Abstract:
Animal eyewear, including protective sun goggles, is disclosed. Certain embodiments are dimensionally optimized for canines. Other embodiments provide interchangeable lenses and other features.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS; PRIORITY CLAIM  
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of Provisional Appln. 60/390,532, filed Jun. 20, 2002, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e). 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention generally relates to protective articles for animals. The invention relates more specifically to animal eyewear.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    The approaches described in this section could be pursued, but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.  
           [0004]    Sunglasses and other eyewear that block ultraviolet (UV) rays are commonly used by people. Research has shown that long hours in the sun without adequate eye protection increase the chances of developing eye disease. However, in the past protective eyewear has not been available for animals, especially domestic animals and house pets such as dogs and cats. Thus, there is a need for UV-absorbent sunglasses or other eyewear to help protect the eyes of pets from sun damage.  
           [0005]    The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has set standards for type A UV radiation (UVA) and type B UV radiation (UVB) protection in eyewear. In particular, ANSI requires that a pair of sun goggles block at least 50 percent of UV rays. While these standards were developed for human eyewear, it is believed that equivalent safety standards are appropriate for animal use. Thus, there is a need for animal eyewear that conforms to these standards.  
           [0006]    The eye disease chronic superficial keratitis or “pannus” is increasingly common in dogs. While drug therapy is normally recommended for pannus, veterinarians also have suggested that dogs with pannus should stay out of direct sun and get protection from UV light. However, not all dog owners are able to observe these restrictions with their pets without assistance. Thus, there is a need for a form of eyewear for canines that provides protection for those with pannus.  
           [0007]    Still other animals are subjected to wind and airborne debris. For example, some dog owners transport their animals in a motorcycle sidecar, in vehicles with open windows, or in the back of a pickup truck, or in other locations that expose the dog to wind during movement. As another example, animals that assist humans in search and rescue activities often are exposed to airborne debris.  
           [0008]    While some dog owners use ordinary sunglasses for their dogs, such glasses do not adequately protect the animal from wind and debris because they typically have open sides or a loose fit. In another approach, unmodified goggles intended for humans are used on animals. However, there are significant anatomical differences in the structure of the canine skull as compared to the human skull. For example, human goggles do not properly fit the canine head because the nose bridge is typically too small and otherwise proportioned incorrectly. Further, in canines the distance between the eyes, the orientation of the eye sockets, and the width and height of the eyes are far different from their human counterparts so that the lenses and eye cups of human goggles do not fit properly. Still another problem is that different dog breeds are characterized by great differences in the foregoing dimensions; the skull proportions of a small breed such as a Chihuahua are far different from those of a Great Dane. As a result, use of human goggles is troublesome, and the use of a single size of human goggles for all canines is impractical.  
           [0009]    Thus, there is a need for a way to protect dogs and other animals with eye protection against wind and debris.  
           [0010]    More generally, there is a clear need for a way to protect the eyes of animals from trauma, reduce glare, and relieve light sensitivity.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of animal eyewear;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the animal eyewear of FIG. 1;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the animal eyewear of FIG. 1, FIG. 2;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is a left perspective view of the animal eyewear of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, illustrating a wearing position on a dog;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a right perspective view of the animal eyewear of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, illustrating a wearing position on a dog;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6A is a front flattened elevation view of animal eyewear;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6B is a top flattened plan view of the animal eyewear of FIG. 6A;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6C is a side elevation view of the animal eyewear of FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B taken along line  6 C- 6 C of FIG. 6A;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the animal eyewear of FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8A is a front elevation view of animal eyewear that can accommodate interchangeable lenses;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 8B is a top plan view of the animal eyewear of FIG. 8A;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 8C is a top plan view of a lens for the animal eyewear of FIGA;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8D is a perspective view of the animal eyewear of FIG. 8A, further illustrating a lens for interchanging.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS  
       [0025]    In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention.  
         [0026]    I. ANIMAL EYEWEAR WITH DUAL STRAP CONFIGURATIONS  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 1 is a top plan view of animal eyewear according to one embodiment. Eyewear  2  comprises a frame  10  having an integrally formed first eyepiece  12   a  and second eyepiece  12   b  joined by a flexible bridge  14 . Frame  10  is generally formed in an inwardly curving configuration to facilitate close contact of eyepieces  12   a ,  12   b  with the eye orbits of an animal when the eyewear is worn. In this configuration, frame  10  has a wraparound configuration that prevents wind, debris, and light from entering the sides of eyepieces  12   a ,  12   b  and reaching the eyes of the animal.  
