Diving mask lens mounting / dismounting system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a swimming or diving mask characterized in that a locking / unlocking means (6) comprises a cam (6A) which, by rotation, causes elastic deformation of the inner frame (2), said elastic deformation allowing the outer frame (3) to be released from the inner frame (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for mounting / dismounting lenses of swimming or diving masks.

[0002] Diving masks can be classified into two categories: those made by overmolding and those that are assembled.

[0003] Overmolded diving masks are industrially manufactured by an injection molding process of one or more flexible materials, such as silicone or thermoplastic rubbers, around a transparent element called a lens, which is made of glass or a transparent thermoplastic material. The transparent part naturally provides vision, while the flexible, elastic part ensures a watertight seal against the swimmer's face, preventing water from entering the eyes. This type of mask is not significant.

[0004] Assembled diving masks consist of a set of rigid and elastic parts joined with various mechanical systems around two lenses or a single lens. Once assembled, these masks allow the user to disassemble and reassemble them. Typically, these assembled solutions include the following components: a main frame, an inner frame, lenses, a skirt, buckles, and a strap.

[0005] This feature, in the case of masks with two lenses, allows for lens replacement.

[0006] In all cases, the compression of the lenses and the flexible seal of the skirt between the inner and outer frames creates a watertight seal. There are essentially two assembly systems between the outer and inner frames.

[0007] The first method involves using assembly screws between the parts. The inner frame is connected to the main frame and tightened with the aforementioned screws, which compresses the seal. This assembly system works well but has the disadvantage of being laborious due to the number of screws required to ensure a watertight seal.

[0008] The second system uses interlocking teeth to assemble the parts, which engage in appropriate seats thanks to the elastic deformation of the components. Its drawback is that it is difficult to disassemble, requiring considerable effort or tools that can damage the delicate plastic parts, especially if the operation is repeated more than once.

[0009] The need to replace lenses is linked to the possibility of adopting corrective optical lenses for people with vision defects or to the desire to use colored or mirrored lenses capable of filtering or modifying the light spectrum like ordinary sunglasses.

[0010] The disassembly, replacement, and reassembly of masks, which we will define as having interchangeable lenses, are carried out by the end user, who will purchase corrective or colored lenses according to their needs or preferences. In particular, for corrective lenses, it is common for the user to require different prescriptions for the right and left eyes, and they will therefore customize their mask by purchasing replacement lenses separately.

[0011] It becomes essential, when the user is not an expert in assembling and disassembling masks, to offer a simple and easy-to-use assembly system.

[0012] There are various systems on the market for mounting / dismounting parts, as described above, which however have the disadvantage of either injuring the user's fingers because considerable effort is required to operate them, or, because a screwdriver must be used to pry the parts off, of damaging the plastic parts of the mask.

[0013] FR 2875709 and US 2017 / 021901 constitute the most relevant prior art.

[0014] The difference between the present invention and the prior art is that the locking / unlocking means (6) is a cam which, by rotation, produces an elastic deformation of the inner frame (2), releasing the outer frame (3) from the inner frame (2).

[0015] The technical effect of the difference mentioned above is that the assembly and disassembly of diving masks are simpler and easier to use, without damaging the lenses, without damaging the frames of the diving masks and without injuring the operator's hands.

[0016] The problem to be solved is that the old systems for assembling / disassembling diving masks by the end user are impractical, often damage the product, require physical effort, or risk causing pain or even minor injuries to the operator. Another problem to solve is finding an alternative device, that is, an improved system for assembling / disassembling diving mask lenses.

[0017] Prior art diving masks do not disclose that the locking / unlocking means (6) is a cam (an eccentric) which, by rotation, produces an elastic deformation of the inner frame (2), releasing the outer frame (3) from the inner frame (2).

[0018] The present invention relates to a swimming or diving mask comprising: a pair of removable lenses (1A, 1B) symmetrical side by side with respect to a vertical axis YY, said lenses being separate from each other or formed of a single piece, in which said lenses have an inner surface (1C) and an outer surface (1D), an inner frame (2) on which rests the periphery of the inner surface (1C) of the lenses (1A, 1B), an outer frame (3) designed to be removed from the swimming or diving mask and located on the periphery of the outer surface (1D) of said lenses (1A, 1B), a skirt (4), at least one sealing means (5) located on said inner frame (2) and hermetically connected to the periphery of the inner surface of said lenses (1A, 1B) and adapted to be hermetically applied to said lenses (1A, 1B), at least one locking / unlocking means (6) located on said outer frame (3),said locking / unlocking means (6) being designed to engage with said inner frame (2) and, when engaged, to fix the lenses (1A, 1B) between said outer frame and said inner frame, characterized in that: the locking / unlocking means (6) comprises a cam (6A) which, by rotation, produces an elastic deformation of the inner frame (2), said elastic deformation produced allowing release of the outer frame (3) from the inner frame (2).

