Decorative face mask for use at sporting events

申请号 US10666395 申请日 2003-09-18 公开(公告)号 US06817036B1 公开(公告)日 2004-11-16
申请人 Neal M. Reitz; 发明人 Neal M. Reitz;
摘要 There is provided a decorative mask for a face of a user wearing a head-wear. The decorative mask includes a mask body. A fastener strap is elongated from the mask body. This fastener strap has two end portions which are adapted to extend through the head-wear and be attached with each other. By attaching such end portions through the head-wear, the mask body can be desirably disposed over the face of the user.
权利要求

What is claimed is:1. A decorative mask for a face of a wearer, the wearer having a head with a rear head portion, the face mask comprising:a head-wear wearable upon the head of the wearer and having a rear crown portion disposable about the rear head portion;a mask body;a fastener strap elongated from the mask body and having end portions, the end portions being adapted to extend through the rear crown portion of the head-wear and having hook and loop fasteners configured to be releasibly attached with each other for engaging the mask body to the rear crown portion of the head-wear, wherein the head-wear is rotatable about the head until the rear crown portion is moved away from about the rear head portion and becomes disposed above the face so as to position the mask body over the face of the wearer.2. The mask of claim 1 wherein the mask body defines an upper portion and the fastener strap is attached thereto.3. The mask of claim 1 wherein the mask body defines an outer surface displaying a selected design thereon.4. The mask of claim 3 wherein the selected design is a sports team logo.5. The mask of claim 1 wherein the head-wear includes holes for accommodating the end portions of the fastener strap therethrough.6. The mask of claim 5 wherein the holes are ventilation holes.7. The mask of claim 1 wherein the hook and loop fasteners are attachable with each other outside of the head-wear.8. The mask of claim 1 wherein the hook and loop fasteners are attachable with each other inside of the head-wear.9. The mask of claim 1 wherein the mask body defines an upper edge, the upper edge being disposable adjacent the rear crown portion.10. The mask of claim 1 wherein the mask body defines a lower edge forming a concaved portion and the face of the wearer includes a mouth, the concaved portion being sized and configured to expose the mouth of the wearer therethrough.11. The mask of claim 10 wherein the lower edge has a lower central edge defined within the concaved portion and the face of the wearer further includes a nose, the lower central edge being disposable about the nose and above the mouth of the wearer.12. A method of rallying a team by a wearer, the wearer having a face and a head with a rear head portion, the method comprising the steps of:a) watching a sporting event;b) obtaining a head-wear having a rear crown portion and a face mask having an outer surface and an elongated fastener strap with end portions, the end portions having hook and loop fasteners;c) engaging the mask to the rear crown portion of the head-wear by extending the end portions therethrough and releasibly attaching the hook and loop fasteners together;d) wearing the head-wear upon the head of the wearer in a manner as to dispose the rear-crown portion about the rear head portion;e) rotating the head-wear about the head until the rear crown portion is moved away from about the rear head portion and becomes disposed above the face so as to position the mask over the face of the wearer;f) displaying a design of the team located on the outer surface of the mask; andg) motivating the team to rally during the sporting event.13. The method of claim 12 wherein the face mask in step b) is fabricated from a plastic material.14. The method of claim 12 wherein step c) comprises:1) defining a cap having ventilation holes; and2) extending each of the end portions through a corresponding one of the ventilation holes.15. The method of claim 12 wherein the hook and loop fasteners of the end portions are releasibly attached to each other outside of the cap.16. The method of claim 12 wherein the hook and fasteners of the end portions are releasibly attached to each other inside of the cap.17. The method of claim 12 wherein the design of the team in step f) is a sports team logo.

说明书全文

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/347,813, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,671,886, entitled DECORATIVE FACE MASK FOR USE AT SPORTING EVENTS filed Jan. 21, 2003, the entirety of the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

(Not Applicable)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to rally devices for sporting events, and more particularly to a unique type of rally device comprising a decorative mask adapted to engage a rear portion of a sports cap through its ventilation holes such that a simple reversal of the cap enables the mask to be disposed over its user's face.

Sports enthusiasm is an integral part of today's sporting events. It is a common practice for sports fans to cheer for their home/favorite team during a sporting event such as a baseball, football or hockey game. Such cheering typically intensifies when the fans want to motivate or rally their home/favorite team at critical times in the game.

