Abstract:
An apparatus for the protection of a face in general, and in particular the eyes, ears, nose, and respiratory system of a user includes a flexible material that is adapted to be disposed over a portion of the face. The flexible material includes a first end of an upper band or cord that extends from one side thereof and enters into a first seam of the flexible material. The first seam extends along an upper perimeter of the flexible material under the ears and around the back of the neck of the user and to the opposite side of the flexible material. A second end of the upper cord exits from the seam and passes through a first hole in a shield, the shield being formed of a transparent material, for example, a clear plastic. The first end of the upper cord passes through a second hole in the shield. The first and second ends can be displaced with regard to the first and second holes and retain the shield in an upper position relative to the face of the user. According to a modification, a nosebridge assembly to which the upper portion of the flexible material is attached is included and a detachable lens is included wherein the detachable lens can be displaced longitudinally along the length of the upper cord either away from the face of the user or closer thereto, as desired.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention, in general relates to devices that protect the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth from dust, impact, or noise and, more particularly, to face masks. These types of devices afford increased safety to the wearer and may also be generally referred to as “safety masks”.  
           [0003]    In the performance of various activities, tasks, and projects ranging from spray painting, working under conditions with dust and other particulants suspended in the air, areas in which there is flying debris such as during a grinding, drilling, or buffing operation, and during many other circumstances it is necessary to protect the eyes, ears, nose, and mouth from harm.  
           [0004]    For example, harm can be in the form of subjecting the ear to loud noises. Harm can also be in the form of an object (i.e., a missile or projectile of any sort) striking an eye or any other portion of the face. It can also be quite harmful to inhale various particulants that may be present suspended in the air.  
           [0005]    All of these general areas of risk are well known and there are various devices already in existence intended to help prevent these types of harm from occurring.  
           [0006]    For example, respiratory protection ranges from simple over the nose and mouth disposable dust and pollen masks to expensive replacement canister-types of respirators.  
           [0007]    It is important to note that these types of devices do not provide protection for the mouth or for the ears or face generally.  
           [0008]    Goggles are available to protect the eyes and ear plugs of all types are available to protect the ears.  
           [0009]    Unfortunately, these various types of protective devices are not conveniently available in a device that is inexpensive to use.  
           [0010]    Other problems also exist with prior types of devices. If they are disposable, they tend to offer very limited protection and quality. If they are durable they tend to be expensive and also bulky and uncomfortable to wear (i.e., to use).  
           [0011]    Other tasks require that more global protection of the face be provided. For example, if someone is spray painting or the like, they will want to protect as much of their face as possible from overspray.  
           [0012]    Therefore, a face mask that offers a great variety of protection options, all of which are readily available and instantly selectable to meet the needs of the moment, is indeed a desirable device.  
           [0013]    If this type of a device were comfortable to use, that would also be desirable.  
           [0014]    Another problem with various types of eye protection devices (i.e., goggles) is that they do not have replaceable lenses. During use, the lenses of goggles often become abraded and their replacement is sometime warranted long before the rest of the device is worn out.  
           [0015]    Accordingly, there is a need for an inexpensive face mask that can offer protection for the face generally, filter the air that is breathed, and is convenient to use, in particular to select which protection modalities (i.e., for the ears, eyes, mouth, etc.) are desired at any given moment. Such a face mask would provide protection for the various parts of the head and face in an “all in one” device configuration.  
           [0016]    There is also a need to be able to replace a damaged lens on a “higher end” version of the face mask. There is also a need for a face mask that fills the niche between disposable “one time use” types of face masks and expensive canister types of respirators.  
           [0017]    Such a device would be inexpensive enough so that it could be disposed of after a period of use and possible some re-use had occurred. Such a device would ideally offer greater protection to the face than a simple dust (i.e., pollen) mask.  
           [0018]    There is also a need for a face mask that is more comfortable to wear, especially for extended periods of time, than are the canister types of respirators.  
           [0019]    Clearly, such an apparatus would be an especially useful and desirable device.  
