U.S. patent application number 11/042954 was filed with the patent office on 2005-08-25 for goggle contoured for helmet engagement.
Invention is credited to Hussey, Patrick P..
Application Number | 20050183190 11/042954 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34865340 |
Filed Date | 2005-08-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050183190 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hussey, Patrick P. |
August 25, 2005 |
Goggle contoured for helmet engagement
Abstract
A goggle (12), shaped to conform to a human face includes a body
defining a top wall (19) and sidewalls (21) dimensioned to form a
continuous contour which closely matches the shape and size of a
facial aperture (41) formed in a helmet (38), thereby to form a
smooth, contoured combined goggle and helmet exterior surface. At
least one air intake aperture (24, 25, 26) communicates through the
goggle lens (16) or goggle body to an eye cavity (18). At least one
venting aperture (30) communicates through the sidewalls (12) of
the goggle body with the eye cavity (18).
Inventors: |
Hussey, Patrick P.;
(Carlsbad, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTENSEN, O'CONNOR, JOHNSON, KINDNESS, PLLC
1420 FIFTH AVENUE
SUITE 2800
SEATTLE
WA
98101-2347
US
|
Family ID: |
34865340 |
Appl. No.: |
11/042954 |
Filed: |
January 24, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11042954 |
Jan 24, 2005 |
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29198078 |
Jan 23, 2004 |
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11042954 |
Jan 24, 2005 |
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10695055 |
Oct 27, 2003 |
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10695055 |
Oct 27, 2003 |
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10098980 |
Mar 15, 2002 |
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6637038 |
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60538911 |
Jan 23, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/424 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A42B 3/185 20130101;
A61F 9/028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/424 |
International
Class: |
F41H 001/04 |
Claims
The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or
privilege is claimed are defined as follows:
1. A helmet engageable goggle comprising: a goggle body having an
exterior surface and an interior surface and having a lens aperture
surrounded by a top wall, a bottom wall, and two sidewalls; a lens
mounted in said lens aperture; an eye cavity defined by the area
between said interior surface, said lens, said top wall, said
bottom wall and said two sidewall; at least one intake aperture
communicating through said lens or said goggle body with said eye
cavity; at least one side venting aperture communicating through
one of said sidewalls of said goggle body with said eye cavity;
said top wall and said sidewalls dimensioned to form a single
contiguous contour; said single contiguous contour adapted to
substantially abut with the top edge and side edges of a facial
aperture formed in a helmet when said goggle is engaged in said
facial aperture; and means to attach said goggle to a helmet.
2. The helmet engageable goggle of claim 1, wherein said attachment
means comprising an elastic line extending from the goggle
sidewalls to engage an anchor disposed on a helmet.
3. The helmet engageable goggle of claim 2, wherein said anchor
having an enlarged head portion standing out from a helmet to
define a shoulder for receiving the elastic line.
4. The helmet engageable goggle of claim 1, wherein said attachment
means comprising at least one pin projecting from the goggle
sidewalls to engage receiving sockets formed in a helmet.
5. The helmet engageable goggle of claim 1, further comprising: an
exterior surface of said goggle sidewall dimensioned to create a
low air pressure area immediately adjacent to said side venting
aperture when moving air travels over said exterior surface,
whereby air flow exhausting from said eye cavity through said side
venting aperture is enhanced by the force of said low pressure area
acting to draw higher pressure air in said eye cavity out through
said side venting aperture.
6. The helmet engageable goggle of claim 1, further comprising: a
helmet; said helmet having a facial aperture, said facial aperture
having a top edge and two side edges; and said helmet top edge and
two side edges substantially formed to mate with said single
contiguous contour of said goggle.
7. The helmet engageable goggle of claim 6, further comprising: an
exterior surface of said goggle sidewall dimensioned to create a
low air pressure area immediately adjacent to said side venting
aperture when moving air travels over said exterior surface during
engagement of said goggle in said facial aperture, whereby air flow
exhausting from said eye cavity through said side venting aperture
is enhanced by the force of said low pressure area acting to draw
higher pressure air in said eye cavity out through said side
venting aperture.
8. A helmet and goggle combination, comprising: a. a helmet
comprising a facial aperture defined by a top edge portion and side
edge portion to form a contiguous contour; b. a goggle comprising:
a body shaped to define an exterior side and an interior side, said
body also defining a lens aperture formed by a top wall, a bottom
wall and two sidewalls; the lens mounted in said lens aperture; an
eye cavity defined by the area between said body interior surface,
said lens, said top well, said bottom well, and said two sidewalls;
said goggle body top wall and sidewalls configured to form a single
continuous contour, said single continuous contour shaped and sized
to substantially abut with the top end side edge portions of the
facial aperture of said helmet when said goggle is engaged with
said facial aperture; at least one intake aperture communicating
through said lens or said goggle body with said eye cavity; and at
least one venting aperture communicating through said goggle body
with said eye cavity; and c. means to attach said goggle to said
helmet.
