Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
  • G02C5/00—Constructions of non-optical parts
  • G02C5/14—Side-members
  • G02C5/143—Side-members having special ear pieces
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
  • G02C5/00—Constructions of non-optical parts
  • G02C5/14—Side-members
  • G02C5/20—Side-members adjustable, e.g. telescopic
• • 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
  • G02C1/02—Bridge or browbar secured to lenses without the use of rims
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
  • G02C3/00—Special supporting arrangements for lens assemblies or monocles
  • G02C3/003—Arrangements for fitting and securing to the head in the position of use
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
  • G02C5/00—Constructions of non-optical parts
  • G02C5/14—Side-members
  • G02C5/146—Side-members having special front end
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
  • G02C5/00—Constructions of non-optical parts
  • G02C5/14—Side-members
  • G02C5/16—Side-members resilient or with resilient parts
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
  • G02C2200/00—Generic mechanical aspects applicable to one or more of the groups G02C1/00 - G02C5/00 and G02C9/00 - G02C13/00 and their subgroups
  • G02C2200/06—Locking elements
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02C—SPECTACLES; SUNGLASSES OR GOGGLES INSOFAR AS THEY HAVE THE SAME FEATURES AS SPECTACLES; CONTACT LENSES
  • G02C2200/00—Generic mechanical aspects applicable to one or more of the groups G02C1/00 - G02C5/00 and G02C9/00 - G02C13/00 and their subgroups
  • G02C2200/10—Frame or frame portions made from wire

