Headgear for protective headwear

Abstract

In one aspect, a headgear for engaging and supporting protective headwear on a wearer's head is provided. The headgear may include a first side member on a first side of the headgear, a second side member on a second side of the headgear, and a forehead strap pivotally coupled to and extending between the first and second side members. The forehead strap may be configured to engage a wearer's forehead with the headgear worn by a wearer. The headgear may also include a second strap coupled to and extending between the first and second side members.

1 . A headgear for engaging and supporting protective headwear on a wearer's head, the headgear comprising:
 a first side member on a first side of the headgear;   a second side member on a second side of the headgear;   a forehead strap coupled to and extending between the first and second side members;   an occipital strap coupled to and extending between the first and second side members, wherein the occipital strap is pivotal relative to the first and second side members;   a top strap coupled to and extending between the first and second side members, wherein the top strap is coupled to the first and second side members between the forehead strap and the occipital strap, and wherein the top strap is configured to extend over a top of a wearer's head; and   a rear strap coupled to and extending between the first and second side members, wherein the rear strap couples to the first and second side members between the top strap and the occipital strap.   
     
     
         2 . The headgear of  claim 1 , wherein the occipital strap includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is rigidly coupled to one of the first side member and the second side member and the second portion is pivotally coupled to the first portion. 
     
     
         3 . The headgear of  claim 1 , wherein the occipital strap includes two first portions and two second portions, wherein one of the two first portions is rigidly coupled to the first side member and the other of the two first portions is rigidly coupled to the second side member, and wherein one of the two second portions is pivotally coupled to the one of the two first portions and the other of the two second portions is pivotally coupled to the other of the two first portions. 
     
     
         4 . The headgear of  claim 3 , further comprising a tightening member coupled to the two second portions of the occipital strap. 
     
     
         5 . The headgear of  claim 1 , wherein the forehead strap includes padding configured to engage a wearer's forehead with the headgear worn by a wearer and provide comfort to the wearer. 
     
     
         6 . The headgear of  claim 5 , wherein the forehead strap includes an interior surface and the padding is at least partially positioned on the interior surface of the forehead strap. 
     
     
         7 . The headgear of  claim 6 , wherein the occipital strap includes a pad configured to engage a wearer's head with the headgear worn by a wearer. 
     
     
         8 . The headgear of  claim 1 , wherein the occipital strap includes a pad configured to engage a wearer's head with the headgear worn by a wearer. 
     
     
         9 . A headgear for engaging and supporting protective headwear on a wearer's head, the headgear comprising:
 a first side member on a first side of the headgear;   a second side member on a second side of the headgear;   a forehead strap coupled to and extending between the first and second side members;   an occipital strap coupled to and extending between the first and second side members;   an adjustment member coupled to the occipital strap and configured to adjust a length of the occipital strap; and   a third strap coupled to and extending between the first and second side members, wherein the third strap is coupled to the first and second side members between the forehead strap and the occipital strap, wherein an aperture is defined near each end of the third strap and each of the first and second side members includes a pair of resilient projections extending therefrom, and wherein the pair of resilient projections extending from the first side member insert into one of the apertures on one end of the third strap and the pair of resilient projections extending from the second side member insert into the other one of the apertures in the other end of the third strap.   
     
     
         10 . The headgear of  claim 9 , wherein the occipital strap includes a pad coupled to the occipital strap and configured to engage a wearer's head with the headgear worn by a wearer 
     
     
         11 . The headgear of  claim 9 , further comprising a limiting member engageable by the third strap to limit pivoting of the third strap. 
     
     
         12 . The headgear of  claim 11 , wherein the limiting member extends from one of the first and second side members and is engageable by an edge of the third strap. 
     
     
         13 . The headgear of  claim 11 , wherein the third strap includes a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, wherein the first and second edges of the limiting member are engageable with the limiting member to limit pivoting of the third strap in two directions. 
     
     
         14 . The headgear of  claim 9 , further comprising a first limiting member and a second limiting member for limiting pivoting of the third strap, wherein the first limiting member extends from the first side member and the second limiting member extends from the second side member. 
     
     
         15 . The headgear of  claim 14 , wherein the third strap includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first limiting member is configured to engage the first end of the third strap and the second limiting member is configured to engage the second end of the third strap. 
     
     
         16 . The headgear of  claim 9 , wherein the occipital strap includes a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion is rigidly coupled to one of the first side member and the second side member and the second portion is pivotally coupled to the first portion. 
     
     
         17 . The headgear of  claim 9 , wherein the occipital strap includes two first portions and two second portions, wherein one of the two first portions is rigidly coupled to the first side member and the other of the two first portions is rigidly coupled to the second side member, and wherein one of the two second portions is pivotally coupled to the one of the two first portions and the other of the two second portions is pivotally coupled to the other of the two first portions. 
     
     
         18 . The headgear of  claim 17 , further comprising a tightening member coupled to the two second portions of the occipital strap. 
     
     
         19 . The headgear of  claim 9 , wherein the forehead strap includes padding configured to engage a wearer's forehead with the headgear worn by a wearer and provide comfort to the wearer. 
     
     
         20 . The headgear of  claim 19 , wherein the forehead strap includes an interior surface and the padding is at least partially positioned on the interior surface of the forehead strap.