GB2570341A

GB2570341A - Head strap and buckle assembly for swimming or diving goggles

Info

Publication number: GB2570341A
Application number: GB1801054.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chou Terry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-01-23
Filing date: 2018-01-23
Publication date: 2019-07-24
Also published as: GB201801054D0

Abstract

Swimming or diving goggles 3 comprising a body 31 having two head strap coupling portions each with a turnaround component 311; a head strap 1 having two transverse coupling holes 12, one adjacent to each end of the strap; and two buckles 2, each buckle including a transverse axle 21, a first post 22 and a second post 23, the first post located between the axle and second post and both posts arranged parallel to the axle; the axle having a central notch (211, fig. 1); two vertical posts (24, fig. 1) connecting the ends of the axle and the first and second posts, creating a passage between them, each of the first and second posts having an inclined face 221,222 facing the passage; the head strap being configured to wind around each turnaround component to form an outer 14 and an inner section 15, the coupling holes being arranged to engage the notch of the axle and the inner strap section extending through the passage of the buckle; so that when the goggles are worn, each inner section of the strap is clamped by the first and second posts, and when the outer section of the strap is pulled, the axle shifts the buckle so that the inner section of the strap is not clamped and can be adjusted.

Description

HEAD STRAP AND BUCKLE ASSEMBLY FOR SWIMMING OR DIVING GOGGLES

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a head strap and buckle assembly for swimming or diving goggles and, more particularly, to a head strap and buckle assembly that is simple in structure and that permits easy adjustment of the tightening length of the head strap by a user while providing enhanced tightening quality and stability.

[0002] A type of conventional swimming goggles includes a body, two buckles, and a head strap. The buckles are used to assemble with the head strap and to allow adjustment of the tightening length of the head strap. FIG. 6 shows a side of the conventional head strap and buckle device for swimming goggles, with the other side being a symmetric arrangement. An end of a buckle 1 ’ includes a coupling portion 11 ’ for coupling with a body 3’ of the swimming goggles. The other end of the buckle 1’ includes a tightening portion 12’ for coupling with a soft head strap 2’. The tightening portion 12’ includes two posts 121’ and 122’ in a center thereof and a notch 123’ in an end thereof.

[0003] The coupling portion 11’ is coupled with the body 3’ of the swimming goggles. The head strap 2’ extends between the notch 123’ and the post 121’ and is wound around the posts 121’ and 122’. An end 124’ of the head strap 2’ again extends between the notch 123’ and the post 121 ’ to fix the tightening length of the head strap 2’. [0004] However, when the user is intended to adjust the tightening length of the head strap 2’, the user has to remove the body 3’ from the head of the user, loosen the head strap 2’ at the posts 121’ and 122’ and the notch 123’, and then adjust the length of the head strap 2’, which is time-consuming. Furthermore, after adjustment, the large spacing a between the end 124’ of the head strap 2’ and the buckle 1 ’ results in difficult positioning of the end 124’ of the head strap 2’, leading to shifting of the end 124’ (see phantom lines) and unsatisfactory tightening quality.

[0005] hi an attempt to solve the above disadvantages, Applicant’s U.S. Patent No. 9,427,627 discloses swimming/diving goggles including a main body with a head strap coupling portion. An attachment portion is formed on an end of a head strap and includes an axle hole. A buckle includes two sidewalls defining a space. A front post and a rear post extend between the sidewalls and define a passage therebetween. An eccentric axle extends through eccentric holes of the sidewalls. The head strap extends through the passage of the buckle to a position in which the axle hole is aligned with the eccentric holes, and the eccentric axle is inserted through the axle hole of the attachment portion to couple the end of the head strap with the buckle. When adjustment of the tightening length of the head strap is desired, the end of the head strap is moved relative to the buckle. When the head strap is released, the head strap forms a bend and presses against the front and rear posts to thereby position the head strap.

[0006] Although the end of the head strap can be positioned relative to the buckle to provide enhanced tightening quality, the axle hole must be aligned with the eccentric holes to permit insertion of the eccentric axle, which is inconvenient to assembly. Furthermore, the eccentric axle and the buckle are two separate members and, thus, increase the manufacturing costs. Furthermore, the pulling force is directly transmitted to the eccentric axle during adjustment of the tightening length of the head strap. The eccentric axle may even disengage from the eccentric holes when the pulling force is larger. Thus, the tightening stability is reduced.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] An objective of the present invention is to provide a head strap and buckle assembly providing enhanced tightening quality while permitting convenient assembly and tightening stability.

[0008] Swimming or diving goggles according to the present invention include a body having two head strap coupling portions respectively disposed on two sides thereof. Each of the two head strap coupling portions has a head strap turnaround component. A soft, elongated head strap includes two attachment portions respectively adjacent to two ends thereof. Each of the two attachment portions includes a transverse coupling hole extending in a width direction. Two buckles are provided. Each of the two buckles includes a transverse axle at an outer side thereof, a first post, and a second post. The first post and the second post extend parallel to the transverse axle. The first post is located between the second post and the transverse axle. The transverse axle includes a notch in a central portion thereof. The notch has a width smaller than a width of each of the two attachment portions. The transverse axle includes two ends respectively connected to the first post and the second post by two vertical posts. A passage is defined between the first and second posts and the two vertical beams. The first post has a first inclined face facing the passage. The second post has a second inclined face facing the passage and extending parallel to the first inclined face.

[0009] The head strap is configured to wind around each head strap turnaround component to form an outer section and an inner section. Each of the two attachment portions of the head strap extends into the notch of one of the two buckles. Each transverse coupling hole of the head strap is coupled with the transverse axle of one of the two buckles. Each inner section of the head strap extends through the passage of one of the two buckles.

[0010] When the head strap is worn on a head of a user, each inner section of the head strap forms a bend in the respective passage under action of a tightening force acting on the inner section. The bend of each inner section is clamped and positioned by the first and second posts of one of the two buckles.

[0011] When one of the outer sections is pulled, the respective transverse axle is actuated to shift the respective buckle, the respective inner section of the head strap is not clamped in the respective passage to permit adjustment of tightness of the head strap. [0012] In an example, the head strap includes two holding portions. Each of the two holding portions is located between one of the two attachment portions and one of the two ends of the head strap.

[0013] In an example, the first inclined face of each of the two buckles includes a first clamping edge. The second inclined face of each of the two buckles includes a second clamping edge. Each inner section of the head strap is clamped by the first and second clamping edges of one of the two buckles.

[0014] In an example, each of two head strap coupling portions includes an integrally formed pin to form the respective head strap turnaround component.

[0015] The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] FIG. 1 is a partial, perspective view of a head strap and buckle assembly for swimming or diving goggles according to the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of swimming goggles worn on a user, with two head strap and buckle assemblies according to the present invention respectively mounted to two sides of the swimming goggles.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a partial, cross sectional view of the swimming goggles of FIG. 2, with the head strap not tightened.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3, with the head strap pulled to adjust the tightening length of the head strap.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, with the head strap released after adjustment and in a tightened state.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a conventional head strap and buckle device for swimming goggles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0022] With reference to FIGS. 1-3, swimming or diving goggles according to the present invention includes a body 3, a head strap 1, and two buckles 2. In this embodiment, the goggle are swimming goggles. FIGS. 1 and 3 show the body 3, a side of the head strap 1, and one of the two buckles 2, with the other side being a symmetric arrangement. The terms “front”, “rear”, “inner”, “outer” and similar terms used herein refer to the wearing direction of the user wearing the goggles. The body 3 includes two head strap coupling portions 31 respectively disposed on two sides thereof. In this embodiment, each of the two head strap coupling portions 31 has an integrally formed pin 311 to form a head strap turnaround component.

[0023] The head strap 1 is soft and elongated and is made of a flexible material. The head strap 1 includes two attachment portions 12 respectively adjacent to two ends 11 thereof. Each of the two attachment portions 12 includes a transverse coupling hole 121 extending in a width direction. The head strap 1 further includes two holding portions 13. Each of the two holding portions 13 is located between one of the two attachment portions 12 and one of the two ends 11 of the head strap 1.

[0024] Each of the two buckles 2 is integrally formed and includes a transverse axle 21 at an outer side thereof, a first post 22, and a second post 23. The first post 22 and the second post 23 generally extend parallel to the transverse axle 21. The first post 22 is located between the second post 23 and the transverse axle 21. The transverse axle 21 includes a notch 211 in a central portion thereof. The notch 211 has a width smaller than a width of each of the two attachment portions 12. The transverse axle 21 includes two ends respectively connected to the first post 22 and the second post 23 by two vertical posts 24. A passage 25 is defined between the first and second posts 22 and 23 and the two vertical beams 24. The first post 22 has a first inclined face 221 facing the passage 25. The second post 23 has a second inclined face 231 facing the passage 25 and extending parallel to the first inclined face 221. When each buckle 2 is in a tightening position, the passage 25 of the respective buckle 2 does not correspond to the extending direction of the head strap 1. Furthermore, the first inclined face 22 of each of the two buckles 2 includes a first clamping edge 222. Furthermore, the second inclined face 23 of each of the two buckles 2 includes a second clamping edge 232. The first and second clamping edges 222 and 232 can be sharp.

[0025] In assembly, the head strap 1 is wound around each pin 311 to form an outer section 14 and an inner section 15 at each side of the body 3. Each of the two attachment portions 12 of the head strap 1 is pressed to extend into the notch 211 of one of the two buckles 2. After the respective attachment portion 12 is released, the respective transverse coupling hole 121 is coupled with the transverse axle 21 of the respective buckle 2 to permit joint movement of the buckle 2 and the attachment portion 12. Each inner section 15 of the head strap 1 extends through the passage 25 of one of the two buckles 2. Thus, the assembly of the goggles according to the present invention is less troublesome than the goggles of U.S. Patent No. 9,427,627 requiring alignment of the axle hole of the head strap and the eccentric hole of the buckle as well as insertion of the eccentric axle. Accordingly, the present invention achieves an easy assembly effect.

[0026] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, when the head strap 1 is worn on a head of a user, each inner section 15 of the head strap 1 forms a bend in the respective passage 25 under action of a tightening force acting on the inner section 15. The bend of each inner section 15 is clamped and positioned by the first and second clamping edges 222 and 232 of one of the two buckles 2.

[0027] With reference to FIG. 4, when one of the outer sections 14 is pulled by the respective holding portion 13, the respective transverse axle 21 is actuated to shift the respective buckle 2. The respective passage 25 extends in a direction corresponding to the extending direction of the respective inner section 15, such that the respective inner section 15 of the head strap 1 is not bent and not clamped to pennit adjustment of tightness force of the head strap 1 through pulling of the head strap 1. The adjustment is simple and easy.

[0028] With reference to FIG. 5, after adjustment, the respective holding portion 13 of the head strap 1 is released, the tightening force acting on the respective inner section 15 urges the transverse axle 21 of the respective buckle 2 to shaft forward, and the respective passage 25 extends in a direction not corresponding to the extending direction of the respective inner section 15. Thus, the respective inner section 15 forms a bend that is clamped and positioned by the first and second clamping edges 222 and 232 of the respective buckle 2. Thu, the adjustment is convenient. Furthermore, the relative position between the respective end 11 of the head strap 1 and the respective buckle 2 is fixed after adjustment, providing enhanced tightening quality. Furthermore, loosening of the head strap 1 is required only for taking off the goggles, assuring an enhanced, stable waterproof effect.

[0029] Since the transverse axles 21 of the buckles 2 are integrally formed, each axle 21 can withstand a large pulling force while the respective holding portion 13 of the head strap 1 is pulled for during adjustment of the tightness. Furthermore, after the head strap 1 is released, the respective transverse axle 21 can withstand a larger clamping force without the risk of disengagement, increasing the reliability during long-term use and prolonging the service life. The reliability is better than the design disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 9,427,627.

[0030] In view of the foregoing, the head strap and buckle assembly according to the present invention provides enhanced tightening quality, reliability, assembling convenience, and fewer components. The head strap coupling portions 31 of the swimming or diving goggles according to the present invention can be coupled with 5 external components to form the head strap turnaround components.

[0031] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications and variations are still possible without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is limited by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. Swimming or diving goggles, comprising:

a body including two head strap coupling portions respectively disposed on two sides thereof, wherein each of the two head strap coupling portions having a head strap turnaround component;

a head strap that is soft and elongated, wherein the head strap includes two attachment portions respectively adjacent to two ends thereof, wherein each of the two attachment portions includes a transverse coupling hole extending in a width direction; and two buckles, wherein each of the two buckles includes:

a transverse axle at an outer side thereof, a first post, and a second post, wherein the first post and the second post extend parallel to the transverse axle, wherein the first post is located between the second post and the transverse axle, wherein the transverse axle includes a notch in a central portion thereof, wherein the notch has a width smaller than a width of each of the two attachment portions, wherein the transverse axle includes two ends respectively connected to the first post and the second post by two vertical posts, wherein a passage is defined between the first and second posts and the two vertical beams, wherein the first post has a first inclined face facing the passage, wherein the second post has a second inclined face facing the passage and extending parallel to the first inclined face, wherein the head strap is configured to wind around each head strap turnaround component to form an outer section and an inner section, wherein each of the two attachment portions of the head strap extends into the notch of one of the two buckles, wherein each transverse coupling hole of the head strap is coupled with the transverse axle of one of the two buckles, wherein each inner section of the head strap extends through the passage of one of the two buckles, wherein when the head strap is worn on a head of a user, each inner section of the head strap forms a bend in the respective passage under action of a tightening force acting on the inner section, wherein the bend of each inner section is clamped and positioned by the first and second posts of one of the two buckles, wherein when one of the outer sections is pulled, the respective transverse axle is actuated to shift the respective buckle, the respective inner section of the head strap is not clamped in the respective passage to permit adjustment of tightness of the head strap.

2. The swimming or diving goggles as claimed in claim 1, wherein the head strap includes two holding portions, wherein each of the two holding portions is located between one of the two attachment portions and one of the two ends of the head strap.

3. The swimming or diving goggles as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first inclined face of each of the two buckles includes a first clamping edge, wherein the second inclined face of each of the two buckles includes a second clamping edge, and wherein each inner section of the head strap is clamped by the first and second clamping edges of one of the two buckles.

4. The swimming or diving goggles as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of two head strap coupling portions includes an integrally formed pin to form the respective head strap turnaround component.