Patent Description:
Eyewear including eyeglasses and goggles for various purposes conventionally include a frame structure made of substantially rigid material such as a rigid plastic material, with one or two lenses attached thereto. The frame structure is used to support the lens or lenses thereon and is configured in accordance with, and abuts the eyewear user's face around or near the eyes. The frame structure is retained on the user's head by a side piece or pieces, for example, temples or an elastic strap. Some eyewear such as eyeglasses or goggles for sports or safety, may suffer to some degree from fogging of the lens or lenses due to the perspiration and warmth emanating from the user's face. To solve this problem, manufacturers of eyewear have included vents in the eyewear frame structure to allow moisture and heat to escape from the space between the eyewear and the user's face. Efforts have been made to design vent structures which prevent foreign substances such as dust and liquids from flying through the vents and impacting the user's face or even entering the user's eyes. In addition, modern eyewear requires eyewear frame structures in complicated geometries and may be made of more than one material, which presents additional challenges for eyewear manufacturers to provide vents in such modern eyewear frame structures.

Therefore, there is a need for improved eyewear frame structures having vents which allow ventilation but prevent foreign particles from being carried in the airflow to impact on a user's eyes and face. <CIT> describes eyeglasses and a method of manufacture thereof, the eyeglass assembly includes an eyeglass frame having lens receptacles and a rib coupled to the eyeglass frame. <CIT> describes an eye covering including an outer frame for surrounding a facial area around a wearer's eyes. <CIT> describes an eyewear device including a frame having an eyewire and a ledge, with a plurality of chamber walls configured to allow air to circulate between opposite sides of the lens to reduce fogging. <CIT> discloses eyewear for use in sports and the like which captures airflow impinging on the front of the eyewear, filters it to prevent the ingress of particulate matter, and then directs it through the dead space between the lenses and the wearer's eyes.

In one aspect, there is provided an eyewear frame structure for holding at least one lens thereto, the eyewear frame structure comprising: a base frame including an upper member extending between opposed ends of the base frame, the opposed ends configured with respective enlarged end sections for providing pivotal connections to temples of the eyewear frame structure, and defining a groove in the front side of the upper member thereof, the groove extending along a length of the upper member; a front frame molded to the front side of the upper member of the base frame and thereby attached thereto, the front frame including an elongate member attached to a front side of the upper member of the base frame, the elongate member of the front frame being partially received in the groove of the base frame; a comfort bar molded to the base frame and thereby attached thereto, the comfort bar disposed on a back side of the upper member of the base frame; and a plurality of vent passages extending through the frame structure, each of the vent passages including a substantially horizontal section defined between the base frame and the front frame and a substantially vertical section defined between the base frame and the comfort bar.

In eyewear frame structure as defined above, the substantially horizontal section of the vent passage comprises a top surface defined on the base frame and a bottom surface defined on the front frame, and the substantially vertical section of the vent passage comprises a front surface thereof defined on the base frame and a rear surface defined on the comfort bar.

In the eyewear frame structure as defined above, the elongate member of the front frame may comprise a plurality of spacers projecting upwardly from the elongate member to define a plurality of recesses between adjacent spacers, each of the recesses having a bottom defining a bottom surface of the substantially horizontal section of the vent passage.

In the eyewear as defined above, the groove in the upper member of the base frame may comprise a triangular cross section defining an upper surface and a lower surface of the groove, and each of the spacers of the front frame may comprise a triangular cross section defining a front-facing surface and a rear-facing surface, the rear-facing surface being in contact with the upper surface of the groove.

In the eyewear frame structure as defined above, the comfort bar may extend between and terminates at two opposed end sections of the base frame.

In the eyewear frame structure as defined above, the upper member of the base frame may define a plurality of first recesses in the groove, each of the first recesses being recessed rearwardly to define an opening on the upper surface of the groove and having an upper surface, the upper surface defining a top surface of the substantially horizontal section of each vent passage.

In the eyewear frame structure as defined above, the upper member of the base frame may define a plurality of second recesses on the back side thereof, each of the second recesses being recessed forwardly to define an inner surface and an opening on respective rear-facing and downward-facing surfaces of the upper member of the base frame, the second recesses being in communication with the respective first recesses, the inner surface of the second recess defining a front surface of the substantially vertical section of each vent passage.

In the eyewear frame structure as defined above, the comfort bar may cover the openings of the respective second recesses defined on the rear-facing surface, the openings of the second recesses defined on the downward-facing surface forming an opening of the substantially vertical section of the respective vent passages, a front surface of the comfort bar defining a rear surface of the substantially vertical section of each vent passage.

In the eyewear frame structure as defined above, the elongate member of the front frame and the upper member of the base frame may in combination define a groove therebetween, the groove extending along a length of the frame structure for receiving a section of an upper edge of the at least one lens.

In the eyewear as defined above, the front frame and the comfort bar may be flexible and soft relative to the base frame.

In another aspect, there is provided a method for making an eyewear frame structure, comprising steps of: a) molding the base frame structure; and b) with the presence of the molded base frame, molding the front frame to the front side of the upper member of the base frame and molding the comfort bar attached the a back side of the upper member of the base frame.

In the method as defined above, molding the base frame structure may further include using a molding material which is rigid when cured, and wherein the front frame and the comfort bar are molded using a respective molding material which is flexible and soft relative to the rigid material of the base frame.

In the method as defined above, the front frame and the comfort bar may be molded in one molding procedure using a same molding material.

In the method as defined above, the front frame and the comfort bar may be molded in separate molding procedures using different molding materials.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings in which:.

It should also be noted that throughout the following description and claims, the terms "front"/"forward" and "back"/"rearward"("rear") refer to directions from the perspective of the user - i.e. further away from the user's face is referred to as "front" or "forward" and closer to the user's face is referred to as "back" or "rear".

<FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an eyewear frame structure <NUM> according to one embodiment, for holding at least one lens (shown in broken lines in <FIG>) thereto. The eyewear frame structure <NUM> includes a base frame <NUM> which may be of a substantially rigid plastic material, a front frame <NUM> attached to a front side (not numbered) of the base frame <NUM>, and a comfort bar <NUM> attached to a back side of the base frame <NUM>. The front frame <NUM> and comfort bar <NUM> may be made of a material that is flexible and soft relative to the rigid plastic material of the base frame <NUM>. Such flexible and soft material may for example, be rubber. The frame structure <NUM> may be configured in a curvature suitable for being worn on a user's head.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the base frame <NUM> includes an upper member <NUM> extending between opposed ends <NUM> of the base frame <NUM>, which is configured with respective enlarged end sections (not numbered) for providing, for example, suitable pivotal connections to temples (not shown) of the eyewear.

Optionally, the base frame <NUM> may include a connector <NUM> attached to a central portion of the upper member <NUM>. The connector <NUM> may extend downwardly to support a pair of nose pieces <NUM> which are not part of the described subject matter and will not be further described hereinafter. The upper member <NUM> may therefore be formed as two similar sections, extending from the connector <NUM> toward the respective opposed ends <NUM>. Due to the similarity of the two sections and for simplicity of description, only one section will be described in detail hereinafter.

The upper member <NUM> of the base frame <NUM> defines a front side (not numbered) between a top surface <NUM> and a bottom surface <NUM> thereof, facing away from a user's face. The upper member <NUM> also defines a back side (not numbered) thereof between the top and bottom surfaces <NUM>, <NUM>, facing toward the user's face. The front side of the upper member <NUM> may include an upper ridge <NUM> and a lower ridge <NUM>. Both upper and lower ridges <NUM>, <NUM> project forwardly and extend along a length of the upper member <NUM> between the connector <NUM> and the corresponding enlarged end section. A groove <NUM> which may have a triangular cross-section, may therefore be formed between the upper and lower ridges <NUM> and <NUM>, and extends along a length of the upper member <NUM>, corresponding with the ridges <NUM>, <NUM>. The groove <NUM> may therefore be formed with an upper surface <NUM> and a lower surface <NUM> which in combination define the triangular cross-section of the groove <NUM>.

The back side of the upper member <NUM> may include two substantially vertical surfaces (which are referred to as a first rear-facing surface <NUM> and a second rear-facing surface <NUM>) and a downward-facing surface <NUM> which in combination define a shoulder (not numbered) extending along a length of the upper member <NUM> on the back side thereof. Inclining transitional surfaces <NUM>, <NUM> may be provided between the top surface <NUM> and the first rear-facing surface <NUM> and between the bottom surface <NUM> and the second rear-facing surface <NUM>, respectively. The first rear-facing surface <NUM> may define a vertical dimension from the inclining transitional surface <NUM> to the downward-facing surface <NUM>.

The upper member <NUM> may define a plurality of spaced apart first recesses <NUM> in the groove <NUM> (see <FIG>). Each first recess <NUM> may define an opening <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) on the upper surface <NUM> of the groove <NUM> and may be recessed rearwardly to define side surfaces (not numbered, see <FIG>) and an upper surface <NUM> (see <FIG>). Therefore, the first recess <NUM> may have a triangular cross-section as shown in <FIG>.

The upper member <NUM> may further define a plurality of second recesses <NUM> on the back side thereof. Each second recess <NUM> may define an opening <NUM> on the first rear-facing surface <NUM> and may be recessed forwardly to define side surfaces (not numbered, see <FIG>) and an inner surface <NUM>. The second recess <NUM> may be configured to have a vertical dimension corresponding to the vertical dimension of the first rear-facing surface <NUM>, resulting in formation of another opening <NUM> of the second recess <NUM> in the downward-facing surface <NUM>.

The first recesses <NUM> may align with and be in fluid communication with respective second recesses <NUM>. Therefore, a part of the inner surface <NUM> of the second recess <NUM> (as shown by broken lines in <FIG>) may not exist and each first recess <NUM> and the corresponding second recess <NUM> in combination may form a passageway extending through the upper member <NUM> of the base frame <NUM> between the front and back sides thereof.

Referring to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, the front frame <NUM> includes an elongate member <NUM>. Optionally, the elongate member <NUM> may have symmetrical right and left sections (not numbered) joined together by a center piece <NUM> which may be configured to correspond with and be attached to the connector <NUM> of the base frame <NUM>.

Each section of the elongate member <NUM> may include a flat strap <NUM> and a plurality of spacers <NUM> projecting upwardly from the flat strap <NUM> to define a plurality of recesses <NUM> between adjacent spacers <NUM>. An upward-facing surface of the flat strap may form a bottom surface <NUM> of each recess <NUM>. Each section of the elongate member <NUM> of the front frame <NUM> is partially received in the groove <NUM>, which may be triangular, defined in the front side of the base frame <NUM>.

Each spacer <NUM> of the elongate member <NUM> may define a triangular cross-section including a front-facing surface <NUM> and rear-facing surface <NUM>. The triangular cross-section of the spacer <NUM> may be configured such that the rear-facing surface <NUM> is in full contact with the upper surface <NUM> of the triangular groove <NUM> of the base frame <NUM>. The plurality of recesses <NUM> defined between adjacent spacers <NUM> according to one embodiment, may align with the respective openings <NUM> (see <FIG>) defined in the upper surface <NUM> of the triangular groove <NUM> in the base frame <NUM>. Therefore, a plurality of substantially horizontal passage sections (not numbered) may be formed, each having a top surface defined by the upper surface <NUM> of the respective recess <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) in the base frame <NUM> and a bottom surface defined by the bottom surface <NUM> of the respective recess <NUM> of the flat strap <NUM> in the front frame <NUM>. It should be noted that the substantially horizontal passage section defined between the upper surface <NUM> of the recess <NUM> and the bottom surface <NUM> of the recess <NUM>, is in fluid communication with the second recess <NUM> (see <FIG>) defined in the back side of the upper member <NUM> of the base frame <NUM>.

The comfort bar <NUM> according to one embodiment is attached to the back side of the upper member <NUM> of the base frame <NUM>, having a length extending between and terminating at the two opposed enlarged end sections of the upper member <NUM>. Optionally, the comfort bar <NUM> may comprise two sections corresponding to the respective sections of the elongate member <NUM> of the front frame <NUM>.

