Faceguard Assembly

Abstract

A faceguard assembly includes an upper section, a left connecting bar, a right connecting bar, a left lower section, a right lower section, a left tensioning member, and a right tensioning member. The upper section comprises a left side bar, a right side bar, and at least one upper bar extending therebetween. The left and right connecting bars extend downward from the left side bar and the right side bar, respectively, in an inclined vertical direction. The left lower section and the right lower section extend from respective distal end of the left and right connecting bars. The left tensioning member is connected between the distal end of the left connecting bar and a distal end of the left side bar. The right tensioning member is connected between the distal end of the right connecting bar and a distal end of the right side bar.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A faceguard assembly comprising:
 an upper section comprising:
 a left side bar; 
 a right side bar; 
   at least one upper bar extending between the left side bar and the right side bar;   a left connecting bar and a right connecting bar extending downward from the left side bar and the right side bar, respectively, in an inclined vertical direction;   a left lower section extending from a distal end of the left connecting bar;   a right lower section extending from a distal end of the right connecting bar;   a left tensioning member connected between the distal end of the left connecting bar and a distal end of the left side bar; and   a right tensioning member connected between the distal end of the right connecting bar and a distal end of the right side bar.   
     
     
         2 . The faceguard assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one upper bar comprises a first upper bar and a second upper bar both extending between the left side bar and the right side bar. 
     
     
         3 . The faceguard assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first upper bar comprises a recessed portion. 
     
     
         4 . The faceguard assembly as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the first upper bar comprises a plurality of connectors that is adapted to attach the upper section to a headgear. 
     
     
         5 . The faceguard assembly as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the upper section further comprises a plurality of reinforcement ribs connected between the first upper bar and the second upper bar. 
     
     
         6 . The faceguard assembly as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the second upper bar further comprises a plurality of side projections. 
     
     
         7 . The faceguard assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a distal end of the left side bar and a distal end of the right bar are configured to attach to the headgear. 
     
     
         8 . The faceguard assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the left lower section and the right lower section each comprise a mesh. 
     
     
         9 . The faceguard assembly as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the left lower section and the right lower section are not coplanar. 
     
     
         10 . The faceguard assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the left lower section comprises a first left lower bar and a second left lower bar. 
     
     
         11 . The faceguard assembly as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the first left lower bar comprises a first left lower opening area, the second left lower bar comprises a second left lower opening area, and the mesh of the left lower section covers the first left lower opening area and the second left lower opening area. 
     
     
         12 . The faceguard assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the right lower section comprises a first right lower bar and a second right lower bar. 
     
     
         13 . The faceguard assembly as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the first right lower bar comprises a first right lower opening area, the second right lower bar comprises a second right lower opening area, and the mesh of the right lower section covers the first right lower opening area and the second right lower opening area.