Neck protector attachment system, neck protector and protective face mask incorporating same

Abstract

An attachment system is provided for attaching a neck protector to a face mask. The attachment system includes a cord and a connector where the connector comprises a first portion and a second portion with corresponding engaging elements. The cord is adapted to be disposed through openings in the neck protector and the face mask and the engaging elements are adapted to connect the first portion of the connector to the second portion of the connector once the cord is disposed through the openings to attach the neck protector to the face mask. Kits for attaching a neck protector to a face mask are also provided where the kits include one or both of the neck protector and face mask together with the attachment system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for attaching a neck protector to a face mask comprising:
 a) a cord having a first end and a second end;   b) a connector having a first portion disposed at said first end of said cord and a second portion disposed at said second end of said cord, said connector having corresponding engaging elements for releasably connecting said first portion to said second portion,   wherein said cord is adapted to be disposed through openings in the neck protector and the face mask and said engaging elements are adapted to connect said first portion of said connector to said second portion of said connector once said cord is disposed through said openings to attach the neck protector to the face mask.   
     
     
         2 . A system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said second end of said cord is disposed through a through-bore defined in said second portion of said connector and secured at a desired length. 
     
     
         3 . A system as claimed in  claim 2  further comprising at least one end piece adapted for securing said cord to said connector through said through-bore. 
     
     
         4 . A system as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said at least one end piece comprises a clamp. 
     
     
         5 . A system as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said at least one end piece comprises a knot in said cord. 
     
     
         6 . A system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said engaging elements comprise corresponding male and female threads. 
     
     
         7 . A system as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said engaging elements comprise a snap fit joint. 
     
     
         8 . A neck protector kit for use with a face mask, said kit comprising:
 a) a neck protector having a plurality of openings; and   b) a plurality of attachment systems each comprising:
 i) a cord having a first end and a second end; 
 ii) a connector having a first portion disposed at said first end of said cord and a second portion disposed at said second end of said cord, said connector having corresponding engaging elements for releasably connecting said first portion to said second portion, 
   wherein, for each of said plurality of attachment systems, said cord is adapted to be disposed through one of said openings in the neck protector and through a corresponding opening on the face mask and said engaging elements are adapted to connect said first portion of said connector to said second portion of said connector once said cord is disposed through said openings to attach the neck protector to the face mask.   
     
     
         9 . A kit as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said second end of said cord is disposed through a through-bore defined in said second portion of said connector and secured at a desired length. 
     
     
         10 . A kit as claimed in  claim 9  further comprising at least one end piece adapted for securing said cord to said connector through said through-bore. 
     
     
         11 . A kit as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said at least one end piece comprises a clamp. 
     
     
         12 . A kit as claimed in  claim 10  wherein said at least one end piece comprises a knot in said cord. 
     
     
         13 . A kit as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said engaging elements comprise corresponding male and female threads. 
     
     
         14 . A kit as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said engaging elements comprise a snap fit joint. 
     
     
         15 . A face mask and neck protector kit, said kit comprising:
 a) a face mask having a plurality of attachment points;   b) a neck protector having a plurality of openings; and   c) a plurality of attachment systems for connecting said neck protector to said face mask, each of said attachment systems comprising:
 i) a cord having a first end and a second end; 
 ii) a connector having a first portion disposed at said first end of said cord and a second portion disposed at said second end of said cord, said connector having corresponding engaging elements for releasably connecting said first portion to said second portion, 
   wherein, for each of said plurality of attachment systems,
 i) said cord is adapted to be disposed through one of said plurality of openings in the neck protector and through a corresponding one of said plurality of attachment points on the face mask, 
 ii) said engaging elements are adapted to connect said first portion of said connector to said second portion of said connector once said cord is disposed through said openings and attachment points to attach the neck protector to the face mask. 
   
     
     
         16 . A kit as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said second end of said cord is disposed through a through-bore defined in said second portion of said connector and secured at a desired length. 
     
     
         17 . A kit as claimed in  claim 16  further comprising at least one end piece adapted for securing said cord to said connector through said through-bore. 
     
     
         18 . A kit as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said at least one end piece comprises a clamp. 
     
     
         19 . A kit as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said at least one end piece comprises a knot in said cord. 
     
     
         20 . A kit as claimed in  claim 15  wherein said engaging elements comprise a snap fit joint.