HK1191841A - Protective spray painter eyewear - Google Patents

Description

Protective eye-wear for spray workers

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an eyewear (eyewear) that simultaneously protects the eyes of a user from airborne particles and prevents the accumulation of airborne particles on such eyewear from obscuring the user's vision. More particularly, the present invention relates to protective eyewear that can be used by paint workers, optionally with a portable source of compressed air, so that the paint workers can continue to work and move freely despite the presence of airborne paint particles. However, the invention may be used in any situation where it is desirable to protect the eyes of a user and enable the user to continue working despite the presence of airborne particles such as dust or pollen, the accumulation of which on the eyewear may obscure vision.

A user of the spray device is exposed to airborne paint particles known as "non-adhering spray" (overspray) while using the device. The coating particles float in the air and are able to come into contact with the eyes of the user. While a user may use protective eyewear, such as goggles (glasses), glasses (glasses), or shields (glasses), etc., to protect his or her eyes, paint particles will quickly accumulate on the eyewear and obscure the user's vision, such that the user must then stop working to clean or replace the lenses in the eyewear. Because of these difficulties, users often decide to spray without any protective eyewear at all. However, for worker safety, the user should wear protective eyewear to prevent damage from debris and other hazards (other than airborne particles), and protective eyewear may also be enforced by safety regulations. Furthermore, in certain types of painting applications, airborne paint particles can be very harmful to the eyes of the user, especially where the paint is toxic or otherwise harmful based on non-water soluble solvents, or where painting is performed in a closed environment such that the concentration of airborne particles is greatly increased upon painting.

Many proposals have been made to provide spray workers with eye protection, but none of them is satisfactory. For example, a number of devices have been provided that blow a jet of air across or against the front side of the protective eyewear to blow away airborne coating particles. However, air blowing across or against the front side of the eyewear may diffuse and render the device inoperative, and may mix with air-borne particles and create turbulent air flows and vortices to bring them into contact with the eyewear. Furthermore, some of these devices require connection to a fixed source of compressed air so that the user cannot move freely.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a protective eyewear that will avoid the accumulation of paint particles that could obscure the user's vision, causing the user to stop working until the eyewear can be cleaned or replaced.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device that allows the user to move freely.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an eyewear that is simple and inexpensive to construct.

Background

An eyewear known as "slants" was sold in the united states in 2009 to include a solid flat wooden mask shaped like an oversized sunglass with slits for the eyes. However, these "Slanties" eyes are flat and therefore do not conform in any way to the (conform to) user's face.

Us patent 5,718,500 to Vinci Guerra et al discloses an impact resistant positive pressure optic consisting of a first lens integrally formed with an air inlet chamber to effect air flow through and out of a second lens provided with an air nozzle. The air nozzle directs an air flow forward of the second lens to prevent non-adhering spray of the coating from adhering to the second lens.

Us patent 4,011,865 to Morishita discloses a face covering dust protective mask having a small blower supplying air under pressure into the face covering mask. A viewing window is provided on the front surface of the mask body and a transparent protective glass is fitted in the viewing window instead, with a suitable gap to allow air to be blown around it. In addition, a large number of small gaps are formed circumferentially between the inside peripheral edge of the mask body and the user's face to enable air leakage.

Us patent 3,231,897 to Woolfolk Sr. discloses a goggle construction which is provided with a protective air curtain around a sight opening in the goggle to prevent dust particles and the like from entering the sight opening of the goggle without the use of transparent lenses for this purpose. A plurality of individual air outlets are provided to form an air curtain around the sight-line opening. However, these individual air outlets are formed circumferentially in the frame so that they may be dispersed or diffused, thereby losing effectiveness. Furthermore, it is not disclosed whether the compressed air source is portable or not.

U.S. patent application 10/724,230 to Hobart (publication No. US2005/0114986a1), which has been abandoned at present, discloses a painter's mask having a header with a plurality of spaced apart sprayers to deliver jets of compressed air onto and to the front side of the shield.

Us patent 1,464,883 to Phillips et al discloses a face mask for a painter having an annular duct surrounding an eyepiece and discharge holes distributed around the eyepiece so that the air streams surrounding the glass intersect at a short distance from the front side of the glass surface.

U.S. patent 3,922,722 to Pokhodnya et al discloses a protective housing having an externally perforated tube for diverting the aerosol flow using air exiting the perforations.

U.S. patent 3,921,223 to Hoyecki discloses an air shield (air shield) for a welder comprising a hollow tube provided with perforations along its length and contoured to surround a neck portion configured with openings to direct jets of air outwardly to form an air shield or curtain that dissipates fumes and protects the operator.

Us patent 2,971,196 to Howell discloses a goggle with a washing device attached so that liquid delivered through components on the goggle scours the outer surface.

Disclosure of Invention

The above and other objects are achieved by a device comprising, in a single simple lens passive embodiment (where "simple lens" refers to a single lens and "passive" refers to the absence of compressed air): a frame configured to be worn over the eyes of a user; and an outer lens held in the frame with a slit for a user's eye through which the user can see. The improvement comprises: the frame is configured such that the lens is placed in front of the user's eyes and stagnantly sealingly conforms to the user's face and creates a stagnantly sealed interior space in front of the user's eyes. The air located in the interior space becomes a stagnant air barrier that generates air resistance against airborne particles that enter the slit, traverse the interior space, and then contact the user's eyes. In this manner, the user can see through the slit even when airborne particles deposited on the outer lens obscure the user's view.

The frame is preferably made to stagnantly sealingly conform to the face of the user by being shaped to stagnantly conform to or have a sealing cushion attached. "stagnating seals" or "stagnating sealingly conforms" includes complete sealing and means sealing at least enough to cause air in the stagnating sealed space to become stagnant, static or "dead" thereby creating an air resistance against airborne particles entering the slit, traversing the interior space and contacting the user's eye, as the flow of particles carried by the fluid encounters resistance from any stagnant media through which it may advance, causing them to stop. Because the interior space is stagnant sealed, the air in the interior space forms a "pocket" of stagnant air or "dead air," providing a stagnant air barrier that substantially protects the eyes of the user from airborne particles. In effect, the "air pocket" that "occludes" the air is heated by the body temperature of the user and expands slightly outwardly to further resist the intrusion of air and air-borne particles through the slit.

Optionally, in a composite lens embodiment, an inner lens (without a slit) may be interposed between the outer lens and the user's eyes to more fully protect the user's eyes, the portion of the inner lens between the user's eyes and the slit in the outer lens being transparent.

Further, alternatively, the frame and the slit lens may be integrally formed, so there will be no separate frame, lens aperture in the frame, or lens.

In two simple lens passive embodiments (one lens per eye), the device includes a frame configured to be worn over the user's eyes, the frame stagnating sealingly to the user's face by being shaped to conform to or having a sealing cushion attached. A pair of lenses, each having a slit for one of the user's eyes, are preferably removably and stagnantly sealingly retained by each of the lens holders, thereby enabling the user to see through the slits. As described above, this creates a stagnant sealed interior space between the lens and the user's face. Because the interior space is stagnant sealed, the air in the interior space forms an "air pocket" of "occluded air," i.e., a stagnant air barrier, to provide resistance against air-borne particles entering the slits and traversing the interior space into the user's eyes, thereby substantially protecting the user's eyes from the air-borne particles. In effect, as described above, the "air pocket" of "occluded" air is heated by the body temperature of the user and expands slightly outwardly to further resist the intrusion of air and air-borne particles through the slit. Optionally, a pair of removable and partially transparent inner lenses may be provided to more fully protect the user's eyes. Further alternatively, the frame and the slit lens may be integrally formed.

In a single composite lens active embodiment (where "composite lens" means separate inner and outer lenses and "active" means using a source of compressed air), a frame configured to be worn over the user's eyes is provided, and a preferably removable outer lens having a slit for each of the user's eyes is held in the frame so that the user can see through the slits. A protective, preferably detachable, inner lens, which is transparent at least in the portion between the user's eye and the slit, is held behind the outer lens, thereby enabling the user to see through the transparent portion of the inner lens and the slit. Thus, a partially sealed "inter-lens" space is created between the inner and outer lenses. An inlet (inlet) is provided through the frame in fluid communication with the inter-lens space. Preferably, with this configuration, when the compressed air source pumps air into the inter-lens space through the air tube connected to the inlet, positive air pressure is generated in the inter-lens space and the air flow flows outwardly through the slit. By "partially sealed" is meant that the inter-lens space can be completely sealed, but at least sealed enough to allow air flow out through the slit when compressed air is pumped through the inlet into the inter-lens space. The air flow prevents air-borne particles from entering the inter-lens space and contacting the inner lens so that the transparency of the transparent portion of the inner lens is maintained. Thus, the user is able to see through the inner lens and the slit in the outer lens despite any accumulation of air-borne particles on the outer lens. The single lens configuration also allows the present embodiment to be used by persons who normally wear glasses because the bridge (nose pad) between the two lenses of the glasses can be accommodated within the interior space between the user's face and the inner lens, which is not the case for embodiments having two separate lenses, as described below. Preferably, the compressed air source is a portable compressed air source, so that the user can carry the compressed air source and move freely.

In both composite lens active embodiments, the device includes a frame configured to be worn over the eyes of a user. A pair of preferably removable outer lenses, each having a slit for one of the user's eyes, are held in the frame so that the user can see through the slits. A pair of preferably removable inner lenses, the portions of which between the user's eyes and the slits are transparent, are also held in the frame so that the user can see through the transparent portions of the inner lenses and through the slits. This forms an inter-lens space between each of the inner and outer lenses. An inlet extends through the frame in fluid communication with the inter-lens space between each of the inner and outer lenses. When a compressed air source is connected to the inlet via an air tube, positive air pressure is generated in the inter-lens space and an air flow flows outwardly through the slit, which prevents air-borne particles from entering the inter-lens space and contacting the inner lens, thereby maintaining the transparency of the transparent portion. Again, preferably, the user is able to carry the compressed air source and move freely.

Preferably, the compressed air source is a portable wireless powered pump or a compressed gas tank. Further, preferably, the retainer is a groove, ridge or tab formed in or attached to the frame. Furthermore, preferably, the outer lens is transparent.

In yet another embodiment, the present invention includes a method (process) of using a frame configured to be worn over the eyes of a user with a slit for each of the user's eyes, thereby allowing the user's vertical field of view to be at most about 90 degrees to substantially reduce the amount of non-toxic airborne particles that contact the user's eyes because a substantial amount of non-toxic airborne paint particles contact the frame or the user's face. Thus, the user avoids stopping the job to remove the blurred line of sight paint particles.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a device of the present invention having a single pump that provides air to a pair of air inlets on a protective eyewear having a pair of lens apertures with tear-drop shaped slits.

Fig. 2 is a rear view of the protective eyewear shown in fig. 1.

Figure 3 is an exploded rear side view of the eyewear shown in figure i.

