Head guard with coupled padding layer

Abstract

A head guard is provided which has a fabric layer and a padding layer. The padding layer can be attached to the fabric 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 head guard, comprising:
 a plurality of multi-layered sidewalls, wherein the plurality of multi-layered sidewalls are sewn to collectively form a dome, wherein the dome defines a circular opening for a head of a wearer, and wherein each of the multi-layered sidewalls comprises:
 an inner stretchable fabric layer, 
 an outer stretchable fabric layer; wherein the inner stretchable fabric layer and the outer stretchable fabric layer collectively define a pocket; and 
 a side padding layer non-removably positioned internal to the multi-layered sidewall in a pocket, wherein the pocket is defined by the inner stretchable fabric layer and the outer stretchable fabric layer during manufacturing, wherein at least a portion of the side padding layer being is coupled to one or both of the inner stretchable fabric layer and the outer stretchable fabric layer, and wherein the padding layer consists essentially of a rate dependent padding material; and 
   wherein the side padding layer of one of the plurality of multi-layered sidewalls is discontinuous from the side padding layer of an adjacent one of the plurality of multi-layered sidewalls, and wherein the inner stretchable fabric layer and the outer stretchable fabric layer are expandable from a relaxed state to and an expanded state.   
     
     
         2 . The head guard of  claim 1 , wherein the padding layer is coupled using one or more of stitching, heat welding, and an adhesive. 
     
     
         3 . The head guard of  claim 1 , wherein the side padding layer is stitched to the inner stretchable fabric layer and the outer stretchable fabric layer. 
     
     
         4 . The head guard of  claim 1 , consisting of four multi-layered sidewalls. 
     
     
         5 . The head guard of  claim 1 , wherein the side padding layer is an open-cell side padding layer that is stitched to only the inner stretchable fabric. 
     
     
         6 . The head guard of  claim 1 , wherein the side padding layer is an open-cell side padding layer that is stitched to only the outer stretchable fabric. 
     
     
         7 . The head guard of  claim 1 , wherein the side padding layer is an open-cell side padding layer that is stitched to the inner stretchable fabric and the outer stretchable fabric. 
     
     
         8 . A head guard, comprising:
 a first triangular multi-layered sidewall and a second triangular multi-layered sidewall, wherein a first portion of the first triangular multi-layered sidewall is sewn to a first portion of the second triangular multi-layered sidewall to collectively form at least a portion of a dome, wherein the portion of the dome defines at least a portion of a circular opening sized to receive a head of a wearer, and wherein each of the first and second triangular multi-layered sidewalls comprises:
 stretchable fabric layers collectively defining a pocket; and 
 a side padding layer, wherein the side padding layer is permanently positioned in the pocket and coupled to the stretchable fabric layers during manufacturing, and wherein the side padding layer consists essentially of a rate dependent padding material; and 
   wherein the side padding layer of the first triangular multi-layered sidewall is discontinuous from the side padding layer of the second triangular multi-layered sidewalls, wherein the head guard is stretchable between a relaxed configuration and an expanded configuration.   
     
     
         9 . The head guard of  claim 8 , further comprising a third multi-layered sidewall, the multi-layered sidewall comprising:
 stretchable fabric layers defining a pocket; and   a side padding layer permanently positioned in the pocket and coupled to the stretchable fabric layers, the side padding layer comprising a padding material.   
     
     
         10 . The head guard of  claim 9 , wherein the third multi-layered sidewall is sewn to the first triangular multi-layered sidewall or the second triangular multi-layered sidewall, or both. 
     
     
         11 . The head guard of  claim 9 , further comprising an elastic band coupled to the first triangular multi-layered sidewall and the second triangular multi-layered sidewall and positioned proximate to the circular opening of the dome. 
     
     
         12 . The head guard of  claim 11 , wherein the side padding layers of each of the first triangular multi-layered sidewall and the second triangular multi-layered sidewall are substantially triangular. 
     
     
         13 . A head guard, comprising:
 a plurality of triangular multi-layered sidewalls, wherein each of the triangular multi-layered sidewalls comprise:
 a first stretchable fabric layer having an inner surface and an outer surface; 
 a second stretchable fabric layer having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface of the first stretchable fabric layer and the inner surface of the second stretchable fabric layer collectively define a pocket; and 
 an open-cell padding layer having a first side and a second side, the open-cell padding layer non-removably positioned within the pocket during manufacturing such that the first side is proximate to the inner surface of the first stretchable fabric layer and the second side is proximate to the inner surface of the second stretchable fabric layer, wherein the open-cell padding layer is stitched to at least one of the first stretchable fabric layer and the second stretchable fabric; and 
   an elastic headband;   wherein the plurality of triangular multi-layered sidewalls are assembled to define a dome having a circular opening dimensioned to receive a head of a wearer;   wherein each of the plurality of triangular multi-layered sidewalls is attached to an elastic band; and   wherein the elastic band encircles the circular opening.   
     
     
         14 . The head guard of  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of triangular multi-layered sidewalls comprises at least four multi-layered sidewalls. 
     
     
         15 . The head guard of  claim 13 , wherein the open-cell padding layer is stitched to only the first stretchable fabric layer. 
     
     
         16 . The head guard of  claim 13 , wherein the open-cell padding layer is stitched to only the second stretchable fabric layer. 
     
     
         17 . The head guard of  claim 13 , wherein the open-cell padding layer is stitched to both the first stretchable fabric layer and the second stretchable fabric layer.