MASK FOR A WATER ACTIVITY

Abstract

A mask for a water activity is provided. The mask includes two lenses, a waterproof skirt and a fastening device. The waterproof skirt is integrally formed with two lens frames, a nose covering portion and a rear edge. The two lens frames are independent of each other and each of them has an inner portion, in which the two lenses are embedded in the two lens frames in a watertight manner, respectively. The nose covering portion protrudes forward between the two lens frames. The rear edge is configured to closely fit a face of a user. When the user wears the mask through the fastening device, the two inner portions of the two lens frames are configured to be adjacent to two orbital bones of the user, respectively.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mask for a water activity, especially a mask used for swimming, snorkeling, free diving, spearfishing or other water activities (including both surface and underwater activities), in which the mask usually covers the user's eyes and nose.

Descriptions of the Related Art

Current masks for water activities commonly include, for example, swimming goggles that cover only the eyes or snorkel masks that cover both the eyes and nose. There are also other masks with similar structures to snorkel masks, such as general diving masks, training goggles, and masks for freediving and spearfishing. These masks can generally be classified into two categories: single-lens and dual-lens types.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1A, a single-lens mask 1a includes a lens 11a, a lens frame 13a, a waterproof skirt 15a and a head strap 17a. The lens 11a, the waterproof skirt 15a and the head strap 17a must all be assembled to the lens frame 13a to form the single-lens type mask 1a. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1B, the dual-lens mask 1b includes two independent lenses 11b covering the left and right eyes of a user, respectively, a lens frame 13b, a waterproof skirt 15b and a head strap 17b. Similar to the single-lens mask 1a, the lenses 11b, the waterproof skirt 15b and the head strap 17b of the dual-lens type mask 1b must all be assembled to the lens frame 13b to form the dual-lens mask 1b. The only difference between these two types of masks is that the middle bridge of the dual-lens mask 1b is formed only by the lens frame 13b, while that of the single-lens mask 1a is formed integrally from the continuous lens 11a and the lens frame 13a.

However, whether it is the single-lens mask 1a or the dual-lens mask 1b, in order to prevent the rigid lens frame or lens(es) from touching the bridge of the user's nose when worn, the region of lens(es) must protrude forward to establish a certain distance away from the user's eyes. Therefore, in terms of the field of vision, to ensure the adequate field of vision for water activities, the lens size must inherently be large enough so that the user's view will not be obstructed by the lens frame. In terms of preventing visual distortion, the left and right lenses must be bridged by a rigid lens frame and/or lens to ensure the integrity between the two lenses at the left and the right. Otherwise, the left and right lenses could undergo excessive relative displacement or bending due to water pressure, leading to visual distortion for the user underwater, and even causing dizziness.

In addition, in terms of waterproofing, taking the single-lens mask 1a as an example (similarly, the dual-lens mask 1b also has the same problem), the waterproof skirt 15a must have a rear edge 15a1 to provide watertight. The rear edge 15a1 must have sufficient width to form a waterproof ring around the user's forehead, two sides of the cheekbones and the philtrum, as shown in FIG. 1C. However, in such a structure, due to the lens frame 13a and the lens 11a being relatively heavy and distal from the user's eyes UE, a downward pulling force is generated structurally by the lens frame 13a and the lens 11a. This affects the watertight effect of the waterproof skirt 15a. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the thickness of the waterproof skirt 15a (especially the thickness at the two sides and the top thereof) to provide the mask 1a to have better wearing balance and stability, as shown in FIG. 1D.

Besides, due to differences in age and race, users may have significantly different face shapes and profiles. There is a huge difference at the region between the top of the nasal bone to the glabella. To avoid contact between the middle portion of the lens frame and the glabella, the mask 1a must be provided by designing its lens frame 13a and lens 11a further outward or raise its bridge portion between the left and right lenses to avoid the protruding glabella (as shown in FIG. hE). However, these designs are obviously not conducive to making the mask compact and lightweight.

