SHIELD ATTACHMENT FOR BRIMMED HEADWEAR
A shield attachment can include a brim slot and a face shield. The brim slot may be configured to receive the brim to secure the face shield attachment to the headwear. The face shield may be positioned below the brim slot, and the face shield can be configured to extend around a face of the user while the headwear is worn.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/011,694, filed Apr. 17, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELDThe present disclosure generally relates to personal protective equipment (PPE), and in particular, eye and face protective equipment.
BACKGROUNDFace shields and other PPE can be worn to protect some or all of the wearer's face from hazards such as flying objects and road debris, chemical splashes, or potentially infectious materials. In the medical industry, for example, a face shield may be worn to protect the wearer from spray and splatter during medical procedures.
Existing face shield designs include multiple components formed from different materials in separate processes. Typical face shield designs include a plastic sheet connected to a headband portion configured to secure the face shield to a user's head. Such a design can require elastic bands, adhesives, or other fasteners to secure the plastic sheet to the headband and to the wearer. For added comfort, some face shields can include padding made from foam or other materials.
SUMMARYThis Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Because traditional face shields must be assembled from multiple components, significant amounts of time may be required to produce a large number of face shields. As a result, face shields may be unavailable to those who need them when PPE is in high demand. Alternative face shield designs, which can omit padding and other materials to reduce production time, can require lengthy 3D printing processes to create. Further, designs which omit padding are often uncomfortable and require frequent adjustment, which may interfere with the wearer's comfort and/or performance of the face shield.
Disclosed herein are embodiments of a shield attachment that can be used to transform brimmed headwear, such as a hat, into a PPE device with a face shield. The shield attachment can be configured for use with a variety of existing non-PPE headwear options that a user may already possess. This can provide more comfortable alternatives to existing face shield designs. The shield attachment can be quickly formed from a single material with simple manufacturing processes, enabling the rapid production of large numbers of face shields.
In some embodiments, a shield attachment can be configured for use with headwear that may include a brim and be configured to be worn on the head of a user. The shield attachment can include a brim slot and a face shield positioned below the brim slot. The brim slot can be configured to receive the brim to secure the face shield attachment to the headwear; and the face shield can be configured to extend around the face of the user while the headwear is worn.
In some embodiments, the brim slot can include at least one of an upper wall configured to engage a top surface of the brim and a lower wall configured to engage a bottom surface of the brim, and a peripheral wall may extend between the upper wall and the lower wall. The upper wall and the lower wall can be configured to grip the brim to retain the brim in the brim slot. Further, at least one of the upper wall and the lower wall may include an interference feature configured to engage the brim. The interference feature may project into a space between the upper wall and the lower wall. Additionally or alternatively, the interference feature can include a ridge extending from a front end of the brim slot towards a back end of the brim slot. In such an embodiment, the interference feature can further include at least one additional ridge extending between the front end of the brim slot and the back end of the brim slot.
Embodiments of the shield attachment can include a connecting section that extends between a top edge of the face shield and a lower wall of the brim slot. The shield attachment may include a crown shield positioned above the brim slot. The crown shield may be configured to extend around a top portion of the headwear and the user while the headwear is worn. Further, the face shield may be wider than the brim slot. The connecting section may include a recess formed in the face shield and projecting inward from one lateral side of the face shield towards an opposite side of the face shield. in such an embodiment, a top edge of the recess can be connected to the brim slot and a bottom edge of the recess can be connected to the face shield.
Additionally or alternatively, at least one structural feature may be positioned on at least one of the face shield and the brim slot. The at least one structural feature may include at least one of a beveled edge formed around at least a portion of the face shield and a rib extending across the face shield. Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.
Some embodiments a shield attachment can be configured for use with headwear including a brim and configured to be worn on a head of a user. The shield attachment may include a brim slot configured to receive the brim and a face shield positioned below the brim slot. The brim slot may have an upper wall and a lower wall configured to grip the brim to secure the face shield attachment to the headwear. The face shield may be configured to extend around the face of the user while the headwear is worn by the user. Further, a connecting section may be configured to provide structural support and can extend between the face shield and the lower wall of the brim slot.
In some embodiments, at least one of the upper wall and the lower wall can include an interference feature configured to engage the brim. In such an embodiment, the interference feature may include at least one ridge extending from a front end of the brim slot towards a back end of the brim slot.
In some embodiments, the connecting section may include a first recess formed proximate a top edge of face shield and projecting inward from one lateral side of the shield attachment towards an opposite lateral side of the shield attachment. A top edge of the first recess can be connected to the lower wall of the brim slot and a bottom edge of the recess can be connected to a top edge of the face shield. Further, the connecting section may include a second recess positioned on the lateral side of the shield attachment opposite the first recess.
The present disclosure is described with reference to the following Figures.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
Unless otherwise specified or limited, the phrases “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and the like, are meant to indicate A, or B, or C, or any combination of A, B, and/or C, including combinations with multiple instances of A, B, and/or C. Likewise, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms “mounted,” “connected,” “supported,” and “coupled” and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings. Further, unless otherwise specified or limited, “connected” and “coupled” are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
As used herein, unless otherwise limited or defined, discussion of particular directions is provided by example only, with regard to particular embodiments or relevant illustrations. For example, discussion of “top,” “front,” “back,” “left” or “right” features is generally intended as a description only of the orientation of such features relative to a reference frame of a particular example or illustration. Correspondingly, for example, a “top” feature may sometimes be disposed below a “bottom” feature (and so on), in some arrangements or embodiments.
Embodiments of a shield attachment can be configured to convert a hat, visor, or any other headwear that includes a brim into PPE headgear with a face shield. A face shield attachment can include a universal or one-size-fits-all brim slot configured to secure the attachment to the headwear, and a see-through face shield that covers the face of a wearer. This may be useful, for example, to convert existing, comfortable headwear into a PPE article—which may be particularly desirable when traditional PPE face shields are unavailable. Embodiments of a shield attachment may have a unitary design and can be formed from a plastic material using injection molding, thermal forming, or any other molding or forming process. This may be useful, for example, in order to quickly manufacture a shield attachment without using multiple different materials. Some embodiments of a shield attachment may be assembled with multiple, distinct components.
Embodiments of a brim slot can be configured to envelop the brim of a hat within a closed pocket. Referring to
The dimensions of the brim slot 104, including the dimensions of the upper wall 120, the lower wall 122 and the peripheral wall 124, may be selected based on the at least one of the type, size and shape of the hat with which the shield attachment 100 will be used. For example, the length of the brim slot 104 from the front end 126 to the opening at the back end may be selected based on the length of the brim to be received in the brim slot 104. The length of the upper wall, measured between the front end of the rim slot and the crown shield (distance “A” in
To retain the shield attachment 100 on the hat 80, the brim slot 104 can be configured to grip the brim 82. For example, the gap between the upper wall 120 and the lower wall 122 can be dimensioned so that the upper wall 120 and the lower wall 122 respectively make contact with an upper surface and the lower surface of the brim 82 while it is received in the brim slot 104. Engagement between the upper wall 120 and the upper brim surface and the lower wall 122 and the lower brim surface can create a retention force against the removal of the brim 82 from the brim slot 104. In some embodiments, the distance between the upper wall 120 and the lower wall 122 (distance “E” in
With continued reference to
In some embodiments, at least one of the shape of an interference feature, the size of an interference feature, the location of an interference feature and the number of interference features can be selected based on at least one of the size of the brim 82, a desired retention force between the brim slot 104 and the brim 82, and any other factor. For example, a ridge may be 0.1-0.25 inches wide (distance “F” in
Referring to
The dimensions of a face shield 108 can be selected based on at least one of a size of a user and their head, a size of the headwear with which the shield attachment will be used, the desired amount of coverage to be provided by the face shield, and any other factor. For example, a face shield can be configured with a height between the brim slot and the lower edge of the face shield (distance “C” in
The material with which the shield attachment 100 is formed may additionally be selected based on at least one of the dimensions of the features of the shield attachment, the desired flexibility of the shield attachment, the manufacturing process used to forms the shield attachment and any other factor. For example, the material used to form the shield attachment 100 and the thickness of the material can be selected so that the shield attachment 100 can be deformed without permanent damage, and so that the shield attachment 108 is biased into its original shape when flexed. Some embodiments of a shield attachment may be configured to be rigid and inflexible.
The shield attachment 100 includes a curved brim slot 104 with a plurality of ridges 130 formed on the lower wall 122 thereof. Once the brim 82 of a hat has been inserted into the brim slot 104 through the back side of the shield attachment 100, the ridges 130 can engage the brim 82 to retain the shield attachment 100 on the hat 80. The connecting section 136 curves downward and outward from the lower wall 122 to the face shield 108. The face shield 108 is dimensioned so that it extends around the front and sides of the face of the user 90 while they are wearing the hat 80 and shield attachment. Sufficient clearance is provided between the face shield 108 and the face of the user 90 so that eyewear may be worn with the shield attachment 100 (see, for example,
Referring now to
Each recess 250 may extend backward along the sides of the brim slot 204 with a bottom edge 252 connected to the face shield 208 and a top edge 254 connected to the brim slot 204. A front opening 256 of the recess 250 can be formed at the front of the face shield 208 so that it is positioned in front of the forehead of the user 90 while the face shield 200 is worn. In some embodiments, and the shape and size of the recess may change along its length. For example, at least one of the depth and the width of the recess 250 may decrease between the front of the recess and the back of the recess, providing a smooth transition between the recess 250 and the face shield 208. In some embodiments, at least side of the shield attachment may include a different connecting structure. A shield attachment can include at least one recess that has a different shape and size than those illustrated, and/or at least recess may have a consistent shape and size that does not vary along its length. Additionally or alternatively, some embodiments may include a rib or a projection that curves outward from a lateral side of the face shield.
