Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02432515 2003-06-17
MODULAR MASK SYSTEM
The present application is a continuation -in-part of prior United ~'~tates
Design
Patent Application No. 29/172,595 filed December 16, 2002 entitled "Modular
Mask".
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a protective headgear and more particularly,
to a
modular mask system adapted to protect people engaging in physical activities.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A wide variety of protective head gear such as masks are availablf; for use in
activities where physical danger to the head of the user is inherent. An
example of such
an activity is the game of paintball where players try to hit their opponents
by projecting
paintballs. In order to protect the player's head, components are designed to
protect
various parts of the head such as the eyes, nose, forehead, cheeks and ears.
These
components are assembled to form a mask. However, once a mask becomes
assembled,
the components of the mask cannot be removed or replaced, except possibly the
exact
replacement of a damaged one-piece eye shield or visor by another eyepiece or
visor. As
a result, when a mask's protective components such as protective panels are
damaged the
entire mask must be replaced.
Another disadvantage of a conventional mask is that it cannot be modified to
adapt to a new environment. In the game of paintball, to reduce the chancres
of being
spotted by an opponent, it is desirable that the player's mask provide
camouflage suitable
to its surrounding terrain or environment. Examples of such environments
include a
woodland forest, a grass covered field and a snow-covered field. Each of these
terrains
has colour patterns that are natural to that area. For example, in a snow-
covered field, a
mask with an effective camouflage comprises snow white panels. By contrast, in
a
grassy field, a mask with an effective camouflage comprises green panels.. In
addition,
different environments also have different climate conditions. As a result,
masks should
be able to provide suitable ventilation or insulation for its surrounding
climate. For
example, a mask suitable for a warmer climate can comprise panels with greater
ventilation than a mask suitable for cooler climates. However, since the
components of a
CA 02432515 2003-06-17
2
conventional mask cannot be replaced, the conventional mask cannot be adapted
to
provide appropriate ventilation or camouflage in different environments.
.Additionally,
conventional modular masks are not responsive to changing lighting
condlitions.
Conventional clear eyepieces afford physical protection from objects only and
do not
enhance vision or reduce undesirable environmental factors such as very
1'~right light,
glare, etc.
A further disadvantage of a conventional modular mask is that the components
are
typically created of the similar material. This prevents the panels from
accommodating
different functions. For example, in the game of paintball it can be
preferable to use
softer material in the protective side panels to resist breakage of an
impacting paintball.
It can also be preferable to use a material with less weight on the protective
side panels to
achieve a more comfortable fit. Alternatively, heavier rigid panes may be,
desirable to
afford maximum protection for the player, for example, from the impact of
physical
collision or paint balls.
It is, therefore, desirable to provide a mask having interchangeable
components
which can be easily added or removed for providing a mask that can readily
adapt to a
new environment and accommodate different functions. In this regard, th~.e
present
invention substantially fulfils this need.
SUMMARY OF TIIE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least one
disadvantage of conventional protective headgear.
It is even another object of the present invention to provide a dou~sle lens
that
comprises of specialty lenses.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a double strap in
the
back for a more stable fit to the user's head.
Therefore, the present invention relates to the use of a modular mask for
protecting the head of a user engaged in physical activities.
CA 02432515 2003-06-17
3
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a modular anask system
comprises: a frame for fitting over the user's head; and a set of
interchanl;eable mask
components removably attachable to the frame, the set of interchangeable; mask
components comprising a plurality of one of: a top panel, a side panel
assembly, an
eyepiece and a nosepiece.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a modular mask system
comprises of a pair of protective side panels, a frontal panel and a nose
panel, whereby
each panel consists of small openings that engage and disengage with the main
skeleton's
"C" channel and finger via a snap in or snap out movement.
Typically, the protective side panels cover and protect wearer's cheeks, the
top
protective piece covers the forehead and a nosepiece covers the nose and mouth
region of
the wearer's face. In addition, an eyepiece comprising of dual lenses can be
attached to
the frame to protect the eyes. The components ~f the mask can be made of
different
materials to accommodate different functions. For example, it may be desirable
to use
soft material in the protective side panels to resist breakage of an impacting
paintball. It
can also be advantageous to have camouflage patterned panels including, for
example,
combat style forest camouflage or uniform colours such as black or white in
order to
allow the user to hide more effectively or blend into a given environment or
terrain.
