US3710393A

US3710393A - Headgear

Info

Publication number: US3710393A
Application number: US00197660A
Authority: US
Inventors: D Douglas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-11-11
Filing date: 1971-11-11
Publication date: 1973-01-16
Anticipated expiration: 1990-01-16
Also published as: DE2255218A1; JPS4862548A; GB1399029A; FR2160189A1; IT973444B; AU4874372A; ES216389Y; ES216389U; CA962802A

Abstract

The headgear comprises a substantially semi-rigid organic plastic sheath structure adapted to be placed in spaced relationship over the eyes and nose of an individual wearing the same, with perimeter portions of the sheath structure lying peripherally outward from the wearer''s eyes and nose. The sheath has lateral eye accommodating portions with transparent eyevision areas. A nose accommodating portion is located intermediate the eye portions. A nostril breath outlet is located at a peripherally outward portion of the sheath other than along the lower edge thereof. Passage means carries nostril breath of a wearer of the sheath from the nose portion to the outlet without substantial direct nostril breath communication into the space between the wearer''s eyes and the innermost surfaces of the sheath structure at the eye-vision areas. At least the eye-vision areas are preferably formed by using outer and inner plate members, with an intervening insulation space therebetween. The passage means for carrying nostril breath may be grooved or Ushaped, or may comprise a conduit. A bonnet member is preferably fixed to the sheath; and the passage means of the sheath permits breathing of air underneath the bonnet. Several optional features are included for headgear for water or air environmental use.

Description

[451 Jan. 16, 1973 [54] HEADGEAR [76] Inventor: Donald J. Douglas, 10 Glasgow Road, White Bear Lake, Minn. 55110 22 Filed: Nov.1l, 1971 21 Appl.No.: 197,660

[52] US. Cl. ..2/14 W, 128/141 R, 128/202, 2/68 [51] Int. Cl. ..A6lf 9/00 [58] Field of Search..2/l4 B, 14 C, 14 D, 14 F, 14 G, 2/14 11, 14 J, 14 K, 14 M, 14 N, 14 W, 9,10, 68;128/142.7, 141,202

Primary ExaminerP-JordanFranklin Assistant ExaminerPeter Nerbun Att0rney-Robert C. Baker [57] ABSTRACT The headgear comprises a substantially semi-rigid or- '0 ganic plastic sheath structure adapted to be placed in spaced relationship over the eyes and nose of an individual wearing the same, with perimeter portions of the sheath structure lying peripherally outward from the wearers eyes and nose. The sheath has lateral eye accommodating portions with transparent eye-vision areas. A nose accommodating portion is located intermediate the eye portions. A nostril breath outlet is located at a peripherally outward portion of the sheath other than along the lower edge thereof. Passage means carries nostril breath of a wearer of the sheath from the nose portion tothe outlet without substantial direct nostril breath communication into the space between the wearers eyes and the innermost surfaces of the sheath structure at the eye-vision areas. At least the eye-vision areas are preferably formed by using outer and inner plate members, with an intervening insulation space therebetween. The passage means for carrying nostril breath may be grooved or U-shaped,

or may comprise a conduit. A bonnet member is preferably fixed to the sheath; and the passage means of the sheath permits breathing of air underneath the bonnet. Several optional features are included for v headgear for water or air environmental use.

35 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJM 15 ms llllllu I. I15!! HEADGEAR This invention relates to new and improved headgear for humans to wear while engaging in activity where the exterior fluid environment (whether water or air or other fluid) is hostile in terms of comfort. Teachings herein may be used to make headgear for swimmers or other engaging in water activity by choice or circumstance. The teachings may also be used to make headgear for winter sports enthusiasts (such as skiers, snowmobile operators, or others finding themselves outdoors by choice or circumstance) who need protection against inclement or cold weather.

For comfort reasons, at least the eyes and nose of an individual are protected by this headgear; and usually, the headgear will include a hair-covering bonnet. The headgear is especially designed for use without the necessity of auxiliary oxygen tanks or other cumbersome apparatus. A major problem with simplified headgear of the eye and nose covering type is that of making satisfactory provision for nostril breath movement, especially without substantially interference with ones vision through the eye covering parts of the headgear. Nostril breath movement is necessary for comfort and to reduce tendency toward panic, whether the exterior environment is water or air.

Preferred embodiments of the headgear for use in an air environment permit free nostril breathing and even nostril breathing of relatively warm new air (as distinct from solely rebreathing used air exhausted from ones lungs), plus oral breathing of new air, if desired.

In the case of a water environment, the problem is most severe. A life guard may find it impossible, without taking a breath or two, to swim underwater to the depth needed to save a frantic drowning victim. Those trapped underwater in a defective submarine might escape to the surface without drowning if but free to take a breath or two on the way up. In fighting off-shore oil fires, swimmers might be able to swim underwater the extra distance to reach a shut-off valve or a safety device if but permitted the luxury ofa breath or two on the mission. In all of these situations, and many others, the emergency of the moment has the potentional to induce panic.

The teachings hereof, however, permit a breath or two of nostril breath movement even for underwater swimmers. In the most simplified embodiments of the invention for water headgear, the rebreathing of air originally taken into lungs at the surface is made possible. This relieves tendency toward panic, even though the effect of such limited breath movement is recognized as, and must be recognized by the underwater swimmer as, being mainly psychological. Such breath movement does not give the oxygen replenishment normal for surface breathing; yet it does indeed permit the shifting of air in ones lungs, and apparently, therefore, permits a relatively greater oxygen replenishment than common for a single breath of air literally held in ones lungs (since all of the oxygen in a breath of air apparently is not normally taken up by ones lungs).

Further, the invention includes features permitting such desired nostril breath movement without substantially obscuring the vision of an individual user or wearer of the headgear through the transparent eye covering parts of it. Nostril breath passing over the interior of eye covering parts is apt to cause a fog or mist to accumulate on the interior surfaces thereof. Body prespiration alone can sometimes generate sufficient moisture to create a mist layer by condensation upon the interior of relatively cool eye parts. Primarily, however, it is nostril breath movement'over those interior surfaces which is the cause of the most vexing vision interference.

