LENS ASSEMBLY
A lens assembly provides an interchangeably removable frame and lens for a face mask for use in adjusting to a variety of different conditions that a user may encounter. The lens assembly beneficially provides a user with an option to interchangeably attach and detach a different lens to a face mask for a plurality of different conditions, including, but not limited to, a variety of weather conditions, a variety of eyesight accommodations, or a preferred design aesthetic. The lens assembly also beneficially provides for an easier and more efficient removal and replacement of the lens from the face mask, without a user having to remove the mask from the user's face.
PRIORITY OF U.S. PROVISIONAL PATENT APPLICATION Ser. No. 61/909,150, FILED Nov. 26, 2013, INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE, IS HEREBY CLAIMED.
STATEMENTS AS TO THE RIGHTS TO THE INVENTION MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENTNONE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to a face mask lens assembly for use in outdoor activities, including, but not limited to, underwater diving, snorkeling, and snow skiing. More particularly, the present invention pertains to a replaceable lens apparatus for a face mask that can be quickly and efficiently changed to accommodate a variety of different conditions, including, but not limited to, weather, eyesight, aesthetics or design preference.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Generally, existing face masks lack the ability to adjust to a variety of different environmental conditions and/or visual needs of a user. A conventional face mask generally has a single, durable lens plate that is located directly in front of a user's eyes, with a substantially flexible casing (such as, for example, rubber, plastic, silicone, or any other similar material with like properties) that surrounds the lens plate and fits against a user's face. In most instances, the casing is designed to form a relatively tight seal against said user's face in order to prevent water, wind, or debris from entering the space between the lens plate and the user's eyes, and thus, affecting a user's vision.
Additionally, a conventional face mask lacks the ability to easily and efficiently adjust to a variety of different conditions and/or visual needs of a user. For example, if a user needs a particular prescription lens, conventional face masks typically require permanent alteration to accommodate said prescription lens. Also, if a user needs special color filtration lenses to obtain optimum clarity for various environmental (such as, for example, underwater or snow) conditions, a user will generally require several different masks, each having a different color filtration lens in order to accommodate said various conditions.
As a result, conventional face masks generally require users to possess and maintain a single mask with a specific lens and design, or multiple different masks in order to accommodate all possible eyesight needs, weather conditions and/or design preferences. Purchasing and maintaining multiple different masks can be relatively expensive and inconvenient and can result in difficulties if a user is unsure of potential environmental and weather conditions that he or she may encounter, particularly when traveling.
Certain conventional face mask devices do provide for interchangeable and/or replaceable lens attachments. However, said lens attachments are typically difficult to remove and replace, particularly during periods of actual use (such as, for example, while snow skiing or swimming underwater). In many cases, a user may be wearing ski gloves or other clothing/equipment that impedes hand dexterity and further complicates the lens attachment removal and replacement process.
Thus, there is a need for a face mask having a plurality of selectively removable and interchangeable lens assemblies, thereby accommodating a wide variety of possible eyesight needs, weather conditions and/or design preferences. The face mask should permit a user to quickly and efficiently remove and replace said lens assembly including, without limitation, while wearing gloves, hand wear and/or other equipment. Further, the removable and interchangeable lens assemblies should be capable of being retrofit to attach to and work with existing conventional face mask devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention comprises an interchangeable lens assembly that can selectively attach to a face mask, including, but not limited to, a diving mask or snow ski mask. Said attachable lens assembly can be easily and conveniently added to or removed from a supportive face mask without affecting any basic functionality of said face mask.
In a preferred embodiment, the lens assembly of the present invention comprises a lens frame that can hold and support a lens having desired properties. Said lens frame can be selectively and removably attached to a sub-frame which, in turn, is connected to a mask apparatus which can be worn by a user.
