SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REMOVABLY COUPLING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE TO EYEWEAR

• US 20130250232A1
• Filed: 02/14/2013
• Published: 09/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/17/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oakley, Inc. (EssilorLuxottica SA)
• Original Assignee: Oakley, Inc. (EssilorLuxottica SA)
• Inventors: BELBEY, JASON, MORITZ, HANS KARSTEN, KIM, MYONG
• Granted Patent: US 9,864,211 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 351/158
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/00 Non-optical adjuncts; Attachment thereof G02C7/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/04 Illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/10 Electronic devices other than hearing aids
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2200/02 Magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/02 Lenses; Lens systems ; Methods of designing lenses
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 13/00 Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing or adjusting assemblages of electric components
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 7/12 Resilient or clamping means for holding component to structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

This disclosure provides systems and methods for removably coupling an electronic device to eyewear. In one aspect, an eyeglass is provided. The eyeglass includes an eyeglass frame adapted to be carried by a head of a wearer, at least a first lens, and at least a first lens support portion of the eyeglass frame configured to position the at least first lens in a path of a field of view of a wearer. The eyeglass further includes an attachment device that comprises a first connector and a second connector, where the first connector removably couples the attachment device to the eyeglass frame, and an electronic device, where the second connector removably couples the electronic device to the attachment device.

Claims

1. An eyeglass, comprising:

an eyeglass frame, adapted to be carried by a head of a wearer;

at least a first lens;

at least a first lens support portion of the eyeglass frame being configured to position the at least first lens in a path of a field of view of a wearer;

an attachment device comprising a first connector and a second connector, wherein the first connector removably couples the attachment device to the eyeglass frame; and

an electronic device, wherein the second connector removably couples the electronic device to the attachment device.

2. The eyeglass of claim 1, wherein the first connector is different than the second connector.

3. The eyeglass of claim 2, wherein the first connector comprises a clip, and wherein the second connector comprises a magnet.

5. The eyeglass of claim 1, wherein the first connector comprises:

a first plate molded to couple to an inside end of the eyeglass frame, the first plate comprising a snap;

a second plate comprising the second connector and configured to support the electronic device; and

a hinge coupled to a first end of the first plate and to a first end of the second plate, wherein the hinge operates to squeeze the second plate against an outside end of the eyeglass frame, and wherein the snap couples to the second plate when the hinge operates to squeeze the second plate against the outside end of the eyeglass frame to hold the second plate against the outside end of the eyeglass frame.

6. The eyeglass of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is selected from the group consisting of:

a flashlight, a camera, a microphone, and a laser pointer.

8. The eyeglass of claim 1, wherein the first connector is securely affixed to the attachment device without any adhesive material, and wherein the second connector is securely affixed to the attachment device without any adhesive material.

10. The eyeglass of claim 1, wherein the electronic device points in a direction that is aligned with the path of the field of view of the wearer.

11. The eyeglass of claim 10, wherein the electronic device maintains its position of pointing in the direction that is aligned with the path of the field of view of the wearer during motion of the wearer.

13. The eyeglass of claim 1, wherein the attachment device is configured to provide at least one of an electrical connection or a data connection between the electronic device and the eyeglass frame.

4. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

9. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

14. A dual attachment member, comprising:

an attachment device comprising a first connector and a second connector, wherein the first connector removably couples the attachment device to a headwear apparatus; and

an electronic device, wherein the second connector removably couples the electronic device to the attachment device.

15. The dual attachment member of claim 14, wherein the first connector is different than the second connector.

16. The dual attachment member of claim 15, wherein the first connector comprises a clip, and wherein the second connector comprises a magnet.

18. The dual attachment member of claim 14, wherein the first connector comprises:

a first plate molded to couple to an inside end of the headwear apparatus, the first plate comprising a snap;

a second plate comprising the second connector and configured to support the electronic device; and

a hinge coupled to a first end of the first plate and to a first end of the second plate, wherein the hinge operates to squeeze the second plate against an outside end of the headwear apparatus, and wherein the snap couples to the second plate when the hinge operates to squeeze the second plate against the outside end of the headwear apparatus to hold the second plate against the outside end of the headwear apparatus.

19. The dual attachment member of claim 14, wherein the electronic device is selected from the group consisting of:

a flashlight, a camera, a microphone, and a laser pointer.

23. The dual attachment member of claim 14, wherein the electronic device points in a direction that is aligned with the path of the field of view of the wearer.

24. The dual attachment member of claim 23, wherein the electronic device maintains its position of pointing in the direction that is aligned with the path of the field of view of the wearer during motion of the wearer.

26. The dual attachment member of claim 14, wherein the electronic device rotates about an axis perpendicular to a support member of the headwear apparatus frame, and wherein the support member is an earstem, and wherein the headwear apparatus is an eyeglass frame.

27. The dual attachment member of claim 14, wherein the electronic device rotates about an axis perpendicular to a support member of the headwear apparatus frame, and wherein the support member is a strap, and wherein the headwear apparatus is a goggle.

28. The dual attachment member of claim 14, wherein the attachment device is configured to provide at least one of an electrical connection or a data connection between the electronic device and the headwear apparatus.

17. (canceled)

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29. A method for removably coupling an electronic device to eyewear, the method comprising:

placing an attachment device against an inside end of a support member of an eyewear frame, wherein the attachment device comprises a first connector, and wherein the inside end is an end of the support member closer to a wearer of the eyewear frame;

rotating a second plate of the first connector about a hinge of the first connector, wherein the hinge couples a first end of a first plate of the first connector to a first end of the second plate, and wherein the second plate comprises a second connector;

locking a second end of the first plate to a second end of the second plate; and

attaching the electronic device to the second connector.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first connector is different than the second connector.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the first connector comprises is a clip, and wherein the second connector comprises a magnet.

33. The method of claim 29, wherein the locking further comprises:

squeezing the second plate against an outside end of the support member of the eyewear frame; and

inserting a lip of the first plate into an opening of the second plate to hold the second plate against the outside end.

34. The method of claim 29, wherein the electronic device is selected from the group consisting of:

a flashlight, a camera, a microphone, and a laser pointer.

37. The method of claim 29, wherein locking further comprises locking the second end of the first plate to the second end of the second plate such that the attachment device remains coupled to the eyewear frame during motion of the wearer.

38. The method of claim 29, further comprising adjusting the electronic device so that it points in a direction that is aligned with a path of the field of view of the wearer.

52. The method of claim 29, further comprising providing at least one of an electrical connection or a data connection between the electronic device and the eyewear frame.

32. (canceled)

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51. (canceled)