Eyeglass connection device

• US 5,387,949 A
• Filed: 01/29/1992
• Issued: 02/07/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Oakley, Inc. (EssilorLuxottica SA)
• Original Assignee: Oakley, Inc. (EssilorLuxottica SA)
• Inventors: Tackles, George
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dang, Hung Xuan
• Application Number:
  US07/825,476
• Time in Patent Office: 1,105 Days
• Field of Search: 351/121, 351/110, 351/111, 351/140, 351/41, 351/158, 351/153, 351/141, 351/142, 351/149, 351/44
• US Class Current: 351/121
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 1/02 Bridge or browbar secured to lenses without the use of rims
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 2200/08 Modular frames, easily exchangeable frame parts and lenses
• CPC Class Codes: G02C 5/10 Intermediate bars or bars between bridge and side-members

Abstract

Disclosed is a connector for use in connecting a lens to an earstem, comprising a main body which contains a hinge end and a lens receiving end. The connector contains a channel for receiving a portion of the lens. The pivot end of the channel contains a recess whereas the locking end of the channel contains a projection. The hinge end of the connector is attached to the earstem by a releasable pin connection. The lens is connected to the connector by inserting a lens into the channel where the lens is pivoted at the pivot end and then the connector is snapped down to cover over the top edge of the lens. Variations, component parts, and a wire frame dual lens detachable component system are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A connector for eyeglasses, for connecting one or more earstems to a lens, said connector comprising:

a main body with a lateral end and a medial end;

a lens receiving channel extending from the medial end in the direction of the lateral end;

a first interlock structure in the lateral end of the channel, said first interlock structure comprising a locking surface for engaging a corresponding locking surface on the lens for resisting vertical upward motion of the lateral end of the connector with respect to the lens, said locking surface on the first interlock structure comprising a ramped edge of a projection on the connector; and

a second interlock structure spaced apart from the lateral end of the channel.

2. A connector for eyeglasses as in claim 1, wherein the projection is integrally molded on the connector and extends within the channel in the medial direction.

3. A connector for eyeglasses as in claim 1, wherein the second interlock structure comprises a locking surface for releasably engaging a corresponding locking surface on the lens.

4. A connector for eyeglasses as in claim 1, wherein the second interlock structure comprises a projection within the channel for engaging a recess in the lens.

5. A connector for eyeglasses as in claim 4, wherein the second interlock structure comprises first and second projections on the connector extending toward each other from opposite sides of the channel.

6. An eyeglass, comprising a lens, an earstem, and at least one connector as defined in claim 1 for removably connecting the earstem to the lens.

7. A eyeglass as in claim 6, further comprising an earstem pivotally secured to the connector.

8. An eyeglass, comprising a lens, an earstem, and at least one connector as defined in claim 1 for removably connecting the earstem to the lens.

9. Sunglasses, comprising:

a unitary transparent lens adapted to extend in the path of the wearer'"'"'s left and right eye fields of vision; and

at least one connector as defined in claim 1 extending along a portion of an edge of said lens, said lens having at least one projection on the lens to interlock with said connector.

10. A sunglass as in claim 9, further comprising a second connector secured to said lens.

11. A sunglass as in claim 9, further comprising an earstem pivotally secured to said connector.

12. A sunglass as in claim 9, wherein said connector extends no more than about one-third of the way across a top edge of the lens.

13. A sunglass as in claim 9, wherein the connector extends no more than about one-fifth of the way across the top edge of the lens.

14. A sunglass as in claim 9, wherein said connector extends along at least a portion of the lateral edge of the lens.

15. A sunglass as in claim 9, wherein said connector extends along at least a portion of the bottom edge of the lens.

16. The connector of claim 1, further comprising an earstem pivotally secured to the connector.

17. A connector for eyeglasses, for connecting one or more earstems to a lens, said connector comprising:

a main body with a lateral end and a medial end;

a lens receiving channel extending from the medial end in the direction of the lateral end;

a first interlock structure in the lateral end of the channel; and

a second interlock structure spaced apart from the lateral end of the channel, said second interlock structure comprising a recess in the channel for receiving a projection on the lens.

18. An eyeglass, comprising:

a lens, said lens having a connector contacting surface having a projection at a lateral point thereon and a recess at a medial point thereon;

an earstem; and

at least one connector for connecting one or more earstems to a lens, said connector comprising a main body with a lateral end and a medial end;

a lens receiving channel extending from the medial end in the direction of the lateral end;

a first interlock structure in the lateral end of the channel; and

a second interlock structure spaced apart from the lateral end of the channel, said connector for removably connecting the earstem to the lens.