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 baseball-style hat, 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; and 
   a bill extending from the crown.   
     
     
         2 . The baseball-style hat of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-layered sidewall is triangular. 
     
     
         3 . The baseball-style hat of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of multi-layered sidewalls sewn together to form the crown. 
     
     
         4 . The baseball-style hat of  claim 3 , wherein each of the side padding layer of each of the plurality of panels is triangular. 
     
     
         5 . A hat, 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; and 
   a bill extending from the crown.   
     
     
         6 . The hat of  claim 5 , wherein the multi-layered sidewall is triangular. 
     
     
         7 . The hat of  claim 5 , comprising a plurality of multi-layered sidewalls sewn together to form the crown. 
     
     
         8 . The hat of  claim 7 , wherein each of the side padding layer of each of the plurality of panels is triangular. 
     
     
         9 . A baseball-style hat, comprising:
 a crown providing an opening to accept a head of a wearer, the crown comprising a first triangular multi-layered panel and a second triangular multi-layered panel, wherein each of the first and second triangular multi-layered panels comprises:
 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. 
   a bill extending from the crown.   
     
     
         10 . The baseball-style hat of  claim 9 , wherein the side padding layer is not visible to an observer of the hat. 
     
     
         11 . A baseball-style hat, 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 outer fabric layer; and 
 a side padding layer positioned proximate to the outer fabric layer, the side padding layer being disconnected from the outer fabric layer, the side padding layer comprising a rate dependent material; and 
   a bill extending from the crown.   
     
     
         12 . The baseball-style hat of  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of adjacently disposed outer fabric layers sewn together to form the crown, wherein each of the outer fabric layers is triangular. 
     
     
         13 . The baseball-style hat of  claim 12 , further comprising a plurality of adjacently disposed side padding layers, wherein each of the side padding layers is triangular. 
     
     
         14 . The baseball-style hat of  claim 13 , wherein each of the plurality of adjacently disposed side padding layers is substantially aligned with a corresponding outer fabric layer in a one to one relationship. 
     
     
         15 . The baseball-style hat of  claim 14 , wherein each of the plurality of adjacently disposed side padding layers have laterally opposing edges that converge at a top of the crown. 
     
     
         16 . The baseball-style hat of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of adjacently disposed side padding layers comprises a first side padding layer and a second side padding layer, wherein the first side padding layer is adjacent to the second side padding layer. 
     
     
         17 . The baseball-style hat of  claim 16 , wherein a portion of the laterally opposing edge of the first side padding layer is circumferentially separated from a portion of the adjacent laterally opposing edge of the second side padding layer. 
     
     
         18 . The baseball-style hat of  claim 11 , further comprising an inner fabric layer. 
     
     
         19 . The baseball-style hat of  claim 18 , wherein the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer cooperate to define a pocket. 
     
     
         20 . The baseball-style hat of  claim 19 , wherein the side padding layer is positioned within the pocket, the side padding layer being disconnected from each of the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer.