CA2480532A1 - Eyewear with interchangeable lenses - Google Patents
Eyewear with interchangeable lenses Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2480532A1 CA2480532A1 CA 2480532 CA2480532A CA2480532A1 CA 2480532 A1 CA2480532 A1 CA 2480532A1 CA 2480532 CA2480532 CA 2480532 CA 2480532 A CA2480532 A CA 2480532A CA 2480532 A1 CA2480532 A1 CA 2480532A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- component
- lens
- frame
- lens component
- eyewear
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G02—OPTICS
- G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
- G02C1/00—Assemblies of lenses with bridges or browbars
- G02C1/06—Bridge or browbar secured to or integral with closed rigid rims for the lenses
- G02C1/08—Bridge or browbar secured to or integral with closed rigid rims for the lenses the rims being tranversely split and provided with securing means
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
- Optics & Photonics (AREA)
- Eyeglasses (AREA)
Abstract
Eyewear of the sunglasses type comprises a one-part interchangeable lens and a lower frame therefore having an internal channel into which the lens is receivable. The lens component has an upper support and releaseably engages with the frame component to retain the lens and frame into a unitary and flexible structure. The channel may be of variable depth so as provide for a wide variety of design alternatives with the same structural components.
Description
TITLE: EYEWEAR WITH INTERCHANGEABLE LENSES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to eyewear such as sunglasses and in particular eyewear having a single lens component to engage a channel in a lower frame component. The eyewear assembles into a relatively rigid frame surrounding the lens component and is adaptable to style and shape.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There have been many proposals for eyewear which include interchangeable lenses some of which are outlined in my United States Patent 4,879,770.
Additionally, there is a proposal for goggles found in United States Patent 3,081,416 which provides a flexible outer seal which engages an edge of a single lens component about its periphery.
Another is found in United States Patent 3,884,561 which provides a special groove for fitment of individual lenses into a. sunglass frame.
It is an object of this invention to provide an interchangeable lens system particularly adapted to the sunglasses type of eyewear which is suspended on temples when worn by the user.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a lens system where a single lens component is adapted to interact with a frame component to provide for ready interchangability along with ease and low cost of manufacture while maintaining a high degree of stx~ctural integrity with both planar and curved lens material which utilizes the flexibility of the nose bridge area to maintain user comfort. The centering provided by the nose bridge area of a single lens component: along with an upper frame support allows for ease of assembly without marking or scratching sensitive optical areas.
It is a further objet of the invention to provide a frame component with 30 flexibility both in the nose bridge area and in the lateral extremities for ease of repeated assembly and disassembly without damage or permanent deformation.
A further object of the invention is to provide a high degree of design variability within the structure of the eyewear.
35 A further object is to permit manufacture and assembly with a relatively small number of standard parts formed of flexible plastic materials, including a sheet lens material, while maintaining a useful degree of rigidity in the product in use.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
40 In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the eyewear of the sunglasses type is supported on temples when in use with interchangeable lenses includes a single interchangeable lens component including a narrow nose bridge area, 2 extended optical areas and an integral upper support element, and a single frame component including a channel along 45 its inner edge adapted to receive said lens component, engagement means adapted to releasably engage the lens component to the said frame component at each lateral extremity, and means to releaseably retain said upper support element to said frame component.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to eyewear such as sunglasses and in particular eyewear having a single lens component to engage a channel in a lower frame component. The eyewear assembles into a relatively rigid frame surrounding the lens component and is adaptable to style and shape.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There have been many proposals for eyewear which include interchangeable lenses some of which are outlined in my United States Patent 4,879,770.
Additionally, there is a proposal for goggles found in United States Patent 3,081,416 which provides a flexible outer seal which engages an edge of a single lens component about its periphery.
Another is found in United States Patent 3,884,561 which provides a special groove for fitment of individual lenses into a. sunglass frame.
It is an object of this invention to provide an interchangeable lens system particularly adapted to the sunglasses type of eyewear which is suspended on temples when worn by the user.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a lens system where a single lens component is adapted to interact with a frame component to provide for ready interchangability along with ease and low cost of manufacture while maintaining a high degree of stx~ctural integrity with both planar and curved lens material which utilizes the flexibility of the nose bridge area to maintain user comfort. The centering provided by the nose bridge area of a single lens component: along with an upper frame support allows for ease of assembly without marking or scratching sensitive optical areas.
It is a further objet of the invention to provide a frame component with 30 flexibility both in the nose bridge area and in the lateral extremities for ease of repeated assembly and disassembly without damage or permanent deformation.
A further object of the invention is to provide a high degree of design variability within the structure of the eyewear.
35 A further object is to permit manufacture and assembly with a relatively small number of standard parts formed of flexible plastic materials, including a sheet lens material, while maintaining a useful degree of rigidity in the product in use.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
40 In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the eyewear of the sunglasses type is supported on temples when in use with interchangeable lenses includes a single interchangeable lens component including a narrow nose bridge area, 2 extended optical areas and an integral upper support element, and a single frame component including a channel along 45 its inner edge adapted to receive said lens component, engagement means adapted to releasably engage the lens component to the said frame component at each lateral extremity, and means to releaseably retain said upper support element to said frame component.
In another aspect the eyewear of the invention further includes 50 engagement means to releaseably engage the lens component to the said frame component at the nose hridge area.
In another aspect the frame component of the eyewear includes a pair of sub-frames adapted to engage with each other and the said lens component at the nose bridge.
55 The eyewear assembly is desirably rigidified by providing an interference between the frame component and the single Iens component along the internal channel in the frame component. Whether the lens component is planar or curved, as its edge is moved into engagement with the channel both the frame component and the lens component acquire additional 60 desirable strength and rigidity while maintaining overall flexability to the user by reason of the relatively narrow nose bridge area. The frame component bends laterally to accommodate deten.ts within the channel until a snap-fit is accomplished in at least 2 directions to provide a unitary overall frame structure. 'The lens component upper support acts as a 65 hand hold for ready insertion and removal of the lens component.
The channel may be of variable depth and may have perforations in its exterior face or irregularities in its face or inner edge, thereby providing the a variety of design alternatives within a simple structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
70 Figure 1 is a plan view of the lens component of the functionally interchangeable lens sunglasses of the invention.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the frame component of the functional interchangeable lens sunglasses of the invention.
In another aspect the frame component of the eyewear includes a pair of sub-frames adapted to engage with each other and the said lens component at the nose bridge.
55 The eyewear assembly is desirably rigidified by providing an interference between the frame component and the single Iens component along the internal channel in the frame component. Whether the lens component is planar or curved, as its edge is moved into engagement with the channel both the frame component and the lens component acquire additional 60 desirable strength and rigidity while maintaining overall flexability to the user by reason of the relatively narrow nose bridge area. The frame component bends laterally to accommodate deten.ts within the channel until a snap-fit is accomplished in at least 2 directions to provide a unitary overall frame structure. 'The lens component upper support acts as a 65 hand hold for ready insertion and removal of the lens component.
The channel may be of variable depth and may have perforations in its exterior face or irregularities in its face or inner edge, thereby providing the a variety of design alternatives within a simple structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
70 Figure 1 is a plan view of the lens component of the functionally interchangeable lens sunglasses of the invention.
Figure 2 is a plan view of the frame component of the functional interchangeable lens sunglasses of the invention.
Figure 3 is a plan view of the engagement of the components of the 75 invention of Figures 1 and 2 together.
Figure 4 is a plan view of completed sunglasses of the invention with the functionally interchangeable lenses in place.
Figures 5a and Sb are cross-sections of the lens component of Figure 1 taken along lines A-A' and B-B' respectively.
80 Figure 6 is a cross-section of the frame component taken along line C-C' in Figure 2.
Figure 7 is an enlarged plan view of the lateral edge of the frame component of Figure 2.
Figures 8 and 9 show alternate methods of engagement of the lens 85 component and the frame component of Figures 1 through 4.
Figure 10 is a plan view of a further embodiment.
Figures 11 and 11 a are a plan view and a partial perspective view of the additional nose clip.
Figures 12a and 12b are an exploded view and a partial assembled view 90 of a 4-part alternative embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The sunglasses of the preferred embodiment of the present invention are depicted as at 1 in Figures 1 through 4 inclusive. The sunglasses have a functionally interchangeable lens component 2 which includes extended 95 optical portions 2a and 2b (Figure 1) and a nose bridge portion 3 along with a corresponding frame component 8.
Figure 4 is a plan view of completed sunglasses of the invention with the functionally interchangeable lenses in place.
Figures 5a and Sb are cross-sections of the lens component of Figure 1 taken along lines A-A' and B-B' respectively.
80 Figure 6 is a cross-section of the frame component taken along line C-C' in Figure 2.
Figure 7 is an enlarged plan view of the lateral edge of the frame component of Figure 2.
Figures 8 and 9 show alternate methods of engagement of the lens 85 component and the frame component of Figures 1 through 4.
Figure 10 is a plan view of a further embodiment.
Figures 11 and 11 a are a plan view and a partial perspective view of the additional nose clip.