A major feature of this invention is that of passaging nostril breath so as to substantially foreclose or prevent direct nostril breath communication into the space between the eyes of a wearer of the headgear and the innermost surfaces of the transparent eye covering parts of the headgear. This is done in such a way as to direct the nostril breath movement generally upwardly within a special passage or passages, instead of downwardly as might be'considered normal (but which would require, at least for the underwater swimmer, the nuisance of an auxiliary pouch of objectionable bulk and cumbersome appearance). Additionally, the teaching herein includes the insulative spacing of dual eye covering plates; and this preferred feature con tributes further to retention of visibility through the eye covering parts. Many other advantages and features of the invention will become evident as the description proceeds. V

The new headgear comprises a protective covering member adapted to be placed on the head of an individual. The covering member at least includesa substantially semi-rigid organic plastic sheath structure adapted to be placed in spaced relationship over the eyes and nose of an individual wearing the same, with the perimeter edge portions of the sheath structure lying peripherally outward from the wearer's eyes and nose. The sheath structure has lateral eye accommodating portions with transparent eye-vision areas. The eye-vision areas extend over the eyes and are the lenses or parts through which a wearer views the exterior environment. Intermediate the eye portions is a nose accommodating portion. The sheath also includes a structure characterized as a nostril breath outlet; and this outlet is at a peripherally outward portion of the sheath (that is, a portion peripherally outward from the eyes and nose) other than along the lower edge thereof. Passage means for carrying the nostril breath of a wearer of the sheath structure extends from the nose portion thereof to the outlet. Nostril breath is carried by the passage means without substantial direct nostril breath communication into the space between the wearers eyes and the innermost surfaces of the sheath structure at the eye-vision areas thereof.

In the eye accommodating portions (especially the eye-vision areas, and preferably also at the nose accommodating portion),'the sheath is most ideally formed to include outer and inner plate members with an intervening insulation space therebetween. Seal means is employed to close this insulation space from communication with fluid exterior'thereto.

The nose accommodating portion of the sheath comprises an outward nose projection and interior engagement means for contact engagement with facial areas of a wearer to form a separation between his nose and eyes. This feature separates the space for the wearers nostrils from the space between the wearers eyes and the innermost surfaces of the sheath at eye-vision areas, thereby substantially preventing direct nostril breath intercommunication. The engagement means may contact base areas or facial portions about the nostrils or nose of the wearer. Engagement means may, however, form the structure of the passage for nostril breath to an outlet at a peripherally outward portion of the sheath structure. For example, the passage means for carrying nostril breath may comprise a U-shaped channel or groove with the open side (formed by the legs of the U) in engagement contact with facial areas of a wearer. Alternatively, passage means may comprise a conduit or conduits within the sheath structure.

The passage means for carrying nostril breath may extend upwardly over the bridge area of a wearers nose to an outlet medially located at an upper peripherally outward portion of the sheath structure. The passage means may also comprise two passages within the sheath structure, or a bifurcated passage structure, with a passage extending from the lower half of the nose projection under an eye-vision area and then upwardly or laterally to an outlet at a peripheral portion of the sheath structure.

A hair covering bonnet preferably is permanently fixed (but optionally may be detachably or removably fixed) to upper and lateral perimeter portions of the sheath structure, with the nostril breath outlet of the sheath located interiorly or under the bonnet member. Where the headgear is to be employed in an air environment, the bonnet suitably may be formed of cloth or other porous material; but for underwater use or swimming use, the bonnet preferably is formed of organic plastic films or sheets which are substantially impervious to water.

Where the composite head covering is to be employed in an air environment, no particular head contacting sealing means about perimeter or peripheral areas is especially critical. However, padding for comfort reasons is desirably included at least at the lower perimeter edge of the sheath structure and along lateral temple contacting areas of that perimeter edge. For composite head coverings to be employed for water activity, a head contacting substantially water-tight seal means should be employed about the peripheral or perimeter edge portions of the composite headgear. This seal means preferably comprises a tubular chamber and a resilient plastic body strip completely enclosed herewithin.

Additional optional features include a flexible expansion insert in the bonnet member, variously located padding or spacer elements contributing to comfort for the wearer of the headgear, provision for insertion of corrective eye lenses, optional conduit extension of the nostril breath passage, optional balloon reservoir for nostril breath, auxiliary cushioning projections for improving a water-tight closure or perimeter contact of water headgear to the head of the wearer, and still other variations which do not substantially depart from the essential character of the new sheath structure.

The invention will be described by reference to a drawing made a part hereof, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view, partially broken away, of the front exterior surface of headgear according to the invention, and includes, for illustrative purposes, a schematic showing of an eye glass lens for the right eye ofa wearer;

FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 are schematic partial cross sections taken on lines 2-2, 3-3, and 4-4 of FIG. 1, showing features of the sheath structure of the headgear of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the interior surface of the sheath structure of the headgear of FIG. 1, showing features of the interior at the nose accommodating portion; I

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary schematic perspective view of the interior surface of an alternate sheath structure, showing features of an alternate nose accommodating portion where a U-shaped nostril breath passage is employed;

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a further alternate sheath structure in accordance with the invention, showing two nostril breath passages;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view of a preferred composite headgear for water use, including peripheral substantially water-tight seal means;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on line l010 of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary broken schematic perspective view of the interior of a bonnet headgear for water use, showing the approximate location of a cushion projection for a mandible base depression; and

FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of headgear including a flexible expansion pannel plus a zipper closure.

Referring to FIGS. 15 inclusively, the headgear comprises a substantially semi-rigid organic plastic sheath structure 10, plus a flexible hair-covering bonnet 11, and an optional elastic head band 12 for holding the sheath structure in position over ones eyes regardless of the loose fit or tight fit chosen for the bonnet.

The sheath structure comprises laterally spaced

eye accommodating portions

13 and 14 on each side of a nose accommodating portion 15. Each eye accommodating portion comprises a transparent eye-vision or look through" area 16; and this area may include substantially the entire lateral or eye accommodating portion of the sheath structure adjacent each side of the central nose accommodating portion 15. An eye-vision area 16 at least comprises an area approximately outlined by the broken line 17 for the eye lens 18 illustrated for a wearers right eye in FIG. 1. Thus the eyevision area should include an area comparable to that for a conventional eye glass lens 18. In fact, the sheath structure may be formed in such a way as to permit a wearer to insert his special eye-corrective lenses in it, as will be described.

The sheath structure is placed over the eyes and nose of an individual wearing the same; and therefore the perimeter edge portions 19 of the sheath lie peripherally outward from the eyes and nose of the wearer. The perimeter edge portions 19 may vary in exact contour, but are always peripherally outward from the eyes and nose sections. A preferred contour for the perimeter edge portions of the sheath is such that the perimeter edge lies approximately in a line passing underneath the nose (or across the upper lip), below cheekbones, across temple areas, and over eyebrows across the forehead. However, the sheath may barely satisfy this perimeter edge criteria, or may have a perimeter edge contoured greatly upward even over the forehead area of a wearer. In all cases, however, the perimeter is at least peripherally outward from the eyes and nose of a wearer.

A nostril breath outlet 20 is located at a peripherally outward portion of the sheath structure other than along the lower edge thereof. The nostril breath outlet must be located in a peripherally outward portion of the sheath structure, either somewhere along the upper perimeter or peripherally outward portion, as is preferred, or along a lateral peripherally outward portion or temple" area 21 of the sheath. The lateralmost portions of the sheath are contoured toward temple areas for generally loose (that is, non-pinching) mating contact engagement therewith. Passage means is provided for carrying nostril breath of the wearer from the nose projection 22 of the nose accommodating portion to the nostril breath outlet 20.

