Abstract:
A specialized eyewear hinge and attachment device for creating a tool-less eyewear arm changeout system and creating the possibility of turning sunglasses into goggles quickly and easily. The specialized hinge and mating system for eyewear allows for rapid changes of either eyewear stems, the conversion of an eyeglass into a goggle, and/or allows the improved living hinge system to apply an inward pressure which allows for a more secure eyewear fit. The specialized mating system of the hinge to the frame utilizes a pliable hinge material with female apertures to mate with a rigid male protrusion portion on the eyewear frame and stems.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a specialized eyewear hinge and attachment device, and more specifically to eyewear apparatuses utilizing the specialized hinge connectors to create a tool-less eyewear stem/arm change out system and or a rapid modification of an eyeglass into a goggle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The disadvantage with most eyewear is that the weakpoint in most glasses is the hinge portion. A high level of stress placed on typical eyewear hinges, thus the hinges are secured with combinations of screws, rivets and pins, and when a hinge is overstressed or over extended the result is either a break in the frame, the hinge or the stem of the sunglass itself. 
         [0003]    Additionally, eyeglasses are often worn in situations were an eye goggle would be more appropriate, which often further results in eyewear breakage or even injury to the user. 
         [0004]    The present invention solves the problems associated with standard eyewear hinges and allows for a mating system of function and materials which allows for strong hinge forces to be encountered without a breakage in the eyewear apparatus. The present invention comprises a rapidly interchangeable and tool-less hinge interchange system which allows for a hinge to be securely placed but also displaced without breaking the eyewear frame, hinge or stem. Additionally, the hinge system allows for the rapid versatility of turning a hinge system for eyewear into an attachment system for a goggle. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention relates generally to a specialized eyewear hinge and attachment device, and more specifically to eyewear apparatuses utilizing the specialized hinge connectors to create a tool-less eyewear stem/arm change out system and or a rapid modification of an eyeglass into a goggle. 
         [0006]    An embodiment of the present invention includes an eyewear and stem attachment connector featuring a frame attachment portion with a female recess for mating with a male portion of an eyewear frame. The stem attachment connector additionally features a hinge portion which includes a living hinge which provides tension in a directional manner such that the hinge is perpetually attempting to move into a closed position. The stem attachment connector contemplated further features a stem attachment portion which includes a female recess for mating with a male portion of an eyewear stem. 
         [0007]    In additional embodiments the attachment connector may be made of a pliable material that is expandable to mate around a rigid male connection protrusion such as a flexible rubber or plastic wherein a flexible rubber material comprising a hardness as measured by durometer on a type a ASTM 2240 tester ranging from 75 to 95 with 85 being most preferred. 
         [0008]    Another embodiment of the present invention features modifiable eyewear apparatus comprising: viewable lenses, an eyewear frame, two eyewear stems and two eyewear and stem attachment connectors. The embodied eyewear frame further comprises left and right temple connection points which each include a male protrusion for mating with a female recess. The embodied eyewear and stem attachment connector further includes; a) a frame attachment portion, wherein said frame attachment portion comprising a female recess for mating with a male portion of an eyewear frame; b) a hinge portion, wherein said hinge portion comprises a living hinge which provides tension in a directional manner such that the hinge is attempting to move into a closed position; and c) a stem attachment portion, wherein the stem attachment portion comprises a female recess for mating with a male portion of an eyewear stem. 
         [0009]    Additional embodiments include the connector with the properties as stated above including a flexible material. Additionally the frame and eyewear stems are made of a rigid material selected from stainless steel, aluminum, and carbon and graphite composite materials with aluminum most preferred. 
         [0010]    Another additional embodiment features a modifiable eyewear apparatus comprising: viewable lenses, an eyewear frame, two eyewear stems; two eyewear and stem attachment connectors; two optional goggle attachment connectors and a goggle strap. In the present embodiment the eyewear apparatus may be converted from an eyeglass with attached stems for securing the eyewear to a user&#39;s head to a goggle with an attached goggle strap replacing the stems and securing the eyewear around the user&#39;s head. 
