FR3109706A1 - Visor to protect the face from projections. - Google Patents

Abstract

Visor to protect the face from splashes. The invention relates to a device 1 for protecting the face of a user 6, comprising a visor 2, a headband 3 and a strap 4, the headband comprising an annular part 11, open at the rear, each of whose free ends extending towards the rear by an extension 13, the extensions together forming an appendix 12, and, the flange 4 being fixed to protuberances 211 of the annular part 11, and, a locking hole 34 for passing the two extensions together therein 13, and engage with 26 notches of the extensions. Figure for abstract: figure 1

Description

Visor to protect the face from splashes.

The invention lies in the field of protective devices, in particular against projections, particularly against projections of aerosols carrying infectious microorganisms.

When two people are close to each other, conversation, sneezing, in particular, produce aerosols. When one of the people is sick, these aerosols carry infectious microorganisms. The face of the other person, and particularly the mucous membranes of the mouth, nose and eyes can constitute entry points for his micro-organisms, and therefore the infection of this other person.

In addition, it is not enough to protect the nose and mouth with a mask, for example, or the eyes with goggles; indeed, everyone has reflexes that push them to touch their face. It is therefore also necessary to protect the whole face.

An object of the invention is to provide a protective device for the face against projections, in particular aerosols, complementary to the masks covering the nose and/or the mouth of a user. An object of the invention is also that such protection be light, easy to use and easy to maintain. Especially in the case where the protection is used to protect against an infectious micro-organism, it must be easily cleaned and disinfected.

According to the invention, such a protective device comprises a transparent visor, a headband and a flange, the headband being intended to be placed around the skull of the user and fixing the visor thereto, the flange being intended to extend to the above the user's skull, the headband comprising an annular part, open at the rear, each of the free ends of which is extended rearward by an extension, these extensions together forming an appendage, and, the strap comprising means for fixing it to complementary means of the annular part, and a locking hole for passing the two extensions together therein by engaging with complementary locking means of the extensions.

The headband preferably comprises protrusions extending from an outer surface of the annular part, these protrusions comprising a trunk and a head wider than the trunk, the flange fixing means comprising at least one fixing hole and the at least one of the protuberances constituting the complementary means for fixing a respective fixing hole therein.

The flange preferably comprises a posterior branch and two lateral branches, arranged in the shape of a "Y", the posterior branch extending backwards, the locking hole being formed at a free end of the posterior branch, and, each side branch comprising, at a respective free end, a respective fixing hole (33).

The means the complementary locking means may comprise at least one notch formed on at least one of the extensions, preferably each of the extensions, each notch comprising a rear face in the form of a ramp to facilitate the introduction of the extensions into the hole of lock, and a front face to retain the extensions thus introduced. Preferably, the at least one extension comprises several notches, together forming an adjustment zone, which makes it possible to adjust the headband on the user's skull.

The visor advantageously comprises fixing holes, each designed to come into engagement with a respective protuberance of the headband. In addition, the visor may have a substantially rectangular shape and include, in each of its lower corners, an indentation.

Embodiments and variants will be described below, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the appended drawings in which:

is a schematic perspective view of a protection device according to the invention;

is a plan view of a headband for the device of Figure 1:

is a view of detail III of FIG. 2;

is a view of detail IV of FIG. 2;

is a plan view of a flange for the device of Figure 1;

is a plan view of a lock for the device of Figure 1;

is a plan view of a visor for the device of Figure 1; And,

is a plan view of a visor according to a second type for a device according to the invention.

Figure 1 illustrates a protection device 1 according to the invention. This device comprises a visor 2, a headband 3, a flange 4 and a lock 5. In Figure 1, the device 1 is shown in the position of use on the head of a user 6.

In the description, we call front or anterior what is on the side of the user's forehead, in the position of use of figure 1, and rear or posterior what is on the other side of the user's skull. .

The device can be supplied as a kit, the elements being separated from each other; they can be easily assembled, or disassembled, in particular to be cleaned or replaced. In the figures, the elements are represented in isolation flat, in the form they have when they have just been manufactured, in a free position, which they take when they are separated from each other.

Figure 2 illustrates the strip 3, in plan view. This band is symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane of symmetry P3. It is formed in one piece in a flexible and elastic material. It has a straight thickness E3, measured perpendicular to the plane of the figure, which is substantially constant. It comprises an annular part 11 and an appendix 12, which extends rearward from the annular part 11.

