CA2863113A1 - Cover assembly for face-shield bracket assembly and safety hat - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for a face-shield bracket assembly configured to selectively position a safety visor between a visor deployed position and a visor retracted position, the face-shield bracket assembly installable to a safety hat having a front section and also having a hat brim extending from the front section, and the hat brim configured to shield, at least in part, eyes of a user from debris; the apparatus includes (and is not limited to) a cover assembly; the cover assembly includes a connector assembly configured to connect the cover assembly to the face-shield bracket assembly.

Description

COVER ASSEMBLY FOR FACE-SHIELD BRACKET ASSEMBLY AND SAFETY HAT
[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] Some aspects generally relate to (and are not limited to) a cover assembly for a face-shield bracket assembly and a safety hat (and method therefor).

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] A safety hat is a type of helmet predominantly used in workplace environments such as industrial or construction sites to protect the head of the user from injury due to falling objects, impact with other objects, debris, rain, and/or electric shock. Suspension bands (positioned inside the helmet) spread the helmet's weight and the force of any impact over the top of the head of the user. Some helmet shells have a mid-line reinforcement ridge to improve impact resistance. Unfortunately, known existing safety hats do not prevent debris from striking the eye of the user (resulting in injury and/or lost work productivity).

[0005] In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that there exists a need to mitigate (at least in part) problems associated with safety hats. After much study of the known systems and methods along with experimentation, an understanding of the problem and its solution has been identified and is articulated below.

[0006] SUMMARY

[0007] In order to mitigate, at least in part, the problem(s) identified with existing systems and/or methods for safety hats, there is provided (in accordance with an aspect) an apparatus for a face-shield bracket assembly. The face-shield bracket assembly is configured to selectively position a safety visor between a visor deployed position and a visor retracted position. The face-shield bracket assembly is installable to a safety hat.
The safety hat has a front section and also has a hat brim. The hat brim extends from the front section. The hat brim is configured to shield, at least in part, the eyes of a user from debris. The apparatus includes (and is not limited to) a cover assembly. The cover assembly includes a connector assembly. The connector assembly is configured to connect the cover assembly to the face-shield bracket assembly.

[0008] In order to mitigate, at least in part, the problem(s) identified above, in accordance with an aspect, there is provided a method for an apparatus including a safety hat. The safety hat has a front section and also has a hat brim. The hat brim extends from the front section. The hat brim is configured to shield the eyes of the user from debris. A safety visor is used with a face-shield bracket assembly. The face-shield bracket assembly is configured to selectively position the safety visor between a visor deployed position and a visor retracted position. The face-shield bracket assembly is installable to the safety hat that is usable with a cover assembly. The method includes (and is not limited to) connecting the cover assembly to the face-shield bracket assembly.

[0009] In order to mitigate, at least in part, the problem(s) identified above, in accordance with an aspect, there is provided other aspects as identified in the claims.

[00010] Other aspects and features of the non-limiting embodiments may now become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments with the accompanying drawings.

[00011] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00012] The non-limiting embodiments may be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[00013] FIGS. la to lc (SHEET 1 of 8 SHEETS) depict views of prior art embodiments of a safety hat and a face-shield bracket assembly;

[00014] FIGS. 2a to 2f (SHEETS 2 to 4 of 8 SHEETS) depict views of embodiments of an apparatus usable with the safety hat and the face-shield bracket assembly of FIGS la to lc; and

[00015] FIGS. 3a to 3d (SHEETS 5 to 8 of 8 SHEETS) depict views of embodiments of an apparatus usable with the safety hat and the face-shield bracket assembly of FIGS la tolc.

[00016] The drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be illustrated by phantom lines, diagrammatic representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances, details not necessary for an understanding of the embodiments (and/or details that render other details difficult to perceive) may have been omitted.

