WO2007057470A1

WO2007057470A1 - Flexible eyeglasses and process for making same

Info

Publication number: WO2007057470A1
Application number: PCT/EP2006/068688
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco Maggi; Fabio Testa
Original assignee: Salvas Sub Spa
Priority date: 2005-11-21
Filing date: 2006-11-20
Publication date: 2007-05-24
Also published as: ITSV20050039A1

Abstract

Eyeglasses, particularly sports eyeglasses or the like, characterized in that they are formed of a sheet (1) of flexible plastic material, which is transparent over at least part of its surface, which sheet is shaped to form a nose receiving recess and extends at the two opposite ends along an axis parallel to the interpupillary line by at least one, preferably two or more strap elements (7) or the like, which are or may be fastened together so that the strap element/ s (7) , when connected together in an eyeglass wearing condition, act as a means for pulling the opposite ends of the plastic sheet (1) towards each other, for retention, wearing position adjustment and anatomical bending of at least part of said plastic sheet (1) , said sheet (1) having a first stiffness, and there being provided a stiffening region (3) on said plastic sheet (1) in the upper portion of the interpupillary area, said stiffening region (3) having a second stiffness, and said first stiffness of said sheet being lower than said second stiffness of said stiffening region, so that, as the eyeglasses are worn, the sheet is bent with different radiuses of curvature along the extension of said sheet.

Description

SALVAS SUB S . p . A .

Flexible eyeglasses and process for making same

The present invention relates to eyeglasses, particularly sports eyeglasses or the like and a process for making same.

Eyeglasses of flexible materials are known and widely used in the art.

International patent WO 2004/013678 discloses a spectacle kit including a pair of lenses made from flexible material joined by a nose bridge portion and a pair of side arms .

Each lens has an outer upper portion and an outer lower portion which move towards one another to overlap and allow the lens to have a curved shape when it is assembled with the side arms, which are made from a material similar or identical to the lens material .

This type of spectacles cannot be used during sporting activity, as the various parts that compose them may be easily disassembled. Furthermore, the lack of adequate protection along the edge of the plastic sheet that forms the lenses and the cut on each lens , which extends through about half of the lens length and allows it to be curved when assembled with the arms and the nose bridge, might cause serious injury to the user, due to the close distance between potentially sharp edges and delicate parts of the user's face.

These spectacles may not fit any face shape, but each of its components, i.e. the lenses, arms and bridge, has to be provided in several different sizes, and have no adjustment device allowing to adapt them to different face and head shapes . The rigidity of the material that forms them, particularly at the arms, does not allow the spectacles to comfortably and safely wrap around the user's head.

FR 2 683 917 discloses one-piece spectacles for improving vision without using corrective lenses , comprising a flexible tape which extends from the side ends of the frame, the latter being integrally formed with the lenses , and goes around the head to allow the spectacles to be worn, a front part having an area thicker than the lenses and a bar inserted on the front part to provide the required rigidity.

The strap for wearing the spectacles only allows the spectacles to be held in position and to keep them from falling when worn.

US 5,825,452 and US 5,631,717 disclose safety eyeglasses having a soft frame with two side straps extending therefrom to go around the head and to hold the safety eyeglasses against the eyes of the wearer. The purpose of these eyeglasses is to reduce the intensity of light, by providing small holes on lenses. The eyeglasses of these US patents cannot be safely used during sporting activities, because they have no means to ensure comfort and protection when worn and have no adjustment device, allowing to adjust the extension of the two straps around the head to allow wearing.

In other eyeglass designs, flexibility is limited to eyeglass wearing means, whereas the lens/es and/or the lens-holding frame are previously shaped with an anatomical contour, to follow and/or adhere against the wearer ' s face .

For these eyeglasses to be worn in an optimized manner by any wearer, they are provided in several different sizes , so that they can fit any face conformation and head size.

Therefore, one pair of eyeglasses cannot be worn by any user and, by virtue of face conformation differences , each user has a specific size and design allowing optimized eyeglass wearing comfort and safety.

The curved shape provides the best fit, because it allows the eyeglass lens/e to cover the whole or most of the field of view of the user.

However, this causes the eyeglasses to occupy a considerable volume even when not worn. The containers in which eyeglasses are typically held, which reflect the shape of such eyeglasses, are also bulky and unpractical .

Furthermore, the curved shape of the lens/es and the lens holding frame does not ensure stability when the eyeglasses are accurately laid on a surface. For better stability, eyeglasses are often laid with as large an area as possible, i.e. the lens area, in contact with the supporting surface, and this causes damages to lenses .

Due to the curved shape of lenses and/or the fact that eyeglasses are not wholly formed of unbreakable and/or flexible and/or deformable parts, the eyeglasses may be easily damaged when not accurately laid in their container or when used for activities that are susceptible of exerting considerable stresses thereon, such as sporting activities .

To obviate the drawback of large bulk, certain eyeglasses have a frame composed of several collapsible elements .

These eyeglass designs have the drawback of being composed of multiple parts and/or that the junction elements therebetween may be broken. A further problem of all prior art eyeglasses is that, if a single eyeglass lens is provided for both eyes, when it is bent and tensioned by the strap, it bends with random, non predetermined radiuses of curvature, which change from time to time depending on the surfaces against which it fits, i.e. on the shape and size of the head and face around which the lens is bent to be worn. A curved lens is known to create or be susceptible of creating distortions in the field of view, especially when the lens is not deformed with predetermined radiuses of curvature, which allow eyeglass manufacturers to foresee in the design step how the lens will be bent and provide a possible correction thereto to minimize distortions of the field of view. As a result, prior art eyeglasses having lens bending straps are formed in such a manner that they only avoid field of view distortions for certain conformations of wearer faces and heads . While these field of view distortion-free conformations correspond to an average of widespread face and head shapes and sizes, distortions cannot be avoided in any possible case, but only in the cases in which the wearer face and head do not considerably differ from the average of face and head shapes and sizes being considered during eyeglass design and manufacture. Due to this drawback, vision through these eyeglasses is not always optimal, the final result depending on the shape and size of the head and face of the end user.

The present invention has the object of overcoming the above drawbacks, and allowing to form eyeglasses, particularly sports eyeglasses or the like, that are easy to wear and can fit any type of face better than prior art designs , by using simple and inexpensive materials .

The eyeglasses of the present invention are formed of a sheet of flexible plastic material, which only fits the shape of the face when the eyeglasses are worn. This also provides advantages in terms of fabrication, as it avoids the need of providing preformed eyeglasses of different sizes, and allows to provide one-size eyeglasses, in which all components, and particularly the strap and the lenses are formed of one size. Thus, comfort and ergonomic properties of eyeglasses do not depend on shapes preformed upon fabrication of the eyeglasses but on the elasticity of the materials which form them.

The main eyeglass components, including the lenses , are made from wholly flexible and deformable materials , and this minimizes breaking risks during use or inaccurate handling.

By forming the lens with a plastic sheet that has a wholly planar shape when the eyeglasses are not worn, and with no rigid elements , allows the volume thereof to be minimized.

The invention achieves the above purposes by providing eyeglasses, particularly sports eyeglasses or the like, which are formed of a sheet of flexible plastic material, which is transparent over at least part of its surface, which sheet is shaped to form a nose receiving recess and extends at the two opposite ends along an axis parallel to the interpupillary line by at least one, preferably two or more strap elements or the like, which are or may be fastened together so that the strap element/s, when connected together in an eyeglass wearing condition, act as a means for pulling the opposite ends of the plastic sheet towards each other, for retention, wearing position adjustment and anatomical bending of at least part of said plastic sheet, said sheet having a first stiffness, and there being provided a stiffening region on said plastic sheet in the upper portion of the interpupillary area, said stiffening region having a second stiffness, and said first stiffness of said sheet being lower than said second stiffness of said stiffening region, so that, as the eyeglasses are worn, the sheet is bent with different radiuses of curvature along the extension of said sheet.

Thanks to the provision of two different regions having two different stiffnesses, as the eyeglasses are worn, the lens or sheet are subjected to a predetermined bending deformation, which can be foreseen in the design step. It will be thus appreciated that, by bending a sheet comprising at least two regions of different stiffnesses, the lower stiffness region will be deformed by bending with a smaller, i.e. narrower radius of curvature, whereas the higher stiffness region will be deformed with a larger, i.e. wider radius of curvature. Thus, the eyeglasses of the present invention deform to a greater extent in the areas where no stiffening is provided, to provide a more comfortable fit to all face shapes and sizes. The stiffening region, which is present at least in the central portion of the sheet, i.e. in the portion corresponding to the field of view of the wearer, in the eyeglass wearing condition, allows the sheet to anatomically bend with a radius of curvature that is wider, or at least definable as desired during the design step, so that the sheet portion substantially corresponding to the field of view of the wearer in the eyeglass wearing condition is not subjected to field of view distortions, because a desired wide radius of curvature may be maintained. Those of ordinary skill in the art will find it easy to determine the average force that will be exerted to "stretch" the sheet around the head of the wearer, and to form the stiffening region with such a stiffness that the region does not deform or deforms with a wide radius of curvature, so that no field of view distortion is generated.