Fig. 4 is a top cross-sectional view of one side of the eyewear shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention with an air pump on each side of the anti-eye device having a pair of lens apertures and an alternative slot in a rectangular configuration.

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a sleeve on a belt for holding one of the air pumps shown in FIG. 5.

Fig. 7 is a front side view of two sleeves according to fig. 6 with optional auxiliary shoulder straps.

FIG. 8 is a rear side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention in which two air pumps are secured in a backpack that is held on the user by a waist belt and shoulder straps.

Fig. 9 is a front side view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein a single compressed air tank provides air to a pair of air hoses connected to an eyewear having a pair of lens apertures.

Figure 10 is a front side view of yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention wherein a single compressed air tank provides air to an anti-eye protective implement via a single air line, the anti-eye implement having a single lens aperture with two tear-drop shaped slits for a user's eyes.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention having two lens apertures but no air inlet or compressed air source.

Fig. 12 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment shown in fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is an exploded view from the back side of yet another embodiment of the present invention with two lens apertures and no air inlet or air source and with a rectangular slit and an optional inner lens.

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention having a single lens aperture but no air inlet or compressed air source.

Fig. 15 is a rear perspective view of the embodiment shown in fig. 14.

FIG. 16 is a front elevational view of a decorative embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a side elevational view looking diagonally from the front left side of the alternative sunglass bite-in portion to be received in the embodiment of FIG. 16.

Fig. 18 is a top view of the embodiment shown in fig. 16 with the alternative sunglass portion of fig. 17 snapped in.

Fig. 19 is a side elevational view from the left side and a mirror image of the embodiment shown in fig. 16.

FIG. 20 is a side elevational view looking diagonally from the front left side of the embodiment of FIG. 16 with the optional sunglasses portion shown in FIG. 17 in a snapped-in condition.

Fig. 21 is a perspective view from the left side of another embodiment of the present invention including a breathing apparatus.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view from the front left side of another alternative embodiment, with a wider frame that constitutes a face mask configured to be worn over the eyes of a user.

Fig. 23 is a front elevational view of the embodiment shown in fig. 22.

Detailed Description

The best mode presently preferred for carrying out the invention is shown by way of example in fig. 1-23.

Referring to fig. 1, there is shown an eye protection apparatus 20 in accordance with a first presently preferred embodiment of the invention wherein a frame 22 configured to be worn over a user's eyes has a pair of lens apertures 24.

A pair of preferably removable outer lenses 30, each having a slit 34 preferably in the shape of a tear drop, are retained in the lens holes in a dead-tight manner by a peripheral outer lens retainer (see fig. 4). While the slit is preferably rectangular or tear-drop shaped, the slit may be any shape visible to the user therethrough in this and all other embodiments, so long as the slit is small enough to reduce or prevent the intrusion of airborne particles. For example, the slits may be square, circular, almond-shaped, semi-circular, diamond-shaped (diamond-shaped), or any other shape. Preferably, the outer lens 30 is transparent (in all embodiments) so that the user can have a larger field of view than via the slit 34. If this larger field of view is obscured by the accumulation of paint particles or other visual obstructions on the lens 30, the user can restore the larger field of view at any desired time by rubbing them off. An inlet 26 is provided in the frame 22. An air tube T connects the inlet 26 to a compressed air source (here a portable wirelessly powered pump) 40.

Referring to fig. 2, a rear view of the protective eyewear 20 of fig. 1 is shown. An optional sealing cushion 50 is provided between the frame 22 and the face of the user to prevent airborne particles from contacting the user's eyes while wearing the eyewear 20. As can be seen, the inlet 26 extends through the frame 22.

Referring to fig. 3, an exploded rear side view of one side of the eyewear 20 of fig. 1 is shown. As can be seen, the preferably removable outer lens 30 with slit 34 is retained in the lens aperture 24 and the inlet 26 provides fluid communication from the tube T into the inter-lens space created between the outer lens 30 and the inner lens 60. Preferably, the inner lens is transparent at least in the portion between the user's eye and the slit 34, so that the user can see through the inner lens 60 and out through the slit 34.

Referring to fig. 4, which shows a top cross-sectional view of the eyewear of fig. 3, the inlet 26 is shown in fluid communication with the inter-lens space created between the inner lens 60 and the outer lens 30. As can be seen, preferably removable outer lens 30 is held in place by fitting into retainer groove 36, while preferably removable inner lens 60 is held in place by retainer groove 62. The inner lens 60 and outer lens 30 are preferably removable for cleaning or replacement, and are also preferably retained by a retainer to form a partially sealed inter-lens space. The inter-lens space is preferably sealed by a positive pressure (as described below) such that air pumped into the inlet 26 via the tube T creates a positive air pressure in the inter-lens space, thereby causing air to flow outwardly via the slit 34 to prevent airborne particles from entering the inter-lens space via the slit 34 and contacting the inner lens 60, thereby maintaining the transparency of the inner lens 60. Preferably, the inlet 26 is directed toward the outer lens 30 and the slit 34 so that air from the inlet 26 is directed away from the user's eyes to avoid drying the user's eyes. It must be noted that the inlet 26 preferably does not send air out in a strong flow directed out of the slit 34, but preferably only provides enough air to create a positive pressure in the inter-lens space to create an air flow AS of sufficient strength to prevent airborne particles from entering the inter-lens space.

By "stagnating sealingly retained" or "stagnating sealingly conformed" or "stagnating sealingly sealed" is meant that the holder or frame does not have to form a hermetic seal, but rather only provides a sufficient seal to cause the air retained in the interior space to become stagnant (stagnant) or "occluded" air, as described above. Stagnating sealingly conforms to (or forms a stagnating seal with) the user's face also includes (but is not limited to): (a) only those portions of the user's face surrounding the eyes that are stagnating to sealingly conform to, the temples, forehead, cheeks, eyebrows, and nose should be considered as the portions of the user's face surrounding the eyes; and (b) for the composite lens embodiment, even in the absence of a seal formed, such as cloth or bristles or other non-sealing contact between the frame and the user's face, sufficiently conform to the user's face to prevent substantial amounts of airborne particles from passing between the frame and the user's face and contacting the user's eyes. The slit 34 is preferably at least large enough to allow a user to see what work must be done, but small enough to allow the air pumped into the interior space via the tube T to create a positive enough air pressure to create an air flow AS to prevent airborne particles from entering the interior space. The enclosure of the inner lens 60 by the outer lens 30 to form the inter-lens space creates a positive pressure and air flow AS from the slit 34 by air pumped in through the inlet 26, which would otherwise only blow through the inner lens and dissipate. The vertical field of view provided by the slit need only be large enough for the user to perform his or her work. The actual vertical field of view is between about 90 degrees and about 10 degrees; the preferred vertical field of view is between about 60 degrees and about 30 degrees; and the optimal vertical field of view is between about 45 degrees and about 40 degrees.

Referring to fig. 5, there is shown an alternative embodiment 120 having a frame 122, an outer lens 130 and a slit 134 of rectangular configuration. Furthermore, two air tubes T are provided, each connected at one end to a separate pump 140 and at the other end to the inlet 126.

Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a close-up view of a presently preferred embodiment of the compressed air source 40 of the present invention, preferably comprising a battery-powered pump having a control knob 44 for controlling the rate of air flow. Preferably, the pump 40 may be held in a sleeve H located on a waist belt B that can be worn by the user. Alternatively, the pump 40 may be retained in the casing H by the strap S. Optionally, a lip L is provided on the pump 40 to prevent the pump 40 from passing through the sleeve, since it is preferred that the sleeve H has no bottom.

Referring to fig. 7, there are shown two sleeves H according to fig. 6, together with shoulder straps SS to be worn by the user, and optional buckles SB for holding waist straps B.

Referring to fig. 8, there is shown an alternative embodiment in which the case H is held on the back of the user by a backpack BP secured by a waist band B.

Referring to fig. 9, another alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown to include eyewear 320 having a frame 322 with two lens apertures 324 for frame 322. As with the other embodiments described above, preferably a removable outer lens 330 having a slit 334 is retained in the lens aperture 324 and an air tube T is connected to the inlet 326. In this embodiment, the compressed air source 340 is a compressed air tank with a regulator 344 to control the rate of air flow.

Referring to fig. 10, another alternative embodiment is shown including an eyewear 420 having a frame 422 with a single lens aperture 424 in the frame 422, a single, preferably removable, outer lens 430 having two slits 434 is retained in the lens aperture 424 in the single lens aperture 424. Because there is only a single outer lens 430 and a single inner lens (not shown), only a single inlet 426 is required. In this embodiment, the compressed air source is a compressed air tank.

AS can be seen from the foregoing description, in operation, the slits 434 in the outer lens 430 are maintained free of airborne particles by the air flow AS so that a user can see through the slits at all times. It is preferred that an inner lens (not shown) is also provided because occupational safety regulations require that the eyes of workers be protected.

The prior art does not disclose or suggest a partially sealed inter-lens space created between the inner and outer lenses, wherein air flow flows directly outward through the slits in the outer lens to prevent air-borne particles from contacting the transparent inner lens, thereby maintaining the transparency of the inner lens and the ability of the user to see through the slits when spraying the coating. The prior art is primarily concerned with blowing air across a single lens, or forward from the periphery of the lens. Furthermore, the prior art does not disclose or suggest the use of a portable compressed air source in combination with such an eyewear so as to enable the user to move freely.

Referring to fig. 11, yet another alternative embodiment is shown which includes an eyewear 520 having a frame 522 shaped to stagnantly sealingly conform to a user's face, the frame 522 having a pair of lens apertures 524. A pair of preferably removable outer lenses 530, each having a slit 534, are held in the lens apertures by lens holders (see fig. 4) located in front of the user's eyes. Preferably, this embodiment contains only the outer lens, but an inner lens may alternatively be provided.

Referring to fig. 12, a rear view of the protective eyewear 520 of fig. 11 is shown. An optional sealing cushion may be provided around the edge of the lens 550 to prevent airborne particles from contacting the user's eyes when the eyewear 520 is worn.

Referring to fig. 13, there is shown an exploded rear side view of yet another embodiment including an eyewear 620 having a frame 622 configured to be worn over a user's eyes and having a pair of lens apertures 624. As can be seen, preferably a removable outer lens 630 having a rectangular slit 634 is retained in the lens aperture 624, and an optional sealing cushion 650 forms a stagnant sealed interior space between the lens 630 and the user's face. An optional inner lens 660 may also be provided. Preferably, the inner lens is transparent at least in the portion between the user's eye and the slit 634.

Referring to fig. 14, there is shown yet another alternative embodiment comprising an eyewear 720, the frame 722 of the eyewear 720 being configured to be worn over a user's eyes, the frame 722 having an integrally formed single lens 730, the single lens 730 having a slit 734 disposed in front of the user's eyes. This embodiment is shaped to stagnantly sealingly conform to the user's face by the construction of the frame 722 made of a flexible material, the frame 722 optionally carrying a flexible flap 760 extending from the frame 722, as is conventional in swimming masks. However, any manner of shaping the frame 722 to stagnantly sealingly conform to the user's face is contemplated in which the eyewear is shaped to conform to the user's face. Flap 760 may include a brow flap, as shown, or a temple flap or cheek flap. Alternatively, the brow flap may be a detachable member that is removably attached to the frame to block unadhered spray from falling over into the eyes of the user.

