Abstract
A protective face shield system is provided having a shield mount configured for engagement to one or a plurality of face shields. The mount has at least one pathway formed thereon for engagement of a support arm having opposing supports for positioning on the ears of a user during use. The face shield is customizable for comfort by the user through the engagement of different face shields and support arms.
Claims
1. A protective face shield, comprising: a shield mount having an upper surface opposite a lower surface; a face shield, said face shield attachable to a removable engagement with said shield mount; a support arm component having a central member portion and having each of a respective pair of support arms extending from one end of said central member portion; a first pathway positioned on said lower surface of said shield mount; and said central member removably engageable in said first pathway to a mounted position wherein said pair of support arms extend from said shield mount and can be positioned on opposite sides of the face of a user.
2. The protective face shield of claim 1, additionally comprising: a second pathway formed on said lower surface of said shield mount; and said central member removably engageable in either of said first pathway or said second pathway.
3. The protective face shield of claim 1 wherein said removable engagement of said face shield with said shield mount is formed by a plurality of first fasteners positioned on said shield mount which are removably engageable with a plurality of mounting connectors on said face shield.
4. The protective face shield of claim 2 wherein said removable engagement of said face shield with said shield mount is formed by a plurality of first fasteners positioned on said shield mount which are removably engageable with a plurality of mounting connectors on said face shield.
5. The protective face shield of claim 1, additionally comprising: a first plurality of clips positioned to overhang said first pathway, said first plurality of clips for holding said central member in a removable engagement in said first pathway.
6. The protective face shield of claim 2, additionally comprising: a first plurality of clips positioned to overhang said first pathway, said first plurality of clips for holding said central member in a removable engagement in said first pathway.
7. The protective face shield of claim 2, additionally comprising: a first plurality of clips positioned to overhang said first pathway, said first plurality of clips for holding said central member in a removable engagement in said first pathway; and a second plurality of clips positioned to overhang said second pathway, said second plurality of clips for holding said central member in a removable engagement in said second pathway.
8. The protective face shield of claim 3, additionally comprising: a first plurality of clips positioned to overhang said first pathway, said first plurality of clips for holding said central member in a removable engagement in said first pathway.
9. The protective face shield of claim 4, additionally comprising: a first plurality of clips positioned to overhang said first pathway, said first plurality of clips for holding said central member in a removable engagement in said first pathway.
10. The protective face shield of claim 4, additionally comprising: a first plurality of clips positioned to overhang said first pathway, said first plurality of clips for holding said central member in a removable engagement in said first pathway; and a second plurality of clips positioned to overhang said second pathway, said second plurality of clips for holding said central member in a removable engagement in said second pathway.
11. The protective face shield of claim 1, additionally comprising: a nose bridge for supporting said shield mount on the nose of a user, said nose bridge engageable with a bridge connector positioned upon said shield mount.
12. The protective face shield of claim 2, additionally comprising: a nose bridge for supporting said shield mount on the nose of a user, said nose bridge engageable with a bridge connector positioned upon said shield mount.
13. The protective face shield of claim 3, additionally comprising: a nose bridge for supporting said shield mount on the nose of a user, said nose bridge engageable with a bridge connector positioned upon said shield mount.
14. The protective face shield of claim 4, additionally comprising: a nose bridge for supporting said shield mount on the nose of a user, said nose bridge engageable with a bridge connector positioned upon said shield mount.
15. The protective face shield of claim 5, additionally comprising: a nose bridge for supporting said shield mount on the nose of a user, said nose bridge engageable with a bridge connector positioned upon said shield mount.
16. The protective face shield of claim 9, additionally comprising: a nose bridge for supporting said shield mount on the nose of a user, said nose bridge engageable with a bridge connector positioned upon said shield mount.
17. The protective face shield of claim 10, additionally comprising: a nose bridge for supporting said shield mount on the nose of a user, said nose bridge engageable with a bridge connector positioned upon said shield mount.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES
[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some but not the only or exclusive examples of embodiments and/or features of the disclosed user assembleable face shield device. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative of the invention herein, rather than limiting in any fashion.
In the drawings:
[0019] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an assembled protective face shield device of the system disclosed herein showing a substantially transparent face shield removably engaged to a planar shield mount having extending support arms also engaged therewith.
[0020] FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of the device herein as in FIG. 1 and other figures herein showing the shield being engageable on the shield mount.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows an overhead perspective view of the face shield device herein showing a transparent shield portion removably connected to a shield mount and showing removable support arms extending from the opposite side of the shield mount from the shield.
[0022] FIG. 4 depicts a view of the assembled device of FIG. 3 showing the removably engageable bridge portion engaged within a bridge mount and the support arms removably engaged in a central mount on the lower surface of the shield mount.