         [0011]    When the embodied apparatus is desired to be worn as an eyeglass an eyewear and stem connector and stems are utilized; and the eyewear and stem attachment connector further comprises: a) a frame attachment portion, wherein said frame attachment portion comprising a female recess for mating with a male portion of an eyewear frame; b) a hinge portion, wherein said hinge portion comprises a living hinge which provides tension in a directional manner such that the hinge is attempting to move into a closed position; and c) a stem attachment portion, wherein the stem attachment portion comprises a female recess for mating with a male portion of an eyewear stem. 
         [0012]    When the embodied apparatus is desired to be worn as a goggle a goggle strap and eyewear and goggle connectors are utilized; said eyewear and goggle connectors further comprises: a) a goggle and frame attachment portion, wherein said goggle and frame attachment portion comprising a goggle connector female recess for mating with the male portion of the eyewear frame; and b) a google strap attachment aperture. 
         [0013]    The embodied interchangeable hinge and goggle connector system is designed for a tool less exchange system wherein the specialized mating between the frame and connectors allows for a secure attachment without the need for screws, rivets or pins as in common in the art. 
         [0014]    The embodied frame contemplated is made from a very durable solid material such as aluminum, carbon or other rigid material members; and the male protrusion member is a solid member that is not easily bent or flexed and wherein the male protrusion member mates with a pliable hinge or goggle connection member which includes wherein the male member is engulfed within the recesses of the female member and secured by surrounding the member. 
         [0015]    Yet additional embodiments feature a male stem connective member that has an upward protrusion, and a downward protrusion and the female member includes a top recess, a middle recess and a bottom recess wherein the top protrusion of the frame mates within the top recess of the female member, the middle protrusion mates within the middle recess of the female member and the bottom protrusion mates with the bottom recess of the female member. The three point contact between the male protrusions and the female recesses is designed such that a linear pull on the stems on a plane away from the back of the frame only secures the mating stronger by contracting the recess further against the protrusions. Thus the hinge removal is accomplished by exerting a downward or upwards force on the hinge to break the one contact point at a time starting with either the top or bottom contact point. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Those of skill in the art will understand that the drawings, described below, are for illustrative purposes only. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present teachings in any way. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawing wherein: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  comprises of  FIG. 1A ,  1 B,  1 C, and  1 D which each represent a connector embodiment contemplated in the present invention in various views.  FIG. 1A . is a top view,  1 B and  1 C are side views and  1 D is a perspective view. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  comprises of  FIG. 2A-2F , represents the connector embodiment of  FIG. 1  when attached to an eyewear apparatus. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  comprises of  FIG. 3A-3E , represents multiple views of a the connector embodiment again with an eyewear apparatus. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  comprises  FIG. 4A-4D  which shows the eyewear component of  FIGS. 2 and 3  without a connector attached. 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  comprises  FIG. 5A-5I  which shows and eyewear apparatus that has been converted to a goggle through the use of a goggle strap connector. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0022]    The embodiments of the present invention are designed to provide for a rapid and tool-less interchangeable hinge attachment system for eyewear. The hinge system comprises of a female frame mounting aperture a connective hinge and a female stem mounting aperture. Additional embodiments feature a rapidly interchangeable goggle strap attachment piece which may be used instead of the hinge attachment system to convert the eyeglass into a goggle. The goggle strap attachment piece comprises a female mounting aperture and an aperture for a goggle strap. 
         [0023]    The hinge system contemplated may include a thermal plastic rubber like material molded that can interlock onto a sunglass frame at the temple region. The embodied molded part design can connect the front frame to the side temple stems or a goggle strap to keep eyewear in position. The thermal plastic connector has at least one female inter shape that can accept a male counterpart. Said male counterpart could be a sunglass temple stem or a rubber tip with a hole to retain a goggle strap. The connector could also act as a hinge that is flexible and allows the temple to move in two directions inward and outward. The connector could also have a hole to pass through and accept a strapping such as elastic, nylon, leather, or goggle strap that allows the frame to be held onto a human head. 
