Abstract
An eyewear hinge system for connecting an eyeglass chassis to a face securing means. The hinge system is an elastomeric component having a connection end to a chassis and a connection end to a temple or headband. In some embodiments, the chassis and temple connection ends are T-shaped protruding flanges and the chassis and temple have corresponding T-shaped cavities for removable receipt of same, respectively. In other embodiments, the band connection end has an opening to receive a band. The hinge may be curved at rest and have two V-shaped narrowings on an outer side of the hinge to allow greater folding capabilities when in use or not in use. A band hinge, a temple hinge, a chassis, a temple, and a band form a sports eyewear system having interchangeability features for different uses. A method of assembly using the disclosed eyewear hinge system.
Claims
1. A screwless hinge system for an eyewear, the system comprising: an at least one elastomeric hinge having at least: a chassis end; a temple end; an inward side; and an outward side; wherein said at least one elastomeric hinge is laterally curved toward said inward side therebetween said chassis end and said temple end, having a substantially uniform thickness therein except for a first V-shaped narrowing and a second V-shaped narrowing on said outward side; an at least one chassis securing element configured to receive said at least one elastomeric hinge at said chassis end; and an at least one temple securing element configured to receive said at least one elastomeric hinge at said temple end.
2. The screwless hinge system of claim 1, wherein said at least one temple securing element is an opening for receiving a band, the eyewear is a goggle.
3. The screwless hinge system of claim 2, wherein said substantially uniform thickness is further interrupted at said inward side by a third V-shaped narrowing and a forth V-shaped narrowing unopposed to said first V-shaped narrowing and said second V-shaped narrowing.
4. The screwless hinge system of claim 1, wherein said at least one chassis securing element is a T-shaped chassis cavity at a chassis end, a T-top portion of said T-shaped chassis cavity is substantially parallel with a chassis front and wherein said at least one temple securing element is a T-shaped temple cavity of a temple end, a T-top portion of said T-shaped temple cavity is substantially perpendicular to a temple length.
5. The screwless hinge system of claim 4, wherein said at least one chassis end of said at least one elastomeric hinge comprises a T-shaped chassis flange configured to removably couple with said T-shaped chassis cavity.
6. The screwless hinge system of claim 5, wherein said at least one temple end of said at least one elastomeric hinge comprises a T-shaped temple flange configured to removably couple with said T-shaped temple cavity.
7. The screwless hinge system of claim 6, wherein said at least one elastomeric hinge is a right elastomeric hinge and a left elastomeric hinge, said at least one chassis securing element is a right chassis securing element and a left chassis securing element, and said at least one temple securing element is a right temple securing element and a left temple securing element.
8. The screwless hinge system of claim 7, wherein the eyewear are spectacles.
9. The screwless hinge system of claim 6, wherein said at least one elastomeric hinge further comprises a chassis-end height and a temple-end height, said T-shaped chassis flange has a height smaller than said chassis-end height, said T-shaped temple flange has a height smaller than said temple-end height, said T-shaped chassis cavity has a height of said T-shaped chassis flange, and said T-shaped temple cavity has a height of said T-shaped temple cavity.
10. The screwless hinge system of claim 9, wherein said T-shaped temple cavity is an opening on a bottom of a temple and said T-shaped chassis cavity is an opening at a bottom of a chassis, said T-shaped temple cavity and said T-shaped chassis cavity do not have an opening at a top of said temple and a top of said chassis.
11. The screwless hinge system of claim 1, wherein the at least one elastomeric hinge is manufactured from an at least one thermoplastic elastomer from a group of thermoplastic elastomers, the group of thermoplastic elastomers consists of thermoplastic olefins, polyolefin polymers, semicrystalline thermoplastics, amorphous elastomers, polypropylene, ethylene, propylene, ethylene-propylene rubber, and mixtures, formulas, combinations, assemblies, compounds, co-formulations, and combinations thereof.
