Faceguard Assembly

The present invention relates generally to protective faceguards. More specifically, the present invention is a faceguard assembly for use on protective helmets.

Various activities in industry, the military, and sports require helmets equipped with faceguards. These faceguards must offer protection against expected hazards while allowing for optimal visibility, adequate ventilation, and effective communication. To meet these demands, many faceguards are made from metal rods welded together with gaps to enable sight, airflow, and speech. Others use non-metallic materials in place of metal rods. Some designs instead utilize strong, transparent materials that offer the necessary impact resistance, strength, melting point, and other properties to ensure protection against anticipated hazards.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a faceguard assembly that can be mounted on protective helmets.

The present invention discloses a faceguard assembly. It includes an upper section, a left connecting bar, a right connecting bar, a left lower section, a right lower section, a left tensioning member, and a right tensioning member. The upper section comprises a left side bar, a right side bar, and at least one upper bar extending between the left side bar and the right side bar. The left connecting bar and the right connecting bar extend downward from the left side bar and the right side bar, respectively, in an inclined vertical direction. The left lower section extends from a distal end of the left connecting bar, while the right lower section extends from a distal end of the right connecting bar. The left tensioning member is connected between the distal end of the left connecting bar and a distal end of the left side bar. The right tensioning member is connected between the distal end of the right connecting bar and a distal end of the right side bar.

In one embodiment, the at least one upper bar comprises a first upper bar and a second upper bar both extending between the left side bar and the right side bar.

In one embodiment, the first upper bar comprises a recessed portion.

In one embodiment, the first upper bar comprises a plurality of connectors that is adapted to attach the upper section to a headgear.

In one embodiment, the upper section further comprises a plurality of reinforcement ribs connected between the first upper bar and the second upper bar.

In one embodiment, the second upper bar further comprises a plurality of side projections.

In one embodiment, a distal end of the left side bar and a distal end of the right bar are configured to attach to the headgear.

In one embodiment, the left lower section and the right lower section each comprise a mesh.

In one embodiment, the left lower section and the right lower section are not coplanar.

In one embodiment, the left lower section comprises a first left lower bar and a second left lower bar.

In one embodiment, the first left lower bar comprises a first left lower opening area, the second left lower bar comprises a second left lower opening area, and the mesh of the left lower section covers the first left lower opening area and the second left lower opening area.

In one embodiment, the right lower section comprises a first right lower bar and a second right lower bar.

In one embodiment, the first right lower bar comprises a first right lower opening area, the second right lower bar comprises a second right lower opening area, and the mesh of the right lower section covers the first right lower opening area and the second right lower opening area.

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art that the present disclosure has broad utility and application. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the disclosure and may further incorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed features. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the embodiments of the present disclosure. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Accordingly, while embodiments are described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present disclosure and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded in any claim of a patent issuing here from, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection is to be defined by the issued claim(s) rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which an ordinary artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. When not explicitly defined herein, to the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the ordinary artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the ordinary artisan should prevail.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.”

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to refer to the same or similar elements. While many embodiments of the disclosure may be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to the elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein may be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description does not limit the disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims. The present disclosure contains headers. It should be understood that these headers are used as references and are not to be construed as limiting upon the subject matter disclosed under the header.

Other technical advantages may become readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after review of the following figures and description. It should be understood at the outset that, although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described below, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.

Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be read together with the specification and are to be considered a portion of the entire written description of this invention. As used in the following description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”, “right”, “up”, “down” and the like, as well as adjectival and adverbial derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”, “radially”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustrated structure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader.

Similarly, the terms “inwardly,” “outwardly” and “radially” generally refer to the orientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis of rotation, as appropriate. As used herein, the term “proximate” refers to positions that are situated close/near in relationship to a structure. As used in the following description, the term “distal” refers to positions that are situated away from positions.

The present disclosure includes many aspects and features. Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in the context of faceguards, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to use only in this context.

The present invention is a faceguard assembly that can be attached to a headgear, such as but not limited to sports helmets, etc. It is an aim of the present invention to provide a faceguard assembly that can be attached to protective helmets worn by participants playing various sports such as football, rugby, lacrosse, and hockey. It is another aim of the present invention to provide a faceguard assembly that can effectively prevent the players from injury. It is yet another aim of the present invention to prevent opponents from grasping the faceguard to impede or tackle the player wearing the present invention.

