GB2595237A

GB2595237A - Face visor with built in ear savers

Info

Publication number: GB2595237A
Application number: GB2007333.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Eavis Rob
Original assignee: Sheffshield Ltd
Current assignee: Sheffshield Ltd
Priority date: 2020-05-18
Filing date: 2020-05-18
Publication date: 2021-11-24
Also published as: GB202007333D0

Abstract

A face visor comprises a protective transparent sheet 2 supported by a head band 1 that incorporates one or more lug attachment points 13 on each side of the head band. The lug attachment points can be used as an ear saver mask attachment lug for the attachment of medical type face masks 4 that would traditionally be secured behind the ears. The lugs may also be used as part of the attachment and adjustment system for the head band, or the headband may have separate lugs (12, fig. 1) for that purpose. Both the protective transparent sheet and the face mask can be used simultaneously via the head band. The head band can be used with a flexible strap connected to the arms of the head band to improve fixing of the visor to the wearer. The face mask is able to be fitted to and removed from the head band whilst the user is wearing the face visor.

Description

Face Visor with built in Ear Savers

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a combined protective face visor and face mask system.

Background to the invention

Face visors and face masks have individually been used in medical environments for a considerable amount of time, however for certain tasks both types of device can be required to be used together. Typically face masks are attached to the face a straps that locate behind the ears, which after prolonged use can lead to discomfort, irritation and in the worst-case sores that can place the user at risk of infection. This invention takes the robust support of the head band (I) used for a face visor and incorporates attachment lugs (5) so that a face mask (4) can attach to these, rather than behind the ears. This alleviates the user from behind ear irritation and provides a more ergonomic fit for prolonged use.

It is acknowledged that such 'ear saver' type devices are already available for the wearing of face masks and alleviating these irritation problems. However, when a combination of face visor and mask needs to be worn simultaneously, the use of individual head mounting systems for each of these can lead to cross over of attachment mechanisms resulting in difficult and cumbersome usage. In particular this is a problem if either item, face mask or visor, needs to be repositioned, removed or added. Such a typical combination of face mask and visor use also incurs problems with different types of hair styles, a common example being a pony-tail type hair style that dictates placement of attachment straps above or below the protruding hair. This further complicates the ability to easily place individual face visor or mask attachment mechanisms and can lead to a poor fitment of face mask or visor.

With this invention, these problems are removed by using a single head band (1) for both devices at a head mounted position that is common for the majority of face visors, but most importantly by having suitable flexibility at the rear of the head band via the flexible strap attachment (3), so that a variety of different hair styles can be accommodated without compromising the fitment of either face visor or mask This invent onis a first in combining the face visor and mask to a common head band (1) for the ergonomic comfort of the wearer.

Summary of the invention

The present invention is concerned with improvements relating to a face visor that can be used in combination with a face mask, see Figure 1, whereby the face mask is primarily supported and held in position via the visor head band (1) and a series of adjustment lugs (12). Typically, the ears are a common way of attaching many types of face mask, but often lead to behind ear irritation after prolonged use. By the use of the face mask attachment lugs (5,), this alleviates the user from such irritation and potential infection.

The face visor consisting of a protective transparent sheet (2) is supported via a head band (1) and a flexible strap (3), which are to be firmly attached to the head prior to attaching a subsequent face mask to the attachment lugs (5). However, the intention of the invention is that a face mask can already be positioned traditionally behind the ears and then later attached to the visor head band, thus not constraining the order in which visor and mask have to be placed on the head.

The most advantageous design of attachment lugs (13) comprise of the two significant features. the first concerning the ear saver attachment section (15) for the face mask (4), and the second the flexible strap attachment section (14) for attaching the elastic band (3) for holding the head band (1) onto the wearers head. These two features are shown as part of the common attachment lugs (13), but are individual features in their own right, whereby a key feature of this invention being the ear saver attachment lug (5). This ear saver attachment lug (5) is seen as an individual head band design feature irrespective of if a flexible strap attachment lug (13) is incorporated in to overall attachment lug (12), or not.

The ear saver attachment sections (15) may have a large opening to allow for ease of installation of the face mask straps whilst the head band (1) is being worn, and also provide clearance if the flexible strap (3) is also installed on the same or nearby common attachment lug (13).

The flexible strap attachment section (14) of the common attachment lug (13) may exhibit a narrowing at the frontal section to act as a positive engagement onto the flexible strap (3), ensuring a more secure grip and preventing accidental disconnection.