[0019] To clarify the expression "watertight", this means that the compression of the lenses on the inner frame (2) and the compression of the outer frame (3) on the lenses makes the swim or mask watertight.

[0020] Preferably, at least one clipping means (7) located on said outer frame (3) cooperates with at least one notch located on said inner frame (2) to fix the lenses (1A, 1B) between said outer frame (3) and said inner frame (2).

[0021] Preferably, the locking / unlocking means (6) is located laterally relative to the inner frame (2) and laterally relative to the outer frame (3), on a periphery of said outer frame (3), i.e. on an external edge of said outer frame (3).

[0022] Preferably, the outer frame (3) and the inner frame (2) are made of rigid plastic.

[0023] Preferably, the outer frame (3) fully covers the periphery of the outer surface (1D) of the lenses (1A, 1B).

[0024] Preferably, the outer frame (3) partially covers the periphery of the outer surface (1D) of the lenses (1A, 1B).

[0025] The present invention also relates to a screwdriver (8) specially adapted for mounting or dismounting the swimming or diving mask, said screwdriver being designed to cooperate with the locking / unlocking means (6) to release the outer frame (3) from the periphery of the outer surface (1D) of the lenses (1A, 1B) or said screwdriver being adapted to fix the lenses (1A, 1B) between the outer frame (3) and the inner frame (2).

[0026] Using this screwdriver significantly reduces the force required for assembly compared to a manual operation.

[0027] The present invention also relates to a swimming or diving kit comprising a swimming or diving mask and a screwdriver.

[0028] The present invention also relates to a method for mounting at least one or two removable lenses (1A, 1B) in a swimming or diving mask, comprising the following steps: a) the placement of the periphery of an inner surface (1C) of one or two lenses (1A, 1B) on an inner frame (2) of the mask, said inner frame (2) having at least one sealing means (5), b) the placement of a removable outer frame (3) on the periphery of the outer surface (1D) of said lenses (1A, 1B), c) the locking of at least one locking means (6) located on said removable outer frame (3), d) the clipping of at least one clipping means (7) located on said removable outer frame (3) and engaging with the inner frame (2), e) the firm retention of said lenses (1A, 1B) between the inner frame (2) and the outer frame (3) with at least one locking means and / or at least one clipping means.

[0029] The present invention also relates to a method for dismantling at least one or two removable lenses (1A, 1B) of a swimming or diving mask, comprising the following steps: a) unlocking at least one locking / unlocking means (6) located on a removable outer frame (3), b) unclipping at least one clipping means (7) located on said removable outer frame (3) and engaging with the inner frame (2), c) removing an outer frame (3) from the periphery of the outer surface (1D) of said lenses (1A, 1B), d) removing said lenses (1A, 1B).

[0030] The present invention is represented by the following figures: [ Fig. 1 [ shows the locking / unlocking means (6) fixed to the outer frame (3) and to the inner frame (2). Fig. 2 [ ] shows how to unlock the locking / unlocking means (6) fixed to the outer frame (3) and to the inner frame (2). ] Fig. 3 ] shows lenses (1A, 1B) placed between an outer frame (3) and an inner frame (2) fixed by means of two cams (6). It also shows a pair of removable lenses (1A, 1B) symmetrically placed side by side, said lenses being symmetrical with respect to a vertical axis (YY). Fig. 4 [ shows a cam (6) and its positioning hole, an outer mount (3) and an inner mount (2).] Fig. 5 ] also shows the front view of a cam (6) in place in an outer mount (3) and an inner mount (2). Fig. 6 ] shows the rear view of a cam (6) and a clipping means (7). Fig. 7 ] also shows the rear view of a cam (6) and a clipping means (7). Fig. 8 [ ] is a photograph of the present invention showing the outer surface of the lenses (1A, 1B), an outer frame (3) and an inner frame (2). The C-shaped screwdriver used to lock / unlock the cam from the outer and inner frames is also shown on the left side of the photograph. Fig. 9 [ ] is a perspective view of the diving mask of the present invention. Fig. 10 [ ] is a bottom view of the diving mask of the present invention. Fig. 11 [ ] is a top view of the diving mask of the present invention. ] Fig. 12 [ ] is a front view of the diving mask of the present invention. Fig. 13 ] shows how to mount the lenses (1A, 1B), the outer frame (3) and the inner frame (2) with a screwdriver.

[0031] The present invention relates to a system for mounting / dismounting the outer frame (3) from the inner frame (2) by means of a locking / unlocking system actuated by means of an eccentric (also called a cam) which, by rotation, produces an elastic deformation of the inner frame (2) which, by means of this action, releases the outer frame (3) from the inner frame (2).

[0032] A cam is a sliding part in a mechanical linkage used especially to transform rotary motion into linear motion.

[0033] This assembly / disassembly operation is performed with a tool supplied or commonly purchased at a hardware store, which requires no effort and does not damage the system. The force is obtained by rotating a cam integrated into the system (in the case shown, inserted in the inner mount (2), but the same system could also be implemented by reversing the concept and integrating it into the outer mount (3), which opens and closes the coupling / release mechanism smoothly, simply, and repeatably several times without damaging the system.

Claims

1. A swimming or diving mask comprising: - a pair of removable symmetrical lenses (1A, 1B) side by side relative to a vertical axis Y-Y, said lenses being distinct from one another or formed from a single piece, wherein said lenses have an inner surface (1C) and an outer surface (1D), - an inner frame (2) on which rests the periphery of the inner surface (1C) of the lenses (1A, 1B), - an outer frame (3) designed to be removed from the swimming or diving mask and located on the periphery of the outer surface (1D) of said lenses (1A, 1B), - a skirt (4), - at least one sealing means (5) located on said inner frame (2) and tightly connected in a sealed manner to the periphery of the inner surface of said lenses (1A, 1B) and able to be applied in a sealed manner on said lenses (1A, 1B), - at least one locking / unlocking means (6) located on said outer frame (3), said locking / unlocking means (6) being designed to engage with said inner frame (2) and, when engaged, to secure the lenses (1A, 1B) between said outer frame and said inner frame, characterized in that: - the locking / unlocking means (6) comprises a cam (6A) which, by rotation, produces an elastic deformation of the inner frame (2), said elastic deformation produced allowing to release the outer frame (3) relative to the inner frame (2).

2. The swimming or diving mask according to claim 1, wherein at least one clipping means (7) located on said outer frame (3) cooperates with at least one notch located on said inner frame (2) to fix the lenses (1A, 1B) between said outer frame (3) and said inner frame (2).

3. The swimming or diving mask according to claim 1, wherein the locking / unlocking means (6) is located laterally relative to the inner frame (2) and laterally relative to the outer frame (3), on a periphery of said outer frame (3).

4. The swimming or diving mask according to claim 1, wherein the outer frame (3) and the inner frame (2) are in plastic.

5. The swimming or diving mask according to claim 1, wherein the outer frame (3) completely covers the periphery of the outer surface (1D) of the lenses (1A, 1B).

6. The swimming or diving mask according to claim 1, wherein the outer frame (3) partially covers the periphery of the outer surface (1D) of the lenses (1A, 1B).

7. The swimming or diving kit comprising the swimming or diving mask according to claim 1.

8. A method of assembling at least one or two removable lenses (1A, 1B) in a swimming or diving mask according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: a) placing the periphery of an inner surface (1C) of one or two lenses (1A, 1B) on an inner frame (2) of the mask, said inner frame (2) including at least one sealing means (5), b) placing a removable outer frame (3) on the periphery of the outer surface (1D) of the said lenses (1A, 1B), c) locking of at least one locking means (6) located on the said removable outer frame (3) d) clipping at least one clipping means (7) located on said removable outer frame (3) and engaging with the inner frame (2), e) firmly holding the said lenses (1A, 1B) between the inner frame (2) and the outer frame (3) with at least one locking means and at least one clipping means.

9. The method of dismantling at least one or two removable lenses (1A, 1B) from a swimming or diving mask according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: a) unlocking at least one locking / unlocking means (6) located on a removable outer frame (3), b) unclipping at least one clipping means (7) located on said removable outer frame (3) and engaging with the inner frame (2), c) removing an outer frame (3) from the periphery of the outer surface (1D) of the said lenses (1A, 1B), d) removing said lenses (1A, 1B).

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