Abstract: A facial shield assembly for use by dental and medical personnel comprises a transparent plastic shield having a substantially flat front portion and a peripheral border portion extending continuously around the front portion to cover and embrace at least part of a wearer's face. Concave groove structures are provided at the sides of the peripheral border portion to receive a U-shaped band. The groove structures are held on the band by clips which embrace the groove structure. The groove structure and clips have converging walls so that the clip can be wedged onto the groove structures to hold them onto the support band.

Abstract: A face shield is provided for positioning on a forehead of an individual to help protect an individual from heat, wind, light and chemical sprays. A substantially conical member includes a base portion and a top portion displaced a predetermined distance from the base portion. The top portion is formed as a substantially elliptical section projecting through the substantially conical member. A slit connects the top portion with the base portion for defining a through opening in the substantially conical member. The substantially conical member is constructed of a resilient material for enabling the substantially conical member to be biased to an open position for mounting the substantially conical member on a forehead of an individual.

Abstract: A mask arrangement particularly adapted for use in cold weather conditions includes a mask member and a spaced eye shield. Air flow directing means directs air flow between the eye shield and the mask member, providing comfortable air flow and inhibition to fogging of the eye shield. The mask member is divided into a vision region and a breathing region. The vision region includes a port therein covered by the eye shield. The breathing region is generally isolated from the vision region and includes a breathing aperture with baffle means associated therewith. In a preferred embodiment, the breathing aperture comprises a large aperture in the central portion of the breathing region, with the baffle means comprising a baffle plate mounted over the breathing aperture. The baffle plate generally deflects air preventing jetting directly into the mouth of the wearer. Relative constant spacing between the eye shield and the mask member facilitates air flow without substantial turbulence.

Abstract: A protective headware for wrestlers which covers the top of the head and extends downwardly over a portion of the back of the head and down over the face including the nose mouth and ears and then extends under the chin of the wrestler and has an outer flush surface on each side of the head and which is internally formed with indentations into which the ears of the wrestler are received. A backstrap is used to hold the head gear in place and top and mouth ventilating openings are provided for ventilating purposes.

Abstract: A ballistic face shield is provided for military use and acts to deflect penetrating bullets. Thickness is avoided by angling the orientation of the shield and by providing an explosive charge which launches the shield forwardly and upwardly when an outer layer of the shield is shattered. The shield construction includes glass, inert gas and plastic layers.

Abstract: This invention relates to a protective face guard employing a grillwork such as used in a catcher's mask and particularly an eye shield which is detachably fastened between a forehead pad and the grillwork for shading the eye of a user.

Abstract: An improved headgear conformable to the head of a wearer and capable of absorbing energy to thereby protect the wearer against blows to the head. The headgear is fabricated of foam coated with a pliable coating. The foam is shaped as a circumferential strip adapted to encompass the head of the wearer and includes a first portion extending across the wearer's forehead, a second portion extending across the back of the wearer's head and intermediate portions extending across the sides of the wearer's head. The intermediate portions couple the wide portion and narrow portion. A concave region is formed in the interior of the wide portion to create a dome-shaped air space between the back of the wearer's head and the interior of the headgear for the increased absorption of the force of a blow to the back of the head of a wearer.

Abstract: A mask to protect dentists from handpiece splatter which contains all manner of germs and viruses and has a visor which attaches to the head above the eyes and a transparent shield which extends down below the mouth. The shield is preferably detachable from the visor for cleaning and replacement. The visor has a vent for air circulation which may be closed by a cover for protection. A filter may be applied to the shield for eye protection when ultraviolet light is being used for curing plastic tooth cavity fillings.

Abstract: A mechanism for opening and closing a window closure member (12) in a welder's helmut (10) by movement of the welder's chin. The helmet is provided with a chin engaging member (18), (20) which is attached to one end of an arm (24) by a rod (26). The arm (24) is pivotally connected to the helmut. As the welder lowers his chin against the chin engaging member, a roller (30) attached to the other end of pivoting arm (24) applies an opening force via rod (26) to the lower inner face of the window closure member (12) thus forcing the closure member to swing open about hinges (14). The chin engaging member is biased against the welder's chin by a spring (40). Thus an upward movement of the welder's chin will allow the window closure member (12) to return to a closed position.

