GB2427037A

GB2427037A - Spectacles having pivotable lens units

Info

Publication number: GB2427037A
Application number: GB0511849A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yung-Ming Huang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-10
Filing date: 2005-06-10
Publication date: 2006-12-13
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-10
Also published as: GB2427037B; GB0511849D0

Abstract

A pair of eyeglasses includes two temples 1, two lens units 3, two swing members 4 interconnected fixedly by a bridge body 50, and a nose support unit 52 connected pivotally to the bridge body 50. Each of the temples 1 has a front end with a fixed hinge 12. The swing members 4 are connected respectively and fixedly to outer sides of the lens units. Each of the swing members 4 has a pivot portion 41 extending forwardly therefrom and connected pivotally to a corresponding one of the hinges 12. The lens units are rotatable relative to the temples 1 and the nose support unit 52.

Description

PAIR. OF EYEGLASSES WITh TWO LENS UNITS PIVOThBLE BETWEEN

TWO TEMPLES

This invention relates to eyeglasses, and more particularly to a pair of eyeglasses that includes two lens units, which are pivotable between two temples.

Referring to Pig. 1, a conventional eyeglass assembly includes an auxiliary eyeglass unit 91 and a full-lens frame primary eyeglass unit 92. The auxiliary eyeglass unit 91 is connected pivotally to the primary eyeglass unit 92, and is pivota.ble between first and second positions.

When the auxiliary eyeglass unit 91 is disposed at the first position, the wearer can see clearly a nearby object. When the auxiliary eyeglass unit 91 is disposed at the second position, the wearer can see clearly a distant object.

Although the conventional eyeglass assembly 90 is convenient to use, it is heavy.

To reduce the weight of such an eyeglass assembly, the full-lens frame primary eyeglass unit 92 may be replaced with a half-lens frame primary eyeglass unit 93. With this structure, however, the total weight of the auxiliary eyeglass unit 91 and the half-lens frame primary eyeglass unit 93 is still burdensome to the wearer.

The object of this invention is to provide a pair of eyeglasses that includes two lens units, each of which is pivotable between two temples to a generally horizontal position so as to be removed from the line of vision of the wearer.

According to this invention, a pair of eyeglasses comprises: two temples, each of which includes a temple body having a front end, and a hinge disposed fixedly on. and behind S the front end of the temple body; two lens units each having opposite inner and outer sides; two swing members disposed respectively and fixedly on the outer sides of the lens units and disposed respectively behind the hinges of the temples, each of the swing members having a pivot portion that extends forwardly therefrom arid that is connected pivotaJ.ly to the hinge of a respective one of the temples, the pivot portions of the swing members being rotatable about an axis; and iS a bridge unit including a bridge body interconnecting fixedly the inner sides of the lens units and formed with a fixed hinge, and a nose support unit having a pivot portion that is connected pivotally to the hinge of the bridge body and that is rotatable about the axis.

These and other features and advantages of this invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of this invention, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a fragmentary schematic side view of a conventional eyeglass assembly; Fig. 2 is a fragmentary schematic side view of another conventional eyeglass assembly; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary, partly sectional top view of the first preferred embodiment of a pair of eyeglasses according to this invention; Fig. 4 is art exploded perspective view illustrating a connection between a temple and a swing member of the first preferred embodiment; Fig. S is an exploded perspective view illustrating a connection between a nose support unit and a bridge portion of the first preferred embodiment; tO Fig. is a fragmentary, partly sectional side view of the first preferred embodiment, illustrating positions of two lens units relative to two temples; Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, partly sectional side view of the first preferred embodiment, illustrating how the lens units are pivotable forwardly relative to the temples to generally horizontal positions; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, partly sectional side view of the first preferred embodiment, illustrating positions of the lens units relative to a nose support unit; Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, partly sectional side view of the first preferred embodiment, illustrating how the lens units are pivotable forwardly relative to the nose support unit to the generally horizontal position; Fig. 10 is a fragmentary top view of the first embodiment when the lens units are disposed at the generally horizontal positions; Fig. 11 is a fragmentary, partly sectional top view of the second preferred embodiment of a pair of eyeglasses according to this lflVention; Pig. l2is a front view of the third preferred embodiment of a pair of eyeglasses according to this irrv-ention; Fig. 13 is a fragmentary, partly sectional top view of the third preferred embodiment; Pig. 14 is a fragmentary, partly sectional top view of the fourth preferred embodiment of a pair of eyeglasses according to this invention; Fig. 15 is a fragmentary, partly sectional top view of the fifth pref erred embodiment of a pair of eyeglasses according to this invention; Fig. 16 is a front View of the fifth preferred embodiment; Pig. 17 is a fragmentary, partly sectional top view of the sixth preferred embodiment of a pair of eyeglasses according to this invention; and Fig. 18 is a partly sectional View illustrating a modified nose support unit.

