US20130232670A1

US20130232670A1 - Protective head gear

Info

Publication number: US20130232670A1
Application number: US13/773,055
Authority: US
Inventors: Luke P. Janetos
Original assignee: H R P Products Inc
Current assignee: H R P Products Inc
Priority date: 2012-03-07
Filing date: 2013-02-21
Publication date: 2013-09-12

Abstract

A head gear apparatus has a padded member shaped and configured to wrap around a player's head. The padded member includes a first side portion having a first distal end and a first middle-facing edge along a lower margin. A second side portion has a second distal end and a second middle-facing edge along the lower margin. A middle portion is positioned between and connects the first side portion and the second side portion. The lower margin defines an open region below the middle portion and between the first middle-facing edge and the second middle-facing edge. The padded member has at least one strap guide. A rear closure assembly connects the first distal end to the second distal end.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/607,854, filed on Mar. 7, 2012 and U.S. design patent application Ser. No. 29/416,671, filed on Mar. 26, 2012.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to sports equipment and more specifically to protective head gear.
2. Related Art
In the sports of women's lacrosse and field hockey, players are required to wear an assortment of protective gear, including goggles, to reduce the occurrence of injury to the head and face. The rules of these sports dictate that women cannot use a helmet, but that players are allowed to use soft head gear to help reduce injury from incidental blows. Currently, players use foam sweat bands and soccer or rugby head gear on an impromptu basis for head protection in women's lacrosse and field hockey.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

None of the currently-available products are designed be compatible with goggles mandatory in women's lacrosse and field hockey, nor do these products provide sufficient protection of the front or back portion of the player's head. Currently, players have to contend with head gear that is not designed for the goggles or the sport. Additionally, players must tolerate goggles that are separate from the head gear. This combination of two separate units makes head protection clumsy and difficult for players, particularly when putting the units on and taking them off between times of play.
Accordingly, a need exists for protective head gear suited to the sports of lacrosse and field hockey. More specifically, a need exists for soft, protective head gear that combines easily with existing goggles used in the sports of women's lacrosse and field hockey.
The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by providing a head gear apparatus having a padded member shaped and configured to wrap around a player's head. In one embodiment, the padded member is shaped and configured to wrap around a player's head. The padded member includes a first side portion having a first distal end and a first middle-facing edge along a lower margin. A second side portion has a second distal end and a second middle-facing edge along the lower margin. A middle portion is positioned between and connects the first side portion and the second side portion. The lower margin defines an open region below the middle portion and between the first middle-facing edge and the second middle-facing edge. The padded member has at least one strap guide. A rear closure assembly connects the first distal end to the second distal end.
In another embodiment, the head gear apparatus is a kit including the padded member and rear closure assembly.
In another embodiment, the head gear apparatus also has an upper portion with a distal end and extending transversely from the middle portion to substantially define a T-shape of the padded member.
In another embodiment, the strap guide is movable between an open position and a closed position, where the strap guide in the closed position defines a conduit.
In another embodiment, the at least one strap guide comprises at least one flexible flap secured along a first edge to the padded member.
In another embodiment, the head gear apparatus has a top strap extending between and connecting the rear closure assembly and the distal end of the upper portion.
In another embodiment, the rear closure assembly includes a strap, multiple straps, a lace, a cord, or respective complementary fastener portions on the first distal end and on the second distal end of the padded member.
In another embodiment, the rear closure assembly has a rear strap guide.
In another embodiment, the padded member has at least one goggle retaining strap with one end connected proximate the lower margin of the padded member and the opposite end configured to releasably connect to the padded member with the goggle retaining strap defining a loop.
In another embodiment, the head gear apparatus has at least one pad on the rear closure assembly. In some embodiments, the pad on the rear closure assembly is shaped to mate with the posterior portion of the skull.
In another embodiment, the padded member includes a goggle frame as one piece with the padded member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a side elevation of one embodiment of a head gear apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an open configuration of one embodiment of a padded member of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of one embodiment of a rear closure assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a front view of another embodiment of a rear closure assembly of the present invention with a U-shaped strap.

FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the head gear apparatus of FIG. 1 with one embodiment of a rear strap guide.

FIG. 6 shows an open configuration of another embodiment of a padded member of the present invention having ends that may be overlapped.

FIG. 6 a is shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a strap guide shown on the padded member of FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 b shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a strap guide shown on the padded member of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 shows a front elevation of a head gear apparatus and partial view of a rear closure assembly of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows the head gear apparatus of FIG. 1 assembled with a goggle.

FIG. 9 shows an open configuration of another embodiment of a padded member of the present invention having a goggle frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in FIGS. 1-9. FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a head gear 100 in an assembled configuration that includes a padded member 102, a rear closure assembly 128, a top strap 140, and a plurality of goggle retaining straps 160. In one embodiment, padded member 102 includes an upper portion 170, first side portion 112, second side portion 212, and a middle portion 150. Padded member 102 preferably has a plurality of pads 106 separated by compressed regions or breaks 104 between pads 106. The front and top portion of the player's head is protected by upper portion 170 extending over the crown of the wearer's skull. Upper portion 170 is preferably connected to rear closure assembly 128 with an adjustable top strap 140 as will be discussed in more detail below.
FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of padded member 102 in an open, flattened configuration. Padded member 102 is preferably a dual-density compression-molded foam unit that defines an open region 155 designed to accept goggles 300 (not shown) used in lacrosse, field hockey, and other sports. Padded member 102 preferably has two goggle retaining straps 160 attached to padded member 102 near open region 155 that center goggle 300 in open region 155. Goggle retaining straps 160 hold goggle 300 in the correct position so the player's forehead is not exposed.
Due to its flexible materials of construction, padded member 102 more typically takes a shape of being wrapped around the wearer's head as shown in FIG. 1. In its flattened configuration shown in FIG. 2, padded member 102 has a generally longitudinal shape with a first side portion 112, middle portion 150, and second side portion 212 contiguously aligned along a first axis 119. First side portion 112 has a first proximal portion 114 and a first distal end 116. Second side portion 212 has a second proximal portion 214 and a second distal end 216. First and second side portions 112, 212 optionally have one or more vent openings 117, 217, respectively. Vent openings 117, 217 in one embodiment are formed by installing grommets 117 a, 217 a through padded member 102. Other embodiments of padded member 102 have one or more vent openings without grommets, such as a one or more openings or slots.
Padded member 102 has an upper margin 111 and a lower margin 152. Moving from first distal end 116 of first side portion 112 towards middle portion 150, upper margin and lower margin 152 diverge. At a position located approximately the wearer's temple, lower margin 152 then changes direction and continues generally upward along a middle-facing edge 113 of first side portion before changing direction again and continuing along middle portion 150. As it transitions from first side portion 112 to middle portion 150, lower margin 152 follows a first concave curve 152 a to a point of intersection 152 c with second axis 122. At point of intersection 152 c, first concave curve 152 a and second concave curve 152 b meet. Upper margin 111 and lower margin 152 are substantially mirror images of one another on opposite sides of a centerline or second axis 122 extending through middle portion 150. Second side portion also has a middle-facing edge 213. Having this preferred shape along lower margin 152 defines an open region 155 between first side portion 112, second side portion 212, and middle portion 150 that enables padded member 102 to accept goggles 300 with minimal gap between goggle frame 320 (not shown) and lower margin 152.
Middle portion 150 extends between and connects first proximal portion 114 of first end portion 112 and second proximal portion 214 of second side portion 212. In one embodiment, first distal end 116 and second distal end 216 each have at least one aperture 118, 218, respectively. Apertures 118, 218 are useful for maintaining padded member 102 in a substantially cylindrical shape by drawing together first distal end 116 and second distal end 216 with a strap, rear closure assembly 128 (discussed below), clip, or other connector.
Upper portion 170 of padded member 102 extends from middle portion 150 along second axis 122 transversely (e.g., substantially perpendicular) to first axis 119. Upper portion 170 preferably has one or more openings 172 in a distal end 171.
