Patent Publication Number: US-9427627-B2

Title: Head strap and buckle device for swimming/diving goggles

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a head strap and buckle device for swimming/diving goggles and, more particularly, to a head strap and buckle device for swimming/diving goggles allowing easy adjustment of a tightening length of the head strap by a user and providing enhanced tightening by fixing an end of the head strap relative to the buckle. 
     A type of conventional swimming goggles includes two lenses, two frames, a bridge, a buckle, and a head strap. The buckle is used to assemble with the head strap and to allow adjustment of the tightening length of the head strap.  FIG. 10  shows a conventional head strap and buckle device for swimming/diving goggles. An end of the buckle  1 ′ includes a coupling portion  11 ′ for coupling with the swimming goggles. The other end of the buckle  1 ′ includes a tightening portion  12 ′ for coupling with a soft head strap  2 ′. The tightening portion  12 ′ includes two posts  121 ′ and  122 ′ in a center thereof and a notch  123 ′ in an end thereof. 
     The coupling portion  11 ′ is coupled with a body  3 ′ of the swimming goggles. The head strap  2 ′ extends between the notch  123 ′ and the post  121 ′ and is wound around the posts  121 ′ and  122 ′. An end  124 ′ of the head strap  2 ′ again extends between the notch  123 ′ and the post  121 ′ to fix the tightening length of the head strap  2 ′. 
     However, when the user is intended to adjust the tightening length of the head strap  2 ′, the user has to remove the body  3 ′ from the head of the user, loosen the head strap  2 ′ at the posts  121 ′ and  122 ′ and the notch  123 ′, and then adjust the length of the head strap  2 ′, which is time-consuming. However, after adjustment, the large spacing a between the end  124 ′ of the head strap  2 ′ and the buckle  1 ′ results in difficult positioning of the end  124 ′ of the head strap  2 ′, leading to shifting of the end  124 ′ (see phantom lines) and unsatisfactory tightening. 
       FIG. 11  show another conventional head strap and buckle device for swimming/diving goggles. The buckle  40 ′ includes a pressing portion  4 ′, a clamping portion  5 ′, and a connecting portion  6 ′. The connecting portion  6 ′ is around a mounting peg  81 ′ of a main body  8 ′ of the swimming/diving goggles. The pressing portion  4 ′ includes a post  41 ′ around which the head strap  7 ′ extends. The clamping portion  5 ′ includes a clamping hole  51 ′ in which the head strap  7 ′ can fold in half and a retaining edge  52 ′ for retaining the head strap  7 ′. An end  71 ′ of the head strap  7 ′ can be pulled to tighten the head strap  7 ′ around the head of the user. When the head strap  7 ′ is released, the head strap  7 ′ exerts a pulling force to make the post  41 ′ and the retaining edge  52 ′ tightly position the head strap  7 ′. When loosening of the head strap  7 ′ is desired, the user can press the pressing portion  4 ′ to increase the spacing between the post  41 ′ and the retaining edge  52 ′ (see the double arrow in  FIG. 11 ). An example of such a head strap and buckle device for swimming/diving goggles is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,378. However, the spacing b between the end  71 ′ of the head strap  7 ′ and the buckle  40 ′ during tightening is too large and results in difficult positioning of the end  71 ′ of the head strap  7 ′, leading to shifting of the end  71 ′ (see phantom lines) and unsatisfactory tightening. 
