Eyeglass earstem with enhanced performance
First Claim
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1. An eyeglass earstem assembly comprising:
- a flexible suspension component having an anterior end and a posterior end, the anterior end of the suspension component being pivotally coupled relative to an eyeglass frame, the flexible suspension component providing resistance against rotation relative to the eyeglass frame upon reaching a deployed position; and
a rigid elongate body having an anterior end and a posterior end, the anterior end of the rigid elongate body being pivotally coupled to the flexible suspension component, the rigid elongate body and the suspension component being attached to each other at a point posterior to the anterior ends of the rigid elongate body and the suspension component, the rigid elongate body being operative to rotate relative to the eyeglass frame beyond the deployed position;
wherein upon rotation of the rigid elongate body beyond the deployed position, the attachment between the rigid elongate body and the flexible suspension component causes deflection of the flexible suspension component which dampens further rotation of the rigid elongate body relative to the eyeglass frame.
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Abstract
An earstem for an eyeglass is provided that can exhibit a dampening effect as the earstem is over-rotated or deflected from a deployed position to a deflected position. In some embodiments, the earstem can comprise a suspension component and a rigid elongate body. The suspension component can be attached to the rigid elongate body along a posterior portion of the suspension component. The rigid elongate body can pivot relative to the frame to a deployed position and further, beyond the deployed position. However, pivoting of the rigid elongate body beyond the deployed position causes deflection of the suspension component, which dampens further pivoting of the rigid elongate body.
55 Citations
34 Claims
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1. An eyeglass earstem assembly comprising:
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a flexible suspension component having an anterior end and a posterior end, the anterior end of the suspension component being pivotally coupled relative to an eyeglass frame, the flexible suspension component providing resistance against rotation relative to the eyeglass frame upon reaching a deployed position; and a rigid elongate body having an anterior end and a posterior end, the anterior end of the rigid elongate body being pivotally coupled to the flexible suspension component, the rigid elongate body and the suspension component being attached to each other at a point posterior to the anterior ends of the rigid elongate body and the suspension component, the rigid elongate body being operative to rotate relative to the eyeglass frame beyond the deployed position; wherein upon rotation of the rigid elongate body beyond the deployed position, the attachment between the rigid elongate body and the flexible suspension component causes deflection of the flexible suspension component which dampens further rotation of the rigid elongate body relative to the eyeglass frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An earstem assembly for eyeglasses comprising:
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a flexible elongate body having an anterior end and a posterior end, the anterior end being pivotally coupled to the frame at a first pivot point; and a rigid elongate body pivotally coupled to the flexible elongate body adjacent to the anterior end thereof at a second pivot point, the rigid elongate body being coupled to the flexible elongate body at a point posterior to the anterior end of the flexible elongate body; wherein the rigid elongate body can be rotated about the second pivot point to move from a deployed position to a deflected position. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. An eyeglass comprising:
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a frame; a pair of earstem assemblies coupled to and extending from the frame, each earstem assembly comprising a suspension component and a rigid elongate body, the suspension component being pivotally coupled to the frame at a first point and to the rigid elongate body at a second point, the suspension component being operative to pivot relative to the frame until reaching a deployed position, the rigid elongate body being operative to pivot relative to the suspension component and the frame beyond the deployed position upon application of increased force, the suspension component being attached to the rigid elongate body along a posterior portion of the suspension component at a third point such that pivoting of the rigid elongate body beyond the deployed position causes deflection of the suspension component to dampen further pivoting of the rigid elongate body. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification