Subsequent to my previous post, I found this on RB, which I guess, may explain the lens deal.
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By: Tiemoney
Reply To: None
Sunday, 10 Oct 1999 at 1:06 PM EDT
Post # of 8309
United States Patent 5,546,141
Wheatley August 13, 1996
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Adjustable glasses
Abstract
Sunglasses are provided wherein each lens opening has a fixed polarized lens and a
rotatable polarized lens. A slide is carried by the frame, with each rotatable lens being
connected thereto at locations outside of the lens openings. Lateral movement of the slide
effects the rotation of the rotatable lenses, thereby varying the transitivity of the sunglasses.
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Inventors: Wheatley; Charles E. (1220 Rambling Hills Dr., Cincinnati, OH 45230)
Appl. No.: 165977
Filed: December 13, 1993
U.S. Class: 351/49; 351/41; 351/85
Intern'l Class: G02C 007/12
Field of Search: 351/49,86,85,47,57,41,60
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References Cited [Referenced By]
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U.S. Patent Documents
3423149 Jan., 1969 Braunhut.
3475765 Nov., 1969 Zeltmann.
3869200 Mar., 1975 Danylewich 351/85.
3890037 Jun., 1975 Zingarelli.
3944346 Mar., 1976 Shindler.
4149780 Apr., 1979 Young.
4386832 Jun., 1983 Nannini et al..
4878748 Nov., 1989 Johansen et al..
4879770 Nov., 1989 Vacilotto 351/86.
4919530 Apr., 1990 Hyman 351/86.
5355183 Oct., 1994 Andrea 351/49.
5428410 Jun., 1995 Lei 351/60.
Primary Examiner: Sikes; William L.
Assistant Examiner: Dang; Hung Xuan
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Frost & Jacobs
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Claims
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1. Eyeglasses comprising:
(A) a frame having two rims, each rim defining a corresponding lens opening, each of said
rims having at least one respective groove disposed adjacent said corresponding lens
opening;
(B) each respective lens opening having a pair of first and second lenses disposed therein,
each said second lens being rotatable with respect to the corresponding first lens, each said
second lens being slidably carried about at least a portion of its respective peripheral edge
by said at least one respective groove of said respective rim, each said second lens being
an outer lens;
(C) a slide carried by said frame, said slide being moveable between a first and a second
position, said slide remaining outside of said lens openings throughout all positions of
movement; and
(D) respective releasable connections between said slide and each of said second lenses,
such that movement of said slide causes said second lenses to rotate;
whereby said second lenses may be easily removed from said eyeglasses to facilitate
cleaning or replacing said first or second lenses.
2. The eyeglasses according to claim 1, wherein both of said releasable connections remain
outside of said lens openings throughout all positions of movement of said slide.
3. The eyeglasses according to claim 1, comprising a retainer carried by said frame to retain
said slide to said frame.
4. The eyeglasses according to claim 3, comprising a cavity defined by at least one of said
frame and said retainer, said slide being disposed at least partially within said cavity.
5. The eyeglasses according to claim 4, wherein said cavity includes an opening, at least a
portion of said slide being accessible from the outside due to said opening.
6. The eyeglasses according to claim 5, wherein at least a portion of said slide is disposed
in said opening.
7. The eyeglasses according to claim 4, comprising a respective groove disposed adjacent
each said lens opening and defined by said frame and said retainer, each said respective
groove being in communication with said cavity, each said second lens being slidably
carried about at least a portion of its respective peripheral edge by said respective groove.
8. The eyeglasses according to claim 3, comprising a respective groove disposed adjacent
each said lens opening and defined by said frame and said retainer, each said second lens
being slidably carried about at least a portion of its respective peripheral edge by said
respective groove.
9. The eyeglasses according to claim 3, comprising means for releasably securing said
retainer to said frame.
10. The eyeglasses according to claim 9, wherein said means comprises a latch carried by
one of said retainer and said frame and a lip carried by the other of said retainer and said
frame, said latch and said lip being selectively movable relative to each other between an
engaged position and a disengaged position.
11. The eyeglasses according to claim 10, wherein said latch is relatively rigid and said
retainer may be released from said frame by flexing said frame and said retainer
simultaneously in the same direction so as to cause the relative motion between said latch
and said lip necessary to move said latch and said lip into said disengaged position.
12. The eyeglasses according to claim 1, wherein said releasable connections comprise
respective tabs extending from each respective second lens and respective slots defined by
said slide and configured to receive said respective tabs.
13. The eyeglasses according to claim 1, wherein each said second lens may be selectively
connected to said slide in at least two rotational orientations relative to said slide.
14. The eyeglasses according to claim 13, wherein said releasable connections comprise a
respective plurality of tabs extending from each respective second lens and at least one
respective slot corresponding to each second lens defined by said slide and configured to
receive a respective one of said tabs.
15. The eyeglasses according to claim 1, wherein said slide substantially retains the same
shape throughout its full range of movement between said first and second positions.
