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

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 14/023,854, filed Sep. 11, 2013, which claimed priority to provisional application 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of pre-formed type masks such as costume 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 user&#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 user&#39;s eyes such that the user can safely see his surroundings while the mask is worn. 
         [0003]    Costume masks or Halloween masks are commonly known and worn by children and adults alike for 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 pre-formed 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 user and is at best an ill fit, likely to slide down due to gravity or movement of the users&#39; head. Once the mask moves, then vision from at least one eye through the mask is obscured and the user 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 user or another. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is an object of the present invention to enhance the safety of users of pre-formed masks by securing the mask to the user&#39;s head such that the user&#39;s vision is not impaired by the mask. To facilitate the above object of the invention, the present invention provides a head piece which the user dons over at least part of the face and which supports on the user&#39;s head or face a separate mask such as a typical mass produced pre-formed mask. The headpiece is provided with retention elements which hold the mask in position relative to the eyes of the user, thereby enhancing the safety of the user. 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 
         [0005]    An apparatus for securing a mask to a user is depicted in the accompanying drawings which form a portion of this disclosure and wherein: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a front elevation view of a first embodiment of the invention; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the first embodiment of the invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view passing vertically through one eye hole of the invention and showing the relationship between the device and a mask; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view passing vertically through one eye hold of one embodiment and showing the relationship between the device and the mask. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a side elevation view of the second embodiment of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a front elevational view of a third embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0013]    Referring to the  FIGS. 1-7  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 layer of material is preferably of a material that will conform to the face of the user comfortably such as a flexible elastic material such as latex, neoprene, or an open cell foam, 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. A bridge area  11  is connected in one embodiment to a wide strap  12  that passes above the ears of the user and behind the head. Strap  12  may be a two part strap having legs  12  a &amp; b connected to each other by any suitable means or may be a loop  12  that is stretchable to fit snugly about the head. As with the bridge area  11 , the strap may be a flexible elastic material such as latex, spandex, neoprene, an open cell foam or another suitable fabric and may be formed integrally with the bridge area  11  or attached thereto by sewing or adhesion. 
         [0014]    Bridge area  11  surrounds and defines two apertures or eyeholes  13  which are positioned such that the surrounding material is offset from the users eyes, but at least partially covers the eyebrows and cheek bones. The eyeholes  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 user to clearly see through the pre formed holes in the preformed mask. When an open cell foam is used to form bridge area  11  and straps  12 , the thickness of the bridge material can be chosen to provide both the strength needed to support the mask but also the thickness needed to hold the mask in spaced relation from the users face such that maximum comfort and airflow behind the mask can be achieved while maintaining the mask in position such that the user&#39;s vision is not impaired. 
         [0015]    In a second embodiment shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the bridge area  11  is a portion of a stretchable cap  14  which covers the top of the user&#39;s head and extends downwardly to the same degree as would the strap  12 . In this embodiment, the user is provided with a covering that would hide the hair and scalp and make it more difficult for the user to be recognized. There may be advantages in this embodiment in terms of securing the bridge area  11  to the user and the feasibility of the user donning a wig. 
         [0016]    Affixed to the bridge area  11  about the eyeholes  13  are spacers  15  which extend a small distance from the surface of bridge area  11  and carry connective material  17  on their distal surface. Spacers  15  may be foam blocks  16  which have an adhesive connection to bridge area  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 pre-formed mask  30 . 
         [0017]    In an alternative embodiment spacers  15  may be a layer of hook or loop material  15   a  with a suitable backing material adhered or sewn to bridge area  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 layer to adhere to the pre-formed mask  30 . In this embodiment the mask  30  and bridge area  11  can be connected, disconnected and reconnected using the hook and loop material. 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  15   i  may be positioned in the bridge area laterally of the holes as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 5 . 
         [0018]    To utilize the apparatus  10 , position the bridge area  11  on the face with the holes aligned with the eyes of the user for maximum visibility through the apparatus. Positioning the bridge area  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 user, again for maximum visibility of the user. The user 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 area  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 area  11  as near the points of contact as possible. If foam blocks  16  with adhesive layers 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. 
         [0019]    If the spacers are pre-affixed to the bridge area  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 area  11 , then layers  15   a  and  17   a  are engaged and a layer of marking powder is applied to the covered adhesive on layer  17   a  to mark the inside surface of 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. 
         [0020]    In an embodiment shown in  FIG. 7  the bridge area  11  and strap  12  are integrally made from a continuous layer of foam material having a thickness of between about ⅜ inch to ⅝ inch, thus providing sufficient thickness to act as a spacer and contact the inside of the pre-formed mask. A central bridge area  11  defines at least one aperture  13  there through of sufficient size for a user to readily see through. Adhesive layer  19  on the foam bridge area  11  is used to permanently affix the pre-formed mask to the mask support similarly as described hereinabove, such that the mask  30  is held in place without obscuring the view of the user and in spaced relation to the face of the user such that sufficient air flow is maintained behind the mask. Adhesive layer  19  is overlain by a cover layer  20  such that when the cover layer is removed the adhesive layer  18  can be brought into contact with the inner surface of mask  30  to permanently affix the mask to the bridge and strap. Strap  12   a  or  12   b  preferably has a layer of adhesive  21 , overlain by a removable cover  22 , near its terminus to allow the straps to be connected to properly size the straps to the head of the user and secure them to each other. 
         [0021]    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 departing from the spirit of the invention or scope as defined in the following claims.