Earpiece-less eyeglass frame having a removable retainer strap

• US 7,427,133 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2006
• Issued: 09/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Troy L. Carter
• Original Assignee: Troy L. Carter
• Inventors: Carter, Troy L.
• Primary Examiner(s): MAI, HUY KIM
• Application Number:
  US11/406,206
• Publication Number:
  US 20070242214A1
• Time in Patent Office: 889 Days
• Field of Search: 351/41, 351111-122, 351156-158
• US Class Current: 351/156
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 11/02 Ornaments, e.g. exchangeable
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 3/003 Arrangements for fitting and securing to the head in the position of use
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 3/006 Arrangements for fitting and securing to the head or neck not in the position of use

Abstract

An earpiece-less lenticular eyeglass frame and removable retainer strap. Attachment mechanisms on each side of the lenticular frame enable a retainer strap to be directly connected to the frame. The retainer strap includes an end-piece at each end of the strap that is compatible with the two attachment mechanisms for attaching the strap to the frame and for removing the strap from the frame. A sliding clasp is used to adjust tension on the retainer strap for different activities such as reading or playing sports. A user may remove the retainer strap to interchange straps or to move the retainer strap from one pair of eyeglasses to another. The absence of earpieces makes the eyeglasses more comfortable, lightweight, less bulky, and less susceptible to damage.

Claims

1. An earpiece-less eyeglass apparatus, comprising:

a lenticular frame for holding at least one eyeglass lens;

first and second attachment mechanisms on each side of the lenticular frame for removably attaching a retainer strap directly to the frame;

a retainer strap for retaining the lenticular frame on a user'"'"'s face by placing the strap behind the user'"'"'s head, said retainer strap having an end-piece at each end of the strap, said end-piece being compatible with the first and second attachment mechanisms to attach the strap to the frame and to remove the strap from the frame; and

an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the retainer strap to provide greater or lesser tension on the frame, said adjustment mechanism including a slidable clasp for isolating a portion of the retainer strap thereby providing a retainer strap with a shorter effective length, wherein the slidable clasp has a mass sufficient to provide a counter-weight to the lenticular frame.

2. The earpiece-less eyeglass apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

the first and second attachment mechanisms include a slot having a rod mounted therein; and

the end-pieces of the retainer strap include a curved pin connector shaped to securely snap over the rod within the slot.

3. The earpiece-less eyeglass apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slidable clasp includes a piece of decorative jewelry.

4. The earpiece-less eyeglass apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slidable clasp includes a spring to hold the clasp in place at a location on the retainer strap selected by the user.

5. The earpiece-less eyeglass apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the retainer strap is constructed of an elastic material.

6. The earpiece-less eyeglass apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the retainer strap is constructed of a non-elastic material.

7. A retainer strap for retaining a lenticular eyeglass frame on a user'"'"'s face by placing the strap behind the user'"'"'s head, said eyeglass frame having a first attachment mechanism on a first side of the frame and a second attachment mechanism on a second side of the frame, said retainer strap comprising:

a first end-piece at a first end of the retainer strap, said first end-piece being compatible with the first attachment mechanism to attach the strap directly to the frame and to remove the strap from the frame;

a second end-piece at a second end of the retainer strap, said second end-piece being compatible with the second attachment mechanism to attach the strap directly to the frame and to remove the strap from the frame; and

an adjustment mechanism for adjusting the retainer strap to provide greater or lesser tension on the frame, said adjustment mechanism including a slidable clasp for isolating a portion of the retainer strap thereby providing a retainer strap with a shorter effective length, wherein the slidable clasp has a mass sufficient to provide a counter-weight to the lenticular frame.

8. The retainer strap according to claim 7, wherein the first and second end-pieces are identical.

9. The retainer strap according to claim 8, wherein the first and second attachment mechanisms on the frame include a slot having a rod mounted therein, and the end-pieces of the retainer strap include a curved pin connector shaped to securely snap over the rod within the slot on the frame.

10. The retainer strap according to claim 7, wherein the slidable clasp includes a piece of decorative jewelry.

11. The retainer strap according to claim 7, wherein the slidable clasp includes a spring to hold the clasp in place at a location on the retainer strap selected by the user.