Apparatus for Securing a Mask to a Wearer

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

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

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'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's eyes such that the user can safely see his surroundings while the mask is worn.

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' 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

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's head such that the user'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'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

An apparatus for securing a mask to a user is depicted in the accompanying drawings which form a portion of this disclosure and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a first embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the first embodiment of the invention.

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;

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.

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a third embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

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 & 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.

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's vision is not impaired.

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'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.

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.

In an alternative embodiment spacers 15 may be a layer of hook or loop material 15a with a suitable backing material adhered or sewn to bridge area 11 such that the layer of hook or loop material 15a cooperates with a mating layer of loop or hook material 17a 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 15e circumscribing the holes 13 as shown in FIG. 1, or as strips 15f and 15g positioned above and below the holes 13 as shown in FIG. 4. Additional spacers 15h and 15i may be positioned in the bridge area laterally of the holes as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5.

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.

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 15a and the connective material is loop and hook layer 17a, and if the spacer is sewn or otherwise permanently attached to the bridge area 11, then layers 15a and 17a are engaged and a layer of marking powder is applied to the covered adhesive on layer 17a 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 17a is disengaged from layer 15a and the mask 30 is cleaned of powder. The adhesive cover is removed from layer 17a 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.

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 12a or 12b 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.

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.

Claims

1. Apparatus for securing a pre-formed mask having eyeholes therein to the face of a user, comprising:

a. a continuous layer of material having a central bridge area designed to be worn on the face of a user across the bridge of the nose and encircling the eyes of said user, said central bridge area having at least one aperture there through of sufficient size for said user to see through;

b. a layer of adhesive applied to said central bridge area for securing said pre-formed mask to said central bridge area in fixed relation thereto such that said user wearing the apparatus with said pre-formed mask affixed there to would be able to see through said at least one aperture and said eyeholes;

c. said continuous layer of foam material extending outwardly from said central bridge area to define opposing straps for encircling the head of said user,

d. an adhesive layer applied to at least one of said opposing straps to secure said opposing straps to each other and to secure said layer of continuous foam material to the head of said user,

wherein said continuous layer of foam material is of sufficient thickness to support said pre-formed mask in spaced relation to said face of said user to allow air to circulate behind said pre-formed mask.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said central bridge area defines two apertures aligned with the eyeholes of said pre-formed mask.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said layer of adhesive applied to said central bridge area is overlain by a removable cover.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said adhesive layer on said at least one of said opposing straps has a removable cover thereon.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said layer of continuous material is between ⅜ and ⅝ inches in thickness.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said central bridge area defines two apertures aligned with the eyeholes of said pre-formed mask, said layer of adhesive applied to said bridge area is overlain by a first removable cover to prevent unintended adhesion, wherein said adhesive layer on said at least one of said opposing straps has a separate removable cover thereon and said continuous layer of material is between ⅜ and ⅝ inches in thickness.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said continuous layer of material is a foam material.

8. Apparatus for securing a pre-formed mask having at least one eyehole therein to the face of a user comprising:

a. a bridge area of material suitable for application to the face of a user about the eyes, defining a pair of holes there through for alignment with the eyes of a user;

b. a securing portion of material suitable for securing said bridge area of material in position on the face of a user;

c. at least one spacer releasably securable to said bridge area of material proximate said pair of holes; and

d. a connector for selectively connecting said pre-formed mask to said at least one spacer in fixed relation to said bridge area of material such that said at least one eyehole is aligned with said pair of holes such that said user may see through said pair of holes and said eyeholes.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said securing portion is a band attached to said bridge area of material for encircling the head of a user.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said bridge area of material is a non-woven material.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said securing portion is stretchable.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein either of said securing portion and said bridge area of material are stretchable.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said connector is a layer of adhesive is covered by a removable layer to prevent premature adherence to a surface.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said connector is a hook and pile connector.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein said at least one spacer is a backing material connected to said connector and said bridge area of material.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said at least one spacer comprises a foam member secured to said bridge area of material above said pair of holes and said connector is a layer of adhesive residing on said foam member.

17. Apparatus for securing a pre-formed mask having eyeholes therein to the face of a user comprising:

a. a bridge area of material sized to be worn across the face of a user in an area surrounding the eyes and defining at least one hole through which the user can see;

b. a permanent connector for selectively connecting a pre-formed mask having a at least one eyehole to said bridge area of lightweight material such that said user can see through said mask and said bridge area;

c. a strap for securing the bridge area of material on the head of said user.