Abstract:
A universal protective headgear device wraps around a user&#39;s head to cover and protect crucial areas around the entire circumference of the cranium while conforming to each user&#39;s particular anatomy, including head shape and size. Pads formed of impact absorbing polymers having full elastic memory are fitted within the headgear, between inner and outer layers of moisture absorbing material, such as neoprene or knitted fabric. Hook and loop fasteners on the opposite end portions allow for adjusted fitting to the user&#39;s head. The polymeric pads are structured and disposed to absorb and dissipate significant impact forces, thereby providing increased protection to areas around a user&#39;s entire head that are at the highest level of risk of head and brain injuries. The polymeric pads include an equally spaced arrangement of ventilation holes formed therethrough to allow perspiration to be transferred from the inner layer to the outer layer for dissipation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This patent application is a Continuation-In-Part of co-pending patent application Ser. No. 14/677,540 filed on Apr. 2, 2015. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to protective headgear and, more particularly, to a universal protective headgear for sports, recreational activities and other activities for both children and adults that extends around the circumference of the head and absorbs and dissipates significant impact forces to the head and brain. 
       DISCUSSION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0003]    Head and brain injuries from forces of impact are an unfortunate but common occurrence in a wide variety of sports, as well as in the daily routines of children, adults, the elderly and challenged individuals. While head injuries cannot be entirely eliminated, the number and severity of injuries can be significantly reduced with the use of protective headgear. 
         [0004]    Numerous innovations for head protective devices have been provided in the prior art, including those devices disclosed in my prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,234,174; 6,978,487; 6,675,395; and 6,272,692. Many of the protective headgear devices in the prior art resemble helmets that extend over the top of the head and, while suitable for the purpose of providing some protection, there are shortcomings of the prior art devices which the present invention overcomes. For instance, many prior art headgear devices use padding materials that do not provide complete elastic memory. Thus, their ability to consistently absorb impact and dissipate significant impact forces is diminished. The various head protective devices in the prior art are designed to cover areas of the head that have a low level of risk for injury due to impact forces, resulting in cumbersome, oversized headgear devices that are hot, unsightly and difficult to wash. Moreover, headgear that resembles a helmet presents a negative stigma and many individuals, including athletes, are reluctant to such cumbersome and less attractive devices. In certain sports, athletes are concerned about presenting and maintaining a tough or macho image. While they will wear protective headgear that looks and acts like a sweatband, many of these “macho” athletes refuse to wear helmets or other protective headgear that is not stylish or that is not considered “cool.” 
         [0005]    The present invention seeks to overcome the problems, limitations and negative stigma of the prior art headgear devices. The present invention provides the first universal protective headgear that can be applied to a wide variety of sports, recreational activities, cheerleading, the elderly prone to falling, veterans that have traumatic brain injuries (TBI), children on playgrounds, children learning to walk, and challenged children. Specifically, the present invention provides a stylish, highly functional and extremely effective universal protective headgear device that is lightweight, ventilated and adjustable and which includes full memory polymeric absorbing material offering increased protection at crucial impact zones around the entire circumference of the user&#39;s cranium, including at the forehead, temporal regions and the back of the head. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is directed to a universal headgear device for protecting those areas of the head that are at the highest level of risk of injury from forces of impact. 
         [0007]    The invention has been developed and tested to be in full compliance with ASTM standards, FIFA (Federation Internationale de Football Association), the National Federation of High School Associations and the European CE II requirements, designating the product as protective headgear after independent testing. 
         [0008]    The universal protective headgear includes an elongate headband formed of neoprene or other elastomeric polymeric materials that have similar properties to neoprene. Alternatively, the headband may be formed of a knitted fabric, such as the fabric commonly used for manufacturing sweatbands. The elongate headband has opposite end portions and a central portion. The headband is sized, structured and configured to wrap around a user&#39;s head to cover and protect crucial areas around the entire circumference of the cranium. Pads formed of impact absorbing polymers having full elastic memory are secured between inner and outer layers of the headband at the central and opposite end portions. The hardness of the polymeric pads is selected depending upon the amount of absorption and dissipation required for a specific activity. Hook and loop releasable fasteners on the opposite end portions allow for adjusted fitting of the headband to the user&#39;s head. The polymeric pads are specifically positioned to allow the headband to easily wrap around and conform to the user&#39;s head and are structured and disposed to absorb and dissipate significant impact forces, thereby providing increased protection to areas around the user&#39;s entire head that are at the highest level of risk of injury from forces of impact, including at the forehead and at the back of the head. 
