Improved swimming goggles

Abstract

The invention relates to swimming goggles (1) for competitive or amateur swimming, improved to enhance water tightness when worn, comprising: - Two ocular assemblies, substantially cup-shaped, each equipped with a lens (12), a lens-supporting frame (11), and at least one seal (13) attached or included within the frame and intended for facial contact; - A nose bridge element (21) connecting said two ocular ass emb lies, positioned at the wearer' s nose when the goggles are worn; - A strap for encircling the head, coupled to the outer extremities (3) of each ocular assembly to maintain the goggles in position during use; The goggles are characterized by a reinforcing element (5) bonded or bondable, by chemical and / or physical action, to both said lenses (12) of the respective ocular ass emb lies. The invention also relates to a lens shaped to contribute to improved water tightness of the goggles. Additionally, the invention concerns a method for manufacturing said goggles.

Description

Mares S.p.A.Improved Swimming Goggles'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'k'kDESCRIPTION

[0001] The present invention relates to improved swimming goggles, suitable to be worn by a user during swimming, both in competitive swimming, training, and competitions, as well as for amateur purposes.

[0002] Swimming goggles typically comprise two ocular assemblies, substantially cup-shaped, a nose bridge element connecting said two ocular assemblies at the nose, a strap for encircling the head, designed to couple the outer extremities of each ocular assembly and to maintain the goggles in position during use.

[0003] These swimming goggles have lenses inserted within a lens-supporting frame which, unlike diving masks, leaves the user's nose free. The lenses may be manufactured separately from the frame and then integrated into it by physical-mechanical action or overmolding. The part of the frame that tightly surrounds each of the two lenses may also be referred to as the frame's border.

[0004] In goggles, the rear part of each ocular assembly, intended as the part facing the user's face, is equipped with a soft compressible seal material chosen to fulfill the function and intended use, i.e., to come intoseal contact with the user's face, with a profile suitable to deform and act in a suction cup mode, preventing water from entering the volume defined between the ocular assembly and the part of the face where said ocular assembly is applied when the goggles are worn.

[0005] Usually, the lens is flat to avoid image distortion because water and air have very different refractive indices, which creates refraction issues negatively impacting vision. However, there are also lenses with a curved surface, where the term "curved" generally refers to a surface portion of an ellipsoid, and the present invention is not limited by the presence and / or type of lens curvature.

[0006] The seals or suction cups are made of relatively soft material such as rubber (usually vulcanized) or thermoplastic elastomer, so they can adapt to the eye contour and adhere tightly, ensuring maximum comfort for the wearer.

[0007] Furthermore, the frame may be more or less rigid in the portion that surrounds and holds the lenses (border) as well as in the part that accommodates the strap and / or in the part that mutually binds the two lens borders. The choice of rigidity of the frame zones, which may have different rigidity in different parts, is a design aspect determined by the desired characteristics in the finished goggles, considering that swimming goggles require a certain deformability both to adhere tightly to the wearer's face and to be comfortable in that condition, and when the goggles are handled or stored, for example, in a pocket or temporarily placed on the forehead.

[0008] As an alternative to the configuration where the frame and seal are made with different material rigidities, and possibly using different materials for the two parts in question, many goggles are made of a single material that forms both the frame and the seal. This has many advantages in terms of both production economy and practicality, as well as improved water tightness due to the reduced number of infiltration points resulting from the reduction of contact surfaces between different materials .

[0009] In a type of commonly known underwater goggles, there may be two or more materials of different rigidity, at least for the seal / frame and the lenses for vision. The softness of the seals must be combined with the flexibility of the frame, ensuring water tightness to protect the internal volume defined by the ocular assembly and the part of the face in contact with them; furthermore, the goggles must maintain their shape, especially when worn and subjected to the action of the strap, which causes the seal to adhere to the face while also exerting a pulling force between the two lenses. In known devices, when goggles are made of a single material, particularly a very soft one to adapt to the face, the strap's force applied to buckles positioned in two points below the nose bridge connecting the two ocular assemblies is associated with a divergence action between the two lens borders and thus between the two lenses, which compromises the water tightness of the ocular cup and reduces the wearer's unobstructed field of vision.

[0010] In some cases, moreover, the lenses of the ocular assemblies are too far from the eyes, which can create vision problems, particularly in close-up vision.

[0011] Deformation of the frame around the individual lens, again due to the force exerted by the strap when the goggles are worn, can also lead to water infiltration near the peripheral edge of the lens, since the lens is necessarily stiffer than the frame to ensure clear image vision. This problem is more pronounced when the frame is made of the same material as the seal, making it difficult to find a compromise between the sof tness / def ormability required near the face and the rigidity / undef ormability near the lens.

