Patent Publication Number: US-9894952-B2

Title: Face shield attachment assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/041,211 filed on Aug. 25, 2014, the contents of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC AND INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF THE MATERIAL 
     Not Applicable. 
     COPYRIGHT NOTICE 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus and system for a face shield that may be attached to head gear worn by a user. More particularly, the invention relates to a face shield that removably attaches to the brim of a cap and may be pivoted upward and downward. 
     2. Background Information 
     It is often desirable for workers who are working with or around liquid or airborne particulate to wear a protective device to prevent the liquid or particulate matter from depositing on the face. For example, when painting or applying a liquid coating material to a surface by rolling, brushing, spraying or the like, it is all too common to have the liquid coating spatter and come into contact with the applicator&#39;s head and face. This problem is exacerbated when the application of paint or liquid coating material takes place overhead, for example, when painting or texture spraying a ceiling. If care is not taken to protect the head and face from splatter, the applicator must later clean the dried coating from his face and hair. Protection is also desirable since some coating materials include harmful ingredients. 
     In addition to tradesmen, medical personnel also require protection from the splattering of blood or other body fluids that may spread disease. In order to encourage the wide use of face shields (especially in the painting and construction trades) a face shield that is cost-effective, comfortable to wear, easy to mount and adjust, and disposable or easy-to-clean is highly desirable. For example, a face shield that allows the wearer to wear glasses under the face shield or a face shield that absorbs perspiration that may be generated by the wearer is desirable. 
     There have been many attempts to provide for an adequate visor/shield assembly. Some have flipped up, some are retracted. Many are integrated into a hat and not removable for use on other head gear. Others are expensive or designed for specialized work. Previous art also required some modification to the cap or helmet in order to be properly mounted. 
     Furthermore there are other occupations that require a worker&#39;s eyes to be shielded while performing tasks that are only present below eye level. These occupations include, but are not limited to, welders, steel grinders and chemists. Dangers such as sparks from a grinder, blinding light from welding, or burns from chemical splashes are some of the hazards that these workers may encounter. 
     Traditional protective shields, sun glasses, safety glasses, and goggles do offer some protection from these hazards. However, when the worker is not performing a task that will expose the workers face and eyes to such hazards, the visor needs to positioned out of the field of view in order for the worker to perform detailed tasks at eye level. These detailed tasks may include, but are not limited to, filling out forms, reading electronic meters, locating tools, reading instructions or blueprints, taking measurements and so on. While performing these detailed tasks the worker may not need or want the protection of the eyewear. 
     In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a face shield attachment for a hat brim that may be removably attached to a cap and which provides adequate protection to a wearer&#39;s face. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a face shield attachment for a hat brim that may be removably attached to a cap and which provides adequate protection to a wearer&#39;s face. 
     In greater detail, a face shield attachment for a hat brim in accordance with the principles of the invention may be removably attached to a hat, such as for example a common baseball cap. The face shield may be pivoted upward in order to temporarily remove it from in front of a wearer. The face shield may include two side shields, or lateral shields, to which the face shield may be pivotally attached. The upper edge of the face shield may include a lip or other mechanism to limit downward rotation of the face. 
     In one embodiment, a face shield attachment for a hat brim comprises a face shield, two lateral shields, two or more fasteners extending from the lateral shields. The face shield is attached to each of the lateral shields by a pivot point and rotates about the pivot point into a downward and upward position. 
