Patent Publication Number: US-2009225271-A1

Title: Eyeglasses

Description:
This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application 61/064,473 filed Mar. 7, 2008. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the field of eyeglasses. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     There is a multitude of eyeglasses models produced. However, despite numerous efforts by many inventors, currently commercialized eyeglasses have many drawbacks. 
     For example, a type of eyeglasses that is relatively popular is rimless eyeglasses. Instead of having a rim into which lenses are inserted, these eyeglasses include lenses that are attached to each other through a bridge, the bridge including a nose pad. Also, side arms are attached directly to the lenses. However, in this type of eyeglasses, there is a need to prepare the lenses so that these components can be attached thereto. This typically requires the use of specialized tooling and needs to be done carefully with a relatively large precision so that the eyeglasses are aesthetically pleasant, comfortable to wear by the intended user and present suitable optical characteristics. 
     Furthermore, the bridge and side arms are typically attached using small screws or small nuts and bolts, which are relatively fragile, and which also sometimes require the use of locking glue to prevent the screw/bolt from detaching from the remainder of the eyeglasses. Also, these screws and bolts are relatively small and fragile and therefore require great dexterity from an optician who needs to attach these components to the eyeglasses. In the case in which glue is used, it is typically difficult to remove the components for replacement once they have been attached to a lens. Therefore, in cases in which the intended user needs to change one of the components of the eyeglasses, new lenses typically need to be ordered, which can be relatively expensive and cause a delay during which the intended user is not able to use the eyeglasses. 
     Furthermore, it often occurs that unintended forces are exerted onto the side arms of the eyeglasses, for example in cases in which an impact occurs while the intended user wears the eyeglasses. To that effect, many models of eyeglasses include side arms that can open outwardly over some range to allow the eyeglasses to deform upon impact. However, to ensure proper comfort of the intended user and stability of the eyeglasses onto the head of the intended user, these eyeglasses require that the side arms do not open too easily, which contradicts the requirements that deformation occurs easily to minimize damages. In addition, these prior art eyeglasses have side arms that are only allowed to open up over a relatively small range of angles. 
     Against this background, there exists a need in the industry to provide novel eyeglasses. 
     An object of the present invention is therefore to provide improved eyeglasses. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In a broad aspect, the invention provides a lens and eyeglasses component assembly, the lens and eyeglasses component assembly comprising: a lens, the lens defining a lens first surface, a substantially opposed lens second surface and a lens peripheral surface extending therebetween, the lens also defining a lens aperture extending between the lens first and second surfaces, the lens aperture being located adjacent the lens peripheral surface and defining a lens gap in the lens peripheral surface leading thereinto, the lens aperture defining a lens aperture peripheral surface; an eyeglasses component, the eyeglasses component defining a lens attachment portion inserted in the lens aperture; and a locking component inserted in the lens aperture, the locking component frictionally engaging both the lens aperture peripheral surface and the lens attachment portion; whereby the locking component attaches the eyeglasses component to the lens. 
     For example, the lens and component assembly includes many components such as a bridge element including a nose pad interconnecting two lenses and two side arms attached each to a respective one of the lenses through a connector. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, the locking component defines a groove into which glue is insertable to secure the locking component, and consequently the eyeglasses component, to the lens. However, in alternative embodiments of the invention, no glue is used for locking the lens and the locking component to each other. 
     Advantageously, the proposed lens and component assembly is relatively easily assembled and allows for the replacement of the component attached to the lens with minimal damages to the lens. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, the eyeglasses include side arms that are operable between a closed, an opened and a released configuration. In the closed configuration, the side arms are substantially adjacent and substantially parallel to the lenses. In this configuration, the eyeglasses can be carried by the intended user in a relatively compact configuration. In the opened configuration, the side arms extend substantially perpendicular to the lenses. In this configuration, the eyeglasses can be worn by the intended user in a conventional manner. In the released configuration, the side arms are located opposite to the lenses relatively to the connector and extend at an angle larger than 90 degrees relatively to the lenses. This configuration is achieved, for example, when an impact or any other forces tending to open the side arms to a larger extent than the opened configuration are exerted onto the eyeglasses. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, the side arms are movable to an extended configuration occurring between the opened and released configurations. In the extended configuration, the side arms are biased against further opening of the side arms by a biasing element. As the side arms are opened further away from the closed position that the opened configuration, the biasing element biases the side arms toward the opened configuration until a predetermined angle between the lenses and the side arms has been achieved. The predetermined angle is typically achieved when a predetermined force is applied to the side arm. After this predetermined angle has been achieved, the biasing component no longer biases the side arms and the side arms are free to rotate in the released configuration. 
