Abstract:
A rimless eyeglass assembly is constructed using a first lens and a second lens with slotted openings for receiving a wire. A wire having a first end and a second end is inserted into the slotted openings of the first and second lens to form an entire pair of eyeglasses.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/701,123, filed Feb. 5, 2010, which claims the priority benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/150,539, filed Feb. 6, 2009, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The present application also incorporates by reference in its entirety U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/150,452, filed on Feb. 6, 2009 and U.S. application Ser. No. 12/701,091, filed Feb. 5, 2010, entitled EYEWEAR WITH WIRE FRAME THREADED THROUGH LENSES and having Attorney Docket No. ISL.035A. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention generally relates to eyewear. More particularly, the present invention relates to eyewear in which a wire frame is inserted into slots formed in lenses. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Traditionally, rimless eyeglasses have been formed by drilling holes or notches into the eyeglass lenses and using threaded fasteners or screws to attach the ear stems (also called “temples”) and bridge to the left and right lenses. Alternatively, plastic plugs that fit into rigid pins by press-fit means or compression have been used to connect the temples and bridge members to the lenses. This method is commonly referred to in the industry as a “compression mounting system” or a “compression mount”. As a further alternative, some methods of construction have used chemical bonding, fusing, glue and other adhesive methods to attach the temples and bridge to the lenses. 
         [0006]    Although rimless eyewear is popular, the threaded fasteners or screws used to attach the temples and bridge in rimless eyewear often disadvantageously loosen over time, requiring constant maintenance, tightening and adjustment. Compression mounting systems used in rimless eyewear also disadvantageously loosen over time, often requiring a skilled technician to tighten or replace the components. In addition, rimless mounting systems that use chemical bonding, glue and other adhesives, can be disadvantageously time consuming and costly to make, often requiring expensive and specialized equipment as part of the manufacturing process. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Certain features, aspects and advantages of an embodiment of the present invention advantageously provide rimless eyewear assembly in which the lenses are formed with open ended slots or notches that allow a wire to be positioned in the lenses easily by hand or machine without threading into holes. Because certain features, aspects and advantages of an embodiment of the present invention use open slots or notches, instead of holes, the wire can be pre-formed and dropped in place either by hand or by machine. Machinery used to make eyewear assemblies that are arranged and configured in accordance with embodiments of the present invention is less costly than the machinery necessary to thread a wire in and out of holes that are drilled in the lenses. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments that are arranged and configured in accordance with certain features, aspects and advantages of the present invention, eyewear comprises a first lens, a second lens and a frame connecting the first lens to the second lens. The first and second lenses are generally rigid and the frame comprises a wire. The first lens comprises a first slotted opening and a second slotted opening that are spaced apart in a first lens width direction. The second lens comprises a third slotted opening and a fourth slotted opening that are spaced apart in a second lens width direction. The wire extends through the first slotted opening of the first lens and the fourth slotted opening of the second lens. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings of several preferred embodiments, which embodiments are intended to illustrate and not to limit the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing eyewear that is arranged and configured in accordance with certain features, aspects and advantages of an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a front view of the eyewear of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the eyewear of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a lens that can be used with the eyewear of  FIG. 1  in which the slots are angled relative to each other, wherein the opening of the first and second slots are closer together and the closed portion of the first and second slots are further away from each other. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a view of another eyewear assembly that is arranged and configured in accordance with certain features, aspects and advantages of an embodiment of the present invention and that comprises temple tips. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a lens that can be used with the eyewear of  FIG. 1  in which a first slot is formed in an “L” shape and a second slot is formed as a mirror image of an “L” shape. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0016]    With reference initially to  FIG. 1 , eyewear  20  arranged and configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprises a first lens  22 , a second lens  24  and a frame  26 . The eyewear  20  features a very sleek and modern appearance while also having very few components, which improves the reliability of the eyewear and significantly reduces the weight of the eyewear. 
         [0017]    The lenses  22 ,  24  can have any suitable configuration. Preferably, the lenses  22 ,  24  are generally rigid and/or substantially rigid. More preferably, the lenses  22 ,  24  are more rigid than the frame  26  such that the frame  26  cannot cause the lenses  22 ,  24  to bend substantially or in a manner that would cause difficulties with prescription lenses. In some configurations, the lenses  22 ,  24  are constructed to be shatter-resistant. The lenses  22 ,  24  can be configured for various vision correcting purposes, for purposes such as glare reduction, magnification, protection from UV rays, lighter weights, as well as for aesthetic reasons such as thinness of the lenses, tints and coloring of the lenses. 
