US20070113322A1

US20070113322A1 - Face shield

Info

Publication number: US20070113322A1
Application number: US11/284,341
Authority: US
Inventors: Tom Tredup
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-21
Filing date: 2005-11-21
Publication date: 2007-05-24
Also published as: WO2007062042A2; WO2007062042A3

Abstract

A face shield includes a shield panel sized to cover at least a portion of a human face; a panel support structure mounted to the shield panel and protruding rearwardly for abutting and holding the face shield on a user head; and a nose bridge structure protruding rearwardly from the shield panel for resting on a user nose and thereby supporting the shield panel while spacing the shield panel from a user face. The shield panel preferably is configured to substantially follow the contours of a human face and formed of transparent material. The nose bridge structure preferably includes a nose bridge having a rearwardly extending U-shape with a bridge rearward segment bent upwardly relative to a substantially horizontal bridge forward segment and sized to fit snugly over a user nose. The shield panel preferably includes an air vent having at least one breathing opening.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of safety mechanisms. More specifically the present invention relates to a face shield formed of a durable shield panel configured to correspond substantially to and follow the contours of a human face, and having laterally mounted and rearwardly protruding panel support arms for resting on user ears and a nose bridge structure protruding rearwardly from the shield panel rear surface for resting on a user nose and thereby supporting and spacing the shield panel from a user face, the shield panel preferably being formed of transparent plastic.
The nose bridge structure preferably includes a resilient or rigid nose bridge having a rearwardly extending U-shape with a bridge rearward segment bent upwardly relative to a bridge forward segment and sized to fit snugly over the bridge of a user nose. The shield panel preferably includes a vertical series of horizontal breathing slots, and the breathing slots preferably take the form of louvers.
The nose bridge structure preferably includes a nose bridge connection means including two horizontally spaced apart bridge mounting studs integral with and protruding rearwardly from the shield panel and the nose bridge preferably is tubular and has two forwardly opening tubular bridge passageway openings force fitted snugly and engagingly over respective bridge mounting studs. This construction is preferred because no fasteners appear on the front of the shield panel. Alternatively the nose bridge support includes two horizontally spaced apart screw ports in the central shield panel and two respective nose bridge mounting screws fitted rearwardly through the screw ports and engagingly into the tubular bridge passageway openings to secure the nose bridge to the shield panel.
The panel support arms preferably are secured to the shield panel with hinges. The panel hinges preferably each include a panel mounted hinge portion connected to the shield panel and an arm mounted hinge portion connected to a respective support arm. Each panel mounted hinge portion preferably one of: protrudes from and is integral with the shield panel rear surface adjacent the panel periphery, or as directly mounted to the panel peripheral edge, or is fastened to an elongate perimeter member secured to and extending along the panel peripheral edge.
An alternative to the panel support arms are two laterally spaced apart head hook arms with or without a nose bridge. The shield panel optionally is pigmented or coated with any of various colors, tints or a mirror coating.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There have long been face covering devices for shielding the face from impact, water and various wavelengths of light. These prior devices generally have not fully covered the face, have not been spaced a sufficient distance from the face or any distance from the face to permit breathing without shortening the device to expose a portion of the face including the nose, such as goggles, have been awkward to put on, and have not be capable of properly fitting all sizes and shapes of faces so that several size devices must be provided.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a face shield which covers the entire face for full protection.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a face shield which spaces itself from the user face a sufficient distance, such as one quarter inch minimum, to permit breaths to be drawn and exhaled freely behind the shield.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a face shield which is put on and taken off in the same way as a pair of glasses, for speed and ease of use.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a face shield which is universal in that one size fits everyone.
It is finally an object of the present invention to provide such a face shield which is sturdy, reliable, suited to numerous shielding functions, and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention accomplishes the above-stated objectives, as well as others, as may be determined by a fair reading and interpretation of the entire specification.
A face shield is provided, including a shield panel sized to cover at least a portion of a human face; a panel support structure mounted to the shield panel and protruding rearwardly for abutting and holding the face shield on a user head; and a nose bridge structure protruding rearwardly from the shield panel for resting on a user nose and thereby supporting the shield panel while spacing the shield panel from a user face.
The shield panel preferably is configured to substantially follow the contours of a human face. The shield panel preferably is formed of transparent material. The nose bridge structure preferably includes a nose bridge having a rearwardly extending U-shape with a bridge rearward segment bent upwardly relative to a substantially horizontal bridge forward segment and sized to fit comfortably and snugly over a user nose. The shield panel preferably includes an air vent having at least one breathing opening.
