Reversible Strap-Mounting Clips for Goggles

Abstract

Goggles include a strap, a frame, at least one lens, and first and second connectors. The strap has opposite strap free ends. The frame has a lateral center and opposite lateral end portions. Each connector has a base portion for connecting to the opposite lateral end portion of the frame, and a strap-mounting portion for connecting to the opposite strap free end of the strap. Each strap-mounting portion has a strap connecting end where the strap meets the strap-mounting portion. Each of the first and second connectors have a first orientation for helmet-less usage and a second orientation for helmet usage. The strap connecting end of each connector is located a greater distance from the lateral center of the frame when the connector is in a second orientation than when in the first orientation.

1 . Goggles comprising:
 a strap having a length and opposite strap free ends;   a frame having a lateral center and opposite lateral end portions;   at least one lens carried by said frame in front of a user's eye; and   a first connector and a second connector having a base portion for connecting to said opposite lateral end portion of said frame, and a strap-mounting portion for connecting to said opposite strap free end of said strap;   each strap-mounting portion has a strap connecting end where said strap meets said strap-mounting portion;   each of said first and second connectors have a first orientation and a second orientation;   the strap connecting end of each connector is located a first lateral distance from said lateral center of said frame when said connector is in a first orientation, and the strap connecting end is located a second lateral distance from said lateral center of said frame when said connector is in a second orientation; the second distance is greater than the first distance.   
   
   
       2 . The goggles of  claim 1 , wherein each of said connectors is movable between said first orientation and said second orientation. 
   
   
       3 . The goggles of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second connectors are releasably attachable to said frame at said opposite lateral end portions, each first and second connectors being releasably attachable in the first orientation to a respective lateral end portion and also releasably attachable to said respective lateral end portion in the second orientation rotated from said first orientation. 
   
   
       4 . The goggles according to  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical system carried by said frame and strap, wherein at least one of said first and second connectors comprises a plurality of first contacts and said frame comprises a plurality of corresponding second contacts, said first and second contacts arranged to touch to effectively connect the electrical system when said base portion is connected to the respective lateral end portion in either the first orientation or the second orientation. 
   
   
       5 . The goggles according to  claim 4 , wherein said electrical system comprises a power source holder carried by said strap, and plurality of electrical conductors carried by said strap, said holder is connectable to said electrical conductors on either face of said strap. 
   
   
       6 . The goggles according to  claim 5 , wherein the power source holder is a battery holder. 
   
   
       7 . The goggles according to  claim 4 , wherein said electrical system comprises a power source carried by said strap and having contacts connectable to a power source held thereby and connected to said conductors; wherein said holder comprises a first portion mounted on said strap and connected to said conductors and a second portion holding said battery, said first portion and said second portion having corresponding releasable contacts such that said second portion can be selectively mounted on either face of said strap to make effective electrical connection with said first portion. 
   
   
       8 . The goggles according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrical system powers one member of the following group consisting of: a ventilation fan, a variable light color density lens, a heated lens, and a weapon aiming device; said member of said group being carried on said goggles. 
   
   
       9 . The goggles according to  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second connectors comprise an engagement bar, and said frame comprises a latch for releasably retaining said engagement bar to said lateral end portion. 
   
   
       10 . The goggles according to  claim 9 , wherein the engagement bar has upper and lower mounting cabs, and each said lateral end portion comprises receptacles for receiving said mounting tabs. 
   
   
       11 . The goggles according to  claim 1 , further comprising an electrical system carried by said frame and strap, wherein said electrical system comprises a power source carried by said strap electrically connected to two electrical conductors carried by said strap conducting a positive and negative polarity respectively, and
 said first connector comprises a first contact and a second contact, said first connector connected to either said negative polarity or said positive polarity, said second connector connected to the polarity opposite of the polarity connected to said first connector;   and said frame comprises three corresponding contacts, a middle one of said three corresponding contacts making contact with the first contact in both the first orientation and the second orientation of the first connector, and one of the remaining three corresponding contacts making contact with the second contact depending on whether the connector is in the first orientation or the second orientation.   
   
   
       12 . The goggles according to  claim 1 , wherein said second orientation is rotated 180 degrees from said first orientation.