[00017] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several figures of the Drawings. Elements in the several figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be emphasized relative to other elements for facilitating an understanding of the various presently disclosed embodiments. In addition, common, but well understood, elements that are useful or necessary in commercially feasible embodiments are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of the various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[00018] LISTING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN THE DRAWINGS
100 apparatus 102 cover assembly 104 connector assembly 106 connectable sections 106a first connectable section 106b second connectable section 106c third connectable section 106d fourth connectable section 106e fifth connectable section 106f connector section 106g first connectable portion 106h second connectable portion 106i third connectable portion 106j connector portion 108 fabric section 114 reflective material 900 face-shield bracket assembly 901 front section 902 safety visor 903 rear section 904 visor deployed position 905 lower lip section 906 visor retracted position 908 safety hat 909 head band 910 hat brim 912 eyes 914 user 916 debris 918 first bracket 920 second bracket 922 third bracket 924 pivot connection

[00019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE NON-LIMITING EMBODIMENT(S)

[00020] The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word "exemplary" or "illustrative" means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any implementation described herein as "exemplary" or "illustrative" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of the description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "rear," "right," "front," "vertical,"
"horizontal," and derivatives thereof shall relate to the examples as oriented in the drawings.
Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments (examples), aspects and/or concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. It is understood that "at least one" is equivalent to "a". The aspects (examples, alterations, modifications, options, variations, embodiments and any equivalent thereof) are described with reference to the drawings. It should be understood that the invention is limited to the subject matter provided by the claims, and that the invention is not limited to the particular aspects depicted and described.

[00021] FIGS. la to lc depict views of prior art embodiments of a safety hat 908 and a face-shield bracket assembly 900. FIGS. la, lb and lc depict side views.

[00022] Examples of the safety hat 908 and the face-shield bracket assembly 900 are depicted in: (A) United States Patent Number 6041435 (inventor: PAULSON et al.;
publication date: 28 March 2000); (B) United States Patent Number 8434168 (inventor:
PAULSON; publication date: May 7, 2013), and (C) United States Patent Publication Number US 20110185465 Al (inventor: PRINKEY: publication date: 4 August 2011), and are all incorporated herein by reference.

[00023] For instance, the face-shield bracket assembly 900 is configured to selectively position a safety visor 902 between a visor deployed position 904 (as depicted in FIG. lb) and a visor retracted position 906 (as depicted in FIG. 1c). In the visor deployed position 904, the safety visor 902 is positioned in such a way as to protect (shield) the eyes 912 of the user 914. In the visor retracted position 906, the safety visor 902 is retracted away from the eyes 912 of the user 914. The face-shield bracket assembly 900 is installable (connectable) to the safety hat 908 the safety hat 908 has a head band 909 attached to an inner chamber defined by the safety hat 908. The safety hat 908 has a front section 901 and a hat brim 910 extending from the front section 901. The hat brim 910 is configured to shield, at least in part, the eyes 912 of the user 914 from debris. Further details (components, construction, etc.) regarding the embodiments of the safety hat 908 and the face-shield bracket assembly 900 are further described in the above identified publications (and, therefore, persons skilled in the art would understand the safety hat 908 and the face-shield bracket assembly 900).

[00024] For instance, the face-shield bracket assembly 900 includes a first bracket 918, a second bracket 920, a third bracket 922, and a pivot connection 924. The first bracket 918, the second bracket 920 and the third bracket 922 are each operatively connected to the pivot connection 924. The first bracket 918 is operatively mounted (connected) to a lower lip section 905 (depicted in FIG. la) of the safety hat 908 proximate to the front section 901 of the safety hat 908. The third bracket 922 is operatively mounted (connected) to the lower lip section 905 of the hat at the rear section 903 of the safety hat 908. The second bracket 920 is pivotally connected to the pivot connection 924, and is movable between the visor deployed position 904 and the visor retracted position 906.
The safety visor 902 is mounted (fixedly) to the first bracket 918. In the visor deployed position 904, the second bracket 920 overlays the first bracket 918 (so that the first bracket 918 is hidden in FIG. lb but is revealed in FIG. lc). In the visor retracted position 906, the second bracket 920 does not overlay the first bracket 918 (so that the first bracket 918 is revealed in FIG. 1c).

[00025] FIGS. 2a to 2f depict views of embodiments of an apparatus 100 usable with the safety hat 908 and the face-shield bracket assembly 900 of FIGS la to lc.
FIGS. 2a to 2d depict side views. FIG. 2e depicts a front view. FIG. 2f depicts a rear view.