The preferred location for the nostril breath outlet is at a medial location along the upper peripheral portion or perimeter area of the sheath. The passage 23 for nostril breath to this outlet extends or passes over the bridge of the nose. Thus, the nose accommodating portion 15 of the sheath of FIG. 1 includes both the nose projection 22 and the structure for the nostril breath passage 23. The passage 23 is formed by an outward bulge 24 of the nose accommodating portion over the bridge of the nose. The outward bulge 24 forms an upwardly extending U-shaped groove or valley 24 from the nose projection 22 to the sheath perimeter 19 across the bridge of the nose on the interior side of the sheath. As illustrated in FIG. 5, a sheet or film 25 may be stretched across this valley 24 and fastened or sealed to opposite sides of it (immediately lateral to the projecting part of the nose accommodating or center portion of the sheath). This film 25 forms an interior side wall and thereby converts the valley 24 into a pipe-like conduit. The film 25 is provided with an opening at the lower part of it over the nose projection. Edges 26 of the opening (which opening may extend upwardly as a slot in the film a distance approximating or mating the end of the bone of the nose of a wearer) are such that they provide or comprise a structure characterized as an internal engagement means. Where the film or sheet chosen to form the closure wall for the passage is flexible and soft, it alone may, at the edges of the nose opening, constitute the internal engagement means 26 for engagement with facial features at base parts about a wearers nose. Alternatively, a soft padding material may be fixed to the edges 26 for comfort of contact engagement.

In the showing of FIG. 5, the internal engagement means 26 at base areas about the nose projection engage in contact with base portions about the nose of a wearer so that the nostrils of the wearer open into the nose projection and are separated from other facial features. Thus, the internal engagement means 26 acts as a separator between the space for the nostrils and the space between the wearer's eyes and the innermost surfaces of the sheath at the eye-vision areas 16. This substantially prevents direct nostril breath intercommunication between those spaces. Nostril breath is carried within the medial passage 23 at the-nose accommodating portion 15 to the outlet 20 medially located at the upper perimeter 19 of the sheath 10.

A modified structure for the nose accommodating portion 15 of a sheath with a medial nostril breath passage 27 is illustrated in FIG. 6, where flexible internally projecting internal engagement means 28 and 29 extend along each lateral side of the nose projection 22 and the upward groove continuation 24 of that projection over the bridge area of a wearers nose. The flexible engagement strips 28 and 29 on each side do not complete or unite to form a wall about the passage. Instead the passage 27 is U-shaped; but the engagement strips 28 and 29 forming the internal engagement means (for separating nostril breath from eye areas) are adapted to press against wearers facial features immediately lateral to his nose and bridge of his nose. Thus, the passage means 27 is formed by the nose projection and upward continuation thereof, with one side of the passage being the facial surface of the wearer at his nose and nose-bridge area. His breath, therefore, passes upwardly in the confined passage space over his nose and nose-bridge area to an upper medial outlet 20.

A still further alternate structure is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. In this showing, the nostrils of the wearer are again segregated or separated by internal engagement means 26, such as a flexible film 25 with an opening in it. The edges 26 of the opening in the film 25 form the engagement means for contact engagement with base portions about the nose of a wearer. But breath from the segregated nostrils in this embodiment does not pass directly upwardly. Instead, it is channeled through passages which extend laterally outward from the lower half of the nose projection 22. Two passages 30 and 31 (or a bifurcated passage concept) are employed, Each

passage

30 and 31 extends laterally outward from the lower part of the nose projection in an are or contoured path under an eye-vision area .16, and then upwardly along the laterally outward edge of an eye-vision area 16 as passage continuations 32 and 33 to an

outlet

34 and 35, respectively, at an upper perimeter 19 or peripheral portion of the sheath. Normally, the

outlets

34 and 35 will be at an upper peripheral edge near or at "temple 21 parts of the sheath. But it is suitable, if desired, to provide an outlet in a lower temple -21 peripheral area and omit the strong upward turn of the passage. Thus, the passages could extend in substantially straight lines under eye-vision areas to a lateral nostril breath outlet.

The grooves forming the passages (30, 32 and 31, 33) in the sheath may be closed, over on the internal valley side thereof, by a sheet or film 36 of plastic sealed along its edges to the lateral sides of the grooves. Alternatively, the lateral sides of the grooves may be equipped with internal facial engagement strips or members as aforediscussed in connection with the showing of FIG. 6; and in this way, the passages may be formed as a u-shaped groove open on the interior contact side. But pipe-like or conduit passages (i.e., those joined by adding the sheet wall 36) are especially preferred for this structure illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Sheet wall 36 is preferably unitary with the sheet material or film forming the separator wall 25 over nose projection 22.

Also especially preferred are nostril breath outlets along the upper perimeter of the sheath, as distinguished from an outlet or outlets at lower temple areas. The upper perimeter outlets (near or at the upper temple areas) permit easy entraining of nostril breath into the space underneath a bonnet where hair is normally located on ones head; and the problem of a restricted air passage through the restricted space created by the normally tighter fit of a bonnet at temple areas than at upper head areas is obviated. However, temple outlets can be useful, and the problem of restricted air passage can be overcome by employing an extension or auxiliary tube for entraining or passaging nostril breath to a more rearwardly or even upwardly portion within the bonnet. This concept of a conduit or passage extension for the breath passage, beyond the general perimeter contour of a sheath, is illustrated in FIG. 9.

Preferably, sheath structures of the invention are formed by molding a unitary outer plate member 37 as well as a unitary inner plate member 38 (see FIGS. 2-5, inclusive) to form, in each, an

eye accommodating portion

13 and 14 on each side of a nose accommodating portion 15. Additionally, the

plates

37 and 38, or at least one of the plates, normally the inner plate 38, will be molded with a groove or valley for the aforenoted passage means (see 23 of FIGS. 3-5; 27 of FIG. 6; and 30-33 of FIGS. 7 and 8). These

unitary plate members

37 and 38 are molded or formed so that they may be placed in juxtaposition with an intervening insulation space 39 therebetween; and a seal about perimeter portions 19 of the plates closes the intervening insulation space from communication with fluid environment ex terior thereto.

Ideally, the unitary outer 37 andinner 38 plate members are formed as illustrated in the drawing, with the outer plate 38 bulging more greatly outward than the inner plate in the

eye accommodating portions

13 and 14. The outer plate may bulge greatly outward; and if desired, the outer plate over each eye accommodating portion may be formed to lie in a straight common plane across both eye portions. Preferably, however, a gradual curvature is employed from the eye portion to the temple areas. Bulging of the outer plate outwardly relative to its perimeter edges 19 is desirable not only for forming the insulation space 39, but also from the standpoint of conveniently forming or retaining an approximate contour at the relatively non-bulged perimeter portions 19 of the outer plate for easy mating and uniting with perimeter portions 19 of the inner plate member.

