Face protection mask for ball games

Abstract

To provide a face protection mask for ball games to be worn by a wearer wearing a brimmed cap, while securing both of a good viewing angle and protection from a ball.SOLUTION: A face protection mask 100 for ball games comprises a mask body 10 that includes cushion parts 21, 22 and 23 attached thereto, is located in front of the face of a wearer F with the cushion parts 21, 22 and 23 brought into contact with prescribed parts of the face of the wearer F, and has an opening part Oa for visual observation opened in such a size as to prevent a ball from passing therethrough at a position facing both eyes of the wearer F, where the mask body 10 has an opening part Ob for brim insertion into which a brim Ct of a cap C worn by the wearer F can be inserted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0004] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a facial protection mask for ball games, comprising a mask body having a visual opening that is sized to block the passage of a ball at positions opposite both eyes of the wearer while being located in front of the wearer's face with a buffer portion attached and abutting a predetermined portion of the wearer's face. In particular, it relates to a facial protection mask used in ball games such as softball and baseball.

Background Art

[0002] As such a facial protection mask for ball games, for example, those used in softball and baseball are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The facial protection mask for ball games described in Patent Document 1 is configured as a catcher's mask that a catcher wears in a state of wearing a dedicated helmet without a flange in the front when playing softball, baseball, etc. A visual opening is formed in the mask body of this catcher's mask at a size that blocks the passage of a ball at positions opposite both eyes of the wearer, and the catcher wearing the catcher's mask can visually recognize the front through this visual opening.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventional face protection masks for ball games, like the catcher's mask described in Patent Document 1 above, are not designed to be worn while wearing a cap with a brim. In other words, fielders, including pitchers, who wear caps with brims cannot wear conventional face protection masks for ball games because the brim of the cap interferes with the mask body. It is conceivable to design a face protection mask for ball games so that it can be worn while wearing a cap with a brim, by positioning the mask body in front of the tip of the brim of the cap worn by the wearer. However, with such a face protection mask for ball games, the gap between the wearer's face and the mask body becomes large, raising concerns about balls entering through that gap from below or elsewhere. Furthermore, since the viewing opening is positioned away from the face, the opening area of ​​the viewing opening needs to be relatively large in order to ensure a good field of view for the wearer. This raises concerns about balls entering through the viewing opening. In light of this situation, the main objective of the present invention is to provide a face protection mask for ball games that can be worn by a wearer wearing a cap with a brim, while simultaneously ensuring a good field of view and protection from the ball. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The first characteristic configuration of the present invention is a face protection mask for ball games, comprising a mask body having a cushioning portion attached to it, which is positioned in front of the wearer's face with the cushioning portion in contact with a predetermined portion of the wearer's face, and having a visual opening that is large enough to prevent the ball from passing through, located opposite the wearer's eyes, The mask body has a flange insertion opening into which the flange of the cap worn by the wearer can be inserted.

[0006] This configuration makes it possible to create a face protection mask for ball games that can be worn with the brim of the cap worn by the wearer inserted into an opening for brim insertion formed in the mask body located in front of the face. Furthermore, in this face protection mask for ball games, the mask body is positioned further back and closer to the face than the tip of the brim of the cap worn by the wearer, so the gap between the wearer's face and the mask body, and the opening area of ​​the viewing opening that ensures a good field of view for the wearer, can be reduced to a degree that prevents the ball from entering. Therefore, the present invention provides a face protection mask for ball games that can be worn by a wearer wearing a cap with a brim, while simultaneously ensuring a good field of view and protection from the ball.

[0007] A second characteristic feature of the present invention is that, in the mask body, the viewing opening and the flange insertion opening are configured as a common viewing and flange insertion opening.

[0008] With this configuration, since there is no frame or other part at the boundary between the viewing opening and the flange insertion opening, which are composed of a common opening for both visual inspection and flange insertion, an even better field of view can be secured.

[0009] A third characteristic feature of the present invention is that, in the mask body, the upper frame defining the upper edge of the opening for visual inspection and flange insertion is formed in a visor-like shape that protrudes forward.

