Patent ID: 12228626

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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.1provides a rear view of a prior art eyewear assembly having traditional vents102a,102bincorporated into a frame101. The vents102are located between the frame101and the lens104. The vents102may allow moisture and heat to escape from the space between the eyewear and the wearer's face, however, these vents102tend to restrict airflow in a downward direction and may not reach throughout the extent of the area between the eyewear and the user's face. As it can be seen from the arrows105a,105bwhich indicate airflow throughout the lens, the airflow is unidirectional. It has been found that such unidirectional airflow may not be effective at reducing fogging of the lens and may only reduce fogging on one side of the lens. To overcome this drawback and improve the circulation of airflow between eyewear and the user's face, a multi-directional venting arrangement is used, as shown inFIG.2.

FIG.2provides a front view of eyewear lens202a,202b. Grooves201can be provided on the lens202, such that air can flow through the lens202. The grooves201located on the lens202of the eyewear are herein referred to as lens grooves201. It can be appreciated that any number of lens grooves201is possible, including a singular lens groove201, however, a plurality of lens grooves201is preferred. The lens grooves201can be located at the edges of the lens202, preferably where the frame portion is joined to the lens202. The lens grooves201can be shaped such that the groove can be ramped towards the wearer's face (when a wearer is wearing the eyewear), such that air can easily travel into the space between the eyewear and the wearer. Furthermore, the lens grooves201can be angled in different directions to increase airflow throughout the eyewear and permit multidirectional venting. By way of example, lens groove201ais angled downwards toward the bottom of the lens, lens groove201bis angled towards the middle of the lens and lens groove201cis angled towards the nose portion203. This permits air to travel in and vent through the bottom of the lens, the middle of the lens and the inner portion of the lens substantially more equally than with a unidirectional flow.

FIG.3is a front view of the eyewear assembly shown inFIG.2. The frame portion302can be coupled to the lens portion202using an attachment mechanism204. The frame portion302can comprise a further set of grooves301complementary to the grooves201of the lens portion202. The grooves located on the frame of the eyewear are herein referred to as frame grooves301. The number of frame grooves301is preferably equal to the number of lens grooves201. Furthermore, the frame grooves301are preferably shaped to match the lens grooves201such that the width of the lens grooves201is approximately equal to the width of the frame grooves201. The frame groove301can be ramped towards the wearer's face (when a wearer is wearing the eyewear), such that air can easily travel into the space between the eyewear and the wearer. Frame grooves301can be created on the frame portion302such that when the lens grooves201are aligned with the frame grooves301, multidirectional vents310are formed.

The eyewear provided comprises a lens portion202and a frame portion302coupled to the lens portion202by the attachment mechanism204. Lens grooves201are provided on the lens portion202; and frame grooves301located on the frame portion302. The lens grooves201can be aligned with the frame grooves301to form vents310when the lens portion202is coupled to the frame portion302. The vents310allow air to enter the area behind the lens. The lens grooves201can be angled in a plurality of directions such that the air is directed in the plurality of directions by the angled grooves.

FIG.4provides a rear view of an eyewear assembly having multidirectional vents310incorporated into the frame302. The multidirectional venting is provided by the lens grooves201which can be angled in different directions. This increases airflow throughout the eyewear in many directions and permits multidirectional venting. In this embodiment, a first lens groove (not pictured) angles the airflow401adownwards toward the bottom of the lens, a second lens groove (not pictured) angles the airflow401btowards the middle of the lens and a third lens groove(not pictured) angles the airflow401ctowards the nose portion203. The multi-directional airflow permits air to travel and vent the bottom of the lens, the middle of the lens and the inner portion of the lens equally.

FIG.5aprovides a cross-sectional view of the eyewear assembly shown inFIG.3, taken along line A-A.FIG.5bprovides an enlarged partial view of the eyewear assembly shown inFIG.5aillustrating the airflow through the frame. It can be appreciated that the multi-directional vents310preferably do not allow air to enter the area behind the lens in a straight path. The airflow401is channeled through the grooves and may not follow a straight path. For example, in the embodiment shown inFIG.5b, the vents310allow air to enter the grooves via a horizontal path, the air is then channeled vertically upwards towards the frame groove, and finally vertically downwards into the area behind the lens (airflow path shown by arrow501). This allows the air to be directed in a specific manner. Furthermore, the grooves can be angled such that the airflow is directed to a region behind the lens which needs more ventilation. For example, the grooves can be angled sharply towards the nose to ventilate the area near the nose more than other areas. Thus, the angle of the grooves provided can alter and guide the airflow as needed. It can be appreciated that by using a greater number of grooves, the ability to redirect air in multiple different directions increases.

The lens groove201and the frame groove301together form a substantially horizontal passage section as well as a substantially vertical passage section which are in fluid communication with each other. Therefore, in combination, an “indirect” or L-shaped vent passage is formed extending through the frame structure. The “indirect” OR L-shaped vent passage therefore has an opening thereof on the front side of the frame and an opening on the back side of the frame. 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.

FIG.6provides a top view of the eyewear assembly having vents310. In this embodiment, it can be appreciated that the air enters each of the vents310from a different direction. The vents310are angled, which enables the airflow to sufficiently enter the area behind the lens and ventilate the eyewear in a controlled, directed manner.

FIG.7is a front partial view of the eyewear having multidirectional vents310. The vents can be located on one half of the eyewear, but it is preferable that the vents310are on both halves of the eyewear. The frame grooves301can be grooved or cut deeper than the lens grooves201. This allows the frame302to be manufactured separately from the lens202and retrofitted to any lens. This can be useful for example, when an existing pair of lens202contain a prescription and need a ventilation system to be added. In this embodiment, the grooves are formed in the frame only, and the frame is retrofitted over the existing lens not having lens grooves. In a separate embodiment, the grooves can be formed in the lens only and retrofitted into an existing frame. In these embodiments, the multidirectional vents310are formed by either the frame grooves or the lens grooves alone.

FIG.8shows an alternative embodiment of the eyewear assembly having multidirectional venting. In this embodiment, the frame grooves301have ribs312incorporated into the frame. The ribs312allow the air to be further controlled and directed accordingly. Thus, the air can have more movement and allow for more efficient venting of the eyewear. The ribs312can direct and push the air towards the center of the lens, allowing further multidirectional venting.

FIG.9is a close-up view of the ribs of eyewear assembly shown inFIG.8. It can be appreciated that the ribs312can be overmoulded to the frame302.FIG.10is a bottom partial view of an eyewear frame302showing ribs312incorporated into the frame. As it can be seen fromFIG.9, the ribs312are located on the frame, behind the frame grooves301. The air can enter the frame grooves301and be directed in a first direction due to the angled grooves. The ribs312can then direct the air in a second direction, or further in the first direction. This allows the air to travel in a controlled manner.

The construction of the ribs312can be done using any suitable overmolding process. Overmolding, sometimes referred to as two times injection molding, is a process where a single part is created using two or more different materials in combination. Typically, the first material (or substrate) is partially or fully covered by overmolded material during the manufacturing process. In this case, the frame302would act as the substrate that is overmolded with the material used to create the ribs312thereon, which is generally a softer plastic, rubber, or elastomer (e.g., PTE), or other suitable material. It can be appreciated that the flexible material would typically be overmolded to the frame302, prior to attaching the assembly to the lenses202.

The ribs312can be any suitable shape. In this embodiment, the ribs312are shown to be rectangular in shape. It can be appreciated that the ribs312can also be oval or oblong.

FIG.11is a front view of an eyewear assembly having an alternative rib shape314. In this embodiment, the ribs314have an alternative shape are incorporated into the multidirectional vents310. The ribs314are located within the frame302of the eyewear such that when the lens202is assembled to the frame, the ribs314are located in the multidirectional vents310. There are no ribs314located on the lens itself. The ribs314help push the air toward the inside of the eyewear assembly. In this embodiment, the air will travel into the multidirectional vents310and hit the back wall318directly, where the rib314is located. The rib314will then guide the air into the eyewear in a controlled manner. It is important to note that in this embodiment, the rib314located on the back318of the vent310will direct the air toward the inside. The ribs314shown in the embodiment can be overmoulded to the frame of the eyewear using any suitable overmoulding process.

