GB2349063A

GB2349063A - Cover for headgear

Info

Publication number: GB2349063A
Application number: GB9909343A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Graham S Smith
Original assignee: WOODVILLE POLYMER ENG
Current assignee: WOODVILLE POLYMER ENG
Priority date: 1999-04-23
Filing date: 1999-04-23
Publication date: 2000-10-25
Also published as: GB9909343D0

Abstract

An overhood 10 has an aperture 14 closed by a visor 22 over the outer surface of the overhood 10. The visor 22 overlaps the aperture 14 to define pockets 26a and 26b at the sides of the aperture 14. The pockets 26a and 26b can receive lugs (36a and 36b) of a gas mask to position it relative thereto.

Description

COVER This invention relates to a cover, in particular an overhood for an item of head gear.

It is known to provide overhoods for gas masks in order to protect the latter from dirt, dust, and other contaminants. This reduces the burden involved in cleaning the gas mask.

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved manner of locating a cover over an item, such as a gas mask.

According to one aspect, the invention relates to a cover for an item of head gear, the cover having at least one internal fastening feature which can, in use, engage at least one edge of the head gear so as to retain and position the cover with respect to the head gear.

Preferably, internal fastening features are arranged such that they engage behind respective edges of the head gear. In a preferred embodiment, the fastening features are pockets which receive portions of the head gear. The pockets can be defined by tabs or straps attached to the inside of the cover or they may be defined by a region of overlap between the cover and a visor attached over an aperture in the cover.

In a preferred embodiment, the fasteneing features comprise pockets formed adjacent the sides of a visor of the cover which accommodate the edges of a visor of the head gear.

According to a second aspect, the invention consists in a method of manufacturing a cover for an item of head gear, comprising the step of providing the cover with at least one internal fastening feature which can, in use, engage at least one edge of the head gear so as to retain and position the cover with respect to the head gear.

According to a third aspect, the invention consists in a cover for an item, the cover comprising two layers, a first of which having an aperture, the second covering at least a part of the aperture and overlapping at least one region of the first layer, said at least one overlap region defining at least one recess for receiving a portion of an item covered by the cover so as to retain and position the cover with respect of the item. A cover according to this aspect has a simple construction and may be manufactured easily.

According to a fourth aspect, the invention provides a method of manufacturing a cover for an item, the method comprising the steps of providing two layers to make the cover, the first of which having an aperture, covering at least a part of the aperture with the second layer such that it overlaps at least one region of the first layer to provide an overlap region defining at least one recess for receiving a portion of an item covered by the cover so as to retain and position the cover with respect to the item.

It will be appreciated that the cover may also be used for items other than head gear, such as cameras or sensors.

The invention will be now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates an overhood for a gas mask; Figure 2 is a section through the front wall of the overhood of Figure 1 along line A-A; Figure 3 illustrates a gas mask; Figure 4 illustrates the gas mask of Figure 3 received within the overhood of Figures 1 and 2; and Figure 5 illustrates the same section as shown in Figure 2 when the gas mask of Figure 3 is received within the hood.

The gas mask overhood 10 shown in Figure 1 comprises a hood body 12 having an aperture 14 disposed, when the hood is worn, adjacent the wearer's eyes. The substantially vertical sides of the aperture 14 are indicated 16a and 16b. Further apertures 18 and 20 are provided in the hood body 12 to allow the ports of a gas mask worn beneath the hood to communicate with the external atmosphere, or to be connected to external equipment such as an air supply.

The aperture 14 is closed by a visor 22 which is sealed over the aperture 14 around peripheral region 24 of the visor 22. It will be noted that the peripheral region 24 at which the visor 22 is sealed to the hood body 12 extends beyond the vertical edges 16a and 16b of the aperture 14, thus defining pockets 26a and 26b at the left and right hand edges (from the wearer's perspective), respectively.

Figure 2 shows a section through the front of the overhood in the region of the pockets 26a and 26b, along line A-A of Figure 1. The pockets 26a and 26b are defined by the space between the visor 22 and the portion of the hood body 12 extending within the peripheral sealing portion 24 to the respective edges 16a and 16b of the aperture 14.

Figure 3 shows a gas mask 30 over which the overhood of Figures 1 and 2 can be worn.

The gas mask 30 has a transparent visor 32 which is surrounded by seal 34. At the left and right edges of the visor (from a wearer's perspective) there are, respectively, portions 36a and 36b of the seal 34 which protrude from the surface of the gas mask, and which can be regarded as lugs.

Figure 4 shows the overhood of Figures 1 and 2 worn over the gas mask of Figure 3. It can be seen that the left hand portion (and similarly for the right hand portion that is not in view in Figure 4) of the seal 34 defining lug 36a is received within left hand pocket 26a.

The left hand edge 16b of the aperture in the overhood is indicated by a broken line.

Figure 5 illustrates the sectional view of Figure 2 when a gas mask is worn within the overhood. The left and right hand lugs 36 and 36b of the seal 34 of the gas mask can be seen to be received within respective pockets 26a and 26b. Since the lugs 36a and 36b are held within the pockets 26a and 26b, the overhood is secured relative to the gas mask.

Claims

Claims 1. A cover for an item of headgear, the cover having at least one internal fastening feature which can, in use, engage at least one edge of the headgear so as to retain and position the cover with respect to the headgear.
2. A cover according to claim 1, wherein at least one fastening feature is arranged to engage behind a respective edge of the headgear.
3. A cover according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one fastening feature is a pocket.
4. A cover according to claim 3, wherein the pocket is defined by an overlap between the cover and a visor attached to an aperture in the cover.
5. A cover according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the fastening features comprise pockets formed adjacent the sides of a visor associated with an aperture in the cover.
6. A cover according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the cover is a hood for a face mask.
7. A cover, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
8. A method of manufacturing a cover for an item of headgear, comprising the step of providing the cover with at least one internal fastening feature which can, in use, engage at least one edge of the headgear so as to retain and position the cover with respect to the headgear.
9. A method according to claim 8, comprising arranging at least one fastening feature to fit behind a respective edge of the headgear.
10. A method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein at least one fastening feature is a pocket.
11. A method according to claim 10, comprising forming the pocket by overlapping two layers of the cover.
12. A method according to claim 11, wherein the layers are the cover body and a visor covering, at least partially, an aperture in the cover body.
13. A method according to any one of claims 8 to 12 comprising forming at least one fastening feature as a pocket to the side of a visor in the cover.
14. A method according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the cover is a hood for a face mask.
15. A cover, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
16. A cover for an item, the cover comprising two layers, a first of which having an aperture, the second covering at least a part of the aperture and overlapping at least one region of the first layer, said at least one overlap region defining at least one recess for receiving a portion of an item covered by the cover so as to retain and position the cover with respect to the item.
17. A method of manufacturing a cover for an item, the method comprising the steps of providing two layers to make the cover, the first of which having an aperture, covering at least a part of the aperture with the second layer such that it overlaps at least one region of the first layer to provide an overlap region defining at least one recess for receiving a portion of an item covered by the cover so as to retain and position the cover with respect to the item.