Eyeglass frame with asymmetric end pieces

Abstract

An eyeglass frame is described comprising a first end piece (11) and a second end piece (12); two temples (21, 22) configured to switch between an open position in which the frame (100) is wearable by a user and a closed position in which the frame (100) is not wearable; a pair of hinges (3) each coupled to a respective temple (21, 22) to make the temples (21, 22) switchable between the open and closed positions; each hinge (3) comprises a respective hinging element (31); wherein the hinging elements (31) are equal to each other and wherein the first end piece (11) and the second end piece (12) have different thicknesses.

Description

[0001] EYEGLASS FRAME WITH ASYMMETRIC END P IECES

[0002] The present invention relates to an eyeglass frame with asymmetric end pieces .

[0003] The present invention finds useful use in the eyewear field, for example to make sunglasses or prescription glasses or even smart glasses , or goggles , for example sports or protective goggles .

[0004] It is known that eyeglass frames comprise a front piece and temples that are generally hinged to the front piece in order to be openable , to allow a user to wear the frame , and foldable , to reduce the volume when the frame is not in use . In particular, in the closed position, a first temple is in a position close to the front piece and typically in contact with it , while the second temple , which intersects with the first temple at one point , overlapping it , remains spaced from the front piece . In this position, the temples are inclined with respect to the axis j oining the two hinges , protruding with respect to this axis particularly at the point where they intersect .

[0005] Disadvantageously , these temples are subject to deformation over time , as the wall of the case in which the frame is stored when not in use presses against the temples at the point where they intersect . As a result , the temples get damaged over time , making the frame less comfortable for a user to wear and more prone to damage .

[0006] The object of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks and in particular to devise a frame that can reduce the deformations to which the temples are subject when in the closed position, while also being less bulky in the closed position .

[0007] This and other objects according to the present invention are obtained by making a frame as recited in claim 1 .

[0008] Further features of the frame are the subject matter of the dependent claims .

[0009] The features and advantages of a frame according to the present invention will be more apparent from the following exemplary and non-limiting description, with reference to the schematic attached drawings , wherein :

[0010] - Figure 1 shows a front view of a frame in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] - Figure 2 shows the front piece of the frame in Figure 1 , isolated from the rest of the frame ;

[0012] - Figure 3 shows the temples of the frame in Figure 1 , isolated from the rest of the frame ;

[0013] - Figure 4 shows a first side view of the frame in Figure 1 ;

[0014] - Figure 5 shows a second side view of a portion of the frame of Figure 1 ;

[0015] - Figure 6 shows a view from above of the frame of Figure 1 .

[0016] A frame for glasses according to the present invent ion is described hereinafter, marked with reference number 100 .

[0017] The frame 100 for glasses in accordance with the present invention may be a frame of the "traditional" type , i . e . , having a front piece comprising one or more seats , suitably shaped to accommodate the lenses , in which one or more lenses are mountable , and possibly a bridge interposed between said seats , and two temples rotatably coupled to the two end pieces of the front piece . The frame 100 for glasses in accordance with the present invention may also be a rimless-type frame , i . e . , without lens-holder seats , having the two end pieces , and possibly the bridge , directly connected to the lens (es ) .

[0018] In accordance with the present invention, the frame 100 comprises a first end piece 11 and a second end piece 12 .

[0019] The frame 100 also comprises a first temple 21 connected to the first end piece 11 and a second temple 22 connected to the second end piece 12 .

[0020] The temples 21 , 22 are configured to switch between an open position in which the frame 100 is wearable by a user and a closed position in which the frame 100 i s non-wearable .

[0021] The frame 100 also comprises a pair of hinges 3 , each coupled with a respective temple 21 , 22 to make the temples 21 , 22 switchable between the open and closed positions .

[0022] Each hinge 3 is interposed between an end piece 11 , 12 and the respective temple 21 , 22 .

[0023] In particular, each hinge 3 comprises a respective hinging element 31 .

[0024] According to a preferred embodiment , such as the one shown in the accompanying figures , the frame 100 comprises a front piece 4 comprising the two end pieces 11 , 12 , two suitably shaped seats 41 in which two lenses are mountable , and a bridge 42 interposed between the two seats 41 . The temples 21 , 22 are rotatably coupled to the front piece 4 .

[0025] In accordance with the present invention, the hinging elements 31 are equal to each other while the first end piece 11 and the second end piece 12 have dif ferent thicknesses .

[0026] The first end piece 11 is thicker than the second end piece 12 .

[0027] Advantageously, by firstly folding the second temple 22 and secondly the first temple 21 to switch them to the closed position, the temples 21 , 22 overlap more with each other in the closed position and are less inclined with respect to the axis j oining the hinges 3 , being consequently less protruding and therefore less compressible by an external surface , thus being less susceptible to deformation .

[0028] Preferably, the hinging elements 31 are partly inserted in the end pieces 11 , 12 .

[0029] In other words , preferably the hinging elements 31 are elements made separately from the end pieces 11 , 12 and then j oined thereto .

[0030] Preferably, each end piece 11 , 12 is spaced from the respective temple 21 , 22 by defining an interspace that makes the respective hinging element 31 visible when the temple 21 , 22 is in the open position .

[0031] Note that , in accordance with the present invention, the temples 21 , 22 preferably have different lengths . Advantageously, it is possible to compensate for the difference in thickness of the two end pieces 11 , 12 . In particular, the first temple 21 is shorter than the second temple 22 , the first end piece 11 being thicker than the second end piece 12 .

[0032] Preferably, the sum of the thickness of the first end piece 11 and the length of the first temple 21 is substantially equal to the sum of the thickness of the second end piece 12 and the length of the second temple 22 .

[0033] In an alternative embodiment , the temples 21 , 22 have the same length .

