Articulated eyeglass frame

• US 5,708,489 A
• Filed: 07/29/1996
• Issued: 01/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Oakley, Inc. (EssilorLuxottica SA)
• Original Assignee: Oakley, Inc. (EssilorLuxottica SA)
• Inventors: Jannard, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dudek, James A.
• Application Number:
  US08/681,777
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 351/44, 351/49, 351/59, 351/60, 351/65, 351/83, 351/85, 351/86, 351/87, 351/114, 351/116, 351/126, 351/125
• US Class Current: 351/41
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 1/06 Bridge or browbar secured to or integral with closed rigid rims for the lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/00 Constructions of non-optical parts
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/122 with adjustable means
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/124 for vertically varying the position of the lenses

Abstract

Disclosed are dimensionally stable eyeglass orbitals, pivotably mounted in an eyeglass frame. In one embodiment, the eyeglass orbitals are investment cast from substantially pure titanium or a titanium based alloy.

Claims

1. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses, comprising:

first and second orbitals, each orbital having a medial and a lateral zone;

a medial connector on the medial zone of each orbital; and

a bridge movably connected to the medial connector on each orbital;

wherein each orbital is moveable throughout a range of motion of no more than about 15°

with respect to the bridge.

2. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second orbitals comprises an annular seat for receiving a lens.

3. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 2, further comprising a retainer for retaining said lens in the annular seat.

4. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 1, wherein said first and second orbitals comprise a metal.

5. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 4, wherein said metal comprises titanium.

6. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 1, further comprising first and second earstems connected to said eyeglasses.

7. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 1, wherein the range of motion is limited by contact between an abutment surface on the bridge and an opposing abutment surface on an orbital.

8. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 1, wherein each orbital is moveable throughout a range of motion of no more than about ±

10°

with respect to the bridge.

9. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 1, wherein each orbital is moveable throughout a range of motion of no more than about ±

5°

with respect to the bridge.

10. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 1, wherein the bridge further comprises a flange having an aperture therethrough for moveably connecting to the medial connector.

11. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 1, further comprising first and second cast metal earstems pivotably connected to the first and second orbitals, respectively.

12. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 11, further comprising at least a first link connected in between the first orbital and the first ear stem.

13. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 1, further comprising first and second lenses, wherein the first orbital completely surrounds the first lens.

14. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 1, further comprising first and second lenses, wherein the first orbital surrounds only a portion of the first lens.

15. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 1, wherein the bridge comprises a metal.

16. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 15, wherein the metal comprises titanium.

17. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses, comprising:

first and second metal orbitals, each orbital having a medial and a lateral zone;

first and second lenses in the first and second orbitals, respectively;

a metal bridge pivotably connected to the medial zone on each orbital;

first and second links connected to a lateral zone on each of the first and second orbitals; and

first and second ear stems connected to the first and second links;

wherein each orbital is moveable throughout a range of motion of no more than about ±

10°

with respect to the bridge.

18. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 17, further comprising a resilient pad in the joint between the bridge and each orbital to bias the joint to a particular orientation.

19. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 18, wherein the eyeglasses comprise investment cast metal.

20. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 19, wherein said metal comprises titanium.

21. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses, comprising:

first and second metal orbitals, each orbital having a medial and a lateral zone;

a first medial connector on the medial zone of the first orbital;

a metal bridge pivotably connected at a joint between the first medial connector on the first orbital and the bridge; and

a resilient pad in the joint to bias the joint to a particular orientation;

wherein each orbital is moveable throughout a range of motion of no more than ±

10°

with respect to the bridge.

22. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 21, wherein said metal comprises titanium.

23. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 22, further comprising first and second earstems connected to said eyeglasses.

24. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 22, wherein each orbital is moveable throughout a range of motion of no more than about ±

5°

with respect to the bridge.

25. Articulated dual lens eyeglasses as in claim 23, further comprising at least a first link connected in between the first orbital and the first ear stem.