         [0028]    The bridge  14  may be configured to enable the first and second eyepieces  12   a ,  12   b  to flex with respect to one another. For example, if eyewear  2  is fitted to an animal with a relatively small head, then action of straps  30 ,  38  (described further below) will urge eyepieces  12   a ,  12   b  rearward and against the head of the animal. Alternatively, if the animal has a relatively large head, then bridge  14  can flex outward so that eyepieces  12   a ,  12   b  also move outwardly and separate. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, bridge  14  has a plurality of teeth  14   a  and corresponding serrations  14   b ; however, these elements are arbitrary and ornamental and do not serve a particular function. Alternatively, bridge  14  is flat and non-ornamented.  
         [0029]    Each eyepiece  14   a ,  14   b  comprises a lens cup  16  that surrounds and provides a mount for lenses  17   a ,  17   b , best seen in FIG. 2, and a rear peripheral ridge  18  to which a strip of resilient material  20  is mounted. Resilient material  20  may be affixed to ridge  18  using an adhesive.  
         [0030]    A first strap  30  and second strap  38  are attached to frame  10  to facilitate holding the frame in position on the head of an animal. First strap  30  serves as a head strap and is joined to the pair of eyepieces and configured for retaining the eyepieces in position over the eyes of an animal and snugly held against a distal portion of a head of the dog around the ears.  
         [0031]    In one embodiment, first strap  30  generally comprises a first end  36   a  that is looped through a first slot  22   a  in eyepiece  12   a  and affixed to itself by fastener  40  to form a first loop  36 . First strap  30  is mounted in an adjustment buckle  34  and doubled back on itself through a second slot  22   b  in eyepiece  12   b  to form a second loop  32 . The first strap  30  terminates at end  33   a  that is sewn in a third loop  33  that is defined by buckle  34 . In this arrangement, first strap  30  is fully adjustable to accommodate varying sizes of animal heads. Further, use of loops through slots  22   a ,  22   b  enables replacement of first strap  30  and installation of a new strap.  
         [0032]    When eyewear  2  is fitted to a dog, resilient material  20  rests against the eye orbits of the dog and strap  30  encircles the head and ears such that buckle  34  is approximately at the rear of the head. Fastener  40  may comprise a snap fastener, a sewn joint or any other suitable affixing means.  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the animal eyewear of FIG. 1. The view of FIG. 2 shows lenses  17   a ,  17   b  of eyepieces  12   a ,  12   b , respectively. In the view of FIG. 2, the lenses are illustrated in oval conformation; however, this form is purely ornamental and arbitrary and selected to provide an aesthetically attractive appearance rather than to serve any specific function, and the lenses may have any desired shape such as rectangular, rounded rectangular, circular, octagonal, etc. Each eyepiece  12   a ,  12   b  further comprises an outwardly facing goggle cup  50   a ,  50   b  having a plurality of vents  60   a ,  60   b  formed therein.  
         [0034]    The dimensions and form of goggle cups  50   a ,  50   b  and vents  60   a ,  60   b  are purely ornamental and arbitrary and are selected to provide an aesthetically attractive appearance rather than to serve any specific function. For example, goggle cups  50   a ,  50   b  may extend outwardly any desired dimension and may have any desired dimensional relationship to lenses  17   a ,  17   b  and eyepieces  12   a ,  12   b . Thus the goggle cups may be relatively flat whereas the eyepieces  12   a ,  12   b  are curved, may have smooth surfaces or textured surfaces, may have color variation with respect to the eyepieces, etc. For purposes of illustrating a clear example, in FIG. 2 four vents  60   a ,  60   b  formed as elongated ovals or slits are shown in each goggle cup  50   a ,  50   b.    
         [0035]    Vents  60   a ,  60   b  function to permit ambient atmospheric air to enter goggle cups  50   a ,  50   b  when eyewear  2  is secured in position on an animal, and thereby prevent the goggle cups from fogging up when there is a temperature or humidity difference between the airspace within the goggle cups and ambient atmosphere. However, there may be any number of vents in any arrangement and size; the arrangement and size of the vents are non-functional, ornamental and arbitrary. For example, vents may be circular and arranged in a pattern of holes, formed by a crosshatch pattern of ribs, etc.  
