Eyeglass frames

• US 7,210,776 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2003
• Issued: 05/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oakley, Inc. (EssilorLuxottica SA)
• Original Assignee: Oakley, Inc. (EssilorLuxottica SA)
• Inventors: Yee, Peter, Jannard, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dang; Hung Xuan
• Application Number:
  US10/737,709
• Publication Number:
  US 20040179166A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,232 Days
• Field of Search: 351/86, 351/51, 351/52, 351/44, 351/47, 351/57, 351/48, 351/58, 351/41
• US Class Current: 351/41
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 12/02 Spectacle frames constructional form G02C
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/02 Ornaments, e.g. exchangeable
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2200/08 Modular frames, easily exchangeable frame parts and lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/00 Constructions of non-optical parts
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/2209 Pivot bearings and hinge bolts other than screws

Abstract

An eyeglass frame that includes a frame body having a lens support portion, and first and second earstem portions, which extend rearwardly from first and second lateral sides of the lens support portion, respectively. The frame body includes a first member and a second member. The first and second members are partially coextensive, and each of the first and second members define a portion of an outward-facing surface of the eyeglass frame.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing an eyeglass frame, comprising:

forming a frame body, said frame body including a frame portion and first and second earstem portions, said frame portion defining first and second orbitals, each of said orbitals being sized and shaped to support an optical lens, said frame body defining a recess;

forming an insert portion, said insert portion being sized and shaped to occupy said recess of said frame body;

positioning said insert portion into said recess such that each of said frame body and said insert portion define a portion of an external surface of said eyeglass frame, wherein a forward-facing surface of said insert portion is visible through said frame body.

2. The method of claim 1, additionally comprising securing said insert portion to said frame body.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said securing step comprises heating said frame body and said insert portion.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said heating step is a separate process step from said positioning of said insert portion.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said securing step comprises mechanically securing said insert portion to said frame body.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said forming of said frame body occurs in a first mold and said forming of said insert occurs in a second mold, separate from said first mold.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said forming of said frame body occurs in a first mold, additionally comprising utilizing a portion of said first mold to create a second mold and forming said insert portion in said second mold.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said insert portion is visible through said frame body.

9. A method of manufacturing an eyeglass frame, comprising:

forming a frame body, said frame body including a frame portion and first and second earstem portions, said frame portion defining first and second orbitals, each of said orbitals being sized and shaped to support an optical lens, said frame body defining a recess;

forming an insert portion, said insert portion being sized and shaped to occupy said recess of said frame body;

positioning said insert portion into said recess such that each of said frame body and said insert portion define a portion of an external surface of said eyeglass frame, wherein said forming of said insert and said positioning of said insert into said recess occurs simultaneously.

10. A method of manufacturing an eyeglass frame, comprising:

forming a first frame body member comprising a frame portion and first and second earstem portions, said frame portion defining first and second orbitals each configured to support an optical lens, a forward-facing surface of said first frame body member defining a first shape;

forming a second frame body member defining a second shape substantially similar to said first shape;

permanently affixing said second frame body member to said forward-facing surface of said first frame body member such that each of said first frame body member and said second frame body member define a portion of a forward-facing surface of said eyeglass frame.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said affixing step comprises providing a roughened surface portion on said first frame body member, defining a projection on said second frame body member, contacting said roughened surface portion with said projection and subjecting said first frame body member and said second frame body member to an ultrasonic welding process.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said forming said second frame body member comprises producing a plurality of individual pieces that cooperate to form said second frame body member.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein said first frame body member is formed from a material having a first color and said second frame body member is formed from a material having a color other than said first color.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein said first frame body is formed from a substantially transparent material.