The present invention relates generally to the field of eyeglasses and sunglasses worn for recreational and other activities. More particularly, this invention pertains to foldable eyeglass frames having selectable temple pieces and further having selectable decorative ornamentation displayable on the temple pieces of the frame.
It is known in the prior art to embellish such eyeglass frames by providing decorative elements on the side pieces, such side pieces herein termed temple frames. It is also known in the art to select eyeglass frames according to their decorative elements so as to match the graphics of apparel worn by the user or of particular interests to the user.
As examples, U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,093 and PCT Publications WO 98/23994, WO 97/44699 and WO 09/052705 each describe an eyeglass frame structure comprising a decorative element of a temple frame that is mounted in a manner such that the decorative element can rotate or slide with respect to fixed parts of the temple frame. For various reasons, the structures taught therein are not cost-effective, durable, or convenient to use.
Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 2,842,028 teaches a plastic eyeglass frame having strengthening or decorative inlays permanently fixed into a rectangular cut channel disposed in a temple frame by adhesive.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,836 describes an eyeglass frame including a lens frame, having replaceable ornamental lateral extensions to which the temple frame is attached by a hinge.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,923 teaches a system in which the temple pieces may be slip-or-pressure-fit over extension elements from the eyeglass frame. However, such temple pieces are not proportioned for ease of removal from or re-attachment to the extension elements of the eyeglass frame.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,261,409 elaborates the teaching of U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,093 in which a decorative element is axially secured within a longitudinal outer channel of a temple piece.
With respect to the novel hinge aspect reflected in my invention, French Patent No. FR 2816072 (2002) to Beausoleil, entitled Spectacle Frames Spring Loaded Hinge with Spring Tension Adjuster in Form of Screw in Closed End of Sleeve Containing Spring and Rod, teaches a spring loaded hinge for an eyeglass frame hinge, however, the method of operation of Beausoleil is fundamentally different from that of my invention in that a rotatable ball rod is used to apply axial pressure to a second rod which is itself spring loaded, which in turn applies pressure through an intermediate element to the axle of an eyeglass frame. The eyeglass frame hinge in my system, as is set forth more fully below, employs a single compression spring which provides appropriate force upon a single co-axial linear rod, the end of which defines a journal which surrounds the eyeglass frame axle, which elements are provided within a plastic molded casing. As such, my hinge is both simpler to manufacture, more cost-effective and more reliable in operation.
Other eyeglass hinge frame constructions which involve the use of an internal spring include U.S. Pat. No. 4,755,042 (1988) to Anger; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,258 (1996) to Naito. Neither of these systems provide for an arrangement that is capable of encapsulation within a casing at defining a portion of a press-fit insertion into a complemental structure integrally formed against each proximal end of the temple pieces of the eyeglass system.
One disadvantage of these prior art eyeglass frames is the inability to readily interchange decorative designs in or of the temple frames. Users concerned with using eyeglasses as a fashion accessory consider this a significant shortcoming of the prior art, requiring the purchase of additional eyeglass frames for the users to effectively coordinate their decorative eyeglasses with their multiple pieces of apparel.
What therefore is lacking in the art is an eyeglass frame with rapidly interchangeable decorative inserts or portions that can be readily installed upon and removed from the temple frame without the use of tools other than the user's hands, which forms a part of the temple frame itself, or in which the temple frame itself may be easily changed. Such decorative inserts, elements, or frames preferably comprise separate, inexpensive and interchangeable parts available in a wide variety of decorative patterns, textures, colors or other selectable variable ornamental features.
An eyeglass frame system, comprising an eyeglass securing front frame portion; a pair of temple-contacting side members, each member having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of each secured by a pivotal connection to a respective outermost portion of said front frame portion, said at least one of said side members having inner and outer vertical surfaces thereof, said pivotal connection effected at a first end of a male element of a bayonet clip, a second end thereof defining a plurality of projecting prongs. The system also includes female elements complemental to said male elements. Female elements are formed integrally with an inner surface at each proximal end of said temple-contacting side members. Said male and female members may be selectably engaged or disengaged from each other through the application of pressure on the male elements transversely to the axis of said temple-contacting members.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a system for decorating a temple piece of an eyeglass frame and providing a sturdy and removably engagable decorative portion to the temple piece of an eyeglass frame system.
