BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 62/278683, filed on January 14, 2016, which is included herein in its entirety by this reference thereto.

The present invention relates generally to corrective lenses employed in combination with eyewear such as eyeglasses, protective eyewear, and goggles. More particularly, the disclosed system and method herein relates to a lens engagement system employing diagonally opposed lens retainers extending from an interior surface of a first or shield or goggle lens, which are adapted to engage diagonally opposed corners of corrective lenses and maintain operative positioning of such in front of the eyes of the wearer of the goggle or protective eyewear.

2. Prior Art

Individuals with eyesight problems have relied upon corrective lenses to provide vision correction and a clear view of the world in front of them. Conventionally, such eyesight problems are a result of the physical characteristics of the eye of the person requiring corrective lenses. Such corrective lenses have been provided to users requiring them, to correct a wide variety of vision issues. By forming or grinding lenses in a manner to refocus the image being captured by the eye of the user, onto the receptive rear surface of their eye in a manner rendering clearer vision, corrections for a wide variety of vision issues are accomplished.

Conventionally, such corrective lenses are formed with a shape and size and perimeter, which will match conventional ED or Effective Diameter positions for engagement of the RX lenses operatively in eyeglasses aligned with the eyes of the wearer. However, a shortcoming of this lens mounting system arises for users with vision acuity problems when trying to concurrently wear corrective eyeglasses behind the frontal lens of sport goggles used for activities such as skiing or motorcycling, as well as wearing safety goggles. Such vision- challenged RX lens wearers have been forced to try and fit their eyeglasses holding corrective lenses, within the cavity of the goggle or safety goggle which is covering their eyes. They, therefor, must view their surroundings through both the goggle lens, and their own RX lenses engaged with a frame between the goggle lens and their face. Such has led to poor vison from fogging and from shadow images, glare problems, refraction and other issues caused by the interaction between their eyeglass lenses and the goggle lens or lenses they are positioned behind.

In prior art a partial solution to the problem has been advanced. For example, U.S. Patent 8,025,395 (Quintana), while a leap forward in the concept of providing a frame structure for both engagement of corrective lenses and a panoramic or shielding lens, has shortcomings in the taught construction of the unitary structure. As taught, the Quintana engages rear-positioned RX lens within formed mounts within the frame which is also configured to hold a front or goggle lens used for protection. While a novel concept, this patent in not employable with any type of larger goggle lens since as taught in Quintana, the frame must engage the RX lenses adjacent the goggle lens, and such a configuration is not well adapted for larger type goggles used for sports and eye protection. In such a use, the RX lenses would need to be extremely large to engage the frame holding the goggle lens, without causing vision impairment. Such is at best impractical since the RX lenses would be non standard and extremely expensive if they can even be manufactured.

As such, there exists an unmet need, for an RX or corrective lens engagement system which allows for the use of conventionally sized and shaped eyeglass lenses, operatively positioned and spaced from an adjacent interior surface of a small or large goggle or protective lens. Such a device and method would thereby allow users to have corrective lenses manufactured in inexpensive conventional providers. Thereafter, the user or the provider can then operatively engage the lenses to a large shield such as used for safety purposes, sports, or driving, in a properly spaced and aligned position. Using the system herein, such engagements may be made with a large or small goggle lens.

The forgoing examples of related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive, and they do not imply any limitations on the invention described and claimed herein. Various limitations of the related prior art of RX lenses in combination with protective goggles will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading and understanding of the specification below and the accompanying drawings.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention to provide a mounting system for conventionally shaped and sized RX or corrective lenses which are used in lens making machines to allow production of the lenses separate from the goggle and shield.

It is a further object of this invention, to provide such lenses in a configuration which is operatively engageable to the shield easily and in operative positioning adjacent to the interior of a protective panoramic goggle lens.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a lens engagement or mounting system, which will properly position the RX lenses of the user at the proper angle and position in front of their eyes, and concurrently at a proper spacing and positioning from the goggle lens.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present lens mounting invention and system herein, as well as the advantages thereof over existing prior art, which will become apparent from the description to follow, are accomplished by the improvements described in this specification and hereinafter described in the following detailed description which fully discloses the invention, but should not be considered as placing limitations thereon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a lens mounting system having opposing lens retainers extending from proper positions upon an interior surface of a protective or goggle type lens. The retainers are formed preferably as a unitary structure with a first lens such as a goggle shield, which may be formed and subsequently engaged with a goggle frame in a concave shape.

