WO2009014435A1 - Headband providing protection against brain injury - Google Patents

Headband providing protection against brain injury Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2009014435A1
WO2009014435A1 PCT/NL2008/050486 NL2008050486W WO2009014435A1 WO 2009014435 A1 WO2009014435 A1 WO 2009014435A1 NL 2008050486 W NL2008050486 W NL 2008050486W WO 2009014435 A1 WO2009014435 A1 WO 2009014435A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
headband
polyurethane
forehead
ball
containing material
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/NL2008/050486
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Louis Bos
Original Assignee
Lyds International B.V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lyds International B.V. filed Critical Lyds International B.V.
Publication of WO2009014435A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009014435A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D20/00—Wristbands or headbands, e.g. for absorbing sweat
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/08—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions
    • A63B71/10—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions for the head
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D31/00—Materials specially adapted for outerwear
    • A41D31/04—Materials specially adapted for outerwear characterised by special function or use
    • A41D31/30—Antimicrobial, e.g. antibacterial

Definitions

  • Headband providing protection against brain injury
  • the present invention relates to a headband made up of a polymer-containing material which, in use, extends around a part of the head, at least part of which is elastic, which part of the head comprises the forehead.
  • the invention furthermore relates to the use of such a headband .
  • Such a headband extending at least over the forehead is generally known.
  • a headband extending just above the eyebrows and covering the lower part of the forehead prevents beads of perspiration that have formed on the forehead from running into a person's eyes and obstructing his or her view.
  • the known headband does not provide any effective protection against injuries that occur when practising sports.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide an improved headband which effectively provides protection against injury, in particular head and brain injury, that may occur when practising ball sports or striking sports.
  • the headband according to the invention is characterised in that the polymer-containing material comprises polyurethane, which extends at least over the upper part of the forehead.
  • the advantage of the headband according to the invention is that when it is used to cover the upper part of the forehead, it provides protection against the consequences of being voluntarily or involuntarily subjected to impact forces from a moving ball or a striking implement that is being swung.
  • the headband provides protection and prevents brain damage that occurs upon incidental or regular contact with the ball when heading the ball with the upper part of the forehead.
  • the material contains polyurethane at least in the region of the upper part of the forehead, so that the kinetic energy- concentrated in the ball, and in particular the associated impact force that occurs at the moment of impact with that part of the forehead which soccer players use for heading the ball is not only spread over a larger area of the upper forehead but also over a longer period of time. In this way the risk of permanent brain injury resulting from frequently heading the ball is reduced.
  • the headband according to the invention comprising said material on the aforesaid part of the forehead dampens the amplitude and thus also the consequences of point loads and vibrations to which the brain is subjected directly after the impact in that region, as a result of which the risk of brain injury will be further reduced.
  • experiments have shown that directing and controlling the ball upon heading it becomes easier when using the headband according to the invention.
  • the polyurethane-containing material yields and slightly indents upon impact of the ball, making it easier to direct the ball upon heading it and reducing the risk of the ball slipping over the headband and moving in an unwanted or unpredictable direction.
  • the headband according to the invention is characterised in that the polyurethane- containing material in particular comprises cellular polyurethane, more in particular microcellular polyurethane .
  • a headband formed in the above-described manner easy to manufacture, it is also advantageous as regards the eventual cost price, so that the purchasing price to be paid by the user/wearer can remain within bounds and a larger target group, in particular young people, whose brains are still developing and who are more vulnerable to brain injury, therefore, can benefit from the advantages of the invention at limited cost.
  • the headband as a whole is light in weight.