12. The screwless hinge system of claim 11, wherein the at least one thermoplastic elastomer has flexural fatigue resistance, lacks conductivity, is resistant to tear and abrasion, is resistant to extreme temperatures, possesses impact resistance, is colorable, is recyclable, has a low compression set, has a low specific gravity, and is resistant to UV and chemical deterioration.
13. A method of assembling an eyewear having a screwless hinge system, the method comprising: providing an at least one elastomeric hinge having a chassis end, a temple end, an inward side and an outward side, the at least one elastomeric hinge is laterally curved toward said inward side therebetween said chassis end and said temple end, having a substantially uniform thickness except for a first V-shaped narrowing and a second V-shaped narrowing on said outward side; providing an at least one chassis configured to receive said at least one elastomeric hinge at said chassis end; providing an at least one temple configured to receive said at least one elastomeric hinge at said temple end; forming a connection between said at least one elastomeric hinge said at least one chassis; and forming a connection between said at least one elastomeric hinge and said at least one temple.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein said at least one chassis further comprises a T-shaped chassis cavity at a chassis end, a T-top portion of said T-shaped chassis cavity is substantially parallel with the chassis front.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein said at least one temple further comprises a T-shaped temple cavity of a temple end, a T-top portion of said T-shaped temple cavity is substantially perpendicular to a temple length.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said at least one chassis end of said at least one elastomeric hinge comprises a T-shaped chassis flange configured to removably couple with said T-shaped chassis cavity.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein said at least one temple end of said at least one elastomeric hinge comprises a T-shaped temple flange configured to removably couple with said T-shaped temple cavity.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein said at least one elastomeric hinge is a right elastomeric hinge and a left elastomeric hinge, said at least one chassis and said at least one temple is a right temple and a left temple.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the at least one elastomeric hinge is a left elastomeric hinge and a right elastomeric hinge.
20. The method of claim 13, wherein the eyewear is an eyewear type selected from a group of eyewear types, the group of eyewear types consists of a spectacles, a goggles, a face-shield, a sports eyewear, a PPE eyewear, a tinted eyewear, a screen-viewing eyewear, a fashion eyewear, a sunglasses, a reading glasses, and a corrective lens glasses.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The present disclosure will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a left side view of an exemplary embodiment of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear as it may be installed in a spectacle pair;
[0016] FIG. 2A is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear;
[0017] FIG. 2B is a left side view of an exemplary embodiment of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear as it may be installed in a spectacle pair, showing a wearer-right temple open and a wearer-left temple closed;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a wearer-right closeup of an exemplary embodiment of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear as it may be installed in a spectacle pair, the spectacle pair in the closed position;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a wearer-right closeup of an exemplary embodiment of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear as it may be installed in a spectacle pair, the spectacle pair in the open position;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a wearer-right closeup of an exemplary embodiment of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear as it may be installed in an alternate spectacle pair, the alternate spectacle pair in the open position;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear as it may be installed in a goggle pair, the goggle pair having a headband;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a step diagram showing an exemplary method of assembly of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear;
[0024] FIG. 9 is a closeup view of the first sub-step in the first step of the method;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a closeup view of the second sub-step of the first step in the method;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a closeup view of the first sub-step of the second step in the method;
[0027] FIG. 12 is a closeup view of the second sub-step of the second step in the method; and
[0028] FIG. 13 is a final view of the method, upon completion of the assembly.
[0029] It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the disclosure to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Referring now to FIGS. 1-13, in describing the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The present disclosure, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions. Embodiments of the claims may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed to be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The examples set forth herein are non-limiting examples and are merely examples among other possible examples.
[0031] The present disclosure solves the aforementioned limitations of the currently available devices and methods of eyewear assembly by providing a removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear.