Referring to fig. 15, a rear view of the protective eyewear 720 of fig. 14 is shown. The flap 760 extending outwardly from the frame 722 stagnantly sealingly conforms to the face of the user to create a stagnantly sealed interior space between the integrally formed lens 730 and frame 722 and the face of the user. The interior space prevents the entry of air-borne particles through the slits 734 because the space is filled with stagnant "occlusion air" that may even expand by the body temperature of the user. Furthermore, any air-borne particles that enter the occluded air do not necessarily contact the user's eyes: they may settle on the inner surface of the eyewear 720, on the user's face (except for the eyes), and may even move away from the user's eyes by the expansion of the occlusive air, either by the user's body temperature or by the air flow caused by the blinking of the user's eyelids and eyelashes. Even if there are still some airborne particles contacting the user's eyes, the number of such particles contacting the eyes is greatly reduced.

Referring to fig. 16-20, there is shown a possible decorative design for an alternative stylized embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to fig. 16, there is shown a front view of yet another alternative embodiment including eyewear 820 having a frame 822 configured to be worn over the eyes of a user with two slits 834 for the user's eyes. Preferably, a recessed decorative stripe 850 is formed in the frame 822 and a notch 880 (see fig. 18) to receive the tail 870 (see fig. 17) is formed in the recessed decorative stripe 850.

Referring to fig. 17, there is shown a perspective view of an optional curved sunglass section 860, preferably in stagnating sealing engagement with the front of the recessed decorative stripe 850 in the frame 822 between the cuts 880, and preferably having a tail 870, which tail 870 projects inwardly and (as shown in fig. 18) is received by the cuts 880 in the recessed decorative stripe 850 in the frame 822 (see fig. 18) to retain the curved sunglass section 860 to the frame 822.

Referring to fig. 18, which shows a top view of the eyewear 820 of fig. 16, an arcuate sunglass portion 860 is retained on the frame 822 by snapping the tail 870 into a notch 880 in the recessed decorative stripe 850.

Referring to fig. 19, there is shown a side elevational view of the combined eyewear 820 and curved sunglass section 860 of fig. 18, showing the slits 834 for the user's eyes and the recessed decorative stripe 850, the recessed decorative stripe 850 having a cut-out 880 formed therein for receiving the tail 870 to hold the curved sunglass section 860 in place over the slits 834 in the frame 822.

Referring to fig. 20, there is shown a side perspective view of the combined eyewear 820 and curved sunglass sections 860 of fig. 18.

Referring to fig. 21, there is shown from the front a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention comprising a breathing apparatus for use in an environment with noxious or otherwise harmful fumes, the embodiment comprising an eyewear 920, the frame 922 of said eyewear 920 having two slits 934 and an air tube T connected at the ends of the goggles to an inlet (not shown, see part 26 of fig. 1) in the frame 922. A source of compressed air, here a portable wireless powered pump 940 is provided having a control knob 944 for controlling the flow of air. The compressed air source 940 preferably has an air inlet with a filter 948, such as an air cylinder filter. Preferably, the compressed air source 940 is connected to the air tube T by a "Y" connector 990 having a breathing branch 992 and a visor branch 994, the air tube T being attached to the visor branch 994. Preferably, an air regulator 996 is provided in the visor branch 994 to control the flow of air into the air tube T. Further, preferably, the breathing tube BT is attached to the breathing branch 992 and an air bag AB is optionally provided in the breathing tube BT. As can be seen, the user wears a conventional respirator R, which typically has two removable filters, traditionally cartridge filters CF. As can be seen, one of the cartridge filters CF is preferably replaced by a one-way valve 998, said one-way valve 998 being closed upon expiration and open upon inspiration, said breathing tube BT being attached to said one-way valve 998. Conventional respirators R resist breathing because air must be inhaled via the cartridge filter CF. In this embodiment, during inhalation, a compressed air source can pump additional air into the ventilator R via the breathing branch 990, the breathing tube BT, and the one-way valve 998 to assist in breathing. Optional air bladder AB receives air from compressed air source 940 when one-way valve 998 is closed during exhalation, and the received air can be inhaled when one-way valve 998 is open during inhalation. In this way, a source of compressed air 940 having a lower air flow can be used because the air bladder can be filled during inhalation and exhalation, but the user will only inhale from the air bladder during inhalation. Without the air bladder, the compressed air source 940 would need to provide a greater air flow to satisfy the user's inhalation because the one-way valve 998 would close and prevent air flow during the user's exhalation. In other words, the air bladder provides a reservoir in that the compressed air source 940 provides a constant flow of air, but the user's breath is intermittent, alternating between inspiration and expiration.

As can be seen, air also flows from the compressed air source 940 through the visor branches 994, the air tube T, and into the visor 920 to generate an air flow outwardly through the slits 934 that resists or resists accumulation of coating particles, as explained in other embodiments above. Air regulator 996 allows control of the air flow through air tube T independent of a control knob 944 on compressed air source 940 (which control knob 944 controls the air flow T through both the breathing tube BT and air tube T).

