Rigid Mask for Skiing and Snowboarding

Abstract

A facemask for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports integrates with traditional goggles by use of a temple-trough system that secures the goggle headband and places the goggle headband on top the facemask headband. Diffusing foam circumscribing voids at the cheek areas provides even ventilation and prevents over chilling of the cheeks. Foam at the perimeter of the mask and at the nose bridge area keep the mask off the user's mouth and nose tip. The design at the jaw region allows movement of the head and the use of a jacket collar or scarf. In an alternative embodiment, a bridge-flare system at the nose area allows the mask to conform to a wide variety of nose sizes and shapes.

1 . A facemask for winter wear comprising:
 a) a semi-rigid face covering fitting over the forehead, encircling the eyes, covering the nose and mouth area with openings at the nose, mouth, and cheek areas;   b) diffusing foam placed on the user side of the face covering and circumscribing the openings of the cheek areas;   c) a temple-trough structure on either side of the face covering with each temple-trough structure having a valley section and two outer wall sections; and   d) an elastic head band attached to either side of the face covering and attached adjacent to either temple-trough structure.   
   
   
       2 . The facemask of  claim 1  with foam attached to the nose bridge area so as to suspend the nose portion of the mask off of the tip of the nose. 
   
   
       3 . The facemask of  claim 2  with foam attached to the perimeter of the mask to create a gap between the mask and the user's face. 
   
   
       4 . The facemask of  claim 3  with flexibility at the temple-trough structure area so as to allow the mask to flex and accommodate different head sizes. 
   
   
       5 . The facemask of  claim 4  with a bridge -flare configuration at the nose area to accommodate various sizes of nose bridges. 
   
   
       6 . The facemask of  claim 5  wherein the chin section of the mask stops short of covering the neck of the user. 
   
   
       7 . A method of using goggles with a facemask comprising:
 a) attaching a facemask, such as the facemask of  claim 1  to the head of the user by use of a flexible headband, wherein the headband is adjacent to a temple-trough structure on either side of the facemask;   b) placing goggles over the eyes of the user and attaching the flexible headband of the goggles through the temple-trough structure and over the headband of the facemask.   
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the area of the temple-trough structure on either side of the mask is flexed so as to accommodate the head size of the user. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  using foam to create and maintain a gap between the user's face and the mask.