9. The combination of claim 8, wherein said at least one venting
aperture communicating through at least one of said sidewalls of
said goggle body.
10. The combination of Clam 9, further comprising an exterior
surface of said goggle sidewall dimensioned to create a low
pressure area immediately adjacent to said sidewall venting
aperture, wherein when moving air travels over said exterior
surface, the air flow exhausting from said eye cavity through said
venting aperture is enhanced by the force of said low pressure area
acting to draw high pressure air disposed in said eye cavity out
through said venting aperture.
11. The combination according to claim 8, wherein said attachment
means comprising an elastic cord extending from the goggle
sidewalls to engage an anchor disposed on said helmet.
12. The combination according to claim 10, wherein said anchor
having an enlarged head portion disposed outwardly from said helmet
to define a shoulder portion between said enlarged head portion and
said helmet for receiving the elastic cord.
13. The combination according to claim 8, wherein said attachment
means comprising at least one pin projecting from said goggle body
sidewalls to engage close-fitting sockets formed in adjacent
portions of said helmet, when said goggles are engaged with said
facial aperture of said helmet.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/538,911, filed Jan. 23, 2004. The present
application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/695,055, filed Oct. 27, 2003, which in turn
is the continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/098,980, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,038, on Oct. 28, 2003,
both incorporated herein by reference. The present application is
also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
29/198,078, filed Jan. 23, 2004, incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to protective helmets and
eyewear. More particularly it relates to goggles having an
aerodynamic design to encourage airflow through the eye cavity to
prevent fogging and which have an exterior body contour adapted for
engagement with the top and side edges of a protective helmet. When
engaged the goggle along the top and side edges snugly fits into
the front facing facial aperture on the helmet and provides a
smooth continuous aerodynamic surface that runs over the face of
the goggle and continues onto the top and side of the engaged
helmet.
[0004] 2. Prior Art
[0005] Protective helmets and goggles are commonly worn by
participants in many sports such as skiing, motorcycling,
paintballing, field hockey, lacrosse, auto racing, and other sports
which present an inherent danger to the participant's eyes and
head. Goggles and helmets are also a requirement for the military
in areas with blowing sand, blowing water, or during parachute
jumps, where soldiers need protection from the elements for their
eyes and heads.
[0006] Commonly, however, the goggles are designed to be worn over
the eyes, and the helmet is designed for wearing over the head, but
the goggles and helmet are not designed for easy concurrent use on
the head of the wearer. Further, even if the user is able to fit
both the helmet and goggle on their head, frequently the two
components are subject to wind interference due to the gaps and air
pockets between the goggles and helmet. Additional areas of concern
are from the ever-present danger of fogging of the goggles,
especially when the goggle sides and top, which might be used to
vent the goggle, are blocked by the helmet.
[0007] There is as such a pressing need for goggles which may be
worn with or without a helmet and will be resistant to fogging. An
especially pressing requirement that remains unmet are goggles
specifically contoured to cooperatively engage substantially
seamlessly with the helmet as a unit, and which are easily mounted
and unmounted from the user's face. Further, a need for goggles
which may be worn concurrently with the helmet and which minimize
wind resistance as well as maximize anti-fogging remains unmet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The device herein disclosed features goggles which may be
worn on the head of the user and which have aerodynamic surfaces
that work to maximize air flow through the eye cavity behind the
goggle lens and minimize or eliminate fogging of the lens. The
goggles are additionally adapted for cooperative engagement with a
helmet to yield an especially aerodynamic combined helmet and
goggle surface, yet still maximize airflow through the eye cavity
behind the lens. This is accomplished by forming the exterior
contour of the side edges and top edge of the goggle substantially
similar to the side edges and top edge of the facial cut-out of the
helmet. When engaged in the facial cut-out, the top and sides of
the goggle mate with the top and side edges of the facial cut-out,
to form an especially aerodynamic structure that minimizes wind
turbulence on the goggles and helmet. The engaged goggle however
still has a unique low pressure exhaust aperture which helps pull
air from the eye cavity behind the lens to minimize fogging.
[0009] Maintaining the goggle on the face of the user and abutted
to the facial cut-out is also improved by the disclosed device.
