WO1993025100A1

WO1993025100A1 - Face guard

Info

Publication number: WO1993025100A1
Application number: PCT/US1993/005644
Authority: WO
Inventors: Norman O. Milligan
Original assignee: Milligan Norman O
Priority date: 1992-06-05
Filing date: 1993-06-02
Publication date: 1993-12-23
Also published as: AU4633693A; CA2137357A1; CA2137357C

Abstract

A protective face guard (20) for use in baseball and other sports and which comprises a mask piece (22), an impact cushioning forehead pad (50), an impact cushioning mouth pad (52), a strap (46) and a mouth guard (64). The mask piece includes a front protective portion (26) extending from a point just above the player's head to a point below the player's chin and also includes two side protective portions (34) extending from opposite sides of the front portion. The mask piece is formed with a visor aperture (40) to accommodate the visor of a cap worn by a player and a vision aperture (42) which provides the player with an unobstructed front and peripheral view. The mask piece (22) is illustrated in a first embodiment as being formed from a sheet of molded thermoplastic material and in a second embodiment as being formed from a matrix of interconnected rod members.

Description

FACE GUARD

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a face guard for use by athletes. The invention relates especially to a face guard for baseball players, particularly although not exclusively, for young baseball players.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

The need for certain athletes to wear protective gear to protect the head and face has long been recognized. In the sport of football, for example, players wear helmets having face guards to protect the head and facial areas. The face guard of the invention is adaptable to many sports, (e.g., soft ball, racquetball, lacrosse, field hockey); however, the discussion of the related art will focus primarily on practices which relate to use of the invention face guard in connection with baseball. It is to be understood however that the face guard of the invention is not limited to that sport.

Baseball players holding certain field positions typically wear protective head gear. While at bat, a batter wears a batter*s helmet to protect his head from being struck with a pitched baseball. Additionally, the catcher wears a catcher's mask which is specially designed for the type of ball activity a catcher is likely to encounter at home plate. Other defensive baseball players, such as basemen, shortstops, and outfielders, typically do not wear protective gear. However, the need to protect the facial areas of other defensive players is equally important.

A baseball player, in particular a young player who is just learning the game, is subject to a number of injuries which could be diminished or avoided by a protective face guard. Players often risk being struck by hit or deflected balls, for example by line drives which come directly and quickly off a batter's bat, by ground balls which can bounce off the ground and hit a player's chin or face, or by collision with another player. In addition to the obvious benefit of reducing injuries. protective gear allows athletes who wear the protective gear to feel more at ease about performing to the limit of their athletic ability without fear of injury, and as a result develop confidence in their playing ability and become more skilled in the game pursued.

A protective face guard is not effective or successful if the player will not wear it. Protective face guards have previously been developed, for example, as illustrated in United States patent No. 3,132,345 of Keith. However, no face guard has proven completely successful for use by baseball players, particularly young players playing in defensive positions. A face guard which requires special cap attachments (for example, of the type shown in the patent of Keith) is cumbersome to put on and remove, and thus is not a practical option.

Note is made of the following United States Patents illustrating for background purposes types of face guards made in mesh form or of intersecting rod members: United States Patents 2,627,602; 3,041,623; 3,608,089; and DES 204,730. However, in no instance do any of such prior art patents teach the combination of features of the present invention.

An effective and successful protective face guard must meet several goals. An effective face guard must be easy to put on, take off, and wear. The face guard must not obstruct a player's ability to see and watch a ball, other players or the field. The face guard must also conform to league uniform regulations, which typically require the wearing of a league baseball cap. The face guard should not, therefore, prevent the player from wearing a baseball cap. A cap protects a player's head from the sun, and provides a sun visor. A face guard which requires that the baseball cap be removed or turned backwards on the player*s head hinders the ca 's ability to protect the player. If a protective face guard does not meet these recited goals, a player will not wear the face guard, and thus will not be protected during play. It should also be noted that the face guard of the invention is designed for players in defensive positions and is not meant to replace the head gear specially designed for offensive players, catchers and base coaches. In one aspect of the invention, a mouth guard is used in conjunction with the face guard of the invention. In this regard, reference is made for background purposes to United States Patent 3,448,738 in which there is illustrated a type of mouth guard used with a type of face guard.

One advantage of the sports face guard of the invention is that it is easy and convenient to use.

