DETACHABLE VEIL DEVICE

Abstract

A detachable veil device may include a support frame having a right temple support, a central support, and a left support. A veil, which may be configured for covering portions of the head of a wearer, may be coupled below and to the support frame. A first accessory fastener may be coupled to the right temple support, and a second accessory fastener may be coupled to the left temple support. Optionally, the device may comprise a nose cover which may be coupled to the central support. The device may be removably attached to a wearable accessory that may be worn by a wearer by removably attaching the accessory fasteners to the wearable accessory so that the veil may be positioned to cover portions of the head of a wearer by being supported by the wearable accessory that is being worn on the head of the wearer.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/303,906, filed on Mar. 4, 2016, entitled “DETACHABLE VEIL DEVICE”, as well as Provisional Application No. 62/319,874, filed on Apr. 8, 2016, entitled “DETACHABLE VEIL DEVICE”, the contents of both are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This patent specification relates to the field of devices configured to cover portions of the face of person. More specifically, this patent specification relates to light weight devices which may be attached to an article of clothing such as a hat or glasses and which may cover portions of the face of the wearer.

BACKGROUND

There are many reasons why one might want to wear a veil together with sunglasses or other eye wear, or with a baseball cap or other hat. As more and more people are carrying cameras with them—in their cell phones, augmented reality glasses etc.—and as the face recognition technology advances, maintaining privacy is becoming more and more difficult. Celebrities and other persons concerned of their privacy may want to move around without being recognized or disturbed. Other reasons for wearing a veil include religious views, protection from the sun and the weather, and camouflage for hunting.

Some known solutions for attaching a veil or a mask to spectacles, sunglasses, goggles or other eye wear are described in the following patent publications: U.S. Pat. No. 2,669,717 A (Diggs Everett), 23 Feb. 1954; U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,039 A (Ursula Dietrich), 31 Jul. 1990; U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,664 A (David Thomas Hamilton), 16 Sep. 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 7,481,530 B2 (Yong Chu K. Brillouet), 27 Jan. 2009; and CN203054372 U, 10 Jul. 2013. These known solutions either require a special eye wear to be used with the veil or mask, or provide little flexibility in positioning the veil or mask conveniently with regard to the shape of the face of the user and the frame of the eye wear. Furthermore, none of these solutions allows for attaching the veil or mask to a hat as well as to an eye wear.

Therefore there exists a need for a novel veil device that can be quickly and easily attached to and detached from many types of eye wear and hats. A further need exists for a novel veil device that can be positioned easily according to the preferences of the user. Finally, a need exists for a novel veil device which provides a more convenient and stylish way to wear a veil with sunglasses or other eye wear, or a hat.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A detachable veil device is provided which may be configured to cover portions of the face and head of a user. In some embodiments, the veil device may include a support frame having a right temple support, a central support, and a left support. A veil, which may be configured for covering portions of the head of a wearer, may be coupled below and to the support frame. A first accessory fastener may be coupled to the right temple support, and a second accessory fastener may be coupled to the left temple support. The device may be removably attached to a wearable accessory, such as a pair of glasses or a hat, that may be worn by a wearer by removably attaching the accessory fasteners to the wearable accessory. In this manner, the veil of the device may be positioned to cover portions of the head of a wearer by being supported by the wearable accessory that is being worn on the head of the wearer.

In further embodiments, the device may include a nose cover which may be coupled to and above the support frame such as to a central support. The nose cover may be configured to cover or be positioned to block the view of all or portions of the nose of a wearer.

In still further embodiments, the support frame may comprise one or more hinges which may allow one or more right temple supports, central supports, and/or left supports to be moved relative to each other thereby allowing the device to be moved between a compacted position and an extended position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and are not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references may indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a front perspective view of an example of a detachable veil device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective exploded view of another example of a detachable veil device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 shows a rear perspective exploded view of a further example of a detachable veil device according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 4 depicts a perspective view of an example of a detachable veil device in a compacted position according to various embodiments described herein.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of an example of a detachable veil device attached to a wearable accessory according to various embodiments described herein that is covering portions of the face of a wearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and the present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can also be used in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed techniques. Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from repeating every possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion. Nevertheless, the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “right”, “rear”, “front”, “side”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, one will understand that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. Therefore, the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

Although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, the first element may be designated as the second element, and the second element may be likewise designated as the first element without departing from the scope of the invention.

