Patent ID: 6012164
Filing Date: 2000-01-11
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
A mask for protecting a face of a wearer, the face comprising a forehead, a pair of temples, a nose, a pair of cheeks, a pair of eye sockets, an upper and a lower jaw, a mouth, a chin and a throat, said mask comprising:a shell having a convexly curved outer surface and a concave inner surface to accept and substantially cover the face, said shell comprising a first shell portion for overlying the forehead and temples, two second shell portions disposed opposite one another for respectively overlying the cheeks and upper jaw, and a third shell portion for overlying the lower jaw and chin in spaced apart relationship to the lower jaw and chin such that the mask does not contact the face adjacent the third shell portion in the absence of an impact;means mounted on said shell for overlying and protecting the nose in a spaced apart relationship to the nose;forehead engaging means mounted on said inner surface and positioned on said first shell portion for providing cushioning support between said shell and the forehead;cheek engaging means mounted on said inner surface and positioned on said second shell portions for providing cushioning support between said shell and the cheeks and upper jaw;a vision aperture positioned in said shell between said first and second shell portions and extending substantially across said shell;a fourth shell portion for overlying the mouth in spaced apart relationship, said fourth shell portion having a plurality of elongated segments extending therefrom to said second and third shell portions thereby attaching said fourth shell portion to said shell; andtension means for holding said forehead engaging means against the forehead and said cheek engaging means against the cheeks and upper jaw.