US2139811A - Eye protection device - Google Patents

Description

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EYE PROTECTION DEVICE Filed June 29, 193e 2 sheets-sheet 1 A TTORNEY,

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c. H. DQQKSQN Er AL Zy EYE PROTECTION DEVICE Filed June 29, 193e 2 sheets-sheet 0 i@ @mf A TTG@ Naz/5.

Patented Dec. 13, 1938 STATES PATENT oFFicE Application June 29, 1936, Serial No. 87,854

i 2 Claims.

The present invention relates to eye protection devices and particularly to eye protection goggles used for various purposes.

Prior to the present invention devices of this the wearer. In addition, the use of such castings in manufacturing devices of this class required l that the shell of the goggles be constructed as solidly as possible and required that all openings therein be kept as small as possible. This resulted in impeded side vision opening and in inadequate ventilation inside the goggle.

In addition, these prior devices were not always satisfactory under certain conditions. For example, in the event of a direct blow being received on'the face portion of the lens, cases are known where the rim or bezel was sprung from the eye cup and no clamping action was exerted on the outer edge of the lens, so that when the lens was shattered the glass therein was allowed to fly in various directions. Wherever large openings were provided in eye cups, the eye cups also were easily broken.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an eye protection device which is light in weight and formed of materials having a relatively high tensile strength, and which has the maximum openings required to permit substantially unimpeded side vision and adequate ventilation of the goggles.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an eye protection device which is easily adjusted to meet the requirements of a particular user and in which a positive clamping action is exerted at all times upon the edges of the lens, so that the particles of the lens are held rrnly in place in the device even though the lens may be fractured.

Another object of the invention is to provide an eye protection device which is quickly and easily adjusted by the wearer.

Another object of the invention is to provide an eye protection device having an insulating cushion member interposed between the device and the face of the wearer.

The above and other objectsand advantages of the invention will appear from the following description and appended claims when considered in connectionV with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specication.

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation with parts broken away of an eye protection device embodying the present invention. 5

Fig. 2 is an elevation taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. l in. the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows. 10

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevation taken substantially on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4 in the direc- 15 tion of the arrows.

Fig. 6 is an elevation of one lens of the device embodying the present invention, illustrating the eifect of an impact which shatters the lens.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a modied form of 20 a covering for the eye view openings.

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of a modified form of eye protection device embodying the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation with parts broken away 25 of the eyel protection device shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an elevational view, partially in section, taken substantially on the line Ill-I0 of Fig. 8 in the direction of the arrows.

` Fig. 11 is a sectional View taken substantially on 30 the line H-H of Fig. 8 in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. l2 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 12-12 of Fig. 9 in the direction of the arrows. 35

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary top elevation of an eye cup forming a part of an eye protection device embodying the present invention.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is 40 not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also 45 it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation, and it is not intended to limit the invention claimed herein beyond the requirements of the prior art. 50

Referring tothe drawings and particularly to Fig. l, adevice embodying the present invention comprises a pair of right and left eye cups I0 and Ii, which are joined at the nose portion by an adjustable bridge member !2,Awhich in the pres- 55 ent instance comprises a ball link chain section I3 and a flexible resilient covering I4 which extends over the central portion thereof.

Bezels I5 and I6 are screw threaded to the outer rimsof the cups ID and II, as shown in Fig. 4. The screw threads here provided are relatively large threads so as to pro-vide adequate strengths to withstand shocks and strains without stripping the threads. The device may be maintained on the head of the user by means of an adjustable head band I1 which is secured to the rear edges of the rim portions of the eye cups I and II. YA preferred method of attaching the head band I 1 is shown in Fig. 4 and comprises a slot 20 (Fig. 4) which extends through the rim 2I of the eye cup. The strap I1 may be folded upon itself and fastened as at 22 so as to provide a thickened section which prevents its removal rearwardly through the slot 20. Any suitable adjusting means may be provided on the head band I1 so as to Vadjust the band for various head sizes. The band I1 may be formed of any suitable material such as elastic, webbing, or leather straps or other suitable materials.

