Abstract:
An eyewear device includes a frame having two elongate extensions rotatably attached to the frame and movable between a deployed position and a stored position. The frame has two lens receiving portions with multiple lens units insertable in the lens receiving portion some through the front surface and some through the rear surface. The lens units have different eye glass lenses held therein. The elongate extensions include at least one head grip that is movable between two positions in which the head grip extends away from the stem, extensions, ears or temples different distances. A retainer is provided to hold the eyewear to the head; and a leash is provided to secure the eyewear to the clothing. The lens receiving portions have ridges that are configured to interact with grooves in the lens units to hold them in the frame. including a peripheral encasing. The lens units may have a nose piece with a nose pad configured to be removable and to adjust the distance of the nose pad from a support surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. The Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention generally relates to eyeglasses and more specifically, to eyeglasses having interchangeable lens units and to eyeglasses easily adjusted to fit the user.  
         [0003]     2. State of the Art  
         [0004]     Glasses are well known utilitarian articles and are now items of apparel and of utility that come in various shapes and sizes to provide unique styles and lens types. U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,103 to Meeker discloses a spectacle combination which allows a person to change the frames of a pair of glasses to match any individual fashion or mood. The eyeglasses include a number of attachable pairs of one-piece lens rim covers of various colors, designs, shapes and materials. The lens rim covers are securely held in position by a lip, friction tape, magnetic strips or a snap-on type of friction fitting arrangement. The lens rim covers can be modified to change the shape of the lens, for instance, from the standard elliptical shape to a more high fashion octagonal square or rectangular shape. Additionally, tinted lens may be inserted in the individual pairs of lens rim covers in order to transform normal spectacles into light filters such as sunglasses.  
         [0005]     Eyeglasses are typically held on the user&#39;s nose by the force of gravity and stabilized with stems, ears or extensions that are also sometimes called temples or temple pieces. The temples or temple pieces extend from the frame or rim near the temples rearward over the user&#39;s ears. The eyeglasses, however, are easily detached and can slip off or be lost when the wearer is involved in rigorous physical activity like bicycling, skiing, jogging, windsurfing, kayaking and the like.  
         [0006]     A variety of eyeglass retainers have evolved that are or have been on the market. The retainers (e.g. the CHUMS brand, the EK brand) attach to the ends of the stems, extensions or temples and drape behind the head.  
         [0007]     In order to fit eyeglasses to the head of a user, eyeglasses are typically adjusted by bending the stems, temples or ears and/or by bending a nose piece if a separate one is provided. Adjustments thus are made by bending which distorts the frames and nose piece which can lead to failure or a fit that cannot be easily adjusted based on the activity.  
         [0008]     While some glasses are known to have interchangable lenses and lenses for a wide range of uses (e.g., ski goggles to deal with different light conditions), the lenses have open edges that expose them to damage and the user to whatever risks may be presented by the edges of the lenses. The lenses may be made from glass but also a wide range of other materials selected because they are break resistant, less prone to scratching or otherwise have preferred or desired features or characteristics.  
         [0009]     There is no known eyeglass device which allows one to select lenses for use in a wide range of conditions including, for example, skiing and swimming while being adjustable and adapted for better retention on the head when in use.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     An eyewear device has a frame for positioning proximate the eyes of a user. The frame includes at least one lens-receiving portion. Means are provided for retaining the frame proximate the eyes of a user and about the head of the user.  
         [0011]     One or more lens units are provided each having eyeglass lens means for positioning in front of an eye of a user and a casing configured to receive and retain the eyeglass lens means. Each lens unit is removably positionable in a lens receiving portion.  
         [0012]     In a preferred construction, the lens-receiving portion includes a rim member defining a lens area to receive each lens unit therein. The rim member has a rim ridge extending toward or into the lens area. The casing of each lens unit has a groove formed therein sized to snap into and thus to snuggly receive the rim ridge upon positioning the lens unit in the lens receiving portion. In a more preferred alternate arrangement, the lens receiving portion includes a first rim defining a first lens area and a second rim defining a second lens area. The first rim has a first rim ridge extending toward or into the first lens area; and the second rim ridge extends toward and into the second lens area.  
         [0013]     The eyeglass lens means desirably includes a first lens and a second lens. The casing may alternately have a first lens frame configured to receive and retain the first lens and a first groove sized to effect a snap fit connection to the first rim and thus to snuggly receive the first rim ridge upon positioning of the first lens frame in the first lens area. Similarly the casing alternately may have a second lens frame configured to receive and retain the second lens and a second groove sized to effect a snap fit with the second rim ridge and thus to snuggly receive the second rim ridge upon positioning of the second lens frame in the second lens area.  
         [0014]     In an alternate arrangement, the frame is spaced from the outer surface of the eye socket of a user a seal distance when the frame is positioned proximate the eyes of a user. Preferably the eyewear device further includes a seal member attached to the casing to extend from the casing toward the eye socket of a user. The casing preferably has a lip extending outward from said casing toward the eye socket of a user when said eyewear device is positioned proximate the eyes of a user. The seal member is attached to the lip.  
