Abstract:
A welder protection mask, containing a basic support element with a viewing opening for receiving a filter element as a dazzle protection device. The welder protection mask includes at least one pliable mask region which connects to the basic support element, and the pliable mask region contains a sheet-like, wall-like mask element or consists thereof, which is characterised by a characteristic that it is manually deformable and may be bent into different positions or three-dimensional shapes.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The invention relates to a welder protection mask containing a basic support element with a viewing opening for receiving an optical filter element as a dazzle protection. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    A welder protection mask, under which a welding helmet also falls according to definition, comprises a basic support element which amongst other things comprises a viewing opening in which, as a rule, a protective screen covering the viewing opening, and an optical filter element arranged behind the protective screen, are arranged. The basic support element of welding masks or welding helmets, apart from the supporting function, also serves for the protection of the welder from mechanical effects and from thermal radiation. The basic support element usually consists of a plastic, for example of polyamide and is usually manufactured by way of injection moulding. The filter element is arranged in the viewing opening of the supporting part and serves for the optical protection of the mask wearer, thus it represents the actual dazzle protection of the device. The filter element may be passive, which means it may consist of back glass. The filter element may also be active, which means it blocks or reduces the light passage when the dazzle protection device detects the light of a welding arc. The protective screen covers the viewing opening of the supporting part in a manner such that the filter element, and, as the case may be, the optical sensor, are positioned behind the protective screen, which means that in the worn condition, are positioned between the protective screen and the eyes of the welder. The protective screen is transparent and serves for the protection of the optical filer element from contamination or damage. 
         [0005]    Radiation, as is known, represents a significant danger to health. Despite the welder protection mask or welding helmet with an optical filter element described above, the case may occur, that radiation is reflected behind the welder and, thus, gets into the helmet from the rear. The light in turn is thrown back by the filter element and may dazzle the welder. The problem here above all arises when the welder protection mask is not optimally adapted to the shape of the head of the welder and therefore openings to the rear, between the mask and the head, are formed for the entry of radiation. 
         [0006]    Although there is the possibility of closing the welding helmet also at the back of the head, by way of assembling an additional leather flap on the protection helmet, the assembly and handling is however not user-friendly. Moreover, the air circulation in the helmet is rendered more difficult due to the closure, from which an unpleasant development of heat results in the inside of the helmet. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    It is therefore the object of the present invention, to further minimise the danger of dazzling due to the above-mentioned reflections by way of an improvement of previous welder protection masks. Moreover, the possibly of the welder protection mask being adapted individually to the head shape of the individual user is to be created, without, for this, having to produce individualised welder protection masks matched to the user, as individual manufactures. 
         [0008]    The object is achieved by way of the welder protection mask having at least one pliable mask region which connects to the basic support element and by way of the pliable mask region containing sheet-like, wall-like mask elements or consisting thereof, which is characterised by the fact that this is manually deformable and may be bent into different positions or three-dimensional shapes. 
         [0009]    According to a first embodiment of the invention, the pliable mask region comprises a pliable, flexible sheet-like mask element which does not need to be shape-stable, but may be shape-stable according to the subsequent definition. The pliable element may e.g. be a textile sheet formation. The textile sheet formation may e.g. be coated on one side or on both sides with plastic. The coating may likewise be effected by way of rear injection moulding or peripheral injection moulding of the textile formation, with an injection moulding method. 
         [0010]    The mask element may be supported and fixed in defined positions or a defined shaping, by way of a support and locking device which is attached on the welder protection mask, in particular on the basic support element, in a direct or indirect manner. The support and locking device contains e.g. an adjustment mechanism which permits the pliable mask element to be set in more than one position or shaping and permits this to be fixed. Since the pliable mask element is not shape stable and is not self-supporting, it must be supported on the one hand by the support and locking device and one the other hand it must be held in its set position or shaping. The support and locking device may e.g. be formed by a head strap or be fastened on this. The head strap in turn is attached on the welder protection mask, in particular on the basic support element, and serves for the support of the welder protection carrier mask. 
         [0011]    According to a second embodiment of the invention, the pliable mask elements are characterised by the fact that these are manually plastically deformable, and are or remain shape-stable before as well as after a manual deformation step. 
