WO2011101663A1

WO2011101663A1 - Goggle attachment

Info

Publication number: WO2011101663A1
Application number: PCT/GB2011/050283
Authority: WO
Inventors: Philip John Mudd; Janice Sylvia Mudd
Original assignee: Philip John Mudd; Janice Sylvia Mudd
Priority date: 2010-02-17
Filing date: 2011-02-15
Publication date: 2011-08-25
Also published as: GB201102655D0; GB2477928A; GB2478050B; GB201002688D0; GB2478050A; EP2536368A1

Abstract

A goggle attachment for coupling to goggles is provided comprising a band of material. The attachment is coupled to the goggles such that when the goggles are worn by a user with a helmet, the attachment is positioned above the goggles and below the helmet to fill any gap that may exist between the goggles and the helmet. The band of material may be made of fabrics or any material that would act to restrict or inhibit the flow of cold air to the forehead of a user, or deflect it therefrom, to keep the forehead warm, and/or dry and/or away from sunlight and the elements when the attachment is used with goggles and a helmet during outdoor sports.

Description

GOGGLE ATTACHMENT

The present invention relates to an attachment for use with goggles, in particular, it relates to an attachment for use with goggles used by participants in high speed outdoor sports.

Goggles for use in protecting the eyes of participants in high speed outdoor sports, such as skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiiing, motocross and cycling, aire well known. In such sports, it is important to protect the eyes from potential damage that may be caused by dirt particles entering the eye and to shield the eyes from high winds which would cause discomfort. In snow sports, it is also important to protect the participants eyes from the cold winds and from sunlight reflected from the snow.

A conventional pair of goggles 10 are shown in Figure 1, The goggles 10 comprise, a. goggle frame 12 that, houses a lens 14, and a strap 16 for securing the goggles 10 to the face of a wearer. The strap 16 is connected to the goggle frame 12 at opposing positions on the goggle frame 12.

The use of protective helmets in sports such as skiing, snowboarding, snowmobiiing, motocross and cycling has increased in recent years. When a helmet is worn with goggles by a participant, a gap may be formed between the top of the frame qf the goggles and the front rim of the helmet .

Figure 2 shows the conventional goggles 10 of Figure 1 worn with a helmet 20, As can be seen in Figure 2, a gap 22 is formed between the gaggles 10 and helmet 20, The gap 22 can allow cold air to contact the forehead of the participant during activity, which can cause discomfort and headaches. This is particularly a. problem in snow sports, where the wind chill on the forehead can be extreme. In order to address this problem, it is known to wear a head band or hat in addition to the helmet and goggles to cover the forehead in the region of the gap. However, this solution is not without its drawbacks, as in the course of. physical exertion, the additional head-band or hat may slip from its position covering the gap between the goggles and the helmet. Also, the additional head-band or hat may interfere with the fit of the helmet and the goggles which is usually a closely arranged fit. Another way in which this problem is addressed is by using a helmet having a so called 'goggle gasket' . A goggle gasket is a piece of fabric, or the like, that fastens on. the inside of the helmet just behind the front rim. of the helmet, so as to extend away from the helmet towards the goggles, thus attempting to fill any gap that may be formed between the goggles and the helmet. However, this solution involves the purchase of a new helmet that is specifically engineered to have a goggle gasket. This is costly as it requires the_. purchase of new equipment. Embodiments of the present invention aim to address at least some of the above problems to some extent.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a goggle attachment for use with goggles, the goggles having a goggle frame for housing a lens, and a securing strap coupled to the goggle frame at first and second Opposing positions for passing around the head of a wearer in use to secure the goggles to the wearer, wherein the goggle attachment comprises; a band of material for coupling to the goggles at a third position adjacent to the first position and at a fourth position adjacent to the second position, such that, when the goggles are worn by a user, the band of material extends between the third and .fourth positions above the top of- the goggle frame.

The band of material may be coupled to the strap at the third and fourth positions. Alternatively, the band of material may be coupled to the goggle frame at this third and fourth positions.

The goggle attachment may further comprise first coupling means for coupling the band of material to the strap or goggle frame at. the third position and second coupling means for coupling the band of material to the strap or goggle frame at the fourth position.

The first and second coupling means may secure the band of material above the top edge of the strap at the third and fourth positions, such that the attachment extends away from a top edge of the strap. The first and second

coupling means may comprise fasteners such as, but not limited to contact fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, Velcro (RTM) , clips, press studs, button and slot

arrangements, hook-and-eye, tape, cable or other ties, staple, hook, buckle, catch, grip, elastic, or loop and/or toggle.

The band of material may form a continuous loop.

When the loop of material is coupled to the strap, one end of the loop of material may extend around top and bottom edges of the strap at the third position, and another end of the loop of material may extend around top and bottom edges of the strap at the fourth position.

