Patent Publication Number: US-8984670-B2

Title: Protective athletic headwear with open top

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/692,757 filed on Dec. 3, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/362,834, filed on Jan. 31, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/231,434, filed on Sep. 13, 2011, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/362,834 claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/580,949, filed on Dec. 28, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/584,896, filed on Jan. 10, 2012, both of which are also incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present application relates to athletic headwear. More specifically, the present application is directed to a protective athletic headwear with an open top and a method of manufacturing the protective athletic headwear with an open. 
     2. Brief Discussion of Related Art 
     Protective athletic (e.g., sports-related) headwear can include helmets, headgear and other types of protective athletic headwear, which provide a protective function (e.g., various levels of protection) against head injuries resulting from various impacts to the head associated with accidents and/or intentional acts of others. Protective athletic headwear can be used for various athletic-related activities ranging from sports activities (e.g., lacrosse) through to leisure activities (e.g., biking, running). The different activities can require different levels of protection and accordingly different headwear. 
     In many circumstances, head injuries can be prevented by using protective athletic headwear. While athletic-related head injuries can be very serious and even life threatening, some people (e.g., especially young people) may prefer not wear headwear for various reasons, including aesthetics, comfort, application/activity-specific fit, expense, etcetera. Other reasons may exist, such as protective athletic headwear is not required by particular sports leagues or bodies. 
     The foregoing and other reasons or factors can cause some people to go without protective athletic headwear and increase the potential for serious head injuries. Accordingly, protective athletic headwear should aim to not only to provide a protective function but should also aim to provide an inexpensive, yet aesthetic, comfortable and secure fit such that users would desire to wear the protective athletic headwear. While providing the protective function, existing protective athletic headwear frequently misses the mark and does not provide an aesthetic, comfortable and application-specific fit that is inexpensive, causing people to go without protective athletic headwear and increasing the potential for serious head injuries. 
     Fit and positioning of headwear are essential to effectiveness at reducing head injury. In this regard, stretchable athletic headwear offers the form-factor and the convenience of a precise fit and positioning for various head sizes. Stretchable athletic headwear can be made of a various fabrics, including manmade/synthetic materials, natural materials, or blended combinations thereof. Accordingly, stretchable athletic headwear can provide an inexpensive form-factor and esthetic quality, which can result in increased desirability. Desirability cannot be underestimated in people&#39;s desire or lack thereof for wearing protective athletic headwear. 
     However, the method of placing protective materials (protective function) into stretchable athletic headwear while maintaining its aesthetic quality have been problematic. On the one hand, hard layered plastics provide great protection but are too bulky and thus ruin the aesthetics, decreasing desirability and increasing the potential for serious head injuries. On the other hand, simple padding provides great esthetics but does not provide sufficient protection, decreasing the protective function and increasing the potential for serious head injuries. Furthermore, the manufacture of the stretchable athletic headwear that incorporates sufficient protective function has met with challenges. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide a combination of sufficient protective function and aesthetics such that people will more readily wear protective athletic headwear during their engagement in athletic activities and reduce the potential for serious injuries. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance with an embodiment, a protective insert to be received into a pocket of a protective athletic headwear is disclosed. The protective insert includes a hard outer layer, at least one pliable middle layer, and a pliable inner layer. 
     The hard outer layer includes an arrangement of first openings to enable flexing of the hard outer layer to decelerate an impact to the at least one protective insert. 
     The at least one pliable middle layer includes at least one arrangement of second openings. Further, the pliable inner layer provides cushioning. 
     The hard outer layer, the at least one pliable middle layer, and the pliable inner layer are sealed such that the second openings form sealed air pockets to absorb and distribute the impact to the outer layer about the at least one protective insert. 
     In some embodiments, the outer layer can be made of a thermoplastic, while the at least one pliable middle layer can be made of a rubber or an elastomer. Similarly, the pliable inner layer can be made of a rubber or an elastomer. 
     In some embodiments, the first openings can include a plurality of spaced apart slits. The width of a slit can be from about ⅛ of inch to about ⅜ of an inch. The spacing between slits can be from about ⅛ of inch to about ½ of an inch. Similarly, the spacing from an edge of the hard outer layer to a slit can be from about ⅛ of inch to about ½ of an inch. 
