Goggle lens engagement system

A locking mechanism to prevent unintentional disengagement of a goggle lens from its frame and allowing for easy changes of the lens when required. The locking mechanism employs translatable clips engaged to the frame which translate toward and away from the lens between engaged and disengaged positions. The engaged position locks the lens in place until the user translates the clip to the disengaged position. A post and slot engagement of each clip to the frame maintains them connected to the frame to prevent loss.

The disclosed system and method relate generally goggles employed over the eyes. More particularly it relates to a goggle adapted for easy replacement of lenses in a sealed engagement with the goggle frame which is easy to employ without losing parts integral the operation of the device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Goggles have been employed to protect the eyes of users and in some cases enhance vision, for many years. When worn by a user for eye protection, goggles are especially well adapted to keep dust, wind, gravel, and other particulate out of the eyes of the user. In dry and windy environments such as with the military in a desert environment, goggles are frequently employed to prevent vision impairment that can be caused by wind drying the eyes and particulate entering the eyes. Further, in most environments, goggles may be employed with lens tinting and polarization to both enhance vision and protect the user's eyes from long term exposure to different light spectrums.

However, in many environments, it is particularly useful if the lens engaged with the goggle frame may be replaced or substituted or temporarily removed. Replacement is frequently required when the lens becomes scratched or otherwise damaged. Temporary removal or a substitution of one lens for another from a plurality of cooperatively engageable lenses is particularly useful when the environment of the user changes their vision requirements. For instance if used in a desert environment by the military, during the day a lens which reduces glare and eye damage from radiation and which enhances vision is particularly useful since a soldier depends upon their eyesight for their well being. However that same user in a nighttime employment of goggles in the same environment, may wish to have a clear lens which allows more light to their eyesight or a partially tinted lens which enhances night vision but would not be particularly useful during daylight. On some occasions a temporary removal of the lens may be desirable to allow for temporary unaltered vision.

In order to allow for removal and replacement some type of lens retainment system is required. Historically goggle lenses have been retained by various locking mechanisms that essential operate by friction. Systems have been employed using tapered openings in the frame adapted for a frictional seal around the perimeter of the lens therein. Additionally methods historically employed for lens retainment include shaped indents, hooks, and bezels that surrounded the entire frame and lens.

The basic problem attempted by such prior art is to securely engage the lens in the goggle frame but also allow for an easy change in the field. While the goal of the retainment-system is easy use, the lens must still be secured to resist disengagement in case of impact upon the lens, or distortion of the conventionally flexible goggle frame by brute force.

In most such prior systems, distortion of the frame if the lens is not mechanically engaged to the frame by other than engagement in a slot, will cause the lens to pop out of the frame. The same disengagement with a frictional seal type lens and goggle will occur upon a sharp impact to the semi-rigid lens.

However, if a mechanical engagement of the lens to the frame is employed, other problems occur in that they can be hard to engage and disengage by the user or hard to employ when the user is wearing gloves. Further, if pins and clips are used to mechanically engage the lens to the frame, once separated from the frame, they tend to become lost rendering the goggle useless.

Accordingly, there is an unmet need for a goggle having a very secure engagement means for the lens to the goggle frame which provides a mechanical mechanism to hold the lens in a secure engagement. While providing a positive lock of the lens to the frame, such a device must also be easy to operate. Such a goggle engagement system should require no tools to operate since goggles are frequently employed in harsh conditions or in military situations not conducive to tool employment. Further, such a device must insure that all parts employed to lock the lens to the goggle frame, resist becoming lost during a lens disengagement.

An object of this invention is the provision of a goggle having a lens which is engaged to the goggle frame by a mechanical lock to thereby resist disengagement of the lens from impacts or from contortions of the flexible goggle frame.

A further object of this invention is to provide such a goggle with a lens retainment system which is easy to operate and requires no tools to engage or disengage a lens with the frame.

An additional object of this invention is the provision of such a goggle and lens retainment system which prevents the loss of lens engagement parts during use or lens replacement.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of the construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed system provides a means for easy interchangeability of lenses in a goggle which overcoming the noted shortcomings of lens dismount and lost parts of the prior art. The device employs a goggle frame and a lens which is dimensioned for a removable sealed engagement with the frame.

Engagement of the lens and frame are insured against an accidental dismount from impacts and contortions of the frame by the employment of a plurality of clips which are slidably engaged to the frame in ramps and translate between an engaged position locking both the lense and clip in position, to a disengaged position where the clip is still in an engagement with the frame to thereby avoid lost parts. A U-shaped first end of the clip is employed to communicate through an aperture in the lens to mechanically hold it in place and a sealed engagement around its periphery.