Another advantage of the face guard of the invention is its adaptability to the protection of young baseball players, particularly those players playing defensive positions.

Other advantages will be more fully apparent from the following disclosure and appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The face guard of the invention is comprised, according to a first embodiment, of a one-piece lightweight molded mask piece, a forehead pad and a mouth pad both of which are secured to the inside surface of the mask piece, a strap and a mouth guard. The mask piece is formed from a relatively thin plastic material having high impact strength and may be tinted. The uppermost edge of the mask piece resides slightly above the player's head. The lowermost edge of the mask piece resides below the player's chin to cover the player's throat area. The mask piece extends from the temple area of one side of the player's face to the temple area of the opposite side of the player's face. In a second embodiment, the mask piece instead of being formed of a molded plastic is formed as a matrix of intersecting rod members which provides similar protection as with the face guard of the parent application and preserves all of the described features.

A particular feature of the face guard of the invention is that the mask piece is formed with a visor aperture which is sized and positioned to accommodate the insertion of the bill of a regulation baseball cap. The mask piece of the face guard is also formed with a vision aperture such that, when the face guard is worn, the vision aperture is positioned opposite the player's eye area. The vision aperture is somewhat oval shaped to provide the player with an unobstructed forward and substantially unobstructed peripheral view. The lower portion of the vision aperture extends below the player's sight line to a level slightly above the tip of the player's nose so as to guard the player's nose. The vision aperture is sized smaller than the diameter of a baseball at the opening's widest point.

The face guard is equipped with a forehead pad and a mouth pad which effectively position the face guard relative to the player's face. The thickness of the pads permits the player to wear glasses when wearing the face guard of the invention, and without experiencing any loss of forward or peripheral vision. The forehead and mouth pads also protect and cushion the player from the impact of blows to the face guard by hit or deflected balls by distributing the impact through the mask piece and the pads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of the face guard of the invention without a mouth guard.

Figure 2 is a front view of the face guard of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side view of the face guard of Figure 1 with a mouth guard inserted.

Figure 4 is a top view of the face guard of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a rear view of the face guard of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 4.

Figure 7 is a side view of a player (in dashed lines) wearing the face guard of the invention and illustrated as wearing a mouth guard. Figure 8 is a front elevation view of a second preferred embodiment of the face guard of the invention.

Figure 9 is a side elevation view of the face guard of Figure 8 with a wearer (in dashed lines) .

Figure 10 is a cross section view taken in the direction of line 10-10 of Figure 8.

Figure 11 is an exploded cross sectional view taken in the direction of line 11-11 of Figure 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the Figures 1 - 7 of the first embodiment which is the subject of the parent application, the face guard 20 of the invention is generally comprised of a mask piece 22, a strap 46, a forehead pad 50, a mouth pad 52, and a mouth guard 64.

Mask piece 22 is preferably formed from a tough, rigid, non-shattering, molded plastic material which can resist and deflect direct hits by a baseball or the like. Mask piece 22 is preferably formed by injection molding. A polycarbonate material, such as the polycarbonate material sold under the name LEXAN™, is particularly suitable for making the mask piece 22 because of its high impact strength, its capability for being tinted and for providing a non-reflective exterior surface when molded. A non-reflective exterior surface on mask piece 22 reduces sun and artificial light reflected off the mask piece 22, and tinting reduces harmful sun rays from penetrating the mask piece 22. A tinted mask piece 22 also gives the face guard 20 an aesthetically pleasing appearance. However, for purposes of illustrating the invention, mask piece 22 is assumed to be made of a transparent, non-reflective material.

Mask piece 22 has a generally outward curvature so that it guards the player's face and also assists in deflecting balls. Mask piece 22 includes a front portion generally designated 26 and integrally connected side portions generally designated 34, shown from a front view in Figure 2 and from a top view in Figure 4. Side portions 34 include upper regions 36, as indicated in Figures 1-3 and 5-7, which are designed to cover the player's temple areas. Side portions 34 also include lower regions 38 indicated in Figures 2 and 7 which are designed to cover the player's cheek and jaw areas. Side portions 34 also include slots 47 for receiving a strap 46. Slots 47 are oppositely disposed on the upper regions 36 of side portions 34 as seen, for example, in Figures 2, 4 and 5 and are bounded by a beading 24. Integrally molded beading 24 is formed along the periphery of mask piece 22 and around the edges of apertures 40 and 42 and slots 47 and serves to reinforce and to prevent breaking and cracking. Beading 24 also serves to reduce wear to strap 46 by the edges of slots 47. Beading 24 is preferably formed with a round cross section of approximately twice the average thickness of mask piece 22.

