NZ534295A - Spectacle frames - Google Patents

Abstract

A spectacle frame assembly comprising a primary spectacle frame having a primary frame front, a pair of temples pivotally coupled to respective laterally outer end portions of said primary frame. A recess containing a magnet is provided in each of the lateral outer end portions. A peripheral channel is defined between a peripheral wall of each magnet and a peripheral wall of the corresponding recess. An auxiliary spectacle frame having a pair of auxiliary frame lugs disposed at respective laterally outer ends thereof. Each auxiliary frame lug being in the form of a cap defining an open cavity having a peripheral wall and an end wall. The open cavity periphery wall of each auxiliary frame lug being adapted to be received in a corresponding primary frame channel to engage the periphery wall of the corresponding magnet. The open cavity end wall of each auxiliary frame lug being adapted to engage an end surface of the corresponding magnet, and the auxiliary lug open cavity peripheral and end walls are formed, at least partially, of a ferrous material.

Description

5342 9 5 PATENTS FORM 5 PATENTS ACT 1953 OurRef: 684588NZ Dated: 22 July 2004 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Spectacle Frames We, Domani Eyewear Pty Ltd, an Australian Company, ACN 003 300 187 of 3 Wilmette Place, Mona Vale, New South Wales 2103 Australia, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: 2 3 JUL 200^ RECEIVED [R:\LIBT]05314.doc:irg SPECTACLE FRAMES Technical Field The present invention relates to spectacle frames, and in particular relates to spectacle 5 frame assemblies having a primary spectacle frame and a detachable auxiliary spectacle frame.

Background of the Invention To enable the use of sunglass lenses with spectacles having prescription lenses, various 10 forms of "clip-on" detachable auxiliary spectacle frames have been proposed which allow the auxiliary frame housing the sunglass lenses to be clipped onto the frame front of the primary spectacle frame housing the prescription lenses via various forms of mechanical clips. The success of the various forms of clips varies in terms of security of attachment, non-intrusive appearance and ease of attachment/detachment.

Replacement of the mechanical clip type attachments with various forms of magnetic attachment have also been proposed. Many of the magnetic attachment arrangements suffer from particularly poor security of attachment, allowing the auxiliary spectacle frame to rattle, vibrate or flicker and possibly disengage with any jarring movements of 20 the wearer, such as during various forms of exercise. With some arrangements it is also particularly difficult to attach and detach the auxiliary spectacle frame.

Whilst the magnetic attachment arrangement disclosed in the present applicant's International Patent Publication No. WO 00/33124 provides a secure attachment and ease 25 of attachment/detachment of the auxiliary frame, this arrangement is best suited to relatively fine frames and is not particularly suitable to bulky, particularly plastic, primary frames.

Object of the Invention It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages.

Summary of the Invention There is disclosed herein a spectacle frame assembly comprising: [R:\LIBK]3254.doc:GMM a primary spectacle frame having a primary frame front, a pair of temples pivotally coupled to respective laterally outer end portions of said primary frame front, a recess provided in each of said primary frame front laterally outer end portions, and a magnet received in each of said recesses with a peripheral channel being defined between 5 a peripheral wall of each said magnet and a peripheral wall of the corresponding said recess; and an auxiliary spectacle frame having a pair of auxiliary frame lugs disposed at respective laterally outer ends thereof, each said auxiliary frame lug being in the form of a cap defining an open cavity having a peripheral wall and an end wall, said open cavity 10 peripheral wall of each said auxiliary frame lug being adapted to be received in a corresponding said primary frame channel and to engage said peripheral wall of the corresponding said magnet, said open cavity end wall of each said auxiliary frame lug being adapted to engage an end surface of said corresponding magnet, said auxiliary lug open cavity peripheral and end walls being formed at least partially of a ferrous material. 15 Typically, said ferrous material is not a magnet.

Typically, said primary frame front is formed primarily of plastics material.

Typically each said recess is provided in a top surface of the corresponding said primary frame front end portion.

Typically said end surface of each said magnet is substantially flush with an 20 adjacent surface of the corresponding said primary frame front end portion.

Each said magnet and each said recess may be generally cylindrical.

Brief Description of the Drawings A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with 25 reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of a primary spectacle frame.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the primary spectacle frame of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the primary spectacle frame of Fig. 1 taken through the plane 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a front elevation view of an auxiliary spectacle frame.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the auxiliary spectacle frame of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a front elevation view of a spectacle frame assembly of the primary spectacle frame of Fig. 1 and the auxiliary spectacle frame of Fig. 4.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of the spectacle frame assembly of Fig. 6 [R:\LIBK]3254.doc:GMM Fig. 8 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the spectacle frame assembly of Fig. 6 taken through plane 8-8 of Fig. 7.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Referring to the accompanying drawings, a spectacle frame assembly comprises a primary spectacle frame 100 and an auxiliary spectacle frame 200 that can be detachably secured to the primary spectacle frame 100. The primary spectacle frame 100 will typically house prescription lenses, with the auxiliary spectacle frame 200 housing tinted sunglass lenses as per common "clip-on" spectacle frame assemblies.

