Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to structures for eyeglasses and sunglasses with interchangeable or removable lenses, and more particularly, to a frame and/or a receptor that can be incorporated into a frame, that receives a lens or lenses and retains the same by employing a relief mechanism, such as a kerf-like slotted springing lock.

One of the early runners in the history of sunglasses were the Inuit sun goggles made from bone, wood or hammered out seal skins and included a slit across the front to minimize the amount of light that would reach the eyes. Eyeglass and sunglass technology has advanced considerably since this time. In addition, as eyeglasses and sunglasses have been incorporated into the arena of competitive sports, where hundredths of seconds can mean the difference between a gold medal or cup of GATORADE®, the precision, durability and usability of the products has greatly increased the price - although one may argue from the perspective of the animal that donated its bones to the Inuits that the price has actually gone down.

European patent application <CIT> describes a pair of eyeglasses including a lens, a couple of right and left elastically deformable frames attached to both side end portions of the lens, and a couple of right and left temples attached to the respective frames. A frame fitting portion is provided at each of the side end portions of the lens and a lens fitting hole is provided in a front portion of each of the frames. The frame fitting portion fits into the lens fitting hole so that the lens is detachably attached to each of the frames. The volume of the frames is reduced to lighten the weight of the eyeglasses. With these eyeglasses, a forward vision of a wearer is guaranteed when he leans forward, and easy lens exchange is achieved.

With the increase in precision, durability and price that has occurred during these technological advancements, the inventive spirit was aroused in the development of multi-purpose equipment. Initial advancements in this area included the clip-on sunglasses that allowed quick conversion between eyeglasses and sunglasses. Such advancements were quickly followed by flip-up sunglasses, shutter shades, gradient lenses and interchangeable lenses. The advantage of each of these innovative products is that a single product can be used for a variety of purposes. However, from a sporting perspective, each of these solutions has one or more pitfalls.

The present disclosure presents embodiments that provide a new, innovative solution that provides versatility in and cost effectiveness for a multi-purpose solution for glasses.

The present disclosure presents various embodiments, and aspects, functions and features thereof, of a frame for eyeglasses or sunglasses, and/or a receptor that can be incorporated into such a frame, and that is suitable for receiving and holding inserted lenses. Further, the present disclosure presents embodiments of interchangeable lenses that can be utilized in conjunction with various embodiments of the frame and/or receptor. More specifically, the present disclosure presents a receptor design for incorporating into a glasses frame that includes a relief-locking mechanism. The relief allows the receptor to open when receiving a lens and then close and lock the lens into position. In an exemplary embodiment, the relief-locking mechanism may include a kerf-like slotted spring lock. The kerf-like slotted spring lock releases under pressure to allow the insertion of a lens and once inserted, provides sufficient force to retain the lens in position even during athletic activity. The lock receives a portion of a lens into an interior space that includes one or more latches to hold or lock the lens into place. It should be appreciated that the term lock is being used to describe the securing of the lens to the receptor in a manner to hold the lens in position under normal use conditions. The kerf-like slots in the walls of the receptor enable the lock to be forced open thereby allowing the insertion of the lens. The lens has a connection element that includes one or more catches and detents that correspond to the one or more latches in the receptor. In operation, the lock is forced into the open position as the catches of the lens are forced into the receptor and to the backside of the latches, and as the lock closes, the latches are forced into the detents thereby securing the lens to the lock.

These and other embodiments and elements are further described in the detailed description of the various embodiments.

