A diving mask having hemispherically-shaped lenses mounted on a flexible gasket or portion and fitted to the contours of a user's face. Laser scanning or topographic mapping is used to determine the contours of the user's face. Edges of the hemispherically-shaped lenses are then shaped to fit the contours of the face. As a result, the spherical center of the lenses substantially coincides with the optical nodal point of the user's eyes, or the center of rotation of the eyes. This virtually eliminates the phenomenon of underwater magnification-distortion caused by the difference in refractive indices of water and air. The diving mask may also have hemispherically-shaped lenses mounted on a support portion. The support portion, in turn, is mounted on a flexible gasket of selected size. A secure seal is provided between the diving mask and a user's face by the flexible gasket. The diving mask may be provided with at least one purge valve. The diving mask may be used with retractable corrective lenses, if desired. The diving mask may be used with bottom lenses which provide vision both above and below water. Hemispherically-shaped meniscus lenses may be used with the diving mask. The meniscus lenses are designed to provide optimal peripheral vision, while reducing weight and facilitating drainage of water from the mask.
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0. 87. An underwater diving mask, comprising:
a support portion releasably securable to a face of a user; left and right lenses supported by the support portion; a left purge valve associated with the left lens; and a right purge valve associated with the right lens.
0. 67. An underwater diving mask, comprising:
a flexible gasket; left and right generally hemispherically-shaped lenses mounted on said flexible gasket; securing means of releasably securing said flexible gasket to a face of a user; a left purge valve associated with said left lens; and a right purge valve associated with said right lens.
17. An underwater diving mask comprising:
two generally hemispherically-shaped lenses; means for mounting said lenses on a face of a user so that a spherical center of curvature of each of said lenses substantially coincides with an optical nodal point of a corresponding eye of said user; and retractable corrective lenses mounted to said hemispherically-shaped lenses.
36. An underwater diving mask comprising:
a flexible gasket; two generally hemispherically-shaped lenses mounted on said flexible gasket; means for releasably securing said diving mask to a face of the user; and at least one purge valve located in said diving mask so that bubbles formed when water is expelled from said mask pass away from the field of vision of said user.
56. An underwater diving mask comprising:
two generally hemispherically-shaped meniscus lenses designed to provide an approximately zero diopter value under above water, each of said lenses having an outer diameter of greater than 2.5 inches and each of said lenses providing an in-focus peripheral vision of more than 90 degrees; and means for mounting said lenses on a face of a user.
55. An underwater diving mask comprising:
two generally hemispherically-shaped lenses; a flexible face seal; a perimeter clamp clamping said face seal to said mask, said perimeter clamp including integrally formed housings for purge valves; and means for mounting said lenses on a face of a user so that a spherical center of curvature of each of said lenses substantially coincides with a corresponding eye of said user.
11. An underwater diving mask comprising:
two generally hemispherically-shaped lenses, each of said lenses having an outer surface radius of curvature greater than 2.5 inches, and inner and outer curvatures providing an approximately zero diopter value under above water; and means for mounting said lenses on a face of a user so that a spherical center of curvature of each of said lenses substantially coincides with an optical nodal point of a corresponding eye of said user.
61. An underwater diving mask comprising:
two generally hemispherically-shaped meniscus lenses designed to provide a zero diopter value under water, each of said lenses having inner and outer surfaces of different curvature, said inner and outer surfaces having spherical centers of curvature that are located behind centers of the eyes of a user, wherein said outer surface has a radius of curvature greater then 2.5 inches; and means for mounting said lenses on a face of said user.
45. An underwater diving mask comprising:
two generally hemispherically-shaped lenses, each of said lenses having an outer surface radius of curvature greater than 2.5 inches, and inner and outer curvatures providing an approximately zero diopter value under above water; a bottom lens formed in at least one of said hemispherically-shaped lenses; and means for mounting said lenses on a face of a user so that a spherical center of curvature of each of said lenses substantially coincides with a corresponding eye of said user.
0. 101. An underwater diving mask, comprising:
a support portion releasably securable to a face of a user; a lens structure supported by the support portion, the lens structure having a left lens portion for a left eye of the user and a right lens portion for a right eye of the user; a left purge valve associated with the left lens portion and positioned to be on a left side of a nose of the user; and a right purge valve associated with the right lens portion and positioned to be on a right side of the nose of the user.
53. An underwater diving mask comprising:
two generally hemispherically-shaped lenses, each of said lenses having an outer surface radius of curvature greater than 2.5 inches, and inner and outer curvatures providing an approximately zero diopter value under above water; a flexible face seal; a perimeter clamp clamping said face seal to said mask; and means for mounting said lenses on a face of a user so that a spherical center of curvature of each of said lenses substantially coincides with a corresponding eye of said user.
0. 85. An underwater diving mask, comprising:
a flexible portion; two generally hemispherically-shaped lenses mounted on said flexible portion; and means for releasably securing said flexible portion to a face of a user; wherein each of said lenses has an outer surface diameter of at least 4.25 inches, a generally spherical center of curvature of each of said lenses being within a zone of misalignment relative to a center of rotation of a corresponding eye of the user, and the entire optical surface of said lenses having a constant radius of curvature.
31. An underwater diving mask comprising:
two generally hemispherically-shaped lenses, each of said lenses having an outer surface radius of curvature greater than 2.5 inches, and inner and outer curvatures providing an approximately zero diopter value throughout a horizontal field of view of approximately 180 degrees when said lenses are under above water; and means for mounting said lenses on a face of a user so that a spherical center of curvature of each of said lenses substantially coincides with a center of rotation of a corresponding eye of said user.