  • the individual cells in the cellular polyurethane material which contain gas/air confined in cavities, deform and compress upon absorbing an impact force, which is thus spread upon impact, and shortly thereafter the pressure balance between the various interconnected cells is restored, so that the original shape of the headband is quickly restored and subsequently retained.
  • headband according to the invention is characterised in that a notch is provided at the location, usually at both locations, where the bottom side of the headband abuts the upper side of the wearer's ears .
  • the notch functions as a positioning aid when putting on the headband according to the invention.
  • the headband is correctly positioned for protecting the head when the upper sides of both ears are positioned in the notches whilst the rear side of the headband extends over or under the back of the head. In this position the headband extends over the upper part of the forehead, covering said part, without there being a risk of the headband slipping off.
  • the notches for the ears further will prevent the headband being incorrectly positioned, with the polyurethane-containing portion not extending over the part of the forehead that is to be protected.
  • the headband according to the invention is characterised in that the polyurethane- containing material is provided with a substance having antibacterial properties, with which substance the headband is preferably impregnated, so that the antibacterial and possibly anti-headlice substance will have a semi-permanent antibacterial effect.
  • Another preferred embodiment is characterised in that the material (also) has perspiration-absorbing properties and/or that the material is provided with advertising indicia.
  • Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of a headband according to the invention.
  • Figure 2 shows the way in which the headband of figure 1 is worn.
  • Figure 1 shows an annular - closed - embodiment of a headband 1 made of a material which, in use, extends around a part of the head.
  • the material itself, or possibly a separate elastic part 1', may be elastic, so that the band 1 will be easy to put on and off.
  • the band 1 may be ribbon- shaped, if desired, in which case the ends thereof can be attached to each other, for example by tying them together.
  • a polyurethane-containing material portion 2 extends over at least the upper part of the forehead. Soccer players use said part for heading the soccer ball.
  • the polyurethane-containing material portion 2 When worn by hockey players, the polyurethane-containing material portion 2 may extend in particular over the upper part of a wearer's head, viz. the temples.
  • the headband 1 is in principle suitable for use by all kinds of sportsman and women or by spectators who may run a risk, for example of being hit by a ball arriving at great velocity, for example in the case of golf.
  • the emphasis for the time being is on soccer players and on sportsmen and women who use a striking implement, for example hockey players, softball players or baseball players and the like.
  • the polyurethane- containing material in particular comprises cellular polyurethane, more in particular microcellular polyurethane.
  • said polyurethane types After production, said polyurethane types have a flexible foam structure comprising small cells or cavities and, in the case of microcellular polyurethane, a large number of very small cavities.
  • the foam structure is quite capable of absorbing the forces, in particular impact forces and point loads, and will indent under the influence of said forces and distribute said forces, but when the source of said forces is removed, the foam structure will quickly rebound.
  • a notch 3 is provided at the location where the bottom side of the headband 1 abuts the upper side of the wearer's ears.
  • the notches 3 are intended to receive the ears and function as positioning aids as explained before.
  • the polyurethane-containing material of the upper part of the forehead 2 may be provided with a substance having antibacterial properties, which substance may be impregnated in or coated on the material of the headband 1.
  • a substance having antibacterial properties which substance may be impregnated in or coated on the material of the headband 1.
  • at least another part of the material will have perspiration-absorbing properties, and the headband 1 may be provided with advertising indicia on the outer side, on the outer surface thereof.

Abstract

There is disclosed a headband (1) made up of a polymer- containing material which, in use, extends around a part of- the head, at least part of which is elastic, which part of the head comprises the forehead (2). The material comprises polyurethane, which extends at least over the upper part of the forehead. The material in particular comprises cellular polyurethane, more in particular microcellular polyurethane. Such a headband provides protection against brain damage, for example upon heading the ball when playing soccer or in particular when practising other ball sports or sports involving a striking implement or a hard ball.

