AU2005244595A1 - Face shield for use with headgear - Google Patents

Description

19/12/2005 11:27 +613-9699-9886 D SHANKS ASSOCS PAGE 03/16 1 o 0 FACE SHIELD FOR USE WITH HEADGEAR FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention described herein relates to a face shield that can be V 10 supported from a peaked cap.

t/V

BACKGROUND

In certain types of motor sports involving vehicles racing on a track, a V'n spectator close to the track may find himself or herself in a cloud of dust or O spattered with mud, or other substances. This can be unpleasant and even C\ 15 dangerous if the matter in question impacts the spectator's face or eyes. A need has been recognized for some form of face or eye protection that can be used in such circumstances. A suitable protective device should be comfortable to wear, safe, of reasonable appearance and should not restrict the wearer's view excessively. Preferably it should also be inexpensive and even disposable after a single use.

Given the great popularity of peaked caps of the "baseball" type, it is also desirable that the device be compatible with the wearing of such caps.

The present invention addresses this need, and is believed to provide a useful choice for consumers.

Many other activities may require partial or substantially complete shielding of the face and the invention may also find application in these. For example, people carrying out some medical activities (especially surgical and dental procedures) often wear some form of face mask.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, there is provided a face shield for fitting to an item of headgear having a peak (such as a peaked cap) which in use is secured to the peak and at least partially covers the face of a wearer of the headgear. More particularly, the invention provides a face shield for fitting to an item of headgear that has a peak the face shield comprising: COMS ID No: SBMI-02228368 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:24 Date 2005-12-19 19/12/2005 11:27 19/2/0051127 +613-9699-9886 D SHANKS 48808PAG 0/1 PAGE 04/16 2 a shield portion that in use is secured to a peak of an item of headgear c-I and that extends downwardly therefrom to at least partially cover the face of a wearer of the face shield.

In the preferred embodiment the shield portion has an opening so 5 shaped and positioned that the peak of the item of headgear in use of the face shield can be passed through the opening.

The opening may be a slot shaped to fit closely around the said peak of the item of headgear. For example, when the face shield is designed for use ~fl with a "baseball"-type cap, the slot may be an arcuate slot. Preferably, the shield portion is formed from a sheet of at least substanially transparent flexible plastics material.

The shield preferably further comprises left and right side extensions Cl that are secured to the shield portion and that in use extend rearwardly along left and right sides of the wearers head to respective rear portions that are secured either to each other or to the item of headgear.

Mare preferably, the left and right side extensions are integrally formed with the shield portion. Thus, for example, the whole face shield can be forimed from a single sheet of transparent flexible plastics material.

The left and right extensions are preferably secured to an upper part of the shield portion. The left and right side extensions are preferably proportioned and positioned so as in use to pass above the wearers ears.

In one embodiment, the left and right side extensions are adapted to be secured to each other at a position behind the wearer's head. In this arrangement, each of the said rear portions of the left and right side extensions may have a slot formed therein with each rear portion being receivable in the said slot of the other portion whereby the left and right side extensions can be hooked together behind the wearer's head.

In another embodiment, at least one of the left and right side extensions is adapted to be secured to an adjustment strap of a peaked cap on which the face shield is worn. To achieve this, the rear portion of the said at least one of the left and right side extensions may have a slot formned therein in which is receivable the said adjustment strap whereby the said rear portion is able to be hooked to the said adjustment strap. Most "baseball"-type caps have adjustment straps at their rear to enable them to be adjusted for COMS ID No: SBMI-02228368 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:24 Date 2005-12-19 19/12/2005 11:27 19/2/0651127 +613-9699-9886 D SHANMKS ASSOCS PS 51 PAGE 05/16 3 different size heads and this embodiment of the invention is well suited to use with such baseball caps.

Although a face shield formed in one piece from a single piece of flexible transparent plastics material is preferred, there is no intention to preclude the possibility of the left and right side extensions being of a different construction from the shield portion. For example they may be formed of an "elastic material. (Here "elastic" is to be taken to- mean resiliently stretchable along its length.) Other preferred and/or additional features of the face shield-of the invention are disclosed in the following detailed description.

In order that the invention may be better understood there will now be described, non-limitngly, a preferred embodiment as shown in the attached.

Cl Figures, of which: Figure 1 is an elevation of a face shield in the form of a flat sheet; Figure 2 is a view of the face shieid as shown in Figure 1 seen in the direction of arrow Figure 3 is a side view of the face shield of Figure 1, now fitted to a peaked cap; Figure 4 is a rear view of the face shield fitted to a baseball cap as shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a petspective view of a further face shield according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figures I and 2 show a face shield 1 according to the invention. Shield 1 is formed from a single flat piece of a transparent and flexible plastics material and is so shown in Figures I and 2.