Perimeter edges 19 are suitably united or sealed by dielectric means or adhesives or any other suitable means to effect a uniting of the plates in the perimeter edge portions 19 thereof. However, it should be emphasized that this seal need not be an absolutely perfect seal closing communication to the intervening insulation space from the exterior. It is satisfactory if it substantially as a practical matter effects this result (that is, substantially excludes exterior fluid from communication into the intervening space).

If desired, a grooved or beaded contour 40 may extend about the perimeters 19 at the seal portion. Optionally, sealing of the perimeter edges may be preceded by a partial or substantial evacuation of air or gases from the intervening insulation space between the plate members; but this is not necessary. Furthermore, practical materials out of which to form the platemembers may permit transmission of gases through them, which would soon cause a loss of vacuum conditions.

A variety of semi-rigid substantially shatter-resistant optically-transparent organic plastics, are suitable to employ in forming the sheath; for example, semirigid polyvinyl chloride material, acrylic type polymers including polymethyl methacrylate, butyrate polymers including cellulose acetate butyrate, polycarbonates, and the like. If desired, all areas other than the eye-vision areas 16 may be pigmented to be opaque; but preferred practice is to form the entire sheath out of transparent plastic. However, color tinted transparent plastics (as distinguished from clear transparent plastics) are widely useful; and 'polarized eye-vision areas are especially useful for those employing the sheath in winter sports activities.

The outer plate 3 preferably should be somewhat more rigid than the inner plate member 38; and this is suitably accomplished by employing slightly thicker sheet material in forming the outer plate. Thicknesses of sheet material suitable to employ vary from about a tenth millimeter up to possibly two or even five or more millimeters. As used herein, semi-rigid refers to a shape retaining structure which may be flexible enough to be slightly bent or temporarily altered in shape, but which, upon release of distortion or bending forces, will return substantially to its original shape.

As the material for the closing wall or

film

25 or 36 for one side of the passage means, organic plastics (suitably plasticized as is known) such as employed for the plates of the sheath are suitable to employ. But, normally, the wall on the interior side of the passage means can be formed out of very thin films and therefore, flexible films which do not, per se have a substantial retained semi-rigid structural shape. Nevertheless, for good contact engagement, such films should resiliently retain their shape. Such films may be dielectrically, sealed, or otherwise secured as by adhesives, along edges of passage grooves for nostril breath. Rubbery plastics, both natural and synthetic, may also be employed as the

wall

25 or 36 for a passage, or as the contact engagement strips 28 and 29 for a passage such as shown in FIG. 6.

While preferred sheaths are formed with outer 37 and inner 38 plate members spaced over the entire portions characterized as eye accommodating and nose accommodating, this can be modified at some sacrifice of the substantial freedom from internal fogging of the sheath. For example, the sheath may be formed with solely the eye-vision areas 16 (e.g., approximately as outlined for the right eye lens in FIG. 1) equipped with an insulative space between inner and outer plate members. In such a modified structure, either the inner or outer plate may be the base" plate for the overall sheath; and the other plate may be contoured and sealed to the base plate at perimeter portions about the eye-vision areas. To some extent, when modifications of structure toward this approach are employed, a tendency exists after a period of time for fog to con dense or start to condense on the non-spaced plate portions of the sheath. This starting of condensation can spread even over the immediately contiguous portions of the spaced plate eye-vision areas, thereby causing some interference with vision. Thus, the concept of not employing spaced plates for the nose accommodating portion, but instead that sealing an inner plate member (for each eye-vision area or an entire eye accommodating portion) to border edges of a nose accommodating portion, while useful, is not preferred. To be recognized, however, is the fact that the spacing of unitary outer and inner plastic plates at the nose accommodating portion may be ever so slight, with even minute points of contact permissible; but the points of contact, if present in the nose projection part of the sheath, preferably are not sealed or united.

As shown (for the right eye) in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, provision may be made for insertion of a wearers corrective eye lenses 18 in the sheath. The inner plate 38 at the eye accommodation portion 13 may be equipped with an eye glass opening bordered by an annular groove 17 for reception of a lens. Thus, the lens itself becomes part of the inner plate member. Alternately, an annular groove or spaced hook elements for holding an eye lens may be added to the inner side of the inner plate 38, so that the lens per se is an additional feature not affecting the continuity of the inner plate 38 nor the sealed character of the intervening insulation space 39.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, an elastic flexible head band 12, or other strap member adjustable to head-size, is suitably (but not required to be) fixed to the composite plastic sheath structure by fastening means 41 located near temple areas 21 of the sheath. Strap fasteners, buckles and the like may be employed. Alternately, the ends of a flexible head band 12 may be permanently anchored at temple areas. This head band is useful to hold the sheath in a position of comfort over ones eyes and nose, even though a composite headgear may include a bonnet head covering member 11.

Where the sheath is to be employed primarily in an air environment, as by skiiers, the bonnet member 11 may be detachably or removably fixed along the upper and lateral (temple") perimeter portions of the sheath. Zipper means may be employed. A series of spaced snap fasteners are useful to fix a cloth or woven fabric bonnet ll detachably to the sheath; but bonnets most preferably are permanently attached to the sheath. The bonnet 11 is fixed to the upper perimeter so that the nostril breath outlet opens under the hood or bonnet material.

About perimeter portions of the sheath 10, especially along the lower edge thereof, (adapted to pass across an upper lip), padding 42 or the like may extend to make the face-contacting edge more comfortable for the wearer. Foam or porous rubbery strip 42, or spaced patches 43, along the perimeter constitutes suitable padding means or spacers for headgear worn in an air environment. No tight seal at perimeter portions is needed for such headgear, (although a continuous rubbery strip may desirably be used just to exclude cold air), whereas headgear for water activity should be provided with a substantially water tight continuous or substantially continuous seal means at perimeter or peripheral areas.

A sheath, if made for use alone (without a bonnet) for water activity, should be equipped with a substantially water tight continuous peripheral seal means about its perimeter. To the nostril breath outlet for such asheath could be connected an expandable reservoir such as a balloon (to take up nostril breath as a few breathing motions are engaged in by an underwater swimmer). The substantially water-tight seal about the perimeter of the sheath would extend between the nostril breath outlet (to which a breath reservoir is connected) and the facial contour of the wearer-so that the water tight peripheral seal means would not itself press the breath passage to a closed position.

A preferred substantially water-tight peripheral seal means is illustrated in FIGS. 9-12, inclusive. It includes a flexible conformable plastic film in the shape of a closed tubular chamber 44 extending about and fixed to the peripheral edge portions of a protective head covering member, which may consist of a sheath for the eyes and nose, but is illustrated as a bonnet 11 in combination with a sheath 10.

A foamed porous deformable and resilient organic rubbery plastic body strip 45 extends substantially throughout the interior of the closed substantially water-impervious tubular chamber 44, and is completely enclosed therewithin. Body strip 45 is preferably a unitary strip (as distinguished from plural chunks of resilient plastic). The width of the strip is at least a half centimeter up to about 2 or even 3 centimeters, with a thickness of at least about a quarter or even a half centimeter up to about 1 or 2 centimeters. It is normally wider than it is thick, and may be oval or substantially rectangular in cross section. Optionally, the body strip 45 may be, if desired, unified to the interior surface of the tubular member 44, either to the entire interior surface thereof, or at a band section along the length of the tube. Indeed, if desired, the central interior of the body strip may be open as an elongated passage. But the walls of the tubular member 44 areclosed in use to bar open passage communication from its interior to environment exterior thereto. It may be permanently sealed to close off any such open passage communication; but alternately, valve means openable for inflating it may be present.

The portion of the tubular chamber 44 sealed to peripheral edge portions 19 of the sheath structure 10 may consist of a common wall with the material forming peripheral edge areas of the sheath structure. Thus, tubular chamber 44 may be formed by using a flexible plastic strip and longitudinally sealing it, along edges of it, to the internal surface of peripheral areas of the plastic sheath. One wall or side of the tubular chamber 23 is thus formed of the material forming the peripheral edge areas of the plastic sheath itself. Preferably, however, tubular member 44 is preformed as a tube chamber and sealed to perimeter edges of the sheath, suitably with a flexible connector strip 46 between it and the bottom of sheath 10.

Tubular chamber 44, with its internal resilient body strip 45, deforms to conform to varied facial or head contours when the headgear is fitted upon an individual about to engage in swimming. It always provides cushioning contact pressures serving'as a barrier to water entrance, and does not in any way depend upon water absorption into the body strip 45 for this barrier effect.

The flexible plastic film used to form tubular member 44 may be plasticized polyvinyl chloride,- polyvinyl butyral, polyurethanes, or any of a variety of flexible plastic film materials, including rubbery materials, Even materials which exhibit somewhat significant vapor transmission rates at the thin thickness (e.g., l or 2 mils up to about 10 or 2.0 or even possibly 50 mils thickness) most practical to employ for the tubular member can be satisfactory. For the porous body strip 45, foamed polyurethane synthetic rubbery polymers are excellent. However, any number of other synthetic or natural rubbery materials may be compounded and foamed to exhibit the conformability and resiliency necessary for a cushion against various contours of the head.

Flexible bonnets 11 may be formed out of woven fabrics or other porous sheet material for use in an air environment, or formed out of flexible plastic film material (such as aforediscussed for the tubular chamber 44), or formed out of semi-rigid plastics, as hereinafter discussed. The bonnet l 1 is preferably fixed to perimeter edges of the plastic sheath structure (at least the upper or top part and temple portions of the sheath structure) by any suitable seal means. The peripheral or perimeter edge portion of this composite protective head covering extends along a line about the head of the individual defined as a line across the upper lip, below the ears, and across the nape of the neck. However, the bonnet may be much larger and comprise a hood attached or attachable to ajacket at the neck, as is common for winter sportswear.

For water headgear, a narrow strip 46 of flexible plastic film contiguous with the bonnet material) is preferably employed as the connecting means to attach the tubular chamber 44 to the bottom of the sheath 10. This is done in preference to direct attachment to the sheath for the reason that greater comfort is realized when slight adjustments of the sheath with respect to a water-tight peripheral seal are possible. Sheath 10 must be in close contact with head areas (such as upper lip facial areas) of a user; but it need not be placed in any special pressure contact. Slight adjustability of the semi-rigid sheath with respect to the peripheral seal chamber 44 contributes to comfort. Also, if desired a narrow strip of padding, or intermitant patches of padding, may be attached at perimeter areas of the sheath for comfort reasons or as minimal spacers to keep the sheath from direct pressing contact upon forehead, temple or lip areas. vBut it also is important to maintain the tubular chamber seal means 44 as close as possible to the bottom peripheral edge of the sheath 10, preferably without obstructing the nostrils for breathing. This is necessary so that the tubular chamber seal 44 will rest along the upper lip area, below the nose, instead of being so far down from the bottom edge of the sheath that it tends to ride or slide into the mouth ofa user individual.

A feature of the structure of FIG. 9 is that of an extension conduit 47 for nostril breath. Conduit 47 (suitably a flexible or rubbery plastic tube) connects with the nostril breath outlet 20, which is located underneath the bonnet 11 as the bonnet is sealed to the perimeter of sheath 10. Extension'tube 47, also underneath the hood of bonnet 11, ports breath to the upper part of the wearers head. An extension tube or passage may be employed to port breath to other parts of the apparel worn by a user of the headgear, if desired. For example, breath may be ported over ones head into the interior of ones jacket. For those engaged in winter sports, such porting of the nostril breath permits nostril inhaling of relatively warm new air, since environmental air leaks underneath the fabric 12 hoods and apparel normally worn for such activity. But for swimmers, the space underneath the bonnet serves as a reservoir for rebreathing nostril breath.

As shown in FIG. 10, an inch or so of the portion of the perimeter of a flexible bonnet 11 adapted to pass over the nape of the neck of an individual may be left free of the substantially water-tight tubular seal means; and when this approach is employed, the rear bonnet portion free of that tubular member 44 is folded in use to pull the ends of the tubular member 44 into abutting relationship. Then, they are held in that relationship on the head of a user by a supplemental belt 48 or band (preferably elastic) which is aligned exteriorly over the tubular member 44 and held in position, as by belt loops 49 (see FIG. 9).

Alternately, an elastic belt or strap 48 may be substantially permanently adhesively attached or otherwise united along a longitudinal medial location over the outer part of porous resilient body strip 45 (either directly attached to an elastic and resilient body strip, and therefore located inside tubular chamber 44 with the body strip 45, or indirectly attached as by securing it with flexible adhesive over the outer surface of tubular chamber 44 in a position as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10). A supplemental elastic strip 48 increases the pressure of the body strip 45 against portions of a users head contacted by the tubular chamber seal means; and the increased pressure contributes to improvement of the substantial water-tightness of the contact. The elastic belt 48 may suitably be a continuous band (with a porous and resilient body strip 45 likewise as a continuous band) where the bonnet is formed of elastic flexible film material. Alternately, especially when a structure as illustrated in FIG. 12 is employed, the elastic belt may be of a discrete length and joined together by a hook or buckle means after the bonnet is positioned on ones head.