         [0024]    The embodied hinge is designed to interlock with the frame member and the temple stems. By connecting a male and female shape part, the two parts interlock to keep from coming apart and acting as one. The connector may be made from flexible rubber like material that is on the D scale for hardness at 40 durometer. 
         [0025]    The embodied hinge connector may also act as a living hinge and can flex back and forth without breaking. The plastic rubber like hinge may be taken on and off as many times as desired. The interlocking parts where one part is hard and the other part is soft allow for flexibility, so the part can be soft female part may be pulled off the male more rigid male counterpart. 
         [0026]    Additional contemplated embodiments allow for the connector attached at the frame and a hole or gap to allow for a goggle strap to pass through. The modified connector contemplated thus works as a retainer for the goggle strap holder. 
         [0027]    The temple connector is also made of soft rubber like material and the frame is made of harder material. This allows the temple connector the ability to stretch and flex to be able to take on and off. The interlocking feature is not exposed when assembled together as one unit, acting as a pair of sunglasses or sunglasses with a goggle strap attached at the temples. The plastic rubber material has internal shape of a female, while the counter part is shaped like a male. The male part is made from a harder material than the connector. 
         [0028]    Additional embodiments include eyewear frame comprising left and right side male protrusions for mating with the hinge attachment piece via the female frame mounting aperture; and wherein the left and right side male protrusions additionally mate with the interchangeable goggle strap attachment piece via the female frame mounting aperture. 
         [0029]    The interchangeable hinge and goggle connector system is designed for a tool less exchange system wherein the specialized mating between the frame and connectors allows for a secure attachment without the need for screws, rivets or pin attachment means as is common in the art. 
         [0030]    The frame is made from a very durable solid material such as aluminum, carbon or other rigid material members; and the male protrusion member is a solid member that is not easily bent or flexed and wherein the male protrusion member mates with a pliable hinge or goggle connection member which includes wherein the male member is engulfed within the recesses of the female member and secured by surrounding the member. 
         [0031]    The male stem connective member has an upward protrusion, and a downward protrusion and the female member includes a top recess, a middle recess and a bottom recess wherein the top protrusion of the frame mates within the top recess of the female member, the middle protrusion mates within the middle recess of the female member and the bottom protrusion mates with the bottom recess of the female member. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-5  the following descriptions and parts apply: 
         [0033]    An embodiment of the present invention is for an eyewear apparatus  100  comprising an eyewear face  10  which further includes a rigid frame portion  11  and a lens portion  12  and wherein the front face  13  of the frame  11  faces away from a user and the back face  14  of the frame  11  rests on the wearer. While resting on the head of a wearer the frame  11  has a left temple connection point  15  and a right temple connection point  16  which are secured in the general area around the wearer&#39;s left and right temples, respectively, when the eyewear apparatus  100  is placed correctly on a user. The temple connection points  15  and  16  are generally used as attachment points for securing the eyewear apparatus  100  to the user so that the eyewear is not easily displaced from its point of use. 
         [0034]    The temple connection points  15  and  16  additionally have a male frame attachment protrusion  20  which comprises a top protrusion  22  a middle protrusion  24  and bottom protrusion  26  which mate with either a stem attachment connector  30  or a goggle strap connector  70 . 
         [0035]    The stem attachment connector  30  contemplated in the present invention comprises a frame attachment portion  32  a hinge portion  34  and a stem attachment portion  36 . Generally, the frame attachment portion  32  attaches to the eyewear frame  10 , the stem attachment portion  36  attaches to temple stems  50  which serve as securing arms that grip the side of the wearers head, a the hinge portion  34  is designed to fold the temple stems  50  inward towards the back face  14  of the eyewear face  10  when the eyewear  100  is in the stored or non-use position. 