A multitude of face mask attachment lugs (5) or common attachment lugs (13) may be provided to ensure sufficient tension can be created around the face to mask contact area to ensure a tight fit as required by the user and specified in the respective face mask's user instructions. Interchanging between these alternative locations may be desirable for the wearer to prevent irritation growing in specific areas or for different designs of face mask (4). To ensure a comfortable face visor fit on a user's head, the head band (1) incorporates several design features to aid this process. During the placement of the face visor by hand, the head band (1) can be gripped on either or both sides and pushed from the front of the forehead till the head band (1) locates on the forehead location area (8). During this process to ensure that the two ends of the head band do not cause discomfort along the sides of the head during placement, each end is provided with glide ends (9) and each arm flexors (10), these promote the head band sliding and contouring the head during positioning. The final fitment of the visor is then achieved through the use of a flexible strap (3), which can then be adjusted for tension via the adjustment lugs (12, 13) provided on either side of the head band (1). Once the face visor is firmly in position a face mask (4) can be attached using the aforementioned lugs (5, 13) if required.

The visor head band (1) is foreseen to be repeatedly used and is made of suitable materials that can be cleaned in accordance with the material properties, if required. The head band being made from a single formed part of a polymer or polymer-based composite. The visor transparent sheet (2) through its lifespan will need to be initially attached, potentially changed if dirty or damaged, potentially removed to be cleaned, and finally removed as part of its end of life disposal. To do this attachment points are provided on the sides (6) and front (7) of the head strap (1) which locate the visor transparent sheet (2) and hold it in position. The position of these attachment points aligns with common visor designs whereby on the flat transparent sheet (2) the hole spacings are at 80mm intervals, as is common European practice to ensure interchangeability of visors across a variety of face visors designs and manufacturers To ensure the transparent sheet (2) is firmly held in position two types of attachment points are provided on the head band (1). The first type on the front of the head band (7) locate the transparent sheet (2). The second type on the sides of the head band (6) also locate the transparent sheet (2) and incorporate a notch to the rear which is wider than the transparent sheet (2). These notches allow the transparent sheet (2) to slide into this gap and due to the pull force created by the curvature of the transparent sheet ensure it is firmly pulled into these, holding the head band (1) and visor transparent sheet (2) firmly together.

The visor transparent sheet (2) can be made of a variety of different materials and thicknesses in the range of 100 to 350 micrometres. Typical materials that are used for the transparent sheet (2) are PET (Polyethylene terephthalate), PETG (Polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified), PVC (Polyvinyl chloride) and PC (Polycarbonate), but others may also be

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used. The visor side attachment points (6) are designed to have sufficient tolerance to accept a variety of material thicknesses to ensure the transparent sheet (2) suitably locates as part of its attachment.

The dimensions of the protective transparent sheet (2) are ergonomically sized so that the user has sufficient articulation of their head from side to side and up and down, without compromising continual protection to the front of the face.

As the visor will potentially be used in a warm environment where the user may be prone to sweating. Such sweat if it falls onto the visors transparent sheet (2) would impair visibility and consequently the ability to work efficiently and safely. Therefore, to prevent transpiration from above the head band (1) nmn ng down the users face and onto the visor, a transpiration drip try is incorporated at the front of the head band (11).

The head band (1) may be symmetric in two planes of its design to prevent user assembly errors and aid speed of use.

Claims

A face visor comprising a head band part and a protective transparent part, wherein the head band has one or more locations on each side upon which the loops of a face mask can be attached, thus improving the comfort to or protection of the wearer.
A face visor according to claim I wherein a flexible strap is connected to the arms of the head band to improve the fixing of the visor to the wearer.
A face visor according to any preceding claim wherein an adjustment mechanism is connected to the arms of the head band to improve the fixing of the visor to the wearer.
A face visor according to claim 3 wherein the flexible strap connects to the head band using the same attachment as the face mask.
A face visor according to claim 3 wherein the flexible strap connects to the head band using a different attachment to the face mask.
A face visor according to any preceding claim wherein the face mask attaches onto one side of an attachment lug and the flexible strap attaches onto the other side A face visor according to any preceding claim wherein the face mask can be attached to the head band by the wearer whilst the face visor is being worn.
A face visor according to any preceding claim wherein the face mask can be detached from the head band by the wearer whilst the face visor is being worn.
A face visor according to any preceding claim wherein the head band's arms have flexors at their base to allow them to contour the head during positioning.
10. A face visor according to any preceding claim wherein the head band's arms have curved ends to allow them to slide on to the user's head during positioning.
1 1. A face visor according to any preceding claim wherein the protective transparent sheet can be mounted to and dismounted from the head band via a series of location points on the head band.
12. A face visor according to claim 11 wherein a protective transparent sheet locates on the head band and is locked in position using notches on the outermost location points for the transparent sheet.
13. A face visor according to any preceding claim wherein a drip tray is provided at the forehead section of the head band to prevent perspiration from above the head band running down onto the protective transparent sheet or into the wearer's eyes or mouth.
14. A face visor according to any preceding claim wherein the head band is symmetric in two planes to prevent user assembly errors and aid speed of use
15. A face visor according to any preceding claim wherein the head band is made from a single formed part of a polymer or polymer-based composite.
16. A face visor according to any preceding claim wherein the protective transparent sheet can be made of a variety of clear flexible plastic materials up to a maximum thickness of 350 micrometres.