IP Library Granted Patent US 6,942,340
Granted Patent B2
US 6,942,340 · App. 10/779,719 · Granted Sep 13, 2005

Optical apparatus

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,942,340
App. No.
10/779,719
Granted
Sep 13, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

An optical apparatus for training a golfer which is the form of a pair of spectacles with tinted lenses, one of which is inclined so that an image projected onto an inner surface of the lens is reflected onto an eye of a user. The image comprises data which aids the golfer in a training stroke. To reduce ghost images, to allow for binocular vision and to superimpose the projected image on a background view, the lenses have an absorption of from 60% to 85%.

Claims (38)

1. Optical apparatus for creating a image on a background view which includes at least a first lens through which a user can see the background view with a first eye, which is light transmissive and which has an outer reflective surface at an interface of a first surface of the first lens with atmosphere and an inner reflective surface at an interface of a second surface of the first lens with the atmosphere, and a device for projecting an image onto the outer reflective surface which is orientated to reflect a first image of the projected image, of a first light intensity, onto the first eye and wherein the first lens is made from a lens material with an absorption A of at least 60% at least over the spectral range of 560 nm to 660 nm so that a second image of the projected image which is directed onto the first eye by the inner reflective surface has a second intensity which is less than 16% of the first intensity.

2. Optical apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the lens material has at least 60% absorption over the spectral range of 400 nm to 700 nm.

3. Optical apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the lens material has at least 70% absorption.

4. Optical apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the second intensity is less than 9% of the first intensity.

5. Optical apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the lens material has at least 80% absorption.

6. Optical apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the second intensity is less than 4% of the first intensity.

7. Optical apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the lens material has a refractive index n such that a light factor given by the expression

[

1

-

(

n

-

1

n

+

1

)

2

]

2

·

(

1

-

A

)

2

is less than 0.10.

8. Optical apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the light factor is less than 0.05.

9. Optical apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first lens is of substantially uniform thickness.

10. Optical apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the thickness of the first lens is less than 2.0 mm.

11. Optical apparatus according to claim 1 which includes a second lens which is adjacent a second eye of the user and which is made from a lens material which is the same as the lens material from which the first lens is made.

12. Optical apparatus according to claim 11 which includes a support for the first and second lenses with the second lens being orientated, with respect to the user, so that a line of vision of the second eye is at a right angle to a surface of the second lens which opposes the second eye, and with the first lens being orientated, with respect to the user, so that a line of vision of the first eye is at an acute angle to the first surface of the first lens on a side which is adjacent the second eye.

13. Optical apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the image projecting device includes a shield with at least one light transmissive section which defines the image.

14. Optical apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the light transmissive section is formed by at least one narrow slit in the shield.

15. Optical apparatus according to claim 13 which includes a filter adjacent the shield for imparting a desired colour to the image.

16. Optical apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the first lens is made from a lens material with a refractive index of at least 1.1.

Assignments (2)
SERVICE AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 9, 2005
From: INVENTEC C.C.
To: MARKETING DYNAMICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 017108/0646 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 9, 2005
From: GREENHOUSE INTERNATIONAL, LLC; MARKETING DYNAMICS, INC.; RUB THERAPEUTICS, LLC; LUNDIN, CHRIS
To: THANE DIRECT COMPANY
Reel/Frame 017109/0522 →