Abstract:
In one embodiment of the present invention a water activity mask has a transparent visor and a pliable frame defining an interior volume. One end of the frame rests flush against the wearer&#39;s face, forming a substantially watertight seal. The interior of the mask contains a fluid directing member extending towards the visor from the inner surface of the mask. In use the fluid directing member normally retains and prevents liquid in the mask from coming into contact with the wearer&#39;s face. The liquid is generally used to defog the mask as necessary.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates in general to the design and construction of a mask to be warn during activities in water. More specifically, one form of the present invention defines a diving mask for facilitating under water vision. Although the present invention was developed for use in diving masks, certain applications may be outside of this field. 
     A conventional diving mask fits over the diver&#39;s face to encompass the eyes and often the nose. During use, a typical diving mask forms a nearly watertight seal with the diver&#39;s face. A quantity of water remains in the mask and is often used by the diver to clear the mask&#39;s viewing pane, which has a tendency to fog. A common limitation associated with many mask designs is that the water retained in the mask for clearing the fog away tends to irritate the diver&#39;s face. It is well known that divers will use the water to defog the mask, however the water generally lays against the diver&#39;s face and can cause vision and skin irritation. The facial irritation problems are compounded when the water is not fresh water and/or contains pollutants. 
     Even with a variety of earlier mask designs, there remains a need for a diving mask to retain a defogging liquid within the mask for defogging purposes, but to retain it in such a way so as to prevent irritation to the facial skin and eyes. The present invention satisfies this need in a novel and unobvious way. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To address the unmet needs of prior masks, one embodiment of the present invention contemplates a mask for wearing by a person to cover their eyes during water activities. The mask comprising: a frame having a first portion adapted for abutting a person&#39;s face to normally provide a substantially fluid tight enclosed volume adjacent the face and a second portion spaced from the first portion; a viewing portion coupled to the second portion of the frame; and a liquid directing member coupled to the frame proximate the viewing member and extending into the substantially enclosed volume for minimizing the movement of liquid within the enclosed volume to the person&#39;s eyes. 
     Another form of the present invention contemplates a combination, comprising: a substantially waterproof mask having a pliable frame adapted for engaging a person&#39;s face to define a substantially fluid tight enclosed volume adjacent at least a portion of the person&#39;s face; and a liquid accumulation reservoir within said substantially enclosed volume for normally retaining liquid within the substantially enclosed volume so as to minimize the liquid contacting the person&#39;s face. 
     One object of the present invention is to provide an improved diving mask. 
     Related objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of a diving mask of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is perspective view of the diving mask of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 2a is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the diving mask of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 2 mask. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. 
     With reference to FIGS. 1-3, there is illustrated one embodiment of a mask 10. The mask 10 is designed and constructed to normally be worn by a diver 11 flush against the face 12, and is intended to cover the eyes 14 and nose 16. A strap 35 normally holds the mask 10 in place on the divers head. The mask 10 is intended to minimize the exposure of the wearer&#39;s face to fluids, such as water, and thereby enhance the wearer&#39;s vision. More particularly, the mask 10 is designed as a diving masks for scuba, snorkeling, swimming and other recreational activities that normally take place in water. 
     The mask 10 includes a frame portion 20 and a viewing portion 22. In one form of the mask 10 the frame portion 22 is formed of a pliable material, and the viewing portion is formed of a material that can be looked through by the human eye. In a more preferred form of the present invention the frame portion 20 is formed of a molded elastomeric material. More specifically, in one embodiment the viewing portion 22 is defined by a transparent pane 22. In alternative embodiments the viewing portion 22 may be shaded or have other characteristics which reduce and/or change the degree of viewability therethrough. However, it is understood herein that a normal user of the mask will be able to view, at least to some extent, through the viewing portion 22. The frame portion 20 and the viewing portion 22 being coupled together so as to form a substantially fluid tight joint. 
     A part 36 of the frame portion 20 abuts the wearers face. In one form the part 36 fits flush against the wearer&#39;s face 12 to produce a substantially fluid tight seal. An enclosed volume 24 is defined within the mask 10 adjacent the wearers face. The frame portion 20 has a first end 20a with an opening 26 formed therein. The frame portion 20 has a proturbance 28 with a channel 30 formed therein for receiving the viewing portion 22. In one form of the present invention the channel 30 is defined by an endless groove 30 that is spaced a distance `Y` from the opening 26. An edge 32 of the viewing portion 22 is positioned within the groove 30. The mask 10 having a substantially rectangular shape, however other geometric shapes are contemplated herein. 
     A fluid directing member 42 is positioned proximate the viewing portion 22 to normally maintain the liquid within the mask 10 away from the divers face. In one form of the mask 10 the fluid directing member 42 is positioned proximate the proturbance 28. In one embodiment, the fluid directing member 42 extending around the interior surface 46 of the frame portion 20. However, in an alternate embodiment the fluid directing member only extends around a portion of the interior surface of the frame portion 20. In one form of the present invention a first end 40 of the fluid directing member 42 is coupled to the interior surface 46, and a second end of the fluid directing member 42 extends into the enclosed volume 24. In a more preferred form of the mark the fluid directing member 42 is formed integral with the frame portion 20, such as by molding the frame portion 20 and the fluid directing member 42 in a unitary piece. The fluid directing member 42 and the inner surface 46 of the frame portion defining a fluid reservoir 50 for normally receiving and holding liquids within the mask 10. In one form of the mask 10 the fluid reservoir has a fairly constant volume along the interior surface of the frame portion 20. However, in an alternate embodiment the fluid reservoir is not uniform in volume along the interior surface of the frame portion 20. The volume of the reservoir 50 is sized so as to normally hold a quantity of liquid that is accumulated in the mask for use in clearing the viewing portion 22. In a preferred form of mask 10 the fluid directing member 42 has a tip portion 48 formed thereon that is directed back towards the interior surface 46 of the frame portion 20. 
     With reference to FIG. 2a, there is disclosed another embodiment of the present invention, mask 110. Mask 110 is substantially similar to mask 10 and like feature numbers will be used to represent like features. The mask 110 does not enclose the nose 16 of the diver 11. The frame portion 110 is designed and constructed therefore to abut a portion of the face relative to the nose. The mask 110 includes substantially identical structure as mask 10 for directing the liquid within the mask away from the divers 11 face. 
     With reference to FIGS. 1-3, a method of using the mask will now be set forth. It is well known that masks often fog during use and a method is required in which to reduce and/or eliminate the fogging of the viewing portion 22. In practice, the mask can be defogged by the diver 11 adjusting the position of their body so that the the viewing portion 22 is positioned substantially horizontally and below the diver&#39;s face 12. The liquid within the reservoir 50 will then drain from the reservoir 50 onto the the viewing portion 22. The passage of the liquid over the viewing portion 22 can be utilized to clear the fogging of the mask. Further, the adjustment of the body may include, but is not limited herein to, tilting the head forward to cause the face to be disposed in a position so as to allow the liquid with the reservoir 50 to flow onto the viewing portion 22. The liquid on the viewing portion 22 can be swirled as an aid to the defogging of the viewing portion 22. The liquid on the viewing portion 22 is returned to the fluid reservoir by adjusting the position of the diver&#39;s body so that the viewing portion 22 is positioned substantially vertical and is not below the wearers face. In one form of the present invention this can be accomplished by tilting the head so as to return the face 12 back into a vertical position. 
     While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected.