WO1994002088A1

WO1994002088A1 - Protective goggle

Info

Publication number: WO1994002088A1
Application number: PCT/US1993/006639
Authority: WO
Inventors: William Troy Widgery
Original assignee: William Troy Widgery
Priority date: 1992-07-17
Filing date: 1993-07-14
Publication date: 1994-02-03
Also published as: AU4773493A

Abstract

A protective goggle having an eye cup wherein the seams (50, 52, 54, 56) are joined by sonic welding. A tubular seal (14) surrounds the edge of the eye cup and forms a seal between the face and the goggles. The eye cup is made from a blank having four V-shaped cuts so that the seams are above and below the temple area on each side, and the blank is folded vertically on each side along a line which connects the upper and lower seams (50, 52, 54, 56). The eye cup is thin and substantially planar on the front and the sides, thus providing excellent clarity, minimal distorsion and a wide peripheral view range. Yet, due to the fold (70, 72) is relatively rigid and sturdy. The goggle of the present invention can be made substantially impervious to liquids, yet is lightweight, comfortable and inexpensive. Thus, this goggle is particularly suitable for use as protective eye wear during medical procedures where participants are exposed to various body fluids which may carry pathogens or other contaminants. The goggle of the present invention also offers adequate protection against wind during athletic and sporting activities such as sky diving, bike riding and the like.

Description

PROTECTIVE GOGGLE

Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to protective eye wear. f.nmmarγ of the Invention

The present invention comprises a protective goggle for the eye area of the human face. The goggle comprises an eye cup having an edge. The goggle is equipped with an attachment member adapted to hold the eye cup in position over the eye area. A tubular seal extends around the edge of the eye cup. The tubular seal is integrally formed of waterproof, resilient material and has a longitudinal groove receiving the edge of the eye cup. The seal is adapted to form a seal between the edge of the eye cup and the face. Still further, the present invention includes a protective goggle for the eye area of the human face wherein the eye cup is formed of a plastic blank having seams which are joined by sonic welding. An attachment member is secured to the goggles and adapted to hold the eye cup over the eye area.

The present invention further comprises a protective goggle comprising an eye cup comprising a transparent plastic blank wherein the blank has four V-shaped cuts at opposing ends. The opposing edges of each V-shaped cut are joined to form a seam, and the seams include upper and lower seams on each side of the eye cup. The seams are positioned so that the upper seams are above the temple areas and the lower seams are below the temple areas. The blank is folded along a first line connecting the apices of the upper and lower seam on one side of the eye cup, and the blank is folded along a second line connecting the apices of the upper and lower seam on the other side of the eye cup. An attachment member is secured to the goggle and adapted to hold the eye cup over the eye area. The present invention further includes a method for making a protective goggle for the eye area of the human face. The method comprises providing a transparent plastic blank having at least two V-shaped cuts at opposing ends of the blank. The edges of the V-shaped cuts are joined into seams by sonic welding to form an eye cup. An attachment member is secured to the goggles for holding the eye cup over the eye area. Still further, the present invention includes a method for making a protective goggle wherein the blank has four V-shaped cuts at opposing ends of the blank for forming four seams, an upper and lower seams on each side of the eye cup positioned so that the upper seam is above the temple area and the lower seam is below the temple area. The seams are joined by sonic welding to form an eye cup, and an attachment member is secured to the goggle for holding the eye cup to the face.