[0012] To improve the behavior of the goggles in the condition just described, it is known to provide the goggles with reinforcement inserts in the nasal bridge area or constructions designed to limit only the relative displacement of the lenses, thereby improving local rigidity without compromising comfort, the production process, or overall production costs.

[0013] The problems introduced here are already dealt with by several known products that feature materials with different hardness levels and, in some cases, stiffening inserts in the frame and / or nasal bridge area. Goggles of this type include:

[0014] Speedo® FUTURA BIOFUSE(https : / / www. speedo . com / futura-biofuse-f lexiseal- unior- go ggles-blue / 13099336. html )In this technical solution it can be observed the presence of two materials, one rigid and one soft, which respectively perform the function of rigid water-tightness around the lenses (frame) and soft support on the face (seal) . The rigid part extends along the entire frontprofile of the goggles, including the nasal element; the structure is generally inflexible and quite rigid, limiting the level of comfort. Furthermore, having a rigid profile around the lens means that any deformation of the lens can cause water infiltration into the internal volume of the goggles. The same material is used for the nose bridge, and grooves are used to increase the flexibility of the goggles.

[0015] AQUA SPHERE® KAIMAN EXO and CRESS I® THUNDER(https : / / it . aquasphere swim. com / it / occhialini- nuoto / allenamento / kaiman-exo - occhialini-nuoto-adulto-EP316.html; https : / / store . cressi . com / it / products / thunder- swim-goggles)This technology is similar to the previous one but characterized by reduced sections, and to address the issue of the nose bridge being inflexible, a two-material nose bridge is included, with a layered structure connected to the rigid part of the frame. Flexibility improves, but the problem of infiltration between the lens and the rigid material, which is still several Shore points higher, remains, making it too rigid to ensure 100% water tightness for the goggles. Additionally, the rigid part of the nose bridge is located in the upper part, allowing the lenses to move apart by rotating when subjected to tension from the strap.

[0016] AQUA SPHERE® KAYENNE(https : / / it . aquasphere swim. com / it / occhialini- nuoto / allenamento / kayenne - occhialini-nuoto-adulto-EP314.html)Another technical solution is the overmolded nose bridge of the previous model : a second molding of the same material as the first generates a decorative " seagull wing" aesthetic feature that increases the thickness of the central nose , enhancing rigidity while ensuring flexibility at that point , but without preventing the relative separation and rotation of the two lenses .

[0017] CRESS I® FLASH(https : / / store . cressi . com / it / products / f lash-swim-goggles- man)In this case , the two-material concept is applied to the nose bridge , which is partially embedded in the structure of the goggles and extends up to the upper edge of the lenses . The more rigid part still has an external portion in contact with the water, meaning the water tightness o f the goggles could be compromi sed . Furthermore , the connection between the rigid rubber and the lenses occurs at the upper part of the lenses , leaving the lenses free to separate and partially rotate when subj ected to tension from the strap .

[0018] US Patent 11 , 000 , 737 B2 discloses swimming goggles comprising two lenses , a pair of rigid frames for supporting the lenses , made of a material chosen to ensure the shape of the lens edge and to support terminal buckles for connecting the goggles to a support strap, and at least one connecting element between said pair of lenssupporting frames , distinct from the frames and made of a material with lower rigidity than that of said frames . Said connecting element of the pair of frames is not provided with mechanical coupling extensions to the lensesbut is integrally formed with the support frames .

[0019] WO9848905 discloses goggles provided with a pair of ocular lenses with a nose piece directly connected to the inner portions of the lenses to provide a connection with them . The said nose piece is provided with engagement extensions for snap- fit coupling by means of an end tooth in corresponding seats of a peripheral terminal flange o f the lens , shaped with a U-section with the opening facing perpendicularly to the lens surface , whereby said flange protrudes by a predetermined measure beyond the front surface of the lens .

[0020] TWM643486 describes goggles in which the two lenses are made from a single element and are directly connected as one piece , with a bridge overlapping and coupling by snap- fit to the intermediate zone between the two lenses and in corresponding coupling seats .

[0021] GB2403556 discloses swimming goggles comprising a first frame made of rigid material including a pair o f frames for lenses equipped with a groove for lens retention and a nose bridge element with a bending point at an intermediate position of the goggles . The nose bridge element connects to the frames surrounding the lenses via a pair of end arms that are substantially parallel to an axis connecting the two strap attachment points on the lenses .

[0022] CN211662555U describes goggles comprising a support frame for each lens made of rigid material , a connecting element for the two frames that includes integrated extensions formed in the same connecting element : an upper branch intended to overlap the frontside of the upper branch of the two frames , a connecting bridge of the two frames formed by lower extensions that partially overlap the front vertical arms of said frames , and the said upper part further extending along at least part of the outer vertical sides of said frames .

[0023] The scope of the present invention is to solve at least part of the aforementioned problems by improving the nasal support part while ensuring the presence of a soft and flexible part capable of protecting the ocular volume from water infiltration, with this soft part arranged seamlessly around the entire peripheral profile of the lens , thereby introducing an additional technical feature that prevents water from entering the volume comprised of the lens , frame , seal , and the wearer ' s face . Furthermore , the invention is suitable to optional variants where the edge of the lenses has a constant thickness , facilitating coupling with the frame and the seal , improving and optimi zing the aesthetic profile without compromising the goggles ' tightness and structural resistance .

[0024] Compared to the prior art , the invention introduces the following novel features :- The fact that the nose bridge is made of a material harder and more rigid than the rest of the frame , acting as a reinforcement to the structure from the inside , but only for a portion of the frame confined to the area near the ocular assemblies when worn .- Reinforcement elements with firm and unique mechanical engagement between the lenses to prevent the relative rotation of the lenses and the relativeseparation of the lenses. These reinforcement elements have two downward extensions, when considering the goggles worn by a user in an upright position looking toward the horizon, directly coupled to the lenses in a central portion, without necessarily covering the entire perimeter of the lenses. This allows for a stable and robust structure, limiting the relative flexing of the two ocular assemblies when subjected to strap tension when the goggles are worn.- A configuration of the goggles where the peripheral edges of the lenses are entirely surrounded by soft material to protect against water infiltration between the lenses and the frame that supports them.Aim of the present invention is thus to address the problems described above and others, by providing swimming goggles that ensure good vision during use, are comfortable, easy to wear, and easy to adjust with the strap, that ensure a watertight fit on the swimmer's face, and that are lightweight, providing better stability on the swimmer's face during dives and fast swimming or in rough water with currents.

[0025] In defining the technical solution to these problems, the inventors have worked, among other things, to refine the materials and shapes of the various parts that make up the goggles, including but not limited to the lens and the parts comprising the lens containment frame.

[0026] According to the invention, these objectives are achieved by swimming goggles comprising:Two ocular assemblies, substantially cup-shaped, eachprovided with a lens, a lens-supporting frame, and at least one seal for contact with the face,- A nose bridge element connecting said two ocular assemblies, positioned in correspondence with the nose when the goggles are worn,- A strap for encircling the head, designed to couple the outer extremities of each ocular assembly and maintain the goggles in position during use, the goggles being characterized by the fact that they are further provided with a reinforcing element chemically and / or physically bonded or bondable to the lenses of the respective ocular assemblies, which is embedded in the nose bridge element near the lenses in such a way that there are no contact points between said nose bridge element and the lenses exposed to water when in use. This configuration reduces water infiltration when the goggles are submerged and deformed by the tension of the strap due to being worn, improving overall water tightness.

[0027] In the present description and claims, the term "lens or wall" refers to a transparent diaphragm that separates water from air during use of the goggles in the internal chamber of the optical assembly placed against the facial area surrounding the eyes.

[0028] Additionally, the terms "vertical, " "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "outer," "inner," "front," or "rear" should be understood as referring to the condition of the goggles being worn on the user's face in an upright position and looking toward the horizon.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the reinforcingelement is provided with two ends , each intended to be bonded, by chemical or chemical-physical or physical action, to a corresponding lens of the two said lenses .

[0030] In a variant of the previous embodiment , the reinforcing element has two anchoring extensions that extend downward, one for each lens , intended to be bonded to the respective lens , extending along a portion of the peripheral edge of the lens in an area below the hori zontal plane passing through the two strap attachment points at the outer extremities of each ocular assembly, and only for part of the edge that is located in the part of the lens intended to be worn near the nose .

[0031] In one embodiment , the reinforcing element is completely embedded in the nose bridge element , at least in the area near the lenses . Thi s has the advantage o f reducing water infiltration when the goggles are submerged and deformed by the tension of the strap and the act of being worn, thus improving the overall water tightness o f the device .

[0032] In one embodiment , at least part or all of the reinforcing element is connected to the nose bridge element , the reinforcing element having a contact surface , preferably continuous throughout its extension, for contact with a corresponding surface of the nose bridge element . This contact may be of a chemical-physical or mechanical type .

[0033] In a preferred embodiment , at least one lens has at least one hole or slot positioned in the peripheral edge of the lens itsel f , suitable to accommodate a corresponding passing-through extension provided in thereinforcing element .