In a preferred embodiment, said lens frame of the present invention is removably fastened to said sub-frame using at least one depressable button assembly that selectively locks said lens frame (and any attached lens) into place against said sub-frame. Said at least one button assembly of said lens frame comprises a coiled spring that biases a locking projection in a generally outward direction to secure and lock said lens frame to said sub-frame. However, when said at least one button assembly is depressed, said locking projection becomes detached from said sub-frame, thereby permitting removal of said lens frame (and any lens installed therein) from said sub-frame; said lens frame can then be quickly and conveniently replaced with another lens frame holding a lens having desired characteristics.
It is to be observed that said sub-frame of the present invention can be integrally attached to a face mask. Alternatively, said sub-frame can be affixed to a conventional face mask apparatus; said sub-frame can then accommodate the removable lens frames of the present invention. In this manner, the interchangeable lens assemblies of the present invention can be retrofit to existing conventional face masks, thereby permitting the quick and efficient interchangeability of various lenses having desired characteristics.
The lens assembly of the present invention allows a user to selectively change lenses in various conditions, such as, for example, while under water, without losing a tight fit of a mask against the user's face during the removal or attachment process. In addition, the lens assembly of the present invention allows a user to remove and replace lenses without having to remove a mask from said user's face.
The lens assembly of the present invention allows for a plurality of removable and interchangeable lens assemblies, thereby permitting a user to selectively switch lenses to meet a wide variety of possible eyesight needs, weather conditions and/or design preferences. Further, said lens assembly of the present invention permits a user to quickly and efficiently remove and replace said lenses including, without limitation, while wearing gloves, hand wear and/or other equipment.
The foregoing summary, as well as any detailed description of the preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the drawings and figures contained herein. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings and figures show certain preferred embodiments. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific methods and devices disclosed in such drawings or figures.
Referring to the drawings,
In a preferred embodiment, sub-frame 20 generally comprises a relatively similarly shaped configuration as lens frame 10, thereby permitting said sub-frame 20 to complementarily align and mate with lens frame 10 as more fully described herein.
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Latch shaft bore 14 extends into lens frame 10. Latch shaft 51 is slidably received within said latch shaft bore 14, and has lower latch extension 52. Latch tab 53 is disposed at the distal end of said lower latch extension, and is aligned with latch tab recess 23 having inner latch tab shoulder 24. Biasing compression spring is disposed around latch shaft 51, and is received within spring recess 13, generally below button member 55.
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In a preferred embodiment, lens frame 10 generally comprises substantially curved base member 15, substantially curved top member 16, and substantially curved side members 17. Said base member 15 and top member 16 are oriented substantially parallel to each other, while said side members 17 are oriented substantially parallel to each other; said base member 15, top member 16 and side members 17 cooperate to form lens attachment frame defining inner opening 18. Said inner opening 18 comprises an orifice or aperture that, when worn, substantially surrounds a user's eyes, thereby allowing said user to visually see through lens assembly 100 of the present invention.
Lens frame 10 further beneficially comprises a plurality of slots 14 that correspond to the plurality of tabs 3 of lens 1 in a generally aligning orientation, thus allowing for a means of connection between said lens 1 and said lens frame 10. The plurality of outwardly-extending tabs 3 of lens 1 engage with corresponding slots 12 of lens frame 10, thereby securing lens 1 to lens frame 10 and creating a unified assembly.
Sub-frame 20 comprises a plurality of tabs 21 that are used as a means of attachment and connection points for said sub-frame 20 to semi-permanently join and attach to mask frame 30 of the present invention. The plurality of tabs 21 extend in a relatively outward direction from sub-frame 20, and can be received within tab recesses 32 of mask frame 30.
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In an alternative embodiment, lens frame 110 generally comprises substantially curved base member 115, substantially curved top member 116, and substantially curved side members 117. Said base member 115 and top member 116 are oriented substantially parallel to each other, while said side members 117 are oriented substantially parallel to each other; said base member 115, top member 116 and side members 117 cooperate to form lens attachment frame defining inner opening 118. Said inner opening 118 comprises an orifice or aperture that, when worn, substantially surrounds a user's eyes, thereby allowing said user to visually see through lens assembly 200 of the present invention.