         [0018]    The first lens  22  preferably comprises a first slot  30  and a second slot  32  that are spaced apart in a lens width direction. Preferably, the first and second slots  30 ,  32  of the first lens  22  are spaced apart by more than half of the total dimension of the full lens width. In the illustrated configuration, the first slot  30  is proximate a temple side of the first lens  22  while the second slot  32  is proximate a nasal side of the first lens  22 . Similarly, the second lens  24  comprises a first slot  34  and a second slot  36 , wherein the first slot  34  is proximate a temple side of the second lens  24  and the second slot  36  is proximate a nasal side of the second lens  24 . The first and second slots  34 ,  36  of the second lens  24  preferably are similarly spaced as the first and second slots  30 ,  32  of the first lens  22 . Symmetry is preferred by not necessary. Asymmetric slot placement can provide for different aesthetic appearances. 
         [0019]    The first lens  22  comprises at least one outer peripheral surface  40  and the second lens  24  comprises at least one outer peripheral surface  42 . The at least one outer peripheral surfaces  40 ,  42  preferably defines a substantially closed outer boundary of the respective lens  22 ,  24 . The first slots  30 ,  34  and the second slots  32 ,  36  intersect with the outer peripheral surfaces  40 ,  42 . In one application, at least one of the first and second slots  30 ,  32  intersects with the outer peripheral surface  40  and at least one of the first and second slots  34 ,  36  intersects with the outer peripheral surface  42 . 
         [0020]    More than two slots can be used on the lenses and the wire can be passed through the slots accordingly. The arrangements illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 , however, are advantageously easy to manufacture when compared with arrangements comprising more than two slots per lens and the arrangements illustrated in  FIG. 1-6  are believed to be sufficiently reliable and strong such that additional slots are not a significant enough improvement in function to warrant the additional manufacturing complexities. Nevertheless, as set forth above, more than two slots can be used and can provide differing and unique appearances. 
         [0021]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , the frame  26  preferably comprises a wire  44  that is inserted into one or more of the first and second slots  30 ,  32 ,  34 ,  36 . The wire can have any suitable construction. In some applications, the wire  44  may be a monofilament wire or the wire  44  may be a multifilament or braided wire. In some applications, the wire  44  can be made of a metallic material, including metal alloys, a natural material or a synthetic material, such as nylon, for example without limitation. In some applications, the wire  44  may be encased, encapsulated, or coated, such as where the wire  44  is encased in a rubber or plastic sleeve. In some embodiments, the wire  44  can be partially or fully encased, wrapped, covered and/or braided for decorative reasons and/or for added strength and durability of the eyewear  20 . For instance, the encasement, wrapping, covering and/or braiding can increase a frictional interface between the wire  44  and the associated lens or lenses  22 ,  24 , which helps reduce the likelihood of the lens or lenses  22 ,  24  shifting relative to the wire  44  over time. In a preferred configuration, the wire  44  can be bent and assumes the bent shape. In other words, the wire  44  yields when bent rather than restores to its original shape when released. The bending of the wire  44  assists in locking the lenses  22 ,  24  in position relative to the frame  26 . 
         [0022]    The wire  44  can have any suitable shape. For example, the wire  44  can have a regular or an irregular cross-section. In other words, the cross-sectional shape can be constant or can vary over its length. In some embodiments, the wire  344  has a substantially constant cross-section that is round, oval, rectangular, square or generally flat. For example, the wire  144  can comprise a generally flattened shape. Other shapes also can be used. In certain preferred embodiments, a series of slots  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  can be shaped to generally correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the wire  144 . The shaped holes  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136  (e.g., square or rectangular) can be formed using laser cutting machinery or the like. Other configurations are possible. 
         [0023]    With reference again to  FIG. 1 , the wire  44  also can have any suitable size. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the wire  44  is substantially cylindrical and the wire  44  has a diameter of between about 0.7 millimeters and about 3.0 millimeters. In one embodiment, the wire  44  has a diameter of about 0.7 millimeters. In another embodiment, the wire  44  has a diameter of about 0.35 millimeters. In yet another embodiment, the wire  44  has a diameter of about 3.0 millimeters. 
         [0024]    With reference still to  FIGS. 1-3 , the wire  44  used to form the frame  26  preferably has a one-piece configuration. In some embodiments, however, the length of the wire  44  can be formed by portions or sections such that a middle portion  64  connects to both lenses  22 ,  24  and two end portions  60 ,  62  are joined to the middle portion  64  in any suitable manner such that the two end portions  60 ,  62  can form temples. In such an embodiment, the end portions  60 ,  62  of the wire can be of a different material, shape and/or construction. The end portions  60 ,  62  can be secured to the middle portion  64  by a mechanical fastener, a hinge, or any other suitable technique. 
         [0025]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , the first lens  22  comprises a forward facing surface  50  and a rearward facing surface  52  and the second lens  24  comprises a forward facing surface  54  and a rearward facing surface  56 . The first end  60  of the wire  44  approaches the rearward facing surface  52  of the first lens  22  near the temple-side first slot  30 . The wire  44  passes from rear to front through the first slot  30  and then the wire  44  passes along the forward facing surface  50  of the first lens  22  until it reaches the nasal side second slot  32  through the first lens  22 . The wire  44  passes through the second slot  32  from front to rear such that the central portion  64  of the wire can span a gap between the first lens  22  and the second lens  24  at a location rearward of the first lens  22  and the second lens  24 . The wire  44  passes through the nasal side second slot  36  of the second lens  24  from rear to front and then passes along the forward facing surface  54  of the second lens  24 . From the forward facing surface  54 , the wire  44  passes from front to rear through the temple side slot  34  of the second lens  24 . The second end  62  of the wire  44  and the first end  60  of the wire, in the illustrated configuration, form a second temple tip  68  and a first temple tip  66  respectively. Advantageously, the wire  44  in the illustrated configuration extends rearward toward a temple region of a wearer from alongside the rearward surfaces  52 ,  56  of the first and second lenses  22 ,  24 . Moreover, in the illustrated configuration, the central portion  64  of the wire  44  is positioned rearward of the rearward surfaces  52 ,  56  of the first and second lenses  22 ,  24 . 
         [0026]    With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the slots  30 ,  32  can have any suitable configuration. While the slot configurations will be discussed in the context of the first lens, the slots of the second lens  24  can be similarly configured. The slots  30 ,  32  can have any suitable configuration. For example, the slots  30 ,  32  can be rectangular or square and can extend generally normal to the respective peripheral surface  40 ,  42  as shown in  FIGS. 1-3  and  5 . In some configurations, the slots  30 ,  32  can extend at an angle relative to the peripheral surface  40 ,  42  as shown in  FIG. 4 . Preferably, the slots  30 ,  32  extend in non-parallel directions with each other. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , one slot  30  can extend downward and to the left while the other slot  32  can extend downward and to the right. In such a construction, the spring action of a suitably formed wire can secure the wire in the lower portion of the slots and reduce the likelihood of the wire being dislodged from the slots. 
         [0027]    With reference to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in configurations have slots  30 ,  32  that are not uniform in configuration, the slots  30 ,  32  may be formed with different shapes between a neck region  70  and a bottom region  72 . For example, the slots  30 ,  32  may also have a larger bottom region  72  compared to the neck region  70 , which results in a keyhole shape. Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the bottom region  72  can be offset compared to the neck region  70 , which provides another keyhole shape. Preferably, the wire in cross-section at the corresponding location is smaller than the bottom region but larger than the neck region. More preferably, the neck region is smaller than the bottom region and the cross-section of the corresponding portion of the wire. The keyhole shapes allow the wire to snap into place within the slots  30 ,  32 , for example. In some configurations, the wire is press-fit into the slots  30 ,  32 . Such configurations make it difficult for the wire to disengage itself from the lens. In this method, it is desirable for the slot and keyhole opening to be an asymmetric shape. 
         [0028]    In some configurations, such as those shown in  FIGS. 1-3  and  6 , the wire can be secured in position by filling the open portion of the slot above the wire with a compatible lens bonding material, such as a resin, polymer, adhesive or other suitable lens bonding material that will form a bond or adhesive with the existing lens material. In other configurations, the wire can be secured with mechanical components or through to a mechanical assembly, for example. 
         [0029]    With reference to  FIG. 6 , plastic or metal temple tips  76  may be added to the ends of the wire  62  for comfort. Each of the temple tips  76  may be constructed as a sleeve into which an end of the wire  62  is inserted. The temple tips  76  also may use a snap-on construction that is secured by press-fit means. The temple tips  76  may also be secured by pressure, glue or other adhesive, soldering, welding or any other suitable technique. 
         [0030]    While not shown, plastic or metal nose pads may be added to the eyewear assembly. In some configurations, holes can be formed near the nasal area of each lens and a nose pad can be attached to the lenses through press-fitting, threaded fasteners, compression mounting or any other suitable technique. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the wire can be bent prior to insertion into the slots. In such a configuration, assembly by a machine can be facilitated. The wire can be formed into desired dimensions such that the wire can be slid into the slots and the lenses can be secured to the wire as discussed above. Alternatively, the wire can be bent one slot at a time. Such a configuration is more likely to be used in a manual assembly but could be used in a machine-based manufacturing environment as well. 
         [0032]    Although the present invention has been disclosed in the context of certain preferred embodiments, examples and variations, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. For example, certain features of the present invention can be used with a single lens, such as a shield-style lens. It is also contemplated that various combinations or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. It also should be understood that various features and aspects of the embodiments disclosed in the applications incorporated by reference above can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying eyewear configurations. Moreover, some variations that have been described with respect to one embodiment and not another embodiment can be used with such other embodiments. Many other variations also have been described herein and cross-application is intended where physically possible. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.