Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PROTECTIVE MASK FOR PAINTBALL
The present invention is related to a protective mask for high-impact games
such
as paint ball, and more particularly to a construction of a new face-engaging
portion and
new lens locking assembly protecting the user's eyes and face from
projectiles.
A removable lens on a facemask is preferred by consumers because one can
purchase the style of face mask that appeals or fits most comfortably, and
simply change
the lens once it wears out, becomes damaged or must have different
characteristics (e.g.:
tinted for bright sunlight applications). This solution is economical,
environmentally-
friendly, and practical. Instead of having several masks, the user has one
mask and
several lenses depending on the desired application.
The lens locking mechanism must be designed so that the lens cannot detach
from
the facemask by accident. Such accidents may be caused by a projectile
striking the lens,
improper lens installation by the user, or the facemask hitting an object.
These events
happen often in the game of paintball. Therefore, there is necessity for means
to
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positively immobilize a lens in its housing on a facemask, such that if the
lens locking
procedure is not followed correctly, the facemask is rendered unusable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Protective masks are used in high-impact sports games where flying objects or
projectiles are used to hit intended targets such as players of an opposing
team. Due to
the fact that flying objects are capable of causing bodily damage, most
sensitive areas of
players, such as eyes and face, are covered by a protective mask that is
expected to be
comfortable and safe.
There is known US Patent 6,381,749 for "Protective Mask with Anchor Clamp for
Physical Games" to Cyr that embodies a lens, a lens receiving portion,
engagement
portions that mount the lens to the body, and a pair of anchor clamps to
further secure the
engagement of the lens to the mask body. This configuration achieved the
desired result
as described above, but only if the user actually made the effort to engage
the anchor
clamps. This invention's defect was that the facemask was useable without
engagement
of the anchor clamps; it is impossible to ensure that every user will engage
the anchor
clamps before putting on the mask, which constitutes a major disadvantage.
The present invention overcomes this disadvantage by making the facemask
unusable until the user properly immobilizes the lens in its housing on the
facemask. The
strap that holds the facemask on the head has been integrated as the key
element in
immobilizing the lens. In essence, the user cannot wear the facemask without
the strap
attached to both sides of the mask, and the strap cannot be properly attached
without the
lens being correctly immobilized. The user has no choice but to correctly
immobilize the
lens if he wants to wear the mask.
There is known US 6,560,788 to Beltrani for "Swimming or Diving Goggles"
provided with a frame having a surrounding made of flexible material and
capable of
being applied hermetically to the user's face.
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There is also known U5 5,617, 588 to Canavan for "Snap together Protective
Goggle" comprising a rigid frame provided with a resilient face engaging
portion having
convex bulges in the temple-engaging areas.
There is also known US 6,381,749 to Cyr for "Protective mask" designed to be
used for paint ball provided with a face engaging portion made of foam.
The face engaging portion of any paint ball mask serves two main purposes:
used as a gasket to prevent paint fragments from coming in contact with
user's eyes;
used as a support to hold or anchor the mask on the face;
ensures a proper fit on user's face.
All known masks designed for paint ball, including US 6,381,749, use open-cell
foams that are die-cut and glued on the inside surface of the frame. However,
all these
foam designs have the following disadvantages:
they do not adhere securely to the frame;
they are not 100% hypoallergenic;
they are not easy to clean for hygiene needs;
they require labor-intensive gluing process.
OBJECT AND STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above described
problems.
It is still another object of the present invention to eliminate the problem
of poor adhesion
and to improve the durability of the product. It is yet another object of the
present
invention to facilitate easier cleaning after use.
It is yet another object of the present invention to make the facemask
unusable
until the user properly immobilizes the lens in its housing on the facemask.
The strap that
holds the facemask on the head has been integrated as the key element of the
design.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to drawings,
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the face mask according to the present
invention.
Figure 2 shows a perspective back view of FIG. 1.
Figure 3 shows a perspective back view of FIG. 1 stretched to see face
engaging portion.
Figure 4 shows a perspective (fragmental) back view of Fig. 1
Figure 5 shows a perspective side view of FIG.1.
Figure 6 shows a perspective back view of Fig. 5.
Figure 7 shows a perspective back view of a face-engaging portion according to
the
present invention.
Figure 8 is another perspective front view of Figure 1.
Figure 9a is a perspective inside view of the present invention.
Figure 9b is an outside view of figure 9a.
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the strap clip element.
Figure l0a is a front view of Figure 10.
Figure lOb is a side view of Figure 10.
Figure l Oc is another side view of Figure 10.
Figure 11 is a perspective view of the lock immobilizing element.
Figure 11 a is a side view of Figure 11.
Figure 1 lb is a front view of Figure 11.
Figure 11 c is another side view of Figure 11.
Figure 12 is a perspective view of the lens locking element.
Figure 12a is a front view of Figure 12.
Figure 12b is a side view of Figure 12.
Figure 12c is a side view of Figure 12.
DETAILED DECRIPTION OF THE PREFFERED EMBODIMENT.
Referring to drawings, Figure 1 shows a face mask 10 according to the present
invention comprising a main rigid body frame 11 consisting of an upper part
comprising
brow portion 12, opposite side temple portions 14 and 16 comprising lens
receiving
portions 17 and 18, a nose bridge portion 19 and upper cheek portions 20 and
21. Those
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portions form a housing for the lens 50. The lower portion of the frame 11
comprises
cheek portions 22 and 23 and chin portion 24.
The first semi-rigid part 13 of face mask 10 according to the present
invention
comprises a forehead portion 25, two ear portions 26 and 27 depending from the
extreme
ends of said forehead portion 25, and two jowl portions 28 and 29 depending
from said
ear portions.
The second semi-rigid part 30 of face mask 10 comprises a nose and mouth
protection portion 31.
A face engaging portion 32 is attached on the inner surface of the mask 10
around
the forehead, temples, cheeks and nose areas to facilitate a gasket-like
function to prevent
paint fragments from coming in contact with the wearer's eyes. The
configuration of face
engaging portion facilitates a secure support and is provided to hold or
anchor the mask
onto the user's face. The configuration of said portion 32 also ensures fit on
wearer's
face.
Preferable face engaging portion consists of a continuous wall 34 extending
inwardly substantially perpendicular from the inner surface 36 of the rigid
frame 11. A
peripheral edge 38 of said continuous wall 34 is extending inwardly vertically
to form a
substantially flat surface adapted to comfortably engage respective forehead,
temple and
nose portions of the wearer. Two symmetrical nose lips 42 extend outwardly
inwardly
from nose portion 40 of gasket 32 and provide more comfortable fitting on
user's face.
Face mask 10 is also provided with a visor 44 attached to the front upper
portion
of the mask to provide extra protection against flying objects and sunlight.
Preferably,
visor 44 is made from rigid material similar to rigid frame 11.
Preferably, the face engaging portion or gasket 32 is made of a resilient
"rubber-
like" material, such as plastic or elastomer by means of molding and has
configuration of
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a molded gasket or polyseal. In one embodiment, said portion 32 is directly
molded or
overmolded onto the inner surface of frame. Polyseal gasket 32 of the present
invention is
made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) manufactured by Santroprene Advanced
Elastomer Systems, a division of ExxonMobil Chemical.
TPE is a diverse family of rubber-like materials that, unlike conventional
vulcanized rubber, can be processed and recycled like thermoplastic materials.
TPEs
provide functional performance and properties similar to conventional
thermoset rubber
products, but can be processed with the speed, efficiency and economy of
thermoplastics.
In addition to simpler processing, principal advantages of TPEs compared to
thermoset
rubber products include easier recycling of scrap and closer, more economical
control of
dimensions and product quality.
TPEs are used in a variety of applications in the automotive, construction,
medical, food and beverage, electrical, appliance and consumer electronic
markets. TPE
is hypo-allergenic and keeps its original shape once molded.
The rigidity of TPE product is measured with a unit called "duro", being a
number between 30 and 80. The higher the duro number, the more rigid the
product. For
example, duro number in the face engaging portion of goggle shown in US
5,617,588 to
UVEX is measured to be around 35. At the same time, duro number of the face
engaging
portion 24 of the present invention is 70 with possibility to be decreased to
55. Due to the
lower duro of US 5,617,588, it would not be operable for the purpose of the
present
invention due to the stress and environment (paint ball game) destined for the
product.
The UVEX product is designed as lab equipment for an environment of dust and
chemical splashes. The lens of this product sold to the public has an engraved
warning
clearly stating "not for paint ball use".
The reason the present invention's duro cannot be below 55 is as follows: the
mask of the present invention is destined to be used on a paint ball field. In
typical use,
the mask will be exposed to temperatures between 20 and 120 degrees
Fahrenheit.
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Typically, the user will repeatedly bump the mask on hard surfaces, paint
balls
will hit the mask at speeds of approximately 260 feet per second, and the mask
will be
cleaned after every day of use. Throughout its life of heat waves, being
soaked with
perspiration, abrupt impacts and mistreatment, the gasket must remain in its
original
shape. If duro is as low as it is in the UVEX patent, the gasket will
eventually lose its
intended form and the mask will become useless. Thus, the gasket must be made
with a
duro of a minimum of 55.
The present invention is manufactured in two steps:
Firstly, main rigid body frame 11 is molded from hard plastic;
Secondly, both semi-rigid portions and face engaging portion are
overmolded onto rigid body frame 11. This is the least expensive manufacturing
method,
although present invention is not restricted to such method and it is possible
to glue or
mechanically attach the face engaging portion 24 to the rigid frame 11 by
means of rivets,
screws or the like.
The mask according to the present invention is made in one size which fits at
least
50% of users. The face engaging portion or gasket does not include any size-
adjusting
lips on the temples such as those on US 5,617,588 since the TPE's high duro of
the
present invention would firstly cause abrasion on the wearer's face, and
secondly pose a
safety risk due to exposed openings on the temples.
The shape of such gasket-like polyseal provides the comfort and stability of
foam
without any known disadvantages of said foam.
It must be emphasized that the face engaging portion or gasket of the present
invention is not restricted to the face mask shown on accompanying drawings
and can be
used in any other face mask provided for paint ball game.
Referring to Figures 10 to lOc, there is shown strap clip element 56 in
substantially a "T" configuration. Strap clip element 56 comprises a strap eye
58 located
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at one extremity forming the upper part of said "T", and guide tracks 60 and
resilient
retaining clip 62 form the leg part of said "T". Said strap eye 58 comprises a
rectangle
with an elongated opening that holds a strap (not shown). Said guide tracks 60
comprise
two elongated protrusions located length-wise along the outside face of
element 56.
Resilient retaining clip 62 is located substantially between said guide tracks
60. Said
retaining clip 62 extends beyond said guide tracks 60, said extension being in
cross-
section of an "L" configuration, and resembling a rounded tongue.
Figures 11 to 11c show the lock immobilizing element 72. It comprises a front
face 74 of a substantially trapezoid configuration and shackle 76. Said
shackle 76
protrudes outwardly from the rear face of lock immobilizing element 72.
Figures 12 to 12c show the lens locking element 64, which is substantially in
an
"H" configuration. Lens locking element 64 comprises rear portion 66,
retaining wedge
68 and tabs 70. Rear portion 66, comprising the upper portion of said "H", is
an opening
substantially in the same shape as the trapezoid shape of lock immobilizing
element 72's
front face 74 Retaining wedge 68 is located between the bottom legs of said
"H", and
comprises a gradual incline (see Fig. 12). Tabs 70, located on the back of
lens locking
element 64, comprise two lateral protrusions with retaining notches on their
tips.
Referring to Figures 9a and 9b, strap clip element 56, lock immobilizing
element
72 and lens locking element 64 cooperate thus: front face 74 of immobilizing
element
72's edges mate with edges of rear portion 66 of locking element 64. Shackle
76,
coplanar to lens locking element 64, protrudes substantially behind lens
locking element
64. Strap clip element 56's guide tracks 60 abut the inside portion of shackle
76, and
resilient retaining clip 62 protrudes from shackle 76 on the side opposite to
strap eye 58.
Strap clip element 56, lens locking element 64 and lens immobilizing element
72
comprise a lens locking means of lens locking assembly of the present
invention. They
are adapted to cooperate together to facilitate simultaneous locking of the
support strap to
the mask and to lock lens within its housing, which is unique feature of the
present
invention.
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Referring now to the drawings, Figure 1 represents the lens locking apparatus
in
its operational state. Lens extremity 48 is identical to the lens extremity in
US Patent
6,381,749 (identified as element 44), and will not be discussed here. Said
extremity 48 is
retained in facemask 10 by bridge 17 and is immobilized by an outwardly
pushing force
of lens locking element 64's retaining wedge 68 (see Fig. 6). Element 64 would
slide
back and forth along slots S2 (as can be seen on Figure 8) if it were not for
lock
immobilizing element 72 (see Fig. 1). As can be seen on Figure 6, lock
immobilizing
element 72 is retained by strap clip element 56, and strap 78 is attached to
strap eye S8 of
strap clip element S6.
Referring to Figures 6 and 8, the user first threads lens extremity 48 under
bridgel7 and lens SO's resiliency snaps said lens into place. User then holds
lens locking
element 64 so that its retaining wedge 68 faces lens extremity 48, and inserts
element
64's tabs 70 into the rear portion of slots 52a. Lens locking element 64
slides forward
1S toward lens extremity 48 so that retaining wedge 68 abuts the inside
portion of lens
extremity 48, thus making it impossible to apply any inward pressure onto said
extremity
48. Element 64's tabs 70 are held in place by slots S2.
To prevent lens locking element 64 from sliding rearwardly, lock immobilizing
element 72 is inserted in such a way that its shackle 76 fits through slot S 1
of mask (see
Fig. 8) and its front face 74 mates with the rear portion 66 of locking
element 64 (see Fig.
9b). As seen on Figure 6, shackle 76 protrudes inwardly through slot S 1.
Strap clip
element S6 is inserted through shackle 76 in such a way that guide tracks 60
abut the
inner walls of shackle 76 (see Fig. 9a), and the resilient retaining clip 62
snaps into place
2S thus immobilizing guide tracks 60 and retaining clip 62 inside shackle 76.
Strap 78 is
attached to strap eye S8, and the entire assembly is ready for use.
To remove the lens, the procedure is reversed: user puts pressure on retaining
clip
62 towards inner portion of temple 14 as he pulls back on strap clip element
56. This will
disengage retaining clip 62 and guide tracks 60 from inside shackle 76, and
strap clip
element S6 is removed. Lock immobilizing element 72 is removed from slot S l,
thus
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freeing locking element 64 to slide backwardly along slots 52 to 52a. User can
then put
inward pressure on lens extremity 48, thus causing it to slide out from under
bridge 17.
Thus, it can be seen that the objects of the present invention have been
satisfied
by the structure presented hereinabove. While in accordance with the Patent
Statutes,
only the best mode and preferred embodiments of the present invention have
been
presented and described in detail, it is to be understood that the invention
is not limited
thereto or thereby. Accordingly, for an appreciation of the true scope and
breadth of the
invention, references should be made to the following claims.
