Adjustable anatomical spectacle framework systems and methods

Adjustable pairs of eyeglasses are disclosed which retain the precise adjustments during long periods of wear. Apparatus and methods are provided for so adjusting rim separation at the bridge of the frame of the eyeglasses and for so adjusting the effective length of temples between shoulders and bow of the frame. Two embodiments of a special tool used in the adjustment processes is also provided

FIELD OF INVENTION 
This invention relates to eyeglasses and in particular to eyeglasses with 
adjustable frames. 
BACKGROUND AND DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
The necessity of custom fitting eyeglasses and their associated frame to an 
individual wearer of the glasses is well known in optometry. Discomfort 
associated with ill-fitting glasses is well known often used in commercial 
advertisements related to marketing of new eye wear. For this reason, it 
is common practice for an optometrist to carefully and precisely calibrate 
the dimensions of various critical head contacting points of each eyeglass 
frame to the widely variable facial characteristics of each wearer. 
In a manufacturing or other high eye-hazard environments where the wearing 
of eyeglasses is mandatory to maintain an acceptable safety standard, it 
is important that eyeglasses be worn without noticeable or even 
sub-liminal discomfort so that proper attention can be continuously paid 
to work at hand. In such environments, it is common for safety glasses to 
be provided from a general, but usually limited inventory, for people who 
do not normally wear safety glasses or glasses of any kind. 
The variety of over-the-counter and non-prescription eyeglasses, such as 
sun glasses, is often restricted in sizes available to a customer by the 
number of different sizes which are commercially available and 
economically supportable by the volume of glasses sold at each particular 
store. In the case of reading and other vision correcting eyeglasses, it 
is as important that each pair of eyeglasses fit properly and provide wear 
comfort similar to an optometrist fitted pair of eyeglasses. 
Customarily, in such circumstances, glasses are available in, at best, a 
limited number of sizes on each occasion where a new pair of eyeglasses is 
selected for use by the wearer. It is more often the case that such 
glasses do not fit each wearer in a manner consistent with needs 
established by safety and comfort standards. After a period of wear, it is 
not uncommon to see such a wearer remove the glasses, if only for a 
moment, to provide relief from some discomfort. 
A limited number of safety and non-prescription eyeglasses comprise 
adjustable features such as wire forms of sides or temples which are 
bendable to adjust each bow which forms the curved extremity of the side 
or temple to fit a particular auricular dimension. Slidable adjustments 
for both temples and bridges are known in the art. However, such 
adjustments are often imprecise and short lived and become poorly adjusted 
after a period of continued wear. 
It also known in the art to provide a rotary expansion screw coupler for 
adjusting separatable parts of eyeglasses. Each rotary expansion screw 
coupler usually comprises a medially disposed knurled portion for 
relatively facile finger adjustment. Generally, the spatial relation of 
adjusted parts of the eyeglasses is dependent upon the freedom of movement 
of the screw coupler, itself, or upon parts separate from the coupler, 
existing at other parts of the eyeglass frame. As such, long term, stable 
and spatially precise adjustment is not inherently realized by current 
rotary expansion screw coupled eyeglasses. 
BRIEF SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
In brief summary, this novel invention alleviates all of the known problems 
related to precisely altering and preserving critical parameters of an 
adjustable pair of eyeglasses to conform to the comfort and needs of a 
particular wearer. The invention comprises a symmetrically adjustable 
coupler connecting two lens portions of a frame at the bridge to form a 
pair of eyeglasses which are width adjustable at the bridge. To maintain 
spatial integrity and precision of one lens portion of the frame relative 
to the other lens portion of the frame, in a first embodiment, the two 
lens portions are assembled and joined by the coupler during a plastic 
molding process. In this embodiment, a moving part securing and 
restraining tab is conveniently added to the coupler during the molding 
process to deter any adjustment prior to purchase of the eyeglasses and 
subsequent removal of the tab. In another embodiment for frames which 
having metal rims, the coupler is attached by spot welding, casting, 
soldering or other metal to metal bonding. 
The invention also comprises a frame side or temple, commonly referred to 
as "temple" herein, length adjusting coupler interposed between segments 
of a temple or between the shoulder of the frame and each temple to adjust 
the effective length of each temple for auricular variation relative to 
the lens portion of the eyeglasses. Temple lengthening couplers are 
attached in a manner similar to the method of attachment of the bridge 
coupler. 
Each coupler comprises an insert which is securely affixed to a joining 
segment of the frame. Each insert comprises an anchoring segment by which 
the coupler is united to each selected joining portion of the frame. Each 
coupler also comprises at least one stabilizing pin which glides within 
the inserts to precisely guide movement of one portion of the frame 
relative to the other associated portion of the frame during an adjustment 
process and to reinforce the joint such that the each portion of the 
eyeglasses retains precise spatial alignment with the associated adjusted 
portion throughout any adjustment and thereafter. Each coupler further 
comprises a threaded member which is rotated within threaded holes in 
juxtaposed inserts to expandably separate joined parts when rotated in a 
first direction and to bring overexpanded parts together when rotated in a 
second direction. To assure long term, stable and precise adjustment, the 
threaded member is only rotated by a special tool. A distal part of the 
tool is inserted into a aperture in a central portion of the threaded 
member to accurately and precisely adjust separation of the eyeglass 
parts. 
Accordingly, it is a primary object to provide a pair of eyeglasses which 
are precisely adjustable across a wide range of facial and auricular 
dimensions to provide a precise and lasting comfortable fit for each of a 
plurality of potential wearers of the eyeglasses. 
It is another primary object to provide a precisely adjustable coupler 
which is incorporated into a portion of the frame of the eyeglasses and is 
used for intermittent adjustment of fit dimensions of the eyeglasses. 
It is another primary object to provide a disposable assembly tab for the 
coupler which restricts adjustment of the eyeglasses until the coupler is 
removed. 
It is an object to provide a method for precisely joining and assembling 
the coupler to connecting members of a frame. 
It is another object to provide a method for precisely changing the lens 
separation of a pair of the eyeglasses. 
It is yet another object to provide a method for varying the effective 
auricular to shoulder length of sides or temples of the eyeglasses. 
These and other objects and features of the present invention will be 
apparent from the detailed description taken with reference to 
accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
In this description, the comparative term superior is a positional 
reference indicating greater elevation. Inferior indicates lower 
elevation. Reference is now made to the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 
1-11 wherein like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout. As 
seen in FIG. 1, a pair of eyeglasses 10 comprises a plurality of 
adjustable parts, generally designated 20, although a pair of eyeglasses 
comprising a single precisely eyeglass adjusting part, such as those 
described hereafter, is within the scope of the invention. Other than the 
adjustable parts 20, the pair of eyeglasses 10 comprises a left hand lens 
30 and a right hand lens 30' installed into an eyeglass frame 40. 
On the left hand side of a wearer, frame 40 comprises a rim 50 which 
encircles lens 30, a bridge segment 60, a shoulder segment 70, and a 
temple 80. Temple 80 comprises a bow 90 which involves the extremities of 
temple 80 which curve about the auricular root of the wearer. Disposed as 
a mirror image on the right hand side of the wearer, frame 40 comprises a 
like set of parts, but of opposite hand and designated by a prime (') 
after each reference number. As such, on the right hand side, frame 40 
comprises a rim 50' encircling lens 30', a bridge segment 60', a shoulder 
segment 70', a temple 80' and a bow 90'. An adjustable part 20 adjustment 
tool 100 is seen separated from eyeglass 10 in FIG. 1. 
In the embodiment of FIG. 1, frame 40 is seen to comprise three adjustable 
parts 20, comprising a bridge-width adjustable part 110, a temple-length 
adjustable part 120 disposed on the left of a wearer, and a temple length 
adjustable part 120' disposed on the right of the wearer. A better view of 
each adjustable part 110, 120 and 120' is seen in FIG. 2. Therein, bridge 
width adjustable part 110 is seen to comprise a first attaching member 122 
juxtaposed bridge segment 60, a second attaching member 124 juxtaposed 
bridge segment 60', a superiorly disposed guide pin 126, an inferior guide 
pin 128, and a centrally disposed expansion screw 130. 
Magnified views of adjustable part 110 are seen in FIGS. 3-5 wherein 
attaching member 122 is seen to be an essentially solid piece comprising 
two parallel planar surfaces 132 and 134, a superiorly disposed aperture 
136, an inferiorly disposed aperture 138 and a threaded hole 140, each 
hole and aperture being disposed through both surfaces 132 and 134. As is 
best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, at a superior end 142, extending medially from 
planar surfaces 132 and 134, member 122 comprises two bevels 144 and 146, 
respectively. Similar medially oriented bevels 148 and 150 are disposed on 
an inferior end 152. The purpose of bevels 144, 146, 148 and 150 is 
described in detail hereafter. 
Similar to member 122 but in mirror image orientation, member 124 comprises 
an essentially solid piece comprising two parallel planar surfaces 132' 
and 134', a superiorly disposed aperture 136', an inferiorly disposed 
aperture 138' and a threaded hole 140 , each hole and aperture being 
disposed through both surfaces 132 and 134'. At a superior end 142', 
extending medially from planar surfaces 132' and 134', member 124 
comprises two bevels 144' and 146', respectively. Similar medially 
oriented bevels 148 and 150 are disposed on an inferior end 152. The 
purpose of bevels 144', 146', 148' and 150' is also described in detail 
hereafter. 
Best seen in FIG. 5, part 110 further comprises superiorly disposed guide 
pin 126, inferiorly disposed guide pin 128, and medially disposed threaded 
expansion member 130. Guide pin 126 is preferably a solid cylindrical rod 
comprising a lateral radius which permits guide pin 126 to move 
longitudinally within each aperture 136 and 136', but which effectively 
restrains lateral movement of each member 122 and 124 relative to guide 
pin 126. Guide pin 128 is similar to guide pin 126 and is slidably 
attached to members 122 and 124 within each aperture 138 and 38', 
respectively, to move longitudinally therein but also restrain lateral 
movement of each member 122 and 124 relative to guide pin 128. 
Expansion member 130 comprises longitudinally disposed ends 166 and 166' 
and a centrally disposed section 168. Section 168 comprises a 
substantially solid cylindrical segment integrally disposed between ends 
166 and 166' and Comprises at least two laterally disposed and accessible 
through holes, designated 170 and 170'. Ends 166 and 166' comprise mirror 
image threaded surfaces 172 and 172', respectively, which threadably match 
associated threads of holes 140 and 140'. 
The laterally disposed holes, typified by holes 170 and 170', comprise 
transverse radii which facilely accept insertion of a part of a tool such 
as tool 100 seen in FIG. 1. To expand or contract space between bridge 
segments 60 and 60', in FIG. 2, the inserted part of the tool, such as 
tool 100, is necessarily inserted into an accessible hole 170 and 170' and 
moved to rotate expansion member 130. Rotation of expansion member 130 in 
a first direction, such as that indicated by arrows 180 and 180' in FIG. 3 
widens the space between bridge segments 60 and 60'. Reversing the 
direction of rotation shrinks the space between bridge segments 60 and 
60'. To provide for continuous adjustment in a selected direction 
rotational direction, when rotation of the tool disposed in a first hole, 
such as hole 170, reaches a physically limiting position, another hole, 
such as hole 170', is accessible for insertion of the tool. 
Due to the pitch on the threads and use of a tool comprising an extended 
lever arm, the separation between bridge segments 60 and 60' are precisely 
and fixedly set by rotation of expansion member 130 to a desired 
rotational position. Similarly, due to the requirement for a special tool 
to turn expansion member 130, once a precise setting is reached, the 
setting is retained until reset by again using the tool. 
While guide pins 126 and 128 and member 130 can be made of any 
non-corrosive material having sufficient sheer strength and inelasticity 
to maintain the relative spatial orientation of rim 50 relative to rim 
50', stainless steel is preferred. Similarly, any non-corrosive material 
which adequately withstands forces imposed by guide pins 126 and 128 and 
member 130 and which becomes solidly affixed to a molded frame 40 part 
during a molding process or which is otherwise securely attachable to an 
eyeglass frame may be used to manufacture members 122 and 124. However, it 
is preferred to use stainless steel in the manufacture of members 122 and 
124. 
Even though it is within the scope of the invention to drill into a plastic 
frame and affix members 122 and 124 to segments of frame 40 by bonding or 
the like, it is preferred to mold members 122 and 124, and in fact, the 
entirety of part 110 into frame 40 at the time frame 40 is injection 
molded. As is well understood in the molding and plastic bonding art, 
cavities formed between bevelled edges 144 and 146, 148 and 150, 144' and 
146', and 148' and 150' are filled by synthetic resinous material which on 
one hand bonds with frame material and on the other hand forms a 
mechanical anchor against release of members 122 and 124. 
While molding part 110 into frame 40 as a unitary part, a breakaway tab 
190, as seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, is preferably contemporarily molded about 
cylinder 168. Tab 190 contains and restrains member 130 from rotating and 
thereby causing frame 40 to inadvertently come apart prematurely. In those 
cases where part 110 is attached by methods other than molding, tab 190 is 
applied separately to part 110. 
It is a common practice to remove tab 190 at the time of purchase of a pair 
of eyeglasses 10. In those cases where tab 190 is molded contemporarily 
with frame 40, tab 190 is an integral part of frame 40 as seen in FIG. 7. 
So disposed, access to member 130 to adjust the relative spatial 
separation between bridge segments 60 and 60' is not available until tab 
190 is removed. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, indicia in the form of an arrow 
192 shows the direction of pressure placed upon tab 190 to frangibly break 
tab 190 from the rest of frame 40. Access to bridge segment 60 and 60' 
after removal of tab 190 is seen in FIG. 8. 
Referring once more to FIG. 1, adjustable part 120 disposed to be used to 
precisely change the length of temple 80 may comprise parts like those of 
part 110, earlier described. Also, adjustable part 120' disposed to 
similarly precisely adjust the length of temple 80' may comprise parts 
like those of part 10. 
