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  Protective mask for paintballUSPTO Application #: 20060090234Title: Protective mask for paintball Abstract: The present invention relates to a protective mask adapted to be worn by persons engaging in the game of paint ball comprising a main body formed of rigid plastic material, and adapted to cover the front, sides, chin and cheek portions. A removable flexible transparent lens is adapted to be locked into a housing formed in the mask. The invention also comprises a strap supporting the mask on a wearer's head and a face engaging portion comprising a gasket-shaped element. The gasket-shaped element is provided to securely support and anchor the mask on the wearer's face in the forehead, temple and nose areas. It is made of a resilient rubber-like material having a sufficient rigidity to withstand a high impact of projectiles. The invention also comprises a lens locking assembly comprising a lens locking means adapted to simultaneously lock the strap to the mask and to lock the lens within the housing in a positive immobilizing manner thus preventing any disengagement of the lens from the housing caused by high impact of projectiles striking the mask. (end of abstract) Agent: Mila Shvartsman - Outremont, QC, CA Inventor: Raymond Cyr USPTO Applicaton #: 20060090234 - Class: 002009000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Apparel, Guard Or Protector, For Wearer's Head, Face The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060090234. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] The present application is based on provisional applications 60/622940 filed Oct. 29, 2004 and 60/663256 filed Mar. 21, 2005. [0002] The present invention is related to a protective mask for high-impact games such as paint ball, and more particularly to a construction of a new face-engaging portion and new lens locking assembly protecting the user's eyes and face from projectiles. [0003] A removable lens on a facemask is preferred by consumers because one can purchase the style of face mask that appeals or fits most comfortably, and simply change the lens once it wears out, becomes damaged or must have different characteristics (e.g.: tinted for bright sunlight applications). This solution is economical, environmentally-friendly, and practical. Instead of having several masks, the user has one mask and several lenses depending on the desired application. [0004] The lens locking mechanism must be designed so that the lens cannot detach from the facemask by accident. Such accidents may be caused by a projectile striking the lens, improper lens installation by the user, or the facemask hitting an object. These events happen often in the game of paintball. Therefore, there is necessity for means to positively immobilize a lens in its housing on a facemask, such that if the lens locking procedure is not followed correctly, the facemask is rendered unusable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0005] Protective masks are used in high-impact sports games where flying objects or projectiles are used to hit intended targets such as players of an opposing team. Due to the fact that flying objects are capable of causing bodily damage, most sensitive areas of players, such as eyes and face, are covered by a protective mask that is expected to be comfortable and safe. [0006] There is known U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,749 for "Protective Mask with Anchor Clamp for Physical Games" to Cyr that embodies a lens, a lens receiving portion, engagement portions that mount the lens to the body, and a pair of anchor clamps to further secure the engagement of the lens to the mask body. This configuration achieved the desired result as described above, but only if the user actually made the effort to engage the anchor clamps. This invention's defect was that the facemask was useable without engagement of the anchor clamps; it is impossible to ensure that every user will engage the anchor clamps before putting on the mask, which constitutes a major disadvantage. [0007] The present invention overcomes this disadvantage by making the facemask unusable until the user properly immobilizes the lens in its housing on the facemask. The strap that holds the facemask on the head has been integrated as the key element in immobilizing the lens. In essence, the user cannot wear the facemask without the strap attached to both sides of the mask, and the strap cannot be properly attached without the lens being correctly immobilized. The user has no choice but to correctly immobilize the lens if he wants to wear the mask. [0008] There is known U.S. Pat. No. 6,560,788 to Beltrani for "Swimming or Diving Goggles" provided with a frame having a surrounding made of flexible material and capable of being applied hermetically to the user's face. [0009] There is also known U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,588 to Canavan for "Snap together Protective Goggle" comprising a rigid frame provided with a resilient face engaging portion having convex bulges in the temple-engaging areas. [0010] There is also known U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,749 to Cyr for "Protective mask" designed to be used for paint ball provided with a face engaging portion made of foam. [0011] The face engaging portion of any paint ball mask serves two main purposes: [0012] used as a gasket to prevent paint fragments from coming in contact with user's eyes; [0013] used as a support to hold or anchor the mask on the face; [0014] ensures a proper fit on user's face. [0015] All known masks designed for paint ball, including U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,749, use open-cell foams that are die-cut and glued on the inside surface of the frame. However, all these foam designs have the following disadvantages: [0016] they do not adhere securely to the frame; [0017] they are not 100% hypoallergenic; [0018] they are not easy to clean for hygiene needs; [0019] they require labor-intensive gluing process. OBJECT AND STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION [0020] It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above described problems. It is still another object of the present invention to eliminate the problem of poor adhesion and to improve the durability of the product. It is yet another object of the present invention to facilitate easier cleaning after use. [0021] It is yet another object of the present invention to make the facemask unusable until the user properly immobilizes the lens in its housing on the facemask. The strap that holds the facemask on the head has been integrated as the key element of the design. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0022] Referring now to drawings, [0023] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the face mask according to the present invention. [0024] FIG. 2 shows a perspective back view of FIG. 1. Continue reading... Full patent description for Protective mask for paintball Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Protective mask for paintball patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. 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