Sports Protection Accessory with Attachable Face Mask

Abstract

A sports helmet is provided including a filtering element attached to the lower portion of the face orifice to allow some degree of airflow in, but act as a barrier for the wearer from aerosolized exposure from reaching the eyes mouth and nose. Installed under or over a protective face cage, the filtering element is removably attached for allow for replaced as it gets dirty and / or damaged. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention relates generally to a particulate filtering face mask or respirators and, more particularly, to the particulate filtering element adapted for use within sports competition by attachment to a helmet or other positioning device.2. Description of the Related Art[0003]Respirators are particulate filtering face masks designed to protect the wearer from inhaling hazardous atmospheres, including fumes, vapors, gases and particulate matter such as dust and airborne microorganisms. While various masks are designed for filtering different materials and / or at different levels of efficiency, the currently ubiquitous use of face masks is substantially an outcome of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommendations for the attenuation in the study the spread and effects of the novel corona viru...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a new invention for football helmets that includes a filtering element to protect the wearer from aerosolized exposure to debris and contagions. The filtering element is attached to the lower portion of the face guard and acts as a barrier, while still allowing some airflow. It can be easily replaced if dirty or damaged. The filtering element is made of a mesh made of woven fibers or non-woven materials, and can be coated with a hydrophobic coating or an antimicrobial additive for added protection. This invention provides an effective way to protect players from potentially harmful exposures during training and games.

Problems solved by technology

As such, the general combination of helmets and face masks cannot be considered novel.

However, the use of respirators in police, fire and other first responder applications is far from the same field of endeavor as diminishing community-based transmission of infection diseases during sporting activities.

Such a combination would previously be considered unnecessary or otherwise prescient.

Further, such prior art solutions are inappropriate for the present purpose and are not readily or easily adapted for such sporting activities.

In fact, such solutions are entirely unsatisfactory for a number of reasons including, inter alia, that they cannot be adapted to existing sporting equipment and would greatly interfere with and inhibit an athlete's performance.

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