Patent Publication Number: US-2013232670-A1

Title: Protective head gear

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/607,854, filed on Mar. 7, 2012 and U.S. design patent application Ser. No. 29/416,671, filed on Mar. 26, 2012. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to sports equipment and more specifically to protective head gear. 
     2. Related Art 
     In the sports of women&#39;s lacrosse and field hockey, players are required to wear an assortment of protective gear, including goggles, to reduce the occurrence of injury to the head and face. The rules of these sports dictate that women cannot use a helmet, but that players are allowed to use soft head gear to help reduce injury from incidental blows. Currently, players use foam sweat bands and soccer or rugby head gear on an impromptu basis for head protection in women&#39;s lacrosse and field hockey. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     None of the currently-available products are designed be compatible with goggles mandatory in women&#39;s lacrosse and field hockey, nor do these products provide sufficient protection of the front or back portion of the player&#39;s head. Currently, players have to contend with head gear that is not designed for the goggles or the sport. Additionally, players must tolerate goggles that are separate from the head gear. This combination of two separate units makes head protection clumsy and difficult for players, particularly when putting the units on and taking them off between times of play. 
     Accordingly, a need exists for protective head gear suited to the sports of lacrosse and field hockey. More specifically, a need exists for soft, protective head gear that combines easily with existing goggles used in the sports of women&#39;s lacrosse and field hockey. 
     The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by providing a head gear apparatus having a padded member shaped and configured to wrap around a player&#39;s head. In one embodiment, the padded member is shaped and configured to wrap around a player&#39;s head. The padded member includes a first side portion having a first distal end and a first middle-facing edge along a lower margin. A second side portion has a second distal end and a second middle-facing edge along the lower margin. A middle portion is positioned between and connects the first side portion and the second side portion. The lower margin defines an open region below the middle portion and between the first middle-facing edge and the second middle-facing edge. The padded member has at least one strap guide. A rear closure assembly connects the first distal end to the second distal end. 
     In another embodiment, the head gear apparatus is a kit including the padded member and rear closure assembly. 
     In another embodiment, the head gear apparatus also has an upper portion with a distal end and extending transversely from the middle portion to substantially define a T-shape of the padded member. 
     In another embodiment, the strap guide is movable between an open position and a closed position, where the strap guide in the closed position defines a conduit. 
     In another embodiment, the at least one strap guide comprises at least one flexible flap secured along a first edge to the padded member. 
     In another embodiment, the head gear apparatus has a top strap extending between and connecting the rear closure assembly and the distal end of the upper portion. 
     In another embodiment, the rear closure assembly includes a strap, multiple straps, a lace, a cord, or respective complementary fastener portions on the first distal end and on the second distal end of the padded member. 
     In another embodiment, the rear closure assembly has a rear strap guide. 
     In another embodiment, the padded member has at least one goggle retaining strap with one end connected proximate the lower margin of the padded member and the opposite end configured to releasably connect to the padded member with the goggle retaining strap defining a loop. 
     In another embodiment, the head gear apparatus has at least one pad on the rear closure assembly. In some embodiments, the pad on the rear closure assembly is shaped to mate with the posterior portion of the skull. 
     In another embodiment, the padded member includes a goggle frame as one piece with the padded member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  shows a side elevation of one embodiment of a head gear apparatus of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows an open configuration of one embodiment of a padded member of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows a front view of one embodiment of a rear closure assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a front view of another embodiment of a rear closure assembly of the present invention with a U-shaped strap. 
         FIG. 5  shows a rear view of the head gear apparatus of  FIG. 1  with one embodiment of a rear strap guide. 
         FIG. 6  shows an open configuration of another embodiment of a padded member of the present invention having ends that may be overlapped. 
         FIG. 6   a  is shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a strap guide shown on the padded member of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 6   b  shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a strap guide shown on the padded member of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  shows a front elevation of a head gear apparatus and partial view of a rear closure assembly of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows the head gear apparatus of  FIG. 1  assembled with a goggle. 
