Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a chin protector 10, 10′, 10″ to be attached to a protective face shield 100, 100′ or a protective helmet 200. The present disclosure further relates to an assembly 300, 300′ of a protective face shield 100, 100′ and a chin protector 10, 10′, 10″ as well as to an assembly 400 of a protective helmet 200 and a chin protector 10, 10′, 10″. Moreover, the present disclosure relates to a kit of parts comprising a protective face shield 100, 100′ and a chin protector 10, 10′, 10″ as well as to a method of retrofitting a protective face shield 100, 100′ with a chin protector 10, 10′, 10″. The chin protector 10, 10′, 10″ is provided generally planarly and is bendable to a curved configuration for use. The chin protector 10, 10′, 10″ is easily and quickly attachable to a protective face shield 100, 100′ or a protective helmet 200 and provides for an increased freedom of selection.
Claims
1. A chin protector for attachment to a protective face shield arrangeable in front of a wearer's face or to a protective helmet, the protective face shield having an inner major surface facing—in use—towards the face of the wearer and an outer major surface facing—in use—away from the wearer's face, wherein the chin protector exhibits—when not in use—a generally planar configuration, wherein the chin protector is bendable such that it can be brought from the generally planar configuration into a curved configuration, wherein the chin protector is attachable to the protective face shield and wherein the chin protector is configured to be attached in the curved configuration to the inner major surface of the protective face shield such that—in use—the chin protector is maintained in the curved configuration thereby surrounding the chin of a wearer of the protective face shield, wherein the chin protector further comprises an inner and outer major surface and wherein the inner major surface faces—in use—towards the wearer's chin and wherein the outer major surface faces—in use—away from the wearer's chin.
2. The chin protector according to claim 1, wherein the chin protector comprises attachment means which are engageable with a portion of the protective face shield to attach the chin protector to the protective face shield.
3. The chin protector according to claim 2, wherein the attachment means comprises a protrusion, preferably a pin, protruding perpendicular from the attachment means, wherein the protrusion is configured and arranged to engage with a receptacle of the protective face shield, the protrusion optionally comprises a compressible enlarged portion, wherein the attachment means optionally each comprises a bar, from which the protrusion, preferably the pin protrudes.
4. The chin protector according to claim 1, wherein the chin protector comprises an optically transparent material.
5. The chin protector according to claim 1, wherein the chin protector comprises polycarbonate, propionate, acetate, polymethylmethacrylate or a combination thereof.
6. An assembly of a protective face shield arrangeable in front of a wearer's face and a chin protector according to claim 1, wherein the protective face shield G has an inner major surface facing—in use—towards the face of the wearer and an outer major surface facing—in use—away from the wearer's face, wherein the chin protector exhibits a curved configuration and wherein the chin protector is attached in the curved configuration to the inner major surface of the protective face shield such that the chin protector is maintained in the curved configuration thereby surrounding—in use—the chin of a wearer of the protective face shield, wherein the chin protector further comprises an inner and an outer major surface and wherein the inner major surface faces—in use—towards the wearer's chin and wherein the outer major surface faces—in use—away from the wearer's chin.
7. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein the chin protector and/or the protective face shield further comprises attachment means and wherein the chin protector engages with its attachment means a portion of the protective face shield and/or the protective face shield engages with its attachment means a portion of the chin protector, preferably the attachment means of the chin protector and the attachment means of the protective face shield engage with each other.
8. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein the assembly further comprises attachment means and wherein the attachment means of the assembly engages with a portion of the protective face shield (100, 100′) and wherein the attachment means of the assembly engages with a portion of the chin protector, preferably the attachment means of the assembly engage with the attachment means of the chin protector and/or with the attachment means of the protective face shield.
9. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein the chin protector is arranged such that it abuts with its edge on the inner major surface of the protective face shield, at least partially.
10. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein the chin protector is arranged such that a gap is arranged between its edge and the inner major surface of the protective face shield at least along a part of the extension of the edge.
11. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein the protective face shield has a substantially semi-circular portion and wherein the radius (r.sub.FS) of the circular or semi-circular portion is larger than the bend radius (r.sub.CP) of the chin protector being in the curved configuration.
12. The assembly according to claim 6, wherein the optical and/or mechanical properties of the chin protector are the same as the optical and/or mechanical properties/transmission of the protective face shield, preferably the material of the chin protector is the same as the material of the protective face shield.
13. An assembly of a protective helmet and a chin protector according to claim 1, wherein the chin protector exhibits a curved configuration and wherein the chin protector is attached to the protective helmet by attachment means in the curved configuration such that the chin protector is maintained in the curved configuration thereby surrounding the chin of a wearer of the protective helmet, wherein the assembly optionally comprises a protective face shield having an inner major surface facing—in use—towards the face of a user and an outer major surface facing—in use—away from the wearer's face, wherein the chin protector is optionally connected to the protective face shield.
14. A kit of parts comprising a chin protector according to claim 1 and a protective face shield having an inner major surface facing—in use—towards the face of the wearer and an outer major surface facing—in use—away from the wearer's face.
15. (canceled)
Description
[0034] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the following Figures exemplifying particular embodiments of the invention:
[0035] FIG. 1A is a perspective front view of an assembly of a protective face shield and a chin protector according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0036] FIG. 1B is a perspective front view of an assembly shown in FIG. 1A, wherein the assembly is attached to a protective helmet;
[0037] FIG. 2A is a perspective rear view of the assembly of FIG. 1A;
[0038] FIG. 2B is a perspective rear view of the assembly of FIG. 1B, wherein the assembly is attached to a protective helmet;
[0039] FIG. 3A is a top view of a chin protector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure exhibiting a generally planar configuration;
[0040] FIG. 3B is a top view of a chin protector according to another embodiment of the present disclosure exhibiting a generally planar configuration;
[0041] FIG. 4A is a perspective front view of an assembly of a protective face shield and a chin protector according to another embodiment of the present disclosure
[0042] FIG. 4B is a perspective front view of an assembly shown in FIG. 4A, wherein the assembly is attached to a protective helmet;
[0043] FIG. 5A is a perspective rear view of the assembly of FIG. 4A;
[0044] FIG. 5B is a perspective rear view of the assembly of FIG. 4B, wherein the assembly is attached to a protective helmet;
[0045] FIG. 6 is a top view of a chin protector according to another embodiment of the present disclosure exhibiting a generally planar configuration;
[0046] FIG. 7 is a partially cut away schematic top view of an attachment means of the embodiment of the chin protector as shown in FIG. 6;
[0047] FIG. 8 is a partially cut away schematic top view of an attachment means according to another embodiment of the chin protector;
[0048] FIG. 9A is a perspective rear view of an assembly of a protective helmet and a chin protector according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the assembly further comprises a protective face shield;
[0049] FIG. 9B is a detailed perspective rear view of the assembly as shown in FIG. 9A;
[0050] FIG. 10 is a schematic partial side view of a detail of an assembly of a chin protector and a protective face shield according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0051] FIG. 11 is a schematic partial side view of a detail of an assembly of a chin protector and a protective face shield according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0052] FIG. 12 is a perspective rear view of an assembly of a chin protector and a protective face shield according to an embodiment of the present disclosure worn by a wearer, wherein the assembly is attached to a protective helmet.
