Patent ID: 8613114

Claim:
An apparatus, comprising: a head guard comprising: a multi-layered sidewall, the multi-layered sidewall comprising: a stretchable fabric layer, the stretchable fabric layer comprising an inner fabric layer and an outer fabric layer, the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer cooperating to define a pocket; wherein the inner fabric layer defines a first aperture and the outer fabric layer defines a second aperture a side padding layer positioned proximate the stretchable fabric layer within the pocket, the side padding layer being disconnected from each of the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer, the side padding layer comprising a padding material; and a substantially circular multi-layered top panel comprising a top padding layer, wherein at least a portion of the multi-layered sidewall panel is sewn to at least a portion of the substantially circular multi-layered top panel, wherein the multi-layered sidewall extends from the substantially circular multi-layered top panel to form a substantially cylindrical shape, and wherein the substantially cylindrical shape defines a circular opening for a head of a wearer; wherein the side padding layer is substantially rectangular and extends circumferentially about the head guard, the side padding layer comprising a first end surface, a second end surface, a top surface, and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface is positioned proximate the substantially circular multi-layered top panel, and wherein the first end surface and the second end surface are connected by the top surface and the bottom surface, and wherein the first end surface is circumferentially spaced from the second end surface to define a padding gap therebetween in a rear portion of the head guard, the padding material extending continuously and circumferentially within the pocket about the head guard, between the first end surface and the second end surface, such that the padding gap is devoid of the padding material; and wherein the head guard is stretchable between a relaxed configuration and an expanded configuration upon placement on a head of a wearer, and wherein the stretchable fabric layer delivers a compressive force to maintain placement on the head of the wearer; wherein the padding gap is designed to align with each of the first aperture and the second aperture for allowing the user's hair to pass through the first aperture and the second aperture from an interior side of the head guard to an exterior side of the head guard.