Protective Eyewear Including Auxiliary Lenses
A protective goggle is provided including a frame having a first lens opening and a second lens opening. The lens openings are separated by a bridge and the frame is configured to be located in front of a user's face. Two protective lenses are held within the respective lens openings. A flexible skirt is connected to the frame. The flexible skirt has a face engaging portion opposite the frame and configured to contact the user's face about the user's eyes. The flexible skirt has a vent portion including a plurality of vent holes.
This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/634,443 filed on Dec. 9, 2009, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/435,546 filed on May 17, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. Nos. 60/681,610 filed May 17, 2005 and 60/722,575 filed Oct. 1, 2005.
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to eyewear, particularly to ballistic protective eyewear, provisions provided by the protective eyewear to mount inner lenses, and ventilation and structure of protective eyewear frames.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONSpecially adapted, protective eyewear is used today by soldiers and law enforcement officers. The use of such eyewear is particularly advantageous in harsh environments where sunlight, wind, dust and debris can be hazardous to eyesight. Additionally, such eyewear can be designed to protect the eyes against some level of impact of fragments and projectiles during battle. Such eyewear includes the Sawfly™ shield, Bullet Ant™ goggles or Desert Locust™ goggles available from Revision Military of Montreal, Canada, or Revision Eyewear, Ltd. of Williston, Vt., USA.
Provisions have been made in protective eyewear for adapting the eyewear to accept a prescription lens assembly behind the outer protective lens of the eyewear. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,790,230; 5,412,438 and 4,810,080 describe such provisions.
The present inventors have recognized that such systems can be improved to achieve additional benefits. The present inventors have recognized that it would be advantageous to provide an inner lens sub-assembly, such as for prescription lenses, for fitment to protective eyewear wherein the inner lens subassembly is shatter resistant, prevents scratching of the protective eyewear lens by the inner lens sub-assembly, ensures an air passage between the inner and outer lenses, and is more easily finger manipulated by the user.
The present inventors have recognized that it would be desirable to provide a protective eyewear, such as goggles, that improved ventilation through the eyewear to prevent fogging of the protective eyewear lens. The present inventors have recognized that it would be desirable to provide protective eyewear that is easily assembled, cost effectively manufactured, reliable, and conforms comfortably to the user's face, and is easily manipulated and handled by the user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAn exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a protective eyewear assembly that includes an inner lens sub-assembly for fitment to protective eyewear that is shatter resistant, that prevents scratching of the outer protective eyewear lens by the inner lens sub-assembly, and that is more easily finger manipulated by the user. The present invention provides at least two types of outer protective eyewear that are configured to receive and mount the same, inner lens sub-assembly.
According to one embodiment an outer protective lens is incorporated into a shield-type eyewear. According to another embodiment the outer protective lens is incorporated into a pair of goggles. An inner lens sub-assembly, including frame and lens, is configured to be fit and mounted into either embodiment. The inner leis sub-assembly is thus a universal part, compatible with either embodiment. A cost and convenience advantage is achieved for the manufacturer and the user.
According to another aspect of the invention, protective goggles are provided that include a multi-component frame comprising a soft frame which holds a protective lens and which conforms to a user's face, and two relatively rigid strap anchor portions mounted on either side of the frame. The strap anchor portions include a mechanism for engaging a strap for mounting the protective goggles to the user's face and inwardly directed louvers for directing air toward side ventilation openings of the frame.
According to another aspect of the invention, protective goggles are provided that include a frame surrounding a protective lens, the frame having a central vent opening in a top region wherein the central vent opening allows air to pass through the frame to an open region above top ventilation openings through the frame. The goggles further include louvers on opposite sides thereof, the louvers directing air toward side ventilation openings for the frame.
According to another aspect of the don, the protective goggles include grip warts or bumps that assist in gripping and manipulation of the goggles by a user. The grip warts can be extensions of the soft goggle frame material that are exposed through openings provided in the strap anchor portions. The grip warts can serve the dual purpose of providing a user gripping function and assisting in the securement of the strap anchor portions to the rest of the goggle frame.
Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention will be become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the embodiments thereof, the claims and from the accompanying drawings.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will be described herein in detail, specific embodiments thereof with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 11/435,546 filed May 17, 2006 which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. Nos. 60/681,610 filed May 17, 2005 and 60/722,575 filed Oct. 1, 2005, the disclosures of all three applications are herein incorporated by reference.
A nosepiece 36 is fit onto the lens 22 along a notched area 38. Provisions in the form of tabs, hooks or claws 42 are provided in the notched area 38 to underlie bottom edges 36a of the nosepiece to hold the nosepiece to the lens 22. The nosepiece 36 is snapped up into the lens 22 until the hooks 42 underlie the edges 36a.
As illustrated in
The front base part 46 is preferably composed of a polycarbonate material and the rear cushion part 48 is preferably composed of a relatively soft PVC material.
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
A second frame part is 102 is applied onto the base frame part 82. The second frame part 102 includes end extending portions 106, 108 that are located at the opposite lateral extremes of the frame 72. When assembled, the portions 106, 108 extend forwardly of the adjacent regions 84, 85 and act as soft bumpers between the frame 72 and the lens 22. The second frame part 102 also extends behind the frame 72 with a surface backing portion 112 substantially laterally co-extensive with the apertured parts 84, 85 and bridge 86 and continuous with extending portions 106, 108.
The second frame part 102 is preferably composed of a PVC material or a urethane material that is softer than the material of the first frame part 82. The material of the second frame part is resilient and more grippable than the material of the first frame art 82. Being softer than the first frame part 82, the material of the second frame part 102 is more shatter resistant from projectiles and force contact and would tend to retain together pieces of an otherwise shattered frame part 82.
The softer material of the frame part 102 also prevents scratching of the lens 22 by the frame 72 during incidental contact during assembly of the inner lens sub-assembly 65 to the shield 14. The extending portions 106, 108 also act as spacers between the frame 72 and the lens 22 to ensure air flow between the lens 22 and the lenses 76, 78 to reduce fogging.
Preferably, the second frame part 102 is “overmolded” onto the first frame part 82. According to this method, after the first frame part 82 is molded, it is placed into a second mold, or the first mold can be made adjustable to increase in size and change in shape, and the second frame part 102 is then molded onto the first frame part 82. Example of overmolding methods for other articles are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,601,272 B2; 5,182,0321 and 5,934,762 all herein incorporated by reference.
As with the previously described embodiment, the frame part 102 provided on the frame part 82 events scratching of lenses 201a, 201b of the goggles 200 and will space the frame 72 and lenses 76, 78 from a rear surface of the lenses 201a, 201b to ensure an air space therebetween to reduce fogging. The previously stated handling and shatter resistance advantageous of the sub-assembly 65 is applicable to the second embodiment as well.
The subassembly 65 can be used with either the shield 14 or the goggles 200, providing a universal part.
The goggles 300 are mirror image identical across a centerline 350, so that a description of one side is sufficient to describe both sides. The goggles 300 include a front protective lens 302 (
One strap anchor 356, 358 is mounted on each side of the frame 306. Each strap anchor 356, 358 is removably mounted to the frame 306 as described below. The top wall region 334, the bottom wall regions, 312, 316 and the sidewalls regions 322, 326 all include ventilation openings generally indicated as 357. An filter material 358 (shown only and
The goggles 300 include an adapter 360 that snap engages to an inside of the nose conforming region 310, A lens subassembly 365 is provided, held behind the protective lens 302. The subassembly includes at least one, and preferably two auxiliary lenses 366, 368, carried by an auxiliary frame 370. The lenses can be prescription lenses, protective lenses, light treating lenses, or any other type of known lenses. The auxiliary frame 370 snap engages to the adapter 360.
The strap anchors 356, 358 each include an outer strap-engaging bar 372 and an air louver 376. The air louver 376 is angled toward the respective sidewall region 322, 326 to direct air toward the ventilation openings through sidewall regions and into the interior of the goggle.
Referring to
Preferably, the frame 306 is composed of a relatively soft urethane material, and the strap anchors 356, 358 are composed of a harder nylon material forming rigid parts.
When the strap anchors 356, 358 are assembled to the frame 306, preferably the lens 302 is not yet fit into the frame 306. The tabs 382a, 382b and 392a, 392b are fit into their respective holes 386a, 386b and 396a, 396b in the frame 306. When the lens is installed, it rigidifies the frame 306 and thus helps to ensure the reliable engagement of the tabs and holes to secure the strap anchors 356, 358 to the frame 306.
Referring to
Referring to
The auxiliary frame 370 is illustrated in
A downwardly extended tab 410 is used to secure the auxiliary frame 370 to the adapter 360. The tab 410 includes a locking tang, ledge or pin 416 that extends horizontally. The adapter 360 includes a slot 420 for receiving the tab 410 and a recess ledge 422 for receiving the belting tang 416. When the auxiliary frame 370 is pressed down onto the concave, nose conforming region 310, inside the goggle frame 306, the tab 410 slides within the slot 420 and the tang 416 snap engages beneath the recess ledge 422 and removably secures the auxiliary frame 370 to the protective frame 306. To assist in installing the auxiliary frame 370 onto the concave region 410, guide portions 432, 434 could be provided on the adapter 360.
The adapter 360 includes a mounting flange 520 that includes three resilient snap slots 522a, 522b, 522c. Each snap slot engages a corresponding pin 532 formed inside and as part of the protective frame 306 (only two pins shown in
An alternate nosepiece 700 for fitment to a protective shield, such as shown In
Although a nosepiece 700 is described and shown in
The protrusions 772, 774 fit within a modified adapter 792 for mounting the auxiliary frame 770 to a goggle such as shown in FIGS. 14 and 22-24. The modified adapter 792 includes indentations 802, 804 for receiving the protrusions 772, 774. The interaction of the protrusions 772, 774 with the indentations 802, 804 can be a snap fit engagement or merely a guided arrangement. The indentations can be open in the fore and aft direction, or can be closed in the fore and aft direction. In the latter case, the indentations would guide the frame 770 in the fore and aft direction and the left and tight direction. In either case, the indentations could restrain the auxiliary frame in the vertical direction as well if the interaction between the protrusions 772, 774 and the indentations 802, 804 is a snap fit engagement.
It can be recognized that for any of the eyewear embodiments described in this specification, the outer protective shield or goggle can be worn without the auxiliary lens or lenses, for example, if prescription eyewear is not needed. In the embodiment illustrated in
From the foregoing, it will be observed chat numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the don. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred.
Claims
1. A goggle comprising:
- a frame, having a first lens opening and second lens opening, the lens openings separated by a bridge and the frame configured to be located in front of a user's face;
- two protective lenses held within the respective lens openings;
- a flexible skirt connected to the frame, the flexible skirt having a face engaging portion and a spacing portion; the spacing; portion comprising a vent portion;
- the face engaging; portion is opposite the frame and configured to contact the user's face about the user's eyes;
- the vent portion comprises a plurality of vent holes.
2. The goggle of claim 1, comprising a filter; the filter positioned over the plurality of vent holes to prevent debris from passing through the plurality of vent holes.
3. The goggle of claim 1, comprising a filter; the filter positioned on an inside surface of the flexible skirt and over the plurality of vent holes.
4. The goggle of claim 1, wherein the face engaging portion adjacent the first and second lateral sides of the frame is located a greater distance from the frame than a distance between the frame and the face engaging portion at the bridge.
5. The goggle of claim 1, wherein the flexible skirt extends about a back side of the frame and includes a top portion, opposite lateral side portions, and a bottom portion; the plurality of vent holes are located in the top portion.
6. The goggle of claim 1, wherein the flexible skirt extends about a back side of the frame and includes a top portion, opposite lateral side portions and a bottom portion; the bottom portion has a nose sup port recess for supporting the frame about the user's nose.
7. The goggle of claim 1, wherein the flexible skirt extends about a back side of the frame and includes a top portion, opposite lateral side portions and a bottom portion; the bottom portion has a nose support portion for supporting the frame about the user's nose; the nose support portion comprises a right side, a left side, and a top peak between the right side and left side; the nose support portion comprises at least one right slit and at least one left slit in the respective right side and left side about the top peak; the right and left slits each extend from an end of the flexible skirt opposite the frame inward toward the frame.
8. The goggle of claim 1, comprising an element for holding a second frame within an area surrounded the flexible skirt and behind the two lenses.
9. The goggle of claim 1, wherein the top of the frame at a vertical center line of the bridge is located below the top of the flexible skirt at the vertical center line of the bridge.
10. The goggle of claim 1, wherein the flexible skirt extends about a rear side of the frame and includes a vented top portion, opposite non-vented lateral side portions, and a vented bottom portion; the plurality of vent holes are located in the vented top portion and the vented bottom portion.
11. A goggle comprising:
- a frame having two lens openings separated by a bridge and the frame configured to be located in front of a user's face and about the user's eyes;
- two ballistically resistant lenses held within the respective two lens openings;
- the frame having an attachment mechanism configured to hold the frame to the user's face with at least one strap;
- a flexible skirt connected to the frame to provide an enclosed interior space between the frame and the user's face when the goggle is worn by the user; the flexible skirt has a face engaging portion; the flexible skirt has a plurality of vent holes configured to allow air to pass in and out of the enclosed interior space;
- the face engaging portion is opposite the frame and configured to contact the user's face about the user's eyes.
12. The goggle of claim 11, wherein the bridge has an element configured to hold a second frame in the enclosed interior space behind the two lenses and in front of the user's eyes.
13. The goggle of claim 11, comprising an air permeable filter positioned to prevent debris from passing into the enclosed interior space through the plurality of vent holes.
14. The goggle of claim 11, wherein the face engaging portion adjacent a first lateral side ant a second lateral side of the frame is located a greater distance from the frame than a distance between the frame and the face engaging portion at the bridge.
15. The goggle of claim 11, wherein the flexible skirt extends about a back side of the frame and includes a top portion, opposite lateral side portions, and a bottom portion; the plurality of vent holes are located in the bottom portion.
16. The goggle of claim 11, wherein the flexible skirt extends about a back side of the frame and includes a top portion, opposite lateral side portions and a bottom portion; the bottom portion has a nose support portion for supporting the frame about the user's nose; the nose support portion comprises a right side, a left side, and a top peak between the right side and left side; the nose support portion comprises at least one right slit and at least one left slit in the respective right side and left side about the top peak; the right and left slits each extend from an end of the flexible skirt opposite the frame inward toward the frame.
17. The goggle of claim 11, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a first strap slot and a second strap slot; the first strap slot located at a first lateral side of the frame adjacent the one of the two lenses and the second strap slot located at an opposite second lateral side of the frame adjacent the other of the two lenses.
18. The goggle of claim 11, wherein the flexible skirt extends about a rear side of the frame and includes a vented top portion, opposite non-vented lateral side portions, and a vented bottom portion; the plurality of vent holes are located in the vented top portion and the vented bottom portion.
19. A projectile impact resistant protective goggle comprising:
- a front frame having a first lens opening and a second lens opening, the lens openings separated by an intervening bridge and the front frame positioned to be located in front of a user's face and about the user's eyes;
- two separate projectile impact resistant lenses held within the respective lens openings;
- the frame having a first strap slot and a second strap slot configured to secure the frame to the user's face by at least one strap; the first strap slot located at a first lateral side of the frame adjacent the first lens opening and the second strap slot located at an opposite second lateral side of the frame adjacent the second lens opening;
- a flexible skirt connected to the front frame configured to provide an enclosed interior space between the front frame and the user's face when the goggle is worn by the user; the flexible skirt has a face engaging portion; the flexible skirt has a plurality of vent holes configured to allow air to pass in and out of the enclosed interior space;
- the face engaging portion is opposite the front frame and configured to contact the user's face about the users eyes.
20. The goggle of claim 19, comprising a filter positioned to prevent debris from passing into the enclosed interior space through the plurality of vent holes.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 3, 2011
Publication Date: Dec 8, 2011
Inventors: Stephan Morency (Montreal), Christian Pilon (Montreal), Stéphane Beliveau (Montreal), Catherine Turgy (Montreal)
Application Number: 13/152,942
International Classification: A61F 9/02 (20060101); F41H 1/02 (20060101);