WO2008114934A1

WO2008114934A1 - Face protector for work

Info

Publication number: WO2008114934A1
Application number: PCT/KR2008/000807
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kwang Seon Yu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-03-21
Filing date: 2008-02-12
Publication date: 2008-09-25
Anticipated expiration: 2009-09-21
Also published as: KR100763720B1

Abstract

A face protector for work is disclosed, which is capable of protecting even a user's neck as well as the whole face from splinters flying up from a lower side during various dangerous works such as weeding, stone processing and woodworking, so as to overcome some drawbacks of a conventional face protector that used to be put on the user's head, thereby making the user feel heavy and hot, and is ineffective in protecting the user's neck and face from the splinters. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the face protector is made of a transparent synthetic resin and configured such that a lower end of a front side thereof is seated on an upper chest of a user, and left and right rear ends of a lower part thereof are interconnected by a length adjusting member which is hung on the user's neck and adjustable in length and angle. An inside thereof is formed as a wide-top narrow-bottom funnel shape so that the user can move down or turn his/her head wearing the face protector without interference with the face protector.

Description

FACE PROTECTOR FOR WORK

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a face protector for work, and more particularly to a face protector for work, capable of protecting even a user's neck as well as the face from splinters flying up from a lower side during various dangerous works such as weeding, stone processing and woodworking, and enabling the user to conveniently move his/her head without interference with the face protector by being formed in a wide-top narrow-bottom shape and worn on the user's neck, so as to overcome some drawbacks of a conventional face protector that used to be put on the user's head, thereby making the user feel heavy and hot, and is ineffective in protecting the user's neck and face from the splinters.

[2]

Background Art

[3] A face protector for work has been generally known in the art. The related arts of the present invention include KR Utility Model Publication No. 1985-338, KR Utility Model Registrations No. 206189, No. 243079, No. 276057 and No. 317512, KR Patent No. 545754 and KR Patent Laid-open No. 2001-109220 and so on.

[4] The face protectors or face shields of the above related arts, for protecting a user's face and neck from splinters flying about when the user performs dangerous works such as weeding, stone processing and woodworking. However, all of those conventional face protectors are designed to be put on the user's head, thereby making the user feel heavy and stifled. Furthermore, since heat generated from the user's head is not smoothly emitted to the outside, the user has to suffer from the heat and sweat. Besides, the conventional face protectors are imperfect in protecting a lower part of the face, especially the neck part, from the splinters flying up from a lower side.

[5]

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem

[6] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a face protector for work, capable of more efficiently protecting a user's whole face including a neck from splinters flying about during various dangerous works such as weeding, stone processing and woodworking, and preventing safety accidents from occurring due to the user's reluctance to wear a conventional face protector which is heavy to wear on the head and ineffective in emission of an inner heat. [7]

Technical Solution

[8] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of a face protector for work, being made of a transparent synthetic resin such as a polycarbonate and configured such that a lower end of a front side thereof is seated on an upper chest of a user, left and right rear ends of a lower part thereof are interconnected by a length adjusting member hung on the user's neck, and an inside thereof is formed as a wide-top narrow-bottom funnel shape so that the user can move down or turn his/her head while wearing the face protector without interference with the face protector. The face protector for work may further comprise a through-hole formed in the center of the front side to allow the user to breathe or talk through the through-hole.

[9] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the face protector for work may further comprise a hood attached along an upper end of the front side so that the user's head can be protected from dust or sunshine.

[10] According to still another embodiment of the present invention, the face protector for work may further comprise a shoulder strap attached to intercross between the lower end of the front side and each of the lower rear ends. Therefore, the face protector can be prevented from shaking or slipping off during use.

[11] According to still another embodiment of the present invention, a combined cap and face protector is provided, which has a head strap for holding the user's head instead of the shoulder strap. Therefore, the face protector can also be used as a cap by being worn in the opposite posture.

[12] In addition, a replaceable net or cloth may be attached to the through-holes in order to prevent infiltration of splinters or dust into the through-holes, thereby improving safety and hygiene. Also, an elastic band may be further provided to the hood to prevent separation of the hood.

[13]

Brief Description of the Drawings

[14] The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[15] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a face protector for work according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[16] Fig. 2 is a front view of the face protector for work shown in Fig. 1;

[17] Fig. 3 is a side view of the face protector for work shown in Fig. 1;

[18] Fig. 4 is a view showing a used state of the face protector for work shown in Fig. 1; [19] Fig. 5 is a side view showing a used state of a face protector for work according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[20] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a face protector for work according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

[21] Fig. 7 shows a used state of the face protector for work of Fig. 6;

[22] Fig. 8 shows a used state of the face protector for work according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

[23] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a face protector for work according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

[24] Fig. 10 is a side view of the face protector for work shown in Fig. 9, as angle- adjusted;

[25] Fig. 11 is a rear-side perspective view of a face protector for work according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention;

[26] Fig. 12 is a development view of the face protector for work of Fig. 11 ; and