10. An underwater diving mask comprising:
a flexible portion, two generally hemispherically-shaped lenses, having peripheral edges, mounted on said flexible portion; means for releasably securing said flexible portion to a face of a user, said peripheral edges of said hemispherically-shaped lenses being shaped to substantially fit contours of said user's face so that a spherical center of curvature of each of said hemispherically-shaped lenses substantially coincides with an optical nodal point of a corresponding eye of said user's face; and retractable corrective lenses mounted to said hemispherically-shaped lenses.
43. A method of fabricating a diving mask comprising the steps of:
forming two hemispherically-shaped lenses, each of said lenses having an outer surface radius of curvature greater than 2.5 inches, and inner and outer curvatures providing an approximately zero diopter value under water; measuring the contours of a user's face; forming said lenses to substantially fit said contours of said user's face; and mounting said lenses on a flexible portion so that a spherical center of curvature of each of said hemispherically-shaped lenses substantially coincides with a center of rotation of a corresponding eye of said user's face.
23. An underwater diving mask comprising:
a flexible gasket; two generally hemispherically-shaped lenses mounted on said flexible gasket, each of said lenses having an outer surface radius of curvature greater than 2.5 inches, and inner and outer curvatures providing an approximately zero diopter value under above water; and means for releasably securing said diving mask to a face of a user, said hemispherically-shaped lenses being mounted on said flexible gasket so that a spherical center of curvature of each of said hemispherically-shaped lenses substantially coincides with a center of rotation of a corresponding eye of said user's face.
18. A method of fabricating a diving mask comprising the steps of:
forming two hemispherically-shaped lenses, each of said lenses having an outer surface radius of curvature greater than 2.5 inches, and inner and outer curvatures providing an approximately zero diopter valise under value above water; measuring the contours of a user's face; forming peripheral edges of said lenses to substantially fit said contours of said user's face; and mounting said lenses on a flexible portion so that a spherical center of curvature of each of said lenses when mounted on said flexible portion substantially coincides with an optical modal nodal point of a corresponding eye of said user's face.
44. A method of fabricating a diving mask comprising the steps of:
selecting two hemispherically-shaped lenses of a predetermined size, each of said lenses having an approximately zero diopter value throughout a horizontal field of view of approximately 180 degrees when said lenses are under above water; selecting a flexible gasket of a predetermined size to fit a user's face; selecting a support portion of a predetermined size; attached said support portion to said flexible gasket; and mounting said lenses on said support portion so that a spherical center of curvature of each of said hemispherically-shaped lenses substantially coincides with a center of rotation of a corresponding eye of said user's face.
22. A method of fabricating a diving mask comprising the steps of:
forming two hemispherically-shaped lenses, each of said lenses having an outer surface radius of curvature greater than 2.5 inches, and inner anal and outer curvatures providing on approximately zero diopter value under above water; measuring the contours of a user's face; forming a contoured portion to substantially fit said contours of said user's face; attaching said contoured portion to a flexible portion; and mounting said lenses on said contoured portion so that a spherical center of curvature of each of said lenses when mounted on said contoured portion substantially coincides with an optical nodal point of a corresponding eye of said user's face.
8. An underwater diving mask comprising:
a flexible portion, two generally hemispherically-shaped lenses, having peripheral edges, mounted on said flexible portion; and means for releasably securing said flexible portion to a face of a user, said peripheral edges of said hemispherically-shaped lenses being shaped to substantially fit contours of said user's face so that a spherical center of curvature of each said hemispherically-shaped lenses substantially coincides with an optical nodal point of a corresponding eye of said user's face, wherein said flexible portion includes a skirt portion having an elongated cavity therein and aperture passing into said cavity from outside said skirt portion so that water fills said cavity when said diving mask is used under water.
51. An underwater diving mask comprising:
two generally hemispherically-shaped lenses, each of said lenses having an outer surface radius of curvature greater than 2.5 inches, and inner and outer curvatures providing an approximately zero diopter value through a horizontal field of view of approximately 180 degrees when said lenses are under above water; a translucent baffle attached to said lenses, wherein said translucent baffle inhibits a right eye of a user from viewing through the left hemispherically-shaped lens and a left eye of the user from viewing through the right hemispherically-shaped lens; and means for mounting said lens on a face of the user so that a spherical center of curvature of each of said lenses substantially coincides with a corresponding eye of said user.
13. An underwater diving mask comprising:
two generally hemispherically-shaped lenses; and means for mounting said lenses on a face of a user so that a spherical center of curvature of each of said lenses substantially coincides with an optical nodal point of a corresponding eye of said user, wherein said mounting means comprises: a flexible portion; a contoured portion attached to said flexible portion and said lenses and sized to substantially fit contours of said user's face; and means for releasably securing said flexible portion to said user's face; wherein said flexible portion has a skirt portion having an elongated cavity therein and apertures passing into said cavity from outside said skirt portion so that water fills said cavity when said diving mask is used under water. 1. An underwater diving mask comprising:
a flexible portion, two generally hemispherically-shaped lenses, having peripheral edges, mounted on said flexible portion, each of said lenses having an outer surface radius of curvature grater than 2.5 inches and inner and outer curvatures providing an approximately zero diopter value throughout a horizontal field of view of approximately 180 degrees when said lenses are under above water; and means for releasably securing said flexible portion to a face of a user, said peripheral edges of said hemispherically-shaped lenses being shaped to substantially fit contours of said user's face so that a spherical center of curvature of each of said hemispherically-shaped lenses substantially coincides with an optical nodal point of a corresponding eye of said user's face.
