Abstract:
An eyeglasses assembly includes a pair of pivot units to detachably connect a lens unit to a pair of temple units. Each pivot unit has a pivot rod. Each temple unit has two vertically spaced hook members formed at an end of a temple body to engage detachably the pivot rod and to permit the temple body to rotate about the pivot rod relative to the lens unit. With the use of the hook members, convenient assembly and disassembly of the temple units is permitted for replacement.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Cross-Reference To Related Application 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of Taiwanese Patent Application No. 100204902 filed on Mar. 18, 2011. 
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to eyeglasses and, more particularly, to eyeglasses with replaceable temples. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Eyeglasses have been designed differently for different use occasions. For example, to avoid dropout of the eyeglasses due to violent actions, the eyeglasses for use in sport or industry may utilize an elastic band that is fitted around a wearer&#39;s head to position firmly the eyeglasses on the wearer&#39;s face. There are many eyeglasses with replaceable temples in the art in order to improve the versatility for eyeglasses. 
         [0006]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a conventional pair of eyeglasses generally comprises: a frame unit  91 , a pair of temple units  92  mounted respectively on the opposite sides of the frame unit  91 , and two pins  93  that is tapered in shaped and that are detachably and respectively inserted so as to connect the frame unit  91  and the temple units  92 . The frame unit  91  includes two pairs of ring members  911  disposed respectively on two sides thereof, and two pairs of insertion holes  912  defined respectively by the two pairs of ring members  911 . One of the two pairs of ring members  911  at the same side are spaced apart from one another so that one of the two pairs of the insertion holes  912  can be aligned with one another. Each of the temple units  92  has a pair of ring members  921  that are formed at a front end thereof and that are spaced apart from one another in a generally vertically direction, and a pair of insertion holes  922  that are defined respectively by the pair of ring members  921  and that are aligned with one another in a top-bottom direction. In assembly, the frame unit  91  and the temple units  92  are inserted one in another such that the ring members  911  and  921  are alternated in a stack. Each of the pins  93  is inserted into the insertion holes  912  and the insertion holes  922  at either side of the frame unit  91  to complete assembly. Since the pins  93  is embedded in the ring members  911  and the ring members  921 , a tool is required to push out the pins  93  for disassembling the frame unit  91  and the temple units  92 . In addition, because the pins  93  are tapered and fitted firmly in the ring members  911  and the ring members  921 , it is difficult to detach the pins  93 . 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an eyeglasses assembly with temples that can be easily replaced. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, an eyeglasses assembly of the present invention comprise: a lens unit, a pair of pivot units disposed respectively on two sides of the lens unit, and a pair of temple units. Each of the pivot units includes a pivot rod. The temple units are connected detachably and respectively to the pivot rods of the pivot units. Each of the temple units includes a temple body, and two hook members that are spaced apart from one another in a top-bottom direction and that are formed at an end of the temple body. The hook members of each of the temple units are engaged detachably to a respective one of the pivot rods to connect the temple body to the lens unit and to enable the temple bodies to pivot relative to the lens unit between a folded position and an unfolded position. 
         [0009]    The advantageous effects of the eyeglasses assembly of the present invention are as follows: Because the temple units are connected to the lens unit through the hook members in a snap-in manner, the wearer is permitted to detach the temple units directly from the lens unit and replace the temple units easily. Moreover, the eyeglasses assembly can be manipulated conveniently. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of the conventional eyeglasses; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of an eyeglasses assembly according to the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a fragmentary exploded perspective view illustrating a frame, a pivot member, and a temple unit of the eyeglasses assembly of the first preferred embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an exploded top sectional view, illustrating the frame, the pivot member, and the temple unit; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a sectional top plan view illustrating the temple unit in an unfolded position; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is the same view as  FIG. 5 , but illustrating the temple unit in a folded position; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side view illustrating the temple unit of the first preferred embodiment in an upper position; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a side view illustrating the temple unit of the first preferred embodiment in a lower position; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the eyeglasses assembly according to the present invention; and 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the eyeglasses assembly according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0021]    Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like components are assigned the same reference numerals throughout the following disclosure. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 to 8 , a first preferred embodiment of the eyeglasses assembly according to the present invention comprises a lens unit  1 , a pair of pivot members  2  disposed on two sides of the lens unit  1 , and a pair of temple units  3  disposed on two sides of the lens units  1 . The lens unit  1  has a pair of frames  10  arranged symmetrically on left and right sides thereof, and two lenses  90  mounted respectively in the frames  10 . It is worth mentioning that, since the eyeglasses assembly is symmetrical, only one of the frames  10 , one of the pivot members  2  and one of the temple units  3  on the same side of the lens unit  1  are described hereinafter. 
