WO1997006759A1 - Systeme de ventilation pour lunettes de protection - Google Patents

Systeme de ventilation pour lunettes de protection Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1997006759A1
WO1997006759A1 PCT/US1996/013241 US9613241W WO9706759A1 WO 1997006759 A1 WO1997006759 A1 WO 1997006759A1 US 9613241 W US9613241 W US 9613241W WO 9706759 A1 WO9706759 A1 WO 9706759A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
apertures
lens
goggle
user
vent
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US1996/013241
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
David T. Robrahn
Original Assignee
Scott Usa Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Scott Usa Inc. filed Critical Scott Usa Inc.
Publication of WO1997006759A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997006759A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F9/00—Methods or devices for treatment of the eyes; Devices for putting-in contact lenses; Devices to correct squinting; Apparatus to guide the blind; Protective devices for the eyes, carried on the body or in the hand
    • A61F9/02—Goggles
    • A61F9/028—Ventilation means

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to a ventilation system for a goggle, and it relates more particularly to a system in which a goggle lens is provided with a series of closely spaced generally trapezoidally-shaped apertures disposed along the upper edge of the lens such that improved movement of air across the inner surface of the lens is achieved thereby preventing fogging.
  • Goggles are an important accessory to wear when participating in sports such as motorcycle racing or snow skiing, for example. In such sports, it is common for the participant to travel at such speeds as to cause air to be rushed against the participant's face. With the use of goggles, the eyes of the participant can be protected against tearing and normal unimpeded vision is made possible. Also, the eyes can be protected against snow, dust or foreign debris as could cause the participant to completely lose vision temporarily, making the sport dangerous for the participant.
  • Goggles have long been in use comprising a frame which is contoured to be held by a suitable strap against the forehead and upper cheeks of the user's face with a bridge over the user's nose.
  • the frame may support a unitary lens or a double lens arrangement which is spaced forwardly of the user's eyes defining a goggle cavity between the face and lens.
  • perspiration from the uses's face can create a condition of moisture-laden air within the goggle cavity which can condense on the inside lens surface tending to impair the vision of the user. This condition is commonly known as fogging.
  • the frame of the goggle is provided with a series of openings formed in the upper ridge of the frame proximate the forehead of the user, and openings in the frame may also be provided along lower portions of the frame adjacent the cheeks of the user.
  • the openings are typically covered with a porous foam material which will transmit air but not foreign matter.
  • vent apertures are provided in an array across the upper margin of the lens, in addition to the above- described vent openings in the top and bottom of the frame.
  • This use of vent apertures in the lens offers the advantage of allowing rushing air directed against the front surface of the lens to be forced into the goggle cavity thereby serving to more positively displace moisture-laden air within the cavity.
  • Goggle vent systems using lens vent apertures characteristically use round apertures for vents. This is so because the vent apertures are punched through the lens in manufacture using standard punch tools which are commercially available only in round form.
  • vent apertures While it is economical to use round punch tools in the manufacture of vented lenses, a disadvantage of such a lens construction is that the apertures must be spaced from one another by a sufficient separation dimension as to leave enough lens material between the apertures such that the structural integrity of the lens in the area of the vent apertures is not compromised. In so doing, only a relatively few number of vent apertures may be formed in the lens. In this regard, it is also important in the manufacture of vented lenses to limit the vent aperture array to a configuration which will not obstruct the vision of the goggle user or otherwise create an annoying distraction as the user normally looks through the lens. As a conseguence, the resulting overall vent area of a typical vented lens is necessarily limited in size by the use of round vent apertures.
  • a ventilation system for a goggle wherein a goggle lens is formed with a maximum of vent aperture area without obstructing the vision of the goggle user or otherwise creating an annoying distraction to normal viewing. It is further desirable to provide such a ventilation system wherein the lens is fabricated with vent apertures having an arrangement which does not impair the structural integrity of the lens. Still further, it is desirable to provide a lens having vent apertures formed in such an array as to be aesthetically pleasing in appearance and does not detract from the overall appearance of the goggle.
  • the present invention improves over the prior art by providing an improved ventilation system for a goggle wherein the goggle is of the type having a frame which is contoured to conform to the face of a user and bridges the user's nose.
  • the frame supports at least one lens and cooperates with the lens and face of the user to define an internal goggle cavity.
  • a plurality of apertures are formed in the lens in an array disposed along an upper marginal portion of the lens and configured to be substantially imperceptible to the user during normal use of the goggle.
  • the apertures are non-circular in shape and preferably trapezoidal such that they are separated by strips of lens material having a substantially uniform width extending from top to bottom of the marginal portion.
  • the apertures provide improved venting of the goggle cavity as ambient air is forced through the apertures into the cavity and out through one or more vent openings provided in the frame. Fogging of the lens by condensation of moisture-laden air within the cavity is thereby minimized.
