GB2477928A

GB2477928A - Forehead warmer for goggles

Info

Publication number: GB2477928A
Application number: GB201002688A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Janice Sylvia Mudd; Philip John Mudd
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-02-17
Filing date: 2010-02-17
Publication date: 2011-08-24
Also published as: EP2536368A1; GB2478050B; GB201002688D0; GB201102655D0; GB2478050A; WO2011101663A1

Abstract

A goggle attachment for coupling to goggles comprises a band of material. The band may be made of fabric and acts to restrict or inhibit the flow of cold air to the forehead of the user. The forehead is kept warm, and/or dry and/or protected from sunlight and the elements when the attachment is used with goggles and a helmet during outdoor sports such as skiing or snowboarding. The attachment is coupled to the goggles such that when the goggles are worn by a user with a helmet, the attachment is positioned above the goggles and below the helmet to fill any gap that may exist between the goggles and the helmet.

Description

GOGGLE ATTACITh4ENT The present invention relates to an attachment for use with goggles, in particular, it relates to an attachment for use with goggles used by participants in high speed outdoor sports.

Goggles for use in protecting the eyes of participants in high speed outdoor sports, such as skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, motocross and cycling, are well known. In such sports, it is important to protect the eyes from potential damage that may be caused by dirt particles entering the eye and to shield the eyes from high winds which would cause discomfort. In snow sports, it is also important to protect the participants eyes from the cold winds and from sunlight reflected from the snow.

A conventional pair of goggles 10 are shown in Figure 1. The goggles 10 comprise a goggle frame 12 that houses a lens 14, and a strap 16 for securing the goggles 10 to the face of a wearer. The strap 16 is connected to the goggle frame 12 at opposing positions on the goggle frame 12.

The use of protective helmets in sports such as skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiling, motocross and cycling has increased in recent years. When a helmet is worn with goggles by a participant, a gap may be formed between the top of the frame of the goggles and the front rim of the helmet.

Figure 2 shows the conventional goggles 10 of Figure 1 worn with a helmet 20. As can be seen in Figure 2, a gap 22 is formed between the goggles 10 and helmet 20. The gap 22 can allow cold air to contact the forehead of the participant during activity, which can cause discomfort and headaches. This is particularly a problem in snow sports, where the wind chill on the forehead can be extreme.

In order to address this problem, it is known to wear a head band or hat in addition to the helmet and goggles to cover the forehead in the region of the gap. However, this solution is not without its drawbacks, as in the course of physical exertion, the additional head-band or hat may slip from its position covering the gap between the goggles and the helmet. Also, the additional head-band or hat may interfere with the fit of the helmet and the goggles which is usually a closely arranged fit.

Another way in which this problem is addressed is by using a helmet having a so called goggle gasket' . A goggle gasket is a piece of fabric, or the like, that fastens on the inside of the helmet just behind the front rim of the helmet, so as to extend away from the helmet towards the goggles, thus attempting to fill any gap that may be formed between the goggles and the helmet. However, this solution involves the purchase of a new helmet that is specifically engineered to have a goggle gasket. This is costly as it requires the purchase of new equipment.

Embodiments of the present invention aim to address at least some of the above problems to some extent.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a goggle attachment for use with goggles, the goggles having a goggle frame for housing a lens, and a securing strap coupled to the goggle frame at first and second opposing positions for passing around the head of a wearer in use to secure the goggles to the wearer, wherein the goggle attachment comprises: a band of material for coupling to the goggles at a third position adjacent to the first position and at a fourth position adjacent to the second position, such that when the goggles are worn by a user, the band of material extends between the third and fourth positions above the top of the goggle frame.

The band of material may be coupled to the strap at the third and fourth positions. Alternatively, the band of material may be coupled to the goggle frame at the third and fourth positions.

The goggle attachment may further comprise first coupling means for coupling the band of material to the strap or goggle frame at the third position and second coupling means for coupling the band of material to the strap or goggle frame at the fourth position.

The first and second coupling means may secure the band of material above the top edge of the strap at the third and fourth positions, such that the attachment extends away from a top edge of the strap. The first and second coupling means may comprise fasteners such as, but not limited to clips, press studs, button and slot arrangements, hook-and-eye, tape, cable or other ties, staple, hook, buckle, catch, grip, elastic, or loop and/or toggle.

The band of material may form a continuous loop.

When the loop of material is coupled to the strap, one end of the loop of material may extend around top and bottom edges of the strap at the third position, and another end of the loop of material may extend around top and bottom edges of the strap at the fourth position.

When the loop of material is coupled to the goggle frame, the first and second coupling means may be hooks or protuberances on the goggle frame with which the loop of material engages, or are apertures, depressions or grooves into which a toggle, button or other feature of the attachment locates.

The band (or loop) of material may be made of fabric or any other suitable material or substance and may be elastic. The band (or loop) of material may be arranged to receive an insert which may be made of foam. The goggle attachment and/or insert may be shaped to fit the contours of the top of the goggle frame and/or the forehead of a wearer. The goggle attachment may be semi-rigid.

Preferably, when the goggle attachment is used with goggles and a helmet, the attachment is coupled to the goggles such that when the goggles are worn by a user with the helmet, the attachment is positioned above the goggles and below the helmet to fill a gap between the goggles and the helmet.

The goggle attachment may be permanently attached to the goggles. The goggle attachment may be integrally formed with the goggles. The goggle attachment may be integrally formed with the strap of the goggles.

The invention may comprise any combination of the features and/or limitations referred to herein, except combinations of such features as are mutually exclusive.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a prior art pair of goggles;

Figure 2 illustrates the conventional goggles of figure 1 worn with a helmet; Figure 3 illustrates a goggle attachment according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a side view of the attachment of the first embodiment in use with goggles; Figure 5 is a side view of the attachment with additional coupling means; Figure 6 is a top view of the attachment of the first embodiment in use with goggles; Figure 7 illustrates the attachment in use with goggles and a helmet; and Figure 8 is a perspective view of the attachment in use with goggles.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which the attachment 30 comprises a band of material in the form of a ioop. The band of material may be made of fabric, or any material that would act to restrict or inhibit the flow of cold air to the forehead of a user, or deflect it therefrom, to keep the forehead warm, and/or dry and/or away from sunlight and the elements when the attachment is used with goggles and a helmet during outdoor sports.

Figure 4 illustrates a side view of the attachment 30 of the embodiment in use with goggles 10. The goggles 10 have a goggle frame 12 for housing a lens 14. A strap 16 is coupled to the goggle frame 12 at opposing positions on the goggle frame 12, in order to secure the goggles 10 to the face of a user. The opposing positions (first and second opposing positions) are located on right and left opposing portions of the goggle frame 12. An integral gasket 18 is provided around the periphery of the goggle frame 12, which contacts the face of a user. The gasket 18 may be made of foam or any other suitable material that would act to seal the goggles 10 to the face of a user and improve comfort.

The band is coupled to the strap 16 at opposing positions that are adjacent to where the strap 16 is attached the goggle frame 12. Specifically, the attachment 30 is coupled to the strap 16 at third and fourth positions, adjacent to the first and second opposing positions where the strap 16 is coupled to the goggle frame 12. It should be understood that the term adjacent is used to mean lying near to or close to the position at which the strap 16 is coupled in the goggle frame 12.

Though not clearly shown in figure 4, the loop of attachment 30 is located with the strap 16 extending away from the goggle frame 12 and through the loop, such that the loop extends around the top edge of the strap 42 and the bottom edge of the strap 44 at the third and fourth positions. It is the engagement of the band with the top and bottom edges of the strap that couples the attachment to the strap in this embodiment. With the attachment coupled to the strap 16 at the third and fourth positions, the band extends between the third position and the fourth position.

When the attachment is used with goggles and helmet, a user will first place the helmet into position on the head.

The goggles, with the attachment in place as described above, will be manoeuvred into place by placing the strap around the back portion of the helmet while the goggle frame is lowered over the face into the correct position.

The action of lowering the goggle frame into position causes the attachment to extend away from the top edge of the strap such that it becomes positioned above the top of the goggle frame when the goggles are in place. The attachment therefore fills any gap created between the goggles and the helmet.

Figure 5 shows an alternative arrangement of the attachment 30 in which in addition to the band of material, the attachment further comprises coupling means 40 that connect opposing sides of the loop above the tap edge of the strap 42. With opposing sides of the loop connected above the strap, the band is forced to a position where it extends away from the top edge of the strap 42. The coupling means 40 act to ensure that when a user manoeuvres the goggles into place, with the attachment coupled to the goggles, the attachment is more easily located in the desired position above the top of the goggle frame.

The coupling means 40 may be an elastic band or the like wrapped around the opposing sides of the loop. The elastic band may be arranged such that it engages with itself to hold the attachment in position. Alternatively, the coupling means 40 may also be a clip or any other fastening means that are suitable for coupling the opposing sides of the loop above the top edge of the strap 42.

In one embodiment, not shown, the coupling means include a surface or a toggle arranged to bear a logo, pattern or trademark.

In the case where the coupling means is an elastic band that includes a surface or toggle, the coupling means may be arranged to couple the attachment to the strap by wrapping around opposing sides of the loop such that the elastic band engages with the surface or toggle to hold the attachment in position.

The attachment may be coupled to the goggles by any means suitable for coupling the attachment to the strap.

For example, the attachment may be coupled to the strap by any method of fastening including, but not limited to any knot, clip, press studs, a button and slot arrangement, hook-and-eye, tape, cable or other tie, staple, hook, buckle, catch, grip, elastic, loop and/or toggle, glue or the attachment may be stitched to the goggle strap.

Alternatively, instead of being coupled to the goggle strap, the attachment may be coupled directly to the goggle frame at positions adjacent to where the strap couples to the goggle frame. In this arrangement, any of the above mentioned coupling means may be used to couple the attachment to the goggle frame. The attachment may be coupled to the goggle frame by any means of fastening including engagement with hooks or protuberances or the like located on the goggle frame or by means of an aperture, depression or groove into which a toggle, button or other feature of the attachment may locate.

