BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to waterproof eyewear, especially suitable for use in active sports, and in particular suitable for use by persons who are contact lens wearers and/ or active participants in water sports and the like.

About 20% of persons have eyesight sufficiently poor to need corrective lenses. However, such lenses whether they are in the form of spectacles or contact lenses can be a disadvantage to active sportspersons. A particular problem is apparent in water sports, in which the lenses of spectacles can become splashed with water giving a blurred vision which, in a fast moving sport, can be detrimental to performance or even physically dangerous. Because of this it is well-known to use contact lenses when taking part in such sports, but even then water sports present disadvantages. For example, the contact lenses may be physically dislodged by spray thrown up from a windsurfing board or wave, or if the sportsman should fall into water. This is particularly noticeable with hard contact lenses, but also can happen with soft contact lenses. Moreover, soft contact lenses present problems of their own in active sports involving water. If the water sport involves an element of

speed through the air, such as water skiing or windsurfing, the soft lenses can dry out. Conversely, 1_he lenses can absorb water if used in a fresh water environment, since their internal composition is equilibrated with isotonic saline (0.9%) which, while equivalent to sea water, is such that the lenses will change dimension and hence their optical specification on contact with fresh water.

Accordingly, even contact lenses can be dangerous in such sports, since if the wearer loses his lenses or loses the optical specification of them he is unable to discern a shore line or potential source of risk or rescue.

Moreover, although conventional swim masks and goggles, ski goggles, and the like are well-known in the art, such devices offer a variety of disadvantages in certain environments of use. For example, swim masks and goggles are widely known of the type having one or more lenses adapted to fit in substantially watertight sealing relation against the wearer's face. Swim masks typically utilize one large flat lens in combination with sealing means to fit against the wearer's beneath the nose. Swim goggles normally include sealing foam adopted to seat closely about the wearer's eyes. Neither structure provides adequate comfort for extended wear, in combination with high quality peripheral vision while permitting unrestricted breathing during active sports, such as windsurfing. Similarly, conventional ski masks are known to include contoured visors for improved peripheral vision, but ski masks are not designed for waterproof sealing against the face and are thus inapplicable for active water sports.

There exists, therefore, a significant need for improvements in waterproof eyewear or goggles, for purposes of providing relatively simple and comfortable sealing against a wearer's face, in

combination with a full field of vision including substantially full peripheral view.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention sets out to provide a protective form of eyewear useful inter alia when pursuing active sports, and especially suitable for but not limited to the needs of contact lens users.

In one aspect, the invention consists of protective goggles comprising an elastic headband, and a single transverse transparent lens or visor of wraparound shape to permit substantially unrestricted peripheral vision, the visor having a shaped flexible margin or surround at a rear face thereof, with a peripheral layer of deformable sealing material and with the headband being elastically resilient or otherwise adjustable in length, whereby the visor can be pressed into conforming and sealing engagement with the area around the eyes so as to protect the eyes. In this regard, the visor is shaped to conform generally with the wearer's face, including an upwardly arched. Forwardly protruding nose piece which protectively seats over and seals against the bridge of the wearer's nose.

In another preferred form,, a compressible peripheral layer of foamed elastomer or the like is interposed between the inboard peripheral margin of the visor and a flexible surrounding conformable sealing base frame having a resilient lip or the like to fit in a sealing configuration against the wearer's face. This sealing base frame including the lip can most usefully be made of silicone rubber, with the intermediate foam layer carrying suitable adhesive or the like on its opposite sides for bonding respectively to the visor and the base frame.

The headband can be merely such as to position the visor, or can exert an actual pull to improve conformability with the wearer's face. Preferably, it is attached via an adjustable coupling sleeve or clip, permitting selective positioning and easy detachment when needed.

Thus when windsurfing or engaging in a like activity, the wearer's eyes are protected from contact with wind, spray, and water. However, it will be understood that the visor also has utility outside of the leisure industry, and may also be used for persons of normal uncorrected vision. Moreover, the invention can be used in nonaquatic environments, such as in a dust-laden atomosphere or the like.

BRIEF DES CRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation view depicting a person wearing waterproof protective goggles formed in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a rear perspective view showing the goggles of FIG. 1;

FIGURE 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating one preferred form of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is an exploded vertical section depicting the goggles of FIG. 3;

FIGURE 5 is a vertical section similar to FIG. 4 but illustrating the components of the goggles in assembled relation; and

FIGURE 6 is a vertical section similar to FIG. 5 but showing the goggles worn on a person's face.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, an improved

pair of waterproof protective goggles 10 are provided for use by a person 12 involved in active water sports or the like. In general terms, the goggles 10 include an extended, one-piece visor or lens 14 of a high-impact optically clear polymer material such as polycarbonate, with a contoured shape to extend across the face of the wearer 12, over both eyes, and over the bridge of the nose. The goggles 10 are designed to seat against the wearer's face and to permit good peripheral vision as well as substantially uninterrupted forward vision.

