WO2023154284A1 - Variable flex wearer adjustable eyewear temples - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is an eyeglass frame providing a custom fit of eyewear to an eyewear user. The eyeglass frame includes a center frame having a first end a second end, a first temple arm having a first end and a second end, and a second temple arm having a first end and a second end. The first end of the first temple arm couples with the first end of the center frame. The first end of the second temple arm couples with the second end of the center frame. Both the first and the second temple arms on their respective second ends include an adjustable range. The adjustable range includes ribbed area comprised of a plurality of notches that provide pliability to the ribbed area. The ribbed configuration allows for wrapping each second end of the temple arm around a respective ear of an eyeglass wearer.

Description

VARIABLE FLEX WEARER ADJUSTABLE EYEWEAR TEMPLES

INVENTOR BYRON FERRISE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/308,041, filed February 8, 2022, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The disclosure generally relates to the field of eyewear and, more particularly, eyewear frames.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Despite the wide-ranging head and face anthropometric measurements in the general population, eyewear frames are typically mass-produced in a narrow set of standard sizes using rigid materials that provide very limited post-production ability to adjust the fit of the frame to the wearer’s unique head and face. As a result, frames readily available in the market today frequently offer sub-optimal fit for the wearer, leading to discomfort and optical performance issues.

[0004] Further, even when frames are manufactured using designs and/or materials that provide for limited adjustment or frame malleability, such adjustment relies almost exclusively on specialized fitting assistance from an optician, or other eyecare professional, on-site at an eyewear store. Absent professional assistance, a wearer’s self-adjustment attempt carries a high risk of damaging the frame beyond repair, generally voiding any manufacturer’s warranty in the process, and making the fit worse.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0005] The disclosed embodiments have other advantages and features which will be more readily apparent from the detailed description, the appended claims, and the accompanying figures (or drawings). A brief introduction of the figures is below.

[0006] FIG. 1 (or Figure 1) illustrates an axonometric view of one embodiment of an eyeglass frame, or eyewear, with an adjustable eyewear temple.

[0007] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of eyewear with an adjustable eyewear temple.

[0008] FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of an adjustable eyewear temple in a variety of example potential positions in accordance with the disclosed configuration.

[0009] FIG. 3B illustrates a flow chart of embodiments of a general system or process for using the adjustable temple to adapt to a unique ear contact.

[0010] FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of an adjustable eyewear temple for example fit positions for unique head contour and head compression force preference.

[0011] FIG. 4B illustrates a flow chart of embodiments of a general process for using the adjustable temple to adapt to a unique head contour and head compression force preference.

[0012] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view from the end perspective of a notch in the adjustable range of the adjustable eyewear temple.

[0013] FIG. 6A illustrates a ribbed geometry is designed to communicate a scale for relative measurement to aid wearers in identifying the proper bend location along the adjustable region of the adjustable eyewear temple.

[0014] FIG. 6B illustrates a system or process for the wearer to identify the notch or rib to use as the “pivot point” to bend the temple smoothly around an ear of the wearer.

[0015] FIG. 6C illustrates a post-bend position of the temple in relation to the ear resulting in a secure and comfortable fit that is adapted to unique measurements of the wearer.

[0016] FIG. 6D illustrates a close up view of the notches, illustrating relative spacing, size, depth, and span of adjustable range.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The Figures (FIGS.) and the following description relate to preferred embodiments by way of illustration only. It should be noted that from the following discussion, alternative embodiments of the structures and methods disclosed herein will be readily recognized as viable alternatives that may be employed without departing from the principles of what is claimed.

[0018] Reference will now be made in detail to several embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying figures. It is noted that wherever practicable similar or like reference numbers may be used in the figures and may indicate similar or like functionality. The figures depict embodiments of the disclosed system (or method) for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles described herein. CONFIGURATION OVERVIEW

[0019] One embodiment of a disclosed apparatus includes an eyeglass frame. The eyeglass frame includes a center frame having a first end a second end, a first temple arm having a first end and a second end, and a second temple arm having a first end a second end. The first end of the first temple arm couples with the first end of the center frame. The first end of the second temple arm couples with the second end of the center frame. Both the first and the second temple arms on their respective second ends include an adjustable range. The adjustable range includes ribbed area comprised of a plurality of notches that provide for pliability to enable the ribbed area to wrap each second end of the temple arm around a respective ear of an eyeglass wearer.

[0020] For eyeglass frames, temple arms are an important part of the eyewear frame to fit and comfort. The length of the temple arms and position and angle of the temple arm bends can be the difference between frames that fit the wearer well and one’s that cause the wearer discomfort, optical performance issues, or repeatedly fall off their face.

