REMOVABLE READING GLASSES FOR A DIVING MASK OR GOGGLES

Abstract

Removable reading glasses for a diving mask or goggles. These may be used for instance when diving under water, such as when scuba diving, when swimming under water, or when performing tasks under water. They are especially suited for people requiring optical support for reading and the like.

Claims

1. Removable reading glasses for a diving mask or goggles comprising a one piece optical element, the optical element comprising a curved nose section adapted to bridge a nose section of the diving mask or goggles, two optic elements at each side of the nose section functioning as a lens, and at each side a fastening section for receiving a fastener.

2. The removable reading glasses according to claim 1, wherein each optical element individually provides a positive or negative lens function.

3. The removable reading glasses according to claim 1, characterised in that the inner surfaces of optic elements are substantially flat.

4. The removable reading glasses according to claim 1, comprising a flexible fastener for attaching to a head of a user.

5. The removable reading glasses according to claim 1, wherein the curved nose section is more flexible than the remainder of the reading glasses.

6. The removable reading glasses according to claim 1, wherein the curved nose section comprises a resilient element.

7. The removable reading glasses according to claim 1, wherein the one piece optical element is made of an optically transparent polymer.

8. The removable reading glasses according to claim 1, wherein the one piece optical element is a cast element.

9. The removable reading glasses according to claim 1, wherein the fastening section each individually comprises a friction piece and a metal friction piece, the friction piece preventing the removable reading glasses in use from shifting over the diving mask or goggles, wherein optionally the fastening section comprises a removably attachable closure.

10. The removable reading glasses according to claim 1, wherein the attachment means are configured to allow attachment of the optical structure to the head of the user, even if the ears of the user are covered.

11. The removable reading glasses according to claim 1, wherein each optical element comprises an engagement surface for engaging an outer surface of the goggles/diving mask.

12. The removable reading glasses according to claim 11, characterised in that the engagement surface(s) are substantially flat.

13. The removable reading glasses according to claim 11, characterised in that the engagement surface(s) protrude from the optical structure.

14. The removable reading glasses according to claim 11, characterised in that the engagement surfaces(s) are made of a material that provides friction between the engagement surfaces and the goggles, when in use.

15. The removable reading glasses according to claim 11, characterised in that the engagement surface(s) are provided at opposite ends of the reading glasses.

16. The removable reading glasses according to claim 11, characterised in that engagement surfaces are provided along two or more edges of the reading glasses.

17. The removable reading glasses according to claim 11, comprising recesses in which engagement means are situated, the engagement means being provided with the engagement surfaces.

18. The removable reading glasses according to claim 11, wherein the engagement means provide friction.

19. The removable reading glasses according to claim 11, wherein a height of the optic elements is from 1-5 cm, and wherein a thickness of the reading glasses varies between 3-15 mm, and wherein an upper part of the reading glasses is substantially straight, and wherein a lower part of the reading glasses is curved, and wherein a height of the curved nose section is 8-30 mm, and wherein the optic elements are substantially flat, and wherein the optic elements comprise Fresnel lenses, and wherein a refractive index of the optic elements is between 1.25 and 1.5, and wherein the curved nose section is adapted to fit to a diving mask or goggles when used in a lowest position, and comprising a coating selected from a protective coating, a natural or artificial rubber coating, and combinations thereof.

20. A diving mask or goggles comprising removable reading glasses according to claim 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses each optical element individually provides a positive or negative lens function, such as from +7 dioptre to −7 dioptre.

[0045] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses the inner surfaces of optic elements (12a,b) are substantially flat.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment the present removable reading glasses comprises a flexible fastener (14) for attaching to a head of a user, such as an elastic fastener, such as an elastic strap.

[0047] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses the curved nose section is more flexible than the remainder of the reading glasses.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses the curved nose section comprises a resilient element (15), such as a metal element, such as a metal strip or metal bar.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses the one piece optical element is made of an optically transparent polymer, such as polycarbonate, poly acrylate, or a combination thereof.

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses the one piece optical element is a cast element.

[0051] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses the fastening section (13a,b) each individually comprises a friction piece (18), such as a silicone friction piece, and a metal friction pieced, such as of Al, the friction piece preventing the removable reading glasses in use from shifting over the diving mask or goggles due to the tension/force caused by the elastic band, wherein optionally the fastening section comprises a removably attachable closure (23).

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses the attachment means, such as a band or strap, are configured to allow attachment of the optical structure to the head of the user even if the ears of the user are covered; in other words also with a head cap on the present removable reading glasses can be used.

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment the present removable reading glasses comprise a reinforced edge, such as reinforced with a metal strip or wire. Therewith also the mask of the mask is increased.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses each optical element (12a,b) comprises an engagement surface (19) for engaging an outer surface (20) of the goggles/diving mask, which surface may also be considered as a contact surface, or friction surface, providing typically an increased friction.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses the engagement surface(s) are substantially flat.

[0056] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses the engagement surface(s) protrude from the optical structure.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses the engagement surfaces(s) are made of a material that provides friction between the engagement surfaces and the goggles, when in use.

[0058] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses the engagement surface(s) are provided at opposite ends of the reading glasses. In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses engagement surfaces are provided along two or more edges of the reading glasses.

[0059] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses engagement surfaces have a surface area of 1-16 cm.sup.2, preferably 1.5-10 cm.sup.2, more preferably 2-8 cm.sup.2, such as 4-6 cm.sup.2. The contact surfaces are as large as possible so that on each type of diving mask or snorkel mask the surfaces make optimum contact with the diving mask or snorkel mask, but without disturbing the field of view of the diving mask or snorkel mask.

[0060] In an exemplary embodiment the present removable reading glasses comprises recesses (21) in which engagement means (22) are situated, such as a block fitting in the recesses, typically with a height slightly higher than that of the recesses, the engagement means being provided with the engagement surfaces.

[0061] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses the engagement means provide friction, such as silicone, or metal.

[0062] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses a height of the optic elements (12a,b) is from 1-5 cm, preferably 2-3 cm.

[0063] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses a thickness of the reading glasses varies between 3-15 mm, preferably 4-10 mm, more preferably 5-8 mm.

[0064] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses an upper part of the reading glasses is substantially straight.

[0065] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses an lower part of the reading glasses is curved, and/or

[0066] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses a height of the curved nose section (11) is 8-30 mm, preferably 10-20 mm.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses the optic elements (12a,b) are substantially flat.

[0068] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses the optic elements (12a,b) comprise Fresnel lenses.

[0069] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses a refractive index of the optic elements (12a,b) is between 1.25 and 1.5, preferably between 1.3 and 1.46.

[0070] In an exemplary embodiment of the present removable reading glasses the curved nose section is adapted to fit to a diving mask or goggles when used in a lowest position.

[0071] In an exemplary embodiment the present removable reading glasses comprise a protective coating, such as a coating for preventing scratching, such as a SiC coating, an AlO coating, a SiN coating, a natural or artificial rubber coating, and combinations thereof.

[0072] The invention will hereafter be further elucidated through the following examples which are exemplary and explanatory of nature and are not intended to be considered limiting of the invention. To the person skilled in the art it may be clear that many variants, being obvious or not, may be conceivable falling within the scope of protection, defined by the present claims.

SUMMARY OF THE FIGURES

[0073] FIG. 1 shows reading glasses according to the invention.

[0074] FIG. 2 shows the reading glasses in FIG. 1 at a different angle.

[0075] FIGS. 3a and 3b show the reading glasses worn at different heights on a conventional diving mask.

[0076] FIGS. 4a and 4b show the position of the contact surfaces with increased adhesion in the reading glasses.

[0077] FIGS. 5a and 5b show how the adhesion-increasing material applied in the recesses of the frame of the reading glasses protrudes slightly above the edges of the recesses.

[0078] FIGS. 6a and 6b show the position where the adhesion enhancing surfaces make contact with the frame of the diving mask.

[0079] FIG. 7 shows the reinforced nose bridge.

[0080] FIGS. 8a and 8b show the position of the elastic strap of the reading glasses on the diving mask.

[0081] FIG. 9 shows the forces exerted on the reading glasses by the tension of the elastic headband. The upward arrow indicates bending, the downward arrows indicate a force applied.

[0082] FIG. 10 shows the different positions in which the reading glasses can be placed on the diving mask.

[0083] FIG. 11 shows the position of the reading glasses when an object is above the head of a diver.

[0084] FIG. 12 shows the lenses of the reading glasses parallel to the glasses of the diving mask and the nose bridge of the reading glasses following the contours of the nose bridge of the diving mask.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0085] In the figures: [0086] 1 Removable reading glasses [0087] 10 one piece optical element [0088] 11 curved nose section [0089] 12a optic element [0090] 12b optic element [0091] 13a fastening section [0092] 13b fastening section [0093] 14 flexible fastener [0094] 18 friction piece [0095] 19 engagement surface [0096] 20 outer surface [0097] 10 21 recess [0098] 22 engagement means [0099] 23 closure