Not Applicable
The various aspects and embodiments described herein relate to eyeglass apparatus and customization thereof.
Every person is unique. While mass-produced eyeglasses fit most people just fine, many customers prefer customized eyeglasses that are shaped to fit their unique facial features. Custom-made eyeglasses are expensive and time-consuming to produce, however, and require a professional to measure a person's facial features, build a custom frame that matches the person's facial features, assemble eyeglasses with the custom frame, and then ship or otherwise deliver the custom eyeglasses to the customer. If any of the initial measurements are incorrect, the process needs to then be repeated with more accurate measurements.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for ways to provide eyeglasses that are easily customizable.
The various aspects and embodiments discussed herein relate to eyeglasses that have components that be set to have customizable distances from one another. By providing such eyeglasses to customers, the customers can make adjustments to a width of eyeglass frames relative to one another, a width of eyeglass temples relative to one another, and/or a depth of eyeglass temples from the eyeglass frames. The customer could input one or more measurements into a system, such as a width and depth of a face, and a company could manufacture the eyeglass components in accordance with the measurements to provide rough adjustments to the eyeglasses to be sent to the customer, for example via 3-D printing technology. When the customer receives the eyeglasses, the customer could then make fine adjustments to the lengths of various components of the eyeglasses to further customize the fit of the customized eyeglasses to the customer's face.
A set of customizable eyeglasses generally comprises two or more eyeglass frames that are connectable to one another via frame-bridge connectors. A bridge support locks the frame-bridge connectors in place relative to one another. Preferably, the bridge support locks the frame-bridge connectors in place along at least two different locations of a width axis. This way, the eyeglass frames could be customized to fit different people having different eye-widths.
In some embodiments, the eyeglass frames could be configured to be reversible, such that a given eyeglass frame could be used as a frame for a left eye or a right eye. This reduces the need for accuracy when ordering and placing reversible eyeglass lenses within the frames, since the frames could be switched between one eye and another as necessary. This also increases the variability of designs available to a customer, who could use an eyeglass frame for either eye, and who could position either side of the eyeglass frame as “forward.”
The set of customizable eyeglasses also generally comprises at least a two temple supports that are coupled to the eyeglass frames with temple-frame connectors. The eyeglass frames could be coupled to the temple supports via frame-temple connectors (different from the temple-frame connectors of the temple supports). Locking mechanisms could lock the temple supports in place relative to the eyeglass frames to fix the effective length of the temple supports when the eyeglasses are worn. In this way, the eyeglass frames could be customized to fit different people having different head-depths. Each locking mechanism is preferably hidden within a wall of the customizable eyeglasses, providing a blended, flush look when the locking mechanism is engaged.
In preferred embodiments, one or more temple corners could be used to lock the temple supports in place relative to the eyeglass frames. For example, a temple corner could lock a temple support in place along two or more locations of a depth axis. In preferred embodiments, the depth axis and the width axis are substantially orthogonal to one another (e.g. within 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 degrees of 90 degrees from one another. In some embodiments, the depth axis for one temple support could be offset slightly from the depth axis for another temple support, allowing for the temples to be non-parallel and angled from one another.
The temple supports could also allow adjustment of the distance of one or more of the temple supports relative to the eyeglass frames along the width axis. This way, the eyeglass frames could be customized to fit different people having different head-widths. Preferably, the temple supports could also be configured to be used on both a right-side of a person's head and a left-side of a person's head, adding to the configurability of the customizable eyeglasses.
Any suitable locking mechanism along a length of a component of the customizable eyeglasses could be used. For example, a connector, such as the frame-bridge connector, the temple-frame connector or the frame-temple connector, could comprise a series of recesses along a length, and the locking mechanism could comprise a projection that mates with a plurality of the recesses. In some embodiments, the connector and the locking mechanism could both comprise matching zig-zag surfaces that mate with one another when juxtaposed with one another. The locking mechanism could comprise a matching surface mounted on a hinge that swings between a locked position to an unlocked position, allowing the element of the customizable eyeglasses to move along an axis when disposed in the unlocked position, and locking the element in place along the axis when disposed in the locked position. While the connectors preferably have projections and/or recesses that are regularly spaced from one another, the connectors could have projections and/or recesses that are irregularly spaced in other embodiments. In embodiments where the projections and/or recesses are regularly spaced from one another, one connector could have projections and/or recesses that are spaced closer or further than the projections and/or recesses of another connector. This allows for differing fine-adjustments for different connections between components of the customizable eyeglasses.
In some embodiments, the customizable eyeglasses could be ordered by a customer remotely, such as through the phone or via an online interface. A customer could dictate a series of measurements, such as an eye width, a head width, a head depth, and/or a nose depth. A manufacturer could then select eyeglass components having appropriate lengths based upon the measurements, or could custom-make the eyeglass components having appropriate lengths based upon the measurements provided. In some embodiments, the customer could also select other custom aspects of the eyeglasses, such as the type of ear mount, or a color of any one or more of the components, or even a level of adjustment (e.g. fine adjustment of 0.1 in spacings for the bridge and the temple depth and rough adjustment of 0.3 in. spacings for the temple width). The components could then be sent to the customer with lengths that are sized appropriately for the customer. The customer could then assemble the eyeglasses, and adjust the locking mechanisms to make fine-adjustments to the various lengths to ensure that the eyeglasses fit appropriately on the customers' face and head.
In preferred embodiments, each of the components are fungible with other like components. For example, a left-side eyeglass frame of one shape could be switched out for a left-side eyeglass frame of another shape, a left temple support and a right temple support could be switched with one another, or a left-side eyeglass frame could be switched with a right-side eyeglass frame. This allows the size, shape, and style of the eyeglass frames to change dynamically with the wishes of the customer. This also allows a customer to add a preference of one design on one side and another design on another side (e.g. a white paint on one side of an eyeglass frame and a striped black and yellow paint on another side of the eyeglass frame), allowing for many different, dynamic looks.
These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
Referring now to the drawings, in particular
First eyeglass frame 100 and second eyeglass frame 400 are also coupled to first temple corner 710 and to second temple corner 760, respectively. First temple corner 710 could be moved along width axis 800 following a length of frame-temple connector 110 and could be locked in place by closing door 730, while second temple corner 760 could be moved along width axis 800 following a length of frame-temple connector 410 and could be locked in place by closing door 780. This allows a customer to adjust the width of first temple corner 710 and second temple corner 760 relative to one another to fit a specific head width distance. This also allows a customer with asymmetrical widths between their eye and the side of the head to perform independent fine-adjustments for either side independently from one another of the custom eyeglasses 1000.
First temple support 910 and second temple support 960 are also coupled to first temple corner 710 and to second temple corner 760, respectively. First temple corner 710 could be moved up and down depth axis 1010 along a length of temple-frame connector 920 and could be locked in place by closing door 720. Second temple corner 720 could be moved along depth axis 1020 along a length of temple-frame connector 970 and could be locked in place by closing door 770. This allows a customer to adjust the depth of the first temple support 910 and second temple support 960 to fit a specific head depth distance. This also allows a customer with asymmetrical depths between the front side of his right eye and ear and between the front side of his left eye and ear to perform independent fine-adjustments for either temple support independently.
Each door, such as door 310 and 360 of bridge connector 300 or door 720 and 730 of temple corner 710, is preferably configured to close such that the surface of the door is flush with a major surface to provide a blended, flush look when the doors are closed. This hides the lock from a cursory inspection, preventing the lock from disturbing a continuous look of customizable eyeglasses 1000.
As shown in
Frame-temple connector 110 comprises a length of material that is used to couple eyeglass frame 100 to a temple support (not shown). Frame-temple connector 110 has a series of projections 112 and a series of recesses 114 which are used to mate with a locking mechanism (not shown) that will hold frame-temple connector 110 in place a set distance away from a temple support. While frame-temple connector 110 is shown as a length of material having a zig-zag surface that is sized to mate with a similarly-shaped zig-zag surface, frame-temple connector 110 could be sized in any suitable manner to allow a locking mechanism to fixedly couple with a plurality of locations along a length of frame-temple connector 110, such as a rectangular bar with square holes, a circular bar with triangular holes, a length of material having recesses along a perimeter of regularly spaced cross-sectional areas, a cylindrical bar having a thread wrapped around a length of the bar, or an length of material with hooks and/or loops. While frame-temple connector 110 is shown as coupled to a top side of lens holder 120, frame-temple connector 110 could be disposed at any height along a side of lens holder 120.
Frame-bridge connector 130 is shaped similarly to frame-temple connector 130, but is configured to couple to a bridge support (not shown). Frame-bridge connector 130 also has a series of projections 132 and a series of recesses 134 which are used to mate with a locking mechanism (not shown) that will hold frame-bridge connector 130 in place a set distance away from the bridge support. Again, other frame-bridge connectors could be used that allow a locking mechanism to fixedly couple to a plurality of locations along the length of frame-bridge connector. While frame-bridge connector 130 is shown as coupled to a middle position of lens holder 120, frame-bridge connector 130 could be disposed at any height along a side of lens holder 120.
While the connectors shown herein are disclosed as having projections and recesses that are regularly spaced, the connectors could be irregularly spaced, or could be regularly spaced in proportions that are different from other connectors. For example, frame-temple connector 110 could have projections and/or recesses that are spaced further apart from one another than frame-bridge connector 130 (e.g. spaced 0.3 in apart for frame-temple connector 110 vs. 0.1 in for frame-bridge connector 130). The projections and/or recesses of a connector could have spacings that are less than 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3. 0.4, and 0.5 in apart.