         [0023]    Each of the frames  10  is generally in the shape of a loop, and includes an inner section  11  that is proximate to the other one of the frames  10 , and an outer section  12  that is spaced apart from the inner section  11 . The outer section  12  has a frame front face  121  at a front side of the frame  10 , a frame rear face  122  opposite to the frame front face  121 , a frame recessed portion  123  indented from the frame front face  121 , a pivot hole  124  extending therethrough from the frame front face  121  to the frame rear face  122 , a limiting slot  125  that is indented from an outer side thereof, and a slot wall surface  126  bounding the limiting slot  125 . The frame recessed portion  123  extends along the outer periphery of the frame front face  121  and is arcuate in shape. 
         [0024]    The limiting slot  125  is located on one side of the outer section  12  that is distal from the inner section  11  and extends generally in a top-bottom direction. In addition, the limiting slot  125  has an open end  127 . The slot wall surface  126  has a top wall face  128  on top of the limiting slot  125 , and a bottom wall face  129  at the bottom of the limiting slot  125 . The top wall face  128  and the bottom wall face  129  are sloped faces and extend inward and toward one another from the open end  127 . The pivot hole  124  is tapered from the frame front face  121  to the frame rear face  122  and is larger in diameter at the frame front face  121  than at the frame rear face  122 . 
         [0025]    The pivot member  2  is mounted on the outer section  12  and has a pivot base wall  21 , a mounting block  22  that projects from the pivot base wall  21 , a pivot rod  23  connected to the pivot base wall  21 , and a sliding plate  24  that is spaced apart from the pivot base wall  21 . The pivot base wall  21  is elongated and has an outer wall surface  211 , an inner wall surface  212  opposite to the outer wall surface  211 , a front end  213 , and a rear end  214  opposite to the front end  213 . The inner wall surface  212  has an abutting section  215  adjacent to the rear end  214 . 
         [0026]    The mounting block  22  is disposed at the inner wall surface  212  adjacent the front end  213  and is cylindrical in shape. The mounting block  22  is inserted through the pivot hole  124  and has a pair of spaced-apart resilient portions  221  that extend away from the inner wall surface  212 , and a buffer slit  222  that is formed between the resilient portions  221 . Each of the resilient portions  221  has an enlarged portion  223  projecting transversely from a free end thereof. 
         [0027]    The pivot rod  23  is disposed on the inner wall surface  212  in a top-bottom direction in proximity to the rear end  214  in this embodiment. The pivot rod  23  has an upper portion  231  proximate to the upper end thereof, a lower portion  232  proximate to the lower end thereof, an intermediate portion  233  that interconnects the upper portion  231  and the lower portion  232 , and a protrusion  234  that projects from the intermediate portion  233 . The intermediate portion  233  is fixed to the inner wall surface  212 . The sliding plate  24  extends generally parallel to the pivot base wall  21 , is positioned between the pivot rod  23  and the mounting block  22 , and is connected to the intermediate portion  233  of the pivot rod  23 . The sliding plate  24  is in the shape of a trapezoid and is narrowed gradually in a direction from the pivot rod  23  toward the mounting block  22  and is spaced apart from the mounting block  22 . 
         [0028]    The temple unit  3  is mounted on the pivot member  2  and includes an elongated temple body  30 , two pivot end portions  40  that are connected to a front end of the temple body  30  and that are spaced apart in a top-bottom direction, a temple recess  50  that is formed between the pivot end portions  40 , a projection  60  that protrudes from the front end of the temple body  30  into the temple recess  50 , two hook members  70  that are connected respectively to the pivot end portions  40 , and two hook grooves  80  that are defined respectively by the hook members  70 . The temple body  30  has a temple outer face  31  that faces outwardly, a temple inner face  32  opposite to the temple outer face  31 , a temple outer groove  33  formed in the temple outer face  31 , and a positioning recess  34  formed in the temple inner face  32 . 
         [0029]    The temple outer face  31  has an abutting section  311  proximate to the front end of the temple body  30 . The temple outer groove  33  extends from the front end of the temple body  30  along a length direction of the temple body  30 . The abutting section  311  is formed inside the temple outer groove  33 . The positioning recess  34  extends in a top-bottom direction and is proximate to the front end of the temple inner face  32 . In this embodiment, the pivot end portions  40  are integrally formed with the temple body  30 . Each of the pivot end portions  40  has a pivot outer face  41  that faces outwardly, a pivot inner face  42  opposite to the pivot outer face  41 , and an end notch  43  that is formed in the pivot inner face  42  adjacent the front end thereof. 
