CA3116052A1 - Fitted eyeglass frames - Google Patents

Abstract

An aspect of the disclosure provides for an eyeglass frame. The fitted eyeglass frame includes a bow to be supported on the nose of the wearer and formed for holding a pair of lenses and a pair of temples extending rearwardly from the bow on opposite sides of the bow. Each the temples are pivotally mounted for 180 movement between a closed and an open and fully extended position. Each of the temples are formed of a first and second elongated members and include means for adjusting the length of the temples in order to fit the frames to heads of different sizes. The frame further includes ear engaging members pivotally mounted to each of the second members of the temples at a distal end of the second members. The ear engaging members are curved downward and designed to engage around a portion of the ear of a wearer adjacent to the head. The frame further includes biasing means engaging between the distal end of the second members of the temples and the ear engaging members to bring the ear engaging members towards and away from the bow. The frame further includes detaining means for releasably securing the ear engaging members in a desired position on the temples for preventing slipping and dislodgement of the eyeglass frame.

Description

MBM Ref: 4280-103 FITTED EYEGLASS FRAMES
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention pertains to the field of eyewear, and in particular to fitted eyeglass frames which fit snugly but comfortably against the user's face.
BACKGROUND

[0002] Eyeglasses normally are supported/held in place on a user's head with the the bow or frame body and sometimes nose pads sitting on the bridge of the nose and a slight pressure of the temples/sidebars curved ear engaging portions on the sidebars and/or by curving the sidebars inwardly to press firmly against the sides of the head of the user.

[0003] Not all heads and noses are the same size and therefore not all eyeglass frames will fit a user. Retailer therefore carry various sizes of eyeglass frames and in some cases, the retailer may still need to modify the temples and/or curved ear engaging portion by heating and bending the frame in order to provide an adequate fit to a user. This adds time and costs to the retailer.
Moreover, if eyewear is bought online or at a location that personnel is not trained to heat and bend the frame, the user does not get a eyeglass frame that fits precisely to his face.

[0004] Attempts have been made to design frames which fit to different head sizes however there is still a need for eyeglasses frames which comfortably retains the frame on the face of user with different shapes of heads that can be adjusted by the user himself or alternatively with minimal professional assistance.

[0005] This background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-23 MBM Ref: 4280-103 SUMMARY

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide for a fitted eyeglass fame which can fit precisely to the particular ear and head configuration of the wearer and that cannot slide or accidentally be dislodged while being worn.

[0007] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fitted eyeglass frame with a bow to be supported on the nose of the wearer and formed for holding a pair of lenses, a pair of temples extending rearwardly from the bow on opposite sides of the bow, each the temples are pivotally mounted for 180 movement between a closed and an open and fully extended position, each of the temples are formed of a first and second elongated members, each of the first side members are pivotally mounted at a proximal end to one of the opposite sides of the bow, each of the second side members are slidably mounted at a proximal end of the second side members to a distal end of the first members, means for adjusting the length of the temples in order to fit the frames to heads of different sizes, ear engaging members pivotally mounted to each of the second members of the temples at a distal end of the second members, the ear engaging members are curved downward and designed to engage around a portion of the ear of a wearer adjacent to the head, biasing means engaging between the distal end of the second members of the temples and the ear engaging members to bring the ear engaging members towards and away from the bow, and detaining means for releasably securing the ear engaging members in a desired position on the temples for preventing slipping and dislodgement of the eyeglass frame.

[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the normal length of the temples is made variable by interposing a telescoping connection between the first and second elongated members of the temples making it possible to adapt the same eyeglasses frame to wearers having heads of slightly different dimensions.

[0009] Embodiments have been described above in conjunctions with aspects of the present invention upon which they can be implemented. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that embodiments may be implemented in conjunction with the aspect with which they are described Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-23 MBM Ref: 4280-103 but may also be implemented with other embodiments of that aspect. When embodiments are mutually exclusive, or are otherwise incompatible with each other, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Some embodiments may be described in relation to one aspect, but may also be applicable to other aspects, as will be apparent to those of skill in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0010] These and other features of the invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawings.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a fitted eyeglass frame showing the hinged movement of the right temple between a 90 degree position to a fully open 180 degree position and showing the range of movement of the hinged end piece of the left temple, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the fitted eyeglass frame of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a left side view of the fitted eyeglass frame of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a partial perspective view of the of the fitted eyeglass frame showing the right hinged temple in a open and fully extended 180 degree position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 5A illustrates an enlarged side views of an inside surface of the temple showing the temple in an extended position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 5B illustrates an enlarged side views of an outside surface of the temple showing the temple in an extended position, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-23 MBM Ref: 4280-103

[0017] FIG. 6A to 6D illustrates enlarged side views of a distal end of temple with an adjustable end piece in a straight position (FIG. 6A) and the adjustable end piece in varying angles to engage a portion of an ear of a user (FIG. 6B, 6C, 6D), according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Referring to Figures 1 to 7, the fitted eyeglass frame 1 of the present invention provides a bow 2 supportable on the bridge of the nose of the wearer (not shown) for holding a pair of lenses (not shown) before the eyes of the wearer, a pair of temples 4 extending rearwardly from the bow 2 on opposite sides of the head of the wearer, ear engaging members or earpieces 7 on the end of each of the temples 4, curved to conform to the shape of the rear portion of the ear of the wearer adjacent to the head, with the normal length of the temples 4 being such as to press said ear engaging members 7 against the complementarily curved portions of the ears, and detaining means for moving the ear engaging members 7 away from the complementarily curved portions of the ears for facilitating removal of the eyeglasses from the head of the wearer.

[0020] The bow 2, temples 4 and ear engaging members 7 may be made of any suitably strong and preferably lightweight material such as plastics or a strong light metal such as aluminum or titanium.

[0021] It will be understood that the two temples 4 are symmetrical and identical and only one temples 4 will be described in the following, it being understood that the other temple 4 is identical.

[0022] The right temple 4 is pivotally mounted to the right side of the bow 2 through a hinge 8.
The hinge 8 has an axis of rotation X¨X that extends substantially perpendicularly from the bow 2 where the hinge 8 is mounted, and which when the eyeglass frame 1 is being worn by a user will lie in a substantially horizontal plane. As can be seen from FIGS.
1, 2 and 3, the temple Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-23 MBM Ref: 4280-103 is capable of pivoting about the hinge axis X¨X between the operative position shown in FIG. 1 where the spectacles are ready for wear, and the non-operative position (not shown) where the spectacles may be stored away in a spectacles case.

[0023] The structure the temple 4 is capable of rotating about the hinge axis through 180 with the outer limit of the rotation corresponding to the position shown in FIGS.
1, 2 and 3 and the inner limit of rotation corresponding to a typical non-operative/closed position. When both temples 4 are in a non-operative/closed position, this corresponds to a folded position occupying a minimum amount of space when not in use and can, for example, be placed in a small case.

[0024] Each of the temples 4 are formed of a first side member 5 and a second elongated member 6. The first and second side members (5,6) are arranged along a common axis. Each of the first side members 5 is pivotally mounted at its proximal end to one of the opposite sides of the bow 2. Each of the second side members 6 is slidably mounted at its proximal end to the distal end of the first members 5 so as to be adjustable in length and is fixable in various positions.

[0025] The first and second side members (5,6) of the temples 4 include adjusting means 9 for adjusting the overall length of the temples 4 in order to fit the frame 1 to heads of different sizes.
The distal end of the first elongated member 5 has an aperture / open-end portion. The proximal end of the second elongated member 6 has an elongated sliding end portion for telescopically engaging the aperture. In a fully retracted temple position, the sliding end portion is fully contained with the open-end option of first elongated member 5. By pulling the second member 6 away from the first member 5, the sliding member retracts out of the aperture of the first elongated member, lengthening the temple. In one embodiment, the sliding member comprises a mechanism to lock in the desired temple length. In an embodiment, the extended sliding member increases the temple length by 1 millimetre to 10 millimetres. In a preferred embodiment, the extended sliding member increases the temple length by 5 millimetres. In an embodiment, the sliding member and aperture includes means to holding the desire length in place.

[0026] The ear engaging members 7 are pivotally mounted to each of the second members 6 of Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-23 MBM Ref: 4280-103 the temples 4 at the distal end of the second members 6. The ear engaging members 7 are curved downward and designed to engage a portion of the ear of a wearer adjacent to the head.

