Face Shield

This invention concerns a shield designed to protect the face from liquids, light solids, particles and objects in the air. More particularly, the invention concerns an impact resistant and splash resistant face mask that fits over and attaches to goggles to provide improved vision and breathing.

Protective face masks of various designs, shapes and sizes are known; however, none combines the unique features of the present invention. None provides a face mask that protects the wearer's forehead, ears, nose, mouth, chin and sides of the face, and that is releasably attachable to goggles that protect the eyes.

Briefly, the invention comprises a face shield that includes a face mask that fits over and is releasably attachable to goggles to protect the entire face from liquid, light solids, particles and objects in the air. The face mask, preferably molded of polymeric material, is formed in the abstract shape of a face having curved portions covering the forehead, sides of the face and with an opening in the eye area of the face. The face mask includes a nosepiece covering the nose, mouth and chin with a curved portion covering under-the-chin and extensions that protrude laterally from at least two sides thereof. Attachment means are provided including means on the face mask that cooperate with means on the goggles to releasably attach the goggles to the face mask. Seal means on the face mask surrounds the opening in the eye area and is engageable with areas surrounding eye pieces on the goggles to seal off contacting eye areas of the face mask and the goggles.

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the face mask of the invention with goggles in position in the face mask;

FIG. 2 is a view taken on lines 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along lines 3--3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front elevational view of the face mask-goggles attachment devices; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the face mask-goggles attachment devices shown in FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a face mask, generally desiqnated 10, that has an opening eye area outlined at 11 to accommodate the eye pieces 12 of goggles, generally indicated at 13 (See FIG. 3), a curved forehead portion 14, a nosepiece 15 covering the nose, mouth, chin and including a curved under-the-chin portion extensions 16 protruding from each side of mask 10, a seal inside mask 10, indicated at 17 in FIGS. 1 and 2 and shown in FIG. 3, formed of rubber or the like, surrounds the eye area opening 11 and openings 18 formed in each side of mask 10. Also, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are lugs 19 that are attached to the exterior sides of goggles 13. Each lug 19 has parallel spaced apart projecting parts 20 and 21.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 a headstrap 22 having two ends extends through slit openings 23 formed in extension members 16 on each side of face mask 10 one end of strap 22 is threaded over projections 20 and 21 on one side of face mask 10, looped back under both of such projections and then looped over the projections, as shown, thereby tying that end of strap 22 to lug 19 on that one side of ace mask 10. The other end of strap 22 is similarly tied to lug 19 on the other side of face mask 10. Alternatively, one end of strap 22 may be threaded over projections 20 and 21, looped back"; same line, cancel "Each end of strap 22 is threaded under both projections 20 and 21 and then looped back over projection 21 and under projection 20 to tie the one end of one lug strap 22 to 19. Then rectangular locking piece 24 slide under strap 22 on each side of face mask to secure each end of strap 22 to a lug, 19. Seal 17, as seen in FIG. 3 seals against the eye pieces of goggles 13.

Face mask 10 is preferably formed of a tough, impact resistant and splash resistant polymeric material such as polyethylene. The space in the interior of face mask 10 allows breathing space between the individual's face and mask 10. The nose portion 15 provides ample space for breathing apparatus under face mask 10, if desired.

Although polymeric materials are preferred, other materials including glass and metals may be used for the material of face mask 10. Strap 22 may be elastic and/or adjustable. Extensions 16 may also protrude along the top and/or bottom of face mask 10 as well as on the sides. The size of face mask 10 may vary so long as ample space for breathing is maintained between the wearer's face and the mask. Also, the size of eye area 11 may vary to accommodate various goggle sizes.

Various other changes may be made in the illustrative embodiments of the invention shown and/or described herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.