[0053] FIG. 1A shows in a perspective front view an embodiment of the chin protector 10 according to the present disclosure as part of an assembly 300 with a protective face shield 100, i. e. the chin protector 10 and the protective face shield 100 form the assembly 300. The chin protector 10 is shown in an attached stage, i. e. in use, exhibiting a curved configuration. The chin protector 10 comprises an inner and an outer major surface 10A, 10B, an edge 24 and attachment means 12, 14, 16 (only part of which are visible here) comprising the pin-like protrusions or pins 12a, 14a, 16a. In some embodiments, the attachment means 12, 14, 16 comprises a bar 12b, 14b, 16b (not shown here, see FIG. 3A) protruding from the edge of the chin protector, from which the pins 12a, 14a, 16a having an enlarged portion at their ends protrude. The chin protector 10 is attached to a protective face shield 100 via pins 12a, 14a, 16a engaging with the attachment means 102, 104, 106 of the protective face shield 100, which are formed as receptacles or holes in the embodiment shown. The chin protector 10 is kept in its curved configuration thereby. More details of the attachment means 12, 14, 16 according to an embodiment of such assembly are shown in FIG. 3A. The protective face shield 100 comprises an inner and an outer major surface 26, 28 and an edge 124. As can be seen from FIG. 1A, the chin protector 10 is attached to the inner major surface 26 of the protective face shield 100. The protective face shield 100 also has a curved shape as illustrated in FIG. 1A, wherein the side portions of the protective face shield 100 are bent rearwards, i. e. towards the chin protector 10 such that the inner major surface 26 of the protective face shield 100 and the outer major surface 10B (i. e. the one facing towards the protective face shield 100) of the chin protector 10 are close to each other or are even in contact with each other. This enables or simplifies the attachment means 12, 14, 16 of the chin protector 10 to engage with the attachment means 102, 104, 106 of the protective face shield 100. Other configurations are conceivable, i. e. where the protective face shield has no such curved portions. The inner major surface 26 of the protective face shield 100 faces towards a wearer 500 (not shown here, see FIG. 12) of the assembly 300. In use, the chin protector 10 in its curved configuration surrounds the chin 510 of a wearer 500 (both not shown here, see FIG. 12). In the embodiment shown, the chin protector 10 does not extend beyond the edge 124 of the protective face shield 100, which is indicated by a dotted line to illustrate where the edge 24 of the chin protector 10 is arranged (behind the protective face shield 100).
[0054] FIG. 1B shows in a perspective front view the assembly 300 as shown in FIG. 1A and as described above. In addition, FIG. 1B shows a protective helmet 200. The protective face shield 100 and the assembly 300, respectively, are attached to the protective helmet 200 by attachment means, for example through a pivotal attachment means of the protective helmet 200. Such an attachment means may—together with a lever—allow for a pivotal movement to lift the protective face shield 100 and the chin protector 10 connected therewith. The chin protector 10 may, in addition to what is shown here, also be attached to the protective helmet 200 by attachment means 214, 216, 218 (not shown in FIG. 1, see FIGS. 9A and 9B), which may disengage or otherwise be configured such that a pivotal movement of the protective face shield 100 and the chin protector 10, respectively, is still allowed.
[0055] FIGS. 2A and 2B show the assembly 300 as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B in a rear perspective view, wherein FIG. 2A shows the assembly 300 formed by the chin protector 10 and the protective face shield 100 (similarly to FIG. 1A) and wherein FIG. 2B shows the assembly 300 connected to a protective helmet 200 (similarly to FIG. 1B). As can be seen in FIG. 2A, the chin protector 10 is attached in its curved configuration to the protective face shield 100 through the attachment means 12, 14, 16 of the chin protector 10 with the pin-like protrusions or pins 12a, 14a, 16a. In some embodiments, the attachment means 12, 14, 16 comprises a bar 12b, 14b, 16b (not visible here, see FIG. 3A) and pins 12a, 14a, 16a with an enlarged end portion. In FIG. 2A, only pin 12a with its enlarged end portion is visible. As can further be seen, the attachment means 12, 14, 