CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefits of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.

61/449,419, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] The present application generally relates to an apparatus for cleaning eyewear lenses.

DISCUSSION OF PRIOR ART

[0003] Clear vision and eye protection is needed for individuals participating in outdoor recreational or occupational activities. Such recreational activities may include snow sports (including skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, and sledding), cycling, mountain biking, motorcycling, hiking, climbing, water sports (including jet skiing, waterskiing, and tubing), and hunting. Such occupations may be in industries such as construction, lumber, agriculture, and utilities. In addition, military, police, and other safety personnel often operate in environments where clear vision is significant to safety and performance.

[0004] Goggles and other types of eyewear have been developed to maintain clear vision and reduce injury in a variety of environments and conditions. In particular, specialized eyewear has been developed for use in the sports and occupations described above. Moreover, goggle and eyewear makers have developed many innovations to improve their products, including different lens styles, tints, optics, materials, and anti-fog capabilities. Advances in microelectronics have also opened new opportunities for lens manufacturers. Digital information on location, speed, elevation, and other aspects of sport performance or tactical operations can be projected on lenses to enhance the user experience or improve mission success.

[0005] In spite of these advances, however, one aspect of vision has not been adequately addressed: the presence of vision-impairing materials on the exterior and interior surfaces of the lens. Water, ice, snow, perspiration, dust, and debris often stick to the lens and impair vision. The most common solution to this problem has been to simply wipe moisture or debris from the lens with a glove or cloth. However, this is unsatisfactory for a variety of reasons. First, the lens often remains partially or even wholly obscured after wiping, offering limited vision improvement. Second, moisture, such as in the form of freezing rain or drizzle, dirt, and other debris may be difficult to remove, require frequent wiping, and build up on the lens. Third, moisture or dirt on the lens interior is difficult to remove using known techniques. Fourth, many lenses have a protective coating that can be damaged by wiping, especially when wet. Fifth, wiping may be time consuming, and some individuals cannot remove their hands from their equipment for more than a very brief period of time. For example, a climber cannot take his or her hands off the ropes for very long. Sixth, when eyewear is coated with dust or debris, the vision-impairing material is often abrasive, and wiping may scratch or damage the lens surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The following summary presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of the systems and/or methods discussed herein. It is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope of such systems and/or methods. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0007] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus for cleaning eyewear lenses is provided. The apparatus includes: at least one of a wearable article and an accessory; a gas supply conduit provided within the at least one of the wearable article and the accessory, the gas supply conduit having a first end and a second end; a spray nozzle connected to the first end of the gas supply conduit; at least one compressed gas storage container connected to the second end of the gas supply conduit; and an actuator, wherein the actuator releases gas from the at least one compressed gas storage container through the gas supply conduit and out the spray nozzle, wherein the gas in the compressed gas storage container is pressurized to a level sufficient to remove at least one of water, ice, snow, perspiration, dirt, or dust from the eyewear lenses.

[0008] In accordance with another aspect, an apparatus for cleaning eyewear lenses is provided. The apparatus includes: a housing; a gas delivery system coupled to the housing; a spray valve assembly coupled to the gas delivery system; and a portable source of pressurized gas coupled to the gas delivery system, wherein the spray valve assembly includes a spray nozzle, an actuator, and a gate, the gate being biased closed to contain the pressurized gas within the gas delivery system and openable by the actuator, and wherein the portable source of pressurized gas includes a check valve that releases the gas when connected to the spray valve assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a device for cleaning eyewear lenses and a ski pole and grip in accordance with one aspect of the present invention.

[0010] Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

[0011] Fig. 2A is a partial cross-sectional view similar to Fig. 2 with a warming element.

[0012] Fig. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 1 with the access door in a closed position.

[0013] Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a device for cleaning eyewear lenses and a helmet in accordance with another aspect of the present invention.

[0014] Fig. 4A is a perspective view similar to Fig. 4, but with the spray valve assembly in a retracted position.

[0015] Fig. 5 is a top view of Fig. 4.

[0016] Fig. 6 is a rear view of Fig. 4.

[0017] Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the helmet spray assembly.

[0018] Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the gas supply conduit tensioner pulley.

[0019] Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a device for cleaning eyewear lenses and a glove in accordance with still another aspect of the present invention.

[0020] Fig. 10 is a top view of the device of Fig. 9 with the glove removed.

[0021] Fig. 11 is a side view of the device of Fig. 9 with the glove removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0022] Example embodiments are described and illustrated in the drawings. These illustrated examples are not intended to be limitations. For example, one or more aspects of one embodiment can be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of devices. Moreover, certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation. Still further, in the drawings, the same reference numerals may be employed for designating the same or similar elements.

[0023] Figs. 1-11 show example devices for cleaning eyewear lenses. The devices can be integrated with wearable articles, such as helmets, hats, gloves, coats, and the like, and use compressed gas to remove vision-impairing accumulation of water, ice, snow, perspiration, dirt, dust, or other materials from the interior and/or exterior surface of an eyewear lens. The devices may also be incorporated into accessories, such as sports accessories (e.g., ski poles, backpacks, etc.). The devices may include one or more portable sources of pressurized gas, such as compressed gas containers, a gas delivery system, a spray valve assembly, and a mechanism for warming the gas. [0024] Figs. 1-3 show a device 100 for cleaning eyewear lenses according to one example. In this embodiment, the device is used in conjunction with a first housing 1 and a second housing 2. The first housing 1 is shown as a ski pole grip and the second housing 2 is shown as a ski pole, but other types of housings are also possible. Moreover, a left ski pole grip is shown. In addition or alternatively, a right ski pole grip could be used. The right ski pole grip is a mirror image of the left ski pole grip. The first housing 1 conforms to a user's hand, and a strap 4 is connected thereon to secure around a user's wrist.

[0025] As shown in Figs. 2-3, the first housing 1 includes a first cavity 8 extending from a first end la of the first housing 1 to a second end lb of the first housing 1, and the second housing 2 includes a second cavity 8a. Both the first cavity 8 and the second cavity 8a are substantially cylindrical in shape. The first housing 1 is removably connected to the second housing 2, such as by a threaded connection. In particular, the first housing 1 can have internal threads 12 near the second end lb, and the second housing 2 can have external threads 3 at a distal end. For example, the internal threads 12 can be machined into the cavity wall of the first housing 1 approximately two inches from the second end lb.

[0026] The device 100 for cleaning eyewear lenses includes at least one compressed gas container 22, a gas supply conduit 9, and a spray valve assembly 10. The first housing 1 accommodates the gas supply conduit 9 and the spray valve assembly 10. The second housing 2 accommodates the compressed gas container 22 (See Fig. 3).

[0027] The gas supply conduit 9 is disposed in the first cavity 8 of the first housing 1 and can extend from the first end la to the second end lb. A first end of the gas supply conduit 9 has a female coupling body 13 with internal threads that connect to external threads of a male coupling body on the compressed gas container 22. A gas release pin 14 is located within the female coupling body 13. The gas release pin 14 releases pressurized gas from the compressed gas container 22 when the compressed gas container 22 is screwed into the female coupling body 13.

[0028] Pins 11 can be used to secure the gas supply conduit 9 within the first cavity 8.

For example, four pins 11 can be positioned at 90 degree angles from each other near the first end la of the first housing, and similarly, four pins 11 can be positioned at 90 degree angles from each other near the second end lb of the first housing. Additional pins 11 can be located between the first end la and the second end lb of the first housing. One end of each pin 11 is secured to an internal wall of the first housing 1 , and an opposite end of the pin 11 contacts the gas supply conduit 9. The pins 11 facilitate stability of the gas supply conduit 9 within the first housing 1 during use. It is to be appreciated that any suitable support structure for the gas supply conduit 9 can be used. [0029] A second end of the gas supply conduit 9 is connected to the spray valve assembly 10. The spray valve assembly 10 includes a spray nozzle 5, an actuator, such as an activation button 15, a plunger 16, a gate 17, and a connecting pipe 18. The first end la of the first housing 1 can be covered with a flexible material, such as rubber or plastic, so that a user can bend or flex the material to depress or actuate the activation button 15. When the activation button 15 is depressed, such as by the user's thumb, the plunger 16 activates the gate 17. Initially, gas traveling from the compressed gas container 22 and gas supply conduit 9 is blocked by the gate 17. However, when a user pushes the button 15, the gate 17 opens and allows the compressed gas to release through the connecting pipe 18 to the spray nozzle 5. The compressed gas can thus be used to remove water, ice, snow, perspiration, dirt, dust, or other materials from eyewear lenses or from any other desired surface. When the user lets go of the activation button 15, the gate 17 closes and the gas will no longer be released.

[0030] Fig. 3 shows an example of the compressed gas container 22. The compressed gas container 22 may contain compressed carbon dioxide (C0 ₂ ) or difluoroethane, similar to compressed gas dusters. However, these gasses may have limitations in cold temperatures. Therefore, a pre-charged pneumatic container containing scuba diving air or other low-pressure compressed air could also be used.

