Biased eyeglass frames

• US 6,106,116 A
• Filed: 09/08/1998
• Issued: 08/22/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Oakley, Inc. (EssilorLuxottica SA)
• Original Assignee: Oakley, Inc. (EssilorLuxottica SA)
• Inventors: Reyes, Carlos D., Saylor, Ryan, Jannard, James H., Houston, Malcolm Neal
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang, Hung Xuan
• Application Number:
  US09/149,317
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 351/126, 351/124, 351/128, 351/129, 351/133, 351/130, 351/136, 351/137, 351/135, 351/41, 351/158, 351/140, 351/159
• 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 5/04 with adjustable means
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/06 with resilient means
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/122 with adjustable means
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/124 for vertically varying the position of the lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/2263 Composite hinges, e.g. for varying the inclination of the lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 7/02 Lenses; Lens systems ; Methods of designing 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. The orbitals hold the lenses in the as-worn orientation such that the optical centerline of each lens extends in a predetermined relationship with respect to the wearer'"'"'s theoretical straight ahead line of sight.

Claims

1. An eyeglass, containing a nonpowered decentered eyeglass lens which is optically corrected in an as-worn orientation with respect to the normal line of sight of a wearer, comprising:

an investment cast metal frame; and

at least one lens attached to the frame and positioned by the frame such that the lens is adapted to have a predetermined orientation with respect to the wearer'"'"'s normal line of sight, said lens having an outer surface conforming to a portion of the surface of a first sphere having a first center and an inner surface conforming to a portion of the surface of a second sphere having a second center, and an optical centerline extending through the first and second centers;

wherein the frame maintains the lens in an as-worn orientation such that the optical centerline is adapted to be maintained substantially parallel to and spaced vertically and horizontally apart from the wearer'"'"'s normal line of sight.

2. An eyeglass according to claim 1, wherein the optical centerline is adapted to deviate from absolutely parallel to the wearer'"'"'s normal line of sight by no more than about 3°

in at least one of the vertical and horizontal planes.

3. An eyeglass according to claim 1, wherein the optical centerline is adapted to be spaced more than about 0.1 inch, as measured along said outer surface of said lens, from the wearer'"'"'s normal line of sight in the vertical plane.

4. An eyeglass according to claim 1, wherein the optical centerline is adapted to be spaced at least about 0.5 inch, as measured along said outer surface of said lens, from the wearer'"'"'s normal line of sight in at least one of the vertical and horizontal planes.

5. An eyeglass according to claim 1, wherein the optical centerline is adapted to be vertically displaced between about 0.25 inch and about 0.75 inch, as measured along said outer surface of said lens, from the wearer'"'"'s normal line of sight.

6. An eyeglass as in claim 1, wherein the prismatic distortion in the as-worn orientation is no more than about 1/8 diopters.

7. An eyeglass according to claim 1, wherein the optical centerline is adapted to deviate from absolutely parallel to the wearer'"'"'s normal line of sight by no more than about 5°

in at least one of the vertical and horizontal planes.

8. An eyeglass according to claim 1, wherein the optical centerline is adapted to deviate from absolutely parallel to the wearer'"'"'s normal line of sight by no more than about 10°

in at least one of the vertical and horizontal planes.

9. An eyeglass containing a nonpowered decentered eyeglass lens, comprising:

a frame adapted to permit limited bending movement upon application of an external force, said frame being biased to return to a predetermined configuration upon removal of the external force; and

at least one lens attached to said frame, said lens having an outer surface conforming to a portion of a surface of a first sphere having a first center and an inner surface conforming to a portion of a surface of a second sphere having a second center, and an optical centerline extending through the first and second centers;

wherein said frame is adapted to maintain said lens in an as-worn orientation with both wrap and rake such that the optical centerline is substantially parallel to and spaced vertically and horizontally apart from the wearer'"'"'s normal line of sight.

10. An eyeglass according to claim 9, wherein said frame comprises:

a lens support affixed to said lens;

first and second earstems each having an anterior end, a posterior end, and a fulcrum at or near said anterior end, said first and second earstems being pivotably connected to said lens support at the fulcrum such that said earstems are freely laterally pivotable through a first range of motion from a folded position to a position wherein said earstems are laterally separated from each other; and

a biasing structure that imparts a force on said first and second earstems when said earstems are laterally pivoted through a second range of motion wherein said posterior ends of said earstems are laterally separated a predetermined distance from each other.

11. An eyeglass according to claim 10, wherein said earstems are freely laterally pivotable to a position where said posterior ends are laterally separated a distance of at least about 2 inches.

12. An eyeglass according to claim 11, wherein said earstems are freely laterally pivotable to a position where said posterior ends are laterally separated a distance of at least about 3 inches.

13. An eyeglass according to claim 11, wherein said biasing structure imparts a force on said first and second earstems when said earstems are laterally pivoted such that said posterior ends of said earstems are laterally separated a distance of more than 3 inches.

14. An eyeglass according to claim 10, wherein said biasing structure imparts a force on said first and second earstems when said earstems are laterally pivoted such that said posterior ends of said earstems are laterally separated a distance of more than 31/2 inches.

15. An eyeglass according to claim 10, wherein said biasing structure comprises a compressible pad.

16. An eyeglass according to claim 10, wherein said biasing structure comprises an elastic band.

17. An eyeglass according to claim 10, wherein said biasing structure comprises a spring.

18. An eyeglass according to claim 9, wherein said frame comprises:

a lens support affixed to said lens, said lens support having a connector;

a link pivotably connected to said lens support at said connector such that said link is laterally pivotable about said connector; and

an earstem having an earstem connector, said earstem being pivotably connected to said link at said earstem connector such that said earstem is laterally pivotable about said earstem connector.

19. An eyeglass according to claim 18, wherein said earstem is pivotable through a range of at least about 90°

.

20. An eyeglass according to claim 18, wherein said link is pivotable through a range of no more than about 10°

.

21. An eyeglass according to claim 18, wherein said link is pivotable through a range of no more than about 5°

.