Abstract:
An eyeglass frame system includes a lens frame, a planar side extension pivotally attached at opposite ends of the lens frame, and an integrated earpiece and temple frame, an end opposite to the earpiece portion including an elongate longitudinal channel complemental in cross-sectional geometry to that of the planar side pivotally attached to the lens frame. The temple and earpiece frame may be selectably inserted over the side extension.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    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 decorative ornamentation displayed on the temple pieces of the frame. 
         [0002]    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. 
         [0003]    As examples, U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,093 and PCT Publications WO 98/23994, WO 97/44699 and WO 09/052,705 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. 
         [0004]    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. 
         [0005]    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. 
         [0006]    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. 
         [0007]    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. 
         [0008]    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. 
         [0009]    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&#39;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. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present decorative eyeglass frame system includes a lens frame, a pair of integrated temple and earpieces, each having a proximal end pivotably attachable to opposing sides of the lens frame, at least one member of said pair of temple pieces having a longitudinal channel integrated into an outer side of a temple portion thereof, said channel having at least one open end. The system further includes a selectable decorative insert, at least a portion of an inner side thereof having a longitudinal male portion having a transverse cross-section substantially complemental in transverse cross-section to said longitudinal channel of said at least one temple piece. The insert includes an outer surface upon which a decorative expression or icon may be applied or otherwise integrated. 
         [0011]    In a second embodiment of the invention, the temple frame comprises two parts, a forward part of which is pivotally attached to an end of the eyeglass frame and an earpiece portion which includes a longitudinal aperture complemental in transverse cross-section to the geometry of said forward part of the temple frame. In this embodiment, the earpiece portion of the temple frame is provided with an ornamental expression, icon or peripheral geometry of interest to the user. Therein, a plurality of ear portions of the temple frame may be purchased in a package or group of designs fashion of interest to the user. That is, a plurality of ear portions of the temple frame may be purchased in a package or group fashion by a buyer of the inventive system. 
         [0012]    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 engaging affixed of the decorative portion to the temple piece of an eyeglass frame system. 
         [0013]    A further 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. 
         [0014]    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. 
     
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a first embodiment of the invention showing the decorative element of the temple piece prior to insertion of the decorative element associated therewith. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a decorative element taken along Line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a view, sequential to  FIG. 1 , showing the decorative element of the present system partially inserted into its complemental track formed within the temple frame of the eyeglass system. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a view, sequential to  FIG. 3 , showing the complete insertion of the decorative portion into the temple frame of the eyeglass system. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the inventive system in which the insert element thereof has not yet been inserted into the temple frame. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a view, sequential to  FIG. 5 , showing the partial insertion of the ornamental element into the temple frame. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is an assembly view, sequential to that of  FIG. 6 , showing the complete insertion of the decorative element into the temple frame of the system. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of further variation of the insert of  FIGS. 5-7 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of further embodiments of the decorative insert. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the insert element in combination with a temple frame taken along Line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a partial assembly perspective view of a further embodiment of the invention in which the temple frame thereof is divided into an earpiece portion and a portion connecting to the eyeglass frame. 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is an assembly view, sequential to that of  FIG. 11 , showing the complete insertion of the ear portion of the temple frame into a forward position the and, further, showing a decorative surface upon the earpiece portion. 
           [0027]      FIG. 13  is an assembly view, similar to that of  FIG. 12 , however not including a snap fit or selectable decorative portion. 
           [0028]      FIG. 14  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken through Line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 15  is a transverse cross-sectional view taken through Line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 12 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of a geometry of the temple piece which may be used in lieu of the geometry of the temple piece shown in  FIG. 13 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a further form that the temple piece of the invention of the present embodiment may assume. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    With reference to the exploded view of  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of the invention may be seen to include an eyeglass frame  20  and a temple piece  22  which is pivotably connected to the eyeglass frame at a rotational axis  24 . As may be appreciated from the geometry of temple frame  22 , a portion thereof is provided with a C-shaped channel  26  which acts as a guide or track within which a complemental longitudinal male element  28  of ornamental element  30  may be placed through an opening  31 . Said ornamental element is shown in cross-sectional view in  FIG. 2 . Therefrom, it may be appreciated that male element  28  is proportioned for slidable insertion into C-shaped track  26  of the temple frame  22  while, upon the outer surface of the ornamental element  30  may be provided a logo  32  or any other graphic pattern or icon of interest to the user. 
