Abstract:
A shock absorber, for use with headgear having a faceguard, has a sliding member that does not extend beyond the support structure of the shock absorber in a way that would leave it vulnerable to damage. A headgear having a faceguard provides a protected mounting location for mounting a shock absorber for the faceguard.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a United States national stage application of International application number PCT/US2014/036418, filed on May 1, 2014, which claims the priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/874,808, filed on May 1, 2013, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to headgear having a faceguard that is provided with shock absorbing means and to a shock absorber suitable for use as the shock absorbing means. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    The health effects of concussions, including repeated minor concussions, suffered by athletes engaged in sports where there is a substantial risk of severe impacts to the athlete&#39;s head and face have become a major concern to the athletes, sports teams, governing bodies of sports leagues, and the public in recent years. Impacts to the head may also cause neck injuries that are sometimes severe enough to cause the athlete to become paralyzed. This is particularly a concern with impacts directed frontally toward the face. Athletes in such sports have traditionally worn protective headgear in the form of a hard helmet with a facemask rigidly attached to the helmet. Soft cushioning pads are provided inside the helmet around the wearer&#39;s head excluding the facial area. In some other sports, for example baseball, the protective headgear is simply a rigid facemask with cushioning padding on the outer frame that is held against the area around the wearer&#39;s face. Although the traditional headgear does mitigate the effect of impacts to the head and neck to some extent, they do not reduce the risk of head or neck injury to the desired degree. Accordingly, protective headgear having shock absorbing elements between the faceguard portion and the head-engaging portion of the headgear have been proposed in the prior art to further reduce the risk of injury. However, none of the prior art headgear with shock absorbing faceguards have been widely adopted. The need remains for a shock absorber for use with the faceguard of headgear that is robust enough, compact enough, unobtrusive enough, and adaptable enough for large scale adoption. The need also remains for headgear that can effectively incorporate such a shock absorber. There is also a need for headgear that will keep the shock absorber well protected. None of the prior art headgear are seen to teach or suggest the unique features of the present invention or to achieve the advantages of the present invention that will become apparent from the description and drawings that follow. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to a shock absorber and headgear that employs the shock absorber. The headgear includes a faceguard and a head-engaging member. The shock absorber supports the protective faceguard relative to the head-engaging member. The shock absorber includes a support structure, a guide rod, a sliding member, and a resilient member. The support structure is adapted for rigid attachment to either the head-engaging member or the faceguard. The guide rod is supported by the support structure in a fixed position relative to the support structure. The guide rod has first and second end portions, a length, and a longitudinal axis. The guide rod is supported by the support structure near the end portions of the guide rod. The sliding member is guided by the guide rod for rectilinear movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guide rod. The movement of the sliding member is confined between the ends of the guide rod. The sliding member is adapted for rigid attachment to either the head engaging-member or the faceguard depending upon which of these is the one to which the support structure is attached. The resilient member acts on the sliding member to bias the sliding member toward one end of the guide rod. In the illustrated example, the resilient member is a coil spring that is provided on the guide rod between the sliding member and the second end portion of the guide rod and biases the sliding member toward the first end portion of the guide rod. In the illustrated example, the support structure is attached to the head-engaging member and the sliding member is attached to the faceguard. When an object impacts the faceguard, the sliding member is pushed from one end of the guide rod toward the other end resulting in the compression of the coil spring. Thus, the resilient member, in this case the coil spring, can absorb at least a portion of the impact energy of the object and cushion the blow to the faceguard. 
         [0007]    The headgear of the present invention includes a head-engaging portion and a faceguard. In a first illustrative embodiment, the head-engaging portion includes first and second enclosed frames. The first frame is larger and designed to surround the wearer&#39;s face. The first frame is the closest to the wearer&#39;s face. The second frame surrounds the wearer&#39;s face and appears roughly concentric with the first frame when viewed from the front in relation to the wearer&#39;s face. The second frame is spaced apart from the first frame such that it is farther from the wearer&#39;s face as compared to the first frame. The second frame is connected to the first frame by pairs of L-shaped bars. Each pair of L-shaped bars supports a shock absorber in a protected location between the first and second frames of the head-engaging portion. The faceguard includes an enclosed frame that surrounds the wearer&#39;s face when viewed from the front in relation to the wearer&#39;s face. The frame of the faceguard is larger than the second frame of the head-engaging portion and envelops the second frame of the head-engaging portion when viewed from the front in relation to the wearer&#39;s face. The faceguard includes a first plurality of bars that are substantially parallel to the sagittal plane of the wearer&#39;s body and a second plurality of bars that are parallel to the transverse plane of the wearer&#39;s body. These pluralities of bars are attached to the frame of the faceguard such that they are positioned in front of the wearer&#39;s face and can thus provide protection to the wearer&#39;s face. The pluralities of bars are positioned to provide complete protection to the entire frontal area of the wearer&#39;s head. The frame of the faceguard is attached to the plurality of shock absorbers. 