As used in this application, the term “about” or “approximately” refers to a range of values within plus or minus 10% of the specified number. Additionally, as used in this application, the term “substantially” means that the actual value is within about 10% of the actual desired value, particularly within about 5% of the actual desired value and especially within about 1% of the actual desired value of any variable, element or limit set forth herein.

New devices configured to cover portions of the face of person are discussed herein. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.

The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated by the figures or description below.

The present invention will now be described by example and through referencing the appended figures representing preferred and alternative embodiments. A detachable veil device (“the device”) 100 is disclosed for covering portions of the face and head of a user. FIGS. 1-5 illustrate various examples of a device 100 according to embodiments described herein. In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise a support frame 11 having a right temple support 12, a central support 13, and a left support 14. A veil 31, which may be configured for covering portions of the head of a wearer 300 (FIG. 5), may be coupled below and to the support frame 11. A first accessory fastener 41 may be coupled to the right temple support 12, and a second accessory fastener 42 may be coupled to the left temple support 14. Optionally, the device 100 may comprise a nose cover 36 which may be coupled to the central support 13. The device 100 may be removably attached to a wearable accessory 200 (FIG. 5), such as a pair of glasses or a hat, that may be worn by a wearer 300 by removably attaching the accessory fasteners 41, 42, to the wearable accessory 200. In this manner, the veil 31 of the device 100 may be positioned to cover portions of the head of a wearer 300 by being supported by the wearable accessory 200 that is being worn on the head of the wearer 300.

The device 100 comprises a flexible veil 31 which may cover portions of the head of a wearer 300, such as the face of the wearer 300. In some embodiments, the veil 31 may be made of or comprise a flexible material which may be lightweight and which may enable the veil 31 to bend and flex. In further embodiments and as shown in FIG. 1, a flexible material may be a fabric type of material which may include cotton, linen, silk, polyester, nylon, Nomex, Kevlar, polypropylene fibers, pulp/polyester fibers and the like. In further embodiments and as shown in FIGS. 2-5, a flexible material may be a mesh type of material which may include nylon netting, polyester mesh, loose weave fabric, Textilene mesh, lace fabric, vinyl coated mesh, chain netting, chain mesh, metal screen, plastic screen, fabric screen, or any other mesh material having a plurality of visible holes or apertures. In alternative embodiments, a veil 31 may be made from substantially rigid materials such as hard or rigid plastics, rubbers, metal and metal alloys, or any other material which may resist being bent or folded.

The support frame 11 may be shaped and configured to extend around portions of the head of a wearer 300. The support frame 11 may be configured to position the veil 31 proximate to the face of a user 300. In preferred embodiments, the support frame may comprise a generally U-shape which may conform or correspond to the generally oval shape of the human head. In further embodiments, the supports 12, 13, 14, may be made from or comprise a rigid material such as steel alloys, aluminum, aluminum alloys, copper alloys, any other type of metal or metal alloy, any type of ceramic, various types of hard plastics, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonate, nylon, Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), acrylic, HDPE, melamine, hard rubbers, fiberglass, carbon fiber, resins, such as epoxy resin, wood, other plant based materials, or any other material including combinations of materials that are substantially rigid and suitable for supporting the veil 31 and any other element discussed herein.

In some embodiments, the support frame 11 may comprise one or more right temple supports 12, central supports 13, and left supports 14. Generally, a right temple support 12 may be positioned proximate to portions of the right side of the face of a wearer 300, a central support 13 may be positioned proximate to portions of the front of the face of a wearer 300, and a left support 14 may be positioned proximate to portions of the left side of the face of a wearer 300. Optionally, a right temple support 12, a central support 13, and/or a left support 14 may be integrally formed as a single unit. For example, the support frame 11 may be divided into two units with a first unit having a right temple support 12 and a central support 13, while the second unit may have a left temple support 14 and a central support 13.

