WO2004087023A1

WO2004087023A1 - Magnetic safety glasses

Info

Publication number: WO2004087023A1
Application number: PCT/AU2004/000442
Authority: WO
Inventors: Damien Charles Bryan
Original assignee: Damien Charles Bryan
Priority date: 2003-04-01
Filing date: 2004-04-01
Publication date: 2004-10-14
Also published as: AU2003204182A1

Abstract

Safety glasses (10) are provided with a magnetic insert (16) to catch metal particles and to prevent the metal particles from irritating eyes.

Description

MAGNETIC SAFETY GLASSES Field of the Invention.

This invention is directed to safety glasses which contain magnetic areas to attract fine steel dust particles and to prevent the dust particles from injuring a person's eyes. The invention is also directed to magnetic glasses of a particular design containing magnetic areas of a particular design.

Background Art. Safety glasses are widely used in industry. The safety glasses contain protective glass lenses. Many safety glasses are quite bulky and contain thick and wide side frames and front frames to provide protection against being struck. Other safety glasses are more "goggle like" in shape and extend quite far in front of the person's eyes and require top and bottom horizontal portions to provide a loose seal and protection.

The larger and more bulky safety glasses can be quite uncomfortable to wear and there has therefore been a tendency to provide a more "slimline" type of safety glasses which is more lightweight and easier to wear but still provides an acceptable amount of protection.

Safety glasses are widely used when cutting or grinding materials and particularly metal materials. The cutting or grinding tools typically comprise a fast spinning wheel. The cutting or grinding action results in a mass of fine metal particles being flung away from the wheel. While some of the metal particles are relatively large and will fall to the floor, there is an undesirable level of very fine dust like metal particles which stay suspended in the air.

These very fine dust like particles can find their way through small openings or gaps in the safety glasses and will ultimately lodge in the person's eye. As the eye is moist, these metallic dust like particles can rust which can create irritation and pain.

One solution would be to wear goggles which completely seal around the person's eyes, however these goggles would be uncomfortable to wear and would tend to fog from the inside creating a hazard situation.

Another solution would be to wear larger and more bulky safety glasses but these are uncomfortable to wear.

It is known to provide magnetic clips and attachments to enable sunglasses to be magnetically attached to ordinary eyeglasses. It is also known to provide magnetic attachments to attach various other attachments to ordinary eyeglasses. These however do not have a primary function to protect the user against magnetic dust. Some devices are known which contain magnetic elements to protect the person's eyes. For instance, it is known to provide protective eyewear which contains a top horizontal brow guard. A plurality of flexible magnetic sheets is provided on the brow guard. As a top magnetic sheet becomes impregnated with metal dust, the sheet can be removed to expose a lower sheet. This arrangement however does result in bulky eyewear which is a disadvantage and which means that many people are reluctant to use the eyewear.

It is also known to provide protective eyewear of conventional design which contains a clip on portion which extends over the top of the lenses. The clip on portion can contain magnetic material again to stop dust from passing between a person's brow and the eyewear. This arrangement also results in bulky eyewear.

An attempt has been made to provide a more "slimline" protective eyewear. In this arrangement, the eyewear comprises a pair of substantially circular lenses which are framed by a circular collar. Magnetic material is attached about the collar and about each side wing. However, the arrangement of the eyewear is such that substantial amounts of magnetic material cannot be placed on a front portion of the eyewear. Instead, the magnetic material is attached about the collar and the collar extends substantially at right angles to the lenses which means that magnetic material attracted to this part of the eyewear is much closer to the person's eye then would be the case if the magnetic material could stop the magnetic dust on the front portion of the eyewear which would be further away from the person's eye.

Therefore, there would be an advantage if it were possible to provide safety glasses which have a design which emulates a standard conventional pair of sunglasses (and therefore which would be worn the more readily) and which would be more comfortable to wear and which would still reduce ingress of fine metallic dust particles, and particularly in such a manner that much of the metallic dust particles would be trapped on the safety glasses in a position that would be not very close to the eyeball, and/or there would be an advantage if it were possible to develop or to provide a different means to keep metallic dust particles out of the person's eyes but which does not require wearing sealed goggles and the like.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country. Obj ect of the Invention.

It is an object of the invention to provide safety glasses which may at least partially overcome some of the above-mentioned disadvantages or provide the public with a useful and commercial choice. hi one form, the invention resides in safety glasses, the safety glasses comprising a pair of lenses, a frame which extends entirely about each lens and which contains a band portion which extends substantially about each lens and which is substantially parallel to the lens, a pair of side frames which extends along the side of a person's head, and magnetic material which covers a major part of the band portion that extends substantially about each lens and which covers at least part of each side frame.