         [0036]    As further shown in FIG. 2, second strap  38  is joined to buckle  42  by a loop sewn therein. Second strap also has a first end  39  that is joined by fastener  40  to first strap  30  at a position adjacent to loop  36  of the first strap, and a second end  44  that loops around the first strap in a position generally adjacent to loop  32 . In this arrangement, second strap  38  is slidable rearwardly and can flex downwardly, and is fully adjustable downwardly using the buckle  42  to accommodate a wide range of dimensions in the neck and throat areas of an animal.  
         [0037]    In both straps  30 ,  38 , adjustment means other than buckles  34 ,  42  may be used.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the animal eyewear of FIG. 1, FIG. 2. In the view of FIG. 3, one example embodiment of resilient material  20  is shown, in which the resilient material is structured as a curved band that extends substantially entirely around the inside of each eyepiece  12   a ,  12   b . As a result, a cushioned structure is provided such that the eyewear  2  can fit snugly against the eye orbits of animals having a variety of eye shapes and dimensions.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 4 is a left perspective view of the animal eyewear of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, illustrating a wearing position on a dog, and FIG. 5 is a right perspective view of the animal eyewear of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. 3, illustrating a wearing position on a dog. The views of FIG. 4, FIG. 5 illustrate that eyewear  2  is fitted to a dog, in this example embodiment, by placing eyepieces  12   a ,  12   b  over the eyes of the animal  100 , and securing the first strap  30  under the ears  102   a ,  102   b  and around the neck  106  as a head strap. The second strap  38  serves as a neck strap and is joined to the first strap  30  and configured for retaining the eyepieces snugly against an underside of a throat or neck of the animal. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, FIG. 5, the second strap  38  is secured under the nose and muzzle  105  of a dog such that the strap rests against the front of the neck  104 . Fastener  40  may comprise a detachable snap to facilitate securing the straps to the head of the animal by detaching the fastener, securing first strap  30  in position, placing second strap  38  in position, and attaching the fastener.  
         [0040]    In this arrangement, the eyewear  2  is retained snugly in position and resists movement of the animal&#39;s head. In particular, in active domestic animals such as dogs the use of first and second straps  30 ,  38  has been found effective to prevent the dog from shaking the eyewear  2  off or disrupting its position in the course of normal activities.  
         [0041]    In one specific embodiment, straps  30 ,  38  are made of comfortable, plush elastic, and resilient material  20  that lines the inside of eyepieces  12   a ,  12   b  is foam padding. Eyepieces  12   a ,  12   b  and bridge  14  may be formed of plastic materials such as polystyrene, polyethylene, etc., such that the eyepieces and bridge form a flexible frame that will bend to wrap around an animal&#39;s head and face, regardless of the shape of the face. Further, the use of elastic material for straps  30 ,  38  ensures that eyepieces  12   a ,  12   b  rest snugly against the eye orbits of the animal, thereby preventing entry of light or UV radiation from the sides, which is a drawback of sunglasses.  
         [0042]    The drawing figures provided herewith are not intended as scale drawings, and the dimensions of all parts shown herein are not critical. In particular, eyewear  2  may be formed to fit any species or breed of animal. Table 1 presents typical dimensional information for embodiments useful for dogs:  
                                         TABLE 1                           DOG EYEWEAR-EXAMPLE DIMENSIONS                        Chin                           Strap       Distance           Typical Size   Back Strap and   Length   Actual Lens Size   Between Lenses       Example   Dog (pounds)   Frame (inches)   (inches)   (inches)   (inches)               1    7-25   12-20   4-8    1½ high × 2   1                       wide       2   15-60   15-25   5-11   1½ high × 2   1                       ¼ wide       3   20-75   18-30   6-15   1½ high × 2   1¼                       ½ wide       4   45 and up   18-30   6-15   1½ high × 2   1¼                       ½ wide                  
 
         [0043]    In this example, dimensions for the back strap and frame length are determined by measuring the entire head circumference, across the eyes and around under the ears. Dimensions of the chin strap are determined by starting just under one ear and measuring under the chin, and back up to under the other ear. The distance between lenses is determined by measuring the furry spot between the eyes.  
         [0044]    Eypieces  12   a ,  12   b , bridge  14 , and lenses  17   a ,  17   b  may be formed in any desired colors. In one specific embodiment, lenses  17   a ,  17   b  are tinted and/or coated with a UV-block coating. In this arrangement, eyewear  2  provides protection from foreign objects, wind, and UV light. Lenses may be formed of glass, polycarbonate, styrene plastic, or other suitable materials.  
         [0045]    II. ANIMAL EYEWEAR WITH OPTIMIZED DIMENSIONS  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 6A to FIG. 6C, and FIG. 7, inclusive, depict animal eyewear with optimized dimensions.  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 6A is a front flattened elevation view of animal eyewear. A “flattened” view, in this description, is a projected view that shows features and details that are normally hidden in a conventional plan, elevation or isometric view. Eyewear  600  comprises first and second lens cups  602 A,  602 B that are formed integrally with an eyewear body  601 . Each lens cup  602 A,  602 B holds one of a pair of lenses  606 A,  606 B, respectively. In one embodiment, each lens  606 A,  606 B is generally elliptical. Each lens has a width (or major axis) dimension “A” and a height (or minor axis) dimension “B.” 
         [0048]    The first and second lens cups  602 A,  602 B are joined by a narrow and generally flexible bridge  604 , which enables the lens cups to flex across the muzzle of an animal and thereby fit snugly against the eyes.  
         [0049]    Eyewear body  601  further comprises first and second strap slots  610  that may receive head straps of the type described above with respect to FIG. 1-FIG. 5. Eyewear body  601  further has one or more vent holes  608  that enable moisture to escape from within a lens cup when fitted to an animal. The size, number and arrangement of vent holes  608  is purely arbitrary and non-functional  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 6B is a top flattened plan view of the animal eyewear of FIG. 6A. In FIG. 6B lens cups  602 A,  602 B may be seen to comprise respective rearwardly extending wings  618 A,  618 B and a generally arcuate profile as indicated by arc  612 . This configuration enables the eyewear to fit snugly over the eyes of an animal and ensures that the straps holding the eyewear on the head of the animal are situated rearward of the peripheral field of view of the animal.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 6C is a side elevation view of the animal eyewear of FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B taken along line  6 C- 6 C of FIG. 6A. In the view of FIG. 6C, lens cup  602 A may be seen to comprise a peripheral generally upstanding rim  612 A that surrounds lens  606 A. This arrangement enables the lens cup  602 A to hold a generally flat lens  606 A in an upright position.  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the animal eyewear of FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C. In the view of FIG. 7, lens cups  602 A,  602 B each have minor and major dimensions “D” and “E.” Further, bridge  604  has a minor dimension “C” taken along its lower edge  604 ′ (as seen in FIG. 6A).  
         [0053]    The inventors named herein have found that forming eyewear that fits canines of a variety of breeds may be performed by using the eyewear of FIG. 6A-FIG. 7 with dimensions A, B, C, D, and E selected in certain ratios that relate eyewear size to the size of the animal. In one embodiment, the dimensions of Table 2 and Table 3 may be used.  
         [0054]    Table 2 relates various dimensional ratios including lens width to bridge width (A:C), lens height to lens width (B:A), lens cup width to bridge width (E:C), and lens cup height to bridge width (D:C).  
                                                         TABLE 2                           EYEWEAR DIMENSIONS                LENS   LENS   BRIDGE           CUP   CUP                   WIDTH   HEIGHT   WIDTH   RATIO   RATIO   WIDTH   HEIGHT   RATIO   RATIO       EYEWEAR SIZE   (“A”)   (“B”)   (“C”)   A:C   B:A   (“E”)   (“D”)   E:C   D:C               EXTRA SMALL   1.30   1.00   0.30   0.23   0.30   1.50   1.20   0.20   0.25       SMALL   1.80   1.20   0.40   0.22   0.33   2.10   1.50   0.19   0.27       MEDIUM   2.00   1.50   0.70   0.35   0.47   2.30   1.80   0.30   0.39       LARGE   2.20   1.70   0.90   0.41   0.53   2.70   2.00   0.33   0.45       EXTRA LARGE   2.60   2.00   1.00   0.38   0.50   3.10   2.30   0.32   0.43                  
 
         [0055]    Table 3 relates lens area to bridge width. Significantly, the inventors named herein have found that a flat lens area-to-bridge width ratio in the range of about 0.19 to about 0.24 yields animal eyewear that fits the animal head well.  
