US20230310966A1 - Protective equipment - Google Patents
Protective equipment Download PDFInfo
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- US20230310966A1 US20230310966A1 US18/191,987 US202318191987A US2023310966A1 US 20230310966 A1 US20230310966 A1 US 20230310966A1 US 202318191987 A US202318191987 A US 202318191987A US 2023310966 A1 US2023310966 A1 US 2023310966A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- facemask
- user
- chest
- shoulder
- protective equipment
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Links
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- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 18
- 150000002739 metals Chemical class 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 abstract description 4
- 206010010254 Concussion Diseases 0.000 abstract description 2
- 208000027418 Wounds and injury Diseases 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000009514 concussion Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 208000014674 injury Diseases 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000035939 shock Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
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- FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Magnesium Chemical compound [Mg] FYYHWMGAXLPEAU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- VVQNEPGJFQJSBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methyl methacrylate Chemical compound COC(=O)C(C)=C VVQNEPGJFQJSBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920005372 Plexiglas® Polymers 0.000 description 1
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000006978 adaptation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000004917 carbon fiber Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000005069 ears Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 229910052749 magnesium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
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- 210000000689 upper leg Anatomy 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
- A63B71/08—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions
- A63B71/10—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions for the head
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
- A41D13/0512—Neck or shoulders area
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
- A41D13/0518—Chest
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
- A41D13/11—Protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
- A63B71/08—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions
- A63B71/12—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions for the body or the legs, e.g. for the shoulders
- A63B71/1291—Body-protectors for players or sportsmen, i.e. body-protecting accessories affording protection of body parts against blows or collisions for the body or the legs, e.g. for the shoulders for the neck
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
- A63B2102/00—Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
- A63B2102/18—Baseball, rounders or similar games
Abstract
Protective equipment used in a wide range of sports occupations and other activities and occupations to prevent concussions and other injuries that may absorb shock or force brought on by the kinetic energy from flying objects such as a ball, bat or other moving object. Such protective equipment assembly comprising a wearable assembly and a facemask. The wearable assembly may comprise a chest panel and a pair of shoulder anchors. A chest attachment mechanism may be provided on the chest panel and a shoulder attachment mechanism may be provided on the shoulder anchors. The facemask may be secured to the wearable assembly via the chest attachment mechanism and the shoulder attachment mechanism such that the facemask is not in contact with a neck or a head of a user.
Description
- This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/327,482, filed Apr. 5, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- The invention is related to protective equipment for officials and athletes in sports. It is also related to protective equipment for any activities and professions requiring protection from the threat of flying objects.
- Protective equipment is used in a wide range of sports occupations and other activities and occupations to prevent concussions and other injuries. Such equipment is often intended to absorb shock or force brought on by the kinetic energy from flying objects such as a ball, bat or other moving object. Protective equipment often includes a facemask designed to limit impact of the kinetic energy to the head and neck of the wearer. One drawback with current protective equipment is the kinetic energy is transferred directly to the facemask, which in turn causes the head and neck take most of the impact. It would be desirable to provide improved protective equipment that helps ensure less impact to the head and neck.
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FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a user wearing protective equipment while in a ready stance according to certain embodiments. -
FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a user wearing protective equipment according to certain embodiments. -
FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of a user wearing protective equipment according to certain embodiments. -
FIG. 4 illustrates a wearable assembly and facemask according to certain embodiments, wherein a hook on the facemask is not engaged with a tab on the wearable assembly at a chest attachment point. -
FIG. 5 illustrates a wearable assembly and facemask according to certain embodiments, wherein the hook on the facemask is engaged with the tab on the wearable assembly at the chest attachment point. -
FIG. 6 illustrates a wearable assembly and facemask according to certain embodiments, wherein an alignment post of the facemask is not engaged with an alignment hole on the wearable assembly. -
FIG. 7 illustrates a wearable assembly and facemask according to certain embodiments, wherein the alignment post of the facemask is engaged with the alignment hole on the wearable assembly. -
FIG. 8 illustrates a wearable assembly and facemask according to certain embodiments, wherein a spring biased bolt on the facemask is not engaged with a bolt hole on the wearable assembly at the shoulder attachment point. -
FIG. 9 illustrates a wearable assembly and facemask according to certain embodiments, wherein the spring biased bolt on the facemask is engaged with the bolt hole on the wearable assembly at the shoulder attachment point. -
FIG. 10 illustrates a wing assembly according to certain embodiments. -
FIG. 11 illustrates a rear view of a user having both arms engaged with each wing of the wing assembly according to certain embodiments. -
FIG. 12 illustrates a rear view of a user having a right arm engaged with a wing of a wing assembly and a right hand engaged with a handle of a handle assembly according to certain embodiments. -
FIG. 13 illustrates a front view of a user wearing a wearable assembly having a cinch system according to certain embodiments. -
FIG. 14 illustrates a rear view of a user wearing a wearable assembly having a cinch system according to certain embodiments, wherein the cinch system is not in a cinched state. -
FIG. 15 illustrates a rear view of a user wearing a wearable assembly having a cinch system according to certain embodiments, wherein the cinch system is in a cinched state. - Some embodiments comprise a protective equipment assembly comprising a wearable assembly and a facemask. The wearable assembly comprises a chest panel and a pair of shoulder anchors. The facemask comprises a plurality of metals bars forming a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings being sized and shaped to prevent a selected object, such as a baseball, from passing through. A chest attachment mechanism is provided on the chest panel and a shoulder attachment mechanism is provided on the shoulder anchors. The facemask is secured to the wearable assembly via the chest attachment mechanism and the shoulder attachment mechanism such that the facemask is not in contact with a neck or a head of a user.
- The plurality of openings can include a viewing opening, wherein the viewing opening has a horizontal length and a vertical width, wherein the vertical width is short enough to prevent the selected object from passing through the viewing opening, and wherein the horizontal length is long enough to extend past both eyes of the user. The viewing opening can also be devoid of a central bar vertical bar.
- The facemask can be configured to extend downward for a distance past shoulders of the user and upward for a distance past a top of a head of the user. The facemask can also be configured to extend forward for a distance past a nose of the user and rearward for a distance behind the nose of the user.
- The chest attachment mechanism prevents the facemask from being rotated clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to the chest panel. The chest attachment mechanism can comprises a tab on the chest panel that extends downward and outward to form a slot between the tab and the chest panel, and a hook on the facemask, the hook being sized and shaped to be received by the slot.
- The shoulder attachment mechanism can include bolt holes on the shoulder anchors and corresponding spring-biased bolts on each side of the facemask, the spring-biased bolts having springs that bias toward and into the bolt holes. The shoulder attachment mechanism can also include finger buttons on the spring-biased bolts, wherein the finger buttons are pressed to compress the springs away and out of the bolt holes and the finger buttons are released to allow the springs to bias towards and into the bolt holes.
- The protective equipment can also include a shoulder alignment mechanism that aligns the facemask with the shoulder anchors. The shoulder alignment mechanism can include alignment holes on the shoulder anchors and corresponding alignment posts on each side of the facemask, the alignment posts being sized and shaped to be received by the alignment holes.
- The protective equipment can further include a movement limiting mechanism that limits movement of the chest panel relative to a chest of the user. In some cases, the movement limiting mechanism comprises a wing assembly having an arm wing, wherein the arm wing is sized and shaped to receive a tricep of the user. In other cases, the movement limiting mechanism comprises a handle assembly having a handle, wherein the handle is sized and shape to be held by a hand of the user. In yet other cases, the movement limiting mechanism comprises a cinch system that pulls the chest panel toward the chest of the user and pulls the shoulder anchors towards shoulders of the user.
- Other embodiments comprise a protective equipment assembly comprising a wearable assembly and a facemask. The wearable assembly comprises a chest panel and a pair of shoulder anchors. The facemask comprises a plurality of metals bars forming a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings being sized and shaped to prevent a selected object, such as a baseball, from passing through. A chest attachment mechanism is provided that includes a tab on the chest panel that extends downward and outward to form a slot between the tab and the chest panel, and a hook on the facemask, the hook being sized and shaped to be received by the slot. A shoulder attachment mechanism is provided that includes bolt holes on the shoulder anchors and corresponding spring-biased bolts on each side of the facemask, the spring-biased bolts having springs that bias toward and into the bolt holes. The facemask is secured to the wearable assembly via the chest attachment mechanism and the shoulder attachment mechanism such that the facemask is not in contact with a neck or a head of a user. The protective equipment can further include comprising a shoulder alignment mechanism comprising alignment holes on the shoulder anchors and corresponding alignment posts on each side of the facemask, the alignment posts being sized and shaped to be received by the alignment holes. The protective equipment can also further include a movement limiting mechanism that limits movement of the chest panel relative to a chest of the user.
