Patent Publication Number: US-2011051074-A1

Title: Interchangeable and customizable eyewear

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/238,507, filed on Aug. 31, 2009. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure relates to viewing devices that can be modified, as desired, for use in a variety of applications. In particular, the present disclosure relates to viewing devices having a frame or subframe, which can be modified with attachments to suit a particular use or location. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     In the field of video imaging, the role of three-dimensional (3D) imaging, and the technology used to create it, are rapidly expanding and advancing. Currently available glasses and other devices used to view 3D images are very limited. They often comprise simple frames with viewing lenses that cannot be customized to a particular use or application. Different glasses would be needed for different applications or locations, such as in a movie theatre or for home use. In addition, currently available glasses do not have the ability to be customized to depict particular images, shapes, or marketing information that can be coordinated with the movie or other feature the viewer is watching. Accordingly, there is a need for a viewing device that can be customized to a particular application or use, which provides the user with a more enhanced viewing experience, while still maintaining low cost and ease of use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure provides viewing devices that are highly and easily customizable for a variety of viewing applications, such as for viewing three-dimensional images and movies. The viewing devices have interchangeable parts and lenses that can be easily changed out depending on the desired use, or which can be labeled with information such as marketing or branding logos. Thus, the viewing devices of the present disclosure provide a wide variety of possible applications, all while maintaining ease of use and low cost. 
     In one embodiment, the viewing device has a subframe that can have removable fronts, lenses, and temples for the sides. All of these components can be customized for a particular application. In another embodiment, the viewing device has a frame that can have lenses either permanently or removably connected thereto, and a visor that can be customized and placed over the frame. 
     The present disclosure also provides a viewing device for a user. The viewing device comprises a subframe having a front face, two side arms, and two lens openings, a front removably connected to the front face of the subframe, and two temples. Each of the two temples are removably connected to one of the side arms. The user wears the viewing device to look through the lens openings and the front, when the viewing device is in use. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of a first embodiment of the viewing device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  shows a second exploded view of the viewing device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the viewing device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , fully assembled; 
         FIG. 4  shows a second perspective view of the viewing device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , fully assembled; 
         FIG. 5  shows a first perspective view of a first embodiment of the subframe of the viewing device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows a second perspective view of the subframe of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  shows an exploded view of a second embodiment of the viewing device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  shows an exploded view of a third embodiment of the viewing device of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  shows a perspective view of the viewing device shown in  FIG. 8 , fully assembled; and 
         FIG. 10  shows a perspective view of a frame used in the viewing device of  FIG. 8 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Referring to the drawings, and in particular  FIGS. 1-7 , a viewing device generally represented by reference numeral  10  is shown. Viewing device  10  has subframe  20 , front  30 , and a pair of temples  40 . To assemble viewing device  10 , front  30  and the pair of temples  40  are connected to subframe  20  in the manner shown. 
     Front  30  comprises frame  34 , and a pair of lenses  32  connected thereto. Frame  34  and/or lenses  32  and/or temples  40  can have various shapes, be various colors, or have marketing materials displayed thereon that are customized to a particular application, for example a scheme that incorporates aspects or themes of a movie that the user is viewing with viewing device  10 . In an alternate embodiment,  FIG. 7  shows front  130 , lenses  132 , frame  134 , and temples  140 , that can be used with subframe  20  in the same manner as described above with respect to front  30 , lenses  32 , frame  34 , and temples  40 , and which do not have any particular design on them. 
     Subframe  20  can have bridge  21 , side arms  23 , lens openings  25  and front face  26 , so that the user looks through openings  25  when device  10  is assembled. Frame  34  has an inner surface  35 , and one or more male tabs  36  thereon. Tabs  36  mate with corresponding front slots  22  (which are female) in front face  26  of subframe  20 , so that front  30  is secured to subframe  20 . Similarly, temples  40  have one or more male tabs  42  thereon, which mate with side slots  24  on an exterior side of side arms  23  of subframe  20 , thus securing temples  40  to subframe  20 . The method of connection is a friction fit, but other methods of connecting front  30  and temples  40  to subframe  20  are contemplated by the present disclosure, such as but not limited to snap fit. The number and placement of tabs  36  and tabs  42  can be varied. In one embodiment, there are three tabs  36  on inside surface  35  of front  30 , two each at opposite sides of front  30 , and one in the middle, and two tabs  42  on each of the temples  40 . This particular embodiment allows for ease of assembly for viewing device  10 , while still providing a secure connection of front  30  and temples  40  to subframe  20 . The present disclosure also contemplates other ways to connect front  30  and temples  40  to subframe  20 . 
     Viewing device  10 , once assembled, appears to be a single, unitary structure. This means that the entire exterior surface of subframe  20  is covered by front  30  and temples  40 . The exterior surface of subframe  20  is the one opposite the interior surface, which faces and/or contacts the user when device  10  is worn. In addition, front  30  and temples  40  appear to be one component, meaning that there are no gaps or spaces between them where subframe  20  would show through. The appearance of device  10  as a single, unitary structure has the advantage of enhancing the user&#39;s enjoyment of the application where device  10  is being employed, for example when viewing a movie. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , side arms  23  do not extend the entire way to a user&#39;s ears. Temples  40  can have different lengths and shapes to suit a particular user. For example, temples  40  can be longer for adults, and shorter for children. Ends  45  of temples  40  curl around the ears of a user, assisting in the securing of device  10  to the user. Thus, in this embodiment, the only point of contact between the user&#39;s ear and the viewing device  10  are through temples  40 . This is yet another advantage of viewing device  10  over currently available devices, in that viewing device  10  can be easily customized for the varying physical attributes of different users. 
     Lenses  32  or  132  can utilize a variety of technologies to create different viewing options for the user. For example, lenses  32  and  132  can be polarized, to allow for the left and right eye of the user to see different images, in 3D applications. They can also utilize anaglyph technology, so that one of the lenses would be red, and the other cyan, a technology also utilized in 3D viewing applications. Lenses  32  and  132  can also be ophthalmic lenses that block sun glare, and only allow light to pass through in one direction, which would be useful for outdoor viewing applications, or even for general purpose outdoor use as sunglasses. Lenses  32  and  132  can also be clear or tinted prescription lenses. They can also be designed for use in toys or costumes, or for New Years Eve celebration glasses. The present disclosure also contemplates that lenses  32  and  132  can use any optical technologies, or have any number of decorative designs, in addition to those specifically described above. 
     Lenses  32  and  132  can be permanently connected to frames  34  and  134  of fronts  30  and  130 , respectively. Alternatively, lenses  32  and  132  can be removably connected to frames  34  and  134 , respectively, so that different lenses can be swapped out, depending on the desired use, while still using the same frame. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8-10 , another embodiment of the viewing device of the present disclosure is shown, and referenced by numeral  210 . Viewing device  210  has frame  220 , lenses  232 , and visor  230 . Compared to frame  20  of viewing device  10 , frame  220  has a pair of receptacles  234  that fully surround lenses  232 , so that lenses  232  are connected directly to frame  220 . Viewing device  210  is advantageous in that it is lower cost than viewing device  10 , but still provides for customization, as discussed below. 
     To assemble viewing device  210 , visor  230  is placed over frame  220 . Frame  220  has a plurality of securing tabs  236  on a front and side surfaces thereof, to mate with corresponding holes  222  in visor  230 , to hold visor  230  in place. The number and location of securing tabs  236  and holes  222  can vary. In the shown embodiment, there are three securing tabs  236  on each side of frame  220 , and one in the middle of the front surface of frame  220 , which provides for an easy and stable assembly of viewing device  210 . Visor  230  can be customized with various shapes, color schemes, and marketing materials, which, for example, can be coordinated with the movie that the user may be watching. 
     Similarly to lenses  32  and  132  of viewing device  10 , lenses  232  can be different types, depending on the image to be viewed, such as polarized lenses, anaglyph lenses, ophthalmic lenses, or any other type. Lenses  232  can be permanently connected to frame  220 , or can be removable, so that they can be changed out for a particular use. 
     With either viewing device  10  or viewing device  210 , the materials used for the various components can be any of a variety of plastic, paper or metal substances. 
     As shown in the Figures, viewing devices  10  and  210  can be customized for use in a variety of different applications, with limitless designs, which enhance the viewer&#39;s enjoyment of the viewing experience. Viewing devices  10  and  210  are very easily assembled, and save costs when compared to currently available devices, since subframe  20  and frame  220  can be reused for any number of applications. 
     The present disclosure further contemplates various methods for marketing and selling the viewing devices of the present disclosure. For example, when the viewing devices are used to watch movies in movie theaters, the movie studio producing the movie may sell the viewing devices to the consumer as they buy the ticket. After viewing the movie, the user can recycle the viewing devices at the movie theater, or keep them as collectibles. Alternatively, the movie studio may partner with a sponsor, who would sell the viewing devices with one of the sponsor&#39;s products. The user would then show the devices at the movie theater, and receive a complimentary or reduced-fare movie ticket. In another method, a retailer may sell the viewing devices, with or without different frames, lenses, or visors. The user can then use the glasses at the movie theater, at home when watching a movie or playing a video game, or for other applications such as the outdoor viewing discussed above, and customize their viewing devices for whatever use they desire at a particular time. The user can also collect different fronts and visors, and use them all with the subframes or frames that they have purchased. 
     While the instant disclosure has been described with reference to one or more to particular embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope thereof. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure.