IES86783B2

IES86783B2 - A face guard for a hurling helmet

Info

Publication number: IES86783B2
Application number: IES20160008A
Authority: IE
Inventors: Houston Paul
Original assignee: O'neills Irish Int Sports Company Ltd
Priority date: 2016-01-07
Filing date: 2016-01-07
Publication date: 2017-02-22
Also published as: GB201621459D0; IES20160008A2; GB2546170A; IE20160278A1

Abstract

The face guard 100 for a protective sports helmet 10, such as a hurling helmet, comprises an eye protection area and a mouth protection area. The eye protection area has no obstacles to vision and the mouth protection area has at least one aperture 105 for ventilation. The apertures 105 are sized to prevent ingress by either of a hurley stick or a hurling ball. The face guard 100 is manufactured from transparent plastic, which may be polycarbonate. The face guard 100 may be of unitary construction and may extend around the side of a players face when worn. The apertures 105 may be triangular and a rim 115 may be located on a periphery of the face guard 100 to provide strength and prevent sharp edges. Straps may attach the face guard 100 via slots 110 and air holes (122, figure 4). A helmet 10 may be provided using the face guard 100.

Description

A FACE GUARD FOR A HURLING HELMET The present invention relates to a face guard for a protective sports helmet. More particularly, it relates to a face guard for a protective helmet used in the Irish field sports of hurling played by males and camogie played by females. For convenience, the helmet will be referred to as a hurling helmet.

When initially introduced, hurling helmets did not have any face guards, the helmets being primarily used to protect players from blows to the top of the head. Gradually face guards were introduced to protect players from face injuries. Such face guards are made from metal bars welded together to form a cage-like protective structure. However, while these face guards are relatively strong, they do tend to interfere with a player’s line of sight especially when playing for high balls. Many players modify these face guards to improve their line of sight. However, these modifications can weaken or damage the face guard to such an extent that it no longer protects the player properly from blows from hurleys and ball strikes between the metal bars.

The object of the invention is to produce a face guard for a hurling helmet which alleviates the above disadvantages and also complies with the relevant Irish Standard IS:335 for hurling helmets.

The present invention provides a face guard for a hurling helmet, the face guard comprising a substantial upper eye protection area having no obstacles to vision and being manufactured from a tough transparent plastics material and a mouth protection area having one or more orifices for ventilation, the orifices being of a size which does not permit ingress by a hurley or part thereof or a hurling ball.

Preferably, the eye protection area and mouth protection area are part of a unitary construction.

Ideally, the face guard and or its substantial protection areas are manufactured from a polycarbonate plastics material.

Preferably, the polycarbonate plastics material is selected from a LEXAN™ blend of materials.

Advantageously, the face guard when manufactured from a LEXAN™ blend of materials includes one or more of the following constituent properties; anti-fogging, hydrophobic, antiscratch, anti-glare, tint and the like, useful in the games of hurling and camogie.

The invention will hereinafter be described more particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show by way of example only, eleven embodiments of the face guard to be used with a hurling helmet. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a protective helmet for hurling and camogie, referred to herein as a hurling helmet, with a first embodiment of face guard according to the invention, attached to the helmet using straps in a first configuration; Figure 2 is a side view of the first embodiment of face guard attached to the hurling helmet using straps in the first configuration; Figure 3 is a front view of the first embodiment of face guard secured to the helmet with the first configuration of straps; Figure 4 is a front view of the first embodiment of face guard; Figure 5 is a side view of the first embodiment of face guard; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of face guard attached to the hurling helmet using straps in a second configuration; Figure 7 is a side view of the first embodiment of face guard attached to the hurling helmet using the second configuration of straps; Figure 8 is a first view of the first embodiment of face guard attached to the hurling helmet using the second configuration of straps; Figure 9 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of face guard attached to the hurling helmet using straps in a third configuration; Figure 10 is a side view of the first embodiment of face guard attached to the hurling helmet using the third configuration of straps; Figure 11 is a front view of the first embodiment of face guard attached to the hurling helmet using the third configuration of straps; Figure 12 is a perspective view of the hurling helmet with a second embodiment of face guard according to the invention attached to the helmet using straps in a first configuration; Figure 13 is a side view of the helmet with the second embodiment of face guard according to the invention attached to the helmet with the first configuration of straps; Figure 14 is a front view of the helmet with the second embodiment of face guard according to the invention attached to the helmet with the first configuration of straps; Figure 15 is a front view of the second embodiment of face guard; Figure 16 is a side view of the second embodiment of face guard; Figure 17 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of face guard attached to the hurling helmet using straps in a second configuration; Figure 18 is a side view of the second embodiment of face guard attached to the hurling helmet using the second configuration of straps; Figure 19 is a front view of the second embodiment of face guard attached to the hurling helmet using the second configuration of straps; Figure 20 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of face guard attached to the hurling helmet using straps in a third configuration; Figure 21 is a perspective view of the second embodiment of face guard attached to the hurling helmet using the third configuration of straps; Figure 22 is a front view of the second embodiment of face guard attached to the hurling helmet using the third configuration of straps; Figure 23 is a front view of a third embodiment of face guard according to the invention; Figure 24 is a side view of the third embodiment of face guard; Figure 25 is a front view of a fourth embodiment of face guard according to the invention; Figure 26 is a side view of the fourth embodiment of face guard; Figure 27 is a front view of a fifth embodiment of face guard according to the invention; Figure 28 is a side view of the fifth embodiment of face guard; Figure 29 is a front view of a sixth embodiment of face guard according to the invention; Figure 30 is a side view of the sixth embodiment of face guard; Figure 31 is a front view of a seventh embodiment of face guard according to the invention; Figure 32 is a side view of the seventh embodiment of face guard; Figure 33 is a front view of an eighth embodiment of face guard according to the invention; Figure 34 is a side view of the eighth embodiment of face guard; Figure 35 is a front view of a ninth embodiment of face guard according to the invention; Figure 36 is a side view of the ninth embodiment of face guard; Figure 37 is a front view of a tenth embodiment of face guard according to the invention; Figure 38 is a side view of the tenth embodiment of face guard; Figure 39 is a front view of an eleventh embodiment of face guard according to the invention; and Figure 40 is a side view of the eleventh embodiment of face guard.

The first embodiment 100 of face guard according to the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 11 and in Figures 1 to 3, 6 to 8 and 9 to 11 the face guard is shown attached to helmet 10 using three different configurations of straps 20. The helmet 10 is provided with an ear strap 30 at each side of the helmet and a chin protector 35.

The first embodiment 100 of face guard is a transparent face shield manufactured from a tough plastics material such as polycarbonate, and more specifically, by way of example only, a polycarbonate sold under the trade mark LEXAN™. The first embodiment is formed in a bulbous, concave shape so as to fit comfortably in front of a player’s face and to be spaced an adequate distance from the player’s facial features for comfort and safety. Included in the lower part of the first embodiment 100 are three generally triangular shaped orifices 105. The main function of these orifices 105 is to allow the player to breathe adequately but they are also of a size which would prevent the blade end, or butt end, of a hurley or a hurley ball, from accidentally or deliberately going through these orifices.

At each side of the face guard 100 is an elongate slot 110 which can accommodate straps 20 as shown in the second and third configurations of straps. Around the periphery of the face guard is a rim 115 which is used to strengthen the face guard and also to ensure that there are no sharp edges which could injure a player or provide a point of weakness for the structure. At the top ends of the face guard 100 are two lugs 117 which provide further protection from a blow from a hurley from the side.

Located at the bottom of the face guard 100 below the orifices 105 are two slots 120 for accommodating straps for securing the face guard 100 to the helmet 10 and also for retaining the chin protector 35. Located at the top of the face guard 100 are two slots 122 which are to allow air to circulate around the face guard. Located between the two slots 122 are two hinge slots 124 to which separate hinge elements known as P-clips (not shown) are engaged with and secured with two fixing holes 12 on the helmet 10.