[0034] In a further embodiment , which may be provided in combination with or as an alternative to one or more o f the other embodiments or variants described here , as shown in figure lb, the material of the said reinforcing element penetrates through the said at least one hole or slot and encloses on each side the peripheral segment of the said hole or slot facing the peripheral edge of the lens , forming, at the said hole or slot, an annular mechanical coupling element with the said lens .

[0035] In one embodiment , the reinforcing element is provided or made to feature at least one pin that can be coupled to a respective hole or slot provided in the peripheral edge of the lens .

[0036] In a preferred embodiment , the said reinforcing element is symmetrically shaped concerning a plane parallel to the sagittal plane of the wearer .

[0037] In one embodiment , the said reinforcing element is made of a material relatively harder than the material used for the said nose bridge element . This configuration allows the use of materials that are not too rigid for the rest of the goggles , ensuring comfort and adaptability to the wearer ' s face , while also limiting the bending of the two ocular assemblies when subj ected to tension, thanks to the locali zed rigidity of the reinforcing element . A particularly advantageous variant provides that the reinforcing element has a relatively higher hardness to limit the relative inclination of the lenses , while the frame is made of the same relatively softer material used for the seal in contact with the wearer ' s face .

[0038] In one embodiment, the nose bridge element is integrally formed with the said rigid lens-supporting frames .

[0039] In one embodiment, the said reinforcing element is made of TPE, such as SEBS, or comprises any combination or subcombination of such materials, without excluding the use of additional materials not explicitly mentioned.

[0040] In one embodiment, the said reinforcing element is made of material or combinations of materials having a hardness ranging between 30 and 60 Shore A.

[0041] In an alternative embodiment, the said reinforcing element provides at least one end shaped to come into contact, when assembled, with two opposing peripheral surface portions of a lens.

[0042] In an alternative embodiment, the said reinforcing element is provided, for each lens, with at least one engagement terminal intended to cooperate with an engagement seat defined on the lens or in the lens, so that the said engagement terminal can be mechanically coupled to the lens and optionally also to the frame and / or the first nose bridge element.

[0043] Preferably, the said engagement terminal is made in the form of a pin, while the said seat is a hole or a slot of corresponding dimensions so that the pin can be housed and retained in the respective slot.

[0044] Preferably, the pin is housed in the respective pin seat present in the lens so that the pin's axis is orthogonal to the plane of the lens or the surface portion of the lens in which the said pin seat is formed.

[0045] In a further variant of the previously described embodiment, the said pin is provided with an enlarged head on the opposite side to the insertion side of the hole. This enlarged head may be formed at the time of overmolding or by mold forming, or by physical action of controlled deformation after the pin is inserted into the slot, such as heating and / or hammering the head.

[0046] In a variant of the invention, the lenses are shaped with a profile in plan view that includes at least one inward recess of the lens, the said recess creating a concavity of the peripheral edge and advantageously being located in a portion of said peripheral edge intended to overlap the user's nasal-maxillary boundary area. The concavity of the lens adapts better to the face shape, improving the water-tightness of the seal. Moreover, this shape offers additional advantages, including:Improving the ergonomics of the goggles by better adapting to different face shapes.- Reducing pressure on specific points of the face, increasing comfort during prolonged use.- Contributing to better distribution of the forces exerted by the strap, reducing the risk of frame deformation .- Enhancing the aesthetics of the goggles, giving them a more appealing and modern design.

[0047] Advantageously, the aforementioned shape of the lens contributes to the better distribution and adherence of the seal to the user's face, thus improving the watertightness of the ocular assembly and, therefore, thegoggles . This embodiment can be reali zed as an alternative or in combination with other embodiments of the invention characteri zed by including an additional nose bridge element that directly engages the lenses as previously described .

[0048] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ocular assemblies of the goggles are made of rigid, transparent plastic material , possibly colored and optionally treated to be anti- fogging and / or scratchresistant , and / or photo-absorbing and / or mirrored : thi s allows for lightweight goggles that are stable on the user ' s face and aesthetically pleasing .

[0049] Obviously, any other transparent material , such as glass , may be used, allowing vision and / or optionally with corrective lenses .

