# Patent

## Title
Fencing mask

## Abstract

A fencing mask having a front metal mesh portion, a bib portion extending from a lower portion of the front metal mesh portion, and a securing portion extending from the front metal mesh portion for securing the mask on a user. The securing portion is made up of at least two spaced apart elements that define a gap therebetween for accommodating a user's ponytail.

## Background
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved protective head gear for use in the sport of fencing. In particular, the present invention is a fencing mask that can accommodate a user's ponytail.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Fencing is a popular sport throughout the world. A fencer wears a set of protective gear to protect him/herself from the weapon, i.e. the sword. As part of the protective gear is a fencing mask that protects the user's head and neck. Prior art fencing mask typically includes a front metal mesh portion that protects the user's head, a bib portion that extends from the lower portion of the front metal mesh portion that protects the user's neck, and a flap portion that extends from the top portion of the front metal mesh portion towards the rear for securing the fencing mask to the user's head. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,362,597. In order to secure the fencing mask to the user's head, the flap portion is bent at a downward angle to abut the back of the user's head.
Another type of prior art fencing mask uses a disk shape member held by a plurality of elastic straps instead of a flap portion to hold the fencing mask to the user's head. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,286. The disk shape member abuts the back of the user's head.
Prior art fencing mask is unable to conveniently accommodate a user who styles his/her hair in a ponytail at the back of the user's head because the single large flap portion or the disk shape member abuts the back of the user's head where a ponytail is typically positioned. In order to use the prior art fencing masks, a user would have to forego styling his/her hair in a ponytail.
Therefore, there is a need for fencing mask that can accommodate a user's ponytail at the back of his/her head.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a fencing mask that can accommodate a user's ponytail at the back of the user's head.
The fencing mask of the present invention includes a front metal mesh portion, a bib portion extending from a lower portion of the front metal mesh portion, and a securing portion extending from the front metal mesh portion for securing the mask on a user. The securing portion is formed from at least two spaced apart extension elements that define a gap therebetween for accommodating a user's ponytail.



BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the present invention have been chosen for purposes of illustration and description and are shown in the accompanying drawings forming a part of the specification wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the fencing mask of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the fencing mask of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the fencing mask of FIG. 1 with an elastic strap.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the fencing mask of FIG. 2 with an elastic strap.
FIGS. 5A to 5C are rear views of various embodiments of the extension elements of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the fencing mask of the present invention with the extension element mounted on elastic straps.



DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to the drawings, wherein the same reference number indicates the same element throughout, there is shown in FIG. 1 a fencing mask 10 of the present invention comprises a front metal mesh portion 20, a bib portion 40, and a securing portion 60.
The front metal mesh portion 20 forms a generally dome shape, stiff, cavity 21 for enclosing a user's face and sides of the head. The front metal mesh portion 20 may have various shapes and sizes to accommodate different users' heads. The material used for the front metal mesh portion 20 may be steel or other materials known to one skilled in the art.
The bib portion 40 extends from a lower portion 22 of the front metal mesh portion 20 for covering a user's neck. The bib portion 40 may have various shapes and length to accommodate different users. The material used for the bib portion 40 may be reinforced fabric, a metallic fabric or other materials known to one skilled in the art.
The securing portion 60 extends from a top portion 24 of the front metal mesh portion 20 for securing the fencing mask 10 to the user's head. The securing portion 60 includes a main portion 61 and a pair of extension elements 64a and 64b extending from the main portion 61.
The main portion 61 is mounted to the top portion 24 of the front metal mesh portion 20 by rivets 62 or other secured fastening means known to one skilled in the art. The extension elements 64a and 64b extend away from the front metal mesh portion 20 and when in use, are bent at a downward angle as shown. The extension elements 64a and 64b define an elongated gap 66 therebetween to accommodate a user's ponytail.
As shown in FIG. 2, the fencing mask 11 of the present invention has a securing portion 61 that includes two distinct flap elements 68a and 68b. One end of each flap elements 68a and 68b is mounted to the top portion 24 of the front metal mesh portion 20 by rivets 62 or other secured fastening means known to one skilled in the art. The other end of the flap elements 68a and 68b extend away from the front metal mesh portion 20 and when in use, are bent at a downward angle as shown. The flap elements 68a and 68b define an elongated gap 66 therebetween to accommodate a user's ponytail.
FIG. 3 shows a fencing mask 13 that is identical to fencing mask 10 as shown in FIG. 1 except that it further includes an elastic strap 30. The elastic strap 30 extends horizontally across the cavity 21 from the left side to the right side of the front metal mesh portion 20 to aid in securing the fencing mask 13 to a user's head. A user's ponytail may be accommodated above the strap 30 and between the extension elements 64a and 64b. While only one strap 30 is shown in FIG. 3, more straps can be used to further aid in securing the fencing mask 13 to the user. Further, while the strap 30 is shown to be positioned horizontally, the strap 30 may also be positioned diagonally at any angle.
FIG. 4 shows a fencing mask 15 that is identical to fencing mask 11 as shown in FIG. 2 except that it further includes an elastic strap 30, similar to that of FIG. 3 and as described in connection with FIG. 3.
While the extension elements 64a and 64b and flap elements 68a and 68b in FIGS. 1 to 4 are shown to be generally rectangular in shape, other shapes and sizes that can hold the fencing masks 10, 11, 13 or 15 in position can be used. Further, while the extension elements 64a and 64b and flap elements 68a and 68b are shown in pairs and to be generally parallel and symmetric to a vertical axis, it is not necessarily so. FIGS. 5A to 5C illustrate variations of the extension elements 70a and 70b, 72a to 72d, and 74a and 74b, having different numbers, shapes and configurations. The numbers, shapes and configurations of the extension elements shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C can similarly be that of the flap elements.
FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the fencing mask 17 having a securing portion 80 that includes a plurality of elastic straps 81a, 81b, 81c and a holding element 83. The holding element 83 has a substantially upside down U-shape configuration with two integral arms 84a, 84b defining a gap 86 therebetween to accommodate a user's ponytail. The holding element 83 has a plurality of slots 85a, 85b, 85c to receive and secure the plurality of elastic straps 81a, 81b and 81 c thereon by means known to one skilled in the art. The holding element 83 is secured to the front metal mesh portion 20 at the top portion 24, at the left side and at the right side with straps 81b, 81a and 81c, respectively, by means known to one skilled in the art.
The features of the invention illustrated and described herein are the preferred embodiments. Therefore, it is understood that the specification is intended to cover unforeseeable embodiments with insubstantial differences that are within the spirit of the specification.

## Claims

1. A fencing mask for accommodating a user's ponytail comprising:
a front metal mesh portion having a top portion and a lower portion and a vertical axis of symmetry;
a bib portion extending from the lower portion of said front metal mesh portion; and
a bendable securing portion including a main portion and at least two extension elements extending from a main portion, wherein the main portion is mounted to the top portion of the front metal mesh portion by a plurality of rivets, and extending downward from said upper top portion of said front metal mesh portion for securing the mask on a user;
wherein at least two extension elements bend to any downward position to abut and secure the mask to the back of the user's head, each element having a proximate end adjacent said top portion and a distal, free, end furthest from said top portion, said at least two extension elements defining an unobstructed gap at said vertical axis that extends from said proximate ends metal mesh portion through said distal, free, ends, and said distal, free ends of said at least two extension elements defining an opening for access to said gap,
wherein said opening is adapted to receive the user's ponytail through said opening to access said gap and said gap is adapted to accommodate the user's ponytail at said gap from said proximate ends to said opening.

2. The fencing mask of claim 1 wherein said front metal mesh
portion further having a left side and a right side, said securing portion further comprises:
at least one elastic strap extending across said left and right sides spaced apart from said distal, free, ends of said at least two extension elements of said securing portion.

3. The fencing mask of claim 1 wherein one of said at least two
extension elements has a generally rectangular shape having an elongated part with some portion resembling rectangle.

4. The fencing mask of claim 1 wherein said at least two extension elements
are symmetrically shaped and positioned with respect to the vertical axis of symmetry.

5. The fencing mask of claim 1 wherein said at least two extension elements
are not symmetrically shaped nor positioned with respect to said vertical axis.