FLEXIBLE GLASSES ARRANGEMENT

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Application No. 15 / 890,865 filed on February 7, 2018.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The following relates to flexible eyewear assemblies.BACKGROUND

[0003] Eyewear such as eyeglasses generally include a frame that supports one or more lenses. The frame typically includes a nose bridge or nose pieces that engage the user's nose to support the eyewear on the user's head. Eyeglasses also typically include a pair of arms attached to (or integral with) the frame, to further support the eyeglasses, e.g. by resting the arms on the user's ears or engaging their head in the temple region. Other eyewear may include other support elements such as straps or bands (e.g., in sports goggles).

[0004] Eyeglasses have traditionally utilized frames made from substantially rigid materials such as plastics, metals, or composite materials. The rigidity of these materials supports the lenses in the frames, and substantially maintains the shape of the eyeglasses such that they consistently fit on a user's head as intended. A drawback of this rigidity is that the frames can only typically withstand some flexure and can be prone to breakage or deformation.

[0005] Flexible components have been used in eyewear, for example, flexible arms and flexible portions of the eyewear frames. Various challenges can arise in construction, assembly, and use when incorporating flexible elements. For example, the flexibility should not cause the frames to deform and thus lose their shape over time. Other challenges include assembly complexities and costs associated with using multiple different materials.

[0006] It is an object of the following to address at least one of the above-noted disadvantages.

[0007] PCT publication WO2014 / 024223 A1 relates to an elastic front frame for an eyewear. US Publication number US2017 / 0045758 A1 relates to an eyeglass accessory that is configured to retain one or more eyeglass lenses and is configured to receive a front portion of an eyeglass. Further, US Patent number 9,016,854 B2 relates to a mount for spectacles and US publication number US2016 / 299359 A1 relates to a system for removable engagement of lenses and components to a first or user eyewear frame.SUMMARY

[0008] Aspects of the invention are set out in the appended claim set.

[0009] According to the claimed subject-matter, there is provided a flexible eyewear assembly as defined in claim 1.

[0010] In an implementation, the flexible component is overmolded to the first and second rigid frame portions. In another implementation, the flexible component is a separate component attached to the first and second rigid frame portions during assembly.

[0011] A method of assembling flexible eyewear is provided as defined in claim 8.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] Embodiments will now be described with reference to the appended drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of eyewear assembled with a flexible component; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the eyewear shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the eyewear shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the assembled eyewear shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a sectional perspective view along line V-V in FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a sectional plan view along line V-V; FIG. 7 is a sectional perspective view along line VII-VII in FIG. 2; FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are schematic illustrations showing insertion of the flexible component in a rigid component of the assembly, and insertion of a lens in the flexible component in assembling the eyewear; and FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of another portion of the assembled eyewear shown in FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] To provide flexibility in eyewear such as eyeglasses, rigid frame portions separated at the bridge can be held together by a flexible component that is overmolded or otherwise attached to the rigid frame portions to both position openings for the eyewear lenses in the appropriate location and provide flexibility in the eyewear at the bridge area. The flexible component can be positioned along the interior edge of the rigid frame portions and include lens retainers that hold the eyewear lenses therein.

[0014] Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of an assembled eyewear 10, also referred to interchangeably herein as an eyewear assembly 10 or eyewear 10 for brevity. The eyewear 10 includes a pair of separate rigid frame portions 12, in this example a first rigid frame portion 12a and a second rigid frame portion 12b. A first arm 18a is connected to the first rigid frame portion 12a, and second arm 18b is connected to the second rigid frame portion 12b. The first rigid frame portion 12a includes or otherwise supports a first nose piece 20a, and the second rigid frame portion 12b includes or otherwise supports a second nose piece 20b.

[0015] The rigid frame portions 12a, 12b are supported by and positioned relative to each other, and in turn positioned on either side of the user's head in aligned with their eyes, through engagement with a flexible component 14. The flexible component 14 fits within the rigid frame portions 12a, 12b as described in greater detail below, effectively connecting the first and second frame portions 12a, 12b via a bridge portion thereof. The flexible component 14 retains or otherwise holds or secures a pair of lenses 16, in this example a first lens 16a and a second lens 16b.

[0016] Additional details of the eyewear 10 are apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3. The flexible component 14, shown translucently in FIG. 2, includes a first lens retainer 30a and a second lens retainer 30b coupled to each other via a flexible bridge portion 32. The flexible bridge portion 32 enables the eyewear 10 to be flexed such that the rigid frame portions 12a, 12b and arms 18a, 18b attached thereto can be bent or otherwise separated or twisted relative to each other. This allows, for example, a user to slightly flex the arms 18a, 18b away from each other when placing the eyewear 10 on their head, with resiliency in the flexible bridge portion 32 causing the arms 18a, 18b to return towards each other and seat against the user's head and on their ears. This flexibility also resists breakage of the rigid frame portions 12a, 12b by permitting them to flex, twist and to a certain extent fold, e.g., if the eyewear 10 falls, is sat-upon by the user, is stuffed into a purse or bag, etc.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the arms 18 can be connected to a respective rigid frame portion 12 via a hinge component 38. In this example, a first hinge component 38a connects the first arm 18a to the first rigid frame portion 12a, and a second hinge component 38b connects the second arm 18b to the second rigid frame portion 12b. In this example, each arm 18 has a molded temple piece 34 attached thereto. Particularly, a first molded temple piece 34a is attached to the outwardly facing surface of the first arm 18a, and a second molded temple piece 34b is attached to the outwardly facing surface of the second arm 18b. The molded temple pieces 34 can be provided for aesthetics and / or for comfort. Each nose piece 20a, 20b can also have a respective nose pad 36a, 36b attached thereto as is known in the art.