     In some embodiments, an engagement device extends from the hard outer layer to couple the protective insert via a linking element to a facemask. The engagement device can be a hook. The linking element can be a flexible band to engage a frame member or a strap member of the facemask to the hook. 
     In some embodiments, the protective insert can be of a triangular shape. The protective insert can be truncated below a vertex of the triangular shape to provide a plane approximately parallel to a base of the triangular shape. 
     In some embodiments, the protective insert is curvilinear in one or more of a vertical dimension and a horizontal dimension. The curvature in the vertical dimension can be generally uniform, while the curvature in the horizontal dimension can include a plurality of portions extending from the base to the plane of the triangular shape. Each of the portions can have a different radius. Further, the portions can decrease in radius from the base to the plane of the triangular shape. 
     In some embodiments, the at least one pliable middle layer includes a first layer and a second layer. The first layer has a first arrangement of third openings. The second layer has a second arrangement of fourth openings. The second arrangement alternates with the first arrangement such that the third openings and the fourth openings are approximately non-overlapping and cover a substantial portion of the at least one protective insert. 
     These and other purposes, goals and advantages of the present application will become apparent from the following detailed description of example embodiments read in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a person wearing an example protective athletic headwear having an open top; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the construction of the example protective athletic headwear of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the construction of an example protective insert for insertion into a pocket band of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the removable attachment of an example protective insert to an athletic facemask illustrated in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-section of the example protective athletic headwear of  FIG. 2  with the protective insert disposed in a pocket of pocket band; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded cross-section of the example protective athletic headwear of  FIG. 5  with the protective insert disposed in a pocket of pocket band and a body of the protective athletic headwear stretching over to enclose protective insert in the pocket of pocket band; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a person wearing the protective athletic headwear of  FIG. 1  cutaway to reveal the protective insert in relation to the body of the protective athletic headwear; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an impact of a ball to the protective athletic headwear of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-section of the protective insert of  FIG. 3  showing an example protective function in response to the impact to the protective athletic headwear as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A protective athletic headwear with an open top and a method of manufacturing the protective athletic headwear with an open are disclosed herein. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of example embodiments. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art, that an example embodiment may be practiced without all of the disclosed specific details. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a person  100  wearing an example protective athletic headwear  102 . The protective athletic headwear  102  is configured to provide a combination of a significant protective function in an aesthetic form-factor, which improves desirability for wearing the protective athletic headwear  102 . More superficially, the protective athletic headwear  102  provides the appearance of an aesthetic stretchable hat with an open top, while at the same time providing a significant protective function, thereby encouraging the use of the protective athletic headwear  102  and reducing the potential for head injuries. 
     The protective athletic headwear  102 , which includes a body  104  and a pocket band as shown in  FIG. 2 , can be made from manmade/synthetic materials, natural materials, and/or blended combinations thereof. For example, wool, cotton, acrylic, nylon, other natural or synthetic materials, and combinations thereof can be used. 
     The protective athletic headwear  102  is configured to fit precisely and aesthetically over a person&#39;s head, to provide a protective function against head injury (e.g., using protective inserts) resulting from athletic activities in which the person  100  engages, as well as in various embodiments to engage or attach removeably to a facemask. As particularly illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the protective athletic headwear  102  can fit the head of a player engaging in the game of lacrosse. The player is wearing the protective athletic headwear  102  engaged removeably to a facemask  106 . Moreover, the player is holding a lacrosse stick  108  with its netting  108  securing a lacrosse ball  110 . 
     Other athletic activities for which the protective athletic headwear  102  will find implementation can include, for example, rollerblading, biking, hiking, skateboarding, touch football, soccer, field hockey, rock climbing, skiing, snowboarding, and ice-skating, as well as other athletic and leisure activities. The foregoing list of activities is not exhaustive, and people engaged in other athletic and leisure activities that are not enumerated can benefit from the protective function in an aesthetic form-factor provided by the protective athletic headwear  102 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the construction of the example protective athletic headwear  102  of  FIG. 1 . The protective athletic headwear  102  includes a body  104 , a pocket band  201  and a plurality of protective inserts  204 . 
     The pocket band  201  is disposed about at least a portion of the interior of the protective athletic headwear  102  and is configured to receive and retain the protective inserts  204  in a predetermined configuration that provides a protective function to the person&#39;s head when the person  100  wears the protective athletic headwear  102 . 
