Headgear

A headgear shaped as an equestrian riding helmet, comprising:

• an outer plastic shell having a continuous lower rim, a hollow dome extending from said lower rim to a central crown, and a brim, said lower rim and dome collectively defining a forward portion, a rearward portion, and lateral portions of said outer shell, said brim extending from said outer shell forward portion;
• an inner foam liner nested in the dome of said outer shell, said inner liner having a continuous lower rim and a hollow dome extending from said lower rim to a central crown to provide a head receiving cavity, said lower rim and said dome collectively defining a forward portion, a rearward portion, and lateral portions of said inner liner;
• a headband, said headband having a forward portion and lateral portions respectively secured to said inner liner forward and lateral portions via fasteners, and further including a pair of fabric-covered flexible members extending rearwardly from said headband lateral portions;
• said flexible members having free end portions that are mutually interconnected via an adjustable locking mechanism that allows said headband to accommodate many heads of different length;
• a fabric lining secured between said inner liner and said outer shell and extending around said inner liner lower rim into said head-receiving cavity and toward said inner liner crown, said fabric lining covering said headband forward and lateral portions, and including a pair of openings through which said headband flexible members extend into said head-receiving cavity;
• said fabric lining further having an adjustable opening formed with a drawstring at a crown portion thereof, said adjustable opening being configured to facilitate vertical adjustment of said headgear;
• a venting system including a first vent aperture formed in said crown of said outer shell, a second vent aperture formed in said crown of said inner liner, a plurality of third vent apertures formed in said inner liner in spaced relationship with said second vent aperture, and a plurality of grooves formed in said inner liner and extending from said third vent apertures to said second vent aperture, said first, second and third vent apertures being in fluid communication with each other to provide pathways for air flow between said head-receiving cavity and ambient air outside of said headgear;
• said venting system further including:
• an outer finial having a raised button-shaped appearance mounted on an outside surface of said outer shell to cover said first vent aperture, said finial having air flow passages in fluid communication with said first aperture;
• an inner escutcheon mounted on an inside surface of said inner liner to cover said second vent aperture, said escutcheon having air flow passages in fluid communication with said second aperture;
• said finial and said escutcheon being secured together within said first and second apertures;
• a plurality of bushings extending through said third apertures, each of said bushings having an apertured face flange engaging said inside surface of said inner liner and covering an associated one of said third apertures, said bushings having a central bore providing an air pathway through the associated third vent aperture;
• and
• a velvet covering extending over said outside surface of said outer shell and over said finial.

A headgear, comprising:

• an outer plastic shell having a continuous lower rim, a hollow dome extending from said lower rim to a central crown, said lower rim and dome collectively defining a forward portion, a rearward portion, and lateral portions of said outer shell;
• an inner foam liner nested in the dome of said outer shell, said inner liner having a continuous lower rim and a hollow dome extending from said lower rim to a central crown to provide a head receiving cavity, said lower rim and said dome collectively defining a forward portion, a rearward portion, and lateral portions of said inner liner;
• a headband, said headband having a forward portion and lateral portions respectively secured to said inner liner forward and lateral portions via fasteners, and further including a pair of fabric-covered flexible members extending rearwardly from said headband lateral portions;
• said flexible members having free end portions that are mutually interconnected via an adjustable locking mechanism that allows said headband to accommodate many heads of different length, said flexible member end portions extending outside of said head-receiving cavity;
• a strap retention system comprising a pair of side retention straps mounted to respective ones of said outer shell lateral portions and extending downwardly therefrom, and a pair of rear retention straps mounted to respective ones of said side straps and connected to a loop attached to said outer shell rearward portion, said rear retention straps extending rearwardly from their point of attachment to said side retention straps and being secured together using an adjustable securement system comprising a buckle;
• said inner liner lateral portions being formed with channels that receive said side retention straps and allow said straps to drape down in close proximity to a wearer's temples and cheeks;
• and
• a venting system including a first vent aperture formed in said crown of said outer shell, a second vent aperture formed in said crown of said helmet liner, a plurality of third vent apertures formed in said helmet liner in spaced relationship with said second vent aperture, and a plurality of grooves formed in said helmet liner and extending from said third vent apertures to said second vent aperture, said first, second and third vent apertures being in fluid communication with each other to provide pathways for air flow between said head-receiving cavity and ambient air outside of said headgear.