         [0030]    In this embodiment, the hook members  70  are C-shaped rings and are connected respectively to the pivot inner faces  42  of the pivot end portions  40  between the end notches  43  and the temple body  30 . Each of the hook members  70  has a hook body  71  that curves toward the pivot inner face  42 , a hook lip  72  that extends from a distal end of the hook body  71  in a direction away from the pivot inner face  42 . The hook groove  80  has a mouth portion  81  defined by the hook lip  72 . The mouth portion  81  of the hook groove  80  is opened toward the temple body  30  and is proximate to the positioning recess  34  of the temple body  30 . 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 , for assembly, in order to mount the pivot member  2  to the frame  10 , the sliding plate  24  is first inserted into the limiting slot  125  of the frame  10 , and the mounting block  22  of the pivot member  2  is aligned with the pivot hole  124 . Thereafter, the mounting block  22  is pushed so that the mounting block  22  is inserted into the pivot hole  124 . 
         [0032]    Since the buffer slit  222  is formed between the resilient portions  221  so as to provide a resilient property to the mounting block  22 , the resilient portions  221  may be forced to move toward one another when the mounting block  22  is inserted into the pivot hole  124 . In addition, since the pivot hole  124  is tapered, the enlarged portion  223  of the mounting block  22  may be smoothly inserted into the pivot hole  124 . 
         [0033]    Continued pushing of the mounting block  22  causes the enlarged portion  223  to extend out of the pivot hole  124 . At this time, the resilient portions  221  move away from one another to their original positions by virtue of the restoring force thereof and are retained on the outer section  12  of the frame  10 , thereby preventing the pivot member  2  from being released from the frame  10 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  7 , and  8 , since the mounting block  22  is cylindrical in shape, it is rotatable in the pivot hole  124  so that the pivot base wall  21  may be pivoted about the mounting block  22 . In addition, since the sliding plate  24  is inserted into the limiting slot  125  and is movable within the limiting slot  125 , the pivot member  2  is pivotal about the pivot hole  124  relative to the frame  10  between an upper position and a lower position. In the upper position, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the sliding plate  24  abuts against the top face  128  of the slot wall surface  126 . On the other hand, in the lower position, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the sliding plate  24  abuts against the bottom face  129  of the slot wall surface  126 . Since the top face  128  and the bottom face  129  are sloped faces, they may abut compliantly against the sliding plate  24 . 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  5  and  6 , when the temple unit  3  is to be mounted on the frame  10 , the pivot rod  23  is first placed in the positioning recess  34  to align the mouth portion  81  of the upper hook member  70  with the upper portion  231  of the pivot rod  23  and to align the mouth portion  81  of the lower hook member  70  with the lower portion  232  of the pivot rod  23 . The temple body  30  is then pulled to cause the pivot rod  23  to snap into the hook members  70  through the mouth portions  81 . Since the hook members  70  and the pivot rod  23  are circular in cross section, the temple unit  3  can be pivoted about the pivot rod  23  relative to the frame  10  between an unfolded position and a laterally extended, folded position. At this time, the pivot base wall  21  is received in the temple recess  50 , and the outer peripheral edge of the outer section  12  of the frame  10  is located in the end notch  43  of the temple unit  3 . Therefore, the temple unit  3  and the frame  10  are engaged movably with one another by virtue of the end notch  43  and the frame recessed portion  123 . 
         [0036]    In the unfolded position as shown in  FIG. 5 , the temple unit  3  extends in a generally front-to-rear direction and may be supported on a wearer&#39;s ears (not shown). The rear end  214  of the inner wall surface  212  is overlapped with the temple body  30  so as to abut against the temple body  30 . The abutting section  215  of the pivot base wall  21  abuts against the abutting section  311  of the outer face  31  of the temple body  30 . At this time, the rear end  214  of the pivot base wall  21  is received in the temple outer groove  33  of the temple body  30 . Therefore, in the unfolded position, the temple unit  3  may be fully stretched and the temple outer face  31  of the temple body  30  may be flush with the frame front face  121  of the frame  10 . 
         [0037]    In the folded position as shown in  FIG. 6 , the temple body  30  is positioned behind the lens unit  1 . At this time, the projection  60  abuts against the protrusion  234 , and the rear end  214  is not overlapped with the temple body  30 . 