When the loop or band of material is coupled to the goggle frame, the first and second coupling means may be hooks, buttons, studs or protuberances on the goggle frame with which the loop or band of material engages., or are apertures, depressions or grooves into which a toggle, stud, button or other feature of the attachment locates. The band {or loop} of material may be made of fabric or any other suitable material or substance and may be elastic. The band (or loop) may be a tube or hose and/or may be arranged to receive an insert which may be made of foam or wire or any other suitable material which provides shape. The band or loop may also have a sleeve around it, for providing extra volume, or comfort. The goggle

attachment and/or insert may be shaped to fit the contours of the top of the goggle frame and/or the forehead of a wearer. In one, preferred arrangement the goggle

attachment may comprise an elongate shape which is wider, and/or thicker, in a middle region than at its ends. The goggle attachment may be semi-rigid.

The goggle attachment may comprise a strip of material. The strip of material may have a fastener, such as a contact fastener, and more preferably a Velcro (RTM) fastener, at each end.

Preferably, when the goggle attachment is used with goggles and an article of headgear, such as a helmet or hat, the attachment is coupled to the goggles such that when the goggles are worn by a user with the headgear, the attachment is positioned above the. goggles and below the headgear to fill a. gap between the goggles and the

headgear. The goggle attachment may be permanently attached to the goggles. The goggle attachment may be integrally formed with the goggles. The goggle attachment may be integrally formed, with the strap of the goggles. The goggle attachment may be arranged to locate at least partly in a groove or recess in the goggles.

The invention may comprise any combination of the features^; and/or limitations referred to herein, except combinations of such features as are mutually exclusive.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the

accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a prior art pair of goggles; Figure 2 illustrates the conventional goggles of

Figure 1 worn with, a helmet;

Figure 3 illustrates a goggle attachment according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure. 4 is a side view of the attachment of the first embodiment in use with goggles;

Figure 5 is a side view of the attachment with

additional coupling means;

Figure 6 is a top view of the attachment of the first embodiment in use with goggles;

Figure 7 illustrates the attachment in use with goggles and a helmet;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the attachment in use with goggles; Figure 9 shows an alternative embodiment of goggle attachment, in accordance with the invention;

Figure 10 shows a still further embodiment of goggle attachment, in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 11 shows a yet further embodiment. Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention in which the attachment 30 comprises a band of material in the form of a loop. The band of material may be made of fabric, and may be of any material that would act to restrict or inhibit the flow of cold air to the forehead of a user, or deflect it therefrom, to keep the forehead warm, and/or dry and/or away from sunlight and the elements when the attachment is used with goggles and a hat, or other article Of headgear, such as a helmet, during outdoor sports. The band may be of knitted material but could alternatively be of & woven, non-woven or other material. Figure 4 illustrates a side view of the attachment 30 of the embodiment in use with goggles 10» The goggles 10 have a goggle frame 12 for housing a lens 14. A strap 16 is coupled to the goggle frame 12 at opposing positions on the goggle frame 12, in order to secure the goggles 10 to the face of a user. The opposing positions (first and second opposing positions} are located on right and left opposing portions of the goggle frame 1.2. An integral gasket 18 is provided around the periphery of the goggle frame 12, which contacts the face of a user. The gasket 18 may be made of foam or any other suitable material that would act to seal the goggles 10 to the face of a User and improve comfort.

The band is coupled to the strap 16 at opposing

positions that are adjacent to where the strap 16 is attached the goggle frame 12. Specifically, the attachment 30 is coupled to the strap 16 at third and fourth

positions, adjacent to the first and second opposing positions where the strap 16 is coupled tq the goggle frame 12. It should be understood that the term adjacent is used to mean lying near to or close to the position at which the strap 16 is coupled in the goggle frame 12.

Though not clearly shown in. Figure 4, the loop of attachment 30 is located with the strap 16 extending away from the goggle frame 12 and through the loop, such that the loop extends around the top edge of the strap 42 and the bottom edge of the strap 44 at the third and fourth positions. It is the engagement of the band with the top and bottom edges of the strap that couples th$ attachment to the strap in this embodiment. With the attachment coupled to the strap 16 at the third and fourth positions, the band extends between the third position and the fourth position.

When the attachment is used with goggles and helmet, a user will first place the helmet into position on the head The goggles, with the attachment in place as described above, will be manoeuvred into place by placing the scrap around the back portion of the helmet while the goggle frame is lowered over the face into the correct position. The action of lowering the goggle frame into position causes the attachment to become positioned above the top of the goggle frame when the goggles are in place. The attachment therefore fills any gap created between the goggles and the helmet.

