Eyewear with nosepiece

[0001] This invention relates generally to eyewear, and, in particular, to eyewear having an adjustable nosepiece.

[0002] Eyewear typically has a nosepiece that is formed as part of the frame or is secured directly to the lens. Eyewear that incorporates a wraparound lens, commonly referred to as a shield lens, is well known in the art. Eyewear with a wraparound lens is often used by individuals when they are engaged in athletic activities, such as biking, skiing, and running. A problem common with eyewear, such as eyewear with a shield lens, for example, is that the nosepiece is not adjustable. An additional problem is that such eyewear can fog up due to the heat and perspiration generated by the user during athletic activities.

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide eyewear having an adjustable nosepiece that reduces or overcomes some or all of the difficulties inherent in prior known devices. Particular objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, those who are knowledgeable or experienced in this field of technology, in view of the following disclosure of the invention and detailed description of certain embodiments.

[0004] The principles of the invention may be used to advantage to provide embodiments of eyewear having an adjustable nosepiece that is flush with a front surface of the lens and that is replaceable. In accordance with a first aspect, eyewear includes a lens having a front surface, a rear surface, a peripheral edge surface, a recess formed in a lower central portion of the lens, a first notch formed in the recess, and a second notch formed in the recess. A nosepiece is secured to the lens and includes a core member having a first end, a second end, and a substantially V-shaped body. An outer member substantially encases the core member and has a substantially V-shaped body. A first end fitting is connected to the first end of the core member and is received by the first notch. A second end fitting is connected to the second end of the core member and is received by the second notch.

[0005] In accordance with another aspect, eyewear includes a lens having a front surface, a rear surface, a peripheral edge surface, a first notch formed therein, and a second notch formed therein. A pair of temple arms is secured to the lens. A nosepiece is secured to the lens and includes a core member having a first end and a second end and a substantially V-shaped body with a closed end of the body being substantially rounded. An outer member substantially encases the elongate member and has a substantially V-shaped body with a closed end of the body being substantially rounded. A first end fitting is connected to the first end of the core member and is received by the first notch, the first end fitting being substantially flush with the front surface and the peripheral edge surface of the lens. A second end fitting is connected to the second end of the core member and is received by the second notch; the second end fitting being substantially flush with the front surface and the peripheral edge surface of the lens.

[0006] In accordance with a further aspect, eyewear includes a lens having a front surface, a rear surface, a peripheral edge surface, a substantially V-shaped recess in a lower central portion of the lens with a closed end of the V shape being substantially rounded, a first notch formed in one side of the recess, and a second notch formed in an opposed second side of the recess. A pair of temple arms is secured to the lens. A nosepiece is secured to the lens and includes a core member having a first end and a second end and a substantially V-shaped body with a closed end of the body being substantially rounded. An outer member substantially encases the elongate member and has a substantially V-shaped body with a closed end of the body being substantially rounded. A first end fitting is connected to the first end of the core member and is received by the first notch, with the first end fitting being substantially flush with the front surface and the peripheral edge surface of the lens. A second end fitting is connected to the second end of the core member and is received by the second notch, with the second end fitting being substantially flush with the front surface and the peripheral edge surface of the lens.

[0007] In accordance with yet a further aspect, eyewear includes a first lens having a front surface, a rear surface, a peripheral edge surface, and a notch formed in the recess. A second lens has a front surface, a rear surface, a peripheral edge surface, and a notch formed in the recess. A nosepiece is secured to the first and second lenses and includes a core member having a first end, a second end, and a substantially V-shaped body. An outer member substantially encases the core member and has a substantially V-shaped body. A first end fitting is connected to the first end of the core member and is received by the notch in the first lens. A second end fitting is connected to the second end of the core member and is received by the notch in the second lens.

[0008] In accordance with yet another aspect, a nosepiece for eyewear includes a core member having a first end, a second end, and a substantially V-shaped body. An outer member substantially encases the core member and has a substantially V-shaped body. A first end fitting is connected to the first end of the core member. A second end fitting is connected to the second end of the core member.

[0009] Substantial advantage is achieved by providing eyewear with an adjustable nosepiece. In particular, certain embodiments provide adjustability for the user, providing improved fit and comfort. Other advantages include an improved aesthetic appearance, the ability to replace the nosepiece with another nosepiece, and improved ventilation.

[0010] These and additional features and advantages disclosed here will be further understood from the following detailed disclosure of certain embodiments.

[0019] The figures referred to above are not drawn necessarily to scale and should be understood to provide a representation of the invention, illustrative of the principles involved. Some features of the eyewear depicted in the drawings have been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate explanation and understanding. The same reference numbers are used in the drawings for similar or identical components and features shown in various alternative embodiments. Eyewear as disclosed herein would have configurations and components determined, in part, by the intended application and environment in which they are used.

[0020] The present invention may be embodied in various forms. An embodiment of eyewear 10 is shown in FIG. 1. In certain embodiments, eyewear 10 is sunglasses. In particular, the embodiments depicted herein illustrate performance sunglasses, commonly referred to as shield eyewear, which include a single lens and are often used by bicycle riders and runners. However, it is to be appreciated that eyewear 10 is meant to include all types of glasses, including glasses having two separate lenses. Other eyewear suitable for use include, for example, prescription glasses and safety glasses with clear lenses.

[0021] Certain directional terms used herein refer to directions with respect to the wearer of eyewear 10. Thus, the terms outward, outwardly, forward, and forwardly, as used herein, refer to a surface facing away from, or a direction extending away from, the face of a wearer of eyewear 10. The terms inward, inwardly, rear, and rearwardly refer to a surface facing toward, or a direction extending toward, the face of a wearer of eyewear 10.

[0022] Eyewear 10 includes a lens 12, a frame 13 to which an upper edge of lens 12 is secured, and a pair of temple arms 14 at opposed ends of frame 13. Temple arms 14 may be secured to frame 13, or to both frame 13 and lens 12. Temple arms 14 may pivot with respect to lens 12 and frame 13, or they may be fixed with respect to lens 12 and frame 13.

[0023] Temple arms 14 and frame 13 may be formed of any suitable material, including, for example, plastic, or a rubber coated core material, such as metal or plastic. In certain embodiments, temple arms 14 and frame 13 are formed of a flexible, resilient material, such as beta titanium. In other embodiments, temple arms 14 and frame 13 may be formed of a rigid material, such as a fiber-reinforced material, e.g., a carbon fiber composite. Other suitable materials for temple arms 14 and frame 13 will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art, given the benefit of this disclosure.

[0024] Lens 12 includes an outer surface 16, an inner surface 18, and a peripheral edge surface 20. An inverted substantially V shaped recess 22 is formed in a lower central portion of lens 12, seen most clearly in FIG. 2. A closed end 23 of recess 22 is substantially rounded. A first notch 24 is formed on one side of recess 22 and a second notch 26 is formed on an opposed side of recess 22.

[0025] A nosepiece 28 is secured to lens 12 in recess 22. Nosepiece 28, elements of which are seen in FIGS. 3–5, includes a core member 30. Core member 30 has a substantially V-shaped body 32 with a first end 34 and a second end 36. A closed end 37 of substantially V-shaped body 32 is substantially rounded. A first end portion 38 and a second end portion 40 of core member 30 extend substantially perpendicular to substantially V-shaped body 32.

[0026] Core member 30, seen in FIG. 3, is formed of a material that is hand bendable, that is, it can be bent to a new shape or configuration by a user by hand without the use of any tools. Core member 30 may be formed of metal such as nickel silver, steel, or monel. Providing core member 30 of a material that is hand bendable allows a user to mold nosepiece 28 to a desired configuration to fit their nose most comfortably. In various embodiments, body 32 is swaged to a flattened configuration, while closed end 37 remains substantially circular in cross-section. First end 34 and second end 36 flare outwardly from the swaged flattened portion of body 32. The swaged flattened configuration of body 23 ensures that nosepiece 28 will not spin about core member 30. Additionally, the swaged wire body can flex more in certain areas, and certain directions, as desired. In certain embodiments, body 32 is swaged in the area of nose contact, and oriented to mate with the shape of the nose of the user.

[0027] Core member 30 is encased in an outer member 42 having a substantially V-shaped body 44. First end 34 of core member 30 extends outwardly from a first end 46 of outer member 42. Second end 36 of core member 30 extends outwardly from a second end 48 of outer member 42. A closed end 50 of substantially V-shaped body 44 of outer member 42 is substantially rounded. A first end portion 52 and a second end portion 54 of outer member 42 extend substantially perpendicular to substantially V-shaped body 44. In various embodiments, outer member 42 is formed of a resilient material such as an elastomer. Suitable materials for outer member 42 include rubber, thermoplastic urethane (TPU), and hydrophilic materials (e.g., Megol™, available from Smith Sport Optics, Inc., of Ketchum, Id.). In certain embodiments, outer member 42 may be overmolded around core member 30.

[0028] A plurality of grooves 56 are formed in a rear surface of outer member 42, defining inwardly extending fins 58. Fins 58 and grooves 56 serve to provide ventilation for the user and improve the grip and comfort of nosepiece 28 on the user's nose.

[0029] As seen in FIG. 5, a first end fitting 60 is secured to first end 46 of outer member 42, and a second end fitting 62 is secured to second end 48 of outer member 42. First end fitting 60 includes an aperture 64 that receives first end 34 of core member 30, and second end fitting 62 includes an aperture 66 that receives second end 36 of core member 30. In various embodiments, adhesive is used to more safely secure first end fitting 60 and second end fitting 62 to core member 30 and outer member 42.

[0030] Second end fitting 62 is seen in greater detail in FIG. 6. Second end fitting 62 includes a base portion 68 and a projection 70 extending outwardly from base portion 68. Projection 70 is substantially D shaped with a flange 72 extending out from the curved portion of its D shape, defining a groove 74 between flange 72 and base portion 68. Second notch 26 is substantially C shaped, with a recess 76 formed about its periphery in outer surface 16 of lens 12 and shaped to receive flange 72. Second end fitting 62 is received in second notch 26 in snap-fit manner in the direction indicated by the arrow A. It is to be appreciated that projection 70 of second end fitting 62, second notch 26, and recess 76 may have other shapes and that the D and C shapes illustrated here is merely exemplary.

[0031] As can be seen in FIG. 7, when second end fitting 62 is fitted into second notch 26, projection 70 of second end fitting 62 is substantially flush with outer surface 16 and peripheral edge surface 20 of lens 12. Thus, eyewear 10 is provided with an aesthetically pleasing and aerodynamic configuration.

[0032] It is to be appreciated that first end fitting 60 and second notch 26 have shapes that mirror those of first end fitting 60 and second notch 26 and, therefore, need not be discussed in detail here.

[0033] In certain embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, eyewear 110 includes a first lens 111, a second lens 112, a frame 113 to which lenses 111, 112 are secured, and a pair of temple arms 114 at opposed ends of frame 113.

[0034] Each of first lens 111 and second lens 112 includes an outer surface 116, an inner surface 118, and a peripheral edge surface 120. A first notch 124 is formed on one side of first lens 111 and a second notch 126 is formed on one side of second lens 112 facing first lens 111.

[0035] A nosepiece 28 is secured to first lens 111 and second lens 112 by way of first and second notches 124, 126. Nosepiece 28, elements of which are seen in FIGS. 3–5, includes a core member 30. Core member 30 has a substantially V-shaped body 32 with a first end 34 and a second end 36. A closed end 37 of substantially V-shaped body 32 is substantially rounded. A first end portion 38 and a second end portion 40 of core member 30 extend substantially perpendicular to substantially V-shaped body 32.

[0036] As described above with respect to FIGS. 1, 2, 6, 7, first end fitting 60 of nosepiece 28 engages with first notch 124 of first lens 111 and second end fitting 62 of nosepiece 28 engages second notch 126 of second lens 112.

[0037] In light of the foregoing disclosure of the invention and description of various embodiments, those skilled in this area of technology will readily understand that various modifications and adaptations can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. All such modifications and adaptations are intended to be covered by the following claims.