     In another embodiment a face shield attachment for a hat brim comprises a face shield, two lateral shields, two or more fasteners extending from the lateral shields and the assembly is removably attached to a cap having a brim. The face shield also includes a lip that abuts the brim of the cap when the face shield is in the down position. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the attached specification and appended claims. There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a face shield attachment for a hat brim in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of a face shield attachment for a hat brim in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of a pivoting primary face shield of a face shield attachment for a hat brim in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a top plan view of a pivoting primary face shield of a face shield attachment for a hat brim in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of a pivoting primary face shield of a face shield attachment for a hat brim in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of a secondary lateral shield of a face shield attachment for a hat brim in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a top plan view of an attachment frame of a face shield attachment for a hat brim in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a side elevational view of an attachment frame of a face shield attachment for a hat brim in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a transverse anterior region of an attachment frame of a face shield attachment for a hat brim in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of a lateral region of an attachment frame of a face shield attachment for a hat brim in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a side elevational view of the interior side of an attachment frame of a face shield attachment for a hat brim in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional side elevation exploded view of a face shield attachment for a hat brim in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of a face shield attachment for a hat brim attached to a baseball cap and having a primary face shield pivoted into an up position in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a side elevational view of a face shield attachment for a hat brim attached to a baseball cap and having a primary face shield pivoted into a down position in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a face shield attachment for a hat brim attached to a baseball And having a primary face shield pivoted into a down position accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a top plan view of an alternative embodiment of a face shield attachment for a hat brim attached to a baseball cap in accordance with principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a side cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a face shield attachment for a hat brim attached to a baseball in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a face shield attachment for a hat brim in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a face shield attachment for a hat brim attached to a baseball in accordance with principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a face shield attachment for a hat brim in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 21  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a face shield attachment for a hat brim having a primary shield pivoted into and up position in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 22  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a face shield attachment for a hat brim having a concave primary shield that is not configured to pivot in accordance with the principles of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     Disclosed is a face shield attachment for a hat brim in accordance with the principles of the invention. The face shield attachment that may be removably attached to a hat, such as for example a common baseball cap. The face shield may be pivoted upward in order to temporarily remove it from in front of a wearer&#39;s face. The face shield attachment for a hat brim may include two lateral secondary shields, or side shields, to which a primary face shield may be pivotally attached. The upper edge of the face shield may include a lip or other mechanism to limit the pivotal movement of the primary face shield. 
       FIG. 1  shows a face shield attachment for a hat brim  10  having a primary face shield  12 , two secondary lateral face shields  14  and an attachment frame  16 . The secondary lateral shields  14  may be connected to the attachment frame  16  by two bolts  18 . The primary face shield  12  may include two lateral wings  26  joined to an anterior face shield  25  at flexion lines  27 . The primary face shield  12  may be pivotally connected to the secondary lateral shields  14  by a pivoting bolt  22 . The attachment frame  16  may include two clips  20  for removable attachment to the brim of a hat. In this embodiment, the clips  20  are comprised of spring biased alligator clips. The periphery of the primary face shield  12  may optionally include a rubberized strip  24 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the face shield attachment for a hat brim  10  affixed to a baseball cap  28 . The two clips  20  are affixed to the hat brim  30  on either side. The transverse anterior region  17  of the frame  16  may be curved and order to approximate the curvature commonly used in the construction of a baseball hat brim. As will be explained in more detail below, the attachment frame  16  may include structural elements for securing the face shield attachment  10  to the brim  30  in a particular configuration. 
       FIGS. 3, 4 and 5  show the primary face shield  12  in more detail. Referring to  FIG. 3 , the pivoting primary face shield  12  may have an anterior face shield  25  defines by an upwardly curving top edge  32  and a downwardly curving bottom edge  34 . Optionally, top edge  32  and bottom edge  34  may be straight, angular or have a variety of other geometries. The sides of the anterior face shield  25  may be defined by the flexion lines  27  where the pivoting primary face shield bends to form the lateral wings  26  of the primary face shield  12 . In this embodiment, the flexion lines  27  gradually taper outward from the top edge  32  to the bottom edge  34 . Optionally, the flexion lines  27  may taper in the opposite direction or may be parallel to one another. 
       FIG. 4  shows anterior face shield  25  curving slightly between flexion lines  27 . Optionally, the anterior face shield  25  may be substantially planar having little or no curve. The primary face shield  12  may bend sharply at each of the flexion lines  27  where it is joined to the lateral wings  26 . Optionally, the flexion lines may bend less sharply or there may be no flexion lines at all and the primary face shield  12  may be substantially in the form of a half cylinder. 