[00026] In accordance with an embodiment, the apparatus 100 is for use with the face-shield bracket assembly 900 and the safety hat 908 depicted in FIGS. la to lc.
In this case, the apparatus 100 includes (and is not limited to) a cover assembly 102 including a connector assembly 104 configured to connect the cover assembly 102 to the face-shield bracket assembly 900. For this case, a manufacturer has the option to manufacture the apparatus 100 for the retrofit market (if so desired), to those users that have an existing instance of the safety hat 908.

[00027] In accordance with an embodiment, the connector assembly 104 is further configured to selectively connect the cover assembly 102 to the face-shield bracket assembly 900.

[00028] In accordance with an embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes the combination of the face-shield bracket assembly 900, the safety hat 908, and the cover assembly 102 including the connector assembly 104. For this case, a manufacturer has the option to manufacture the combination (if so desired) for users that have a requirement to purchase the entire combination (as a new unit).

[00029] In accordance with an embodiment, the apparatus 100 includes the combination of the face-shield bracket assembly 900 and the cover assembly 102 including the connector assembly 104. For this case, a manufacturer has the option to manufacture the combination (if so desired) for users that have a safety hat 908 and have a need to purchase the face-shield bracket assembly 900 and the cover assembly 102 as a combination kit (thereby retrofitting their existing equipment).

[00030] In view of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that there is provided a method for the apparatus 100; the method includes (and is not limited to): connecting the cover assembly 102 to the face-shield bracket assembly 900. The method may be adapted so that the cover assembly 102: (A) receives the debris 916 directed, at least in part, to the front section 901 of the safety hat 908; and (B) prevents the hat brim 910 from receiving the debris 916 while the face-shield bracket assembly 900 positions the safety visor 902 in the visor deployed position 904. The method may be further adapted so that the cover assembly 102 is retracted (is retractable), at least in part, from the front section 901 and from the hat brim 910 while the face-shield bracket assembly 900 positions the safety visor 902 in the visor retracted position 906; this is done in such a way that the debris 916 received by and positioned on the cover assembly 102 falls away from the hat brim 910 thereby preventing inadvertent injury to the eyes 912 of the user 914 of the safety hat 908.

[00031] Referring to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2a, the connector assembly 104 is configured to connect the cover assembly 102 to the face-shield bracket assembly 900 in such a way that the cover assembly 102 receives the debris 916 directed, at least in part, to the front section 901 of the safety hat 908, and prevents the hat brim 910 from receiving the debris 916 while the face-shield bracket assembly 900 positions the safety visor 902 in the visor deployed position 904. The cover assembly 102 includes, for example, a flexible material (if so desired). It will be appreciated that any suitable material may be used in the cover assembly 102.

[00032] Referring to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2a, instances of the connector assembly 104 are operatively mounted to an edge portion of the cover assembly 102. For instance, the connector assembly 104 may include a snap connector and/or a touch connector (also known as the VELCRO (TRADEMARK) connector) and any equivalent thereof. For instance, there are three instances of the connector assembly 104 positioned on the cover assembly 102; there is one instance of the connector assembly 104 positioned on the opposite sides of the cover assembly 102, and an instance of the connector assembly 104 positioned between the opposite sides of the cover assembly 102 (specifically, along the bottom edge of the cover assembly 102).

[00033] Referring to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2d, the connector assembly 104 is configured to connect the cover assembly 102 to the second bracket 920 of the face-shield bracket assembly 900. The second bracket 920 is also called a visor attachment bracket. If desired, the connector assembly 104 is also configured to connect to an edge portion of the safety visor 902.

[00034]
Referring to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2b, the connector assembly 104 is configured to connect the cover assembly 102 to the face-shield bracket assembly 900 in such a way that the cover assembly 102 is retracted (retractable), at least in part, from the front section 901 and from the hat brim 910 while the face-shield bracket assembly 900 positions the safety visor 902 in the visor retracted position 906. In this manner, the debris 916 received by and positioned on the cover assembly 102 falls away from the hat brim 910 thereby preventing inadvertent injury to the eyes 912 of the user 914 of the safety hat 908.

[00035] Referring to the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 2a to 2d, the safety visor 902 (also called a face shield) is configured to be operatively mounted to the face-shield bracket assembly 900.