- Other embodiments comprise a protective equipment assembly comprising a wearable assembly and a facemask. The wearable assembly comprises a chest panel and a pair of shoulder anchors. The facemask comprises a plurality of metals bars forming a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings being sized and shaped to prevent a selected object, such as a baseball, from passing through. The plurality of openings including a viewing opening, wherein the viewing opening has a horizontal length and a vertical width, wherein the vertical width is short enough to prevent the selected object from passing through the viewing opening, and wherein the horizontal length is long enough to extend past both eyes of the user, and wherein the viewing opening is devoid of a central vertical bar. The plurality of metal bars are configured to extend downward for a distance past shoulders of the user, upward for a distance past a top of the head of the user, forward for a distance past a nose of the user and rearward for a distance behind the nose of the user. A chest attachment mechanism is provided on the chest panel and a shoulder attachment mechanism is provided on the shoulder anchors. The facemask is secured to the wearable assembly via the chest attachment mechanism and the shoulder attachment mechanism such that the facemask is not in contact with a neck or a head of a user. A movement limiting mechanism is also provided on the wearable assembly that limits movement of the chest panel relative to a chest of the user.
- The following detailed description is to be read with reference to the drawings, in which like elements in different drawings have like reference numerals. The drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selected embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Skilled artisans will recognize that the examples provided herein have many useful alternatives that fall within the scope of the invention.
- The invention provides a protective equipment assembly 10 for officials and athletes in sports. The protective equipment assembly 10 can also be worn by those in activities and professions where there is a threat of flying objects. The protective equipment assembly 10 generally includes a
wearable assembly 12 and afacemask 14. Thewearable assembly 12 is worn on a user's torso and shoulders. In some cases, thewearable assembly 12 is a modified chest protector. In other cases, thewearable assembly 12 is configured to be a separate device that is worn over a standard chest protector. Thefacemask 14 is secured to thewearable assembly 12 such that it is not in contact with a user's neck or head. Such a design allows for impact on thefacemask 14 to be absorbed by areas on the torso (such as the chest and shoulders) as opposed to the neck or head. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , thewearable assembly 12 includes achest panel 16 and shoulder anchors 18. Thechest panel 16 is adjacent a user's chest and the shoulder anchors 18 are supported by a user's shoulders. Some portions or the entirewearable assembly 12 can be fabricated of a metal, such as a high-grade aluminum. In some cases, both thechest panel 16 and shoulder anchors 18 are fabricated of metal. In other cases, the entirewearable assembly 12 is fabricated of metal. Likewise, some portions or the entirewearable assembly 12 can be fabricated of a plastic. - The
facemask 14 can be made of a variety of different materials. In the illustrated FIGS, thefacemask 14 includes a plurality of metal bars 42. The plurality ofmetal bars 42 can be fabricated from a strong metal such as stainless steel, magnesium, titanium and/or aluminum. In some cases, theentire facemask 14 consists of a plurality of metal bars 42. The metal bars 42 can be fabricated of a single piece or include metal bars welded together. In other embodiments, thefacemask 14 includes a non-metallic material, such as plastic, plexiglass, carbon fiber or other material. - The plurality of
metal bars 42 is also configured to provideopenings 44 to enable a user to see through thefacemask 14. However, theseopenings 44 are still sized and shaped to keep out a desired flying object. For example, if thefacemask 14 is used in baseball, theopenings 44 are sized and shaped to keep out a baseball. Thefacemask 14 can also include aviewing opening 46 that is devoid of a central protective bar in between eyes of a user. In certain cases where thefacemask 14 is used by an umpire in baseball, theviewing opening 46 configured to provide an unobstructed view of a pitch. When the umpire leans forward in a ready position as shown inFIG. 1 , the umpire's eyes are aligned with viewingopening 46 and the umpire can clearly view the pitch. In this manner, one aspect of the invention offers a “multi-view” feature whereby, in the case a baseball umpire, the user can view through one part of the mask in one position (e.g. standing) and then view through another part of the mask in another position (e.g. having moved downward into the “pitch-ready” position). - The
