CN111902061A

CN111902061A - Protective head band

Info

Publication number: CN111902061A
Application number: CN201980007551.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: S·W·翰伯格
Original assignee: Sports Technology Co
Current assignee: Sports Technology Co
Priority date: 2018-01-22
Filing date: 2019-01-22
Publication date: 2020-11-06
Also published as: WO2019141857A1; US20210360992A1; DK179786B1; EP3697239B1; ES2900123T3; DK201870041A1; EP3697239A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to protective apparel, such as protective headgear, for example, that can reduce the risk of head injury to an american football (soccer) player by mitigating the impact of impacts, falls, and neutralization of the head ball by a ball hit.

Description

Protective head band

The present invention relates to protective apparel, and in particular to a headband, such as a protective headband configured to reduce the risk of head injury, for example, in sports such as soccer, handball, basketball, cycling, or the like.

Background

DE 202005002141U 1 discloses a ring-shaped shock-absorbing device to be worn on the head, which is filled with an absorbent substance and is provided with an inner barrier. The fluid and various design features provide energy absorbing and shock absorbing effects to protect the skull and brain.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to a gel pack for a protective garment and a protective garment comprising a gel pack. The protective clothing may be a headband, kneepad, elbow pad, hip pad, etc. Furthermore, the gel pack may be used as an insert, such as an insert for a helmet.

In particular, the present disclosure relates to a protective headband, such as one that can reduce the risk of head injury to players in sports such as american football (soccer), handball, basketball, or the like by mitigating the impact of impacts, falls, and the neutralization of a head ball by a ball.

The headband may be made in a variety of designs for different player types and/or different age groups.

The protective apparel may include an inner layer. The inner layer may be a micro-porous fabric, such as a breathable fabric, to facilitate the dissipation of perspiration and/or heat from the head of a user wearing the headband.

The protective apparel may include a liquid core, such as a gel. The liquid may be substantially incompressible. The liquid may be encapsulated in a foil, such as a plastic foil. A liquid, such as an encapsulated liquid, may be filled with a foam, for example, to provide more effective shock absorption. The liquid and the foil encapsulating the liquid may be indicated as gel packs. The gel pack may include a liquid.

The gel pack comprises a liquid and a foil comprising a first foil sheet and a second foil sheet. The liquid may be encapsulated by bonding together the first foil and the second foil along the outer edge.

The liquid has a viscosity. The viscosity of the liquid may be substantially constant after impact. For example, the viscosity of the liquid after impact may be substantially the same as before impact. The viscosity of the liquid may change during the impact and optionally immediately after the impact. However, after the relaxation time after impact, the viscosity of the liquid may be substantially the same as before impact. The liquid may be a generally newtonian fluid such as water. Alternatively, the liquid may be a shear thinning fluid.

The liquid may be held in place so as to provide equivalent protection in all areas of the strip (e.g. throughout the pattern in the plastic foil). For example, the foil may be welded by one or more welds (weld) in a pattern. The one or more welds may be separate from the outer foil rim. The one or more welds may extend along one or more welding paths, for example, a first weld may extend along a first welding path and/or a second weld may extend along a second welding path. The one or more welds may include one or more welds, for example, a third weld may be a third weld and/or a fourth weld may be a fourth weld. For example, the first and second foils may be bonded together at one or more points and/or paths (e.g. welds and/or weld paths) (e.g. a plurality of points and/or paths, e.g. more than 5 points and/or paths, e.g. more than 10 points and/or paths). The combination may be designed to allow liquid to move from one cell to another cell of the pattern to allow the liquid to disperse from the impact area, thereby maximizing the dampening effect. At the same time, the bond may be designed to hold the liquid throughout the entire gel pack, for example, to prevent the liquid from moving to only be present in the lowermost portion of the gel pack.

The gel pack may be removed from the protective apparel. For example, protective apparel may include openings. The opening may facilitate replacement of the gel pack containing the liquid.

The gel packs may be configured to rupture upon a sufficiently severe impact to enhance the cushioning effect.

The gel pack may comprise a plurality of compartments, for example comprising a first compartment and a second compartment. The plurality of compartments may include a third compartment and/or a fourth compartment. Multiple compartments may be designed to protect different locations. For example, the first compartment may be a first temple compartment, e.g., configured to be positioned over a first temple portion, e.g., to protect the first temple from impact. The second compartment may be a second temple compartment configured to be positioned over a second temple portion, for example, to protect the second temple from impact. The third compartment may be a rear compartment, e.g. configured to be positioned on the rear portion, e.g. to protect the rear of the head. The fourth compartment may be a front compartment, e.g. configured to be positioned on the front, e.g. to protect the forehead from impact.

The plurality of compartments may be in communication, i.e. the liquid may be able to flow from one compartment to another. Alternatively, the compartments may be disconnected, i.e. liquid in one compartment may not flow to another compartment.