  • the non-circular shape of the apertures permits the effective size of the aperture openings to be maximized without unduly weakening the lens or impairing the view of the user.
  • FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a goggle having a ventilation system constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and illustrating the function of the ventilation system;
  • FIG. 3 is a front view of a prior art lens used in a goggle.
  • FIG. 4 is a front view of a goggle lens constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • a goggle constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10.
  • the goggle is of a type particularly well-suited for use in the sports of motorcycle racing and snow skiing, or the like, wherein the eyes of the user need to be protected against rushing air, dust, snow, or foreign debris.
  • a main component of the goggle 10 is a frame 12 constructed of a suitable flexible rubber or plastic material and configured to generally conform to the shape of the user's face with a bridge portion 14 supported by the user's nose.
  • a suitable foam material 16 may be adhered to the frame to provide a comfortable seal between the frame 12 and face of the user.
  • An elastic strap 18 and buckle arrangement 20 is attached to opposite sides of the frame 12 and is dimensioned to extend around the back of the user's head to hold the goggle 10 in place.
  • the illustrated goggle 10 is of a type having a unitary lens 22 extending across the user's normal complete line of vision and secured to the frame 12 in a well-known manner.
  • This type of goggle has been well-received by sports enthusiasts, over double lens goggles, for example, for maximizing the user's angle and range of sight while fully protecting the eyes during the sporting activity.
  • the lens 22 is preferably formed from a relatively rigid, transparent material such as propionate, butyrate or polycarbonate, and may be suitably tinted to reduce glare.
  • an array of apertures 24 extend across an upper marginal portion 26 of the lens 22.
  • the frame 12 and lens 22 of the goggle cooperate with the face of the user to define an internal goggle cavity 30.
  • the goggle cavity 30 may become filled with moisture-laden air as a result of perspiration of the user.
  • a ventilation system for the goggle 10 wherein ambient air rushing against the forward surface of the lens 22 is admitted into the cavity 30 through the lens apertures 24 and exits the cavity 30 through vent openings 32 and 34 which may be formed in upper and lower portions, respectively, of the frame 12.
  • This venting system serves to minimize condensation of moist air on the inner surface of the lens 22 which is a condition known as fogging.
  • a suitable porous foam material 36 disposed inside the goggle frame and is preferably used to cover the apertures 24 and openings 32 and 34 to allow passage of air but prevent foreign matter from entering the cavity 30.
  • a prior art goggle lens is designated 22'.
  • apertures 24' are provided along an upper marginal portion 26' of the lens 22' to admit air into the goggle cavity.
  • these apertures 24' have been typically formed with a circular shape, for reasons as detailed above. It can be appreciated that by using circular shaped apertures 24', the apertures 24' must be spaced from one another by a sufficient separation dimension as to allow for enough lens material to avoid weakening the lens 22' unduly in the area of the apertures 24' In this regard, it is desirable to construct the lens such that it has adeguate impact resistance against debris or the like which might strike the lens while the goggle is in normal use. Moreover, with circular apertures 24' spaced sufficiently to avoid compromising the strength of the lens 22', only a limited number of apertures 24' may be formed in the lens 22', and with relatively limited size, to avoid interfering with the vision of the user.
  • a goggle lens 22 constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention has an upper marginal portion 26 with vent apertures 24 formed in non-circular shapes.
  • these shapes are sguare, rectangular or trapezoidal, such that when the apertures 24 are formed in the lens 22, strips 40 of lens material having a generally uniform width extend between the apertures 24 from top to bottom of the marginal portion 26.
  • the effective total area of the array of apertures 24 can be maximized while assuring that the strength of the lens 22 in the area of the aperture array is not unduly weakened.
  • enhanced ventilation of the goggle cavity 30 is made possible and fogging is minimized.
  • the array of apertures 24 may be configured to provide maximum vent area while also being disposed sufficiently above the normal line of sight of the user such that the apertures 24 do not impair the user's vision or create an annoying distraction.
  • the array of apertures 24 in accordance with the invention has an aesthetically pleasing appearance, which while enhancing ventilation, does not lend an unacceptable mechanical look to the goggle 10.
  • an array of apertures 24 has a generally elongate configuration with the apertures 24 being trapezoidal in shape and diminishing in size in a direction away from the center of the lens 22.
  • maximum ventilation and unimpaired vision can be achieved.
  • apertures having a diameter of 4 millimeters will have an aggregate vent opening area of approximately 200 sq. mm.
  • a lens constructed in accordance with the invention such as is illustrated, for example, in FIG. 4 will have an aggregate vent opening area of approximately 260 sq. mm.
  • an increase in vent area of approximately 23 percent is achieved by the lens of FIG. 4, as compared to the prior art lens of FIG. 3, for the same number of apertures.
  • a ventilation system in accordance with the invention may be utilized advantageously in eyewear such as shields in which a lens is used without a frame conforming tightly to the user's face.
  • a dead air space can exist between the lens and the user's face which can fill with moisture-laden air if the shield is being used in an active sport.
  • a ventilation system of the present invention including non-circular vent apertures arranged along an upper marginal portion of the shield can be quite advantageous in displacing moisture from behind the shield thereby eliminating fogging.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Respiratory Apparatuses And Protective Means (AREA)

