Headgear with a spring buffered occipital cradle

摘要

A headgear for a head safety product such as a face shield, hardhat or welding helmet includes a spring buffered cradle mounted on the horizontal band of the headgear to improve the fit, function, stability and comfort of the headgear. The cradle is flexible and has a concave inner surface contoured to conform to the shape of the head. A spring element is coupled between the cradle and the horizontal band to buffer the tension between the band and the head and more equally distribute pressure across the head. In a preferred embodiment, an occipital cradle includes two leaf springs coupled to the rear portion of the horizontal band.

主权项

1. A headgear comprising:
a horizontal band configured to encircle the user's head, said horizontal band including a front portion configured to extend across a forehead area of the user and a rear portion configured to extend across an occipital area of the head of the user; an adjustment mechanism configured and arranged to adjust a circumference of the horizontal band; a flexible cradle having a left lobe ring and a right lobe ring which are connected by a central web, said left lobe ring having an open central portion and a generally three-dimensionally concave inner surface such that in an unstressed state said left lobe ring is contoured to conform to a left occipital lobe portion of the head; said right lobe ring having an open central portion and a generally three-dimensionally concave inner surface such that in an unstressed state said right lobe ring is contoured to conform to a right occipital lobe portion of the head; a first buffer spring coupled between said left lobe ring of said cradle and said rear portion of said horizontal band; and a second buffer spring coupled between said right lobe ring of said cradle and said rear portion of said horizontal band, said first and second buffer springs cooperating with said flexible cradle to buffer tension between said horizontal band and said head and dispose said flexible cradle away from said horizontal band when the user is not wearing the headgear.