US20170266505A1

US20170266505A1 - Head strap for swimming goggles

Info

Publication number: US20170266505A1
Application number: US15/075,069
Authority: US
Inventors: Terry Chou
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-03-18
Filing date: 2016-03-18
Publication date: 2017-09-21

Abstract

A head strap for swimming goggles includes two ends, a rear portion, and two side portions. Each side portion is located between the rear portion and one of the ends. A slit extends from of one of the side portions through the rear portion to the other side portion. The slit divides each side portion into an upper side section and a lower side section and divides the rear portion into an upper rear section and a lower rear section. A portion of the upper side section and a portion of the lower side section of each side portion clamps one of two sides of a head of a wearer. The upper and lower rear sections of the rear portion of the head strap clamp the back of the head of the wearer. The head strap can be assembled with a body and two buckles to form swimming goggles.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a head strap for swimming goggles and, more particularly, to a head strap for swimming goggles to provide convenience and stability during wearing.
Swimming goggles generally include a body and at least one head strap. The body abuts a portion of the face of a wearer and includes a transparent frame covering the eyes of the wearer. A coupling portion is provided on each of two sides of the body. The head strap is elongated and is coupled to the coupling portions on the two sides of the body. The head strap extends around the two sides and the back of the head of the wearer to position the body of the swimming goggle on the head of the wearer.
FIG. 4 shows swimming goggles of a conventional type including a body 1′, a head strap 2′, and two buckles 3′. A coupling portion 11′ is provided on each of two sides of the body 1′. The head strap 2′ is elongated and includes two ends 21′. Each end 21′ of the head strap 2′ is wound around a corresponding coupling portion 11′ to form a folding section 22′ which is clamped by a corresponding buckle 3′ that permits adjustment of the clamping length of the head strap 2′. However, the head strap 2′ clamps only a small area of the back of the head of the wearer, leading to unstable clamping.
FIG. 5 shows swimming goggles of another conventional type to solve the unstable clamping of the above swimming goggles. The swimming goggles of FIG. 5 include a body 4′, a head strap 5′, and two buckles 6′. A coupling portion 41′ is provided on each of two sides of the body 4′. The head strap 5′ is elongated and includes two ends 51′ and a loop portion 52′. When worn on a head of a wearer, the loop portion 52′ of the head strap 5′ is located on the back of the head of the wearer. The loop portion 52′ includes an upper section 521′, a lower section 522′, and a separation portion 523′ in the form of a slot between the upper and lower sections 521′ and 522′. Each end 51′ of the head strap 5′ is wound around a corresponding coupling portion 41′ to form a folding section 53′ which is clamped by a corresponding buckle 6′ that permits adjustment of the clamping length of the head strap 5′. When worn on the head of the wearer, the upper and lower sections 521′ and 522′ of the head strap 5′ respectively clamp the upper and lower portions of the back of the head of the wearer, providing better wearing stability than the head strap 2′ of FIG. 4. However, the folding sections 53′ on the two sides of the head of the wearer cannot extend as the loop portion 52′, leading to unsatisfactory clamping reliability at the two sides of the head of the wearer.
FIGS. 6 and 7 show swimming goggles of a further conventional type including a body 7′, a head strap 8′, and a buckle 9′. A coupling portion 71′ is provided on each of two sides of the body 7′. The head strap 8′ is elongated and includes two ends 81′. Each end 81′ of the head strap 8′ is wound around a corresponding coupling portion 71′ to extend around a side and the back of a head of a wearer. The length of the head strap 8′ is about two times the length of the head strap 2′ of FIG. 4. The head strap 8′ includes an upper section 82′ and a lower section 83′ behind the coupling portions 71′. The buckle 9′ clamps the two ends 81′ of the head strap 8′, is located on the back of the head of the wearer, and permits adjustment of the clamping length of the head strap 8′. The separate upper and lower sections 82′ and 83′ of the head strap 8′ extend from each side to the back of the head of the wearer, providing better wearing stability than the swimming goggles of FIGS. 4 and 5. However, the longer head strap 8′ increases the costs. Furthermore, the wearer must pull the lower section 83′ on which the buckle 9′ is located and then pull the upper section 82′ to provide even pulling force, which is inconvenient to adjustment of the clamping/pulling force.
Thus, a need exists for a novel head strap for swimming goggles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a head strap for swimming goggles to provide convenience and stability during wearing.