The present disclosure presents various embodiments, as well as features, aspects and elements that can be incorporated into the various embodiments, of a receptor that includes a relief mechanism for receiving and then securing of a lens in the receptor. Further, the present disclosure presents various embodiments of such a receptor including an embodiment in which the relief mechanism includes a kerf-like slotted spring lock for receiving a lens, a frame employing such lock and a lens suitable for insertion in such lock.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a pair of sunglasses with lens(es) and a frame that is a suitable environment for and/or represents an exemplary embodiment of the glasses frame with a kerf-lie slotted spring lock for receiving a lens. <FIG> illustrates a pair of sunglasses or eye glasses <NUM> that includes a frame <NUM> and lens(es) <NUM>. It should be appreciated that within this disclosure, the term glasses will be used to refer to any form of glasses including eyeglasses, reading glasses, sunglasses, protective glasses, sportswear glasses, goggles, or the like. The glasses frame <NUM> includes a bridge <NUM>, a set of ear stems <NUM> and 112R on the left and right side of the frame <NUM> respectively, tips <NUM> and 118R on respective ends of the ear stems, and temples <NUM> and 120R which serve as the connection between the ear stems and a rim <NUM> and/or lens <NUM>. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, the rim <NUM> is used to hold the lens in place. However, many glasses are structured as rimless glasses. Rimless glasses basically include a technique for the lens or lenses to be mounted to the temples and the lens either spans the front of the glasses as a unitary lens from temple to temple or, utilizes the bridge or rim to serve as a middle connection between split or two piece lenses (dual lenses). Although in some embodiments of glasses the temples include a hinge element and hence are referred to as hinges rather than temples, throughout this disclosure the portion of the frame <NUM> that is proximate to the end of the ear stem <NUM> that is distal from the tip <NUM> will generally be referred to as the temple element, regardless of whether the glasses include or do not include a hinge. Thus, the term temple is used to identify the portion of the frame that either connects to the rim <NUM> and/or directly to the lenses <NUM> and connects to the arms or ear stems <NUM>.

In one embodiment of the kerf-like spring lock, the lock operates as a receptor, which can be incorporated into the temple element of a pair of glasses. The receptor includes a housing that is constructed of an inside wall and an outside wall. For purposes of illustration, the inside wall is the wall that is located on the inside of the frame of the glasses (the side that is facing or proximate to the wearer's face) and the outside wall faces away from the wearer or is distal to the wearer's face. The inside and outside walls cooperate to define an interior space or a void for receiving a connection element of a lens. Further, at least one latch is located within the interior space. The surface or contour of the lens defines a detent proximate to the connection element of the lens. When the connection element is placed within the interior space of the receptor, the latch aligns with the detent to help secure the lens into position. Further, embodiments may include a second latch on the interior of the receptor and the lens can define a second detent for further securing the lens into position.

In various embodiments, the temple element with the included lock or receptor includes a stem receiving end at which an ear stem can be attached, and a lens receiving end. The edges of the inside wall and the outside wall at the lens receiving end cooperate to define an opening into the void for receiving the connection element of the lens. Further, at least one of the inside and outside housing walls includes at least one relief mechanism, such as a kerf-like slot. For instance, the kerf-like slot can run from the edge of the wall on the end that receives the lens, and substantially in the direction of the step end of the temple element. The length, width and shape of this kerf-like slot can vary among embodiments but in an exemplary embodiment, the length of the slot may range from approximately ¼ of the length of the housing or temple element to ¾ or more of the length of the housing. Further, in an exemplary embodiment the width of the slot may range from <NUM>/<NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM> of an inch. However, in other embodiments, other distances and widths are also anticipated. In general, the kerf-like slot is configured such that it enables an upper portion of the wall to be moved in the opposite direction from a lower portion of the wall thereby increasing the size of the opening into the void. However, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments, other movements of the various elements of the temple may be moveable in other directions to enable the entry of the lens.

In various embodiments, the housing of the receptor is configured such that, upon placement of the connecting element of the lens into the void and causing one of the latches to be forced towards a lens detent, a force can be applied to the lens in the direction of the other latch to cause a catch on the lens to come in contact with the other latch and force the upper portion of the wall to be moved in an opposing direction from a lower portion of the wall thereby increasing the size of the opening into the void.

Other embodiments include a glasses frame that includes a receptor for receiving and securely retaining lenses, while still allowing the lens(es) to be removed and/or replaced by other lenses. Thus, lenses with varying tints, varying colors, varying shapes, varying prescriptions, etc. can be inserted into the same frame. The frame includes two arm elements or ear stems and two temple elements. Each of the temple elements include an ear stem interface and a lens interface on the opposing end of the temple element from the ear stem interface. The ear stem elements are attached to the ear stem interface of the temple element. The glasses further include a bridge and one or more lens elements. The lens element, which may include one lens to cover both eyes (unitary lense) or two lenses (dual lenses), one for each eye, includes a connecting portion corresponding to each of the temple elements. Thus, in typical embodiments, a unitary lens will include two connecting portions, where as the use of two lenses will have at least a single connecting portion on each lens.