[0018] The flexible component 14 is preferably overmolded to / on / with the rigid frame portions 12a, 12b using any suitable overmolding process. Overmolding, sometimes referred to as two times injection molding, is a process where a single part is created using two or more different materials in combination. Typically, the first material (or substrate) is partially or fully covered by overmolded material during the manufacturing process. In this case, the rigid frame portions 12a, 12b would act as the substrate that is overmolded with the material used to create the flexible component 14 thereon, which is generally a softer plastic, rubber, or elastomer (e.g., PTE), or other suitable material. It can be appreciated that the flexible component 14 would typically be overmolded to the rigid frame portions 12a, 12b, prior to assembly of the lenses 16a, 16b and arms 18a, 18b.

[0019] The lenses 16a, 16b are then inserted into the openings provided by the first and second lens retainers 30a, 30b respectively, and held relative to the rigid frame portions 12a, 12b with the flexible component 14 interposed therebetween.

[0020] The flexible component 14 can also be inserted into and around the rigid frame portions 12a, 12b rather than using overmolding, as explained in greater detail below.

[0021] As can be seen in FIG. 4, the flexible component 14, whether overmolded onto the rigid frame portions 12 or assembled as a separate member, surrounds the interior periphery of the openings in the rigid frame portions 12 and at least partially bears against the faces of rigid frame portions 12 on both sides to retain the rigid frame portions 12 together. In the example shown in FIG. 4 this is evident from the upper edges of the rigid frame portions 12a, 12b extending above the lens retainers 30a, 30b. When constructed as a separate piece, the flexible component 14 can be constructed to include slots, ridges, depressions, grooves or other recessed areas to accommodate insertion of the edges of the rigid frame portions 12a, 12b on one side (outer periphery), and the lenses 16a, 16b on the other side (inner periphery). In this way, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 5, the relatively softer material of the flexible component 14 holds the rigid frame portions 12a, 12b together while providing a surface into which the lenses 16a, 16b can be inserted. For example, the inner periphery of the lens retainers 30a, 30b can be provided with a standard optician's groove to accept insertion of the lenses 16a, 16b. In this way, the lenses 16a, 16b are held firmly within the rigid frame portions 12a, 12b without physically contacting them, allowing insertion and removal into and out of the flexible component 14 making assembly and maintenance more convenient. The rigid material used in the frame portions 12a, 12b can also inhibit the inner grooves on the lens retainers 30a, 30b from deforming and inadvertently releasing the lenses 16a, 16b when manipulated or worn by the user, all while the softer flexible component 14 is able to hold the lenses 16a, 16b.

[0022] In the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, it can be seen that by overmolding the flexible component 14 onto the rigid frame portions 12a, 12b, the flexible component 14 can completely surround the areas of the rigid frame portions 12a, 12b near the bridge portion 32 to effectively hold the assembly together while providing the inherent flexibility of the flexible bridge portion 32. In this way, both flexibility and rigidity can be brought to the eyewear 10 with a convenient assembly process. The flexibility in the bridge portion 32 can enable shape memory or other resilient flexibility.

[0023] It can be appreciated that if the flexible component 14 is constructed separately rather than overmolded onto the rigid frame portions 12a, 12b, the bridge portion 32 would require slits or other passages (not shown) in order to allow the bridge portion 32 to completely surround the rigid frame portions 12a, 12b in the area shown in FIG. 5. The slits or passages could then be closed and fused (e.g., via melting or molding) to complete the assembly, or otherwise be provided with suitable resiliency to make it difficult to remove the rigid frame portions 12a, 12b from the flexible component 14 thereafter.

[0024] FIG. 7 provides another view of the flexible component 14 molded with or otherwise seated within the first rigid frame portion 12a. FIG. 7 illustrates that the flexible component 14 can also include a flap 40 at each corner, in the vicinity of the hinge components 38 and on the backside of the eyewear 10, to further stabilize the flexible component 14 against the rigid frame portions 12a, 12b. Specifically, in this example a first flap 40a is located near the first hinge component 38a, and a second flap 40b (see also FIG. 9) is located near the second hinge component 38b.

