WO2001039578A1 - Spectacles with interchangeable frames - Google Patents

Abstract

Interchangeable spectacle frames all of which are designed to fit the same size and shape of lenses. The user may collect any number of different frames without the need to have new lenses fitted. The spectacle frame thus becomes a mere fashion item that may be purchased off the shelf and adapted to changes in colours, moods and fashion trends. The spectacle frame is made without a rear supporting wall such that the lenses are not fixed in the frame and it is provided with fast attachment means that enable removing the lenses and mounting them in a different frame according to the user's wish.

Description

Spectacles with Interchangeable Frames

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns a solution for a problem of esthetics that is encountered by many individuals who need to wear spectacles for sight correction. The high cost of optical lenses, many times of a complicated structure, deters the user from purchasing more than a single pair of spectacles and the design or colour of the spectacle frames may only be changed once in a long while. At the same time people long for a change of looks from time to time and those with a well developed sense of fashion wish to demonstrate their taste by a frequent change of spectacle shapes and colours. Some individuals like to suit the colour of their glasses to different dresses or different hours of the day and therefore a solution is needed that enables wearing the same lenses while alternating between a number of frames with varying designs, made of different materials and in diverse colours.

Another problem is that it is not always affordable to purchase a large set of frames at the same time. It is therefore necessary to devise a set of spectacle frames that are interchangeable and that may be purchased simultaneously or collected consecutively so that in time the user comes to own a growing number of versatile frames, all of them fitting the same pair of lenses.

It is known in the prior art to make spectacles with interchangeable lenses for practical reasons, such as exchanging optical lenses with sun protection lenses etc. It is also known to make frames with interchangeable lenses for optometrists that use these to find the suitable lens for a patient. It has also been suggested to make variable spectacle frames for esthetic purposes, such frames having detachable and interchangeable decorations and parts such as frame parts, side arms etc. However the prior art devices do not offer a solution for a frame design in which the lenses may be installed by a simple one step action and the user may change looks by changing the complete frame in one piece , without the need to take the frame apart or to add and remove decorative accessories.

It is proposed herein to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by making a series of spectacle frames of different designs, colours and materials, all of whom may be fitted with lenses of the same size and shape, thereby enabling the user to assemble a collection peacemeal or to purchase a complete set of interchangeable frames. The inventive frame set has the advantage of enabling a less cumbersome and faster change of looks than the frames of the prior art. The inventive frame set has the further advantage of enabling the change of looks by interchanging different frames, each of whom has a clean and elegant design, without the need for decorative attachments that may be unsuited to the taste of most users. At the same time the inventive frame is cost saving due to a more solid and smooth and therefore durable design, without the need for detachable parts that may break or fall off the main frame.

It will be understood that the inventive spectacle frame set may be produced in several series each of whom is suitable to receive a different type of lens as regards size and shape while at the same time within each of the said series a large variety of lenses of different optical properties may be fitted as long as the outer contour of the lens that is suitable for the series is observed.

It is an advantage of the invention that the series may be developed continuously with the addition of newer frame designs as fashion requires or the imagination of the designer enables.

Summary of the Invention

A spectacle frame series consisting of differently designed interchangeable spectacle frames. All the frames have rims with an inner contour that fits a lens of a certain shape and size such that the frames may be changed according to any esthetic requirements while the same pair of lenses is being used. The rear supporting wall of the frames is missing so that the lenses are not locked between the front and rear rims of the frame as in the usual type of spectacle frames and the rims are provided with flexible fastening means that releasably attach the lenses to the frames. In accordance with another preferred embodiment, the lenses are indented to fit flexible attachment means provided on the inner circumference of the rims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic drawing of a spectacle frame Fig. 2 is a schematic drawing of the rear side of the spectacle frame of Fig. 1 according to a preferred embodiment; Fig. 3 is a schematic drawing of the rear side of a spectacle frame according to a second preferred embodiment;

Fig. 4 is a schematic drawing of the rear side of a spectacle frame according to a third preferred embodiment; Fig. 5 is a schematic drawing of a lens for mounting in the spectacle frame of Fig. 4.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention will be described hereinbelow in respect of the preferred embodiments. It will be understood however that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and that many other ways and designs may be made that remain within the scope of the invention. It is proposed to make a set of spectacle frames with varying designs, made of diverse materials and in different colours, that are interchangeable for a single pair of optical lenses. In all the frames the rims are designed with an inner contour of the same shape and size to fit the size and shape of the optical lenses. The rims of the inventive frames are made without a rear wall such that the lenses are not locked between the front and rear walls of the rims as in known sepctacle frames. In order to hold the lenses in place the rims are provided with attachment means that enable releasably mounting the lenses in the said frames. In accordance with a second preferred embodiment, in the inner peripherical sections of the rims a number of flexible pins for securing the lenses are provided and special lenses are used with indentations to fit the said pins. The inventive set enables the user to order one pair of optical lenses and purchase a series of spectacle frames that may be worn with the same lenses. It will be understood that the spectacle frames may be purchased at the same time or they may be collected by purchasing an additional frame at the user's convenience. The inventive spectacle set thus provides for an infinite variability of appearance and for following fashion trends. It is another advantage of the inventive spectacle set that a large number of frames may be sold due to the elimination of the need to have a new pair of lenses made for each spectacle frame. A spectacle frame thus becomes a fashion object just like a dress or a watch and it may be purchased off the shelf without an appointment with the optometrist. It will be understood however that a spectacle set may include more than one pair of lenses. Thus for example a second pair of lenses may be kept for any eventuality or a pair of dark lenses and a pair of light ones or a pair of multifocal or bifocal lenses with a pair of simple lenses may be included.

In all cases the frames and lenses are wholly interchangeable due to the design of the inner contour of the rim that fits the size and shape of the lens.

Referring now to Fig. 1, one of the many possible designs of the inventive spectacle frame is shown from the front side, having a left hand rim 1.1 and a right hand rim 1.2, a bridge 2, and a pair of arms 3. The front aspect of the frame is smooth and does not show any of the attachment means that enable the mounting of the lens. The inner contours 4 of the rims 1.1 and 1.2 are designed to fit a certain size and shape of lens. In accordance with the invention a series of such frames are produced that are all similar regarding the inner contours 4.1 and 4.2 of the rims 1.1 and 1.2 respectively but may be different so far as the colour of the frame or the design of the bridge 2, the arms 3 or the remaining parts of the rims 1.1 and 1.2 is concerned. It will be understood that the inventive frame may be made of many kinds of different materials as known for spectacle frames in general.

Fig. 2 shows the rear side of the spectacle frame of Fig. 1. As seen in Fig. 2, on the rear side of each of the rims 1.1 and 1.2 three extensions are provided, designated 5.1, 5.2 and 5.3 for the left hand rim 1.1 and 5.4, 5.5, 5.6 for the right hand rim 1.2. The said extensions 5.1 , 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5 and 5.6 extend inwardly from the outer circumferences of the rims 1.1 and 1.2 respectively and they are flexible due to their curved structure and due to a pair of slots 5.1a, 5.1b; 5.2a, 5.2b; 5.3a, 5.3b; 5.4a, 5.4b; 5.5a, 5.5b and 5.6a, 5.6b extending into the rims 1.1 and 1.2 on either side of each of the said extensions respectively such that the lenses are received under the said extensions on the left hand rim 1.1 and on the right hand rim 1.2 respectively and releasably held by the pressure forces of the said extensions.

It will be understood that similar extensions with various designs that are suitable for releasably holding the lenses within the rims 1.1 and 1.2 may be made in accordance with the invention.

While the above described attachment means are cast from the plastics material of the frame itself, in accordance with another preferred embodiment, shown in Fig. 3, it is suggested to provide on the rear side of the rims 1.1 and 1.2 a number of metal clips designated 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, and 5.4, 5.5, 5.6 respectively. Such metal clips are also suitable to releasably attach the lenses to each of the rims 1.1, 1.2 respectively. It will be understood that the number and position of the extensions and the metal clips may be changed according to design requirements. In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment, shown in Fig. 4, the attachment means, designated 5.1 , 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5 and 5.6 are embedded within the peripherical wall sections 6.1 and 6.2 of each of the rims 1.1 and 1.2 respectively. The attachment means 5.1 , 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5 and 5.6 are flexible pins that may be pressed down against their respective springs into the peripherical wall sections 6.1 and 6.2 so as to push the lenses into place. When the lenses are in place the pins 5.1 , 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5 and 5.6 exert the pressure of the springs against the circumference of the respective lense to releasably hold the said lenses. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, this type of attachment means requires the use of indented lenses, shown in Fig. 5. As seen in Fig. 5, the lens 7 has a number of indentations designated 7.1 , 7.2, 7.3 around its outer circumference that are suitable to receive the pins 5.1 , 5.2, 5.3 such that the lens 7 is tightly but releasably held within the frame. It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the frame designs shown in the drawings but rather it concerns any frame of any design that is suitable for releasably mounting a pair of lenses.

Claims

Claims:

1. A series of two or more spectacle frames wherein the openings of the said frames for housing the lenses are of a similar size and shape in all of the said frames and the lenses are releasably mounted in the said frames by fast attachment means such that the said frames are interchangeable.

2. An interchangeable spectacle frame according to claim one hereinabove wherein the fast attachment means are two or more flexible clipping means on the rear side of each of the spectacle rims that releasably receive and hold each of the said lenses respectively.

3. An interchangeable spectacle frame according to any of claims one or two hereinabove wherein the fast attachment means are metal clips.

4. An interchangeable spectacle frame according to any of claims 1 or 2 hereinabove wherein the said attachment means are extensions of the frame material.

. An interchangeable spectacle frame according to claim 1 wherein the said attachment means are flexible pins embedded in the inner peripherical wall sections of the rims and received within respective indentations in the circumference of the lenses.

6. An interchangeable spectacle frame substantially as described herein and shown in the drawings.