US20070186324A1

US20070186324A1 - Protective mask

Info

Publication number: US20070186324A1
Application number: US11/355,379
Authority: US
Inventors: Neville Sheldon; Brent Sheldon
Original assignee: Focus Systems Tech Co Ltd
Current assignee: Focus Systems Tech Co Ltd
Priority date: 2006-02-15
Filing date: 2006-02-15
Publication date: 2007-08-16

Abstract

A protective mask includes a main body and a lens portion. The main body includes an opening, and two latch cases provided respectively on left and right sides of the opening. Each latch case has a front latch insert hole, top and bottom holes disposed rearwardly of the insert hole, and top and bottom abutment portions each formed between the insert hole and a corresponding one of the top and bottom holes. The lens portion includes a frame covering the opening, and two latches engageable respectively with the latch cases. Each latch includes two spaced-apart resilient arms insertable respectively into the top and bottom holes, and two protrusions projecting outwardly and respectively from the resilient arms and extendable outwardly of the top and bottom holes so as to engage respectively the top and bottom abutment portions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a protective mask for sports.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a conventional protective mask 1 for a paintball game includes a main body 11, a lens portion 12 provided in front of the main body 11, and an elastic head strap 13 provided at the back of the main body 11. The main body 11 includes two first engaging members 111 provided respectively on left and right sides of the main body 11, two second engaging members 112 provided respectively in front of the first engaging members 111, and two engaging grooves 113 each defined by one of the first engaging members 111 and the corresponding second engaging member 112. The elastic head strap 13 engages rear portions of the first engaging members 111. Each second engaging member 112 has an insert hole 114.
The lens portion 12 includes a lens frame 121, and two engaging pieces 122 projecting outwardly, rearwardly, and respectively from left and right sides of the lens frame 121 and having a shape substantially similar to each engaging groove 113. The engaging pieces 122 are inserted respectively through the insert holes 114 in the second engaging members 112 so as to engage releasably the corresponding engaging grooves 113.
When playing paintball, the lens portion 12 is frequently hit with paint, so that it has to be removed for cleaning. To remove the lens portion 12 from the main body 11, the user must simultaneously press inward on the engaging pieces 122 using two hands so as to release engagement between the engaging pieces 122 and the corresponding engaging grooves 113, after which the lens portion 12 is pulled forwardly and out of the main body 11. However, as a result of the structure between the engaging pieces 122 and the second engaging members 112, it is difficult for the user to press the engaging pieces 122 to release the same from the engaging grooves 113. As a result, the lens portion 12 cannot be quickly and easily removed from the main body 11, thereby making it inconvenient to remove the lens portion 12 for cleaning and replacement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a protective mask that is capable of overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art.
According to this invention, a protective mask for sports comprises a main body and a lens portion. The main body includes a lens receiving section having an opening, and two latch cases provided respectively on left and right sides of the opening. Each of the latch cases has a front latch insert hole, top and bottom holes disposed rearwardly of the front latch insert hole, and top and bottom abutment portions each formed between the front latch insert hole and a corresponding one of the top and bottom holes. The lens portion includes a frame covering the opening, and two latches provided respectively on left and right sides of the frame and engageable respectively with the latch cases. Each of the latches includes two spaced-apart resilient arms insertable respectively into the top and bottom holes via the front latch insert holes, and two protrusions projecting outwardly and respectively from the resilient arms and extendable outwardly of the top and bottom holes so as to engage respectively the top and bottom abutment portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional protective mask;
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the conventional protective mask;
FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the conventional protective mask;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of a protective mask according to the present invention;
FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the first preferred embodiment;
FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the first preferred embodiment;
FIG. 7 illustrates how the first preferred embodiment is operated;
FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7, but with a lens portion being removed from a main body;
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of a protective mask according to the present invention; and
FIG. 10 is an assembled perspective view of the second preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 6, the first preferred embodiment of a protective mask according to the present invention is configured as a paintball mask 200, and is shown to comprise a main body 2, a lens portion 3, and an elastic head strap 4.
The main body 2 includes a lens receiving section 20 formed on a front side of the main body 2 and having an opening 21, two latch cases 22 provided respectively on left and right sides of the main body 2, and two buckle holes 23 formed respectively in rear ends of the left and right sides of the main body 2. Each of the latch cases 22 has a rectangular front latch insert hole 221, a rear closed end 222 opposite to the front latch insert hole 221, top and bottom holes 223 formed respectively in top and bottom ends of the corresponding latch case 22 and disposed rearwardly of the front latch insert hole 221, and top and bottom abutment portions 224. The top and bottom ends of each latch case 22 extend curvedly and inwardly toward each other. The top and bottom holes 223 are in spatial communication with the front latch insert hole 221. Each of the top and bottom abutment portions 224 is formed between the front latch insert hole 221 and a corresponding one of the top and bottom holes 223.
The lens portion 3 includes a frame 31, a lens member 32, and two latches 33. The frame 31 has a shape corresponding to that of the opening 21 so as to cover the same. The lens member 32 is disposed on and is formed integrally with the frame 31. The latches 33 are provided respectively on left and right sides of the frame 31, and are engageable respectively with the latch cases 22 so as to releasably connect the lens portion 3 to the mainbody 2. Each of the latches 33 has a plate member 331 extending rearwardly from the corresponding side of the frame 31, and two spaced-apart resilient arms 332 extending rearwardly and respectively from top and bottom ends of the plate member 331.
The resilient arms 332 are insertable respectively into the top and bottom holes 223 in each latch case 22 via the corresponding front latch insert hole 221. Each of the resilient arms 332 has a free end provided with a protrusion 333. The protrusion 333 has a rounded shape, projects outwardly from the corresponding resilient arm 332, and is extendable outwardly of a corresponding one of the top and bottom holes 223 so as to engage the corresponding one of the top and bottom abutment portions 224. The resilient arms 332 further have adjoining ends connected to the plate member 331. The adjoining ends respectively have indentations 334 which are opposite to each other to increase the resiliency of the arms 332.
The elastic head strap 4 engages the buckle holes 23 in the main body 2.
During assembly, the latches 33 of the lens portion 3 are brought to engage with the respective latch cases 22 of the main body 2. Since the engagement between the latches 33 and the corresponding latch cases 22 are similar, only the engagement between one of the latches 33 and the corresponding latch case 22 will be described hereinafter. Because of the presence of the indentations 334 in the adjoining ends of the resilient arms 332, the protrusions 333 on the free ends of the resilient arms 332 can be pressed toward each other by the abutment portions 224 during insertion of the resilient arms 332 into the front latch insert hole 221, so that the resilient arms 332 can pass through the front latch insert hole 221 and into the top and bottom holes 223, respectively. When the protrusions 333 extend respectively into the top and bottom holes 223, the resilient arms 332 are restored to their original positions, and therefore force the protrusions 333 to abut respectively against the top and bottom abutment portions 224. Hence, the lens portion 3 is retained on the main body 2.
Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, to remove the lens portion 3 from the main body 2, the hands of the user (only one is shown) are positioned on the left and right sides of the paintball mask 200, after which the forefingers and the thumbs of the user's hands press simultaneously the protrusions 333 of the latches 33 toward each other so as to release engagement between the protrusions 333 of each latch 33 and the corresponding top and bottom abutment portions 224. The lens portion 3 can then be pulled out forwardly of the main body 2 with the protrusions 333 of each latch 33 moving away from the respective top and bottom holes 223, and out of the main body 2 via the corresponding front latch insert hole 221. Hence, the lens portion 3 of the mask 200 can be quickly and easily removed from the main body 2.
Therefore, when the lens portion 3 is made dirty by paint while playing paintball, the user simply presses the protrusions 333 of each latch 33, and pulls out the lens portion 3 from the main body 2 to proceed with cleaning of the lens portion 3.
Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the second preferred embodiment of a protective mask according to the present invention is configured as a ski goggle 500, and is shown to be similar to the first preferred embodiment. The only difference between the first and second preferred embodiments resides in the shape of the main body 5. Similarly, to remove the lens portion 6 for cleaning, the user simply presses the protrusions 633 of each latch 63 toward each other so as to release engagement between the protrusions 633 and the respective top and bottom abutment portions 524 of each latch case 52, after which the lens portion 6 is pulled out forwardly of the main body 5. Hence, the lens portion 6 of the present invention can be quickly and easily removed from the main body 5.
From the aforementioned description, it is apparent that by engaging the protrusions 333, 633 of the latches 33, 63 with the top and bottom abutment portions 224, 524 of the corresponding latch cases 22, 52, the lens portion 3, 6 can be retained on the main body 2, 5, and by pressing the protrusions 333, 633 toward each other, the protrusions 333, 633 can be disengaged from the respective top and bottom abutment portions 224, 524. Hence, the lens portion 3, 6 can be quickly and easily removed from the main body 2, 5 for cleaning. Therefore, the protective mask of the present invention is very convenient to use.
While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.