The annular part 11 is in the shape of a drop of water, rounded at the front and pointed at the back. It is open at the rear and each of its free ends 11L is extended by an extension 13. The extensions are contiguous along the plane of symmetry P3, and together form the appendix 12.

The annular part comprises an anterior outer face 16 of circular shape, of radius R16 around a center C16. The anterior face extends on either side of the plane of symmetry P3, around the center C16, on an anterior angle A16. The annular part also comprises two rear outer faces 17. Each rear face 17 extends rearwardly a respective end of the front face 16 and connects it, at the free ends 11L, with an outer face 18 of the corresponding extension 13. The rear face 17 has a concave circular shape towards the outside, which gives the shape of a drop to the annular part.

The annular part has an inner face 19. A radial thickness ER of material between the inner face 19 and the front face 16 gradually decreases between a maximum thickness ER1, at the front, in the plane of symmetry P3, down to a thickness minimum ER2, at the rear ends of the front walls 16. Beyond, along the rear face 17 and the extensions 13, the current thickness of material is substantially constant and equal to the minimum thickness ER2.

The front face 16 bears protrusions 21. The detail identified by the reference III in FIG. 2, and represented in FIG. 3, illustrates one of these protrusions. The protrusions extend radially outwards from the anterior face 16. They form a radial extra thickness, with respect to the radial thickness ER. Their straight thickness, measured perpendicular to the plane of the figure, is equal to the straight thickness E3 of the whole band 3.

As particularly illustrated in FIG. 3, each protuberance 21 comprises a head 22 and a body 23, which maintains a gap E23 between the head and the anterior surface 16. The trunk has a substantially constant width L23 and less than a width L22 of the head 22. In the example illustrated, the head 22 has a substantially ellipsoidal plane whose major axis is substantially transverse to the trunk 23.

In the example illustrated, there are five protrusions 21, a front protrusion 210, which extends forwards, substantially in the plane of symmetry P3, two lateral protrusions 211, each forming an angle A211 with the plane of symmetry P3, on either side of this plane, and two rear protrusions 212, each disposed at one end of the front face. The lateral protrusions 211 have a greater distance E23 than that of the other protrusions 210, 212. That is to say that the trunk 23 of the lateral protrusions 211 is longer than the trunk of the frontal protuberance 210 and that of the posterior protrusions 212.

Each extension includes an adjustment zone 25 which extends forward from a rear end of the extension, over an adjustment length L25. In the adjustment zone, the outer face 18 of the extension has notches 26. The detail marked with the reference IV in FIG. 2, and represented in FIG. 4, illustrates on a larger scale the arrangement of these notches 26 The notches extend laterally outwards from the side face 18. They form a transverse extra thickness, relative to the standard thickness ER2 of the extensions. Their straight thickness, measured perpendicular to the plane of the figure, is equal to the straight thickness E3 of the whole band 3.

As particularly illustrated in Figure 4, each notch 26 has a substantially triangular plane. It comprises a front face 27, perpendicular to the plane of symmetry P3, which extends over a width L26, measured perpendicular to this plane. The notch 26 further comprises a face in the form of a ramp 28, which extends rearwardly, from a distal edge of the front face 27, gradually approaching the plane of symmetry, until its distance from the plane of symmetry is substantially equal to the current transverse thickness ER2 of the extensions 13.

In the example illustrated, each extension comprises six notches 26. L26 denotes the longitudinal distance which separates each front face 27 of a notch 26 from the front face of a neighboring notch. An overall width of the appendix 12, that is to say including the notches 26, measured perpendicular to the plane of symmetry P3, is denoted E12. Each notch 26 of an extension 13 forms a pair with a symmetrical notch of the other extension 13.

The band 3 has a length, not including the frontal protuberance, which is denoted L3, measured parallel to the plane of symmetry P3, in the plane of figure 2.

By way of illustration, the material and dimensions of the headband described by way of example are as follows:

- Material: closed-cell polyethylene foam, hypoallergenic, with a density of between 15 and 200 kg/m ³ , preferably close to 45 kg/m ³ .

- E3 = approximately 18 millimeters;

- L3 = approximately 340 millimeters;

- R16 = approximately 60 millimeters;

- A16 = approximately 140 degrees;

- ER1 = approximately 35 millimeters;

- ER2 = approximately 14 millimeters;

- L12 = approximately 200 millimeters;

- L25 = approximately 100 millimeters;

- A211 = approximately 65 degrees;

- L22 = approximately 11 millimeters;

- L23 = approximately 8.5 millimeters;

- E23 = approximately 5 millimeters, for the side protrusions;

- E23 = approximately 2 millimeters, for the other protrusions;

- L26 = approximately 5 millimeters; And,

- E26 = approximately 15 millimeters.

