“ThundaWear”
A New Day in Concussion Protection
-Executive SummaryI. Product Description
“ThundaWear” is protective shock absorbing skullcaps that use gel technology
to provide an added layer of protection that disperses shock at the point of impact.
This shock dispersion can reduce the occurrence of concussions in contact sports.
Gel technology research has demonstrated significant shock reduction in high
impact testing. This shock reduction can result in a significant decrease in the
number of concussions occurring at all levels of contact sports including
professional, college and high school football. “ThundaWear” uses gel packets
securely sewn into a form fitting skullcap. “ThundaWear” is high tech
supplemental protective equipment designed to augment the protection provided by
helmets currently in use.
II. Opportunity Rationale
“ThundaWear” is an idea that came to inventor, Ron Roberts while considering
the increasing number of high profile football players who were falling victim to
concussions. Recently and in past years, many NFL players have had their careers
shortened due to concussions. Research has revealed that gel technology is
currently being incorporated into various products as a cushioning medium.
Various gel systems have been produced and patented by several different
companies and utilized in products such as bicycle seats, shoe insoles, lacrosse
shoulder pads, car seats, helmets and ergonomic cushioning support for typing.
Conventional padding currently utilized in head, chin and body protective
equipment consists mostly of reinforced sponge type cushioning that has only
marginal effect on the reduction of impact injuries. The reason for this is that even
though padding of this nature forms a barrier to direct impact, it does not dissipate
the impact. Gel cushioning has proven superiority in the dissipation of shock and
has demonstrated significant shock reduction in high impact testing. This could
greatly reduce impact injuries such as concussions. The benefits of reducing injuries
of this nature would be tremendous for all types of contact sports at all levels.
Utilizing gel technology, “ThundaWear” can keep athletes on the field, extend their
playing careers and reduce the long-term consequences of head injuries.
The three leading football helmet makers are competing to equip more than 2
million football players in the United States. This includes high school, college and
the professional level but represents only a portion of the total potential market for
“ThundaWear” products which would also include hockey and other contact sports.
Confidential
Created by Ron Roberts
Page 1
3/6/2016
According to leading helmet experts, there's no helmet out there that can eliminate
concussions. What helmets do is keep players from getting killed. By wearing a
“ThundaWear” skullcap (which provides an added layer of gel cushioning under
the helmet) players at every level in all contact sports will have substantially
increased protection from concussions. The market potential for a product that can
provide this increase in protection is tremendous.
Ongoing studies estimate that football causes thousands of concussions each year, a
large percentage of those are attributed to the high school level. Each year football
attracts more than 1.5 million players at the high school level. And, as with most
contact sports, violent collisions are a part of the game. These collisions often result
in mild to severe head injury (i.e. concussion). A study conducted by the American
Journal of Public Health concluded that 250,000 of the 1.5 million high school
football players in the United States suffer concussions during a given season. Few
injuries can sideline an otherwise healthy athlete faster than a concussion. The
National Football League reports that 160 concussions occur each year. Also, a
survey by the American Academy of Neurology of over 1,000 retired pro football
players found 60% had experienced at least one concussion during their playing
career, and 26% had suffered three or more concussions. Compared with players
who had not had a concussion, those who had were more likely to have neurological
complaints, including memory problems, speech or hearing impairments, numbness
in their extremities, and headaches. The point is that cuts, bruises and broken
bones will heal, but damage to the brain can last a lifetime.
III. Patent/Trademark Status
The “ThundaWear” patent and trademark is being secured and finalized by the
law firm of Fraser, Clemens, Martin, & Miller LLC, certified patent attorneys that
specialize in intellectual property law. Extensive research has not found this product
or product name on the market. Therefore, the attainment of product patent and
trademark rights should be imminent. Also, contact has been made with potential
manufacturers to assess interest level in negotiating a licensing or purchase
agreement. Another option being pursued is to secure venture capital to finance the
development of a company to independently produce and market the product. The
University of Toledo’s Small Business Entrepreneurship Institute and Regional
Growth Partnership has been contacted and is currently assisting in the
development of a prototype and a comprehensive business plan.
Confidential
Created by Ron Roberts
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3/6/2016
Initial Finances Required
Cost for Patent:
 Patentability Search
$1,000
(1 week for completion)
 Provisional Patent Application
1,500
(2-4 weeks for completion)
 Utility Patent Application
5,000
(completed within 1st year)
-----------Sub Total
$7,500
Cost for Trademark
 Trademark Search
$600
(1-2 weeks for completion)
 Trademark Registration Application
600
(2 days for completion)
_________
Sub Total
$1,200
Cost to Solicit Manufacturer or Venture Capital for Production
 Travel Expenses
$3,000
 Legal Counsel
1,200
 Accounting Services
1,100
_________
Sub Total
$5,300
_________
Grand Total
Confidential
$14,000
Created by Ron Roberts
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3/6/2016