Abstract:
A protective insert adapted to convert a standard baseball cap into a protective head guard, while maintaining the cap&#39;s desired attributes, such as comfort and stability. The protective insert of the present invention in combination with a baseball cap, not only protects a wearer from head injuries caused by impact force, but also has the attributes of stability, light weight and comfort so that it may be worn for extended periods during more intense activity than conventional baseball helmets.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/068,707 filed Mar. 10, 2008, entitled Protective Head Guard, by M. Green et al., which application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application further claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/124,241, filed Apr. 15, 2008, also entitled Protective Head Guard, by M. Green et al., which application is also hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to the field of protective headgear. More specifically, protective headgear for sports, such as baseball. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Various activities, such as contact sports, and in particular baseball present a risk of head injury. Baseball helmets are commonly used by batters in league play to protect against a hard thrown baseball pitch or bat deflected ball. Baseball batters&#39; helmets are constructed of a hard plastic shell with a crown portion, a forwardly projecting bill and rigid earflaps extending downwardly and forwardly to protect the sides of the head. Some helmets are fitted with additional face protectors, particularly where the player may be prone to re-injury from being struck on the side of the face with a pitched ball. 
         [0004]    Such helmets, however, are generally not used by players other than batters (e.g., players in the field) because they are heavy, tend to fall off during vigorous activity, are cumbersome, and are uncomfortable when worn for more than short periods of time. Baseball infielders and outfielders generally where only a baseball cap with a bill to block the sun. They are generally constructed of fabric. Such baseball caps, are comfortable, will not fall off during vigorous activity, and protect the player&#39;s eyes from the sun, but provide little if any head protection. 
         [0005]    What is needed is a lightweight baseball-style cap, that is comfortable, ventilated, stable and which can be worn for long time periods and that also provides protection from head impact, such as impact from a baseball. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    The current invention relates to a protective insert adapted to convert a standard baseball cap into a protective head guard, while maintaining the cap&#39;s desired attributes, such as comfort and stability. The protective insert of the present invention in combination with a baseball cap, not only protects a wearer from head injuries caused by impact force, but also has the attributes of stability, light weight and comfort so that it may be worn for extended periods during more intense activity than conventional baseball helmets. As such, it is suitable to be worn by baseball players on the field. It is also recommended for use in other sports and activities where head protection is recommended. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0007]    These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts a head guard of the invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  depicts the reverse side of a head guard of the invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  depicts a head guard—baseball cap arrangement of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIGS. 4-7  depict the head guard of the invention conformed in a conical shape and insertion into a baseball cap to construct a head guard—baseball cap arrangement of the invention; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  depicts a user wearing a head guard—baseball cap arrangement of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0013]    The head guard of the invention comprises a light-weight, impact-dispersing form adapted for insertion and fixation into a baseball caps. The head guard—baseball cap arrangement of the invention is worn by users to protect from head impact. Further, the head guard—baseball cap arrangement of the invention is stable and can be worn during vigorous activity, without becoming displaced, unlike a standard plastic helmet. The head guard—baseball cap arrangement of the invention is also lightweight, well ventilated and comfortable so that it may be worn for extended periods in hot weather and sun, unlike a standard plastic helmet. 
         [0014]    Standard baseball caps for use in the invention are the typical soft cap with a long, stiffened and curved peak (also referred to as a bill) and it is worn by men, women and children. Caps used in the invention preferably comprise a sweat band around the inner portion of the cap. Adjustable caps for use in the invention may have a plastic, Velcro, or elastic adjustor so that it can be quickly adjusted to fit any wearer. Fitted caps of predetermined head size are also suitable for use with the head guard of the invention. Preferably, the cap is worn with the peak over the eyes. When worn in front, the peak is functional for blocking the sun. The major athletic cap manufacturers include Nike and New Era. 
         [0015]      FIGS. 1-8  depict an embodiment of the head guard of the invention  10 . Head guard  10  is adapted to be inserted into standard baseball cap  30 , (see  FIGS. 3-5 ) comprising sweat band  35 . Head guard  10  comprises a light-weight, shock-absorbing fabric or material, such as foam rubber gel foam or rubberized gel foam, preferably of about 1 mm to about 20 mm in thickness. Head guard  10  optionally comprises protrusions  15   a - 15   d , which are intended to distribute impact force. The shape and design of optional protrusions  15   a - 15   d  depend on the activity for which the head guard is to be used.  FIG. 2  depicts the reverse side of head guard  10 , comprising flat surface  27 . 
