AN EYE GUIDE

Abstract

The present invention relates to an eye guide. The eye guide has an attachment means for locating the eye guide on a wearer and an elongate marker arranged to extend from the attachment means so as to be visible in peripheral field view by the wearer.

Claims

1. An eye guide for wearing on an ear comprising: an attachment means for locating the eye guide about the ear of a wearer; and an elongate marker arranged to extend from the attachment means so as to be visible in a peripheral field of view by the wearer, wherein the attachment means wraps by arching around at least an upper region of the outer ear where the wearer's ear attaches to their head, and the elongate marker extends from a forward facing region of the attachment means towards a region defined above an ear lobule and below an uppermost point of an ear helix.

2. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 1 wherein the elongate marker extends from a forward facing region of the attachment means in a region defined above the ear tragus and below an uppermost point of the ear helix.

3. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 1 wherein the elongate marker extends substantially horizontally.

4. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 1 wherein the attachment means is adapted to be attached to a wearer's hearing aid.

5. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 1 wherein at least part of the attachment means includes a deformable metal core.

6. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 1 wherein the attachment means includes an arcuate loop.

7. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 6 wherein at least part of the loop is elastic.

8. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 1 wherein the attachment means includes a base for receiving the elongate marker.

9. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 1 wherein the length of the elongate marker is adjustable.

10. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 1 further comprising a securement mechanism for connecting the elongate marker to the attachment means.

11. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 10 wherein the securement mechanism has an adjustment mechanism to permit adjustable movement of the elongate marker relative to the attachment mechanism.

12. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 10 wherein the securement mechanism includes a catch.

13. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 10, wherein the securement mechanism has a concertina extending mechanism.

14. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 10, wherein the securement mechanism has a resilient ratchet which engages with teeth or serrations in the elongate marker.

15. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 1 wherein the elongate marker tapers from a proximal end to a distal end.

16. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 1 wherein the elongate marker tapers from a distal end to a proximal end.

17. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 1 wherein the elongate marker is white in colour.

18. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 1 wherein the elongate marker is transparent or translucent.

19. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 1 wherein the elongate marker is permanently deformable to a user specified position.

20. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 1 weighing at least 5 grams.

21. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim wherein an outer layer of the attachment means is resiliently deformable.

22. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 1 wherein the attachment means includes a hole through which the elongate marker passes.

23. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 22 wherein the hole is a blind hole for receiving the elongate marker.

24. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim 1 wherein the attachment means is left handed or right handed.

25. The eye guide for wearing on an ear according to claim wherein the attachment means is symmetrical.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0072] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of an eye guide according to the present invention;

[0073] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a second embodiment of the eye guide according to the present invention;

[0074] FIG. 3 shows a side view of a third embodiment of the eye guide according to the present invention;

[0075] FIG. 4 shows a side diagrammatic view of a user attachment means for the eye guide according to the present invention;

[0076] FIG. 5 shows a side view, in detail, of a fourth embodiment of the eye guide according to the present invention;

[0077] FIG. 6 shows a side view, in detail, of a fifth embodiment of the eye guide according to the present invention; and

[0078] FIG. 7 shows a side view of an elongate marker; and

[0079] FIG. 8 shows a side view of a sixth embodiment of an eye guide

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0080] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 there is generally shown an embodiment of the eye guide 99 worn over a wearer's ear (not shown). The eye guide 99 has an attachment means 3 arranged to locate the eye guide over a wearer's ear and an elongate marker 1 that extends from the attachment means so that a distal end of the elongate marker is visible in a wearer's peripheral vision.

[0081] The attachment means 3 curves around an upper region of the ear in a manner similar to some hearing aids known in the art.

[0082] The attachment means 3 has a forward region 30, indicated as the region between the dashed lines, an upper region 32 and a lower region 33 so as to wrap around part of the ear. The elongate marker 1 extends forwards from the attachment means 3 towards a wearer's eye so as to be located and appear in the peripheral vision of the user.

[0083] The attachment means 3 comprises a flared bottom end 31 which in use is located at a lower region of the rear of the ear near to the ear lobe.

