LIQUID CRYSTAL SKI GOGGLES AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING THE SAME

• US 20090256978A1
• Filed: 06/18/2009
• Published: 10/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alphamicron Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alphamicron Incorporated
• Inventors: Taheri, Bahman, Kosa, Tamas, PARK, Eui-Yeul, Miller, Roy
• Granted Patent: US 8,231,995 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 349/19
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/023 with variable transmission, e.g. photochromic for welding A61F9/067
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/026 Paddings; Cushions; Fittings to the face
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13 based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells

Abstract

A goggle includes a lens assembly which comprises a front lens, a rear lens spaced apart from the front lens, and a liquid crystal device disposed on one of the lenses. The goggle includes a frame, which defines an aperture and a peripheral channel. The peripheral channel receives the front lens and the rear lens is positioned rearward of the channel so that the aperture receives the lens assembly. A power unit includes a battery and a drive circuit, wherein the drive circuit is connected to a pair of prongs that are electrically connectable to the liquid crystal device for operation thereof. The power unit provides a master switch connected to the battery to control application of power to the drive circuit, and a state change switch to control application of power from the drive circuit, through the prongs, to the liquid crystal device.

Claims

1. A power unit that supplies power to a liquid crystal device, comprising:

a housing;

a battery carried by said housing;

a drive circuit carried by said housing and connected to said battery;

at least one prong extending from said housing, said prong providing at least two electrical leads connected to said drive circuit;

a master switch connected to said battery to control application of power to said drive circuit; and

a state change switch adapted to control application of power from said at least two electrical leads to the liquid crystal device.

2. The power unit according to claim 1, wherein said housing has a recessed channel which receives said master switch.

3. The power unit according to claim 1, further comprising:

a processor;

a resistor/capacitor network connected between said master switch and said battery to generate an operational frequency;

said state change switch connected to said processor, wherein actuation of said state change switch applies power at a device frequency to the liquid crystal device.

4. The power unit according to claim 1, wherein said at least one prong is insulated and said at least two electrical leads are spring-loaded.

5. The power unit according to claim 4, wherein said housing has two insulated prongs extending from said housing in a parallel arrangement and each said spring-loaded electrical lead projects from a same respective side of each said prong.