The protective apparel may include a foam layer. The foam layer may be disposed on top of the gel pack. The foam layer may be a high density foam. The foam layer may be arranged to distribute external pressure over the area of the gel pack underneath.

Protective apparel may include a surface layer. The surface layer may be disposed on top of the foam layer and/or gel pack. The surface layer may be arranged to also cover the inner layer, for example such that the surface layer extends over the inside and outside of the protective garment. The surface layer may be provided with printing.

The protective apparel may be provided with a material, such as silicone, to provide increased friction, for example, to provide enhanced grip, for example, to allow enhanced control of the ball during the heading of the ball, for example, when the protective apparel is a headband used in a soccer game. This material (or another material that helps to increase friction) may be placed on the inside of the protective apparel to facilitate better fit of the protective apparel to the user.

Headgear such as foil and/or foam may be designed to protect the temples and/or back of the head. For example, the temple portion of the headband may be shaped to extend to a position under the lower portion of the back portion and under the lower portion of the front portion. The headband may also be shaped to fit over, e.g., the user's ear, e.g., without covering the user's ear.

The headband may be designed to allow an unreduced head ball while still providing some protection from impact, for example. For example, a headband (such as a foil and/or foam) may be provided such that liquid is not provided to the forehead. For example, the liquid may be provided over less than 90%, such as less than 80%, such as less than 70% of the circumference of the head. Alternatively, the headband may be provided with a liquid disposed substantially around the entire circumference of the head.

The headband may be designed to improve the heading, for example by increasing the friction between the forehead (e.g. the front of the headband) and the ball, for example to allow the player to better control the direction of the ball as it is heading. For example, the headband may include an outer surface, such as the outer surface of the front face of the headband, for increased friction. For example, an outer surface (e.g., the outer surface of the front face of the headband) may be provided with silicone.

The outer surface of the headband may be manufactured with a pattern printed thereon. For example, sponsors, club names, player numbers, names, etc. may be printed on the outer surface of the headband.

The headband may form a closed loop. For example, the headband can be made without a closure mechanism. Alternatively, the headband may be made with a closure mechanism (e.g., a hook and loop fastener).

An inner surface of the headband (e.g., a surface of the headband that is configured to contact a user's head) can be provided with silicone, for example, to facilitate holding the headband in place on a user's head, e.g., to enable the headband to be made in one piece, e.g., by enabling that the headband will remain in place without the need for other mechanisms.

The headband may be equipped with a GPS module, such as to enable GPS tracking of the headband, such as to enable GPS tracking of a user wearing the headband. GPS tracking can be used to record the movement of the player on the field.

The headband may include a heart rate monitoring module, for example, configured to record a user's heart rate, e.g., via blood vessels near the temple.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings illustrate one way of implementing the invention and should not be construed as limiting other possible embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a user wearing an exemplary protective garment,

figure 2 schematically shows an exemplary foil for encapsulating a liquid,

fig. 3-9 schematically illustrate layers of an example protective garment.

Detailed Description

Various exemplary embodiments and details are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, when relevant. It should be noted that the figures may or may not be drawn to scale and that elements of similar structure or function are represented by like reference numerals throughout the figures. It should also be noted that the drawings are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention or as a limitation on the scope of the invention. Moreover, the illustrated embodiments need not have all of the aspects or advantages shown. Aspects or advantages described in connection with a particular embodiment are not necessarily limited to that embodiment, and may be practiced in any other embodiment, even if not so shown or not so explicitly described.

Figure 1 schematically illustrates a user 2 wearing protective apparel in the form of an exemplary headband 10. The headband includes a front portion 12 and a rear portion 16. The headband includes a first temple portion 14. The headband includes a second temple portion (not visible) opposite the first temple portion 14.

The front portion 12 is configured to protect the forehead of the user 2 from impact. The rear portion 16 is configured to protect the back of the head of the user 2. The temple portions (such as the first and second temple portions 14, 14) are configured to protect the temples of the user 2.

The temple portions (such as the first and second temple portions 14, 12) are shaped to extend to a position below the lower portions of the rear portion 16 and the front portion 12. The headband is further shaped to fit over the ears of the user 2, e.g., not covering the ears of the user 2.

Fig. 2 schematically shows an exemplary foil 20 for encapsulating a liquid. For example, the foil 20 may form a gel pack with a liquid (e.g., a gel).

The foil 20 may comprise, for example, two layers (e.g., a first foil sheet and a second foil sheet) bonded (e.g., welded (e.g., heat welded)) together, for example, along an edge 21. The foil may thereby provide a housing for enclosing the liquid. An opening 28, for example, may be provided (e.g., initially provided) to allow injection of liquid through the opening 28. The opening 28 may be sealed by welding (e.g., thermal welding) after injecting the liquid through the opening 28.

