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Jon Kranhouse

John Rice Rogers

A dive mask having a configuration of reverse Galilean telescopes. The reverse Galilean telescopes are tilted relative to each other. This configuration achieves panoramic true-sized vision underwater, instead of vision that exhibits the magnification effects experienced with flat dive masks.

Panoramic reverse Galilean telescope optics for an underwater diving mask

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 diving mask may be used with a supplemental lens for providing vision above and below water. The diving mask may also have sidewall lenses providing a 180 degree field of view to the user. The meniscus lenses are designed to provide optimal peripheral vision, while reducing weight and facilitating drainage of water from the mask.

Diving mask with lenses and method of fabricating the same

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.

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Pacific Palisades, CA, United States of America

Jon Kranhouse