         [0008]    In the first illustrative embodiment, the support structure of shock absorber is rigidly attached to a corresponding pair of the L-shaped bars while the sliding member is rigidly attached to the frame of the faceguard. 
         [0009]    In a second illustrative embodiment, the support structure of the shock absorber is adapted for being welded to the head-engaging portion of the headgear. Also, screw fasteners are used to secure the guide rods to the support structure. 
         [0010]    In a third illustrative embodiment, the support structure of the shock absorber is of a modified form. 
         [0011]    In a fourth illustrative embodiment, the head-engaging portion includes a shield and fixed frame combination. The shield covers the forehead, the forward top portion of the skull, the sides of the head, and the chin of the wearer. The shield has a face opening for the area corresponding to the mouth, nose, and eyes of the wearer. The fixed frame is fixedly attached to the shield on the interior of the shield such that the fixed frame is positioned intermediate the shield and the wearer&#39;s head. The fixed frame essentially surrounds the area corresponding to the face opening of the shield. Three shock absorber units made in accordance with the present invention support the faceguard relative to the head-engaging portion. These three shock absorber units attach the face guard to the fixed frame and thus to the head-engaging portion. The shield has openings that allow the shock absorber units to be attached to the fixed frame. 
         [0012]    The shield may be made of fiberglass, carbon-fiber composite, KEVLAR®, molded polycarbonate, combinations thereof, and any other material suitable for use in the protective shell of protective headgear. 
         [0013]    Another aspect of the invention is to provide suitable padding designed to be interposed between the wearer&#39;s head and the rigid parts of the head-engaging portion of the headgear of the present invention. The padding provided as part of the head-engaging portion of the headgear of the present invention should accommodate the shock absorber units such that the shock absorber units can be properly installed and can operate without hindrance. 
         [0014]    The term head-engaging portion or member as used herein can include, without limitation, a frame, a shield, a helmet, combinations thereof, their associated padding, padding straps, and straps for securing the headgear of the present invention to the wearer&#39;s head. Depending on the materials employed and the intended use, the shock absorber units may be attached to the shield or the helmet rather than to a fixed frame. 
         [0015]    The shock absorber or the headgear could be configured such that the sliding member is attached to the head-engaging portion and the support structure of the shock absorber is attached to the faceguard. Also the attachments between the shock absorber and the head-engaging portion or the attachment between the shock absorber and the faceguard or both could be made flexible instead of rigid as long as the attachment means used is resilient and strong enough to withstand the punishment it would be expected to receive. 
         [0016]    Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a shock absorber for a faceguard that has a sliding member that does not extend beyond the support structure of the shock absorber so that the sliding member is not in a vulnerable position. 
         [0017]    It is another object of the invention to provide a shock absorber for a faceguard that is robust. 
         [0018]    It is yet another object of the invention to provide a shock absorber for a faceguard that is compact. 
         [0019]    It is yet another object of the invention to provide a shock absorber for a faceguard that is unobtrusive. 
         [0020]    It is yet another object of the invention to provide a shock absorber for a faceguard that is adaptable to a wide variety of applications. 
         [0021]    It is yet another object of the invention to provide a headgear that provides a protected mounting location for mounting a shock absorber for a faceguard. 
         [0022]    These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the attached description and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a front view of the headgear according to the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is a right side view of the headgear according to the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is a front isometric view of the headgear according to the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a rear isometric view of the headgear according to the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is a top isometric view of the headgear according to the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the headgear according to the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 7  is a bottom view of the headgear according to the present invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of the shock absorber according to the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the shock absorber according to the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 10  is an isometric view of the shock absorber according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  is an exploded view of the shock absorber according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 12  is an isometric view of the shock absorber according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0035]      FIGS. 13-14  are views of the support structure or support bracket of the shock absorber according to the third embodiment of the present invention before it is bent into final form. 
           [0036]      FIGS. 15-25  are views of the protective headgear having a shield and fixed frame combination according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIGS. 26-31  are views of pads suitable for use with the protective headgear according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0038]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the appended drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-9 , the first illustrative embodiment of the present invention is directed to a shock absorber  100  and headgear  200  that employs a shock absorber such as, for example, the shock absorber  100 . The headgear  200  includes a faceguard  202  and a head-engaging member  204 . The shock absorber  100  supports the protective faceguard  202  relative to the head-engaging member  204 . The shock absorber  100  includes a support structure  102 , a guide rod  122  or  132 , a sliding member  142 , and a resilient member  152 . The support structure  102  is adapted for rigid attachment to either the head-engaging member  204  or the faceguard  202 . The guide rod  122  or  132  is supported by the support structure  102  in a fixed position relative to the support structure  102 . The guide rod  122 ,  132  has first and second end portions, a length, and a longitudinal axis. The guide rod  122 ,  132  is supported by the support structure  102  near the end portions of the guide rod. The sliding member  142  is guided by the guide rod  122 ,  132  for rectilinear movement in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guide rod. The movement of the sliding member  142  is confined between the ends of the guide rod  122 ,  132 . The sliding member  142  is adapted for rigid attachment to either the head-engaging member  204  or the faceguard  202  depending upon which of these is the one to which the support structure is attached. The resilient member  152  acts on the sliding member  142  to bias the sliding member toward one end of the guide rod  122 ,  132 . In the illustrated example, the resilient member is a coil spring  154  or  156  that is provided on the guide rod  122 ,  132  between the sliding member  142  and the second end portion of the guide rod and biases the sliding member  142  toward the first end portion of the guide rod  122 ,  132 . In the illustrated example, the support structure  102  is attached to the head-engaging member  204  and the sliding member is attached to the faceguard  202 . When an object impacts the faceguard  202 , the sliding member  142  is pushed from one end of the guide rod  122 ,  132  toward the other end resulting in the compression of the coil spring  154 ,  156 . Thus, the resilient member  152 , in this case the coil spring  154 ,  156 , can absorb at least a portion of the impact energy of the object and cushion the blow to the faceguard  202 . The movement of the sliding member  142  is limited to a portion of the length of the guide rod  122 ,  132 . The movement of the sliding member  142  is limited to rectilinear motion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the guide rod  122 ,  132 . 
         [0040]    The headgear  200  of the present invention includes a head-engaging portion  204  and a faceguard  202 . The head-engaging portion  204  is made of first and second substantially enclosed frames  206  and  208 , respectively. The first frame  206  is larger than the second frame  208  and is designed to surround the wearer&#39;s face. The first frame  206  is the closest to the wearer&#39;s face. The second frame  208  surrounds the wearer&#39;s face and appears roughly concentric with the first frame  206  when viewed from the front in relation to the wearer&#39;s face. The second frame  208  is spaced apart from the first frame  206  such that it is farther from the wearer&#39;s face as compared to the first frame. The second frame  208  is connected to the first frame  206  by pairs of L-shaped bars  210 . Each pair of L-shaped bars  210  supports a shock absorber  100  in a protected location between the first and second frames of the head-engaging portion  204 . The faceguard  202  includes a substantially enclosed frame  212  that surrounds the wearer&#39;s face when viewed from the front in relation to the wearer&#39;s face. The frame  212  of the faceguard  202  is larger than the second frame  208  of the head-engaging portion  204  and envelops the second frame  208  of the head-engaging portion  204  when viewed from the front in relation to the wearer&#39;s face. The faceguard  202  includes a first plurality of bars  214  that are substantially parallel to the sagittal plane of the wearer&#39;s body and a second plurality of bars  216  that are parallel to the transverse plane of the wearer&#39;s body. These pluralities of bars  214 ,  216  are attached to the frame  212  of the faceguard  202  such that they are positioned in front of the wearer&#39;s face and can thus provide protection to the wearer&#39;s face. The pluralities of bars  214 ,  216  are positioned to provide complete protection to the entire frontal area of the wearer&#39;s head. The frame  212  of the faceguard  202  is attached to the plurality of shock absorbers  100 . 
         [0041]    In the illustrated embodiment, the support structure  102  of shock absorber  100  is rigidly attached to a corresponding pair of the L-shaped bars  210  while the sliding member  142  is rigidly attached to the frame  212  of the faceguard  202 . The shock absorber  100  or the headgear  200  could be configured such that the sliding member  142  is attached to the head-engaging portion  204  and the support structure  102  of the shock absorber  100  is attached to the faceguard  202 . Also the attachments between the shock absorber  100  and the head-engaging portion  204  or the attachment between the shock absorber  100  and the faceguard  202  or both could be made flexible instead of rigid as long as the attachment means used is resilient and strong enough to withstand the punishment it would be expected to receive. 
         [0042]    The sliding member  142  has an opening  144  through it and the guide rod  122  extends through the opening  144 . The support structure  102  supports the guide rod  122  at the first end portion  124  of the guide rod  122  and at the second end portion  126  of the guide rod  122 . The resilient member  152  can be a coil spring  154  that has a plurality of coils. The guide rod  122  extends through the plurality of coils of the coil spring  154 . The coil spring  154  is positioned intermediate a portion of the sliding member  142  that surrounds the opening  144  and the second end portion  126  of the guide rod  122 . 
         [0043]    The coil spring  154  has a first end and a second end, and the first end of the coil spring  154  bears directly or indirectly against a portion of the sliding member  142  that surrounds the opening  144 . The second end of the coil spring  154  bears directly or indirectly against a portion of the support structure  102  proximate the second end portion of the guide rod  122 . 
         [0044]    The sliding member  142  has at least one hole  148  for engagement by at least one sliding member fastener  150  to thereby rigidly attach the sliding member  142  to the faceguard  202 . 