           [0020]    2. Description of Prior Art  
           [0021]    Face masks are, in general, known. For example, the following patents describe various types of these devices:  
           [0022]    U.S. design Pat. No. 390,248 to Pranger, Feb. 3, 1998;  
           [0023]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,038,979 to McCosker, Aug. 2, 1977;  
           [0024]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,107,543 to Hansen, Apr. 28, 1992;  
           [0025]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,226 to Mortenson, Mar. 16, 1993;  
           [0026]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,804 to Carey et al., Jun. 1, 1993;  
           [0027]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,925 to Baker et al., Sep. 5, 1995;  
           [0028]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,201 to Mooring, May 27, 1997; and  
           [0029]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,731 to Dyrud et al., Oct. 13, 1998.  
           [0030]    Published foreign patent application under the PCT, international application number: WO 89/10106 for W.I.P.O. that was published on Nov. 2, 1989 was also found.  
           [0031]    While the structural arrangements of the above described devices, at first appearance, have similarities with the present invention, they differ in material respects. These differences, which will be described in more detail hereinafter, are essential for the effective use of the invention and which admit of the advantages that are not available with the prior devices.  
         OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0032]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a face mask that is inexpensive to manufacture.  
           [0033]    It is also an important object of the invention to provide a face mask that protects the eyes of the wearer.  
           [0034]    Another object of the invention is to provide a face mask that protects the ears of the wearer.  
           [0035]    Still another object of the invention is to provide a face mask that protects the lungs of the wearer.  
           [0036]    Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a face mask that is useful to filter the air that is inhaled (i.e., breathed) by the wearer.  
           [0037]    Yet another important object of the invention is to provide a face mask that is versatile to use.  
           [0038]    Still yet another important object of the invention is to provide a face mask that can be reused.  
           [0039]    Still one other object of the invention is to provide a face mask that is disposable after use.  
           [0040]    Still one further object of the invention is to provide a face mask that is disposable after a prolonged and repeated use.  
           [0041]    Still one other important object of the invention is to provide a face mask that provides for replacement of the lens.  
           [0042]    Still one further important object of the invention is to provide a face mask that is flexible as to the type of protection that is provided during use.  
           [0043]    Still one other valuable object of the invention is to provide a face mask that is comfortable to wear and to use.  
           [0044]    Still one further valuable object of the invention is to provide a face mask that fills a niche between disposable one-time use dust masks and expensive and uncomfortable canister types of respirator masks.  
           [0045]    Briefly, a face mask that is constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention has a shield portion that includes a transparent lens which provides protection for the eyes and upper part of the face. A flexible fabric portion is attached to the shield portion and protects the nose and mouth and lower part of the face. A lower band passes in a circle around the bottom of the flexible fabric portion and secures the bottom of the flexible fabric portion around the neck of the wearer and an upper band that passes from the shield portion and extends down and around the back of the neck and back again on the other side of the face to the shield portion secures the upper portion in place. Preferably, the lower band and the upper band are adjustable in length and elastic. According to a modification, the shield portion is detachable from the lower flexible fabric portion thereby permitting use of only the lower flexible fabric portion, as desired, as well as permitting replacement of the lens. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0046]    [0046]FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a face mask on the left side of the drawing figure and of a modified face mask on the right side of the drawing figure. FIG. 2 is a side view of the face mask of FIG. 1 taken along the line  2 - 2 .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0047]    Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is shown, a safety face mask, identified in general by the reference numeral  10 .  
         [0048]    Referring to the entire drawing figure and presently primarily to the left portion of the FIG. 1 drawing, the face mask  10  includes a shield portion  12  at the top thereof.  
         [0049]    The shield portion  12  must include at least a portion that is transparent and it is of a size and shape that is preferred as well as being constructed of a material that is preferred. Transparent types of plastic are especially well suited to form the shield portion  12  because of their resistance to impact. The exact type of plastic is selected to suit the needs of the task. For example, a harder scratch resistant type of a pl astic may be required for use with tasks that are more likely to abrade the shield portion  12 .  