Figure 6 shows a top view of the attachment 30 in use with goggles 10. As can be seen from figure 6, the attachment extends between the third and fourth positions to which it is attached to the strap 16. Also, as can be seen in figure 6, the attachment 30 is positioned above the top of the goggle frame 12.

Figure 7 illustrates the attachment 30 in use with goggles 10 and a helmet 20. As can be seen in figure 7, the attachment 30 is coupled to the goggles such that it sits above the goggle frame and fills the gap between the goggles 10 and the helmet 20.

Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating the attachment 30 in use with goggles 10. As can be seen from figure 8, the attachment 30 is coupled to the strap 16 at positions adjacent to where the strap is attached to the goggle frame 12. The attachment 30 is coupled to the strap such that It extends above the goggle frame 12 between the positions to which it is attached to the goggles 10.

Therefore, when that arrangement of figure 8 is worn by a user with a helmet (not shown) the attachment 30 is located in the gap between the goggle 10 and the helmet.

As will be apparent to the person skilled in the art, the goggle attachment of the present invention can be adapted in various ways, while still achieving the desired effect. For example, the band of material may be a linear band rather than a loop. In this configuration, the attachment must comprise first and second coupling means to attach the band at the third and fourth positions. The coupling means may attach the linear band to the strap at positions in the vicinity of the top edge of the strap.

The coupling means may be any form of fastening means that are suitable for coupling the band to the strap. These fastening means may be any method of fastening including, but not limited to a knot, clip, press studs, a button and slot arrangement, hook-and-eye, tape, cable or other tie, staple, hook, buckle, catch, grip, elastic, loop and/or toggle, glue or the attachment may be stitched to the goggle strap.

Alternatively, the attachment may be coupled directly to the goggle frame at positions adjacent to where the strap couples to the goggle frame. In this arrangement, any of the above mentioned fastening means may be used to couple the attachment to the goggle frame. The band may be coupled to the goggle frame by engagement with hooks or protuberances or the like located on the goggle frame or by means of an aperture, depression or groove into which a toggle, button or other feature of the attachment may locate.

The goggle attachment may be arranged to receive an insert. The insert may be made of foam or some other material suitable for contacting the forehead of a wearer.

The attachment, either with the insert or without it, may be shaped to fit the contours of the top of the goggle frame and/or the forehead of a wearer in order to improve the fit of the attachment and comfort to a wearer.

Although the above describes an attachment that can be removably connected to goggles, the attachment may be permanently attached to the goggles. This could be by means of stitching the attachment to the goggle strap, gluing the attachment to either the goggle strap or goggle frame or any other suitable method for permanently fixing the attachment to the goggles.

Also, the goggle attachment could be integrally formed with goggles. The attachment could be formed as in integral part of the goggle strap, or it could be formed as an integral part of the goggle frame.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance, it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A goggle attachment for use with goggles, the goggles having a goggle frame for housing a lens, and a strap coupled to the goggle frame at first and second opposing positions for passing around the head of a wearer in user wherein the goggle attachment comprises: a band of material for coupling to the goggles at a third position adjacent to the first position and at a fourth position adjacent to the second position, such that when the goggles are worn by a user, the band of material extends between the third and fourth positions above the top of the goggle frame.
2. The goggle attachment according to claim 1, wherein the band of material is coupled to the strap at the third and fourth positions.
3. The goggle attachment according to claim 1, wherein the band of material is coupled to the goggle frame at the third and fourth positions.
4. The goggle attachment according to any preceding claim, wherein the goggle attachment further comprises first coupling means for coupling the band of material at the third position and second coupling means for coupling the band of material at the fourth position.
5. The goggle attachment according to claim 4, wherein the first and second coupling means secure the band of material above the top edge of the strap at the third and fourth positions, such that the attachment extends away from a top edge of the strap.
6. The goggle attachment according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first and second coupling means are any of clips, press studs, button and slot arrangements, hook-and-eye, tape, cable or other ties, staple, hook, buckle, catch, grip, elastic, or loop and/or toggle.
7. The goggle attachment according to any preceding claim, wherein the band of material forms a loop.
8. The goggle attachment according to claim 7, wherein one end of the loop of material extends around top and bottom edges of the strap at the third position, and another end of the loop of material extends around top and bottom edges of the strap at the fourth position.
9. The goggle attachment according to any of claim 7, wherein the first and second coupling means are hooks or protuberances on the goggle frame to which the loop of material engages, or are apertures, depressions or grooves into which a toggle, button or other feature of the attachment locates.
10. The goggle attachment according to any preceding claim, wherein the band of material is made of fabric.
11. A goggle attachment for use with goggles and a helmet, wherein the attachment is coupled to the goggles such that when the goggles are worn by a user with the helmet, the attachment is positioned above the goggles and below the helmet to fill a gap between the goggles and the helmet.
12. A coupling means for coupling the goggle attachment of any preceding claim to goggles.
13. A goggle attachment substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.