Optics: eye examining – vision testing and correcting – Spectacles and eyeglasses – Bridges
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-02
2001-06-26
Mai, Huy (Department: 2873)
Optics: eye examining, vision testing and correcting
Spectacles and eyeglasses
Bridges
C351S124000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250756
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a nosepiece system for eyeglasses. More particularly, the present invention relates to an interchangeable nosepiece system used for optimizing fit and/or adjusting the as worn orientation of the eyeglasses in the vertical plane.
A wide variety of improvements have been made in recent years in the eyewear field. For example, the unitary cylindrical lens was popularized by the Blades® (Oakley, Inc.) eyewear which incorporated, among others, the technology of U.S. Pat. No. 4,859,048 to Jannard. Toroidal unitary lens geometry having a constant horizontal radius throughout was introduced through a variety of products in the M Frame® line of eyeglasses, also produced by Oakley, Inc. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,867,550 to Jannard. Various other improvements in eyewear systems are exemplified in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,674,851, 4,730,915, 4,824,233, 4,867,550, 5,054,903, 5,137,342, 5,208,614 and 5,249,001, all to Jannard, et al.
The foregoing designs as well as other active sports eyeglasses on the market generally utilize a unitary lens or dual lenses formed from a polymer such as polycarbonate, which is mounted in a polymeric frame. Alternatively, the prior art includes eyeglasses in which glass or polymeric lenses have been mounted in frames formed from thin metal sections such as metal wire.
One continuing objective in the field of high quality eyewear, particularly that intended for use in high speed action sports, is minimizing distortion introduced by the eyewear. Distortion may be introduced by any of a variety of influences, such as poor construction materials for the optical portion of the lens, and inferior polishing and/or molding techniques for the lens. In addition, optical distortion can result from the interaction of the lens with the frame, such as changes in the shape of the lens orbital or poor orientation of the lens with respect to the normal line of sight. Optical distortion may be reduced if the lens is oriented in an optimal positional relationship with the wearer's line of sight.
Eyeglass systems which use a polymeric or metal wire frame are susceptible to bending and flexing due to a variety of environmental causes such as impact, storage induced and other external forces, forces resulting from the assembly process of the eyewear, and exposure to sunlight and heat. Flexing of the lens or uncontrolled deviation of the orientation of one lens with respect to the other or with respect to the ear stems can undesirably change the optical characteristics of the eyeglasses, whether the lens is corrective (prescription) or noncorrective.
Eyeglass frames may be designed so that when worn, the lens orients in a predetermined relationship with the wearer's line of sight such that orientation dependant optical distortion is minimized. However, differences in facial geometry and positioning of the frames on the wearer's nose may alter the orientation of the lens relative to the line of sight from one wearer to the next when the frames are actually worn. Consequently, the lens may not correctly orient relative to a particular wearer's line of sight, resulting in inferior optical characteristics for that wearer.
Thus, there remains a need for a dimensionally stable support structure for eyeglass lenses, suitable for use with corrective and noncorrective lenses in rugged, high durability eyewear. There also remains a need for eyewear that may be customized for particular wearers so that the lens orients in an optimal position relative the line of sight. Preferably, the eyewear remains aerodynamically suited for active sports such as high speed bicycle racing, skiing and the like, and weighs no more than necessary to accomplish the foregoing objectives.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
There is provided in accordance with one aspect of the present invention an eyeglass having an adjustable nosepiece. The eyeglass comprises a left orbital, a right orbital, and a bridge connected therebetween. The medial side of the right orbital and the medial side of the left orbital are spaced laterally apart below the bridge to provide a nose opening.
A first opening is provided in the left orbital adjacent the nose opening for receiving a left nose pad, and a second opening is provided in the right orbital adjacent the nose opening for receiving a right nose pad.
A left nose pad having a main body, a nose contact surface on a first side of the body and a connector on the second side of the body is mounted on the eyeglass, the connector removably positioned in the first opening. A right nose pad having a main body, a nose contact surface on a first side of the body and a connector on a second side of the body is positioned with the connector removably positioned in the second opening.
In one embodiment, the first and second openings are fully encircled by a portion of the orbital. In an alternate embodiment, the first and second openings are only partially enclosed by a portion of the orbital.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of customizing the vertical orientation of an eyeglass in the as worn position. The method comprises the steps of providing an eyeglass having at least one lens with an optical centerline. The eyeglass is positioned on the head of a wearer. The angle between the optical centerline of the lens and the wearer's theoretical straight ahead normal line of sight is determined, and the lens is adjusted in the vertical plane up or down on the head of the wearer to bring the optical centerline substantially into parallel with the normal line of sight. A nose piece is selected from a graduated series of different sized nose pieces, which will cooperate with the nose of the wearer to retain the eyeglass in an as worn orientation such that the optical centerline is substantially parallel to the normal line of sight in the vertical plane. The nose piece is installed on the eyeglasses.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a biased eyeglass frame. The frame comprises a first orbital having a first nose pad, a second orbital having a second nose pad and a bridge connecting the first and second orbitals. A first and second biased connectors are attached to the bridge for maintaining the first and second orbitals in a predetermined orientation with respect to each other. The first and second orbitals are moveable from the predetermined orientation to a second orientation by pivoting the eyeglass frame at the first and second connectors, and when in the second orientation the eyeglass frame is biased towards the predetermined orientation.
Preferably, first and second lenses are mounted in the first and second orbitals. In one embodiment, the lenses exhibit both wrap and rake in the as worn orientation. Preferably, the lenses exhibit no more than about ⅛ diopters prismatic distortion and no more than about ⅛ diopters refractive power in the as worn orientation. More preferably, the lenses exhibit no more than about {fraction (1/16)} diopters prismatic distortion and refractive power in the as worn orientation.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of preferred embodiments which follows, when considered together with the attached drawings and claims.
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Houston Malcolm Neal
Jannard James H.
Reyes Carlos D.
Saylor Ryan
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
Mai Huy
Oakley Inc.
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