         [0009]    The universal protective headgear of the present invention is useful in a wide variety of sports, recreational activities and other activities and environments for both children and adults including, but not limited to, the following:
       Soccer   Basketball   Under an Ice Hockey Goalie&#39;s face mask   Women&#39;s Lacrosse   Women&#39;s Field Hockey   Volleyball   Cheerleading   Flag Football   Floor Hockey   Ice Skating   Under the helmet of Jockeys and Equestrian Riders   Hiking   Children and Dwarfs Learning to Walk   Children on Playgrounds   Autistic Children that are prone to hit their head against the wall   Challenged Children   Veterans that have traumatic brain injuries (TBI)   Elderly that are prone to falls   Elderly in Nursing Homes       
 
         [0029]    Precise positioning and placement of protective headgear is critical in reducing significant impact forces to the head that could cause head and brain injuries. Providing protection at the areas of the head that are at the highest level of risk for injury is particularly important with regard to children playing sports whose brains are still developing. For instance, children running around a playing field while participating in a contact sport can hit their heads together, get kicked in the head, have their heads hit to the ground or come into contact with a goal post. They may also be inadvertently hit in the head with an object, such as ball in field hockey or a puck in floor hockey. In addition, heading the ball in soccer exposes the player to sub-concussive and concussive impacts. All of these impact forces to the head and brain are significantly reduced with the use of the universal protective headgear of the present invention. The risk of head and brain injuries from such impact forces necessitates use of the universal headgear which provides a lightweight and non-burdensome means to absorb and dissipate a substantial portion of the significant impact forces associated with collisions and other impacts to the head and brain areas. 
         [0030]    In the past twenty years, cheerleading, which includes “competitive cheer”, has evolved into a highly physical sport of tumbling, flying through the air and building tall human pyramids. Cheerleaders perform these dangerous acrobatics without the use of any body armor or protective headgear. Not surprisingly, thousands of cheerleaders are injured each year from falls and collisions while performing various acrobatic maneuvers. In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission recently reported that there were almost 37,000 emergency room visits for cheerleading injuries among girls aged 6-22 in just the course of one year. Cheerleading poses by far the greatest risk of catastrophic injury to young female participants of any sport. The American Academy of Pediatrics reported that, between the years 1982 and 2009, cheerleading accounted for 65% of all direct catastrophic injuries to girl athletes at the high school level and 70% at the college level. Many of these catastrophic injuries involve closed-head injuries and skull fractures. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to provide protective headgear for cheerleaders that significantly lowers the risk of the severity of significant impact forces to the head and brain areas, while also being lightweight, stylish and matching the color and design of cheerleader uniforms. 
         [0031]    As noted above, children are particularly susceptible to head injuries. In particular, children learning to walk and children on playgrounds are extremely vulnerable to banging their head on the ground or into other objects. Challenged children and autistic children are also at risk for head injuries and may intentionally hit their head against a wall or other object. In some instances, these impacts to children&#39;s heads can be severe and have long lasting effects, possibly resulting in permanent brain damage or death. Dwarfs learning to walk are also at significant risk to head injuries. Because dwarfs&#39; heads are large and throw the rest of the child&#39;s body off balance, they find it difficult to learn to walk. Until the development of the present invention, dwarfs have had no other option but to wear helmet while learning to walk. Accordingly, there is an urgent need for a universal protective headgear product that can be worn by all children, doing all types of activities, in order to provide protection that lowers the risk of the severity of significant impact forces to the head and brain areas. 
         [0032]    Veterans in hospitals and elderly persons in nursing homes are also vulnerable to hitting their head against walls, doors, the floor and other objects. This may be the result of a loss of balance, neurological disorders or other conditions or events (e.g., tripping on curbs or other objects) that result in impacts to the head. Accordingly, there remains an urgent and definite need to protect veterans in hospitals, and elderly persons in nursing homes from head injuries by providing a universal headgear product that lowers the risk of the severity of significant impact forces to the head and brain areas. 