         [0016]    Head guard  10  is stabilized and fixed within cap  30 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , by insertable sections  20   a - 20   d , which insertable sections are designed and adapted for insertion and fixation between sweatband  35  and inner portion  40  of cap  30 . Cap  30  comprises optional bill or peak  37 . Insertable sections  20   a - 20   d  are separated by notches  25 . When head guard  10  is so affixed within cap  30  by insertable portions  20   a - 20   d , the user may engage in intense activity without worry that head guard  10  may displace from position within cap  30 . 
         [0017]    Protection flaps  26   a - 26   e  permit the user to conform head guard  10  into a conical shape, as shown in  FIG. 4 , such that it may be inserted into baseball cap  30 . In this design, the head guard of the invention comprises areas for ventilation. In one embodiment, insertable sections  20   a - 20   d  may be thicker or thinner than protection flaps  26   a - 26   e  to maximize ease of insertion into the cap&#39;s sweatband and maximize stability and protection. 
         [0018]      FIGS. 4-7  depict insertion of head guard  10  into baseball cap  30 . Referring to  FIGS. 4-5 , the user conforms head guard  10  conically, and inserts head guard  10  within cap  30 , such that insertable portions  20   a - 20   e , are directly below sweatband  35 . As shown in  FIGS. 6-7 , sweatband  35  is lifted, insertable portions  20   a - 20   e  are inserted between sweatband  35  and inner portion  40 , and then sweatband  35  is folded back into position, over insertable portions  20   a - 20   e , such that insertable portions  20   a - 20   e  are fixed between sweat band  35  and inner portion  40  of cap  30 . As shown in these FIGS., the larger middle flap  20   d  is positioned in the center of the front of cap  30 . In this arrangement, head guard  10  envelops the front and side of the head for maximum protection. 
         [0019]    In operation, optional protrusions  15   a - 15   d  assist in dispersing impact force should the user suffer a head impact, such as impact by a baseball. 
         [0020]    The head guard of the invention is suitable for use with all baseball caps, preferably, baseball caps comprising a head band. Baseball caps may constructed of variety of materials as is well known in the art. Major league baseball players wear classic-style caps made of wool (or, more recently, polyester) with their team&#39;s simple logo and colors; the logo is usually embroidered into the fabric. Caps used by players may sometimes have sunglasses attached to the peak that can be flipped down when the player must look into the sky, but kept flipped up at other times. 
         [0021]    Formerly, baseball caps came in standard cap sizes; since 1980, they have commonly come in a “one-size-fits-all” form, with an adjustment strap in the back. 
         [0022]    Athletes in other sports wear caps with their team&#39;s logo and colors as “sideline” caps; both types are also sold as authentic team merchandise in retail stores and are quite popular. Other caps may simply have a company&#39;s logo, such as Nike or Carhartt; these hats are often made of brushed cotton. 
         [0023]    Another version of the baseball cap, worn often—but not exclusively—by farmers and migrant agricultural workers, is the plastic mesh cap with foam fronts and a farm feed supply company logo or the like printed on the cap. This style of baseball cap is sometimes called a “trucker cap” because of its blue collar associations. It is also known as a “gimme cap” due to its being given away for free as a method of advertising. 
         [0024]    For use in the invention, the user selects an adjustable cap or the appropriate sized fitted baseball cap. To select the appropriate sized fitted cap, the user carefully measures his or her head with a tape measure—about a half-inch above the eyebrows. Users that are in between sizes should select the larger size. Cap size in relation to head measurements are shown in the table below. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Head size - cm 
                 Head size - inches 
                 Cap size 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 56 
                 22 
                 7 
               
               
                 58 
                 22¾ 
                 7¼ 
               
               
                 59 
                 23⅛ 
                 7⅜ 
               
               
                 60 
                 23½ 
                 7½ 
               
               
                 61 
                 23⅞ 
                 7⅝ 
               
               
                 62 
                 24¼ 
                 7¾ 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0025]    The head guard of the invention is readily prepared by injection molding or other similar procedure by well known methods in the art. Any shock-absorbing fabric or material is suitable for use in the head guard of the invention, preferred materials include but are not limited to foam rubber, gel foam and rubberized gel foam. 
         [0026]    Preferably, the head guard of the invention is made of rubberize gel foam and constructed in a one-piece process, such as injection molding. In one embodiment, a foam piece is laminated with a fabric on the single side, heat pressed, and then the whole sheet is cut in the designed shape. 
         [0027]    The present invention is not to be limited in scope by the specific embodiments disclosed in the description and drawings, which are intended as illustrations of a few aspects of the invention. Any embodiments that are functionally equivalent are within the scope of this invention. Indeed, various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art and are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.