[0031] The compressed gas container 22 has a neck with a male coupling body. External threads of the male coupling body connect to the internal threads of female coupling body 13 on the gas supply conduit 9. A check valve is located in the neck and is opened by the gas release pin 14 in the female coupling body 13. When engaged and tightened, the male coupling body and the female coupling body 13 form a seal that allows gas to pressurize the gas supply conduit 9 and the spray valve assembly 10.

[0032] The compressed gas container 22, the first housing 1, and the second housing 2 are connected in the following manner. First, the user connects the compressed gas container 22 to the gas supply conduit 9 by threading the male coupling body on the compressed gas container 22 to the female coupling body 13 on the gas supply conduit 9. Then, the user inserts the compressed gas container 22 into the cavity 8a of the second housing 2. Next, the user screws the external threads 3 of the second housing 2 into the internal threads 12 of the first housing 1. This arrangement allows the compressed gas container 22 to be stored in a secure manner and easily replaced when depleted.

[0033] Alternatively, a refillable compressed gas container 22 could be permanently connected to the gas supply conduit 9. The compressed gas container would have an air supply valve exiting the second housing 2 to enable refilling. In this embodiment, the check valve in the compressed gas container would also regulate the gas release pressure to ensure a safe pressure level within the gas supply conduit 9 and the spray valve assembly 10.

[0034] Turning back to Fig. 2A, the first housing 1 may have an opening 20 that allows for placement of a warming element 26 therein. For example, the warming element 26 could be a hand warming pad. The warming element 26 can increase the temperature of the gas to increase spray effectiveness in extremely cold or icy conditions. The warming element 26 can also function to provide heat to a user's hand via the grip. To generate heat, many warming elements require sufficient exposure to oxygen. Thus, at least one air hole 7 may be provided in the first housing 1 for ventilation. For example, the first housing 1 can have at least one air hole 7 near the first end la and at least one air hole 7 near the second end lb. The air holes 7 at the second end lb can be angled toward the first end la. This would encourage air intake at the second end lb and air exhaust at the first end la.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 1, an access door 6 may be provided to cover and facilitate ease of access to the opening 20. The access door 6 pivots about a hinge 23. While the hinge 23 is shown on the left side of the access door 6, the hinge 23 could also be provided on any other side of the access door 6. When the access door 6 is closed, it can be secured in place by any suitable mechanism, such as by at least one clip or protrusion 24 attached to the door 6 that connects to a corresponding hole 25 on the exterior of the first housing 1. For instance, in the shown example, there are three protrusions 24 and three corresponding holes 25.

[0036] As shown in Figs. 2, 2A, and 3, a pressure gauge 21 can be connected to the gas supply conduit 9 and mounted to the first housing 1. The pressure gauge 21 can be spaced from the access door opening 20 and used to monitor gas pressure in the gas supply conduit 9.

[0037] Figs. 4-8 show another example device 200 for cleaning eyewear lenses and the like. The device 200 of Figs. 4-8 is similar to the device 100 of Figs. 1-3. However, in this embodiment, the device 200 is used in conjunction with a helmet 41. The helmet 41 can be a sports helmet, such as a skiing, cycling, rafting, or climbing helmet. Alternatively, the helmet 41 can be a military or tactical helmet. It is to be appreciated that any other suitable headgear can be provided with the example device.

[0038] The helmet 41 has a first side 41a and a second side 41b. A storage area 42 is disposed at the second side 41b. The storage area 42 is an enclosed space with an opening for placing at least one compressed gas container 43 therein. For example, two compressed gas containers 43 are shown in Figs. 4-6. The compressed gas containers 43 are similar to those of Figs. 1-3, and each has a neck with a male coupling body 58 that removably connects to a female coupling body 47 of a gas supply conduit 46, and a check valve. The compressed gas containers 43 may contain compressed carbon dioxide (C0 ₂ ) or difluoroethane, similar to compressed gas dusters. However, these gasses may have limitations in cold temperatures. Therefore, a pre- charged pneumatic container containing scuba diving air or other low-pressure compressed air could also be used. Alternatively, a refillable compressed gas container 43 could be permanently connected to the gas supply conduit 46. The compressed gas container 43 could have an air supply valve exiting storage area 42, for example, to enable refilling. In this embodiment, the check valve in the compressed gas container 43 would also regulate the gas release pressure to provide a predetermined pressure level within the gas supply conduit 46 and a spray valve assembly 52.