     Advantageously, the proposed side arms are relatively comfortable to the intended user and allow for adjustment of the eyeglasses to heads having slightly different dimensions without causing undue discomfort to the intended user. For example, the side arms do not exert undue pressure on the temples of the intended user when worn. The side arms also allows for small movements of the eyeglasses relatively to the head of the intended user without causing any damages to the eyeglasses and simultaneously exert a biasing force tending to centre the eyeglasses on the head of the intended user. When the side arms are moved at a position further away from the lenses than the predetermined angle, the side arms are free to rotate away from the lenses, thereby preventing or, at least, reducing the risk of damaging the eyeglasses when relatively large forces are exerted onto the side arms, as well as increasing the safety of the eyeglasses. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, the connector connecting the side arms to the eyeglasses is composite and includes a body made out of a polymer over which a metal strip is wrapped. This composite nature allows for manufacturing a relatively small and light connector at relatively low costs, while increasing the sturdiness of the connector through the use of the metal strip. Also, in some embodiments of the invention, the metal strip is used to provide a highlight onto the eyeglasses which enhances the aesthetics of the eyeglasses. Furthermore, in some embodiments of the invention, the metal strip also serves to retain the side arm attached to the connector in the released configuration. 
     While the present document is mainly concerned with rimless eyeglasses, many of the concepts described herein are also applicable to rimmed eyeglasses. 
     Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the appended drawings: 
         FIG. 1 , in a perspective view, illustrate eyeglasses in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2 , in a partial alternative perspective view, illustrates the eyeglasses shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3 , in a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of  FIG. 2 , illustrates the eyeglasses shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
       FIG.  3 ′, in an alternative cross-sectional view taken along the line III′-III′ of  FIG. 2 , illustrates the eyeglasses shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 ; 
         FIG. 4 , in a perspective view, illustrates a locking component part of the eyeglasses shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 ; 
       FIG.  4 ′, in an alternative perspective view, illustrates the locking component shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 5 , in a top elevation view, illustrates a connector body of a connector part of the eyeglasses shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 ; 
         FIG. 6 , in a perspective exploded view, illustrates a connector part of the eyeglasses shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 ; 
         FIG. 7 , in a perspective view, illustrates a step in the assembly of a side arm part of the eyeglasses shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3  with the connector shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8A , in a top plan view, illustrates the connector shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8B , in a side cross-sectional view along the line VIIIB-VIIIB of  FIG. 8A , illustrates the connector shown in  FIGS. 6 and 8A ; 
         FIG. 8C , in a side elevation view, illustrates the connector shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  8 A and  8 B; 
         FIG. 8D , in a side cross-sectional view along the line VIIID-VIIID of  FIG. 8C , illustrates the connector shown in FIGS.  6  and  8 A- 8 C; 
         FIG. 8E , in a side cross-sectional view along the line VIIIE-VIIIE of  FIG. 8A , illustrates the connector shown in FIGS.  6  and  8 A- 8 D; 
         FIG. 9 , in a perspective view, illustrates another step in the assembly of the side arm part shown in  FIG. 7  with the connector shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 10 , in a perspective view, illustrates another step in the assembly of the side arm part shown in  FIG. 7  with the connector shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIGS. 11A to 11C , in partial perspective views, illustrate successive steps in the attachment of the connector shown in  FIGS. 6-10  to the lenses of the eyeglasses shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; and 
         FIGS. 12A to 12D , in partial perspective views, illustrate alternative configurations of side arms part of the eyeglasses shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  relatively to the lenses of the eyeglasses shown in the same Figs. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a pair of eyeglasses  10 . The eyeglasses  10  include two lenses  12  and  14  disposed in a side by side relationship relatively to each other. Side arms  16  and  18  are each connected respectively to one of the lenses  12  and  14  and located substantially opposed to each other relatively to the lenses  12  and  14 . A bridge element  20  extends between the lenses  12  and  14 . The side arms  16  and  18  are attached respectively to the lenses  12  and  14  by a respective connector  22  and  24 . The side arms  16  and  18 , along with the bridge element  20 , are eyeglasses components that are attachable to the lenses  12  and  14 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the attachment between the lens  14  and the connector  24  is illustrated in greater details. The lens  12  is attached to the connector  22  in a similar manner and this attachment is therefore not described in further details herein. The lens  14  defines a lens first surface  30  and a lens second surface  32 . The lens second surface  32  is substantially opposed to the lens first surface  30  and a lens peripheral surface  34  extends between the lens first and second surfaces  30  and  32 . As seen in  FIG. 1 , the lens  14  defines two substantially opposed lens apertures  26 , each extending between the lens first and second surfaces  30  and  32 . The lens apertures  26  are substantially diametrically opposed to each other and are usable for attaching the bridge element  20  and the connectors  22  and  24  to the lenses  12  and  14 , as described in further details hereinbelow. As better seen in  FIG. 3 , each of the lens apertures  26  is located adjacent the lens peripheral surface  34  and defines a lens gap  38  in the lens peripheral surface  34 . The lens gap  38  leads into the lens aperture  26 . 
