GB2432919A

GB2432919A - Swimming goggles with adjustable head strap

Info

Publication number: GB2432919A
Application number: GB0524713A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Herman Chiang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-12-03
Filing date: 2005-12-03
Publication date: 2007-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2025-12-03
Also published as: GB2432919B; GB0524713D0

Abstract

Swimming goggles have a lens frame carrying buckles 40 providing adjustability for a head strap 41. Each buckle has a base 402 to which is pivotally connected a pressing plate 406. The pressing plate 406 has a user-manipulating end and an opposite end that cooperates with a resiliently deformable area of the lens frame. The pressing plate 406 has a stop 407 that engages with stops 410 on the head strap. The lens frame may comprise a soft frame and a hard frame cooperating to define grooves for receiving lenses.

Description

SWIMMING GOGGLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to swimming goggles, and particularly to swimming goggles which are made of few components and ase assembled firmly and which has a buckle being able to return position itself automatically after an adjustment of a head strap.

2. RELATED ART [0002] As is well-known, a strap of conventional swimming goggles is very difficult to be adjusted as it is worn on head; usually, a wearer has to take off the swimming goggles and then regulate the adjusting part of the strap to a proper length. However, the wearer cannot accurately regulate the strap at one time because the swimming goggles is not worn on head, and the wearer can only counts on a feeling to fmd a proper length. As a result, it makes difficulties for a wearer to adjust the strap. Moreover, the wearer has to put on and off the swimming goggles again and again if he does not regulate the strap to a comfortable and proper position. Therefore, the inventor of the present invention had overcome the aforementioned drawbacks in TW utility patent application Nos. 91220914.92216640.

93208471932084739421182 and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/034,907.10/420,850.10/873,260.

[0003] The above mentioned TW utility patent applications Nos. 91220914 92216640 and U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/034,907.10/420,850.10/873,260 disclose a fastener used for adjusting the length of the head strap more easily. The fastener includes a handle and an engagement protrusion; by way of pressing the handle toward a free end of a head strap to make the engagement protrusion biasing against the head strap, thereby to position the head strap. In this way, the user does not need to take off the swimming goggles to adjust the head strap but drawing the free end of the head strap backwardly for tightening the head strap, or pressing the handle in an inverse direction to disengage the engagement protrusion for loosening the head strap.

However, the prior invention applies to practical use still involved somewhere can be improved, that is, the handle cannot return automatically.

[0004] There is another drawback in the above mentioned TW utility patent applicationsNos 93208471.93208473.9421182, that is, a fastener includes too many components, which makes it not easy to be assembled.

SUMMARY OF TI-[E INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide swimming goggles which are made of few components and are assembled firmly and which has a buckle being able to return position itself automatically after an adjustment of a head strap.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide swimming goggles which have a strap adjusting means assembled on a hard lens frame, the strap adjusting means having buckles which allow a head strap being wrapped therethrough for adjusting length of the head strap and which are retained to a hard lens frame for more strength in assembly.

[0007] The swimming goggles comprise a lens frame, lenses received in the lens frame, and a strap adjusting means for adjusting a head strap. The strap adjusting means includes buckles respectively assembled on both sides of the lens frame, and a head strap extending through the buckles. The buckle includes a hard base disposed on the lens frame, arms extending respectively from a lower edge and an upper edge of the base and defming shaft holes therein, and a support shaft and a securing shaft respectively received in the shaft holes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Fig. I is an exploded view of swimming goggles according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Fig. 2 is an assembled view of the swimming goggles of Fig. 1.

[0010] Fig. 3 is a front view of the swimming goggles of Fig. 2.

[0011] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3.

[0012] Fig. 5 schematically shows a head strap of the swimming goggles being adjusted.

