WO2005000057A2

WO2005000057A2 - Soccer helmet

Info

Publication number: WO2005000057A2
Application number: PCT/US2004/018852
Authority: WO
Inventors: Catina Prevost; Gladys B. Boswell
Original assignee: Catina Prevost; Boswell Gladys B
Priority date: 2003-06-10
Filing date: 2004-06-10
Publication date: 2005-01-06
Also published as: WO2005000057A3

Abstract

A protective soccer helmet (10) for the head having a dome-shaped member (11) with one or more pockets (12), padded inserts (13) for reversible insertion into the pockets, and a detachable top portion (16) to cool the head. The dome-shaped member (11) is constructed of a flexible elastic material to conform to the shape of a player's head, having an inner layer constructed to wick moisture away from a player's head, and an adjacent layer constructed to absorb moisture. The padded insert (13) has an inner layer constructed of a soft material to absorb impacts and an outer layer constructed of a rigid material to deflect impacts. The helmet (10) may also have a detachable visor (18). These features allow the soccer helmet to be worn as a stylish headpiece.

Description

SOCCER HELMET

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of previously filed U.S. provisional patent application Serial Number 60/477,378, filed June 10, 2003, entitled "Soccer Helmet".

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to protective headgear for use in sports activities. More particularly, the present invention relates to protective headgear for use in soccer.

BACKGROUND ART Soccer is one of the world's most popular sports and is increasing in popularity in the United States. While playing soccer, players frequently use their heads to strike the soccer ball. However, the impact of the ball against a player's head can be painful and poses a risk for head injury. As a result, protective headgear has been developed to protect a player's head during head impacts, such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6389608 to Williams and U.S. Patent No. 6339849 to Nelson et al. However, these prior art soccer helmets have not been widely accepted because they are heavy, bulky, uncomfortable, and are not suitably styled for soccer players. What is needed to overcome these problems with existing protective soccer headgear is a soccer helmet that is comfortable to wear, form-fitting, lightweight, and stylish, but still provides protection to the head.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION The present invention is a form-fitting headpiece having a flexible dome- shaped member, at least one pocket for receiving a padded insert to protect against impact, and a detachable top portion to expose the head for cooling. The invention further contains a plurality of ventilation openings formed in the dome-shaped member, and a detachable visor. The dome-shaped member is constructed of a flexible, elastic material. The padded inserts are multi-layered, with the inner layer constructed of a soft material designed to absorb impacts and the outer layer constructed of a rigid material for impacting the soccer ball. An advantage of the soccer helmet of the present invention is a lightweight comfortable helmet that protects the head against impacts from a soccer ball or from other soccer players, but has the stylish features of a headband. Another advantage is a helmet that absorbs moisture and has a removable top portion. Another advantage is a helmet that has replaceable protective inserts. Another advantage is a helmet that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the invention being worn by a soccer player. Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the invention. Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the invention. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the invention. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the invention showing the top flap partially detached. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention having a detachable visor. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION While the following description details the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of the parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced in various ways. Referring to Figs. 1-6 for a better understanding of the invention, the invention is a soccer helmet 10 that comprises a dome-shaped member 11 having one or more pockets 12 formed thereon for reversibly receiving a plurality of padded inserts 13. Each pocket 12 has at least one opening 14 for receiving an insert 13, wherein the opening 14 can be closed by a fastener, such as snaps or a hook and loop fastener material (e.g. VELCRO^®), to hold the insert 13 within the pocket 12. The dome-shaped member 11 preferably comprises a plurality of ventilation openings 15 formed therein to prevent overheating. The dome-shaped member 11 preferably further comprises a top portion 16 that can be either partially or fully detached from a circumferential portion 17 (see Fig. 5), thereby allowing the player to expose the top of his or her head to cool off during breaks. The top portion 16 is preferably attached to the circumferential portion 17 via hook and loop fastener material 19. These features allow the soccer helmet 10 to be worn as a stylish headpiece. In an alternate embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the soccer helmet 10 further comprises a detachable visor 18 that extends down over the player's eyes. The visor 18 preferably comprises a transparent plastic, such as a featherweight polycarbonate, having an ultraviolet (UV) radiation impermeable feature. The visor 18 can include prescription lenses. The visor 18 is preferably attached to the circumferential portion 17 via hook and loop fastener material 19, thereby allowing the visor 18 to be easily attached and detached from the circumferential portion 17. The dome-shaped member 11 is preferably constructed of a flexible, elastic material to allow the member 11 to conform to the shape of a player's head. The dome-shaped member 11 is preferably multi-layered, with the inner layer (head- contacting layer) constructed to wick moisture away from the player's head and the adjacent layer being designed to absorb the moisture. Further, the member 11 can include an insulating layer for use in colder climates. The padded inserts 13 are also preferably multi-layered, with the inner layer comprising a soft material designed to absorb impacts and the outer layer comprising a rigid material for deflecting impacts, such as the impact from a soccer ball. In an alternate embodiment, the padded material can be affixed to the dome-shaped member 11, thereby negating the need for the pockets 12. Preferably, the dome-shaped member 11 will be machine washable.

EXAMPLE 1 Dome-shaped member: Inner layer comprising meryl fiber or underarmour material. Outer layer comprising a blend of LYCRA^® (e.g. 70%), polyester (e.g. 20%), retardant fireproof material (e.g. 5%), neoprene (e.g. 1%), and cotton (e.g. 4%). Padded insert: Inner layer comprising silica gel. Outer layer comprising a blend of KENLAR^® and carbon fibers.

EXAMPLE 2 Dome-shaped member: Inner layer comprising underarmour material. Middle layer comprising polyester fleece for insulation. Outer layer comprising a blend of nylon (e.g. 25%), neoprene (e.g. 50%), and cotton (e.g. 25%). Padded insert: Inner layer comprising silica gel. Outer layer comprising a blend of KEVLAR^® and carbon fibers.

The foregoing description has been limited to specific embodiments of this invention. It will be apparent, however, that variations and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to the disclosed embodiments of the invention, with the attainment of some or all of its advantages and without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the protective inserts may be formed in any desired shape, and may be made of heat formable plastic to custom fit the head of any user. Any type of flexible, elastic plastic or cloth may be used to form the fabric of the helmet. It will be understood that various changes in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustrated above in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principle and scope of the invention as recited in the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSI claim:

1. A helmet, comprising: a) a dome-shaped member having one or more pockets; and b) padded inserts for reversible insertion into said pockets; c) wherein said dome-shaped member is constructed of a flexible elastic material to conform to the shape of a player's head.

2. The helmet of claim 1 wherein said dome-shaped member has a detachable top portion.

3. The helmet of claim 1 wherein said dome-shaped member has an inner layer constructed to wick moisture away from a player's head, and an adjacent layer constructed to absorb moisture.

4. The helmet of claim 1 wherein said padded insert has an inner layer constructed of a soft material to absorb impacts and an outer layer constructed of a rigid material to deflect impacts.

5. The helmet of claim 4 wherein said inner layer of said padded insert consists of silica gel and said outer layer consists of a blend of KEVLAR and carbon fibers.

6. The helmet of claim 1 , further comprising a detachable visor.

7. A helmet, comprising: a) a dome-shaped member having one or more pockets; b) padded inserts for reversible insertion into said pockets; c) said dome-shaped member having a detachable top portion; d) said dome-shaped member being constructed of a flexible elastic material to conform to the shape of a player's head; e) said dome-shaped member having an inner layer constructed to wick moisture away from a player's head, and an adjacent layer constructed to absorb moisture; and f) said padded insert having an inner layer constructed of a soft material to absorb impacts and an outer layer constructed of a rigid material to deflect impacts.

8. The helmet of claim 7 wherein said inner layer of said padded insert consists of silica gel and said outer layer consists of a blend of KEVLAR and carbon fibers.

9. The helmet of claim 7, further comprising a detachable visor.

10. A helmet, comprising: a) a dome-shaped member having at least one padded member; b) wherein said dome-shaped member is constructed of a flexible elastic material to conform to the shape of a player's head.

11. The helmet of claim 10 wherein said dome-shaped member has a detachable top portion.

12. The helmet of claim 10 wherein said dome-shaped member has an inner layer constructed to wick moisture away from a player's head, and an adjacent layer constructed to absorb moisture.

13. The helmet of claim 10 wherein said padded member has an inner layer constructed of a soft material to absorb impacts and an outer layer constructed of a rigid material to deflect impacts.

14. The helmet of claim 10, further comprising a detachable visor.