     Each of the lens apertures  26  defines an aperture inner portion  40  and an aperture outer portion  42 . The aperture outer portion  42  is located closer to the lens peripheral surface  34  than the aperture inner portion  40 . The aperture inner portion  40  extends from the aperture outer portion  42  and the aperture outer portion  42  extends from the lens gap  38 . Typically, the aperture outer portion  42  has a substantially rectilinear and parallelepiped-shaped configuration, while the aperture inner portion  40  has a substantially cylindrical configuration. However, other configurations of the aperture inner and outer portions  40  and  42  are within the scope of the invention. Typically, the aperture inner portion  40  has a diameter that is larger than the width of the lens gap  38 . 
     Generally speaking, each of the components that are attachable to the lenses  12  and  14 , such as the connectors  22  and  24  and the bridge element  20 , defines a lens attachment portion insertable into the lens aperture  26 . A locking component  28  is also inserted also in the lens aperture  26 . The locking component  28  frictionally engages both the lens aperture peripheral surface  36  and the lens attachment portion of the component inserted into the lens aperture  26 . The locking component  28  attaches the eyeglasses components to the lenses  12  and  14 . Also, in some embodiments of the invention, the locking component  28  mechanically engages the lens attachment portion to provide an interference between these two components and enhance the locking action of the locking component. 
     More specifically, as seen in  FIG. 1 , the bridge element  20  includes two substantially opposed bridge lens attachment  44 , a bridge body  46  extending between the bridge lens attachments  44  and a nose pad  48  extending from the bridge body  46 . The bridge body  46  and the nose pad  48  are conventional and will therefore not be described in further details. The bridge lens attachment  44  is similar in shape and function to a connector lens attachment  72  that is described in further details hereinbelow. Therefore, the bridge lens attachment  44  will also not be described in further details. 
       FIGS. 5 ,  6 ,  7  and  8 A- 8 E illustrate in greater details the connector  24 . The connector  22  is similar to the connector  24  and is therefore not described in further details. The connector  24  includes a generally L-shaped connector body  50  defining a connector top surface  60 , a substantially opposed connector bottom surface  62 , a connector outer surface  66  extending between the connector top and bottom surfaces  60  and  62 , a connector inner surface  64  extending also between the connector bottom and top surfaces  60  and  62  and two substantially opposed connector first and second end surfaces  68  and  70  also each extending between the connector top and bottom surfaces  60  and  62 . The connector outer surface  66 , inner surface  66 , first end surface  68  and second end surface  70  together form a connector peripheral surface  61  extending between the connector top and bottom surfaces  60  and  62 . The connector inner and outer surfaces  64  and  66  are substantially opposed to each other and each extend between the connector first and second end surfaces  68  and  70 . 
     The connector outer surface  66  face laterally outwardly relatively to the lenses  12  and  14  when the eyeglasses  10  are assembled. The connector inner surface  64  face laterally inwardly relatively to the lenses  12  and  14  when the eyeglasses  10  are assembled. Therefore, the connector inner surfaces  64  of connectors  22  and  24  face each other when the eyeglasses  10  are assembled. The connector first end surface  68  is located in the lens aperture  26  when the eyeglasses  10  are assembled. 
     The reader skilled in the art will readily appreciate that directional terminology such as top, bottom and lateral, for example, is used in this document to facilitate the description of the eyeglasses  10  and refer to orientations relative to the eyeglasses  10  when the eyeglasses  10  are worn in a conventional manner by an upstanding intended user (not shown in the drawings). However, the use of this directional terminology should not be used to restrict the scope of the present invention and this terminology is used only to facilitate the description. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 . the connector body  50  defines a connector lens attachment  72  for attaching the connector  24  to the lens  12 , a connector side arm attachment  74  for attaching one of the side arms  16  and  18  thereto and a connector base  76  extending therebetween. Furthermore, in some embodiments of the invention, the connector  22  includes a strip  78 , seen for example in  FIG. 6 , which is releasably attachable to the remainder of the connector body  50  and is positionable over at least a portion of the connector peripheral surface  61 . The strip  78  and its function will be described in further details hereinbelow. 
     As seen for example in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the connector top surface  60  defines a top surface recess  52  extending into the connector body  50  at a location intermediate the connector first and second end surfaces  68  and  70 . The top surface recess  52  has a portion thereof in the connector lens attachment  72 . The connector outer surface  66  defines a flange  54  protruding upwardly from the top surface recess  52 . In register with the top surface recess  52 , the connector inner surface  64  extends over a smaller extent between the connector top and bottom surfaces  60  and  62  than the connector outer surface  66 . 
     The connector lens attachment  72  includes a lens attachment proximal portion  80  and a lens attachment distal portion  82 . The connector first end surface  68  is defined by the lens attachment distal portion  82 . The lens attachment distal portion  82  is typically insertable into the aperture inner portion  40 , while the aperture outer portion  42  receives the lens attachment proximal portion  80 . The lens attachment distal portion  82  therefore extends from the lens attachment proximal portion  80 , which itself extends from the connector base  76 . A distance between the connector top and bottom surfaces  60  and  62  is typically larger in the lens attachment distal portion  82  than in the lens attachment proximal portion  80 . The lens attachment proximal portion  80  is dimensioned so as to be substantially fittingly received within the aperture outer portion  42 . Therefore, the lens attachment distal portion  82 , by having dimensions larger than the lens attachment proximal portion  80 , substantially prevents motions of the connector  24  in a lateral direction relatively to the lens  24 . 
     As better seen in  FIG. 7 , the connector lens attachment  72  also defines, in the connector first end surface  68 , a first end surface recess  84  and a first end surface protrusion  86  extending inside the first end surface recess  84 . Typically, the first end surface recess  84  has a substantially U-shaped configuration opening toward the connector outer surface  66 . The first end surface protrusion  86  is substantially wedge shaped and tapers in a direction leading toward the connector outer surface  66 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8A , the connector side arm attachment  74  defines a side arm attachment recess  88  extending between the connector top and bottom surfaces  60  and  62 . The side arm attachment recess  88  defines an attachment recess inner section  92  and an attachment recess outer section  94  extending therefrom. The attachment recess outer section  94  extends into the connector side arm attachment  74  from the connector outer surface  66 . Typically, the side arm attachment recess  88  has a cross-sectional configuration that is substantially key-hole shaped and extends with a substantially uniform cross-section between the connector top and bottom surfaces  60  and  62 . The attachment recess outer section  94  defines an attachment recess side aperture  96  leading thereinto from the connector outer surface  66 . The side arm attachment recess  88  receives a portion of the side arm  18 , typically a pin that is described in further details hereinbelow. The attachment recess inner section  92  is typically substantially cylindrical and the attachment recess outer section  94  is typically substantially frusto-prismoidal and tapers in a direction leading toward the attachment recess inner section  92 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the connector  24  also defines a strip receiving groove  98  for receiving a portion of the strip  78  thereinto so as to lock the strip  78  to the connector  22 . The strip receiving groove  98  is located at a location intermediate the side arm attachment recess  88  and the connector lens attachment  72 . The strip receiving groove  98  extends toward the connector bottom surface  62  from the connector top surface  60 . The strip receiving groove  98  defines a strip receiving groove first section  100  and a strip receiving groove second section  102 . The strip receiving groove second section  102  extends from the connector inner surface  64  and the strip receiving groove first section  100  extends from the strip receiving groove second section  102 . The strip receiving groove second section  102  is substantially arc-segment-shaped and the strip receiving groove first section  100  is substantially L-shaped. The strip receiving groove  98  forms a substantially closed shape and, therefore, prevents movements of the strip  78  relatively to the connector  22  in the plane defined by the connector top surface  60 . 
