US20090144885A1 - Protective head gear for aquatic sports - Google Patents

Abstract

A protective head-gear apparatus and a method for making the same is disclosed. The protective head-gear apparatus is buoyant and includes a cap and ear-guard that covers a user's ears while wearing the cap. The ear-guards include pads of cushions that are formed from a buoyant material and which are vented to allow water to pass through the ear-guard elements and allow the user to hear wearing the protective head-gear apparatus. In further embodiments of the invention, the ear-guards include outer shells or covers that are also vented. The ear-guard elements are permanently attached to the cap or alternatively are configured to detachably couple to the cap through an attachment mechanism.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION
• This Application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from the U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/005,726, filed on Dec. 7, 2007 and titled “WATER POLO CAP AND EARGUARD.” The co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/005,726, filed on Dec. 7, 2007 and titled “WATER POLO CAP AND EARGUARD” is hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• This invention relates generally to sports protection equipment. More specifically, this invention relates to a device for providing head protection while playing water sports.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• In the sport of water polo, players must wear caps to designate what team a player is on, to differentiate between individual players (typically by displaying numbers, color, or design), and to protect the ears and eardrums of a player from impacts with fast moving balls and other players. Furthermore, the standard water polo earguard is typically made of a hard plastic or polymer with low impact absorption.
• There are a number of deficiencies with prior art earguards. The earguards are formed out of hard plastic and thus are lacking on comfort and not optimal for absorbing the impact with another players or objects such as a fast moving water polo ball. Further, the hard plastic can give the protection device negative buoyancy causing it to sink to the bottom of the water facility. Therefore there is a need for a head protection device that provides better protection impact absorption, is configurable for distinguishing players and teams while being light enough to float on the water.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention is directed protective head-gear apparatus and a method for making the same. The head-gear apparatus is preferably a buoyant protective head-gear apparatus for use while performing water sports, such as water polo. The head-gear apparatus includes a support structure for securing to a user's head. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the support structure is a cap structure that is formed from cloth, synthetic rubber or any other elastic material or combination of materials suitable for use in an aquatic environment.
• The head-gear apparatus further includes flotation ear-guard elements that are coupled to the support structure or cap structure, such that the flotation ear-guard elements are positioned over ears of the user while the support structure is secured to the user's head. The flotation ear-guard elements include padding structures that are formed from a foam material or other buoyant cushion material or combination of materials. The padding structures are preferably vented or fenestrated to allow water to pass through the ear-guard elements and allow the user to hear while the flotation ear-guard elements are positioned over ears of the user's ears. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the ear-guard elements further include outer shells or covers formed from a plastic material or any other suitable material or combination of materials. The outer shells or covers are also preferably vented allow water to pass through the ear-guard elements and allow the user to hear while the flotation ear-guard elements are positioned over ears of the user's ears. The vent features on the outer covers or shells are preferably matched to the vent features on the cushioning structure and hence are referred to herein as matched vented outer covers or shells.
• In further embodiments of the invention flotation ear-guard elements are configured to detachably couple to the support structure. For example, the padding structures fit into a sleeve features on the inside or outside surface of the support structure or cap structure. Alternatively, the flotation ear-guard elements detachably couple to the support structure or cap structure through coupling features on the outer covers or shells that snap, fit, twist or otherwise are securely attached to matched couplings features on the support structure or cap structure.
• In accordance with the method of the present invention, a buoyant protective head gear is made by fashioning a cap structure and forming buoyant ear-guard elements from a suitable material or combination materials, such as described above. After the cap structure and buoyant ear-guard elements are formed, the buoyant ear-guard elements are coupled to ear portions of the cap structure, such the buoyant protective head gear floats in water. The ear-guard elements include padding structures with or without outer covers or shells. The ear-guard elements preferably include vented features that allow water to pass through the ear-guard elements and allow the user to hear while the ear-guard elements are positioned over ears of the user's ears, such as described above and below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG. 1 shows a head protection apparatus with a frame structure and protective ear-guards, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.
• FIG. 2 shows a head protection apparatus with a cap and protective cover protective ear-guards, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.
• FIG. 3 shows a protective ear-guard with vented logo features, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.
• FIGS. 4A-B show views of protective ear-guards with vented logo features, in accordance with alternative embodiments of the invention.
• FIG. 5 shows a block-flow diagram outlining step for making a buoyant protective head gear, in accordance with the method of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• Referring toFIG. 1 protective head-gear apparatus100 includes asupport structure105 for securing to a user's head. The protective head-gear apparatus100 also includes flotation ear-guard elements, such as the flotation ear-guard element202 shown. The ear-guard elements202 couple to thesupport structure105 atear positions103 and103′ on thesupport structure105, such that the ear-guard elements cover a user's ears while the protective head-gear apparatus100 is secured to the user's head via thesupport structure105.
