Headgear with eyeglass

Headgear is provided having a head element adapted to be worn by a person and including in combination an eye shield carried by the head element and which may be selectively positioned with respect to the head element in either a shielding or covering position relative to the wearer's eyes or in a stored position. The head element has a section that is positionable on a wearer's forehead in secured relationship by a headband and is formed with a forwardly projecting visor and a storage compartment to contain the eye shield. The storage compartment is formed by spaced apart, rigid walls that are interconnected at their upper ends by a top wall with the bottom of the compartment being open to permit movement of the eye shield into and out of the compartment. The eye shield has a lens structure formed of a generally planar sheet of optically transparent plastic material and is of a configuration to extend across the wearer's eyes terminating in rearwardly extending support arms that pivotally interconnect with the head element whereby the eye shield's lens structure may be swung between a stored position in the compartment and an operative position in front of the wearer's eyes. A detent mechanism is incorporated in the structure to hold the eye shield in a selected position on the head element and out of contacting engagement with the wearer's nose.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates in general to headgear adapted to be worn by a 
person and incorporating in a combined structure an eyeglass or eye 
shielding element. It relates more particularly to headgear having a 
headband adapted to encircle and be removably secured on a person's head 
and including a storage compartment in which an eyeglass or lens structure 
is adapted to be stored and from which the eyeglass may be selectively 
displaced and positioned in operative relationship to the wearer's eyes. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Persons who are engaged in outdoor activities invariably find that they 
need protection from the sun. This need for protection is most notable 
with respect to the person's eyes since exposure to the sun over prolonged 
periods of time will not only produce physical strain, but can result in 
impairment of vision and damage to the person's vision system. One 
commonly used device to alleviate this problem is a hat or cap or other 
type of head covering device which includes a forwardly projecting visor, 
bill or brim which extends a distance forwardly from the person's forehead 
and provides a shade producing element that tends to reduce the likelihood 
of the sun's rays being directly incident to the eyes of a person wearing 
such protective headgear. A second commonly used device to provide 
protection for the eyes is the sunglass or other protective lens structure 
having characteristics such that it will attenuate or minimize the effect 
of the most damaging components of the lightwaves such as those within the 
ultraviolet spectrum. The sunglasses that are generally worn for eye 
protection of this type are usually not of an optical type such as in the 
nature of prescription type glasses and are designed primarily for the 
sole purpose of attenuating the lightwaves that would be incident on the 
person's eyes and to thereby minimize the physical eyestrain as well as 
possible damage. Sunglasses for this purpose also are available in many 
styles and configurations with the different types ranging from separate 
eyepieces that are maintained in association by a frame structure with 
each eyepiece positioned in front of a respective eye, to those which 
consist of a molded sheet of plastic material that is of a continuous 
nature, or wraparound style extending across the front of the wearer's 
face and covering the eye section. These glasses also are of a type 
wherein the frame or an integral part of the lens structure incorporates 
or is formed with frame elements that extend along the side of the 
wearer's head and are adapted to engage with the ears and to thereby in 
cooperation support the front lens structure on the wearer's nose maintain 
the glasses in an operative position on the person's head. It is also not 
uncommon for a person to wear both types of protection, namely the 
headgear with the sunlight blocking visor as well as a sunglass structure 
which will cooperatively function to block and to attenuate lightwaves 
that will be incident to a person's eyes. 
While the headgear and eyeglass combinations are capable of performing 
their respective functions, there are some disadvantages due to the fact 
that the eyeglasses are uncomfortable to wear and they also present a 
problem in keeping them readily available It is not uncommon during the 
course of outdoor activities that a person may desire to remove the 
sunglasses for periods of time to avoid their interference with the 
wearer's vision, but then it is a problem to retain the glasses and have 
them readily available again for use when desired. This problem of 
convenience has been previously addressed and resulted in structures which 
are the subjects of two previously issued patents. These patents are U.S. 
Pat. No. 4,819,274 issued Apr. 11, 1989 to Shenq Day and U.S. Pat. No. 
4,179,753 issued Dec. 25, 1979 to Sue Aronberg. Each of these two patents 
disclose structures whereby the problem is solved to a certain extent by 
providing means for storage and carrying of the eyeglasses in a 
non-operational position with respect to the headgear portion such as a 
cap or a visor with headband. Such structures have not been found to be 
fully satisfactory as substantial difficulty is experienced in either 
placing the glasses in use or returning them to their stored position. 
