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&#39;s ponytail.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    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&#39;s ponytail. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    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&#39;s head and neck. Prior art fencing mask typically includes a front metal mesh portion that protects the user&#39;s head, a bib portion that extends from the lower portion of the front metal mesh portion that protects the user&#39;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&#39;s head. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,362,597. In order to secure the fencing mask to the user&#39;s head, the flap portion is bent at a downward angle to abut the back of the user&#39;s head. 
         [0003]    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&#39;s head. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,820,286. The disk shape member abuts the back of the user&#39;s head. 
         [0004]    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&#39;s head because the single large flap portion or the disk shape member abuts the back of the user&#39;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. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there is a need for fencing mask that can accommodate a user&#39;s ponytail at the back of his/her head. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention provides a fencing mask that can accommodate a user&#39;s ponytail at the back of the user&#39;s head. 
         [0007]    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&#39;s ponytail. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    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: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the fencing mask of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the fencing mask of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the fencing mask of  FIG. 1  with an elastic strap. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the fencing mask of  FIG. 2  with an elastic strap. 
           [0013]      FIGS. 5A to 5C  are rear views of various embodiments of the extension elements of the present invention. 
           [0014]      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 
       [0015]    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 . 
         [0016]    The front metal mesh portion  20  forms a generally dome shape, stiff, cavity  21  for enclosing a user&#39;s face and sides of the head. The front metal mesh portion  20  may have various shapes and sizes to accommodate different users&#39; heads. The material used for the front metal mesh portion  20  may be steel or other materials known to one skilled in the art. 
         [0017]    The bib portion  40  extends from a lower portion  22  of the front metal mesh portion  20  for covering a user&#39;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. 
         [0018]    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&#39;s head. The securing portion  60  includes a main portion  61  and a pair of extension elements  64   a  and  64   b  extending from the main portion  61 . 
         [0019]    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  64   a  and  64   b  extend away from the front metal mesh portion  20  and when in use, are bent at a downward angle as shown. The extension elements  64   a  and  64   b  define an elongated gap  66  therebetween to accommodate a user&#39;s ponytail. 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the fencing mask  11  of the present invention has a securing portion  61  that includes two distinct flap elements  68   a  and  68   b . One end of each flap elements  68   a  and  68   b  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  68   a  and  68   b  extend away from the front metal mesh portion  20  and when in use, are bent at a downward angle as shown. The flap elements  68   a  and  68   b  define an elongated gap  66  therebetween to accommodate a user&#39;s ponytail. 
         [0021]      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&#39;s head. A user&#39;s ponytail may be accommodated above the strap  30  and between the extension elements  64   a  and  64   b . 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. 
         [0022]      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 . 
         [0023]    While the extension elements  64   a  and  64   b  and flap elements  68   a  and  68   b  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  64   a  and  64   b  and flap elements  68   a  and  68   b  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  70   a  and  70   b ,  72   a  to  72   d , and  74   a  and  74   b , 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. 
         [0024]      FIG. 6  shows another embodiment of the fencing mask  17  having a securing portion  80  that includes a plurality of elastic straps  81   a ,  81   b ,  81   c  and a holding element  83 . The holding element  83  has a substantially upside down U-shape configuration with two integral arms  84   a ,  84   b  defining a gap  86  therebetween to accommodate a user&#39;s ponytail. The holding element  83  has a plurality of slots  85   a ,  85   b ,  85   c  to receive and secure the plurality of elastic straps  81   a ,  81   b  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  81   b ,  81 a and  81   c , respectively, by means known to one skilled in the art. 
         [0025]    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.