As is well known, sports fans typically clap their hands, whistle, stomp their feet, yell and scream to motivate and rally their team. Additionally, various devices have been used by users at sporting events such as megaphones, “thunder sticks”, air horns and sirens to provide increased audible motivation. In addition, numerous visual motivation devices have been utilized such as flags, banners, pennants, towels and the like which, when waved in unison and in combination with audible motivation, is effective in attempting to rally the team players. Further, it has been known for baseball players and the like to attempt to motivate their own team members while sitting on the bench or sidelines by cocking the bill of the baseball cap or inverting the orientation of the baseball cap. Such inversion or cocking is often times known as “putting on a rally cap or rally hat” which provides a visual indication to the players as well as the fans to provide additional audible motivation to support a rally.

Although all such motivational/rally devices and practices are and will continue to be utilized, there is a need in the art for a unique type of rally device that can optimally promote sports enthusiasm among the fans, especially in sporting venues. Further, there is a desire for a unique rally device which can achieve such objective in a convenient and user-friendly manner.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention specifically promotes the motivational/rally spirit and fan participation during a sporting event in a novel and creative manner which can be used in combination with the above-referenced conventional rally devices and practices. More particularly, the present invention comprises a unique type of rally device in the form of a decorative face mask. The face mask is specifically adapted to conveniently engage a rear portion of a conventional head-wear such as a sports cap. As will be demonstrated below, such arrangement allows the face mask to be carried upon the head-wear and disposed about the rear of a user's neck during the sporting event. When desired to promote fan and/or sports rally/motivation, the face mask may be readily positioned over the face through a simple reversal of the head-wear. Furthermore, it should be expressly noted herein that the face mask may additionally be used without the attachment to any type of head-wear, but rather may be releasably worn directly upon the user's head.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a decorative face mask which encourages sports fans to actively participate in a sporting event through visual motivation of their home or favorite sports team. For purposes of this application, the terminology “sporting event” should be construed very broadly to include any type of individual or team sporting event or motivational event that involve some degree of cheering and/or motivation by the fans (e.g., baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer, bowling, tennis, political and/or educational rally and the like).

The decorative face mask of the present invention includes a mask body which is preferably fabricated from a rigid or semi-rigid polymer material. However, the use of other rigid, semi-rigid or flexible materials (e.g., rubber, thickened paper, etc.) is specifically contemplated herein. The mask body may be sized and configured in differing styles to extend over the entirety or portions of the user's face. However, it is preferably sized so as to expose the user's mouth through the mask body. Of course, the mask body should accommodate the user's face by providing a pair of eye holes and a nose-receiving region which can all selectively vary in size and shape depending upon the desired aesthetic and facial features of the user.

The mask body includes an outer surface which is visually apparent to observers when the mask body is disposed over the user's face. Although such outer surface may be left undecorated, it is highly desirable that the outer surface include painting, shading, surface orientation and/or some kind of printed indicia thereon. More specifically, the outer surface of the mask body preferably displays a design which can be viewed by others. Such design may be chosen from a wide range of selections such as, for example, designs of a facial expression (e.g., angry, smile or excited), home or favorite sports team colors, and/or rally/motivational slogans and/or terminology. One optimal design creation well suited for the outer surface is a sports team or college logo.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, an elongate fastener strap is provided with the mask body. Although any number of fastener straps may be provided, the use of one elongate fastener strap is adequate for disposing the mask body over the user's face. In particular, the fastener strap is attached to the mask body and preferably includes two end portions which extend outwardly therefrom on opposing sides of the mask body. The elongated fastener strap may be attached to the mask body in any manner or fashion such as through the use of mechanical fasteners or adhesives. However, one preferred manner of attaching the fastener strap is to utilize the apertures (preferably two apertures) formed through the mask body adjacent opposing sides of its upper portion wherein the elongate fastener strap extends through each of the apertures.

The two end portions of the fastener strap are designed to releasably engage with each other so as to ultimately mount the mask body either directly over the user's face or indirectly over the user's face by way of a sports cap. In this regard, the end portions can be simply tied around the user's head. However, it is preferred that they are attached to each other through the use of releasable fasteners. Although various types of fastening devices may be utilized, hook and loop fasteners are preferred as they can be releseably attached to each other.

In the preferred embodiment, the two end portions of the strap are used to mount the face mask to head-wear of the user. The head-wear preferably comprises a cap such as a sports cap. As is well known, virtually every cap possesses a number of ventilation holes formed therein. The ventilation holes may be used in conjunction with the fastener strap to adjustably mount the face to the cap.

The mask body is initially positioned adjacent the rear portion of the cap such that the mask body's upper edge is proximal to the rear portion of the cap. The upper edge of the mask body may be tucked inside the cap or placed outside the cap.

