Abstract
The present disclosure provides a pivotable eyeglass frame and an accessory assembly for eyeglass frames. In one aspect, the pivotable eyeglass frame includes a rim capable of receiving two lenses therein, and two temple bars, each being rotatably coupled to the rim via a hinge and having an anchoring pad mechanically coupled to the temple bar via a stepper column such that the rim is pivotable about the stepper column in steps. In another aspect, the accessory assembly for eyeglass frames includes a main body with slot to receive to the temple bar of an eyeglass frame, a clamp to engage said temple bar, and an anchoring pad coupled to the main body via a stepper column such that the main body is pivotable about the stepper column in steps.
Claims
1. A pivotable assembly for an eyeglass frame, comprising: a main body; and an anchoring pad coupled to the main body via a stepper column such that the main body is pivotable about the stepper column in steps.
2. The pivotable assembly of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises: a slot to receive the temple bar of the eyeglass frame.
3. The pivotable assembly of claim 2, wherein the main body further comprises: a clamp to engage said temple bar.
4. The pivotable assembly of claim 2, wherein the main body further comprises: a through hole; and a recess, wherein the through hole and the recess are communicably connected within the main body.
5. The pivotable assembly of claim 4, wherein the stepper column comprises: a base securely coupled to the anchoring pad; a pillar formed on the base, the pillar inserted in the through hole of the main body; and a plurality of trenches formed on the base and radially arranged around the pillar.
6. The pivotable assembly of claim 5, wherein the main body further comprises a plurality of ribs radially arranged around the through hole having a quantity and a shape complimentary to that of the trenches.
7. The pivotable assembly of claim 6, further comprising: a fastener; and a spring, the fastener movably securing the stepper column in the through hole and the spring within the recess such that the spring exerts an elastic force on the fastener to push the trenches against the ribs.
8. The pivotable assembly of claim 5, wherein the base comprises a plurality of coupling holes and the anchoring pad comprises a plurality of protrusions, each of the protrusions being securely inserted in a respective one of the coupling holes.
9. The pivotable assembly of claim 8, wherein each of the protrusions has a mushroom shape and each of the coupling holes has a shape that is complimentary to that of a respective one of the protrusions.
10. The pivotable assembly of claim 8, wherein the protrusions are evenly distributed and arranged on a surface of the anchoring pad in a circle.
11. The pivotable assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchoring pad is made of a silicon material and the stepper column is made of a PET material.
12. A pivotable assembly, comprising: a main body comprising a slot to receive a temple bar of an eyeglass frame; a through hole; a plurality of ribs radially arranged around the through hole; and an anchoring pad coupled to the main body via a stepper column such that the main body is pivotable about the stepper column in steps, wherein the stepper column comprises a base securely coupled to the anchoring pad; a pillar formed on the base, the pillar being inserted in the through hole of the main body; and a plurality of trenches formed on the base and radially arranged around the pillar having a number and a shape complimentary to that of the ribs.
13. The pivotable assembly of claim 12, further comprising: a fastener; and a spring, the fastener movably securing the stepper column in the through hole and the spring concentric with the stepper column such that the spring exerts an elastic force on the fastener to push the trenches against the ribs.
14. The pivotable assembly of claim 13, wherein the main body further comprises a clamp to engage the temple bar.
15. The pivotable assembly of claim 12, wherein the base comprises a plurality of coupling holes and the anchoring pad comprises a plurality of protrusions, each of the protrusions being securely inserted in a respective one of the coupling holes.
16. The pivotable assembly of claim 15, wherein the protrusions are evenly distributed and arranged on a surface of the anchoring pad in a circle.
17. The pivotable assembly of claim 12, wherein the anchoring pad is made of a silicon material and the stepper column is made of a PET material.
18. A pivotable assembly, comprising: a main body comprising a slot to receive a temple bar of an eyeglass frame; a through hole; a plurality of trenches radially arranged around the through hole; and an anchoring pad coupled to the main body via a stepper column such that the main body is pivotable about the stepper column in steps, wherein the stepper column comprises a base securely coupled to the anchoring pad; a pillar formed on the base, the pillar being inserted in the through hole of the main body; and a plurality of ribs formed on the base and radially arranged around the pillar having a number and a shape complimentary to that of the trenches.