In a first aspect, a head strap for swimming goggles is elongated and made of a soft material. The head strap includes two ends, a rear portion, and two side portions. Each of the two side portions is located between the rear portion and one of the two ends and is adapted to be located on one of two sides of a head of a wearer wearing the head strap. The rear portion of the head strap is adapted to be located on a back of the head of the wearer. A slit extends from an intermediate portion of a width of one of the two side portions through an intermediate portion of a width of the rear portion to an intermediate portion of a width of the other side portion of the head strap. The slit divides each of the two side portions into an upper side section and a lower side section and divides the rear portion into an upper rear section and a lower rear section. A portion of the upper side section and a portion of the lower side section of each of the two side portions of the head strap are adapted to clamp one of the two sides of the head of the wearer and are adapted to extend away from each other when the head strap is worn on the head of the wearer. The upper rear section and the lower rear section of the rear portion of the head strap are adapted to clamp the back of the head of the wearer and are adapted to extend away from each other when the head strap is worn on the head of the wearer.
In a second aspect, swimming goggles includes a body having two sides. Each of the two sides of the body includes a coupling portion. The body is adapted to be worn on a face of a wearer. A head strap made of a soft material is elongated and includes two ends, a rear portion, and two side portions. Each of the two side portions is located between the rear portion and one of the two ends and is adapted to be located on one of two sides of the head of the wearer. The rear portion of the head strap is adapted to be located on a back of the head of the wearer. A slit extends from an intermediate portion of a width of one of the two side portions through an intermediate portion of a width of the rear portion to an intermediate portion of a width of the other side portion of the head strap. The slit divides each of the two side portions into an upper side section and a lower side section and divides the rear portion into an upper rear section and a lower rear section. A portion of the upper side section and a portion of the lower side section of each of the two side portions of the head strap are adapted to clamp one of the two sides of the head of the wearer and are adapted to extend away from each other when the head strap is worn on the head of the wearer. The upper rear section and the lower rear section of the rear portion of the head strap are adapted to clamp the back of the head of the wearer and are adapted to extend away from each other when the head strap is worn on the head of the wearer. Each of the two ends of the head strap is wound around one of the coupling portions of the body to form a folding section. A buckle is mounted on each folding section and is configured to permit adjustment of a length of one of the folding sections and to permit adjustment of clamping tightness of the head strap. The upper side section of each of the two side portions of the head strap extends upward from behind one of the buckles. The lower side section of each of the two side portions of the head strap extends from behind one of the buckles and extends below the upper side section of one of the two side portions of the head strap.
In a third aspect, swimming goggles includes a body having two sides. Each of the two sides of the body includes a coupling portion. The body is adapted to be worn on a face of a wearer. A head strap made of a soft material is elongated and includes two ends, a rear portion, and two side portions. Each of the two side portions is located between the rear portion and one of the two ends and is adapted to be located on one of two sides of the head of the wearer. The rear portion of the head strap is adapted to be located on a back of the head of the wearer. A slit extends from an intermediate portion of a width of one of the two side portions through an intermediate portion of a width of the rear portion to an intermediate portion of a width of the other side portion of the head strap. The slit divides each of the two side portions into an upper side section and a lower side section and divides the rear portion into an upper rear section and a lower rear section. A portion of the upper side section and a portion of the lower side section of each of the two side portions of the head strap are adapted to clamp one of the two sides of the head of the wearer and are adapted to extend away from each other when the head strap is worn on the head of the wearer. The upper rear section and the lower rear section of the rear portion of the head strap are adapted to clamp the back of the head of the wearer and are adapted to extend away from each other when the head strap is worn on the head of the wearer. A buckle is mounted on each of the two coupling portions of the body. Each of the two ends of the head strap is wound around one of the two buckles to form a folding section. Each buckle is configured to permit adjustment of a length of one of the folding sections and to permit adjustment of clamping tightness of the head strap. The upper side section of each of the two side portions of the head strap extends upward from behind one of the buckles. The lower side section of each of the two side portions of the head strap extends from behind one of the buckles and extends below the upper side section of one of the two side portions of the head strap.
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

