Conformal protective head wear

Abstract

A protective clothing device having an article of clothing having an inner layer and/or an outer layer is disclosed. The protective clothing device may have thin force absorbing members coupled to the inner layer or outer layer of the article of clothing. The force absorbing members can have overlapping or interlaced portions for enhanced protection even when the protective clothing device expands. In one embodiment, the protective clothing device may be a protective hat. In another embodiment, the protective clothing device may be a headband.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective head device, comprising:
 a fabric covering forming an interior opening; and   a plurality of thin force absorbing members internal to the interior opening of the fabric covering, each of the plurality of thin force absorbing members positioned adjacent to but separate from each other to form a combined force absorbing member to provide impact force protection,   wherein the thin force absorbing members have a thickness of approximately 1 to 5 millimeters.   
     
     
         2 . A protective device, comprising:
 a plurality of thin force absorbing members, each of the plurality of thin force absorbing members having a thickness of approximately 1 to 5 millimeters; and   a fabric covering provided over the plurality of thin force absorbing members, the fabric covering formed from at least one piece of fabric material and each of the plurality of thin force absorbing members coupled to or within the fabric covering to form a collective force absorbing member to provide impact force protection,   wherein each of the plurality of thin force absorbing members include at least polyurethane foam.   
     
     
         3 . A protective hat, comprising:
 a fabric covering configured to provide an exterior surface for the protective hat; and   a plurality of force absorbing materials being positioned at distinct locations about the protective hat and being secured relative to the protective hat where positioned, the plurality of force absorbing materials including at least:
 a first force absorbing member provided internal to the fabric covering and secured relative to the protective hat at a first position; 
 a second force absorbing member provided internal to the fabric covering and secured relative to the protective hat at a second position; and 
 a third force absorbing member provided internal to the fabric covering and secured relative to the protective hat at a third position, 
   wherein the first position is located at a first side portion of the protective hat, and the second position is located at a second side portion of the protective hat,   wherein the third position is located at least a portion of each of one or more of a front portion, a top portion and a rear portion of the protective hat, and   wherein each of the force absorbing members comprises polyurethane foam and has a thickness of approximately 1 to 5 mm.