AU2005237101B2 - Swimming Goggles - Google Patents

Description

P/00/01I Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT ORIGINAL TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: Herman Chiang Actual Inventor(s): Herman Chiang Address for Service: A.P.T. Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys PO Box 222, Mitcham, SA 5062 Invention Title: Swimming Goggles The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us:la SPECIFICATION SWIMMING GOGGLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION 5 The present invention relates to swimming goggles, and particularly to swimming goggles which has a mask-like protective pad and a soft first frame enveloping a hard second frame and which is formed enhanced structure on a center of an upper portion thereof that be able to prevents the seepage of water when the swimming goggles are in use. 10 2. RELATED ART Some swimming goggles with mask-like protective pads are shown in TW utility patent application Nos. 89213591, 89205145, 89215423, 89214699 and US patent No. 6,276,794. Such swimming goggles have protective pads fitting with swimmer's foreheads and below eyeholes, that is, the swimmer's eyes are covered by the 15 protective pads, thus the swimmer will not have a feeling of pressure on their eyes and prevent water seepage in use. However, no matter the protective pad is assembled or integrated with lens frames, the protective pad disclosed in prior art are kept within a fixed range of span width. The width of swimmer's face may be various sizes. For instance, when a swimmer 20 with narrow face wears swimming goggles, the protective pad is bent inappropriately and therefore to fit not closely to the swimmer's forehead or the vicinity of eyeholes. In other words, the swimming goggles cannot match different sizes of swimmers' faces and are unable to prevent water seepage in use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 25 Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide swimming goggles which have a soft first frame enveloping a hard second frame and which is formed 2 enhanced structure on a center of an upper portion thereof, thereby matching swimmers with narrow faces and effectively prevent water seepage in use. The enhanced structure of the second frame comprises an enhanced rib on a center of the second frame, and an enhanced wall extending from the enhanced rib toward 5 opposing sides. For the purposes of this specification the word "comprising" means "including but not limited to", and the word "comprises" has a corresponding meaning. Also a reference within this specification to a document is not to be taken as an admission that the disclosure therein constitutes common general knowledge in Australia. 10 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an exploded view of swimming goggles according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an assembled view of the swimming goggles of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a front view of the swimming goggles of Fig. 2. 15 Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is an exploded view of swimming goggles according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is an assembled view of the swimming goggles of Fig.5. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 20 With reference to Fig. 1, swimming goggles 1 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention comprise a lens frame 2, lenses 3 and a strap adjusting means 4. The lens frame 2 has a first frame 20 made of soft material, and a second frame 21 made of hard material and enveloped by the first frame 20. The first frame 20 has a first surface 201, a second surface 202 opposite to the first surface 201, 25 and a third surface 203 connecting the first surface 201 and the second surface 202.

