Rolled Elastomeric Temple Casing for Grip and Custom Eyewear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional eyeglasses frames are often made from single materials that are hard, slippery, and cold, making them difficult to handle and store, and do not allow for personal expression through customization.
Innovation Solution
A rolled elastomeric tubular casing is designed to encase a portion of the eyeglasses temple, providing a secure, easy-to-place, and aesthetically customizable solution with gentle tapers and adhesive properties to prevent snagging and improve grip.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional single-material frames are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but handling comfort and grip are poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing a separate elastomeric temple cover inside a protective sleeve. The temple cover is inserted into the sleeve, creating a nested structure where the inner component (temple cover) is housed within the outer component (sleeve). This nested arrangement allows both components to function together - the inner cover provides grip comfort while the outer sleeve provides protection - without requiring complex integration into the frame structure itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes flexible shells by employing an elastomeric temple cover that conforms to the shape of the temple. The elastomeric material forms a flexible shell that wraps around the temple, providing enhanced grip and comfort. The flexibility of this shell allows it to adapt to the temple's geometry while maintaining its protective and ergonomic functions.
2Ease of operation
If hard frame materials are used, then structural strength is improved, but grip comfort and warmth are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the material properties of different components. The temple cover uses soft elastomeric material specifically at the gripping area to enhance comfort and warmth, while the frame itself maintains its hard structural material for strength. This localized application of different material qualities allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising the overall frame strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials by combining the hard frame material with a separate elastomeric temple cover. This composite approach allows the frame to maintain its structural integrity from the hard material while the elastomeric cover provides the soft, comfortable gripping surface. The combination of these two material types creates a unified structure that exhibits both strength and comfort properties.
3Ease of operation
If temples are made slippery for easy cleaning, then maintenance is simplified, but handling grip is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by giving different surface characteristics to different components. The elastomeric temple cover has a textured or grippy surface optimized for handling comfort, while the outer protective sleeve can have a smoother surface that is easier to clean. This localized differentiation of surface properties allows each component to optimize for its primary function - grip for the inner cover, ease of cleaning for the outer sleeve.
4Adaptability or versatility
If static frame designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but personal expression and customization are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the temple cover removable and replaceable. Instead of a fixed, static design, the temple cover can be dynamically changed - removed, replaced with different colors or patterns, or repositioned. This dynamic capability allows users to customize the appearance of their eyewear to express personal style while maintaining the simplicity of the underlying frame structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the decorative temple cover from the structural frame. This segmentation allows the cover to be independently designed, manufactured, and replaced without affecting the frame itself. Users can select different segmented cover components to customize their eyewear appearance, while the frame remains a simple, manufacturable base structure.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the ease of handling and storage of eyeglasses, offers a secure fit, reduces snagging, and allows for personalized ornamentation, making the product more user-friendly and visually appealing.
Implementation Method 1
The elastomeric tube in a first post-production orientation is rolled into a doughnut geometry, and adapted to unroll therefrom about the elongate glasses temple to resume a generally cylindrical tubular geometry
Implementation Method 2
The tube interior further defines an adhesive surface
Data Source
AI summary
An elastomeric tubular casing encompasses an elongate eyeglasses temple. The elastomeric tubular casing has a tube interior; a tube exterior; and tube first and second ends. The tube interior is configured to have higher than standard adhesion, and the tube exterior is configured to have lower than standard adhesion. Bevels may be provided adjacent to the tube first and second ends. The elastomeric tube in a first post-production orientation is rolled into a doughnut geometry, and adapted to unroll about the elongate eyeglasses temple to resume a generally cylindrical tubular geometry, and thereby encase a portion of the eyeglasses temple. The elastomeric tubular casing has an interior diameter approximately equal to an exterior circumference of the eyeglasses temple and the elastomeric tubular casing extends longitudinally co-extensively with the eyeglasses temple.