Referring to fig. 22, there is shown a perspective view of yet another alternative embodiment including eyewear 1020 having a broader frame 1022 to form a mask configured to be worn over the eyes of a user. Preferably, the outer lens is or has a protrusion 1035 (preferably but not necessarily transparent) that protrudes forward with two slits 1034 formed in the front side of the protrusion for the user's eyes. The protrusions effectively form protrusions (ridges) above the slits. Preferably, the frame 1022 may be made of a flexible material, such as plastic or rubber, that is sufficiently rigid to maintain the slit 1034 and boss 1035 in place, but is sufficiently flexible to allow the mask to conform stagnantly and sealingly to the user's face. The protruding projections 1035 create deeper air pockets (pockets) of occluded air between the slits 1034 and the user's eyes to prevent or minimize airborne particles that can contact the user's eyes. The present embodiment may be held on the user's face by straps, temple fittings (pieces), or other conventional mechanisms (not shown).

Fig. 23 is a front view of the embodiment shown in fig. 22.

The embodiments of fig. 1-10 and 21 are active embodiments in that they require a source of compressed air so that they can be used in situations where airborne particles are toxic or otherwise harmful, so that even minimal contact with the user's eyes should be avoided. The compressed air creates a positive pressure to cause the air to flow outwardly from the slit. Because of the positive pressure, it is not necessary to have the frame and lens stagnating to sealingly conform to the user's face (as defined above), but rather it is only necessary that the frame conform to or seal against the user's face sufficiently well so that the compressed air creates a positive pressure space in front of the user's eyes (referred to as "positive pressure conforming" or "positive pressure sealing") in addition to the air flowing outwardly through the slit.

The embodiments of fig. 11-20 and 22-23 are passive embodiments in that a compressed air source is not necessary (thereby enabling the user to move freely). Rather, the frame stagnantly sealingly conforms to the user's face (shaped to so conform, either with a sealing cushion or an outwardly extending flap that contacts the face, or some other sealing structure), and the frame supports or is integrally formed with: a single simple lens with two slits; or two simple lenses (each with a slit); or a single compound (dual) lens with two slits in the outer lens; or two composite (dual) lenses, each with a slit in the outer lens, to create a stagnant sealed interior space in front of the user's eyes (between the frame, one or more lenses, and the user's face (and in the inter-lens space of the composite (dual) lens)). The interior space is sufficiently deep that the partial sealing of the interior space creates a pocket of "dead air" in the interior space that constitutes a stagnant air barrier that prevents or reduces the flow of air and airborne particles through the slits into the interior space. In addition, the body temperature of the user will tend to heat the air in the interior space, thereby expanding the occluded air to further impede or reduce the flow of air and air-borne particles through the slits. Airborne particles cannot accumulate on the slit and obstruct the user's view. While not all airborne particles are blocked from entering the interior space, most particles are blocked outside the interior space, and those particles that have advanced through the slits may land on the user's face or eyelashes, or on the inside of the frame or lens, rather than on the user's eyes. While some airborne particles may eventually advance through the slit and contact the user's eyes, the number of particles that contact the user's eyes is greatly reduced, which is an almost infinite improvement over existing industrial practice where the eyes of the painter are completely unprotected. Although it has been appreciated that under high wind conditions airborne particles may be blown through the slits, users such as painters do not work under such windy conditions anyway. In fact, architects and others have made it clear that if the wind speed exceeds about 16-32 kilometers per hour (about 5-10 miles per hour), then painting cannot be done because the wind will carry away the paint.

The passive embodiment of fig. 16-20 and 22-23 is the simplest embodiment, and is preferably used when spraying a non-toxic coating. Because the coating is non-toxic, it is not necessary to completely block airborne coating particles from contacting the user's eyes (although it is desirable to block a substantial portion of airborne coating particles from contacting the user's eyes), while still reducing the need to stop working to remove and clean the eyewear. Thus, the present embodiment reduces the amount of paint particles that contact the user's eyes by reducing the exposure of the user's eyes because the frame is interposed between the paint particles and the user's eyes, thereby allowing the airborne paint particles to contact the user's eyes only by traveling around the periphery of the frame or through the slit, without first contacting the user's face or the frame. In addition, when the user blinks, the user's eyelashes will generate an air stream that tends to move the air and carry airborne paint particles away from the user's eyes. In this way, adequate protection (albeit complete protection) of the user's eyes from the non-toxic airborne paint particles is achieved, thereby reducing the need to stop working to remove and clean the eyewear.

The embodiment of fig. 16-20 has decorative stripes recessed along the front to be fashionable and decorative so that the user will not be self-aware of the wearing of the embodiment. Optional snap-in sunglass portion 860 is provided to fit in the recessed front of the stripe, thereby enabling eyewear 820 to be used also when the user is not spraying. When the user applies the spray, the sunglass sections should preferably not be used because air-borne particles will adhere to the sunglass sections.

It may be preferred to modify the embodiment of fig. 11-20 to extend the lens or slit outwardly. The lens may be outwardly convex in some manner to extend the lens outwardly, such as hemispherically or cylindrically (as viewed by the user through the interior of the hemisphere or the rear end of the cylinder) to increase the distance from the slit to the user's eye to create a deeper stagnant air barrier ("air pocket for occluded air") that the coating particles must traverse before they can contact the user's eye, as shown in the embodiments of fig. 22 and 23, for example. Alternatively, the slits may be extended outwardly by providing a hollow tube over the outwardly extending slits, thereby enabling the user to see through the hollow tube. The cross-section of the exterior of the tube may have any desired shape and the cross-section of the hollow interior may have the same or any other shape, although it should preferably generally conform to the shape of the slit. The outwardly extending tube will also narrow the range of angles at which unattached spray may pass through the occluded air and contact the user's eyes.