         [0015]     In preferred configurations, the seal member is formed of a wind resistant material which is even more preferably elastically deformable and water resistant. It is preferred to be generally tubular in shape with an interior and an exterior. It may be configured to have or be formed to define a first seal for effecting a seal against the eye socket area to inhibit fluid flow from exterior of the seal member into the interior of the seal member. The seal member may also include a second seal for attaching the seal member to the casing to inhibit fluid flow from exterior said seal member to the interior of said seal member. Thus it can be seen that the seal member when affixed allows for use swimming, skiing and even in bright light conditions such as those found when cross country skiing in bright sunlight.  
         [0016]     In yet another or alternate assembly, the eyeglass lens has a perimeter with the casing formed to extend about the entire perimeter. The lip extends from the casing about the entire perimeter of the eyeglass lens. A seal ridge extends outwardly from the perimeter. The second seal of the seal member includes a channel to snuggly receive said seal ridge so that when the seal member is affixed over the seal ridge, the second seal is urged against the frame to further enhance or strengthen the seal. The seal member desirably is made from a rubber like material which is elastically deformable.  
         [0017]     In preferred configurations, the means for positioning the frame proximate the eyes of a user includes a first elongate extension and a second elongate extension each connected to the frame to extend toward the user&#39;s ears with said frame positioned proximate the eyes of a user. The first and second elongate extensions may be rotatably mounted to the frame to move between a deployed position extending toward the user&#39;s ears, and a stored position when the first and second extensions are rotated toward the frame.  
         [0018]     The first and said second elongate extensions each have an interior surface oriented toward the head of the user when said frame is positioned proximate the eyes of the user. The first and said second elongate extensions each have at least one head grip aperture formed therein sized to receive a head grip. A head grip is preferably positioned in at least one, preferably both and even more preferably all of the head grip apertures. Each head grip is sized and shaped to extend away from the interior surface of the elongate extension to frictionally contact the head of a user when said eyewear device is positioned on the head of a user.  
         [0019]     The head grip has a first exterior surface for frictionally contacting the head of a user and a second exterior surface for frictionally contacting the head of a user, The second exterior surface and the first exterior surface are in general alignment and spaced from each other. The head grip being is formed to be removably positionable in the head grip aperture in a first position and in a second position. In the first position the first surface is oriented toward the head of the user and spaced away from said interior surface of the elongate extension a first distance. The head grip in said second position has said second surface oriented toward the head of the user and is spaced away from the interior surface a second distance which is greater or larger than the first distance and is preferably twice the first distance.  
         [0020]     In alternate embodiments, the first extension and said second extension may each have a plurality of head grip apertures with a head grip removably positioned in each of the head grip apertures to allow the user to adjust the relationship of the extensions to the user&#39;s head and in turn adjust the snugness or attachment.  
         [0021]     In preferred constructions, each of the head grip apertures includes a ridge and each of the head grips is formed to include a channel formed to receive the ridge therein in both the first and second positions. Each head grip is preferably formed from an elastically deformable material such a rubber or rubber like compounds.  
         [0022]     In some configurations, the first elongate extension and the second elongate extension each have a proximal end which is rotatably secured to the frame and a distal end opposite said proximal end. A retainer is provided and it has a first end, a second end and a stretch in between. The first end and the second end each are attachable to a distal end of the first extension and the second extension to extend about the rear of the head with the frame positioned proximate the eyes of a user. The stretch is preferably configured to have a height and is adjusted to be snuggly positioned about the rear of the head. Preferably a first retaining aperture is formed in the first elongate extension proximate its distal end; and a second retaining aperture is formed in the second elongate extension proximate its distal end. The first end of the retainer is configured to attach to the first retaining aperture and the second end of the retainer is configured to attach to the second retaining aperture The length of the stretch may also be adjustable.  
         [0023]     In some alternate configurations, a leash or tether is provided for securing the eyewear device to the clothes of a user. A fastener is provided at its opposite ends to effect the connection.  
         [0024]     In a very desired alternate embodiment, the casing of an alternate lens unit has a nose piece oriented toward the nose of a user when the lens unit is positioned in the lens receiving portion of the frame. The nose piece has a support surface oriented toward the user&#39;s nose. A nose pad aperture is formed in the support surface and a nose pad is removably positioned in the nose pad aperture. The nose pad having a first nose surface and a second nose surface each for contact with the user&#39;s nose. The second nose surface and the first nose surface are spaced from each other and in general alignment. The nose pad is formed to be removably positionable in the nose pad aperture in a first position and in a second position,. In the first position, the first nose surface is oriented toward the nose of the user and spaced away from the support surface of the nose piece a first distance. In the second position, the second nose surface is oriented toward the nose of the user and spaced away from the support surface of the nose piece a second distance which is greater than said first distance and most preferably twice the first distance. The nose piece is preferably made of an elastically deformable material like rubber. In desired arrangements, the nose piece aperture has a nose piece ridge which interacts with a channel formed in the nose pad sized to receive said nose piece ridge  
         [0025]     In highly desirable configurations, the eyewear has a first lens unit and a second lens unit. In other arrangements additional lens units may be provided an used interchangeably. The casings of the lens units may have a perimeter that surrounds the perimeter of a lens with the perimeter having a groove to interface with a ridge in the frame. A selected lens unit will have a casing with a lip that impedes the movement of the casing through the lens retaining opening from inside or the rear of the frame to the front or outside of the frame. Other lens units are configured with a lip to impede movement of the casing through the lens retaining opening from outside or the front of the fame toward the eye socket or inside of the frame.  
         [0026]     These and other objects and features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]     To further clarify the above and other advantages and features of the present invention, a more particular description of the invention will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only selected embodiments of the invention which are presently preferred and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the scope of the invention or the appended claims.  
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an eyewear device of the present invention;  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a top view of an alternate embodiment or configuration of an eyewear device of the present invention;  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is a first cross-section of the eyeglass of  FIG. 2  taken at the section lines III-III;  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the head grip illustrated in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a second detailed cross-section of the eyeglass of  FIG. 2  taken at section lines V-V;  
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the head grip of the eyeglass illustrated in  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0034]      FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of a lens unit of the type used in the embodiment or configuration of  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0035]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a casing or rim assembly of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0036]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the casing or rim assembly illustrated in  FIG. 8  taken at section lines IX-IX;  
         [0037]      FIG. 10  is a front view of the casing or rim illustrated in  FIG. 8 ;  
         [0038]      FIG. 11  is a top view of the casing or rim of  FIG. 10 ;  
         [0039]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the casing or rim of  FIG. 10  taken at section lines XII-XII;  
         [0040]      FIG. 13  is a partial cross-sectional depiction of the assembly of a lens unit and frame illustrated in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0041]      FIG. 14  is a schematic front view of a sealing member of the lens unit of  FIG. 7 ;  
         [0042]      FIG. 15  is a schematic side view of the sealing member illustrated in  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0043]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the sealing member illustrated in  FIG. 14 ;  
         [0044]      FIG. 17  is a perspective depiction of a third embodiment or configuration of an eyewear device of the present invention;  
         [0045]      FIG. 18  is a detailed cross-sectional view of the eyeglass of  FIG. 17  along section lines XVIII-XVIII;  
         [0046]      FIG. 19  is a side perspective view with a nose pad exploded away of a lens unit for use in the embodiment of  FIG. 17 ;  
         [0047]      FIG. 20  is a schematic view of a lens unit with the nose pad of  FIG. 19  assembled;  
         [0048]      FIG. 21  is a cross-sectional view of the lens unit of  FIG. 19  taken at section lines XXI-XXI;  
         [0049]      FIG. 22  is a front view of the lens unit illustrated in  FIG. 19 ;  
         [0050]      FIG. 23  is side view of the lens unit illustrated in  FIG. 22 ;  
         [0051]      FIG. 24  is a cross-sectional view of the lens unit illustrated in  FIG. 22  taken at section lines XXIV-XXIV;  
         [0052]      FIG. 25  is a partial cross-sectional view of the lens unit of  FIG. 20  assembled into a frame;  
         [0053]      FIG. 26  is a partial cross-sectional and exploded view of the lens unit of  FIG. 22  and nose grip of  FIG. 19 ;  
         [0054]      FIG. 27  is a depiction of a retaining strap of the present invention;  
         [0055]      FIG. 28  is a top view of the retaining strap of  FIG. 27 ;  
         [0056]      FIG. 29  is a depiction of a safety leash of the present invention;  
         [0057]      FIG. 30  is a depiction of an alternate retaining strap of the present invention;  
         [0058]      FIG. 31  is a depiction of a lock for use with the alternate retaining strap of  FIG. 30 ;  
         [0059]      FIG. 32  is a partial cross sectional view of a lens unit assembled into a frame;  
         [0060]      FIG. 33  is a top view of the lens unit of  FIG. 32 ; and  
         [0061]      FIG. 34  is a rear view of the lens unit of  FIG. 32 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0062]     An eyewear device of the present invention includes a frame with various interchangeable lens units each configured for particular desired needs or circumstances. For example, lens units can be configured to function as sunglasses lenses, prescription or corrective lenses, swimming goggles, safety glasses, clear lenses, bifocal lenses, or any other suitable eye glass need or function.  
         [0063]     In various exemplary embodiments,  FIG. 1  illustrates an eyewear device  100  having a frame  10 , positioned on the head of the user  20  depicted phantom. The frame  10  is positioned about or proximate the eye socket area  24  and the eyes  22  as other known eye glasses. A first extension  30  and a second extension  40  are rotatably mounted to the frame  10  to extend toward the ears  26  of the user  20 . A retainer  200  is provided to hold the eyewear device  100  in place about the head of the user  20 ; and a safety leash  300  is provided to connect the retainer  200  to the any suitable item of apparel of the user  20 . The safety leash  300  connects the eyewear device to the user  20  in case the eyewear device becomes dislodged from the user  20  due to physical activity, such as swimming, skiing, cycling, jogging, running, hiking and any involved crash or other event that could cause the user  20  to suddenly stop allowing for the dislodgement of the eyewear device  100  from the head of the user  20 . The safety leash  300  provides additional means to retain the eyewear assembly on the person of the user  20  so that the eyewear device  100  is less likely to become lost or damaged.  
         [0064]     In  FIG. 2 , the eyeglass device  102  is similar to the eyeglass device  100 . The eyeglass device  102  includes a frame  110 , a first extension  120  and a second extension  122  and a right first lens unit  150 A and a left first lens unit  150 B. The first extension  120  and the second extension  122  may also be known as temples, ears and stems, and are elongated structural elements that extend from the frame  110  to support and balance the eyeglass device  102 . The lens unit  150 A and  150  B may be interchanged with other lens units like lens unit  180  shown in  FIG. 17 . The first extension  120  and the second extension  122  each operate between a deployed position as shown in  FIG. 2  and a stored position such as the stored position  122  A shown in phantom. Or course the stored position may be any orientation of the extension such as extension  122  about its axis  124  of rotation from the illustrated deployed position Different lens units provide the eyewear device with multiple eyewear functions. The right first lens unit  150  A and left first lens unit  150  B function like swimming or skiing goggles as more fully discussed hereinafter.  
         [0065]      FIG. 3  shows the first (elongated) extension  120  with an interior surface  121  oriented toward the head of the user  20  when the frame  110  is positioned proximate the eyes of the user  20 . The first extension  120  has a head grip aperture  124  and a head grip ridge  126 . In  FIG. 3 , the accessory aperture  127  at or proximate the distal end  125  of the first extension  120  can also be seen. A head grip  130  with a head grip channel  131  is shown in the head grip aperture  124 . The head grip ridge  126  is shown in the head grip channel  131  to retain the head grip  130  in the head grip aperture  124   
         [0066]     The accessory aperture  127  is provided at the distal end  125 of the first extension  120 . The temple member  120  is manufactured from a suitable plastic or a nylon-based material, such as GRYLAMID nylon so that it is rigid but yet can bend elastically some without inducing any damage. The temple member  120  may also be made from other polymeric material, graphite compositions or metals. The retaining strap  200  can be attached to the eyeglass device  102  at the accessory aperture  127  as discussed hereinafter.  
         [0067]     In  FIG. 4 , the head grip channel  131  of the head grip  130  is shown between the first side  132  having a surface  132 A and second side  132  having a second surface  133 A. The head grip channel  131  is sized to cooperatively receive the head grip ridge  126  to hold the head grip  130  snuggly but removably in place. That is, the head grip  130  is made from any suitable nylon, latex or rubber-like material that is elastically deformable so that it may be placed in and removed from the head grip aperture  124 . At the same time the exterior surfaces  132 A and  133 A have a higher coefficient of friction than rigid or polished plastics and in turn allow for enhanced gripping. Other polymeric materials may also be used so long as they are essentially elastically deformable and present a surface that has a suitable coefficient of friction to assist in retaining the first extension  120  and in turn the frame  110  in place about the head of the user.  
         [0068]     The first side  132  of the head grip  13 O has a thickness t 1  that is smaller than the thickness t 2  of the rear grommet second side  133 . The head grip  130  may be installed or placed in the head grip aperture  124  in a first position in which the first surface  132 A is a first distance  132 B from the interior surface  121 . In the second position, the second surface  133 A is a second distance  133 B from the interior surface  121  with the second distance  133 B being greater than the first distance  133 A. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the first distance  133 A and the second distance  133 B are illustrated with the interior surface  121  shown twice only to facilitate illustration of the first distance  132 B and the second distance  133 B. The head grip  130  may assembled in either the first position or the second position so the user can adjust the gripping force applied to the head of the user with the eyewear device  102  installed about the head of the user. That is, with the head grip  130  is assembled so that the first side  132  is oriented toward the interior surface  121 , the head grip  130  allows for a looser grip or fit about the wearer&#39;s head. If the head grip  130  is removed and installed in the second position so that the second side  133  is oriented toward the interior surface  121 , the head grip  130  allows for a tighter grip or fit about the user&#39;s head. The head grip  130  has a length  130 A selected to provide for enhanced gripping of the user&#39;s head (e.g., from about 1 inch to about 2 inches and preferably about 1.5 inches) and is curved along with the first extension to accommodate for the curvature of the user&#39;s head.  
         [0069]     The head grip  130  may be attached to the first extension  120  by any suitable means to allow for removal and reorientation between the first position and the second position and relatively secure placement when installed. The preferred method is to allow for a mechanical connection by elastic deformation. The first side  132  or the second side  133  is pressed and deformed to pass into and through the head grip aperture  124  and in turn to align and register the channel  131  with the head grip ridge  126 . The channel  131  has a gap thickness t g  that substantially matches or is slightly larger than the head grip ridge  126  to provide for a snug and removable fit in the first extension  120 .  
         [0070]     In  FIG. 5 , the first extension  120  is shown having multiple head grip apertures and here has another or second grip aperture  138 , another head ridge  123  and a head grip  140 . In  FIG. 6 , the second head grip  140  includes a second head grip channel  141 , a second head grip second side  142  and a second head grip first side  143 . In this and other embodiments, the second head grip  140  is made from the same material as the head grip  130 . The second head grip first side  143  has a width W 2  that is smaller than the width w 1  of the second head grip second side  142 . Just like the head grip  130 , the second head grip  140  may be reversed between a first position and a second position to provide for a tighter or looser fit for the wearer&#39;s head. When the second head grip  140  is assembled into the second head grip aperture  138  in the first position so that the second head grip first side surface  143 A is facing inward from said inside surface  121  and spaced therefrom a first distance  143 B, then the head grip  140  provides for a looser grip on the wearer&#39;s head. If the second head grip  140  is reversed into the second position so that the head grip second side  143  is facing inward and away from the inside surface  121  a second distance  142 B which is bigger than the first distance  143 B, then the second head grip  140  provides for a tighter grip about the head of the user.  
         [0071]     The second head member  140  may be attached to the first extension  120  in a manner similar or the same as that for head member  130 .  FIG. 7  illustrates a goggle lens group  150  taken from the eyeglass system  100  of  FIG. 2 . The goggle lens group  150  includes a rim assembly  160  and a sealing member  170 . The sealing member  170  provides a seal between a wearer&#39;s face and the eyeglass system  100 . The seal prevents wind, spray, debris, liquid and other foreign material from entering the eyeglass system  100  and potentially the wearer&#39;s eyes.  
         [0072]     The second extension  122  shown in  FIG. 2  also has a first head grip  122 A and a second head grip  122 B both of which are comparable respectively to head grip  130  and head grip  140 .  
         [0073]     Turning now to  FIGS. 7-14 , a lens unit  160  has a casing  162  into which an eyeglass lens  161  is positioned. Typically, a groove or channel  167  ( FIG. 12 ) is provided to snuggly and fixedly receive a selected eyeglass lens. The eyeglass lens  161  may be any desired eyeglass lens including a polarized filter lens, a sun glass lens, a corrective lens or prescription lens, a tinted lens, a safety glass lens or any other desired lens. The lens  161  has a perimeter  161 B and the casing  162  extends totally or completely about the perimeter  161 B to define a lens area  161 C. In some applications, the casing  162  may not surround the lens perimiter  161 B completely but rather may be secured in segments, arcs suitable to retain the lens is securely. The lens  161  may be made from a polycarbonate shatterproof material or any other material found suitable for use as an eyeglass lens so long as it is substantially rigid.  
         [0074]      FIG. 9  shows the lens unit  160  including the lens  161 , thecasing  162 , a sealing ridge  163 , a groove or channel  164 , an outer rim portion  165  and an inner rim portion or lip  166  because it extends away from the frame of the eyeglass device. In various exemplary embodiments, the groove  164  interacts with a corresponding ridge formed in a lens receiving portion of the frame like frame  110  of the eyewear device, which is further discussed later with respect to  FIGS. 17 and 18 .  
         [0075]     In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, the sealing ridge  163  is a raised portion extending in essence radially or outwardly. The sealing member  170  shown only in part in  FIG. 9  has a channel  170 A sized to snuggly register with the sealing ridge  163  to effect a seal which may be liquid resistant between the casing  162  and the seal member  170 . While the use the sealing ridge  163  and channel  170 A are preferred to effect a sealing relationship between the casing  162  and the seal member  170 , other methods of attachment may be used to attach the sealing member  170  to the lens unit  160  including for example, an adhesive, clamping rings, or fasteners.  
         [0076]     The sealing member  170  is shown to be generally tubular in shape and formed to effect a first seal against the eye socket area  24  of the user. That is, the seal member has a flaring rear edge  170  B that is shaped to essentially conform to the shape of the face in the eye socket area  24 . The flaring rear edge  170 B is thin and easily elastically deformable to conform to any irregularities in the eye socket area. If the eyewear device with the seal member  170  is used under water, the water will present a pressure or force against the exterior of the seal member  170  urging the flaring rear edge  172  tighter against the skin in the eye socket area to effect a water resistant seal or first seal. The water pressure will also urge the seal member  170  and the channel  170 A onto the seal ridge  163  to effect a tighter seal and act as a second seal. The eyewear device as so configured may then function as swim goggles. Similarly the mechanical sealing forces of the first seal and the second seal allow the eyewear device as so configured to function as ski goggles, as safety glasses, as glasses to shield the eyes from bright light and as glasses suitable or useful to protect the eyes from blowing material like dust, sand, snow, ice crystals, and dirt.  
         [0077]     In various exemplary embodiments, the casing  162  is made from any suitable substantially rigid plastic or plastic-like material including preferably a nylon-based material, such as GRYLAMID nylon. The casing  162  may also be made from other polymeric material, graphite compositions or metals. In  FIG. 12 , the cross-section illustrates a lens channel  167 . The lens  161  is preferably press fin into the lens channel  167  to effect a secure attachment of the lens to the casing  162 . In various exemplary embodiments of the invention, the lens  161  snaps into the rim  162  so that at least portions of the edges of the lens  161  fit into the lens channel  167 .  
         [0078]      FIG. 13  is a cross-section of the lens unit  150  attached to the front frame  110 . In various exemplary embodiments, the channel  164  in the casing  152  fits with or mates with a rim ridge  112  extending from frame  110  or rim member as further illustrated in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . The channel  164  and rim ridge  112  provide a snap-fit or pressure fit which can be effected by pressing on the casing (with one&#39;s fingers) from the inner or rear side (toward the eye socket area) toward the frame or rim member  110  as shown by arrow A. The rim ridge  112  and channel can be separated by pressing or urging the casing  162  toward the rear side as shown by arrow B. Notably, the lens unit  150  can be assembled only from the rear side, That is the lens unit  150  can only be urged into assembly from the rear side. The snap-fit allows a user to switch out different types of lens assemblies without using tools.  
         [0079]     The sealing member  170  is better shown in  FIGS. 14-16 . The sealing member  170  includes an inner sealing end  171 , an outer sealing end or flaring rear edge  172 , a sealing lip attachment  173  and a sealing attachment groove  174 . The sealing member  170  is made from neoprene, latex, rubber or another similar flexible and elastically deformable material. In some applications the sealing member  170  may be made of leather or cloth.  
         [0080]     The inner sealing end  171  is a flanged portion and is sized to create a seal between the wearer&#39;s face and the eyeglass system  100  between the wearer&#39;s eye and nose. The outer sealing end  172  is a flanged portion and larger in size than the inner sealing end  171 . The outer sealing end  172  flaring rear edge is sized to create a seal against the eye socket area. The outer sealing end  172  creates a continuous seal around the eye socket area and in turn around the user&#39;s eye.  
         [0081]     The sealing lip attachment  173  includes a sealing attachment groove  174 . The sealing attachment groove  174  allows the sealing lip attachment  173  to fit over the sealing ridge  163  as discussed above.  
         [0082]      FIG. 17  illustrates the eyeglass device  100  including the front frame  110 , a lens aperture  111 , the first extension  120  and the second extension  122  and a lens unit  180 . The lens unit  180  is an alternate for lens unit  150  of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 17  shows the eyeglass system  100  with only one of the lens groups  150  to illustrate the lens aperture  111 . Typically, the lens unit  180  on one side is mirrored on the other side.  
         [0083]     In  FIG. 18 , a side view of the first extension  120  is shown including the second head grip aperture  138 , the first head grip aperture  124  and the accessory aperture  127 . The first head grip  130  and the second head grip  140  are shown exploded away from their respective apertures,  124  and  138 .  
         [0084]     The front frame  110  or rim of  FIG. 18  includes a rim ridge  112  and a hinge  113 . The hinge  113  affixes the temple member  120  to the front frame  110  so that the temple member  120  can rotate about the front frame  110  along a plane between a stored position and a deployed position. The rim ridge  112  allows the lens unit  150  or the lens unit  180  to be snapped into the lens aperture  111  of the front frame  110 . Although the present invention illustrates the lens unit  150  and the lens unit  180 , other various sizes, shapes and styles may be used in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.  
         [0085]      FIGS. 19 and 20  illustrate the lens unit  180  taken from the eyewear device  100  of  FIG. 17 . The lens unit  180  includes a lens  181 , a casing  182 , a nose piece  186  and a nose pad or grip  190 . The lens  181  is made from a polycarbonate shatterproof material. Other polymeric or glass materials may be used to make the lens  181 . The lens  181  may be polarized, tinted, corrective, bifocal, clear or other type, including any combination thereof.  1082 ] The nose pad or grip  190  is shown or exploded or removed from the lens unit  180  in  FIG. 19 . The nose pad or grip  190  is made from a hypoallergenic rubber. Other polymeric materials may also be used. The nose grip  190  includes a nose grip groove, a nose grip thick portion  192  and a nose grip thin portion  193 . The nose grip thick portion  192  is thicker than the nose grip thin portion  193 . The nose grip  190  may be changed between a first position and a second position to provide narrower or wider bridge support for the wearer&#39;s nose. If the nose grip  190  is assembled so that the nose grip thin portion  193  is facing outward, then the nose grip  190  provides a wider bridge support. If the nose pad or grip  190  is reversed so that the nose grip thick portion  192  is facing outward, then the nose grip  190  provides a narrower bridge support. In effect, in the first position, the thinner portion  193  extends from the nose support surface  194  a first distance, In the second position, the thicker portion  192  extends away from the nose support surface  194  a second distance which is greater than the first distance.  
         [0086]     The nose pad or grip  190  may be attached to the nose piece  186  by any suitable means including glues and other mechanical means. Preferably a pressure or snap fit is effected. The nose grip groove  191  and a nose piece ridge  187 , as shown in  FIG. 21 , cooperate to provide the desired snap fit. The nose pad or grip  190  fits into a nose piece aperture  188  of the nose piece  186  formed through the nose support surface  194 . The nose piece ridge  187  is arranged around the inside surface of the nose piece aperture  188 . The nose grip groove  191  has a gap thickness that substantially matches the nose piece ridge  187  to provide a tight fit in the nose piece  186 .  
         [0087]      FIG. 21  illustrates the casing  187  including a channel  183 , an outer casing portion  184 , and inner casing portion  185 , the nose piece  186 , the nose piece ridge  187  and the nose piece aperture  188 . The rim channel  183  is positioned between the outer and inner rim portions  184 ,  185 .  
         [0088]      FIGS. 22-26  further illustrate the casing  182  in more detail. The casing  182  is manufactured from a nylon-based material, such as GRYLAMID nylon. The casing  182  may also be made from other polymeric material, graphite compositions or metals. In  FIGS. 24-26 , the cross-sections illustrate a lens channel  189 . The lens  181  snaps into the lens channel  189  of the casing  182  to effect a tight or snug mechanical connection.  
         [0089]      FIG. 25  illustrates the cross-section of the lens unit  180  attached to the front frame  110 . Notably there is a lip  195  attached to the casing  182  which inhibits the movement of the casing  182  into and through the frame  110  to the interior of the frame  110 .  
