US20220142287A1 - Lightweight face shield with microphone and speaker - Google Patents
Lightweight face shield with microphone and speaker Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20220142287A1 US20220142287A1 US17/091,986 US202017091986A US2022142287A1 US 20220142287 A1 US20220142287 A1 US 20220142287A1 US 202017091986 A US202017091986 A US 202017091986A US 2022142287 A1 US2022142287 A1 US 2022142287A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- shield
- speaker
- face shield
- user
- concave plastic
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 claims description 16
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 claims description 9
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 230000005236 sound signal Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 210000003128 head Anatomy 0.000 description 7
- 230000003321 amplification Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000003199 nucleic acid amplification method Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 241000700605 Viruses Species 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000018109 developmental process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 210000001061 forehead Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008439 repair process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A42—HEADWEAR
- A42B—HATS; HEAD COVERINGS
- A42B3/00—Helmets; Helmet covers ; Other protective head coverings
- A42B3/04—Parts, details or accessories of helmets
- A42B3/30—Mounting radio sets or communication systems
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
- A41D13/11—Protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres
- A41D13/1184—Protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres with protection for the eyes, e.g. using shield or visor
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41D13/00—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches
- A41D13/05—Professional, industrial or sporting protective garments, e.g. surgeons' gowns or garments protecting against blows or punches protecting only a particular body part
- A41D13/11—Protective face masks, e.g. for surgical use, or for use in foul atmospheres
Definitions
- the present invention is a light weight face shield utilizing a head band and a transparent protective shield that extends below a user's face, covering the user's mouth and nose.
- the shield is a transparent, thin, plastic panel that is concave in shape and attaches to the head band via a support member.
- the shield includes an aperture formed adjacent the bottom edge in proximity with a user's mouth.
- a voice amplification unit comprising a small microphone, amplifier, a power supply, and a speaker.
- the voice amplification unit is adapted to receive audio signals from the user's voice, amplify those signals, and emit sound through the speaker on the opposite side of the shield to allow nearby listeners to hear the user's voice.
- the amplification unit is preferably made of a unitary, solid state device that can easily be installed and removed from the face shield to allow cleaning, maintenance, repairs, etc.
- the power supply is a rechargeable battery to enable the face shield to be used for many days and be charged overnight or when needed.
- the positioning of the microphone on the concave or inner surface and the speaker on the convex or outer surface allows for the highest sound transmission with the least interference.
- the solid state voice amplification unit is retained in the aperture by a locking ring or cap that cooperates with an outer rim of the amplification unit to capture and secure the unit in the aperture.
- FIG. 1 is an elevated, perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is a rear view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 taken along line 5 - 5 ;
- FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the electrical system of the embodiment of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 1 illustrates a first preferred embodiment of the present invention comprising a face shield 10 that might be used, for example, in the food service industry, the retail industry, or other services where close proximity and communication with the public are encountered.
- the design of the present invention is extremely light weight, making it ideal for extended use without causing fatigue or discomfort.
- the entire face shield weighs no more than seventy five grams, including the headband 12 .
- the present invention is also adjustable, comfortable, and waterproof for easy cleaning.
- the face shield 10 includes a head band 12 and a solid plastic covering 14 extending below the head band.
- the head band 12 comprises two arcuate members 16 , 18 that are connected at first and second pins 20 to allow for a pivoting relationship where the plastic covering 14 pivots up and down about the pins 20 .
- the first arcuate member 16 is adapted to bear against the user's head and includes an adjustment string, strap, tab, or other known fitting mechanism to tighten the first arcuate member 16 into a firm and secure position on the user's forehead.
- a voice transmission unit 28 including a speaker 33 , a microphone 32 , an amplifier 34 , and other components described more fully below.
- the voice transmission device 28 includes a microphone 32 that is connected to an amplifier 34 , which in turn is connected to the speaker 33 .
- a power supply such as a battery 36 provides power to a microprocessor 38 with an on/off switch 39 , and a bus 37 to a charger port 35 .
- the charger port 35 can receive a jack 42 that is connected by a cable 44 to a charger 46 to recharge the battery 36 when needed.
- the amplifier 34 can be equipped with a volume to adjust the output on the speaker 33 .
- the entire unit is preferably no more than seventy five grams.
- the head band 12 can weigh up to thirty grams
- the plastic face covering 14 can weigh fifteen grams
- the microphone/amplifier/speaker unit (i.e., the voice transmission unit) 28 can weigh thirty grams.
- the plastic face covering 14 has a width of eleven inches and a height of seven and one half inches, and the aperture 24 in the face mask is two and one half inches in diameter.
- the thickness of the microphone/amplifier/speaker unit is three quarters of an inch and the inner diameter of the microphone/amplifier/speaker is approximately the same size as the diameter of the aperture.
- a threaded locking disk 26 or ring can be used to secure the voice transmission unit 28 to the face shield aperture 24 .
- the locking disk 26 covers the speaker 33 and engages threads 50 on the voice transmission unit 28 to capture the face covering 14 therebetween and secure the voice transmission unit 28 in place.
- the speaker 33 projects through the aperture so that it is on the outside of the face covering while the microphone 32 is disposed on the inside of the face covering.
- the locking disk 26 twists on and off so that the voice transmission unit 28 can be easily removed when necessary. This allows the face shield to be cleaned and even submerged in cleaning solution without damaging the electronics of the voice transmission unit 28 .
- FIG. 5 illustrates how the locking disk 26 mounts on the annular surface of the voice transmission unit 28 such that the speaker 33 projects through the face covering 14 to the outside surface, and the face covering 14 is sandwiched between the locking disk 26 and the voice transmission unit 28 .
- the microphone 32 remains on the inside surface of the face covering opposite the speaker 33 .
Abstract
A light weight face shield is disclosed that attaches to a user's head and extends below a user's face, covering the user's mouth and nose. The shield includes a transparent, thin, plastic panel that is concave in shape and attaches to a head band via a support member. On the concave surface adjacent the user's mount is a small microphone and power supply adapted to receive audio signals from the user's voice. On the outside of the shield is a speaker that receives a signal and emits the user's voice outside the shield so that it can be easily heard and understood by a listener. In a preferred embodiment, the power supply is rechargeable battery and the microphone and speaker are separable to easily remove the electronics from the shield.
Description
- Recent developments around the world have brought to light the need for protective face coverings in the service industry. Face coverings help to prevent the spread of viruses and have become mandatory in many places around the world where people gather. The efficacy of these face coverings varies from type to type and material to material, with cloth coverings enjoying the benefit of comfort but are more transmissive than solid shield-type face coverings. On the other hand, solid face shields are problematic because they transmit less sound and make communication more difficult. In the service industry, the inability to establish simple and effective communication may lead to personnel opting for cloth coverings even though these coverings may be less safe. What is needed in the industry is a light weight, comfortable, cost effective solid face shield that can improve communication between the wearer and a listener. The present invention seeks to meet this objective.
- The present invention is a light weight face shield utilizing a head band and a transparent protective shield that extends below a user's face, covering the user's mouth and nose. The shield is a transparent, thin, plastic panel that is concave in shape and attaches to the head band via a support member. The shield includes an aperture formed adjacent the bottom edge in proximity with a user's mouth. Into this aperture is a voice amplification unit comprising a small microphone, amplifier, a power supply, and a speaker. The voice amplification unit is adapted to receive audio signals from the user's voice, amplify those signals, and emit sound through the speaker on the opposite side of the shield to allow nearby listeners to hear the user's voice. The amplification unit is preferably made of a unitary, solid state device that can easily be installed and removed from the face shield to allow cleaning, maintenance, repairs, etc. In a first preferred embodiment, the power supply is a rechargeable battery to enable the face shield to be used for many days and be charged overnight or when needed. The positioning of the microphone on the concave or inner surface and the speaker on the convex or outer surface allows for the highest sound transmission with the least interference. In a preferred embodiment, the solid state voice amplification unit is retained in the aperture by a locking ring or cap that cooperates with an outer rim of the amplification unit to capture and secure the unit in the aperture. These and other features of the invention will best be understood with reference to the accompanying drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments below.
-
FIG. 1 is an elevated, perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 is a front view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment ofFIG. 3 taken along line 5-5; and -
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the electrical system of the embodiment ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 1 illustrates a first preferred embodiment of the present invention comprising aface shield 10 that might be used, for example, in the food service industry, the retail industry, or other services where close proximity and communication with the public are encountered. The design of the present invention is extremely light weight, making it ideal for extended use without causing fatigue or discomfort. In a preferred embodiment, the entire face shield weighs no more than seventy five grams, including theheadband 12. The present invention is also adjustable, comfortable, and waterproof for easy cleaning. Theface shield 10 includes ahead band 12 and a solid plastic covering 14 extending below the head band. Thehead band 12 comprises twoarcuate members second pins 20 to allow for a pivoting relationship where the plastic covering 14 pivots up and down about thepins 20. The firstarcuate member 16 is adapted to bear against the user's head and includes an adjustment string, strap, tab, or other known fitting mechanism to tighten the firstarcuate member 16 into a firm and secure position on the user's forehead. Located within an aperture 24 (FIG. 2 ) in the plastic covering 14 is avoice transmission unit 28 including aspeaker 33, amicrophone 32, anamplifier 34, and other components described more fully below. - As shown in the schematic of
FIG. 6 , thevoice transmission device 28 includes amicrophone 32 that is connected to anamplifier 34, which in turn is connected to thespeaker 33. A power supply such as a battery 36 provides power to amicroprocessor 38 with an on/off switch 39, and abus 37 to acharger port 35. Thecharger port 35 can receive ajack 42 that is connected by acable 44 to acharger 46 to recharge the battery 36 when needed. Theamplifier 34 can be equipped with a volume to adjust the output on thespeaker 33. - To make the
face shield 10 lightweight, the entire unit is preferably no more than seventy five grams. To achieve this result, thehead band 12 can weigh up to thirty grams, the plastic face covering 14 can weigh fifteen grams, the microphone/amplifier/speaker unit (i.e., the voice transmission unit) 28 can weigh thirty grams. In a preferred embodiment, the plastic face covering 14 has a width of eleven inches and a height of seven and one half inches, and theaperture 24 in the face mask is two and one half inches in diameter. The thickness of the microphone/amplifier/speaker unit is three quarters of an inch and the inner diameter of the microphone/amplifier/speaker is approximately the same size as the diameter of the aperture. - To secure the
voice transmission unit 28 to theface shield aperture 24, a threadedlocking disk 26 or ring can be used. Thelocking disk 26 covers thespeaker 33 and engagesthreads 50 on thevoice transmission unit 28 to capture the face covering 14 therebetween and secure thevoice transmission unit 28 in place. In a preferred embodiment, thespeaker 33 projects through the aperture so that it is on the outside of the face covering while themicrophone 32 is disposed on the inside of the face covering. Thelocking disk 26 twists on and off so that thevoice transmission unit 28 can be easily removed when necessary. This allows the face shield to be cleaned and even submerged in cleaning solution without damaging the electronics of thevoice transmission unit 28. -
FIG. 5 illustrates how thelocking disk 26 mounts on the annular surface of thevoice transmission unit 28 such that thespeaker 33 projects through the face covering 14 to the outside surface, and the face covering 14 is sandwiched between thelocking disk 26 and thevoice transmission unit 28. Themicrophone 32 remains on the inside surface of the face covering opposite thespeaker 33.
Claims (6)
1. A lightweight protective face shield, comprising:
a head band adapted to secure to a wearer's head;
a transparent, concave plastic face covering connected to the head band, the concave plastic face covering defining an inner surface and an outer surface, the concave plastic face covering configured for pivoting motion relative to the head band, the concave plastic face covering further comprising an aperture substantially centered about a midline of the concave plastic face covering; and
a voice transmission unit incorporated into the transparent, concave plastic face shield and mounted in the aperture, the voice transmission unit comprising a microphone, an amplifier, and speaker, a power supply, and a processor;
whereby the microphone is disposed adjacent the inner surface of the transparent concave plastic face covering and the speaker extends through the aperture to the outer surface of the transparent concave plastic face covering.
2. The lightweight protective face shield of claim 1 , wherein a weight of the protective face shield is not greater than seventy five grams.
