TW201302269A - Swimming cap and goggles - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a swimming cap and swimming goggles wherein each of the cap and goggles comprises at least one respective tactile and/or visual position marker. In use, the cap and goggles position markers are aligned (e.g. vertically aligned with each other or aligned by overlaying one another) to ensure a correct wearing position of the cap and/or goggles on the wearer's head without there being any engagement between the cap and goggles. The present invention also provides swimming goggles having a pair of lens portions each having a peripheral wall extending to a peripheral edge which, in use, is in contact with the wearer's face (around the respective eye). Extending from or proximal to each peripheral edge is a respective upwardly extending tab which, in use, is overlaid by a forward edge of a swimming cap.

Description

Swimming cap and frog mirror

The invention relates to a swimming cap and a frog mirror. In particular, the present invention relates to a swimming cap and frog mirror that facilitates proper and secure wear on the wearer's head.

The correct wearing of the swimming cap is necessary to ensure the comfort of the wearer and the best performance of the swimming cap. Wrongly wearing a swimming cap can be uncomfortable, allow water to enter, and increase water resistance, all of which are highly undesirable, especially for swimmers. Swimming caps are typically worn tightly and are made of a plastic material having a high modulus of elasticity (e.g., silicone rubber) that makes them difficult to move to the correct wearing position. Once the swim cap is in place on the wearer's head, it is often difficult for the wearer to check whether the swim cap is properly worn without looking in the mirror.

Similarly, the correct wearing of the swimming frog mirror is necessary for comfort and for preventing frog mirror water ingress that would impair the wearer's vision and thus jeopardize its performance. The correct positioning of the frog mirror on the eye socket is quite easy to achieve because the shape of the frog mirror seal around the eye and the shape of the bridge tend to bias the frog mirror into the correct position, and the wearer can easily Evaluate comfort and make the necessary adjustments. It is more difficult to assess the correct positioning of the headband, and incorrect positioning can result in uncomfortable and unsound wear. The firm wear of the frog mirror is necessary because the unsound wear can cause the movement, or even the displacement, of the frog mirror to be significantly undesired.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a cap/frog mirror that can aid in proper wear of the swimming cap and/or frog mirror on the wearer's head. It is also desirable to provide some means of achieving a firm wear of the frog mirror.

Thus, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a combination of a swimming cap and a frog mirror, wherein the swimming cap and the frog mirror each include at least one respective tactile and/or visible position marker so that, in use, Align the cap and frog mirror position markers so that the cap and/or the frog mirror are properly seated on the wearer's head without any engagement between the cap and the frog mirror.

By providing a position marker that the wearer can align (eg, align perpendicular to each other, or by overlapping each other), the wearer can ensure that the cap/frog mirror is properly worn. Preferably, the position markers are tactile position markers so that the wearer can ensure proper wearing of the cap/frog mirror without having to look in the mirror. The wearer can use their hands to feel the tactile position marks and, by ensuring that the marks are aligned, to reassure the wearer that the cap/frog mirror is properly positioned. During the alignment of the position markers, no engagement/connection is formed between the swimming cap and the frog mirror, that is, the frog mirror and the swimming cap are not fixed to each other in any way. The term "joining" includes, for example, temporary engagement or joining using hook and loop connectors, and permanent attachment or engagement as in the case of structurally integrated swimming caps and frog mirrors. FINA, the international governing body of swimming and other water sports prohibit such connections or joints.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a swimming cap comprising at least one tactile and/or visible position mark, in use, such that the position marks are associated with at least one respective tactile sensation on the frog mirror and/ Or the visible position marks are aligned so that the correct wearing position of the swimming cap/frog mirror on the wearer's head is ensured without any engagement between the swimming cap and the frog mirror.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a frog mirror comprising at least one tactile and/or visible position marker, wherein in use, the position markers are at least one individually tactile and/or on the swimming cap The visible position marks are aligned so that the correct wearing position of the swimming cap/frog mirror on the wearer's head is ensured without any engagement between the swimming cap and the frog mirror.

The second and third aspects of the swimming cap and the frog mirror can be used in the combination of the first aspect.

The following general description refers to all of the first to third aspects.