Abstract

Système de ventilation pour lunettes de protection, dans lequel un verre (22) de lunette est doté d'une série d'ouvertures (24) de forme générale trapézoïdale étroitement espacées, disposées le long du bord supérieur du verre, de manière à obtenir une amélioration du mouvement de l'air sur la surface interne du verre afin d'empêcher la formation de buée.
PCT/US1996/013241 1995-08-15 1996-08-15 Systeme de ventilation pour lunettes de protection WO1997006759A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US51519695A 1995-08-15 1995-08-15
US08/515,196 1995-08-15

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1997006759A1 true WO1997006759A1 (fr) 1997-02-27

Family

ID=24050343

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US1996/013241 WO1997006759A1 (fr) 1995-08-15 1996-08-15 Systeme de ventilation pour lunettes de protection

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO1997006759A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2805153A1 (fr) * 2000-02-22 2001-08-24 Yamamoto Kogaku Lunettes de protection
EP1164989A1 (fr) * 1999-03-05 2002-01-02 Scott USA, Inc. Lunettes pour le sport et des conditions defavorables
WO2013012928A2 (fr) * 2011-07-19 2013-01-24 Smith Optics, Inc. Lunettes de protection et assemblages de verre présentant une ventilation réglable obstruant peu la vue
DE10108086B4 (de) * 2000-02-22 2015-12-17 Yamamoto Kogaku Co., Ltd. Schutzbrille

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4571748A (en) * 1983-01-24 1986-02-25 Scott Usa Limited Partnership Frameless goggle and method of making the same
US4653124A (en) * 1985-07-16 1987-03-31 Scott Usa Face mask having an air duct connectable to a goggle
US4707863A (en) * 1983-01-24 1987-11-24 Scott Usa Limited Partnership Anti-fog goggle with foam frame

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4571748A (en) * 1983-01-24 1986-02-25 Scott Usa Limited Partnership Frameless goggle and method of making the same
US4707863A (en) * 1983-01-24 1987-11-24 Scott Usa Limited Partnership Anti-fog goggle with foam frame
US4653124A (en) * 1985-07-16 1987-03-31 Scott Usa Face mask having an air duct connectable to a goggle

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1164989A1 (fr) * 1999-03-05 2002-01-02 Scott USA, Inc. Lunettes pour le sport et des conditions defavorables
EP1164989A4 (fr) * 1999-03-05 2003-08-20 Scott Usa Lunettes pour le sport et des conditions defavorables
FR2805153A1 (fr) * 2000-02-22 2001-08-24 Yamamoto Kogaku Lunettes de protection
US6601240B2 (en) 2000-02-22 2003-08-05 Yamamoto Kogaku Co., Ltd. Goggles
DE10108086B4 (de) * 2000-02-22 2015-12-17 Yamamoto Kogaku Co., Ltd. Schutzbrille
WO2013012928A2 (fr) * 2011-07-19 2013-01-24 Smith Optics, Inc. Lunettes de protection et assemblages de verre présentant une ventilation réglable obstruant peu la vue
WO2013012928A3 (fr) * 2011-07-19 2013-04-25 Smith Optics, Inc. Lunettes de protection et assemblages de verre présentant une ventilation réglable obstruant peu la vue
US8938819B2 (en) 2011-07-19 2015-01-27 Smith Optics, Inc. Protective goggles and lens assemblies with adjustable ventilation having reduced visual obstruction
US9009874B2 (en) 2011-07-19 2015-04-21 Smith Optics, Inc. Protective goggles and lens assemblies with adjustable ventilation having reduced visual obstruction

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