16 in the embodiment shown protrude from the outer major surface 10B of the chin protector 10 which faces towards the inner major surface 26 of the protective face shield 100. More details of the attachment means 12, 14, 16 are shown in FIG. 3A. In the embodiment shown, the protective face shield 100 also comprises curved portions, which are bent towards the chin protector 10 such that the inner major surface 26, i. e. the major surface facing—in use—towards a wearer (not shown here) of the assembly 300, of the protective face shield 100 and the outer major surface 10B (i. e. the one facing towards the protective face shield 100) of the chin protector 10 are close to each other or are even in contact with each other. The chin protector 10 is maintained in its curved configuration because of the attachment to the protective face shield 100 through the attachment means 12, 14, 16 of the chin protector 10. The inner major surface 10A of the chin protector 10 faces in this curved configuration—in use—towards the face 520, in particular the chin 510, of a wearer 500 (not shown here, see FIG. 12) and thereby surrounds the chin 510 of the wearer 500. As can further be seen in FIG. 2A, the chin protector 10 exhibits—in its curved configuration—a bending radius r.sub.CP. The protective face shield 100 comprises at its lower end a substantially semi-circular portion exhibiting a radius us. The upper portion of the protective face shield is rather rectangularly shaped. It is apparent from FIG. 2A, that the bending radius r.sub.CP of the chin protector 10 is smaller than the radius r.sub.FS of the curved portion of the protective face shield 100. Thereby, the chin protector 10 in its curved configuration does not extend beyond the edge 124 of the protective face shield 100 so that either the chin protector 10 is in contact with its edge 24 with the inner major surface 26 of the protective face shield 100 or a small gap only is provided between the edge 24 of the chin protector 10 and the inner major surface 26 of the protective face shield 100. Although such an arrangement is preferred, other configurations, e. g. with a rather large gap between the edge 24 of the chin protector 10 and the inner major surface 26 of the protective face shield 100 or where the bending radius r.sub.CP is larger than the radius r.sub.FS of the curved portion of the protective face shield 100 such that the chin protector in its curved configuration extends beyond the edge 124 of the protective face shield 100, are conceivable.
[0056] FIG. 2B shows—similarly to FIG. 1B—the assembly 300 being attached to a protective helmet 200. As mentioned above for FIG. 1B, attachment means, e. g. pivotal attachment means, are present to attach the assembly 300, in particular the protective face shield 100, to the protective helmet 200 such that lifting of the protective face shield 100 and the assembly 300, respectively, is allowed. The chin protector 10 may, in addition to what is shown here, also be attached to the protective helmet 200 by attachment means 214, 216, 218 (not shown in FIG. 2B, see FIGS. 9A and 9B).
[0057] FIG. 3A shows in a top view the chin protector 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The chin protector 10 exhibits a generally planar configuration when not in use, i. e. prior to and/or after use. The chin protector 10 comprises an inner and an outer major surface 10A, 10B (only one of which, i. e. the inner major surface 10A, is visible here) and an edge 24. The chin protector 10 further comprises two opposite ends 10D, 10E and a main portion 10C, from which attachment means 12, 14, 16 protrude generally planarly, i. e. being generally in the same plane as the main portion 10C of the chin protector 10. In the embodiment shown, the chin protector 10 comprises three attachment means 12, 14, 16, two of which are located towards the ends 10D, 10E of the chin protector 10 and one of which is located in the middle. As can be seen from FIG. 3A, the attachment means 12, 14, 16 each comprise a bar 12b, 14b, 16b connected to and protruding from the main portion 10C of the chin protector 10 and each comprise a pin-like protrusion or pin 12a, 14a, 16a for engaging with respective attachment means, i. e. receptacles or holes 102, 104, 106 of the protective face shield 100 (not shown here). The pin-like protrusions or pins 12a, 14a, 16a each have a compressible enlarged portion for engagement with the receptacles or holes 102, 104, 106 (both of which is not shown here).
