Head guard

Abstract

A head guard is provided which has a fabric layer and a padding layer. The head guard is stretchable between a relaxed configuration and an expanded configuration. The expanding configuration has a convex shape such that it can conform to a head of a wearer. The head guard can be worn by a wearer in combination with a helmet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A thermal head guard for protecting a wearer's head during cold-weather activities, comprising:
 a crown providing an opening to accept a head of a wearer, the crown comprising a multi-layered sidewall, the multi-layered sidewall comprising:
 an inner fabric layer and an outer fabric layer, the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer cooperating to define a pocket; and 
 a side padding layer positioned within the pocket, the side padding layer being disconnected from each of the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer, the side padding layer comprising a rate dependent material, wherein at least one of the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer is a thermal insulation material. 
   
     
     
         2 . The thermal head guard of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal insulation material is positioned proximate to ears of a wearer. 
     
     
         3 . The thermal head guard of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal insulation material is hemmed, and wherein the hem defines the pocket. 
     
     
         4 . The thermal head guard of  claim 1 , further comprising a chin strap, wherein the chin strap is coupled to a first portion of the crown and a second portion of the crown, and wherein the chin strap is configured to selectively secure the thermal head guard to the head of the wearer. 
     
     
         5 . The thermal head guard of  claim 1 , further comprising a first and second ear panel extending downward from opposing sides of the crown, wherein each of the first and second ear panels comprises an ear panel padding layer. 
     
     
         6 . The thermal head guard of  claim 5 , further comprising a chin strap, wherein the chin strap is coupled to each of the first and second ear panels, and wherein the chin strap is configured to selectively secure the thermal head guard to the head of the wearer. 
     
     
         7 . The thermal head guard of  claim 6 , further comprising an inner fur-lined layer. 
     
     
         8 . The thermal head guard of  claim 7 , wherein the inner fabric layer is the inner fur-lined layer. 
     
     
         9 . The thermal head guard of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second ear panels are fur-lined. 
     
     
         10 . The thermal head guard of  claim 5 , wherein at least one of the first and second ear panels is integral with the multi-layered sidewall. 
     
     
         11 . The thermal head guard of  claim 10 , wherein the ear panel padding layer of the at least one of the first and second ear panels is integral with the padding layer of the multi-layered sidewall. 
     
     
         12 . The thermal head guard of  claim 5 , wherein each of the first and second ear panels comprise an inner ear panel fabric layer and an outer ear panel fabric layer, the inner ear panel fabric layer and the outer ear panel fabric layer cooperating to define a ear panel pocket, wherein the ear panel padding layer is positioned in the ear panel pocket and is disconnected from each of the inner ear panel fabric layer and the outer ear panel fabric layer. 
     
     
         13 . The thermal head guard of  claim 12 , wherein the inner ear panel fabric layer of each of the first and second ear panels are fur-lined. 
     
     
         14 . The thermal head guard of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket is circumferentially disposed to be positioned proximate to a wearer's forehead and ears. 
     
     
         15 . The thermal head guard of  claim 14 , wherein the pocket is contiguous about a circumference of the crown. 
     
     
         16 . The thermal head guard of  claim 15 , wherein the side padding layer is rectangular while in a flat, laid-out state. 
     
     
         17 . The thermal head guard of  claim 15 , wherein the inner fabric layer is fur-lined. 
     
     
         18 . A thermal head guard for protecting a wearer's head during cold-weather activities, comprising:
 a crown providing an opening to accept a head of a wearer, the crown comprising a multi-layered sidewall, the multi-layered sidewall comprising:
 an inner fabric layer and an outer fabric layer, the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer cooperating to define a pocket; 
 a side padding layer positioned within the pocket, the side padding layer being disconnected from each of the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer, the side padding layer comprising a rate dependent material, wherein at least one of the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer is a thermal insulation material; and 
 first and second ear panels extending downward from opposing sides of the crown, wherein each of the first and second ear panels comprise ear panel padding layers. 
   
     
     
         19 . The thermal head guard of  claim 18 , wherein each of the first and second ear panels comprise an inner ear panel fabric layer and an outer ear panel fabric layer, the inner ear panel fabric layer and the outer ear panel fabric layer cooperating to define a pocket in each of the first and second ear panels, wherein the ear panel padding layer is positioned in the pocket and is disconnected from each of the inner ear panel fabric layer and the outer ear panel fabric layer. 
     
     
         20 . The thermal head guard of  claim 19 , wherein the inner ear panel fabric layer of each of the first and second ear panels are fur-lined.