Abstract:
An eyewear utilizing a screw-less hinge to connect the temple to the frame. The frames terminate laterally at an open, curved rung configured to receive a cylinder. This cylinder is fixed to the temple. Due to the configuration of the curved rung, the cylinder can be inserted into the curved rung in a rotatable or pivotable fashion. The cylinder receiving the curved rung holds the frame together and keeps eye wires from opening, thus keeping lenses from falling out of the eyewear. A wedge tool can be used to displace the curved rung from the cylinder to easily remove the temple from the frame.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE 
       [0001]    This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/014,184, tiled Aug. 29, 2013, titled “Eyewear Frame,” which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/696,020, titled “Eyewear Frame,” filed Aug. 31, 2012, which applications are incorporated in their entirety here by this reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This invention relates to eyewear frames. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Eyewear can be worn as a fashion statement, for correcting, vision, or for protection. In any case, most of the population wears, has worn, or will wear eyewear for one of those reasons. Most eyewear are constructed with the same standard parts: a frame that holds lenses, temples connected to the frame to secure the frame to the face, and nose pads for comfort. The temples are connected to the frame by a hinge mechanism. The hinge utilizes one very tiny screw. The hinge portion tends to receive a lot the stress of the eyewear causing damage to the hinge or loosening of the screw. When this happens it is difficult or inconvenient to fix because the screw is so small and requires small tools. This mechanism also makes it difficult to replace or change temples. In addition, some frames have split end pieces so that when the hinge is removed, the lenses can be removed. In these types of glasses, replacing the lenses is a tedious task. 
         [0004]    Therefore, there is a need for new eyewear utilizing a hinge mechanism that makes it easy to take the temples on and off. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The present invention is directed to eyewear utilizing a screw-less hinge to connect the temple to the frame. The frames terminate laterally at an open, curved rung configured to receive a cylinder. This cylinder is fixed to the temple. Due to the configuration of the curved rung, the cylinder can be inserted into the curved rung in a rotatable or pivotable fashion. A wedge tool can be used to displace the curved rung from the cylinder to easily remove the temple from the frame. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1A  shows a perspective view of an eyewear of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1B  shows a close-up of the section indicated as  1 B in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0008]      FIG. 2A  shows an exploded view of the eyeglass shown in  FIG. 1A . 
           [0009]      FIG. 2B  shows a close-up of the section indicated as  28  in  FIG. 2A . 
           [0010]      FIG. 2C  shows a close-up of the section indicated as  2 C in  FIG. 2A . 
           [0011]      FIGS. 3-6  show the process of removing the temple from the frame. 
           [0012]      FIGS. 7-9  show the process of replacing the temple back onto the frame. 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  shows a partial top view of the temple replaced hack onto the frame. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently-preferred embodiments of the invention and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention. 
         [0015]    The present invention is directed towards eyeglasses having a unique hinge mechanism that allows the temples to be easily removed and replaced without the use of screws. As shown in  FIG. 1A , he eyeglass  100  comprises typical parts of an eyeglass, including a frame  102 , a pair of temples  104   a,    104   b  attached to the frame by hinge mechanisms  106   a,    106   b,  and a pair of lenses  110   a,    110   b.  The eyeglass  100  may also have a pair of nose pads  108 . 
         [0016]    For ease of description only, the present invention will be described with positional nomenclature reflecting the eyeglass being properly worn by a user in the standing or sitting position. Therefore, “anterior” or “anteriorly” means in the forward direction or forwardly towards the from (e.g. towards the face), “posterior” or “posteriorly” means rearwardly or towards the back (e.g. towards the back of the head), “lateral” or “laterally” means towards the sides (e.g. towards the ears), and “medial” or “medially” means towards the center (e.g. towards the nose). These terms can be combined for additional clarification regarding a particular direction. For example, a direction that is laterally and posteriorly refers to a diagonal direction towards the back and away from the user. 
         [0017]    The frame  102  may be made out of metal, plastic, rubber or other similar materials. The frame  102  comprises a pair of eye wires or rims  112   a,    112   b,  a bridge  114  connecting the pair of eye wires  112   a,    112   b  at a middle of the frame  102 , with each eye wire  112   a,    112   b  terminating laterally at their respective end pieces  116   a,    116   b.  In some embodiments, the frame  102  may comprise a single eye wire  112  to hold a single lens  110 . 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, each eye wire  112   a,    112   b  may be configured with an in-line groove so that the lenses  110   a,    110   b  can be snapped into the frame  102 . In such embodiments, the frame may be a one-piece, whole frame. In some embodiments, the lenses  110   a,    110   b  may have the in-line groove  111   a,    111   b  into which the eye wires  112   a,    112   b  can be seated. In such embodiments, the eye wires  112   a,    112   b  may be split at the end pieces  116   a,    116   b  to define a top eye wire rim portion  118  that is separated from a bottom eye wire rim portion  120  as shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C . This allows the lenses  110   a,    110   b  to be removed 
         [0019]    Each end piece  116   a,    116   b  may terminate away from the eye wire  112   a  or  112   b  with an eye wire rung  200 .  FIG. 2B  is a close-up illustration of the right side showing the right, top eye wire rung  200   a  and the right, bottom eye wire rung  200   b.    FIG. 2C  is a close-up illustration of the left side showing the left, top eye wire rung  200   c  and the left, bottom eye wire rung  200   d.  As the features of the hinge mechanisms  106   a  and  106   b  for the left and right side, and the split and non-split end piece, are similar, these features will be discussed with reference to one side; however, the description applies equally to both sides. Frames  102  that are semi-rimless (not containing a rim all the way around the front) or do not require the changing of the lens by taking the end pieces  116   a,    116   b  apart can have one rung  200  an each side instead of two rungs  200   a,    200   b,  or  200   c,    200   d  (i.e. top and bottom). Similarly, a plastic front where the lenses  110   a,    110   b  can be popped in and out by hand may only require one rung  200  on each side to hold the temple to the front of the frame. 
         [0020]    The eye wire rung  200  comprises an are shaped bend  202  defined by a convex inner surface  204  projecting in a medial direction towards the middle of the frame  102  and a concave outer surface  206  facing laterally and outwardly away from the frame  102 . The arc shaped bend  202  terminates at a free end or tip  214  on one side and is connected to the frame  102  on the opposite side. In some embodiments, the eye wire rung  200  is connected to the end piece  116  by an eye wire arm  208 . In the split end piece embodiments, the eye wire arm  208  will similarly be split like the top and bottom arms  118 ,  120 . In some embodiments, the eye wire arm  208  may be slightly recessed or bent inwardly towards the middle of the frame so as to define a small convex inner surface  210 , and a small concave outer surface  212  facing laterally outward. In some embodiments, the tip  214  of the arc shaped bend  202  may comprise a slight curve defining as slight protrusion  215  forwardly towards the end piece  116 , with the free end  214  projecting, towards the temple tip  130  of the temple  104 . These configurations of the end piece  116  facilitate connection with the temple  104  as will be discussed below. 
         [0021]    The temples  104   a,    104   b  are elongated arms that extend rearwardly to mount on the wearer&#39;s ears. The temples  104   a,    104   b  generally define an outer surface  126 , and an inner surface  128  that abuts the side of the wearer&#39;s head. The rearward portion  122  of the temple may comprise a temple tip  130  for comfort. The forward portion  124  of the temple  104  is configured to form a hinged connection with the end piece  116 . 
         [0022]    The features of the temples  104   a  and  104   b  are similar. Therefore, only one temple  104  will be described, but the description applies to both temples  104   a,    104   b.  The forward portion  124  of the temple  104  may terminate with a stopper  216 . The stopper  216  abuts against the end piece  116  (as described in more detail below) when the temples  104  are in the open configuration. This prevents over-rotation of the temples  104  past approximately 90 degrees relative to the frame (as shown in Figure allowing a secure fit on the face, in some embodiments, the stopper  216  may have a recess  218  into which the eye wire arm  208  can fit. The recess  218  divides the stopper  216  into a top stopper  216   a  and a bottom stopper  216   b.  The top and bottom stoppers  216   a,    216   b  can then abut the top and bottom eye wire arms  118 ,  120 , respectively, either directly or at the eye wire arms  208 . 
