AU2021106810A4

AU2021106810A4 - Transparent Face Protector And Interchangeable Mount Device

Info

Publication number: AU2021106810A4
Application number: AU2021106810A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Shane Sarlin
Original assignee: Buzzworks Think Tank Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Buzzworks Think Tank Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-24
Filing date: 2021-08-24
Publication date: 2021-11-18
Anticipated expiration: 2029-08-24

Abstract

A transparent face protector assembly having a transparent protective mask covering the lower half or lower three quarters of the face, two arms that feature a swivel, pivot or hinge and one or more clips to adjust or temporarily adjust the position of the face protector or to open and close the face protector from either the left or the right side, and interchangeable mount devices that attach to the end of the arms to enable secure fitment to helmet ancillary attachment rails and systems. The face protector is attached with interchangeable mount devices that attach to the end of the arms to enable secure fitment to helmet ancillary attachment rails using ARC@ or Picatinny@ rail systems. 8 I UI U 10 100 Fig. 1

Description

I UI U

100

Fig. 1

TRANSPARENTFACEPROTECTORAND INTERCHANGEABLE MOUNT DEVICE

Background In military or other situations involving extreme danger, where there might be an elevated risk of projectiles hitting the face causing life changing facial disfigurement, it is desirable to have a face shield to protect the wearer of the helmet. Often times, the face shield adds considerable heat, weight or other discomfort to the wearer. In many situations, the wearer needs to be acutely aware of their surroundings, so visibility is important, even peripheral vision. What is needed is a transparent face protector which provides visibility at least from the wearer's perspective, yet is durable and strong enough to resist impacts that might be encountered in the field.

Brief Description of the Fiqures

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a face protector mounted to a helmet.

Fig. 2 shows a front view of a face protector.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the face protector of Fig. 2, showing anthropomorphic eye movement ranges allowed by the face protector.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the face protector of Fig. 2, showing the swivel movement allowed by the face protector.

Fig. 5 is a front view of the face protector of Fig. 2, showing the opening movement allowed by the face protector.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a face protector 100 mounted to a helmet 10.

Fig. 2 shows a face protector 100, with a lower face covering portion 102 and near vertical attachment arms 104.

Face protector 100 covers the lower portion of the face incorporating the mouth and nose of the wearer of the wearer to provide a level of impact protection to the face.

The level of impact protection may include laser protection, ballistic protection and/or other inherent protective properties.

Near, approximate vertical attachment arms 104 and near, approximate horizontal attachment arms are made of a heat resistant plastic or hybrid material, such as a carbon fibre impregnated material, to optimise strength while remaining lightweight.

One near vertical attachment arm 104 and one near horizontal attachment arm may be on each side of the face protector 100.

Near vertical attachment arms 104 and near horizontal attachment arms are configured to engage with corresponding attachment rails 106 on a helmet.

Face protector 100 may affix securely to any helmet fitted with standard attachment rails 106, such as an ARC@ or Picatinny@ rail or other similar mounting systems. Provision may be made for a quick release attachment/detachment to enhance quick disengagement from one helmet to attach to another helmet if desired.

Face protector 100 may be molded into different shapes to suit different applications, such as a motorcycle helmet, or to integrate with a respirator or filter system to be worn concurrently.

The lover face covering portion 102 of face protector 100 is aligned with the midpoint of the helmet when mounted on the attachment rails 104 on a helmet.

Face protector 100 is shaped and positioned when attached to the helmet to minimise obstruction or occlusion to the lower limit of the visual field (up to 400 below a horizontal plane drawn central to the wearer's eye).

Fig. 3 shows a side view of the face protector 100 permitting a direct field of view up to 40 degrees below a horizontal plane drawn central to the wearer's eyes.

Lower face covering portion 102 of the face protector 100 is made of a transparent material. Exemplary materials include, but are not limited to, polycarbonate, or a bullet-proof transparent material. Preferably face protector 100 is made of a material that is light, yet durable.

The transparent material may be between 2 to 5 millimetres in thickness. The height of the lower face covering portion 102 between a bottom (chin) to top (covering nose) may range between 7 to 12 cm. It will be appreciated that the dimensions maybe varied depending upon the intended wearer size.