[0058] FIG. 3B shows in a top view the chin protector 10′ according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The chin protector 10′ also exhibits a generally planar configuration when not in use, i. e. prior to and/or after use. The chin protector 10′ comprises an inner and an outer major surface 10A′, 10B′ (only one of which, i. e. the inner major surface 10A′ is visible here) and an edge 24′. The chin protector 10′ further comprises two opposite ends 10D′, 10E′ and a main portion 10C′. The difference to the embodiment of the chin protector 10 as shown in FIG. 3A is that here, no attachment means are arranged at the chin protector 10′. Instead, the chin protector 10′ comprises three portions 18′, 20′, 22′ of engagement which are engageable by attachment means being separate from the chin protector 10′. Two attachment portions 18′, 22′ are located towards the ends 10D′, 10E′ of the chin protector 10′ and one attachment portion 20′ is located in the middle of the main portion 10C′ of the chin protector 10′ such that an engagement by the separate attachment means is facilitated. The separate attachment means are not shown here, see FIGS. 4A-5B for this.
[0059] FIG. 4A shows in a perspective front view a different embodiment of the chin protector 10′ according to the present disclosure as part of an assembly 300′ with a protective face shield 100′, i. e. the chin protector 10′ and the protective face shield 100′ form the assembly 300′. The chin protector 10′ is shown in the attached stage, i. e. in use, exhibiting a curved configuration. The chin protector 10′ comprises—similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1A—two opposite major surfaces 10A′, 10B′, an edge 24′. Different to FIG. 1A, the chin protector 10′ is attached with different attachment means 12′, 14′, 16′. In the embodiment shown, the attachment means 12′, 14′, 16′ are not part of the chin protector 10′ or the protective face shield 100′, but they are separate parts engaging with a portion 18′, 20′, 22′ (only 18′ is indicated here) of the chin protector 10′ on the one hand and on the other hand engaging with a portion 108′, 110′, 112′ (only 108′, 110′ are indicated here) of the protective face shield 100′. The chin protector 10′ is kept in its curved configuration thereby. The protective face shield 100′ comprises an inner and an outer major surface 26′, 28′ and an edge 124′. As can be seen from FIG. 4A, the chin protector 10′ is attached to the inner major surface 26′ of the protective face shield 100′. The protective face shield 100′ also has a curved shape as illustrated in FIG. 4A, wherein the side portions of the protective face shield 100′ are bent rearwards, i. e. towards the chin protector 10′ such that the inner major surface 26′ of the protective face shield 100′ and the outer major surface 10B′ (i. e. the one facing towards the protective face shield 100′) of the chin protector 10′ are close to each other or are even in contact with each other. This enables the attachment means 12′, 14′, 16′ to better engage with the attachment portions 18′, 20′, 22′ of the chin protector 10′ and with the attachment portions 108′, 110′, 112′ of the protective face shield 100′. Although such an arrangement is preferred, other configurations, e. g. without curved portions of the protective face shield 100′, are conceivable. The chin protector 10′ and the protective face shield 100′ form the assembly 300′. The inner major surface 26′ of the protective face shield 100′ faces towards a wearer 500 (not shown here, see FIG. 12) of the assembly 300′. In use, the chin protector 10′ in its curved configuration surrounds the chin 510 of a wearer 500 (both not shown here, see FIG. 12). In the embodiment shown, the chin protector 10′ does not extend beyond the edge 124′ of the protective face shield 100′, which is indicated by a dotted line to illustrate where the edge 24′ of the chin protector 10′ is arranged (behind the protective face shield 100′).
[0060] FIG. 4B shows in a perspective front view the assembly 300′ as shown in FIG. 4A and as described above. In addition, FIG. 4B shows a protective helmet 200. The protective face shield 100′ and the assembly 300′, respectively, are attached to the protective helmet 200 by attachment means, for example through a pivotal attachment means of the protective helmet 200. Such an attachment means may—together with a lever—allow for a pivotal movement to lift the protective face shield 100′ and the chin protector 10′ connected therewith. The chin protector 10′ may, in addition to what is shown here, also be attached to the protective helmet 200 by attachment means 214, 216, 218 (not shown in FIG. 4B, see FIGS. 9A and 9B).
[0061] FIGS. 5A and 5B show the assembly 300′ as shown in FIGS. 4A and 5B in a rear perspective view, wherein FIG. 5A shows the assembly 300′ of a chin protector 10′ and a protective face shield 100′ (similarly to FIG. 1A or 4A), whereas FIG. 2B shows the assembly 300′ connected to a protective helmet 200 (similarly to FIG. 1B or 4B). As can be seen in FIG. 5A, the chin protector 10′ is attached in its curved configuration to the protective face shield 100′ through the separate attachment means 12′, 14′, 16′. The attachment means 12′, 14′, 16′ engage with a portion 18′, 20′, 22′ (only 18′ is indicated here) of the chin protector 10′ on the one hand and on the other hand engage with a portion 108′, 110′, 112′. Details of the attachment means 12″, 14″, 16″ are shown in FIG. 8. In the embodiment shown, the protective face shield 100′ also comprises curved portions, which are bent towards the chin protector 10′ such that the inner major surface 26′, i. e. the major surface facing—in use—towards a wearer 500 (not shown here) of the assembly 300′, and the outer major surface 10B′ (i. e. the one facing towards the protective face shield 100′) of the chin protector 10′ are close to each other or are even in contact with each other. In use, the chin protector 10′ in its curved configuration surrounds the chin 510 of a wearer 500 (both not shown here, see FIG. 12). As outlined above under FIGS. 4A, 4B, the curved portions facilitate a better engagement by the attachment means 12′, 14′, 16′ between the chin protector 10′ and the protective face shield 100′. The chin protector 10′ is maintained in its curved configuration because of the attachment to the protective face shield 100′ through the attachment means 12′, 14′, 16′ of the chin protector 10′. The inner major surface 10A′ of the chin protector 10′ faces in this curved configuration—in use—towards the face, in particular the chin, of a wearer (not shown here). As shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, the chin protector 10′ in its curved configuration does not extend beyond the protective face shield 100′ so that either the chin protector 10′ is in contact with its edge 24′ with the inner major surface 26′ of the protective face shield 100′ or a small gap only is provided between the edge 24′ of the chin protector 10′ and the inner major surface 26′ of the protective face shield 100′. Although such an arrangement is preferred, other configurations, e. g. with a rather large gap between the edge 24′ of the chin protector 10′ and the inner major surface 26′ of the protective face shield 100′, or where the chin protector 10′ extends in its curved configuration beyond the edge 124′ of the protective face shield 124′, are conceivable.
[0062] FIG. 5B shows—similarly to FIG. 4B—the assembly 300′ being attached to a protective helmet 200. As mentioned above for FIG. 4B, attachment means, e. g. pivotal attachment means, are present to attach the assembly 300′, in particular the protective face shield 100′, to the protective helmet 200 such that lifting of the protective face shield 100′ and the assembly 300′, respectively, is allowed. As mentioned above for FIG. 4B, the chin protector 10′ may, in addition to what is shown here, also be attached to the protective helmet 200 by attachment means 214, 216, 218 (not shown in FIG. 5B, see FIGS. 9A and 9B).
[0063] FIG. 6 shows in a top view the chin protector 10″ according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The chin protector 10″ exhibits a generally planar configuration when not in use, i. e. prior to or after use. The chin protector 10″ comprises an inner and an outer major surface 10A″, 10B″ (only one of which, i. e. the inner major surface 10A″ is visible here) and an edge 24′. The chin protector 10″ further comprises two opposite ends 10″D, 10″E and a main portion 10″C, from which attachment means 12″, 14″, 16″ protrude generally planarly, i. e. being generally in the same plane as the main portion 10C″ of the chin protector 10″. In the embodiment shown, the chin protector 10″ comprises three attachment means 12″, 14″, 16″, two of which are located towards the ends 10D″, 10E″ of the chin protector 10″ and one of which is located in the middle. Details of the attachment means 12″, 14″, 16″ are shown in and described under FIG. 7.
[0064] FIG. 7 shows in a partial cut away schematic top view the attachment means 12″, 14″, 16″ of one embodiment according to the present disclosure (only attachment means 12″ is exemplarily shown, the similarly constructed attachment means 14″, 16″ are omitted). Here, the attachment means 12″ is part of the chin protector 10″, i. e. these may be integrally formed with and are fixedly attached to the chin protector 10″. On one end, opposite to where the attachment means 12″ is connected to the chin protector 10″, the attachment means 12″ comprises protrusions or engagement portions 12a″, 12b″ which are engageable with a portion 108″ of the protective face shield 100″ (both not shown here). In the embodiment shown, the protrusions or engagement portions 12a″, 12b″ may clamp the portion 108″ of the protective face shield 100′ (not shown here) therebetween. The same constructional details are present for attachment means 14″ and 16″.
[0065] FIG. 8 shows in a schematic top view the attachment means 12′ of a different embodiment according to the present disclosure (only attachment means 12′ is exemplarily shown, the similarly constructed attachment means 14′, 16′ are omitted). The attachment means 12′ comprises—similar to the attachment means 12″ as shown in FIG. 7—the protrusions or engagement portions 12a′, 12b′ for engagement with a portion 108′ of the protective face shield 100′ (both not shown here). Different to the attachment means 12″ of FIG. 7, the attachment means 12′ as shown here further comprises protrusions or engagement portions 112a′, 112b′ for engagement with a portion 108′ of the chin protector 10′ (both not shown here). Consequently, the attachment means 12′ is not part of the chin protector 10′, but is a separate part attachable with the chin protector 10′ and engageable with a portion 18′ of the chin protector 10′, respectively. Such an arrangement provides for more freedom of attachment between the chin protector 10′ and the protective face shield 100′ compared to attachment means which are connected to the chin protector. In the embodiment shown, the protrusions 12a′, 12b′ on the one hand are configured to engage with, preferably to clamp, a portion 108′ of the protective face shield 100′, whereas the protrusions or engagement portions 112a′, 112b′, on the other hand are configured to engage with, preferably to clamp, a portion 18′ of the chin protector 10′. The same constructional details are present for attachment means 14′ and 16′.
[0066] FIGS. 9A and 9B show in a perspective rear view an assembly 400 of a chin protector 10 attached to a protective helmet 200, i. e. the chin protector 10 and the protective helmet 200 form the assembly 400. Similar to the embodiments of the chin protector 10 as described above, the chin protector 10 is in a curved configuration. The chin protector 10 is attached to the protective helmet 200 by the attachment means 202, which engages with a portion 18 of the chin protector 10 on the one hand and which engages with a portion 218 of the protective helmet 200 on the other hand. The chin protector 10 is maintained in its curved configuration thereby. In such a configuration, i. e. in use, the chin protector 10 surrounds the chin 510 of a wearer 500 (both not shown here, see FIG. 12). The assembly 400 may further comprise a protective face shield 100, wherein the chin protector 10 of the assembly 400 may also be attached to the protective face shield 100 in addition to being attached to the protective helmet 200. Alternatively, the chin protector 10 may not be attached to a protective face shield 100 present in such an assembly. As outlined above, the protective face shield 100 has an inner major surface 26 which faces—in use—towards the face 520 of a wearer 500 (both not shown here) and an outer major surface 28 facing—in use—away from the wearer's face 520. The protective face shield 100 as shown here also comprises curved portions being bent towards the chin protector 10, e. g. for achieving a better engagement between these as described above. The protective face shield 100 further comprises an edge 124. The chin protector 10 comprises an inner major surface 10A, which face—in use—towards the chin 510 and/or face 520 of a wearer 500 (not shown here, see FIG. 12), as well as an outer major surface 10B facing—in use—away from a wearer's chin 510 and/or face 520. The chin protector 10 also comprises an edge 24. In the embodiment shown, the chin protector 10 in its curved configuration does not extend beyond the edge 124 of the protective face shield 100. Other configurations, e. g. that the chin protector 10 ins its curved configuration extends beyond the edge 124 of the protective face shield, are conceivable. The chin protector 10 may be arranged such that the edge 24 of the chin protector 10 abuts on the inner major surface 26 of the protective face shield 100 as least partially along the edge 24 facing towards the inner major surface 26 of the protective face shield 100. It is also conceivable that the chin protector 10 is arranged such that a gap is provided between the edge 24 of the chin protector 10 and the inner major surface 26 of the protective face shield 100 at least partially along the edge 24 facing towards the inner major surface 26 of the protective face shield 100. Such arrangements, i. e. with abutment or with a gap, are illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 below. In the embodiment shown, the protective face shield 100 also comprises a curved portion, which is bent towards the chin protector 10 such that the inner major surface 26, i. e. the major surface facing—in use—towards a wearer (not shown here) of the assembly 300, of the protective face shield 100 and the outer major surface 10B (i. e. the one facing towards the protective face shield 100) of the chin protector 10 are close to each other or are even in contact with each other.
