GB2335135A

GB2335135A - Headgear for use in watery environments

Info

Publication number: GB2335135A
Application number: GB9905825A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon David Julian Hill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-03-14
Filing date: 1999-03-15
Publication date: 1999-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 2019-03-15
Also published as: GB2335135B; GB9905825D0

Abstract

Headgear for use in watery environments, e.g. by a canoeist or diver, comprises a scalp portion 10 and a peak portion 12 with the scalp and/or peak portion having a formation 30 for guiding water draining from the headgear away from falling into or in front of the wearer's eyes. The means may be a lip 30 at the distal edge of the peak or one or more ridges or channels extending across the peak on its upper and optionally also lower surface. A diverging formation may also be provided on the scalp portion. The headgear may be worn beneath a helmet. It may have ear lobes 14.

Description

2335135 TITLE Headgear

DESCRIPTION

This invention relates to articles of headgear for use in watery environments, for example by canoeists.

Whilst the present invention was conceived for use by canoeists, and the following problem-and- solution discussion relates to canoeing, it will be appreciated that the invention does have other applications.

Particularly in the case of competitive canoeing, the sooner the canoeist can regain their bearings after righting themself from a capsize, the better. During a brief period after their head comes up above water, water drains from their head or their helmet and falls in front of and/or into their eyes. In addition to being uncomfortable, this prolongs the period before they can properly regain their bearings. In order to deal with this problem, the canoeist could wear headgear which has a peak above their eyes, and various peaked articles of watersports headgear form part of the state of the art, e.g. the peaked and illuminated watersports helmet of patent document US-A-4,817,212, the peaked swimming cap cum baseball cap of GB-A-2,295,956, and the twin-peaked sun hat of US-A-5,091,995. However, none of these known articles of headgear has been designed with the specific problem mentioned above in mind.

The present invention seeks to provide an article of headgear for use by a wearer in watery environments (e.g. a canoeist in a canoe, or a diver), which provides an improvement over a simple peak with regard to keeping water away from falling in front of and/or into the wearer's eyes.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an article of headgear, comprising a scalp portion for fitting to the wearer's head and a peak portion which, in use, projects forwardly from a forwardly-facing portion of the scalp portion above the wearer's eyes, wherein the forwardly-facing portion of the scalp portion and/or the peak portion has at least one surface formation arranged to guide water draining from the article of headgear away from falling in front of and/or into the wearer's eyes.

At least one such surface formation may extend transversely across the peak portion adjacent a distal edge of the peak portion, or across the peak portion part-way between a distal edge and a proximal edge of the peak portion. Such a transversely-extending surface formation may be a ridge or a channel. In either case, it may be formed onlin an upper surface of the peak portion to reduce the amount of water which drains over the distal edge of the peak portion, or on/in a lower surface of the peak portion to reduce the amount of water which creeps back under the peak portion towards the proximal edge thereof. Additionally or alternatively, at least one such surface formation may be in the form of a lip extending along a distal edge of the peak portion. At least one such lip may project upwardly from the peak portion, again to reduce the amount of water which drains over the distal edge of the peak portion, and/or downwardly from the peak portion, again to reduce the amount of water which creeps back under the peak portion towards the proximal edge thereof.

In the case where such a surface formation is a ridge or a lip, it may be provided by a flap movable under the influence of draining water from an inoperative position in which the flap is generally flush with a surface of the peak portion and an operative position in which the flap projects therefrom to form the ridge or lip.

The scalp portion may be generally devoid of such surface formations and be of a generally uniform, thin thickness (e.g. 0.5 mm to 3 rrim thick), in which case the article of headgear may be used in combination with an impact protection helmet for fitting over the article of headgear. The peak portion and the surface formation(s) therefore guide water which is draining from the outer surface of the helmet and from between helmet and the article of headgear away from falling in front of and/or into the wearer's eyes.

In other cases, at least one such surface formation may provided on the forwardlyfacing portion of the scalp portion, facing sideways and extending downwardly and outwardly to guide draining water away from the peak portion. In this case, a further such sidewaysfacing surface formation may be provided, facing in the opposite sideways direction.

Rather than using the article of headgear in combination with a separate impact protection helmet, the scalp portion itself may constructed to act as an impact protection helmet, being made of a suitable material and thickness (e.g. 3 min to 50 trim. thick).

The peak portion is preferably semi-rigid so that it substantially retains its normal shape during normal use, but so that it can collapse upon impact and therefore absorbs some of the impact energy and does not cut into the wearer's forehead.

A plurality of such surface formations may be provided.

The peak portion is preferably substantially impervious to water. Also, the scalp portion is preferably a close fit for the wearer's head and such as to keep the covered part of the wearer's head substantially dry and/or warm.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a canoeing cap which is one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the cap of Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a rear view of the cap of Fig. 1; Figure 4 is a plan view of a peak of the cap of Fig. 1; Figure 5 is a sectional view of the peak taken along the section line X-X shown in Fig.