[0032] Referring specifically to FIG. 1, therein illustrated is a left side view of an exemplary embodiment of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear as it may be installed in spectacles S. As may be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art, spectacles S as illustrated therein FIG. 1 may be of the sporting variety, though any form factor may be substituted according to systems and methods known to those having ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, the left portion of spectacles S, which is illustrated herein FIG. 1, may entail chassis C having bridge B and left rim R2 which houses left lens L2 and left temple T2 with left earpiece E2. Therebetween chassis C and left temple T2 may be installed left hinge 10b having left outward side 11b. The sizes, shapes, consistency, materials, features, and benefits of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear, when so configured according to the systems and methods disclosed herein, shall be more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art after a thorough review of the remaining drawings and related description. As may be understood by those having skill in the art, full assemblies of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear may include or be recognized as spectacles, a goggles, a face-shield, a sports eyewear, a PPE eyewear, a tinted eyewear, a screen-viewing eyewear, a fashion eyewear, a sunglasses, a reading glasses, a corrective lens glasses, the like, and/or combinations thereof
[0033] Turning now to FIG. 2A, therein illustrated is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear. Hinge 10 having hinge inward side 12 and hinge outward side 11 may be curved substantially inwardly toward hinge inward side 12. Two slits or vertical decreases in materials used for construction of hinge 10 along hinge outward side 11 may each form V-shaped narrowing 21. A T-shaped protrusion on each side of hinge 10 may form connections to temple T and chassis C, which are temple flange 14 and chassis flange 13. As may be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art, temple flange 14 and chassis flange 13 are drawn therein FIG. 2A such that each are identically sized and shaped, the T formed from an extension from hinge 10, such that a narrow portion of each of temple flange 14 and chassis flange 13 connects to the wider features of hinge 10 proximate each end of hinge 10, then protrude some at this uniform narrow width and suddenly protrude again to form the top cross portion of the T-shape. As will further be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art, temple flange 14 and chassis flange 13 may not require identical shape, size, or other features so long as cavity formations designed to receive and operably combine with each of temple flange 14 and chassis flange 13 on temple T and chassis C, respectively, are similarly differentiated. While a T-shaped structure is herein disclosed, other shapes for temple flange 14 and chassis flange 13 may provide similar utility and are encompassed by the disclosure herein. These may include, but are not limited to, pin connections, variously shaped prismatic connections, variously shaped dovetail joint/connections, a ball-and-socket joint arrangement, male/female socketed threading, cotterpin, universal joint connection, connections having pin-releases and/or snaps, the like and/or combinations thereof. As it relates to the functionality of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear, the inwardly curved structure of hinge 10 combined with one or more V-shaped narrowing(s) 21 and secure (but removable) combination with temple T and chassis C may offer great benefits to wearers, given a suitable material for manufacture of hinge 10. In a potentially preferred embodiment, hinge 10 may be constructed of a single, uniform material which comprises a one-part design for hinge 10. While many materials are known to exist which can achieve the properties necessary for the functionality of hinge 10, and are intended to be included as a feature of the instant disclosure, materials may be chosen for their excellent structural fatigue resistance, non-conductivity, tear and abrasion resistance, resistance to extreme temperatures, high impact strength, color-ability or tint-ability (if coloring is desired), low specific gravity, recyclability, resistance to chemicals and environmental factors (such as UV radiation and acid rain), and low compression set. The material or materials used may be selected from those which also offer the ability to bend when a force is applied, but which return to their original form once force is removed. Ideal or potentially preferred embodiments of hinge 10, and the materials thereof, may include but are not limited to thermoplastic elastomers comprising polypropylene, a copolymer of ethylene, propylene, ethylene-propylene rubber, the like and/or combinations thereof. Hundreds, if not thousands, of variations of thermoplastic elastomers and thermoplastic polymers may exist to fill such a need and are intended to be encompassed by the disclosure. For avoidance of doubt, while other materials are known to accomplish the intended benefits of the disclosed removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear, polyolefin thermoplastic elastomer materials, which are compounds or mixtures of various polyolefin polymers, semicrystalline thermoplastics, and amorphous elastomers may be used in the construction of hinge 10, such that in combination with the other various features described herein, function to hinge chassis C and temple T when operably combined.
