_ ~l~'~3~'~
_. ~ ~VVO 93/2100 PCT/US93/05544
_1_
FACE GrUARD
BAC~tGROtJND OF THE TNVENTTON
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a face guard for use by
athletes. The invention relates especially to a face
guard for baseball players, particularly although not
exclusively, for young baseball players.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
The need for certain athletes to wear protective gear
to protect the head and face has long been recognized. In .;;
the sport of football, for example, players wear helmets
having face guards to protect the head and facial areas.
The face guard of the invention is adaptable to many
sports, ~e.g., soft ball, racquetball, lacrosse, field
hockey); however, the discussion of the related art will
focus primarily on practices which relate to use of the
invention face guard in connection with baseball. It is
to be understood however that the face guard of the
invention is not limited to that sport.
~ Baseball players holding certain field positions
typically wear protective head gear. While at bat, a
batter wears a batter's helmet to protect his head from
being struck with a pitched baseball. Additionally, the
catcher wears a catcher' s mask which is specially designed
for the type of ball activity a catcher is likely to
encounter at home plate. Other defensive baseball
players, such as basemen, shortstops, and outfielders,
typically do not wear protective gear. However, the need
to protect the facial areas of ether defensive players is
equally important.'
A baseball player, in particular a young player who
is just learning the game, is subject to a number of
injuries which could be diminished or avoided by a
protective face guard. Players often risk being struck by
hit or deflected balls, for example by line drives which
come directly and quickly off a batter' s bat, by ground
balls which can bounce off the ground and hit a player's
chin or face, or by collision with another player. In
addition to the obvious benefit of reducing injuries,
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protective gear allows athletes who wear the protective
gear to feel more at ease about performing to the limit of
their athletic ability without fear of injury, and as a
result develop confidence in their playing ability and
become more skilled in the game pursued.
A protective face guard is not effective or
successful if the player will not wear it. Protective
face guards have previously been developed, for example,
as illustrated in United States patent No. 3'132,345 of
Keith. However, no face guard has proven completely v
successful for use by baseball players, particularly young
players playing in defensive positions. A face guard
which requires special cap attachments (for example, of
the type shown in the patent of Keith ) is cumber:>ome to .
put on and remove, and thus is not a practical option.
Note is made of the following United States Patents
illustrating for background purposes types of face guards
made in mesh form or of intersecting rod members: United
States Patents 2,627,602; 3,041,623; 3,608,089; and DES
204,730. However, in no instance do any of such prior art
patents teach the combination of features of the present
invention.
An effective and successful protective face guard
must meet several goals. An effective face guard must be
easy to put on, take off, and wear. The face guard must
not obstruct a player's ability to see arid watch a ball,
other players or the field. The face guard must also
conform to league uniform regulations, which typically
require the wearing of a league baseball cap. The face
guard should not, therefore, prevent the player from
wearing a basehall;cap. A cap protects a player's head
from the sun, and provides a sun visor. A face guard
which requires that the baseball cap be removed or turned
backwards on the player's head hinders the cap's ability
to protect the player. If a protective face guard does
not meet these recited goals, a player will not wear the
face guard, and thus will not be protected during play.
It should also be noted that the face guard of the
invention is designed for players in defensive positions
and is not meant to replace the head gear specially
designed for offensive players, catchers and base coaches.
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Tn one aspect of the invention, a mouth guard is used
in conjunction with the face guard of the invention. In
this regard, reference is made for background purposes to
United States Patent 3,448,738 in which there is
illustrated a type of mouth guard used with a type of face ;~
guard.
One advantage of the sports face guard of the
invention is that it is easy and convenient to use.
Another advantage of the face guard of the inventicn
is its adaptability to the protection of young baseball
players, particularly those players playing defensive
positions.
Other advantages will be more fully apparent fi:om the
following disclosure and appended claims
I5 SUMMARY OF THE IN~EI~ITTON
The face guard of the invention is comprised,
according to a first embodiment, of a one-piece
lightweight molded mask giece, a forehead pad and a mouth
pad both of which are secured to the inside surface of the
mask piece, a strap and a mouth guard. The mask piece is
formed from a relatively thin plastic material having high
impact strength and may be tinted. The uppermost edge of
the mask piece resides slightly abave the player's head.