Padded member 102 is preferably compression molded with compressed regions or gaps 104 that define and separate individual pads 106. In one embodiment, padded member 102 has four-way stretch fabric laminated to polyurethane foam and to 1.7 lb. open-cell foam in a flame laminating process. A two-way stretch fabric may also be used. The multi-layered fabric and foam structure is compressed in a heated press to define multiple foam pads 106 separated by compressed regions or gaps 104. Having multiple pads 106 gives the player protection as well as a comfortable head gear 100 that flexibly conforms to the player's head. Padded member 102 is preferably lined by open-cell foam and has an anti-microbial-treated moisture management fabric.
In one embodiment, padded member 102 is made with a ⅜-inch thick 3-lb. cross-linked polyethylene closed-cell foam laminated to ⅛-inch thick clickable open-cell urethane layer. In another embodiment, padded member 102 is made with a ¼-inch thick 4 lb. cross-linked polyethylene closed-cell foam laminated to an open-cell 12 lb. soft polyurethane core. Vinyl nitrile is an acceptable substitute for the 12 lb. polyurethane core. In another embodiment, padded member 102 is made with a first layer of ⅛-inch thick 6-12 lb. closed-cell cross-linked polyethylene layer, a second layer of ⅜-inch thick 3-4 lb. layer of closed-cell cross-linked polyethylene, and a third layer of open-cell ⅛-inch thick clickable urethane. Other embodiments of padded member 102 have additional or thicker layers of foam as needed to provide the desired protection and thickness.
In yet another embodiment, a polyurethane foam core is encapsulated between a cross-linked polyethylene foam outer shell layer and a urethane liner. Because polyurethane foam is not formable with heat, it is encapsulated between other layers in padded member 102.
In one embodiment of padded member 102, two goggle retaining straps 160 are attached near lower margin 152 to secure goggle 300 to padded member 102. More or fewer goggle retaining straps 160 may be used. In one embodiment, one end of each goggle retaining strap 160 is attached by stitching at or near lower margin 152 of middle portion 150 of padded member 102. Complementary fasteners 202 a, 202 b on goggle retaining straps 160 and on padded member 102, respectively, attach together, forming goggle retaining straps 160 in a loop around frame 320 of goggle 300. Thus, goggle retaining straps 160 hold or suspend goggle 300 from padded member 102 with goggle 300 positioned in open region 155 (see goggle 300 shown in FIG. 7).
In one embodiment of padded member 102, first side portion 112 has a first strap guide 120 and second side portion 212 has a second strap guide 220. First and second strap guides 120, 220 are preferably movable between an open position and a closed position. Strap guides 120, 220 may be made of a fabric flap, a strap, a clip, a loop, a channel, a groove, a raceway, or another structure that defines a conduit or passageway 180 sized to accept a goggle strap 310 (not shown). Conduit 180 may be enclosed like an open-ended tube, or may be open like a channel.
In one embodiment, strap guides 120, 220 include a pair of overlapping fabric pieces 222, 224 that have complementary fastener portions 225 a, 225 b. Fastener portions 225 a, 225 b attach together to form a conduit that encloses and retains a goggle strap 310 (shown in FIG. 7). In one embodiment, complementary fastener portions 225 a, 225 b are the hooks and loops of a hook-and-loop fastener (e.g. Velcro® fastener). For example, an upper 224 fabric piece is sewn along its upper edge 225 to padded member 102. Below that location, a lower fabric piece 222 is sewn along its lower edge 223 to padded member 102. With upper fabric piece 224 and lower fabric piece 222 spread open, the user may place a goggle strap 310 against padded member 102. In its closed position, upper fabric piece 224 overlaps lower fabric piece 222 with fastener portions 225 a, 225 b connecting to one another, thereby defining an enclosed conduit 180 that retains goggle strap 310. Conduit 180 may similarly be defined with a single fabric piece that is secured along one edge to one location of padded member 102 and having another edge that removably attaches to another location of padded member 102.
Other methods, such as snaps, buttons, stitching and the like, may be used to secure upper fabric piece 224 to lower fabric piece 222. In one embodiment, two separate fabric pieces 232, 234 are stitched to padded member 102 at a break or compressed region 104 between pads 106 or near the edge of padded member 102. In another embodiment, conduit 180 may be formed with a single piece of fabric that closes onto itself or onto padded member 102.
Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown one embodiment of a rear closure assembly 128 with an upper closure strap 130, a lower closure strap 132, a top strap 140, strap connectors 142 a, 142 b, and a rear strap guide 146. Preferably, top strap 140, upper closure strap 130, and lower closure strap 132 have hook portions 146 a of a hook-and-loop fastener on one area of the strap and loop portions 146 b of a hook-and-loop fastener on another area of the strap, such as on the opposite side, on an end portion, or on a middle portion as appropriate). Top strap 140 with loop portion 145 a, for example, then loops through opening 172 in upper portion 170 of padded member 102 and back onto itself to fasten with hook portion 145 b against loop portion 145 a. Thus, one end of top strap 140 is secured to upper portion 170 of padded member 102 by looping through opening 172 and attaching back to itself. Other methods of connecting top strap 140 to upper portion 170 and/or to closure straps 130, 132 are also acceptable, such as stitching, a buckle, a clip, a mechanical fastener or other device. For example, top strap 140 loops over lower closure strap 132 and is secured with stitching 147 and/or a fastener 149 (e.g., a rivet, snap, button, grommet, and the like).
In another embodiment, head gear 100 has multiple top straps 140 that are spaced apart to accommodate a player's pony tail. For example, two top straps 140 both pass through opening 172 in upper portion 170, but opposite ends of each top strap 140 diverge and attach to spaced-apart portions of rear closure assembly 128. In another example, each of two top straps 140 pass through spaced-apart openings 172 in upper portion 170 of padded member 102 and then connect to spaced-apart locations on rear closure assembly 128. With two top straps 140, for example, ends of top straps 140 attach to upper and/or lower closure straps 130, 132 on opposite lateral sides of strap connectors 142 a, 142 b as opposed to attaching at a location between strap connectors 142 a, 142 b as shown in FIG. 3. In yet another embodiment, top strap(s) 140 extend between and connect upper portion 170 and first and second side portions 112, 212.
For improved stability and comfort of head gear 100, optional strap connectors 142 a, 142 b extend transversely between and connect upper closure strap 130 to lower closure strap 132. In one embodiment, strap connectors 142 a, 142 b are fabric straps that each loop over closure straps 130, 132 and are secured with stitching and/or a fastener. Strap connectors 142 a, 142 b help to position and properly space upper and lower closure straps 130, 132 from one another to facilitate assembly of rear closure assembly 128 with padded member 102.
In one embodiment, upper closure strap 130 and lower closure strap 132 have a hook portion 145 b on one side and a loop portion 145 a on the opposite side of closure strap 132. Thus, by looping ends of upper closure strap 130 through openings 118, 218 of padded member 102 and folding each end of upper closure strap 130 back onto itself, upper closure strap 130 secures rear closure assembly 128 to distal ends 116, 216 of padded member 102.
FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of rear closure assembly 128 where strap connectors 142 a, 142 b are part of a U-shaped strap 143 that connects to or is made as one piece with top strap 142. U-shaped strap 143 defines an opening 143 a between strap connectors 142 a, 142 b to accept a wearer's ponytail.
In one embodiment, rear closure assembly 128 also includes a rear strap guide 146 having an open position and a closed position. Similar to first and second strap guides 130, 230, rear strap guide can be formed with overlapping fabric pieces, overlapping ends of a single fabric piece, clip(s), loop(s) and other structures defining a conduit to accept goggle strap 310 (not shown). In one embodiment, overlapping fabric pieces attach to each other to define a conduit, preferably by using hook-and-loop fasteners.
Referring now to FIG. 5, there is shown a rear view of one embodiment of head gear 100 with padded member 102 and rear closure assembly 128. Upper closure strap 130 and lower closure strap 132 extend through openings 118, 218 of padded member 102. Closure straps 130, 132 are used to draw distal ends 116, 216 of padded member 102 together or towards each other as needed for a comfortable fit around the player's head. To better show details of closure assembly 128, closure strap 132 is shown in FIG. 5 in an unfastened position with loose ends. In one embodiment, closure straps 130, 132 are elastic straps. In another embodiment, closure straps 130, 132 are nylon, cloth, or other similar material.
In one embodiment, rear strap guide 146 of rear closure assembly 128 is made with a piece of fabric folded to define a first fabric portion 146 a and a second fabric portion 146 b. First fabric portion 146 a is secured to strap connectors 142 a, 142 b (shown in FIG. 3) by a fastener 146 c, such as stitching. Second fabric portion 146 b folds over and connects to first fabric portion 146 a using complementary fastener portions 146 d, 146 e, such as hook-and-loop fasteners. Goggle strap 310 passes laterally through and is retained by a rear conduit 149 formed between first fabric portion 146 a and second fabric portion 146 b of rear strap guide 146.