Abstract: A protective headgear comprising, a shell for receiving a wearer's head, and a cup to receive the wearer's chin. The headgear has a strap connecting the cup to the shell, with the strap having a first strap segment with one end fixedly attached to the shell and extending to the cup, and a second strap segment having one end releasably attached to the shell and extending to the cup.

Abstract: Headgear for motorcycling and like activities comprises a protective helmet, a visor and a chin guard. Both the visor and the chin-guard and substantially C-shaped in plan so as to have lateral arms which are fixed to the sides of the helmet by respective hinge means that allow the visor to be moved between a lowered position in front of the upper part of the face and a raised position on the forehead and the chin guard to be moved between a raised position in front of the lower part of the face and a lowered position beneath the chin. The arms of the visor and of the chin guard are interconnected in correspondence with their respective hinge means by operating means such that the lowering of one of the visor and chin guard causes the concomitant raising of the other and vice versa.

Abstract: A face guard for an athletic helmet having at least one horizontal bar structure with the bar structure including a plurality of rotatable elements to inhibit gripping the bar structure by hand.

Abstract: A protective flap for a batting helmet. The protective flap attaches to a batting helmet or is fabricated with the helmet, and extends alongside the cheek and jaw of the batter. The protective flap can attach to the ear cover of the batting helmet, and extends forwardly to an outer end approximately aligned with the front of the batter's chin or nose. The upper edge of the protective flap is spaced below the visor of the helmet to allow substantially unobstructed vision but this spacing is less than the diameter of the ball in play, to prevent the ball from striking the batter's cheek or eye.

Abstract: An ultraviolet (UV) nose protector of a breathable material and including an adhesive on one side of the breathable material for securing all about the nose. Either the breathable material, the adhesive, or both includes a UV sun blocker, such as zinc oxide or PaBa.

Abstract: A generally pouch-like conformable face mask especially suitable for surgical use. The face mask includes a generally rectangular body portion formed from a filtration medium and having top and bottom edge portions and a pair of opposed side portions. To provide the face conforming features and a substantially gas-tight seal between the mask and the face of the wearer, an elastically extendable material is located at the periphery of the side and bottom edge portions of the generally rectangular body portion, mask to gather into a pouch or cup-like configuration. This permits the wearer to don the face mask by engaging the pouch-like portion with the chin fitting within the pouch while the body portion covers the mouth and nose of the wearer.

Abstract: A releasably attachable face mask that forms a contiguous channel with an attached goggle to improve goggle ventilation. An elongated pocket or duct formed between two surfaces on the face mask mates with the goggle ventilation system to form the contiguous channel.The channel forms a venturi to draw air out from the goggle interior to the atmosphere through the contiguous channel.

Abstract: A flexible body portion covering substantially all of the face below the eyes of a wearer has nose and mouth openings. A flexible skirt affixed to the outer surface of the body portion along a seam which encompasses the nose and mouth openings and also at the tack points forms an air duct which directs expelled air and downwardly. In-turned flaps at the nose opening provide a seal around the wearer's nose. A stiff yet malleable arch affixed to the outer surface of the skirt prevent the mask from resting upon or rubbing against the wearer's nose. Broad lateral cheek rises provide vertical support.

Abstract: A mounting system for mounting a face guard on a football helmet, wherein the face guard is able to pivot about a horizontal axis about the top portion of the helmet. The improved mounting arrangement includes a pair of straps in the form of loops which enclose wire segments of the face guard. The straps are mounted to be in tension when the face guard encounters a frontal force. The straps are comprised of a resilient polyurethane material and are dimensioned so that most of the shock force encountered by the face guard due to blows thereon is absorbed by the tension mounted straps. The straps include a tapered end portion and an enlarged neck portion to provide sufficient resiliency yet sufficient rigidity to protect the player and to prevent the face guard from being permanently distorted. The head portions of the straps are dimensioned so that the face guard, in case of an injury to the player, can be pivoted past the head portions about the horizontal axis without distortion of the face guard.

Abstract: A protective headgear comprising a helmet and a face mask of flexible material secured to the helmet. When a force capable of causing injury to the headgear wearer is applied to the face mask, the mask deflects to a significant degree, without fracturing, with respect to the helmet. The deflection may take place entirely within the material of the face mask, or the deflection may in part take place within the attachments resiliently securing the face mask to the helmet. The intersecting bars forming the face mask have modified trapezoidal cross-sectional shapes in which each base of the trapezoid is a circular arc tangent to the sides of the trapezoid.

Abstract: A visor on a helmet incorporates a transparent curved shield that extends downwardly. The visor and shield have a tongue and groove interfit that provides a quick slide interconnection, without separate fasteners.

Abstract: An eyeshield is provided which includes at least one and preferably a population of several like transparent lenses, each tinted or otherwise suited for a certain use or uses. Each of the lenses has an upper margin contoured to extend about and follow the frontal portion of the head, the upper margin terminating at opposite ends located near the temples. Each or both of the ends of the upper margin are provided with a slot. The eyeshield also includes an expandable, launderable headband fashioned from cloth inner and outer panels stitched together along their upper and side borders to cooperatively define a pocket to receive the upper margin of the lens. Projecting through the pocket is a pair of tacks disposed to be received into the slot located at each end of the lens. To mount a selected lens to a headband, one end of the lens margin is positioned in the pocket such that the tack registers with the slot.

Abstract: Protective eyewear, to be worn while engaging in sporting activities, such as racquetball, squash, etc., includes frame portions each having an upper segment and a lower segment defining a viewing aperture. The upper segment is upwardly inclined from horizontal by a predetermined amount to form an apex portion which outwardly extends from the facial region of the wearer and the lower segment is downwardly inclined from horizontal by a predetermined amount to form an apex portion which outwardly extends from the facial region. Filament members vertically extend across each viewing aperture. The filament members have a predetermined diameter and a predetermined spacing therebetween. In an alternate embodiment, the protective eyewear includes replaceable eyepieces.

Abstract: Visor (B) is secured to helmet (A) by hinge devices (C) each consisting of an arched guideway (12) for a slider (10). The pattern of guideway (12) in its rear terminal tract is such as to draw slider (10) toward the rear top part of the helmet to ensure engagement of visor edge (B) to the bottom of edge (A1) of the helmet's opening.Likewise, the front terminal tract of arched guideway (12) is conceived in a manner such as will ensure elastic engagement of top edge (34) of the visor with the curved top surface (A.sub.2) of the helmet when the visor is lifted. Notches and elastic teeth (26-27) are provided between arched guideway (12) and slider (10); the notches and teeth make it possible to form between visor edges (B) and the opening of helmet (A), a ventilation slot for de-fogging the visor. Ventilation of the helmet is further improved by slots (52) in the front-rear part (A.sub.3) of the helmet connecting the exterior with a chamber (50) which outlets at visor (B) through a slot.

Abstract: A football helmet having a face mask formed of a wire frame with a series of beads strung along certain wires to make it difficult for an opposing player to grab the face mask. Each bead is formed such that it can be snapped on its supporting wire.

Abstract: An apparatus for scavenging vomitus from the interior of the helmet of a life support suit comprises a normally furled mask (10) defined by a sidewall structure (20) connecting to a suction conduit (90). The mask is expanded into registry with the mouth of the user by inflation of bellows (40) located within the sidewall structure. Suction applied to the interior of the mask positively traps vomitus on a liquid absorbent filter (85).

Abstract: A disposable protective cover for face-engaging respirators, or the like, which is particularly useful in a contaminated environment in preventing particulate buildup on the respirator. For example, in painting operations the cover protects the respirator from paint buildup and contamination, preserving the respirator from undue wear and reducing frequent cleaning and maintenance of the respirator. The cover presents a thin, flexible body configured to generally conform to the shape of the outer surface of the respirator. The body has an opening to provide access to the respirator intake and a cuplike section to provide a loose fit of the cover around the respirator exhalation valve to allow unrestricted breathing. The covers hereof present structure for quick attachment or detachment of the covers from the respirator. The exact structural features of the covers are adapted to accommodate different types of respirators, such as full face or half-face masks, and external air source or filter type masks.