According to a further improvement of the present invention, the eyeglasses have a support means, known as nose bridge, in the nose recess area, along at least part of the sheet edge, in the region substantially corresponding to the nasal sinuses, said nose bridge having a stiffness herein referred to as third stiffness, said third stiffness of said nose bridge being different from said first stiffness of said sheet and/or from said second stiffness of said stiffening region .

Thus the various radiuses of curvature that will be imparted to the sheet as it is worn may be selected as desired, by adjusting the various ratios between the stiffnesses of the sheet, the stiffening element and the nose bridge, so that appropriately changing radiuses of curvature may be provided which do not generate field of view distortions when the eyeglasses are worn by wearers having faces and heads of any shape and size. To improve comfort when worn, these eyeglasses may have soft contact members , particularly in the forehead portion.

Furthermore, in accordance with further improvements of the eyeglasses of the present invention, contact members are provided for contact of the peripheral edge of the sheet and/or the eyeglasses with the face, in the eyeglass wearing condition, to provide maximum comfort for the wearer and obviate the drawbacks of prior art. These contact members are preferably located particularly in the regions of the forehead and/or temples and/or nasal sinuses or cheeks and/or nasal septum. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a process for making eyeglasses, particularly sports eyeglasses, which includes the steps of:

- providing a sheet of flexible plastic material

- cutting said sheet of flexible plastic material to the desired shape unremovably combining said sheet of flexible plastic material with a stiffening region and/or a rim and/or contact members and/or a sealing element and/or a nasal septum protection and/or strap elements or the like.

The present invention further relates to eyeglasses, particularly sports eyeglasses, characterized in that they have at least one sheet of flexible plastic material, which is transparent over at least part of its surface, which sheet is shaped to form a nose receiving recess and extends at the two opposite ends along an axis parallel to the interpupillary line by at least one, preferably two or more strap elements or the like, which are or may be fastened together so that the strap element/s, when connected together in an eyeglass wearing condition, act as a means for pulling the opposite ends of the plastic sheet towards each other, for retention, wearing position adjustment and anatomical bending of at least part of said plastic sheet, and wherein at least one contact member is provided substantially at the area of contact between the eyeglasses and the forehead of the wearer in the eyeglass wearing condition, said contact member being made of a soft material and/or a material having pores or micropores for sweat absorption.

These and other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the following description of a few embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings , in which :

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of the flexible eyeglasses according to the invention as worn by a user.

Fig. 2 shows a first variant embodiment of the flexible eyeglasses according to the invention as worn by a user.

Fig. 3 shows a second variant embodiment of the flexible eyeglasses according to the invention as worn by a user.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the flexible eyeglasses as shown in Fig. 1, not worn by a user.

Fig. 5 is a cut side view of the flexible eyeglasses of the invention, not worn by a user.

Fig. 6 is a top cut side view of the flexible eyeglasses as shown in Figures 4 and 5, as worn by a user.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of fourth variant embodiment of the flexible eyeglasses of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of fifth variant embodiment of the flexible eyeglasses of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of sixth variant embodiment of the flexible eyeglasses of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is an exploded plan view of a seventh embodiment of the eyeglasses of the present invention, not worn by a user. Fig. 11 is a top cut side view of the eyeglasses of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a top cut side view of the eyeglasses as shown in Figures 10 and 11, as worn by a user.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the eyeglasses of Fig. 12, in an intermediate wearing condition, immediately before or after releasing the two elements for mutual connection of the two strap parts.

Figure 14 shows a second embodiment of the eyeglasses of this invention, illustrating the means for connecting a strap, which is not shown in detail, and in which the eyeglasses have a particular external shape .

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the eyeglasses of Fig. 14, in which the snap lock button for the strap end member on the right side is omitted, but the strap end member is still in its receptacle in the eyeglasses.

Fig. 16 is a perspective view of the eyeglasses as shown in Figures 14 and 15, as taken from one of the two strap connection ends. Fig. 17 is a perspective enlarged detail view of one of the strap attachment ends in which the strap is only denoted by its end member for connection thereof to the eyeglasses.

Fig. 18 is a partially sectional view of the strap attachment end, in which the strap connection end member has been omitted.

Fig. 19 is a view similar to Figure 17, in which the lock button has been omitted. Fig. 20 is a view similar to fig. 19, in which the front peripheral coating layer of the eyeglasses has also been omitted.

Fig. 21 is a view similar to Figure 20, in which the strap connecting end member has been also omitted.

Fig. 22 is a sectional view of the receptacle for anchorage of the strap connecting end member, which receptacle is provided at both opposite ends of the eyeglasses. Figs. 23 to 25 are schematic cross sectional views of the top edge area of an embodiment of the inventive eyeglasses, in which an inelastically deformable peripheral element is associated to the plastic sheet to provide stable and customized deformation of the eyeglasses.

Fig. 26 shows eyeglasses according to the variant of Figs. 23 to 25 with the peripheral element inelastically deformed for imparting a curved shape to the eyeglasses. Fig. 27 shows a further embodiment of the eyeglasses of this invention, in which the upper stiffening edge extends sideways with a curved shape, the transparent plastic sheet being designed to be removably secured to such curved extensions . Fig. 28 is a perspective view of the embodiment in which the sheet is secured to the upper curved element and such element terminates in traditional curved ear hook portions .

Fig. 29 is a sectional view of one preferred embodiment .

Fig. 30 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of fig. 29.

Fig. 31 is a front view of the preferred embodiment having a fin-like end members.

Fig. 32 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment having end members for connection of the strap to the eyeglasses Fig. 33 and 34 are view of the preferred embodiment having fin-like end members for connection of the strap to the eyeglasses.

Fig. 35 is a front view of the preferred embodiment having fin-like end members for connection of the strap to the eyeglasses

Fig. 36, 37, 38 are preferred embodiment for the end members for connection of the strap to the eyeglasses

Fig. 39 is a preferred embodiment for the strap As shown in Fig. 1, the eyeglasses, particularly sports eyeglasses or the like, according to the present invention, are formed of one sheet 1 of flexible plastic material, which is transparent over at least part of its surface, which sheet is shaped to form a nose receiving recess and extends at the two opposite ends along an axis parallel to the interpupillary line by at least one, preferably two or more strap elements 7 or the like, which are or may be fastened together so that the strap element/s 7, when connected together in an eyeglass wearing condition, act as a means for pulling the opposite ends of the plastic sheet 1 towards each other, for retention, wearing position adjustment and anatomical bending of at least part of said plastic sheet 1. This sheet 1 has a first stiffness. A stiffening region 3 is provided on said plastic sheet 1, in the peripheral portion or at least over the interpupillary area, said stiffening region 3 having a second stiffness, and said first stiffness of said sheet being lower than said second stiffness of said stiffening region, so that, as the eyeglasses are worn, the sheet is bent with different radiuses of curvature along the extension of said sheet. As shown in Fig. 1, due to the difference between the stiffnesses of the sheet 1 and the stiffening element 3, the eyeglasses do not bend uniformly, i.e. with a substantially cylindrical profile, but substantially with at least two different radiuses of curvature, the bending profile being curved or more flattened in the forehead portion. Particularly in the front portion of the eyeglasses, when worn, the eyeglasses have a first wider radius of curvature, or are not curved at all, but substantially flat, to avoid any field of view deformation effect. The eyeglasses, i.e. the sheet 1 , have a second narrower radius of curvature, disposed symmetrically on the left and right sides of the substantially interpupillary, front portion of the eyeglasses, because the stiffening region 3 has a higher stiffness than the sheet 1, whereas such stiffening element 3 only covers the interpupillary or front portion of the eyeglasses.

As further shown in Figs. 1, 4, 6, the stiffening region 3 follows at least partly the profile of the upper edge of the sheet 1 substantially along the interpupillary portion, to provide the above mentioned advantages of a wide radius of curvature in the central portion. The stiffening region 3 may be provided on the inner and/or outer surface of said plastic sheet, preferably on the outer surface, i.e. not facing the wearer's face.

Particularly, the stiffening region 3 is formed of a raised element standing above the surface of the plastic sheet 1 and is preferably formed of an element having a straight or V shape or other similar geometrical shapes , as shown by way of example in the annexed drawings . The stiffening region 3 may be formed of an element of the same material as the plastic sheet, or another material, whose different stiffness is obtained by appropriately increasing its thickness, wherefore the eyeglasses having such stiffening region may be manufactured in a quick, cost-effective manner, said stiffening region 3 being formed of one piece with the sheet 1, by simply thickening the plastic sheet.

Otherwise, the stiffening region 3 may be formed of an element that is overmolded onto the sheet 1 or an element that is removably engaged with the sheet 1.

