Mask

A protective headgear, comprising:

• a head-engaging portion;
• a protective faceguard;
• and
• a plurality of shock absorbers, each of said plurality of shock absorbers connecting said faceguard to said head-engaging portion, wherein each of said plurality of shock absorbers is for supporting said protective faceguard relative to said head-engaging portion, each of said plurality of shock absorbers comprising:
• a support structure attached to one of the head-engaging portion and the faceguard;
• a guide rod supported by said support structure in a fixed position relative to said support structure, said guide rod having first and second end portions, a length, and a longitudinal axis;
• a sliding member guided by said guide rod for rectilinear movement in a direction parallel to said longitudinal axis of said guide rod, said sliding member being adapted for attachment to another one of the head-engaging portion and the faceguard;
• and
• a resilient member,
• wherein said sliding member has an opening therethrough and said guide rod extends through said opening, and
• wherein said support structure supports said guide rod at said first end portion of said guide rod and at said second end portion of said guide rod;
• and
• wherein said head-engaging portion comprises first and second frame members said first frame member being larger than said second frame member and being sized to substantially surround a wearer's face, a plurality of pairs of L-shaped bars connecting said second frame member to said first frame member, each pair of L-shaped bars supporting a respective one of said plurality of shock absorbers such that said respective shock absorber is in a protected location between said first frame member and said second frame member of said head-engaging portion.