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a flexible portion; a contoured portion attached to said flexible portion and said lenses and sized to substantially fit contours of said user's face; and means for releasably securing said flexible portion to said user's face.
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This application is a continuation-in-part of International Application No. PCT/US92/07321, filed Aug. 28, 1992, entitled "DIVING MASK WITH LENSES AND METHOD OF FABRICATING THE SAME," which designated the U.S.; and which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/750,988, filed Aug. 28, 1991 now abandoned, and entitled "DIVING MASK WITH FITTED LENSES AND METHOD OF FABRICATING THE SAME."
The present invention relates generally to underwater face masks and, more particularly, to underwater diving masks having eyepieces or lenses mounted on a flexible gasket.
In the past, a variety of underwater face masks have been used for sporting and other activities such as skin and scuba diving. Early underwater face masks typically had several common features, including a contiguous air space shared by the diver's nose and eyes, generally flat, glass or plastic windows, eyepieces or ports fixed approximately perpendicularly to the wearer's straight-ahead viewing axis, and a flexible rubber or plastic support structure for holding the ports in position and trapping an air pocket against the wearer's face. A contiguous air pocket over both the wearer's nose and eyes, as opposed to a mask covering the eyes only, allows for equalizing pressure inside the mask with ambient water pressure as the wearer ascends and descends in the water. Such equalization is necessary to avoid injury to the wearer.
Such conventional flat-window face masks share a variety of shortcomings. The windows or eyepieces of conventional flat-window masks must be supported out from the face. Above and below water, the wearer's horizontal and vertical fields of view are severely limited by the flexible rubber or plastic structures providing such support, thereby creating a sense of "tunnel vision" and a closed-in, claustrophobic feeling. Above water, conventional flat-window masks provide no more than a 140 degree horizontal by 90 degree vertical field of view. Below water, because of the refraction-induced magnification distortion of an air-water viewing system, discussed more fully hereinbelow, this field of view is effectively reduced to approximately 105 degrees horizontal by 67.5 degrees vertical.
Additionally, conventional flat-window masks suffer quite significant magnification-distortion problems from the difference in refractive indices between water and air. Specifically, objects viewed on an axis perpendicular to the window appear approximately 33% larger and 25% closer than they actually are. The magnification-distortion of objects viewed off-axis is even larger.
Further, conventional flat-window masks create a significant amount of hydrodynamic drag and present a significant risk of slipping off the wearer's face if hit by an unanticipated or oblique-angle wave or current.
These and other flat-window mask problems have attempted to be overcome, with less than satisfactory results, by spherically-shaped eyepieces or lenses used for underwater masks. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,899,244, issued to Mulder on Aug. 12, 1975, and 3,672,270, issued to Hagen on Jun. 27, 1972, disclose underwater masks that use built-in corrective lenses in addition to spherically-shaped lenses to improve viewing under water. As such, these masks do not provide optimum viewing characteristics under water without the use of additional corrective lenses. Other single and multiple lens systems used for underwater face masks that do not provide optimum viewing conditions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,944,345, issued to Decorato on Mar. 16, 1976; 3,040,616, issued to Simpson on Jun. 26, 962; 2,088,262, issued to Grano on Jul. 27, 1937; 2,928,097, issued to Neufeld on Mar. 15, 1960; and 1,742,412, issued to O'Flanagan on Jan. 7, 1930.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,398, issued to Faulconer on Aug. 26, 1986, discloses a strap and retainer used for a diver's mask. U.S. Pat. No. 3,051,957, issued to Chan on Sep. 4, 1962, describes a diving mask having a supporting device used to hold the eyeglasses of a diver. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,120, issued to Hart on Aug. 15, 1989, describes a purge valve used for a diving mask and a deflector attached to the mask and used to channel air bubbles expelled during purging to the sides of the mask. Another purge valve used for a diver's mask is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,241,898, issued to Segrest on Dec. 30, 1980.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a diving mask which furnishes improved viewing characteristics under water.
It is another object of this invention to provide a diving mask which furnishes improved viewing characteristics under water, and may be used under water by divers who do not have to wear contact lenses or eyeglasses to correct eyesight when not under water.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a diving mask which furnishes improved viewing characteristics under water, and may be used under water by divers while not wearing contact lenses which correct eyesight above water.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a diving mask which furnishes improved viewing characteristics under water, and may be used under water by divers while wearing contact lenses which correct eyesight above water.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a diving mask which may be used both above and under water.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a diving mask which may be used both above and under water with additional corrective lenses if desired.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a diving mask which furnishes a secure seal between the mask and the wearer's face.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a method of fabricating such a diving mask.
These and other objects and advantages are attained by a diving mask having hemispherically-shaped lenses mounted on a flexible gasket and fitted to the contours of a user's face. Laser scanning or topographical mapping is used to determine the contours of a user's face. The perimeter edges of the hemispherically-shaped lenses are then sized to fit the contours of the face. As a result, the spherical center of each of the hemispherically-shaped lenses substantially coincides with the optical nodal point of one of the user's eyes. This improvement virtually eliminates the phenomenon of underwater magnification-distortion caused by the difference in refractive indices of water and air. Improved horizontal and vertical fields of view are also provided by the hemispherically-shaped lenses. A secure seal is provided between the diving mask and a user's face by the flexible gasket.
Another embodiment of the diving mask is provided having a standard pair of hemispherically-shaped lenses mounted on a contoured portion of the mask which is fitted to the contours of a user's face. The contoured portion is mounted on a flexible gasket.
