US5946734A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Head protector apparatus
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1998-04-13
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Granted: 1999-09-07
•
Expires: 2018-04-13
Abstract
Abstract A head protector (10, 10') is shown in certain embodiments, having a plurality of rupturable, closed, pressurized, fluid filled cells (20) each having a rupturable common wall with a low pressure, empty cell (22) between first and second liners (14,16) and with optional cloth inner (18) and outer liners (12). In a second embodiment one or more layers of cushioning material has spaced apart, generally uniformly sized, closed fluid cells (24) intended to withstand selected levels of impacts without rupture. In other embodiments (40, 40', 40", 40'") a cushioning layer of open cell, visco- elastic resin is used with or without a load spreading outer layer of cross-linked, closed cell resin. Fabric covers (46,50) are shown for encapsulating the protector using openable/closable fasteners (48,52).
Inventors
- 👤 Richard B. Vogan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 16:28
CPC Classifications
A; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B3/04; A42B3/10; A42B3/12; A42B3/121; A63; A63B; A63B71/00; A63B71/08; A63B71/081; A63B71/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S2/00; Y10S2/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A head protector comprising an elongated, generally flat member for entirely encircling the head of a user having a front portion and a back portion separated by side portions and having an inner and an outer portion when encircling a head, the elongated member being formed of a first inner layer of relatively soft cellular plastic material and a second outer layer of relatively stiffer cellular plastic material, the inner and outer layers together being capable of passing through the protector to the head of the user less than 300 Gs from an impact of approximately 50 joules.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A head protector comprising an elongated, generally flat member for entirely encircling the head of a user having a front portion and a back portion separated by side portions and having an inner and an outer portion when encircling a head, the elongated member being formed of a first inner layer of relatively soft cellular plastic material and a second outer layer of relatively stiffer cellular plastic material, the inner and outer layers together being capable of passing through the protector to the head of the user less than 300 Gs from an impact of approximately 50 joules.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A head protector according to claim 1 in which the plastic material of the first inner layer comprises visco-elastic foam having open cells.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A head protector according to claim 2 in which the plastic material of the second outer layer comprises closed cell foam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
A head protector according to claim 3 in which the open cell plastic material is approximately 1/2 inch in thickness and the outer layer of plastic is approximately 1/4 inch in thickness.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
A head protector according to claim 2 in which the plastic material is polyurethane foam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A head protector according to claim 5 in which the second outer layer of plastic material is cross-linked polyurethane foam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A head protector according to claim 1 in which the inner, front portion is formed of material less stiff than the inner back portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A head protector according to claim 1 further including an outer cover of stretchable material placed over the elongated member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A head protector according to claim 5 in which the plastic material is approximately 1 inch in thickness.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
A head protector according to claim 1 in which the front, back and side portions each have a height extending from bottom to top and a thickness extending from an inside to an outside and the back portion has a greater thickness than the front portion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A head protector according to claim 1 in which the member comprises a single piece forming a continuous loop.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A head protector according to claim 1 in which the first inner layer comprises a plurality of open cell, visco-elastic foam resin and the second outer layer comprises cross-linked, closed cell resin attached thereto.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A head protector according to claim 1 further comprising a cloth layer disposed on the inside and outside of the member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
A head protector according to claim 1 in which the inner layer material comprises a plurality of layers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A head protector according to claim 14 in which the stiffness of at least one layer is different from the stiffness of another layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
95 words
A head protector according to claim 1 in which the elongated member comprises at least one piece for entirely encircling the head of a user having opposite ends which mate together to form a respective joint having a selected effective height, the opposite ends formed with respective inversely varying heights so that when formed into an encircling configuration, the effective size of the head protector can be adjusted within a range while maintaining the head of a user entirely encircled and without substantially changing the effective height in the vicinity of the opposite mating ends.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
A head protector according to claim 16 in which the opposite ends have opposing interfitting, offset steps.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A head protector according to claim 16 in which the elongated member comprises two separate intermitting pieces.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
101 words
A head protector according to claim 1 in which the elongated member has a thickness between the inner and outer portions and the elongated member comprises at least one piece for entirely encircling the head of a user having opposite ends which mate together to form a respective joint, the ends having tapered widths so that when formed into an encircling configuration, the effective size of the head protector can be adjusted within a range while maintaining the head of a user entirely encircled and without substantially changing the thickness of the headband in the vicinity of the opposite mating ends.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-09-06 | 2003-03-08 | 2003-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-09-06 | 2007-03-08 | 2007-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-09-06 | 2011-03-08 | 2011-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |