Patent Application
20190045862
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
The present inventive, concept relates to novelty face masks. In particular, the present inventive concept relates to novelty masks that exaggerate, ridicule, or comically re-arrange certain anatomical features of the human body. Novelty face masks are used by children and also adults to produce a desired novelty effect. One of the biggest festive celebrations in the United States occurs during Halloween, when children and adults may wear face masks. Masquerade parties are also popular, and oftentimes adults don face masks to produce a comedic or shock effect at a party or simple get-together. In any event, however, a face mask may or may not be intended to camouflage or disguise the actual identity of the wearer.
Novelty type face masks devices are known to the public. For instance, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,273,418, 4,365,798, and 4,683,588 disclose such devices, as does U.S. published patent applications U.S. 2013/0047315, U.S. 2008/0141438, and U.S. 2007/0294802.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,273,418 discloses a rotating circular disk having alternating transparent and reflective areas according to predetermined patterns. The total reflective area is approximately equal the total transparent area. This disc is rotated by an electric motor at a selected speed, whereby a transmitted image of an object on the opposite side of the disc is superimposed upon the reflected image of the user with the two images merging to form an optical illusion. U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,798 discloses a novelty mirror which has three horizontally aligned and equally spaced holes in the upper portion with the farthest spaced holes being space approximately the distance between the eyes of one of the users. The mirror is held with the holes aligned the eyes of a person on the other side of the device, the viewer's face is seen with the eyes of the person on the other side. Both sides of the device may be a mirror, whereby this transposition of eye features occurs simultaneously for both viewers.
The present inventive concept relates to a strap-on novelty mask 1 that is intended as a novel, satirical representation of the rear end of the human anatomy. The novelty mask 1 comprises two sections: a main mask 10 that is constructed and contoured so as to resemble the representative shape of the human anatomy, and a sub-mask 20 that serves as a connector and buffer between the face of a wearer of the novelty mask 1 and the interior of the main mask 10.
The detachable sub-mask 20 is constructed with an integral connecting mechanism that may be attached at variable positions vertically, or longitudinally, along the interior surface of the main mask 10. In the preferred embodiment the integral connecting mechanism is a hook and loop connector. The sub-mask 20 connecting mechanism corresponds to a Velcro®-type hook 31 connector attached to the exterior of the sub-mask 20 of the main mask 10. The main mask 10 connecting mechanism corresponds to a Velcro®-type loop 32 connector attached to the interior of the main mask 10. When the sub-mask 20 and the main mask 10 are joined together, the composite novelty mask 1 may be placed directly onto the face of a wearer of the novelty mask 1.
The objects, features, and advantages of the inventive concept presented in this application are more readily understood when referring to the accompanying drawings. The drawings, totaling five figures, show the basic components and functions of embodiments and/or methods of use. In the several figures, like reference numbers are used in each figure to correspond to the same component as may be depicted in other figures.
The discussion of the present inventive concept is initiated with
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If necessary, the wearer then may make additional minor adjustments to the placement of the Velcro®-type-hook connector 31 of the sub-mask 20 to a position on the loop 32 material attached to the ridge 5(a) the main mask 10 to comfortably suit the facial structure of the wearer.
While preferred embodiments of the present inventive method have been shown and disclosed herein, it will be obvious to those persons skilled in the art that such embodiments are presented by way of example only, and not as a limitation to the scope of the inventive concept. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions may occur or be suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the intent, scope, and totality of this inventive concept. Accordingly, it is intended that this inventive concept be inclusive of such variations, changes, and substitutions, as described by the scope of the claims presented herein.
