WO2014184765A1

WO2014184765A1 - Spectacle frame with sun shielding

Info

Publication number: WO2014184765A1
Application number: PCT/IB2014/061461
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johan Verde; Kristian NORDBERG
Original assignee: Johan Verde
Priority date: 2013-05-15
Filing date: 2014-05-15
Publication date: 2014-11-20

Abstract

A spectacle frame with sun shading comprises a front frame for lenses and side arms connected to the front frame, where the side arms (32) have a longitudinal direction from the front frame backwards towards the ear during use, a width direction extending in towards the head during use and a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction, the spectacle arms having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion arranged along the longitudinal direction, and where the second portion is configured skewed relative to the first portion.

Description

SPECTACLE FRAME WITH SUN SHIELDING

The invention relates to a spectacle frame with sun shielding.

Spectacles that protect the eyes from sun and wind are commonly used throughout the population, and the most common type are spectacles with dark lenses where the lenses absorb a part of the sunlight before it reaches the eyes. However, such spectacles often allow a lot of light into the eyes from the sides and from above, which can be both bothersome and at worst damage the vision if the light is very strong. Attempts have been made to solve this problem, in particular in the case of sports glasses, by arranging devices along the arms of the spectacles, or by giving the spectacles a curved form adapted to the shape of the face. JP 2005292750 shows an example of a solution of this kind. However, such glasses are not suitable for use other than sport, for both practical and aesthetic reasons.

US 2012/0236249 shows glasses that are intended to prevent invasion of pollen into the eyes. The glasses have inward facing edges extending in towards the face of the user, ensuring there is little space into which pollen can penetrate. These spectacles are relatively large and inelegant.

WO 9207293 shows protective eyewear with a sealing area against the face. Also in the case of these spectacles, the need for protection has had a negative impact on user friendliness and appearance. There is therefore a need for a spectacle frame which provides good sun shielding and at the same time has a practical design.

This object is solved by means of the invention described in the claims.

In an embodiment, there is provided a spectacle frame with sun shielding comprising a front frame for spectacle lenses and spectacle arms connected to the front frame, a longitudinal flange being provided along the upper edge of the spectacle frame and projecting inwards towards the face side, the flange being inclined such that its rear longitudinal edge facing the face side lies higher than the front longitudinal edge.

The longitudinal flange may be movably connected to the upper edge of the spectacle frame, the flange projecting inwards towards the face side at a variable angle. In an embodiment, the longitudinal flange is connected to the front frame at both ends of its rear longitudinal edge facing the face side. The connection may be a pivotal connection, such that the flange can be rotated about an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the flange, thereby allowing the longitudinal edges of the flange to be tilted up or down. The longitudinal flange can alternatively be connected to the front frame by a hinge device. In an embodiment, the edge of the longitudinal flange facing the upper edge of the spectacle frame can be tilted up or down. When this edge is tilted down, it will give greater shielding against light that falls in towards the spectacle frame from above and thus provide enhanced sun shielding. The longitudinal flange has, in an embodiment, an extent inwards towards the face of the user such that it comes close to or in contact with the user's face on a level with the user's eyebrow, either just above, right on, or just below the eyebrow. To achieve this level for all faces, the spectacle frame can be adjustable in the vertical direction, e.g., in that it can be raised or lowered relative to the face. In an embodiment, the spectacle frame comprises, for this function, a movable nose portion, which by being raised or lowered can displace the distance of the front frame to the nose.

The spectacle frame also comprises, in an embodiment, a front frame for spectacle lenses and spectacle arms connected to the front frame, where the front frame comprises a longitudinal flange extending along the whole or parts of the upper edge of the spectacle frame, the flange projecting inwards and slantingly downwards towards the face side; and where the spectacle arms have a longitudinal direction from the front frame backwards towards the ear in use, a width direction in towards the head in use and a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction, and wherein the spectacle arms in a first portion at the end connected to the front frame have an extent in the width direction that corresponds to the extent of the longitudinal flange inwards towards the face.

The front frame for the lenses may have several different designs, in accordance with common convention regarding spectacles. For example, the front frame can comprise two rectangular or oval frame parts, one for each lens for each eye, with a nose bridge arranged between the front frame parts and connected thereto, or the front frame can be made in one piece extending across the whole width of the face, where the shape of the front frame may have an indentation in its mid section for placing on the user's nose. The front frame may also be configured without a bottom or top part, for example, it may only have a top part in which the lens can be mounted. The front frame will provide sun shielding even without lenses, so it is not necessary to mount lenses in the front frame in order to achieve the desired function. In its simplest form, the spectacle frame will only comprise a front frame consisting of an upper edge connected to the spectacle arms. The upper edge can in addition have connected thereto a longitudinal flange extending towards the user's face, from the user's face or a combination of such flanges.

In an embodiment, the spectacle frame comprises lenses that are movably connected to the front frame. For example, the lenses can be pivotally connected to the front frame at the side edges of the front frame, such that the lenses can be tilted at their upper and lower edge so as to be moved away from the longitudinal flange for easier cleaning. Other ways of connecting the lenses movably to the front frame are also conceivable, for example, a hinge connection at the upper or lower edge etc. The spectacle arms are connected to the front frame either rigidly or movably. In many cases, it will be desirable to be able to fold in the spectacle arms as on conventional spectacles, and the connection between front frame and arms will then, for instance, be a hinge connection.

In an embodiment, the longitudinal flange has a form tapering towards the face side, for example, a wedge shape.

In an embodiment, the front frame also comprises a lower flange that runs along the side edges and optionally also the lower edge of the front frame, the lower flange projecting slantingly inwards towards the face side.

The object of the slanting arrangement of the upper and the lower flange is to prevent the flange from being seen from the front of the spectacles on the outside of the front frame. Where there is both an upper and a lower flange, the flanges together running around the whole circumference of the front frame, or optionally along the whole circumference of each of the frame parts, the inner circumference of the flange will be smaller than the circumference of the front frame/front frame parts.

The lower flange can in some embodiments be widest, i.e., have largest extent in the direction of the face in use, at its upper portion of the side edges close to the connection of the spectacle arms to the front frame, and taper towards the lower edge, and/or taper along the lower edge.

In an embodiment, the spectacle arms are designed such that at least the first portion has an extent in the width direction that is as large or larger than its extent in the vertical direction.

The spectacle arms may also have a second portion and a third portion arranged along the longitudinal direction, where the second portion is designed with a twist relative to the first portion.

In an embodiment, the third portion of the spectacle arms has an extent in the vertical direction that is greater than its extent in the width direction. In an embodiment, a weight means is provided on the end of the spectacle arms not connected to the frame. The weight means has a shape and size that stops it from sliding past the ear when the spectacles are in use. The shape may, for example, be triangular, oval or rectangular. The weight means may be fixedly mounted on the spectacle arms, or it may be displaceable along the arms in their longitudinal direction. When it is displaceable along the spectacle arms, it can be adapted to the anatomy of the individual user, allowing the spectacles to be worn comfortably and with functional sun shielding by many people. The weight means may also be configured with a weight that balances the weight of the front frame when the spectacles are in use, so that the front frame does not fall forward and out of its optimal position. The weight balance can also be affected by displacement of the weight means along the longitudinal direction of the spectacle arms. This will further hold the spectacles in place in their optimal position during use.

The spectacle arms may comprise a mechanism that makes it possible to change the length of the arms. For example, the spectacle arms can be configured with a telescopic mechanism. The spectacle frame can also comprise a plurality of through channels in the frame or in the upper and/or lower flange. In an embodiment, the channels are arranged at a central portion of the front frame. The channels can, for example, be arranged at each side of the indentation for the nose, around the whole or parts of the indentation or along the whole or parts of the upper edge, side edges or lower edge(s) of the front frame. The channels are, in an embodiment, configured with an inlet that is substantially

perpendicular to the extent of the front frame perpendicular to a tangential plane for the front frame, and with an outlet that forms an angle relative to the inlet, for example, such that the outlet is parallel to or has a slight angle relative to the extent of the front frame or said tangential plane, for example, such that air penetrating through the channels from inlet to outlet strikes the lens mounted in the frame.

In an embodiment, the spectacle frame comprises a longitudinal flange arranged along the upper edge of the spectacle frame on the side facing away from the face and projecting outwards. This outward projecting flange may be in addition to or replace the previously described flange that faces inwards towards the face.

The invention will now be described in more detail with the aid of an example and with reference to the attached figures.

Figures la, b and c show an embodiment of a spectacle frame according to the invention seen from three different angles. Figure 2 shows the same embodiment as Figure 1 in a section taken along the line B in Figures la and b.

Figures 3a and 3b show another embodiment of a spectacle frame according to the invention.

Figures 4a and 4b show yet another embodiment of a spectacle frame according to the invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of the structure of an embodiment of the spectacle frame according to the invention.

The figures show a spectacle frame 10 with sun shielding comprising a front frame 11 for spectacle lenses and spectacle arms 12 connected to the front frame, where the front frame 1 1 comprises a longitudinal flange 13 extending along the upper edge 14 of the spectacle frame, the flange 13 projecting inwards and slantingly downwards towards the face side; and where the spectacle arms 12 have a longitudinal direction x from the frame backwards towards the ear in use, a width direction y in towards the head in use and a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction, and where the spectacle arms in a first portion 15 at the end connected to the front frame 11 have an extent in the width direction that corresponds to the extent of the longitudinal flange in the direction inwards towards the face side.

The front frame 11 in the illustrated embodiment is shaped as two rounded rectangles that are connected via a nose bridge element 17. Other forms of the front frame will be possible, as, for example, two circular frame parts, or a continuous frame element with a recess for receiving the nose.

In this embodiment, the spectacle arms 12 are connected to the front frame 11 by means of a hinge 16, but other connections are also possible, for example, the arms and the front frame can be configured as a rigidly connected part without being movable relative to each other. In the embodiment in Figure 1, the spectacle arms are configured such that in a first portion 15 the extent in the width direction x is greater than the extent in the vertical direction y. This means that the spectacle frame, seen from the side, looks slim whilst the width of the spectacle arms acts as a sun shield against sun from above at the sides. The spectacle arms also have a second portion 24 arranged along the longitudinal direction, which is configured with a twist relative to the first portion.

The longitudinal flange 13 has an extent inwards towards the user's face such that it comes close to or in contact with the user's face at the level of the user's eyebrow. Thus, little sun is able to get past the flange 13 and reach the user's eyes. The outer edge of the flange 13, i.e., the edge facing towards the user's face in use, has a rounded shape so as not to create uncomfortable pressure against the user's face. The thickness of the flange may be constant or may taper towards the face side.

The front frame also comprises a lower flange 18 which can be seen in Figures lb and lc, which runs along the side edges 19 and lower edge 20 of the front frame. The lower flange 18 slants inwards towards the face side in a way similar to the longitudinal flange 13.

The lower flange has the same extent inwards towards the face side at its upper portion on the side edges close to the connection 16 of the spectacle arms to the front frame as the longitudinal flange 14, and tapers in the area close to the lower edge 20 of the front frame. In other embodiments, the lower flange may taper along the side edges 19, or have the same extent along its entire length.