[27] Fig. 13 is a development view of a face protector for work according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

[28]

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[29] Fig. 1 through Fig. 4 show a face protector for work, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, a face protector 10 made of a transparent polycarbonate is provided, the face protector 10 being configured such that a lower end 1 Ia of a front side 11 thereof is disposed at an upper chest part of a user and left and right lower rear ends 12a and 12b thereof are linked by a length adjusting member 13 hung on the user's scruff of the neck, thereby enabling the user to wear the face protector 10 on the neck. In addition, an inside of the face protector 10 is formed in a wide-top narrow-bottom funnel shape so that the user wearing the face protector 10 can lower or turn his/her head without interference between the face and the face protector 10. Additionally, through-holes 14 are formed in the center of the front side 11 to allow the user to breathe and talk therethrough.

[30] The face protector 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is formed by cutting a flat board made of the transparent polycarbonate and linking the left and right rear lower ends 12a and 12b by the length adjusting member 13, thereby wholly forming an arc shape so that the front and even lateral sides of the user's face can be all covered. To store or carry the face protector 10 when not used, simply by separating one or both sides of the length adjusting member 13 from the face protector 10, the face protector 10 can be flattened by a recovery force of its material and therefore can be conveniently stored or carried. [31] The face protector 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a similar appearance to a windshield for a motorcycle. However, the distinctive feature of the face protector 10 is the wide-top narrow-bottom funnel shape achieved by linking the left and right rear lower ends 12a and 12b using the length adjusting member 13 so as to prevent interference with the user's face during use.

[32] As shown in the drawing, the length adjusting member 13 may include a plurality of holes 13b at both ends thereof for engagement with a fixing member 13a such as a bolt. However, without being limited to this embodiment, the length adjusting member 13 of the present invention may be in other various types as long as being capable of adjusting a fitting size of the face protector 10.

[33] In addition, a replaceable net or cloth may be attached to a front or rear part of the through-holes 14 in order to prevent infiltration of splinters or dust into the through- holes 14, thereby improving safety and hygiene in use.

[34] Here, it is preferable to use a Velcro tape to attach the replaceable net or cloth to the front or rear part of the through-holes 14 in order for easy replacement.

[35] Fig. 5 is a side view showing a used state of a face protector according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a hood 15 covering the user's head is further attached to an upper end 1 Ib of the face protector 10 to protect the user's head from dust generated at the working place, strong sunshine or heat.

[36] The hood 15 may be attached along the upper end 1 Ib of the face protector 10 by sewing. Also, an elastic band 15a may be built in a rear part of the hood 15 so that the hood 15 is not easily slipped off during use.

[37] Preferably, the hood 15 is made of a ventilative material so that the heat can be favorably emitted. It is more preferable to use a functional material, generally used for a climbing suit, capable of efficiently absorbing and drying sweat perspired from the head.

[38] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a face protector for work according to a third embodiment of the present invention. According to the third embodiment, a shoulder strap 16 is further provided between a lower end 1 Ia of the front side 11 of the face protector 10 and each of the lower rear ends 12a and 12b. Therefore, although the user walks or moves as wearing the face protector 10, the face protector 10 can be prevented from shaking or slipping off.

[39] More specifically, it is preferable that the shoulder strap 16 may be attached to intercross in an X-shape as shown in Fig. 7. However, the shoulder strap 16 can also be arranged in a parallel manner as necessary.

[40] Fig. 8 shows a face protector according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The fourth embodiment provides a combined cap and face protector having a head strap 16' for holding the user's head. Therefore, the combined cap and face protector can be used as a cap by being put on the user's head in the opposite posture. More specifically, the head strap 16' is attached to intercross between the lower end 1 Ia of the front side 11 of the face protector 10 and the length adjusting member 13a. Especially, at the lower end 1 Ia of the front side 11, the head strap 16' is detachably attached by a snap button such that, when used as the face protector, the combined cap and face protector can be put on the user's neck with one end of the head strap 16' near the lower end l la separated. When the user wants to put the face protector on his/her head after the work, the combined cap and face protector can be converted to the cap again by connecting the one end of the head strap 16' to the lower end 1 Ia of the front side 11 of the face protector 10, for example, using the snap button, as shown in Fig. 8. Accordingly, the user is able to stably wear the combined cap and face protector by the head strap 16'.

[41] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a face protector for work according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention and Fig. 10 is a side view of the face protector of Fig. 9, as angle-adjusted. The face protector for work according to the fifth embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment except that the length adjusting member 13 is even angle-adjustable. More particularly, the length adjusting member 13 according to this embodiment is equipped with an angle adjusting unit at one end thereof, as shown on the right in the drawing, and a length adjusting unit at the other end thereof. The angle adjusting unit comprises a plurality of angle adjusting holes 13c formed on the face protector 10, being arranged in radial directions around the fixing member 13a such as a bolt or a rivet which connects the length adjusting member 13 pivotably to the front side 11 of the face protector 10. On the length adjusting member 13, one setting hole 13d is formed to correspond to the angle adjusting hole 13c. Therefore, the face protector 10 can be fixed at a desired angle by adjusting the length adjusting member 13 to the desired angle and fastening one of the angle adjusting holes 13c to the setting hole 13d through another fixing member 13e comprising a small bolt and a nut. As a result, the user is able to wear the face protector 10 according to the desired angle.