19. The pivotable assembly of claim 18, further comprising: a fastener; and a spring, the fastener movably securing the stepper column in the through hole and the spring concentric with the stepper column such that the spring exerts an elastic force on the fastener to push the ribs against the trenches.
20. The pivotable assembly of claim 19, wherein the main body further comprises a clamp to engage the temple bar.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a pivotable eyeglass frame, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0036] FIG. 2 illustrates a front elevational view of the pivotable eyeglass frame as shown in FIG. 1.
[0037] FIG. 3 illustrates a rear elevational view of the pivotable eyeglass frame as shown in FIG. 1.
[0038] FIG. 4. illustrates a right-side elevational view of the pivotable eyeglass frame as shown in FIG. 1.
[0039] FIG. 5 illustrates a left-side elevational view of the pivotable eyeglass frame as shown in FIG. 1.
[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates a top plan view of the pivotable eyeglass frame as shown in FIG. 1.
[0041] FIG. 7 illustrates a bottom plan view of the pivotable eyeglass frame as shown in FIG. 1.
[0042] FIG. 8 illustrates a right-side view of the pivotable eyeglass frame in a normal position, in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0043] FIG. 9 illustrates a right-side view of the pivotable eyeglass frame in a raised position, in accordance with the first embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0044] FIG. 10 illustrates a pivotable eyeglass frame, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0045] FIG. 11 illustrates an enlarged view of a suction cup attached to a temple tip in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0046] FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a pivotable eyeglass frame, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0047] FIG. 13 illustrates an explosive view of a temple bar of the pivotable eyeglass frame as shown in FIG. 12.
[0048] FIG. 14 illustrates an enlarged view of the temple bar as shown in FIG. 12.
[0049] FIGS. 15A through 15E illustrate a perspective view of component parts of the temple bar of the pivotable eyeglass frame as shown in FIG. 12.
[0050] FIG. 16 illustrates a perspective view of a pivotable assembly for an eyeglass frame fitted to an eyeglass frame, in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0051] FIG. 17 illustrates an outer-side elevational view of the pivotable assembly for an eyeglass frame as shown in FIG. 16.
[0052] FIG. 18 illustrates a temple-side elevational view of the pivotable assembly for an eyeglass frame as shown in FIG. 16.
[0053] FIG. 19 illustrates a frontal elevational view of the pivotable assembly for an eyeglass frame as shown in FIG. 16.
[0054] FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of the pivotable assembly for an eyeglass frame as shown in FIG. 16.
[0055] FIGS. 21 and 22 illustrate exploded views of the pivotable assembly for an eyeglass frame as shown in FIG. 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0056] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 9, there are illustrated various views of a pivotable eyeglass frame 100, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, pivotable eyeglass frame 100 comprises a rim 110 with two lenses 112 embedded therein, and two temple bars 120, each being rotatably coupled to rim 110 via a hinge 130. Unlike the temple bars of a conventional eyeglass frame, temple bars 120 of the present disclosure are shorter in length and include a suction cup 140 attached to a respective temple tip 122 of temple bars 120. Although suction cup 140 is shown and described, it is appreciated that any suitable anchoring mechanism that holds an end of temple bars 120 at the temple portion of a user's face and allows eyeglass frame 100 to pivot from a normal position to a raised position can be used in place of suction cup 140, as further detailed below.
[0057] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in this embodiment, suction cup 140 comprises a head 142 having a substantially cylindrical shape with a narrowing waist portion, and a frustoconical portion 144 to securely mount suction cup 140 to a temple portion of the user's face by means of vacuum or in any other suitable manner, such as, friction, adhesion, etc.