                                         TABLE 3                           RELATIONSHIP OF FLAT LENS AREA TO BRIDGE SIZE                LENS   LENS   BRIDGE   FLAT   FLAT LENS AREA-           WIDTH   HEIGHT   WIDTH   LENS   TO-BRIDGE-WIDTH       EYEWEAR SIZE   (“A”)   (“B”)   (“C”)   AREA   RATIO               EXTRA SMALL   1.30   1.00   0.30   1.30   0.23       SMALL   1.80   1.20   0.40   2.16   0.19       MEDIUM   2.00   1.50   0.70   3.00   0.23       LARGE   2.20   1.70   0.90   3.74   0.24       EXTRA LARGE   2.60   2.00   1.00   5.20   0.19                  
 
         [0056]    The flat lens area may be determined roughly by measuring approximate eye orbit dimensions of a subject animal, and then applying the ratios defined herein to determine the size of the eyewear. The eyewear is then made using the resulting dimensions. Alternatively, a bridge measurement may be made across the muzzle of the subject animal, and the eyewear may be fabricated with lens and other dimensions that are determined by applying the ratios defined herein.  
         [0057]    III. ANIMAL EYEWEAR WITH INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES  
         [0058]    [0058]FIG. 8A is a front elevation view of animal eyewear that can accommodate interchangeable lenses. FIG. 8B is a top plan view of the animal eyewear of FIG. 8A. FIG. 8C is a perspective view of the animal eyewear of FIG. 8A, further illustrating a lens for interchanging.  
         [0059]    Referring first to FIG. 8A, animal eyewear  802  has a structure generally similar to the eyewear of FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C, FIG. 7; however, the eyewear of FIG. 8A further comprises structures that can accommodate insertion and removal of an interchangeable lens. Lens cup  602 A comprises a first lens insertion slots  810 A defined by an upper slot surface  811 A. First and second spaced-apart ends  804 A,  806 A further define upper slot surface  811 A. An underlying slot surface  808 A lies between ends  804 A,  806 A and provides an opening that can receive an interchangeable lens  820  (FIG. 8C). Thus each lens insertion slot  810 A,  810 B comprises a generally elongated, narrow slot having a slot width that can receive and snugly retain an interchangeable lens  820  therein.  
         [0060]    In one embodiment, each underlying slot surface  808 A between ends  804 A,  806 A has an overall length  812  (FIG. 8B) that is at least slightly greater than the minor axis  821  of interchangeable lens  820 . In this arrangement, the interchangeable lens  820  may be inserted into either lens cup  602 A while oriented with its minor axis  821  generally parallel to slot surface  808 A, as shown in FIG. 8C. The lens  820  is inserted entirely into the selected lens cup and then rotated slightly such that its minor axis  821  is perpendicular to the slot, and in a generally vertical orientation. The lens  820  then is pressed into the slot  810 A such that shoulders  826 A,  828 A of lens  820  rest against ends  804 A,  806 A. Lens  820  has a thickness arranged to enable slot  810 A to snugly retain the lens.  
         [0061]    To remove an interchangeable lens  820 , the foregoing procedure is reversed using sufficient upward pressure and rotation to remove the lens from the slot and lens cup. Using this procedure, any of a plurality of interchangeable lenses may be removed from or inserted into the animal eyewear  802 . As a result, a user may change the lenses in the eyewear according to different conditions. For example, various interchangeable lenses may comprise clear lenses, tinted lenses, lenses with special coatings, etc.  
         [0062]    The eyewear of FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B, FIG. 8C may be packaged and sold in a kit consisting of eyewear and a plurality of different interchangeable lenses.  
         [0063]    IV. EXTENSIONS AND ALTERNATIVES  
         [0064]    In the foregoing specification, the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. However, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the invention. For example, certain embodiments have been described with respect to use with dogs, however, other embodiments may be used with other animal species. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.