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a head strap for swimming goggles according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of swimming goggles of an embodiment according to the present invention, with swimming goggles worn on a head of a wearer and including the head strap of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of swimming goggles of another embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of swimming goggles of a conventional type.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of swimming goggles of another conventional type.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of swimming goggles of a further conventional type.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the swimming goggles of FIG. 6 worn on a wearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Like reference numbers designate like elements in the following embodiments.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, swimming goggles of a first embodiment according to the present invention includes a head strap 1, a body 2, and two buckles 3. The body 2 includes two sides. Each of the two sides of the body 2 includes a coupling portion 21. The body 2 is adapted to be worn on a face of a wearer.
The head strap 1 is made of a soft, stretchable material. Furthermore, the head strap 1 is elongated and includes two ends 11, a rear portion 13, and two side portions 12. Each of the two side portions 12 is located between the rear portion 13 and one of the two ends 11 and is adapted to be located on one of two sides of the head of the wearer. The rear portion 13 of the head strap 1 is adapted to be located on a back of the head of the wearer. A slit 14 extends from an intermediate portion of a width of one of the two side portions 12 through an intermediate portion of a width of the rear portion 13 to an intermediate portion of a width of the other two side portion 12 of the head strap 1. The slit 14 divides each of the two side portions 12 into an upper side section 121 and a lower side section 122 and divides the rear portion 13 into an upper rear section 131 and a lower rear section 132. Each of the two ends 11 of the head strap 1 is wound around one of the coupling portions 21 of the body 2 to form a folding section 123.
Each of the two buckles 3 is mounted on one of the folding sections 123. Each of the two buckles 3 configured to permit adjustment of a length of one of the folding sections 123 and to permit adjustment of clamping tightness of the head strap 1. The upper side section 121 of each of the two side portions 12 of the head strap 1 extends upward from behind one of the two buckles 3. The lower side section 122 of each of the two side portions 12 of the head strap 1 extends from behind one of the two buckles 3 and extends below the upper side section 121 of one of the two side portions 12 of the head strap 1.
A portion of the upper side section 121 and a portion of the lower side section 122 of each of the two side portions 12 of the head strap 1 are adapted to clamp one of the two sides of the head of the wearer and are adapted to extend away from each other to form a larger spacing 124 therebetween when the head strap 1 is worn on the head of the wearer. The upper rear section 131 and the lower rear section 132 of the rear portion 13 of the head strap 13 are adapted to clamp the back of the head of the wearer and are adapted to extend away from each other to form a larger spacing 133 therebetween when the head strap 1 is worn on the head of the wearer. The slit 14 permits formation of the spacings 124 and 133 to increase the wearing stability.
FIG. 3 shows swimming goggles of a second embodiment according to the present invention including a head strap 1, a body 2, and two buckles 3. The body 2 includes two sides. Each of the two sides of the body 2 includes a coupling portion 21. The body 2 is adapted to be worn on a face of a wearer. The head strap 1 of the second embodiment is substantially the same as the head strap 1 of the first embodiment. Each of the two buckles 3 is mounted on one of the two coupling portions 21 of the body 2. Each of the two ends 11 of the head strap 1 is wound around one of the two buckles 3 to form a folding section 123. Each of the two buckles 3 is configured to permit adjustment of the length of one of the folding sections 123 and to permit adjustment of clamping tightness of the head strap 1.
The upper side section 121 of each of the two side portions 12 of the head strap 1 extends upward from behind one of the two buckles 3. The lower side section 122 of each of the two side portions 12 of the head strap 1 extends from behind one of the two buckles 3 and extends below the upper side section 121 of one of the two side portions 12 of the head strap 1. A portion of the upper side section 121 and a portion of the lower side section 122 of each of the two side portions 12 of the head strap 1 are adapted to clamp one of the two sides of the head of the wearer and are adapted to extend away from each other to form a larger spacing 124 therebetween when the head strap 1 is worn on the head of the wearer. The upper rear section 131 and the lower rear section 132 of the rear portion 13 of the head strap 1 are adapted to clamp the back of the head of the wearer and are adapted to extend away from each other to form a larger spacing 133 therebetween when the head strap 1 is worn on the head of the wearer. The slit 14 permits formation of the spacings 124 and 133 to increase the wearing stability.
The head strap 1 of the present invention is shorter than the conventional head straps to reduce the costs while permitting easy assembly. The upper side section 121 and the lower side section 122 of each of the two side portions 12 can be pulled away from each other to provide the wearing stability as conventional head straps. The length of each folding section 123 of the head strap 1 can be adjusted while adjusting the clamping tightness of the upper and lower side sections 121 and 122 of the two side portions 12 and the upper and lower rear sections 131 and 132 of the rear portion 13, which is more convenient than the conventional head straps.
Buckles 3 of other types can be used. Furthermore, the head strap 1 can be of other shapes and do not have to be stretchable.
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. A head strap for swimming goggles, with the head strap being elongated and made of a soft material,