[0010] With this configuration, the upper frame, which is positioned above the flange of the cap inserted into the opening for visual observation and flange insertion, is formed in a visor shape and is separated from the wearer's face. Therefore, even if the wearer is wearing glasses, the ball can be properly prevented from hitting the upper edge of the glasses.

[0011] A fourth characteristic feature of the present invention is that the upper frame is formed to slope downwards towards the front.

[0012] In this configuration, the upper frame positioned above the flange of the cap inserted into the opening for visual inspection and flange insertion is formed in a downward-sloping visor shape. This creates a space below the base end of the upper frame that comfortably accommodates the base end of the cap's flange. This effectively suppresses interference between the base end of the cap's flange and the upper frame.

[0013] A fifth characteristic feature of the present invention is that the cushioning portion includes, as such, a forehead cushioning portion that contacts the wearer's forehead, a chin cushioning portion that contacts the wearer's chin, and a temporal cushioning portion that contacts the wearer's temporal region, all of which are attached to the mask body.

[0014] With this configuration, the forehead cushion, chin cushion, and temporal cushion attached to the mask body can be worn in contact with the wearer's forehead, chin, and temporal region, thus stabilizing the position of the mask body located in front of the wearer's face. This also stabilizes the position of the flange insertion opening provided in the mask body, allowing the flange insertion opening to be made as narrow as possible within the range in which the cap flange can be inserted, and the viewing opening to be widened to ensure a good field of view.

[0015] A sixth characteristic feature of the present invention is that the forehead cushioning portion and the temporal cushioning portion are arranged continuously, and a recess is formed in the temporal cushioning portion into which the base end side edge of the brim of the cap worn by the wearer can enter.

[0016] According to this configuration, when the temporal cushioning portion is arranged continuously with respect to the forehead cushioning portion in the mask body, a recess is formed in the temporal cushioning portion that allows the base edge of the brim of the cap worn by the wearer to enter. Therefore, interference between the brim of the cap worn by the wearer and the cushioning portion can be appropriately suppressed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] Front view of a face protection mask for ball games. [Figure 2] Right side view of the facial protection mask for sports [Figure 3] Plan view of the facial protection mask for sports [Figure 4] Rear view of the facial protection mask for sports [Figure 5] Perspective view of the facial protection mask for sports

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] An embodiment of the facial protection mask for sports according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings. The sports facial protection mask 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 is configured as a facial protection mask worn by field players including pitchers in softball, baseball, etc. That is, the sports facial protection mask 100 includes a mask body 10 located in front of the wearer F's face with cushion pads 21, 22, 23 (an example of a buffer portion) abutted against a predetermined portion of the wearer F's face. And, a visual opening Oa that opens with a size to prevent the passage of softballs or baseballs is formed at positions facing both eyes of the wearer F on the mask body 10.

[0019] The mask body 10 has an upper frame 11 located at a position facing the upper part of the wearer F's face, a lower frame 12 located at a position facing the lower part of the wearer F's face, and a pair of left and right side frames 13 that connect the upper frame 11 and the lower frame 12 and are located at positions facing both sides of the wearer F's head (cheek). And, the visual opening Oa is provided as an opening formed between the lower edge portion 11a of the upper frame 11 and the upper edge portion 12a of the lower frame 12. That is, the vertical width of the visual opening Oa is defined by the interval between the lower edge portion 11a of the upper frame 11 and the upper edge portion 12a of the lower frame 12, and is set to be smaller than the diameter of the ball.[[ID=;28]]

[0020] As cushion pads 21, 22, 23 that abut against a predetermined portion of the face of the wearer F, a forehead cushion pad 21 (an example of a forehead buffer portion), a jaw cushion pad 22 (an example of a jaw buffer portion), and a temporal bone cushion pad 23 (an example of a temporal bone buffer portion) are provided. The forehead cushion pad 21 is fixed to the upper frame 11 and abuts against the vicinity of the forehead of the wearer F. The jaw cushion pad 22 is fixed to the lower frame 12 and abuts against the vicinity of the jaw of the wearer F. The temporal bone cushion pad 23 is fixed to each of the pair of left and right side frames 13 and abuts against each of the vicinity of both temporal bones of the wearer F.