According to a further improvement, not shown, the stiffening region 3 may be continuous or discontinous , provided it has a higher stiffness than the sheet 1.

Figs . 4 , 7 , 8 , 9 show an embodiment of the eyeglasses of the invention, which further has a support means , known as nose bridge 2 , in the nose receiving recess, along at least part of the edge of the sheet 1 in the region substantially corresponding to the nasal sinuses . Such nose bridge 2 may have a stiffness herein referred to as third stiffness, and particularly the third stiffness of the nose bridge 2 is different from the first stiffness of the sheet 1 and/or from the second stiffness of the stiffening region 3. This advantageously allows to select the various radiuses of curvature that will be imparted to the sheet in the eyeglass wearing condition as desired, by adjusting the various ratios between the stiffnesses of the sheet 1, the stiffening element 3 and the nose bridge 2 , so that appropriately changing radiuses of curvature may be provided which do not generate field of view distortions when the eyeglasses are worn by wearers having faces and heads of any shape and size, while providing optimized comfort for the wearer.

For high comfort, the third stiffness of the nose bridge 2 is preferably lower than the first stiffness of the sheet 1 , for free bending and improved wearer comfort, the wearer's nose contacting a soft portion of the eyeglasses.

As shown in Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, the plastic sheet 1 lies on a plane when the eyeglasses are not worn, and is stretched into a curved condition to fit the shape of the wearer' s face when worn, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 6. Advantageously, the plastic sheet 1 is shaped to fit against the forehead and/or temples and/or cheeks and/or nasal septum of the wearer when worn, thereby having a number of wide contact surfaces which allow the eyeglasses to be firmly held in position during sporting activities .

The plastic sheet 1 preferably has an oval, 8- shaped continuous shape, i.e. a shape that can substantially fit the face of a wearer when worn. In accordance with a further improvement, the sheet 1 of flexible plastic material, transparent over at least part of its surface, is formed of a thin sheet of transparent organic material and/or optical materials, particularly cellulose acetate, acrylic, polyester, polycarbonate, PVC or polyethylene.

At least part of such plastic sheet 1 may be treated over at least part of the surface of such sheet by anti-tarnish processes and/or at least part of such plastic sheet 1 may be treated over its outer surface or the whole of its surface by anti-scratch and/or anti-glare and/or soundproof and/or anti-fog and/or rainproof processes, so that the eyeglasses may advantageously provide high comfort and be suitable for a large number of different uses. Also, for glare prevention, e.g. when the eyeglasses are used as ski or swim goggles, at least part of the plastic sheet is colored and/or mirror-finished and/or color-graded. According to an interesting and advantageous variant embodiment, as shown in Fig. 9 and in Figures 10, 11, 13, 14 to 16, the eyeglasses of the present invention further have a rim 4 at the outer peripheral edge of the sheet 1. Such rim 4 or frame has a stiffness, herein referred to as fourth stiffness, which is different from the first stiffness of the sheet 1. Thus , if as shown the rim 4 surrounds the whole sheet, as the eyeglasses are worn sheet bending is determined by the stiffness of the rim. Advantageously, this allows to use sheets that do not have an optimal stiffness or an appropriate thickness, by determining the bending radius as a function of the stiffness of the rim, to avoid undesired field of view distortion. The rim may further advantageously be made of plastic, rubber or the like, for appropriate and advantageous safety, thence when the eyeglasses having such soft rim are worn, they overcome prior art drawbacks associated to eyeglasses whose potentially sharp peripheral edge contacts the wearer's face.

The rim 4 may be further extended by strap elements , as shown in Fig. 9 , thereby providing a rugged eyeglass assembly. The rim 4 is arranged to be removably engaged with said plastic sheet, particularly by interlocking means or the like, which are located at the interface between the rim and the sheet and not shown, but the rim 4 may be alternatively arranged to be fixedly engaged with the plastic sheet, particularly by bonding or overmolding.

According to an advantageous variant embodiment, the rim 4 is formed integrally with the plastic sheet 1, and the different stiffnesses thereof are obtained by appropriate thickness increase/reduction, thereby achieving savings in terms of manufacturing times and costs.

According to a further construction feature of this invention, the plastic sheet 1 has contact members 8 along at least part of its peripheral edge as shown in Fig. 6, for the peripheral edge of the sheet and/or the eyeglasses to contact the face, in the eyeglass wearing condition. Due to construction needs, these contact members 8 overlap the rim 4 and/or alternate thereto, to form a functional and pleasing assembly. It shall be particularly noted that these contact members 8 have a stiffness, herein referred to as fifth stiffness, different from the first and/or second and/or third and/or fourth stiffnesses, and advantageously the contact members 8 are made of a substantially soft material, such as neoprene, sponge, or the like.

According to a further embodiment, as shown in the figures, the eyeglasses are formed in such a manner that the transparent and flexible plastic sheet 1 is interposed between the contact members 8 and the rim 4 , both extending all along the peripheral edge of the sheet 1 and/or the eyeglasses. Alternatively, the rim 4 and/or the contact member 8 may cover the single-piece sheet 1 in such a manner as to replicate double lens eyeglasses by providing that, in the nasal septum region, the front portion and the nose receiving portion of the peripheral rim 4 and/or the contact member are interconnected into an 8-shaped structure.

The rim 4 may be formed in such a manner as to cover the possibly sharp peripheral edge of the sheet 1 , which may be thus bonded between the contact member 8 and the rim 4. The nose bridge 2 and the stiffening region 3, located in the nose receiving recess and in the interpupillary portion respectively, are interlocked with the plastic sheet 1 and the rim 4 to form an additional engagement means between these components 1 and 4. Alternatively, the nose bridge 2 and the stiffening portion 3 are fixedly or removably fastened to the sheet 1 at predetermined gaps in the eyeglasses rim 4. According to an advantageous construction feature, the contact members 8 and/or the rim are located in the regions of the forehead and/or temples and/or nasal sinuses or cheeks and/or nasal septum.

Advantageously, a contact member 8 is situated in the forehead region above the eyes, and substantially corresponding, on the inner side, to the outer stiffening portion 3, as shown in Figs. 5, 6. The terms inner and outer as used herein are related to the exposed surface of the eyeglasses as worn. The contact member 8 in the upper forehead portion provides two important advantages: it adds comfort, because in the interpupillary portion the eyeglasses do not exactly follow the bending radius of the head and face, due to the above mentioned field of view distortion problems, as the stiffening region provides a very wide, almost flat, radius of curvature, wherefore the wearer may not feel comfortably wrapped in the eyeglasses, if the radius of curvature of the eyeglasses are excessively different from that of the face. The presence of a soft compressible contact member consistently provides a perfect fit between the upper portion of the eyeglasses and the wearer's face, whereby the eyeglasses are both safe to the eyes, because they are free of field of view distortion, and comfortable .

The second advantage provided by the presence of the contact member in the interpupillary portion is that it absorbs the sweat that might drop onto the wearer during hard sporting activities . For this purpose, the contact member 8 may be advantageously made of a soft material and/or a material having pores or micropores for sweat absorption, such as neoprene or sponge .

There may be further provided eyeglasses, particularly sports eyeglasses, having at least one sheet 1 of flexible plastic material, which is transparent over at least part of its surface, which sheet is shaped to form a nose receiving recess and extends at the two opposite ends along an axis parallel to the interpupillary line by at least one, preferably two or more strap elements 7 or the like, which are or may be fastened together so that the strap element/s 7, when connected together in an eyeglass wearing condition, act as a means for pulling the opposite ends of the plastic sheet 1 towards each other, for retention, wearing position adjustment and anatomical bending of at least part of said plastic sheet 1, and wherein at least one contact member is provided substantially at the area of contact between the eyeglasses and the forehead of the wearer in the eyeglass wearing condition, said contact member being made of a soft material and/or a material having pores or micropores for sweat absorption.

Advantageously, the contact members 8 are fixedly engaged on the plastic sheet 1, particularly by bonding or overmolding and/or are removably engaged on the plastic sheet 1, particularly by interlocking means or the like.

In accordance with a further embodiment, as shown in the figures , the contact member 8 is provided all along the edge of the eyeglasses on the inner side thereof, i.e. the surface in contact with the wearer's face.