       FIG. 5  shows an exemplary geometry for the lateral wings  26  of the primary face shield  12 . In this embodiment, the lateral wings  26  has a flat, linear top edge  38  and a linear rear edge  40 . The rear edge  40  shown here gently curves at its lower end to become the bottom edge  42  which may also be substantially linear. The bottom edge  42  may optionally be parallel to the top edge  38  or may taper downward as extends forward to the flexion line  27 . The wings  26  of the primary face shield  12  may include a hole extending through it at a position close to the intersection of top edge  38 , flexion line  27  and the top edge  32  of the anterior face shield  25 . As explained in more detail below, hole  36  may serve as a pivot point for the primary face shield  12 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a secondary lateral secondary shield  14 . The lateral shields  14  may be substantially planar and having a substantially straight and linear forward edge  54 . The rear edge  56  may curved gently downward to form a curved bottom edge  58  that may meet the forward edge  54  at corner  60 . The top edge  52  may be substantially straight and may include an upwardly extending tab  50  having to holes  48  four connection to the attachment frame  16 . The lateral shield  14  may also include a hole  46  through which a pivot pin may be placed to provide pivotal movement of the primary face shield  12  relative to the lateral secondary shield  14 . 
       FIGS. 7-11  show the attachment frame  16 , which may have a generally U shape. The attachment frame  16  may have a curved anterior section  17  extending between two lateral sections  64 . The attachment frame may have an overall shape generally corresponding to the outline of a brim of a baseball cap. The attachment frame  16  may include a brim retention channel  68  defined by a superior ridge  67  and an inferior ridge  65 . The brim retention channel  68  may be configured to accommodate the periphery of a brim of a common baseball cap. As mentioned above, the anterior section  17  of the attachment frame  16  may curved upward between the two lateral sections  64 . The two lateral section  64  may generally be substantially straight and substantially parallel to one another. The brim retention channel  68 , superior ridge  67  and inferior ridge  65  may extend across the entire the inside of the attachment frame  16  and terminating immediately anterior to the clips  20 . The two lateral sections  64  may be substantially straight and parallel to one another. 
     In this embodiment, the clips  20  are spring biased alligator clips attached to the exterior side of the attachment frame  16  at the posterior end of each lateral sections  64 . When at least parts of the periphery of a baseball cap&#39;s brim is inserted into the brim retention channel  68 , the clips  20  may pinch each side of the brim to secure the brim in place within the brim retention channel  68 . This may secure the attachment frame  16  to a baseball cap brim such that the attachment frame  16  remain substantially stationary to the baseball brim. 
       FIG. 9  shows an enlarged view of the cross section at line  78  of the anterior region  17  of the attachment frame  16 . In the anterior region  17 , the brim retention channel  68  between superior ridge  67  and inferior ridge  65  may be designed to accommodate and snugly fit about the front periphery of a baseball brim. Because the anterior periphery of a baseball may be substantially horizontal, i.e. substantially parallel to the horizontal reference line  69 , this region of the brim retention channel  68  may be substantially horizontal also and parallel to the horizontal reference line  69 . The bottom surface  80  of the anterior region  17  of the attachment frame  16  may be configured to act as a stop against the primary face shield  12  when it is pivoted upward. In this embodiment, the bottom surface  80  is substantially planar and angled approximately 45° relative to the horizontal direction  69  of the retention channel  68 . 
       FIG. 10  shows an enlarged view of a cross-section at line  76  of a lateral section  64  of the attachment frame  16 . The brim retention channel  68  may be angled downward between superior ridge  67  and inferior ridge  65  to accommodate the lateral periphery of a baseball cap brim, which may also be sloped downward.  FIG. 10  also shows a recess  82  having a substantially vertical back wall  83  that may include a mechanism for attaching a lateral secondary side shield to the lateral regions  64  of the attachment frame  16 . 
       FIG. 11  shows the inside of the attachment frame  16  cutaway at line  78  of  FIG. 7 . Here it may be seen that the brim retention channel  68  curves along the length of the attachment frame  16 , substantially mimicking the outline of a baseball cap. This may allow the brim retention channel  68  to contain some or all of the peripheral edge of a baseball cap, which may better secure it in place when the brim is engaged by the clips  20 . In this embodiments, the recess  82  includes two holes  74  for accommodating bolts or rivets or other attachment mechanisms. 
