Diving mask with lenses and method of fabricating the same

Abstract

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.

I claim:  
     
       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.  
     
     
       2. The diving mask of  claim 1  wherein said flexible portion has a nose portion sized to substantially fit a nose of said user. 
     
     
       3. The diving mask of  claim 1  wherein said hemispherically-shaped lenses have an external diameter in the range of from about 4.25 inches to about 9.0 inches. 
     
     
       4. The diving mask of  claim 3  wherein said hemispherically-shaped lenses have a horizontal field of view of about 180 degrees and a vertical field of view of about 150 degrees. 
     
     
       5. The diving mask of  claim 4  wherein said lenses are made out of plastic. 
     
     
       6. The diving mask of  claim 4  wherein said lenses are made out of glass. 
     
     
       7. The diving mask of claim wherein said peripheral edges of said hemispherically-shaped lenses are shaped to substantially coincide with a laser scanned profile 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.  
     
     
       9. The diving mask of  claim 8  wherein said skirt portion further includes clevis arms that engage said lenses and flexible curved extensions that contact said user's face. 
     
     
       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.  
     
     
       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.  
     
     
       12. The diving mask of  claim 11  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.  
     
     
       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.  
     
     
       14. The diving mask of  claim 13  wherein said skirt portion further has clevis arms that engage said contoured portion and flexible curved extensions that contact said user's face. 
     
     
       15. The diving mask of  claim 14  wherein said lenses are made out of plastic. 
     
     
       16. The diving mask of  claim 14  wherein said lenses are made out of glass. 
     
     
       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.  
     
     
       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.  
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  wherein said step of measuring contours includes scanning said contours. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19  wherein said scanning step includes using a laser beam. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 18  wherein said step of measuring contours includes topographically mapping said contours. 
     
     
       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.  
     
     
       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.  
     
     
       24. The diving mask of  claim 23  wherein said hemispherically-shaped lenses have an external diameter in the range of from about 4.25 inches to about 9.0 inches. 
     
     
       25. The diving mask of  claim 24  wherein said hemispherically-shaped lenses have a horizontal field of view of about 180 degrees and a vertical field of view of about 150 degrees. 
     
     
       26. The diving mask of  claim 23  wherein said means for releasably securing said diving mask includes straps, a flange attached to said lenses, and a clamp attached to said flange and said straps, said flexible gasket having a portion thereof clamped between said clamp and said flange. 
     
     
       27. The diving mask of  claim 23  wherein said lenses are made out of plastic. 
     
     
       28. The diving mask of  claim 23  wherein said lenses are made out of glass. 
     
     
       29. The diving mask of  claim 23  wherein said hemispherically-shaped lenses are joined at an edge adjacent to a nose of said user's face. 
     
     
       30. The diving mask of  claim 29  wherein said edge is located a distance from said user's nose having a range of from about 1 cm to about 50 cm. 
     
     
       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.  
     
     
       32. The diving mask of  claim 31  wherein said mounting means comprises: 
       a flexible gasket;  
       a clamp attached to said lenses and to said flexible gasket; and  
       means attached to said clamp for releasably securing said flexible gasket to said user's face.  
     
     
       33. The diving mask of  claim 32  further comprising a flange attached to said lenses, said flexible gasket having a portion thereof clamped between said clamp and said flange. 
     
     
       34. The diving mask of  claim 32  wherein said lenses are made out of plastic. 
     
     
       35. The diving mask of  claim 31  wherein said mounting means comprise a flexible gasket and a support portion. 
     
     
       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.  
     
     
       37. The diving mask of  claim 36  wherein each of said lenses has a collecting area, each of said purge valves being located in said collecting area. 
     
     
       38. The diving mask of  claim 37  wherein said collecting area is formed at angles measured from horizontal and vertical lines, said angles being measured when a head of said user is oriented in a vertical position. 
     
     
       39. The diving mask of  claim 38  wherein said angle measured from said horizontal line has a range of from about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees. 
     
     
       40. The diving mask of  claim 38  wherein said angle measured from said vertical line may have a value up to about 60 degrees. 
     
     
       41. The diving mask of  claim 36  wherein said securing means includes a support portion, said purge valve being located in said support portion. 
     
     
       42. The diving mask of  claim 36  wherein each of said lenses has a spherical center of curvature that substantially coincides with a center of rotation of a corresponding eye of said user. 
     
     
       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.  
     
     
       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.  
     
     
       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.  
     