[0027] The pivoting means 10 provides a pivotal mounting of the ear engaging members 7 on the rear ends of the second members 6 of the temples 4 for swinging movement of the ear engaging members 7 toward and away from the ear of the wearer and detaining means (not shown) is provided on the second members 6 and their ear engaging pieces 7 for releasably securing the ear engaging members 7 in a desired position with the complementarily curved portions of the ear engaging members 7 in light but uniform contact with the complementarily curved back portions of the ears for preventing slipping and dislodgment of the frame 1.
The ear engaging members (7) are positionable at different angles relative to distal end of the second members (6) of the temples (4) so as to snugly fit the eyeglasses 1 to the wearer. While the ear engaging members (7) touch a small area of the user's ear, it does not wrap-around the ear which can be uncomfortable. The pivotable positioning of the ear engaging members (7) about the distal end of the second members (6) of the temples (4) is generally shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6 wherein ear engaging member is shown at a maximum angular displacement to second members (6) at position A, and at an intermediate angular displacement from the second members (6) and at a straight position with no angular displacement.

[0028] Detaining means (not shown) are provided on the pivot member and the second member 6 for releasably holding the ear engaging member 7 at a desired rotational position against the ear of the wearer.

[0029] In another embodiment, the detaining means is a biasing means housed within or at the distal end of the second members (6) and positioned therein or thereon to be capable of ratchetably engaging a notched edge of the ear engaging members (7), and thereby provide the ear engaging members (7) with a series of pivotable positions with respect to the distal end of the second members (6)of the temples (4).

[0030] In another embodiment, the proximal end of the ear engaging members (7) have an opening defined by a series of teeth, and a split-pin having a complimentary series of teeth along Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-23 MBM Ref: 4280-103 an outer surface thereof is used to pivotably retain the ear engaging members (7) at each distal end of the elongated members (6). The toothed opening of the ear engaging members (7) engages the toothed outer surface of the split pin such that by the application of an appropriate force the ear engaging members of being pivotably and ratchetably positioned at any of several predetermined positions relative to the distal end of the elongated members (6) of the temples (4).

[0031] From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the fitted eyeglass frames of the present invention provide a novel and workable approach to the problem of retaining glasses or spectacles in place against slipping or accidental dislodgment without discomfort to the wearer.

[0032] Positional and directional terms are used to reference to the illustrated embodiments in the drawings to which reference is made unless otherwise stated. Moreover, all representations described herein are intended solely to be by way of example for purposes of illustrating certain embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure to any embodiments that may depart from such representation as may be described.

[0033] All statements herein reciting principles, aspects and embodiments of the disclosure, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future, i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure.

[0034] In particular, features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be selected to create alternative embodiments comprised of a sub-combination of features that may not be explicitly described above. In addition, features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be selected and combined to create alternative embodiments comprised of a combination of features that may not be explicitly described above. Features suitable for such combinations and sub-combinations would be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art upon review of the present application as a whole. The subject matter described herein and in the recited claims intends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-23 MBM Ref: 4280-103

[0035] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific features and embodiments thereof, it is evident that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded simply as an illustration of the invention as defined by the appended claims, and are contemplated to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations or equivalents that fall within the scope of the present invention.

Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-23

Claims (3)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION FOR WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. An eyeglass frame (1), comprising:
a bow (2) adapted to be supported on the nose of the wearer and formed for holding a pair of lenses (3), a pair of temples (4) extending rearwardly from the bow (2) on opposite sides thereof, each the temples being pivotally mounted for 180 movement between a closed and an open position;
each of the temples (4) being formed of a first and second elongated members (5, 6), each of the first side members (5) being pivotally mounted at a proximal end to one of the opposite sides of the bow (2), each of the second side members (6) being slidably mounted at a proximal end of the second side members (6) to a distal end of the first members (5), means for adjusting the length of the temples (4) in order to fit the frames (1) to heads of different sizes, ear engaging members (7) pivotally mounted to each of the second members (6) of the temples (4) at a distal end of the second members (6), the ear engaging members (7) being curved downward and designed to engage around a portion of the ear of a wearer adjacent to the head, biasing means engaging between the distal end of the second members (6) of the temples (4) and the ear engaging members (7) to bring the ear engaging members (7) towards and away from the bow, detaining means for releasably securing the ear engaging members (7) in a desired position on the temples (4) for preventing slipping and dislodgement of the eyeglass frame.

2. The eyeglass frame of claim 1, wherein the means for adjusting the length of the temples (4) comprises a telescoping section interconnecting the first and second members (5, 6) of the temple (4) enabling movement of the second member (6) rearwardly to selectively extend the lengths of the temple.

3. The eyeglass frame of claim 2, further comprising resiliently expandable means mounted in the telescoping section biased to hold the telescoping section in its retracted position.