The system features a top retainer and a lower retainer extending away from the interior surface of the shield or goggle lens. Each retainer extends a distance away from the interior surface and toward the face of the user wearing the goggle, to operatively position both lenses when the shield or goggle is in an as-used position with the goggle lens covering both eyes of the user. The positioning of the pins, and therefor the positioning of each lens, is known because the location of the pins upon the shield is known. By ascertaining the position of the eyes of the patient, relative to the pins, the interpupillary distance (PD) measurement for each user, which positions each lens in an engagement to the shield, in a horizontal placement of the optical center (OC) of lenses with each eye, can be ascertained. Thereafter the lenses may be ground for proper eventual engagement in a registered position engaging the pins. As such, once engaged to a respective pair of pins, unless prism correction has been prescribed, the horizontal placement of the ocular center of each lens should coincide with the monocular pupillary measurement for each eye. In other words, with the two respective corrective lenses engaged with the shield or goggle lens, which is engaged with a frame and positioned on the face of a wearer in an as-used position, the center of each lens is aligned with the pupil of the eye it is positioned to correct. This results in significant enhancement of the view through the lenses by the user.

At least two discrete projections or pins, providing a first or top retainer and a second or lower retainer, extend from respective positions on the interior of the goggle lens, which are located to operatively engage the corrective lenses. By "operatively engage" is meant that the two projections or pins engage with an area on the circumference of an RX lens and concurrently position it in the proper position in front of the eye of the user, such as would be the case if the user were wearing frames engaging the lenses.

In a particularly preferred mode of the system, the two discrete projecting pins are positioned on the goggle lens in a manner to removably engage diagonally opposing corners of the RX lens. In this removable engagement, the pins have a length extending from the shield which positions the RX lens a distance from the goggle lens. The location of the opposing pins is in a registered position relative to the area of the corrective lenses, and as such, the lenses can be formed or ground to properly center each in front of an eye of the user, based on the known position of each pair of opposing projecting pins, and measurements taken of the face and eyes of the user.

This employment of only two diagonally opposing projecting pins as mounts is particularly preferred in all modes of the device herein. This is because experimentation has shown, that such positioning significantly reduces the visibility of the pins when viewed from the front the lens making the lens cosmetically more attractive. Further, this diagonal positioning of the opposing pins, in removable engagements with the perimeter of each lens, places both the top retainer pin and lower retainer pin substantially out of the viewing area or optic of the wearer with the goggle lens in a frame and positioned on their face. This has been found to enhance the vision of the user by eliminating projecting posts or pins from within their view.

Further preferred are the engagement of the diagonally opposing pins proving the two lens mounts, in positions which are registered in reference to the common ED Effective Diameter positions of RX lenses. This placement positions both of the two projecting pins, in their engagement extending from the shield lens, at the furthest point apart from each other within the circumference of the RX lens. Such allows easy engagement of conventional lenses as well as removes the pins providing the mount from the view of the user.

Using this system of diagonally opposed mounts, great versatility of the prescription lenses shapes and sizes which can be used with the protective shield used in protective eyewear or sports or protective goggles, is achieved. This is because using this known positioning of each type of lens upon the shield with the corrective lens firmly retained in only two points, each lens may be ground to the proper prescription for each eye of the user, taking into

consideration the known subsequent registered positioning on the shield lens. In this manner the DBL or the Distance between both lenses, for different pupil centered distances CI and C2, can be varied and the shape of the lens maybe customized, to best match the frame on which the goggle lens or shield is engaged and place the respective optical center of each respective lens in alignment with the pupil centers of the eyes of the wearer. Finally, by eliminating other lens mounts and using only the two diagonal mounts provided by the projecting pins from a shield lens, forming a top retainer at a point adjacent the side of the head of the user and lower retainer adjacent their nose, interference with the bridge area is eliminated.

Also particularly preferred, is the formation of the pin extending from the interior of the goggle shield or lens with a very sharp angle of engagement and contact with a complimentary-shaped lens edge. This sharp angle engagement by the opposing projecting pins, is preferred to the upper or top retainer because it eliminates rotation of the RX lens when engaged between the top retainer and lower retainer. Such is most important for maintaining the proper axis of alignment of each prescription lens relative to the eye of the user. With respect to the above description, before explaining at

least one preferred embodiment of the herein disclosed lens engagement system and method in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangement of the steps in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The lens engagement system herein described is capable of other

embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways which will become obvious to those skilled in the art on reading this disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the

conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized

as a basis for designing and carrying out other lens engagement systems for protective and sport goggles. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction and methodology insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

Figure 1 depicts a view showing RX lenses operatively engaged with top and lower retainers extending from the interior surface of the shield or lens of a frame and temple style goggle.

Figure 2 depicts a view of a goggle lens or shield blank which may be cut or a perimeter shape to engage a goggle frame or eyewear with temples, and showing the positioning of the top retainer diagonally opposed to the lower retainer to operatively mount a lens to the goggle lens.

Figure 3 depicts the goggle lens or shield as in figure 2, and shows the top retainer having a sharp engagement angle such as substantially perpendicular, diagonally opposed to a lower retainer, and ready for engagement of an RX lens therebetween using the known positioning of the measured wearer's eye centers relative to the lenses when engaged.

Figure 4 shows various views of the top retainer and lower retainer in positions to engage opposing complimentary shaped corners of a conventional 54mm x 35mm corrective lens which may be ground to prescriptive power for a user. Figure 5 depicts enlarged views of the top retainer shown in figures 2-4 and some currently preferred shapes and dimensions of the angled retainer and relief formed therein to engage a complimentary shaped lens edge.

Figure 6 depicts enlarged views of the lower retainer shown in figures 2-4 and sectional views therethrough showing some currently preferred shaped and dimensions of a surface shaped complimentary to a contacting surface of the lower edge of a lens.

Figure 7 shows an exploded view showing lenses which have opposing corners complimentary to and engageable between respective diagonally situated top and lower pin retainers which extend from respective positions on the interior surface of the goggle lens or shield.

Figure 8 shows the lenses in figure 7 operatively engaged between respective opposing pairs of retainers of figure 7, and the operative spacing of the front surface of both lenses from the goggle lens and each other.

Figure 9 shows the device as in figure 8, where the goggle lens or shield is engaged with a large goggle frame and the corrective lenses are ground to center with each eye of the user using the known final registered operative position of each lens between a pair of diagonally opposing retainers projecting from the interior surface of the shield or goggle lens.

Other aspects of the present invention shall be more readily

understood when considered in conjunction with the above noted accompanying drawings, and the following detailed description, neither of which should be considered limiting.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE

INVENTION

Now referring to drawings of figures 1-9, where similar structures are described with like numerals there is seen in Figure 1

a view showing each of the corrective lenses 12 operatively engaged between a first pair of retainers and a second pair of retainers where each pair includes a projecting first or top retainer 14 and a diagonally opposed second or lower retainer 16. The top retainer 14 and lower retainer 16 both project from positions on an interior surface of the shield or goggle lens 18. The shield or goggle lens 18 may be engaged about a perimeter thereof with a frame 20 having a style employing temples 22 for positioning to an as-used position on the head of a user, or in a frame 20 such as that of figure 9 formed to a goggle.

As noted, in a particularly preferred mode of the device 10, the top retainer 14 and lower retainer 16 can be formed in a unitary structure with the goggle lens 18, although they may also be otherwise positioned operatively engaged upon the interior surface of the goggle lens 18 which when engaged to a frame 20 is closest to the eyes of a user.

Shown in figure 2 is a view of a goggle lens 18 or shield formed in a blank which may be cut or otherwise formed with a perimeter shape, to engage a chosen goggle or frame 20 such as in figure 1 or figure 9, for example. Also shown, as can be seen through the goggle lens 18, is the positioning of the top retainers 14 both diagonally opposed to paired respective lower retainers 16, in a known spaced relationship, which is used to operatively engage with opposing corners of corrective lenses 12, to properly position them with the optical center of the respective corrective lenses 12 aligned with the measured position of the pupils of the user CI and C2, relative to where the lenses 12 will locate on the goggle lens 18 or shield. In this mode the wearer's eyes would be measured relative to their positioning with a shield 18 engaged with a frame 20 and operatively positioned on their face to determine the pupil centers CI and C2. With this known registered location of the pupil centers with centered positions between the top retainers 14 and bottom retainers 16, and the known later positioning of the lenses 12 operatively engaged at opposing corners with a respective pair of top retainers 14 and bottom retainers 16, the lenses 12 may be ground to the wearers prescription, and engaged between respective top retainers 14 and bottom retainers 16, and the wearer's pupil centers CI and C2, will align perfectly with the center axis of each respective lens 12. This allows the lenses 12 to be ground separately and remotely and later engaged with the retainers of the shield 18.