• Still referring toFIG. 1, a flotation ear-guard elements202 includepadding structures102 that are preferably formed from a foam material or another buoyant cushion material or combination of materials. Thepadding structures102 include vented or fenestratedfeatures131 and131′ that allow water to pass through the ear-guard element202 and allows the user to hear while the flotation ear-guard elements202 are positioned over a user's ears. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the ear-guard elements202 further include outer covers orshells101 that are formed from a plastic material or any other suitable material or combination of materials. The outer covers orshells101 also preferably have vented or fenestratedfeatures121 and121′ that allow water to pass through the ear-guard elements202 and allows the user to hear while the flotation ear-guard elements202 are positioned over a user's ears. The vented orfenestrated features121 and121′ on the outer covers or shells are preferably matched to the vented orfenestrated features131 and131′ on thecushioning structures102.
• In further embodiments of the invention flotation ear-guard elements202 are configured to detachably couple to thesupport structure105 viacoupling features135 and141 on the outer covers orshells101. In use, the coupling features135 and141 snap, fit, twist or otherwise securely attach to matched couplings features133 and143 on thesupport structure105.
• Referring now toFIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment of the invention a protectivehead gear apparatus200 includes acap structure205. The cap structure is preferably formed from an elastic synthetic rubber material. The protectivehead gear apparatus200 further includes flotation ear-guard elements202′, such as the flotation ear-guard elements102 (FIG. 1). The flotation ear-guard elements202′ are attached to each side of thecap structure205, such the that flotation ear-guard elements202′ cover a user's ears with the cap secured over the user'shead207, as shown. In further embodiments of the invention thecap structure205 includes a strap or belt features209 and209′ for securing thecap structure205 over the user'shead207.
• As described above, with reference to the flotation ear-guard elements202, the flotation ear-guard elements202′ includepadding structures102′ that are preferably formed from a foam material or other buoyant cushion material or combination of materials. Thepadding structures102′ include vented or fenestratedfeatures141 and141′ that allow water to pass through the ear-guard element202′ and allows the user to hear while the flotation ear-guard elements202′ are positioned over a user's ears. In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the ear-guard elements202′ further include outer covers orshells101′ that are formed from a plastic material or any other suitable material or combination of materials. The outer covers orshells101′ also preferably have vented or fenestrated features (not shown) that allows water to pass through the ear-guard elements202′ and allows the user to hear while the flotation ear-guard element202′ are positioned over the user's ears.
• Still referring toFIG. 2, in further embodiments of the invention, the outer covers orshells101′ are sleeve features formed from elastic synthetic rubber material that is the same or different from the material used to fashion thecap structure205. In accordance with the embodiment of the invention, thepadding structures102′ fit into the sleeve features from an inside or outside surface or thecap structure205.
• FIG. 3 shows a view of a protective ear-guard300 with vented logo features301, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention. The protective ear-guard300 further includes side ventedfeatures313,313′ and313″ that surround aperiphery311 of the protective ear-guard300. As described above, with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, the protective ear-guard300 is preferably buoyant and includes a padding structure and can also include a cover or shell. The protective ear-guard300 is permanently attached to a cap205 (FIG. 2) or is configured to detachably couple thecap structure205 through coupling features, sleeve features, or any other suitable mechanism or combination of mechanisms.
• FIGS. 4A-B show views of protective ear-guards403 and405 with vented logo features, in accordance with alternative embodiments of the invention. Again the protective ear-guards403 and405 are preferably buoyant and include padding structures with or without matched covers or shells. The protective ear-guards403 and405 are permanently attached to a cap205 (FIG. 2) or are configured to detachably couple thecap structure205 through coupling features, sleeve features, or any other suitable mechanism or combination of mechanisms.
• FIG. 5 shows a block-flow diagram500 outlining step for making a buoyant protective head gear, in accordance with the method of the invention. In the step501 a cap structure is fashioned and in thestep503 buoyant ear-guard elements are formed from a suitable material or combination materials, such as described above. After the cap structure is fashioned in thestep501 and buoyant ear-guard elements are formed in thestep503, the buoyant ear-guard elements are coupled to ear portions of the cap structure in thestep505, such the buoyant protective head gear floats in water. The ear-guard elements include padding structures that have vented features and allow water to pass through the ear-guard elements. As described above, the ear-guard elements can include matched vented covers or shells. The ear-guard elements are coupled to the cap structure in thestep505 by sewing or gluing the ear-guard elements to the ear portions of the cap structure or, alternately, the ear-guard elements are coupled to the cap structure in thestep505 through coupling features, sleeve features, or any other suitable mechanism or combination of mechanisms.
• The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. As such, references herein to specific embodiments and details thereof are not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications can be made in the embodiments chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the ear-guard elements can have any number of shapes, designs, vent configurations and colors.

Claims (21)

1. A protective head-gear apparatus comprising:

a) a support structure for securing to a user's head; and

b) flotation ear-guard elements coupled to the support structure, such that the flotation ear-guard elements are positioned over ears of the user, while the support structure is secured to the user's head.

2. The protective head-gear apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the flotation ear-guard elements includes vented padding structures formed from a foam material.

3. The protective head-gear apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the flotation ear-guard elements further includes matched vented outer shells or covers formed from a plastic material.

4. The protective head-gear apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the flotation ear-guard elements detachably couple to the support structure.

5. The protective head-gear apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the flotation ear-guard elements detachably couple to the support structure through coupling features on the matched vented covers or outer shells.

6. The protective head-gear apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the support structure is a cap.

7. A buoyant head-gear comprising:

a) a cap; and

b) ear-guard elements coupled to a cap, such that the ear-guard elements are positioned over ears of the user, while the cap is positioned over user's head.

8. The buoyant head-gear ofclaim 7, wherein ear-guard elements include vented foam structures.

9. The buoyant head-gear ofclaim 8, wherein the flotation ear-guard elements further include matched vented outer covers or shells formed from plastic.

10. The buoyant head-gear ofclaim 7, wherein the ear-guard elements are detachably coupled to the support structure.

11. The buoyant head-gear ofclaim 10, wherein the ear-guard elements detachably couple to the cap through coupling features on the matched vented outer covers or shells.

12. The buoyant head-gear ofclaim 7, wherein the cap is formed from an elastic synthetic rubber material.

13. A protective head-gear system comprising:

a cap structure;

a set of interchangeable flotation ear-guard elements that detachably couple to the cap structure, such that the ear-guard elements protect a user's ear from impact while wearing the cap structure over the user's head.

14. The protective head-gear system ofclaim 13, wherein ear-guard elements are fenestrated to allow water to pass through the ear-guard elements.

15. The protective head-gear system ofclaim 13, wherein the ear-guard elements detachably couple to the cap structure through fenestrated covers or shells that house the foam cushion elements.

16. A method of making a buoyant protective head gear, the method comprising:

a) fashioning a cap structure;

b) forming buoyant ear-guard elements; and

c) coupling the buoyant ear-guard elements to the cap structure, such that the buoyant ear-guard elements are positioned over a user's ears with the cap positioned over the user's head.

17. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the ear-guard elements are fenestrated or-vented.

18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the ear-guard elements include padding structures formed from foam and matched covers or shells formed from plastic.

19 The method ofclaim 18, wherein the ear-guard elements are detachably coupled to the cap structure through attachment features on the matched covers or shells and the cap structure.

20. The method ofclaim 16, wherein the cap structure is formed from a synthetic rubber.

21. The method ofclaim 16, wherein coupling the buoyant ear-guard elements to the cap structure comprising one or more of sewing or gluing the buoyant ear-guard elements to the cap structure.

Images