Apparel – Guard or protector – For wearer's head
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-06
2001-11-27
Calvert, John J. (Department: 3741)
Apparel
Guard or protector
For wearer's head
C002S445000, C128S858000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06321391
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The disclosed invention relates to an improved sport or work goggles and strap combination, which will not angle, tip or move from the user's eyes.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Goggles are used in various sports, as well as the workplace, to protect the user's eyes. Maintaining the goggles in position have always been a problem when any pressure, such as diving, is applied to the goggles. Users experience the problem of goggles being flipped out of position in use, as for example, during entry to a swimming pool during a swimming meet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The disclosed goggle/strap combination overcomes the problem of maintaining the goggles in position by connecting the strap at the top and bottom of the goggles. This connection places the strap over and around the user's head, preventing the goggles from sliding, lifting or flipping during use. The most severe problem being the rotation of the goggles about the longitudinal axis of the goggles
The invention relates to a novel method of maintaining goggles in position during use. The straps are connected to the goggles at the top and bottom of the eyepieces rather than at the sides. In one embodiment the straps are crossed over to form an X at the back of the user's head. In other embodiments, a bottom strap extends around the back of the user's head and various configurations of top and connecting straps connect the bottom strap to the top of the goggles.
Unless otherwise specified, the terms used herein, are employed in accordance with their standard dictionary definition, in particular, the American Heritage Dictionary, Third Edition, Version 3.6, copyright 1994.
The term “opposed”, as employed herein, pertains to how the top and bottom straps are attached, with respect to one another, to the goggles lens or goggles lens template. As used herein, opposed or opposedly is intended to mean that the straps that are attached to the goggles lens or goggles lens template in sufficient counterbalance to one another so that the top strap prevents the lens from rolling or sliding off of the eye during normal or increased pressure (e.g., diving) and the bottom strap maintains the goggles secure to the face by countering the force of the top strap. The top and bottom straps are at an angle to a line through the longitudinal line of the goggles. The longitudinal line should be understood to be the straight line running from outermost edges of the goggles, and through the lenses of the goggles. With respect to a person that is standing upright, the longitudinal line would be horizontal relative to the vertical position of the person. Conventional, or prior art goggles, typically have end strap receiving slots which extend perpendicularly to the longitudinal line of the goggles.
The top straps preferably extend from the goggles at an angle in the range from about 35 to about 90 degrees. More preferably, the top straps extend away from each other and form an angle relative to the longitudinal line of the goggles, in the range from about 45 to about 75°.
The bottom straps oppose the top straps, and it appears that the action of the lower right straps opposes the force of the top left strap, and the lower left strap opposes the top right strap. Thus, the bottom straps can form an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal line of the goggles. The preferred angle is in the range from about 15 to about 70°, and more preferably in the range from about 20 to about 35°.
Straps, as used herein, are intended to refer to straps used to secure goggles to the wearer. The straps can be comprised of materials known to those of skill in the art to be useful for the arena in which the goggles are to be worn (e.g., swimming). The straps can be of different lengths, widths, colors, and materials depending on the desired characteristics of the goggle. Typical material are synthetic polymers, such as silicones, urethanes, and synthetic rubbers. The straps can be directly attached to the goggles lens or goggle lens template via a chemical bond (i.e., glue, heat, or epoxy) or a mechanical bond (e.g., a clamp, hinge, thread, nut and bolt, or crimping device) or they can be continuous with the goggles lens template. In order to allow for adjustment of the goggle, the straps can be made adjustable by looping the strap through a receiving slot (e.g., a receiving slot in the goggles lens, goggles lens template, or interface) and securing the loop via a clip, knot, clamp, crimping device, or other securing device known to those of skill in the art. If desired, the straps can be attached to the goggles lens, goggles lens template, or interface without an adjusting loop. The straps can also be adjusted through the use of the presently described interface with or without the presence of a loop. A securing means such as a clamp, clip, slide, nut and bolt, knot, or crimpable device, can be present on the side of the interface opposite the back of the skull which can be used to adjust the fit of the goggle.
A sport or work goggle, as used herein, is intended to refer to an apparatus designed to cover the wearer's eyes and protect them from their environment (e.g., chlorinated water or flying dust). The sport or work goggle, comprises: a first and second central or longitudinal strap, a first and second goggles lens, and a bridge connect the lenses.
A modified sport or work goggles, as used herein, preferably, comprises: first and second top straps, first and second bottom straps, first and second goggles lenses and a bridge, wherein the first and second goggleslenses are attached through the bridge and the first top and first bottom straps are opposedly attached to the first goggleslens and the second top and second bottom straps are opposedly attached to the second goggleslens. Optionally, the modified gogglesfurther comprises: first and second center straps. The center straps are attached to the goggleslenses between the top and bottom straps. Preferably, the center straps are present.
The first and second top and bottom straps are opposedly attached to the goggleslenses. The first and second top and bottom straps can be attached to the goggleslens template via a chemical bond (i.e., glue, heat, or epoxy) or a mechanical bond (e.g., a clamp, hinge, thread, nut and bolt, staple, or crimping device) or they can be continuous with the goggleslens template. If a chemical or mechanical means is used, then the straps can be looped through a receiving slot in the template and secured by a securing means described above to allow for adjustment, or they can be directly attached to the goggleslens template. The straps can be continuous such that the first top strap is connected with the second bottom strap and the second top strap is connected with the first bottom strap. If present, the center straps can also be continuous. The continuous top and bottom straps criss-cross in the back of the wearer's head to form an X. An interface can be used with the continuous straps to allow for adjustment. Each strap passes through two receiving slots depending on whether or not the center straps are present. The continuous straps can be adjusted via a loop around a receiving slot in the goggleslenses. In addition to or alternatively, the continuous straps can be adjusted using a securing means as described above which prevents the strap from passing back through the interface. Preferably a securing means such as a clamp, clip, slide, nut and bolt, knot, or crimpable device is used.
Preferably, the straps are not continuous (i.e., there are four individual non-connected straps). In this instance, an interface can be used to secure the straps to the back of the wearer's head. The four straps are passed through receiving slots in the interface. Preferably, the center straps are present and all six straps are passed through receiving slots in the interface. The straps can then be adjusted using a loop as described above or a securing means which prevents the strap from passing back thr
Calvert John J.
Moran Katherine
Parker Sheldon H.
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