Eyewear lenses for frameless eyewear

Abstract

To provide frameless eyewear which possesses appropriate physical properties, such as tensile strength, impact resistance and stiffness, while still maintaining good optical properties and a pleasing aesthetic appearance.SOLUTION: A frameless eyewear lens comprises: a lens body having a front surface and a back surface; and a stiffening member disposed on an upper portion of the lens body and extending along the upper portion of the lens body, where the stiffening member may be an integral part of the lens and may extend along the upper portion of the lens. At least a portion of the stiffening member may extend forward of a corresponding point on the front surface of the lens. The stiffening member may have different dimensions and cross sections based on the stiffening enhancement needed and aesthetic considerations. The stiffening member may be designed to improve the moment of inertia of the eyewear lens to a desired value. The increased stiffness caused by the stiffening member may also be designed to achieve a target head force on the head of a user when the eyewear lens is integrated into eyewear.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Background technology]

[0001] Frameless eyewear is a type of eyewear that does not include all the frame elements surrounding the eyewear lenses. This type of eyewear is often desirable for both practical reasons (e.g., frame removal can increase the field of view through the lenses or improve ventilation and reduce lens fogging) and aesthetic reasons (e.g., the resulting eyewear may have a cleaner, more minimalist appearance). With frameless eyewear, because there is little or no support provided by the frame, the eyewear lenses rely on some or all of the structural supports required for the eyewear to function properly. Structural properties of eyewear lenses, such as tensile strength, impact resistance, and rigidity, can be achieved in several ways. For example, the eyewear lens itself may simply be made uniformly thick. This approach can achieve the desired physical properties but results in increased lens weight, potential aesthetic problems, and production costs. [Overview of the project]

[0002] Embodiments of the present disclosure include a frameless eyewear lens comprising a lens body having a front and a rear surface, and a reinforcing member positioned on the upper part of the lens body and extending along the upper part of the lens body. The reinforcing member is an integral part of the lens body. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the reinforcing member extends forward of a corresponding point on the front surface.

[0003] In another embodiment, the moment of inertia of the eyewear lens with the reinforcing member, measured around a vertical axis passing through the center of the rotated geometric shape of the lens, is at least 2,200 mm greater than the same moment of inertia of the same frameless eyewear lens without the reinforcing member. 4 big.

[0004] In another embodiment, the thickness of the reinforcing member is 90% to 110% of the lens thickness at the midpoint of the lens, and a portion of the reinforcing member has an extension distance measured from the rear surface at least twice the lens thickness. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0005] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a frameless eyewear lens according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a frameless eyewear lens as part of an eyewear embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of a frameless eyewear lens as part of an eyewear embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of a frameless eyewear lens as part of an eyewear embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view of a frameless eyewear lens according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view of a frameless eyewear lens according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a portion of a cross-sectional view of a frameless eyewear lens according to an embodiment. [Figure 8] This is a portion of a cross-sectional view of a frameless eyewear lens according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] This is a portion of a cross-sectional view of a frameless eyewear lens according to an embodiment. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view of a frameless eyewear lens, showing further physical parameters according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view of a frameless eyewear lens, showing further physical parameters according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] This is a top view of frameless eyewear worn on the user's head, showing further physical parameters according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0006] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. References such as “one embodiment,” “one embodiment,” and “exemplary embodiment” indicate that the described embodiments may include certain features, structures, or characteristics, but not all embodiments necessarily include certain features, structures, or characteristics. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiments. Moreover, where certain features, structures, or characteristics are described in relation to an embodiment, whether explicitly stated or not, any effect of such features, structures, or characteristics in relation to other embodiments shall be known to those skilled in the art.

[0007] Frameless eyewear lenses may themselves provide structural support that enables frameless eyewear to function properly. Frameless eyewear lenses according to embodiments of the present invention have appropriate physical properties such as tensile strength, impact resistance, and rigidity while still maintaining good optical properties and a pleasant aesthetic appearance. Rigidity is a particularly important concern when designing frameless eyewear lenses. In typical frameless eyewear, the retaining force that holds the eyewear to the user's head is applied to the frameless eyewear lens in the lateral or outer edges of the lens. This can result in the frameless eyewear lens curving outward near the midpoint of the lens if it is not sufficiently rigid. Frameless eyewear lenses should also be able to protect the user's eyes in the event of impact to the lens without requiring additional support provided by an eyewear frame.