The at least one breathing opening preferably includes a vertical series of horizontally extending breathing slots. The breathing slots preferably each include a horizontal cut in the shield panel having a slot upper lip portion immediately above the cut and a slot lower lip portion immediately below the cut, and the slot upper lip portion protruding forwardly relative to the slot lower lip portion to define an air passing separation between the slot upper lip portion and the slot lower lip portions while the slot upper lip portion deflects sunlight and debris from entering the slot.
The nose bridge structure preferably includes a nose bridge connection structure including two horizontally spaced apart bridge mounting studs integral with and protruding inwardly from the shield panel and where the nose bridge comprises two forwardly opening bridge passageway openings force fitted snugly and engagingly over respective bridge mounting studs. The nose bridge connection structure alternatively includes two horizontally spaced apart screw ports in the shield panel and two nose bridge mounting screws fitted rearwardly through respective screw ports and engagingly fitted into the bridge passageway openings to secure the nose bridge to the shield panel. Still alternatively the panel support structure includes panel support arms laterally to the shield panel for resting on user ears.
The panel support arms preferably are secured to the shield panel with panel hinges. The panel hinges each preferably include a panel mounted hinge portion connected to the shield panel and an arm mounted hinge portion connected to a respective support arm. The shield panel includes a panel periphery and a panel peripheral edge and the panel mounted hinge portions optionally one of: protrude from and are integral with the shield panel rear surface adjacent to the panel periphery; and are directly mounted to the panel peripheral edge; and are fastened to an elongate perimeter member secured to and extending along the panel peripheral edge.
The shield panel optionally has one of: pigmentation and a tint and a mirror coating. The shield panel has a shield panel upper end and optionally is truncated at the shield panel upper end. Still alternatively shield panel is opaque.
The shield panel optionally has at least one of: an impact resistant resin, an anti-fog hard coat, and a scratch resistant hard coat, an ultraviolet light protection resin, and an ultraviolet protection coating.
The shield panel has a panel upper end and the support arms optionally are head hook arms secured to the shield panel upper end and shaped to wrap over the top of a user head, with or without a nose bridge. The shield panel has a panel upper end and the support structure optionally includes a support cap for fitting onto a user head, the support cap having a cap forward end, where the shield panel extends into the support cap and is secured within the cap forward end. The shield support structure optionally includes an ear engaging structure.
The shield panel can be truncated at its upper end at a point just above the eyes so that the user can wear a hat or cap not connected to the face shield.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective rear view of the preferred embodiment of the face shield having hinge portions protruding from the panel peripheral edge.
FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view of the preferred embodiment of the face shield having hinge portions protruding from the panel periphery spaced inwardly from the peripheral edge.
FIG. 3 is a perspective rear view as in FIG. 1 having a shield panel perimeter member joined directly to the shield panel peripheral edge where the panel mounted hinge portions are secured to the peripheral member.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view as in FIG. 1 in which two screws pass rearwardly through the shield panel for fitting into forwardly opening tubular nose bridge open ends.
FIG. 5 is a view as in FIG. 4 in which tubular nose bridge open ends protrude forwardly for fitting over member studs protruding rearwardly from the shield panel.
FIG. 6 is a view as in FIG. 4, in which a hollow tubular bridge mounting member extends rearwardly from the shield panel, and a nose bridge mounting screw is fitted forwardly through a screw passageway through the middle of a forwardly protruding nose bridge strut engagingly into the hollow interior of the bridge mounting member.
FIG. 7 is a view as in FIG. 5 in which two tubular bridge mounting members protrude rearwardly from the shield panel and the nose bridge has a screw port at each end through which nose bridge mounting screws are fitted which register with and engagingly enter respective tubular bridge mounting members.
FIG. 8 is a view as in FIG. 5 except that the nose bridge has a forwardly protruding slat for fitting snugly and engagingly into a tubular member protruding rearwardly from the shield panel.
FIG. 9 is a view as in FIG. 1 except that the hinge portion is fastened to an elongate panel perimeter member extending along the panel peripheral edge.
FIG. 10 is a view as in FIG. 9 except that the elongate panel perimeter member is spaced apart from and connected to the panel peripheral edge.
FIG. 11 is a view as in FIG. 1 except that the ear engaging panel support arms are replaced with two head engaging hook arms. The face shield may be provided with or without a nose bridge.
FIG. 12 is a perspective front view as in FIG. 11 except that the shield panel upper end is truncated and the head engaging hook arms are replaced with a cap which may be either separate from or secured to the panel upper end.
FIG. 12 is a view as in FIG. 12 with an alternative cap style illustrated.
FIG. 14 is a view as in FIG. 12 with yet another cap style illustrated.
FIG. 15 is a perspective front view as in FIG. 1 except that the ear engaging panel support arms are replaced with a strap mesh structure for fitting onto the user head.
FIG. 16 is a view as in FIG. 15 except that a head engaging pivoting bill replaces the strap mesh.
FIG. 17 is a view as in FIG. 16 except that ear engaging structures replace the pivoting bill.
FIG. 18 is view as in FIG. 1 omitting the hinge structures and including a forehead abutment structure and a chin spacer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like characteristics and features of the present invention shown in the various FIGURES are designated by the same reference numerals.

First Preferred Embodiment

Referring to FIGS. 1-18, a face shield 10 is disclosed which includes a durable shield panel 20 configured to correspond substantially to and follow the contours of a human face, and having laterally mounted and a panel support structure 40 such as rearwardly protruding panel support arms 42 for resting on user ears and a nose bridge structure 60 protruding rearwardly from the shield panel 20 central rear surface for resting on a user nose and thereby supporting and spacing the shield panel 20 from a user face, the shield panel 20 preferably being formed of transparent plastic.
The nose bridge structure 60 preferably includes a resilient or rigid nose bridge 70 having a rearwardly extending U-shape with a substantially horizontal bridge forward segment 74 and a bridge rearward segment 72 bent upwardly relative to the bridge forward segment 74 and sized to fit snugly over the bridge of a human nose.
The nose bridge structure 60 preferably includes nose bridge connection means 80 including two horizontally spaced apart bridge mounting studs 82 integral with and protruding rearwardly from the shield panel 20. Alternatively a centrally positioned single mounting stud 82 is provided on shield panel 20 and the nose bridge 70 has a single centrally positioned tubular bride passageway opening 72 which force or press fits over the single mounting stud 82. This construction is preferred because no fasteners appear on the front of the shield panel 20.
Several alternative versions of nose bridge structures 60 are specifically contemplated. For yet another version, the nose bridge connection means 80 includes two horizontally spaced apart screw ports 84 in the central shield panel 20 and two respective nose bridge mounting screws 86 fitted rearwardly through the screw ports 84 and engagingly into the tubular bridge passageway openings 72 to secure the nose bridge 70 to the shield panel 20. See FIG. 4. For still another version, the nose bridge 70 has two forwardly protruding tubular nose bridge open ends 76 which fit snugly and engagingly over nose bridge mounting members 82 in the form of studs. See FIG. 5. For a further version, a hollow tubular bridge mounting member 82 is provided, and a nose bridge mounting screw 86 is fitted forwardly through a screw passageway 88 through the middle of a forwardly protruding nose bridge strut 70 engagingly into the hollow interior of the bridge mounting member 82. See FIG. 6. For one such version, hollow tubular bridge mounting members 82 are provided, and a nose bridge mounting screws 86 are fitted forwardly through screw holes 88 in opposing ends of nose bridge 70 engagingly into the hollow interiors of the bridge mounting members 82. See FIG. 7. For a yet further version, the nose bridge connection means 80 includes a laterally elongate tubular member 92 secured to the shield panel 20 and opening rearwardly, and the nose bridge 70 has a forwardly protruding slat 94 which fits snugly and engagingly into the tubular member 92. See FIG. 8.
The panel support arms 42 preferably are secured to the shield panel 20 with panel hinges 170. The panel hinges 170 preferably each include a panel mounted hinge portion 172 connected to the shield panel 20 and an arm mounted hinge portion 174 connected to a respective support arm 40. Each panel mounted hinge portion 172 preferably one of: protrudes from and is integral with the shield panel 20 rear surface adjacent the panel periphery 22 as shown in FIG. 2, or is directly mounted to the panel peripheral edge 24 as shown in FIG. 1, or is fastened to an elongate panel perimeter member 26 secured to and extending along the panel peripheral edge 24, as shown in FIG. 9 which may be spaced outward from the peripheral edge 24 as shown in FIG. 10. Alteratively the perimeter member 26 is attached or molded to the peripheral edge 24, preferably in the same way that ordinary eyeglass frames fit around sun glass lenses. See FIG. 3.