However, other types of adjustable parts 20 may be used within the scope of 
the invention, such as the embodiment of expansion part 200 seen in FIGS. 
10 and 11. As seen in FIG. 10, expansion part 200 comprises a breakaway 
tab 202, a U-shaped guide pin member 204, and a medially disposed 
expansion member 206. Breakaway tab 202 is physically and functionally 
substantially the same as tab 190, earlier described. 
U-shaped guide pin member 204 is better see in FIG. 11. As seen therein, 
U-shaped guide pin member 204 comprises two substantially parallel legs 
208 and 210 and a U-shaped base 212. Base 212 is disposed at an angle, 
which may be 45.degree., relative to legs 208 and 210. Legs 208 and 210 
comprise transverse radii and physical characteristics similar to guide 
pins 126 and 128; however, the bend of base 212 relative to parallel legs 
208 and 210 provides an effective anchor for expansion part 200 on one end 
of part 200 within a frame member. 
As best seen in FIG. 11, expansion part 200 comprises two attaching members 
214 and 216. Attaching member 216 is substantially the same in form and 
function as member 122. Attaching member 214 is the same as member 124 
except that medially disposed hole 218 is not threaded as hole 140' is 
threaded in member 124. Expansion member 206 comprises a threaded end 220, 
a medial cylindrical segment 222, and an end cylindrical segment 224. 
Cylindrical segment 222 is similar in size and function to cylinder 168, 
earlier described, and comprises at least two through holes 223 and 223' 
similar in size and function to holes 170 and 170' of expansion member 164 
to receive and be turned by a tool, such as tool 100. Threaded end 220, 
when rotated, operates to longitudinally displace attaching member 216 
relative to segment 222 as rotation of end 166 displaces member 122 
relative to cylinder 168. 
Different from the threaded relation between hole 140' and end 166', end 
segment 224 is anchored in longitudinally fixed relation relative to 
attaching member 214, but is free to rotate. Such anchored connections are 
well known in the art. So interconnected, expansion member 200 comprises 
an asymmetric expander which displaces attaching member 216 relative to 
cylindrical segment 222 and attaching member 214. 
Referring to FIG. 9, tools used to precisely move and set an adjustable 
parameter of eyeglasses 10 are made in a plurality of shapes for 
convenience of use. As seen in FIG. 9, tool 100 comprises a wire formed 
part comprising a pentagonally shaped handle 250 and a straight stem 
segment 252. Straight stem segment 252 terminates on the end away from 
handle 250 in an extremity 254 which insertably fits into holes in 
cylindrical parts 168 and 222, such as holes 170, 170', 223 and 223', and 
which comprises sufficient strength and rigidity to rotate either member 
130 or 222, when so inserted. 
On the other hand, a tool 260 comprises a body 262 having the shape of a 
writing instrument and a pocket clip 264 for easy carrying and locating. 
Even so, body 262 tapers to a hole insertable extremity 254' which has the 
same transverse dimensions and members 130 and 206 rotating 
characteristics of extremity 254. 
For convenience, a temple, such as temple 80' seen in FIG. 12, may be 
fitted with a holder 270 for a tool, such as tool 100. As seen in FIGS. 12 
and 13, tool holder 270 comprises four compliant and resilient protruding 
knobs 272, 274, 276 and 278. The knobs are disposed anteriorly and 
posteriorly on frame 80' to provide a snap fit for a stem section 280 of 
tool 100. 
Two of the knobs 272 and 274 are better seen in FIG. 13 to comprise bulbous 
extruding ends 272' and 274', respectively, which retain stem 280 when 
inserted therebetween, but which are separated by a sufficient distance 
and comprise sufficient resiliency to permit a releasibly attachment of 
tool 100 to frame 80'. Further, knobs 272, 274, 276 and 278 are 
sufficiently compliant to be comfortably worn on temple 80' and 
comfortably hold tool 100 concealed from view during non-use. 
Knobs 272, 274, 276 and 278 are preferably made from compliant and 
resilient synthetic resinous material. Attachments, made from synthetic 
resinous material, which are similar to holder 270 are known to be used 
for other purposes. Retention and wearing of tool 100 on a frame member 
permits a wearer to make a precise adjustment of bridge or temple 
separation whenever desired. 
While certain materials have been specified herein to permit one skilled in 
the art to make and use the invention it should be understood that any 
materials which are functionally adequate for the purposes stated may be 
used within the scope of the invention. The invention may be embodied in 
other specific forms without departing from the spirit o essential 
characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be 
considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope 
of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the 
foregoing description, and all changes which come within the meaning and 
range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced 
therein.