In some embodiments, the face shield may be the widest part of the shield attachment. In the illustrated embodiment, for example, the face shield 208 can extend further laterally outward than the brim slot 204 and the crown shield 214 so that the face shield 208 is wider than the brim slot. This may be useful, for example, so that the brim slot 204 and the crown shield 214 can fit snugly on a hat 80, while still providing comfortable clearance between the face shield 208 and the face of a user 90. In embodiments including a recess 250, a bottom edge 252 of the recess 250 (which is connected to the top edge of the face shield 208) may extend further laterally outward than the top edge 254, thereby widening the face shield 208. Additionally or alternatively, shield attachment can include a sloping lateral section that can extend outward from the brim slot to connect with the face shield. Further still, some embodiments of a shield attachment can include a face shield that is the same width as the crown shield or the brim slot, or narrower than the crown shield or the brim slot.
In some embodiments, a shield attachment can be configured to be stackable with additional shield attachments. When stacked, the brim slots of adjacent shield attachments can be nested within each other. In such an embodiment, a shield attachment may include a stacking lug configured to enhance the stickability of the shield attachment. As illustrated in
To help prevent permanent deformation of the shield attachment 200, structural features can be may be positioned on at least one of the brim slot 204 and the face shield 208. For example, a beveled edge 242 may be formed around at least a portion of the periphery of the face shield 208 and the crown shield 214. The beveled edge 242 may be curved or angled inward or outward to provide additional support. Additionally or alternatively, the stacking lug of a shield attachment may be configured as a structural feature. In the embodiments of
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. Certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be inferred therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes only and are intended to be broadly construed. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have features or structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent features or structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
Claims
1. A shield attachment for headwear including a brim and configured to be worn on a head of a user, the shield attachment comprising:
- a brim slot configured to receive the brim to secure the face shield attachment to the headwear, the brim slot including at least one of an upper wall and a lower wall configured to abut a surface of the brim; and
- a face shield positioned below the brim slot, the face shield being configured to extend around the face of the user while the headwear is worn by the user.
2. The shield attachment of claim 1, wherein the brim slot includes the upper wall and the lower wall, and wherein the upper wall and the lower wall are configured to grip the brim.
3. The shield attachment of claim 2, wherein the brim slot includes a peripheral wall extending between the upper wall and the lower wall.
4. The shield attachment of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the upper wall and the lower wall includes an interference feature configured to engage the brim.
5. The shield attachment of claim 4, wherein the brim slot includes the upper wall and the lower wall, and wherein the interference feature projects into a space between the upper wall and the lower wall.
6. The shield attachment of claim 4, wherein the interference feature includes a ridge extending from a front end of the brim slot towards a back end of the brim slot.
7. The shield attachment of claim 6, wherein the interference feature further includes at least one additional ridge extending between the front end of the brim slot and the back end of the brim slot.
8. The shield attachment of claim 1, further comprising a connecting section that extends between a top edge of the face shield and the brim slot.
9. The shield attachment of claim 8, wherein the connecting section includes a recess formed in the face shield and projecting inward from one lateral side of the face shield towards an opposite side of the face shield.
10. The shield attachment of claim 9, wherein a top edge of the recess is connected to the brim slot and a bottom edge of the recess is connected to the face shield.
11. The shield attachment of claim 1, further comprising a crown shield positioned above the brim slot, the crown shield being configured to extend around a crown of the headwear and an upper frontal region of the user while the headwear is worn by the user.
12. The shield attachment of claim 1, further comprising at least one structural feature positioned on at least one of the face shield and the brim slot.
13. The shield attachment of claim 12, wherein the at least one structural feature includes at least one of a beveled edge formed around at least a portion of the face shield and a rib extending across the face shield.
14. The shield attachment of claim 1, wherein the face shield is wider than the brim slot.
15. A shield attachment for headwear including a brim and configured to be worn on a head of a user, the shield attachment comprising:
- a brim slot configured to receive the brim, the brim slot having an upper wall and a lower wall configured to grip the brim to secure the face shield attachment to the headwear;
- a face shield positioned below the brim slot, the face shield being configured to extend around the face of the user while the headwear is worn by the user; and
- a connecting section configured to provide structural support that extends between the face shield and the lower wall of the brim slot.
16. The shield attachment of claim 15, wherein at least one of the upper wall and the lower wall includes an interference feature configured to engage the brim.
17. The shield attachment of claim 16, wherein the interference feature includes at least one ridge extending from a front end of the brim slot towards a back end of the brim slot.
18. The shield attachment of claim 15, wherein the connecting section includes a first recess formed proximate a top edge of the face shield and projecting inward from one lateral side of the shield attachment towards an opposite lateral side of the shield attachment.
19. The shield attachment of claim 18, wherein a top edge of the first recess is connected to the lower wall of the brim slot and a bottom edge of the recess is connected to a top edge of the face shield.
20. The shield attachment of claim 18, wherein the connecting section includes a second recess positioned on the lateral side of the shield attachment opposite the first recess.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 16, 2020
Publication Date: Oct 21, 2021
Applicant: Somerford Holdings, LLC (Plymouth, WI)
Inventor: Robert Travis (Plymouth, WI)
Application Number: 17/022,963