Figure 5 illustrates the flange 4, in plan view. This flange is symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane of symmetry P4. In the figure, the front is on the left and the back on the right. The flange 4 is formed in one piece in a flexible and elastic material. It has a straight thickness E4, measured perpendicular to the plane of the figure, which is substantially constant and small with regard to its other dimensions.

The flange 4 has a plane substantially in the shape of a Y. it comprises a rear blank 31 and two side panels 32. Each side panel is symmetrical on either side of a plane P32, perpendicular to the plane of the figure, and the posterior branch is symmetrical on either side of the plane of symmetry P4 of the flange. The planes of symmetry P3, P32, P32 all three intersect along a line perpendicular to the plane of the figure, and whose projection on the figure is a point of intersection noted C4. Each plane P32 forms with the plane P4, an angle denoted A32. From the point of intersection C4, the posterior branch 31 extends parallel to the plane of symmetry P4, over a length noted L31. From the point of intersection C4, each side branch 32 extends parallel to the respective plane of symmetry P32, over a length denoted L32.

The free end of each lateral branch comprises an oblong fixing hole 33 designed to come into engagement with a lateral protuberance 211. It has a width L33A, measured perpendicular to the plane P32, greater than the width L23 of a trunk 23 and less to the width L22 of a head 22 of protuberance 211. The fixing hole has a length L33B close to the straight thickness E3 of protuberance 210. Thus, a head 22 of protuberance 210 can, by deforming, pass through a hole fixing 33, and, by resuming its shape, retain the corresponding branch 32 integral with the headband 3. A slight effort allows, in the same way, to separate the branch from the headband.

The free end of the posterior branch 31 comprises a locking hole 34, designed to come into engagement with the notches 26 of the appendix 12. The locking hole 34 has a width L34A, measured parallel to the plane P4 of symmetry of the flange 4, adjacent to the right thickness E3 of the appendix. The locking hole 34 has a length L34B, measured perpendicular to the plane P4 of symmetry of the flange 4, less than the overall width of the appendage, preferably close to twice the current thickness ER2 of a extension. Thus, by deforming the notches 26, the appendix 12 can be made to penetrate the locking hole 34, each notch crossed, by resuming its shape, making it possible to retain the posterior branch 31 secured to the headband 3. A slight effort allows, in the same way and by a reverse movement, to separate the branch 31 from the headband. By choosing a pair of notches, among the six provided, the headband is adjusted to a head circumference of the user 6.

By way of illustration, the material and dimensions of the flange described by way of example are as follows:

- material: closed-cell polyethylene foam, hypoallergenic, with a density of between 15 and 200 kg/m ³ , preferably close to 55 kg/m ³ .

- E4 = approximately 3 millimeters;

- L31 = approximately 255 millimeters;

- R32 = approximately 140 millimeters;

- A31 = approximately 50 degrees;

- L33A = approximately 8 millimeters;

- L33B = approximately 17 millimeters;

- L34A = approximately 17 millimeters;

- L34B = approximately 28 millimeters;

Figure 6 shows the lock 5. It has an annular shape around a locking hole 34. The dimensions of this locking hole are substantially identical to those of the locking hole 34 of the flange 4.

Such a lock is provided to come into engagement on the notches 26 of the appendage 12. It can be used in addition to the flange, to ensure better support on the appendage, especially if the user has particularly voluminous.

Figure 7 shows the visor 2, in plan view. This visor is symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal plane of symmetry P2. In the figure, the visor is seen from the front. The visor is made of a single sheet of transparent, flexible and elastic material. It has a straight thickness E2, measured perpendicular to the plane of the figure, which is substantially constant and small with regard to its other dimensions. It is substantially inscribed in a rectangle 40.

Five fixing holes 42 are provided in the vicinity of a straight upper edge 43 of the visor. Each hole 42 is provided to come into engagement with a respective protuberance 21, in order to secure the visor to the headband. Each hole has a width L42 and a height H42 adapted to the passage of the head 22 of a protrusion 21. The larger gap E23 of the lateral protrusions 211 makes it possible to fix both the visor 2 and the flange 4.

