Prior art

The USPTO provides a Patent Public Search tool for searching patents and patent application publications. This tool allows users to search by keywords or common fields, such as inventor or publication number, and also offers an advanced search with full query options. The following prior art references were cited in US Patent 10,681,946:

1. US3900035A

• Full Citation: US3900035A - Therapeutic elastic bandage
• Publication Date: August 19, 1975
• Description: This patent describes a therapeutic elastic bandage.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: Without a more detailed description of the bandage's construction and its potential for protective inserts, it is difficult to definitively say which claims of US10681946B2 it might anticipate. However, if the bandage includes any form of localized padding or reinforcement that could be considered a "protective insert" within a "headband," it might potentially anticipate aspects of Claim 1, 16, or 19 related to a head-worn item with protective elements.

2. US4277847A

• Full Citation: US4277847A - Headband for joggers
• Publication Date: July 14, 1981
• Description: This patent describes a headband specifically designed for joggers.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: Similar to US3900035A, the degree of anticipation depends on whether this headband incorporates any protective features. If it includes integrated or attachable elements designed to absorb impact or protect specific areas, it could potentially anticipate aspects of Claim 1, 16, or 19 concerning a headband with protective inserts.

3. US4646367A

• Full Citation: US4646367A - Tumbling cap
• Publication Date: March 3, 1987
• Description: This patent describes a tumbling cap.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: A tumbling cap is inherently protective headgear. If this cap utilizes inserts within pouches or directly attached inserts for protection, it could potentially anticipate Claim 1 (headband with pouches and inserts), Claim 16 (headband with detachable pouch and insert), or Claim 19 (headband with detachable inserts directly attached). The "open top" limitation of Claim 1 would need careful consideration.

4. US4698852A

• Full Citation: US4698852A - Head guard for soccer player
• Publication Date: October 13, 1987
• Description: This patent describes a head guard designed for soccer players.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: A soccer head guard is clearly protective headgear. If it incorporates protective elements as described in US10681946B2, particularly those involving detachable inserts or inserts within pouches, it could potentially anticipate Claim 1, 16, or 19.

5. US4910804A

• Full Citation: US4910804A - Head guard and method for making same
• Publication Date: March 27, 1990
• Description: This patent describes a head guard and the method for its manufacture.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: Depending on the design of the head guard and its protective elements (e.g., if it uses inserts that are detachable or contained in pouches), it could potentially anticipate Claim 1, 16, or 19.

6. US4947488A

• Full Citation: US4947488A - Forehead guard
• Publication Date: August 14, 1990
• Description: This patent describes a forehead guard.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: A forehead guard is a specific type of protective headgear. If this guard uses detachable inserts or inserts within pouches to protect the forehead, it could potentially anticipate elements of Claim 1, 16, or 19, particularly concerning the placement and attachment of protective inserts.

7. US5395400A

• Full Citation: US5395400A - Heated headgear
• Publication Date: March 7, 1995
• Description: This patent describes heated headgear.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: While primarily focused on heating, if the heated headgear also incorporates protective elements that function as inserts, especially if they are detachable or within pouches, it could potentially anticipate aspects of Claim 1, 16, or 19. The "protective" nature of the inserts would be key here.

8. US5946734A

• Full Citation: US5946734A - Head protector apparatus
• Publication Date: September 7, 1999
• Description: This patent describes a head protector apparatus.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: Given its general nature as a "head protector apparatus," a detailed review of its construction would be needed. If it features a headband-like structure with inserts that are detachable or housed in pouches, it could potentially anticipate Claim 1, 16, or 19.

9. US5963989A

• Full Citation: US5963989A - Soccer headband
• Publication Date: October 12, 1999
• Description: This patent describes a headband specifically for soccer.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: Similar to US4698852A, if this soccer headband incorporates protective inserts, especially those that are detachable or housed in pouches, it could potentially anticipate Claim 1, 16, or 19.