     The strip  78  is shaped so as to conform to the shape of the connector peripheral surface  61  over the connector first end surface  68 , the connector outer surface  66 , the connector second end surface  70  and part of the connector inner surface  64 . To that effect, as seen for example in  FIG. 6 , the strip  78  defines a strip first end segment  104  and a substantially opposed strip second end segment  106 . A strip first intermediate segment  108  extends from the strip first end segment  104 . A strip second intermediate segment  110  extends from the strip first intermediate segment  108  and a strip third intermediate segment  112  extends from the strip second intermediate segment  110 . The strip second end segment  106  extends from the strip third intermediate segment  112 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 8D , the strip first end segment  104  is substantially planar and defines a strip first end segment aperture  114  extending therethrough. When the strip  78  is attached to the connector  22 , the strip first end segment  104  is received inside the first end surface recess  84  and the first end surface protrusion  86  extends through the strip first end segment aperture  114 . The strip first intermediate segment  108  abuts against and substantially entirely covers the connector outer surface  66 . The strip second intermediate segment  110  covers the connector second end surface  70  and the strip third intermediate segment  112  covers a portion of the connector inner surface  64 . The strip second end segment  106  is received inside the strip receiving groove  98 . 
     The strip second end segment  106  includes a second end segment first section  116  and a second end segment second section  118 . The second end segment second section  118  is received inside the strip receiving groove second section  102 , and therefore extends from the strip third intermediate segment  112  and the second end segment first section  116  extends from the second end segment second section  118  and is therefore received by the strip receiving groove first section  100 . Therefore, the second end segment first section  116  is substantially L-shaped and the second end segment second section  118  is substantially U-shaped so as to be easily received inside the strip receiving groove  98 . 
     In some embodiments of the invention, the second end segment second section  118  has a width substantially smaller than the width of the remainder of the strip  78  and the strip receiving groove first section  100  extends away from the connector top surface  60  to a lesser extent than the strip receiving groove second section  102 . This configuration of the strip receiving groove  98  and of the strip  78  guides the positioning of the strip  78  relatively to the connector  22 . Also, typically, the strip  78  is dimensioned such that no portion of the strip  78  protrudes from the connector  22  relatively to the connector top and bottom surfaces  60  and  62 . 
     Typically, the connector body  50  is made out of a polymer, which allows for manufacturing a relatively light piece using polymer manufacturing technologies that facilitate the production of this relatively complex component. The strip  78  is typically made out of a metal to bring ruggedness to the connector  24 , for example by using the relatively high tensile strength of such materials, and to also be relatively easily manufacturable using sheet metal manufacturing technologies. 
     The side arms  16  and  18  are described with reference to the side arm  18 . The side arm  16  is substantially similar to the side arm  18 . As seen for example in  FIGS. 12A to 12D , the side arm  18  defines a side arm proximal end  120  that is located substantially adjacent the connector  24  when the side arm  16  is attached to the connector  24  and a substantially opposed side arm distal end  122 . A side arm body  124  extends from the side arm distal end  122  toward the side arm proximal end  120 . A side arm fork  126  extends from the side arm body  124  toward the side arm proximal end  120 . The side arm fork  126  defines two substantially parallel and substantially spaced apart fork legs  128 . Typically, the fork legs  128  are spaced apart in a vertical direction and extend substantially longitudinally. A side arm pin  130 , seen for example in  FIG. 7 , extends between the fork legs  128  substantially adjacent the side arm proximal end  120 . The side arm pin  130  typically has a substantially cylindrical configuration. 
     In some embodiments of the invention, a side arm tongue  132  extends between the fork legs  128  from the side arm body  124 . The side arm tongue  132  defines a tongue first end  134  located substantially adjacent the side arm body  124  and a tongue second end  136  located substantially opposed to the tongue first end  134 . The tongue second end  136  is typically substantially spaced apart from the side arm pin  130 . 
     The side arm tongue  132  is deformable between a tongue released and a tongue compressed configuration. In the tongue released configuration, seen for example in  FIG. 12B , the side arm tongue  132  extends substantially rectilinearly. In the tongue compressed configuration, seen for example in  FIG. 12C , the side arm tongue  132  is deformed relatively to the configuration of the side arm tongue  132  in the tongue released configuration and the tongue second end  136  is closer to the side arm body  124  than in the tongue released configuration. For example, the side arm tongue  132  has in this configuration a generally arcuate configuration. When the side arm tongue  132  is in the compressed configuration, the side arm tongue biases the tongue second end  136  toward the position achieved by the tongue second end  136  in the released configuration. The side arm tongue  132  forms a biasing element for biasing the side arm  18  toward a side arm opened configuration described in further details hereinbelow. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 12A-12D , the eyeglasses  10  include side arms  16  and  18 , only one of which is shown in  FIGS. 12A-12D , that are operable between a closed, an opened, an extended and a released configuration. In the closed configuration, as seen in  FIG. 12A , the side arms  16  and  18  are substantially adjacent and substantially parallel to the lenses  12  and  14 . In this configuration, the eyeglasses  10  can be carried by the intended user in a relatively compact configuration. In the opened configuration, seen in  FIG. 12B , the side arms  16  and  18  extend substantially perpendicular to the lenses  12  and  14 . In this configuration, the eyeglasses  10  can be worn by the intended user in a conventional manner. In some embodiments of the invention, the side arm tongue  132  frictionally engages the connector  24  when the side arm  18  is moved between the closed and opened configurations. In these embodiments, the connector peripheral surface  61  is substantially arcuate along the path followed by the side arm tongue  132  against the connector peripheral surface  61 . 
     In the released configuration, seen in  FIG. 12D , the side arms are located opposite to the lenses  12  and  14  relatively to the connectors  22  and  24  and extend at an angle larger than 90 degrees relatively to the lenses  12  and  14 . This configuration is achieved, for example, when an impact or any other forces tending to open the side arms  16  and  18  to a larger extent than the opened configuration are exerted onto the eyeglasses  10 . In some embodiments of the invention, the angle between the side arms  16  and  18  and the lenses  12  and  14  can reach a value larger than 180 degrees. 
     In the extended configuration, as seen in  FIG. 12C , the side arms are biased against further opening of the side arms by the side arm tongue  132 . The side arm tongue  132  biases the side arms  16  and  18  toward the opened configuration by abutting against the connector  24  and being deformed until a predetermined angle between the lenses  12  and  14  and the side arms  16  and  18  has been achieved. The side arm tongue therefore acts as a leaf spring. The side arms  16  and  18  are therefore in the extended configuration when the side arms  16  and  18  are at an angle relatively to the lenses  12  and  14  comprised between the angle corresponding to the opened position and the predetermined angle. After this predetermined angle has been achieved, the side arm tongue  132  no longer biases the side arms  16  and  18  and the side arms  16  and  18  are free to rotate toward the released configuration. The transition toward this later configuration proceeds through a snapping action of the side arm tongue  132 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 4 , the locking component  28  defines a locking component first end  138  and a substantially longitudinally opposed locking component second end  140 . The locking component  28  defines a locking component body  142  extending from the locking component first end  138 . A locking component head  144  extends from the locking component body  142  toward the locking component second end  140 . The locking component head  144  defines a locking component flange  146  extending substantially radially outwardly further away than the locking component body  142 . Also, the locking component  28  defines locking component grooves  148  extending substantially longitudinally along the locking component body  142 . The locking component grooves  148  extend from the locking component first end  138  toward the locking component second end  140  and are interrupted at a location substantially spaced apart from the locking component head  144 . 
     In some embodiments of the invention, the locking component grooves  148  are interlinked by a circumferential groove  148 ′ located substantially adjacent to the locking component head  144 . Also, the locking component body  142  has a substantially hemicylindrical configuration and defines an arcuate surface  150  and a planar surface  152  extending therefrom. The planar surface  152  defines a locking component protrusion  154  having a substantially wedge shape tapering toward the locking component first end  138 . The locking component protrusion  154  and the first end surface protrusion  86  together form a substantially parallelepipedic shape when the eyeglasses  10  are assembled and engage each other to snap inside the first end surface recess  84  to lock the connector  24  to the lens  14 . 
     In use, the eyeglasses  10  are assembled as follows with reference to  FIGS. 6-10 . First, referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the strip  78  is mounted to the connector body  50 . To that effect, the strip second end segment  106  is inserted inside the strip receiving groove  98  and the strip  78  is partially wrapped around the connector peripheral surface  61 . More specifically, the strip third intermediate segment  112  is positioned so as to abut against the connector inner surface  64  and the strip second intermediate segment  110  is positioned so as to abut against the connector second end surface  70 . Then, as seen in  FIG. 7 , the strip first intermediate segment  108  is spaced apart from the connector outer surface  66  so as to allow the insertion of the side arm pin  130  therebetween. The side arm pin  130  is then inserted inside the side arm attachment recess  88 . The tapered configuration of the attachment recess outer section  94  guides the side arm pin  130  toward the attachment recess inner section  92 . Typically, the attachment recess inner and outer sections  92  and  94  are dimensioned such that the side arm pin  130  snaps in place inside the attachment recess inner section  92  where it is substantially free to rotate. 
