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US 12,757,962 B2Granted
Fielder's mask with flexible retention system
AssigneeRawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc.
InventorMitch Hinrichsen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A fielder's mask includes a headband configured for positioning along the front and side regions of a wearer's head. A faceguard projects downwardly from a front region of the headband to protect the wearer's face from a batted or thrown ball. A rear region of the headband includes downwardly projecting, flexible arms, that secure the fielder's mask to the wearer, while also facilitating efficient, one-handed donning and removal of the fielder's mask. In some embodiments, the flexible arms engage the back of the wearer's head behind the wearer's ears. Elastic straps may be attached to the headband to further secure the fielder's mask to the wearer's head.
Claims21
A fielder's mask, comprising:
- a headband configured to be positioned along at least a front part of a wearer's head;
- a plurality of bars forming at least part of a faceguard, the plurality of bars comprising two first bars and at least one second bar, wherein the at least one second bar forms a lower part of the faceguard, wherein each first bar of the two first bars includes a laterally-extending portion and a transverse portion projecting downwardly from the laterally-extending portion, wherein the transverse portions connect the laterally-extending portions to the at least one second bar;
- two arms projecting from the headband and configured to engage sides of the wearer's head;
- and
- a strap system configured to secure the mask to the wearer, wherein the strap system comprises a first strap connected to the headband and a second strap connected to at least one of the arms.
2 more elements
A fielder's mask, comprising:
- a headband including (a) a first portion configured to be positioned along at least a front part of a wearer's head and extending along at least part of each side of the wearer's head, and (b) two second portions projecting from the first portion;
- a faceguard attached to the headband, the faceguard comprising (i) a pair of laterally-opposed first bars, wherein each first bar comprises a laterally-extending portion and a transverse portion extending transversely relative to the laterally-extending portion;
- (ii) a laterally and downwardly extending second bar positioned at least partially below each laterally-extending portion, wherein the second bar is curved;
- and (iii) a chin guard or chin plate supported on the second bar;
- and
- one or more straps connected to the first portion of the headband or the second portions;
- wherein, for each of the laterally-opposed first bars, the transverse portion is attached to the second bar, and at least in part of the transverse portion extends laterally outwardly and downwardly between the laterally-extending portion and the second bar.
4 more elements
A fielder's mask, comprising:
- a headband configured to be positioned along at least a front part of a wearer's head;
- and
- a faceguard supported by the headband, the faceguard comprising a plurality of bars;
- wherein the plurality of bars comprises (a) two laterally-opposed first bars, wherein each first bar comprises a laterally-extending portion and a transverse portion extending transversely relative to the laterally-extending portion, and (b) a second bar projecting below the laterally-extending portions;
- wherein the faceguard further comprises a plate attached to the second bar below the transverse portions;
- and
- wherein, for each of the laterally-opposed first bars, the transverse portion connects the laterally-extending portion to the second bar, and at least part of the transverse portion extends laterally outwardly and downwardly between the laterally-extending portion and the second bar.
4 more elements
A fielder's mask, comprising:
- a headband configured to be positioned along at least a front part of a wearer's head, wherein the headband comprises flexible portions configured to engage sides of the wearer's head, wherein the flexible portions extend downwardly and transversely from an upper portion of the headband and are configured to extend behind ears of the wearer;
- a plurality of bars forming at least part of a faceguard, the plurality of bars comprising two first bars and at least one second bar, wherein the at least one second bar forms a lower part of the faceguard, wherein each first bar of the two first bars includes a laterally-extending portion and a transverse portion projecting downwardly from the laterally-extending portion, wherein the transverse portions connect the laterally-extending portions to the at least one second bar;
- a plate attached to the second bar;
- and
- a strap system configured to secure the mask to the wearer.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.