Strap 46 is fitted with a suitable closing means 48 which may be constructed in any conventional manner but preferably in a manner which permits strap 46 to be adjustable. Strap 46 is illustrated as being formed as a single piece having two ends referred to as the first and second ends. A first end is inserted into a first slot 47 from the outside of mask piece 22 and is pulled through the first slot 47 to and through the opposite slot 47. The first end of strap 46 adjustably attaches to the second end of strap 46 to close strap 46 around the player's head. Strap 46 may also comprise two pieces (not shown) having one strap piece attached to one slot 47, and a second strap piece attached to the opposite slot 47, whereby the free end of the first piece attaches to the free end of the second piece to close strap 46. It is preferable that the closing means 48 for strap 46 permit the strap 46 to be opened, closed and adjusted in an easy and convenient manner, for example, through hook and loop means, e.g., a suitable hook and loop means such as that known in the trade and sold under the name VELCRO™. Other means for releasably securing the face guard 20 to the player's head may be employed.

Front portion 26 of mask piece 22 includes an upper region 28 which is designed to shield the player's forehead area as best seen in Figure 7. Upper region 28 includes a visor aperture 40, as seen in Figures 1-3 and 5-7. Visor aperture 40 has an elongated curved oval shape and is bounded by the previously referred to beading 24. A significant feature of the invention resides in visor aperture 40 being sized to accommodate the bill or visor of a cap, particularly of a standard, regulation baseball cap, and extends substantially the full width of front portion 26. As best seen in Figure 7, when face guard 20 is worn, the player's cap visor (shown in dashed lines in Figure 9) is inserted from the inside of mask piece 22 through visor aperture 40. In this manner, the player can wear a cap in its intended manner while wearing the face guard 20. The cap visor when inserted into visor aperture 40 also has the effect of substantially stabilizing the face guard 20 on the player.

Vision aperture 42, shown in Figures 1-3 and 5-7, is provided in mask piece 22 to form an opening located in front of the eye area of the player when the face guard 20 is worn. Vision aperture 42 is a generally oval shaped opening and is bounded by the previously described beading 24. Vision aperture 42 extends substantially the full width of front portion 26 and has a lower edge 44 which dips to a point slightly above the tip of the player's nose to cover the player's nose. Vision aperture 42 gives the player both unobstructed forward and peripheral vision. The player can thus see both to his right and to his left without turning his head from side to side. A player playing short stop, for example, and wearing the face guard 20, can see the baseline without turning his head from side to side while also watching the batter. The preferred size of distance D of vision aperture 42 (Figure 2), gives the player the described unobstructed view and is narrow enough so that the ball is prevented from entering the vision aperture 42. So long as the player's view is not obstructed, distance D may be varied slightly according to the size of the ball or other play piece being utilized in the game. A racquetball, for example, may require a slightly narrower vision aperture 42 because a racquetball has a smaller diameter.

Upper region 28 of front portion 26 of mask piece 22 is also formed with a band portion 39 located below visor aperture 40 and above vision aperture 42. Band portion 39 extends between integrally formed side portions 34 and gives front portion 26 structural strength. Side portions 34 provide unbroken exterior side surfaces and form continuations of the generally outward curvature of the front portion 26 and assist in deflecting any ball hitting mask piece 22. Band portion 39 is preferably formed with additional thickness (not shown) as compared to the other portions of mask piece 22 so as to give band portion 39 additional structural integrity.

Front portion 26 also includes lower region 32 designed to guard the player's nose, chin and throat areas. Integrally formed lower region 32 of the mask piece 22 extends between the side portions 34. As best seen in Figure 7, lower region 32 extends below the player's chin to cover the throat area and its outermost edge curves to follow the shape of the player's jaw line.

Mask piece 22 includes forehead pad 50 which is formed from a material which both provides cushioning and resilience. A vinyl/nitrile blend of foam-like material has been found to be a suitable material for forehead pad 50 such as, for example, the material sold under the name RUBATEX™ by Rubatex Corporation of Bedford, Virginia. Forehead pad 50 is secured to the inside surface area of upper region 28 of front portion 26, and covers substantially the entire inside surface area of the upper region 28, as seen in Figures 2, 4 and 5.