         [0045]    The support structure  102  has means for engagement by at least one support structure fastener  162 ,  164  to thereby rigidly attach the support structure  102  to the head-engaging member  204 . The support structure  102  is a bracket comprising a base plate  104 , a first endplate  106 , and a second endplate  108 . The first endplate  106  has a hole  110 ,  112  for the first end portion  124 ,  134  of the guide rod  122 ,  132 . The second endplate  108  has a hole  114 ,  116  for the second end portion  126 ,  136  of the guide rod  122 ,  132 . A first lateral flange  118  is provided on a first side of the base plate  104 , and a second lateral flange  120  is provided on a second side of the base plate  104 . The first endplate  106  is provided proximate a first end  166  of the base plate  104 , and the second endplate  108  is provided proximate a second end  168  of the base plate  104  opposite the first endplate  106 . The first lateral flange  118  extends approximately laterally from the first side  170  of the base plate  104 , and the second lateral flange  120  extends approximately laterally from the second side  172  of the base plate  104  in a direction approximately opposite that of the first lateral flange  118 . Each of the first lateral flange  118  and the second lateral flange  120  has means for engagement by at least one support structure fastener  162 ,  164  to thereby rigidly attach the support structure  102  to the head-engaging member  204 . Each of the first lateral flange  118  and the second lateral flange  120  has a hole  174 ,  176 , respectively, for engagement by a respective support structure fastener  162 ,  164  to thereby rigidly attach the support structure  102  to the head-engaging member  204 . The lateral flanges  118 ,  120  and the holes  174 ,  176  constitute the means for engagement by at least one support structure fastener  162 ,  164  to thereby rigidly attach the support structure  102  to the head-engaging member  204 . 
         [0046]    In the illustrated embodiment, the shock absorber  100  has two guide rods  122  and  132  and two coil springs  154  and  156 . The first guide rod  122  has first and second end portions  124  and  126 , a length, and a longitudinal axis. The second guide rod  132  extends in parallel to the first guide rod  122 . The second guide rod  132  has first and second end portions  134  and  136 , a length, and a longitudinal axis extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first guide rod  122 . 
         [0047]    Accordingly, the sliding member  142  has a first opening  144  and a second opening  146  that extend through the sliding member  142 . The first guide rod  122  extends through the first opening  144  and the second guide rod  132  extends through the second opening  146 . The support structure  102  supports the first guide rod  122  at the first end portion  124  of the first guide rod  122  and at the second end portion  126  of the first guide rod  122 . The support structure  102  supports the second guide rod  132  at the first end portion  134  of the second guide rod  132  and at the second end portion  136  of the second guide rod  132 . 
         [0048]    The resilient member  152  includes the first coil spring  154  and the second coil spring  156 . The first coil spring  154  has a plurality of coils  158  and the first guide rod  122  extends through the plurality of coils of the first spring  154 . The second coil spring  156  has a plurality of coils  160  and the second guide rod  132  extends through the plurality of coils of the second spring  156 . The first coil spring  154  is positioned intermediate a first portion of the sliding member  142  and the second end  126  of the first guide rod  122 . The second coil spring  156  is positioned intermediate a second portion of the sliding member  142  and the second end  136  of the second guide rod  132 . 
         [0049]    The first coil spring  154  has a first end  155  and a second end  157 . The first end  155  of the first coil spring  154  bears directly or indirectly against a first portion of the sliding member  142  and the second end  157  of the first coil spring  154  bears directly or indirectly against a first portion of the support structure  102  proximate the second end  126  of the first guide rod  122 . In the illustrated example, the second end  157  of the first coil spring  154  bears directly against the support structure  102 , specifically the second endplate  108 . The first end  155  of the first coil spring  154  bears indirectly against the sliding member  142 . However, the spring  154  may bear directly or indirectly against either of those parts while the shock absorber remains within the scope of the appended claims. For example, one or more washers may be provided between the second end  157  of spring  154  and the second endplate  108  to prevent the spring from marring the endplate, or the first end  155  of the spring  154  may directly contact the sliding member  142  with the shock absorber still remaining functional. 
         [0050]    The second coil spring  156  has a first end  159  and a second end  161 . The first end  159  of the second coil spring  156  bears directly or indirectly against a second portion of the sliding member  142  and the second end  161  of the second coil spring  156  bears directly or indirectly against a second portion of the support structure  102  proximate the second end  136  of the second guide rod  132 . In the illustrated example, the second end  161  of the second coil spring  156  bears directly against the support structure  102 , specifically the second endplate  108 . The first end  159  of the second coil spring  156  bears indirectly against the sliding member  142 . However, the spring  156  may bear directly or indirectly against either of those parts while the shock absorber remains within the scope of the appended claims. For example, one or more washers may be provided between the second end  161  of spring  156  and the second endplate  108  to prevent the spring from marring the endplate, or the first end  159  of the spring  156  may directly contact the sliding member  142  with the shock absorber still remaining functional. 
         [0051]    In the illustrated embodiment, the first endplate  106  has a first hole  110  for the first end portion  124  of the first guide rod  122  and a second hole  112  for the first end portion  134  of the second guide rod  132 . The second endplate  108  has a first hole  114  for the second end portion  126  of the first guide rod  122  and a second hole  116  for the second end portion  136  of the second guide rod  132 . The hole  110  is in registry with the hole  114  and the hole  112  is in registry with the hole  116 . 
         [0052]    The guide rod  122  has a first diameter and a second diameter. The second diameter is smaller than the first diameter. The second end portion  126  of the guide rod  122  is in large part of the first diameter. The first end portion  124  and the portion of the guide rod  122  extending between the first end portion  124  and a location proximate the second end portion  126  are essentially of the second diameter. This arrangement forms an annular step or shoulder  123  proximate the second end portion  126  of the first guide rod  122 . The portion of the rod  122  extending from the shoulder  123  to the second end portion  126  is of the first diameter. The terminal portion of the first end portion  124  of the guide rod  122  extends through the hole  110  in the endplate  106 . An annular groove  125  is provided on the terminal portion of the first end portion  124  of the guide rod  122  on the side of the endplate  106  opposite the side of the endplate  106  that faces the sliding member  142 . An E-clip or retaining ring  127  is positioned in engagement with the groove  125 . In the illustrated embodiment, the guide rod  122  is provided with an annular flange  129  at the terminus of the second end portion  126  that cooperates with the clip  127  to secure the guide rod  122  to the support structure  102 . The hole  114  in endplate  108  is sized to provide clearance for the first diameter of the guide rod  122  while providing a bearing surface for the second end portion  126  of the guide rod  122 . The hole  110  has a diameter smaller than the first diameter of the guide rod  122  and is sized to provide clearance for the terminal portion of the first end portion  124  of the guide rod  122  that has the second diameter. 
         [0053]    The guide rod  132  has a first diameter and a second diameter. The second diameter is smaller than the first diameter. The second end portion  136  is in large part of the first diameter. The first end portion  134  and the portion of the guide rod  132  extending between the first end portion  134  and a location proximate the second end portion  136  are of the second diameter. This arrangement forms an annular step or shoulder  133  proximate the second end portion  136 . The portion of the rod  132  extending from the shoulder  133  to the second end portion  136  is of the first diameter. The terminal portion of the first end portion  134  of the guide rod  132  extends through the hole  112  in the endplate  106 . An annular groove  135  is provided on the terminal portion of the first end portion  134  of the guide rod  132  on the side of the endplate  106  opposite the side of the endplate  106  that faces the sliding member  142 . An E-clip or retaining ring  137  is positioned in engagement with the groove  135 . In the illustrated embodiment, the guide rod  132  is provided with an annular flange  139  at the terminus of the second end portion  136  that cooperates with the clip  137  to secure the guide rod  132  to the support structure  102 . The hole  116  in endplate  108  is sized to provide clearance for the first diameter of the guide rod  132  while providing a bearing surface for the second end portion  136  of the guide rod  132 . The hole  112  has a diameter smaller than the first diameter of the guide rod  132  and is sized to provide clearance for the terminal portion of the first end portion  134  of the guide rod  132  that has the second diameter. 
         [0054]    In the illustrated embodiment, the guide rod  122  and the guide rod  132  are identical. One or both of the guide rods  122  and  132  could be configured to provide a second shoulder or flange (not shown) near their second end portions  126 ,  136  such that the second ends  157  and  161  of the springs  154  and  156  bear against that second shoulder or flange rather than against the second endplate  108 . Thus, the second ends  157  and  161  of the springs  154  and  156  may bear indirectly against the support structure  102 . 
         [0055]    In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of tabs  218  are provided on the frame  212  of the faceguard  202 . Each of the tabs  218  has a hole  220  that is engaged by a respective fastener  150  to secure the sliding member  142  of a respective shock absorber  100  to the faceguard  202 . The first plurality of bars  214  may also be attached to one or more of the second plurality of bars  216 . It is also possible to make the tabs  218  integral with the sliding member  142 , while using a fastener  150  to secure the sliding member  142  to the frame  212  or any of the pluralities of bars  214 ,  216 . The head-engaging member  204  is provided with padding, such as shown in  FIGS. 23-27 , for engagement with the wearer&#39;s head. 
         [0056]    In the illustrated embodiment, first and second tubular sleeves  219  and  222  are provided at the openings  144  and  146 , respectively, to give a greater bearing surface between the sliding member  142  and the guide rods  122  and  132  so as to reduce tilting of the sliding member relative to the guide rods, thus reducing the possibility of the sliding member  142  jamming on the guide rods. The first and second tubular sleeves  219  and  222  are in engagement with the openings  144  and  146 , respectively. The first and second tubular sleeves  219  and  222  are identical to simplify manufacture. Each of the first and second tubular sleeves  219  and  222  has a first portion  224 ,  226 , respectively, and a second portion  228 ,  230 , respectively. Each of the first and second tubular sleeves  219  and  222  has an annular flange  232 ,  234 , respectively, located intermediate its first portion  224 ,  226  and its second portion  228 ,  230 . The guide rod  122  extends through the first sleeve  219 , and the guide rod  132  extends through the second sleeve  222 . 
         [0057]    The first portion  224  of the first sleeve  219  fits into the opening  144  of the sliding member  142  with the flange  232  of the sleeve  219  abutting the sliding member  142 . The second portion  228  of the first sleeve  219  fits into the space between the coils of the spring  154  and the portion of the guide rod  122  that is of the second diameter. The first end  155  of the coil spring  154  engages the flange  232  of the sleeve  219  to bias the sliding member  142  toward the first end portion  124  of the guide rod  122 . Thus, the spring  154  indirectly bears against the sliding member  142 . 
         [0058]    The first portion  226  of the second sleeve  222  fits into the opening  146  of the sliding member  142  with the flange  234  of the sleeve  222  abutting the sliding member  142 . The second portion  230  of the second sleeve  222  fits into the space between the coils of the spring  156  and the portion of the guide rod  132  that is of the second diameter. The first end  159  of the coil spring  156  engages the flange  234  of the sleeve  222  to bias the sliding member  142  toward the first end portion  134  of the guide rod  132 . Thus, the spring  156  indirectly bears against the sliding member  142 . 