     More specifically, the pocket band  201  is secured to the body  104  by and extends from a base stitching  203  of the protective athletic headwear  102  partially towards the vertical extent of the body  104  of the protective athletic headwear  102  such that the protective function can be provided to the head of the person  100 . The protective athletic headwear  102 —and more particularly the pocket band  201  coupled with protective inserts  204 —is configured to at least partially cover the frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital part of the person&#39;s head. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the pocket band  201  is free floating with respect to the body  104  of the protective athletic headwear  102 , such that the pocket band  201  can provide application-specific or precise fit and positioning of plural protective inserts  204  for various head sizes to effectively reduce and/or eliminate head injuries, while the body  104  can provide the aesthetic form-fit (e.g., stretching) over the combination of the pocket band  201  and the protective inserts  204 . 
     The pocket band  201  includes a plurality of pockets  205 , each of which is configured (e.g., sized and dimensioned) to receive and retain a respective protective insert  204 , such that the plurality of protective inserts  204  can be disposed in the predetermined configuration in the pocket band  201  of the protective athletic headwear  102 . In some embodiments, six (6) pockets  205  are provided in the pocket band  201 . In other embodiments, there can be two (2) to twelve (12) pockets  205  to receive respective protective inserts  204 . Fewer or greater number of pockets  205  can be provided in alternate embodiments. 
     The pockets  205  are disposed adjacently about the pocket band  201  such that the protective inserts  204  can be adjacently disposed (e.g., one next to the other), providing an almost continuous protective function about the protective athletic headwear  102 . In some embodiments, the pockets  205  can be equidistantly disposed about the pocket band  201 . In other embodiments, the pockets  205  can be disposed at different locations about the pocket band  201  based on the size and dimension of the respective protective inserts to be received into the pockets  205 . 
     The pocket band  201  can be constructed from one folded piece of material with openings  202  provided through about the fold and its ends stitched by the base stitching  203 , or can be constructed from separate pieces of material that are stitched by the base stitching  203 . As described herein, the side stitchings  210 ,  212  define respective pockets  205  of the pocket band  201 . It should be noted that the pocket band  201  material of either construction can be a single layer (e.g., single ply) or a double layer (e.g., double ply). 
     The protective inserts  204  are configured to be disposed adjacently to one another in the respective pockets  205  of the pocket band  201 , providing an almost continuous protective function about the protective athletic headwear  102 . The protective inserts  204  are independently situated or disposed in the respective pockets  205  of the pocket band  201  through openings  202  and can conform to the contours of the person&#39;s head as the protective athletic headwear  102  stretches about the person&#39;s head. The height of the protective inserts  204  is approximately 3½″, while the width can be different and can be based on various considerations, among other things, the circumference of the protective headwear  102  and a total number of protective inserts  204  used in the protective headwear  102  to counter to the person&#39;s head. In various embodiments, the height of the protective inserts  204  can also be between about 3″ and about 5½″, with the width being adjusted based on various considerations, among other things, the circumference of the protective headwear  102  and a total number of protective inserts  204  used in the protective headwear  102  to counter to the person&#39;s head. 
     In various embodiments, the protective inserts  204  are approximately triangular in shape and are truncated (e.g., defining a truncated plane) below a vertex (not shown) of the triangular shape. The protective inserts  204  are further curvilinear (e.g., in vertical and/or horizontal dimensions) such that they conform to the contours of the person&#39;s head, which provides an almost continuous protective function about the protective athletic headwear  102 . In the vertical dimension, the protective inserts  204  can have a generally uniform curvature, while in the horizontal dimension the curvature of the protective inserts  204  can have one or more portions extending from a base of the triangular shape (side to side) to the truncated plane below the vertex, each portion having different and decreasing radius to conform to the head of the person  100 . 
     In some embodiments, six (6) protective inserts  204  can be provided. In other embodiments, there can be two (2) to twelve (12) protective inserts  204 . Fewer or greater number of protective inserts  204  can be provided in alternate embodiments. The protective inserts  204  will be described in greater detail below with reference to  FIG. 3 . In embodiments in which the protective athletic headwear  102  is to be secured or attached removeably to a facemask  106  (e.g., via a frame member or a strap member of the facemask  106 ), at least one protective insert  204  includes an engagement device  206  configured to removeably engage a linking element that can couple the protective athletic headwear  102  (via the protective insert  204  and engagement device  206 ) to the facemask  106 , as will be described in greater detail below with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     The protective inserts  204  can be similarly or differently sized and/or dimensioned (e.g., same or different triangularly-shaped and truncated slices) such that the combination of the protective inserts  204  conform to the contours of the person&#39;s head, providing an almost continuous protective function about the protective athletic headwear  102 . For example, the protective inserts  204  in the front and/or the back of the protective athletic headwear  102  can be wider triangular inserts than the remaining inserts therebetween. Other arrangements are possible of course. The pockets  205  can be adjusted based on the dimensions of the respective protective inserts  204 . 