         [0012]    The plastic deformation or plasticity describes the capability of solid substances to deform under a force effect, here by way of manual force and to retain this shape after the effect. In particular, the shape-stability of the pliable mask elements is ensured under the influence of gravity and advantageously also under the influence of the weight force of the welder protection mask. The mask elements, despite the plastic deformability, are self-supporting in a certain manner and have the necessary shape-stiffness, in order to retain the mask in the set geometric shape. Moreover, practically no springing-back of the deformed parts takes place, as is the case e.g. with an elastic deformation. The plastic deformation thereby is reversible inasmuch as the deformed region may be shaped back into its initial or approximately initial position. 
         [0013]    The mask elements may be an integral component of the welder protection mask. I.e. they form an integral unit with the basic support element. The mask elements may however also be designed as individual elements which are attached to the basic support element via suitable connections or connection combinations such as a positive-fit connection (e.g. snap connection, clip connection, plug connection, rivet connection, etc.) a non-positive fit connection (e.g. screw connections, etc.) or material-fit connections (e.g. gluing, soldering, welding etc.). The connections may be releasable or non-releasable. 
         [0014]    The basic support element may be designed of one part or of several parts. It may be composed e.g. of sheet-like, wall-like sections. Usefully, the basic support element forms a type of shell-like element. The basic support element is advantageously not designed in a plastically deformable manner, but has an increased stiffness compared to the pliable mask elements. The stiffness of the basic support element is preferably designed such that this on the one hand has certain impact strength with regard to mechanical effects and on the other hand permits a limited plastic or in particular elastic deformability. The basic support element may also be indicated as a mask body. 
         [0015]    If the welder protection mask is closed either for the most part or completely in the upper region, i.e. in the crown region, then it may also be described as a welder helmet. The basic support element is then preferably present as a helmet shell. 
         [0016]    Basically however, it is also conceivable for the basic support element, as the flexile mask regions, to likewise consist of a pliable material or material composite which is characterised by the fact that this is plastically deformable by hand and has shape-stability before as well as after a manual reshaping step. Thereby, it may be the case of the same material or the same material composite as with the pliable mask regions. One may however also use a different material or a different material composite. One may in particular envisage the basic support element having a greater shape-stability than the pliable mask region which connects to the basic support element, or one may envisage greater reshaping forces being necessary for the plastic deformation of the basic support element, e.g. by hand, than is the case for the pliable mask region. 
         [0017]    The basic support element is preferably designed such that this, with regard to the mask wearer, covers at least one front region, in particular the eye portion and nose portion and, as the case may be, parts of or the complete chin portion and forehead portion. The basic support element may however also yet cover other face zones or head zones such as the temple zone, the cheek zone or the crown zone of the mask wearer. 
         [0018]    In the context of the present description, the term “material” is used as a collective term, which may include a semi-finished project, a substance, a starting material, an auxiliary material or a base material. Apart from this, a material may also be present in the raw condition or pre-processed (semi-finished product), such as e.g. a textile sheet formation. Moreover, a material may also represent a material composite. 
         [0019]    The term substance in this context is to be understood as starting substances such as metals, plastics, carbons, glass etc., from which products or intermediate products (semi-finished products) may be manufactured. The term “material” is thus to be superordinate to the term “substance”. 
         [0020]    The pliable mask element or elements are preferably composed of a material pairing or a material composite of at least two materials, with which at least a first material is plastically deformable and exerts a shape-stabilising effect on the mask element. I.e. the first material effects the shape stability of the mask element and is therefore itself also shape-stable. Such a material may e.g. be a metal such as aluminium or an iron metal, such as steel or stainless steel, which is present in a suitable form, e.g. as a sheet-like object, such as sheet-metal or film or also as wire or a wire composite with the corresponding characteristics of the plastic deformability. The metal film or the sheet-metal as well as a wire composite (wire mesh) may, for this, be present in a two dimensional form. 
         [0021]    The sheet metal or metal film may further comprise recesses such as holes or directed longitudinal holes (depending on the preferred bending direction), for an improved reshaping ability. The sheet metal or metal foil may e.g. be designed as a perforated sheet or perforated film. Moreover, one may also combine strips of sheet-metal or metal films into a lattice-like structure, which together with at least one further material, are put together into a material composite. Moreover, the mentioned lattice-like structure may also be worked from a sheet material or a metal film, e.g. by way of punching. 
         [0022]    Furthermore, the metal element may also be present as a wire mesh which is likewise put together with at least one further material, into a material composite. In the last-mentioned cases, with which the two-dimensional-like (having a very large surface to volume ratio) metal is not designed in a continuous manner, the material composite despite this is usefully a sheet-like, wall-like and continuously closed mask element which in particular lets through no light. In this case, one is to envisage at least one second material which is used apart from the metal element or elements, forming a continuous, closed surface. 
         [0023]    A sheet-metal or a metal film has e.g. a thickness of 0.1 to 1 mm, preferably 0.2 to 0.5 and in particular about 0.3 mm. A metal wire may e.g. have a diameter of 0.1 to 1 mm in particular from 0.2 to 0.5 mm. 
         [0024]    In a preferred further development of the invention, the mask element has one or more metal elements which, with a deformable, preferably elastically and/or plastically deformable material, such as e.g. with a plastic, assumes or assume a material composite. For this, the metal elements may be coated on one side, on both sides or completely, with plastic. The plastic coating may e.g. be 0.1 to 1 mm, in particular 0.2 to 0.5 mm. The plastic is preferably a thermoplastic plastic such as e.g. polyamide, in particular PA 66 or a thermoplastic elastomer. The metal elements may be treated with a bonding agent before the coating with plastic. The metal elements are preferably back injection moulded or peripherally injection moulded with the plastic by way of the injection moulding method. 
         [0025]    For this, the metal elements are usefully designed as inlay parts which thereafter are rear injection moulded or peripherally injection moulded with the plastic by way of the injection moulding method. 
         [0026]    The pliable (flexible), bendable sheet-like mask elements, as a first or a second material according to the second embodiment, may also contain a textile sheet formation. If the textile sheet formation is a first material, then this has a corresponding plastic deformability with a shape-stability described above. The textile sheet formation for this may contain fibres of metal or of metal wire or consist of this. If the textile sheet formation is a second material which is combined with a plastically deformable first material into a material composite, then this may be pliable or flexible, but not shape-stable. The textile sheet formation may also be coated on one side or on both sides with plastic, by way of e.g. back injection moulding or peripheral injection moulding. Here too, the plastic may be a thermoplastic plastic such as e.g. polyamide, in particular PA66 or a thermoplastic elastomer. 
         [0027]    The textile sheet formations mentioned with regard to the first and second embodiment may e.g. be woven fabrics, knitted fabrics, knitwear or non-wovens. The textile sheet formations may be constructed from one or a combination of two or more of the following materials or may contain these: 
         [0028]    plastic fibres 
         [0029]    carbon fibres 
         [0030]    glass fibres 
         [0031]    metal fibres/metal wire. 
         [0032]    The pliable mask region may edge the basic support element in sections or completely, so that in particular the terminal portion of the welder protection mask towards the neck or towards the back of the head, may be adapted to the shape of the head or the neck, like a collar, and possible entry openings for radiation between the mask and head may be closed in this manner. The width of the edging or the edge section may be up to several centimetres, in particular 0.5 to 15 cm, preferably 1 to 10 cm. The pliable mask region may have a surface size of several square centimetres, e.g. up to 1 to 200 cm 2 , in particular 10 to 100 cm 2 . The mask elements have e.g. a total thickness of 0.3 mm, in particular 0.5 to 2 mm. 
         [0033]    Thanks to the pliable mask regions, the mask wearer may adapt the shape of his mask at least partly in an individual manner according to his wish, by way of him bending the helmet edging or part regions thereof, e.g. inwards, in an infinite manner, in order thus to prevent the entry of radiation from the rear into the helmet. 
         [0034]    The pliable mask regions may cover one or a combination of two or more of the following zones of the welder protection mask, in each case individually, as a group or as a continuous region: 
         [0035]    side zones for covering the ear portions; 
         [0036]    a neck zone for covering at least a part of the neck portion; 
         [0037]    a crown zone for covering at least a part of the crown region (upper side of the head); 
         [0038]    a rear head zone for covering at least a part of the rear head; 
         [0039]    a nape zone for covering at least a part of the nape of the neck; 
         [0040]    a jaw zone for covering at least a part of the lower jaw portion: 
         [0041]    a cheek zone for covering the cheek regions. 
         [0042]    The pliable mask elements or mask regions are usefully designed and deformably attached to the welder protection mask or connected to this, such that no radiation may get from the side or the back, into the mask. In particular, no radiation may get through the mask elements. The term “radiation” is above all to be understood as visible light and UV (ultraviolet) radiation. Moreover, however a shielding with respect to IR (infrared) radiation by the mask element is also desired. I.e. the mask elements should preferably have an insulating effect also with regard to heat radiation. 