Pefore the present invention is described in greater detail in connection with the preferred embodiments, it should be noted that similar elements and Structures are designated by like reference numerals throughout the entire

disclosure.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the first preferred embodiment of a pair of eyeglasses according to this invention includes two temples 1, two lens units each consisting of an annular lens frame 2 and a lens 3, two swing members 4, a bridge unit 5, two side pivot bolts 61, and a middle pivot bolt 62.

Referring to Figs. 3, 4 and 6, each of the temples 1 includes a temple body 11, and a hinge 12 formed integrally with and disposed behind a front end of the temple body 11. Each of the hinges 12 has a stop portion 13 at an upper end thereof. The lenses 3 are fitted respectively and securely within the lens frames 2.

The awing members 4 are disposed respectively and fixedly on outer sides of the lens frames 2, and are located respectively behind the hinges 12 of the temples 1, Each of the swing members 4 has a pivot portion 41 that extends forwardly therefrom and that is connected pivotally to the hinge 12 of the corresponding temple 1 by a side pivot bolt 61. The pivot portions 4]. of the swing members 4 are rotatable about an axis (L), Each of the swing members 4 is formed with an integral projection 42 disposed above the corresponding pivot portion 41. The proj ections 42 of the swing members 4 abut respectively against the stop portions 13 of the hinges 12 of the temples 1. This prevents rearward pivoting of lower ends of the lenses 3 relative to the temples 1, while allowing for forward pivoting of the lower ends of the lenses 3 relative to the temples 1, as shown in Fig. 7.

Referring to Pigs. 3, 5 and 8, the bridge unit 5 includes a bridge body 50 interconnecting fixedly inner sides of the lens frames 2 and formed with an integral hinge 51, arid a nose support unit 52 attached to the bridge body 50.

The nose support unit 52 has a pivot portion 53 that is connected pivotally to the hinge 51 o the bridge body 50 by a middle pivot bolt 62 and that is rotatable about the axis (L) . The hinge 51 has a stop portion 513. at a lower end thereof. The nose support unit 52 is formed with an integral projection 531 disposed under the pivot portion 53. The projectiOn 531 of the nose support unit 52 abuts against the stop portion 511 of the hinge 51 of the bridge body 50. This prevents rearward pivoting of the lower ends of the lenses 3 relative to the nose support unit 52, while allowing for forward pivoting of the lower ends of the lenses 3 relative to the nose support unit 52, as shown in Fig. 9.

During normal use, each of the lenses 3 is in an upright position in a conventional manner, as shown in Figs. 6 and 8. Referring to Figs. 7 and 9, when use of the lenses 3 is not needed, the lenses 3 are pivoted forwardly relative to the temples 1 and the nose support unit 52 to generally horizontal positions. This latter positioning is also shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 11 shows the second preferred embodiment of a pair of eyeglasses according to this invention. In contrast to the first preferred embodiment, each of the lens units in this embodiment is framelegs, and includes a lens 3 that has opposite inner and outer sides, each of which is formed with & threaded hole 31 and a groove 32. The bridge body has two opposite ends, each of which is formed with a tongue 501 and a hole 502. Each of the swing members 4 is also formed with a hole 44 and a tongue 4S. The tongues 501, 45 of the bridge body 50 and the awing members 4 engage respectively and fittingly the grooves 32 in the inner and outer sides of the lenses 3. Two headed inner bolts 6' extend respectively through the holes 502 in the bridge body SO to engage respectively the threaded holes 2]. in tO the inner sides of the lenses 3. Two headed outer bolts 6" extend respectively through the holes 44 in the swing members 4 to engage respectively the threaded holes 31 in the outer sides of the lenses 3. Thus, the bridge portion and the swing members 4 are connected fixedly to the lenses 3.

Figs. 12 and 13 show the third preferred embodiment of a pair of eyeglasses according to this invention. In contrast to the first preferred embodiment, each of the lens units in this embodiment includes a lens 3 formed integrally with the bridge body 50 of the bridge unit 5 and having an outer side that is formed with a recess 34 and a hole 35, which are communicated with each other. Each of the swing members 4 has an inner end that engages fittingly the recess 34 in the correspending lens 3 and that is formed with a threaded hole 46. Two headed bolts 6" extend respectively through the holes 35 in the lenses 3 to engage respectively the threaded holes 46 in the swing members 4. Thus, the swing members 4 are connected respectively and fixedly to the lenses 3.

Fig. 14 shows the fourth preferred embodiment of a pair of eyeglasses according to this invention. In contrast to the first preferred embodiment, each of the lens units in this embodiment includes an annular lens frame 2 formea integrally with the bridge body 50, and a lens 3 connected threadedly to a rear surface of the annular lens frame 2.