         FIG. 9  shows an open configuration of another embodiment of a padded member of the present invention having a goggle frame. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9 .  FIG. 1  illustrates a side view of a head gear  100  in an assembled configuration that includes a padded member  102 , a rear closure assembly  128 , a top strap  140 , and a plurality of goggle retaining straps  160 . In one embodiment, padded member  102  includes an upper portion  170 , first side portion  112 , second side portion  212 , and a middle portion  150 . Padded member  102  preferably has a plurality of pads  106  separated by compressed regions or breaks  104  between pads  106 . The front and top portion of the player&#39;s head is protected by upper portion  170  extending over the crown of the wearer&#39;s skull. Upper portion  170  is preferably connected to rear closure assembly  128  with an adjustable top strap  140  as will be discussed in more detail below. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of padded member  102  in an open, flattened configuration. Padded member  102  is preferably a dual-density compression-molded foam unit that defines an open region  155  designed to accept goggles  300  (not shown) used in lacrosse, field hockey, and other sports. Padded member  102  preferably has two goggle retaining straps  160  attached to padded member  102  near open region  155  that center goggle  300  in open region  155 . Goggle retaining straps  160  hold goggle  300  in the correct position so the player&#39;s forehead is not exposed. 
     Due to its flexible materials of construction, padded member  102  more typically takes a shape of being wrapped around the wearer&#39;s head as shown in  FIG. 1 . In its flattened configuration shown in  FIG. 2 , padded member  102  has a generally longitudinal shape with a first side portion  112 , middle portion  150 , and second side portion  212  contiguously aligned along a first axis  119 . First side portion  112  has a first proximal portion  114  and a first distal end  116 . Second side portion  212  has a second proximal portion  214  and a second distal end  216 . First and second side portions  112 ,  212  optionally have one or more vent openings  117 ,  217 , respectively. Vent openings  117 ,  217  in one embodiment are formed by installing grommets  117   a,    217   a  through padded member  102 . Other embodiments of padded member  102  have one or more vent openings without grommets, such as a one or more openings or slots. 
     Padded member  102  has an upper margin  111  and a lower margin  152 . Moving from first distal end  116  of first side portion  112  towards middle portion  150 , upper margin and lower margin  152  diverge. At a position located approximately the wearer&#39;s temple, lower margin  152  then changes direction and continues generally upward along a middle-facing edge  113  of first side portion before changing direction again and continuing along middle portion  150 . As it transitions from first side portion  112  to middle portion  150 , lower margin  152  follows a first concave curve  152   a  to a point of intersection  152   c  with second axis  122 . At point of intersection  152   c,  first concave curve  152   a  and second concave curve  152   b  meet. Upper margin  111  and lower margin  152  are substantially mirror images of one another on opposite sides of a centerline or second axis  122  extending through middle portion  150 . Second side portion also has a middle-facing edge  213 . Having this preferred shape along lower margin  152  defines an open region  155  between first side portion  112 , second side portion  212 , and middle portion  150  that enables padded member  102  to accept goggles  300  with minimal gap between goggle frame  320  (not shown) and lower margin  152 . 
     Middle portion  150  extends between and connects first proximal portion  114  of first end portion  112  and second proximal portion  214  of second side portion  212 . In one embodiment, first distal end  116  and second distal end  216  each have at least one aperture  118 ,  218 , respectively. Apertures  118 ,  218  are useful for maintaining padded member  102  in a substantially cylindrical shape by drawing together first distal end  116  and second distal end  216  with a strap, rear closure assembly  128  (discussed below), clip, or other connector. 
     Upper portion  170  of padded member  102  extends from middle portion  150  along second axis  122  transversely (e.g., substantially perpendicular) to first axis  119 . Upper portion  170  preferably has one or more openings  172  in a distal end  171 . 
     Padded member  102  is preferably compression molded with compressed regions or gaps  104  that define and separate individual pads  106 . In one embodiment, padded member  102  has four-way stretch fabric laminated to polyurethane foam and to 1.7 lb. open-cell foam in a flame laminating process. A two-way stretch fabric may also be used. The multi-layered fabric and foam structure is compressed in a heated press to define multiple foam pads  106  separated by compressed regions or gaps  104 . Having multiple pads  106  gives the player protection as well as a comfortable head gear  100  that flexibly conforms to the player&#39;s head. Padded member  102  is preferably lined by open-cell foam and has an anti-microbial-treated moisture management fabric. 