As can be seen from Figure lc, in this example there is provided a weight means 21 on the end of the spectacle arm 12 that is not connected to the front frame 11 and which rests behind the ears in use, The weight means 21 has a weight that balances the weight of the front frame when the spectacles are in use such that the front frame does not fall forwards and out of its optimal position. The shape of the weight means 21 is also adapted to abut against the back of the user's ear in use and thus prevent the spectacles from moving forwards and out of position. The weight means can be fixedly arranged on the spectacle arms or it can be displaced along the spectacle arms in the longitudinal direction in order to obtain optimal weight distribution of the spectacles and be adapted to the user's anatomy. This weight means may also conceivably be removed completely from the spectacle arms.

In the illustrated example, the spectacle frame comprises a plurality of through channels 22 arranged at a centre portion of the frame and which extend through the frame. The channels 22 have inlets 23 on the side of the front frame that faces away from the face in use and outlets on the face side of the front frame. The outlet of the channels 22 has an angle that is arranged such that air which penetrates through the channels strikes the lens that is mounted in the front frame close to the central portion thereof. The channels thus have an angular shape from inlet to outlet. The channel 22 inlets are in this embodiment arranged within a slot that runs along the lower edge of the nose bridge element 17.

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a spectacle frame 30 with sun shielding that comprises a front frame 34 for lenses and spectacle arms 32 connected to the front frame as in Figure 1. In this figure, a longitudinal flange 33 is connected to the front frame 34 and extends along the upper edge of the spectacle frame. As in Figure 1, the flange 33 projects inwards towards the face side, but in this case the angle the flange 33 forms with the front frame is arranged in such a way that the flange edge facing the frame lies below the edge facing the face. By connecting the flange 33 movably to the frame or the spectacle arms, the angle at which the flange slants can be varied. As an alternative to such a movably connected flange, the lenses that are to be inserted in the front frame 34 can be movable, alternatively removable, so that the lenses can be tilted or removed for easier access for cleaning. In one position, the flange 33 projects inwards and slantingly downwards towards the face side. In this example, the flange 33 is connected by means of a hinge device 39 arranged at each end of the longitudinal edge of the flange facing the face side of the spectacle frame. In this way, the forward facing edge of the flange 33 can be tilted up or down to vary the angle and thus the degree of shielding for light coming from above. Figures 4a and 4b show yet another embodiment of a spectacle frame 40 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the front frame comprises only an upper part/top, or upper edge 41, i.e., no side edges or lower part. In the figure lenses 46 are shown that are fastened to the frame and project through the frame such that a portion of the lenses 46 project above the frame 41. The lenses may be fastened to the front frame in a number of different ways, such as, for example, by gluing or by clamping the front frame around the lenses. A longitudinal flange 43 is arranged along the upper edge of the spectacle frame along the side of the spectacle frame facing away from the face. The longitudinal flange 43 projects outwardly away from the face side and thus forms a shield that protects against solar radiation coming from above.

In this embodiment, as in the embodiment in Figure 1, the spectacle arms are configured such that in the first portion 42 the extent in the width direction x is larger than the extent in the vertical direction y. This means that the spectacle frame, seen from the side, looks slim whilst the width of the spectacle arms acts as a sun shield against the sun from above at the sides. The spectacle arms also have a second portion 44 arranged along the longitudinal direction, which is configured with a twist relative to the first portion.

The spectacle frame 40 can also be used without lenses, as the sun shielding elements will also work without lenses.

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of the structure of an embodiment of the spectacle frame according to the invention. As the figure shows, the spectacle frame is composed of several different parts. Different parts can be combined in different ways to give a desired look or function.

A spectacle frame with sun shielding can, for example, comprise a front frame 51 for spectacle lenses and spectacle arms 52 that can be connected to the front frame. The front frame 51 may further comprise a longitudinal flange arranged along the upper edge of the spectacle frame projecting inwards towards the face side. The front frame may also have other designs. Lenses 59 can be connected to the front frame in a suitable way, for example, by being clamped between the front frame 51 and a longitudinal flange 57 arranged along the upper edge of the spectacle frame on the side facing away from the face and projecting outwards. This outward facing flange 57 may be in addition to or replace the previously described flange that faces inwards towards the face.