The position markers can have any geometric shape. The indicia can be elongated (e.g., linear) or arrowed (the vertices are marked for alignment) as this facilitates vertical alignment of the individual indicia. In another option, a more compact shape such as a dot may be used when the markers are placed in a position that exhibits a limited space (eg, on a frog mirror bridge or headband).

Preferably, the or each position marker is a tactile position marker, preferably comprising a raised or recessed element formed or disposed on the surface of the swimming cap/frog mirror. The raised element can be, for example, a bump, or an elongated (e.g., linear) element/raised portion. It can be arrow shaped with the top of its arrow The point marks the point to be aligned with the corresponding tactile position mark. Setting at least one of the tactile position marks as an elongate member/raised portion, or an arrow, facilitates vertical alignment because the cap/frog mirror position is worn when in position on the wearer's head It is easier to feel that the narrow ridge/arrow is vertical.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cap haptic position marks are arrows or elongated (eg, linear) indicia.

Tactile position marks that become bumps or bumps (e.g., round bumps) are useful in locations where space is minimal (e.g., on the nose of a frog mirror).

The cap position marker is preferably located at or extending to the leading edge of the cap, i.e., the edge on the wearer's forehead in use. It preferably lies or extends to the center point of the leading edge so that, in use, it is aligned with a positional mark disposed on the bridge of the frog mirror to align with the centerline of the wearer's forehead. In another option, or in addition, the position marker may be located on one or both sides of the center point of the leading edge, for example, one or two provided on each of the surrounding wall portions of the pair of lens portions The markers are aligned and each surrounding wall extends to a peripheral edge that contacts the wearer's face (around each individual eye) in use. Additionally, or in another option, the cap position marker can be located or extended to the side edge of the swim cap, that is, adjacent to the edge of the wearer's ear in use. Preferably, the position marker is provided so as to align or overlap with a position marker on the frog lens belt or belt support near the wearer's ear in use.

As noted above, the frog mirror position marker can be placed at one or more locations selected from the frog mirror bridge, the headband, the headgear support, and the wall surrounding the lens.

A particularly preferred combination of swimming cap and frog mirror, in the position on the centerline of the wearer's forehead, includes: a tactile position mark on the frog mirror bridge (for example, a circular convex position mark), and a swimming A tactile or visible positional mark on the center point of the leading edge of the cap (eg, an arrow-like or linear position mark). More than one position marker can be placed on each of the swimming cap and the frog mirror. For example, a position marker may be provided at a plurality of locations selected from one or both of the surrounding wall portions of the bridge, the frog mirror, and the headband or headgear support, and selected from before the swimming cap A corresponding position mark is set at a plurality of positions of the center point of the edge, one or both sides of the front edge of the swimming cap (adjacent to the center point), and one or both sides of the side edge of the swimming cap. The center point of the leading edge is aligned with the centerline of the wearer's forehead in use.

Preferably, the surface of the swimming cap has no protrusions and depressions other than the surface provided as the tactile position mark of the swimming cap.

The or each tactile position marker is preferably integrated with the material forming the cap/frog mirror, i.e., the tactile position marker is formed from the same material as the surface of the cap/frog mirror on which it is located. For example, the swimming cap can be molded from a plastic material, and the swim cap tactile position mark can be formed from the same plastic material while molding. Similarly, the frog mirror bridge or surrounding wall may also be formed from a molded plastic material, and the frog mirror tactile position mark may be formed of the same plastic material while molding. Preferably, in these cases In addition to the visual impression provided by the nature of the ridges or depressions of the marks, the haptic position marks will not be visually distinguishable from the surface of the cap/frog mirror.

The manufacture of the cap/frog mirror is facilitated by forming the tactile position marks with the same material as the surface of the cap/frog mirror on which the marker is located. The cap/frog mirror design remains smooth and simple by providing a tactile position marker that is visually indistinguishable from the surface of the cap/frog mirror (in addition to its bulging or concave nature) That is, the tactile position marks do not deviate from the design elements of the cap/frog mirror.

In other embodiments, the tactile or visible position markers are not formed from materials that are identical to the cap/frog mirror. For example, the position marking can be painted on or fixed (eg, glued) or taped. The paint or sticker may or may not form a raised (ie, tactile) mark.