The single-piece sheet 1 of the eyeglasses may be overmolded onto a material such as neoprene, rubber or the like to provide a contact member resembling in shape to the frame of double-lens eyeglasses, in which each eye has a lens associated thereto. In this case, the contact member is associated to the single-piece sheet 1 while replicating a double-lens construction, by providing that, in the nose bridge area, the forehead portion and the nose receiving portion of the peripheral contact member 8 approaches to form two open rings, or are interconnected each other to form an 8- shaped element. This contact member 8 may be formed of a single type of plastic material, such as neoprene, rubber or the like, which may have a spongy form, i.e. a soft and less compact structure with pores visible to the naked eye, or in addition and/or in combination thereto a more compressed form, not having a porous structure at least on the side or surface in contact with the skin, and stiffer as a whole. The spongier areas of the contact member 8 may be located at the nasal septum and in the interpupillary portion in contact with the forehead of the wearer, to form both a soft contact 108 and a sweat absorption area, whereas the more compact and rigid portions 208 of the contact member 8 are applied to the rest of the eyeglass profile, to improve comfort and prevent the sharp edge of the sheet 1 from contacting the wearer's face. The contact member 8 is thicker, due to its spongy structure, in the forehead and nose stiffening portion 108. This differentiation in terms of softness and/or size or thickness of the contact member 8 may be obtained by compressing different areas 108, 208 of such member 8 in different manners upon application thereof to the transparent sheet 1. Particularly, a constant thickness spongy member is attached to the sheet by bonding and compression, and areas 108, 208 of different thickness, softness and/or compliance may be formed in the member 8 by different degrees of compression during bonding. As shown in fig. 29, 30 grooves 308 are formed on the face contacting surface of the contact member 8, which grooves 308 extend through the thickness of such member to allow communication between the environment and the space between the eyeglasses and the face, when such eyeglasses are worn. Thus, air is conveyed into the eyeglasses, thereby preventing both unpleasant suction effects and fogging caused by skin transpiration owing to the difference in temperature between the environment and the body surface . The grooves are mainly provided in the less spongy, more compact portions of the contact member 8, in the eyeglass portion in contact with the cheeks or temples, and are also obtained during compression using an appropriately shaped mold.

According to a variant embodiment of the present invention, the plastic sheet 1 has a sealing element, particularly a seal, at the peripheral edge of such sheet 1 to provide liquid tightness between the eyeglasses and the wearer' s face in the eyeglass wearing condition. The sealing element is, for example a seal made of a soft and flexible material , such as rubber or silicone or the like, which is shaped like the soft portion of a diving mask or the like, and is continuous or composed of two separate elements or eye seals, each surrounding a corresponding eye of the wearer. Thus, the eyeglasses of the present invention may advantageously be used as a diving mask and/or swimming goggles , to keep the eyes of the wearer from contact with water.

The sealing element is either fixedly connected to the eyeglasses, particularly by bonding or overmolding, or removably connected to the eyeglasses, whereby the eyeglasses may be advantageously used both as sun/sports eyeglasses and as swimming and diving goggles .

For sports or fashion use, the eyeglasses of the present invention further have a protection 11 for the nasal septum or part thereof, which is shown in Figs. 2 and 3 in two advantageous embodiments .

The protection 11" as shown in Fig. 3 is, for example, an extension of the rim 4 and/or of the stiffening element or region 3.

The protection 11' as shown in Fig. 2 is, for example, a nasal septum protection element, which is continuous or is formed with an aperture, a grid, or the like.

The protection 11 is either fixedly connected to the eyeglasses, particularly by bonding or overmolding, or removably connected to the eyeglasses, particularly by interlocking means or the like . Advantageously, elements may be provided on one or both sides of at least part of the edge of the plastic sheet, which are attached thereto by physical and/or chemical bonding, and form at the same time a stiffening portion 3, a rim 4, contact members 8, sealing elements, and a nasal septum protection 11. Thus the eyeglasses of the present invention are advantageously formed with a rugged construction and at low costs.

Alternatively, in the eyeglasses of this invention may a stiffening region 3 and/or a rim 4 and/or contact members 8 and/or a sealing element and/or a nasal septum protection 11 may be omitted. In this case, the advantages deriving from the stiffening portion may be obtained by providing appropriate different thicknesses along the extension of the plastic sheet 1.

As shown in Figs. 7, 8, 9, in the eyeglasses of the present invention, the transparent and flexible plastic sheet continuously extends by at least one strap element 7, particularly made of an elastic material , such as rubber or the like .

As shown in the annexed figures, the strap elements 7 or the like are strip-like and have one or more apertures along at least part of their extension, to advantageously provide flexibility with different levels of elasticity along such extension, the presence of apertures enhancing the elasticity of the central section of the strap, so that the temples of the wearer are not compressed in the eyeglass wearing condition.

The strap elements 7 or the like may be also made of inextensible material, particularly natural or synthetic fibers, to form strip-like fabric elements and/or may be made of an absorbent and/or breathable fabric, particularly terry cloth.

As shown in the annexed Figures 1 , 2 and 3 , the strap elements 7 or the like have the two free ends adapted to be connected together particularly by being tied into knots and/or by Velcro-like materials and/or using buckles composed of one or more male elements and one or more female elements, or the like, otherwise the strap elements 7 or the like have the two free ends removably connected together to form a single strap element . The strap elements or the like may be provided of fixed or adjustable length.

According to a preferred embodiment, as shown in the annexed Figures 1, 2 and 3, the strap element 7 or the like has buckles 10 at its free ends, which are operatively connected to the strap 7 for length adjustment of the strap 7. The buckles 10 may be removably interconnected.

Alternatively, the strap elements 7 or the like may be connected and length adjusted by a single buckle-like element, providing engagement of the at least two strap elements 7 as shown in Fig. 6, with the free ends oppositely directed, and allows adjustment thereof . As an alternative to the present solution, the strap element 7 may be arranged to be length adjusted by means of a single element which holds the right and left parts of the strap element 7 mutually engaged behind the head of the wearer.

As shown in the annexed figures, the strap elements 7 or the like have two of their ends attached to the two opposite ends of the eyeglasses along an axis parallel to the interpupillary line, either fixedly, particularly by overmolding or bonding, or removably, particularly using pins or snap fastening/release means.

Referring to Figures 10 to 13, eyeglasses may be provided in which a single-piece sheet 1 is overmolded onto a material, such as rubber or the like, to form a rim 4' resembling the rim of double-lens eyeglasses, i.e. in which two transparent elements are provided, one for each eye .

In this case, the rim 4' may cover a single-piece sheet 4 while replicating a double-lens construction, by providing that, in the nose bridge area, the forehead portion and the nose receiving portion of the peripheral rim of the sheet are interconnected to form two rings, or an 8-shaped element. Alternatively, the rim having an 8-shape or composed of two interconnected rings actually connects two separate transparent elements 1.

According to yet another variant, the peripheral rim of the sheet 1 may be fashioned in such a manner as to form a closed annular peripheral sealing lip, which is designed to adhere against the wearer's face to provide watertightness , like diving masks or swimming goggles. The construction of the sealing lip adhering against the wearer's face in swimming goggles is known per se, therefore in the construction of swimming goggles according to the present invention, the rim, which is overmolded or bonded to the transparent sheet, simply has to be shaped accordingly.

Referring to Figures 14 to 16, the invention further provides a variant embodiment, in which the peripheral rim of the flexible and transparent sheet 1 is continuous and formed partly of a flexible material such as rubber and partly of a rigid material, such as plastic, in the forehead and nose portions, which have to exhibit a higher rigidity, as mentioned above.

In this case, as shown in Figures 14 to 16, the parts of different materials 4 , 3 and 2 are harmonically connected together to provide a seamless outer surface .

Alternatively, the forehead 3 and nose 2 stiffening regions may be directly attached, by an interlocking arrangement or the like, to the sheet or the corresponding rim portion thereof, which in this case has a continuous extension and is made of a single material all along the peripheral edge .

According to yet another feature, on the inner side of the transparent sheet, i.e. on the side facing the wearer's face, the rim may be formed, at least along part or the whole of its extension, corresponding to at least part or the whole of the peripheral edge of the transparent sheet 1 , of a tubular element which is bonded to such sheet. The tubular element may be a tubular element which is closed at each side, independently of the sheet, or a shell-like element which is closed at one side by the sheet 1 whereto it is bonded. By this arrangement, an inner edge is formed, for contact of the eyeglasses, i.e. the sheet, against the face, providing high softness and morphological fit. This enhances comfort and further has the function of preventing impacts of the eyeglasses against the face, e.g. if the eyeglasses are subjected to impacts when worn. These contact pads may have a variable section, which is larger in predetermined points of difficult adhesion or contact of the eyeglasses against the wearer's face.

Referring to Figures 14 and 16, the contact pads, i.e. the inner tubular rim, is thicker at the forehead 3 and nose stiffening regions.

An inner tubular element, formed by a frame or channel 20 which is closed by the sheet against which it is bonded, is clearly shown in Figures 20 to 22. In these figures , the tubular rim element is only shown at the end that provides attachment of the strap to the sheet, but this construction also covers or may cover the whole length of the inner rim. Particularly, this inner rim element acting as a pneumatic pad, may be formed in either case of a closed or open tubular element, or an element whose cross section is open at one side and closed by the transparent sheet 1, and may extend along some partial sections of the edge or other parts of such transparent sheet.

Further features of the eyeglasses of the present invention result from figures 14 to 15, which may be provided in any combination or sub-combination with other features as described and shown with reference to other embodiments and other figures .