[0008] One possible solution to this problem is to make the lenses of frameless eyewear thicker. However, this increases the weight of the lenses, aesthetic issues, and manufacturing costs.

[0009] One embodiment of the present disclosure is a frameless eyewear lens comprising a lens body having a front and a rear surface, and a reinforcing member positioned on the upper part of the lens body such that the reinforcing member extends along the upper part of the front surface. The reinforcing member is an integral part of the front surface, and a portion of the reinforcing member extends forward of a corresponding point on the front surface of the lens.

[0010] Advantages of this embodiment and other embodiments include, for example, sufficient lens rigidity that does not require excessively thick eyewear lenses. As will be discussed below, the reinforcing member may also enhance the airflow across the rear surface of the frameless eyewear lens compared to the airflow of a similar lens without the reinforcing member, thereby improving the aesthetic appeal of the lens.

[0011] Figure 1 shows a lens 1 for frameless eyewear according to an embodiment, which is a perspective view of the separated lens 1. As shown in Figure 1, the embodiment of lens 1 may include a lens body 3. The first end 5 and the second end 6 are located at the outer ends of lens 1. A reinforcing member 20 is also shown on the upper part 4 of lens 1. The reinforcing member 20 is configured to increase the rigidity of lens 1 compared to the same eyewear lens without the reinforcing member 20. The reinforcing member 20 will be described in more detail below.

[0012] The term "frameless" is defined as a type of eyewear that does not include an eyewear frame or trajectory that substantially surrounds the lens 1, particularly an eyewear frame that does not extend over the top or brow of the lens 1. Rather, the trajectory of a frameless lens may be partial (see, for example, Figure 3), or may be completely absent so that the lens is held in place for the wearer only by the ear stem (see, for example, Figure 2). For example, the embodiment of lens 1 shown in Figure 2 may be adapted to function with eyeglass-type frameless eyewear. For example, Figure 2 shows eyeglass-type frameless eyewear An embodiment of the lens 1 incorporated in the eyewear 2 is shown. As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of temples 9 (also called earstems) are attached to the first end 5 and the second end 6 at the attachment portion 7, respectively. In some embodiments, the attachment portion 7 is not necessary, and each of the pair of temples 9 is directly attached to the lens 1 at the first end 5 and the second end 6, respectively. As is known, the temples 9 can be placed over the end user's ears to hold the frameless eyewear 2 on the wearer's head. Embodiments of the lens 1 similar to those described herein may also be adapted to function in embodiments of frameless eyewear 2 having two separate lenses 1 (one lens for each eye) separated by a nose piece. In these embodiments, each lens 1 has its own reinforcing member 20. The functionality of the double-lens embodiment is the same as that of the frameless eyewear 2, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0013] A further embodiment of the lens 1 is shown, for example, in FIG. 3. An embodiment of the frameless eyewear 2 as shown in FIG. 3 includes a partial eyewear frame 13 (also called a partial track or partial track frame) that extends from the first end 5 to the second end 6 along the lower portion of the lens 1. The temples 9 are attached to the eyewear frame 13 near the first end 5 and the second end 6 of the lens 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the reinforcing member 20 may extend across the upper portion 4 of the lens 1, substantially opposite to the position of the eyewear frame 13 along the lower portion of the lens 1.

[0014] Other embodiments of the lens 1 may be adapted to function with goggle-type frameless eyewear. FIG. 4 shows an example of a way in which an embodiment of the lens 1 may be incorporated into frameless eyewear 2. In FIG. 4, goggle-type frameless eyewear 2 is shown, and a strap 8 is attached to the lens 1 at attachment portions 7 located at a first end 5 and a second end 6 to form a loop configured to surround the user's head. The attachment portion 7 may be integral with the lens 1 or, as shown in FIG. 4, a separate element attached to the first end 5 and the second end 6 of the lens 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the attachment portion 7 does not extend completely around the perimeter of the lens 1 and is not present across the entire top or brow of the lens 1, and thus FIG. 4 shows an example of frameless eyewear within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0015] The embodiments of the frameless eyewear 2 shown in FIGS. 2-4 are merely examples of some of the possible types of eyewear in which the lens 1 may be used. By way of example and not limitation, the lens 1 may be incorporated into various types of eyewear including general-purpose eyewear, specialized eyewear, sunglasses, driving glasses, sports glasses, goggles, visors, shields, indoor eyewear, outdoor eyewear, vision correction eyewear, contrast enhancement eyewear, eyewear designed for another purpose (e.g., a helmet visor), or eyewear designed for a combination of purposes.