[0050] The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing goggles via plastic molding or printing, having one or more of the characteristics described above , where the process comprises the following steps :- Providing a pair of lenses ,- Providing a first tool or first mold for molding a reinforcing element ,- Providing a second tool or second mold for molding at least one lens-supporting frame ,- Overmolding by inj ection a reinforcing element between the lenses using the said first tool , such that the two ends of said reinforcing element are in contact with a predetermined peripheral surface portion of the respective lenses , inj ecting a firstpolymeric material that forms the reinforcing element in a known direction so that the polymer chains orient , following propagation in the mold cavity, with a mainly vertical component ,- Subsequently overmolding over the reinforcing element and part of the lens surface a lens-supporting frame and optionally a nose bridge element by inj ecting a second material , preferably softer, in a completely or partially bilateral direction over the reinforcing element , performed via one or two inj ection points , with the propagation of the mass of the second inj ected material occurring in a substantially hori zontal direction .

[0051] In the rigidi f ication zone , a lattice of two materials is created, where at least some of the polymer chains of the two materials are transverse to each other , and in particular orthogonal , improving the rigidity of the resulting lattice in the area near the nose without using excessively rigid materials for the frame and without necessarily employing reinforcement fibers for the material .

[0052] A variant of this process provides that during the overmolding phase of the frame , the seals are molded simultaneously with the frame . Advantageously, thi s optimi zes the molding process , both in terms of steps and materials used . In fact , it is possible to produce goggles where the entire ocular assembly ( excluding the lenses ) is made with only two materials , without compromising the water tightness . As has already been explained, this is possible thanks to the introduction of the reinforcement element .

[0053] An alternative variant provides for using a third mold for the seals and overmolding onto the frame , after the frame itsel f is molded, one or both seals , optionally using and inj ecting a third material di f ferent from the second material used for molding the frame .

[0054] An improvementof the process also provides that the step of overmolding the frame is performed such that the frame is overmolded to overlap and cover the peripheral edge of the lenses and the ends of the reinforcing element in the entire bonding area between said support element and said peripheral edge . In this way, the contact points between the two more rigid materials ( lens and reinforcing element ) , which could give rise to water infiltration paths from the outside to the inside o f the protected volume where the user ' s eye resides , are entirely covered by softer, more elastic material . Thi s material , by adapting to the shapes of the surfaces it comes into contact with, protects access to the infiltration paths by water .

[0055] These and other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clearer from the following description of some exemplary embodiments illustrated in the attached drawings , in which :- Figures 1 to 3 illustrate an embodiment of the goggles according to the present invention from di f ferent perspective views ;- Figure 4 illustrates possible shapes of the lens in plan view in comparison with the prior art ;- Figure 5 illustrates a reali zation of a reinforcing element connected to the lenses of the goggles without the frame ;- Figures 6a and 6b schematically show the undesired divergence behavior between the lenses in known goggles ;- Figure 6c schematically shows an embodiment of the goggles according to the invention with the strap under tension .DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0056] The swimming goggles illustrated in the figures are suitable for sports or activities that require protecting the eyes from contact with water . In particular, they are suitable for swimming and can be used in both training and competitions .

[0057] As illustrated in the figures , swimming gogglesI comprise two ocular assemblies , substantially cupshaped, a nose bridge element 21 connecting said two ocular assemblies at the nose , outer extremities 3 on each ocular assembly 11 for supporting a strap (not shown) to encircle the head and maintain the goggles 1 in position during use .

[0058] Each ocular assembly comprises a frame portionI I that tightly retains a transparent lens 12 and a seal 13 designed to come into contact with an ocular area o f the user, so that , when the goggles are worn, a watertight chamber is formed to protect the eye from the water in which the user is immersed .

[0059] The seal 13 , which is made of soft material— i . e . , relatively softer than the material of the frame 11 and / or the lens 12— may be made o f rubber, silicone , or another elastomer, and is fixed, by chemical / physicalmeans, or connected to an edge of the respective frame 11. This allows optimal adhesion to the face, improving comfort and water tightness.

[0060] Usually, the frame 11 is made of the same material as the seal 13, preferably molded with it; however, the frame can be made of different materials and / or separately from the seal 13. Using a single material can simplify the production process and reduce potential infiltration points, while the use of a reinforcing element stiffens the structure only where necessary, without compromising comfort and without risks of water infiltration .

[0061] In the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures, the frames of the two ocular assemblies and the nose bridge element 21 are made as a single piece. However, this preferred form is not the only possible one, and the teachings of the present invention are applicable to other designs where the two ocular assemblies are manufactured first and subsequently integrated into the nose bridge element 21.

[0062] The individual lens 12 can be made of plastic material, glass, or another transparent material. As will be seen later, the lens 12 may be subject to improvements introducing specific conformations (e.g., shaping 61 in figure 5 or peripheral slots 121 in figure 4) to cooperate with the frame 11 and / or additional reinforcing elements 5 and / or the user's anatomical shape to improve the fit, comfort, and water tightness of the ocular assembly when the goggles are worn. Additionally, the lens edge may have a constant thickness and preferably a thinner thickness relative to the front viewing surface of the lens,facilitating the coupling with the frame and seal, improving the aesthetic appearance without compromising the structural resistance of the goggles and the lens's field of view.

[0063] The lens material may include cellulose acetate, polycarbonate, polyamide, polyester, or similar; the material may be colored, mirrored, scratch-resistant, and / or anti-fogging. The lens may also be corrective for vision, with pre-defined or custom optical graduations.

[0064] The 1 ens may have a flat front extension or another shape, such as a portion of an ellipsoidal dome, and does not feature transverse elements relative to the flat or ellipsoidal dome surface, such as flanges, protrusions, or transverse extensions that form undercuts. The presence of an inward concavity of the peripheral edge, as previously described, improves adaptability to the face and the water tightness of the seal, offering both aesthetic and functional advantages.

[0065] The dimensions of each ocular assembly are such that the seal 13 exerts an almost uniform pressure along the entire portion of the face surrounding each eye. This favors, among other things, the water tightness between the goggles 1 and the user's face to prevent water ingress while ensuring excellent hydrodynamics of the goggles 1. It is important to note that the force that presses the seal 13 against the ocular area is a result of the strap's force on the frame 11. Since, for aesthetic and / or practical reasons, the shape of the frame 11 depends on the shape of the lens 12, it is evident that the shape of the lens 12 impacts the water tightness capability of the ocular assembly. It is also clear that the correctpositioning of the ocular assembly when in contact with the user's body is essential to ensure water tightness, and the invention introduces improvements to the prior art to stabilize the relative position of the ocular assemblies when subjected to the strap's force and in contact with the wearer.

[0066] The invention succeeds in improving the performance of swimming goggles through features that are at least partially exemplified in the figures. One feature involves introducing a reinforcing element 5, which acts as a connecting element between the ocular assemblies. This reinforcing element is bonded directly to the lenses 12 at at least one bonding point. Advantageously, this feature allows for an additional level of rigidity between the two ocular assemblies, promoting adherence of the goggles to the body by preventing unwanted deformations and supporting the water tightness of the seals 13. Additionally, because the reinforcing element is completely embedded in the nose bridge element near the lenses, water infiltration is reduced when the goggles are submerged and deformed by the strap's tension during use.

[0067] This feature is particularly useful and advantageous in designs where the frame, bridge, and seals are molded as a single material. Compared to the prior art, the invention introduces a reinforcing element 5 that is directly connected to the lenses rather than overmolded onto the frame, resulting in better stabilization of the lenses 12, especially when worn and subjected to strap tension. This allows for the use of relatively less rigid materials for the rest of the goggles, ensuring comfort and adaptability to the wearer's face while limiting the bending of the two ocular assemblies under tension, thanksto the locali zed rigidity of the reinforcing element .

[0068] As shown in the sectional figure lb, defined according to section A-A of figure 1 , the reinforcing element 5 is in direct contact with the lenses 12 and is completely embedded in the nose bridge element 21 in the area near the lenses . A front portion of the said reinforcing element may be visible , as seen in subsequent figures . For aesthetic and / or production reasons , the second bridge 5 is preferably made of a material and / or color and / or physical characteristics di f ferent from those used for the frames .

[0069] However, the inventive concept does not change in alternative embodiments where the reinforcing element 5 is completely covered by the frame 11 , depending on aesthetic and functional requirements .

[0070] Figures 6a and 6b schematically show an undesirable behavior seen in known goggles where the nose bridge element 21 , which necessarily connects the ocular assemblies by articulating along a path at the top of the goggles , only partially prevents the two lenses 12 from undergoing a partial rotational movement when subj ected to the forces T1 and T2 exerted by the strap in the outer areas Al and A2 of the lenses . In fact , a moment arm i s created between the nose contact points ( schematically shown as a single point C in the figure ) and the tension points Al and A2 , causing the two lenses to rotate in opposite directions until the limit point where Al , C, and A2 are aligned .

[0071] This behavior is disadvantageous for water tightness and comfort , and the invention aims to improvethe product by equipping the reinforcing element with two anchoring extensions 521 (figure 5) that extend downward, one for each lens 12 of the respective ocular assembly, coupled to the respective lens along a portion of the peripheral edge 120 of the lens in an area below the horizontal plane HH passing through the strap attachment points at the outer extremities of each ocular assembly.

[0072] In one embodiment of the invention, these extensions cover only part of the lens edge, near the nasal area .