     In one embodiment, padded member  102  is made with a ⅜-inch thick 3-lb. cross-linked polyethylene closed-cell foam laminated to ⅛-inch thick clickable open-cell urethane layer. In another embodiment, padded member  102  is made with a ¼-inch thick 4 lb. cross-linked polyethylene closed-cell foam laminated to an open-cell 12 lb. soft polyurethane core. Vinyl nitrile is an acceptable substitute for the 12 lb. polyurethane core. In another embodiment, padded member  102  is made with a first layer of ⅛-inch thick 6-12 lb. closed-cell cross-linked polyethylene layer, a second layer of ⅜-inch thick 3-4 lb. layer of closed-cell cross-linked polyethylene, and a third layer of open-cell ⅛-inch thick clickable urethane. Other embodiments of padded member  102  have additional or thicker layers of foam as needed to provide the desired protection and thickness. 
     In yet another embodiment, a polyurethane foam core is encapsulated between a cross-linked polyethylene foam outer shell layer and a urethane liner. Because polyurethane foam is not formable with heat, it is encapsulated between other layers in padded member  102 . 
     In one embodiment of padded member  102 , two goggle retaining straps  160  are attached near lower margin  152  to secure goggle  300  to padded member  102 . More or fewer goggle retaining straps  160  may be used. In one embodiment, one end of each goggle retaining strap  160  is attached by stitching at or near lower margin  152  of middle portion  150  of padded member  102 . Complementary fasteners  202   a,    202   b  on goggle retaining straps  160  and on padded member  102 , respectively, attach together, forming goggle retaining straps  160  in a loop around frame  320  of goggle  300 . Thus, goggle retaining straps  160  hold or suspend goggle  300  from padded member  102  with goggle  300  positioned in open region  155  (see goggle  300  shown in  FIG. 7 ). 
     In one embodiment of padded member  102 , first side portion  112  has a first strap guide  120  and second side portion  212  has a second strap guide  220 . First and second strap guides  120 ,  220  are preferably movable between an open position and a closed position. Strap guides  120 ,  220  may be made of a fabric flap, a strap, a clip, a loop, a channel, a groove, a raceway, or another structure that defines a conduit or passageway  180  sized to accept a goggle strap  310  (not shown). Conduit  180  may be enclosed like an open-ended tube, or may be open like a channel. 
     In one embodiment, strap guides  120 ,  220  include a pair of overlapping fabric pieces  222 ,  224  that have complementary fastener portions  225   a,    225   b.  Fastener portions  225   a,    225   b  attach together to form a conduit that encloses and retains a goggle strap  310  (shown in  FIG. 7 ). In one embodiment, complementary fastener portions  225   a,    225   b  are the hooks and loops of a hook-and-loop fastener (e.g. Velcro® fastener). For example, an upper  224  fabric piece is sewn along its upper edge  225  to padded member  102 . Below that location, a lower fabric piece  222  is sewn along its lower edge  223  to padded member  102 . With upper fabric piece  224  and lower fabric piece  222  spread open, the user may place a goggle strap  310  against padded member  102 . In its closed position, upper fabric piece  224  overlaps lower fabric piece  222  with fastener portions  225   a,    225   b  connecting to one another, thereby defining an enclosed conduit  180  that retains goggle strap  310 . Conduit  180  may similarly be defined with a single fabric piece that is secured along one edge to one location of padded member  102  and having another edge that removably attaches to another location of padded member  102 . 
     Other methods, such as snaps, buttons, stitching and the like, may be used to secure upper fabric piece  224  to lower fabric piece  222 . In one embodiment, two separate fabric pieces  232 ,  234  are stitched to padded member  102  at a break or compressed region  104  between pads  106  or near the edge of padded member  102 . In another embodiment, conduit  180  may be formed with a single piece of fabric that closes onto itself or onto padded member  102 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown one embodiment of a rear closure assembly  128  with an upper closure strap  130 , a lower closure strap  132 , a top strap  140 , strap connectors  142   a,    142   b,  and a rear strap guide  146 . Preferably, top strap  140 , upper closure strap  130 , and lower closure strap  132  have hook portions  146   a  of a hook-and-loop fastener on one area of the strap and loop portions  146   b  of a hook-and-loop fastener on another area of the strap, such as on the opposite side, on an end portion, or on a middle portion as appropriate). Top strap  140  with loop portion  145   a , for example, then loops through opening  172  in upper portion  170  of padded member  102  and back onto itself to fasten with hook portion  145   b  against loop portion  145   a . Thus, one end of top strap  140  is secured to upper portion  170  of padded member  102  by looping through opening  172  and attaching back to itself. Other methods of connecting top strap  140  to upper portion  170  and/or to closure straps  130 ,  132  are also acceptable, such as stitching, a buckle, a clip, a mechanical fastener or other device. For example, top strap  140  loops over lower closure strap  132  and is secured with stitching  147  and/or a fastener  149  (e.g., a rivet, snap, button, grommet, and the like). 
     In another embodiment, head gear  100  has multiple top straps  140  that are spaced apart to accommodate a player&#39;s pony tail. For example, two top straps  140  both pass through opening  172  in upper portion  170 , but opposite ends of each top strap  140  diverge and attach to spaced-apart portions of rear closure assembly  128 . In another example, each of two top straps  140  pass through spaced-apart openings  172  in upper portion  170  of padded member  102  and then connect to spaced-apart locations on rear closure assembly  128 . With two top straps  140 , for example, ends of top straps  140  attach to upper and/or lower closure straps  130 ,  132  on opposite lateral sides of strap connectors  142   a,    142   b  as opposed to attaching at a location between strap connectors  142   a,    142   b  as shown in  FIG. 3 . In yet another embodiment, top strap(s)  140  extend between and connect upper portion  170  and first and second side portions  112 ,  212 . 
     For improved stability and comfort of head gear  100 , optional strap connectors  142   a,    142   b  extend transversely between and connect upper closure strap  130  to lower closure strap  132 . In one embodiment, strap connectors  142   a,    142   b  are fabric straps that each loop over closure straps  130 ,  132  and are secured with stitching and/or a fastener. Strap connectors  142   a,    142   b  help to position and properly space upper and lower closure straps  130 ,  132  from one another to facilitate assembly of rear closure assembly  128  with padded member  102 . 
     In one embodiment, upper closure strap  130  and lower closure strap  132  have a hook portion  145   b  on one side and a loop portion  145   a  on the opposite side of closure strap  132 . Thus, by looping ends of upper closure strap  130  through openings  118 ,  218  of padded member  102  and folding each end of upper closure strap  130  back onto itself, upper closure strap  130  secures rear closure assembly  128  to distal ends  116 ,  216  of padded member  102 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another embodiment of rear closure assembly  128  where strap connectors  142   a,    142   b  are part of a U-shaped strap  143  that connects to or is made as one piece with top strap  142 . U-shaped strap  143  defines an opening  143   a  between strap connectors  142   a,    142   b  to accept a wearer&#39;s ponytail. 
     In one embodiment, rear closure assembly  128  also includes a rear strap guide  146  having an open position and a closed position. Similar to first and second strap guides  130 ,  230 , rear strap guide can be formed with overlapping fabric pieces, overlapping ends of a single fabric piece, clip(s), loop(s) and other structures defining a conduit to accept goggle strap  310  (not shown). In one embodiment, overlapping fabric pieces attach to each other to define a conduit, preferably by using hook-and-loop fasteners. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a rear view of one embodiment of head gear  100  with padded member  102  and rear closure assembly  128 . Upper closure strap  130  and lower closure strap  132  extend through openings  118 ,  218  of padded member  102 . Closure straps  130 ,  132  are used to draw distal ends  116 ,  216  of padded member  102  together or towards each other as needed for a comfortable fit around the player&#39;s head. To better show details of closure assembly  128 , closure strap  132  is shown in  FIG. 5  in an unfastened position with loose ends. In one embodiment, closure straps  130 ,  132  are elastic straps. In another embodiment, closure straps  130 ,  132  are nylon, cloth, or other similar material. 
     In one embodiment, rear strap guide  146  of rear closure assembly  128  is made with a piece of fabric folded to define a first fabric portion  146   a  and a second fabric portion  146   b.  First fabric portion  146   a  is secured to strap connectors  142   a,    142   b  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) by a fastener  146   c,  such as stitching. Second fabric portion  146   b  folds over and connects to first fabric portion  146   a  using complementary fastener portions  146   d,    146   e,  such as hook-and-loop fasteners. Goggle strap  310  passes laterally through and is retained by a rear conduit  149  formed between first fabric portion  146   a  and second fabric portion  146   b  of rear strap guide  146 . 
     Other embodiments of rear closure assembly  128  include laces, a single strap, or multiple straps that loop(s) through openings  118 ,  218  on distal ends  116 ,  216  of padded member  102 . For additional protection to the back of a player&#39;s head, rear strap guide  146  is optionally has one or more pads  106  or is made with padded material along first fabric portion  146   a  and/or second fabric portion  146   b.  Such padding may be accomplished by making rear strap guide  146  using a compression molding process as is used to make padded member  102 . For improved comfort and protection to the back of a player&#39;s head, rear strap guide  146  or rear closure assembly  128  includes a pad shaped to accept or mate with the posterior portion of the skull. 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , rear closure assembly  128  in some embodiments is replaced with overlapping distal ends  116 ,  216  of padded member  102  that attach to each other with complementary fastener portions  147   d,    147   e , such as hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, and the like. In such an embodiment, distal ends  116 ,  216  preferably have opening(s)  118  and/or  218 , which are oriented and positioned to accept top strap(s)  140 . For example, openings  118 ,  218  are oriented substantially horizontally near top margins  20  and/or bottom margins  25  of distal ends  116 ,  216 , respectively. 
       FIG. 6  and inset  FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b  illustrate alternate embodiments of strap guides  120   a,    220   a.  As shown in  FIG. 6  and shown enlarged as a cross-sectional view in inset  FIG. 5   a , strap guide  120   a  is a gap or open channel  121  between adjacent pads  160   a ,  160   b.  When pads  160   a,    160   b  have a rounded surface, channel  121  has sloping sides  121   a ,  121   b  that guide and retain goggle strap  310  into channel  121 . 
     In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 6  and shown enlarged as a cross-sectional view in inset  FIG. 6   b , strap guide  220   a  includes a substantially horizontal pad  160   c  with an open channel  122  formed longitudinally therein. For example, pad  160   c  defines channel  122  with channel width  122   a.  Channel  122  has opening  122   b  with opening width  122   c  that is preferably narrower than channel width  122   a.  With this configuration, strap guide  220   a  retains a goggle strap  310  in channel  122  and opening width  122   c  prevents goggle strap  310  from being easily removed from strap guide  220   a.    
     Similar to strap guide  120   a,  channel  122  may also be formed between adjacent pads rather than being formed in pad  160   c.  Optionally, a fabric flap or the like may be used to cover pads  160   a,    160   b  and pad  160   c  to close channels  121 ,  122 , respectively. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a front view of head gear  100  shows padded member  102  and a visible portion of rear closure assembly  128  that extends below bottom margin  152 . As shown here, upper portion  170  of padded member  102  extends from middle portion  150  over the player&#39;s forehead toward rear closure assembly  128  positioned posteriorly. First side portion  112  and second side portion  212  wrap around the player&#39;s head and with distal ends  116 ,  216  drawn towards one another by rear closure assembly  128 . Lower closure strap  132  extends through apertures  118 ,  218  and connects to strap connectors  142   a,    142   b  and to top strap  140  by stitching  147 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a side view illustrates an assembled head gear kit  90  including padded member  102 , rear closure assembly  128 , and goggle  300 . Goggle  300  includes a foam frame  320 , wire cage  330 , rigid side portions  335  connecting wire cage  330  to frame  320 , and goggle strap  310  as are known in the art. As assembled, head gear kit  90  is a single protective item that provides protection to the user&#39;s forehead, crown of the skull, sides, and back of the head. As shown in  FIG. 8 , goggle retaining straps  160 , strap guides  130 ,  230 , and rear strap guide  146  (not visible) of rear closure assembly  128  hold the player&#39;s goggles  300  in an optimum position and provide a single goggle/head gear unit that dissipates impact forces. Combining head gear  100  and goggle  300  into a single unit, the player can easily put on and take off head gear  100  like a cap. 
     In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , frame  320  of goggle  300  is molded with padded member  102  as a unitary structure. Frame  320  functions as a receptacle for wire cage  330 . In such a configuration, rather than securing goggle  300  with goggle retaining straps  160 , wire cage  330  may be attached to frame  320  using a compression fit, adhesive, or mechanical fasteners at attachment points  339  on frame  320 . Mechanical fasteners may be clips, screws, snaps, and the like. The remaining portions of head gear  100  may be substantially the same as described in embodiments above, except that goggle retaining straps  160 , strap guides  120 ,  220 , and rear strap guide  146  would not be necessary because frame  320  of goggle  300  is formed integrally with padded member  102  rather than being held in place with straps. 
     The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the specification and claims. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Further modification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.