3 Compassing grooves 204 are defined between the first surface 201 and the second surface 202. Recesses 2011 are defined in the first surface 201 for providing distorted resiliency when compressed. A mask-like protective pad 205 is disposed on the second surface 202 for providing a well-fitting and comfortable contact with swimmer's 5 foreheads and the vicinity of below eyeholes. The second frame 21 defines receiving grooves 210 corresponding to the compassing grooves 204. A joint portion 22 is formed between the receiving grooves 210 for connecting the receiving grooves 210. Fastening posts 23 are formed on inner edges of the receiving grooves 210 for preliminarily positioning the lenses 3. The second frame 21 has enhanced structure on 10 a center of an upper portion thereof. Further referring to Fig. 4, the enhanced structure comprises an enhanced rib 211 on a center of the second frame 21, and an enhanced wall 212 extending from the enhanced rib 211 toward opposing sides and from which extends decreasingly along upper sides of the second frame 21 as extended parts; accordingly, the major part of the enhanced wall 212 is of the most strength, whereas 15 the extended parts are of less strength. Thus, when the swimming goggles 1 are worn and pulled, the middle and upper portion of the second frame 21 will not be bent and distorted, while both sides of the second frame 21 are gradually distorted. An assembling post 213 is formed on the enhanced wall 212 and in the vicinity of the second surface 202. The enhanced rib 211 and the assembling post 213 facilitate the 20 first surface 201 and the second surface 202 of the first frame 20 to provide reliable clasping force. Enhanced members 24 are formed below the second frame 21 for improving strength of the second frame 21. The enhanced members 24 are formed below substantially centers of the receiving grooves 210 of the second frame 21, respectively. Each enhanced member 24 has a width decreasing from middle toward 25 both sides thereof. The lenses 3 are respectively retained in the receiving grooves 210, and define a plurality of positioning holes 30 along outer rims thereof. Some positioning holes 30 which correspond to the positioning posts 23 facilitate to position the lenses 3, while other positioning holes 30 provide retention force for integral molding process. The 30 lenses 3 comprise two pieces of lens, each of which is received in an individual 4 receiving groove 210. The strap adjusting means 4 comprises buckles 40 and a head strap (not shown) wrapped through the buckles 40. The buckles 40 are respectively assembled on both sides of the second frame 21. Each buckle 40 includes a base 401, arms 402, a support 5 shaft 404 and a securing shaft 405. The base 401 is integrally formed with the second frame 21 and is made of hard material for firmly retaining the buckles 40 to the second frame 21. The arms 402 respectively extend rearwardly from a lower edge and an upper edge of the base 401. Shaft holes 403 are respectively defined in the arms 402. The support shaft 404 is mounted on the shaft holes 403 being relatively far away from 10 the base 401. The support shaft 404 forms necks 4041 at two ends thereof, thereby the support shaft 404 can be firmly engaged with the shaft holes 403. The securing shaft 405 is mounted on the shaft holes 403 being relatively close to the base 401. A pressing plate 406 pivots to the securing shaft 405 and corresponds to the first surface 201 of the first frame 20. The pressing plate 406 has a first end 4061 biasing against 15 the recess 2011 of the first surface 201. When the pressing plate 406 is pressed toward the first surface 201, the recess 2011 therefore is distorted and produces resilience force in return to drive the pressing plate 406 back. The pressing plate 406 has a second end 4062 for manipulating. At least a first stop member 407 has a shape of right-triangle cross-section and is formed on a bottom of the second end 4062 for 20 abutting second stop members (not shown) of the head strap. During assembly, some positioning holes 30 of the lenses 3 are assembled on the positioning posts 23 to preliminarily position the lenses 3. Upon integral molding technology, the second surface 202 encompasses the positioning posts 23 and the remained positioning holes 30, whereby the lenses 3 are integrated with the first frame 25 20. The first surface 201 and the second surface 202 of the first frame 20 encompass the second frame 21, the enhanced rib 211, the joint portion 22, the bases 401 of the buckles 40 and parts of the arms 402. The enhanced walls 212, the enhanced members 24 and the shaft holes 403 of the arms 402 are exposed beyond exterior, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

5 With reference to Fig.4, the enhanced structure of the second frame 21 ensures strength thereof decreasing from a middle thereof toward opposite sides. Consequently, when the swimming goggles 1 are in use, the center of the upper portion of the second frame 21 will not be bent or distorted, while both sides thereof are gradually distorted 5 to fit to swimmer's foreheads, effectively guarding from water seepage. Figs. 5 and 6 show the second embodiment of the present invention. The swimming goggles 1' of the second embodiment still comprises a first frame 20' made of soft material, and a second frame 21'made of hard material and enveloped by the first frame 20', and a lenses 3' is received in an individual receiving groove 210'. Also 10 an enhanced wall 212' extends decreasingly along upper sides of the second frame 21'; accordingly, the major part of the enhanced wall 212' is of the most strength. The swimming goggles 1' of the second embodiment is rather similar to the swimming goggles 1 of the first embodiment except that the buckles 6' which are assembled on an assembled hole 2012' of both sides of the soft first frame 20' respectively, the buckle 15 6' includes a base 60', a cover 61', a shaft 64' and a fastener 67'. The base 60' includes an upper wall 601' substantially perpendicularly extending from an upper portion thereof, and a lower wall 602" substantially perpendicularly extending from a lower portion thereof. A pair of first axial holes 603' and second axial holes 604' are defined in the upper and lower walls 601', 602', respectively. A pair of recesses 605' 20 is defined in the upper and lower walls 601', 602', and a pair of fixing protrusions 611' is formed at the cover 61' corresponding to the recesses 605' for snappingly engaging with the recesses 605' thereby fixing the cover 61' to the base 60'. A post 606' extends from the base 60' for engagingly extending into the assembled hole 2012', thereby fixing the buckle 6' to the both sides of the soft first frame 20'. The shaft 64' is 25 rotatably assembled between the upper and lower wall 601', 602' with end portions thereof received in the first axial hole 603' for providing a head strap 41' passing throught. The head strap 41' forms second stop members 410' with right-triangle ladderlike cross-section and spaced the same distance apart from each other. The fastener 67', including an body 671', a handle 672' extending from the body 30 671', and a first stop member 673' extending from the body 671' opposite the handle 6 672', is assembled between the upper and lower walls 601', 602' with end portions of the body 671' mounted on the second axial holes 604'. The handle 672' is generally arc-shaped and the first stop member 673' is generally barb-shaped for selectively engaging with the second stop member 410' of the head strap 41' for engaging the first 5 stop member 673' in a single direction of tightening instead of a direction of loosening, thereby fixing the head strap 5 to the buckle 6'. The body 671' is parallel and adjacent to the shaft 64'. A tongue 674' integrally extends from a side of the handle 672' adjacent to the body 671' and can be leaned against a concavity 2011' of the soft first frame 20'after assembly and the tongue 674' will return position automatically by 10 resilience provided by quality of material of the concavity 2011'. It is understood that the buckle in different way can be assembled on the soft first frame 20' to get with the same functions and the enhanced wall 212' of the second embodiment will not be bent or distorted, while both sides thereof are gradually distorted to fit to swimmer's foreheads, effectively guarding from water seepage in use. 15 It is understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit thereof. Thus, the present examples and embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein.