A side opening 23 is provided in'each of the eye cups to provide for side vision through the device and also to provide for ventilation inside of the eye cups. In the'embodiment lshown in Figs. 1-6 inclusive, the side opening 23 is closed by a screen section 24, which may be of any suitable mesh or construction depending upon the use to which the device is to be put. The screen may be woven or punched of Monel metal, stainless steel or other material as desired. The screen section 24 is preferably formed as an integral part of the eye cup by casting the eye cup frame around the edges of the preformed screen insert. Additional strength can be imparted to the edge sections if desired, by extending the screen edges to the outer edges of the eye cup frame members. This permits the use of even smaller sections without sacrificing the desired strength in the construction. Also, Bakelite or other synthetic materials may be used when reinforced in this manner. If desired, however, the screen section 24 may be held in a frame and the entire frame secured over the Veye cup opening as by riveting, screws, clamping or other suitable method. As in the drawings,

(Fig. 10), a Ventilating opening may also be pro-V vided in the portion of the eye cup adjoining the bridge portion. Such openings will normally be covered with a screen member similar to the member 24 as previously described or a preformed screen member cast integrally therein.

Lenses 25 and 26 are provided and close the forward portion of the eye cups I0 andII. The lenses are held in place by the bezels I and I6 and are clamped against a flat forward peripheral clamping edge 21 (Fig. 4). The lenses 25 and 26 may be formed of any desired type of transparent rigid material, such as glass, fused quartz, moulded plastics or the like. Y

The bridge member I2 of the device is made readily adjustable by means of openings 30 and slots SI (Fig. 5) provided in theeye cups I0 and I I. The openings 30 are of a sufficient size to permit the passage therethrough of the ball portions of the chain I3, whereas the ball portions cannot pass through the slot 3|. After the desired length of the bridge member I2 has been determined, the ball link chain I3 is cut so as to provide a single ball portion on the inside of the eye cup, as shown in Fig. 4. The `eye cups are pro-V vided with recessed portions 32 so that but approximately one-half of the ball extends inside of the eye cup, so that there is no impairment of vision thereby. The section of the eyecup I0 adjacent the slot 3l is of a thickness which is but slightly less than the distance between successive balls forming the ball chain I3 so that the chain is held tightly in the seat. As here shown, the rims of the bezels I5 and I6 extend over the enlarged part of the slots and hold the ball chain securely in place. n

In the modification shown in Figs. 8-13 inclu sive, the eye protection device consists of eye cups 50 and 5I having bezels 52 and 53 secured thereto.

In the embodiment here shown, the eye cups are joined by a bridge or bar member 56, which is formed of a bendable metallic substance such as brass, nickel, silver, or other suitable material, so that the distance between the eye cups may be adjusted by the user by bending the bridge or bar member 56. The bridge or bar member 56 may be covered with a suitable flexible covering 66, if desired.

The eye protection device'in this embodiment is maintained in place on the user by temples 51 and 58, which, as shown in Fig. 9, are pivotally secured to the eye cups as at 59 so as to permit a Y vertical swinging movement about a pivoting point 59. The temples also are pivoted as at 66' to provideV for a horizontal pivotal movement about the point 60. In this manner the temples are permitted toV movepivotally either vertically or horizontally to accommodate various conditions encountered by various users. The temples are preferably formed of a flexible material which may be bent at the ear-engaging portion so as to vary the effective length of the temples.