Furthermore, due to the above-mentioned structural limitations, it is understandable that when free diving, spearfishing or swimming training, the user cannot breathe when wearing the mask covering the eyes and nose. The user must take a deep breath and hold it to complete the required activities within a certain period of time. If the inner volume of the mask is too large, the space inside the mask will be compressed by water pressure, pressing against the user's face. Consequently, users often have to exhale a small amount of air to equalize the pressure inside the mask. Such a compromise on breath-holding will seriously affect the duration of underwater activities.

In addition, in the full-face mask structure, if the interior of the mask has an intake and exhaust structure that can provide breathing, based on the theory in regard to the tidal volume and negative pressure, the oversize inner volume in the mask also presents the drawback of rapidly accumulating carbon dioxide, which leads to safety concerns. These issues are all caused by excessively large design of the mask. It is conceivable that the current designs are obviously not conducive to the miniaturization, portability and safety in use of the mask.

In view of this, the industry is striving to design a mask for a water activity that can solve some or all of the above problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a mask for water activities, in which its left lens frame and right lens frame are substantially independent of each other and their positions correspond to the left and right orbital bones of the user, respectively. Furthermore, the left lens and the right lens are also substantially independent of each other and correspond to the user's left and right eyes, respectively. In addition, there is no rigid bridge between the left and right lens frames; instead, the soft waterproof skirt plays the main role in bridging the left and right lens frames.

In terms of the field of vision, since the lenses of the mask can be quite close to the eyes, they do not need to be too large, and a wide field of vision without being obstructed by the lens frame can be easily obtained. In terms of preventing visual distortion, even if there are no rigid lens frames and rigid bridges, the left and right frames of the mask can abut directly against the left and right eye orbital bones of the user under the water pressure without causing relative displacement or bending. Therefore, visual distortion and dizziness will not occur. With this structure, the weight of the lens frame and lens is significantly reduced, and the distance from the eyes is greatly shortened. This prevents the waterproof skirt from being pulled away by the lens frame and lens, effectively reducing its load of watertightness. Therefore, in terms of waterproofing, the uppermost portion of the middle of the waterproof skirt of the present invention can be designed downward to the glabella region of the user (preferably within a range of 1 cm above or below the most prominent portion of the glabella). With its soft material, it can better follow to conform the difference of contours for various users in this region, and it can provide a very good watertight effect without changing the thickness of the waterproof skirt. These designs allow the overall volume and inner volume of the mask to be significantly reduced.

To achieve the above objective, the present invention discloses a mask for a water activity, which includes two lenses, a waterproof skirt and a fastening device. The waterproof skirt is integrally formed with two lens frames, a nose covering portion and a rear edge. The two lens frames are independent of each other and each has an inner portion, in which the two lenses are embedded in the two lens frames in a watertight manner, respectively. The nose covering portion connects to the two lens frames and protrudes forward between the two lens frames. The rear edge is configured to fit a face of a user. The fastening device is disposed between two outer ends of the waterproof skirt. When the user wears the mask through the fastening device, the two inner portions of the two lens frames are configured to be adjacent to two orbital bones of the user, respectively.

In an example, the mask further includes two connecting portions, one of which is formed between the nose covering portion and one of the two lens frames, and the other of which is formed between the nose covering portion and the other of the two lens frames. When the user wears the mask, the nose covering portion is configured to cover the entire nose of the user and the two connecting portions are configured to substantially cover cheekbones of the face of the user.

In an example, the rear edge has a notch portion formed on an upper portion of the nose covering portion. The notch portion slightly bulges forward to form a bump, whereby when the user wears the mask, the bump is configured to fit along a contour defined by a glabella and a nasal bone of the face of the user.

In an example, at least one of an upper portion, a lower portion and the inner portion of each of the two lens frames is provided with a reinforced structure, whereby when the user wears the mask, the reinforced structure is configured to abut against at least one portion of the two orbital bones of the user.

In an example, the reinforced structure is provided on at least one of the upper portion, and the lower portion of each of the two lens frames, and the reinforced structure is a recess integrally formed with the waterproof skirt.

In an example, the reinforced structure is a reinforced rib, which is attached to an inner side of the waterproof skirt or is integrally formed with the waterproof skirt.

In an example, the reinforced rib and the waterproof skirt are made of different materials and have a Shore A hardness ranging between 20 and 60.

In an example, the reinforced rib is formed by thickening the waterproof skirt, and has a Shore A hardness ranging between 40 and 80.

In an example, the reinforced structure is a gasket provided on the inner portion of each of the two lens frames.

In any of the above examples, the fastening device is an elastic head strap.

In any of the above examples, the mask further includes a breathing tube being in fluid communication with an inner cavity defined by the nose covering portion.

In an example, the mask further includes a three-way connector having a mouthpiece portion, a drain valve portion and a nose connecting portion, which are in fluid communication with one another. The nose connecting portion is in fluid communication with the inner cavity of the nose covering portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a conventional single-lens mask.

FIG. 1B shows a conventional dual-lens mask.

FIG. 1C is a schematic view of a user wearing the mask of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 1A, illustrating that there is a large distance between the lens and the user of a conventional single-lens mask, and the waterproof skirt must be thickened.

FIG. 1E is another partial schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 1A, illustrating that the waterproof skirt of the conventional single-lens mask must be further extended upward or its width must be increased to make the lens frame and lenses be positioned forward to accommodate the varying distances between the glabella and nasal bone among different users.

FIG. 2A is a schematic front perspective view of an embodiment of a mask for a water activity of the present invention.

FIG. 2B is a front view of FIG. 2A, in which the fastening device is omitted.

FIG. 2C is a schematic view of a user wearing the mask of FIG. 2A, in which the mask is shown by a cross-sectional view taken along the section line 2c-2c of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 2D is a schematic rear perspective view of FIG. 2A, in which the fastening device is omitted.

FIG. 2E is a schematic view of a user wearing the mask of FIG. 2A, in which the mask is shown by a cross-sectional view taken along the section line 2e-2e of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 2F is a schematic view showing the mask of the present invention folded for storage.

FIG. 2G is a cross-sectional view taken along section line 2g-2g of FIG. 2B.

FIG. 2H is a schematic rear perspective view of a mask according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which the fastening device is omitted.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of yet a further embodiment of the present invention, in which the mask has a breathing tube and a three-way connector.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

It shall be appreciated that the following description of the embodiments is only to explain the contents of the present invention, but not to limit the invention as claimed. Elements not directly related to the present invention are omitted from the description, and the dimensions as depicted for all elements in the drawings are just for easy understanding and do not intend to limit their actual scales. In addition, the “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “inner,” “outer,” “front,” “rear,” or the like adjectives as defined in the descriptions are referred to by the direction of the user himself/herself They are only relative relationships and are not limitative.

The present invention relates to a mask for water activities, which can be (but is not limited to) swimming goggles, swimming masks, diving masks or any form of breathable masks. All these types can adopt the structure of the mask described in this invention. The differences lie in whether the mask covers a user's eyes, or both the eyes and nose, and in the case of covering both the eyes and nose, whether the nose can breathe freely.

The following FIGS. 2A to 2H will illustrate representative embodiments using masks that cover the user's eyes and nose (such as a diving mask, a snorkel mask, or a spearfishing mask). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2A, the mask 2 for a water activity includes two lenses 21, a waterproof skirt 23 and a fastening device 25. The fastening device 25 is provided between the two outer ends 23e of the waterproof skirt 23 (due to the limited angle of view, FIG. 2A only shows the outer end 23e on one side of the waterproof skirt 23). For example, the fastening device 25 may be an elastic head strap, the two ends of which are preferably fastened to the two outer ends 23e of the waterproof skirt 23 (preferably corresponding to the outer sides of the lens frames 23a in practice), but not limited thereto. Any mechanism that helps the user to securely wear the mask 2 is feasible. For the sake of simplicity and clarity, the fastening device 25 is omitted in FIGS. 2B to 2E and 2H to prevent the detailed structure of the mask 2 from being blocked by the fastening device 25.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the waterproof skirt 23 is preferably one-piece and made of soft material such as silicone rubber, but it may also be made of other soft materials with waterproof and stretchable properties, e.g., the material using thermoplastic rubber, thermoplastic rubber (TPR) (such as thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or polyvinylchloride (PVC) as its base material. In specific structure, the waterproof skirt 23 is integrally formed with two lens frames 23a, a nose covering portion 23b and a rear edge 23c. The two lens frames 23a are independent of each other, and each lens frame 23a has an inner portion 23a1. The two lenses 21 may be suitably embedded in the two lens frames 23a in a watertight manner, respectively. The nose covering portion 23b connects the two lens frames 23a and protrudes forward between the two lens frames 23a. The rear edge 23c is configured to fit the user's face. When the user wears the mask 2 through the fastening device 25, the inner portions 23a1 of the two lens frames 23a can be configured to be adjacent to the user's two orbital bones UB1, respectively, as shown in FIG. 2C. The so-called “be adjacent to” should include “be fairly close to” or “already be in contact with.”

The waterproof skirt 23 also includes two connecting portions 23d, which are respectively formed between the nose covering portion 23b and each lens frame 23a. That is, the connecting portion 23d on the left is formed between the nose covering portion 23b and the lens frame 23a on the left, and the connecting portion 23d on the right is formed between the nose covering portion 23b and the lens frame 23a on the right. When the user wears the mask 2, the nose covering portion 23b is configured to cover the user's entire nose, whereby the user's nose is accommodated in the inner cavity 220 of the nose covering portion 23b. Meanwhile, the two connecting portions 23d substantially cover the user's face where the cheekbones UB2 are located.

Unlike the masks available on the market, the rear edge 23c of the waterproof skirt 23 may have a notch portion 23c1 formed above an upper portion 23b1 of the nose covering portion 23b. The notch portion 23c1 slightly bulges forward to form a bump and appears as an open portion from an angle of top view. Therefore, when the user wears the mask 2, the bump of the notch portion 23c1 is configured to fit along a contour defined by a glabella UG and a nasal bone UB3 of the user's face, as shown in FIG. 2E. By virtue of this design of the present invention, the rear edge 23c of the waterproof skirt 23 near the lens frames 23a no longer needs to be designed as a large flat area. The width of the rear edge 23c of the waterproof skirt 23 can be significantly reduced, and the distances from the lens frames 23a and lenses 21 to the user can be shortened. Furthermore, the lens frames 23a on the left and right are correspondingly adjacent to the user's orbital bones UB1 without being obstructed by the glabella and the nasal bone, allowing the mask 2 to fit more closely to the face. Moreover, in this structure, the lens frames 23a, as well as the lenses 21, are extremely small and separated from each other, and there is no rigid connector between the two lens frames 23a. This allows the mask 2 to be easily folded, thereby minimizing and greatly reducing its storage volume, as shown in FIG. 2F. This greatly improves the convenience of packing and carrying.

Preferably, at least one of the upper, lower and inner portions of each lens frame 23a is provided with a reinforced structure 23r. Therefore, when the user wears the mask 2, the reinforced structures 23r are configured to abut against at least one portion of the user's orbital bones UB1. In an embodiment, each reinforced structure 23r is provided at the lower portion of each lens frame 23a, and may be a recess 231, which is integrally formed by the waterproof skirt 23, as shown in FIGS. 2A to 2F.

In another embodiment, the reinforced structure 23r may also be a reinforced rib 233, which is attached to the outer side or inner side of the waterproof skirt 23 or is integrally formed with the waterproof skirt 23, as shown in FIG. 2G. In one embodiment, the reinforced ribs 233 and the waterproof skirt 23 may be made of different materials, and preferably have a Shore A hardness between 20 and 60. In yet another embodiment, the reinforced ribs 233 and the waterproof skirt 23 may be made of the same material, and the reinforced ribs 233 are formed by thickening the waterproof skirt 23. In this case, the entire waterproof skirt 23 preferably has a Shore A hardness ranging between 40 and 80.

