Elastic hinged eyeglasses

Abstract

A pair of eyeglasses (10) is provided, which comprises an elastic hinge including two temples (14) and a frame front (12) capable of supporting lenses (16), each temple extending along a longitudinal direction between a distal end remote from the frame front and a proximal end connected to the frame front, the proximal end of the frame front comprising a flexible portion (40) having an inner surface (46) configured to be oriented toward a user's head when the eyeglasses are worn. The eyeglasses further comprise, for each temple, an elastic insert (62) removably attached near the inner surface of the flexible portion, the elastic insert determining the tightness of the temple relative to the user's head when the eyeglasses are worn.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to eyeglasses with elastic hinges. [Background technology]

[0002] Spectacles have been proposed that have a frame front intended to support the lenses and two temples connected to the frame front by elastic hinges. Such elastic hinges eliminate the need for pivot hinges. They are generally configured to press the temples together when the spectacle is worn, gripping the user's head. Thus, the spectacle can be securely engaged with the user's head.

[0003] However, when the size or grip of the eyeglasses is not suitable for the user, the pressure caused by the elastic hinge can create uncomfortable pressure points on the user's head.

[0004] Additionally, aging of the eyeglasses can cause the elastic hinges to lose elasticity, which can make it difficult over time to properly fit the eyeglasses to the wearer's head. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The object of the present disclosure is, inter alia, to remedy all or some of the aforementioned drawbacks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] For that purpose, a pair of eyeglasses is proposed with an elastic hinge including two temples and a frame front capable of supporting lenses, each temple extending along a longitudinal direction between a distal end far from the frame front and a proximal end connected to the frame front, the proximal end of the frame front comprising a flexible portion having an inner surface configured to be oriented towards the user's head when the eyeglasses are worn, and the eyeglasses further comprising, for each temple, an elastic insert removably attached near the inner surface of the flexible portion, said elastic insert determining the tightness of the temple relative to the user's head when the eyeglasses are worn.

[0007] In this way, the insert can determine the flexibility of the flexible portion. When multiple inserts with different elastic properties are available, the eyeglasses can be adapted to users with different uses, different head widths, or different preferences, all while being comfortable and providing a good hold. Furthermore, when the elastic insert deteriorates over time and loses some of its elastic properties, it can be replaced, thus extending the life of the eyeglasses.

[0008] The features disclosed in the following paragraphs may optionally be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other; - the elastic insert is attached by push fitting to said flexible part of the temple; - the elastic insert comprises a first tenon, a second tenon, and a longitudinal body portion extending between the first tenon and the second tenon, the first and second tenons being press-fit onto either side of the flexible portion so as to be able to exert a traction force on the longitudinal body portion when the temples are separated from one another; the first and second tenons are press-fit into cavities formed in the flexible portion; - the cavity is open towards the inner surface of the flexible part, - each tenon comprises at least one step extending towards the longitudinal body portion, which is engaged in a groove that extends the corresponding cavity below the ledge of the corresponding temple; - a portion of each cavity is left free by a tenon, thereby allowing sufficient displacement of the tenon within the cavity to free said step from the corresponding groove; - adjacent each cavity, the longitudinal body portion is received in a slot, said slot opening towards an inner surface of the flexible portion and extending along the longitudinal direction; - the flexible portion includes an outer wall and a series of protrusions projecting from said outer wall toward said inner surface, said protrusions being aligned along a longitudinal direction and each forming a tooth extending parallel to the inner surface and defining a channel, and an insert may be press-fit into said channel; - All teeth extend in the same direction, with channels opening parallel to the inner surface; - the frame front includes a curved portion extending between the temples, the temples extending in a manner that is contiguous with the curved portion of the frame front, and the eyeglasses have a rounded shape adapted to clamp onto the head of a user; - The frame front and temples are polyamide thermoplastic, the inserts are elastomer.

