Diving mask lens attachment / detachment system

Abstract

The invention relates to a swimming or diving mask characterized in that the locking / unlocking means (6) comprise a cam (6A) which, by rotation, causes an elastic deformation of the inner frame (2), which makes it possible to release the outer frame (3) from the inner frame (2).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly / disassembly system for lenses in a swimming or diving mask. [Background technology]

[0002] Diving masks can be divided into two categories: overmolded diving masks and modular diving masks.

[0003] Overmolded diving masks are constructed industrially by an injection process of one or more soft materials, silicone, or thermoplastic rubber around a transparent element called the lens, which is made of glass or a transparent thermoplastic material. The transparent part is, of course, responsible for ensuring vision, while the soft elastic part is responsible for ensuring a watertight seal of the mask against the swimmer's face and thus avoiding water contact with the eyes. This type of mask is not critical.

[0004] Modular diving masks consist of a set of rigid and elastic parts assembled in various mechanical systems around two or only one lens. This type of assembled mask can be disassembled and reassembled by the user. In these modular solutions, it is common for the system to consist of the following parts: main frame, inner frame, lenses, skirt, buckle, and straps.

[0005] This feature allows for lens interchangeability in the case of dual lens masks.

[0006] In either case, the soft gasket of the lens and skirt is compressed between the inner and outer frames, making the mask watertight. There are essentially two assembly systems between the outer and inner frames:

[0007] The first assembly system involves the use of assembly screws between the components. The inner frame is connected to the main frame by the said screws and tightened to compress the gasket. This assembly system works well but has the drawback of being laborious due to the number of screws required to ensure the watertight integrity.

[0008] The second assembly system provides an assembly system between the parts by means of hook teeth that engage in appropriate seats thanks to the elastic deformation of the components. This has the disadvantage that it is difficult to disassemble, since it requires considerable effort or tools that can damage the delicate plastic parts, especially if the operation is repeated several times.

[0009] The need for lens replacement is linked to the possibility of adopting corrective optical lenses for people with poor eyesight, or the desire to use tinted or mirrored lenses that can filter or modify the light spectrum, like common sunglasses.

[0010] Disassembly, replacement, and reassembly of the mask, which the inventors of the present invention define as interchangeable lenses, is performed by the end user, who purchases corrective or tinted lenses according to his or her needs or desires. In particular, with regard to corrective lenses, it is common for users to require different corrections for the right and left eyes, and thus customize the mask by purchasing separate replacement lenses.

[0011] Since users are not experts in assembling and disassembling masks, it becomes essential to propose an assembly system that is simple and easy to use.

[0012] There are various assembly / disassembly systems of parts on the market, as mentioned above, but they have the disadvantage that they require considerable effort to operate, which can hurt the user's fingers, or that a screwdriver must be used to access the parts, which can damage the plastic parts of the mask.

[0013] The difference between the present invention and the prior art is that the locking / unlocking means (6) is a cam which, by rotation, causes an elastic deformation of the inner frame (2) which releases the outer frame (3) from the inner frame (2).

[0014] The technical effect of the above differences is that assembly and disassembly of the diving mask is easier and more user-friendly, does not damage the lenses, does not damage the diving mask frame, and does not hurt the operator's hands.

[0015] The problem to be solved is that conventional assembly / disassembly systems for diving masks by end users are impractical and often pose a risk of damaging the product and causing physical exertion or pain to the operator, even minor injury. Another problem to be solved is to find an alternative device, an improved assembly / disassembly system for the lenses of diving masks.

[0016] Prior art diving masks do not disclose that the locking / unlocking means (6) is a cam (eccentric) which rotates to cause an elastic deformation of the inner frame (2) which releases the outer frame (3) from the inner frame (2).

[0017] The present invention relates to a swimming or diving mask comprising: A pair of removable lenses (1A, 1B) laterally symmetrical with respect to a vertical axis YY, formed separately or integrally with each other, and having an inner surface (1C) and an outer surface (1D); an inner frame (2) on which the periphery of the inner surface (1C) of the lens (1A, 1B) is placed; an outer frame (3) adapted to be removed from the swimming or diving mask and localized at the periphery of the outer surface (1D) of said lenses (1A, 1B); Skirt (4) and at least one sealing means (5) arranged on said inner frame (2) and sealingly connected to the periphery of the inner surface of said lenses (1A, 1B) and adapted to be applied in a watertight manner to said lenses (1A, 1B); at least one locking / unlocking means (6) arranged on said outer frame (3) and configured to engage with said inner frame (2) and, upon engagement, to fix the lenses (1A, 1B) between said outer frame and said inner frame; Equipped with The swimming or diving mask relates to a swimming or diving mask, characterized in that the locking / unlocking means (6) comprises a cam (6A) which, when rotated, causes an elastic deformation of the inner frame (2), said caused elastic deformation enabling the release of the outer frame (3) from the inner frame (2).

[0018] To clarify the expression "watertight aspect", this means that compression of the lens onto the inner frame (2) and compression of the outer frame (3) onto the lens makes the swimming or mask watertight.

[0019] Preferably, at least one clip means (7) arranged on the outer frame (3) cooperates with at least one notch arranged on the inner frame (2) to secure the lenses (1A, 1B) between the outer frame (3) and the inner frame (2).

[0020] Preferably, the locking / unlocking means (6) are located at the periphery of the outer frame (3), i.e. at the outer edge of the outer frame (3), laterally from the inner frame (2) and laterally from the outer frame (3).

[0021] Preferably, the outer frame (3) and the inner frame (2) are made of a rigid plastic.

[0022] Preferably, the outer frame (3) completely covers the periphery of the outer surface (1D) of the lenses (1A, 1B).