[0021] For optimal fit, the temple arms should be a length such that the bend of the temple occurs at the top of the ear where the ear attaches to the head, and the temple tip curves smoothly behind the ear to rest comfortably in the mastoid area of the skull. Too short a temple arm, or sharp a bend, and the frames will be too tight on the wearer, digging into the back of his/her ear and riding up his/her face; too long a temple arm or loose of a bend and the frames will be prone to slipping on the face of the wearer.

[0022] Eyewear manufacturers typically produce frames with temple lengths between 135 mm to 150 mm with a fixed location and angle (e.g., non-adjustable) ear bend. This range of temple lengths combined with the fixed location and angle of ear bend does not service the wide-ranging and diverse anthropometric measurements in the general population. And even when the temple lengths are within range for a particular wearer’s measurements, the fixed location and angle of the ear bend often lead to a sub-optimal fit. As such, the wearer chooses to live in discomfort, resulting in degradation to the quality of experience with the frame. This may further cause returns or exchanges of the frames, which results in the loss of a sale, and increased shipping costs that are absorbed by the eyewear purveyor, or passed on to the consumer through higher prices that anticipate a percentage of returns due to poor fit.

[0023] Moreover, where frame design or material construction allows for limited postproduction adjustments, manufacturers, and eyewear purveyors, fail to communicate to the wearer how he/she can make the adjustment himself/herself, or provide a product design and adjustment system that can be intuitively implemented without risk of damage to the product. [0024] Conventional approaches to addressing issues with frames include use of acetate construct on/inj ection molded with a metal core that may be enclosed within each temple arm. This approach, however, requires heaters, tools, and professional assistance. Application of any force improperly, e.g., without heat, can break the frames and may void the warranty. Another conventional approach uses malleable metal construction. This approach may involve adjusting the temple piece multiple times, which can cause the material to fatigue and breakage to occur. Moreover, improper force here also may cause breakage. In both instances, the eyeglasses become unrepairable and may void the warranty. Yet another approach uses a straight temple design with no bend that relies primarily on compression for retention. This approach, however, relies on compressing the temples into the side of the head along the temple, not wrapping around the ear for retention. This can cause discomfort and headaches if it is too tight. Moreover, it does not offer effective retention if it is too loose, and the amount of compression provided is fixed and cannot be adjusted post-production.

[0025] The disclosed configuration includes eyewear and an improved temple design to adjust from a nominal position in the front and top views through a range of positions to adapt to the wearer’s unique anthropometric measurements related to the depth of the ear contact point, temple length from the mid-ear point to the front of the frame and head width of eyewear in the as-wom position. Further, the disclosed configuration allows for smaller adjustments to be made to tighten or loosen fit for subtle, but constantly changing wearer preferences or wearer activity while wearing eyewear. Further still, the disclosed configuration allows for ease of significant adjustment if the wearer’s anthropometric measurements were to significantly change over time or the eyewear is adjusted for a different wearer. Adjustments are intuitive in nature due to the ribbed visual appearance of the design and limit the risk of damage to the frame or improper self-adjustment. STRUCTURAL CONFIGURATION AND USE

[0026] Figure (FIG.) 1 illustrates an axonometric view of one embodiment of an eyeglass frame, or eyewear, la with an adjustable eyewear temple. FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of one embodiment of eyewear la with an adjustable eyewear temple. The eyewear la is made up of lenses 10, a center frame 11, hinge hardware 12, temple arms 13, and temple cores 14. Also included is an adjustable nose pad system 20 that includes a first rail 25a and a second rail 25a and a first nose pad 24a and a second nose pad 24a. The first nose pad 24a couples the first rail 25a, which then couples with a first side of a nose bridge area between the lenses 10. The second nose pad 24b couples the second rail 25b, which then couples with the second side of a nose bridge area between the lenses 10.

[0027] The center frame 11 includes a first end and a second end. Each temple arm 13 and a second includes a first end and a second end. The first end of a first temple arm couples with a first end of a center frame 11 through hinge hardware 12. Similarly, a first end of a second temple arm couples with a second end of the center frame 11 through hinge hardware 12. Alternative embodiments may couple the center frame 11 to the temple arms 13 using mechanical features, for example, snap features, interlocking mechanisms, screws, nuts, bolts, and the like. Additional embodiments may join the center frame 11 and temple arms 13 by a bonding process, for example, a chemical or a mechanical bond. Examples of bonding processes may include friction, ultrasonic weld, molding, gluing, use of adhesive and the like. In an example embodiment, lenses 10 the center frame 11 and temple arms 13 are manufactured by injection molded plastic material. In injection molded plastic material may be an inorganic material and/or an organic material. For example, the injection molded plastic materials may be a nylon, a polycarbonate, a polypropylene, a cellulose propionate, a biological based polymer, a polymer blend, other organic materials, a metal and the like.

[0028] In the illustrated cross-sectional area of the temple arm 13 there is an adjustable range 14 in which there is a ribbed area. The ribbed area includes a series of notches 15, which are formed by the shape of the injection mold. Changes in cross-section could be accomplished by any suitable means of additive or subtractive manufacturing including but not limited to heat pressing and forming, shearing, milling, cutting, cold working, or similar means.

[0029] The first and the second temple arms 13 may include temple cores 13 that may run the length of the temple arms 13 or at least through the second end of the temple arms 13. In an example embodiment, temple cores 14 may be manufactured by extruding stainless steel to a length of 70 mm and inserting it through the end tip of the temple arm 13 through the adjustable range 13a in the straight position (310a Figure 3A) during the injection molding cycle. Alternative embodiments may include temple cores manufactured at different lengths and by pressing, milling, turning, and the like with any material that can be pliable enough to be plastically deformed for adjustment, not fatigue from multiple adjustments, be stiff enough to hold shape, and offer some flexibility for comfort. Examples of such materials may include steel alloys, stainless steel alloys, copper-aluminum-nickel-titanium alloys, other metals, polymers, memory polymers and the like. It is noted, alternative embodiments may use longer cores and/or insert cores from the front of the temple and may do so by shooting into a cavity, post-molding operations, insert molding, or by encapsulating the core between multiple pieces using glue, ultrasonic welding, mechanical fasteners, or similar methods. [0030] FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of an adjustable eyewear temple in a variety of example potential positions in accordance with the disclosed configuration. Position 310a is the as-molded position, position 310b is the nominal bent position and position 310c is the smallest effective temple length position on the adjustable range 13a; however, the adjustable eyewear temple 13 can be adjusted to any position in the range of positions between 310b and 310c to tighten eyewear fit as the wearer deems necessary to provide optimal fit. Position 310d is the largest effective temple length position in the adjustable range 13a and the adjustable eyewear temple 13 can be adjusted to any position in the range of positions between 310b and 310d to loosen the eyewear fit as the wearer deems necessary to provide optimal fit. FIG. 3B illustrates a flow chart of embodiments of a general system or process for using the adjustable temple to adapt to a unique ear contact, for example as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 A.

[0031] FIG. 4A illustrates a top view of an adjustable eyewear temple in example fit positions for unique head contour and head compression force preference. Relative to top view, FIG. 4A illustrates the adjustable temple device in three distinct positions in this example. A first position 410a is the nominal position. A second position 410b is the smallest effective temple width position on the adjustable range 14. The second position 410b can be adjusted to any position in the range of positions between the first position 410a and the second position 410b in order to tighten eyewear fit as the wearer deems necessary to provide an optimal fit. The third position 410c may be the largest effective temple length position on the adjustable range 14. Through the illustration of each example, the adjustable eyewear temples la may be adjusted to any position in the range of positions between the first position and 410a and the third position 410c to loosen eyewear fit as the wearer deems necessary to provide an optimal fit. FIG. 4B illustrates a flow chart of one embodiment of a general process for using the adjustable temple to adapt to a unique head contour and head compression force preference. For example, the figure illustrates two embodiments of a general process for using the adjustable eyewear temple, for example as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4A.

[0032] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view from the end perspective of a notch in the adjustable range of the adjustable eyewear temple. Through the example of FIG. 5, the variable cross-sectional area, areas 50 and 51 show the extent of relative cross-sectional areas and metal core 14 as key elements of the rib or notch 15 on adjustable eyewear temples 13 in the adjustable range 13a. Cross section 50 is functional and has a diameter in the range of, for example, 0.5 mm to 10 mm, cross-section 51 is functional and has a diameter in the range of, for example, 0.5 millimeters (mm) to 10 mm. In an example embodiment, the difference in cross-sectional area between area 50 and area 51 results in a decrease in stiffness in the adjustable range 13a and allows the malleability and memory of the metal core 14 to easily adjust through relative temple position ranges 310a-310c and 410a-410c.

[0033] FIG. 6A illustrates a ribbed geometry is designed to communicate a scale for relative measurement to aid wearers in identifying the proper bend location along the adjustable region of the adjustable eyewear temple. FIG. 6B illustrates a system or process for the wearer to identify the notch or rib to use as the “pivot point” to bend the temple smoothly around the ear of the wearer. FIG. 6C illustrates a post-bend position of the temple in relation to the ear resulting in a secure and comfortable fit that is adapted to the unique measurements of the wearer. To a limited extent, FIGS. 6A through 6C illustrates how a series of notches (15a) across the adjustable range 13a of adjustable temples 13 can be used as a relative measurement device to aid in the adjustment of adjustable temples 13 within the ranges of 310a-310c and 410a-410c using the process flows in Figure 3B and 4B.