Referring particularly to Figures 1 to 3, the primary spectacle frame 100 has a primary frame front 110 and a pair of temples 120 to engage the ears and the sides of the wearer's head pivotally coupled to laterally outer end portions 111 of the primary frame front 110. For a rimmed primary spectacle frame design as in that of Figures 1 and 2, the primary 15 frame front 110 includes a pair of primary frame rims 113 receiving a pair of primary lenses, which will typically be prescription lenses. A primary frame bridge 114 is secured to and separates the primary frame rims 113 in the usual manner. Rimless primary frame fronts are also envisaged, whereby the primary frame front laterally outer end portions 111 would typically be secured directly to the primary lenses.

A recess 112 is provided in each of the primary frame front laterally outer end portions 111. Here the recesses 112 are provided in the top surface of the primary frame front end portions 111, whilst it is envisaged that the recesses 112 may be provided in other surfaces of the end portions 111, particular the lower surface. A magnet 115 is received 25 in each of the recesses 112. Each magnet 115 is mounted centrally within the corresponding recess 112 such that a peripheral channel 116 is defined between the peripheral wall 115a of the magnet 115 and the peripheral wall 112a of the recess 112, as best depicted in Figure. 3. Each recess 112 and magnet 115 is here cylindrical, however any suitable shape may be utilised. Particularly, to best fit the recess and magnet within a 30 narrow primary frame front end portion, an elongate shape in plan view may be utilised.

The magnet 115 may be secured to the end portion 111 within the recess 112 by any suitable means. In the configuration depicted in Figure. 3, the magnet 115 is bonded to a squat cylindrical plate 117 which is in turn secured to the base of the recess 112 by way 35 of a fastener 118 passing through the lower surface of the end portion 111. The plate 117 [R:\UBK]3254.doc:GMM also serves to centre the location of the magnet 115 within the recess 112, providing for an equal width of the channel 116 around the periphery of the magnet 115.

The end surface 115b of the magnet 115 is here substantially flush with the adjacent top 5 surface of the end portion 111, thereby providing a neat appearance to the primary frame front 100 when viewed from the front and also reducing the possibility of any foreign objects catching on the magnet 115, particularly ferrous objects which would be attracted to the magnet 115. If so desired, however, the magnet 115 may be arranged to protrude beyond the opening of the recess 112 or be sunken below the opening of the recess 112.

The primary frame front 110 may be formed of any suitable material including plastics or metallic materials. The magnet 115 and recess 112 arrangement is particularly suited to a relatively bulky plastics frame. In particular, the primary frame front end portions 111 may be relatively bulky to provide sufficient volume for housing the recesses 112 and 15 magnets 115. The bulk of the primary frame front 110 will, however, chiefly be dictated by style. In the specific configuration depicted, the arms 120 are metallic and are pivotally coupled to the primary frame front outer end portions by way of elongate metallic link members 119 mounted on the main plastic section of the outer end portions 111. The entire primary frame 100, including the arms 120, may, however, be completely 20 formed of plastics material (apart from the magnets 115).

Referring to Figures 4 and 5, the auxiliary spectacle frame 200 has a pair of auxiliary frame lugs 230 disposed at laterally outer ends 211 thereof. The auxiliary frame lugs 230 are typically secured to auxiliary frame arms 212 provided toward each laterally outer end 25 of the auxiliary frame 200. For a rimmed auxiliary spectacle frame as depicted in Figures 4 and 5, the auxiliary frame rims 213 receive the auxiliary lenses with an auxiliary frame bridge 214 secured to and separating the auxiliary frame rims 213. The auxiliary frame arms 212 are secured to laterally outer end portions 213a of the auxiliary frame rims 213. It is envisaged, however, that the auxiliary frame 200 may be rimless, with both the 30 auxiliary frame bridge 214 and the auxiliary frame arms 212 being secured directly to the auxiliary lenses.

The auxiliary frame lugs 230 are each in the general form of a cap defining an open cavity 231 having a peripheral wall 230a and end wall 230b. The open cavity peripheral and end 35 walls 230a and 230b are each formed at least partially of a ferrous material such that they [R:\LIBK]3254.doc:GMM are magnetically attracted to the magnets 115. Here the entire auxiliary frame lugs 230, and the remainder of the auxiliary frame 200, are formed of steel.