The plan shape of the sheet 1 shall particularly be noted. Particularly in such plan shape, the lower peripheral edge at either side of the nose receiving recess, towards the strap attachment end, has a first concave section 21, which is followed by an intermediate convex section 22 and ends in a second concave section 23. This plan shape allows the lower edge of the eyeglasses to fit the morphology of the wearer's face in the curved condition, with the eyeglasses being worn.

The above described shape is obviously identical for both sheet portions at either side of the nose receiving recess.

According to yet another feature, through apertures 25 may be formed in the sheet 1 and/or the rim 4 , to allow air circulation between the face and the eyeglasses, for effective antifog results.

Still according to another feature, the straps or the continuous elastic strap may be mechanically and possibly removably fastened to the sheet or the rim thereof. The ends of the strap/s are attached to the eyeglasses for instance by pins that pass through a hole or an aperture at the end of the strap and are snap engaged with apertures or holes of the eyeglasses.

A more elegant design of such mechanical fastening arrangement is shown in the example of Figures 14 to 22.

In this example, the fixing ends of the straps or the continuous strap have connection end members 30 which may be molded, bonded or stitched to the ends of the straps. The connection end members 30 are designed to engage in corresponding receptacles 31 which are arranged to be open at the corresponding ends of the eyeglasses or the sheet 1, with the corresponding strap end being fastened thereto. Particularly, the receptacle may be formed by the rim itself or the assembly composed of the inner rim 20, the sheet 1 and the outer rim 4. Referring to the illustrated embodiment, and without limitation to the possible embodiments of this receptacle, the receptacle is formed by the space delimited by the sheet 1 on one side and the channel-shaped inner rim element on the other side. In this case, the sheet has a hole 32 in the receptacle area, having a fit-in aperture 33 for the connection end member along the peripheral edge. The connection end member has a tab 130 with a hole in it, which fits into the receptacle 31 through such fit- in aperture 33, the through hole of the tab 130 coinciding with the hole 32 of the sheet in the fit-in position. Radial teeth of conical section 234 are provided at the end of the pin 34 opposite to the external head 134 , whose diameter is larger than that of the hole 32 of the transparent sheet 1 , which teeth engage behind the tab 130, by abutting against the side thereof opposite the transparent sheet 1 and locking the tab to the transparent sheet 1 , while allowing the tab to pivot about the pin axis .

In accordance with yet another feature, which is particularly shown in Figures 18 to 22, the fit-in receptacle 31 of the tab 130 has means for holding the locking pin 34 in a position of engagement within the hole of the fit-in tab 130. Particularly, the pin has a radially spreadable end, composed of a ring of axial elements 334 , each having a radial tooth at the end opposite the pin head 134 , and which axial elements enclose an axial central space 434 , whereas a spreading pin 120 extends from the inner side of the channel rim element 20 opposite the transparent sheet 1, which pin is designed to engage within the axial space 434 delimited by the axial elements 334 while preventing the lattter from pivoting towards the central axis and maintaining such axial elements in a spread apart position, so that the pin remains anchored to the hole of the tab 130.

Since the wall of the channel rim element 20 is generally made of an elastic material, such as rubber, neoprene or the like, this spreading pin 120 is also made of a soft material, which ensures both a sufficient retention of the axial elements of the ring in the spread apart position and, upon exertion of a certain force, such an extent of deformation as to allow the axial elements of the ring to come close together and allow extraction of the locking pin 34.

Other embodiments may be obviously envisaged for permanent or removable attachment of the straps to the eyeglasses .

Referring to yet another advantageous feature of the invention, the locking pin 34 and the engagement receptacle thereof may have cooperating means for preventing pin rotation. For instance, immediately below its large head 134, the locking pin 34 may have a non round shank section 534 for engagement, for example, into a corresponding non round hole 101 in the transparent sheet 1. Alternatively or in addition thereto, the ring of axial elements may be obtained by forming diametrical cuts in the shank of the locking pin, the split pin 120 having radial tabs 220 in such position as to be able to engage in at least some of the diametrical cuts between the axial elements .

A further removable mechanical fastening arrangement between the sheet 1 or the rim 4 thereof ad the strap element/s 7 is shown in the example of Figures 32, 36 to 38.

In this example the strap ends that engage with the eyeglasses have end members 40 for connection of the strap 7 to the eyeglasses. Such end members, which may be made of plastic, metal or metallized material may be permanently or removably connected by interlocking, form fit and/or elastic force fit, or may be directly molded, bonded, stitched to the ends of the strap elements 7.

The connection end members 40 are elements for removable attachment to the eyeglass part, particularly operating by sliding fit, thanks to the presence of a channel receptacle 140 which is designed to engage by sliding force fit onto an enlarged or thickened end edge 41 of a tap 42 at the corresponding end of the eyeglasses or the sheet 1, where the corresponding end of the strap 7 has to be attached. The receptacles 140 obviously have a cross section that is substantially complementary to the tab 42 and the enlarged edge 41.

Such enlarged edge 41 forms a rib or guide element for the sliding fit of the connection end member 40. Particularly, the tab 42 is an extension of the rim 4 or the assembly composed of the inner rim 20, the sheet 1 and the outer rim 4. Since the rim element 4 is generally made of elastic material, such as rubber or the like, the tab 42 and the end edge 41 are also formed of elastic material, wherefore they ensure effective engagement of the end member 40 in the receptacle 140.

The connection end member 40 may be a single element having a through channel which acts as a receptacle 140 for engagement of the tab 42 and the edge 41 or may be formed of two half-shells, mutually engaged by snap closure means or by physical and/or chemical bonding, and allowing attachment to one end of the strap 7 and forming a receptacle 140 for engagement of the tab 42 and the edge 41.

Referring to the illustrated example, the connecting end member 40 is a single element having a receptacle 140 for engagement of the tab 42 and the enlarged end edge 41. The tab 42 engages in such receptacle 140 by sliding transverse to the axis of the strap 7 and/or the interpupillary line and parallel to the axis of the enlarged end edge 41. The sliding axis may be slightly inclined to follow the edge of the eyeglasses at the temples, for improved comfort and fit. In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle 140 for engagement of the tab 42 and the enlarged end edge is open at one end, particularly the lower end, corresponding to the cheeks in the eyeglass wearing condition, for insertion of such tab 42 and such edge 41, and closed at the other end, particularly the upper end corresponding to the forehead, to form a limit stop for the insertion of the tab 41 in said channel receptacle 140 of the end member 40.

The channel receptacle 40 may have both sides open and the limit stop may be formed by a thickened or enlarged portion at one end of the enlarged end edge 41 and/or on the tab 42.

In a connection end member 40 having a receptacle 140 for engagement of the tab 42 and the enlarged end edge 41, a slit or interstice is formed in an intermediate plane of its thickness, which is substantially as thick as or slightly thicker than the tab 42 Such interstice terminates in an enlarged notch, whose section and/or shape are substantially complementary to the section and/or shape of the enlarged end edge 41. The interstice is open at the side opposite to the strap connecting edge and at one of the two sides parallel to the extension of the longitudinal edge of the strap, and is closed at the opposite side. The tab 42 and the end member 40 have a substantially identical size with reference to the fit- in direction, and such a size and shape that, in a mutual engagement condition, the eyeglasses and the end member 40 are interconnected in a seamless manner.

Particularly, thanks to the shape of the tabs 42, the end members or the edges 41 form a V shape so that, when the end member is slid onto the tab 42 and the enlarged edge 41 and the eyeglasses are worn, thereby causing the sheet 1 to bend, the pull force on the strap causes the connection end member 40 to slide upwards onto the tab 42 and the edge 41 to prevent any undesired disengagement of the edge 41 and the tab from their respective receptacle 140.

In a preferred embodiment, the enlarged end edge 41 has a round shape for sliding into engagement with a correspondingly shaped receptacle 140, but the enlarged end edge 41 may also have any non round shape, such as a star or square shape or the like, to provide elastic engagement between the end member 40 of the strap and the rim 4 and/or the sheet 1 of the eyeglasses.

If the strap element 7 is made of a plastic material substantially having rubber-like properties, the end of the strap 7 designed for engagement with the corresponding end of the eyeglasses may have a tab and an enlarged end edge as described in the previous example so that it can engage in the corresponding receptacle, which is provided in this case on at least one corresponding connection end member or directly on at least one end of the eyeglasses or sheet 1 which is to have the strap 7 fastened thereto. The strap element/s 7, whose end is engaged in the connection end member 40 of the eyeglasses may be strip-like elements of elastic terrycloth and may be formed of one or more cord elements which are held together and/or length adjusted by means of a hem element in which the ends or the two portions of the cord-like strap element are slid and locked at a predetermined length behind the wearer' s head, when the eyeglasses are worn, by spring loaded means.

