Tensioned Protective Equipment

Abstract

A protective apparatus includes a helmet component and a mask component coupled to the helmet. The mask component includes at least one rigid component and at least one tensioned component coupled to the rigid component, the tensioned component forming a protective mesh.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A protective apparatus comprising:
 a helmet component; and   a mask component coupled to the helmet, the mask comprising:
 at least one rigid component; and 
 at least one tensioned component coupled to the rigid component, the tensioned component forming a protective mesh. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid component comprises a first rigid component and a second rigid component, and the tensioned component is coupled between the first rigid component and the second rigid component. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioned component comprises a plurality of strings to form the protective mesh. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioned component comprises one or more of: aramid fibers, Kevlar, Dyneema, Spectra, carbon fiber, glass fiber, synthetic polymers, natural fibers, metal ropes, or cables. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid component comprises a frame and a crossbar, the frame defining a periphery of the mask and the crossbar oriented within the frame, wherein the tensioned component couples the crossbar to the frame. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tensioned component is coupled to the rigid component via at least one of holes, grooves, ridges, knots, or knobs. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the protective mesh includes intersections of the tensioned components. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid component comprises at least one of: a metallic material, a composite material, or a plastic material. 
     
     
         9 . A protective mask comprising:
 at least one rigid component; and   at least one tensioned component coupled to the rigid component, the tensioned component forming a protective mesh.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the rigid component comprises a first rigid component and a second rigid component, and the tensioned component is coupled between the first rigid component and the second rigid component. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the tensioned component comprises a plurality of strings to form the protective mesh. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the tensioned component comprises one or more of: aramid fibers, Kevlar, Dyneema, Spectra, carbon fiber, glass fiber, synthetic polymers, natural fibers, metal ropes, or cables. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the rigid component comprises a frame and a crossbar, the frame defining a periphery of the mask and the crossbar oriented within the frame, wherein the tensioned component couples the crossbar to the frame. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the tensioned component is coupled to the rigid component via at least one of holes, grooves, ridges, knots, or knobs. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the protective mesh includes intersections of the tensioned components. 
     
     
         16 . A protective apparatus comprising:
 a helmet component; and   a mask component coupled to the helmet, the mask comprising at least one tensioned component coupled to the helmet component, the tensioned component forming a protective mesh.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the tensioned component comprises a plurality of strings to form the protective mesh. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the tensioned component comprises one or more of: aramid fibers, Kevlar, Dyneema, Spectra, carbon fiber, glass fiber, synthetic polymers, natural fibers, metal ropes, or cables. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the protective mesh includes intersections of the tensioned components. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the tensioned component is coupled to the helmet via at least one of holes, grooves, ridges, knots, or knobs.