The mask body can then be secured to the cap by extending the fastener strap's end portions through at least one ventilation hole of the cap. However, the use of at least two ventilation holes is preferred. Such extension through the ventilation holes may be accomplished in two different ways. In the first extension, the end portions can start from the outside of the cap and then be inserted into the respective ventilation holes so that they may then be extended around the user's head and attached together between the cap and the user's head. Alternatively, such end portions may be taken out of their respective ventilation holes from the inside of the cap so as to allow them to externally extend around the cap for attachment to each other. Although the above use of the ventilation holes is preferred, it is recognized herein that the second end portions may simply be extended and attached around the user's head or cap without resorting to the use of the ventilation holes.

As briefly described above, in its rally position, the mask body is disposed over the user's face with the design of its outer surface being visually apparent. Further, in this rally position, the mask does not extend over the user's mouth such that the user is not prohibited from drinking, eating, shouting, talking or making other audible sounds.

The decorative face mask of the present invention is used for rallying/motivating a sports team. In its non-rally position, the mask is carried by the cap adjacent the rear of the user's neck. When desired to initiate a rally position, the user can simply reverse the orientation of the cap so as to dispose the face mask over the user's face. This allows the mask's rally design such as the team logo or colors to be visually displayed. By doing so, the user can demonstrate his or her support for the team and motivate its players.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These, as well as other features of the present invention, will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1

is a perspective view of a decorative face mask constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and illustrating its outer surface which may display a differing indicia thereon;

FIG. 2

is a side view of the decorative face mask shown in

FIG. 1

illustrating its elongated fastener strap which has end portions that are attached to each other after being extended through ventilation holes formed in a cap;

FIG. 3

is a side view of the decorative face mask shown in

FIG. 1

illustrating its elongated fastener strap which has end portions that are attached to each other after being extended through their respective ventilation holes formed in the cap; and

FIG. 4

is a side view of the decorative face mask shown in

FIG. 1

illustrating its elongated fastener strap which has end portions that are attached to each other after being extended around the side of a wearer's head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same,

FIG. 1

illustrates the decorative face mask

10

constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. As indicated above, the face mask

10

may be specifically adapted to conveniently engage a rear portion

12

of a head-wear

14

through one or more ventilation holes

16

formed in the head-wear

14

. This allows the face mask

10

to be carried or stowed on the rear of the neck

15

of a user and be quickly positioned over the face

18

of its user

20

by simply reversing the orientation of the head-wear

14

.

Such ability facilitates the user

20

to easily and quickly signal a rally condition to help motivate a sports team during certain times of the sporting event. It is recognized herein that the face mask

10

may be alternatively utilized without the need to engage with any type of head-wear

14

, the details of which will be explained below.

As illustrated in

FIG. 1

, the decorative face mask

10

includes a mask body

22

preferably constructed from a generally rigid and/or semi-rigid plastic material. However, other types of materials such as paper, metal or wood, may be used in addition to plastic. Moreover, it should be further realized that the use of semi-rigid or flexible materials such as rubber or card stock may be utilized.

The mask body

22

may be sized and configured in differing styles to extend over the entirety or portions of the user's face

18

. However, it is preferably sized in a manner as to expose its user's mouth

52

through the mask body

22

. This aspect of the invention will be discussed shortly below. Of course, the mask body

22

should be accommodating to its user's face

18

by providing a pair of eye holes

28

and a nose-receiving region

30

. The pair of eye holes

28

and the nose-receiving region

30

can be variably sized and shaped depending upon the desired aesthetic and facial features of the user

20

and/or the manufacturer's choice and judgment.

The mask body

22

defines an outer surface

32

. This outer surface

32

is intended to be visually apparent to observers when the mask body

22

is accommodated over the user's face

18

. It is noted herein that such outer surface

32

may be left undecorated. However, it is highly desirable that the outer surface

32

include painting, shading., surface orientation and/or some kind of printed indicia thereon. More specifically, the outer surface

32

of the mask body

22

preferably displays a design

34

which can be viewed by others. Such design

34

may be chosen from a wide range of selections such as, for example, designs of a facial expression (e.g., angry, smile or excited), home or favorite sports team colors, and/or rally/motivational slogans and/or terminology. One optimal design creation that would be well suited for the outer cover

32

is a sports team or college logo.

Referring more particularly to

FIGS. 2-4

, the mask body

22

comprises an elongate fastener strap

36

. Although any number of fastener straps

36

may be provided, the use of one elongate fastener strap

36

is sufficient for disposing the mask body

22

over the user's face

18

. In particular, the fastener strap

36

is attached to the mask body

22

and preferably has two end portions

44

which extend away therefrom on opposing sides of the mask body

22

. The elongated fastener strap

36

may become attached to the mask body

22

in any manner or fashion such as through the use of mechanical fasteners or adhesives.

