WO2006135231A1

WO2006135231A1 - Head gear with slidable visor and fold-away dust mask

Info

Publication number: WO2006135231A1
Application number: PCT/NL2006/000292
Authority: WO
Inventors: Martin Darryl Sweetman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-14
Filing date: 2006-06-14
Publication date: 2006-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 2007-12-14
Also published as: NL1029248C2

Abstract

The invention is related to a skullcap with a peak in the form of a baseball cap, including a built in safety visor that can be slid before the eyes, combined with a flat-folding dust mask, mounted on the ends of two adjustable sprung arms so that it snugly fits the face of the wearer. It can then be offered to the underside of peak. The head gear is also provided with ear-plugs attached to cords that are stored in pockets on the sides of the cap.

Description

HEAD GEAR WITH SLIDABLE VISOR AND FOLD-AWAY DUST MASK

Abstract The invention is related to a skullcap with a peak in the form of a baseball cap, including a built in safety visor that can be slide before the eyes, combined with a flat-folding dust mask, mounted on the ends of two adjustable sprung arms so that it snugly fits the face of the wearer, it can then be offered to the underside of peak, the head gear is also provided with ear-plugs attached to cords that are stored in pockets on the sides of the cap.

Background

The inventor himself has experienced that the required safety equipment in practice is often neglected such as; using dust masks, eye and hearing protection. Reasons therefore can be nonchalance, appropriate safety items are at that moment not available, are dirty or damaged. Plus the fact that elastics, bands and arms on most safety items generally are uncomfortable with long term use. On the other hand baseball caps are an accepted and fashionable accessory, worn by many people. This bought the inventor to the conclusion to build the three basic types of personal safety products into a normal looking baseball cap.

Range of Applications

This product would be used by people who get exposed to dust and powders, chemicals, air- bourne diseases, spattering particles or fluids and noise.

Description of the 3 in 1 safety caps embodiments The diversity of personal safety products in the marketplace is extensive with dust masks, eye and hearing protection, as well as safety helmets. These products are generally available as separate items, with exception to certain safety helmets with combined moveable ear muffs and facial visors. One version of safety helmet such as the German patent no DEl 0139756 has slide away eye protection built in. Or a dust mask with eye protection mounted on top as described in the European Patent

Literature (EPl 147787). The combination of a visor, dustmask and hearing protection being built into head gear, such as a comfortable fashionable baseball cap has not yet been realized.

Figure 1 side view with all components in use

Figure 2 plan view with visor and mask in closed positions

Figure 3 detailed view of arms adjustment capabilities

Figure 4 frontal view of caps features in use Figure 5 side view of visor mounting on rail

Desciption of the 3 in 1 safety cap

Just as a normal baseball cap, the 3 in 1 cap would be adjustable at its rear-most point so that wearer could attain suitable fit. The peak will be manufactured from a rigid plastic type, but flexible enough to withstand daily wear and tear. On the peaks rearwards edge there is an intergrated rim that runs perpendicular around the whole circumference and beyond to points above the ears (3). At these points the peak is then connected to the caps head band (4) by rivets or such like. The rim will be 2 - 3 cm high and at the peaks centre the visor track- way begins.

Hie baseball cap

Just as a normal baseball cap, the 3 in 1 cap would be adjustable at its rear-most point so that wearer could attain suitable fit. The peak will be manufactured from a rigid plastic type, but flexible enough to withstand daily wear and tear. On the peaks rearwards edge there is an intergrated rim that runs perpendicular around the whole circumference and beyond to points above the ears (3). At these points the peak is then connected to the caps head band (4) by rivets or such like. The rim will be 2 - 3 cm high and at the peaks centre the visor track-way begins, the cap outer fabric covering is also fixed to the peak, rim and head band. The track way (2), also an intergral component of peak/rim configuration, extends upwards along the caps middleline following the curvature of the head to the apex of the skull cap. The peak is slightly curved (5) to offer extra rigidity to the configuration and to accomodate the mask as it is held their-under. On the caps inside there is a textile cover connected to the headband (6). This covers the forehead and protects against the visor/rail assembly because of the visors proximity to head and hair and could also act as sweatband. The baseball cap can also be called headgear with a peak attached. The visor, eye shield

The visor will be made of scratch/impact resistant clear polycarbonate or acrylic plastic as a complete unit. It is ergonomically shaped to nestle in the forehead area and to offer maximum protection to eyes from flying debris and particles. Thumb tabs are an intergral part (8) of the visor and are positioned on the underside perpendicular to each eye shield. This so the visor can be with thumb and forefinger easily be drawn down from where is nestles to before the eyes. The visor is mounted on a flexible rail by its central bridge point (7) this rail moves easily along the track away with maximum in and out positions. The visor is fastened to the rail by a hooked arrangement and a single button for ease of replacement.

