US2627602A - Baseball mask - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 10, 1953 H. GOLDSMITH 2,627,602

BASEBALL MASK Filed Aug. 8, 1950 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 IN VEN TOR.

W I MVLL H. GOLDSMITH 2,627,602

BASEBALL MASK 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR.

47raM Feb. 10, 1953 Filed Aug. 8, 1950 ball.

Patented Feb. 10, 1953 BASEBALL MASK Hugo Goldsmith, Cincinnati, Ohio, assignor to Sport Products, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, at corporation Application August 8, 1950, Serial No. 178,233

This invention relates to baseball masks of the type conventionally used by catchers and umpires and is particularly concerned with a mask of the bar type embodying certain improvements which increase the comfort to the wearer and the degree of protection accorded, but which at the same time render the mask less obtrusive and cumbersome without in any way affecting its utility.

Baseball masks generally are of two different types, the mesh type formed of interlaced Wires, in most instances secured at the intersections by welding or the like, and the bar type in which the entire metal portion of the mask is formed from a single integral plate of lightweight metal, such as magnesium, Duralumin or the like. Bar type masks have to a large extent displaced the mesh type, particularly in professional use because they are, generally speaking, lighter in weight and provide a much better degree of visibility.

However, there have been in the past certain objections to masks generally, and particularly to those of the bar type. The present invention is concerned with the problem of correcting these various objections and providing a mask which is substantially more comfortable and which provides a greater degree of protection than any of the structures which have heretofore been in common use.

With this purpose in mind, one of the objects of the present invention has been to provide a maskof the bar type in which an upwardly extending projection eliminates any possibility of the user being hit on the top of the head by a While this'general arrangement has been suggested in the past, it has always been in connection with masks which were not firmly anchored to the wearers head and which could and sometimes did slip down to a point where a ball could pass over the top of the mask and hit the head of the wearer. Because of the anchoring means provided by the harness utilized in the present invention, the head protecting extension is always maintained in a position above the wearers head so that cont-act with the ball is virtually impossible.

Another object of the present invention has been to provide a minimum of padding positioned in selected areas only with an aperture of substantial width along the line established by the eyes and ears of the wearer. There are two purposes in this type of construction, the first being to increase the degree of side visibility through the mask, and the second, to pro- 1 Claim.

vide ventilation to the wearers face. This lack of ventilation is a particular problem in a bar type mask because of the comparatively large and enclosed areas provided, and is a source of considerable discomfort to a mask wearer who is sometimes required to keep the mask positioned continuously for a period of one-half to threefourths of an hour on a hot day.

Another object has been to provide means for adjustably positioning the mask on the head of the wearer. Since human heads diifervery substantially in size and contours, the ordinary strap and buckle arrangement isfrequently not sufficient to provide a really proper type of fit. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a further degree of adjustability is provided in that the strap may be passed through either one of two or more longitudinally disposed apertures in the side of the mask plate, thereby greatly increasing the degree of adjustability.

Other and further objects and advantages will be apparent from the further and more detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view of a mask representing a preferred embodiment of the invention positioned on the face of a wearer.

Figure 2 is a front view of the same mask.

Figure 3 is a rear view of the same mask, particularly illustrating the location of the padding with respect to the mask frame.

Referring now to the drawings for a further and more detailed description of the invention, the mask, which in its entiretyis designated generally "as H], comprises theplate H whichis preferably cast from some lightweight metal of the types previously specified. The plate is generally oval in contour and includes an upper head protecting projection l2, an upper bar [4 extending transversely just above the eyes of the mask wearer, a lower bar l6 positioned somewhat below the eyes and a chin guard l8. Openings designated respectively l3, l5 and H are provided over the forehead for the eyes and for the mouth. Side plates designated I9 are adapted to extend beyond the sides of the wearers face as particularly illustrated in Figure 2. Pairs of apertures 20 are formed in each of the side plates and are longitudinally arranged.