[0016] The reinforcing member 20 provides structural reinforcement to the lens 1. The reinforcing member 20 is an integral part of the lens 1. Therefore, the reinforcing member 20 forms a single monolithic component with the lens 1 and can be made of the same material as the lens 1. In some embodiments, there is a seamless transition between the reinforcing member 20 and the upper part 4 of the lens 1, and there is no detectable structural change in the material of the lens 1 when moving from the lens body 3 to the reinforcing member 20. In some embodiments, the reinforcing member 20 may be configured to transmit light with minimal optical distortion. For example, the reinforcing member 20 may be made of a transparent or translucent material similar to that of the lens body 3 and may include a smooth transition between the reinforcing member 20 and the lens body 3 that minimizes optical distortion of light passing through the reinforcing member 20.

[0017] In this embodiment, the reinforcing member 20 is located on the upper part 4 of the lens 1, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The upper part 4 may extend along the entire or partially of the lens 1. The upper part 4 includes the apex 15 of the lens 1. The upper part 4 may extend downward from the apex 15 of the lens 1 for a certain distance across the lens 1. In some embodiments, the upper part 4 may extend 5 to 15 mm downward from the apex 15. In some embodiments, the upper part 4 may extend downward from the apex 15 to the upper end of the wearer's field of view. In some embodiments, the reinforcing member 20 is located at the top of the upper part 4 (i.e., along the apex 15). However, in other embodiments, the reinforcing member 20 may also be located within the upper part 4 at a distance below the apex 15.

[0018] For example, as shown in Figure 4, length L is defined as the total length of the apical end 15. Length L is also known as the chord length or arc length of the lens body 3. Also, as shown in Figure 4, the total length of the reinforcing member 20 extending along the upper part 4 is length L. sm It is defined as L smThis may be expressed as a percentage of length L. Embodiments of the reinforcing member 20 may extend along the upper 4 to any desired range. For example, embodiments of the reinforcing member 20 may extend along 40% to 60% of length L. Other embodiments of the reinforcing member 20 may extend along 60% to 80% of length L. Other embodiments of the reinforcing member 20 may extend along 80% to 100% of length L. Other embodiments of the reinforcing member 20 may extend along 50% to 90% of length L. Other embodiments of the reinforcing member 20 may extend along approximately 100% of the length L of the apex 15. Other embodiments of the reinforcing member 20 may extend along at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% of the length L of the apex 15. Generally, embodiments of the reinforcing member 20 that extend along the upper 4 to a higher percentage than others result in a more rigid lens 1. In Figure 1, the reinforcing member 20 is shown as being at the center of the upper part 4, that is, for example, extending equal distances from the midpoint of the lens 1 toward the first end 5 and the second end 6. However, the reinforcing member 20 does not necessarily have to be at the center and can extend further toward one side of the lens 1 than toward the other side.

[0019] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a frameless eyewear lens. As shown in Figure 5, the lens body 3 has a rear surface 11 and a front surface 12. The cross-section in Figure 5 is obtained along line AA as shown in Figure 2. The cross-section is oriented so that the apex 15 of the lens 1 is positioned at the top of the cross-section (i.e., the lens 1 is oriented so that it is positioned on the head of an upright wearer). The lens body 3 is configured to transmit light. In the embodiment, the lens body 3 may be colored in any desired shade or may not be colored (for example, the lens body 3 may be transparent). The reinforcing member 20 is visible at the top 4 of the lens 1, at the top of the cross-section in Figure 5. As shown in Figure 5, embodiments of the reinforcing member 20 are positioned completely in front of the rear surface 11, i.e., in front or outward. This relationship may apply to any cross-section of the reinforcing member 20 obtained in the same manner as described for the cross-section in Figure 5. Thus, for example, embodiments of the reinforcing member 20 as shown in Figure 5 are positioned in front of the lens 1. As shown in Figure 5, the reinforcing member 20 may extend upward at an angle with respect to the horizontal plane. For example, the reinforcing member 20 may be inclined upward at an angle of about 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. In another example, the reinforcing member 20 may be inclined upward at an angle of 30 to 70 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. In other embodiments of the reinforcing member 20 shown in Figure 5, the reinforcing member 20 may be inclined to extend at several other angles upward or downward horizontally, or the reinforcing member 20 may extend outward substantially parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0020] Embodiments of the reinforcing member 20, as shown in Figure 5, may include a planar member extending substantially outward from the upper part 4 with respect to the wearer's position. However, the reinforcing member 20 may be formed in a variety of other shapes. For example, Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the lens 1 obtained using the same method described in Figure 5. In Figure 6, the reinforcing member 20 is shown as a rounded "sphere" positioned on the upper part 4 of the lens 1. Embodiments of the reinforcing member 20 are also shown in Figures 7-9. As shown, it may be formed in other shapes. Figures 7 to 9 show portions of cross-sections similar to those in Figures 5 to 6. Figures 7 to 9 show different possible geometric shapes of the reinforcing member 20. For example, Figure 7 shows one embodiment of the reinforcing member 20 which may be formed in an "L" shape with a vertically downward flange added to the end of the reinforcing member 20. Other possible embodiments of the reinforcing member may have a curved (Figure 8) or "u"-shaped (Figure 9) cross-section. The interface between the reinforcing member and the top of the lens may be inclined (for example, as shown in Figure 5) or curved (for example, Figure 8). The particular shape of the reinforcing member 20 may be modified to any desired shape to improve reinforcement and / or aesthetic appearance.

[0021] The dimensions of the reinforcing member 20 may be modified according to the specifications of the lens 1, the desired rigidity of the lens 1, aesthetic considerations, and / or other well-known design factors. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the lens 1 of Figure 2. As shown in Figure 10, embodiments of the reinforcing member 20 may have an extension distance 23 and a thickness 24. As shown in Figure 10, the extension distance 23 is defined as the distance the reinforcing member 20 has moved relative to the rear surface 11. Depending on the orientation of the reinforcing member 20, the extension distance 23 may or may not be a horizontal distance by which the reinforcing member 20 extends outward from the rear surface 11. For example, as shown in Figure 10, the extension distance 23 may be at an angle with respect to the horizontal. The thickness 24 is defined as the maximum thickness of the reinforcing member 20 in a local vertical direction, which is perpendicular to at least one of the surfaces of the reinforcing member 20. If the angle of the reinforcing member 20 is changed, i.e., if the reinforcing member 20 in Figure 10 is substantially parallel to the horizontal, these dimensions do not need to be changed.

[0022] With respect to the midpoint thickness 25 of lens 1, it is convenient to specify the dimensions of the reinforcing member 20. In embodiments, the midpoint thickness 25 may be, for example, about 0.025 inches (0.64 mm) to about 0.125 inches (3.175 mm). In embodiments, the midpoint thickness 25 may be, for example, about 0.040 inches (1.00 mm) to about 0.09 inches (2.3 mm). In embodiments, the midpoint thickness 25 may be, for example, about 0.040 inches (1.00 mm) to about 0.0625 inches (1.6 mm). Embodiments of the reinforcing member 20 may have an extension length 23 that is, for example, about 2 to 4 times the midpoint thickness 25. For example, the extension length 23 may be 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, or 4 times the midpoint thickness 25. For example, the extension length 23 may be about 0.20 inches (5 mm) to about 0.40 inches (10 mm). Embodiments of the reinforcing member 20 may have a thickness 24 that is approximately 0.5 to 1.5 times the midpoint thickness 25. For example, if the midpoint thickness 25 is 0.40 inches (1.00 mm), the thickness 24 may be approximately 0.020 inches (0.51 mm) to approximately 0.060 inches (1.52 mm). For example, the thickness 24 may be approximately 0.7 to 1.3 times the midpoint thickness 25. In further embodiments, the thickness 24 may be 95% to 105% of the midpoint thickness 25. It should be understood that these dimensions are examples and can be modified as desired to suit a particular design of lens 1. Also, different embodiments of the reinforcing member 20 may have different or additional dimensions depending on the shape or size of the reinforcing member 20.