         [0050]    The bottom of the shield portion  12  is curved so as to form an arc that extends u p and over the nose of a wearer (not shown).  
         [0051]    Attached to the bottom of the shield portion  12  is a seal  14 . The seal  14  can be a foam or a rubber strip of material or other types of material, as desired. The seal  14  provides a more effective sealing of the face mask  10  as well as a soft intermediate substance that is in direct contact with a portion of the face that is proximate the nose of the wearer.  
         [0052]    Disposed apart on each side of the shield portion  12  is a first and second hole  16   a ,  16   b  respectively.  
         [0053]    Attached directly to the shield portion  12  (referring now to the left side of FIG. 1 only) is a flexible fabric portion  18 . The flexible fabric portion  18  acts as a filtering cloth to filter out particulants from the air.  
         [0054]    The flexible fabric portion  18  is not attached directly to the shield portion according to a modified embodiment of the face mask  10  that is shown on the right side of the FIG. 1 drawing, and is described in greater detail hereinafter.  
         [0055]    Any type of flexible fabric material may be used to form the flexible fabric portion  18  of the face mask  10 . The finer the weave (i.e., the denser), the finer will be the size of the particulants that the face mask  10  is capable of filtering (i.e., trapping the particulants in the weave of the flexible fabric portion so as to prevent inhalation of them by the wearer).  
         [0056]    It is also noted that the porosity of the flexible fabric portion  18  need not be uniform over its total surface area. For example, if desired, the portion in front of the mouth of the wearer may include the desired density of weave whereas the remainder of the flexible fabric portion  18  may include a different density, as desired.  
         [0057]    By restricting the flow of air through other portions of the flexible fabric portion  18  while permitting it to occur proximate the mouth focuses the air that is breathed to pass through that area. Accordingly, it is not necessary to use the desired material to form the entire flexible fabric portion  18 .  
         [0058]    As long as the entire flexible fabric portion  18  is flexible, the restricted use of the flexible fabric portion  18  offers lower cost of manufacture when the material that is used to filter the air is especially expensive.  
         [0059]    The bottom portion of the flexible fabric portion  18  includes a lower band  20  that passes in a circle and is contained in a first seam  22 .  
         [0060]    One end of the lower band  20  protrudes through an opening in the first seam  22  and may be grasped and pulled by the wearer to tighten the bottom of the flexible fabric portion  18  around the neck.  
         [0061]    The lower band  20  is formed of any desired cord-like material however, it is preferably elastic (i.e., able to stretch) for increased comfort.  
         [0062]    An upper band  24  includes a first end  24   a  that passes through the first hole  16   a  of the shield portion  12  and enters into a second seam  26 .  
         [0063]    The second seam  26  passes around a back portion, identified in general by the reference numeral  28 , of the flexible fabric portion  18 . The second seam  26  is disposed above the first seam  22  at the back portion  28  of the flexible fabric portion  18  and is generally in a parallel relationship with respect to the first seam  22  at the back portion  28 .  
         [0064]    The second seam  26  continues up the flexible fabric portion  18  on the remaining side thereof. The upper band  24  that is contained throughout the length of the second seam  26  exits from the second seam  26 .  
         [0065]    The FIG. 1 drawing shows a modified embodiment on the right side thereof. Before discussing the modified embodiment, it is helpful to note that a second end  24   b  of the upper band  24  would normally exit through the second hole  16   b  in the shield portion  12  in a manner that is symmetrical to that of the left side. The shield portion  12  extends in a single piece across the entire face mask  10 .  
         [0066]    In use, after placing the lower portion of the flexible fabric portion  18  over the head and around the neck of the wearer, the upper portion is raised over the face so as to align the shield portion  12  over the eyes. When this is accomplished the curved bottom of the shield portion  12  and the seal  14  are also aligned over the nose area of the wearer.  
         [0067]    The wearer then pulls, either simultaneously or alternately, on the first and second ends  24   a ,  24   b  of the upper band  24  in order to apply pressure to the seal  14  and to secure the shield portion  12  in position on the face of the wearer. The fist and second holes  16   a ,  16   b  are small enough so as to supply the necessary resistance to the upper band  24  to keep it in the position it is set to.  
         [0068]    If it is desired, the face mask  10  can be worn with the back portion  28  securing it around the neck and the rest of the mask hanging down in front of the wearer. This is considered to be a “passive” position and is useful and provides an especially comfortable and convenient way to transport the face mask  10  with the wearer when it is not in use. When needed for use (i.e., to go to an “active” position) it is simply lifted and secured in a manner as is described in greater detail hereinafter.  
         [0069]    Referring now primarily to the right portion of the FIG. 1 drawing, is shown a modified embodiment of the face mask  10  that includes a detachable lens portion  50 .  
         [0070]    The detachable lens portion  50  normally extends across the entire face mask  10  as a single piece and it also contains the first and second holes  16   a ,  16   b  through which pass the first and second ends  24   a ,  24   b  of the upper band  24 .  
         [0071]    The modified embodiment includes a nose bridge assembly  52  (only the right side thereof is shown in the FIG. 1 drawing) that extends across the front of the face mask  10 . The seal  14  is attached to the nose bridge assembly  52  and also extends across its length.  
         [0072]    The flexible fabric portion  18  is attached to the nose bridge assembly  52  according to the modified embodiment (instead of being attached directly to the shield portion  12 ).  
         [0073]    The nose bridge assembly  52  includes a third hole  54  and a fourth hole (not shown) each of which align under the first and second holes  16   a ,  16   b  of the detachable lens portion  50 .  
         [0074]    When the modified embodiment of the face mask  10  is used, the detachable lens portion  50  is used as an eye shield. This is accomplished by pulling on the first and second ends  24   a ,  24   b  of the upper band  24  while simultaneously pushing the detachable lens portion  50  toward the face of the wearer until it is disposed directly over the nose bridge assembly  52 .  
         [0075]    There are two primary advantages that are provided by the modified embodiment.  
         [0076]    The third and fourth holes  54  provide the necessary resistance, independent of the detachable lens portion  50 , to secure the upper portion of the flexible fabric portion  18  generally, and the nose bridge assembly  52  in particular, to the wearer.  
         [0077]    This permits the wearer to pull the detachable lens portion  50  forward away from the nose bridge assembly  52  and closer toward the first and second ends  24   a ,  24   b  of the upper band  24 .  
         [0078]    The detachable lens  50  is then permitted to hang in front of the wearer. This is the first significant advantage of the modified embodiment and it is especially useful when it is desired that the face mask  10  is needed to filter the air or to provide hearing protection, as is described in greater detail hereinafter, or both, but not eye protection. Some wearers do not like looking through any sort of a lens unless it is required for safety.  
         [0079]    The ability to use the face mask  10  without having to look through the detachable lens  50  makes wearing the face mask  10  especially comfortable. It also allows the wearer to use only those modalities of protection (i.e., either filtering the air with or without hearing protection and with or without eye protection, or just hearing protection with or without filtering the air or with or without the combination of filtering the air along with eye protection).  
         [0080]    When the wearer desires eye protection, this is accomplished by simply pulling on the first and second ends  24   a ,  24   b  of the upper band  24  while simultaneously pushing the detachable lens portion  50  toward the face of the wearer until the detachable lens portion  50  is disposed in front of the eyes and directly over and adjacent to the nose bridge assembly  52 .  
         [0081]    The second advantage of the modified embodiment is that the detachable lens portion  50  can be readily replaced by first removing it from the face mask  10  by pulling it completely off of the first and second ends  24   a ,  24   b  of the upper band  24 . Replacement of the detachable lens  50  is then accomplished by inserting the first and second ends  24   a ,  24   b  through the first and second holes  16   a ,  16   b  of a replacement lens (not shown) and securing the replacement lens over the nose bridge assembly  52  in a manner as was described hereinabove for the detachable lens portion  50 .  