As indicated above, the preferred material for manufacturing the face guard is polycarbonate known as LEXAN™, although it is to be understood that other similar materials can be also be used. After manufacture the face guard 100 is dipped in different solutions so as to provide an anti-fogging finish, a hydrophobic coating and an anti-scratch coating on the finished face guards. Other additives or dipping solutions that can be included are anti-glare additives and tinting additives.

In the description that follows of the other embodiments of face guard according to the invention, like parts are given like numerals and will not be discussed unless they are different.

The second embodiment 200 of face guard according to the invention is shown in Figures 12 to 22 and Figures 12 to 14, 17 to 19 and 20 to 22 is shown attached to the helmet 10 using three different configuration of straps 20.

The second embodiment 200 is manufactured from the same material as the first embodiment 100 and is similar to the first embodiment except that instead of the slots 122 at the top of the face guard are two series of air holes 222.

In the third embodiment 300 shown in Figures 23 and 24, the construction is similar to the first and second embodiments, except that an air hole 322 is provided at the centre of each lug 117.

The fourth embodiment 400 shown in Figures 25 and 26 differs from the other embodiments due to the provision of two offset strap channels 410 and five side air holes 412 at each side of the fourth embodiment 400.

The fifth embodiment 500 shown in Figures 27 and 28 is similar to the fourth embodiment, except that instead of three generally triangular shaped orifices 105, it has two such orifices 105 at the sides between which are four smaller air slots 506.

The sixth embodiment 600 shown in Figures 29 and 30 is similar to the fifth embodiment 500 except at the lower end of the face guard 600 are four oval shaped orifices 605 which are used as breathing orifices for a player.

The seventh embodiment 700 as shown in Figures 31 and 32 is similar to the sixth embodiment except that it is provided with one centre orifice 705 though which a player can breathe and yet is of a size which prevents the entry of a hurley or ball (sliothar).

The eighth embodiment 800 shown in Figures 33 and 34 is similar to the seventh embodiment 700, except that it is provided with one strap channel 810 at each side of the face guard 800.

Finally, the ninth, tenth and eleventh embodiments 900 (Figures 35 and 36), 1000 (Figures 37 and 38) and 1100 (Figures 39 and 40) respectively are all of similar construction and comprise an upper region 905, 1005 and 1105 of polycarbonate construction as in the other embodiments and a lower open grid region 908, 1008 and 1108 manufactured from polycarbonate or another plastics material. These embodiments provide full protection and clear vision for a player’s eyes as well as protection for the mouth region of the player, and providing for plenty of ventilation for breathing and cooling purposes.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details which are described herein, by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

MACLACHLAN & DONALDSON

Claims

1. A face guard for a protective sports helmet, said face guard comprising: an upper eye protection area having no obstacles to vision; and a mouth protection area having one or more orifices for ventilation, the orifices being of a size which does not permit ingress by a hurley or part thereof or a hurling ball, wherein said face guard is manufactured from a transparent plastics material.

2. The face guard as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the upper eye protection area and mouth protection area are of unitary construction; optionally, wherein the plastic is polycarbonate; and optionally, wherein the orifices are of generally triangular shape.

3. The face guard as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a rim is provided around the periphery of the face guard to strengthen the face guard and also to ensure that there are no sharp edges which could injure a player or provide a point of weakness for the face guard; optionally, wherein the top of the upper eye protection area extends around the side of the player’s face when the face guard is worn; and optionally, wherein the face guard further comprises slots for accommodating straps for securing the face guard to a helmet and/or to a chin guard.

4. The face guard as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the face guard further comprises air holes which allow air to circulate around the face guard, preferably wherein the air holes are provided at the top of the face guard; optionally, wherein the face guard is treated to provide one or more of an anti-fogging, anti-scratch, anti-glare or tinting effect; and optionally, wherein said mouth protection area is in the form of a grid.

5. A face guard for a protective sports helmet substantially in accordance with any of the embodiments, as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.