[0067] FIGS. 10 and 11 show in a schematic partial side view details of the chin protector 10 and the protective face shield 100 when in use, i. e. when the chin protector 10 is attached to the protective face shield 100. In FIG. 10, the chin protector 10 abuts on its edge 24 with the inner major surface 26 of the protective face shield 100. The abutment is indicated with an abutment line 10G. The abutment may be only partial, i. e. not the entire portion of the edge 24 facing the inner major surface 26 of the protective face shield 100 of the chin protector 10 abuts on the inner major surface 26 of the protective face shield 100, or entirely, i.e the edge 24 of the chin protector 10 abuts on the inner major surface 26 of the protective face shield 100 over the entire portion facing towards the inner major surface 26 of the protective face shield 100. In contrast thereto, FIG. 11 shows a gap between the edge 24 of the chin protector 10 and the inner major surface 26 of the protective face shield 100. The gap is indicated with reference numeral 10H. The gap 10H may be only partial, i.e. not the entire portion of the edge 24 of the chin protector 10 facing the inner major surface 26 of the protective face shield 100 exhibits a gap to the inner major surface 26 of the protective face shield 100, or entirely, i. e. the edge 24 of the chin protector 10 exhibits a gap to the inner major surface 26 of the protective face shield 100 over the entire portion of the edge 24 facing towards the inner major surface 26 of the protective face shield 100.
[0068] Although such arrangements are shown and described for the chin protector 10 and the protective face shield 100, respectively, it is also conceivable to have an abutment or a gap arranged for the embodiments of the chin protector 10′, 10″ and the protective face shield 100′, respectively, of other embodiments according to the present disclosure.
[0069] FIG. 12 shows in a perspective rear view the assembly 300 of the chin protector 10 and the protective face shield 100. The assembly 300 as shown here is attached to a protective helmet 200, e. g. by pivotal attachment means as shown and described above. FIG. 12 illustrates a wearer 500 of the assembly 300 and the protective helmet 200, respectively. The inner surface 26 of the protective face shield 100 faces towards the face 520 and the chin 510, respectively, of the wearer 500 and the inner major surface 10A of the chin protector 10 faces towards the chin 510 and the face 520, respectively, of the wearer 500. Consequently, when worn, the chin protector 10 of the assembly 300 surrounds the chin 510 of the wearer 500 thereby providing protection of the wearer's chin 510 and face 520 from ingress of dust, dirt, droplets or other moving objects or particles, in particular from a direction coming from below. FIG. 12 exemplarily illustrates the chin protector 10, the protective face shield 100 and the assembly 300. It is clear to the skilled person, that the arrangements and configurations illustrated here would also hold true for the chin protector 10′, 10″, the protective face shield 100′ and the assembly 300′ of other embodiments according to the present disclosure.
