Eye-protection headgear

Abstract

An eye-protection headgear including a rigid visor with a window bearing an optical filter, and with a flexible fabric bib and a flexible fabric cap.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An eye-protection headgear comprising,
 an opaque rigid visor comprising a window comprising an optical filter,   a flexible fabric bib extending at least generally downward from a lower edge of at least a forward portion of the rigid visor, and   a flexible fabric cap extending at least generally rearward from an upper edge of at least a forward portion of the rigid visor,   wherein the rigid visor is pivotably connected to a head suspension and is pivotably movable relative to the head suspension, between at least a first, shielding position and a second, non-shielding position.   
     
     
         2 . The eye-protection headgear of  claim 1  wherein when the rigid visor is in the second, non-shielding position, a lower edge of at least a forward portion of the flexible fabric bib is above the level of the eyes of a user of the eye-protection headgear. 
     
     
         3 . The eye-protection headgear of  claim 2  wherein when the rigid visor is in the second, non-shielding position, at least the forward portion of the flexible fabric bib is oriented at a positive angle of at least about 30 degrees away from vertical. 
     
     
         4 . The eye-protection headgear of  claim 3  wherein at least substantially an entire length of a lower edge of the flexible fabric bib comprises a folded hem that provides a stiffening beam. 
     
     
         5 . The eye-protection headgear of  claim 1  wherein a forwardmost point of the lower edge of the rigid visor and a forwardmost point of the upper edge of the rigid visor combine to exhibit an included angle, measured from a vertex that coincides with an axis of rotation of the pivotable connection between the rigid visor and the head suspension, of no more than about 65 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The eye-protection headgear of  claim 1  wherein the rigid visor is pivotably connected to the head suspension in such a way that the rigid visor is pivotably movable relative to the head suspension, through an angle of at least about 80 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The eye-protection headgear of  claim 1  wherein the rigid visor is pivotably connected to the head suspension in such a way that the rigid visor is front-rear slidably movable relative to the head suspension in addition to being pivotably movable relative to the head suspension. 
     
     
         8 . The eye-protection headgear of  claim 1  wherein the flexible fabric bib is provided by a first piece of fabric and wherein the flexible fabric cap is provided by a second piece of fabric that is a separate piece from the first piece of fabric and that is not directly connected to the first piece of fabric. 
     
     
         9 . The eye-protection headgear of  claim 1  wherein the flexible fabric bib and the flexible fabric cap are first and second, integrally-connected portions of a piece of fabric. 
     
     
         10 . The eye-protection headgear of  claim 1  wherein when the rigid visor is in the first, shielding position, the flexible fabric cap extends rearward to overlie a crown of a head of a user of the headgear. 
     
     
         11 . The eye-protection headgear of  claim 10  wherein when the rigid visor is in the first, shielding position, the flexible fabric cap extends downward to reside rearward of an occipital portion of the head of the user of the headgear. 
     
     
         12 . The eye-protection headgear of  claim 11  wherein when the rigid visor is in the first, shielding position, the flexible fabric cap extends downward to reside rearward of a neck of the user of the headgear. 
     
     
         13 . The eye-protection headgear of  claim 1  wherein the flexible fabric bib and the flexible fabric cap portion meet each other on first and second lateral sides of the headgear so as to collectively provide lateral neck-protection portions of the headgear. 
     
     
         14 . The eye-protection headgear of  claim 1  wherein the flexible fabric cap comprises at least one opening configured to admit an air-delivery hose of a respiratory-protective apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . The eye-protection headgear of  claim 1  wherein the flexible fabric bib and the flexible fabric cap are each removably attached to the rigid visor. 
     
     
         16 . The eye-protection headgear of  claim 1  wherein the flexible fabric bib and the flexible fabric cap are each made of flame-retardant fabric. 
     
     
         17 . The eye-protection headgear of  claim 1  wherein the optical filter is an automatic darkening filter. 
     
     
         18 . The eye-protection headgear of  claim 17  wherein the automatic darkening filter is in the form of a cartridge that is removably insertable into the window of the rigid visor. 
     
     
         19 . The eye-protection headgear of  claim 1  wherein the window is peripherally surrounded by, and defined by, a frame portion of the rigid visor, and wherein the rigid visor is made of a molded opaque thermoplastic polymeric material. 
     
     
         20 . The eye-protection headgear of  claim 1  wherein the pivotable connecting of the rigid visor to the head suspension is provided by first and second connections located on laterally opposite sides of the user's head and wherein an axis of rotation of the pivotable connection passes through both the first and second connections.