Figures 12a and 12b are an exploded view and a partial assembled view 90 of a 4-part alternative embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The sunglasses of the preferred embodiment of the present invention are depicted as at 1 in Figures 1 through 4 inclusive. The sunglasses have a functionally interchangeable lens component 2 which includes extended 95 optical portions 2a and 2b (Figure 1) and a nose bridge portion 3 along with a corresponding frame component 8.
Lens component 2 includes an upper frame support 5 preferably extending across the full width of the lens component 2 and which may be formed on bonded in place.
100 Lens component 2 is preferably formed of sheet material as shown in Figures 5a and 5b and may be planar as shown or curved as required for shaping or style (curves not shown).
Frame component 8 includes a lens receiving channel 11 which is adapted to engage the entire lower periphery of lens component 2 outside 105 of the upper support 5 to form a unitary structure. As shown in Figure 3 lens component 2 and frame component 8 are brought together in direction D with the edge of lens component 2 sliding into and engaging channel 11 around the inside edge of frame component 8 to form a single structural component.
110 Detents 12 inside channel 11 on each lateral side 10 of frame component 8 engage recesses 6 in lens component 2 and retain lens component 2 in contact with frame component 8 as at 14 and 15 in Figure 4.
Further recesses 7' on frame component 8 as at l~ engage detents 7 on lens component 2 to resist outward expansion of the frame component 8.
115 Preferably lens component 5 engages frame component 8 in nose bridge area 3 as at 13 in Figure 4.
As can be seen in Figure 4 with all 4 detents a;ngaged and the lens component 2 in its channel 11 a complete unitary structure is formed with a boundary frame for stability and extra strength which may be used for 120 attachment of arms at each lateral edge 10.
_5_ As shown in Figure 5a9 a cross-section along line A-A' in Figure 1, lens component 2 may be planar and engages upper support 5 along channel 16 and may be bonded or formed in place or simply frictionally fit.
Upper support 5 also provides a convenient hand hold and storage cover 125 which permits interchange of lens components without contact on the optical surfaces.
As shown in Figure 5b, a cross-section along line B-B' in Figure 1 detent 7 preferably extends on both the front and rear surfaces of the lens component 2 as at 7' and 7"
130 Figure 6 shows a cross-section of frame component 8 as at C-C' in Figure 1 and depicts channel 1 l and internal detent 12.
Figure 7 shows a partial and enlarged plan view of frame component 8 as shown in Figure 6.
Figures 8 and 9 show alternate configurations of lens component-frame 135 component interlocking.
In Figure 8 detent 7 is shown at 7a as a formed plug which engages a receiving hole 7a' for vertical as well as lateral engagement.
In further alternative embodiment shown in Figure 9 detent 7 is shown as at 7b located outboard of lens component 2 and adapted for frictional fit 140 with recess 7b.
A further embodiment is shown in Figure 10 where lens component 102 engages frame component 108 as at pin 106 and recess 112.
Further engagement may be provided in nose area 109 between detents 114 and recesses 113 on lens component 102 in nose area 103.
145 A still further embodiment is shown in Figures 1 l and 11 a. a nose clip 115 engages frame component 108 and lens component 105. Nose clip 1 I5 has an upper clip 117 which engages support 105 preferably at recess I 16 while lower clip 119 engages frame component I08 in the nose area.
Another embodiment is shown in Figures 12a and 12b. Lens component 150 202 is shown as a separate piece from upper support 205 which engages upper channel 205a. Frame component may be in separate and co-operating sub frames 208 and 208a. Sub-frames 208 engage lens component 202 as by channel 211 and a pair of detents 212 and 214 with recesses 206 and 213. Preferably frame component 208 and 208a are 155 adapted to meet in nose area 203 as at 2I6 in Figure 12b.
It will be understood that this is by way of illustration only and that various changes and modifications my be made within the contemplation of the invention and within the scope of the following claims:
100 Lens component 2 is preferably formed of sheet material as shown in Figures 5a and 5b and may be planar as shown or curved as required for shaping or style (curves not shown).
Frame component 8 includes a lens receiving channel 11 which is adapted to engage the entire lower periphery of lens component 2 outside 105 of the upper support 5 to form a unitary structure. As shown in Figure 3 lens component 2 and frame component 8 are brought together in direction D with the edge of lens component 2 sliding into and engaging channel 11 around the inside edge of frame component 8 to form a single structural component.
110 Detents 12 inside channel 11 on each lateral side 10 of frame component 8 engage recesses 6 in lens component 2 and retain lens component 2 in contact with frame component 8 as at 14 and 15 in Figure 4.
Further recesses 7' on frame component 8 as at l~ engage detents 7 on lens component 2 to resist outward expansion of the frame component 8.