4; Figures 6-16 are similar to Fig. 5, but showing modified peaks; Figure 17 is a plan view of a modified peak; Figure 18 is a further sectional view of a modified peak; and Figure 19 is a front view of a modified cap.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a cap has a scalp portion 10 and a peak 12 protruding approximately horizontally from above the frontal face portion of the cap. The scalp portion 10 of the cap is made of a supple material with elastic and heat insulating properties, in this example neoprene fabric of the sort conventionally used for wet-suits. It is constructed with non-raised seams to produce texturally and topologically uniform internal and external surfaces.

The peak is of a semi-rigid form and can be made of any suitable material which is substantially impervious to water.

On each side of the cap, the scalp portion 10 is formed with downwardly protruding lobes 14,20. A strap 16, attached to one such lobe 14 is provided at its distal end with an area of surface bearing hook-and-eye fastening means 18. The opposite lobe 20 bears a complementary area of the fastening means 22 (Fig. 3).

Referring in particular to Figs. 2 and 3, an area at the rear of the scalp portion 10 is cut away, leaving a gap 24 across which a bridging member 26 is removably and adjustably attached.

In use, the cap may be worn alone or under an external helmet, such as the hard safety helmets worn by canoeists. The scalp portion 10 accommodates the head, and the strap 16 runs from the lobe 14 under the chin to the opposite lobe 20. The strap 16 is attached at the opposite lobe 20 using the hook-and-eye fastening means 18,22, and thereby acts to retain the cap firmly 10 on the head and secure the lobes 14,20 in a position covering the ears.

The neoprene fabric provides heat insulation, low water penetration, wind resistance, and physically cushions vulnerable areas of the head including the eyes, nose, ears, forehead, and temple.

The peak 12 acts to shield the eyes and face in particular. Above the water, it offers protection from, for example, sun, spray, wind, obstructions and draining water, which may originate from between the cap and an external helmet if one is worn. Below the water, the peak 12 protects the face from currents, debris and other obstructions. The shape, size and especially the material of the peak are selected to ensure that it yields under a critical load, to reduce the probability of injury in the event of an impact. When an impact is sustained on a portion of the peak, it deforms absorbing the force of the impact and, thereby, reducing the amount of force transferred to the head of the user.

The lobes 14,20 specifically cover the ears to offer protection against the undesirable effect of water rushing into the ears. They may be anchored in a position exposing the ears if preferred.

The gap 24 and bridging member 26 provide a stepless means of adjusting the scalp size of the cap, to ensure a secure and comfortable fit with differing head sizes.

The peak 12 is formed with a peripheral water guiding feature 30, as shown in more detail in Figs. 4 and 5. This feature 30 is provided by a lip 32 formed on the upper surface of the peak 12 and extending along the majority of the length of the distal edge of the peak 12. An advantage of providing the peak 12 with such a peripheral water guiding feature 30 is that water, and any objects deflected by the peak, are guided towards the side of the peak without passing in front of the wearer's eyes.

Other forms of water guiding feature are shown in Figs. 6 to 18.

In Fig.6, the peak 12 is bent along a transverse line between the distal and proximal edges of the peak 12 to form a transversely-extending valley 34 in the upper surface of the peak 12. In Fig. 7, a modified shape of lip 32 is shown. In Fig. 8, a lip 36 is formed on the lower surface of the peak 12 along the majority of the length of the distal edge of the peak 12; water will tend to drip from the lip 36, rather than creeping or being blown along the underside of the peak 12 onto the wearer's forehead. In Fig. 9, a lip 38 projects both upwardly from the upper surface of the peak 12 and downwardly from the lower surface of the peak 12. In Fig. 10, such a lip 38 is shown being provided by a separate U-shaped beading 40 attached to the distal edge of the peak 12. In Fig. 11, the water guiding feature is provided by a channel or groove 42 in the upper surface of the peak 12, extending transversely of the peak 12 adjacent the distal edge of the peak 12. In Fig. 12, both a lip 32 (as in Fig. 5) and a channel 42 (as in Fig. 11) are provided. In Fig. 13, a channel 42 (as in Fig. 11) is provided, together with three further spaced-apart channels 44 extending transversely of the peak 12 and between the distal and proximal edges thereof. In Fig. 14, a single such channel 44 is provided, part-way between the distal and proximal edges of the peak 12 or adjacent the proximal edge thereof. In Fig. 15, in place of the channel 44 of Fig. 14, a ridge 46 is provided on the upper surface of the peak 12.

In Fig. 16, several such ridges 46 are provided, together with a lip 32 (as in Fig. 5). Fig. 17 shows, in plan, a peak 12 with a lip 32 and adjacent channel 42 (as in Fig. 12), a ridge 46 (as in Fig. 16) and a further channel 44 (as in Fig. 14). It will be appreciated that other combinations of ridges, channels and lips may be provided with various sizes and cross sectional shapes. For example, as shown in Fig. 18, the lip 32 and ridge 46 may be undercut to assist in catching water draining in the direction 48. Furthermore, the lip 32 and ridge 46 may be formed as flexible flaps which normally lie flat against the upper surface of the peak 12, but which stand up under the influence of water draining in the direction 48 so as to catch the water and deflect it sideways. In Fig. 18, although the ridge 46 is shown on the upper surface of the peak 12 extending upwards and towards the proximal edge of the peak 12, additionally or alternatively such a ridge may be provided on the lower surface of the peak 12 extending downwardly and towards the distal edge of the peak. In Figs. 4 to 18, although the majority of the water guiding features 30 are shown as being on/in the upper surface of the peak 12, more of the water guiding features 30 may be provided on/in the lower surface of the peak 12.