[0021] Furthermore, belts 31, 32 for fixing the mask body 10 to the wearer F are provided. As the belt 31, a horizontal belt 31 that surrounds the head of the wearer F in a form connecting the temporal bone side plate portions 10Ab on both sides in the plate member 10A, and a vertical belt 32 that is arranged along the top of the head of the wearer F in a form connecting the central portion of the forehead side plate portion 10Aa of the upper frame 11 and the rearmost portion of the horizontal belt 31 are provided. These belts 31, 32 are composed of, for example, rubber bands, and fittings for adjusting the length and the like are appropriately provided. Incidentally, the height of the connection position of the horizontal belt 31 with respect to the temporal bone side plate portion 10Ab of the plate member 10A can be appropriately set in consideration of the wearing comfort and stability of the wearer F. For example, it can include the range of the height where the visual and flange insertion opening O between the upper horizontal wire 10Bb and the lower horizontal wire 10Bc exists.

[0022] Specifically, the mask body 10 is configured as a plate-shaped plate member 10A with a rod-shaped wire member 10B fixed to its front surface. Incidentally, the materials of the plate member 10A and the wire member 10B can be appropriately determined. In this embodiment, a rod-shaped wire member 10B made of steel bar is fixed to a plate member 10A made of steel plate by welding. Furthermore, in order to reduce weight, for example, the plate member 10A can be made of plastic, and the steel rod wire member 10B can be fixed to the plate member 10A with screws or fittings. If the plate member 10A is made of plastic, if the plate member 10A is made elastically flexible, the elastic deformation of the plate member 10A when worn can improve the close contact with the wearer F.

[0023] The plate member 10A is formed in an inverted U shape, having a forehead-side plate portion 10Aa and a pair of left and right temporal-side plate portions 10Ab that hang down from each of its ends. The forehead plate portion 10Aa is horizontally elongated in a front view (see Figure 1) and is formed in an arc shape that follows the wearer F's forehead in a plan view (see Figure 3). Each of the pair of temporal plate portions 10Ab is vertically elongated in a front view (see Figure 1) and is formed that follows the temporal region of the wearer F.

[0024] On the other hand, the wire member 10B is composed of an outer ring wire 10Ba, a plurality of horizontal wires 10Bb, 10Bc installed horizontally inside the outer ring wire 10Ba, and a plurality of vertical wires 10Bd, 10Be installed vertically inside the outer ring wire 10Ba. The outer annular wire 10Ba is configured in an annular shape that passes through the front surface of the inner edge of the plate member 10A when viewed from the front (see Figure 1). Multiple horizontal wires 10Bb and 10Bc are provided, which are installed horizontally between the left and right sides of the outer annular wire 10Ba when viewed from the front (see Figure 1), and are formed in an arc shape that follows the face of the wearer F when viewed from above (see Figure 3). Multiple vertical wires 10Bd and 10Be are provided, which consist of two vertical wires 10Bd connecting the upper edge of the outer annular wire 10Ba to the upper horizontal wire 10Bb, and one vertical wire 10Be connecting approximately the center of the lower edge of the outer annular wire 10Ba to the lower horizontal wire 10Bc.

[0025] The upper frame 11 of the mask body 10 is configured as a frame within the range that includes the forehead-side plate portion 10Aa of the plate member 10A, the upper edge portion of the outer annular wire 10Ba welded to it, and the upper horizontal wire 10Bb connected to it via a vertical wire 10Bd. The upper horizontal wire 10Bb corresponds to the lower edge portion 11a of the upper frame 11, and this lower edge portion 11a becomes the upper edge portion of the viewing opening Oa. The forehead cushion pad 21 described above is fixed to the back surface of the forehead-side plate portion 10Aa of the plate member 10A.