3. The lightweight protective face shield of claim 1 , wherein the voice transmission unit comprises a single solid state device.
4. The lightweight protective face shield of claim 3 , wherein the voice transmission unit is mounted to the concave plastic face covering by a locking disk that traps a peripheral edge of the aperture between the locking disk and the voice transmission unit.
5. The lightweight protective face shield of claim 1 , further comprising a volume adjustment element for adjusting a volume of the speaker.
6. The lightweight protective face shield of claim 1 , wherein the power supply is rechargeable and the microprocessor is connected to a jack adapted to receive a recharging power supply.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/091,986 US20220142287A1 (en) | 2020-11-06 | 2020-11-06 | Lightweight face shield with microphone and speaker |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/091,986 US20220142287A1 (en) | 2020-11-06 | 2020-11-06 | Lightweight face shield with microphone and speaker |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20220142287A1 true US20220142287A1 (en) | 2022-05-12 |
Family
ID=81455556
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/091,986 Pending US20220142287A1 (en) | 2020-11-06 | 2020-11-06 | Lightweight face shield with microphone and speaker |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20220142287A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20220160057A1 (en) * | 2020-11-20 | 2022-05-26 | David Schugar | Combined face shield and mask assembly |
Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2655656A (en) * | 1952-02-18 | 1953-10-20 | Parmelee Plastics Co | Vented face shield for welders |
US2758307A (en) * | 1954-09-15 | 1956-08-14 | Kenneth L Treiber | Face shield |
US3314424A (en) * | 1962-11-14 | 1967-04-18 | Douglas Aircraft Co Inc | Microphone support device for a mask |
US3528415A (en) * | 1967-03-06 | 1970-09-15 | Oscar Malmin | Dental mask |
US3549831A (en) * | 1968-02-21 | 1970-12-22 | Forney Ind Inc | Speaker system for welders' helmets and the like |
US4980926A (en) * | 1989-01-05 | 1990-12-25 | Noetzel Walter R | Voice communication unit |
US5224473A (en) * | 1991-03-04 | 1993-07-06 | Bloomfield John W | Retrofitting gas mask voice amplifier unit with easily actuated switch means |
US5682606A (en) * | 1996-01-11 | 1997-11-04 | Pospisil; Lisa | Sun mask |
US20140216447A1 (en) * | 2013-02-01 | 2014-08-07 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Respirator mask speech enhancement apparatus and method |
US20170368383A1 (en) * | 2016-06-22 | 2017-12-28 | Lucca Riccio | Patient respiratory mask with integrated microphone and method of patient communication utilizing the same |
-
2020
- 2020-11-06 US US17/091,986 patent/US20220142287A1/en active Pending
Patent Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2655656A (en) * | 1952-02-18 | 1953-10-20 | Parmelee Plastics Co | Vented face shield for welders |
US2758307A (en) * | 1954-09-15 | 1956-08-14 | Kenneth L Treiber | Face shield |
US3314424A (en) * | 1962-11-14 | 1967-04-18 | Douglas Aircraft Co Inc | Microphone support device for a mask |
US3528415A (en) * | 1967-03-06 | 1970-09-15 | Oscar Malmin | Dental mask |
US3549831A (en) * | 1968-02-21 | 1970-12-22 | Forney Ind Inc | Speaker system for welders' helmets and the like |
US4980926A (en) * | 1989-01-05 | 1990-12-25 | Noetzel Walter R | Voice communication unit |
US5224473A (en) * | 1991-03-04 | 1993-07-06 | Bloomfield John W | Retrofitting gas mask voice amplifier unit with easily actuated switch means |
US5682606A (en) * | 1996-01-11 | 1997-11-04 | Pospisil; Lisa | Sun mask |
US20140216447A1 (en) * | 2013-02-01 | 2014-08-07 | 3M Innovative Properties Company | Respirator mask speech enhancement apparatus and method |
US20170368383A1 (en) * | 2016-06-22 | 2017-12-28 | Lucca Riccio | Patient respiratory mask with integrated microphone and method of patient communication utilizing the same |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20220160057A1 (en) * | 2020-11-20 | 2022-05-26 | David Schugar | Combined face shield and mask assembly |
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