In use, the forehead pad 50 absorbs and cushions the force of an impact and distributes the force throughout pad 50 and mask piece 22 such that the player is protected from the blow. Forehead pad 50 may be adhered or otherwise secured to the inside surface of mask piece 22 by any conventional means which effectively secures pad 50 to mask piece 22 and such that pad 50 will not be dislodged in use. An adhesive, or an adhesive tape, applied between pad 50 and the inside surface of upper region 28 has been found to be a suitable means for securing pad 50 to mask piece 22.

The thickness T of forehead pad 50, shown in Figure

4, determines the distance between the player's face and the inside surface of mask piece 22. Accordingly, thickness T is sufficiently great so that no portion of the player's face protrudes from mask piece 22 either through visor aperture 40 or vision aperture 42. Additionally, thickness T is made sufficient to position the inner surface of mask piece 22 away from the player's face so that while wearing the face guard 20, a player can also comfortably wear eyeglasses without interference with the face guard 20 and without the glasses contacting the mask piece 22, as illustrated in Figure 7.

Also included on front portion 26 is mouth pad 52. Mouth pad 52 is secured to the inside surface of lower region 32 of front portion 26 and is centered below vision aperture 42 (Figure 2). The manner in which mouth pad 52 is secured to" mask 22, and the material from which the paid 52 is constructed, are similar to those applying to forehead pad 50 as previously discussed. Mouth pad 52 is substantially oval in shape and covers a relatively large surface area of the inside surface of lower region 32. When face guard 20 is worn, the mouth pad 52 should substantially cover the player's mouth, and particularly the teeth. Mouth pad 52 is large enough so that an impact to the player's mouth area will be cushioned and distributed to minimize injury. The thickness T* of mouth pad 52, as shown in Figure 6, should also be sufficient so that no portion of the player's face protrudes from mask piece 22 and particularly so τhat no portion of the player's nose protrudes through vision aperture 42. Additionally, thickness T' (Figure 6) of mouth pad 52 is sufficient to position the inner surface of mask piece 22 away from the player's face so that the player can wear eyeglasses comfortably while wearing face guard 20 as best illustrated in Figure 7.

Indentation 54 is formed in and is centered on the upper portion of mouth pad 52, as best shown in Figures 1, 2 and 5. Indentation 54 permits air passage underneath a player's nose when protective face guard 20 is worn. Mouth pad 52 also includes channels 56 which extend through mouth pad 52, as shown in Figure 6, from entrance ends 58 to exit ends 60. Entrance ends 58 are positioned vertically along the center of the inside surface of mouth pad 52, as shown in Figures 2 and 5. Exit ends 60 abut mask piece 22 at mating mask piece openings 62 in mask piece 22.

Channels 56 of mouth pad 52 are adapted to accept the stem portion 70 of a modified mouth guard 64. Mouth guard 64 is made from any conventional material known in the art to be suitable for mouth guards, for example, a rubber¬ like material. The illustrated mouth guard 64 of the invention represents a modified version of the type mouth guard presently made by Primms, Inc. of Tonawanda, New York. When worn by a player, as shown in Figure 7, mouth guard 64 shields the player's mouth and teeth. Mouth guard 64 additionally stabilizes face guard 20 on the player by limiting side to side movement of mask piece 22 on the player's face. Mouth guard 64 as best seen in Figure 4, is an integrally formed structure which has teeth guard 66 at one end which is connected by extension 67 to plate 68. Teeth guard 66 is inserted into the mouth of the player and is placed between the player' s top and bottom teeth. Plate 68, when worn, rests against the outside of the player*s mouth against the lip area and cushions the player's mouth and teeth areas upon the occurrence of impact or collision with face guard 20. Stem 70 (Figure 6) extends from plate 68 and tapers at its distal end to terminate with a knob 72 (Figure 7). Stem 70 of the invention represents a shortened version of the stem found in a conventional mouth guard.