The polycarbonate visor 14 carries a peripheral layer 16 of the sealing material adapted to fit closely in substantially sealed relation against the wearer's face. In a preferred form, this layer 16 comprises a compressible foam elastomer material such as a substantially closed cell neoprene or the like. The texture and dimensional thickness of this sealing layer 16 is chosen to conform closely with the contoured shape of the visor 14 and for suitable connection to the visor 14 at the inboard peripheral margin thereof, as by means of a suitable pressure sensitive adhesive or the like.

Importantly, the sealing layer 16 conforms uninterruptedly with an arched, forwardly projecting nose piece 14' formed in the visor 14 to fit closely over the bridge of the nose of the person wearing the goggles. Accordingly, the layer 16 is adapted to seal over the bridge of the wearer's nose.

The side edges of the visor 14 protrude slightly in a laterally outward direction beyond the sealing layer 16 for appropriate connection to a headband 18 or strap. As shown best in FIG. 2 in one preferred form, these side edges of the visor 14 define generally vertically oriented slots 20 to receive opposite ends of the headband 18 which are folded back upon themselves to fit through adjustment

coupler sleeves 22. The overlying faces of the headband ends may include interengaging ribs 24 which can be drawn over each other to releasably adjust the length of the headband. The headband 18 is constructed in the preferred form from an elastic material to hold the goggles 10 on the wearer's face with sufficient tension to flex and draw the sealing layer 16 into substantial conformance with the contours of the user's face. Alternative headband connection means can be used, as desired.

In use, the visor 14 provides substantially uninterrupted full field vision including peripheral vision. By appropriate contouring, the visor 14 provides a substantially distortion free view. Tinting and/or appropriate treatment to block ultraviolet radiation may also be provided as desired. The substantial sealing of the layer 16 against the user's face prevents annoying hazardous splashing of water on the inner side of the visor during water sports or similar activities. The contoured nose piece 14' beneficially accommodates this sealing function over the nose to permit normal breathing, and additionally provides protection to the nose during sports activities.

FIGURES 3-6 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the visor 14 and sealing layer 16 as generally shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are mounted in turn upon a sealing base frame 26 of silicone rubber or the like. In this version, the layer 16 is provided with appropriate bonding adhesive on both sides thereof for respective coupling to the visor 14, and to the base frame 26. In this regard, different adhesive materials may be used for optimum bonding with the polycarbonate visor and the silicone rubber frame.

The base frame 26 is sized and contoured to fit against the wearer's face in close sealing

relation. As shown in FIGS. 4-6, the frame includes a contoured and thin flexible lip 27 which protrudes rearwardly to fit with a high quality seal against the user's face. When the goggles are worn, the elastic headband 18 draws and flexes the components into conformance with the facial geometry.

More particularly, when the goggles are placed over the face, the headband will generally flex the polycarbonate visor 14 and the seal structures into more exact con for inability with the user's facial features. It is within the scope of the invention that the seal layer 16 and/or the frame 26 may have different thicknesses and contours in different regions so that confor ability is enhanced. In practice, it has been found that with a good seal can be produced to suit a wide range of facial characteristics in comfort, and it is also therefore within the scope of the invention to provide the goggles in a small range of standard sizes so as to increase this sealing effect.

FIGS. 4-6 show the base frame 26 in more detail. A frontal rim 28 provides a relatively flat localized surface around the periphery of the visor to permit adhesive bonding to the layer 16. From the rim 28, the base frame tapers rearwardly at the upper and lower regions thereof to define the lip 27 of diminishing thickness. By way of example, the average wall thickness of the lip 27 can taper from about 1.0 mm, to about 0.002 mm at its extremity. In all cases, the length of the lip 27 from the rim 28 to the lip extremity (FIGS. 4-6) is substantial and is sufficient, especially in the nose area, to fit sealingly against the face of different individuals having different facial geometry.

In both of the above embodiments the user can still wear contact lenses and have good peripheral vision from the sides of the visor as well

as unimpaired forward vision, in that the polycarbonate visor (by way of example) is optically a very clear polymer. Any splashes of water on the visor or face of the user are prevented by layer 16 (e.g., neoprene) and/or the silicone rubber frame 26 from reaching the inner surface of the visor or the user's eyes. Even if the wearer should fall into the water, the user's eyes are shielded from direct immersion contact.

Moreover, the equipment as shown can also use a polarizing coating to protect eyes from glare and improve clarity of vision accordingly. Moreover, the internal face of the visor can if desired be coated with an anti-misting coating. Also, the layer 16 enhances the ability of such visor to float so that it does not become lost. To improve appeal to the users, the visor can form a basis for designer logos or color coordination with other articles of sports equipment. For example, a detachable trim e.g., along the top line of the visor could be incorporated, e.g., a clip-on color coordinated strip of polymer.