       FIG. 12  shows another conventional head strap and buckle device for swimming/diving goggles. The buckle  91 ′ is provided on a side of a main body  90 ′ of the swimming/diving goggles for coupling with the head strap  92 ′. The buckle  91 ′ includes a base  911 ′, a cover  912 ′, and a button  913 ′. The button  913 ′ includes a shaft  914 ′ rotatably connected to the base  911 ′. The button  913 ′ further includes an engagement end  915 ′ and an abutment end  916 ′. The abutment end  916 ′ can press against an elastic portion  901 ′ of the main body  90 ′. When the button  913 ′ is not pressed, the engagement end  915 ′ engages with teeth  902 ′ of the head strap  92 ′, which only permits pulling of an end  921 ′ of the head strap  92  in the tightening direction. When the button  913 ′ is pressed, the engagement end  915 ′ disengages from the teeth  920 ′ of the head strap  92 ′ to release the head strap  92 ′. An example of such a head strap and buckle device for swimming/diving goggles is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,020,904. However, the spacing C between the end  921 ′ of the head strap  92 ′ and the buckle  91 ′ during pulling of the head strap  92 ′ is too large and results in difficult positioning of the end  921 ′ of the head strap  92 ′, leading to shifting of the end  921 ′ (see phantom lines) and unsatisfactory tightening. Furthermore, the head strap and buckle device includes many components and, thus, results in troublesome assembly. Furthermore, the engagement end  915 ′ cannot reliably engage with the teeth  920 ′ of the head strap  92 ′ when the elasticity of the elastic portion  901 ′ is insufficient. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An objective of the present invention is to provide a head strap and buckle device for swimming/diving goggles allowing the user to adjust the tightness of the head strap while providing enhanced assembling stability. Furthermore, an end of the head strap can be fixed relative to the buckle to provide enhanced tightening. 
     Swimming/diving goggles in accordance with the present invention includes a main body having two sides. Each of the two sides of the main body includes a head strap coupling portion. A head strap includes first and second ends. An attachment portion is formed on at least one of the first and second ends of the head strap. The head strap is coupled with the main body and is wound around a head strap turnaround component. At least one buckle includes first and second sidewalls. Each of the first and second sidewalls includes an upper edge, a lower edge spaced from the upper edge in a height direction, a front edge, and a rear edge spaced from the front edge in a length direction perpendicular to the height direction. A space is defined between the first and second sidewalls. An eccentric axle extends between upper front portions of the first and second sidewalls. A front post and a rear post extend between the first and second sidewalls and are parallel to each other. The front post is located between the eccentric axle and the rear post in the length direction. The rear post is located between the front post and the rear edge in the length direction. The eccentric axle is located between the upper edges and the front post in the height direction. The rear post is spaced from the upper edges of the first and second sidewalls in the height direction. A rear opening is formed between the rear post and the upper edges of the first and second sidewalls. A passage is defined between the front and rear posts and extends in the height direction. 
     The first end of the head strap extends through the rear opening into the space of the at least one buckle, extends through the passage of the at least one buckle, and is wound around the head strap turnaround component to form a bend. The attachment portion of the head strap engages with the eccentric axle. The head strap includes an outer section and an inner section on two sides of the bend. The outer section includes the attachment portion. The head strap and the at least one buckle are jointly movable. 
     A tightening force acting on the inner section of the head strap makes the inner section form a bend in the passage. The inner section of the head strap presses against the front post and the rear post, retaining the head strap in place. 
     The attachment portion of the head strap can include an axle hole, and the eccentric axle is received in the axle hole. 
     In examples, the attachment portion of the head strap is located adjacent to an end edge of the first end of the head strap, and a holding portion is formed between the first end and the attachment portion of the head strap. 
     In an example, the attachment portion is located on the first end of the head strap. 
     The front post can include a lower engagement edge on a lower rear portion thereof, and the rear post can include an upper engagement edge on an upper front portion thereof. 
     The upper front portion of each of the first and second sidewalls of the at least one buckle can include an eccentric hole, and the eccentric axle is received in the eccentric holes. 
     In an example, each head strap coupling portion of the main body includes a pin forming the head strap turnaround component. The at least one buckle includes two buckles. The attachment portion is formed on each of the first and second ends of the head strap. Each of the first and second ends of the head strap extends through the rear opening of one of the two buckles into the space of one of the two buckles, extends through the passage of one of the two buckles, and is wound around one of the pins of the main body to form the bend. Each attachment portion of the head strap engages with the eccentric axle of one of the two buckles. 
