Abstract:
An apparatus and method for removably attaching a lens to a pair of goggles. The lens has at its periphery a plurality of lens clips, and the goggles has on its frame a matching plurality of frame clips which are designed to attach to the lens clips. Attachment and unattachment may be achieved through actuation of a lens release mechanism. The apparatus allows for the rapid and easy replacement of lenses without necessitating a replacement of the remaining portion of the goggles, a feature which may allow a user to cost-effectively replace damaged or worn lenses, or to utilize a single pair of goggles in a multitude of activities or situations in which advantages may be conferred through or necessity may require the use of a type or style of lens having particular attributes.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/900,710 filed Nov. 6, 2013, which is incorporated hereby reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not applicable 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    1. Technical Field 
         [0004]    The present disclosure relates generally to the attachment of outer lenses to goggles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for removably attaching outer lenses to goggles in an easy and rapid fashion. 
         [0005]    2. Related Art 
         [0006]    In order to protect one&#39;s eyes during many sports or outdoor activities such as skiing, skydiving, paragliding, and so on, a person may wear goggles. 
         [0007]    Typically, goggles are constructed of a frame, lenses which are fixedly mounted on the forward face of the frame, padding for comfort and absorbing sweat which is attached to the rear face of the frame, and a band for fixing the goggles to a user&#39;s head. 
         [0008]    While generally all goggles share this basic design, it has been found that the experience of wearing goggles during certain sports or outdoor activities may be enhanced by wearing specialized or preferred lenses for that sport or activity. For example, variation in the colors of lenses may affect a wearer&#39;s perception of the brightness and contrast of their environment, as well as a wearer&#39;s depth perception and ability to perceive certain colors. 
         [0009]    Additionally, during certain sports or outdoor activities, it is common that the lenses on a pair of goggles may become damaged, such as by becoming cracked, scratched, or crazed. 
         [0010]    Thus, a wearer who owns a pair of goggles with integrated lenses, but desires to wear different lenses on their goggles, or to replace damaged lenses on their goggles, is required to purchase and adjust to an entirely new pair of goggles, or take the goggles to the manufacturer or a specialist for replacement of lenses. 
         [0011]    Thus, there is a need in the art for an improved goggle. Various aspects of the present invention address this need, as will be explained in more detail below. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0012]    To solve these and other problems, an apparatus is contemplated which provides for removably attaching outer lenses to goggles in a way that allows easy and rapid replacement of a lens by the wearer. Thus, a user may rapidly and inexpensively replace a damaged lens, or swap from one lens to another to suit their particular needs at any given moment, without requiring the user to obtain or store a separate pair of goggles. 
         [0013]    According to one embodiment, the apparatus includes a frame and a lens rim attachable to the frame. A plurality of lens clips are disposed on the lens rim, and a plurality of frame clips are disposed on the frame. Each lens is configured to attach to a respective frame clip, and when every lens clip is attached to its respective frame clip, the lens rim is attached to the frame. The frame clips include a movably attached frame clip that is movable relative to the frame between a first position and a second position. A lens release mechanism is coupled to the frame and is actuated to cause the movably attached frame clip to move between the first position and the second position. When the movably attached frame clip is moved to the second position, a lens clip attached to that movably attached frame clip becomes unattached. 
         [0014]    The plurality of frame clips includes a fixedly attached frame clip. The fixedly attached frame clip and the movably attached frame clip are be disposed on opposing portions of the frame. Specifically, the fixedly attached frame clip and the movably attached frame clip are situated proximal to opposing temple regions of the frame. 
         [0015]    The movably attached frame clip is biased towards the first position. Such a bias results in the movably attached frame clip returning to the first position after the actuation of the lens release mechanism causes the movably attached frame clip to move to the second position. 
         [0016]    Each of the plurality of frame clips comprises hook members. The frame also comprises a forward facing surface surrounding a lens rim slot which is sized and dimensioned to accept complementary placement of a lens rim. The frame may be configured so that when the lens rim is complementarily placed in the lens rim slot, the forward facing surface of the frame is substantially flush with the lens rim. The lens release mechanism may be, for example, a button. 
         [0017]    An attached lens rim may be removed from the frame by actuation of the lens release mechanism. The removal may also include the additional step of moving the lens rim away from the frame. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a partial exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a lens attachment apparatus; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the lens and the frame of one embodiment of the lens attachment apparatus; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  is a partial front view of the lens rim of one embodiment of the lens attachment apparatus, unattached from the frame; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a partial front view of the lens rim of one embodiment of the lens attachment apparatus, attached to the frame. 