facemask 14 can have a variety of different configurations such that it does not contact a user's neck or head. In some cases, thefacemask 14 can be of a horizontal shield configuration. In other cases, thefacemask 14 has a configuration that extends backward past the user's head so as to surround a portion of the head. Regardless of the configuration, as shown inFIG. 2 , thefacemask 14 extends downward for at least a distance D1 past a user's shoulders. Likewise, thefacemask 14 extends upward for at least a distance D2 past the top of a user's head. Thefacemask 14 also extends for a distance D3 sideward from a user's ears. Further, as shown inFIG. 3 , thefacemask 14 extends forward for a distance D4 past the user's nose and rearward for a distance D5 behind a user's nose. Such a design allows for thefacemask 14 to surround the neck and head at a healthy distance such that thefacemask 14 is not in contact with the head and neck. The specific configuration can be adjusted based on the sport and desired protection needed. Also, thefacemask 14 can be made in a variety of different sizes to accommodate a variety of users. - The
facemask 14 is secured to thewearable assembly 12 using one or more attachment mechanisms. In some cases, thewearable assembly 12 includes achest attachment mechanism 20 on thechest panel 16. Thechest attachment mechanism 20 is desirably located on thechest panel 16 so that when thefacemask 14 receives impact, energy is absorbed by thechest panel 16 and thus by a user's chest. - In some cases, the
wearable assembly 12 also includes ashoulder attachment mechanism 22 on the shoulder anchors 18. Here too, theshoulder attachment mechanism 22 is located on the shoulder anchors 18 so that when thefacemask 14 receives impact, energy is also absorbed by the shoulder anchors 18. - Both attachment mechanisms help reduce impact to a user's head and neck. Following are exemplary attachment mechanisms. Skilled artisans will understand these attachment mechanisms are merely examples and other mechanisms can be used instead.
- Referring to
FIGS. 4-5 , one embodiment of achest attachment mechanism 20 can include atab 24 on thechest panel 16. Thetab 24 extends downward and outward from thechest panel 16 to create aslot 28 in between thetab 24 andchest panel 16. Thefacemask 14 includes ahook 26 shaped and sized to be insert into and received by theslot 28.FIG. 4 shows thehook 26 andslot 28 before engagement andFIG. 5 shows thehook 26 received by and engaged with theslot 28. Once engaged, thehook 26 andslot 28 prevent thefacemask 14 from being rotated clockwise or counterclockwise about thechest panel 16. Thehook 26 andslot 28 configuration still allows thefacemask 14 to be moved forward away from the user's head and backward toward the user's head. - Referring to
FIGS. 6-7 , as thefacemask 14 is moved backward toward the user's head, thefacemask 14 is aligned with the shoulder anchors 18 through ashoulder alignment mechanism 30. Following is an exemplaryshoulder alignment mechanism 30. Skilled artisans will understand that a variety of shoulder alignment mechanism can be used and are not limited to the example. - The
shoulder alignment mechanism 30 can include analignment hole 32 on ashoulder anchor 18 and acorresponding alignment post 34 on a side of thefacemask 14. In some cases, twoalignment holes 32 can be provided on both shoulder anchors 18 and twoalignment posts 34 can be provided on both sides of thefacemask 14. Thealignment post 34 is sized and shaped to insert into thealignment hole 32.FIG. 6 shows thealignment hole 32 and alignment post 34 before engagement andFIG. 7 shows thealignment post 34 engaged with thealignment hole 32. Once engaged, thefacemask 14 is properly aligned on the shoulder anchors 18. - Referring to
FIGS. 8-9 , once thefacemask 14 is properly aligned, thefacemask 14 is secured to the shoulder anchors 18 through ashoulder attachment mechanism 22. Theshoulder attachment mechanism 22 can include bolt holes 36 on the shoulder anchors 18 and corresponding spring-biasedbolts 38 on each side of thefacemask 14. Each spring-biasedbolt 28 has a spring (not shown) that biases thebolt 28 backward toward and into abolt hole 26. Afinger button 40 is provided about each spring-biasedbolt 38 so that a user can use a finger to push the bolt forward and against the biased direction. - During use, a user first secures the