Figure 31, 33, 34 shows a further embodiment of the eyeglasses of the present invention. Here, the tab

42 and the enlarged end edge 41 or the thickened portion at the end of the eyeglasses engage with a rigid or semi-rigid fin-like end member 43 sliding thereon, whose receptacle on the tab 42 and the edge 41 is substantially as described above regarding the strap connection end member 40, except that, instead of having one end fixed to the strap element 7, it has a fin-like end, i.e. an elongate end, for such end member

43 to act as a wedging element allowing to bend the transparent sheet 1 and to put on the eyeglasses when wearing head protection elements such as safety helmets or the like .

Thanks to these wedging fin-like end members 43, which allow the side ends of the eyeglasses to wedge between the wearer ' s head or temples and the inner wall of the helmet, the eyeglasses may be worn, i.e. at least part of the transparent plastic sheet may anatomically bend, even without the provision of strap elements , which may be unpractical , bothersome and bulky when wearing a helmet.

Figures 23 to 26 show a further embodiment of the eyeglasses of the present invention. Here, the peripheral rim may have a band of inelastically deformable material, e.g. a metal band or the like, along at least part of the sides oriented substantially parallel to the interpupillary line . By this arrangement, the eyeglasses may have a shape substantially fitting the wearer' s morphology while still starting from a flat shape. As the eyeglasses are worn for the first time, the band of metal or other inelastically deformable material is deformed because, due to the action of the strap and/or the fin-shaped end members 43, the transparent sheet is bent.

However, unlike the previous embodiments, these eyeglasses maintain their curved shape, thanks to the inelastically deformable band.

Thermal shape-memory materials may be also provided for the band, instead of the above materials. In this case, the material is deformable when heated to a certain temperature and its shape becomes permanent when cooled to a second temperature . At a third different temperature, the band may be returned to the initial flat configuration. Shape-memory materials are known per se .

To prevent warping effects , the band is formed as a flat bar which adheres and is retained against the transparent sheet, particularly at its upper edge, by gluing, mechanical means and/or physical or chemical bonding and/or by being embedded in the rim of the transparent sheet 1.

Figures 23 to 25 show different variants of attachment of the band of inelastically deformable material or thermal shape-memory material to the transparent sheet 1. For example, in Figure 23, the rim 4 wholly covers the band 40. In Figure 24, the band has continuous or discontinuous exposed portions along its extension, which portions project outwards from the rim to be visible.

In the variant of Figure 25, the band 40 may form itself the rim, by being mechanically fastened or bonded or secured in any other manner to the transparent sheet.

The embodiment of this example is particularly suitable for forming eyeglasses with a shaped transparent part and with traditional earpieces 41. These may be formed, as shown in Figure 26, as end extensions of at least the upper portion and/or possibly also the lower portion of the rim of the transparent sheet 1, the band 40 being only provided in the upper rim portion and/or possibly also along part or the whole of the extension of the sidepieces .

Thanks to this feature, the eyeglasses are sold in their flat configuration, and are deformed and permanently shaped by the wearer when worn for the first time. In this case, when the eyeglasses are required to be used by a different wearer, they can be restored to the initial flat condition and curved again by fitting it against the new wearer's face.

According to a variant embodiment, the eyeglasses have a stiffening element 3 which extends on each side of the nose bridge with a curved or circular profile.

Such extensions 103 may be formed of a single element, i.e. of one piece, or of two separate elements. Advantageously, these extensions 103 are formed of a one piece, which may be removably attached to the transparent sheet 1 or the stiffening element 3.

Means 42 for temporarily attaching or holding of the transparent sheet in position against such extensions may be provided in combination with the extensions, allowing the eyeglasses to have a permanent curvature .

The means for attaching the transparent sheet 1 to the side extensions 103 of the peripheral stiffening element may be of the removable, particularly interlocking type. Thanks to this feature, the eyeglasses, i.e. the sheet 1, may be restored to the initial flat condition and then stably reshaped by attachment thereof to the extensions 103. These extensions may have various curvatures and/or various materials and/or various shapes. Particularly, these extensions may terminate, as shown in Figure 28, in earpieces .

In Figure 28, the means for removably attaching the sheet 1 to the extensions 103 are toothed pins, the large head thereof being only visible in figure 28, which pins 50 are designed to be snap engaged into through holes of the transparent sheet and to coincide with engagement holes of the extensions 103. The above disclosure clearly shows the advantages of this invention, with particular reference to the above embodiment. The removable extensions 103, which may be interchanged with extensions of different shapes and bending sizes , allow permanent shaping of the sheet 1 into the curved condition without using deformable means , which are always fragile .

Referring to the variants as disclosed above, the invention also relates to an eyeglass kit, comprising at least one transparent sheet having removable means for attachment thereof to various peripheral stiffening elements 3 and/or one or more frames shaped along one, two or three directions, which stiffening elements and/or shaped frames have different shapes and/or different stiffnesses, one or more peripheral stiffening and/or frame elements for the area corresponding to a nose recess portion of said sheet; one or more nose protection elements to be attached to the nose area, which form a nose bridge shield; one or more different elastic and non elastic and/or length adjustable strap elements, which are designed to be removably connected to the transparent sheet; one or more pairs of traditional earpieces , which are designed to be removably attached to the sheet; one or more further peripheral rim elements , on the outer and/or inner sides of the sheet, which are designed to be attached, alternatively to or in combination with each other, to various portions of the inner and/or outer peripheral edge of the transparent sheet and have various extensions along such peripheral edge, said elements being mountable in different alternative combinations to form various eyeglasses having different shapes and functions . According to yet another feature, the kit may also include various transparent sheets , having different transparency and/or color and/or shape characteristics, said sheets being designed for attachment to the same elements or at least some of them. The present invention further relates to a process for making eyeglasses, particularly sports eyeglasses or the like, which includes the steps of:

- providing a sheet 1 of flexible plastic material cutting said sheet 1 of flexible plastic material to the desired shape

- unremovably combining said sheet 1 of flexible plastic material with a stiffening region 3 and/or a rim 4 and/or contact members and/or a sealing element and/or a nasal septum protection and/or strap elements or the like.

In a further variant embodiment of the process for making eyeglasses, particularly sports eyeglasses or the like, such unremovable combination of the sheet of flexible plastic material with a stiffening region and/or a rim 4 and/or contact members and/or a sealing element and/or a nasal septum protection and/or strap elements or the like is obtained by overmolding or bonding.

Claims

1. Eyeglasses, particularly sports eyeglasses or the like, characterized in that they are composed of a shaped sheet of flexible transparent materials and means for bending said sheet, in a permanent manner and/or only upon wearing thereof.

2. Eyeglasses as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the means for bending the sheet of transparent material are an elastic and/or length adjustable strap element, which connects two opposite ends of the sheet of transparent material, with reference to the extension thereof in the direction of the interpupillary line .

3. Eyeglasses as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sheet bending means are a curved frame element which may be attached in a stable, temporarily stable or removable manner to at least the upper peripheral edge of the transparent sheet with reference to the eyeglass wearing condition.

4. Eyeglasses as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the sheet bending means are an inelastically deformable frame element and/or a frame element made of a shape-memory material, particularly a thermal shape- memory material, which may be attached in a stable, temporarily stable or removable manner to at least the upper peripheral edge of the transparent sheet with reference to the eyeglass wearing condition.

5. Eyeglasses, particularly sports eyeglasses or the like, as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that they are formed of a sheet (1) of flexible plastic material, which is transparent over at least a portion of its surface, which sheet is shaped to form a nose receiving recess and extends at the two opposite ends along an axis parallel to the interpupillary line by at least one, preferably two or more strap elements (7) or the like, which are or may be fastened together so that the strap element/s (7) , when connected together in an eyeglass wearing condition, act as a means for pulling the opposite ends of the plastic sheet (1) towards each other, for retention, wearing position adjustment and anatomical bending of at least a portion of said plastic sheet (1) , said sheet (1) having a first stiffness, and there being provided a stiffening region (3) on said plastic sheet (1) in the upper portion of the interpupillary area, said stiffening region (3) having a second stiffness, and said first stiffness of said sheet being lower than said second stiffness of said stiffening region, so that, as the eyeglasses are worn, the sheet is bent with different radiuses of curvature along the extension of said sheet.

6. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that they further have a support means, known as nose bridge (2) , in the nose receiving recess, along at least part of the edge of said sheet (1) in the region substantially corresponding to the nasal sinuses, said nose bridge (2) having a third stiffess.

7. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that said third stiffness of said nose bridge (2) is different from said first stiffness of said sheet (1) and/or said second stiffness of said stiffening region (3) .

8. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said third thickness is lower than said first stiffness of said sheet (1) .

9. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sheet (1) of plastic material lies on a plane when the lies on a plane when the eyeglasses are not worn, and is stretched into a curved condition to fit the shape of the wearer's face when worn.

10. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sheet of plastic material (1) is shaped to fit against the forehead and/or temples and/or cheeks and/or nasal septum of the wearer when worn.

11. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sheet (1) of plastic material has an oval, 8- shaped continuous shape .

12. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sheet (1) of plastic material has a shape that can substantially fit the face of a wearer when worn.

13. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet (1) of flexible plastic material, transparent over at least part of its surface, is formed of a thin sheet of transparent organic material .