[0026] The lower frame 12 of the mask body 10 is configured as a frame within the range that includes the lower edge portion of the outer annular wire 10Ba and the lower transverse wire 10Bc connected to it by a vertical wire 10Be. The lower transverse wire 10Bc corresponds to the upper edge portion 12a of the lower frame 12, and this upper edge portion 12a becomes the lower edge portion of the viewing opening Oa. The chin cushion pad 22 described above is fixed to the center of the lower edge portion of the outer annular wire 10Ba.

[0027] Each of the pair of left and right side frames 13 in the mask body 10 is configured as a frame within a range that includes the pair of left and right temporal plate portions 10Ab of the plate member 10A and the pair of left and right side portions of the outer annular wire 10Ba which is welded and fixed thereto. The pair of left and right side portions of the outer annular wire 10Ba correspond to the inner edges of the pair of left and right side frames 13, and these left and right inner edges become the left and right side edges of the viewing opening Oa. The pair of left and right temporal cushion pads 23 described above are fixed to the back surface of each of the left and right temporal plate portions 10Ab of the plate member 10A.

[0028] The ball game face protection mask 100 according to this embodiment is configured to be worn by a wearer F, such as a pitcher, who is wearing a cap C with a brim Ct, while simultaneously ensuring a good field of view and protection from the ball. The detailed configuration is described below.

[0029] The mask body 10 has a flange insertion opening Ob into which the flange Ct of the cap C worn by the wearer F can be inserted, and the visual opening Oa and the flange insertion opening Ob are composed of a common visual and flange insertion opening O. In other words, the width of the opening O for visual observation and flange insertion is set to be larger than the width of the cap C worn by the wearer F, and the height of the opening O for visual observation and flange insertion is set appropriately so as to ensure the wearer F's required field of view even when the flange Ct of the cap C is inserted. This configuration positions the mask body 10 further back and closer to the face than the tip Cta of the brim Ct of the cap C worn by the wearer F. This reduces the gap between the wearer F's face and the mask body 10, as well as the opening area of ​​the viewing and brim insertion opening O, which ensures a good field of view for the wearer F, to a level that prevents the ball from entering. Furthermore, since there is no frame or other structure at the boundary between the visual opening Oa and the flange insertion opening Ob, which are both composed of a common visual and flange insertion opening O, an even better field of view can be secured.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the upper frame 11 that defines the upper edge of the viewing and flange insertion opening O is formed in a canopy shape with the upper transverse wire 10Bb, which is located at the tip of the upper frame 11, extending forward. That is, the upper transverse wire 10Bb, which is located at the tip of the upper frame 11 and defines the upper edge of the viewing and flange insertion opening O, extends forward to the same extent as the lower transverse wire 10Bc, which defines the lower edge of the viewing and flange insertion opening O, and is separated from the face of the wearer F. With this configuration, even if the wearer F is wearing glasses, collisions with the upper edge of the glasses by a ball are appropriately avoided.

[0031] Furthermore, the upper frame 11 is formed in a forward-sloping canopy shape, with the upper lateral wire 10Bb at the tip positioned below the base end. That is, the upper lateral wire 10Bb, which is positioned at the tip of the upper frame 11 and defines the upper edge of the viewing and flange insertion opening O, is positioned diagonally forward and downward of the upper edge portion of the outer annular wire 10Ba. With this configuration, the base end Ctb of the flange Ct of the cap C is comfortably accommodated in the space formed below the base end side of the upper frame 11, which is positioned above the flange Ct of the cap C inserted into the viewing and flange insertion opening O. Thus, interference between the base end Ctb of the flange Ct of the cap C and the upper frame 11 is appropriately suppressed. It should be noted that the upper frame 11 may be formed to protrude approximately horizontally rather than downward, as long as it is within a range that appropriately avoids interference with the cap C while appropriately securing the viewing angle through the viewing and flange insertion opening O.