In some embodiments, the support frame 11 may comprise one or more hinges 39 which may allow one or more right temple supports 12, central supports 13, and/or left supports 14 to be moved relative to each other and therefore allow the support frame 11 and a veil 31 coupled thereto to be moved between a compacted position 71 (FIG. 4) and an extended position 72 (FIGS. 1-3, 5). In preferred embodiments, the veil 31 may be made from a flexible material, the support frame 11 may comprise a first hinge 39 which may movably couple a right temple support 12 to a central support 13, and a second hinge 39 which may movably couple a left temple support 14 to the central support 13. The first hinge 39 may enable the right temple support 12 to be moved towards and away from the central support 13, and therefore moved towards and away from the left temple support 14. Likewise, the second hinge 39 may enable the left temple support 14 to be moved towards and away from the central support 13, and therefore moved towards and away from the right temple support 12. When a right temple support 12 and left temple support 14 are moved proximate to or in contact with each other, the device 100 may be in a compacted position 71, as shown in FIG. 4, and the veil may be folded, such as into thirds, to enable the device 100 to be stored in a compact state. In other embodiments, the device 100 may comprise a single hinge 39 which enables the right temple support 12 and left temple support 14 to be moved relative (closer and farther) to each other.

A hinge 39 may comprise a pin and knuckle hinge as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a butt hinge, barrel hinge, butt/Mortise hinge, case hinge, flag hinge, strap hinge, H hinge, HL hinge, piano hinge, butterfly hinge, flush hinge, barrel hinge, concealed hinge, continuous hinge, T-hinge, strap hinge, double-acting hinge, Soss hinge, counterflap hinge, flush hinge, coach hinge, rising butt hinge, double action spring hinge, tee hinge, friction hinge, security hinge, cranked hinge or stormproof hinge, lift-off hinge, self closing or self positioning hinge, flexible material hinge, living hinge, or any other type or style of hinge suitable for pivotally joining one or more supports 12, 13, 14, of a support frame 11 together.

In some embodiments, a veil 31 may be removably coupled to the support frame 11 so that the veil 31 of the device 100 may be interchangeable or replaceable. In further embodiments, the veil 31 may be removably coupled to the right temple support 12, central support 13, and/or left support 14. In further embodiments, the veil 31 may comprise one or more veil fasteners 32 and the support frame 11 may comprise one or more frame fasteners 22. One or more veil fasteners 32 may be removably coupled to one or more frame fasteners 22 to removably couple the veil 31 to the support frame 11. Veil fasteners 32 and frame fasteners 22 may comprise any type of fastener which may be coupled together.

In some embodiments, a veil fastener 32 and frame fastener 22 may be magnetic fasteners that comprise a magnetic material that is capable of magnetically adhering to another magnetic material through the principle of magnetism. For example, a veil fastener 32 may comprise a magnetic material that may adhere to a frame fastener 22 comprising a magnetic material which may be coupled to, embedded in, or form all or portions of the frame support 11. A magnetic material such as ferrite, manganese-zince ferrite, nickel-zinc ferrite, strontium ferrite, cobalt ferrite, barium ferrite, magnetic alloys such as alnico, comol, hypernom, iron-silicon magnet alloys, magnet steel, chromindur, silmanal, platinax, bismanol, cobalt-platinum alloys, chromium-manganese antimonide, ultra-mag, vectolite, magnadur, lodex, awaruite, wairauite, rare earth magnets such as samarium-cobalt, cesium-cobalt, neodymium-iron-boron, other neodymium magnet materials, metallic oxides such as magnetite, ulvospinel, hematite, ilmenite, maghemite, jacobsite, metallic sulfides such as pyrrhotite, greigite, troilite, metallic oxyhydroxides such as goethite, lepidocrocite, feroxyhyte, ferromagnetic materials and ferrimagnetic materials, including metals such as iron, nickel, cobalt, metal alloys containing iron, nickel, and/or cobalt, or any other suitable magnetic material, that is capable of magnetically adhering to another magnetic material through the principle of magnetism.

In some embodiments, a veil fastener 32 and frame fastener 22 may be removably coupled by inserting a portion of one fastener 32, 22, into a portion of another fastener 32, 22. For example, a frame fastener 22 may comprise a male protrusion 23 and a veil fastener 32 may comprise a female aperture 33, and the male protrusion 23 may be inserted into the female aperture 33 to removably couple the frame fastener 22 and veil fastener 32 together. In another example, a frame fastener 22 may comprise a female aperture 33 and a veil fastener 32 may comprise a male protrusion 23, and the male protrusion 23 may be inserted into the female aperture 33 to removably couple the frame fastener 22 and veil fastener 32 together.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in some embodiments, a support frame 11 may comprise one or more, such as twelve frame fasteners 22 which may each comprise a male protrusion 23 which may be flexibly coupled to the support frame 11 at joint 24. The veil 31 may comprise a complementary number of veil fasteners 32 which may be removably coupled to the frame fasteners 22 with each veil fastener 32 having a female aperture 33. By flexing a male protrusion 23 of a frame fastener 22 away from the support frame 11 at joint 24 (functioning as a living hinge), a veil fastener 32 may be mated with the frame fastener 22 by inserting the male protrusion 23 through the female aperture 33. Similarly, by flexing the frame fastener 22 away from the support frame 11 the veil fastener 32 may be unmated from the frame fastener 22 by removing the male protrusion 23 from the female aperture 33.

Turning now to FIG. 3, in some embodiments, a support frame 11 may comprise one or more, such as twelve frame fasteners 22 which may each comprise a male protrusion 23 coupled to the support frame 11. The veil 31 may comprise a complementary number of veil fasteners 32 which may be removably coupled to the frame fasteners 22 with each veil fastener 32 having a female aperture 33. Preferably, each male protrusion 23 may comprise a portion that is slightly larger than the female aperture 33, thereby allowing the frame fasteners 22 to be removably coupled to the veil fasteners 33 by press fitting or snap fitting a male protrusion into a female aperture 33.

In still further embodiments, a veil 31 may be coupled to the support frame 11 with one or more veil fasteners 32 which may comprise a plate or length of rigid material by sandwiching portions of the veil 31 between a veil fastener 32 and the support frame 11 and then coupling the veil fastener 32 to a frame fastener 22 on the support frame 11. In other embodiments, the veil 31 may be coupled to a support frame 11 with any other removable or substantially non-removable method.

In some embodiments, the device 100 may comprise a nose cover 36 which may be coupled to the support frame 11. Preferably, a nose cover 36 may be coupled to and above the support frame 11 relative to the veil 31 which may be coupled to and below the support frame 11. The nose cover 36 may be configured in different sizes and shapes, but is preferably configured to cover or be positioned to block the view of all or portions of the nose of a wearer 300. In preferred embodiments, the nose cover 36 may be made of or comprise a rigid material that is substantially rigid and suitable or able to support the nose cover 36 above the central support 11. In alternative embodiments, a nose cover 36 may comprise a portion of a support frame 11 and/or veil 31 which may extend up and away from portions of the veil 31 coupled below the support frame 11.

The device 100 may comprise one or more accessory fasteners, such as a first accessory fastener 41 and a second accessory fastener 42, which may be configured to removably couple the device 100 to a wearable accessory 200 such as a pair of glasses, hat, or the like. In preferred embodiments, an accessory fastener 41, 42, may be configured as a clip which may clip or clamp onto portions of a wearable accessory 200. Each accessory fastener 41, 42, may comprise an inner arm 43 and an outer arm 44, and the inner arm 43 may be tensioned towards the outer arm 44 by a resilient coupling 45, such as a resilient living hinge or spring. The device 100 may be removably coupled to a wearable accessory 200 by inserting a portion of the wearable accessory 200 between the arms 43, 44, so that the wearable accessory 200 is tensioned and/or frictionally engaged to the arms 43, 44. In other embodiments, an accessory fastener 41, 42, may comprise any other type of fastener, such as a magnetic fastener, a hook, a tie or strap, a hook and loop type fastener, an adhesive, or any other suitable fastener method for removably coupling the device 100 to a wearable accessory 200.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of an example of a detachable veil device 100 attached to a wearable accessory 200 according to various embodiments described herein that is covering portions of the face of a wearer 300. The device 100 is configured to be positioned and supported on the head of a wearer 300 by removably coupling the device 100 to a wearable accessory 200 that may be worn on the head of a wearer 300. In this example, the accessory fasteners 41, 42, are removably coupled to the temples 201 of a wearable accessory 200 that is a pair of eye glasses or sun glasses. In other embodiments, the device 100 may be removably coupled to a wearable accessory 200 that is a hat by removably coupling an accessory fastener 41, 42, to a portion of the hat wearable accessory 200, such as to the brim, head band, or any other portion of a hat wearable accessory 200.

The device 100 may be sized and shaped to cover portions of the head of a wearer 300. In preferred embodiments, the support frame 11 and veil 31 may be sized and shaped to cover the face from generally nose level and below, and optionally portions of the neck of a wearer 300. Additionally, the veil 31 may extend approximately from proximate to the left ear to proximate to the right ear of the wearer 300. In still further embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 5, the nose cover 36 may be coupled above the support frame 11, preferably to the central support 11, and may be angled, between one and fifty degrees towards the nose of the wearer 300.

While some materials have been provided, in other embodiments, the elements that comprise the device 100 such as the support frame 11, right temple support 12, central support 13, left support 14, veil 31, accessory fasteners 41, 42, optional nose cover 36, optional hinge 39, and/or any other element discussed herein may be made from durable materials such as aluminum, steel, other metals and metal alloys, wood, hard rubbers, hard plastics, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, fiber glass, resins, polymers or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. Additionally, one or more elements may be made from or comprise durable and slightly flexible materials such as soft plastics, silicone, soft rubbers, or any other suitable materials including combinations of materials. In some embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled or connected together with heat bonding, chemical bonding, adhesives, clasp type fasteners, clip type fasteners, rivet type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, other types of fasteners, or any other suitable joining method. In other embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled or removably connected by being press fit or snap fit together, by one or more fasteners such as hook and loop type or Velcro® fasteners, magnetic type fasteners, threaded type fasteners, sealable tongue and groove fasteners, snap fasteners, clip type fasteners, clasp type fasteners, ratchet type fasteners, a push-to-lock type connection method, a turn-to-lock type connection method, slide-to-lock type connection method or any other suitable temporary connection method as one reasonably skilled in the art could envision to serve the same function. In further embodiments, one or more of the elements that comprise the device 100 may be coupled by being one of connected to and integrally formed with another element of the device 100.

Although the present invention has been illustrated and described herein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examples thereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functions and/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments and examples are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, are contemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the following claims.

Claims

1. A detachable veil device for removably attaching to a wearable accessory, the device comprising:

a. a support frame having a right temple support, a central support, and a left support;

b. a veil for covering portions of the face of a wearer, wherein the veil is coupled below and to the support frame;

c. a first accessory fastener coupled to the right temple support; and

d. a second accessory fastener coupled to the left temple support.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a nose cover coupled to and above the support frame.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the nose cover comprises a rigid material able to support the nose cover above the central support.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the veil is made of a flexible material.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the veil is removably coupled to the support frame.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the veil is removably coupled to the right temple support, central support, and left support.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the veil comprises a veil fastener and the support frame comprises a frame fastener, and wherein the veil fastener is removably coupled to the frame fastener.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein the frame fastener comprises a male protrusion and the veil fastener comprises a female aperture, and wherein the male protrusion is inserted into the female aperture to removably couple the frame fastener and veil fastener together.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein each accessory fastener comprises an inner arm and an outer arm, and wherein the inner arm is tensioned towards the outer arm.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the support frame comprises a hinge, and wherein the hinge enables the right temple support and left temple support to be moved relative to each other.

11. A detachable veil device for removably attaching to a wearable accessory, the device comprising:

a. a support frame having a right temple support, a central support, and a left support;

b. a veil for covering portions of the face of a wearer, wherein the veil is coupled below and to the support frame;

c. a nose cover coupled to and above the support frame;

d. a first accessory fastener coupled to the right temple support; and

e. a second accessory fastener coupled to the left temple support.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the nose cover comprises a rigid material able to support the nose cover above the central support.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein the support frame is U-shaped.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein the veil is made of a flexible material.

15. The device of claim 11, wherein the veil is removably coupled to the support frame.

16. The device of claim 11, wherein the veil is removably coupled to the right temple support, central support, and left support.

17. The device of claim 11, wherein the veil comprises a veil fastener and the support frame comprises a frame fastener, and wherein the veil fastener is removably coupled to the frame fastener.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the frame fastener comprises a male protrusion and the veil fastener comprises a female aperture, and wherein the male protrusion is inserted into the female aperture to removably couple the frame fastener and veil fastener together.

19. The device of claim 11, wherein each accessory fastener comprises an inner arm and an outer arm, and wherein the inner arm is tensioned towards the outer arm.

20. The device of claim 11, wherein the support frame comprises a hinge, and wherein the hinge enables the right temple support and left temple support to be moved relative to each other.