It may also be preferred to modify any of the embodiments to add an outwardly extending brow or lip above the slit to reduce the intrusion of airborne particles falling through the slit when the user looks up, such as when painting a ceiling.

The active embodiment of fig. 21 allows the present invention to be used in environments with toxic or otherwise undesirable smoke or where respirators are otherwise required to avoid breathing in smoke. Further, with the embodiment of FIG. 21, the invention can be practiced by a user with an existing respirator who simply purchases the eyewear 920, the air tube T, the "Y" fitting 990 with air regulator 996, the one-way valve 998, the breathing tube BT with air bladder AB, and the compressed air source 940, all of which can be sold together as an accessory package.

The passive embodiment of fig. 22 and 23 covers more of the user's face and can make it more difficult for airborne particles to contact the user's eyes.

In all of the above embodiments, the slit will necessarily limit the user's view in the vertical direction ("vertical view"). It is desirable to make the size of the slit as small as possible while allowing the user to see the area being painted, in order to minimize the amount of paint particles that may intrude through the slit. However, this is not preferred. In addition to seeing the area being painted, the user must also be able to see enough of the environment to avoid being injured by objects or other materials in the environment while moving during painting. Spraying is essentially used to paint large areas, so the painter must move while painting. Thus, painters must be able to see enough while wearing the present invention to be able to safely see their environment while moving during painting. A vertical field of view between about 90 degrees and about 10 degrees is practical; a vertical field of view at about 60 degrees to about 20 degrees is preferred; while a vertical field of view of about 45 to 30 degrees is optimal.

Further, in the above-described active embodiment, the slits have a maximum height in the practical range of between about 31 millimeters ("mm") (1-1/4 inches) to about 3mm (1/8 inches); a preferred range is between about 19mm (3/4 inches) to about 3mm (1/8 inches); and a preferred range is between about 13mm (1/2 inches) to about 6mm (1/4 inches), and the distance from the cornea of the eye to the slit is in a practical range between about 76mm (3 inches) to 6mm (1/4 inches); a preferred range is between about 38mm (1-1/2 inches) to 6mm (1/4 inches); and a preferred range is between about 16mm (5/8 inches) and 6mm (1/4 inches). It is well within the skill of one of ordinary skill in the art to select these combinations of slit height and distance from cornea to slit, as well as others, to achieve any desired vertical field of view.

All of the embodiments disclosed above solve the following long standing problems with the aforementioned protective eyewear: the problem of lost time and efficiency due to the need to stop brushing to clean the protective eyewear, or the risk of injury. It is preferable to make the lenses and optional frame transparent (including tinted) so that the user can continue to paint even after the lenses become partially or completely obscured by paint or other air-borne particles, as the user can still see through the slits. In this way, the user can determine whether and when to stop brushing in order to clean the lens, since a larger field of view is required than is provided via the slit. It is also preferred that all lenses be removable and replaceable, thereby enabling the use of, for example, lenses having different slit sizes and shapes or having different colors, or new lenses without scratches, smudges and old paint. The term "frame" is not limited to frames that completely surround the lenses, but also includes frames to which the lenses are attached at only a portion (e.g., the top). Of course, the lenses may be integrally formed with the frame to provide a rimless eyewear that will correspond to eyewear having lens apertures and lenses retained in these lens apertures. Integrally formed further comprises: where the lenses are held in place by having a nose pad between the lenses (for both lens embodiments); and temple fittings attached to opposite sides of the lens, all of which are directly connected to the lens, thereby making the eyewear rimless.

Of course, all of the embodiments can be used in combination with other structural features of conventional eyewear, such as an adjustable width nose pad and alternative methods for holding the lenses in the frame (e.g., magnetic methods), or alternative methods for holding the eyewear on the user's face (e.g., straps).

The present invention provides a practical solution to the problem of meeting workplace safety regulations relating to eye protection for workers performing paint spraying.

While the invention has been disclosed in conjunction with the presently preferred embodiments described herein, it should be understood that other embodiments are possible which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For example, embodiments of the invention having both inner and outer lenses may be implemented with an inner lens that is completely transparent or transparent only in the portion between the user's eye and the slit. Accordingly, no limitation is implied or inferred in the present disclosure other than as specifically and explicitly set forth in the claims.

Industrial applicability

The invention can be used anywhere where it is desirable to provide protection and/or stylish eyewear to a user of a spray device, or where protection against airborne particles is required while maintaining visibility.

Claims (20)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a frame configured to be worn over the eyes of a user; and

an outer lens held in the frame, the outer lens having a slit for the user's eye through which the user can see;

wherein, the improvement comprises:

configuring the frame to place the lens in front of the user's eyes to stagnantly sealingly conform to the user's face and to create a stagnantly sealed interior space in front of the user's eyes;

thereby causing air located in the interior space to become a stagnant air barrier that generates air resistance against airborne particles that pass through the interior space and contact the user's eyes;

thereby enabling the user to see through the slit even if airborne particles deposited on the outer lens obscure the user's view.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a protective inner lens that is transparent at least in a portion between the user's eye and the slit and is held in the frame behind the outer lens, thereby enabling the user to see through the transparent portion of the inner lens and out through the slit.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are disposed in a common plane,

wherein the outer lens with slit comprises two outer lenses, each outer lens having a slit for one of the user's eyes.

4. The device of claim 2, wherein the outer lens having a slit comprises two outer lenses, each outer lens having a slit for one of the user's eyes; and is

Wherein the protective inner lens comprises two protective inner lenses retained in the frame, each protective inner lens being located behind a respective one of the outer lenses.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are disposed in a common plane,

wherein the improvement comprises an inlet disposed in said frame between said user's eyes and said outer lens;

whereby when an air tube having an inlet end and a pumping end is connected to the inlet at the inlet end and a source of compressed air is connected at the pumping end and pumps air through the air tube, positive air pressure is generated in the interior space and air flows outwardly through the slits;

thereby causing airborne particles to be blocked by the air flow from passing through the slit into the interior space and contacting the user's eyes; and is

Thereby enabling the user to see through the slit even if airborne particles deposited on the outer lens obscure the user's view.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising:

a protective inner lens that is transparent at least in a portion between the user's eye and the slit and is held in the frame behind the outer lens, thereby creating an inter-lens space between the inner lens and the outer lens, thereby enabling the user to see through the transparent portion of the inner lens and out through the slit;

wherein the inlet is disposed between the inner lens and the outer lens and is in fluid communication with the inter-lens space;

whereby when an air tube having an inlet end and a pumping end is connected to the inlet at the inlet end and a source of compressed air is connected at the pumping end and pumps air through the air tube, positive air pressure is generated in the inter-lens space and air flow flows outwardly through the slit;

thereby causing airborne particles to be blocked by the air flow from passing through the slit into the interior space and contacting the user's eyes;

whereby the transparency of the transparent portion is maintained; and is

Thereby enabling the user to see through the slit even if airborne particles deposited on the outer lens obscure the user's view.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5, wherein,

wherein the outer lens with slit comprises two outer lenses, each outer lens having a slit for one of the user's eyes.

8. The apparatus of claim 7:

wherein the protective inner lenses comprise two protective inner lenses held in the frame, each protective inner lens being behind one of the outer lenses, thereby creating an inter-lens space between each inner and outer lens;

wherein the inlet provided in the frame comprises two inlets, each inlet being between an inner lens and an outer lens and each inlet being in fluid communication with an inter-lens space; and is

Whereby when an air tube having an inlet end and a pumping end is connected to each of the inlets at the inlet end and a source of compressed air is connected at the pumping end and pumps air through the air tube into the inter-lens space, positive air pressure is generated in the inter-lens space and air flow flows outwardly through the slits;

thereby causing airborne particles to be blocked by the air flow from passing through the slit into the inter-lens space and contacting the inner lens; and is

Whereby the transparency of the transparent portion of the inner lens is maintained;

thereby enabling the user to see through the slit even if airborne particles deposited on the outer lens obscure the user's view.

9. The apparatus of claim 5 or 6, further comprising:

an air tube having an inlet end and a pumping end, connected to the inlet at the inlet end; and

a portable compressed air source connected to the pumping end of the air tube;

wherein the user can carry the compressed air source and the user can move freely.

10. The device according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein each of said lenses is integrally formed with said frame.

11. A device according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the frame is configured to stagnantly sealingly conform to the user's face by a removably detachable brow flap.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

a frame configured to be worn over the eyes of a user and shaped to stagnantly sealingly conform to the face of the user; and

a lens having a slit for the user's eye, mounted in the frame in front of the user's eye to create a stagnant sealed interior space in front of the user's eye, thereby enabling the user to see through the slit;

thereby causing air in the interior space to become a stagnant air barrier that resists the passage of airborne particles through the slits into the interior space.

13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 12,

wherein the slotted lens comprises two outer lenses, each outer lens having a slot for one of the user's eyes.

14. A method of using a lens with a slit, comprising:

providing the eyewear to a user for wearing while spraying with a non-toxic coating;

thereby allowing a substantial amount of non-toxic airborne coating particles to contact the frame and the face of the user, thereby substantially reducing the amount of non-toxic airborne particles that contact the eyes of the user; and is

Thereby reducing the need for the user to stop working to remove blurred vision paint particles.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the providing step is performed with a frame configured to place the lens in front of the user's eyes, to stagnantly sealingly conform to the user's face, and to create a stagnantly sealed interior space in front of the user's eyes;

thereby causing air in the interior space to become a stagnant air barrier that resists the entry of airborne particles into the interior space.

16. An apparatus, comprising:

a frame configured to be worn over the eyes of a user; and

an outer lens held in the frame, the outer lens having a slit for the user's eye through which the user can see;

wherein, the improvement comprises:

configuring the frame to conform to the user's face at a positive pressure, thereby creating an interior space at a positive pressure in front of the user's eyes; and

an inlet disposed in the frame behind the outer lens, the inlet being in fluid communication with the positive pressure interior space;

whereby when an air tube having an inlet end and a pumping end is connected to the inlet at the inlet end and a source of compressed air is connected at the pumping end and pumps air through the air tube, positive air pressure is generated in the positive pressure interior space and air flow flows outwardly through the slits;

thereby causing airborne particles to be blocked by the air flow from passing through the slit into the interior space and contacting the user's eyes;

thereby causing airborne particles to be prevented from entering the interior space by the positive pressure; and is

Thereby enabling the user to see through the slit even if airborne particles deposited on the outer lens obscure the user's view.

17. The apparatus as set forth in claim 16,

wherein the outer lens with slit comprises two outer lenses, each outer lens having a slit for one of the user's eyes.

18. A device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the lens is integrally formed with the frame.

19. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a respirator having a breathing tube to be worn by the user, wherein the source of compressed air is also connected to the breathing tube.

20. The device of claim 1, wherein the outer lens projects forwardly and the slit is formed in front of the projection.