[0058] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in this embodiment, through holes 124 having a circular shape are formed on temple bars 120 proximate temple tips 122. It is appreciated that, in other embodiments, through holes 124 may have any other suitable shapes, such as, a square shape, a rectangular shape, a triangular shape, a trapezoid shape, a star shape, and the like. In this embodiment, suction cup 140 is firmly attached to temple bar 120 by engaging the waist portion of head 142 with through hole 124. In this embodiment, suction cup 140 may be made of rubber or other plastic material. Additionally, frustoconical portion 144 of suction cup 140 (particular the inner surface that would contact the temple portion of the user's face) can be surface treated to enhance adhesion of suction cup 140 on the user's temple portion
[0059] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in this embodiment, left and right temple bars 120 can be rotated clockwise or counterclockwise about hinge 130 for an angle 0 of approximately 90 degrees (more or less) between an expanded position and a folded position. In this embodiment, each of the left and right temple bars 120 is configured to have a length L less than about one half of the width W of rim 110, such that left and right temple bars 120 do not cross nor touch upon each other after being rotated to the folded position. In this embodiment, when eyeglass frame 100 is worn on a user's face, the left and right temple bars 120 in the expanded position can exert force on the user's temple such that suction cups 140 can be securely mounted and/or attached to the user's temple.
[0060] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, pivotable eyeglass frame 100 can be rotated or pivoted about suction cups 140 for an angle a (e.g., 15-45 degrees) from a normal position (e.g., settled on the nose, as shown in FIG. 8) to a raised position (e.g., between the eyebrows and the hairline or above the hairline, as shown in FIG. 9). In this embodiment, suction cup 140 comprises a mechanical mechanism at the narrowing waist portion, such that back and forth rotation of pivotable eyeglass frame 100 about suction cups 140 can be intermittently stopped once every 15-45 degrees, for example.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 10, there is illustrated a pivotable eyeglass frame 100, in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, in this alternative embodiment, a compressing bar 150 made of an elastic material may be optionally added to increase the compression of suction cups 140 toward the user's head. In this embodiment, compressing bar 150 can be worn and routed behind the user's head. With the assistance of compressing bar 150, pivotable eyeglass frame 100 can be better mounted to the user's temple portion.
[0062] Referring to FIG. 11, there is illustrated an enlarged view of suction cup 140 attached to temple tip 122 in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, temple tip 122 includes a through hole 124, where head 142 of suction cup 140 can be inserted therein and secured in position using a fastener 145, such as a Phillips screw. In this embodiment, through hole 124 has a longitudinal oval shape such that head 142 of suction cup 140 can slide therein, so as to adjust the mounting location and be securely fastened in position using a headless screw 125. In this embodiment, a spring 128 can be inserted in through hole 124 along its longitudinal direction to provide restoration force as one adjusts the location of suction cup 140 and/or as an intermittent stepper.
[0063] FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of a pivotable eyeglass frame 100, in accordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 illustrates an explosive view of a temple bar 120 of pivotable eyeglass frame 100 as shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 illustrates an enlarged view of temple bar 120 as shown in FIG. 12.
[0064] Referring to FIGS. 12, 13, and 14, pivotable eyeglass frame 100 comprises a rim 110 capable of receiving two lenses therein and two temple bars 120, each being rotatably coupled to left and right sides of rim 110 via a hinge 130. As discussed above, temple bars 120 of the present disclosure are shorter in length than conventional temple bars.
[0065] As shown in FIG. 12, temple bars 120 are pivoted to an expanded position. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, each temple bar 120 comprises a main body 121, a protruded knuckle 123 at an end of main body 121, a through hole 124 at a central portion of main body 121, and an end hole 122 at an opposite end of main body 121. In this embodiment, through hole 124 and end hole 122 are communicably connected to each other within main body 121. Knuckle portion 123 can be rotatably engaged with a side of rim 110 via a pin 132 (or bolt), thereby forming hinge 130.
[0066] An anchoring pad 141 is mechanically coupled to a stepper column 143 which can be loosely inserted in through hole 124 of main body 121 and secured in position using a fastener 145 (e.g., a Phillips screw) and a washer 146, so as to prevent stepper column 143 from being accidentally removed from the through hole 124. In this embodiment, diameter of through hole 124 is slightly greater than that of the stepper column 143. A headless screw 125 can push spring 128 into end hole 122, such that an elastic force is exerted on a curved side of stepper column 143. As further detailed below, the curved side of stepper column 143 comprises multiple gear teeth, which can be served as steppers at intermittent rotational steps. In one embodiment, stepper column 143 has twelve gear teeth, such that rotation of the pivotable eyeglass frame about stepper column 143 can be intermittently stopped once every 30 degrees (i.e., 360 degrees divided by 12 gear teeth equals 30 degrees). In various embodiments, stepper column 143 may comprise any suitable number of gear teeth (e.g., six, eight, ten, etc.).