16. Eyeglasses comprising:
(A) a frame having two rims, each rim defining a corresponding lens opening, each of said
rims having at least one respective groove disposed adjacent said corresponding lens
opening;
(B) each respective lens opening having a pair of first and second lenses disposed therein,
each said second lens being rotatable with respect to the corresponding first lens, each said
second lens being slidably carried about less than all of its respective peripheral edge by
said at least one respective groove of said respective rim, each said second lens being an
outer lens;
(C) a slide carried by said frame, said slide being moveable between a first and a second
position; and
(D) respective releasable connections between said slide and each of said second lenses,
such that movement of said slide causes said second lenses to rotate;
whereby said second lenses may be easily removed from said eyeglasses to facilitate
cleaning or replacing said first or second lenses.
17. The eyeglasses according to claim 16, wherein said slide substantially retains the same
shape throughout its full range of movement between said first and second positions.
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Description
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TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to eyeglasses, and is particularly directed to
eyeglasses in which a lens may be rotated within the lens opening. The invention will be
specifically disclosed in connection with sunglasses having a pair of polarizing lens elements
in each eye opening, with one of the lenses of each pair being rotatable with respect to the
other lens.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Sunglasses having a pair of polarizing lens elements disposed in each eye opening in which
one lens of each pair is rotatable with respect to the other lens are well known. Various
designs and structures have been used in the prior art to support rotatably the lenses and to
effect the simultaneous rotation of the lenses. The prior art structures and mechanisms suffer
from a variety of deficiencies as explained below.
One such prior art structure and mechanism is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,944,346 Shindler.
This structure is comprised of front and rear frame sections, with each section carrying two
lens elements disposed in respective lens openings. The rear section, which carries a
rotatable lens, is attached to the front section by a threaded screw and nut, or other fastener,
located at the bridge of the frames, immediately above the nose. A lens rotating mechanism
made of a wire is bent at either end and extends into holes in either rotatable lens, such that
both circular lenses may be simultaneously rotated by the horizontal translation and slight
rotation of the wire as it is slide from side to side. The movement is effected through the use
of a handle which extends forwardly from the front of the frame through a generally horizontal
slot formed through the front of the frame.
This structure somewhat typifies the numerous problems with the prior art structures. The two
piece frame construction represents an overly complex structure for retaining and rotating the
lenses. The complexity of the frame design creates difficulty in the manufacture of the fame.
Additionally, the construction of the lens rotating mechanism in combination with the two
piece frame limits the ability to adapt the design to aesthetically pleasing, stylish frames. For
example, in addition to the unattractive connection between the front and rear frame sections,
there is the obtrusive forwardly protruding handle for controlling the rotation of the lenses, all
of which are clearly visible to the public when the frames are worn. Additionally, with the '346
structure, the mechanism used for effecting the rotation of the lenses extends into the lens
opening where it can distract the wearer.
The prior art glasses disclosed in the '346 patent show circular lenses having peripheral
edges which are completely enclosed by the grove in the rear frame section. This effectively
precludes the use of more than one set of rotatable lenses. The construction disclosed in the
'346 patent permits only a single range within which to vary the orientation of the rotating
lenses with respect to the fixed lenses.
As is well known, the amount of light which can pass through a pair of polarizing lenses may
be varied by changing the relative orientation of the "axes of polarization" of the two lenses.
Polarizing lens elements are available in a variety of absorption values and characteristics.
The ability to use more than one set of rotatable lenses would allow the wearer to select
rotatable lens elements of different darkness for varying conditions.
In sunglasses having two spaced apart lenses in each lens opening, dirt can get in between
the lenses, requiring that the inner and outer surfaces of both lenses be cleaned frequently. In
the prior art glasses, such as that shown in the '346 patent, it is necessary to disassemble
the front and rear frame sections in order to clean the lenses. Not only is this cumbersome,
but it can be quite time consuming.
There is a need in the art for sunglasses which are stylish, simple to manufacture and use,
and which can allow the use of a variety of interchangeable lenses while still permitting those
lenses to rotate so as to take advantage of the change in light transmission as a result of
changes in the orientation of the axes of polarization. The lenses need to be easily removed
and replaced, which not only aides in interchangability but greatly simplifies cleaning the
lenses. There is also a need in the art to provide for the easy disassembly of any frame
members which might be necessarily removed in order to change or clean the lenses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to obviate the above-described problems in shortcomings of
the prior art heretofore available.
It is another object of the present invention to provide eyeglasses having lenses which may
be rotated within the lens opening by a simply to use and manufacture, aesthetically pleasing
and reliable mechanism which may be adapted into aesthetically pleasing frame designs.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide sunglasses having pairs of
polarizing lens elements in which one of the elements are rotatable with respect to the other
element, wherein the rotatable lens elements may be easily removed, cleaned, replaced, and
interchanged with other rotatable lens elements of varying transitivity.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a pair of sunglasses in which the
rotatable lens elements may be oriented in two or more alignment positions to enable a
single rotatable lens element to cover a wider range of rotation.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide an eyeglass frame which
reasonably carries a member wherein the member may be removed from the frame by
flexing the frame and the member simultaneously.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an eyeglass frame having rotatable
lenses wherein the actuating mechanism is not obtrusive, and generally blends into the
design of the frames.