In the arrangements shown in Figs. 4 to 18, the various water guiding features 30 extend along the distal edge of the peak 12 or transversely of the peak 12 and between the distal and proximal edges thereof. Additional, secondary water guiding surface formations may also be provided which extend in other directions to assist in guiding draining water away from 5 falling in front of or into the wearer's eyes.

In modified versions of the cap, the material selected for the scalp portion 10 can be made thicker andlor harder to offer better heat insulation andlor additional cushioning during use without an external helmet and/or greater buoyancy. For example, as shown in Fig. 19, the scalp portion 10 has a crest portion 50 which divides at the front of the scalp portion 10 into a symmetrical pair of downwardly and outwardly extending tine portions 52. It will be noted that these tine portions 52 will help to divert draining water away from falling onto the peak 12 and therefore away from falling in front of or into the wearer's eyes. It will be appreciated that other forms of surface formation can be provided on the scalp portion 10 not only to assist in guiding water but also to provide impact protection.

is In the arrangements described above, the various water-guiding surface formations which project from the underlying surface (i.e. the lips, ridges and tine portions) may be integrally formed with the peak 12 or scalp portion 10, or they may be attached afterwards, for example with adhesive or by stitching, Furthermore, these surface formations may be water impervious or pervious, for example being provided by bristles, fibres or sponge. Indeed, these surface formations could be provided by foam or bristle draught-excluder strip as conventionally used between doors and door-frames.

In another modified version of the caps described above, the chin strap 16 and the peak 12 are completely detachable. This can be advantageous from the point of view of safety under many conditions.

A cap based on a thinner, more elastic fabric, such as Lycra (trade mark), is more suitable for warmer conditions.

Various other embodiments of the cap may be realised, including one without the lobes 14,20 suitable for group activities in warmer conditions.

It should be noted that the embodiments of the invention have been described above purely by way of example and that many other modifications and developments may be made thereto within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An article of headgear for use by a wearer in watery environments, the article comprising a scalp portion for fitting to the wearer's head and a peak portion which, in use, projects forwardly from a forwardly-facing portion of the scalp portion above the wearer's eyes, wherein the forwardly -facing portion of the scalp portion and/or the peak portion has at least one surface formation arranged to guide water draining from the article of headgear away from falling in front of and/or into the wearer's eyes.

2. An article as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one such surface formation extends transversely across the peak portion adjacent a distal edge of the peak portion.

3. An article as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one such surface formation extends transversely across the peak portion part-way between a distal edge and a proximal edge of the peak portion.

4. An article as claimed in claim 2 or 3, wherein at least one such transversely-extending surface formation is a ridge.

5. An article as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one such ridge is formed on an upper surface of the peak portion.

6. An article as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein at least one such ridge is formed on a lower surface of the peak portion.

7. An article as claimed in any of claims 2 to 6, wherein at least one such transverselyextending surface formation is a channel.

8. An article as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one such channel is formed in an upper surface of the peak portion.

9. An article as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein at least one such channel is formed in a lower surface of the peak portion.

10. An article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one such surface formation is a lip extending along a distal edge of the peak portion.

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11. An article as claimed in claim 10, wherein at least one such lip projects upwardly from the peak portion.

12. An article as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein at least one such lip projects downwardly from the peak portion.

13. An article as claimed in any of claims 4 to 6 and 10 to 12, or any of claims 7 to 9 when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 4, wherein at least one such ridge or lip is provided by a flap movable under the influence of draining water from an inoperative position in which the flap is generally flush with a surface of the peak portion and an operative position in which the flap projects therefrom to form the ridge or lip.

14. An article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the scalp portion is generally devoid of such surface formations and is of a generally uniform, thin thickness.

15. An article as claimed in claim 14, in combination with an impact protection helmet for fitting over the article of headgear.

16. An article as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least one such surface 15 formation is provided on the forwardly-facing portion of the scalp portion and faces sideways and extends downwardly and outwardly to guide draining water away from the peak portion.

17. An article as claimed in claim 16, wherein a further such sidewaysfacing surface formation is provided, facing in the opposite sideways direction.

is. An article as claimed in any of claims 1 to 13, 16 and 17, wherein the scalp portion is 20 constructed to act as an impact protection helmet.

19. An article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the peak portion is semi-rigid so that it substantially retains its normal shape during normal use, but so that it can collapse upon impact.

20. An article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of such surface 25 formations is provided.

21. An article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the peak portion is substantially impervious to water.

22. An article as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the scalp portion is a close fit for the wearer's head and such as to keep the covered part of the wearer's head substantially dry and/or warm.

23. Any article of headgear, substantially as described with reference to the drawings.

24. An article of headgear as claimed in any preceding claim, in combination with a canoe for use by the wearer.