Figure 5 shews an alternative arrangement of the attachment 30 in which in addition to the band of material, the attachment further comprises coupling means 40 that connect opposing sides of the loop above the top edge of the strap 42. With opposing sides of the loop connected above the strap, the band is forced to a position where i.t extends away from the top edge of the strap 42. The coupling means 40 act to ensure that when a user manoeuvres the goggles into place., with the attachment coupled to the goggles, the attachment is more easily located in the desired position above the top of the goggle frame. The coupling means 40 may be an elastic band or the like wrapped around the opposing sides of the loop. The elastic band may be arranged such that it engages with itself to hold the attachment in position. Alternatively, the coupling means 40 may also be a clip or any other fastening means that are suitable for coupling the opposing sides of the loop above the top edge of the strap 42.

In one embodiment, not shown, the coupling means include a surface or a toggle arranged to bear a logo, pattern or trademark.

In the case where the coupling means is ah elastic band that includes a surface or toggle, the coupling means may be arranged to couple the attachment, to the strap by wrapping around opposing sides of the loop such that the elastic band engages with the surface or toggle to hold the attachment in position. The attachment may be coupled to the goggles by any means suitable for coupling the attachment to the strap. For example, the attachment may be coupled to the strap by any method of fastening including, but not limited to any knot, clip, press studs, a button and slot arrangement, hook-and-eye, hook-and-loop, tape, cable or other tie, staple, hook, buckle, catch, grip, elastic, loop and/or toggle, glue, velcro (RTM) or the attachment may be

stitched to the goggle strap. Alternatively, instead of being coupled to the goggle strap, the attachment may be coupled directly to the goggle frame at positions adjacent to where the strap couples to the goggle frame. In this arrangement, any of the above mentioned coupling means may be used to couple the

attachment to the goggle frame. The attachment may be coupled to the goggle frame by any means of fastening including engagement with hooks or protuberances or the like located on the goggle frame or by means of an

aperture, depression or groove into which a toggle, button or other feature of the attachment may locate.

Figure 6 shows a top view of the attachment 30 in use with goggles 10. As can be seen from Figure 6, the

attachment extends between the third and fourth positions to which it is attached to the strap 16. Also, as can be seen in Figure 6, the attachment 30 is positioned above the top of the goggle frame 12.

Figure 7 illustrates the attachment 30 in use with goggles 10 and a helmet 20. As can be seen in Figure 7, the attachment 30 is coupled to the goggles such that it sits above the goggle frame and fills the gap between the goggles 10 and. the helmet 20.

Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating the attachment 30 in use with goggles 10. As can be seen from Figure 8, the attachment 30 is coupled to the strap 16 at positions adjacent to where the strap is attached to the goggle frame 12, The attachment 30 is coupled to the strap such that it extends above the goggle frame 12 between the positions to which it is attached to the goggles 10.

Therefore, when that arrangement of Figure 3 is worn by a user with e.g. a helmet (not shdwn) the attachment 30 is located in the gap between the goggle 10 and the helmet.

As will be apparent to the person skilled in the art, the goggle attachment of the present invention cah be adapted in various ways, while still achieving the desired effect. For example, the band of material may be a linear band, rather than a loop. In this configuration, the attachment may comprise first and second coupling means to attach the band at the third and fourth positions. The coupling means may be any form of fastening means that are suitable for coupling the band to the strap. These

fastening means may be any method of fastening including, but not limited to a knot, clip, press studs, a button and slot arrangement, hook-and-eye, hook-and-loop, Velcro

(RTM) , tape, cable or other tie, staple, hook, buckle, catch, grip, elastic, loop and/or toggle, glue or the attachment may be stitched to the goggle strap.

Alternatively, the attachment may be coupled directly to the goggle frame at positions adjacent to where the strap couples to the goggle frame. In this arrangement, any of the above mentioned fastening means may be used to couple the attachment to the goggle frame. The band may be coupled to the goggle frame by engagement with hooks or protuberances, studs or buttons or the like located on the goggle frame or by means of an aperture, depression, stud or groove into which a toggle, stud, button or other feature of the attachment may locate,

The goggle attachment may be arranged to be at least partly located in a groove along a top edge of the goggles. To ensure a positive engagement, the attachment may

comprise a rib or bead for locating in such a groove. The goggle attachment may be arranged to receive an insert, sleeve or both. The insert may be made of foam or some other material suitable for contacting the forehead of a wearer. The attachment, either with the insert or sleeve or without it, may be shaped to fit the contours of the top of the goggle frame and/or the forehead of a wearer in order to improve the fit of the attachment and comfort to a wearer.

