Patent ID: 8020988

Claim:
An eyeglass earstem assembly comprising: a flexible suspension component having an anterior end and a posterior end, the anterior end of the suspension component being pivotally coupled relative to an eyeglass frame, the flexible suspension component providing resistance against rotation relative to the eyeglass frame upon reaching a deployed position; and a rigid elongate body having an anterior end and a posterior end, the anterior end of the rigid elongate body being pivotally coupled to the flexible suspension component, the rigid elongate body and the suspension component being attached to each other at a point posterior to the anterior ends of the rigid elongate body and the suspension component, the rigid elongate body being operative to rotate relative to the eyeglass frame beyond the deployed position; wherein upon rotation of the rigid elongate body beyond the deployed position, the attachment between the rigid elongate body and the flexible suspension component causes deflection of the flexible suspension component which dampens further rotation of the rigid elongate body relative to the eyeglass frame.