Protective headband

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a protective headband (1) comprising a front portion (2) having at least one first end (2a), a rear portion (3) having at least one second end (3a), and at least one connecting element (4a). Each of the first end (2a) and the second end (3a) comprises one of a first mating interface and a second mating interface, wherein the protective headband (1) comprises at least one first mating interface and at least one second mating interface. Furthermore, each first mating interface is at least partially fixed to a respective second mating interface by one of the at least one connecting element (4a), thereby forming at least a first mating pair.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a protective headband. Background Technology

[0002] Athletes use protective headbands in sports such as football to enhance their safety and reduce the risk of head injuries. These headbands are particularly well-suited to provide extra protection for the athlete's head during the physical contact and impacts inherent in sports.

[0003] Therefore, protective headbands can be used to absorb and distribute impact forces. Typically, headbands may include padding or other materials to absorb and distribute impact forces.

[0004] A common drawback of headbands in this field is that they do not provide sufficient adjustability and / or adequate protection around the user's head, especially during oblique collisions. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the object of this disclosure is to provide a protective headband that mitigates at least some of the disadvantages mentioned above, in order to provide a headband that is more effective than previous solutions in terms of adjustability and / or protection, particularly against tilting impacts.

[0006] This disclosure relates to a protective headband comprising a front portion having at least one first end and a rear portion having at least one second end. It also includes at least one connecting element. Each of the first and second ends includes one of a first mating interface and a second mating interface, wherein the protective headband includes at least one first mating interface and at least one second mating interface. Each of the first mating interfaces is at least partially secured to a corresponding second mating interface via the at least one connecting element, thereby forming at least a first mating pair.

[0007] The front and back sections can be arranged together to surround / encircle the head of the user intended to wear the headband. The headband can be a single piece, making the front and back sections a single unit.

[0008] The front portion can be sized to fit the front of the user's head, and the rear portion can be sized to fit the back of the user's head, such that at least one end portion is positioned on one side of the user's head.

[0009] In some aspects, the front portion includes opposing first ends, while the rear portion includes opposing second ends. The terms "first and second ends" can be used interchangeably with "first and second endpieces." Furthermore, at least one connecting element is a pair of connecting elements, wherein at least one first mating interface and at least one second mating interface are two first mating interfaces and two second mating interfaces. Thus, each first mating interface is at least partially secured to a corresponding second mating interface via a connecting element in the pair of connecting elements, thereby forming a first and second mating pair. Therefore, the protective headband can be a two-piece headband. The advantage of this is that it provides increased flexibility to the headband.

[0010] Therefore, each mating pair can be defined by a connection between a first mating interface and a second mating interface.

[0011] Each mating pair may include an interlock configuration defined by the relationship between the corresponding first mating interface and second mating interface.

[0012] The advantage of this design is that it provides additional rigidity to the headband because the mating pairs have an interlocking relationship, while simultaneously securing the first and second mating interfaces together with the connecting elements. Furthermore, the headband reduces rotational impact on the user's head. Specifically, the headband reduces tilting impact on the user's head.

[0013] Interlocking configurations may include one mating interface overlapping another and / or one mating interface being received in a cavity of another mating interface. Therefore, each mating interface / end may have an inner (skin-facing) and an opposing outer (environment-facing) surface. The skin-facing surface may refer to a surface whose normal axis points towards the user's head during headband wearing, and the environment-facing surface may refer to a surface whose normal axis points away from the user's head during headband wearing. Thus, for each mating pair, the inner surface of one mating interface may be arranged adjacent to the outer surface of the other; and / or, for each mating pair, one mating interface may be received in a cavity of the other mating interface. The cavity may be in the form of a pocket or as a recess in its skin-facing or environment-facing surface.

[0014] The cavity may include a barrier / constraint sized to constrain / limit the sliding / drifting movement of each first mating interface relative to a second mating interface. Therefore, the constraint suffices to supplement connecting elements when securing each first mating interface to its corresponding second mating interface. The constraint suffices to be tapered / angled. The barrier suffices to be sized such that the front and rear portions can slide against each other upon angled impact, thereby reducing rotational forces on the user's brain.

[0015] Furthermore, each connecting element can be releasably secured between a corresponding first mating interface and a second mating interface. The connecting element can be an elastic / flexible connecting element in the form of an elastic band. The elastic band can include natural rubber, latex, synthetic rubber, or any other suitable material that makes it elastic. In other words, the connecting element can have the ability to return to its original shape after being stretched or deformed.