[0013] Fig. 6 is an exploded view of swimming goggles according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] Fig. 7 is an assembled view of the swimming goggles of Fig. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] With reference to Fig. 1, swimming goggles 1 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention comprise a lens frame 2, lenses 3 and a strap adjusting means 4. The lens frame 2 has a first frame 20 made of soft material, and a second frame 21 made of hard material and enveloped by the first frame 20. The first frame 20 has a first surface 201, a second surface 202 opposite to the first surface 201, and a third surface 203 connecting the first surface 201 and the second surface 202. Compassing grooves 204 are defmed between the first surface 201 and the second surface 202. Recesses 2011 are defined in the first surface 201 for providing distorted resiliency when compressed. A mask-like protective pad 205 is disposed on the second surface 202 for providing a well-fitting and comfortable contact with swimmer's foreheads and the vicinity of below eyeholes. The second frame 21 defines receiving grooves 210 corresponding to the compassing grooves 204. A joint portion 22 is formed between the receiving grooves 210 for connecting the receiving grooves 210. Fastening posts 23 are formed on inner edges of the receiving grooves 210 for preliminarily positioning the lenses 3. The second frame 21 has enhanced structure on a center of an upper portion thereof, projecting forwards. Further referring to Fig. 6, the enhanced structure comprises an enhanced rib 211 on a center of the second frame 21, and an enhanced wall 212 extending from the enhanced rib 211 toward opposing sides and from which extends decreasingly along upper sides of the second frame 21 as extended parts; accordingly, the major part of the enhanced wall 212 is of the most strength, whereas the extended parts are of less strength. Thus, when the swimniing goggles 1 are worn and pulled, the middle and upper portion of the second frame 21 will not be bent and distorted, while both sides of the second frame 21 are gradually distorted. An assembling post 213 is formed on the enhanced wall 212 and in the vicinity of the second surface 202. The enhanced rib 211 and the assembling post 213 facilitate the first surface 201 and the second surface 202 of the first frame 20 to provide reliable clasping force. Enhanced members 24 are formed below the second frame 21 for improving strength of the second frame 21. The enhanced members 24 are formed below substantially centers of the receiving grooves 210 of the second frame 21, respectively. Each enhanced member 24 has a width decreasing from middle toward both sides thereof [0016] The lenses 3 are respectively retained in the receiving grooves 210, and defme a plurality of positioning holes 30 along outer rims thereof Some positioning holes 30 which correspond to the positioning posts 23 facilitate positioning the lenses 3, while other positioning holes 30 provide retention force for integral molding process. The lenses 3 comprise two pieces of lens, each of which is received in an individual receiving groove 210.

[0017] The strap adjusting means 4 comprises buckles 40 and a head strap 41 wrapped through the buckles 40, as shown in Fig. 4. The buckles 40 are respectively assembled on both sides of the second frame 21. Each buckle 40 includes a base 401, arms 402, a support shaft 404 and a securing shaft 405.

The base 401 is integrally formed with the second frame 21 and is made of hard material for firmly retaining the buckles 40 to the second frame 21. The arms 402 respectively extend rearwardly from a lower edge and an upper edge of the base 401. Shaft holes 403 are respectively defined in the arms 402.

The support shaft 404 is mounted on the shaft holes 403 being relatively far away from the base 401. The support shaft 404 forms necks 4041 at two ends thereof, thereby the support shaft 404 can be firmly engaged with the shaft holes 403. The securing shaft 405 is mounted on the shaft holes 403 being relatively close to the base 401. A pressing plate 406 is integrally formed on the securing shaft 405 and levers along the securing shaft 405 and corresponds to the first surface 201 of the first frame 20. The pressing plate 406 has a first end 4061 biasing against the recess 2011 of the first surface 201. When the pressing plate 406 is pressed toward the first surface 201, the recess 2011 therefore is distorted and produces resilience force in return to drive the pressing plate 406 back. The pressing plate 406 has a second end 4062 for manipulating. The at least a first stop member 407 has a cross-section with the shape of a right-angled triangle and is formed on a bottom of the second end 4062 for abutting second stop members 410 (described below) of the head strap 41.

[0018] Also referring to Fig. 4, the head strap 41 forms second stop members 410 with right-angled triangle ladderlike cross-section and spaced the same distance apart from each other for engaging the first stop member 407 in a single direction. In the case of a second stop member 410 engaging with the first stop member 407, the head strap is allowed to move only in a single direction of tightening instead of a direction of loosening.

[0019] During assembly, some positioning holes 30 of the lenses 3 are assembled on the positioning posts 23 to preliminarily position the lenses 3.

Upon integral molding technology, the second surface 202 encompasses the positioning posts 23 and the remained positioning holes 30, whereby the lenses 3 are integrated with the first frame 20. The first surface 201 and the second surface 202 of the first frame 20 encompass the second frame 21, the enhanced rib 211, the joint portion 22, the bases 401 of the buckles 40 and parts of the arms 402. The enhanced walls 212, the enhanced members 24 and the shaft holes 403 of the arms 402 are exposed beyond exterior, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

[0020] Further referring to Fig. 4, two ends of the head strap 41 respectively wrapped through arms 402 and bypass the support shafts 404.