[0009] Other features, details, and advantages will become apparent after reading the following detailed description and examining the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of eyeglasses. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view showing an example of the eyeglasses of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic top view of the example eyeglasses of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic perspective view showing details of a temple that can be used in the example eyeglasses of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a detail of FIG. 4 from a different perspective. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a detail of FIG. 4. [Figure 7]2 is a schematic perspective view showing a resilient insert that can also be used in the eyeglasses of FIG. 1; [Figure 8] 6 is a schematic perspective view of the detail of FIG. 4 with the elastic insert of FIG. 5; FIG. [Figure 9] 6 is a schematic view of the detail of FIG. 4 from a different perspective with the elastic insert of FIG. 5; [Figure 10] 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the detail of FIG. 4 with the elastic insert of FIG. 5; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a pair of eyeglasses 10. The eyeglasses 10 essentially comprise, as shown, a frame front 12 and two temples 14. The frame front 12 is intended to allow lenses 16 to be attached. The lenses 16 may in particular be corrective eyeglass lenses, sun lenses, or transparent lenses. The temples 14 extend on either side of the frame front 12, allowing the user to wear the eyeglasses 10.

[0012] The frame front 12 and temples 14 may now be formed as a single unit, which facilitates the manufacture of the eyeglasses 10. The frame front 12 and temples 14 as described above are made from a rigid material, such as a polyamide thermoplastic, which may be, for example, a Grilamid® brand product from EMS-Grivory.

[0013] Here, the frame front 12 may include a curved portion 18 connecting the two temples 14, and nose pads 20 extending substantially at the center of the curved portion 18 in a direction perpendicular to the curved portion 18. The curved portion 18 extends along the user's forehead when the eyeglasses 10 are worn. The nose pads 20 may include two pad arms 22 that provide a substantially "Y" shape for hanging over the user's nose.

[0014] As can be seen in FIG. 2 , in the particular example shown, the curved portion 18 may include a receiving zone 23 for the lens 16. Two protrusions 24 may protrude from the receiving zone 23 to respectively engage within two openings 26 formed in the lens 16. Additionally, the nose pad 20 may include upwardly open hooks 28 into which the lower edge of the lens 16 may be inserted. The lens 16 may then be attached to the frame front 12 by press-fitting the edge of the lens 16 into the hooks 28 of the nose pad 20 and inserting the openings 26 of the lens 16 into the protrusions 24 of the frame front 12. The lens 16 is therefore removable and, in the example considered, may be easily replaced.

[0015] Each temple 14 extends longitudinally from the frame front 12. Each temple 14 has a proximal end connected to the frame front 12 and a distal end intended to be positioned near the wearer's ear when the eyeglasses 10 are worn.

[0016] Here, the temples 14 extend in a substantially curved manner toward the inside of the eyeglasses 10, i.e., toward the user's head, when the eyeglasses 10 are worn. The curvature of the temples 14 contributes to applying pressure to the user's head to ensure a proper fit of the eyeglasses 10. Here, each temple 14 extends in a manner that continues from the curved portion 18 of the frame front 12. Therefore, when viewed from above (see FIG. 3), the eyeglasses 10 have a substantially rounded shape that is suitable for gripping the user's head.

[0017] A tip 30 may be attached to the distal end of each temple 14 so as to extend in the direction of extension of the temple 14. The tip 30 is intended to rest on the user's ear. The tip 30 may be elastomeric to enhance the user's comfort when the eyeglasses 10 are worn. The tip 30 may include a housing 32 and a groove 34 intended to engage with a tab 36 and a rib 38 formed on each temple 14.

[0018] 4 and 5, the proximal end of each temple 14, near the frame front 12, has a flexible portion 40. The flexible portion 40 forms a resilient hinge that allows the temple 14 to rotate relative to the frame front 12 substantially about the axis of rotation X. The flexible portion 40 biases the temple 14 toward the inside of the eyeglasses 10, allowing the temple 14 to resiliently support either side of the wearer's head.

[0019] Here, the flexible portion 40 comprises a series of protrusions 42 aligned along the length of the corresponding temple 14. The protrusions 42 protrude from an outer wall 44 of the flexible portion 40, which faces the head of the user when the eyeglasses 10 are worn, towards an inner surface 46 of the flexible portion 42, which faces the head of the user when the eyeglasses 10 are worn. The free spaces separating the protrusions 42 give the flexible portion 40 its flexibility.