[0016] The advantage of having releasable and secure connecting elements is that these elements can be replaced when worn. This increases the lifespan of the protective headband.

[0017] Each connecting element may include a ring portion that forms a ring around an opening of a corresponding first mating interface of each mating pair.

[0018] Therefore, each connecting element can be fastened to its corresponding second mating interface, and the second mating interface is fixed to the first mating interface by the ring portion. Each connecting element can be fastened to its corresponding second mating interface by snap-fit, Velcro, or other means.

[0019] Therefore, each connecting element may include a first end and a second end that are releasably fixed to a corresponding second mating interface or fixed to each other.

[0020] The advantage of having a loop is that it provides a convenient yet secure connection. Furthermore, the headband is easier to manufacture because it only requires providing an opening within the main opening to receive the loop.

[0021] Each first mating interface may include an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein each connecting element is adjacent to at least a portion of the inner surface and the outer surface of the corresponding second mating interface.

[0022] The front and rear portions can be adjusted relative to each other via the at least one connecting element, preferably to a predetermined degree defined by at least one barrier included in each mating pair.

[0023] Therefore, each connecting element can adjustably secure the front and rear together, having several levels / dimensions. However, each mating pair may include a barrier / restraint to constrain their movement relative to each other to a predetermined degree, so that flexibility is not compensated for by a less robust connection between the parts.

[0024] Each first mating interface may include an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein each connecting element abuts at least a portion of the inner surface and the outer surface of the corresponding second mating interface. Therefore, with the connecting element surrounding the first mating interface, the above configuration results in a balanced load distribution between the inner and outer surfaces. Attached Figure Description

[0025] These and other features and advantages of this disclosure will now be further illustrated and described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings;

[0026] Figure 1 A side view of the protective headband worn by the user is shown;

[0027] Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of the protective headband is shown;

[0028] Figure 3 An enlarged view of the mating pair is shown;

[0029] Figure 4 An exploded perspective view of the protective headband is shown; and

[0030] Figure 5 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view AA of the mating pair. Detailed Implementation

[0031] In the following detailed description, some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. However, it should be understood that features of different embodiments are interchangeable between embodiments and can be combined in different ways unless otherwise specifically indicated. Although numerous specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a more thorough understanding of the present disclosure, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known constructions or functions have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present disclosure.

[0032] It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for descriptive purposes only and is not intended to be limiting. It should be noted that, as used in the specification and appended claims, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” are intended to indicate the presence of one or more elements, unless the context explicitly specifies otherwise. Thus, for example, in some contexts, a reference to “unit” or “the unit” may refer to more than one unit. Furthermore, the words “comprising” or “including” do not exclude other elements or steps. It should be emphasized that, when used in this specification, the term “comprising” is used to specify the presence of the stated feature, integer, step, or component. It does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, components, or combinations thereof. The term “and / or” should be interpreted as also meaning “both,” and each is used as an alternative. More specifically, the phrase “one or more” in a group of elements (such as in “one or more of A, B, and C” or “at least one of A, B, and C”) will be interpreted as a conjunction or disjunction logic. In other words, it can refer to all elements, one element, or a combination of two or more elements from a group of elements. For example, the phrase “A, B and C” can be interpreted as A or B or C, A and B and C, A and B, B and C, or A and C.

[0033] It will also be understood that although the terms first, second, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements or features, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the embodiments, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element. Both the first element and the second element are elements, but they are not the same element.

[0034] Figure 1 A side view of a protective headband 1 worn by a user is shown. The headband 1 includes a front portion 2 having at least one first end 2a and a rear portion 3 having at least one second end 3a. Furthermore, the headband 1 includes at least one connecting element 4a. Each of the first end 2a and the second end 3a includes one of a first mating interface and a second mating interface, wherein the protective headband 1 includes at least one first mating interface and at least one second mating interface. Figure 1 The diagram shows a first mating interface and a second mating interface, with each end 2a, 3a including one mating interface. Therefore, Figure 1 It is shown that each first mating interface is at least partially fixed to the corresponding second mating interface by a connecting element 4a, thereby forming a first mating pair.

[0035] In the context of this document, the term "mating interface" can refer to each first end including a part / region whose dimensions are designed to be associated with a corresponding second end (e.g., by mating / adjacent to the corresponding second end) to form, for example, an interlocking configuration, or vice versa. Thus, each first mating interface can be a region / part of a first end arranged to be associated with / related to a second mating interface, which is a region / part of a second end. Therefore, the term "mating interface" can simply refer to an end region, preferably an end region associated with a connecting element or another mating interface. Therefore, it can also be referred to as a mating part.

