Eye shield frame

Abstract

An eyeshade frame comprising: a unitary, non-folding goggle frame to which a shield may be attached to provide a goggle, the frame being made of plastic having a flexural modulus of about 250,000 psi to about 310,000 psi (ASTM D790A), the frame having an anterior forehead piece and a pair of symmetrical left and right earpieces extending away from the anterior forehead piece at opposite ends of the anterior forehead piece, each earpiece terminates at a free end, the free ends of the earpieces being spaced apart from each other to define a gap, the frame having a maximum width such that a ratio of the maximum width to the gap is greater than 3.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese patent application with application number 202320235706.0, title “A kind of eye mask frame” and application date February 3, 2023. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to the field of eyewear frames. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to polymer frames for eyewear (such as goggles) having improved fit. Background Art

[0003] There is a need for improved structures of eye protection frames, such as frames for eye protection, and particularly plastic frames for disposable eye protection.

[0004] Conventional plastic frames for eye shields often fit poorly and feel loose on many wearers' heads and often do not fit snugly against the wearer's head. If the wearer makes any head movement, the frame will shake and the lens or shield of the eye shield will often slide down the bridge of the wearer's nose.

[0005] In addition, the plastic material of which the frame is made usually has a slight bending pressure on the wearer's head and does not firmly grip or engage the wearer's head. This further increases the problem of poor frame fit.

[0006] What is needed is a plastic eye shield frame with an improved fit. Utility Model Content

[0007] The above and other needs are met by the eye shield frame of the present invention. The eye shield frame of the present invention has improved fit.

[0008] In one aspect, an eye shield frame with improved comfort according to the present disclosure comprises an integral non-folding goggle frame to which a shield can be attached to provide the goggle, the frame being made of a plastic having a flexural modulus of about 250,000 psi to about 310,000 psi (ASTM D790A).

[0009] The frame has a front piece and a pair of symmetrical left and right temples extending away from the front piece at opposite ends of the front piece, each temple terminating in a free end, the free ends of the temples being spaced apart from each other to define a gap, the frame having a maximum width such that a ratio of the maximum width to the gap is greater than 3, the maximum width of the frame being consistent with a distance between a bend point of the frame, the bend point being a position on the frame at which the temples bend when flexed and the temples begin to extend inwardly to be inboard of the maximum width of the frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Other advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent by reference to the detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are not drawn to scale in order to more clearly show details, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements throughout the several views, and wherein:

[0011] Figure 1A is a perspective view of an eye shield frame according to the present disclosure, and Figure 1B Includes shroud.

[0012] Figure 2 is an end view of the frame.

[0013] Figure 3 is a top view of the frame.

[0014] Figure 4 and Figure 5 1 is a perspective view and a top view of a frame showing the maximum width of a frame according to the present disclosure and the gap between the free rear ends of the temples. In comparison, the wider gap between the free rear ends of the temples of a conventional frame is shown with a dotted line. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] Referring to the drawings, there is shown an eye shield frame in accordance with the present disclosure in the form of an eye shield frame 10. The frame 10 supports a lens or shield 12 and is configured for use by an adult user.

[0016] It has been observed that the frame 10 described herein provides an improved fit for most adult users compared to conventional one-piece plastic frames. It has been found that the structure of the frame 10 described herein combined with the stiffer materials described herein to make the frame 10 provides an improved fit for the goggle frame.

[0017] The frame 10 is a non-folding polymer or plastic frame of one-piece injection molded construction and is intended to be disposable. This type of frame can be distinguished from goggle frames of the type having multiple assembled parts and temples or arms connected by hinges.

[0018] The frame 10 includes a front piece 10a to which a shield 12 is attached, and a pair of temples 10b extending generally rearward and away from the front piece 10a at opposite ends of the front piece 10a. The temples 10b are symmetrical to each other, wherein one temple 10b is configured as the left side of the frame 10 and the other temple 10b is configured as the right side of the frame 10.

[0019] The frame 10 has a maximum width W, which coincides with the distance between the bend points BP of the frame 10. The bend points BP represent the location on the frame 10 where the temples 10b bend when flexed and the temples 10b begin to extend inwardly to be inboard of the maximum width of the frame 10. For the illustrated frame 10, the maximum width W is between about 5.6 inches and about 6.2 inches, and most preferably about 5.9 inches.

[0020] When providing a frame 10 according to the present disclosure, the free rear end 10bb extends inwardly from the bend point BP and is spaced apart by a gap G of about 1.4 inches to about 1.8 inches, most preferably about 1.6 inches. Therefore, the frame 10 is constructed such that the ratio of the maximum width W to the gap G is in the range of about 3.1 to about 4.4, and most preferably about 3.7. Therefore, the frame 10 preferably has a gap G of less than 2.0 inches and a maximum width to gap ratio of greater than 3 and less than 5.

[0021] In comparison, with respect to eye protection (e.g., goggles) frames, conventional frames correspond in shape to frame 10, except for one important difference, namely, the temples of the conventional frames (in Figure 4 and Figure 5 As will be noted, conventional frames have the same maximum width W, but their gap G' is wider than the gap G according to the present disclosure. The gap G' ranges from about 2.2 inches to about 2.6 inches, and is typically about 2.4 inches. Thus, the ratio of the maximum width W of conventional frames to the gap G' ranges from about 2.1 to about 2.8, and is typically about 2.5. Thus, conventional frames have a gap that is higher than 2.0 inches, and a ratio of the maximum width to the gap that is less than 3.

