Ball cap shield

Abstract

A shield adapted for use with a baseball cap or caps used in other sports is disclosed to protect a pitcher or fielder from a batted or thrown baseball or softball. A panel is shaped to conform with a front side of a ball cap and is secured with straps or other means on the outer side of the ball cap or, alternatively, on the inner side of the ball cap. The shield is formed of a sheet or panel of impact absorbing plastic that protects the user from trauma in the event of a collision with a traveling ball or other object.

1 . Headgear for a baseball or softball fielder, comprising:
 a front plate component including at least one channel that provides a fracture zone;   at least two side plate components attached to or integral with the front plate component,   wherein the side plate components each include at least one channel that provides a fracture zone;   a rear strap connected to the two side plate components;   and a temple guard depending downwardly from each of the two side plate components; and   wherein the headgear comprises an open top when positioned on a wearer's head or cap.   
     
     
         2 . The headgear of  claim 1  wherein each of the channels includes angled corners. 
     
     
         3 . Headgear for a baseball or softball fielder, comprising:
 a front plate component;   at least two side plate components attached to or integral with the front plate component; and   a temple guard depending downwardly from each of the two side plate components.   
     
     
         4 . The headgear of  claim 3  further comprising at least one channel in each of the front and side plate components, wherein each of the channels provides a fracture zone. 
     
     
         5 . The headgear of  claim 4  wherein each of the channels includes angled corners. 
     
     
         6 . The headgear of  claim 3  wherein the front and side plate components include a layer of foam or other energy absorbing material. 
     
     
         7 . The headgear of  claim 3  further comprising an energy absorbing pad on an interior side of each of the temple guards. 
     
     
         8 . The headgear of  claim 3  further comprising a rear strap connected to the two side plate components, wherein the headgear comprises an open top when positioned on a wearer's head or cap. 
     
     
         9 . Headgear for a baseball or softball fielder, comprising:
 a front plate component comprising a dense polymer or other impact resistant material and including a layer of foam or other energy absorbing material;   at least two side plate components comprising a dense polymer or other impact resistant material and including a layer of foam or other energy absorbing material and attached to the front component via straps;   a rear strap connected to the two side plate components; and   a temple guard comprising a dense polymer or other impact resistant material and including a layer of foam or other energy absorbing material depending downwardly from each of the two side plate components   
     
     
         10 . A protective ball cap shield shaped to conform to the contour of a ball cap comprising:
 a curved front plate component formed of a dense polymer or other impact resistant material and including a layer of foam or other energy absorbing material on the side adjacent the user's head; and   at least two side plate components flexibly connected to or integral with the ends of the front plate component formed of a dense polymer or other impact resistant material and including a layer of foam or other energy absorbing material on the side adjacent the user's head wherein the shield comprises an open top when positioned on a wearer's head or cap.   
     
     
         11 . The protective ball cap shield of  claim 10  further comprising temple guards formed of a dense polymer or other impact absorbing material depending downwardly from the two side plate components and including a layer of foam or other energy absorbing material on the side adjacent the user's head. 
     
     
         12 . The protective ball cap shield of  claim 10  wherein the front and side plate components include energy dispersing grooves. 
     
     
         13 . The protective ball cap shield of  claim 10  wherein the polymer is plastic. 
     
     
         14 . The protective ball cap shield of  claim 10  wherein the polymer is a thermoplastic. 
     
     
         15 . The protective ball cap shield of  claim 10  wherein the polymer is polystyrene. 
     
     
         16 . The protective ball cap shield of  claim 10  wherein the polymer is polypropylene. 
     
     
         17 . The protective ball cap shield of  claim 10  wherein the impact resistant material is Kevlar. 
     
     
         18 . A protective ball cap shield shaped to conform to the contour of a ball cap in order to fit the shield snugly over the user's head or cap comprising:
 a front plate component formed of a dense polymer or other impact resistant material and including on the inner surface facing the user's head a layer of foam or other energy absorbing material; and   at least two side plate components flexibly connected to or integral with the ends of the front plate component, formed of a dense polymer or other impact resistant material and including on the inner surface of all the plates facing the user's head, a layer of foam or other energy absorbing material wherein the shield comprises an open top when positioned on a wearer's head or cap.   
     
     
         19 . The protective ball cap shield of  claim 18  further comprising temple guards formed of a dense polymer or other impact resistant material depending downwardly from the side plate components and including a layer of foam or other energy absorbing material on the side facing the user's head. 
     
     
         20 . A multi-plate protective headgear shaped to conform to the contour of a ball cap in order to fit the headgear snugly over the user's head or cap comprising:
 a curved front plate having a generally flat lower edge formed of a dense polymer or other impact resistant material that includes a layer of foam or other energy absorbing material on the side of the plate adjacent the user's head;   two series of one or more separate side plates connected in sequence with each side plate formed of a dense polymer or other impact resistant material and wherein each side plate includes a layer of foam or other energy absorbing material on the side of the plate adjacent the user's head with the first side plate in each series flexibly connected to the front plate; and   a strap that extends from the last side plate in one series to the last side plate in the other series to fit the headgear snugly over the user's head wherein the shield comprises an open top when positioned on a wearer's head or cap.   
     
     
         21 . The multi-plate protective headgear of  claim 20  wherein the front plate includes energy dispersing grooves. 
     
     
         22 . The multi-plate protective headgear of  claim 20  including on a lower edge of the side plates, integrally formed flaps formed of a dense polymer or other impact resistant material wherein each flap extends over a user's temple area. 
     
     
         23 . The multi-plate protective headgear of  claim 22  wherein the flaps include a layer of foam or other energy absorbing material on the side of the flaps adjacent the user's head. 
     
     
         24 . Protective headgear shaped to conform to the contour of a ball cap in order to fit the headgear snugly over the user's head or cap comprising:
 a plate having a generally flat lower edge, a rounded frontal portion, and rearwardly extending peripheral flaps wherein the plate is formed of a dense polymer or other impact resistant material that includes a layer of foam or other energy absorbing material on the side of the plate adjacent the user's head.   
     
     
         25 . The protective headgear of  claim 24  wherein the plate includes energy dispersing grooves. 
     
     
         26 . The protective headgear of  claim 24  including on a lower edge of the plate, integrally formed flaps formed of a dense polymer or other impact resistant material wherein each flap extends over a user's temple area. 
     
     
         27 . The protective headgear of  claim 26  wherein the flaps include a layer of foam or other energy absorbing material on the side of the flaps adjacent the user's head. 
     
     
         28 . The protective headgear of  claim 24  including a strap that extends from the one side of the plate to the other side of the plate to fit the headgear snugly over the user's head.