Still further, the present invention is directed to a method for making a protective goggle for the eye area of the human face, which includes the steps of providing a transparent plastic blank having four V-shaped cuts at opposing ends of the blank for forming four seams. The cuts are positioned to form upper and lower seams on each side of the eye cup positioned so that the upper seam is above the temple area and the lower seam is below the temple area. The blank is folded along a first line connecting the apices of the upper and lower V-shaped cuts on one side of the eye cup and along a second line connecting the apices of the upper and lower V-shaped cuts on the other side of the eye cup. Each of the V-shaped cuts is joined into a seam to form an eye cup, and an attachment member is secured to the blank for holding the eye cup to the face.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a protective goggle constructed in accordance with the present invention. The goggle is shown in place on a human head which is shown in dot-dash lines.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a blank for making the eye cup of the goggle shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tubular seal member of the present invention. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the tubular seal member shown in Figure 4 with the edge of the eye cup received in the groove.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the tubular seal of this invention.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the tubular seal of this invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred RmV-nnrments

In many professional and recreational activities there is a need to protect the eyes from injury or contamination or both. For example, during medical procedures there is a risk that contaminated body fluids such as blood will contact the eyes of persons participating in the procedure. In sky diving the rapid air movement across unprotected eyes is unpleasant as well as hazardous.

The present invention is directed to improvements in protective goggles. The goggle of this invention comprises an eye cup which is sufficiently sturdy to protect the eyes against wind or rapid movement of air across the face, as in sky diving. Yet, the eye cup is formed of plastic which is thin enough not to distort the vision, so that the goggle can be used during activities which require close visual work.

In the preferred practice of this invention, the eye cup is formed from a blank of plastic with V-shaped cuts to form seams. These seams are joined by sonic welding to render the seams fluid-tight. A resilient, waterproof tubular seal around the edge of the eye cup gently conforms to the contours of the face and seals the goggle thereto. Thus, the present invention provides a goggle which is lightweight, visually accurate, inexpensive and disposable goggle, as well as being virtually impervious to fluids.

With reference now to the drawings in general and to Figure 1 in particular there is shown therein a protective goggle constructed in accordance with the present invention and designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The goggle 10 generally comprises an eye cup 12, a tubular seal 14 around the edge 16 of the eye cup and an attachment member such as a strap 18 for holding the eye cup in place.

The eye cup 12 is, of course, transparent and preferably somewhat flexible. It is sized and contoured to fit over the eye area of the human face 20, as illustrated in Figure 1. The eye cup 12 also preferably is formed of a material which is lightweight and waterproof and of sufficient rigidity to resist deformation or damage as a result of wind or flying debris. It will be noted that the material selected for making the eye cup and the manner of forming the eye cup may vary depending on the intended use of the goggle. For example, the eye cup may be formed from a blank cut from a sheet of plastic. Alternately, the eye cup may be formed by injection molding or using heat and drape molding the eye cup.

In the preferred practice of the present invention, the eye cup 12 is formed of thin, flexible plastic. A thickness of less than 0.050 inch is preferable, and even more preferably the plastic is about 0.020 inch in thickness. This provides good clarity and minimal distortion of viewed objects which is important when the goggle is used in activities where visual acuity is required. Yet, an eye cup having this thickness provides sufficient protection against the force of air movement and small flying debris as might be encountered in sky diving.

Where a thin eye cup is desired, forming the cup from a blank cut from a sheet of plastic material is preferred as the blank can be cut from very thin plastic and no polishing is required. However, where a sturdier, more impact resistant eye cup is needed but visual acuity is less important, injection molding may be employed. Still further, in some instances vacuum molding or heat forming may be used.

For forming the eye cup 12 from a blank, the pattern of the blank may vary. A preferred blank 22 is shown in Figure 2. This blank 22 will produce an eye cup 12, substantially as shown in Figure 1. The shape of the blank 22 and the eye cup 12 may be varied and may be provided in different sizes. The preferred blank 22 has a frontal portion 24 having about the same width as the face 20. With continuing reference now also to Figure 1, the upper edge 26 is curved to fit around the forehead 28. The lower edge 32 is contoured to fit around the cheeks 34 and includes an arch 36 to fit over the bridge of the nose 38 of the face 20. The blank 22 includes a first end 40 and a second end 42 which in the assembled eye cup 12 form the left side portion 44 and the right side portion 46, respectively. At least two V-shaped cuts are formed in the blank 22 for forming seams in the eye cup to provide the necessary contour. While one seam on each side will provide a curved eye cup, the eye cup 12 preferably has four seams at 50, 52, 54 and 56, as shown in Figure 1. Thus, the seams 50 and 54 are generally above the temple area of the face 20, and the lower seams 52 and 56 are generally below the temple area.

To this end the blank 22, as seen in Figure 2, is formed with four V-shaped cuts 60, 62, 64 and 66, two at each end 40 and 42 of the blank, above and below the ends. In some instances it is preferred to cut a rounded hole at the apex of each V-shaped cut. This will reduce the stress at the apex when the seam is joined. However, it will be appreciated that such holes should be sealed by occlusion with glue, for example, in those cases where the eye cup 12 needs to be impervious to fluids.

Prior to joining the edges of the cuts 60, 62, 64 and 66, the blank 22 is folded along the lines 70 and 72. Each of the lines 70 and 72 is a straight line which connects the apices of the upper and lower V-shaped cuts 60 and 62, and 64 and 66, respectively. Thus, the fold lines 70 and 72 in the assembled goggle 10 are two straight lines which connect the upper and lower seams 50 and 52, and 54 and 56, respectively.

The folds 70 and 72, in combination with the four seams 50, 52, 54 and 56, produce an eye cup 12_ in which the side portions 44 and 46 and the front portion 24 are relatively planar. This planar configuration results in minimal distortion of direct and peripheral vision through the eye cup 12 and eliminates glare.

Moreover, the folds 70 and 72 add structural strength to the eye cup 12, which preferably is relatively thin, which stabilizes the eye cup against bending and flexing. The folds 70 and 72 also reduce the stress at the apices of the seams 50, 52, 54 and 56, which lessens the likelihood of cracking at these points. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the curing or baking of the blank 22, as described elsewhere. Even further, the folds 70 and 72 eliminate the need for the enlarged holes at the apices of the seams 50, 52, 54 and 56, and the need to occlude these holes. Thus, the folds 70 and 72 improve the goggle 10 and simplify the production. The method for joining the seams to form the blank 22 into the eye cup 12 will in many instances depend on the intended use of the goggle 10. For some purposes, joinder by eyelets or by stitching may be suitable. However, when the goggle 10 is to be used for protection against contaminated fluids, such as in medical procedures, joinder by some method which produces a seam which is impervious to fluid is preferred. For example, a fluid impervious seam may be obtained by known chemical bonding, thermal welding and radio frequency welding techniques. In the preferred practice of this invention sonic welding is employed.

The sonic sealing or welding of the seams 50, 52, 54 and 56 may be performed by using a commercially available sonic welder. Such welders are available from Ultrasonic Seal, Inc. (Aston, Pa.), Dukane Corp., Ultrasonics Division (St. Charles, II.) and Branson Ultrasonics Corp (Danbury, Ct.) .

The welding is carried out usually at room temperature. After the welding is completed, the eye cup 12 may "cured" by heating at a temperature of approximately 120°C plus or minus 20° for a time period of approximately 10 to 20 minutes. This time period may be substantially less or more than 10 to 20 minutes depending on the parameters of temperature, lens composition and lens thickness. This curing process reduces the crazing which may occur at the apices of the seams 50, 52, 54 and 56, thereby reducing the amount of cracking that may occur under pressure and during use of the goggle 10. However, as described previously, the curing may be eliminated where the folds 70 and 72 are employed. In some applications, it may be advantageous to apply an anti-fog coating or treatment to the eye cup 12. Where an anti-fog coating is applied, it is necessary to cure the eye cup following the coating process, even if curing is not otherwise indicated. It will be appreciated that the shape of the cuts in the blank may be varied depending on the method of joinder to be used. For example, where an eyelet is to be used to join a seam, the cut is designed to provide overlapping sections which are wedge shaped, being wider near the edge. However, where sonic welding is employed to join the seam, the cuts are formed to provide relatively narrow overlapping edges. In Figure 2, the overlapping portions of the blank 22 are indicated by the broken lines, one of which is designated by the reference numeral 76. When these edges are overlapped as indicated and sonically welded, the resulting seam is completely sealed. There is no hole at the apex, as is common with eyeleted seams. There are no perforations at the joint, as is found with stitching or eyelets. Thus, the technique of sonically welding the seam provides a more narrow seam, which improves visibility through the goggle 10. The welding technique also eliminates perforations in the eye cup, which provides protection against contaminated fluids. S t i l l further, the elimination of perforations provides a goggle which is much less likely to fog. Fogging is often a problem in goggles where air can enter the inside of the eye cup and cause turbulence. Thus, likelihood of fogging is eliminated or reduced in the goggles of the present invention as there are no perforations at the seam and no ventilation holes. Moreover, an effective seal is provided around the eye cup in a manner yet to be described.

In those instances where ventilation through the goggle is desirable but the goggle needs to be impervious to fluids, the eye cup may be equipped with baffled vents. It will also be understood that anti-fogging treatments may be appropriate to further reduce the tendency of the eye cup to become fogged.

Having formed the blank 22 into the eye cup 12 by joining the seams 50, 52, 54 and 56, a seal 14 is attached to the edge 16, as shown in Figure 1. In the preferred embodiment, the seal 14 is tubular, that is, the seal has a hollow internal portion or lumen which preferably extends continuously throughout the length of the seal 14. The seal 14 is integrally formed; that is, it is formed without seams or joints. Further, the seal 14 is characterized by a longitudinal groove for attaching the seal to the edge in a manner described hereafter. Still further, the seal 14 will in most instances be formed of waterproof, resilient material which will conform to the contours of the human face 20. In any event, the seal 14 should be adapted to form a seal between the edge 16 of the eye cup 12 and the face 20. A preferred material for the tubular seal 14 is KRATON brand thermoplastic tubing marketed by Kent Latex Products Division of Meridian Industries, Inc. (Kent, Ohio) .

For attaching the seal 14 to the edge 16 of the eye cup 12, the seal is provided with a longitudinal groove along its length. One preferred configuration for the grooved seal 14 is shown in Figure 3, to which attention now is directed. The seal 14 when viewed in cross-section comprises a wall 80 having an outer surface 82 and an inner surface 84. The inner surface 84 defines the lumen 86 of the seal 14. A portion of the wall 80 is indented to form a groove 90. The groove 90 is defined by the outer surface 82 and in cross- section is formed of opposing sides 92 and 94 and a U-shaped base 96.

In this embodiment, the longitudinal groove 90 is positioned so as to bisect the seal 14 longitudinally into two substantially equal halves. Moreover, the groove 90 preferably is relatively deep so that the U-shaped base 96 extends nearly across the lumen 86.

In the embodiment of the seal 14 shown in Figures 3 and 4, the seal is completely hollow along its entire length. The lumen 86 is generally U-shaped, providing hollow portions on each side of the groove 90.

The tubular formation of the seal is advantageous in that a hollow tube will negotiate the curves in the edge 16 of the eye cup 12 more effectively, and particularly the curve which defines the arch 36 for receiving the nose 38. This arch 36 has a relatively sharp radius, and the lumen 86 and wall 80 of the tubular seal 14 easily bend and collapse around the curves without significantly distorting the shape of the groove 90. In this way, a good sealing engagement is maintained between the eye cup 12 and the face even at these curved points.