[0032] In a plan view (see Figure 3), the upper transverse wire 10Bb, which constitutes the lower edge 11a of the upper frame 11, is positioned slightly further back than the lower transverse wire 10Bc, which constitutes the upper edge 12a of the lower frame 12. This ensures that the vertical movement range of the flange Ct of the cap C worn by the wearer F is appropriately maintained. The front-to-back positional relationship between the upper transverse wire 10Bb and the lower transverse wire 10Bc in a plan view can be appropriately changed within a range that ensures a good forward field of view through the opening O for visual inspection and flange insertion formed between them, and prevents the ball from entering.

[0033] The ball game face protection mask 100 is worn with the forehead cushion pad 21, chin cushion pad 22, and temporal cushion pad 23 attached to the mask body 10 in contact with the wearer F's forehead, chin, and temporal region. This stabilizes the position of the mask body 10, which is located in front of the wearer F's face, and the opening O formed therein for viewing and inserting the cap. Therefore, the area into which the cap C's flange Ct is inserted in the opening O can be made as narrow as possible, and the area for ensuring the wearer F's field of view in the opening O can be made wider.

[0034] In the ball game face protection mask 100 of this embodiment, the inner dimensions of the pair of left and right side frames 13 (the inner dimensions of the pair of left and right temporal plate portions 10Ab) are larger than the width of the base end Ctb of the brim Ct of the cap C, and the distance between the wearer F's temporal region and the side frames 13 is increased. Therefore, the thickness of the temporal cushion pad 23 fixed to the back surface of the temporal plate portion 10Ab is made relatively large so that the temporal cushion pad 23 makes proper contact with the wearer F's temporal region. The position of the temporal plate portion 10Ab and the thickness of the temporal cushion pad 23 can be appropriately set considering the degree of contact with the wearer F. For example, in this embodiment, the temporal plate portion 10Ab is positioned relatively far forward, and a relatively thick temporal cushion pad 23 is used to ensure close contact with the temporal region of the wearer F. However, the temporal plate portion 10Ab may also be positioned as far back as possible, closer to the outermost part of the temporal region of the wearer F, so that a relatively thin temporal cushion pad 23 can be used to ensure close contact with the temporal region of the wearer F.

[0035] The forehead-side plate portion 10Aa of the plate member 10A is positioned above the base end Ctb of the brim Ct of the cap C worn by the wearer F. Therefore, the forehead cushion pad 21 fixed to its back surface is positioned to contact the upper part of the wearer F's forehead with the cap C in between. The thickness of the forehead cushion pad 21 is also set so that it properly contacts the upper part of the wearer F's forehead. The position of the forehead-side plate portion 10Aa and the thickness of the forehead cushion pad 21 can be appropriately set considering the degree of contact with the wearer F.

[0036] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the temporal cushion pads 23 are arranged continuously in a roughly L-shape relative to the forehead cushion pad 21. The temporal cushion pads 23 have recesses 23a into which the lateral edge of the base end Ctb of the brim Ct of the cap C worn by the wearer F can fit. This configuration effectively suppresses interference between the brim Ct of the cap C worn by the wearer F and the temporal cushion pads 23. If interference between the brim Ct of the cap C and the cushion pads 23 is not a problem, the recesses 23a can be omitted as appropriate.

[0037] [Another embodiment] Other embodiments of the present invention will now be described. Note that the configurations of each embodiment described below are not limited to being applied individually, but can also be applied in combination with the configurations of other embodiments.

[0038] (1) In this embodiment, the face protection mask for ball games according to the present invention is configured as a face protection mask worn by fielders, including pitchers, in softball and baseball, but it may also be configured for use in other sports.

[0039] (2) In this embodiment, the viewing opening Oa and the flange insertion opening Ob are made up of a common viewing and flange insertion opening O, but these may be made up of separate openings.

[0040] (3) In this embodiment, the upper frame 11 that defines the upper edge of the opening O for visual inspection and flange insertion in the mask body 10 is formed to protrude in a downward-sloping visor shape. However, the shape of the upper frame can be changed as appropriate. For example, the upper frame may be formed to protrude in a substantially horizontal or upward-sloping visor shape instead of downward-sloping, or it may be configured not to protrude in a visor shape at all.

