GB2384571A

GB2384571A - Sports spectacles

Info

Publication number: GB2384571A
Application number: GB0121341A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Max Frank Fairclough
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-09-04
Filing date: 2001-09-04
Publication date: 2003-07-30
Also published as: GB0121341D0

Abstract

Spectacles for use in active sports include a wrap-around front frame member having openings for lenses 3,4 and side arms 7. The front frame member engages the wearer's head through a nose bridge and also a brow engaging portion that may comprise a brow cushion 14,15 at the top of the front frame member or a separate brow member 16 attached to frame member. Ventilation openings can be provided in the front frame member. Further ventilation can be provided by having lenses that do not entirely fill the lens openings in the front frame members. Counterweights 55,56 can be provided at the ends of the side arms to lessen the weight of the spectacles bearing on the wearer's nose. The front frame member has rearwardly extending side extensions that cover the side arm hinges and provide additional protection.

Description

Sp < wt Spctscte Structure The Present invention relates to spectacle structure and more particularly to spectacle structures which are comfortable for use while engaged in active sports or sun or protect the eyes of a person wearing the same.

Heretofore, protective spectacles have not provided sufficient protection to the wearer or have alternatively provided such a close, tight fit that air is prevented from circulation behind a substantial portion of the structure thereof, resulting in fogging of the lenses and/or discomfort to the wearer. Furthermore, such spectacles often have the major portion of the weight thereof concentrated forward of the face of the wearer and thereof, tend to bear on and slide down the nose, thus requiring frequent adjustment thereby interfering with the person's work or play and rendering the spectacle unsuitable for extended periods of wear.

The Principal objects of the present invention are: To provide a sports spectacle structure that overcomes the aforementioned difficulties and that can be worn for extended periods without discomfort; To provide such a sports spectacle structure having portions engaging the nose, brow, and the back of the head for properly positioning and maintaining the spectacle structure on the head of a person engaged in sports or similar rigorous activities and wearing same; to provide such a sports spectacle structure providing protection to the eyes of the wearer;

to provide such a sports spectacle structure having prescription ground optical lenses fitted therein and supported thereby; to provide such a sport spectacle structure to provide such a sports spectacle structure having arms thereof which maintain same in proper and comfortable position on the head and substantially reduce irritation and pressure on portion thereof, such as caused by portions of conventional spectacle structures; and to provide such a sports spectacle structure which is economical to manufacture, durable in construction, easily placed on the head of a person wearing same, sufficiently tight fitting to permit freedom of movement of the head without dislodging the spectacle structure, and particularly well adapted for the proposed use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and example certain embodiments of this invention.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a sports spectacle structure embodying features of the present invention and including a brow engaging member. Brow cushion 14 dashed lines may be deleted for less rigorous sports in which case member 24 is the forehead contact. Member 24 may have a soft plastic silicone like strip liner 14 in a U shaped cross sectional configuration between it and the lower portion of the wearer's forehead at about the middle or upper eyebrow region.

Fig. 2 is a front elevated view of the spectacle shown in a use position showing certain details of the lenses. Lenses 29 may be small as shown or large 3 and 4 which occupy the entire openings 30.

Fig. 3 is a side perspective view of the spectacles 24 and 20.

Temples shown are more or less straight back to contact the head high occipitally at the rear.

Fig. 4 is a front view of the spectacles with a special three dimensionally contoured forehead pad 16 which is an extension of 24, either clipped on or built in.

Fig. 5 is a top view of the spectacles showing the structure with details of the hinge connection front frame member and a view of brow cushion 16 just above main member 24. It may be either an attachment or an integral part of 24.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of spectacles including the brow engaging bar 16 in dashed lines and a variation of the rearward portion of spectacles going downwards, not just behind the ears as with ordinary spectacles, but contacting the skull rearwardly at the lower occipital area. There is no contact with backs of the ears, but the ears are contacted at the tops in region 49 depending the ear location.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of spectacles showing an elevated front view with the second type of temples as in figure 6.

Fig. 7 also shows the curved brow-engaging bar 16 (dashed lines) designed to conform with cranium anatomy and flexible elastic band 99 for connecting the spectacles more strongly to the head of a person. Said elastic band with a knot at one end goes through optional holes at ends of the sidearms as shown one of which is a slot for rapid remove of knotted end of said elastic band when not wanted.

As required, certain embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for those skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Referring more in details the drawings, the Fig. reference numeral 1, designates generally a sports spectacle structure having portions for protection of eyes of the wearer from impacts and objects during work or play. In the structure illustrated in Fig 1, the spectacle structure has a curved or head engaging shape and portions protecting sensitive areas

of the head whereby the spectacles conform to the head of the person wearing same to be securely retained thereon and provide protection for the eyes against damage by foreign objects. The spectacles 1 include a pair of lens means, such as lenses 3 and 4 retained within a bilaterally symmetrical front frame member 5 and elongated head engaging means 7 extended there from for engagement with the side and rear portions of a person's head, which are connected by Hinges in areas 65 and 71.

The front frame member 24 is arcuate in plan view, Fig. 5, and is of the form variously described as panoramic or wrap-around. The front frame member 5 has a center portion and opposite end portions 12 and 13 with said frame member 5 of such a length that said end portions are substantially at the sides of the wearer's forehead and rearward to the eyes. In the illustrated structure, the end portions 12 and 13 are elongated to form respective portions. of hinges, as later described.

These unique side impact bumpers-form a double protection from any side ward impact as well as preventing hinge breakage when the temple members are overspread.

The front frame member 24, illustrated, may have an upper extension which is a brow engaging portion, such as flexible structure 16, positioned there above and extending inwardly for engaging the forehead adjacent to and well above the wearer's eyebrows Fig. 4 or a soft plastic cushion 14 behind the top rim of area 15 for eyebrow contact, Fig. 1.

The details of the front frame member 5 permits the spectacles 1 to retain corrective lenses 29 or 3 and 4 for less strong corrective lenses (or piano lenses) and as well to remain securely and comfortably on a person's head and ward off blows which otherwise might damage the wearer's eyes. Lenses on impact are very resistant to going rearward due to the design of front frame member 5.

The wrap-around shape of the front frame member 5 provides a structure which follows the contours of the face to provide protection for the eyes against blows from foreign objects and from small objects.

In many instances, the vision of the wearer must be corrected through the use of lenses ground according to a prescription determined by a qualified optometrist or ophthalmologist. As used herein, the term "lens"is to be understood as piece of glass, preferably safety glass, or other opthalmically suitable transparent substance, such as, the acrylatemethacrylate polymers, or the methyl methacrylate polymers, and the like, and having two opposite regular surfaces, either both curved or one curved and the other plane and used for forming an image by changing the direction of rays of light. These lenses are usually oval or even cylindrical in shape and by their nature normally cannot be substantially longitudinally curved to form a wrap-around shape. In other words, prescription ground optically corrective lenses cannot always be formed in a wrap-around shape and a wrap-around frame, such as the front frame member 5, must be adapted for use with such

lenses as described below. It is to be understood that it is within the contemplation of the present invention that the sports spectacles 1 can be used, not only with prescription lenses of conventional, generally small for lightness of weight and oval or filling the entire apertures of with less strong corrective or uncorrective lenses 3 and 4 such as used for non-corrective sunglasses or safety glasses and which are effectively wrap-around. The curvature of member 24 is such that corrective or piano lenses of approximately a standard 6.50 base curve will fit in the lens channel of lenses apertures 30. The channels are lining the entire inner rims of 24 (dotted lines), which may be seen in the side view Fig. 3.

The spectacles may be optionally supported off the nose by portions engaging the person's brow and head or by a combination thereof including nose-engaging portions. The front frame member 24, illustrated, includes a nose engaging bridge portion 22 formed in the center portion 10 and having a smoothly outwardly concave surface, Fig. 2, to conform comfortably and substantially to the bridge of the nose. Extending adjacently and on opposite sides of the center portion are upper and lower rearwardly converging frame bows 24 and 25 comprising supporting and marginal members spaced vertically to define elongated, generally tear-drop shaped openings 30. The openings 30 generally conform to the eye socket openings of a typical adult and the bows 24 and 25 in effect form extensions of the portions of the skull forming the socket, thereby providing protection to the eye openings against fast moving objects such as handballs, racquetballs, and the like.

The openings 30 extend laterally outwardly from adjacent the bridge portion 20 to the sides of the front frame member 24 and, in the illustrated example, contain the lenses 29 or 3 or 4 therein. The openings 30 may also include a substantial space 38 not covered by the area of the lenses 29 when positioned therein for the movement of fresh air behind the front frame member 24 for ventilation and cooling to otherwise enclosed areas. With the full aperture filling lenses 3 and 4 space 38 does not exist, the ventilation being provided by four slots 23 at the top of frame member 24. The upper portion of frame member 24 by its configuration is a wrap around sun visor effectively shielding the wearer's eyes from sun and sky glare from above. This is a unique important practical purpose of the design of the frame member as revealed in these papers. It's also serves as a wind shield in sport as jogging or other outdoor activities.

The front frame member 24 for is preferably constructed of an injection molded synthetic thermoplastic resin which is durable, strong, and has desired flexibility in the separate sections, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon and the like. The preferred material is slightly elastically resilient to contractively retain the lenses 29 or 3 and 4 within the upper unit 24 and lower bows 25 when slightly resiliently spread. No screws or adhesives are needed to secure the lenses with lens mounting taking only few seconds to snap in.

In the illustrated example, the marginal circumference of the lenses 29 or 3 and 4 have bevels 27 which tend to prevent chipping or the like of the lens edge. Lens engagement means, such as grooves 32 having an interiorly bevelled configuration providing mating surfaces for the bevels 27 extend annularly around the openings 30 between the upper and lower bows 24 and 25 and adjacent the center portion 10. It is to be noted that the lenses 29 do not fully cover the opening 30 as the openings curve rearwardly for the lenses 29 substantially lesser curved longitudinal axis relative to the openings 30. Accordingly, the grooves 32, Fig. 2 extend into the interior margins of the upper and toward the end portions 12 and 13 in a shape commensurate with the lenses 29 or 3 and 4 and extending throughout the periphery of the rims so as to mate with the lens bevels on the converging portions of the curve of the outer portions of the lenses 29 or 3 and 4 for a contractive grip thereof, thereby positively retaining the lenses and requiring the spreading of the bow members 24 and 25, in the illustrated example, as the lenses 29 or 3 and 4 are removed.

Thus, open spaces 38 are retained in the openings 30 between the respective ends 12 and 13 and the lens ends at 27 after fitting the lenses into the front frame member 5 for ventilation and circulation of air there behind, thereby inhibiting fogging or condensation occurring on the lens surface and relieving the stuffy discomfort often associated with close fitting or enclosed goggles. The ventilating or open spaces 38 and/or slots are particularly important where the spectacles are worn during

activities occurring during often cold weather, such as football, during which tight fitting glasses are especially subject to fogging.

In the embodiments of the invention shown, Figs. 1,2, 3,4, 5,6 and 7, the head engaging means 7 include arms 40 and 41 which are similar in shape and function to the arms shown in the Wichers U. S. patent No. 3,944, 344 issued march 16.1976. The arm members 40 and 41 are each elongated and arcuate in plan view. The arms members 40 and 41 and the front frame member 5 each have a cross-sectional shape for substantially the lengths thereof that are bar-like in a vertical dimension when on a wearer and substantially greater than the transverse or horizontal dimension. This relationship provides still members in the vertical plan and bendable members in the horizontal plane. The arms 40 and 41 illustrated have one end portion 43 and 44 thereof shaped to form respective portions of the hinges,. as later described. The arms 40 and 41 have first reduced thickness portions 62 and positioned adjacent to the ends 43 and 44 respectively to define first flexible portions to permit uni-directional bending of the arms 40 and 41 toward and away from the wearer's head.

