Collapsible eyeglasses

A collapsible eyewear apparatus that at least includes: a lens supported by a lens support member; a lens shield member providing a protective shield for an entirety of the lens against inadvertent contact with foreign objects, said member comprising an accent aperture frame with an attachment portion engaging the lens support member; and an accent aperture formed by the accent aperture frame, offset from the attachment portion, and extending through a main body portion of the lens shield member is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the collapsible eyewear apparatus further includes: an earpiece confinement portion distal from the attachment portion, wherein the main body portion is disposed between the attachment portion and the earpiece confinement portion; and an earpiece member interacting with the earpiece confinement portion, wherein the accent aperture is configured to accommodate the earpiece member in a coplanar relationship with the aperture frame.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to the field of eyewear and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to folding or collapsible eyewear. There are many folding eyeglasses on the market, some more clever, compact, or innovative than others. The most typical application is in magnifying or reading glasses for people who don't need to wear prescription eyeglasses, but need occasional help in reading fine print, while driving, and similar situations. Most such glasses fold up into a size compact enough to be placed in a shirt pocket.

Frequently, existing folding glasses function well, both optically and mechanically, most are in need of a case or similar mode of storage to prevent scratching of the lenses, entanglement of the frame members in other items typically kept in pockets with the glasses, and storage. Because the case is a separate item from the glasses, the two are often separated, with the case being lost, rendering the glasses unprotected.

Accordingly, there is a continuing need for improvements in the folding eyewear art, whereby the folding eyewear incorporates a compact integrated case, which protects lenses while not in use, while promoting an attractive appearance while the folding eyewear are in use.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

As embodied herein and as claimed below, the present invention is generally directed to a collapsible eyewear apparatus that includes at least: a lens supported by a lens support member; a lens shield member providing a protective shield for an entirety of the lens against inadvertent contact with foreign objects; and an accent aperture formed by an accent aperture frame. Preferably, the lens shield member provides both the accent aperture frame, and an attachment portion, which preferentially engages the lens support member. The accent aperture is preferably offset from the attachment portion, and establishes a stylish aperture through a main body portion of the lens shield member.

In a preferred embodiment, the collapsible eyewear apparatus further includes: an earpiece confinement portion distal from the attachment portion, wherein the main body portion is disposed between the attachment portion and the earpiece confinement portion; and an earpiece member interacting with the earpiece confinement portion, wherein the accent aperture is configured to accommodate the earpiece member in a coplanar relationship with the aperture frame, and in which the central body portion is configured to occupy the accent aperture in a coplanar relationship with the aperture frame to form a continuous lens shield. In a preferred embodiment, the continuous lens shield provides a protective shield for the entire inner surface of the lens against inadvertent contact with foreign objects.

In an alternate preferred embodiment, the present invention is generally directed to a method for shielding an entirety of a lens of a collapsible eyewear apparatus by steps that include at least: disposing an earpiece within an accent aperture provided by a shield frame of a shield member to form a continuous shield; and folding the continuous shield adjacent the lens to protect the lens from inadvertent contact with foreign objects. In the alternate preferred embodiment, the earpiece features a restriction portion contactingly adjacent a confinement portion of the shield member, and wherein the earpiece is disposed within the accent aperture by steps that include at least: applying pressure against a proximal end of the earpiece; advancing the restriction portion into non-adjacency with the confinement portion; and sliding a central body portion of the earpiece into occupancy of the accent aperture, while maintaining a coplanar relationship between the central body portion of the earpiece and a shield frame.

These and various other features and advantages which characterize the claimed invention will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Various aspects of the invention may be inverted, or changed in reference to specific part shape and detail, part location, or part composition, such as an inclusion of a partial or entire frame supporting the lenses, or a placement of a hinge for an ear piece inboard from an edge of the lens, rather than adjacent the edge of the lens. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

FIG. 1shows collapsible eyewear100in a fully open and ready to use position. The collapsible eyewear100preferentially includes at least a first lens102supported by a first lens support member104, and a second lens106supported by a second lens support member108.

To facilitate folding of the first lens102into substantial adjacency with the second lens106, the collapsible eyewear100preferably further includes: an articulating bridge member110interposed between a first bridge support portion112of the first lens102; and a second bridge support portion114of the second lens106. The inclusion of a hinge portion116, provided by the articulating bridge member110, provides the articulating function useful in folding of the first lens102into substantial adjacency with the second lens106.

As shown byFIG. 2, the first lens102provides an exterior lens surface118and an inner lens surface120, while the second lens106provides an exterior lens surface122and an inner lens surface124. In a preferred embodiment, the collapsible eyewear100preferably further includes: a first lens shield member126that provides a first accent aperture frame128disposed between a first attachment portion130on a proximal end; and a first earpiece confinement portion132on a distal end.

FIGS. 1 and 2further shows, the first lens shield member126preferably provides an inner upper surface121disposed between a first end129and a second end131, and an inner lower surface123disposed between the first end129and the second end131.FIG. 2further shows, the first lens shield member126preferably provides an outer upper surface125disposed between the first end129and the second end131, and an outer lower surface127disposed between the first end129and the second end131.

The first earpiece confinement portion132constrains a first earpiece134from becoming unintentionally disengaged from the first earpiece confinement portion132in a first direction. In a second direction, the first earpiece134is slidably mounted within the first accent aperture frame128, allowing the first earpiece134to be drawn into, and entirely occupy, a first accent aperture136. The first accent aperture136is positioned within the first accent aperture frame128and configured to provide passage through a main body portion138of the first lens shield member126, while accommodating inclusion of the first earpiece134within the first accent aperture frame128.

FIGS. 1 and 2, further show that the main body portion138includes, an upper main body portion137(interposed between the upper inner surface121and the upper outer surface125), and an lower main body portion139(interposed between the lower inner surface123and the lower outer surface127).

In a preferred embodiment, the attachment portion130of the first end129of the first lens shield member126is attached to the lens support member104, the upper and lower inner surfaces121,123, are interposed between the attachment portion130and the second end131, and the upper and lower outer surfaces125,127, are interposed between the attachment portion130and the second end131.FIGS. 1 and 2further shows that the upper main body portion137is disposed between the upper inner surface121and the upper outer surface125, while the lower main body portion139is disposed between the lower inner surface123and the lower outer surface127.

The first accent aperture136is interposed between the attachment portion104, the second end131, the upper main body portion137, and the lower main body portion139. With this structure as a preferred embodiment, it is noted that the first accent aperture136provides access, or a passageway to the upper outer surface125from the lower inner surface123, as well as a passageway to the upper inner surface121from the lower outer surface127.

Continuing withFIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment, the collapsible eyewear100further includes: a first hinge feature140secured between the first attachment portion130of the first lens shield member126; and the first lens support member104. The first hinge feature140accommodates folding of the first lens shield member126into adjacency with the inner lens surface120, and by sliding the first earpiece134into a coplanar position within the first accent aperture frame128, a first continuous lens shield142, shown byFIG. 3, is formed.

Turning now toFIG. 3, in a fully closed position: the inner lens surface120(not separately shown) of the first lens102is protected from inadvertent contact with foreign objects by the first continuous lens shield142; the inner lens surface124(not separately shown) of the second lens106is protected from inadvertent contact with foreign objects by a second continuous lens shield144; and the exterior lens surface118of the first lens102cooperates with the exterior lens surface122of the second lens106to protect against an inadvertent contact with foreign objects by either exterior lens surface118or122.

Returning toFIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment, the second continuous lens shield144, ofFIG. 3, is formed by sliding a second earpiece146into a coplanar position within a second accent aperture frame148provided by a second lens shield member150. The second accent aperture frame148is disposed between a second attachment portion152on a proximal end, and a second earpiece confinement portion154on a distal end.

The second earpiece confinement portion154constrains the second earpiece146from becoming unintentionally disengaged from the second earpiece confinement portion154in a first direction. In a second direction, the second earpiece146is slidably mounted within the second accent aperture frame148, allowing the second earpiece146to be drawn into, and entirely occupy, a second accent aperture156. The second accent aperture156is positioned within the second accent aperture frame148and configured to provide passage through a main body portion158of the second lens shield member150, while accommodating inclusion of the second earpiece146within the second accent aperture frame148.

In a preferred embodiment, the collapsible eyewear100further includes: a second hinge feature160secured between the second attachment portion152of the second lens shield member150; and the second lens support member108. The second hinge feature160accommodates folding of the second lens shield member150into adjacency with the inner lens surface124, and with the second earpiece146slid into a coplanar position within the second accent aperture frame148, the second continuous lens shield144, shown byFIG. 3, is formed.

FIG. 4shows, that the first earpiece134includes a tongue162. The tongue162cooperates with a groove (not shown separately) of the first accent aperture frame128to assure the coplanar relationship established by sliding the first earpiece134into the first accent aperture frame128during formation of the first continuous lens shield142, ofFIG. 3, is maintained.FIG. 4further shows, that the second earpiece146also includes a tongue164, which cooperates with a groove (not shown separately) of the second accent aperture frame148to assure the coplanar relationship established during formation of the second continuous lens shield144, ofFIG. 3, is maintained between the second earpiece146and the second accent aperture frame148.

In contrast toFIG. 2,FIGS. 5 and 6show an alternate embodiment of the collapsible eyewear100. In the alternate embodiment shown byFIG. 5, both the first and second lens shield members126and150are obstructed from view by their corresponding lenses102and106.FIG. 6shows the relative position of the first accent aperture frame128to the inner lens surface120, and the presence of a second tongue166provided by the first earpiece134. The second tongue166cooperates with a second groove (not shown separately) of the first accent aperture frame128, and cooperates with the tongue162and its corresponding groove to assure the coplanar relationship established during formation of the first continuous lens shield142, ofFIG. 3, is maintained between the first earpiece134and the first accent aperture frame128.