Protective face mask system using varying thicknesses of energy

Details Protective face mask system using varying thicknesses of energy Protective face mask system using varying thicknesses of energy

1993-10-15

1996-07-23

Crowder, Clifford D.

Apparel

Guard or protector

For wearer's head

2206, 2424, 2425, A42B 318

Patent

active

055376878

ABSTRACT:
A protective facial mask system having an outer, high impact, rigid layer (of, e.g., polycarbonate) and an inner, flexible, relatively soft layer of energy absorption and dissipating material (e.g. an unaerated viscoelastic polymer). The inner, soft layer preferably has variable or different thicknesses of material (e.g., going from about an eighth of an inch minimum to about a quarter inch maximum thickness), affording greater protection to facial areas where the underlying bone structure is weaker (e.g., the nasal region), which is where in the invention the inner layer is thickest, and thinner where the bone structure is stronger (e.g. over the flanking, supra-orbital/glabella regions). The inner soft layer thereby best absorbs, redirects and dissipates the energy from impact forces to the face, protecting the facial skeleton from, for example, fracturing. The mask, in all three of its embodiments (FIGS. 1 & 2, FIGS. 3 & 4, and FIGS. 7-10), covers the zygomatic, temporal, nasal and frontal bones, resting on the buttresses of the cranial facial area, while in the second embodiment (FIGS. 3 & 4), the mask also covers the maxilla and the sides of the mandible. At its upper perimeter, the mask extends above the supra-orbital ridges, leaving the remainder of the frontal bone, eyes, nostrils, and mouth of the user open. Shatter-proof lenses are positioned in oval openings at eye level and/or a separate goggle shield (303) used. The inner layer closely contacts and conforms to the contours of the person's face, preferably in face-to-face surface engagement.

REFERENCES:
patent: 3729745 (1973-05-01), Latina
patent: 3787895 (1974-01-01), Belvedere
patent: 3934271 (1976-01-01), Rhee
patent: 3946441 (1976-03-01), Johnson
patent: 4662005 (1987-05-01), Grier-Idris
patent: 4847920 (1989-07-01), Aileo et al.

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