Patent Publication Number: US-2015070647-A1

Title: Eyewear Frame

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/877,224 filed Sep. 12, 2013. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject of the instant invention related to eyeglasses and sunglasses with interchangeable parts. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Eyewear, such as sunglasses or eyeglasses, are each available in a variety of colors, sizes, shapes and styles. The cost to the consumer for durable, high quality eyewear can easily run into the hundreds of dollars. While low-cost alternatives for eyewear are available, the consumer generally sacrifices quality and durability when selecting this route. Additionally, certain styles of eyewear are considered to be more formal than others and may be more accepted in both casual and professional settings. 
     One significant drawback which persists in eyewear is a high quality option which allows the wearer to quickly, easily and inexpensively alter the frames, lenses, temples and arms of the eyewear to suit their own style and taste. The present invention is designed to overcome this problem and provide consumers with a variety of styles, colors, sizes and patterns to suit their every desire. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Eyeglasses with interchangeable parts comprising a lens frame adapted for mounting a pair of lenses in a first lens cavity and a second lens cavity with a first lens releasably secured to the first lens cavity and a second lens releasably secured to the second lens cavity. The eyeglasses further include a first temple extension emanating from one side the lens frame with an upper projection rod and a lower projection rod each emanating from the surface of the first temple extension, a second temple extension emanating from the opposite side the lens frame with an upper projection rod and a lower projection rod each emanating from the surface of the second temple extension, a first temple arm having an upper rod receiver and a lower rod receiver releasably secured to the first temple extension forming a first hinge joint and allowing the first temple arm to pivot relative to the lens frame and a second temple arm having an upper rod receiver and a lower rod receiver releasably secured to the second temple extension forming a second hinge joint and allowing the second temple arm to pivot relative to the lens frame. The eyeglasses further include a first ear piece releasably secured to the first temple arm and a second ear piece releasably secured to the second temple arm, wherein the ear pieces are releasable secured to the temple arms with a spring locking device and wherein the interchangeable nature of the lenses, the temple arms and the ear pieces permit an individual to customize the eyeglasses in a manner they desire. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form that is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of the eyeglasses. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the eyeglasses. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the eyeglasses. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the eyeglasses. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the eyeglasses. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the eyeglasses. 
         FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of the eyeglasses. 
         FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of the eyeglasses. 
         FIG. 9  is a close-up view of an ear piece and a temple arm of the eyeglasses. 
         FIG. 10  is a close-up view of an ear piece and a temple arm of the eyeglasses. 
         FIG. 11  is a close-up view of a hinge joint of a pair of the eyeglasses. 
         FIG. 12  is a close-up view of a hinge joint of a pair of the eyeglasses. 
         FIG. 13  is a side perspective view of the eyeglasses. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Looking to the figures wherein like numerals indicate like items, the instant invention discloses a pair of eyeglasses or eyewear  10  with interchangeable parts comprising a lens frame  20  adapted for mounting a pair of lenses ( 40  and  45 ) in a first lens cavity  42  and a second lens cavity  47 . A first lens  40  is releasably secured to the first lens cavity  42  and a second lens  45  is releasably secured to the second lens cavity  47 . A first temple extension  22  emanates from one side of the lens frame  20  with an upper projection rod  23  and a lower projection rod  24  each emanating from the surface of the first temple extension  22 . A second temple extension  32  emanates from the opposite side of the lens frame  20  with an upper projection rod  33  and a lower projection rod  34  each emanating from the surface of the second temple extension  32 . The instant invention also includes a first temple arm  50  having an upper rod receiver  57  and a lower rod receiver  58  releasably secured to the first temple extension  22  forming a first hinge joint  52   a  and allowing the first temple arm  50  to pivot relative to the lens frame in a manner known in the art. The instant invention also includes a second temple arm  60  having an upper rod receiver  67  and a lower rod receiver  68  releasably secured to the second temple extension  32  forming a second hinge joint  62   a  and allowing the second temple arm  60  to pivot relative to the lens frame in a manner known in the art. The instant invention further includes a first ear piece  70  releasably secured to the first temple arm  50  and a second ear piece  90  releasably secured to the second temple arm  60  where the ear pieces  70 ,  90  are each releasable secured to the temple arms  50 ,  60  with a spring locking device  72 ,  92  respectively and where the interchangeable nature of the lenses  40 ,  45 , the temple arms  50 ,  60  and the ear pieces  70 ,  90  permit an individual to customize the eyeglasses/eyewear  10  in a manner they desire. 