       FIG. 12  shows an exploded cross-sectional view of one half of a face shield attachment for a hat brim  10 . During assembly of the face shield attachment  10 , two bolts or rivets may be inserted through holes  48  in the secondary lateral shield  14  and through holes  74  in the lateral region  64  attachment frame  16 . A pivot pin, which may be a bolt or a rivet or other device capable of providing pivoting movement may be placed through hole  36  of the primary face shield  12  and through hole  46  of the secondary lateral shield  14  hands allow the primary shield  12  to pivot in relation to the secondary shield  14 . The bolt or rivets may provide a friction fit between the primary shield  12  and the secondary shield  14  sufficient to hold the primary face shield  12  in the secondary shield  14  in a desired position relative to each other, but not engaged too tightly to facilitate pivoting of the primary shield  12  and secondary shield  14  relative to each other. 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  show a face shield attachment for a hat brim  10  with the primary face shield pivoted into the up position and down position, respectively, and showing the position and orientation common baseball cap  28  having a brim  30  when the face shield attachment  10  is secured to the brim  30 . The outer edge, or periphery, of the brim  30  is inserted into the brim retention channel on the inside of the frame  16 . The clips  26  secure the brim in place inside the retention channel. In  FIG. 13 , the primary face shield  12  is pivoted upward approximately 45°, the maximum extent of upward rotation provided by the bottom  80  of the attachment frame  16 . Because the pivot pin  22  provides a friction fit between the primary shield  12  and the secondary shield  14 , the primary shield  12  may remain in the up position until it is pushed downward into the down position of  FIG. 14 . 
       FIGS. 15-18  show an alternative embodiment of a face shield attachment for a hat brim  110  removably affixed to a baseball cap  112  in accordance with the principles of the invention. The hat  112  may include a brim  114 . Fasteners  124  of the face shield attachment  110  may be located at the top of the secondary lateral shield  118  and may removably engage the sides of the brim  114 . The secondary lateral shield  118  may extend downward from the brim  114  and may shield the upper part of a user&#39;s face from the sides. Lateral shields  118  may be coextensive with the brim  114 . Face shield  116  may be pivotally attached to the lateral secondary shields  118  by pivot pin  122 . The upper edge of face shield  116  may include a lip  120  that extends in a posterior direction. 
     The face shield attachment  110  may be used with a baseball cap  112  or other similar headgear such as for example a hard hats, a visor, or any other headgear having a brim or visor to which fasteners  124  may be removably affixed. Fasteners  124  may be any suitable fastener, such as a clamp, an alligator clip and the like. Fasteners  124  may be biased by a spring or other mechanism, or may optionally use a nut and bolt or other mechanism for firmly engaging the brim  114 . In this embodiment, two fasteners  124  extends from lateral shield  118 . However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it may be desirable to use more than two fasteners or two. Optionally use only a single fastener which may be larger and broader. It may be desirable to provide fasteners  124  that permanently affixed to a brim  114 . Thus, fasteners  124  may comprise any device capable of affixing the shield assembly  110  to a brim  114 . 
     Secondary lateral shield  118 , may be substantially planar and may extend downward such that it shields the entire side of a user&#39;s face or optionally only the upper portion. In this embodiment, the lateral secondary shield  118  only protects the top portion of the side of the face. Optionally, Temple shield  118 , may extend dorsally such that it protects all or part of the head in addition to the face. 
     In this embodiment, the primary face shield  116  extends downward to sufficiently shield a user&#39;s face. Primary face shield  116  may only slightly extend around to the side of a face. The primary shield  116  may optionally extend further about a user&#39;s face. The face shield  116 . In this embodiment may also be substantially planar. Having a slightly convex curve. Optionally, face shield  116  may have more of a curve or may consist of one or more substantially planar sections and be more angular. 
     The lip  120  may be integral with the primary face shield  116 , or may be a separate component attached to the upper edge of the primary face shield  116 . In use, the primary face shield  116  may pivoted upward by the user. For convenience. When the face shield  116  is pivoted downward, the downward motion is limited by the lip&#39;s  120  engagement with the brim  114 . The lip  120  extends in a dorsal direction such that when the face shield  116  is in the downward position the bottom of the lip  120  abuts and impinges upon the top of the brim  114 . 
