provided with insertion cuts applied at intervals and formed by punching or stamping, the longitudinal extension of which runs essentially transverse to the longitudinal extension of the head protector, and the textile cover being elastic. This makes the head protector flexible and results in an easy adjustment to different head sizes.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]    The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter on the basis of an embodiment shown in the drawings, without being restricted to this example. The drawings show:  
         [0007]    [0007]FIG. 1 Plan view of a head protector according to the invention;  
         [0008]    [0008]FIG. 2 Side view of this head protector;  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 3 Section according to line III-III in FIG. 1;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3A Section according to line III-III in FIG. 1, alternate;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 A part of a head protector in the non-extended state; and  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 This part in the extended state.  
         [0013]    According to the drawings, a head protector shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, designated in general by  1 , consists of a strip, the ends of which are connected at  2 , so that a ring is formed. Side  3  of strip  1  is widened to protect the back of the head, because experience has shown that it is there that head injuries are most likely to occur.  
         [0014]    As can be seen in FIG. 3 the head protector features a layer  4  of polyethylene foam and connected to this a layer  5  of polyurethane foam. Both layers  4  and  5  are covered by an elastic textile material  6 . Outside of layer  4  is a polystyrene film  7  applied. As indicated in FIG. 3 this film  7  may be located inside as well as outside of the cover  6 . The film  7 , which functions as a pressure-distributing band, is not a closed ring.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3A shows an alternate design where the textile material  6  is pressed onto the outer foam layer  4  only by a thermal process.  
         [0016]    In FIGS. 4 and 5 can be seen that both layers  4  and  5  are provided with insertion cuts  8 . These cuts are distanced from one another whereby the longitudinal extension of these cuts  8  run essentially transverse to the longitudinal extension of the head protector. These insertion cuts are applied by punching or stamping.  
         [0017]    It follows that, when the head protector is in the relaxed state, the insertion cuts are closed (FIG. 4), while, under tension in the longitudinal direction of the head protector, the insertion cuts  8  are opened (FIG. 5). As a result the diameter or circumference of the head protector is changed. No additional manipulations are required to place the head protector on the head.  
         [0018]    There are numerous options possible within the framework of the invention. For example, the layer or layers do not necessarily have to be made of foam materials, the use of felts could be equally possible. The use of the head protector, according to the invention, is not only possible by itself, but could also be integrated into ski caps or the like. Another material could also be selected for the pressure-distribution band  7 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]    The invention relates to a head protector for sports enthusiasts, consisting of at least one layer of force-distributing material, foamed plastic in particular, said layer or layers being covered with a textile material.  
         [0020]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,946,734A describes a multi-layer head protector for sports enthusiasts in one-layer or two-layer design, consisting of one layer of closed-cellular force-distributing foam made of polyurethane or similar material, one open-cellular layer of polyurethane foam, an outer covering of different materials, as well as a possible velcro closure for adjusting to different head sizes.  
         [0021]    Such a head protector has the advantage that it is simple to use and store, and that it is also less expensive than a helmet. The disadvantage is that different head protector sizes ar required for various head sizes, or a velcro closure is needed for adjustments.  
         [0022]    The goal of this invention is to create a head protector as de-scibed above which can be used for different head sizes without adjustments. This is achieved by applying insertion cuts to the layer or layers. The longitudinal extension of these cuts runs transverse to the longitudinal extension of the head protector and the cover is made of an elastic textile material.  
         [0023]    With a head protector according to this invention the slots are closed for the smallest head size or when not in use. Depending on the size required the slots open to a greater or lesser extent and the circumference becomes greater. During tests it has been demonstrated that an automatic adjustment to normal head sizes of 6½ to 7¾ can be obtained.  
         [0024]    In one version of the invention the head protector (FIG. 3) features an outer layer of polyethylene foam  4  and an inner layer of polyurethane foam  5  which are connected. With this arrangement the polyethylene foam functions as the main shock absorber. The underlying polyurethane layer functions as a force distributor. In order to prevent the penetration of a sharp object, such as a stone, it is proposed, according to the invention, that a polystyrene film be applied over the polyethylene foam layer.  
         [0025]    Another version of the invention (FIG. 3A) features the textile material cover  6  pressed onto the outer foam layer  4  by a thermal process. This thermal process compresses the polyethylene foam  4  and improves the force distribution, therefore, no polystyrene film is required in this design. The inner layer of polyurethane foam  5  is sweat absorbing and requires no textile cover. The insertion cuts are applied during the thermal process. When expanded, the head protector produced by this process, has open slots which allow air circulation to the head.