The arms 40 and 41 have center portions 49 and 50 of increased thickness to provide increased resistance to unidirectional bending and to contact the tops of ears and skull with comfort and to act as a fulcrum for counter weighted tips 55 and 56 second reduced thickness portions 52 and 53 are positioned adjacent to other ends 55 and 56 of the arms 40

and 41 respectively. Second reduced thickness portions 52 and 53 provide flexible portions to permit uni-directional bending adjacent the other end portions 55 and 56 to self-adjust to the skull length. From a comparison of Fig. 2, it is obvious that the various portions of the front frame member 5 are thicker overall more are rigid than the respective reduced thickness portions of the arms 40 and 41, thereby permitting variable, uni-directional bending of the arms 40 and 41 to permit the spectacle structure Fig. 1 to conform to the shape of the rear portion of the head of a person wearing the same without adjustments as with ordinary spectacles.

The other or free portions 55 and 56 of the arms 40 and 41 are enlarged as first seen in Fig. 2. The end portions 55 and 56 may have removable interchangeable plastic, metal or rubber counter weights, (not shown) respectively therein for facilitating engagement and balance of the other ends 55 and 56 relative to the front frame member 5 from moving downwardly on the forehead of the person. The heavier metal counterweight would be utilised for heavier lenses such as these of glass or thick plastic The concealed hinge means 59 and 60 pivotally connect the arms 40 and 41 to the front frame member 5 for horizontal movement toward and away from each other. In the illustrated example, the hinge means 59 and 60 have protuberances 62 extended from the ends 43 and 44 which terminate in a concealed hinge socket 64 having a vertically

directed bore 65. The frame ends include engaging portions having a longitudinally aligned slot 67 extended thereinto and terminating in a recess 69 for a snug fit with the protuberances 62 and socket in frame member 5. To connect the two portions together and provide a pivotal axis, a concealed pin or screw 71 is extended vertically through the frame member 5 through the center of the recess and the bore 65.

The brow bar 16 or forehead cushion illustrated is an elongate, generally arcuate member having a central portion 75 and opposite ends 77 and 78 with a relatively flattened oval smooth surface 80 to engage the brow of the wearer. For the purposes of this invention, "brow" is defined as the superciliary ridge over the eyes and includes the eye brows and the forehead. The central portion of the flexible brows bar 16 is connected to the center portion 10 of the front frame member 5 toward the wearer and distributes the portion of the weight of the spectacles 1 which would otherwise be supported only by the nose through engagement with the bridge portion 22.

The embodiment of the invention, as illustrated Fig. 1, includes the front frame member 5 with lenses 27 or 3 and 4 fitted therein, as previously described, a brow engaging portion 16, and head engaging arms 40 and 41. This structure is well adapted for general sports or recreational wear and is comfortable for extended wear. The shape of the arms 40 and 41, the brow bar 16, and the nose bridge portion 22

combine to efficiently distribute the weight of the spectacles and effectively retain the structure securely to the head of the wearer.

Wearing the spectacles 1 is accomplished by moving the front frame member 5 and the head of the wearer until the bridge portion 22 engages with the nose and ! or brow engaging portion or curved brow bar 16 rests upon the eyebrows or forehead and the lenses 27 or 3 and 4 are in the desired position. The flexible arms 40 and 41 permit the spectacles 1 to conform to width and length of the person's head and exert inwardly directed forces or pressure on the forehead, sides and rear portions of the head of the person to hereby maintain same in the desired protective position during even rigorous movements of the head. Moreover, the upper and lower bow members 24 and 25 of the front frame are spaced to conform to the bones surrounding the eyesocket of the wearer in such a manner to protect the eyes thereof from most balls and the like used sports activities. For example, a standard handball or racquetball would be prevented by the bow members 24 and 25 from contact with the eyes of the wearer.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in various embodiments, it is not be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts herein described and shown...

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

Claims

1. A spectacle structure comprising: a. A wrap-around front frame member having portions curvingly extended around the front of the head and rearward of the eyes of a person wearing the spectacles at a level adjacent to the eyes, said front frame member having portions for engaging selected areas of the front of the person's head and including a centrally positioned bridge portion with respective upper and lower bow portions being laterally separated and forming elongated, rearwardly curved openings; b. Lens means mounted within said openings forwardly of a wearer's eyes and supported by said front frame member, said openings extending outwardly and rearwardly of said lens means; and c. Head engaging means connected to said end portions and extended rearwardly therefrom and cooperating with said front frame portions for engaging selected areas of the person's head for maintaining said engaging portions of said front frame member in engagement therewith and the lens means in aligned position relative to the person's eyes.

2. The spectacle structure set forth in Claim 1 wherein said front frame engaging portions include :

a. A brow engaging member which is a three dimensionally curved brow bar positioned slightly above said front frame member and connected thereto, said brow engaging member extending rearwardly to the sides of the wearer's forehead for engagement with the wearer's brow area.

3. The spectacle structure set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. The front frame member and engaging selected bow members for maintaining relative positions incorporates spaces and/or slots permitting ventilation around said spectacle structure.

4. The spectacle structure set forth in Claim 1 wherein: a. Said bow portions include channels extended therein and generally annularly around the portion of said openings in which the lens means are mounted, said bow portions being slightly resiliently stretchable to receive said lens means and contractively retaining marginal portions of said lens means in said channels. The rearward 1/feeler" or protective side bumper of 5 extends approximately 1112 inches rearwardly behind the hinge connection. It has purposes of giving a clean out streamlined futuristic appearance as well as providing double side impact safety protection, prevent hinges breakage which could

result from over bending the side arms, and concealing the hinges.

5. The spectacle structure set forth in Claim 1 wherein: a. Said head engaging means include a pair of arms each having a center portion and first and second portions of reduced thickness adjacent the center portion thereof define respective flexible portions to permit uni-directional bending toward and away from the person's head, whereby said arms conform to and exert inwardly directed pressure on a person's head to support the spectacle structure thereon, with the purpose being to automatically self-adjust to the wearer's head shape.

6. A spectacle structure comprising: a. A wrap-around front frame member having portions curvingly extended around the front of the head of a person wearing the spectacles at a level adjacent to the eyes, said front frame member having portions for engaging selected areas of the front of the person's head and including a centrally positioned bridge portion with respective upper and lower bow portions convergingly extended therefrom and joining in rearwardly positioned

end portions, said bow portions being laterally separated and forming elongated rearwardly curved opening: b. Head engaging means extended rearwardly from said end portion and cooperating with said portion for engaging selected areas of the front of the person's head for maintaining said front frame member in engagement therewith.

7. A spectacle structure comprising: a. A wrap-around front frame member having portion curvingly extended around the front of the head and rearward of the eyes of a person wearing the spectacles at a level adjacent to the eyes, said front frame member having a centrally positioned nose engaging bridge portion with respective upper and lower slightly resiliently stretchable bow portions convergingly extended therefrom and joining in rearwardly positioned end portions, said bow portions being laterally separated and forming elongated, rearwardly curved openings and having channels extended therein generally annularly around a portion of said openings; b. Lens means contractively mounted in said channels and in said openings forwardly of the person's eyes and

supported by said front frame member, said openings extending outwardly and rearwardly of said lens means; c. A brow engaging member positioned slightly above said front frame member and connected thereto, said brow engaging member extending rearwardly of said front frame member for engagement with the wearer's brow. It may be either a soft plastic cushion secured to the forehead contact area more or less concealed on the front or a visible flexible curved forehead pad structure 16 as shown in figure 4. d. Head engaging arms connected to said end portion and extended rearwardly therefrom and having flexible portions permitting uni-directional bending toward and away from the person's head, said arms cooperating with said bridge portion and said brow engaging member for maintaining said bridge portion and said brow areas of the person's head and said lens means in aligned position relative to the person's. eyes. e. A wrap around frame member incorporating a plurality of ventilating slots or holes as shown which may be built into the shade visor design of the upper portion of the said wrap around front frame member. The ventilation prevents misting of the lenses.