Abstract: This invention relates to a safe guard protective equipment for fighting arts which protects the face and head of fighters in various fighting arts, and is constituted from a resilient cover body formed on the front with a viewing window for securing sufficient breathing and field of view for the wearer and covering the periphery of face and the sides of head and a protective mask secured fixedly to the front of the cover body to cover the viewing window, having a spherical viewing portion and formed of transparent anti-shock synthetic resin, and characterized in that the protective mask is individually provided in the lower half and the outer periphery of the viewing portion with vent holes and ventilating windows to exhaust the breathes of the wearer to the outside.

Abstract: A device for protecting the eyes of a horse from insects comprises a cover member composed of a plurality of panels which cooperate to form an arched bubble spaced from the horse's eyes with the edge of the device lying around the front of the head below the ears and across the muzzle. The panels are made of a net-like material through which the horse can see, but which prevents insects, particularly flies, from entering the device.

Abstract: Shock damping anchor straps for a face guard mounted on a transverse axis to the brow portion of a football helmet, the face guard having an anchor bar at each side ear portion of the helmet, there being a flexible anchor strap at each anchor bar and each strap having an inner loop passing through the ear hole and around the front edge of the ear portion of the helmet and the ends thereof secured by holes therethrough engaged over a tubular nut, and having an outer loop continuing from the inner loop and wrapped over the anchor bar and the end thereof secured over a compressible shock damping washer by a hole therethrough and held engaged over said tubular nut by a screw threadedly engaged therein.

Abstract: A protective face mask to shield an x-ray technician or machine operator primarily from random secondary or scatter x-rays deflected toward his face, head and neck by the table, walls, equipment and other reflecting elements in an x-ray room, during the period of exposure while adjacent the object or person being exposed to the x-ray beam.The face mask is formed of a lens portion supported in a plastic frame, upon the lower portion of which is removably attached a bib shield that in turn is removably attachable to an apron. The frame of the face mask, bib shield and apron are preferably lined with lead sheets to protect the neck, face, chest and body of the technician from the random secondary or scatter x-ray beams. The face mask and bib shield can be formed of a molded plastic material as a unitary device, the lens portion being attached to the frame therefor.

Abstract: This invention presents a face shield for beach or sunbathing use. The face shield is formed of a rigid transparent material, containing pigmenting or surface films to block the transmission of damaging ultraviolet rays from the sun. In cross-section, this material is formed into an arc. From each end of the arc, simple support legs are provided such that the face shield will rest on the earth surface with room for motion of the user's head beneath the shield. Air circulation is enhanced by such support and by ventilation holes in the face shield near the support legs. The support legs are foldable toward the concave center of the face shield, and are useful as carrying handles for the face shield in an inverted position. When carried in such manner, the face shield can be used to serve as a "tote" for towels and other beach paraphernalia.

Abstract: Garments for the protection of a football player's jaws are disclosed utilizing lightweight overlapping flexible jointed flap members attached together by cloth padding to cover the player's jaws and other parts of the face.

Abstract: Shock absorbing mounts for the face guard of a helmet having a substantially rigid shell and being connected to the shell allow substantial movements of the face guard relative to the helmet shell in response to forceful blows on the face guard. The mount protects the head of the wearer of the helmet from severe shocks and also prevents severe deformation of the helmet shell likely to crack it. The mount can be installed at all points of attachment of the face guard to the helmet to provide a resilient anchorage for the face guard without loss of security.

Abstract: The described sport goggles have frames which fit closely about the temples and across the nose, and include enlarged viewing openings with relatively narrow members extending from the top and lower parts of the frame inwardly toward each other in the frame viewing openings. These frame members prevent a ball, racquet, hand or other items from contacting the eye or immediately adjacent parts of the head and face. In a further version where the game ball is relatively small, that part of the frame defining the viewing openings immediately adjacent the nose extends horizontally into the viewing opening, which further restricts the area of the viewing opening and yet does not interfere with the visibility of the player during participation in the sport. An adjustable nose-piece permits precise fitting of the goggles to the wearer's face.