The band portion which extends substantially about each lens may have a width of between 5-30 millimetres to provide a large enough area or zone for the magnetic material. By providing this band portion which is parallel to the lens, magnetic dust is attracted to the band portion and therefore to the front of the lens which is further away from the person's eyeball then would be the case if the magnetic material was on the edge of the lens. By providing the band portion substantially or preferably entirely about each lens, and providing magnetic material on a substantial, portion of the band portion, an effective level of protection is obtained. The band portion is parallel to each lens by which is meant that the band portion will typically be a continuation from the edge of the lens. The term is parallel is not meant to be interpreted in a strict literal sense as the safety glasses may be slightly curved. However the intention is to define the band portion as being on the front of the safety glasses and typically extending from an edge of the lens to an edge of the safety glasses and in contradistinction from a "collar" which extends about the safety lens and where the surface of the collar is typically substantially at right angles to the plane of the lens.

Suitably the a nose bridge portion contains a band portion which is substantially parallel to each lens and which can be at least partially covered by magnetic material.

In a broader form, the invention resides in safety glasses which contain at least one magnetic zone or area to attract magnetically attractable particles and to prevent these particles from entering into a person's eye. In another form, the invention resides in safety glasses which comprise side frames of ordinary size and a front frame of ordinary size which extends about the eyeglass and at least one magnetic zone or area to attract magnetically attractable particles.

The magnetic zone or area is suitably positioned entirely about each eyeglass.

The magnetic zone or area also suitably extends at least partially along each side frame.

In this manner, the entire area around the person's eyes can contain magnetic material. This can allow the safety glasses to adopt a more "slimline" configuration.

However, another form of the invention may include safety glasses containing magnetic zones in only certain areas.

The magnetic material may comprise an insert. The insert may be form of magnetic material which is stuck to or otherwise attached or applied to the safety glasses. The magnetic material may be formed in a strip which can be cut and shaped and attached to the safety glasses. Alternatively, the magnetic material may be in the form of a gel or liquid which can be painted onto or otherwise applied to the safety glasses.

The magnetic material is typically positioned on the outer surface of the safety glasses. However, it may also be possible for the magnetic material to be positioned on the inside surface of the safety glasses or on both surfaces of the safety glasses.

It is also envisaged that the entire frame of the safety glasses may be made of or contain magnetic material. Thus, the magnetic material may be impregnated into the frame material and as an example, magnetic particles may be impregnated into a resin or plastic frame.

The magnetic material may comprise any suitable product.

Ceramic, also known as Ferrite, magnets are made -of a composite of iron oxide and barium/strontium carbonate. These materials are readily available and at a lower cost than other types of materials used in permanent magnets making it desirable due to the lower cost. Ceramic magnets are made using pressing and sintering. These magnets are brittle and require diamond wheels if grinding is necessary. These magnets are also made in different grades. Ceramic- 1 is an isotropic grade with equal magnetic properties in all directions. Ceramic grades 5 and 8 are anisotropic grades. Anistropic magnets are magnetized in the direction of pressing. The anisotropic method delivers the highest energy product among ceramic magnets at values up to 3.5 MGOe (Mega Gauss Oersted). Ceramic magnets have a good balance of magnetic strength, resistance to demagnetizing and economy. They are the most widely used magnets today

Samarium cobalt is a type of rare earth magnet materials that are highly resistant to oxidation, have a higher magnetic strength and temperature resistance than Alnico or Ceramic materials. Introduced to the market in the 1970's, samarium cobalt magnets continue to be used today. Samarium cobalt magnets are divided into two main groups: SmlCo5 and Sm2Col7 (commonly referred to as 1-5 and 2-17). The energy product range for the 1-5 series is 15 to 22 MGOe, with the 2-17 series falling between 22 and 32 MGOe. These magnets offer the best temperature characteristics of all rare earth magnets and can withstand temperatures up to 300° C. Sintered samarium cobalt magnets are brittle and prone to chipping and cracking and may fracture when exposed to thermal shock. Due to the high cost of the material samarium, samarium cobalt magnets are used for applications where high temperature and corrosion resistance is critical.

Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB) material is another type of rare earth magnetic materials. This material has similar properties as the Sumarium Cobalt except that it is more easily oxidized and generally doesn't have the same temperature resistance. NdFeB magnets also have the highest energy products approaching 50MGOe. These materials are costly and are generally used in very selective applications due to the cost. Cost is also driven by existing intellectual property rights of the developers of this type of magnet. Their high energy products lend themselves to compact designs that result in innovative applications and lower manufacturing costs. NdFeB magnets are highly corrosive. Surface treatments have been developed that allow them to be used in most applications. These treatments include gold, nickel, zinc and tin plating and epoxy resin coating.