[0023] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the upper surface of the planar shield mount which removably engages with any shield having connectors which removably engage with mounts on a curving edge of the shield mount.
[0024] FIG. 6 depicts the shield mount of FIG. 5 from a perspective view of the lower surface of the shield mount showing the bridge support engaged to the bridge mount and the support arms engaged to a central member with a single pathway forming a support arm mount.
[0025] FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the components and shield mount of FIGS. 5-6 from a bottom perspective view showing the removable support arms being engageable in a single pathway formed for such.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a bottom view of a shield mount of the system herein which has a single pathway into which a central member to which the pair of support arms engages.
[0027] FIG. 9 shows a bottom view of a shield mount similar to that of FIGS. 8 and 10 and shows another set of support arms having a central member which will removably engage in the pathway on the shield mount.
[0028] FIG. 10 depicts another view of the lower surface of a single pathway shield mount also showing another configuration of support arms engaged at a central portion or member thereof to the shield mount.
[0029] FIG. 11 depicts a kit of the currently preferred removably engageable support arm components each having a central member portion thereof which is configured to engage with one pathway on a shield mount and each having a pair of support arms extending from opposite ends of the central member.
[0030] FIG. 12 depicts a top front overhead view of a shield mount engaged with a support arm component and ready for engagement of a shield thereon.
[0031] FIG. 13 depicts the device as in FIG. 12 showing the shield operatively engaged.
[0032] FIG. 14 depicts another overhead frontal view of a shield mount which can include one or multiple pathways thereon for engagement of the central member portion engaged with the support arms.
[0033] FIG. 15 depicts a lower surface of a shield mount showing the two different mounting pathways for engagement of the central member portions of a chosen support arm configuration therein.
[0034] FIG. 16 depicts the shield mount of FIG. 15 showing a support arm component having the central member portion engaged in a second pathway formed to engage it.
[0035] FIG. 17 shows the shield mount of FIG. 16 with a central member for support arms engaged in the first pathway and showing that any of the central members engaged with support arms from the kit of, for example, FIG. 11, are engageable in either pathway formed on the shield mount.
[0036] FIG. 18 shows the shield mount of FIG. 16 with a different support arm component from the kit thereof wherein the central member thereof is engaged in the first pathway on the shield mount.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0037] In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only and such are not intended to be limiting or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.
[0038] Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-18, wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1 a perspective view of an assembled face shield device 10 of the system disclosed herein. As shown, the device 10 is assembled with a shield mount 12 which is configured for removable engagement of the face shield 14, the nose bridge 16, and the support arms 18, thus allowing the user to assemble the device 10 to their particular need or facial structure.
[0039] While not depicted, each of the components which removably engage to the shield mount 12 can be a member of a kit of such components with differing structural and operational configurations. For example, the shield 14 can be provided in a kit having larger and smaller shields and having tinted or other wrap around shapes to the shields 14. Preferably, in all modes of the device herein, the shield 14 is configured, when operatively engaged and hanging from the shield mount 12, to be long enough and wide enough to cover the eyes, nose, and mouth of the user or wearer. This is preferred to provide the maximum protection from contaminants reaching and infecting the user.
[0040] Each such shield 14 is removably engageable to an operative position on an exterior circumferential edge of a shield mount 12. Currently, operative engagement is provided by connectors on the shield mount 12 which are positioned and configured to removably engage a shield 14 in the operative mount thereof. As shown, each shield 14 may have mounting connectors 20 (FIG. 2) operatively positioned at an upper end thereof, to removably engage with first fasteners 22 and thereby operatively engage the shield 14 at or adjacent the upper end to extend therefrom to cover the eyes, nose, mouth, and face of the user wearing it. Thus, any user chosen shield 14, from a kit thereof, can be operatively engaged to the shield mount 12, such as by using positioned shield mounting connectors 20 to removably engage with the first fasteners 22 on the shield mount 12. When so operatively engaged, the shield 14 will form a curve substantially parallel to the curved exterior circumferential edge of the shield mount 12 and thereby wraps around to both sides of the face of the user to cover the eyes, nose, and mouth of the user.
[0041] This removable engagement of the shield 14 also allows the user to keep the shield mount 12 with bridge 16 and chosen support arms 18 engaged and just replace the shield 14. This allows for the saving of most of the components and much less waste from conventional shield devices, which are thrown away.
[0042] In the same fashion, the nose bridge 16 can be from a kit or plurality of available nose bridges 16 each of which has a bridge connector 24 at a first end which will removably connect with a bridge mount 26 positioned on the shield mount 12 (FIG. 7).
