US7096512B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Protective sports hat insert device
Assignee: HEADSMARTZ Pty Ltd
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Filing: 2001-10-08
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Granted: 2006-08-29
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Expires: 2021-10-08
Abstract
Abstract A protective sports hat insert device is disclosed. The device is a moulded compound insert utilizing reinforced fibres as the preferred embodiment as the outer shell or unreinforced fibres as secondary choice ( 18 ) ( 41 a ) ( 41 b ) ( 48 a ) ( 48 b ) ( 55 a ) ( 55 b ) with either a flexible inner shell or a rigid inner shell ( 19 ) ( 42 a ) ( 42 b ) ( 49 a ) 49 b ) 56 a ) ( 56 b ) utilizing high-density foam or an air management system with slits or holes ( 4 a ) ( 4 b ) punctured along the top. The shells are hemispherical and have a removable cloth liner ( 20 ) ( 43 a ) ( 43 b ) ( 50 a ) ( 50 b ) ( 57 a ) ( 57 b ) to add comfort. Resilient spacers ( 7 b ) provide comfort and a better fit. A retention strap ( 25 a ) ( 32 ) ( 33 ) secures the device to the head. An identification decal ( 25 e ) denotes the hat is a safety-approved device and visibly identifies the wearer for safety from oncoming traffic. When the outer insert shells ( 18 ) ( 41 a ) ( 41 b ) ( 48 a ) ( 48 b ) ( 55 a ) ( 55 b ) and the inner shells ( 19 ) ( 42 a ) ( 42 b ) ( 49 a ) ( 49 b ) ( 56 a ) ( 56 b ) along with the cloth liner ( 20 ) ( 43 a ) ( 43 b ) ( 50 a ) ( 50 b ) ( 57 a ) ( 57 b ) are placed inside an existing hat ( 15 a & 15 aa ) ( 15 b & 15 bb ) ( 15 c & 15 cc ) ( 38 a ) ( 38 b ) ( 45 a ) ( 45 b ) ( 52 a ) ( 52 b ) some extra protection and comfort will be provided to the head while maintaining the outward appearance of an existing sports hat ( 15 a & 15 aa ) (15 b & 15 bb ) ( 15 c & 15 cc ) ( 38 a ) ( 38 b ) ( 45 a ) ( 45 b ) ( 52 a ) ( 52 b ).
Inventors
- 👤 Mary Lynne Blair
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:13
CPC Classifications
A; A42; A42B; A42B3/00; A42B3/04; A42B3/10; A42B3/12; A42B1/00; A42B1/04; A42B1/08; A42B3/003; A42B3/06; A42B3/061; A42B3/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A device for insertion into a hat comprising: a hard outer shell sized for insertion into said hat and having a lower bottom edge; an inner shell composed of an expanded high-density foamed material, said inner shell having an inside surface and an outside surface the inside surface tapering at a bottom edge, said tapering configured to angle towards said outside surface, a lower most point of the outside surface of the inner shell being substantially aligned with the bottom edge of the outer shell, the hard outer shell and soft inner shell being sized and shaped for insertion into the hat with both shells substantially covering an entire head area inside the hat.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A device for insertion into a hat comprising: a hard outer shell sized for insertion into said hat and having a lower bottom edge; an inner shell composed of an expanded high-density foamed material, said inner shell having an inside surface and an outside surface the inside surface tapering at a bottom edge, said tapering configured to angle towards said outside surface, a lower most point of the outside surface of the inner shell being substantially aligned with the bottom edge of the outer shell, the hard outer shell and soft inner shell being sized and shaped for insertion into the hat with both shells substantially covering an entire head area inside the hat.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the outer shell comprises one or more layers of reinforced fibres such as aramid fibres or polyethylene fibres.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the outer shell comprises rigid unreinforced plastic.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the inner shell is composed of high-density foamed or expanded plastic such as EPS, HPDE, EPP, vinyl nitril or an Air Management System.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 wherein spacers are provided on the inside of the inner foam shell.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 1 including a removable retention strap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 6 including a snap connector on each end of the retention strap.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 6 wherein a decorative cover or strip is attached to the retention strap as an aesthetic aid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
10 words
The device of claim 1 including a permanent retention strap.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1 including a luminescent or highly legible emblem decal with an approval symbol.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The device of claim 1 wherein slits or holes are punctured along the top of the outer shell, which align with matching slits or holes in the inner shell to provide ventilation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
The device of claim 1 , further comprising: a removable double layer cloth liner comprising: an inner layer of moisture absorbent material to be against a head and backed by an outer layer of moisture resistant material to be placed against the inner shell with both layers substantially covering the entire head area inside the hat.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 12 wherein a double-layer removable moisture absorbent and moisture resistant cloth liner is attached to the inside of the inner shell.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 12 wherein the inner layer of the cloth liner is composed of a washable moisture absorbent material to absorb sweat and add comfort.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 12 wherein the outer layer of the cloth liner is composed of a washable moisture resistant material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 12 wherein the means of temporary attachment includes a mating hook and loop fastener.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
