Patent Application
20220280860
A portion of the disclosure of this patent contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
The present invention relates to a protection device for use during weight lifting or other activities near the head. In particular, it relates to the protection of the face and head during weight lifting activities or other activities near the head.
The art and science of weight lifting goes back centuries. Movement/exercise using free weighted objects either by themselves or by using a controlled machine approach is designed for building strength and endurance for whichever muscles are being used. Weight lifting relies on repetitive movements with a weight which results in a strengthening of the muscles doing the movements.
One continuing problem with weight lifting is the danger of injury by being hit by a dropped weight/heavy object or an errant movement during use. This can easily result in bruising, dislocations, broken bones, and/or organ damage. Depending on the severity of the injury, recovery from the injury can be quick, take a long period of time, or result in a permanent injury.
Of particular note, the head is the most vulnerable part of the body during weight lifting. This becomes especially acute when the exercise involves placing a weight or any other object on or near the head or face. An accident involving the head or face may result in broken bones, eye damage, teeth damage, and the like. It can also lead to a brain injury or even death, if the brain injury is severe. Unfortunately, there is no device to aid in protecting the head which is both comfortable and safe.
The present invention relates to a device to be worn on the face or head of a user which protects from, and/or holds devices while protecting from injury. In addition to weight lifting, anything near the head for attachment or placement is also contemplated.
Accordingly, in one embodiment, there is a protection device for attachment to or for use on at least a portion of the head of a user, using a weight/heavy object near the user's head comprising:
While this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure of such embodiments is to be considered as an example of the principles and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. In the description below, like reference numerals are used to describe the same, similar, or corresponding parts in the several views of the drawings. This detailed description defines the meaning of the terms used herein and specifically describes embodiments in order for those skilled in the art to practice the invention.
The terms “about” and “essentially” mean±10 percent.
The terms “a” or “an”, as used herein, are defined as one or as more than one. The term “plurality”, as used herein, is defined as two or as more than two. The term “another”, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled”, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.
The term “comprising” is not intended to limit inventions to only claiming the present invention with such comprising language. Any invention using the term comprising could be separated into one or more claims using “consisting” or “consisting of” claim language and is so intended.
Reference throughout this document to “one embodiment”, “certain embodiments”, “an embodiment”, or similar terms means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments without limitation.
The term “or”, as used herein, is to be interpreted as an inclusive or meaning any one or any combination. Therefore, “A, B, or C” means any of the following: “A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C”. An exception to this definition will occur only when a combination of elements, functions, steps, or acts are in some way inherently mutually exclusive.
The drawings featured in the figures are for the purpose of illustrating certain convenient embodiments of the present invention and are not to be considered as limitation thereto. The term “means” preceding a present participle of an operation indicates a desired function for which there is one or more embodiments, i.e., one or more methods, devices, or apparatuses for achieving the desired function and that one skilled in the art could select from these or their equivalent in view of the disclosure herein, and use of the term “means” is not intended to be limiting.
As used herein, the term “user” refers to any individual who is utilizing heavy objects near their head. In one embodiment, the user is a weight lifter using weights.
As used herein, the term “attachment to or for use on” refers to the option of actually attaching the device to the head or face of a user, or in the alternative, just laying the device where it is needed on the face or head of the user.
As used herein, the term “head” refers to the face, the entire head structure, and, in some embodiments, the nearby structure of the neck of the user.
As used herein, the term “exercise” refers to a user taking one or more heavy objects such as weight lifter weights, and doing repetitive motions in order to strengthen the muscles involved in the repetitive motions. Such exercise involves either resting the heavy object on a user's head or face, or in other embodiments, exercising so close to a user's head so as to pose a threat of injury to their head. By other devices it is meant that any heavy item, device, or the like can be used on or near the protection device.
As used herein, the term “two-sided pliable base” refers to a material such as a plastic, vinyl, or the like which can flex, such that it attempts to follow the contours of where it is placed. This could be a material that ranges from relatively stiff to a material that is very pliable, like a fabric base. The pliable base can be designed for application to just a portion of the user's head, such as the face, or it could be a hooded type device designed to fit over the head of the user. Where a portion of the device sits on the face, it can optionally have cutouts for eyes, nose, and mouth.
As used herein, the term “material having a plurality of suction cups” refers to a plastic sheet having a plurality of suction cups placed or molded into the plastic in spaced apart relationships. While any size suction cups are contemplated depending on the use, in one embodiment, the suction cups have a half inch to an inch and a half diameter and the space between suction cups are one half of an inch to about two inches. Refer to the figures for an example of such material. This material can be utilized to rest a weight/heavy object on or it can be used against the face or head for its cushioning effect.
As used herein, the term “padding material” refers to a soft material-like foam, carpeting, cloth, or the like that is attached to one side of the pliable base opposite the material having a plurality of suction cups.
As used herein, the term “attachment device” refers to an attachment to the device, which can be used to position and hold the device in place on the face or head; for example, elastic bands, straps, clips, and the like are contemplated.
Now referring to the drawings,
Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make modifications resulting in other embodiments employing principles of the present invention without departing from its spirit or characteristics, particularly upon considering the foregoing teachings. Accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative, and not restrictive, and the scope of the present invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description or drawings. Consequently, while the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, modifications of structure, sequence, materials, and the like apparent to those skilled in the art still fall within the scope of the invention as claimed by the applicant.