The lowermost edge of the mask piece resides below the
player' s chin to cover the player' s throat area. The mask
piece extends from the temple area of one side of the
player's face to the temple area of the opposite side of
the player's face. In a second embodiment, the mask piece
instead of being farmed of a molded plastic is formed as
a matrix of~ intersecting tad members which provides
similar protection as with the face guard of the parent
application and preserves all of the described features.
A particular feature of the face guard of the
invention is that the mask piece is formed with a visor
aperture which is sized and positioned to accommodate the
insertion of the bill of a regulation baseball cap. The
mash piece of the face guard is also formed with a vision
aperture such that, when the face guard is worn, the
WC193/25100 P~1"/US93/0' 1
vision aperture is positioned opposite the player's eye
area. The vision aperture is somewhat oval shaped to
provide the player with an unobstructed forward and
substantially unobstructed peripheral view. The lower
portion of the vision aperture extends below the player's . w
sight line to a level slightly above the tip of the
player's nose so as to guard the player's nose. The
vision aperture is sized smaller than the diameter of a
baseball at the opening's widest point.
The face guard is equipped with a forehead pad and
a mouth pad which effectively position the face guard
relative to the player's face. The thickness of the pads
permits the player to wear glasses when wearing the face
guard of the invention, and without experiencing any loss
of forward or peripheral vision. The forehead and mouth
pads also protect and cushion the player from the: impact
of blows to the face guard by hit or deflected balls by
distributing the impact through the mask piece and the
pads. ,
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE HRAWINGa
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the face
guard of the invention without a mouth guard.
Figure 2 is a front view of the face guard of Figure
1.
Figure 3 is a side view of the face guard of Figure
1 with a mouth guard inserted.
Figure 4 is a top view of the face guard of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a 'rear view of the face guard of Figure
1.
Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line
6-6 of Figure 4.
Figure 7 is a side view of a player (in dashed lines)
wearing the face guard of the invention and illustrated as
wearing a mouth guard.
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Figure 8 is a front elevation view of a second
preferred embodiment of the face guard of the invention.
Figure 9 is a side elevation view of the face guard
of Figure 8 with a wearer (in dashed lines).
Figure 10 is a cross sectian view taken in the
direction of line 10-10 of Figure 8.
Figure 11 is an exploded cross sectional view taken
in the direction of line 11-11 of Figure 8. .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the ~''igures 1 - 7 of the first
embodiment which is the subject of the parent application,
the face guard 20 of the invention is generally comprised
of a mask piece 22, a strap 46, a forehead pad 50, a mouth
pad 52, and a mouth guard 64. i.
Z5 Mask piece 22 is preferably formed from a tough,
rigid, nan-shattering, molded plastic material which can
resist and deflect direct hits by a baseball or the like.
Mask piece 22 is preferably formed by injection molding.
A polycarbonate material, such as the polycarbonate
material sold under the name LEXAN~', is particularly
suitable for making the mask piece 22 because of its high
impact strength, its capability for being tinted and for
providing a non-reflective exterior surface when molded.
A non-reflective exterior surface on mask piece 22 reduces
sun and artificial light reflected off the mask piece 22,
and tinting reduces harmful sun rays from penetrating the
mask piece 22. A tinted mask piece 22 also gives the face
guard 20 an,aesthe~ically pleasing appearance. However,
for purposes of illustrating the invention, mask piece 22
is assumed to be made of a transparent, non-reflective
material.
Mask piece 22 has a generally outward curvature so
that it guards the player's face and also assists in
deflecting balls. Mask piece 22 includes a front portion
generally designated 26 and integrally connected side
portions generally designated 34, shown from a front view
in Figure 2 and from a top view in Figure 4.
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Side portions 34 include upper regions 36, as
indicated in Figures 1-3 and 5-7, which axe designed to
cover the player's temple areas. Side portions 34 also
include lower regions 38 indicated in Figures 2 and 7
which are designed to cover the player's cheek and jaw
areas. Side portions 34 also include slots 47 for ,:
receiving a strap 46. Slots 47 are oppositely disposed on
the upper regions 36 of side portions 34 as seen, for
example, in Figures 2, 4 and 5 and are bounded by a
beading 24. Integrally molded beading 24 is formed along
the periphery of mask piece 22 and around the edges of
apertures 40 and 42 and slots 47 and serves to re:i.nforce
and to prevent breaking and cracking. Beading 24 also
serves to reduce wear to strap ~~6 by the edges of slots
47. Beading 24 is preferably formed with a round cross
section of approximately twice the average thickness of
mask piece 22.
Strap 46 is fitted with a suitable closing means 48
wl-ai.c_h may be constructed in any conventional manner but
preferably in a manner which germits strag 46 to be '
adjustable. Strap 46 is illustrated as being formed as a
single piece having two ends referred to as the first and
second ends. A first end is inserted into a first slot 47
from the outside of mask piece 22 and is pulled through
the first slot 47 to and through the opposite slot 47.
The first .end of strap 46 adjustably attaches to the
second end of strap 46 to close strap 46 around the
player's head. Strap 46 may also comprise two pieces (not
shown) having one strap piece attached to one slot 47, and
a second strap piece attached to the opposite slot 47,
whereby the tree end of the first piece attaches to the
free end of the second piece to close strap 46. It is
preferable, that the Closing means 48 for strap 46 permit
the strap 46 to be opened, closed and adjusted in an easy
and convenient manner, for example, through hook and loop
means, e.g., a suitable hook and loop means such as that
known in the trade and sold under the name VELCRO' . Other
means for releasably securing the face guard 20 to the
player's head may be employed.
Front portion 26 of mask piece 22 includes an upper
region 28 which is designed to shield the player's
forehead area as best seen in Figure 7. Upper region 28
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IW~D 93/25100 PCT/US93/05b44
includes a visor aperture 40, as seen in Figures 1-3 and
5-7. Visor aperture 40 has an elongated curved oval shape
and is bounded by the previously referred to beading 24. r
A significant feature of the invention resides in visor
aperture 40 being sized to accommodate the bill or visor
of a cap, particularly of a standard, regulation baseball
cap, and extends substantially the full width of front
portion 26. As best seen in Figure 7, when face guard 20
is worn, the player's cap visor (shown in dashed lines in
Figure 9 ) is inserted from the inside of mask piece 22
through visor aperture 40. In this manner, the player can
wear a cap in its intended manner while wearing the face
guard 20. The cap visor when inserted into visor aperture
40 also has the effect of substantially stabilizing the
face guard 20 on the player.
Vision aperture 42, shown in Figures 1-3 and 5-7, is
provided in mask piece 22 to form an opening located in
front of the eye area of the player when the face guard 20
is worn. Vision aperture 42 is a generally oval shaped
opening and is bounded by the previously described
beading 24. Vision aperture 42 extends substantially the
full width of front portion 26 and has a lower edge 44
which dips to a point slightly above the tip of the
player' s nose to cover the player' s nose. Vision aperture
42 gives the player both unobstructed for<aard and
peripheral vision. The player can thus see both to his
right and to his left without turning his head from side
to side. A player playing short stop, for example, and
wearing the face guard 20, can see the baseline without
turning his head from side to side while also watching the
batter. The preferred size of distance D of vision
aperture 42 (Figure 2), gives the player the described
unobstructed, view and; is narrow enough so that the ball. is
prevented from entering the vision aperture 42. So long
as the player's view is not obstructed, distance D may be
varied slightly according to the size of the ball or other
play piece being utilized in the game. A racquetball, for
example, may require a slightly narrower vision aperture
42 because a racquetball has a smaller diameter.
Upper region 28 of front portion 26 of mask piece 22
is also formed with a band portion 39 located below visor
aperture 40 and above vision aperture 42. $and portion 39
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extends between integrally formed side portions 34 and
gives front portion 26 structural strength. Side portions
34 provide unbroken exterior side surfaces and form ;
continuations of the generally outward curvature of the
front portion 26 and assist in deflecting any ball hitting
mask piece 22. Eand portion 39 is preferably formed with
additional thickness (not shown) as compared to the other
portions of mask piece 22 so as to give band portion 39 ,
additional structural integrity.
Front portion 26 also includes lower region 32
designed t~ guard the player's nose, chin and throat
areas. Integrally formed lower region 32 of the mask
piece 22 extends between the side portions 34. As best
seen in Figure 7, lower region 32 extends be:Low the
player's chin to cover the throat area and its outermost
edge curves to follow the shape of the player's jaw line.
Mask piece 22 includes forehead pad 50 Which is
formed from a material which both provides cushioning and
resilience. A vinyl/nitrile blend of foam-like material
has been found to be a suitable material for forehead pad
50 such as, for example, the material sold under the name
RUBATEX'~ by Rubatex Corporation of Bedford, Virginia.
Forehead pad 50 is secured to the inside surface area of
upper region 28 of front portion 26, and covers
substantially the entire inside surface area of the upper
region 28, as seen in Figures 2, 4 and 5.
In use, the forehead pad 50 absorbs and cushions the
force of an impact and distributes the force throughout
pad 50 and mask piece 22 such that the player is protected
from the blow. Forehead pad 50 may be adhered or
otherwise secured to the inside surface of mask piece 22
by any conventional means which effectively secures pad 50
to mask piece 22 and such that pad 50 will not be
dislodged in use. An adhesive, or an adhesive tape, _
applied between pad 50 and the inside surface of upper
region 28 has been found to be a suitable means for
securing pad 50 to mask piece 22.
The thickness T of forehead pad 50, shown in Figure
4, determines the distance between the player's face and
the inside surface of mask piece 22. Accordingly,
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thickness T is sufficiently great so that no portion of
the player's face protrudes from mask piece 22 either
through visor aperture 40 or vision aperture 42.
Additionally, thickness T is made sufficient to position
the inner surface of mask piece 22 away from the player's
face so that while wearing the face guard 20, a player can
also comfortably wear eyeglasses without interference with
the face guard 20 and without the glasses contacting the
mask piece 22, as illustrated in Figure 7.
Also included on front portion 26 is mouth pad 52.
Mouth pad 52 is secured to the inside surface of lower
region 32 of front portion 26 and is centered below vision
aperture 42 (Figure 2). The manner in which mouth pad 52
is secured to anask 22, and the material from which the
paid 52 is constructed, are similar to those applying to
forehead pad 50 as previously discussed. Mouth pad 52 is
substantially oval in shape and covers a relatively large
surface area of the inside surface of lower region 32.
When face guard 20 is warn, the mouth gad 52 should
substantially cover the player's mouth, and particularly
the teeth. Mouth pad 52 is large enough so that an impact
to the player's mouth area will be cushioned and
distributed to minimize injury. The thickness T' of mouth
pad 52, as shown in Figure 6, should also be sufficient so ,.,
that no portion of the player's face protrudes from mask ,;
piece 22 and particularly so that no portion of the
player's nose protrudes through vision aperture 42.
Additionally, thickness T' (Figure 6) of mouth pad 52 is
sufficient to position the inner surface of mask piece 22
away from the player's face so that the player can wear
eyeglasses comfortably while wearing face guard 20 as best
illustrated in Figure 7.
Indentation 54 I is formed in and is centered on the
upper portion of mouth pad 52, as best shown in Figures 1,
2 and 5. Indentation 54 permits air passage underneath a
player's nose when protective face guard 20 is worn.
Mouth pad 52 also includes channels 56 which extend
through mouth pad 52, as shown in Figure 6, from entrance
ends 58 to exit ends 60. Entrance ends 58 are positioned
vertically along the center of the inside surface of mouth
pad 52, as shown in Figures 2 and 5. Exit ends 60 abut
mask piece 22 at mating mask piece openings 62 in mask
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piece 22.
Channels 56 of mouth pad 52 are adapted to accept the
stem portion 70 of a modified mouth guard 64. Mouth guard
64 is made from any conventional material known in the art
to be suitable for mouth guards, for example, a rubber-
like material. The illustrated mouth guard 64 of the
invention represents a modified version of the ty~ae mouth
guard presently made by Primms, Ine. of Tonawanda, New
York. When worn by a player, as shown in Figure 7, mouth
guard 64 shields the player's mouth and teeth. Mouth
guard 64 additionally stabilizes face guard 20 on the
player by limiting side to side movement of mask piece 22
on the player's face. Mouth gpard 64 as best seen in
Figure 4, is~ an integrally formed structure which has
teeth guard 66 at one end which is connected by exi:ension
67 to plate 68. Teeth guard 66 is inserted into the mouth
of the player and is placed between the player's top and
bottom teeth. Plate 58, when worn, rests against the _
outside of the player's mouth against the lip area and
cushions the player's mouth and teeth areas upon the
occurrence of impact or collision with face guard 20.
Stem 70 (Figure 6 ) extends from plate 68 and tapers at its
distal end to terminate with a knob 72 (Figure 7). Stem
70 of the invention represents a shortened version of the
stem found in a conventional mouth guard.
Knob 72 and stem 70 are inserted into entrance end 58
and through corresponding channel 56. Knob 72 exits mouth
pad 52 at exit end 60 and is inserted through mask piece
opening 62, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. When mouth guard
64 is fully inserted into mouth pad 52, stem 70 resides
within one channel 56. Knob 72 has a diameter larger than
the diameter of channel 56 and mask piece opening 62 so
that' knob 72~, once suitably placed, will secure mouth
guard 64 in mouth pad 52 and to mask piece 22. Mouth pad
52, stem 70 and knob 72 are constructed from a material
which is somewhat malleable so that knob 72 can be
inserted through channel 56 and mask opening 62 which both
have smaller diameters than the diameter of knob 72. Stem
70 is placed into the respective upper or lower channel 56
which best positions mouth guard 52 for the player at
either a relatively high or low level in mouth pad 50.
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Having described the invention above in reference to
the first embodiment, the description next proceeds to
describe the second embodiment.
The face guard of the invention according to the
second embodiment, is illustrated in Figures 8-11. In
this alternate embodiment, the face guard has the major
advantages of those of the first embodiment, and comprises
a mask piece made of an open, easily ventilated, mesh
comprising intersecting rod members foraning the structure
of the face guard.
Accarding to Figures 8, 9 ,and 10, the mask piece
comprising the second embodiment face guard 80 is bordered
by outer edge rod 82. The visor aperture V is bordered by
upper visor rod 83 and lower visor rod 84. Vision
aperture D is bordered by upper vision rod 86 and lower
vision rod 88 with right and left sides bordered by
vertical rods 96. Tt is understood that visor aperture V
mates in size and shape that of a cap visor and vision
aperture D is preferred to be large enough to provide the
previously described front and side vision.
The rods may be of any cross sectional configuration,
with round being preferred. It is generally preferred
that the face guard rods be made of molded polycarbonate,
but it is recognized that an alternate construction would
be a metal wire matrix coated with a resilient material,
such as a vinyl plastisol. The mesh openings are all
formed so as to prevent passage of the baseball, softball
or other play piece.
An enhanced and secure arrangement for releasably
mounting the face guard of the invention to the head of
the wearer comprises circumferential strap 100, top strap
102 and transverse strap 104 shown in Figure 9. The
straps 100, 102, 104 are formed so as to be individually
adjustable to properly fit the wearer's head, and to
permit donning and removing without having to open a
fastening device. The first or forward end of strap 102
is securely attached to outer edge rod 82 at the center of
the top portion thereof . The front or forward ends of
strap 100 are securely attached to outer edge rod 82 at
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opposed edge portions essentially adjacent visor aperture
V. Strap 104 (see Figure 9~ has a central portion
securely attached to strap 102 and lateral side portions
attached to strap 100. As with the first embodiment, the
visor aperture V of the second embodiment is similarly
adapted to allow the visor of a typical baseball cap
(shown in dashed lines in Figure 9~ to pass through the
visor aperture, be snugly received herein to protrude
forwardly of the face guard and to stabilize the face
guard when worn.
The overall shape of the face guard 80 is
substantially the same in this second embodiment as in the
first embodiment, allowing sufficient clearance so as to
not contact pasts of the wearer' s face and being formed
with a curvature to deflect an impacting ball. A forehead
pad 110 is attached to inner surfaces of the upper portion
of face guard 80 and mouth pad 120 is attached to inner
surfaces of the lower portion of face guard 80 as in the
first preferred embodiment. The means of connection of
both forehead and mouth pads 110, 120 is portrayed in
exploded view in Figure 11. Semi-rigid forehead plastic w
sheet 112 is formed with a series of holes which are
adapted to receive rivets . The forehead plastic sheet 112
is placed against the inner surface of mask piece 80 in
the vicinity of horizontal rod 90 and two vertical rods
92; with rivets R protruding through mesh apertures.
Rivets R are swaged to hold clamp brackets 114 to plastic
sheet 112 around rods 92. Clamp brackets 114 are placed
over adjacent pairs of rivets R to respectively span two
vertical rods 92. Resilient forehead pad 110, coated on
one side with adhesive A, is secured to forehead plastic
sheet 112.
