NZ286127A - Face shield with replaceable visor - Google Patents

Description

New Zealand No. 286127 International No. PCT/ TO BE ENTERED AFTER ACCEPTANCE AND PUBLICATION Priority dates: 06.03.1995; Complete Specification Filed: 06.03.1996 Classification:^) A61F9/06; A42B3/22 Publication date: 22 September 1997 Journal No.: 1420 NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Title of Invention: Improvements in and relating to faceguards Name, address and nationality of applicant(s) as in international application form: PROTECTOR SAFETY INDUSTRIES LIMITED, an Australian company of 137 McCredie Road, Guildford, NSW 2161, Australia • 1 , 28 6 1 2 7 Patents Form # 5 f^riority D*»(3): b| 3j qs Compete SptoMoation Piled: C!aar. (9) ; ^ublicaton Data: 2.Z.5£?..\???. j P.O. Journal No: NEW ZEALAND Patents Act 1953 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to Faceguards Pf^oTScOtoR.

We, PROTECTIVE SAFETY INDUSTRIES LIMITED, an Australian company of '% 137 McCredie Road, Guildford, NSW 2161, Australia do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: PF05.JWP FEE CODE - 1050 u ! * IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO FACEGUARDS This invention relates to improvements in and relating to faceguards and more particularly to faceguards or faceshields, for protecting the face, eyes and neck of people, for example in 5 industrial and dangerous situations.

It is of course, well-known to provide faceguards and faceshields (hereinafter referred to as "faceguards"), for protecting the face, eyes and necks of persons against injury particularly in dangerous work environments, industrial, building or manufacturing situations, and to 10 avoid matter coming into contact with the face, eyes and neck of people, which contact might cause injury. Such faceguards generally involve a frame which mounts a visor formed of an appropriate protective and transparent material, (to allow for visibility), the frame being fitted to or incorporating head gear, chin straps and the like, so that the frame is able to be located on the head of a user, and to protect the face, eyes and neck of a user.

It is particularly important with such faceguards, that the visor portion which extends about the face and eyes of the user, is of a sufficient strength to prevent matter coming into contact with the face or eyes. Further, it is important that such visors be able to be replaced in a straightforward and efficient manner, and yet be held firmly in position when attached 20 to the frame of a faceguard, and not be vulnerable to being detached or loosened, when high impact extraneous matter comes into contact therewith.

In faceguards known and used up until this time, while it has been known to provide visors which are releasably or detachably engaged to the frame, (so as to be readily replaced), such 25 visors have in some circumstances been loosened or displaced by high impact extraneous matter coming into contact therewith. This is clearly dangerous from the point of view of the person wearing the faceguard; it is also inefficient.

It is an object of this invention to go at least some way towards overcoming or at least 30 minimising the problems outlined above by providing a faceguard having a connecting arrangement which resists unwanted displacement or loosening.^li^^iirripact extraneous matter coming into contact with the shield. 2 2 f :! Jf • i: 0 0 1 c It is a further object of this invention to provide a straightforward and efficient faceguard and visor arrangement whereby the visor is detachable and replaceable but resistant to unwanted loosening and/or dislodgment in the event of impact by extraneous material.

Other objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description.

In its broadest form the present invention comprises: a faceguard including an outer frame defining a visor opening, said outer frame being 10 adapted to releasably locate a replaceable visor; and including laterally spaced apart sides, a generally curved base extending between lower ends of said sides and an upper partial and generally curved cover extending between upper ends of said sides; a transparent visor formed of a resilient material and being of a size such as to extend across and cover said visor opening; at least one engaging lug being provided on an internal surface of each side IS of said outer frame and each said lug including at least one substantially transverse opening; each side end of said visor being formed or provided with an elongate slot having a flexible tongue extending thereinto; inner surfaces of the base and upper partial cover being formed or provided with upper and lower locating channels or grooves, to facilitate location of upper and lower sides of said visor.

According to a further aspect of this invention there is provided a faceguard including an outer frame defining a visor opening, said outer frame being adapted to releasably locate a replaceable visor; and including laterally spaced apart sides, a generally curved base extending between lower ends of said sides and an upper partial and generally curved cover 25 extending between upper ends of said sides; a transparent visor formed of a resilient material and being of a size such as to extend across and cover said visor opening; at least one engaging lug being provided on an internal surface of each side of said outer frame and each said lug including at least one substantially traverse opening; said lugs being of a generally "T" cross-section having outwardly extending upper side arms; each side end of 30 said visor being formed or provided with an elongate slot having a flexible tongue extending thereinto; inner surfaces of the base and upper partial cover being fornjod oc^rovided with v o 3 / \ r r. ft 286127 upper and lower locating channels or grooves, to facilitate location of upper and lower sides of said visor.

In another form the present invention comprises: a faceguard including an outer frame defining a visor opening, said outer frame being adapted to releasably locate a replaceable visor; and including laterally spaced apart sides, a generally curved base extending between lower ends of said sides and an upper partial and generally curved cover extending between upper ends of said sides; a transparent visor formed of a resilient material and being of a size such as to extend across and cover sdd 10 visor opening; at least one engaging lug being provided on an internal surface of each side of said outer frame and each said lug including at least one substantially transverse slot; said lug being of a generally "T" cross-section having outwardly extending upper side arms; each side end of said visor being formed or provided with an elongate slot having a flexible tongue extending thereinto; inner surfaces of the base and upper partial cover being formed 15 or provided with upper and lower locating channels or grooves, to facilitate location of upper and lower sides of said visor; the arrangement being such that in use upper and lower side surfaces of said visor are engaged within respective upper and lower locating channels of said outer frame, so as to essentially wrap around inner sides of said visor opening; the elongate slots at each side of said visor each being flexed over respective lugs so 20 that outwardly extending upper sides of said lugs extend over visor material at each side of said slots, and such that said flexible tongues are engaged in transverse slots in respective lugs, such as to releasably locate said visor in position within and relative to said outer frame.

In an alternative form the present invention comprises: A visor for use with the faceguard frame hereinbefore described, comprising a generally curved piece of resilient plastics material and including a slot which engages and receives lugs on the frame.

In a further form the present invention comprises: A faceguard frame for use with a visor hereinbefore described and comprising lugs which engage a slot in said visor to detachably secure said visor to said frame.

Li J f Oi-TlOE 2 ? JUN 1997.

RJCEiVtO r.w<iM<v wi; - -Z- • 2 « 4 '5 7 This invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1: is an exploded diagrammatic view of an invention according to one form of present invention.

Figure 2: is a side exploded view of an engagement between one side of a visor and one side of an outer frame according to one form of the invention.

Figure 3: is an exploded sectional view along arrow A of figure 2 of the accompanying 10 drawings.

The invention will now be described by way of example only, and it should be appreciated that modifications and improvements can be made to the invention in all its forms without departing from the scope or spirit thereof.

Preferably, the faceguard of the present invention is provided with appropriate mounts, headgear, chin straps and the like (not shown) to enable it to be worn by a user, so that the visor opening and visor extend across the face of the wearer, to protect the face, eyes and neck of the wearer. Preferably the frame can be constructed of an appropriate reinforced 20 plastic material, although other materials can be used if desired. The visor is preferably of a transparent material which is resistant to chemicals, and to medium and high impact, as well as to heat impact. If desired, the visors can be replaced from time to time or interchanged. As will be appreciated from the above, it is a particular advantage of the present invention that the visors can be replaced, (such as following damage, or to allow for different uses), 25 although while in place they are securely in place (although replaceable), and will not be dislodged such as by high impact articles or extraneous matter coming into contact therewith. By way of example only, special visors such as for example, acetate visors can be provided for medium impact and chemical splashes, while for example polycarbonate visors can be provided for high impact and heat protection. This is, however, by way of example 30 only. i A ' £ * C\ ti t 2 Referring now to the accompanying drawings, the faceguard 1 includes an outer frame 2 which defines a visor opening 3 in the front thereof the outer frame 2 having laterally spaced apart elongate sides 4, a generally curved and convex base portion 5 and an upper partial and generally curved cover 6 at the top, extending between upper ends of the 5 laterally spaced apart sides 4. These then define the visor opening 3 therebetween, which is generally curved and extends across the front of the faceguard. A visor 8 or a plurality of replaceable visors 8 are provided formed of an appropriate resilient plastics material, and being generally curved, so that it will be able to engage with and extend about (and preferably behind) the visor opening 3.