[00036] Referring to FIG. 2d, the safety visor 902 is mounted to the second bracket 920.
Known attaching devices connect, in operation, the safety visor 902 to the face-shield bracket assembly 900 (and are not further described here). The connector assembly 104 includes at least one or more connection holes defined by the cover assembly 102; more specifically, the connector assembly 104 includes at least one or more connection holes defined at an edge portion of the cover assembly 102; the connection holes are configured (sized) to interface with the face-shield bracket assembly 900. More specifically, the connector assembly 104 includes at least one or more connection holes defined at an edge portion of the cover assembly 102, and the connection holes are configured (sized) to interface with known attaching devices associated with the safety visor 902 and/or the face-shield bracket assembly 900 (specifically, with the second bracket 920).
Of course, other types of connectors (snap fit connectors, touch connectors) may be used in addition with the connection holes formed in the cover assembly 102 (if so desired). As well, the connection holes formed by the cover assembly 102 are not used and, instead, snap connector(s), quick disconnect connector(s), touch connector(s), and/or any type of connector is used (if so desired).

[00037] Referring to the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 2a-2d, the cover assembly 102 includes a second connectable section 106b that is connected to the cover assembly 102, and extends rearward from the cover assembly 102. The second connectable section 106b is configured to connect the cover assembly 102 to the face-shield bracket assembly 900 (specifically, to the third bracket 922 of the face-shield bracket assembly 900). In some cases, the third bracket 922 includes a spring member. The second connectable section 106b is configured to be securely connected to (wrapped around) the third bracket 922.
The second connectable section 106b may include a touch fastener, etc., configured to attach the second connectable section 106b to the third bracket 922.

[00038]
Referring to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2d, the third bracket 922 includes a spring member that is configured to be placed (positioned) on a backside of the face-shield bracket assembly 900. It will be appreciated that the third bracket 922 may include any suitable material (such as a plastic round strap). Generally, the cover assembly 102 is configured to be operatively connectable to the face-shield bracket assembly 900 (any type thereof).

[00039] Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, the cover assembly 102 is configured to prevent the debris 916 from getting trapped on the hat brim 910 (depicted in FIG. lb), which may also be called a face shield brim. An advantage of the cover assembly 102 is to decrease, at least in part, eye injury by avoiding exposing the eyes to the possibility of receiving the debris 916 (such as, grindings, etc.). As depicted in FIG. lb, the hat brim 910 collects the debris; when the user 914 moves the safety visor 902 to the position depicted in FIG. lc, and then the user 914 looks up, the debris collected on the hat brim 910 falls into the eyes of the user 914. The cover of FIG. 2a prevents the accumulation of the debris 916 on the hat brim 910 (of FIG. lb, but hidden from view in FIG. 2a). The cover assembly 102 is configured to cover, at least in part, the safety visor 902 and the safety hat 908 in such a way that the debris 916 does not reach and accumulate on the hat brim 910 of the safety hat 908.

[00040] FIGS. 3a to 3d depict views of embodiments of an apparatus 100 usable with the safety hat 908 and the face-shield bracket assembly 900 of FIGS 1 a to lc.
FIGS. 3a, 3b, 3c and 3ddepict exploded top views.

[00041] Referring to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3a, the cover assembly includes connectable sections 106, which may also be called a plurality of connectable sections or connectable portions. For instance, the connectable sections 106 each have a web material. The web material may include a flexible fabric material and/or an inflexible fabric material. For the case where a fabric material is included in the connectable sections 106, the connectable sections 106 are sewn together to thereby form the cover assembly 102 (depicted in FIGS. 2a-2f).

[00042] Referring to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3a, the connectable sections 106 includes a first connectable section 106a, a second connectable section 106b, a third connectable section 106c, a fourth connectable section 106d, a fifth connectable section 106e, and a connector section 106f.