In still another embodiment of the diving mask, the hemispherically-shaped lenses are designed so that the spherical center of curvature of each of the lenses substantially coincides with the center of rotation of one of a user's eyes.
In still another embodiment of the diving mask, a shaft is mounted on the hemispherically-shaped lenses. The shaft is coupled to a pair of retractable corrective lenses, and may be used to lower the corrective lenses to a position in front of a user's eyes and to raise the lenses to a position above the eyes. The corrective lenses may be used by near- and far-sighted users.
In still another embodiment of the diving mask, the hemispherically-shaped lenses are mounted on a support portion having a peripheral flange. The support portion, in turn, is mounted on a flexible gasket of selected size. The diving mask may have at least one purge valve in the support portion.
In still another embodiment, a diving mask is provided having a purge valve in at least one of the hemispherically-shaped lenses. The purge valve is located at the front and bottom of the lens and in an area used to collect water which has leaked into the mask. The collecting area is angled to facilitate expelling water from the diving mask through the purge valve so that exhaust bubbles pass toward the back of the mask, away from the field of vision of a diver.
In still another embodiment, the diving mask is provided with a bottom lens which facilitates drainage of water from the mask. The bottom lens may also be used for viewing both above and below the water. The diving mask may also have an additional lens mounted inside the mask which may be used by either nearsighted or farsighted divers. A member may be joined to the additional lens in order to provide trapped dry-air volume inside the mask.
In still another embodiment of the diving mask, a baffle may be used with textured or coated surfaces in order to provide a translucent member for the purpose of eliminating double vision. Also, the ends of the lenses may be bent or formed inwardly toward a diver's face in order to provide a reduced air volume inside the mask.
In still another embodiment of the mask, hemispherically-shaped meniscus lenses are used to provide reduced weight and a reduced air volume inside the mask. The curvatures of the inner and outer surfaces of the meniscus lenses are chosen to produce an effective zero diopter value under water. The spherical centers of curvature of the meniscus lenses are located beneath the centers of a diver's eye in order to reduce the weight of the mask and to improve drainage.
In still another embodiment of the diving mask, a perimeter clamp is used to clamp a conventional face seal to a support portion of the mask. Integral housings may be formed in the support portion for purge valves. Integral housings for the purge valve may also be formed in the perimeter clamp. A purge valve is provided for each lens.
The various features of the present invention will be best understood together with further objects and advantages by reference to the following description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The following specification taken in conjunction with the drawings sets forth the preferred embodiments of the present invention in such a manner that any person skilled in the art can make or use the invention. The embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are the best modes contemplated by the inventor for carrying out his invention in a commercial environment, although it should be understood that various modifications can be accomplished within the parameters of the present invention.
The lenses 12 are preferably made of plastic, glass, or the like. However, any transparent, optically clear material may be used for the lenses 12. The thickness of the lenses 12 preferably has a range of approximately from about {fraction (1/20)}-inch to about ½-inch. However, any thickness may be used. It is important to note that any minimum thickness that provides structural integrity may be used for the lenses 12. The diving mask 10 is secured to the face 16 of a user by straps 18 that are preferably fused or otherwise attached to the lenses 12 by, for example, members 17, or the like. As shown in
The flexible gasket or portion 14 is preferably made out of a flexible or elastic plastic or rubber material such as silicone, neoprene, or the like. However, any other flexible material may be used for portion 14. A nose portion 22 of flexible portion 14 is also provided so that a seal is furnished between the user's face 16 and the diving mask 10, and an air space is provided between the lenses 12 and the user's eyes 24 and face 16 under the lenses 12. The air space provides air pressure inside the diving mask 10 which counteracts the ambient water pressure that exists outside the mask 10 when the user is under water and protects the user's eyes 24.
As discussed below, the contours of the user's face are scanned or topographically mapped and the lenses 12 are shaped to closely fit the contours of the user's face 16.
In order to provide optimum viewing characteristics under water, the edges or ends 42 of the lenses 12 (see
The outside diameter of the hemispherically-shaped lenses 12 also determines the distance from the lenses 12 that a user's eyes 24 must focus in order to see an image formed by an object under water. The theoretical basis for this is Snell's Law of Refraction, which for a basic hemispherical lens and paraxial light rays may be expressed as:
where:
n=the index of refraction of the medium in which the object is located;
n1=the index of refraction of the lens;
s=the distance of the object from the outer surface of the lens;
s1=the location of the image formed from the outer surface of the lens; and
R=the radius of curvature of the lens.
Using n=1.34, the index of refraction of salt water, and n=1.49, the index of refraction of plexiglass, the following table indicates the distances from the front surface (cornea) of a user's eye 24 that the eye 24 must focus for different diameter hemispherically-shaped lenses having a lens thickness of 0.25 inches to clearly see the apparent image of an object located at different distances from the lenses. All dimensions are presented in inches. The chart assumes a distance from a center of rotation 150 of a person's eye to the outer surface of the cornea to be 0.5 inch. The importance of the center of rotation 150 is discussed later in connection with
Exterior | To focus from | To focus from | To focus from | To focus from | To focus from |
Dome | cornea to object | cornea to object | cornea to object | cornea to object | cornea to object |
Diameter | at 12 inches | at 25 inches | at 50 inches | at 120 inches | at ∞ |
3.0 | 3.167 | 3.628 | 3.890 | 4.062 | 4.195 |
3.5 | 3.737 | 4.364 | 4.733 | 4.979 | 5.172 |
4.0 | 4.261 | 5.067 | 5.556 | 5.888 | 6.151 |
4.5 | 4.743 | 5.738 | 6.358 | 6.787 | 7.131 |
5.0 | 5.188 | 6.379 | 7.140 | 7.677 | 8.113 |
5.5 | 5.600 | 6.991 | 7.903 | 8.557 | 9.095 |
6.0 | 5.983 | 7.577 | 8.647 | 9.427 | 10.077 |
6.5 | 6.840 | 8.138 | 9.374 | 10.288 | 11.060 |
7.0 | 6.672 | 8.675 | 10.082 | 11.139 | 12.044 |
7.5 | 6.984 | 9.191 | 10.774 | 11.981 | 13.027 |
8.0 | 7.275 | 9.685 | 11.449 | 12.814 | 14.011 |
8.5 | 7.549 | 10.161 | 12.108 | 13.638 | 14.995 |
9.0 | 7.807 | 10.617 | 12.752 | 14.453 | 15.979 |
Taking an example where n=1.34, the index of refraction of salt water; n1=1.34, the index of refraction of plexiglass; R=2.75 inches, the radius of curvature of a 5.5 inch diameter dome lens; and s=22.75 inches, the distance from the lens' outer surface of an object 25 inches from an eye's corneal surface, the solution for s1 is -342.085 inches; i.e., the image is formed 342.085 inches from the dome lens' outer surface on the opposite side relative to the object.
The above equation is then solved for this image using the inside surface of the dome lens in which s, the object distance, is now -342.335 inches (compensating for the 0.25 inch thickness of the dome lens), n=1.49 (for the plexiglass), n1=1 (for air), and R=2.5 inches (compensating for the 0.25 inch thickness of the dome lens). This results in a value for s1-4.991 inches, i.e., the image seen by the user is 4.991 inches from the inside surface of the dome lens toward the object. Add to this 0.25 inches for the inside radius of the dome lens, less the 0.5 inch for the distance from the center of rotation of the eyeball to the outer corneal surface, to arrive at 6.991 inches, as indicated in the chart for a 5.5 inche diameter dome and a 25 inch object distance.
The exterior diameter of the hemispherically-shaped lenses 12 preferably has a range of from about 4.25 inches to about 9 inches. However, any size diameter may be used for the lenses 12 depending on the wearer's vision, e.g., myopic wearers may opt for smaller sized domes.
Referring now to
A secure seal is provided between the flexible gasket 14 and the user's face 16. The skirt portion 32 of the gasket 14 has a plurality of apertures 44 passing through body portion 35 and into elongated cavity 37. The apertures 44 preferably are spaced about 0.5 inch apart along cavity 37 and cause the cavity 37 to fill with water when a user is under water, so that pressure inside the cavity 37 is equal to ambient water pressure, which provides a cushioning effect against the user's face 16.
In order to fit the perimeter edges 42 of the lenses 12 to the contours of a user's face 16, laser scanning or topographical mapping may be used to accurately determine the contours of the face 16. Apparatus and technique which may be used for laser scanning a user's face are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,636,250, issued to Haeff on Jan. 18, 1972, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. However, any available technique, including any high-speed, optical scanning technique or topographical mapping technique, may be used to determine the contours of a user's face 16.
Edges or surfaces 50 and 52 of the contoured portion 46 are shaped to closely fit the contours of a user's face 16 using laser scanning or topographical mapping as discussed above. Contoured portion 46 may be made out of plastic, or any desirable material, and edges 50 and 52 may be cut, shaped, molded or otherwise formed to fit the contours of the user's face 16.
It is important to note that edges 50 and 52 and extension 48 of the contoured portion 46 may have any desirable configurations or shapes, and the configuration and shape of clevis arms 56 and channel 58 of the skirt portion 32 may also be varied or designed to provide any desirable joint between portions 32 and 46. The skirt portion 32 preferably has the elongated cavity 37, apertures 44 and flexible curved extensions 34 discussed above.
The standard pair of lenses 12 may be attached to the contoured portion 46 by engaging end or perimeter edge 62 of the lenses 12 in groove 54 provided in portion 46 by force fitting, using adhesive 64, by fusion of the parts, welding, or by any suitable fastening or clamping means. Also, the configuration or shape of end 62 and groove 54 may be varied to provide any desirable joint.
A majority of divers may use the above described diving mask 10 because the preferred exterior diameter of the lenses 12 has a range of from about 4.25 inches to about 9.0 inches, resulting in focusing distances of from about 4.5 inches to about 16.0 inches in front of the diving mask. Most divers will be able to focus their eyes within these distances. Therefore, most divers will be able to use the diving mask 10 without the need to use corrective lenses.
The different sizes of hemispherically-shaped lenses 12 yield different effective diopter values under water. Diopter, as is well known in the art, is a unit of measurement of the refractive power of lenses equal to the reciprocal of the focal length measured in meters. The following table lists the effective diopter values under water for different sizes of hemispherically-shaped lenses. For purposes of calculating the diopter values, the distance from the center of rotation 150 of a person's eye to the outer surface of the cornea was assumed to be 0.5 inch, the wall thickness of the lens 12 was assumed to be 0.075 inch, 1.34 was used for the index of refraction of salt water, and 1.586 was used for the index of refraction for the polycarbonate material which forms lenses 12.