Figure 3 depicts a rear view of the goggle lens 18 or shield as in figure 2 or typical to the device 10 and method herein. Also shown are the top retainers 14 having recess 15 (figure 5) formed therein running at sharp engagement angle such as between 70 to 100 degrees, with 85 to 95 degrees being a favored angle. The first recess 15 in the interior surface is diagonally opposed to a respective second recess 17 formed into the lower retainers 16. Thus, the diagonally opposed top retainer 14 and bottom retainer 16, form a first engagement with a complimentary surface of the perimeter edge of an RX lens 12 at the top retainer 14 and a second engagement at the bottom retainer 16 and opposing corner of the lens 12. Of course other first and second engagements may be employed such as a projecting pin on the interior surface of each of the top and bottom retainers engaging a notch formed into the perimeter edge of the lenses 12, so long as at least one of the first and second engagements, between the opposing top retainer 14 and bottom retainer 16, is complimentary and prevents rotation of the lens 12 when so engaged.

As noted, Figure 4 depicts various views of the top retainer 14 and first recess 15 and lower retainer 16 with the second recess 15, operatively spaced in positions to engage opposing corners of a corrective lens 12, such as one having an area 54mm x 35mm, or smaller depending on shape thereof.

In figure 5 is shown enlarged views of the top retainer 14 shown in figures 2-4 showing the first recess 15. The top retainer 14 shown in the views include some currently preferred shapes and dimensional characteristics. The first recess 15 may be formed along the facing surface of the top retainer 14 at the noted preferred sharp angle.

Figure 6 depicts enlarged views of the lower retainer 16 having a second recess 17 shown in figures 2-4 and some currently preferred shapes thereof and dimensional characteristics.

Figure 7 shows an exploded view showing RX lenses 12, which are sized and complimentary shaped about opposing corners of a perimeter edge, to be engageable between respective diagonally-situated pairs of top retainers 14 and bottom retainers 16. The top retainers 14 and bottom retainers 16 extend from respective positions on the interior surface 19 (figure 7) of the goggle lens 18 or shield. The perimeter edge 21 of each lens 12, at least at the opposing corners thereof, is shaped complimentary to the shape of the engaging surface of respective top retainer 14 and lower retainer 16, to achieve the registered engagement therebetween, which situates the optical center of each lens 12, aligned with the pupil centers CI, and C2, of the eyes of the wearer. This as noted may be a shape complimentary to the shapes of the first recess 15 of the top retainer 14 and second recess 17 of the bottom retainer 16, or as noted some other complimentary engagement of the two surfaces. Thus, a wearer wearing the goggle lens in a frame 20 in the normal as-used position engaged on the face of the wearer, will position each corrective lens 12 with its optical center aligned with one pupil of the eye the lens 12 is correcting.

Figure 8 shows the lenses in figure 7 operatively engaged between respective pairs of retainers 14 and 16 of figure 7, and the registered positioning of the lenses 12 relative to each set of retainers 14 and 16, which provide operative spacing of the lenses 12 from each other and centered on the pupils of the wearer. The distance of projection of the top retainer 14 and bottom retainer 16 from the interior surface of the goggle lens 18 or shield, is sized to properly space the front surface of each lens 12 from the rear surface of the goggle lens 18 or shield, and achieve a proper angled positioning of each lens 12 to the goggle lens 18 in front of it.

Finally, figure 9 shows the device 10 as in figure 8, where the goggle lens 18 or shield is engaged with a large goggle-type frame 20 and the corrective lenses 12 are held in registered operative positioning relative to the eyes of the wearer, by the diagonally opposing pairs of top retainers 14 and lower retainers 16 extending from positions on the interior surface of the goggle lens 18.

While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of the RX lens engagement system for goggles herein have been shown and described herein, with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure and it will be apparent that in some instances, some features or steps in the invention may be employed without a corresponding use of other features or steps without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth. It should also be understood that various substitutions, modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Consequently, all such modifications and variations and substitutions are included within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.