         [0090]     In  FIGS. 27 and 28 , the a retainer or retaining strap  200  includes a pad  201 , a strip  202 , a first and second frame attachment mechanisms  203 ,  204 , an attachment band  205  and a ring  206 . The pad  201  is made from a foam or foam like material including closed cell neoprene. The pad  201  gives the retaining strap  200  buoyancy so that the eyewear device does not quickly sink if dropped into water and if of sufficient size or dimension can float in water and keep the eyewear device from sinking. The foam may also act as a liquid absorbent to provide the user with suitable absorptive material to control perspiration. The pad  201  may also be made out of various polymeric, leather, nylon duck material, cloth or similar material.  
         [0091]     In various exemplary embodiments, the strip  202  substantially covers the pad  201  and is made from a cloth material. The strip  202  may be made from a leather or polymeric material. The pad  201  and/or the strip  201  also may be made from an elastic material. The strip  201  is sized to span between the first extension  120  and the second extension member  122  behind the wearer&#39;s head.  
         [0092]     The retaining strap  200  can optionally be connected to the eyeglass device such as the devices  100  and  102  by attaching the frame attachment means  203 ,  204  to the temple members  120  by threading them through the accessory aperture  127 . The frame attachment mechanisms  203 ,  204  here illustrated are made from hook and loop fasteners, such as VELCRO®. That is a hook or pile strap  203 A is threaded through the aperture  127  and connected to a coacting hook or pile strip  203 B. By use of the hook and pile strap  203 B interacting with the strip  203 B, the user may adjust the width of the retainer  200  to be loose or tight as desired. The frame attachment mechanisms  203 ,  204  may also include hooks, rings, buckles, latches, and other attachment mechanisms.  
         [0093]     The retainer  200  is desirably attachable to the user to prevent loss of the eyewear device in the event it becomes dislodged in use. Attachment can be effected by a cloth strip with any suitable form of attachment to the retainer  200 . That is, hook and pile connectors, snaps, buckles and the like may be used. In the illustrated embodiment of  FIGS. 27 and 28 , the ring  206  is attached to the retainer  200  and in particular to the strip  202  by any suitable means to effect a mechanical connection including thread, adhesive, rivet(s), bolt(s), clamp(s) or the like. The ring  206  is an optional connector to which a tether or leash  300  can be attached by a snap hook or the like. That is, attachment  205  may extend a selected distance and have a hook or other fastener for attachment to the user or the user&#39;s clothing. A short attachment  205  with the ring  206  is preferred because the safety leash or tether may then be removed from the retainer  200  particularly if the user is working in or about moving equipment.  
         [0094]     In  FIG. 29 , the tether or safety leash  300  includes a coiled  310  stretch which has spring like qualities so that after extension, it recoils to the configuration illustrated. A ring  320  and a latch  330  are provided for attachment to either the retainer  200  or to the user and more particularly to the user&#39;s clothing. The ring  320  has overlapping ends to allow the ring  320  to attach to the ring  206  on the retaining strip  200  or the accessory aperture  127 . The ring  320  is made from a polymeric or metallic material. Other connection mechanisms can also be used, such as a hook, a latch, a loop or a similar mechanism.  
         [0095]     The latch  330  includes a latch mechanism such as snap lock  331 . It has a lever  332  and a latch swivel ring  333 . When the lever  332  is actuated, the latch mechanism  331  rotates about a pivot to open and close the latch  330 . The latch  330  includes a latch swivel ring  333  at the distal end of the latch  330 . The coil  310  includes first and second coil ends  311 ,  312 . The coil  310  is made from a polymeric, cloth or metallic material. The coil  310  may be wound in a spring-like manner. Alternatively, a flexible strip of cloth or polymeric material may be used. The latch swivel ring  333  is affixed to the first coil end  311  and the ring  320  is connected to the second coil end  312 . The latch  330  can be attached to the wearer&#39;s apparel, such as a collar. The safety leash  300  provides an additional method for keeping the eyewear assembly attached to the wearer.  
         [0096]     Turning now to  FIG. 30 , an alternate retainer  350  is shown made from a nylon duck material with piping  352  stitched or otherwise fastened about the perimeter  354 . The retainer  350  is securable to the distal end or rear of the temples  356  and  358  of eyeglasses by a cloth ribbon  360  which is threaded through the apertures  362  and  364  of the temples  356  and  358 . The cloth ribbon  360  has a first section  366  and a second section  368  each secured to the retainer  350  by any suitable means including glue, staples. As here shown, stitching is preferred. A first loop  370  is an extension of the first section  366  and is sized to extend away from the retainer  350  and through the aperture  362  and back through a ring  372  to a lock  374 . The first loop  370  extends through the lock which is operable between a locked or closed position and an open position in which the cloth ribbon may be threaded through an aperture as discussed hereinafter.  
         [0097]     A second loop  376  extends from the second section  368  and is sized like the first loop  370  so that it may be threaded through the aperture  364  of the temple  358  and back through the ring  378  to and through the lock  374 . The cloth ribbon  360  used to form the loops  370  and  376  is any suitable cloth that is very thin with a height  380  sufficient to provide the cloth ribbon with structural strength. While any desired material may be used, it is preferred that the ribbon  360  be made of a thin (about {fraction (1/64)}ths of an inch thick or less) nylon material with a height from about ¼ inch to about ½ inch and preferably about ⅜ths of an inch.  
         [0098]     The ends  382  and  384  of the loops  370  and  376  are threaded through the lock  374 . As seen in  FIG. 31 , the lock is a spring loaded by spring  390  urging a inner section  386  outward  388  thereby misaligning the aperture  392  formed in the body  393  with the aperture  394  in the inner section to thereby frictionally hold anything threaded through the apertures  392  and  394  when placed in alignment by pressing on the top  396  of the inner section  386  and urging it tinward  398  and in turn compressing the spring  390  to a compressed position  390 A. With the apertures  392  and  329  aligned, the ends  382  and  384  may be and here are threaded therethrough. Upon release of the pressure on the top  396 , the inner section  386  is urged outward to expanded position  390 B to in turn misalign the apertures  392  and  394  and in turn clamping or locking the ends  382  and  384 .  
         [0099]     To use the retainer  350  of  FIG. 30 , the first loop  370  and the second loop  376  are threaded through the apertures  362  and  364  in the ends of the temples  356  and  358  and back through the rings  372  and  378 . The ends are threaded through the lock  374  as shown. The user then places the eyeglasses having the temples  356  and  358  on his or her head and then tightens the retainer  350  by pulling on the lock  374  and in turn the loops  370  and  375  to a desired tightness. The user then holds the ends  382  and  384  in one hand and operates the lock  374  toward the inward direction  398  and then slides the lock  374  toward the retainer  350 . When the retainer  350  is deemed to be at the desired tightness, the lock  374  is released and in turn the loops  370  and  376  are then locked to retain the related eyeglasses securely about the head of the user.  
         [0100]     In  FIG. 32 , an additional or alternate lens unit  402  is shown positioned in the frame  110  with a ridge groove  404  snapped into position with the ridge  164  in alignment therewith to effect a secure but removable connection. Affixed to the rear or inner surface  406  of the lens unit  402  by any suitable means such as, but not limited to, glue is a sponge like seal  408 . That is, the seal  408  is formed of any suitable open cell material that is elastically deformable. The seal  408  has a depth  410  selected to be slightly more than the distance from the surface  406  to the face of the user. With the frame  110  mounted on the nose with the lens unit proximate the eyes, the seal  408  extends to and is a little compressed. The seal  408  thus deforms over any surface irregularities on the user&#39;s face. The seal  408  also has a thickness  410  selected to preclude wind, dust and dirt from easily passing there through or there past. The thickness  410  may be from ⅛ to ¼ inch but is preferably about ⅜ths of an inch.  
         [0101]     The seal  408  is formed of the open cell material so that it can breathe. That is, the user may sweat when wearing the glasses during exercise. To allow the moisture trapped within the seal  408 , a plurality of vent slots  412 ,  414  and  416  are formed along the upper region  417  of the seal  408  to allow air to circulate in and out and thus reduce the moisture within the cavity  419  defined by the seal  408 . Vents  418 ,  420  and  422  are formed along the lower region  424  of the seal  408  to facilitate the flow of air into and out of the cavity  419 . Thus glasses or frame  110  with a lens units  402  installed for each eye are suitable for use when hiking, jogging, skiing, or performing any other exercise because fogging is minimized by the venting. Beyond that, when the user stops limiting the ability to ventilate the cavity  419 , the user may simply urge the frame  110  down along the bridge of the user&#39;s nose to space the frames away from the user&#39;s face and allow air to freely pass in and out of the cavity  419  while allowing moisture trapped in the seal to evaporate.  
         [0102]     In use, it can be seen that an eyewear device  100  or  102  may be provided with an inventory of lens units like lens units  180 , 150  and  402 . A lens unit would be provide for both the right and left eyes and in effect be a pair. One pair of lens units in the form of lens unit  180  may be provided with a clear lens. Another pair of lens units in the form of lens unit  180  may be provided with a yellow tinted lens. Yet another pair may be provided with a polarized lens and yet another with a desired sunglass lens or multiple pair with different sunglass lenses (e.g., green, rose and grey). Other pairs of lens units in the form of lens unit  150  may also be provided each with different lenses for different conditions. All lenses may be made to effect desired corrections. That is corrective lenses may be used as desired or appropriate. With each lens unit having a casing, it can be seen that the lens units are less prone to be lost and less prone to suffer damage to the edges or perimeter. Changing the from one pair of lens units to another is easily effected using finger pressure to snap out the existing lens units and replace them with new lens units. As a result, the user is able to modify the eyewear device into a wide range of useful eyewear including swim goggles, ski goggles, motor cycle goggles, bicycle goggles, bright light goggles, sunglasses, low light glasses, and general purpose glasses. Lens units in the form of lens unit  150  are m assembled from the inside of the frame  110  while the lens units in the form of lens unit  180  are assembled from the front. With continued use, the user will be able to quickly recognize the different configurations of the lens units so that the correct pair can be selected from a collection or inventory and easily and quickly installed or exchanged. In practice, the user may have a soft cloth bag or sack to retain lens units that are not in use for easy storage in a back pack, pocket, or fanny pack or for attachment to a belt or other loop or ring associated with the user&#39;s clothing.  
         [0103]     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description.