     The pockets  205  include opening  202  defined by side stitchings  210 ,  212  and base stitching  203 . The openings  202  are configured to receive the protective inserts  204  into the pockets  205  of the pocket band  201 . In openings  202  can be disposed at variable distances above the base stitching  203 . In some embodiments, the openings  202  can be disposed at a top-most extent of the pocket band  201 . In other embodiments, the opening  202  can be disposed to the interior of the pocket band  201 . 
     Other alternatives are possible in which the openings  202  are disposed between the pocket band  201  and the inside of the body  104 . This construction can allow easy insertion of the protective insert  204 , while hiding the potentially unsightly openings  202  to the interior of the protective athletic headwear  102 . 
     Moreover, the openings  202  are approximately centered in relation to the side stitchings  210 ,  212 . The openings  202  are stretchable in order to receive the protective inserts  204  into the pockets  205 . The side stitchings  201 ,  212  of each pocket  205  extend approximately from the base stitching  203  and along the height of the pocket band  201 . Depending on the construction of the pocket band  201  (e.g., one folded piece of material with openings  202  through about the fold and ends stitched by the base stitching  203 ), the side stitchings  210 ,  212  can extend partially to the top-most extent of the pocket band  201 . If two separate pieces of material that form the pocket band  201  are stitched by the base stitching  203 , then the side stitchings  210 ,  212  can extend fully to the top-most extent of the pocket band  201 . 
     The side stitchings  210 ,  212  can be straight or angled towards one another for the pockets  205  to approximate and accommodate the angulation of protective inserts  204 , such that the protective inserts  204  can be retained in a predetermined configuration with respect to one another in the respective pockets  205  and can provide an almost continuous protective function to the person&#39;s head when the person  100  wears the protective athletic headwear  102 . For example, the side stitchings  210 ,  212  can be approximately straight along a first portion of the pocket band  201  from the base stitching  203  and then continue angled toward one another along a second portion toward the top of the pocket band  201  (e.g., approximately ½″ inch from the top). 
     The base stitching  203  extends along the circumference of the pocket band  201  and is configured to provide a base or seat for each of the protective inserts  204 , which approximates and accommodates the base of each protective insert  204 , such that the protective inserts  204  can be retained in a predetermined configuration with respect to one another in the respective pockets  205  and can provide an almost continuous protective function to the person&#39;s head when the person  100  wears the protective athletic headwear  102 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the construction of an example protective  204  insert for insertion into a pocket band  201  of  FIG. 2 . The example protective insert  204  includes a stack of four (3) layers  302 ,  306 ,  310 . The layers  302 ,  306 ,  310  of the protective insert  204  are configured to provide a protective function to the person  100  when wearing the protective athletic headwear  102 . 
     The outermost layer  302  is a durable and rigid plastic configured to provide impact-resistance from impacts which can cause serious trauma to the head of the person  100 . For example, the layer  302  can be a thermoplastic, such as a polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), or another plastic that is sufficiently rigid yet can deform without cracking or breaking from an impact associated with an accident and/or intentional act of another person. Other durable and rigid plastics and/or combinations of various materials can be used to provide impact-resistance from impacts which can cause serious trauma to the head of the person  100 . 
     In some embodiments, the outermost layer  302  is a polycarbonate that can have a thickness of approximately 0.09 inches to provide impact-resistance from accidents, such as during sports or leisure activities. Other thicknesses can be provided based on the activity for which impact-resistance is desired. 
     The outermost layer  302  includes an arrangement  305  of openings  304 . The openings  304  can extend partially or fully through the outermost layer  302  to provide resilient flexibility to the outermost layer  302 , thereby reducing a concussive force that potentially can be transmitted through the protective insert  204  to the person  100  as a result of certain impacts (e.g., lacrosse ball). 