         [0033]    The universal protective headgear of the present invention serves to provide protection that lowers the risk of the severity of the impact force to the head and brain, while also functioning as a sweatband that absorbs perspiration. The complete structure of the headgear has consistent memory throughout its length, while also being structured and disposed to provide an appropriate level of ventilation and breathing, thereby reducing heat between the headband and the user&#39;s head. The universal headgear of the present invention may be manufactured in a variety of sizes, widths, thicknesses, and degrees of curvature to suit the needs of the particular user, as well as to conform to the circumference and contour of the anatomy of a particular user&#39;s head. 
       Objects and Advantages of the Invention 
       [0034]    Considering the forgoing, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a universal protective headgear product that is sized, structured and configured to cover areas of the head that are at the highest level of risk of injury from exposure to impact forces and that has universal application for a wide variety of sports, recreational activities, cheerleading, nursing homes, playgrounds, veterans in hospitals and challenged children, and wherein the headgear is structured and disposed to absorb and dissipate significant impact forces to the head. 
         [0035]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a universal protective headgear product that adjustably fits around and conforms to the entire circumference of the user&#39;s head and which includes one or more compressible inserts (pads) having full elastic memory. 
         [0036]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a protective stylish headband that resembles a typical sweatband, while also providing significant protection to areas of the head that are at the highest level of risk of head and brain injuries, thereby appealing to even the most “macho” athletes. 
         [0037]    It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a universal protective headgear product that is stylish, lightweight, adjustable to fit all head sizes, and that maintains its integrity while in place around the circumference of the user&#39;s head. 
         [0038]    It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a universal protective headgear device in the form of a headband that absorbs perspiration and which is formed of breathable materials, thereby maintaining the user&#39;s head cool and comfortable, while also significantly reducing the severity of impact forces to the brain. 
         [0039]    It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a protective headgear device that is easily washed in a sink with tap water and hand soap. 
         [0040]    It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide a universal headgear device in the form of an elongate headband that can be manufactured in a variety of colors and designs in order to match the décor of uniforms and/or equipment worn by the user. 
         [0041]    It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a protective headband that provides for an area for placement of team and/or brand names and logos. 
         [0042]    These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are more readily apparent with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0043]    For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0044]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing the universal protective headgear worn on a male adult&#39;s head; 
           [0045]      FIGS. 2A-2D  show examples of use of the universal headgear by participants in various contact sports, such as cheerleading, soccer, flag football and women&#39;s lacrosse; 
           [0046]      FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the universal protective headgear of the present invention, showing the inner facing side of the headband with three separate pads of polymeric material secured under a liner on the inner facing side of the headband; 
           [0047]      FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view taken along the plane of the line indicated by the arrows  4 - 4  in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0048]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the universal protective headgear of the present invention showing the outer facing side of the headband when stretched out and laid flat; 
           [0049]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the headband shown in  FIG. 3  illustrating the three separate polymeric pads protruding on the inner facing side and hook and loop fasteners at opposite ends of the headband; 
           [0050]      FIG. 7  is a bottom plan view of the universal protective headgear of the present invention showing an alternative configuration and placement of the impact absorbing polymeric pads; 
           [0051]      FIG. 8  is a bottom plan view of the universal protective headgear of the present invention, showing yet a further embodiment of the invention using a single impact absorbing polymeric pad extending along the entire length of the protection area of the headband; and 
           [0052]      FIG. 9  is an isolated view, in partial cutaway, showing a preferred embodiment of the impact absorbing polymeric pad used in the present invention and illustrating an arrangement of ventilation holes formed through the entire thickness of the polymeric pad, and wherein the ventilation holes are generally equal in diameter and equally spaced from one another consistently throughout the entire polymeric pad. 