Other embodiments of rear closure assembly 128 include laces, a single strap, or multiple straps that loop(s) through openings 118, 218 on distal ends 116, 216 of padded member 102. For additional protection to the back of a player's head, rear strap guide 146 is optionally has one or more pads 106 or is made with padded material along first fabric portion 146 a and/or second fabric portion 146 b. Such padding may be accomplished by making rear strap guide 146 using a compression molding process as is used to make padded member 102. For improved comfort and protection to the back of a player's head, rear strap guide 146 or rear closure assembly 128 includes a pad shaped to accept or mate with the posterior portion of the skull.
As shown in FIG. 6, rear closure assembly 128 in some embodiments is replaced with overlapping distal ends 116, 216 of padded member 102 that attach to each other with complementary fastener portions 147 d, 147 e, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, snaps, buttons, and the like. In such an embodiment, distal ends 116, 216 preferably have opening(s) 118 and/or 218, which are oriented and positioned to accept top strap(s) 140. For example, openings 118, 218 are oriented substantially horizontally near top margins 20 and/or bottom margins 25 of distal ends 116, 216, respectively.
FIG. 6 and inset FIGS. 6 a, 6 b illustrate alternate embodiments of strap guides 120 a, 220 a. As shown in FIG. 6 and shown enlarged as a cross-sectional view in inset FIG. 5 a, strap guide 120 a is a gap or open channel 121 between adjacent pads 160 a, 160 b. When pads 160 a, 160 b have a rounded surface, channel 121 has sloping sides 121 a, 121 b that guide and retain goggle strap 310 into channel 121.
In another embodiment shown in FIG. 6 and shown enlarged as a cross-sectional view in inset FIG. 6 b, strap guide 220 a includes a substantially horizontal pad 160 c with an open channel 122 formed longitudinally therein. For example, pad 160 c defines channel 122 with channel width 122 a. Channel 122 has opening 122 b with opening width 122 c that is preferably narrower than channel width 122 a. With this configuration, strap guide 220 a retains a goggle strap 310 in channel 122 and opening width 122 c prevents goggle strap 310 from being easily removed from strap guide 220 a.
Similar to strap guide 120 a, channel 122 may also be formed between adjacent pads rather than being formed in pad 160 c. Optionally, a fabric flap or the like may be used to cover pads 160 a, 160 b and pad 160 c to close channels 121, 122, respectively.
Referring now to FIG. 7, a front view of head gear 100 shows padded member 102 and a visible portion of rear closure assembly 128 that extends below bottom margin 152. As shown here, upper portion 170 of padded member 102 extends from middle portion 150 over the player's forehead toward rear closure assembly 128 positioned posteriorly. First side portion 112 and second side portion 212 wrap around the player's head and with distal ends 116, 216 drawn towards one another by rear closure assembly 128. Lower closure strap 132 extends through apertures 118, 218 and connects to strap connectors 142 a, 142 b and to top strap 140 by stitching 147.
Referring now to FIG. 8, a side view illustrates an assembled head gear kit 90 including padded member 102, rear closure assembly 128, and goggle 300. Goggle 300 includes a foam frame 320, wire cage 330, rigid side portions 335 connecting wire cage 330 to frame 320, and goggle strap 310 as are known in the art. As assembled, head gear kit 90 is a single protective item that provides protection to the user's forehead, crown of the skull, sides, and back of the head. As shown in FIG. 8, goggle retaining straps 160, strap guides 130, 230, and rear strap guide 146 (not visible) of rear closure assembly 128 hold the player's goggles 300 in an optimum position and provide a single goggle/head gear unit that dissipates impact forces. Combining head gear 100 and goggle 300 into a single unit, the player can easily put on and take off head gear 100 like a cap.
In another embodiment shown in FIG. 9, frame 320 of goggle 300 is molded with padded member 102 as a unitary structure. Frame 320 functions as a receptacle for wire cage 330. In such a configuration, rather than securing goggle 300 with goggle retaining straps 160, wire cage 330 may be attached to frame 320 using a compression fit, adhesive, or mechanical fasteners at attachment points 339 on frame 320. Mechanical fasteners may be clips, screws, snaps, and the like. The remaining portions of head gear 100 may be substantially the same as described in embodiments above, except that goggle retaining straps 160, strap guides 120, 220, and rear strap guide 146 would not be necessary because frame 320 of goggle 300 is formed integrally with padded member 102 rather than being held in place with straps.
The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the specification and claims. Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein, the above description is merely illustrative. Further modification of the invention herein disclosed will occur to those skilled in the respective arts and all such modifications are deemed to be within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A head gear apparatus comprising:

a padded member with a lower margin and shaped and configured to wrap around a player's head and comprising:

a first side portion having a first distal end and a first middle-facing edge along the lower margin;

a second side portion having a second distal end and a second middle-facing edge along the lower margin; and

a middle portion positioned between and connecting the first side portion and the second side portion;

wherein the lower margin defines an open region below the middle portion and between the first middle-facing edge and the second middle-facing edge;

at least one strap guide on the padded member; and

a rear closure assembly connecting the first distal end to the second distal end.

2. The head gear apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an upper portion with a distal end and extending transversely from the middle portion to substantially define a T-shape of the padded member.

3. The head gear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one strap guide is movable between an open position and a closed position and wherein the at least one strap guide in the closed position defines a conduit.

4. The head gear apparatus of claim 3, wherein the at least one strap guide comprises at least one flexible flap secured along a first edge to the padded member.

5. The head gear apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a top strap extending between and connecting the rear closure assembly and the distal end of the upper portion.

6. The head gear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rear closure assembly comprises a device selected from the group consisting of a strap, a lace, a cord, and respective complementary fastener portions on the first distal end and on the second distal end of the padded member.

7. The head gear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rear closure assembly further comprises a rear strap guide.

8. The head gear apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one goggle retaining strap having a first end connected proximate the lower margin of the padded member and having a second end configured to releasably connect to the padded member with the at least one goggle retaining strap defining a loop.

9. The head gear apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one pad on the rear closure assembly.

10. The head gear apparatus of claim 1, wherein the padded member further comprises a goggle frame.

11. A head gear kit comprising:

a padded member shaped and configured to wrap around a player's head and comprising:

a second side portion having a second distal end and a second middle-facing edge along the lower margin;

a middle portion positioned between and connecting the first side portion and the second side portion; and

at least one strap guide on the padded member;

wherein the lower margin defines an open region below the middle portion and between the first middle-facing edge and the second middle-facing edge; and

a rear closure assembly configured to connect the first distal end to the second distal end and maintain the padded member in a substantially cylindrical shape.

12. The kit of claim 11, wherein the padded member further comprises an upper portion with a distal end and extending transversely from the middle portion to substantially define a T-shape of the padded member.

13. The kit of claim 11, further comprising a top strap configured to extend between and connect the rear closure assembly and the distal end of the upper portion.

14. The kit of claim 11, wherein the at least one strap guide is movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein the at least one strap guide in the closed position defines a conduit.

15. The kit of claim 13, wherein the at least one strap guide comprises at least one flexible flap secured along a first edge to the padded member.

16. The kit of claim 11, wherein the rear closure assembly comprises a device selected from the group consisting of a strap, a lace, a cord, and respective complementary fastener portions on the first distal end and on the second distal end of the padded member.

17. The kit of claim 11, wherein the rear closure assembly further comprises a rear strap guide.

18. The kit of claim 11, further comprising at least one goggle retaining strap having a first end connected proximate the lower margin of the padded member and having a second end configured to releasably connect to the padded member with the at least one goggle retaining strap defining a loop.

19. The kit of claim 11, further comprising at least one pad on the rear closure assembly.

20. The kit of claim 11, further comprising goggles having a goggle frame and a goggle strap.