Optional valve means 50 (see FIG. 10) may be incorporated in the wall of the tubular member 44 to permit pneumatic inflation of the tubular member to a higher degree of air pressure than at atmospheric condition. A suitable valve 50 consists essentially of a small flexible plastic tube affixed at one end for communication with the interior of the tubular member 44 and adapted to be closed by folding the tube upon itself after oral inflation of the tubular member. The outermost end of the tube valve member may be inserted, after folding, in a pocket specially provided to hold the tube in folded condition after oral inflation; but it is quite suitable to merely fold the flexible tube valve 50 after oral inflation and fix the headgear upon oneself so that the tubular valve 50 is pressed in folded condition against the nape of the neck during use.

Special supplementary means for cushion filling of the mandible base depressions in the human head may be employed. These are located at the base of the jaw below the ears; and the size of the depression varies between persons. lllustratively, cushioning internal projections may be placed inside the bonnet portions at the approximate locations adapted to extend over the mandible base depressions. Each cushioning projection may be formed by providing a pocket 51 of flexible plastic inside the bonnet, in contiguous relationship to tubular chamber 44, or so as to extend at least partially over or upon the internal head-contacting surface of tubular chamber 44. A removable and adjustable resilient foam or porous rubbery plastic filler body 52 (see FIG. 11) is provided as a cushioning member for insertion inside the pocket. A user may adhesively secure the filler body 52 inside the pocket at the precise location needed to fill his mandible base depressions.

The particular adhesive chosen to fix a filler body 52 in position, as well as the particular adhesive chosen to fix an elastic band to press upon a body strip 45, will vary depending upon the particular plastic material or materials to which adhesion is desired. Illustrative useful adhesives are pressure sensitive adhesives, especially of the acrylic type, vinyl rubber adhesives, and a variety of rubbery elastic contact cements.

Where desired, a breathing valve such as described in Douglas et al. US. Pat. No. 2,581,007 may be incorporated in the headgear.

A further optional bonnet feature is that of an expansion panel as illustrated in FIG. 12. The bonnet 11 may be equipped with a flexible pie-shaped (i.e., substantially triangular) flap or flexible expansion insert 53 (analogous to an overshoe expansion insert). The insert preferably extends from a location exterior to the peripheral area or perimeter edge of the bonnet to a medial area ofthe bonnet (suitably near the crown portion of ones head). The insert should extend outwardly to a location exterior to or beyond any substantially water-tight seal means at the periphery of the headgear to insure the least likelihood of water leakage under the bonnet covering at the flap insert area. Zipper closure means54 may be fixed along lateral edges of the flap insert (that is, along lateral edges of the bonnet slit at the location of the insert 53). Auxiliary fastener means, such as

Velcro fastener elements

55 and 56, or analoguous mating elements which can be hooked together, may be employed at the perimeter edge ofthe bonnet to hold ends of the tubular chamber seal means 44 together.

While bonnet parts of the headgear may be formed out of flexible plastic films (including stretchible and resilient or rubbery organic plastic films such as butyl rubber films), it also is contemplated that semi-rigid thin plastic sheets (either clear or tinted and transparent, or opaque pigmented sheets) may be preformed or molded into a bonnet shape for the headgear. Transparent semi-rigid bonnets, suitably formed out of materials as aforenoted for making a sheath, are especially appealing to those who have groomed their hair and desire minimal crushing or disruption of it, together with retention of the appearan'cc of hair (instead of a colored scalp appearance), as they wear a bathing cap for swim. Such semi-rigid bonnets are conveniently equipped with a flap insert as illustrated in FIG. 12. The semi-rigid bonnet is sufficiently flexible to permit the slight bending or twisting of it to gain the advantage of the flexible expansion feature of the insert 53; but the bonnet returns substantially to its original shape after being placed on ones head. Tubular chamber 44, with elastic pressband 48, may be fixed along peripheral edges of this head covering; or an intermediate narrow flexible connector strip 57 as aforediscussed may extend between the perimeter of the complete semi rigid head covering and the head-contacting flexible tubular chamber seal means 44.

Although the sheath may be formed by shaping or molding preformed flat plates or sheets into the shapes required, it is also contemplated that the sheath (or the shaped plates or sheets forming it) may be fabricated by the molding, as by injection molding, or pellet-type or other raw plastic. Plates may be uniformly thick, or have thicker edges or bands for reinforcement.

If desired, a bonnet nostril breath reservoir may be so formed as to be separate from the space underneath one bonnet. For example, a dual bonnet, one inside the other, may be fixed to a sheath and to peripheral substantially water tight seal means; and the space between the two bonnet films employed as a nostril breath reservoir. The nostril breath outlet for this structure would empty into the space between the bonnets; and the film of the inner bonnet would be fixed to the inner side of the nostril breath outlet, with the film of the outer bonnet fixed to the outer side of the nostril breath outlet.

That which is claimed is: g

l. Headgear comprising a substantially semi-rigid organic plastic sheath structure adapted to be placed in spaced relationship over the eyes and nose of an in dividual wearing the same, with perimeter edge portions of said sheath structure lying peripherally outward from the wearers eyes and nose, said sheath structure comprising lateral eye accommodating portions with transparent eye-vision areas, a nose accommodating portion forming a nostril space at the inside surface of said sheath structure, said nose accomodating portion being intermediate said eye portions, a nostril breath outlet at a peripherally outward portion of said sheath structure other than along the lower edge thereof, and passage means communicating with said nostril space of said nose accomodating portion and said outlet for carrying nostril breath of a wearer of said sheath structure from the nose portion thereof to said outlet.

2. The headgear of claim 1 wherein at least each said eye vision area comprises an outer plate member and an inner plate member, said outer and inner plate mem bers being spaced apart withan intervening insulation spaced therebetween, and seal means closing and intervening insulation space from communication with environmental fluid exterior thereto. i

3. The headgear of claim 1 whereinsaid sheath comprises a unitary outer and unitary inner plate member, each said unitary plate member having formed therein said eye-vision areas and a said nose accommodating portion, said eye-vision areas and nose accommodating portion of said unitary plate members being spaced apart with an intervening insulation space therebetween, and seal means closing said intervening insulation space from communication with fluid exterior thereto.

4. The headgear of claim 1 wherein a unitary outer plastic plate includes a said nose accommodating portion and an outer plate member for each eye accommodating portion of the sheath structure, a unitary inner plastic plate includes a nose accommodating portion and an inner plate member for each eye accommodating portion of the sheath structure, said unitary outer plate and said' unitary inner plate being spaced apart with an intervening insulation space therebetween, and seal means extending about perimeter areas of said unitary outer plate and said unitary inner plate closing said intervening insulation space from communication with environmental fluid exterior thereto. I

5. The headgear of claim 1 wherein said outlet is medially located at an upper perimeter portion of said sheath structure passing across the forehead, and wherein said passage means extends upwardly over the bridge area of the wearers nose.