Instead of the conventional strap used by common goggles not
matched to the adjacent helmet, the disclosed device employs two
different means for engaging the goggles to the helmet and biased
on the user's face. One means for such engagement is provided by
the use of an adjustable "U" shaped elastic cord which engages the
goggle sidewalls at both distal ends and wraps around a helmet
mount adapted to engage the cord thereover. A second means provided
features one or more projecting pins that engage apertures in the
facial opening of the helmet and hold the goggle on the face of the
user with its contoured top and sides engaging the facial aperture
of the helmet.
[0010] An object of this invention is to provide goggles which are
aerodynamically dimensioned to maximize airflow through the eye
cavity to minimize fogging.
[0011] Another object of this invention is the provision of such a
goggle that may be worn with or without a helmet.
[0012] A further object of this invention is to provide such a
goggle having an exterior contour along three sides that is
dimensioned to cooperatively mate with the facial aperture of a
protective helmet.
[0013] An additional object of this invention is the provision of
such a goggle and helmet combination which forms a very smooth
combined goggle and helmet surface to minimize wind turbulence
which might dismount other goggles and helmets worn
concurrently.
[0014] Yet an additional object of this invention is the provision
of such a cooperatively mating helmet and goggle combination that
still maximizes airflow through the goggle eye cavity by using an
aerodynamic flow over exhaust apertures of the goggle when engaged
with the helmet.
[0015] Further objects of the invention will be brought out in the
following part of the specification, wherein detailed description
is for the purpose of fully disclosing the invention without
placing limitations thereon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages
of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same
become better understood by reference to the following detailed
description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of the goggle
disengaged from the helmet.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the device showing the
goggle cooperatively engaged with the helmet facial aperture using
a mating contour of the goggle exterior surface to that of the
facial aperture of the helmet.
[0019] FIG. 3 depicts the goggle with an alternate means of
attachment to the helmet employing pins which engage apertures in
the helmet casing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 depict the various
embodiments and engagements of the present invention 10 composed of
goggle 12 adapted for engagement with the facial aperture 41 of a
protective helmet 38 and featuring improved air extraction from the
goggle 12 using directed aerodynamic airflow. A strap 11 is
provided for retaining the helmet on the head of the wearer.
[0021] The goggle 12 is shaped to conform to a human face on the
inside surface 14 which is conventionally covered in foam or
similar soft material. The goggle lens 16 is operatively mounted in
the body of the goggle 12 and conventionally is best curved around
the face of the user to provide side viewing. In use as worn on a
user, an eye cavity 18 is formed behind the lens 16 and best
defined by the area between the user's face, the lens 16, a top
wall 19, sidewalls 21, and a bottom wall or ledge 27.
[0022] One or a plurality of intake apertures facing toward the
front of the goggle 12 when worn on the user's face are provided
for the ingress of air from the exterior to the eye cavity 18. Such
intake apertures may be situated in one, a plurality, or all of,
lower intake apertures 24 below the ledge 27, body intake apertures
25 formed in the body 12, and upper intake apertures 26 formed in
the lens 16 or the top wall 19. The design and ornamental aspects
of the individual goggle will generally dictate which individual or
combination of intake apertures are provided. However, at least one
intake aperture must be provided to communicate exterior air into
the eye cavity 18. Also, such intake aperture may extend through
the lens 16 itself.
[0023] Venting of the eye cavity 18 is provided by the side venting
apertures 30 communicating through the sidewalls 21 on either side
of the lens 16. As shown in FIG. 1, the goggle body 12, adjacent to
the side venting apertures 30 has clips 32 engaged on the two
sidewalls 21.
[0024] Mounting to the head of the user, or more preferably to the
helmet 38 is accomplished using biasing means of attachment which
biases the goggle 12 toward the user's face in the form of elastic
cord 32. The cord 32 or other elastic means of pulling the goggle
snugly against the user's face, when used in combination with the
helmet 38 features a unique mounting scheme. Conventionally goggle
users attempting to also wear a helmet use a goggle having flat
strap which must either wrap around the user's head under the
helmet 38 or over it. Placing such a strap between the scalp and
helmet 38 tends to be uncomfortable over time and placing such a
strap around the helmet itself can tear, or otherwise cause failure
of, the goggle body over time and tends to slip off the smooth
helmet exterior causing continual dismounting problems.
[0025] In the disclosed device 10 this mounting problem is solved
by the use of a projecting cord mount or anchor 40 adapted to
securely hold the elastic cord 32. Two cord mounts 40 are
positioned on the exterior surface of both sides of the helmet 38.