The lens frames 2 and the lenses 3 are generally planar.

Figs. 15 and 16 show a modification of the lens units of the fourth preferred embodiment. In contrast to the fourth preferred embodiment, the lens frames 2 and the lenses 3 are curved, and the outer sides of the lens frame 2 and the lens 3 of each of the lens units are spaced apart from each other. The lenses 3 are disposed entirely behind the lens frames 2. Alternatively, the lenses 3 may be disposed partially in front of the lens frames 2, as shown in Fig. 17.

Referring to Fig. 18, the nose support unit 2 may be injection molded.

Claims

CLAIMS; 1. A pair of eyeglasses comprising; two temples, each of which

includes a temple body having a front end, and a hinge disposed fixedly on and behind the front end of the temple body; two lens units each having opposite inner and outer sides; two swing meirhers disposed respectively and fixedly on the outer sides of the lens units and disposed respectively behind the hinges of the temples, each of the swing members having a pivot portion that extends forwardly therefrom and that is connected pivotally to the hinge of a respective one of the temples, the pivot portions of the swing members being rotatable about an axis; and a bridge unit including a bridge body interconnecting fixedly the inner sides of the lens units and formed with a fixed hinge, and a nose support unit having a pivot portion that is connected pivotally to the hinge of the bridge body and that is rotatable about the axis.
2. The pair of eyeglasses as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the hinge of each of the temples has a stop portion at an upper end thereof, each of the swing members being formed with a projection, the projections of the swing members being disposed respectively above the pivot portions of the swing members, the projections of the swing members abutting respectively against the stop portions of the hinges of the temples so as to prevent rearward pivoting of lower ends of the lens units relative to the temples while allowing for forward pivoting of the lower ends of the lens units relative to the temples.
3.The pair of eyeglasses as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the hinge of the bridge body of the bridge unit has a stop portion at a lower end thereof, the nose support unit being formed with a projection disposed under the pivot portion of the nose support unit, the projection of the nose eupport unit abutting against the stop portion of the hinge of the bridge body of the bridge unit so as to prevent rearward pivoting of the lower ends of the lens units relative to the nose support unit while allowing for forward pivot ng of the lower ends of the lens units relative to the nose support unit.
4. The pair of eyeglasses as claimed in Claim 1, further comprising two side pivot bolts extending respectively through the hinges of the temples and through the pivot portions of the swing members, and a middle pivot bolt extending through the hinge of the bridge body and the pivot portion of the nose support unit so as to connect the pivot portions of the swing members respectively and pivotaily to the hinges of the temples and so as to connect the pivot portion of the nose support unit pivotally to the hinge of the bridge body.
5. The pair of eyeglasses as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each of the lens units includes an annular lens frame and a lens fitted securely within the annular lens frame.
6. The pair of eyeglasses as claimed in ClaIm 1, wherein each of the lens units is frampless, and includes a lens that has opposite inner and cuter sides, each Qf which is formed with a threaded ho]e and a groove, each of two opposite ends of the bridge body being formed with a hole and a tongue, each of the swing members also being formed with a hole and tongue, the tongues of the bridge body and the swing metters engaging respectively and fittingly the grooves in the inner and outer sides of the lenses, the eyeglasses further comprising two headed inner bolts extending respectively through the holes in the bridge body to engage respectively the threaded holes in the inner sides of the lenses, and two headed outer bolts extending respectively through the holes in the swing members to engage respectively the threaded holes in the outer sides of the lenses, whereby the bridge portion and the swing members are connected fixedly to the lenses.
7. The pair of eyeglasses as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each of the lens units includes a lens formed integrally with the bridge body of the bridge unit and having an outer side that is formed with a recess and a hole, which are communicated with each other, each of the swing members having an inner end that engages fittingly the recess in a respective one of the lenses and that is formed with a threaded hole, the eyeglasses further comprising two headed bolts that extend respectively through the holes in the lenses to engage respectively the threaded holes in the swing members so as to connect the swing members respectively and fixedly to the lenses.
8. The pair of eyeglasses as claimed in Claim l,whereiri each of the lens units includes an annular lens frame having a rear surface, and a lens connected threadedly to the rear surface of the annular lens frame, the bridge body of the bridge unit being formed integrally with the annular lens frames.
9. A pair of eyeglasses substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 3 to 18 of the accompanying drawings.
10. A pair of eyeglasses comprising: two temples, each having a front end with a fixed hinge; two lens units; two swing members interconnected fixedly by a bridge body, the swing members being connected respectively and fixedly to outer sides of the lens units, and having a pivot portion extending forwardly therefrom and connected pivotally to a corresponding one of the hinges; and a nose support unit connected pivotally to the bridge body, wherein the lens units are rotatable relative to the temples and the nose support unit about an axis.