GB2497727A

GB2497727A - Temples-less eyewear

Info

Publication number: GB2497727A
Application number: GB1121274.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adam Schwalm
Original assignee: TEMPLERS GLASSES Ltd
Current assignee: TEMPLERS GLASSES Ltd
Priority date: 2011-12-12
Filing date: 2011-12-12
Publication date: 2013-06-26
Also published as: GB201121274D0

Abstract

Templesless eyewear has a frame 10 supporting lenses 12,14, the frame 10 having a pair of head engaging portions 18 to engage with at least one of the sphenoid bone or frontal bone of a wearer's head so as to support the frame 10 on the wearer's head. The portions 18 may have two head contacts (220, 222, fig 5B). The portions 18 may have foam or sponge material 28 which may be replaceable.

Description

TEMPLES-LESS EYEWEAR

Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of eye wear, and, in particular, to eyewear with no ear engaging temples.

Background to the Invention

Conventional eyewear typically utilizes a frame structure that includes means for suspending transparent viewing areas (or lenses) in front of a wearer's eyes. Such conventional eyewear also includes side pieces, commonly referred to as "temples", which are designed to extend along the side of the face and over the ears. Such eyewear is supported on the head of the wearer by engagement of the temples and the frame structure with the ears and nose of the wearer, respectively, Known alternative approaches for supporting eyewear on the head of a user include bands and cords which extend entirely around the user's head.

However, eyewear utilising such known supporting methods can be uncomfortable or impractical under certain circumstances, such as when wearing a helmet or a hat.

Summary of the invention

Proposed is simple and lightweight temples-less eyewear that can be used as a basis for sunglasses, spectacles, eye glasses or the like.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided temples-less eyewear comprising a frame adapted to hold at least one lens, the frame comprising a pair of head engaging portions adapted, in use, to engage with at least one of the sphenoid bone or frontal bone of a wearer's head so as to support the frame on the wearer's head.

Having eliminated the need for the side arm supports or conventional "temples" extending past the ears, embodiments of the invention are capable of being much more lightweight than other conventional eyewear.

Embodiments may also be utilised in situations where conventional eyewear is suitable or inconvenient (for example, wearing a hat or helmet).

Each of the head engaging portions may comprise first and second spaced apart sub-portions, the first sub-portion being adapted, in use, to engage with the frontal bone of the wearer's head, and the second sub-portion being adapted, in use, to engage with the sphenoid bone of the wearer's head. This may allow for improved comfort. Also, the amount of force exerted by each sub-portion on a wearer's head may be varied by tilting or moving the position of the frame.

The central nose portion of the frame permit the placement of variable inward biasing pressures on the left and right portions of the frame according to the extent by which the central nose portion is bent.

Brief description of the drawings

Examples of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of temples-less sunglasses according to an embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the various bones of a human skull, wherein the location, in use, of the head engaging portions of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is indicated; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of temples-less sunglasses according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the various bones of a human skull, wherein the location, in use, of the head engaging portions of the embodiment of FIG. 3 s indicated; FIG. 5A is a perspective view of temples-less sunglasses according to yet another alternative embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a cross section taken through the central nose portion of the embodiment of FIG. 5A; and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the various bones of a human skull, wherein the location, in use, of the head engaging portions of the embodiment of FIG. 5 is indicated.

Detailed description

The same reference numbers have been used in different figures to denote the same or similar features.

As will be apparent from the figures of the drawings, the eyewear frames of this invention lack the conventional "temples" members typically associated with eyewear frames.

Instead, as shown in FIG. 1, the temples-less eyewear according to the invention is worn on the sphenoid bone or frontal bone area of the wearer's head.

Referring to FIG. 1. a first embodiment comprises a frame 10 adapted to hold first 12 and second 14 lenses located on either side of a central nose portion 16 of the frame 10. At opposing ends of the frame 10, there is provided a pair of head engaging portions 18. The head engaging portions 18 are adapted to engage with the frontal bone of a wearer's head so as to support the frame 10 on the wearer's head.

