Apparel – Guard or protector – For wearer's head
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-19
2001-09-04
Calvert, John J. (Department: 3741)
Apparel
Guard or protector
For wearer's head
C351S043000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282728
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to goggles. More particularly, the present invention relates to goggles having a dual lens structure for use in recreational activities.
2. Description of Related Art
Eye protection adapted for recreational activities are well known and widely used to protect the eye from impact damage or visual disturbances caused by air or water flow directed toward the eye. In contrast to eyepieces that are used to correct vision defects, recreational goggles are routinely used in applications that require protection of the eye.
Conventionally, eye wear for recreational use is held in place adjacent the eye by a combined headband that extends about the rear of the head, a nosepiece that extends across the nose, and in the case of swim goggles, suction cups that fit and seal over the eye sockets. A pair of lenses in the eyepiece are positioned over the eyes to allow the user to substantially distortion free vision while protecting the eye from environmental irritants such as particulate matter, and air and water flow.
The lens that produces distortion free vision tends to be a planar lens that offers high resistance (high drag) to fluid flow past the lens. Conversely, a lens that is shaped for low drag tends to distort the image transmitted to the eye. There exist applications, such as swimming, where it is desirable for a lens to minimize visual distortion while at the same time minimizing drag.
The inventors are aware of patents that disclose devices which cooperate with a human face to reduce visual distortion due to light refraction across various media.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,040,616 (Simpson) discloses underwater goggles that are intended to address the problem of visual distortion underwater. The goggles are formed with recesses that allow water to flow between a flat window that is adjacent to the wearer's eyes and a curved rear lens. This patent relies on a pair of outer lenses separated from the inner lens by an air pocket to present an undistorted image to the wearer.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,317,658 (Welsh) discloses swimming goggles that have two spaced lenses. The space between the lenses, however, is not exposed to water.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,317,240 (Angerman et al.) discloses a pair of sports goggles that have a slot at the top portion of a lens for assisting air flow to pass between the lens to prevent fogging.
The lenses and seals of conventional swim goggles generally comprise a single relatively planar lens (to minimize visual distortion) mounted to a sealing member for engagement about the eye socket of a wearer. These swim goggles tend to rely on an interference fit between the seal and the face to produce an air pocket between the eye and the lenses. Of course, the generally flat lenses of conventional swim goggles are not streamlined resulting in increased hydro-dynamic drag. To reduce hydro-dynamic drag, it is necessary to increase the curvature of the lens, however, a curved lens tends to increase visual distortion and many users are not prepared to sacrifice clarity of vision for lower drag. The design considerations of minimal visual distortion and minimal drag are at odds with each other and to date users have had to sacrifice one in order to enjoy the other.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses the difficulties and disadvantages of the prior art by providing a simple goggle arrangement that has hydro-dynamic characteristics while still providing the same optical clarity of conventional goggles. The goggles can be manufactured using conventional plastic injection dye technology for a relatively low cost. The goggles provide conventional attachment means to secure the goggles to a human face to provide an air pocket between the eye and the goggles.
Accordingly, the present invention provides goggles for use in a fluid environment comprising a transparent body adapted to be worn over the eyes having anterior and posterior portions spaced apart to permit fluid flow therebetween, the anterior body portion being shaped so as to reduce fluid drag, and the posterior body portion being shaped to reduce visual distortion
In a further aspect, the present invention provides swim goggles comprising:
(a) a pair of transparent eye pieces adapted to be worn over the eyes, each eyepiece having anterior and posterior portions spaced apart to permit fluid flow therebetween, the anterior portion being shaped so as to reduce fluid drag, the posterior portion being shaped to reduce visual distortion; and
(b) a headband and a nosepiece attached to the eyepieces, the headband being of sufficient size to secure the swim goggles to a human head adjacent the eyes, the nosepiece being of sufficient size to secure the eyepieces over the nose.
Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of the invention in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2317658 (1943-04-01), Welsh
patent: 3015987 (1962-01-01), Harrison
patent: 3040616 (1962-06-01), Simpson
patent: 4317240 (1982-03-01), Angerman et al.
patent: 4373788 (1983-02-01), Herbert
patent: 5313671 (1994-05-01), Flory
patent: 5420649 (1995-05-01), Lewis
patent: 5896589 (1999-04-01), Chou
patent: 6115848 (2000-09-01), Key
patent: 6158859 (2000-12-01), Suiter
Baragar Marc C.
Milton Bruce F.
Calvert John J.
Moran Katherine
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
Xenophon Design Inc.
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