Another contemplated panel support structure 40 are two laterally spaced apart head hook arms 182. See FIG. 9. Head hook arms 182 are secured to the shield panel 20 upper end and extend rearwardly, and are shaped to engagingly wrap over the top of the user head. A nose bridge is optional. Yet another alternative to panel support arms 40 is a support cap 110. See FIGS. 12-14. The shield panel 20 upper end is inserted into and secured within support cap 110 forward end with any suitable fastening means such as glue. The shield panel 20 upper end alternatively is secured to a network of straps 120 for fitting over a user head. See FIG. 15. As a variation of this embodiment, a single strap 120 for wrapping around the back of the user head is provided. A pivoting bill 130 mounted on opposing hinge rivets 132 is optionally provided. See FIG. 14. An ear engaging structure 140 alternatively or additionally to any of the above panel support structures 40, protrudes inwardly from each side of the shield panel 20. See FIG. 17.
The shield panel 20 preferably has a rearwardly and laterally extending forehead abutment spacer 150. See FIG. 18. Forehead abutment spacer 150 preferably is secured to the inward face of shield panel 20 with spacer screws 152 or other fastening means, and preferably is absorbent to function as a sweat band, and may provide additional support for the face shield 10. A chin spacer 160, preferably in the form of a resilient pad may be additionally provided, and once again may provide additional support for the face shield 10.
The shield panel 20 preferably has an air vent 80 which preferably includes a vertical series of horizontally extending breathing slots 192, the breathing slots preferably taking the form of louvers. See FIGS. 4 and 5. The louvers are horizontal cuts in the shield panel 20, each having a slot upper lip portion 192 a immediately above each cut protruding forwardly of a slot lower lip portion 192 b immediately below each cut to define a separation between the upper and lower cut edges through which air can pass, while the forwardly protruding upper lip portion 192 a deflects sunlight and debris from entering the slot 192. For virtually all embodiments, it is noted that breathing slots 192 are optional and can be omitted if desired, since the spacing of the shield panel 20 from the user face permits breathing.
The shield panel 20 optionally is pigmented or coated with any of various colors, tints or a mirror coating. Additionally or alternatively, the shield panel 20 has an impact resistant resin, an anti-fog hard coat, or a scratch resistant hard coat, an ultraviolet light (UV) protection resin, or an ultraviolet protection coating. The face shield may be of different shapes and sizes to fit children and adults of various ages, and the shield panel 20 may be truncated at its upper end so that the user can wear a hard hat or virtually any hat. The hat or a cap 110 can be secured to the face shield 10 or separate from face shield 10 if other shield panel 20 support means are provided. A nontransparent shield panel 20 is also contemplated for various uses such as for protecting the user face during sun tanning.
While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms or certain embodiments or modifications which it has assumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.