Definitions

• the present invention relates to improved moun ⁇ ting for eyeglasses, and more particularly to a mounting for eyeglasses wherein after an inadvertent dislocation the eyeglasses are automatically returned to their optimal positioning relative to the face of a wearer.
• Prior art frames are relatively heavy particularly when their weight is considered in combination with the weight of relatively thick lenses supported by the frame.
• Prior art frames are usually highly visible and may be found objectionable by some people for aesthetic reasons. More importantly however, prior art frames or mountings usually fail to reposition the eyeglasses into an optimal positioning relative to the face and eyes of a wearer after an inad ⁇ vertent dislocation.
• the trans ⁇ parent members may comprise ophthalmic lenses, colored glass or plastic for use in sunglasses, or transparent plastic of the type used in safety glasses.
• Two thin, flex ⁇ ible suspension lines are attached at two spaced apart points to each transparent member. The two suspension lines attached to each transparent member respectively converge just forward of the crus helicis where they respectively enter adjusting devices attached to earpiece members.
• Each earpiece member is configured to be positioned over and behind one ear of the wearer.
• the adjusting devices are designed for individually adjusting the length of each suspension line whereby an optimal positioning of the transparent members relative to the wearer's face and eyes is obtained. Because of the attachment of each transparent member at two spaced apart points to the sus ⁇ pension lines, the transparent members are steadily held, and if inadvertently dislocated are automatically returned to their optimal positioning.
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first specific embodiment of the combination eyeglasses and suspension mounting of the present invention
• FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of an adjusting device of the first specific embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 3 is a schematic side view of a second specific embodiment of the combination eyeglasses and suspension mounting of the present invention.
• Figure 4 is a side view of a suspension line of the second specific embodiment of the present invention.
• Figure 5 is a perspective view of a combination safety glasses and suspension mounting, said combination comprising the third specific embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS
• suspension eyewear assembly of the present invention 10 is disclosed to be a unique combination of the following components.
• a centerpiece 12 is designed to connect a pair of transparent members as is usual in conventional eyeglass construction.
• the transparent members, bearing reference numerals 14 and 16 may comprise ophthalmic lenses of a glass or suitable synthetic resin material.
• the transparent members 14 and 16 may also comprise colored glass or plastic having no significant optical refractory power of the types conventionally used in sunglasses and safety glasses.
• O transparent members and lenses will generally be used interchangeably with the express understanding that the present invention is not limited by the exact nature of the transparent members or lenses.
• Suspension lines 18 are attached to the trans ⁇ parent members 14 and 16 in a manner hereinafter set forth in detail.
• the suspension lines 18 are thin, flexible lines or cords; they can advantageously comprise synthetic " resin monofilament lines of approximately one pound breaking strength.
• a pair of suspension lines 18 is attached to each transparent member or lens 14 and 16, and is also attached through an adjusting device 20 to an earpiece member.
• the two earpiece members respectively receiving one pair of suspension lines 18 respectively bear the reference numerals 22 and ' 24.
• the transparent members or lenses 14 and 16 com ⁇ prise a front assembly 26 of the suspension eyewear 10.
• the transparent members or lenses 14 and 16 must be shaped to provide four points of attachment for the suspension lines 18. More particularly, each lens 14 and 16 must have at least two spaced apart points of attachment 28 to one pair of suspension lines 18. The two spaced apart ⁇ points of attachment 28 must be sufficiently separated from each other to permit precise control of the plane of the front assembly 26 relative to the face and eyes (not shown) of a wearer (not shown) . Preferably, the two spaced apart points of attachment 28 on each lens 14 and 16 should be adjacent to the outer edge 30 of the lens 14 and 16.
• the points of attachment 28 must be near enough to the outer edge 30 of each lens 14 and 16 so as to allow the control of the plane of the front assembly 26 relative to the wearer's eyes (not shown) .
• a distance between the two spaced apart points o attachment 28 on each lens 14 and 16 may vary approximatel between twenty to sixty millimeters, dependent on the size : and shape of the lenses 14 and 16. The exact distance is . not critical, as long as it is sufficiently large to allow good control of the plane of the front assembly 26.
• the lenses 14 and 16 may be attached to the centerpiece 12 in any conventional manner well ' established in the eyeglass manufacturing and designing arts.
• the lenses 14 and 16 may be placed in a frame or rim (not shown) and the sus pension lines 18 may be attachedto the frame or rim (not shown) instead of being directly attached to the lenses 14 and 16.
• the suspension lines 18 may be attached to the lenses 14 and 16 * by drilling a hole 32 in the lens.at a point of attachment 28 and bedding one end of the line with an epoxy or other suitable resin in the hole 32.
• a hole such as the hole 32, can be drilled through the lens 14 and 16 and the suspension lines 18 ..nay be secured in the hole 32 by a pin (not shown) pressed in from the front.