         [0043]    With the first as well as the second embodiment, under certain circumstances, it is recommended to segment the pliable mask region and to construct it from several deformable mask elements, in order in this manner to prevent a material displacement with a surfaced reshaping of a mask region. 
         [0044]    Thanks to the pliable mask regions according to the invention, the welder protective masks, in particular welding helmets, have a high deformation freedom, so that the mask shields the mask wearer in an optimal manner, also to the rear. Apart from the shielding from radiation, the adaption of the pliable mask regions, in particular of the pliable edge sections of the mask, to the contour of the head or the neck, also has the advantage that the fit of the mask is generally improved. The welder protection mask may even be designed such that, thanks to the pliable mask region, in particular the pliable edging, it may be individually adapted to the head geometry of the mask wearer. 
         [0045]    The pliable mask regions moreover permit a tight bearing of the welder protection mask on the head, so that e.g. one may work better in restricted conditions. The pliable mask regions may also be provided, in order to permit the wearing of an ear protection, a hard hat or e.g. a breathing apparatus, under the welder protection mask. I.e., the pliable mask regions may be suitably adapted to the contour of these apparatus. Moreover, the pliable mask regions may also serve for individually setting the fresh air supply by way of varying the opening widths. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0046]    The subject matter of the invention is explained hereinafter in more detail by way of preferred embodiments which are represented in the accompanying drawings. There are shown in each case in a schematic manner: 
           [0047]      FIG. 1 : a first exemplary embodiment of a welder protection mask according to the invention; 
           [0048]      FIG. 2   a - c  a second exemplary embodiment of a welder protection mask according to the invention, in different perspective views; 
           [0049]      FIG. 3   a - c  a third exemplary embodiment of a welder protection mask according to the invention, in different perspective views; 
           [0050]      FIG. 4   a - 4   i  different embodiments of inlay parts for creating pliable mask elements according to  FIG. 3   a - 3   c    
           [0051]      FIG. 5   a - 5   b  one exemplary embodiment of a protective and locking device for pliable mask elements on a welder protection mask. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0052]    The reference numerals used in the drawings and their significance are listed in a conclusive manner in the list of reference numerals. Basically, the same parts in the figures are provided with the same reference numerals. The pliable mask regions  5 ,  15 ,  25  which are shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , are sheet-like, wall-like elements with a construction described in the general description part and with the characteristics which are likewise described in this description part. 
         [0053]    The welder protection mask  1  according to  FIG. 1  comprises a basic support element  2  with a viewing opening  3 . The basic support element  2  is designed such that this covers the crown zone  60 , the forehead zone  65 , the nose zone  61 , the temple zone  62 , the chin zone  63  and by way of the viewing window, the eye region  64  of the mask wearer (not shown). As a rule, a protective screen and therebehind an optical filter element as a dazzle protection are arranged in the region of the viewing opening  3 , which however are not shown in the present embodiment. Moreover, the welder projection mask  1  in each case comprises a pliable mask region  5  in the form of an edge section which covers a side zone  71  for covering the ear portions, the neck and/or the low chin portion  73  of the mask wearer. The pliable mask region  5  connects to the basic support element  2  and is releasably or non-releasably connected to this. The gap opening between the rear head or the lower jaw/neck and the mask may be closed thanks to the pliable mask region  5 , by way of deforming this pliable mask region  5  to the contour of the head. 
         [0054]    The welder protection mask  11  according to  FIGS. 2   a  to  2   c  comprises a basic support element  12  with a viewing opening  13 . The basic support element  12  is designed such that this covers the forehead zone  65 , the nose zone  61 , the temple zone  62 , the chin zone  63  and, by way of the viewing window, the eye region  64  of the mask wearer (not shown). A protective screen  14  and therebehind, as a rule an optical filter element (not shown) as a dazzle protection, are arranged in the region of the viewing opening  13 . Moreover, the welder protection mask  11 , furthermore, in each case has a pliable mask region  13  in the form of an edging of the basic support element  12 . The edging in each case covers a side zone  71  which covers the ear portions, a part of the chin zone  72 , a lower jaw portion  73  as well as a part of the crown zone  74  of the mask wearer. The pliable mask region  15  connects to the basic support element  12  and is releasably or non-releasably connected to this. Thanks to the pliable mask region  15 , the opening may be closed over the whole edge region of the mask  11 , specifically between the crown zone, the rear head, the lower jaw, the chin and the neck of the mask wearer, by way of the mentioned pliable mask region  15  being shaped to the contour of the head. The pliable mask region  15  runs round the edge region of the mask in a complete manner and in this manner forms a mask region which is closed in a ring-like manner (see  FIG. 2   c ). 