The comfort bar <NUM> may be configured such that a front surface <NUM> of the comfort bar <NUM> is placed flat against the first rear-facing surface <NUM> of the upper member <NUM> of the base frame <NUM>, and a top surface <NUM> of the comfort bar <NUM> is in full contact with the inclining transition surface <NUM> of the upper member <NUM>. Therefore, the comfort bar <NUM> may partially cover the openings of the respective second recesses <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>) that is, the comfort bar <NUM> only covers openings <NUM> of each recess <NUM> (defined in on the first rear facing surface <NUM>), but does not block the opening <NUM> of the recesses <NUM> defined on the downward-facing surface <NUM> of the upper member <NUM>. Therefore, each second recess <NUM> with the opening <NUM> may form a substantially vertical passage section (not numbered) between the inner surface <NUM> of the recess <NUM> in the base frame <NUM> and the front surface <NUM> of the comfort bar <NUM>. The substantially horizontal passage section formed by the combination of the recesses <NUM> and <NUM> together with the substantially vertical passage section formed by the recess <NUM> are in fluid communication and therefore, in combination form an "indirect" or L-shaped vent passage (not numbered) extending through the frame structure <NUM>. The "indirect" OR L-shaped vent passage therefore has an opening thereof on the front side of the frame structure <NUM> and an opening on the back side of the frame structure <NUM>. Therefore, the "indirect" or L-shaped vent passage allows effective moisture venting and air circulation while preventing foreign particles which pass through the vent passages from entering the user's eyes and from impacting the user's face.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the elongate member <NUM> of the front frame <NUM> may be partially received in the triangular groove <NUM> in the upper member <NUM> of the base frame <NUM> such that the groove <NUM> is not fully filled by the elongate member <NUM>. Therefore, a smaller triangular groove (not numbered) may be formed between a downward-facing surface <NUM> (the bottom) of the flat strap <NUM> of the elongate member <NUM> and the lower surface <NUM> of the triangular groove <NUM> in the upper member <NUM> of the base frame <NUM>. This smaller triangular groove may form a retaining device for retaining an upper peripheral edge of the lens, such as illustrated in <FIG>. The frame structure <NUM> may be provided with further retaining means for retaining the lens or lenses to be attached thereto according to the configuration of the one more lenses. However, this feature is not part of the described subject matter and will not be further described herein.

Claim 1:
An eyewear frame structure (<NUM>) for holding at least one lens thereto, the eyewear frame structure (<NUM>) comprising:
a base frame (<NUM>) including an upper member (<NUM>) extending between opposed ends (<NUM>) of the base frame (<NUM>), the opposed ends (<NUM>) configured with respective enlarged end sections for providing pivotal connections to temples of the eyewear frame structure (<NUM>), and defining a groove (<NUM>) in a front side of the upper member (<NUM>) thereof, the groove (<NUM>) extending along a length of the upper member (<NUM>);
a front frame (<NUM>) molded to the front side of the upper member of the base frame (<NUM>) and thereby attached thereto, the front frame (<NUM>) including an elongate member (<NUM>) attached to a front side of the upper member (<NUM>) of the base frame (<NUM>), the elongate member (<NUM>) of the front frame (<NUM>) being partially received in the groove (<NUM>) of the base frame (<NUM>);
a comfort bar (<NUM>) molded to the base frame (<NUM>) and thereby attached thereto, the comfort bar (<NUM>) disposed on a back side of the upper member (<NUM>) of the base frame (<NUM>); and
a plurality of vent passages extending through the frame structure (<NUM>), each of the vent passages including a substantially horizontal section defined between the base frame (<NUM>) and the front frame (<NUM>) and a substantially vertical section defined between the base frame (<NUM>) and the comfort bar (<NUM>), wherein the substantially horizontal section of the vent passage comprises a top surface defined on the base frame (<NUM>) and a bottom surface defined on the front frame (<NUM>), and wherein the substantially vertical section of the vent passage comprises a front surface thereof defined on the base frame (<NUM>) and a rear surface defined on the comfort bar (<NUM>).