Another patent illustrating a structure directed to this problem of 
providing association of eyeglasses and a cap structure in attempting to 
achieve convenience is U.S. Pat. No. 1,133,056 issued Mar. 23, 1915 to 
Isaac Pachner. Again, this particular structure does not provide the 
desired degree of convenience in that there is some difficulty associated 
with moving the eyeglasses from a utilization position to a stored 
position on the hat. Also, this particular apparatus does not alleviate 
the problem introduced through physical contact of the eyeglass with the 
wearer's head, and thus, there is physical strain and discomfort induced 
in that aspect. 
Two other patents that are also directed to this combination type structure 
of protective eyeglass and headgear are U.S. Pat. No. 1,216,635 issued 
Feb. 20, 1917 to Earnest Washington and U.S. Pat. No. 1,781,832 issued 
Nov. 18, 1930 to Erswell Crenshaw. These latter two patents also have the 
disadvantage of producing physical discomfort in that the eyeglasses are 
retained against the wearer's face through an elastic band structure, but 
these structures also have the further disadvantage in that the placement 
of the eyeglass section in a stored position not only requires removal of 
the headgear so that the storage can be accomplished, but when so stored, 
the eyeglass portion is in contact with the wearer's skin or hair and can 
thus become covered with perspiration or materials that are applied to the 
person's hair and thereby impair the ability of a person to view objects 
through the eyeglass. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In accordance with this invention, headgear is provided which includes a 
head element that in one embodiment provides protection by blocking the 
sun rays and in combination therewith an eye shield for filtering or 
attenuating the light rays that would otherwise be incident to the 
wearer's eyes. The head element includes a headband section or portion 
that is adapted to be secured in a removable fashion to the wearer's head 
and a forehead section carried by the headband and which is adapted to 
receive and store the lens structure. The combination structure has the 
eye shield and its associated lens structure mechanically secured to the 
head element in a manner such that it may be readily pivoted from a stored 
or nonuse position to an operative position in front of the wearer's eyes. 
The forehead section provided on the head element defines a storage 
compartment which is completely separated from the body of the wearer and 
is thus capable of protecting the lens structure and maintaining the 
surfaces of the lens in a clean condition. 
The eye shield in the combination structure of this invention is pivotally 
mounted on a head element to enable its selective displacement between a 
stored position with the lens structure contained within the storage 
compartment and an operative position. The lens structure is formed with 
support arms that are pivotally connected to the head element and, through 
cooperative detent means, may be selectively positioned at the desired 
relative position between a fully lowered position and positions which are 
slightly elevated in the direction of the storage compartment. This 
selective positioning capability not only enhances the versatility of the 
combination structure to suit or accommodate a person's particular desires 
at any particular time of wearing, but also has the substantial advantage 
of having the eye shield supported, if so desired, entirely by the head 
element and avoid the physically tiresome and uncomfortable contact 
normally associated with an eyeglass structure resting on the wearer's 
nose as well as being in engagement with portions of the ears. 
Also in accordance with this invention, the eye shield is advantageously 
mounted on the head element in a manner such that it may be operated 
without removal of the head element. The person wearing the head element 
can adjust the eye shield lens structure to a selected position, either 
stored or operative, through manipulation of support frames that pivotally 
connect the eye shield to the head element. This pivoting can be readily 
and easily accomplished through the wearer simply engaging the support 
frames with the finger tips. 
In accordance with this invention, the head element is also advantageously 
provided with a sun blocking device in the nature of a visor or extended 
bill structure. Thus, the structure has the combination of a sun blocking 
visor element to prevent direct contact of the sun's rays with the 
person's eyes, and an eye shield to attenuate or otherwise modify the 
lightwaves that are incident to the wearer's eyes. 
These and other objects and advantages of this invention will be readily 
apparent from the following detailed description of an illustrative 
embodiment thereof and the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
Having reference to the drawing figures, headgear embodying this invention 
is shown in FIG. 1 as positioned on the person's head. The headgear 
includes the two basic components of a head element designated generally 
by the numeral 10 and an eye shield designated generally by the numeral 
11. The eye shield is shown in FIG. 1 when it is disposed in operative 
relationship to the person's eyes. The eye shield 11 is shown in FIG. 4 in 
its stored position. In this illustrative embodiment, the head element is 
of a type which is commonly described as a visor-type unit in that it 
includes only a head engaging band 12 and a forehead section 13 provided 
with a forwardly extending visor 14. 