     
       46. The diving mask of  claim 45  comprising an additional lens mounted inside said mask. 
     
     
       47. The diving mask of  claim 46  further comprising a member attached to said additional lens and one of said hemispherically-shaped lenses providing a trapped dry-air space. 
     
     
       48. The diving mask of  claim 45  further comprising a transparent wall mounted inside said mask. 
     
     
       49. The diving mask of  claim 48  further comprising a member attached to said transparent wall and one of said hemispherically-shaped lenses providing a trapped dry-air space. 
     
     
       50. The diving mask of  claim 45  wherein said bottom lens includes a removable corrective lens. 
     
     
       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.  
     
     
       52. The diving mask of  claim 51  wherein said lenses have end portion bent inward toward said face. 
     
     
       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.  
     
     
       54. The diving mask of  claim 53  further including a support portion, said support portion including integrally formed housings for purge valves. 
     
     
       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.  
     
     
       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.  
     
     
       57. The diving mask of  claim 56  wherein said lenses provide an in-focus peripheral vision of about 180 degrees. 
     
     
       58. The diving mask of  claim 56  wherein each of said lenses has inner and outer surfaces of different curvature. 
     
     
       59. The diving mask of  claim 58  wherein each of said inner and outer surfaces have spherical centers of curvature located behind centers of the eyes of said user. 
     
     
       60. The diving mask of  claim 58  wherein each of said inner and outer surfaces have spherical centers of curvature located below centers of the eyes 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.  
     
     
       62. The diving mask of  claim 61  wherein said meniscus lenses provide a peripheral field of vision from about 90 degrees to about 180 degrees. 
     
     
       63. The diving mask of  claim 61  wherein said inner and outer surfaces have spherical centers of curvature that are located below centers of the eyes of said user. 
     
     
       64. The diving mask of  claim 61  wherein said outer surface has a outer diameter in a range of from about 4.25 inches to about 9.0 inches. 
     
     
       65. The diving mask of  claim 24  wherein said hemispherically shaped lenses have a horizontal view of about  180  degrees. 
     
     
       66. The diving mask of  claim 23  further comprising a first purge valve positioned to purge water from a collecting area associated with one of said lenses and a second purge valve positioned to purge water from a collecting area associated with the other of said lenses. 
     
     
       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. 
       
     
     
       68. The diving mask of  claim 67  further comprising left and right water collecting areas, said left purge valve is positioned to purge water from said left water collecting area, and said right purge valve is positioned to purge water from said right water collecting area. 
     
     
       69. The diving mask of  claim 68  wherein said left and right water collecting areas are positioned on opposite sides of a nose of the user. 
     
     
       70. The diving mask of  claim 68  wherein said left water collecting area is formed at angles measured from horizontal and vertical lines when a head of the user is oriented in a vertical position, said angle measured from said horizontal line has a range of from about thirty degrees to about ninety degrees, and said angle measured from said vertical line has a value up to about sixty degrees. 
     
     
       71. The diving mask of  claim 67  wherein said securing means includes a support portion, and said left and right purge valves are located in said support portion. 
     
     
       72. The diving mask of  claim 67  wherein said left and right purge valves are located so that bubbles formed when water is expelled therefrom pass sideways away from a field of vision of the user. 
     
     
       73. The diving mask of  claim 67  wherein said left and right purge valves purge water out respective left and right openings through a lower portion of the diving mask, said left and right openings beings positioned generally below a level of the eyes of the user. 
     
     
       74. The diving mask of  claim 67  wherein said flexible gasket includes a flexible nose portion adapted to substantially fit a nose of the user. 
     
     
       75. The diving mask of  claim 67  wherein said left and right generally hemispherically- shaped lenses both have outer surface diameters of at least  4 . 25  inches.   
     
     
       76. The diving mask of  claim 67  wherein said left purge valve is in said left lens and said right purge valve is in said right lens. 
     
     
       77. The diving mask of  claim 67  wherein said left and right purge values are in said flexible gasket. 
     
     
       78. The diving mask of  claim 67  further comprising a rigid support flange, said left and right purge valves being positioned in said flange. 
     
     
       79. The diving mask of  claim 78  wherein said flange is between said lenses and said flexible gasket. 
     
     
       80. The diving mask of  claim 67  wherein said purge valves are positioned so that bubbles formed when water is expelled from the mask pass away from a field of vision of the user. 
     
     
       81. The diving mask of  claim 67  wherein said lenses are mounted on said flexible gasket so that a spherical center of curvature of each of said lenses substantially coincides with a center of rotation of a corresponding eye of the user's face. 
     
     
       82. The diving mask of  claim 67  wherein a generally spherical center of curvature of each of said lenses is within a zone of misalignment relative to a center of rotation of a corresponding eye of the user. 
     
     
       83. The diving mask of  claim 82  wherein an entire optical surface of said lenses has a constant radius of curvature. 
     
     
       84. The diving mask of  claim 83  wherein each of said lenses has an outer surface diameter of at least  4 . 25  inches. 
     
     
       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. 
       
     
     
       86. The diving mask of  claim 85  further comprising a left purge valve operatively associated with one of said lenses, and a right purge valve operatively associated with the other of said lenses. 
     
     
       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. 
       
     
     
       88. The diving mask of  claim 87  wherein the support portion includes a flexible gasket. 
     
     
       89. The diving mask of  claim 88  wherein the flexible gasket includes a flexible nose portion adapted to substantially fit a nose of the user. 
     
     
       90. The diving mask of  claim 87  wherein the left purge valve has an exhaust port positioned at a bottom region of the left lens, and the right purge valve has an exhaust port positioned at a bottom region of the right lens. 
     
     
       91. The diving mask of  claim 87  wherein the lenses are generally hemispherically- shaped.   
     
     
       92. The diving mask of  claim 87  wherein the mask has left and right water collecting areas, the left purge valve is positioned to purge water from the left water collecting area, and the right purge valve is positioned to purge water from the right water collecting area. 
     
     
       93. The diving mask of  claim 92  wherein the left and right water collecting areas are positioned on opposite sides of a nose of the user. 
     
     
       94. The diving mask of  claim 92  wherein the left water collecting area is formed at angles measured from horizontal and vertical lines when a head of the user is oriented in a vertical position, the angle measured from the horizontal line has a range of from about thirty degrees to about ninety degrees, and the angle measured from the vertical line has a value up to about sixty degrees. 
     
     
       95. The diving mask of  claim 87  wherein the left and right purge valves are located in the support portion. 
     
     
       96. the diving mask of  claim 87  wherein the left and right purge valves are located to that bubbles formed when water is expelled therefrom pass sideways away from a field of vision of the user. 
     
     
       97. The diving mask of  claim 87  wherein the left and right purge valves purge water out respective left and right openings through a lower portion of the mask, the left and right openings being positioned generally below a level of the eyes of the user. 
     
     
       98. The diving mask of  claim 87  wherein the left and right lenses both have outer surface diameters of at least  4 . 25  inches ( 10 . 8  cm). 
     
     
       99. The diving mask of  claim 87  wherein the support portion has ( 1 ) a left trough associated with the left lens, defining a left water collecting area and having a narrow left passageway downward from the left water collecting area to the left purge valve and ( 2 ) a right trough associated with the right lens, defining a right water collecting area and having a narrow right passageway downward from the right water collecting area to the right purge valve. 
     
     
       100. The diving mask of  claim 99  wherein the cross- sectional area of the left purge valve is greater than the cross - sectional area of the left passageway, and the cross - sectional area of the right purge valve is greater than the cross - sectional area of the right passageway.   
     
     
       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. 
       
     
     
       102. The diving mask of  claim 101  wherein the left purge valve has an exhaust port positioned at a bottom region of the left lens portion, and the right purge valve has an exhaust portion positioned at a bottom region of the right lens portion. 
     
     
       103. The diving mask of  claim 101  wherein the lens portions are both generally hemispherically- shaped.   
     
     
       104. The diving mask of  claim 101  wherein the left and right purge valves are located so that bubbles formed when water is expelled therefrom pass sideways away from a field of vision of the user. 
     
     
       105. The diving mask of  claim 101  wherein the left and right purge valves purge water out respective left and right openings through a lower portion of the mask, the left and right openings being positioned generally below a level of the eyes of the user. 
     
     
       106. The diving mask of  claim 101  wherein the support portion has ( 1 ) a left trough associated with the left lens portion, defining a left water collecting area and having a narrow left passage downward from the left water collecting area to the left purge valve and ( 2 ) a right trough associated with the right lens portion, defining a right water collecting area and having a narrow right passage downward from the right water collecting area to the right purge valve. 
     
     
       107. The diving mask of  claim 106  wherein the cross- sectional area of the left purge valve is greater than the cross - sectional area of the left passage, and the cross - sectional area of the right purge valve is greater than the cross - sectional area of the right passage.