[0034] FIG. 6D illustrates a close-up view of the notches, illustrating relative spacing, size, depth, and span of adjustable range. For example, FIG. 6D the difference in a crosssection of a series of notches 15 with notch depth (15.1) and notch peak (15.2) along the adjustable range 13a of the temple 13. In the preferred embodiment, the notch depth relative to notch peak ranges from, for example, 0.75 mm to 2.25 mm, but can be effective from, for example, 0.5 mm to 10 mm. Further, in the preferred embodiment, the width of each notch is approximate, for example, 1 mm, but could be effective in the range of, for example, 0.1 mm and 100 mm. The distance between two peaks of two adjacent notches is approximate, for example, 3 mm but could be effective in the range of, for example, 0.1 mm to 100 mm. Further, in an example embodiment, the adjustable range 13a spans, for example, 70 mm from the temple tip, but could be effective in the range of, for example, 10mm to 140 mm.

ADDITIONAL CONFIGURATION CONSIDERATIONS

[0035] The disclosed embodiment beneficially includes, for example, notched sections along a top, a bottom, a side, or end of the eyewear temple arms, allowing for easy and intuitive post-production adjustment by a wearer, e.g., without a need for professional assistance or tools, with minimal force and limited risk of damaging the frame. Further, the disclosed configuration includes a system or process for wearer to identify an optimal ear bend “pivot” point for their unique head and face by locating the notch that aligns with the top of his or her ear when the eyewear frame is in the as-wom position and bending the adjustable core component around that optimal “pivot” point to fit smoothly behind the ear. Further still, the disclosed configuration beneficially provides for an adjustable core component made from a pliable metal, or similarly suited material, embedded into the end section of eyewear temple arms and aligned with the notched section. This configuration advantageously allows adjustments made by wearer to stay in place in normal wearing conditions and day-to-day usage of the eyewear.

[0036] Throughout this specification, plural instances may implement components, operations, or structures described as a single instance. Although individual operations of one or more methods are illustrated and described as separate operations, one or more of the individual operations may be performed concurrently, and nothing requires that the operations be performed in the order illustrated. Structures and functionality presented as separate components in example configurations may be implemented as a combined structure or component. Similarly, structures and functionality presented as a single component may be implemented as separate components. These and other variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the subject matter herein.

[0037] Upon reading this disclosure, those of skill in the art will appreciate still additional alternative structural and functional designs for variable flex wearer adjustable eyewear temples through the disclosed principles herein. Thus, while particular embodiments and applications have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are not limited to the precise construction and components disclosed herein. Various modifications, changes and variations, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art, may be made in the arrangement, operation and details of the method and apparatus disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An eyeglass frame comprising: a center frame having a first end and a second end; a first temple arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the first temple arm coupled with the first end of the center frame, the second end of the first temple arm comprised of an adjustable range, the adjustable range including a ribbed area comprised of a plurality of notches, the plurality of notches providing pliability to the ribbed area to wrap the second end of the first temple arm around an ear; and a second temple arm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second temple arm coupled with the second end of the center frame, the second end of the second temple arm comprised of an adjustable range, the adjustable range including a ribbed area comprised of a plurality of notches, the plurality of notches providing pliability to the ribbed area to wrap the second end of the second temple arm around an ear.

2. The eyeglass frame of claim 1, wherein each notch of the plurality of notches in each of the first temple arm and the second temple arm further comprises a notch depth and a notch peak.

3. The eyeglass frame of claim 1, wherein each notch of the plurality of notches has a width of between 0.1 millimeters and 100 millimeters.

4. The eyeglass frame of claim 2, wherein the notch depth relative to a notch peak is between 0.1 millimeters and 10 millimeters.

5. The eyeglass frame of claim 2, wherein a peak-to-peak distance between adjacent notches is between 0.1 millimeter and 100 millimeters.

6. The eyeglass frame of claim 2, wherein the first temple arm and the second temple arm each include an enclosed temple core.

7. The eyeglass frame of claim 6, wherein the first temple arm and the second temple arm each are constructed of at least one of an plastic material or a metal.

8. The eyeglass frame of claim 7, wherein the injection molded plastic material is further comprised of an inorganic material.

9. The eyeglass frame of claim 8, wherein the inorganic material is one of a nylon, a polycarbonate, and a polypropylene. The eyeglass frame of claim 7, wherein the injection molded plastic material is further comprised of an organic material. The eyeglass frame of claim 10, wherein the organic material is one of a cellulose propionate or a biological based polymer. The eyeglass frame of claim 1, wherein the first end of the first temple arm couples with the first end of the center frame with hinge hardware and the first end of the second temple arm couples with the first end of the center frame with hinge hardware.