Abstract: A grid-type face guard is attached to a football helmet by means of forehead spring clips and side spring clips. Forehead spring clips include means for preventing any downward movement of face guard in the event of a blow toward face guard. With this construction, the face guard will detach by a slight pull in any direction away from face guard yet not detach as a result of a blow toward the face guard. Injuries resulting from face masking are prevented.

Abstract: A protective headgear comprising a helmet and a face mask of flexible material secured to the helmet. When a force capable of causing injury to the headgear wearer is applied to the face mask, the mask deflects to a significant degree, without fracturing, with respect to the helmet. The deflection may take place entirely within the material of the face mask, or the deflection may in part take place within the attachments resiliently securing the face mask to the helmet. The face mask is preferably fabricated of an elastomeric material.

Abstract: A neck collar having a guard at its front for shielding the throat area from any violent striking force thereagainst; the guard including an air-inflated padding which upon its front side is shielded by a metal grill.

Abstract: Disclosed is a personnel protective apparatus which includes a helmet and a full face shield attachable to the helmet. The helmet includes a facial opening having a resilient edge roll thereabout. The face shield has a resilient seal bonded thereto which includes a face sealing portion adapted to form a seal about the face and a helmet sealing portion adapted to engage the edge roll and form a seal about the facial opening. The face sealing portion includes a first inwardly directed pressure energized seal which engages the face and a second outwardly directed pressure energized seal to engage the face. The helmet sealing portion includes a channel formed to encircle the face shield and cooperate with the edge roll of the helmet to urge the second shield into better sealing engagement with the face.

Abstract: In one aspect, a protective face mask designed to shield an x-ray technician or machine operator primarily from random secondary or scatter x-rays deflected toward his face, head and neck by the table, walls, equipment and other reflecting elements in an x-ray room or chamber, during the period of exposure while adjacent the object or person being exposed to the x-ray beam.In another aspect, the face mask and chest shield device can be mounted on a patient's shoulders in reverse attitude to protect the back of a patient's head and neck from the x-ray beam while being exposed to such beam for chest or upper body portion study and examination.The face mask is relatively or substantially transparent and contains lead in combination with a plastic ionomer or comonomer, which absorbs or resists penetration, to a degree, of the random deflected secondary or scatter x-rays or the x-ray beam through the mask.

Abstract: This invention is a protective helmet with releasable face guard apparatus that resembles a football helmet having considerable shock absorbing thickness and a face shield member that is releasably connected to the helmet. More particularly, the protective helmet with releasable face guard apparatus includes a basic helmet assembly with a face guard assembly connected thereto. The basic helmet assembly includes a main helmet body with an outer cover layer thereon. The main helmet body is constructed of a rigid foam shock absorbing material of substantial thickness such as two inches. The face guard assembly includes the face shield member mounted in a resilient connector assembly which is connected to the main helmet body. The resilient connector assembly acts as a shock absorber when the face shield member is pushed inwardly.

Abstract: A mask is made of an absorbent material which can be moistened and which will protect a person's face, neck and ears while under an electric hair dryer.

Abstract: A face mask shaped for the lower face below eye covering goggles includes a central attachment for securing to the nose piece of the goggles, and side holders for securing to the sides of the goggles, and a verturi nose covering on the mask to draw exhaled air from behind the mask permitting a fresh air flow behind the mask while moving.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a protective device for the head which is particularly adapted for use in learning the art of self-defense and for training in the martial arts. The device is comprised of an inner transparent shell and a pair of flexible sheets of transparent material secured and disposed about the inner shell forming a transparent inflatable shock absorbing air chamber about the inner shell. When used in the martial arts, a plurality of pressure activated switches are provided in the inner shell at locations corresponding to vital target areas. When one of the switches is struck by a blow of sufficient force and at a given angle, the switch is closed and a light source carried by the shell is illuminated.

