Headgear with a spring buffered occipital cradle

摘要

A headgear (16) for a head safety product such as a face shield, hardhat or welding helmet includes a spring buffered cradle (18) mounted on the horizontal band (20) of the headgear to improve the fit, function, stability and comfort of the headgear. The cradle (18) is flexible and has a concave inner surface (62) contoured to conform to the shape of the head. A spring element (74, 76) is coupled between the cradle (18) and the horizontal band (20) to buffer the tension between the band (20) and the head and more equally distribute pressure across the head. In a preferred embodiment, an occipital cradle includes two leaf springs (74, 76) coupled to the rear portion (36) of the horizontal band (20).