14. Eyeglasses, particularly sports eyeglasses or the like, as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sheet (1) of plastic material is formed of optical materials , particularly cellulose acetate, acrylic, polyester, polycarbonate, PVC or polyethylene .

15. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of said sheet (1) of plastic material is treated over at least part of the surface of said sheet by anti- tarnish processes.

16. Eyeglasses, particularly sports eyeglasses or the like as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of said sheet (1) of plastic material is treated over its outer surface or the whole of its mass by anti-scratch and/or anti-glare and/or soundproof and/or anti-fog and/or rainproof processes.

17. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part of said sheet of plastic material is colored and/or mirror-finished and/or color-graded.

18. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said stiffening region (3) may be continuous or discontinuous.

19. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said stiffening region (3) follows at least partly the profile of the upper edge of said sheet (1) substantially along the interpupillary portion .

20. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said stiffening region (3) is provided on the inner and/or outer surface of said sheet of plastic material.

21. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said stiffening region (3) is formed of a raised element standing above the surface of said sheet (1) of plastic material.

22. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said stiffening region (3) is formed of an element having a straight or V shape or other similar geometrical shapes .

23. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said stiffening region (3) is formed of an element of the same material as the plastic sheet, or another material, whose different stiffness is obtained by appropriately increasing its thickness.

24. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said stiffening region (3) is formed of one piece with said sheet (1) , by thickening said sheet of plastic material.

25. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said stiffening region (3) is formed of an element overmolded onto said sheet (1) .

26. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said stiffening region is formed of an element that is removably engaged with said sheet (1) .

27. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that they further have a rim (4) at the free peripheral edge of said sheet (1) .

28. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rim (4) has a stiffness, i.e. a fourth stiffness, which is different from said first stiffness of said sheet (1) .

29. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rim (4) is made of plastic, rubber or the like.

30. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rim (4) extends by strap elements.

31. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rim (4) is removably engaged with said sheet of plastic material, particularly by interlocking means or the like .

32. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rim (4) is fixedly engaged with said sheet of plastic material, particularly by bonding or overmolding.

33. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rim (4) is formed integrally with said sheet (1) of plastic material, and the different stiffnesses thereof are obtained by appropriate thickness increase/reduction.

34. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the stiffening region (3) is formed of an element that is interlocked with the sheet of plastic material (1) and the rim (4) to form an additional engagement means between said sheet (1) and said rim (4) .

35. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sheet (1) of plastic material has contact members (8) along at least part of its peripheral edge, for the peripheral edge of the sheet and/or the eyeglasses to contact the face, in the eyeglass wearing condition.

36. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that said contact members (8) overlap the rim (4) and/or alternate thereto .

37. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that said contact members (8) have a stiffness, i.e. a fifth stiffness, which is different from said first and/or second and/or third and/or fourth stiffnesses.

38. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said contact members (8) are substantially soft.

39. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that said contact members (8) are made of neoprene, sponge or the like.

40. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rim (4) and/or said contact members (8) are particularly located in the regions of the forehead and/or temples and/or nasal sinuses or cheeks and/or nasal septum.

41. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that said contact members (8) are fixedly engaged with said sheet (1) of plastic material, particularly by bonding or overmolding.

42. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said contact members (8) are removably engaged with said sheet (1) of plastic material, particularly by interlocking means or the like .

43. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said contact members (8) may have various degrees of softness depending on their position, particularly said contact members (8) are softer and spongier at the nasal septum and in the interpupillary portion in contact with the forehead of the wearer so as to form both a soft contact portion and a sweat absorption portion and/or more compact and rigid in the remaining portion in contact with the face.

44. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that grooves are formed on said contact members (8) , which grooves extend through the thickness of said member (8) to allow communication between the environment and the space between the eyeglasses and the face, when said eyeglasses are worn, and particularly said grooves are mainly provided in the less spongy, more compact portions of the contact member (8) , in the eyeglass portion in contact with the cheeks or temples .

45. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet (1) of plastic material has a sealing element, particularly a seal, at the peripheral edge of said sheet (1) to provide liquid tightness between the eyeglasses and the wearer's face in the eyeglass wearing condition.

46. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that the sealing element (9) is a seal made of a soft and flexible material, such as rubber or silicone or the like, which is shaped like the soft portion of a diving mask or the like.

47. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that the sealing element (9) is continuous or composed of two separate elements or eye seals , each surrounding a corresponding eye of the wearer.

48. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that the sealing element (9) is fixedly connected to the eyeglasses, particularly by bonding or overmolding.

49. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that the sealing element (9) is removably connected to the eyeglasses.

50. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that they further have a protection (11) at the nasal septum or part thereof .

51. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that said protection (11) is an extension of the rim (4) and/or the stiffening element or region (3) .

52. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that said protection

(11) is a nasal septum protection element, said element being continuous or formed with an aperture, a grid, or the like.

53. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that said protection

(11) is fixedly connected to the eyeglasses, particularly by bonding or overmolding.

54. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said protection (11) is removably connected to the eyeglasses, particularly by interlocking means or the like .

55. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that elements are provided on one or both sides of at least part of the edge of the plastic sheet, which are attached thereto by physical and/or chemical bonding, and form at the same time a stiffening portion (3) , a rim (4) , contact members (8) , sealing elements (9) , and a nasal septum protection (11) .

56. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that a stiffening region (3) and/or a rim (4) and/or contact members (8) and/or a sealing element (9) and/or a nasal septum protection (11) are omitted.

57. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sheet (1) of transparent and flexible plastic material, continuously extends by at least one strap element (7) .

58. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strap elements (7) or the like are made from an elastic material, particularly rubber, or the like.

59. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strap elements (7) or the like are in strip-like form and have one or more apertures along at least part of their extension.

60. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strap elements (7) or the like are made from an inextensible material, particularly natural or synthetic fibers to form strip-like fabric elements.

61. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strap elements (7) or the like are made from absorbent and/or breathable fabric, particularly terry cloth.

62. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strap elements (7) or the like have the two free ends adapted to be connected together particularly by being tied into knots and/or by Velcro-like materials and/or using buckles composed of one or more male elements and one or more female elements , or the like .

63. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strap elements (7) or the like have the two free ends removably connected together to form a single strap element .

64. Eyeglasses, particularly sports eyeglasses or the like, as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said strap element/s (7) or the like are of fixed length.

65. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strap elements (7) or the like are of adjustable length.

66. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strap element (7) or the like has buckles (10) at its free ends, which are operatively connected to the strap (7) for length adjustment of the strap (7) .

67. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said buckle/s (10) can be removably interconnected.

68. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strap elements (7) or the like can be connected and length adjusted by a single buckle-like element, providing engagement of the at least two strap elements with the free ends oppositely directed, and allows adjustment thereof .

69. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strap element (7) or the like is length adjustable by means of a single element which holds the right and left parts of the strap element (7) mutually engaged behind the head of the wearer.

70. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strap elements (7) or the like have two of their ends attached to the two opposite ends of the eyeglasses along an axis parallel to the interpupillary line, in a fixed manner, particularly by overmolding or bonding.

71. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strap elements (7) or the like have two of their ends removably attached to the two opposite ends of the eyeglasses along an axis parallel to the interpupillary line, particularly using pins or snap fastening/release means .

72. A process for making eyeglasses, particularly sports eyeglasses or the like as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 71, characterized in that it includes the steps of: - providing a sheet (1) of flexible plastic material cutting said sheet (1) of flexible plastic material to the desired shape

- unremovably combining said sheet (1) of flexible plastic material with a stiffening region (3) and/or a rim (4) and/or contact members and/or a sealing element and/or a nasal septum protection and/or strap elements or the like.

73. A process for making eyeglasses, particularly sports eyeglasses or the like, as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 71, characterized in that said unremovable combination of said sheet of flexible plastic material with a stiffening region and/or a rim (4) and/or contact members and/or a sealing element and/or a nasal septum protection and/or strap elements or the like is obtained by overmolding or bonding.

74. Eyeglasses, particularly sports eyeglasses, characterized in that they have at least one sheet (1) of flexible plastic material, which is transparent over at least part of its surface, which sheet is shaped to form a nose receiving recess and extends at the two opposite ends along an axis parallel to the interpupillary line by at least one, preferably two or more strap elements (7) or the like, which are or may be fastened together so that the strap element/s (7) , when connected together in an eyeglass wearing condition, act as a means for pulling the opposite ends of the sheet (1) of plastic material towards each other, for retention, wearing position adjustment and anatomical bending of at least part of said sheet (1) , and wherein at least one contact member is provided substantially at the area of contact between the eyeglasses and the forehead of the wearer in the eyeglass wearing condition, said contact member being made of a soft material and/or a material having pores or micropores for sweat absorption.

75. Eyeglasses as claimed in the preceding claim, characterized in that they have one or more of the features as claimed in claims 1 to 71.

76. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that the peripheral rim may be an outer and/or inner, continuous and/or discontinuous rim, of one material and/or of various materials depending on the portion of the sheet of transparent material where it is attached.

77. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that said outer and/or inner rims (4) are removably attached.

78. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that the outer rim (4) is attached to the sheet of transparent material by mechanical means .

79. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least part or the whole of the peripheral rim (20) on the inner side of the sheet of transparent material (1) , i.e. on the side facing the wearer's face, and/or on the outer side of the sheet, i.e. on the side opposite the wearer's face, is formed of a tubular element and/or a pneumatic pad-like chamber element, the inner space of said tubular element and/or said chamber being in communication with the environment or sealed.

80. Eyeglasses as claimed in claim 79, characterized in that the tubular element and/or the chamber element of the rim are closed elements designed to be attached to the sheet of transparent material .

81. Eyeglasses as claimed in claim 79, characterized in that the tubular element or the chamber element of the rim is a channel element that is closed on the side of the sheet of transparent material by the sheet itself upon attachment to the latter.

82. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of claims 79 to 78, characterized in that the tubular element or the chamber element is glued and/or welded and/or applied by physical and/or chemical bonding to the sheet of transparent material, possibly with an airtight effect.

83. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strap element/s are designed to be removably attached to the sheet of transparent material by mechanical locking means , which can be interlocked with said sheet of transparent material and/or with a rim element attached thereto .

84. Eyeglasses as claimed in claim 83, characterized in that the strap elements have a connection end member at one end for attachment thereof to the sheet of transparent material , which connection end member is designed to fit and be locked by removable or fixed interlocking means in a respective receptacle in said sheet of transparent material .

85. Eyeglasses as claimed in claim 83 or 84, characterized in that the receptacle is formed by the sheet itself and/or by the assembly composed of the sheet and a portion of the outer and/or inner rims (4, 20) of said sheet of transparent material.

86. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of claims 83 to 85, characterized in that the strap ends are designed to be attached to the sheet of transparent material for pivotal movement about an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal extension of the strap and the surface of said sheet of transparent material .

87. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strap elements (7) or the like have a connection end member

(40) cooperating with complementary coupling means (42, 41) at the ends of the sheet (1) , at least on one of their ends for attachment to the corresponding ends of the eyeglasses.

88. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that said connection end members (40) , which are made of plastic, metal or metallized material are permanently or removably connected, and particularly by elastic force fit, and/or molded, bonded, stitched to both ends of the strap elements (7) .

89. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that said connection end members (40) have a channel receptacle (140) whereby they slidingly fit onto an enlarged or thickened end edge (41) of a tab (42) , which is provided at the corresponding end of the eyeglasses or the sheet (1) where the corresponding end of the strap

(7) has to be attached.

90. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tab (42) is an extension of the rim (4) and/or or the assembly composed of the inner rim (20) , the sheet (1) and the outer rim (4) .

91. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tab (42) and/or end edge (41) are made of an elastic material, such as rubber or the like .

92. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that the connection end member (40) is made of a single piece and has a through channel which acts as receptacle (140) for engagement of the tab (42) and the end edge (41) .

93. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that the connection end member (40) is formed of two half-shells, mutually engaged by snap closure means or by physical and/or chemical bonding, and allowing attachment to one end of the strap (7) and forming a receptacle (140) for engagement of the tab (42) and the edge (41) .

94. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said tab (42) and said enlarged end edge (41) engage in their respective receptacle (140) by sliding transverse to the axis of the strap (7) and/or the interpupillary line and parallel to the axis of the enlarged end edge (41) .

95. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said edges (41) are inclined and form a V-shape, so that the sliding axis is tilted with respect to the vertical interpupillary line .

96. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that the channel that forms the receptacle (140) for engagement of the tab (42) and the enlarged end edge is open at least at one end, particularly the lower end, corresponding to the cheeks in the eyeglass wearing condition, for insertion of said tab (42) and said edge (41) , and closed at the other end, particularly the upper end corresponding to the forehead, to form a limit stop for the insertion of the tab (42) in said receptacle (140) .

97. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that the channel receptacle (140) is a through channel and the limit stop is formed by a thickened or enlarged portion at one end of the enlarged end edge (41) and/or on the tab (42) .

98. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the ends of the strap elements (7) which is designed to engage with a corresponding end of the eyeglasses, has a tab and a thickened end edge for engagement in its corresponding receptacle, which is provided at least on a corresponding connection end member or directly on at least one end of the eyeglasses or the sheet (1) where the strap (7) has to be attached.

99. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the strap element/s (7) , are formed of at least one or more cord elements which are held together and/or length adjusted by means of a hem element in which the ends or the two portions of the cord-like strap element are slid and locked at a predetermined length behind the wearer' s head, when the eyeglasses are worn, by spring loaded means .

100. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that they have at least one rigid and/or semi-rigid fin-like end member

(43) which is stably attached or removably attachable to the sheet of transparent material (1) .

101. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fin-like end member (43) has a receptacle for engagement thereof onto a corresponding tab and enlarged end edge, on the edge of the eyeglasses, or vice versa.

102. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that said end member

(43) has an elongate end, particularly opposite to the end for engagement with the eyeglasses, so that said end member (43) forms a wedging element, allowing to bend the transparent sheet 1 and to put on the eyeglasses with the user wearing head protecting elements, such as safety helmets, or the like.

103. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that the outer and/or inner rim elements are made of an inelastically deformable material and/or of a thermal shape-memory material, whereas said rim element is an elongate flat strip or band element, which element is held with one of its surfaces against the surface of the sheet of transparent material.

104. Eyeglasses as claimed in claim 103, characterized in that the outer and/or inner rim elements of inelastically deformable material and/or of thermal shape-memory material are attached to the sheet of transparent material by gluing and/ or physical and/or chemical bonding and/or by at least partly embedding thereof in a frame or rim of another material , which frame overlaps said outer and/or inner rim elements of inelastically deformable material and/or thermal shape-memory material totally and/or at certain sections and/or certain sides thereof.

105. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that they have traditional earpiece elements, which are stably attached or removably attachable to the sheet of transparent material.

106. Eyeglasses as claimed in claim 105, characterized in that the earpiece elements are extensions of the outer and/or inner rim elements of the sheet of transparent material.

107. Eyeglasses as claimed in claim 104, characterized in that the earpiece elements are extensions of the upper rim element, which is inelastically deformable and/or has a thermal shape- memory construction.

108. Eyeglasses as claimed in claim 104, characterized in that the earpiece elements have mechanical means for connection with the sheet of transparent material and/or an inner and/or outer rim element thereof y interlock, press fit, clamping or the like .

109. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has a rigid outer and/or inner rim element, which rim element is stably formed into a curved, circular shape, and which element is stably and/or removably attached at least at one location, preferably in the nose bridge portion of the sheet, i.e., the central area of the sheet between the two eyes, whereas the sheet is stably and/or removably attached to the curved extensions of said rigid element.

110. Eyeglasses as claimed in claim 109, characterized in that the circular element is the stiffening element (3) which has curved extensions (103) to its two opposite ends.

111. Eyeglasses as claimed in claim 109 or 110, characterized in that the rigid curved element extends integrally or by physical and/or chemical bonding by traditional earpiece elements .

112. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, at the two peripheral edges of the sheet of transparent material , which are provided on the lower side thereof, in the eyeglass wearing condition, and on each side of the nose receiving recess, said edge is shaped in such a manner as to have a lower convex projection between two concave recesses for connection to the nose receiving recess and/or to the side end of the sheet of transparent material towards the ear and/or the temple .

113. Eyeglasses as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that it is part of a kit, which kit comprises: at least one sheet of transparent material having removable means for attachment thereof to various peripheral stiffening elements (3) and/or one or more frames shaped along one, two or three directions, which stiffening elements and/or shaped frames have different shapes and/or different stiffnesses, one or more peripheral stiffening and/or frame elements for the area corresponding to a nose recess portion of said sheet; one or more nose protection elements to be attached to the nose area, which form a nose bridge shield; one or more different elastic and non elastic and/or length adjustable strap elements, which are designed to be removably connected to said sheet of transparent material; one or more pairs of fin-like end members; one or more pairs of traditional earpieces for anchorage of the eyeglasses to the ears, which earpieces are designed to be removably attached to the sheet; one or more further peripheral rim elements, on the outer and/or inner sides of the sheet, which are designed to be attached, alternatively to or in combination with each other, to various portions of the inner and/or outer peripheral edge of said sheet of transparent material and have various extensions along said peripheral edge, said elements being mountable in different alternative combinations to form various eyeglasses having different shapes and functions.

114. Eyeglasses as claimed in claim 113, characterized in that they are part of a kit that also includes various sheets of transparent material , having different transparency and/or color and/or shape characteristics, said sheets being designed for attachment to the same elements or at least some of them.

115. Eyeglass kit, characterized in that it comprises the elements as claimed in claim 113 or 114, the elements of the kit being made as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 112.