Abstract:
Eyewear includes a set of lenses, a frame, and a pair of arms. A primary attachment feature facilitates attachment of the arms to the frames. A secondary attachment feature facilitates attachment of the arms to the frames in case the primary attachment feature becomes partially or wholly dysfunctional. A concealment feature at least partially conceals the secondary attachment feature. The concealment feature is detachable to permit use of the secondary attachment feature. In an example embodiment, the concealment feature is formed as an integral breakaway component of the arms.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/746,781 filed Dec. 28, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to eyewear, and more particularly to eyewear for viewing video presentations. 
     2. Description of the Background Art 
     Some modern video presentations (e.g., 3-D movies) require special eyewear to be viewed properly. In the past, this type of eyewear was designed for minimal manufacturing costs with little regard for aesthetics. Recently, however, more design emphasis has been put into giving such eyewear a more quality appearance. Indeed, manufacturers strive to achieve an eyewear design with a good balance between performance, aesthetics, and low cost of manufacturing. 
     Such eyewear typically includes a set of lenses, a set of arms, and a frame. Typically, the lenses are permanently mounted in the frame by some suitable means such as, for example, glue, thermal weld, molding the frame around the lens, etc. The arms and the frame are typically integral parts of a single component formed, for example, via injection molding or the like. Indeed, such eyewear is typically a single disposable device wherein the lenses, arms, and frame are permanent integral parts thereof. 
     Although current eyewear designs achieve a good balance between performance, aesthetics, and low cost of manufacturing, they also have disadvantages. For example, if any one or more of the integral parts of the eyewear does not function properly, the entire eyewear has to be disposed of because all the components are permanently coupled together. Of course, disposing of the entire eyewear when only a single component is defective is wasteful and, therefore, undesirable. Furthermore, the eyewear is not personally customizable or adapted for retrofitting. 
     In an attempt to address the problems associated with the prior art, some eyewear is designed such that the arms are detachable and, therefore, can be replaced if necessary. Typically, such designs include arms having a mounting feature (e.g. hinge pin) that is adapted to engage a complementary mounting feature (e.g. hinge pin receiving aperture) formed on the frame. 
     Although eyewear having removable arms alleviates some of the challenges associated with eyewear having integral arms, disadvantages still exist. For example, the mounting feature formed on the arms and the complementary mounting feature formed on the frame are inherently susceptible to fatigue and eventual failure. Typically, once the mounting feature wears out, the arm has to be replaced. Likewise, when the complementary mounting feature wears out, the frame typically has to be replaced. 
     What is needed, therefore, is eyewear that is more salvageable when one or more components fail. What is also needed is eyewear that is personally customizable with interchangeable parts. What is also need is eyewear that is more adapted for retrofitting. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the prior art by providing eyewear with multiple means for attaching arms of the eyewear to a frame of the eyewear. The invention also provides a unique means of attaching the arms of the eyewear to the frame of the eyewear. 
     In an example embodiment, eyewear includes at least one lens, a frame adapted to receive and support the lens, and at least one arm. A primary attachment feature is adapted to attach the arm to the frame. A secondary attachment feature is also adapted to attach the arm to the frame. When the primary attachment feature is in good condition, it is sufficient to attach the arm to the frame without using the secondary attachment feature. 
     In the example embodiment, the primary attachment feature includes a snap structure, and the secondary attachment feature includes a fastener (e.g., a threaded fastener). In the particular example, the primary attachment feature includes a projection extending from the frame and an opening formed in the arm. The opening is adapted to receive the projection, and the projection is adapted to snap into the opening. A retaining feature retains the projection in the opening. 
     An example frame includes an upper part for engaging an upper portion of the lens and a lower part for engaging a lower portion of the lens. The upper part of the frame is moveable with respect to the lower part of the frame when the projection is not disposed in the opening. The projection includes a first portion formed on the upper part of the frame and a second portion formed on the lower part of the frame. The first portion of the projection is moveable with respect to the second portion of the projection. The upper part of the frame is fixed with respect to the lower part of the frame when the projection is disposed in the opening. Thus disposed, the lens is clamped between the upper part of the frame and the lower part of the frame, which are held in place by the opening in the arm. Optionally, the arm is a unitary rigid structure, and the opening is formed through the rigid structure. 
     An example of the secondary attachment feature includes a first fastener engaging feature (e.g., a countersunk screw hole) formed in the arm and a second fastener engaging feature (e.g., a threaded hole) formed in the frame. 