To attach the auxiliary frame to the primary frame 100, the auxiliary frame 200 is located 5 directly in front and slightly above the primary frame 100. The auxiliary frame lugs 230 are aligned with the corresponding primary frame front recesses 112 and lowered such that each auxiliary frame lug open cavity peripheral wall 230a is received in the corresponding primary frame channel 116 as depicted in Figures 6 to 8. The auxiliary frame lug open cavity peripheral walls 230a magnetically engage the peripheral wall 115a 10 of the corresponding magnet 115 whilst the open cavity end walls 230b magnetically engage the corresponding magnet end surfaces 115b. A secure attachment of the auxiliary frame 200 is thus provided which is relatively rattle and flicker free due to the combination of magnetic attachment and structural attachment provides by virtue of the open cavity peripheral walls 115a encircling and engaging the magnets 115.

Location of the magnets 115 within the primary frame front outer ends 111, rather than behind the primary frame front outer ends as per the arrangement disclosed in WO 00/33124, enables the auxiliary frame lugs 230 to be mounted relatively close to the auxiliary frame rims 213 on short auxiliary frame arms 212 as compared to what would 20 be required if the magnets 115 were mounted behind the primary frame front end portions when a bulky plastic primary frame is being utilised. The auxiliary frame is accordingly more neat and compact and more comfortably stored when not in use, such as in the pocket of a wearer, without significant risk of damage to the auxiliary frame (and the wearer). Mounting of the magnets 115 within the primary frame front laterally outer ends 25 111 also reduces the possibility of damage or dislodging of the magnets 115. Mounting of the magnets 115 within recesses 112 also makes alignment and engagement of the auxiliary frame lugs 130 a simple matter, as the auxiliary frame lugs can be initially rested on the bulky auxiliary frame front outer ends 111 and slid across the surface until they find their home within the recesses 112.

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Claims (7)

-6- The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A spectacle frame assembly comprising: a primary spectacle frame having a primary frame front, a pair of temples 5 pivotally coupled to respective laterally outer end portions of said primary frame front, a recess provided in each of said primary frame front laterally outer end portions, and a magnet received in each of said recesses with a peripheral channel being defined between a peripheral wall of each said magnet and a peripheral wall of the corresponding said recess; and 10 an auxiliary spectacle frame having a pair of auxiliary frame lugs disposed at respective laterally outer ends thereof, each said auxiliary frame lug being in the form of a cap defining an open cavity having a peripheral wall and an end wall, said open cavity peripheral wall of each said auxiliary frame lug being adapted to be received in a corresponding said primary frame channel and to engage said peripheral wall of the 15 corresponding said magnet, said open cavity end wall of each said auxiliary frame lug being adapted to engage an end surface of said corresponding magnet, said auxiliary lug open cavity peripheral and end walls being formed at least partially of a ferrous material.

2. A spectacle frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said ferrous material is not a 20 magnet.

3. The spectacle frame assembly of either of claims 1 and 2 wherein said primary frame front is formed primarily of plastics material. 25

4. The spectacle frame assembly of any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein each said recess is provided in a top surface of the corresponding said primary frame front end portion.

5. The spectacle frame assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein said end 30 surface of each said magnet is substantially flush with an adjacent surface of the corresponding said primary frame front end portion.

6. The spectacle frame assembly of any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein each said magnet and each said recess is generally cylindrical. [R:\LIBKJ3254.doc: GMM

7. A spectacle frame assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Domani Eyewear Pty Ltd By the Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON & FERGUSON Per; [R:\LIBK]3254.doc:GMM SPECTACLE FRAMES ABSTRACT 5 A spectacle frame assembly comprises a primary spectacle frame (100) and an auxiliary spectacle frame (200). The primary spectacle frame (100) has a primary frame front (110) and a pair of temples (120) pivotally coupled to respective laterally outer end portions (111) of the primary frame front (100). A recess (112) is provided in each of the primary frame front laterally outer end portions (111). A magnet (115) is received in 10 each of the recesses (112) with a peripheral channel (116) being defined between a peripheral wall (115a) of each magnet (115) and a peripheral wall (112a) of the corresponding recess (112). The auxiliary spectacle frame (200) has a pair of auxiliary frame lugs (230) disposed at respective laterally outer ends (211) thereof. Each auxiliary frame lug (230) is in the form of a cap defining an open cavity (231) with a peripheral 15 wall (230a) and end wall (230b). The open cavity peripheral wall (230a) of each auxiliary frame lug (230) is adapted to be received in a corresponding primary frame channel (116) and to engage the peripheral wall (115a) of the corresponding magnet (115). The open cavity end wall (230b) of each auxiliary frame lug (230) is adapted to engage an end surface (115b) of the corresponding magnet (115). The auxiliary lug open 20 cavity peripheral and end walls (230a, 230b) are formed at least partially of a ferrous material. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N Z 2 3 JUL m RECEIVED [R:\LIBK]3254.doc:GMM