In some embodiments, each temple element includes a first exterior wall and a second exterior wall that cooperatively define an interior space and an opening into the interior space, and wherein the interior space includes at least two latches. The connecting portion of the lens element includes at least two catches with each catch corresponding to one of the at least two latches in the temple element. Further, the connecting portion also includes or defines at least one detent associated with one of the catches. Upon placement of a first catch of the connecting portion through the opening and towards the first latch, pressure can be applied to the lens to force the second catch toward a second latch. When the second catch contacts the second latch, this force causes the displacement of the second latch relative to the first latch, such that the second catch can pass to the back side of the second latch thereby allowing the second latch to enter the detent and securing or locking the lens element to or within the temple element. To further facilitate the movement of the latches relative to each other, one or more walls of the temple element may include a relief mechanism, such as a kerf-like slot or other mechanisms. The kerf-like slot can take on a variety of forms, and in one embodiment it includes a lateral slot that begins at the edge of the lens interface of an exterior wall of the temple element and extends towards the ear stem end of the temple element. Further, the kerf-like slot may include a vertical slot that is substantially perpendicular to the lateral slot and that intersects with the lateral slot. The intersection may take on the form of the two slots crossing each other or, may simply be an adjoining of one slot with the next in a "T" like configuration. Even further, the vertical slot of the kerf-like slot may include a hole or void that is substantially wider than that vertical slot.

<FIG>, collectively referred to as <FIG>, illustrates various views of an exemplary temple element incorporating an exemplary embodiment of the kerf-like slotted spring lock. As is known in the art, a kerf is a slot, void or groove that is created in an object, such as a piece of wood or plastic, that enables the object to have a level of flexibility or displacement not otherwise available. For instance, including a series of side-by-side parallel kerfs in a piece of wood, the generally rigid structure of the piece of wood can actually be curved around a radius. The kerf-like slotted spring lock operates on the same principle as a kerf. In general, the temple element is designed such that in a steady state (i.e., no forces being exerted against the lock) the lock remains in a closed position and upon the application of a force, the lock can be temporarily displaced or forced open, such state lasting only as long as the force is present. The term kerf-like then is defined for purposes of this description as any aperture, slot, slit, opening, weakening, etc., whether cut, sawn, molded, etc., that is included in an object to allow portions of the object to be displaced or become more flexible and, maintaining a memory force to cause the object to return to a steady state of fail state when the forces causing the displacement are removed.

More particularly, <FIG> illustrates an inside side view of a temple element incorporating one embodiment of the kerf-like slotted spring lock (referred to as a "lock"). The inside side view refers to the side of the temple that faces the wearer's head when the glasses are being worn. The illustrated embodiment of the lock includes an upper portion <NUM> and a lower portion <NUM>. The upper portion <NUM> and the lower portion <NUM> are partially segmented from each other by slot <NUM> which traverses substantially horizontally from a lens <NUM> receiving end <NUM> of the temple element <NUM> towards the ear piece <NUM> receiving end <NUM> of the temple element <NUM>. When no force is being applied to the upper portion <NUM> and/or the lower portion <NUM>, the lock rests in the closed position as illustrated in <FIG>. However, upon the application of forces in the approximate directions of <NUM> and/or <NUM> to the upper portion <NUM> and/or lower portion <NUM> respectively, the upper portion <NUM> and the lower portion <NUM> are forced to move away from each other thereby widening the slot <NUM>.