In some embodiments, the swimming cap may be formed at least in part from the textile material, and if the position marking is provided on the fabric portion, the position marking may be formed in a row of stitching (for tactile position markings) The row can be stitched up, for example by using a bar tack stitch, and (for visible position marks) the row can be colored to be visually more noticeable than the color of the cap, and the line can be made Sewing bulging and coloring. In another option, the positional indicia can be set by, for example, printing onto the fabric using plastisol print.

Preferably, the or each position marking system and the structural element of the swimming cap/frog mirror have The difference, that is, the position markers are not inadvertently formed during the cap/frog mirror construction procedure, for example, the position markers are not seams or junctions that form part of the structure of the cap/frog mirror. The seams contained in the swim cap of the textile material are preferably provided with additional stitching in contrast to the color of the textile material so that the stitching can be used as a visible position mark.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a frog mirror comprising a pair of lens portions, each lens portion having a periphery extending into contact with a wearer's face (around each individual eye) in use The surrounding wall of the edge. Extending from, or adjacent to, each peripheral edge is a respective upwardly extending tab that is covered by the leading edge of the cap during use. The term "upward" is intended to define the direction in which the wearer extends from the peripheral edge past the wearer's eyebrows.

Preferably, the upwardly extending tabs are adjusted so that they are flush with the wearer's eyebrows in use. This allows the swimming cap to completely cover the upwardly extending tabs with the tabs causing minimal protrusions.

Preferably, each of the surrounding wall portions includes inner and outer peripheral wall portions that at least partially surround the inner peripheral wall portion. The inner and outer peripheral edges are thus provided, and the upwardly extending tabs extend from or near the outer peripheral edge.

These tabs are arranged so that, in use, they can be covered by the leading edge of the cap (preferably, completely covered). These frog mirror tabs are covered by a swimming cap to assist in fixing the frog mirror against the wearer's face, for example in jumping into the water The force generated by the middle does not move the frog mirror.

The extension tabs provided on the frog mirror also contribute to proper alignment between the frog mirror and the swimming cap because the tabs can be sized to properly wear the cap/frog mirror when they are properly worn Completely covered by the swimming cap. Preferably, the leading edge of the swimming cap is adapted to the contour of the peripheral edge at which the tabs begin to extend so that the leading edge of the cap is maximally covered by the extending tabs.

Preferably, the frog mirror of the fourth aspect comprises at least one visible or tactile position marker as described in the first and third aspects.

In a fifth aspect, the invention provides for the use of at least one tactile or visible position marker on one of a swimming cap and a frog mirror for use with the other of the swimming cap and the frog mirror At least one of the respective tactile or visible position marks is aligned, and without any engagement between the swimming cap and the frog mirror, the correct wear of the cap/frog mirror on the wearer's head is ensured.

Preferably, the swimming cap and the frog mirror are as described in the second and third/fourth aspects.

In a sixth aspect, the present invention provides a method of ensuring proper wear of a swimming cap/frog mirror on a wearer's head, comprising: providing at least one respective tactile or each of a swimming cap and a frog mirror The visible position markers, placing the cap and frog mirror on the wearer's head, and aligning the tactile or visible position markers with each other without any engagement between the cap and the frog mirror.

Preferably, the swimming cap and the frog mirror are as described in the second and third/fourth aspects.

Fig. 1 shows a swimming cap 5 of a first specific example of the present invention.

The swimming cap 5 includes a cap 6 and a leading edge 7 on the wearer's forehead in use. The center point of the leading edge 7 is provided with a tactile position mark 8 in the form of a raised arrow. This section is more clearly shown in Figure 2.

The cap 6, the leading edge 7, and the tactile position mark 8 are formed of the same material (in this case, a silicone rubber). Thus, in addition to the raised nature of the tactile position marker 8, this tactile position marker 8 is visually indistinguishable from the cap/leading system.

When the wearer wears the swimming cap 5, the high modulus of elasticity makes it difficult to properly place the swimming cap. A cap that is not properly positioned may be uncomfortable and may even detach from the wearer's head during swimming. When a swimmer moves in the water, the cap that is not properly worn may wrinkle and increase water resistance.

The haptic position marker 8 allows the wearer to ensure the correct wearing position by aligning the marker 8 with the corresponding frog mirror tactile position marker 8 ' (shown in Figure 3) of the wearer's frog mirror 10. When the swimming caps are attached to their heads, the wearer cannot see the position markers and must feel their position with their hands. The apex 9 of the arrow clearly determines the point that should be aligned with the corresponding frog mirror tactile position marker 8 ' .

Fig. 3 shows a frog mirror 10 of a second specific example of the present invention.

The frog mirror 10 includes a pair of lens portions 11 joined by a bridge 12 . The bridge comprises a tactile position marker 8 ' in the form of a raised round bump.

Both the bridge 12 and the tactile position marker 8 ' are formed from the same material (in this case, thermoplastic rubber (TPR)). Thus, in addition to the position of tactile numeral 8 'outside the ridge of the nature, the position of the tactile indicia 8' is visually indistinguishable from the nosepiece 12.

By aligning the indicia 8 ' with the tactile positional indicia 8 on the leading edge 7 of the swimming cap, the tactile positional indicia 8 ' allows the wearer to ensure the correct wearing position of the swimming cap as shown in Figures 1 and 2. When wearing a cap/frog mirror, the wearer cannot see the position markers and must feel their position with their hands.

Each lens portion has an inner peripheral wall portion 13 (shown in Figure 4) that extends to an inner peripheral edge that forms a seal around the wearer's eye in use. Extending to the outer peripheral wall portion 14 of each of the outer peripheral edges 15 that is in contact with the wearer's face just outside the orbit, in use surrounds each inner peripheral wall portion. Each outer peripheral edge 15 has an upwardly extending tab 16 that is covered by the leading edge of the swimming cap in use. The upwardly extending tabs 16 are formed on the outer side of the outer peripheral edge (i.e., on the area adjacent the wearer's ear in use), however, they may be disposed on the inner side in another option (ie, , in the area of the wearer's nose in use). The upwardly extending tabs 16 extend to abut the wearer's eyebrows in use, i.e., the term "upward" is used to indicate the direction in which the wearer extends from the peripheral edge past the wearer's eyebrows.

These tabs are arranged so that, in use, they can be covered by the leading edge of the cap (preferably, completely covered). This assists in keeping the frog mirror firmly against the wearer's face so that, for example, the force generated when jumping into the water does not cause the frog mirror to move.

Fig. 5 shows an advantageous combination of the swimming cap of the first specific example of the present invention and the frog mirror of the second specific example.

In order to obtain the correct positioning of the swimming cap 5, the wearer can ensure that the tactile position mark 8 on the leading edge 7 of the swimming cap is aligned vertically with the tactile position mark 8 ' on the frog mirror bridge 12.

The leading edge 7 of the swimming cap 5 is formed to match the contour of the (outer) peripheral edge portion at which the upwardly extending tab begins to extend so that it can completely cover the extended tab 16 (as shown in FIG. 5). ). This provides the greatest sense of frog mirror security because, when they experience considerable force as the wearer jumps into the water, the leading edge 7 of the swimming cap still assists in keeping the frog mirror in place.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the caps and frog mirrors illustrated in the drawings and described above embody the examples of the inventive concepts described herein, and that many modifications can be made without departing from the invention. range.

5‧‧‧ swimming cap

6‧‧‧Cap

7‧‧‧(swim cap) leading edge

8‧‧‧(location) mark

8 ' ‧‧‧ (location) mark

9‧‧‧ (arrow) apex

10‧‧‧Frog mirror

11‧‧‧Lens Department

12‧‧‧(frog mirror) nose bridge

13‧‧‧(inside) surrounding wall

14‧‧‧(outside) surrounding wall

15‧‧‧(outside) peripheral edge

16‧‧‧1 piece

Fig. 1 shows a swimming cap constituting a first specific example of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view showing the positional mark of the tactile sensation of the first specific example.

Fig. 3 shows a frog mirror constituting a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a rear side view showing one side of the frog mirror of the second preferred embodiment.

Figure 5 shows an advantageous combination of the first and second specific examples of the invention.

