Hybrid Head Covering

Abstract

A versatile protective headgear which is a close replica of a football helmet, fabricated from a lightweight, suitable foam material that is conformable and resilient, capable of absorbing energy and protecting the wearer from lacerations and/or contusions from incidental contact in outdoor sporting activities. The headgear provides warmth and protection from moisture in cold weather, but the internal design also provides sufficient ventilation for year around use. The foam material can be produced in a variety of colors and has a smooth external surface that will accept paint and decals for authentic team identification. The headgear may be held in place by a standard football chin strap and is designed to have a removable face mask. The authentic appearance and cold weather protection it provides makes it an effective and desirable head covering for all cold weather recreational and work activities, including attendance at football games. Its flexibility permits packing for travel and storage. The simple construction from one piece of material makes is easy and economical to manufacture.

1 . A head covering shaped in the general configuration of a football helmet comprising:
 a top area, bottom area, left side area, right side area, interior surface and external surface;   wherein the head covering is fabricated from a suitable foam material in a variety of specified colors and is conformable to the user's head and resilient, capable of absorbing energy and forces during incidental or accidental contact with the head;   wherein the external surface is smooth;   wherein the head covering further comprises energy absorbing bands ranging in thickness from 0.25 to 2.0 inches;   wherein the head covering comprises ventilation zones having a thickness which is at least 0.25 inches less than the thickness of the energy absorbing bands;   the ventilation surfaces further comprise airflow apertures of any shape which allow the exchange of airflow from both the internal surface to the external surface and the external surface to the internal surface;   the ventilation surfaces additionally comprise two ear-hole apertures one placed on the left and right sides over where the user's ears reside inside the head covering and allow for both ventilation and sound transmission.   
     
     
         2 . The head covering of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the energy absorbing bands is from about 0.5 to about 1.5 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The head covering of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the energy absorbing bands is from about 0.75 to about 1.0 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The head covering of  claim 1 , further comprising a head covering securing mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The head covering of  claim 4 , wherein the head covering securing mechanism is a chinstrap which may be attached to the head covering at a securing implement which may comprise a snap, velcro or any similar fastening mechanism and may be embedded in the headgear during fabrication or attached to the external surface post fabrication. 
     
     
         6 . The head covering of  claim 1 , further comprising a face protector comprising a clear or colored visor, shield or facemask;
 wherein the face protector is attached to the external surface of the head covering with a face protector securing implement which may comprise of snaps, rivets or velcro or any similar fastening mechanism which may be embedded in the headgear during fabrication or attached to the external surface post fabrication.   
     
     
         7 . The head covering of  claim 1 , wherein the aesthetic features of the head covering may be customized with a variety of decorative elements to the users preferences for colors, authentic team representation, logos, advertising, names, numbers, decals and the like either during or post fabrication. 
     
     
         8 . A head covering shaped in the general configuration of a hockey helmet comprising:
 a top area, bottom area, left side area, right side area, interior surface and external surface;   wherein the head covering is fabricated from a suitable foam material in a variety of specified colors and is conformable to the user's head and resilient, capable of absorbing energy and forces during incidental or accidental contact with the head;   wherein the external surface is smooth;   wherein the head covering further comprises energy absorbing bands ranging in thickness from 0.25 to 2.0 inches;   wherein the head covering comprises ventilation zones having a thickness which is at least 0.25 inches less than the thickness of the energy absorbing bands;   the ventilation surfaces further comprise airflow apertures of any shape which allow the exchange of airflow from both the internal surface to the external surface and the external surface to the internal surface;   the ventilation surfaces additionally comprise two ear-hole apertures one placed on the left and right sides over where the user's ears reside inside the head covering and allow for both ventilation and sound transmission.   
     
     
         9 . The head covering of  claim 8 , wherein the thickness of the energy absorbing bands is from about 0.5 to about 1.5 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The head covering of  claim 8 , wherein the thickness of the energy absorbing bands is from about 0.75 to about 1.0 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The head covering of  claim 8 , further comprising a head covering securing mechanism. 
     
     
         12 . The head covering of  claim 11 , wherein the head covering securing mechanism is a chinstrap which may be attached to the head covering at a securing implement which may comprise a snap, velcro or any similar fastening mechanism and may be embedded in the headgear during fabrication or attached to the external surface post fabrication. 
     
     
         13 . The head covering of  claim 8 , further comprising a face protector comprising a clear or colored visor, shield or facemask;
 wherein the face protector is attached to the external surface of the head covering with a face protector securing implement which may comprise of snaps, rivets or velcro or any similar fastening mechanism which may be embedded in the headgear during fabrication or attached to the external surface post fabrication.   
     
     
         14 . The head covering of  claim 8 , wherein the aesthetic features of the head covering may be customized with a variety of decorative elements to the users preferences for colors, authentic team representation, logos, advertising, names, numbers, decals and the like either during or post fabrication. 
     
     
         15 . The head covering of  claim 1 , wherein the helmet is designed and manufactured at sizes and thicknesses for use by an infant or very small toddler. 
     
     
         16 . The head covering of  claim 1 , wherein the helmet is designed and manufactured at sizes and thicknesses for use by a toddler or young child. 
     
     
         17 . The head covering of  claim 1 , wherein the helmet is designed and manufactured at sizes and thicknesses for use by a larger or adolescent child or small adult. 
     
     
         18 . The head covering of  claim 1 , wherein the helmet is designed and manufactured at sizes and thicknesses for use by an adult. 
     
     
         19 . The head covering of  claim 8 , wherein the helmet is designed and manufactured at sizes and thicknesses for use by an infant, toddler or young child. 
     
     
         20 . The head covering of  claim 8 , wherein the helmet is designed and manufactured at sizes and thicknesses for use by a larger child or adult.