[0039] The storage area 42 can also have a space 44 for a warming element 80 that can be used to increase spray effectiveness in extremely cold conditions. Since some warming elements require sufficient exposure to oxygen, at least one air hole 45 can be incorporated into the storage area 42 for ventilation. These holes 45 can be placed so as to encourage air intake at the bottom of the storage area 42 and air exhaust at the top.

[0040] As shown in Fig. 6, an access door 59 may be provided to cover the opening of the storage area 42. The access door 59 is hinged and secured with a latch 60. The access door 59 allows the compressed gas containers 43 to be easily reached and replaced when depleted. This also allows for placement of the warming element 80 in the storage area 42 when needed. The storage area 42 and latch 60 are also designed to keep the compressed gas containers 43 secure if the user falls or drops the helmet.

[0041] The gas supply conduit 46 can extend from the first side 41a to the second side

41b of the helmet 41. At the second side 41b, the flexible gas supply conduit 46 is connected to the compressed gas containers 43. As shown in Fig. 6, the flexible gas supply conduit 46 forks at one end, and then terminates in two female coupling bodies 47 with internal threads and a gas release pin 48. The compressed gas container 43 includes a male coupling body 58 with external threads and a check valve. When the male coupling body 58 is screwed into the female coupling body 47, the gas release pin 48 opens the check valve and releases pressurized gas from the compressed gas container 43. When engaged and tightened, the male coupling body 58 and the female coupling body 47 form a seal that allows gas to pressurize the gas supply conduit 46. A pressure gauge (not shown) can be connected to the gas supply conduit 46 and mounted on the outside of the storage area 42 so that it is visible to a user.

[0042] The gas supply conduit 46 extends through an inlet hole 57 near the second side

41b of the helmet 41 and into the helmet interior. Guides 49 in the helmet interior route the gas supply conduit 46 toward the first side 41a of the helmet and through an exit hole 51. Three guides 49 are shown, but more or fewer guides 49 could also be used. [0043] The helmet can also include a tensioner pulley 50. In the present example, the tensioner pulley 50 is provided at a top center portion of the helmet. The gas supply conduit 46 is wrapped around the tensioner pulley 50. The tensioner pulley 50 holds a length of the gas supply conduit 46 so that the gas supply conduit 46 can extend and retract. In particular, the tensioner pulley 50 allows the gas supply conduit 46 to extend from the first side 41a of the helmet so that a spray valve assembly 52 at a distal end of the gas supply conduit 46 can clean a user's eyewear lenses. For example, this distance could be 18 inches from the helmet 41. The tensioner pulley 50 also applies tension to the gas supply conduit 46 so that it will retract when not in use.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 8, the tensioner pulley 50 is generally disc-shaped with a central thru hole. In an example embodiment, the tensioner pulley 50 could be approximately 0.75 inches in height and approximately three inches in diameter. A core 66 with a thru hole is fixedly connected to or intricately formed with the tensioner pulley 50, with the respective thru holes aligned. A spindle 65 passes through the tensioner pulley 50 and the core 66 via their respective holes, and is then fixedly connected to the top interior of the helmet 41 such that the tensioner pulley 50 and core 66 can freely rotate about the spindle 65. A wire 67 is wound around the core 66 to form a spring. One end of the wire 67 is attached to the helmet interior with a first clip 68, and the other end is attached to the tensioner pulley 50 with a second clip 69. In this manner, when the gas supply conduit 46 is extended, the tensioner pulley 50 turns clockwise and tension increases. Moreover, when the gas supply conduit 46 retracts towards its resting position, the tensioner pulley 50 turns counterclockwise and tension decreases.

[0045] A spray valve assembly 52 is connected to the gas supply conduit 46 with a female coupling body 62. As shown in Fig. 7, the spray valve assembly 52 includes finger grips 53, a spray nozzle 54, a plunger 55, and a valve body 61. The finger grips 53 extend from either side of the valve body 61 and are curved upward at distal ends. The finger grips 53 allow the user to grasp the spray valve assembly 52 with his or her fingers to pull it downwards and towards his or her eyewear lenses. For example, the user could grasp the finger grips 53 with his or her forefinger and index finger. Moreover, the user can position the spray valve assembly 52 to direct gas toward the interior or exterior of an eyewear lens in order to remove water, ice, snow, perspiration, dirt, dust, or other materials thereon. After the user positions the spray valve assembly 52, the user presses down on the plunger 55, such as by using his or her thumb. This releases gas through the spray nozzle 54.

[0046] When not in use, the spray valve assembly 52 is pushed upwardly into the resting position and secured to the helmet 41 with retaining clips 56. Two retaining clips 56 can be attached to the helmet 41, with one retaining clip 56 on either side of the exit hole 51. The retaining clips 56 put pressure on the finger grips 53 and keep the spray valve assembly 52 in place.

[0047] When the spray valve assembly 52 is in the resting position, the spray nozzle 54 rests against the helmet 41. The helmet 41 may be provided with a vertical depression 70 extending from the exit hole 51 to the helmet edge. The vertical depression 70 provides a space for the spray nozzle 54 to travel when the spray valve assembly 52 is extended or retracted, reducing wear or damage to the spray nozzle 54.

[0048] If the helmet 41 is a duckbill design, the retaining clips 56 can be attached to the underside of the duckbill, with the spray nozzle 54 facing downward. This design negates the need for the vertical depression 70 since the spray nozzle 54 would not slide along the helmet 41 when extended or retracted.

[0049] Figs. 9-11 show another example device 300 for cleaning eyewear lenses. The device 300 of Figs. 9-11 is similar to the device 100 of Figs. 1-3 and the device 200 of Figs. 4-8. However, in this embodiment, the device 300 is used in conjunction with a protective glove 90. The glove 90 could be a heavy, insulated glove for cold environmental conditions, such as a glove for snow sports. Alternatively, the glove 90 could be a lighter glove, such as a glove for work or industrial applications. A right glove is shown. In addition or alternatively, a left glove could be used. The left glove is a mirror image of the right glove.

[0050] The glove 90 has a palm side adjacent to a wearer's palm, and a back side opposite to the palm side and adjacent to the back of the wear's hand. The back side of the glove 90 includes a storage pouch 102 with an opening 104. The opening 104 can be resealable, such as by a zipper, a button or snap, hook and loop fasteners, or the like.

[0051] The device 300 for cleaning eyewear lenses is stored within the storage pouch 102 of the glove 90. Similar to Figs. 1-8, the device 300 includes a spray valve assembly 91 that is removably attached to a compressed gas container 92 such that the compressed gas container 92 can be replaced when empty. See Figs. 10 and 11. A first end of the spray valve assembly 91 has a female coupling body 93 with internal threads and a gas release pin 106. The compressed gas container 92 includes a male coupling body 101 with external threads and a check valve. In one example embodiment, the compressed gas container 92 could be approximately 0.5 inches high, two inches long, and 1.5 inches wide. When the male coupling body 101 is screwed into the female coupling body 93, the gas release pin 106 opens the check valve and releases pressurized gas from the compressed gas container 92. When engaged and tightened, the male coupling body 101 and the female coupling body 93 form a seal that allows gas to pressurize the spray valve assembly 91. A pressure gauge 107 could be connected to the spray valve assembly 91. As with devices 100 and 200, the gas container may contain compressed carbon dioxide (C02), difluororethane, or can be pre-charged with scuba diving or other low-pressure compressed air.

[0052] A spray nozzle 97 is disposed at a second end of the spray valve assembly 91.

Although the majority of the device 300 is disposed within the storage pouch 102, the spray nozzle 97 extends through a hole 105 in the glove 90. See Fig. 9. An activation cable or rod 96 is connected to the spray valve assembly 91 between the first and second ends of the spray valve assembly. The activation cable 96 is in turn connected to an activation button 94. The activation button 94 and the activation cable 96 can be enclosed in respective protective covers 95 and 98, which can be plastic, rubber, or another flexible material. Both the activation button 94 and the activation cable 96 are positioned against, but not permanently attached to, the compressed gas container 92.

[0053] When a user presses the activation button 94, such as be using his or her opposite hand, the activation cable 96 opens a gate 99 in the spray valve assembly 91. Initially, gas traveling from the compressed gas container 92 and spray valve assembly 91 is blocked by the gate 99. However, when a user pushes the activation button 94, the gate 99 allows gas to release through spray nozzle 97. The user can position the spray nozzle 97 to direct gas toward the interior or exterior of an eyewear lens in order to remove water, ice, snow, perspiration, dirt, dust, or other materials thereon.

[0054] Because the storage pouch 102 is resealable, the device 300 can be easily removed from the glove, such as to replace the compressed gas container 92. The storage pouch 102 of the glove 90 can also have a space for a warming element that can be used to increase spray effectiveness in extremely cold conditions.

[0055] Modifications and alterations of the example devices will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. Example embodiments incorporating one or more aspects are intended to include all such modifications and alterations.