The mobility of the upper portion <NUM> and the lower portion <NUM> can be further increased by including a substantially vertical slot <NUM> in the wall of the temple element <NUM>. The substantially vertical slot <NUM> is shown as running substantially perpendicular to slot <NUM> (although other orientations are also anticipated), with one end of slot <NUM> extending into the upper portion <NUM> and another end of the slot <NUM> extending into the lower portion <NUM>. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, only the single slot <NUM> is required. In other embodiments, both the slots <NUM> and <NUM> can be included wherein the slot <NUM> can exist in both the upper portion <NUM> and lower portion <NUM>, or just in either the upper portion <NUM> or lower portion <NUM>. Further, the orientation of the substantially horizontal slot <NUM> and substantially vertical slot <NUM> can vary from embodiment to embodiment and the illustrated configuration is simply one non-limiting example. The slots <NUM> and <NUM> are described herein as being kerf-like in that the existence of the slot allows the upper portion <NUM> and the lower portion <NUM> to move away and towards each other in a spring-hinged like fashion. However, rather than being cut into the surface of the hinge, the kerfs can be molded, cut, laser cut, or otherwise created in the hinge.

<FIG> further illustrates an enlarged void existing at each end of the substantially vertical slot <NUM>. The upper void <NUM> exists within the upper portion <NUM> of the temple element <NUM> and the lower void <NUM> exists within the lower portion <NUM> of the temple element <NUM>. The voids provide additional flexibility in the movement of the upper portion <NUM> and the lower portion <NUM> and/or operate to reduce the amount of force required to displace the upper and/or lower portions. The shape and size of the upper and lower void <NUM> and <NUM> can vary from embodiment to embodiment and are selected such that the force required to move the lock open is not excessive, yet the force required to displace the lock from its steady state is significant enough to avoid inadvertent openings of the lock.

In other embodiments, various kerf-like configurations can be used to provide the necessary flexibility in the lock. <FIG> illustrate a few non-limiting examples of other kerf-like configurations that could be utilized in various embodiments. For instance, in <FIG>, a simple void <NUM> with a slot <NUM> extending from the lens edge of the hinge to the void. This configuration allows the upper portion <NUM> and the lower portion <NUM> to be forced apart with the void <NUM> and slot <NUM> operating as a spring like hinge. <FIG> includes additional kerf-like slots above and below the slot <NUM> to provide greater flexibility in the upper portion <NUM> and lower portion <NUM> relative to each other. <FIG> includes a series of seven (<NUM>) parallel kerfs that operate similar to normal kerf structures to allow the upper portion <NUM> and lower portion <NUM> to be forced apart. <FIG> is similar in structure to <FIG> with the exception that the kerfs are not parallel, but rather are positioned on the temple in a radial fashion. <FIG> is similar in structure to the structure illustrated in <FIG> with the exception that the slot <NUM> is curved from the lower portion <NUM> up towards a void <NUM> existing in the upper portion <NUM>. <FIG> further modifies the structure of <FIG> by including two voids and two curved slots that meet at the lens edge of the temple element. <FIG> is a variation from <FIG> in that the curved slots <NUM> do not meet at the lens edge of the hinge but rather are located apart from each other. Further, the voids are illustrated as being rectangular to illustrate that the voids can have a variety of shapes. <FIG> illustrates yet another configuration in which a substantially horizontal slot <NUM> intersects with a substantially vertical slot <NUM> to form a "T" shape as in the TIFOSI® OPTICS logo. The ends of the substantially horizontal slot <NUM> and the substantially vertical slot <NUM> terminate respectively at voids <NUM> and <NUM>. It should be appreciated that the illustrated configurations are provided for the purpose of non-limiting examples only and that other configurations are also anticipated by the present disclosure.

Returning to <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of the temple element illustrated in <FIG> taken at line B-B. <FIG> is a top-side view of the temple element illustrated in <FIG> is a bottom side view of the temple element illustrated in <FIG> is a perspective view of the ear stem end of the temple element illustrated in <FIG> is a perspective view of the lens end of the temple element illustrated in <FIG> illustrates an outside side view of a temple element of <FIG>. Referring further to <FIG>, the lens end of the temple element <NUM> is illustrated as including an opening <NUM> that is defined by the upper portion <NUM> and the lower portion <NUM> of the inside side wall of the temple element, and corresponding upper portion <NUM> and lower portion <NUM> of the outside side wall of the hinge <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, on the outside surface of the temple element, a large gap <NUM> is shown as existing between the upper portion <NUM> and the lower portion <NUM> (best illustrated in <FIG>). The gap <NUM> further enables the movement of the upper portions <NUM> and <NUM> away from the lower portion <NUM> and <NUM>. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, both the outside wall and the inside wall may include kerf-like structures and in other embodiments, only one of the walls may include a kerf-like structure.