The dustmask

The mask is a flat folding type that has been modified to be able to make the concept work. The mask would be made totally out of the stiffer sort of filter medium that masks are sometimes constructed of. This stiffness is to stop the mask prematurely collapsing when opening and closing and to give superior sealing qualities on the cheeks/jaw of the wearer. There is also a weld incorporated along the centre of the flaps (a) to assist with the opening and thus completed form of mask, it is then directly ready to use. Both flaps of this mask type are of different sizes the uppermost is slightly smaller than it's counterpart. The reason is so that when the mask is opened, hence in its cup form, the sealing thereof on the nasal/mouth area is optimum. Along the masks two flaps there will be very soft foam rubber lips (10). The mask then gives lead to the sort of protection/sealing qualities of a traditional rubber resperator type half mask. The dust mask is via two adjustable arms attached to the base of the peaks temple area (figure 3). The mask is able to swivel freely on the ends of the arms (11). For this purpose on the ends of the mask there are plastic mounting platelets (12) incorporated. The arms are positioned parallel along the sides of the peak when the mask is not being used and where it sits by being pulled outwards by the arms flat under the peak. Here the mask is out of the way and it can prolong the life expectancy and use of such masks. For the use of the mask it can be released from its pulled flat 'out of the way' position, by grasping both arms and offering it to the face (figure 1). Just as a normal baseball cap, the 3 in 1 cap would be adjustable at its rear-most point so that wearer could attain suitable fit. The peak will be manufactured from a rigid plastic type, but flexible enough to withstand daily wear and tear. On the peaks rearwards edge there is an intergrated rim that runs perpendicular around the whole circumference and beyond to points above the ears (3). At these points the peak is then connected to the caps head band (4) by rivets or such like. The rim will be 2 - 3 cm high and at the peaks centre the visor track-way begins. Via the arms that are tensioned by the use of springs the mask is then held pressed against the face of the wearer. The swivelling mounts of the mask onto the arms garantees that the mask will be uniformly pressed to the face of the wearer. The arms are mounted perpendicular with the peaks curviture (as viewed from the front figure 4). Hence the mask being manufactured out of the stiffer type of filter medium, and with the fixed angle of the arms, whence offered to the face the mask then takes up the typical cup form. This simple operation happens within 90°. The arms will be held by clips or such like in there upwards position, so that they cannot be jarred free and operate prematurely. The adjustment of the arms is for user comfort plus optimal use of the mask. Due to differing dimensions of people heads and faces and the way they actually wear a cap. The adjustments (A, B, C) shall be performed while the arms are closed under the peak, so that the mask stays precisely in its place, as the dimensions of the mask are that of the peak. Then only the pivotal points of the arms would be positioned. Hence given the mask its different facial placements and conjuction with closing it under the peak. But also realizing how non-technical some people are, this detailed style of the arms is only an example of how it could be executed. The design of the arms with the springload action can be simplified.

Earplugs

The ear plugs would be the widely available standard silicone, rubber or plastic types that would be attached to the caps side pockets by short cords or elastics (14). They would be easily replaceable. The pockets have elasticated openings along the undersides to ensure that the plugs stay put when not being used and for ease of availability.

Description of the figures

1) Caps head band adjustment

2) Track way for the visor rail assembly

3) Connecting tab for fastening peak onto caps head band

4) Head band of cap

5) Curvature of the peak (critical for correct mask formation)

6) Fabric cover on inside of cap, sweatband

7) Visor mount rail assembly

8) Thumb tabs at the bottom points visor

9) Production weld on mask (creasing purpose)

10) Soft foam rubber sealing lips

11) Mask attachment to arms

12) Platelets on ends of mask

13) Clip to hold arms fixed under peak

14) Pockets for ear plugs

A) Adjustable positions for mask - different facial dimensions

B) Adjustable positions for mask - different facial dimensions

C) Adjustable positions for mask — different facial dimensions

Claims

In the claims

1. Headgear with slide out safety visor, having the distinguishing characteristic that the head gear comprising a flat folding dust mask that hinges from under the peak of the cap unto the wearers face.

2. Headgear following the first claim (1) the arms have the distinguishing characteristics of being individually adjustable along their pivotal positions and lengthwise to suit the wearer.

3. Headgear following claims 1 and 2 with having the distinguishing characteristics that the corded ear plugs can be stored in pockets on the sides of the cap.

4. Headgear following claim 1 is a skull cap with a peak