US737591A - Sanitary face-shield. - Google Patents

Description

No. 737,591. V PATENTED SEPT.-1, 1903.

- B. DEMPSBY.

SANITARY FACE SHIELD.

APPLICATION IILED mm, 1903.

80 MODEL.

'UNTTED' STATES Patented September 1, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

SANITARY FACE-S HIELD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 737,591, dated September 1, 1903. Application filed May 9, 1903. Seria1N0-1 56.328. (No model-l ToctZZ whom it nmy concern:

Be it known that I, ELLEN DEMPSEY, a citizen of the United States, residing'at Albany, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Sanitary Face- Shields; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a face-shield for automobilists and other persons subjected to the violent action of the sun, wind, dust, and other extraneous matter, and especially for those who are compelled to breathe fine dust and dirt, whereby diseases are contracted by the inhaling of diseaseproducing germs.

In automobiling when the vehicle is moving at high speeds it becomes necessary to protect the face, eyes, and lungs from the flying gravel and dust, and especially when riding in the evening from the gnats and other insects which abound at that time of day. I have therefore produced an improved faceshield. which not only protects the face, but acts as an air-filter, so that filtered air only ever enters the nose, mouth, or system.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a front elevation of an opaque shield; Fig.2, a front elevation of a transparent shield; Fig. 3, a similar view of a tran sparent filtering shield, both the nostril and mouth openings acting as such as a filter; Fig. 4, a similar view of an opaque shield, showing the peculiar arrangement of the mouth-opening; and Fig. 5, asimilarview showing a different mouth-opening and its filtering material.

In Fig. 1 the numeral 1 shows the body of the shield, which may be of any opaque material and has an elastic band 13, preferably passing back of the head, by which it is held in place. 2 show transparent eyepieces made of any transparent substance desired, allowing the wearer to see clearly. 3 shows the nose-piece, and 4 the nostril-openings, filled with a filtering material-such as sponge, which in active use is kept dampened, the breath when exhaled passing up and from under the shield by the passages 14 14, which may be simply channels formed in the material of the shield and terminating, preferably, under the rim of the wearers hat.

The form of shield shown in Figs. 1 and 2 does not cover the mouth, the mouth being closed and all breathing being done through the nasal organ. In Fig. 2 the exhaled air is exhaled from the mouth, thus preventing any of it from being inhaled through the nose again. The material shown in Fig. 2 is transparent, so there is no need for eyepieces.

When it is desired to cover the-whole face, the mouth as well as the eyes and nose, I employ that form of my invention shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5. Fig. 3 shows a transparent shield, the nostril-openings being operatively plugged sponge or other filtering material and the mouth-opening being fitted with a light frame 7 and revoluble on the spindle shown by means of the loops or eyes 10 10 and button 9, the spring 8 causing the frame 7 to snap shut as soon as released after being opened. The frame 7 has an opening filled with filtering material 4, and the mouthopening maybe opened and closed by simply turning the button 9. This is so constructed that when it is desired to expectorate the mouth-opening may be uncovered by turning the button 9, and it will close again, as above described. I prefer that the lower end be turned backward, so as to lie under the chin, but this is not material. The nostril-openings are also plugged with filtering material. When desired to especially provide for the escape of the exhaled breath, the passage ways shown in Fig. 1 at 14 will be added to this form of shield. (Show-11in Fig. 3.) In Fig. 4 I show an opaque shield having eyepieces 2 2, a nose-piece 3, the nostrils being plugged with a filtering material 4, and a movable frame 7, fitting over the mouth-opening, the said frame being arranged to be thrown downward by being operatively attached to the spindle shown and having the button 9, by which it is turned in the loops 1O 10, the springs 8 closing the frame after being opened, 11 showing the clip on the frame 7 by which it is attached to the spindle. The frame 7 will be filled with a filtering material, it not being so shown in this figure in order to more clearly show the frame.

In Fig. 5 I show an opaque shield with a simple mouthpiece filled with filtering material 4 and having eyepieces 22, a nose-piece 3, and filtering material in the nostrils 4..

It will be understood that in the Figs. 3, at, and 5 the shield shown therein may have the passage-ways shown in Fig. 1 and marked therein 14: 14, if desired, to provide for the escape of the exhaled breath of the wearer in an especial manner, and where the shield is to be worn for several hours at a time I use these passage-ways. My shields therefore are so constructed that provision is made for not only the protection of the face and the lungs, but also provides means for the escape of the exhaled breath and for opening the mouth-covering, so that expectoration may be accomplished without removing the shield, and this is very desirable for automoblists and others who have to wear a shield for considerable periods of time.

Having shown and described my invention so those skilled in the art may know how to make and use the same, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A face shield having a nose piece; a mouth-opening covered by a cover arranged to be opened and closed at will, filtering material arranged in the nose-piece and mouthcover in order that the air inhaled may be filtered and expectoration not be prevented substantially as described.

2. A face-shield having a mouth-opening; a mouth-opening cover arranged to be opened and closed at will; filtering material in operative connection with the mouth opening cover, said cove'r'in closing being'spring 0perated and automatic in action substantially as shown and described.

3. A face-shield having a mouth and nose opening; a'mouth-opening cover arranged to be opened and closed at will; filtering material in operative connection with the mouthopening cover and with the nose-opening, the mouth-opening cover being arranged to close automatically, substantially as shown and described.

I11 testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ELLEN DEMPSE Y.

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