Still referring to <FIG>, inside the opening <NUM>, positioned between the upper portion <NUM> of the inside wall of the temple element and the upper portion <NUM> of the outside wall of the temple element is a latch <NUM>. Similarly, inside the opening <NUM>, positioned between the lower portion <NUM> of the inside wall of the temple element and the lower portion <NUM> of the outside wall of the temple element is latch <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the temple element of <FIG> with one exemplar embodiment of the latches <NUM> and <NUM> being shown. The latches <NUM> and <NUM> are shown with dotted outlines and hash shading. <FIG> shows another exemplary embodiment in which the latches <NUM>' and <NUM>' are shown as being ramped to further facilitate installation of the lens. <FIG> is a view showing the outline or shape of an exemplary lens <NUM>. The lens <NUM> is shown as including a "T" shaped connecting element with an upper flange <NUM> and a lower flange <NUM> that extend in opposing directions from a stem <NUM> extending from the main body of the lens. However, it should be appreciated that relative positioning of the flanges and stem may take on a variety of other shapes such as an umbrella, a "Y", etc. as non-limiting examples. The upper flange <NUM> and the upper portion of the lens <NUM> define a detent <NUM> that is similarly shaped to the lower portion of the latch <NUM>. Further, the lower flange <NUM> and the lower portion of the lens <NUM> define a detent <NUM> that is similarly shaped to the upper portion of the latch <NUM>.

In operation, the lens <NUM> is inserted into the receptor lock by sliding the latch <NUM> through the opening <NUM> and towards the backside of the latch <NUM>. When the lens is thus inserted into the receptor lock, the lens is angled downward such that the catch <NUM> is in front of the latch <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. The angle of the lens <NUM> can then be decreased by applying pressure to force the catch <NUM> against the latch <NUM>, thereby causing the upper portion <NUM> to move away from the lower portion <NUM> as the width of the slot <NUM> increases. The force may also cause the slot <NUM> to widen as the upper portion is flexed a sufficient amount to allow the catch <NUM> to pass below the latch <NUM> such that the latch <NUM> can then slide into the detent <NUM> thereby returning the lock to its steady or resting state. <FIG> depicts the lens <NUM> as being fully inserted into the receptor lock with the latch <NUM> resting in the detent <NUM> and the latch <NUM> resting in the detent <NUM>.

The material utilized to construct the temple element or receptor is a flexible and resilient plastic, composite or other material that will retain the memory of its steady state and return to such state upon the removal of the forces causing the upper portion <NUM> and the lower portion <NUM> to move away from each other. A few non-limiting examples of such materials include polycarbonates, glass, plastic, zylonite, metals, alloys, composites, etc. In some embodiments, the material used to construct the temple element is softer or more malleable than the material used to construct the lens. In other embodiments, the softness, rigidity and malleability of the materials is not relevant because the kerf-like slots create any required flexibility in the hinge element.

To remove the lens <NUM> from the receptor lock, the lens <NUM> can be forced in the direction <NUM> (see <FIG>), thereby causing the catch <NUM> to apply force to the latch <NUM> and force the upper portion <NUM> to move away from the lower portion <NUM>. An individual may also apply direct force to the upper portion <NUM> to help facilitate the removal of the lens by causing the upper portion <NUM> to move further away from the lower portion <NUM>. Once the latch <NUM> vacates the detent <NUM>, the catch <NUM> can be lifted upwards and away from the temple element thereby causing the latch <NUM> to vacate the detent <NUM> and catch <NUM> to slide from behind the latch <NUM>. The upper portion <NUM> and lower portion <NUM>, upon removal of any applied forces, then returns to its steady state condition.

It should also be appreciated that the lens can be attached to the receptor lock by first inserting the catch <NUM> through the opening <NUM> such that the latch <NUM> settles within or proximate to the detent <NUM> and then applying a downward-lateral force to cause the catch <NUM> to displace the lower portion <NUM> of the receptor lock <NUM> relative to the upper portion <NUM> as the catch <NUM> slides over the latch <NUM>. Further, a user may simply apply opposing forces to the upper portion <NUM> and lower portion <NUM> to force the opening <NUM> to widen and then simply slide the catches <NUM> and <NUM> past the latches <NUM> and <NUM> respectively. Upon releasing of the opposing forces, the latches <NUM> and <NUM> would settle into the detents <NUM> and <NUM> respectively.

It should be appreciated that the illustrated configuration in <FIG> is a non-limiting example of one embodiment that incorporates or utilizes the receptor lock. Other variations may also be included in which the particular shapes, sizes, orientations, etc. of the lens, the latches, the catches and the detents are modified. As non-limiting examples, the latches can be more rounded to help facilitate the entry of the lens into the receptor lock. Further, the detents can be more pronounced by deepening and/or widening the detents, or the detents can be configured to be more shallow and/or narrow. Likewise, the size of the latches can be modified accordingly to ensure a tighter fit with the detents.

In the illustrated embodiment, the latches <NUM> and <NUM> are offset from the edge of the lens side edge of the hinge lock (i.e., set back into the interior of the void). Advantageously, this offset allows the catches of the lens, as well as a portion of the lens, to be inserted within the hinge lock and thus provides a more secure and stable interface with minimal wobble.

Further, in some embodiments the gap <NUM> may be reduced to provide further structural support to the lens by extending the surface area of the receptor lock that covers and comes in contact with the lens. In addition, the size of the gap <NUM> between the inner surfaces of the inside side and outside side of the receptor lock can be configured to snuggly fit the width of the lens. This gap <NUM> houses the latches <NUM> and <NUM> and receives the lens between the inner surfaces. Thus, if the width of the gap <NUM> is configured to be slightly smaller than the width of the lens at steady state, then once the lens is installed in the receptor lock, the inner surfaces of the gap <NUM> will apply pressure to the surface of the lens and thus provide frictional support for holding the lens in position. Further, in some embodiments the inner surface of the gap <NUM> and/or the surfaces of the catches of the lens and the edges of the detents can be structured to provide additional frictional support by including ridges, or roughened surfaces.

It will be appreciated that in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the detent <NUM> is illustrated as being a "snap-like" structure in that the opening into the detent <NUM> is slightly smaller than the largest diameter of the detent <NUM> and the diameter of the latch <NUM> that is inserted into the detent <NUM>. Thus, an amount of pressure is required to force the catch <NUM> into the detent <NUM>. Other configurations of this "snap-like" feature may be employed for both the upper detent <NUM> and/or the lower detent <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a non-limiting example of an alternative approach from providing a "snap-like" structure. In the illustrated embodiment, the detent <NUM> is substantially rounded with the opening <NUM> being slightly less than the largest width of the rounded detent <NUM>. The latch <NUM> is shown as being similarly shaped as the detent <NUM> and the dimensions of the latch <NUM> is approximately equal to the interior dimensions of the detent <NUM>. Thus, in operation, the latch <NUM> can be forced through the opening <NUM> and into the detent <NUM> thereby creating a snap-like attachment. It will be appreciated that the material used to create the latch may include elastic properties allowing the latch <NUM> to be compressed during entry into the detent <NUM> but then quickly returning to its normal, steady state shape or non-compressed state once entered into the detent <NUM>. In typical embodiments, the lens is constructed of a polycarbonate material and is thus rather rigid. However, in other embodiments, the material used to fabricate the lens, or at least the portion of the lens being inserted into the receptor lock may likewise or alternatively include elastic properties thereby allowing it to be deformed during assembly and then return to its steady state.