The second stop members 410 of the head strap 41 mesh with the first stop member 407 in a single direction. The head strap 41 is allowed to move only in a single direction toward tightening, as the arrow shown in Fig. 4, instead of moving toward the reverse direction of loosening, because the first stop member 407 and the second stop members 410 engage with each other and therefore stop mutually. Referring to Fig. 5, when the pressing plates 406 are pushed upward, as the arrow shown in Fig. 5, the first stop member 407 and the second stop members 410 disengage from each other, so as to be able to adjust length of the head strap 41.

[00211 Figs. 6 and 7 show the second embodiment of the present invention.

The swimming goggles 6' of the second embodiment is rather similar to the swimming goggles I of the first embodiment except that a lens frame, a base of buckle and a space located on both sides of the lens frame and provide a pressing plate of the buckle biasing against. The lens frame of the swimming goggles 6' of the second embodiment comprises a left frame 60' and right frame 61' which made of soft material and are integrally formed together, each frame 60', 61' have outer and inner surfaces 601', 602', a receiving groove 603' is defmed between the outer surface 601' and the inner surfaces 602' for receiving a lens 7' therein. A pair of protection pads 8' are integrally formed at the inner surfaces 602' of the left and the right frame 60', 61' for comfortable contact with a user's face. A connecting base 62' is a square shape and is integrally formed on both sides of the left and right frame 60', 61' respectively and which have assembled holes 621' thereon.

Recesses 63' are defined in an edge of the outer surface 601' of each frame 60', 61' for providing distorted resiliency when compressed.

[0022] Buckles 40' are respectively assembled on both sides of the frame 60', 61'. Each buckle 40' also includes a base 401', arms 402', a support shaft 404' and a pressing plate 406'. The buckle 40' is rather similar to the swimming goggles 1 of the first embodiment except the base 401' which has an opening 4010' for accommodating the connecting base 62' therein and has a connecting hole 4011' which corresponded with the assembled hole 621' providing a pin 42' assembling therein.

[0023] The pressing plate 406' has a first end 4061' biasing against the recess 63' of the outer surface 601'. When the pressing plate 406' is pressed toward the outer surface 601', the recess 63' therefore is distorted and produces resilience force in return to drive the pressing plate 406' back.

Thus it can be made of fewer components and be assembled firmly and automatically return position itself after an adjustment of a head strap.

[0024] It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit thereof. Thus, the present examples and embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.

Claims

Claims: 1. Swimming goggles comprising: a lens frame having a receiving

groove; lenses being receiving the receiving groove; and a strap adjusting means including buckles respectively assembled on both sides of the lens frame, and a head strap wrapped through the buckles, each buckle having: a base located on both sides of the lens frame; arms extending respectively from a lower edge and an upper edge of the base and defining shaft holes therein, a support shaft and a securing shaft respectively mounted on the shaft holes; and a pressing plate mounted on the securing shaft by leverage and having a first end adapted to be pressed toward a soft area of the lens frame, a second end adapted to be manipulated, at least a first stop member being formed on the second end.

2. Swimming goggles as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lens frame includes a soft first frame enveloping a hard second frame, the first frame having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, compassing grooves being defmed between the first surface and the second surface, a mask-like protective pad being disposed on the second surface, the second, frame defining receiving grooves corresponding to the compassing grooves of the first frame, and having an enhanced structure formed on a center of an upper portion thereof.

3. Swimming goggles as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the base is integrally formed with the second frame.

4. Swimming goggles as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first frame further comprises a recess respectively defmed in both sides of the first surface for providing distorted resiliency when the first end of the pressing plate is compressed.

5. Swimming goggles as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein second stop members are formed on the headstrap for engaging the first stop member in a single direction such that the head strap is allowed to move only in a single direction of tightening instead of a direction of loosening.

6. Swimming goggles as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first stop member has a cross-section with the shape of a right-angled triangle, and wherein the second stop members have right-angle ladderlike cross-section.

7. Swimming goggles as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lens frame comprises a left frame and right frame which made of soft material and are integrally formed together, each frame having outer and inner surfaces, a receiving groove being defined between the outer surface and the inner surfaces, and wherein a connecting base of square shape and having assembly holes thereon is integrally formed on the left frame and on the right frame.

8. Swimming goggles as claimed in claim 7, wherein the base has an opening for accommodating the connecting base therein and a connecting hole corresponding with the assembly holes.

9. Swimming goggles as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a recess respectively defmed in the outer surface of the left and right frame for providing distorted resiliency when the first end of each pressing plate is compressed.

10. Swimming goggles substantially as described herein, with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.