FRAME FOR EYEWEAR PROVIDING IMPROVED PROTECTION AGAINST IONISING RADIATION AND RADIOPROTECTIVE EYEWEAR COMPRISING SUCH A FRAME

Abstract

A frame for eyewear for protecting against ionizing radiation, comprising a frontal portion extending laterally by the two lateral protective elements, and a device for maintaining the frame on the face of a user under the conditions under which it is worn, and characterized in that the lateral protective elements are integrally formed with the frontal portion and in that the frontal portion and the lateral protective elements are made of a radio-attenuation material. Further, eyewear for protecting against ionizing radiation comprising such a frame and to an assembly comprising this eyewear and a device for distributing weight.

Claims

1. A frame for protective eyewear against ionising radiation, comprising a frontal part being laterally extended by two side protective elements, and a device for holding the frame on a user's face in wearing condition, wherein the side protective elements are as a single piece with the frontal part and the frontal part and the side protective elements are made of a radiation attenuating material comprising a polymer matrix in which a radiation attenuating load is dispersed.

2. The frame for eyewear of claim 1, wherein the radiation attenuating load comprises particles of at least one metal, the metal being lead, a rare earth, bismuth, antimony, tin, tungsten, barium, tantalum, or particles of an alloy or oxide thereof.

3. The frame for eyewear of claim 2, wherein the radiation attenuating load comprises particles of lead, lead oxide, erbium, erbium oxide, praseodymium, praseodymium oxide, a mixture of erbium oxide and praseodymium oxide, a mixture of erbium oxide, praseodymium oxide and bismuth oxide, or a mixture of bismuth oxide, tungsten oxide and lanthanum oxide.

4. The frame for eyewear of claim 1, wherein the radiation attenuating load comprises particles of bismuth or bismuth oxide.

5. The frame for eyewear of claim 1, wherein the polymer of the matrix is a cellulose acetate, a cellulose acetopropionate, a polyamide, a copolyamide, an epoxide resin or a polyurethane.

6. The frame for eyewear of claim 1, wherein the radiation attenuating material comprises from 20% to 95% by mass of the radiation attenuating load.

7. The frame for eyewear of claim 1, wherein the frontal part is configured to embed one or two optical glasses.

8. The frame for eyewear of claim 1, further comprising two supraorbital protective elements as a single piece with the frontal part and the side protective elements.

9. The frame for eyewear of claim 1, further comprising two infraorbital protective elements as a single piece with the frontal part and the side protective elements.

10. The frame for eyewear of claim 1, wherein the frame holding device comprises two arms hinged to the side protective elements or a headband connected to the side protective elements.

11. The frame for eyewear of claim 1, which further comprises a saddle bridge as a single piece with the frontal part or assembled to the frontal part.

12. Protective eyewear against ionising radiation, comprising one or two radiation attenuating optical glasses embedded in the frame of claim 1.

13. The eyewear of claim 12, wherein the radiation attenuating optical glass(es) is lead glass(es).

14. The Eyewear of claim 12, wherein the frame comprises a first attaching element which is configured to attach to a second attaching element comprised by a weight take-up device for eyewear when the eyewear and the weight take-up device are worn by a user, the eyewear being worn on the user's face and the weight take-up device being worn on the user's skull.

15. The eyewear of claim 14, wherein the first attaching element is a magnet assembled to the frame or integrated into the frame.

16. An assembly comprising the radiation protective eyewear of claim 12, and a weight take-up device, wherein the eyewear comprises a first attaching element, the weight take-up device comprises a second attaching element and wherein the first and second attaching elements are configured to attach to each other when the eyewear and the weight take-up device are worn by a user, the eyewear being worn on the user's face and the weight take-up device being worn on the user's skull.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the first and second attaching elements are magnets with opposite polarity.

18. The assembly of claim 16, wherein the weight take-up device is configured to cover the top of the user's skull or to surround only the frontal part of the user's skull in wearing condition.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0073] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate two examples of radiation protective eyewear of the state of the art, with frontal and side protections.

[0074] FIGS. 2A and 2B schematically and partially represent a person's head, in a left side view, wearing radiation protective eyewear such as illustrated in FIG. 1A.