Abstract: A combination sports helmet and face mask construction is disclosed in which a mask of grid-like configuration having a peripheral base portion is attached to the helmet in a novel manner. In one embodiment of the invention, the attachment means includes a plurality of spaced blocks each including a forwardly directed undercut opening for receipt of the base portion of the mask. In another embodiment, the attachment means includes an element secured to the mask about the periphery of the frontal opening thereof such that the base portions of the mask may be disposed proximal thereto. In such latter embodiment, the attachment of the mask to the helmet is by means of a plurality of headed members received within recessed pockets. The pockets may be formed either in the base portion of the mask or in the peripheral element of the helmet. In all cases, the mask is received by the helmet in a snap frictional engagement such that the mask may be completely removed therefrom, i.e.

Abstract: A laceless boxing headguard having a front panel, side panels including ear protectors extending from each side of the front panel, a wide band of elastic extending across the rear of the headguard between and connecting the rear edges of the side panels, and inelastic adjustable belt also extending between and connecting the rear edges of the side panels, and an adjustable and relatively inelastic web spanning the top of the headguard between the front panel and rear band and laterally between the side panels.

Abstract: A flexible strap type mounting device formed of one-piece resilient plastic and including a mounting base having an end wall at one end providing an item engaging abutment at one side of the end wall and a keeper flange at the other end of the end wall, a flexible strap integrally joined at one end to the end wall and arranged to form an item retaining loop outwardly of the abutment when the distal end of the strap overlies the keeper flange, and an elongated relatively rigid head integrally joined intermediate its ends to the distal end of the strap and provided with a nose portion at one end engageable with the keeper flange and a lever portion at its other end for moving the head relative to the strap between an open position in which the nose portion extends transverse to the distal end of the strap and a latch position in which the nose portion extends in underlying relation to the distal end of the strap.

Abstract: A protector to prevent or minimize the contact of hair spray or the like on the face of a user which consists of a symmetrical strip of relatively thin, flexible material such as cardboard that has one straight longitudinal edge and another, irregular, longitudinal edge, the end portions of said irregular edge being straight and parallel with said straight longitudinal edge, the medial portion of said irregular edge being straight and parallel with said straight longitudinal edge, and said end portions and medial portion being connected by outwardly converging, sloping portions.

Abstract: A filter apparatus for a welding mask having airways passage forming structure including a pair of filtered remote inlets and including an intermediate mouthpiece whereby filtered ambient air may be supplied to the mouthpiece. An exhaust structure is communicated at one adjacent point with the mouthpiece and includes a remote outlet. The outlet is provided with a one-way check valve as are each of the inlets and the airways passage forming structure from which the inlets and outlets are supported each comprise U-shaped clips for clampingly engaging an adjacent marginal portion of a welding mask.

Abstract: A racquetball or squash safety mask having a primary framework assembly, a secondary framework assembly, a grid network covering the secondary framework assembly, and a head strap assembly. The primary framework assembly has a top framework member, a bottom framework member, and a pair of side framework members that function to form a base for the secondary framework assembly and also to support the safety mask upon the wearer's face. The secondary framework assembly is attached to the primary framework assembly and it forms a convex frame having a central vertical strut member and a pair of intermediate strut members all of which extend between the top and bottom framework members. A pair of cross members link the central strut member to the intermediate strut members and the intermediate strut members in turn to the side framework members. The primary framework assembly and the secondary framework assembly are made from light weight metallic rod members that are coated with a high impact plastic material.

Abstract: A padded helmet for athletic events such as racquet ball, having a pair of metal wires extending between the bill of the helmet to the ear projections for protection of the eyes. The helmet is made of plastic and lined with a suitable plastic material. Cutout areas in the helmet are provided for venting. The helmet includes a dome-shaped head protective shell with a bill projecting forwardly from the end of the shell and a pair of earpieces depending from side portions of the shell. A taught wire is secured to each earpiece and extends to and is secured to a forward portion of the bill to protect the user's eyes against ball, racquet or wall impacts.