Abstract:
A cleaning assembly for eyeglasses having at least one lens supported by a frame including at least one aperture substantially the size of a cross section of the at least one lens, wherein the aperture can fit at least one cleaning element and adapted to move relative to the at least one lens to clean the exposed surface of the lens.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to cleaning assemblies for eyeglasses and their methods of manufacture. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     Eyeglasses, also known as glasses, spectacles or even specs are conventionally known as frames holding one or more lenses in front of the eyes. Eyeglasses can include goggles or masks with lenses. Eyeglasses serve a variety of purposes including: correction of deficient vision, protection sunlight or other hazards, for viewing or decoding visual information such as three-dimensional movies or for aesthetic or fashion purposes. 
     A disadvantage to using eyeglasses is their inconvenience from reduced visibility if the surfaces of the lenses become covered with materials such as water condensation, dust or other opaque materials. Conventional methods of cleaning eyeglasses include using cloths or other sheets with or without cleaning fluids. However, this is inconvenient as the eyeglasses must be removed from the wearer. This then results in a temporary loss of vision or protection which can also increase the danger to the wearer, if they are doing high-risk activities or are protecting from radiation. It can also interrupt playing sport activities and further it is inconvenient for the wearer to carry the sheets or tissues and cleanings fluids on their person. 
     In view of the above, it is desirable to produce safer and more effective ways to clean eyeglasses. However, equipping separate wiper components on frames can be complex to manufacture given the thinly shaped frame of conventional eyeglasses. In terms of aesthetical appearance, it is acceptable to wear eyeglasses with only frame and fitted lenses. But unlike wipers for cars, it is not aesthetical to wear eyeglasses that have separate wiper components 
     Therefore, an advanced cleaning assembly for eyeglasses is preferable to resolve the mentioned manufacturing and aesthetical problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An eyeglass including; 
     a frame; 
     at least one lens supported by the frame; and 
     the frame including at least one wiper element; 
     wherein the at least one wiper element and the at least one lens is adapted to move relative to each other to clean an exposed surface of the lens; and 
     wherein the frame includes at least one aperture substantially the size of a cross section of the at least one lens such that the lens is movable within the frame with respect to the frame. 
     The at least one aperture can include at least one wiper element. Preferably, at least one lens can be movable with respect to the at least one wiper element to clean an exposed surface of the lens. Thus, the cleaning assembly may include at least one wiper element within the frame of the eyeglasses to provide an efficient way of cleaning the eyeglasses where the wiper element is integral to the eyeglasses. 
     The at least one wiper element can clean both surfaces of the lens. Preferably, the at least one wiper element cleans both surfaces of the at least one lens simultaneously. This provides the advantage of cleaning the eyeglasses quickly and efficiently, and allows the inner surface of the lens to be cleaned without removal of the eyeglasses. 
     In another embodiment, the assembly can include at least one reservoir. Preferably, the at least one reservoir is re-fillable and can include at least one dispenser for dispensing fluid to the at least one wiper element. Preferably, the at least one reservoir includes fluid for cleaning the at least one lens. 
     These features provide the user with convenient access to cleaning materials so that these are not required to be carried separately. Preferably, at least one component of the assembly is releasably attachable such that the at least one wiper element or any other cleaning assembly component can be exposed or removed or replaced. Thus the at least one wiper element can be exposed for cleaning, removed for replacement purposes, replaced or any other similar reason. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order that the present invention can be more readily understood, preferred embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  show perspective views of embodiment of the present invention of eyeglasses where the lens is movable through an aperture in the frame, while  FIG. 1   c  shows a cross sectional view of the eyeglasses of  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b.    
         FIGS. 2   a  to  2   c  show exploded views of the eyeglasses of  FIGS. 1   a  to  1   c  where the cleaning elements are detachable from the frame. 
         FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  show perspective views of yet another embodiment of the invention including a reservoir for cleaning fluid. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIGS. 1   a  to  1   c  show cleaning assembly  14  which include the frame  16  that does not form a rim around the edges of the lens  22 , but where the frame  16  includes an aperture  20  that is substantially the size of a cross-section of the lens  22 . The frame  16  may also include arms  18 . The lens  22  is therefore able to pass substantially through the aperture  20 . Aperture  20  is fitted with two cleaning elements  30 , one on each side of the inner surface of the aperture  20 , as exemplified in  FIG. 1   c  which shows a cross sectional view of  FIG. 1   a . When the lens  22  passes through the aperture  20 , the cleaning elements  30  remove any unwanted particulates or fluids from the lens  22 .  FIG. 1   a  shows the cleaning assembly  14  where the lens  22  is in a position for use for viewing or for protection. When the lens  22  is dirty, the lens  22  can be manually manipulated through the aperture  20  by the user, as shown in  FIG. 1   b . Protrusions  24 ,  26  at the corners of the lens  22  prevent the lens  22  from disengaging from the frame  16 . The support element  28  may also be utilised to prevent unwanted movement of the lens  22  by additional protrusions  32 . Cleaning assembly  14  provides the advantages for cleaning both the interior and exterior surfaces of the lens  22  without removing the cleaning assembly  14  from the user, particular for users who have fogged up the interior surface of their lens  22 . Another advantage is that the frame  16  includes the wiper element such that the wiper element is not a separate component. This simplifies manufacturing processes for the cleaning assembly  14  and is more aesthetically acceptable for users to wear. 
     The at least one wiper element  16  of  FIG. 1   b  can includes a support element  28  which is shaped to fit on a user&#39;s nose in the middle of the at least one wiper element  16 . When the eyeglasses are positioned on a person&#39;s face for viewing or protection, the support element  28  supports the wiper element  16  such that the wiper element  16  is kept at the top of the lens  22 . This helps to keep the at least one wiper element  16  out of the user&#39;s field of vision until the wiper element  16  is required for cleaning. 
     The cleaning assembly  14  can have one or more parts that are removably detachable and which are secured by one or more fasteners  34 , as shown in  FIGS. 2   a  to  2   c . In particular, the exploded view of the cleaning assembly  14  of  FIG. 2   b  shows that the internal structure of the frame  16 , lens  22  and/or any part or whole of the wiper elements, cleaning elements  30  can be exposed or removed for replacement, repair, cleaning or any other purpose. A fastener  34  such as a clip, screw or pivoting catch can be used to secure all the components of the cleaning assembly  14 , as shown in close up view of the corner of the frame  16  in  FIG. 2   a . Once the fastener  34  is undone, as illustrated in  FIG. 2   c , the frame  16  can be pulled apart in two or more pieces to reveal individual cleaning elements  30 . Even lens  22  can be replaced for one of a differing magnification or colour. A series of flanges and recesses,  36 ,  38  allow the frame  16  to interlock. 
     The cleaning assembly described above can also include at least one reservoir  48  for containing cleaning fluids or other liquids  44 . As described in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b . In  FIG. 3   a , the at least one reservoir  48  is located in the cleaning assembly  40  within the frame  42 . The frame  42  can also includes the arms  52  which can be connected via a hinge  56 . In  FIG. 3   b , the at least one reservoir  48  is located in the cleaning assembly  60  specifically within the arm  52  of the frame  42 . The cleaning fluid  44  can be dispensed onto the cleaning element of the wiper element  46  on either side of the cleaning assembly  40  and  60  via passageway  50 . The reservoir  48  can also be refilled via an aperture  54  and cleaning fluid  44  released by pressing button  58 . 
     Further modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the cleaning elements can be made of any suitable material for cleaning glass or plastic lens, including microfiber materials, cotton or synthetic cloths.