Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to eyeglasses, and more particularly to a novel frame assembly for eyeglasses having removable securement members that eliminate the necessity for securement member hinges and hinge supports. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Most people own at least one pair of eyeglasses. Regardless of whether the eyeglasses are to correct the individual&#39;s vision or to shield the individual&#39;s eyes from the sun, eyeglasses are ubiquitous. The typical pair of eyeglasses is comprised of a lense frame that houses a pair of lenses and is hingedly connected to a pair of “arms”. The hinge assembly which connects the arms and the lense frame is typically comprised of a rigid mounting member that extends rearwardly from the lense frame and is coupled to a second receiving member using a pivot pin or screw. While this hinge assembly allows for the arms to be folded adjacent the lense frame for storage, the rigid connection between the arms and the lense frame creates a vulnerable structure that is frequently broken regardless of whether the eyeglasses are being worn or stored, typically within the individual&#39;s pocket or on the seat of the individual&#39;s automobile. 
     Frequent use of eyeglasses involves the moving of the arm members between their use and collapsed positions. Repeated movement of the arms in this manner often causes the screw or pivot pin to become lost or damaged. Regardless of whether the hinge member has been broken or the pivot member has been lost, damage to this fragile structure on the eyeglasses renders them unwearable. Moreover, the assembly and construction of this area of the frame assembly is oftentimes complex and expensive. 
     Accordingly, what is needed is a frame assembly for eyeglasses that eliminates the necessity for a hinge assembly while remaining capable of easy and convenient storage when the eyeglasses are not being worn. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The eyeglasses of the present invention are preferably provided with a lense frame having opposite and portions and a mounting hole formed within each of the opposite sides. A pair of mounting pins are provided with a size and shape to be releasably received within the mounting holes. In one embodiment an elongated cord member is provided having first and second ends. The first and second ends of the cord member can be disposed through the mounting holes of the lense frame from the rear. The mounting pins can then be coupled to the first and second ends of the cord and releasably secured within the mounting holes of the lense frame. In this embodiment the cord means the lense frame in a proper wearing position on the use&#39;s head. During temporary moments of non-use, the user can release th lense frame from his or her face and allow the eyeglasses to hang about his or her neck like a necklace. 
     In a second embodiment, a pair of eyeglass arms is provided, each having forward and rearward ends. The forward ends of the arms are shaped to be releasably coupled the mounting pins. Each arm assembly can then be “threaded” through the mounting holes from the front side of the lense frame. The mounting pins are then removably secured within the mounting holes, and the eyeglasses can be worn in a typical fashion. When the eyeglasses are to be stored, the user, simply reverse the process to remove the arms from the lense frame. 
     The first and second embodiments are interchangeable to provide the user with a plurality of wearing, options. Moreover, the hingeless mounting design creates a frame assembly that can be easily manufactured while decreasing the likelihood of being broken or otherwise rendered inoperable during day-to-day use. 
     It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a frame assembly for eyeglasses having a hingeless-design. 
     A further object of the Invention is to provide a frame assembly for eyeglasses having removable securement members for supporting the lense frame on the face of a user. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a frame assembly for eyeglasses having a plurality of different types of securement members that are interchangeable with one another to provide different frame assemblies for different intended uses. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a frame assembly for eyeglasses that reduces the incidence of frame breakage. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a frame assembly for eyeglasses that is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a frame assembly for eyeglasses that is adjustable for use with a plurality of different users having different physical dimensions and characteristics. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art; 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the frame assembly of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a pair of securement members that can be used as a component of the frame assembly of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the frame assembly of the present invention; and 
     FIG. 4 is a partial cutaway view of the mounting assembly of one embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The numeral  10  refers generally to the frame assembly for eyeglasses of the present invention, as shown generally in FIGS. 1-4. The frame assembly  10  is preferably provided with a lense frame  12 . It will be clear to those of skill in the art that nearly any shape or style of lense frame  12  can be incorporated with the present invention without departing from the spirit of the same. Accordingly, the general shape and style of the lense frame  12  depicted in the accompanying figures is provided for example purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. The lense frame  12  should be provided with at least one, but preferably two or more, mounting holes  14 . The mounting holes  14  are preferably formed in the opposite end portions of the lense frame  12 , as depicted In FIG.  1 . 
     The frame assembly  10  is preferably provided with a securement member for positioning the lense frame  12  closely adjacent the eyes of the user. In one embodiment, an elongated cord  16  provides a securement member that generally wraps around the user&#39;s head and is coupled to the lense frame  12  at its mounting holes  14  using a pair of mounting pins  18 . The mounting pins  18  are secured to the opposite ends of the cord  16  and then disposed within the mounting holes  14 . In one embodiment, the mounting pins  18  are provided with an open recess  21  that is formed at the free end of the shaft  22 . It is preferred that the open recess  21  be provided with threaded mating members  24  to securely engage the free end of the securement member. Where the cord  16  is used as the securement member, it is preferred that the cord be formed from a flexible material, such as plastic, rubber, nylon or other similar material. Such materials not only provide for the desired flexibility of the cord  16  but also allow the mating threads  24  of the mounting pins  18  to “bite” into the opposite ends of the cord  16  as the mounting pins  18  are threaded thereon. Where a mounting pin  18  is not provided with mating threads  24  within the open recess  21 , it will be preferred that the cord  16  have a sufficient diameter to press-fit or frictionally engage within the open recess  21 . While it is envisioned that the cord  16  could be permanently secured within the open recess  21  of the mounting pin  18  using an adhesive or the like, it is preferred that the same be releasably coupled to one another. In still another embodiment, the shaft  22  of the mounting pin  18  could be provided with a narrow diameter and mounting threads on its exterior surface so that the mounting pin  18  could be threaded into the end of cord  16 . 
     The cord  16  can be coupled with the lense frame  12  in a number of different ways. In a preferred embodiment, the two opposite ends of the cord  16  are first disposed through the mounting holes  14  of the lense frame  12  from the rear of lense frame  12 . The mounting pins  18  are then coupled to the opposite ends of cord  16 . The mounting pins  18  can then be press-fit or frictionally engaged with the inner diameter of the mounting holes  14 . To the extent that this mounting option is desired, the diameters of the shaft  22  and the diameter of mounting hole  14  should be apportioned accordingly. It is also contemplated that the inner diameter of mounting hole  14  as well as the outer surface of the shaft  22  of mounting pin  18  could be provided with mounting threads to threadably secure the structures to one another. Although it is contemplated that the mounting pin  18  could be permanently set within the mounting hole  14  using an adhesive or other such method, it is preferred that the mounting pin  18  be releasably secured within the mounting hole  14 . In an altemate method of mounting the cord  16 , a single mounting pin  18  is secured to one end of the cord  16 . The remaining free end of the cord  16  is then threaded through one of the mounting holes  14  from the forward the side of the lense frame  12 . The free end of the cord  16  can then be disposed through the remaining mounting hole  14  and the mounting pin  18  secured to the cord  16  and the mounting hole  14  as described previously. 
     The mounting cord  16  provides not only the necessary support for the user to wear the eyeglasses but also provides a means for temporary non-use. Where the user desires to remove the eyeglasses, but use an again in the near future, the lense frame  12  can be moved downwardly in front of the user&#39;s face and the cord  16  can be moved over the user&#39;s ears and down around the user&#39;s neck. In this position, the frame assembly  10  can remain around the user&#39;s neck, much like a necklace, until the time for future use has arrived. 
     For storage, the cord  16  can be removed from the lens frame  12 . However, the flexible nature of the cord  16  permits the same to be bent and folded anywhere along its length so that the frame assembly  10  assumes a slim profile to be disposed within a pocket, glasses case, etc. This embodiment clearly provides a benefit over the prior art, having hinges and rigid hinge mounting structures, which are frequently broken or otherwise damaged during non-use. 
     The elongated securement member of the present invention may also be provided in the form of a pair of arm members  20 . Although a pair of arm members is preferred, it is contemplated that a single arm member  20  could be used to support the lense frame  12  closely adjacent the use&#39;s face. The arm member  20  is preferably comprised of a semi-flexible material, which permits the shaping of the arm member by the user to better conform the arm member with the user&#39;s physical features. It is further preferred, however, that the material used to form the arm member be sufficiently rigid to substantially retain the shape that the user has formed. Many lightweight materials from copper, aluminum, tin and various blends thereof, as well as several plastics and nylon plastic blends, would suffice for these purposes. The rearward end of the arm member  20  is preferably shaped to engage the upper and rearward surfaces of the user&#39;s ear when the eyeglasses are being worn. However, any shape, including one which is straight, are contemplated. The forward end of the arm member  20  is shaped to be secured to the mounting pin  18 , much in the same manner as the ends of cord  16 . Accordingly, where a mounting pin  18  is provided with an open recess  21  having mating threads  24 , the forward end of the arm member  20  should be appropriately threaded to engage the mounting pin  18 . However, where no mating threads  24  are provided, the diameter of the forward end of the arm member  20  should be formed to appropriately press-fit or frictionally engage within the open recess  20 . It is also contemplated that, where a narrow diameter shaft  22  is provided on the mounting pin  18  and mating threads are provided on the surface thereof, an open-threaded recess could be formed within the forward end of the arm member  20  to threadably receive the mounting pin  18  accordingly. 
     The arm members  20  can be coupled to the lense frame  12  in several different ways. Preferably, the mounting pin  18  is secured to the forward end of the arm member  20  as described hereinabove. The rearward end of the mounting arm  20  can then be “threaded” through the mounting hole  14  from the forward side of the lense frame  12  until the mounting pin  18  is secured within the mounting hole  14 . It is also contemplated that the forward end of the mounting arm  20  could be inserted though the mounting hole  14  from the rearward side of the lense frame  12 , where the mounting pin  18  could be secured thereto and then secured within the mounting hole  14 . As discussed hereinabove, the mounting pin  18  is preferably press-fit or frictionally engaged within the mounting hole  14  to retain the removable nature of the structure. This could also be accomplished using mating threads or other such securement structures. For a desired application, the mounting pin  18  could be permanently secured within the mounting hole  14  using an adhesive or the like. 
     When the arm members  20  are to be moved from their use position to a collapsed position, the mounting pin  18  is uncoupled from mounting hole  14 , and the arm members  20  are moved in a forward direction out of the mounting holes  14 . In this collapsed position, the frame assembly  10  can be easily stored in a pocket or carrying case. As with the previously described embodiment, this embodiment provides an assembly that is less likely to be broken than those prior art frame assemblies having hinges and hinge mounting structures. Moreover, the reduction of the number of such complex component parts greatly reduces the cost as well as the complexity of manufacture. Moreover, the coaxial mounting nature of the mounting pin  18  to either of the elongated securement members provides for a mechanically strong structure that is easy to manufacture when compared to the “wrap-around” hinge mounting structure of the prior art. 
     In the drawings and in the specification, there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention; and although specific items are employed, these are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Changes in the form and proportion of parts, as well as substitute of equivalents, are contemplated as circumstances may suggest or render expedient without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as further defined in the following claims. 
     Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

Technology Category: 3