[0034] Turning specifically to FIG. 2B, therein illustrated is a left side view of an exemplary embodiment left hinge 10b of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear. A person having ordinary skill in the art of spectacle manufacture would understand that a left side view is chiral to a right-side view, obviating the need to illustrate a right and left side. Those features illustrated herein of left hinge 10b are simply mirror images of features contained in right hinge 10a. As illustrated, left hinge 10b has left hinge outward side 11b, left hinge inward side 12b (behind), left chassis flange 13b, left temple flange 14b, and two V-shaped narrowings 21. As will be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art, left hinge 10b is not of uniform height, as illustrated. While alternate embodiments of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear may exist where hinge 10 does not have such a tapered, but rather a uniform, height, those having ordinary skill in the art should understand that a connection area to chassis C may be smaller or larger to that of the connection area for temple T and hinge 10 and its corresponding heights at each end may be similarly adjusted to accommodate height disparities between chassis C and temple T. For instance, in this particular design, the connection area of chassis C may be slightly larger than the connection area for temple T, thus the tapered height of hinge 10 widening as the hinge connects the two. The alternative could just as easily be true and each height may be identical, thus requiring a uniform height of hinge 10. All combinations are intended to be features and benefits of the disclosure herein. Finally, though not necessarily important to the overall function of hinge 10, it may be important to those having ordinary skill in the art that upon left hinge outward side 11b may exist ornamentation O (and similarly upon right hinge outward side 11a). As may be particularly important in the sporting market, this ornamentation may be easily customized or designed to include sporting teams, custom logos, initials, insignias, the like and/or combinations thereof to offer a unique customization and marketing opportunity to manufacturers of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear.
[0035] Turning now to FIG. 3, therein illustrated is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear as it may be installed in a spectacles S, showing a wearer-right temple (hereinafter right temple T1) open and a wearer-left temple (hereinafter left temple T2) closed. As may be obvious to those having skill in the art of spectacle manufacture, right temple T1 and left temple T2 are chiral and shown as open and closed to exploit this fact for efficiency sake. At rest both of right temple T1 and left temple T2 may be in an inwardly curved position making spectacles S closed for storage. Both may be opened or straightened during wear. Generally, spectacles S may include the component parts of chassis C, right hinge 10a, left hinge 10b, right temple T1, and left temple T2. Chassis C may generally comprise right rim R1 with right lens L1 installed therein and left rim R2 with left lens L2 installed therein. Bridge B may connect right rim R1 and left rim R2, though the chassis may be constructed of a single part or component having these identifiable areas. Right nosepiece N1 and left nosepiece N2 may reside at each side of bridge B to provide increased stability and comfort to the wearer. The chiral temples of right temple T1 and left temple T2 may include right earpiece E1 and left earpiece E2 to offer similar benefits to the wearer. Turning now to the connections among chassis C, right temple T1, and left temple T2, chassis C is connected to right temple T1 and left temple T2 via right hinge 10a and left hinge 10b, respectively. As described and illustrated in greater detail above, hinge 10 may have hinge inward side 12 and hinge outward side 11, and hinge 10 may be curved substantially inwardly toward hinge inward side 12. As illustrated herein, this remains true for each of right hinge 10a, left hinge 10b, right hinge inward side 12a, left hinge inward side 12b, right hinge outward side 11a, and left hinge outward side 11b. Two slits or vertical decreases in materials used for construction of hinge 10 along hinge outward side 11 may each form V-shaped narrowing 21. As illustrated herein FIG. 3, this V-shaped narrowing 21 is large when spectacles S is closed (left hinge 10b) and narrows substantially to accomplish the straightening required for wear as illustrated thereon right hinge 10a. As may also be noted, when opened or straightened, two fissures or gaps form on either side of right hinge 10a therebetween