AU2002100143B4 - Face shade - Google Patents

Description

FACE SHADE TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to face shielding devices.

BACKGROUND ART It is generally acknowledged that every effort should be made by persons to protect their skin from the sun whilst outdoors.

The face area is particularly vulnerable and the value of hats for shielding the forehead and eyes and in some instances neck regions.

A number of patents have issued for headwear which provides enhanced protection for the face region.

United States Patents nos. 4,726,074, 4,291,417, 5,544,361 and 5,924,129 are examples of prior art devices which are designed to provide more extensive UV protection for wearers than the more common forms of hats.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a face-shielding device which provides enhanced protection from UV radiation.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a face shield comprising shielding means supported with respect to a headband said shielding means comprising a plurality of C-shaped frames pivotably supported to opposite positions on the headband and a continuous canopy which is supported by the C-shaped frames in a manner which unites the frames the arrangement and construction being such that shielding means is adjustable from a first position to provide shielding to the upper regions of a wearers face to a second position which covers the wearers face entirely and intermediate positions between the first and second positions to provide variable degrees of shading to a users face.

In a preferred aspect of the invention the first, second and third Cshaped frames are pivoted with respect to the headband and a fourth Cshaped frame is pivotably supported with respect to opposite points on the third C-shaped frame.

Preferably, the canopy is constructed from overlaid sections of a shielding material having upper, intermediate and lower hems, the upper hem entrapping the first C-shaped frame, the lower hem entrapping the third Cshaped frame whilst the second C-shaped frame is able to float between the overlaid sheets between the upper and middle hems.

The first, second and third C-shaped frames preferably progressively enlarge, that is, the third c-shaped frame is larger than the second C-shaped frame, which is, in turn larger than the first C-shaped frame.

Preferably, the pivot mountings between the ends of the C-shaped frames are provided with a gear locking mechanism.

The positioning of the first hem of the canopy which entraps the first Cshaped frame preferably ensures that the first C-shaped frame extends forwardly of the headband so that at all times the canopy is spaced from the face of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.

Aspects of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which; Figure 1 shows a side view of the invention with the shielding means a first position providing shielding to the upper regions of the wearer's face.

Figure 2 shows a top view of the invention showing the incorporated headband, and Figure 3 shows the invention in use with the shielding means deployed in the first position and the position and orientation on a users head, and Figure 3a shows the invention in use and the shielding means deployed in an intermediate position, and Figure 3b shows the invention in use and the shielding means deployed in the second position, and Figure 4 shows the invention without the canopy, and Figure 4b shows a detailed view of the pivot mountings for the frames, Figure 4c shows a detailed view of the preferred aspect of the pivot mountings provided with a gear locking mechanism.

With respect to the drawings the present invention provides a face shield generally indicated by arrow 1 comprising shielding means 2 supported with respect to a headband 3 said shielding means comprising a plurality of Cshaped frames 4 pivotably supported to opposite positions on the headband and a canopy 5 which is supported by the C-shaped frames in a manner which unites the frames, the arrangement and construction being such that shielding means is adjustable from a first position to provide shielding to the upper regions of a wearers face to a second position which covers the wearers face entirely and intermediate positions between the first and second positions to provide variable degrees of shading to a users face.

The headband 3 is size adjustable in order to cater for different head sizes. Many methods of size adjustment are known and any of these will suffice.

The headband illustrated is a flat band type member. The band has an inner and an outer surface.

The headband is usually made of a soft but strong material such as plastic. It may also be covered with a cushioning fabric so as to be more comfortable for the user during prolonged periods of wear.

The first, second and third C-shaped frames 4a, 4b and 4c are pivotable with respect to the headband and a fourth C-shaped frame 4d is pivotably supported with respect to opposite points on the third C-shaped frame 4c.

The first, second and third C-shaped frames 4a, 4b, 4c are all pivotable from the same pivot on the headband 3. This pivot is attached to the sides of the headband and generally does not protrude too much on the inner side of the headband as this may cause the user discomfort.

The canopy 5 is constructed from overlaid sections of a shielding material having hems entrapping the C-shaped frames 4a, 4b, 4c, and 4d.

The shielding material is generally a substantially UV impenetrable fabric.

This fabric may be of any thickness and printed with any pattemrn or lack thereof.

The fabric is also slightly stretchable in every direction.

The first, second, third and fourth C-shaped frames 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d progressively enlarge, that is, the third C-shaped frame is larger than the second C-shaped frame, which is, in turn larger than the first C-shaped frame.

The first hem of the canopy which entraps the first C-shaped frame 4a ensures that the first C-shaped frame extends forwardly of the headband 3 so that at all times the canopy is spaced from the face of the user.

The frames are manufactured from a light but strong material such as a light metal or engineering plastic.

Figures 3 to 3a of the drawings illustrate various modes of use of the face shield of the present invention.

In figure 3 of the shielding means 2 is in a raised position and provides protection similar to that offered by a baseball cap.

In figure 3a the shielding means has been lowered to provide frontal blocking to most of the face. In this position the wearer may be in a static position such as when reading.

In figure 3b of the drawings the shielding means is fully extended and covers all of a wearer's face and the upper neck region when sunbathing.

Figures 4 to 4b of the drawings show the headband 3 of the invention and the manner in which the C-shaped frames 4a to 4d relate to the headband and to each other.

A pivotal connection generally indicated by arrow 6 between the headband 3 and the ends of the C-shaped frames 4a, 4b and 4d is also illustrated.

The connection is secured by complementary pins 7 and 8.

The ends of the C-shaped frames a provided with a gear tooth aperture 9 and a through stud 10 has a complementary gear tooth periphery thus when the positions of the C-shaped frames are altered they are subject to a ratchet type braking affect.

It is considered that the present invention provides a useful and beneficial headgear for a variety of purposes as described, whereas previous headgear items for similar purposes which provide similar protection are complex and wither totally mask the wearers head or face or require attachments to other head or eyewear.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example only and it will be appreciated that modifications and additions thereto may be made without departing from the scope thereof, as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (4)

1. A face shield comprising shielding means supported with respect to a headband said shielding means comprising a plurality of C-shaped frames pivotably supported to opposite positions on the headband and a continuous canopy which is supported by the C-shaped frames and constructed from overlaid sections of a shielding material having hems, entrapping the C- shaped frames in a manner which unites the frames the arrangement and construction being such that shielding means is adjustable from a first position to provide shielding to the upper regions of a wearers face to a second io position which covers the wearers face entirely and intermediate positions between the first and second positions to provide variable degrees of shading to a users face.

2. A face shield as claimed in claim 1 wherein a first, second and fourth C-shaped frames are pivoted with respect to the headband and a third C- shaped frame is pivotably supported with respect to the opposite points of the fourth C-shaped frame.

3. A face shield as claimed in claim 1 wherein the C-shaped frames progressively enlarge.

4. A face shield as claimed in claim 1 wherein pivot mountings between the ends of the C-shaped frames are provided with a gear locking mechanism. A face shield as claimed in claim 1 wherein the positioning of the hem which entraps the first C-shaped frame ensures that the canopy extends forwardly of the headband so that at all times when the shield is being worn it is spaced from the face of the user. DATED this 18 t day of September 2002 CHRISTINE ROBIN MANNING By her Patent Attorneys CULLEN CO.