Advantageously, the modular mask system of the present invention enables the
wearer to adapt to different environmental conditions and activities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DItA~INGS
Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by vvay of example
only, with reference to the attached Figures, wherein:
Figure 1 illustrates an exploded view of according to~ an embodiment of the
present invention;
Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the embodiment of Figure l;
Figure 3 illustrates a bottom view of the embodiment of Figure 1;
Figure 4 illustrates a front view of the embodiment of Figure 1;
CA 02432515 2003-06-17
4
Figure 5 illustrates a back view of the embodiment of Figure l;
Figure 6 illustrates a left view of the embodiment of Figure l;
Figure 7 illustrates a right view of the embodiment of Figure l;
Figure 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the
top
panel does not have ventilation holes;
Figure 9 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the
eyepiece comprises dual double walled lenses;
Figure 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the
eyepiece comprises dual mirrored lenses
Figure 11 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the
eyepiece comprises dual shaded lenses;
Figure 12 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the
eyepiece comprises a one piece eye shield;
Figure 13 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the
side
panels and top panel have a camouflage pattern;
Figure 14 illustrates differently sized interchangeable side panels ; and
Figure 15 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in. which the
side
panels are provided with a covering or skirt;
Figure 16 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in. which the
nosepiece and side panels are integrally formed; and
Figure 17 illustrates a dual strap according to an embodiment of tree present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTI~N
Generally, the present invention provides a modular mask system. The modular
mask system of the present invention can be used to protect the head of a
'user engaged in
physical activities such as the game of paint ball, hockey, lacrosse, cycling,
motorcycling
CA 02432515 2003-06-17
including the sport of motocross, skiing and any other activity where the use
of protective
head gear is desirable. In addition, the present irnTention can be used for
military
purposes, such as training, reconnaissance, rescue and combat: Although the
present
invention is primarily intended for use by a person, the modular mask system
can be used
by non-humans such as animals.
Figures 1 to 7 illustrate an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to
Figure 1, a modular mask system 100 includes a skeleton on frame 110 to. which
a
number of interchangeable mask components can be removably attached. According
to
the embodiment of Figure 1, these mask components include a top panel 12(~ an
eyepiece 130 for covering wearer's eyes, side panels 140 for covering the
wearer's
cheeks and a nosepiece 1S0 for covering the wearer's nose. Face panel refers
to any
component of the mask other than the eyepiece and can refer to the nosepiece,
the top
panel or one or more side panels. The expression face panel can also refer to
any
combination of the face panel components such as a one-piece side panel for
covering
both sides of the face or an integrated nosepiece and side panels. The
expression side
panel generally refers to a left side panel or a right side. The expression
side panel
assembly refers to a pair consisting of a left side panel and a right side
panel or a single
side panel having both left and right sides or a single side panel. Although
these mask
components typically provide a protective function against weather or impact,
they need
not do so, for example, the side panels can simply cover the wearer's checks
in order to
better camouflage the wearer.
Referring to Figure 1, the frame 110 is a structure adapted to be worn over a
wearer's head. The frame can be made of a suitable material such as plastic or
rubber
material. The frame of the present embodiment comprises an arcuate top portion
112
from which two forked members depend. According to a preferred embodlirnent of
the
present invention, the forked members and top member are integrally fornned.
The two
forked members are attached by upper and lower bridge members 116, 115.
The top panel 120 is an arcuate panel for covering a top portion of the
wearer's
head such as the forehead. The top panel includes ventilation holes 122. A,n
alternative
CA 02432515 2003-06-17
top panel is illustrated in Figure 8 which does not have ventilation holes.
Referring to
Figure 8, the top panel 120 comprises a central region 122 and wing portiions
124.
Referring to Figure 1, attachment elements such as attachment tabs 119 are
used
to removably attach components to the frame. For example, attachment elements
are used
to attach the top panel to the frame. Figure 8 shows an alternative attachment
tab 819. On
the inside wall of each wing portion 124 of the top panel 120 there are raised
tab holders
126 which cooperate with the tab elements 119 to attach each component to the
frame.
The attachment tabs 119 and attachment tab holders 126 are preferably
integrally formed
with the top panel. The attachment tab holders 126 cooperate with the inside
wall of each
wing portion to form a slot or pocket for receiving a corresponding attachment
tab on the
frame. The attachment elements illustrated in Figure 1 are generally "C"
shaped,
however, other shapes or mechanisms, such as loops are possible. Referring to
Figure 1,
similar attachment elements are used for the side panel assembly and the
nosepiece.
Eyepiece 130 includes a frame having lenses 132. The lenses can be made of a
transparent material such as clear plastic or glass. The lenses can be plain
material
serving a purely protective function. Alternative eyepieces can be treated or
incorporate
special properties. For example, the lenses can be polarized to reduce glare,
photochromatic to automatically adjust to light conditions, optically powered
to correct
vision, double walled to reduce fogging (lenses 932 in Figure 9), provided
with an anti-
fogging coating or tinted (to vary light transmittance). The lenses can also
be mirrored
(lenses 1032 in Figure 10) or shaded (lenses 1132 in Figure 11), for example,
to facilitate
camouflage.
Preferably, the eyepiece fits over the front of frame so that it resist,
contact with
the wearer's face and eyes if it is subjected to an impact. Integrally formed
wings at the
ends of the eyepiece are received in recesses in the frame. Preferably the
walls of the
recesses are channeled to receive the wings in a tongue and groove (or pocket)
manner.
Alternatively, as shown in Figure 12, the eyepiece 1232 can be a single-piece
forming a
shield. Note that the single-piece eye shield or visor of Figur a 12 is
different from the
dual lens eyepieces of Figures 9, 10 and 11. Dual lens eyepieces offer
additional options,
such as powered lenses, that are unavailable to one-piece eye shields.