Exterior | Effective Diopter | |
Dome Diameter | Values Under Water | |
3.0 | -7.934 | |
3.5 | -6.628 | |
4.0 | -5.690 | |
4.5 | -4.985 | |
5.0 | -4.435 | |
5.5 | -3.995 | |
6.0 | -3.634 | |
6.5 | -3.333 | |
7.0 | -3.077 | |
7.5 | -2.859 | |
8.0 | -2.669 | |
8.5 | -2.503 | |
9.0 | -2.356 | |
As indicated in the above table, the preferred exterior diameter range of the lens 12 from about 4.25 inches to about 9.0 inches results in an effective negative diopter range under water of from about -5.3 to about -2.4. Effective negative diopter values for lenses with exterior diameter sizes below 4.25 increase significantly and at a much faster rate as the lenses get smaller. Therefore, most divers will not be able to use the smaller size of lenses (i.e., below 4.25 inches) without corrective lenses, because of the larger effective negative diopter values yielded by these smaller lenses under water. A majority of divers are represented by individuals who are under about 30 years of age and either have 20--20 vision or are near-sighted. These divers under 30 years of age have the ability to accommodate excessive negative diopter values because of the elasticity of the focusing parts (muscle, etc.) of their eyes. Therefore, a majority of divers will be able to accommodate the negative diopter range of lenses 12 having an exterior diameter range of from about 4.25 inches to about 9.0 inches. Although the elasticity of the focusing parts of an eye decreases with age, some older divers will also be able to accommodate excessive negative diopter values.
Flanges 76 of an upper portion 78 of the sleeve 68 bear against the gasket 70 helping to provide a seal. In addition, an O-ring seal 77 is provided in upper portion 78 as shown in FIG. 8. Also, an annular portion 80 at the inside cylindrical surface of the gasket 70 engages an annular groove 82 in the outer cylindrical surface of the sleeve, providing a further seal.
The rotating shaft 66 has a pin 84 attached to an upper portion 86 thereof which slidably engages an elongated slot 87 in the sleeve 68 so that the shaft 66 may be grasped by a knob 88 at the top of the shaft 66 and pulled upward. The shaft 66 also has a lower portion 90 which is connected to the upper portion 86 by a connecting member 92 having upper and lower balls 94 and 96, respectively, attached thereto. Upper ball 94 rotatably engages a spherically-shaped cavity 98 in the upper portion 86 of the shaft 66 so that a universal joint is provided and upper portion 86 is free to rotate about its longitudinal axis. Another pin 100 is attached to the lower portion 90 of the shaft 66. This pin 100 also slidably engages elongated slot 87 in the sleeve 68 which also allows the lower portion 90 of the shaft 66 to be moved upward by pulling upward on the knob 88.
Pin 100 also slidably engages elongated slots 102 in slotted arms 104. The slotted arms 104 are pivotally engaged at one end of each arm to pins 106 attached to lugs 108 at opposite slides of the sleeve 68. Elongated members 110 attached to a pair of retractable corrective lenses 112 are attached to the other ends of the slotted arms 104.
In order to position the corrective lenses 112 in a position in front of a user's eyes 24 as shown in
As the shaft 66 moves downward, the corrective lenses 112 rotate as indicated by arrow 120 in
If the user wishes to lower the lenses 112 again to a position in front of his or her eyes 24, then knob 88 may be rotated so that pin 84 disengages from slot 89, and the lenses 112 may be lowered as described above.
Another embodiment of a shaft 182 is shown in
An elongated member 111, attached to a pair of retractable corrective lenses 112, passes through an aperture 188 in the shaft 182, near the lower end of the shaft 182. Member 111 may be welded to the shaft 182, or otherwise attached to shaft 182 by adhesive, or the like.
The sleeve 178 has an elongated slot 180 passing therethrough, which allows the corrective lenses 112 to be raised and lowered, by grasping knob 88 at the top of the shaft 182, and by pulling upward or pushing downward on the knob 88. Downward movement of the lenses 112 may be stopped by sizing the shaft 182 and sleeve 178 so that elongated member 111 comes into contact with lower end 186 of the slot 180, or bottom surface 114 of the knob 88 comes into contact with the top 116 of upper portion 78 of the sleeve 178.
The O-ring seal 77 holds the shaft 182 in place when the corrective lenses 112 are in an upward position, as illustrated by dashed lines in FIG. 18. Any other desirable means may be used to hold the shaft 178 in the upward position.
One or more purge valves 126 may be used for the diving mask 10. For example, one valve 126 may be used for each lens 12. Also, only one purge valve 126 may be used for the diving mask 10, and a diver may tilt his or her head back and forth to move water from the lens 12 without the valve 126 to the lens 12 with the valve 126 prior to purging the water from the mask 10.
Each of the lenses 12 having one of the purge valves 126 preferably has a collecting area 128 near the front and bottom of such lens 12 as shown in FIG. 14. The collecting area 128 is preferably formed as shown in
Water that has entered the lens 12 of the diving mask 10 past the flexible gasket 14 will move toward the bottom of the lens 12 and into the collecting area 128. Angles 130 and 132, help to prevent collected water from sloshing out of the collecting area 128. Also, the location of the purge valve 126 at the bottom of the collecting area 128 and angles 130 and 132 help to direct bubbles formed when water is exhausted out of the valve 126 toward the back of the diving mask 10, away from the field of vision of a diver.