         [0055]    The welder protection mask  21  according to  FIGS. 3   a  to  3   c  comprises a basic support element  22  with a viewing opening  23 . The basic support element  22  is designed such that this covers the forehead zone  65 , the nose zone  61 , the temple zone  62 , the chin zone  63  and, by way of the viewing window  23 , the eye region  64  of the mask wearer (not shown). A protective screen  24  and therebehind, as a rule an optical filter element (not shown) as a dazzle protection, are arranged in the region of the viewing opening  23 . Moreover, the welder protection mask  21  furthermore in each case has a pliable mask region  25   a, b  in the form of an edge region designed in a droplet-like manner, on the basic support element  22 . In each case, a pliable mask region is provided for the left  25   b  and for the right  25   a  head side. The pliable mask region  25  covers in each case, a side zone  71  which covers the ear portions of the mask wearer, and connects to the basic support element  22 . The pliable mask region  25  is releasably or non-releasably connected to the basic support element  22 . The pliable mask region  22  furthermore has a curved, shell-like shape and for this is designed to receive a capsule or a capsule ear protection (not shown). The adaptation of the pliable mask region  25  to the ear protection capsule is likewise effected via plastic deformation of the pliable mask region  25 . 
         [0056]      FIGS. 4   a  to  4   i  show different embodiments of inlay parts of a sheet metal or of a metal film, for the single-sided or double-sided coating with a plastic or the provision with a textile formation. The coating with plastic may be effected in an injection moulding method. The material composite containing the inlay part of the shown type, results in a mask element which may be deformed by hand, with a suitable shape stability, as is applied, for example, in the embodiment according to  FIGS. 3   a - 3   c.    
         [0057]    The inlay part  80  according to  FIG. 4   a  is designed as sheet metal or metal film. According to  FIG. 4   b , elongate holes are incorporated in the transverse direction to the inlay part  81 , in the sheet metal or the metal film. By way of this, the inlay part  81  or the mask elements which are manufactured therefrom, may be easily bent or deformed in the elongate hole direction, thus in the transverse direction. The inlay part  82  according to  FIG. 4   c  comprises finger-like, parallel arranged integral formations which are capable of supporting a second composite material. The inlay part  83  according to  FIG. 4   d  contains circular holes for reducing the stiffness of the inlay part. According to  FIG. 4   e , curved elongate holes are provided in the longitudinal direction of the inlay part  84 , which improve the deformation ability in its longitudinal direction. The inlay part  85  according to  FIG. 4   f  comprises diagonally orientated, shortly curved elongate holes. The embodiment examples according to the  FIGS. 4   g ,  4   h  and  4   i  shows different shapes of a lattice-like construction of the inlay parts  86 ,  87  and  88 . A lattice-like construction of the inlay part improves the deformation ability in the longitudinal direction as well as in the transverse direction of the inlay part. 
         [0058]    The recesses further also serve for saving material and weight. The second composite material, e.g. plastic or a textile formation cover the inlay parts, however, usefully over the whole surface and thereby assume the shielding function. 
         [0059]    The support and locking device  91  which is shown in  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b  serves for the fastening of pliable mask elements (not shown here), in particular those mask elements which are not shape-stable, on the welder protection mask. The support and locking device  91  is fastened indirectly on the welder protection mask (not shown here) via a head strap  90  which is only shown in a partial manner at this location. With regard to the head strap, it is the case of a conventional head strap as is known from the state of the art, which is fastened on the mask and via which the mask is worn on the head. The support and locking device  91  may be connected to the head strap  90  in a releasable or non-releasable manner or even integrally. The support and locking device  91  has a fastening region  92 , here a fastening opening, for the attachment of the pliable mask element (not shown here). The support and locking device  91  may be displaced at least between two positions ( FIG. 5   a ,  5   b ) or may be fixed in the mentioned positions by rotation, so that the pliable mask element may be brought into different positions and also be supported in these.