Abstract:
A family of eye protectors for use with a variety of shapes and sizes of heads includes a plurality of different lenses with each lens having a selected curvature and selected height and profile parameters; and a manually adjustable nose engaging element carried on each lens. The nose engaging element can include a substantially U-shaped frame which has first and second deflectable, spaced apart members joined by a third member. A plurality of identical mounting elements can be proved wherein each mounting element holds one of said plurality of different lenses.

Description:
FIELD 
     The invention pertains to safety glasses of various geometries usable with different sizes and shapes of human heads. More particularly, the invention pertains to modular structures from which different geometries of glasses can be implemented using common elements. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various sizes and types of safety glasses, or sun glasses are known. The known types attempt to address different sizes and shapes of human heads. 
     Some of the known products include multiple sets of lenses and other adjustments. Some of the products include adjustable nose pads and temples. 
     There is an on-going need to provide various sizes of safety glasses which are comfortable and fit well, but at the same time provide a good level of protection for the users. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrate different views of a family of unitary lenses in accordance with the invention; 
         FIGS. 2A-2C  illustrate additional details of the members of the family of unitary lenses of  FIGS. 1A-1D ; 
         FIGS. 3A-3D  illustrate aspects of a family of safety glasses in accordance with the invention; 
         FIGS. 4A ,  4 B illustrate aspects of an adjustable nose bridge usable with the safety glasses of  FIGS. 3A-3D ; 
         FIGS. 5A ,  5 B illustrate adjusting the nose bridge illustrated in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B; and; 
         FIGS. 6A ,  6 B illustrate aspects of nose pads usable with the nose bridge of  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While embodiments of this invention can take many different forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention, as well as the best mode of practicing same, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. 
     In one aspect of the invention, a family of lenses is provided. In this regard, the lenses can have a common curvature along with similar height parameters and profiles. 
     In embodiments of the invention, differentiation between the members of the family of lenses can be achieved by changing the base curvature of the lenses, changing the pupillary distance and by varying the pantoscopic angle. Representative lens sizes can be categorized as large, wide and narrow. Each lens can be formed with a different base. Various degrees of nose cut can be provided on different family members. 
     In other embodiments of the invention, the nose pads can be adjusted. Additionally, the temples can be adjustable. In yet another aspect of the invention, the lenses can be shaped with a curve  8 ,  9 , or  10  base all without limitation. A common set of temples can be used for the various members of the family of lenses. 
     The adjustment features make it possible to adjust the respective lens so that the lens&#39; optical center aligns with the center of the pupil of the user&#39;s eyes. This advantageously eliminates vertical prism imbalance to reduce eye strain and fatigue, maximizes the resolving power of the lens, reduces haze for a clearer field of view and reduces perception of chromatic and spherical aberration. 
     In yet another aspect of the invention, safety glasses in accordance with the invention can be adjusted such that the lens does not come into contact with the wearer&#39;s skin. This reduces the risk of lens fogging. Further, gaps can be left between the respective lens and the face of the wearer to protect the wearer&#39;s eyes from flying objects and particles. 
     In one embodiment, of the invention, three different lens geometries can be provided identifiable as wide, large, and narrow, depending on the geometry of the expected wearer&#39;s face. Differences in respective members of the families relate to optical and geometrical parameters such as pantoscopic angle and papillary distance. 
     A user manipulatable, vertically adjustable nose portion makes it possible for a user to adjust the lens without any need for a tool. Pivotable, and deformable nose pads can be provided to increase user comfort. Finally, detents can be provided limiting adjustments to a plurality of vertical positions to increase ease and simplicity of adjustment. 
     A first part of a nose locking element can be carried on the frame at the center of the lens. A three sided bridge, with two spaced apart arms, joined by a center section can carry nose pads. The bridge can be locked to the locking element in each of a plurality of generally vertical positions. 
     The center section can carry locking arms, which engage the first part of the nose locking element on the frame. Deflecting the nose pads toward one another releases the arms to adjust the bridge. Spreading the nose pads apart, for example as when wearing the glasses, further locks the bridge to the first part. 
     In one disclosed embodiment, the nose pads can be formed as a co-injected, dual material, member. Such nose pads can provide ball joint-like movement without requiring assembly. 
     With respect to the figures,  FIGS. 1A-1D  illustrate members  10 - 1 , - 2 , - 3  of an exemplary family of lenses  10 . The members of the family  10  are shaped with a common curve  9  base. They have the same height and profile shape except for the narrow, lens  10 - 3  which has longer side coverage and the wide lens  10 - 1  which has a shorter nose cut.  FIGS. 2A , B, and C illustrate additional details of the shapes of each of the lenses. The lenses  10 - 1 , - 2 , - 3  can be formed with different bases  10   i  as well as different height and profile shapes as desired. 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a family  30  of safety glasses built around the family of lenses  10 . Each member of the family, such as  30 - i  includes an adjustable nose element, indicated generally at  20 . The adjustable nose element  20  also carries a pair of elastomeric nose contact pads. 
     Pivotably attached ear pieces, indicated generally at  32  provide an adjustable pantoscopic angle for the user, illustrated in  FIGS. 3B ,  3 C and  3 D. The adjustable nose elements  20  provide vertical adjustment so that the user, or, wearer of the glasses can center the lenses with his/her eyes while the pivotable ear pieces  32  provide the angular adjustment. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B the safety glass can be considered frameless. The respective ear piece  32  can be attached directly to the lens or can be a separate part that will snap onto the lens and hold the temple arm. In another embodiment, the respective lens, such as  10 - 1  can carry a mounting element, such as  30   a  to which the respective ear piece  32  can be attached. The adjustable nose element, such as  20 - i  includes a cover  20   a  and a vertically slidable adjustment structure  20   b.    
     The structure  20   b , as illustrated in  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B, includes a U-shaped portion with arms  22   a, b  joined by a center section  22   c . A free end, such as  22   d , of each of the arms  22   a, b  carries a respective nose pad  40   a, b . An extension  22   e  from the central section  22   c  slides in the slot  10   d  of the respective lens, such as  10 - i , s the structure  20   b  is adjusted vertically L relative to the lens  10 - 1 . 
     Manually squeezing the nose pads  40   a,b  toward each other as illustrated in  FIG. 5B , releases the member  20 - i  from the mounting portion  30   a  to move vertically L as desired. Detents can be provided in the mounting portion  30   a  into which ends of locking arms  24   a,b  can move to lock the nose bridge  20 - i  into a selected location. 
     When the safety glasses are in use and nose pads  40   a,b  are in contact with the user&#39;s nose, the forces on the pads from the user&#39;s nose tend to spread them apart thus forcing arms  24   a,b  toward one another thereby locking the nose bridge  20   b  firmly in place relative to member  30   a.    
       FIGS. 6A ,  6 B illustrates aspects of the nose pads  40   a,b . Nose pads  40   a,b  can be formed of two elastomeric materials co-injected on the nose bridge  20   b . This fabrication recreates ball joint-type movement very cost effectively. A further advantage is that no assembly is required. 
     In summary, a family of eye protectors can be based on a plurality of lenses. Each of the lenses has a different, anatomically based, shape with a common curvature and two spaced apart transparent optical elements  10   a  and  10   b  with a nose receiving region  10   c  therebetween. 
     First and second pivotable ear pieces can be coupled to respective first and second ends of a respective lens, with each ear piece adjacent to a respective optical element. The ear pieces provide an accurate adjustment, pantoscopic angle adjustment, for the eye protectors. 
     An adjustable, vertically movable, nose bridge is carried between the optical elements of a lens. Ends of the nose bridge carry soft, deformable nose pads. 
     The ends can be deflected toward one another to release the bridge from the lens for vertical movement therebetween. When the ends are released, they move apart and lock the bridge to the lens. In addition, when being worn, the ends are continually pushed apart thereby maintaining the relative position of the nose bridge relative to the lens. 
     A slot can be provided on the lens so the nose bridge can move freely to adjust the position of the lens relative to the user&#39;s eyes. The nose pads can be formed of two different, co-extruded elastomeric materials. 
     From the foregoing, it will be observed that numerous variations and modifications may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be understood that no limitation with respect to the specific apparatus illustrated herein is intended or should be inferred. It is, of course, intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.