Description

Headband providing protection against brain injury
The present invention relates to a headband made up of a polymer-containing material which, in use, extends around a part of the head, at least part of which is elastic, which part of the head comprises the forehead.
The invention furthermore relates to the use of such a headband .
Such a headband extending at least over the forehead, usually in the form of a sweatband made of a flexible material capable of absorbing moisture, is generally known. Such a headband extending just above the eyebrows and covering the lower part of the forehead prevents beads of perspiration that have formed on the forehead from running into a person's eyes and obstructing his or her view. The known headband does not provide any effective protection against injuries that occur when practising sports.
The object of the present invention is to provide an improved headband which effectively provides protection against injury, in particular head and brain injury, that may occur when practising ball sports or striking sports.
In order to accomplish that object, the headband according to the invention is characterised in that the polymer-containing material comprises polyurethane, which extends at least over the upper part of the forehead.
The advantage of the headband according to the invention is that when it is used to cover the upper part of the forehead, it provides protection against the consequences of being voluntarily or involuntarily subjected to impact forces from a moving ball or a striking implement that is being swung. When playing soccer, for example, the headband provides protection and prevents brain damage that occurs upon incidental or regular contact with the ball when heading the ball with the upper part of the forehead. The material contains polyurethane at least in the region of the upper part of the forehead, so that the kinetic energy- concentrated in the ball, and in particular the associated impact force that occurs at the moment of impact with that part of the forehead which soccer players use for heading the ball is not only spread over a larger area of the upper forehead but also over a longer period of time. In this way the risk of permanent brain injury resulting from frequently heading the ball is reduced.
In addition, the headband according to the invention comprising said material on the aforesaid part of the forehead dampens the amplitude and thus also the consequences of point loads and vibrations to which the brain is subjected directly after the impact in that region, as a result of which the risk of brain injury will be further reduced. Surprisingly, experiments have shown that directing and controlling the ball upon heading it becomes easier when using the headband according to the invention. A possible explanation is that the polyurethane-containing material yields and slightly indents upon impact of the ball, making it easier to direct the ball upon heading it and reducing the risk of the ball slipping over the headband and moving in an unwanted or unpredictable direction.
One embodiment of the headband according to the invention is characterised in that the polyurethane- containing material in particular comprises cellular polyurethane, more in particular microcellular polyurethane .
Not only is a headband formed in the above-described manner easy to manufacture, it is also advantageous as regards the eventual cost price, so that the purchasing price to be paid by the user/wearer can remain within bounds and a larger target group, in particular young people, whose brains are still developing and who are more vulnerable to brain injury, therefore, can benefit from the advantages of the invention at limited cost.
Because of the cellular structure of the polyurethane, the headband as a whole is light in weight. The individual cells in the cellular polyurethane material, which contain gas/air confined in cavities, deform and compress upon absorbing an impact force, which is thus spread upon impact, and shortly thereafter the pressure balance between the various interconnected cells is restored, so that the original shape of the headband is quickly restored and subsequently retained.
Another embodiment of the headband according to the invention is characterised in that a notch is provided at the location, usually at both locations, where the bottom side of the headband abuts the upper side of the wearer's ears .
The notch functions as a positioning aid when putting on the headband according to the invention. To wit, the headband is correctly positioned for protecting the head when the upper sides of both ears are positioned in the notches whilst the rear side of the headband extends over or under the back of the head. In this position the headband extends over the upper part of the forehead, covering said part, without there being a risk of the headband slipping off. Furthermore, if only the part of the headband that covers the upper part of the forehead were to comprise a polyurethane-containing material portion, for example for cost price reasons, the notches for the ears further will prevent the headband being incorrectly positioned, with the polyurethane-containing portion not extending over the part of the forehead that is to be protected.
Another embodiment of the headband according to the invention is characterised in that the polyurethane- containing material is provided with a substance having antibacterial properties, with which substance the headband is preferably impregnated, so that the antibacterial and possibly anti-headlice substance will have a semi-permanent antibacterial effect.
Another preferred embodiment is characterised in that the material (also) has perspiration-absorbing properties and/or that the material is provided with advertising indicia.
The headband according to the present invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the appended figures of the drawing, in which like elements are indicated by the same numerals. In the drawing:
Figure 1 shows a possible embodiment of a headband according to the invention; and
Figure 2 shows the way in which the headband of figure 1 is worn.
Figure 1 shows an annular - closed - embodiment of a headband 1 made of a material which, in use, extends around a part of the head. The material itself, or possibly a separate elastic part 1', may be elastic, so that the band 1 will be easy to put on and off. The band 1 may be ribbon- shaped, if desired, in which case the ends thereof can be attached to each other, for example by tying them together. After the headband has been correctly positioned - as shown in figure 2 - a polyurethane-containing material portion 2 extends over at least the upper part of the forehead. Soccer players use said part for heading the soccer ball. When worn by hockey players, the polyurethane-containing material portion 2 may extend in particular over the upper part of a wearer's head, viz. the temples. The headband 1 is in principle suitable for use by all kinds of sportsman and women or by spectators who may run a risk, for example of being hit by a ball arriving at great velocity, for example in the case of golf. Commercially, however, the emphasis for the time being is on soccer players and on sportsmen and women who use a striking implement, for example hockey players, softball players or baseball players and the like.
The polyurethane- containing material in particular comprises cellular polyurethane, more in particular microcellular polyurethane. After production, said polyurethane types have a flexible foam structure comprising small cells or cavities and, in the case of microcellular polyurethane, a large number of very small cavities. The foam structure is quite capable of absorbing the forces, in particular impact forces and point loads, and will indent under the influence of said forces and distribute said forces, but when the source of said forces is removed, the foam structure will quickly rebound.
At the location where the bottom side of the headband 1 abuts the upper side of the wearer's ears, a notch 3 is provided. The notches 3 are intended to receive the ears and function as positioning aids as explained before.
The polyurethane-containing material of the upper part of the forehead 2 may be provided with a substance having antibacterial properties, which substance may be impregnated in or coated on the material of the headband 1. Preferably, at least another part of the material will have perspiration-absorbing properties, and the headband 1 may be provided with advertising indicia on the outer side, on the outer surface thereof.

Claims

1. A headband made up of a polymer-containing material which, in use, extends around a part of the head, at least part of which is elastic, which part of the head comprises the forehead, characterised in that the polymer- containing material comprises polyurethane, which extends at least over the upper part of the forehead.
2. A headband according to claim 1, characterised in that the polyurethane-containing material in particular comprises cellular polyurethane, more in particular microcellular polyurethane.
3. A headband according to claim 1 or 2 , characterised in that a notch is provided at the location, usually at both locations, where the bottom side of the headband abuts the upper side of the wearer's ears.
4. A headband according to any one of claims 1-3, characterised in that the polyurethane-containing material is provided with a substance having antibacterial properties .
5. A headband according to claim 4, characterised in that the material of the headband is impregnated with said substance .
6. A headband according to any one of claims 1-5, characterised in that the material has perspiration- absorbing properties.
7. A headband according to any one of claims 1-6, characterised in that the headband is provided with advertising indicia.
8. Use of the headband according to any one of claims 1-7 for protecting the upper part of the head, including the forehead and/or the temples, when practising or watching a ball sport and/or a sport in which a striking implement is used, such as soccer, hockey, golf and the like, against the consequences, viz. brain damage, resulting from voluntary or involuntary contact with a ball, a stick, a bat, a club or the like.
PCT/NL2008/050486 2007-07-26 2008-07-16 Headband providing protection against brain injury WO2009014435A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL2000785 2007-07-26
NL2000785A NL2000785C2 (en) 2007-07-26 2007-07-26 Headband offering protection against brain injury.

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009014435A1 true WO2009014435A1 (en) 2009-01-29

Family

ID=39154141

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/NL2008/050486 WO2009014435A1 (en) 2007-07-26 2008-07-16 Headband providing protection against brain injury

Country Status (2)

Country Link
NL (1) NL2000785C2 (en)
WO (1) WO2009014435A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITVA20100010A1 (en) * 2010-01-21 2010-04-22 Marco Bruno PARATESTA BAND
WO2013085875A1 (en) * 2011-12-05 2013-06-13 Rodengen Jeffrey L Antimicrobial tennis ball
USD835842S1 (en) * 2017-05-22 2018-12-11 Sean Micheal Parsons Headband
USD867660S1 (en) * 2017-08-22 2019-11-19 Keren Thillet Hair securing device

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2127926A (en) * 1935-03-06 1938-08-23 Richard D Mason Wristlet
US20020069452A1 (en) * 2000-12-12 2002-06-13 Hans Knappl Head protector
US6565461B1 (en) * 1998-11-25 2003-05-20 Stuart E. Zatlin Method and apparatus for reducing the likelihood of head injury from heading a soccer ball
GB2397535A (en) * 2003-06-13 2004-07-28 Satian Ind Co Ltd Takraw body protector
US20060010568A1 (en) * 2004-01-27 2006-01-19 Wiles William A Helmet sweat band

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2127926A (en) * 1935-03-06 1938-08-23 Richard D Mason Wristlet
US6565461B1 (en) * 1998-11-25 2003-05-20 Stuart E. Zatlin Method and apparatus for reducing the likelihood of head injury from heading a soccer ball
US20020069452A1 (en) * 2000-12-12 2002-06-13 Hans Knappl Head protector
GB2397535A (en) * 2003-06-13 2004-07-28 Satian Ind Co Ltd Takraw body protector
US20060010568A1 (en) * 2004-01-27 2006-01-19 Wiles William A Helmet sweat band

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
ANONYMOUS: "Hydrophilic polyurethane foams.", INTERNET ARTICLE, XP002472988, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:http://www.thomasnet.com/profile/1311749/lendell-manufacturing-inc-lmi.html> [retrieved on 20080313] *

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ITVA20100010A1 (en) * 2010-01-21 2010-04-22 Marco Bruno PARATESTA BAND
WO2013085875A1 (en) * 2011-12-05 2013-06-13 Rodengen Jeffrey L Antimicrobial tennis ball
US8771375B2 (en) 2011-12-05 2014-07-08 Jeffrey L. Rodengen Antimicrobial tennis ball
USD835842S1 (en) * 2017-05-22 2018-12-11 Sean Micheal Parsons Headband
USD867660S1 (en) * 2017-08-22 2019-11-19 Keren Thillet Hair securing device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL2000785C2 (en) 2009-01-27

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6944974B2 (en) Shoe insert formed of reinforced elastomer for regulating and dampening vibration
CA2767704C (en) Protective headpiece
US20200237044A1 (en) Shock absorbing system
US5829170A (en) Protective cover for an ice hockey skate
US20210085011A1 (en) Protective Helmet
US9649548B2 (en) Protective element for use in sport
US20080201828A1 (en) Protective garment for sporting activities
US20110016617A1 (en) Energy absorbing apparatus for sporting goods
US20140230133A1 (en) Protective insert for an item of headwear
US6691315B1 (en) Protective glove for boxers
US8876639B2 (en) Systems and devices for improving catching skills
US20180343937A1 (en) Neck protective apparatus and a method of using same
US6986168B2 (en) Protective headgear
WO2009014435A1 (en) Headband providing protection against brain injury
WO2004016122A1 (en) Protective garment
US20180055108A1 (en) Pad device and glove for protection of hypothenar region, and associated systems and methods
US20100235958A1 (en) Protective wrist guard for sporting activities
CA2762199C (en) Protective equipment
RU71556U1 (en) INJURY PROTECTION DEVICE
KR100495613B1 (en) Hand protection device for fighting games
US10881162B2 (en) Device for minimizing impact of collisions for a helmet
KR100714405B1 (en) Hand protection device for fighting games
KR20210106232A (en) Mixed Martial Arts Hand Gloves
KR20190056755A (en) Protector of testicle for martial arts
JP2009178191A (en) Face guard

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 08779033

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 08779033

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1