[0073] Figure 6c shows the situation of goggles with the strap under tension, i.e., in the worn position according to the present invention, where the nose bridge is asymmetrical relative to an axis parallel to the HH axis to compensate for the rotational forces on the lenses as indicated in figure 6b of the prior art. From the comparison with figures 6a and 6b, the advantage that the invention introduces over the known art is evident.

[0074] To reduce the zone surfaces of water infiltration between the lens 12 and the frame 11 toward the user's eye, it is preferable that the frame 11 be made to completely cover the contact area 50 (figures lb and 4b) between the lens and the reinforcing element, thus protecting areas between relatively rigid materials (lens and reinforcing element) that, due to their rigidity, are prone to infiltration. The use of a soft material for the frame and seal, covering the entire lens perimeter, further improves the water tightness against the user's face.

[0075] Figures 2 and 3 provide various perspective views of the goggles already shown in figure 1, from whichthe described features can be further observed.

[0076] Figure lb shows a vertical section of the goggles along plane B-B. It can be seen how the reinforcing element 5 is positioned between two portions of the nose bridge element 21, which is part of a single frame 11 that holds the lenses 12.

[0077] Figure 4 shows the combination of the reinforcing element and lenses, without the frame. The reinforcing element has two ends shaped to come into contact, when injection-molded or mechanically assembled, with two opposing surface portions of a lens.

[0078] Specifically, the said reinforcing element consists of two layers, 51 and 52, one being a front layer 51 and the other a rear layer 52, which, when coupled, clamp the two lenses 12 at a predetermined peripheral portion of the same.

[0079] The rear layer 52 includes a number of pins housed in a plurality of seats 121 made in the peripheral edge of the lenses 12; the end of the pins is shaped to feature an enlarged head in contact with the lens.

[0080] Figure 5 finally shows some possible lens designs, both in accordance with commonly available designs (12) and in accordance with a feature of the invention, where the lenses 12' are shaped with a profile in plan view that includes at least one recess 61 toward the inside of the lens. This recess creates a concavity of the peripheral edge and is advantageously located in a portion of the said peripheral edge intended to overlap the nasal-maxillary boundary area of the user.

[0081] As mentioned, this concavity contributes to better distribution and adherence of the seal to the user's face, thus improving the water tightness of the ocular assembly and the goggles, since the lens's concavity determines a corresponding conformation of the frame that encloses the peripheral edge of the lens. For each lens, a frame is formed with a concavity in the nasal-maxillary area and / or the cheekbone area of the user. Furthermore, this concavity offers additional advantages:Improving the ergonomics of the goggles, adapting better to different face shapes.- Reducing pressure on specific points of the face, increasing comfort during prolonged use.- Contributing to better distribution of the forces exerted by the strap, reducing the risk of frame deformation .- Enhancing the aesthetics of the goggles, giving them a more appealing and modern design.

[0082] In particular, the dimensions of the concavity are defined based on average conformations of the said nasal-maxillary and / or cheekbone areas typical of human anatomy, allowing for different sizes of the goggles and, consequently, different sizes of the concavities.

[0083] Throughout the description, similar reference numbers may be used to identify similar elements.

[0084] While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in the drawings, the drawings are not necessarily to scale unless specifically indicated.

[0085] It will be easily understood that the components of the embodiments, as generally described here and at least partially illustrated in the accompanying figures, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations.

[0086] Therefore, the following description, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention but is merely representative of some of the possible embodiments.

[0087] The present invention may be realized in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics.

[0088] The described embodiments should be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not limiting.

[0089] All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are intended to be embraced within their scope.

[0090] The reference throughout this description to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are included in any single embodiment of the invention.

[0091] Rather, the language referring to features and advantages is understood to mean that a feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with one embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention.

[0092] Accordingly, discussions of features and advantages and similar language throughout thisdescription may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment .

[0093] Moreover, the features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention described herein may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0094] The skilled person will recognize, in light of this description, that the invention may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment.

[0095] In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

[0096] The reference in this entire description to "an embodiment, " "a variant, " "an implementation, " or similar language means that a particular function, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the indicated embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention.

[0097] Consequently, references to "an embodiment," "a variant, " and similar language throughout this description may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

[0098] It is nevertheless clear that the invention should not be considered limited to the specific arrangements illustrated above, which merely constitute exemplary embodiments, but that various modifications are possible, all within the reach of a skilled person, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention itself, which is defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Swimming goggles (1) for competitive or amateur swimming, comprising:- Two ocular assemblies, substantially cup-shaped, each equipped with a lens (12) , a lens-supporting frame (11) , and at least one seal (13) attached or included within the frame and intended for facial contact;- A nose bridge element (21) connecting said two ocular assemblies, positioned to correspond with the nose of the wearer when the goggles are worn;- A strap for encircling the head, coupled to outer extremities (3) of each ocular assembly and configured to maintain the goggles in position during use, said goggles being characterized by the fact of being provided with a reinforcing element (5) in contact with and bonded, chemically and / or physically, to both said lenses (12) of the respective ocular assemblies.

2. Swimming goggles according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing element (5) has two downward anchoring extensions (521) , one for each lens (12) of the respective ocular assembly, coupled to the respective lens along a portion of the peripheral edge (120) of the lens, in a region below the horizontal plane (HH) defined as the plane passing through the strap attachment points at the outer extremities of each ocular assembly.

3. Swimming goggles according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least part of the reinforcing element (5) is chemically and / or physically bonded to the nose bridge element (21) , the reinforcing element (5) having a contact surface, preferably continuous throughout the extension of thereinforcing element, for contact with a corresponding surface of the nose bridge element (21) .

4. Swimming goggles according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein at least one lens (12) has at least one hole or slot (121) positioned in the peripheral edge (120) of the lens and at least in the region of attachment to the reinforcing element (5) , the said at least one hole or slot being suitable to accommodate a corresponding passing-through extension provided in the reinforcing element (5) , optionally with the material of said reinforcing element penetrating through the said at least one hole or slot and encapsulating, on each side, the peripheral segment of said hole or slot facing the peripheral edge of the lens, forming at said hole or slot a ring-like mechanical coupling element with said lens.

5. Swimming goggles according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the said reinforcing element (5) is symmetrically shaped with respect to a vertical plane, i.e., parallel to the sagittal plane of the wearer.

6. Swimming goggles according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the reinforcing element (5) is made of a material relatively harder than the material used for said nose bridge element (21) , the said two materials having a hardness difference preferably within the range of 5 to 20 Shore A, and more preferably close to 10 Shore A.

7. Swimming goggles according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the nose bridge element (21) is integrally formed with said lens-supporting frames.

8. Swimming goggles according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the lens-supporting frame (11) is integrally formed with the seal (13) and / or made ofthe same material as the seal (13) .

9. Swimming goggles according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, wherein the lens-supporting frame (11) is made of a material relatively harder than the material used for the seal ( 13 ) .

10. Swimming goggles according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the reinforcing element (5) is completely embedded within the nose bridge element near the lenses, such that the material of said nose bridge element extends to cover the areas of contact between said reinforcing element (5) and the lenses, which would otherwise be exposed to contact with water when in use.

11. Swimming goggles according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein the lenses have a profile that includes at least one inward recess, which creates a concavity in the peripheral edge and is positioned in a portion of said peripheral edge corresponding to the nasal-maxillary boundary region of the wearer.

12. A method for manufacturing plastic-molded swimming goggles in accordance with one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by the following steps:- Providing a pair of lenses (12) ;- Providing a first tool or mold for molding a reinforcing element ( 5 ) ;- Providing a second tool or mold for molding at least one lens-supporting frame (11) comprising a nose bridge element (21) ;Overmolding by injection a reinforcing element (4) between the lenses (12) , using said first tool, such that the two ends (521) of said reinforcing element (5) are incontact with a peripheral surface portion (120) of the respective lenses (12) , injecting a first polymeric material that forms the reinforcing element (5) in a known direction such that the polymer chains of the said first injected material orient, following propagation in the mold cavity, with a mainly vertical component;- Subsequently overmolding over the reinforcing element (5) and part of the surface of the lenses (12) a lenssupporting frame (11) and a nose bridge element (21) by injection of a second polymeric material, preferably softer than said first material, in a completely or partially bilateral direction over the reinforcing element (5) , implemented through one or more injection points in a known direction, such that the polymer chains of the said second injected polymeric material orient, following propagation in the mold cavity, with a component mainly orthogonal to the orientation of the polymer chains of the said first injected material, i.e., with a substantially horizontal propagation of the mass of the second injected material.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein concurrently with the overmolding phase of the lens-supporting frame (12) , the seals (13) of the goggles (1) are molded.

14. A method according to claim 11, wherein there are provided additional steps of providing a third mold for the seals (13) and overmolding onto the frame (12) , after molding the frame itself, one or both seals (13) , optionally using and injecting a third material different from the second material used for molding the frame (12) .

15. A method according to one or more of the preceding method claims, wherein said step of overmolding the frame is performed such that the frame is overmolded to overlapand cover the peripheral edge (120) of the lenses and the ends (521) of the reinforcing element (5) in the entire bonding area between said support element (5) and said peripheral edge (120) .

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