GB2519346A

GB2519346A - Swimming goggles

Info

Publication number: GB2519346A
Application number: GB1318466.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Herman Chiang
Original assignee: Global Esprit Inc
Current assignee: Global Esprit Inc
Priority date: 2013-10-18
Filing date: 2013-10-18
Publication date: 2015-04-22
Anticipated expiration: 2033-10-18
Also published as: GB2519346B; GB201318466D0

Abstract

Swimming goggles (fig.1, 1) include left (20) and right (21) frames each having an inner peripheral face (201,211) and an outer peripheral face (202,212) and being assembled with a lens (30,31), a connecting element (22) interconnecting the left (20) and right (21) frames, skirt portions 40 being respectively attached to the inner peripheral faces 201,211, and head strap apparatuses (50). Each of the inner peripheral faces (201,211) is defined with a first arc face 203,213 and a second arc face 204,214, in which the first arc face 203,213 connected with the outer face, and the second arc face 204,214 connected with the skirt portion 40. The first 203,213 and second 204,214 arc faces cooperatively form an angle less than 180 degrees so as to enable the skirt portions 40 to be hermetically attached to contours of eye sockets and a nose of a wearer, whereby providing a comfortable wearing of the swimming goggles (1) for the wearer.

Description

TITLE -SWIMMING GOGGLES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to swimming goggles, and particularly to swimming goggles that are for fitting contours of eye sockets and are being worn comfortably without water leakage therein.

2. RELATED ART [0002] Generally, protection pads of swimming goggles are used to provide a comfortable feeling for a wearer and to prevent water leakage into the goggles.

Conventional protection pads are mainly categorized into two types: one is sponge-type protection pads, and the other one is sucker-type protection pads. The sponge-type protection pads (as shown in FIG. 7) are fixed to lens frames by adhesives; the sucker-type protection pads are manually mounted to peripheral faces of lens frames with respect to the wearer's face (as shown in FIG. 8) or are attached to the wearer's face through integral injection molding (as shown in FIG. 9). However, contours of eye sockets are irregular and ragged where in particular a portion between the eyebrow and the eye is convex, a portion between the inner eye corner and the nose is concave, a portion of the zygomatic bone near the under-eye bag is convex, and a portion near the outer can thus is concave. As a result of the irregular and ragged contours, a conventional sponge-type or sucker-type protection pad is not securely attached to the eye socket, without a sufficient force applied on the protection pad, and thus may cause water leakage into the swimming goggles. Contrarily, when the swimming goggles are being applied with an excessive force to enable the protection pads to be attached firmly, the wearer may feel uncomfortable about the eye sockets. The reason for causing the mentioned problem above, in fact, is that the sponge-type protection pads are configured to be flat with the same thickness, and the sucker-type is configured to be curved smoothly, where both types of protection pads are not completely fit for contours of eye sockets. Consequently, an excessive force is required to tighten the swimming goggles to be attached completely to the eye sockets and that makes the wearer uncomfortable and may cause red circle eyes after taking off the goggles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide swimming goggles having skirt portions that are capable of being worn without applying excessive force thereon and are fit for contours of eye sockets, so as to provide comfortable feelings in wearing and to avoid having red circle eyes after wearing and prevent water leakage.

[0004] To achieve the above objects, the swimming goggles of the present invention comprise left and right frames each having an inner peripheral face and an outer peripheral face around the whole left and right frames and each of the left and right fames being assembled with a lens, a connecting element interconnecting the left and right frames, skirt portions respectively attached to the inner peripheral faces of the left and right frames, and head strap apparatuses; wherein each of the inner peripheral faces is defined with a first arc face and a second arc face, in which the first arc face connected with the outer face, and the second arc face connected with the skirt portion.

The first and second arc faces cooperatively form an angle less than 180 degrees so as to provide a comfortable feeling in wearing.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present invention, outer peripheral edges of the first and second arc faces are not over an outer peripheral edge of the outer peripheral face, and the second arc face forms a flat surface corresponding to an outer canthus of the wearer that enables to wear the swimming goggles without applying excessive force.