FIG. 1

illustrates one specific manner of attaching the fastener strap

36

to the upper portion

40

of the mask body

22

. More specifically, the upper portion

40

preferably forms two apertures

42

. These apertures

42

are selectively formed through the mask body

22

adjacent opposing sides of its upper portion

40

. As such, the elongate fastener strap

36

can be securely anchored to the mask body

22

by extending through each of the apertures

42

thereof.

Referring now to

FIGS. 1 and 4

, the end portions

44

of the fastener strap

36

are specifically sized and configured to engage with each other so as to ultimately place the mask body

22

either directly over the user's face

18

or indirectly over the user's face

18

by way of a sports cap

14

. In this regard, these end portions

44

can be simply tied around the user's head

46

to accomplish such purpose (best shown in FIG.

4

). However, it is preferred that they become attached to each other through the use of fasteners

48

which can be either formed at the second end portions

44

or closely adjacent thereto. Although various types of fastening devices may be utilized, hook and loop fasteners are the fasteners of choice as they can be releasably attached to each other.

As shown in

FIGS. 2 and 3

, the application of the decorative face mask

10

is optimally achieved through the cooperative use of a head-wear

14

. The head-wear

14

is preferably a cap, and even more preferably a sports cap. As is well known, virtually every cap possesses ventilation holes

16

for aerating their insides. AS will be explained immediately below, the decorative face mask

10

of the present invention can be desirably employed through utilizing such ventilation holes

16

.

The mask body

22

is first positioned adjacent the rear portion

12

of the cap

14

. Preferably, such positioning defines an arrangement which disposes an upper edge

50

of the mask body

22

proximal to the rear portion

12

of the cap

14

. It should be noted that such upper edge

50

may be tucked inside the cap

14

or alternatively placed outside the cap

14

.

The mask body

22

can then be secured to the cap

14

by extending the end portions

44

of the fastener straps

36

through at least one ventilation hole

16

. However, the use of at least two ventilation holes

16

is preferred. The extension of the fastener strap

36

, and more particularly its end portions

44

may be accomplished in two different ways. In the first extension, the end portions

44

of the fastener strap

36

can start from the outside of the cap

14

and then be inserted into the respective ventilation holes

16

of the cap

14

. The end portions

44

may then be extended around the user's head

46

and attached together between the cap

14

and the user's head

46

.

In an alternative extension, such end portions

44

may be taken out of their respective ventilation holes

16

from the inside of the cap

14

so as to allow them to externally extend around the cap

14

for attachment to each other. Although the above use of the ventilation holes

16

is preferred, it is recognized herein that the two end portions

44

may simply be extended and attached around the user's head

46

or cap

14

without resorting to the use of the cap's ventilation holes

16

.

As briefly described above, in its rally position, the mask body

22

is disposed over the user's face

18

with the design

34

of its outer surface

32

being visually apparent. Additionally, in this rally position, the mask body

22

does not extend over the user's mouth

52

such that the user is not prohibited from drinking, eating, talking, shouting or making other audible sounds. This can be done through the use of a concaved portion

54

formed about a lower edge

56

of the mask body

22

.

More particularly, the mask body

22

defines a portion which concaves inwardly thereinto at its lower edge

56

, hence locating the lower central edge

58

generally centrally within the concaved portion

54

. This allows the user's mouth

52

to be exposed through the concaved portion

54

without the mask

10

getting in its way. When putting on the decorative face mask

10

, it is preferred that the lower central edge

58

becomes disposed about or slightly above the user's nose

26

. However, the lower central edge

58

may alternatively be defined slightly below the user's nose

26

but above his or her mouth

52

. In this respect, it is expressly contemplated herein that a pair of nose holes (not shown) may be optionally provided through the mask body

22

adjacent the lower central edge

58

when the latter arrangement is formed.

The decorative face mask

10

of the present invention is used for rallying/motivating a sports team. In its non-rally position, the mask

10

is carried by the cap

14

adjacent the rear of the user's neck

15

. When desired to initiate a rally position, the user

20

can simply reverse the orientation of the cap

14

so as to dispose the face mask

10

over the user's face

18

. This allows the mask's rally design

34

such as the team logo or colors to be visually displayed. By doing so, the user

20

can demonstrate his or her support for the team and motivate its players.

Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the particular combination of parts described and illustrated herein is intended to represent only certain embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices within the spirit and scope of the invention.

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