PARTS LIST

10. Face shield
20. Shield panel
22. Panel periphery
24. Panel peripheral edge
26. Panel perimeter member
40. Panel support structure
42. Panel support arms
60. Bridge structure
70. Nose bridge
72. Bridge rearward segment
74. Bridge forward segment
76. Studs on bridge itself
80. Bridge connection means
82. Bridge mounting members (studs)
84. Screw ports
86. Bridge mounting screw
88. Screw passageway
92. Laterally elongate tubular member
94. Laterally elongate slat
110. Support cap
120. Network of straps
130. Pivotal bill
132. Pivotal bill hinge rivets
140. Ear engaging structures
150. Forehead spacer
152. Forehead spacer screws
160. Chin spacer
170. Panel hinges
172. Panel mounted hinge portion
174. Arm mounted hinge portion
182. Head hook arms
192. Breathing slots
192 a. Slot upper lip portion
192 b. Slot lower lip portion

Claims

1. A face shield, comprising:

a shield panel sized to cover at least a portion of a human face;

a panel support structure mounted to said shield panel and protruding rearwardly for abutting and holding said face shield on a user head;

and a nose bridge structure protruding rearwardly from said shield panel for resting on a user nose and thereby supporting said shield panel while spacing said shield panel from a user face.

2. The face shield of claim 1, wherein said shield panel is configured to substantially follow the contours of a human face.

3. The face shield of claim 1, wherein said shield panel is formed of transparent material.

4. The face shield of claim 1, wherein said nose bridge structure comprises a nose bridge having a rearwardly extending U-shape with a bridge rearward segment bent upwardly relative to a substantially horizontal bridge forward segment and sized to fit snugly over a user nose.

5. The face shield of claim 1, wherein said shield panel comprises an air vent having at least one breathing opening.

6. The face shield of claim 5, wherein said at least one breathing opening comprises a vertical series of horizontally extending breathing slots.

7. The face shield of claim 6, wherein said breathing slots each comprise a horizontal cut in said shield panel having a slot upper lip portion immediately above said cut and a slot lower lip portion immediately below said cut, and said slot upper lip portion protruding forwardly relative to said slot lower lip portion to define an air passing separation between said slot upper lip portion and said slot lower lip portions while said slot upper lip portion deflects sunlight and debris from entering said slot.

8. The face shield of claim 1, wherein said nose bridge structure comprises a nose bridge connection means comprising two horizontally spaced apart bridge mounting studs integral with and protruding inwardly from said shield panel and wherein said nose bridge comprises two forwardly opening bridge passageway openings force fitted snugly and engagingly over respective said bridge mounting studs.

9. The face shield of claim 1, wherein said nose bridge connection means comprises two horizontally spaced apart screw ports in said shield panel and two nose bridge mounting screws fitted rearwardly through respective said screw ports and engagingly fitted into said bridge passageway openings to secure said nose bridge to said shield panel.

10. The face shield of claim 1, wherein said panel support structure comprises panel support arms laterally to said shield panel for resting on user ears.

11. The face shield of claim 10, wherein said panel support arms are secured to said shield panel with panel hinges.

12. The face shield of claim 11, wherein said panel hinges each comprise a panel mounted hinge portion connected to said shield panel and an arm mounted hinge portion connected to a respective support arm.

13. The face shield of claim 12, wherein said shield panel comprises a panel periphery and a panel peripheral edge and wherein said panel mounted hinge portions one of: protrude from and are integral with said shield panel rear surface adjacent to said panel periphery; and are directly mounted to said panel peripheral edge; and are fastened to an elongate perimeter member secured to and extending along said panel peripheral edge.

14. The face shield of claim 1, wherein said shield panel has one of: pigmentation and a tint and a mirror coating.

15. The face shield of claim 1, wherein said shield panel has a shield panel upper end and is truncated at said shield panel upper end.

16. The face shield of claim 1, wherein said shield panel is opaque.

17. The face shield of claim 1, wherein said shield panel has at least one of: an impact resistant resin and an anti-fog hard coat, and a scratch resistant hard coat, and an ultraviolet light protection resin and an ultraviolet protective coating.

18. The face shield of claim 10, wherein said shield panel has a panel upper end and wherein said support arms are head hook arms secured to said shield panel upper end and shaped to wrap over the top of a user head.

19. The face shield of claim 1, wherein said shield panel has a panel upper end and wherein said support structure comprises a support cap for fitting onto a user head, said support cap having a cap forward end, wherein said shield panel extends into said support cap and is secured within said cap forward end.

20. The face shield of claim 1, wherein said shield support structure comprises an ear engaging structure.

21. A face shield, comprising:

a shield panel sized to cover at least a portion of a human face;

and a panel support structure mounted to said shield panel and protruding rearwardly for abutting and holding said face shield on a user head.