• Still other alternative modes of attaching the suspension lines 18 to the lenses 14 and 16 are described below in conjunction with a detailed explan ⁇ ation of the specific embodiment shown on Figures 3 and 4.
• the individual lines of each pair of suspension lines 18 are disposed converging to one another, and are respectively received in the adjusting device 20 respectivel provided on each earpiece member 22.
• the construction and configuration of the entire suspension eyewear assembly 10 is such that the suspension lines converge and enter into the respective adjusting devices 20 just forward of th crus helicis (not shown) of the wearer (not shown) .
• the adjusting device 20 employed in the first specific embodi ⁇ ment of the present invention is disclosed in detail.
• the device 20 has a locking plate 34 which is mounted to a flattened portion 36 of the earpiece member 24 by a pair of screws 38.
• the screws 38 are used to set a light tension against the suspension lines 18 while a careful and precise adjustment of each individual line 18 is made to position the plane of the front assembly 26 sub- ⁇ s a tially parallel with the front surface (not shown) of the wearers' eyes (not shown) .
• the front assembly 26 is adjusted so that the plane of each lens 14 and 16 is substantially perpendicular to the optical axis of the respective eye (not shown) of the wearer.
• the lines 18 are slipped individually in the adjusting device 20.
• the screws 38 are tightened to hold the suspension lines 18 securely in place.
• the excess line 40 which is shown on Figure 2 is preferably removed after the completed adjustment.
• the earpiece members 22 and 24 are designed to be supported by the respective ears (not shown) of the wearer (not shown) of the suspension eyewear assembly 10. Each earpiece member 22 and 24 extends from the adjusting device 20 in front over the wearer's ear (not shown) behind the mastoid (not shown) of the wearer (not shown) .
• the earpiece members 22 and 24 are preferably manufactured from a material having reasonably good elastic or springlike properties. They may be made of wirewound springwire which is customarily used in the eyeglass frame manufacturing arts. Alternatively the earpiece members 22 and 24 may be made of suitable synthetic materials. A synthetic plastic material sold under the tradename Lexan is well suited for constructing the earpiece members 22 and 24 of the suspension eyewear assembly 10 of the present invention.
• the suspension .eyewear assembly 10 As the suspension .eyewear assembly 10 is mounted upon a wearer (not shown) , the earpiece members 22 and 24
• OMP are positioned over the wearer's ears (not shown) . There, they form securely mounted posts to which the individually adjusted suspension lines 18 attach.
• the four point attachment of the front assembly 26 through the suspension lines 18 of individually adjusted fixed length steadily fixes ' the plane of the front assembly 26 in its desired preadjusted position relative to the wearer's eyes.
• the front assembly 26 is lightly pushed or pulled, for example as during vigorous physical activity of the wearer (not shown) and subsequently released, the spring action of one or both earpiece members 22 and 24 returns the front assembly 26 to its proper position.
• the suspension eyewear assembly 10 of the present invention is capable of self repositioning and returns to its proper adjustment after inadvertent dislocation.
• the second specific embodiment of the suspension eyewear assembly 10 is disclosed.
• the second specific embodiment differs from the first specific embodiment only in the manner the suspension lines 18 are attached to the lenses
• an end of the suspension line 18 is provided with a cylindrical plastic member 42 which has an enlarged head 44.
• the cylindrical plastic members 42 are simply press fitted into apertures or holes 45 provided in the lenses 14 and 16, as is shown on Figure 3.
• the plastic members 42 act as removable plastic rivets.
• a second end of the suspension line 18 is provided with an adjuster member 46 having a plurality of
• the beads 48 preferably made of a relatively soft plastic material, are dimensioned to pass through holes 50 drilled in the front each earpiece member 22 and 24 only under a relatively lar force.
• the length of each suspension lines 18 is adjusted by pulling the beaded end of the line 18 through the hole 50.
• forces inadvertently acting upon the suspension ' eyewear assembly 10 worn by a person usually are not large enou to cause passage of a bead 48 through the holes 50 and the by cause misalignment of the assembly 10 relative to the wearer.
• one bead 48 immediately behind the earpiece member 22 and 24 so that the bead 48 can no longer pass through the hole 50.
• Deformation of the bead may, for example, be acc ⁇ tiplish by localized heat treatment.
• each transparent member 14 and 16 has a plastic flange 52 mounted to its exterior lateral edge 54 so as to provide more complete protection to the wearer's eyes (not shown) from foreign objects.
• the pairs of suspension lines 18 are respectively attached to the plastic flanges 52. Since the front assembly 26 of this third specific embodiment is still mounted to the earpiece members 22 and 24 by

Landscapes

• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Ophthalmology & Optometry (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Eyeglasses (AREA)

Priority Applications (6)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=22147829

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (6)

Cited By (2)

Citations (4)

• 1979
  • 1979-12-17 BR BR7909056A patent/BR7909056A/pt unknown
  • 1979-12-17 GB GB8124695A patent/GB2079972B/en not_active Expired
  • 1979-12-17 DE DE2953919A patent/DE2953919C1/de not_active Expired
  • 1979-12-17 WO PCT/US1979/001106 patent/WO1981001749A1/en unknown
  • 1979-12-17 JP JP80500944A patent/JPS56501775A/ja active Pending
• 1981
  • 1981-08-14 SE SE8104845A patent/SE439845B/sv not_active IP Right Cessation

Patent Citations (4)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events