[0022] In conjunction with the foregoing dimensions of the frame 10 according to the present disclosure, it has been discovered that a frame 10 constructed as desired above will provide a frame with improved fit if manufactured using a much stiffer plastic than is typically used for goggle frames of this type. Hardness is a mechanical property of a plastic, and the hardness of a plastic is described by its flexural modulus (the ability of the material to bend). The flexural modulus is measured in pounds per square inch (psi). The higher the flexural modulus, the stiffer the material; the lower the flexural modulus, the more resilient it is. The standard test for determining flexural modulus is ASTM D790A-(1% secant), measured at 1.27 mm / min using 3.2 mm thick ASTM Type I specimens (injection molded in accordance with ASTM D4101-92a).

[0023] A conventional polymer resin plastic used to make goggle frames is a polypropylene resin having a flexural modulus of 190,000 psi, available under the designation Pinnacle 2160H from Pinnacle Polymers of Garyville, Louisiana (www.pinnaclepolymers.com). According to the present disclosure, the plastic has a flexural modulus of 190,000 psi as determined in accordance with ASTM D790A.

[0024] According to the present disclosure, suitable plastics for frame 10 have a much higher flexural modulus determined according to ASTM D790A, about 250,000 psi to about 310,000 psi, and most preferably about 280,000 psi. An example of a preferred plastic is polypropylene 1120H, which is available from Pinnacle Polymers of Garyville, Louisiana (www.pinnaclepolymers.com), having a flexural modulus of 280,000 psi (ASTM D790A).

[0025] It has been discovered that a frame with improved fit according to the present disclosure can be achieved by combining the following items: a frame made of plastic having a flexural modulus from about 250,000 psi to about 310,000 psi, and having a gap G between the ends 10bb of the temples 10b of less than 2.0 inches, and a ratio of the maximum width to the gap greater than 3.

[0026] The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure has been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. These embodiments are selected and described in order to provide the best illustration of the principles of the present disclosure and its practical application, so that one of ordinary skill in the art can utilize the present disclosure in various embodiments and make various modifications to suit the intended specific use. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the disclosure determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth of the claims as fairly, legally and equitably authorized.

[0027] In summary, the present invention includes but is not limited to the following items:

[0028] 1. A goggle frame with improved comfort, comprising:

[0029] A one-piece non-folding goggle frame to which a shield can be attached to provide goggles, the frame being made of a plastic having a flexural modulus of about 250,000 psi to about 310,000 psi (ASTM D790A), the frame having a front piece and a pair of symmetrical left and right temples extending away from the front piece at opposite ends of the front piece, each temple terminating in a free end, the free ends of the temples being spaced apart from each other to define a gap, the frame having a maximum width such that a ratio of the maximum width to the gap is greater than 3.

[0030] 2. The goggle frame of claim 1 , wherein the gap is less than about 2 inches.

[0031] 3. The goggle frame of claim 1, wherein the gap is about 1.4 inches to about 1.8 inches

[0032] 4. The goggle frame of claim 1, wherein the maximum width is between about 5.6 inches and about 6.2 inches

[0033] 5. A goggle frame according to item 1, wherein the ratio of the maximum width to the gap is between 3 and 5.

[0034] 6. The goggle frame of claim 1, wherein the frame is made of a plastic having a flexural modulus of 280,000 psi (ASTM D790A).

[0035] 7. A goggle frame according to item 1, wherein the maximum width of the frame is consistent with the distance between the bending points of the frame, and the bending points represent the positions on the frame where the temples bend when they are flexed.

Claims

1. An eye protection mask frame, characterized in that include: A one-piece non-folding goggle frame to which a shield may be attached to provide a goggle wherein: The frame is made of a plastic having a flexural modulus of 250,000 psi to 310,000 psi as measured by ASTM D790A, the frame having a front piece and a pair of symmetrical left and right temples extending away from the front piece at opposite ends of the front piece, each temple terminating in a free end, the free ends of the temples being spaced apart from each other to define a gap, the frame having a maximum width such that a ratio of the maximum width to the gap is greater than 3, the maximum width of the frame being consistent with a distance between a bend point of the frame, the bend point representing a position on the frame at which the temples bend when flexed and the temples begin to extend inwardly to the inside of the maximum width of the frame.

2. The eye shield frame of claim 1, wherein the gap is less than 2 inches.

3. The eye shield frame of claim 1, wherein the gap is 1.4 inches to 1.8 inches.

4. The eye shield frame of claim 1, wherein the maximum width is between 5.6 inches and 6.2 inches.

5. The eye shield frame according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the maximum width to the gap is between 3 and 5.

6. The eye shield frame of claim 1, wherein the frame is made of a plastic having a flexural modulus of 280,000 psi as measured by ASTM D790A.

7. An eye shield frame as claimed in claim 6, wherein the plastic is polypropylene.

Images