Protective face mask

Abstract

Disclosed is a face mask for use with a sports helmet. The face mask comprises a frame which is sized and shaped to surround at least a portion of the face of a user, and is connectable to the helmet. A shielding member is connected to the frame, and has a plurality of wires arranged in a grid, which define a plurality of openings therebetween. At least a portion of the wires are made from high tensile strength transparent wires.

1 . A face mask for use with a sports helmet, the face mask comprising:
 a) a frame the frame being sized and shaped for substantially surrounding at least a portion of the face of a user, the frame being connectable to the helmet; and   b) a shielding member connected to the frame, the shielding member having a plurality of wires arranged in a grid and defining a plurality of openings therebetween, at least a portion of the wires being made from high tensile strength transparent wires.   
   
   
       2 . The face mask, according to  claim 1 , in which the transparent wires are resiliently deformable. 
   
   
       3 . The face mask, according to  claim 1 , in which the transparent wires are rigid. 
   
   
       4 . The face mask, according to  claim 1 , in which the shielding member is made from a plurality of high tensile strength wires arranged in grid and defining a plurality of openings therebetween. 
   
   
       5 . The face mask, according to  claim 1 , in which the openings defined by the wires are sized and shaped to prevent a hockey puck, a ball, or a hockey stick to pass therethrough. 
   
   
       6 . The face mask, according to  claim 1 , in which the shielding member is releasably connected to the frame. 
   
   
       7 . The face mask, according to  claim 1 , in which the frame includes:
 a) upper and lower frame portions, the upper frame portion having two spaced apart dampers for disposing the frame away from a forehead section of the helmet; and   b) first and second side portions, each side portion having at least one helmet connector for attaching the frame to the helmet.   
   
   
       8 . The face mask, according to  claim 7 , in which the frame further comprises two reverse snap holders for connecting the shielding member to the frame. 
   
   
       9 . The face mask, according to  claim 1 , in which the frame is releasably attachable to a front portion of the helmet. 
   
   
       10 . The face mask, according to  claim 4 , in which the transparent wires are fixably mounted in a peripheral support. 
   
   
       11 . The face mask, according to  claim 10 , in which the peripheral support includes a plurality of frame connectors for releasably connecting the shielding member to the frame. 
   
   
       12 . The face mask, according to  claim 1 , in which the frame is made from a lightweight plastic material. 
   
   
       13 . The face mask, according to  claim 1 , in which the transparent wires have a thickness of about 7 mm to about 15 mm. 
   
   
       14 . The face mask, according to  claim 1 , in which the frame includes a securing portion to permit hingeable connection to the front portion of the helmet. 
   
   
       15 . The face mask, according to  claim 1 , further includes a chin strap connected to the helmet. 
   
   
       16 . The face mask, according to  claim 15 , in which the frame is releasably connected to the chin strap. 
   
   
       17 . The face mask, according to  claim 16 , in which the frame is hingeably connected to the chin strap. 
   
   
       18 . The face mask, according to  claim 1 , in which a portion of the shielding member is made from non-transparent wires, the transparent wires being located in a viewing portion near the eyes and nose of the user. 
   
   
       19 . The face mask, according to  claim 1 , in which the helmet is a hockey helmet. 
   
   
       20 . Sports headgear, the headgear comprising:
 a) a helmet; and   b) a protective face mask having a frame, the frame being sized and shaped for substantially surrounding at least a portion of the face of a user, the frame being connectable to the helmet; a shielding member connected to the frame, the shielding member having a plurality of wires arranged in a grid and defining a plurality of openings therebetween, at least a portion of the wires being made from high tensile strength transparent wires.   
   
   
       21 . The sports headgear, according to  claim 20 , in which the helmet is a hockey helmet.