[0043] The device 10 also, as noted, includes support arms 18 which extend from an engagement to the shield mount 12 toward the ears of the user. While the support arms 18 can be permanently attached to the shield mount 12, such as with mechanical or living hinges, it is preferred for the ability of users to customize to their facial structure, in the device 10 herein, that the support arms 18 are also removably engageable with the shield mount 12 and device 10. Such will allow for support arm components 19 having support arms 18 of different lengths and shapes and configurations and an inward bias to be provided in a kit or plurality of support arms 18, all of which can be removably engaged to a shield mount 12 by the user.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 6-7 and 8-11, the support arm component 19 currently preferred is formed of two support arms 18 which extend from the central member 28. This central member 28 is removably engageable in a first pathway defined by a first recess 30 positioned upon the shield mount 12. The user simply chooses a support arm component 19 having the desired shape, length, and configuration of the extending two projecting support arms 18, such as any from a kit such as is shown in FIG. 11 and engages it to the shield mount 12. In the case of a shield mount 12 having a single pathway defined by a single or first recess 30, this engagement is accomplished by sliding the central member 28 in between the plurality of projections 33 defining the first pathway 32 therebetween and into the first pathway 32 formed by the first recess 30.
[0045] A frictional engagement is formed with the central member 28 of the support arm component 19 when placed in-between the plurality of projections 33 defining the first pathway 32 therebetween, to hold it in place. This is provided by forming the first pathway 32 and second pathway as noted herein, with a width between opposing sides thereof, equal to or preferably slightly less than the width of the central member 28 portion of the support arm component 19.
[0046] A series of projections 33 extending from the shield mount 12 preferably form each pathway therebetween, to form the frictional engagement. Also, preferably at least one clip 35 extends from a distal end of one of the projections 33 and overhangs the formed pathway. The clip 35 increases the securement of the connection to hold the central member 38 in the chosen pathway on the shield mount 12. A beveled top edge on such clips 35 will cause it to deflect and allow insertion of the central member 28 portion of the support arm component 19, whereafter it will spring back and overhang one side of the inserted central member 28 portion.
[0047] As shown, for example, in FIGS. 6-7, in one preferred support arm component 19 it provides for an inward bias and angle of both projecting support arms 18 toward each other. When the user positions the two support arms 18 on the opposing sides of their head and over their ears, a biased engagement with the head of the user is achieved. This biased engagement or contact helps hold the device 10 properly mounted on the head during a tilting or quick movement of the head.
[0048] In FIG. 8 is shown an overhead view of the lower or bottom view of the shield mount 12 of the system herein. In this mode, there is provided a single recess 30 or first pathway 32 into which the central member 28 portion of the support component 19 engages. A pair of projecting support arms 18 extend from opposing ends of the central member 28 portion of the support arm component 19. Also shown are the preferred overhanging clips 35 extending from the projections 33 and into the first pathway 32 whereby they will overhang the surface of the central member 28 portion of the support arm component 19 when inserted into the first pathway 32. A beveled edge of the clips 35 works well to help deflect the attached projection 33 momentarily to allow insertion of the central member 28 portion of the support arm component 19 therein.
[0049] Shown in FIGS. 9-10 are similar views of the lower side of the shield mount 12 configured with a single or first pathway 32 positioned between a plurality of projections 33 extending on opposite sides thereof. Also shown are the preferred clips 35 positioned at the distal ends of at least some of the projections 33 which overhang the first pathway 32. The projections 33 having clips 35, as noted, will deflect slightly to allow insertion of the central portion 28 of the support arm component 19 therein and will snap back to overhang the central potion 28, once inserted. FIGS. 8-10 all show different configurations of the support arm component 19, such as those from the kit shown in FIG. 11. Such allows the user to choose the support arm component 19 best suited to their comfort and head and to engage it to the shield mount 12.
[0050] As noted, the support arm components 19 can be provided in a kit such as is shown in FIG. 11 wherein a plurality of such support arm components is provided. While the three configurations of the support arm components 19, shown in FIG. 11, are currently preferred as they were shown in experimentation to hold the device comfortably on a user. However, the depictions in FIG. 11 should not be considered limiting, and a kit of such support arm components can have many more members therein. All of the support arm components 19 have a central member 28 portion configured for engagement in either the first pathway 32 or a second pathway as shown in FIGS. 14-18. Such allows the user to choose any support arm component 19 and then engage such into the first or second pathway, as the case may be, using the central member 28 portion thereof which is configured with a curve, length, and thickness for a removable engagement in either pathway.
[0051] Shown in FIGS. 12-17 are a mode of the device 10 herein offering additional assembly options through the provision of the first pathway 32 adjacent a second pathway 40 for engagement of any of the support arm components 19 therein. The central member 28 portion of such support arm components is configured for a frictional engagement in the pathway of choice by the user. Each such pathway is formed in between projections 33 extending from the shield mount 12 on opposing sides thereof. While a frictional engagement between such projections 33 will hold the shield mount 12 to the support arm component 19, the provision of clips 35 extending from some of the projections 33 which overhang the first pathway 32 and second pathway 40 provide a more secure engagement with the inserted central member 28 portion, as noted above.