Claims (15)

1. Swimming goggles comprising: a lens frame including a soft first frame enveloping a hard second frame, the first frame having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, 5 and a third surface connecting the first surface and the second surface, wherein compassing grooves being defined between the first surface and the second surface, a mask-like protective pad being disposed on the second surface, the second frame defining receiving grooves corresponding to the compassing grooves of the first frame, and forming enhanced structure on a center of an upper 10 portion thereof; lenses retained in the receiving grooves of the second frame; and a strap adjusting means including buckles respectively assembled on both sides of the lens frame, and a head strap wrapped through the buckles.

2. The swimming goggles as claimed in claim 1, wherein the enhanced structure of the 15 second frame comprises an enhanced rib on a center of the second frame, and an enhanced wall formed from the enhanced rib and extending toward opposing sides thereof.

3. The swimming goggles as claimed in claim 2, wherein middle of the enhanced wall being formed as a major part thereof and from which extends decreasingly along 20 upper sides of the second frame; accordingly, the major part of the enhanced wall is of the most strength, whereby the middle portion of the second frame will not be affected to be bent and distorted, when the swimming goggles are worn and pulled, while both extended parts thereof are gradually distorted.

4. The swimming goggles as claimed in claim 3, wherein an assembling post is formed 25 on the enhanced wall and in the vicinity of the second surface for facilitating the second surface of the first frame to provide reliable clasping force.

5. The swimming goggles as claimed in claim 1, wherein a joint portion is formed between the receiving grooves of the second frame. 8

6. The swimming goggles as claimed in claim 5, wherein lenses comprise two pieces of lens, each of which is received in an individual receiving groove.

7. The swimming goggles as claimed in claim 6, wherein enhanced members are formed on lower sides of the second frame, and each enhanced member has width 5 being decreased from middle thereof along the lower sides of the second frame.

8. The swimming goggles as claimed in claim 7, wherein fastening posts are formed respectively on inner edges of the receiving grooves for preliminarily positioning the lenses, wherein a plurality of positioning holes are defined along outer rims of the lenses, and wherein some positioning holes correspond to the positioning posts 10 and facilitate to position the lenses, while other positioning holes provide retention force for integral molding process.

9. The swimming goggles as claimed in claim 7, wherein the buckles are assembled on both sides of the second frame, and each buckle includes a base integrally formed with the second frame, arms extending respectively from a lower edge and an upper 15 edge of the base and defining shaft holes therein, and a support shaft and a securing shaft respectively mounted on the shaft holes.

10. The swimming goggles as claimed in claim 10, wherein the support shaft forms necks at two ends thereof for respectively engaging with the shaft holes and fixedly retaining the arms. 20

11. The swimming goggles as claimed in claim 11, wherein the securing shaft is pivotably mounted on the shaft holes being relatively close to the base, a pressing plate pivoting on the securing shaft and corresponding to the first surface of the first frame, and wherein the pressing plate has a first end biasing against the first surface, and a second end for manipulating, at least a first stop member being formed on the 25 second end.

12. The swimming goggles as claimed in claim 1, wherein are assembled on both sides of the first frame, comprising: a base and a cover being engagable with the base, wherein the base has a post for correspondingly mounting on the assembled 9 holes, a chamber being cooperatively defined between the base and the cover and receiving a shaft and a fastener therein, an entrance being defined between the base and the shaft, an exit being defined between the shaft and the cover, the fastener having a body, a handle integrally extending from the body, and a first stop member, 5 wherein a tongue integrally extending from a side of the body opposite to the handle.

13. The swimming goggles as claimed in claim 12, wherein second stop members are formed on the head strap and with right-triangle ladderlike cross-section and spaced the same distance apart from each other for engaging the first stop member in a 10 single direction of tightening instead of a direction of loosening.

14. The swimming goggles as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first stop member is generally barb-shaped that can be able to engage with the second stop members.

15. The swimming goggles substantially as disclosed herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. 15 Dated this 23rd day of November 2005 HERMAN CHIANG By his Patent Attorneys 20 A.P.T. Patent & Trade Mark Attorneys