right temple T and right hinge 10a and right chassis C and right hinge 10a. These are temple/hinge fissure 22 and chassis/hinge fissure 23. The creation of temple/hinge fissure 22 and chassis/hinge fissure 23 during wear may be important to accomplishing the bending required to hinge temple T to chassis C. Each of temple/hinge fissure 22 and chassis/hinge fissure 23 may be accomplished using the materials described with relation to FIG. 2A as these materials may bend and flex but return to their previous form upon the removal of force. A T-shaped protrusion on each side of right and left hinges 10a-b may form connections to temples T1 and T2 and chassis C, which are temple flange 14 and chassis flange 13, illustrated as right temple flange 14a, left temple flange 14b, right chassis flange 13a, and left chassis flange 13b. In order to receive each of right temple flange 14a, left temple flange 14b, right chassis flange 13a, and left chassis flange 13b, in this potentially preferred embodiment, each of right temple T1, left temple T2 and each outer edge of chassis C may be manufactured having T-shaped cavities. Right temple T1 receives right temple flange 14a of right hinge 10a within right temple cavity 15a and left temple T2 receives left temple flange 14b of left hinge 10b within left temple cavity 15b. Similarly, chassis C receives right chassis flange 13a of right hinge 10a at right chassis cavity 16a and left chassis flange 13b of left hinge 10b at left chassis cavity 16b. As illustrated from above, if chassis C, right temple T1, and left temple T2 are constructed of opaque materials, the respective flanges and cavities may not be visible when viewed from above and are therefore drawn as dashed lines. As may be the case in this preferred embodiment, each of chassis C, right temple T1, and left temple T2 may be assembled using right hinge 10a and left hinge 10b by pressing the flanges into the cavities from beneath spectacles S. In such a case, each flange and cavity may be constructed with a height smaller than that of each intended connection to ensure the flange/cavity connection does not push through when connected. As may be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art, chassis C, right temple T1, and left temple T2 may be made of any number or combination of materials known to those having skill in the art of spectacle manufacture including but not limited to cellulose acetate, optyl, cellulose propionate, nylon, other plastics, metals, and natural materials or materials derived thereof, such as rubber, wood, bone, ivory, leather, and/or semi-precious or precious stones.
[0036] Turning to FIG. 4, therein illustrated is a wearer-right closeup of an exemplary embodiment of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear as it may be installed in spectacles S. As previously discussed, since the human face is generally symmetrical, the parts within spectacles S are normally chiral, meaning those features applicable to parts or features on the right side may apply to the left also. As illustrated therein FIG. 4, spectacles S is in the closed position. Chassis C (illustrated with right rim R1, right lens L1) is joined to right temple T1 via right hinge 10a, as illustrated. Right hinge 10a having right hinge inward side 12a and right hinge outward side 11a may be curved substantially inwardly at rest toward right hinge inward side 12a. Two slits or vertical decreases in materials used for construction of right hinge 10a along right hinge outward side 11a may each form V-shaped narrowing 21. A T-shaped protrusion on each side of right hinge 10a may form connections to right temple T1 and chassis C, which are right temple flange 14a and right chassis flange 13a. Proximate right hinge inward side 12a may exist temple/hinge fissure 22 and chassis/hinge fissure 23 at the inward side of the connection to right temple T1 and chassis C. As FIG.4 is illustrated in a closed position, both of temple/hinge fissure 22 and chassis/hinge fissure 23 may be minimal or non-existent in size. A review of FIG. 3 as well as the description related to the open position illustrated in FIG. 5 will further illuminate to those having ordinary skill in the art the importance of temple/hinge fissure 22 and chassis/hinge fissure 23 with regard to the mechanisms there involved. A potentially preferred connection between chassis C and right hinge 10a may include the operable removable combination that is achieved when sliding right chassis flange 13a into right chassis cavity 16a. A potentially preferred connection between right temple T1 and right hinge 10a may include the operable removable combination that is achieved when sliding right temple flange 14a into right temple cavity 15a.