Injection moldable magnets are a composite of resin and magnetic powders of different materials allowing parts to be made in an injection molding process. Energy products are dependent upon the magnetic powders used in fabrication. The molding process allows for the manufacture of more complex shapes. These magnets are usually lower in magnetic strength as there are limitations to the degree of loading.

Flexible magnets are very similar to the injection molded magnets but are produced in flat strips and sheets. These magnets are lower in magnetic strength and very flexible depending on the materials that was used in the compound with the magnetic powders. Vinyl is often used in this type of magnet as the binder.

It is also envisaged that the magnetic areas may be in the form of electro magnets and the safety glasses may be provided with electro magnets which are activated by a source of electric power which may comprise a battery. Thus, the safety glasses can be switched between a "normal" mode and a "magnetic" mode depending on the type of work being conducted.

The safety glasses can be made of any suitable material and it is typical for safety glasses to be made of relatively hard plastics but no limitation is made thereby and the safety glasses may also be made of metal, composite materials and the like.

Suitably however, the safety glasses have a "slimline" configuration (this type of safety glass being known at least in Australia) and look very much like ordinary sunglasses and are therefore finding wide acceptance with tradespersons

Brief Description of the Drawings. An embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawing which illustrates a "slimline" safety glasses containing magnetic material.

Best Mode. Referring to the drawing, there is illustrated safety glasses 10. The safety glasses 10 are formed of plastics material and contain a pair of side frames 11, 12 and a front frame 13. Side frames 11, 12 are hinged to the front frame in a conventional manner. Side frames 11, 12 are typically long enough to extend at least partially about the persons ears. Each side frame is "slimline" and will have a width of between 5-10 mm and a similar thickness. Of course, no limitation is meant thereby. The length of each side frame will typically be between 80-170 mm but again no limitation is meant thereby.

The front frame 13 contains the eyeglass 14, 15. The eyeglass is typically formed of safety material and may comprise hard plastics or safety glass. In the particular embodiment, each eyeglass is roughly oval and has a longer length of between 40-70 mm and shorter length of between 30-60 mm. Of course.-no limitation is meant thereby.

Front frame 13 extends entirely about each eyeglass 14, 15. The width of the front frame about each eyeglass forms a band portion which will typically be between 5-20 mm which is substantially the same as the case with ordinary sunglasses. The embodiment therefore illustrates how the use of magnetic material can make even "slimline" safety glasses safe and useful in a grinding and cutting environment.

All the surfaces on the front of frame member 13 contain magnetic material 16 and the initial part of each side frame also contains magnetic material. The magnetic material typically comprises an insert which is attached to the front frame member and each side frame.

Thus, any fine steel dust like particles will be attracted to the magnetic material and will coat the magnetic material and will therefore not readily pass into the person's eye. The magnetic eye protection is suitable for boilermakers, fitters, machinists and all other industry where metal and other magnetic materials are present. By having the magnetic material on the front of the eyewear (that is the band portion), magnetic dust particles are attached predominantly here and therefore a safer distance away from the person's eye ball. From time to time, the safety glasses can be removed and any attached dust particles can be wiped off. Possibly, a stronger magnet can be passed over the safety glasses to remove any attached steel particles etc. Again, by having the magnetic material extending over the band portion in the front of the safety glasses and around each eyeglass (lens), it is found that removal of attached dust particles is simpler and easier.

A particularly advantageous part of the embodiment is that the magnetic material extends entirely about the eyeglass. This provides protection against any magnetic particles being present around the persons eyeball. It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims:

1. Safety glasses comprising a pair of lenses, a frame which extends entirely about each lens and which contains a band portion which extends substantially about each lens and which is substantially parallel to the lens, a nose bridge portion, a pair of side frames which extend along the side of a person's head, and magnetic material which covers a major part of the band portion that extends substantially about each lens, and which covers at least part of each side frame.

2. The safety glasses as claimed in claim 1, wherein the band portion has a width of between 5-30 millimetres.

3. The safety glasses as claimed in claim 2, wherein the nosepiece contains a band portion which is substantially parallel to each lens, the band portion being substantially covered by magnetic material.

4. The safety glasses as claimed in claim 3, wherein the magnetic material comprises at least one insert which is attached to the frame.

5. Safety glasses which comprise a front frame and a pair of side frames wherein the front frame and the side frames contain magnetic areas.