Hinge system for eyewear

A hinge system for eyewear includes a pivotable hinge element for connecting a temple to a lug on each end of a lens frame. The pivotable hinge element has one end pivotably connected to the lug and the other end arranged to allow the temple to be pivotably moved between a wearing position and a folded position. First and second magnets are provided in the lug and the pivotable hinge element, respectively. The first and second magnets have respective confronting surfaces oriented to face against each other when the temple is in its wearing position. The confronting surfaces of the first and second magnets have an identical polarity, so that the first and second magnets are operatively associated to urge the temple inwardly toward its folded position when the temple is moved to its wearing position.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to eyewear and more particularly, to an eyewear hinge system for urging temples inwardly against the head of a wearer for comfortable and secured fit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A common annoyance with conventional eyewear frames is that the frames slip along the nose of a wearer after a prolonged period of use. This is caused, for example, by spreading of temples.

Attempts have heretofore been made to incorporate means for applying a suitable amount of temple pressure on the head of a wearer to provide a comfortable and secured fit. Many of such means rely on leaf springs disposed on hinges between a lens frame and temples so as to urge the temples toward their folded or closed position. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,145,254 discloses a spring connection between a lens frame and each temple. The spring connection includes a U-shaped leaf spring disposed in each lateral end of the lens frame, and a temple insert disposed in one end of the temple and having an eccentric bifurcated portion. The eccentric bifurcated portion of the temple insert and the leaf spring are operatively associated to urge the temple against the head of a wearer. U.S. Pat. No. 3,654,376 discloses pressure means attached to each temple. The pressure means includes a resilient body snugly fit over one end of the temple, and an elongated resilient flat spring extending from the resilient body. The flat spring is engaged with each lateral end of the lens frame to exert a pressure on the temple to urge it toward its closed position.

A problem with the leaf springs is that repeated deformation of the leaf springs results in lowering of stress or spring resiliency. Another problem is that the leaf springs are visible at the external surface of eyewear and thus, disrupt esthetic appearance of the eyewear.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a hinge system for eyewear which can urge temples inwardly toward the head of a wearer to better retain the eyewear in the proper position on the wearer.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a hinge system for eyewear which can provide improved appearance and durability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a hinge system for eyewear with a lens frame and a pair of temples on respective lateral ends of the lens frame. The hinge system includes a pivotable hinge element for connecting one of the temples to a corresponding one of the lateral ends of the lens frame. The pivotable hinge element has one end pivotably connected to the lateral end of the lens frame and an other end arranged to allow the temple to be pivotably moved between a wearing position wherein the temple is opened and a folded position wherein the temple is closed. The hinge system also includes a first magnet provided in the lateral end of the lens frame and having a confronting surface, and a second magnet provided in the pivotable hinge element and having a confronting surface. The confronting surfaces of the first and second magnets are arranged to face against each other when the temple is in its wearing position. The confronting surfaces of the first and second magnets have an identical polarity, so that the first and second magnets are operatively associated to urge the temple toward its folded position when the temple is moved to its wearing position.

The first and second magnets have an identical polarity, e.g. north pole. A repulsive force is developed between the first and second magnets when the temple is moved to its wearing position. This repulsive force causes the second magnet to be repelled from the first magnet and thus, urges the temple against the head of a wearer for comfortable and secured fit. Unlike leaf springs, the magnets are durable and easy to maintain. The magnets are arranged in the lateral end of the lens frame and the pivotable hinge element in a confronting relationship. This arrangement enables the magnets to be invisible at the external surface of the eyewear and provides improve appearance.

In one embodiment, the lens frame includes a pair of lugs extending outwardly from the lateral ends of the lens frame, respectively. The pivotable hinge element includes a front section pivotably connected to one of the lugs, and a rear section having one end connected to the front section. The temple is hingedly connected to the other end of the rear section. The pivotable hinge element may have a generally V-shape and include a bent section through which the front and rear sections are connected. The second magnet may be arranged in the rear section of the pivotable hinge element. The lug may include a hole configured to receive the front section of the pivotable hinge element and dimensioned to allow for limited angular movement of the pivotable hinge element. The confronting surface of the first magnet may be substantially flush with adjacent surface of the lug, and the confronting surface of the second magnet may be substantially flush with adjacent surface of the pivotable hinge element.