[00043] The end sections (edge portion) of the fourth connectable section 106d and the fifth connectable section 106e are sewn together in such a way as to form a rear section of the cover assembly 102. The connector section 106f is sewn (securely attached) to an end portion (an edge portion) of the fourth connectable section 106d and the fifth connectable section 106e (in the middle edge portion). The fourth connectable section 106d and the fifth connectable section 106e are sewn to an end portion (edge portion) of the first connectable section 106a. The second connectable section 106b is sewn to an edge portion of the first connectable section 106a in such a way as to form a first side section of the cover assembly 102. The third connectable section 106c is sewn to an edge portion of the first connectable section l 06a in such a way as to form a second side section of the cover assembly 102. The second connectable section 106b and the third connectable section 106c are positioned on the opposite lateral sides of the first connectable section 106a. In this manner, the first connectable section 106a is positioned between The second connectable section 106b and the third connectable section 106c.
The first connectable section 106a may be called a central section. The cover assembly 102 may be hemmed along the outer edge of the cover assembly 102 to make the cover assembly 102 last longer and appear aesthetically acceptable.

[00044] Referring to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3b, the first connectable section 106a, the second connectable section 106b, the third connectable section 106c, the fourth connectable section 106d, the fifth connectable section 106e, and the connector section 106f are cut from a fabric section 108.

[00045] Referring to FIG. 3c, the cover assembly 102 includes a reflective material 114 (such as, a strip material) for improving visibility of the cover assembly 102. For instance, the reflective material 114 may form a desired shape (such as, an "X" shape), and/or may be positioned on any desired instance of the connectable sections 106 (on the top section or central section and/or the side sections).

[00046] Referring to FIG. 3d, the connectable sections 106 includes a first connectable portion 106g, a second connectable portion 106h, a third connectable portion 106i, and a connector portion 106j. The second connectable portion 106h is a combination of second connectable section 106b and fourth connectable section 106d (depicted in FIG.
3a). The third connectable portion 106i is a combination of combination of second connectable section 106b and fourth connectable section 106d (depicted in FIG. 3a). The second connectable portion 106h and the third connectable portion 106i are to be connected on opposite sides of the first connectable portion 106g. The second connectable portion 106h and the third connectable portion 106i are to extend from the front edge and the rear edge of the first connectable portion 106g.

[00047] Referring to FIGS. 3a to 3d, the cover assembly 102 includes, in accordance with an embodiment, a flame-resistant material (also called a fire-retardant material), such as the flame-resistant meta-aramid material known to those skilled in the art as the NOMEX
(TRADEMARK) material. The thread used to connect the connectable sections 106 also includes the flame-resistant material. It will be appreciated that the cover assembly 102 may include a non-flame-resistant material (such as, a canvas material), etc., if so desired, where fire safety is not an issue.

[00048] In order to mitigate, at least in part, the problem(s) identified above, in accordance with an aspect, there is provided an apparatus 100 for user 914 having eyes 912, and for a safety hat 908 for the user 914; the safety hat 908 has a front section 901 and also has a hat brim 910; the hat brim 910 extends from the front section 901 the hat brim 910 is configured to shield the eyes 912 of the user 914 from debris 916; the apparatus 100 includes (and is not limited to): a safety visor 902, and a face-shield bracket assembly 900; the face-shield bracket assembly 900 is configured to selectively position the safety visor 902 between a visor deployed position 904 and a visor retracted position 906; the face-shield bracket assembly 900 is installable to the safety hat 908; a cover assembly 102 includes a connector assembly 104 configured to connect the cover assembly 102 to the face-shield bracket assembly 900.

[00049] In order to mitigate, at least in part, the problem(s) identified above, in accordance with an aspect, there is provided an apparatus 100 for a face-shield bracket assembly 900;
the face-shield bracket assembly 900 is configured to selectively position a safety visor 902 between a visor deployed position 904 and a visor retracted position 906;
the face-shield bracket assembly 900 is installable to a safety hat 908; the safety hat 908 has a front section 901 and also has a hat brim 910; the hat brim 910 extends from the front section 901; the hat brim 910 is configured to shield, at least in part, eyes 912 of a user 914 from debris 916; the apparatus 100 includes (and is not limited to) a cover assembly 102 including connector assembly 104; the connector assembly 104 is configured to connect the cover assembly 102 to the face-shield bracket assembly 900 (this is done in such a way that the cover assembly 102: (A) receives the debris 916 directed, at least in part, to the front section 901 of the safety hat 908, and (B) prevents the hat brim 910 from receiving the debris 916 while the face-shield bracket assembly 900 positions the safety visor 902 in the visor deployed position 904); in addition, the cover assembly 102 is retractable, at least in part, from the front section 901 and from the hat brim 910 while the face-shield bracket assembly 900 positions the safety visor 902 in the visor retracted position 906 (this is done in such a way that the debris 916 received by and positioned on the cover assembly 102 falls away from the hat brim 910 thereby preventing inadvertent injury to the eyes 912 of the user 914 of the safety hat 908).