The visor 2 further comprises an indentation 44, formed in each of its lower corners. They have a circular shape with a radius noted R44, around the corresponding vertex of the rectangle 40. These indentations allow the user to turn their head without the visor interfering with their shoulders.

The visor 2 has a height H2, measured between a lower edge 45 and the upper edge 43. It has a width L2, measured between two side edges 46. The width L2 corresponds to the length of the upper edge 43.

Figure 8 shows another embodiment for a visor 2 according to the invention. This visor is more particularly intended to be worn by children, with a headband and a flange, identical to those used for adults in combination with the visor of FIG. 7. This second embodiment is described in that it differs from the one previously described.

The visor does not include an indentation, but the lower corners are rounded. In addition, its height H2E is lower than the height H2 of the visor for adults. The height H2E preferably represents approximately 80% of the height of the visor for an adult.

By way of illustration, the material and dimensions of the flange described by way of example are as follows:

- material: transparent plastic.

- E2 = approximately 0.25 millimeters;

- L2 = approximately 35 centimeters;

- H2 = approximately 26 centimeters;

- H2E = approximately 21 centimeters;

- L42 = approximately 8 millimeters;

- H42 = approximately 8 millimeters;

- R44 = approximately 6 centimeters;

Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples which have just been described. On the contrary, the invention is defined by the following claims.

It will indeed appear to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above, in the light of the teaching which has just been disclosed to them.

Thus, the headband and the strap can, for example, be made of a deformable material, without being elastically deformable, to adapt to the shape of the skull. They can be leather or rubber, natural or synthetic.

Also, the dimensions can vary in large proportions, in order to respect the principle of operation of the device. For example, depending on the density of the foam used, the thickness of the flange or lock can vary from 0.8 to 3 millimeters. Also, the thickness of the visor can vary from 0.2 to 1 millimeter.

A protection device according to the invention is very advantageous.

It is notably particularly light; in a configuration corresponding to the example of the figures, it weighs about 40 grams.

The use of polyethylene foam is comfortable and offers a soft touch.

The headband is flexible and one size headband can be used for a child or an adult. The shape of the headband, in particular the appendix equipped with notches, allows it to be adjusted quickly to a head circumference. It also adapts to different hair types, more or less thick, to a bald head, an Afro hairstyle or a ponytail.

The headband, strap and lock can be machine washed and air dried between uses. The visor can be easily cleaned with soapy water or antibacterial wipes.

The headband can be easily personalized. Thus, different colors of foam can be used, a color can correspond to a person or to a workstation, a team, an area of activity and/or a given period of use.

At the front of the headband, the relatively large radial thickness allows the user to wear a mask covering more specifically the mouth and nose, and/or glasses.

Claims (7)

Device (1) for protecting the face of a user (6), characterized in that it comprises a transparent visor (2), a headband (3) and a flange (4), the said headband being intended to be placed around of the user's skull and attaching said visor thereto, said flange being provided to extend above the user's skull,
said band (3) comprising an annular part (11), open at the rear, each of the free ends of which is extended rearward by an extension (13), said extensions together forming an appendage (12); And,
said flange (4) comprising means (33) for fixing it to complementary means (211) of said annular part (11), and, a locking hole (34) for passing the two extensions (13) together therein, and come into engagement with complementary locking means (25) of said extensions. Device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the headband comprises protuberances (21, 211) extending from an outer surface (16) of the annular part (11), the said protuberances comprising a trunk (23) and a head (22 ) wider than said trunk, the fixing means (33) of the said flange (4) comprising at least one fixing hole (33) and one (211) at least one of the said protuberances constituting the complementary means for fixing a fixing hole (33) respective. Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the flange (4) comprises a rear branch (31) and two lateral branches (33), arranged in the shape of a "Y", the said rear branch extending backwards, the locking hole (34) being formed at a free end of said rear branch, each side branch (32) comprising, at a respective free end, a respective fixing hole (33). Device according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the means the complementary locking means (25) comprise at least one notch (26) formed on at least one of the extensions (13), preferably each of the said extensions, each notch comprising a rear face in the form of a ramp (28) to facilitate the introduction of the extensions into the locking hole (34), and a front face (27) to retain the extensions thus introduced. Device according to Claim 4, characterized in that the at least one extension comprises several notches, together forming an adjustment zone (25). Device according to Claim 2, characterized in that the visor (2) comprises fixing holes (42) each designed to come into engagement with a respective protuberance (21). Device according to Claim 6, characterized in that the visor has a substantially rectangular shape and comprises, in each of its lower corners, a notch (44).