The padding utilized to protect the face and head from the shocks of balls hitting the mask is selectively disposed to provide suflicient protection and at the same time allow a substantial ventilating space. The upper pad, designated 2|, is adapted to extend across the brow of the mask wearer and, as illustrated in Figure 3, depends downwardly on the side edges only enough to provide suflicient anchorage. This pad is held in place by means of a cover extension 22 which encircles the bar It and is secured to cover flaps 23 and 24, the flap 23 being passed outwardly around the rim of the plate and the flap 24 being passed through the opening I3. Preferably, the extension 22 and the flaps 23 and 24 are secured by a continuous lacing 25. provides a three-point engagement which serves to hold the pad 2| very securely in position.

The lower pad BS is adapted to fit in the area between the wearers mouth. and the point of his chin. Again, the side portions extend upwardly only sufiiciently to provide a firm anchorage, having a substantial space between their upper ends and the lower ends of the pad 2|. held in position by cover extensions 2? and 28 which fit in the recess portions 29 in the chin guardand are secured thereby the laces 3t.

Attention is particularly directed to the barness arrangement provided for holding the. mask firmly in position on the head. This arrange ment includes thestrap at which extends around the back of the wearers head and the interconnecting strap 32 extending over the top of the head. A third strap 33 is passed through an aperture 34 in an upward extension 35 of the upper bar it and is secured in position by the buckle 36. This third strap 33. is extended rearwardly over the top of the head and secured to the strap 34. The fastening straps 3'? form extensions of the strap 3| and are adapted to be inserted selectively on both sides through either one of the apertures 2Ei20 and then maintained in position by the buckles 38. The question of which or the two apertures is utilized depends, of course, on the contour of the wearers head and a high degree of adjustability is thereby provided. it is only necessary to provide, a buckle on one side, of the plate, a sim lar arrangement may be provided, if desired, onthe other side. The entire arrangement of. the straps forces a pocket-like construction which conforms to the back and sides of the head; holding the mask firmly in position.

The mask is held firmly in position against downwardslipping by the strap 33 which serves to maintain the protective extension I?! in the proper position at all times thereby eliminating any possibility of injury to. the upper portion of thehead by thrown balls or foul tips.

From the above description, it will be appreciated that the mask which is provided has a number of definite advantages. The head protecting extension i2 is of sufiicient height to pro- This arrangement The pad 25 is While tect the top of the head from the impact of balls and is securely maintained in position against vertical movement by the strap 33. The air space provided between the upper pad 2| and the lower pad 26 is substantial and permits considerable ventilation as well as improving the visibility. The various adjustment means provided in securing the harness are particularly effectiv in providing an exact fit.

Having fully described my invention, I claim:

A baseball mask of the bar type comprising an arcuate plate of generally oval outline configuration having a plurality of apertures formed therethrough, the upper portion of said plate when secured in position on a wearers head extending to a level substantially above the top of the head, anol'means for securing the plate in position on thewearers face, said means including side portions on the plate adapted to extend outwardly along the sides of the wearers face, each of said portions having a plurality of vertically disposed strap receiving apertures formed therein, a first strap adapted for passage through one of said apertures in each side portion, said strap extending laterally around the sides of the wearers head, a second strap interconnected with said first strap and extending from one side of the head across the top to the opposite side, the points of juncture or" second strap and said first strap being spaced substantially half the distance from said oval plate to the rearincst portion of the first strap, and a third strap secured to the plate at a central point below its'upper edge and secured at its other end to the first named strap, whereby the straps collectively form a pocket-like construction holding the mask securely against the wearers face, the portions of the first strap located forwardly of each of said points of juncture being adapted for angular displacement relative to the portion of said face strap being located rearwardly of said points of juncture when said first strap is shifted from one of the apertures on each side of the face plate to another of the apertures on each side of the face plate.

HUGO GOLDSMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 861,170 Gamble et al. July 23, 1907 1,449,183 Johnstone Mar. 20, 1923 1,488,812 Goodman Apr. 1, 1924 2,028,462 Malcom Jan. 21, 1936

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