The present invention relates to a goggle brace. More particularly, the present invention relates to a pair of braces for goggles that can be engaged with the helmet of a rider for providing a support surface for goggles in order to lessen the contact force on a sinus below eyes caused by the goggle frame.
In the sport of off-road motorcycle riding, both a helmet and safety goggles are required for safe riding. Goggles are the preferred type of eye protection in dirty conditions as they seal tightly against the face; however, they are not without drawbacks. The use of goggles with a helmet while riding requires them to be tightly fastened around the helmet, this may create pressure on the sinuses below the eyes and pinch the nose. This reduces an optimal air flow through the nose and can lead to significant discomfort with a decrease in physical performance due to more difficulty in breathing if worn for extended periods or under physical strain.
Following are some of the attempts to solve the issues attributed to the goggles attachment: U.S. Pat. No. 9,504,287B1 relates to head wear/eye protection, namely helmets and goggles. More particularly the frame relates to improved head and eye protection in which novel apparatuses are attached to a new platform “goggle frame” that is used in conjunction with a helmet that envelopes a wearer's head.
US20100154093A1 relates to devices and methods for shielding the eyes, and in particular, the eye shield attachment for use in combination with a safety helmet. The helmet has a front brim continuous with a rim extending along each opposite side of the safety helmet to a pair of rim slots in the rim of the safety helmet. The eye shield attachment includes a pair of frames adapted to removably attach to the pair of rim slots in the helmet.
EP2580975A1 relates to an interior for a helmet, in particular a safety helmet, in such a way that an attachment of a pair of protective goggles to the interior is improved. The essence of the interior is that the interior has a carriage which serves for attachment of goggles in the central region of the nose pad. Due to the central attachment of the carriage, it can be attached in an optically inconspicuous manner to the glasses.
Thus, in the view of above prior art, many devices have been designed that are easy to attach but, most of the devices are not effectively equipped to protect the sinus below the eyes from pressure of the goggle frame. Hence there is need for an invention to solve the above deficiencies in prior art and other problems.
The present invention relates to a goggle brace for a helmet. The brace can provide a resting surface for goggles within the helmet to lift the goggles away from a rider's face in order to relieve pressure in certain areas such as nose bridge and sinuses. The brace can be permanently or removably arranged within the helmet. In an embodiment, a pair of braces can be arranged within one helmet. The braces can be arranged within the helmet with one brace at one side and the other brace at the other side of the helmet.
The brace may include a wedge-shaped first bracket and an extension member arranged with the first bracket. In an embodiment, the extension member can be integrally arranged with the first bracket. The brace may include a first resting member and a first supporting member. The first resting member can be a rectangular flat surface with a definite length and width. The length and width of the first resting member is configured to accommodate the brace along a goggle opening cavity for mounting a visor on the helmet. The first resting member can provide an area for mounting the goggle frame.
The first supporting member can be an arc shaped member integral with the first resting member. The first supporting member may enable integration of the brace within the helmet and provides strength to the resting member against weight of the goggles or any impact load from front or from sides. The first supporting member and the first resting member may be configured in a wedge shape with a cavity therebetween.
Further, the extension member may extend linearly from the first supporting member on the posterior side of the first supporting member. In an embodiment, the angle between the first resting member and the extension member can be approximately 90 degrees. In an embodiment, the angle between the first resting member and the extension member may be adjustable. The extension member can be a flat beam extending away from the supporting member to attach the brace within the helmet. The brace can be arranged within the helmet in such a way that the extension member is attached on an inner surface of the helmet.
Further, the extension member may have a hole configured at an end of the extension member. The brace can be attached within the helmet by a fastening member fitted within the hole. In an embodiment, the distance between the center of the hole and the surface of the first resting member can be constant.
The goggles are mounted over the goggle brace and the goggle brace is mounted within the helmet. In an embodiment, an external hole or cavity can be made over the helmet by an external hole making operation such as drilling or boring etc. The brace can be attached to the helmet by arranging the hole of the brace over the hole or the cavity made within the helmet and inserting the fastening member though the aligned holes. The fastening member can be a threaded member such as screw or bolt.
Further, the goggles can be made to rest over the first resting member in such a way that both edges of the goggles are positioned over each resting member. The goggles can be tightened over the braces through a strap. In an embodiment, the strap can be a Velcro strap. The strap can be tightened in such a way that the strap encircles the frontal and rear surface of the helmet. In an embodiment, ends of the strap are attached to both the edges of the goggles and the rider can wear the goggles by attaching the other ends of the strap over the rear surface of the helmet though two or more buckles or latches.
Various advantages, parts, and features of the braces for goggles of the present invention will be described herein with specificity to make the present invention understandable to one of ordinary skill in the art, both with respect to how to practice the present invention and how to make the present invention.
So that the manner in which the above-recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may have been referred by embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments.
These and other features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following text figure, with like reference numbers referring to like structures across the views, wherein:
The present invention relates to a goggle brace for a helmet. The brace provides a fixing arrangement for goggles within the helmet which protects the sinus of the rider from the pressure of the goggles by lessening the contact force. Also, the brace can be attached within any full face helmets having variety of size and shapes.
Referring to accompanying figures, particularly
In another embodiment, the brace 100 can be removably attached within the helmet 200. In the preferred embodiment, a pair of braces 100 is arranged within one helmet 200 as shown in
The brace 100 includes a wedge-shaped first bracket 102 and an extension member 104 arranged with the first bracket 102 as shown in
The first supporting member 108 is an arc shaped member integral with the first resting member 106 as shown in
Further, the extension member 104 extends linearly from the first supporting member 108 on the posterior side of the first supporting member 108 as shown in
Further, the extension member 104 has a hole 110 configured at an end of the extension member 104 as shown in
The mounting of the goggles 300 over the goggle brace 100 and the mounting of the goggle brace 100 within the helmet 200 is shown in
Further, the goggles 300 are made to rest over the first resting member 106 in such a way both edges 306 and 308 of the goggles 300 are positioned over each first resting member 106 as shown in
In one more alternative embodiment of the goggle brace 100, the extension member 104 is provided without a hole or a cavity (not shown). The extension member 104 is attached directly to the helmet 200 using an adhesive (E.g., glue) or a Velcro.
In one more embodiment of the goggle brace 100, the resting surface 106 of the first bracket 102 is provided with a top notch 115a and a bottom notch 115b as shown in
Thus, the present invention provides a goggle brace 100 for wearing the goggles with the helmet while riding. The use of braces with the goggles lessens the contact force on the sinus of the user. Further, the brace 100 can be attached to any helmet. Also, the brace 100 is portable, simple in construction and cost-effective.
While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
This patent application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/293,693, entitled “A goggle brace for a helmet,” filed 24 Dec. 2021, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63293693 | Dec 2021 | US |