Lacrosse Eye Guard Deflecting Ball Impacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective eye wear for women's lacrosse, such as steel wire face masks and Plano plastic eye guards, face issues like weight, high cost, fogging, and vision obstruction, with wire guards offering protection against fogging and scratching but compromising vision, while plastic guards are lightweight but prone to fogging and scratching.
Innovation Solution
A face and eye guard device designed to comply with ASTM Standard F803-03, featuring open eye openings with strategically displaced edges to deflect lacrosse balls, a visor for sun protection, and a lightweight, aesthetically pleasing design without lenses, using impact-modified polycarbonate and polycarbonate/PBT alloy materials, with adjustable elastic bands for comfort and fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If steel wire face masks are used, then protection against fogging and scratching is improved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure combining a rigid polycarbonate frame with flexible rubber temple pieces and nose pads. This composite approach provides the strength and fog-resistant properties of rigid materials while incorporating lightweight flexible components, resolving the contradiction between protection reliability and weight.
2Reliability
If steel wire face masks are used, then protection against fogging and scratching is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials including polycarbonate for the main frame and rubber for temple pieces and nose pads. This combination provides durable fog-resistant protection while using cost-effective materials and molding processes, making the product more manufacturable than solid steel wire masks.
3Weight of moving object
If Plano plastic eye guards are used, then weight and cost are reduced, but fogging and scratching occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the protective device into distinct functional components: a rigid polycarbonate frame structure that provides the protective barrier against fogging and scratching, separate rubber temple pieces for comfort, and removable nose pads. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall lightweight design.
4Reliability
If wire guards are used, then fogging and scratching are prevented, but vision is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the protective function from a solid continuous structure (wire mask) and implements it through a rigid frame with strategically positioned bars. This extraction creates open spaces around the eye openings that allow unobstructed vision while maintaining protection, as the rigid frame prevents ball penetration without blocking the player's view.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The device provides effective protection against lacrosse ball impacts, maintains clear vision, and is lightweight and aesthetically pleasing, avoiding the drawbacks of prior art by deflecting balls and preventing fogging, while ensuring compliance with safety standards.
Implementation Method 1
The present invention includes a face guard device made of a rigid material such as polycarbonate... When a lacrosse ball impacts on a hard object at 60 miles per hour, the ball significantly deforms including changing from a spherical shape to a slightly oblong shape
Implementation Method 2
the edges of the eye openings are displaced rearwardly with respect to the lower edges a sufficient distance to preclude a lacrosse ball from striking the two edges simultaneously in a direction that could possibly cause an eye impact. Rather, that displacement is specifically devised to cause a lacrosse ball striking one or the other of the edges to be deflected away from the eyes of the player
Implementation Method 3
The temples for the inventive device may include a unique attachment device for an elastic band used to hold the eye guard on the head of the user
Data Source
AI summary
The eye guard, while complying with ASTM F803-03, has been ergonometrically designed to comfortably fit on the user's face, and to provide openings for the eyes allowing clear vision while at the same time protecting the eyes from impacts from a lacrosse ball. The eye openings are completely open and have dimensions intended to preclude a lacrosse ball from passing therethrough. The upper edges of the eye openings are displaced rearwardly with respect to the lower edges a sufficient distance to preclude a lacrosse ball from striking the two edges simultaneously in a direction that could possibly cause an eye impact. That displacement is specifically devised to cause a lacrosse ball striking one or the other of the edges to be deflected away from the eyes of the player. The upper edge of the eye openings also defines the lower edge of a visor surface. That visor surface transitions from the openings to the rearward edge of the eye guard where it engages the face of the user above the eyes. Below the eye openings, additional openings are provided that are shaped to be aesthetically pleasing and also create a nose engaging portion designed to surround upper portions of the nose. Temples are preferably molded of a flexible material and may include a unique attachment device for an elastic band used to hold the eye guard on the head of the user.