Protective mask having removable lens and detachable head strap

Abstract

Disclosed is a protective mask of the kind having particular application for covering the eyes, ears, nose and chin of one playing the game of paintball. The protective mask has a lens that can be quickly and easily removed for replacement as a consequence of paint splatter or cracking such as that caused by the impact thereagainst of a paintball traveling at high speed. The protective mask also has a detachable head strap that is coupled to the lens through the mask. More particularly, a hole formed through an ear covering section of the mask is axially aligned with a hole formed through an ear covering section of the removable lens. One end of the detachable head strap is tied to a first connector. The first connector includes an upstanding locking catch that is moved into the axially aligned holes formed through the mask and the lens. A quick-release second connector has a rotatable latch that is responsive to a manual pushing force applied thereto so as to move into interlocking mating engagement with the locking catch of the first connector. A lock is rotated from an unlocked position to a locked position to prevent the latch of the second connector from moving out of its mating engagement with the locking catch of the first connector. Accordingly, the first and second connectors will remain reliably connected together to prevent a separation of the removable lens and the detachable head strap from the protective mask.