     The lens frame  20  of the eyeglasses  10  described in the instant invention may include any style of lens frame known in the art. The lens frame  20  may be made of any material known in the art including metal, plastic or any combination thereof. Looking to the figures certain embodiments of lens frames  20  are illustrated. The lens frame  20  generally includes a first lens cavity  42  and a second lens cavity  47  joined together by a bridge which will be located above a person&#39;s nose when the eyeglasses are in use. The eyeglasses  10  also include a first lens  40  which is releasably secured within the first lens cavity  42  and a second lens  45  releasably secured within the second lens cavity  47 . The first lens and second lens may be inserted into a channel which is located around the entire perimeter of the first lens cavity  42  and the second lens cavity  47 . The lenses  40 ,  45  may be selected from the group consisting of: clear lenses, tinted lenses, corrective lenses (i.e. single, bi-focal, trifocal, etc.), or any combination thereof. 
     Looking now to  FIGS. 5 through 8 , there is illustrated and embodiment showing a first temple extension  22  emanating from the surface of one side of the lens frame  20  and a second temple extension  32  emanating from the opposite side of the lens frame  20 . Each of the temple extensions emanate from the lens frame in the same general direction. As shown in the figures the first temple extension  22  includes an upper projection rod  23  and a lower projection rod  24  and the second temple extension  32  includes an upper projection rod  33  and a lower projection rod  34 . The upper projection rods  22 ,  32  and the lower projection rods  23 ,  33  each emanate in the opposite direction of one another as illustrated in the figures. In one embodiment of the instant invention the first temple extension  22  includes an upper surface  25  from which the upper projection rod  23  emanates and a lower surface  26  from which the lower projection rod  24  emanates. The first temple extension  22  also includes an inside surface  28  which faces the direction of the lenses  40 ,  45  and an outside surface  29  which faces the opposite direction of the inside surface  28 . The second temple extension  32  includes an upper surface  35  from which the upper projection rod  33  emanates and a lower surface  36  from which the lower projection rod  34  emanates. The second temple extension  32  also includes an inside surface  38  which faces the direction of the lenses  40 ,  45  and an outside surface  39  which faces the opposite direction of the inside surface  38 . In another embodiment of the instant invention the upper projection rods  23 ,  33  and the lower projection rods  24 ,  34  each possess an edge which may be squared, rounded or a combination thereof. 
     The temple arms  50 ,  60  are a key element of the instant invention. Looking again to the figures, there is illustrated a first temple arm  50  which is designed to releasably engage a first temple extension  22  and a second temple arm  60  which is designed to releasably engage a second temple extension  32 . The first temple arm  50  includes a proximal end  51  and a distal end  53 . A first hinge receiver  52  is located on the proximal end  51  of the first temple arm and is the location where the first temple arm  50  engages the first temple extension  22 . The first temple arm  50  also includes an inner surface  55 , an outer surface  56  and an arm socket  54  which is the location where the first ear piece  70  engages the distal end  53  of the first temple arm. Looking to  FIG. 7 , one embodiment of the instant invention is illustrated wherein the arm socket  54  includes an opening at the far distal end  53  of the first temple arm which leads to an enclosed space and eventually ending in another opening through which an upper projection receiver notch  54   a  and a lower projection receiver notch  54   b  are visible. The first temple arm  50  also includes an upper channel  59   a  which leads to an upper rod receiver  57  and a lower channel  59   b  which leads to lower rod receiver  58 . The second temple arm  60  includes a proximal end  61  and a distal end  63 . A second hinge receiver  62  is located on the proximal end  61  of the second temple arm and is the location where the second temple arm  60  engages the second temple extension  32 . The second temple arm  60  also includes an inner surface  65 , an outer surface  66  and an arm socket  64  which is the location where the second ear piece  90  engages the distal end  63  of the second temple arm. Looking to  FIGS. 9 and 11 , one embodiment of the instant invention is illustrated wherein the arm socket  64  includes an opening at the far distal end  63  of the second temple arm which leads to an enclosed space and eventually ending in another opening through which an upper projection receiver notch  64   a  and a lower projection receiver notch  64   b  are visible. The second temple arm  60  also includes an upper channel  69   a  which leads to an upper rod receiver  67  and a lower channel  69   b  which leads to lower rod receiver  68 . The temple arms  50 ,  60  may be made of any material known in the art including metal, plastic or any combination thereof. 