In some embodiments, the lens may include the components of an eye lens, and a connecting portion. In the embodiments illustrated thus far, the lens has been shown as a unitary piece including either a single lens or a lens that encompasses both eyes. However, in some embodiments the lens may include an attachable connector that can either be fixedly attached to the lens or attachable and removable from the lens. <FIG> illustrates a lens that includes an attachable connector. In the illustrated embodiment, the lens <NUM> includes a lens portion <NUM> that is intended to be positioned over a wearer's eyes, and then an extended portion <NUM>. Further the illustrated embodiment depicts a connector <NUM> that includes an opening <NUM> and the catch structure as depicted in <FIG> and described in conjunction with the description of <FIG>. In operation, the lens <NUM> can be adjoined to the connector <NUM> by sliding the extended portion <NUM> of the lens through the opening <NUM> until the connector <NUM> fits snuggly over the lens <NUM> and the connector <NUM> rests along the area depicted by broken line <NUM> and the extended portion <NUM> of the lens <NUM> penetrates to the position depicted by broken line <NUM>. In some embodiments the lens <NUM> can then be permanently secured to the connector <NUM> such as by glue, heat weld, etc. In other embodiments, as depicted in <FIG> the lens <NUM> can be removeably attached to the connector <NUM> by various means, such as screws <NUM> being inserted through the connector <NUM>, through the lens holes <NUM> and screwed into the back side of the hinge lock or a nut. This latter embodiment advantageously enables the lens to be repaired if damage to the connector component of the lens is incurred due to excessive wear, or otherwise or if the lens is scratched. Such embodiments allow the lens or connector to be replaced independently. In addition, rather than the connector <NUM> defining an interior for receiving the extended portion <NUM> of the lens, the connector may simply mount to the surface of the lens. In addition, the surface of the connector <NUM> may include a recessed area for receiving the lens.

In various embodiments, the lens <NUM> may be a unitary lens that extends over both eyes or, may include two separate lenses, one for the left <NUM> and one for the right 150R. <FIG> presents various views of an exemplary bridge <NUM> that can be attached to lens <NUM> or lenses <NUM> and 150R. <FIG> is a side view of the exemplary bridge <NUM> and includes a nose pad <NUM> and a lens edge holder portion <NUM>. <FIG> is a topside view of the exemplary bridge illustrated in <FIG> is a front side view of the bridge illustrated in <FIG>. The lens edge holder portion <NUM> includes a forward flange <NUM> and a rear flange <NUM> that define a lens edge channel <NUM> that is configured to receive and hold the lens <NUM>. In one embodiment, the forward flange <NUM> and the rear flange <NUM> may be configured such that the bridge <NUM> is frictionally secured and held to the lens <NUM> when placed therein. In other embodiments, other mechanisms may be utilized to secure the lens <NUM> to the bridge <NUM>. For instance, the lens may include one or more detents and the forward flange <NUM> and/or the rear flange <NUM> may include one or more protrusions corresponding to the detents and thereby securing the lens <NUM> to the bridge <NUM>. In other embodiments, a lock structure similar to that employed in the temple element may also be included in the bridge <NUM> and lens <NUM> interface. Thus, in a dual lens embodiment, each lens may include a connecting end for the temple element and one for the bridge.

<FIG> is a top plan view of an exemplary ear stem <NUM> attached to an exemplary temple lock structure <NUM>. <FIG> is a side elevation view of the exemplary ear stem <NUM> attached to the exemplary temple lock structure <NUM>. In the illustrated embodiment, the ear stem <NUM> attaches to the temple lock <NUM> at point <NUM>. The mechanism for attaching the ear stem <NUM> to the temple lock <NUM> can vary from embodiment to embodiment and those skilled in the art will be familiar with the various types of connections including hinged, pinned, fixed, etc..

In the illustrated embodiments, the lens connector has been shown as being on the side or end of the lens and interfacing with the temple element. However, it will be appreciated that the lens connector may also be positioned at other locations around the perimeter of the lens. For instance, in an embodiment including a rim, the lens may include the connector element and the rim may incorporate the receptor element. Thus, in an embodiment with an upper rim, the top of the lens may include the lens connector and the underside of the upper rim may include a receptor. The lens can then be installed into the upper rim. Similarly, for embodiments having a lower rim, the lens connector can be on the bottom edge of the lens and interface to the lower rim. Thus, the lens connector can actually be located anywhere around the perimeter of the lens as long as it corresponds to a receptor.