     In another example, the at least one buckle includes a buckle. The attachment portion is formed on the first end of the head strap. The head strap turnaround component is a connecting member including a first side and a second side having a peg. The head strap is coupled with the head strap coupling portions. The first and second ends of the head strap are located behind the main body. The second end of the head strap is fixed to the first side of the connecting member. The first end of the head strap extends through the rear opening into the space of the buckle, extends through the passage of the buckle, and is wound around the peg. The attachment portion of the head strap engages with the eccentric axle of the buckle. 
     In a further example, the at least one buckle includes first and second buckles. The attachment portion is formed on each of the first and second ends of the head strap. The head strap turnaround component is a connecting member including first and second pegs. The head strap is coupled with the head strap coupling portions. The first and second ends of the head strap are located behind the main body. The first end of the head strap extends through the rear opening into the space of the first buckle, extends through the passage of the first buckle, and is wound around the first peg. The attachment portion on the first end of the head strap engages with the eccentric axle of the first buckle. The second end of the head strap extends through the rear opening into the space of the second buckle, extends through the passage of the second buckle, and is wound around the second peg. The attachment portion on the second end of the head strap engages with the eccentric axle of the second buckle. 
     The present invention will become clearer in light of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments of this invention described in connection with the drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a head strap and buckle device for swimming/diving goggles of a first example according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of swimming/diving goggles of the first example, with the head strap and buckle device according to the present invention mounted to each of two sides of the swimming/diving goggles. 
         FIG. 3  is a partial, cross sectional view of the swimming/diving goggles of  FIG. 2 , with the head strap not tightened. 
         FIG. 4  is a view similar to  FIG. 3 , with the head strap pulled to pivot a buckle. 
         FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4 , with the head strap tightened. 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 2 , with the head strap tightened. 
         FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 5 , illustrating loosening of the head strap. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of swimming/diving goggles of a second example according to the present invention, with the head strap and buckle device according to the present invention mounted behind a main body of the swimming/diving goggles. 
         FIG. 8A  is an enlarged view of a circled portion of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 9  is a top view of swimming/diving goggles of a third example according to the present invention, with two head strap and buckle devices according to the present invention mounted behind the main body of the swimming/diving goggles. 
         FIG. 10  is a partial, top view illustrating a conventional head strap and buckle device for swimming/diving goggles. 
         FIG. 11  is a partial, cross sectional view illustrating another conventional head strap and buckle device for swimming/diving goggles. 
         FIG. 12  is a partial, top view illustrating a further conventional head strap and buckle device for swimming/diving goggles. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , swimming/diving goggles of a first example according to the present invention includes a main body  3 , a head strap turnaround component, a head strap  1 , and a buckle  2  on each of two sides of the main body  3 . Each side of the main body  3  includes a head strap coupling portion  31 . In this example, each head strap coupling portion  31  of the main body  3  includes a pin  311  forming the head strap turnaround component. The head strap  1  is made of a flexible material and includes first and second ends  11 . An attachment portion  12  is formed on each of the first and second ends  11  of the head strap  1 , is located adjacent to an end edge of one of the first and second edges  11 , and includes an axle hole  121 . A holding portion  13  of an appropriate length is formed between each attachment portion  12  and the end edge of a corresponding one of the first and second ends  11  of the head strap  1 . 
     Each buckle  2  includes first and second sidewalls  21  parallel to each other. Each of the first and second sidewalls  21  includes an upper edge  211 , a lower edge  212  spaced from the upper edge  211  in a height direction, a front edge  213 , and a rear edge  214  spaced from the front edge  213  in a length direction perpendicular to the height direction. A space  22  is defined between the first and second sidewalls  21 . An eccentric axle  24  extends between upper front portions of the first and second sidewalls  21 . In this example, the upper front portion of each of the first and second sidewalls  21  includes an eccentric hole  23 . The eccentric axle  24  is received in the eccentric holes  23  and extends through the axle hole  121  of one of the attachment portions  12  of the head strap  1 . 
     A front post  25  and a rear post  26  extend between the first and second sidewalls  21  and are parallel to each other. The front post  25  is located between the eccentric axle  24  and the rear post  26  in the length direction. The rear post  26  is located between the front post  25  and the rear edge  214  in the length direction. The eccentric axle  24  is located between the upper edges  211  and the front post  25  in the height direction. The rear post  26  is spaced from the upper edges  211  of the first and second sidewalls  21  in the height direction. A rear opening  27  is formed between the rear post  26  and the upper edges  211  of the first and second sidewalls  21 . A passage  28  is defined between the front and rear posts  25  and  26  and extends in the height direction. A spacing between the front post  25  and the lower edge  212  of each of the first and second sidewalls  21  is substantially the same as the width of the head strap  1 . The front post  25  includes a lower engagement edge  251  on a lower rear portion thereof. The rear post  26  includes an upper engagement edge  261  on an upper front portion thereof. 
     Each of the first and second ends  11  of the head strap  1  extends through the rear opening  27  of one of the two buckles  2  into the space  22  of one of the two buckles  2 , extends through the passage  28  of one of the two buckles  2 , and is wound around one of the pins  311  of the main body  3  to form a bend. Each attachment portion  12  of the head strap  1  engages with the eccentric axle  24  of one of the two buckles  2 . Each holding portion  13  extends rearwards through the rear opening  27  of one of the buckles  2 . After assembly, on each side of the main body  3 , the head strap  1  includes an outer section  14  and an inner section  15  on two sides of the bend, with the outer section  14  including the attachment portion  12  and with the outer section  14  of the head strap  1  and each buckle  2  being jointly movable. A tightening force acting on the inner section  15  of the head strap  1  moves the passage  28  to be in a direction perpendicular to the inner section  15  of the head strap  1  and forms a bend in the passage  28 . Furthermore, the inner section  15  of the head strap  1  presses against the lower engagement edge  251  of the front post  25  and the upper engagement edge  261  of the rear post  26 , retaining the head strap  1  in place. 
       FIG. 4  shows a side of the swimming/diving goggle, with the other side being a mirror image. When it is desired to proceed with a large extent of tightening length adjustment, the user can pull the head strap  1  rearwards by the holding portion  13  of the head strap  1  or the eccentric axle  24 . The buckle  2  pivots such that the passage  28  is moved to be in a front/rear direction of the main body  3 . Thus, the inner section  15  of the head strap  1  is not retained by the front and rear posts  25  and  26 , allowing adjustment of the tightening length of the head strap  1 . 
     Please referrer to  FIGS. 5 and 6 .  FIG. 5  shows a side of the swimming/diving goggle, with the other side being a mirror image. After tightening, the holding portion  13  of the head strap  1  or the eccentric axle  24  is released, the tightening force (see the double arrow) acting on the inner section  15  of the head strap  1  returns the buckle  2  to a position in which the passage  28  is perpendicular to the inner section  15 , forming a bend such that the lower engagement edge  251  of the front post  25  and the upper engagement edge  261  of the rear post  26  retain the adjusted head strap  1  in place. The operation is easy. Furthermore, the outer section  14  of the head strap  1  becomes longer after adjustment, but the spacing between the first end  11  and the buckle  2  remains unchanged, preventing dangling of the excessively long length between the first end  11  and the buckle  2  while providing enhanced tightening effect. 
       FIG. 7  shows a side of the swimming/diving goggle, with the other side being a mirror image. When it is desired to release the head strap  1 , the user can apply a small force in a direction indicated by the upwards arrow in  FIG. 7  to move the buckle  2  forwards. As further shown in  FIG. 7 , head strap  1  and buckle  2  are jointly movable as a whole in a same direction with a same distance. The force applied by the user is larger than the engagement force between the head strap  1  and the buckle  2 . In cooperation with the tightening force acting on the head strap  1  indicated by the double arrow, the length of the outer section  14  of the head strap  1  can easily be reduced, which is easy in operation. 
       FIGS. 8 and 8A  show swimming/diving goggles of a second example according to the present invention. In this example, the swimming/diving goggles includes only one buckle  2  mounted behind the main body  3 , and the attachment portion  12  is formed on the first end  11  of the head strap  1 . Furthermore, the head strap turnaround component is a connecting member  4  including a first side and a second side having a peg  41 . The head strap  1  is coupled with the head strap coupling portions  31 , and the first and second ends  11  of the head strap  1  are located behind the main body  3 . The second end  11  of the head strap  1  is fixed to the first side of the connecting member  4 . The first end  11  of the head strap  1  extends through the rear opening  27  into the space  22  of the buckle  2 , extends through the passage  28  of the buckle  2 , and is wound around the peg  41 . The attachment portion  12  of the head strap  1  engages with the eccentric axle  24  of the buckle  2 . 
     The holding portion  13  on the first end  11  of the head strap  1  extends rearwards through the rear opening  27  of the buckle  2 . After assembly, the head strap  1  includes an outer section  14  and an inner section  15  on two sides of the peg  41 , with the outer section  14  including the attachment portion  12  and with the outer section  14  of the head strap  1  and the buckle  2  being jointly movable. A tightening force acting on the inner section  15  of the head strap  1  moves the passage  28  to be in a direction perpendicular to the inner section  15  of the head strap  1  and forms a bend in the passage  28 . Furthermore, the inner section  15  of the head strap  1  presses against the lower engagement edge  251  of the front post  25  and the upper engagement edge  261  of the rear post  26 , retaining the head strap  1  in place. Operation of the second example is substantially the same as the first example for tightening and loosening the head strap  1 . 
       FIGS. 9 and 9A  show a swimming/diving goggles of a third example according to the present invention. In this example, the swimming/diving goggles includes first and second buckles  2 . The attachment portion  12  is formed on each of the first and second ends  11  of the head strap  1 . Furthermore, the head strap turnaround component is a connecting member  5  including first and second pegs  51 . The head strap  1  is coupled with the head strap coupling portions  31 . The first and second ends  11  of the head strap  1  are located behind the main body  3 . The first end  11  of the head strap  1  extends through the rear opening  27  into the space  22  of the first buckle  2 , extends through the passage  28  of the first buckle  2 , and is wound around the first peg  51 . The attachment portion  12  on the first end  11  of the head strap  1  engages with the eccentric axle  24  of the first buckle  2 . The second end  11  of the head strap  1  extends through the rear opening  27  into the space  22  of the second buckle  2 , extends through the passage  28  of the second buckle  2 , and is wound around the second peg  51 . The attachment portion  12  on the second end  11  of the head strap  1  engages with the eccentric axle  24  of the second buckle  2 . 
     The holding portion  13  on each of the first and second ends  11  of the head strap  1  extends rearwards through the rear opening  27  of one of the first and second buckles  2 . After assembly, on each side of the main body  3 , the head strap  1  includes an outer section  14  and an inner section  15  on two sides of one of the first and second pegs  51 , with the outer section  14  including the attachment portion  12  and with the outer section  14  of the head strap  1  and the associated buckle  2  being jointly movable. 
     For each of the first and second buckles  2 , a tightening force acting on the inner section  15  of the head strap  1  moves the passage  28  to be in a direction perpendicular to the inner section  15  of the head strap  1  and forms a bend in the passage  28 . Furthermore, the inner section  15  of the head strap  1  presses against the lower engagement edge  251  of the front post  25  and the upper engagement edge  261  of the rear post  26 , retaining the head strap  1  in place. Operation of the third example is substantially the same as the first example for tightening and loosening the head strap  1  by moving the first and second buckles  2 . 
     The head strap and buckle device according to the present invention can be used on diving goggles. Furthermore, the head strap  1  can be directly tied to the eccentric axle  24  or coupled to the eccentric axle  24  by any suitable provision. In a case that the head strap  1  does not include the holding portion  13 , the user can directly pull the head strap  1  by the eccentric axle  24  for adjusting purposes while providing an integral aesthetic appearance. 
     Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications and variations are still possible without departing from the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is limited by the accompanying claims.