[0075] FIG. 3 schematically and partially represents the person's head, in a front view, wearing radiation protective eyewear such as illustrated in FIG. 1A.

[0076] FIGS. 4A and 4B schematically and partially represent a person's head, in a top view, wearing radiation protective eyewear such as illustrated in FIG. 1A.

[0077] FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D illustrate four examples of radiation protective eyewear of the invention.

[0078] FIGS. 6A and 6B are similar representations to those of FIGS. 2A and 2B but for a person wearing radiation protective eyewear such as illustrated in FIG. 5A.

[0079] FIG. 7 is a similar representation to that of FIG. 3 but for a person wearing radiation protective eyewear such as illustrated in FIG. 5A.

[0080] FIGS. 8A and 8B are similar representations to those of FIGS. 4A and 4B but for a person wearing radiation protective eyewear such as illustrated in FIG. 5A.

[0081] FIG. 9A schematically represents a person's head, in a front view, wearing an example of radiation protective eyewear/weight take-up device assembly of the invention, whereas FIG. 9B schematically and partially represents this person's head but in a left side view.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS

[0082] First, FIGS. 1A and 1B are referred to, which illustrate two examples of radiation protective eyewear of the state of the art, with frontal and side protections.

[0083] This eyewear, which are referenced 1, comprises a frame 2 which, itself, comprises a frontal part 3, or face, in which two optical glasses 4 are embedded and which laterally extends to two rims 5, as a single piece with the face, and two arms 6 hinged to the opposite ends of the side rims 5.

[0084] The frame 2 is of a plastic material transparent to ionising radiation and the frontal protection is only ensured by the glasses 4 which are lead glasses.

[0085] In the example shown in FIG. 1A, the side protection is ensured by two small substantially rectangular lead plates 7, which are applied to a part of the side rims 5, at a distance from the outer edges of the lead glasses 4.

[0086] In the example shown in FIG. 1B, the side protection is ensured by two substantially triangular lead glass pieces 7 which are integrated into a part of the side rims 5, also at a distance of the outer edges of the lead glasses 4.

[0087] In both cases, the side protective elements typically have a lead equivalence of 0.35 mm.

[0088] FIGS. 2A and 2B are now referred to, which schematically and partially represent a person's head 8, in a left side view, wearing a radiation protective eyewear such as illustrated in FIG. 1A, as well as this person's crystalline lens 9.

[0089] In FIGS. 2A and 2B, which are for showing limits of the frontal protection which is ensured by this eyewear, the left lead glass 4 is represented, in a transverse cross-section view. However, the face 3 of the frame is not represented since it is made in a material transparent to ionising radiation and the left small plate 7 is also not represented for legibility reasons.

[0090] As is visible in FIG. 2A, the frontal protection is limited to “directs” radiation impinging on lead glasses and an example of which is embodied by the arrow f1.

[0091] Thus, the crystalline lens is protected: [0092] neither from “direct” radiation impinging on the upper and lower parts of the face of the frame and two examples of which are embodied by the arrows f2, [0093] nor from “scattered” radiation which arise from interaction of “direct” radiation with skin zones surrounding the eyewear and one example of which is embodied by the arrow f3.

[0094] As a result, the non-radiation protected angular sector in the median vertical plane of the crystalline lens 9 corresponds to the sector denoted as S1 in FIG. 2B.

[0095] FIG. 3 is now referred to, which schematically and partially represents the head 8 shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B but in a front view.

[0096] In FIG. 3, which is for showing limits of frontal and side protections which are ensured by radiation protective eyewear such as illustrated in FIG. 1A, the lead glasses 4 and the small plates 7 of this eyewear are visible. However, the frame is not represented for the same reasons as above.

[0097] Here again, FIG. 3 shows that this eyewear protects the crystalline lens from “direct” radiation impinging on the lead glasses and an example of which is embodied by the arrow 11 but that it protects it: [0098] neither from “direct” radiation impinging on the face of the frame and three examples of which are embodied by the arrows f2, [0099] nor from “scattered” radiation which arise from interaction of “direct” radiation» with skin zones surrounding the eyewear and an example of which is embodied by the arrow f3.