[0020] Here, each projection 42 forms a tooth 48 extending parallel to the axis of rotation X, whereby the teeth 48 extend downwards when the eyeglasses 10 are worn. All the teeth 48 are parallel to one another and define a channel 50 extending along the longitudinal direction of the temple 14. The channel 50 opens parallel (here downwards) to the inner surface 46 of the flexible part 40 to receive the longitudinal body 68 of the elastic insert 62 by means of a press fit, as shown in Figures 7 to 10.

[0021] The elastic insert 62 is made from a flexible material, in particular an elastomer.

[0022] The longitudinal body portion 68 may have a rectangular cross-section, here a square cross-section, although other cross-sections are contemplated. The longitudinal body portion 68 is inserted into the channel 50 (here from the bottom) so that it rests on the bottom of the channel 50 by being held by the teeth 48. The channel 50 may have a width (perpendicular to the inner surface 46) corresponding to the width l1 of the longitudinal body portion 68 to receive it substantially without play.

[0023] The channel 50 defined by the teeth 48 may extend on either side of the flexible portion 40 by two slots 54 arranged in the corresponding temple 14 (see FIGS. 4 to 6). Each slot 54 opens towards the inner surface 46 of the flexible portion 40 (i.e. towards the inside of the eyeglasses 10). The slots 54 are therefore suitable for holding the longitudinal body portion 68 parallel to said inner surface 46. The slots 54 may have a height (parallel to the inner surface 46) corresponding to the height H1 of the longitudinal body portion 48 for receiving it substantially without play.

[0024] The end of the slot 54 facing the series of projections 42 opens into a cavity 52 laid out in the temple 14. The cavity 52 opens towards the inner surface 46 of the flexible portion 40 (i.e. towards the inside of the eyeglasses 10).

[0025] The cavity 52 receives, with a press fit, tenons 64, 66 located at opposite ends of the elastic insert 62 (see Figures 7 to 10). The tenons 64, 66 abut against the ends of the cavity 52 near the slots 54, tensioning the longitudinal body 68 of the elastic insert 62. This tension results in elastic stresses on the temples 14 moving towards each other, causing them to rotate substantially about the axis of rotation X.

[0026] The tenons 64, 66 have a height H1 measured parallel to the inner surface 46 that is greater than the height H2 of the longitudinal body portion 68. Each cavity 52 has the same height H1 as the tenon 66, 68, and may thereby receive the tenon 66, 68 substantially without height play (i.e., parallel to the axis of rotation X).

[0027] As clearly shown in Figures 4 to 6, each cavity 52 may extend on either side of the corresponding slot 54 by grooves 61 parallel to the inner surface 46 defined between the outer wall 44 and the edge 60 of the temple 14.

[0028] These grooves 61 receive correspondingly shaped shoulders 70 of the tenons 64, 66 by a press fit (FIGS. 7 to 10), thereby holding the tenons 64, 66 within the cavity 52 perpendicular to the inner surface 46.

[0029] To allow for the molding of the grooves 61 , openings 63 extending parallel to the axis of rotation X may be formed in the temple 14 near each cavity 52 .

[0030] 6 to 10, each cavity 52 may have a main portion 56 along which a corresponding tenon 64, 66 may slide along the length of the temple 14. This portion 56 may have a length L1 along the length of the temple 14 that is equal to or greater than the length L2 of the tenon 64, 66 (including the shoulder 70), allowing the tenon 64, 66 to be inserted into the cavity 52 when the elastic insert 62 is installed, or to be removed from the cavity when the elastic insert 62 is removed, for example for replacement.

[0031] When the resilient insert 62 is installed, a portion of the cavity 52 opposite the slot 54 is therefore left free. This free portion not only allows translational movement of the tenons 64, 66 to free the shoulder 70, but also allows a tool to be inserted under the tenons 64, 66 to facilitate their removal by levering.

[0032] The cavity 54 may include an end portion 58 extending from the main portion 56 opposite the slot 54 to facilitate insertion of such a tool. The end portion 58 could have a pointed shape that converges away from the slot 54.

[0033] The length of the elastic insert 62 measured along the longitudinal direction of the temple 14 may be in the range of 20 to 30 mm. However, other lengths of the elastic insert 62 are also conceivable. The length of the elastic insert 62 may be selected to adjust the stress applied by the elastic insert 62 to the flexible portion 40 of the frame front 12.

[0034] The elasticity of the elastic insert 62 may also be selected to adjust the stress applied by the elastic insert 62 to the flexible portion 40 of the frame front 12 .

[0035] Thus, it is possible to adjust the tightness of the temples 14 on the user's head in order to optimize the wearing comfort and / or retention of the eyeglasses, especially when multiple types of elastic inserts 62 (different lengths and / or elastic properties) are available. The elastic inserts 62 could be replaced, especially if the user wants to change the type of use of the eyeglasses (e.g., leisure / sports) or if they want to change the tightness of the temples 14 for any other reason, or even to replace an aged elastic insert 62 with a new elastic insert 62. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 10 glasses 12 Frame Front 14 Temple 16 lenses 18 Curved section 20 Nose pads 22 Pad arm 23 Reception Zone 24 Protrusion 26 Opening 28 Hook 30 chips 32 Housing 34 Groove 36 tabs 38 Ribs 40 Flexible part 42 Protrusion 44 Outer wall 46 Inner surface 48 teeth 50 channels 52 Cavity 54 slots 56 Main part 58 End part 60 Edge, protrusion 61 Groove 62 Elastic Insert 63 Opening 64, 66 Tenons 68 Longitudinal body part 70 Multilayered section

Claims

1. A pair of eyeglasses (10) with elastic hinges including two temples (14) and a frame front (12) capable of supporting lenses (16), Each temple (14) extends longitudinally between a distal end remote from the frame front (12) and a proximal end connected to the frame front (12), the proximal end of the frame front (14) comprising a flexible portion (40) having an inner surface (46) configured to be oriented toward the head of a user when the eyeglasses (10) are worn; The eyeglasses (10) further comprise an elastic insert (62) removably attached to each temple (14) near the inner surface (46) of the flexible portion (40), the elastic insert (62) determining the tightness of the temple (14) against the head of the user when the eyeglasses (10) are worn.

2. 2. The eyeglasses (10) of claim 1, wherein the elastic insert (62) is attached to the flexible portion (40) of the temple (14) by press-fitting.

3. 3. The eyeglasses (10) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the elastic insert (62) comprises a first tenon (64), a second tenon (66), and a longitudinal body portion (68) extending between the first tenon (64) and the second tenon (66), the first tenon (64) and the second tenon (66) being press-fit onto either side of the flexible portion (40) so as to exert a traction force on the longitudinal body portion (68) when the temples (14) are separated from each other.

4. 4. The eyeglasses (10) of claim 3, wherein the first tenon (64) and the second tenon (66) are press-fit into a cavity (52) formed in the flexible portion (40).

5. 5. The eyeglasses (10) of claim 4, wherein the cavity (52) is open toward the inner surface (46) of the flexible portion (40).

6. 6. The eyeglasses (10) of claim 5, wherein each of the first tenon (64) and the second tenon (66) comprises at least one step (70) extending toward the longitudinal body portion (68) that is engaged within a groove (61) that extends the corresponding cavity (52) below a protrusion (60) of the corresponding temple (14).

7. 7. The eyeglasses (10) of claim 6, wherein a portion of each cavity (52) is left free by the first tenon (64) and the second tenon (66), thereby allowing sufficient displacement of the first tenon (64) and the second tenon (66) within the cavity (52) to free the shoulder (70) from the corresponding groove (61).

8. 8. The eyeglasses (10) of any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein near each cavity (52), the longitudinal body portion (68) is received in a slot (54), the slot (54) opening toward the inner surface (46) of the flexible portion (40), and the slot (54) extending along the longitudinal direction.

9. 9. The eyeglasses (10) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the flexible portion (40) includes an outer wall (44) and a series of projections (42) projecting from the outer wall (44) toward the inner surface (46), the projections (42) being aligned along the longitudinal direction and forming teeth (48) each extending parallel to the inner surface (46) and defining a channel (50), and the elastic insert (62) can be press-fit into the channel (50).

10. 10. The eyeglasses (10) of claim 9, wherein all of the teeth (48) extend in the same direction and the channels (50) open parallel to the inner surface (46).

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