Monolithic paintball mask
View Patent ↗A combination wrap-around mask and goggle is made from a single transparent and flexible plastic material monolithically formed in a single cavity mold. The structure is devoid of any cavities or protrusions that could interfere with the easy withdrawal of the device from the mold. Front to back oriented ribs, gussets and fins are used to impart rigidity to various areas of the structure.
1. A mask and goggle device which comprises:
a single lens goggle made of transparent pliable material;
a mask including a frontal section above said goggle, a nose-and-mouth section below said goggle, and a pair of ear covers astride said goggles, each of said covers having a substantially vertical rear edge; and
said mask being of the same material as said goggle, and being integrally formed with said goggle.
2. The device of claim 1 , having outer surfaces substantially tapering down from rear-to-front about a central horizontal axis toward a nose covering tip, and being devoid of projections and cavities having rear-facing areas;
whereby said device can be monolithically molded in a single cavity mold.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein said surfaces include reinforcing ribs, fins and gussets having a front-to-rear orientation.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein said goggle comprises a peripheral flange projecting rearwardly from said lens toward said frontal and nose-and-mouth sections; and
a plurality of triangular gussets between said flange and said sections.
5. The device of claim 4 , having vertical crease lines between said goggle and said covers;
wherein said covers can be folded inwardly about said crease lines.
6. The device of claim 4 , wherein said flange and sections have ventilation apertures.
7. The device of claim 1 which further comprises a cinching strap joined at opposite ends to said rear edges.
8. The device of claim 1 substantially devoid of any transversally oriented protrusion or cavity in relation to a front-to-rear axis.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein said material comprises polyurethane.
10. The device of claim 4 , wherein said gussets have a front-to-rear orientation.