[00050] In view of the FIGS. described above, in order to mitigate, at least in part, the problem(s) identified above, in accordance with an aspect, there is provided an apparatus 100 for user 914 having eyes 912; the apparatus 100 includes (and is not limited to): a safety hat 908 having a front section 901 and also having a hat brim 910; the hat brim 910 extends from the front section 901; the hat brim 910 is configured to shield the eyes 912 of the user 914 from debris 916; also included is a safety visor 902 and a face-shield bracket assembly 900; the face-shield bracket assembly 900 is configured to selectively position the safety visor 902 between a visor deployed position 904 and a visor retracted position 906; the face-shield bracket assembly 900 is installable to the safety hat 908;
also included is a cover assembly 102 including a connector assembly 104 configured to connect the cover assembly 102 to the face-shield bracket assembly 900.

[00051] In view of the FIGS. described above, in order to mitigate, at least in part, the problem(s) identified above, in accordance with an aspect, there is provided an apparatus 100 for user 914 having eyes 912; the apparatus 100 includes (and is not limited to) a safety hat 908 having a front section 901 and also having a hat brim 910 extending from the front section 901; the hat brim 910 is configured to shield the eyes 912 of the user 914 from debris 916; also included is a safety visor 902 and a face-shield bracket assembly 900; the face-shield bracket assembly 900 is configured to selectively position the safety visor 902 between a visor deployed position 904 and a visor retracted position 906, the face-shield bracket assembly 900 is installable to the safety hat 908; also included is a cover assembly 102; the cover assembly 102 includes a connector assembly 104 configured to (selectively) connect the cover assembly 102 to the face-shield bracket assembly 900 (this is done in such a way that the cover assembly 102: (A) receives the debris 916 directed, at least in part, to the front section 901 of the safety hat 908, and (B) prevents the hat brim 910 from receiving the debris 916 while the face-shield bracket assembly 900 positions the safety visor 902 in the visor deployed position 904; the cover assembly 102 is retractable, at least in part, from the front section 901 and from the hat brim 910 while the face-shield bracket assembly 900 positions the safety visor 902 in the visor retracted position 906 (this is done in such a way that the debris 916 received by and positioned on the cover assembly 102 falls away from the hat brim 910 thereby preventing inadvertent injury to the eyes 912 of the user 914 of the safety hat 908).

[00052] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention.
The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims. It may be appreciated that the assemblies and modules described above may be connected with each other as may be required to perform desired functions and tasks that are within the scope of persons of skill in the art to make such combinations and permutations without having to describe each and every one of them in explicit terms. There is no particular assembly, or components, that are superior to any of the equivalents available to the art.
There is no particular mode of practicing the disclosed subject matter that is superior to others, so long as the functions may be performed. It is believed that all the crucial aspects of the disclosed subject matter have been provided in this document. It is understood that the scope of the present invention is limited to the scope provided by the independent claim(s), and it is also understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited to:
(i) the dependent claims, (ii) the detailed description of the non-limiting embodiments, (iii) the summary, (iv) the abstract, and/or (v) the description provided outside of this document (that is, outside of the instant application as filed, as prosecuted, and/or as granted). It is understood, for the purposes of this document, that the phrase "includes" is equivalent to the word "comprising." It is noted that the foregoing has outlined the non-limiting embodiments (examples). The description is made for particular non-limiting embodiments (examples). It is understood that the non-limiting embodiments are merely illustrative as examples.