[0067] FIGS. 15A through 15E illustrate a perspective view of component parts of temple bar 120 of pivotable eyeglass frame 100 as shown in FIG. 12. Referring to FIG. 15A, a top portion of stepper column 143 is exposed after fastener 145 and washer 146 in FIG. 14 are removed. As shown in FIG. 15A, stepper column 143 comprises a central hole 147, so as to securely receive fastener 145 therein. In addition, the inner wall of through hole 124 of main body 121 includes one or more trenches 129. Spring 128 inserted in end hole 122 can cause the gear teeth of stepper column 143 being pushed against trenches 129, such that pivotable eyeglass frame 100 can be rotated about stepper column 143 in intermittent steps.
[0068] In this embodiment, the rotation tightness about stepper column 143 can be adjusted using headless screw 125. For example, turning headless screw 125 slightly into end hole 122 results in spring 128 exerting more force on the gear teeth of stepper column 143. As a result, more torque is required to move the gear teeth of stepper column 143 from one trench to another, thereby making it more difficult to rotate pivotable eyeglass frame 100 about stepper column 143. Likewise, turning headless screw 125 slightly out of end hole 122 results in spring 128 exerting less force on the curved surface of stepper column 143, thereby making it less difficult to rotate pivotable eyeglass frame 100 about stepper column 143.
[0069] FIG. 15B illustrates a perspective view of anchoring pad 141 in combination with stepper column 143 removed from through hole 124 of main body 121. FIG. 15C illustrates a perspective view of stepper column 143. FIG. 15D illustrates a perspective view of anchoring pad 141. FIG. 15E illustrates another perspective view of stepper column 143.
[0070] Referring to FIGS. 15B through 15E, in this embodiment, anchoring pad 141 and stepper column 143 are combined through a plurality of protrusions 1411 formed on a surface of anchoring pad 141. As shown in FIG. 15C, in this embodiment, eight protrusions 1411, each having a mushroom shape, are formed on anchoring pad 141 and evenly distributed and arranged in circle. It is appreciated that any suitable number of protrusions can be formed on anchoring pad 141 with any suitable arrangements and/or shapes. Anchoring pad 141 and protrusions 1411 can be made of a silicon material and/or any other suitable materials, such as, soft plastic.
[0071] As shown in FIGS. 15C and 15E, stepper column 143 comprises abase 1431 and a gear pillar 1433 having a plurality of gear teeth capable of being engaged with trenches 129 of through hole 124. Gear pillar 1431 is formed on base 1431 and concentric with base 1431. Base 1431 has a diameter greater than that of gear pillar 1433. In this embodiment, eight coupling holes 1435 having a shape complimentary to that of protrusions 1411 of anchoring pad 141 are formed on base 1431. Stepper column 143 can be made of a PET (polyethylene terephthalate) material and/or any other suitable materials, such as, hard plastic, metal, etc.
[0072] In one embodiment, the combination of anchoring pad 141 and stepper column 143 can be manufactured by (1) forming stepper column 143 by injection molding a PET material and (2) forming anchoring pad 141 by insert molding a silicon material.
[0073] Referring to FIG. 16, there is illustrated a pivotable eyeglass frame assembly 200 in accordance with a third embodiment of the present disclosure. Two pivotable assemblies 200 are used with an eyeglass frame 300. Conventional eyeglass frame 300 typically comprises a main body 310 with two temple bars 320.
[0074] FIG. 17 illustrates an outer-side view of the pivotable eyeglass frame assembly 200 as shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 18 illustrates a temple-side view of the pivotable eyeglass frame assembly 200 as shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 19 illustrates a frontal view of the pivotable eyeglass frame assembly 200 as shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 20 illustrates a perspective view of the pivotable eyeglass frame assembly 200 as shown in FIG. 16. FIGS. 21 and 22 are exploded views depicting component parts of the pivotable eyeglass frame assembly 200 as shown in FIG. 16.
[0075] As shown in FIGS. 17 through 19, pivotable assembly 200 comprises a main body 210 with slot 211, clamp 212, anchoring pad 220 and stepper column 230. Clamp 212 engages temple bar 320 when the latter is inserted into slot 211. It is appreciated that some embodiments may remove clamp 212 in lieu of a slot 211 shaped so as to provide an interference fit with temple bar 320. Anchoring pad 220 is coupled to stepper column 230, which in turn is inserted into through hole 214 of main body 210 and secured with fastener 231. When used with eyeglass frame 300 as shown in FIG. 16, pivotable assembly 200 enables a user to rotate or pivot eyeglass frame 300 about stepper column 230.
[0076] Referring to FIGS. 20 through 22, clamp 212 crosses slot 211 in main body 210 of pivotable eyeglass frame assembly 200. Clamp spring 213 is inserted between main body 210 and clamp 212 such that clamp spring 213 is compressed by clamp 212. The elastic force resulting from clamp spring 213 is exerted by clamp 212 on temple bar 320 when it is inserted into slot 211. Clamp 212 thus serves to secure eyeglass frame 300 to pivotable eyeglass frame assembly 200.
[0077] Anchoring pad 220 and stepper column 230 may be mechanically linked by protrusions on anchoring pad 220 and complimentary holes on stepper column 230, as described above in other embodiments of the present disclosure, or by a combination of injection molding and insert molding processes, also described above in other embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, anchoring pad 220 and stepper column 230 may be bonded together by, e.g., an adhesive material. Stepper column 230 comprises base 2301, pillar 2302 with central hole 2303 and trench arrangement 2304. Trench arrangement 2304 comprises any suitable number of trenches (e.g., six, eight, ten, etc.) radially arranged around pillar 2302 on the surface of base 2301.
[0078] Stepper column 230 is inserted in through hole 214 of main body 210. Through hole 214 is communicably linked to recess 215, and is smaller in diameter to recess 215. Ribs 216 are radially arranged around through hole 214 on the temple side of main body 210, and are complimentary to trench arrangement 2304 of stepper column 230. Fastener 231 movably secures stepper column 230 in through hole 214 and spring 232 in recess 215. Fastener 231 compresses spring 232 in recess 215 such that spring 232 pushes against head 2311 of fastener 231, resulting in an elastic force exerted on radial ribs 216 by trench arrangement 2304 of stepper column 230. Ribs 216 are thus pushed into the trench arrangement 2304 such that main body 210 (and by extension, eyeglass frame assembly 300 shown in FIG. 16) can be rotated about stepper column 230 in intermittent steps. It is appreciated that, in other embodiments, trench arrangement 2304 may alternatively comprise any suitable number of protrusions (e.g., six, eight, ten, etc.) radially arranged around pillar 2302 on the surface of base 2301, so long as main body 210 can be rotated about stepper column 230 in intermittent steps.
[0079] In this embodiment, rotational tightness about stepper column 230 can be adjusted using fastener 231. For example, turning fastener 231 slightly into recess 215 increases compression of spring 232 and results in more force exerted on radial ribs 216 by trench arrangement 2304 of stepper column 230. As a result, more torque is required to move trench arrangement 2304 of stepper column 230 around ribs 216 of main body 210, thereby making it more difficult to rotate main body 210 (and by extension, eyeglass frame assembly 300 shown in FIG. 16) about stepper column 230. Likewise, turning fastener 231 slightly out of recess 215 reduces compression of spring 232 and results in less force exerted on radial ribs 216 by trench arrangement 2304 of stepper column 230, thereby making it less difficult to rotate main body 210 about stepper column 230.
[0080] For the purposes of describing and defining the present disclosure, it is noted that terms of degree (e.g., “substantially,” “slightly,” “about,” “comparable,” etc.) may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. Such terms of degree may also be utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference (e.g., about 10% or less) without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. Unless otherwise stated herein, any numerical values appeared in this specification are deemed modified by a term of degree thereby reflecting their intrinsic uncertainty.
[0081] Although various embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail herein, one of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate modifications and other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as stated in the appended claims.