In another embodiment, with reference to FIG. 211, the reinforced structure 23r may be a gasket 235 disposed on the inner portion 23a1 of each lens frame 23a so as to directly face and abut against the user's orbital bone UB1.

When the user performs water activities, water pressure will press the mask 2 against the user's face. At this time, the various reinforced structures, such as recesses, reinforced ribs, or gaskets, will abut against at least part of the orbital bones UB1 of the user to make the mask 2 fit securely and stably to the face. At this time, the lens frames 23a on the left and right, as well as the lenses 21 on the left and right, will not cause relative displacement to each other, further enhancing the watertight effect. This is especially effective in the embodiment that uses a gasket 235 encircling each entire orbital bone UB1. When the gasket 235 shaped annular is implemented as the reinforced structure 23r, it provides a two-layer watertight mechanism for the mask 2 (i.e., internal watertightness by the gasket 235 and external watertightness by the waterproof skirt 23), resulting in improved watertightness for the eyes.

In all embodiments, each lens frame 23a may have an annular groove 23ag formed on its inner edge, allowing each corresponding lens 21 to be embedded therewithin in a watertight manner. Alternatively, the two lens frames 23a may be integrally injection-molded with the two lenses 21, respectively. Both are possible implementations.

In addition, as mentioned above, the critical aspect of the present invention is that the mask 2 contacts the user and accommodates the user's facial organs (such as eyes and nose). What purpose and form of the mask 2 is not the focus of concern. For example, in an alternative embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 3, the mask 3 further includes a breathing tube 31, which is in fluid communication with the inner cavity 220 of the nose covering portion 23b. The mask 3 may further include a three-way connector 33. The three-way connector 33 may have a mouthpiece portion 33a, a drain valve portion 33b and a nose connecting portion 33c in fluid communication with one another, in which the mouthpiece portion 33a is provided for the user's mouth to contain. Further, the nose connecting portion 33c and the inner cavity 220 of the nose covering portion 23b are in fluid communication with each other. With this design, the user can inhale and exhale by the nose through the nose connecting portion 33c, and by the mouth through the mouthpiece portion 33a. In addition, the user can drain the accumulated water within the mask 3 outward through the drain valve disposed on the drain valve portion 33b. Consequently, the mask 3 can be a breathable mask having a very compact size and being extremely convenient for carrying.

The above embodiments are merely illustrative. Any modifications of these embodiments to achieve a better watertight effect and to fit a wider range of face shapes are feasible alternatives and within the scope of the present invention. For example, instead of obviously bulging forward, the notch portion at the rear edge of the waterproof skirt may be relatively flat to be in flush with the other portions of the rear edge, as long as the notch portion can flexibly fit the contour defined by the user's glabella and nasal bone to prevent communication between the inner cavity of the nose covering portion and the outside when the user wears the mask. In addition, it can be yet a further preferred embodiment that the two lower sides of the nose covering portion 23b can also be provided with recesses 23h, respectively. With this design, the user's fingers can be placed in the recesses 23h to pinch the nose and perform a Frenzel equalization, as shown in FIG. 2H and FIG. 3.

In summary, the mask for water activities of the present invention can have left and right lens frames, which are independently formed and integrally formed from the soft waterproof skirt, for the left and right lenses embedded therein, respectively. This design eliminates the need for a rigid bridge between the lens frames on the left and right or the lenses on the right and on the left. This allows the lenses to be very close to the eyes while still providing an adequately wide field of vision without being oversized. Furthermore, the lens frames on the left and right can directly abut against the user's left and right orbital bones, respectively, to provide wearing stability. Since the weights of the lens frames and lenses are significantly reduced, and the distances from the lens frames and lenses to the eyes are greatly reduced, the waterproof skirt will not be pulled away by the lens frames and lenses, and can provide excellent watertight effect. Therefore, based on these designs, the present invention can significantly reduce the overall volume and inner volume of the mask, and has the advantages of miniaturization, portability and safety of use.

The above embodiments are used only to illustrate the implementations of the present invention and to explain the technical features of the present invention, and are not used to limit the scope of the present invention. Any modifications or equivalent arrangements that can be easily accomplished by those skilled in the art are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention should be limited by the claims of the patent application.