[0037] Turning now to FIG. 5, therein illustrated is a wearer-right closeup of an exemplary embodiment of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear as it may be installed in spectacles S. As previously discussed, since the human face is generally symmetrical, the parts within spectacles S are normally chiral, meaning those features applicable to parts or features on the right side may apply to the left also. As illustrated therein FIG. 5, spectacles S is in the open position. Chassis C (illustrated with right rim R1, right lens L1) is joined to right temple T1 via right hinge 10a, as illustrated. Right hinge 10 having right hinge inward side 12a and right hinge outward side 11a may be curved substantially inwardly at rest toward right hinge inward side 12a, though it is not in the case of FIG. 5 because spectacles S are in the open position. Several mechanisms allow for the bending of right hinge 10a to achieve the open position of spectacles S. First, and most importantly, may be the materials used for the construction of right hinge 10a, as described with relation to FIG. 2A. Additionally, when the connection between chassis C and right hinge 10a via sliding right chassis flange 13a into right chassis cavity 16a and the connection between right temple T1 and right hinge 10a via sliding right temple flange 14a into right temple cavity 15a is formed, the innate curvature and flexibility of right hinge 10 combined with fissures formed at temple/hinge fissure 22 and chassis/hinge fissure 23 and the V-shaped narrowing(s) 21 on right hinge outward side 11a allow for easy flexibility to a point where wearers heads may typically fit, thereby potentially offering a superior grip on the wearer's head during wear. A comparison of FIGS. 4-5 may be useful to those having ordinary skill in the art in order to observe the changes in size with respect to V-shaped narrowing(s) 21, temple/hinge fissure 22, and chassis/hinge fissure 23
[0038] Turning now to FIG. 6, therein illustrated is a wearer-right closeup of an exemplary embodiment of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear as it may be installed in a different assembly of spectacles S, namely alternate spectacles S* having alternate chassis C*, alternate right lens L*1, and alternate right rim R*1. Alternate spectacles S* is illustrated in the open position. As may be appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art, both chassis C and temple T, and any suitable component parts thereof, may be constructed with chassis cavity 16 and temple cavity 15, respectively, so as to operably combine with hinge 10. This enables manufacturers and users of the disclosed removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear to swap various colors, styles, types, etc. of temple T and chassis C to achieve a near-infinite number of possible combinations of spectacles S, depending on the nature of the use and desires of the manufacturers and/or wearers. Additional potential configurations are envisioned and intended to be included in the disclosure herein. Specifically, other embodiments which do not require temple T, such as goggles G, are disclosed below.
[0039] Turning now to FIG. 7, therein illustrated is a top plan view of an alternate embodiment of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear as it may be installed in goggles G. Goggles G is illustrated having headband H. In the disclosed removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear, chassis C may be utilized to form goggles G, or other designs may be used. Chassis C may generally comprise right rim R1 with right lens L1 installed therein and left rim R2 with left lens L2 installed therein. Bridge B may connect right rim R1 and left rim R2, though the chassis may be constructed of a single part or component having these identifiable areas. Right nosepiece N1 and left nosepiece N2 may reside at each side of bridge B to provide increased stability and comfort to the wearer. To form goggles G, temple T is replaced with headband H. Connecting chassis C with headband H may be right chassis/band connector 30a and left chassis/band connector 30b. Right chassis/band connector 30a may comprise generally right outward connector side 31a, right inward connector side 32a, right connector band opening 34a, and right connector flange 33a. Similarly, due to the chiral nature of chassis C and goggles G, left chassis/band connector 30b may comprise generally left outward connector side 31b, left inward connector side 32b, left connector band opening 34b, and left connector flange 33b. Operable removable combination of right connector flange 33a with right chassis cavity 16a and left connector flange 33b with left chassis cavity 16b along with the threading of headband H through right connector band opening 34a and left connector band opening 34b may form the general assembly of goggles G. In this embodiment, each of right outward connector side 31a, right inward connector side 32a, left outward connector side 31b, and left inward connector side 32b may have features similar to V-shaped narrowing(s) 21 of hinge 10 such that bending laterally is easily achieved by the wearer, but vertical bending is more difficult. It should be noted that in the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear, the chassis-side flanges of hinge 10 may be analogous to that of right connector flange 33a and left connector flange 33b. In fact, in a potentially preferred embodiment of removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear, these components may be identically formed to achieve such a system which allows various combinations of bands, temples, chassis, etc.
