Abstract:
An apparatus for holding a mask on a wearer utilizes a head piece which the wearer dons over at least part of the face and which supports a separate mask such a Halloween mask on releasable spacer elements which hold the mask in position relative to the eyes of the wearer

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of costume type masks or “Halloween” masks. More particularly the present invention may be described as an accessory for such a mask that makes the mask more user friendly and enhances the likelihood that the mask will remain in position on the wearer&#39;s face, In greater particularity the present invention may be described as a mask sub-accessory that is worn on the head of the user to hold the mask in position relative to the users eyes such that the user can safely see his surroundings while the mask is worn. 
         [0002]    Costume masks or Halloween masks are commonly known and worn by children and adults alike fix numerous parties and events each year. However, little has been done to upgrade the safety of such masks, particularly with regard to the mass produced masks which are sold at very low prices. Even more expensive masks have had little or no attention paid to the safety of the masks. Whether the mask is expensive or inexpensive, typically the mask is secured to the head with a single elastic strap that attaches to each side of the mask and loops behind the head, thus, the mask rests directly on the face of the wearer and is at best an ill fit, likely to slid down due to gravity or movement of the wearer&#39;s head. Once the mask moves, then vision from at least one eye through the mask is obscured and the wearer must reach up and readjust the mask. The unexpected loss of vision and cumbersome movement In adjusting the mask are likely to lead to a loss of balance or collision with another person or thing resulting in injury to the wearer or another. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0003]    It is an object of the present invention to enhance the safety of wearers of costume masks by securing the mask to the wearer&#39;s head such that the wearer&#39;s vision is not impaired by the mask. 
         [0004]    To facilitate the above object of the invention, the present invention provides a head piece which the wearer dons over at least part of the face and which supports on the wearer&#39;s head or face a separate mask such as a typical mass produced mask. The headpiece is provided with releasable spacer elements which hold the mask in position relative to the eyes of the wearer, thereby enhancing the safety of the wearer. 
         [0005]    These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    An apparatus for securing a mask to a wearer is depicted in the accompanying drawings which tonal a portion of this disclosure and wherein: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of a first embodiment of the invention, 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the first embodiment of the invention, 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view passing view pass vertically through one eye hole the invention and showing the relationship between the invention and a mask; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view passing vertically through one eye hole of the invention and showing the relationship between the invention and a mask using different connective materials; 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0013]    Referring to the  FIGS. 1-4  for a clearer understanding of the invention, it may be seen that the preferred embodiment of the apparatus  10  contemplates a layer of material overlying the users face above and below the eyes and across the bridge of the nose. This bridge layer  11  is preferably of a material that will conform to the face of the user comfortably such as a flexible elastic material such as latex or neoprene, although a suitable fabric may also be used. Preferably, the material will be hypoallergenic and have some tackiness to it such that it does not easily slide on the face. The bridge layer  11  is connected in one embodiment to a wide strap  12  that passes above the ears of the wearer and behind the head. Strap  12  may be a two part strap having legs  12   a  &amp;  b  connected to a buckle  12   c  or may be a loop  12  that is to stretchable to fit snugly about the head. As with the bridge layer  11 , the strap may be a flexible elastic material such as latex, spandex, or neoprene or another suitable fabric and may be formed integrally with the bridge layer  11  or attached thereto by sewing or adhesion. 
         [0014]    Bridge layer  11  surrounds and defines eye, holes  13  which are positioned such that the surrounding material is offset from the users eye&#39;s, but at least partially covers the eyebrows and cheek bones. The eye holes  13  may in fact be a singular hole such as commonly seen on ski masks or cold weather knit masks. The point is that the eye hole has to enable the wearer to clearly see through the pre thrilled holes in the costume mask. 
         [0015]    In another embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the bridge layer  11  is a portion of a stretchable cap  14  which covers the top of the wearer&#39;s head and extends downwardly to the same degree as would the strap  12 . In this embodiment, the wearer is provided with a covering that would hide the hair and scalp and make it more difficult for the wearer to be recognized. There may be advantages in this embodiment in terms of securing the bridge layer  11  to the wearer and the feasibility of the wearer donning a wig. 
         [0016]    Affixed to the bridge layer  11  about the eyeholes  13  are spacers  15  which extend a small distance from the surface of bridge layer  11  and carry connective material  17  on their distal surface. Spacers  15  may be foam blocks  16 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , which have an adhesive connection to bridge layer  11  and wherein the connective material  17  is a second adhesive layer overlain by a removable cover  18 . The connective material  17  is intended to abut and adhere to the inner surface of a preformed mask  30 . The second adhesive layer of this embodiment is intended to be reusable such that the mask  30  may be disengaged from the spacers  15  and a second mask positioned for adhesion to the spacers. In an alternative embodiment shown in  FIG. 4 , spacers  15  may be a layer of hook or loop material  15   a  with a suitable backing adhered or sewn to bridge layer  11  such that the layer of hook or loop material  15   a  cooperates with a mating layer of loop or hook material  17   a  provided with an adhesive backing to adhere to the preformed mask  30 . In this embodiment the mask  30  and bridge layer  1  can be connected, disconnected and reconnected using the hook and loop material or the adhesive hacking. Spacers  15  of either type may be configured as continuous loops  15   e  circumscribing the holes  13  as shown in  FIG. 1 , or as strips  15   f  and  15   g  positioned above and below the holes  13  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Additional spacers  15   h  and  151  may be positioned in the bridge area laterally of the holes as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  5 , and  6 . 
         [0017]    To utilize the apparatus  10 , position the bridge layer  11  on the face with the holes aligned with the eyes of the wearer for maximum visibility through the apparatus. Positioning the bridge layer  11  will entail adjusting the strap  12  or cap  14  for comfort and security on the head. Once the apparatus  10  is in place, mask  30  should be positioned on the face of the wearer, again for maximum visibility of the wearer. The wearer should note the points of contact on the face. This may be accomplished by placing a light dusting of talcum powder inside the mask  30  such that powder is transferred to the points of contact of the mask with bridge layer  11  when the mask is properly positioned. Noting the points of contact and carefully removing any talcum powder that may have been used, spacers  15  should be affixed to bridge layer  11  as near the points of contact as possible. If foam blocks  16  with adhesive lavers form the spacers  15  and connective material, the covers  18  should be removed and the mask  30  replaced again in position for maximum visibility. The original elastic strap of the mask should be placed over the head for additional security. 
         [0018]    If the spacers are pre-affixed to the bridge layer  11  and foam blocks are used, then step of positioning the foam blocks can be eliminated, although a trial fitting with adhesive covers  18  in place is recommended to ascertain exactly where the mask  30  should be placed for optimal visibility. If the spacers are hook and loop layer  15   a  and the connective material is loop and hook layer  17   a,  and if the spacer is sewn or otherwise permanently attached to the bridge layer  11 , then layers  15   a  and  7   a  are engaged and a layer of marking powder is applied to the covered adhesive on layer  17   a  to mark the inside surface or the mask using the same procedure as described above. After proper placement and marking the powder is removed from the mask, layer  17   a  is disengaged from layer  15   a  and the mask  30  is cleaned of powder. The adhesive cover is removed from layer  17   a  and the layer is adhered to the inside of the mask. The mask  30  may be repositioned and connected to the apparatus by the hook and pile fasters such that maximum visibility through the mask will be maintained while it is worn. 
         [0019]    It is to be understood that the form of the invention shown is a preferred embodiment thereof and that various changes and modifications may be made therein without deputing from the spirit of the invention or scope as defined in the following claims.