[0036] At least one of the front and rear portions 2 and 3 may include a padding material and have a cup shape sized to fit the user's head. Furthermore, the protective headband 1 may include control circuitry configured to monitor the wearer's position, and the control circuitry may also be configured to measure the amount of potential force impacting the headband 1. Additionally, the control circuitry may be configured to provide an alarm signal and transmit it to an external electronic device in response to the force exceeding a predefined limit. Preferably, this external electronic device is operated by a doctor / referee during use, enabling them to provide timely assistance to the wearer of the headband.

[0037] Figure 2 An exploded view of the protective headband 1 is shown. Furthermore, Figure 2The diagram shows the front portion 2 comprising opposing first ends 2a, 2b, while the rear portion 3 comprises opposing second ends 3a, 3b. Therefore, each end 2a-b, 3a-b includes a mating interface. Furthermore, Figure 1 A pair of connecting elements 4a and 4b are described. The headband 1 includes two first mating interfaces and two second mating interfaces. Therefore, a first mating pair can be defined by a connection between the first mating interface of the first end 2a and the second mating interface of the second end 3a. Furthermore, a second mating pair can be defined by a connection between another first mating interface of another first end 2b and another second mating interface of another second end 3a. Each of the first mating interfaces is arranged to be at least partially secured to the corresponding second mating interface via connecting elements 4a and 4b of the pair of connecting elements 4a and 4b, thereby forming a first mating pair and a second mating pair. Each mating pair is slidably configured such that each first end 2a and 2b can slide relative to the corresponding second end 3a and 3b.

[0038] Figure 3 An enlarged perspective view of the first end 2a and the second end 3a is shown. The first end 3a includes a first mating interface, and the second end includes a second mating interface.

[0039] Figure 3 It is shown that each mating pair at each end 2a, 3a may include an interlocking configuration defined by the relationship between their corresponding first mating interface and second mating interface. Therefore, as... Figure 3 As shown, the first end 2a and the second end 3a are interlocked. Specifically, Figure 3 The interlocking configuration involves one mating interface overlapping another, and one of the mating interfaces being received in cavity 13 of the other mating interface. This is in Figure 3 As shown, the first end 2a overlaps with the corresponding second end 3a. This overlap allows the headband 1 to have no exposed portion around its circumference at the head, as the entire circumference of the headband 1 is covered in all positions. The connecting element 4a can be arranged to be adjustable to maintain the interlocking configuration of each mating pair to a predetermined degree.

[0040] exist Figure 3 In this design, the mating interface of each end 2a, 3a is defined by the first end 2a including a cavity / notch 13, and the corresponding second end 3a is arranged to conform to the cavity 13. Specifically, the cavity 13 may or may not form a barrier 14, and the dimensions of the second end 3a are designed to conform to and fit within the barrier 14. The cavity 13 can be arranged to constrain the movement of the second end 3a relative to the first end 2a along the vertical axis y1, and to constrain the movement of the second end 3a toward the first end 3a—thus providing a more secure headband 1. In the relaxed state of the headband, a portion of the cavity 13 forms a gap between the ends 2a, 3a and 2b, 3b, as... Figure 3As shown, this portion of cavity 13 is visible / exposed. This gap allows components 2 and 3 to move relative to each other to a certain extent. Figure 3 In the first end 2a and the corresponding second end 3a define a first mating pair. Therefore, the headband 1 may include another first end 2b and another second end 3b defining a second mating pair to form a two-piece headband (e.g., Figure 2 (As shown). The first and second mating pairs can be the same.

[0041] Figure 3 It is also shown that the connecting element 4a is releasably fixed (by, for example, Velcro) between the corresponding first mating interface and second mating interface of the first end 2a and the second end 3a.

[0042] also, Figure 3 It is shown that each connecting element 4a may include a ring portion 5 forming a ring around a corresponding first mating interface of each mating pair. Therefore, in Figure 3 In the middle, the first end 2a has an opening 6 for receiving a connecting element 4a. The connecting element 4a forms a ring. Therefore, the ring portion 5 is arranged to prevent the front portion 2 from separating / separating from the rear portion 3. The connecting element 4a can be fastened to the corresponding second end 3a opposite to the ring portion, such as... Figure 3 As explained in the document. Therefore, in order to release the connecting element 4a, the connecting element 4a is released from the second end 3a and "unlocked" from the opening 5.

[0043] Figure 4 An exploded perspective view of headband 1 is shown. Figure 4 Each connecting element 4a, 4b is shown to include a first end 4a', 4b' and an opposing second end 4a', 4b', which are releasably secured to a corresponding second mating interface of the corresponding second end 3a, 3b. However, the first end and the second end can also be secured to each other.

[0044] Figure 4 It is also shown that each connecting element 4a, 4b can be arranged as two opposing surfaces of adjacent connector band 1. Figure 4 In this design, connecting elements 4a and 4b are adjacent to the opposing surfaces of the second ends 3a and 3b. Therefore, each connecting element 4a and 4b can be adjacent to both the skin-facing surface and the environment-facing surface of the protective headband 1. This is achieved by the connecting elements 4a and 4b each surrounding an opening in the corresponding first ends 2a and 2b. The openings in the first ends 2a and 2b can extend through the thickness of the headband 1, or can partially extend through the thickness of the headband.

[0045] According to any aspect of this document, the protective headband 1 may be referred to as a protective sports headband. This indicates that it is designed to protect the head of the athlete wearing the headband 1.

[0046] Figure 5 An exploded cross-sectional view AA is shown, illustrating one aspect of the mating pair including the interlocking configuration. For clarity, in... Figure 1 The cross-sectional view is depicted, even with the interlock configuration and Figure 1 The interlock configurations differ. Figure 5 In this context, the interlocking configuration is a box joint. However, the interlocking configuration can also be a dovetail joint, where one part forms a trapezoidal protrusion and the other part forms a corresponding cavity. Therefore, the mating pair described herein can include a protrusion and a corresponding cavity, with a gap between them ranging from 0-0.5 mm, 0-0.75 mm, or 0-1 mm. It should be noted that the protruding portion p1 and the cavity portion c1 (which can correspond to...) define the interlocking configuration. Figures 1-4 The cavity 13) can be integral with or attached to the corresponding end portion of the headband to define the mating interface. For example, the protrusion p1 and the cavity portion c1 can be formed of a plastic material, such as a thermoplastic elastomer or any other suitable substrate material. The protrusion p1 and the cavity portion c1 can be sewn to the corresponding end of the headband, or they can be attached to the end of the headband by adhesive.

Claims

1. A protective headband (1), comprising: The front part (2) includes at least one first end (2a); The rear part (3) includes at least one second end (3a); At least one connecting element (4a); Each of the first end (2a) and the second end (3a) includes one of a first mating interface and a second mating interface, wherein the protective headband (1) includes at least one first mating interface and at least one second mating interface; Each of the first mating interfaces is at least partially fixed to the corresponding second mating interface by one of the at least one connecting element (4a), thereby forming at least a first mating pair.

2. The protective headband (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The front portion (2) includes opposing first ends (2a, 2b), wherein the rear portion (3) includes opposing second ends (3a, 3b). Wherein, the at least one connecting element is a pair of connecting elements (4a, 4b), and the at least one first mating interface and the at least one second mating interface are two first mating interfaces and two second mating interfaces. Each first mating interface is at least partially fixed to the corresponding second mating interface by a connecting element in the pair of connecting elements (4a, 4b), thereby forming a first and second mating pair.

3. The protective headband (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, Each mating pair includes an interlock configuration defined by the relationship between the corresponding first mating interface and second mating interface.

4. The protective headband (1) according to claim 3, wherein, The interlock configuration includes one of the mating interfaces overlapping with another mating interface and / or one of the mating interfaces being received in the cavity (13) of another mating interface.

5. The protective headband (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Each connecting element (4a, 4b) is releasably fixed between the corresponding first mating interface and the second mating interface.

6. The protective headband (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, Each connecting element (4a, 4b) includes a ring portion (5) that forms a ring around the opening (6) of the corresponding first mating interface of each mating pair.

7. The protective headband (1) according to claim 6, wherein, Each connecting element (4a, 4b) includes a first end and a second end that are releasably secured to a corresponding second mating interface or secured to each other.

8. The protective headband (1) according to claim 7, wherein, Each connecting element (4a, 4b) is adjacent to two opposite surfaces of the protective headband (1).

9. The protective headband (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The front and rear portions (2, 3) are adjustable relative to each other via at least one connecting element (4a, 4b), preferably to a predetermined degree defined by at least one barrier (14) included in each mating pair.

10. The protective headband (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The at least one connecting element (4a, 4b) is a flexible connecting element.

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