     A concealment feature at least partially conceals the secondary attachment feature when the secondary attachment feature is not in use. In the disclosed embodiment, the concealment feature is detachable to permit use of the secondary attachment feature. Optionally, the concealment feature resembles at least a portion of the secondary attachment feature. For example, at least a portion of the concealment feature is formed in the shape of a screw head, which also facilitates removal of the concealment feature. In a disclosed embodiment, the arm is a unitary rigid structure, and the concealment feature is formed as an integral part of the arm. 
     A method for manufacturing eyewear is also disclosed. An example method includes providing a lens, providing a frame, providing an arm, providing a primary attachment feature for attaching the arm to the frame, and providing a secondary attachment feature for attaching the arm to the frame. The lens is mounted in the frame, and the arm is initially attached to the frame using only the primary attachment feature. Subsequently, the arm (or other arms) is/are repeatedly detached and reattached to the frame via the primary attachment feature. The method further includes attaching an arm to the frame via the secondary attachment feature only after the step of repeatedly detaching and reattaching arms to the frame via the primary attachment feature (e.g., when the primary attachment feature wears out). 
     The structural design of the example embodiment advantageously permits manufacture by injection molding. Therefore, the step of providing the arm can include forming the arm via injection molding, and the step of providing the frame can include forming the frame via injection molding. 
     Another aspect of the invention is the provision of eyewear that includes a lens, an arm that is a rigid unitary body defining an opening, and a frame. The frame includes a bifurcated lens receiver that opens to receive the lens and fixes the lens within the lens receiver when a portion of the lens receiver is disposed within the opening. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention is described with reference to the following drawings, wherein like reference numbers denote substantially similar elements: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of eyewear according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the eyewear of  FIG. 1  disassembled; 
         FIG. 3A  is a cross sectional view of the eyewear of  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A, showing the arms and frame of the eyewear snap-fit coupled to one another; 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross sectional view of the eyewear of  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A, showing the removal of break-out features from the arms of the eyewear; 
         FIG. 3C  is a cross sectional view of the eyewear of  FIG. 1 , taken along line A-A, showing the arms and frame of the eyewear coupled to one another via screws; and 
         FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of eyewear according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of eyewear according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of eyewear according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a flow chart summarizing one method for manufacturing eyewear according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the prior art, by providing eyewear having detachable arms and break-out features for optionally coupling the arms to the frame via screws. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth (e.g., lens types, material types, etc.) in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize, however, that the invention may be practiced apart from these specific details. In other instances, details of well-known manufacturing practices (e.g. injection molding) and components have been omitted, so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of assembled eyewear  100 . Eyewear  100  includes a set of lenses  102 , a frame  104 , and a set of arms  106  (temple pieces). Lenses  102  are mounted in frame  104  and arms  106  are snap-fit mounted on opposite sides of frame  104 . In the assembled state, lenses  102  are retained in frame  104 , and the positions of arms  106  are fixed with respect to frame  104 . In this example embodiment, eyewear  100  is of the type used for viewing 3D video presentations. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not necessarily limited to 3D video eyewear. Rather, the inventive features of eyewear  100  can be applied to any suitable type of eyewear including, but not limited to, sun shades, reading glasses, safety glasses, etc. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of eyewear  100  showing lenses  102 , frame  104 , and arms  106  disassembled. That is, lenses  102  and arms  106  are shown detached from frame  104 . 
     Lenses  102  are 3D lenses (e.g., polarization filter type, dichroic filter type, etc.), each having a top peripheral region  200  and a bottom peripheral region  202  that are adapted to engage frame  104 . 
     Frame  104  is adapted to support and retain lenses  102  and includes both a top portion  204  and a bottom portion  206 . Top portion  204  and bottom portion  206  of frame  104  are adapted to engage top peripheral regions  200  and bottom peripheral regions  202 , respectively, of lenses  102 . Each side of top portion  204  defines a protrusion  208  and a screw hole  210 . Likewise, each side of bottom portion  206  defines a protrusion  212  and a screw hole  214 . 
     Protrusions  208  and  212 , together, facilitate the securing of lenses  102  into frame  104  and the mounting of arms  106  to frame  104 . In particular, a separation  218  exists on each side of frame  104  between top portion  204  and bottom portion  206 , which allows the deflection of bottom portions  206  away from top portions  208 , so that lenses  102  can be inserted into frame  104 . Protrusions  208  and  212  are adapted to snap-fit (after being squeezed together) into apertures  216 , which are formed through each of arms  106 . Screw holes  210  and  214  provide an optional means for attaching arms  106  to frame  104  via screws  220  (shown in  FIG. 3C ). Bottom portion  206  of frame  104  additionally defines a nose rest  222  to facilitate resting eyewear  100  on the nose of a wearer. The distal ends  232  of arms  106  are adapted (e.g., hooked) to engage the ears of a wearer to prevent eyewear  100  from slipping forward and down the wearer&#39;s nose. 
     Each of arms  106  additionally includes a first countersunk screw hole  224  and a second countersunk screw hole  226 , each of which includes a break-out feature  228  and  230 , respectively, formed therein. Countersunk screw holes  224  and  226  are coaxially aligned with screw holes  210  and  214 , respectively, of frame  104  when protrusions  208  and  212  are snapped into aperture  216 . Each of break-out features  228  and  230  are shaped like a screw head and have an engaging feature to facilitate removal via a screw driver. When arms  106  are mounted to frame  104  by snap-fitting protrusions  208  and  212  into aperture  216 , break-out features  228  and  230  are left in countersunk screw holes  224  and  226 , respectively. However, if the snap-fitting features of protrusions  208  and  212  and apertures  216  become fatigued and no longer capable of securing arms  106  to frame  104 , then break-out features  228  and  230  can to be removed so that screws can be used to fasten arms  106  to frame  104 . Once break-out features  228  and  230  are removed, screws can be positioned in holes  224  and  226  and threaded into holes  210  and  214 , respectively. 
     Prior to their removal, breakout features  228  and  230  serve at least two useful purposes. First, breakout features  228  and  230  are decorative in nature, giving the appearance of a screw head within countersunk screw holes  224  and  226 . In addition, breakout features  228  and  230  prevent debris collecting in and/or damage occurring to screw holes  210  and  214 . 
     Eyewear  100  is assembled as follows. First, one of lenses  102  is positioned between top portion  204  and bottom portion  206  on one side of frame  104 . Then, with lens  102  in place, top portion  204  and bottom portion  206  are urged toward one another thus clamping lens  102  therebetween. With lens  102  clamped between top portion  204  and bottom portion  206 , protrusions  208  and  212  (on the associated side of frame  104 ) are snapped into aperture  216  of arm  106 . By snapping protrusions  208  and  212  into aperture  216 , top portion  204  and bottom portion  206  are held together with lens  102  mounted therebetween. After mounting one of lenses  102  and one of arms  106 , the same process is repeated to mount the remaining one of lenses  102  and arms  106  on the opposite side of eyewear  100 . 
       FIG. 3A  is a cross-sectional view, taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 , of frame  104  snap-fit mounted to arm  106 . In this particular embodiment, screws are not used to mount arms  106  to frame  104 . Therefore, break-out features  228  remain connected to arm  106 , and screw holes  210 ,  214 ,  224 , and  226  are unused. In other words, arms  106  are connected to frame  104  by means of a primary attachment feature (protrusions  208  and  212  and apertures  216 ), and the optional secondary attachment feature (screw holes  210 ,  214  and countersunk screw holes  224 ,  226 ) is not used. When unused, the secondary attachment feature does not include the actual fastener (e.g., the screws). Rather, the unused secondary attachment feature includes only the fastener engaging structures (screw holes  210 ,  214  and countersunk screw holes  224 ,  226 ) of frame  104  and arm  106 , even though those fastener engaging structures do not attach to each other without a fastener. When used, the secondary attachment feature does include the fastener. 
     Top portion  204  and bottom portion  206  have a natural tendency to deflect away from one another but are prevented from doing so by aperture  216 . Aperture  216  is defined in-part by a downward facing surface  300  and an opposite upward facing surface  302 . Top portion  204  and bottom portion  206  of frame  104  define an upward facing surface  304  and a downward facing surface  306 , respectively. As shown, downward facing surface  300  of arm  106  abuts upward facing surface  304  of top region  104  to prevent further upward deflection thereof. Similarly, upward facing surface  302  of arm  106  abuts downward facing surface  306  of bottom portion  206  to prevent further downward deflection thereof. Each of protrusions  208  and  212  include a lip  308  and  310 , respectively, that secure arm  106  to frame  104 . In particular, protrusion  208 , protrusion  212 , and aperture  216  function as a retaining feature by holding top portion  204  and bottom portion  206  in a clamped position around lenses  102  and also for securing arm  106  to frame  104 . Lip  308  and lip  310  prevent protrusion  208  and protrusion  212 , respectively, from slipping out of aperture  216 . 
       FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view, taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 , of arm  106 , illustrating the removal of break-out features  228 , in preparation for the optional mounting of arms  106  to frame  104  via screws. As shown, the removal of break-out features  228  provides access to screw holes  210  and  214 . Once removed, break-out features  228  can be discarded. 
       FIG. 3C  is a cross-sectional view, taken along line A-A of  FIG. 1 , showing arm  106  mounted to frame  104  via screws  220 . As shown, one of screws  220  is coaxially aligned with, and disposed in, countersunk screw hole  224  and screw hole  210 . Likewise, the other of screws  220  is coaxially aligned with, and disposed in, countersunk screw hole  226  and screw hole  214 . 
     There are several instances where it may be desirable to use screws to attach arms  106  to frame  104 . For example, lips  308  and  310  may become worn over time and no longer capable of retaining protrusions  208  and  212  in aperture  216 . As another example, frame  104  may become fatigued over time such that top portion  204  and bottom portion  206  lose the tendency to deflect away from one another. As yet another example, a wearer of eyewear  100  may simply prefer the added reinforcement screws  220  provide. In any case, the optional secondary attachment feature extends the useful life of eyewear  100 . 
       FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of eyewear  400  according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. Eyewear  400  includes a set of lenses  402 , a frame  404 , and a set of arms  406  (temple pieces). Lenses  402  are mounted in frame  404  and arms  406  are snap-fit mounted on opposite sides of frame  404 . In the assembled state, lenses  402  are retained in frame  404 , and the positions of arms  406  are fixed with respect to frame  404 . 
       FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of eyewear  400 , wherein arms  406  are shown removed from frame  404 . Frame  404  is adapted to support and retain lenses  402  and includes both a top portion  500  and a bottom portion  502 . Top portion  500  and bottom portion  502  of frame  404  are adapted to engage top peripheral regions  504  and bottom peripheral regions  506 , respectively, of lenses  402 . Each side of top portion  500  defines a protrusion  508  and a screw hole  510 . Likewise, each side of bottom portion  502  defines a protrusion  512  and a screw hole  514 . Protrusions  508  and  512  are part of a primary attachment feature for mounting arms  406  to frame  404 . Screw holes  510  and  514  are part of a secondary attachment feature for mounting arms  406  to frame  404 . Arms  406  can be mounted to frame  404  by the primary attachment feature and/or the secondary attachment feature. Optionally, the secondary attachment feature can remain unused and be at least partially concealed. 
       FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of eyewear  400  wherein arms  406  are shown removed from frame  404 . As shown, each of arms  406  includes a receiver  600 , a top screw hole  602 , a bottom screw hole  604 , and a hooked distal end  606 . Receiver  600  is adapted to receive protrusions  508  and  512 . That is, protrusions  508  and  512  snap-fit into receiver  600 , thereby providing the primary attachment feature for mounting arms  406  to frame  404 . Screw holes  602  and  604  are coaxially aligned with screw holes  510  and  514 , respectively, to facilitate fastening arms  406  to frame  404  with screws. Of course, fastening arms  406  to frame  404  with screws requires first removing break out features  608  and  610  from holes  510  and  514 , respectively. Unlike break-out features  228  and  230  of eyewear  100 , break out features  608  and  610  of eyewear  400  are located on frame  404 . Thus, the unused secondary attachment feature is at least partially concealed and does not include the fastening screws. 
       FIG. 7  is a flow chart summarizing one method  700  for manufacturing eyewear according to one embodiment of the present invention. In a first step  702 , a set of lenses is provided. Then, in a second step  704 , a frame is provided. Next, in a third step  706 , a set of arms is provided. Then, in a fourth step  708 , a primary attachment feature is provided, which might include integral parts of the frame and/or the arms. Next, in a fifth step  710 , a secondary attachment feature is provided. Then, in a sixth step  712 , the lens(es) is/are mounted in the frame. Next, in a seventh step  714 , the arms are attached to the frame via the primary attachment feature. Then, in an eighth step  716 , arms are repeatedly detached and reattached to the frame using the primary attachment feature. Finally, in a ninth step  718 , arms are attached to the frame using the secondary attachment feature. 
     The description of particular embodiments of the present invention is now complete. Many of the described features may be substituted, altered or omitted without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, alternate lens types (e.g., transparent lenses, prescription lenses, polarized lenses, shaded lenses, color filter lenses, etc.), may be substituted for 3D lenses  102 . As another example, alternate screw heads (e.g., flat-head, hex-head, square-head, etc.) may be defined by break-out features  224  and  226 . These and other deviations from the particular embodiments shown will be apparent to those skilled in the art, particularly in view of the foregoing disclosure.