FIG.12shows a front view of the lens of an eyewear assembly illustrating the venting location. The venting zone316is located on the lens202of the eyewear and it defines the venting location. The zone316may be indented with lens grooves201as shown inFIG.2.FIGS.13and14show a front view of the eyewear assembly having overmoulded ribs314. The incoming air will hit the back wall318of the frame first and then the ribs314will then direct the air into the eyewear.FIG.15shows a cross-sectional view of the eyewear assembly shown inFIG.14taken along line B-B.

FIG.16shows a close-up view of the cross-sectional view of the eyewear assembly shown inFIG.15. The airflow path is also depicted inFIG.16. Here, it can be appreciated that the air first hits the back wall318of the vent310. If no rib is present, the air will follow the natural curve of the lens (depicted by arrow501). If a rib is present, the air will be directed in a controlled manner, and will enter the eyewear accordingly (depicted by arrow402).

It can be appreciated that the multi-directional vents310preferably do not allow air to enter the area behind the lens in a straight path. The airflow is channeled through the grooves and may not follow a straight path. For example, the vents310allow air to enter the grooves via a horizontal path402, the air is then channeled due to the shape of the ribs and into the area behind the lens. The ribs allow the air to be directed in a specific manner. Furthermore, the ribs can be shaped such that the airflow is directed to a region behind the lens which needs more ventilation. For example, the ribs can be angled sharply towards the nose to ventilate the area near the nose more than other areas. Thus, the shape of the ribs provided can alter and guide the airflow as needed. It can be appreciated that by using a greater number of ribs, the ability to redirect air in multiple different directions increases.

When no rib is present in the vent, the lens groove and the frame groove together form a substantially horizontal passage section as well as a substantially vertical passage section which are in fluid communication with each other. When a rib is present in the vent, a further obstruction is present in the vent. Therefore, this allows the formation an “indirect” or L-shaped vent passage extending through the frame structure. The “indirect” OR L-shaped vent passage therefore has an opening thereof on the front side of the frame and an opening on the back side of the frame. The rib can alter the vent passage and therefore affect the airflow. Therefore, the “indirect” or L-shaped vent passage having a rib 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.

FIG.17shows a front view of the frame of an eyewear assembly illustrating the ribs314incorporated into the multidirectional vents310.FIG.18shows a top view of the eyewear assembly illustrating the ribs314incorporated into the multidirectional vents310.

FIG.18provides a top view of the eyewear assembly having vents310and ribs314present in the vents. In this embodiment, it can be appreciated that the air enters each of the vents310from a different direction. The vents are angled, which enables the airflow to sufficiently enter the area behind the lens and ventilate the lens in a controlled, directed manner.FIG.19is a front view of the eyewear assembly shown inFIG.18.

FIG.20shows a close-up view of the ribs and overmoulded portions incorporated into the multidirectional vents. It can be appreciated that multiple ribs and details can be present in one vent passage.FIG.20shows a first rib314, and a second rib320working in parallel to re-direct air into the inside of the eyeglasses.

FIG.21is a top view of the frame of the eyewear assembly shown inFIG.17.FIG.22is a front view of the frame of the eyewear assembly shown inFIG.21.FIG.23is a front view of the eyewear assembly shown inFIG.22.

A method of producing eyewear having multidirectional vents is also provided. Multiple lens grooves201can be formed on the lens portion202. The lens grooves201can be formed using a CNC machining method or by injection molding the lens portion202having grooves201, or a similar method known in the art. The nose bridge portion203can be formed separately from the pair of lens portions202aand202b. Multiple frame grooves301can be formed on the frame portion302. The frame grooves301can also be formed using a CNC machining method or by injection molding the frame portion having grooves301. The frame portion can be joined to the lens portion, aligning the lens grooves201to the frame grooves301, and forming vents310. The forming lens grooves201step involves cutting the lens grooves such that the lens grooves are angled in a plurality of directions. The forming frame grooves301step involves cutting the frame grooves301such that the frame grooves301are angled in a plurality of directions.

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the examples described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the examples described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the examples described herein. Also, the description is not considered as limiting the scope of the examples described herein.

It will be appreciated that the examples and corresponding diagrams used herein are for illustrative purposes only. Different configurations and terminology can be used without departing from the principles expressed herein. For instance, components and modules can be added, deleted, modified, or arranged with differing connections without departing from these principles.

Although the above principles have been described with reference to certain specific examples, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art as outlined in the appended claims.