Turning to FIG. 2, there is shown the relative locations of the various bones of a human skull. As detailed in the above paragraph, the embodiment of FIG. 1 is adapted to engage with the frontal bone 20, which is located above the temporal bone 22, the sphenoid bone 24 and the zygomatic arch 26. Specifically, the region of the frontal bone 20 engaged by a head engaging portion 18 is indicated by the region labelled "A". It can be seen from FIG.2 that the engaging region A of this embodiment is located at the lower part of the front bone 20 and above the sphenoid bone 24.

Turning now back to FIG.1, the head engaging portions 18 each comprise a resilient foam bearing member 28. By way of example, this resilient foam material can be natural rubber sponge or foam or a plastic foam material, e.g., polyurethane foam.

Each resilient foam bearing member 28 is attached to the inwardly facing surface of its respective head engaging portion 18 of the frame 10.

Thus, the resilient foam bearing members 28 are adapted to rest and exert pressure on the frontal bone 20 of the skull of a wearer when in use. More specifically, each of the resilient foam bearing members 28 has an inner, preferably smooth planar surface 28a that engages the frontal bone 20 of the wearer at locations spaced forwardly of the ears (as indicated by the region A shown in FIG. 2).

The central nose portion 16 of the frame 10 is adapted to engage with the nose of a wearer and is an integral part of the frame 10. It will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments the frame may be provided in two separate (left eye and right eye) portions that are joined together by a central nose bridge portion.

First 12 and second 14 lenses are held in their respective lens frame portions. The lenses can be tinted or colored for sunglasses, clear and/or prescription or magnifying lenses.

In this embodiment, the compression of the resilient foam bearing members 28 is sufficient to keep the frame 10 on the head of the wearer.

Additional support for the frame 10, however, is provided by the central nose portion 16 engaging with the nose of the wearer. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the inner surfaces 28a of the resilient foam bearing members 28 rest against the wearer's skin at the frontal bone of the skull and hold the frame in position on the wearer's face, but gently enough to avoid pressure that may otherwise cause a headache.

An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 3 wherein the position and size of the heading engaging portions 118 has been modified with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 1. Here, in the embodiment of FIG.3, the head engaging portions 118 are slightly larger in size and adapted to engage with both the frontal bone 20 and sphenoid bone 24 of a wearer's head so as to support the frame 110 on the wearer's head. Specifically, the heading engaging portions 118 are sized and shaped to span across the boundary between the frontal bone and sphenoid bone so that both the frontal bone 20 and sphenoid bone 24 are contacted by the head engaging portions 118.

Turning to FIG. 4, the relative locations of the various bones of a human skull are shown. As detailed in the above paragraph, the embodiment of FIG. 3 is adapted to engage with both frontal bone 20 and sphenoid bone 24 of a wearer's head. Specifically, the region of the frontal bone and sphenoid bone engaged by a head engaging portion 118 is indicated by the region labelled "B". It can be seen from FIG. 4 that the engaging region B of this embodiment spans across the boundary between the lower part of the front bone 20 and the upper part of the sphenoid bone 24.

Further, in the embodiment of FIG. 3, the heading engaging portions 118 are connected to the frame 100 via biasing means (such as a spring). The biasing means are adapted to urge the head engaging portions 118 toward the wearer's skull so as to make sure they hug the wearer's head and ensure that the pressure applied to the head is spread over both the frontal bone 20 and sphenoid bone 24 of the wearer.

Yet another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B wherein each of the head engaging portions 218 comprise first 220 and second 222 spaced apart sub-portions. The first sub-portion 220 is adapted, in use, to engage with the frontal bone 20 of the wearer's head, whereas the second sub-portion 222 is adapted, in use, to engage with the sphenoid bone 24 of the wearer's head.