Figure 9 shows an alternative embodiment of goggle attachment, in accordance with the present invention. The goggle attachment of Figure 9 comprises an elongate fabric strip 300, which is preferably slightly elastic. The strip 3.00 is wider towards its middle 300a than at its ends 300b. At each end a portion 31.0 of contact fastener, of

preferably hook-and-loop, and more preferably Velcro (RTM) material is glued or sewn to the fabric. On the strap of the goggles (not shown) corresponding portions of contact fastener are secured, so that the goggle attachment 300 may quickly be attached, or detached, from the goggles. The attachment 300 works in much the same way as the previously described embodiment, naturally extending between the sides of the goggles to till any gap between the headgear and the top of the goggles' frame. The wider section 300a provides a better seal against the cold particularly with some types of headgear.

Figure 10 shows a further alternative embodiment: of goggle attachment in accordance with the invention. The attachment of Figure 10 features a sleeve 400 that fits around a band 410. The band 410 may be according to any of the embodiments described above, and may be attachable to the goggles (not shown) in any of the various ways referred to herein. The sleeve 400 is, in this example, of fleece- type material, for added protection against cold. The sleeve may be flexible or stiff. If the sleeve 400 is flexible an optional stiffening element 420, may be

inserted into the sleeve. Here the stiffening element, which may comprise a ribbon or rod of thermoplastics material, is shown by a broker, line.

Figure 11 shows a still further alternative embodiment of goggle attachment in accordance with the invention. The attachment of Figure 11 has an elongate fabric band 506 that is preferably slightly elastic. This embodiment utilises a pair of ties 502, preferably of fabric or elastic, which attach to. the band 500 at opposed ends thereof and also attach to the strap or frame of the goggles (not shown) .

The ties 502 each comprise a narrow strip of material having a slot 502a at one end and a button or bobble 502b at the other end.

In use, the. ties 502 are passed around the strap of the goggles, or else around or through a portion of the goggle frame, whereupon the ends of the ties and the end of the band are joined together using the slots 502a and 504, and buttons 502b.

In a variant of the Figure 11 embodiment (not shown) the ties 502 have slots at both opposed ends thereof and the band 500 has a button or bobble at each end. In use the tie is passed around the goggle strap or frame portion and then both slots in the tie are engaged with the button or bobble on the band 500.

Although the above describes an attachment that can be removably connected to goggles, the attachment may be permanently attached to the goggles. This could be by means of stitching the attachment to the goggle strap, gluing the attachment to either the goggle strap or goggle frame or any other suitable method for permanently fixing the attachment to the goggles.

Also, the goggle attachment could be integrally formed with goggles. The attachment could be formed as an integral part of the goggle strap, or it could be formed as an integral part or the goggle frame.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance, it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of. any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAIMS;

1. A. goggle attachment for use with goggles, the goggles having a goggle frame for housing a lens, and a strap coupled to the goggle frame at first and second opposing positions for passing around the head of a wearer in use, wherein the goggle attachment comprises: a band of material for coupling to the goggles at a third position adjacent to the first position and at a fourth position adjacent to the second position, such that when the goggles are worn by a user, the band of material extends between the third and fourth positions above the top of the goggle frame.

2. The goggle attachment according to claim 1, wherein the band of material is coupled to the strap at the third and fourth positions.

3. The goggle attachment according to claim i, where the band of material is coupled to the goggle frame at th third and fourth positions.

4. The goggle attachment according to any preceding claim, wherein the goggle attachment further comprises first coupling means for coupling the band of material at the third position and second coupling means for coupling the band of material at the fourth position.

5. The goggle attachment according to claim 4, wherein the first and second coupling means secure the band of material above the top edge of the strap at the third and fourth positions, such that the attachment extends away from a top edge of the strap.

6. The goggle attachment according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the first and second coupling means are any of clips, press studs, button and slot arrangements, hook-ahd eye, hook-and-ioop, Veicro (RTM) , tape, cable or other ties, staple, hook, buckle, catch, grip, elastic, or loop and/or toggle, contact fasteners, knot, glue.

The goggle attachment according to any preceding wherein the band of material forma a loop.

8. The goggle attachment according to claim 7, wherein one end of the loop of material extends around top and bottom edges of the strap at the third position, and another end of the loop of material extends around top and bottom edges of the strap at the fourth position.

9. The goggle attachment according to any of claim 7, wherein the first and second coupling means are hooks, buttons, studs, Veicro (RTM) or protuberances on the goggl frame to which the loop Of material engages, or are apertures, depressions or grooves into which a toggle, button or other feature of the attachment locates.

10. The goggle attachment according to any preceding claim, wherein the band of material is made of fabric.

11. A goggle attachment for use with goggles and an. article of headgear, wherein the attachment is coupled to the goggles such that, when the goggles are worn by a user with the headgear, the attachment is positioned above the goggles and below the headgear to fill a gap between the goggles and the

headgear .

12. A coupling means for coupling the goggle attachment of any preceding claim to goggles.