Angles 130 and 132 help to prevent water from sloshing or moving out of the collecting area 128 when a diver's head is in a vertical position as shown in
As illustrated in
It is the intention of this invention that any suitable means may be used to mount the lenses 12 on the flexible gasket 14 so that the center of curvature of the lenses 12 substantially coincides with the center of rotation 150 of the eyes 24 of a diver. As such, alignment of the centers of curvature and rotation may be achieved by fitting or forming the lenses 12 to match the contours of a diver's face 16, or a standard pair of lenses 12 may be mounted on a contoured portion of the mask 10 fitted or formed to match the contours of the diver's face 16, all as described in the above discussion. In addition, predetermined sizes may be selected for the flexible gasket 14, clamp 134 and flange 136 in order to mount different sizes of lenses 12 on the diving mask 10 so that the centers of curvature and rotation are aligned within an acceptable zone of misalignment, as discussed below.
The optical nodal point 26 of a diver's eyes 24 is the point at which the spherical center of curvature of the lenses 12 should align or coincide with if the eyes 24 do not pan, tilt or rotate in their eye sockets. The optical nodal point 26 is about 7 mm behind the front surface of the cornea of an eye. However, because a diver's eyes 24 move in their sockets, the spherical center of curvature of the lenses 12 should align or coincide with the center of rotation 150 of the diver's eyes 24 to achieve optimum vision through the lenses 12.
It is the intention of the present invention to substantially align the centers of curvature and rotation 15 in order to achieve improved vision through the hemispherically-shaped lenses 12 of the diving mask 10. Radius 154 shown in
The two hemispherically-shaped lenses 12 are joined along edge 20. As a result, the distance 164 between edge 20 and the bridge 166 of a diver's nose 168 should be minimized to prevent vision distortion through the lenses 12 due to edge 20. Preferably, distance 164 has a range of from about 1 cm to about 50 cm.
The present invention will allow a majority of divers to use standard lenses 12 mounted on the diving mask 10 that have centers of spherical curvature that fall within the predetermined acceptable zone of misalignment or within region 152. However, larger diameter lenses 12 will provide a larger predetermined acceptable zone of misalignment than smaller diameter lenses 12. Therefore, for purposes of the present invention, the exterior diameter of the lenses 12 preferably has a range of from about 4.25 inches to about 9 inches.
The support portion 169 shown in
It is intended that different sizes (or standard sizes) of flexible gaskets 14 may be selected and used with the lenses 12 and support 169, and different sizes (or standard sizes) of flexible gaskets 14 may be selected and used with the lenses 12 and support 169, so that the spherical center of curvature of each lens 12 substantially coincides with the optical nodal point of a user's eye, or with the center of rotation of a user's eye, or falls within a predetermined acceptable zone of misalignment, as described above.
It is important to note that the sizes of the flexible gasket 14, clamp 134 and flange 136 may be chosen to fit or accommodate any desirable size lens 12. Nearsighted divers may use smaller size lenses 12. If desired, the diving mask 10 of
The lens 190 shown in
The plano-plano flat lens 192 of
Locating the bottom lens 190 at the bottom of the hemispherically-shaped lenses 12 forms a collecting area 198, which aids in draining water toward the purge valves 126. Furthermore, the collecting area 198 keeps water from flowing into the lenses 12 when a diver tilts his or her head in a downward direction in order to look straight down.
The diving mask 10 may also be manufactured with bottom lenses 190 which may be used by nearsighted divers. Three such bottom lenses 190 are shown in
The bottom lens 190 of
Another bottom lens 190 used for the diving mask 10 is shown in
Corrective lens 216 has a groove 228 which extends around the periphery or perimeter of the lens 216. Corresponding grooves 230 and 232 exist in flange portion 194 and peripheral flange 174, respectively. A seal 234 fits in grooves 228, 232 and 234, and is used to keep fluid in trapped space 226, when lens 216 is installed in bottom lens 19, as described below.
The bottom lens 190 design of
Space 226 is filled with fluid prior to installation of lens 216 in order to avoid a trapped air space between lens 192 and 216. Snapping lens 216 into place in bottom lens 190 with a trapped air space will cause problems, because air compresses as a diver descends under water, and expands as the diver ascends. As the air expands, this may cause lens 216 to unseat or come loose from bottom lens 190. Also, trapped air may condense during diving, causing moisture buildup on lenses 192 and 216, which may result in fogging. Also, Newton rings--or diffraction lines of interference--may occur due to differences in pressure, which could cause lenses 192 and 216 to contact each other, making it difficult to see through the bottom lens 190.
The above problems may be solved by installing the lens 216, for example, in a bucket of distilled water. A diver may simply use his or her fingers to push the corrective lens 216 into place in the bottom lens 190 so that seal 234 is engaged in grooves 228, 230 and 232, and the distilled water fills the space 226. Other suitable fluid may be used instead of the distilled water. The lens 216 may be removed from the bottom lens 190 using a suction-cup tool, and replaced with another lens 216.
A diver cannot see clearly above water through lenses 12 when wearing the diving mask 10 of
Locating the bottom lenses 190 at the bottom of the hemispherically-shaped lens 12 provides significant advantages. Prior to jumping into the water from a boat, a diver must be able to glance down to ensure that no obstacles or other divers are in the way. While wearing the diving mask 10, a diver may easily look downward through the bottom lens 190 prior to jumping into the water. Also, while floating upright in the water and looking toward a boat or the shore, a diver typically tilts his or her head in a backward direction to keep water out of his or her mouth. Clear vision is provided through the bottom lenses 190 of the diving mask 10 while the diver tilts his or her head backward.
Water which has seeped into the diving mask 10 may enter air space 246 between convex surface 238 of lens 236 and inside surface 242 of the hemispherically-shaped lens 12. As a result, water droplets may form on surfaces 238 and 242, causing optical distortion through the lenses 12 and 236.