The transparent material provides a level of protection without obstructing, minimising or occluding the direct field of view at the lower limit of maximum eye rotation (up to 400 below a horizontal plane drawn central to the wearer's eye).

The transparent material is see-through from the wearer's side and may also be see through from the outside. Alternatively, the face protector may be slightly opaque or mirror-like from the observer's view to partially obscure the wearer's identity if desired

The transparent material is scratch proof. It may be fitted with tear away clear protective sheets on the outer surface to further protect from scratches and prolong the life of the transparent face protector.

The transparent material has anti-fogging properties, which may include air flow channels or vents to physically prevent fogging.

Fig. 4 is a side view of face protector 100, showing the swivel movement permitted by the face protector.

Lower face covering portion 102 of face protector 100 is fitted to near vertical attachment arms 104 and near horizontal attachment arms with an adjustable, notched or detented swivelling action with 3 to 5 secure fixed positions to enable adjustment to provide unobstructed access to the mouth and nose to enable clear speech and not interfere with eating.

Fig. 5 is a side view of face protector 100, showing the opening movement permitted by the face protector.

Either side of the lower face covering portion 102 of the face protector 100 may be openable with a mechanical or magnetic clip that incorporates a hinge 108 and the opposing side of the lower face covering portion 102 of the face protector 100 may be secured with an identical mechanical or magnetic hinged clip to enable horizontal opening of face protector 100 to provide unobstructed access to the nose and mouth to enable clear speech and not interfere with eating. This dual hinge and clip mechanism advantageously enables one handed opening from either the left or the right side.

The foregoing description is by way of example only, and may be varied considerably without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The features described with respect to one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, or combined with or interchanged with the features of other embodiments, as appropriate, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure in a preferred form provides the advantage of being lightweight whilst still highly protective. The present disclosure in a preferred form provides the advantage of being interchangeable between helmets, to suit helmets worn by different users, for different activities. This means the face protector may be used more often than if it was permanently affixed to a helmet designed for one sized user and for one specific purpose (e.g., combat or motorcycle riding). The present disclosure in a preferred form also provides the advantages of anti-scratch and anti fog properties. In addition, the present disclosure in a preferred form provides the advantage of being adjustable and moveable, to facilitate clear speech and ability of the user to eat while wearing the helmet. In addition, the present disclosure in a preferred form provides the advantage of being able to be operated by the left or right side by one hand and is therefore suited to both left and right-handed users.

Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of forms of the embodiments disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A face protector to shield a face of a wearer, comprising:

a. a transparent lower face covering portion, said portion being: i. scratch resistant; ii. impact resistant; iii. fog resistant;

b. approximate vertical attachment arms configured to engage with corresponding attachment rails on a helmet;

where said transparent lower face covering portion is adjustably fixed to said approximate vertical attachment arms by an attachment means permitting movement of the transparent lower face covering portion through a swivelling motion.

2. The face protector of claim 1, wherein the scratch resistance is enhanced by tear away clear protective sheets on the outer surface of the transparent lower face covering portion.

3. The face protector of claims 1 or 2, wherein the impact resistance is laser protection level.

4. The face protector of claims 1 or 2, wherein the impact resistance is ballistic protection level or lesser if not required.

5. The face protector of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fog resistance is at least partially achieved by the inherent properties of the material.

6. The face protector of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fog resistance is at least partially achieved by air flow channels.

7. The face protector of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fog resistance is at least partially achieved by vents.

8. The face protector of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising near horizontal attachment arms.

9. The face protector of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the attachment arms are made of a heat resistant plastic or hybrid material.

10. The face protector of claim 8, wherein the attachment arms are made of carbon fibre impregnated material.

11. The face protector of any one of the preceding claims, said face protector permitting a direct field of view up to 40 degrees below a horizontal plane drawn central to the wearer's eyes.

12. The face protector of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transparent lower face covering portion is between 2 to 5 millimetres in thickness.

13. The face protector of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising, on each side of the lower face covering portion, a mechanical or magnetic clip that incorporates a hinge, to enable horizontal opening of the face protector to provide unobstructed access to the nose and mouth.

14. The face protector of any one of the preceding claims, where the attachment means includes at least one of notches and detents.

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106 100 24 Aug 2021 2021106810

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