The lugs may be attached directly to the lenses where the present invention is applied to rimless eyewear.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated eyewear generally designated by reference numeral10. The eyewear10includes a lens frame12composed of a pair of rims14,16configured to hold a corresponding pair of lenses18,20. The rim14has an inner lateral end14aand an outer lateral end14b. The rim16has an inner lateral end16aand an outer lateral end16b. A bridge22extends between the inner lateral ends14a,16aof the rims14,16. Although not shown, a pair of nose pads are connected to the respective rims14,16and rest on a nose24of a wearer26. A pair of frame extensions or lugs28,30are formed integrally with and extend outwardly and rearwardly from the outer lateral ends14b,16bof the respective rims14,16. A pair of temples32,34are connected at their proximal end to the respective lugs28,30by means of a corresponding pair of hinge systems36,37made according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The temples32,34are provided at their distal end with a corresponding pair of earpieces38,39configured to fit behind the ears of the wearer26.

The hinge systems36,37are designed to urge the temples32,34inwardly toward opposite sides of the wearer's head for comfortable and secured fit. InFIGS. 4 and 5, only the hinge system36is illustrated in order to simplify the drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the hinge system37is a mirror image of the illustrated hinge system36.

The hinge system36includes a pivotable hinge element40. The hinge element40is of a generally V-shape and includes a front section42and a rear section44connected to the front section42via a bent section46. The lug28is slightly arcuate in shape and has a front side28aand a rear side28b. A through hole48is formed in the lug28to receive the front section42of the hinge element40. The hinge element40is pivotably connected to the lug28by a pivot pin50. The hole48is so dimensioned as to allow for limited angular movement of the hinge element40. The hole48includes a top wall (not seen inFIGS. 4 and 5), a bottom wall48aand inner and outer side walls48b,48cextending between the top and bottom walls. Pivotal movement of the hinge element40is limited between the inner and outer side walls48b,48cof the hole48. The inner and outer side walls48b,48cof the hole48thus serve as stoppers.

A first permanent magnet52is arranged in the outer, free end of the lug28. A second permanent magnet54is arranged in the rear section44of the hinge element40. The first and second magnets52,54include respective exposed confronting surfaces56,58with an identical polarity, for example, north pole. The confronting surface56of the first magnet52is substantially flush with or slightly projects from adjacent surface of the lug28. Similarly, the confronting surface58of the second magnet54is substantially flush with or slightly projects from adjacent surface of the hinge element40. In the illustrated embodiment, the confronting surfaces56,58are slightly separated from each other when the temple32is held in its wearing position as shown inFIG. 5. It is to be understood, however, that the confronting surfaces56,58may be contacted with each other when the temple32is held in its wearing position. As shown inFIG. 3, the magnets52and54are invisible at the outer surface of the eyewear when the temples32,34are in their wearing position. The proximal end of the temple32is hingedly connected to the rear section44of the hinge element40through a hinge pin60. The temple32is pivotably movable between a normal wearing position wherein the temple32is opened and extends substantially perpendicular to the plane of the rim14(seeFIG. 1) and a folded position wherein the temple32is closed and lies substantially parallel to the plane of the rim14(seeFIG. 3).

When the temple32is in its folded position, the front section42of the hinge element40is held in contact with the inner side wall48bof the hole48. To wear the eyewear, the temple32is outwardly rotated from its folded position toward its wearing position. The hinge element40is rotated with the temple32to cause the front section42of the hinge element40to be separated from the inner side wall48b. The front section42of the hinge element40is then brought into contact with the outer side wall48cof the hole48. At this time, the rear section44of the hinge element40comes into partial contact with the rear side28bof the lug28. The temple32is fully opened and moved to its wearing position simultaneously or shortly after the rear section44of the hinge element40is contacted with the lug28. With the temple32in its wearing position, the confronting surfaces56,58of the first and second magnets52,54are placed in close proximity to each other. As a result, a repulsive force is developed between the first and second magnets52,54as shown by the arrows inFIG. 5. This repulsive force causes the second magnet54to be repelled from the first magnet52. The hinge element40is thereby rotated in an inward direction, and the temple32is urged against the head of the wearer26. The degree of a force to be developed to urge the temple32can be changed, for example, by increasing and decreasing a ratio between the distance between the pivot pin50and the first and second magnets52,54and the distance between the pivot pin50and a point where the temple32contacts the wearer's head.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lugs are attached to the lens frame. As an alternative, the lugs may be attached directly to the respective lenses where the present invention is applied to rimless eyewear.

Although the present invention has been described with respect to its preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.