The foil 20 may comprise a plurality of weld points 30. The welds 30 may be points throughout the foil where the two layers are joined together to form a specific pattern of the envelope, for example to restrict the flow of liquid, for example to distribute the liquid substantially evenly throughout the envelope, as opposed to the liquid moving to the bottom of the envelope due to gravity. The weld 30 may be arranged to allow liquid to move throughout the compartment to allow liquid to disperse from the impact area to maximise the damping effect. In an alternative embodiment, the weld 30 may be provided as a plurality of weld paths, for example, a weld path connecting two or more of the welds 30 shown.

The foil 20 may be divided into a plurality of compartments, such as a first temporal compartment 24 and a second temporal compartment 26 and a posterior compartment 22. In the example shown, the compartments are in communication, i.e. liquid can flow from one compartment to another. However, in alternative examples, multiple compartments may be disconnected such that liquid in one compartment cannot flow to another compartment. Although not shown, the foil may include a front compartment.

The first temple compartment 24 may be configured to be positioned over a temple portion, such as the first temple portion 14 of the headband 10 (fig. 1), for example, to protect the temple from impact. The second temple compartment 26 may be configured to be positioned over another temple portion, such as the second temple portion of the headband 10 (fig. 1), for example, to protect the opposing temple from impact. The rear compartment 22 may be configured to be positioned, for example, on the rear portion 16 of the headband 10 (fig. 1), for example, to protect the back of the user's head from impact.

Figures 3-9 schematically illustrate layers of an exemplary protective garment in the form of a headband 10, such as the headband 10 shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 shows an inner layer 40 of the headband. The inner layer 40 may be a micro-porous fabric, such as a breathable fabric, to facilitate the dissipation of perspiration and/or heat from the head of a user wearing the headgear.

Fig. 4 shows an inner layer 40 having a gel pack 42 containing a liquid. The gel pack may comprise a foil (e.g. foil 20 described in relation to fig. 2) encapsulating the liquid. The gel pack 42 is positioned to protect the user's temples and back of the head from impact, for example. As shown in the illustrated example, the gel pack 42 is positioned so as not to cover the forehead of the user. This may provide the user with the ability to kick the ball, for example, when playing football. In another example (e.g., if the head ball capability is not needed), the gel pack 42 may be positioned to also protect the forehead of the user.

Fig. 5 shows a foam layer 44 disposed on top of the gel pack 42 as shown in fig. 4. The foam layer 44 may be a high density foam. The foam layer 44 may be configured to distribute external pressure over the area of the underlying gel pack 42.

Fig. 6 shows a front layer 46 disposed on the front (e.g., above the forehead when the user is wearing the headband). The front layer 46 may be a foam layer, such as a micro-porous foam, to facilitate the dissipation of perspiration and/or heat from the head of a user wearing the headband.

Fig. 7 shows a surface layer 48 disposed on top of the foam layers 44, 46 and the gel pack 42. The surface layer 48 may be arranged to also cover the inner layer 40, for example such that the surface layer 48 extends over the interior and exterior of the headband.

Fig. 8 shows an exemplary print disposed on the surface layer 48.

Figure 9 shows a headband provided with a material 50 (e.g. silicone) to provide enhanced grip to allow enhanced control of the ball during the heading of the ball (e.g. when used in a football match). The material 50 may be disposed on a front portion of the headband, such as the portion of the headband that is disposed to the forehead of a user. The material 50 may be provided in a pattern such as dots (as shown) and/or a pattern that conforms to a sponsor logo or the like.

Material 50 (or another material that helps to increase friction) may also be provided on the inside of the headband to help better fit the headband to the user's head.

The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments, and changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Throughout this disclosure, the use of the terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," "primary," "secondary," "again," and the like do not imply any particular order or importance, but are included to identify individual elements. Furthermore, the labeling of a first element does not imply the presence of a second element and vice versa.

Claims

1. Protective apparel, such as a protective headband, the protective apparel comprising a gel pack comprising a liquid, a first foil, and a second foil, the liquid being encapsulated by the first foil and the second foil, the first foil and the second foil being bonded along an outer foil edge, wherein the first foil and the second foil are bonded together at one or more welds that are separate from the outer foil edge.

2. The protective garment of claim 1, wherein the one or more welds comprise one or more welds.

3. The protective garment of any of claims 1-2, wherein the one or more welds extend along one or more weld paths.

4. The protective garment of any preceding claim, wherein the liquid has a viscosity, wherein the viscosity of the liquid after impact is substantially the same as the viscosity before the impact.

5. Protective garment according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid is a normally newtonian fluid.

6. The protective garment of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the liquid is a shear-thinning fluid.