Another object is to provide a means for decoration of an eyeglass frame system in which the integration of the decorative portion may be accomplished by a pressure fit engagement between respective portions of the temple piece and an extension of the eyeglass frame.
A further object is to provide a system of the above type having a novel hinge structure that provides for selectable removability of the temple-contacting side members from the eyeglass-securing front frame portion of the system.
It is another object to provide a system for easily changing the graphic appearance of the outside of the temple-contacting side members of the system.
Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the hereinafter specification and claims considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention.
With reference to
As may be noted in
In
In practice, a user of the present system would be provided, or would purchase, a variety of elements, such as ornaments 32, in accordance with graphics 34, that a user may have a personal interest or attachment.
In
With regard to the pivotal hinge connection between the temple side members 12 and eyeglass securing front frame 10 may be seen to include vertical hinge axle 48 is secured within the left and right outermost locations 50 and within said eyeglass securing front frame portion 10. About axle 48 is provided a journal 52 which integrally depends from rod 54 casing 56 is preferably formed of a polymeric plastic in which, co-axially positioned with said rod 54 is a compression spring 58. That is, the axial force of compression spring 58 is transmitted to rod 54 which in turn is transmitted to journal 52 which in turn controls the degree of circumferential friction between axle 48 and journal 52. Said screw 60 (see
In a further embodiment, ball-like element 62 may be used to stabilize compression spring 58 within casing 56 may take the form of a screw moveable along the axis of spring 58 and to thereby selectably increase or decrease the spring force which spring 58 will exert against distal end 64 of the rod 54.
A distinguishing feature of the instant invention is that casing 56 is proportioned for slip- or press-fittable complemental engagement within cavity 42 of hinge carrier 40, this including cut-out 56 which may engage a linear element in alignment with the outer side 20 of rod 54 to enhance stabilization of casing 56 when inserted within cavity 42 of the hinge carrier 40. Hinge carrier 40 is also preferably made of a translucent polymer such that the positioning of all elements of the carrier inclusive of ball-like element 62 and rod 54 may be rotationally confirmed.
It finally is to be noted that a hole 68 (see
With reference to
An assembly view of the second embodiment of the invention is shown in
As may be noted in
While there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the instant invention it is to be appreciated that the invention may be embodied otherwise than is herein specifically shown and described and that, within said embodiment, certain changes may be made in the form and arrangement of the parts without departing from the underlying ideas or principles of this invention as set forth in the Claims appended herewith.
This application claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/429,613, filed Jan. 4, 2011. This application is also a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 12/924,228, filed Sep. 23, 2010 and also claims the benefit under 35 USC 120 and 365(c) of application Ser. No. 12/924,228, filed Sep. 23, 2010, and PCT Application No. PCT/US2011/000356, filed Feb. 26, 2011, respectively, all three of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
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2842028 | Evanston, III | Jul 1958 | A |
4755042 | Anger | Jul 1988 | A |
4958923 | Rosenson | Sep 1990 | A |
5033836 | Aoyama | Jul 1991 | A |
5517258 | Naito | May 1996 | A |
6652093 | Lamy | Nov 2003 | B1 |
7261409 | Taber | Aug 2007 | B1 |
D625751 | Chow | Oct 2010 | S |
20040160570 | Polovin | Aug 2004 | A1 |
20050036103 | Bloch | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20110051074 | Arnell | Mar 2011 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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2816072 | May 2002 | FR |
WO 9744699 | Nov 1997 | WO |
WO 9823994 | Jun 1998 | WO |
WO 2009052705 | Apr 2009 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20120075572 A1 | Mar 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61429613 | Jan 2011 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 12924228 | Sep 2010 | US |
Child | 13066170 | US |