Referring now to the figures of the present disclosure. The faceguard assembly of the present invention comprises an upper section, a left connecting bar, a right connecting bar, a left lower section, a right lower section, a left tensioning member, and a right tensioning member.

The upper sectionis configured to generally overlie the eyebrows of the wearer. It should be noted that the upper sectioncan be of any shape, size, material, features, type or kind, orientation, location, quantity, components, and arrangements of components that would allow the present invention to fulfill the objectives and intents of the present invention. In one embodiment, the upper sectioncomprises a left side bar, a right sidebar, and at least one upper bar extending between the left side barand the right sidebar. In one embodiment, the at least one upper bar comprises a first upper barand a second upper barboth extending between the left side barand the right side bar. In a preferred embodiment, the first upper barcomprises a recessed portion. In one embodiment, the first upper barcomprises a plurality of connectorsthat is adapted to attach the upper sectionto a headgear. Further, a distal end of the left side bar and a distal end of the right bar are configured to attach to the headgear. In this way, the present invention can be securely attached to the headgear. Preferably, the upper sectionfurther comprises a plurality of reinforcement ribsconnected between the first upper barand the second upper bar. In a preferred embodiment, the second upper barfurther comprises a plurality of side projections.

The left connecting barand the right connecting barare configured to connect the left lower sectionand the right lower sectionto the upper section. The left connecting barand the right connecting barextend downward from the left side barand the right side bar, respectively, in an inclined vertical direction. The left lower sectionextends from a distal end of the left connecting bar, while the right lower sectionextends from a distal end of the right connecting bar. The left tensioning memberis connected between the distal end of the left connecting barand the distal end of the left side bar, while the right tensioning memberis connected between the distal end of the right connecting barand a distal end of the right side bar. In the present application, the term “tensioning member” generally refers to any structure that can apply forces to the distal end of the right/left connecting bar,. In one embodiment, the left tensioning memberis adapted to pull the distal end of the left connecting bartowards the distal end of the left side bar, and the right tensioning memberis adapted to pull the distal end of the right connecting bartowards the distal end of the right side bar. In this configuration, the tensioning members of the present invention allow the left lower sectionand the right lower sectionto return to their original positions after deformation, thereby protecting the wearer.

In one embodiment, the left lower sectionand the right lower sectionare configured to overlie the cheeks of the wearer. Preferably, the left lower sectionand the right lower sectioneach comprise a meshto shield the cheek area of the wearer. Preferably, the left lower sectionand the right lower sectionare not coplanar. In this embodiment, when the faceguard collapses due to being grabbed by an opponent, the left lower sectionand the right lower sectionremain spaced apart and do not come into contact with each other. In another preferred embodiment, the left lower sectioncomprises a first left lower barand a second left lower bar. The first left lower barmay comprise a first left lower opening area, and the second left lower barmay comprise a second left lower opening area. In one embodiment, the mesh of the left lower sectioncovers the first left lower opening areaand the second left lower opening area. Correspondingly, the right lower sectionmay comprise a first right lower barand a second right lower bar. The first right lower barcomprises a first right lower opening area, and the second right lower barcomprises a second right lower opening area. In one embodiment, the mesh of the right lower sectioncovers the first right lower opening areaand the second right lower opening area.

The present invention features a uniquely contoured bar design in combination with an integrated mesh structure, both of which work in tandem to minimize graspable surfaces and effectively deter opponents from securing a hold on the faceguard during gameplay. Additionally, strategically placed tensioning members are incorporated into the faceguard assembly to allow it to resiliently deform under external force and subsequently return to its original configuration. This not only enhances the durability and longevity of the faceguard assembly but also ensures consistent protective performance throughout repeated impacts.

The present invention may be formed of any suitable material having the requisite strength and durability characteristics to function as a sports faceguard. For example, the present invention may be formed of a metallic material, such as steel or titanium. Further, the present invention may be provided with a durable coating (e.g., plastic coating). Additionally, the present invention may be of a solid or tubular cross-sectional configuration. Alternatively, the present invention may be formed of a suitable plastic material, including but not limited to a fiber reinforced plastic resin. It is also envisioned that the sizes of the components forming the present invention can vary based on design requirements.

Although the disclosure has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.