US2795796A - Mask - Google Patents

Description

R. M. RAY

June 18, 1957 MASK Filed April so. 1954 United States Patent Q.

MASK

Richard M. Ray, Oak Park, Ill.

Application April 30, 1954, Serial No. 426,651

2 Claims. (Cl. 2--206) This invention relates to a mask and, more particularly, to a decorative mask adapted to completely enclose and conceal the head of the wearer. The mask of this invention, and which may be made in accordance with the method of the invention, is particularly suitable for use by children but may be used by others.

Innumerable types and kinds of masks have been used in the past to conceal the identity of the wearer. In general, the portion of the mask which provides the distinguishing external features is generally about the face of the wearer and such masks are uncomfortable, are

dilficult to get on and off, and are easily damaged. All of these above features are aggravated if the mask is of the type that is designed to completely enclose the head of the wearer, and because of this it has been quite general to provide partial masks wherein only the face of the wearer has been concealed.

It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a mask that completely conceals the head of the wearer and which overcomes the disadvantages set out above. Another object of the invention is to provide a decorative mask and method of forming the same that has a portion of relatively large size to permit ease in putting on and taking off the mask and which affords a considerable measure of comfort to the wearer when the mask is on and which, in addition, is designed to rest upon the shoulders of the wearer wherein pressures and binding forces upon the wearers face and head are eliminated. Still another object is in the provision of a mask and method of forming the same in which a plurality of parts are provided; the parts being quickly and easily assembled to form the completed mask by even the most unskilled. A further object is in providing a plurality of die-cut mask portions, at least some of which are assembled individually and thereby take on a formed configuration prior to the assembly of further mask portions thereto. Yet a further object is to provide a mask that preferably representsthe face of an animal and in which the mask is formed of individual mask sections; the mask sections cooperating to form a sturdy mask that will withstand considerable abuse. Additional objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a mask embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a plan view of a blank from which one portion of the mask is formed; Fig. 6 is a plan view of a blank from which another portion of the mask is formed; and Fig. 7 is a plan view of a blank from which still another portion of a mask is formed.

Reference will first be made to Fig. l which shows a mask incorporating the present invention. The mask is designated generally with the letter A and in the illustra- 2,795,795 Patented June 18, 19 57 tion it is seen that the head portion of a rooster is provided. It will be appreciated that the physical appearance of the mask may be made to represent various animals and, in fact, the mask may represent any other desired character-man, animal, etc. Preferably, the mask A comprises a plurality of mask sections and in the specific illustration given, the mask includes a neck portion or section 10, face section 11, and a head portion 12 which, in this case, is the comb of the rooster.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of a blank from which the neck section 10 of the animal is formed. It is believed that the neck 10 may best be described by referring in particular to Figs. 1 and 7. The neck 10 is seen to be formed from a flat sheet of material which may be paper, flexible plastic, or any other suitable material that can be bent into the tubular configuration shown in Fig. 1. Preferably, the neck portion is die cut from the sheet of material and an upwardly-and inwardly-inclined edge 13 is thereby provided as well as a complementary upwardly and inwardly inclined edge 14 equipped with a plurality of spaced-apart tabs 15. Extending in spaced, parallel relation with the edge 13 are a plurality of slits 16 that are adapted to receive therein the tabs 15. The upper portion of the neck is arcuate as is indicated by the numeral 17.

Preferably the lower edge of the neck section is provided with an arcaute portion 18 and spaced therefrom a similar arcuate portion 19. When the section is brought together into the frustoconical configuration shown in Fig. 1, the arcuate portions 18 and 19 are spaced apart and are adapted to rest on the shoulders of the wearer of the mask. A pair of spaced apertures 20 and 21 are provided and these serve as eye openings when the mask is assembled. A large number of small apertures or perforations 22 are provided throughout the bottom portion of the neck and these are to serve as ports so that air may be provided for the wearer. As is seen in Fig. 7, the neck section of the mask has a centerline 23 extending longitudinally therethrough and the sections of the neck on each side of the center line are substantially identical with the exception of the complementary tabs 15 and slits 16. At the upper end portion of the neck a pair of generally vertical slits 24 are provided on each side of the neck and these are used in securing the comb 12 to the neck, as will be hereinafter described.

The face portion or section of the mask A is illustrated best in Figs. 1 and 6 and reference will now be made to these figures in describing the face section. The face may be formed from any suitable material as has been hereinbefore indicated and is preferably stamped from a blank in the configuration illustrated. In the stamping operation two arcuate and substantially semicircular eye portions 25 are formed, as well as the generally elliptical portions 26 which extend outwardly and downwardly below the eye portions 25. A pointed central portion 27 is also formed in the stamping operation and this portion provides the beak when the mask is assembled, as is shown in Fig. 1.

A center line 28 extends longitudinally through the face portion 11. A pair of spaced slits 29 and 30 provide a mounting for the comb 12 as will be hereinafter described. It will be noted that a pair of tabs 31 are also formed adjacent the arcuate'eye portions 25 and theseare employed in securing the face section of the mask to the neck 10 in the assembly thereof.