[0040] Turning now to FIG. 8, therein illustrated is a high-level illustrated step diagram (or annotated drawing) showing an exemplary method of assembly of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear. It should be noted at the outset that much like the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear, the steps of the described method are not rigid, but are flexible to include variations and rearrangements in steps, which may ultimately arrive at the same completed assembly. Ordered steps are provided herein as examples and are not necessarily prescribed to occur in order. Beginning at first method step 801, which may include the sub-steps of first sub-step of first method step 801a and second sub-step of first method step 801b, hinge 10 is aligned with chassis C and pushed into chassis C. At second method step 802, which may include first sub-step of second method step 802a and second sub-step of second method step 802b, temple T and hinge 10 are similarly aligned and pushed into place. Final method step 803 completes the assembly, though steps 801-803 may be repeated to achieve a full assembly on left and right sides.
[0041] Turning now to FIG. 9, therein illustrated is a closeup view of first sub-step of first method step 801a of the disclosed method described generally in FIG. 8. First sub-step of first method step 801a generally requires hinge 10 be brought together with chassis C as illustrated therein FIG. 9, such that chassis flange 13 is aligned with chassis cavity 16. The disclosed method of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear continues at FIG. 10.
[0042] Turning now to FIG. 10, therein illustrated is a closeup view of second sub-step of first method step 801b of the disclosed method described generally in FIG. 8. Second sub-step of first method step 801b generally requires the components of hinge 10 and chassis C aligned in first sub-step of first method step 801b to be pushed together such that chassis flange 13 is fully within chassis cavity 16. The disclosed method of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear continues at FIG. 11.
[0043] Turning now to FIG. 11, therein illustrated is a closeup view of first sub-step of second method step 802a of the disclosed method described generally in FIG. 8. Having aligned and assembled hinge 10 to chassis C in first method step 801 (see FIGS. 8-10), temple T is obtained and aligned with the present sub-assembly of chassis C and hinge 10. By aligning the substructures of temple flange 14 with temple cavity 15, further assembly may be performed. The disclosed method of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear continues at FIG. 12.
[0044] Turning now to FIG. 12, therein illustrated is a closeup view of second sub-step of second method step 802a of the disclosed method described generally in FIG. 8. Having an assembly which includes hinge 10 and chassis C, which was aligned with temple T at second sub-step of second method step 802, temple T can be pushed toward hinge 10 such that temple flange 14 fills the available space within temple cavity 15. The disclosed method of the removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear continues at FIG. 13.
[0045] Turning now to FIG. 13, therein illustrated is a closeup view of final method step 803 of the disclosed method described generally in FIG. 8. At steps 801-802, and the various sub-steps described herein, chassis C is combined with temple T via hinge 10 to complete an assembly of spectacles S. As should be recognized and understood by those having ordinary skill in the art, many combinations of temple T, chassis C, and hinge 10 may be possible to achieve a versatile, customizable, removable, interchangeable, unbreakable, screwless, one-piece flexible spring hinge system for eyewear.
[0046] In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of the disclosure have been disclosed. The present disclosure is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The figures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.
[0047] The foregoing description and drawings comprise illustrative embodiments. Having thus described exemplary embodiments, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present disclosure. Merely listing or numbering the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of that method. Many modifications and other embodiments will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein but is limited only by the following claims.