10. US6000062A

• Full Citation: US6000062A - Protective headband for soccer players
• Publication Date: December 14, 1999
• Description: This patent describes a protective headband for soccer players.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: As a "protective headband for soccer players," this patent is highly relevant. If it features multiple pouches with inserts (Claim 1), detachable pouches with inserts (Claim 16), or detachable inserts directly attached to the headband (Claim 19), it would directly anticipate those claims.

11. US6266826B1

• Full Citation: US6266826B1 - Protective head device
• Publication Date: July 31, 2001
• Description: This patent describes a protective head device.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: The term "protective head device" is broad. If this device is a headband with detachable inserts or inserts within pouches, it could potentially anticipate Claim 1, 16, or 19.

12. US6349416B1

• Full Citation: US6349416B1 - Headguard-protective sports headband
• Publication Date: February 26, 2002
• Description: This patent describes a headguard, which is a protective sports headband.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: As a "protective sports headband," this patent is highly relevant. If it features multiple pouches with inserts (Claim 1), detachable pouches with inserts (Claim 16), or detachable inserts directly attached to the headband (Claim 19), it would directly anticipate those claims.

13. US6397399B1

• Full Citation: US6397399B1 - Protective headguard
• Publication Date: June 4, 2002
• Description: This patent describes a protective headguard.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: Similar to US6266826B1, the specific construction regarding detachable inserts or inserts within pouches would determine its relevance to Claim 1, 16, or 19.

14. US6427253B1

• Full Citation: US6427253B1 - Protective headgear comprising a headband and a semi-rigid support to protect a back region of a user's head
• Publication Date: August 6, 2002
• Description: This patent describes protective headgear that includes a headband and a semi-rigid support specifically for the back of the head.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent is highly relevant due to its explicit mention of a "headband" and "protective headgear." The "semi-rigid support" could be considered a protective insert. If this support is enclosed in a pouch or is detachable, it could anticipate Claim 1, 16, or 19. The "open top" of Claim 1 would need to be considered.

15. US6438761B1

• Full Citation: US6438761B1 - Protective headband for heading a ball
• Publication Date: August 27, 2002
• Description: This patent describes a protective headband designed for heading a ball.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent is highly relevant. If it incorporates protective inserts, especially those detachable or housed in pouches, it could directly anticipate Claim 1, 16, or 19.

16. US6493881B1

• Full Citation: US6493881B1 - Head protector for infants and small children
• Publication Date: December 17, 2002
• Description: This patent describes a head protector for infants and small children.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: Depending on the design, if this head protector uses a headband-like structure with detachable inserts or inserts within pouches, it could potentially anticipate Claim 1, 16, or 19.

17. US6554787B1

• Full Citation: US6554787B1 - Headband for treatment of headaches
• Publication Date: April 29, 2003
• Description: This patent describes a headband used for the treatment of headaches.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: While focused on headache treatment, if the headband incorporates elements that could also be considered "protective inserts" (e.g., padded areas for pressure application) and these are detachable or in pouches, it might have some overlap with Claim 1, 16, or 19. The primary function difference would be a key distinction.

18. US8458820B2

• Full Citation: US8458820B2 - Form-fitting protective headwear
• Publication Date: June 11, 2013
• Description: This patent describes form-fitting protective headwear.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: Given its description, this patent is highly relevant. If the headwear is a headband with multiple pouches containing inserts (Claim 1), a detachable pouch with an insert (Claim 16), or directly attached detachable inserts (Claim 19), it could directly anticipate those claims.

19. US8613114B1

• Full Citation: US8613114B1 - Head guard
• Publication Date: December 24, 2013
• Description: This patent describes a head guard.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: A general "head guard" could anticipate Claim 1, 16, or 19 depending on its specific design concerning detachability of inserts or use of pouches.

20. US8739316B1

• Full Citation: US8739316B1 - Protective headgear and inserts
• Publication Date: June 3, 2014
• Description: This patent describes protective headgear and associated inserts.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent is highly relevant as it explicitly mentions "protective headgear and inserts." If the headgear is a headband, and the inserts are detachable or enclosed in pouches, it could directly anticipate Claim 1, 16, or 19.