     Looking to  FIGS. 7 ,  8 ,  11  and  12  one can see a more detailed illustration of how a proximal end  51 ,  61  of a temple arm  50 ,  60  engages to a temple extension  22 ,  32 . When someone wants to change out one temple arm for another they must disengage the temple arm from a temple extension by removing an upper projection rod  23 ,  33  from an upper rod receiver  57 ,  67  and removing a lower projection rod  24 ,  34  from a lower rod receiver  58 ,  68 . The upper projection rods  23 ,  33  and the lower projection rods  24 ,  34  then slide along the upper channel  59   a ,  69   a  and the lower channel  59   b ,  69   b  to completely disengaged the temple arm  50 ,  60 . A person may then attach a new temple arm  50 ,  60  by reversing this process and sliding the upper projection rod  23 ,  33  along the upper channel  59   a ,  69   a  and the lower projection rod  24 ,  34  along the lower channel  59   b ,  69   b  and inserting the upper projection rod into the upper rod receiver  57 ,  67  and inserting the lower projection rod into the lower rod receiver  58 ,  68  thereby creating a hinge joint  52   a ,  62   a . When the temple arms  50 ,  60  are engaged to the hinge joints  52   a ,  62   a , the temple arms pivot relative to the lens frame  20  allowing the temple arms to rest next to the lens frame, and one another and be stored in the same way that a pair of glasses having temple arms secured to a lens frame with screw hinges. 
     The ear pieces  70 ,  90  are also a key element of the instant invention. Looking to the figures there is illustrated in embodiment of a first ear piece  70  which has a proximal end  71 , an inner surface  75 , an outer surface  76  and a distal end  73 . A spring locking device  72  is located at the proximal end  71  of the first ear piece. Looking now to the spring locking device  72  of the first ear piece  70  we see illustrated in upper locking arm  78  having a proximal end  79 , a distal end  80  and an upper projection  81  located at the distal end of the upper locking arm. The spring locking device  72  of the first ear piece also includes a lower locking arm  84  having a proximal end  85 , a distal end  86  and a lower projection  87  located at the distal end of the lower locking arm. A notch  77  is located between the upper locking arm  78  and the lower locking arm  84 . Looking again to the figures, there is illustrated in embodiment of a second ear piece  90  which has a proximal end  91 , an inner surface  95 , an outer surface  96  and a distal end  93 . A spring locking device  92  is located at the proximal end  91  of the second ear piece and. Looking now to the spring locking device  92  of the second ear piece  90  we see illustrated in upper locking arm  98  having a proximal end  99 , a distal end  100  and an upper projection  101  located at the distal end of the upper locking arm. The spring locking device  92  of the second ear piece also includes a lower locking arm  104  having a proximal end  105 , a distal end  106  and a lower projection  107  located at the distal end of the lower locking arm. A notch  97  is located between the upper locking arm  98  and the lower locking arm  104 . 