The shape of the groove 90 is selected to receive the edge 16 of the eye cup 12 (Figure 1) , and the space between the sides 92 and 94 preferably is selected so that the sides will grippingly engage the edge, as seen in Figure 4. To this end, as seen in Figure 3, the groove 90 preferably is formed so that the width of the groove tapers inward slightly from the base 96 to the top 98. Thus, as shown in Figure 4, when the edge 16 is received in the groove 90, the sides 92 and 94 snugly appress the adjacent surfaces of the edge 16. This further reduces the tendency of the seal 14 to gap or kink at the curved points on the edge 16 of the eye cup 12. Now it will be understood that the tubular seal need not be completely hollow as shown in Figures 3 and 4. For example, in the embodiment of the seal 14A depicted in Figure 5, the lumen 86A extends only along one side of the groove 90A. The seal 14A is solid on the other half 100 of the groove 90A. A seal 14A formed in this manner is applied to the edge 16 so that the compressible lumen 86A is adjacent the face 20 when the goggle 10 is worn and so that the solid portion 100 faces away from the face.

Another embodiment for the seal 14B is shown in Figure 6. The groove 90B is formed in a portion of the wall 80B so that the lumen 86B is substantially round in cross-section. In this embodiment, the seal 14B should be attached to the edge 16 of the eye cup 12 so that the lumen is adjacent the face 20, that is, between the face and the edge of the eye cup. This positions the compressible portion of the seal next to the face 20 (Figure 1) to provide a comfortable sealing engagement.

To apply the seal 14, 14A or 14B, to the edge 16 of the eye cup 12, the correct length of tubing first is provided. The correct length is the circumference of the edge 16 of the eye cup 12. Beginning at one end of the tubular seal 14, the edge 16 is urged into the groove 90, 90A or 90B. Having applied the seal 14 to the edge 16, an adhesive preferably is applied to affix the seal more securely to the edge.

Having securely affixed the seal 14 to the eye cup 12, an attachment member such as the strap 18 is attached to the goggle 10. The strap 18 is elastic and preferably is formed of resilient tubing, although other forms of straps 18 may serve equally well.

Various techniques are known for attaching the strap 18. Returning to Figure 2, a simple and inexpensive attachment is provided by forming holes 110, 112, 114 and 116 in the ends 40 and 42, respectively, of the blank 22. Eyelets 118 and 120 are affixed on the holes 112 and 116 closest to the edge 16. Referring again to Figure 1, once the blank 22 is formed into the eye cup 12, one end 122 of the strap 18 is threaded first through the hole 112 with the eyelet 118 to the inside of the eye cup and then back out the hole 110. Similarly, the opposite end 124 of the strap 18 is threaded into the hole 116 with the eyelet 120 and then back out the hole 114.

The length of the strap 18 between the sides 44 and 46 of the eye cup 12 may be easily adjusted by pulling either end of the strap 18 further in or further out of the holes 110 and 112 or 114 and 116, or both. The size of the holes 110, 112, 114 and 116, the eyelets 118 and 120, and the diameter of the strap 18 are sized to provide a snug fit of the strap in the holes, preferably so that the strap will not collapse or kink when pulled through the eyelets. The eyelets 118 and 120 provide a rounded edge for engaging the strap and, therefore, reduces stress on the strap 18 as it is pulled back and forth through the eyelets. This will substantially occlude the holes and prevent entry of fluids therethrough under most circumstances. However, in those applications where the eyeleted goggles are deemed insufficient protection, an attachment means should be employed which does not involve puncturing the eye cup.

Now it will be appreciated that the goggle of the present invention represents a significant improvement in protective eye wear. The tubular seal provides an effective yet comfortable seal between the edge of the eye cup and the face. The eye cup provides high clarity and a wide peripheral view. The entire goggle is lightweight and relatively inexpensive which renders the goggle suitable for those applications where disposable eye wear is preferred or required. Changes may be made in the embodiments of the invention described herein or in parts of the elements of the embodiments described herein or in the steps or in the sequence of steps of the methods described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Claims

1. A protective goggle for the eye area of the human face comprising: an eye cup having an edge; an attachment member adapted to hold the eye cup in position over the eye area; and a tubular seal integrally formed of waterproof, resilient material and having a longitudinal groove receiving the edge of the eye cup, the seal being adapted to form a seal between the edge of the eye cup and the face.