The forehead section 13 in this illustrative embodiment is fabricated from 
a suitable plastic material by appropriate molding techniques to form a 
unitary, substantially rigid structure. It includes spaced apart front and 
rear walls 15 and 16 that are disposed in generally upstanding 
relationship when the headgear is placed on the wearer's head and extend 
across the forehead and a distance rearwardly along the side. These walls 
15 and 16 are interconnected at their upper edges by a top wall 17 as can 
be best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4 with the walls thus defining a cavity or 
compartment which, as will be subsequently described, is utilized for the 
storage of the lens structure of the eye shield. The general shape of the 
forehead section 13 is commensurate with the general forehead shape of a 
person's head and as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, has a generally 
semicircular arcuate configuration. With the forehead section 13 designed 
to be positioned on the forehead of the wearer at a location above the 
level of the eyes, it has a central forward section 18 that is inclined 
upwardly and rearwardly to a slight extent to conform to the slope of the 
general forehead shape. This central section terminates in lateral side 
sections 19 and 20 that project a distance in a general rearward direction 
along the sides of the wearer's head. The rear wall 16 continues in each 
respective lateral side section 19 and 20 a distance further than the 
front wall 15 to form a support bracket 21 on which the eye shield 11 is 
mechanically coupled and supported for pivotal movement. The support 
brackets 21 extend a distance relatively rearward to be positioned at a 
point which approximates a centrally located position vertically above the 
wearer's ears. 
Securing of the head element 10 in retained relationship on the wearer's 
head is effected by the head engaging band 12. That band as can be best 
seen in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 comprises an elongated strap fabricated from 
suitable fabric material which is secured to the exposed surface of the 
rear wall 16 and its associated lateral side sections 19 and 20 
terminating in ends 22 adapted to be mechanically coupled at the rear of 
the wearer's head by a coupling device 23. The band 12 in this embodiment 
of headgear designed for active outdoor use is advantageously fabricated 
from a fabric material which exhibits a degree of absorbency for moisture. 
Such a material makes the headband more comfortable from a wearing 
standpoint as well as performing the moisture absorbing function highly 
desired by those persons engaged in strenuous physical activities. 
However, it will be understood that the band 12 need not be fabricated 
from such a material where a perspiration problem is not of significant 
concern. It is also advantageous that the coupling device 23 be of a type 
which enables the wearer to effect length adjustment to obtain the desired 
degree of constriction that will maintain the headgear in position, but 
will not be so tight as to result in discomfort over long term periods of 
use. The band 12 at its portions which are in association with the rear 
wall 16 of the forehead section 13 may be securely fixed thereto such as 
by a suitable adhesive which is diagrammatically illustrated as a layer of 
adhesive in FIGS. 4 and 8. While the band 12 is shown in this embodiment 
as being essentially permanently affixed to the forehead section 13, it 
will be understood that the band may be secured by means which will enable 
its removal. This is of particular importance in connection with a band 
which is moisture absorbent and essentially functions as a sweatband to 
permit its laundering at periodic intervals. Means for releasably securing 
the band to the forehead section is shown in the embodiment of FIG. 9 
where devices as snap fasteners are utilized. It will also be understood 
that the band 12 may include a section which is of elastic construction 
and replaces a mechanical coupling device 23 such as is shown in the 
illustrative embodiments. Specific mechanical features of the headband and 
its securing to the forehead section 13 are matters of design preference 
and adaptability to specific uses and applications. As such, these 
specifics are not deemed to be of significance to the invention that is 
disclosed in this specification and drawings although a specific 
detachable type band of an elasticized constructions is illustrated in 
FIG. 9 of the drawings and is subsequently described in detail. 
The eye shield 11 shown in the illustrative embodiment of this invention is 
of a unitary construction in what is often referred to as a wraparound 
style. It includes a lens structure 25 that is adapted to extend across 
the front of the wearer's eyes and has support means in the form of 
support arms 26 at each side that are adapted to mechanically intercouple 
with the respective support brackets 21 at each side of the head element. 
The lens structure and its support arms are fabricated from a suitable 
plastic material by appropriate molding techniques to produce a lens 
structure having a generally continuous planar configuration with a slight 
curvature in a vertical plane as can be seen in FIG. 1 that extends across 
the wearer's eyes and is of predetermined extent in vertical dimension to 
provide sufficient coverage. This lens structure has an upper peripheral 
edge 27 that is contiguous with the upper peripheral edge of the 
respective support arms 26. The lens structure has a lower peripheral edge 
28 which curves relatively upward at the sides of the central lens 
structure and continues as the lower edge of the respective support arms 
26. This configuration, as can be best seen in FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 7, 
results in a relatively narrow support arm which minimizes the material 
that is required for its fabrication as well as enhancing its aesthetic 
appearance. Referring to FIG. 5, it will also be seen that the lower 
peripheral edge 28 of the lens structure is formed at its central area 
with an upwardly recessed portion 29 to provide adequate clearance as to 
the upper portions of the wearer's nose. It will also be noted in FIGS. 4 
and 5 that this recessed portion 29 is provided with a strip of material 
30 formed from a material which provides protective cushioning should the 
headgear be worn in a manner where the lens structure will be positioned 
with its lower edge resting on the wearer's nose. The shape of the lens 
structure 25 and its support arms 26 is designed to generally conform to 
the cavity formed by the front and rear walls 15 and 16 of the forehead 
section so as to enable it to interfit within that cavity for storage. 
The lens structure is fabricated from a plastic material which is selected 
because of its characteristics to affect the lightwaves that are intended 
to be transmitted therethrough. To function as sunglass, this plastic 
material exhibits the characteristic of at least attenuating lightwaves 
within the visible spectrum as well as advantageously also attenuating or 
eliminating lightwaves that may be within the shorter wavelength spectrums 
such as ultraviolet. It is the ultraviolet and other shorter wavelength 
lightwaves that are particularly damaging to a person's optical system and 
thus their elimination or attenuation is particularly advantageous. Lens 
structures for a device of this nature are not generally designed to 
provide optical characteristics in the sense of enhancing the visual 
acuity of the wearer although it is contemplated that the lens structure, 
if desired, may be so constructed. 
The support arms 26 of the eye shield 11 are mechanically coupled with the 
head element 10 to enable the eye shield to be pivoted in an upward and 
downward direction as well as to maintain the eye shield in a selected 
vertical position with respect to the head element. In FIG. 1, the eye 
shield 11 is shown in a lowered, operative position where the lens 
structure 25 is disposed in blocking relationship to the wearer's eyes, 
whereas in FIG. 4, the lens structure is shown elevated to the stored 
position within the cavity defined by the walls 15 and 16 of the forehead 
section 13. Specifics of the mechanical structure of the support brackets 
21 formed with the lateral side sections 19 and 20 of the forehead section 
as well as the terminal rear end portions of the support arms 26 can be 
seen in greater detail in FIGS. 7 and 8. As can be seen, each support 
bracket 21 includes an outer wall section 31 that is spaced outward from 
the respective continuation of the lateral side section 19 or 20 a 
distance sufficient to receive the flat end portion of the respective 
support arm 26 between the two opposed wall surfaces. In the illustrated 
construction, this outer wall section 31 is integrally formed with the 
respective lateral side section 19 or 20 resulting in a unitary structure. 
As such, the outer wall section 31 extends forwardly from the rearmost end 
of the lateral side section forming therewith a socket that opens in a 
forward direction. Each of the support arms 26 is formed with a bearing 
socket 32 adapted to be journalled on a trunnion or axle 33 that extends 
transversely between the outer wall section 31 and adjacent lateral side 
section 19 or 20 and is fixed in those two wall structures. Each of the 
bearing sockets 32 is formed with a rearwardly opening V-shaped throat 34 
which, through the inherent resilience of the plastic material from which 
the arm is fabricated, enables the throat to expand sufficiently to enable 
the arm to be snap locked onto the respective axle 33 as is shown in FIG. 
7. 
Retention of the eye shield 11 in a desired position with respect to the 
head element 10 is effected through a mechanical detent mechanism. This 
detent mechanism comprises a series of U-shaped grooves 35 that are molded 
in the respective lateral side section 19 or 20 and extends generally 
longitudinally thereof. Formed on the wall of each support arm 26 is a 
detent ball 36 which projects in an inward direction toward the respective 
lateral side section 19 or 20 and is designed to interengage with the 
U-shaped grooves 35 and thereby effect mechanical interlocking. The 
support arms 26 being fabricated from a plastic material have a certain 
degree of resilience and this resilience enables the support arm to flex 
slightly outward as they are pivoted about the respective axles 33 in 
moving to a selected one of the detent positions. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 
2, it will be seen that the outer wall section 31 terminates in a vertical 
edge 37 a distance rearwardly from the rear terminal end of the front wall 
15 of the forehead section 13. This leaves a short space for the purpose 
of enabling the wearer to insert a finger in engaging with the respective 
exposed portion of the support arm and effect its displacement in an 
upward or a downward direction. To facilitate this mechanical engagement 
of the finger with the support arm, each of the arms includes a pair of 
finger-grip ribs 38 that project a distance outwardly from the outer face 
of the support arms. These ribs enable the person to more securely grip 
the support arm and effect its pivotal displacement by pushing it in an 
upward or downward direction. 
It was previously noted that the headband 12 could be constructed in a 
manner such that it could be detachably connected to the forehead section 
13. An embodiment of headgear illustrating this variation is illustrated 
in FIG. 9. This structure has a head element 40 and an eye shield 41. The 
head element includes a head engaging band 42 and a forehead section 43. 
The forehead section 43 is constructed in substantially the same manner as 
that illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 as is the eye shield 41. Accordingly, 
details of the construction of those components in this variant are not 
otherwise illustrated or described. The headband 42 comprises two sections 
that are designated as front section 44 and rear section 45. The front 
section 44 may be formed from a fabric material that is not extensible as 
that previously described with respect to the first described embodiment 
and also has a characteristic moisture absorbing capability to function as 
a sweatband. The rear section 45 which is joined to the front section at 
each side as by sewing is also fabricated from a material of woven nature, 
but it incorporates a degree of elasticity. Thus, the headband can readily 
adapt to the size of a particular person's head with relative ease and 
also comfort. 
In this variation the headband 42 is adapted to be removably connected to 
the forehead section 43. This is accomplished by mechanical devices such 
as a plurality of snap fasteners that include the mechanically 
interlocking socket section 46 and locking pin section 47. The socket 
sections 46 are secured in a rear wall 48 of the forehead section 43 with 
the locking pin sections 47 being secured as by sewing to the forwardly 
facing surface of the front section 44 of the headband. Detachability of 
the headband from the forehead section facilitates the cleaning of the 
headband which is of particular importance in the case where the headband 
is designed to also function as a sweatband. The removability feature of 
the headband also enables interchange of different size headbands to 
readily adapt the headgear to different persons as well as enabling the 
entire headband to be changed should it become deteriorated to the extent 
that it is no longer suitable for wear. 
It will be noted that while the illustrated embodiments of the invention 
are of a visor-type headgear, the structure may take different 
configurations, but still retain the advantageous combination of the head 
element and eye shield as has been described. For example, a forehead 
section such as that which has been illustrated and described may be 
incorporated in other headgear designs such as a cap that fully covers a 
person's head or in a hat or protective helmet-type structure. In such 
cases, the headband will generally be incorporated as a part of the head 
covering regardless of its nature and it will not be necessary to provide 
a headband element such as in the case of the illustrated embodiments. The 
head covering in such modifications could advantageously cover the 
forehead section forming the storage compartment if so desired for 
aesthetic purposes. 
It will be readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description of the 
illustrative embodiments, that a particularly novel and advantageous 
headgear is provided to protect the wearer from lightwaves. The headgear, 
being constructed with a head element having an eye shield that is 
pivotally interconnected therewith, results in the eye shield always being 
retained with the headgear and quickly and easily available for 
utilization. Forming a storage compartment or cavity in the head element 
not only provides a concealed space for the lens structure of the eye 
shield, but also provides physical protection against inadvertent damage 
which often occurs in the case of sunglasses that are merely maintained in 
a carrying case or other receptacle such as shirt pockets and purses. An 
important advantage of the combination structure of this invention is that 
the eye shield is convenient to wear and provides significant comfort 
advantage in that the lens structure need not rest on the wearer's nose 
and thereby cause discomfort and irritation. Also, the construction 
enables the wearer to place the headgear in any appropriate selected 
position on the head to enhance its comfort and usability as to proper 
location of the lens structure and also in obtaining the shielding effect 
from the visor.