     Looking to  FIGS. 9 and 10  one can see a more detailed illustration of how a proximal end  71 ,  91  of an ear piece  70 ,  90  engages to a distal end  53 ,  63  of a temple arm  50 ,  60 . To engage an ear piece  70 ,  90  with a temple arm  50 ,  60  and individual must insert the spring locking device  72 ,  92  within the arm socket  54 ,  64  of the appropriate temple arm. Both the upper locking arm  78 ,  98  and the lower locking arm  84 ,  100   4 R inserted within the arm socket  54 ,  64 . Each arm socket is narrow enough that the upper projection  81 ,  101  and the lower projection  87 ,  107  each engage with the upper surface and the lower surface within each arm socket causing the flexion and compression of the upper locking arm  78 ,  98  and the lower locking arm  84 ,  104  which narrows the notch  77 ,  97  between the upper locking arm and the lower locking arm. When the spring locking device is inserted completely within the arm socket the upper projection  81 ,  101  located on the upper locking arm engages with the upper projection receiver notch  54   a ,  64   a  and the lower projection  87 ,  107  located on the lower locking arm engages with the lower projection receiver notch  54   b ,  64   b , securing each ear piece in place. When someone wants to change out one ear piece  70 ,  90  for another they must disengage the ear piece from the temple arm. This act is accomplished by simply pulling the ear piece away from the distal end of a temple arm and exerting enough force to disengage the spring locking devices  72 ,  92  from the arm sockets  54 ,  94  within the temple arms  50 ,  60 . A person must exert a force which is significant enough to disengage the upper projection  81 ,  101  upper projection receiver notch  54   a ,  64   a  and the lower projection  87 ,  107  from the lower projection receiver notch  54   b ,  64   b  which compresses and flexes the upper locking arm  78 ,  98  and lower locking arm  84 ,  104  toward one another narrowing the notch  77 ,  97  between them and allowing the removal of the spring locking device  72 ,  92  from the arm socket  54 ,  64 . 
     In one embodiment of the instant invention, the lens frame  20 , the lenses  40 ,  45 , the temple arms  50 ,  60  and the ear pieces  70 ,  90  are each available in a variety of sizes (i.e. adult, child, etc.), widths, lengths, shapes, colors, patterns, styles, materials and textures. The lens frame  20 , temple arms  50 ,  60  and ear pieces  70 ,  90  may be made of any material known in the art including metal, plastic or any combination thereof. In another embodiment of the instant invention, the lenses  40 ,  45  and the temple arms  50 ,  60  may be secured and released from the lens frame  20  without the aid of tools. In still another embodiment, the ear pieces  70 ,  90  can be secured and released from the temple arms  50 ,  60  without the aid of tools. In another embodiment of the instant invention, if an individual had multiple pairs of eyeglasses according to the instant invention, the lens frame  20 , lenses  40 ,  45 , temple arms  50 ,  60  and ear pieces  70 ,  90  are all interchangeable with one another, thereby allowing the individual to use the lens frame of one pair, the lenses of another pair, one temple arm from one pair, a second temple arm from another pair, one ear piece from yet another pair and another ear piece from still another pair, to assemble a complete pair of glasses. 
     Another embodiment of the instant invention discloses a pair of eyeglasses or eyewear  10  with interchangeable parts comprising a lens frame  20  adapted for mounting a pair of lenses in a first lens cavity  42  and a second lens cavity  47  where a first lens  40  is releasably secured to the first lens cavity  42  and a second lens  45  is releasably secured to the second lens cavity  47 . The embodiment also includes a first temple extension  22  emanating from one side the lens frame  20  with an upper projection rod  23  and a lower projection rod  24  each emanating from the surface of the first temple extension  22  and a second temple extension  32  emanating from the opposite side the lens frame  20  with an upper projection rod  33  and a lower projection rod  34  each emanating from the surface of the second temple extension  32 . A first temple arm  50  having an upper channel  59   a  forming a pathway from an inner surface  55  of the first temple arm  50  to an upper rod receiver  57  and a lower channel  59   b  forming a pathway from an inner surface  55  of the first temple arm  50  to a lower rod receiver  58  releasably secured to the first temple extension  22  forming a first hinge joint  52   a  and allowing the first temple arm  50  to pivot relative to the lens frame  20  and a second temple arm  60  having an upper channel  69   a  forming a pathway from an inner surface  65  of the second temple arm  60  to an upper rod receiver  67  and a lower channel  69   b  forming a pathway from an inner surface  65  of the second temple arm  60  to a lower rod receiver  68  releasably secured to the second temple extension  32  forming a second hinge joint  62   a  and allowing the second temple arm  60  to pivot relative to the lens frame  20 . The embodiment further includes a first ear piece  70  releasably secured to the first temple arm  50  and a second ear piece  90  releasably secured to the second temple arm  60  where the ear pieces  70 ,  90  are releasable secured to the temple arms  50 ,  60  with a spring locking device  72 ,  92  and the spring locking devices each comprise an upper locking arm  78 ,  98  with an upper projection  81 ,  101  located on a distal end  80 ,  100  of the upper locking arm  78 ,  98  and a lower locking arm  84 ,  104  with a lower projection  87 ,  107  located on a distal end  86 ,  106  of the lower locking arm  84 ,  104  and where the interchangeable nature of the lens frame  20 , lenses  40 ,  45 , temple arms  50 ,  60  and the ear pieces  70 ,  90  permit an individual to customize the eyeglasses/eyewear  10  in a manner they desire. 
     In one embodiment of the instant invention, the lens frame  20 , the lenses  40 ,  45 , the temple arms  50 ,  60  and the ear pieces  70 ,  90  are each available in a variety of sizes, widths, lengths, shapes, colors, patterns and textures. In another embodiment of the instant invention, the lenses  40 ,  45  and the temple arms  50 ,  60  may be secured and released from the lens frame  20  without the aid of tools. In still another embodiment, the ear pieces  70 ,  90  can be secured and released from the temple arms  50 ,  60  without the aid of tools. 
     In one embodiment, the spring locking device  72 ,  92  of the first ear piece  70  and the second ear piece  90  each comprise: an upper locking arm  78 ,  98  with an upper projection  81 ,  101  located on a distal end  80 ,  100  of the upper locking arm  78 ,  98  and a lower locking arm  84 ,  104  with a lower projection  87 ,  107  located on a distal end  86 ,  106  of the lower locking arm  84 ,  104 . In another embodiment, the first temple arm  50  and the second temple arm  60  further comprise an arm socket located  54 ,  64  on a distal end  53 ,  63  of each temple arm wherein the spring locking device  72  of the first ear piece  70  is inserted into the arm socket  54  of the first temple arm and the spring locking device  92  of the second ear piece  90  is inserted into the arm socket  64  of the second temple arm  60 . In still another embodiment, the arm sockets  54 ,  64  of the first temple arm  50  and the second temple arm  60  each include an upper projection receiver notch  54   a ,  64   a  and a lower projection receiver notch  54   b ,  64   b  which receive and retain the upper locking arm  78 ,  98  and upper projection  81 ,  101  and the lower locking arm  84 ,  104  and lower projection  87 ,  107  to retain the first  70  and second  90  ear piece in position when engaged to the first  50  and second  60  temple arms respectively. 