[0084] An end of the attachment means that is located forward of the ear has a flared tab 23 which is held in front of the ear. In some embodiments the tab 23 may be transparent of translucent so as to be more discreet.

[0085] The tab 23 advantageously provides stability to the direction of the marker 1 in use. For example in some embodiments the tab 23 may be moveable with respect to the upper 32 and rear part 33 of the attachment means 3, for example being rotatable with reference to the attachment means 3, so as to rotate the base 2 from which the elongate marker extends.

[0086] The base 2 may be inset into an indentation 22 in the tab 23 as shown in FIG. 1. The base 2 has a securement mechanism for the marker 1, and in some embodiments, this may include a catch 21 as shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 3.

[0087] FIG. 4 shows the attachment means 3 without an elongate marker. Part of the marker 3 shows where the metal core 33 is positioned. The metal core 33 extends partially into the front region 30. The metal core 33 is malleable to allow the attachment means to be bent to match the shape of the wearer's ear.

[0088] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 the marker 1 may be permanently joined at a permanent securement mechanism 2 to the attachment means 3.

[0089] In FIG. 6 the attachment means has an additional lobe 34 for helping to locate the attachment means on a wearer.

[0090] As shown in FIG. 7 the elongate mark 1 is tapered and has an enlarged stabilising tab 14 to provide further stability in use. The tab 14, tapers (see feature 13) to a distal end 15.

[0091] The marker 1 may be adjusted to account for dimensions of the user's face to ensure that the marker 1 is correctly located in use in the peripheral vision of the wearer.

[0092] In an alternative embodiment a resilient ratchet may be arranged to act as a detent against the serrated outer surface of the marker in order to allow a user to extend or retract the marker to a desired length and retain it in position.

[0093] In FIG. 2 the base 2 has a concertina extending mechanism 2 that allows the position of the elongate marker 1 to be adjusted by pulling and thereby extending the concertina mechanism or pushing and thereby collapsing the concertina mechanism 2.

[0094] In the first and third embodiments (FIGS. 1 and 3) the eye guide comprises a catch 21 such that the proximal end of the marker 11 is passed through the catch 21 to the other side of the catch 21.

[0095] The marker part 1 may be arranged to be of a transparent or translucent material, which material thereby minimises distraction from the marker part, but allows it to be registered in the user's peripheral vision without significant interference with the user's eyesight.

[0096] The marker part is 1 provided in the pictured embodiments by an elongate, substantially rigid portion 10. This portion 10 may be flexible and/or deformable or it may be rigid.

[0097] In some embodiments, such as the one shown in FIG. 1 the base 2 rotates, and enables angling of the marker 1. For example in this way the marker 1 may be changed in orientation with respect to the attachment means and wearer's eyes, for example being tilted or inclined inwards to, or outwards from, a field of view.

[0098] Other embodiments may use the attachment means to change the orientation of the marker, such that the eye can be positioned to suit a wearer's preference.

[0099] In the pictured embodiments the attachment means 3 has a central wire core 33 that is over moulded with an outer layer. This provides comfort for the wearer, as well as permits the attachment means 3 to be effective in fitting about the wearer's ear. The attachment means has a fore part 40A and a rear part 40B which permit movement about the point of connection 40C. In this way the fore part 40A can be rotated (indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4) to adjust the angle at which the elongate marker extends and in order to alter fitting.

[0100] The over-moulding may be formed from a cellular material such as foam, synthetic plastics or rubber type material. For example, the outer layer may be formed from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or medical grade silicone. Preferably the wire core wire 33 may be stainless steel or similar.

[0101] FIG. 8 shows an eye guide 99 with an attachment means 3 formed from two parts, a forward portion 40A and an elastic portion 40B.

[0102] The forward portion 40A is a rigid elongate part with a smooth outer surface. In use the forward portion 40A is arranged on a forward facing region of the ear. The elastic part 40B attaches at either end of the elongate part to form a loop. In this way the attachment means fits about the outer circumference of the outer ear so as to secure the eye guide on a user.

[0103] The elongate marker 1 projects from the forward part 40A. This allows the elongate marker to be securely mounted and directed forward towards the eye. The attachment means can be rotated about the ear to position the elongate marker in the correct orientation.

[0104] The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims.