This invention relates to eyeglass systems with selectably changeable side or temple pieces.
Eyeglasses with temple pieces, the configuration, color or design of which can be changed have been suggested in the past. U.S. Pat. No. 5,321,442 (1994) to Albanese, entitled Eyeglasses with Detachable Lenses, Sidebars, and Adjustable Earpieces for example, discloses glasses with sidepieces that are removable including a sleeve which can be snapped onto or slipped from temple piece. Other concepts for the provision of an eyeglass or sunglass frame system with selectably changeable temple pieces are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 3,582,192 (1971) to Gitlin, entitled Detachable Decorative Sleeves for Spectacles; U.S. Pat. No. 5,185,620 (1993) to Cooper, entitled Eyeglass System; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,635 (1997) to Kirschner, entitled Decorative Sunglasses. Such art is also disclosed in PCT Publication WO/2009/052705 to Smart Vision Limited, entitled Glass Structure for Changeable Temple Sleeves. None of the above art however teaches a simple, cost-effective and durable solution to the long-felt need in the art for an eyeglass frame side arm release system capable of reaching the marketplace at a reasonable price point. The present invention accordingly responds to this long-felt need in the art.
The instant inventive side arm release system for an eyeglass frame and the like includes an eyeglass-securing front frame having left and right outer edges, each of the edges terminating in a substantially vertical line substantially parallel to a plane defined by the eyeglasses, sunglasses or the like held within the front frame. The vertical line defines a fulcrum for the release function of the system. The system further includes a pair of axle journals, one each of the journals of the pair integrally depending from the inner surface of each outer end of the front frame, the journal projecting in a direction generally normal to the plane of said eyeglasses or the like held within the front frame. Said journals are located proximally to said fulcrum within a dimension having a width of forward-most ends of side arms. The system further includes a pair of male bayonet clips, each rotationally dependent at one end thereof from axles within respective said axle journals of the eyeglass frame, and inwardly of said fulcrum in the direction of a nose bridge of the front frame. Each of said temple pieces exhibit a forward end terminating in a vertical camming surface which contacts said fulcrum upon rotation of said arms or temple members. A pair of female bayonet clips are proportioned for complemental engagement of opposing male bayonet clips, the female clips formed integrally upon inner sides of each temple piece proximally to each of the male bayonet clips when said male clips are press-fitted into the female clips. An extent of projection of each axle journal in a direction generally normal to the plane of the eyeglass frame defines a maximum degree of rotation of said camming surface against said fulcrum existing at the outer edges of said eyeglass frame. Consequently, the outward rotation of side or temple members of the system causes a lever action of said camming surface upon the fulcrum, thus pulling the female bayonet clip. Rotation of the eyeglass frame oppositely in direction to the rotation of said side arm will also pull said male bayonet clip out of engagement with its associated female clip and in the direction of said eyeglass frame.
It is accordingly an object of this invention to provide a novel eyeglass frame system having a special-purpose side joint and side arm release mechanism such that the temple pieces of the eyeglass frame system may be readily and cost-effectively changed to provide aesthetic appeal to the system and other associated advantages.
It is another object to provide a system of the above type which overcomes mechanical, durability, cost, and convenience-related limitations in the prior art of eyeglass frames having changeable temple elements.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an eyeglass frame system with temple pieces, the appearance of which may be readily changed by the simple and reliable manipulation of complemental elements associated by a hinge clip interface between the temple piece and the eyeglass frame.
The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the following Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention, Drawings, and Claims appended herewith.
With reference to the perspective exploded view of
As may be noted in
Initially, to attach the side arms 14 to the eyeglass frame or front frame 10, each male bayonet clip 20 is, at its distal end 34, is urged into mouth 18 of female clips 16 (see
With reference to
While there has been shown and described above 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 is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 13/066,170, filed Apr. 8, 2011, and the same is incorporated herewith in its entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
3582192 | Gitlin | Jun 1971 | A |
4832478 | Salce | May 1989 | A |
5007728 | Magorien | Apr 1991 | A |
5185620 | Cooper | Feb 1993 | A |
5321442 | Albanese | Jun 1994 | A |
5473395 | Huang | Dec 1995 | A |
5594511 | Lin | Jan 1997 | A |
5652635 | Kirschner | Jul 1997 | A |
5652637 | Marini | Jul 1997 | A |
7137700 | DiChiara et al. | Nov 2006 | B2 |
7261410 | Chen | Aug 2007 | B1 |
Number | Date | Country |
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WO 2009052705 | Apr 2009 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
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20120257159 A1 | Oct 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 13066170 | Apr 2011 | US |
Child | 13135349 | US |