5,764,334 DATED JUNE 9, 1998

DIVER'S MASK WITH ROTATABLE MIRRORIZED ELEMENTS

This invention relates to underwater diving masks and more particularly to a diving mask with supplemental vertical, lateral and posterior fields of vision.

Diving masks are popular accessories for preventing contact of a diver's eyes and nose with water. They are frequently used with snorkels, mouthpieces, breathing regulators and air tanks.

Current masks require divers to turn and twist their heads and bodies and turn their eyes to avoid hazards, such as sharks, electric eels, and rocks and locate underwater objects. These movements are distracting, hinder a diver's forward motion and cause fatigue.

One characteristic feature of the invention is that mirrorized surfaces are used for supplementing a diver's forward field of vision. Another characteristic feature is that the mirrorized surfaces are located in sealed compartments. Another characteristic feature is that the expanse of the supplemental vertical, lateral and posterior fields of vision can be selectively adjusted.

One benefit of the invention is that eye movements and twisting and turning of a diver's head and body are substantially reduced and in some cases eliminated.

In a first aspect of the invention, a pair of mirrorized surfaces are provided in outward extending compartments of a mask. The orientations of the mirrorized surfaces are selectively rotatable about vertical axes and the compartments are sealed to preserve the reflectance of the mirrorized surfaces.

In a second aspect of the invention, a pair of mirrorized reflectors are mounted for rotation about vertical or horizontal axes in sealed compartments at end portions of a mask. The reflectors are selectively rotatable about horizontal axes to supplement the diver's forward field of vision in varying amounts.

In a third aspect of the invention, a pair of mirrorized reflectors are mounted for rotation about spherical joints in sealed compartments at end portions of a mask. The reflectors are selectively rotatable to supplement the diver's forward field of vision in varying amounts.

The foregoing features and benefits of the invention, together with additional aspects, features and benefits will be more apparent from the ensuing description and accompanying drawings which describe the invention in detail.