Knob 72 and stem 70 are inserted into entrance end 58 and through corresponding channel 56. Knob 72 exits mouth pad 52 at exit end 60 and is inserted through mask piece opening 62, as shown in Figures 6 and 7. When mouth guard 64 is fully inserted into mouth pad 52, stem 70 resides within one channel 56. Knob 72 has a diameter larger than the diameter of channel 56 and mask piece opening 62 so that knob 72, once suitably placed, will secure mouth guard 64 in mouth pad 52 and to mask piece 22. Mouth pad 52, stem 70 and knob 72 are constructed from a material which is somewhat malleable so that knob 72 can be inserted through channel 56 and mask opening 62 which both have smaller diameters than the diameter of knob 72. Stem 70 is placed into the respective upper or lower channel 56 which best positions mouth guard 52 for the player at either a relatively high or low level in mouth pad 50. Having described the invention above in reference to the first embodiment, the description next proceeds to describe the second embodiment.

The face guard of the invention according to the second embodiment, is illustrated in Figures 8-11. In this alternate embodiment, the face guard has the major advantages of those of the first embodiment, and comprises a mask piece made of an open, easily ventilated, mesh comprising intersecting rod members forming the structure of the face guard.

According to Figures 8, 9 and 10, the mask piece comprising the second embodiment face guard 80 is bordered by outer edge rod 82. The visor aperture V is bordered by upper visor rod 83 and lower visor rod 84. Vision aperture D is bordered by upper vision rod 86 and lower vision rod 88 with right and left sides bordered by vertical rods 96. It is understood that visor aperture V mates in size and shape that of a cap visor and vision aperture D is preferred to be large enough to provide the previously described front and side vision.

The rods may be of any cross sectional configuration, with round being preferred. It is generally preferred

that the face guard rods be made of molded polycarbonate, but it is recognized that an alternate construction would be a metal wire matrix coated with a resilient material, such as a vinyl plastisol. The mesh openings are all formed so as to prevent passage of the baseball, Softball or other play piece.

An enhanced and secure arrangement for releasably mounting the face guard of the invention to the head of the wearer comprises circumferential strap 100, top strap 102 and transverse strap 104 shown in Figure 9. The straps 100, 102, 104 are formed so as to be individually adjustable to properly fit the wearer's head, and to permit donning and removing without having to open a fastening device. The first or forward end of strap 102 is securely attached to outer edge rod 82 at the center of the top portion thereof. The front or forward ends of strap 100 are securely attached to outer edge rod 82 at opposed edge portions essentially adjacent visor aperture

V. Strap 104 (see Figure 9) has a central portion securely attached to strap 102 and lateral side portions attached to strap 100. As with the first embodiment, the visor aperture V of the second embodiment is similarly adapted to allow the visor of a typical baseball cap

(shown in dashed lines in Figure 9) to pass through the visor aperture, be snugly received herein to protrude forwardly of the face guard and to stabilize the face guard when worn.

The overall shape of the face guard 80 is substantially the same in this second embodiment as in the first embodiment, allowing sufficient clearance so as to not contact parts of the wearer's face and being formed with a curvature to deflect an impacting ball. A forehead pad 110 is attached to inner surfaces of the upper portion of face guard 80 and mouth pad 120 is attached to inner surfaces of the lower portion of face guard 80 as in the first preferred embodiment. The means of connection of both forehead and mouth pads 110, 120 is portrayed in exploded view in Figure 11. Semi-rigid forehead plastic sheet 112 is formed with a series of holes which are adapted to receive rivets. The forehead plastic sheet 112 is placed against the inner surface of mask piece 80 in the vicinity of horizontal rod 90 and two vertical rods 92, with rivets R protruding through mesh apertures. Rivets R are swaged to hold clamp brackets 114 to plastic sheet 112 around rods 92. Clamp brackets 114 are placed over adjacent pairs of rivets R to respectively span two vertical rods 92. Resilient forehead pad 110, coated on one side with adhesive A, is secured to forehead plastic sheet 112.

Mouth pad 120, with mouth plastic sheet 122, is mounted by means similar to the method of mounting forehead pad 110 as described above. Clamp brackets 124 are used to secure mouth plastic sheet 122 to the interior of the lower portion of face guard 80. Mouth guard 126 is assembled to mouth pad 120 by means of holes and extended rods as described in the first preferred embodiment.

A principle advantage of the face guard of the invention is that it can be worn with games typically requiring use of a cap. However, it is to be recognized that the face guards can be readily used with games not requiring use of a cap. In such event, the visor aperture 40 of the preferred embodiment could be used for additional ventilation, or face guard 20 (or face guard 80) could be made without the visor aperture 40 or V.

Also to be noted and in summary is that the mask piece comprising face guard 80 of the second embodiment, as with the first embodiment, provides an integral face guard having a mesh first portion formed of intersecting rod members, to shield the forehead, eyes, mouth, chin and throat areas and side mesh portions to shield the temple, cheek and lower jaw areas. Additionally, the face guard 80 of the second embodiment, as with the first embodiment, includes both a visor aperture and a vision aperture, pad means secured to the interior of the face guard and securing means.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be appreciated that numerous variations, modifications, and embodiments are possible, and accordingly, all such variations, modifications, and embodiments are to be regarded as being within the spirit and scope of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The invention disclosed has significant industrial applicability. The face mask component of the Protective Face Guard described and claimed is intended, according to the preferred embodiment, to be manufactured by the plastic injection molding process. There are added components, such as the cushioning pads, the mouth guard and the strap which require manufacture by various methods and subsequently require assembly into the total Face Guard of the invention.

BEST MODE FOR PRACTICING THE INVENTION The best mode for practicing the present invention comprises:

(a) an integrally molded mask piece formed from a lightweight sheet of molded thermoplastic material having:

(i) a front portion of generally outward curvature protective of the player's forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, chin and throat area including: (aa) a visor aperture positioned in an upper region of the front portion such that when the protective face guard is worn, the visor aperture resides substantially opposite the player's forehead, said visor aperture extending across substantially the full width of the front portion; and being of sufficient size to accept the insertion of a visor of a cap worn by the player; and

(bb) a vision aperture positioned below the ^" visor aperture and slightly above the tip of the nose of a player wearing the face guard extending across substantially the full width of the front portion and being of sufficient size to provide the player with substantially unobstructed forward and peripheral vision; and

(ii) side portions formed to provide unbroken exterior side surfaces forming continuations of the generally outward curvature of said front portion and located at respective opposite sides of and molded integral with the front portion and protective of the player's temple, cheek and lower jaw areas, each of said side portions including a slot adapted to accept a strip for securing the mask piece to the player's head;

(b) a forehead pad secured to the inside surface of said front portion of the mask piece and positioned above said visor aperture, said forehead pad being of sufficient size to cushion a substantial portion of the player's forehead from impacts and being of sufficient thickness to prevent any portion of the player' s face from protruding from the mask piece through said visor or vision apertures and such that the mask piece is spaced a sufficient distance outwardly from the player's face to avoid interference with a player's eyeglasses when worn;

(c) a mouth pad secured to the inside surface of said front portion of the mask piece and positioned below said vision aperture, said mouth pad being of sufficient size to cushion a substantial portion of the player's mouth and teeth area from impacts and being of sufficient thickness to prevent any portion of the player's face from protruding from the mask piece through said visor or vision aperture and such that the mask piece is spaced a sufficient distance outwardly from the player's face to avoid interference with a player's eyeglasses when worn and further being formed with respective operatively associated apertures;

(d) a mouth guard insertable into the mouth of the player wearing the face guard between the player's top and bottom teeth, releasably secured to said apertures of said mouth pad by means of a supporting stem portion and extending inwardly from side mouth paid and operative to stabilize said mask piece when in use; (e) a releasably securable strap operatively associated with said slots formed in said side portions.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. A face guard for a game using a ball or the like play piece which face guard is to be worn on the head of a participating player who also typically wears cap having a visor, comprising:

(a) an integrally molded mask piece formed of a molded thermoplastic material having: (i) a front portion of generally outward curvature protective of the player's forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, chin and throat area including:

(aa) a visor aperture positioned in an upper region of the front portion such that when the protective face guard is worn, the visor aperture resides substantially opposite the player's forehead, said visor aperture extending across substantially the full width of the front portion and being of sufficient size to accept the insertion of a visor of a cap work by the player; and (bb) a vision aperture positioned below the visor aperture and extending across substantially the full width of the front portion and being of sufficient size to provide the provide the player with substantially unobstructed forward and peripheral vision; and

(ii) side portions formed to provide unbroken exterior side surfaces forming continuations of the generally outward curvature of said front portion and located at respective opposite sides of and molded integral with the front portion and protective of the player' s temple, cheek and lower jaw areas;

(b) a forehead pad secured to the inside surface of said front portion of the mask piece and positioned above said visor aperture, said forehead pad being of sufficient size to cushion a substantial portion of the player' s forehead to cushion the player's forehead from impacts and being of sufficient thickness to prevent any portion of the player' s face from protruding from the mask piece through said visor or vision apertures and such that the mask piece is spaced a sufficient distance outwardly from the player' s face to avoid interference with a player's eyeglasses when worn;

(c) a mouth pad secured to the inside surface of said front portion of the mask piece and positioned below said vision aperture, said mouth pad being of sufficient size to cushion a substantial portion of the player' s mouth and teeth area from impacts and being of sufficient thickness to prevent any portion of the player's face from protruding from the mask piece through said visor or vision aperture and such that the mask piece is spaced a sufficient distance outwardly from the player' s face to avoid interference with a player's eyeglasses when worn;

(d) means operatively associated with said mask piece for releasably securing said mask piece to the head of the player wearing said face guard;

(e) a mouth guard insertable into the mouth of the player wearing the face guard between the player's top and bottom teeth, releasably secured to said mouth pad and extending inwardly therefrom and operative to stabilize said mask piece when in use; and

(f) said mouth guard and mouth pad being formed with respective operatively associated cooperating means enabling the level of said mouth guard to be adjusted relative to said mouth pad.

2. A face guard as claimed in claim 1 wherein a lower edge of said vision aperture is located so as to normally assume a position slightly above the tip of the nose of the layer wearing the face guard.

3. A face guard as claimed in claim 1 wherein each said portion includes a slot adapted to accept a strap for securing the mask piece to the player' s head and said means operatively associated with said mask piece for releasably securing said mask piece to the head of the player wearing said face guard comprises releasably securable strap means operatively associated with said slots.

4. A face guard as claimed in claim 1 wherein to establish said cooperating means said mouth guard includes a supporting stem portion, said mouth pad includes upper and lower passages each being adapted to releasably receive said mouth guard stem portion thereby enabling the level of said mouth guard relative to said mouth pad to be adjusted.

5. A face guard for a game using a ball or the like play piece which face guard is to be worn on the head of a participating player who typically wears a cap having a visor, comprising:

(aa) an unobstructed visor aperture positioned in an upper region of the front portion such that when the protective face guard is worn, the visor aperture resides substantially opposite the player's forehead, said visor aperture extending across substantially the full width of the front portion and being of sufficient size to conform to the shape of and to accept the insertion of a visor of a cap worn by the player; and

(bb) a vision aperture positioned below the visor aperture and extending across substantially the full width of the front portion and being of sufficient size to provide the player with substantially unobstructed forward and peripheral vision; and (ii) side portions formed to provide unbroken exterior side surfaces forming continuations of the generally outward curvature of said front portion and located

5 at respective opposite sides of and molded

- integral with the front portion and protective of the player's temple, cheek and lower jaw areas;

(b) pad means secured to the inside surface of said 10 front portion of the mask piece operative to cushion the player's face from impacts;

(c) means operatively associated with said mask piece for releasably securing said mask piece to the head of the player wearing said face guard;

15 and^"

(d) a mouth guard insertable into the mouth of the layer wearing the face guard, releasably secured to said mouth pad and operative to stabilize said mask piece when in use, said mouth guard

20 and mouth pad being formed with respective operatively associated cooperating means enabling the level of said mouth guard to be adjusted relative to said mouth pad.

6. A face guard as claimed in claim 5 wherein said pad 25 means comprises:

(a) a forehead pad portion secured to the inside surface of said front portion of the mask piece and positioned above said visor aperture, said forehead pad portion being of sufficient size to

30 cushion a substantial portion of the player's forehead to cushion the player's forehead from impacts and being of sufficient thickness to prevent any portion of the player's face from protruding from the mask piece through said

35 visor or vision apertures and such that the mask piece is spaced a sufficient distance outwardly rom the player' s face to avoid interference with a player's eyeglasses when worn; and

(b) a mouth pad portion secured to the inside 40 surface of said front portion of the mask piece and positioned below said vision aperture, said mouth pad portion being of sufficient size to cushion a substantial portion of the player's mouth and teeth area from impacts and being of sufficient thickness to prevent any portion of the player's face from protruding from the mask piece through said visor or vision aperture and such that the mask piece is spaced a sufficient distance outwardly f om the player's face to avoid interference with a player's eyeglasses when worn.