[0025] FIG. 8A illustrates a schematic cross-section of the lens retainer 30 portion of the flexible component 14. As can be seen in FIG. 8A, the flexible component 14 includes (or is otherwise provided with when overmolded with the rigid frame portion 12), a slot 50 or recess that permits the lens retainer 30 to be inserted and seat along the periphery of the inner edge of the centrally-open rigid frame portion 12. FIG. 8A provides an example in which a pre-molded flexible component 14 is assembled with the rigid frame portion 12 such that it is inserted along this inner edge to partially cover a portion of the front and back surfaces of the frame portion 12 as shown in FIG. 8B. It can be appreciated that when overmolding, the lens retainer 30 would be formed as shown in FIG. 8B following the overmolding process. FIG. 8B also illustrates insertion of the lens 16 into an inner slot or groove 52 (e.g., standard optician groove) in the lens retainer 30, that is opposite the slot 50. After insertion, as shown in FIG. 8C, the lens 16 is held firmly centered within the rigid frame portion 12, with the flexible component's lens retainer 30 is interposed therebetween. The slot 50 and groove 52 are aligned to provide this relative positioning and facilitate both assembly and maintenance (e.g. to replace lenses 16) as mentioned above.

[0026] Turning now to FIG. 9, an enlarged portion of the eyewear 10 is shown to illustrate that the rigid frame portions 12 (12b in this example) can optionally include a slot 60b to provide some resiliency in the rigid frame portion 12b during assembly. FIG. 9 also shows the second flap 40b positioned behind the slot 60b.

[0027] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the examples described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the examples described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the examples described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the examples described herein.

[0028] It will be appreciated that the examples and corresponding diagrams used herein are for illustrative purposes only. Different configurations and terminology can be used without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0029] Although the above principles have been described with reference to certain specific examples, various modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art as outlined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A flexible eyewear assembly (10) comprising: a first rigid frame portion (12a) having a first opening; a second rigid frame portion (12b) separated from the first rigid frame portion (12a) and having a second opening; and a flexible component (14) connected to and between the first rigid frame portion (12a) and the second rigid frame portion (12b), the flexible component (14) comprising: a flexible bridge portion (32) having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; a first flexible lens retainer (30a) extending from the first end of the flexible bridge portion (32); a second flexible lens retainer (30b) extending from the second flexible lens retainer (30b), each of the first and second flexible lens retainers (30a, 30b) including an outer periphery and an inner periphery, wherein the outer periphery surrounds and engages with an interior periphery of the respective one of first and second opening of the first and second rigid frame portions (12a, 12b) and the inner periphery surrounds and receives a respective one of a first lens (16a) and a second lens (16b), thereby interposing the respective flexible lens retainer (30a, 30b) between the first and second rigid frame portions (12a, 12b) and the first and second lenses (16a, 16b), respectively, to retain the first and second lenses (16a, 16b) in the respective first and second openings and hold the first and second rigid frames (12a, 12b) together while providing flexibility of the eyewear assembly (10) via the flexible bridge portion (32) therebetween.

2. The flexible eyewear assembly (10) of claim 1, further comprising first and second nose pieces (20a, 20b) coupled to respective ones of the first and second rigid frame portions (12a, 12b).

3. The flexible eyewear assembly (10) of claim 2, further comprising first and second nose pads (36a, 36b) coupled to respective ones of the first and second nose pieces (20a, 20b).

4. The flexible eyewear assembly (10) of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising first and second arms (18a, 18b) coupled to respective ones of the first and second rigid frame portions (12a, 12b).

5. The flexible eyewear assembly (10) of claim 4, further comprising first and second hinges (38a, 38b) connecting the first and second arms (18a, 18b) to the respective ones of the first and second rigid frame portions (12a, 12b).

6. The flexible eyewear assembly (10) of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second rigid frame portions (12a, 12b) comprises a slit therein positioned in an area away from the flexible bridge portion (32) when assembled.

7. The flexible eyewear assembly (10) of claim 1, further comprising the first and second lenses (16a, 16b).

8. A method of assembling flexible eyewear (10), comprising: obtaining a flexible component (14) comprising a flexible bridge portion (32) having a first end and a second end opposite the first end, a first flexible lens retainer (30a) extending from the first end of the flexible bridge portion (32), and a second flexible lens retainer (30b) extending from the second end of the flexible bridge portion (32), wherein each of the first and second flexible lens retainers (30a, 30b) includes an outer periphery and an inner periphery; coupling the flexible component (14) with a first rigid frame portion (12a) having a first opening and a second rigid frame portion (12b) separated from the first rigid frame portion (12a) and having a second opening such that the outer periphery of the respective first and second flexible lens retainers (30a, 30b) surrounds and engages with the interior periphery of the respective first and second openings in the rigid frame portions (12a, 12b); and inserting first and second lenses (16a, 16b) into the first and second openings of the rigid frame portions (12a, 12b) by seating the lenses (16a, 16b) in the inner periphery of the respective first and second flexible lens retainers (30a, 30b), thereby interposing the flexible lens retainers (30a, 30b) between the first and second rigid frame portions (12a, 12b) and the first and second lenses (16a, 16b), respectively, and holding the first and second rigid frame portions (12a, 12b) together while providing flexibility of the eyewear assembly (10) via the flexible bridge portion (32) therebetween.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the flexible component (14) is coupled to the first and second rigid frame portions (12a, 12b) by overmolding.