NECK PROTECTOR

Abstract

A neck protector for welders has a band for surrounding the neck and overlapping at a rear of the neck for fastening and a bib portion depending from one edge of the band arranged for extending down over the upper chest area of the wearer at the front of the band between the ends. The band and the bib portion are formed of a front and a rear sheet of fabric and a layer of a heat insulation material between the fabric sheets defined by non-woven layer formed from heat resistant fibers and a heat reflective material such as Mylar

Description

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119 of Provisional Application 60/947,862 filed Jul. 3, 2007.

This invention relates to a neck protector for use by an operator during welding or similar industrial processes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Welders and other persons carrying out industrial processes such as welding, grinding and the like generally wear protective clothing including gloves, coveralls and masks.

However the present inventor has realized that the neck area is often exposed leading to risk of injury or at least discomfort.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is one object of the invention to provide a neck protector for use in industrial processes where sparks or debris may be released.

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a neck protector for use by a wearer carrying out an industrial process which can result in release of sparks or hot debris, the neck protector comprising:

a band for surrounding the neck and having ends for overlapping at a rear of the neck;

a fastener system at the overlapping ends for connecting the band around the neck;

a bib portion connected to the band between the ends and depending from one edge of the band arranged for extending down over the upper chest area of the wearer at the front of the band between the ends;

the band and the bib portion being formed of a front and a rear sheet of fabric and a layer of a heat insulation material between the fabric sheets.

Preferably the bib portion has a curved bottom edge extending from the band on each side of the bib portion.

Preferably the band has a width or the order of 2.0 to 3.5 inches.

Preferably the bib portion depends from the band to a length approximately equal to the width of the band.

Preferably the band is slightly curved downwardly Preferably the band has a top edge with a curved portion opposite to the bib portion.

Preferably the layer of heat insulation material is a non-woven layer formed from heat resistant fibers.

Preferably the layer of heat insulation material includes a heat reflective material.

Preferably the heat reflective material is Mylar.

Preferably the fabric sheets carry an exterior pattern of an attractive appearance.

Preferably the layer of heat insulation material has a thickness of the order of one eighth inch to one quarter inch so as to form a flexible structure which can bend but which has stiffness so as to be self supporting.

Preferably the layer of heat insulation material comprises fibers needle punched through a support layer.

The initial purpose of the neck protector is to protect from welding flashes that will burn the neck of the operator in a matter of seconds. The burn received without the neck protector feels like a severe sun burn that irritates the skin for several days. It is believed that this product is needed in the industry. Its uses stretch beyond the flash and heat protection, it protects the neck area from flux particles and other debris that splatter when welding, also steel particles when grinding and would be very useful when gauging material which is common in our trade.

This product was originally created to protect welders from burns around the neck area created by flashes when welding. However the protector not only protects from the flash, but also protects the neck from debris when using grinders and stops redness around the neck area which is caused by extreme heat when welding.

The design of the neck protector is such that not only is the front neck area protected but the whole neck all around. It is made with a thin layer of an insulating material and is fastened by hook and loop fastening or other fastening system for easy adjusting. The insulating material is covered with 100% cotton

Also by using hook and loop fastening this product works as a one size fits all unless you have a very long neck, then one can be custom made to fit. The other good thing about the product is that it is machine washable.

The protector cannot be worn reversible but is identified for the correct way to wear it. The heat resistant layer is arranged so that it has to be facing a certain way with the reflective layer at the front to reflect the heat, with the rear part the back part of it is just cotton or other fibrous material.

The fabric covering can be the same on both sides. However preferably the material is cotton fabric for the front and polyester fabric for the back. This is preferred because the polyester on the back contacting the neck does not absorb sweat and second it shows the consumer which is the inside that is worn to the neck. It will be appreciated that the selection of the covering fabrics may vary so that 100% cotton to 80 or 90% cotton can be used if needed or the polyester can be changed in the same way.

The insulating material may be selected from many different types of such materials which are generally relatively still non-woven fabrics. One suitable material is called “solar loft” (trade mark) which is the material that is used in oven mitts, very light weight.

The protector can be made with several types of fabric designs. The fabric can be attractive to the eyes to reduce the utilitarian appearance. The patterns can use sports teams, flames to match welding helmets on the market or just plain colors to name a few.

The product can also be worn when riding a motorcycle because of its fit, comfort and attractive material look. So there can be more purposes for this product than just in the welding industry or in other similar industrial processes.

This product has been designed not only for the special use but also for its comfort. This is a product that fits to the neck, offers great protection and is very comfortable.

Finally this product is very cost effective for the consumer, it would be a small price to pay in order to be better protected.

Another heat resistant or insulating material which can be used is called “Insul-Bright” (trade mark) manufactured by The Warm Company of Lynnwood Wash. This product is more easily available and has all the same characteristics as solar loft. There is no difference in weight or comfort in relation to the product described herein, just a different manufacturer.

The Warm Company manufactures Insul-Bright, which is a needle-punched, insulating material ideal for home sewers and crafters. The company states that pot holders, oven mitts, and casserole covers are all very popular projects made functional and safe with Insul-Bright.

Insul-Bright consists of hollow, polyester fibers needle-punched through a non-woven substrate and through a reflective Mylar. The needled material is breathable and will not break down with washing. The hollow fibers resist conduction while the reflective Mylar resists radiant energy. The energy, hot or cold, is reflected back to its source.

The literature suggests that the product can be used for Pot Holders, Iron Cozy, Table Pads, Casserole Cozy, Oven Mitts, Insulated Soft Lunch Carriers, Baby Warmers, Ironing Board Covers, Water Heater, Cover Tea Cozy, Outdoor Stadium Cushions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One embodiment of the invention will now be described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the neck protector according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the neck protector.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The neck protector 10 shown in the figures includes a band 11 for surrounding the neck and having ends 12 and 13 for overlapping at a rear of the neck. The band has a top edge 14 and a bottom edge 15. The band has a length to wrap around the neck of the average wearer so that its length between the ends is of the order of 18 to 22 inches. When wrapped the ends overlap and there is provided a fastener system at the overlapping ends for connecting the band around the neck. In this arrangement the fastener comprises a strip 16 of hook material on the front 18 and a strip 17 of loop material on the rear 19.

A bib portion 20 is connected to the band between the ends and depends from the bottom edge 15 of the band arranged for extending down over the upper chest area of the wearer at the front of the band between the ends. The bib portion 20 has a curved bottom edge 21 extending from the band 11 on each side of the bib portion. The band has a width or the order of 1.5 to 2.5 inches. The bib portion depends from the band to a length approximately equal to the width of the band so that it has a depth also of the order of 2.5 inches.

The whole band is slightly curved downwardly and has a downwardly curved portion 14A in a top edge opposite to the bib portion.

As shown in FIG. 2, the band and the bib portion are both formed as a common construction of a front and a rear sheet of fabric 25, 26 and a layer 27 of a heat insulation material between the fabric sheets. The layer of heat insulation material is a non-woven layer formed from heat resistant fibers. The layer of heat insulation material includes a heat reflective material layer 29 such as Mylar.

The layer of heat insulation material has a thickness of the order of one eighth inch to one quarter inch so as to form a flexible structure which can bend but which has stiffness so as to be self-supporting.

The layer of heat insulation material comprises fibers 27A needle punched through a support layer 30.

The fabric sheets carry may an exterior pattern of an attractive appearance which is not shown.

Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit and scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying specification shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A neck protector for use by a wearer carrying out an industrial process which can result in release of sparks or hot debris, the neck protector comprising:

a band for surrounding the neck and having ends for overlapping at a rear of the neck;

a fastener system at the overlapping ends for connecting the band around the neck;

a bib portion connected to the band between the ends and depending from one edge of the band arranged for extending down over the upper chest area of the wearer at the front of the band between the ends;

the band and the bib portion being formed of a front and a rear sheet of fabric and a layer of a heat insulation material between the fabric sheets.

2. The neck protector according to claim 1 wherein the bib portion has a curved bottom edge extending from the band on each side of the bib portion.

3. The neck protector according to claim 1 wherein the band has a width or the order of 2.0 to 3.5 inches.

4. The neck protector according to claim 1 wherein the bib portion depends from the band to a length approximately equal to the width of the band.

5. The neck protector according to claim 1 wherein the band is slightly curved downwardly

6. The neck protector according to claim 1 wherein the band has a top edge with a curved portion opposite to the bib portion.

7. The neck protector according to claim 1 wherein the layer of heat insulation material is a non-woven layer formed from heat resistant fibers.

8. The neck protector according to claim 1 wherein the layer of heat insulation material includes a heat reflective material.

9. The neck protector according to claim 8 wherein the heat reflective material is Mylar.

10. The neck protector according to claim 1 wherein the fabric sheets carry an exterior pattern of an attractive appearance.

11. The neck protector according to claim 1 wherein the layer of heat insulation material has a thickness of the order of one eighth inch to one quarter inch so as to form a flexible structure which can bend but which has stiffness so as to be self supporting.

12. The neck protector according to claim 1 wherein the layer of heat insulation material comprises fibers needle punched through a support layer.