         [0023]    This allows the temples to have a snug and secure tit on the face of the user by not allowing the temples to continue to extend outward past the 90 degrees. In addition the stoppers  216   a,    216   b  serve a second purpose in that they may also hold the eye wire rung  200 , particularly the split rungs, securely in place. The inner, top  248  and inner, bottom  246  surface edge or plain of the stoppers  216   a,    216   b  aid in holding the two arms  118 ,  120  of the eye wires and lens securely in place for additional reinforcement with added inward pressure against the eye wire arms  208 . 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 2C , the negative space or recess  218   a  between the stoppers  216   a,    216   b  on the temples  104  are designed to accommodate the eve wire arms  208  located next to the eye wire rungs  200  on the end-piece  118 ,  120 . This negative space  218   a  on the temple  104  May allow the eye wire arms  208  to interlock or abut With the temple  104  and the front of the frame  102 . This interlocking or abutting fit gives additional pressure and security by preventing the eye wire  112  from opening or coming loose and keeping the lenses  110   a,    110   b  intact. The eye wires  112   a,    112   b  on the front that hold the lenses  110   a,    110   b  intact may be held together with the temples  104   a,    104   b  and reinforced with the axially inward pressure of the stoppers  216  located on the temples  104   a,    104   b,  thereby holding the eye wire arms  208  in alignment. In addition, the eye wires  112   a,    112   b  may be held together by the axially inward pressure of the flanges  224 ,  226  on the cylinder  222 . These configurations create a cosmetically clean and almost seamless transition between the front of the frame and the temples. 
         [0025]    In the preferred embodiment, the stopper  216  has front surface areas  219   a,    219   b  that abut or mate with rear surface areas  117   a,    117   b  of the eye wire end piece  116  of the frame  102  to prevent the temple  104  from over rotating. This flush fit ( FIG. 1B ) of the rear surface  117   a,    117   b  of the end piece  116  and the front surface  219   a,    219   b  of the two stoppers  216   a,    216   b  on the temple  104   a  or  104   b  may also create an added reinforcement of the eye wire  112  from opening and preventing the lens from failing out. 
         [0026]    Adjacent to the stopper  216  are a pair of tabs  220   a,    220   b  projecting medially and parallel to each other, but at approximately 90 degrees to the outer and inner surface  126 ,  128  of the temple  104   a  or  104   b.  The two tabs are bent inward toward the middle of the frame  102  at a 90 degree angle from the top edge  240  and bottom edge  242  of the temple  104   a  or  104   b.  One tab  220   a  is located on the top edge  240  and one tab  220   b  is located on the bottom edge  242  of the temple  104   a  or  104   b.  The hole or indentation near the center of the tabs  220   a,    220   b  are designed to accommodate and hold a fastener  230 , such as a screw, rivet, spindle, cylinder or molded plastic or similar material in place. The fastener  230  may also act as the cylinder itself by dissecting through the top and bottom tabs and interlocking with the two eye wire rungs  200  on the front of the frame  102 . 
         [0027]    In the preferred embodiment, the tabs  220   a,    220   b  are configured to hold a cylinder  222  to form part of the hinge mechanism  106   b.  In some embodiments, the cylinder  222  may be integrally formed with the tabs  220   a,    220   b  as a one-piece unit. The main portion or cylindrical body of the cylinder  222  is configured to be inserted into the space defined by the concave outer surface  206  of the eye wire rung  200 . Therefore, the diameter of the cylinder  222  is essentially similar to the diameter of the space defined by the concave outer surface  206  of the eye wire rung  200 . This permits the temple  104  to rotate from a closed configuration to an open configuration. 