         [0059]    The illustrated headgear is particularly suited for use by a baseball catcher or umpire. In use, the headgear  200  is secured to the wearer&#39;s head using straps (not shown) or the like in the conventional manner. Padding, such as shown in  FIGS. 23-27 , is provided between the wearer&#39;s head and the head-engaging portion  204 . The padding and straps must be applied in such a way so as to not interfere with the relative movement between the head-engaging portion  204  and the faceguard  202 . Normally, the springs  154 ,  156  of the shock absorber  100  will bias the sliding member  142  into contact with the first endplate  106 . When an object impacts the faceguard  202 , the sliding member  142  is pushed toward the endplate  108 , which causes the springs  154 ,  156  to be compressed between the sliding member  142  and the endplate  108 . Thus, the springs  154 ,  156  absorb at least a portion of the impact energy of the object rather than transmitting it to the wearer&#39;s head. 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , a shock absorber  300  in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention can be seen. The shock absorber  300  has a support structure  302 , two guide rods  322  and  332 , two coil springs  354  and  356 , first and second tubular sleeves  419  and  422 , and a sliding member  342 . These parts are essentially identical in structure and function to the corresponding parts of the shock absorber  100 , and in turn the shock absorber  300  is essentially identical in structure and function to the shock absorber  100 , except as to the differences noted below. The sliding member  342  differs from the sliding member  142  in that the hole  148  is replaced by the hole  348  that extends in the direction of the thickness of the sliding member  342  rather than in the direction perpendicular to the thickness of the sliding member. The hole  348  is threaded to receive a screw fastener  350  that can secure the strap  418  to the sliding member  342 . The strap  418  has a loop that extends between two end portions that are each provided with a hole for the shaft of the screw  350 . The holes in the end portions of the strap  418  are in registry with one another. The loop of the strap  418  fits around a portion of the frame  212  of the faceguard  202  such that, when the shaft of the screw  350  is placed through the holes in the end portions of the strap  418  and the screw  350  is tightened in the hole  348 , the strap  418  is clamped to the frame  212  of the faceguard  202  so as to attach the sliding member  342  to the face guard  202 . 
         [0061]    The lateral flanges  118 ,  120  and the holes  174 ,  176  have been eliminated from the support structure  302 . Instead, the support structure  302  is provided with a plurality of tabs  318  that allow the support structure  302  to be welded to the bars of the head-engaging member  204  to thereby fix the support structure  302  to the head-engaging member  204 . In addition to welding, soldering and brazing may also be used, although welding is preferred because it ordinarily provides good bond strength. 
         [0062]    The support structure  302  is a bracket comprising a base plate  304 , a first endplate  306 , and a second endplate  308 . Each of the guide rods  322 ,  332  has a threaded hole in the first end portions  324 ,  334 , respectively, for engagement by a respective one of the screw fasteners  327 ,  337 . The first end plate  306  has holes (not shown), corresponding to holes  110 ,  112  of the support structure  102 , that are smaller in diameter than the first end portions  324 ,  334  of the guide rods  322 ,  332  but are large enough to allow the shafts of the screw fasteners  327 ,  337  to extend through the first endplate  306 . The screw fasteners  327 ,  337  engage the threaded holes in the first end portions  324 ,  334  of the guide rods  322 ,  332 , respectively, in order to secure the guide rods  322 ,  332  to the support structure  302 . The annular grooves  125 ,  135  and the E-clips  127 ,  137  are accordingly eliminated from the shock absorber  300 . 
         [0063]    The second endplate  308  has holes (not shown) corresponding to holes  114 ,  116  of the support structure  102 . The area around the holes in the end plate  308  is dimpled to form dimples  315  and  317  that allow the second end portions  326 ,  336  of the guide rods  322 ,  332  to sit substantially flush with the surface of the second endplate  308  on the side opposite the springs  354 ,  356 . The guide rods  322 ,  332  may be press fit to the holes in the dimples  315 ,  317 , or the second end portions  326 ,  336  of the guide rods  322 ,  332  may be welded, brazed, or soldered to the dimples. 
         [0064]    Referring to  FIGS. 12-14 , a shock absorber  500  in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention can be seen. The shock absorber  500  has a support structure  502 , two guide rods  522  and  532 , two coil springs  554  and  556 , first and second tubular sleeves  619  and  622 , and a sliding member  542 . These parts are essentially identical in structure and function to the corresponding parts of the shock absorber  100 , and in turn the shock absorber  500  is essentially identical in structure and function to the shock absorber  100 , except as to the differences noted below. 
         [0065]    The lateral flanges  118 ,  120  and the holes  174 ,  176  have been eliminated from the support structure  502 . Instead, the support structure  502  is provided with a plurality of tabs  518  that allow the support structure  502  to be welded to the bars of the head-engaging member  204  to thereby fix the support structure  502  to the head-engaging member  204 . 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIGS. 15-25 , a protective headgear  800  in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention can be seen. In the headgear  800 , the head-engaging portion  804  includes a shield  808  and a fixed frame  806 . The shield  808  covers the forehead, the forward top portion of the skull, the sides of the head, and the chin of the wearer. The shield  808  has a face opening  811  for the area corresponding to the mouth, nose, and eyes of the wearer. The fixed frame  806  is fixedly attached to the shield  808  on the interior of the shield  808  such that the fixed frame  806  is positioned intermediate the shield  808  and the wearer&#39;s head. The fixed frame  806  essentially surrounds the area corresponding to the face opening  811  of the shield  808 . Three shock absorber units  700  made in accordance with the present invention support the faceguard  802  relative to the head-engaging portion  804 . These three shock absorber units  700  attach the face guard  802  to the fixed frame  806  and thus to the head-engaging portion  804 . The shield  808  has openings  813  that allow the shock absorber units  700  to be attached to the fixed frame  806 . The shield  808  has vent openings  815  in the top and lateral areas around the forehead region. The shield  808  may be made of fiberglass, carbon-fiber composite, KEVLAR®, molded polycarbonate, combinations thereof, and any other material suitable for use in the protective shell of protective headgear. 
