Many years ago, I witnessed a mask lens break from a direct impact with a lofted puck. In a separate incident the end of a stick shattered a lens. I then decided that my eyes were too valuable to lose one or both of them to a hockey accident. This was the impetus for the Wonderlens. I wondered if there was a material that would offer a clear view of the action underwater, and yet be impervious to a breakage.
I have worked with many different plastic materials in my line of work and decided to try polycarbonate. It is a very durable material and after buying a small sample, I tried to break it by clamping it in a vise and whacking it with a hammer. I started by gently tapping it, and when nothing happened, I started to hit it harder. Finally, I was swinging the hammer with as much force as I could muster, but the only thing that happened was that the vise gave away and the piece of polycarbonate flew across the lab. I decided to try some in-water tests and set a piece of polycarbonate vertical in the water and had my teammates shoot pucks at it. It took several direct hits but there wasn't even a scratch on it! I decided to try it on my own mask lens and I haven't changed it since, nor have I ever had it break. Marilen Carpio of the Philippines as well as several others have also tested these lenses and have reported similar findings.
The polycarbonate that I use, is a special variety that comes with a scratch resistant coating on both sides. When I get it, it comes with a protective paper coating on both sides, that is used to protect the surfaces during cutting operations. I then accurately cut the lens to the required dimensions, then remove the paper from both sides. I use a proprietary method to remove the scratch resistant coating on only one side of the lens, which becomes the "inside" of the mask. If I don't do that, no amount of anti-fog or saliva will stick on the lens and it will fog up terribly and makes it very difficult to play hockey, to say the least.
These lenses will directly replace your glass lenses and are capable of withstanding the impact of a puck shot at your mask. With the improved puck passing techniques, where the puck is lofted through the water, a typical glass lens will shatter when impacted with a puck, which could lead to a catastrophic eye injury. With these polycarbonate lenses, the puck will bounce off, and the lens will remain intact.
If the mask that you use is a commercially available one, that I specifically know about or have made a lens for in the past, it's no problem, as I can make a lens for it from the templates that I already have. However, if you use a unique mask, I will ask you to remove your lens, make and send a tracing of the lens to me. Upon receipt, I will then custom make a set for you to match the original lenses exactly. When you get it, you simply replace your glass one with these, and then you never have to worry about pucks (or broken glass) in the eye, ever again!
Non-standard mask instructions...........................
First, carefully remove the lens retaining bezel from your mask and take out the glass lens. If your mask is a dual pane type, you only have to remove one side, as I will make two identical lenses for your dual pane masks.
Second, Wipe the lens clean with a dry cloth and take a ruler and measure the thickness of the lens. It should be between 1/8 and 3/16 of an inch. If you prefer decimal dimensions, it should be about 0.150 inches thick (whereas 1/8 =.125 and 3/16=.187). If your lens is within these parameters, then proceed to the next step. If your lens is NOT within these parameters, stop and email me immediately and advise me of the thickness of your lens!
Third, print out just the following text onto a SEPARATE sheet of plain paper and then print, sign and date the paper.
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I, ______(put name here)___________ hereby waive any and all liability with regard to the use of polycarbonate lenses for Underwater Hockey as provided by Mark Nakamura. I take FULL responsibility for the use of these lens and release Mark Nakamura from any liability. I recognize that although polycarbonate is superior to tempered glass in this application, there are no guarantees associated with these lenses.
____________________________ _____________
Signed Date
Name (printed): _____________________________________
Address: ___________________________________________
City, State, Country: __________________________________
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Although I have reviewed the technical specifications, performed the calculations for it's relative loads, discussed this application with the manufacturers of the material, and even performed empirical tests on this material, I cannot absolutely guarantee they won't break and felt that a waiver of liability (as recommended by my lawyer) would be the safest thing for me to do. If you request, I can also put in a small sample piece of polycarbonate for you to beat on, so you can see just how tough the material really is. I suggest that you support it on two solid supports, secure it with duct tape, wear protective eyewear and gather a bunch of your co-players, so that they can witness it, as you beat on it.
Fourth, take the signed waiver paper and make a tracing of the lens by placing it over the paper and by using a VERY SHARP PENCIL, trace the outline of the lens twice onto the paper at two different locations on the paper. Then, place the lens on a tabletop and place the paper OVER the lens this time, and while holding the paper securely to the lens, use the side of the pencil to shade the paper where the lens is at yet another location. The shading should be done over the edge of the lens so that the pencil falls off the edge and makes a fairly discernable line.
Fifth, take the waiver paper, with the tracings on it, write in your address, enclose the proper funds and mail it to me at the following address:
Mark Nakamura
P.O.Box 22532
San Diego, CA 92122-2532 USA
Thats all there is to it. I will get the tracings, make the lenses, and then mail the new lenses back to you. It won't take me much time to get them back to you, once I get your tracings.