         [0028]    In the preferred embodiment, the cylinder  222  may comprise flanged ends or heads  224 ,  226  at opposite ends of the cylinder  222 . These flanged ends  224 ,  226  are concentrically arranged with the cylinder  222  but have diameters that are larger than the diameter of the cylinder  222 , thereby defining a recessed channel  223  defined by the flanged ends  224 ,  226  and the cylindrical body of the cylinder  222 . In such an embodiment, the eye wire rung  200  is seated inside the recessed channel  223  and abutted against the flanged ends  224 ,  226 . In embodiments in which the eye wire rung is split, the flanged ends  224 ,  226  facilitate keeping the split eye wire rungs  200   a,    200   b  or  200   c,    200   d  together. The connection of the one or two eye wire rungs  200  to the cylinder  222  hold the front of the frame  102  to the temples  104   a,    104   b  and also prevent the lens  110   a,    110   b  from falling out. 
         [0029]    The flanged ends  224 ,  226  on the top and bottom of the cylinder  222  are calibrated to hold the eye wire rungs  200  in place when rotating the temples  104  about the axis of the cylinder. The two flanged ends  224 ,  226  on the top and bottom of the cylinder  222  keeps the rungs in alignment in the channel  223  of the cylinder  222  with a tight fit. The flanged ends  224 ,  226  of the cylinder  222  apply axially inward pressure to hold the two rungs  200   a,    200   b  or  200   c,    200   d  in place and in alignment around the cylinder  222  when snapped in place. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, the cylinder  222  may not have any flanged heads on the top and bottom of the cylinder  222 . In such embodiments, the eye wire rungs  200  may be thick enough to span across the gap between the top tab  220   a  and bottom tab  220   b  of the temple  104  so as to hold the eye wires rungs  200  in place around the entire cylinder  222  also securing the lens. In other words, the thickness of the eye wire rungs  200  may be substantially similar to the height of the cylinder  222  without any flanged heads. 
         [0031]    To secure the cylinder  222  in between the tabs  220 , the cylinder  222  may have a central hole and the tabs may have through holes such that placement of the cylinder  222  in between the tabs  220   a,    220   b  allows the central hole of the cylinder  222  to align concentrically with the holes of the tabs  220   a,    220   b  permitting a fastener  230 , such as a rivet, pin, peg, screws, spindles, solder and the like to be inserted through the hole of the tabs and cylinder  222  to secure the cylinder  222  to the tab  220 . 
         [0032]    In sonic embodiments, the flanged ends  224 ,  226  of the cylinder  222  may have an opening, such as a through hole, recess, dimple, and the like, and the tabs  220   a,    220   b  of the temple  104  may each have a protrusion or indentation towards each other that is configured to be seated inside the hole, recess, dimple, etc. of the flanged ends  224 ,  226  to secure the cylinder  222  in place. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, the cylinder  222  may be designed to rotate about its axis or be in a fixed position. In one embodiment, the cylinder  222  can have a fixed configuration where the rungs  200  rotate about an axis around the cylinder  222 . For example, the cylinder  222  may be soldered in place between the tabs  210   a,    220   b  on the top and bottom in order for a secure fit and prevent the cylinder  222  from coming loose. In another embodiment, the cylinder  222  can rotate about its axis in between the tabs  220   a,    220   b  and the rungs  200  are in a fixed configuration relative to the cylinder  222 . 
         [0034]    In some embodiments, the temple  104  may be a molded or hand-made plastic or similar material with an embedded or integrally formed cylinder molded or inserted into the temple  104 . The inside surface of the top and bottom of the molded cavity that would accommodate the cylinder  222  on the temple  108  can also act as a “vice” and apply an axially inward pressure to hold the two eye wires rungs  200  in place. This “vice” may also secure the front to the temples and hold the eye wires together keeping, the lenses from falling out. 
         [0035]    The diameter or inner circumference of the rungs  200  are calibrated precisely in order for the rung  200  of the eye wire  112  to be tight and secure, yet provide a smooth fit around the cylinder  222  when locked in place. This precise calibration is important in order to keep the rungs  200  correctly aligned in place between the flanged ends  224 ,  226  on the cylinder  222 . This prevents the temples  104  from becoming loose and losing the lens  110 . The precise calibration is also important to prevent too much friction and reduce stress fractures in the rungs  200  of the eye wire  112  and/or cylinder  222  while maintaining a secure fit. The outward curve on the tip  214  of the eye wire rungs  200  creates a smooth area on the inner surface  206  of the rungs  200  which allows the cylinder  222  to snap in place with ease while preventing the materials from bending, breaking or wearing on the end of the eye wire or eroding the surface area of the cylinder  222  it rotates on. 
         [0036]    In the preferred embodiment, the eye wire rungs  200  are curved slightly smaller than the channel  223  diameter on the cylinder  222  or are substantially similar to the channel  223  size. The semicircular shape and size of eye wire rungs  200  create a radially inward force to inter-lock with the channel  223  on the cylinder  222  located between the flanged ends  224 ,  226  on the temple  104 . The eye wire rungs  200  will snap into place on the channel  223  of the cylinder between the top and bottom flanged heads  224 ,  226 . The very tip  214  of the eye wire rungs  200  are slightly curved outwardly away from the frame in a lateral and posterior direction to allow the eye wire rungs  200  to snap smoothly in place around the cylinder  222  and create tension on the cylinder  222 . In other words, the tree ends  214  will not catch the cylinder  222  as it is being inserted into the eye wire rung  200 . 
         [0037]      FIGS. 3-6  shows the process for removing a temple  104  from the eyeglass frame  102  using a wedge tool  300 . The wedge tool  300  is a thin and narrow piece of generally stiff or hard material, such as plastic, metal, wood, and the like, with a flat bottom surface  302  and wedge tip  304 . When the temple  104  is secured to the frame  102  a gap exists between the tip  214  of the eye wire rung  200  and the inner surface  128  of the temple  104 . The gap is large enough to allow the front portion of the wedge tip  304  to be inserted in between the free end  214  of the rung  200  and the inner surface  128  of the temple  104 . The temple  104  may he placed on a flat surface  10  in the open configuration with the frame  102  generally perpendicular to the flat surface  10 . The wedge tool  300  can then be inserted between eye wire rung  200  and the temple  104 . As the wedge tool  300  is inserted further along the inner surface  128  of the temple, eventually the tip  214  may make contact with the top surface  306  of the wedge tool  300 . At this point, the wedge tool  300  is wedged or lodged in between the free end  214  of the eye wire rung  200  and the inner surface  128  of the temple  104  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The wedge tip  304  of the tool  300  acts as a wedge on the free end  214  of the eye wire rung  200  and holds the free end  214  of the eye wire rung  200  in place against the hard surface of the wedge tool  300 . The wedge tool  300  acts as a pivot holding the end  214  of the eye wire rung  200  in-place and allowing the eye wire rung  200  to expand and open just enough not to bend the frame Material out of shape, but enough to release the cylinder  222 . This is important in order to keep the tension of the semi-circular eye wire rung  200  from stretching out of shape/alignment and keeping it consistent in order to be able to frequently dismantle the front of the frame  102  with the temple  104  and prevent it from coming too loose in the future. With the wedge  300  securely in place between the gap, the front of the frame  102  may be rotated toward the temple  104 . 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the temple  104  and frame  102  can be slowly moved into the closed configuration. This can be achieved by rotating the frame  102  towards the temple  104  or by rotating the temple  104  towards the frame  102 . This rotational movement causes the free end  214  of the eye wire rung  200  to create a force against the top surface  306  of the wedge tool  300 . This force causes the eye wire rung  200  to move away from the cylinder  222  and at the same time cause the eye wire rung  200  to expand or open slightly, allowing the cylinder  222  to pop out of the eye wire rung  200  as shown in  FIG. 6 . For frames  102  having split ends  116 , this permits the lenses  110  to be removed from the eye wire  112 . 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, the wedge tool  300  may necessarily be tapered as long as it fits into the gap between the free end  214  of the eye wire rung  200  and the inner surface  128  of the temple  104  with the gap so small that slight movement of the frame  102  or temple  104  towards the closed position causes contact of the free end  214  of the eye wire rung  200  to the upper surface  306  of the wedge tool  300  to allow the temples  104  to pop off of the frame. 
         [0040]    To replace the temple  104  back onto the frame a person can grasp the temple  104  with his thumb  20  on the outer surface  126  of the temple  104  just behind the cylinder  222 . The person can grasp the frame  102  in the opposite hand  22  with his fingers  24  wrapped around the wire frame and his thumb  26  buttressed against the end piece  116  to hold the top and bottom end pieces flush together to create a tight seam between one another. The other fingers  24  of the same hand may grasp the top and bottom part of the eye wire pressing them toward each other with the palm of the hand  22  and fingers  24  so as to hold the lens  110  in place between the eye wire  112 . In embodiments where the end piece is split this hold will help keep the split pieces together while the temple  104  is being put back on. With the temple  104  angled at an oblique angle relative to the frame  102  (for example between 10 degrees and 80 degrees relative to the frame), the cylinder  222  can be placed at the opening of the eye wire rung  200  with the cylinder  222  resting against the bent curve  215  of the eye wire rung  200  and the eye wire arm  208 , as shown in  FIG. 7 . The person can then apply a pinching force between the index finger  30  and thumb  20  by moving his thumb  20 , which is positioned behind the cylinder  222 , towards his index finger  30  and moving his index finger  30 , which is behind the eye wire rung  200 , towards his thumb  20  as shown in  FIG. 8 . Simultaneously, the person rotates the temple  104  to its open configuration, or approximately 90 degrees relative to the frame  102  as shown in  FIG. 9 . This action causes the cylinder  222  to pop into the eye wire rung  200  as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0041]    The slightly bent curve  215  causes the free end  214  to bend outward on the end of the eye wire rung  200  so as to prevent the free end  214  of the outer-most edge of the eye wire rung  200  from being bent out of place when applying pressure with the fingers to snap the cylinder  222  on the temple  104  back on to the eye wire rung  200  on the frame  102 . This slightly bent curve  215  may create a smooth surface area on the outside surface  206  of the eye wire rung  200  allowing the cylinder  222  to snap easily and securely to the eye wire rung  200 , thus holding the lens  110  in place. 
         [0042]    This slightly bent curve  215  creates a forward-lateral protrusion on the outside surface  206  area of the slightly bent curve on the eye wire rung  200  to prevent the rung  200  from popping off or dislodging from the cylinder  222  of the hinge mechanism  106   b  by partially wrapping around the cylinder  222 . The precision and calibration of the slightly bent curve  215  on the outside surface area of the eye wire rung  200  may create a secure interlocking fit between the cylinder  222  and the rung  200  and may allow the eye wire rung  200  to rotate around the cylinder  222  with ease as well as hold the lens  110  tightly in place by keeping the end pieces  118 ,  120  together. This slightly bent curve  215  and inward protrusion on the eye wire rung  200  may also create the dual purpose of generating tension to keep the rung  200  in place, while permitting flexibility in the eye wire rung  200 . This dual flexibility and tension on the slightly bent curve  215  and inward protrusion with its smooth surface area on the inside of the eye wire rungs  200  also allows the temples  104  to be taken off and on repeatedly without creating misaligmnents as well as maintaining a consistent calibration with a tight and secure fit between the cylinder  222  on the temple  104  and eye wire rung  200  on the front of the frame  102 . 
         [0043]    The slightly bent curve  215  on the eye wire rung  200  helps prevent friction and natural wear-and-tear from the frequent rotating of the hinge when the temples  104  are opened and closed. Without the slightly bent curve  215  and inward protrusion on the end of the eye wire rungs  200 , the outer-most edge  225  of the eye wire rung  200  may cause the cylinder  222  or eye wire rung  200  to wear over time with the frequent opening and closing of the temple  104 . 
         [0044]    The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention no the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by this detailed description, but by the claims and the equivalents to the claims appended hereto.