     The openings  304  can be narrow slits spaced apart to allow certain impacts (e.g., lacrosse ball) to decelerate, thereby reducing potential concussive forces to the head. The width of the slits can be from about ⅛″ to about ⅜″, while the spacing between the slits can be from about ⅛″ to about ½″. The distance from the edges of the insert  204  to the slits can be about ⅛″ to about ½″. The height of the slits can be from about ½″ to about 1½″. 
     Concerning resilient flexibility, for example, a lacrosse ball that impacts a hard protective insert (e.g., outermost layer  302  without openings  304 ) tends to flatten and spread upon the protective insert, transmitting the potential concussive force through the protective insert to the person. However, the openings  304  in outermost layer  302  of the protective insert  204  enable portions of the ball to at least partially penetrate the openings  304 , which allows at least a portion of the outermost layer  302  to flex inwardly and decelerate the ball, thereby reducing the potential concussive force of the impact transmitted through the protective insert  204  to the person  100 . 
     The middle layer  306  can be a pliable rubber (e.g., neoprene) configured to provide cushioning, as well as to mitigate and disperse (or distribute) the impact from the outermost layer  302  about the protective insert  204 . Other pliable rubbers, materials and/or combinations or materials can be used. For example, the middle layer  306  can be an elastomer. The middle layer  306  further provides alternating (non-overlapping) arrangement  309  of openings  308  with the arrangement  305  of openings  304  in the outermost layer  302 . The opening  308  can extend partially or fully through the middle layer  306 . In some embodiments, the openings  308  can also be air pockets that are internal or embedded in the middle layers  306  (e.g., not extending through surface of the middle layers  306 ). In some other embodiments, the openings  308  can be omitted. 
     Specifically, when the layers  302 ,  304 ,  306  are assembled into the protective insert  204 , the openings  308  provide air pockets between layers  302 ,  310 , which can absorb and disperse the impact from the outermost layer  302  about the protective insert  204 . The middle layer  306  can have adhesive surfaces such that layers  302 ,  306 ,  310  can be easily sealed with respect to one another to provide the foregoing air pockets. In some embodiments, the outermost layer  302  and the middle layer  306  can be sealed using a process known as overmolding. In such embodiments, the layer  306  can have an adhesive surface to seal against the innermost layer  310 . Alternatively or in addition, the innermost layer  310  can have an adhesive surface to seal against the middle layer  306 . In various embodiments, the alternating arrangements  305 ,  309  about the layers  302 ,  306  can be amended or changed. The shapes and dimensions of the respective openings  304 ,  308  can be different or the same in the various alternating arrangements  305 ,  309 . 
     In some embodiments, the middle layer  306  can have a thickness 0.25 inches, 0.125 inches, or another thickness. A portion of the protective insert  204  covered by air pockets from the openings  308  in the alternating arrangement  309  can be larger or smaller than shown in  FIG. 3 . The openings  308  can have a different arrangement and one or more shapes (e.g., square, rectangular, combination of shapes, etcetera). Alternative thickness, arrangement and/or coverage of openings  308  associated with the middle layer  306  are of course possible. 
     It is important to note that the alternating arrangement  309  enables formation of air pockets from the openings  308  that cover a portion of the protective insert  204  in order to provide improved absorption and dispersal (or distribution) of the impact from the outermost layer  302  about the protective insert  204 . In some embodiments, an additional middle layer (not shown) between layers  306 ,  310  or between layers  302 ,  306 —having approximately non-overlapping and approximately contiguous openings with the openings  308 —can be provided to cover a substantial portion of the protective insert  204  with air pockets, which can further enhance the absorption and distribution (e.g. deflection) of the impact about the at least one protective insert  204 , mitigating or eliminating the possibility of serious injury to the head. 
     The innermost layer  310  is configured to provide additional cushioning and to enclose or seal middle layer  306  between the outermost layer  302  and the innermost layer  310 . The innermost layer  310  can be a pliable rubber (e.g., neoprene) and can have a thickness of 0.0625 inch. Other pliable rubbers or other materials can be used. For example, the innermost layer  310  can be an elastomer. The aforementioned additional middle layer can be similar to or different than the middle layer  306 . 