The eye protection devices as here shown may be provided with Ventilating openings 6I and 62, which openings may be covered byrsuitable fine mesh screen members 63 and 64,V which are preformed and may be cast as an integral part of the eye cup members. The opening 6I is provided on the outside edge of the eye cups at a point adjacent the point of connection with the temples and the opening 62 is provided in the portion of the eye cup adjacent the nose contacting portion. In this manner cross ventilation may be provided in the interior of the eye cups which prevents steaming of the lenses and adds greatly to the comfort of the user of the devices. Y

The screen members 63 as shown in Fig. 12, may be cast in the eye cup 5I in such a manner as to extend not only across the opening 6I, but also to extend across the frame members forming the eye cup 5I and to act as a reenforcing member which will greatly increase the resistance of the frame members to breakage. The screen members 64 are similarly cast in the frame members and not only cover the opening 52, but also extend through the frame surrounding the opening 62 and act in,

a similar manner as a reenforcing member.

The bridge or bar member 56, as 'shown in Fig.

l1, may comprise a central member covered with a suitable resilient covering 66 which may be formed of rubber or other similar materials. The bridge or bar member 56 is secured at itsends to the top portions of the eye cups, as shown in Fig. 11, so that it does not contact with therface of the user nor impair vision, the function Yof the member 56 being to act as a spacer bar to hold the separate eye cups in a predetermined position.

' The bezels as shownY in the variousV views are provided with suitable raised portions 61 which are cast integrally therein and provide a ready means for gripping the rim portions of the bezel for moving the bezel relative to the eye cups.

In certain uses of the eye protection device herein disclosed, it has been found that a metal section of the eye cup will transmit heat to the face of the user in such a manner as to cause some discomfort. In addition, the use of such devices for a long period of time with the edges of the eye cups in tight contact with the face of the user also causes discomfort. Accordingly, we have provided a face pad 70 (Figs. 12 and 13) which may be formed of rubber or other suitable cushioning material Which is a substantial non-conductor of heat or electricity. The face pad 10 may be used with any form of eye protection devices shown in the drawings and is so formed as to provide a straight wall portion ll which is adapted to t the inner side of the face surface of the eye cup and has a curved groove 'l2 to lit the contour of the outer side of the rim of the eye cup to provide the necessary tension to retain the face pad in place thereon. A rib 'I3 is provided to give added tension to assist in holding the face pad in place. A relatively thick section M is provided at the point of engagement of the face pad with the face of the user to provide the maximum cushioning effect of the device.

The face pad 'l0 may be formed of various types of materials, such for example as soft molded rubber. sponge rubber. and the like. and the rubber may be either gum rubber or synthetic rubber, or the device may be formed of other types of resilient molded materials. The material selected should preferably be a non-conductor of both heat and electricity and should be duickly and easily replaceable.

The face pad 'l0 may be replaced if the devices are to be used by different workers, and since this is the point of principal contact of the devices with the faces of the users, the provision of the face pad l@ permits of easy cleaning. The face pad member 'l0 is provided with a suitable cast slot so that it may be placed upon the device or removed from the device by permitting either the head band or the temple to slide through such slot.

A feature of great importance in a device embodying the present invention is that the side openings 23 or @l in the eye cups I0 and Il or 50 and 5i providing for side vision or for ventilation, may be of such sizes as to provide for maximum vision and ventilation. In a typical embodiment of the invention, the side openings 23 or 6I comprise in excess of approximately forty percent of the total surface area of the half section of the eye cup in which the opening is provided and omitting the area of the thread section. This compares with a maximum opening area of approximately thirty to thirty-live percent of the same surface in conventional types of construction. However, the increased opening area in devices of the present invention has approximated fortyfive percent of such surface without substantial impairment of the strength of the eye cups, Whereas an eye cup of conventional cast construction having openings of approximately thirty to thirtyfive percent of the surface area is substantially impaired in strength and consequently is subjected to excessive breakage.

