# US 10,307,295 B2 · Protective eyewear > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,307,295 B2 - Document ID: US10307295B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/014,204 - Filed: 2016-02-03 - Published: 2017-01-26 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2015-02-03 - Assignees: SCP George TFE - Applicants: John George Lloyd - Inventors: John George Lloyd; Piers Christian Storey - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10307295B2 ## CPC - A61F 9/027: {Straps; Buckles; Attachment of headbands} - A41D 13/1184: {with protection for the eyes, e.g. using shield or visor} - A41D 27/02: Linings - A41D 31/285: {using layered materials} - A42B 3/18: Face protection devices - A61F 9/026: {Paddings; Cushions; Fittings to the face} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) - A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES - A42B: HATS; HEAD COVERINGS (headbands A41D20/00; head-scarves A41D23/00) ## Abstract The application discloses a flexible strap for retaining protective eyewear on a wearer's head. The strap includes an energy absorbing material which is configured to deform to absorb kinetic energy on impact and which is held in contact with a first outer layer. A method of manufacture of the strap is also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A flexible strap for retaining protective eyewear on a wearer's head, comprising: an energy absorbing material configured to deform to absorb kinetic energy on impact, said energy absorbing material having a thickness of between 1 and 6 millimeters, and comprising a plurality of tubes, with each of said tubes being welded to at least one other of said tubes; and a first outer layer; wherein said energy absorbing material is held in contact with said first outer layer. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The flexible strap of claim 1, wherein said energy absorbing material comprises energy absorbing foam. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The flexible strap of claim 1, wherein said energy absorbing material is held in contact with said first outer layer by an adhesive layer between said energy absorbing material and said first outer layer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The flexible strap of claim 1, further comprising a second outer layer, wherein said energy absorbing material is positioned between said first outer layer and said second outer layer and is held in contact with both layers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The flexible strap of claim 4, wherein said first outer layer and said second outer layer form a pocket, and said energy absorbing material is held in contact with said first and second outer layers by being retained within said pocket. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The flexible strap of claim 4, wherein at least one said outer layer is manufactured from one of the following group: a fabric, polyurethane, elastic material, polyester, nylon, spandex. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The flexible strap of claim 1, further comprising an adjustable mechanism to allow adjustment of the length of said flexible strap. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The flexible strap of claim 1, wherein said flexible strap comprises an elasticated material. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The flexible strap of claim 1, wherein said flexible strap is configured to be breathable such that air is free to flow therethrough. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) Protective eyewear comprising a flexible strap according to claim 1. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A helmet comprising the protective eyewear of claim 10, wherein said protective eyewear is configured to provide increased protection to a wearer's head in combination with said helmet. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The helmet comprising the protective eyewear according to claim 11 wherein said flexible strap is configured to withstand a peak acceleration of between 80 and 300 g. ### Claim 13 A method of manufacturing a flexible strap for retaining protective eyewear on a wearer's head, comprising the steps of: obtaining an energy absorbing material having a thickness of between 1 and 6 millimeters, said energy absorbing material being configured to deform to absorb kinetic energy on impact, including the steps of; extruding tubes with an inner circumference of a first material and an outer circumference of a second material, said second material having a lower melting point than said first material; cutting predetermined lengths of said extruded tubes; arranging said predetermined lengths into said energy absorbing material; and applying heat to melt a portion of said outer circumferences without melting respective inner circumferences; fabricating a first outer layer of flexible material; and placing said energy absorbing material and said first outer layer together such that they are held in contact with each other. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of manufacturing a flexible strap of claim 13, wherein said step of placing said energy absorbing material and said first outer layer together comprises the steps of: positioning a first adhesive layer in contact with a first surface of said first outer layer; positioning said energy absorbing material in contact with said first adhesive layer such that said first adhesive layer is positioned between said first outer layer and said energy absorbing material; applying heat to said first outer layer, said first adhesive layer and said energy absorbing material such that said first adhesive layer bonds said energy absorbing material to said first outer layer. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of manufacturing a flexible strap of claim 14, further comprising the step of: positioning a second adhesive layer on a top surface of said energy absorbing material; positioning a second outer layer on top of said second adhesive layer such that said second adhesive layer is positioned between said energy absorbing material and said second outer layer; and applying heat to said second outer layer, said second adhesive layer and said energy absorbing material such that said second adhesive layer bonds said energy absorbing material to said second outer layer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The method of manufacturing a flexible strap of claim 13, further including the steps of: fabricating a second outer layer of flexible material; wherein said step of placing said energy absorbing material and said first outer layer together comprises the steps of: fabricating a pocket from said first outer layer and said second outer layer; and placing said energy absorbing material into said pocket.