[0023] Changing the above dimensions will affect the reinforcing properties provided by the reinforcing member 20. For example, generally, if the value of length L is large and the reinforcing member 20 extends further along the top 4 of the lens body 3, the extension distance 23 and thickness 24 may be made smaller to achieve a given increase in the rigidity of the lens body 3. The rigidity provided by the reinforcing member 20 is determined by the extension distance 23, thickness 24, and length L. sm It is a function of and, if the thickness is constant at 24, a relatively long length L smEmbodiments of the reinforcing member 20 having a relatively short extension distance 23 to maintain a given rigidity, or vice versa. Therefore, for example, if higher rigidity is desired, the reinforcing member 20 may have a longer length L as needed, based on the specific design purpose of the lens 1. sm They may be manufactured to have a longer extending distance 23, a greater thickness 24, or any combination of these three modifications.

[0024] As described above, the reinforcing member 20 is configured to increase the rigidity of the lens 1. A useful characteristic when considering the rigidity of an object is the body's resistance to bending. Inertia in a planar region This is the moment ("moment of inertia"). Generally, the larger the moment of inertia, the greater the resistance to bending, that is, the "more rigid" the object. Therefore, to increase the rigidity of lens 1, a larger moment of inertia is obtained by changing the dimensions of the reinforcing member 20 as described above. As the moment of inertia increases, the head force also generally increases (this will be explained further below).

[0025] The moment of inertia is typically calculated with respect to a desired reference axis. Figure 11 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of lens 1 similar to that in Figure 1. Figure 11 shows a reference point 30, which may be the center of rotation of the body of revolution containing lens 1. The reference axis 32 is a vertical axis passing through the reference point 30. The moment of inertia of lens 1 may be calculated using the reference axis 32. Calculating the moment of inertia of an object is well known in the art and will not be described in detail here. The reinforcing member 20 shares the same characteristics as lens 1 but may increase the moment of inertia of lens 1 compared to the same lens 1 without the reinforcing member 20, which is lens 1 without the reinforcing member. The increase in reinforcement may be any desired amount. For example, in one embodiment, the reinforcing member 20 increases the moment of inertia of lens 1 by about 2,200 mm compared to another identical lens without the reinforcing member. 4It may be increased. In another example, in an embodiment, the reinforcing member 20 increases the moment of inertia of the lens 1 by about 2,500 mm as compared to other identical lenses without the reinforcing member 4 It may be increased. In another example, in an embodiment, the reinforcing member 20 increases the moment of inertia of the lens 1 by about 2,800 mm as compared to other identical lenses without the reinforcing member 4 It may be increased. In another example, in an embodiment, the reinforcing member 20 increases the moment of inertia of the lens 1 by about 3,000 mm as compared to other identical lenses without the reinforcing member 4 It may be increased. In an embodiment, the moment of inertia of the lens 1 having the reinforcing member 20 is about 300 mm greater than that of other identical lenses 1 without the reinforcing member 4 , 600 mm 4 , 800 mm 4 , or 1,000 mm 4 It may be larger.

[0026] Generally, eyewear is used by placing the eyewear on a user's head. As described above, this placement may be achieved by various structures including the strap 8 or the temple 9 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 2 above, respectively. FIG. 12 shows a top view of the frameless eyewear 2 having temples 9 on the user's head 41. The temples 9 can be seen on both sides of the head 41 and are arranged above and / or behind the user's ears 42 as shown. The type of frameless eyewear 2 that uses temples 9 is generally designed such that, in a relaxed state, the distance between each of the temples 9 is smaller than the typical distance between the ears 42 of the user's head 41. This means that when placed on the head 41, the temples 9 are forced to bend slightly outward relative to each other. Thereby, the retention of the frameless eyewear 2 on the user's head 41 is improved. The bending of the temples 9 bends the lens 1 outward.

[0027] The force exerted by the temple 9 on the head 41 due to the temple 9's tendency to return to a neutral position after bending is a measurable property associated with eyewear having temples 9, called "head force." Therefore, the head force 40 is directly related to the total distance the temple 9 needs to bend away from and the stiffness of the lens 1. As shown in Figure 12, the head force 40 generated by the temple 9 is directed inward perpendicular to the head 41 by the temple 9. Since frames typically provide structural support to the lenses, eyewear with lenses in a frameless configuration tends to be more flexible than eyewear with the same lenses in a framed configuration. Therefore, the reinforcing member 20 can be designed to produce a desired head force 40 in a given frameless eyewear 2 for a head 41 of known size. Depending on the design purpose of the eyewear, a range of head force values ​​may be desirable. For example, in this embodiment, the head force 40 is approximately 0.20 lbf for a standard-sized head 41. The head force 40 may be between 0.89N and approximately 0.25lbf (1.11N). In some embodiments, the head force 40 may be between approximately 0.15lbf (0.67N) and approximately 0.35lbf (1.56N). In some embodiments, the head force 40 may be between approximately 0.10lbf (0.44N) and approximately 0.40lbf (1.78N). Generally, a higher head force 40 provides greater retention but may be less comfortable. Therefore, a higher head force 40 is typically intended for eyewear used in athletic activities involving significant movement by the user (e.g., running, cycling, tennis, etc.). The head force 40 also depends on the size of the head in question, as a larger head results in greater polarization of the eyewear. Therefore, in some embodiments, for example, a standard-sized head 41 may have a distance of approximately 6.10 inches (155 mm) between the ears 42. Therefore, the reinforcing member 20 may be designed to reinforce the frameless eyewear 2 such that the head force 40 is approximately 0.20 lbf (0.89 N) to approximately 0.25 lbf (1.11 N). For example, in some embodiments, with a lens 1 having a head force 40 of approximately 0.20 lbf (0.89 N), the reinforcing member 20 has a thickness 24 approximately equal to the midpoint thickness 25 (e.g., 0.060 inches), an extending distance 23 of approximately 5 mm, and a length L of approximately 148 mm. sm (It may have about 100% of the total arc length L of lens 1). These embodiments of the reinforcing member 20 have an extension of about 2500 mm compared to other identical lenses 1 without the reinforcing member 20. 4 This may result in an increase in the moment of inertia. In another embodiment having the same head force 40 of lens 1 of about 0.20 lbf and the same total arc length L, the reinforcing member 20 has a thickness 24 that is approximately equal to the midpoint thickness 25 (e.g., 0.060 inches), an extending distance 23 of about 10 mm, and a length L of about 125 mm (which is about 84% of the total arc length L of lens 1). sm These embodiments of the reinforcing member 20 have a length of approximately 3100 mm. 4This may result in an increase in the moment of inertia. In another embodiment, the lens 1 has a total arc length L of about 198 mm and a head force 40 of about 0.35 lbf, while the reinforcing member 20 has a thickness 24 that is approximately equal to the midpoint thickness 25 (e.g., about 2 mm), an extension distance 23 (e.g., about 6 mm) that is about three times the midpoint thickness 25, and a length L of about 122 mm. sm (It may have about 62% of the total arc length L of lens 1). These embodiments of the reinforcing member 20 have an extension of about 6300 mm compared to other identical lenses 1 without the reinforcing member 20. 4 This may result in an increase in the moment of inertia. These embodiments are illustrative, and other possible combinations of dimensions of the reinforcing member 20 may result in the same or different values ​​of the head force 40. The value of the head force 40 may also be increased or decreased as desired, depending on the specific design goals of the frameless eyewear 2.

[0028] In some embodiments, the reinforcing member 20 may be configured to improve airflow over the rear surface 11 of the lens 1 compared to other identical embodiments of the lens 1 that include a full eyewear frame 13 instead of the reinforcing member 20, particularly an eyewear frame 13 that extends over the top or brow area of ​​the lens 1. For example, an embodiment of the reinforcing member 20 facing forward, or forward or outward, provides a gap between the user's face and the eyewear that improves ventilation of the lens body 3. Such improvements may be particularly pronounced with respect to an embodiment of the reinforcing member 20 that features a significant outward extension from the front surface 12, as shown in Figure 5, for example. This is because an outwardly extending embodiment of the reinforcing member 20 acts as a funnel or scoop to better guide air across the rear surface 11.

[0029] Lens 1 may be made from any suitable lens material known in the art. For example, glass and / or plastics such as acrylic, nylon, or polycarbonate may be used for lens 1. The frameless eyewear lens 1 may be made using any suitable method known in the art. For example, lens 1 may be cast, molded, or thermoformed. In embodiments, the reinforcing member 20 may be formed simultaneously with and / or in the same process as lens 1, or may be added by a chemical bonding process that integrates the reinforcing member 20 with lens 1 so that the seam is undetectable.

