Hard hat adapter

Abstract

An adapter for mounting a face shield on a hard hat self-centers and aligns itself with respect to the hard hat brim. An arcuate main body has an arcuate guard portion that extends over the hard hat brim. A central retention tab engages the front edge of the hard hat brim. Opposing guide channels engage the side edges of the hard hat brim and limit rotation of the main body with respect to the hard hat. Cantilever springs within the guide channels engage the side edges of the hard hat brim to self-center the brim with respect to the main body. A retention member extending around the back of the hard hat secures the main body to the hard hat. A face shield mounting bracket is pivotally mounted to the main body portion and supports a face shield. A clutching mechanism helps control the orientation of the face shield.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An adapter for mounting a face shield on a hard hat, the adapter comprising:
 an arcuate main body having a first end and a second end;   an arcuate guard portion extending inwardly from the main body, the guard portion being configured to extend over a brim of a hard hat when the main body is mounted on a hard hat, said guard portion substantially preventing debris from falling between the main body and the brim of the hard hat;   a central retention tab extending from a lower surface of the main body, said retention tab being configured and arranged to engage a forward edge of the brim of the hard hat;   an adjustable retention member having a first end secured to the first end of the main body, and a second end being secured to the second end of the main body, the retention member extending around a rear portion of the hard hat when the main body engages the brim of the hard hat;   opposing, inwardly facing guide channels extending from a lower surface of said main body,   opposing cantilever springs respectively disposed within said opposing guide channels, each having an anchor end secured within said guide channel and further having a free moving end extending inwardly therefrom, said free moving end engaging a side edge of the brim of the hard hat for frictionally retaining and centering the brim of the hard hat with respect to the main body; and   a face shield mounting bracket being pivotably coupled to the main body, said face shield mounting bracket being rotatable between a lowered orientation and a raised orientation,   wherein the face shield mounting bracket and the main body are configured and arranged so that there is no gap between the face shield mounting bracket and the main body when the face shield mounting bracket is in the lowered orientation, to substantially prevent debris from falling between the face shield mounting bracket and the main body.   
     
     
         2 . The hard hat adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the retention member is one of a spring, a rubber band, and a clip. 
     
     
         3 . The hard hat adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the face shield mounting bracket has an upper mounting bracket portion that extends over at least a part of the main body when the mounting bracket is in the lowered orientation. 
     
     
         4 . The hard hat adapter of  claim 1 , wherein the face shield mounting bracket is pivotably coupled to the main body by a clutching mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The hard hat adapter of  claim 4 , wherein the clutching mechanism is made of metal.