Reference will now be made in particular to Figs. 1 and 5 in the description of the comb 12. The comb is also cut from a blank of material and is provided with a center line 32 extending vertically through the blank from which the comb is formed. A pair of openings 33 are provided centrally of the blank and are in general alignment with the center line 32. The top edge portion of the comb blank is a'rcuate, as is indicated at 34, while the lower edge portion of the comb is also arcuate, as is shown at 35. The arcuate portions provide the rounded front and rear sections of the comb when it is assembled, as is seen in Fig. 1. The lateral edges of the comb blank are generally V-shaped and provide a plurality of tabs 36 and 37.

The tabs provided by the neck, face, and comb sections of the mask are all formed with a central portion 38 and bendable end portions 39 which may be folded over and upon the central portion 38 to enable the tab to be inserted through a complementary slit. It is believed that the Fig. 2 illustration shows the separate portions of the tabs best.

In the forming of the mask the neck portion is first rolled upon itself into the generally frusto-conical configuration seen in Figs. 1 and 2. The end portions 39 of each of the tabs are folded over so that they lie fiat on the central portions of the tabs. The tabs are then inserted through each of the complementary slits 16 and after this operation the end portions 39 of the tabs are turned outwardly so that the tab is firmly anchored within the slit. After this operation the neck section is completely formed and is ready to receive the face and comb sections of the mask thereon.

The face portion 11 of the mask is then folded along the center line 28 and the end portions of each of the tabs 31 are folded over so that the tabs may be inserted readily through the lower slits 24 provided in the neck section 10 of the mask. Similarly, the comb 12 is folded along the center line 32 and the end portions of each of these tabs are folded upon themselves so that the tabs may be quickly and easily inserted through first the slits 29 and provided along the center line 28 of the face section, and then into the upper slits 24 provided in the neck portion 10. It should be understood that since the tabs are inserted through the respective slits, the end portions thereof are turned outwardly so that the tabs are anchored within the slits and there can be no inadvertent separation of the mask sections.

Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the position of the tabs after insertion through the respective slits. Fig. 3 shows the anchoring of the face portion 11 of the mask to the neck 10, while Fig. 4 shows the anchoring of the comb 12 to the neck 10. On the other hand, the sectional showing of Fig. 2 illustrates the neck, face, and comb when assembled.

If desired, the mask may be painted or colored or otherwise decorated with the desired characters to make more realistic the representation of the rooster or other animal illustrated by the mask. In this respect, the coloring marks may be provided. It is seen in Fig. 1 that the apertures 33 in the comb section 12 of the mask provide the spaced arouate indentations 41 along the upper edge portion of the comb. The face portion or section 11 of the mask extends freely along the side walls of the neck 10 so that the arcuate members 26 of the face are free to move slightly wherein the representation of the rooster is more realistic.

It will be appreciated that the steps in forming the mask are quite simple and involve only the operation of inserting the tabs provided by the various mask sections through the complementary slits intended for such insertion. The neck 10 of the mask is preformed once the tabs 15 are inserted through the slits 16, and maintains the general frustoconical shape that is established when the tabs have been properly inserted through the slits 16. The face portion 11 and comb portion 12 of the mask are secured together and also, both the face portion and comb portion are anchored to the neck by means of the tabs 31 and 36 and 57 provided respectively by the face and comb which are inserted through the slits 24 provided by the neck. Thus all of the mask sections are anchored together and a sturdy mask assembly is provided.

It is evident that the lower portion of the neck is substantially larger than the upper portion thereof and the neck section can be quickly and easily inserted over the head of the wearer and will completely enclose the same. The mask will rest and be supported upon the shoulders of the wearer and the arcuate segments 18 and 19 of the lower neck edge conform generally to the shoulder curvature and are adapted to receive the shoulders. Thus there is no weight supported by the head of the person wearing the mask and the enlarged lower neck portion permits freedom of movement therein.

While in the foregoing specification an embodiment of the invention has been set out in considerable detail for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that considerable deviation may be made in these details without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a put-together mask to be worn by a person for concealing the head and neck thereof and comprising a plurality of separate sections removably secured together, one of said sections being a neck portion comprising an elongated, hollow, generally frusto-conical mem her having an enlarged lower end adapted to receive the head of a person therein and having a restricted upper end adapted to extend thereabove, said neck portion having also eye openings therein spaced upwardly from the lower end thereof for general alignment with the eyes of a person wearing the mask to aflford vision therethrough when the lower edges of the neck portion are resting substantially on the shoulders of such person, another of said sections being a face portion having the outline of an animal character depicted by the mask and having a generally inverted, substantially U-shaped configuration and with portions thereof overlying the restricted upper end of said neck portion, said face portion and neck portion provided with interconnecting tabs and slots for releasably locking the same together, and a head portion having the outline of a corresponding portion of the same animal character, said head and face portions provided with interconnecting tabs and slots for releasably locking the same together, whereby said mask constitutes a threedimension animal characterization.

2. The mask of claim 1 wherein said head and neck portions are also provided with interconnecting tabs and slots for releasably securing the same together so that an interlock is afforded between all of said portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,181,421 Apt May 2, 1916 1,309,783 Slawin July 15, 1919 1,482,270 Shuster Jan. 29, 1924 2,000,242 Manning May 7, 1935 2,127,620 Sabaneeli Aug. 23, 1938 2,258,531 Baldwin Oct. 7, 1941 2,289,858 Angrave July 14, 1942 2,515,959 Johnson July 18, 1950 2,637,038 Bower May 5, 1953

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