Protective headwear and bodywear

Abstract

In one aspect the invention is directed to a protective member (eg. a headwear or bodywear member) including a plurality of substantially rigid protective panels connected to each other by flexible panel connectors to form a selected shape for wearing by a wearer. In one embodiment, the protective member is in the form of a cap-shaped member and may be an insert that fits in a cap. In another embodiment, the protective member is in the form of a protective vest.

1 . A protective headwear member, comprising:
 a plurality of substantially rigid protective panels connected to each other by flexible panel connectors to form a cap-shaped member configured to fit on the head of a wearer.   
     
     
         2 . A protective headwear member as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cap-shaped member is adjustable in size. 
     
     
         3 . A protective headwear member as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the cap-shaped member has a peripheral edge and has a separation extending upwardly from the peripheral edge, wherein the separation permits the cap-shaped member to accommodate heads of different sizes. 
     
     
         4 . A protective headwear member as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the protective headwear member has a first edge portion and a second edge portion, wherein the first and second edge portions define the separation, and the first and second edge portions are overlappable with each other by a selectable amount over a range of adjustability and are connectable to each other over the range of adjustability. 
     
     
         5 . A protective headwear member as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the first and second edge portions are overlappable with each other by a selectable amount and are adjustably connectable to each other by a size adjustment connector that includes a hook and look fastener. 
     
     
         6 . A protective headwear member as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the panels are made from one of titanium, polycarbonate or polycarbonate and nylon. 
     
     
         7 . A protective headwear member as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the panel connectors are made from a flexible material that is a living hinge between adjacent panels. 
     
     
         8 . A protective headwear member as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one cap connector positioned on at least one of the panels and is connectable to a cap made from flexible material. 
     
     
         9 . A protective headwear member as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each cap connector includes a first cap connector portion mounted to the cap-shaped member and a second cap connector portion mountable to an interior surface of the cap, wherein the first and second cap connector members are removably connectable to each other. 
     
     
         10 . A protective headwear member as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each substantially rigid protective panel is formed from at least first and second substantially rigid plates and an energy absorbing elastically resilient member sandwiched between the first and second substantially rigid plates. 
     
     
         11 . A protective member for wearing by a wearer, comprising:
 a plurality of substantially rigid protective panels connected to each other by flexible connectors to form a selected shape, wherein the panels are separated from each other by a gap, wherein the gap has a shape that is sufficiently non-linear to prevent the presence of a linear path between an exterior face of the protective member and an interior face of the protective member.   
     
     
         12 . A protective member as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein for at least some of the panels, each protective panel has at least one air-passage therethrough to permit air flow between an exterior surface of the panel to an interior surface of the panel. 
     
     
         13 . A protective member as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the gap includes at least two bends. 
     
     
         14 . A protective member as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the protective member is in the form of a cap-shaped member. 
     
     
         15 . A protective member as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the protective member is in the form of a protective vest. 
     
     
         16 . A protective member as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein each substantially rigid protective panel is formed from at least first and second substantially rigid plates and an energy absorbing elastically resilient member sandwiched between the first and second substantially rigid plates. 
     
     
         17 . A flexible protective member for wearing by a wearer, comprising:
 an exterior first protective layer comprising a plurality of substantially rigid protective first panels; and   a second protective layer that is substantially immediately subjacent the first layer comprising a plurality of substantially rigid protective second panels,   a plurality of flexible panel connectors connecting the panels of the first and second layers together flexibly so as to form a selected shape,   wherein the first panels and the second panels are positioned to prevent the formation of a linear path between an exterior face of the first layer and an interior face of the second layer.   
     
     
         18 . A protective member as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the second layer is connected to the first layer so as to sufficiently maintain the positions of the first panels and the second panels relative to each other to prevent the formation of a linear path between an exterior face of the first layer and an interior face of the second layer. 
     
     
         19 . A protective member as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein a plurality of air passages extend between the exterior face of the first layer and the interior face of the second layer and wherein the air passages are sufficiently non-linear to prevent the presence of a linear path between an exterior face of the protective member and an interior face of the protective member. 
     
     
         20 . A protective member as claimed in  claim 17 , including a an energy absorbing elastically resilient member sandwiched between the first and second substantially rigid panels.