facemask 14 to thechest panel 16 using thechest attachment mechanism 20 described with reference toFIGS. 4-5 . The user then moves thefacemask 14 backward toward the head until the alignment post(s) 34 inserts into the alignment hole(s) 32 as described with reference toFIGS. 6-7 . Once aligned, the user releases the finger on thefinger button 40 on each spring-biasedbolt 38 to bias backward into the bolt holes 26, as described with reference toFIGS. 8-9 . At this point, thefacemask 14 is fully secured and aligned to thewearable assembly 12. - When the
facemask 14 is desired to be removed, a user presses a finger forward on eachfinger button 40 to force eachbolt 38 forward out of eachbolt hole 26. Thefacemask 14 is then free to be moved forward until the alignment post(s) 34 exits the alignment hole(s) 32. A user continues to move thefacemask 14 forward away from the head until thehook 26 can be disengaged from theslot 28. Skilled artisans will understand that other methods of attaching thefacemask 14 to thewearable assembly 12 can be also used. - The
wearable assembly 12 is also tightly and snugly secured about the user's torso to prevent movement of thefacemask 14 upon impact. A tight fit helps keep thechest panel 16 close to the user's chest, which in turn helps to prevent thefacemask 14 from moving up, down or outward from the chest. If afacemask 14 moves too much, it poses a risk of moving into the head or face upon impact. At the same time, thewearable assembly 12 must allow for a user to breathe and move comfortably. - In some cases, the
wearable assembly 12 includes a movement limiting mechanism 48 for limiting movement of thechest panel 16 relative to an adjacent chest point on the user's chest. In certain cases, the user can engage the movement limiting mechanism 48 for a short period of time, such as when a baseball umpire is in a ready position. When the user wishes to move and breathe more freely, the user can simply disengage the movement limiting mechanism 48. Following are exemplary movement limiting mechanisms. Skilled artisans will understand that a variety of different movement limiting mechanisms can be used and are not limited to these examples. - In some cases, as shown in
FIG. 10 , the movement limiting mechanism 48 comprises awing assembly 50 having twoarm wings 52. In some cases, thewing assembly 50 can be provided as part of thewearable assembly 12. In some cases, thewing assembly 50 is designed for use with two arms of a user and includes a serpentine shapedbar 54 having awing 52 at each end. Eachwing 52 is sized and shaped to receive an arm. In certain cases, eachwing 52 is sized and shaped to receive a tricep. - As shown in
FIG. 11 , a user engages eachwing 52 with an arm. In some cases, the user engages eachwing 52 with an arm while placing the hands at a desired location, such as on the thighs while in a ready stance or perhaps behind the back. Such a movement pulls thechest panel 16 closer to the adjacent chest point and helps limit the movement of thechest panel 16 relative to the chest point. When a user desires to obtain maximum protection, the user engages arms with thewing assembly 50. When the user desires to move and breathe freely with less protection, the user disengages arms from thewing assembly 50. One advantage of using awing assembly 50 is it minimizes the need for tightening thewearable assembly 12 about a user's torso, so the user is able to always breathe comfortably. In some embodiments, thewing assembly 50 can be fitted with a spring mechanism (not shown) to cause thewing assembly 50 to spring forward as soon as the arms are disengaged. Such a spring mechanism can help move thewings 52 forward and out of the way of the arms when not in use. -
FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of a movement limiting mechanism 48. The mechanism includes awing assembly 50 and ahandle assembly 56 having ahandle 58. Thehandle 58 can be sized and shaped to be held by a user's hand. Thehandle assembly 56 can be an extension of thewing assembly 50 and include ahandle 58 in some cases. Both thewing assembly 50 and handleassembly 56 can also be provided as part of thewearable assembly 12. - In some cases, as shown in
FIG. 12 , thewing assembly 50 includes asingle wing 52 and ahandle assembly 56 is provided at a location opposite thesingle wing 52. A user engages thesingle wing 52 with one arm. The user also bends the same arm to grasp thehandle 58. With the user's arm in this position, the user helps limit the movement of thechest panel 16 relative to the chest point. Again, when the user desires to move and breathe freely with less protection, the user disengages thewing 52 and handle 58. This movement limiting mechanism also minimizes the need for tightening thewearable assembly 12 about a user's torso, so the user is able to always breathe comfortably. -