[0052] FIG. 13 depicts the device 10 herein with the shield mount 12 having the first pathway 32 and second pathway 40, one of which is engaged to the support arm component 19 chosen. Also shown is the face shield 14 in operative engagement to the shield mount 12 by the connection of the mounting connectors 20 on the shield 14 to the first fasteners 22 on the shield mount 12.
[0053] Shown in FIG. 14 is an overhead perspective view of the mode of the device 10 herein having both a first pathway 32 and a second pathway 40 for the engagement of any of the support arm components available. The lower side of the shield mount 12 of FIG. 14 is shown in FIGS. 15-16. As can be seen, a first pathway 32 is formed in between the plurality of projections 33 on both sides thereof, and a second pathway 40 is formed by the plurality of projections 33 on both sides thereof. While either of the first pathway or second pathway could be formed by elongated projections on both sides thereof, such as two elongated projections, it has been found in experimentation that a stronger frictional engagement is formed using the plurality of projections 33 with gaps therebetween.
[0054] Also shown, such as in FIGS. 15-16, are the clips 35 which may extend horizontally and run traverse to the direction of some of the projections 33 from which they project and overhang. The clips 35 and projections 33 are preferred as they overhang and hold the central member 28 portion of the temple or support arm component 19 secure when inserted within one of the two pathways. Because the clips 35 overhang the first and second pathway, when positioned adjacent thereto, they allow for support arm components 19 of varying widths to be engaged and still retained. Also shown is a central projection 37 which is positioned on an opposite side of the pathway which also has an overhanging clip 35. This central projection 37 with clip 35 has been found to enhance the engagement of a support arm component 19 when positioned in the first pathway 32 and prevents a dismount therefrom by upward force on the shield mount 12.
[0055] Additionally shown in FIG. 15 and FIGS. 16-17 are posts 41 which project from opposing positions on opposite sides of the lower surface of the shield mount 12. When a user employs a narrow support arm component 19, which has a narrow central portion 28, the opposing posts 41 provide a guide for positioning such in an operative engagement to the shield mount 12.
[0056] Another preferred structural component, engaged with the shield mount 12, shown in FIG. 15 and FIGS. 16-18, is two opposing outer post mounts 43. Currently preferred is an “L” shape for such post mounts 43. The post mounts 43 form a stop or fulcrum for the flexible support arms 18 when the user is sliding the device 10 onto their head when the support arms 43 are on opposing ends of a wider central portion 28, such as shown in FIG. 16.
[0057] Straddling one side of the first pathway 32, as shown in FIGS. 15-18, are a pair of curving members 45 which extend on opposite sides from a center area of the shield mount 12 toward the two sides thereof. Each curving member 45 has a plurality of protrusions 47 extending therefrom toward and into the first pathway 32. These curving members 45, with protrusions 47, are preferred in modes of the device 10 which have a wider first pathway 32 to accommodate more types and configurations of the support arm components 19 where two support arms 18 project from opposite ends of a central portion 28 thereof. Where a narrower central portion 28 is positioned in the first pathway 32, the protrusions 47 will contact against it and hold it aligned in the first pathway 32.
[0058] As can be discerned from FIG. 16, as noted herein, each of the support arm components 19, such as shown in FIG. 11, includes the central member 28 portion which is configured for engagement within either the first pathway 32 or second pathway 40 by the user in customizing their device 10.
[0059] FIGS. 17-18 show the device 10, as noted, as having two pathways for engagement of the central member 28 portion within either thereof. As can be seen from FIGS. 16-18 any of the members of the kit of support arm components 19, such as shown in FIG. 11, can be removably engaged in either the first pathway 32 or second pathway 40 formed on the shield mount 12. Thus, the user may choose the most comfortable of the support arm components 19 from the kit thereof and can engage it in the first pathway 32 or second pathway 40. Engagement in the first pathway 32 will position the face shield 14, connected to the exterior circumference of the shield mount 12, slightly further from the face of the user then engagement within the second pathway 40. This allows the user to choose the positioning of the face shield 14 for their face which works best, such as where the user wears eyeglasses and needs more space from their face to the face shield 14.
[0060] It should be noted that any of the different depicted and described configurations and engageable components of the disclosed face shield system herein can be employed with any other configuration or kit component shown and described as part of the device herein. Additionally, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof and/or steps in use, a latitude of modifications, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure, and it will be appreciated that in some instance some features, or configurations, of the face shield invention could be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. All such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims.
[0061] Further, the purpose of any abstract of this specification is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. Any such abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to the scope of the invention in any way.