     Afterwards, as seen in  FIG. 10 , the strip  78  is positioned such that the strip first intermediate segment  108  abuts against the connector outer surface  66  and the strip first end segment  104  is received within the first end surface recess  84  with the first end surface protrusion  86  protruding through the strip first end segment aperture  114 . Typically, the strip first, second and third intermediate segments  108 ,  110  and  112  are dimensioned such that, in this position, the strip  78  is relatively firmly attached to the connector  24 . The reader skilled in the art will readily appreciate that, in this position, the strip  78  locks the attachment recess side aperture  96 , thereby preventing the side arm  18  from being removed from the connector  24 . 
     Then, with reference to  FIGS. 11A-11C , the connector  24  and all the other components of the eyeglasses  10  that are attachable to the lenses  12  and  14  can be attached to the lens  14  by inserting the connector lens attachment  72  inside the lens aperture  26  in a movement leading from the lens first surface  30  toward the lens second surface  32 , as seen in  FIG. 11A . Once the connector  24  has been suitably positioned relatively to the lens  12 , the locking component  28  is also inserted inside the lens aperture  26 , as seen in  FIG. 11B . Typically, the locking component  28  is inserted from the lens first surface  30  toward the lens second surface  32 . The locking component  28  and the connector  24  are inserted in the lens  14  until the flange  54  and the locking component flange  146  abut against the lens first surface  30 . Then, glue is inserted into the locking component grooves  148 . The glue fills out the locking component grooves  148  through capillarity. 
     If relatively weak glue has been used, removal of the connector  24  from the lens  14  is relatively easily performed by pushing on the locking component  28 . In other embodiments, the locking component  28  is relatively firmly glued to the lens  14 . In these embodiments, the locking component  28  can be simply destroyed, for example using a drill bit or by cutting off the locking component head  144 , to allow removal of the connector  24  from the lens  14 . Since the locking component  28  is relatively small and relatively easily manufacturable, this component can be considered disposable. In both case, removal of the connector  24  from the lens  14  is performed without incurring unnecessarily large costs to the intended user of the eyeglasses as the lens and the connector are not damaged by this action. 
     After the eyeglasses  10  have been assembled, the intended user of the eyeglasses  10  can move the side arms  16  and  18  from the closed configuration to the opened configuration. Then, the intended user may position the eyeglasses  10  in a conventional manner onto his face. If relatively small forces are exerted onto the side arms  16  and  18 , pushing them away from the lenses  12  and  14 , the side arm tongue  132  deforms toward the compressed configuration and, therefore, biases the side arms  16  and  18  toward the opened configuration. This deformation is caused as the tongue second end  136  slides on the strip second intermediate segment  110 . This deformation occurs because the centre of rotation of the side arms  16  and  18 , which is located in the middle of the side arm attachment recess  88 , is eccentric relatively to the centre of curvature of the strip second intermediate segment  110 . Relatively small forces exerted onto the side arms  16  and  18  result in relatively easily reversible movements of the side arms  16  and  18  relatively to the lenses  12  and  14 . Also, in some embodiments of the invention, the side arms  16  and  18  are similarly biased toward the open configuration in response to relatively small forces directed toward the closed configuration. 
     If the position of the side arms  16  and  18  reaches a predetermined angle or, alternatively, if a predetermined force is exerted onto the side arms  16  in a direction such that the side arms  16  and  18  are pushed away from the lenses  12  and  14 , the side arms  16  and  18  will reach a position at which the side arm tongues  132  no longer abut against the strip second intermediate segment  110 . In this position, the side arm tongue  132  deforms back to the uncompressed configuration and the side arms  16  and  18  are freely rotatable relatively to the connectors  22  and  24 . Because of the strip  78 , the side arms  16  and  18  cannot be removed from the connectors  22  and  24  and the side arms  16  and  18  will therefore only pivot freely without detaching, which may prevent damaging the eyeglasses  10 . To get the side arms  16  and  18  back to the opened configuration, the intended user can simply move the side arm  16  and  18  toward the opened configuration, with or without pushing against the side arm tongue  132 . 
     Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified, without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as defined in the appended claim.