US2214748A - Head protector - Google Patents

Description

' Sept. 17, 1940. QMAURO 2,214,748

HEAD PROTECTOR Filed Aug 10, 19:59

INVENTOR.

EUGENE MA 0120 74% fiyy g ATTORNEY.

Patented Sept. 17, 1940 UNITED STATES HEAD PROTECTOR Eugene Mauro, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application August 10, 1939, Serial No. 289,437

4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in head protectors; and particularly to a novel type of protective headgear for persons who play baseball.

An object of the invention is to provide a head protector fora player when he is taking his turn at bat, and adapted to prevent injury if the ball thrown by the pitcher hits the players head.

Another object of the invention is to provide a head protector of this kind that is strong and durable, but simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and easy to put on and take off without necessitating removal of the players cap.

To this end it comprises few parts, being constituted chiefly of a pair of cushioned side shields or plates shaped to cover the ears and adjacent parts of the'head and cheeks; and a resilient connector that preferably engages the forehead or front of the cap above the visor, or some other part of the wearers head or cap; so that the device will fit the head comfortably but firmly, but can be stripped off at once when it is no longer needed.

The objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following description and drawing, and the essential characteristics are defined in the appended claims. But the details of construction may be varied to a considerable extent without departing from the principle of the invention or exceeding its scope.

On said drawing Figure 1 is a side view of a batsmans head protector according to this invention,

Figure 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Figure l,

and

Figure 3 is a top view showing the protector on a reduced scale.

The same numerals identify the same parts throughout.

The side plates or members of the protector are indicated at I; The plates are made of light and strong material, such as tough fiber board, and are united in front by a bowed spring metal connector 2. This connector is strong enough to hold the protector in place by making the side plates l clamp the wearers head securely between them. If desired, the spring connector 2 can be otherwise joined to the plates I; as by afiixing it so that it will pass over the head or even around the back thereof. As it is shown, the protector can be slipped on over the players cap C, above the visor V, very neatly, holding both itself and the cap in place; and when the player hits the ball, the headgear in no way interferes with his running.

The side plates are concave somewhat on their inner faces, and have openings 3 in proximity to the ears. The top and rear edges are lined I with a cushion strip 4, of rubber, felt or the like, and each plate I has an extension 5 that projects downward, in a position to be under or a little in front of the ears, and over the players cheeks, these extensions having inside pads or cushions 6. With such shape and size, the device gives ample protection to the players temples, headat the sides, cheeks, and ears; and enables him to face the pitcher with courage and confidence and have no fear that he is going to be hurt, even when he sees the ball coming straight towards him. 15

The side plates. l are first flat, and cut out or stamped out of a sheet in the form required. They are made concave by cutting them in line with the rear edge of each extension 5 and be-, tween theseextensions and the apertures 3. The 0 free narrow portions 1 thus provided are forced forward into overlapping relation to the other edge of the cut, and fastened by a rivet 8 or other means to the plates I. This springs the plates outward, and they remain sprung or 25 bowed when the ends of the portions 1 are made fast. Being thus hollowed, the side plates do not press on the players ears, and do not obstruct the hearing, because of the presence of the apertures 3. 30

The cushions may be fastened by stitches, rivets, or other means.

The plates I are strong enough and are set stifily enough to stop a baseball travelling at high speed without any disturbing impact or shock to 35 the player, .if the ball should strike one of the side plates and more or less flatten it.

The device can be turned out at no great expense, and is light but effective, so that it will fully safeguard but never encumber the player using it. If desired it can also be worn with the spring 2 on the top of the head, and the parts 5 presented forward. I

While the invention has been described in connection with the special structure illustrated, 45 it is not limited to that precise construction, but in practice the device may be altered to the full extent consistent with the meanings of the general terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 5

The invention having been described, what is believed to be entitled to protection by Letters Patent of the United States is: I Y

1. Head gear comprising side plates, a connector comprising a single resilient band having 55 its ends affixed to said plates and sprung to press the plates against the head, and cushions on the inner faces of said plates, each plate having a cut extending inward from a point on its periphery, the edges of said cut being secured in overlapping relation to make the plate hollow on its inner surface.

2. Head gear comprising side plates with openings therein, a flexible connector comprising a single resilient band affixed to said plates at its ends and sprung to press the plates against the head; said plates each having a cut across same between said opening therein and the outer edge of the plate, the portions on each side of said out being caused to overlap and being fastened together to spring each plate outward, said plates having extensions at the lower edge in front of said openings, pads on the inside of said extensions, and cushion strips along the top and rear 20 of said plates.

head; the latter having a cut across same between said opening therein and the outer edge of the plate, the portions on each side of said out being caused to overlap and being fastened together to spring the plate outward, said plate having an extension at the lower edge in front of said opening, a pad on the inside of said extension, and a cushion strip along the top and rear of said plate. EUGENE MAURO.

Images