Eyeglasses with interchangable temple-members

• US 20050036103A1
• Filed: 08/10/2004
• Published: 02/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nigel K. Bloch
• Original Assignee: Nigel K. Bloch
• Inventors: Bloch, Nigel K.
• Granted Patent: US 7,059,717 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/116
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/027 Straps; Buckles; Attachment of headbands
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2200/04 Junctions between frame elements having a click function
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2200/08 Modular frames, easily exchangeable frame parts and lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 3/003 Arrangements for fitting and securing to the head in the position of use
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/143 having special ear pieces
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/146 having special front end

Abstract

An eyeglasses apparatus and transformation system thereof, facilitating quick and easy convertibility of the left and right traditionally folding temples into an adjustable headband; thereby making the light-weight eyeglasses much more suited to dynamic activities such as jogging, skiing, and cycling for example. The user of this novel eyeware can advantageously move between more sedentary situations, where the extreme appearance of eye-goggles would appear very out of place;—yet by manually releasing an inconspicuously integrated pair of bifurcated retention-latches located immediately aftward of both temple-hinges, the temples can be instantly detatched and readily interchanged with a headband employing similar slide-in bayonet-type retention-latches. The disclosure identifies a particularly critical human-factors problem addressed by the uniquely configured finger operated opposed latches; plus, the notion of my slim-lined detatchable-temples, enables a host of optional companion accessory temple embodiments, facilitating a miniature radio, cell-phone, or digital-camera;—conveniences for the person on the go!

Claims

1. ) A pair of convertible eyeglasses;

said apparatus comprising;

a left-side female/receiver-mount means with forward support-swivel portion hingingly adapted to the conventional left/temple-support, said left female/receiver-mount portion serving to intimately receive both upper and lower cooperative male latching-prongs of a trailing left temple/support-arm means, whereby outwardly opposed latching-catches on terminuses of resilient said latching-prongs make positive engagement with upper and lower latching-notches formed in said left female/receiver-mount;

a right-side female/receiver-mount means with forward support-swivel portion hingingly adapted to the conventional right/temple-support, said right female/receiver-mount portion serving to intimately receive both upper and lower cooperative male latching-prongs of a trailing right temple/support-arm means, whereby outwardly opposed latching-catches on terminuses of resilient said latching-prongs make positive engagement with upper and lower latching-notches formed in said right female/receiver-mount;

an upper/finger-relief and an opposed lower/finger-relief included upon discrete left and right said female/receiver-mounts proximal upper and lower said latching-catches, whereby simultaneous manual squeezing of one'"'"'s thumb and opposing finger at said upper/finger-relief and said lower/finger-relief, biases said latching-prongs toward one another as to thereby disengage said latching-catches from impingement upon said latching-notches, thereby releasing said temple/support-arms free from retention by said female/receiver-mounts;

2. ) The convertible eyeglasses according to claim 1, wherein said left and right temple/support-arms include a medial-prong member acting as a centering abutment against which said upper and lower latching-prongs become ultimately biased during the manual release procedure;

said medial-prong member thereby eliminating any tendency of one or the other male latching-prongs to otherwise snag upon said latching-notches.

3. ) The convertible eyeglasses according to claim 1, wherein thumb and finger squeezing action upon upper and lower said male latching-prongs is ultimately balanced by provision of a medial-prong disposed equidistant there between, whereby said latching-catches are thus biased evenly away from fixed said latching-catches;

thereby obviating otherwise tendancy of one said latching-catch to snag upon its said fixed latching-notch.

4. ) The convertible eyeglasses according to claim 1, wherein standard said left and right temple/support-arms are injection-molded in one-piece from a simple longitudinally-split two-piece opposed-cavity die;

thereby making them economical to produce, whereby a user may more affordably enjoy the purchase of various styles.

5. ) The invention apparatus according to claim 1, wherein standard said left and right temple/support-arms are readily interchangeable in a modular manner with a temple/strap-assembly having an abbreviated body terminating with a male-extension/support-loop portion to which is affixed a headstrap portion;

thereby making the eyeglasses more suitable for use as goggles while skiing or sky-diving for example.

6. ) The invention apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said male-extension/support-loop bodies can be installed interchangably left or right, thereby obviating possibility of improper installation.

7. ) The invention apparatus according to claim 1, wherein independent said left and right female/receiver-mounts both include a discrete support-cavity, which serve to receive respective said left and right male/pronged-assembly members;

wherein the aftward terminus of said support-cavities impinges against the latching-abutment portion when said left and right temple/support-arm members are slidingly installed.

8. ) The invention apparatus according to claim 1, wherein both left and right said female/receiver-mounts are a permanent part of said eyeglasses and comprise a common injection-molded component which is simply flipped-over left-to-right so as to thereby oppose each of the other as installed;

thus substantially reducing the considerable expenditure for otherwise complex seperate mirror-image three-piece molding-dies.

9. ) The invention apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one said standard said temple/support-arm is modularly interchangable with a special radio-arm iteration providing the eyeglasses wearer with selective radio-station listening.

10. ) The invention apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one standard said temple/support-arm is modularly interchangable with a special videocam-arm iteration providing the eyeglasses wearer with ability to selectively photograph their surroundings.

11. ) A pair of convertible eyeglasses;

said apparatus comprising;

a left-side female/receiver-mount means with forward support-swivel portion hingingly adapted to the conventional left/temple-support, said left female/receiver-mount portion serving to intimately receive both upper and lower cooperative male latching-prongs and medial-prong of a trailing left temple/support-arm means, whereby outwardly opposed latching-catches on terminuses of resilient said latching-prongs make positive engagement with upper and lower latching-notches formed in said left female/receiver-mount;

a right-side female/receiver-mount means with forward support-swivel portion hingingly adapted to the conventional right/temple-support, said right female/receiver-mount portion serving to intimately receive both upper and lower cooperative male latching-prongs and medial-prong of a trailing right temple/support-arm means, whereby outwardly opposed latching-catches on terminuses of resilient said latching-prongs make positive engagement with upper and lower latching-notches formed in said right female/receiver-mount;

an upper/finger-relief and an opposed lower/finger-relief included upon discrete left and right said female/receiver-mounts proximal upper and lower said latching-catches, whereby simultaneous manual squeezing of one'"'"'s thumb and opposing finger at said upper/finger-relief and said lower/finger-relief, biases said latching-prongs toward one another and ultimately against said male medial-prong as to thereby disengage said latching-catches from impingement upon said latching-notches, thereby releasing said temple/support-arms free from retention by said female/receiver-mounts.

12. ) The convertible eyeglasses according to claim 11, wherein standard said left and right temple/support-arms are injection-molded in one-piece from a simple longitudinally-split two-piece opposed-cavity die;

thereby making them economical to produce, whereby a user may more affordably enjoy the purchase of various styles.

13. ) The invention apparatus according to claim 11, wherein standard said left and right temple/support-arms are readily interchangeable in a modular manner with a temple/strap-assembly having an abbreviated body terminating with a male-extension/support-loop portion to which is affixed a headstrap portion;

thereby making the eyeglasses more suitable for use as goggles while skiing or sky-diving for example.

14. ) The invention apparatus according to claim 13, wherein said male-extension/support-loop bodies can be installed interchangably left or right, thereby obviating possibility of improper installation.

15. ) The invention apparatus according to claim 13, wherein either said temple/strap-assembly or said right and said left standard temple/support-arms may be conveniently carried in one'"'"'s pocket;

thereby enabling user to readily interchange between either traditional appearing eyeglasses or goggles according to the necessity at hand.

16. ) The invention apparatus according to claim 11, wherein independent said left and right female/receiver-mounts both include a discrete support-cavity, which serve to receive respective said left and right male/pronged-assembly members;

wherein the aftward terminus of said support-cavities impinges against the latching-abutment portion when said left and right temple/support-arm members are slidingly installed.

17. ) The invention apparatus according to claim 11, wherein both left and right said female/receiver-mounts are a permanent part of said eyeglasses and comprise a common injection-molded component which is simply flipped-over left-to-right so as to thereby oppose each of the other as installed;

thus substantially reducing the considerable expenditure for otherwise complex seperate mirror-image three-piece molding-dies.

18. ) The invention apparatus according to claim 11, wherein one said standard said temple/support-arm is modularly interchangable with a special radio-arm iteration providing the eyeglasses wearer with selective radio-station listening.

19. ) The invention apparatus according to claim 11, wherein one standard said temple/support-arm is modularly interchangable with a special videocam-arm iteration providing the eyeglasses wearer with ability to selectively photograph their surroundings.

20. ) In a pair of convertible eyeglasses;

a method of interchanging temple-supports comprising;

Providing a left-side female/receiver-mount means with forward support-swivel portion hingingly adapted to the conventional left/temple-support, said left female/receiver-mount portion serving to intimately receive both upper and lower cooperative male latching-prongs and medial-prong of a trailing left temple/support-arm means, whereby outwardly opposed latching-catches on terminuses of resilient said latching-prongs make positive engagement with upper and lower latching-notches formed in said left female/receiver-mount;

providing a right-side female/receiver-mount means with forward support-swivel portion hingingly adapted to the conventional right/temple-support, said right female/receiver-mount portion serving to intimately receive both upper and lower cooperative male latching-prongs and medial-prong of a trailing right temple/support-arm means, whereby outwardly opposed latching-catches on terminuses of resilient said latching-prongs make positive engagement with upper and lower latching-notches formed in said right female/receiver-mount;

Providing an upper/finger-relief and an opposed lower/finger-relief included upon discrete left and right said female/receiver-mounts proximal upper and lower said latching-catches, whereby simultaneous manual squeezing of one'"'"'s thumb and opposing finger at said upper/finger-relief and said lower/finger-relief, biases said latching-prongs toward one another and ultimately against said male medial-prong as to thereby disengage said latching-catches from impingement upon said latching-notches, thereby releasing said temple/support-arms free from retention by said female/receiver-mounts.

providing a secondary attaching procedure whereby user merely slides a different left and/or different right said temple/support-arm into support-cavity until said latching-catches positively engage with said latching-notches, whereupon said temple/support-arms are held fast with said eyeglasses.