[0030] The section describing the modes for carrying out the invention, rather than the section describing the summary and abstract of the invention, is the claims section. It should be understood that these sections are intended to be used for interpretation. The “Summary of the Invention” and “Abstract” sections may illustrate one or more but not all exemplary embodiments of the Invention, as can be conceived by the inventor(s), but are not intended to limit the scope of the Invention and the appended claims.

[0031] The foregoing description of specific embodiments will be readily modifiable and / or adapted to various uses by those skilled in the art, by applying their knowledge, and will fully illustrate the general nature of the invention without excessive experimentation or departure from the general concept of the invention. Therefore, such adaptations and modifications are intended to be within the meaning and scope of the equivalents of the disclosed embodiments based on the teachings and guidance presented herein. It should be understood that the expressions and terminology herein are for illustrative purposes only and not limiting, and consequently, the terms and expression herein should be interpreted by those skilled in the art in terms of teachings and guidance.

[0032] The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the exemplary embodiments described above, but should be defined solely in accordance with the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. These are frameless eyewear lenses. A lens body having a front surface into which light enters and a rear surface facing the front surface, A reinforcing member is positioned on the upper part of the lens body and extends along the upper part of the lens body. Equipped with, The reinforcing member is an integral and monolithic portion of the lens body and is formed from the same material as the lens body. A portion of the reinforcing member extends forward from the top end of the lens body, which is located at the uppermost end of the lens body in a vertical direction parallel to the direction of gravity, when the front and rear surfaces of the lens body are arranged so that they are parallel to the direction of gravity and the upper part of the lens body is above the direction of gravity, and the forward direction is the direction extending from the rear surface to the front surface. The reinforcing member is inclined toward the upper side in the direction of gravity at an angle of at least 30 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction which is perpendicular to the direction of gravity, in a frameless eyewear lens.

2. The frameless eyewear lens according to claim 1, wherein any cross-section of the reinforcing member defined by the line extending in the forward direction and the line extending in the vertical direction does not extend beyond the rear surface within the cross-section of the lens body in the direction opposite to the forward direction.

3. The frameless eyewear lens according to claim 1, wherein the lens having the reinforcing member is configured to increase the airflow across the rear surface of the lens compared to the same lens having at least an eyewear frame along the eyebrow portion of the eyewear.

4. Frameless eyewear, Frameless eyewear lens according to claim 1, First temple and second temple are attached to the first and second ends of the lens, respectively, and are configured to hold the lens on the user's head. Frameless eyewear featuring [specific feature].

5. The frameless eyewear lens according to claim 1, wherein the eyewear lens is made from at least one of nylon and polycarbonate.

6. The portion of the reinforcing member extends along the upper part and has an extension distance of 2 to 4 times the lens center thickness measured in the forward direction. The frameless eyewear lens according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the reinforcing member in the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the portion thereof is 95% to 105% of the lens center thickness.

7. The frameless eyewear lens according to claim 6, wherein the extension distance is 5 mm.

8. The reinforcing member extends along at least 60% of the total length of the upper part of the lens body, The reinforcing member has an extension distance of 6 mm along the upper part, The frameless eyewear lens according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member has a thickness equal to the center thickness of the lens measured in the forward direction.

9. The thickness of the reinforcing member in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the portion of the reinforcing member extends is 90% to 110% of the lens thickness at the midpoint of the lens. A portion of the reinforcing member has an extension distance measured from the rear surface that is at least twice the thickness of the lens, The frameless eyewear lens according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member extends along 40% to 90% of the total length of the upper part of the lens body.

10. The frameless eyewear lens according to claim 9, wherein any cross-section of the reinforcing member defined by the line extending in the forward direction and the line extending in the perpendicular direction parallel to the direction of gravity does not extend beyond the rear surface within the cross-section of the lens body in the direction opposite to the forward direction.

11. The frameless eyewear lens according to claim 9, wherein the reinforcing member extends over at least 60% of the upper arc length.

12. The frameless eyewear lens according to claim 11, wherein the reinforcing member extends at least 5 mm over the upper part.

13. Frameless eyewear, Frameless eyewear lens according to claim 9, First temple and second temple are attached to the first and second ends of the lens, respectively, and are configured to hold the lens on the user's head. Frameless eyewear featuring [specific feature].

Images