Protective headgear system with filter protector

Abstract

This invention is directed to a protective headgear system which includes a relatively light weight, substantially rigid, headgear structure which may include an internal, adjustable headband. The system includes filter means which is attachable to the headgear structure to cover the structure. A fan mechanism is mounted on the headgear structure to draw air into the headgear structure through the filter means. A power supply selectively powers the fan. A facial shield is attachable to the headgear structure to cover the face of the wearer to maintain non-contaminating conditions relative to the wearer. A flexible cuff or hood is attachable to the facial shield to enclose the lower opening of the lens and provides protection for the wearer through which air can be exhausted.

1 . A protective headgear system comprising,
 a supportive shell,   a facial shield adapted to be attached to said supportive shell by conforming said facial shield to the perimeter of said supportive shell,   a filtration device adapted to be mounted on top of said supportive shell and substantially secured thereto by said facial shield,   a protective covering adapted to be mounted to the lower portion of said facial shield, and   a filter protector adapted to be mounted to an upper portion of said facial shield over said filtration device.   
   
   
       2 . The system recited in  claim 1  wherein,
 at least portions of said filtration device are compressed between said filter protector and said facial shield.   
   
   
       3 . The system recited in  claim 1  including,
 a headband adapted to be attached to the interior of said supportive shell.   
   
   
       4 . The system recited in  claim 1  wherein,
 said supportive shell includes at least one spacer device thereon for supporting said filtration device.   
   
   
       5 . The system recited in  claim 1  wherein,
 said filter protector includes at least one spacer for establishing a space between said filter protector and said facial shield to permit air flow through said space.   
   
   
       6 . The system recited in  claim 1  wherein,
 said protective covering comprises a layer of air permeable material.   
   
   
       7 . The system recited in  claim 1  wherein,
 said protective covering includes an aperture therein.   
   
   
       8 . The system recited in  claim 7  wherein,
 said protective covering includes an adjustable closure means for substantially closing said aperture.   
   
   
       9 . The system recited in  claim 8  wherein,
 said adjustable closure means comprises an elastic element around at least a portion of said aperture.   
   
   
       10 . The system recited in  claim 1  wherein,
 said filter protector is selectively removable from said facial shield.   
   
   
       11 . The system recited in  claim 1  wherein,
 said protective covering is mounted to said facial shield below said supportive shell.   
   
   
       12 . The system recited in  claim 1  including,
 zipper means for connecting said protective covering to a bottom edge of said facial shield.   
   
   
       13 . The system recited in  claim 14  including,
 fan means mounted to said supportive shell below said filtration device.   
   
   
       14 . The system recited in  claim 3  wherein,
 said facial shield and said shield protector are substantially transparent to light.   
   
   
       15 . The system recited in  claim 1  wherein,
 said protective covering is fabricated of a flexible breathable material which substantially prevents transmission of particulate material therethrough.   
   
   
       16 . The system recited in  claim 1  wherein,
 said facial shield, said filtration device and said filter protector are assembled as a unit.   
   
   
       17 . The system recited in  claim 1  including,
 a supportive frame, and   a filter device adapted to be mounted on top of said supportive frame,   said supportive frame and said filter device mounted intermediate said filtration device and said supportive shell.   
   
   
       18 . The system recited in  claim 17  wherein,
 said filter device conforms to the shape of said supportive frame.   
   
   
       19 . The system recited in  claim 17  including,
 a support means on said supportive shell to space said filtration device away from said supportive shell.   
   
   
       20 . A protective headgear system comprising,
 a supportive shell,   a facial shield adapted to be attached to said supportive shell by conforming said facial shield to the perimeter of said supportive shell,   a filtration device adapted to be mounted on top of said supportive shell and substantially secured thereto by said facial shield,   a supportive frame,   a filter device adapted to be mounted on top of said supportive frame,   said supportive frame and said filter device mounted intermediate said filtration device and said supportive shell,   a protective covering adapted to be mounted to the lower portion of said facial shield, and   a filter protector adapted to be mounted to an upper portion of said facial shield over said filtration device.