[0034] The first end piece 11 can be arranged on the right side or left side of the frame 100 .

[0035] Still preferably, each temple 21 , 22 has an end portion 20 . The end portions 20 of the first temple 21 and the second temple 22 are equal to each other . In an alternative embodiment , the end portions 20 are different from each other .

[0036] Each end portion 20 is defined by an upper curved portion 23 , a lower curved portion 24 and an end head 25 , connecting the two curved portions 23 , 24 .

[0037] The end head 25 preferably has three sides 251 , 252 , 253 adj acent to each other and forming angles of less than 180 ° with each other . In other words , the end head 25 has a semi-hexagonal shape .

[0038] The end head 25 has in particular a first side 251 adj acent to the upper curved portion 23 , a second side 252 adj acent to the lower curved portion 24 and a third side 253 which is interposed between the first side 251 and the second side 252 . Preferably, the first side 251 has a greater length than the second side 252 and the third side 253 .

[0039] Advantageously, the particular shape of the end head 25 allows the respective temple 21 , 22 to be placed on the respective seat 41 and / or on the respective lens , enabling a less bulky arrangement of the frame 100 when the temples are in the closed position .

[0040] Still preferably, the end portion 20 has a substantially flat lower surface 26 in order to limit the footprint as much as possible . Still preferably, the end portion 20 has an upper surface 27 having two faces 27a, 27b inclined towards each other for aesthetic purposes .

[0041] Preferably the end head 25 has bevelled edges .

[0042] Preferably, the hinging elements 31 are made of metal . Alternatively, the hinging elements 31 can also be made of polymeric or biopolymeric material .

[0043] Preferably, the end pieces 11 , 12 have a difference in thickness of between 1 and 10 mm, preferably between 2 and 6 mm .

[0044] Still preferably, the first end piece 11 has a first thickness W1 between 4 and 10 mm, more preferably between 6 and 8 mm .

[0045] Still preferably , the second end piece 12 has a second thickness W2 between 7 and 13 mm, more preferably between 9 and 11 mm .

[0046] Preferably, each temple 21 , 22 has a maximum thickness of between 4 and 8 mm, more preferably between 5 and 7 mm .

[0047] Glasses comprising the frame described above and one or more lenses also forms part of the present invention .

[0048] In particular, in the present context , the term glasses means a pair of eyeglasses of any type with two or more lenses , e . g . sunglasses , prescription glasses , aesthetic, protective , sports glasses , or even a pair of smart glasses . In the present context , the term glasses also denotes a goggle of any type with a single lens , e . g . a sports or protective goggle or other .

[0049] From the above description the features of the frame that is the subject of the present invention, as well as the advantages thereof , are evident .

[0050] Finally, it is clear that the frame thus conceived is susceptible to many modifications and variants, all falling within the same inventive concept; furthermore, all details can be replaced by equivalent technical elements. In practice, the materials used, as well as their dimensions, can be of any type according to the technical requirements.

Claims

- 8 -CLAIMS1) Frame (100) for glasses comprising:- a first end piece (11) and a second end piece (12) ;- a first temple (21) connected to the first end piece (11) and a second temple (22) connected to the second end piece (12) ; said temples (21, 22) being configured to switch between an open position in which the frame (100) is wearable by a user and a closed position in which the frame (100) is not wearable;- a pair of hinges (3) each coupled to a respective temple (21, 22) to make said temples (21, 22) switchable between said open and closed positions; each hinge (3) comprising a respective hinging element (31) ; said hinging elements (31) being equal to each other; said first end piece (11) and second end piece (12) having different thicknesses.2) Frame (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein said hinging elements (31) are partially inserted into said end pieces (11, 12) .3) Frame (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each end piece (11, 12) is spaced from the respective temple (21, 22) by defining an interspace that makes the respective hinging element (31) visible when the temple (21, 22) is in the open position .4) Frame (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each temple (21, 22) has an end portion (20) defined by an upper curved portion (23) , a lower curved portion (24) and an end head (25) , connecting said two curved portions (23, 24) ; said end head (25) having three sides (251, 252, 253) adjacent to each other and forming angles of less than 180° with each- 9 - other .5) Frame (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein a first side (251) adjacent to the upper curved portion (23) has a greater length than a second side (252) adjacent to the lower curved portion (24) and a third side (253) interposed between the first (251) and second side (252) .6) Frame (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said end pieces (11, 12) have a difference in thickness comprised between 1 and 10 mm, preferably between 2 and 6 mm.7) Frame (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said first end piece (11) has a first thickness (Wl) comprised between 4 and 10 mm; said second end piece (12) has a second thickness (W2) comprised between 7 and 13 mm.8) Frame (100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each temple (21, 22) has a maximum thickness comprised between 4 and 8 mm, preferably between 5 and 7 mm.9) Frame (100) according to the preceding claim, comprising a front piece (4) comprising said two end pieces (11, 12) , one or more seats (41) in which one or more lenses are mountable, and a bridge (42) interposed between said seats (41) ; said end pieces (21, 22) being rotatably coupled to the front piece (4) .10) Glasses comprising a frame (100) comprising:- a first end piece (11) and a second end piece (12) ;- a first temple (21) connected to the first end piece (11) and a second temple (22) connected to the second end piece (12) ; said temples (21, 22) being configured to switch between an open position in which the frame- 10 -(100) is wearable by a user and a closed position in which the frame (100) is not wearable;- a pair of hinges (3) each coupled to a respective temple (21, 22) to make said temples (21, 22) switchable between said open and closed positions; each hinge (3) comprising a respective hinging element (31) ; said hinging elements (31) being equal to each other; said first end piece (11) and second end piece (12) having different thicknesses.

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