The foregoing unique features of construction may be achieved as in the present instance by the formation of the eye cups l and ll or 50 and 5I and of the bezels l and i6 or 52 and 53 from die castings, such for example as those formed of light metal alloys. In one preferred embodiment such alloy may contain approximately ninety-two percent magnesium and eight percent of aluminum. Such an alloy has a tensile strength of approximately 22,000 pounds per square inch with an elongation of approximately four percent. This tensile strength of the alloy permits its use to provide the framework of the eye cups I0 and Il or 50 and 5l By actual test, it has been found that the eye cups will stand approximately 150 pounds of dead weight on the side frames having in excess of approximately forty percent of side surface area in the side openings 23 or Bl without fracturing of the frame. It is tlfs extreme strength which permits the use `of such thin cross sections and the provision of such large openings for ventilation and side view through the devices.

Also, the use of this type of construction permits the formation of very accurate screw threads 35 at the point of engagement between the bezels l5 and l or 52 and 53 and the eye cups Il) and il or`5 and 5l. The strength of the screwthreaded portion is such that a blow of suiiicient force to fracture the lenses 25 and 26 will not cause a springing of the bezel or a stripping action on the screw threads 35 with a consequent loosening of the clamp between the bezel and the forward edge of the eye cups on the peripheral edge of the lens.

A condition where a. force has been exerted sufficient to fracture the lens is shown in Fig. 6, and this view illustrates accurately the fact that in using a lens of case-hardened glass or the like construction, the entire lens is clamped securely in place in the device even though it may be broken into separate fragments. This is due to the construction herein provided in which the tensile strength of the screw-threaded portion is greater than the forces required to break the lenses. This result also may be achieved by using bezels of high tensile strength and Wi-de screwthreaded sections on eye cups formed of suitable materials reenforced with .the reenforcing screens as previously described.

The alloy above mentioned is a very light alloy and the entire device here shown is sufliciently light so that when combined with the ventilation, side vision and accurate contour design of the present structure it affords maximum comfort to the user.

In nishing the devices herein disclose-d, it is essential that the finish should pass the standard salt and corrosion tests for metal .devices of this character. A suitable finish of this type has been provided by the use of synthetic baking enamels or similar materials with which the finished metal parts are sprayed and then subjected to baking at elevated temperatures. The finish thus provided is a high gloss finish which is flexible as well as resistant to both salt and corrosion and prevents excessive deterioration of the metal parts.

In the modified form shown in Fig. '7, an insert 40 is provided to enclose the openings 23 or any other openings which may be provided in the eye cup Walls in the event that the device is to be used under circumstances Where an air-tight opening is desired which will permit-the maximum side vision. The member 40 is provided with a frame ell which is shaped to lit tightly into the openings 23 and the frame is covered with a window 42 of transparent material, such as cellulose acetate, or other suitable material. If desired, this member may also be cast integrally in the eye cups as previously described in connection with the screen insert.

If desired, the foregoing described constructions may be modified by providing a single screen member in the general shape of the eye cups and then casting the materials used in forming the eye cups, around and through the openings in the screen member. In this Way the entire body portion of the eye cup structures would be reenforced by the screen member and the one screen member would extend over al1 openings provided in the body portion.

We claim:

1. In an eye protecting device, an eye cup adapted to hold a lens, said cup being made of a light Weight metallic alloy, a reinforcing and comfort rib around the edges of said cup at one of its ends adapted to fit against the faceV of the bearer and formed integrally with said cup, said cup being provided with a ventilation side opening, an-d a ventilation and reinforcing screen covering said opening and case into the material of the Ycup for a substantial distance beyond the edges of said cup at said opening for reinforcing said edges.

V2; In an eye protecting device, an eye cup adapted to hold a lens at one of its ends, said cup being made of a light Weight metallic alloy containing a substantial amount of magnesium, a, reinforcing and comfort rib of substantially round cross section provided on the opposite en-d of said cup and formed integrally therewith, said cup being'provided With a Ventilation side opening, the area of said opening being at least forty percent of the total area of one side surface of said cup,V and a ventilation and reinforcing screen covering said opening and cast into the material of the cup for a substantial distance beyond the edges of said cup at said opening for reinforcing sai-d edges.

CHARLES H. DOCKSON. HAROLD S. DAVIS.

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