with the head strap comprising two ends, a rear portion, and two side portions,

each of the two side portions located between the rear portion and one of the two ends and adapted to be located on one of two sides of a head of a wearer wearing the head strap,

the rear portion of the head strap adapted to be located on a back of the head of the wearer,

a slit extending from an intermediate portion of a width of one of the two side portions through an intermediate portion of a width of the rear portion to an intermediate portion of a width of another of the two side portions of the head strap,

the slit dividing each of the two side portions into an upper side section and a lower side section and dividing the rear portion into an upper rear section and a lower rear section, wherein the upper side section and the upper rear section are placed above ears, and the lower side section and the lower rear section are placed below the ears,

a portion of the upper side section and a portion of the lower side section of each of the two side portions of the head strap adapted to clamp one of the two sides of the head of the wearer and adapted to extend away from each other when the head strap is worn on the head of the wearer, and

the upper rear section and the lower rear section of the rear portion of the head strap adapted to clamp the back of the head of the wearer and adapted to extend away from each other when the head strap is worn on the head of the wearer.

2. Swimming goggles comprising:

a body including two sides,

with each of the two sides of the body including a coupling portion, and the body adapted to be worn on a face of a wearer;

a head strap made of a soft material,

with the head strap being elongated and including two ends, a rear portion, and two side portions,

each of the two side portions located between the rear portion and one of the two ends and adapted to be located on one of two sides of the head of the wearer,

the slit dividing each of the two side portions into an upper side section and a lower side section and dividing the rear portion into an upper rear section and a lower rear section,

the upper rear section and the lower rear section of the rear portion of the head strap adapted to clamp the back of the head of the wearer and adapted to extend away from each other when the head strap is worn on the head of the wearer, and

each of the two ends of the head strap wound around one of the coupling portions of the body to form a folding section; and

two buckles,

each of the two buckles mounted on one of the folding sections,

each of the two buckles configured to permit adjustment of a length of one of the folding sections and to permit adjustment of clamping tightness of the head strap,

the upper side section of each of the two side portions of the head strap extending upward from behind one of the two buckles, and

the lower side section of each of the two side portions of the head strap extending from behind one of the two buckles and extending below the upper side section of one of the two side portions of the head strap.

3. Swimming goggles comprising:

a body including two sides,

with each of the two sides of the body including a coupling portion, and

the body adapted to be worn on a face of a wearer;

a head strap made of a soft material,

the head strap being elongated and including two ends, a rear portion, and two side portions,

the upper rear section and the lower rear section of the rear portion of the head strap adapted to clamp the back of the head of the wearer and adapted to extend away from each other when the head strap is worn on the head of the wearer; and

two buckles, with each of the two buckles mounted on one of the two coupling portions of the body,

with each of the two ends of the head strap wound around one of the two buckles to form a folding section,