Claims (20)

18WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An apparatus for a face-shield bracket assembly configured to selectively position a safety visor between a visor deployed position and a visor retracted position, and the face-shield bracket assembly being installable to a safety hat having a front section and also having a hat brim extending from the front section, and the hat brim being configured to shield, at least in part, eyes of a user from debris, the apparatus comprising:
a cover assembly, including:
a connector assembly being configured to connect the cover assembly to the face-shield bracket assembly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the connector assembly is configured to selectively connect the cover assembly to the face-shield bracket assembly.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the connector assembly is configured to connect the cover assembly to the face-shield bracket assembly in such a way that the cover assembly receives the debris being directed, at least in part, to the front section of the safety hat.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the connector assembly is configured to connect the cover assembly to the face-shield bracket assembly in such a way that the cover assembly receives the debris being directed, at least in part, to the front section of the safety hat, and prevents the hat brim from receiving the debris while the face-shield bracket assembly positions the safety visor in the visor deployed position.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the connector assembly is configured to connect the cover assembly to the face-shield bracket assembly in such a way that the cover assembly is retracted, at least in part, from the front section and from the hat brim while the face-shield bracket assembly positions the safety visor in the visor retracted position.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the connector assembly is configured to connect the cover assembly to the face-shield bracket assembly in such a way that the cover assembly is retracted, at least in part, from the front section and from the hat brim while the face-shield bracket assembly positions the safety visor in the visor retracted position; and the debris received by and positioned on the cover assembly falls away from the hat brim thereby preventing inadvertent injury to the eyes of the user of the safety hat.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the cover assembly includes a flexible material.

8. The apparatus of claim I, wherein:
the connector assembly is operatively mounted to an edge portion of the cover assembly.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the connector assembly includes any one or more instances of a snap connector, a touch connector, and a quick disconnect connector.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the connector assembly is configured to connect the cover assembly to the face-shield bracket assembly.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the connector assembly is configured to connect the cover assembly to a visor attachment bracket of the face-shield bracket assembly.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the connector assembly includes at least one connection hole defined by the cover assembly, and the at least one connection hole is configured to interface with the face-shield bracket assembly.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the connector assembly includes at least one connection hole defined at an edge portion of the cover assembly, and the at least one connection hole is configured to interface with the face-shield bracket assembly.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the cover assembly includes:
connectable sections, including:
a first connectable section a, a second connectable section b, a third connectable section c, a fourth connectable section d, a fifth connectable section e, and a connector section f, end sections of the fourth connectable section d and the fifth connectable section e are connected together in such a way as to form a rear section of the cover assembly, the connector section f is connected to an end portion of the fourth connectable section d and the fifth connectable section e, the fourth connectable section d and the fifth connectable section e are sewn to an end portion of the first connectable section a, the second connectable section b is sewn to an edge portion of the first connectable section a in such a way as to form a first side section of the cover assembly, the third connectable section c is sewn to an edge portion of the first connectable section a in such a way as to form a second side section of the cover assembly, and the second connectable section b and the third connectable section c are positioned on opposite lateral sides of the first connectable section a.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the cover assembly includes:
connectable sections each having a web material having any one of a flexible fabric material, an inflexible fabric material, a flame-resistant material and a non-flame-resistant material.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:
the cover assembly includes a reflective material for improving visibility of the cover assembly.

17. An apparatus for user having eyes, and having a safety hat having a front section and also having a hat brim extending from the front section, the hat brim being configured to shield the eyes of the user from debris, the apparatus comprising:
a safety visor;
a face-shield bracket assembly configured to selectively position the safety visor between a visor deployed position and a visor retracted position, and the face-shield bracket assembly being installable to the safety hat; and a cover assembly, including:

a connector assembly being configured to connect the cover assembly to the face-shield bracket assembly.

18. A method for an apparatus including a safety hat having a front section and also having a hat brim extending from the front section, and the hat brim being configured to shield eyes of a user from debris, the apparatus also having a safety visor and a face-shield bracket assembly being configured to selectively position the safety visor between a visor deployed position and a visor retracted position, and the face-shield bracket assembly being installable to the safety hat, and a cover assembly, the method comprising:
connecting the cover assembly to the face-shield bracket assembly.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the cover assembly receives the debris being directed, at least in part, to the front section of the safety hat, and prevents the hat brim from receiving the debris while the face-shield bracket assembly positions the safety visor in the visor deployed position.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the cover assembly is retracted, at least in part, from the front section and from the hat brim while the face-shield bracket assembly positions the safety visor in the visor retracted position in such a way that the debris received by and positioned on the cover assembly falls away from the hat brim thereby preventing inadvertent injury to the eyes of the user of the safety hat.