2. The protective goggle of claim 1 wherein the tubular seal is hollow in cross-section along its entire length, wherein the groove of the tubular seal extends into the lumen of the seal, wherein the tubular seal is solid on one side of the groove, wherein the tubular seal is positioned on the edge of the eye cup so that the hollow side of the tubular seal is adjacent the face of the wearer, wherein the eye cup is substantially imprevious to liquid and wherein the thickness of the eye cup is less than 0.050 inch (0.00127 mm) .

3. The protective goggle of claim 2 wherein the thickness of the eye cup is about 0.020 inch ( .0000508 mm) .

4. The protective goggle of claim 1 wherein the tubular seal is hollow on both sides of the groove when viewed in cross-section or wherein the tubular seal is hollow on one side of the groove and solid on the other side of the groove when the seal is viewed in cross-section and 9 wherein the hollow side of the tubular seal is positioned so as to be adjacent the face when the goggle is worn.

5. The protective goggle of claim 4 wherein the groove is formed in the wall of the seal so that the groove does not extend into the lumen of the tubular seal and wherein the tubular seal is positioned on the eye cup so that the lumen is adjacent the face when the goggle is worn.

6. A protective goggle for the eye area of the human face comprising: an eye cup formed of a plastic blank having seams which are joined by sonic welding; and an attachment member secured to the goggles and adapted to hold the eye cup over the eye area.

7. A protective goggle for the eye area of the human face comprising: an eye cup comprising a transparent plastic blank having four V-shaped cuts at opposing ends of the blank, the opposing edges of each V-shaped cut being joined to form a seam, wherein the seams include upper and lower seams on each side of the eye cup, wherein the seams are positioned so that the upper seams are above the temple areas and the lower seams are below the temple areas, wherein the blank is folded along a first line connecting the apices of the upper and lower seam on one side of the eye cup, and wherein the blank is folded along a second line connecting the apices of the upper and lower seam on the other side of the eye cup; and an attachment member secured to the goggles and adapted to hold the eye cup over the eye area.

8. A method for making a protective goggle for the eye area of the human face, comprising: providing a transparent plastic blank having at least two V-shaped cuts at opposing ends of the blank; sonically welding the seams to form an eye cup; and securing an attachment member to the goggle for holding the goggle over the eye area of the face.

9. A method for making a protective goggle for the eye area of the human face, comprising the steps of: providing a transparent plastic blank having four V-shaped cuts at opposing ends of the blank for forming four seams, upper and lower seams on each side of the eye cup positioned so that the upper seam is above the temple area and the lower seam is below the temple area; joining the seams by sonic welding to form an eye cup; and securing an attachment means to the blank for holding the eye cup to the face.

10. The method of claim 8 or 9 wherein the eye cup has an edge and wherein the method further comprises the step of affixing a seal around the edge of the eye cup, wherein the seal is a tube having a longitudinal groove for receiving the edge of the eye cup.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the groove extends into the lumen of the tubular seal substantially bisecting the lumen longitudinally into substantially equal halves.

12. A method for making a protective goggle for the eye area of the human face, comprising the steps of: providing a transparent plastic blank having four V-shaped cuts at opposing ends of the blank for forming four seams, wherein the cuts are positioned to form upper and lower seams on each side of the eye cup positioned so that the upper seam is above the temple area and the lower seam is below the temple area; folding the blank along a first line connecting the apices of the upper and lower V-shaped cuts on one side of the eye cup and along a second line connecting the apices of the upper and lower V-shaped cuts on the other side of the eye cup; joining each of the V-shaped cuts into a seam to form an eye cup; and securing an attachment means to the blank for holding the eye cup to the face.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the groove is formed the wall of the seal so that the groove does not extend into the lumen of the tubular seal and wherein the seal is positioned on the eye cup so that the lumen is adjacent the face when the goggle is worn.