Protective helmet cap with improved ventilation

Abstract

A protective helmet cap having improved ventilation and a method of using the cap, wherein the cap includes a cap piece, a cap bill, and a plurality of apertures designed to increase ventilation of the wearer's head under the cap piece. The helmet cap offers impact protection to the wearer's head while also being more comfortable to wear due to the increased ventilation. The helmet cap may also include structure that helps secure the helmet cap to the wearer's head. The helmet cap may be constructed from a variety of different materials, and may also include additional additives designed to enhance selected characteristics of the helmet cap. The helmet cap may be used in a wide variety of outdoor activities, such as water sports and golf.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 067,955, which was filed Feb. 28, 2005.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention is directed generally to safety devices. In particular, the present invention is directed to safety devices that may be worn while watching and / or participating in outdoor activities. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] It is generally recognized that head injuries are some of the most serious and potentially life threatening type of injuries that may occur. These types of injuries may occur in a wide variety of sports and activities. Increasing concern for safety has resulted in the development of specialized helmets for various activities, such as motorcycling, automobile competitions, and bicycling. However, there are many other activities that may pose some risk of head injury to participants wherein helmets have not been universally accepted in those activit...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] The present invention provides a protective helmet cap having improved ventilation. The helmet cap includes a cap piece worn over the wearer's head, a cap bill, and a plurality of apertures designed to increase ventilation of the wearer's head under the cap piece. The helmet cap offers impact protection to the wearer's head while also being more comfortable to wear than prior art helmets due to the increased ventilation. The helmet cap may also include means for helping secure the helmet cap to the wearer's head, such as a removable headband and / or a chin strap. The helmet cap may be constructed from a variety of different materials, including plastic materials and metals. When constructed from a plastic material, the helmet caps may also include additional additives designed to enhance selected characteristics of the helmet cap.

[0012] In particular, in one aspect, the present invention provides a method of preventing injuries while participating in an outdoor activity by wearing a protective helmet cap having improved ventilation, wherein the protective helmet cap having improved ventilation includes a cap piece, wherein said cap piece covers a top portion of a wearer's head and a bill connected to the cap piece, wherein the cap piece includes a plurality of apertures in the cap piece, wherein the apertures occupy at least about 20% of a surface area of the cap piece and less than about 70% of the surface area of the cap piece, and wherein the cap piece is constructed of a material capable of providing impact protection to a wearer's head.

Problems solved by technology

However, there are many other activities that may pose some risk of head injury to participants wherein helmets have not been universally accepted in those activities.

While sailing in particular, and boating in general, are quite safe sports, there is nevertheless some chance that serious head injury may occur.

While all sailors are aware of the boom, and the arc through which it travels when the boat comes about, it can nevertheless catch a person off guard at times, and may possibly result in serious injury.

Even a blow that renders a person unconscious, but does no other damage, can be fatal in sailing if the person is knocked overboard, even with appropriate flotation gear, as the person may not be able to keep their head clear of the water.

In addition to the mainsail boom of the typical sailboat, there are a large number of lines and other rigging which may occasionally come loose, and it can be difficult for even an experienced sailor to remain clear of all such rigging in all directions at all times. Kayakers, river rafters, and people canoeing are all at risk from oars.

After an extended period without a visor or other sun shield, a person's eyes may become sore and suffer from a number of conditions such as pteryguim.

However, due to the temperatures on the water or on land, especially in tropical climates, a standard cap may become unbearable to wear due to the build-up of heat.

In addition, a standard cap offers little protection from swinging booms, golf clubs or other equipment that may strike the wearer during participation in the outdoor activity.

In other outdoor activities, spectators and / or participants may be at risk at being struck in the head.

But as they do, they are at risk from errant balls, errant swings and golf cart mishaps.

In addition, spectators in the stands of baseball games are at risk from flying bats and / or balls, while many softball players, such as recreational players, do not wear any safety equipment at all and are at risk from balls and bats.

A wide variety of protective head gear comprising features for protecting a user's head, eyes and ears is available, but it is generally unsatisfactory for use in water sports and certain outdoor activities.

While providing head, eye and ear protection, the football helmet, even without its mask, is unsuitable for use in water sports for a number of reasons.

For example, a football helmet, like similar types of headgear, is bulky and heavy.

If worn by a surfer, the force of water against the interior surface of the shell if the surfer fell would act against the holding force of the chin strap could produce considerable stress and strain on the wearer's neck.

Moreover, since such helmets generally are enclosed, there is insufficient ventilation to relieve the build-up of heat under the helmet, making the helmet uncomfortable to wear, especially in tropical climates.

A majority of other types of head gear that provide, such as, for example, helmets worn by motorcyclists, baseball players, bicyclists, skateboarders, racquetball players and the like, all suffer from one or more of the above-described disadvantages of a football helmet if worn by a person engaged in certain outdoor activities sports.

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