97 words
A device for insertion into a hat, the device comprising: a hard outer shell sized for insertion into said hat and having a lower bottom edge; and an inner shell located inside said hard outer shell, said inner shell being composed of an energy absorbing material, said inner shell having an inside surface and an outside surface the inside surface tapering at a bottom edge, said tapering configured to angle towards said outside surface, a lower most point of the outside surface of the inner shell being substantially aligned with the bottom edge of the outer shell.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
97 words
A device for insertion into a hat, the device comprising: a hard outer shell sized for insertion into said hat and having a lower bottom edge; and an inner shell located inside said hard outer shell, said inner shell being composed of an energy absorbing material, said inner shell having an inside surface and an outside surface the inside surface tapering at a bottom edge, said tapering configured to angle towards said outside surface, a lower most point of the outside surface of the inner shell being substantially aligned with the bottom edge of the outer shell.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
141 words
A hat assembly comprising: a hat; a hard outer shell having a lower bottom edge located inside said outer hat; and an inner shell located inside said hard outer shell, said inner shell being composed of an energy absorbing material, said inner shell having an inside surface and an outside surface the inside surface tapering at a bottom edge, said tapering configured to angle towards said outside surface, a lower most point of the outside surface of the inner shell being substantially aligned with the bottom edge of the outer shell, the hard outer shell and inner shell being sized and shaped for insertion into said hat with both shells substantially covering an entire head area inside the inner shell; and wherein said hat includes a flap, said flap covering the bottom edge of the hard outer shell and inner shell.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
141 words
A hat assembly comprising: a hat; a hard outer shell having a lower bottom edge located inside said outer hat; and an inner shell located inside said hard outer shell, said inner shell being composed of an energy absorbing material, said inner shell having an inside surface and an outside surface the inside surface tapering at a bottom edge, said tapering configured to angle towards said outside surface, a lower most point of the outside surface of the inner shell being substantially aligned with the bottom edge of the outer shell, the hard outer shell and inner shell being sized and shaped for insertion into said hat with both shells substantially covering an entire head area inside the inner shell; and wherein said hat includes a flap, said flap covering the bottom edge of the hard outer shell and inner shell.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The hat assembly of claim 18 , wherein said hat is a cap.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
127 words
A hat assembly comprising: a hat; a hard outer shell having a lower bottom edge; an inner shell composed of an expanded high-density foamed material, said inner shell having an inside surface and an outside surface the inside surface tapering at a bottom eoge, said tapering configured to angle towards said outside surface, a lower most point of the outside surface of the inner shell being substantially aligned with the bottom edge of the outer shell, the hard outer shell and soft inner shell being sized and shaped for insertion into the hat with both shells substantially covering an entire head area inside the hat; and wherein said hat includes a flap, said flap covering the bottom edge of the hard outer shell and soft inner shell.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
127 words
A hat assembly comprising: a hat; a hard outer shell having a lower bottom edge; an inner shell composed of an expanded high-density foamed material, said inner shell having an inside surface and an outside surface the inside surface tapering at a bottom eoge, said tapering configured to angle towards said outside surface, a lower most point of the outside surface of the inner shell being substantially aligned with the bottom edge of the outer shell, the hard outer shell and soft inner shell being sized and shaped for insertion into the hat with both shells substantially covering an entire head area inside the hat; and wherein said hat includes a flap, said flap covering the bottom edge of the hard outer shell and soft inner shell.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The hat assembly of claim 20 , wherein said hat is a sports cap.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hat assembly of claim 20 , further comprising: a removable cloth liner including a moisture absorbent material.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The hat assembly of claim 21 , further comprising: a removable cloth liner including a moisture absorbent material.
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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) | 2009-08-28 | 2010-02-27 | 2010-08-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-08-28 | 2014-02-27 | 2014-08-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-08-28 | 2018-02-27 | 2018-08-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |