The present invention relates to protective headgear and, more particularly, to a faceguard for protective headgear. In particular, the present invention relates to an athletic helmet having an ergonomic faceguard.
In sports, there is often a risk of injury from a moving ball or other projectile. For example, when batting in baseball or softball there is a risk that a player may be struck in the head with the ball. Given the risk of injury, it is common for players to wear protective headgear. For example, a batting player might wear a helmet 10 such as that shown in
In conventional batting helmets, such as the helmet 10, the faceguard 20 is designed to protect the player's face from being struck by a ball. In this regard, the lower horizontal wire 22 of the faceguard 20 is formed in a constant parabolic shape that extends forward of the player's face and below the player's chin. However, for some players, the shape of the lower horizontal wire 22 is problematic.
In particular, different baseball/softball players often have different batting stances. In preparing to swing, some players will hold a bat at a lower height while other players will hold a bat at a higher height. As shown in
For example, the location of the horizontal wire 22 between the player's chin 31 and their shoulder 32 may cause the player to assume another, less preferred and/or improper batting stance. In another example, as shown in
The foregoing problems are common to both baseball and softball, as many leagues require players to wear a faceguard when batting. However, the foregoing problems tend to be more frequent in softball. In particular, softball pitchers normally throw the ball in an underhand motion such that the ball rises from a lower height at the pitching position to a higher height at the batting position. As such, it is common for a softball player to tilt their head further downward when batting to watch the ball as it rises from the lower pitching height. This increased tilt of the head results in the lower horizontal wire 22 being lower, thereby increasing its interference with a players' batting stance and swing.
While the foregoing examples illustrate problems associated with faceguards in baseball and softball helmets, these problems may likewise occur in other athletic activities where a player wears protective headgear having a faceguard that may interfere with movement of the player's shoulder proximate to their chin.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for protective headgear having a faceguard that adequately protects the player's face, while at the same time not interfering with the player's movement. In particular, it would be desirable to provide a batting helmet that protects the player's face while not interfering with the player's batting stance and swing mechanics.
The present invention relates to an ergonomic faceguard for a helmet, and a helmet including the ergonomic faceguard. In one embodiment, there is provided a faceguard for a batting helmet, the faceguard including a wire grid having a plurality of horizontal wires. The plurality of horizontal wires may include a first horizontal wire configured to conform to a visor portion of a batting helmet, a second horizontal wire configured to extend proximate to a user's nose, and a third horizontal wire configured to extend proximate to a user's chin.
In one aspect, the first horizontal wire is the top perimeter of the faceguard and acts as a mount for securing the faceguard to a helmet, while the second horizontal wire is a nasal guard for protecting a user's nose. Meanwhile, the third horizontal wire is a mandible guard that includes a pair of lateral sections for engaging a shell of a batting helmet and a front section extending between the lateral sections, with the lateral sections extending along a common plane and the front section deviating from the plane along which the lateral sections extend.
In one aspect, the front section includes intermediate sections that extend from the lateral sections and a top section that extends between the intermediate sections, with the intermediate sections sloping away from the plane along which the lateral sections of the third horizontal wire extend. The slope of the intermediate sections may be a curved slope, or a straight slope.
In another aspect, the anterior point is configured to approximately align with the sagittal plane of a user's face, and is elevated at a height that is greater than the height of a lowest point in the front section, and the height of a lowest point in the third horizontal wire as a whole.
In a further aspect, the front section has a first curvature when viewed along a first axis, and a second curvature when viewed along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis. The curvature of the front section is such that a length between the anterior point of the front section and a point on the second horizontal wire that is directly above the anterior point and which also aligns approximately with the sagittal plane of a user's face is the shortest length between the front section and the second horizontal wire.
The present invention also relates to a method of manufacturing the faceguard and/or athletic helmet by shaping the faceguard from metal, plastic, or a combination thereof. In one embodiment, the method of manufacturing includes shaping the individual wires in the wire grid separately and affixing the wires to one another to form the wire grid. In another embodiment, the method of manufacturing includes shaping the entire wire grid as a monolithic structure. In these embodiments, the wires may be constructed with round, rectangular, oval, or flat cross-sections, and may be either solid or hollow. In addition, different wires in the wire grid may have different cross-section shapes and different cross-section types (e.g. solid or hollow).
Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and provide an explanation of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings are incorporated in and constitute part of this specification, and are included to provide a further understanding of the invention; to illustrate several embodiments of the invention; and, with the description, explain the principles of the invention.
Further features and advantages of the invention may be ascertained from the following detailed description in connection with the drawings described below:
The present invention relates to protective headgear with a faceguard. In particular, the present invention relates to an athletic helmet, and particularly a batting helmet, with an ergonomic faceguard, and methods of making the faceguard.
The following disclosure discusses the present invention with reference to examples in the accompanying drawings, though does not limit the invention to those examples. For example, although the following discussion addresses exemplary configurations of the novel faceguard in softball and baseball helmets, the inventors contemplate the faceguard to be useful in other athletic headgear, and other types of headgear not limited to athletic use.
In one embodiment, as shown in
In the embodiment of
The first horizontal wire 210 is the highest wire in the wire grid 201 and represents the top perimeter of the faceguard 200. The first horizontal wire 210 conforms substantially to a visor 120 on a mating helmet 100, and engages the visor 120 by one or more first fasteners 160. As such, the first horizontal wire 210 may be referred to as the mount 210. In embodiments where the helmet 100 does not include a visor 120, the first horizontal wire 210 may conform substantially to an upper edge in a face opening of the helmet 100 with the first fasteners 160 made to secure the first horizontal wire 210 to the upper edge of the face opening.
In one example, the first fasteners 160 are affixed to the first horizontal wire 210 and engage the shell 110 (at either a visor 120 or a lower edge of a face opening). In another example, the first fasteners 160 are affixed to the shell 110 and engage the first horizontal wire visor 210. In yet another example, the first fasteners 160 are mating arrangements of fasteners on each of the first horizontal wire 210 and the shell 110.
Suitable structures for use as the one or more first fasteners 160 may include: one or more u-shaped clamps; one or more j-shaped hooks; mating arrangements of snap-fasteners; arrangements of openings that align for reception of a secured bolt; and equivalents of the foregoing. The first fastener 160 may also include combinations of the foregoing structures.
The second horizontal wire 220 may be configured, when the faceguard 200 is affixed to a mating helmet 100 and the helmet is worn by a user, to extend along the user's cheek bones and forward of the user's nose, as shown in
As shown in
The second horizontal wire 220 is further secured to the third horizontal wire 230 by the front vertical wires 250 and 260 affixed to the horizontal wires 220 and 230. To prevent obstruction of the user's vision through the front opening 312, the front vertical wires 250 and 260 do not extend to the first horizontal wire 210. The vertical wires 240, 250, 260 and 270 sub-divide the lower region 320 into a pair of lower lateral openings 321 and 325, a pair of lower intermediate openings 322 and 324, and a lower front opening 323.
The openings 311-313 and 321-325 are each sized and dimensioned dependent on the particular activity for which the helmet 100 is designed. In particular, if the helmet 100 is designed for use in a sport having a moving ball or other projectile then each of the openings is sized and dimensioned to prevent the ball or other projectile from passing a sufficient distance through any of the openings to contact a user's face. For example, if the helmet 100 is a softball helmet, then the openings are sized and dimensioned relative to a softball. Softballs generally have a circumference between 10 inches and 12.125 inches, and a diameter between 3.18 inches and 3.86 inches. Accordingly, an exemplary helmet 100 may be constructed with openings having particular dimensions in the “x” and “y” directions shown in
In an alternative example, if the helmet 100 is a baseball helmet, the “x” and “y” dimensions of the openings are instead determined relative to the dimensions of baseballs, which generally have a circumference between 9 inches and 9.125 inches, and a diameter between 2.87 inches and 2.94 inches. The same principles apply if constructing the helmet 100 for use in other athletic activities (e.g., as a hockey helmet the openings would have “x” and “y” measurements relative to the average dimensions of hockey pucks).
In other embodiments, the wire grid 201 may include additional vertical and/or horizontal wires to further narrow openings in the wire grid 201, as needed for a particular ball or other projectile, and/or to increase the strength and integrity of the wire grid 201. For example, additional vertical wires may extend between the second horizontal wire 220 and the third horizontal wire 230 through any of the openings 321-325. In another example, additional vertical wires may extend between the first horizontal wire 210 and the third horizontal wire 230 through both the openings 311 and 321 or through both the openings 313 and 325. In a further example, an additional horizontal wire may extend between the second horizontal wire 220 and the third horizontal wire 230, along the user's upper jaw and forward of the user's philtrum. Such an additional horizontal wire may be referred to as the maxilla guard.
The third horizontal wire 230 is the lowest wire in the wire grid 201 and represents the bottom perimeter of the faceguard 200. The third horizontal wire 230 is configured, when the faceguard 200 is affixed to a mating helmet 100 and the helmet is worn by a user, to extend along the user's lower jaw and forward of the user's chin, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Suitable structures for use as the plurality of second fasteners 170 may include: u-shaped clamps; j-shaped hooks; mating arrangements of snap-fasteners; arrangements of openings that align for reception of a secured bolt; and equivalents of the foregoing. The second fastener 170 may also include combinations of the foregoing structures. A different fastener type may be used for each of the first and second fasteners 160 and 170, or a common fastener type may be used for both the first and second fasteners 160 and 170.
As shown in
As shown in
In one example, the radius of curvature R1 of the front section 233, as viewed along the axis A1 in
A deviation of the front section 233 may be measured in a number of ways. In one example, as shown in
In terms of elevation, as measured along the line “E” in
In terms of height, as measured along the line ΔH in
In the embodiment shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In one example, the length of the front section 233 (measured along the dashed line “L1”) is between 18 percent and 88 percent the extension length of the third horizontal wire 230 (measured along the dashed line “L2”). In another example, the length of the front section 233 is between 33 percent and 50 percent the extension length of the third horizontal wire 230. In a further example, the length of the front section 233 is between 45 percent and 48 percent the extension length of the third horizontal wire 230; and may be approximately 46.5 percent thereof.
In the embodiment shown in
In examples of the faceguards 400 and 500, the respective top sections 439 and 539 may, or may not, be slightly arched and/or slightly bow-shaped. With an arch configuration, an anterior point (438 or 538) will be the single point of the top section (439 or 539, respectively) that is at both the peak elevation “E” and the greater height H2. Alternatively, without an arch shape, the entirety of the top section (439 or 539) will extend horizontally at a constant height such that the entire top section is at the same peak elevation “E” and the same greater height H2 as the anterior point (438 or 538, respectively). With a bow-shape, the anterior point (438 or 538) will be the single forward-most point of the top section (439 or 539, respectively). Alternatively, without a bow-shape, the top section (439 or 539) will extend horizontally at a common anterior distance as the anterior point (438 or 538, respectively). In the embodiment of faceguard 500, if the top section 539 extends horizontally across the sagittal plane “S” at a constant anterior distance, then lateral sections 531 and 535 extend sufficiently forward of the user's face, in a profile view, to provide clearance for the top section 539 in front of the user's face.
In the forgoing embodiments, the lateral vertical wires are affixed to the third horizontal wire proximate to the first and second elevation points. In other embodiments, however, the lateral vertical wires may be affixed either further away from the sagittal plane “S” (e.g., at a location along the lateral sections of the third horizontal wire), or closer to the sagittal plane “S” (e.g., at a location along an elevated portion of the front section of the third horizontal wire).
With a third horizontal wire (as the bottom perimeter of the faceguard) having an elevated front section, faceguards according to the foregoing examples both protect the players face, including their chin, while at the same time avoiding interference with the player's batting stance and swing mechanics. In particular, the elevated front section of the third horizontal wire permits a player, when batting, to tuck their shoulder close to their chin without contacting faceguard and without the faceguard interfering with their freedom of movement when swinging a bat.
The faceguard 200 may be constructed and shaped from metal or plastic. Suitable metals may include: aluminum, steel, carbon, cobalt, chromium, iron, nickel, magnesium, tin, titanium, zinc, cast metals, and combinations thereof. Suitable plastics may include high impact plastics, such as polycarbonate, reinforced fiber plastics, carbon fiber, and combinations thereof. If constructed from metal, these components may be shaped by processes such as; stamping; pressing; spinning; casting; and combinations of the foregoing. Alternatively, if constructed from plastic, these components may be shaped by processes such as: blow molding; injection molding; extrusion; vacuum molding; hot-pressing; three-dimensional layering; and combinations of the foregoing.
When forming the faceguard 200, one or more of the wires may be formed separately and affixed to one another to construct the wire grid 201. For example, each individual wire may be drawn into a straight rod, shaped with a desired curvature through one or more bending techniques, and welded to one another to construct the wire grid 201. Alternatively, a single metal rod may be bent to achieve the desired shape for one or more of the wires. For example, the first horizontal wire 210 and the third horizontal wire 230 may be constructed from a single perimeter wire that extends along the lengths identified as: the first horizontal wire 210, the opposing end 290, the third horizontal wire 230, and the opposing end 280. In a further aspect, all of the wires in the wire grid 201 may be constructed as a single monolithic structure (e.g., by a casting or molding shaping process).
The wires of wire grid 201 may be constructed with a number of shapes. In one example, the wires are constructed as rounded rods. In another example, the wires have a rectangular shaped cross-section. In alternative examples, the wires may be flat bars, or bars having tapered cross-sections (e.g., wedge-shaped, oval shaped, etc.), and may be oriented to display a narrowed width in a user's field of view, thereby increasing the strength and integrity of the wire grid 201 while also minimizing both the interference to a user's field of view and the weight of the faceguard 200. The wires of the wire grid 201 may be constructed with either solid cross-sections or hollow-cross sections. Wires constructed with a hollow cross-section may have a larger cross-sectional perimeter. For example, a wire constructed with a solid rectangular cross-section may have a perimeter measuring 0.150 inches×0.257 inches, whereas the same wire constructed with a hollow rectangular cross-section may have a perimeter measuring 0.235 inches×0.325 inches. In some examples, some of the wires may be constructed with a first shape (e.g., rectangular or oval) and a first cross-section type (e.g., solid or hollow), while other wires in the wire grid 201 are constructed with a second shape and/or a second cross-sectional type.
In embodiments where the wires are made from a metal material, a protective coating may be applied to the wires to prevent deterioration of the metal and/or any welding materials. Suitable protective coatings may include a bonded vinyl powder coating, dipped rubber coatings, and equivalents thereof.
Suitable structures for use as one or more of the fasteners may include: one or more u-shaped clamps; one or more j-shaped hooks; mating arrangements of snap-fasteners; an opening adapted to receive a secured bolt therethrough; an opening adapted to receive a looped strap; a mating hook-and-clasp; a mating buckle-and-opening; and the like. If permanently affixing one or more components together then a fastener may be substituted by, or may include: welding; a monolithic construction (e.g., casting, molding, etc.); an integrated construction (e.g., closed or substantially-closed loops secured around a narrowed region in a received structure); and combinations of the foregoing.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it will be understood to those skilled in the art that the disclosure is exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention.
For example, although the foregoing examples have been discussed relative to softball helmets, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention is also applicable to other athletic headgear, as well as other headgear not limited to athletic use. The invention may also include additional features, if desired, including features that are known and used in the art.
To the extent necessary to understand or complete the disclosure of the present invention, all publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned herein are expressly incorporated by reference to the same extent as though each were individually so incorporated. In addition, ranges expressed in the disclosure are considered to include the endpoints of each range, all values in between the end points, and all intermediate ranges subsumed by the end points.
The present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is instead characterized by the appended claims.