Claims

1. A protective mask for sports, comprising:

a main body including a lens receiving section having an opening, and two latch cases provided respectively on left and right sides of said opening, each of said latch cases having a front latch insert hole, top and bottom holes disposed rearwardly of said front latch insert hole, and top and bottom abutment portions each formed between said front latch insert hole and a corresponding one of said top and bottom holes; and

a lens portion including a frame covering said opening, and two latches provided respectively on left and right sides of said frame and engageable respectively with said latch cases, each of said latches including two spaced-apart resilient arms insertable respectively into said top and bottom holes via said front latch insert holes, and two protrusions projecting outwardly and respectively from said resilient arms and extendable outwardly of said top and bottom holes so as to engage respectively said top and bottom abutment portions.

2. The protective mask of claim 1, wherein each of said latches further includes a plate member extending rearwardly from said frame, said resilient arms extending rearwardly from said plate member.

3. The protective mask of claim 2, wherein said resilient arms have adjoining ends connected to said plate member, said adjoining ends respectively having indentations which are opposite to each other.

4. The protective mask of claim 1, wherein each of said protrusions has a rounded shape.

5. The protective mask of claim 1, wherein said lens portion further includes a lens member provided on and formed integrally with said frame.

6. The protective mask of claim 1, wherein said main body further includes two opposite rear ends, and two buckle holes provided respectively on said rear ends.

7. The protective mask of claim 6, further comprising an elastic head strap engaging said buckle holes.