The choice of material for the face shield is dictated by the requirements for adequate transparency and flexibility. Without any intention to restrict the scope of the invention, materials that are suitable in these respects may include certain plastics materials in the acrylic class. Materials known as "Perspex Film" or "clear PVC film" may be suitable.

Face shield I is elongate with a substantially straight upper edge 2 and a curved lower edgeS3. Shield 1 is symmetrical about a central axis 11.- In a central portion 4 of shield 1 the distance between edges 2 and 3 is COMS ID No: SBMI-02228368 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:24 Date 2005-12-19 19/12/2005 11:27 18/2/0051127 +613-9699-9986 D SHANKS ASSOCS RG 6i PAGE 06/16 4 approximately constant. On each side of central portion 4, are tapered c-I portions 5 and 6 wherein lower edge 3 approaches upper edge 2. Ears 7 and U 8 are formed at opposite ends ot shield 1. Ears 7 and 8 are partially separated from tapered portions 5 and 6,by angled slots 9 and Formed in central portion 4 is a curved, slot 12, which is centred on axis 11 and positioned close to upper edge 2.

Figures 3 and 4 show the face shield 1 in use, mounted to a peaked "baseball"-type cap 15. For fitting to cap 15, shield 1 is bent out of the fiat form shown in Figures 1 and 2. Cap 15 has a main section 16 that is worn on a wearer's head (not shown) and conforms closely to the head's shape.

Secured to main section 16 is a peak 17 (sometimes also known as a visor or bill) that extends forward above the wearer's eyes. Typically, the peak 17 is slightly flexible, but stiff enough to retain its shape and so protrude forward in use, without drooping over the wearers face. In some peaked caps peak 17 is substantially flat, but in many peaked caps it approximates a part-cylindrical surface as shown in Figures 3 and 4. Specifically, a notional plane (not shown) bisecting the cap longitudinally into mirror-image left and right halves would intersect the peak on a straight line (shown as line 18 in the side view of cap 15 in Figure and in cross-section taken on a notional transversely extending plane (not shown) normal to that line the peak would appear as an arc of a circle. Peak 17is secured to main section 16 of cap 15 along a joining line 22.

To enable cap 15 to be adjusted for differing head sizes, straps 19 are provided at the rear of main section 16, each extending inwardly from the periphery 20 of a cutaway 21 in main section 16. Straps 19 overlap each other to a degree chosen by the wearer and in known manner are secured to each other by press-studs, a hook-and-loop fastener or the like.

To fit the shield 1 to cap 15, the peak 17 is inserted into slot 12 and moved far enough into slot 12 to be at or near the joining line 22. Desirably, the curved shape of slot 12 approximately matches the shape of peak 17 to facilitate easy sliding of peak 17 into slot 12. However, because shield I is flexible, perfect matching of the slot 12 to the shape of the peak 17 is not required.

COMS ID No: SBMI-02228368 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:24 Date 2005-12-19 19/12/2005 11:27 19/2/1151127+613-9699-9e96 D SHANKS ASSOCSPA971 PAGE 07/16 Next, the tapered portions 5 and 6 are pulled backward around c-I opposing sides of cap 15, by flexing shield 1, and straps 19 are entered into o slots, 9 and 10. In this way, shield 1 is secured at the back of the cap 15 and supported form peak 17. Cap 15 can then be worn in the normal way, with the shield then lying in front of the wearer's face.

In a possible modified version (not shown) of shield l, the two ears 7 and 8 could be connected (in any suitable manner) not to straps such as straps 19 of a cap 15, but to each other, so that the head would be completely '4Th encircled by the shield.

Figure 5 shows a further face shield 30 according to the invention, V) fitted to a cap 32. Face shield 30 is formed from a suitable transparent flexible sheet material, and by contrast with shield 1 does not have the tapering sections 5 and 6. Shield 30 is supported from peak 31 of cap 32 (which is similar to cap 15) by simply inserting peak 31 Into a slot 33 similar to slot 12 of shield 1, without any attachment to the rear of cap 32. Shield 30 could be shaped and sized to cover the Whole face similarly to shield 1. However, shield 30 lends itself to situations where what is required is not a full-face shield but a shield for the upper part of the face only (eg the eye area), and this is the form shown in Figure In a possible modified version (not shown) of shield 30, which in use does not extend fully to the rear of the head like shield 1, a length of elastic cord could be provided with each of its ends secured to one side of the shield.

In use of such a modified shield the cord could be passed behind the wearer's head to help maintain the bent shape and correct positioning of the shield.

It would be possible to provide shields according to the invention made from tinted sheet material to offer, for example, a light shading function.

Alternatively, all or a part of an otherwise uritinted shield according to the invention could be provided with a layer of material suited to reflect some light and/or modify light transmission. Materials are known for example that can be applied to and retained on window surfaces to modify their rersponse to incident light. Such tinted or otherwise treated face shields could be particularly useful at daytime sporting events, for example, if the tinting were such as to limit transmittal of harmful ultraviolet radiation.

COMS IDNo: SBMI-02228368 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:24 Date 2005-12-19 19/12/2005 11:27 +613-9699-9886 D SHANKS ASSOCS PAGE 08/16 6 o Another possibility is to apply on all or part of a surface of a shield according to the invention, by any suitable means, markings that are visible to a person not wearing the shield, but that the wearer of the shield can see d) through or past. For example, it is known to apply a layer of transparent material to windows of a bus tramcar or train carriage that can be seen though by persons inside, but that from the outside simply appear as a surface bearing advertising or like material. The same treatment may be applied to

V%

face shields according to the present invention to enable them to bear advertising material, material supporting particular sporting persons or teams orthe like.

V) It is not essential that a face shield according to the invention be formed from a flexible transparent plastics sheet material. It could instead be formed other flexible material through which a person can dee when close to its surface. A fine mesh material could be used, for example, or even a fabric, with a suitable reinforcement around the edges to maintain the shape of the shield as exemplified in Figure 1 to Although the invention has been described as being usable with peaked caps of the "baseball" type, it may also be used with eyeshades of the known type that have a peak (similar to the cap peaks described above supported above a wearer's head by a headband.

Many other variations in shields according to the invention maybe made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Nothing in this specification is intended to imply that shields made according to the invention will necessarily be suitable for providing adequate safety against airborne matter, radiation of any kind in any particular application. Intending suppliers and users of shields that accord with the invention must assess their suitability for each proposed application.

In this specification, including in the appended claims, the word "comprise" and its derivatives "comprises", "comprising", "comprised", when used in relation to a set of integers items features or steps is to be taken to indicate the presence of those integers items features or steps but is not to be taken to preclude the possible presence of other integers items features or steps.

COMS ID No: SBMI-02228368 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:24 Date 2005-12-19

Claims (12)

1. A face shield for fitting to an item of headgear that has a peak the face shield comprising: a shield portion that in use is secured to a peak of an item of headgear and that extends downwardly therefrom to- at least partially cover the face of a wearer of the face shield.

2. A face shield according to claim I or 2 wherein the shield portion has an opening so shaped and positioned that the peak of the item of o headgear in use of the face shield can be passed through the opening.

3. A face shield according to claim 2 wherein the opening is a slot shaped to fit closely around the said peak of the item of headgear.

4. A face shield according to any one of claims I to 3 wherein the shield portion is formed from a sheet of at least substantially transparent flexible plastics material.

A face shield according to any one of claims I to 4 further comprising left and right side extensions that are secured to the shield portion and that in use extend rearwardly along left and right sides of the wearer's head to respective rear portions that are secured either to each other or to the item of headgear.

6. A face shield according to claim 5 wherein the left and right side extensions are integrally formed with the shield portion.

7. A face shield according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the left and right extensions are secured to an upper part of the shield portion. COMS IDNo: SBMI-02228368 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:24 Date 2005-12-19 19/12/2005 11:27 +613-9699-9886 D SHANKS ASSOCS PAGE 10/16 8 o

8. A face shield according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the left and LC\ right side extensions are proportioned and positioned so as in use to O pass above the wearer's ears.

9. A face shield according to any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the left and right side extensions are adapted to be secured to each other at a position behind the wearer's head. 'lt

10. A face shield according to claim 9 wherein each of the said rear z- 10 portions of the left and right side extensions have a slot formed therein I-n and wherein each rear portion is receivable in the said slot of the other Sportion whereby the left and right side extensions can be hooked Cl together behind the wearer's head.

11. A face shield according to any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein at least one of the left and right side extensions is adapted to be secured to an adjustment strap of a peaked cap on which the face shield is worn.

12. A face shield according to claim 11 wherein the rear portion of the said at least one of the left and right side extensions has a slot foremed therein in which is receivable the said adjustment strap whereby the said rear portion is able to be hooked to the said adjustment strap. 12. A face shield substantially as described herein by reference to the attached diagrams. COMS ID No: SBMI-02228368 Received by IP Australia: Time 11:24 Date 2005-12-19