     The instant invention also includes a method of changing various elements on a pair of eyeglasses or eyewear  10  comprising the steps of:
         (a) providing a pair of eyeglasses or eyewear  10  with interchangeable parts comprising a lens frame  20  adapted for mounting a pair of lenses ( 40  and  45 ) in a first lens cavity  42  and a second lens cavity  47 . A first lens  40  is releasably secured to the first lens cavity  42  and a second lens  45  is releasably secured to the second lens cavity  47 . A first temple extension  22  emanates from one side of the lens frame  20  with an upper projection rod  23  and a lower projection rod  24  each emanating from the surface of the first temple extension  22 . A second temple extension  32  emanates from the opposite side of the lens frame  20  with an upper projection rod  33  and a lower projection rod  34  each emanating from the surface of the second temple extension  32 . The instant invention also includes a first temple arm  50  having an upper rod receiver  57  and a lower rod receiver  58  releasably secured to the first temple extension  22  forming a first hinge joint  52   a  and allowing the first temple arm  50  to pivot relative to the lens frame in a manner known in the art. The instant invention also includes a second temple arm  60  having an upper rod receiver  67  and a lower rod receiver  68  releasably secured to the second temple extension  32  forming a second hinge joint  62   a  and allowing the second temple arm  60  to pivot relative to the lens frame in a manner known in the art. The instant invention further includes a first ear piece  70  releasably secured to the first temple arm  50  and a second ear piece  90  releasably secured to the second temple arm  60  where the ear pieces  70 ,  90  are each releasable secured to the temple arms  50 ,  60  with a spring locking device  72 ,  92  respectively and where the interchangeable nature of the lenses  40 ,  45 , the temple arms  50 ,  60  and the ear pieces  70 ,  90  permit an individual to customize the eyeglasses/eyewear  10  in a manner they desire;   (b) disengaging and removing the current first lens  40  from the first lens cavity  42 ;   (c) disengaging and removing the current second lens  45  from the second lens cavity  47 ;   (d) inserting an engaging a new first lens  40  into the first lens cavity  42 ;   (e) inserting an engaging a new second lens  45  into the second lens cavity  47 ;   (f) disengaging the first temple arm  50  from the first temple extension  22 ;   (g) disengaging the second temple arm  60  from the second temple extension  32 ;   (h) engaging a new first temple arm  50  with the first temple extension  22 ;   (i) engaging a new second temple arm  60  with the second temple extension  32 ;   (j) disengaging the first ear piece  70  from the first temple arm  50 ;   (k) disengaging the second ear piece  90  from the second temple arm  60 ;   (l) engaging a new first ear piece  70  to the first temple arm  50 ; and   (m) engaging a new second ear piece  90  to the second temple arm  60 .       

     Regarding the above method, the lenses  40 ,  45  and the temple  50 ,  60  arms may be secured and released from the lens frame  20  without the aid of tools and the ear pieces  70 ,  90  can be secured and released from the temple arms  50 ,  60  without the aid of tools. Also regarding one embodiment of the above method, the eyeglasses further comprise an upper channel  59   a ,  69   a  and a lower channel  59   b ,  69   b  located on the first temple arm  50  and the second temple arm  60  which form a pathway from an inner surface  55 ,  65  of each temple arm to the upper rod receiver  57 ,  67  and the lower rod receiver  58 ,  68  and wherein the spring locking device  72 ,  92  of the first ear piece  70  and the second ear piece  90  each comprise an upper locking arm  78 ,  98  with an upper projection  81 ,  101  located on a distal end  80 ,  100  of the upper locking arm  78 ,  98  and a lower locking arm  84 ,  104  with a lower projection  87 ,  107  located on a distal end  86 ,  106  of the lower locking arm  84 ,  104 . 
     Also regarding one embodiment of the above method, the first temple arm  50  and the second temple arm  60  further comprise an arm socket  54 ,  64  located on a distal end  53 ,  63  of each temple arm wherein the spring locking device  72  of the first ear piece  70  is inserted into the arm socket  54  of the first temple arm  50  and the spring locking device  92  of the second ear piece  90  is inserted into the arm socket  64  of the second temple arm  60  and the arm sockets of the first temple arm  54  and the second temple arm  64  each include an upper projection receiver notch  54   a ,  64   a  and a lower projection receiver notch  54   b ,  64   b  which receive and retain the upper locking arm  78 ,  98  and upper projection  81 ,  101  and the lower locking arm  84 ,  104  and lower projection  87 ,  107  to retain the first  70  and second  90  ear piece in position when engaged to the first  50  and second  60  temple arms. 
     The above embodiments and methods may incorporate any of the elements or functions described herein. The present invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit and the essential attributes thereof, and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention. The invention illustratively discloses herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.