[0006] According to another aspect of the present invention, the first arc face and the connecting element cooperatively form an angle less than 90 degrees at a juncture thereof, and the juncture has an arc shape which facilitates flexibility of the connecting element and allows the connecting element to fit for the contours of the nose, whereby preventing the swimming goggles from being moved in conjunction with the connecting element after being worn.

[0007] According to another aspect of the present invention, upper and lower portions of the skirt portion in a same vertical cross section have sectional widths that are either same as or different with each other in order to fit for the contours of the eye socket, and the upper and lower portions respectively have a highest edge and a lowest edge both extending radially to form the skirt portion that has a continuous curve shape so as to fit for the contours of the eye socket.

[0008] According to the above-mentioned aspect, the skirt portion in a vertical cross section taken in a middle thereof has a sectional width of the upper portion with respect to a portion above the eye less than a sectional width of the lower portion with respect to a portion below the eye, whereby enabling the lenses to be substantially parallel with the eyes and thus preventing visual fields of eye corners from being blocked by the left and right frames during swimming.

[0009] According to another aspect of the present invention, each of the outer peripheral faces of the left and right frames forms at least a flow guiding portion located below a center line of the left and right frames for effectively guiding water accumulated in a juncture of the outer peripheral face and the lens so as to avoid blocking visual

fields.

[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, the connecting element integrally interconnects the left and right frames and has an arc shape, the connecting element having front and read ridge portions and a cross-sectional shape in a horizontal cross section that left and right ends of the front ridge portion are thinner than a portion between the left and right ends of the front ridge portion, so as to provide extensibility for the connecting element to disperse a tightening force when wearing the swimming goggles, the rear ridge portion functioning as a support structure for avoiding collapse of the connecting element, whereby to prevent the outer peripheral faces of the left and right frames from being drawn to deform and to prevent water leakage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of swimming goggles of the present invention; [0012] FIG. 2A is a rear elevalional view of a left frame wilhout a lens assembled therein of the swimming goggles of the present invention; [0013] FIG. 2B is a series of cross-sectional views taken along lines A-A, B-B to P-P of FIG. 2A; [0014] FIG. 3A is a front elevational view of the left frame without a lens assembled therein of the swimming goggles of the present invention [0015] FIG. 3B is a series of cross-sectional views taken along lines Q-Q to T-T of FIG. 3A; [0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing Ihe swimming goggles being [0017] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1; [0018] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1; and [0019] FIGS. 7-9 are schematic views of conventional swimming goggles.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Referring to FIG. 1 showing a preferable embodiment of swimming goggles of the present invention, the swimming goggles 1 comprise a left frame 20, a right frame 21, a connecting element 22, lenses 30 and 31, skirt portions 40, and head strap apparatuses 50. The left and right frames 20 and 21 and the connecting element 22 are made of thermal plastic rubber through integral injection molding. The left and right frames 20 and 21 respectively have inner peripheral faces 201 and 211 and outer peripheral faces 202 and 212 around Ihe whole lefI and right frames 20 and 21. The inner peripheral faces 201 and 211 are integrally formed with the skirt portions 40 for providing a comfortable feeling in contact with a face portion. The outer peripheral faces 202 and 212 are connected with the connecting element 22. Further referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, and FIGS. SA and 3B, each of the inner peripheral faces 201 and 211 is defined with a first arc face 203 (213) and a second arc face 204 (214); outer peripheral edges of the first arc 203 (213) and the second arc face 204 (214) are not over an outer peripheral edge of the outer peripheral face 202 (212). Moreover, the second arc face 204 (214) forms a flat surface 205 (215) corresponding to an outer canthus of a wearer (as shown in S-S cross-sectional view in FIG. 3B and A-A cross-sectional view in FIG. 2B) in order to correspond to the contours of an eye socket.

Particularly, the first and second arc laces 203 (213) and 204 (214) cooperatively form an angle less Ihan 180 degrees. Further referring 10 R-R cross-sectional shown in FIG. 3B, the first arc face 203 (213) and the connecting element 22 cooperatively form an angle Ri less than 90 degrees at a juncture thereof, wherein the juncture has an arc shape which facilitates flexibility of the connecting element 22 so as to allow the connecting element 22 to be bent to fit for contours of a nose and a face, whereby preventing the swimming goggles from being moved in conjunction with the connecting element 22 after the swimming goggles have already worn to fit for the contours of the eye sockets. The second arc face 204 (214) and the skirt portion 40 cooperatively form an angle F12 less than 90 degrees at a juncture thereof, wherein the juncture has an arc shape, which facilitates flexibility of the skirt portion 40 and therefore allows the skirt portion 40 to flexibly smoothly bend in a direction toward the second arc face 204 (214) when being worn; thus, the skirt portion 40 functions as a sucker to reinforce ability of water leakage-proof. Referring back to FIG. 1, each of the outer peripheral faces 202 and 212 of the left and right frames 20 and 21 forms at least a flow guiding portion 206 (216) located below a center line C-C of the left and right frames 20 and 21 for effectively guiding water accumulated in a juncture of the outer peripheral face 202 (212) and the lens 30 (31) so as to avoid blocking visual fields. The flow guiding portion 206 (216) is preferably located at a middle of a lower portion of the outer peripheral face 202 (212).

[0021] The lenses 30 and 31 are made of polycarbonate resin or cellulose acetate or cellulose propionate sheet, and are respectively implanted in between the inner peripheral faces 201 and 211 the outer peripheral faces 202 and 212 prior to integral molding of the left and right frame 20 and 21 and the connecting element 22.

[0022] Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B for the skirt portions 40, each skirt portion has contours of concave and convex shapes to correspond to the eye socket In other words, the skirt portion 40 is defined with upper and lower portions, and the upper and lower portions in a same vertical cross section have sectional widths that are either same as or different with each other in order to fit for the contours of the eye socket, wherein the sectional widths are measured from a middle of the lens 30 and 31 to the most outer edge of the skirt portion 40. For example, referring to FIG. 2B for a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 2A, a sectional width ml at the upper portion of the skirt portion 40 is equal to a sectional width m2 at the lower portion; in E-E cross-sectional view a sectional width ml at the upper portion is less than a sectional width m2 at the lower portion; in K-K cross-sectional view a sectional width ml at the upper portion is less than a sectional width m2 at the lower portion; in M-M cross-sectional view a sectional width ml at the upper portion is larger than a sectional width m2 at the lower portion; and in 0-0 cross-sectional view a sectional width ml at the upper portion is larger than a sectional width m2 at the lower portion. In each of the cross-sectional views the upper and lower portions of the skirt portion 40 respectively have a highest edge and a lowest edge both extending radially to form the skirt portion 40 having a continuous curve shape so as to fit for the contours of the eye socket. Taking a cross-sectional view of the skirt portion 40 corresponding to the zygomatic bone and the under-eye bad for example by referring to H-H cross-sectional view of FIG. 2B taken along line H-H in FIG. 2A, a sectional width ml at the upper portion is less than a sectional width m2 at the lower portion; more specific, in H-H cross-sectional view the lower portion of the skirt portion 40 is corresponding to the zygomatic bone adjacent to the under-eye bag and is more projecting than the upper portion of the skirt portion 40 (compared by an oblique line shown in H-H cross-sectional view), wherein a lowest edge hi is located at the lower portion of the skirt portion 40. Further referring to FIG. 2B for 0-0 cross-sectional view taken along line 0-0 in FIG. 2A, a sectional width ml at the upper portion of the skirt portion 40 is larger than a sectional width m2 at the lower portion; more specific, in 0-0 cross-sectional view the upper portion of the skirt portion 40 is corresponding to a portion above an inner canthus and is more projecting than the lower portion of the skirt portion 40 (as indicated by an oblique line that inclines toward left), whereby the upper portion of the skirt portion 40 forms a highest edge h2.

As a result, the highest edge h2 and the lowest edge hl extend radially to connect each other and form a continuous curve shape so as to fit for the contours of the eye socket.

Further referring to E-E and K-K cross-sectional views of FIG. 2B that are respectively taken along vertical lines E-E and K-K in FIG. 2A, a sectional width ml at the upper portion of the skirt portion 40 relative to an area above the eye is less than a sectional width m2 at the lower portion of the skirt portion 40 relative to an area below the eye; that is, an area above the eye is more projecting than the an area below the eye. With the above contours of the skirt portions 40, the lenses 30 and 31 are parallel with the eyes after being worn and therefore avoid blocking visual fields in swimming.

Accordingly, the contours of the skirt portions 40 of the present invention are fit for peripheral portions of the eye sockets, whereby allowing the skirt portions 40 to be comfortably completely attached to the peripheral portions of the eye sockets without applying excessive force thereon, and preventing red circle eyes and water leakage into the swimming goggles.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 in combination with FIG. 1, the connecting element 22 as mentioned above is integrally formed with the left and right frames 20 and 21 and has an arc shape. The connecting element 22 has front and read ridge portions 220 and 221 and a horizontal cross-sectional shape of which the front ridge portion is arc. In particular, left and right ends 23 and 24 of the front ridge portion 220 are thinner than a portion between the left and right ends 23 and 24, so as to provide extensibility for the connecting element 22 that is capable of dispersing a drawing force when wearing the swimming goggles and thus prevent the outer peripheral faces 202 and 212 of the left and right frames from being pulled away from the lenses 30 and 31.

The rear ridge portion 221 functions as a support structure for avoiding collapse of the connecting element 22. With the above structure that the left and right ends 23 and 24 being thinner than a middle portion 25 between the left and right ends 23 and 24, a drawing force required to wear the swimming goggles is effectively buffered by the left and right ends 23 and 24, and a drawing force applied on outer sides of the left and right frames 20 and 21 are reduced, so as to prevent the outer peripheral faces 202 and 212 of the left and right frames 20 and 21 from being drawn to deform, and to prevent the swimming goggles from water leakage.

[0024] Referring to FIG. 4 in combination with FIGS. 2A and 2B and FIGS. 3A and 3B, the skirt portions 40 have the contours having concave and convex shapes to correspond to the eye socket, whereby providing a comfortable wearing for the wearer without exerting excessive force on wearing and preventing the swimming goggles from water leakage. Moreover, the upper and lower portions of the skirt portions 40 having different sectional widths enable the lenses 30 and 31 to remain parallel with eyes so as to avoid blocking visual fields and thus offer a better visual fields during swimming.

Furthermore, the at least a flow guiding portion 206 (216) located below the center line C-C of the left and right frames 20 and 21 for effectively guiding water accumulated in a juncture of the outer peripheral face 202 (212) and the lens 30 (31) so as to avoid blocking visual fields. Still further, the left and right ends 23 and 24 of the connecting element 21 being thinner than the middle portion 25 thereof effectively disperse the drawing force applied on the left and right frames 20 and 21. In sum, all the above-mentioned aspects are characters and features of the swimming goggles of the present invention.

[0025] It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the claims. Thus the present examples and embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative, and not restrictive, of the invention defined by the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. Swimming goggles, comprising: left and right frames each having an inner peripheral face and an outer peripheral face around the whole left and right frames, and each of the left and right fames being assembled with a lens; a connecting element interconnecting the left and right frames; skirt portions respectively attached to the inner peripheral faces of the left and right frames; and head strap apparatuses; wherein each of the inner peripheral faces is defined with a first arc face and a second arc face, the first arc face connected with the outer face, the second arc face connected with the skirt portion, the first and second arc faces cooperatively forming an angle less than 180 degrees so as to enable the skirt portions to be hermetically attached to contours of eye sockets and a nose of a wearer, whereby providing a comfortable feeling when wearing.
2. The swimming goggles of claim 1, wherein the second arc face forms a flat surface corresponding to an outer canthus of the wearer, the second arc face and the skirt portion cooperatively form an angle less than 90 degrees at a juncture thereof, and the juncture has an arc shape which facilitates flexibility of the skirt portion and therefore allows the skirt portion to flexibly bend in a direction toward the second arc face when being worn, whereby the skirt portion functions as a sucker to reinforce the ability of water leakage-proof.
3. The swimming goggles of claim 1, wherein outer peripheral edges of the first and second arc faces are not over an outer peripheral edge of the outer peripheral face, the first arc face and the connecting element cooperatively form an angle less than 90 degrees at a juncture thereof, and the juncture has an arc shape which facilitates flexibility of the connecting element and allows the connecting element to fit for the contours of the nose, whereby preventing the swimming goggles from being moved in conjunction with the connecting element after being worn.
4. The swimming goggles of claim 1, wherein upper and lower portions of the skirt portion in a same vertical cross section have sectional widths that are either same as or different with each other in order to fit for the contours of the eye socket, and the upper and lower portions respectively have a highest edge and a lowest edge both extending radially to form the skirt portion that has a continuous curve shape so as to fit for the contours of the eye socket, wherein the skirt portion in a vertical cross section taken in a middle thereof has a sectional width of the upper portion with respect to a portion above the eye less than a sectional width of the lower portion with respect to a portion below the eye, whereby enabling the lenses to be substantially parallel with the eyes and thus preventing visual fields of eye corners from being blocked by the left and right frames in swimming.
5. The swimming goggles of claim 4, wherein the sectional widths of the upper and lower portions of the skirt portion are measured from a middle of the lens to the most outer edge of the skirt portion.
6. The swimming goggles of claim 1, wherein each of the outer peripheral faces of the left and right frames forms at least a flow guiding portion located below a center line of the left and right frames for effectively guiding water accumulated in a juncture of the outer peripheral face and the lens so as to avoid blocking visual fields.
7. The swimming goggles of claim 1, wherein the connecting element integrally interconnects the left and right frames and has an arc shape, the connecting element having front and rear ridge portions and a cross-sectional shape in a horizontal cross section that left and right ends of the front ridge portion are thinner than a portion between the left and right ends of the front ridge portion, so as to provide extensibility for the connecting element to disperse a tightening force when wearing the swimming goggles, the rear ridge portion functioning as a support structure for avoiding collapse of the connecting element, whereby to prevent the outer peripheral faces of the left and right frames from being drawn to deform and to prevent water leakage.
8. The swimming goggles of claim 7, wherein the left and right frames, the connecting element, and the skirt portions are all made of thermal plastic rubber, and the lenses are made of polycarbonate resin or cellulose acetate or cellulose propionate sheet.
9. Swimming goggles, comprising: left and right frames each having an inner peripheral face and an outer peripheral face around the whole left and right frames, and each of the left and right fames being assembled with a lens; a connecting element interconnecting and integrally formed with the left and right frames; skirt portions respectively integrally attached to the inner peripheral faces of the left and right frames; and head strap apparatuses; wherein upper and lower portions of each of the skirt portions in a same vertical cross section have sectional widths that are either same as or different with each other in order to fit for contours of an eye socket, and the upper and lower portions respectively have a highest edge and a lowest edge both extending radially to form the skirt portion that has a continuous curve shape so as to fit for the contours of the eye socket, whereby enabling the skirt portions to be completely attached to peripheral portions of the eye sockets without applying excessive force on the swimming goggle.
10. The swimming goggles of claim 9, wherein the sectional widths of the upper and lower portions of the skirt portion are measured from a middle of the lens to the most outer edge of the skirt portion.