The latches and detents have been described such that the catches of the lens connector slides past the latches, thereby displacing the receptor and allowing the latches to settle into the detents. In other embodiments, one of the detents may be replaced by a hole or aperture. In such embodiments, the receptor can be opened to receive the lens connector thereby allowing a latch to be placed through the aperture and then, the lens can be slid into the locking position as previously described. In yet another embodiment, the detents can be replaced by apertures and, when the receptor is forced open, the latches can be slid through the apertures. When the receptor is closed again, the walls of the receptor and the catches hold the lens in position.

<FIG> illustrates another variation that can be included in other embodiments including a relief mechanism on a lens. In the illustrated embodiment, a relief mechanism is included in the lens to allow the catches to have some level of flexibility to further facilitate entry into the receptor. It should be appreciated that such an embodiment could be used along with the relief mechanism in the receptor or in lieu thereof. The illustrated relief is oval shaped and constructed of round edges to facilitate use with polycarbonate type lenses. However, in other configurations, including the kerf-like illustrates presented in <FIG> as well as other may also be used. Further, utilizing a material for the lens that is more flexible than polycarbonate can also be deployed in various embodiments.

<FIG> also illustrates the incorporation of a relief mechanism into a two-piece lens structure in which the lens connector can be attached to the lens. In the illustrated embodiment, the attachable lens connector can include the relief mechanism as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG> as well as others. Advantageously, in this embodiment, polycarbonate lenses can still be used and the lens connector can be constructed out of a more flexible material.

In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs, "comprise", "include" and "have", and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements, or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb. Further, the term pairs upper and lower, proximate and distal, forward and rear, inside and outside and other relative terms are provided solely for the purpose of describing the relationship between certain surfaces and elements and do not operate to limit the particular embodiment as the various elements, surfaces, etc. can be positioned, either by changing the view of the embodiment or the location of the various elements, surfaces, etc, such that the selected terms are not spatially correct but are still maintain the same relative positions.

The present invention has been described using detailed descriptions of embodiments thereof that are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The described embodiments comprise different features, not all of which are required in all embodiments of the invention. Some embodiments of the present invention utilize only some of the features or possible combinations of the features. Variations of embodiments of the present invention that are described and embodiments of the present invention comprising different combinations of features noted in the described embodiments will occur to persons of the art.

Claim 1:
A receptor (<NUM>) adapted to be used in conjunction with a glasses frame (<NUM>) for receiving a lens element (<NUM>), the receptor (<NUM>) comprising:
a housing that includes an inside wall (<NUM>, <NUM>) and an outside wall (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the walls define a space (<NUM>) for receiving a connection element of a lens element (<NUM>);
the inside wall (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a slot (<NUM>) and the outside wall (<NUM>, <NUM>) including a gap (<NUM>) to allow the space (<NUM>) to be increased by displacement of the inside wall (<NUM>, <NUM>) utilizing the slot (<NUM>) and the outside wall (<NUM>, <NUM>) utilizing the gap (<NUM>);
at least a first latch (<NUM>) located within the space (<NUM>), the first latch (<NUM>) corresponding to a first detent (<NUM>), wherein the first detent is defined by the shape of the lens element (<NUM>) and wherein the first latch (<NUM>) provides support for holding the lens element (<NUM>)
in position when the first latch (<NUM>) is inserted into the first detent;
a second latch (<NUM>) located within the space (<NUM>), the second latch (<NUM>) corresponding to a second detent (<NUM>), wherein the second detent is defined by the shape of the lens element (<NUM>) and wherein the second latch (<NUM>) further provides support for holding the lens element (<NUM>) in position when the second latch (<NUM>) is inserted into the second detent; and
an ear stem receiving end (<NUM>) and a lens element receiving end (<NUM>), wherein the edges of the inside wall and the outside wall at the lens element receiving end define an opening into the space (<NUM>) for receiving the connection element of the lens element (<NUM>),
wherein the slot runs from the lens edge of the inside wall and substantially towards the ear stem end of the housing, and wherein the slot enables an upper portion (<NUM>) of the inside wall to be moved in the opposing direction from a lower portion (<NUM>) of the inside wall thereby increasing the size of the opening into the space.