     In various embodiments, the innermost layer  310  can cover the middle layer  306 , partially or fully. The innermost layer  310  can cover a certain portion of the middle layer  306 , such as a bottom, middle, top or other portion. For example, the innermost layer  310  can cover a bottom portion (e.g., 25% to 50%, or a greater or smaller range) of the middle layer  306 . As another example, innermost layer  310  can cover a portion of the middle layer  412  that includes one or more of the openings  308  (e.g., partial or full arrangement  309  of openings  308 ), such as disposed about the bottom, middle, top or other portion of the middle layer  306 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates the removable attachment of an example protective insert  204  to an athletic facemask  106  illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     In embodiments in which the protective athletic headwear  102  is to be secured or attached removeably to a facemask  106 , at least one protective insert  204  can include the engagement device  206  configured to removeably engage a linking element  404 , which can removeably couple the protective athletic headwear  102  to the facemask  106  (e.g., to a frame member  402  or a strap member of the facemask  106 ). The strap member of the facemask  106  is shown in and described reference to  FIG. 7 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the engagement device  206  is a hook (e.g., molded monolithically as part of layer  302  of protective insert  204 ) and the linking element  104  is a stretchable band  404 . One end (or portion) of the linking element  404  engages the engagement device  206 , while the other end (or portion) of the linking element  404  wraps about (engages) the frame member  402  of the facemask  106  and engages the engagement device  206 , securing removeably and flexibly the protective athletic headwear  102  to the facemask  106 . In some embodiments, the engagement device  206  can be a T-shaped member that is coplanar with the layer  302 , where each end of the linking element  104  engages a respective portion of the T-shaped member. The flexibility facilitates the positioning and securing of protective athletic headwear  102  with respect to the facemask  106 . Similar or different engagement can be provided in relation to the band ( FIG. 7 ) of the facemask  106 . It should be noted that other combinations of engagement device/linking element are of course possible, e.g., hook-and-loop devices, buckle devices, snap-button devices, and others known or yet to be developed. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a cross-section of the example protective athletic headwear  102  of  FIG. 2  with the protective insert  204  disposed in the pocket  205  of the pocket band  201 . 
     As illustrated, the base stitching  203  provides a base to retain the protective insert  204  in the pocket  205  of the pocket band  201 . As described previously herein, the protective insert  204  is inserted into the pocket  205  of the pocket band  201  through the opening  202  as illustrated best in  FIG. 2 . 
     The opening  202  is stretchable to receive the protective insert  204  into the pocket  205  (e.g., based on the stretchable material from which the protective athletic headwear  102  is made). Accordingly, once the protective insert  204  is received into the pocket  205 , the opening  202  can contour about the protective insert  204  to retain or secure the protective insert  204  in the pocket  205 . 
     The body  104  is stretchable and includes a first portion  502  of a first circumference and a second portion  504  of a second circumference. The second circumference of the second portion  504  can be gradually-reduced from the first circumference of the first portion  502 . Alternatively, the first and second circumferences of portions  502 ,  504  can be the same. The first portion  502  extends along the height of the inserts  204 , while the second portion  504  extends from the first portion  502  sufficiently to enclose the openings  202  of the pockets  205  in the pocket band  201 . In some embodiments, the first portion  502  can continue past base stitching  203  partially along the pocket band  201  to the interior of the protective headwear  102  toward the second portion  504 . An edge of first portion  502  past base stitching  203  can be stitched to the pocket band  201  at one or more locations about the pocket band  201 . 
     The overall height of the pocket band  201  can be approximately 4.0 inches, with the first portion  502  being about 3.5 inches and the second portion  504  being about 0.5 inches. Different dimensions for the body  104  can be provided based on, for example, the height of the protective athletic headwear  102  and the thickness and height of the protective inserts  204 . 
     It is noted that the pocket band  201  with the inserted protective insert  204  is free floating with respect to the body  104  of the protective athletic headwear  102 , such that the pocket band  201  can provide application-specific or precise fit and positioning of the plural protective inserts  204  for various head sizes to effectively reduce and/or eliminate head injuries, yet provide an aesthetic, comfortable and inexpensive form-factor that can result in increased desirability and usability of protective athletic headwear  102  to mitigate and/or eliminate head injuries. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an exploded cross-section of the example protective athletic headwear of  FIG. 5  with the protective insert  204  disposed in a pocket  205  of pocket band  201  and a body  104  of the protective athletic headwear stretching over to enclose protective insert  204  in the pocket  205  of pocket band  201 . 