       
    
    
       [0023]    Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and the detailed description to indicate the same elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    According to various aspects of the present invention, an apparatus and related method for removably attaching a lens to a frame is contemplated, which utilizes a frame with a plurality of frame clips which are configured to selectively attach to respective ones of a plurality of lens clips situated on a lens rim. The frame clips include at least one frame clip movably attached to the frame and movable in response to actuation of a lens release mechanism. When actuated, the lens release mechanism may cause a movable frame clip to move, allowing the lens clip to become attached or unattached to or from the frame clip. It is additionally contemplated that certain frame clips may be fixedly attached to the frame. The frame clips may have a hook member configured to attach to lens clips which have a corresponding eyelet member. 
         [0025]    Referring now to the figures, and more particularly to  FIG. 1 , an apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown. The embodiment includes a frame  5  having a frame clip slot  3 , a lens rim slot  7 , and a forward facing surface  9 . The frame  5  may be any style or construction of frame typically used in a pair of goggles or other eyewear, and it may be seen that the frame  5  may be formed, sized, and configured according to known methods or ways of forming, sizing, and configuring a frame. 
         [0026]    The frame clip slot  3  is, in the exemplary embodiment, an opening portion extending into the forward facing surface  9  at the periphery of a frame  5  to form a cavity. The frame clip slot  3  does not extend through the entire frame  5 , but rather terminates to create a surface. The frame clip slot  3  of the exemplary embodiment has a dovetail configuration in which there are peripheral walls on three sides of the frame clip slot  3 , with the fourth side being open to the edge of the frame  5 . In the dovetail configuration, the frame clip slot  3  is wider towards the inside of the frame  5 , and narrows progressively towards the periphery of the frame  5 . It may be seen, however, that in other embodiments, frame clip slot  3  may be differently sized and configured differently. It may be seen that the frame clip slot  3  may be cut into the surface portion  9  of frame  5 , or may be formed concurrently with the frame  5  as part of a molding process. 
         [0027]    The lens rim slot  7  is, in the exemplary embodiment, an opening portion extending into the forward facing surface  9 , at the interior periphery of forward facing surface  9  of frame  5  to form a cavity. The lens rim slot  7  preferably does not extend through the entire frame  5 , but rather terminates to create a surface. In one embodiment, the lens rim slot  7  extends about the entire forward facing surface  9  of frame  5 . In other embodiments, however, it may be seen that there may be multiple lens rim slots  7  when multiple lenses are used with a pair of goggles. It may be seen that the lens rim slot  7  may be cut into the surface portion  9  of frame  5 , or may be formed concurrently with the frame  5  as part of a molding process. 
         [0028]    The frame  5  may have disposed proximal to the frame clip slot  3  a frame clip engagement portion  3   a  for attachment of a frame clip  30 . In the exemplary embodiment, the frame clip engagement portion  3   a  is an opening sized and configured for placement of a rivet through the opening. However, it may be seen that in other embodiments, frame clip engagement portion  3   a  may include any type of fastener suitable for fastening together components used in the construction of goggles, and may include mechanical fasteners which include, for example but without limitation, bolts, clamps, nails, rivets, screws, or adhesives. 
         [0029]    The exemplary embodiment also includes a frame clip assembly  30 . In one exemplary embodiment, frame clip assembly  30  has a lower frame clip housing  23 , a frame clip  26 , and an upper frame clip housing  29 . 
         [0030]    In the exemplary embodiment, lower frame clip housing  23  is sized and configured to fit within the frame clip slot  3  of the frame  5 , having a lower surface and four walls extending upward so as to be shaped in a similar dovetail configuration as frame clip slot  3 . The exterior wall is placed in alignment with the periphery of the frame  5 , and has a cutout portion. The lower frame clip housing  23  includes a frame clip groove  23   a , a frame clip cavity portion  23   b , and a lower frame clip fastener  23   c . The frame clip groove  23   a  is, in the exemplary embodiment, two grooves in the lower surface of lower frame clip housing extending from the wall facing the interior of the frame  5  to the cutout portion of the exterior wall. The frame clip groove  23   a  is in a slidingly engagable relation with the frame clip  26 , which allows frame clip  26  to move parallel to the path of frame clip groove  23   a . It may be seen that in other embodiments, however, frame clip groove  23   a  may be, for example but without limitation, a ridge, slide or track. 