Claims

1. A mask for a water activity, comprising: two lenses;a waterproof skirt being integrally formed with: two lens frames being independent of each other and each having an inner portion, in which the two lenses are suitably embedded in the two lens frames in a watertight manner, respectively;a nose covering portion connecting the two lens frames and protruding forward between the two lens frames;a rear edge being configured to fit a face of a user; anda fastening device, disposed between two outer ends of the waterproof skirt;wherein when the user wears the mask through the fastening device, the two inner portions of the two lens frames are configured to be adjacent to two orbital bones of the user, respectively.

2. The mask of claim 1, further comprising two connecting portions, one of which is formed between the nose covering portion and one of the two lens frames, and the other of which is formed between the nose covering portion and the other of the two lens frames, whereby when the user wears the mask, the nose covering portion is configured to cover the entire nose of the user and the two connecting portions are configured to substantially cover cheekbones of the face of the user.

3. The mask of claim 2, wherein the rear edge has a notch portion formed on an upper portion of the nose covering portion, wherein the notch portion slightly bulges forward to form a bump, whereby when the user wears the mask, the bump is configured to fit along a contour defined by a glabella and a nasal bone of the face of the user.

4. The mask of claim 1, wherein at least one of an upper portion, a lower portion and the inner portion of each of the two lens frames is provided with a reinforced structure, whereby when the user wears the mask, the reinforced structure is configured to abut against at least one portion of the two orbital bones of the user.

5. The mask of claim 4, wherein the reinforced structure is provided on at least one of the upper portion, and the lower portion of each of the two lens frames, and the reinforced structure is a recess integrally formed with the waterproof skirt.

6. The mask of claim 1, further comprising a breathing tube being in fluid communication with an inner cavity defined by the nose covering portion.

7. The mask of claim 6, further comprising a three-way connector having a mouthpiece portion, a drain valve portion and a nose connecting portion, which are in fluid communication with one another, wherein the nose connecting portion is in fluid communication with the inner cavity of the nose covering portion.

8. The mask of claim 4, wherein the reinforced structure is a reinforced rib, which is attached to an inner side of the waterproof skirt or is integrally formed with the waterproof skirt.

9. The mask of claim 8, wherein the reinforced rib and the waterproof skirt are made of different materials and have a Shore A hardness ranging between 20 and 60.

10. The mask of claim 6, wherein the reinforced rib is formed by thickening the waterproof skirt, and has a Shore A hardness ranging between 40 and 80.

11. The mask of claim 8, further comprising a breathing tube being in fluid communication with an inner cavity defined by the nose covering portion.

12. The mask of claim 11, further comprising a three-way connector having a mouthpiece portion, a drain valve portion and a nose connecting portion, which are in fluid communication with one another, wherein the nose connecting portion is in fluid communication with the inner cavity of the nose covering portion.

13. The mask of claim 4, wherein the reinforced structure is a gasket provided on the inner portion of each of the two lens frames.

14. The mask of claim 13, further comprising a breathing tube being in fluid communication with an inner cavity defined by the nose covering portion.

15. The mask of claim 14, further comprising a three-way connector having a mouthpiece portion, a drain valve portion and a nose connecting portion, which are in fluid communication with one another, wherein the nose connecting portion is in fluid communication with the inner cavity of the nose covering portion.

16. The mask of claim 1, wherein each of the two lens frames has an annular groove formed on an inner edge thereof for each of the two lenses to be respectively embedded therewithin in a watertight manner.

17. The mask of claim 1, wherein the two lens frames are integrally injection-molded with the two lenses.

18. The mask of claim 1, wherein the fastening device is an elastic head strap.

19. The mask of claim 1, further comprising a breathing tube being in fluid communication with an inner cavity defined by the nose covering portion.

20. The mask of claim 13, further comprising a three-way connector having a mouthpiece portion, a drain valve portion and a nose connecting portion, which are in fluid communication with one another, wherein the nose connecting portion is in fluid communication with the inner cavity of the nose covering portion.