[0100] It also shows that this eyewear does not either protect the crystalline lens from: [0101] “direct” radiation impinging on parts of the side rims which are located between the side ends of the face of the frame and the lead small plates and an example of which is embodied by the arrow f4, and [0102] “scattered” radiation which arise from interaction of direct radiation with skin zones such as the nose root and the upper part of dorsum of nose, which, although covered by the frame, are not protected by the same and an example of which is embodied by the arrow f5.

[0103] Another illustration of limits of frontal and side protections provided by radiation protective eyewear such as illustrated in FIG. 1A is given in FIGS. 4A and 4B which schematically and partially represent the head 8 shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3 but in a top view.

[0104] FIG. 4A repeats different radiation types embodied by arrows f1 to f5 in FIG. 3 whereas FIG. 4B shows 4 angular non-radiation protected sectors in the median horizontal plane of the crystalline lens 9, respectively denoted as S2, S3, S4 and S5, with this eyewear.

[0105] FIGS. 5A and 5B are now referred to, which illustrate two first examples of radiation protective eyewear of the invention.

[0106] This eyewear, which is referenced 10, comprises a frame 20 which, itself comprises a frontal part 30, or face, in which two optical glasses 40 are embodied and which laterally extends to two rims 50, as a single piece with the face, and two arms 60 hinged—via two hinges (not represented)—to the opposite ends of the side rims 50.

[0107] As in the eyewear illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the glasses 40 are lead glasses.

[0108] However, unlike the eyewear illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the face 30 of the frame as well as the side rims 50 are made of a radiation attenuating material which comprises a polymer matrix, for example of cellulose acetapropionate, polyamide or copolyamide, of epoxide resin or polyurethane, in which a radiation attenuating load is dispersed comprising, for example, particles of lead, lead oxide, erbium, erbium oxide, praseodymium, praseodymium oxide, a mixture of erbium oxide and praseodymium oxide, a mixture of erbium oxide, praseodymium and bismuth oxide, or a mixture of bismuth oxide, tungsten oxide and lanthanum oxide, or consisting of such particles.

[0109] In the example illustrated in FIG. 5A, the frame 20 is of the conventionally called “rectangular” type in the field of optical frames, that is with a substantially rectangular face 30 and having a low bending angle (lower than 10°) and side rims 50 which extend substantially perpendicular to the face 30. The height of these side rims is substantially equivalent to that of the face 30 at the junction of said side rims on said face.

[0110] In the example illustrated in FIG. 5B, the frame 20 is a more wrap-around frame than that of the eyewear illustrated in FIG. 5A, with a face 30 which has a stronger bending angle and the presence of two supra-orbital protective elements 70 and two infra-orbital protective element 80 which are as a single piece with the face 30 and side rims 50.

[0111] In the example illustrated in FIG. 5A as in the example illustrated in FIG. 5B, the frame 20 further comprises a saddle bridge 90, which can be assembled to the basis of the nose bridge 100 joining both optical glasses 40, in which case it is advantageously made of a flexible elastomer material such as a silicone, possibly containing a radiation attenuating load, or can be integrated into the nose bridge 100, that is as a single piece with this nose bridge.

[0112] FIG. 5C illustrates a third example of radiation protective eyewear 10 of the invention. This eyewear only differs from that shown in FIG. 5B in that the frame 20 is “mono-shield”, that is with a face 30 in which a single optical glass 40 is embodied, which extends from a side edge to the other of said face and which thus covers a user's both orbital areas in wearing condition.

[0113] FIG. 5D illustrates a fourth example of radiation protective eyewear 10 of the invention which only differs from that shown in FIG. 5B in that the frame 20 comprises a holding headband 110 instead of arms.

[0114] This holding headband, which is preferentially of an elastic material, for example an elastic textile or elastomer such as neoprene, is connected to the opposite ends of the side rims 50 of the frame 20, for example via two loops 120 which are as a single piece with these side rims and at which the ends of the headband form a closed loop by a fastening element (not represented) of the snap fastener, rivet, repositionable adhesive, hook and loop strip (or Velcro™) type or similar. The holding headband is furthermore provided with an element 130 for opening or closing it and/or adjusting the size thereof to the circumference of a user's head.

[0115] FIGS. 6A and 6B are now referred to, which are similar representations to those of FIGS. 2A and 2B but for a person wearing radiation protective eyewear such as illustrated in FIG. 5A. For this reason, in these figures, the face 30 of the frame 20, is represented in a transverse cross-section view.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 6A, the eyewear of the invention enables the crystalline lens 9 to be protected non only from “direct” radiation impinging on the lead glasses and an example of which is embodied by the arrow 11, but also from “direct” radiation impinging on the upper and lower parts of the face of the frame and two examples of which are embodied by the arrows f2.

[0117] For this reason, as is visible in FIG. 6B, the non-radiation protected angular sector in the median vertical plane of the crystalline lens 9, denoted as S1, obtained with the eyewear of the invention, is significantly reduced relative to that shown in FIG. 2B.

[0118] FIG. 7 is also a representation analogous to that of FIG. 3 but for a person wearing radiation protective eyewear such as illustrated in FIG. 5A.

[0119] This figure shows that this eyewear protects the crystalline lens from: [0120] “direct” radiation impinging on the lead glasses and an example of which is embodied by the arrow 11, [0121] “direct” radiation impinging on the face of the frame and three examples of which are embodied by the arrows f2, and as well [0122] “direct” radiation impinging on the side rims and an example of which is embodied by the arrow f4.

[0123] Accordingly, “scattered” radiation arising from interaction of direct radiation with skin zones covered by the frame such as that embodied in FIG. 3 by the arrow f5, are also suppressed.

[0124] This is also shown by FIG. 8A which is a representation analogous to that of FIG. 4A but for a person wearing radiation protective eyewear such as illustrated in FIG. 5A and in which the different radiation types embodied by the arrows 11 to f5 in FIG. 7 are repeated.

[0125] For this reason, as is visible in FIG. 8B which is to be compared with FIG. 4B since it is a representation analogous to that of FIG. 4B but for a person wearing radiation protective eyewear such as illustrated in FIG. 5A, there remains, with the radioprotective eyewear of the invention, only one non-radiation protective angular sector in the median horizontal plane of the crystalline lens 9, that is sector S1, which is however significantly reduced relative to the angular sector S1 visible in FIG. 4B.

[0126] By way of example, radiation protective eyewear such as illustrated in FIG. 5A has been made with SCHOTT SF6 lead glasses, a frame and 5 mm-thick side rims, comprising bismuth sesquioxide Bi.sub.2O.sub.3 dispersed in a polyurethane matrix in an amount of 50% by mass to obtain a lead thickness of 0.50 mm. This eyewear weighs 92 g.

[0127] Therefore, in order not to lose the ergonomic characteristic, the invention suggests wearing this eyewear together with a weight take-up device 140 as illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B which schematically represent a person's head 8, in a front view (FIG. 9A) and a side view (FIG. 9B), respectively, wearing an example of a radiation protective eyewear 10/weight take-up device 140 assembly of the invention.

[0128] As is visible in these figures, in this assembly, which is referenced 150, the frame 20 of the eyewear, which is substantially of the same type as that illustrated in FIG. 5A, is fitted with a magnet 160 which is assembled to the upper edge of the nose bridge 100 but which could also be integrated into this nose bridge.

[0129] The weight take-up device 140 is itself in the form of a cap.

[0130] The lower part 170 of the peak 180 of this cap is fitted with a membrane 190 for holding a tongue 200 the lower end of which comprises a magnet 210 with a similar size to that included by the frame 20 of the eyewear but with an opposite polarity and the upper end of which is removably fastened to this member, for example by clipping, a repositionable adhesive or a Velcro™ type hook and loop strip. In the latter case, the tongue itself can be a hook and loop strip.

[0131] A cylindrical piece 220, integral with the holding member 190, enables the whole part of the tongue which is located between this piece and the magnet 210 to be held directly above the nose bridge 100 of the eyewear.

[0132] Removably fastening the upper end of the tongue 200 to the holding member 190 enables the length of the part of the tongue 200 which is included between the piece 220 and the magnet 210 to be adjusted to the height of a user forehead which is included between the peak 180 and the nose root of this user depending on wearing conditions of the cap by the latter.

[0133] Once this adjustment is made, the frame 20 of the eyewear is automatically secured to the cap by the magnetic effect which is established between the magnets 160 and 210 and part of the weight exerted by the frame 20 on the user's nose root is automatically taken up by this cap.