FIGS. 13-15 illustrate another embodiment of a movement limiting mechanism 48. In this embodiment, the movement limiting mechanism includes acinch system 60. Thecinch system 60 not only pulls thechest panel 16 inward toward the chest but also pulls the shoulder anchors 18 downward towards the shoulders. Thecinch system 60 can include afront hub 62, backhub 64 and twoshoulder hubs 66. Thefront hub 62 is positioned on a front of the user near the chest. Theback hub 64 is positioned on a back of the user. Theshoulder hubs 66 are positioned atop the shoulders. The 62, 64, 66 can be part of thewearable assembly 12 in some cases. In other cases, the hubs are stand-alone hubs. - The
front hub 62, backhub 64 and twoshoulder hubs 66 are all connected to one another through a series offasteners 68, hooks 70 and/or pulleys 72. When a user grabs a portion of thefasteners 68 as shown inFIG. 14 and then pulls downward as shown inFIG. 15 , this causes thehubs wearable assembly 12 about the torso. Thechest hub 62 moves towards the user's chest, theback hub 64 moves towards the user's back and theshoulder hubs 66 move towards the tops of the user's shoulders. WhileFIGS. 14 and 15 show theuser grabbing fasteners 68 on aback hub 64, skilled artisans will understand that thefasteners 68 can instead be placed on afront hub 62 or other hub design (e.g., a side hub, a bottom hub, or a top hub). Thefasteners 68 can also be incorporated as part of another feature on thewearable assembly 12, such as a belt, pad or equipment storage compartment (e.g. a ball bag worn off the waist in the case of baseball umpires). - When the
wearable assembly 12 is cinched, thefacemask 14 is less vulnerable to movement upon impact since it is so secured about the user's torso. When the user desires to move and breathe freely with less protection, the user releases the cinch. Thecinch system 60 can also include a locking mechanism 74 that secures the cinch in place and then unlocks the cinch to release. - In some cases, the
front hub 62 is sized to cover a substantial portion of the user's chest and theback hub 64 is sized to cover a substantial portion of the user's back. This allows for a user's torso to be covered withfewer fasteners 68 for increased comfort since the fasteners have the potential to cause discomfort. Skilled artisans will understand that thecinch system 60 can include a variety of different setups and is not limited to this example. - While some preferred embodiments of the invention have been described, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (20)
1. A protective equipment assembly, comprising:
a wearable assembly comprising a chest panel and a pair of shoulder anchors;
a facemask comprising a plurality of metals bars forming a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings being sized and shaped to prevent a selected object from passing through;
a chest attachment mechanism provided on the chest panel;
a shoulder attachment mechanism provided on the shoulder anchors; and
wherein the facemask is secured to the wearable assembly via the chest attachment mechanism and the shoulder attachment mechanism such that the facemask is not in contact with a neck or a head of a user.
2. The protective equipment of claim 1 wherein the plurality of openings comprises a viewing opening, wherein the viewing opening has a horizontal length and a vertical width, wherein the vertical width is short enough to prevent the selected object from passing through the viewing opening, and wherein the horizontal length is long enough to extend past both eyes of the user.
3. The protective equipment of claim 1 wherein the viewing opening is devoid of a central bar vertical bar.
4. The protective equipment of claim 1 wherein the object is a baseball.
5. The protective equipment of claim 1 wherein the facemask is configured to extend downward for a distance past shoulders of the user and upward for a distance past a top of a head of the user.
6. The protective equipment of claim 1 wherein the facemask is configured to extend forward for a distance past a nose of the user and rearward for a distance behind the nose of the user.
7. The protective equipment of claim 1 wherein the chest attachment mechanism prevents the facemask from being rotated clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to the chest panel.
8. The protective equipment of claim 1 wherein the chest attachment mechanism comprises a tab on the chest panel that extends downward and outward to form a slot between the tab and the chest panel, and a hook on the facemask, the hook being sized and shaped to be received by the slot.
9. The protective equipment of claim 1 wherein the shoulder attachment mechanism comprises bolt holes on the shoulder anchors and corresponding spring-biased bolts on each side of the facemask, the spring-biased bolts having springs that bias toward and into the bolt holes.
