Headgear assembly

Abstract

A head gear assembly that includes a shell configured for a user's head; a facial protector configured for attachment to the shell, the facial protector further comprising a first element; a second element movingly engaged with the first element; and a gap further comprising a gap size definable by a position of the first element with respect to the second element. The gap size is adjustable between a plurality of gap sizes. The first element moves freely from the second element as the gap size is adjusted.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A head gear assembly comprising:
 a shell configured for a user's head;   a facial protector configured for attachment to the shell, the facial protector further comprising:
 a first element; 
 a second element movingly engaged with the first element; and 
 a gap further comprising a gap size definable by a position of the first element with respect to the second element, 
   wherein the gap size is adjustable between a plurality of gap sizes, and wherein the first element moves freely from the second element as the gap size is adjusted.   
     
     
         2 . The head gear assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shell comprises:
 an inner portion; and   an outer portion,   wherein the shell is configured to form an opening that is restricted by the facial protector.   
     
     
         3 . The head gear assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the head gear is designed for use in a sport. 
     
     
         4 . The head gear assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the head gear assembly is useable as a hockey helmet. 
     
     
         5 . The head gear assembly of  claim 1 , the assembly further comprising:
 a first pivot mechanism;   a second pivot mechanism; and   an adjusting device;   wherein the facial protector pivotably attaches to the shell via at least one of the first pivot mechanism, the second pivot mechanism, and the adjusting device.   
     
     
         6 . The head gear assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the gap size is adjusted by operating the adjusting device. 
     
     
         7 . The head gear assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the shell comprises:
 a first pivot mechanism;   a second pivot mechanism; and   an adjusting device;   wherein the head gear is a hockey helmet, wherein the facial protector pivotably attaches to the shell via at least one of the first pivot mechanism and the second pivot mechanism, wherein the gap size is adjusted by operating the adjusting device.   
     
     
         8 . A head gear assembly, the assembly comprising:
 a shell;   a facial protector configured for attachment to the shell, the facial protector further comprising:
 an upper portion comprising a first set of elements; 
 a lower portion movingly engaged with the upper portion, the lower portion comprising a second set of elements; 
 a gap further comprising a gap size, wherein the gap size is adjustable between a plurality of gap sizes, 
   wherein the upper portion is configured to move freely from the lower portion as the gap size is adjusted.   
     
     
         9 . The head gear assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the shell comprises:
 a left side;   a right side;   a top side;   a first pivot mechanism disposed on the left side;   a second pivot mechanism disposed on the right side;   an adjusting device disposed on the top side,   wherein the facial protector connectively attaches to the shell via the first pivot mechanism, the second pivot mechanism, and the adjusting device.   
     
     
         10 . The head gear assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the gap size is adjusted by operating the adjusting device. 
     
     
         11 . The head gear assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the head gear is a hockey helmet. 
     
     
         12 . The head gear assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the facial protector comprises the upper portion telescopingly engaged with the lower portion. 
     
     
         13 . A head gear assembly comprising:
 a shell comprising:
 an inner portion and an outer portion; 
   a facial protector connectively attached to the shell further comprising:
 a gap further comprising a gap size defined by the position of a plurality of elements, 
   wherein the gap size is adjustable between a plurality of gap sizes, wherein a first element of the plurality of elements moves freely from a second element of the plurality of elements, and wherein the shell is configured with an opening that is restricted by the facial protector.   
     
     
         14 . The head gear assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the shell comprises:
 a pivot mechanism configured for pivotable attachment of the facial protector therewith.   
     
     
         15 . The head gear assembly of  claim 14 , the assembly further comprising an adjusting device. 
     
     
         16 . The head gear assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the gap size is adjusted by operating the adjusting device.