WO2016110763A1

WO2016110763A1 - Facial protection for soft-air and the like

Info

Publication number: WO2016110763A1
Application number: PCT/IB2015/059831
Authority: WO
Inventors: David D'ANDREAGIOVANNI
Original assignee: Naqa Di D'andreagiovanni David
Priority date: 2015-01-07
Filing date: 2015-12-21
Publication date: 2016-07-14

Abstract

A facial protection (1) for soft-air and the like is provided for, comprising a front shield (2) and connection means (3) of said shield (2) to a user's face, characterised in that said front shield (2) is made from a single shell designed to protect the eyes, mouth, nose and portions joining said organs, of the user wearing said facial protection (1), leaving the cheekbones free.

Description

DESCRIPTION

FACIAL PROTECTION FOR SOFT-AIR AND THE LIKE

The present invention relates to a facial protection for soft-air and the like, of the type specified in the preamble to the first claim.

In particular, the object of the invention is a facial protection for use in a recreational sport that simulates armed combat with weapons, preferably compressed air weapons, such as those used in soft-air.

As known, soft-air differs from other activities based on military simulation because it involves the use of weapons which, by using compressed air, project spherical polymer pellets against the opponent and of specific protections designed to prevent injuries to players.

One of the most important protections is definitely the facial protection, i.e. a protective mask for the face.

A first example of facial protection is composed of glasses consisting of a polymer visor for the eyes and a frame that comes into contact with the face.

In addition to the glasses, the player is forced to wear a mask covering the portion of face below the glasses so that the face is fully protected.

In particular, the mask protects the part of face between the nose and chin and between the jaws and consists of a metal mesh defining the protection and an elastic strap by means of which to constrain the mesh to the head and press it against the face ensuring proper protection.

Further examples of facial protection are full-face and eye masks.

These masks are suitable to enclose the head almost totally. They consist of a rigid part made of wire mesh and plastic, which completely covers the face of the player, and a portion in fabric that adheres to the sides and, in some cases, back of the head.

The prior art mentioned above has several significant drawbacks.

A first disadvantage is the fact that the masks, whether partial or full face, prevent resting the weapon and, in particular, the sight close to the eye and, therefore, taking precise aim.

As a result, the player is forced to aim imprecisely and often decides not to wear such masks so as not to penalise marksmanship.

An important drawback of the glasses is the clouding that greatly reduces visibility, leading the player to remove the glasses and, therefore, be without protection. Another drawback, evident for those who need to wear eyeglasses, is the impossibility of using protective glasses or full face masks.

In fact, both the glasses and the face masks must be placed close up to the eyes and, therefore, do not allow glasses to be worn under them.

Another drawback is the lack of breathability of the masks. As a result, especially in summer, the face and forehead sweat abundantly making the facial protection particularly uncomfortable to wear.

This drawback is evident in the full face masks that are often removed by the player.

In this situation the technical purpose of the present invention is to devise a facial protection for soft-air and the like able to substantially overcome the drawbacks mentioned.

Within the sphere of said technical purpose one important aim of the invention is to make a facial protection which does not penalise the aim and hence the accuracy of firing of the player.

Another important aim of the invention is to have a face protection for soft-air which is easy to wear even for those who need eyeglasses.

A further aim of the invention is to make a facial protection which is comfortable and easy to wear.

The technical purpose and specified aims are achieved by a facial protection for soft-air and the like as claimed in the appended Claim 1.

Preferred embodiments are evident from the dependent claims.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention are clearly evident from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a side view of a facial protection for soft-air according to the invention worn on the face;

Fig. 2 shows a front view of a facial protection for soft-air according to the invention worn on the face;

Fig. 3 is a view from above of a facial protection for soft-air according to the invention;

Fig. 4 shows a side view of a different facial protection for soft-air according to the invention; and

Fig. 5 is a front view of the facial protection in Fig. 4.

Herein, the measures, values, shapes and geometric references (such as perpendicularity and parallelism), when used with words like "about" or other similar terms such as "approximately" or "substantially", are to be understood as except for measurement errors or inaccuracies due to production and/or manufacturing errors and, above all, except for a slight divergence from the value, measure, shape or geometric reference which it is associated with.

In addition, where used, terms such as "first", "second", "upper", "lower", "main" and "secondary" do not necessarily refer to an order, a priority relationship or relative position, but may simply be used to more clearly distinguish different components from each other.

With reference to the Figures mentioned, reference numeral 1 globally denotes the facial protection for soft-air according to the invention.

It comprises a front shield 2 and connection means 3 of the shield 2 to a user's face.

The front shield 2 consists of a single shell suitable to protect, preferably exclusively, eyes, mouth, nose and the portions joining said organs of the user wearing the protection 1 , leaving the cheekbones and preferably the forehead and/or chin bare. Obviously, the user is understood to mean a human user with average features and proportions. Different sizes and types of facial protection 1 may obviously be provided for different sizes and/or proportions or preferences of the user.

It thus has a shape, in a front view (figs. 2 and 5), which comprises a portion of greater width at the eyes, similar to wraparound sunglasses, such as those for practising sports such as cycling and running.

The part below the eyes, again in a front view (figs. 2 and 5), tapers, preferably symmetrically, in relation to the sagittal axis 1a and arrives at a width almost equal or slightly wider than the width of the mouth.

Such width remains substantially constant to below the mouth, near the chin where the shield 2 ends.

The shell composing the front shield 2 is preferably a perforated metal sheet, for example in steel, and with a preferably diamond mesh surface, the major diagonal of which is appropriately in the horizontal direction. Despite being a mesh type, it is actually made, as mentioned, of sheet-metal, which can thus be accordingly shaped as desired.

The front shield 2 is made of metal and appropriately, in steel, preferably stainless. In particular, the front shield 2, seen from above (Fig. 3) has an edge 2b at the sagittal axis 1a and axis of symmetry of the shield; the shield 2 is roughly shaped as an inverted V.

The shield 2 is lastly preferably edged with an edge 2a appropriately composed of a folded sheet (metal, polymer) about 1 cm thick and suitable to rest against the face. Said edge 2a instead preferably comprises curves (Fig. 3) also seen from above.

Alternatively, the edge 2a can be identified in an edging suitably of elastomeric material.

The front shield 2, in addition, may provide at the mouth a portion 2c folded towards the mouth itself so as to limit the distance from the edge 2a and the mouth, improving the adherence of the facial protection and, in particular, reducing the risk of pellets getting in under the mask.

The connection means 3 of the shield 2 to the user's face preferably comprise connection means similar to those of glasses and, in particular, to the upper portion of the frame of said glasses.

For example, as shown in Figs. 1-3 and 5, they may thus comprise legs 3a suitable for resting on the ears and to bend around a hinge 3c, and/or a strap suitable to go round the back of the head. In some cases, the means 3 may comprise both the legs 3a and the strap.

The legs 3a may be made from polymer, specifically from synthetic polyamide in detail and, more specifically, from aliphatic polyamides such as nylon. They may also comprise a bridge 3b for the support on the nose.

The bridge 3b may be made from polymer, specifically from synthetic polyamide in detail and, more specifically, from aliphatic polyamides such as nylon.

In some cases, the bridge 3b is in elastomeric material. Appropriately, the bridge 3b and the edge 2a are in elastomeric material and, more appropriately made in one piece.

Further elastics or the like may then be present, for example in the lower portion. Lastly, the face protection 1 for soft-air may comprise a support for lenses; and, appropriately, one or more lenses and, in particular, two lenses which can be ' constrained to the support.

That at least one lens may be of the corrective type suitable to correct visual/optical eye defects and/or solar to protect the eye from excessive glare improving the quality of vision.

Such support is substantially similar to the "front" of the glasses, i.e. the part of the glasses which the lenses are permanently attached to.

It is constrained to the front shield 2 at the inner surface, i.e. facing the user's face, so as to position the lenses between the front shield 2 and the eyes/face.

Preferably, the support is constrained to the front shield 2 in a detachable manner by means of clips or other means of attachment suitable to allow the removal of the support.

Alternatively, the support is constrained to the front shield 2 in a non-detachable manner.

The use of a facial protection 1 is as follows.

Said facial protection 1 for soft-air, described above in a structural sense, is worn like a pair of glasses and protects important portions of the face in a single object. The invention achieves some important advantages.

In fact, the facial protection 1 allows a free view but at the same time, protects the eyes, nose and mouth from the bullets and is quick and easy to put on.

At the same time, the facial protection 1 makes it possible to rest weapons on the cheekbones and aim correctly.

Another advantage is the fact that the facial protection 1 , being almost entirely made of non-perishable material, has high durability and wear resistance.

This advantage is obvious when one considers that in the prior protections the presence of foam rubber or the like in the areas of contact with the face define rapid deterioration areas, imposing a frequent replacement of the protection.

It can also be used without difficulty even over eyeglasses. This aspect is further guaranteed by the presence of the bridge 3b which makes it possible both to distance the shield from the face 2 and to hold the facial protection 1 still in relation to the face.

Variations may be made to the invention without departing from the scope of the inventive concept described in the independent claims and in the relative technical equivalents. In said sphere all the details may be replaced with equivalent elements and the materials, shapes and dimensions may be as desired.

Claims

1. Facial protection (1) for soft-air comprising a front shield (2) and connection means (3) of said shield (2) to a user's face, characterised in that said front shield (2) is made from a single shell designed to protect the eyes, mouth, nose and portions joining said organs, of the user wearing said facial protection (1), leaving the cheekbones free.

2. Facial protection (1) according to claim 1 , wherein said shield (2) leaves the forehead free.

3. Facial protection (1) according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said shield (2) leaves the chin free.

4. Facial protection (1) according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said shield (2) has a shape, seen from the front, which comprises a portion of greatest width at the eyes and a part under the eyes, again seen from the front, which tapers symmetrically to the sagittal axis (1a) and arrives at a width approximately equal to, or slightly greater than the width of the mouth.

5. Facial protection (1) according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said shield (2) is a perforated sheet.

6. Facial protection (1 ) according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said shield (2) is a sheet in metal.

7. Facial protection (1) according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said shield (2) has an edge (2b) at the sagittal axis (1a) and axis of symmetry of the shield and is shaped roughly as an inverted V.

8. Facial protection (1) according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said connection means (3) comprise legs (3a), suitable to rest on the user's ears.

9. Facial protection (1 ) according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said connection means (3) comprise a bridge (3b), for the support at the nose.

10. Facial protection (1 ) according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said connection means (3) comprise elastics, suitable to go round the nape of the neck of the user.