     As aforementioned, the body  104  is stretchable such that the first portion  502  stretches over the pocket band  201  with the inserted protective insert  204 , while the second portion  504  stretches over and encloses the openings  202  of the pockets  205  in the pocket band  201  toward the head of the person  100 . The second portion can have a lip  602 . The lip  602  can be formed by rolling (e.g., folding) and stitching a portion of the body  104  to the interior of the protection headwear  102 . The lip  602  can also be formed by finishing (e.g., stitching) the edge of the body  104  using stretchable thread. This can help to enclose the protective inserts  204  in the pockets  205  of pocket band  201 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a person  100  wearing the protective athletic headwear  102  of  FIG. 1  cutaway to reveal the protective inserts  204  in relation to the body  104  of the protective athletic headwear  102 . 
     Plural protective inserts  204  are secured by the pocket band  201 —and more particularly, by the respective pockets  205  of the pocket band  201 —around the head of the person  100  and conform or contour to the head of the person  100 , providing a protective function to the frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital parts of the person&#39;s head. The protective inserts  204  in the respective pockets  205  are enclosed or covered by the body  104 . An opening at the top of the protective athletic headwear  102  allows air circulation generally and more particularly allows the person  100  to extend her hair through the open top to the exterior of the protective athletic headwear  102 . 
     The protective inserts  204  provide an almost continuous protective function amongst and between the protective inserts  204 , about the protective band  201  of the protective athletic headwear  102 . 
     The engagement device  206  and the linking element  404  enable the person  100  to removeably and flexibly secure the protective athletic headwear  102  to the facemask  106  (e.g., via a frame member  402  or band  702  of the facemask  106 ). As aforementioned, the flexibility facilitates the positioning and securing of protective athletic headwear  102  with respect to the facemask  106  (e.g., the frame member  402  and/or the strap member  702 , etcetera). 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an impact  802  of a ball  110  to the protective athletic headwear  102  of  FIG. 1 . 
     The example impact  802  is delivered by the ball  110  (e.g., lacrosse ball) to the protective insert  204  through the body  104  and the pocket band  201 , as illustrated in greater detail in the cutaway of  FIG. 9 . It is noted that the impact  802  can be delivered by accident or willfully as a result of the ball  110  or lacrosse stick  108  striking the protective athletic headwear  102 , or the person falling, hitting, or otherwise being pushed into another person or object. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-section of the protective insert of  FIG. 3  showing an example protective function in response to the impact  802  of the ball  110  to the protective athletic headwear  102  as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . 
     In response to the impact  802  of the ball  110 , the outermost layer  302  is configured to deform and flex (e.g. via openings  304 ) but not to crack or break. The openings  304  enable portions of the ball  110  to at least partially penetrate the openings  304  and flex outermost layer  302 , decelerating the impact of the ball  110 , thereby reducing the potential concussive force transmitted through the protective insert  204  to the head of the person  100 . 
     The force of the impact  802  is further absorbed and distributed or dispersed through the layers  302 ,  306 ,  310 . The sealed air pockets  308  in the middle layer  306  distribute or disperse the force of the impact  802  about the protective insert  204 . Specifically, the force of the impact  802  cannot fully continue through the air pockets  308 . When the air that is sealed (or trapped) in the air pockets  308  is compressed by the impact  802 , the air pockets  308  deflect or distribute a portion of the remaining force of the impact  1002  to the surrounding layers  302 ,  306 ,  310  that are contiguous to the air pockets  308 . The trapped air deforms the pliable middle and innermost layers  306 ,  310 . These layers  306 ,  310  absorb portions of the force of the impact  802  to provide cushioning to the head of the person  100 , while some portions of the force of the impact  802  are also dispersed and spread over the outermost layer  302 . 
     Thus, protective athletic headwear with an open top and a method of manufacturing the protective athletic headwear with an open have been described. Although specific example embodiments have been described, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. 
     Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, show by way of illustration, and not of limitation, specific embodiments in which the subject matter may be practiced. The embodiments shown are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed herein. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this application. 
     The foregoing detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
     Although specific embodiments have been shown and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This application is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. 
     The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) and will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure of this application. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 
     In the foregoing detailed description, various features may be grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure of this application. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting that the claimed embodiments have more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. 
     Moreover, it is contemplated that the features or components of various embodiments described herein can be combined into different combinations that are not explicitly enumerated in the foregoing detailed description and that such combinations can similarly stand on their own as separate example embodiments that can be claimed.