Thermal goggle lens assembly with externally vented chamber

Abstract

A sports goggle includes double lens goggles having inner and outer lenses joined at their perimeter by an adhesive, such as silicone, to form an air cavity. A vent is formed on the outer lens to permit equalization of the air cavity with the environment. The vent includes a plug formed of a water impermeable and gas permeable material. An expansion member may insert within the plug to maintain the plug within the vent. In an alternative embodiment, a rivet having air channels formed therein secures a ring of permeable material to the lens.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of ski goggles in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a double lens assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are partial cross-sectional views of vents in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of an alternative vent in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a rivet for mounting a permeable member to a vent in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a permeable member in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a rivet and permeable member mounted to a vent in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of another alternative vent in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of another alternative vent in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are cross-sectional views of goggle lenses illustrating a method for manufacturing a double lens assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 11A-11C are partial cross-sectional views of a double lens assembly illustrating a method for inserting a permeable plug in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Claims

1. An eye shield comprising: first and second lenses each having an inner and an outer surface, the inner surface of the first lens facing the inner surface of the second lens, the first and second lenses defining a first air cavity therebetween;a shroud extending along a perimeter of the first lens and extending outwardly from the outer surface of the first lens, the shroud and the outer surface of the first lens operable to cooperate with a wearer's face to define a second air cavity;a vent is formed in the second lens; anda layer of liquid impermeable and gas permeable material positioned to obstruct the vent.

2. The eye shield of claim 1, wherein material extends substantially completely through the second lens.

3. The eye shield of claim 1, wherein the material secures to the outer surface of the second lens.

4. The eye shield of claim 1, wherein the material is in the form of a plug extending into the first air cavity.

5. The eye shield of claim 4, wherein the plug abuts the inner surface of the first lens.

6. The eye shield of claim 4, wherein the plug comprises a core and a sheathe extending around the core and wherein the material forms one of the sheathe and the core and the other of the sheathe and core comprises a resilient member.

7. The eye shield of claim 1, wherein the material comprises GORE-TEX.

8. The eye shield of claim 1, wherein the material comprises sintered polyethylene.

9. The eye shield of claim 8, wherein the sintered polyethylene comprises pores of between about 5 and 25 microns.

10. The eye shield of claim 1, further comprising a seal extending along the perimeter of the first lens and contacting the inner surfaces of the first and second lens.

11. The eye shield of claim 10, wherein the seal comprises an adhesive.

12. The eye shield of claim 11, wherein the seal comprises silicone.

13. An eye shield comprising: first and second lenses each having an inner and an outer surface, the inner surface of the first lens facing the inner surface of the second lens, at least one of the first and second lenses defining a vent extending therethrough;a seal extending along the perimeter of the first and second lenses, the first and second lenses and the seal defining an air cavity;a plug positioned within the vent, the plug comprising a liquid impermeable and gas permeable material; andan expansion member extending at least partially into the plug effective to urge the plug outwardly from the expansion member.

14. The eye shield of claim 13, wherein the vent is formed in the second lens.

15. The eye shield of claim 13, wherein the plug extends substantially completely through the second lens.

16. The eye shield of claim 13, wherein the plug extends into the air cavity.

17. The eye shield of claim 16, wherein the plug abuts the inner surface of the first lens.

18. The eye shield of claim 13, wherein the plug comprises sintered polyethylene.

19. The eye shield of claim 18, wherein the sintered polyethylene has pores of between about 5 and 25 microns.

20. The eye shield of claim 13, further comprising a seal extending along the perimeter of the first lens and contacting the inner surfaces of the first and second lens.

21. The eye shield of claim 20, wherein the seal comprises an adhesive.

22. The eye shield of claim 21, wherein the seal comprises silicone.

23. An eye shield comprising: first and second lenses each having an inner and an outer surface, the inner surface of the first lens facing the inner surface of the second lens, the first lens defining a vent extending therethrough;a seal extending along the perimeter of the first and second lenses, the first and second lenses and the seal defining an air cavity;a resilient member positioned within the vent; anda permeable member captured between the resilient member and the first lens, the permeable member comprising a liquid impermeable and gas permeable material, the vent and permeable member defining an air channel effective to allow air transfer with the air cavity.

24. The eye shield of claim 23, wherein the permeable member is captured between the resilient member and an outer surface of the first lens.

25. The eye shield of claim 24, wherein the permeable member comprises an aperture extending therethrough and wherein the resilient member is positioned within the aperture.

26. The eye shield of claim 25, wherein the resilient member comprises a shaft having at least one air channel formed therein and a cap secured to the shaft, the permeable member captured between the cap and the outer surface of the first lens.

27. The eye shield of claim 25, wherein the permeable member contacts a convex surface of the first lens.

28. A method for forming goggles comprising: positioning a semi liquid adhesive along a perimeter of a first lens;positioning a second lens having a vent formed therein over the first lens and in contact with the adhesive, the second lens being distanced from the first lens;curing the adhesive; andobstructing the vent with a liquid impermeable and gas permeable material.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein positioning the plug within the vent comprises inserting a permeable member within the vent and inserting an expansion member into the permeable member.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the expansion member urges the permeable member outwardly against the vent.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the permeable member comprises a substantially non-resilient material.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the permeable member comprises sintered polyethylene.

33. An eye shield comprising: first and second lenses each having an inner and an outer surface, the inner surface of the first lens facing the inner surface of the second lens, the first and second lenses defining a first air cavity therebetween;a shroud extending along a perimeter of the first lens and extending outwardly from the outer surface of the first lens, the shroud and the outer surface of the first lens operable to cooperate with a wearer's face to define a second air cavity; andat least one aperture formed in the second lens, the aperture having a diameter equal or less than 25 microns.

34. The eye shield of claim 33, wherein the aperture has a diameter equal or less than 15 microns.

35. The eye shield of claim 34, wherein the aperture has a diameter equal or less than 5 microns.