A second end of the clips are each adapted for retained engagement with the frame during translation and dismount of the lens. In operation, when translated to the disengaged position of the clip, the first end of the clip will disengage from the lens aperture allowing its removal from the frame.

A means for locked engagement of the lens to the frame and clip in the engaged position is provided by a locking mechanism of the clip and frame. Means to maintain the clip engaged to the frame is provided by a recess formed in the ramp in which the clip translates using a member projecting from the second end of the clip engaged in a slot in the ramp. Once in the engaged position the member locks into an elastic locking aperture and must be forcibly pulled therefrom with sufficient force to overcome the grip of the locking aperture on the member protruding from the clip.

The low profile design of the clip and translation within a ramp formed into the surface of the frame is also especially preferred. This recessed translational engagement maintains the exposed surface of the clip from interfering with a helmet worn by the user. Helmet wear is also aided by provision of rotationally engaged strap mounts which allow for engagement at a wide variety of angles.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the device and method herein in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction, and to the arrangement of the components or method steps set forth in the description herein. The invention is thus capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways as would occur to those skilled in the art once they have read this disclosure.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the disclosed goggle with removably engageable lens in a positive lock is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other methods for carrying out the purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent construction insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Also with respect to the disclosure herein, it is to be realized that the optimum relationships for the method and hardware herein are to include variations in function and manner of operation, steps in operation and use, which are readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. Therefore, the disclosure herein is considered as illustrative only of the key principles of the invention yielding the improved operation thereof. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents which may be resorted to by those skilled in the art are considered to fall within the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings inFIGS. 1-8singularly or in combination, wherein similar parts are identified by like reference numerals, some preferred embodiments of the device10disclosed herein in current preferred modes are shown and described.

As seen in the front perspective view ofFIG. 1the device employs a goggle frame12and lens14which is adapted for a removable sealed engagement with the frame12and to be held securely using a plurality of clips16which are slidably engaged to the frame12in ramps13to provide translation between an engaged position shown inFIG. 6to a disengaged position ofFIG. 8. Each clip16has a first end18adapted for engagement with the exterior surface of the lens14once the clip16is translated to and engaged position with the frame12as shown inFIGS. 5-6from the disengaged position ofFIG. 8. Currently the preferred mode of engagement of the first end18of the clip16to the lens14employs an engagement of the portion of the first end18through an aperture20communicating through the lens14which is located adjacent to the periphery edge of the lens14.

The clips16have a second end22which is adapted for retained engagement with the frame12. The clip12employs a novel means to maintain engagement with the frame12while in the disengaged position and thereby maintains the clips16connected to the frame12while the lens14is disengaged or being replaced with another lens14and prevents the clip16from becoming lost. This is a most important feature as noted since the device10is employed for use in some very unfavorable conditions. In operation, when translated to the disengaged position ofFIG. 8, the first end18of the clip16disengages from the aperture20in the lens14allowing its removal from the frame12. Sliding the clip16is accomplished by the user's finger imparting a lateral force on the top side of the clip16in a depression17to slide it in the ramp13. While a frictional engagement with the top of the clip may work, providing the depression17allows the user to impart more lateral force in the direction of the slide of the clip16intended.

Substitution of another lens14from a plurality of lenses available or replacement of the lens14with another lens14is in reverse of removal. The lens14is placed in a sealed engagement with the frame12which in the current preferred mode is engaging the tab31of the lens14into a recess19formed into the frame12. The recess19provides means for sealed engagement of the lens14with the frame12to form an interior chamber between the face of a user and the lens14and the frame12engaged on the face.

As noted, the sealed engagement of the lens14is subject to unwanted disengagement from impact and deformation. When mounting the lens14with the frame12, a means for locked engagement of the lens14to the frame12is provided by translating the clip16to the engaged position ofFIG. 6with the first end18communicating through the aperture20of the lens14. Means to maintain the clip16engaged to the frame12when disengaged is provided by a recess30formed in the ramp13. The recess30has flexible top covering sidewalls overhanging the recess30with a gap21therebetween and maintains the clip16engaged to the frame12using a member26projecting from the second end22. The member26has a distal end28which is preferably tapered toward a ridge34projecting from the exterior circumference35of the lower portion of the member26. The ridge34is slightly larger than the gap21between the flexible overhanging sidewalls at the top of the recess30such that once it stretches the sidewalls to project the distal end28into the recess30past the ridge34, subsequently the member26is not easily removed but will still slide in the recess30to allow translation between the engaged and disengaged positions.

