Protective Headgear

Abstract

A protective device for a head of an individual person. The protective device forms a cap that includes a flexible headpiece and a segmented outer protective shell disposed about the flexible headpiece for distributing an impact load. The device covers and protects the front, top, sides and back of the head from impact injuries and rebound effects of high speed objects as seen for example, a baseball or softball moving at a speed of up to about 125 mph.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]The present application is a continuation of prior U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 14 / 624,078 filed on Feb. 17, 2015, and titled “Protective Headgear”, now allowed, which claims priority to and benefit from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 941,327 filed on Feb. 18, 2014, and titled “Protective Headgear,” the entire contents of each of which is herein expressly incorporated by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD[0002]The present invention is in the technical field of protective gear. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of head protection.BACKGROUND[0003]Conventional head protection devices are in the form of a helmet—non-conforming, rigid head pieces lined with a Styrofoam or foam layer to protect the head from skull fractures upon direct physical contact or impact with the ground or other surface. Baseball and softball batters and runners also wear helmets to protect their heads against force...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]Preferred embodiments of a protective device provide for a protective cap for a head of an individual. One preferred embodiment includes a hard shell that conforms to the curvature of the head. The preferred cap includes a flexible, comfortable, and energy-distributing shell for conforming to the head of the individual so as to define a surface area of protection preferably covering the frontal, temporal, parietal, and occipital regions of the skull. The preferred shell is of a lightweight, rigid or semi-rigid material with a hardness that produces load-distributing characteristics. The shell is preferably formed from a plurality of rigid panels that include a group of panels that have a geometry that conform to the curvature of the head. The plurality of protective panels further preferably include a group of adjacent panels to define a flexible seam therebetween. The adjacent panels preferably define one of a hexagonal or a pentagonal geometry. Adjacent panels further preferably define gap therebetween to allow the rigid panels to flex between each other. Preferably formed in the gap is a flexible seam that allows the rigid panels to flex between each other. The flexible seam can be an air gap; or additionally or alternatively include a flexible material disposed within the gap. Adjacent sides of adjacent panels preferably having the same length extending parallel to one another over a portion of the surface area of protection.

[0006]Another preferred embodiment provides a flexible headpiece for comfort management that conforms to the head of the individual so as to define a surface area of protection over a plurality of skull regions in the head. The headpiece preferably has energy-absorbing and dissipating properties. Preferably disposed about or formed about the headpiece is a segmented protective shell made of a material that distributes the load. The shell preferably includes rigid panels made of material that distributes the load. Gaps formed between the rigid panels allow the panels to flex between each other. The gaps can be filled with a flexible material to form a seam that allows the load of one panel to be transferred to the adjacent panel(s).

[0007]Preferred embodiments of the flexible headpiece is suitable for protective applications and thus preferred embodiments of the headpiece have energy-absorbing and dissipating properties. The preferred embodiments function to distribute the load and absorb energy with a comfortable fit for the user. Another preferred embodiment includes a flexible headpiece for conforming to the head of the individual so as to define a surface area of protection over a plurality of skull regions in the head. A plurality of protective panels are preferably fastened to the flexible headpiece to protect the head. Alternatively, the plurality of panels may be free to move with respect to the headpiece with the headpiece and the plurality of panels held in place by an outer housing. The plurality of protective panels preferably include a group of adjacent panels to define a flexible seam therebetween. Preferred panels define one of a hexagonal or a pentagonal geometry, in which adjacent panels defining a flexible seam therebetween including adjacent sides of the same length extending parallel one another over a portion of the surface area of protection.

[0008]Another preferred embodiment of a protective cap for a head of an individual includes a flexible headpiece for conforming to the head of the individual so as to define a surface area of protection over a plurality of skull regions in the head. The preferred cap includes a plurality of protective panels fastened to the flexible headpiece. Each of the panels defining a center point and a central axis extending through the center point normal to the panel. Each panel is preferably defined by a plurality of interconnected sides, each side being linear in a plane orthogonal to the central axis and tangent to the center point so as to define a polygon in the plane. The plurality of panels are adjacent to one another so as to cover the surface area of protection, the plurality of protective panels include a group of adjacent panels spaced apart so as to define a seam therebetween having sides of adjacent panels being of equal length and parallel to one another with a flexible joint formed in each seam. Preferred embodiments of the protective cap includes a headpiece and shell, which defines a preferred profile thickness that is suited for protective application and minimal distraction or discomfort.

Problems solved by technology

Just like the batters, pitchers are at significant risk for concussion-type injuries because of their proximity to the plate.

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