Helmet Faceguard Covering

Abstract

The present technology provides a mask that is affixable to a helmet. The mask is affixable over the lower face covering of a conventional helmet, such as a football helmet. The mask has straps, hooks, orifices, or other attachment components to allow the mask to be secured via one or more existing clips, snaps, or other connection points on the helmet. Alternatively, the mask is affixable via a connection technology such as a hook-and-loop fastener, an adhesive, a clip, or other fastening technology. The mask prevents a substantial portion of the biological material being expelled or inhaled from the person wearing the helmet or other competitors from passing through the mask and contacting another participant.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A helmet mask apparatus, comprising:
 a semi-permeable mask body;   at least one strap affixed to the mask body;   at least one clip attached to a helmet faceguard and the at least one strap;   at least one fastener configured to vertically encircle, with the mask body, the faceguard.   
     
     
         2 . The helmet mask apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an elastic band encircling a perimeter of the mask body. 
     
     
         3 . The helmet mask apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mask body covers a lower portion of a face of a wearer of the helmet faceguard. 
     
     
         4 . The helmet mask apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fastener is a hook and eye fastener. 
     
     
         5 . The helmet mask apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein, when attached to the at least one clip, the at least one strap stretches the mask body over the faceguard such that the mask body is taut. 
     
     
         6 . The helmet mask apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one fastener prevents the mask body from rotating vertically. 
     
     
         7 . The helmet mask apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mask body is positioned outside of the faceguard and the at least one clip, the at least one fastener, and the at least one strap are positioned inside the faceguard. 
     
     
         8 . The helmet mask apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one strap comprises four straps disposed at four corners of the mask body. 
     
     
         9 . The helmet mask apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mask body is constructed of fabric. 
     
     
         10 . The helmet mask apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mask body is treated with an antimicrobial agent. 
     
     
         11 . The helmet mask apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one strap is constructed of an elastic band. 
     
     
         12 . The helmet mask apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the mask body is configured to prevent at least a portion of biological material expelled by a user from passing through the mask body. 
     
     
         13 . A method to affix a mask to a helmet faceguard, comprising:
 placing a semi-permeable mask body along an outer surface of a faceguard;   wrapping vertical edges of the mask body around opposing edges of the faceguard;   affixing at least one strap on each opposing edge of the mask body to the faceguard; and   affixing a fastener that wraps vertically around the faceguard.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the mask body covers a lower portion of a face of a wearer of the helmet faceguard. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one fastener is a hook and eye fastener. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising, affixing the at least one strap on each opposing edge of the mask body to the faceguard by:
 affixing the at least one strap on each opposing edge of the mask body to a clip; and   affixing the clip to the faceguard.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the mask body is positioned outside of the faceguard and the at least one clip, the at least one fastener, and the at least one strap are positioned inside the faceguard. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the fastener prevents the mask body from rotating vertically. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the mask body covers a lower portion of a face of a wearer of the helmet faceguard. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the mask body is constructed of fabric.