Patent ID: 12197044

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth by way of examples in order to provide a thorough understanding of the relevant teachings. However, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present teachings may be practiced without such details.

This description of the exemplary embodiments that follows is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description, relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,”, “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both removable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

As used herein, a magnet is a material or object that produces a magnetic field. A permanent magnet is an object made from a material that is magnetized and creates its own persistent magnetic field. Materials that can be magnetized, which are also the ones that are strongly attracted to a magnet, are referred to herein as ferromagnetic.

FIGS.1A-1Cshow eyewear10according to one embodiment.

The eyewear10generally includes a frame12and two temples14aand14bpivotably connected to opposing sides of the frame12by hinges16. The frame12includes a body13that supports two optical elements18. Each optical element18may be, for example, a lens, a transparent piece of glass or plastic, a screen, a projector, a display, or other device for presenting visual images and/or through which visual images may be perceived by a user.

At least one side22of the frame12may be enlarged to accommodate various electronic components24such as a battery, a wireless transceiver, a data storage means, and a processor (not shown). The electronic components24are electrically connected to a camera26having an outwardly facing lens and a power connector28(seeFIG.1C) for delivering power to the components24and the camera26. Details of the optical and electronics components are described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 9,726,904, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and for all purposes.

On a side22of the frame12, one permanent magnet30ais positioned directly below the power connector28, and another permanent magnet30bis positioned directly above the power connector28. The power connector28and magnets30aand30bare configured to mate with a power plug (not shown) for transferring power to the battery of the eyewear10. The magnets30a,30band the power connector28are at least partially embedded within the side22of the frame12. A magnetic surface of the magnets30a,30bmay be exposed on and flush with the surface32of the frame12that faces the temple14a(i.e., in the unfolded configuration of the eyewear10shown inFIG.1C) in order to maximize the attractive force imparted by the magnets30a,30b.

Another permanent magnet34is at least partially embedded within the enlarged side36at the opposing end of the frame12.

Referring toFIG.3, the magnets30aand30bare capable of connecting to magnets148A and148B on a power cord142to ensure a secure physical connection between the power cord142and the folded eyewear10. The power cord142can used to charge the batteries in the eyewear10as well as transmit information to and from the eyewear10.

Referring toFIGS.4A and4B, the magnets30aand30band the magnet34connect to magnets322(one shown) within the interior compartment of an eyewear storage case311to ensure a secure physical connection between the folded eyewear10and the eyewear storage case311. The eyewear storage case311can be used to charge the batteries in the eyewear10as well as transmit information to and from the eyewear10.

Described hereinafter is another use for the magnets30a,30band34.

Referring still toFIGS.1A-1C, each temple14aand14bgenerally includes a body40and a malleable core wire42embedded in the body40. In use, a user can adjust the shape of the temple14a,14bby bending the body40and the malleable core wire42inside the body40. In the temple14a,two permanent magnets44aand44bare at least partially embedded in the body40. A magnetic surface of the magnets44aand44bmay be exposed on and flush with the surface46of the temple14athat faces the surface32of the frame12in the unfolded configuration of the eyewear10.

The poles of the magnets44a,44bface the opposite poles of the magnets30a,30b,respectively, so that the magnets30a,30battract the magnets44a,44b,respectively. Accordingly, in the open, unfolded configuration of the eyewear10shown inFIG.1A, the magnets44a,44bmagnetically attract the magnets30a,30b,respectively, thereby retaining the temple14ain the unfolded configuration shown inFIG.1A. Thus, magnetic attraction retains the temple14ain the unfolded configuration even if the screw of the hinge16loosens over time.

The opposite temple14balso includes a magnet48. A magnetic surface of the magnet48may be exposed on and flush with the surface50of the temple14bthat faces the surface52(seeFIG.1B) of the frame12in the unfolded configuration of the eyewear10. The pole of the magnet48faces the opposite pole of the magnet34so that the magnet34attracts the magnet48in the unfolded configuration of the eyewear10. Thus, like for the temple14a, magnetic attraction retains the temple14bin the unfolded configuration even if the screw of the hinge16loosens over time.

The magnetic action of the magnets44a,44band48provide the user with a solid snap and hold feel when the temples14aand14bare rotated into the unfolded configuration.

According to another embodiment, items44a,44band48are each composed of a ferromagnetic material (as opposed to being permanent magnets). Thus, items44a,44band48may also be referred to herein as ferromagnetic members. The ferromagnetic material may be a magnetic grade of stainless steel.

According to yet another embodiment, items30a,30band34are each composed of a ferromagnetic material (as opposed to being permanent magnets), and items44a,44band48are permanent magnets. Thus, items30a,30band34may also be referred to herein as ferromagnetic members.

FIG.2depicts a side elevation view of electronics enabled eyewear110in an unfolded configuration and according to still another exemplary embodiment of the invention. The eyewear110are similar to the eyewear10ofFIGS.1A-1Cand, thus, we now describe only significant differences.

Each temple114aand114b(referred to either individually or collectively as temple(s)114) of the eyewear110includes a core wire60that is composed of a ferromagnetic material. Each core wire60includes an elongated portion61that extends nearly the entire length of the temple, and an enlarged end62. The enlarged end62of the core wire60positioned adjacent the frame12is enlarged as compared to the end of the core wire42ofFIG.1A. More particularly, the end62extends nearly the entire height ‘h’ of the temple114. The height of the end62is greater than the height of the elongated portion61and extends both above and below the elongated portion61. The depth dimension of the end62may be greater than that of the elongated portion61. Also, the cross-sectional area of the end62may be greater than that of the elongated portion61. A surface of the end62may be exposed on and flush with the surface of the temple114that faces the surface32of the frame12in the unfolded configuration of the eyewear10.

In use, the magnets30aand30bof the frame12attract the enlarged end62of the core wire60of the temple114athereby retaining the temple114ain the unfolded configuration shown inFIG.1A. Similarly, the temple114b(not shown) includes a substantially similar core wire60, and the magnet34of the frame12attracts the enlarged end62of the core wire60thereby retaining the temple114bin the unfolded configuration.

Although an overview of the inventive subject matter has been described with reference to specific example embodiments, various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader scope of embodiments of the present disclosure. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein, individually or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single disclosure or inventive concept if more than one is, in fact, disclosed.

The embodiments illustrated herein are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the teachings disclosed. Other embodiments may be used and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The Detailed Description, therefore, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of various embodiments is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full range of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.