         [0067]    The shock absorber  700  has a support structure  702 , two guide rods  722  and  732 , two coil springs  754  and  756 , first and second tubular sleeves  819  and  822 , and a sliding member  742 . These parts are essentially identical in structure and function to the corresponding parts of the shock absorber  100 , and in turn the shock absorber  700  is essentially identical in structure and function to the shock absorber  100 , except as to the differences noted below. 
         [0068]    The lateral flanges  118 ,  120  and the holes  174 ,  176  have been eliminated from the support structure  702 . Instead, the support structure  702  is provided with a slot  703  in the base plate  704  of the support structure  702 . An insert  705  is provided that has a portion  707  that fits into the slot  703  and that has a flange  709  that is too large to pass through the slot  703 . The insert  705  also has holes  711  for engagement by the support structure fasteners  762 ,  764 . The support structure  702  is fixed to the head-engaging member  804  by placing the support structure fasteners  762 ,  764 , which may be screws or rivets for example, through holes in the fixed frame  806  and then securing the support structure fasteners  762 ,  764  to the insert  705  to thereby capture the support structure  702  between the insert  705  and the fixed frame  806 . Thus the shock absorber  700  is fixed to the head-engaging member  804 . The guide rods should be supported high enough above the insert  705  so that the insert  705  and the support structure fasteners  762 ,  764  will not interfere with the travel of the sleeves  819 ,  822  and the sliding member  742  or with the proper functioning of the springs  754 ,  756 . The holes  711  in the insert  705  may also be countersunk to further aid in preventing the support structure fasteners  762 ,  764  from interfering with the travel of the sliding member  742 . 
         [0069]    Alternatively, the support structure  702  may be provided with a plurality of holes in the base plate  704  of the support structure  702  that allow the support structure  702  to be fixed to the head-engaging member  804  using the support structure fasteners  762 ,  764 , which may be screws or rivets for example. The holes in the base plate  704  of the support structure  702  for the support structure fasteners  762 ,  764  would preferably be countersunk or provided in a dimpled region of the base plate  704  of the support structure  702  so that the support structure fasteners  762 ,  764  do not interfere with the travel of the sleeves  819 ,  822  and the sliding member  742  or with the proper functioning of the springs  754 ,  756 . 
         [0070]    The fixed frame  806  is provided with spaced-apart bar portions  810  at locations corresponding to the shock absorbers  700 . The support structure fasteners  762 ,  764  engage with a respective spaced-apart bar portion  810  to fix the support structure  702  to the fixed frame  806 . 
         [0071]    In the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of tabs  818  is provided on the frame  812  of the faceguard  802 . Each of the tabs  818  has a hole that is engaged by a respective fastener  750  to secure the sliding member  742  of a respective shock absorber  700  to the faceguard  802 . The head-engaging member  804  is preferably provided with padding, for example of a type similar to that illustrated in  FIGS. 26-31 , for engagement with the wearer&#39;s head. In the illustrated embodiment, the faceguard  802  is of the cage type and is similar to the faceguard  202 . The protective headgear  800  is particularly well suited for use by a hockey goaltender. 
         [0072]    Referring to  FIGS. 26-31 , examples of pads for use with the protective headgear of the present invention or other protective headgear can be seen. The pads include an upper pad  900  for engagement with the wearer&#39;s forehead and a lower pad  902  for engagement with the wearer&#39;s mandible at about the region of the chin or just above the chin. The pads  900  and  902  may be provided with cutouts  904  and  906 , visible from the front of the pad, or they may be otherwise dimensioned and configured to clear the shock absorbers. The lower pad  908  uses a downward extending bill  910  to shield the wearer&#39;s chin from the lowermost shock absorber. A similar configuration is used for the upper pad  914 , which has an upward extending bill  916  to shield the wearer&#39;s forehead from the uppermost shock absorber. The upper pad  914  is preferably also provided with an opening  918  for the straps (not shown) that are used to secure the headgear  200  to the wearer&#39;s head. The pads  900 ,  902 ,  908 , and  914  are preferably provided with straps  912  that are equipped with hook-and-loop fastening systems for attaching the pads to the frames  206 ,  208 , the shield  808  and the fixed frame  806 . The pads preferably have a natural or simulated leather outer covering and a foam type cushioning material as the filling. The foam type cushioning material is preferably of a relatively firm variety. 
         [0073]    Spring rates in the range of about 15 to about 50 lbs. seem to provide the best results. Most preferably, the spring rate is about 25 lbs. Any of the various disclosed shock absorbers and the various disclosed pads may be used with any of the disclosed protective headgear of the present invention or with other protective headgear. 
       Test Results 
       [0074]    Testing methodology for assessing the risk of head injury associated with athletic headgear is promulgated by the National Operating Committee on Standards for Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE). There are only four independent facilities in the United States approved by the NOCSAE for performing testing of athletic equipment. A baseball catcher&#39;s mask in accordance with the present invention was tested at a NOCSAE-approved facility. In addition, currently-available competitive catcher&#39;s masks were also tested for comparison. The results of the testing are presented in Tables 1 and 2 below. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Baseball Impacts 
               
               
                 Required Velocity: 100 mph (43.81-45.60 m/s) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Impact 
                 Velocity 
                 Severity 
                 Peak 
               
               
                 Sample 
                 Location 
                 (m/s) 
                 Index 
                 Acceleration (g) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Rawlings 
                 Front 
                 43.86 
                 149 
                 123 
               
               
                   
                 Front 
                 44.37 
                 169 
                 135 
               
               
                 Wilson 
                 Front 
                 44.24 
                 90 
                 54 
               
               
                   
                 Front 
                 43.86 
                 112 
                 127 
               
               
                 Champion 
                 Front 
                 44.07 
                 85 
                 98 
               
               
                   
                 Front 
                 43.86 
                 119 
                 121 
               
               
                 Mask according 
                 Front 
                 44.20 
                 43 
                 76 
               
               
                 to the present 
                 Front 
                 43.86 
                 59 
                 74 
               
               
                 invention 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Softball Impacts 
               
               
                 Required Velocity: 70 mph (30.35-32.23 m/s) 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Impact 
                 Velocity 
                 Severity 
                 Peak 
               
               
                 Sample 
                 Location 
                 (m/s) 
                 Index 
                 Acceleration (g) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Rawlings 
                 Front 
                 30.71 
                 96 
                 111 
               
               
                 Wilson 
                 Front 
                 30.77 
                 44 
                 72 
               
               
                 Champion 
                 Front 
                 30.71 
                 79 
                 93 
               
               
                 Mask according 
                 Front 
                 30.82 
                 11 
                 49 
               
               
                 to the present 
               
               
                 invention 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0075]    The Severity Index (SI) is defined as follows: 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             SI 
             = 
             
               
                 ∫ 
                 0 
                 T 
               
                
               
                 
                   A 
                   2.5 
                 
                  
                 
                     
                 
                  
                 
                    
                   t 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0076]    Where: A is the instantaneous resultant acceleration expressed as a multiple of g (acceleration of gravity); dt are the time increments in seconds; and the integration is carried out over the essential duration (T) of the acceleration pulse. The lower the SI, the lower the risk of injury will be, while the higher acceleration is correlated with a higher risk of injury. For a comparable SI, the higher acceleration would present a higher risk of injury. 
         [0077]    As can be seen from these results, the mask according to the present invention provides significant reductions in both SI and peak acceleration and would therefore be expected to correspondingly reduce the risk of injury from ball impacts. 
         [0078]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.