Frame 100 is shown as comprising a single contiguous material, such as a plastic that has been 3-D printed or molded within a mold, but could comprise a plurality of discrete parts that are assembled to form frame 100. Frame 100 preferably comprises a material, or materials, that are at least rigid or semi-rigid, having a Young's modulus of at least 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 GPa.
Frame 100 is shown having a height 152, a length 154, and a depth 156. The dimensions of frame 100 could be any suitable dimension to be used for a set of eyeglasses. For example, height 152 could be at most 3 in, at most 2 in, at most 1 in, or at least 0.5 in. Length 154 could be at most 5 in, 4 in, 3 in, or at least 2 in. Depth 156 could be at most 0.5 in, 0.25 in, 0.125 in, or at least 0.1 in.
As shown in
While lock 220 is shaped to substantially mate with each of connectors frame-temple connector 110 and frame-bridge 130 (e.g. projections 222 mate with recesses 114 and projections 112 mate with recesses 224), lock 220 could be shaped in a non-similar manner, for example by leaving spaces and gaps in between surfaces of lock 220 and surfaces of frame-temple connector 110, while still being configured to have projections that engage one or more recesses of frame-temple connector 110 (or vice-versa, by having projections of frame-temple connector 110 that engage one or more recesses of lock 220). Support 200 could be made from any suitable material, but is preferably made from the same material as frame 100 to encourage a consistent look/feel between portions of the customized eyeglasses.
Support 200 is shown having a height 252 equal to its depth, and a length 254, but could be sized and shaped to any suitable dimension that allows for support 200 to be configured to lock in place relative to a connector that is inserted into cavity 250. Here, the height 252 is configured to be 0.25 in and the length 254 is configured to be 1 in., however, any suitable height and length could be used to couple with a connector. Cavity 250 is shown having a height 258 and a length 256 sized to match the height and length of a connector configured to mate with support 200, for example frame-temple connector 110, and preferably has substantially the same dimensions, only slightly larger (e.g. having within 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1% of the same cross-sectional area), to allow for the connector to be easily inserted into cavity 250.
As shown in
Bridge support 300 is shown having a height 352 equal to its depth, and a length 354, but could be sized and shaped to any suitable dimension that allows for bridge support 300 to be configured to lock in place relative to connectors that are inserted into cavity 350. Here, the height 352 is configured to be 0.25 in and the length 354 is configured to be 2 in., however, any suitable height and length could be used to couple with a connector. Cavity 350 is shown having a height 358 and a length 356 sized to match the height and length of a connector configured to mate with support 300, for example frame-bridge connector 130, and preferably has substantially the same dimensions, only slightly larger (e.g. having within 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1% of the same cross-sectional area), to allow for the connector to be easily inserted into cavity 350.
Frame-bridge connector 130 is shown as having length 136 while frame-temple connector 116 is shown as having a length 116. The connectors could have any suitable length, for example a length of at most 3 inches, 2.5 inches, 2 inches, 1 inches, or at least 0.25 inches long. In some embodiments, the length of the connector could be custom-manufactured as a function of a length provided by a customer. For example, a customer could disclose that her eyes are about 1.5 inches apart, so the frame-bridge connectors are built to each have a length of 50% of the input length, which is 0.75 inches. Any suitable algorithm could be used, for example an algorithm to make the connectors 20%, 30%, 40%, or even 70% of a measurement provided by a customer. In other embodiments, a customer could be provided a cutting tool that shortens a length of a connector. For example, a customer could be provided an eyeglass frame having a frame-bridge connector having a length of 1.5 inches, and the customer could then choose to cut the length of the connector down to 0.6 inches to be suitable for the customer to then make fine-adjustments to the eyeglasses.
As shown in
In
While depth axis 1010 and depth axis 1020 are shown here as substantially orthogonal to width axis 500 and width axis 800, and are shown here as substantially parallel to one another, depth axis 1010 and 1020 could be non-parallel to one another in some embodiments, depending upon the configuration of the temple corners used for customized eyeglasses 1000.
Similar to eyeglass frames 100 and 400, temple supports 910 and 960 could be configured to be fungible with one another, and could be configured to mate with opposing temple corners. In such embodiments, doors 720 and 770 are configured to be removable from their hinges and be coupled to opposing sides of cavities 728 and 778, respectively, to rotate in the opposite direction. In other embodiments, other locking mechanisms could be used, such as threaded tighteners or clamps, which would eliminate the need for detachable and reattachable hinged connections. While only two temple supports are shown, more temple supports could be provided to a customer, allowing a customer to fully interchange temple supports with one another to create different designs, looks, and styles.
The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.
This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Application Ser. No. 62/906,966, filed on 2019, Sep. 27, the entire contents of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62906966 | Sep 2019 | US |