[42] The length adjusting unit of the present embodiment comprises one male snap button 13f attached to the face protector 10 and a plurality of female snap buttons 13g formed at the length adjusting member 13 at a predetermined interval in a length direction and detachably connected with the male snap button 13f. Through the above- structured length adjusting unit, the length adjusting member 13 can be set to a desired length by the user.

[43] Fig. 11 is a rear-side perspective view of a face protector for work according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 12 is a development view of the face protector for work of Fig. 11. According to this embodiment, the length adjusting member 13 is integrally formed with the front side 11 of the face protector 10. More specifically, one end of the length adjusting member 13 is extended from one side of the front side 11 of the face protector 10. The other end of the length adjusting member 13 and the other side of the front side 11 of the face protector 10 are provided with a female and a male snap buttons 13f and 13g, respectively, so as to adjust the length of the length adjusting member 13.

[44] Fig. 13 is a development view of a face protector for work according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. In the same manner as in the sixth embodiment, the front side 11 of the face protector 10 and the length adjusting member 13 are integrally formed with each other according to the seventh embodiment. However, instead of the snap buttons, male and female Velcro tapes 13h and 13i are employed to adjust the length of the length adjusting member 13 in this embodiment.

[45] Furthermore, a reflection preventive coating film may be applied to an inner side of the front side 11 of the face protector 10 such that the user is not dazzled by a light reflected from the inner surface of the front side 11. Alternatively, a special coating film may be applied to an outer side of the front side 11 to prevent attachment of dust to the outer side. If necessary, the outer side of the front side 11 may be coated or opaqued as long as not obstructing the user's view so as to improve the user's concentration during work.

[46] As can be appreciated from the used states illustrated in Fig. 4, Fig. 5 and Fig. 7, the face protector 10 according to the embodiments of the present invention is seated on the user's upper chest by the lower end 1 Ia of the front side 11 thereof and worn on the user's neck by interconnecting the left and right lower rear ends 12a of the 12b with the length adjusting member 13. Therefore, when performing dangerous works which generate flying splinters such as weeding, stone processing and woodworking, the user is capable of protecting his/her neck, which has been poorly protected by conventional face protectors, as well as the whole face from the flying splinters.

[47] Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

[48]

Industrial Applicability

[49] As described above, the face protector according to the embodiments of the present invention is capable of solving problems of conventional face protectors, the problems of causing fatigue to the user by the weight since designed to be worn only on the use's head and making the user feel stifled by heat from the user's face and head while poorly protecting the user's neck and the whole part of face. In other words, the face protector according to the embodiments of the present invention does not cause fatigue to the user by being put on the user's neck instead of the user's head. Since a lower end of the face protector is seated on the user's upper chest, a wearing comfort is much improved. In addition, the heat generated from the face and the head can be emitted directly through an upper side of the face protector. Therefore, the user does not have to sweat or feel stifled during work. Also, the user is able to freely move his/her head in the face protector without interference, thereby improving the workability. Furthermore, because the user's neck and face can be well protected from splinters, an accident such as injury to the user's face can be effectively prevented.

Claims

[1] A face protector for work, being made of a transparent synthetic resin and configured such that a lower end of a front side thereof is seated on an upper chest of a user, left and right rear ends of a lower part thereof are interconnected by a length adjusting member hung on the user's neck, and an inside thereof is formed as a wide-top narrow-bottom funnel shape so that the user can move down or turn his/her head as wearing the face protector without interference with the face protector.

[2] The face protector for work according to claim 1, further comprising a through- hole formed in the center of the front side to allow the user to breathe or talk through the through-hole.

[3] The face protector for work according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a shoulder strap attached intercrossing between the lower end of the front side and each of the left and right lower rear ends.

[4] The face protector for work according to claim 1, further comprising a hood attached to an upper end of the front side by sewing to cover the user's head and mounted with an elastic band therein so that the hood is not easily slipped off the head.

[5] The face protector for work according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising a head strap attached to intercross between the lower end of the front side and the length adjusting member, of which one end attached to the lower end of the front side is detachable.

[6] The face protector for work according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the length adjusting member comprises a plurality of angle adjusting holes arranged in radial directions around a fixing member which pivotably connects the length adjusting member to the front side of the face protector, and one setting hole formed on the length adjusting member to correspond to the angle adjusting holes, such that the face protector can be fixed at a desired angle through another fixing member.

[7] The face protector for work according to claim 1, wherein one end of the length adjusting member is extended integrally from one side of the front side whereas the other end of the length adjusting member and the other side of the front side are each equipped with a detachable connection member comprising female and male snap buttons or Velcro tapes.