In the preferred form of the invention shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, sides 4 of the outer frame 2 can be provided with appropriate recesses and mounting means to enable the mounting of headgear, chin straps and the like (not shown). Further, the curved lower base portion 5 and upper partial and generally curved cover 15 portion 6 are provided with rear elongate upper and lower locating channels 9, 10, to securely locate upper and lower sides 11, 12, of a visor 8.

The side ends 14 of the visor 8 are provided with outwardly extending stepped end portions 15, in which are located elongate vertically extending elongate slots, 16 the outer most sides 20 of the stepped portions 15 at the ends of the visor being provided with grip tabs 18 such as semi-circular grip tabs 18. Preferably, in the form of the invention described, the elongate locating slots 16 adjacent each side end 14 of the visor 8 are provided with inwardly extending tongues 19 formed of a flexible material, the tongues 19 preferably (but not essentially) extending inwardly into the elongate slots 16, substantially medially thereof.

In the preferred form of the invention, inner surfaces of the sides 4 of the outer frame are provided with locating lugs 20, which are preferably of a generally "T" cross-section, having outwardly extending upper sides 21, a transverse slot or opening 22 being provided in the base thereof and extending therethrough. This is shown in more detail with reference 30 to figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings. The lugs 20 are preferably integrally formed with the inner surfaces of the sides 4 of the outer frame.

¥ A T g O 6 • 2.6 G 12 In a further preferred form of the invention, and as shown in the accompany drawings, inner surfaces of the sides 4 of the outer frame 2 are also provided within inwardly extending secondary lugs 25, longitudinally spaced apart one from the other, above and below the inwardly extending lugs 20. The arrangement of the invention is such that on the elongate 5 slots 16 of the outer sides of the visor 8 being flexed and engaged over and relative to the lugs 20 in the manner described hereinbefore, the secondary inwardly extending lugs 25, spaced apart above and below the primary lugs 20, will also engage within those slots 16, towards the upper and lower ends thereof, to facilitate or assist in facilitating a more secure engagement and to prevent or at least minimise movement of the visor relative to the outer 10 frame.

Each of lugs 20 are fixed to the outer frame 2 by way of integral bridges 26 and 27.

Further, as shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, the visor 8 can be provided with upper and 15 lower, substantially medially located holes or bores 8a to engage with upper and lower locating lugs 2a of the outer frame 2.

In order to releasably and securely locate the visor 8 within the outer frame 2, and extending over the visor opening 3, within the outer frame 2, the visor 8 is generally bent 20 into the configuration shown in figure 1 of the accompanying drawings, and the upper and lower sides 11,12 thereof are engaged within the upper and lower channels 9, 10. One side of the visor 8 is then taken and flexed over the outwardly extending upper sides 21 of the lugs 20 by being pulled thereover (such as by using the grip portion 18), at the same time as causing the tongue 19 to engage within the transverse slot 22 of the lugs 20. The other side 25 end of the visor 8 is then engaged with the lugs 20 on the other inner side 4 of the outer frame 2 in a corresponding manner.

The disengage the visor 8 from the outer frame 2 the finger grips 18 are engaged and the material of the visor 8 about the elongate slots 16 at each side thereof, pulled and flexed 30 over the outwardly extending upper sides of the "T" lugs 20, to remove them from engagement with the lugs 20 and to remove the tongues 19 from engagement within the transverse slots 22 in the lugs 20. ? A , , ^ ^ •> ° \ 7 -o ^ A /» ' V r? 286127 The invention therefore provides an effective yet straightforward faceguard which overcomes problems associated with faceguards used up until this time. It should be appreciated that modifications and improvements may be made to the invention without 5 departing from the scope thereof. i N Z. PATiNT OFFICE*"! 2 7 JUN 1997, '■•■sr.CfllVED i - - —I iimm—-VI I. *

Claims (9)

28 U \ THE CLAIMS:

1. A faceguard including an outer frame defining a visor opening, said outer frame being adapted to releasably locate a replaceable visor; and including laterally spaced apart sides, a generally curved base extending between lower ends of said sides and an upper partial and generally curved cover extending between upper ends of said sides; a transparent visor formed of a resilient material and being of a size such as to extend across and cover said visor opening; at least one engaging lug being provided on an internal surface of each side of said outer frame and each said lug including at least one substantially transverse opening; each side end of said visor being formed or provided with an elongate slot having a flexible tongue extending thereinto; inner surfaces of the base and upper partial cover being formed or provided with upper and lower locating channels or grooves, to facilitate location of upper and lower sides of said visor.

2. A faceguard according to claim 1 wherein the lugs on said outer frame have outwardly extending side arms which engage and enter said slot on said visor to releasably secure said visor in position on said frame.

3. A faceguard according to claim 2 wherein each lug is integral with the outer frame via two spaced apart contact bridges.

4. A faceguard according to claim 3 wherein a space formed between said contact !-\ bridges receives the tonguewhich projects into the slot'on said visor.

5. A faceguard according to claim 4 wherein the lug includes a planar member spanning between said contact bridges which secures said visor in position.

6. A faceguard according to claim 5 wherein the lugs have a substantially T shaped cross section.

7. A faceguard according to claim 2 wherein the visor has outwardly extending semi circular grip tabs for manual removal of said visor. A J'Jhx * fit' v.;9;C-;2861;

8. A visor for use with the faceguard frame hereinbefore described comprising a generally curved piece of resilient chemically resistant plastics material and including a slot which engages and receives lugs on the frame.;

9. A faceguard frame for use with a visor hereinbefore described and comprising lugs which engage a slot in said visor to detachably secure said visor to said frame.;1 o. A faceguard including an outer frame defining a visor opening, said outer frame being adapted to releasably locate a replaceable visor; and including laterally spaced apart sides, a generally curved base extending between lower ends of said sides and an upper partial and generally curved cover extending between upper ends of said sides; a transparent visor formed of a resilient material and being of a size such as to extend across and cover said visor opening; at least one engaging lug being provided on an internal surface of each side of said outer frame and each said lug including at least one substantially transverse slot; said lug being of a generally "T" cross-section having outwardly extending upper side arms; each side end of said visor being formed or provided with an elongate slot having a flexible tongue extending thereinto; inner surfaces of the base and upper partial cover being formed or provided with upper and lower locating channels or grooves, to facilitate location of upper and lower sides of said visor; the arrangement being such that u. use upper and lower side surfaces of said visor are engaged within respective upper and lower locating channels of said outer frame, so as to essentially wrap around inner sides of said visor opening; the elongate slots at each side of said visor each being flexed over respect lugs so that outwardly extending upper sides of said lugs extend over visor material at each side of said slots, and such that said flexible tongues are engaged in transverse slots in respective lugs, such as to releasably locate said visor in position within and relative to said outer frame.;11. A faceguard hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying illustrations.;12. A visor hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying illustrations.;' : patent Qiw.. I 10 2 7 JUN 1997, J;13. A faceguard frame hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying illustrations.;James U Piper & Co Attorneys For:;PROTECTIVE SAFETY INDUSTRIES LIMITED PfLOT£0-7c3.;cm; CLAIMS;' * A r i ^ I J>> °v •Til