Eyeglasses with interchangeable and adjustable headband

• US 6,908,194 B1
• Filed: 05/09/2002
• Issued: 06/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kevin B. Johnson
• Original Assignee: Kevin B. Johnson
• Inventors: Johnson, Kevin B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang, Hung Xuan
• Application Number:
  US10/140,488
• Time in Patent Office: 1,139 Days
• Field of Search: 351/156, 351/157, 351/158, 351/153, 351/140, 351/121, 351/41, 245/2, 162/28
• US Class Current: 351/156
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2200/04 Junctions between frame elements having a click function
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 3/003 Arrangements for fitting and securing to the head in the position of use

Abstract

An eyeglasses system comprises an eyeglasses frame having a pair of opposite temple regions an attachment interface at each temple region, and two or more sets of laces. The lace sets are interchangeably attachable and detachable from the attachment interfaces at the temple regions of the frame, such that laces of different styles may be used with the single frame. There are in some systems plural frames each having a pair of opposite temple regions with an attachment interface at each temple region, such that plural sets of laces may be freely interchanged and worn with plural sets of laces. Individual ones of the lace sets may include laces of one or more of different styles, colors, indicia, widths, or materials.

Claims

1. An eyeglasses system, comprising:

an eyeglasses frame having a pair of opposite temple regions;

a lace structure having opposite ends; and

coupling means for removably coupling each of the opposite ends of the lace structure to one of the temple regions of the eyeglasses frame;

wherein the coupling means comprises a male coupler element and a female coupler element, the male and female coupler elements being removably couplable together, the male coupler element being mounted on one of the lace and the eyeglasses frame and the female coupler clement being mounted on the other of the lace and eyeglasses frame;

wherein the male coupler element comprises a peg being elongate with a transverse cross section having a substantially circular shape, the peg of the male coupler element having a pair of protrusions, a first one of the pair of protrusions extending in a substantially diametrically opposite direction from a second one of the pair of protrusions;

wherein the female coupler element comprises a slot formed on the temple region of the eyeglass frame, the slot removably receiving the peg of the male coupler element, the slot having a generally cylindrical shape, an inner surface defining an interior of the slot, a pair of opposed grooves being formed on the inner surface for receiving the protrusions as the peg is moved into and out of the slot, a pair of notches each being formed in the inner surface at a location along one of the grooves, the notches being adapted to permit rotation of the peg of the male coupler element in the slot to lodge the protrusions in the notches such that longitudinal movement of the male coupler element out of the slot is resisted.

2. An eyeglasses system, comprising:

an eyeglasses frame having a pair of opposite temple regions;

a post being mounted on the eyeglasses frame at each of the pair of opposite temple regions, each of the posts, extending in a rearward direction from the eyeglasses frame; and

a lace structure having opposite ends, each of the opposite ends defines a cavity for removably receiving one of the posts on the eyeglasses frame for connecting the lace structure to the eyeglasses frame the lace structure being flexible between the opposite ends, the lace structure having a substantially uniform width between the opposite ends;

.

wherein each of the posts has a plurality of annular ridges formed on an exterior surface of the post.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein each of the posts is substantially solid.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the eyeglasses frame lies generally in a plant and each of the posts being oriented substantially perpendicular to the plane of the eyeglasses frame.

5. The system of claim 2 wherein each of the cavities comprises a bore.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein each of the opposite ends includes an end piece having the bore formed therein, the end piece being formed of a flexible material.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein each of the bores has a longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to an extent of the lace structure connected to the end piece having the bore formed therein.

8. The system of claim 2 wherein each of the cavities comprises a bore;

wherein each of the bores has a cylindrical interior surface;

wherein each of the opposite ends includes an end piece having the bore formed therein, the end piece being formed of a flexible material; and

wherein each of the bores has a longitudinal axis extending substantially parallel to an extent of the lace structure connected to the end piece having the bore formed therein.

9. The system of claim 2 wherein the plurality of annular ridges on each post forms threads.