In other words, each of the head engaging portions 218 is split into two sub-portions 220, 222 which are adapted to contact different bones of the wearer's head.

Turning to FIG. 6, the relative locations of the various bones of a human skull are shown. As detafled in the above paragraph, the embodiment of FIG. 5 is adapted to engage with both frontal bone 20 and sphenoid bone 24 of a wearer's head, wherein a first sub-portion 220 of a head engaging portion engages with the front bone 20 only, and a second sub-portion 22 of a head engaging portion 218 engages with the sphenoid bone 24 only.

Specifically, the region of the frontal bone 20 and sphenoid bone 24 engaged by a first 220 and second 22 sub-portion of a head engaging portion 218 is indicated by the regions labelled C" and "D", respectively. It can be seen from FIG. 6 that the engaging region C is located in the lower region of the frontal bone 20 whereas the engaging region D is located in the upper region of the sphenoid bone 24. This allows for improved comfort compared to a single point/region of contact with the wearer's head. Also, the amount of force exerted on each sub-portion may be varied by tilting or moving the position of the frame 200 on the wearer's head. Thus, the wearer can adjust the amount by which each of the frontal bone 20 and the sphenoid bone 24 supports the frame 200, further improving comfort and/or support for the wearer.

According to another embodiment, the central nose portion 16 has attached thereto, or embedded therein, a central nose hinge, which may be spring-biased, so as to allow opposing ends of the frame to be moved inwardly towards each other so as to adjust the separation between the head engaging portions. Alternatively, the central nose portion of the frame can contain bendable metal (or other such malleable material) permitting the placement of variable inward biasing pressures on the left and right portions of the frame according to the extent by which the central nose portion is bent.

Depending upon the extent of bending or closing of the central nose portion, the pressure tightness, and hence the fit, of the eyewear frames of this invention can be varied to suit the individual wearer. Furthermore, the level of force exerted by the head engaging portion on the wearer's head can be varied at will by the wearer, e.g., depending on the planned activities of the wearer.

Although the illustrated embodiments employ a pair of lenses, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the use of single lens within a frame, or of lenses of different sizes and shapes, will equally provide the advantages of the invention.

Also, other suitable materials may be used for the head engaging portions 18 and although the head engaging portions can be integrated as part of the frame 100, this may not be the case in other embodiments. For example, the head engaging portions may be provided as interchangeable elements that attach to opposite ends of the frame.

It will therefore, be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the invention.

Claims

<claim-text>Claims 1. Temples-less eyewear comprising a frame adapted to hold at least one lens, the frame comprising a pair of head engaging portions adapted, in use, to engage with at least one of the sphenoid bone or frontal bone of a wearer's head so as to support the frame on the wearer's head.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. The temples-less eyewear of claim 1, wherein the head engaging portions are adapted, in use, to engage with the frontal bone of the wearer's head only.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. The temples-less eyewear of claim 1, wherein the head engaging portions are adapted, in use, to engage with the sphenoid bone of the wearer's head only.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. The temples-less eyewear of claim 1, wherein each of the head engaging portions comprise first and second spaced apart sub-portions, the first sub-portion being adapted, in use, to engage with the frontal bone of the wearer's head, and the second sub-portion being adapted, in use, to engage with the sphenoid bone of the wearer's head.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. The temples-less eyewear of any preceding claim, wherein the frame comprises left and right portions located either side of a central nose portion, the central nose portion being adapted, in use, to engage with the wearer's nose, and wherein the central portion is adapted to permit the left and right portions to be moved relative to each other to adjust the separation between the head engaging portions.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. The temples-less eyewear of claim 5, wherein the central nose portion comprise a malleable material permitting bending of the frame.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. The temples-less eyewear of any preceding claim, wherein the head engaging portions are adapted to be removable from the frame to permit replacement.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. The temples-less eyewear of any preceding claim, wherein the head engaging portions are connected to the frame by biasing means.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. Temples-less eyewear substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying figures</claim-text>