In some cases, as previously described, it may be relevant to use the spectacle frame without lenses, as the frame elements will be able to provide sufficient sun shielding without disturbing the visual picture. The spectacle frame may also have a nose element 53 that can be connected to the front frame 51. The nose element may be movably connected to the frame 51 to provide the possibility of vertical adjustment of the spectacle frame.

The spectacle arms 52 can, as in previous figures, have different portions that are configured skewed relative to each other.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. A spectacle frame (30) with sun shielding comprising a front frame (34) for spectacle lenses and spectacle arms (32) connected to the front frame, wherein a longitudinal flange (33) is arranged along the upper edge of the spectacle frame and projects inwards towards the face side, and the spectacle arms (32) have a longitudinal direction from the front frame backwards towards the ear in use, a width direction in towards the head in use and a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction, the spectacle arms having a first portion, a second portion and a third portion arranged along the longitudinal direction, and wherein the second portion is configured skewed in relation to the first portion.

2. A spectacle frame according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal flange (33) is movably connected to the front frame and extends along the front frame such that it projects inwards towards the face side at a variable angle.

3. A spectacle frame according to claim 1, wherein the longitudinal flange (33) is slanting such that its rear longitudinal edge facing towards the face side lies higher than the front longitudinal edge.

4. A spectacle frame according to one of claims 1-3, wherein the longitudinal flange (33) is connected to the front frame at both ends of its rear longitudinal edge facing towards the face side.

5. A spectacle frame according to one of claims 1-4, wherein the longitudinal flange (33) is connected to the front frame by a hinge device.

6. A spectacle frame according to one of claims 1-5, wherein the edge of the longitudinal flange (33) facing the upper edge of the spectacle frame can be tilted up or down.

7. A spectacle frame according to claim 6, wherein the lenses are pivotally connected to the front frame (34) at the side edges thereof such that the lenses can be tilted at their upper and lower edge.

8. A spectacle frame according to claim 1 , wherein the spectacle arms (32) have a longitudinal direction from the front frame backwards towards the ear in use, a width direction in towards the head in use and a vertical direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and the width direction, and wherein the spectacle arms in a first portion at the end connected to the front frame have an extent in the width direction that corresponds to the extent of the longitudinal flange in the direction inwards towards the face side.

9. A spectacle frame according to claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal flange (33) has a form tapering towards the face side.

10. A spectacle frame according to claim 1 , wherein the front frame comprises a lower flange running along the side edges and lower edge of the front frame, the lower flange projecting slantingly inwards towards the face.

1 1. A spectacle frame according to claim 1 , wherein the lower flange is widest at it upper portion on the side edges closest to the connection of the spectacle arms to the front frame and tapers downwards towards the lower edge.

12. A spectacle frame according to claim 1 , wherein the spectacle arms are configured such that in at least the first portion the extent in the width direction is as large or larger than the extent in the vertical direction.

13. A spectacle frame according to claim 1 , wherein the third portion of the spectacle arms has an extent in the vertical direction that is larger than the extent in the width direction.

14. A spectacle frame according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a weight means is arranged on the end of the arms not connected to the front frame.

15. A spectacle frame according to claim 14, wherein the weight means is displaceable along the longitudinal direction of the spectacle arms.

16. A spectacle frame according to claim 1 , comprising a plurality of through channels arranged at a central portion of the front frame.

17. A spectacle frame according to claim 16, wherein the channels are arranged at each side of the indentation for the nose.

18. A spectacle frame according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the channels are configured with an inlet that is substantially perpendicular to the extent of the front frame and with an outlet that has an angle relative to the inlet.

19. A spectacle frame according to claim 18, wherein the outlet is parallel to the extent of the front frame.

20. A spectacle frame according to claim 1, comprising a longitudinal flange (33) arranged along the upper edge of the spectacle frame on the side facing away from the face and projecting outwards.