5‧‧‧ swimming cap

6‧‧‧Cap

7‧‧‧(swim cap) leading edge

8‧‧‧(location) mark

8 ' ‧‧‧ (location) mark

10‧‧‧Frog mirror

11‧‧‧Lens Department

Claims (20)

A combination of a swimming cap and a frog mirror, wherein the swimming cap and the frog mirror each include at least one respective tactile and/or visible position mark to align the swimming cap and the frog mirror position mark in use so as to Ensure that the cap/frog mirror is properly seated on the wearer's head without any engagement between the cap and the frog mirror. A combination of a swimming cap and a frog mirror as claimed in claim 1 wherein, in use, the caps and frog mirror position marks are vertically aligned or aligned by covering each other. The combination of a swimming cap and a frog mirror according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the frog mirror comprises a bridge, a headband, and a headband support, and the frog mirror position marker is disposed on the bridge, And at least one of the headband and the headgear support, and wherein the swimming cap includes a leading edge and two side edges, and wherein the cap position marker is disposed in the leading edge and the side edges One or both of them. A combination of a swimming cap and a frog mirror according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the position markers comprises a ridge element formed or disposed on a respective surface of the swimming cap/frog mirror Or recessed components. A combination of a swimming cap and a frog mirror of claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the position markers is distinguishable from a structural element of a swimming cap/frog mirror. A combination of a swimming cap and a frog mirror as claimed in claim 1 or 2 At least one of the position markers is integrated with a respective material forming a cap/frog mirror. A swimming cap comprising at least one tactile or visible position mark that, in use, is aligned with a respective tactile or visible position mark on a swimming frog mirror for use in a swimming cap and a frog mirror Ensure that the cap/frog mirror is properly seated on the wearer's head without any engagement between them. The swimming cap of claim 7, wherein the swimming cap includes a leading edge and two side edges, and the position marking is disposed at or extending from the leading edge and the two side edges. At least one location of one or both. A swimming cap according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the position mark is a linear mark or an arrow mark. A frog mirror comprising at least one tactile or visible position marker that, in use, is aligned with a respective tactile or visible position marker on the swimming cap for use in a swimming cap and a frog mirror Ensure that the swimming cap is properly seated on the wearer's head without any engagement. The frog mirror of claim 10, comprising a bridge, a headband, and a headband support, wherein the position marker is disposed on the nose bridge, the headband, and the headband support At least one of the locations. A frog mirror according to claim 10 or 11, which comprises a pair of lens portions each having a peripheral wall portion extending to a respective peripheral edge in contact with the wearer's face in use, and Among them, each surrounding side The rim has an upwardly extending tab that is covered by the leading edge of the cap during use. The frog mirror of claim 12, wherein each surrounding wall portion includes inner and outer peripheral wall portions, the outer peripheral wall portion at least partially surrounding the inner peripheral wall portion, and the inner and outer peripheral wall portions are provided Inner and outer peripheral edges, wherein the upwardly extending tabs extend from the outer peripheral wall portion. A swimming cap or frog mirror according to claim 7 or 10, wherein at least one of the position markers comprises a raised or recessed element formed or disposed on the surface of the swimming cap/frog mirror. A swimming cap or frog mirror as claimed in claim 7 or 10, wherein at least one of the position markers is distinguishable from a structural element of a swimming cap/frog mirror. A swimming cap or frog mirror as claimed in claim 7 or 10, wherein at least one of the position markers is integrated with a material forming a cap/frog mirror. A frog mirror comprising a pair of lens portions, each lens portion having a peripheral wall portion extending to a respective peripheral edge in contact with the wearer's face in use, wherein each peripheral edge has an in use An upwardly extending tab that is covered by the leading edge of the swimming cap. The frog mirror of claim 17, wherein each surrounding wall portion includes inner and outer peripheral wall portions, the outer peripheral wall portion at least partially surrounding the inner peripheral wall portion, and the inner and outer peripheral wall portions are provided Inner and outer peripheral edges, wherein the upwardly extending tabs extend from the outer peripheral wall portion. A use of at least one tactile or visible position marker on one of a swimming cap and a frog mirror for respective tactile or visible positions on the other of the swimming cap and the frog mirror Mark the alignment and ensure that the cap/frog mirror is properly worn on the wearer's head without any engagement between the cap and the frog mirror. A method of ensuring proper wear of a swimming cap and/or a frog mirror on a wearer's head, comprising: providing each of the swimming cap and the frog mirror with at least one respective tactile or visible position marker, a swimming cap The frog mirror is placed on the wearer's head and the position marks are aligned with each other without any engagement between the swimming cap and the frog mirror.