6. The headgear of claim 1 wherein said nose accommodating portion comprises an outward nose projection and said passage comprises a conduit connecting said nostril space of said nose projection to said outlet.

7. The headgear of claim 1 wherein said nose accommodating portion comprises an outward nose projection of said sheath structure, and internal engagement means at base areas about said nose projection for contact engagement with base portions about the nose of the wearer, thereby to separate the space for the wearers nostrils from the space between the wearers eyes and the innermost surfaces of said sheath at said eye-vision areas. I

8. The headgear of claim 1 wherein said nose accommodating portion comprises an outward projection of said sheath structure for accommodating a wearer's nose, said projection extending upwardly over the bridge area of a wearers nose to a medial perimeter area of said sheath structure, wherein said passage means of said sheath structure comprises a passage internal border engagement means extending immediately laterally along each side of said projection for contact engagement against a wearers facial features immediately lateral to the nose and bridge of the nose, and wherein said passage means of said sheath structure comprises the passage formed by said projection and said internal border engagement means.

9. The headgear of claim 1 including two said breath outlets, and wherein said passage means comprises two passages within said sheath structure, each extending from the lower part of said nostril space of said nose accommodating portion under an eye-vision area and then to a said outlet.

10. The headgear of claim 1 wherein the perimeter portions of the sheath structure are contoured for approximate fitting toward those facial areas approximately defined as across the upper lip, below cheekbones, across temple areas, and over eyebrows across the forehead.

11. The headgear of claim 1 additionally comprising a hair-covering head bonnet fixed to the upper and lateral perimeter portions of said sheath structure, on the outer side of said nostril breath outlet, whereby said nostril breath outlet is located underneath said bonnet.

12. The headgear of claim 11 additionally comprising a conduit extension connected to said outlet.

13. The headgear of claim 11 wherein said bonnet comprises a flexible porous fabric material.

14. The headgear of claim 11 wherein said bonnet comprises a plastic material substantially impervious to water.

15. The headgear of claim 11 additionally comprising head-contacting substantially water-tight seal means at peripheral edge portions of said headgear, said seal means being adapted to be conformed to the contour of a wearer's head at said peripheral edge portions, and comprising a flexible conformable plastic film shaped to form a substantially water-impervious tubular chamber extending about said peripheral edge portions, and a porous deformable and resilient organic plastic body strip extending substantially throughout said tubular chamber and completely enclosed therewithin.

16. The headgear of claim 15 wherein said tubular chamber is flexibly fixed along the lower perimeter edge of said sheath in a manner permitting adjustment of the exact location of said sheath with respect to the exact location of said tubular chamber across the upper lip of a wearer.

17. The headgear of claim 15 wherein said seal means additionally comprises a strap member extending in longitudinal alignment to press over the exterior part of said body strip for increasing the pressure upon said body strip against portions of a wearers head contacted by said seal means.

18. The headgear of claim 17 wherein said strap member comprises an elastic band.

19. The headgear of claim 11 wherein said bonnet is equipped with a pie-shaped flexible expansion insert extending from a location exterior tothe peripheral edge portions of said bonnet toward a medial area thereof, and zipper closure means for drawing the edges of said bonnet along said insert together.

20. The headgear of claim 15 additionally comprising cushioning internal projections inside bonnet portions thereof and contiguous to said tubular chamber at approximate locations adapted to extend over the mandible base depressions of a human head.

21. The headgear of claim 2 wherein said outlet is medially located at an upper perimeter portion of said sheath structure passing across the forehead, and wherein said passage means extends upwardly over the bridge area of the wearers nose.

22. The headgear of claim 2 wherein said nose accommodating portion comprises an outward nose projection and said passage means comprises a conduit connecting said nostril space of said nose projection to said outlet.

23. The headgear of claim 2 wherein said nose accommodating portion comprises an outward nose projection of said sheath structure, and an internal engagement means at base areas about said nose projection for contact engagement with base portions about the nose of the wearer, thereby to separate the space for the wearer's nostrils from the space between the wearers eyes and the innermost surfaces of said sheath at said eye-vision areas.

24. The headgear of claim 2 wherein said nose accommodating portion comprises an outward projection of said sheath structure for accommodating a wearers nose, said projection extending upwardly over the bridge area of a wearers nose to a medial perimeter area of said sheath structure, wherein said passage means of said sheath structure comprises a passage internal border engagement means extending immediately laterally along each side of said projection for contact engagement against a wearer's facial features immediately lateral to the nose and bridge of the nose, and wherein said passage means of said sheath structure comprises the passage formed by said projection and said internal border engagement means.

25. The headgear of claim 2 including two said breath outlets, and wherein said passage means comprises two passages within said sheath structure, each extending from the lower part of said nostril space of said nose accommodating portion under an eye-vision area and then to a said outlet.

26. The headgear of claim 2 wherein the perimeter portions of the sheath structure are contoured for approximate fitting toward those facial areas approximately defined as across the upper lip, below cheek bones, across temple areas, and over eyebrows across the forehead.

27. The headgear of claim 2 additionally comprising a hair-covering bonnet fixed to the upper and lateral perimeter portions of said sheath structure, on the outer side of said nostril breath outlet, whereby said nostril breath outlet is located underneath said bonnet.

28. The headgear of claim 3 wherein said outlet is medially located at an upper perimeter portion of said sheath structure passing across the forehead, and wherein said passage means extends upwardly over the bridge area of the wearer's nose.

29. The headgear of claim 3 wherein said nose accommodating portion comprises an outward nose projection and said passage means comprises a conduit connecting said nostril space of said nose projection to said outlet.

30. The headgear of claim 3 wherein said nose accommodating portion comprises an outward nose projection of said sheath structure, and internal engagement means at base areas about said nose projection for contact engagement with base portions about the nose of the wearer, thereby to separate the space for the wearers nostrils from the space between the wearers eyes and the innermost surfaces of said sheath at said eye-vision areas.

31. The headgear of claim 3 wherein said nose acand wherein said passage means of said sheath structure comprises the passage formed by said projection and said internal border engagement means.

32. The headgear of claim 3 including two said breath outlets, and wherein said passage means comprises two passages within said sheath structure, each extending from the lower part of said nostril space of said nose accommodating portion under an eye-vision area and then to a said outlet.

33. The headgear of claim 3 wherein the perimeter portions of the sheath structure are contoured for approximate fitting toward those facial areas approximately defined as across the upper lip, below cheekbones, across temple areas, and over eyebrows across the forehead.