115 Preferably lens component 5 engages frame component 8 in nose bridge area 3 as at 13 in Figure 4.
As can be seen in Figure 4 with all 4 detents a;ngaged and the lens component 2 in its channel 11 a complete unitary structure is formed with a boundary frame for stability and extra strength which may be used for 120 attachment of arms at each lateral edge 10.
_5_ As shown in Figure 5a9 a cross-section along line A-A' in Figure 1, lens component 2 may be planar and engages upper support 5 along channel 16 and may be bonded or formed in place or simply frictionally fit.
Upper support 5 also provides a convenient hand hold and storage cover 125 which permits interchange of lens components without contact on the optical surfaces.
As shown in Figure 5b, a cross-section along line B-B' in Figure 1 detent 7 preferably extends on both the front and rear surfaces of the lens component 2 as at 7' and 7"
130 Figure 6 shows a cross-section of frame component 8 as at C-C' in Figure 1 and depicts channel 1 l and internal detent 12.
Figure 7 shows a partial and enlarged plan view of frame component 8 as shown in Figure 6.
Figures 8 and 9 show alternate configurations of lens component-frame 135 component interlocking.
In Figure 8 detent 7 is shown at 7a as a formed plug which engages a receiving hole 7a' for vertical as well as lateral engagement.
In further alternative embodiment shown in Figure 9 detent 7 is shown as at 7b located outboard of lens component 2 and adapted for frictional fit 140 with recess 7b.
A further embodiment is shown in Figure 10 where lens component 102 engages frame component 108 as at pin 106 and recess 112.
Further engagement may be provided in nose area 109 between detents 114 and recesses 113 on lens component 102 in nose area 103.
145 A still further embodiment is shown in Figures 1 l and 11 a. a nose clip 115 engages frame component 108 and lens component 105. Nose clip 1 I5 has an upper clip 117 which engages support 105 preferably at recess I 16 while lower clip 119 engages frame component I08 in the nose area.
Another embodiment is shown in Figures 12a and 12b. Lens component 150 202 is shown as a separate piece from upper support 205 which engages upper channel 205a. Frame component may be in separate and co-operating sub frames 208 and 208a. Sub-frames 208 engage lens component 202 as by channel 211 and a pair of detents 212 and 214 with recesses 206 and 213. Preferably frame component 208 and 208a are 155 adapted to meet in nose area 203 as at 2I6 in Figure 12b.
It will be understood that this is by way of illustration only and that various changes and modifications my be made within the contemplation of the invention and within the scope of the following claims:
Claims (3)
1) ~Eyewear of the sunglasses type supported on temples when in use with interchangeable lenses comprising:
a) ~A single lens component including a narrow nose bridge area,
a) ~A single lens component including a narrow nose bridge area,
2 extended optical areas and an integral upper support element, b) ~A single frame component including a channel along its inner edge adapted to receive said lens component, c) ~Engagement means adapted to releasably engage the lens component to the said frame component at each lateral extremity, d) ~Means to releaseably retain said upper support element to said frame component.
2) ~Eyewear as claimed in claim 1 further comprising engagement means to releaseably engage the lens component to the said frame component at the nose bridge area.
2) ~Eyewear as claimed in claim 1 further comprising engagement means to releaseably engage the lens component to the said frame component at the nose bridge area.
3) ~Eyewear as claimed in claim 2 wherein said frame component includes a pair of sub-frames adapted to engage with each other and the said lens component at the nose bridge.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2480532 CA2480532A1 (en) | 2004-09-10 | 2004-09-10 | Eyewear with interchangeable lenses |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2480532 CA2480532A1 (en) | 2004-09-10 | 2004-09-10 | Eyewear with interchangeable lenses |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2480532A1 true CA2480532A1 (en) | 2006-03-10 |
Family
ID=36035853
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2480532 Abandoned CA2480532A1 (en) | 2004-09-10 | 2004-09-10 | Eyewear with interchangeable lenses |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2480532A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019071025A1 (en) * | 2017-10-05 | 2019-04-11 | Materialise Nv | Eyewear system for lens exchange |
| WO2019075089A1 (en) * | 2017-10-11 | 2019-04-18 | Roka Sports, Inc. | Eyeglasses with interchangeable lenses |
-
2004
- 2004-09-10 CA CA 2480532 patent/CA2480532A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2019071025A1 (en) * | 2017-10-05 | 2019-04-11 | Materialise Nv | Eyewear system for lens exchange |
| US11333900B2 (en) | 2017-10-05 | 2022-05-17 | Materialise N.V. | Eyewear system for lens exchange |
| WO2019075089A1 (en) * | 2017-10-11 | 2019-04-18 | Roka Sports, Inc. | Eyeglasses with interchangeable lenses |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |
Effective date: 20160526 |