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US6247181B1 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Bandana head-protector using fabric and closed-cell foam

Assignee: FORTIFOAM Inc
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Filing: 1999-07-01
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Granted: 2001-06-19
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Expires: 2019-07-01
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Abstract

Abstract This invention provides a device designed to reduce head injuries among soccer players, and others who would not otherwise wear head protection. It integrates closed-cell foam padding into a traditional bandana form. Foam padding is sewn between layers of fabric in positions which will provide a degree of protection from rotational forces and from direct blows to the forehead, sides, and top of the head.

Inventors

  • 👤 Karen J. Hirsch
  • 👤 Timothy J. Hirsch

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-02 18:41
CPC Classifications
A; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B1/00; A42B1/04; A42B1/041; A42B1/08

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim 277 words
A head protector in the form of a bandana with a configuration of two-ply foam sewn in to provide protection from rotational forces and direct blows to the forehead, sides, and top of the head of a wearer, comprising: a generally square piece of supple cloth folded at or near the diagonal axis to form a generally triangular shape with two acute angles, and being further folded inward from the acute angles to form a pentagon with two opposing edges, a longest base edge, and a top right-angled corner, the two opposing edges forming right angles to the base edge; a two-ply design of closed-cell foam comprising an outer ply of relatively dense material and an inner ply of less dense foam, said two-ply foam being positioned and sewn in place between the two folded layers of the cloth; a strip of hook fastener sewn onto the folded cloth along a left edge of the base to form an anchoring position, and a strip of loop fasteners sewn onto a right edge of the base on the reverse side to form an opposing anchoring position, making it possible to pull the opposing edges of the pentagon together and position the hook fastener over the loop fastener to form an adjustable spherical form which fits on the wearer's head; a square of hook fastener sewn onto the cloth at the top right-angled corner, and a square of loop fastener sewn to the base to make it possible to draw the top of the head protector snugly down on the wearer's head and connect the hook fastener to the loop fastener thus forming the top of the head protector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 277 words
A head protector in the form of a bandana with a configuration of two-ply foam sewn in to provide protection from rotational forces and direct blows to the forehead, sides, and top of the head of a wearer, comprising: a generally square piece of supple cloth folded at or near the diagonal axis to form a generally triangular shape with two acute angles, and being further folded inward from the acute angles to form a pentagon with two opposing edges, a longest base edge, and a top right-angled corner, the two opposing edges forming right angles to the base edge; a two-ply design of closed-cell foam comprising an outer ply of relatively dense material and an inner ply of less dense foam, said two-ply foam being positioned and sewn in place between the two folded layers of the cloth; a strip of hook fastener sewn onto the folded cloth along a left edge of the base to form an anchoring position, and a strip of loop fasteners sewn onto a right edge of the base on the reverse side to form an opposing anchoring position, making it possible to pull the opposing edges of the pentagon together and position the hook fastener over the loop fastener to form an adjustable spherical form which fits on the wearer's head; a square of hook fastener sewn onto the cloth at the top right-angled corner, and a square of loop fastener sewn to the base to make it possible to draw the top of the head protector snugly down on the wearer's head and connect the hook fastener to the loop fastener thus forming the top of the head protector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 97 words
The head protector of claim 1 , wherein said two-ply design of closed-cell foam comprises three two-ply foam pieces, wherein: one piece is a u-shaped piece of two-ply closed-cell foam positioned such that up-right legs of the u-shape cover the temples of the wearer and a horizontal part of the u-shape covers the forehead; one piece is rectangular and is positioned above the horizontal part of the u-shaped piece to cover the high forehead of the wearer; and one piece is approximately square with rounded corners and is positioned to cover the crown of the wearer's head.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 30 words
The head protector of claim 1 , wherein the head protector is made of washable materials, is light weight, and can be fabricated in a variety of colors and print-patterns.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2004-06-18 2004-12-18 2005-06-19 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2008-06-18 2008-12-18 2009-06-19 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2012-06-18 2012-12-18 2013-06-19 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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