         [0033]    In  FIG. 3  is shown a partial insertion of ornamental element  30  into channel  26  of the temple piece  22  and, in  FIG. 4  is shown the complete insertion thereinto. Typically, the instant system would be sold with a number of different ornament elements  30  which are reflective of the particular interest of a purchaser of the system. The large size of element  30  relative to the temple piece  22  will adapt it more to use by younger children. 
         [0034]    In  FIG. 5  is shown a second embodiment of the invention in which ornamental insert  130  differs slightly in cross-section from the geometry of ornamental insert  30  of the embodiment  FIGS. 1 through 4 . Therein (see  FIGS. 5-6 ) ornamental insert  130  may also be slipped through female opening  131  and into a substantially C-shaped track  126 . However, as may be appreciated from the views of  FIGS. 8 and 10 , the geometry of the ornamental insert differs from the geometry of insert  30  above described, the principal difference being the narrower profile thereof which, it is believed, would be preferred by older users of the instant system in which manual dexterity of the user were not an issue. The system of  FIGS. 1-4  would therefore typically be preferred by younger or child-age users than that of the embodiments of  FIGS. 5-10 . 
         [0035]    Further shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  is recess  127  at the earpiece end of channel  126 , and which is proportioned or snap-fit axial engagement with end  133  of element  130  after said element is fully inserted, in the manner of a computer flash drive. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  shows insert  130  fully inserted within track  126 . Therein, the insert is completely flush with the outer surface  134  of earpiece  123  of temple piece  123  in which openings or aperture  140  (See  FIGS. 8 and 9 ) may be used as a support or grip for icons, patterns or graphics that a user may wish to snap-fit or otherwise apply onto elements  130 A,  130 B or  130 C. See also cross-sectional view of  FIG. 10 . 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIGS. 5 ,  7  and  10 , it may be noted that decorative insert  130  includes an upper and lower insert panel  132  which slip over panels  128  of c-shaped track  126  of temple piece  123 . Therein, panels  128  are secured between said insert panel  132  and an integral elongate T-shaped member  129  of the insert  130 . Therein, back surface  125  of the T-shaped member  129  abuts back surface  123  of the c-shaped track  126 . 
         [0038]    With reference to the perspective views of  FIGS. 11 and 12 , there is shown a further, embodiment of the present invention in which a temple piece system  222  includes two distinct portions, namely, an earpiece portion  242  and a forward extension  244  which is pivotally connected to eyeglass frame  220  of the system at a flexible tubular hinge  224  known as a living hinge (see also  FIG. 14 ). I.e., in this embodiment, one earpiece portion  242  may be substituted for different earpiece portions of other geometries or containing different graphics upon the outer surface thereof (more fully described below). As may be noted in  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12  (which is sequential to  FIG. 4 ), the earpiece portion  242  includes a longitudinal channel  241  (see  FIG. 15 ) which is substantially complemental in cross-sectional geometry to forward extension  244  of temple piece system  222 . Earpiece portion  242 , when fully press-fit onto extension  244 , will render said portion invisible as may be noted in the view of  FIGS. 12 and 13 . In other words, the public would, in general, be unaware that the portions  242  and  244  of temple piece  222  are separate from each other, or that forward extension  244  exists. 
         [0039]    In comparing  FIGS. 12 and 13 , one may note that the earpiece portion  242  may optionally be provided with an ornamental or graphic display element  230  which may be either permanently, semi-permanently or snap-fittably affixed to earpiece portion  242 . Alternatively, a user may select an earpiece portion, such as earpiece portion  242 A shown in  FIG. 16 , having a completely different geometry than that shown in  FIGS. 11-13  and, as well, may select an earpiece portion  242 B having a completely different surface or textual appearance, this to coordinate with one&#39;s particular dress or other preference. See  FIG. 17 . That is, a typical user of the embodiment of  FIGS. 11-17  will purchase a plurality of different earpiece portions  242 , all of which may be compatibly inserted over forward extension  244  of temple piece system  222 . This is also shown in the longitudinal cross-sectional view of  FIG. 14  which shows the tubular living hinge  224  which may be used in lieu of a traditional mechanical hinge and which enhances the stability of extension  244  relative to eyeglass frame  220 . 
         [0040]    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.