The cord mounts have an enlarged head portion that stands out from
the helmet to define a shoulder between the head and helmet. The
shoulder portion of the cord mount 40 defines a groove dimensioned
to securely accommodate the elastic cord 32 therein. The elastic
cord is secured at its distal ends to through apertures in the
goggle sidewalls 21 and can be adjusted for length to increase or
decrease the facial bias by knotting or otherwise changing the
lengths of the elastic cord where it passes through the aperture in
the sidewalls 21. To make it shorter and increase bias, the user
would simply tie a knot or further up the cord once it is pulled
through the aperture in the sidewall 21. A center section between
the two distal ends of the elastic cord engages over the cord mount
40 in a biased engagement. This mounting system eliminates the
aforementioned problems with normal helmet and goggle
combinations.
[0026] The goggles 12 are adapted for cooperative engagement with
the helmet 38 to yield an especially aerodynamic combined helmet
and goggle surface when engaged with minimal gaps therebetween as
best shown in FIG. 2. This exceptionally smooth operating surface
thus eliminates buffeting and dismounting that can be caused in
high wind situations and gaps that might allow for injury in sports
such as paintball. The close engagement is achieved by dimensioning
the exterior contour of the side edges 21 and top edge 19 of the
goggle 12 substantially similar to the facial aperture side edges
42 and facial aperture top edge 44 formed in the helmet 38. When
engaged in the facial aperture 41, the top 19 and sides 21 of the
goggle 12 substantially mate with the top and side edges of the
facial aperture 41, to form an especially aerodynamic structure
that minimizes wind turbulence on the goggles and helmet.
[0027] In cross-section, the top 19 and side 21 edges of the goggle
can be contoured to closely match the cross-sectional contour of
the helmet aperture top 44 and side 42 edges, for example, to
define a tongue-and-groove type interface. Also, not shown, a seal
strip or similar device can extend along the top 44 and side 42
edges to effect a seal between the helmet aperture 41 and the
goggle 12. The seal strip may be composed of foamed rubber or other
suitable material.
[0028] The engaged goggle 12 maximizes airflow to minimize fogging
using its unique low pressure formation by the side venting
aperture 30 using a curved surface 46 which projects from the
sidewall 21 just in front of the side venting aperture 30. In use,
for skiing, snowboarding, motorcycling, motocross, paintball,
military operations, and other sports and endeavors where
non-fogging goggles are best employed, exterior air is communicated
to the eye cavity 18 through the aforementioned combination of one
or a plurality of intake apertures individually or combined.
Forward movement by the user wearing the goggle increases air
pressure into the intake apertures aiding in moving pressurized air
into the eye cavity 18 through the intake apertures.
[0029] The side venting apertures 30 with the aerodynamic shape or
curve of the curved surface 46 immediately in front of the side
venting aperture 30, acts to increase airspeed over the side
venting aperture 30 much like the curved front edge of a wing on an
airplane increases the airspeed over the top of the wing and
provides lift or negative air pressure. The increased air speed
over side venting aperture 30 thereby creates a negative air
pressure zone immediately adjacent thereto and pulls air from the
eye cavity 18 to prevent fogging. This negative pressure formation
is provided both when the goggle is worn without the helmet, and
when cooperatively engaged in the helmet facial aperture 41, with
the respective tops and sides of the goggle and helmet
substantially abutted and minimizing gaps. As such, even when
engaged with the helmet 38 and achieving the smooth combined
operating surface of the goggle and helmet, negative air pressure
is formed adjacent the side venting apertures 30 to vent the eye
cavity 18.
[0030] In another preferred embodiment of the device 10 shown the
goggle 12 is shown in FIG. 3 with projecting pins 48 which would
engage with depressions or sockets formed in the facial aperture in
positions to register the goggle 12 in proper engagement in the
facial aperture 41. Using the pins 48 instead of the elastic cord
32 may lessen the biasing adjustability provided by the cord 32 but
would also provide an easier means for mounting to the user. A
notch 50 formed around the circumference of the pins 48 can be used
to engage a spring loaded retaining pin (not shown) in the
depressions to hold the pins 48 and the goggle 12 in place with
their respective side edges substantially abutted.
[0031] While all of the fundamental characteristics and features of
the present invention have been described herein, with reference to
particular embodiments thereof, a latitude of modification, various
changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure
and it will be apparent that in some instance, some features of the
invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other
features without departing from the scope of the invention as set
forth. It should be understood that such substitutions,
modifications, and variations may be made by those skilled in the
art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
Consequently, all such modifications and variations are included
within the scope of the invention.
[0032] While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been
illustrated and described, it will be appreciated that various
changes can be made therein without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
* * * * *