       
    
    
       [0053]    Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0054]    Referring to the several views of the drawings, and initially  FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D , the universal protective headgear  10  of the present invention is shown on several users&#39; heads participating in various sports. The universal protective headgear  10  is defined primarily by an elongate headband  12  that resembles and functions as a sweatband. When properly worn, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2A-2D , the headband  12  extends around the entire circumference of the user&#39;s head and substantially covers the forehead, left and right temporal regions and the back of the head, covering those areas where there is the highest level of risk to head and brain injuries from forces of impact. The universal headgear  10  is structured to be fully compressible and provides full elastic memory. The headgear includes one or more pads formed of impact absorbing polymers. When the headgear is properly worn, the impact absorbing polymeric pads are positioned in covering, protective relation to those high risk areas, around the entire circumference of the user&#39;s head. The hardness of the polymeric pads  30  can be varied depending upon the amount of absorption and dissipation required for a particular sport or activity in full compliance with existing ASTM standards, FIFA, the National Federation of High School Associations and the European CE II standard designating the product as “protective headgear” after independent testing. In a preferred embodiment, the polymeric pads  30  have a Shore A hardness in the range of between 20-65, as measured by a TECLOCK durometer, model JS S 6050. For example, when the headgear is intended for an infant, the Shore A hardness of the polymeric inserts  30  may range between 20-35. This is considering the fact that if an infant should fall, the distance to the ground is significantly less than the distance experienced by an adult when falling to the ground. Therefor, the hardness of the polymeric inserts  30  would be different for infants as compared to children and adults. When the headgear is used for children ages 6-10 playing soccer, for example, the Shore A hardness of the polymeric inserts  30  would range between 30-40. For teenagers involved in sports such as soccer, flag football and basketball, for example, the Shore A hardness of the polymeric inserts  30  would range between 30-45. For adults playing soccer or basketball, for example, the Shore A hardness of the polymeric inserts  30  would range between 40-65. 
         [0055]    Referring to  FIGS. 3-8 , several embodiments of the universal protective headgear  10  are shown. In each of these embodiments, the headband  12  includes a central zone  14 , a first distal end zone  16  and a second distal end zone on the opposite side of the central zone  14 . Each of the first and second distal end zones  16 ,  18  extend from the central zone to the respective opposite distal ends of the headband  12 . 
         [0056]    As seen in  FIG. 9 , the one or more polymeric inserts/pads  30  include an arrangement of ventilation holes  52  that are spaced equally throughout the inserts, with the ventilation holes  52  extending through an entire thickness of the inserts  30 . The diameter of the holes may range between 1/32 of an inch diameter to ⅛ inch in diameter. In a preferred embodiment, the ventilation holes have a diameter of 1/16 of an inch. The ventilation holes are equally spaced apart and, in a preferred embodiment, the holes are spaced between ¼ of an inch apart to ⅜ of an inch apart, consistent throughout. For infants and children that do not sweat as much, the holes can be spaced ⅜ of an Inch Apart. For Teenagers and Adults, the Spacing of the Ventilation holes can be ¼ of an inch apart. In this instance, the ventilation holes  52  are closer together because teenagers and adults tend to sweat more and need more ventilation to allow transfer of perspiration from the inner layer of the headgear to the outer layer of the headgear as described in more detail hereinafter. When the polymeric inserts  30  flex or bend, the ventilation holes  52  remain the same size and do not expand or enlarge, thereby maintaining the integrity of the inserts  30  for absorbing and dissipating impact forces. 
         [0057]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the construction of the universal protective headgear  10  is shown in cross section and includes an outer facing material band  20  formed of an elastomeric polymeric material, such as neoprene or other elastomeric polymers that have similar properties, and an inner facing layer of material  22  formed of an elastomeric material, such as neoprene or similar elastomeric polymeric material. In one embodiment, the inner facing layer of material  22  is lighter in weight (i.e., thinner) compared to the outer layer of material  20 . The inner facing layer of material  22  may include an arrangement of holes or apertures to enhance transfer of perspiration from the user&#39;s skin and through the holes of the inner layer, as well as the ventilation holes in the polymeric inserts  30  and to the outer layer for absorption and dissipation of perspiration. In another embodiment, the outer facing layer  20  and the inner facing layer  22  are formed of a knitted fabric, such as sweatband material. For example, the knitted fabric may be a close knit cotton fabric consisting of 85% cotton and 15% Spandex. In all embodiments, the outer layer  20  and the inner layer  22  are formed of a material that readily absorbs and dissipates moisture, such as perspiration. The one or more impact absorbing polymeric pads  30  are positioned between the outer material layer  20  and the inner material layer  22 . As noted above, the impact absorbing polymeric inserts  30  include an arrangement of ventilation holes  52  therethrough to allow airflow through the inserts  30  in order to promote dissipation of perspiration that has been absorbed into the exterior or outer layer of material  20  by wicking. More specifically, the ventilation holes  52  through the polymeric inserts  30  allow perspiration to travel from the inner facing layer  22 , through the holes in the inserts  30  and absorbed into the outer layer of material  20  where the perspiration can be dissipated by wicking from airflow across the outer surface of the protective headgear  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the inner facing layer of material  22  is tightly fitted about the one or more polymeric pads  30  and against an inner side of the outer layer of material  20  so as to firmly and snugly hold the one or more polymeric pads in fixed position on the headband  12 . A stitched rib of material  26  extends about the entire periphery of the headband  12  and joins the outer material layer  20  with the inner material layer  22 . The stitched rib  26  may be formed of an elastomeric material, similar to the outer and inner layers, and preferably of a thickness that is equal to or similar to the inner material layer  22 . As seen in  FIGS. 3 and 5-8 , the rib  26  is stitched on both sides of the headband to secure the inner and outer layers together. While thread stitching is shown, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, it is recognized that the periphery of the inner and outer layers may be joined together by other means, such as by gluing, heat sealing or other suitable means of attachment. 
         [0058]    The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3-6 and 7  provide for multiple impact absorbing polymeric pads  30  that are positioned side by side along a substantial length of the headband. Small spaces or gaps  32  between each of the adjacently positioned polymeric pads  30  promote flexing of the headband  12  so that the headband  12  can be wrapped around and conform to the contour of the wearer&#39;s head, with the headgear  10  providing consistent and full elastic memory throughout the entire length of the headband  12  and around the entire circumference of the wearer&#39;s head. 
         [0059]    The embodiment shown in  FIG. 8  provides for a single impact absorbing polymeric pad  30  that extends substantially along the length of the protection area of the headband  12 , providing complete and consistent elastic memory throughout the entire length of the headband  12 . 
         [0060]    In each of the embodiments shown throughout the several views of the drawings, the opposite first and second distal end zones  16 ,  18  are provided with releasable fasteners for adjustably securing the headband around the user&#39;s head so that the headband fits snug (i.e., without slipping), but not too tight. In a preferred embodiment, the releasable fasteners at the opposite first and second distal end zones are hook and loop fasteners. However, it is fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the invention to provide other types of releasable and adjustable fasteners, such as, but not limited to, snaps or buttons. Alternatively, the ends of the headband may be permanently affixed to one another so that the headband is a continuous and endless loop that is able to stretch and conform to the size and shape of the wearer&#39;s head. 
         [0061]    The hook and loop releasable fasteners shown throughout the several views of the drawings include a loop component  42  on the outer facing side of the first distal end zone  16  and a hook component  44  on an inner facing side of the second distal end zone  18 . 
         [0062]    As seen in  FIGS. 3, 5 and 7-8 , the central zone  14  of the headband has a curved configuration relative to the opposite first and second distal end zones  16  and  18 . This curved configuration allows the headband to properly conform to the wearer&#39;s head, when wrapped around the forehead and back of the head, to properly cover the areas of the head that are at the highest level of risk to injury from impact forces. It should be noted that the degree of curvature of the headband, as well as the length of the headband and the width of the headband and the width of the polymeric pads  30  may be varied to conform with the circumference and anatomical shape of different wearer&#39;s heads. Moreover, the materials and structure of the universal headgear  10  provide full elastic memory throughout the entire length of the headband  12  and around the entire circumference of the wearer&#39;s head. 
         [0063]    The outer facing surface of the outer layer  20  may be provided with one or more areas  21  for placement of team or brand names and/or logos. 
         [0064]    While the present invention has been shown in accordance with several preferred and practical embodiments, it is recognized that departures from the instant disclosure are fully contemplated within the spirit and scope of the present invention which is not to be limited except as defined in the following claims.