         [0038]    When the wearer wants to detach the temple unit  3 , the temple unit  3  is moved to the folded position and a force is exerted on the temple unit  3  to slide the pivot rod  23  out of the mouth portion  81 , thereby separating the temple unit  3  from the pivot member  2 . At this time, the wearer may attach another type of temple unit  3  to the pivot member  2 . Since the temple unit  3  maybe directly attached to the pivot member  2  in a snap-in manner to assemble with the lens unit  1 , the eyeglasses assembly of the present preferred embodiment has an improved convenience for attaching and detaching the temple unit  3 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  7  and  8 , since the temple unit  3  is retained on the pivot member  2 , and the pivot member  2  is pivotal between the upper position and the lower position. The temple unit  3  is not only pivotal between the unfolded position and the folded position, but also movable upward and downward together with the pivot member  2 . Because the frame recessed portion  123  extends curvedly adjacent the edge of the outer section  12  to engage the end notch  43  of each of the temple units  3 , the pivot end portions  40  are extended into the frame recessed portion  123  and are permitted to pivot upward and downward together with the pivot member  2 . Accordingly, different sloped angles may be provided for the wearers to obtain enhanced comfortability of wearing. 
         [0040]    On the other hand, referring to  FIGS. 3 ,  5  and  6 , when the temple unit  3  is moved from the unfolded position to the folded position, the projection  60  abuts against the protrusion  234  as the folded position is reached so that the temple unit  3  can not move further toward the lens unit  1 . Therefore, the temple unit  3  will not impact or contact the lenses  90 , thereby avoiding damages caused to the lenses  90 . When the temple unit  3  is moved to the unfolded position, the temple body  30  of the temple unit  3  contacts against the abutting section  215  of the pivot member  2  so that the temple unit  3  is prevented from moving outward further. The temple unit  3  is thus held in position. In addition, the sliding plate  24  is movable upward and downward within the limiting slot  125 , which limits the range of movements of the sliding plate  24 . Because the range of horizontal movements of the temple unit  3  is limited by the projection  60 , the protrusion  234  and the abutting section  215 , and because the upward and downward inclining angles of the temple unit  3  are limited by the limiting slot  125 , the wearer is permitted to manipulate the eyeglasses assembly accurately. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , a second preferred embodiment of eyeglasses assembly of the present invention, which is generally similar to the first preferred embodiment in structure, comprises a lens unit  1 , a pair of pivot members  2  disposed on two sides of the lens unit  1 , and a pair temple units  3  disposed on two sides of the lens units  1 . The hook members  70  of the temple units  3  are connected respectively to the pivot end portions  40 , and the pivot rods  23  of the pivot members  2  are used to assemble the lens unit  1  with the temple units  3 . 
         [0042]    In this embodiment, the temple body  30  of each of the temple units  3  has a body portion  35 , an end portion  36  formed on a front end of the body portion  35 , a temple outer face  31  that faces outwardly, a temple inner face  32  opposite to the temple outer face  31 , a temple outer groove  33  formed in the temple outer face  31 , and a positioning recess  34  that is formed in the temple inner face  32  and that extends in a top-bottom direction. The temple outer face  31  and the temple inner face  32  are formed on the end portion  36 . The end portion  36  has a strap hole  361  formed therethrough. In this embodiment, the body portion  35  is an elastic band that has two ends looped and caused to extend through the strap hole  361 . In addition, the pivot end portions  40  are formed on a front end of the end portion  36 . In this way, the second preferred embodiment provides another type of the temple unit  3  that can also be replaced conveniently. 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , a third preferred embodiment of the eyeglasses assembly of the present invention, which is generally similar to the first preferred embodiment in function and structure, comprises a lens unit  1 , a pair of pivot members  2  disposed on two sides of the lens unit  1 , and a pair temple units  3  disposed on two sides of the lens units  1 . The hook members  70  of the temple units  3  are connected respectively to the pivot end portions  40 , and the pivot rods  23  of the pivot members  2  are used to assemble the lens unit  1  with the temple unit  3 . 
         [0044]    The third preferred embodiment differs from the first preferred embodiment in that the pivot members  2  are fixed directly to the opposite sides of the lens unit  1 . Specifically, the pivot base wall  21  of each of the pivot members  2  is integrally formed as one piece with the lens unit  1 . Although the connection means of the pivot member  2  and the lens unit  1  is altered, the temple unit  3  can still be assembled and disassembled conveniently. 
         [0045]    While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.