Mouth p'ad' 12f, with mouth plastic sheet 122, is
mounted by means similar to the method of mounting
forehead pad 110 as described above. Clamp brackets 124
are used to secure mouth glastic sheet 122 to the interior
of the lower portion of face guard 80. Mouth guard 126 is
assembled to mouth pad 120 by means of holes and extended
rods as described in the first preferred embodiment.
A principle advantage of the face guard of the
invention is that it can be worn with games typically
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_13_
requiring use of a cap. However, it is to be recognized
that the face guards can be readily used with games not
requiring use of a cap. In such event, the visor aperture
40 of the preferred embodiment could be used for
additional ventilation, or face guard 20 (or face guard
80) could be made without the visor aperture 40 or V.
Also to be noted and in summary is that the mask
piece comprising face guard 80 of the second embodiment,
as with the first embodiment, provides an integral face '
guard having a mesh first portion formed of intersecting
rod members, to shield the forehead, eyes, mouth, chin and .
throat areas and side mesh portions to shield the temple,
cheek and lower jaw areas. Additionally, the faces guard
80 of the second embodiment, as with the first embodiment,
includes both a visor aperture and a vision aperture, pad
means secured to the interior of the face guard and
securing means.
While the invention has been described with reference
to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated
that numerous variations, modifications, and embodiments
ate possible, and accordingly, all such variations,
modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being
within the spirit and scope of the invention.
_ INDUSTRIAL) APPZICABII~ITY
The invention disclosed has significant industrial
applicability. The face mask component of the Protective
Face Guard described and claianed is intended, according to
the preferred embodiment, to be manufactured by the
plastic injection molding process. There are added
ca~ponents,,such a the cushioning pads,, the mauth guard
and the strap ,which require manufacture by various methods
and subsequently require assembly into the total Face
Guard of the invention.
BEST MODE FOR PRACTICING TAE INVENTION
The best mode for practicing the present invention
comprises:
(a) an integrally molded mask piece formed from a
lightweight sheet of molded thermoplastic material
~~.~~~Jr~
'1~'d3 93125100 ~ '~ fCf/LJ~93105~
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having:
(i) a front portion of generally outward curvature
protective of the player' s forehead, eyes, nose,
mouth, chin and throat area including:
(aa) a visor aperture positioned in an upper
region of the front portion such that when
the protective face guard is worn, the
vicar aperture resides substantially
opposite the player's forehead, said visor
aperture extending across substantially the
full width of the front portion; and being
of sufficient size to accept the insertion
of a vicar of a cap worn by the glaye:r; and ,
(bb) a vision aperture positioned below the
vicar aperture and slightly above the tip
of the nose of a player wearing the face
guard extending across substantially the
full width of the front portion and being
of sufficient size to provide the player
with substantially unobstructedforward and
peripheral vision; and
(ii) side portions formed to provide unbroken
exterior side surfaces forming continuations of
the generally outward curvature of said front
portion and located at respective opposite sides
of and molded integral with the front portion
and protective of the player' s temple, cheek and
lower jaw areas, each of said side portions
including a slot adapted to accept a strip for
securing the mask piece to the player's head;
(b) a forehead pad secured to the inside surface of
said front portion of the mask piece and
positioned above said visor agerture, said
forehead pad being of sufficient size to cushion
~5 a substantial portion of the player°s forehead
from impacts and being of sufficient thickness
to prevent any portion of the player ° s face from
protruding from the mask piece through said
visor or vision apertures and such that the mask
piece is spaced a sufficient distance outwardly
from the player's face to avoid interference
with a player's eyeglasses when worn;
(c) a mouth pad secured to the inside surface of
said front portion of the mask piece and w
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_15_
positioned below said vision aperture, said
mouth pad being of sufficient sixe to cushion a
substantial portion of the player's mouth and
teeth area from impacts and being of sufficient
thickness to prevent any portion of the player' s
face from protruding from the mask piece through
said visor or vision aperture and such that the
mask piece is spaced a sufficient distance
outwardly from the player's face to avoid
interference with a player°s eyeglasses when
worn and further being formed with respective
operatively associated apertures;
(d) a mouth guard insertable into the mouth of the
player wearing the fi~ace guard between the
player's top and bottom teeth, releasably
secured to said apertures of said mouth pad by
means of a supporting stem portion and extending
in~rardly from side mouth paid and operative to
stabilize said mask piece when in use;
(e) a releasably securable strap operatively
associated with said slots formed in said side
portions.