This problem is solved by the embodiment of the diving mask 10 shown in
The trapped dry-air space 248 provides important advantages. Space 248 causes the diving mask 10 to float, aiding retrieval of the mask when dropped or separated from a diver. As a result of the trapped dry-air space 248, the internal air volume of the diving mask 10 is reduced, making it easier for a diver to clear the mask 10 of water that has seeped into the mask 10. Also, dry-air space 248 reduces the amount of air volume required to compensate for hyperbaric pressure when descending under water.
Note that the bottom lenses 190 of
As shown in
Another embodiment of the diving mask 10 is shown in FIG. 27. This embodiment has a translucent baffle 251 attached near edge 20 where the hemispherically-shaped lenses 12 are joined. The baffle 251 is positioned parallel to a straight-ahead field-of-view through the mask 10. The sides of the baffle 251 may be textured as represented by numeral 254, or may be coated by any suitable material, which will provide a translucent baffle that allows light to pass through the baffle, but not the detail of an image. The translucent baffle 251 prevents double vision which occurs in the centermost stereoscopic field of view when large size lenses 12 are used, and when the left eye 24 sees through the right lens 12, and the right eye 24 sees through the left lens 12.
A vast majority of divers currently wear contact lenses when using their diving masks under water. There is a need for a diving mask 10 that can be used to provide improved viewing characteristics under water, and may be used by divers under water while wearing contact lenses which correct eyesight above water. Such a mask 10 could be used by both a diver who does not need contacts or eyeglasses, or by a diver who needs corrective lenses to see clearly above water.
The curvatures of outer surfaces 258 and inner surfaces 260 and 266 of the lenses 256 and 262 are sized to yield an effective zero diopter value under water. AS a result, a diver with 20--20 vision, or vision corrected by contact lenses, may then use the diving mask 10 to see clearly under water. Lenses 256 and 262 are designed by first selecting an outer surface 258 of a particular curvature, and then varying the curvature of the inner surfaces 260 and 266 to yield lenses 256 and 262 having a zero diopter value under water.
The spherical centers of curvatures 268 and 278 of the outer and inner surfaces 258 and 266, respectively, of lens 262 are not coplanar, or do not fall on a plane 271 passing through the center 272 of a diver's eye 24. The spherical center of curvature 278 of inner surface 266 is located a distance 180 behind the center 272 of eye 24. Also, note that spherical center of curvature 278 of inner surface 266 is offset a distance 281 from center of curvatures 270 of the inner surface 260, such that line 283, passing through centers 268 and 278 forms an angle 285 with line 271. Preferably, angle 285 has a range of from about zero degrees to about 15 degrees. However, angle 285 may have any desired value.
Surfaces 284 and 286 of lenses 256 and 262, respectively, may be textured or coated with any suitable material to provide a translucent effect in order to prevent double vision, as explained above.
Meniscus lens 256 has a thickness 264 that is larger than the maximum thickness 282 of meniscus lens 262. As a result, lens 262 is lighter than lens 256. The curvature of inside surface 266 of lens 262 causes a slight degree of coma, or a slight distortion where a fringe is produced, for peripheral vision. However, such coma effect is so minimal to almost be imperceptible.
For an outer surface 258 diameter of 5.5 inches, the thickness 264 of lens 256 is about 20 mm, and the thickness of lens 262 is about 16.3 mm. The radius of inner surface 260 is a bout 120 mm, and the radius of inner surface 266 is about 126 mm.
The main curvatures of surfaces 260 and 266 are also chosen (designed) so that the lenses 256 and 262 provide increased peripheral vision. Note in
It is the intention of this invention to provide a diving mask 10 using the meniscus lens 256 or 262, which furnishes optimal peripheral vision and decreased trapped air space inside the mask, while still furnishing clearances for a diver's face. The meniscus lenses 256 and 262 described above, having an outside surface 258 with a 5.5 inch diameter furnishes the above-mentioned advantages.
The lenses 256 and 262 are designed so that the centers of spherical curvature 294 of the outside and inside surfaces 258, 260 and 266 of the lenses are located below the centers 272 of a diver's eye 24, when the lenses are viewed vertically as shown in FIG. 33. Center 294 represents either of the centers 268, 270 and 278 shown in FIG. 34. Locating center 294 below center 272 of the eye results in reduced weight for the lenses 256 and 262 because the thicker portion of the lenses is located near the bottom lens 190, and is reduced in size to form bottom lens 190. Also, as discussed below, drainage is improved due to locating center 294 below the center 272 of the eye 24.
As best shown in
The perimeter clamp 296 may be a bezel clamp and is used to clamp the face seal 298 to the support portion 169. The perimeter clamp 304 and support portion 169 have grooves 308 and 310, respectively, which engage extensions 312 integrally formed in the face seal 298. As shown in
Preferably, one of the housings 306 is used for each lens 12 of the mask. As described above, the housings are angled to direct air bubbles away from the diver's field of view toward the back of the mask 10.
As discussed above in connection with
As explained above, surfaces 286 may be textured or coated to provide translucent surfaces in order to prevent double vision.
Meniscus lenses 256 may be used for the diving mask instead of lenses 262, described above. Any suitable optical material may be used for the lenses 12,256 and 262, such as polycarbonate, glass, or any other refractive material. Any parts or features of the diving mask 10 described above may be used in combination with any other parts.
The above description discloses the preferred embodiments of the present invention. However, persons of ordinary skill in the art are capable of numerous modifications once taught these principles. Accordingly, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and details may be made to the above-detailed embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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