         [0082]    Attached to the left side and to the right side of the face mask  10  is a first end each of a first tether  56  and a second tether  58 , respectively. The first and second tethers  56 ,  58  are attached where desired to the face mask  10 . A preferred attachment location for the tethers  56 ,  58  is to the flexible fabric portion  18  generally, and more particularly, they pass through the flexible fabric portion  18  and enter into the upper seam  24  where they are secured.  
         [0083]    Attached to an opposite end each of the first tether  56  and the second tether  58  are a first ear plug  60  and a second ear plug  62 , respectively.  
         [0084]    As desired, when using either the basic version of the face mask  10  or the modified embodiment thereof, the first and second ear plugs  60 ,  62  are inserted into the ears of the wearer to reduce the level of sound energy that the wearer&#39;s ears are exposed to.  
         [0085]    It is important also to realize that the flexible fabric portion  18  provides general protection as well to a large area of the face of the wearer in that it prevents direct impact from occurring. This is useful to prevent paints and other substances, for example, cleaning products, from splashing onto the face of the wearer.  
         [0086]    Accordingly, the face mask  10  provides a variety of combinations of ear, eye, face protection as well as filtering the air of particulants.  
         [0087]    An ear  63  of the wearer is shown in dashed lines in the FIG. 2 drawing to illustrate that no part of the flexible fabric portion  18  need pass over or above the ear  63 . As such the mask  10  eliminates the need for any kind of a strap above the ear  63  in order to secure it in position.  
         [0088]    There are also times when the detachable lens  50  is not needed at all. At such times, the nose bridge assembly  52  is used without the detachable lens  50 .  
         [0089]    The modified embodiment of the face mask  10 , when used without the detachable lens  50 , provides filtering of the air and, if the ear plugs  60 ,  62  are used, protection from loud noises but no eye protection. A low cost version of the face mask  10  is, accordingly, provided.  
         [0090]    The invention has been shown, described, and illustrated in substantial detail with reference to the presently preferred embodiment. It will be understood by those skilled in this art that other and further changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention which is defined by the claims appended hereto.  
         [0091]    For example, other types of material can be used to provide the flexible fabric portion  18  other than cloth fabrics. For example, a woven screen type of fabric can be used to form the flexible fabric portion  18 .  
         [0092]    According to a further modification, is desirable to be able to separate the back portion  28  of the flexible fabric portion  18  in half so as to permit easier application of the face mask  10  about the neck of the wearer and faster and easier removal, especially during times of emergency.  
         [0093]    To accomplish this, the back portion  28  is cut vertically and a first portion of a hook and loop fastener  64 , such as is sold under the tradename VELCRO, is attached to one end of the back portion  28  and a second remaining portion of the hook and loop fastener  64  is attached to the remaining end of the back portion  28 .  
         [0094]    The first and remaining ends are either pressed together to secure the face mask  10  about the neck of the wearer or pulled apart to quickly remove it, as desired.  
         [0095]    The upper and lower bands  20 ,  24  are also each cut in half and secured to the back portion  28  where it has been vertically cut in half.  
         [0096]    According to another possible modification the flexible fabric portion  18  if formed of cloth or paper, thereby providing a version of the mask  10  that is disposable and very economical to produce. The mask  10  can also then be provided in a sterile version that is of use to health care professionals, such as doctors, surgeons, dentists, nurses, and the like.  
         [0097]    For example, it is also possible to attach and remove the detachable lens by the use of VELCRO. Similarly, the nosebridge assembly  52  can be formed of any preferred material including plastics or metals, such as aluminum.  
         [0098]    Similarly, there are many other potential applications for the face mask  10  that have not been mentioned herein, such as for use with sports or vehicles, such as all-terrain vehicles (ATV&#39;s) that are often driven off-road and in the mud. The face mask  10  can be used to protect the face from mud as well as from other substances.