       FIG. 16  shows the shield assembly  110  from the top. In this figure, it may be seen that the dorsal edge  121  of lip  120  extends over the edge  115  of brim  114 . When the brim is in the down configuration, the dorsal edge  121  of the lip  120  abuts the top of brim  114 . This may prevent the face shield  118  from prohibiting downward into an undesirable configuration. 
     Pivot pin  122  may be comprised of any pivoting mechanism known in the art. It may provide simple rotation or may be designed to friction only engage the face shield  116  and the secondary lateral shield  118  such that it does not freely slide, but retains the orientation between the lateral shield  118  and the face shield  116  resulting from an adjustment by the user. It may optionally include a nut and bolt, including a wing nut and bolt mechanism to adjust the amount of frictional engagement by the pivot pin. The pivot  110  may also optionally include internal stops for limiting the degree of rotation. 
     Face shield  116  and lateral shields  118 , may be comprised of clear plastic, or other durable material. Optionally, the face shield  116  of the Temple shields  118  may include tinting, or may be adapted to accommodate an attachment providing tinting for use in bright sunlight or similar circumstances. 
       FIG. 17  shows a side cross-sectional view of the face shield  116  and the baseball cap  112 . It may be seen in this figure, that the dorsal end  121  of the lip  122  overlaps the edge  115  of the brim  114 . This may prevent the face shield  116  from pivoting downward to an undesirable configuration. Lip  120  may also prevent liquids and particulate matter from passing around the face shield  116  and onto the face of the user. 
       FIG. 18  shows a cross-section of the shield assembly  110 . As discussed above, the four fasteners  124  may optionally comprise two fasteners or a plurality of several fasteners. It may also be desirable to include fasteners that extend over the top of the brim  114  and/or engage the cap  112 . 
       FIGS. 19 and 20  shows an alternative embodiment of a face shield attachment for a hat brim  130  attached to a baseball cap  132  in accordance with principles of the invention. This embodiment may also include two fasteners  140  attached to a Temple shield  138 . The face shield  136  may be pivotally attached to the lateral shield  138  at pivot pin  142 . In this embodiment, the face shield  136  does not include a lip for engaging the brim  134 . The primary face shield  136  of this embodiment may include a side shield region  144  that may partially overlap the lateral secondary shield  138 . This may provide additional protection to the side of a user&#39;s face. 
       FIG. 21  shows an alternative embodiment of a shield assembly  150  in accordance with the principles of the invention. Baseball cap  152  has a brim  154  protruding outward. A U-shaped frame  162  fits about the periphery of brim  154 . Frame  162  may include an attachment mechanism  165  and and attachment mechanism  164 . One or both of these attachment mechanisms may removably engage the brim  154 . Lateral shield  158  extends downward from the frame  162  on each side of the baseball cap  152 . A face shield  156  is rotatably attached at pivot point  160 . 
     In  FIG. 21 , the face shield  156  is shown in a partially raised configuration. The top edge of face shield  156  may impinge upon the periphery of the frame  162 . In order to prevent the face shield  156 , from rotating downward more than desired. As with other embodiments, the shield assembly  150  of  FIG. 21  may include a face shield  156  that may prohibit all the way up and down sufficiently to cover a user&#39;s face. 
       FIG. 22  shows another alternative embodiment of a face shield attachment for a hat brim  180 . In this embodiment, the face shield  181  does not pivot. The face shield includes an anterior shield  182  having a convex surface. It also includes two integral lateral shields  184  and may be secured to a hat brim using fasteners  188  on the frame  186 . 
     Whereas, the present invention has been described in relation to the drawings attached hereto, it should be understood that other and further modifications, apart from those shown or suggested herein, may be made within the spirit and scope of this invention. Descriptions of the embodiments shown in the drawings should not be construed as limiting or defining the ordinary and plain meanings of the terms of the claims unless such is explicitly indicated. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.