Furthermore, dual
CA 02432515 2003-06-17
7
lens eyepieces can be treated by coating or multiple coating of the lenses or
other
processes to obtain photochromatic lenses, polarized lenses or lenses with
additional
desirable properties whereas such treatments or processes may be infeasible
with one-
piece shields, for example, due to the width and large surface area of one-
piece shields.
Certain desirable treatments can only be applied to small blanks which is
compatible with
treated dual lens eyepieces but exclude th.e possibility of one piece eye
shields when the
eye shield is larger than the size of the blank.
Side panels 140 include ventilation holes 142. According to an alterative
embodiment, no ventilation holes are present. The side panels 140 of Figure 7
are made
of a suitable thermoplastic material to resist impact and provide adequate
protection to
the wearer. Alternative materials, such as soft impact absorbent material such
as rubber
or fabric, can be used to for the side panels for example, to reduce the
chances of a paint
ball breaking upon impact in the game of paint ball. Alternatively, the side
panels can
have a double walled construction or consist of a panel laminated with a
cushion. The
outside wall of the panel illustrated in Figure 7 is plain., the panel can be
a solid colour.
Alternatively the outside walls of the side panels can be patterned to
facilitate camouflage
(side panels 1340 in Figure 13) or the outside walls of the panels can consist
of a solid
colour or any desirable ornamentation or design. An attachment mechanism
similar to
that of the top panel is used to attach the side panels to forked members of
the frame.
A wearer can also switch between different panels in order to accommodate the
demands of different activities or simply to achieve greater comfort. For
example, Figure
14 illustrates snugly fitting side panels 1442 which are interchangeable wiith
looser side
panels 1444.
Figure 15 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention in which each
side panel 140 is provided with a covering or skirt 1546. The skirt can afford
additional
functionality, for example, reducing the chances of a kill in a game of
paintball or
provide greater comfort against the environment, for example, serving as
netting against
mosquitoes or facilitating camouflage if suitably patterned. The skirt can be
made of any
suitable material, such as a woven fabric or mesh.
CA 02432515 2003-06-17
8
Nosepiece 150 is shaped to correspond to the space between the t«vo forked
members 114 and the upper 116 and lower bridges 11~. Preferably the nosepiece
150
includes ventilation holes 152. Alternative ventilation patterns are also
possible to
increase or reduce the amount of ventilation. As with the side panels, and
eyepiece, the
nosepiece can be interchanged with alternative nosepieces to provide
camouflage to
reduce the likelihood of impact of a paint ball or to provide greater
protection.
Alternatively, as shown if Figure 16, the covering component 16440 includes
integrally formed side panels and a nosepiece. Accordingly, the nosepiece 150
and side
panels 140 can be removed from the frame 110 and replaced by integral covering
component 1650 if desired. In other words, the covering component 1640 and tl~
combination of nosepiece 150 and side panels 140 are interchangeable.
Attachment of the components such as the top and side panels to the frame is
easily achieved by a simple snap in movement. Detachment of the panels from
the frame
is achieved by a simple snap out movement. This design allows the user io
easily and
quickly attach and detach parts from the mask to replace damaged components
(including
the frame), to adapt to different environmental conditions such as terrain and
weather, to
better suit a different activity such as motor cross or slam skiing and to
adopt a different
"skin" or visual appearance (for example to appear more menacing or to
identify the
wearer as a member of a team or to distinguish the wearer as a matter of
style). In
addition, greater customization can be effected by the wearer to improve
f,rgonomic
factors or functionality.
The attachment mechanism of the modular mask comprises a strapping system
provided at the back of the mask. Either a single strap or a double strap caw
be used.
Figure 17 illustrates a preferred embodiment having a dual strap 1700. The
strapping
system 1700 includes a bridge 1710 with buckles 1722 on the upper end and
buckles
1732 on the lower end. The buckles allow the straps to adjustably and
rele;asably attach to
the bridge. Top straps 1720 are attached at one end to the upper end of the;
bridge and to
the top panel 120 at the other end. Similarly, bottom straps 1730 are
attaclded at one end
to the lower end of the bridge and to the frame or side panels (or other
suitable site of the
mask) at the other end. In Figure 17 each of the upper and lower straps
comprise a left
CA 02432515 2003-06-17
9
strap and a right strap. Alternatively, the upper strap could comprise one
strap which
attaches to the left side of the mask, the right side of the mask and the
up~ser end of the
bridge. Similarly the lower strap can comprise one strap.
The bridge and straps fit over the wearer's head, for example, the occiput to
ensure a comfortable fit without undesirable movement or slipping of the mask.
The
strapping system can be adjusted using the buckles of the bridge.
Alternatively, the a single strapping system can be used where a single strap
is
replaces the upper and lower straps.
The above-described embodiments of the present invention are int:end~l to be
examples only. Alterations, modifications and variations may be effected to
the particular
embodiments by those of skill in the art without departing from the scope of
the
invention, which is defined solely by the claims appended hereto.