         [0031]    In the exemplary embodiment, the frame clip cavity portion  23   b  is an opening portion of the lower frame clip housing  23  sized and dimensioned to accept placement of the frame  26 . The frame clip cavity portion  23   b  has a similar dovetail configuration as the lower frame clip housing  23 , and is defined by the interior wall, the two side walls, and the exterior wall having a cutout portion. 
         [0032]    In the exemplary embodiment, the lower frame clip engagement portion  23   c  is an opening portion placed coaxially with the frame clip engagement portion  3   a , through which a rivet may be placed to fasten the frame clip assembly  30  to the frame  5 . However, it may be seen that in other embodiments, lower frame clip may be any type of fastener suitable for fastening together components used in the construction of goggles, and may be mechanical fasteners which include, for example but without limitation, bolts, clamps, nails, rivets, screws, or adhesives. 
         [0033]    In the exemplary embodiment, frame clip  26  is a member placed within the lower frame clip housing  23  having a lens release mechanism  24 , a hook member  24   a , a frame clip guide  24   b , and a biasing member  25 . 
         [0034]    Lens release mechanism  24 , in the exemplary embodiment, is a button connected to the frame clip  26  which, when the frame clip  26  is placed in the lower frame clip housing  23 , extends through the cutout portion of the exterior wall of the frame clip housing  23  so as to be accessible to a user for actuation. In the case of the exemplary embodiment, actuation consists of pressing the lens release mechanism  24  to move the frame clip  26  relative to the frame  5  and the frame clip assembly  30  between a first position and a second position. However, it may be seen that in other embodiments, lens release mechanism  24  may be any mechanism which may be actuated to cause frame clip  26  to move relative to the frame  5  between a first position and a second position. The lens release mechanism  24  may be, for example but without limitation, a lever, knob or switch. 
         [0035]    In the exemplary embodiment, hook member  24   a  is a portion of the frame clip  26  extending in a direction outward from the forward facing surface  9  of the frame  5 , consisting of a vertical portion and a horizontal portion, and configured to attach to an eyelet in a hook-and-eyelet fastening scheme. Hook member  24   a  may be seen to traverse along a path parallel to frame clip groove  23   a  in response to actuation of the lens release mechanism  24  between a first position and a second position. In other embodiments, however, hook member  24   a  may be any fastener which may be configured to be attached and unattached from another fastener through actuation of lens release member  24 . For example but without limitation, hook member  24   a  may be clamps, latches, couplings, or locks. 
         [0036]    Frame clip guide  24   b , in the exemplary embodiment, consists of pins sized to fit within and slidingly engage with frame clip groove  23   a  so that frame clip  26  traverses parallel to frame clip groove  23   a  when lens release mechanism  24  is actuated. In other embodiments, however, frame clip guide  24   b  may be, for example but without limitation, prongs, pegs, rods, slides or ridges. 
         [0037]    Biasing member  25  may place tension on frame clip  26  and may cause frame clip  26  to return to a first position following movement to a second position by actuation of a lens release mechanism  24 . In the exemplary embodiment, biasing member  25  includes two prongs extending outward from frame clip  26 , with distal portions of both prongs being enlarged and configured to impinge upon the interior wall of lower frame clip housing  23  when frame clip  26  is in both the first position and the second position, so as to bias frame clip  26  to the first position. When lens release mechanism  24  is actuated, causing frame clip  26  to traverse to the second position, the two prongs of biasing member  25  may be seen to traverse outward along the inner wall of lower frame clip housing member  23  to maintain and increase the biasing force on frame clip  26 . It may be seen that, in other embodiments, biasing member  25  may be anything calculated to result in bias or tension on frame clip  26 , including but not limited to springs, elastics or resiliently biased materials. 
         [0038]    Upper frame clip housing  29  may include, in the exemplary embodiment, a lens clip slot  27  and an upper frame clip opening portion  27   a . Upper frame clip housing  29  may be sized and configured to retain frame clip  26  within the frame clip cavity portion  23   b  of the lower frame clip housing  23 . In the exemplary embodiment, upper frame clip housing  29  has the same general dovetail shape and size as lower frame clip housing  23 , and is placed against lower frame clip housing  23  to house frame clip  26 . 
         [0039]    Lens clip slot  27 , in the exemplary embodiment, is an opening portion in upper frame clip housing  29  resulting in a cavity in a dovetail configuration terminating in a lower surface not extending all the way through upper frame clip housing  29 . The interior portion of the cavity of lens clip slot  7  is wider than the exterior portion, and is open and aligned with a wall of lens rim slot  7 . 
         [0040]    The lower surface of lens clip slot  27 , in the exemplary embodiment, has an frame clip opening portion  27   a . Frame clip opening portion  27   a  is sized and configured to allow the passage therethrough of hook member  24   a . Frame clip opening portion  27   a , in the exemplary embodiment, is a rectangular defined opening extending entirely through the upper frame clip housing  29 , with the sides of the rectangular defined opening parallel to the frame clip groove  23   a  being of a length equal to or longer than the length traveled by the frame clip  26  between the first position and second position, and the sides of the rectangular defined opening transverse to the frame clip groove  23   a  being of a length equal to or wider than the vertical portion of the hook member  24   a , to allow relatively unimpaired movement of the hook member  24   a  within the frame clip opening portion  27   a  when the frame clip  26  is moved between the first position and the second position by actuation of the lens release mechanism  24 . 
         [0041]    The apparatus may also comprise a lens rim  35  at the periphery of a lens  40 , and one or more lens clips  33 . In the exemplary embodiment, lens clip  33  includes an eyelet member  33   a  for attachment to a hook member  24   a  of a frame clip  26 . However, it may also be seen that in other embodiments, other mechanisms for attachment of a lens clip  33  to a frame clip  26  may be utilized, and that such mechanisms fall within the scope of the present disclosure. It may also be seen that lens  40  may be any type of lens used or usable in the construction of goggles or other eyewear, and lens rim  35  may encompass the rim or periphery of any such lens  40 , so long as a lens clip  33  for attachment to frame clip  26  is present. In an exemplary embodiment, lens rim  35  is a separate element disposed on the perimeter of the lens  40 . However, it may be seen that in other embodiments, lens rim  35  may be, for example but without limitation, the material of the lens  40  itself, or may be disposed in locations other than the perimeter of the lens  40 . 
         [0042]    In another embodiment, frame clip  26  may be a fixedly attached frame clip. In such an embodiment, hook member  24   a  attached to the frame  5  may be all that is required to comprise the frame clip  26 , and the remaining portions of frame clip apparatus  30  may be unnecessary. It may be seen that certain embodiments of the apparatus may have various combinations of fixedly attached and movably attached frame clips  26 . For example, one particular embodiment may include one fixedly attached frame clip  26  and one movably attached frame clip  26  for retaining a lens to a pair of goggles. Other embodiments may include those which utilize two or more movably attached frame clips  26 , or other numbers of fixedly attached and movably attached frame clips  26 . 
         [0043]    Lens rim slot  7  is, in the exemplary embodiment, sized and configured to accept the placement of lens rim  35  therein. In such a fashion, it may be seen that in certain embodiments, the forward facing surface of frame  5  may be configured to be, for example, substantially flush with lens rim  35  when lens rim  35  is placed in the lens rim slot  7 . Such a configuration may have certain advantages in, for example, improving airflow over the goggles or preventing lens  40  from easily becoming dislodged or shifted. Such an arrangement may also provide an aesthetic benefit. However, it may also be seen that embodiments in which the lens rim  35  is not substantially flush with the forward facing surface of the frame  5  are within the scope of the present disclosure. The same considerations of airflow, damage resistance, and aesthetic appeal may also be taken into account with respect to the placement of lens clip  33  into lens clip slot  27  during attachment to frame clip  26 , and the placement of frame clip assembly  30  into frame clip slot  3 , and it may be seen that various arrangements of components of the apparatus may accentuate certain of the above discussed advantages as well as other advantages which may be realized, and that such arrangements fall within the scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a front view of an exemplary embodiment is shown in which two frame clips assemblies  30  and two lens clips  33  are utilized. In such an embodiment, it may be seen that the frame clips assemblies  30  are situated at opposing sides of the frame  5 . Such a placement may have the advantage of providing only a few points of attachment for ease of detachment, but also may provide adequately secure attachment of the lens  40  to the frame  5  in the event of impact or shock which may occur during the typical course of use of a pair of goggles. Additionally, the placement of opposing frame clip assemblies  30  at the temple regions of the frame  5 , which are the regions of the frame  5  adjacent to the temples of a typical wearer when worn on the head and over the eyes, may provide enhanced visibility and ease of access to lens release mechanism  24 . 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a front view of an exemplary embodiment having a movably attached frame clip  26  is shown, in which a lens clip  33  is ready for attachment to movably attached frame clip  26 . It may be seen that when the lens release mechanism  24  is actuated, the frame clip  26  traverses, causing the hook member  24   a  to move from a first position to a second position in order to catch and engage eyelet member  33   a . The biasing action of biasing member  25  may then return hook member  24   a  to the first position, causing the attachment of hook member  24   a  of frame clip  26  to eyelet member  33   a  of lens clip  33 . 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a front view of an exemplary embodiment in which lens clip  33  is engaged with frame clip  26  is shown. It may be seen that hook member  24   a  of frame clip  26  is attached to eyelet member  33   a  of lens clip  33 , and that the biasing action of biasing member  25  prevents unattachment of the two. It may also be seen that in order to unattach hook member  24   a  of frame clip  30  from eyelet member  33   a  of lens clip  33 , lens release mechanism  24  may be actuated so as to cause frame clip  26  to traverse, releasing eyelet member  33   a  from hook member  24   a . The lens rim  35  may then be removed from the frame  5  by, for example, lifting it out of the lens rim slot  7  by a user grasping a portion of the lens  40  or lens rim  35  and moving the lens  40  away from the frame. Additional elements operatively attached to the lens  40  may be provided for ease of grasping to aid in such removal of the lens  40  from the frame  5 . 
         [0047]    With the primary structural features of the apparatus described above, the following discussion describes usage of the apparatus according to aspects of the present invention. In the exemplary embodiment, a lens  40  may be attached to a frame  5  having two movably attached frame clips  26  by the user placing a lens rim  35  into a lens rim slot  7  and aligning the lens clips  33  in the lens clip slots  27 . The user may then actuate the lens release mechanisms  24 , causing each of the frame clips  26  to traverse along the path of frame clip grooves  23   a  from the first position to the second position. In the second position, the hook member  24   a  of the lens clip  26  is aligned within the eyelet member  33   a  of the lens clip  33 . Following release of the lens release mechanism, the biasing member  25  causes the lens clip  26  to return from the second position to the first position along the path of lens clip groove  23   a , causing the hook members  24   a  of the frame clips  26  to catch and retain eyelet members  33   a  of the lens clips  33 , resulting in attachments of the frame clips  26  to lens clips  33 , and thus attachment of the lens rim  35  to the frame  5 . 
         [0048]    The lens may then be unattached from the frame  5 , in the exemplary embodiment having two movably attached frame clips, by the user actuating the lens release mechanisms  24 , causing the frame clips  26  to move from the first position to the second position along the frame clip groove  23   a . This causes the hook members  24   a  of the frame clips  26  to release the eyelet members  33   a  of the lens clips  33  and align within the eyelet members. The lens  40  is then unattached from the frame  5  and may then be manually removed from the lens slot  7 . 
         [0049]    In another embodiment in which one movably attached frame clip  26  and one fixedly attached frame clip  26  is used, the lens  40  may be attached and detached by the actuation of a single lens release mechanism  24 . To attach the lens  40  to the frame  5 , the eyelet member  33   a  of one lens clip  33  may be manually engaged with the fixed frame clip  26 , and another lens clip  33  then may be aligned with the movably attached frame clip  26 . The lens release mechanism  24  may then be actuated to attach the movably attached frame clip  26  to the aligned lens clip  33  in the same fashion as described above in the exemplary embodiment. To detach the lens  40  from the frame in this embodiment, the lens release mechanism  24  may be actuated as described above in the exemplary embodiment, and the unattached lens clip  33  may then be manually unaligned from the movably attached frame clip by the user. The fixedly attached frame clip may then be manually detached from the other lens clip  33  by the user. 
         [0050]    It may thus be seen that the apparatus as described may allow for the rapid replacement of a lens  40 . This may be useful, for example, when a lens  40  is damaged and needs to be replaced, allowing easy repair by the user, circumventing the purchase of a new frame  5 . Additionally, a user may desire to utilize a variety of lenses  40  with a single pair of goggles. Such lenses  40  may be, for example, lenses which have different colors or tinting, prescription lenses, or lenses with other desired styles or optical properties. 
         [0051]    The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein, including various ways of configuring or attaching the frame clip  26  and the lens clip  33 . Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.