21. US8789212B2

• Full Citation: US8789212B2 - Protective athletic headwear with open top
• Publication Date: July 29, 2014
• Description: This patent describes protective athletic headwear with an open top.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent is highly relevant, particularly due to the "open top" feature that aligns with Claim 1 of US10681946B2. If this headwear uses multiple pouches with inserts (Claim 1), a detachable pouch with an insert (Claim 16), or directly attached detachable inserts (Claim 19), it could directly anticipate those claims.

22. US20150040296A1

• Full Citation: US20150040296A1 - Protective Helmet Cap
• Publication Date: February 12, 2015
• Description: This patent application describes a protective helmet cap.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: If this protective helmet cap has features resembling a headband with pouches and inserts, or detachable pouches/inserts, it could potentially anticipate Claim 1, 16, or 19. The "cap" aspect would need to be distinguished from the "headband" aspect of US10681946B2, especially for the open-top limitation of Claim 1.

23. US20160058084A1

• Full Citation: US20160058084A1 - Athletic headband with removable cooling elements
• Publication Date: March 3, 2016
• Description: This patent application describes an athletic headband with removable cooling elements.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: This patent is relevant due to the "athletic headband with removable elements" aspect. If the "cooling elements" also provide a protective function, and they are removable and/or housed in pouches, it could potentially anticipate Claim 1, 16, or 19. The protective nature of the inserts would be a key point of comparison.

24. US20180199653A1

• Full Citation: US20180199653A1 - Lightweight protective headgear
• Publication Date: July 19, 2018
• Description: This patent application describes lightweight protective headgear.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: Given its general description, if this headgear is a headband with detachable inserts or inserts within pouches, it could potentially anticipate Claim 1, 16, or 19.

25. US10080394B2

• Full Citation: US10080394B2 - Headband with protective insert
• Publication Date: September 25, 2018
• Description: This patent describes a headband with a protective insert. This patent is a direct continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/093,464, which is the parent application of US10681946B2.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: As a direct continuation of a parent application, this patent is highly relevant and likely describes very similar or identical subject matter. It would almost certainly anticipate aspects of Claim 1, 16, and 19, depending on the specific wording of its claims.

26. Crasche.com webpage; printed: Apr. 13, 2015.

• Full Citation: Crasche.com webpage; printed: Apr. 13, 2015.
• Publication Date: The content was available and printed on April 13, 2015. Crasche hats were invented by Bob and Brian Cleva, and information regarding them was available as early as February 4, 2015.
• Description: The Crasche website describes a line of protective sports hats and headgear designed as an alternative to helmets, featuring removable, impact-resistant inserts made of polycarbonate plastic and neoprene rubber. These hats are designed to be stylish and comfortable, suitable for sports where helmets aren't typically worn or for individuals with special needs requiring head protection. The inserts are removable and designed to be easily inserted and re-inserted. The Crasche hat is not designed to replace a helmet, but to offer protection from blunt force impact. The inserts have an outer layer of polycarbonate plastic and an inner layer of neoprene rubber with air chambers to cushion and spread impact force.
• Potential Anticipated Claims: The Crasche product, as described on its website, features removable protective inserts within a headgear (hats and bands), which can be seen as anticipating aspects of US10681946B2. Specifically:
  • Claim 1 (headband with open top, pouches, and inserts): If any of the Crasche headbands (e.g., the "Middie band") had an open top, and the protective inserts were enclosed in pouches on the outer surface, this could anticipate Claim 1. The Crasche website mentions "removable protective inserts" for their hats, which are typically enclosed in pockets or pouches within the hat structure, or can be directly attached/removed from hats.
  • Claim 16 (headband with detachable pouch and insert): The concept of a headband with detachable pouches containing inserts aligns closely with the Crasche product if the pouches containing the inserts are detachable from the headband. The website states that the "protective inserts are designed to be easily removed and re-inserted."
  • Claim 19 (headband with detachable protective inserts directly attached): If Crasche offered a headband where the protective inserts were directly attached to the outer surface and were detachable, this would anticipate Claim 19. The website describes the hats as being worn "with or without the protective inserts," implying the inserts are detachable. The materials (polycarbonate and neoprene with air chambers) also align with materials mentioned in US10681946B2.