34. The headgear of claim 3 additionally comprising a hair-covering head bonnet fixed to the upper and lateral perimeter portionsof said sheath structure, on the outer side of said nostril breath outlet, whereby said nostril breath outlet is located underneath said bonnet.

35. The headgear of claim 15 wherein at least each said eye-vision area comprises an outer plate member and an inner plate member, said outer and inner plate members being spaced apart with an intervening insulation spaced therebetween, and seal means closing said intervening insulation space from communication with environmental fluid exterior thereto.

Claims

1. Headgear comprising a substantially semi-rigid organic plastic sheath structure adapted to be placed in spaced relationship over the eyes and nose of an individual wearing the same, with perimeter edge portions of said sheath structure lying peripherally outward from the wearer''s eyes and nose, said sheath structure comprising lateral eye accommodating portions with transparent eye-vision areas, a nose accommodating portion forming a nostril space at the inside surface of said sheath structure, said nose accomodating portion being intermediate said eye portions, a nostril breath outlet at a peripherally outward portion of said sheath structure other than along the lower edge thereof, and passage means communicating with said nostril space of said nose accomodating portion anD said outlet for carrying nostril breath of a wearer of said sheath structure from the nose portion thereof to said outlet.

2. The headgear of claim 1 wherein at least each said eye vision area comprises an outer plate member and an inner plate member, said outer and inner plate members being spaced apart with an intervening insulation spaced therebetween, and seal means closing and intervening insulation space from communication with environmental fluid exterior thereto.

3. The headgear of claim 1 wherein said sheath comprises a unitary outer and unitary inner plate member, each said unitary plate member having formed therein said eye-vision areas and a said nose accommodating portion, said eye-vision areas and nose accommodating portion of said unitary plate members being spaced apart with an intervening insulation space therebetween, and seal means closing said intervening insulation space from communication with fluid exterior thereto.

4. The headgear of claim 1 wherein a unitary outer plastic plate includes a said nose accommodating portion and an outer plate member for each eye accommodating portion of the sheath structure, a unitary inner plastic plate includes a nose accommodating portion and an inner plate member for each eye accommodating portion of the sheath structure, said unitary outer plate and said unitary inner plate being spaced apart with an intervening insulation space therebetween, and seal means extending about perimeter areas of said unitary outer plate and said unitary inner plate closing said intervening insulation space from communication with environmental fluid exterior thereto.

5. The headgear of claim 1 wherein said outlet is medially located at an upper perimeter portion of said sheath structure passing across the forehead, and wherein said passage means extends upwardly over the bridge area of the wearer''s nose.

7. The headgear of claim 1 wherein said nose accommodating portion comprises an outward nose projection of said sheath structure, and internal engagement means at base areas about said nose projection for contact engagement with base portions about the nose of the wearer, thereby to separate the space for the wearer''s nostrils from the space between the wearer''s eyes and the innermost surfaces of said sheath at said eye-vision areas.

8. The headgear of claim 1 wherein said nose accommodating portion comprises an outward projection of said sheath structure for accommodating a wearer''s nose, said projection extending upwardly over the bridge area of a wearer''s nose to a medial perimeter area of said sheath structure, wherein said passage means of said sheath structure comprises a passage internal border engagement means extending immediately laterally along each side of said projection for contact engagement against a wearer''s facial features immediately lateral to the nose and bridge of the nose, and wherein said passage means of said sheath structure comprises the passage formed by said projection and said internal border engagement means.

15. The headgear of claim 11 additionally comprising head-contacting substantially water-tight seal means at peripheral edge portions of said headgear, said seal means being adapted to be conformed to the contour of a wearer''s head at said peripheral edge portions, and comprising a flexible conformable plastic film shaped to form a substantially water-impervious tubular chamber extending about said peripheral edge portions, and a porous deformable and resilient organic plastic body strip extending substantially throughout said tubular chamber and completely enclosed there-within.

17. The headgear of claim 15 wherein said seal means additionally comprises a strap member extending in longitudinal alignment to press over the exterior part of said body strip for increasing the pressure upon said body strip against portions of a wearer''s head contacted by said seal means.

19. The headgear of claim 11 wherein said bonnet is equipped with a pie-shaped flexible expansion insert extending from a location exterior to the peripheral edge portions of said bonnet toward a medial area thereof, and zipper closure means for drawing the edges of said bonnet along said insert together.

21. The headgear of claim 2 wherein said outlet is medially located at an upper perimeter portion of said sheath structure passing across the forehead, and wherein said passage means extends upwardly over the bridge area of the wearer''s nose.

23. The headgear of claim 2 wherein said nose accommodating portion comprises an outward nose projection of said sheath structure, and an internal engagement means at base areas about said nose projection for contact engagement with base portions about the nose of the wearer, thereby to separate the space for the wearer''s nostrils from the space between the wearer''s eyes and the innermost surfaces of said sheath at said eye-vision areas.

24. The headgear of claim 2 wherein said nose accommodating portion comprises an outward projection of said sheath structure for accommodating a wearer''s nose, said projection extending upwardly over the bridge area of a wearer''s nose to a medial perimeter area of said sheath structure, wherein said passage means of said sheath structure comprises a passage internal border engagement means extending immediately laterally along each side of said projection for contact engagement against a wearer''s facial features immediately lateral to the nose and bridge of the nose, and wherein said passage means of said sheath structure comprises the passage formed by said projection and said internal border engagement means.

26. The headgear of claim 2 wherein the perimeter portions of the sheath structure are contoured for approximate fitting toward those facial areas approximately defined as across the upper lip, below cheekbones, across temple areas, and over eyebrows across the forehead.

28. The headgear of claim 3 wherein said outlet is medially located at an upper perimeter portion of said sheath structure passing across the forehead, and wherein said passage means extends upwardly over the bridge area of the wearer''s nose.

30. The headgear of claim 3 wherein said nose accommodating portion comprises an outward nose projection of said sheath structure, and internal engagement means at base areas about said nose projection for contact engagement with base portions about the nose of the wearer, thereby to separate the space for the wearer''s nostrils from the space between the wearer''s eyes and the innermost surfaces of said sheath at said eye-vision areas.

31. The headgear of claim 3 wherein said nose accommodating portion comprises an outward projection of said sheath structure for accommodating a wearer''s nose, said projection extending upwardly over the bridge area of a wearer''s nose to a medial perimeter area of said sheath structure, wherein said passage means of said sheath structure comprises a passage internal border engagement means extending immediately laterally along each side of said projection for contact engagement against a wearer''s facial features immediately lateral to the nose and bridge of the nose, and wherein said passage means of said sheath structure comprises the passage formed by said projection and said internal border engagement means.

34. The headgear of claim 3 additionally comprising a hair-covering head bonnet fixed to the upper and lateral perimeter portions of said sheath structure, on the outer side of said nostril breath outlet, whereby said nostril breath outlet is located underneath said bonnet.