7. A face guard as claimed in claim 5 wherein said visor aperture size and shape enables said visor to stabilize said mask piece when worn.

8. A face guard for a game using a ball or the like play piece which face guard is to be worn on the head of a participating player who also typically wears a cap having a visor, comprising:

(a) an integrally molded mask piece formed of a molded thermoplastic material having:

(i) a front portion of generally outward curvature protective of the player's forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, chin and throat area including:

(aa) an unobstructed visor aperture positioned in an upper region of the front portion such that when the protective face guard is worn, the visor aperture resides substantially opposite the player's forehead, said visor aperture extending across substantially the full width of the front portion and being of sufficient size to conform to the shape of and to accept the insertion of a visor of a cap worn by the player and enabling said visor to stabilize said ^~ mask piece when worn; and

(bb) a vision aperture positioned below the visor aperture and extending across substantially the full width of the front portion and being of sufficient size to provide the player with substantially unobstructed forward and peripheral vision; and (ii) side portions formed to provide unbroken exterior side surfaces forming continuations of the generally outward curvature of said front portion and located at respective opposite sides of and molded integral with the front portion and protective of the player's temple, cheek and lower jaw areas;

(b) pad means secured to the inside surface of said front portion of the mask piece operative to cushion the player's face from impacts; and

(c) means operatively associated with said mask piece for releasably securing said mask piece to the head of the player wearing said face guard.

9. A face guard for a player of a game using a ball or the like play piece which face guard is to be worn on the head of a participating player who also typically wears a cap having a visor, comprising:

(a) an integral mask piece formed as an open mesh from interconnected rod members defining a plurality of open spaces each being sufficiently small in size to prevent passage of said play piece and having:

(i) a front portion of generally outward curvature to guard the player's forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, chin and throat area including:

(aa) an unobstructed visor aperture positioned in an upper region of the front portion such that when the face guard is worn, the visor aperture is positioned substantially opposite the player's forehead, said visor aperture extending across substantially the full width of the front portion and being of sufficient size to accept the insertion of a visor of a cap worn by the player; and (bb) a vision aperture positioned below the visor aperture and extending across substantially the full width of the front portion and being of sufficient size to provide the player with substantially unobstructed forward and peripheral vision;

(ii) side portions formed to provide exterior side areas forming continuations of the generally outward curvature of said front portion and located at respective opposite sides of and integral with the front portion so as to shield the player's temple, cheek and lower jaw areas;

(b) pad means secured to the inside surface of selected rod members forming said front portion of the mask piece and operative to cushion the player's face from impacts; and (c) means operatively associated with said mask piece for releasably securing said mask piece to the head of the player wearing said face guard.

10. A face guard as claimed in claim 9 wherein a lower edge of said vision aperture is located so as to normally assume a position slightly above the tip of the nose of the player wearing the face guard.

11. A face guard as claimed in claim 10 wherein said interconnected rod members comprise an integral molded thermoplastic matrix.

12. A face guard as claimed in claim 10 wherein said interconnected rod members comprise an integral metallic matrix coated with a resilient material.

13. A face guard as claimed in claim 9 wherein said pad means comprises: (a) a forehead pad secured to the inside surface of selected rod members forming said front portion of the mask piece and positioned above said visor aperture, said forehead pad being of sufficient size to cushion a substantial portion of the player's forehead to guard the player's forehead from impacts and being of sufficient thickness to prevent any portion of the player's face from protruding from the mask piece through said visor or vision aperture and such that the mask piece is spaced a sufficient distance outwardly from the player' s face to avoid interference with a player's eyeglasses when worn; and (b) a mouth pad secured to the inside surface of 5 selected rod members forming said front portion

♦ of the mask piece and positioned below said vision aperture, said mouth pad being of sufficient size to cushion a substantial portion of the player's mouth and teeth area from

10 impacts and being of sufficient thickness to prevent any portion of the player's face from protruding from the mask piece through said visor or vision aperture and such that the mask piece is spaced a sufficient distance outwardly

15 from the player' s face to avoid interference with a player's eyeglasses when worn.

14. A face guard as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a mouth guard insertable between the top and bottom teeth of the player wearing the face guard and

20 releasably secured to said mouth pad.

15. A face guard as claimed in claim 14, wherein said mouth guard is secured to said mouth pad so as to be adjustable in height with respect to said mouth pad.