Lens frame 110 further beneficially comprises a plurality of slots 112 that correspond to the plurality of tabs 103 of lens 101 in a generally aligning orientation, thus allowing for a means of connection between said lens 101 and said lens frame 110. The plurality of outwardly-extending tabs 103 of lens 101 engage with corresponding slots 112 of lens frame 110, thereby securing lens 101 to lens frame 110 and creating a unified assembly.
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Sub-frame 120 generally comprises a substantially curved base member 125, a substantially curved top member 126, and substantially curved side members 127 that substantially align and cooperate with base 115, top 116, and sides 117 of lens frame 110. In addition, sub-frame 120 comprises a plurality of tabs 121 that are used as a means of attachment and connection points for said sub-frame 120 to semi-permanently join and attach to mask frame 130 of the present invention. The plurality of tabs 121 extend in a relatively outward direction from sub-frame 120, and can be received within tab recesses 132 of mask frame 130.
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In an alternative embodiment, an insertion of lens frame 110 and sub-frame 120 allow a user to easily interchange lens 101 to conventional face mask 130, depending on the user's particular conditions and needs. Conventionally, although not depicted in
The above-described invention has a number of particular features that should preferably be employed in combination, although each is useful separately without departure from the scope of the invention. While the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown and described herein, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied otherwise than herein specifically illustrated or described, and that certain changes in form and arrangement of parts and the specific manner of practicing the invention may be made within the underlying idea or principles of the invention.
Claims
1. An interchangeable lens assembly for a face mask comprising:
- a. a mask adapted to be worn over a face;
- b. a lens frame removably attached to said mask; and
- c. a lens disposed in said lens frame.
2. The interchangeable lens assembly of claim 1, further comprising a latching mechanism adapted to removably attach said lens frame to said mask.
3. The interchangeable lens assembly of claim 2, wherein said latching mechanism further comprises:
- a. a shaft member having a distal end and a proximate end, wherein said latch shaft is slidably disposed in a bore extending through said lens frame;
- b. a locking tab disposed at said distal end of said shaft member;
- c. a clasp member defining a recess in said mask for receiving said locking tab; and
- d. a spring for biasing said locking tab in said recess of said clasp member.
4. The interchangeable lens assembly of claim 3, further comprising a button member disposed at said proximate end of said shaft member.
5. The interchangeable lens assembly of claim 4, wherein said spring is disposed between said button member and said lens frame.
6. The interchangeable lens assembly of claim 1, further comprising:
- a. a second lens frame, removably attachable to said mask; and
- b. a second lens disposed in said second lens frame.
7. An interchangeable lens assembly for a face mask comprising:
- a. a mask adapted to be worn over a face;
- b. a sub-frame attached to said mask;
- c. a lens frame removably attached to said sub-frame; and
- d. a lens disposed in said lens frame.
8. The interchangeable lens assembly of claim 7, further comprising a latching mechanism adapted to removably attach said lens frame to said sub-frame.
9. The interchangeable lens assembly of claim 8, wherein said latching mechanism further comprises:
- a. a shaft member having a distal end and a proximate end, wherein said latch shaft is slidably disposed in a bore extending through said lens frame;
- b. a locking tab disposed at said distal end of said shaft member;
- c. a clasp member defining a recess in said sub-frame for receiving said locking tab; and
- d. a spring for biasing said locking tab in said recess of said clasp member.
10. The interchangeable lens assembly of claim 9, further comprising a button member disposed at said proximate end of said shaft member.
11. The interchangeable lens assembly of claim 10, wherein said spring is disposed between said button member and said lens frame.
12. The interchangeable lens assembly of claim 7, further comprising:
- a. a second lens frame, removably attachable to said sub-frame; and
- b. a second lens disposed in said second lens frame.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 26, 2014
Publication Date: May 28, 2015
Inventor: ADAM PAUL CROSS (LAFAYETTE, LA)
Application Number: 14/554,754
International Classification: A63B 33/00 (20060101);