[0041] (4) In this embodiment, a forehead cushion pad 21, a chin cushion pad 22, and a pair of left and right temporal cushion pads 23 are provided as cushioning parts that come into contact with a predetermined part of the face of the wearer F. However, the contact areas of the cushion pads as cushioning parts for the face of the wearer F can be changed as appropriate, and for example, some of these cushion pads 21, 22, and 23 may be omitted.

[0042] (5) In this embodiment, the mask body 10 is made of metal, but for example, the plate member 10A and the wire member 10B may be integrally molded from resin to make the mask body out of resin. [Explanation of symbols]

[0043] 10 Mask body 11. Upper frame 12a Upper edge 21. Forehead cushion pad (forehead cushioning part) 22. Chin cushion pad (chin support) 23. Temporal cushion pad (temporal cushioning section) 23a Recess 100 Ball Games Face Protection Masks C Cap Ct Tsuba Ctb proximal side F Wearer O Opening for visual inspection and flange insertion Oa Visual opening Ob flange insertion opening

Claims

1. A face protection mask for ball games, comprising a mask body having a cushioning portion attached and positioned in front of the wearer's face with the cushioning portion in contact with a predetermined portion of the wearer's face, and having a visual opening that is large enough to prevent the ball from passing through, opposite the wearer's eyes, The mask body has a flange insertion opening into which the flange of the cap worn by the wearer can be inserted, In the mask body, the viewing opening and the flange insertion opening are made up of a common viewing and flange insertion opening. In the mask body, the upper frame defining the upper edge of the opening for visual inspection and flange insertion is formed in a visor shape that protrudes forward. A face protection mask for ball games, in which the upper frame is formed to slope downwards towards the front.

2. The face protection mask for ball games according to claim 1, wherein the cushioning portion includes, as described above, at least a forehead cushioning portion that contacts the wearer's forehead, a chin cushioning portion that contacts the wearer's chin, and a temporal cushioning portion that contacts the wearer's temporal region, all of which are attached to the mask body.

3. A face protection mask for ball games, comprising a mask body having a cushioning portion attached and positioned in front of the wearer's face with the cushioning portion in contact with a predetermined portion of the wearer's face, and having a visual opening that is large enough to prevent the ball from passing through, opposite the wearer's eyes, The mask body has a flange insertion opening into which the flange of the cap worn by the wearer can be inserted, The aforementioned cushioning portion includes, at least, a forehead cushioning portion that contacts the wearer's forehead, a chin cushioning portion that contacts the wearer's chin, and a temporal cushioning portion that contacts the wearer's temporal region, all of which are attached to the mask body. A face protection mask for ball games, wherein the forehead cushion and the temporal cushion are arranged in a continuous manner, and the temporal cushion has a recess formed therein that allows the base end of the brim of the cap worn by the wearer to enter.

4. The face protection mask for ball games according to claim 3, wherein the visual opening and the flange insertion opening in the mask body are configured as a common visual and flange insertion opening.

5. The face protection mask for ball games according to claim 4, wherein the upper frame defining the upper edge of the opening for visual inspection and insertion of the flange is formed in a visor shape that protrudes forward in the mask body.

6. A face protection mask for ball games, comprising a mask body having a cushioning portion attached and positioned in front of the wearer's face with the cushioning portion in contact with a predetermined portion of the wearer's face, and having a visual opening that is large enough to prevent the ball from passing through, opposite the wearer's eyes, The mask body has a flange insertion opening into which the flange of the cap worn by the wearer can be inserted, In the mask body, the viewing opening and the flange insertion opening are made up of a common viewing and flange insertion opening. A face protection mask for ball games, wherein the upper frame defining the upper edge of the opening for visual inspection and insertion of the flange is formed in a visor-like shape that extends forward from a plate-shaped forehead plate portion that conforms to the wearer's forehead.

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