Additional objects, advantages and other novel features of the invention will be set forth in
part in the description that follows and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art
upon examination of the following or may be learned with the practice of the invention. The
objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the
instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
To achieve the foregoing and other objects, and in accordance with the purposes of the
present invention as described herein, eyeglasses are provided wherein each lens opening
has a fixed lens and a rotatable lens. A slide is carried by the frame, with each rotatable lens
being connected thereto at locations outside of the lens openings. Lateral movement of the
slide effects the rotation of the rotatable lenses.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the slide is disposed in a
cavity defined by the frame and a retainer.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a portion of the slide extends
outside of the cavity which allows actuation of the slide.
In accordance with still a further aspect of the present invention, the connection between the
slide and the rotatable lenses includes tabs extending from the lenses into respective slots
formed in the slide.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the rotatable lenses may be
selectively connected to the slide in at least two rotational orientations relative to said slide.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the retainer is secured to the
frame by a latch carried by one of the retainer or the frame, and a lip carried by the other, with
the latch and lip being selectively moveable with respect to each other between an engaged
position and a disengaged position.
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, the latch is relatively rigid and
the retainer may be released from the frame by flexing the frame and retainer simultaneously
in the same direction so as to cause relative motion between said latch and said lip and
move the latch and lip into disengagement.
Still other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in this art
from the following description wherein there is shown and described a preferred embodiment
of this invention, simply by way of illustration, of one of the best modes contemplated for
carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different
embodiments, and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects
all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be
regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a pan of the specification illustrate
several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain
the principles of the invention. In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is an exploded, view of a pair of sunglasses constructed in accordance with the
present invention.
FIGS. 2A-2D are a series of diagrammatic perspective views showing the assembly of a
pair of sunglasses in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 3A is a rear elevational view of sunglasses with the retainer removed.
FIG. 3B is a from elevational view of the retainer shown in an up side down position overlying
FIG. 3A as though the retainer had been removed from the frames shown in FIG. 3A and
rotated about its longitudinal axes 180.degree..
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 3A.
FIG. 4A is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 4A--4A of FIG. 3A.
FIG. 4B is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the section
illustrated in FIG. 4A.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 3A with the retainer in place.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6--6 of FIG. 3A with the retainer in place.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the connection between the slide and the left
rotatable lens of FIG. 3A.
FIGS. 8A and 8B are enlarged fragmentary views of an alternative embodiment of a rotating
lens which have two alignment positions with respect to the slide.
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken along line 9--9 of FIG. 3A with the retainer
in place.
FIG. 9A is a view similar to FIG. 9 with the frame and retainer flexed into a relatively flat
orientation.
FIG. 10 is a plan view of glasses according to the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of lens opening 6a illustrating the installation of lens 22.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention,
an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
Referring to FIG. 1, it can be easily seen that glasses 2 have very few parts which may be
easily assembled and disassembled. Frame 4 includes two rims 6 and 8 which define
corresponding lens openings 6a and 8a. Bridge portion 10 is interposed between rims 6 and
8, extending across the upper edge 12 of frame 4 as shown in this embodiment. Frame 4
includes a recessed cavity 14 formed therein adjacent upper edge 12, extending to either
side of frame 4, overlying lens openings 6a and 8a. Frame 4 also includes latch 16 extending
upwardly from surface 18.
Slide 20 is shown as an elongated member having a generally rectangular cross-section.
Slide 20 is complimentarily shaped to cavity 14 so as to be slideably disposed within cavity
14, dictating that the length of slide 20 be less than the length of cavity 14. The total available
travel of slide 20 when disposed within cavity 14 is selected so as to allow the desired
rotation of rotatable lens elements 22. Slide 20 includes two spaced apart slots 24 and 26.
The depth of slots 24 and 26 are such to align generally with surface 18. The right end of
slide 20 includes extension 28 which extends above upper edge 12, as described below.
Slide 20 also includes pad 30 which provides a tighter fit between slide 20 and cavity 14
without the additional drag which could occur if the entirety of slide 20 were made thicker.
Lens elements 22, which are preferably curved (but may be flat), are polarizing lenses which
are configured to be rotatably disposed within lens openings 6a and 8a. In order to guaranty
uniform transmisivity between each lens opening, the angle between the axes of polarization
of each pair of lenses 22 are substantially the same throughout all positions of rotation. To
accomplish this, it is preferable that the axes of polarization of lenses 23 (not shown in FIG.
1) relative to the respective lens opening 6a and 8a be the same,
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