| Protective headgear -> Monitor Keywords |
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Protective headgearRelated Patent Categories: Apparel, Guard Or Protector, For Wearer's Head, Including Energy-absorbing MeansProtective headgear description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070130673, Protective headgear. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The embodiments of the present invention relate to personal protective equipment, and more particularly to a safety headgear for sports and recreational activities. BACKGROUND [0002] Studies have shown that helmets used by skiers or snowboarders can reduce serious brain injuries. Despite numerous studies and warnings, people still do not wear protective headgear when they engage in potentially dangerous sports and recreational activities. When people are asked why they do not wear helmets, one of the primary responses is because the helmet is heavy and uncomfortable, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Moreover, people refuse to wear helmets because they're not aesthetically pleasing. Appearance is especially important to the younger generation of risk-takers involved in snow-boarding, skateboarding and similar radical sports. [0003] Consequently, there is a need for a helmet that not only protects a user, but also has an attractive appearance without substantially compromising the safety of the user. SUMMARY [0004] Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention is headgear comprising an inner section fabricated of a material operable to provide ventilation; an intermediate section comprising at least two members, wherein the two members are operable to accommodate varied head sizes; and an outer section fabricated of a fabric material. The headgear not only provides adequate protection against falls and collisions, but also provides user comfort and a fashionable look at the same time. [0005] In other embodiments, the inner section comprises a polymeric foam material that provides protection and shock absorptive qualities, as well as ventilation and moisture wicking for a cool and comfortable experience for the user, the intermediate section comprises a durable plastic material that not only provides protection, but also allows the user to adjust the headgear for a comfortable fit, and the outer section comprises a flexible fabric or cloth material for concealing the inner and intermediate sections while creating a fashionable appearance. Additionally, the outer section may be interchangeable and may be updated at anytime without users having to purchase multiple headgears. In doing so, the headgear not only integrates the latest fashion into a light-weight and protective helmet, but is also readily interchangeable thereby allowing the user to keep up with seasonable fashion trends. In an alternative embodiment, the outer section may be eliminated. [0006] Other variations, embodiments and features of the present invention will become evident from the following detailed description, drawings and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] FIG. 1 illustrates a prior-art protective helmet; [0008] FIG. 2 illustrates the various sectional components of a presently disclosed headgear invention; [0009] FIG. 3 illustrates an inner section of the headgear of FIG. 2; [0010] FIG. 4 illustrates an intermediate section of the headgear of FIG. 2; and [0011] FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate three models of an outer section of the headgear of FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0012] It will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. [0013] Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which illustrates the three different sections of a presently disclosed protective headgear 100. As shown, the headgear 100 comprises three sections: an inner section 200 that provides comfort and ventilation and shock absorptive qualities, an intermediate section 300 that provides protection and is sizable to adapt to a user's head, and an outer section 400 that is both stylish and aesthetically pleasing. Although in FIG. 2 the three sections 200, 300, 400 of the headgear 100 are separate units, some of the sections 200, 300, 400 may be constructed as a single unit. For example, the inner section 200 and the intermediate section 300 may be fabricated as a single unit. Furthermore, by using known materials and methods, additional complements such as a chin guard (not shown) and/or a face guard (not shown) may be integrated in the headgear 100. [0014] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the outer section 400 is designed to fit over the intermediate section 300, which is designed to fit over the inner section 200. Although the sections 200, 300, 400 are illustrated as fitting over one another, the overlying sections 300, 400 need not completely cover the underlying sections 200, 300. In another embodiment, the outer section 400 may be eliminated entirely. In other words, the headgear 100 can be constructed of only two sections: the inner section 200 and the intermediate section 300. Additional details and explanation of the various sections 200, 300, 400 are provided in subsequent figures and discussion. The sections 200, 300, 400 may be removably attached to one another or may be fabricated of such tolerances that friction causes the sections to maintain a final configuration. Alternatively, sections 200 and 300 may be glued together. [0015] FIG. 3 illustrates the inner section 200 of the headgear 100. The inner section 200 may also be termed the comfort zone because the inner section 200 provides comfort and protection to and for a user's head. The inner section 200 may be constructed of a polymeric foam material or other shock-absorbent materials. In one embodiment, the inner section 200 is constructed of a memory foam material that conforms to the shape of a user's head for added comfort. Ideally, the inner section 200 has a thickness 230 of about 1 to 10 mm and more specifically, the inner section 200 has a thickness 230 of about 5 mm. [0016] In addition to providing shock absorption, the inner section 200 also provides ventilation for a user's head through ventilation holes 210. These ventilation holes 210 may be distributed throughout the inner section 200 so as to provide air flow and relief from body heat exiting through a user's head. Additionally, the ventilation holes 210 allow for moisture wicking thereby resulting in a cool and comfortable experience for the user. In another embodiment, the ventilation holes 210 may be eliminated or changed in the configuration. [0017] FIG. 4 illustrates an intermediate section 300 of the headgear 100. The intermediate section 300 may be termed the protective zone because the intermediate section 300 provides protection for the user's head. The intermediate section 300 comprises two members: a protective member 300a and a mobile member 300b. It is possible that the protective member 300a is made of a substantially harder material relative to the mobile member 300b, and it is conceivable that the mobile member 300b is made of a more flexible type of material. As explained in more detail below, the two members 300a, 300b are designed to engage one another. In another embodiment, a size of the intermediate section 300 is capable of being adjusted to comfortably accommodate different size heads. The adjustments are made by adjusting the protective member 300a relative to the mobile member 300b. [0018] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the mobile member 300b is attached to the protective member 300a through a series of screws 340b and/or rivets 350b. Alternatively, other means of attaching the two members 300a, 300b such as snaps may also be used. In one embodiment, rivets 350b of the mobile member 300b are attached to rivet points 350a of the protective member 300a. The rivets 350b maintain the mobile member 300b in place. Screw stems 340b of the mobile member 300b are attached to the appropriate adjustment holes 340a on either side of an opening 355 defined in the protective member 300a. Once the appropriate adjustment holes 340a to accommodate the user's head size have been determined, the screw stems 340b may be securely, but removably, screwed into the adjustment holes 340a. By selecting the outermost adjustment holes 340a, the size head that the protective member 300a will accommodate is reduced. More particularly, in order for the fixed screw stems 340b to insert through the outermost adjustment holes 340a the user must apply force to reduce the distance between the outermost adjustment holes 340a to receive the fixed screw stems 340b. By selecting the innermost adjustment holes 340a the protective member 300a is able to accommodate the largest head size. [0019] The mobile member 300b is permanently attached to the protective member 300a with the rivets and rivet points 350a, 305b while maintaining the flexibility to accommodate different sized heads by means of the screw adjustments 340a, 340b. In an alternative embodiment, there may be more or less than two rivets/rivet points 350. Continue reading about Protective headgear... Full patent description for Protective headgear Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Protective headgear patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Protective headgear or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Helmet vent airflow regulator and shield Next Patent Application: Eye protection device, particularly against laser beams and high-intensity light beams Industry Class: Apparel ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Protective headgear patent info. 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