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

[0024] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a screwdriver (8) specially adapted for the assembly or disassembly of a swimming or diving mask as defined in claims 1 to 6, which screwdriver is adapted to cooperate with the locking / unlocking means (6) for releasing the outer frame (3) from the periphery of the outer surface (1D) of the lenses (1A, 1B) or which screwdriver is adapted for fixing the lenses (1A, 1B) between the outer frame (3) and the inner frame (2).

[0025] The use of this screwdriver significantly reduces the force required for assembly compared to using the hands.

[0026] Furthermore, the invention relates to a swimming or diving kit comprising a swimming or diving mask as claimed in claim 1 and a screwdriver as claimed in claim 7.

[0027] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for assembling at least one or two removable lenses (1A, 1B) in a swimming or diving mask as defined in claim 1, comprising: a) placing the periphery of the inner surface (1C) of one or two lenses (1A, 1B) onto an inner frame (2) having at least one sealing means (5) of a mask; b) placing a removable outer frame (3) onto the periphery of the outer surface (1D) of said lenses (1A, 1B); c) locking at least one locking means (6) located on 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 maintaining said lenses (1A, 1B) between the inner frame (2) and the outer frame (3) by at least one locking means and / or at least one clip means. The present invention relates to a method comprising the steps of:

[0028] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for disassembling at least one or two removable lenses (1A, 1B) in a swimming or diving mask as defined in claim 1, comprising: a) unlocking at least one locking / unlocking means (6) located on the 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 the outer frame (3) from the periphery of the outer surface (1D) of said lenses (1A, 1B); d) removing said lenses (1A, 1B); The present invention relates to a method comprising the steps of:

[0029] The invention is illustrated by the following figures: [Brief description of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] Shown is the locking / unlocking means (6) fixed to the outer frame (3) and to the inner frame (2). [Diagram 2] It shows how to unlock the locking / unlocking means (6) fixed to the outer frame (3) and the inner frame (2). [Diagram 3] It shows lenses (1A, 1B) positioned between an outer frame (3) and an inner frame (2) fixed using two cams (6). It also shows a pair of side-by-side symmetric removable lenses (1A, 1B), which are symmetric about a vertical axis (YY). [Figure 4] Shown are the cam (6) and its mounting hole, the outer frame (3), and the inner frame (2). [Diagram 5] Also shown is a front view of the outer frame (3) and the cam (6) in place within the inner frame (2). [Figure 6] A rear view of the cam (6) and clip means (7) is shown. [Figure 7] Further shown is a rear view of the cam (6) and clip means (7). [Figure 8] Photograph of the present invention showing the outer surface of the lens (1A, 1B), the outer frame (3), and the inner frame (2). The C-shaped screwdriver used to lock / unlock the cams from the outer and inner frames is also shown in the left portion of the photograph. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a diving mask of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the diving mask of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a top view of the diving mask of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a front view of a diving mask of the present invention. [Figure 13] It shows how the lenses (1A, 1B), outer frame (3) and inner frame (2) are assembled with a screwdriver. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0031] The present invention provides a system for assembling / disassembling an outer frame (3) from an inner frame (2) by a locking / unlocking system operated by an eccentric (also called a cam), which by rotation causes an elastic deformation of the inner frame (2), which action releases the outer frame (3) from the inner frame (2).

[0032] A cam is a sliding piece in a mechanical link used, among other things, in converting rotary motion into linear motion.

[0033] This operation of assembly / disassembly is carried out by tools supplied or commonly purchased in hardware stores, does not require any effort and does not cause any damage to the system, which is achieved thanks to the rotation of a cam that is integrated into the system (in the case presented here, inserted into the inner frame (2), but the same system could also be achieved by integrating it into the outer frame (3), in the opposite way), and that opens and closes the coupling / disengagement mechanism in a way that is easy and can be repeated many times without damaging the system.

[0034] It will be appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided alone or in any suitable subcombination.

Claims

1. 1. A swimming or diving mask, comprising: a pair of removable lenses (1A, 1B) laterally symmetrical with respect to a vertical axis Y-Y, formed separately or integrally with one another, and having an inner surface (1C) and an outer surface (1D); an inner frame (2) on which the periphery of the inner surface (1C) of the lens (1A, 1B) rests; an outer frame (3) adapted to be removed from said swimming or diving mask and localised at the periphery of said outer surface (1D) of said lenses (1A, 1B); ・Skirt (4) and at least one sealing means (5) arranged on said inner frame (2) and hermetically connected to the periphery of said inner surface of said lenses (1A, 1B) and adapted to be applied in a watertight manner to said lenses (1A, 1B); at least one locking / unlocking means (6) arranged on said outer frame (3) and configured to engage with said inner frame (2) and, upon engagement, to fix said lenses (1A, 1B) between said outer frame and said inner frame; Equipped with A swimming or diving mask, characterized in that the locking / unlocking means (6) comprise a cam (6A) which, by rotation, causes an elastic deformation of the inner frame (2), said caused elastic deformation allowing the release of the outer frame (3) from the inner frame (2).

2. 2. The swimming or diving mask of claim 1, wherein at least one clip means (7) arranged on the outer frame (3) cooperates with at least one notch arranged on the inner frame (2) to secure the lenses (1A, 1B) between the outer frame (3) and the inner frame (2).

3. 2. The swimming or diving mask of claim 1, wherein the locking / unlocking means (6) are located at the periphery of the outer frame (3), laterally from the inner frame (2) and laterally from the outer frame (3).

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

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

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

7. A swimming or diving kit comprising the swimming or diving mask of claim 1.

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

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

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