US20090064393A1

US20090064393A1 - Headband

Info

Publication number: US20090064393A1
Application number: US11/886,694
Authority: US
Inventors: Bodo W. Lambertz
Original assignee: X Technology Swiss GmbH
Current assignee: X Technology Swiss GmbH
Priority date: 2005-03-21
Filing date: 2006-03-15
Publication date: 2009-03-12
Also published as: EP1860964B1; JP2008533325A; DE202005004738U1; EP1860964A1; ATE456313T1; DE112006001339A5; WO2006099840A1; DE502006006039D1

Abstract

The invention relates to a headband, in particular for sporting activities. At least one circumferential pocket (11, 12) for housing sunscreen products (2, 3, 4) is arranged on the inner side of the headband (1).

Description

The invention relates to a headband, in particular for athletic activities.
In athletic activities such as jogging, skiing or inline skating, the headband fulfills various functions. First, the headband serves to absorb perspiration. It also protects the sensitive forehead and ear areas from undercooling due to the evaporation of perspiration or a cold wind. A headband has the advantage over a cap that it does not result in a buildup of heat because it allows unhindered escape of the heat released by the head in increased amounts during athletic activities.
Especially in the case of activities in hotter seasons, e.g., when playing tennis in high summer or at high altitudes, e.g., when skiing, it is necessary to protect the head from excessive sun exposure. In addition, intense sunlight exposure can result in impaired vision. For these cases, additional sun protection means are required. For example, so-called baseball caps are known; these baseball caps have a bill that shades the eyes and also protects the head from excessive UV radiation, which is absolutely essential, especially in the case when the scalp is not protected due to sparse hair growth. However, one disadvantage of these baseball caps, which are often additionally worn above a headband, is that baseball caps as well as other caps can cause an excessive buildup of heat on the head because they cannot adequately absorb perspiration. In addition, bringing along such additional sun protection means also takes up a substantial portion of the transportation capacities, which are naturally limited.
This is where the present invention seeks to remedy the situation. The object of the present invention is to create a headband, in particular for athletic activities, that allows sun protection means to be carried along without claiming any additional transportation capacities. According to this invention, this object is achieved by providing at least one peripheral pocket on the inside of the headband to accommodate sun protection means.
The present invention creates a headband for athletic activities, in particular one that allows sun protection means to be brought along without claiming any additional transportation capacities. The pocket is preferably designed so that it can be closed by a zipper or a velcro-type closure.
In a further embodiment of the invention, vision protection that can be stowed in the pocket is provided on the headband. This counteracts any impairment of vision due to intense sun exposure.
The vision protection preferably consists essentially of a knit fabric. Therefore, it can be stowed evenly in the pocket without causing any local pressure points on the head.
In one embodiment of the invention, the vision protection has a neoprene inlay. This ensures rigidity of the vision protection with simultaneous good flexibility and stowability.
The vision protection is advantageously arranged on the inside of the headband. This allows removal of the vision protection in order to care for it or to replace a defective vision protection means.
In a further embodiment of the invention, a head cover is provided on the headband and can also be stowed in the pocket. This ensures protection of the head from excessive sunlight exposure.
The head cover is preferably designed as a tube with the central opening being closable by a tension belt, preferably elastic. Therefore, the head cover can be stowed easily and at the same time can be optimally adapted to the head size of the person wearing the headband. In addition, the opening is not closed completely even when adapting the head cover to the head, so the heat occurring on the head can escape. The tension band is advantageously provided with a stopping means.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the head cover is detachably connected to the inside of the headband. This permits easy removal of the head cover from the headband for reasons of care or to replace definitive head cover.
In a further embodiment of the invention, a neck protection is provided on the headband and can be stowed in the pocket. This allows protection of the neck, which is especially at risk of sunburn.
The neck protection preferably has at least one ventilation area made of a jacquard woven fabric. This counteracts a buildup of heat in the area of the neck.
The vision protection, head cover and/or neck protection are advantageously made of a UV blocking fiber. This further increases the protection of the head against excessive UV radiation.

Other embodiments and refinements of the present invention are characterized in the other subclaims. An exemplary embodiment of the invention is depicted in the drawings and described in detail below.

FIG. 1 shows the headband with the vision protection, head cover and neck protection;

FIG. 2 shows the headband with the vision protection, head cover and neck protection stowed in the headband;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram of the inside of the headband and

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the head cover.

The headband 1 selected as the exemplary embodiment is equipped with a vision protection 2, a neck protection 3 and a head cover 4.
The headband 1 is made of an absorbent terry cloth material. Two pockets 11, 12 of approximately the same size are positioned so they are sandwiched one above the other running peripherally on the inside of the headband 1, the bottoms of the pockets being arranged opposite one another. The openings in the pockets 11, 12 facing outward can be closed by a zipper 111, 121. Alternatively, other types of closure are also possible, e.g., a velcro-type closure, buttons, etc.
The vision protection 2 is designed in the manner of the bill of a cap. It consists essentially of a neoprene inlay sheathed by a knit fabric. The vision protection 2 is sewn to the inside of the headband 1 inside the pocket 11, so that the outer row of teeth of the zipper 111 of the pocket 11 is in contact with the vision protection 2 while being covered by the lower edge of the headband 1.
In the same manner, a neck protection 3 has been sewn to the inside of the headband 1 inside the pocket 11 on the side of the headband 1 opposite the vision protection 2. The neck protection 3 is a woven fabric made of a UV blocking fiber (UV-cut). Approximately in the middle of the neck protection 3, a ventilation area 31 is arranged, made of a jacquard weave. The ventilation area may have the design of a manufacturer's brand, for example. The neck protection 3 is designed to be rounded on the side facing away from the headband 1.
On the side opposite the vision protection 2, a head cover 4 is arranged on the inside of the headband 1. The head cover 4 is designed in the form of a tube and is sewn to the inside of the headband 1 inside the pocket 2 and running peripherally so that the outer row of teeth of the zipper 121 of the pocket 12 rests on the head cover 4 and is covered by the upper edge of the headband 1. An elastic tension belt 41 which is provided with a stopping means 42 is sewn to the edge facing away from the headband 1 in the head cover 4. The shape of the head cover 4 can be varied via the tension belt 41, so that the head cover 4 can be adapted to the head of the wearer. By pulling on the tension belt 41, it is possible to close the central opening, which results when the head cover 4 is unrolled from the headband (FIG. 4). This results in an essentially closed head cover (FIG. 2). The head cover 4 is also made of UV blocking fabric.
If no sun protection is necessary, the vision protection 2 and the neck protection 3 may be stowed in the pocket 11 on the inside of the headband 1, the pocket then being closed by the zipper 111. The operating part of the zipper 111 may be arranged on the inside of the headband 1, where it is concealed in a seam fold (not shown). For stowing the head cover 4, it is brought into its tubular basic form by releasing the tension belt 41 and then is stowed in the pocket 12 on the inside of the headband 1, said pocket then being closed by the zipper 121. The operating part of the zipper 121 may also be arranged so that it is concealed in a seam fold (not shown).
In another embodiment, a design with only one pocket arranged on the inside of the headband 1 is also conceivable, so that the vision protection 2 and the neck protection 3 can be stowed in this pocket. The head cover 4 may be applied to the edge of the headband 1 in a rolled-up form and may be secured by means of loops or the like.

Claims

1. A headband, in particular for athletic activities, characterized in that at least one peripheral pocket (11, 12) is arranged on the inside of the headband (1) to hold sun protection means (2, 3, 4).

2. A headband, according to claim 1, characterized in that the pocket (11, 12) is designed to be closable by a zipper or a velcro-type closure (111, 121).

3. A headband, according to claim 1, characterized in that a vision protection (2) is provided on the headband (1) and can be stowed in the pocket (11).

4. A headband, according to claim 3, characterized in that the vision protection (2) is made essentially of a knit fabric.

5. A headband, according to claim 3, characterized in that the vision protection (2) has a neoprene inlay.

6. A headband, according to claim 3, characterized in that the vision protection (2) is arranged detachably on the inside of the headband (1).

7. A headband, according to claim 2, characterized in that a head cover (4) which can be stowed in the pocket (12).

8. A headband, according to claim 7, characterized in that the head cover (4) is designed in the form of a tube, whereby the central opening can be closed by a tension belt (41), preferably elastic.

9. A headband, according to claim 8, characterized in that the tension belt (41) is provided with a stopping means (42).

10. A headband, according to claim 7, characterized in that the head cover (4) is detachably connected to the inside of the headband (1).

11. A headband, according to claim 7, characterized in that neck protection (3), which can be stowed in the pocket (11), is provided on the headband (1).

12. A headband, according to claim 11, characterized in that the neck protection (3) has at least one ventilation area (31).

13. A headband, according to claim 11, characterized in that the ventilation area (31) is made of a woven jacquard fabric.

14. A headband, according to claim 13, characterized in that the vision protection (2) and/or the head cover (4) and/or the neck protection (3) is/are made of a UV blocking fiber.

15. A headband according to claim 4, characterized in that the vision protection (2) has a neoprene inlay.

16. A headband according to claim 5, characterized in that the vision protection (2) is arranged detachably on the inside of the headband (1).

17. A headband according to claim 16, characterized in that a head cover (4) which can be stowed in the pocket (12) is provided on the headband (1).

18. A headband according to claim 8, characterized in that the head cover (4) is detachably connected to the inside of the headband (1).

19. A headband according to claim 9, characterized in that the head cover (4) is detachably connected to the inside of the headband (1).

20. A headband according to claim 19, characterized in that neck protection (3), which can be stowed in the pocket (11) is provided on the headband (1).