In operation as the clip16is slid toward the user forehead or second end22by the finger of the user, to translate the clip16to the engaged position, the second end22of the clip will flex slightly and allow the distal end28of the member26on the clip16to project through a locking aperture36depending into the bottom surface of the recess30. The diameter of the locking aperture36is elastic in nature such that it will stretch to allow the tapered end of the member26to stretch over it and allow the larger ridge34to engage through the locking aperture36. This engagement of the ridge34with the locking aperture36is maintained until sufficient lateral force is imparted on the clip16to slide it to the disengaged position and to concurrently pull on the member26to stretch the locking aperture36over the projecting ridge34to thereby release the distal end of the member26to allow it to translate toward the first end18. Absent sufficient lateral force to release the member26from the locking aperture36, the clip16will remain locked in the engaged position with the first end18engaged through the aperture20in the lens14locking it in place also.

Thus engagement of the distal end of the member26with the locking aperture36provides means to lock the clip16in the engaged position to maintain the lens14locked in the frame12. Engagement of the distal end of the member16within the recess30provides means to maintain the clip16in engagement with the frame12when translated to the disengaged position to allow lens14removal and/or replacement.

Thus, the locking clip16provides a manner to overcome the noted easy disengagement of the lens14from the frame12on impact or distortion of the flexible frame12suffered by conventional goggles. The engagement of the clip12in the recess30during translation back and forth, provides a manner to keep the clip16from becoming lost when the lens14is disengaged. Both functions as noted are extremely important in the hostile environment where goggles are employed and lost or accidentally disengaged parts can render the device useless.

The low profile design of the clip16and translation within a ramp13in the surface of the frame12, is also especially preferred in the device10. In a military or motorcycle use, or other uses where a helmet is worn, the clip16and resulting locking system and the means to maintain engagement of the clip with the frame12, in a low-profile provided by the recessed ramp engagement. This recessed translational engagement maintains the exposed surface of the clip16from projecting too far above the upper exterior surface of the goggle frame12where it might impede the wearing of a helmet by interfering with the front edge of the helmet were it to project above the top surface.

The device10herein can thus be practiced by forming or placing the lens locking and maintaining components on a conventional goggle frame already in existence or can be formed as a complete unit with the lens locking components formed into the goggle frame12as noted above. If employed as a lens locking system on a conventional goggle, the recess30with the overhanging top wall can be formed in the top surface of the goggle body12and sized to engage the ridge34at the distal end of a clip16. This engagement as with the combined device10above, provides means to maintain the clips16in contact with the frame12and not become lost. Provision of the locking aperture36at the rear of the recess30will likewise provide means to maintain the clips16locked in the engaged position allowing the first ends18of the clips16to hold the lens14in its sealed engagement with the frame12.

Additionally, since the lenses14of the device10have the apertures20formed to align with the ramps13formed on the frame12, and have registration tabs31located on the periphery that line up with frontal portions of the ramps13, it is especially easy, even in a dark or otherwise vision-impaired environment, to change the lens14. The tabs31are positioned to extend from the edge of the lens14and engage respective ramps13and thereby align the lens14for clip engagement. Thus, any lens14from a supply or kit of lenses14having the same tabs31and apertures20positioned for such alignment with the ramps13will easily drop into place even using the fingers in a no-light situation since the user can feel the tab and ramp engagement.

Once so aligned, the user thus will impart lateral force on the clip16to engage them through the apertures20and subsequently lock the clips16and lens14in a registered sealed engagement with the frame12.

Finally, to aid in maintaining a good seal with the face of the user and to adapt to the various facial structures of different people, and to allow storage of the device10by engaging it on a helmet, the device10is equipped with pair of strap mounts40that are rotatably engaged at a hinge point42on the frame12. This rotational or hinged engagement of the strap mounts40allows the elastic strap that engaged therebetween to angle outward from the frame or inward as required by the shape of the user's head or the helmet on which it is mounted.

As noted previously, the disclosed goggle having a locking engagement for lenses shown in the drawings and described in detail herein, disclosed arrangements of elements of particular construction, and configuration for illustrating preferred embodiments of structure and method of operation of the present invention. It is to be understood, however, that elements of different construction and configuration and different steps and process procedures and other arrangements thereof, other than those illustrated and described, may be employed for providing the method herein within the spirit of this invention.

As such, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modifications, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure, and it will be appreciated that in some instance some features of the invention could be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. All such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims.