Headband

Abstract

The present invention relates to a headband for protecting a user's head from impact forces. The headband (100a) comprises a first external layer (102) and an opposing second external layer (108): an impact absorbing layer (106) between the first and second external layers; and a slip layer (104a) positioned between the impact absorbing layer and one of the first and second external layers. Upon the headband receiving an impact, the slip layer facilitates relative movement between the impact absorbing layer and the one of the first and second external layers.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A headband for protecting a user's head from impact forces, comprising:
 a first external layer and an opposing second external layer;   an impact absorbing layer between the first and second external layers; and   a slip layer positioned between the impact absorbing layer and one of the first and second external layers,   wherein, upon the headband receiving an impact, the slip layer facilitates relative movement between the impact absorbing layer and the one of the first and second external layers.   
     
     
         32 . A headband according to  claim 31 , further comprising a second slip layer positioned between the impact absorbing layer and the other of the first and second external layers,
 wherein, upon the headband receiving the impact, the second slip layer facilitates relative movement between the impact absorbing layer and the other of the first and second external layers.   
     
     
         33 . A headband according to  claim 31 , wherein the first and second external layers are joined at, or near, each circumferential edge. 
     
     
         34 . A headband according to  claim 33 , wherein the first and second external layer form an envelope for enclosing the impact absorbing layer and the or each slip layer. 
     
     
         35 . A headband according to  claim 34 , wherein the impact absorbing layer and the or each slip layer are smaller than the envelope, so that there is a gap between the circumferential edges of the envelope and the circumferential edges of the impact absorbing layer and the or each slip layer. 
     
     
         36 . A headband according to  claim 31 , wherein the material of each layer of the headband is elastic so that, after receiving the impact, the layers of the headband are configured to return, substantially, to their original orientation and shape. 
     
     
         37 . A headband according to  claim 31 , wherein the at least one impact absorbing layer comprises a first impact absorbing sub-layer and a second impact absorbing sub-layer. 
     
     
         38 . A headband according to  claim 37 , further comprising a third slip layer between the first and second impact absorbing sub-layers,
 wherein, upon the headband receiving the impact, the third slip layer facilitates relative movement between the first and second impact absorbing sub-layers.   
     
     
         39 . A headband according to  claim 37 , wherein the impact absorbing layer comprises at least one further impact absorbing sub-layer. 
     
     
         40 . A headband according to  claim 39 , comprising at least one further slip layer, the or each further slip layer provided between the or each further impact absorbing sub-layer and an adjacent impact absorbing sub-layer,
 wherein, upon the headband receiving the impact, the or each further slip layer facilitate relative movement between the respective impact absorbing sub-layers.   
     
     
         41 . A headband according to  claim 38 , wherein a material of the first slip layer and, if present, the second slip layer, differs from a material of the third slip layer and, if present, the or each further slip layer. 
     
     
         42 . A headband according to  claim 31 , wherein the headband comprises at least one restraint configured to limit movement of one of the layers relative to another one of the layers. 
     
     
         43 . A headband according to  claim 31 , wherein the headband comprises an anterior portion and a posterior portion, optionally wherein the anterior portion and the posterior portion are joined to each other, and further optionally wherein the headband circumscribes the head through 360 degrees. 
     
     
         44 . A headband according to  claim 43 , wherein the anterior portion comprises a different number of layers than the posterior portion, and optionally wherein the posterior portion comprises fewer layers than the anterior portion. 
     
     
         45 . A headband according to  claim 44 , wherein the posterior portion comprises:
 the first external layer; the second external layer; the slip layer; the second slip layer; and an impact absorbing layer comprising three impact absorbing sub-layers and one further slip layer;   and wherein the anterior portion comprises:   the first external layer; the second external layer; the slip layer; the second slip layer; and an impact absorbing layer comprising three impact absorbing sub-layers and two further slip layer.   
     
     
         46 . A headband according to  claim 43 , wherein portions of the anterior portion and the posterior portion are configured to overlap. 
     
     
         47 . A headband according to  claim 31 , wherein a thickness of the headband is less than 15 mm and/or wherein a mass of the headband is less than 100 grams and/or wherein the headband is configured to, in use, cover at least 40% of a user's head. 
     
     
         48 . A headband according to  claim 31 , wherein the or each impact absorbing layer comprises a foam material, and optionally wherein the foam material is a blended vinyl/nitrile polymer. 
     
     
         49 . A headband according to  claim 31 , wherein the first external layer, in use, is adjacent the user's head, and comprises a medical spacer fabric, and optionally wherein the first external layer comprises a gripping surface adjacent the user's head. 
     
     
         50 . A helmet comprising a headband for protecting a user's head from impact forces, wherein the helmet forms a first external layer of the headband, and the headband comprises: an opposing second external layer; an impact absorbing layer between the first and second external layers; and a slip layer positioned between the impact absorbing layer and one of the first and second external layers, wherein, upon the headband receiving an impact, the slip layer facilitates relative movement between the impact absorbing layer and the one of the first and second external layers.