10. The protective equipment of claim 9 wherein the shoulder attachment mechanism further comprises finger buttons on the spring-biased bolts, wherein the finger buttons are pressed to compress the springs away and out of the bolt holes and the finger buttons are released to allow the springs to bias towards and into the bolt holes.
11. The protective equipment of claim 1 further comprising a shoulder alignment mechanism that aligns the facemask with the shoulder anchors.
12. The protective equipment of claim 11 wherein the shoulder alignment mechanism comprises alignment holes on the shoulder anchors and corresponding alignment posts on each side of the facemask, the alignment posts being sized and shaped to be received by the alignment holes.
13. The protective equipment of claim 1 further comprising a movement limiting mechanism that limits movement of the chest panel relative to a chest of the user.
14. The protective equipment of claim 13 wherein the movement limiting mechanism comprises a wing assembly having an arm wing, wherein the arm wing is sized and shaped to receive a tricep of the user.
15. The protective equipment of claim 13 wherein the movement limiting mechanism comprises a handle assembly having a handle, wherein the handle is sized and shape to be held by a hand of the user.
16. The protective equipment of claim 13 wherein the movement limiting mechanism comprises cinch system that pulls the chest panel toward the chest of the user and pulls the shoulder anchors towards shoulders of the user.
17. A protective equipment assembly, comprising:
a wearable assembly comprising a chest panel and a pair of shoulder anchors;
a facemask comprising a plurality of metals bars forming a plurality of openings, the plurality of openings being sized and shaped to prevent a selected object from passing through;
a chest attachment mechanism comprising a tab on the chest panel that extends downward and outward to form a slot between the tab and the chest panel, and a hook on the facemask, the hook being sized and shaped to be received by the slot;
a shoulder attachment mechanism comprising bolt holes on the shoulder anchors and corresponding spring-biased bolts on each side of the facemask, the spring-biased bolts having springs that bias toward and into the bolt holes;
wherein the facemask is secured to the wearable assembly via the chest attachment mechanism and the shoulder attachment mechanism such that the facemask is not in contact with a neck or a head of a user.
18. The protective equipment assembly of claim 17 further comprising a shoulder alignment mechanism comprising alignment holes on the shoulder anchors and corresponding alignment posts on each side of the facemask, the alignment posts being sized and shaped to be received by the alignment holes.
19. The protective equipment assembly of claim 17 further comprising a movement limiting mechanism that limits movement of the chest panel relative to a chest of the user.
20. A protective equipment assembly, comprising:
a wearable assembly comprising a chest panel and a pair of shoulder anchors;
a facemask comprising a plurality of metals bars forming a plurality of openings;
a chest attachment mechanism provided on the chest panel;
a shoulder attachment mechanism provided on the shoulder anchors;
a movement limiting mechanism that limits movement of the chest panel relative to a chest of the user;
wherein the facemask is secured to the wearable assembly via the chest attachment mechanism and the shoulder attachment mechanism such that the facemask is not in contact with a neck or a head of the user;
wherein the plurality of openings are sized and shaped to prevent a selected object from passing through, the plurality of openings including a viewing opening, wherein the viewing opening has a horizontal length and a vertical width, wherein the vertical width is short enough to prevent the selected object from passing through the viewing opening, and wherein the horizontal length is long enough to extend past both eyes of the user, and wherein the viewing opening is devoid of a central vertical bar; and
wherein the plurality of metal bars are configured to extend downward for a distance past shoulders of the user, upward for a distance past a top of the head of the user, forward for a distance past a nose of the user and rearward for a distance behind the nose of the user.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US18/191,987 US20230310966A1 (en) | 2022-04-05 | 2023-03-29 | Protective equipment |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US202263327482P | 2022-04-05 | 2022-04-05 | |
US18/191,987 US20230310966A1 (en) | 2022-04-05 | 2023-03-29 | Protective equipment |
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US20230310966A1 true US20230310966A1 (en) | 2023-10-05 |
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US18/191,987 Pending US20230310966A1 (en) | 2022-04-05 | 2023-03-29 | Protective equipment |
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US (1) | US20230310966A1 (en) |
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2023
- 2023-03-29 US US18/191,987 patent/US20230310966A1/en active Pending
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