Flexible headband with self-adaptive functions

Abstract

An improved headband ( 12 ) for a head safety product such as a face shield, hardhat ( 10 ) or welding helmet includes a horizontal section ( 14 ) configured to encircle the head and an adjustment mechanism ( 14 a ) configured to adjust a circumference of the horizontal section. A nape-belt section ( 16 ) depends from the horizontal section ( 14 ) and is configured to cup the occipital area of the head and has a pivotal movement relative to the horizontal section ( 14 ). A flexible section ( 20 ) is connected between the horizontal section ( 14 ) and the nape-belt section ( 16 ). The flexible section ( 20 ) spring-biasing the pivotal movement of the nape-belt section ( 16 ) relative to the horizontal section ( 14 ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A headband comprising:
 a horizontal section encircling the head;   a nape-belt section depending from the horizontal section configured and arranged to cup the occipital area of the head and having a pivotal movement relative to the horizontal section; and   a flexible section connected between the horizontal section and the nape-belt section, said flexible section spring-biasing the pivotal movement of the nape-belt section relative to the horizontal section.   
     
     
         2 . The headband of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible section if forward of the nape-belt section. 
     
     
         3 . The headband of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible section if rearward of the nape-belt section. 
     
     
         4 . The headband of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible section is a rubber layer. 
     
     
         5 . The headband of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible section is a spring. 
     
     
         6 . The headband of  claim 1 , wherein the nape-belt section is connected to the horizontal section through a narrowed section. 
     
     
         7 . The headband of  claim 1 , further comprising a first adjustment mechanism configured and arranged to adjust a circumference of said horizontal section. 
     
     
         8 . The headband of  claim 7 , wherein the first adjusting mechanism includes overlapping portions. 
     
     
         9 . The headband of  claim 1 , further comprising a second adjustment mechanism configured and arranged to adjust the nape-belt section. 
     
     
         10 . The headband of  claim 9 , wherein the second adjustment mechanism is a rack and pinion adjusting mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The headband of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal section and nape-belt section are molded from plastic. 
     
     
         12 . The headband of  claim 11 , wherein the flexible section is a rubber layer overmolded onto the horizontal section and nape-belt section. 
     
     
         13 . A headband comprising:
 a horizontal section encircling the head;   a first adjustment mechanism configured and arranged to adjust a circumference of said horizontal section;   a nape-belt section depending from the horizontal section configured and arranged to cup the occipital area of the headband having a pivotal movement relative to the horizontal section;   the horizontal section and nape-belt section molded from plastic;   a flexible section formed from an elastic material overmolded on the horizontal section and the nape-belt section, forward of the nape-belt section, said flexible section spring-biasing the pivotal movement of the nape-belt section relative to the horizontal section; and   a second adjustment mechanism configured and arranged to adjust the nape-belt section.   
     
     
         14 . The headband of  claim 13 , wherein the first adjusting mechanism includes overlapping portions. 
     
     
         15 . The headband of  claim 13 , wherein the second adjustment mechanism is a rack and pinion adjusting mechanism.