         [0036]    Additionally, the frame attachment connector  32  is the part of the connector  30  which attaches directly with the eyewear face  10  via mating with the male attachment protrusion  20 . This mating occurs more specifically by mating the frame attachment female recess  40  of the frame attachment portion  32  with the male attachment protrusion  20  found on the eyewear face  10 . The frame attachment female recess  40  includes three contact points, a top recess  42 , a middle recess  44  and a bottom recess  46  for securing the frame attachment portion  32  to the eyewear face  10  via the male attachment protrusion  20 . Additionally, as described above the male attachment protrusion  20  has three contact points, a top protrusion  22 , a middle protrusion  24 , and a bottom protrusion  26 . The mating of the frame attachment portion  32  is complete when the three contact points of the male attachment protrusion  20  are secured within the three contact points of the frame female attachment recess  40  such that the top protrusion  22  is in the top recess  42 , the middle protrusion  24  is in the middle recess  44  and the bottom protrusion  26  is in the bottom recess  46 . 
         [0037]    The three point contact between the male protrusions and the female recesses is designed such that a linear pull (as shown by line Z in  FIG. 2D ) on the stems on a plane away from the back of the frame only secures the mating stronger by contracting the recess further against the protrusions. Thus the hinge removal is accomplished by exerting a downward or upwards force (as shown by directional arrow X) on  FIGS. 2D and 2F ) on the hinge to break the one contact point at a time starting with either the top or bottom contact point. 
         [0038]    The stem attachment connector  30  is generally designed so that it is pliable enough to allow the recesses  40  and  60  to expand to allow the non-pliable rigid protrusions of the temple stem  42 ,  44 , and  46  and the male attachment protrusion  20  to expand into the recesses  40  and  60  upon placement of the protrusions within the recesses and then have the recesses  40  and  60  contract against the protrusions to create a snug secure fit. Generally the stems  50  and frames  10  and their accompanying protrusion members are made of a rigid non-pliable material such as carbon, graphite or metals, with aluminum being most preferred. Alternatively, the stem attachment connector  30  is made of a pliable material such as rubber with a firm durometer such that the material is strong and will not tear easily and can secure objects in place. 
         [0039]    The stem attachment connector  30  also includes a hinge portion  34  which may be a living hinge which provides tension in a directional manner such that when the stems  50  are connected onto the eyewear face  10  the hinge  34  pulls the stems  50  inward towards the back face  14  of the eyewear face  10 . This living hinge tension allows the stems  50  to be pulled more securely against the side of a wearers head while the eyewear apparatus  100  is being worn, and allows the stems  50  to be pulled into proximity of the back face  14  of the eyewear face  10  and into a folded and stored position when the eyewear apparatus  100  is not worn. 
         [0040]    The temple stems  50  are secured to the stem attachment portion  36  of the stem attachment connector  30  through a similar male portion female recess interaction as described above. In this case the temple stems  50  have three contact point protrusions a stem top protrusion  52 , a stem middle protrusion  54 , and a stem bottom protrusion  56  which mate with the stem attachment recess  60  located on the stem attachment portion  36  of the stem attachment connector  30 . The stem attachment recess  60  also includes three contact points including top stem recess  62 , middle stem recess  64  and bottom stem recess  66 . The mating of the stem attachment portion  36  is complete when the three contact points temple stems  50  are secured within the three contact points of the stem female attachment recess  60  such that the top stem protrusion  52  is in the top stem recess  62 , the middle stem protrusion  54  is in the middle stem recess  64  and the bottom stem protrusion  56  is in the bottom stem recess  66 . 
         [0041]    The temple stems  50  additionally include an elongated stem arm  58  which extends from the temple connection point along a wearer&#39;s head and is designed to have a portion which rests on the bridge of the ears of a user. 
         [0042]    An included or alternative eyewear apparatus  200  includes the same eyewear face  10  as above, but instead of having a stem attachment connector  30  a goggle strap connector  70  is mated to the eyewear face  10  instead. 
         [0043]    An embodiment of the present invention is for an eyewear apparatus  200  comprising an eyewear face  10  which further includes a rigid frame portion  11  and a lens portion  12  and wherein the front face  13  of the frame  11  faces away from a user and the back face  14  of the frame  11  rests on the wearer. While resting on the head of a wearer the frame  11  has a left temple connection point  15  and a right temple connection point  16  which are secured in the general area around the wearer&#39;s left and right temples, respectively, when the eyewear apparatus  200  is placed correctly on a user. The temple connection points  15  and  16  are generally used as attachment points for securing the eyewear apparatus  200  to the user so that the eyewear is not easily displaced from its point of use. 
         [0044]    The temple connection points  15  and  16  additionally have a male frame attachment protrusion  20  which comprises a top protrusion  22  a middle protrusion  24  and bottom protrusion  26  which mate with a goggle strap connector  70 . 
         [0045]    The goggle strap connector  70  contemplated in the present invention comprises a frame attachment portion  72  and a goggle attachment portion  76 . Generally, the frame attachment portion  72  attaches to the eyewear frame  10 , the goggle attachment portion  76  attaches to a goggle strap  90  which serves to secure the the back face  14  of the eyewear face  10  to the wearers face when in use. 
         [0046]    Additionally, the frame attachment connector  72  is the part of the goggle strap connector  70  which attaches directly with the eyewear face  10  via mating with the male attachment protrusion  20 . This mating occurs more specifically by mating the frame attachment female recess  80  of the frame attachment portion  72  with the male attachment protrusion  20  found on the eyewear face  10 . The frame attachment female recess  80  includes three contact points, a top recess  82 , a middle recess  84  and a bottom recess  86  for securing the frame attachment portion  72  to the eyewear face  10  via the male attachment protrusion  20 . Additionally, as described above the male attachment protrusion  20  has three contact points, a top protrusion  22 , a middle protrusion  24 , and a bottom protrusion  26 . The mating of the frame attachment portion  72  is complete when the three contact points of the male attachment protrusion  20  are secured within the three contact points of the frame female attachment recess  80  such that the top protrusion  22  is in the top recess  82 , the middle protrusion  24  is in the middle recess  84  and the bottom protrusion  26  is in the bottom recess  86 . 
         [0047]    The goggle strap connector  70  is generally designed so that it is pliable enough to allow the female attachment recess  80  to expand to allow the non-pliable rigid male attachment protrusion  20  to expand into recess  80  upon placement of the protrusion  20  within the recess  80  and then have the recess  80  contract against the protrusion  20  to create a snug secure fit. Generally the frame  10  and its accompanying protrusion members are made of a rigid non-pliable material such as carbon, graphite or metals, with aluminum being most preferred. Alternatively, the goggle attachment connector  80  is made of a pliable material such as rubber with a firm durometer such that the material is strong and will not tear easily and can secure objects in place. 
         [0048]    The goggle strap connector  70  also includes a goggle attachment part  76  which includes a goggle strap attachment aperture  78  so that when a goggle strap  90  is connected onto the eyewear face  10  the goggle strap  90  pulls the eyewear face  10  more securely against the face of the wearer. 
         [0049]    The goggle strap  90  is secured to the goggle attachment portion  76  of the goggle strap connector  70  through a goggle strap attachment aperture  78 . A goggle strap  90  is secured by extending the goggle strap  90  through goggle strap apertures  78  on the google attachment portion which are located near the left and right temple connection points  15  and  16  of the eyewear apparatus  200 . 
         [0050]    Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications, variations, and equivalent embodiments are possible without departing the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that all examples in the present disclosure are provided as non-limiting examples.